citytravelreview Berlin

Upon arrival the very question of “Is this real life?” may pop into your head. It
may be after your first time seeing someone face down on a park bench with
a Pilsner beer in hand, or perhaps it will be after you read a German menu for
the first time and attempt to order your food. Nevertheless, the culture shock
is one to note.
The city of Berlin is known for its unique and anti-corporate economy with
independently created lifestyles. Poor but sexy, Berlin is a diverse and vibrant
city with a tumultuous historical past. Noted as Europe’s ‘Capital of Cool’,
Berlin is Germany’s largest city.
Berlin is a city of culture and is shaped by encompassing a diverse range of
creative industries and serves as a popular tourist destination. Berlin is home
to the famous Humboldt University, where Albert Einstein and Karl Marx studied.
If that groundbreaking historical fact doesn’t enthral you, maybe the art
will. studied. If that groundbreaking historical fact doesn’t enthral you, maybe
the art will.
The whole city is a canvas made up of street art, graffiti and stickers leaving
little space untouched. Art covering everything from telephone poles, shop
fronts to U-Bahn stations and even the pavement itself. Artistic talent can also be seen in the city’s architecture such as the
emblematic Reichstag. This building features the glass dome designed by
Norman Foster.
Other lesser known buildings from the GDR era have been converted into
distinctive night clubs. Whether a historical outing or a night on the town,
visitors are sure to get a taste of the old and the new.
A guide to Berlin would be incomplete without mentioning the vast array
of food the city has to offer. From traditional spätzle noodles to the more
prominent kebab, all taste buds are catered for, even on the strictest of budgets.
Not to mention the copious amounts of coffee and cake consumed daily
such as the rich German chocolate cake complimented by a steaming latte
macchiato.
When you’re not eating cake and drinking coffee Berlin is the perfect place
to practice retail therapy. For those with more than a pretty penny in their
pockets, The Gallery of Lafayette is the perfect place to take a stroll through
designer When you’re not eating cake and drinking coffee Berlin is the
perfect place to practice retail therapy. For those with more than a pretty
penny in their pockets, The Gallery of Lafayette is the perfect place to take a
stroll through designer stores. Those shopping on a shoe string budget will
appreciate the plethora of second hand shops and markets scattered all over
the city. -MC & HH

citytravelreview Edinburgh

It’s boarding time for Edinburgh, hurry up please. Otherwise you will miss wonderful views, extraordinary food, world-famous whisky and the special atmosphere of a small but mighty capital. If you want to experience, discover and imagine a constantly changing city this guide is surely the right one for you.

Like every airport, Edinburgh has a lost and found section. If you are looking to rediscover your formative years, check out the Childhood Museum. But of course there are much more museums for every taste. Whether you’re looking for modern art or ancient literature, Edinburgh has something for every imagination. Afraid of flying? Discover the Royal Yacht Britannia in Leith. If you want to experience the sea without getting on a boat, walk to Cramond Island at low tide and escape from the crowded city. Another great place to avoid the hustle and bustle is Calton Hill – climb the steps for an outstanding view of Edinburgh, from the Castle to the Scott Monument.

Later check in at the Royal Mile, with all its different gates and hidden treasures. At the bottom of the cobbled street you will find the Scottish Parliament and its controversial building.
Edinburgh is a student’s city with lots of pubs, various festivals and you can even spend an evening by learning the traditional ceilidh dance.

Like in the stories of Doctor Jekyll and Mister Hyde, Edinburgh has two different faces – a light one as well as a dark one. Take your time to discover all the different legends and myths, which this capital hides. Now we are ready to depart. Fasten your seatbelts and get ready to experience a city you will want to visit again and again.

Berlin Laid Bare summer Berlin guide out NOW!

Willkommen in Berlin!
This comprehensive guide should provide you with everything you need to enjoy the  German capital in all its glory and we’re not just talking about pointing you in the  direction of the typical tourist hot spots. Some, such as the Berlin Wall and Holocaust  Memorial, are of course must-sees, but it’s the sexy, colourful, vibrant side of this  cultural city that is the real delight and that’s what this guide will introduce you to.

