Berlin is a city that exists in the tension between its once glorious, and often dark, past and its relentless drive to reinvent itself. This becomes evident if you take the time to explore the city on foot.
While it might not be as famous for its fashion as Milan or Paris, Berlin is at the forefront of edgy, ultra-hip design. A specialty is temporary 'Guerrilla' fashion boutiques that spring up in the trendiest shopping areas, sell über-cool threads for a few months, and then disappear without a trace. Discovering these hidden treasures is a reward in itself.
Berlin is famous for its raucous nightlife, but its sweaty techno temples and grungy dives have been joined in recent years by a swathe of swanky bars. The fashionable Mitte district has a number of classy options, and the huge windows at Newton Bar (Charlottenstrasse 57) offer the opportunity to see as well as be seen. When you get tired of people watching, move on to the dressy, stylish Greenwich (Gipsstrasse 5). Ultra cool, with walls of illuminated fish tanks, this bar caters to a chic but laid back clientele.
When asked if I wanted to bounce down a hill while inside a gigantic inflatable plastic ball, I have to admit, I was intrigued.
Tucked away in a corner of the church of Saint-Eustache in Paris is a colorful if not particularly attractive bas-relief dating from 1969. The work of British sculptor Raymond Mason, it depicts a crowd of boisterous market porters bearing fruit and vegetables and pushing laden handcarts. Occasionally, you will catch an older visitor pausing quietly in front of the piece and heaving a little sigh. That is because it captures the moment when the great food market of Les Halles was exiled to the suburbs -- forever.
Keith Lotman went to New Delhi on a two-week business trip. But a quick day of sightseeing in India's capital city left him enthralled and ready to see more of the country.
Knowing we would attend a wedding in St. Louis, Missouri, one weekend and a bridal shower in Chicago, Illinois, the next, the two of us decided to turn the events into an excuse for a summer road trip through Illinois and parts of neighboring states from June 28 to July 4.
Cappuccino by the Trevi Fountain? Gelato on the Spanish Steps? Such small delights have run afoul of the guardians of Rome.
A two-decade ban on people with HIV visiting or immigrating to the United States may end soon through a Senate bill aimed at fighting AIDS and other diseases in Africa and other poor areas of the world.
Like millions of African-Americans who fled the South for economic and social freedom, my parents were part of that great migration.
Berlin is a city that exists in the tension between its once glorious, and often dark, past and its relentless drive to reinvent itself. This becomes evident if you take the time to explore the city on foot.
While it might not be as famous for its fashion as Milan or Paris, Berlin is at the forefront of edgy, ultra-hip design. A specialty is temporary 'Guerrilla' fashion boutiques that spring up in the trendiest shopping areas, sell über-cool threads for a few months, and then disappear without a trace. Discovering these hidden treasures is a reward in itself.
Berlin is famous for its raucous nightlife, but its sweaty techno temples and grungy dives have been joined in recent years by a swathe of swanky bars. The fashionable Mitte district has a number of classy options, and the huge windows at Newton Bar (Charlottenstrasse 57) offer the opportunity to see as well as be seen. When you get tired of people watching, move on to the dressy, stylish Greenwich (Gipsstrasse 5). Ultra cool, with walls of illuminated fish tanks, this bar caters to a chic but laid back clientele.
When asked if I wanted to bounce down a hill while inside a gigantic inflatable plastic ball, I have to admit, I was intrigued.
Tucked away in a corner of the church of Saint-Eustache in Paris is a colorful if not particularly attractive bas-relief dating from 1969. The work of British sculptor Raymond Mason, it depicts a crowd of boisterous market porters bearing fruit and vegetables and pushing laden handcarts. Occasionally, you will catch an older visitor pausing quietly in front of the piece and heaving a little sigh. That is because it captures the moment when the great food market of Les Halles was exiled to the suburbs -- forever.
Keith Lotman went to New Delhi on a two-week business trip. But a quick day of sightseeing in India's capital city left him enthralled and ready to see more of the country.
Knowing we would attend a wedding in St. Louis, Missouri, one weekend and a bridal shower in Chicago, Illinois, the next, the two of us decided to turn the events into an excuse for a summer road trip through Illinois and parts of neighboring states from June 28 to July 4.
Cappuccino by the Trevi Fountain? Gelato on the Spanish Steps? Such small delights have run afoul of the guardians of Rome.
A two-decade ban on people with HIV visiting or immigrating to the United States may end soon through a Senate bill aimed at fighting AIDS and other diseases in Africa and other poor areas of the world.
