The Berlinale Palast in Berlin

It is almost two years now since my visit in Germany's capital city of Berlin.  I found a cheap bus trip there for 3-days and immediately booked it. I guess that trip only cost 129.00 Euros including the hotel, breakfast and of course the  transportation.

I also met some friends there during my visit. That was awesome because I saw a lot of sights plus the fun that I had with them. I went there last February 2011 which was normally perfect to see the Berlinale event. Sad to say, I don't have enough time to watch the movies in Berlinale Palast.

The Berlin International Film Festival, also known as Berlinale is held yearly in Germany's capital. It is said to be one of the world's leading film festivals and most reputable media events.

This year's film festival is held from  February 7-17, 2013. 

The Berlinale Palast in Berlin. I was there last 2011.

My Europe Travel 2011

I am very happy and contented with the travels and trips I experienced this year. I was able to visit again a lot of interesting cities and countries in Europe. It was so far, the most-travelled year I have. Before year 2011 ends, I want to make a roll-call of the wonderful places I visited in Europe this year.

Monte Carlo, Monaco

I thought it was only a dream. That dream of visiting one of the world's famous cities finally came true. When you talk about Monte Carlo, you will also mean its widely known casino and its prominence.

the world's famous Monte Carlo casino in Monaco. Taken during our trip last April 2011.

I also had the chance to see some of the famous sites in Monaco. Among the few are the St. Nicholas Cathedral, Monaco Ville and the Prince Palace (not enough time to go inside), the Oceanographic Museum and Aquarium (from outside), La Condamine, the Formula 1 Grand Prix and a lot more.

The nearest airport is the Nice Côte-d'Azur International which is around 40 kilometers away from the city-centre in neighboring France. There are always cheap flights to Nice depending on the time of your visit and how early you book it.

Côte d'Azur, France

This is so far one of the beautiful coastlines I visited in Europe. Côte d'Azur, commonly known in English as the French Riviera is truly a fantastic place for me. Among the places we passed-by and visited here last spring were Nice, Cannes, Antibes and the nearby city Menton. I love especially Nice, the capital of the Alpes-Maritimes département. The French Riviera coastline is 560 miles long and consists of both sand and shingle beaches.

I still wish to go back to Côte d'Azur someday.

the Promenade in Nice, France from our trip last spring 2011.

Berlin, Germany

Germany's capital is truly one of the best and most interesting cities to visit in Europe. Since I had already visited London and Paris, I can say that Berlin is comparable to these world cities. Among the few sights I experienced in Berlin are the Brandenburger Tor, Siegessäule (Berlin's Victory Column), Berliner Fernsehturm (TV Tower), the Gendarmenmarkt with the German and French Cathedrals, the Reichstag or Parliament building, Potsdamer Platz, Kurfürstendamm, Rotes Rathaus (City Hall) and many more.

Berlin has two operational airports, the Tegel International Airport and the Schönefeld airport. The latter is the base for most low-cost airlines. Another airport, the new Berlin Brandenburg Airport is expected to open on June 2012, the third airport in this city.

the most famous landmark not only in Berlin but in whole of Germany as well, the Brandenburg Gate. I was there last winter of February 2011. No more snow that time but it was very very cold.

Budapest, Hungary

It was so far one of the most enjoyable trip I had in Europe. My summer trip to Hungary with a friend named Jean was truly awesome. We did not only see some of the sights in Budapest but also visited other places in Hungary. Among the few are Szentendre, Gyor, Visegrad, Esztergom, Herend, Lake Balaton and Siofok.

One of the best experience I had was the cruise from Esztergom to Visegrad.

the Hungarian Parliament in Budapest on the bank of Danube River. This is one of the European cities I visited last August 2011.

My Europe travel experience for 2011 will be continued soon! I am thankful for this very wonderful and blissful year despite of some trials in my life. I am also hoping for more travels in 2012. In God's will!

