Harry_R_Jumpjet
SAC
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Took Mrs Jumpjet for another few days in Berlin the other week. Stayed at the Express by Holiday Inn which is excellent (€51, or 35 quid, a night for the room and breakfast for the two of us). We'd seen all the usual things before (Reichstag, Brandenburg Gate, Wall, Bernauer Str, Checkpoint Charlie etc), so this time we went looking for some Cold War sights that are off the beaten track. Thought you might like to know where I went.
The Berlin Wall East Side Gallery was interesting, if a tad disappointing. However, for any Wall-peckers it's ideal as you can get as much as you can pick up. And you know it's genuine as well.
The Allied Museum is well worth a visit - the dedication plaque at the entrance brought a lump to my throat. Should you be wondering where the Gatow Hastings went, it got heli-lifted to here.
One of the Stasi museums (in German with an overview in English) was very informative. The exhibit descriptions are all in german, but they give away an A4 size 1cm thick book which is in English. Another book in English (€2) tells you all about what the Stasi were doing to their own people whilst you were pi$$ing it up in the Mally.
A tram-ride to the Stasi Prison in North-East Berlin is well worth it. Whilst the guided tours (the only way you can visit) are in German, they are conducted by former prisoners, and you can pick up enough of what went on from them, where in the prison you are and the description boards outside the buildings. Highly recommended.
As is the Stasi museum at their Normannenstrasse headquarters. This is absolutely fascinating, especially to walk through Meilke's office, and know that he had his people following you if you went through Checkpoint Charlie to East Berlin.
Also, plenty to eat and drink, as one does when in Sausageland.
So, if you're looking for a good city break with something out of the ordinary, go to Berlin. Fly Air Berlin to Tegel: it's worth the bit more that Crying Air to Schoenefeld. Not only is Tegel easier, but you get what you pay for with airlines. Nuff said.
Oh, by the way, even though we had a busy schedule, I was disappointed not to be able to squeeze in a gig from these boys. Trumpet-fuelled punk rock? What's that about, then?
The Berlin Wall East Side Gallery was interesting, if a tad disappointing. However, for any Wall-peckers it's ideal as you can get as much as you can pick up. And you know it's genuine as well.
The Allied Museum is well worth a visit - the dedication plaque at the entrance brought a lump to my throat. Should you be wondering where the Gatow Hastings went, it got heli-lifted to here.
One of the Stasi museums (in German with an overview in English) was very informative. The exhibit descriptions are all in german, but they give away an A4 size 1cm thick book which is in English. Another book in English (€2) tells you all about what the Stasi were doing to their own people whilst you were pi$$ing it up in the Mally.
A tram-ride to the Stasi Prison in North-East Berlin is well worth it. Whilst the guided tours (the only way you can visit) are in German, they are conducted by former prisoners, and you can pick up enough of what went on from them, where in the prison you are and the description boards outside the buildings. Highly recommended.
As is the Stasi museum at their Normannenstrasse headquarters. This is absolutely fascinating, especially to walk through Meilke's office, and know that he had his people following you if you went through Checkpoint Charlie to East Berlin.
Also, plenty to eat and drink, as one does when in Sausageland.
So, if you're looking for a good city break with something out of the ordinary, go to Berlin. Fly Air Berlin to Tegel: it's worth the bit more that Crying Air to Schoenefeld. Not only is Tegel easier, but you get what you pay for with airlines. Nuff said.
Oh, by the way, even though we had a busy schedule, I was disappointed not to be able to squeeze in a gig from these boys. Trumpet-fuelled punk rock? What's that about, then?