One Million Expected for Berlin's Colorful 'Carnival' Costume Parade

One million spectators and participants are expected to attend the colorful Berlin Carnival Costume Parade February 18, 2007.

With an expected 3,000 participants in 100 groups, 60 floats, and numerous marching bands, the frolicsome parade will start close to Brandenburg Gate and take its course along Strasse des 17. Juni, Unter den Linden, and Friedrichstrasse. For more details, visit www.karnevals-zug-berlin.de. (The website is in German only).

Remember, too that when visiting Berlin, the Berlin Welcome Card is one of the most popular city cards in Europe. Starting in 2007, visitors can choose any of the six different tickets offered, depending on the length of their stay, if they travel with children, or on their sightseeing preferences.

The traditional Berlin Welcome Card grants 48 or 72 hours of free public transportation for one adult and three children (under 14) inside Berlin city limits (including Potsdam).

Its accompanying voucher booklet offers discounts on many sights and tourist attractions, as well as admission to museums and cultural venues, restaurants and clubs.

In 2007, 150 partners have signed on to participate in the program. Another favorite is the Welcome Card Culture+, a combination of the transportation ticket and the three-day museum pass. This card offers the same benefits as the regular Welcome Card, plus free admission to over 70 museums.

Prices for the Welcome Card start at 16 Euros. The card is available in select hotels and at BVG ticket offices, as well as the four BERLIN info stores. For more information, visit www.berlin-welcomecard.de.

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