Like millions of African-Americans who fled the South for economic and social freedom, my parents were part of that great migration.
We were parked at a peaceful, shady overlook beside Virginia's Skyline Drive, admiring the green mountains and the river far below, when Keith realized he needed a new rear tire, and he needed it now. A bald tire is a serious problem when you're traveling by motorcycle: We don't carry spare tires, for obvious reasons, and a blowout on two wheels could be life-threatening.
Chesapeake Bay crabber Paul Kellam has advice for the teenage boys who help tend his traps every summer: You better have a backup plan.
Meandering through wooded hills, the George Washington Memorial Parkway offers stunning views of the Potomac River and the capital's monuments beyond. It also offers one of the most direct commutes to downtown Washington for suburban residents -- and that has brought traffic it was never intended to handle.
Off the back of CNN's Going Green week, this month Business Traveller will focus on the environment and travelling with a conscience.
The Federal Aviation Administration announced measures Monday to improve runway safety, including the installation at major airports of lights that signal pilots when a runway is safe to enter.
It is a baking hot Saturday in southeast Kazakhstan, and I have joined a group of scientists, diplomats, businessmen and a ballerina aboard a Russian-built, nine-seater four-wheel-drive van to escape the city of Almaty and its mountainous backdrop.
High gas prices may mean fewer families will be headed to the beach or the mountains this summer, but rising prices likely won't be keeping wealthy people from missing out on vacation.
The Federal Aviation Administration is ordering U.S. airlines to conduct safety inspections to look for cracking on overwing frames on certain MD-80 series aircraft, a directive that could be a headache for an industry reeling from soaring fuel prices.
Domestic airlines improved their on-time arrival rates in May, although more than one in five flights still failed to get passengers to their destination as scheduled, according to government data released Monday.
Despite the weak U.S. dollar, a boom in international travel around the world hasn't translated into an explosion of foreign tourists to the United States.
Boris Yeltsin lasted 30 minutes; he did well. Most people struggle to get past 20 -- and the recommended dose is a trifling 15.
One of the biggest-name dance DJs in the world, Paul van Dyk is in demand at clubs and festivals from Las Vegas to Ibiza.
The first regular charter flights between China's mainland and Taiwan began Friday in a sign of warming relations between Beijing and Taipei.
More than 200 mainland Chinese tourists arrived in Taiwan on Friday on the first regular commercial flight in nearly six decades, a historic move aimed at further easing tensions between the old foes.
When it comes to accommodation, Berlin is still the cheapest of the major European capital cities.
Although not famed for its home-grown cuisine, there's some excellent dining to be had in Berlin. Alongside the more traditional French restaurants, such as the superb Margaux (Unter den Linden 78), there is also a huge variety of quality ethnic food, including Turkish, Ethiopian and Moroccan eateries.
While visiting some European cities can feel like a trip to a museum, Berlin is vibrant and alive with culture. It has a regular program of lively events -- here are some of the annual highlights.
The German capital is a big place and its penchant for re-invention means it's easy to miss out on the 'real' Berlin. Here's the lowdown on life in the city.
Natural beauty, outdoor living and fine dining -- Wendy Saunt crams one week's activities into one memorable day.
Sam Hancock, 20, moved to Berlin 10 months ago, where he is living as part of his degree in English Literature at Warwick University. Between times working as a language assistant at a German high school, he writes his "Berlin Blog," an insightful view of the changes taking place in the German capital.
Berlin is a city that thrives on contrasts: east and west, old and new, efficient and eccentric.
In New Orleans, cocktails are serious business. What better town for a temple to the tasty history of the American libation?
Although people tend to call anything in a V-shaped glass a cocktail, the drink traditionally is required to have spirits, sugar and bitters. Some other facts about the drink:
For Glenn Wakai, the world is about to get a lot bigger.
When Karen Kernohan discovers part of her flight from Calgary to Rome is missing, British Airways claims "extraordinary circumstances" are to blame and refuses to compensate her. Is she really out of luck?
The Olympics are looking like a bust for the city's hotels.
As airlines slash flights and cut spending in the wake of rising fuel prices, rail travel across Europe is entering into a period of renewal.
Ellie Pope is offered a free-night room certificate as compensation for a bad stay at a Motel 6. But when she tries to redeem it, she's told it's no good. How do you get the hotel to keep its promise?
It's earth's most remote inhabited land, a South Pacific speck of volcanic rock so isolated the locals call it "Te Pito O Te Henua," or "The Navel of the World."
