Month: May 2012

Categories
Germany

Cheap Hotels in Hamburg

The hotel is the second most important expanse during any holiday (the airfare comes first, of course). Choosing the right hotel for you can make or break your stay in Hamburg . You can choose vibrant areas, with a lot of bars and hotels, or opt for more relaxed, quiet areas.

Where to stay in Hamburg

Altona is a varied neighborhood, located west of Hamburg’s centre and bordered by the Elbe River. The nightlife is bustling and you can find restaurants serving international cuisines. Harvestehude is a quiet area located just north of Hamburg’s centre, while Rotherbaum is filled with pubs and bookshops. Hohenfelde is not posh but it’s close to the center and is excellent for exploring the city.

Saint Georg is also close to the center and offers plenty of boutiques, cafes and bars. Saint Pauli, or the Red Light District, is the center of the nightlife and is filled with bars, clubs and cabaret stages.

Some hotels in Hamburg

Hotel Stadt Altona

Located in Altona, just a 5-minute walk from the Reeperbahn S-Bahn Station, the hotel offers free underground parking, bars and free wi-fi in public areas. All rooms have private bathroom and TV. In June 2012, a double room is €58 per night. Breakfast is €7.

Hotel Heimhude

The hotel is located in the district of Harvestehude, close to the Alster lake. All rooms have free wi-fi. Breakfast is included in the room price. In mid-June 2012, a double room is €110 per night.

Hotel Budapester Hof

This hotel is located in center Hamburg and offer free wi-fi in public areas. All rooms have private bathrooms and cable TV. Breakfast in included in the room rate. In mid-June 2012, a double room is €59.

Search this map to find cheap hotels in Hamburg, or find even more hotel options by searching with the widget above.

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Categories
Germany

Cheap Hotels in Berlin

After the airfare, the hotel is the second biggest expanse during a vacation. Choosing the right hotel for your style can make or break your stay. Some people don’t mind staying further from the center but it’s a must to have good transportation available, while others must stay close to everything. Location always determines the room price and that is true in the case of visiting Berlin , as well. Of course, the more facilities, the higher the room price will be.

Where to stay in Berlin

Berlin is huge and it’s impossible to even think you can cover it on foot. Using the U-Bahn and S-Bahn is a must, so you are better off with looking for a hotel located near public transportation stations.

Prenzlauer Berg, located in the in the borough of Pankow, is where you can find plenty of pubs, cafes, restaurants, galleries , a good nightlife and good hotels. Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg, also in the former East Berlin, are cheap and interesting areas to stay in as well.

Mitte, the most central borough of Berlin , is another good choice for a stay but expect more expensive hotels here. But you’ll be close to pretty much all the tourist sites. Alexanderplatz, in center Mitte, is a transportation hub and a good choice for short stays.

Some hotels in Berlin

Arte Luise Kunsthotel

This 3-star hotel is located in Mitte, just 10-min walk from the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag Building and Friedrichstrasse Train Station. All rooms have wi-fi and the bathroom is either private or shared. The hotel offers a restaurant and a courtyard terrace. In June 2012, a double room (private bathroom) costs €109 per night.

easyHotel Berlin Hackescher Markt

The budget hotel is located in Mitte, in the vibrant Hackescher Markt district. All rooms have AC and private bathrooms with shower. Wi-fi and satellite TV are available on request. The hotel is just 10-min tram ride from Prenzlauer Berg district and the Friedrichstraße shopping street. In June 2012, a double room costs €45 per night.

Hotel Pension Intervarko

The guest house is located in the Prenzlauer Berg, just 2 tram stops from Alexanderplatz Square. All rooms have TV and there are shared bathrooms on the hallway. In June 2012, an economy double room costs €44 per night.

Search this map to find cheap hotels in Berlin, or find even more hotel options by searching with the widget above.

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Categories
Germany Things to Do

Things to do in Berlin

Berlin is the largest city and capital of Germany. It is well known for the historical landmarks, excellent nightlife and street art. Visitors have plenty of things to do in this interesting, cosmopolite city.

Take a walking tour

There are free walking tours of Berlin, which leave from the Brandenburg Gate. The tours last about 3 ½ h and the guides speak English.

Not free, but definitely worth your time and money, is the Berlin underground tour which starts at the underground train station Gesundbrunnen. Around it there are civilian shelters and bunker complexes used during the bombing campaigns in Berlin, which were left untouched from the building of the Berlin Wall.

Explore the glass dome of the Reichstag

Germany’s parliament building – the Reichstag – was restored and got a brand new glass dome which can be climbed, of course. Sure, you’ll have to endure long queues but the entire experience is free. And the lovely views guaranteed.

See the Berlin Wall

There’s a long stretch of the Berlin Wall still standing and you can find it on Mühlenstraße. It’s known as the Eastside Gallery because today it’s covered in multicolored art.

Visit the Holocaust Memorial

Close to the Reichstag, there’s the Memorial to the Murdered Jews in Europe, which opened in 2005. After you walk through the 2,700 slabs of concrete, make sure to visit the underground information center, too.

Checkpoint Charlie

Checkpoint Charlie was the best-known Berlin Wall crossing point between East Berlin and West Berlin. Today , it’s a tourist attraction , located in the Allied Museum. Visitors can take photos (for free) with actors dressed as allied military police.

