The Berlin Christmas Markets

For the past couple of years I have had the good fortune to spend my time either working from my home office (involving a hefty 10 second commute from my bed to my desk) or from Berlin. Pretty nice, eh.

Strangely enough, I always found it necessary to fly over to Berlin and meet my colleagues for some very urgent face-to-face meetings in early December. 

And the fact that the hotel where I always stay is situated immediately opposite the prettiest Christmas market in Berlin? Completely unconnected, of course:-)

Welcome to Berlin's Gendarmenmarkt...

Viewed from above, it's a sea of pristine tents, each decorated with a single warmly glowing star, and presided over by a huge Christmas tree.

The shops (you can't really call them stalls) are immaculately edged with twinkling fairy lights, and draped with red and green fabrics.

Hungry? How about a sit-down meal in a heated restaurant, with fine china and waiter service...

Thirsty? How about a glass of bubbles (yes, that's a bottle of Veuve on the counter) or a warming mug of Gluhwein...

You can buy wooden toys:

As much cheese as you can stagger home with:

Nougat:

Fairy lights made from flowers and shells:

And beautiful wooden boards:

Yes, the Berlin Christmas markets are a thoroughly classy affair. Having said that, being a northener born and bred, I will always retain a soft spot for the Manchester Christmas markets, where if you don't come home soaked in beer, with a sore stomach from attempting to eat something from every single food stall, and an empty wallet from having paid £5 for a small bratwurst, then you're just Not Doing It Properly.

Berlin's Unter Den Linden - Or, A Love Letter To Paris

Dear Paris,

You know I love you. You're my favourite city in the world. Andre and I are planning to move to France just to be closer to you. My perfect weekend is spent wandering the streets of the Marais from café to bar to restaurant. I have walked down the Champs-Elysées in spring, summer, autumn and winter. I wear Jo Malone French Lime Blossom perfume just to remind myself of you.

But when it comes to magical Christmas lighting - Paris, I'm so sorry, but I think Berlin's Unter den Linden just about has the stylish edge over the Champs-Elysées. What can I say, the way those rope lights highlight the shape of the trees is just uber-fabulous. 

 

I know you'll forgive me, my beloved Paris - I may be having a moment for Unter den Linden, but you know I still love you the most of all.

Alice at Simply The Nest xxxx

Autumn Postcard From Berlin

Here are a few photos that I took yesterday in Berlin during my short trip from the hotel to the office:

I took this photo immediately after stepping out of the hotel. Those of you who are familiar with Berlin should be able to work out which hotel we stayed in, from the U-Bahn station and the building:

 

Here's the same building from another angle: 

  

I quite like the contrast between the old, domed building, and the modern U-Bahn sign.

I took this next photo by leaning out of the office window, and zooming in to the trees alongside the river:

Gorgeous colours, no?

When I next come to Berlin, hopefully the Christmas markets will have begun - such a lovely experience. I am already getting excited to blog about it.

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!