A city guide to Berlin

There are many different things to see and do in Berlin, with the many attractions of historical significance, architectural buildings, and its many museums available to enjoy. Berlin is becoming more and more popular, with its cultural diversity, shopping and dining experiences, and of course the beer festivals. You have to experience this unique European city over and over in order to take it all in, and just one visit will keep you coming back for more.

Even if you are vacationing with the kids there is much to see and do. One of the more visited attractions for children is the newly opened LEGOLAND Discovery Center, the first and only totally indoor LEGOLAND in the entire world. There are many different things that the whole family will enjoy, from the interactive exhibits, the creativity, as well as the learning opportunities. You can enjoy the fun factory where real bricks are made, a cinema show in real 4D technology, and visitors are even able to make their very own bricks.

Housing both the government and parliament buildings, the Tiergarten is Berlin's inner-city park, and the largest of its kind in the world. This area is home to not only the Carillon, but the German President, and there is plenty of shady areas for families to picnic under, throw a ball around or just relax. When your kids get totally bored, there is another of Berlin's famous kid attractions, the Berlin Zoo and Aquarium. With 9,000 animals from over 800 different species, it is the largest anywhere. There are Solomon Island Skinks, Electric Eels, and of course every kids favorites, lions, tigers and bears. It is open daily and just 18Euros for adults, 9Euros for children, for both the aquarium as well as the zoo.

Perhaps the best way to get around this large and sprawling city is by public transportation, and Berlin is one of the many cities in Europe that offer discount cards for not only travel, but also many discounts on entry into a number of different attractions and dining experiences. There are many different Berlin Welcome Cards to choose from, and the best one for families is the card that allows unlimited travel in Berlin and Potsdam, for one adult and up to three kids under 15 years old. Not only does this cover all forms of public transportation, including to and from the airport, but offers so much more. There are discounts for more than 100 attractions, guided and boat tours, as well as cultural events, theaters,and museums just to name a few.

One of the best ways to enjoy your stay in Germany is by renting a Berlin holiday apartment. These are far more economical than a hotel in many different ways. They can be rented by the week, or even a month, depending on the length of your holiday, rather that the daily charges for a hotel. You have lots of privacy, which you don't have with a standard hotel, and these apartments are available with separate bedrooms, so when it is time for you kids to get to bed, you and your spouse can enjoy a few private moments to yourselves. Booking one of these online is quite easy to do, with many to choose from.