En Voyage_Issue#11_Flickbook
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Travel<br />
LONDON>CONNECTING<br />
The Federal Republic of Germany is situated<br />
in Central Europe; it has land borders with<br />
nine countries and a coastline of 2,389km on<br />
the North and Baltic seas. With a population<br />
of around 82 million, Germany is the most<br />
populous nation in the European Union.<br />
Politically, the country is a parliamentary<br />
democracy and its administrative structure<br />
is federal, with the 16 Länder (states)<br />
having a high degree of autonomy.<br />
HOW TO GET THERE<br />
Aurigny operates regular flights to Gatwick<br />
and EasyJet flies to Berlin Schönefeld up to<br />
five times per day, with a flight time of around<br />
two hours. Germany is one hour ahead of<br />
GMT. The country has one of the finest public<br />
transport systems in Europe, so onward travel<br />
from the airport is cheap and efficient.<br />
WHEN TO GO<br />
July and August are high season but<br />
much of Germany receives its maximum<br />
rainfall in midsummer so, although<br />
warm, it can also be unpredictable. For<br />
more settled weather with sunshine and<br />
comfortable temperatures, September and<br />
early October are the best time to visit.<br />
WHERE TO STAY<br />
Hotel am Steinplatz, once the haunt<br />
of celebrities like Vladimir Nabokov and<br />
Brigitte Bardot, reopened in 2014. The<br />
original Art Nouveau-inspired interior blends<br />
well with modern touches, and there’s a<br />
rooftop spa and a leafy inner courtyard.<br />
25hours Hotel Bikini Berlin is located near<br />
the zoo in a former 1950s high-rise and<br />
has had a funky transformation; you can<br />
rent free Mini Coopers and bikes from<br />
reception. A great hostel is PLUS Berlin, with<br />
designer en-suite rooms, a lively bar and<br />
restaurant and even a pool and sauna.<br />
Brandenburg’s capital, Potsdam, is a good<br />
base from which to explore the region. Hotel<br />
Am Jägertor is a four-star hotel located by<br />
the historical ‘Hunter’s Gate’, within walking<br />
distance of Sanssouci Castle and the Dutch<br />
Quarter. In the heart of the old town is<br />
NH Potsdam; it comprises a newly built<br />
hotel and the adjacent Brühl Palace, which<br />
has been renovated. A little further out, in<br />
the middle of the Potsdam game park, is<br />
Bayrisches Haus, a Bavarian house which was<br />
built in 1847 by the Prussian king Frederick<br />
William IV for his wife, Princess Elizabeth of<br />
Bavaria, and now houses a five-star hotel.<br />
38 <strong>En</strong> <strong>Voyage</strong> | Aurigny’s Magazine