Berlin to Copenhagen - Friday 28 August

Relaxing breakfast and checkout. We loved our hotel which was well placed, and our upgrade to a fully renovated apartment was a real plus. Just an 800M stroll to main station which is on 4 levels and very new - 80 shops.

Impressions of Berlin. (These are mine because Pat found few redeeming features (other than the supermarket prices - before getting to Kurfurstendamm, which she thought better than the Champs Elysees.) Berlin:
● Does not have the style of Paris or Milan.
● It has some stunning architecture, but not as consolidated as in Paris.
● It's landscaping is not well kept, and cigarette butts abound.
● There are major infrastructure projects happening all over, including Museum Island, another new underground rail line (with another just completed) and major building projects everywhere.
● Almost all young girls and women smoke, and large numbers have tattoos.
● Make up is not a big seller.
● It does not seem to have traffic problems, probably due to its massive and efficient public transport systems.
● Much of the city area, having been east of the wall, is still catching up in terms of infrasructure and build quality.
● It seems to be brutally honest about it's Hitler led history. 
In summary, it is a city of contradictions - compare the graffiti in many places,  including the East Side Gallery, with Kurfurstendamm, where the designer shops have permanent glass showcases on the footpath, and they are untouched.

Anyway, on to Copenhagen. We headed first to Hamburg where our train split in two and our half headed to the German coast, the train drove on to the ferry and in 30 minutes we were in Denmark and then on to Copenhagen. 200M walk to the Andersen Boutique Hotel (a little more bohemian than boutique!). Very small room as is, I think, the way of Copenhagen, and such a contrast to our Berlin apartment. Immediately invited to an arty party with drinks in the foyer with the"beautiful people" of Copenhagen - expected Paul Barbera to turn up at any minute!!

Some Copenhagen street food, a quick wander, a little more party and off to bed.