"A City With LOTS To See" a Berlin Travel Page by AnnS

Winter is not reckoned to be the ideal time to visit Berlin but I decided to risk it as I like to see places when they are not over-run with tourists. Also influencing my decision was the availability of a very cheap flight and a 'hot deal' in a 4* hotel.

I was only going to be there for 4 days so I knew I wouldn't be able to see everything because it's a big city, packed full of interesting things. So I did some careful research, made a list of 'not to be missed' sights and also planned a day to visit the nearby historical city of Potsdam.

The weather on my first day was dull but dry so I was able to enjoy my time and take photos.

My second day was a nice surprise, with sunshine and mild temperatures. I spent it outside Berlin, in Potsdam.

Then... the trouble started. Being in a country where you don't speak the language means that you don't pick up on conversation around you. Neither do you understand detailed weather forecasts. I knew it was going to rain but I DIDN'T know that the worst storm to hit Berlin in 20 years was heading my way. So when everyone was apparently being warned to stay indoors, out I went. It was raining very hard and it was impossible to take photos so I headed for the shops. But soon, even shopping was inadvisable because people were literally hanging on to lamp posts to avoid being blown over and the rain was lashing down. So I returned to my hotel and only then realised the severity of the situation.

My visit to Berlin was effectively over and as the main railway station had closed, after suffering damage to its glass canopy, the only remaining quest was to figure out a way to get to the airport the next day, without passing through it.

In retrospect, I wish I'd spent all my available time in Berlin, rather than visiting Potsdam, because I missed so many of the things I wanted to see (hence the lack of tips). I didn't get to see Museum Island or the Cathedral and only visited a fraction of the city.

But now I've been once, and found out how easy it is to get around using Berlin's ultra-efficient transport system, I plan to visit again soon. From what I did see, it's a marvellous city and one where you could spend several weeks and still not get to see everything it has to offer.