Berlin 2026
We have made such an effort to avoid going away where it's hot. Mexico should have been 25°C (my upper coping limit) and it was an unexpected, unbearable 10°C more. This is where we bought our first handheld fans and I learned about electrolyte drinks, now also my saviour at home as we increasingly hit over 30°C in the UK. Similarly, Antwerp was unseasonably too hot, and we were hounded by wasps so much that it made even eating inside a battleground.
Singapore and KL were exceptions as it's always too hot and in Hong Kong we were always close to air-conditioned shops and buildings.
So when one of our favourite cities was offering flights from our home city in June, we took the bait. But the promised limit of 25°C was once again replaced with a higher, much redder number on the weather map and we had to dive for cover in the museums.
1. On my radar since the last visit was the Stasi Museum. We'd walked by last time as part of a glorious cold-weather GDR trail. It was fascinating that, despite having read so much on the subject since, I knew much of what it taught. However, being in the rooms and having my fascination with 60s and 70s interior design stoked was reason enough to attend. Surprisingly, there were no fans, definitely no air con, so ours were very much needed.
2. The beloved wanted to return to the Jewish Museum, which had changed a lot since he first went and was certainly busier. I certainly learnt a bit more about the Jewish faith here and it was cool in parts. Pointedly, throughout my visit, I could only think of what's happening right now in Gaza.
In terms of shops, we discovered Arket was arctic and we would dive in to cool ourselves whenever we passed. And we rewarded them with a purchase each, especially as they also had a toilet. A free public toilet is oh so rare in Berlin and even though I was prepared to pay to use one on this trip, we never needed to. We even found some department store ones that had stopped charging. I don't know if they were being kind because of the heat or if this is a permanent move. The shopping centres with food courts, however, still asked you to pay to use.
I always look forward to Muji as we don't have one any more and we did spend too much time in Ralph Lauren searching through the 50% sale but still didn't buy. However, the coffees and giant cookie in the Ralph's Cafe mean that it is now a solid holiday tradition.
For dinner, we ticked off the Burgermeister on the first day and then looked forward to eating at Indian Village later in the week. Here we parted with 'see you next year', so I don't know if they actually remember us or if it was just a remark.
At Alex, they instructed us upon entry that we had 45 minutes to eat. We agreed and then went inside and were surprised to see a sea of empty seats inside. Needless to say we didn't get our food in 45 minutes. I didn't have the appetite to go for 2 starters, and I remember the bruschetta being fine. Inside, the staff were friendly enough but the place was generally unwelcoming.
We had our blowout meal at an Italian restaurant, Il Punto, where the service was super attentive, as expected in a fine-dining restaurant. The bill came to 94 euros, half of which was a bowl of (very good) pasta and risotto.
I've noted my favourite meal, however, was the tapas at Dirty Rose, the only time I finished a meal all week. Alas, I took no photos and I have no memory of it. And the excellent lunch of TanTan noodles at Yuzu Ramen.
I loved Spreegold for breakfast on the last day, but Breggs and trickily named What a Treat? and What Do You Fancy Love? were fine too. We only ate at Sirene's after our first choice place was curiously cash-only.
For drinks, we upheld two traditions: a rooftop cocktail in our hotel and a Milkella bar for a little beer.
The tradition continued with coffee at the newest Barn, as one of the ‘circus’ ones has closed due to building refurbishment, and the Einstein chain; this one came with a view from the Kadewe department store. The heat made this the least coffee’d trip that I can ever remember.
I think we now need to rule out June - August for travel anywhere, other than Scotland or Iceland, perhaps.
June 2026
