A Compact Camera that Will Crush Your Smartphone

Courtesy Caroline Morse Teel

It’s a dilemma for many travelers: You want a better photo than you can take with your smartphone, but you don’t want to lug around a big camera. Sony’s Cyber-Shot RX100 VI solves your problem by putting a high-quality camera into a tiny, pocket-sized package. Upgrade your travel pictures without adding a big camera.

Why Are These Hotels Famous?

Courtesy of  Shannon McMahon

You might already know these famous hotels by name, but do you know why they’re famous? Here’s what earned some of the world’s best-known hotels their prominence — and why you should stay there.

Marina Bay Sands, Singapore

Hotel Resort Fees and Other Hidden Charges

Courtesy Ed Perkins

In a big win for Britain’s consumers, the British Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has told big online travel agencies that they must include any mandatory charges like hotel “resort” fees (which are often applied by non-resort hotels in big cities, as well) in the up-front listed price. It’s ok, says CMA, for hotels to break the full price into a base charge plus a mandatory fee, but all mandatory fees must be included in the initially displayed cost.

Where to Stay in Germany: Lodging Tips You Need to Know

Independent Traveler

With so many tempting possibilities, deciding where to stay in Germany can turn into a dilemma. Should you choose ultra-modern hotels or charm-filled historic properties? Should you dream away your nights at country inns, fairytale castles, or pampering spa resorts? Even if you’re on a budget, Germany’s lodging options include hotels, B&Bs, and hostels that are among Europe’s very best. Or, for a change of pace, you can spend a few days on a farm or a countryside vineyard. Can’t choose? The best plan may be to mix and match as you travel through the country, sampling some of Germany’s best accommodations.

Happy Spring from the Staff at Traveling Boy

We have designated this spring season to think of those who suffer from great sorry and misfortune. Here are some of our favorite charities.

Overtourism Has Travel Advisors Telling Their Customers to Please Go Somewhere Else

Allan Leibowitz, Skift

Overtourism, the result of having too many visitors show up to a place at the same time, is becoming such a problem for popular destinations that both the United Nations and the European Union have recently issued guidelines to reduce tourist overcrowding.

Cheaper international airfares, the growth of the cruise market, and the emergence of cheap accommodation options such as Airbnb are fueling the overtourism phenomenon. Europe, in particular but not exclusively, is feeling the effects, with cities such as Barcelona, Amsterdam, and Venice struggling to cope with the huge influx of visitors.

Berlin Gearing Up to Celebrate “30th Anniversary of the Peaceful Revolution/Fall of the Wall”

Berlin is preparing to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Peaceful Revolution and the fall of the Wall with a large, city-wide festival to be held from 4 to 10 November. Over the course of seven days at seven historical sites, the city will transform into a unique open-air exhibition and event location.

Cunard Cruise Line Partners with English National Ballet

Courtesy Travel News Online

Cunard has announced that the world-renowned English National Ballet will join the Queen Mary 2 for a unique voyage from Southampton to New York from 11-18 August 2019. Guests on the seven-night transatlantic crossing will have the opportunity to meet the leading dancers from the British ballet company, including lead principal, Erina Takahashi, and first soloist, James Streeter, watch their morning ballet class and drop in on afternoon rehearsals.

Five Benefits Of Using Your Credit Card While Travelling

Courtesy Savi, Bruised Passports

The annual fee that needs to be paid for any credit card prevented us from getting one for a long time. But after much evaluation and chats with other traveler friends, we got a credit card and we’ve never looked back!

Rio de Janeiro Named Must-Visit Destination in 2019

Rio de Janeiro was named one of the world’s five most cost-effective destinations for 2019. A survey conducted by British air travel website Skyscanner revealed, after analyzing flight and hotel offers, that in addition to being a great cultural experience, visiting the Americas next year could also be an excellent idea for those who want to save money. According to the study, the day rates in four-star hotels in Rio dropped by 20%. The website also bets on the drop in air tickets prices due to the creation of new direct flights from Europe to the city. We list five classic and unforgettable tours for those who arrive in the Marvelous City. Check out:

The 13 Safest Places in Mexico for Travelers

Courtesy Ed Hewitt, SmarterTravel

“Is Mexico safe?” It’s a question many American travelers have asked themselves, especially in the wake of a sweeping security alert for Mexico issued by the U.S. State Department in early March 2018. Such travel advisories can be confusing, but this one is pretty clear and even includes a color-coded map revealing the most dangerous (marked in red) and safest places in Mexico (marked in white).

