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CTR: Berlin Bitte !
CTR: Berlin Bitte !
B Bitte!
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1
C o n te n ts
1. INTRODUCTION
2. HISTORY
3. TRANSPORT
4. SURVIVAL GUIDE
5. PROFILES
A CTR PRODUCTION
3
1
Berlin is a very diverse city and the locals
are pretty laid back. The city has an urban
salted pretzel for the ultimate Berlin expe-
rience.
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vibe with graffiti artistically drawn on
many buildings which makes for a unique Berlin is renowned for its history. The city
atmosphere. Covered with visionary has a variety of museums where you can
prints, the East Side Gallery in East Berlin view objects steeped in antiquity. You can
is a must see. Wander down the sidewalk a walk through Museum Island and pick
and admire the artwork whilst enjoying a a few museums to tour for an afternoon.
delicious kebab or an ice cream cone you Make your way through the German His-
can buy at one of the many stands nearby. tory Museum and the Old National Gal-
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lery to absorb the facts that the museums
Take a stroll through the parks that are have to offer. Give yourself an afternoon
filled with beautiful greenery, historical to be able to take in all the information
monuments, and people enjoying the provided. Sites such as Soviet War Memo-
sunshine. Be sure to free up your day, rial to the Holocaust Memorial definitely
because these areas are huge and soaking should be visited out of acknowledgment
up the surroundings can take an entire and respect.
afternoon. Treptower Park , TierGarten,
and Tempelhofer Feld are just a few of the
many impressive grounds that you can
find whilst appreciating Germany. Dont
forget to pack your swimsuit as some of
the parks have lakes and rivers where you
can paddleboard, canoe or jump in for a
dip.
INTRODUCTION
Pack your suitcase and get ready to visit Berlin, Germany! Explore this historical city
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Home to an assortment of cuisines,
searching for a bite to eat is easy in Berlin.
This city doles out traditional German
cuisine, vegan meals, Hawaiian-inspired
dishes, Thai food, and curries. Its no
wonder Berlin is a hot spot for foodies.
and revel in a new culture. From parks, museums, and monuments to bars, cafs, and
Youll definitely lose count of all the ke-
restaurants, you wont want to miss out. Whether youre visiting for a weekend or stay-
bab stations, strawberry stands, sidewalk
ing for weeks, youll find yourself amazed at all that Berlin has to offer. With easy access
cafes, and restaurants where you can have
to every tram, reaching your desired destinations can be stress-free. Or be sure to lace
a refuel before continuing your adventure.
up those shoes and get ready to walk or bike almost anywhere you like in the city. Gear
Afterwards, journey to the Biergarten
up for an adventure, because with so much to do and see youll wonder why you hadnt
for a stein of German beer and a famous
visited sooner.
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Enjoy a night out in Berlin by going to the dance floor and party the night away
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one of the many local pubs, bars, and until the early morning hours.
clubs that are hopping with techno music
every weekend. Visit Club De Visionaere No matter what route you take in Berlin,
for an experience of clubbing and roof- the city itself will not disappoint you. Let
top views of the Spree River. Youre never your inner traveller make the choices and
too far from a bar, so order an old-fash- explore the city and suburbs of Berlin. Go
ioned German beer and take it on the go, out and explore while youre young and
all whilst enjoying the views of the city. have tons of energy to submerge yourself
The night life gives Berlin a new look. in the culture and style of this city. Youll
The lights are out, the music is top notch, be saying Berlin, bitte the next time
people are dancing, and it feels like youve youre asked where you want to travel to.
entered a new scene. Dont be afraid to hit
BY COURTNEY REDER
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1
AREAS have one when youre here. Other local
fast food includes currywurst, bratwurst,
Each area of Berlin fits into a specific bakery items, falafel and halloumi wraps
demographic of traveller. If visiting cool for vegetarians.
shops and getting a sense of real street
level culture interests you, visit Neuklln Cigarettes and beer are very cheap so be
or Kreuzberg. If monuments and histo- careful to pace yourself and dont get too
ry interests you, Mitte has many famous carried away by the price. Sticking to beer
landmarks. If you are vegetarian or vegan, on a night out is the cheapest option, if
Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain have many youre on a budget.
suitable restaurants.
