November 9, 1989. I still remember that day like it was yesterday. I was studying for my High School finals and had the TV on as background noise. All of  sudden, the movie was interrupted for the breaking news that changed the history of Germany and entire Europe.

Only a few weeks earlier I went to Berlin using an overnight train from Stuttgard to Berlin, now no longer an overnight journey due to the ICE High Speed Train. Nothing fancy, a 2nd class couchette cabin which had to be shared with 5 more travelers.

The train ride was not different to other overnight train rides to Italy or France until we reached Hof, the former border crossing between West and East Germany. There, East German border police boarded the train and after the locomotive had been exchanged to a Deutsche Reichsbahn (the former East German Railroad) locomotive the train continued its long non-stop journey through the rail corridor to West Berlin. In the meantime, the police officers inspected our passports and stamped them with the GDR immigration stamp. After that, one police officer was placed at each of the car ends for the remaining trip until we finally reached the check point between East Germany and West Berlin. After a short stop to drop off the agents the train continued to Berlin Zoo, the former main train station of West Berlin.

I experienced similar border crossings between Hungary and Austria or West Germany and Czechoslovakia before but this time it was a lot more emotional considering that this border crossing took place within the same nation.

The trip became even more emotional while in Berlin. As FRG citizens we had free range, could get on all S-Bahn trains, whether they went into East Berlin or other parts of West Berlin. We were able to cross check-points whenever we wanted but were also confronted more often and had literally “hands-on” experiences with the wall. At that point, nobody imagined what will happen just a few weeks later.

On that November evening I told my parents that I will go to Berlin right after my finals were over and one day later I went to the travel agency to make a reservation for a couchette berth.

The second trip to Berlin, was a historical trip as well, without knowing it. Though there were still two Germanys, there was only one or two border patrol agents on the train who quickly looked at our IDs (no more passports were required) and got off the train a few kilometers later in Plauen. The remaining trip was uneventful until the conductor woke us shortly before we reached Berlin Zoo Train Station.

Like before, I was able to cross check-points without being asked what I want or will do in East Berlin and even was able to chip off a small part of the wall as my own little souvenir.

One morning while I was there, I woke up to the news that as of that day, no IDs or border crossing papers were needed any more to travel between both parts of Berlin or Germany. I changed my plans and the first trip that day was by S-Bahn to Alexanderplatz, a wide open place with the tall TV Tower as landmark and a major border crossing point between East and West Berlin. When I arrived there, there were no passport control lines to queue up at, all gates were open and all booths were unstaffed and for the first time we had the feeling to travel within one and the same country.

For somebody who grew up in a divided country and family in both parts of it, a remarkable day which will be never forgotten.

To celebrate stories like Chris’ Rail Europe is offering 20% off a German Rail Pass with Free Berlin City Sighetseeing Tour purchased between October 20 and November 20, 2009.

The city of Berlin is celebrating this remarkable anniversary with many events. If you’re more mature in age, you can recall hearing the words President Ronald Regan spoke on June 12, 1987, “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall”. The wall was torn down a little over two years later. For those on the younger side, you most likely learned about the Berlin Wall in history class. Regardless of age though, there is no better time than today to visit the amazing city of Berlin.

Now through November 20th, 2009, Rail Europe is giving travelers 20% off the German Rail Pass to celebrate 20 years of freedom and the spirit of traveling freely. Not only will you get 20% off your German Rail Pass, you’ll also receive a Berlin city sightseeing tour, absolutely FREE!

There is much to see and do in Berlin. And the city is easily accessible by train. Get a German Rail Pass and plan day trips to various parts of Germany from Berlin, using high-speed ICE trains, or visit other European cities, some reachable by City Night Line overnight train service. You may also decide to simply stay in Berlin to gain a true appreciation for all this German treasure has to offer.

Embrace Berlin, rich in history, culture and life. Stroll the area where the Berlin Wall once stood, seeing traces of it still today. And witness, in person, how a once-divided city, has emerged into a thriving metropolis, a welcoming destination for travelers from all around the globe.

In mid-October back in 1810, Crown Prince Ludwig I (later King Ludwig I) married Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. The citizens of Munich were invited to attend the Royals’ reception, held in the fields in front of the city gates. The fields were named Theresienwiese, which translates into “Therese’s fields” in honor of the Princess. A horse race was run to celebrate the nuptials and it marked the end of the reception.

Soon the wedding of the Prince and Princess would become tradition in Germany, celebrated each year. In 1819, the horse races were replaced with beer carts and a carnival-like atmosphere and from that time, has pretty much morphed into the Oktoberfest of today, a festival full of family-fun!

Originally, the celebration lasted a day in October, now it is a 16-day festival drawing millions of people to the fields beginning in September and running through the first Sunday of October. This change was due to the Bavarian climate, with cold winds blowing down from the Alps, often times carrying snow. In 2009, Oktoberfest begins on September 19th and ends on October 4th.

So, if you’re traveling in Europe and want to experience Oktoberfest for yourself, hop on a train and get to Munich! Night train services are available from Paris, Amsterdam and Rome, just to name a few. If you’re in Germany already, use a German Rail Pass to get to Munich.

Be sure to pack your lederhosen or dirndl, and get ready for some unforgettable excitement!