Norway’s Best Kept Secret Revealed in 50 Degrees North’s New Signature Tour for 2019

Nordic Travel Specialist, 50 Degrees North, has introduced an innovative new 8-day tour for 2019: ‘The Western Fjords of Norway’. Although largely unknown to international visitors, the Western fjords are a rare gem: The landscape is pristine and exceptionally beautiful even by Norwegian standards! 

How to Take Your Own Passport Photo

Courtesy, Caroline Morse Teel, SmarterTravel

After paying $15 to have an awkward photoshoot in the aisle of a CVS, only to have my passport photos rejected twice (once for being too dark and once for being too bright), I decided there had to be a better way to take your own passport photo. Turns out, snapping your own passport photo is easier, cheaper, and much more convenient than going to a “professional” (a.k.a., the cashier at your local drugstore). Here’s a few tips:

10 Emerging Places to Visit in Europe For a Crowd-Free Vacation

Courtesy Jamie Ditaranto

As the relentless crowds flock to major tourist sites in cities like Paris and Venice, travelers need to face the truth — we’re wearing each other (and the cities we’re visiting) out. It’s a struggle common across Europe, but that doesn’t mean all of Europe has been overtaken by legions of tourists. There are plenty of exciting destinations that may not be new, but they are emerging as exciting destinations worthy of a visit. Plus, the crowds haven’t gotten to them yet.

Vipava Valley, Slovenia

MORE

10 Winter Outfit Necessities for Travel

Courtesy Caroline Morse Teel

These performance pieces will keep you warm from head to toe — but still look so good you’ll find yourself wanting to wear them no matter what the temperature.

Ministry of Supply 3D Print-Knit Sweater Dress

MORE

Together in Spirit – The Best Friends Animal Society

At the core of Best Friends Animal Society’s work is the dream that one day animals will no longer be killed in America’s shelters.

MORE

The Worst Seats on a Plane (and How to Avoid Them)

Courtesy Sarah Schlichter

You’re crammed into a middle seat at the back of an airplane, with neighbors encroaching on your armrests and an endless chorus of flushing sounds from the lavatory nearby. Alas, you’re stuck in one of the worst seats on a plane, and you have to ask: How did you end up here, and how can you make sure it never happens again?

Seat selection can make a huge difference in how comfortable you are in flight, especially on long international trips. I interviewed an expert to help identify the worst airplane seats and explain how you can land yourself a better spot on your next flight.

MORE

Happy Birthday, Liechtenstein!

In 1719 Liechtenstein was elevated to the status of an imperial principality. For Switzerland’s neighbor its 300th anniversary is not just an occasion for the inhabitants of Liechtenstein to reflect upon their own history, but is also attracting the attention of many tourists and visitors. To mark the occasion, the tiny landlocked nation officially launches the Liechtenstein Trail in May – a hiking and biking trail that connects all the country’s municipalities and features castles, cottages, villages and vistas.

Country Information – State Department Travel Warnings and Alerts

Learn About Your Destination

We provide safety and security information for every country of the world to help you assess for yourself the risks of travel. Each country information page contains a Travel Advisory, Alerts, and other important details specific to that country that could affect you.

MORE

10 of the World’s Most Amazing Train Journeys

Courtesy Lonely Planet

There’s something magical about a journey by train. Sometimes the magic is inside – on a train you can meet people, while eating and sleeping with the sound of steel wheel swishing on steel rail beneath you. Sometimes the magic is outside, in the landscape the train traverses – an adventure, an experience, an insight into the heart of a nation.

MORE

What Are The Best Car Seat Cushion For Long Drives in 2019?

Courtesy Helen Sanders, Healthy Ambition

MORE

A Common Mistake to Avoid When Visiting Hawaii

Don’t Tell a Local or Fellow Visitor You’re From the USA. If someone asks you where you are from, don’t say “the USA.” Hawaii is a US State and has been so since 1959. It is the 50th State in the Union. (Everyone’s heard of Hawaii Five-0.) If someone asks you where you are from you can say either “the mainland” or just specify the city and/or state where you live.

