Best Budget Friendly All-Inclusive Resorts

Save on: Lodgings How: Look beyond hotels Especially if your family or entourage is too big for a hotel room, you can find better rates by renting a house, condominium, or apartment, or by exploring home swapping. For vacation rentals, visit vrbo.com, homeaway.com, and villasintl.com. For home swaps, check out homeexchange.com, homelink.org, and intervac.com. SEE: 12 Travel Products You'll Need This Summer Save on: Airfare and hotels How: Research package deals Psst: Airlines and hotels are willing to offer incredibly low prices to fill their rooms and seats. But because they're reluctant to publicize these low rates, they sell some rooms and seats to companies that put them together as package deals. Before you purchase a package, deal, take a look at the hotel's website and rates and research what the airfare and hotel would cost if you booked them separately-that way you'll know you're getting a good deal. Save on: Rental cars How: Get a free upgrade Book the cheapest rental car you can live with and arrive early in the day, before most customers have returned their cars. Result? The agency may not have any cheap cars to give you, and they are obligated to give you a bigger model at no extra charge. If they try to sell you an upgrade, say no. If it turns out they haven't run out of cheap cars, politely ask for a free upgrade. Save on: Gas How: Drive smart With the price of gas nearing or topping $4 a gallon, there's never been a better time to get to know your car-or a rental car-a little better. Why? Because smart driving is one of the easiest ways to shave dollars off your fuel costs.  For instance, for every 5 mph over 60 you drive, you spend around 25 cents' worth of gasoline. The car's air conditioner is a money leech, too: Keep costs down by using air conditioning as little as possible, parking in the shade, and, if you do resort to A/C, open the windows first to let the hot air out. Avoid jack-rabbit starts, and remember that every 100 pounds of luggage reduces your car's fuel efficiency by 1 to 2 percent. Save on: Airfare How: Know when to buy According to farecompare.com, the best time to buy airline tickets is Tuesdays at 3 p.m. While other sources are less specific, it's generally agreed that purchasing mid-week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) will nab you better rates because airlines release their promotional fares on Sundays and Mondays and often raises prices at the end of the week. And booking about eight weeks in advance can be the sweet spot for keeping costs low. Save on: Hotels How: New online tools A new breed of online hotel-booking site has made it easier than ever to compare prices, and in many cases the site will alert you to lower rates even after you've booked a room, allowing you to switch and save. Backbid.com, for instance, lets hotels sell rooms to travelers who've already made reservations at rival establishments. Hipmunk.com lets you input a destination and then delivers hotel rates culled from online booking sites like Orbitz and Getaroom; Hipmunk also offers an "ecstasy" rating, based on such benefits as price, amenities, location, and Yelp reviews. Save on: Frequent-flier programs How: New online tools If you've ever tried to figure out when's the right time to cash in your rewards-program miles or points, PointHub and MileWise do the often-complicated math for you. They will calculate whether taking a free flight is the right choice or whether prices are so low that you're better off buying a ticket and holding on to your miles. Our research suggests these sites are best for people who've accumulated miles or points and need some help in navigating that world-not best for "mileage junkies" who are already on top of this occasionally arcane science. Save on: Cruises How: Book through a travel agent Over the years we've interviewed our share of cruise industry professionals, and they agree on a few easy ways to save big: Book through a travel agent, who often has a close relationship with a cruise line to help you get upgrades and extras. If you like a particular cruise line, joining its loyalty program can nab you invites to members-only events and coupons worth up to $500. On a less-loyal note, however, you'll usually save on airfare if you book flights independently, not from a cruise line.

