The visible turbulent history of Berlin, the capital of Germany

Differences between East and West Berlin

You can still see how East and West Berlin have developed separately from each other. The economy in the east is still lagging behind of the west. In the east, infrastructure was in a bad state and unemployment was high. After the fall of the wall, a lot of money has been invested in modernizing the roads, bridges and other infrastructure, which now looks even better than the West side.

Berlin-Wall

Border crossing Checkpoint Charlie

During the division of Germany, a heavily guarded border ran through the center of the country. Berlin was also divided in two parts. To prevent people from fleeing between East and West Berlin, the 45.1-kilometer-long Berlin Wall was built on the night of August 13, 1961. One of the best known checkpoints was Checkpoint Charlie. This was the only border crossing where foreigners could travel to East Berlin. After the fall of the wall, Checkpoint Charlie is disbanded. A few years later, a replica was made of the guard house, showing the border crossing between East and West Berlin.

Checkpoint Charlie

The Holocaust Memorial

The Holocaust Memorial was built in memory of the more than 6 million murdered European Jews during the Second World War. The Jews in the concentration camps felt the emotions of loneliness, powerlessness, disorientation, isolation and despair. They did not know what awaited them, where they were and how to escape from the terrible situation. The thought behind the design of the memorial is to evoke these emotions. As you walk deeper into the monument, through the narrow sloping paths between the 2700 uneven gigantic concrete blocks, you are cut off from the outside world and you get the feeling that you can no longer find a way out.

Berlin Monument

Remnants of the Berlin wall – East Side Gallery

The division of the city is clearly visible through the remnants of the Berlin Wall. The East Side Gallery is a 1316 meter long wall, which has been painted by artists. These artists expressed their view on freedom and political issues on the wall. Each work has a different approach. You can visit the world’s largest open air gallery for free.

Berlin grafitti wall

The iconic Trabant

In the time of the GDR, the Trabant dominated the street scene in eastern Berlin. You can rent these iconic oldtimers to discover the best sights of Berlin. You see them crossing through the city a lot. They excist in all kinds colors and really stand out!

6 Most impressive buildings in Prague, Czech Republic

1. Astronomic Clock Tower

Old Town Square is the busiest part of Prague. This is mainly due to the Astronomical Clock Tower (the Old Town Hall). The clockwork comes into action every hour. The doors above the clock open and Jesus and his apostles appear. You can admire the historic halls of the town hall and climb the bell tower. From here you have a beautiful view over the city. You can also get a closer look at the apostles from the inside of the tower.

2. Petrin Tower

In about 10 minutes, the funicular takes you to the top of the 318-meter hill of Petrin Park. Here you can admire the Petrin Tower, more commonly known as the Prague Eiffel Tower. You get the feeling that you are in Paris for a while. The 64-meter high tower was originally a watchtower, but now you can climb it and see Prague from above.

3. Tyn Church

In our opinion, you will find the most impressive church in Prague on the Old Town Square. With two gigantic black spires, the Tyn church immediately stands out. If you want to have an impressive view of the Tyn church (right photo), you can climb the bell tower.

4. Powder Tower

The dark Powder Tower is gigantic. It is one of the old watchtowers that functioned as a city gate. We suddenly came across it when we got lost in the narrow alleys. So it made a big impression on us. The Tower can be found on nám. Republiky 5, 110 00 Staré Město.

5. Dancing House

This glass building is unique and we have never seen anything like it before. The modern style in which the Dancing House is built makes this building different from the other buildings in Prague. The Dancing House owes its name to the wavy lines and graceful construction, which makes it look like it is dancing.

6. Jerusalem Synagogue

Unlike the other buildings, this synagogue is very colorful. It is therefore a nice eye catcher and you will certainly not pass by here. The Synagoge locates on Jeruzalémská 1310/7

Beach hopping on the tropical island of Curaçao

#1 Playa Kalki
Jawel, dit verborgen bountystrand staat met stip op nummer 1. Als je het strand oploopt valt je mond letterlijk open. We moesten echt een paar keer in onze handen knijpen of dit wel echt was. Daar stonden we dan op het meest tropische plekje van het eiland, met uitzicht op het helderblauwe & doorzichtige water. Loop de steiger op, adem de lucht van de zee in en denk even aan helemaal niks. Je kunt er ook voor kiezen om te leren duiken. Op Playa Kalki zit namelijk een duikschool. 

#2 Playa Grandi
De vele vissersbootjes dobberen op het water. Vergeet zeker niet een bezoekje te brengen aan dit leuke vissersstrandje. Je kunt hier namelijk iets doen wat je daarna van je bucketlist af kan strepen; met zeeschildpadden zwemmen!! En dit wil je!! De vissers maken hun vangst schoon en het afval gooien ze in zee. Hier komen veel zeeschildpadden, zowel groot als klein, op af. Pak je snorkel en ontdek de mooie onderwaterwereld. Je kijkt je ogen uit. Het is een bijzondere ervaring om nooit te vergeten.

#3 Kokomo beach
Dit panoramische witte strand behoort zeker tot onze favorieten. Je kan hier heerlijk een dagje genieten van de zon. Als het even te warm wordt, kies dan een plekje uit onder de palmbomen. Of ga schommelen in zee, ja je hoort het goed! Even genoeg van al het zonnen? Neem dan een lekker hapje bij de strandtent. Als je geluk hebt is het de voedertijd van de leguanen en komen ze je gezelschap houden. Wees maar niet bang de leguanen eten alleen groenten. 

#4 Jan Thiel Beach
Op dit sfeervolle stukje Curaçao kun je van alles doen. Plof neer bij een van de vele gezellige strandtenten en drink een cocktail, zoals de Cuba Libre of de Cosmopolitan (dit zijn écht aanraders!), voel je een springende dolfijn tijdens het flyboarden of maak een spectaculaire sunset cruise op een catamaran. Wacht tot de zon onder gaat en ontdek het bruisende nachtleven vol entertainment en live muziek. Gegarandeerd een top avond.  

#5 Grote Knip
Dit pareltje mag ook zeker niet missen in onze lijst van favoriete stranden. Het felblauwe water is prachtig! Dit strand is ook populair bij de locals die hier gaan barbecueën met de hele familie. Er heerst dus een hele gezellige sfeer op het strand, je voelt je hier helemaal thuis, bon bini. 

#6 Playa Lagun
Laat je verrassen door dit kleine, maar zeker mooie strand. Het ligt tussen twee kliffen en het is er lekker rustig. Heerlijk om helemaal tot rust te komen dus. Ook kun je hier goed snorkelen. Het unieke van dit strand is dat er op de rotsen kleurrijke huizen staan. Hier wil je toch wonen!!

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