Berlin has been at the centre of some of the biggest historical events of the last 100 years, from its division into four sectors at the end of the Second World War to the toppling of the Berlin Wall in 1989. These days it is a thriving, modern and exciting capital and is the largest city in Germany with a population of 3.5 million. Much of the city has been rebuilt and restored, but there are still many reminders of its turbulent history from the old Reichstag and Checkpoint Charlie to the striking Memorial Site to Murdered Jews.

Berlin's history as a city divided for decades means that it has developed differently from any other part of Germany and consequently has a unique character and atmosphere. In fact, despite its somewhat sober exterior, Berlin is actually remarkably relaxed and liberal when compared with other parts of Germany. In recent times, it has been a magnet for 'alternative' communities of hippies, punks and artists and this is still the case today, typified in the district of Kreuzberg. As a result, Berlin has a remarkably vibrant nightlife. It is also a cosmopolitan place, with large Turkish, Greek and Italian communities, who came to the city as 'Gastarbeiter' (guestworkers) in the 1960s.

Berlin is quite a sprawling area, larger in geographical terms than New York. This can make it quite hard for visitors to get a sense of where things are in relation to each other. This is compounded by the fact that there is no real centre so don’t be surprised if you find yourself wondering around hopelessly lost for large parts of the day and night.

Despite being Germany's capital, Berlin, in the northeast of the country, is separated from many other of the host cities but is easily accessible by air, road and rail.