Summer driving season is almost here, which means you'll soon be on the lookout for a great roadside stand, a pretty rest stop—and that eagle-eyed cop on the side of the highway. We asked Keith Dittimus, a 30-year veteran of the California Highway Patrol—"CHiP"—what it's like on the other side of the flashing light. LIVING THE CHiPs LIFE I grew up in the era of theCHiPsTV show, and for five and a half years I couldn't believe I got paid to ride a motorcycle—it was so much fun. A lot of the parades and a lot of the motorcade processions are done exclusively with motorcycles, so you get to do things that officers in a car don't. IN SOME CIRCLES, WE'RE CELEBRITIES In Japan and in many Asian countries, the CHiP is very, very popular, so when the tourists see the Highway Patrol officers at, say, Vista Point near the Golden Gate Bridge, they all want to take your picture. They'll point and go, "CHiP!" So you let them take a picture sitting on top of the motorcycle. It builds goodwill for the department, and you start to spend an inordinate amount of time—delightfully so—taking pictures with tourists. I'm probably on a couple thousand mantles. WE GET STARSTUCK, TOO During my 13 years in the Protective Services Division-PSD-I worked details for presidents Reagan, Bush Sr., Clinton, and their vice presidents. I had a funny experience with Nancy Reagan. We were in the Secret Service command room at a hotel. There was a knock. I opened the door, and she was standing there with a tin of cookies for the Secret Service guys. I'm just standing there, staring at her, like, "This is Nancy Reagan!" And she's like, "Well... would you take the cookies?" THE CHASE: NOT SO THRILLING AFTER ALL Hollywood has done a lot to make the public believe that we live for high-speed chases. That couldn't be further from the truth. Anyone who's ever put on a badge and been in a close, hairy chase doesn't like them. Your adrenaline does go through the roof, but then you realize that there's a lot at stake. A close friend was in a pursuit years ago, and an innocent lady—a mother-was killed. He was torn up over it. That's the part the public has to realize—we're people just like everybody else. We have feelings. HOW TO GET OUT OF A TICKET So many people try to make excuses. One time I stopped a doctor in Marin County, and he said he'd been called to the local hospital to perform an emergency surgery. I was skeptical, but I didn't want to chance jeopardizing someone's life. I took his driver's license and told him I'd have CHiP dispatch confirm with the hospital while I followed him to the ER. We got about a mile down the highway before he pulled over and confessed that he was late for a dinner date. I can assure you, that was one expensive date! When a highway patrolman pulls you over, they're pulling you over because they observed you doing something. Just be honest and straightforward. A lot of times, you can walk away with a verbal warning and not get a ticket. We see so many dishonest people, when somebody finally is honest with you, it's gratifying enough to give them a break!

Usually relaxing involves sitting back with your eyes closed. But you might not want to even blink in these spas, where the view out the window (or from the hot tub, or even your private bungalow) will get your heart racing. From the desert of Arizona to a jungle in Belize to the 116th floor of a Hong Kong tower, we've found 13 spas worth traveling to for the view alone. Some even encourage you to come early and sit back in the lounge, taking in views of the city, the ocean, or even the jungle. Best of all, basic treatments like waxing and manicures at these spas are priced as low as $11. We also highlighted some of the best values, like a $67 tension-releasing massage at the Dead Sea or an $80 mud treatment in Belize to help soothe your skin after a day under the Caribbean sun. Combine that with a spectacular view, and there will be a lot to say ahhhh about. EXPERIENCE THE BREATHTAKING VISTAS BERMUDALimestone cliffs against the sea.Ocean views are one of the top reasons to travel to Bermuda, and the La Serena spa at The Reefs Hotel & Club delivers. The view of the soft pink sand and transparent water are pure Bermuda. Spa guests are even asked to come 30 minutes early to sip herbal tea or fruit-infused water while soaking in the dramatic views of the Atlantic from the floor to ceiling windows of the relaxation room. Best Deal The 45-minute Exotic Lime and Ginger Salt Glow really does leave your skin smooth and stimulated ($89). 