"Be My Guest" - Apartment Rentals - Berlin & Amsterdam

This is a nice website to have handy if you're planning to visit Amsterdam or Berlin anytime soon. It lists reasonably priced apartments for rent in both of these cities. Just go to www.Be-My-Guest.com - They also provide helpful information on local guest houses and B&B's. Check it out, here's the link:
Berlin Holiday Apartments | Accommodation in Berlin & Amsterdam - Be My Guest

This story is courtesy of the Kayra Martinez (FRASW), a seasoned world traveler and a current resident of Berlin. Thank you Kayra for sharing all your travel discoveries and tidbits!

Photos, courtesy of Be My Guest website. (Love that red chandelier in that turquoise room)



Happy Trails!

Ps- Berlin is amazing!

The "Underground Dining Scene"

Shhhh! Don't tell anyone. There are secret restaurants all over the world hidden behind closed doors. Who knew! Check out this great website list (www.saltshaker.net/underground-dining-scene) - It names by city, some of the "underground" gourmet dining places that have emerged around the world that one only hears about in hushed tones, tweets and Facebook posts. In fact, some of these places require you to make dinner reservations through their Facebook pages! How interesting and unusual don't you think? The furtiveness of it all piques my interest and my appetite!

The New York Time's claims that "“The new trend is to be more in the know instead of buying yourself into places.” Well, I won't make you wait, here's the list. SaltShaker � Underground Dining Scene. You be the judge. Let me know what you think of any place you visit. I'll probably try a couple of them in Buenos Aires this coming month while I fly there and I'll report more about them then soon, I promise!

Until then, enjoy the new trend and the mysterious food spots!

BERLIN - Christmas Market - 2009

There are many Christmas Markets in Berlin and all are very special,
however, this year we decided to go to the Christmas Market on Opernpalais.
It is in the area of Unter den Linden. Everywhere you look, you see amazing historical buildings.
Humboldt University, The Opera House is the next building over and across the street you
have a lovely view of the Berliner Dom, one of the most beautiful churches in Berlin and of course the Berlin TV tower.

It is really nice to stroll along the markets. There are many handcrafted items including knitted socks, mittens and jewelry of all sorts. Naturally, they offer many nice snacks and hot drinks as well. We stopped to have a Bratwurst and then headed to the stand where they sell the Gluehwein, which in English is a mulled wine. It is served hot and tastes fabulous, it also helps to keep you warm!

There is also a live band and during the weekends it is a really fun place to be. The dates are from 23. November - 27. December 2009.

Another place I would recommend is in the Gendamenmarkt area...3 beautiful churches in one area.

Mo - Th 12:00 – 21:30
Fr - Sa 11:00 – 22:30
Sun 11:00 - 21:30

Dec 24th - closed

Jan 2 - Christmas holiday 11.30 - 21:00
Dec 27th - 11:30 - 21:00

Enjoy the photos!
Kayra Martinez
Berlin


Story and photos by Kayra Martinez (FRASW)

Berlin Update - by Kayra Martinez

Berlin is a city with 3.4 million inhabitants (or 4.2
million if you count the suburbs as well) - but it's smaller
than you might think: Berlin is separated in the so called
"Bezirke" (Districts). There are 12 districts in Berlin and
every district is a small city on its own - but usually you
only hang out in about 3-4 districts (mostly Mitte,
Prenzlauer Berg, Schöneberg, Charlottenburg) at all. Lots of
people haven't set a single foot in one of the other
districts, as there is mostly no need to do so. :-) Knowing
these facts makes Berlin a lot smaller than it may appear.
Tip: Use Google Maps or <www.stadtplandienst.de> (more
detailed) for orientation.
You may have heard about the Kurfürstendamm, located in the
former west part of Berlin, as one of the main streets.
That's right, but: Nowadays, most hot spots are located in
the districts Mitte and Prenzlauer Berg (both in the former
east part of berlin). Especially nearly no hip club is
located in the former west part. So try to book a hotel in
Mitte.

My advice would be to book an apartment in Berlin and live like a local
www.be-my-guest.com
also, lots of tips on this sight of some cultural highlights and places to eat.

Any more info please drop a mail, am happy to recommend places to go out
and to eat!
Enjoy Berlin!

Photos and text, courtesy of Kayra Martinez, current resident of Berlin.

Thank you Kayrita!

BERLIN - Travel Photos by Kayra

Kayra, an American, now living in fascinating Berlin, sent us some of her wonderful pictures, of her new home turf.

As and international flight attendant, she travels often and explores the world, always, with camera on hand. We thank her for sharing with us some of her great shots of Berlin.

Thank you Kayrita!!

Can you please send us now, some "inside" scoop about cool and interesting places to visit in Berlin!