We’ve been to many new cities on this crazy around the world journey, but we’ve also returned to places we visited on our original adventure over 20 years ago.

Berlin is one of those cities.

Berlin had a big impact on us all those years ago; we were there only four years after the wall had come down, on one of those 18 – 35 tours; we camped outside the city and were taken by bus to the important landmarks.

This time we’re staying in the middle of town, on the east side of the city. We’ve walked almost everywhere, exploring the museums, revisiting places like Checkpoint Charlie, the Reichstag and Brandenburg Gate.

If anything Berlin has made even more of an impact – there’s just something about this city. It’s bold and dramatic, dominated by huge domed cathedrals, classical columned buildings and more modern solid structures. It’s a complex, fascinating and distressing place, its turbulent history stamped across buildings, streets and landmarks, and remembered in museums and memorials. It’s also vibrant and alive with genuinely friendly people, shops, restaurants, lights and decorations. Locals and tourists are all out and about enjoying the Christmas markets and magic atmosphere.

We have two more days here before we move on, but we definitely won’t be waiting another 24 years before we return to Berlin.

• Uncategorized