56 South Shore Road, Southampton, Bermuda, 011-441/239-0184, thereefs.com. Treatments from $20. ALASKADramatic peaks and glaciers in the Last Frontier.It's hard to find landscape more impressive than Alaska's, and The Spa at Alyeska sits in a valley surrounded by glaciers and the jagged peaks of the Chugach Mountains. Start your trip to the spa (about 45 minutes southeast of Anchorage) by taking it all in from the saltwater hot tub. Then retire to a treatment room, where you can choose services that include some of the areas natural resources like arctic mud and geo-thermal waters. Best Deal The 50-minute Alaska Glacial Facial uses the arctic mud—said to have anti-aging properties—to exfoliate and detoxify skin ($129). 1000 Arlberg Ave., Girdwood, Alaska, 907/754-2550, alyeskaresort.com. Treatments from $29. CROATIAThe sparkling blue waters of the Dalmatian Coast.The Adriatic Sea is on full display on the southern shore of Croatia. Guests at the Spa by Occo at the Radisson Blu Resort & Spa at Dubrovnik Sun Gardens can turn in all directions to see the different angles of the unspoiled Elafiti islands and the stunning blues of the sea. Take advantage of the panorama from the lagoon pool and the spa garden before exploring the spa's other highlights, including a traditional coal sauna, a hammam, and an aromatherapy steam room. Best Deal The spa features sea salt hydrotherapy treatments, including a 55-minute treatment that combines a dip in the hydrotherapy bath with one of the signature wood pulp body polishes ($83). 1 Na Moru, Dubrovnik, Croatia, 011-385/20-361-970, radissonblu.com. Treatments from $14. SCOTLANDWatch a rolling mist and swaying heather.Framed by the heather and woods surrounding Loch Lomond, the Carrick Spa at the Cameron House has spectacular views across the loch to Ben Lomond, especially from the rooftop terrace and infinity pool. Don't worry if there is a very Scottish misty rain falling: you can heat up in the infrared sauna, the Roman-inspired tepidarium, or the aromatherapy steam room. Best Deal Visit the spa during the week (Monday through Friday), when prices are lower. An 80-minute massage using balms from Pure Lochside—an all-organic brand of products made in the Highlands—is $172 ($202 on Saturday and Sunday). Alexandria, Scotland, 011-44/1389-713-659, devere-hotels.co.uk. Treatments from $41. CHICAGOThe Windy City's icons on display.The highrises of Chicago have some amazing views: bridges over the Chicago River, the Loop, or Lake Michigan. The Spa at the Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago overlooks it all. Guests are encouraged to arrive 45 minutes before their appointment to take in that view (and spend time in the sauna). This is a Trump property, so expect some seriously over-the-top touches like treatments using gemstone-infused oils (including the $300 Revitalizing Rubies Massage, said to stimulate creativity). Best Deal The hourlong Ultimate Urban Neck and Shoulder Massage combines acupressure, hot and cold stones, and shea butter to really relax your muscles ($150). 401 N. Wabash Avenue, Chicago, 312/588-8020, trumphotelcollection.com. Treatments from $35. BELIZESee what's under the Mayan rainforest canopy.In the midst of the verdant rainforest of Belize, the Maruba Resort Jungle Spa puts you in treatment rooms as natural as the surrounding jungle. Massages, mud wraps, facials, and even manicures are done in thatched roof bungalows, where you can relax amid the scent of the jungle and the views of towering palms and blooming orchids. There is a whole menu of treatments that use the spa's Mood Mud, made from local natural ingredients with potent mineral properties said to do everything from stimulate healing to encourage confidence. Best Deal The 50-minute Mud Pack rejuvenates skin after exposure to the tropical sun ($80). 40 1/2 Mile Old Northern Highway, Maskall Village, Belize, 800/627-8227, maruba-spa.com. Treatments from $30. SCOTTSDALEDesert vistas in Paradise Valley.Spa-goers at the Joya Spa at the Montelucia Resort & Spa in Scottsdale have the best views of the dramatically carved and layered Camelback Mountain from the spa's rooftop pool. Lounge and take in the view before or after your treatment. If you want to harness the spiritual traditions of the area, sign up for hypnotherapy, meditation, or Tarot reading. Their list of massages is pretty comprehensive too—choose from cranial-sacral to lymphatic treatments. Best Deal The 50-minute Cranberry Orange Body Glow includes a cranberry-orange sugar scrub and a masque of red clay (from $159). 