Arrival in Berlin then pick up and drop off at Hotel 4.

We enjoyed our trip on the ICE express Train from Hamburg to Berlin. The Station upon arrival in Berlin is simply awe inspiring with platforms below the street level accessed by both lift and escalators and the signage is in both German and English.

We come out the front of the station and the weather is wam, but we cannot see any sign of our Blacklane driver. There are people everywhere nd we appear to be lost. Our mobile rings and it is our drover who then advises that taxi and luxury vehicle pick ups are at the back oif the station ( no sign , but there is a sense of relief as we now know where he s. He is in a new Mercedes E64 and comes to greet us as we depart the beautiful station. It is simply so easy to walk and move through, there are multiple lines and we came in on platform 8.

All of our luggage fits in the large boot and he advises that we have a 25 minute relaxed drive passed several of the key tourist areas and then will arrive at Hotel 4 which is in the old East Bewrlind side beyond the Brandenburg gate and .

He advises us that there is an excelloent transport network and out front of our hotel is the light rail. There are multiple routes and access is by purchasing a tourist card. He also generously points out the Hop on Hop off stop about 400 metres from our hotel. He recommends as a way of getting used to the geography ans well as determining what we want to see and do.

He thewn points out a massive beer garden restaurant about 100 metres from the hotel.

All worked well and as usual Blacklane got us to where we needed to be in a no nonsense practical manner.

Hotel 4 - Tourist Hotel.

We had found accommodation in Hotels even using our Brand cards, to be very difficult and soon find out that there are 3 sporting events and a music festival all occurring in this part of Berlin. It is over 30 years since we have been to Berlin and the first impresson is of the number of cranes, the massive amount of construction, predominantly on the old East Berlin sites.

We are assured the area is safe and whilst there have been several incidents with refugees, none of these have been near the hotel. It is almost 5.30pm after we check in and go to our apparent upmarket room, but we are surprised as it is a small one bedroom room , with very small ensuite and air conditioning that sometimes works. However, we are only here for 4 days and will be out and bout for most of the days with a trip to Potsdam for an entire day before we depart the following morning.

The architecture of the many government buildings is stunning, there are museums on every second corner. We go for a walk having unpacked, discover a small supermarket in the street behind, purchase soft drinks and then return to the Hotel.

We decide to have dinner in the Hotel’s restaurant on the ground floor. We are the only clients at 7.00pm but this soon changes and the place is full. We enjoy a home made starter, then have Vienna Schnitzel with steamed vegetables and a tart and ice cream for dessert. Ken has a local beer (lager) and then glass of French red wine.

The day has psased very quickly, all has gone well from the pick up from the port, the excellent excursion and trvel through Hamburg.

The Station at both end proved a challenge but we made it to the platforms, received assistance from several younger men with our luggage and thoroughly enjoyed the first class rail travel on the ICE Train. As an observation. our luggage particularly the 2 cases with 28kg of weight in each, will likely prove a challenge getting on and off trains where there are likely 2 or 3 steps into each carriage from the platforms.

Our Hotel is suitable and we remain concerned as to the Air-condiotioning effectiveness as we are forecast to have days in high 20’s to low 30’s. All in all a successful day leaving Sirna in Hamburg and travel to Berlin and checking in etc.

We look forward to a good night’s sleep as we are tired.