ÐÔÊÓ½ç

Wow, doesn´t time fly? Once again it´s a good idea for those, who don´t like christmas too much, to read something else. Wait a minute! No, we´ve also got some ideas for your December as well. So we´d love for you to stay.

But before we take care of you, it is the time of the probably biggest christmas lovers of all: the kids. The ferris wheel at , right next to ÐÔÊÓ½ç´s City Hall, is something they really shouldn´t miss. But the christmas market might also be interesting for the grown-ups: the stands are small copies of real houses of ÐÔÊÓ½ç in 1900. We assume nearly everyone reading this will feel young compared to these designs. If you don´t, we´d be intrigued to get to know you, just answer (or rather: let somebody answer for you) to this mailing.

Let´s take a walk on Ku´damm now. Once again the beautiful plane trees have been decorated with festive lights and huge reindeer, Santa Claus and larger-than-life presents not only illuminate the boulevard, but also make the children´s eyes sparkle. Talking about Ku´damm we have to think of our christmas shoppings. Don´t worry, you´ve got more time this year: the 04 and 18 December are this year´s last days for Sunday shopping.

Do you remember our favourite christmas market from last year? Exactly, it was the one at Gendarmenmarkt. This beautiful square will be renovated for the next years, though, so was moved to Bebelplatz, right between and – not a bad setting, either. You get the best German Bratwurst in a roll in town, here, the roasted almonds at "Nuss-Engel" are delicious and make sure not to miss the Feuerzangenbowle (glühwein with rum) at the back of the market.

Okay, okay, you´re right, we´ve promised. Come with us now, grinches! We´ll visit the brandnew , which is just a few hundred metres away from Bebelplatz, just cross the street and walk towards Brandenburg Gate. The family of the actor Carlo Pedersoli, who died in 2016, celebrates his private life as well as his movie career and his partner Mario Girotti – also known as Terence Hill – with countless exhibits here. And the museum even created a personal reflecting the movies´ moods in a new way.

Those of you, who don´t fancy too much choice, but yearn for good mood, will once again find their place to be at . The trains rattle above our heads, the DJ puts on good-mood pop songs and even if it gets packed, people stay friendly (not always the case in Germany, unfortunately) – a marvelous way to spend the evening.

Not far from here we get to , probably the most renowned Viennese coffee house of the city. The house itself, villa Rossmann, went through since its completion in 1878. Important hint: go and experience the current flair quickly, from 24 December on it will be subject to renovation work for one and a half years. And you just have to try its Topfenkuchen (something like cheesecake, but lighter) before that!

The 15 December marks a special date for all the opera fans among us, because once again brings Barrie Kosky´s famous production of „“ on stage. It surely isn´t revolutionary to think of showing the little ones Mozart´s "Magic Flute" as their first opera. But when the Queen of Night appeares as a giant spider and Tamino and Pamina get to know each other in front of a comic-like background, the young audience isn´t too much endangered of getting used to dusty stagings and opera images. We like. (© photo: Iko Freese/drama-berlin.de)

We are slowly coming to the end of this last mailing of the year and we can say: we saved the best for last. The christmas market in the district of Spandau was transferred to the historic citadel last year, because it was easier to meet the strict Covid protocols there. But luckily it quickly became clear that in more relaxed times (as today), one christmas market doesn´t necessarily exclude the other. So stayed. For us it is one of the most beautiful christmas markets of the city, thanks to its impressive castle atmosphere, beautiful decoration and very hard to find vastness. Don´t hesitate to pay the uncommonly high entrance fee of 3,50 € – once you´ve tried the homemade Skandinavian "Glögi", warmed up by the fire places and maybe burnt some calories ice skating or ice stick shooting, you are addicted anyway. Yes, you may take this as our warning.

Chin up for all of you, who are already in fear of the not-so-peaceful family meetings, alcohol soaked company christmas parties and the mandatory "Oh, what an amaaaazing gift, thank you soooo much": it will be over soon. And if you can´t stand it anymore, . But untilt then it is for us to wish you: 

A really merry christmas and a fabulous new year!