Berlin is wonderful! Close to 25 years after the fall of the Wall, Berlin is a mix of trendy and grit. The city welcomes its future as an international centre for avant-garde culture, art and media while it enjoys a major re-birth post-communism. As its mayor famously quipped “Berlin is poor, but sexy!”

Gemaldegalerie is Germany’s must-see art gallery housing a vast collection of European art, including many by the Old Masters. One will certainly enjoy viewing pieces by Boticelli, Peter Paul Rubens, Rembrandt, Vermeer and many more without the crowds.

The Wall and its Art

I stayed at the Ritz Carlton, Berlin conveniently located at Potsdamer Platz. The hotel is traditionally designed and the amenities are plentiful. Service from the hotel staff, especially the doormen, is excellent. Just do not expect the same level of attentive service from the Concierge desk.