How much do I tip in Ecuador? Do I even tip while I am in Ecuador? Yes, you do tip when you visit Ecuador. Here are some of the times and amounts you should tip when you travel to Ecuador. Of note the official currency of Ecuador is the US Dollar, and of course tipping is a personal decision, but in a country like Ecuador tips (even small tips) can make a major impact for your service staff.
Restaurants:
Taxes and Service are usually included in the bill or the price of your food. However, not all restaurants put the service and tax on. Your best bet is to tip an additional 5% on top of the final bill. Leave the tip as cash to make it easier for the waiter. You also make sure the waiter gets the money and do not just leave the tip on the table and leave.
Tour Guides:
Tours in Ecuador are great and we have found Ecuador to have some of the best guides around. You tip about $10 per day per person for a full day tour. About $5-8 per day per person for a half day tour.
Tour Drivers:
You tour driver receives about half of what you tip your tour guide. Typically about $5 per person per day.
Taxis:
You do not tip taxis in Ecuador. You pay the fair that is displayed on your meter. Make sure you use only official taxis. So ask your hotel to call one for you if you do need one. You can round up the bill to the next 50 cents or $1.00 to make it easier with change.
Hotel Cleaning Staff:
Leave $2-$5 per day on the bed when you leave for the day. This significantly helps the cleaning staff and we have found leads to a very tidy room and even more helpful service. Leave closer to $5 if you have a bigger room or a family room.
A special thanks to Southern Explorations for helping us discover more of Ecuador. You can visit them at http://www.southernexplorations.com
Filmed in Cuenca, Ecuador
Copyright Mark Wolters 2018
USA Today & 10Best’s #1 Independent Travel Videographer 2014
FlipKey by TripAdvisor Top 10 Travel Bloggers 2014
San Diego, California has some of the most eclectic, interesting and tasty foods in the USA. This video covers what you should eat when you visit San Diego. Whether you visit for Comic Con in the Summer or for the great weather all year round here are five things every visitor, tourist, traveler, foodie, person should eat and enjoy when they visit San Diego.
#1. Carne Asada Fries:
this San Diego specialty is high on the flavor and the calories, but you will love every bite. Carne Asada Fries are french fries covered in carne asada (steak tips), guacamole, sour cream, and cheese. They are delicious to the last bite (if you can finish them, they come in big servings).
#2. California Burrito & Mexican Food:
Southern California has amazing Mexican food. No matter where you go you will have awesome Mexican food from fish tacos to sopes. One California specialty is the California burrito which is basically carne asada fries wrapped up in a flour tortilla.
#3. Seafood:
San Diego is on the coast and the amount of seafood you can eat and enjoy is immeasurable. So grab some fish tacos or grilled fish and enjoy.
#4. Craft Burgers:
yes, head to California and have some amazing hamburgers. The craft burger scene in San Diego is off the charts. Whether it is a PB&J burger or a burger with lobster or whatever you heart may want. You will have a great burger (or sandwich) all over San Diego.
#5. Craft Beer:
San Diego has over 200 places where they are brewing and tasting beer and you should never drink anything BUT local beer in San Diego.
#6. Acai Bowl & Brunch:
San Diego loves brunches and you will have lots of opportunities to try some of the amazing brunch cuisine when you are in San Diego. However, if you are looking for a healthy breakfast try an Acai Bowl. This is Acai, granola, bananas, strawberries, coconut, (other fruits sometimes) and then honey on top. It is a healthy way to start your day and it tastes great.
Kissing the Blarney Stone and being gifted the gift of gab is a typical tourist stop when they visit Ireland. Blarney Castle is located about 30 minutes from the city of Cork and can be a fun day trip from Cork. Here are a few things you should know when you go to visit Blarney Castle.
Blarney Castle is Popular with Tour Groups:
Blarney castle can get overrun with tour groups during the high season and even sometimes in the off season. Tour buses usually start showing up about 30 minutes after the grounds open. So to beat the lines be there first thing in the morning or visit late in the afternoon closer to closing time when most tour companies have left.