4949 E. Lincoln Dr., Scottsdale, Arizona, 888/691-5692, montelucia.com. Treatments from $20. HONG KONGFantastical heights over the vertical city.Retreat 1,624 feet above the streets to the 116th floor of The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong's Spa by ESPA. The spa claims to be the highest in the world, and the floor-to-ceiling windows showcase amazing city and harbor views. Treatments include Asian-influenced techniques, like using cooling jade stone rollers to soothe eyes. Best Deal Book a 60-minute Aromatherapy Massage and choose the jet-lag reviver. The masseuse will use either energizing or soothing oils to help you get on local time (from $127). International Commerce Centre, 1 Austin Rd. West, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 011-852/2263-2263, ritzcarlton.com. Treatments from $58. SOUTH AFRICAThe sea greets the mountains just outside Cape Town.It's hard to choose which view is better: the rolling ocean or the majestic mountains that give The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa its name. The spa itself is surrounded by the wilderness of Table Mountain National Park, and the ocean sounds usually piped in at spas are actually the waves lapping against the golden sand here. Take your treatment in the shaded open-air mountain gazebos or try Arabic cleansing in the steam of the Rasul Chamber or a Hydrotherapy Capsule Bath. Best Deal The 105-minute Apostles Touch signature experience includes hot stones from Table Mountain, shells from the beach, and fynbos—a plant found in the Western Cape said to have healing and detoxifying properties ($149). Victoria Rd., Camps Bay, Cape Town, South Africa, 011-27/21-437-9000, 12apostleshotel.com. Treatments from $11. ISRAELFloating on the edge of the Judean Desert.Tall cliffs and the Dead Sea come together to make up an unforgettable view at the Sea of Spa at Ein Gedi Hotel. This is the lowest point on the planet-1,388 feet below sea level-and the spa attracts both locals and tourists who come to float in the water (you can't sink because of the high salt content). Slather the black mineral mud all over your body, relax for twenty minutes, and wash off in a shower on the shore. Afterward, take a swim in a fresh water swimming pool surrounded by palm trees. All this, and then a massage. Best Deal Massages are basic, and are the perfect way to end a day in the waters. The 50-minute Swedish starts at $67. Kibbutz Ein Gedi, M.P Dead Sea, 011-972/08-658-4444, ein-gedi.co.il. Treatments from $67. ITALYA landmark view from across the canal.Venice's most famous landmarks are St. Mark's Square and the Doge's Palace—and that's exactly what you will see from the Bauers Palladio Hotel & Spa. The hotel is located on the island of Giudecca (a quick vaporetto ride from the main section of Venice) and the three windows in the spa's lounge look out on the signature view. Best Deal The spa is known for its baths—a 30-minute scented soak in a king-size Jacuzzi next to a wood fire. Choose to have your waters infused with a mix of rose, almond oil, milk and honey; Himalayan salts with fresh lemon juice; or a combination of mineral salts, seaweed, and bay-leaf ($113). 1459 S. Marco, Venice, Italy, 011-39/041-520-7022, www.palladiohotelspa.com. Treatments from $31. TEXAS The serene landscape of Balcones Canyonlands Preserve. The ancient oaks and rolling hills in the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve seem to go on forever, at least when you are looking out from The Spa at Travaasa Austin in Texas. The peaceful location also means you will hear the chirping of the endangered songbirds that call the preserve home, including the adorably named Golden Cheeked Warbler and the Black-capped Vireo. The spa is located on 210 acres of serene country landscape, and treatments use natural ingredients like avocado body butter blended with essential oils of lavender, pine, orange, and lemon. Best Deal The Detoxifying Juniper, Olive Stone Exfoliation & Polish is a 50-minute treatment using juniper, seaweed, and cypress, said to increase circulation and jump-start metabolism ($130). 13500 Farm to Market Rd. 2769, Austin, Texas, 855/868-7282, travaasa.com. Treatments from $45. HAWAIIA blue ocean peaking between towering evergreens.Aromatherapy oils aren't really required at the northern tip of Hawaii Island's Kohala Coast, thanks to the refreshing scent of the surrounding evergreen trees. Beyond the trees is the tropical valley and the crashing ocean. It's no wonder that the Maluhia Spa at Hawaii Island Retreat at Ahu Pohaku Ho'omaluhia has glass walls. Enjoy a Reiki or deep tissue massage in one of the bungalows, or try an hour-long Kukui Experience where the body is exfoliated with kukui nut scrub, then massaged with kukui oil. Best Deal Book a one-hour Lomilomi massage, the traditional Hawaiian rhythmic technique using hands, arms, and elbows ($130). 250 Maluhia Rd., Kapaau, Hawaii, 808/889-6336, hawaiiislandretreat.com. Treatments from $55.

