Berlin in September

Berlin is probably the most interesting architecturally, and there is certainly enough to see in the city to fill up 5 days. I just visited a friend there, who travels a lot for work (and pleasure, too). He said Berlin is the end of the world (compared to Frankfurt, where he used to work). It's about 5 hours by train from Berlin to Frankfurt. Then on to . . . wherever. So he flies if he is going out of Germany. He says even with all the "wasted" time at airports, it is still faster than the train. I stayed at the Mercure Checkpoint Charlie Hotel in Berlin - got a good internet rate - and I was very pleased with the hotel, the staff (very friendly and helpful), and the location.

Berlin is one of the most interesting cities in Europe and can easily fill all of 5 days. You might consider a daytrip to Potsdam which can be done by public transportation and is reached within 30 minutes. If architecture is of interest to you I highly recommend to book one of the FREE tours of the Reichstag. It was renovated by Norman Foster -who was the one who insisted on rebuilding the glass dome or he wouldn't have taken on the contract. The guiding theme of "living history" was implemented very successfully! You need to book ahead of time ASAP as tours are only available when parliament is not sitting and September is a busy time for them: http://www.bundestag.de/htdocs_e/visits/besgrupp/fuehr.html

In between Berlin and Paris are many places of interest to an architect. I don't remotely know all of them, but some that I have managed to see (or that are still on my list) are: Many medieval villages still in excellent shape Original Bauhaus buildings in Dessau and Weimar Zaha Hadid's BMW Manufacturing Plant near Leipzig, and her first job, a fire station in out-of-the-way Weil am Rhein. Calatrava's train station in Liège, Belgium (which may? well look like the NYC Transit center would have before being value-engineered into a static hulk.) Postwar outdoor overstreet-suspended commuter rail in Wuppertal Brand-new MAS Museum in Antwerp. You both might enjoy the UNESCO Beguijnhofs of Belgium. (BTW, check the World Heritage Sites list for more ideas.) Relatively new Musee du Quai Branley in Paris, as well as The Glass House and Pompidou Center.

Check out Air Berlin. They fly directly from Berlin Tegel to Paris Orly airport in under two hours.

While there is so much to see in between the two cities, I highly recommend staying in Berlin for the 5 days. Architecturally it is an amazing city and a couple day trips would be worth it. Potsdam for sure and don't forget the Einstein Tower there (a pleasant forested walk from the station). I believe Dessau is doable as a daytrip and well worth it for the Bauhaus. In Berlin is a mix of the newer architecture and some important early Modernist works. The Turbine Factory by Behrens and some great '20s apartment complexes that are easy to access by U-Bahn. The Olympic Stadium has been reworked and next to that is a Unite by Corbu. And you can spend a couple days alone on Museum Island. Those are amazing museums and he'll find the newly opened Neuesmuseum fascinating. I'd fly to Paris given the long distance but there is an overnight train.

Thanks everyone! Great advice that helped us to clear up our travel plans! Has anyone taken the night train from Berlin to Paris? If so, is there anything we should know about it? We have Eurail passes.. I think we have to make reservations ahead of time? Anything else? Thanks!!

5 days in Berlin was not enough for me! It's a truly fascinating city that I easily fell in love with. As an architect, your husband and you should absolutely not miss the Jewish Museum, designed in 2001 by Daniel Liebskind, who will be designing the 9/11 memorial. Such a cool building and wonderful museum. Plus, the neighborhood (Kreuzberg) has the best doner kabab in the city. Enjoy your time there.

There is so much to see in Berlin it's a fancinating city. We loved it and can't wait to plan another trip. Make sure to check all of Museum Island and for something interesting check out Under World Tours we went on the flak tower tour my husband said it was one of his favorite things we did our whole trip. http://berliner-unterwelten.de/guided-tours.3.1.html Have fun you will really love Berlin. Wendy

We travelled by train from Berlin to Paris last September. Left Berlin early am arrived in Paris about 4.00pm. You will enjoy you time in Berlin. Fascinating city. We loved it.