Guyana Becomes First Country to Adopt International Guide Standards

Courtesy Dan Moore

On November 5, 2018, Guyana, a small Caribbean nation in South America, became the first country in the world to commit to to the Adventure Travel Guide Standard (ATGS). Originally called The International Adventure Travel Guide Qualification & Performance Standard,  the ATGS was created in 2015 by a cohort of guides and industry professionals from 15 different countries convened by the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA).

MORE

Cuban Cruise Arrivals Break Record in 2018

Courtesy www.caribbeannewsnow.com

By the end of October, 703,519 cruise passengers had arrived in Cuba, a growth of almost 117,000 compared to the previous year, said Manuel Marrero Cruz, minister of tourism. Despite the achievement, arrivals were affected by the measures adopted by the president of the United States, Donald Trump, and the return of his country to the policy of isolation from Cuba, which has caused a considerable decrease in travelers from the northern nation, he said

MORE

12 Things You Should Never Do in an Airport Security Line

Courtesy Neil Gladstone

If you’ve ever wondered whether airport agents perform a necessary function, take a look at the TSA Instagram account. You’ll find a stupefying collection of objects confiscated from passengers, including axes, crossbows, and handguns (and that’s just in the last few days). Acting foolishly, though, can get you delayed from a flight or even detained. To help explain what you shouldn’t do in an airport security line, we tapped Lewis Sage-Passant, a former British infantry officer who is trained in intelligence and has worked in security and crisis management for several corporations, including Goldman-Sachs. These days, he runs How Safe Is My Trip, a company that creates advisory reports for people going to risky destinations.

MORE

Countries That Require Visas for Americans

The State Department’s Office of American Citizens Services and Crisis Management (ACS) administers the Consular Information Program, which informs the public of conditions abroad that may affect their safety and security. Country Specific Information, Travel Alerts, and Travel Warnings are vital parts of this program.

MORE

Watch Out for These Tourist Traps in All 50 States

MORE

Being on the ground in over 180 countries means you get the full story.

The post Crowd-Free Vacations, “The Brando” in Tahiti appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Happy Spring from the Staff at Traveling Boy

We have designated this spring season to think of those who suffer from great sorry and misfortune. Here are some of our favorite charities.

Overtourism Has Travel Advisors Telling Their Customers to Please Go Somewhere Else

Allan Leibowitz, Skift

Overtourism, the result of having too many visitors show up to a place at the same time, is becoming such a problem for popular destinations that both the United Nations and the European Union have recently issued guidelines to reduce tourist overcrowding.

Cheaper international airfares, the growth of the cruise market, and the emergence of cheap accommodation options such as Airbnb are fueling the overtourism phenomenon. Europe, in particular but not exclusively, is feeling the effects, with cities such as Barcelona, Amsterdam, and Venice struggling to cope with the huge influx of visitors.

Berlin Gearing Up to Celebrate “30th Anniversary of the Peaceful Revolution/Fall of the Wall”

Berlin is preparing to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Peaceful Revolution and the fall of the Wall with a large, city-wide festival to be held from 4 to 10 November. Over the course of seven days at seven historical sites, the city will transform into a unique open-air exhibition and event location.

Cunard Cruise Line Partners with English National Ballet

Courtesy Travel News Online

Cunard has announced that the world-renowned English National Ballet will join the Queen Mary 2 for a unique voyage from Southampton to New York from 11-18 August 2019. Guests on the seven-night transatlantic crossing will have the opportunity to meet the leading dancers from the British ballet company, including lead principal, Erina Takahashi, and first soloist, James Streeter, watch their morning ballet class and drop in on afternoon rehearsals.

Five Benefits Of Using Your Credit Card While Travelling

Courtesy Savi, Bruised Passports

The annual fee that needs to be paid for any credit card prevented us from getting one for a long time. But after much evaluation and chats with other traveler friends, we got a credit card and we’ve never looked back!

Rio de Janeiro Named Must-Visit Destination in 2019

Rio de Janeiro was named one of the world’s five most cost-effective destinations for 2019. A survey conducted by British air travel website Skyscanner revealed, after analyzing flight and hotel offers, that in addition to being a great cultural experience, visiting the Americas next year could also be an excellent idea for those who want to save money. According to the study, the day rates in four-star hotels in Rio dropped by 20%. The website also bets on the drop in air tickets prices due to the creation of new direct flights from Europe to the city. We list five classic and unforgettable tours for those who arrive in the Marvelous City. Check out:

The 13 Safest Places in Mexico for Travelers

Courtesy Ed Hewitt, SmarterTravel

“Is Mexico safe?” It’s a question many American travelers have asked themselves, especially in the wake of a sweeping security alert for Mexico issued by the U.S. State Department in early March 2018. Such travel advisories can be confusing, but this one is pretty clear and even includes a color-coded map revealing the most dangerous (marked in red) and safest places in Mexico (marked in white).

