My trip to Berlin

blurr · 15-Jan-2006, 13:26

Well, first things first, the reason why I'm making a thread about Berlin is because I think it's a place that everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime. I thoroughly enjoyed the place and shall be heading back there for sure, but perhaps in the summertime when it's warmer!

Give you a quick run down, it worked out £33 per person, for a return flight flying with Ryanair. The accomodation itself was £20.50 per person per day - managed to blag a free day which was cool. Food there is pretty cheap, lots and lots of stuff to see, loads of cool shops, especially sneaker boutiques! but more about that a bit later.

Here's where we stayed...

a 1 Bedroom apartment on the second floor, the place is situated outskirts of the city in Friedineu. Do excuse the photos the missus took them. The apartment itself is fully kitted out with ikea gear, from the cutlery, to the teapot, to the mugs, to the worksurfaces, to the chairs to even the pillow and duvet. Also it has proper wooden flooring throughout and a walk in shower which was very very nice! The place also comes equiped with a cooker, dishwasher (washing tablets included) and a washing machine. Oh and as you can see by the last photo the apartment itself faces inwards to a courtyard and there's a nice balcony too. Place comes with a small 14" TV but is fully equiped with 37 odd channels, but the only english speaking channels (which is understandable) are MTV, BBC News World and CNN.

Location wise? there are 3 nearby supermarkets, 1 being Aldi, so loads of cheap food. Also there are good couple of bakerys, couple of internet cafes, couple of bars and a restaurant. The apartment is about 30min away from the airport, and it cost us around 25 euros each way via taxi, so it's not too bad.

Transport wise there's a Bus stop which is literally across the street, alternatively (which is more favourable) the S-bahn station is a 5min walkaway and takes about 10min or so to get into the centre of Berlin. For a 1 weeks unlimited travel, on S-Bahn, U-bahn, buses and trams, costs a merely 25euros, which is an absolute bargin. Day ones are 5euros each. Public transport in Berlin, is very clean, fast, efficient, on-time and cheap.

Right sight seeing, there's quite a lot to see in Berlin, from the "Neu Synagogue", to the Sony Centre (especially nice at night time with all the lights), Checkpoint Charlie etc etc.

Me at checkpoint charlie...

Shopping? Well as some of you know Berlin is famous for a few sneaker boutiques such as Solebox, Nort and Kickback. There's a couple of huge department stores, Kadewe and Peek & cloppenburg. There are also lots of smaller shops selling Stussy, Carhartt etc like Depot 2. Oh and there's the Carhartt store there as well.

Now for some more photos...

Nort

Trainer

Kickback

Solebox

95 Gallery

Do excuse the dodgy photos, again they were taken by the missus. Major props to Seb (Kickback) for giving us a guide to Berlin before I left, came in handy and visited 80% of the places you recommended! Was really cool meeting you and seeing your store in the flesh (it really is rather good). Was cool meeting and chatting to Chris (Kris?) from Nort, cheers for giving us directions to various other stores round town. He was such a nice guy I went back and bought a couple of trainers from him. Kinda shows you friendly customer service can go a long way... Was a tad dissapointed with Solebox, not sure why, perhaps I had hyped it up so much that it kinda fell short of expectations also the fact that the guy there didn't seem too friendly! or perhaps he was just having a bad day... 95 Gallery was cool, loved the layout, had a few Supreme pieces, but alas far too big for me.

What to eat? well Currywursts are certainly worth checking out, we didn't eat out as much as we tended to buy food from the local supermarkets and cook it ourselves as it was far cheaper. But we did manage to go to a couple of restaurants; XII apostel and Pan Asia (as recommended by Seb), I will say that you should definately go to XII Apostel, especially during lunchtimes, 6 euros for a massive pizza, was absolutely lovely! probably the best pizza I have ever had. It was so good we went there twice! Don't believe me? Check out how happy this kid is...

