My dad and I have a tradition in our traditional 'father-son' weekend: World War II.
From a visit to the German hospital bunkers on Jersey to a deeply unsettling confrontation with Auschwitz, it is always an element.
Not that it is the focus of our weekend, that tends to be good food, good wine and good conversation.

On this year's trip to Berlin we stuck to our traditions. World War II is hard to avoid in Berlin from remnants of the Wall to the Holocaust Museum; the Holocaust Memorial however stood out. At first glance it doesn't seem very special, walking into it... it gave me the shivers and I was glad that a group of schoolchilderen shattered the silence.

There was no lack of good food or wine either, UMA in the MA restaurant was superb, Vox was good, while Borchardt... it may be happening but just don't go.

Remarkable is the amount of modern architecture that Berlin features from the sleek PWC building and the striking Holocaust Museum to a funny Otto Bock building (an interesting medical sciences company).

All in all a great weekend full of good traditions! Can't wait for the next one.

More pictures in the gallery.

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