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WIFI
Alexanderplatz is the main commercial
area where you will find many big name For free wifi go to the main S/U-Bahn sta-
shops like Primark, Lush and Dunkin Do- tions. Most cafes, bars and hotel lounges
nuts. Avoid restaurants in this area if you offer wifi free of charge.
dont want to pay tourist prices.
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RECYCLING
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TRANSPORT
SURVIVAL GUIDE
SURVIVAL GUIDE Wherever you decide to explore, trans-
Berlin is a very green city and recycling is
like a sport to locals. Littering will not be
port will be your best friend. It is easy to tolerated. Empty plastic bottles can be ex-
get around in the city when you know changed for up to 30 cents in certain bars/
the system. The S-Bahn is an over- shops, so it is definitely worth the extra
Whether youre a techno-head or a history geek, Berlin is the place to be. Knowing which
ground train system, the U-Bahn is an hassle.
attractions interest you the most is definitely important as theres so much to do. Here are
underground system. The Strassenbahn
some top tips to help you, whoever you are, to survive in the German capital:
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(tram) system is a smaller local form of SHOPPING
transport. Maps will detail which lines
Learn a few phrases before you visit as even though most Germans speak English as a sec-
and stops are available. Avoid eating If you fancy a late night snack, Sptkauf
ond language its always best to have some basic knowledge; especially if you want to fool the
and drinking on public transport as it is (late shops) are open 24 hours and some
bouncers at the most exclusive clubs into thinking youre a local.
frowned upon and sometimes illegal. even offer outdoor seating if you fancy a
Thank you- Danke schn beer to accompany your snack.
3
Youre welcome- Bitte FOOD AND DRINK
Hello- Hallo Dont try to do shopping on a Sunday as
Where is the toilette?- Wo ist die Toilette? As a traveller on a budget, fast food chains this is the day of rest in Berlin. Supermar-
Which way is?- In welcher Richtung ist...? are your best friend, even if youre veggie kets and some independent shops and
What is the WIFI password?- Was ist das WLAN-Kennwort? or vegan. Dner-kebabs were invented restaurants may be closed, so live like a
One beer please- Ein Bier bitte in Berlin, so its just common courtesy to local and use Sunday as a day to chill.
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HEALTH AND SAFETY free entry and the Reichstag is free, but
advanced booking is needed.
Although Berlin is a relatively safe city, it
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is best to stay cautious when this is your NIGHTLIFE
first visit. Saying that, dont be intimi-
dated! Many parts of Berlin can be seem Berlin is famous for its nightlife, clubs and
rough but that is all part of its charm. If dance music scene. When trying to enter
you walk into Tiergarten and see a little the bigger, busier clubs a strict door policy
more skin than you bargained for, dont applies. All black or muted coloured out-
stress- thats just the locals sunbathing. fits, minimal makeup, and dance-suitable
shoes are advised. The basic concept is to
If you do go too hard on the cheap beer try to look like youre not trying.
dont expect to be able to buy pain relief
at any store. You must visit the Apotheke
(pharmacy), and talk to a trained profes-
sional, which may be expensive so its best
to bring some cash with you.
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WEATHER
9
BUDGET
1918-1933
ler. I also recall that in a fit of arson I set
An interview with Berlin
the Reichstag alight in 1933 and watched
Germanys leading star from 1871 to the present
like a sulky bystander while students de-
molished books and attacked the Jewish
W e were lucky enough to get the inside scoop on Berlin itself. The talented actor
has a dappled past and has played many diverse roles from war veteran to pres-
ent-day techno clubber. After tentative beginnings the performer has received mixed
It sounds like your childhood was rath-
er eventful and costly. I believe that, as a
teenager you had a difficult time econom-
community.
The second attempt I made at a war pro-
duction was a bit too convincing and my
reviews from critics over the years and the stage line-up has defined much of the citys ically, is that correct? intention to portray a courageous lib-
quirky and edgy character today. You will not find a brisk businessman, but a beer erator backfired and I came across as a
loving, tattooed, scarred and artistic character that is extraordinarily easy to get along Ah, yes one could say that my career as a hard-handed dominator of nations. They
with. child actor was rather a failure economi- say you learn from your past, but it took
cally. As a teenager I discarded the Kaiser me two failed plays before I attempted
costume in 1918 and attempted a Weimar a new character. I still carry the scars of
Republic instead. My acting career had bullet holes from the 1945 Battle of Berlin
not yet taken off and I was racking up scene on many of my buildings.
