Where were you born?

Wolfen, a small town in former East Germany.

Where do you live?

Berlin, Prenzlauer Berg.

What’s the best thing about Germany?

Berlin and the vibe here.

What are your favourite stores in Berlin, and why?

For clothes I like Kleidermarkt, a vintage store chain across Germany.  There are two shops called Made in Berlin which I also like.

What are your favourite restaurants, and why?

Two in Berlin which serve Asian-fusion cuisine: the best is Dudu, on Torstrasse, and I also go to Transit on Sonntagstrasse. The best Sunday brunch is at Sing Blackbird on Sanderstrasse in Neukölln, Berlin.

Do you have a favourite local café or pub?

I tend to meet people for coffee or drinks at a place near my house called café Schwarzsauer on Kastanienallee. It turns into a popular bar at night. Other favourites are Kingsize on Friedrichstrasse and Tier bar in Neukölln.

Where do you take out-of-town friends that are visiting Berlin?

For a stroll around Kastanienallee, a waffle at Kauf Dich Glücklich and if it's Sunday we'll hit the Mauerpark flea market.

Where can someone find the best bargains?

There's a small shop on Oderberger Strasse in Berlin, left from Kauf Dich Glücklich, that sells cheap designer vintage.

Any advice for visitors?

Rent a bike!

Can you recommend any good hotels?

In Berlin I like the Michelberger hotel, Hüttenpalast and the Weinmeister.  In Munich I like the Cortiina.

Tell us a secret.

There's a lake called Orankesee which almost no-one has heard about. It's the only lake in Berlin you can cycle to on a warm night and go skinny-dipping without an audience.