A few weeks ago we received a message via Instagram. Our photo taken at Las Coloradas was chosen among the Top 20 of the #fernwehaward (wanderlust award) of the Urlaubspiraten (Holiday Pirates in Germany). We tagged our photo for the competition in February in and won a weekend trip to Berlin for the final Top 3 draw.
#fernwehaward by the Urlaubspiraten/Holiday Pirates
What we know is they chose 20 pictures out of over 4000. Hats off to the Holiday Pirates for clicking through all the pictures.
The event took place the second last weekend. We arrived on Friday afternoon, left our luggage at the hotel (see more below) and headed to the event.
Photos are certainly a matter of taste but the competition here was definitely tough. There were some really good pictures hanging on the walls. It was a nice evening with tasty food, drinks and music in a cool location. People seemed to be very nice as well. But there was a lot of ‘Who’s going to win this city trip and Camera’ in the air. The excitement was huge and everyone could vote for their personal Top 3.
To make it short: We won the third price and are really happy about it. Florian Wenzel and his New Zealand picture won, followed by Ulrike Bauman with her idyllic Bavaria photo. For those of you speaking German, here is the link to the page to find out more about it.
Fun fact for us: we were inspired to our Mexico trip by a flight deal by the Urlaubspiraten. Another reason why we were happy to making it in the Top 3. Thanks a lot for this!
Drinks in Friedrichshain
After the event, we headed out to Friedrichshain to have a drink or two and the evening was perfect. With two other Bavarians we met at the #fernwehaward we saw a bar named Dachkammer (Simon-Dach-Kiez) by coincidence and one room was designed in Bavarian style. It was just meant to be.Unfortunately we don’t have any picture of it. You have to stick with one from the Schnitzelpuff!
A little bit of eating, a little bit drinking, a little bit of looking at things (aka sightseeing) in Berlin
Fortunately, we had Saturday and Sunday left for our own pleasure to spend some time in Berlin. It’s always a pleasure being here as it never gets boring.
We spent our time, for example, with a little bit of sightseeing. We had already seen most of the sights before. One weekend is definitely too short to see everything here. But a short break at Germany’s capital city is always welcome.
East Side Gallery
Oh, the irony. A wall surrounded by fences. I think that’s a pity.
Oberbaumbrücke with the yellow subway
The Kardashians would say it’s ‘iconic’. And I think everyone else, too.
The Brandenburger Tor, the Reichstag, the Memorial for the Sinti and Roma Victims of National Socialism
Classic and always beautiful.
Mauerpark
Outdoor raves combined with a flea market. We didn’t make it to the last one as we were just too lazy and preferred lying on the lawn. It was Sunday and the sun finally came out. The atmosphere was great and we really wanted to enjoy that before heading back to Frankfurt.
Görlitzer Park
This was actually not on our sightseeing program. Why would it be? We met a friend who showed us some parts of Berlin we’re not used to in our ‘clean’ Frankfurt Westend (or in Regensburg). We don’t want to go deeper with the impressions we made there (everyone who knows ‘Görli’ or googles it knows what we mean) but it was definitely interesting. Thanks a lot, Fabian!
Burgermeister in Wrangelkiez
Guess what we were also eating in Berlin. We chose the Burgermeister as it is known for its great burgers.
And now we can approve it. The burgers are very affordable, delicious and you have to wait for a long time in a queue. This means you have to bring time with you if you want to eat here.
Drinking at Wrangelkiez
In a hip area, there are a lot of hipster people, of course. Just like it was here. At least at this Saturday. Just choose any bar and you will be happy. I can’t remember the names of the bars we visited but it was nice to be there.
Skybar at andel’s Hotel
For Berlin, it was a bit expensive. Used to Frankfurt‘s prices it wasn’t. The bar is stylish and offers a great view over Berlin.
It’s really popular which means you have to make a reservation. Or you just stand at the bar. Or there’s not even space for that.
Vienna House Easy Berlin
Of course, the Holiday Pirates are experts in what they’re doing. So they booked a room for us at the really beautiful Vienna House Easy Berlin. It’s located in Prenzlauerberg with the tram and subway station exactly next to it.
The rooms were pretty and clean. The hotel itself is really stylish and staff was super friendly. The breakfast was fantastic with great variety. We ate so much, we didn’t get hungry for a long time after.
This Berlin weekend trip was so much fun and a great experience. We love to come back to our capital city and love to win something again by the Urlaubspiraten. Ahoy!
By the way: we were allowed to take our photos with us. Until now we haven’t found a decent place on the wall, so it’s still standing around. It might look great left of the TV, what do you think?