Howcast https://howcast.com The best source for fun, free, and useful how-to videos and guides. Fri, 04 Oct 2013 13:31:17 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://howcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/cropped-305991373_448685880636965_5438840228078552196_n-32x32.png Howcast https://howcast.com 32 32 Visiting the Tiergarten in Berlin https://howcast.com/videos/514454-visiting-the-tiergarten-berlin-travel/ Fri, 04 Oct 2013 13:31:17 +0000 https://howcast.com/videos/514454-visiting-the-tiergarten-berlin-travel/

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The Animal Garden district is one of the best parts of Berlin.

It’s most famous for its giant park, which is also called the Tiergarten.

This park is over 500 acres.

It’s the biggest park in Berlin, and the second biggest in all of Germany.

It’s old, too; the name Tiergarten, or animal garden, comes from its original purpose as the hunting grounds of the king in the 1500s.

Today, it’s a public garden with miles of paths for walking and jogging.

In the middle of the park is the Berlin Victory Column. The Berlin Victory Column has a 150 foot tall viewing platform which offers beautiful views of the park.

The Berlin Zoological Garden is also in the Tiergarten. This is Germany’s oldest zoo and one of the most popular in the world. There are well over a thousand species of animals in the zoo, including endangered species the zoo is breeding. The Zoo also includes one of the biggest aquariums in Germany.

Surrounding the entire park are also many important buildings, including embassies and the Reichstag. Famous Potsdam Square and the Brandenburg Gate are also in the area.

Whether you want to take a walk in the sun, go to the zoo, or see impressive architecture, Animal Garden district is the place to go and an important stop on a trip to Berlin.

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Visiting the Gendarmenmarkt in Berlin https://howcast.com/videos/514453-visiting-the-gendarmenmarkt-berlin-travel/ Fri, 04 Oct 2013 13:23:36 +0000 https://howcast.com/videos/514453-visiting-the-gendarmenmarkt-berlin-travel/

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Some say the Gendarmenmarkt is one of the most elegant places in Europe. It’s at least Berlin’s most beautiful square.

Not only is the architecture impressive, but the different buildings all complement one another perfectly.

Perhaps even more impressive is that the buildings saw extensive damage during World War II, but were restored completely.

The French Cathedral gets its name from being designed to resemble a French Huguenot temple, and because the congregation once spoke French. The tower has a viewing platform, which offers an excellent view of Berlin.

Across from the French Cathedral is the German Cathedral.

It was named in contrast to the French Cathedral and similarly the congregation in this church has always spoken German.

The two churches’ towers were designed together so that the Gendarmenmarkt would be symmetrical.

Framed by the two churches is the Berlin Concert House — with some of the best acoustic quality of any building in the world. Listen to the Berlin Symphony Orchestra play there, and you’ll hear the difference.

Aside from having impressive architecture, the Gendarmenmarkt is used as a public square.

If you happen to visit Berlin during the Christmas season, one of the city’s best Christmas markets is held in the Gendarmenmarkt. But whenever you’re in town, the Gendarmenmarkt is worth a visit.

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Visiting Museum Island in Berlin https://howcast.com/videos/514452-visiting-museum-island-berlin-travel/ Fri, 04 Oct 2013 13:19:25 +0000 https://howcast.com/videos/514452-visiting-museum-island-berlin-travel/

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One of Berlin’s biggest attractions is its world-class museums.

There are so many that it can be hard to know where to start, but Museum Island is always a good choice. This group of museums includes five of the most important ones in the city.

The New Museum contains a collection of prehistoric and ancient Egyptian art and artifacts. You can even see the famous bust of Queen Nefertiti there.

The Old Museum is worth seeing just for the building itself. The Neoclassical design was done by the famous Berlin architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel.

Inside the museum is an impressive collection of Roman and Greek antiquities.

The Pergamon Museum also has an extensive collection of antiquities, as well as Islamic and Middle Eastern art and artifacts. Most famous is the massive Pergamon Altar, which the museum is named after.

For Germany’s best collection of Byzantine art, head over to the the Bode Museum. This museum also houses a collection of sculptures dating from the Middle Ages to the 18th-century.

The Old National Gallery is home to one of Germany’s biggest collections of 19th-century European sculptures and paintings. Works by masters such as Cézanne, Manet, and Monet can be seen here.

