Berlin - November 2014 - Part Three - Computerspiele Museum

With mine and Joel's passion for games when we stumbled across an advert for this Computer Museum it was a must do and with it being Joel's birthday it was the perfect treat.

The Museum of Computer Games is full of nostalgia as soon as you walk through front door, you are greeted with childhood memories from the past and present which is why it makes it a great museum for anybody to visit.

The Museum is the first one to open in Europe and has a wide variety of classic games and consoles dating back from 1975 all the way up to the 21st Century and a lot of them in good working order with over 300 objects in the whole exhibition.

One of my favourite things I loved about the museum was the wall of historic development highlighting 50 famous games dating back in 1975 and it included ones like "The Sims" from back in 2000 which you all know made me super excited that it got a mention along with PacMan, Grand Theft Auto and Super Mario. There were a lot of games I didn't really recognise as they were a bit before my time but it was great to read about them,

As we got further around the exhibition I spied one of my all time childhood classics ... THE DANCE MAT! and it was even working and had my favourite disc playing so of course I had to have a go and it was amazing brought back so many memories and as it was quiet the day we went I didn't mind having a play.

Another section of the museum was set up like children's bedrooms or living rooms from past decades each containing a different working console along with loads of different games, posters and books from that decade and it was brilliant. To look at some of the super old computers and consoles that my parents would have played on was amazing.

To my delight when I was walking around the museum I spotted my passion in life Disney! The main man himself Walt Disney got his own special mention on the wall, it was so long ago that we went that I can't quite remember what section he was in but Disney was there!

I have to say if you are ever in Berlin and love video games or just fancy something different to do then I really recommend it. Not one wall or space in the museum was bare there was always something to look at, read or interact with. The cost to get in wasn't even that much only €8 per person and considering what was there it was worth every euro and they even had a shop at the end which was great.

Berlin - November 2014 - Part Two - Fassbender and Rausch

What is Fassbender and Rausch you say? Well Fassbender and Rausch is any chocolate lovers dream and is somewhere that cannot be missed on your visit to Berlin.

The family run business has been in operation since 1918 and they opened they're chocolate house and restaurant in Berlin in 1999 which has become a very popular destination ever since. The business is currently in its 5th generation being run by father and son.

Being a massive lover of chocolate when I saw this come up on google prior to our trip I just knew it was somewhere we had to go after looking at the variety of the chocolates and goodies on offer as well as the menu from the cafe upstairs.

Upon arrival you are greeted with the beautiful exterior of a very traditional building with huge bay windows decked in all the most wonderful creations and chocolate sculptures you could imagine. As soon as you enter the store the smell of chocolate hits you right away and it was incredible.

We headed straight upstairs to the chocolate cafe for some cake and hot chocolate and it was the best thing I have ever tasted and even 2 years on its still been the best hot chocolate I have had. We both decided to go for the Orange Hot Chocolate along with two tartlets. He choose the White Chocolate and Raspberry and I went for Orange which we both decided to share.

The whole presentation in the cafe was beautiful from the view out of the window to the staffs uniforms. The food we could see being delivered to other's tables looked incredible but me and partner are cake lovers so stuck with the dessert which was just incredible.

After we had finished we actually ended up spending a good half an hour deciding what we were going to buy for family and ourselves mostly ;) there was so much choice it was extremely hard to choose. I can't quite remember what we brought with it being 2 years ago but I know they're was truffles and boxes of chocolates involved.

I really recommend coming here if you do love chocolate, even if you don't make it to the chocolate cafe just the sights and smells of the chocolate shop downstairs is amazing and I would love to go back. Maybe I might have to make a purchase online.

Berlin - November 2014 - Part One

So I'm not really sure why I never blogged about my trip to Berlin in Germany back in 2014 but it occurred to me that I hadn't.

Can't believe its 2 years a go today! I can't quite remember what we ended up doing on each day but I thought I would just do a generalised post about our adventure out there and share some of our photos. I have to say that this was the first time me and Joel have been on holiday together and we had the most amazing and I would love to go back but maybe in the Summer time.

We travelled from London Gatwick to Berlin in Germany on Saturday the 8th November and due to the Thomas Cook flights we ended up getting a super early flight and arrived in Berlin early morning. 

Now me being Miss Organised I had everything planned on where we needed to go and what trains we needed to get which would have been straight forward if the websites prior to going had been updated. Our journey to our hotel was going so well until we reached halfway through and had no clue where we were going because the train we originally wanted wasn't running so we had to speak to the lovely lady on the help desk who gave us instructions of how to get there via bus which all I am going to say was a nightmare on a busy Saturday at this point afternoon.

So after arriving in Berlin around 10am finally by 2pm we were checked in to our Hotel and by that time we had already decided on a taxi back to the airport as we weren't doing that again! As by this point we hadn't eaten anything all day apart from sweets as we skipped breakfast because of an early flight we decided to head to Dunkin Doughnuts as there was one right by our hotel before going back for a long nap.

Hotel: Ku' Damm 101

After finally making our way to the hotel we were so glad to check in and get to our room. The staff on reception were so lovely and helpful they even recommend places for us to dine at on our first evening. The hotel was located just of a side road along one of the main streets that connected everything in Berlin which was great as we were right next to a small supermarket, lots of quirky shops which were right up my street and lots of love restaurants that we did dine in.

The room we stayed in was perfect it was big and spacious. It had a desk with a chair, an awesome retro style square TV and then a double bed well two singles that were pushed together. When we first saw the beds they were a little odd but actually very comfy.

