We started our journey on a Thursday afternoon with a vodka cranberry and a bloody mary at 30,000 feet on a BA flight (Hello avios). We dosed off like old women and before we knew it we landed in Berlin. We cabbed it to our hotel and checked in our bags before quickly freshening up to meet our friend at The Winerie. (We had no idea what to expect but we were sold from the name.)
The Winerie had a fantastic concept that could only really work in a country as lovely as Berlin. It relies on the honesty of their customers. It costs 2 euros for a glass at this bar when you enter and then for the whole evening you have unlimited wine and can re fill your glass as often as you like. At the end of the evening (when your annihilated from free wine) you can donate what you 'feel' you owe. Needless to say this idea would never work here, all free wine would result in here is a bar fight with bottles being smashed over peoples heads. We standardly popped in for a drunken McDonalds. Even the happy meal gifts in Berlin are better - my Shaun the Sheep lunchbox is proof of this. This exciting gift and the wine made for a very happy first night.
We spent Friday morning wandering round a beautiful street on the river where we had more bloody marys and mojitos with breakfast - everything is acceptable when you are on holiday.
We left this beautiful spot to visit the local market which transported us to turkey for the ten minutes we spent there. We obviously had to stop off for a glass of wine before heading anywhere else.
After years of mocking and wining about open top tour buses to my parents on our family holidays It would appear that infact, these actually are the most efficient and cost effective way to see the key parts of a city. (This was hard for me to type - I am ageing).
The first stop was the Jewish Museum...How could we say no?
We spent the rest of the afternoon museum hopping and stopping at all of the big tourists attractions like the Berlin wall, Checkpoint Charlie and the Houses of Parliament.
And obviously we had to try a curry wurst (BIG fan)
After all the eating and sightseeing we briefly settled into a cute cafe to indulge in some coffee and cheesecake.
We spent Friday night and most of Saturday Morning at a club called Kater Holzig. No one goes there until around 3am and there is no guarantee you will get in. The decision is down to the door men who I have been told - do not like light colours or big groups. (PAH)
Despite this twatty door policy you are in for a great night.
We spent the rest of Saturday collecting the marbles we misplaced the night before, touring the last stops of our open top bus and lying in the park in the sunshine. Bliss.
Not forgetting the best meal I had the whole holiday.
We had a quiet Saturday night filled with German biscuits and chocolate. Perfection.
We woke up on Sunday morning refreshed and ready for the flight home. We both fell in love with the city and would recommend it to anyone we meet!
Unfortunately I didn't need my German phrase after all.
Ma inkablinka es kaput - My left indicator is broken.
