<p>I will be doing some travelling in these cities for a few days each in August after a summer program in Europe. Could any knowledgable CC’ers give any recommendations, tips, things to do and any particular things i should know? I will be travelling mostly solo and it will be my first time so i’d really like to soak up the history and culture of the place and make it fun 
Also, how easy is it to train from Berlin to Amsterdam? And Barcelona to Madrid?
To those who can compare, which city is your favourite and why?</p>
<p>It is really easy to travel by train throughout Europe. I would think that all those routes have frequent departures and some options in terms of high speed rail which is faster but more expensive.</p>
<p>It is really hard to pick a favorite city over another. So much depends on what your interests are and what you want to do there. Although the entire world is much more homogenized culturally, each place is still unique. For example the canals of Amsterdam versus the Gaudi architecture of Barcelona… hard to pick which would be more of a favorite than another.</p>
<p>I’ve only been to Barcelona and Madrid and loved them both. Rick Steve makes a good guide for them. In Madrid, we followed his instructions and bought cookies from the cloistered nuns. We stayed at the Hotel Europa which was great, at least it was several years ago. In Barcelona, make sure to go to the gothic quarters and see Plaza de Sant Felip Neri and the bullet holes. The whole gothic area is cool. We stayed at the hotel Peninsular which was a converted convent and very neat. We had an attic room but some of the rooms were like nun cells. See the Gaudi sites and we took a gondola ride up to the heights. Watch for pickpockets. They were very busy on the Ramblas. Have a sangria and enjoy!</p>
<p>Yes, keep tight watch on money, cameras, phones or purses etc in Barcelona. Lots of petty crime.</p>
<p>For Amsterdam: </p>
<p>Just walk around and enjoy the Grachten 
Also, definitely go and see the Anne Frank House. Even if you haven’t read her diary, it is still impressive to see. </p>
<p>Berlin:
Brandenburger Tor
Gendarmenmarkt
Museumsinsel (Pick your favorite Museum)
Unter den Linden
Reichstag
Holocaust Memorial </p>
<p>And make a day trip to Potsdam and visit Schloss Sans Soucis and the House of the Wannsee Conference :)</p>
<p>you will be fine with the trains (note: they will leave on time, and if you are not on them, you lose! lol)</p>
<p>I’ve been to Amsterdam and Berlin. Both are amazing cities, though I personally liked Berlin better. I really liked walking through the history, especially what is left of the Berlin Wall. In Berlin, I stayed near Alexanderplatz (has the huge Soviet tv tower), and in Amsterdam right down the alley from the Red Light District (this area was definitely fine during the day, but I might be a little wary at night).</p>
<p>In Amsterdam we stayed at the Owl Hotel, very cute, more like a pension, easy bus in from the airport, walking distance to all the museums, to the Anne Frank house, to Vondelpark. we found several nice restaurants in the area. Not on a canal if that is what is important to you. Amsterdam hotel prices are high and the rooms are very small. Owl did include breakfast which years ago was the norm, but not as common today. Also included a computer to use in the lobby. Front desk very helpful.</p>
<p>In Berlin I highly recommend the German History Museum. It was so interesting My friend and I were there from 10 am to 5 pm. I recommend the Holocaust memorial and museum downstairs, and the one by the old wall. Berlin was, in a sense, a bit of a disappointment because the architecture is so modern and often badly pasted together. There are wide blocks of not much. I highly recommend staying near the Prenzlauerberg (spelling) area, near this [Kollwitzplatz</a> Farmers Market<em>|</em>Slow Travel Berlin](<a href=“http://www.slowtravelberlin.com/2010/03/07/kollwitzplatz-farmers-market/]Kollwitzplatz”>http://www.slowtravelberlin.com/2010/03/07/kollwitzplatz-farmers-market/)</p>
<p>The market was great and this area was much more interesting than the area we stayed at, at the arthotel, which was an ok hotel but a blah area.</p>
<p>Amsterdam of course is great. We stayed near the museums and found it a great place to park. I would NOT want to stay near Dam Square. Be careful about where you stay in Amsterdam. You wouldn’t want to be in the center of the red light district. </p>
<p>In Barcelona we stayed fairly near the Ramblas, which was a mistake. The Gothic Bari area is nice, but I wouldn’t stay in it again. I would stay in the Gracia area. Barcelona museums in the summer, like the Picasso, can be extremely packed, we didn’t bother standing in line. Of course you want to see all the Gaudi, and the wonderful Park. </p>
<p>We found food much, much better in Madrid than in Barcelona. In Barcelona it generally lacked flavor, not enough garlic, etc.</p>
<p>Loved! the Hotel Seven Bridges in Amsterdam!</p>
<p>In Barcelona, I recommend the Hotel Europark in the Eixemple area, Good location between the Paseo de Gracia and easy walk to Sagrada Familia. Easy walk to major metro station and train station that goes to the airport. Nice restaurants and cafes… there is another hotel in this group the Hotel Jazz that we considered also but very happy with the Europark. You do need to have street smarts in Barcelona, as pickpocketing is rampant and lots of scams to attract a crowd where attention can be diverted.</p>