Trip to Germany: Arriving in Berlin

Taking the train from Frankfurt to Berlin was an adventure.   I did not realize how important it has become to reserve seats on a Inter City Express train (ICE).   When I was here almost 10 years ago it was not important.  We ended up standing in the second class passenger car for the first hour of the trip before non reserved seats open up.   It was Sunday and I am assuming that people were returning to Berlin from weekend travel.

Once arriving in Berlin at the Hauptbanhof, the main train station it was a short 2.6 kilometer walk to are hotel.   Crossing the Spree River we walked passed the German Bundestag the new parliament building, and the Brandenburg Gate.

After checking in we had a late dinner at an open air cafe on Gendarmen Markt Platz, where there was a evening concert.   We ate and drank to the classical music and opera just across from the concert barrier.  It was a very special night for us.

So in the short 3 hours we have been here we have seen quite a bit.   So hopefully the next 3 days will be as fulfilling.