Reichstag

Today, we went to my favourite landmark in Berlin - the Reichstag.

After a long and violent history, it was beautifully restored after the wall came down (by the Brit Sir Norman Foster) and today once again hosts the German parliament. It is very much the original building, but the destroyed dome was replaced with a wonder of glass and steel. You can walk up and down it like inside a snailhouse and have a view onto the heads of the parliament down on the groundfloor (in theory, it doesn't always work, today it was so sunny we only saw our reflections in the glass).

Out on the terrace you can walk around and take in panoramic views of Berlin. It simply is beautiful, especially on a bright day like today. Entry is free - but there was a massive queue again today, so I recommend you steal a buggy somewhere if you don't have kids - because then you get in the side entrance and get treated like royalty, it's great.

We then walked along under the Brandenburg Gate, took the S-Bahn to Hackescher Markt, had lunch at Cafe Orange, then walked to the Museumsinsel and then Friedrichstrasse.

Am utterly knackered tonight, but it was a beautiful day and I will find the strength to go to my flamenco class I hope, I will, I will, I will...