Is that person standing next to you human?

by Phil Cooper

Hello again and welcome to my world.

My internet connection problems are now sorted after I moved to BT Internet and got a new router. Apparently high winds can adversely affect internet connections. The Cooperlair is on top of the White Cliffs of Dover where we get very high winds. To go with the new connection I lashed out on a new laptop to replace my Lenovo Thinkpad which served me well until the memory filled up with photos and videos.

No, Mr Batley, not porn-I’m a good boy! The new laptop, a SGIN, with a much larger screen than the old Lenovo came with Windows 11 which is meant to be an upgrade from Windows 10. I HATE IT! It’s nothing like W10 which I quite liked. W11 has forced me to buy instruction manuals from Amazon at a combined cost of £40. The books are massive and have the very telling titles, “Windows 11 for Dummies” and “Windows 11 for Seniors” Very apt.

They’re both huge efforts and neither is much use. All I have to do is run my finger over my mousepad and windows open and close up. It is really messing my stroke-affected brain leaving me confused and stressed. The laptop is a disappointment too. I have to be really careful positioning the little white arrow in the right partof the screen because when I lift my eyes the damned thing moves and disappears. So Mr Gates how about a button to find the little white arrow when it disappears. That can’t be too difficult, can it. I used to enjoy creating this blog and formatting it. Not NOW, thanks Bill, you buffoonium! The button I need would probably add 5 pence to the build cost. So, please forgive what you might think are schpeelign mishtakes. They’re not. It’s the little white highly mobile arrow in the computer.

What else has been going on in my world? Well Rangers have tumbled to yet another defeat to Celtic meaning we win nothing this season while Celtic win another treble. In truth they deserve it. They’ve played (much) better football than us and I can only count one bit of blatant cheating when their Canadian defender, Thompson dived to the ground after a gentle knock from our Alfredo Morelos. Because it was Morelos the ref assumed it must have been foul play! Everybody else in the stadium and watching on television KNEW it was a dive and so Rangers’ opening goal was ruled out. CHEATS!

On the home front Harrison has been causing mayhem as usual. He likes to make cocktails! The most recent was a mixture of orange juice, crushed blueberries and garlic added to rain water. He called it “poison” and attempted to force me to drink it but through torrid defence on my part I managed to avoid it. Nate the second grandsprog continues to sail through life laughing at everything especially the sight of me trying to beat up a 7 year old wee psycho. But he has again been banned from using the slide at Playschool as he refuses to use the guardrail and stands on the top step, giving it large waving his arms about wildly and shouting. What a pair.

I have found a good online sweetshop, www.giantbradleyssweetshop.com where I bought a box of 48 beautiful chewy Curly Wurlies. Unfortunately NannyBarb found them and hid them from me. BUT I found them!!!!!

Mmmm Chewy

Right with that major success,lets get to the trains.

HE’S HUMAN I UNDERSTAND

I’m proud to know a madman called Neil Stanley. He’s a brilliant modeller and teacher. He’s helped me immensely with my many (modelling) problems.  He instructs “newbies” in the hobby. I was beginning to think he was an alien from a galaxy far far far away until he recently admitted that he found taking Hornby coaches apart to fit lights was a “very fiddly job”. He was also a joint winner of the Blog’s recent Modeller oF The Year poll. Many think he should have won it outright. He has a full time job yet he finds time to do the most amazing weathering on trains and buildings and convinced me that weathering is an art and he is a master craftsman. Photos of his layouts have “legendary “ status. He recently started to build His own floodlight towers (I”ve GOT 4 -they’re brilliant) and now electricity pylons (also brilliant). Now he’s creating videos and I’ve nicked them for you to watch and marvel.

the one with the floodlight towers

CLASS 43 & MARK 3 COACHES-A SPEEDY PAIRING

The BR Class 43 HST diesel unit has been an iconic sight travelling on British railways for 40 years. Also known as the ‘Intercity 125’ under BR, this high-speed locomotive could travel speeds of up to 148mph. This class currently holds the record of the fastest diesel passenger train with HST achieving 144mph on the East Coast Main Line, between Newcastle and London King’s Cross, on September 27, 1985.

Each Class 43 is adept at high-speed travel due to being powered by a Paxman Valenta prime mover. The prime mover operates at 1500rpm and can produce 2,250 horsepower. The designer, Kenneth Grange, made sure the HSTs were aerodynamic and lightweight with the low axle load contributing to quick acceleration and reduced wear on the railway lines. At nearly 50 years old, the HSTs are still in use and look great in real life and on model layouts.