The couple at the next table in the upscale restaurant eyed the two little kids in our group with decided distaste. Their mom was upset, but I convinced her we should simply ignore the dirty looks.
The tiny Montana cabin where Unabomber Ted Kaczynski hid now stands a few blocks from the Washington headquarters of the FBI, which spent 17 years searching for him.
Porters on the famed Inca Trail trek to the jungle-shrouded ruins of Machu Picchu recall the fleet-footed chasqui -- Inca messengers who darted over the vast road network of South America's most powerful empire.
The Bush administration's plan to ease nationwide flight delays through an experiment with New York airspace drew fierce resistance Wednesday in Congress, where lawmakers and airline officials raged against what they said was a ham-handed effort that will only make things worse.
In a city famous for being the birthplace of the avant-garde, it can be hard to keep up with the latest trends. Here's a rough guide to what's hot right now in the French capital.
A day after Northwest Airlines announced it was scaling back domestic flights, Delta Air Lines did the same Wednesday -- announcing a 3 percent cut for the second half of 2008.
Mary Jane Prough reserves a room in Las Vegas through Hotwire.com. But the resort she's supposed to stay at has never heard of her, and she's sent to a different hotel that's out in the boondocks. What is Prough owed for the reservations snafu?
The Caribbean remains a top destination among cruisers, and more are bringing their children along for the journey, according to a new survey by the Cruise Lines International Association.
The faint sound of cannon fire, firsthand accounts, the famous cry, "Remember the Alamo!"
Almost every industry is feeling the effects of the credit crisis. With belts being tightened, the way in which we travel for our business is also changing. On this month's CNN Business Traveller, we're looking at doing business on a budget.
Managing expenses on the road doesn't have to be a struggle, even in the most expensive city in the world. And what Oslo loses in costliness, it easily makes up with nature.
United Airlines and US Airways have joined American Airlines in charging passengers to check bags on certain flights.
The last time this iconic pink hotel was closed for renovations, World War II had just ended and the barbed wire that stretched along the shore of Waikiki had been removed.
Intimate, design-driven hotelitos are opening throughout Buenos Aires. We've uncovered four neighborhood favorites that deliver style without sacrificing value.
With runaway fuel prices, it's somehow fitting that Jim and Wilma Fowler's Airstream Safari sports a green sign, "Alaska or Bust," on the back window of the 25-foot travel trailer.
Meg, 33, has lived in Paris for about three and a half years, where she works as a health policy researcher. Originally from Kansas in America's Midwest, she moved to the city for love. While her relationship didn't last, her affair with Paris did. Her blog, Le Blagueur à Paris, covers the city's culture and food. She also writes for travel blog Gridskipper.
When he was just 28 Mathieu Kassovitz won the Best Director award at the Cannes film festival for his controversial movie "La Haine".
Mathieu Kassovitz is an actor and director whose work ranges from French art house to Hollywood blockbuster. Cédric Klapisch is a director whose latest film "Paris" is a tribute to the city and its residents. My City, My Life got them together to talk about the city that is both their home and inspiration.
Just like those petite waifs that glide effortlessly down the Rue de Rivoli, seen at first-hand the beauty of Paris can be breathtaking.
The rejection from Air Midwest came swiftly on a one-page fax. The carrier couldn't afford to fly to the mountain community of Prescott anymore, officials said. The city would simply have to find a new tenant for its tiny airport.
When the day is done, the vibrant Marais boasts more than its fair share of drinking, dining and people-watching opportunities. Kick-start the evening with an aperitif or two at one of the tiny bars along Rue Vieille du Temple, such as the '50s-inspired Pick-clops, La Belle Hortense or Le Petit Fer a Cheval. Measure your coolness quotient at the Moroccan-inspired Andy Wahloo (Rue des Gravilliers) or jostle for space at La Perle (Rue de la Perle).
Paris is a city made for strolling. When you arrive, follow the route from the Hotel de Ville to the Arc du Triomphe, through the Louvre, the Tuileries and up the Champs Elysees to gain an idea of how the city links together. If you've got lots of energy, keep going from the Arc du Triomphe to La Defense and the leafy neighborhoods of Neuilly-sur-Seine.
Paris has hotels for every taste, whether you fancy the old-school gilded opulence of the famous Four Seasons George V (Avenue George-V , doubles from €695 a night), uber-chic Marais hangout Murano Urban Resort (Boulevard du Temple, doubles from €360), or the dilapidated charm of the Left Bank's Hotel Esmeralda (Rue St-Julien-le-Pauvre, doubles from €80, tel: +33 (0)1 43 54 19 20).