Norway’s Best Kept Secret Revealed in 50 Degrees North’s New Signature Tour for 2019

Nordic Travel Specialist, 50 Degrees North, has introduced an innovative new 8-day tour for 2019: ‘The Western Fjords of Norway’. Although largely unknown to international visitors, the Western fjords are a rare gem: The landscape is pristine and exceptionally beautiful even by Norwegian standards! 

How to Take Your Own Passport Photo

Courtesy, Caroline Morse Teel, SmarterTravel

After paying $15 to have an awkward photoshoot in the aisle of a CVS, only to have my passport photos rejected twice (once for being too dark and once for being too bright), I decided there had to be a better way to take your own passport photo. Turns out, snapping your own passport photo is easier, cheaper, and much more convenient than going to a “professional” (a.k.a., the cashier at your local drugstore). Here’s a few tips:

Watch Out for These Tourist Traps in All 50 States

Being on the ground in over 180 countries means you get the full story.

Together in Spirit – The Best Friends Animal Society

At the core of Best Friends Animal Society’s work is the dream that one day animals will no longer be killed in America’s shelters.

MORE

The Worst Seats on a Plane (and How to Avoid Them)

Courtesy Sarah Schlichter

You’re crammed into a middle seat at the back of an airplane, with neighbors encroaching on your armrests and an endless chorus of flushing sounds from the lavatory nearby. Alas, you’re stuck in one of the worst seats on a plane, and you have to ask: How did you end up here, and how can you make sure it never happens again?

Seat selection can make a huge difference in how comfortable you are in flight, especially on long international trips. I interviewed an expert to help identify the worst airplane seats and explain how you can land yourself a better spot on your next flight.

MORE

Happy Birthday, Liechtenstein!

In 1719 Liechtenstein was elevated to the status of an imperial principality. For Switzerland’s neighbor its 300th anniversary is not just an occasion for the inhabitants of Liechtenstein to reflect upon their own history, but is also attracting the attention of many tourists and visitors. To mark the occasion, the tiny landlocked nation officially launches the Liechtenstein Trail in May – a hiking and biking trail that connects all the country’s municipalities and features castles, cottages, villages and vistas.

Country Information – State Department Travel Warnings and Alerts

Learn About Your Destination

We provide safety and security information for every country of the world to help you assess for yourself the risks of travel. Each country information page contains a Travel Advisory, Alerts, and other important details specific to that country that could affect you.

MORE

10 of the World’s Most Amazing Train Journeys

Courtesy Lonely Planet

There’s something magical about a journey by train. Sometimes the magic is inside – on a train you can meet people, while eating and sleeping with the sound of steel wheel swishing on steel rail beneath you. Sometimes the magic is outside, in the landscape the train traverses – an adventure, an experience, an insight into the heart of a nation.

MORE

What Are The Best Car Seat Cushion For Long Drives in 2019?

Courtesy Helen Sanders, Healthy Ambition

MORE

A Common Mistake to Avoid When Visiting Hawaii

Don’t Tell a Local or Fellow Visitor You’re From the USA. If someone asks you where you are from, don’t say “the USA.” Hawaii is a US State and has been so since 1959. It is the 50th State in the Union. (Everyone’s heard of Hawaii Five-0.) If someone asks you where you are from you can say either “the mainland” or just specify the city and/or state where you live.

Guyana Becomes First Country to Adopt International Guide Standards

Courtesy Dan Moore

On November 5, 2018, Guyana, a small Caribbean nation in South America, became the first country in the world to commit to to the Adventure Travel Guide Standard (ATGS). Originally called The International Adventure Travel Guide Qualification & Performance Standard,  the ATGS was created in 2015 by a cohort of guides and industry professionals from 15 different countries convened by the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA).

