Berlin, Germany - Prague, Czech Republic 11 day trip

About Berlin

Berlin, which is the capital city of Germany, became the capital city after the reunification of Germany by Bismarck in 1871. The city is surrounded by nature reserves on both banks of the Spree River. It is a city-state with a rich and complicated history that invites the tourist to many experiences ranging from visiting historical sites, museums and architecture, through culture and cuisine to shopping, shopping, shopping.

Berlin, which is the capital city of Germany, became the capital city after the reunification of Germany by Bismarck in 1871. The city is surrounded by nature reserves on both banks of the Spree River. It is a city-state with a rich and complicated history that invites the tourist to many experiences ranging from visiting historical sites, museums and architecture, through culture and cuisine to shopping, shopping, shopping.

It seems that Berlin was first mentioned in the 13th century. Although the origin of the name is not quite clear, Berlin seems pretty close to the word for “bärlein: which in German means “little bear”. That is how the bear became the mascot/symbol of the city. In the year 2001 the “lone bear” developed into the Berlin Buddy Bears, a fiberglass sculpture of bears and it seems that they have become unofficial ambassadors of Berlin. At the end of WWII Berlin was divided between two German states, so the government offices were moved from Berlin to Bonn, and that is how it was for the next forty years. The “Berlin Wall” was erected as a divider in 1961 and came down in 1989, where it stood is a magnet for tourists today as they walk along the street Friedrichstrasse. Check Point Charlie was the best-known crossing point between East and West Berlin during the Cold War (1947–1991). Since then, the graffiti that was painted on the walls along with the Brandenburg Gate symbolize a reunified Germany and are witnesses to the past. The monument, 18th-century neoclassical Brandenburg Gate was erected by the Prussian King Frederick William II, copying the gate by the same name at the entrance to the Acropolis in Athens. You can see the tall, 26-meter statue from the wide boulevard called Unter den Linden,  from the City Palace right up to Platz Pariser where the Brandenburg Gate stands. The boulevard is so called because of the Linden trees that line the street.Note: During the time of Napoleon the famous statue that is atop of the gate, the Quadriga, which is a chariot drawn by four horses, was removed but when it was returned a decade later it became a symbol of victory for Germany.  On the northern side of the boulevard is The Museum Island. This is one of the most popular visited sites in Berlin, as well as one of the most significant  museum complexes in all of Europe. Situated on Spree Island it includes five museums: The Altes Museum, the Neues Museum, the Alte Nationalgalerie, the Bode-Museum and the Pergamonmuseum. A sixth building has been added - The James Simon Gallery (James-Simon-Galerie) which is a visitor center and art gallery. Take note that there is an important ‘treasure’ on the island: The Berlin Cathedral, aka The Berliner Dom. It was built by Kaiser Wilhelm II in a Renaissance and Baroque style and besides being a magnificent building, it is probably one of the most important Protestant churches in Berlin. Note: Dom - Many people think this is the German word for “dome” but it means cathedral. We suggest that you join the locals and take a break and some leisure time in the Pleasant Garden (Lustgarten), a neoclassical luscious, green park that is in front of the Altes Museum and near the majestic Berliner Dom at the other end.  Secret: A main attraction in the garden is a huge seventy-ton, granite bowl. Around 50 people were seated in the bowl at a  special breakfast to inaugurate this bowl. The Berliners call it “The Berlin Soup Bowl”. Berlin's famous Tiergarten, Grosser is located in the heart of Berlin and close to the Brandenburg Gate. It is a magnificent park with spacious green areas – just as popular as Central Park in New York and Hyde Park in London. This park spreads out for about 500 acres with tree-lined paths leading to Berlin’s oldest zoo and the zoo-aquarium.Secret: In the summer months on Sunday evenings you just might be on time to hear the bells from the Carillo, which is the bell tower, 40 meters in height, situated next to the House of World Cultures (Haus der Kulturen der Welt - HKW). The HKW has presentations, concerts, films conferences and a variety of cultural activities and exhibitions throughout the year.  Everyone knows that Berlin is one of the best places for shopping!  They have great shopping centers and outlet centers with an endless range of products from latest fashion in clothing to the latest consumer goods. The culinary scene in the city is world-famous and varies from traditional German food such as potato pancakes, pea soup with sausages, potato stew to ethnic food that has been integrated into the local cuisine. There are many diverse eating establishments, food stalls and of course the finest of restaurants and cafes. There are plenty of beer houses and bars that serve beers and drinks of all types. However, the well-known “White Beer” (Weisse Beer) so called because it is  calls for at least 50% wheat to barley malt, which makes for a light colored top-fermenting beer. It is the most popular beer enjoyed by locals and tourists alike for its unique taste.