Potsdamer Platz in Berlin, Germany

If you want to watch the annual International Film Festival in Berlin, also known as Berlinale, the nearest train station to go is the Potsdamer Platz. Also known as Potsdam Square, this is one of the most important public square in Berlin. The building of the Sony Center is also located near this square.

I remember waiting for a friend here. He and her wife picked me up in one of the intersections in this square. After that, we spend the night in a coffee shop chatting with each other. It was quite a good evening!

The traffic light tower with watch in the background. taken during my visit last February 2011.

The Branderburg Gate in Berlin, Germany

The Brandenburger Tor, commonly known in English as Brandenburg Gate is an iconic symbol not only in Berlin but in Germany as a whole. It is a former city located west of the city center at the junction of Unter den Linden and Ebertstrasse. It is also located near the Reichstag building.

I finally visited this capital city of Germany last month. It was another dream came true. I was fascinated with this city and wishes to visit it again in the future.


According to wikipedia, the Branderburg Gate was commissioned by King Frederick William II of Prussia as a sign of peace and built by Carl Gotthard Langhans from 1788 to 1791.

The Brandenburg Gate taken during my recent visit last February 2011.

Winter Garden Restaurant in Kadewe

Are you familiar with the Harrods in London, England? Yes, I am! because a friend of mine brought me there during my trip to England in 2007.

Now, I am talking about the second largest department store in Europe which is located in Berlin, Germany. Kaufhaus des Westens, called in English as Department Store of the West, usually abbreviated to KaDeWe, is a famous department store in Berlin. One of my favorite here is located at the top floor. It is called the Winter Garden Restaurant where I had a lunch. I guess, you need to take the best diet pills when you always eat in this restaurant. The foods are good and in many kinds and varieties. I was overwhelmed when I saw the different recipes of all kinds in this huge restaurant. It simply caught my weakness, food and eating! It was almost full during my visit.

I can't imagine when 40,000 to 50,000 of people visit this department store every day. It is simply because they have everything in here. Don't miss to go in KaDeWe when you visit Berlin. Also prepare for your shopping budget. I am happy with my DKNY leather boots and D&G travel bag from this store. It cost me some fortune but I am quite contented with it.

More images to come in my other sites.

The Reichstag Building in Berlin, Germany

It is good to see other parts of Germany especially its capital city. Berlin is another interesting city to visit in Europe. It is a city full of things to offer to its guests and visitors from historical architectures to renowned universities, museums, orchestras, nightlife, famous personalities, just named it and Berlin has everything!

I am especially sharing one of the famous sites in this city. The Reichstag building is one of the historical sites in Berlin, Germany. It is a home of the Reichstag, the German Parliament. It is said that the construction of the building began after 1871 and it was opened in 1894.

I had seen some of Berlin but a three-day visit is not enough to see everything from going to the museums, churches and cathedrals and other historical sites and architectures. More images and travel experiences to come about Berlin in my Travel and Explore Germany site.

taken during my three-day visit in Berlin from February 18-20, 2011. The Reichstag building taken from the west side.

Reichstag Building in Berlin, Germany

This is quite ironic because I have been to the different places and capital cities in Europe but was never been in Berlin, Germany. The picture you see below is the Reichstag building in Berlin, Germany. It was taken by a friend during their visit to this city. It is one of the historical buildings in Germany where the parliament of the German Empire is housed called the Reichstag. I just told HB tonight if he can take a three day vacation to go with me in Berlin by the end of this month. I am not sure if there are Outer banks short sales going on in those days. HB told me that he cannot have a vacation leave until September. It means that I have to travel alone again this time if none of my friends also don't have time. I can't wait to visit Berlin and see the historical sights in this capital city of Germany.

The Reichstag building was made safe against the elements and partially refurbished in the 1960s, but no attempt at full restoration was made until after the reunification of Germany on October 3, 1990, when it underwent reconstruction led by internationally renowned architect Norman Foster. After its completion in 1999, it became the meeting place of the modern German parliament, the Bundestag.