Thomas & Franziska with things to do!

hey everybody!

how about thomas and i do the "museumsinsel",

the "sowjetisches ehrendenkmal"

the hasenheide (its a park) with taking a look at the so called rosinenbomber and the cult-airport flughafen tempelhof,

we could also do the viktoriapark in kreuzberg and the famous bergmannstrasse with all the cafes afterwards,

one day we could go to the müggelsee, do some walking, nature...!

we have to go to the oranienstrasse, one of my favourite streets in kreuzberg, as well.

ok, see you soon!
bye franziska

Berlin Itinerary & What To Do

As everyone is aware Thomas and I will be gracing the land of fairytales and lederhosen with their somewhat less than divine presence. Some of us have been friends for many years and some have yet to meet, which will make this trip fun and exciting.

Thomas and I land on Friday morning (7 March) in Berlin. I am very familiar with Berlin and my German, although not good enough to discuss 15th century battles, is pretty good. I also know the Berlin transport system fairly well. I am imaging that Franziska has to work on Friday. So we can mill about Berlin until she gets off work. That night will be a get-to-know-you party in Berlin.

Saturday morning, I am going to take my leave to visit Sandra and friends in the Lippe. Thomas will want to do some sightseeing but he better only see things I have seen, or I'll be unhappy.

You don't want to make me unhappy.

Sandra and I will return on Monday and spend the week in and around Berlin. Sandra must return on Saturday (15 March) and Thomas and I have to fly home Sunday.

So then, what do we want to see and do?

According to my guide book, there are 25 things not to miss:

Sanssouci - I have seen this little gem in Potsdam, and it's well worth the trip. In fact Potsdam itself would be worth it.

The Reichstag - In my opinion, the most beautiful capital building in the world.

Jewish Museum - It is supposed to be one of the finest.

The Tiergarten - It's cold outside, but anyone want to see a park?

Berliner Weiße - All people who have never had one of these, should try it once. Or twice. Or three times. . .

Clubbing? - I am not a club kid, but I know how to go with the flow. We could go to some jazz clubs maybe? Sandra, you bring the E. Thomas: you're in charge of vodka-Red Bulls.

East Side Gallery - Lots of wall with lots of graffiti. Seen the pieces at Potsdamerplatz, this looks bigger.

Berlinomat - A store. A big store, yes.

Tacheles - Art. I can't think of anyone in our group that would appreciate art.

The Pergamon - I will not miss this! It looks great!

Schloss Charlottenburg - 18th century palace. Looks pretty.

Sony Center - The closest thing to an American shopping mall complete with bars, restaurants and movies theaters. The inside may be worth a peek.

Kaiser-Wilhelm Gedäctniskirche - A good reminder of the destruction of war. Too bad some people never learn.

Hackescher Höfe - Outdoor shops and cafés.

KaDeWe - Normally I am not for department stores, but I have to see the food floor.

The Love Parade - Er. Um. Not in March, I assume?

Fernsehturm - Come see what the East Germans built! It's tall!

Sausages - Currywurst! Currywurst!

Berlin Wall Memorial - The only completely preserved section.

Bars - Ah, yeah. Bars.

Sunday Brunch - I heard sometimes you can find these outside of Berlin. I left off a link.

Brandenburg Gate - It's impressive. Most Impressive. Make your comparison to the Arc de Triomphe.

Markets - Buy some East German stuff at a flea market. Again, no link. I am getting tired.

Sachsenhausen - A former concentration camp for the Nazis and then the Soviets. I'll never understand what people used to think. I would like to say people couldn't be mistreated like this again, but. . .

Café Sibylle - It is supposed to have an interesting exhibition.

They forgot:

Rogacki - Food, food and more food. Just like. . .

Turkish food - I guess Franziska knows some places!

Berliner Dom

And whatever else we can think of. Does anyone have some ideas?

That's all for now, I guess. If you couldn't tell, I am excited! How is everyone else? I mean just to think, we might meet David Hasselhof!

Much Love, Peace and Happiness,
Bis dann mach's gut,
Micheal

Berlin Outline

Berlin macht spaß!

Hello All,

Thomas and Micheal get into Berlin at 10 am on 7 March. The plan is to meet with Franziska, pick up a couple of SIM cards and do Friday night in Berlin.

Saturday morning, Micheal wants to go to the Lippe to visit Sandra and some friends from high school.

On Monday, Sandra and Micheal drive back to Berlin to meet up with Franziska and Thomas. We spend the week doing Berlin and have some fun.

That next Saturday, 15 March, Sandra must go back to the Lippe :(
Micheal and Thomas leave Sunday morning.

That is the basic timeline. Coming next, what are the sleeping arrangements? What do we want to see in Berlin? What kind of day trips should we do?

Chat Soon,
Micheal

The Omaha Plan!

Our schedule for our trip is as follows:

-Day 1-

Wake up on the morning of Friday, 15 February in beautiful downtown Rockville. Joe, Jen and Abby take the early flight to Omaha and land mid-morning. Micheal and Annie leave a bit later and land in the afternoon with Terra and Matt. We grab the rental car and drive to Mom's. After a brief stop, it's off to the Old Market for wine and cheese. Everyone meets at Holy Name for a fish fry. After party will follow.

-Day 2-

Saturday is King Kong day. Who in their right mind wouldn't love a gyro from King Kong. A damned fool wouldn't, that's who. That night, great grub at Gorat's and party at Patty's.

-Day 3-

The Sabags and a Mauer cook some yummy Lebanese food. Afterwards, we all have drinks.

