The German historian Karl Scheffler once remarked that Berlin is always in the process, and judging by the number of taps that the city's skyline dominate, he hit the nail square on the head. Berlin's turbulent past is well documented, but since unification in October 1990 the city has had much to celebrate. Today Berlin is the country's cultural and economic power and has more than enough to proceed to justify the billing as one of Europe's favorite city breaks.

Although there isn't much of the Berlin Wall remain (although you can still buy pieces as souvenirs), the Checkpoint Charlie museum presents a clear picture of the city's shared past. Meanwhile, the contemporary face of Berlin's United is present that exhibited by Norman Foster's makeover inspired by the Reichstag. The view from the glass dome that now covers Germany's parliament building are certainly impressive, but to really reach the top of the city near the elevator to the top of the 400m Fernsehturm at Alexanderplatz.