Berlin

A city train crosses a graffiti-covered bridge while Berlin’s TV tower rises into the blue sky in the background.

Between heaven and Spree - an exciting Puzzle of vibrant Neighborhoods

Berlin can feel a bit overwhelming at first. 

A handful of enticing destinations may turn out to be a good 45 minute drive apart. And we still won’t have reached the city limits.

The famed „Heaven over Berlin“ is no cinematic invention - it’s real. The city’s sheer expanse opens up vast skies that can make you feel small beneath their grandeur.

Yet just as the grand, history-steeped boulevards might begin to leave us awestruck, we’ll find ourself sitting with relaxed Berliners and equally grateful visitors, sipping a beer in the sunshine along the Spree River.

And, as is so often the case - especially in a sprawling metropolis like Berlin - it’s all about seizing the moment and syncing with the city’s rhythm.

The best way to experience Berlin is to embrace the fact that it will take more than one visit to truly get to know it. 

Those who take their time, exploring the capital neighborhood by neighborhood, will uncover an astonishingly multifaceted, vibrant, and often surprisingly charming city.

Schwarz-weiße Illustration einer Biene mit einem Blumen- und einem Kamerasymbol, auf dunklem Hintergrund.
A man with a dog walks past a silver Berlin photo booth with a red interior.

OUR PERFECT DAY IN BERLIN

City Oasis and Petting Zoo,  Art Gallery and Chocolate Atelier

Isn't it the most beautiful thing letting yourself drift without a schedule, daydreaming by the water for an afternoon, guiltlessly transitioning from the finest bakery to the most delightful ice cream parlor or enjoying an endless breakfast?

We believe, this approach can often provide a deeper sense of a metropolis’s rhythm, than a rigid cultural itinerary and sometimes it reveals the true treasures of a city.

Even if it’s just a brief weekend trip, it would be a pity to let haste and stress intrude. After all, when a city is enjoyable, we are bound to return.

Here, we share a few personal tips and secrets on how to savor a wonderful city walk and how to make our Berlin-Day truly perfect.

to the perfect day in berlin …

Schwarz-weiß Zeichnung einer Biene, die einen kleinen Teller mit dem Wort ‚eat‘ hält.
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Lovis Bar
Lovis Bar

Artful Bar in Charlottenburg

Tucked away in the enchanted courtyard of the Wilmina Hotel, the Lovis Bar reveals itself behind a black ivy-draped door. 

We descend a few steps into a historic vaulted cellar, where French artist Laurent Ajina has adorned the walls with delicate black lines on white lime plaster, giving the space a distinctive charm.

But it’s not just the design that sets the Lovis Bar apart. The drinks are as artful as the setting - imaginative, intricate concoctions crafted from mysterious, unlabeled bottles, measured and mixed with tiny beakers and pipettes. 

Alongside these exquisite cocktails, the bar serves refined bar food that not only pairs beautifully with the bold drinks but could easily hold its own as a light dinner.

In fact, arriving a little earlier to enjoy all the Lovis Bar has to offer is a highly recommended plan.

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MaMi's Food & Wine
MaMi's Food & Wine

Brother, Sister, and a Wishing Table 

On Oderberger Straße in Prenzlauer Berg, a cozy retreat awaits just a few steps below street level, next to a charming terrace shaded by a red awning. 

The bar’s whitewashed walls, Toile de Jouy curtains, wooden tables, and school chairs with mustard-yellow cushions might easily transport you to Paris.

And there are not just exceptional French wines - the carefully curated selection also features exquisite bottles from Germany, Austria and Spain.  

The delicious sharing plates even draw inspiration from across the globe.

MaMi’s is the perfect place to escape the hustle of Berlin for a few hours, immersing yourself in soft music, fine wine and outstanding food, served by warm and welcoming hosts.

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Schwarz-weiß Illustration eines Bienenkopfs, das an einen Computer oder Laptop schaut, mit dem Wort 'sleep' darunter.
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Wilmina Hotel
Wilmina Hotel

A Retreat in Charlottenburg 

Little birds flit into the ivy draping the facade.

Their cheerful chirping mingling with the distant hum of the city beyond. They dart out again, diving into a sea of green where waves of white blossoms rise and fall beneath our window.

Red brick walls, weathered by decades of history, frame a series of serene courtyards and lush gardens. 

Sunlight dances playfully through delicate ash leaves, casting fleeting patterns of light and shadow.

In Wilmina the bustling metropolis around us falls into oblivion.

Architects Almut and Armand Grüntuch-Ernst have masterfully transformed a former women’s prison from 1896 into the city’s most enchanting oasis.

The hotel feels like a wellness escape, yet it sits at the heart of Berlin - a hidden world within the city and our favorite secret haven.

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Schwarz-weiß-Zeichnung einer Biene mit einer Tasse Kaffee, einem Stück Kuchen und einem Erdbeeren, darunter das Wort 'Café'.
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Shakespeare & Sons
Shakespeare & Sons

Books & Bagels 

In many bookstores, a sign greets you at the entrance with a stern warning - no food or drinks beyond this point.

At Shakespeare & Sons, the expectation to treat their carefully curated selection of mostly English-language books with care is no different. 

But here, there’s a twist. The inhouse café, Fine Bagels, is an inseparable part of the experience.

Picture this - savoring sweet or salty handmade bagels, chocolate or plain rugelach, cookies and cakes, all while leisurely browsing through the shelves. 

Every visit tempts us to take at least one treasure home - a delicious one or a written one.

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Zeichnung einer Biene mit einem kleinen Rucksack, darunter das Wort 'shop'
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Marta & Paul
Marta & Paul

Stationery, Bookbinding and traditional Printing

Specializing in  „Akzidenzen“, a traditional method for printing small-batch or one-of-a-kind pieces, like family announcements, flyers, business cards or menus - this charming shop keeps the art of printing alive.

From letterpress and embossing to high-quality digital printing, Marta & Paul offers a range of bespoke services. 

For those curious to delve into the world of printing and bookbinding, the shop also hosts workshops where even beginners can get hands-on experience.

Owner Dörte Regel’s artistry shines in her whimsical, occasionally surreal nature-inspired designs. 

They are available as postcards or in larger formats like DIN A3 and A4.

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