Goodbye to Berlin

Friday, our last day and the weather was again lovely: high sun in the early morning. We checked out of the hotel and mounted the horses and headed into town.

Behind the hotel 

Hackescher Markt seemed as good a place as any for a lovely breakfast in the sunshine. Panini’s, mint tea for her, a small espresso for him.

We wandered round the Hackesche Höfe (Hof here means courtyard) is another well known spot, a labyrinth of eight courtyards. Inside, one can stroll from one small shop to another with little cafés, bars and restaurants as places for breaks.  We resisted all manner of temptation to purchase!

The bikes were due back at lunchtime. We had one more place to visit: Norman Foster’s green house - my jest for the impressive glass dome that is a proud part of the new Reischstag Building. 

The crowds were out in force and we jostled to a small patch of grass for me to do a picture. The building without Sir Norman’s embellishments were impressive to start with. Tall, classical and imposing; Frau Merkel’s mansion from who’s steps reassuring pronouncements are made about the situation across Europe.

Mrs Merkel's Mansion

We passed the impressive Brandenburg Gate for the last time and headed East to the Kreuzberg district. Finding the bike shop proved difficult but soon the steeds were returned to the stable and we headed back to the hotel to rest up before the train-bus trip back to the airport.

Berlin: If you like your city culture varied and vibrant this is the place. It compact and one can cover an impressive amount of ground, effortlessly, on a bicycle. It is a city to be enjoyed and commended.