Berlin: Grand City Hotel Globus

Close to the city with all the comfort of a three star hotel

Now knowns as TRYP by Wyndym Berlin, this is a three hotel that really delivers what you’d expect.  Located a 10-15 minute drive from the city centre, it’s a bit of a walk if you plan on exploring the city by foot all day every day, but it’s an extremely cheap cab ride if you need it.

Across the road from the hotel is a supermarket called Netto and up the road a little further is ALDI. Both are really cheap so you’ll be able to stock up on German foods and snacks. (Tip: Anything made with chocolate is really good!).

My boyfriend and I stayed in the standard double room which included three single beds, two pushed up together to form a “double”. We didn’t stick around at the hotel very much because Berlin is an amazing city with so much to see and do. But the room was very very spacious so it’s great if you’ve got a lot of luggage, winter coats and shopping. Overall the room was comfortable, the bathroom average and really nothing above a three star rating.

The buffet breakfast is pretty average and the dining area isn’t very large so you might have to wait for a table if you head down in the morning. Alternatively of course you can eat breakfast out at a café in the city.

I give Grand City Hotel Globus Berlin three stars.

Not sure where you should stay on your next trip? Check out some of my other hotel reviews!  

Ash
xx

Grand City Hotel Globus Berlin
Rusche St, Ruschestraße,
10367 Berlin,
Germany

Unsicht-Bar Dark Restaurant Berlin Review

Forget about the sense of sight when you dine at Unsicht-Bar dark restaurant in Berlin.

Upon entering the restaurant, you are given time to look over a set menu where each of the three course meals is written in the form of a riddle. You’ll get to pick from a poultry, beef, river and sea, surprise or vegetarian based menu but you’ll struggle to decipher exactly what it is you’ll be eating.

The wait staff (and the people you’ll be putting all of your trust in) are legally blind and know their way around the restaurant better than anyone. They’ll guide you through the dark room to your seats and help you feel around for your cutlery and drinks before bringing out your meals. Best of all, staff encourage you to use your hands as much as possible. So ditch the knife and fork before you make a mess of yourself.

Once the meal is over you’ll be guided out by your waiter/waitress where you can wash up if you happened to make a mess. You’ll also be told what you ate! For me that was the best part because it made me realise how much I suck at riddles.

TIP: You probably want to make a booking if you’re planning on eating here, they can get pretty busy. It’s also pretty pricey but if you’re in Berlin and you’re looking to try authentic German food with a twist, it’s worth it!

For a dinner that’s fun, exciting and rewards you for playing with your food, book a table at Unsicht-Bar.

I give Unsicht-Bar five-stars.

Planning on visiting Germany? Check out my adventures.

Ash
xx

Unsicht-Bar
Gormannstr. 14
10119 Berlin-Mitte

Must Eats in Germany

Germany. The home of sausages and beer. But there’s more to this country’s menu than meets the eye. If you’re travelling to Deutschland there are a couple of culinary delights that are considered a must-try.

Currywurst
The delicious combination of steamed and fried pork sausage and curry powder is pretty easy to find, especially if you’re in Berlin. Not only are there plenty of food carts lining the streets, but there are also signs to lead the way. A great food-to-go, currywurst makes for the perfect afternoon snack or late night pick-me-up.

Pretzel
Just like currywurst, you’ll find pretzels pretty much everywhere in Germany. Head to a German beer hall or restaurant for the real deal. They’re usually hanging up or baked fresh to order so keep an eye out for the menu.

Wurst
If you’re not a fan of the curry powder and sauce covered sausages, be sure to try them in another way. If you like them short and fat, go for the knackwurst, often served on a bed of sauerkraut, or opt for the Bavarian white sausages, made predominately from veal, boiled and served with a side of pretzel.

Bier, bier and more bier
With years and years of history in beer, Germany is certainly the country you want to be in to try it.  The most sought after beer in Germany doesn’t come in a bottle and doesn’t come with a name. It’s simply any brew served in a ridiculously large glass that most struggle to lift to their mouths. If that sounds like the bier experience you’re after, be sure to stop off in Munich. Most breweries in Munich also have beer halls where you can sample their own house brews.

Ritter Sport
You’re probably thinking “why should I go out of my way to try a biscuit?” but these aren’t just any biscuit. Ritter Sport make delicious biscuit and chocolate varieties which are cheap and utterly delicious. Be sure to bring some home with you!

