Visiting Germany - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: andy3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 11, 2020, 09:21:48 pm
content: Planning on a visit to Berlin and Hamburg Feb/March. I have been to the Tech museum and the model railway display in Berlin. Seen the world famous model railway display in Hamburg. Not into artsy stuff. Anything else interesting from fellow members in those areas?Any input is much appreciated. Thanks.

author: Benta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 11, 2020, 09:41:35 pm
content: Herbertstrasse?

author: andy3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 11, 2020, 11:26:05 pm
content: OMG! Not when I am with my family.Then again, those days are gone for me anyways.

author: jogri
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2020, 12:19:49 am
content: You should visit the dome of the german Bundestag, you have a great view over berlin from there (also really cool at night). Keep in mind that you have to apply for a visit a few weeks in advance (you get tickets for a time slot on a specific day). The old Tempelhof airport is also worth a visit (largest building in europe).Not exactly near Hamburg (100 km away, only worthwhile if you are west of Hamburg) is Bremerhaven, the Klimahaus there is a great place to visit (the queue can be extremly long after noon, so you better get there early).

author: andy3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2020, 04:57:34 am
content: Thanks for the tips. Hamburg is a very short stay. One full Saturday and half of Sunday. We have more time in Berlin. Dome of the German Bundestag sounds interesting. I have to inform my friends there to try to organize it. Thanks.

author: george.b
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2020, 05:25:52 am
content: The ex-Soviet submarine in Hamburg was pretty cool to visit

author: andy3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2020, 05:33:25 am
content: Thanks, George.

author: MudMan
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2020, 11:51:08 am
content: If you are interested in model railway, visit "Miniatur Wunderland" in Hamburg.

author: m98
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2020, 03:50:13 pm
content: Quote from: andy3055 on January 12, 2020, 04:57:34 amFun-fact, the building is still called Reichstag. Bundestag is only the name of the parliament itself.Two quirky museums in Berlin that I'd recommend are the spy museum and the magicum.

author: andy3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2020, 05:26:18 pm
content: Quote from: MudMan on January 12, 2020, 11:51:08 amThanks, but I have seen the Miniatur Wunderland when I was there in 2018. It was fantastic. For any enthusiast, it is one of the best things to see. I also have seen the Berlin layout. 2 of the most interesting places I have been to in my adult life!

author: andy3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2020, 05:31:23 pm
content: Quote from: m98 on January 12, 2020, 03:50:13 pmThanks. If I remember correct, I have seen the spy museum (or may be the one in New York!). I don't believe I have been to the Magicum. Seems quite cheap at 9.50.

author: Pinkus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2020, 05:53:23 pm
content: Quote from: george.b on January 12, 2020, 05:25:52 amI second this, though it might be cold now in winter time. I doubt the heat the submarine.For Berlin here are three links for visits I would add:https://www.berlin.de/en/museums/3108456-3104050-pergamonmuseum.en.html(if you are interested in such things. Probably boring for kids)https://www.berlin.de/en/museums/3108600-3104050-deutsches-technikmuseum-berlin-mit-scien.en.html(also great for kids).https://www.berlin.de/museum/3109903-2926344-berliner-unterweltenmuseum.html(Tour only, probably in German, thats why it does not appear when you switch to English language - but still very interesting)

author: george.b
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2020, 05:59:34 pm
content: Quote from: Pinkus on January 12, 2020, 05:53:23 pmHahah, it was January when I went. Hamburg isn't that cold, nothing a jacket didn't solve

author: jfiresto
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2020, 06:33:02 pm
content: Quote from: jogri on January 12, 2020, 12:19:49 amIf Andy makes it all the way to Fischtown, I will buy him a beer.The Deutsches Schifffahrtsmuseum, a short walk nearby, is also good fun if you are into ships.

author: Benta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2020, 07:28:36 pm
content: In Hamburg, the St. Pauli Elbe Tunnel is an experience. Either rent a car or go by taxi. You drive the car into an ancient elevator, are transported down, and drive under the Elbe in a just as ancient tunnel. On the other side, reverse procedure.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elbe_Tunnel_(1911)

author: ebastler
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2020, 07:58:36 pm
content: Quote from: Benta on January 12, 2020, 07:28:36 pmI second visitng the old Elbe Tunnel. But don't bother with a car or taxi, the tunnel is currently only open for pedestrians and cyclists, since one of the two tubes is undergoing renovation. You can take the big car lifts as a pedestrian too, take a walk underneath the river (< 500m), and enjoy the view of the city from the other river bank. And it's free!

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2020, 08:18:27 pm
content: If you like to go for a swim then Berlin has two nice (old style) swimming pools: Stadtbad Charlottenburg - Alte Halle and Neukölln bad. The latter is still on my to-visit list.

author: george.b
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2020, 08:26:16 pm
content: Aw man, I wish I knew about that tunnel when I was in Hamburg!I also wish I knew at the time that my family's emigration records were in Hamburg, too, but alas

author: Benta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2020, 09:59:29 pm
content: Quote from: ebastler on January 12, 2020, 07:58:36 pm@ebastler, thanks for the update. I was unaware of the maintenance issue.Rent-a-bike is then perhaps an option?

author: ebastler
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2020, 10:11:56 pm
content: Quote from: Benta on January 12, 2020, 09:59:29 pmSure, renting a bike would work. But I would really suggest a walk. The tunnel entrance on the North bank (city side) of the river is easy to get to; take the subway or train to "Landungsbrücken" for example. The elevators and 450m tunnel are definitely walkable.And frankly, the immediate neighborhood on the South side of the river isn't too attractive for a bike tour; it's a light industrial and logistics area. Walk over to the bank of the river, enjoy the city panorama on the other side, then walk back through the tunnel. ;-)

author: dietert1
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2020, 10:47:45 pm
content: DESY is in Hamburg, too. For people interested in physics and high tech..Regards, Dieter

author: andy3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2020, 11:47:22 pm
content: Quote from: Pinkus on January 12, 2020, 05:53:23 pmThanks, I have seen the first 2 of them. Must think of the 3rd.

author: andy3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2020, 11:50:41 pm
content: Quote from: jfiresto on January 12, 2020, 06:33:02 pmThanks. I wish it was closer!

author: andy3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2020, 11:53:42 pm
content: Thanks, Dieter.

