WHAT TO SEE IN BERLIN
Pergamon Museum
If you only have time for one museum in Berlin, make it the Pergamon for a feast of classical Greek, Babylonian, Roman, Islamic and Middle Eastern art and architecture. The giant complex, which was only completed in 1930, harbours under one roof: the Collection of Classical Antiquities, the Museum of Near Eastern Antiquities and the Museum of Islamic Art.
Bauhaus Archiv/Museum fur Gestaltung
The Bauhaus Archive/Museum of Design is devoted to the members of the Bauhaus School, who laid the basis for much of contemporary design and architecture. Founded in Weimar by Berlin architect Walter Gropius, it aimed to unite art with everyday functionality, from doorknobs and radiators to the layout of entire districts and apartment blocks.
Reichstag
Just north of the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag has been the seat of the Bundestag (German parliament), since 1999 following a complete renovation by Lord Norman Foster. The British architect turned the 1894 building by Paul Wallot into a state-of-the-art parliamentary facility, preserving only the historical shell and adding the glistening glass dome.
Jüdisches Museum
Berlin's Jüdisches Museum, the largest Jewish Museum in Europe, celebrates the achievements of German Jews and their contribution to culture, art, science and other fields. An architectural work of art, the building and its contents are a major destination in Berlin.
Deutsches Technikmuseum
It's easy to spend an entire day at the giant Deutsches Technikmuseum and the sizable Museumpark. The museum's 14 departments examine technology throughout the ages - from printing and transport to computers - with interactive stations. Demonstrations of historical machines and models take place throughout the museum.
Gemäldegalerie
If you only have time for one art museum, make it the Gemäldegalerie (Picture Gallery), a spectacular showcase of European painting from the 13-18th centuries in a glorious building designed by Munich architects Hilmer & Sattler. The collection is famous for its quality and breadth. It's especially strong when it comes to Van Dyk, Hals, Rubens and Rembrandt.
Brandenburger Tor
The restored landmark Brandenburger Tor (Brandenburg Gate), a symbol of division during the Cold War, now epitomises German reunification. It was against this backdrop in 1987 that then-US president Ronald Reagan uttered the now famous words: 'Mr Gorbachev - tear down this wall.' Two years later, the Wall was history.
Deutsche Guggenheim Berlin
If you've seen any other Guggenheim museum, especially those in New York and Bilbao, this small, minimalist gallery space - a joint venture between Deutsche Bank and the Guggenheim Foundation - is likely to be disappointing. Curators mount several exhibits a year featuring international contemporary artists of some renown.
KaDeWe
At the second-largest consumer temple in Europe, after Harrod's of London, the assortment is so vast that if they don't have it, it probably doesn't exist. This legendary 6th-floor gourmet food hall is a culinary universe selling only the best of anything - Veuve Cliquot to oysters, chorizo to harissa - from around the world. Don't expect any bargains.
Thatchers
Veterans of the Berlin designer scene, Ralf Hensellek and Thomas Mrozek specialise in making professional women look good in clothing that's feminine but not fussy, sexy but not vulgar, and always well-tailored. Their smart dresses, skirts and shirts go easily from office to dinner to nightclub, but they won't go out of fashion by the next season.
Bonbonmacherei
The lost art of handmade sweets has been lovingly revived in this little basement store with its integrated show kitchen. Watch master candy-makers Katja and Hjalmar using antique equipment and traditional recipes to produce such tasty delights as tangy sour drops or green leaf-shaped maiblätter (May leaves), a local speciality made with woodruff.
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