Travelnotesfromtheworld

Sharon Preston explores a city reborn and offers a list of her five favourite places to visit in Berlin

Germany’s capital has seen so much sadness and pain, so much horror, that it is unbelievable to see it emerging now, in the 21st Century, finally united and at peace. Much of the city’s past was lost during bombing during the Second World War, and what has finally been rebuilt is a constant reminder of hope. Of how evil can be overcome, and how tranquility and beauty can reign once peace has been restored.

When the Berlin Wall was demolished in 1989, life started to change for those who live in the city. But this wasn’t only an emotional change – the city itself has been rebuilt. Historic squares like Potsdamerplatz and Pariserplatz have now been restored to their former glory. This rejuvenation has created a dynamic city, full of hope for the future.

Berlin boasts an enormous amount of talent in many spheres, especially art, design and culture. And you’ll find evidence of this burgeoning talent in the city’s new buildings, its modern shopping malls and restored historic squares. Of course, you will also find reminders of the horror, when you visit the Jewish Museum and the Berlin Wall. The city will never forget, but there is a new willingness to survive, and rebuild.

Here are a few of the delights I found on a recent trip to Berlin…

1. Kurfurstendamm
This busy boulevard that was built in the 16th Century is often called Berlin’s Fifth Avenue, because of its fabulous shops on offer. It’s a wide, tree-lined avenue lined with some lovely old villas as well as some pavement cafes where you can take a breather after doing some shopping.

2. Ka de We
Who would have thought that one would find the largest department store in Europe in Berlin? But Ka de We is just that. It’s full name is Kaufhaus des Westens, and it’s so famous one can even take a sightseeing tour inside. The department store is an absolute treasure trove of delights, and even if you only visit its gourmet food hall on the sixth floor, you’ll be doing yourself a favour. There’s more than just items on sale at Ka de We; you’ll find beauty salons, hairdressing salons, a taxi service and a host of other facilities to keep you busy while you explore.

3. Alexanderplatz
This busy square has been the the city’s commercial hub since the Middle Ages. In its centre stands the vast TV Tower, one of the largest structures in Europe. You can climb to the top of the tower and enjoy a panoramic view of Berlin below you. And while you’re up there, whynot have something to eat at the famous revolving restaurant? Alexanderplatz is home to a World Time Clock that offers the times of major cities around the world. You’ll also find the Fountain of International Friendship here.

4. Potsdamer Platz
In the early 20th Century, this square was the most popular in Europe. Today it’s more famous for its labyrinth of passageways and rooms underground. In fact, one of these was Hitler’s bunker, where he apparently committed suicide. Potsdamer Platz has been refurbished since the Berlin Wall fell, and today it’s home to a variety of restaurants, cafes, shops and movie theatres including an IMAX theatre.

5. Checkpoint Charlie
I have to include one of the city’s famous historic sights in my list. Checkpoint Charlie is one of the ultimate symbols of the Cold War. It’s the stretch of land that used to separate the Berlin Wall from the West. It’s one of three checkpoints that were created by President John F Kennedy of the United States so that allied forces and the diplomatic corps could enter West Berlin. Today there’s a line of bricks that trace the path where the Berlin Wall used to stand. There’s also a replica of the original booth at Checkpoint Charlie and you can visit the museum located here, called Haus am Checkpoint Charlie.

Let’s face it, when we’re not shopping and sightseeing in Paris, we’re savouring some fabulous French fare. When she visits this fabulous French city, Sharon Preston enjoys leisurely dinners after dark, and prefers to snack during the day so that she can fit in all the great sights and do some serious shopping. Here she gives us a list of her favourite Parisian delicacies to enjoy on the run

Baguette
Baguettes are Parisians’ daily bread, part of their everyday life. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors and are available at bakeries around Paris. Baguette ordinaire or Baguette Parisienne is made with yeast; it has a crisp crust and is white inside. Baguette tradition or Baguette a l’ancienne are usually sourdough breads. You can ask for a baguette that is bien cuite, or well cooked, or pas trop cuite, which means ‘not too cooked’. You can often buy half a baguette.

Croissants
Another staple Parisian food, the croissant is a buttery crescent-shaped pastry traditionally served at breakfast with coffee – this forms a typical Parisian Contintental breakfast. Every Parisian bakery has its own unique version, but most have that distinctive deeply toasted crunch and buttery flavour.

Pain au chocolat
No, it’s not a bread. Pain au chocolat is actually a croissant with dark chocolate folded into the buttery pastry. Other variations include croissants filled with almond butter, sultanas, raisins or apples. Like croissants, pain au chocolat should only really be eaten before 11 in the morning, for breakfast or brunch.

Crepes
Crepes are very thin, cooked pancakes usually made from wheat flour; they come with both sweet or savoury fillings. You can buy these delicious treats off the street in the area around the Gare Montparnasse. Sweet crepes or ‘crepes sucrees’ are slightly sweetened and are filled with syrup, mixed berries, fresh fruit or lemon cream. Savoury crepes, on the other hand, are called ‘galettes. These unsweetened crepes are traditionally made with buckwheat flour and served with a fine slice of ham, grated Gruyere cheese and a softly fried egg. Delicious!

Croque Monsieur/Croque Madame
Nothing prepares you for the Parisian version of a cheese and ham sandwich! The Croque Monsieur is a famous Parisian snack that is made of two slices of crustless buttered bread sandwiched together with thin slices of Gruyere cheese and a slice of lean ham. If you prefer you order Croque Madame, which is the same delicious sandwich topped with a fried or poached egg.

Cheese
The variety of cheese is exceptional, and you can sample them in many cheese stores around Paris. The best is Androuet, a family-run store with five branches that has been selling cheese for over 100 years. You can also pick up cheese in supermarkets. The French serve cheese in restaurants as a course after the main meal with salad, but you can also enjoy some with a fresh baguette and a glass of wine. Paris favorites include Camembert, Brie, Fontainbleau and Vacherin or you can sample what’s in season.

Madeleines
These tiny shell-shaped cakes have a buttery crust and are sweetened with a citrus glaze. They are traditionally served at tea-time or as a snack. What makes them so popular and delicious is the finely ground almonds in the mixture. These days, some bakeries make a variation using lemon zest, which creates a pronounced lemony taste instead of the simpler original.

Macarons
These colourful round meringue-based confections are now found all over the world, and are very popular in France, especially in Paris. They are melt-in-the-mouth treats made from almond flour, sugar and egg whites, sandwiched together with a flavoured butter cream. Although originally created in pretty pastel colours, they are now available in a wide variety of bright hues and flavours from pistachio to lavender. You will find them in many bakeries and specialty shops across Paris.