Wander

We met up with Sissi Chen, local Berlin food blogger, who runs a website, instagram and youtube channel under the name Eating in Berlin. She gave us the lowdown on one of her favorite type of drinks to get in Berlin, Bubble Tea, and also where to find the best one.Check out ComeBuy Tea in Charlottenburg for an authentic tasting bubble tea.

On the corner of Albrechtstraße and Reinhardstraße, within walking distance of the Spree, a 6 story concrete building stands in the heart of Berlin Mitte. This is the Boros Collection; a private, one of a kind art gallery situated inside a converted World War 2 bunker that consists of contemporary artworks created by local and international artists such as Martin Boyce, Paulo Nazareth, Pamela Rosenkranz and many more.

The Berliner Dom has gone through many changes over the centuries and has been a place of worship for both Catholics and Protestants alike. The interior of the Berliner Dom is just as extravagant and glorious as the exterior.If you are up for the task and want to see Berlin in all its glory, make your way up the 270 stairs to the walkway that is located on the external portion of the dome. The climb may be tiring, but the scenery and landscapes make it absolutely worth it.

We met up with local comedian and writer Daniel-Ryan Spaulding to have him tell us about one of his favorite spots in Berlin, Mariannenplatz. It is situated in Kreuzberg just on the edge of Mitte and Friedrichshain and has a ton to offer from an art center to the ping pong tables and outdoor cinema, Mariannenplatz is a favorite among the locals.

Just at the edge of a rectangular man-made pond lies a strange looking hill. It’s shaped similarly to a pyramid with distinct levels, and a stairwell leading up its center. At the top is a circular halo that shades a sculpture of a globe dedicated to Otto Lilienthal, the german aviation pioneer known as the “flying man”. This is Fleigeberg.Fliegeberg dates back to 1894. Built by German pioneer Otto Lilienthal, its purpose was to serve as a gliding spot so the inventor could test his flying machines.

Heading along the traffic-filled road between the S-Bahn station Greifswalder Straße and Danziger Straße, it’s impossible to miss the imposing bronze monument set amid a field of concrete slabs. Especially when one notices the conspicuously outdated high rise apartment blocks looming in the background.The heroic figure staring defiantly into the distance in front of you is Ernst Thälmann, one time leader of Germany’s communist party. His memorial guards the entrance to Ernst Thälmann park, one of the last socialist prestige projects to be completed by the East German government in Berlin.

Jutting out of the trees above, you see the derelict, eerie remains of Field Station Berlin, a spy facility that once hosted a thriving espionage operation at the height of Cold War tensions.The now iconic spy station was built by the American military in the aftermath of the Second World War, for the purpose of intercepting and monitoring Soviet radio signals.These battered antenna domes looming above are remnants of a fascinating and layered history that connect the Second World War, The Cold War, and the present day.

Entering through the gateway just to the right of Hackesche Höfe you step into a system of three connecting courtyards. These lie at the heart of Haus Schwarzenberg, a hidden gem in Berlin Mitte. Just a short walk away from Hackescher Markt S-Bahn station this place is best known as one of Berlin´s prime spots to see street art and there is a lot more to discover if you take the time to look below the surface.

Walking along the paths of Tiergarten, the city’s largest park, you come across the Siegessäule, Berlin’s Victory Column. This monument has stood the test of time from the Kingdom of Prussia through Nazi rule into modern Germany.The Victory Column sits at the hub of 210 hectares of urban gardens, winding past the Spree river and you can hear the sounds of busy commuters circling the Grosser Stern square. The Siegessäule is among Berlin’s most famous landmarks and serves as a top destination for visitors to the area.

The Brandenburg Gate is one of the most popular landmarks in Berlin and the first stop for many tourists visiting the city. It is a symbol of the division and reintegration of Germany and is one of the most-visited landmarks in the region. Constructed in the late 1700s, the Brandenburg Gate was the country’s first Greek revival building. The gate can be seen as a symbol of the country’s unstable past and its diplomatic achievements. You can find the Brandenburg Gate at the end of Unter den Linden, a short walk from the Brandenburger Tor train station.

Located in a former boathouse on the narrow canal, Club der Visionäre, or CDV for short, is a hotspot for electronic beats enthusiasts. Club der Visionäre first opened its doors in 2001. Originally meant as a soundproof space for the founder, Gregor Krämer to practice his instruments and have jamming sessions, it ended up becoming a household name in Berlin’s electro scene and one of it’s favorite dance clubs. You can also visit CDV for some great pizza from the neighboring club-owned pizzeria. You can find Club der Visionäre along the Landwehr Canal just off the Obere Freiarchenbrücke, easily reached with just a short walk from the Schlesische straße Ubahn station.

