Berlin is Germany’s capital and its biggest city with almost 3.5 million inhabitants. It is also the city with the most turbulent past and present. You can still sense the pioneer spirit in this once divided city that emerged in this country after reunification. There are signs of change everywhere. Places of historic importance, unrivalled museums and nightlife comparable to that of Paris, London or New York are found cheek by jowl. Its cultural programme is second to none. Berlin has all this and more to offer.

Strolling along Berlin’s elegant tree-lined boulevards or visiting districts like vibrant Berlin-Mitte with its quaint little boutiques make for a unique shopping experience. The most impressive sights include the Brandenburg Gate, the Victory Column (Siegessäule) and the historic museums on the Museumsinsel (museum island) on the river Spree. The Tiergarten is Berlin’s largest park, a green, tranquil oasis and a place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city in the heart of Berlin. Nearly 7,500 pubs, bars and clubs are just waiting to give visitors a taste of the lively nightlife.



Nearby Potsdam is a much quieter place, although of major cultural and historical interest. The former summer residence of Prussian kings and German emperors, it was dubbed the “Versailles of the North” and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Frederick the Great’s exquisite palace Sanssouci is part of it.

Potsdam’s Dutch quarter is a unique architectural ensemble, built by Dutch craftsmen brought in by Frederick William I, who was known as the Soldier King. Potsdam lies on an island that is accessed by various roads and bridges, the most famous being the Glienicke bridge. In the Filmpark Babelsberg, home of pre-war and post-war film productions, some famous sets are on display, and visitors are given an opportunity to watch TV directors going about their work.