In one day on Museum Island, you can see everything from ancient Egyptian sculptures to 19th-century European paintings: it’s a sample of Berlin’s best.

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Top 9 Places to Eat & Drink in Berlin https://howcast.com/videos/514451-top-9-places-to-eat-drink-berlin-travel/ Fri, 04 Oct 2013 13:15:12 +0000 https://howcast.com/videos/514451-top-9-places-to-eat-drink-berlin-travel/

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Berlin might not be as famous for its restaurants as some other European cities, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot of good food to be found.

There are a number of choices for fine dining.

Fischers Fritz is known for serving the best seafood in the city.

Restaurant Reinstoff offers haute cuisine based on traditional German dishes.

Weinbar Rutz is known for creating innovative, delicious dishes and offers a selection of over a thousand vintage wines.

If you’d rather have beer than wine, relax in a beer garden like Schleusenkrug. It has the ideal location in the Tiergarten, and serves delicious German comfort food.

Check out the Cafe Einstein Stammhaus for some of the best coffee in the city, in a beautiful historic villa. You can also get classic Austrian food like schnitzel there.

For traditional German dishes in a casual, comfortable setting, go to Schwarzwaldstuben. Or for a cheap meal, try the German favorite, currywurst, at Curry 36.

But if you need to fill up, head to Zur Letzten Instanz. This restaurant has been serving hearty German fare since 1621. It’s Berlin’s oldest restaurant, and it’s worth going just to say you’ve been there.

Want something other than German food? You can get great Vietnamese food in Berlin at Monsieur Vuong.

From beer to schnitzel, wine to lobster, you will eat well in Berlin!

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How to Get Around Berlin https://howcast.com/videos/514450-how-to-get-around-berlin-travel/ Thu, 03 Oct 2013 22:12:12 +0000 https://howcast.com/videos/514450-how-to-get-around-berlin-travel/

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Berlin’s traffic isn’t notoriously bad, as it can be in other cities, but parking is expensive and can be hard to find.

So, since Berlin has an excellent public transportation system, there’s not much reason for visitors to drive at all.

Berlin’s public transportation network is called the BVG, and it covers all the public transportation options.

Between the U-Bahn subway, the S-Bahn suburban trains, the buses, and the trams, Berlin’s public transportation system covers just about the whole city.

The system is fast, reliable, and easy to use.

There are a variety of payment options for tickets, including short rides of just three stops for only a few euros to full day passes.

Information about tickets as well as maps, timetables, and a trip planner can be found on the BVG website.

If you’d rather not opt for public transportation, taxis are easy to find and not too expensive, compared to many other major cities.

Drivers also often speak English. You can hail a taxi on the street or call a taxi service.

If you’re visiting when the weather’s nice, biking is also a good way to get around Berlin. There are lots of bike routes and bicycle rental agencies.

Getting around in Berlin is nothing to worry about, so you can focus on enjoying your stay.

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Best Time of Year to Visit Berlin https://howcast.com/videos/514449-best-time-to-visit-berlin-travel/ Thu, 03 Oct 2013 22:04:37 +0000 https://howcast.com/videos/514449-best-time-to-visit-berlin-travel/

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The least expensive time to visit Berlin is the winter.

This is because few tourists come to Berlin during the winter months. It’s an especially good time to visit if you don’t like crowds and you’re looking for some deals on hotels or airfare.

However, there is a reason Berlin sees so few visitors during the winter–it can get extremely cold, with highs in the low 50s and occasional storms.

So if you want to get out and see the city at all, you should try to avoid the winter.

On the other hand, summer is the peak season. There’s no better time for relaxing in an outdoor cafe or beer garden. Temperatures can get up into the 90s, but it usually cools off considerably in the evenings.

Of course, summer is also the most crowded and expensive time to visit Berlin.

For a compromise, visit during the early fall, in September or October. The worst of the crowds will be gone, and it will be easier to find bargains.

The weather won’t be quite as nice, but you won’t have to deal with the worst of the heat, and it should still be warm enough for outdoor activities.

There’s always something to do in Berlin, so deciding when to go mostly depends on your priorities.