Berlin certainly did have a New York/American feel to it, minus the annoying Americans, so that made it even cooler...

tinx · 15-Jan-2006, 14:04

Good post my man, I'm glad you had a nice time. I always wanted to go to Berlin, I like Germany. Will probably make it there eventually...

Krispy Kreme donuts beat Dunkin'

[!$$ueS] · 15-Jan-2006, 14:47

Nice post, Nort sounds really good. I may be going to Germany for Oktoberfest if i can afford it, but that's Munich and is miles away

The stores look cool, i'd especially like to visit Nort, by any chance do kickback have a website?

[n00b].eesh. · 15-Jan-2006, 14:55

Berlin rocks. I went on a school trip when I was in year 8 and would love to go back.

blurr · 15-Jan-2006, 16:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by [!$$ueS]

Nice post, Nort sounds really good. I may be going to Germany for Oktoberfest if i can afford it, but that's Munich and is miles away

The stores look cool, i'd especially like to visit Nort, by any chance do kickback have a website?

http://www.kickback-berlin.de/ - mainly General release stuff, but got some good stock nonetheless.

Matt · 15-Jan-2006, 18:39

I went to Berlin probably about 6 or 7 years ago and there was FUCKING LOADS of building work going on - construction cranes absolutely everywhere. Is it still like that?

Also, trying not to sound crude but the sewers were awful and everywhere stank, hope they improved that too! But yeah it was ok - didn't really get to see much when I went though as I had a busy schedule to keep. What irritated me though was when I spoke to people in german (in like shops and stuff) they replied in english! How rude is that?!

wooly-back-jack · 15-Jan-2006, 18:41

pull yer kecks up blurr

blurr · 15-Jan-2006, 18:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt

I went to Berlin probably about 6 or 7 years ago and there was FUCKING LOADS of building work going on - construction cranes absolutely everywhere. Is it still like that?

Also, trying not to sound crude but the sewers were awful and everywhere stank, hope they improved that too! But yeah it was ok - didn't really get to see much when I went though as I had a busy schedule to keep. What irritated me though was when I spoke to people in german (in like shops and stuff) they replied in english! How rude is that?!

Yeah there was a fair bit of construction going on, not that much, only in certain areas of Berlin but certainly not everywhere.

My friend got that when she went to Germany this Christmas too, she tried talking to them in German, but just replied in English. She thinks it's because they think her German is pants or something so she shouldn't bother.

terroristteddy · 15-Jan-2006, 20:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt

Also, trying not to sound crude but the sewers were awful and everywhere stank, hope they improved that too!

I dont think the smell is actually sewers, one of the people that took me and my mates on a walking tour when we went said that it was down to berlin being built on a marsh, loads of smelly gas is produced and in some areas is just released. Most areas now have the gas piped away, you can often see the pipes around that carry it.

blurr · 15-Jan-2006, 20:29

So that's what the blue pipes which are supported about 8ft up from the ground are for? We were wondering what the hell they were!

Nor · 15-Jan-2006, 20:33

Looks great Blurr.

cuthbert · 15-Jan-2006, 21:04

you looked like a pizza in that top !

Envy · 15-Jan-2006, 21:06

Looks like a nice place, good post but lacks pictures of the Mrs - I'll give you 7 out of 10

Heartwork · 15-Jan-2006, 21:37

looks great blurr, i'm jealous!

Did you have any problems at all, language-wise? I was planning a trip to Berlin for a few days at the end of summer (looking a bit unlikely now due to cash, but if I don't go this time I'll go next year) and at current my german doesn't go much further than Rammstein lyrics.
I've bought a load of books to teach myself German though, and will 'ave a go at it during summer, if i can get the motivation.

Cam · 15-Jan-2006, 21:43

That knife is cunningly placed to make it look like your wearing a RAPE top

blurr · 15-Jan-2006, 21:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishes_441

looks great blurr, i'm jealous!

