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Trip Report
Berlin and Paris
Three nights in Berlin and three nights in the heart of Paris. Days spent exploring museums and restaurants, nights spent at clubs.
+ 5
Highs & Lows
Musée Rodin, risotto at L'Avenue, lunch at Reichstag Berlin
The Louvre -- overrated
Itinerary Overview
In Berlin, we explored art museums and toured the Reichstag. In addition to the main square and government buildings being absolutely stunning, the restaurant at the top of the Reichstag is divine. The memorial to the murdered Jews of Europe is a must-see and incredibly powerful. However, I wish we had spent a full day learning more about Jews in Berlin, past and present. The Pergamon Museum has incredible exhibits and is easy to get lost in for hours. KaDeWe is an overwhelming shopping center but very visually beautiful on the inside. The food is amazing -- we found great pizza on the top floor. We took a quick plane to Paris and stayed in the 8th Arrondissement, which was perfect for exploring museums like the D'Orsay, Rodin, and L'Orangerie, as well as for restaurants. We spent a lot of time wandering the streets of various neighborhoods, shopping, and stopping for crepes. There is a great crepe place across from the Place des Vosges. You really can't go wrong when exploring Paris.
Berlin Political culture, art, food
Berlin is a fascinating place full of lots of contrast. Grunge clubs, pristine government buildings, shimmery shopping centers, and a complicated past. I'd love to go back and explore it more fully.
Paris Food! Museums! Culture!
The Louvre is overwhelming and overrated, but Musée D'Orsay, Musée Rodin, and L'Orangerie stuck out as favorites. The Louis Vuitton museum is a couple metro stops outside the city, but worth the trip. Favorite restaurants include L'Avenue, Pink Mamma in Pigalle, and Les Deux Magots. Clubs we enjoyed were Le Duplex near Arc de Triomphe and Medellin, a club disguised as a taco stand.
Versailles To learn about this crazy place!
Super touristy but definitely worth a visit once. It's an overwhelming place, but the audio guided tour is helpful, and I loved spending time in the gardens.
Q & A
What would you have changed?
Every time I go to Paris I leave wishing I had stayed longer.Anything go wrong during the trip?
We were there during the world cup and there were tons of crazy rallies in the streets, some of which escalated to a point of tear gas, which was scary and not ideal.Restaurant recommendations?
In addition to the restaurant recs already given, spend a day at a market purchasing wine, a baguette, fruits, and olives, and have a picnic in a park!
Lodging
Hotel Adlon Kempinski has the best location in the entire city. Beautiful rooms with incredible views, great buffet breakfast, and very friendly staff.
Le Bristol Paris was absolutely perfect in every way. Their breakfast is to die for, from pastries to truffle scrambled eggs, and the drinks on their bar menu are divine. The hotel is the pinnacle of elegance.