The Reichstag Dome

Today was very hot and sunny in Berlin. I had booked for us to visit the dome at the top of The Reichstag - free entrance but online booking essential for security reasons. This large glass and steel structure was designed by Norman Foster, with 360 degree views over Berlin. It has a large mirrored cone in the centre which directs sunlight into the building and is environmentally friendly. It was a fascinating place to visit and we both considered it to be a highlight of this trip. The dome can be seen here from the outside.

We then hired bicycles and cycled all over the huge park, Tiergarten. It is a lovely green space in the middle of Berlin which is popular for families, couples and the occasional nude male sunbather! Thomas did wonder how they would feel tonight after a day of frying their tender bits in the sun!

The other highlight of the day was this evening's performance of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. We went along on the off chance that we could get tickets as usually it is booked up weeks in advance - we did and it was an evening of music by my favourite composers, Smetana, Dvorak and Martinu, with my all time favourite symphony being included in the programme, Ma Vlast by Smetana. It was like a dream come true to see my favourite symphony being performed by the world's best orchestra. Thomas could not believe he was actually lucky enough to hear this world class orchestra in their home concert hall. The conductor was amazing, a young Polish conductor called Kzysztof Urbanski, who is already rather famous. He was riveting to watch, he moved like a graceful ballerina and the music seemed to just flow out of his fingers into the musicians, I was absolutely star struck! And to top it all he was absolutely gorgeous and handsome with the coolest haircut I have ever seen on a man!