Sorry Berlin, you can't charm me...

Last weekend me and my boyfriend went to Berlin.

I must say, Berlin disappointed me a bit. 

I had high expectations, because after all, this is a city with a great history.

Here some pictures: 

So, why couldn't Berlin charm me?

Berlin is so BIG!
It doesn't really has an historical center. Next to sometimes very historical buildings were ugly modern ones build. The architecture is awful if you ask me. I think the reason must lay in the economic crises after the world wars and the communism that sneaked in.

Also a lot of open places, what is really weird for a city. Like for example the Alexander Platz: a touristic plaza with a huge open area. It gives you more breathing space (what you sometimes miss in other cities), but also a feeling of insecurity.

Next to that, when you went out of the touristic part of Berlin, you see much of the communistic influence (in the eastern part of Berlin, off course). It shows a more realistic image of Berlin and you see that poverty is very much present.

Berlin should also be the vegan/veggiecity of Europe. So, me as a veggie, was super-excited as regards food. Now, our first day we really had to search for a restaurant that also had a veggie-dish. The next morning we searched online for vegan/veggie-restaurants. We had to go out of the touristic part of Berlin to find a restaurant that is specialized in non-meat. Well, that isn't really veggie-friendly if you ask me. Going to some ghetto-district to have my food, hmmm, no thanks.

What we really liked in Berlin:

The hotel! We went to Courtyard Marriott, next to the Spittelmarket. We had a beautiful room, a large choice as regards our breakfast, etc.

We went two days of the weekend to the restaurant Route 66. It's a retro 50's bistro, really worth to go check it out.

The day we liked the most was when we went to the Brandenburger Tor, Reichstag building, Unter den Linden and the DDR museum. When you go to Berlin, you really need to go there! Also the Natural History Museum we recommend to go to.

After I went to Berlin, I thought that it would be interesting for you guys to make a rating list of all the cities I've went to (mostly in Europe, one in Azia).

1. Budapest
2. Prague
3. London
4. Amsterdam
5. Valencia
6. Barcelona
7. Paris
8. Berlin
9. Bodrum

I didn't do much citytrips yet (money-issues..).

My top 3:
I felt in love with Budapest. What a wonderful city, un-be-lie-va-ble! Also not that expensive, compared to London, Barcelona, etc. Boeda, the wonderful historical side and Pest, the modern trendy part with loads of things to see and do. Also very friendly people over there. I surely must go back as soon as a can.

Prague is the city to go out and have fun! Europe's largest disco is there and I had fun in the basement of a pub. Underground parties are really awesome over there! The city also has such a beautiful history and you must go and see the astronomical clock in the Old Town Square.

London is London. Once you went there you can't do more than love this city and visit it again. Things to do/see: the Big Ben, Camden Town, London Dungeon, Tower of London, Notting Hill, etc.

What I really didn't like was Bodrum... Unfriendly people, so over-touristic, buuuh. No thanks, won't do that again. When you like sun, sea, beach-stuff, cheap fake brands, etc., Bodrum might be a city you like. I'm not really a solar beater, so Bodrum, we won't meet each other again.

Things on my 'To Do-List!' for the upcoming years:
- Moscow
- a trek through Sweden
- New York
- a trek through Canada
- Poland (Warschau, Krakau, Auschwitz, etc.)

Now I still have to find the money to start travelling ;-)

You want more information about the cities I've done, let me know.
Or when you can give me some cities that are really a 'must see', pass it on!