Don’t Expect to See Period Pieces in the Castle:
Blarney castle is mostly an empty ruin of a castle. The rooms are empty and they have little to no furniture in them. They do have renderings of how the rooms used to look.
Getting Up to the Blarney Stone Can Be Claustrophobic:
getting up to the top and getting back down from kissing the Blarney Stone can be a claustrophobic person’s nightmare. The circular staircases are very small and tight (the castle is a few hundred years old) and with all the tourists it can take some time to get to the top. So if you have limited mobility you may want to pass.
Kissing the Blarney Stone:
Yes, you will kiss a stone that millions of others have kissed, so get over the hygiene issues. You will lie on your back and an attendant will help push you over the edge to kiss the stone upside down and then drag you back.
There is More Than Just the Castle:
the grounds contain a manor house you can visit, a number of gardens that you can check out. We liked the Fern Garden with the waterfall and the Poison Garden which has plants that are poisonous to humans, so you may want to pay attention a bit more to your little ones if you pass by.
Don’t Come Hungry:
there are a couple of food options on the grounds at Blarney Castle, but nothing to write home about, so it may be best to eat before you come or have a snack in your bag.
Getting There:
Blarney Castle is about 20-30 minutes from Cork by car. There are buses and tour companies that can bring you our to the castle grounds daily.
5 Essential Things Tourists Should Know Before Visiting San Antonio, Texas.
San Antonio is our favorite city to visit in Texas. From the great food around town, to the number of museums, to walking the River Walk and of course the Alamo and the Missions, San Antonio has a lot for tourists and conference visitors to enjoy. Here are 5 tips we have for travelers heading to San Antonio.
#1. Visit the Historic San Antonio Missions along the San Antonio River:
San Antonio has a UNESCO World Heritage sight (or sights) and that is the San Antonio Missions. A set of four missions (the Alamo is the 5th one, but it is not included in the four), San Jose, San Juan, Espada and Concepcion Missions. The missions will show you how life was in San Antonio during the mission area and the churches are still in service today.
#2. Remember the Alamo:
and that it is kind of small. The Alamo is famous in US and Texan history and any visit to San Antonio requires you to go there. It is worth visiting, but remember the Alamo that is still there is rather small, they are developing a new museum complex that will bring back the old glory of the Alamo, but that is a few years away.
#3. Take a Walk on the River Walk:
the North end (The Pearl) has a number of higher end shops, bars and restaurants. The center is the tourist area so you can see the San Fernando Cathedral, the Alamo, many of the tourist restaurants and hotels. The South end of Southtown or Lone Star District is popular for the architecture on King William street.
#4. Eat Puffy Tacos:
a San Antonio Original the Puffy Taco is a taco served in a puff fried tortilla shell. It is a one of a kind, kind of treat in San Antonio so make sure you do try it out. Also, you will be able to find great tex-mex food throughout San Antonio and Barbeque, but don’t think that the River Walk is the only place with restaurant options. Locals will tell you that the river walk can be a bit overrated for its food and that tastier options can be found throughout the city.
#5. Drink at an Icehouse in the evening:
the local outdoor bars sprinkled around San Antonio where you can sit back and enjoy a bit of San Antonio.
#6. Park Your Car & Just Use Uber or a Taxi to Get Around Town:
with limited parking options finding parking at all spots you want to visit in San Antonio can be a pain. So what we recommend is leave your car at the hotel and use Uber or taxis to get around San Antonio. The sights are pretty close together so you will not be paying huge amounts of money to visit the sights and you can save a ton of time with not having to look for parking.
Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about Venice, one of my favorite cities in the world! Before we get into the real shocks, the first thing you’ll notice when you visit Venice is how absolutely beautiful it is. The architecture and the canals and bridges are really gorgeous.
We love to help travelers prepare for their vacations, and other than telling you the best things to see in Venice, we love to share the things that will surprise you about a new destination. So, today, we’re sharing the ten things that will shock you on your Venice Italy vacation.
