When visiting Berlin, live like a local … with an apartment in the trendy “Mitte” area on the edge of the rather cool, somewhat gritty, but fascinating “Prenzlauer Berg” area (former East). The Designer Wohnung (www.vrbo.com/760375ha) is a large studio with a full kitchen partitioned from the bedroom, plus a small deck where you can sit and watch the kids who live in the building play, nod a congenial hello to neighbors also enjoying their decks, or sip a glass of wine before heading out for the evening.
The beauty of this place is its inner courtyard that is supremely quiet, allowing you to sleep like an angel, yet its proximity to an array of restaurants, stores, bars, as well as quick and easy transport to anywhere via the U8 line at the Rosenthaler Platz U-Bahn station. We say three cheers for a fantastic abode in a city that bustles with cool charm and alluring international flavor.
View from the deck looking into the trendy Mitte Designer Wohnung apartment, as shown on the VRBO website. This is a great place to base out of when staying in Berlin.
HITT Tip: Yumcha Heroes dumpling house with Asian dim sum, soups, salads and noodles for a refreshing break from German meats and cabbage; Süsse Sünde (Sweet Sins) walk-up ice cream counter across the street for desert (try “Schoko-Chili-Sauerkirsch” aka Chocolate Chili Sour Cherry, “Pfirsich-Lavendula” aka Peach-Lavender, etc…);
Cafe Fleury is a wonderful place for people-watching on the patio with quiche or salads; or
Café Anna Blum a mere 1.1 miles away (a very pleasant 25 minute stroll) on the happening Kollwitzplatz (Kollwitz Square) where you can easily while away several hours, as we did
where this quick sketch and watercolor was created.
Dinner at Yumcha Heroes is a perfect way to dine when in Berlin.
Süsse Sünde (Sweet Sins) walk-up ice cream counter is a can’t miss opportunity when visiting Berlin.
Heads up! This information on visiting Berlin was accurate when we published it on HI Travel Tales, but, as we know, traveling is all about changes (and inflation, sadly). It is your responsibility to confirm prices, transportation schedules, hours of operation, safety and health considerations, request for perfect weather during your entire visit, and any other important details before your adventure.
Co-Conspirator at HI Travel Tales
Little did her parents know that a short trip to Europe in high school would launch a lifetime love of travel, languages and cultures. Trained as a news journalist, Therese Iknoian now focuses her writing and photography talents on travel. Fluent in German, Therese also runs a translation business (ThereseTranslates.com) working primarily with companies in the outdoor/sports/retail industry. She's a French speaker, and loves to learn a bit of the language wherever she goes -- gdje je kupaonica? Мне нужна помощь! -- often embarrassing herself in the quest for cross-cultural communication. Therese is an award-winning member of the North American Travel Journalists Association.
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