NEW HORNBY DUBLO A4

Hornby Dublo returns with a bang as the streamlinedGresly A4 4-6-2 is available. Most ot you will kNOw that Iamnot a steam lover-oh do be quiet. I just prefer diesels and super smooth electric rolling stock but I do appreciate beauty and magic. Flying Scotsman is perfect and probably a first but for us model train lovers. Now “Sir Nigel Gresley” joins it.It is visually stunning but is it any good. Judge for yourselves by watching this Youtube video.

KEY PUBLISHING ENTER THE ARENA

KEY PUBLISHING and Bachmann are offering a unique livery on the English Electric Class 40 modelling 40145 in its preservation era BR large logo blue livery.

The Class 40 is owned by the Class 40 Preservation Society and was the first of its design to return to the main line in preservation following withdrawal of the last of the class, 40122, by British Railways in 1988.

40145 was preserved in 1984 and by 1994 it had been completely overhauled by the Class 40 Preservation Society at the East Lancashire Railway. It subsequently gained main line certification in 2002 and has been a popular performer on main line railtours across the country as well as on heritage lines.

In 2007 40145 saw its BR blue livery give way to a unique application of large logo blue, as it might have been painted had it been retained in service by BR. The locomotive was also named East Lancashire Railway. It retained this colour scheme on main line and preserved railway visits until 2010 when a traction motor flashover while working the ‘East Lancs Explorer’ charter brought the locomotive in for repairs. During its time on the main line 40145 reached Devon, Cornwall, the Scottish Highlands, the East Coast Main Line, Norfolk and South Wales.

Key Publishing’s latest ‘OO’ gauge limited edition models 40145 East Lancashire Railway as it was between 2007-2010 using Bachmann’s existing Class 40 but with a flurry of new upgrades. New features include revision of the nose to incorporate the high-intensity headlight carried by 40145 as well as factory-fitted twin speakers and a Plux22 DCC interface. The specification caters for a five-pole motor, twin flywheels, directional lighting, turned metal wheels, sprung buffers and NEM coupling pockets. Nameplates will be printed on the model with etched versions included in the accessory pack.

The limited edition of 40145 will be available exclusively through Key Publishing with a choice of DCC ready and DCC sound fitted versions and is restricted to 500 pieces. Prices are set at £229.95 DCC ready (Cat No. 32-489Z) and £329.95 DCC sound fitted (32-489ZSF).

Release is expected this summer and pre-orders with a £10 non-refundable securing deposit are open now by visiting:

www.keymodelworld.com/shop

POSSIBLY A SUBSTITUTE FOR MS HOEHREN? NOPE

Since starting videos as part of the blog I’ve been looking for some which may interest us “boys”, even including JImbo and I came across this from RGJ

 Here she is again. I love her dress sense

So, a substitute forMontana? Not, for me despite her interesting dress sense!

GAUGEMASTER PARTNERS WITH RAILCAM

Gaugemaster said: "We are fortunate to be located right next to a busy railway line. Why fortunate? Firstly, it enables colleagues and customers to visit us using public transport which is both environmentally friendly (and avoids the torturous A27 at Arundel) but is also accessible to most.

"Secondly, the real thing is the best inspiration for what we sell – model railways. Many of our customers love the real railways as well as model ones, so it makes sense to work together wherever we can.

"We are already a Community Station Partner at Ford station and today we begin a partnership with Railcam Live so you’ll be able to watch all the action from the West Coastway Line next to our HQ whenever you like. We hope this will inspire our customers with their own model railway worlds. We're the model shop for big imaginations and are big in small things. And sometimes big things too."

Railcam, in addition to live video feeds from around the network also provides visitors to its website with live signalling diagrams, schedules, and user-sourced allocation information.

"Watch all the action from the West Coastway Line next to our HQ", says the retailer upon its new partnership with live stream provider.

Model retailer, Gaugemaster has partnered with the UK's leading provider of live lineside and scenic railway cameras, Railcam. Visitor's to the Arundel-based shop's website can now watch live video feeds from the West Coastway Line which runs adjacent to its shop

ACCURASCALE TO SPONSOR “MAKING TRACKS"

Accurascale commented: "Such an ambitious project needs as much support as possible from the industry its designed to help, so [we've] jumped at the chance to support such an ambitious and captivating project.