Visit the Pergammon Museum

Pergammon Museum is one of the best history museums in the world. Some of the most important items on display are: the Ishtar Gate (Babylon) , the Pergamon Altar, the Mshatta façade and the Market Gate of Miletus.

Have a picnic in Tiergarten

Tiergarten is the largest park in Berlin. In the summer it buzzes with life. Pack a picnic basket and enjoy a day out in the nature. This park used to be a hunting ground in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Take a photo of Brandenburg Gate

It’s one of the symbols of Berlin and the site of many important events. Should you be in the city for New Year’s Eve, make sure to take some photos of the fireworks , too.

See the city from above: Berlin TV Tower

Located in Alexanderplatz , the TV Tower has a super fast elevator which zaps you to the top in no time. There’s a revolving restaurant with interesting views of the city.

Visit Pfaueninsel (Peacock Island)

Pfaueninsel , an island on the River Havel , is home to a historic castle called Palmenhaus. Aside from seeing peacocks on the island, you can catch a glimpse of other interesting birds. And don’t forget your bike because there are plenty of bike lines available.

Soak up the sun on the shores of Wannsee

Wannsee is a man-made lake which is the hub of activities during summer. It offers beaches , restaurants, beer gardens and there are also tour boats available.

Take a day trip to Potsdam

A short train ride from Berlin, Potsdam is home to many historic monuments and buildings, including Sanssouci, a complex of parks and palaces built in the 18th century, the Old Market Square, and the Dutch Quarter.

Swim at Badeschiff

Badeschiff is a public swimming pool and was built inside the hollowed-out hull of an old barge. There is also an outdoor dance floor where you can party until mid-night.

Visit Berlin Zoo

It is the largest zoo in Europe and was made (more) famous by the birth of Knut. Unfortunately Knut died in 2011, but the zoo is still popular and home to a variety of animals.

Try the Berlin bagel

Whether you are nursing a hangover or are just too tired from all the visiting you’ve done while here, the Berlin bagel is an excellent way to start your morning. There are a variety of bagels to start from – sweet and salty – and you can also try some bagel sandwiches.

Photo credit:Checkpoint Charlie , Pergammon Museum , Brandenburg Gate , Walking tour , Reichstag , Berlin Wall , Holocaust Memorial , Tiergarten , Pfaueninsel , Wannsee , Potsdam , Badeschiff , Berlin Zoo , Berlin bagel

Categories
Germany Transportation

Germany’s Train Stations: Timelapse Video

If this awesome timelapse video of Germany’s train stations doesn’t make you want to book a train trip somewhere – to Germany or otherwise – I don’t know what will.

German Rail Timelapse from Holger Mette on Vimeo.

Visit the Veo el Mundo blog post about this video to find out more about Germany’s rail system.

Categories
Argentina travel guide

Argentina in December

December falls during the summer but the high season hasn’t kicked in yet. However , do expect more crowds and higher prices, especially around Christmas. You can plan to visit the beaches now, but they tend to be quite packed. Buenos Aires can be quite hot , but at least it’s not overrun by tourists. Patagonia is excellent for spending time in the nature.

Weather in December

With the variety of climates in Argentina, the summer takes various forms here. It’s definitely hot in Buenos Aires and the weather is excellent for sunbathing. If you want to cool down a bit, head to Patagonia. It’s hot and humid in the North , so Iguazu can be quite steamy now.

Sample temperatures

Buenos Aires avg high 27C / avg low 18C
Cordoba avg high 28C / avg low 17C
Iguazu avg high 30C /avg low 20C
Mendoza avg high 18C / avg low 9C
Ushuaia avg high 13C / avg low 3C

>>read more about Weather in Argentina

Flights and accommodation in December

December does fall during summer but the high season hasn’t started yet. Still , expect crowds and expect prices to be higher. Book your flight to Argentina at least 4-8 weeks in advance , especially if you plan to hit one of the beach reasons.

As for accommodation , of course, plan in advance if you want to go to the beach or travel before Christmas. Even if you just plan to visit large cities, it’s still best to plan in advance.

What to do

If you plan to see Iguazu Falls then you should know it’s steamy right now but no one stops you from going. However do prepare for the heat and humidity. You can try different activities, but you might want to stick to train or boat ride, rather than hiking.

The capital of Buenos Aires is also quite hot in December, but, on the plus side, it’s not extremely crowded, as everyone starts to head to the beaches. Some of the things to do in Buenos Aires : walking through the neighborhoods, taking photos of the Obelisk, watching people dance tango on the streets and walking through the famous Recoleta Cemetery. Make sure to plan for the heat and avoid staying in the sun during the hottest part of the day. You can always try the food or do some shopping meantime.

For a cooler alternative, head to Mendoza . You can visit the parks, try the local wine or try your skills at horseback riding, paragliding or climbing.

>>read about the Things to do in Mendoza

For an even cooler area, Patagonia is waiting for those into adventure. It’s summer but the temperatures aren’t very high so make sure to pack accordingly. You can try hiking, climbing glaciers and even taking a cruise to the arctic region. Ushuaia is a good base for your explorations in the area.

>>read about Getting from Buenos Aires to Patagonia

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