Including the quirkiest shopping boutiques, the yummiest ice-cream treats and of course the number one places to dance the night away; Berliner’s generally keep the party rocking til 6am. Best of all, the budget of a young traveller has been kept in mind  throughout the guide, with lots of affordable fun to choose from and clear indications of prices with all reviews.

The guide is sorted by the city’s main districts, making it easier for you to divide your time between each of the über -cool areas, all of which have their own distinctive  character. An introduction to the district at the start of every chapter explains what  makes each part of the city extra special.

Along with helpful reviews of recommendation, this guide also acts as your very own Berlin survival kit-complete with transport information, useful phrases and top tips from the team, who have come to know the eclectic city like the back of their hand; making for the only guide you will need to have a fantastic time in Berlin.
Viel Spass!

Edinburgh, Edinburgh citytravelreview

Since Edinburgh lies right beside the sea shore, why not try the fresh seafood that is offered at several places around the city? It won’t cost you a fortune! Scotland has a large fishing area around its shores with seafood from the Atlantic west coast as well as the Shetland Isles in the North. It is very popular throughout Scotland; in Edinburgh some of the fine but rather expensive restaurants (e.g. Fishers Bistro and The Shore Bar and Restaurant) can be found on The Shore in Leith. While some places in the city‘s Old Town are as pricey as those at the waterfront (like as the Mussel & Steak Bar on Grassmarket and Creeler’s Restaurant in Hunter Square just off the Royal Mile), all of them have attractive lunch time offers of two courses from a set menu for usually no more than £ 10.

For small budget foodies, however, two places on Rose Street might be the more interesting: On one hand, there is the Mussel Inn, which features a maritime interior with colourful mosaics on the walls. Specializing in all kinds of seafood beyond just fish, it is the perfect place to have a very first meal of mussels, prawns, scallops and oysters. Go with some friends, order different starters (£3-5) or grilled platters (£5-10), and share – not at all slimy! Even better and befitting the restaurant’s name are the ½ kilo pots of mussels for only £5.80, perfectly cooked in different stocks that you can choose personally (for example, roasted pepper, Moroccan, or blue cheese) – delicious until the last drop that you‘ll eventually wipe up with the warm fresh bread that is refilled for free. On the other hand, there is The Seadogs, a quirky but classy place that is my personal favourite because of its fantastic price-to-performance ratio. White walls, partly decorated with ornamental wallpaper and various collections of wood and red plastic furniture, create a chic but cosy atmosphere. The menu includes traditional Scottish seafood dishes, like tomato chowder and high standard fish and chips (with different sorts of fish like plaice or trout to choose from), as well as vegetarian meals like barley paella. During the daytime, everything is around £ 5, but the wider dinner menu are also reasonable- a dish costs rarely more than £ 10. The recipes are down-to-earth but with a twist, a genius combination of main ingredients and lots of fresh herbs (for example, cider-smoked haddock with thyme mussels). While the bread is not free, it is obviously home-baked and very moist and wellworth the extra £ 0.95. Having seafood might be a culinary adventure and gastronomically- virgin soil for you, but it doesn‘t have to be expensive or pure glibber.

So when you‘re in Edinburgh, sharpen your teeth and senses and broaden your horizons on a delicious exploration!
Seafood venues with great value for money (Costs are usually £ 5 – 10):
Seadogs, 43 Rose Street
Mussel Inn, 61 – 65 Rose Street

citytravelreview – travel writers researchers in Berlin

Outside, a huge gold swan straight from the fairground peers down from the second floor window; a mannequin sits slumped in a gold throne with a pink crown on his head and a mummy sits on a bench. Confused? Inspired? Curious? …Isn’t that the idea of Fundus­verkauf? Specialising in costumes and props used in films such as Toy Story 3, Freedom and The Two Lucky Threes and opera and theatre performances– many gained from the nearby Komis­che Opera–Fundusverkauf is the ideal place for film buffs and theatre enthusiasts alike.

