Berlin, Germany

For too long the perception of Germany in the eyes of most of the western world has been of a nation that is at once staunchly conservative and over reliant on a stiff dichotomy between the past and present.

A visit to Berlin, one of Europe’s most captivating cities, will be enough to cure the most ardent doubters. The city is truly alive, bursting with energy and possibility, comfortable with its tumultuous position in history and looking forward with an acceptance and relish that marks it apart from many European capitals.

Everywhere a visitor goes there is a reminder of the disproportionately large part the city has played in moulding the fortunes of an entire continent and while every effort should be made to appreciate the city’s remarkable heritage, equal attention should be paid to the way in which the city has reinvented itself to become a vigorous cultural colossus pulsating with raw creativity.

That succinctly is to describe modern Berlin; a city where the old and the new dance not uneasily but at peace with each other, comfortable with both scrutiny and admiration.

Landmarks and iconic buildings abound from the inspiring Brandenburg Gate to the Reichstag building and Berlin Cathedral from the distinctive red-bricked Rotes Rathaus to the undeniably majestic Konzerthaus.

With more than 2,500 public parks and city squares along with 400,000 trees lining various streets, avenues and boulevards the city is also a green oasis with numerous treasures to be found by those wishing to explore on foot.

The people too are a revelation being both unpretentiously sociable and genuinely interested about where visitors to their city come from. In part this is because Berlin commands such admiration from so many disparate professional branches, revelling in the affection of music enthusiasts, scientists, historians, film makers and theatre directors.

Take a chance on Berlin and prepare to be dazzled.