Berlin Celebrates the Fall of the Berlin Wall

After World War II, the Allies divided Berlin into four sectors. The American, French and British sectors became West Berlin, and East Berlin was controlled by the Soviet Union. Between 1949 and 1961, three million people left East Germany. To stop this mass exodus, a 100-mile fence was erected virtually overnight on August 13, 1961, a barrier that remained for 28 years. Ultimately, the concrete wall was 13 feet tall and had a buffer zone (no man’s land) of between 25 and 160 feet. Three hundred guard towers were built to monitor the area around the wall. In that 28-year period, 5,043 people are known to have successfully gotten around the wall. Guards fired at 1,693 people and made 3,221 arrests. In all, 1,067 are said to have died trying to flee East Germany, and as many as 263 of the deaths were at the Berlin Wall. Did you know that the GDR referred to the wall as “The Anti-Fascist Protective Rampart”? Guards suspected of shooting to miss were court-marshaled. A total of 52 military officials and 141 border guards were charged with manslaughter or attempted manslaughter for killings at the border, although most were given suspended sentences. Only 11 spent time in prison. 

Almost the entire wall is gone, having been chipped away as souvenirs or demolished. A 230-feet-long portion of the wall was reconstructed and includes bits and pieces of the original wall. The “new wall” is mostly stainless steel and contains narrow holes allowing you to look to the other side. It’s located at Bernauer Strasse and Ackerstrasse, not too far from the Bernauer Strasse U-Bahn. A large stretch still stands along Wilhelmstrasse. Behind it is a park on the site of Hitler’s SS command center. 

Berlin has erected several temporary (and free) exhibits about the erection of the wall, life in a divided city, and the fall of the wall. It's just another reason to visit this fantastic city!

A report from Munich: Marienplatz

A visit to Munich should start with a trip to Marienplatz (Mary’s Square) the medieval town square and the pedestrian zone around it. Take the S- or U-Bahn to the Marienplatz stop. The square is named after the Virgin Mary. Her statue has been here since 1638. Dominating the square is the ornate Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall) dating back to 1867. You can take the elevator up to the top of its glockenspiel for a good view of the city (€2, Mon-Fri 9am-7pm, Sat & Sun 10am-7pm). Or, you can have a seat at a café and watch the daily “show” at 11:00, noon (and 5pm from May-Oct). 32 life-sized figures reenact historical Bavarian events. You’ll see dancing barrel-makers and Bavarians (they’re in the white and blue) defeating their enemies. A golden bird chirps three times to signal the end of the show.

As you face the New Town Hall, the Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) is to your right. Destroyed in WWII, it’s been rebuilt. That’s Ludwig IV front and center.

Behind the New Town Hall at 14 Dienerstrasse is Alois Dallmayr, a deli. Okay, not just some deli, but the former deli to the royals. You can check out the wide selection of food and drink. Open Mon-Sat 9:30am-7pm. Closed Sun.

Dining under the stars in Madrid.

El Mirador del Museo
International and Spanish dishes are served under the stars on the top floor of the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza. Truly a unique experience. Good wine list. Info: 8 Paseo del Prado. Tel 914292732. Open Jul and Aug. Reservations required. Metro: Banco de España.

Eating & Drinking in Italy: Turin (Torino)

Turin, host of the last winter Olympics, is a wonderful city. On my recent trip to check out its restaurants, I visited the quaint Al Bicerin. Founded in 1763, this tiny cafe is a great place when visiting the market at nearby Piazza della Repubblica  (Monday to Saturday 8am-2pm). You have to order a bicerin, a combination of chocolate, coffee and cream. Info: 5 Piazza della Consolata. Tel. 011/4369325. Closed Wed. www.bicerin.it.

An Irish Terrier helps you calculate the cost of your next trip (Happy St. Patrick's Day!)

Times are tough, so before you take your vacation, figure out how much it really is going to cost. Go to the link below and do a quick calculation of the cost of your next trip. The calculator reminds you to include such things as parking and pet care costs while you're away. A helpful tool! 

www.independenttraveler.com/travel-budget-calculator/

Photo of Rosie, the Irish Terrier, on her 4th birthday on St. Patrick's Day.

Paris Favorites: Eating, Drinking and Shopping

David Lebovitz has one of the best web sites/bogs for "foodies" visiting Paris. He's compiled  a list of favorite dining spots by authors of guides to Paris. It's definitely worth checking out, so here's where you'll find the list...

http://www.davidlebovitz.com/archives/2009/03/paris_favorites_eating_drinking.html

Photo courtesy of David Lebovitz (www.davidlebovitz.com).

Long layover at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport? Visit an art museum.

The Rijksmuseum (Royal Museum) in Amsterdam is one of the world's greatest art museums with masterpieces by Rembrandt, Vermeer, and countless others. It's also the first museum in the world to have an annex in an airport. The Rijksmuseum Amsterdam Schiphol is located behind passport control between the E and F Piers. It's free and open every day from 7am to 8pm. So, next time you have a long layover here, take in some fantastic art!