Tropical Islands Resort

While researching and putting together our itinerary for Berlin, I came across Tropical Islands Resort. Tropical Islands Resort is a tropical theme park inside a cargo lifter airship hanger (know as the Aerium), the biggest free-standing hall in the world. Tropical Island opened in 2004 and has the biggest indoor rainforest in the world (with around 50,000 plants and 600 different species, including some rare plants), a beach, and a number of swimming pools with fountains, slides and waterfalls. It also includes a hotel and camping grounds, bars and restaurants. It is open around the clock, every day of the year.

I thought it would be a fun stop on our trip and is right between Berlin and Dresden. We left Berlin around 8am to arrive at 9am and enjoy a few hours of swimming and lunch before heading down to Dresden. 

We bought our tickets online and had no issues checking in. Make sure you get in the proper line since they have a few different lines for guests who are staying overnight or buying tickets at the door. Next, we headed to the locker room to change. They have changing rooms available but don't be shocked if people change right in front of you by their locker. 

 

Be sure to take a walk around the whole park. It really is a cool place and they have a lot to offer. The kids area is really fun. Rand had a blast in the ball pits and water areas.

Tips for your visit to Tropical Islands Resort:

-Bring a wet bag for your swimsuits and your own towel

-Bring sandals (I remembered everyone else's except my own)

-Leave your wallet in your locker. You will get a wrist band and use that for purchases

-Bring your own water since it is very pricey

Berlin and Lego Land

When we started planning our trip to Berlin, I knew I wanted to be in a good location since we were arriving mid day friday. I found an adorable apartment right near Check Point Charlie on AirBnB. I do recommend confirming how many rooms you need if staying here. I assumed 2 bedrooms because it said "2 bedrooms" and because of the price but only 1 room was unlocked. The other was never unlocked and Rob had to sleep on the couch. I left a message for the owner and never heard anything back till after our stay. 

Anyways...

We only had 1 full day to enjoy Berlin so we decided to do the Hop on, Hop off bus tour. It was perfect for us because 1. Rand loved getting on the buses 2. It was really crappy weather and it was nice to see the sites and not get soaking wet 3. One of the stops was right near our rental 4. We got to see the main highlights of Berlin without even leaving the bus. I wanted to see the inside of the Reichstag Building and visit the Memorial of the Berlin Wall and the The Holocaust Memorial but we ran out of time. 

Around Berlin you may spot some unusual pedestrian signals. These are Ampelmännchen (little traffic light men) in the former East Germany. You may even find women traffic figures but we didn't see any. 

My favorite stop in Berlin was the Ritter Sport Cafe. We enjoyed our hot chocolates and chocolate dessert. 

One of the final stops on the Hop on, Hop off was at Lego Land. My only regret was not buying our tickets ahead of time. Not only is it MUCH cheaper online but the line to buy tickets at the door were insanely long. 

Rand had such a fun time at Lego Land. I don't know what he enjoyed more; the Lego Berlin with a working train or the 3D Lego movie! 

On our way out of Berlin, we made a pitstop and let Rand stretch his legs a little at this great little rest stop.

After our time in Berlin, we headed to Dresden but not before stopping at Tropical Islands Resort first.