The Soviet War Memorial Treptower was built after the end of WW2, to serve as a memorial and a resting place for soviet soldiers who died in the battle for Berlin. The large monument shows a complex history and is an example of soviet grandeur. Listen to hear more about the memorial and it’s history.   The site depicts many architectural elements and sculptures and can be found in Treptower Park. A visit to the location is sure to provide more insight into the complicated history and the location as a memorial.  
The Soviet War Memorial can be reached easily by train with the S-bahn to station Berlin-Plänterwald.

If you are looking to discover one of Berlin’s hidden gems and a fascinating true crime story, a great place to start is Treptower Park. Where you can find the remains of a forgotten amusement park with a much deeper history. The park was originally called Kulturpark Plänterwald and was a main attraction until the fall of the wall in 1989. Listen to learn more about the iconic park, and the story that follows its fall from popularity.   The park has been largely closed for 20 years, and while pieces of the once-popular attraction can still be seen on the grounds, it is now slated to be reopened as a nature park and exhibition space in 2022.     The park can be found in Plänterwald by Treptower Park and is easily reached by S-bahn to station Berlin-Plänterwald.

Hopping off the train from Alexanderplatz Station there is no way that your eyes do not immediately go to the strikingly tall building, a spire piercing a massive steel ball in the sky directly in front of you. This structure, which is the tallest in Berlin and Germany,  is the TV Tower, or Fernsehturm to the locals. It’s one of the most iconic symbols of Berlin, along with the Brandenburg Gate and the Berlin Bear. Today, the TV tower is a symbol for all of Berlin and is one of the most visited attractions in the city, attracting people from all over the world. Listen to learn more about the tower’s history and construction as well as legends surrounding the iconic building. The TV tower is found in Mitte in the center of Berlin. It can be reached by train to the station Alexanderplatz.

Berlin is home to some truly amazing stories and history.  If you are looking to hear an exciting story of true crime, listen here for the story of the Berlin Coin Heist. The Bode museum was home to the Maple Leaf, a massive gold coin from Canada, roughly the diameter of a car tire and holding a Guinness world record for the highest purity, and the subject of this story. Standing on the paved path along the spree, just south of Monbijou Park, you’ll usually find tourists making their way to Museum Island and people having lunch and coffee while enjoying the view. But the location is also the site of one of Berlin’s most notorious heists - one involving a 220-pound gold coin, a rare Armani jacket, and an infamous crime family. The Bode Museum is found on Museum Island in Berlin’s Mitte district. The location can be reached by train with the nearest station Berlin Berlin Friedrichstrasse. The site can be found on the map here.

The Turkish Market can be found on the map here. Berlin is full of markets selling everything from furniture to food. By far one of the most popular is the Neuköllner Wochenmärkte am Maybachufer, also known by many as the "Turkish Market”. Filled with food, fabric, and lots of other homemade items, if you are looking to see the city through one of its most popular and exciting markets be sure to stop by and listen to hear more.  The market runs along Maybachufer, a quiet tree lined street, just along the south-side of the canal between Kottbusserdam and Holbrechtrasse. If you are hoping to visit, the market is open from 11am to 6:30 on Tuesdays and Fridays. It can be reached by taking the U8 train line to the Schönleinstrasse and then heading north about a block to the corner of Maybachufer and Kottbuserdamm. In addition to the market, the surrounding area is filled with lots of other sights and attractions. Along the canal you can find the Boule courts where there is always a lively game, or have a coffee and pastry at the nearby café La Maison. 

The exact location of the Kreuzberg Boule Courts can be seen on a map here. If you’re interested in exploring one of those spots that just seem to draw people in, the Boule Courts between Thielenbrücke and Holbrechtbrücke is just the place. A meeting spot that is perfect for people-watching in an exciting location along the north side of the canal in Kreuzberg.    The Boule courts are nearby to many cafes and restaurants, including La Maison, they are a great spot to stop by on a walk. The area around the courts has trees lining the paths, and markets taking place throughout the week. If you stop by the courts almost any time, you can watch the many games being played on a regular basis, or even ask to join one yourself. If you are in the area or have always wanted to know more about the game of Boule, its history, and how to play, listen to learn more. 

You can find La Maison here. If you are looking to take a short break for a pastry and a coffee or craving one of the best baguettes in Berlin, be sure not to miss La Maison on the corner of Paul Linke Ufer and Forster Strasse. In addition to the delicious offerings at the cafe, the spot itself has some interesting stories. From its origins as an idea and its opening just a few years ago to the people and team who make the cafe and bakery what it is today. Listen to learn more about the local favorite and what makes it special. The cafe can be found along the canal in the district of Kreuzburg. Even in the center of the city, the location of La Maison is something unique, on its somewhat quiet corner, with a beautiful view of the canal.  After your stop at La Maison, there is plenty to see in the area, from other great restaurants and shops to the nearby Boule Courts or the Neuköllner Wochenmärkte am Maybachufer that happens every Tuesday and Friday. Whatever the time, stop by, grab your croissant and get a coffee before continuing your stroll. 