#1 Venice Tourism
Your first shock on arriving in Venice is the number of tourists. There are 50,000 residents of Venice, and they receive nearly FORTY MILLION tourists each year. That is more than 100,000 per day. This means you might find some frustrated residents, and you may even become frustrated dealing with crowds in Venice. You may have lines to get into some Venice attractions, and it can be hard to get a table for lunch unless you go a few blocks off the main tourist area.
What is one of the most popular Venice attractions? Gondola rides on the canals. Given that nearly everyone who comes to Venice takes part in this tradition, it’s shocking how much one ride can cost. Plan to spend around 80 Euros for 30 minutes, and if you want them to sing, that will cost you extra! That rate is not per person, so try to find some other people to split the cost with you.
Tons of tourists and worth every wrong turn.
#3 The Tourist Experience
With so many people who visit Venice each year, it can feel a bit touristy. A lot of the shops and restaurants are geared towards tourists and it doesn’t always feel like an “authentic” Italian experience. The service usually isn’t great, either, as they’re not trying to win you over as a repeat customer. The best thing you can do is to go a few blocks away from the main tourist areas. You will be shocked at how the atmosphere changes quickly. You’ll find mom and pop restaurants and more authentic souvenirs.
You are almost guaranteed to get lost in Venice, but it’s really one of the best parts of any trip to Venice! As you wander the back alleys and bridges, you’ll stumble upon mom and pop cafes and hidden piazzas where local kids are playing. You might get a little nervous about being lost, but it’s an island, you’ll find your way back eventually.
#5 Signage in Venice
The signage in Venice is really pretty confusing. You might see multiple signs for the same destination, but they point you in two different directions. They’re all right, you just might take a roundabout way to get there, which is part of the fun of strolling around Venice. After a few trips to Venice, you’ll start to have a sense of direction and you won’t be so flustered by the confusing signage.
Careful you don’t drop them in the canals.
#6 Flooding in Venice
Venice is sinking a little bit each year, and in the winter, the areas tend to flood. When the water is too high, they’ll put up risers for you to walk on. It’s definitely a strange experience to have, but it’s pretty routine by now. The water tends to go back down later in the day, and the risers get put away until the next day. If your Venice trip is planned for the winter, make sure you bring some waterproof boots just in case!
There are not really roads in Venice, it’s all canals. So public transportation in Venice is all by boat, there are no buses or trains. The Vaporettos are public transit boats that you’ll use to get around Venice. Sometimes, you’ll see two lines for the Vaporetto. One for locals and one for tourists. This is to ensure the locals can get priority boarding over the tourist crowds.
#8 Paying for Public Toilets
You will have to pay to use public toilets in Venice. It’s usually 2 Euros, and you’ll need to have coins on you to enter. If you don’t want to pay to use public toilets, you can go to a cafe, but they’ll expect you to buy something in order to use their restroom.
#9 Venice Dress Code
Some of the best things to see in Venice are the churches, but they do adhere to a strict dress code. If you’re wearing shorts or a sleeveless top, you might not be allowed to enter. Generally, they want shoulders and knees covered. If you forget, there are plenty of vendors nearby who are willing to sell you a shawl or wrap to cover your shoulders and knees.
#10 Venice Day Trips
You might be surprised to find that there are other nearby islands to explore. There are lots of great Venice day trips to other islands, including Burano, Murano and nearby islands with beaches. And you’ll often just find local Italians at the beaches, as that’s not what most visitors are coming to see.
Beareded or not, I love Venice.
Venice is amazing, we have returned many times! Hopefully, these “shocks” will help you prepare for your Venice vacation. Want more tips for traveling in Italy? Check out some of our other blog posts!
Don’ts of Mardi Gras: Tips for New Orleans Mardi Gras
Greetings from New Orleans, Louisiana! Most travel blogs tell you what to do when you travel, but we like to tell you what not to do. With these Mardi Gras tips, you will be better prepared for Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Whether you’re visiting with other adults, or with children, Mardi Gras is totally worth the trip. Just keep these “don’ts” in mind when you visit.
