The world of Berlin

A few years ago, a US travel guide offered the following tip to Americans travelling to Germany: "Don't smile too much in Germany. Germans need to have a good reason to smile. They are intrinsically pessimistic and they enjoy it. Anyone who smiles too much is seen as either suspicious or crazy."

According to the author, visitors should avoid saying "Wie geht's?" "Germans hate small talk, they don't care whether other people are having a good day or not", it went on. Today, it reads rather differently. The internet travel guide Wikitravel gives hope to any tourist who gets lost. "Germans will be very happy to help." But then warns with a smile: "But don't rely on this completely. Because Berliners don't always know exactly how to find their way around or every detail of the public transport timetables." They often have to ask for directions themselves.

Admittedly, this is a city that is constantly changing and never stands still! The Lonely Planet, the backpacker's bible, sums it up as follows: "Perhaps it is because of the historical burden that Berlin throws itself into the future with such infectious energy. Sometimes the whole city bubbles over like one big party. Cafés are full until all hours, drinking is a religious ritual and clubs are home to scenes of madness and hedonism until the early hours. Sleep? Forget it!"

Since the border was opened, Berlin has moulded itself into one of the hippest cities in the world. "The Rough Guide to Berlin" calls Berlin "an extraordinary city" with "world-class museums and high-quality galleries." Berlin is simply irresistible. The alternative French travel guide "Berlin Autrement" even awards mainstream attractions such as the "Île des Musées" (Berlin Museum Island) the maximum three points and "Berlino Meridiano" from Italy, where there really is no shortage of architecture, awards two points to the "Porta di Brandenburgo" (Brandenburg Gate).

But, for many, the architecture is secondary. It is the history that appeals. The Anglo-American travel guides, in particular, go into great detail about the Nazi period and the Cold War. Time Out raves about the "communist kitsch" at the Stasi Museum on Normannenstrasse and recommends that you pay it a visit. But the city's modern-day spirit is also appealing. This is clear from some of the travel guide titles. The Mini-Guide from Michelin, for example, is called "Escapade à Berlin". The title "Let’s go Berlin" also gives the impression that there is plenty going on in the German capital. "Berlin is bigger than Paris, more modern than New York, wilder than Amsterdam and more diverse than London. Cosmopolitan, dynamic and, in some respects, forgettable."

Naturally, you can't trust everything you read in the travel guides. "Let's Go Berlin" recommends that you try to blend in with the trendy locals at Hackescher Markt by ordering a "Milchkaffee" - German for latte. Then you'd really stand out as a tourist. After all, the Mitte district is definitely latte macchiato country.