We didn't try the breakfast as we decided it would be cheaper to grab food out and to try some of the pastries that were on offer and I am so glad we did because they were lovely. They did try to charge us for breakfast at the hotel when we were checking out but I advised them that we had never set foot in the breakfast room and didn't even know where it was haha.

If I was coming back to Berlin or knew anyone that was then I would definitely recommend staying here due to the good location, friendly staff and the hotel quality its self.

Sightseeing:

What I love about writing this post is that I get to relive my trip to Berlin and remember all the things we did and beautiful places that we saw it is truly a beautiful place.

Brandenburg Gate

When we arrived in Berlin this was one of the first places we took a wonder towards although I didn’t get to see it properly as there was some sort of musical festival going on and we couldn’t understand any of it with it being in German but the music was pretty good. We stopped here for some food where we actually ended up with 3 currywurst rather than 2 but that wasn’t an issue haha as it was so good we ended up eating it all.

Reichstag Building

  This building is so beautiful to look at with its mix of old and modern with the 360-degree viewing dome on the top. This building is actually the parliament buildings in Berlin and to gain access to the dome on the top you have pre-book in advance and it free but the security and checks in place are very tight. The view from the top is amazing and just the general structure of the place.

Berlin Wall

During our visit to Berlin we were lucky to catch the end of the 25^th Anniversary where they marked out the original placement of the wall with poles with balloons on the end which they lit up when it got to the evening. We didn’t walk the whole wall but we did walk most of it to the point where we ended up stopping and get the underground back to the hotel as our feet were so sore we needed a break. Shame I didn’t get to visit the gift shop as it would have been nice to get a memento of this occasion. I did enjoy doing the walk as it took us to areas that we wouldn’t have usually seen.

Potsdamer Platz & Alexander Platz

Now these two areas of Berlin we found our self stumbling across a lot of the time when we were in Berlin as in both of these places there were lots of things to see and do as well as places to eat and shop.

We took a look around the Sony Centre which at the time was holding a movie premiere but we didn’t have a clue what it was for shame it wasn’t for something like Hunger Games would have been amazing to hang around then. We decided in the end not to do TV Tower as a lot of the days were very overcast and the sights wouldn’t have been that great. TV Tower is this massive circular building which rotes a full 360 degrees and gives you some of the best views of Berlin during the day and evening.

Victory Column

After a lovely morning at the Zoo we decided to take a stroll through the parks until we came across the Victory Column which was right in the middle of the roundabout and we decided to take a look as you could see people were up the top. To get to the top you did have to pay as there is a museum beforehand which we did take a look around and I found it very interesting. At the top the views were beautiful and the tower its self as well.

 With how much stuff we did in Berlin in such a short space of time I thought I would split up the blog posts in to two or three just to keep them short and not to long hehe. So hopefully see you soon for part two.

My Top Five: Concerts/Gigs

So this weeks topic is my Top Five concerts and gigs that I've been to. I used to do a lot more than I do now If I am honest because since moving out I've become a bit more strapped for cash which is a shame. I usually go on all my adventures with my best friend Samiee aka Blondie hehe!

1. Katy Perry - California Dreams Tour - 1st April 2011 and October 19th 2011
I have been a massive Katy Cat since she made her debut back in 2008 even though I didn't mange to see her 1st tour Hello Katy as I was young and didn't have a job to buy the tickets I have always been a lover of her music so to get to see her twice in one year was amazing! What was so great about this tour was that even though it was the same she changed her outfits from the first time I saw her!

What is so great about this tour is that its all Katy, her imagination come to life. It has a great story line and great costumes, characters and even with seeing it twice I didn't get bored!

2. Katy Perry - Prismatic World Tour - 23rd May 2014
So when Katy brought out her new album Prism I knew already before that I would be getting tickets to see her on tour regardless of where it is I was going. Katy's style of music has changed since her first two albums but it has changed for the better.

When she announced she was having a special reflection section that was it I was having those tickets and it was so worth it. I would have paid for a meet and greet but once again she didn't do one which was a shame!

This tour definitely topped the California Dreams tour regardless of  how good it was this one was better. The show was split in to 4 different sections which had different themes and features selections of the songs. Once again it was like being inside Katys head she has such an awesome Imagination and made the experience so much fun just a shame she isn't doing a 2nd stint as I would love to go again!

3. Miley Cyrus - Bangerz Tour - May 2014
This has to be one of the craziest tours I've been to, total madness but so brilliant! I've always been a massive Miley fan even before she changed her personality and looks and its never really bothered me because her music has always been good.

I absolutely loved her album Bangerz so to get to see her in the UK on her short tour was an absolute treat and worth every penny regardless of what people think of her!

4.  Sam Smith - October 2014
I was so lucky to manage to get tickets for this tour! Due to popular demand he added an extra London date for the end of his tour in his home town so was able to pick up some tickets for my birthday. All I can say is wow hearing him live in concert was one of the best things ever, he has such an incredible voice and vocal range and the way he interacted with the crowd was great.

He didn't need flashy back ground drops, story or props his voice was just enough and I cannot wait to see him again when he releases a new album.

5. Blue -  October 2013
Another blast from the past aye, Big fan of Blue and always have been and after bringing out they're new album Roulette which was really good slight change in style of music but all the songs were great and catchy. My bestie hadn't actually listened to the album before we went but what was so great about this tour was that they managed to play they're whole new album along with loads of classics.

Next Up: My Top Five Movies