'Making Tracks' started as a celebration of Thomas Brassey – a civil engineer responsible for building much of the world’s railways in the 19th century who has a dedicated chapel within Chester Cathedral. It aimed to raise funds for the upkeep of this beautiful cathedral and has successfully done so over the past two years. 'Making Tracks' was also aimed at bringing new people into the hobby and with around 50,000 visitors to the exhibition each year to date its proving to do just that.

Pete Waterman said “It’s very important with rising costs to have trade support – it shows us that the trade care about what we’re trying to achieve. Accurascale might be a new name in the model railway world, but they have achieved so much success in the past few years, so we are delighted to have them on board to help with 'Making Tracks III'.”

Stephen McCarron, Managing Director of Accurascale, is equally delighted about getting involved with 'Making Tracks III': “It’s an honour and a privilege to help raise money for such a worthy cause, bring an ambitious project to thousands of people who can be inspired by the efforts of the 'Making Tracks' team, and it is particularly exciting to see our own models at work on this astounding layout. Once we were able to get involved, we jumped at the chance and we can’t wait to see it in its completed state this summer." Model manufacturer to sponsor. Pete Waterman and the Railnuts teams Making Tracks III layout, headed to Chester Cathedral this summer

Accurascale is to sponsor 'Making Tracks III'. The exhibition layout is to be Pete Waterman and the Railnuts team's creation in the series, to be on display at Chester Cathedral from July 26 – September 2, 2023, and promising to be "bigger and better than ever before".

The all-new 64ft long layout is based on Milton Keynes station on the WCML, and will feature 18ft long platforms

SPEAKING OF ACCURASCALE

A few blogs ago I drew your attention to the lack of new Accurascale locomotives available for sale so this is the current situation.

In addition to the above they have 2 x TranspennineExpress MK 5 A packs sold out and in their Caledonian Sleeper livery they have 2 x Class 92 available but the 2 Coach packs are both sold out!

Even Hattons I could only find 2 x Class 92 available in DB Schenker red for £189.99 each.

Everything else was either sold out or available on pre-order

Accurascale rolling stock looks great in photos and they get good reviews but I can’t confirm because I can’t get any of their locos!

TOM CONNELL

I’m sure you all remember the great story behind Rasmus Blidegn’s layout which he built for Phillip who Ras cares for. World famous artist, Tom Connell, - (the very top cultured people follow this blog) read the story and decided he wanted tO do something nice for Ras and Phillip amd offered one of his prints as a gift. Tom is currently involved with famed modeller, Pete Waterman’s “Making Tracks 2”  project. Being an idiot I forgot to mention Tom’s website which I know many of you will want to see. It is reallygood and Tom, as well as being one of life’s good guys is clearly a brilliant artist so here you go:

www.tomconnellstudio.com

Fantastic, isn’t it!

SO WHO ELSE READS THIS BLOG?

Montana Hoehren and her hair are regular visitors but that’s mainly to check on the movements of John Batley. Who continues to pretend he is King Chuck IV. World famous former footballer , Allan Presslie legendary captain of legendary Inverness Caley FC and popular in large parts of Brussels looks in. He’s also interested in the movements of John Batley. And “The Artist Formerly kNown As Jimbo” (TAFKAJ) is always lurking in the shadows. He is very interested in the movements of John Batley. TAFKAJ has a weak spot for macho men!

Mr Beattie, my old woodwork teacher at Inverness Royal Academy is a regular  but that’s because he wants to humiliate me and my wooden box AGAIN !

SO, YOU WANT TO VOLUNTEER AT A HERITAGE RAILWAY

Howard Smith speaks with one model railway enthusiast whose passion for rolling stock (both model and real) has led to him purchasing and restoring items at a heritage railway.

Meet Ollie Simons, YouTuber, model railway builder and heritage line volunteer who discusses his passion for restoring rolling stock.

Watch the video.

YOUTUBE

If you enjoy watching Youtube videos I’ve found a channel that is devoted to Railcam. I don’t think it’s a new arrival but I’ve just found it and thought you lot would like a wee look.

www.youtube.com/@RailcamUKLive

There’s another interesting channel which is “Railcam Live”. Here you go:

AND FINALLY A TOUR OF EUROPE ON THE RAILWAY

Europe by train: the ultimate three-week Interrail route guide

Ready for the adventure of a lifetime? This is everything you need to know about Interrailing in Europe, from which pass to get to which cities to see.

