| Germany is one of the most visited countries in | | | | side, with The Konzerthaus (home of the |
| Europe, and for 30 percent of Germans it is also | | | | Konzerthausorchester Berlin) in the centre. Both |
| their destination of choice for their own holidays. | | | | the cathedrals house museums today - while |
| The most frequent reason for visiting is its | | | | during December, the Gendarmenmarkt is given |
| culture, according to the many that flock there - | | | | over to a popular Christmas market. |
| and the city of Berlin is very much the cultural | | | | Berlin and the surrounding region is also |
| hub for the country. So for those looking for | | | | well-known for its palaces. Charlottenburg Palace is |
| deals on city breaks this winter, Berlin is an | | | | the largest in the city, and is a major attraction. |
| excellent destination to sample one of the richest | | | | The building structure dates from the 17th |
| cultures available in Europe. | | | | Century, and its great size, baroque style and |
| Politics have been key to the shape and | | | | immaculate gardens are unforgettable despite |
| appearance of Berlin and its architecture over the | | | | major regeneration since the Second World War. |
| years. Since the German Empire of the 1800s, | | | | Entrance to the gardens is free, while parts of |
| the city has seen another four significant political | | | | the palace building can be entered for a charge. |
| powers assert their powers in the city, and today | | | | Unsurprisingly, Berlin is home to a great number |
| many of its most famous sites serve a | | | | museums - some typical of any capital city, and |
| government purpose. The Rotes Rathaus is one | | | | others more unique to its history. The Jewish |
| such example - a formidable and symmetrical red | | | | Museum Berlin is perhaps one of the most |
| brick building which serves as the home of the | | | | intriguing to visitors from outside of the country. |
| Berlin administration. | | | | The museum is actually made up of two buildings, |
| A must see for any visitors, the | | | | an 18th Century courthouse and a modern |
| Gendarmenmarkt is often regarded as one of the | | | | zig-zagging building which now stands beside it. |
| most beautiful squares in Europe. With a statue of | | | | Within, visitors can learn about two millennia of |
| poet Friedrich Schiller at its centre, the square is | | | | Jewish history in the country, via many |
| dominated by the divine symmetry of the French | | | | installations including a sculpture of 10,000 iron |
| Cathedral and the German Cathedral on the other | | | | faces and the 79 foot tall Holocaust tower. |