Berlin Inspiration #1
I don’t know what it is about my upcoming trip to Berlin in May, but I’m extra excited to research the place and really get inside the city. I’ve actually been to Berlin before, about six years ago. This time I’ll be there for The Hive bloggers conference, where I’ll be speaking. (It’s not too late to get tickets! May 19-20) Despite being a two day conference, it was “cheaper” to go for a week, so I decided to seize the day–err, week. I can’t wait to be surrounded by creative folks and to talk shop. For now I wanted to share a few of the great sites I’ve found, to help encourage a little vicarious travel for everyone. To Berlin!
Slow Travel Berlin is a site that encourages the “less is more” attitude, and to get beneath the city at a more leisurely pace. While not a unique concept to Berlin, I think it’s just what I’ll need for my second visit to the city. I’ll particularly be paying attention to the design and architecture archives and what’s on.
cee cee is more of a newsletter than a website (and it’s seriously awesome). I wish I could get into their archives, but this is more of an “in the know” kind of resource that is fun to get even if you don’t live in Berlin. I’m already looking forward to checking out this paper shop and the new Danish HAY in the Mitte, and in the process I found a handy map with some of their cool finds.
uBerlin is by Brits Zoe (a photographer) and James (a freelance writer and social media analyst) who realized as that they could work from anywhere, and packed their bags for Berlin. The site features art and culture, travel and expat life – including this handy guide on moving to Berlin. (The Daily Deutsch Doodle above is by Michelle Last)
Watson Berlin is technically a list-serve for jobs, but I love that they have fun with it, along side supporting locals. As soon subscribed and learned about several interesting companies/projects in the process, which I then googled for inspiration and new leads for my travels.
A few more sites to check out:
- Freunde von Freunden German lifestyle and interview blog (who will also be speaking at The Hive!)
- Chasing Heartbeat’s “Exploring Berlin” series (check her out on Boarding Pass!)
- Plus One Berlin – stay local and meet a local (LOVE this concept!)
- Creative City Berlin is a portal for the cultural sector and creative industries
- Typo Talks are a series of international design talks
- Creative Mornings Berlin video archives of the international series of creative talks
- Silicon Allee – German tech blog
- The Font Blog (in German)
- Toy Town Germany – English language news
- Exberliner – Berlin expat news
- The Needle – expat perspective on moving to Berlin
Ok, dish! Please share more great Berlin resources in the comments!
Top image from my last trip to Berlin.
Chedva
April 10, 2012 at 12:52 pm //
Anne, the conference looks awesome! I’ve never been to Berlin, but I have a friend who splits her time between Berlin and Tel Aviv (it’s a very popular travel destination for young TLVivians) and others who love it there. I’m really into what FvF do, I also follow them on Instagram and it always looks so exciting. I’m sure you’ll have a great time!
Emily
April 10, 2012 at 1:37 pm //
I can’t wait to check out each and every one of your finds! I couldn’t swing a week, but I’ve managed to get in Thursday lunch time so I can do a little exploring before the Hive. Can’t wait to meet you!
Scrapbella
April 10, 2012 at 1:53 pm //
I’ll be there at the conference and excited to hear your part. See you in berlin, greetings, Scrapbella
http://www.scrapbella.com
ashley // chasing heartbeats
April 11, 2012 at 6:42 am //
Like I said before, Berlin is AMAZING!! Thanks for the links, a few of these are new to me- off to check them out now!
julochka
April 15, 2012 at 7:30 am //
hi anne-
my bloggy (and real life) friend kristina has a blog called mostly berlin, in addition to her “real” blog – no penny for them. not only are they great berlin blogs, but she’s awesome to hang out with in berlin! http://mostlyberlin.blogspot.com/ there’s a link there to no penny for them.
there were two no-miss highlights to my own long weekend in berlin: one is an absolutely magical toy shop: http://www.julochka.com/2011/03/magical-toy-shop-in-berlin.html (the address is in the comments, as i was getting frequent requests for it). and the other was the magical-in-a-different way spiegelsaal – a decaying old ballroom that is a photographic dream. i have a few photos of it in this set on flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/julochka/sets/72157624874291297/with/5022211027/
sorry to fill the comment with links, but when michelle pointed me to your post, i just had to share them! berlin is awesome.
julochka
April 15, 2012 at 7:32 am //
oh, and if you’re on instagram – look for sandra juto – her shots of her daily life in berlin will make you swoon. she’s swedish and like the couple from üBerlin, realized she and her husband could work from anywhere.
Prêt à Voyager
April 16, 2012 at 6:47 am //
This is awesome, Julochka. Taking close notes :)
Linds Frank
April 22, 2012 at 7:20 am //
Thanks for sharing this great list of sites. I’m headed to The Hive Conference too, and will be checking out all of these resources before hopping on the plane!
Funkytime
May 7, 2012 at 10:14 pm //
Cant wait to meet you:-) just bought my flight tickets yesterday. Though i was born in Berlin, I havent been back there ever since, so this will be exciting! Great tips!