Berlin

Berlin is the capital of the Federal Republic of Germany. It is also one of its 16 states and the largest city of Germany (the population is about 3.4 million people). The dramatic history of the city is very interesting to study. It is a peculiar city indeed, the fact that it is the third most-visited tourist destination is quite significant. The most striking changes that the city has ever experienced took place in the 20th century. Berlin was divided into East Berlin and West Berlin after World War II. The portions of the world-famous Berlin Wall that remain today remind us of the gloomy past.

Sightseeing in Berlin

The Brandenburg Gate is one of the symbols of Berlin and Germany. The image of this magnificent building can be seen on German euro coins. The Reichstag is the seat of the German Parliament and a popular tourist attraction. The building was remodelled in the 1990s and since then it has a glass dome. Other sights include the Berliner Dom (a Protestant cathedral), the Cathedral of St. Hedwig (a Roman Catholic cathedral), the Rotes Rathaus (Red City Hall), the Neptunbrunnen (a fountain featuring a mythological scene), the famous streets Unter den Linden and Friedrichstraße, etc. Other landmarks of the city are the Potsdamer Platz, the Straße des 17. Juni, the Siegessäule (Victory Column), Schloss Charlottenburg (it is the largest existing palace in Berlin), etc. Schloss Bellevue is the residence of the German President. And those who are keen on shopping can visit the Kurfürstendamm and its luxurious stores or the KaDeWe which is claimed to be continental Europe's largest department store. The Fernsehturm (TV tower) at Alexanderplatz is the second highest building in the EU (368 metres). Its observation floor is situated at the height of 204 metres above ground and provides a marvellous view. Another tall tower of the city is Funkturm Berlin (a lattice radio tower, 150 metres tall). It has a restaurant (55 metres above ground) and an observation deck (126 metres above ground). Those who are eager to see what is left of the Berlin Wall should visit the East Side Gallery. This open-air exhibition presents art painted on the remaining portions of the Berlin Wall.

Events

The Berlin International Film Festival is one of the most important film festivals in Europe. Films from all over the world are viewed by numerous visitors and the winners receive the awards - the Golden and Silver Bears (the Bear has been the symbol of Berlin for several centuries, it can be seen on the coat of arms of the city).

It is also a great pleasure to visit the cultural festival Berliner Festspiele and the jazz festival JazzFest Berlin, the Karneval der Kulturen and many other interesting events.

The world-famous Love Parade is an outstanding festival which attracts many electronic dance music enthusiasts from all over the world. The Love Parade held in Berlin in 2006 saw about 1,200,000 participants.

There are many other exciting events in Berlin, its nightlife is diverse and bright, so a visit to this remarkable city will surely be unforgettable.

Museums

There are 153 museums in Berlin. The Museum Island located in the city is home to the Altes Museum (Old Museum), the Neues Museum (New Museum), Alte Nationalgalerie (Old National Gallery), Pergamon Museum and Bode Museum. There are also many other museums located in other parts of Berlin. The Gemäldegalerie (Painting Gallery) presents masterpieces by the painters of the 13th to the 18th centuries. The Neue Nationalgalerie (New National Gallery) exhibits outstanding paintings created in the 20th century. The Hamburger Bahnhof presents a collection of modern and contemporary art. The Deutsches Historisches Museum helps its visitors to learn more about German history.

Theatres

One should not forget that there are more than 50 theatres in Berlin. There are also seven symphony orchestras in the city. The three major opera houses of berlin include the Deutsche Oper, the Berlin State Opera and the Komische Oper.

Hamburg

It is the city and Land (i.e. federal state) in northern Germany. Hamburg is the largest port and commercial centre in Germany. Besides, it is the second largest port in Europe, ninth largest port in the world, and the largest city in the EU which is not a national capital. Hamburg is Germany’s second largest city. The cultural life of this cosmopolitan city reflects the spirit of independence and originality which has predominated here for ages.

The Beauty of the City

The beautiful parks and canals, the elegant architecture, the famous museums, the charming houses in the suburbs and the picturesque lakes contribute to the beauty of Hamburg. The churches of the city and their spires add a great deal of charm to the skyline of Hamburg.

Cultural Life

A visit to Hamburg is incomplete without taking a tour around its museums, galleries, theatres, opera houses, etc. The most important ones include the Kunsthalle (the Art Gallery), the Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe (the Museum of Art and Crafts), the Museum für Hamburgische Geschichte (the Museum of Hamburg History), the Museum für Völkerkunde (the Museum of Ethnology), the Altonaer Museum, the Helms-Museum, the Hamburg Staatsoper (the Hamburg State Opera House), the Deutsche Schauspielhaus (the German Theatre), the Thalia Theatre and others.

Hamburg and Classical Music

Being the birthplace of Mendelssohn and Brahms, the city is important for the world of music. Many famous contemporary classical composers live (or lived) in Hamburg.

Popular Music in Hamburg

Hamburg is also world-famous as one of the centres of popular music. It is here that the Beatles had their first show abroad.

Munich (München)

It is Germany’s third largest city and the capital of the German state of Bavaria. The city is important for the banking and financial industry of the country. Munich is one of Germany's industrial centres and a major tourist destination. It has several of the largest breweries in Germany and holds the world-famous Oktoberfest celebration every year.

When in Germany you should also visit Cologne (Köln), Frankfurt am Main, Stuttgart and many other beautiful cities, towns and villages. You are welcome!