For those just wanting to visit a place to set their crea­tive juices flowing, this quirky shop hits the spot. But for those lovers of shopping, be warned – prices really vary, from a few Euros for a book or nick-nack, to hundreds (and upwards!) for a piece of furniture. However this place is worth a visit even if only for a peek inside. You’ll find dozens of chairs, chandeliers and mirrors scattered about the place and crowds of art­work, costumes, movie props, furniture and everything in-between screams for atten­tion. The sight is bedazzling and confusing all at once. The setting is artistic and grandi­ose but with a hint of shabby chic, with peeling wall paint and electrical wires hanging from wall to wall. Tube lights line a staircase to the second floor overgrown with mirrors, as though visiting a carnival ‘Hall of Mirrors’. It all seems to work in the organised chaos of Fundusverkauf.
Fundusverkauf, Behrenstr. 14, S-Bahn Friedrichstr., 030 47 99 74 00 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              030 47 99 74 00      end_of_the_skype_highlighting, 7th July – 12th July, Open noon- 7 p.m.

Memory shop and cafe
A favourite vintage shop of Ky­lie Minogue’s, Memory does not disappoint! Situated along Schwedter Straβe, this little shop is small in size but filled to the brim like an Aladdin’s’ cave with vintage treasures. Pieces vary from the 1950s to 1970s, and prices are reasonable; it’s well worth a look!

Shopping in Friedrichshain
It’s a sizzling summer’s day in Berlin and you want to while away the hours with a bit of vintage shopping; but where to go? Here’s an idea: Friedrichshain. Previously an area full of student digs, Frie­drichshain has morphed in re­cent years into a little honey pot of development, with many shops opening every year. To­day, the area is bustling with trendy young families drawn to the unique boutiques, yet Friedrichshain still retains its former alternative-niche vibe; and gladly so!… It’s the perfect place to find something differ­ent.

If that sounds like just what the doctor ordered, hop on the M10 from Landsberger Allee/Peterburger Straße to Straß­mannstraße or take a quick walk down to Petersburger Straße and you’ll find ‘SOUL­FOOd’. Outside, the little shop is cocooned in a shell of bam­boo reed, and clothes, shoes and books sit mismatched in weaved wicker baskets and on rickety tables. Don’t let the outside fool you, though, this is a hidden gem! Stepping inside, friendly shop owner Sabine greats her customers with the offer of tea.Two love-worn so­fas sit at the back of the shop where Sabine sits with friends casually chatting and sipping tea. Stocked with cheap and cheerful first and second-hand clothes, accessories, shoes and bit and bobs, a quick rummage is really worthwhile. What’s more, there’s a really relaxed hippie-come-reggae vibe per­fect for soothing the soul and easing you into the day ahead. The tea doesn’t hurt either…

Once you’ve got your creativ­ity flowing, head down on the M10 to Frankfurter Tor and you’ll find ‘Humana’; a vast four story ethical second hand and vintage shop stocking clothes for men, women and children, plus textiles, furni­ture, toys.On the fourth floor, you’ll find a specialised selec­tion of 60s, 70s and 80s vintage clothing. Shopping here does require quite a rummage, but for those with time on their hands it is perfect for finding something thrifty and unique. What’s more, ‘Humana’ uses its profits in the fight against poverty, HIV and AIDS..

You’re next stop should be Kopernikusstraße /Wüh­lischstraße Straße just off Petersburger Straße, where you’ll come to the heart of the on-going development of Friedrichshain. Take a wan­der down the street and you’ll find a chilled atmosphere and quaint boutiques in full bloom. In fact, the only time the mean­dering street rouses anything louder than a whisper or two is when a bustle of traffic or young children sails through it from time to time. Once you’ve passed ‘Pony Club’, a unisex hip beauty parlour, it’s time for a well-earned rest.