-Day 4-

The Marylanders have to leave early in the morning. :(

Please let me know anything that needs updating.

Peace,
MIcheal

Fish Fry in Omaha!

We should think about picking a weekend to attend this year's Fish Fry at Holy Name. Here are the Friday dates along with R/T airfare on Midwest Airlines for that weekend:

Ash Wednesday is the 6th of February:

1. 8 Feb ($198)

2. 15 Feb ($229)!

3. 22 Feb ($229)

4. 29 Feb ($229)

5. 7 Mar ($229)

6. 14 Mar ($300)

Good Friday is the 21st or March.

There is also some talk of driving. Nothing is set in stone, yet, but Annie and I are keen on driving. We'll most likely have Thomas with us.

Alright, let the discussion commence.




(From the Omaha World Herald: Fish Fry, March 23, 2007 - For some, waiting in line is the best part of the Lenten fish fry at Holy Name Catholic Church. For others, French fries, cole slaw, ice cream and, of course, freshly battered fried fish served in this cafeteria are what keeps them coming back to the Lenten event each friday. Whatever the reason, hundreds gathered at the fish fry on Friday, and Omaha.com was there taking pictures. Check out our photo gallery.)

Our Itinerary for Germany & Poland

Our schedule for our trip is as follows:

-Day 1-

Wake up on the morning of Saturday 25 August in Frankfurt's modern airport. Refreshed relaxed and not at all jet-lagged. Grab a coffee and a rental car.

Depart: Frankfurt, Germany
Drive: 315km (3 hours)
Arrive: Leopoldshöhe
See: Friends and maybe even Bielefeld
Stay With: The Lovely Sandra
Cost: $0

-Day2-

Wake up on Sunday, eat a nice German breakfast and say goodbyes to dear friends and new friends.

Depart: Leopoldshöhe
Drive: 460km (4 1/2 hours)
Arrive: Dresden
See: Dresden, one of the nicest cities in Germany!
Stay with: The folks at the Mercure Hotel Dresden Albertbruecke (Melanchthonstrasse 2, 01099 Dresden, (+49) 351-80610)
Cost: $87

-Day 3-

Having finally, hopefully adjusted to the time change, let's drive to Poland!

Depart: Dresden
Drive: 270km (3 hours)
Arrive: Wrocław, Poland
See: Beautiful Wrocław
Stay with: The wonderful hotel Polonia (Pilsudskiego 66, 50-020 Wrocław, (+48) 71-343102129)
Cost: $69

-Day 4-

Going to Kraków; stopping at Auschwitz.

Depart: Wrocław
Drive 270km (3 hours)
Arrive: Kraków, Poland
See: Auschwitz
Stay: We're sleeping at the 1st Bed and Breakfast Kraków (Plac Na Groblach 14/6, 31-101 Kraków (+48) 602-414401)
Cost: $230 (3 nights)

Just some possible destinations for dinners while we're in Krakow:
Chimera (on Main Square):
http://www.chimera.com.pl/htm/ang/glowna.htm

Alef (in Kazmierz):
http://www.alef.pl/index_e.php

Pod Aniołami (translation - under the angels) (between The Wawel and the Main Square):
http://www.podaniolami.pl/

-Day 5-

Still in Kraków and we don't have to drive anywhere!

See: Wieliczka Salt Mine!

-Day 6-

Day trip to the Brewery!

See: Zywiec Brewery Tour: http://www.krakowshuttle.com/krakow_zywiec_beer_tour

-Day 7-

Time to leave Kraków and head to Poznań. It will be a long drive. . .

Depart: Kraków
Drive 450km (5 hours)
Arrive: Poznań
See: Beautiful Poznań
Stay with: The centrally located Lech Hotel (74 Sw. Marcin St., 61-809 Poznań, (+48) 61-8530151)
Cost: $82

-Day 8-

Time to make the drive back to Germany. Hallo Berlin.

Depart: Poznań
Drive: 280km (3 1/2 hours)
Arrive: Berlin, Germany
See: The Wall, the Tor and the Bundestag.
Stay with: a little American chain called the Best Western Euro Hotel Berlin (Sonnenallee 6, 12047 Berlin, (+49) 30-613820)
Cost: $102

-Day 9-

On Sunday, we'll be driving to our last evening in Europe.

Depart: Berlin
Drive: 490km (4 1/2 hours)
Arrive: Würzburg, Germany
See: A winery? The fortress? The residence?
Stay with: The Novotel Würzburg (Ludwigstraße/Eichstraße, 97070 Würzburg (+49) 931-30540)
Cost: $105

-Day 10-

Driving to the airport. Dropping off the rental car.

Depart: Würzburg
Drive: 140km (1 1/2 hours)
Arrive: Frankfurt

Updated Airfares

Checking on flights from September 7th - 17th, we get fares to the following cities:

Warsaw (WAW) - $905 from DCA (up $215)
Kraków (KRK) - $962 from DCA (up $1)
Gdańsk (GDN) - $931 from DCA (up $208)
Poznań (POZ) - $1,140 from IAD (up $169)
Wrocław (WRO) - $1,165 from IAD (up $194)

Praha (PRG) - $1,027 from IAD (up $245)

Berlin (SXF) - $748 from DCA (down $129)
Berlin (THF) - $1,331 from IAD (up $372)
Berlin (TXL) - $739 from BWI (up $61)
München (MUC) - $996 from IAD (up $236)
Köln(CGN) - $698 from IAD (up $30)
Frankfurt (FRA) - $634 from BWI (down $54)
Düsseldorf (DUS) - $833 from BWI (up $90)

source: Travelocity