Gourmets may sigh with delight at the thought of dining in Paris, but many visitors wonder what the fuss is all about.
Sephora is much more than just a make-up shop: It's a shrine to the healing powers of beauty products, complete with friendly assistants who can't wait to work their magic on you.
No matter when you go, Paris has that certain 'je ne sais quoi' that makes it special. But time your visit right and you could find yourself taking part in one of the city's signature events.
Multi-talented French actor, director and writer Mathieu Kassovitz has gone from being the enfant terrible of French cinema to Hollywood movie-maker, romantic lead and even poster model for a men's fragrance.
Volunteer vacations are one of the biggest trends in travel. If you've never really considered going on one, these volunteers' stories might just change your mind.
Nine bulky luggage scanners worth $1 million each wait silently beneath the new terminal, poised to check for explosives at a combined rate of 3,600 bags an hour.
Travelers from England, France, Germany, Japan and about two dozen other "Visa Waiver" countries will be required to register electronically before boarding a plane or boat to the United States, the Department of Homeland Security said Tuesday.
The United States said Tuesday that it will require visitors who are allowed to enter the country without visas to register biographical details online at least three days before they travel.
Sandra Ferguson makes a reservation at a San Jose, California, hotel through ParkSleepFly.com. But when she tries to check in, the hotel has never heard of her. Does ParkSleepFly.com owe her a refund for the $180 she has to spend for long-term parking?
The tour guides were waiting with bony, undersized horses to carry travelers to Haiti's historic Citadelle Laferriere, one of the most impressive mountaintop fortresses in the world.
Brent Saba had just dropped a church group off at Philadelphia International Airport on Sunday morning and was heading north on Interstate 95 when it happened: His 15-passenger van ran out of gas.
Nearly half of American air travelers would fly more if it were easier, and more than one-fourth said they skipped at least one air trip in the past 12 months because of the hassles involved, according to an industry survey.
The Vatican unveiled the largest and most luxurious of the pagan tombs in the necropolis under St. Peter's Basilica on Tuesday after nearly a year of restoration work.
Northwest Airlines promises Dave Herstad 18,375 frequent flier miles when he applies for his mortgage. He gets the loan, but not the miles. After several rounds of finger-pointing between supervisors at Northwest, Lending Tree and Home Loan Center, his miles remain missing. What should he do?
The Led Zeppelin classic "Whole Lotta Love" throbs from the 1,200-watt sound system as the slick silver and white roller coaster nears the top of its serpentine track.
The government system that issues preflight notices to pilots about runway, equipment and security issues has been down for at least 12 hours, but passenger safety has not been compromised, the Federal Aviation Administration said Friday.
It's a big year for fans of theme parks and roller coasters all over North America.
China is one of those places where there has long been a real appeal to being on a tour. Having expert help to organize the logistics (and a bilingual guide on the ground) takes some of the anxiety out of visiting what can be a fairly overwhelming country.
Kaylee Sturm sat in the low surf, the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico lapping around her.
Here are the Best Beach award winners going back to 1991 from Florida International University professor Stephen P. Leatherman's annual list. Winners are retired from later lists.
It seemed like a can't-miss tourist attraction that would pull in visitors to the nation's capital: a new Madame Tussauds wax museum.
Budget cuts can be as damaging as bulldozers to pieces of American history, a preservation group said Tuesday in issuing a new list of endangered places that includes the jammed, noisy streets of New York's Lower East Side and the peaceful parkland of California.
Hello Kitty, Japan's ubiquitous ambassador of cute, has built up an impressive resume over the years. Global marketing phenom. Fashion diva. Pop culture icon.
Limbs and lungs aching after a 5 1/2-hour, above-the-treeline hike in the Swiss Alps, I plopped down with pride upon the roughhewn log that served as a bus stop bench.
Slot auctions designed to reduce delays and increase competition are coming to John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York and Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, the government said Friday.
An authentic crêperie, a homey Ethiopian place and a down-home soul-food joint are among the city's favorite eateries.
A New York City man is suing JetBlue Airways Corp. for more than $2 million because he says a pilot made him give up his seat to a flight attendant and sit on the toilet for more than three hours on a flight from California.
Perveen Crawford became Hong Kong's first female pilot in 1995 and is soon to be Hong Kong's first female astronaut when she blasts off to sub-orbital space as a paying customer on Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipOne.
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