LIVING IN THIS NEIGHBOURHOOD TIPS, HINTS AND USEFUL NOTES You are located in the Berlin-Mitte (Berlin centre) - the district where ‚all of it‘ happens. It belonged to East-Germany, GDR. In the beginning of last century a traditional middle class district it is now YOUR ADDRESS IS: WEINBERGSWEG 24, 10119 BERLIN-MITTE experiencing a new hype. Students and media-related independents have discovered its unspoilt character and vivid population mixture. This neigbourhood is safe: no matter what co(u)lor, religion or sexual orientation - you don‘t have to fear strange looks or comments or agressions. Parking is TOURISM TAX safe and free where not regulated. The Berlin Government cashes a Tourism-Tax. It is 5% of the costs for hosting. Your neigbourhood is called «Rosi» because it is all around Rosenthaler Platz. This neigbourhood is The tax office (Finanzamt) obliges us to cash it for them from you on your arrival. one of the most vivid ones in Berlin. It‘s no use recommending bars, cafés, restaurants or clubs, they You are freed from this tax if your visit to Berlin is business related. Please have a declaration are all welcoming and each has an individual style or touch and menu – you‘ll find out yourselves ;-) ready with you signed by you (if you are self-employed) or by your employer. A form for your Though you‘ll probably encounter many a tourist, the local mixture and structure is still based on declaration will be provided by us. regular inhabitants and their employments and engagements in their quarter. ‚Original‘ Berliners live and work here together with many a newcomer. To learn more about the tax please visit: www.berlin.de/en/tourism/travel- information/3298255-2862820-city-tax-in-berlin-who-is-to-pay-how-muc.en.html You may want to consider to contribute respect to the Berliners who live and work here – and often have to get up when you may just come home – by avoiding noise in the stair house and (drunk) yelling in the streets at night. From TXL Tegel airport take bus 128 (direction: OSLOER SRASSE) to U-Bahn Station OSLOER STRASSE ( final stop: ca. 24 minutes) TAP WATER / chateau neuf du robinet Change to U-Bahn, line U8 (direction: Hermannstrasse) Tap water in Berlin - as all over Germany - is of excellent qualitiy and may be used to prepare baby to station: ROSENTHALER PLATZ (app. 7 minutes) · TAKE EXIT FROM STATION to: Weinbergsweg food. It is maybe the most and best tested staple nutrient. Much better than many a ‚mineral water‘. From SXF Schönefeld airport take bus X7 (direction: subway station RUDOW) to subway / final stop (app. 10 mins) MUSEUMS TAXI Change to U-Bahn, line U7 (direction: Rathhaus Spandau) to station HERMANNPLATZ are often closed on mondays. Check opening Despite their bad reputation, taxi drivers in Ber- Change to top-floor = subway U8 (direction: Wittenau) to stop: ROSENTHALER PLATZ hours on: www.smb.museum/smb/service. lin are honest – no matter where the driver or TAKE EXIT FROM STATION to: Weinbergsweg If you're interrested in art consider partici- you might be from. Ask them (silly) questions and pating in the »Galerien-Rundgang« (gallery they'll explain the world to you. Fares are com- From HAUPTBAHNHOF (main station) tour) or »Lange Nacht der Museen» (long Bus 142 (direction: Ostbahnhof) to (subway-)station ROSENTHALER PLATZ (app. 12 minutes) paringly very affordable. museum's night). To order your cab get the App «TaxiBerlin» or call From BUSBAHNHOF ZOB (Central Bus Station, ZOB) Check magazines like SIEGESSÄULE (gay), +49 30 261026 or +49 30 210101. You can pre-book Walk to S-Bahn-station MESSEDAMM, take S41 (direction: clockwise /Uhrzeigersinn) to station ZITTY or TIP or a daily paper such as TAGES­­ the night before and a taxi will be waiting for you GESUNDBRUNNEN (app. 15 minutes) · Change to U-Bahn, line U8 (direction: Hermannstrasse ) SPIEGEL or BERLINER ZEITUNG. on your departure. HOW TO ARRIVE TO HOW to station: ROSENTHALER PLATZ (app. 7 minutes) · TAKE EXIT FROM STATION to: Weinbergsweg Admissions to art galleries are generally free Prices to/from Weinbergsweg 24 should not ex- By Car and the owners love art-addicted visitors. ceed (2015): TXL: 22.- | SFX: 45.- | Hbf: 12.- instruct your navigation system this address: Weinbergsweg 24, 10119 Berlin (Mitte) EATING AND DRINKING OUT To enter the city your car needs a green sticker. Ask us for details or visit: € http://www.stadtentwicklung.berlin.de/umwelt/luftqualitaet/umweltzone/index_en.shtml Quality and prices vary strongly. A dish of noodles or any asian style meal for less than 7 should ring all your alarm bells; decent meat dishes cost certainly more than 9€. Beer for more than 3€ is slightly overpris/zed, whereas long drink pris/zes always hit the roof. When driving a blood alcohol concentration (BAL) of 0.5‰ is tolerated - but if you cause an accident, a 0.0‰ rule applies. PUBLIC TRANSPORT is very economic and comfortable. A regular ticket (zones AB) costs 2.70 € (2015) and is valid TIP is generally 10% and service staff is very much depending on your generousity to make a living on buses, subway (U-Bahn), city-rail (S-Bahn) and tramways (Straßenbahn ). You may change since the basic salary is very poor, sic! Though many a waitor/waitress in his/her real life is an actress/ lines as you like and need - within 2 hours. A day ticket costs less then 3 regular tickets. actor you should not mistake friendliness for greed for money or an invitation to flirt. TXL airport is AB fare; SXF airport requires ABC ticket (3.60 €), so do Potsdam and ferry boats. On weekends traffic is nocturne (all night) and on weekdays a net of night buses bring you Your host will gladly help you with any EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBERS back to Alexanderplatz or Rosenthaler Platz. Detailed informations and plans on www.bvg.de problem or question. Ask for Werner. will work with any mobile phone Consider to get a BERLIN WELCOME CARD. It includes public transport and reduced rates to Call: +49 (0)172 · 3131323 or mail to even without local provider or sim-card tourist‘s attractions : http://www.visitberlin.de/de/welcomecard (change to your preferred language). [your-name]@apartment4u.berlin POLICE: 110 FIRE: 112