Back to a lot of things. Normality (whatever that is), a vision of what could be a sort of a warped version of routine, back to being able to do things like the school run, drinking cold tea frequently, and finally, finally, back to blogging. I have missed you, I honestly have, but I am looking on this break as a kind of unintentional maternity leave, albeit longer than I had hoped…
Obviously circumstances have dictated that we haven’t been doing a lot of travelling of late (apart from in my head) so instead I saved a couple of our late summer trips up to tell you all about now…
First up Berlin. I LOVE Berlin. It’s got that big city feel that I miss, and a whole lot of culture and interesting places besides. We first went in the middle of winter many moons ago when it was just two of us, where I seem to remember we spent most of our time wandering and appreciating the achingly cool bars and good restaurants – although we also managed an accidental trip to the zoo… We had such a good time that it’s been on our German bucket list of places to take the Small People whilst we still live here…
Our base was a two bedroom apartment with Apartments am Brandenburger Tor, which, as the name suggests is in a pretty central location, a stones throw from the Tor, Pariser Platz, a massive new shopping mall (our dinner location that first night – having turned up super late, you will always find somewhere open for curry wurst in Berlin!) and the hauntingly beautiful Holocaust memorial. It’s actually pretty central for most things, and with great transport links on the doorstep anyway, everything’s pretty accessible.
The apartment itself was probably built a couple of years before the wall came down, so don’t expect much beauty in its concrete exterior. The interior however was more than comfortable for a (then) family of four – with a well equipped kitchen, comfortable living area, two good sized bedrooms, and a washing machine (always a bonus when travelling with children), not that we spent all that much time inside, too much to see, too much to do!
It’s worth mentioning that the office for the apartments is just around the corner, and helpful friendly staff are on hand to advise you with any aspect of your stay should you need it. Apartments also come with parking, and for €10 a night you can find yourself parked atop the filled in bunker of a certain notorious tyrant of days gone by. Really (we had wondered what the info board was that people were crowding around).
And again, a few years down the line, Berlin didn’t disappoint with the Small People proclaiming it their favourite German City. I can appreciate that, and I think I feel the same way. It might be gritty in parts, but give me a big city that isn’t – plus there are plenty of cosmopolitan areas to make up for any of that!
We spent our days visiting historical sites and museums, the Zoo was included at the request of the Small Girl, whilst Small Boy opted for the Currywurst Museum (which is a real place!). Mr R chose the architectural delights of the Bundestag (and if it wasn’t for a tolerant security guard, might still be there now)… And me? My choice was mostly about food, and I will be taking you to all of the above and more very shortly…
helloitsgemma says
briefly visited Berlin a long time ago – this post reminds me it is a fascinating city. missed you too.
Emma says
Thanks Gemma! :) x
Wander Mum says
Glad to have you back blogging! Berlin is a great city and, although I haven’t been since having children, can see it would be pretty family friendly…all those parks, the zoo..and of course the currywurst museum! Brilliant. Thank you for linking up to #citytripping
Emma says
Thank you! It’s a fabulous place for kids, mine loved it! Will be over soon when baby allows to catch up on other posts! :)
Phoebe @ Lou Messugo says
Currywurst museum, excellent! We are always on the lookout for the most random museums to visit, this is going on the list! I’v still not been to Berlin and would love to go.
Emma says
Berlin is great fun, and full of all sorts of interesting things to do, I think you would love it! :)
Michelle Twin Mum says
Ohh Berlin looks a lot more cosmopolitan than I might have expected. I can’t believe I’ve never been to Germany, when it is so close. Mich x
Emma says
You must Michelle, it’s so varied and there are some great places to visit! :)
kelloggsville says
I loved Berlin so much. I always thought Paris was my most favourite place in the world…then I went to Berlin!
Emma says
Fabulous isn’t it? I have so many favourite cities now! :D
Trish - Mum's Gone to says
Good to see you back blogging and lovely to see Berlin here. I remember we visited when Rory was a young teen and although the weather was pretty miserable at the time, we had a wonderful few days.
Emma says
Thank you Trish. Getting there super slowly, but it’s a start! xx
Cathy (MummyTravels) says
It’s far too long since I was last in Berlin (the last time I lived in Germany, almost 20 years ago…) – I so nearly went back for the 20th anniversary of the fall of the wall, but it was the trip which fell through then. In my head, it’s gritty and decadent and nightlife and cool – and so not especially child-friendly, although most capitals have to be a bit. This reminds me how much I loved the buzz and how I should really think again about visiting with my daughter. Thanks for linking up to #citytripping
Emma says
Thanks Cathy, it was interesting to see it this time with children, and it’s actually very child friendly, much more so than I thought! :)
Jennifer says
I love Berlin! Like you, my husband and I visited a few years ago pre-children and then we went back two years ago with the little ones. There’s so much for children to do there and we found the U-bahn so easy with a pushchair.
Emma says
Brilliant isn’t it? Thanks Jennifer! :)
Emma says
Blue skies, oh how I long for some. Those sights look lovely and have me itching to travel.
Emma says
We are back to grey skies down here, hope there’s more blue about at home! Thanks Emma
Louise Lloyd says
I was also wondering what the pictures of the soldiers was all about! It sounds like a lovely place to visit, I really have not seen enough of Europe.
I am sure you will soon be back to your usual travels, in the meantime enjoy the enforced break, hope you are all doing well xxx
Emma says
Thank you lovely, hope all is going well xxx
Boo Roo and Tigger Too says
Berlin is on my list of cities I’d love to visit, there is so much history to be learnt, things to see and food to enjoy.
Emma says
And I am sure you will love it. Thank you! (:
Christie @ A Sausage Has Two says
Hurrah! Welcome back :) Lovely photos, and can’t wait to hear about all the FOOD!!
Emma says
Thanks Christie, only managed one post last week, but we will get there! :D
Ginger says
Love this city – must go back soon to visit the Currywurst Museum … ;-)
Emma says
I think you would most definitely approve of that! I will be publishing a post on it soon! :D
Grace says
Dream on – I’m sure you’ll soon be back travelling again. x
Emma says
We will get there. Thanks Mum xx
Midlife Singlemum says
What are those enormous posters of soldiers all about? It looks a bit um well, German and scary. Are they the notorius tyrants whose bunker lies beneath the street? A bit weird, no?
Emma says
This was taken at Checkpoint Charlie! One of the few Berlin Wall crossing points between East and West in the Cold War! Scary, but American and Russian! :D
Midlife Singlemum says
Oh I see. I get it now, thanks. :)
Emma says
no problem! (: