Mark my words: Berlin is the next big city on the rise. If you’re looking for a nucleus of fashion, culture, art and food, visit Berlin for a very pleasant surprise where you can find all this and more. I think Germany has yet to establish itself as a desirable location for tourism, especially compared to other major European destinations, but trust me, that’s not because of a lack of attractions. When in Berlin, there are tons of different lodging options. One particularly pleasantly quirky option is the Circus Hotel: a very hip, affordable hotel in Mitte, one of the best boroughs of Berlin. The Circus Hotel is modern, and shockingly easy on the wallet but heavy on the aesthetic and personal charm, with an excellent staff and great touches like a pretty lobby restaurant and bar. In the surrounding area is some of the wonderful shopping the city has to offer, showing off the low-key but incredibly stylish flair for fashion Berliners possess. Hit up Paul’s Boutique on nearby Torstrasse 76 for a cool selection of Cheap Monday accessories along with vintage leather jackets, shoes, and jewelry, or Superficial Berlin Shop a couple doors down for an awesome array of funky clothing, tchotchkes and charming jewelry. In the way of art and culture, you’ll never be bored in Berlin thanks to the staggering amount of fantastic museums and galleries, starting with UNESCO World Heritage Site Museum Island (“Museumsinsel”), an entire part of an island within Berlin named after the five famous museums it houses. Beyond this another must-see is the Jewish Museum Berlin, designed by the amazing architect Daniel Libeskind, offering an innovative and absorbing look into Jewish history and Germany’s relationship with WWII in a way I’ve never seen before. Continuing on the historical kick, definitely plan to visit the famous landmarks like Checkpoint Charlie at the remnants of the Berlin Wall, and the striking Holocaust Memorial in the Friedrichstadt neighborhood, a €25 million project finished in ’04. To give you enough fuel for your jam-packed days in this dynamic city make sure to put the effort into enjoying a hearty German breakfast or brunch. Unlike many of its European neighbors, Berlin is big on the breakfast and there are tons of cute and delicious cafes and restaurants to enjoy your omelettes, toasts, and breakfast meats. Last words of wisdom: don’t be afraid to spend time getting a little lost in this city because Berlin is surprisingly gorgeous and full of hidden pockets of natural beauty tucked away in its urban landscape, just begging to be stumbled upon.