What to Do in Berlin

Berlin is not a city you understand by visiting only its major landmarks. The Brandenburg Gate, Museum Island, the Reichstag and the Berlin Wall are essential, but much of the city’s character appears in less polished places: former industrial spaces, Sunday markets, rooftop bars, river pools, street art sites and neighborhoods where history still feelsContinue reading “What to Do in Berlin”

Hagia Sophia vs Blue Mosque: Which Should You Visit First?

Powered by GetYourGuide Hagia Sophia costs €25 per person, covers only the upper galleries, and closes to tourists during Friday prayer from 12:00 to 14:30. The Blue Mosque is free, sits directly opposite across Sultanahmet Square, and closes five times daily for about 90 minutes per prayer session. Both require modest dress and removed shoes,Continue reading “Hagia Sophia vs Blue Mosque: Which Should You Visit First?”

5 Things to Know Before Visiting the Hungarian Parliament

More than 40 kilograms of gold were used in the decoration of the Hungarian Parliament, yet the building was finished just as the political world that commissioned it was beginning to crack. Opened in 1902 after the great boom years of the Austro-Hungarian period, it was designed to project confidence on the Danube at aContinue reading “5 Things to Know Before Visiting the Hungarian Parliament”