The Berlin Expert

05/09/2024

24/08/2024

Celebrating 24 Years in Germany! 🇩🇪

Today marks my 24th anniversary of living in Germany, and what an incredible journey it has been! 🎉 When I first arrived, I didn’t speak a word of German and had no idea what adventures lay ahead. From navigating cultural differences to starting my own business, creating a new life from scratch, and even marrying a German, it’s been a wild ride. Now, I speak German at home, and every day brings something new and exciting.

Looking back, I can’t help but feel proud of how far I’ve come. From the initial struggles to now having one of the most interesting lives of anyone I know—this journey has been nothing short of amazing. Here’s to embracing every challenge, every laugh, and every moment of craziness that comes with living in a new country. Prost to many more years of adventures and experiences! 🥂

22/08/2024

Near the Alexanderplatz train station, you can find a curious clock designed by Erich John and installed by the East German government in 1969. There are 24 panels to represent the 24 major time zones; on each panel can be found the cities within that time zone - 148 cities total. There is also a simplified version of the solar system sculpted above the clock. The sad irony of the World Clock is that when it was installed, most East Germans could not visit many of the places listed. Now it is a historically protected monument, as well as a popular meeting point for locals and tourists alike.

22/08/2024

Are you already looking forward to the Festival of Lights? ✨

This year, Berlin's landmarks will again shine in the splendor of spectacular light installations from October 4th to 13th 💖 🌙 ✨

12/08/2024

Today, I stood in the exact spot where President Reagan challenged the world with the powerful words, “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” 🇺🇸✨ The memorial plaque on the ground is a poignant reminder of that moment, marking a turning point in the fight for freedom. It’s incredible to be here, where history changed forever.

12/08/2024

Today, I stood in the exact spot where President Reagan challenged the world with the powerful words, "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" 🇺🇸✨ The memorial plaque on the ground is a poignant reminder of that moment, marking a turning point in the fight for freedom. It’s incredible to be here, where history changed forever.

11/08/2024

Rain transformed the Brandenburg Gate into a stunning reflection masterpiece. 🌧️✨ There’s something magical about seeing this iconic landmark mirrored by nature.

02/08/2024

Where you can enjoy cocktails with panoramic views

01/08/2024

Ready to spend the night at the museum or watch shooting stars? Here's our guide to the best events in August.

01/08/2024

One of Berlin's most famous landmarks is the TV Tower, built by East Germany in the early 1960s. It is the tallest structure in Germany and the fifth-tallest in Europe. If you are in Berlin on a sunny day, look closely at the silver ball, because from the right angle, when the sun is shining, the reflection creates a giant cross. The TV Tower was built when religion was heavily frowned upon and crosses were banned. It was just a fluke of construction, but the East German leaders were furious. The West Berliners could see this from their side of the city and gave it the nickname "The Pope's Revenge."

24/07/2024

Paris to Berlin via Train!

Comfort was at times questionable and the food so-so, but for everyone on board, the trip was an experience unto itself.

12/07/2024

11/07/2024

Very Proud of my amazing reviews!!! Love my work!!

10/07/2024

Potsdam has a new synagogue!!!

The building is a case study in how Jewish institutions in Germany are funded and operated.

10/07/2024

'The other Berlin': A travel guide with a fresh take.

Compact, comprehensive, multimedia: This travel guide, published in collaboration with DW, presents Berlin in a new way.One of the challenges of writing any travel guide is that there's always the …

10/07/2024

🌍⚽️ Living the dream in Berlin during the UEFA European Championship 2024! 🎉 The city's energy is electric with fans from all over Europe coming together to celebrate soccer. From vibrant fan zones to historic landmarks lit up in team colors, every corner of Berlin is buzzing with excitement. Prost to an unforgettable tournament! 🍻🏟️

08/07/2024

Hot tips for a quick snack

03/07/2024

02/07/2024

Thrilled to share that I’ve been awarded TripAdvisor’s highest honor again this year, placing in the top 10%! 🌟 Proud to have achieved this for over 10 years in a row. Thank you for your continued support!

28/06/2024

Just had an amazing encounter with Rick Steves in Berlin! 🎉✨ From his travel guides to real life, he’s just as inspiring and down-to-earth. Truly a moment I’ll never forget! I appreciate being listed in his Berlin book as a recommended guide. !! 🗺️💬

26/06/2024

Summer in Berlin!!!!
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25/06/2024

The author, Guenther Dammann, was a 23-year-old Jew and amateur magician in Berlin when he self-published his book about great Jewish magicians, both living and dead

Richard Hatch gave up a career as a physicist to become a magician — and a one-man historical preservation society dedicated to a German author killed in the Holocaust.

19/06/2024

Holocaust survivor living in Germany is is on Vogue magazine cover.

At 102, she is one of the oldest people to grace the cover of the fashion bible. Vogue has always been up for a surprise on the cover — and rightly so.

16/06/2024

Berlin is a city that never ceases to amaze. Every corner you turn reveals a piece of history, woven into the very fabric of this incredible place. Over the last hundred years, Berlin has seen the best and the worst, transforming into one of the coolest cities on the planet.

Like an onion, Berlin has layers upon layers of stories, culture, and secrets waiting to be uncovered. No matter what you do here, there’s always more to discover beneath the surface. From its vibrant street art to its historic landmarks, Berlin is a living, breathing testament to resilience and reinvention.

Explore Berlin, and get ready to peel back the layers of one of the world’s most fascinating cities. # berlinguide

04/06/2024

Hey Twin Cities friends!!! It’s easier than ever to visit Germany now!!!

New nonstop service from the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport to Germany begins Tuesday as Lufthansa expands into the market.

28/05/2024

My clients from Montreal visiting the Stolperstein for the first time, commemorating their grandparents, who were murdered in 1943. This was one of the most intense and moving tours I’ve ever led.

28/05/2024

German Jews trying to emigrate to Palestine form long lines in front of the Palestine and Orient Travel Agency. Berlin, Germany, January 22, 1939. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

Preparing all the paperwork to get on the waiting list for an American visa by 1938 was an enormous burden, and the waiting could be demoralizing. (Not that it was easy before this date). People had to wait for their number to be called before they would receive a summons to even begin the formal application process. This could take so long that prospective immigrants were lucky if their documents were still valid when their numbers came up.

11/05/2024

Why the Allies Forced N**i Germany to Surrender Twice to End World War II

The Allied forces of World War II were more than ready to accept a N**i surrender, but when they realized they might have left a potential loophole for Germany to continue fighting the Soviet Union, however, they had no qualms about forcing their vanquished foe to sign another, more complete surrend...