MORE

Cuban Cruise Arrivals Break Record in 2018

Courtesy www.caribbeannewsnow.com

By the end of October, 703,519 cruise passengers had arrived in Cuba, a growth of almost 117,000 compared to the previous year, said Manuel Marrero Cruz, minister of tourism. Despite the achievement, arrivals were affected by the measures adopted by the president of the United States, Donald Trump, and the return of his country to the policy of isolation from Cuba, which has caused a considerable decrease in travelers from the northern nation, he said

MORE

12 Things You Should Never Do in an Airport Security Line

Courtesy Neil Gladstone

If you’ve ever wondered whether airport agents perform a necessary function, take a look at the TSA Instagram account. You’ll find a stupefying collection of objects confiscated from passengers, including axes, crossbows, and handguns (and that’s just in the last few days). Acting foolishly, though, can get you delayed from a flight or even detained. To help explain what you shouldn’t do in an airport security line, we tapped Lewis Sage-Passant, a former British infantry officer who is trained in intelligence and has worked in security and crisis management for several corporations, including Goldman-Sachs. These days, he runs How Safe Is My Trip, a company that creates advisory reports for people going to risky destinations.

MORE

Countries That Require Visas for Americans

The State Department’s Office of American Citizens Services and Crisis Management (ACS) administers the Consular Information Program, which informs the public of conditions abroad that may affect their safety and security. Country Specific Information, Travel Alerts, and Travel Warnings are vital parts of this program.

MORE

The post Overtourism, Worst Plane Seats appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Happy President’s Day from the Staff at Traveling Boy

We have designated 2019 to think of those who suffer from great sorry and misfortune. Here are some of our favorite charities.

Berlin Gearing Up to Celebrate “30th Anniversary of the Peaceful Revolution/Fall of the Wall”

Berlin is preparing to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Peaceful Revolution and the fall of the Wall with a large, city-wide festival to be held from 4 to 10 November. Over the course of seven days at seven historical sites, the city will transform into a unique open-air exhibition and event location.

Cunard Cruise Line Partners with English National Ballet

Courtesy Travel News Online

Cunard has announced that the world-renowned English National Ballet will join the Queen Mary 2 for a unique voyage from Southampton to New York from 11-18 August 2019. Guests on the seven-night transatlantic crossing will have the opportunity to meet the leading dancers from the British ballet company, including lead principal, Erina Takahashi, and first soloist, James Streeter, watch their morning ballet class and drop in on afternoon rehearsals.

Five Benefits Of Using Your Credit Card While Travelling

Courtesy Savi, Bruised Passports

The annual fee that needs to be paid for any credit card prevented us from getting one for a long time. But after much evaluation and chats with other traveler friends, we got a credit card and we’ve never looked back!

Rio de Janeiro Named Must-Visit Destination in 2019

Rio de Janeiro was named one of the world’s five most cost-effective destinations for 2019. A survey conducted by British air travel website Skyscanner revealed, after analyzing flight and hotel offers, that in addition to being a great cultural experience, visiting the Americas next year could also be an excellent idea for those who want to save money. According to the study, the day rates in four-star hotels in Rio dropped by 20%. The website also bets on the drop in air tickets prices due to the creation of new direct flights from Europe to the city. We list five classic and unforgettable tours for those who arrive in the Marvelous City. Check out:

The 13 Safest Places in Mexico for Travelers

Courtesy Ed Hewitt, SmarterTravel

“Is Mexico safe?” It’s a question many American travelers have asked themselves, especially in the wake of a sweeping security alert for Mexico issued by the U.S. State Department in early March 2018. Such travel advisories can be confusing, but this one is pretty clear and even includes a color-coded map revealing the most dangerous (marked in red) and safest places in Mexico (marked in white).

Norway’s Best Kept Secret Revealed in 50 Degrees North’s New Signature Tour for 2019

Nordic Travel Specialist, 50 Degrees North, has introduced an innovative new 8-day tour for 2019: ‘The Western Fjords of Norway’. Although largely unknown to international visitors, the Western fjords are a rare gem: The landscape is pristine and exceptionally beautiful even by Norwegian standards! 

