Do you believe in hotel rankings?

Apparently, the NY Times does not, as it publishes a rather glamorous piece on Hotel de Rome, ranked on TripAdvisor.com #137 out of 400+ hotels in Berlin.

Quoth the writer:

For years, if you were a movie star or a head of state visiting Berlin, there was only one place to stay: the Hotel Adlon. That has changed with the October opening of the lavish Hotel de Rome housed in the former central bank of the old East Berlin.

To its credit, the hotel was open in October of 2006, so the score it received from 4 reviewers does not reflect reality (yet).

So don't forget to post your own opinions of the hotel after you visit Berlin.

The World of Biedermeier

While I clearly had no idea what it was about when I came upon the book World of Biedermeier, I must say I am now tempted to travel to Vienna, Berlin, and Potsdam, where the authors have thoroughly explored numerous castles and royal residences, baths, museum attics in their quest for the ultimate Biedermeier guide.

Their goal (beautifully accomplished) was to bring together everything Biedermeier - furniture, decorative ornaments, paintings, porcelain, crystal, and fabrics. The result was a 416-page reference book filled with astonishing detailed photographs.

After you check the book out, you might also embark upon a trip to Germany or Austria. And while you are there, why not splurge with a detour to Prague as well?

Here's a trip idea from EuropeanDestinations: Berlin-Prague-Vienna for 9 nights

Berlin's Cultural Best

Jason Sheftell of Frommer's came up with some great deals related to Berlin in his 6 Nights of Berlin's Cultural Best for Under $750.

Whether you choose to stay in Berlin alone or visit a combination of cities in the area, you have plenty to choose from should you decide to go.

Here are some additions ideas:

Berlin - Prague

Paris - Berlin

Berlin - Prague - Vienna

Berlin - Dresden - Prague

Paris - Berlin - Prague

Amsterdam - Paris - Berlin - Prague

Paris - Berlin - Prague - Budapest

Gute Reise!

Royal Gardens of Europe: Great Restorations

Without a doubt, many of today's impressive royal gardends would not be on display without the tremendous work of restoring and preserving the centuries-old gardens.

Here are a few the author recommends:

Hampton Court - London, England (the supreme Royal Garden, as proclaimed by the author)

Het Loo - Apeldoorn, The Netherlands (garden completely destroyed, then completely restored)

Isola Bella - Lake Maggiore, Italy

Charlottenburg - Berlin, Germany ("considered by many the greatest braoque palace and garden composition")

Beloeil - Brussels, Belgium

Again, the book is Royal Gardens of Europe by George Plumptre.