Rob has recently spent quite a bit of time in Berlin on business, and now Rob’s company is tossing us the idea of moving to Germany. Rob said he wouldn’t even think about it until I had a chance to go there and see if I liked it. So they are paying for us to go there (all three of us) over spring break to check it out.
So I’ll be there about a week… what should I do?
Things to do in Berlin:
teehee!
I had the opportunity to visit Berlin last winter and found it to be a fabulous city, at least from a tourist standpoint. Restaurants of all stripe, all over. Three state-sponsored opera companies (saw ‘Madama Butterfly’ for about $10). Berlin Philharmonic and numerous other musical groups and happenings. A small handful of museums. History everywhere. Easy and plentiful public transportation.
When you go over spring break, the very first day I would recommend two things: Hop on the #100 Bus and take a complete circuit; it goes by virtually every site of note in the city. And take a walking tour; there are at least a couple companies that do walking tours (in English) starting from the ‘Zoo’ Station. Any up-to-date guidebook should mention both of these things and provide more detail.
On the other hand, I just read an article about the current state of Berlin from an economic standpoint, and it mentioned the high unemployment and the general disilluision of the population after post-Wall dreams of prosperity and unity are not exactly coming true. So living there may be a different kettle of fish from being a visitor. Keep us posted and good luck!
Walking tour is out. My knees are in need of a factory rebuild. I’ll look into that #100 bus thing, though!
Ummm… Invade Poland? 
Is that included in the Springtime for Hitler tour package?
There is so much to do in Berlin…doesn’t make any difference what time of year.
I don’t know what you like to do -
Great museums (save them for the rainy days).
Great theater and opera and orchestra.
Shopping is fun…be sure to see KaDeWe department store - makes Harrods in London look like KMart.
Restaurants up the yingyang.
Great little coffee shops (try Bleibtreustrasse).
Lots and lots of parks. Neat boat tours through the rivers and canals - you can have cake and coffee and watch as the world passes by.
Berlin is the only city in Europe that does not have a closing hour for bars and nightclubs. Needless to say, it can be interesting at about 3:30 am on a weekend night in the pubs, discos and clubs.
The Zoo and Aquarium are next door to each other.
There are about 6 or so nude beaches - but Spring might be pushing it a bit.
Art galleries everywhere.
Quite a few palaces to visit.
And there is always beer.
Foods:
Try a curry wurst.
Try a boulette.
Frankfurter Kranz cake.
Chocolates anyone?
and the coffee is fantastic…one cup and you’ll be buzzing for the day.
I always said if you like New York, you will love Berlin!
I’ll be skipping a few of those, as I’m a vegetarian and I loathe beer, and I don’t have enough money to go shopping! lol
Theatre sounds wonderful. I’m going to have to do that. Boat tours sound great. I love them. Is the zoo a good one? Zoo and aquarium sound good, especially since we will have Dominic with us.
Go. Go. Go.
Visit Europe. You’ll never regret it. Especially if someone else pays. 
You’re a vegetarian, and you loathe beer.
I’d say Germany should be about the bottom of your wish list, then. Seriously, if you consider moving there. I’m sure big cities like Berlin are accomodating, but don’t expect to be able to order a Caesar Salad in Arschfick, Bayern.
Caesar Salads aren’t vegetarian.
Sun: I’ve been to Yurp twice and loved it. Well, everything except Spain.
Rob just spent a month in Berlin and said that he had no problem at all finding vegetarian food. He said it was possibly a little easier than it is here.
Gotta admit, Coldfire has a point.
Vegetarian beer loathers in Berlin are few and far between - although I have to admit I wasn’t exactly LOOKING for them while I was there…so who knows. How about cheese and wine? Lots of that there as well…
The Zoo is world class (you may have seen Michael Jackson parading his veiled children through there recently on tv). Located smack dab in the center of the city - you’ll love it. And there are open air markets on different days spread all over the city where you can buy flowers, fruit and VEGETABLES…and there are quite a few interesting flea markets for shoppers on a budget - but you still have to take a stroll through KaDeWe while you are there, even if you don’t buy anything.
Berliners are very kid friendly - lots of local parks with playgrounds in every part of the city.
