Prague and Berlin

Prague is a very quaint city and the view from the Four Season's is the best overlooking the Charles Bridge and the river. A must is a private visit to Strahov Library. It is the largest monastic library in the country with baroque ceiling frescos. And if you are looking for a restaurant with the best view of the river and some great food, go to Kampa (Michelin star). We continued our sightseeing at Karlstejn Castle, an outstanding medieval castle founded and built by the mighty Emperor Charles IV.

One of the highlights of the river cruise is Dresden, which was bombed during the war and is being rebuilt. The view from the Elbe river is one of the best! Here is where you will find the "Green Vault" which houses some of Europe's most exquisite and most famous treasure chambers. The historic exhibition currently has more than 3,000 splendid pieces of art. Well worth a visit!

Berlin - a city once divided in east and west is now a bustling city where the streets are filled with young people and the many historical bombed buildings are being rebuilt. It's full of contrast between the 'old' and the 'new'. The Brandenburg Gate has been the symbol of the city since 1791, whereas the Reichstag (Imperial Parliament) which was built in 1884 is a neoclassical building which bears the dedication Dem Deutschen Volke (To the German People). It was bombed and transformed in 1990 with a remarkable glass dome and became the seat of the new German Bundestag in 1999. You can climb high up inside the dome for a fine view of the city and to look down at the interior. If you'd like to enjoy some good food with a great view of the city, consider lunch at "Kaefer's" on the top of this building. Potsdamerplatz, Unter den Linden with the Linden trees and Gendarmenmarkt with it's twin 18th century baroque cathedral (French & German) all are a must to see. The most prestigious street of all is Friederichstrasse which could be compared to the Champs Elysee in Paris. Most everyone finds their way to Checkpoint Charlie where you will find remains of the 'wall' and where the pictures of the last soldiers (Russian & American) are posted. It is a must to visit KaDeWe (Kaufhaus Des Western) Berlin's replica of Harrod's with over 60,000 square meters of pure shopping bliss! it attracts 40,000 to 50,000  visitors every single day! The 6th floor of KaDeWe offers everything gourmet and has champagne and wine bars with sumptuous delicacies!

If you visit Berlin, consider staying at the Regent, an small elegant hotel with a Michelin Star restaurant will make you feel like a king or a queen! at least Tom Cruise, who is currently filming in Berlin thinks so too.

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