By now, an afternoon spent shopping with the boiling Ber­lin sun cascading on you all day could be getting too much, but do not fear, everywhere you turn on Wühlischstraße Straße you see a cafe or restaurant. For those with a sweet tooth crav­ing a sugary pick-me-up mid-afternoon, ‘Bio-Eis’ and ‘Olivia’ fit the bill. ‘Bio-Eis’ sells organic and vegan and ice-cream and ‘Olivia’ sells chocolate to eat and chocolate gifts perfect for loved ones. For those crav­ing something savoury, do not fear: there’s a wide selection of cafes and restaurants dotted right around the area.. Or for those just wanting a sit-down in the shade, a small leafy seat­ing area floats like an island in the midst of the street, perfect for people watching.

Once you’ve restored your en­ergy levels, take a peek in ‘Trash Schick’; a shop jam-packed with affordable men and wom­en’s vintage clothes, accesso­ries and records layered in col­ourful strips around the shop. The cool vibe matches the ar­tistic wind that drifts from shop to shop on this little street. The stripped wooden floor echoes as shoes tip tap during a rum­mage for treasures – and it is well worth it, too.

Text: Bethany Wright

citytravelreview – Berlin in summer

Berlin can get unbearably hot during the summer months. With no sea breeze, few air conditioned restaurants and stifling conditions on public transport, the best respite from the heat is to head to one of the city’s many lakes. Of all of them, Müggelsee is the largest, and makes for a pleasant day trip. More like a beach-side resort than an inner-city lake, there’s a food shack where you can grab a beer and a bag of chips and a stretch of sand where you can play volleyball or simply sit back relax. But be careful where you choose your spot, as part of the beach is reserved for nudists. The body of water itself is huge (7.4km²) and despite appearances is very clean, undergoing rigorous checks every year by Berlin’s water works. If you have the energy, take a pedalo for a spin (€6/hour) and head down the Kleiner Müggelsee to the floating ice cream hut. How to get there: take the S-Bahn to Friedrichshagen, and then exit the station and make your way to the tram stop in front of the cinema. The No. 60 tram will take you through the forest and straight to Müggelsee.
Text by Lottie Laken

Potsdam: Park Sanssouci
Today’s capital of Brandenberg state, Potsdam remains to Berlin what Versailles is Paris – a two-pronged symbol of monarchy political reform. It was here that the Hohenzollern dynasty first set up royal residence in the 18th century, transforming the former fishing backwater into a garrison town and peppering its rolling landscapes with stately palaces and carefully manicured royal parks. However, there is more to Potsdam’s history than regal pomp and glamour. The city lost its royal status with the abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm II in 1918. Later it was devastated in WWII when an Allied bombing raid on April 14, 1945 left 4,000 people dead. Luckily, Germany’s reunification caused vast
reserves of money to pour in with the initiative to reconstruct some 80 per cent of Potsdam’s historic buildings. Today Park Sanssouci has earned UNESCO’s stamped approval, legitimising it as an excellent place for tourists to stroll san soucci (literally ‘without worries’) and drink in Potsdam’s cultural and architectural delights.
Park Sanssouci, 9694 200/spsg.de
This gracefully landscaped park is the largest and most famous of three royal parks established in Potsdam by Frederick the Great. If you can brave the weekend crowds, take a good few hours to wander along Sanssouci’s 2km tree-lined avenue. Schloss Sanssouci (April-Oct Tues-Sun 9:00-17:00, €8; Nov-March Tues-Sun 9:00-16:00, €12 entry). Frederick’s Baroque-style summer palace was designed by the artist Georg Wenzeslaus von Knobelsdorff and built with the king’s comfort and ease in mind. Perched atop rows of vineyard terraces and sporting a façade decorated with ornate Bacchic sculptures, it hints at the aesthetic tastes of the culture-loving king. To this end, pop into the Bildergalerie next door to scope works by Rubens, Van Dyck and Caravaggio.
Neues Palais
April-Oct Mon-Thurs, Sat-Sun 9:00-17:00, €6 with tour, €5 without; Nov-March, Mon-Thurs, Sat-Sun 9:00-16:00, €5 entry with tour An opulent riot of rococo-style design and architectural curiosities, the Neues Palais is a grand statement of the power and wealth of the Hohenzollern clan following the Seven Years’ War. A tour of the premises requires pre-booking but is worth every cent. Highlights include masterworks by the painter Adolph Mezel and the ‘Grotto Room’ adorned with 1,500 species of shells, fossils and precious stones.
Orangerie
mid-May to mid-Oct Tues-Sun 10:00-17:00, €3 entry
The striking palace of Friedrich Wilhelm IV, built to closely resemble a Renaissance era Italianate palazzo, features a viewing tower with picturesque views of the Neues Palais. The gallery inside – known as the Raphaselsaal – houses copies of paintings looted by Napoleon during the Seven Years’ War.
Getting There
Take the S-Bahn out of town from one of Berlin’s central train stations (the journey from Berlin Hauptbanhof takes approx. 35mins) using either the direct S1 service or the S7 (and changing at Wannsee). On arrival at Potsdam Hauptbahnhof, you can take buses 695, 606 and X15 to Park Sansoucci.
Text by Alexandra Syzdlowska