Mardi Gras Tip #1 Don’t Pee in Public
Mardi Gras is crowded, and there’s a lot of drinking going on. The lines for bathrooms are crazy long, so it’s really tempting to just sneak into a corner and go. This is the most common way of getting arrested at Mardi Gras, so have a “pee plan” in place. Just because Bourbon Street smells like pee, doesn’t mean it’s ok to add to it.
Beads are everywhere during Mardi Gras. At the parades, they throw hundreds of beads from each float. Or, you can buy them super cheap at the drug store, or even the party store back home before you leave. In the age of cell phone cameras and social media, that kind of “exposure” really isn’t worth a string of plastic beads that cost 25 cents. Outside of the French Quarter, this really isn’t tolerated and is a good way to get the attention of police.
Mardi Gras Tip #3 Don’t Expect Parades in the French Quarter
If you have seen Mardi Gras coverage on TV, French Quarter coverage is often mixed up with parade footage, so it seems that it all happens in the same place. In reality, there are no parades through the French Quarter. The parades mostly happen on St. Charles Avenue, so make sure you get out of the French Quarter to experience other Mardi Gras festivities.
Mardi Gras Tip #4 Don’t Be Surprised to See Families at Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras is really a family experience. If you talk to locals, they all have fond childhood memories of Mardi Gras. Outside of the French Quarter, it’s really a family party atmosphere. The French Quarter is where most of the debauchery is contained; elsewhere around New Orleans, Mardi Gras is great for the whole family.
Mardi Gras Tip #5 Don’t Be Late for the Parades
It’s really hard to get a good spot at the Mardi Gras parades. People come first thing in morning to get a good spot for the parades, so you can’t just show up when the parade starts and expect to see anything. Don’t try to sneak in front of anyone who’s already saved a spot, as they aren’t afraid to call someone out for it.
Mardi Gras Tip #6 Don’t Think Mardi Gras Celebrations are Only on Fat Tuesday
Fat Tuesday is the culmination of Mardi Gras celebrations, but the celebrations begin long before Fat Tuesday. There are tons of parades, parties and balls leading up to Fat Tuesday. The great news is that even if you can’t come for Fat Tuesday, you can still visit a week before and get to experience Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
Mardi Gras Tip #7 Do Not Jump the Parade Barriers
Police barriers will line the parade routes. They are there for a reason and aren’t meant to be jumped. They are really for the safety of parade attendees, helping them avoid getting hit by a parade float or vehicle.
Mardi Gras Tip #8 Don’t Mess With the Cops or Their Horses
Over one million people attend Mardi festivities each year, which is more than three times the actual population of New Orleans. A lot of these people are drunk, and disorderly, causing a lot of headaches for the local police force. They are very professional, and willing to help where needed, but anyone who messes around with the cops is only going to have problems.
Mardi Gras Tip #9 Don’t Forget to Make Dinner Reservations
With so many tourists coming in during Mardi Gras season, dinner reservations are critical. Otherwise, be prepared to wait an hour or more to get a table for dinner. If you have specific places you want to eat, you may even want to make lunch reservations. Without reservations, plan to eat mostly fast food and street food in New Orleans.
Mardi Gras or not, patience pays off in New Orleans. It’s a much slower pace than other cities, and adding a million extra people tends to slow things down quite a bit. Knowing this ahead of time will help you be prepared to go with the flow.
Mardi Gras Tip #11 Don’t Forget to Book Hotels Six to Nine Months in Advance
Hotels can get booked up really quickly during Mardi Gras. Plan to pay a premium for hotels during Mardi Gras, in addition to planning way in advance to make sure you have somewhere to sleep. In some instances, there are last minute cancellations, so if you wait too long, you may be able to get on a waitlist for a room.
Mardi Gras Tip #12 Don’t Think You Can Stay One Night at a Hotel
Many hotels have a minimum number of nights to reserve a stay during Mardi Gras, sometimes as high as 4-5 nights. If you can’t stay that many nights, you may just have to pay for them anyways.
Mardi Gras Tip #13 Don’t Sleep in Your Car
Many people think they will get around pricy hotel requirements by sleeping in their car. Cops are on the lookout for this, as are the parking garage people. It’s not a great plan as you could get kicked out of your spot in the middle of the night.
