Jaunted

While we did try twice to get into the thing, the 2+ hour waits—which in the evening don't guarantee that you'll get in before closing time—turned us down a different road, literally.

After an unsuccessfull first attempt, we walked the length of the Tiergarten park's main thoroughfare, the Strasse des 17. Juni, as far as the Siegessäule victory monument. During the day, this tall column also offers a viewing platform to tourists, and usually without the wait and crowds of the Reichstag.

After a second failed attempt at mastering the dome of the Reichstag, we headed back through the Brandenburg Gate and down the street Unter den Linden to the Museum Island and its giant cathedral: the Berliner Dom. Cozily situated right at the center of Berlin, the Dom puts only 270 steps between you and a primo view of the city, with minimal crowding at the top and the Reichstag perfectly centered in your photographs.

So what is the lesson we've learned of tall landmarks, which usually applies to more cities than just Berlin? Don't waste time trying to get to the top of the most obvious building, but seek out the many others scattered around town with smaller (or no) lines and a view of the buildings into which everyone else is crowding. Have a quick climb, snap a few, and then there's more extra time for hitting the biergarten.

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