Sachenhausen Concentration Camp
Built during the summer of 1936, the camp was designed to be the ‘archetypal’ model in which all camps afterwards were to be based on. It was intended to give an architectural expression to the Nazi world view and symbolize the subjugation of the prisoners to the absolute power of the SS. More than 200,000 people were imprisoned at the camp between 1939 and 1945. Most prisoners were political undesirables at first, but were later joined by those deemed racially and biologically inferior by the Nazi regime. Tens of thousands died at the camp of starvation, maltreatment, forced labour and disease or they were systematically murdered. On the 22nd and 23rd of April 1945 the camp was liberated by Soviet and Polish soldiers. Three months after the end of the war Sachenhausen was turned into a special camp by the Soviets. Using most of the same buildings as the Nazis with the exception of the crematorium and extermination facilities, the Soviets imprisoned minor Nazi functionaries and political undesirables. After 1948, Sachenhausen was the largest camp out of three in the Soviet occupied zone. The camp was closed in March 1950, 60,000 people had been imprisoned with around 12,000 having died there. Today Sachenhausen is a memorial centre to those that lost their lives at the Nazi concentration camp and the Soviet Special camp. Visitors can visit the camp and are guided through the memorial with a map and a personal audio guide, tour companies also go tour guide led visits as well.
Text by Chris Pomfret

Teufelsberg, S75 to Heerstrasse, walk down Teufellseestrasse 15 mins then enter 2nd car park on right and follow road untill arriving at the site S-Bahn Heerstrasse
The abandoned spy station at Teufelsberg is perhaps the most fascinating and original Cold War relic that Berlin has to offer. Literally built upon the rubble of the Second World War, the listening tower offers spectacular views of Berlin including nearby landmarks such as the Olympiastadion and Grunewald Forest to the iconic TV Tower in the centre. The area has a curious history; the original site housed a military-technical college designed by Nazi architect Albert Speer before unsuccessful attempts to blow this up lead to the area being covered by the remnants of Berlin’s buildings post-war and finally used as a listening post for US intelligence to garner information on their Soviet neighbours
during the Cold War. Today however the site is abandoned and scantly populated by squatters and a trickle of eager tourists. A 20 minute S-Bahn journey out of the centre and the uninviting landscape make this a trip which many will not make; the site is accessible only by a challenging trek and then a crudely fashioned hole in the mesh fence. Once inside the abandoned buildings are somewhat hazardous with pitchblack stairwells and no barriers at the summit; the journey is more suited to the thrill-seeking, adrenaline hungry visitor. It is perhaps these raw features which make Teufelsberg so appealing, it is not managed or over-populated and as such it feels real – something not easily achieved in one of Europe’s most visited cities. A fusion of the area’s history, the breathtaking views and the adventurous trek to the summit are what make Teufelsberg an excellent trip; its obstacles are surmountable for most and certainly offer an alternative to the more famous Checkpoint Charlie.
Text by Allan Edgar