Is there any better way to see Europe than by train? Picture the scenes: you’re dropped right in the centre of the continent’s best cities, where you can dine, party and sightsee to your heart’s content before choosing when and where you travel to next – without having to commit to specific flights or, crucially, putting up with busy airports. Plus, travelling by train means taking in some spectacular scenery (and maybe getting some shut-eye, if you opt for one of Europe’s sleeper trains).

While Interrailing in Europe is all about being spontaneous, you might need a little help planning your first trip – and we’re here to guide you through it.

What is Interrailing?

Interrailing is the process of travelling across Europe by rail using an international train pass.

How does Interrailing work?

With over 40,000 destinations across 33 countries in Europe, the Interrail Pass allows you to travel freely on almost all types of trains, from the Eurostar to the Deutsche Bahn in Germany and Italy’s Trenitalia. The Interrail Pass (or Eurail Pass, if you’re coming from outside Europe) is one of the best ways to see as many different countries and cities in Europe as possible. In less than seven hours, you can get all the way from Amsterdam to Berlin, with the option to take the more scenic route so that you cover destinations such as Brussels, Paris, Milan and more.

There are several types of Interrail Passes to choose from, including the Interrail Global Pass and the Interrail One Country Pass. If you’re planning to travel to more than one country in Europe, it’s worth getting the Global Pass. You can then choose a pass that suits your itinerary. For example, ‘7 days within 1 month’ means (you guessed it) you can travel on seven days out of the month, while ‘15 days within 2 months’ will give you fifteen days of train travel over the course of two months, and so on.

How much does Interrailing cost?

Each pass has a different price tag attached to it, starting at €194 for four days of travel in a month and going up to €711 for three months of unlimited travel.

How long should I go for?

Three weeks is the perfect length of time for a first-time Interrailing adventure. Not only will you have plenty of time to travel between different countries and cities, but also to really experience the best bits of each place you visit.

Taking you from Amsterdam to Berlin by way of Belgium, France, Italy, Austria, Hungary and the Czech Republic, we’ve put together the ultimate three-week Interrailing itinerary. You’ll explore some of Europe’s iconic cities, check off the key sites in all of them, stay in some of the continent’s best (and best-value) hotels and make memories to last a lifetime.

For this itinerary, we’d recommend the ‘10 days within 2 months’ pass – but feel free to take stops out or add stops in. After all, this is your once-in-a-lifetime gallivant through Europe. Godspeed!

Europe Interrailing route guide

Days 1-3: Amsterdam

Fuel up for your first day in Amsterdam with a hearty breakfast from Omelegg (opt for ‘The Italian Job’ if you’re feeling particularly peckish). Then do as the locals do and hire a bicycle – you can pick one up for 24 hours from Rent a Bike for €10.80. Cycle to the Anne Frank Museum (make sure to pre-book tickets online) and the Royal Palace before concluding the day with a visit to Sotto, one of the best pizzerias in the city.

On your second day, grab some takeaway pastries and sweet treats from Patisserie Holtkamp, then cycle along the canals towards Vondelpark, stopping at the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum for a spot of culture. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the park, then head on an interactive beer tour at the Heineken Experience. Go for burgers from The Butcher or Mumbai street food at Shirkhan inside Foodhallen for dinner.

Where to stay in Amsterdam

De Pijp is Amsterdam’s bustling Latin Quarter, full of brunch spots, breweries and food markets. With towering ceilings, generous windows and sleek furnishings, you could do better than booking a stay at the sophisticated Sir Albert Hotel

Next stop… Brussels

From Amsterdam Centraal, it’s less than two hours via train to Bruxelles-Midi station. Trains run every hour until late evening. Reservations are required, even with the Interrail Pass, so book via the app before you travel; prices start at €24 for second-class seats.

Days 3-5: Brussels

Once you arrive in the city, make your way to the Grand-Place to marvel at Brussels’s Town Hall. Just around the corner, you’ll find the infamous statue of a little boy urinating known as Manneken-Pis; once playing an essential role in the distribution of drinking water, the statue has now come to symbolise the spirit of the people of Brussels (seriously). Attend a Belgian Chocolate Workshop on Rue des Foulons before gorging on a hearty helping of frites from Fritland.

Start day two with a stroll through Parc du Cinquantenaire, continue to Parc de Bruxelles and admire the Royal Palace of Brussels. Science fanatics will relish a visit to the Atomium, now one of the most important and popular attractions in Brussels. For dinner, tuck into a traditional Flemish stew at 9 et Voisins.

