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Berlin Film Festival (Berlinale) Travel Plans Feb. 6th, 2008 We have decided to visit Berlin for Berlin's film festival called, Berlinale and has more ticket buying attendees than any other film festival. The Berlinale is in its 58th year and one of Berlin's hottest annual events. We've driven through and flown in and out of Germany but never spent time there. Until now that is! We are ready to experience Berlin. The city has been on our 'Places to Go' list for a while now because of its cultural and modern influences. It's known for being forward thinking and progressive. We've followed the new generation of German filmmakers with anticipate, intrigue and satisfaction. Which makes now the perfect time for us to travel to Berlin especially with Sophie's winter break at hand. One of the great things about being in France is that so many countries are so close and easily assessible. We plan on traveling how we usually travel... on a shoestring. So, we'll be sure to share with you what we liked and didn't like and what we would do again and what we would pass on next time. So far, I can tell you that it was much easier to pick and purchase film tickets for last year's Edinburgh International Film Festival than it is to buy tickets for Berlinale. Berlinale started selling a limited number of tickets on-line yesterday morning at 10:00am. The film festival's first theatrical showing for the public will be tomorrow night. So anyone who wants or needs to buy tickets can purchase then on-line once the tickets go on sale. Can you see the potential ticket buyers hovering over their computers trying to ensure they can see the films top on their list or the 'hottest' films at Berlinale? I'd guess that vivid image is a definite reality. Two main ticket groups went on sale yesterday for Berlinale. Festival films for the Feb 8 and Feb 17 - the first full day and the last day of the festival. A few ticket sales were available for Feb 7th, as well. We ended up purchasing several tickets for both days and will share those adventures with you as they happen. Splurging There are a few problems with buying tickets on-line. First, it's not a frugal endeavor (at least not at this festival, at Edinburgh International Film Festival you could get on-line discounts). Since Sophie is 16-years-old she gets a half off tickets at some cinemas with her student ID only if purchased in person, but no deal if you buy on-line. Not only that but there is an added $1.50 surcharge per ticket when purchasing on-line, as well. If you are willing to risk it, for some venues tickets are half price a half hour before the show. One thing I've learned about traveling-on-a-shoestring is not to pinch pennies and waste dollars. If I were to wait to buy the tickets and hassle with lines and crowds and the anxiety each day for each show wondering whether or not I would be able to buy tickets to the films I wanted to see, my trip would be quite stressful. I don't want stress. I want a vacation. I want ease and joy and wide-opened excitement about my surroundings. If I've essentially missed my vacation because I spent too much time trying to take care of this and that I've essentially wasted dollars, not pennies. So, for me, we pay a little more to try to ensure we get to see the films we really want to see and allow ourselves to be frugal in other areas. Being Frugal We will be frugal in our accommodations. Sophie likes staying in hostels. She gets to meet cool and interesting people from all over the world. The last time we stayed in Edinburgh we had an 8-bed room and 6 of the girls were from Taiwan which completely fascinated Sophie. They all get along great, exchanged e-mails and have kept in touch since. So splurge on the things we want to do but not on the hotel room... unless it's super special. But this isn't that kind of trip! It's a Dog's Life I just heard a dog bark. Jeffrey, our doggie, always gives a little growl when he hears that dog. He tries to do it under his breath so I won't notice because he's not supposed to growl or bark. He's a lap dog, not a watchdog. But for now, he's an absent dog. Sophie has taken him to a nice French lady's house that has a nice little French poodle that Jeffrey will be playing with for the duration of our trip. By the way, Jeffrey's nightly accommodations are more expensive than Sophie's and mine combined - something to keep in mind if you're an avid traveler and plan on getting an animal. Cultural Outings and Family Influences I highly recommend film festivals as family outings. If you haven't considered it before check around in your local area and you will most likely find that your town or city has at least one or two if not several. Many film festivals are specific - like there was one in our town that was just for local filmmakers and another that was for children and yet another of just German films. While other festivals include all genres. We all have our favorites and film festivals allow families to see what we like together. A lot of the films we are watching are more up Sophie's alley while other films I've picked because it caught my eye. Culture is so critical and sometimes it seems so easily lost in this fast food, newest car crazed world of ours. Film festivals have become an important part of our local and global culture. As our global society grows it allows us to experience cultures from around the world, at home, in our local theatres by filmmakers who just expressed the idea and put it on film within the last twelve or twenty-four months, in many cases. Film festivals often show retrospectives, as well. Cultural events such as film festivals are a perfect learning environment for families while guised as pure selfish and wholesome fun! Considering the Exchange Rate On a final note: If you do decide to travel abroad to a film festival don't forget to consider the exchange rate for the country you plan to visit. Calculating expenses in US dollars while spending euros won't be much help to you as the current exchange rate gives you a measly .68 on the dollar. Now, of course, if you plan on going to the Tiawan Film Festival you might very well find the exchange rate to be quite desirable. Related Links Berlin and Berlinale - Day One Berlin and Berlinale - Day Two Berlin and Berlinale - Day Three Berlin and Berlinale - Day Four Kreuzberg - Berlin, Germany Photos If you have enjoyed this article, please consider leaving a donation. I love giving to you. I also love receiving. All the best! | 
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