How to Take Your Own Passport Photo

Courtesy, Caroline Morse Teel, SmarterTravel

After paying $15 to have an awkward photoshoot in the aisle of a CVS, only to have my passport photos rejected twice (once for being too dark and once for being too bright), I decided there had to be a better way to take your own passport photo. Turns out, snapping your own passport photo is easier, cheaper, and much more convenient than going to a “professional” (a.k.a., the cashier at your local drugstore). Here’s a few tips:

Countries That Require Visas for Americans

The State Department’s Office of American Citizens Services and Crisis Management (ACS) administers the Consular Information Program, which informs the public of conditions abroad that may affect their safety and security. Country Specific Information, Travel Alerts, and Travel Warnings are vital parts of this program.

Watch Out for These Tourist Traps in All 50 States

Together in Spirit – The Best Friends Animal Society

At the core of Best Friends Animal Society’s work is the dream that one day animals will no longer be killed in America’s shelters.

MORE

Happy Birthday, Liechtenstein!

In 1719 Liechtenstein was elevated to the status of an imperial principality. For Switzerland’s neighbor its 300th anniversary is not just an occasion for the inhabitants of Liechtenstein to reflect upon their own history, but is also attracting the attention of many tourists and visitors. To mark the occasion, the tiny landlocked nation officially launches the Liechtenstein Trail in May – a hiking and biking trail that connects all the country’s municipalities and features castles, cottages, villages and vistas.

Country Information – State Department Travel Warnings and Alerts

Learn About Your Destination

We provide safety and security information for every country of the world to help you assess for yourself the risks of travel. Each country information page contains a Travel Advisory, Alerts, and other important details specific to that country that could affect you.

MORE

10 of the World’s Most Amazing Train Journeys

Courtesy Lonely Planet

There’s something magical about a journey by train. Sometimes the magic is inside – on a train you can meet people, while eating and sleeping with the sound of steel wheel swishing on steel rail beneath you. Sometimes the magic is outside, in the landscape the train traverses – an adventure, an experience, an insight into the heart of a nation.

MORE

What Are The Best Car Seat Cushion For Long Drives in 2019?

Courtesy Helen Sanders, Healthy Ambition

MORE

A Common Mistake to Avoid When Visiting Hawaii

Don’t Tell a Local or Fellow Visitor You’re From the USA. If someone asks you where you are from, don’t say “the USA.” Hawaii is a US State and has been so since 1959. It is the 50th State in the Union. (Everyone’s heard of Hawaii Five-0.) If someone asks you where you are from you can say either “the mainland” or just specify the city and/or state where you live.

Guyana Becomes First Country to Adopt International Guide Standards

Courtesy Dan Moore

On November 5, 2018, Guyana, a small Caribbean nation in South America, became the first country in the world to commit to to the Adventure Travel Guide Standard (ATGS). Originally called The International Adventure Travel Guide Qualification & Performance Standard,  the ATGS was created in 2015 by a cohort of guides and industry professionals from 15 different countries convened by the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA).

MORE

Cuban Cruise Arrivals Break Record in 2018

Courtesy www.caribbeannewsnow.com

By the end of October, 703,519 cruise passengers had arrived in Cuba, a growth of almost 117,000 compared to the previous year, said Manuel Marrero Cruz, minister of tourism. Despite the achievement, arrivals were affected by the measures adopted by the president of the United States, Donald Trump, and the return of his country to the policy of isolation from Cuba, which has caused a considerable decrease in travelers from the northern nation, he said

MORE

12 Things You Should Never Do in an Airport Security Line

Courtesy Neil Gladstone

If you’ve ever wondered whether airport agents perform a necessary function, take a look at the TSA Instagram account. You’ll find a stupefying collection of objects confiscated from passengers, including axes, crossbows, and handguns (and that’s just in the last few days). Acting foolishly, though, can get you delayed from a flight or even detained. To help explain what you shouldn’t do in an airport security line, we tapped Lewis Sage-Passant, a former British infantry officer who is trained in intelligence and has worked in security and crisis management for several corporations, including Goldman-Sachs. These days, he runs How Safe Is My Trip, a company that creates advisory reports for people going to risky destinations.

MORE

Being on the ground in over 180 countries means you get the full story.

The post Anniversaries, Passport Photos appeared first on Traveling Archive.

My mind raced back to a recent trip to Poland, where I learned that there were a number reasons why the Wall fell and the Soviet Union collapsed, but many would, indeed, point to Pope John Paul ll, a supporter of the anti-communist Solidarity, and his commanding words to the Polish people: “Do not be afraid,” which gave the devoutly Catholic nation courage to stand-up up the Soviet Union, eventually leading to its break from communism. As I continued to listen attentively to my Berlin cabbie, it occurred to me that no city had a greater impact on the 20th Century than Berlin. The centerpiece of two world wars and the epicenter of the Cold War, everything seemed to happen in Berlin.