13
1945-1989
country had been reunified in 1989. I
also started hosting many underground
techno raves in this time, often having to
Your next undertaking was the dramatic relocate before the authorities discovered
staging for the Cold war with an intim- us. After we regained our theatre the cel-
idating Iron Curtain. Could you tell the ebrations were contagious and the old in-
readers more about this? dustrial buildings, war bunkers and power
plants were ideal locations for our illegal
The stage was mere rubble after 1945, raves. I merged the characters of East and
and the Soviets and the USA staged their West Berlin and became someone new
own dramas here until 1989. This was and edgier with a rebellious artistic ten-
the longest running production and we dency. I grew an obsession with tattoos
kept an Iron Curtain for nearly 30 years, and hipster fashion as I experimented
from 1961 until 1989. In this period I lost with alternative art.
my title as the capital city to Bonn, and
the theatre displayed a decisive divid- You have had quite an adventurous life
ing wall with East Berlin in Soviet hands and a turbulent career. Is there anything
and West Berlin in American hands. The else you would like your fans to know?
most watched American-Soviet act was
the tank standoff at Checkpoint Charlie I have matured in my relationships with
in 1961, and the whole world was a con- fellow countries, and at the risk of sound-
cerned spectator. The finale came with the ing self-important, I am now a world-re-
destruction of the Berlin Wall, but I didnt nowned figure in the global theatre. I
part with it all and the East Side Gallery is believe in embracing the past as it defines
a keepsake of this time. who we are today and I have kept remind-
1990s
ers of this within my city. I may be wiser,
but I still know how to party the weekend
away and maintain the hipster image. I
am currently working on my next perfor-
You have said that the 90s were quite de- mance so stay tuned for updates on my
finitive for you and it was in this time that upcoming role.
you reclaimed your status as the leading
star of Germany. Please elaborate on this
statement.
2
without ticket turnstiles, so it is important Night Time Travel
to remember validation.
Be aware that public transport runs at
Ticket Type different times and frequencies between
AB 12am-6am. Most trams, U-Bahns and
TRANSPORT BC
ABC
S-Bahns run approximately every 30
minutes during these hours instead of
their usual 2-10 minutes. There is also a
Normaltarif / Single (BVG network use comprehensive night time bus service, in-
for 2hrs with as many changes as neces- formation for which can be found on the
At first glance Berlins public transport system can seem daunting and complicated. It sary) 2.70 BVG website and on info packets.
comprises a network of trams, buses, an underground (U-Bahn) and an overground
railway (S-Bahn). These are run and organised by a company called Berliner Verkehrs- Short Distance Ticket (valid for 3 U+S-
betriebe, more commonly known as BVG. Beyond this visitors can also catch trans-na- Bahn stops or 6 bus/metro, no transfers
tional rail to other cities, countries or even simply Brandenburg state just next door. allowed) 1.60
The city also offers boat transport, rent-a-bikes and taxis. Berlins public transport map,
the Liniennetz, can be found at all stations/stops and can also be found for free at in- Day Ticket (all day until 3am next morn-
fo-centres or ticket offices. With practice and patience visitors should find it easy to get ing post validation) 6.90
to grips with Berlins extensive transport system.
7.40
Tickets are based on an integrated three zone system comprising of:
Sieben-Tage-Karte / 7 Day Ticket *
29.50
Zone A - Central Berlin
Zone B - Suburbs
36.50
Zone C - Outer suburbs and satellite towns in Brandenburg state
17
3 Top Transport Tips:
- Always buy and validate your ticket
before boarding the S+U-Bahn, or buy
your ticket onboard trams and buses.
Bus drivers can accept payment onboard
but ensure you have small change as they
rarely have enough to cover large notes.
As tempting as it is to skip out on ticket
payment, plain-clothes inspectors can and
do board all modes of transport and can
issue a 40 fine for anyone travelling with-
out appropriate tickets.
