Berlin getaway series: #1.1 SZCZECIN - COLOMBUS COFFEE

SZCZECIN - COLOMBUS COFFEE

Since many of my blog posts revolve around coffee, it is perhaps apt that I start with an awesome cafe that we found in the middle of the street....

COLOMBUS COFFEE

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Granted this is a chain coffee store (I discovered that it was founded in 1999, and appears to only be in Poland), but the architecture of this particular café is SO cool.

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Located in the middle of an intersection between two discarded tram lines (now transformed into a paved narrow parkland), the use of the narrow space is compensated by numerous levels and an amazing open plan glass structure. A word to the wise however, the top level, where we made our regular table, is the warmest area - being a fully glassed enclosure with no windows to open - and in warm, summer temperatures I suspect the heat becomes overwhelming. 

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Nevertheless it is a very relaxing view looking out onto the Park towards the river.

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Otherwise the downstairs floor (beneath the service area) has very comfortable arm chairs, which provide secluded areas for private conversations. 

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As for the coffee itself, we only tried the "poco cappuccino". It was a great relief to find a decent coffee. The price equated to around 2€. The array of African references, pictures and dedicated time-zone clocks suggests that is where their beans come from. So the coffee was good, even if it did remind me a little of Starbucks...

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The selection of panini, salads and doughnuts were very good for picking up a cheap and quick lunch. And the staff were extremely friendly, courteous and spoke English surprisingly well.

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Obviously Colombus Coffee is a reliable place to pick up a coffee, yet this particular café is a definite stop if visiting Szczecin. They even have a facebook page, named "szczecin meeting point" - visit it here: www.facebook.com/szczecinmeetingpoint and for finding it on googlemaps here:

Oh, and if you are likely to be there for more than 6 visits, it is worth getting the loyalty card, so that you get a free coffee...!

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Berlin getaway series: #1.0 SZCZECIN

BERLIN EXCURSIONS: SZCZECIN
For those based in Berlin but looking for a "getaway" excursion, I can definitely recommend the city of Szczecin, Poland.

Image care of http://www.weather-forecast.com/locations/Szczecin

We were looking around for a cheap, last-minute, relaxing holiday and Szczecin appealed to us, as it is only a two hour train journey from Berlin.

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Historical Museum (C) MJT

The city and surrounding area has certainly had an interesting history. It was originally the capital of Pomerania (hence the Pomeranian Dukes' Castle), but came under swedish control until it joined Prussia as the Capital of the Province of Pomerania, becoming an official part of the German Empire in 1870. Since 1945 after World War II it has belonged to Poland and the germanified name of "Stettin" returned to the Polish "Szczecin".

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I look forward to writing a number of posts related to Szczecin, since there is so much to mention, but firstly: getting there!

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TRAIN is by far the easiest option from Berlin, as there are direct trains or as we did, a single yet convenient transfer in Angermünde. However, DO NOT trust the Deutsche Bahn website, as there is in fact a €10 per person ticket from the VBB (www.vbb.de) which you can buy from the machines at most Berlin train stations. One travels on the Regional Bahn (regional trains) regardless, and for such a short distance it is not uncomfortable and the scenery is very pretty.

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We stayed in the Novotel HOTEL, which is almost in the centre of the city yet an easy walk from the Bahnhof (Szczecin Glówny). A big deciding factor for choosing the Novotel was their "two-night city-break" deal, which included breakfast, free wifi and the use of the pool, spa, sauna and fitness room. The hotel was extremely satisfactory in all regards. Definitely will be returning to the Novotel!(Novotel Szczecin Hotel Website here)

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In regards to navigating around the city, there is an extremely good Public Transport system of trams and busses (in fact, Berliners will recognise the yellow BVG trams instantly). However we didn't need to use any, as the city is very walkable and mostly flat. There are some major roads and freeways intersecting the city and the river, and we did see some full-on rush hour traffic (in case anyone is considering driving there). Generally though the drivers seemed very aware of pedestrians, and throughout the city there are zebra crossings where the drivers always stopped for us.

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Unfortunately I only discovered on the last day of our visit, sitting in a coffee shop, that there is an app available for your smartphone, which gives you a great overview of what-to-do and where-to-go in Szczecin. Very simple to remember: "Visit Szczecin" - duh! Luckily though, we had already discovered many of the app's recommendations!

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Finally our initial impressions of the city were very positive, and there is a real vibe for progress within the city. Walking around was very manageable, however places of interest are spread far and wide. There seem to be real pockets where restaurants (particularly) are concentrated, yet walking one street away you could miss it (as we did). Architecturally there is a real mix of historical Pomeranian fortresses, to Prussian grandeur, through to dilapidated Soviet apartments all the way to very contemporary design influenced eye-catching buildings. And so this eclectic mix appears to be feeding a real entrepreneurial vibe and progressiveness to the city. Everyone whom we met spoke English extremely well, and many seemed to also speak German.

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