Where to stay in Brussels

Sweet tooth? Make a beeline for the Sablon neighbourhood in Brussels, which is choc-a-block with chocolate shops. Base yourself at the bright and breezy Moxy Brussels City Center, a perfect midrange hotel with pop art interiors.

Next stop… Paris

The train from Brussels to Paris Gare du Nord runs every half an hour and takes less than 90 minutes. Seat reservations are required; prices start at €29 for second-class tickets.

Days 5-7: Paris

No visit to Paris is complete without overindulging in baguettes, pastries and coffee and Baguett’s Café serves the goods and then some. From there, it’s just a short walk to the world-famous Louvre art museum; since you’re only here a few days, don’t miss the iconic ‘Mona Lisa’. Cross the Pont des Arts bridge, admire the facade of the Notre Dame cathedral and indulge in traditional French fare at Le Bistrot du Perigord in the Latin Quarter.

With pre-booked tickets, tick off one of the most iconic Parisian landmarks with a climb to the top of the Eiffel Tower. Collect macarons from the patisserie institute, Ladurée; do a spot of window-shopping in Galeries Lafayette Champs Elysées, then amble down the city’s most prestigious avenue to the Arc de Triomphe. If you’re not too claustrophobic, navigate part of the 300km (185-mile) network of underground tunnels known as ‘Les Catacombes’ before heading for a dinner of fondue, beef bourguignon or duck confit at Le Vieux Bistrot.

Where to stay in Paris

Stay in Bastille for a vibe similar to the Marais, but one that comes with a more affordable price tag. Situated on the site of a former convent, Hôtel l’Antoine offers modern rooms with contemporary decor, while still keeping a tenacious hold on its fascinating roots.

Next stop… Milan

It’s time to get the train to Milano Centrale which takes between seven-and-a-half and nine hours. The train usually departs from Gare de Lyon or Gare de l’Est and you’ll need to reserve a seat; prices vary from €25 to €44 for second-class seats.

Days 7-9: Milan

With a long day of travelling from Paris, you’ll arrive in Milan just in time for dinner at Pasta d’Autore. Then head to Teatro alla Scala for an evening performance at one of the most prestigious opera houses in the world; be sure to purchase tickets in advance.

Start your second day in Milan with a decadent hot chocolate from Venchi, followed by a visit to Castello Sforzesco and a wander through Parco Sempione. Equipped with pre-booked tickets, make your way to the iconic Duomo di Milano for an afternoon of sightseeing inside one of Europe’s most beloved cathedrals. Purchase rooftop tickets to enjoy views of the piazza below from the Duomo’s terraces, then prepare for an Italian feast at Da Zero.

Where to stay in Milan

The elegant yet artsy Brera district is perfect for travellers seeking a stay in one of the most picturesque neighbourhoods in the city. B&B Hotel Milano Duomo offers a no-frills, modest approach while still being warm, welcoming and well-decorated.

Next stop… Venice

A short two-and-a-half-hour train ride – with €12 seat reservations – takes you directly from Milano Centrale to Venezia Santa Lucia.

Days 9-11: Venice

For your first afternoon in Venice, enjoy one of the city’s quintessential experiences: a 30-minute gondola ride (with an €80 price tag) along the famous Venetian canals. Head to the Rialto Bridge in time for sunset and pick up a few trinket souvenirs from the boutique stalls. Visit L’Osteria di Santa Marina for dinner – make sure to try their homemade tortellini and scallop carpaccio.

Rise early to see Piazza San Marco and the Basilica in all its glory before the hoards of tourists descend, then board a local ferry for a day trip to Burano Island. Famed for its polychromatic houses, its narrow canals and the Lace Museum, Burano is a great destination to visit while in Venice. Try the local cuisine at Trattoria al Gatto Nero before heading back to Venice.

Where to stay in Venice

Located in the charming neighbourhood of Castello, close enough to St Mark’s Basilica but far enough away from the overwhelming crowds, Hotel Bisanzio is a stylish establishment kitted out in traditional Venetian decor.

Next stop… Vienna

The train from Venezia Santa Lucia to Vienna Central Station can take anywhere from seven-and-a-half hours to eleven hours, with seat reservations required for certain routes.