About Dresden

Dresden is a city in Saxony, Germany. It is situated in a valley on the River Elbe, near the Czech border. Dresden has a long history as the capital and royal residence for the Electors and Kings of Saxony, who for centuries furnished the city with cultural and artistic splendor. The city was known as the Jewel Box, because of its baroque and rococo city center. After world war II restoration work has helped to reconstruct parts of the historic inner city, including the Katholische Hofkirche, the Semper Oper and the Dresdner Frauenkirche.

Dresden is a city in Saxony, Germany. It is situated in a valley on the River Elbe, near the Czech border. Dresden has a long history as the capital and royal residence for the Electors and Kings of Saxony, who for centuries furnished the city with cultural and artistic splendor. The city was known as the Jewel Box, because of its baroque and rococo city center. After world war II restoration work has helped to reconstruct parts of the historic inner city, including the Katholische Hofkirche, the Semper Oper and the Dresdner Frauenkirche.

About Prague

Prague has been an important cultural and economic center since the reign of Charles IV in the 14th century. The city is home to iconic sites dating back as far as the 14th century, including Charles University, the oldest in Europe; Prague Castle; and, of course, the magnificent Charles Bridge, an architectural wonder that has been connecting the two banks of the Vltava River for over 600 years. The bridge contains the figures of 30 saints that were added in the Baroque period). 

Prague has been an important cultural and economic center since the reign of Charles IV in the 14th century. The city is home to iconic sites dating back as far as the 14th century, including Charles University, the oldest in Europe; Prague Castle; and, of course, the magnificent Charles Bridge, an architectural wonder that has been connecting the two banks of the Vltava River for over 600 years. The bridge contains the figures of 30 saints that were added in the Baroque period). 

Prague’s 14th century Old Town Hall and Gothic tower are popular attractions, both for their beauty and for their views of nearby ancient buildings.  The Town Hall served as the seat of the city's rulers, and the tower, located on its southern wing, bears an iconic astronomical clock dating back to 1410. The hands of the clock are calibrated according to the time of sunset, so don’t count on it for finding out the actual time! The clock also contains the zodiac and at the top of each hour, from 9 AM to 11 PM, the bells ring and there is a moving display of the apostles that lasts for 45 seconds. The eastern wing of the Town Hall was destroyed during the uprising on May 8, 1945 and was never rebuilt. In the square behind the clock, there is a monument to Jan Hus, the Church reformer who was the inspiration for Hussitism, a predecessor to Protestantism. Hus was tried in the city of Constant in western Austria and put on the stake in 1415. The monument shows his failure in the war on the "White Mountain," and his famous sayings are engraved in stone. On the outskirts of the square stands the Church of Our Lady before Tyn. The impressive building with its multiple towers is a city icon. The original architecture is from the 14th century, but its turrets have been restored. Inside the church, there are 19 impressive altars and dozens of graves with worn tombstones – based on the ancient belief that stepping on a tombstone saves one from toothache. The impressive organ was renovated in 2000, and the triangular gable that can be seen between the towers, is an addition from the Baroque period. There is a façade in front of the church with convex capitals - this is the only structure that survived from the 13th century. The Powder Tower, a short walk from the town hall, is a remnant of the gate of the city’s walls and is where the city's supply of gunpowder was stored. The Old Town alleys, which combine many Renaissance, Baroque and Art Nouveau styles, also lead to Prague's Old Jewish Quarter. The synagogues, the ancient cemetery, and the story of the "Golem" from Prague reveal the history of the Jewish community that lived here for generations. The Jewish Quarter is not open at all hours of the day, so be sure to confirm opening hours before arriving. Prague’s National Museum is a fifteen-minute walk from the ancient Town Hall. Along the way, walk through Wenceslas Square, named after Wenceslas I, King of Bohemia. It is a long square surrounded by boulevards and containing the statue of Wenceslaus on his horse. In front of the museum, there is a commemorative plaque for Jan Palach, the Czech student who set himself on fire in January 1969 as a protest against the Soviet invasion of Poland. If you are a fan of Art Nouveau, be sure to visit the Mucha Museum, an impressive museum that curates the works of the artist Alphonse Mucha. Prague Castle (Pražský hrad) is considered one of the oldest castles in the world, and it dominates the city's skyline. The citadel was the seat of kings and emperors for over a thousand years. The castle complex includes the Gothic St. Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, the Golden Path, and other historical buildings. St. Vitus Cathedral is located within the Prague Castle complex and is a magnificent example of Gothic architecture. It is the largest and most important cathedral in the Czech Republic, featuring stunning stained glass windows, beautiful chapels, and tombs of Bohemian kings and Holy Roman emperors.