Thursday, April 26, 2007

Jeudi ezy Berlin

Pack in the morning. We look into souvenir shops and find a cuckoo clock magnet for our fridge.

Lunch at a small trattoria, Locanda Ticinese, with a mama the size of a tank. 3-course set Menu only 26 Swiss Francs. This place is packed with in the know regulars and the wholesome Italian fare confirms why mamma cannot resist it.

We fly Easyjet so we arrive at the airport early not knowing what their procedures will be like and the web site booking engine has repeatedly warned that they close check-in 40 minutes before departure. They have an incredibly efficient system where you input your booking reference no or credit card into the self check in machine and it produces your boarding pass (one for the two of us) and luggage labels which we must affix ourselves. The only interaction is to pass our cases over the scales and have our passports checked - no seat allocation, but we paid an extra 10 euro for preferential boarding. We spend our remaining Swiss Francs at the duty free shop. The plane is on time all very efficient (German flight attendants).

Our hotel in Berlin, the Steigenberger, is in the centre of town. It is functional and efficient. Dinner at Moritz, recommended by our concierge, a short cab ride from the hotel and a 10 minute walk home after. We are very pleasantly surprised. Very very high quality food and exceptionally friendly and professional service. Would love to go back. Stroll back to hotel in tree-lined streets – assured by our concierge also that Berlin is very safe.