If you're looking for something to really spice up this Christmas, why not take a break to one of Germany's amazing Christmas markets?

This large leafy urban park in Berlin is a magnet for visitors and residents alike.

The public square of Alexanderplatz in Berlin was named after a visit from the Russian emperor Alexander the first. The square better known as Alex by locals; is a vibrant destination for business and leisure travelers alike.

The museum, part of the Museum Island complex on the Spree river, houses famed 18th, 19th and 20th century works including masterpieces from artists like Cezanne, Degas and Rodin.

The Neues Museum is located in Berlin, Germany and was built between 1843 and 1855. The Neues Museum is a great stop during any visit to Europe or Germany.

Called Museumsinsel (Museum Island), this small island boasts five world class museums. The island was declared a UNESCO National Heritage Site in 1999, and has been labeled "a sanctuary of art and science."

The Pergamon Museum, named for the Pergamon Altar, a monument so large that it fills one of the museum's rooms.

Great new competition from Radisson Blu gives you a chance to win a weekend break in one of five exciting cities.

The Brandenburg Gate in Berlin is one of that city's most powerful tourist attractions, with a long and ironic history that stretches back over three centuries.

70 new routes for Europe's second largest budget airline in 2010.

Ryanair opens 2nd hub in Oslo next year.

Amrit is a cheap restaurant with branches in Berlin's Mitte, Kreuzberg, and Schöneberg districts. The restaurant manages to be both superb value for money and have a lounge like sophisticated atmosphere.

Liz over at Travelogged included my Parks in Berlin post in the latest Anywhere, Everywhere Travel Blog Carnival.

Berlin is a very green city, with green spaces dotted all over it. Berlin parks range from tiny green oasis around fountain on street corners to massive leisure parks like Grunewald.

Berlin food isn't all currywurst, a bratwurst covered in ketchup and curry powder. While you'll find those on every streetcorner of Berlin, there are better options to be had

Berlin has more than one downtown. The city's many districts, called Bezirke, each of which has it's own individual feel to it. There are 16 main districts in Berlin.

It’s really that time of year, and all the pundits are throwing out their top destinations for 2009. I listed the Concierge.com ‘It List’ for 2009 the other day, and here’s Frommer’s suggestions for the 12 hottest travel destinations for 2009

Whenever you visit Germany, you'll end up driving on the Autobahn. The Autobahn is the German highway network, known for its lack of speed limits and very large number of German luxury cars going very fast indeed.

Lauri and I visited Venice earlier this month. It's a fabulous city and I feel we only scratched the surface.

Last spring I wandered Berlin for a few days, alone with a camera.