Mardi Gras Tip #14 Don’t Expect Anything to be Cheap During Mardi Gras
Hotels in New Orleans are always a little pricy, but usually eating out and entertainment are pretty affordable. However, during Mardi Gras, prices jump up pretty much everywhere. Expect surge pricing on Uber, too.
Mardi Gras Tip #15 Don’t Forget to Bring Cash
Having cash will make things much easier during Mardi Gras. You don’t want to deal with credit cards in a crowded bar with huge lines.
Mardi Gras Tip #16 Don’t Forget Your ID
If you plan on going to any bars, or buying alcohol, you will need to show identification.
Mardi Gras Tip #17 Don’t Have Glass Bottles Outside
New Orleans has liquor laws, which means you can get your drink to go and walk the streets while you enjoy an alcoholic beverage. However, glass containers are a big “don’t” on the streets; make sure you have your drinks in a plastic container.
Mardi Gras Tip #18 Don’t Mess with Strangers
Alcohol and strangers can be a bad mix. If you’re out at the bars during Mardi Gras, don’t mess with strangers. Also, stick together with your friends and family; don’t wander off on your own.
Mardi Gras Tip #19 Don’t Forget to Have a Meeting Point
If you do happen to get separated from your group, don’t forget to have a pre-set meeting point so you can find your friends. With all the people converging on New Orleans, cell phone coverage may be sketchy, so having a meeting point is a great backup plan.
Mardi Gras Tip #20 Don’t Pick Up Beads Off the Ground
Not everyone follows our Don’t #1 so it’s not recommend to pick up anything that’s been on the ground, especially on Bourbon Street. Don’t be lured into grabbing shiny beads off the ground. There’s no telling where they’ve been, so just go buy some.
Mardi Gras Tip #21 Don’t Call it N’awlins
It’s not N’awlins; it’s not New Orl-EENs. It’s just New Orleans, or phonetically, New Or-lens.
Don’t let these “don’ts” scare you off. Mardi Gras in New Orleans is such a unique and fun experience, it’s definitely a “must” for every traveler. The people, food and entertainment are all fantastic. Feel free to add more “don’ts” in the comments below! For more travel tips, check out these blog posts and videos:
Low Battery or Exhausted Battery are the bane of every travelers existence. Whether it is your camera, your phone or your music keeping things charged while traveling can be tough. This video covers a few things you should know about traveling and keeping your devices charged.
A Universal Adaptor – these allow you to plug in your device from home into most any power socket around the world
A Travel Strip – this is a powerstrip that is geared toward travelers. It has USB ports as well as a plug for a computer or other device.
A Backup Battery – These are life savers for travelers. When you are on the go you can just plug in your phone or camera and the battery will be charged quickly and easily without having to find a wall socket to plug in to.
Filmed in Waterford, Ireland
Copyright Mark Wolters 2018
Some of Our Recommendations
Duafire Travel Adapter: helps you plug into most countries plugs around the world. https://amzn.to/2ujfUdR
Travel Strip: One plug for your normal device, four USB plugs as well, it saves a lot of trouble and outlets when you travel. https://amzn.to/2NEuu8S
Backup Battery Pack: Essential for travelers wanting to have a backup batter charge for their phones, cameras, and devices. https://amzn.to/2NFpT67
Sony Alpha 6000: Our favorite camera for vlogging. One of the best selling cameras of all time and its not too expensive. https://amzn.to/2N0BStX
Osprey Meridian Carry-on Size Travel Backpack: This is THE backpack that all of the Wolters World family use. It fits in the overhead compartment, gives you a great day pack and has an awesome warranty. We always travel with one. https://amzn.to/2NEyhTC
These are all products that we use and have used.
For other travel products or to purchase limited edition Wolters World merchandise visit us at www.woltersworld.com/shop
Visiting Peru is a must, from UNESCO World Heritage Sights like Machu Picchu to the Incan capital of Cuzco (Cusco) to the capital of Lima to the white city of Arequipa to the Nazca lines there is so much to see and do in Peru. Here we talk about the things you shouldn’t do when you visit Peru.
