We've been here before

Returning to a favourite place is a joy, though, isn't it?

Especially at this time of the year. Berlin's one of our favourite cities and we've been looking forward to our December Jolly for the last few weeks.

It's a short flight - around an hour and a half - and we were glad to take off on time.

A taxi past one of the last Concordes was a bonus, as was the tailwind that brought us into Brandenburg airport twenty minutes ahead of schedule. Nevertheless, it always takes a day to get anywhere, really, doesn't it?

With the swiftest of arrival procedures, baggage claim and all the immigration parlaver, we were soon in a taxi heading into the city and to our hotel in Potsdamer Platz.

The Christmas Tree in the hotel foyer is always spectacular and this year is no exception. Quite a few poinsettia have been carefully placed here and in another large installation nearby. Somewhat of a statement, wouldn't you agree?

We left our bags in our room and headed straight out, knowing that if we sat down in a comfy chair, it would be hard to get out of it! The Christmas lights and the adjacent Christmas market were right outside the hotel, though and we were immediately swept up into the spirit of the season.

We were also hungry and thirsty…but not for long!

A couple of hours later, feeling comfortably stuffed, we stepped out into the cold air and the lively atmosphere of the market.

This corner offered a fine choice of headgear in particular.

Feeling somewhat weary after a day of travel, we made our way back to our comfortable room for a nightcap in the lounge. Yes, we've been here before, which makes it all the more fun to look forward to tomorrow, when we will head out to some favourite haunts with a wish list in hand.