Berlin is likely to evoke vastly different images depending on when you came of age: the concrete and barbed wire of the Berlin Wall (1960s to '80s), Mike Myers's über-bored performance artist Dieter on Saturday Night Live (1990s), or a hipster paradise of avant-garde art galleries, after-hours dance parties, and cheap rent (2000s). But it's safe to say that few people would have predicted Berlin's latest claim to fame. Beyond the roving burlesque shows and underground supper clubs, this sprawling metropolis has become one of the best places on the continent to have—and be—a kid. Berlin's softer side has been nurtured from many sources. For one thing, it has good, kid-friendly bones, in the form of abundant parks and sidewalks wide enough to accommodate most baby-stroller traffic jams. Add that to the government's pro-family work-life policies and the laid-back vibe that's accompanied its rise as the "Silicon Allee" of Europe and you end up with a youthquake unlike anything the city has seen in decades. With a massive new international airport opening this year, the crowds will undoubtedly keep coming. View our slideshow of Berlin's best all-ages attractions! The city is already experiencing the kind of tourism explosion most destinations only dream of. In 2010, hotel stays in Germany were up 11.9 percent, with Berlin accounting for 41 percent of the bookings. In fact, Berlin has passed Rome to become the third-most-popular European city for visitors, after London and Paris. So what happens when an epicenter of cool is overrun by vintage 1960s Silver Cross prams? How do you explore this edgiest of European cities with kinder in tow? Here are some of our favorite stops in the new Berlin—all grown up, and ready for the whole family. 1. PICK UP A BIKEAbout half a million Berliners take to their bikes each day, so you'll be in good company on one of Berlin on Bike's rentals. Choose from city, touring, and trekking bikes, all of which come with rear baskets. Even the kids can get a set of wheels, with three sizes of smaller cycles as well as child seats and trailers (reserve in advance) and helmets for all. A free route planner on bbbike.de helps you map paths through the city based on your desired speed, road surface, and the availability of designated bike lanes, of which Berlin has some 400 miles. Kulturbrauerei, court 4, berlinonbike.de, $13 for 24 hours. 2. MAKE THE MOST OF BREAKFASTBreakfast is to Berlin as dinner is to Barcelona: an opportunity to dress up and visit with family and friends over an endless parade of tempting little dishes. Only here, you don't have to stay up late to partake. A true Frühstück is no small-scale continental affair: It's a cornucopia of savory salads, cold cuts, eggs, cheeses, fruit, and freshly baked breads and pastries piled high on a tiered tray. For a classic version that's as beautiful as a Renaissance still life, head to Anna Blume, a café-cum-flower shop in Prenzlauer Berg. On weekends, arrive early to claim a table on the leafy terrace (the people-watching is worth it), then let your morning meal stretch into the afternoon just like the locals do. If the kids get antsy, you can always take them to the playground at Kollwitzplatz, one block away, to clamber over wooden structures shaped like enormous vegetables. Kollwitzstrasse 83, cafe-anna-blume.de, Frühstück for two $23. BERLIN TRANSIT TIP: FLYING IN  This year, the Berlin Brandenburg Airport will make its debut, replacing Berlin Tegel as the city's international airport and nearly doubling its passenger capacity. (Both of the city's existing airports, Tegel and Schoenfeld, will close once Brandenburg is operational.) AirBerlin, Lufthansa, and other airlines plan to boost their traffic to coincide with the opening, including new nonstop routes between Los Angeles and Berlin, and a 20-minute rail shuttle will connect Brandenburg's terminals with downtown. 