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Polaroid of the Week: Epic Cycling Adventure Through Berlin

Polaroid of the Week: Epic Cycling Adventure Through BerlinApologies for the recent hiatus—I've finally rolled out the long-overdue mobile-friendly website redesign. The transition hit a few snags, so please bear with me as I squash the remaining bugs. Exciting new posts are lined up and ready to publish.

After an unforgettable first weekend in Berlin, we kept the momentum going with vibrant street art hunts, classic German breakfasts, our first-ever vegetarian currywurst, breathtaking sunsets over Tempelhof Airport (one of my favorite city gems), and an epic 20-mile bike ride crisscrossing Berlin. The city's immense size makes walking impractical for full exploration, but its bike-friendly infrastructure—with dedicated lanes everywhere—makes cycling ideal. Tiergarten, Berlin's sprawling Central Park equivalent, demands at least half a day meandering its scenic trails.

Blessed with perfect summer weather, we biked from Alexanderplatz to Brandenburg Gate and Victory Column along majestic boulevards, followed the canals, and roamed vast Tempelhof Field. We still logged plenty of steps on a free history walking tour (highlighted in my Quick Guide to Berlin with other essentials), covering icons like Checkpoint Charlie, the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, the Berlin Wall, and stunning Gendarmenmarkt Square.

Top highlights: Mustafa's Gemüse Kebap (a Berlin staple I featured in my 2013 Berlin Must Eats—it still delivers hype-worthy flavor), the lively Turkish market at Maybachufer (open Tuesdays and Fridays—I hit both), Street Food Thursday, and watching Germany triumph over Northern Ireland in Euro 2016 on the Fan Mile, a massive public viewing zone behind Brandenburg Gate. Sharing soccer fever with thousands of roaring fans is pure magic—far more electric than my World Cup watches in New York, where the sport lacks Europe's passion.

I haven't revisited all my beloved Berlin spots yet. Stay tuned for next week's Polaroid update from Berlin and my detailed June highlights roundup.

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