Don’t Drink the Tap Water
The water in Peru is not always safe to drink and you should stick to bottled water. If you are going to be hiking the Inca Trail it would be a good idea to bring water purification tablets or a purification pump.
Don’t Mess with Your Health
Many sights in Peru are in high elevations and sunburn and altitude sickness affect a number of travelers to Peru. So bring your own good strong sunblock and when you visit places like Cuzco make sure you take extra time to adjust to the high altitude or else you may end up sick from Altitude sickness (headaches, shortness of breath, nausea). Also, if you are suffering from altitude sickness ask your hotel if they have an oxygen tank you can use.
Don’t Freak Out About the Coca Leaves
Yes, coca leaves are used to make cocaine, but you do not have to think that you are a drug dealer if you drink coca tea. The coca leaf is used in teas, candies, and gums to help people adjust to altitude sickness.
What to Know Before You Visit Peru
Don’t Bring Home Any Coca Leaves
You will have coca tea and may choose on coca leaves, but do not bring back the leaves to the US or your home country. You might have a little explaining to do to your border patrol and customs agents.
Don’t Think You Can Just Hop on the Inca Trail
You need to register to hike the Inca trail. And don’t think that it is super easy. It can be done on various tours and on various lengths of hikes to Machu Picchu. Also, if you do hike the Inca Trail don’t forget to clean up after yourself and if you have a guide or a porter make sure you tip them for the work they do.
Don’t Be Grossed Out by the Cuy (Guinea Pig)
Yes, they eat guinea pig in parts of Peru. Your pre-school pet, is now a delicacy and it can be served in a number of interesting ways. We prefer the alpaca steaks when in Peru, but to all their own. Peruvian cuisine is actually very well done. So you will eat well in Peru, oh and try the Inca Kola, it tastes like bubble gum and sprite had a baby.
Don’t Think Peru is Just Machu Picchu
Yes, you should visit Machu Picchu, one of the most important historic sights in the world, but do not think that Peru is just Machu Picchu. From the white city of Arequipa to enjoying the Miraflores district of Lima to flying over the Nasca Lines or seeing the tropical rain forest, Peru has a ton of sights to see.
Don’t Throw Your Toilet Paper Down the Toilet
The pipes in Peru cannot handle the paper, so please place all your toilet paper and other toilet products into the trash basket next to the toilet.
Don’t Be Afraid to Haggle in the Markets
Price tags are not always on products in Peru and in the markets that is the case as well. So if it is a market and there is no price it is OK to haggle for a better price. But in the cities at traditional stores haggling is not done.
Don’t Forget to Have Cash
At tourist destinations and restaurants popular with tourists credit cards are accepted, but if you are out and about and seeing sights and meeting locals, cash is the preferred way of payment. You will need it for tipping guides and porters as well, or perhaps grabbing a snack on the side of the road.
Filmed in Cuzco/Cusco, Peru Copyright Mark Wolters 2018
Germany is full of amazing food choices, from traditional German specialties like Schweinbraten and Knoedel to international fair to the old standby of a Bratwurst. Here we have five things people should eat when they visit Germany, because you do not always have time to eat everything that a country has to offer. So here are our foodie five.
Drink the Beer:
No, beer isn’t food, but in Germany it is just as vital to have beer as food and what is great about the beer in Germany is that each region or city will have its own traditional beer brands as well as a the possibility of its own beer style. So whether you like pilsner, lager or black beer there will be something for you.
Yes, Eat the Sausages:
Thueringer Rostbratwurst is the definitive bratwurst you should have in Germany. But it is not the only sausage, from the small Nuremberger bratwurst to a frankfurter to Weisswurst, Germany is full of sausages that you should try.
Pork, Pork & More Pork:
Germany seems to be the capital of Pork eating and for good reason. There are a number of amazing pork dishes in Germany. Haxe or a grilled pork shoulder or perhaps boiled instead (Eisbein) or as Schweinbraten, or maybe smashed down into a pork schnitzel. You will not run out of way eat Scwein in Germany.
