As is well known to the discerning European traveller and the smug young hipster families strolling along its tree-lined streets, Prenzlauer Berg is Berlin at its most handsome. Here more than anywhere else in Germany's capital, elegant fin-de-siecle buildings have survived the physical and architectural violence inflicted upon the city in the century that followed.
Michele's well-equipped and stylish flat is located ideally to explore the area, just a short walk from the beautiful square surrounding the confident Lutheran understatement of Gethsemane Church. It is also well connected to a dense network of trams and trains which can whisk you away to the spectacular Bode Museum, or less-polished attractions like the clubs of Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain if that's your kind of thing.
Michele proved an excellent host with whom communication was swift and smooth. I am deeply indebted to him on at least two counts. Firstly, he showed great patience with me while struggling to sort out my exact dates. Secondly, he did me a real solid when I realised on pit-stop after my departure that I had left some sensitive documents in the flat, called him in a state of panic, and he quickly arranged for them to be posted internationally while re-assuring me with almost matronly skill that all would be well.
Grazie per tutto!