Tag: travel advice

to 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 295px; TEXT-ALIGN: center” alt=”” src=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kcTb8DnPVW4/TBDpplubm7I/AAAAAAAAE4o/2nn8eaCc4TQ/s400/hotel+adlon.jpg” border=”0″ />Dear Diva Readers,

top:2px;padding-right:5px;font-family:times;”>Often blog readers write and ask me for travel advice – they ask for hints and tips of diva-worthy and luxe outings to do while criss-crossing Europe. Today I thought I would share with you one of my favorite Sunday afternoon excursions when I’m at home in Berlin. I love nothing more than taking tea at the Hotel Adlon located on the famous Unter den Linden nearby Brandenburg Gate, The Jewish Memorial, a hop skip and jump away from the Reichstag and mere blocks from my Mitte alt-bau apartment. This famous 5-star hotel is rich in history!

to 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center” alt=”” src=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kcTb8DnPVW4/TBDpqO2IhqI/AAAAAAAAE4w/RMO4onzN32I/s400/018.JPG” border=”0″ />Originally it was built in 1907 and it was one of the few buildings in the area to survive WWII having avoided the bombs and shelling that had leveled the city. Unfortunately shortly after the war the building caught fire and was left in ruins, ultimately to be torn down by the East German government just four short years before the reunification. But all’s well that ends well! After the German government reunified, restoring the Adlon to its former glory was a top priority and a building inspired by the original was designed and opened to the public, bringing back some of the old world charm of days of yore!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvSJj9fVmzw]

For tourists in Berlin, the lobby of the Hotel Adlon is an excellent place to take a break – be it for coffee, tea or cocktails – while out touring the city or as you’re entering and exiting the hotel from your room upstairs. Ensconced in luxe-surroundings you can imagine Berlin as it used to be…and people-watch indeed. You never know when you’re going to see a celebrity! Remember when I bumped into Bono at the Hotel Adlon last year? And just a few months ago I saw the entire crew from Ghost Writer as they hopped into their chauffeured cars for the Berlinale film festival! And remember that infamous scene when Michael Jackson dangled his son out one of the hotel’s windows during a visit in 2002? You never know who or what you’ll see at the Adlon! In fact, keep your eye out for me – it’s one of my favorite locale haunts!

Until next time,

The Antiques Diva™

PS. It’s Tea week at “Treasures” by The Antiques Diva™ – See what sensational tea-themed items we have in store for you!