The Bread:
Germany has amazing bakeries in the large cities and small towns and you should take advantage of that. From Brotchen (small rolls) to loaves of dark thick dense bread to the amazing cakes and treats you can’t go wrong with bread in Germany.
The Garnishes or Die Beilagen:
German menus do not give you an option with the side dishes. And they do that for good reason. The meals in Germany already have the recommended side dishes that go with those dishes so you don’t pick and choose. So you may have sweet red cabbage (Rotkohl) or traditional Sauerkraut. There is always potatoes in their many forms as well, Pommes (fries), Kroketten (croquettes), perhaps as a dumpling? And the noodles aren’t too bad either, nor are the soups. Just trust the menu with your side dishes in Germany
With Numerous Museums, Sights & Nightlife Berlin has tons to offer travelers. Here we talk about what you shouldn’t do when you visit Berlin. From Not worrying about your travel budget, because Berlin is an affordable world capital to not skipping out on some of the local treats like Currywurst. Here are the Don’ts of Visiting Berlin, Germany.
Don’t Expect to See Old World Germany:
Berlin is an international city that has been torn apart by history and reunified over the past couple decades. The city has so much to offer, but it is not half-timbered houses, it is modern architecture and spirit, this is not Bavara, it is Berlin.
Don’t Think Berlin Has One Center:
There are actually three centers of Berlin. The west’s center is near Zoologisher Garten, while the east center is around Alexanderplatz and the new center is by the modern rebuild Potsdamer Platz.
Don’t forget to Eat Currywurst:
this Berlin institution is a bratwurst chopped up and drowned in curry ketchup. It may not look good, but it tastes delicious.
Don’t Expect to See a Lot of the Berlin Wall Where It Used to Be:
Most of the Berlin wall has been torn down, but there are a few places where you can still see it where it originally was located. The Eastside Gallery by the Ostbahnhof is one location and another is by the Topography of Terror installation between Check Point Charlie and Potsdamer Platz.
Don’t Use Taxis:
the public transporation system in Berlin is perfect for tourists. The S-Bahn (overland train), the U-Bahn (subway), Busses, and Trams can take you everywhere throughout town. So, using a taxi is not needed, unless you have a very early morning flight.
5 Things You Have to Eat in Berlin
Don’t Skip Out on Paying for your S-Bahn Ticket: there are no turn styles for getting on the S-Bahn so some people just hop on without paying. Don’t do that, there are undercover ticket checkers who do random checks on the trains throughout the day. So avoid a fine and pay for your Tageskarte or day ticket.
Don’t Forget to Go Up to the Dome of the Reichstag: The German Parliament (Reichstag) has a cool tour and you can go up to the top and walk up the dome and look into the parliament chambers.
Don’t Forget to Eat Non-German Food: Berlin has some tasty German treats, but with the large inflow of immigrants throughout the past 60 years Berlin is teaming with tons of Greek, Turkish, Spanish, Indian and other nationalities’ restaurants. So let your taste buds enjoy!
Don’t Jaywalk: if you are walking around Berlin you will see cute little Ampelmann (the people that tell you to walk or don’t walk on traffic lights) and jaywalking isn’t a good idea in Berlin, unless you want a grandma to give you a scolding.
5 Love & Hates of Visiting Berlin
Don’t Disrespect the Jewish Memorial: A number of tourists have taken to using the Jewish Memorial to be a Instagram stop on their visit to Berlin. Make sure you be respectful there as planking and parkouring really are not what a memorial is meant for.
Don’t Skip Out on the Museums & Sights: The nightlife in Berlin is awesome, but so are the numerous museums and sights. From the Pergamum Museum, to the Bodes Museum, to the Checkpoint Charlie Museum to the Brandenburg Gate and Charlottenburg Palace, Berlin has more sights than you can see in a weekend visit.
Don’t Forget to Note Where Your Train or Plane Arrives and Departs from, They May Be Different: Berlin has multiple train stations and airports, so make sure you pay attention to which station or airport is yours.
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