Suggestions for a visit to Dublin and Berlin?

March 31, 2009 6:10 PM

Husband and I are leaving Friday night for 10 days split between Dublin and Berlin, looking for any "can't miss" recommendations!

Our time is split fairly evenly, and in both cases we're staying in the thick of things. Some of you must live there or have visited there, and we'd love to hear any personal recs for things to see/do/eat. We've read all the travel guides (he's Lonely Planet, I'm Rough Guide), we're both into architecture, art, all kinds of food, history, geeky public works stuff, music and books. I love to take pictures. Oh! I make jewelry, too. Any bead shops (new or vintage)? I've been combing through previous questions, but we'd appreciate any pointers. Thanks!

posted by ersatzkat to travel & transportation (7 comments total)

From Dublin, Newgrange is essential. It's a short day trip and totally worth it.
posted by the duck by the oboe at 7:00 PM on March 31

Definitely don't miss the Giant's Causeway. Super nifty rocks and a great legend behind it, too. You can take a bus tour from Belfast that will also get you to the Bushmill's distillery; loads of fun. Also, try the Irish Stew at Maggie's in Belfast. Yummy.
posted by redhaired_girl at 7:27 PM on March 31

Seconding Newgrange. The country outside of Dublin is far better than Dublin, and I say that as someone who has spent tons of time in Dublin. It's an OK city but spend a full day or two there and you're done, then go to Newgrange which is breathtaking, and then head south down the coast because it's beautiful.
posted by pdb at 9:37 PM on March 31

I'm sure you already know all about it, having read the travel guides, but the Dublin literary pub crawl is fantastic and you shouldn't miss it.
posted by Solon and Thanks at 3:42 AM on April 1

If you like minimalism, possibly the best environment to see it in is at the Hamburger Bahnhof in Berlin. Also: lots of other good art.
posted by beerbajay at 5:35 AM on April 1

You might have seen my recommendation of the Stasi prison in Berlin. If you're interested in history, this is like stepping into 1984. Or 1989.
posted by Beardman at 11:22 AM on April 1

In Berlin, I loved the Discover Berlin walk from Berlin Walks that I took, and the Pergamon Museum was awe-inspiring. Be sure to go to at least one of Museums on the Island. My biggest surprise was the ruins of the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. Seeing it at night was very cool. I liked KaDeWe and hit the Zoo to see their Giant Panda and Polar bears.

If you don't get there on a tour, be sure to see the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. Wow.

The thing I didn't get to and regret is the Reichstag.
posted by soelo at 1:40 PM on April 1