Hitler and WWII

When the International Depression hit this nation in transition, Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party were growing in popularity and poised to take control. The ageing president, Paul von Hindenburg, detested Hitler, dismissing him as ‘that Bohemian corporal’ with a bad Austrian accent. But he appointed Hitler as the chancellor of the liberal Weimar Republic, basically throwing him a bone, with the plan of pacifying his lust for power. Upon the death of Hindenburg, however, Hitler seized the presidency, combining it with his position as chancellor. The Nazis never liked Berlin, and it took them a long time to bring the city to succumb to their control. Berlin eventually became a Nazi showplace, while the real heart of Nazism was in the conservative city of Bavaria’s Munich. Considered the Texas of Germany, Hitler would stand on tables in beer halls, screaming his disturbing jingoistic speeches to drunken patrons about German racial superiority and the creation of a master race. Hitler became the absolute dictator of Germany, which led to the Second World War and the deaths of nearly 50 million people.

By the end of World War ll, over half the buildings in Berlin were destroyed by Allied bombings. “Rubble Women” (Trümmerfrauen) cleared away mammoth piles of rubble, eventually creating little grassy hills, giving the flat-as-a-pancake Prussia on the Plains, whose splendor has always been defined by its rivers, bridges, parks and architecture, a little beautified elevation. After the war, the city was divided into two, with East Berlin the capital of the communist German Democratic Republic, while West Berlin became an island in the capitalistic West of the Federal Republic of Germany, surrounded by the 1961-1989 Berlin Wall. When the wall fell, followed by reunification, Berlin soon became the capital city of the new Federal Republic of Germany. It’s hard to believe that it was almost four years ago that I attended the monumental 25 Years After the Fall of the Wall celebration in Berlin, with the emotive theme: To live in a world without walls.

The Roaring Twenties

As the cab headed to my hotel, I could see the stunning urban development of Potsdamer Platz –  once the former “no man’s land” (kill zone) between the walls –  but soon I could also see the preservation of Prussian, Weimar Republic and communist era architecture. I thought of a time machine which would transport me back to Berlin in the Roaring Twenties.  Due to the new Weimar Republic, Berlin in the 20s experienced a stunning period of great change and cultural upheaval. The liberal republic had a tremendous attraction for artists, with hundreds of thousands of immigrants arriving, bringing with them new artistic ideas. Berlin had more theaters than New York and more daily newspapers than London. The names of Bertolt Brecht, Max Reinhardt and Kurt Weill dominated the world of theatre, while UFA Film Company produced the films of F.W. Murnau, Fritz Lang and Ernst Lubitsch. Dadaism came to life in Berlin, as well as the German Impressionism of Max Liebermann. The 20s also brought the decadent nightlife of seamy bars, cafés and cabarets, 100,000 prostitutes, and not so secret sex clubs for all tastes. Greater Berlin in the 20s had almost four million inhabitants and became the cultural center of the world.

Berlin Today –  No Longer “City of the Wall”

When the wall fell in 1989 and reunification took place, East Berliners poured into the affluent West (a showplace for Western capitalist values) for the new freedom and opportunities, leaving some of the East abandoned. The Kreuzberg District had been the center of western-style counter-culture when the West was an enclave, but now artists were hurrying back into the East, with Berlin experiencing a cultural and artistic vibrancy similar to that of the Roaring Twenties. As I explored the East’s Kiezes (neighborhoods), I saw forward-thinking artist communities and squatter communes. Art and fashion was starting right on the streets, demonstrated by locals with their direct Berliner Schnauz (in-your-face) attitude. Berlin soon become one of the most important cultural centers in Europe, and now just behind Paris and London as a tourist destination. Today, there still seems to be a cultural divide between the cutting edge, artist-driven East and the ultra-hip, high-fashion West, but this dichotomy is one of the reasons that the city is so alive. Quite simply, Berlin is my favorite city on the globe.

Into the Former East – My Selected Highlights

GDR Museum: The museum focuses on everyday life behind the Iron Curtain, and includes such exhibits as a Trabant Car (The GDR’s answer to West Germany’s Volkswagen) original furnishings, home accessories and food items.