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Top 12 Museums to Visit in Berlin https://howcast.com/videos/514448-top-12-museums-to-visit-berlin-travel/ Thu, 03 Oct 2013 22:01:53 +0000 https://howcast.com/videos/514448-top-12-museums-to-visit-berlin-travel/

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Berlin is filled with world-class museums.

You might start with Museum Island. This group of museums include the Pergamon Museum, the Bode Museum, the Old Museum, the Old National Gallery, and the New Museum.

In these museums, you can see everything from Ancient Egyptian sculptures to 19th-century European paintings.

But some of the best European paintings are at the Gemäldegalerie. The collection includes masterpieces from Vermeer, Rembrandt, Caravaggio, and Raphael.

Or head over to the New National Gallery to see modern masterpieces from the likes of Picasso and Miró.

The Berggruen Museum is small, but also contains many important pieces of modern art.

The Berlinische Galerie also has an impressive collection of modern art, and all of it was created right in Berlin.

When you’ve had enough art, visit one of Berlin’s history museums.

The German Historical Museum covers German history from prehistoric times through World War II.

The Jewish Museum is the place to go for a look at the history of Germany’s Jewish people from the middle ages through the Holocaust, and after.

An even closer look at the Holocaust can be found at the Topography of Terror. This museum documents the atrocities committed under the Nazi regime.

Berlin has a dark history but it’s important to look back while appreciating the vibrant culture that thrives in Berlin today.

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Top 7 Places to Visit in Berlin https://howcast.com/videos/514447-top-7-places-to-visit-berlin-travel/ Thu, 03 Oct 2013 21:59:03 +0000 https://howcast.com/videos/514447-top-7-places-to-visit-berlin-travel/

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Berlin is home to many impressive pieces of architecture, important historical sites, and memorials.

The Brandenburg Gate has stood since 1791, surviving World War II. Today, it’s one of Berlin’s best known landmarks.

Berlin Cathedral also saw damage in World War II, but after restoration it remains an impressive example of architecture from the early 20th century.

Charlottenburg Palace is one of Germany’s best examples of baroque architecture.

More examples of impressive architecture can be seen in Gendarmenmarkt, the most beautiful square in the city. This is where you can see the French Cathedral, the German Cathedral, and the Konzerthaus Berlin.

Take a break from the city in the Animal Garden, where you’ll find the biggest park in Berlin.

Germany’s parliament building, the Reichstag, is also in the area.

Back in the city center, you’ll find the Berlin Wall Memorial. Take a guided tour of the memorial to learn about how the Berlin Wall affected the city.

Another memorial to visit is the one at Bebelplatz. The memorial commemorates where the book burnings were held — right in this square –during World War II.

Berlin’s long and complex history has made it a fascinating city to visit, with something interesting everywhere you look.

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Top 5 Neighborhoods to Visit in Berlin https://howcast.com/videos/514446-top-5-neighborhoods-to-visit-berlin-travel/ Thu, 03 Oct 2013 21:56:18 +0000 https://howcast.com/videos/514446-top-5-neighborhoods-to-visit-berlin-travel/

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Berlin is an old city that has been built and rebuilt over the course of its history. Be sure to spend some time in the Nicholas’ Quarter.

This historic district has been restored after it was destroyed in World War II. Today, it’s where you can see examples of old architecture like St Nicholas’ Church, Berlin’s oldest church.

Nicholas’ Quarter is in the Mitte or Middle, literally meaning the vast middle section of Berlin.

Also in this section is the Museum Island, which is where you can visit some of the city’s most important museums.

Mitte is also where you can walk down Under the Lindens from Brandenburg Gate and see some of Berlin’s top attractions.

Outside of Mitte, Charlottenburg is another beautiful neighborhood.

This is where you can see the Schloss Charlottenburg, Germany’s only remaining royal palace.

Charlottenburg is also home to several museums, including the Berggruen Museum.

Potsdam Square is another area that has been rebuilt in recent history. The Berlin Wall was once in this area, but today you wouldn’t know it due to all the new buildings. This area is where you can visit many of Berlin’s best museums, such as the New National Gallery.

Kreuzberg is another popular neighborhood. This is another neighborhood with notable museums, like the Jewish Museum and the Berlinische Galerie.

Berlin’s complex history and rich culture can truly be experienced by visiting all of its neighborhoods.

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