Berlin Central Station

Berlin Central Station, also known as "Berlin Hauptbahnhof", is located in the western part of Moabit in the Mitte district, on the banks of the Spree River, adjacent to the northern edge of the government district. It is the core station of Deutsche Bahn (DB) and one of the few stations in the world where trains can arrive from four different directions. Its cross-shaped ("+" shape) railway layout makes it an essential transport hub connecting Eastern and Western Europe as well as Northern and Southern Europe. The station was officially opened just before the 2006 FIFA World Cup, symbolizing the modernization of Berlin after reunification.

The station is famous for its unique architecture, with a curved glass dome that reflects the concept of "transparency and openness". It is considered the third most iconic building in Berlin. The station has a total of five levels, including three above-ground and two underground levels. The east-west high-speed railway tracks are elevated, while the north-south tracks are deep underground. With its multi-level design, it is one of the largest three-dimensional transport hubs in Europe.

Berlin Central Station is also one of Germany’s busiest railway stations, with a daily passenger volume of around 300,000. It connects high-speed trains (ICE), intercity trains (IC/EC), regional trains (RE/RB), the metro (U-Bahn), and city express trains (S-Bahn). The station offers direct connections to major German cities such as Hamburg, Munich, Frankfurt, and Cologne, as well as international destinations including Amsterdam, Paris, Brussels, Warsaw, Prague, and Vienna.

Antwerp Central

Introduction

Antwerp Central Railway Station is one of the architectural wonders of Europe. When the Thalys train service began, although the station had to be rebuilt, the grand main building on the street was well preserved, mainly because the station's new platform was built on a lower level.

Platform

The train will depart from three different stations:

Some trains, including trains to and from Ghent and elsewhere, will depart from the upper platform and arrive at the lobby.

However, the Thalys train and Intercity Brussels use the services of the underlying platform.

Escalators and elevators connect these low-floor stations to the main lobby, but if you are travelling on a Thalys or Intercity Brussels model, remember to arrive at the station at least 5 minutes before departure.

If you are going to take the Thalys train, it is important to note that the station is different from France or Germany, and the platform at Antwerp Central Station is not divided into areas. Therefore, the capacity will not be able to determine the waiting position on the platform, you need to directly board the Thalys train seat you reserved.

Interestingly, on the Thalys train to Paris, the first class is usually facing the front of the train, while on the train to Amsterdam, it is usually towards the rear.

Before you leave, you can go to the information station to check the location of the train's car card, so that you can easily enter the door of your nearest location and find your seat on the train faster.

Station connection

Arriving at the station by Thays or Intercity trains usually arrives at the lowest level of the four-story station. When you get off the bus and look up, you will easily find the escalators that arrive at the exit. There are also lifts at the station, which can be used when needed.

If you are going to change trains at Antwerp Central Station, please find the train information screen on the platform that arrives from your first train. Avoid checking the departure screen in the main lobby and returning to the same station again. If you are connecting to an IC train from Gent / Gand, Brugge, Lille or Oostende, they usually depart from the top of the station.

When you need to reach the top floor of the escalator, do not use the escalator of the main building, you should use the escalators on the left and right to reach the top floor.

Going to the city center

Antwerp Central Station is located on the eastern edge of the city centre.

The street-centric shopping district is called 'Meir' and is a 10-minute walk from the station. If you are going out, please use the exit on the left side of the station lobby (do not exit from the front door of the station) and walk along the walking route along the street named De Keyserlei.

The old town is located at the other end of 'Meir', so it can also be reached on foot, walking time is about 20 to 30 minutes.

Berlin

City Overview

As the capital, Berlin's position in Germany is unquestionable. For travellers, you can see the Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor), the Reichstag, the Bundeskanzleramt, etc., representing the German state in Berlin, and more, seeing the history of Germany. In particular, the sin and trauma of World War II and the division and opposition of the Cold War. The Berliner Mauer has been overthrown for more than 20 years, and the East German-Western point has long been a history, but Berlin still retains many historical sites and has created many museums to teach people how to learn. The remains of the Berlin Wall, the East Galery, the reserved Checkpoint Charlie, the newly built Holocaust-Mahnmal, and so on, are all contemplative places.

Berlin is also one of Germany's art centers, and there are more museums displaying the historical and artistic treasures of Germany and the world. The Museuminsel has a lot of essence. At the same time, Berlin is also a very modern and open city, which is not only reflected in the modern city. You can taste the tolerance and vitality of Berlin among the exotic costumes of the pedestrians and the dishes from around the world that you can taste. The elegant Unter den Linden, the expansive Tiergarten and the classical Schloss Charlottenburg are great places to slow down and relax.

Must visit attractions

• ##### Brandenburg Gate Brandenburger Tor

The Brandenburg Gate is a symbol of Berlin and a national symbol of Germany. This neoclassical sandstone building, built in 1791, is based on the Acropolis city gate. On the top of the door is a bronze statue of a four-wheeled carriage of the goddess of victory with wings, the scepter in the hands of the goddess. The oak garland, the iron cross and the winged eagle all symbolize the victory of the war. The Brandenburg Gate faces east, and its east is the heart of Berlin's Old Town, the only remaining Berlin gate. The Brandenburg Gate has stood here for more than two hundred years and has witnessed the rise and fall of German history. During the split of the East and West Germany, the Berlin Wall was erected on the west side of the Brandenburg Gate, and no one passed for decades. Today's city gate and the surrounding Pariser Platz are the most recent renovations that have been completed since the end of the Cold War. The buildings on the Paris Square are also very popular, with the recently completed US Embassy and the Hotel Adlon, which has been visited by countless celebrities.