Kinder
It seems every European country can produce amazing chocolate. Kinder is the chocolate you’ll want to try, manufactured in Germany. The chocolate is available in all shapes and sizes, including the infamous egg which comes with a toy inside.

Spezi
The famous orange and cola drink is served at most restaurants, take aways and supermarkets in Germany which is great if you’re like me and you don’t drink alcohol. It’s the perfect way to keep up the traditional authentic culinary experiences of Germany without drowning in a litre of beer!

What are your favourite German foods? Don’t forget to check out my review ofUnsicht-Bar!

Ash
xx

 

Berlin City Guide

Berlin is a very beautiful city with a history that many of the locals try to escape. But there is more to Berlin than what you were taught in history class. My boyfriend and I were only given 24 hours to explore the city and although you can easily spend days and weeks in Berlin, we did manage to see everything we wanted to see in that one day. Want to know how? Come with me to Berlin…

Getting Around

We went on a walking tour first thing in the morning. The tour went for just under five hours and was a great way to explore the city’s main sites. Our tour guide knew everything about everything in Berlin so it’s was a great way to learn more about the city too. Berlin is a pretty flat city so it’s definitely easy going by foot. All of the main attractions are within walking distance or a cheap and quick cab ride from each other.

Attractions

The Berlin Wallis an obvious must see. Parts of the wall are still standing around the city so you’ll probably come across it a number of times but you’ll want to head to East Side Gallery where one kilometre of the wall still stands. Here the wall has been painted over by artists. If you look across the road from here, you’ll see a giant teddy bear – teddy bears were invented here and they make great souvenirs.

Alexanderplatz is one of the largest squares in the city and a modern shopping and entertainment hub. Here you’ll find the Fernsehturm or the TV Tower which costs 12 Euro to catch the lift (elevator) to the top. We did it at night to see the city light up. You’ll notice how straight the streets are in Berlin and just how easy it is to navigate. But the views are sure to be equally as amazing during the day.

Walking from the TV Tower down Karl-Liebknecht-straße, you’ll eventually reach Palace Bridge orSchloßbrücke, beautifully lined with statues which are sure to transport you to Berlin of another era. Located nearby are some of the most famous universities in the world so keep your eye out for information titles lining the footpath. There’s also a Karl Marx Monument which stands as a tribute to the communist philosopher close by.

Just a short walk from here is Brandenburg Gate which used to act as a gate in Berlin’s city wall but now symbolises a reunified city. The gate is one of the most popular attractions in the city but there’s plenty of space to stop and take a photo in front of it.

From Brandenburg gate there are a few sightseeing options to take. Walk straight ahead forTiergarten, the largest garden in the city. It’s the place to be if you’re after a relaxing stroll in the park. To the right is Reichstag, one of Berlin’s parliamentary buildings. This is another one of the city’s most popular attractions, known for its modern glass dome. You’ll be able to enter the dome and look over the city but be prepared to wait in line. Turn left for The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. Here you’ll be able to walk among the stone pillars in respect of those who lost their lives in the war.

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Museum Island is where you’ll want to go if you’re planning on visiting any of Berlin’s museums. The buildings themselves are also something to behold, most of which still bare signs of war in the form of bullet holes. Keeping in with the theme of war remnants,Checkpoint Charlie is one of the most historical sites in Berlin. Just remember not to get your actual passport stamped by the guards here. You might have trouble getting back home if you do. If you do want a stamp, get it on something less official like a postcard.

Kaiser Wilhelm II Memorial Church, partially destroyed by the war, is free to enter and still holds signs of destruction from the war. And if you’re interested in visiting Hitler’s Bunker it’s been sealed and covered but the location is still known. All that’s there is a carpark and tree.

Shopping

Berlin is home to all of your European favourites like H&M and Zara, but it’s also quite a trend-setter in its own right. If you’re in the punk scene you’ll find the shopping here much more to your tastes. If you’re a fan of punk rock, you’ll be interested in visiting The Ramones Museum and Bar. There are live shows every night and souvenirs to take home.

Head to Potsdamer Platz for modern entertainment, restaurants, shopping and more or toKaDeWe – the second largest department store in Europe.

My top shopping tip? Visit an Aldi or similar supermarket for cheap chocolate, German foods, alcohol and cigarettes.

What’s your favourite attraction in Berlin? Let me know in the comments below! Don’t forget to check out my review of the Grand City Hotel Globus Berlin.

Ash
xx