3. SEE THE WRITING ON THE WALLFor almost 30 years, the most potent symbol of the Cold War was the 96-mile Berlin Wall. Today, less than a mile of it remains, and it's all at the East Side Gallery (eastsidegallery.com), a freedom memorial that runs along the Spree River in Friedrichshain. Originally completed in 1990, many of the more than 100 paintings have recently been restored by their creators (with more updates scheduled). Yet while Wall art is (thankfully) a dead art form, wall art is everywhere. Berlin is an urban canvas, full of fences, façades, and subway cars featuring the graffiti of local taggers and international artists alike, some of whom (Banksy, Swoon, Blu) sell similar work on the world art market. Online magazine Berlin Graffiti (berlingraffiti.de) keeps tab of the newest tags, while Benjamin Wolbergs's Urban Illustration Berlin: Street Art Cityguide ($30, Gingko Press) contains artist interviews, a pull-out map of key pieces, and snapshots of over 500 of the city's most compelling works. 4. CLIMB AROUND IN A CHURCHNot all art in Berlin is conspicuous. The MACHmit! Museum for Children (which roughly translates to "join in!") hides within a converted Protestant church and is outfitted with Bauhaus-inspired climbing shelves, fun-house mirrors, and a series of hands-on arts and crafts and cooking exhibits (Senefelderstrasse 5, machmitmuseum.de, $6). Transit geeks with good timing can immerse themselves in the history of the city's subway at the pop-up Berliner S-Bahn-Museum, hosted by a group of train enthusiasts in a former railway station the second weekend of the month, from spring through autumn (S-Bahn Griebnitzsee, s-bahn-museum.de, adults $2.75). There, guests can play conductor behind the wheel of a drive simulator modeled on century-old technology.  5. REFUEL ON THE CHEAPPrenzlauer Berg and Mitte may be boutique- and stroller-filled neighborhoods now, but they were once the center of the East Berlin resistance. The counterculture ethos still exists in pockets, including FraRosa Weinerei (wine bar), one of three related honor-system restaurants in Berlin where patrons pay what they will (really) for everything from lunch to tea and cakes to four-course dinners of German specialties made with organic ingredients—and, of course, wine (Veteranenstrasse 14, weinerei.com). Honigmond Kaffeehaus-Restaurant charges a bit more, though $9 for its wonderful, all-you-can-eat lunch buffet is still a bargain. Besides, the lovely corner bistro has had a fascinating life: Before the Stasi secret police raided it in the late '80s, it was the unofficial headquarters of the East German opposition movement (Borsigstrasse 28, honigmond.de/restaurant.html). BERLIN TRANSIT TIP: GOING UNDERGROUND  Although the city's once-bisected subway system has been reconnected, crossing town on the U-Bahn remains a challenge. The first rule of riding: Know your zones. There are three in the city (A, B, and C), and failing to pay for all those you travel through could get you in big trouble with the undercover inspectors who roam the cars. For most trips you'll only need zone A, or A and B (about $3 each way), while airport trips call for a three-zone fare ($4). 6. EXPLORE AN ANIMAL PLANETBuilt on the site of the 18th-century pheasantry that once supplied fowl to the King of Prussia's royal kitchen, the 168-year-old Zoological Garden was Germany's first zoo and, with 17,727 animals, has one of the most diverse populations in the world. Savvy visitors will want to sync their trips with the feeding times of their favorite animals (pandas at 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m., penguins at 1:45 p.m.), or splurge on a private, 20-minute visit with a single species, complete with zookeeper Q&A. And be sure to keep an eye out for the zoo's newest arrival, Kathi, a baby hippopotamus born in October. Hardenbergplatz 8, zoo-berlin.de, from $29.50 for a family ticket; private tours an additional $107. 