This was an amazing place to visit. We did not pay for the guided tour, but we did walk around and…read moreinside the church to see the amazing architecture, including what was destroyed in war and rebuilt. It was very interesting to see the lasting cracks and damage. The inside of the church has information about the church's history that you can read at your own pace for free. We also visited the chapel, which was beautiful.

While we were in Germany for the Berlin Marathon we had a chance to explore and visit the Kaiser…read moreWilhelm Memorial Church. It's over 100 years old and was badly damaged during the WW2 allied bombings. Amazing that it's still standing and is a reminder of such a terrible time in history. There is a newer more modern looking addition that is actively used and we viewed a listing of events and times to attend. We didn't have a chance to do these as we were on a tour with a quick stop here. Just from the outside you can view the remnants of the church, some sculptures, art pieces, and information. Some of the original church was rebuilt and restored and it's a beautiful piece of architecture. Definitely worth a visit if you're a history buff.

No credit card, but it only costs $4.50 Euros per person. It's worth the visit!…read more The Golden Angel. Depending upon where you are in Berlin, you can access it from four different points. From where I was staying, I walked up to it from behind. It's basically smack dab in the middle of a traffic circle, so pedestrians access it from an underground tunnel that gets you to the Siegessaule. From a distance, it looks like a monument. It's not until I saw people walking around in it that I realized I could go inside. Once I walked through the doorway, I saw the ticket booth. Once you walk through the ground floor museum of monuments in different countries, the signs lead you to the stairs that take you to the beautiful mosaic artwork. However, when I saw the spiral staircase that leads right up to the Golden Angel, and saw tourists walking towards me, I booked it up that spiral staircase! No elevator. Oh boy, it was quite the workout. So worth it though. The top of the staircase leads you outdoors, right below the Golden Angel. Spectacular views all around. I don't recommend it if you are afraid of heights. I walked all around, but held onto the side of the building the entire time. When I was done enjoying the view from the top, I walked down to view the mosaic artwork. Beautiful. Luckily the walk down is never as bad as the walk up. If you are in Berlin, I highly recommend the full experience of walking all the way to the top.

This is one of those cultural historic sites in Berlin. Yeah sure, it's a little bit touristy. But,…read moreif you've traveled to Berlin, you've got to go here and make the climb. And, climb you will. This architectural site can be seen from far away. It's located in Tiergarten Park and several trails and roads will lead you to it. Once in the area, you make your final trek to get to it by underground passageways. You don't want to try to cross the street, as the traffic in the traffic circle that surrounds it, is crazy. Once in the center, you wander around the site or go directly inside. There, you will be charged to see the minor museum area they have on the lower level devoted to this, "Victory Column." Then, comes the climb. It's a long steep challenging one. But, for those of us who like to work out, it's a lot of fun. To discuss the climb. What you do is to go up a long spiral staircase inside of the structure. The thing you need to know about this, if you come here on off-days, you may have no problem. I have been there when my wife and I were the only ones who made it to the top. Most people are nice, and let other easily pass. Some people are rude, however. And, they just push their way by or completely block people, on the very small staircase. Just keep that in mind. Overall, at the top, you step outside and have a nice view of Berlin. Again, this is a historic site and a fun place to visit in Berlin. Plus, you get a good workout by climbing to the top.

Nowhere near as famous as Brandenburger Tor, but it worth checking out, to see where Tiergarten…read moreends and meets the river.

As plazas go in Berlin, this one has a lot of good and a fair bit of bad…read more The good is the size of the space and the traffic that wanders through, The bad is the serious lack of soul and warmth, and a church from the modernist era that really does not do justice to the ruin it accompanies. The Plaza: A place where many paths cross, transit brings the masses and shopping and street kiosks do everything possible to provide the shopper with places to spend money. The Europa Center anchors the East side, providing a time capsule of 1980s cheesy architecture, a funky fountain and a generally lackluster facade taken up with (mostly) signs for the businesses that inhabit that space. The Kaiser Church ruin: One really wishes there was more space around the tower so that it stood silent testament to the horrors of war, and the end result of an overwrought militarism. But no, there are these two carbuncles attached to it. One is locally called the 'pillbox' and in any other place would be pretty cool. Actually, if he pillbox was alone, it would be acceptable... but no... it has a companion. A tower called locally called "the lipstick tube", and it has about that much character, It blocks a side of the broken tower, and thats a pity. And inside its base is a really tacky shop selling imported crap. Yeah, great way to honor the purpose of the church and the ruin. Fail. Entry into the ruin and church are free, as they should be. The west side is mostly forgettable, as are the buildings on the north and south. This place combines amazing traffic with lackluster architecture to succeed in spite of itself. Its a place with people - lots of them - but go on a Sunday, when its almost empty, and see just how bland and uninspired that space really is.

A powerful site that you can feel the chill running down your spine. Was here on a raining morning…read moreand it was just a site. No names no words but just that...just wow!

Another day in Berlin and another museum reminding us all about World War II and the Holocaust…read more It's free, but you have to wait to get in. They let you in in staggered blocks. If you see a long line, just get on it. It moves quickly. Much of the staff is multilingual, too. I saw the young people working the ropes talking to people from all over Europe in their own languages. Outside there is a staggeringly large monument of large grey slabs. Some are leaning, and I'm not sure if it is intentional or due to disrepair and the elements. What I do know is it is a kind of maze which people seem to mainly use to play hide and seek or do parkour on, even though it's a museum dedicated to the Jews murdered in Europe. Kind of sad to witness. Inside is a large multi room museum documenting personal stories with various types of exhibits of the people rounded up, killed, or the few who survived. There are readings of testimonials of survivors of the camps that you can listen to on phones in the wall. It's very depressing but oh so important. And considering how much antisemitism there is in the world today and how trendy it is, it was somewhat moving to see so many people who wanted to come in and get educated on the horrors the Jews went through in World War II Germany. A really important part of history well told. Check it out and then you can walk over and see a bunch of tourist stuff like Brandenberg Gate and the Reichstag. You'll probably need a drink, but it is definitely worth checking out. Especially if you have a teenager and especially if you are Jewish yourself.