stwhitm

We've been to Venice a great deal - it's possibly our favourite city. A few ''must go/must do's'

1. Get a multi day vaporetto ticket. A single journey is over €7, a 72 HR pass is €40 - do the math. This gives full access to all places on the lagoon - Murano & Burano are must sees, as is the island of San Giorgio, just off the main island.

2. Book a tour of the Doge's palace - print tickets at home. The "secret your" is by far the best.

3. Venice is essentially a walking city. Google free walking tours - but make sure you book on one in your language.

4. For a unique, and cheap, eating expression go to Del Moro's - Google it. Make sure you visira supermarket on the way & take a pot of salad & bottle of wine to share

5. Photograph what you see the first, and often only time youllysee it - it's impossible to find things/places a second time.

6. The further you get from At Mark's square the quieter, and we think more beautiful Venice gets.

Enjoy

No matter how you do it Berlin is a long way. The main railway station is near the Reichstag - if you plan to go in it is free but you must apply online before you go if you want to be certain of getting in. Museum island is too big for one day, a single museum may be possible. The city is of course dominated by WWII - the monuments to murdered Jews & burnt books are particularly moving. The Topography of Terror is another site that falls into the 'must see' for all the wrong reasons - site of the former SS/Gestapo headquarters and one of the longest sections of 'wall' still in situ, it is also very near 'C'point Charlie.'

Berlin is worth visiting - but do your homework - pick the sites you most want to see - the ones I've mentioned are very close to each other. It is impossible to site see/shop/river cruise on the same day - you are probably only going to have 6-7 hours in the city. Arranging it yourself is very easy - especially if you use the train.

Good luck.