T hank you for reading our Berlin guide Berlin, bitte! an alternative
guide to Berlin for your twenties. Each member of the team has explored
Berlin to give you the ins and outs of Berlins districts, and to recommend the
never been there. Being in Berlin is her
first time in Europe, and she didnt antici-
pate that it would be such a culture shock,
and that Berliners would be so different
from Americans! She hopes her next trav-
best places to go on your visit to Berlin, whatever your budget. Read on to
el destination will be Ireland.
meet the team, and enjoy our guide.
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Emily Ford to learn more languages after German Jillian McCants like a bad Beyonce impersonator.
and Russian and her most frequent phrase
When Guildfordian Emily walks into a shes used in Berlin is wie bitte? Jillian comes from a small suburb in
cafe in Berlin it is almost always followed Woodbridge Connecticut, not far from
by the words Haben Sie W-LAN? Other big energetic cities. She aspires to visit
than looking for wifi, Emily searches for every continent, even Antarctica, as well
new places to see, new people to meet and as publish a book (which she will surely
new ways of looking at the world whilst be famous for one day). Romance novels
living by the motto grow wherever youre are her guilty pleasure and techno gives
planted. Although, since being in Berlin her a crick in the neck, however she says
this has changed slightly, to grow, and shell suffer for the art. She loves the free-
wear cool clothes wherever youre plant- dom and challenge of travelling and the
ed. Emily can now recycle the German next place she wants to visit is Croatia.
way and continues to add to her collec- Natalie Looms
tion of grey jumpers.
Jerome Bailey Natalie comes from Holyhead in Angle-
sea, its beautiful, small and rural and she
Jerry is a Glaswegian, and strongly be- would like to have a house there in the fu-
lieves that Glasgow has a bad rep. Whilst ture. She has a fascination with late night
being voted the most violent city in the article reading in the dark depths of wiki-
developed world, it has also been ranked pedia and says cool way too much that
the friendliest city in the UK! Jerry can shes starting to annoy even herself. The
be frequently heard saying I know this next place she wants to travel to is Iceland
really cool place in Kreuzberg or Einmal and partake in some more terrible travel
currywurst, bitte, mit mayo. Jerry loves writing.
watching Made in Chelsea and he finds Mohasin Ahmed
Binkies love life riveting viewing.
Ffyona Ferguson Mohasin is from beautiful Edinburgh, but
says the bad weather makes it easy to stay
Ffyona comes from a small and lifeless inside. She has over 70 handbags, is part
village near to Brighton. When shes not of the veGANG and gives candid life ad-
trying to escape from said village, shes vice. She would advise travellers to Berlin
starting and swiftly abandoning Future- to pack in preparation for the ever chang-
learn courses, and trying, whilst often si- ing weather! Mahasin loves travelling and
multaneously failing, to shop sustainably. seeing how other cultures differ from her
She wants to travel more around Eastern own. She wants to travel to Japan and go
Europe and will live in Moscow for a year in a hot air balloon. Trash TV is her guilty
as part of her university course. She aims pleasure, she enjoys techno and dances
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Sarah Barker cessfully and pretending to know what on
earth is going on when being addressed
Sarahs hometown is the city of Geneva, in German. Which leads me onto what
Switzerland, which is beautiful, she says, she has become most skilled at since shes
if a little boring. Her most used phrase been in Berlin: charades. A plethora of
whilst shes been in Berlin is which way smiling, pointing and nodding convinc-
is it? and Berlin in summer is actually a ingly. Something she is also amazing at
lot colder than she initially thought! Sa- is surfing the U-Bahn at rush hour and
rahs guilty pleasure is watching first dates decrypting the profound mysteries of the
and she has an unnatural fascination with Berlin transport map.
prison documentaries. She has recently
finished her undergraduate Economics
degree a Bristol University and, after Ber- Tessa Bury
lin, her next destinations include Iceland
and Japan. If Sarah were a shop, she would Tessa describes her hometown of Middlesbrough as a diamond in the rough...but
sell the humble potato in all its forms. she doesnt want to be there forever! She wants to travel more, meet new people
and get a job in publishing, journalism or editing. Tessa has a very real phobia of
pigeons and Donald Trumps hair. She likes techno, 70s/80s music, Yorkshire tea
and shiba inus called Otis. She lives by the philosophy that there is always room
for dessert and she spent most of the Berlin trip believing she lived in a rainbow
house.
Solange Warlow
full: https://berlincityguideblog.wordpress.com