With dreams of a “white Christmas” vacation and images of lively Christmas markets in mind, we boarded our flight to Berlin in December 2013. Well, although snow didn’t make an appearance during our trip, we ventured out in (almost) freezing weather to experience the warmth of Berlin’s Christmas markets. The gaiety, bright lights, colorful stalls, and variety of food and drink lent a magical, festive touch to the city.
In the capital of Germany, we explored the Christmas markets, visited historical monuments, learned about the Ampelmann, spotted colorful bears (the bear is Berlin’s symbol), and spent solemn moments at two memorials.
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Glittering Christmas Lights. Christmas Market, Berlin, Germany
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Nativity Scene. Christmas Market, Berlin, Germany
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Shining Stars at Gendarmenmarkt. Christmas Market, Berlin, Germany
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<strong>Tracing Berlin’s History through its Monuments and Buildings</strong>
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<img class="size-large wp-image-3621" src="https://funderfulworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/ReichstagBundestag2.jpg" alt="The magnificent Reichstag/Bundestag building. Berlin, Germany" width="700" height="358" srcset="https://funderfulworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/ReichstagBundestag2.jpg 1024w, https://funderfulworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/ReichstagBundestag2-300x153.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" />
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The magnificent Reichstag/Bundestag building. Berlin, Germany
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Then, we continued onward to the beautiful Brandenburg Gate. This triumphal arch is an important icon of Berlin, and Germany, in general. As numerous tourists posed for pictures in this pedestrian zone, we wondered about life in the former East Berlin and West Berlin. Today, the Brandenburg Gate is a popular tourist attraction and a venue for several major events.
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<img class="wp-image-3620 size-large" src="https://funderfulworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/BrandenburgGate3.jpg" alt="The majestic Brandenburg Gate. Berlin, Germany" width="700" height="462" srcset="https://funderfulworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/BrandenburgGate3.jpg 1024w, https://funderfulworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/BrandenburgGate3-300x198.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" />
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The majestic Brandenburg Gate. Berlin, Germany
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<img class="size-large wp-image-3618" src="https://funderfulworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/BerlinWallMemorial3.jpg" alt="The Berlin Wall Memorial. Berlin, Germany" width="700" height="498" srcset="https://funderfulworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/BerlinWallMemorial3.jpg 1024w, https://funderfulworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/BerlinWallMemorial3-300x213.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" />
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The Berlin Wall Memorial. Berlin, Germany
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<img class="size-large wp-image-3616" src="https://funderfulworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/SintiRomaMemorial3.jpg" alt="Memorial to the Sinti and Roma of Europe. Berlin, Germany" width="700" height="480" srcset="https://funderfulworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/SintiRomaMemorial3.jpg 1024w, https://funderfulworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/SintiRomaMemorial3-300x206.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" />
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Solemn Moments at the Memorial to the Sinti and Roma of Europe. Berlin, Germany
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The charming Nikolai Quarter. Berlin, Germany
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The special man, the Ampelmann. Berlin, Germnay
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Towering above all. TV Tower, Berlin, Germany
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