citytravelreview – Berlin the young european capital

Berlin is a young European capital, first making an appearance in 1237 as an obscure fishing village. Berlin has certainly spread its net since then, making up for its relative youth by becoming a dynamic and occasionally hedonistic centre point of Europe. From the symbolic chaining of the bear on Berlin’s crest by Friedrich II to the depredations of the Nazi period this city has experienced some of the lowest points in European history. However in the last two decades since the fall of the wall Berlin has experienced a contemporary upswing in the arts, culture and architecture. Districts that once lay behind the Iron Curtain such as Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain are thriving areas for students and artists, and the goliath Potsdamer Platz complex has been built extraordinarily quickly considering it was until recently the largest urban wasteland in western Europe.

The thriving street culture and graffiti are some of Berlin’s coolest prospects right now, with graffiti artists and taggers from all over the world coming to make their mark here. The gay, lesbian and transgender scenes are particularly strong here and every year a large Pride festival is held to protest and to show solidarity. Schöneberg is the hub of this scene and numerous bars, clubs and restaurants proudly display their rainbow flags, although most districts in Berlin are equally friendly.

Eating and going out in Berlin is a real treat as it is both cheap and high quality, with clubs charging relatively low entry and bars plying you with high quality beers and cocktails inexpensively. Food comes in a bewildering range, from Turkish doner in the east to simple sushi in Mitte, boiled cabbage in German restaurants and Tapas bars. With so much food choice it can be hard to decide. Fear not as even choosing a cheap restaurant will normally unearth a rough diamond at the least.

Architecture and buildings in Berlin have been weathered, destroyed and rebuilt in this thriving capital. With everything from the Media Spree development and Potsdamer Platz to the palaces at Potsdam and the Reichstag, Berlin has serious potential for those with an eye for sights. Memorials old and new cluster along famous boulevards and avenues, whilst cyclists in their dozens brush past on the Radweg. The story of Berlin is best exemplified in the Mitte district, the centre of division during the Cold War and the hub of historic rallies, speeches and declarations. Museums sprinkled liberally around Berlin present a visitor with a fresh perspective on events – from the Third Reich to the Ramones pretty much most subjects get a look in. With excitement around every corner…

Prenzlauer Berg

Prenzlauer Berg was the Kreuzberg of the GDR, where intellectuals, artists and musicians congregated to spice up the grey surroundings of East Berlin where any semblance of freedom, whether it was a three minute punk song or a poem scrawled in a notepad, meant the whole world. A wealth of artistic output was produced here during the 1980s as the subculture was closely linked with the social reform movement teetering on the edge of legality. It goes without saying that the Stasi were also prevalent here and sometimes they were all one and the same. Since the fall of the Wall, Prenzlauer Berg has lost its gritty edge somewhat but is nonetheless an attractive place to visit, full of trendy boutiques and bars, students, young families and the newly renovated buildings offer a pleasant surrounding for bars and cafes which veer between hip, trendy and experimental. The neighbourhood has a history ranging from squalid tenement blocks in the 19th century, wartime Germany when artist Käthe Kollwitz lived and worked here through to the days of uncertainty and hope in 1989 and new beginnings in the 1990s/2000s.

