Memorial at Philharmonie in Berlin, former site of the headquarters of Aktion T4, the agency that ordered “euthanasia” of people with mental disabilities or illnesses during the Third Reich, on the the National Socialist government. During my visit, dozens of Berliners filed past the photos and documentation in utter silence.

Konzerthaus Berlin, located on Gendarmenmarkt square near the historic center of the city, is considered to be one of the five best concert venues in the world due to its excellent acoustics. During the Christmas holidays, the Gendarmenmarkt hosts one of Berlin’s most popular Christmas markets.

The Berliner Dom (Protestant Cathedral in Berlin) features a dome decorated with mosaics, stained glass windows by Anton von Werner, massive pipe organ, Neo-Baroque pulpit, and crypt with more than 80 sarcophagi of Prussian royals. It is well worth the 270-step climb to the top of the dome to take in the views over Berlin.

During the Cold War, Checkpoint Charlie was the most famous crossing point in the Berlin Wall between the east and west sectors of the city. Though both the Wall and checkpoint were removed in 1990, a reproduction of the guard house and border sign were later recreated. Today, for a fee tourists have their photographs … Read more