Museum Island, the name of an island in the River Spree, consists of five epic museums which collectively are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located on the original settlement of Berlin, some of the buildings were severely damaged during World War II and have been reconstructed. From classical antiquities to collections belonging to King Frederick William IV of Prussia, each building can be a full-day commitment. What can’t be missed is the Pergamon Museum, which hosts original-size, reconstructed monumental buildings such as the Pergamon Altar. While the Pergamon Altar is currently closed to the public due to restoration work, this fascinating 360-degree panorama by artist Yadegar Asisi will offer an emotional glance of what the ancient city of Pergamon would have looked like. Set in a specially designed temporary exhibition space of approximately 1000 m2, Asisi’s Panorama will create an immersive visual effect to be experienced in conjunction with 80 classical sculptures and nine multimedia visualizations of the Pergamon Altar. Constructed specially to house the Altar, the Pergamon Museum is Berlin’s most popular museum, attracting over one million visitors a year. The restoration work for the entire project, which began in 2013, is presently scheduled for completion in 2025–2026. The rooms in the southern wing of the museum, with the Ishtar Gate and Processional Way, the Roman Market Gate of Miletus, and the Museum of Islamic Art, continue to remain open.

Friedrichstrasse, once Berlin’s most legendary shopping street, has enjoyed a Renaissance and is once again the home of elegant stores and boutiques.

STASI Museum: Modeled after the KGB, the Stasi was the GDR’s infamous secret police. Located in house # 1 of the terrifying former central complex of the Ministry of State Security, the museum showcases original offices, as well as diverse aspects of the political system and the opposition against it.

Berliner Dom is where the Prussian Royal Family came to worship and be buried. Nestled on the edge of Museum Island, a copper dome tops the magnificent cathedral. There’s also a staircase that leads to a viewing room, offering views of the central district. Look closely and you can still see Red Army bullet holes on its façade. In the former East, everything is preserved, while in the West, the period of 1932 – 1945 has been wiped off the earth, including that era in children’s history books.

East Side Gallery: This is the longest remaining stretch of the Berlin Wall, decorated by 118 artists from 21 countries. Watching millennials play sports beside it, I thought of Ken Burns’ lecture to U.S. high school where he was stunned to find that most students thought WWll was fought between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, which led him to make the documentary, ‘War.’ The cynic in me wondered if the kids and millennials were unaware of Berlin’s past, too.

Gendarmarkt is considered by many as the most beautiful square in Germany. It features a concert hall and the German and French Cathedrals. Its Christmas market is one of the best in the world.

Wall Museum & Black Box at Checkpoint Charlie: The museum at Checkpoint Charlie features the Cold War, re-construction of the Wall, and the fight for human rights. Also located at Checkpoint Charlie, the Black Box informs the public about the history of the famous former border crossing point and the Cold War. This is the crossing where U.S. and Soviet tanks faced off for 16 hours in 1961 almost creating a third world war. Checkpoint Charlie can be touristic, but is still worth a visit.

Palace of Tears: Situated at a former border crossing station, the museum helps visitors understand the border experience and the steps toward reunification.

FOR A TASTE OF NOSTALGIA there’s an array of Ostalgie restaurants (combination of the German words for east and nostalgia) in the East, allowing diners to experience the food of the former DDR, complete with period utensils, furniture, posters and paintings. East German meals were often born out of necessity due to ingredient restrictions, so expect roasted pork, potatoes, pork knuckles with sauerkraut and meatballs. You know, the type of meals that only a Mutti could make. I once had an order of pork which was rather tough and grizzly, but absolutely enjoyed its authenticity. And there’s still plenty of street food such as mammoth pretzels and döner kebaps, with has surpassed currywurst, as the #1 food item in Berlin, both compliments of Turkish guest workers. Like an English Tea, coffee and cake is still a late afternoon tradition, but now generally served on the weekends. There are a number of cutting edge restaurants who offer vegetarian meals – there’s even a currywurst stand that is vegetarian – and re-imagined traditional Berlin and international dishes. And, of course,  beer (brewed according to the Reinheitsgebot German Purity Law, which permits only water, hops, and malt as ingredients), wine and spirits, and there is no last call!

Here’s a fun article, courtesy Natalia Buitrago Gomez of All The Rooms: The Best Way to Spend Two Days in Berlin.

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