To reach Prenzlauer Berg from Alexanderplatz you need to take the U-Bahn line U2 towards Pankow. It was at Alexanderplatz on 4th November 1989 that the East German author Christa Wolff and others spoke here in front of 500,000 (some say it was as many as a million) fellow demonstrators appealing for reform and travel restrictions to be lifted with the slogan ‘We are the people.’ Less than a month later the Wall was down. Jump off the U-Bahn at Senefelderplatz and wander up Kollwitzstrasse (there’s an interesting children’s playground along here which encourages the kids to construct their own play items from various materials) to see the gentrified bar and cafe scene on Kollwitzplatz with its statue of Kathe Kollwitz. Turn down Knaackstrasse to go past the impressive Kulturbrauerei which now serves as a nightlife and cultural venue after its former life as a brewery.

For a look around the quirky backstreets of Prenzlauer Berg you can go round the ‘LSD’ (nothing to do with drugs, don’t worry!) district of Lychener Strasse, Schliemannstrasse and Dunckerstrasse up to Helmholtzplatz which has an undeveloped natural tone with a mix of the old East Berlin grey and an airy residential feel. Back at Eberswalder Strasse grab a portion of the ubiquitous Currywurst at Konnopke’s Imbiss under the arches. Nip down Kastanienallee to go hipsterspotting in the funky little shops and cafes. Turn right down Oderberger Strasse to find some hidden gems. When the weather is pleasant small second hand boutiques flaunt their wares out on the streets and there’s a special waffle house, Kauf dich glücklich.

If you’re wandering around on a Sunday then the Flohmarkt am Mauerpark can be found at the end of the street behind the Friedrich-Ludwig Jahn Sportpark. You can pick up all sorts of knickknacks here; old bicycles, obscure vinyl, the contents of a shed. You may even spot a portrait of Erich Honecker resting against one of the stalls. In winter, the cheap Glühwein is a must to keep out the cold as you root through junk to find some real treasures.

Berlin Team CTR Spring

citytravelreview.co.uk – Berlin, Berlin Travel writing research and review positions – The white market

The White Market is a new fashion event based in the diverse shopping area of Prenzlauer Berg. Locals and tourists alike visit the chic, outdoor market for a taste of original Berlin craftsmanship at KulturBrauerei, the city’s cultural hub. Having hosted only four events of its kind so far, organiser Karen Nieto speaks to us about this unique project and the exciting prospects for The White Market. When did you first come up with the idea for The White Market and what made you decide to pursue this venture? The idea for the White Market was conceived in 2008, during one of those shopping ruts everyone gets into sometimes. Berlin is a creative city, bustling with talented designers, but shopping can be inconvenient and uninspiring sometimes. Since moving here two years ago, we’ve been flying every season to New York or Paris to get our fashion fix. In these cities, shopping more than just a means to an end, it’s an experience. We recognized Berlin already had all the elements: talented designers, good quality c r a f t sma n s h i p , endless sources of inspiration, etc. All we had to do was connect the elements. Our concept was simple: bring the best designers under one roof (or umbrella in our case) and present their collections in a pretty white package – and voila, the White Market shopping experience was born. How did you come up with the name ‘The White Market’? We chose the name ‘The WhiteMarket’ because that’s how we visualized the beginning: outdoor summer shopping under rows of white canopies. Plus, the name suits the philosophy of the market: all products are unique and hand-made; the exact opposite of what you might fi nd in a black market. How do you select the designers that exhibit at The White Market, and how many do you choose to show at any one event? Each designer must submit images of their collections, and we review them based on the following criteria: original design, craftsmanship, and small production runs. We show approximately 40 designers per market, and we make sure there is an equal number between clothing and accessory designers. What items can we find on sale at The White Market and is there an average price range? The White Market only exhibits handmade items from independent designers with non mass-produced collections. In order to remain true to the initial concept of the White Market, it is exclusively a fashion market selling clothing and accessories. The price range is very broad starting at ten euros going up to 200 euros. Describe your typical ‘The White Market’ customer. The White Market attracts people from all walks of life who have one thing in common: an eye for fashion. Tourists come in droves and Berlin locals are equally excited by the prospect of a new shopping experience to discover. You are located at KulturBrauerei in the popular shopping area of Prenzlauer Berg. How did you decide on the area in which The White Market is held, and how important do you think this is to the project’s success? Prenzlauer Berg has a very chilled out atmosphere; it’s trendy and not overly-touristy like other districts in Berlin. The neighbourhood has a perfect blend of a young creative set that keeps the area exciting and inspiring and young families with a more disposable income keep it prosperous. The KulturBrauerei is incredibly charming, and it’s a Berlin landmark. The fact that everyone knows it, means we don’t have to give directions and the location gave the market a sense of establishment from the get go. Are you a designer yourself, and if so do you exhibit any of your items at The White Market? Yes, I’m an architect and clothing designer. I’m launching a line of jewellery to sell at the White Market – I just need to find time to make it! What do you think sets Berlin apart from the rest of the world in terms of fashion and style? Berlin’s unique history plays an integral role in local fashion. Berliners take the term ‘eighties or nineties throwback’ to a new extreme that stretches into each fibre of its aesthetic culture from furniture to architecture and clothing. Berlin’s endless array of second hand shops and various fl ea markets caters to ones every nostalgic whim. The White Market has been embraced because though it exclusively presents is new things, it encourages home-grown individuality and creativity: integral facets of Berlin fashion. Where do you see The White Market five years from now? As a destination for trend forecasters and shopaholics alike – a Berlin fashion establishment. We have already received international interest in the White Market which would be the natural next step for us to take for the market to grow organically. In addition, the possibility of a White Market label is also on the cards. The label would present collections of selected market designers. The designers would change along with the seasons and the White Market label would serve, like the market, as a springboard into the global world of fashion. Interview with Karin Nieto, Organiser of The White Market. T h e W h i t e M a r k e t . c o m . KulturBrauerei, Schönhauser Allee 36. U-Bahn: Eberswalder Str. 12pm – 7pm. Log on to the website for the next The White Market event.