7. FIND A STREET'S SWEET SPOTEvery Berliner has a favorite secret street, a place like the cobblestoned Gräfestrasse in Kreuzberg. The four-block-long stretch serves as a microcosm of the modern city: here, Kadó, a highly focused candy store that sells 400 varieties of licorice—and nothing else (Gräfestrasse 20, kado.de, licorice from $2.10); there, Lilli Green, an eco-minded design shop that stocks the shelves with "upcycled" objects such as pencils made of old Japanese newspapers and storage baskets fashioned from recycled car tires (Gräfestrasse 7, lilligreen.de, pencils 12 for $7). And then there's Little Otik, a rustic New American restaurant whose out-of-the-shadows evolution mirrors Berlin's own. Its owners, New York transplants Kevin Avery and Jeffrey Sfire, started hosting by-appointment dinners for 10 in their pop-up supper club in February 2009, then decided to take their underground sensation public, with a changing menu of seasonal dishes such as white bean and farro soup, grass-fed rib eye with bone marrow butter, and date and almond pie with vanilla ice cream (Gräfestrasse 71, littleotik.de, entrees from $12). 8. DIVE INTO A SPLASHY SWIMMING POOLIf you didn't know better, Berlin might be one of the last places on earth you'd think about taking a dip. But it happens to be a swimmer's paradise—and one for all seasons. In winter, residents have their pick of 37 local Stadtbads (municipal pools), perhaps the most spectacular of which is in the gritty-but-gentrifying Neukölln district (Ganghoferstrasse 3, berlinerbaederbetriebe.de, $5.25). Built in 1914 and expanded in 1999, the Roman-style bathhouse is decked out with marble columns, soaring ceilings and fountains, plus two heated pools and a sauna. Come summer, the crowds shift to the Badeschiff, a swimming pool installed atop an old barge docked on the Spree River (Eichenstrasse 4, arena-berlin.de/badeschiff.aspx, $5.50). It's connected to land by a series of piers, where cocktail bars, a mini-spa, and a "beach" of trucked-in sand spring up each season. 9. SKIP THE LINE AT THE REICHSTAGNo visit to Berlin would be complete without a tour of the Neoclassical Reichstag building, constructed in the late 19th century to house the German parliament before being ravaged by fire, bombed in war, and abandoned as the seat of government in favor of Bonn. Following reunification in 1990, the Reichstag reverted to its original use, its renovations crowned by an iconic glass dome that yields sweeping panoramic views of the city 800 feet below. But entry to the building, while free, comes with a price: punishingly long lines. Avoid the wait by booking afternoon tea at the glass-walled rooftop Käfer Café, adjacent to the dome. After you've called ahead and made a reservation, enter the Reichstag through the handicapped entrance to the right of the building's west portal, then speed straight to the top. Platz der Republik 1, feinkost-kaefer.de, pastries from $1.25. BERLIN TRANSIT TIP: GETTING LOST  If it seems like there's no address system in Berlin, well, there are two. The city initially opted for horseshoe-style numbering (up one side of a street and back down the other), and shifted in the 1920s to evens on one side, odds on the other. Our best navigation tip? Always ask for the cross streets. 