Potsdamer Platz, Berlin

Berlin with a Capital B.

Parler Paris...
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Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Paris, France

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Choose Charming, Luxurious Parler Paris Apartments for Your Next Trip to Paris!

Le Provençal Studio

This delightful studio is located on the quiet courtyard of a very charming 18th-century building in the heart of Le Marais. It is fully equipped with high-quality beds and appliances, plus Internet, free long distance phone service and more! This bright and cozy studio makes a perfect Parisian home for one or two. Click here for more information and photos.

Reserve now! Visit http://www.parlerparisapartments.com
or email: Apartments@AdrianLeeds.com

NEW LISTINGS!

L'Aubergine	Les Portes de Notre Dame	Le Déco

Photos by Erica Simone

Yep, I'm in Berlin with a Capital B. I remember when Bonn was the capital of Germany and we were visiting friends there who had a lovely contemporary house on the River Rhine. Everything was so...contemporary. Then exactly nine years ago almost to the day, the capital city was moved to Berlin.

No one talked much about Berlin until then, but within the last few years, it's the city on everyone's lips. "You must go to Berlin," they said. "It's amazing! The architecture is magnificent! The art scene is exploding! It's a must-visit!"

So, here we are. Mu daughter, Erica said, "It called to me. I had to go check it out." And so she did, for a few weeks on a mere pittance because it could be Europe's biggest bargain.

She's been exploring the city and its environs relentlessly, without knowing anything in advance, discovering its profound history for all its good and bad. As a mother I am grateful for that -- as she could not be getting a better education about the history of World War II and the horrific crimes against humanity that took place on this soil.

Berlin is, of course, not the same Berlin of the Third Reich. In fact, that's one of the fascinating things about Berlin -- it may have had more different 'faces' and 'personalities' over the course of its history than any other city in the world.

I've only been in the city less than 24 hours, but have already explored some of its most important sights. The architecture at Potsdamer Platz is drop-dead stunning. The Holocaust Memorial will make your skin crawl, as it intends and the Wiener Schnitzel and fresh white asparagus at "Lutter & Wegner" is every bit as delicious as they say (we dined at the new one at Potsdamer Platz). The Ritz Carlton was hosting a dignitary when we scooted past the doormen and military guards, but the doorman at the Adlon Hotel at Pariser Platz (Paris Place) wouldn't let us past the front door seeing Erica's big camera strung around her neck.

The underground is efficient as one might expect and is run entirely on the honor system -- no turnstiles or guards to ensure you pay for and validate your tickets (although undercover "controlleurs" are everywhere). The avenues are wide and spaces are wide-open, making you feel insignificant, and small, like a few ants on a vast landscape. There are no queues anywhere, to anything -- strange! Where is everyone?

For convenience I booked a simple and inexpensive hotel near my daughter's apartment in the district known as the "Friedrichshain." It's the hardest bed this old body has ever known and the one feather pillow made for aches from head to toe, but it's clean and classic, for 59 euros per night. Next time, I'll know better, and splurge for at least a softer mattress.

Today we have plans to visit the Jewish Museum first, which has been at the top of our list, then to cram as much into our day as possible. There is so much to see and the city is not as compact as Paris. We wouldn't make too hasty a judgment, but we both agreed...Berlin is Berlin with a Capital B., but it isn't Paris.

No city in the world is like Paris. Funny, but already I miss it.

A la prochaine...

Adrian Leeds
Editor, Parler Paris

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This Week in French Property Insider...

More You Should Know About Retiring to France
By Adrian Leeds

There's no special incentive visa for retirees, but retiring in France is simpler than you might think. First, you must apply for a long-stay visa ("Carte de Séjour -- Visiteur") at the nearest French consulate in advance of arrival in France...Subscribers Read On...

Learn how to buy property in France!

French Property Insider is a weekly e-zine, sharing insights, recommendations, tips, and discoveries about Paris real estate and French property. Each information-packed issue is devoted to educating its readers on how to effectively, efficiently and profitably purchase property in France.

For more information visit http://www.frenchpropertyinsider.com or email info@adrianleeds.com

Adrian Leeds, of Parler Paris and French Property Insider and John Howell, The International Law Partnership, Present the...

Living and Investing
in France Real Estate Conference
http://www.frenchpropertyconference.com

Upcoming Conferences in 2008:

London
Date: June 22, 2008
Location: International Law Partnership Offices, Holborn Hall, 193-197 High Holborn, London WC1V 7BD
Times: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with buffet lunch
Limit: 25 attendees
Registration Fee: £147 1st person, £97 2nd person
For more information, email rsvp@adrianleeds.com

To reserve your place, click here http://www.frenchpropertyconference.com/LIF_London_June_2008/fax_reg_london_2008.pdf
to download the registration form, print it, complete it, sign it and fax it to +1 (661) 554-1257.

To check the current rate of exchange, click here http://www.hifx.com/agent/parlerparis/converter.asp for the HIFX Currency Converter.

San Francisco
Date: July 26-27, 2008
Location: San Francisco, Alliance Francaise, 1345 Bush Street, San Francisco, California 94109
Times: To Be Announced
Limit: 80
Registration Fee: To Be Announced
For more information, email rsvp@adrianleeds.com

Paris
Date: October 11-12, 2008
Location: Paris Chez Jenny
Times: To Be Announced
Limit: 100
Registration Fee: To Be Announced
For more information, email rsvp@adrianleeds.com

We wanted better guides. So we wrote them.

Insider Paris Guides are written for people who love the City of Light. You'll get a Paris insider perspective on Good Value Restaurants... Making a Life... Black Culture... Expat Writers...plus the newest guide, Practical Paris!

Visit http://www.insiderparisguides.com

Welcome to your home in Paris. Home is how you will feel in a private apartment in Paris that has the "seal of approval" from Parler Paris Apartments and me, Adrian Leeds.

NEW LISTING!

Le Déco
One-Bedroom, Sleeps up to 4

From the quiet, residential rue Saint-Sébastien, walk up a mere dozen steps into this beautiful, newly renovated one-bedroom apartment. No effort has been spared to create a sophisticated, comfortable environment that provides you with all the modern conveniences, and the opportunity to experience romantic Paris to the fullest, whether as first time tourists, or as seasoned visitors who prefer to live like Parisians. Le Déco’s stylish interior combines contemporary design with Art Deco flourishes, while retaining elements of its 19th-century French heritage in its original wood beamed ceiling and marble fireplace. Its three large French windows with wrought iron railings provide a pleasant view of the rue Saint-Sébastien neighborhood.

Reserve now! Visit http://www.parlerparisapartments.com/rentals/deco.html
or email: Apartments@AdrianLeeds.com

The next gathering is May 13, 2008 and every second Tuesday of the month.

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