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David Rickerson-Seidel
Keep in mind that the Christmas markets are temporary, sometimes lasting only for a couple of days. However, since they collectively tend to start in November and run through Advent, there are various options for a month straight, advantageous to those who like to shop at the last minute for gifts! For each market, its best to check the dates it will run for that particular year.
The Charlottenburg Castle Christmas Market has become one of the best Christmas markets in Berlin. The castle is bathed in sophisticated, colourful lighting installations, putting the market and trees in a romantic glow. The main attraction of this Berlin Christmas market is the pyramid located at the main entrance of the palace.
Over the course of 35 days, more than 150 local and international vendors complete the festive atmosphere. In the wood huts covered by glass pagodas and decorated with natural materials, there's a wide range of unique arts and crafts and an impressive selection of culinary treats. You will not be able to resist the smell of roasted chestnuts or the Hungarian langos.
In addition to the market, the Winterwald, or winter forest, located in front of the castle's orangery, offers attractions for children such as an air swing, a small railway, and a carousel. Furthermore, in the Märchenzelt, a fairy tale tent, the Stiftung Stadtmuseum Berlin invites kids to try their skills at arts and crafts.
The Gendarmenmarkt Christmas market is another popular market surrounded by historical architecture. Set up outdoors in between the Deutscher Dom, the Französischer Dom, and the Konzerthaus, the small tent with its 1,000 strings of lights, located in the centre of the square, attracts more than 60,000 visitors each year.
Exhibitors present at this Berlin Christmas market include candle makers, glassblowers and jewelers, along with an embroiderer, an origami master, an ivory-carver, and a milliner. Fire artists, choirs, jugglers and acrobats, as well as internationally renowned artists, ensure a varied artistic programme. Alongside the artists and exhibitors, a multitude of culinary experts tempt visitors with mouth-watering dishes cooked in the Christmas spirit.
Starting in early November, the heart of the city is transformed into a huge winter wonderland. If you're arriving earlier in the season, keep in mind that even before the Potsdamer Platz Christmas market opens, you can ride down one of the largest slides in Europe, with the best views over the Brandenburg Gate. Additionally, you can also skate for free on a 40 x 13 metre ice rink, which is located in the front of the Stage Theatre am Potsdamer Platz.
At the end of November the entire area transforms itself. Lights, music, and delicacies reflect the Berlin Christmas market's atmosphere. The many stalls installed here sell anything from leather, crafts, and textiles to other gifts. The market is also filled with woodcarvers, bakers, basket makers and potters, who invite you to look at their work while they ply their trades.
Every year, the area surrounding the church starts smelling of hot chocolate, mulled wine, homemade eggnog, and roasted almonds. That’s when the 170 stalls are installed around the old church in the heart of City West. Here, you will find anything from toys, ornaments, and a wide range of other Christmas decorations, to various delicate accessories.
Additionally, visitors can eat grilled sausages, candied fruits, nuts, and sweet waffles. Furthermore, if you are traveling with kids, the carousels around the market will make their eyes light up. There are more than 2 million visitors who come to the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church Christmas market, not only for the atmosphere, but also for the 20 metre high Christmas tree.
Berlin Christmas markets are scattered throughout the city and each of them offer something new and unique every year. In addition to those described above, the Staatsoper and Opernpalais, Spandau and Lucia Christmas markets are also worth a visit.
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Guest Relations Manager at NH Collection Berlin Mitte Friedrichstrasse
My name is David Rickerson-Seidel and I have been part of the NH Hotel Group since September 2015 when the first NH Collection Hotel opened in Germany. After 16 years of hotel experience, I was offered a great chance to meet people from all over the world and each time I was able to learn from them – this is one of the reason why I love my position as a Guest Relation Manager. My daily task is to fulfil our guest’s needs before they actually asking for it. With my passion for my job it is always a great pleasure to see our guests happy and smiling before they leave the hotel and I know that we have done the job right. I always say that the only thing that a guest can’t buy and book in advance is our smiling receptionist with a warm welcoming, the friendly breakfast host who would like to know if you slept well, and our elusive room maid, who is preparing the room so that it feels like home – our employees make the difference – this is why you are not checking into your room at a terminal. Whatever you need – we are always there for you.
The NH Collection Berlin Mitte Friedrichstrasse hotel, formerly known as NH Berlin Friedrichstrasse, has a prime location on the world-famous Friedrichstrasse, close to Berlin’s best-known sights and shopping areas. From here it’s just a short walk to the Brandenburg Gate and the Unter den Linden, Berlin’s historic tree-lined boulevard.
The NH Collection Berlin Mitte am Checkpoint Charlie hotel, formerly known as NH Berlin Mitte Leipziger Strasse, is located on Leipziger Strasse, directly in the city center, so it’s a really handy base. We’re just a few from one of the main shopping streets, Friedrichstrasse, and the likes of Galeries Lafayette, Quartier 206, The Q or Mall of Berlin.
Located in the old Bohemian quarter of town, the NH Berlin Kurfürstendamm hotel puts you steps from the city’s most popular shopping street. It also gives you easy access to some of Berlin’s biggest tourist attractions. The U-Bahn Uhlandstraße metro station and S-Bahn Savignyplatz station are only 200m away.
Located on the edge of the hip artists’ district of Kreuzberg, the NH Berlin Potsdamer Platz hotel puts you a short stroll from the famous Berlin square that gives it its name. 10 minutes more will take you to the city’s biggest tourist attractions, including the Brandenburg Gate, the Holocaust memorial and the Reichstag. Plus there are cafés, boutiques, restaurants and nightclubs right on the doorstep.
Genuine Berlin culinary classics, boulette and currywurst are linked to the city's unique character and are perfect for refuelling during a day's sightseeing, being simple and satisfying.
Germany's capital, Berlin, is a city steeped in history. The incredible variety of historical destinations exist alongside plentiful parks and a flourishing art scene.
Wedged in the northern corner of the pretty Spree Island, in the middle of the river, Berlin's Museum Island comprises five outstanding museums and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999.
The glass dome of the Reichstag, nowadays its most defining feature, was added during reconstruction in 1992. Before this, the building had suffered damage during WWII bombing and a great fire.
Kurfürstendamm is Berlin's popular shopping precinct that is home to international brands such as Bally, Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Cartier, and Valentino among others.
One of the busiest squares in Europe until it was severely damaged during World War II, Potsdamer Platz houses the remains of the Berlin Wall that stand defiantly against a backdrop of contemporary architecture.
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