Life in Berlin – citytravelreview

DO watch out for oldschool bikes screaming down the streets at 70km an hour. They do not stop for pedestrians and seem to relish in your fear, so it’s up to you to avoid a collision. DO be prepared when purchasing goods at Lidl or other discount supermarkets. The cashiers move at an unearthly speed and do not appreciate those who dawdle, so have your re-useable bags out and your change ready. DO keep your empty bottles. Most bottles can be returned to the vendor for at least 20 cents, although you may have to protect them from scavengers who will offer to take them off your hands for you. DO try a variety of kebabs, beer, Wurst, absinthe and pastries. Berlin has loads of cheap and good quality food and drink, and every now and then you’ll come across something that will change your life. DO try to speak the language. In Berlin, the majority of people do speak some English but, like most countries, natives will be kinder to you if you at least try a bit of German to start off with. DO NOT J-walk or cross the road at traffic lights when the little fat Ampelmann is red. Brazenly dashing across roads like you would in Paris or London is socially unacceptable in Berlin, especially in front of children, so to avoid getting yelled at in German in the middle of a road, wait for the green. DO NOT put money in the middle of a table when paying at a bar or cafe. They usually prefer if you pay separately too. DO NOT expect to get into the premier clubs in Berlin like Watergate. The queues are long, the clientele exclusive, so bouncers are looking for any reason to deny you entry. If you do decide to give it a go, dress up, try not to scream ‘tourist,’ and know who the DJ is, and you might just get in. DO NOT light up cigarettes in public areas unless other people are smoking. There is an official smoking ban in public areas in Berlin although it is rarely adhered to. But to avoid trouble, follow the locals and ask before smoking indoors. DO NOT fare evade on the train. The ticket inspectors do not have the best sense of humour and pulling the ‘I don’t speak German’ is not going to get you out of a fine as the directions are written in English too. Best to just buy a ticket. DO NOT use hostel internet if possible. Internet cafes are ridiculously cheap here, so it is fiscally sounder to go to your local net cafe and pay 50 cents an hour, rather than 2€ for 20 minutes which is the going rate at most hostels.. Berlin winter group 2009