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2020, 05:52:56 pm
content: You can visit the AIRBUS factory in Hamburg and take a tour

author: andy3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2020, 11:14:40 pm
content: Thanks HV. I have only one full Saturday in Hamburg. So I have to plan on a thing that is closer to my in-laws' place. Must send him a list and ask what we can do there. Thanks for the tip, that sounds very interesting.

author: rf-messkopf
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2020, 11:17:48 am
content: I can recommend to visit the Cap San Diego, a large museum ship that lies at anchor at the Landungsbrücken in Hamburg. The ship is fully operational and regularly taken on cruises by a crew of volunteers. Normally almost all areas of the ship are open, and you can tour the engine room and the bridge on your own. Most of the time there are exhibitions in the cargo holds, and the radio station is operated by hams. Oh, and you can rent a cabin on board, should you still be looking for an accommodation.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cap_San_Diegohttps://www.capsandiego.de/

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2020, 12:07:49 pm
content: Quote from: andy3055 on January 13, 2020, 11:14:40 pmIn what area of Hamburg are your in-laws' located?

author: hli
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2020, 01:49:45 pm
content: For Berlin, I can recommend the Natural History Museum (https://www.museumfuernaturkunde.berlin/en). Unfortunately the Tyrannosaurus "Tristan Otto" will be there only until end of JanuaryThere is also a computer games museum (http://www.computerspielemuseum.de/1210_Home.htm). If you want a bigger list, look at the museum portal athttps://www.museumsportal-berlin.de/en/.The Brandenburger Tor and the nearby holocaust monument might also be worth a visit.

author: andy3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2020, 04:01:50 pm
content: Thanks, hli.HV: Not sure exactly where they are. But should be close to the rail station. But as I understand the traffic is so bad there getting to places do take time! For all purposes, my wife might decide to on a cooking session with the in-laws! I will have to see. Berlin is a different story as we are there for quite some time and this is my 5th or so time there.

author: rf-messkopf
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2020, 09:30:38 pm
content: Quote from: andy3055 on January 14, 2020, 04:01:50 pmConsider using public transport, that's the fastest way to get around. Within the city the center you will never be more than a five minutes walk from the next tube or S-Bahn station, and you can reach all major sights. And from the main station you could even walk down to the Elbe or the Alster.Quote from: andy3055 on January 14, 2020, 04:01:50 pmOne more suggestion for Berlin: When you are into RF and radio you can consider visiting the Funkerberg ("radio hill") at Königs-Wusterhausen. That's about 30 minutes on the train from Berlin central to the east, and another 15 minutes walk up the hill. From there Germany's first radio broadcast was aired, and the site had transmitters until after the reunification. Today there is a small quirky museum run by some enthusiasts, with a collection of large broadcast transmitters of different vintage, a valve collection, and the original 1000 hp station emergency diesel generator from 1937.http://museum.funkerberg.de/museum/index.htm

author: Neomys Sapiens
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2020, 10:47:18 pm
content: On the outskirts of Berlin is the German Airforce Museum.See here:http://www.luftwaffenmuseum.de/

author: andy3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2020, 12:53:30 am
content: Thanks for all the suggestions guys.

author: TimNJ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2020, 03:05:42 pm
content: Related question that I could probably find the answer to elsewhere, but, while we're here..What's the recommendation for English speaking tourists in Germany? Is it an issue? In Italy, I could sort of make by because I know enough Spanish.Is it an issue?

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2020, 03:29:07 pm
content: Quote from: TimNJ on January 17, 2020, 03:05:42 pmIt can be. Count on personel in restaurants not being able to speak English.

author: andy3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2020, 04:02:14 pm
content: I find that people in Germany make an effort to speak English more than in France or Italy. But since there are so many migrants in Germany now, the situation may have changed. Of course, any German will love to hear you speak in German.

author: ebastler
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2020, 04:45:34 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on January 17, 2020, 03:29:07 pmThe younger generation (where young is defined as „less than 50“ :-) should know at least some English. And I have never been to a restaurant, when we have English-speaking guests, where there wasn’t at least one waiter with very solid English.Hence— no, it shouldn’t be an issue. You *will* notice that you are not in a native-English country, but you will get along.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2020, 05:12:59 pm
content: Well, I've been to various restaurants in Germany where speaking English didn't work. Small town, big city, old waiter, young waiter... doesn't matter. Just saying that you may find yourself in a situation where people don't understand you.

author: schmitt trigger
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2020, 05:14:38 pm
content: In Berlin, one word: Potsdam.Not only the Sansoucci (the German Versailles) and the Schloss Cecilienhof site of the Potsdam conference, but the Glienicker Brücke, the bridge of spies.Take the S7 all the way to Potsdam Hbf. You'll need the ABC zone pass to get there.

author: andy3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2020, 07:07:14 pm
content: Thanks, ST.