Transportation: Light rail/subway: S1/S2/S25/U55 line, Brandenburger Tor station. End of the west end of Unter den Linden.   * ##### Berlin Museum Island Museum Island

Museum Island in Berlin is a small island that brings together five museums. Built between 1824-1930. Due to the commemorative significance of culture and architecture, it was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999. The five museums are: the old museum in Berlin and the new museum, the National Gallery, the Bode Museum and the Pergamon Museum. Among them, the large-scale buildings in the Pergamon Museum are among the most famous. Museum Island brings together the best of German museums, such as the Pergamon Museum, which shows the history of ancient Egypt, the National Painting Gallery, which houses the works of world masters, and the German Museum of History. Museum Island is located in the former East Berlin area. At that time, due to economic difficulties, the major museums on the island were in disrepair and were ruined. After the reunification of Germany and Germany, the German government invested a large amount of money to re-maintain all the buildings on the island.

Transportation: Take the underground U6 and get off at Friedrichstraße; take the city railways S1, S2, S25 to Friedrichstraße or S5, S7, S75 and get off at Hackescher Markt.

• ##### Berlin German History Museum Deutsches Historisches Museum

The German Museum of German History in Berlin was founded in 1987 by German Chancellor Helmut Kohl and Berlin Mayor Dipgen on the occasion of the 750th anniversary of the founding of Berlin. It is located in the heart of Berlin, the oldest building in Berlin under the Bodhi Tree Street. In 2004, the new wing of the museum designed by IM Pei-Ming was completed. In 2006, after the restoration of the armory building, the permanent exhibition was opened to the public with the theme “Image and Witness of German History of Two Thousand Years”.

traffic: Subway: U2/U5/U8, U-Bhf Alexanderplatz Light rail: S5/S7/S9/S75, S-Bhf Hackescher Markt station Tram: M4/M5/M6, Spandauer Straße Bus: 100/200, Am Lustgarten Station

• ##### Berlin Wall Ruins Memorial Park Gedenkstätte Berliner Mauer

Most of the Berlin Wall, which has existed for more than 40 years, has now been overthrown, and the existing sections (such as the East Side Gallery) have not seen the original appearance of the year. Only the 220-meter-long wall preserved in this heritage park allows you to see the original Berlin Wall. You will find that the Berlin Wall is not just a wall, but a set of blockades consisting of a lookout tower, concrete walls, open areas and anti-vehicle trenches. There are various exhibitions in the open space to tell the story of the split period. You can also climb the tower observation deck to look at the entire wall structure.

traffic: Light rail S1/S2/S25 line, Nordbahnhof station   

Gourmet & Accommodation & Shopping

• ##### Gourmet

Typical German restaurant dishes are basically sausages, potatoes, grilled meats and sauerkraut. Specifically, there are boiled pork feet in northern Germany, Berlin's favorite curry sausages, and traditional German family recipes. The tastes from all over the world are here, making it a great motivation for people to visit Berlin.

• ##### Accommodation

Berlin is a modern, traditional and rebellious city. Its spirit is unveiled in the hotel's diverse style. There is a trendy five-star hotel, a classic and elegant century-old brand, and a tasteful boutique hotel. Living in Berlin, you can have different enjoyments every day.

Most visitors choose to stay in the central area, where the famous Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag, and the Berlin Wall are located. Exploring the Kingdom of Prussia and searching for the remains of World War II is a place that history and military fans must not miss. The city's subway, light rail, public transport and its development, as well as the world's oldest tram system, is recommended to live near public transportation stations, where it is extremely convenient.

• ##### Shopping

Berlin is the first big city in Germany, and various brand names are not difficult to find here. In Berlin, many of them are unique and unique shops. Many designers also offer privately-tailored services. If you want to get out of your own style, you will have a lot to come to Berlin.

Urban traffic

The city of Berlin has developed traffic, S-Bahn, subway, bus and trams are densely woven like nets. It is very convenient to reach all the attractions. The official website is www.bvg.de, you can check the frequency above. Traffic to the neighbouring state of Brandenburg can also be found on the VBB (VerkehrsverbundBerlin-Brandenburg) website www.vbb.de.

Antwerp ( ; Dutch: Antwerpen [ˈɑntʋɛrpə(n)] ; French: Anvers [ɑ̃vɛʁs] ; Spanish: Amberes) is a city in Belgium, and is the capital of Antwerp province in Flanders. With a population of 520,504, it is the most populous city proper in Belgium, and with a metropolitan area housing around 1,200,000 people, it's the second largest metropolitan region after Brussels in Belgium.Antwerp is on the River Scheldt, linked to the North Sea by the river's Westerschelde estuary. It is about 40 kilometres (25 mi) north of Brussels, and about 15 kilometres (9 mi) south of the Dutch border. The Port of Antwerp is one of the biggest in the world, ranking second in Europe and within the top 20 globally. The city is also known for its diamond industry and trade. Both economically and culturally, Antwerp is and has long been an important city in the Low Countries, especially before and during the Spanish Fury (1576) and throughout and after the subsequent Dutch Revolt. Antwerp was also the place of the world's oldest stock exchange building, originally built in 1531 and re-built in 1872.The inhabitants of Antwerp are nicknamed Sinjoren (Dutch pronunciation: [sɪɲˈjoːrə(n)]), after the Spanish honorific señor or French seigneur, "lord", referring to the Spanish noblemen who ruled the city in the 17th century. The city hosted the 1920 Summer Olympics.