The watchtower’s exact location can be seen on a map here. Among the busy streets and tall buildings that surround Potsdamer Platz, you could easily miss this sight, almost hidden at the end of the quiet street Erna-Bergner Strasse. Learn what makes this specific tower so unique. Walking along this street hear the story that surrounds the watchtower’s construction, operation, and location.    The tower can be found at the end of Erna-Bergner Strasse. Erna-Bergner Strasse connects to Stressemannstrasse, all nearby to Potsdamer Platz in Berlin’s Mitte destrict. The area is now home to many buildings, shops, and attractions. The closes train station is S-Bahnhof Potsdamer Platz. Nearby to the watchtower, there are many other sites to be explored. A piece of the Berlin wall, once the site of an escape attempt, and Checkpoint Charlie can all be found close by. 

New to Wander? Take a listen! Wander is an immersive audio travel experience, a way to discover new places while traveling, to re-discover where you live, or simply a way to discover new places from the comfort of you couch. Wander brings you the most amazing stories about places through micro-podcast tours that we’re calling Spots. Spots are created with exciting immersive 3d sound and music, interviews, historical sound bites and more. The spots span from historic sites and events, to local shops and cafes, arts and culture, and even true crime and ghost stories - The places that make you excited to explore and learn more.

Checkpoint Charlie can be found on the map here. Experience the story of Checkpoint Charlie, one of the Berlin border crossings in operation during the cold war. You can find the sight, a replica of one of the original buildings at the corner of Zimmerstrasse and Friedrichstrasse on a busy street lined with tall buildings, cafes, and offices. The sight is located in the center of Berlin in the Mitte district and can be reached by walking from the nearest train stations of U-bahn Kochstr/ Checkpoint Charlie, or U-bahn Stadtmitte. The location is nearby to the center at Potsdamer Platz. The area surrounding Checkpoint Charlie is the location of many other sites, including the Wall Museum - Checkpoint Charlie, a preserved section of the Berlin Wall, and Topography of Terror is nearby. 

Berghain can be found on a map here. Experience the story and hear the history behind one of Europe's most famous clubs, located in Berlin. Originally started as a party with no set location, hear the story behind Berghain, largely regarded as one of the most exclusive and well known clubs in Europe. The large building housing Berghain can be seen at the end of a narrow passage, usually crowded by people waiting in line for entry. The tall building towers over the walkway, lined with a fence. Currently a banner with the words "Morgen ist die Frage" hangs from the top of the building. The current location of the club can be found after heading down Am Wriezener Bahnhof in Berlin's Kreuzberg-Friedrichshain district. The club location can be reached from the closeby Ostbahnhof U-bahn station.   

The site can be seen on a map here. Hear about the story behind, and learn the history of the Haus der Kulturen der Welt, a Berlin building with unique architecture and an interesting past. Experience the story of the architects who built the one of a kind building, and the difficulties throughout its construction and history, as well as the ongoing mission of the site. The striking building houses "a forum for the contemporary arts and critical debates" and the building itself plays a part in the important mission of the HKW. The HKW organizes and hosts numerous arts and culture events and discussions to promote ongoing discourse. The location is in Tiergarten, close by to other building and sites of architectural interest such as the Brandenburger Tor, The Reichstag, and the German Chancellory. You can reach the location by train, with the stations being U Bundestag, or by Tram, directly to the station Haus der Kuturen der Welt (Berlin). 

The site can be seen on a map here. Experience the story and history behind one of Berlin's most famous pieces of graffiti, Astronaut/ Cosmonaut by artist Ash. Graffiti can be found all around the city. The large artwork is just one of the many iconic pieces of Berlin graffiti with an interesting history to explore. Around the corner from the sight you can also take a walk and explore along Oranienstraße, a street filled with cafes, shops, bars, and clubs. This Spot takes place just off of Skalitzerstraße on Mariannenstraßen in Berlin's Kreuzberg district. The closest train stations are U-bahn stations Kottbusser Tor and U-bahn Gorlitzer Bahnhof.   

The site can be seen on a map here. Experience the story of a daring escape attempt over the Berlin Wall by Heinz Holzapfel and his family. This story takes place at the former "House of Ministries" in Berlin. Today the building is the Detlev-Rohwedder-Haus and the site of the German Finance Ministry. While there, take note of the architecture of the building, originally built in 1935. The building has a long history. On the side of the building towards Leipzig Straße, you can also see the large mural created by artist Max Lingner. The 18 meter, or 59 ft, mural was added between 1950-1952. The location can be found in the Mitte district in the center of Berlin. The sight is near to Postdamer Platz and can be reached from the closest U-bahn stations Mohrenstr and Kochstr/ Checkpoint Charlie. The locations of Topography of Terror and Checkpoint Charlie can be found nearby.