I've booked the Berlin City Break for 8th May, and was wondering if anyone has been before and have travel tips...

1) Places to go: I expect we'll visit the Bradenburg Gate and Reichstag on a sight-seeing excursion, but is there anywhere else you would consider worth a visit? As I enjoy going to museums and art galleries, the Museuminsel and Kulturforum appeal.

2) Places to eat: any casual eating places you'd recommend for lunch or dinner? (Not looking for posh, strict dress-code type restaurants here, just somewhere relaxed and mid-range like Pizza Express or Nando's - not necessarily a chain)

3) Money: how much to take? Average price of a meal (drink, starter/dessert, main course)? I plan to take cash as I've read that Germany tends to cash over card payments.

4) Lastly, security: keep passport on person, or in safe at hotel (and photocopy on person)? Any areas it's best to avoid when exploring alone?

I've never travelled solo abroad before, so any tips from seasoned travellers would be a great help!

P.S. Would love to hear from anyone who is also booked onto this trip 🙂

Taking my Just You employee hat off and putting on my Just You traveller hat, I took this city break last year.

1. Places to go, there is some free time and our tour manager pointed people in the directions of museums and galleries that suited them. A fellow traveller and I decided to get an extra view of the city and went into the Berliner Dom (the cathedral) and climbed the stairs to see the views from the dome. We also took a trip to the East Side Gallery - we saw some of this on the coach tour, but it was a chance to see some of the art on the wall up close and at our own pace (there was a nice little coffee shop at one end to enjoy a coffee overlooking the river too). Finally, we went to the Olympic Stadium as this was something that interested us both. There is plenty to see and do in Berlin and you'll undoubtedly find that there are others in the group that want to do similar things if you want some company!

2. Places to eat - there are plenty of places to eat and on the walking tour the Tour Manager will be able to point some of these out to you, on the second night, some of the group went for dinner in a restaurant near the hotel which I believe they enjoyed, and a few of us went to a restaurant in one of the Platz - we looked at a couple and all were reasonably priced.

3. It was a while ago but I think I took about £200/£250 and came home with change. Food - there is something for every budget so plan as if eating out in the UK and for a few souvenirs and you should be fine.

4. I honestly can't remember what I did with my passport - I don't recall needing it at any point but I always tend to carry a photocopy in case of emergency. In terms of safety - I didn't have any trouble but I was always with a fellow traveller, that said, a couple of the group went off and explored on their own without issue. If in doubt - speak to the Tour Manager before you head out.

Hope this helps,

Julia

Designed by Daniel Libeskind , the building is deliberately thought provoking.

For meals I love the self service restaurants on the top floors of the large department stores.

Berlin is fascinating. You will have a great time.

I went to Berlin last May. Five of us went to the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp. It's approx. 50km out of town with a trek from the station but well worth a visit. Also, two of us went to the DDR museum (besides the River Spree) which tells of life behind the wall. The restaurant next door was good too for a snack or main meal, offering food from those early days.

Have a good trip.

Sylvia

Roamer, did you also go to the Jewish synagogue (Neue Synagogue?) in the centre of town? It looks amazing.

I'm sure there is so much to do and see that 4 days won't be enough, but this is a good start!