10. MAKE A DAY TRIP OF ITNature lovers don't have to leave the city limits to dabble in pastoral pleasures. From the Grünau S-Bahn in southeast Berlin, hop on streetcar No. 68, perhaps Germany's most scenic, and hurtle east through a corridor of green to Alt-Schmöckwitz, a tiny village at the end of the line that's bordered by three lakes (bvg.de, tram $3 each way). Or head west: Two miles from the Brandenburg border, the Waldsee Sculpture Garden is an al fresco arts gold mine (Argentinische Allee 30; hausamwaldsee.de, $9.25). There are works by contemporary German artists such as the late bronze sculptor Karl Hartung (who is getting a solo show this summer), and Ina Weber, who created an interactive mini-golf course outfitted with models of architectural ruins as obstacles. For an instant escape in the heart of the city, look no further than Berlin's newest, and largest, park: 990-acre Tempelhof airport, site of the 1948-49 Allied air lift that supplied food to West Berlin during the Soviet blockade (U-Bahn to Platz der Luftbrücke). Its defunct runways have been repurposed for bicycle races and kite-flying contests, and pick-up baseball games take place on the ramshackle diamonds where U.S. troops once played. 11. HAVE A FOOD-CART FEASTHamburgers, falafel, even tacos—Berlin has them all. But for the city's best street food, check out two homegrown fusion dishes concocted decades before the term came into vogue. Currywurst, a sliced pork sausage served with a curry-laced dipping sauce, was first developed to make use of the British food products supplied to West Berlin after World War II. Some of the best in town is available seconds after you arrive: Head to the EsS-Bahn kiosks housed inside picturesque vintage streetcars just outside the main terminals at both Tegel and Schönefeld airports (berlin-airport.de, $4). When you're ready for the next course, make a beeline to Kreuzberg, where the Turkish immigrants who started settling in the area in the 1960s took their native spit-roasted lamb and savory sauces and turned them into the now-iconic döner kebab sandwich. For a twist on that classic, check out the version at Mustafa's: crisp flatbread stacked with delicately spiced chicken and shredded vegetables (Mehringdamm 32, mustafas.de, $4). 12. LEARN A NEW MOVEBerlin has dance clubs (underground, after-hours, and otherwise) for every taste, fetish, and demographic. For longevity, however, Clärchens Ballhaus has them all beat. A bona fide Berlin institution, it's been in the business since 1913 (and appears to still attract some of its first-wave clientele). Head over early for a group tango, salsa, or swing lesson, whirl the kids around until they drop sleepily into a corner, then keep on dancing until dawn—doors won't close until the last guest leaves. Auguststrasse 24, ballhaus.de, lessons from $4. 13. SEE A SILENT FILMBerlin is chock-a-block with specialty cinemas, many of which show classic Hollywood films in English. But you could see those at home, couldn't you? For a one-of-a-kind theater experience that still won't get lost in translation, buy a ticket for a silent-film screening at the Babylon in Mitte, where the musical accompaniment might be the movie's original score performed live on piano or a local DJ spinning trance music. Rosa-Luxemburg-Strasse 30, babylonberlin.de, silent-film screenings $8.75. 14. SLEEP LIKE A MOVIE STARImmerse yourself deeper still into the glamorous world of Stummfilm (silent movies) by staying at Hotel-Pension Funk, a 14-room inn located in the former home of silent film actress Asta Nielsen. Its graceful, Jugendstil chandeliers, antique wardrobes, and original architectural details (vast art nouveau windows, decorative moldings) will transport you to a bygone era—albeit one blessed with free Wi-Fi. Fasanenstrasse 69, hotel-pensionfunk.de, from $68 for doubles with a shared bath, breakfast included. 15. OR FIND A HOME AWAY FROM HOMEFor an even funkier stay, book the "band room" at the Michelberger Hotel, in a converted factory. With five single beds, a lofted sleeping area, a dining table, and big windows overlooking the communal courtyard, it feels like playing house in the best way. Warschauer Strasse 39/40, michelbergerhotel.com, doubles from $78, band room from $155.