While I was finishing my Master’s degree in Brussels, I lived and shared a home with international roommates. In the summer of 2014, my roommate from Germany finished her internship and was headed back to Berlin. It didn’t take her long to convince me to visit that summer.  I packed my backpack and flew to Berlin! I went with little to no expectations, I was simply visiting my friend who I cherish so much. It was a blast!

Berlin is a pulsing, exciting city with an incredible cultural scene and of course the company of great people added to it. During the day I did what tourists do, visited museums and historical monuments that are found in every other alleyway. It was easy to appreciate this vibrant city, however, I do think that I fell in love with Berlin even more because I got to explore the real Berlin with my friend. 

There are many reasons why you should add Berlin to your future Euro trip. Here are some of the highlights from my trip:

• If you are (or not) a history geek: then look no further because Berlin is the place to be. In my opinion, Berlin has some of the best history museums. You’ll also see the scars of World War I, II and communism. It’s truly moving!
• I visited Sanssouci Palace (Potsdom): a grand and majestic palace surrounded by beautiful garden.
• Swing dancing at Strandbar Mitte across the ‘Bode Museum’: this might be one of the top highlights of my trip. An outdoor patio/dancefloor across the canal and Bode museum where people danced away. I watched and tapped my feet until I couldn’t not dance so I hopped in alone until a friendly Berliner in a tie and suit joined me. It was also our (my friend and I) meeting point after she finished work. 🙂
• If you visited Berlin and didn’t experience the nightlife, then you do not know the true Berlin. The night life in Berlin is one of a kind. We went to “Sisyphos” which is like a big amusement park for adults, in a huge warehouse. There were abandoned vans turned into bars, bonfires, hammock chairs, tree houses, photo booths and different dancefloors (tech house, darker house, and disco.)
• Graffiti on the Berlin Wall: the art is so powerful that has come to represent freedom from censorship and the unity between the German people that were torn apart by war.
• Hipster city. I was inspired by their free spirit and street style. [Fun fact: after my Berlin trip I bought myself bohemian harem pants and was obsessed with them that summer ha!]
• Delicious food, hidden cafes and fresh outdoor/indoor markets. One of my fond memories is riding the bike in the rain, then we stopped at a pretty corner cafe, had a delightful conversation and ate a delicious lunch.

I owe her for her kind hospitality and for making fall in love with this city. I can’t wait to go back again and this time with my husband. 😉

“The city is wilder than you think and kinder than you think. It is a valley and you are a horse in it. It is a house and you are a child in it safe and warm here in the fire of each other.” ~ Robert Montgomery

XO Dalia

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