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Doing business
Business is a serious subject in Berlin so expect plenty of rigour over decisions and very little or no humour during important and possibly lengthy meetings. If you’re wondering what to wear, don’t go casual or even smart-casual – this is the land of the smart business suit. Expect invitations to drink a lot of beer during an evening, but pace yourself: they won’t be impressed by drunkeness.

Cool hotel
Berlin’s Arte Luise Kunsthotel is not an art hotel but a gallery with rooms. Instead of canvases decorating walls, rooms themselves are works of art. Each one is original and unique, created by artists who invite you to fill their vision with life, to reflect upon, experience and become part of it – albeit only for a short time. Rooms vary in size and there’s a range of differently priced options available. There’s a good restaurant and free wireless internet throughout. See: www.luise-berlin.com

Hip restaurant
It must be Margaux at Unter den Linden 78, Michael Hoffman’s temple to avant-garde cuisine. Lush, back-lit onyx walls and crisp white linen ensures that your evening of Michelin-starred dining and celebrity-spotting will feel sufficiently exclusive. That’s if you can get a table, of course. Get your in-the-know colleagues to help out and book as soon as you know when you’ll be there, or charm your concierge with a few euros to grease your way to a table.

Happening bar
Wind down after a hard day with a few racks at what may be the world’s classiest pool hall – that’s Küh at Sophienstrasse 6. This dapper establishment is a haven for anyone who’s ever wanted to shoot some stick without getting hustled. The beer, as you would expect, is excellent and it’s a great location to bond with new colleagues.

No-go area
Berlin is among Europe’s safest capitals. Walking alone at night is not usually dangerous and you can go pretty much anywhere in a group. Travellers should use their common sense on public transport, especially when it gets late.

Must-see sight
Everyone that travellers encounter will have an opinion about the Holocaust Memorial on Ebertstrasse, a short walk from Brandenburger Tor. Spend a while wandering the maze of columns and make your own mind up.

Getting downtown
From Schönefeld Aiport train connections are regular and cost around £1.60. Fares from Tegel Airport are slightly more as this involves a bus then a U-Bahn train. You can get a taxi from either for around £25-30.

The details
Germany is one hour ahead of the UK at all times of year. Currency: £1=1.49euros (Dec ‘06). Contact: British Embassy Berlin, Wilhelm Str., 10117 Berlin; tel: +49 (0)1805 07 2006; see: www.britischebotschaft.de.

Getting there
Getting to Berlin couldn’t be easier, with flights from Glasgow, Belfast, Dublin, Cork, Newcastle, Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and Bristol. Tegel is the city’s main airport, while Schönefeld is the destination for low-cost carriers.

If corporate travellers are lucky enough to have some leisure time, sightseeing is best done on bus line 100 which visits all the tourist attractions. For the price of a day ticket you can hop on and off as often as you like.”
Nicola von Dellinghausen, HRG, Germany

Compiled by Tom Hall on behalf of Lonely Planet. www.lonelyplanet.com

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