Days 11-14: Vienna

After a good night’s sleep, start your first full day in Vienna at the Kunsthistorisches Museum and the Naturhistorisches Museum for a spot of culture, then continue to Hofburg Palace and Rathausplatz to admire the grand architecture. Jump on the U-Bahn to the breathtaking Belvedere Palace set in an elegant baroque park and discover over 800 years of art history inside the museum. After a traditional Viennese dinner of schnitzel, spätzle and tafelspitz at Pürstner, make your way to one of the most important theatres in the world, the Burgtheater, to enjoy a live performance.

If the weather permits on your second day in Vienna, journey to Prater: an amusement park with archaic rides and rollercoasters and a fantastic beer garden, Schweizerhaus. From there, you can stroll along the Danube River, loop past St Francis of Assisi Church and head back into the city centre for an evening of cocktails at art deco-inspired Kleinod.

Where to stay in Vienna

Conveniently located in the Museum Quarter, 25hours Hotel is the place to stay in Vienna for eccentric decor, individually styled rooms and quirky features such as a photo booth and retro pinball machine. Plus the rooftop terrace has lovely views over the Austrian Parliament.

Next stop… Budapest

It’s time to head to Budapest. The direct train from Vienna Central Station to Budapest-Kelenföld Station takes less than two-and-a-half hours with no seat reservations required.

Days 14-16: Budapest

Begin your time in Budapest with a culinary exploration of the Central Market Hall, where you can dine on authentic Hungarian fare. Spend the afternoon touring the magnificent Hungarian Parliament Building; with almost 700 rooms and sensational gothic revival architecture, there’s a reason it’s Budapest’s main attraction. Finish off with a candlelit dinner cruise along the Danube.

Kick off day two in Budapest with a hike up to Fisherman’s Bastion to marvel at the views of the city from one of the seven turreted towers. Then ride the funicular down from Buda Castle, cross the Széchenyi Chain Bridge to the Pest side of the river and experience an afternoon of pure relaxation at the Széchenyi Thermal Bath. Drink and dine at the Intermezzo rooftop bar before retiring to your room.

Where to stay in Budapest

A quarter of a mile from St Stephen’s Basilica, Hotel President has charming rooms, an on-site spa and, of course, a rooftop terrace with unforgettable views.

Next stop… Prague

Get the 9.30am train from Budapest-Nyugati to Prague Hlavni Nadrazi for the shortest train journey (seven hours) and no transfers. Seat reservations of €6 are required on most routes.

Days 16-18: Prague

Finish off a day on the rails at Výtopna Railway Restaurant, a unique experience to be had on your first night in Prague, where trains on a miniature railway deliver your food and drink. It might be pretty touristy, but it’s worth it.

Begin your first full day with a visit to Prague Castle, one of the largest castle complexes in the world; pre-book tickets in advance to avoid long queues. Explore the Malá Strana neighbourhood, check out the John Lennon memorial wall and cross over the picturesque Charles Bridge to the Old Town. Watch the mechanical workings of the Astronomical Clock and climb up the Old Town Hall for views of the Church of Our Lady before Týn and the square below, before dining on a Czechia feast at U Modré Kachničky II.

Where to stay in Prague

For an affordable base in romantic Malá Strana, Malostranská Residence is one of the most beautiful and highly-rated properties in the neighbourhood.

Next stop… Berlin

You can get the train directly from Prague to Berlin Hauptbahnhof in just over four hours with no seat reservations required.

Days 18-21: Berlin

Start with a stroll through the lush grounds of Tiergarten, ending at the Reichstag Building, home to the German Bundestag (Parliament). From there, it’s just a short walk to the world-renowned Brandenburg Gate and Checkpoint Charlie, famed for being the crossing point between East and West Berlin during the Cold War. Continue to the East Side Gallery to see the commissioned graffiti project created by over 100 artists and conclude with Italian, Turkish or German cuisine at Markthalle Neun.

Dedicate a morning to Berlin’s best museums. Visit the free Topography of Terror Museum, check out the oh-so-creepy Puppentheater Museum and learn the history of German Jews at the Jewish Museum. At Tempelhofer Feld, you can see where Nazi dive-bombers once took off; it’s now a peaceful and playful city park. If you don’t mind heights, head to the top of the Berliner Fernsehturm (TV tower) where you can take in a 360-degree view of the city. Treat yourself to a proper German beer and currywurst at Dicke Wirtin before calling it a night.

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The views and opinions expressed within the content are solely the author's and do not reflect the opinions and beliefs of Trackside Signs or its affiliates.