Did you have any problems at all, language-wise? I was planning a trip to Berlin for a few days at the end of summer (looking a bit unlikely now due to cash, but if I don't go this time I'll go next year) and at current my german doesn't go much further than Rammstein lyrics.
I've bought a load of books to teach myself German though, and will 'ave a go at it during summer, if i can get the motivation.

Don't worry most do speak English, even when they reply in German to your question

Matt · 15-Jan-2006, 22:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by blurr

So that's what the blue pipes which are supported about 8ft up from the ground are for? We were wondering what the hell they were!

Yeah thats what I was just thinking - I was told by someone that was the route of the old wall or something. maybe they were taking the piss

Seems strange to have them on sticks and not in the ground like all the other pipes.

blurr · 16-Jan-2006, 00:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Envy

Looks like a nice place, good post but lacks pictures of the Mrs - I'll give you 7 out of 10

Just for you...

[!$$ueS] · 16-Jan-2006, 10:23

You changed g/f again? I thought you were with that other bird, with the nipple piercing!

Cam · 16-Jan-2006, 11:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishes_441

looks great blurr, i'm jealous!

Did you have any problems at all, language-wise? I was planning a trip to Berlin for a few days at the end of summer (looking a bit unlikely now due to cash, but if I don't go this time I'll go next year) and at current my german doesn't go much further than Rammstein lyrics.
I've bought a load of books to teach myself German though, and will 'ave a go at it during summer, if i can get the motivation.

Make sure YOU take Baths when your there

Cam · 16-Jan-2006, 11:38

hehe should have said you should have taken a small trip to visit Hamburg where myGrandparents are From and i still have some Relatives

[!$$ueS] · 11-Jul-2006, 11:58

Good call on moving this thread here as well. Some of the pics don't work now Rich.

Also i want to go to Berlin in 3 weeks with my m8s, I need advice on cost of beer and how good the bars/clubs and what the talent is like!

Rizzy · 11-Jul-2006, 12:58

Hmm, I should move a couple of my threads for barcelona and prague

Brocken · 11-Jul-2006, 13:03

booooooo pics don't work ;(

Uncle_Z · 11-Jul-2006, 13:36

In Berlin, by the wall you were five foot ten inches tall
It was very nice
candlelight and Dubonnet on ice

Behold, my vile quest to put some song lyrics into every travel thread continues.

