If you only had time-

Having just spent a family holiday week in Berlin I can tell you which one it wouldn't be - the Neues Museum which apparently only opened in mid October and is much hyped! We had to get timed tickets which we got two days in advance and set off very excitedly on the Saturday. Having been to the old Egyptian museum in Charlottenburg years ago I was keen to show my children the Egyptian collection and, of course, the bust of Nefertiti. The museum is sprawling and it's hard to find Nefertiti - top floor in a domed bit if anyone is looking. For me the collection has lost its impact compared to its former home. The restored building itself is magnificent - all credit to the British architect David Chipperfield!! However, what spoiled our visit was the attitude of the staff who gave the impression that no-one was worthy of looking around their treasures and they must protect them at all costs - a German man who inadvertently walked within a foot of Nefertiti's glass case was forcibly removed within seconds and made to look as if he had committed a major crime! Why not put a low rope around the case so people know they cannot step too close?

We walked from room to room. The 3 children (4,9 and 10) behaved impeccably walking slowly, looking (no running, no shouting etc.) yet every room we went into the guards stared at us looking for an excuse to tell us off. It was freezing in the queue outside but by the time we had been in the museum for a while the 4 year old took his coat off and I was carrying it. He was soon told off by a very unfriendly guard and had to put it back on. We went into another room where a female member of staff openly walked alongside us as if giving us a police escort. This was the final straw for me. "Keep stopping after every few steps to see what happens", I told my 9 year old daughter. We stopped, the guard stopped. We walked, she walked. My husband and sister, following a few steps behind, couldn't believe their eyes!! We couldn't wait to leave the place. The only friendly member of staff was the young man at the exit wearing a full length black coat (don't know if he was a vicar?) but the rest left a nasty taste. We were well and truly disappointed!!

On the positive side, I would definitely recommend the Pergammon Museum if you only had one museum. It is absolutely stunning and the exhibits are breathtaking. In contrast to the Neues Museum, the staff could not have been nicer! The free audioguides were excellent and the children found it fascinating. The temporary Roman exhibition is astounding and not to be missed!!

We also visited the Natural History Museum and had a great time there - obviously more child-friendly anyway because of the content but the staff were very friendly and welcoming.