Things have really changed since the Berlin Wall came down and Germany was reunited.

But travel writer Neil Taylor still can't get over the thrill of visiting once forbidden places, like the Palace at Potsdam.

I remember in the 1960s, the 1970s, 1980s. the bus across it so quite often now I just do it I don't have to but just to

tell myself that it really is true.

Hi I'm Rick Steve's today's Potsdam is an easy side trip from nearby Berlin

we'll discover what the former home of Prussian

Kings has to offer in the hour ahead and a Greek tour guide takes us around

another city that's become more accessible to visitors lately, Athens. But for the Greeks there's one thing still missing and

you'll find it at the British Museum.

We like not to call them the Elgin Marbles in favor of the thief if I may say so

we like to call them the Parthenon Marbles.

Pottsdam, Athens, and your favorite cities.

It's just ahead on Travel with Rick Steves.

A serious investment in public infrastructure has turned a busy, grimy Athens into more of a tourist-friendly destination.

Today on Travel with Rick Steeves, a Greek guide tells us what's new in Athens and what's new about what's old in the home of the Greek

Golden Age.

And we'll open the phones later in the hour to hear from you, our listeners, about your favorite

cities.

Let's start with a return visit from London-based travel writer Neil Taylor.

He writes a guidebook to Potsdam, a very short hop from Berlin.

He reminds us that the home of the King of Prussia is a city whose architectural

treasures fared the world wars a lot better than most.

...