EJ Latitudes 1/08.qxd - Frontiers Elegant Journeys

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Bebel Platz from the rooftop
terrace of Hotel de Rome
Spree River Cruise
Checkpoint Charlie
Wilkommen toBerlin
A VISIT TO BERLIN, A VIBRANT CITY OF 3.5 MILLION, ASTONISHED ME WITH ITS WEALTH OF CULTURAL
RICHNESS, HISTORY, AND INCREDIBLE NEW ARCHITECTURE. With 170 museums, three opera houses
and six symphonies, there is certainly a bit of something for everyone! And this does not include the many
fun galleries and local shops featuring the more cutting-edge contemporary art by the local Berlin artists.
For this, head east into the cozy Barn district — duck in and out of the interesting galleries and shops for a
taste of the distinctive Berlin style jewelry, clothing and art.
Rich in history from the Prussian era to World War II and the Cold
War, Berlin is now incredibly captivating. The must-sees include the
Berlin Wall, Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag, and the Holocaust
Memorial. Berlin continues to enjoy a dynamic rebirth of new
architecture which is quite striking with works of world-renowned
architects in play, while refurbishing the old. Brandenburg Gate survived
World War II and was one of the few structures standing in
the Pariser Platz ruins in 1945. After the war, the governments of
East Berlin and West Berlin restored it in a joint effort.
Drive to Potsdam where Frederick the Great built the Sanssouci
Palace as a summer retreat to escape the pressures of Berlin. Its
name, which literally means “no worries” in French, is aptly named.
The building is quite impressive with its fabulous furnishings and
great collection of paintings, but the real showpiece is the beautifully
landscaped gardens in the surrounding park.
The Berliners have a steadfast drive and energy; they are always
out and about and truly appreciate their city. Throughout Berlin,
you will see restaurants, bars and cafes everywhere offering the
delightful opportunity to relax and converse. Especially lovely is the
Spree River at Museum Island at night. The inviting riverside bars
are perfect for sitting outside on a warm night, having a drink, and
enjoying the evening.
If you love to shop, the Famous Kurferstandamm Shopping District
in West Berlin is the place to go! The “K-Damm” as the locals call it
is a lively bustling boulevard for outdoor markets and street per-
20-Year Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall
The fall of the Berlin Wall marked a new beginning for Germany and post-cold war Europe. In
2009, the 20th anniversary of this historic event will be celebrated by the Berlin Festival of
Freedom from November 7-9. Held on both sides of the Brandenburg Gate, the Festival will
include a multimedia staging of the symbolic fall of the wall. Using a “domino effect,” specially
designed oversized wall stones will collapse all over again, brought down by the mutual efforts of
prominent artists, cultural figures and politicians.
To mark the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, Frontiers, in cooperation with our on-site German partners, is pleased to offer
tailor-made experiences to relive this defining moment in world history with tours led by experts who lived through it. With access to private
homes and collections, specially arranged curator walks through Berlin’s museums, and a survey of contemporary architecture, the
“20 Years After” program will focus on Berlin’s history as a divided city.
Enjoy a fun-filled ride on a ‘Trabi’ (the durable, plastic-bodied Trabant was the most common vehicle in East Germany) through Berlin. We
can also arrange a people-to-people meeting with a former prisoner of the East German regime or a visit to original sites of recent successful
films, “Goodbye Lenin” and “The Lives of Others,” immortalizing life in East Germany.
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