Czech.Republic.: "short-form" Berlin

Last week was my 5th time in Berlin & equally as wonderful with my Dad! As always, Berlin managed to show me something new&incredible tucked away in different knooks and crannies!

I mentioned to my Dad that if I was to come back to Europe down the road, I still would start in Berlin! It is a must...

I know I know... You seen this, heard this.. but here are some new tid-bits to hit up if you are enroute to Berlin, Germany in short form!

You must stay at PLUS hotel/hostel- This place is a gem! For only 40 euro a night for a private room with washroom and linens its a steal! If you want the more affordable (if that wasnt enough!) the dorms are only 10 euro! The place is huge, clean and super helpful! Plus their 6 euro buffet breakfast in the Opera Bar is bang on to start your day right!
Do a day second hand shopping!- Berlin has the BEST second hand shops! Awesome quality and wicked selection of stuff! Do a day travelling through the city to all the "Humana" stores (second hand chain) and you will go home with tons of goodies!! Maybe the crazy white alligator boots that my Dad was checking out!

HUMANA second hand shops

Calling all VEGANS!- You veg-heads BioMarket is the place for you! Grab a wicked cappicino and then go pick out a vegan german sausage for lunch- they have every flavor!

Monsieur Vong Restaurant- This vibrant Vietnamese restaurant is in Prenzlauer and they pack an AMAZING TEA bowl with lime and ginger. It probably doesn't sound all that spectacular but it is the best tea I have had! Freshly made and loose- no pre-packed tea-bags! And their food is wicked to boot- try the glass noodle spicy dish! Great prices as well... ................ps- this place is tucked away, grab a map and keep searching- its worth the hunt!

Prater Biergarten- Prater is the "beer garden" of Berlin. I figured we should stop in so my Dad could get his traditional "German Sausage." To our surprise, even thought they do not serve sausage we each had an awesome dish! Even my vegetarian option was rad! The best part of this night out was the discovery of DIESEL BEER..... Half beer & Half coke....to die for! Pretty sure I capped each night out to follow with one of these....

A night on the TOWN!- If you are going out in Berlin you should definitely start at FORUM wine bar. Its a funky little bar right by Rosenthaler! You rent a glass- keep tabs on how much you are drinking and pay at the end!j To follow...perhaps you heard the myth that the trains run 24/7- like I had? This is not true! BUT the M10 Party Tram does run 24/7! This bad boy only runs through Eastern Berlin- but lets be honest- thats the best part of Berlin so where else would you be!?! Tram tickets are only a dollar- but I still have yet to experience anyone checking my tickets on the tram or the train!

WEST Berlin- Even though I rarely venture the West when I am in Berlin, I do feel its worth a trip to Tiergarten just to see the very apparent differences between the East and West. Hope on the train from Ostkreuz (in Friedrichshain) and head to Tiergarten and as soon as you step off the train you can see and feel the lack of vibrancy and "zazz" that the East embodies! I love just cruising though Kreuzberg, Friedrichshain and my favorite Prenzlauer when Im there!

[east side gallery]

So these are just a few extra tid-bits we also hit up Treptower Park the blind leading the blind to Spree Park, busyyyyyy Bikram Yoga, of course Burgers Berlin, Sachsenhausen concentration camp, Potsdamer Platz just a few times for gluhwein! and much more!