15-Jan-2006, 13:26	#1
blurr fashion victim Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 17,704	My trip to Berlin Well, first things first, the reason why I'm making a thread about Berlin is because I think it's a place that everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime. I thoroughly enjoyed the place and shall be heading back there for sure, but perhaps in the summertime when it's warmer! Give you a quick run down, it worked out £33 per person, for a return flight flying with Ryanair. The accomodation itself was £20.50 per person per day - managed to blag a free day which was cool. Food there is pretty cheap, lots and lots of stuff to see, loads of cool shops, especially sneaker boutiques! but more about that a bit later. Here's where we stayed... a 1 Bedroom apartment on the second floor, the place is situated outskirts of the city in Friedineu. Do excuse the photos the missus took them. The apartment itself is fully kitted out with ikea gear, from the cutlery, to the teapot, to the mugs, to the worksurfaces, to the chairs to even the pillow and duvet. Also it has proper wooden flooring throughout and a walk in shower which was very very nice! The place also comes equiped with a cooker, dishwasher (washing tablets included) and a washing machine. Oh and as you can see by the last photo the apartment itself faces inwards to a courtyard and there's a nice balcony too. Place comes with a small 14" TV but is fully equiped with 37 odd channels, but the only english speaking channels (which is understandable) are MTV, BBC News World and CNN. Location wise? there are 3 nearby supermarkets, 1 being Aldi, so loads of cheap food. Also there are good couple of bakerys, couple of internet cafes, couple of bars and a restaurant. The apartment is about 30min away from the airport, and it cost us around 25 euros each way via taxi, so it's not too bad. Transport wise there's a Bus stop which is literally across the street, alternatively (which is more favourable) the S-bahn station is a 5min walkaway and takes about 10min or so to get into the centre of Berlin. For a 1 weeks unlimited travel, on S-Bahn, U-bahn, buses and trams, costs a merely 25euros, which is an absolute bargin. Day ones are 5euros each. Public transport in Berlin, is very clean, fast, efficient, on-time and cheap. Right sight seeing, there's quite a lot to see in Berlin, from the "Neu Synagogue", to the Sony Centre (especially nice at night time with all the lights), Checkpoint Charlie etc etc. Me at checkpoint charlie... Shopping? Well as some of you know Berlin is famous for a few sneaker boutiques such as Solebox, Nort and Kickback. There's a couple of huge department stores, Kadewe and Peek & cloppenburg. There are also lots of smaller shops selling Stussy, Carhartt etc like Depot 2. Oh and there's the Carhartt store there as well. Now for some more photos... Nort Trainer Kickback Solebox 95 Gallery Do excuse the dodgy photos, again they were taken by the missus. Major props to Seb (Kickback) for giving us a guide to Berlin before I left, came in handy and visited 80% of the places you recommended! Was really cool meeting you and seeing your store in the flesh (it really is rather good). Was cool meeting and chatting to Chris (Kris?) from Nort, cheers for giving us directions to various other stores round town. He was such a nice guy I went back and bought a couple of trainers from him. Kinda shows you friendly customer service can go a long way... Was a tad dissapointed with Solebox, not sure why, perhaps I had hyped it up so much that it kinda fell short of expectations also the fact that the guy there didn't seem too friendly! or perhaps he was just having a bad day... 95 Gallery was cool, loved the layout, had a few Supreme pieces, but alas far too big for me. What to eat? well Currywursts are certainly worth checking out, we didn't eat out as much as we tended to buy food from the local supermarkets and cook it ourselves as it was far cheaper. But we did manage to go to a couple of restaurants; XII apostel and Pan Asia (as recommended by Seb), I will say that you should definately go to XII Apostel, especially during lunchtimes, 6 euros for a massive pizza, was absolutely lovely! probably the best pizza I have ever had. It was so good we went there twice! Don't believe me? Check out how happy this kid is... Berlin certainly did have a New York/American feel to it, minus the annoying Americans, so that made it even cooler... __________________ + myembers \| + scoute.org Last edited by blurr; 15-Jan-2006 at 13:31.

15-Jan-2006, 14:47	#3
[!$$ueS] if thread.newpost then postreply(); Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: UK Posts: 4,971	Nice post, Nort sounds really good. I may be going to Germany for Oktoberfest if i can afford it, but that's Munich and is miles away The stores look cool, i'd especially like to visit Nort, by any chance do kickback have a website? __________________ The waiting drove me mad... you're finally here and I'm a mess I take your entrance back... can't let you roam inside my head I don't want to take what you can give... I would rather starve than eat your bread... I would rather run but I can't walk... Guess I'll lie alone just like before... Pearl Jam - Corduroy

15-Jan-2006, 18:39	#6
Matt if thread.newpost then postreply(); Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 4,902	I went to Berlin probably about 6 or 7 years ago and there was FUCKING LOADS of building work going on - construction cranes absolutely everywhere. Is it still like that? Also, trying not to sound crude but the sewers were awful and everywhere stank, hope they improved that too! But yeah it was ok - didn't really get to see much when I went though as I had a busy schedule to keep. What irritated me though was when I spoke to people in german (in like shops and stuff) they replied in english! How rude is that?! Last edited by Matt; 15-Jan-2006 at 18:42.

15-Jan-2006, 18:41	#7
wooly-back-jack Tactical Hider Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Wigan Posts: 9,660	pull yer kecks up blurr __________________ my 90's house music youtube channel (slowly adding tracks ripped from vinyl when I can be arsed!) gaming YouTube

15-Jan-2006, 20:29	#10
blurr fashion victim Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 17,704	So that's what the blue pipes which are supported about 8ft up from the ground are for? We were wondering what the hell they were! __________________ + myembers \| + scoute.org

15-Jan-2006, 14:04	#2
tinx if thread.newpost then postreply(); Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: in denial Posts: 4,949	Good post my man, I'm glad you had a nice time. I always wanted to go to Berlin, I like Germany. Will probably make it there eventually... Krispy Kreme donuts beat Dunkin'

15-Jan-2006, 14:55	#4
[n00b].eesh. pfft Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: North Posts: 6,006	Berlin rocks. I went on a school trip when I was in year 8 and would love to go back.

15-Jan-2006, 20:33	#11
Nor post haste Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 9,326	Looks great Blurr. __________________ www.forzamotorsport3.co.uk

15-Jan-2006, 21:04	#12
cuthbert if thread.newpost then postreply(); Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 4,968	you looked like a pizza in that top !

15-Jan-2006, 21:06	#13
Envy will post for food Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Scotland Posts: 1,348	Looks like a nice place, good post but lacks pictures of the Mrs - I'll give you 7 out of 10 __________________ Warning Adult content might be included in this post/thread. Viewer discretion is advised.

15-Jan-2006, 21:37	#14
Heartwork Hamish McJewstein Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: guadalajara Posts: 26,744	looks great blurr, i'm jealous! Did you have any problems at all, language-wise? I was planning a trip to Berlin for a few days at the end of summer (looking a bit unlikely now due to cash, but if I don't go this time I'll go next year) and at current my german doesn't go much further than Rammstein lyrics. I've bought a load of books to teach myself German though, and will 'ave a go at it during summer, if i can get the motivation. __________________ Current Song of Win: Rammstein - Roter Sand

15-Jan-2006, 21:43	#15
Cam each time i post god kills a kitten Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 4,530	That knife is cunningly placed to make it look like your wearing a RAPE top __________________ Breast awareness // Meet Cam. He's a breastologist and loves his work!

16-Jan-2006, 10:23	#19
[!$$ueS] if thread.newpost then postreply(); Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: UK Posts: 4,971	You changed g/f again? I thought you were with that other bird, with the nipple piercing! __________________ The waiting drove me mad... you're finally here and I'm a mess I take your entrance back... can't let you roam inside my head I don't want to take what you can give... I would rather starve than eat your bread... I would rather run but I can't walk... Guess I'll lie alone just like before... Pearl Jam - Corduroy

16-Jan-2006, 11:38	#21
Cam each time i post god kills a kitten Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 4,530	hehe should have said you should have taken a small trip to visit Hamburg where myGrandparents are From and i still have some Relatives __________________ Breast awareness // Meet Cam. He's a breastologist and loves his work!

11-Jul-2006, 11:58	#22
[!$$ueS] if thread.newpost then postreply(); Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: UK Posts: 4,971	Good call on moving this thread here as well. Some of the pics don't work now Rich. Also i want to go to Berlin in 3 weeks with my m8s, I need advice on cost of beer and how good the bars/clubs and what the talent is like! __________________ The waiting drove me mad... you're finally here and I'm a mess I take your entrance back... can't let you roam inside my head I don't want to take what you can give... I would rather starve than eat your bread... I would rather run but I can't walk... Guess I'll lie alone just like before... Pearl Jam - Corduroy

11-Jul-2006, 12:58	#23
Rizzy L331 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Rally School Posts: 6,273	Hmm, I should move a couple of my threads for barcelona and prague

11-Jul-2006, 13:03	#24
Brocken Bit lost Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 3,194	booooooo pics don't work ;(

11-Jul-2006, 13:36	#25
Uncle_Z pro poster Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 737	In Berlin, by the wall you were five foot ten inches tall It was very nice candlelight and Dubonnet on ice Behold, my vile quest to put some song lyrics into every travel thread continues. __________________ Who trades his culture for dollars? The fool or the scholar? Griot, Poet, or white collared?" ~ Dälek