Germany has become a real tourist destination that offers something for every taste. Despite the setbacks of the 20th century they have succeeded in restoring their treasures and historical areas. Today Germany offers a geographical and cultural variation unseen elsewhere in Europe. This large country in the heart of Europe offers everything from sandy beaches, mountain peaks, forests and lakes to medieval ports and modern metropolises - and a truly vast number of cultural Find your travel arrangement to Germany here
Region and City Guides
Region:
City:
Facts
Local name
Deutschland
Capital
Berlin (3.470.000)
Size
357.021 km2
Principal Languages
German
Principal Religion
Protestantism
Inhabitants
82.797.408 (2000)
Government
Federal Republic
Geography
Germany stretches from the North Sea and the Baltic Sea in the North to the Alps in the South. This great country borders on nine neighbouring states - and is therefore a very central but also varied country in Europe.
Travel preparation
Best time to visit
The German weather varies a lot so it would be a good idea to bring different kinds of clothes. The mildest and hottest weather is between May and October, but the weather can also be very comfortable at other times of the year.
Literature
Lonely Planet Germany
Fodors Germany 2000
Fodors Germany 2000
Local conditions
Weight and Measures
Weights: kilo
Distance: kilometre
Size: square kilometre
Liquid: litre
Distance: kilometre
Size: square kilometre
Liquid: litre
Photography
You can take pictures as much as you like, but it is polite to ask before taking pictures of the population.
Drinking water
The German drinking water is considered safe. There might be heavy industrial areas and polluted areas in former East Germany where you should buy bottled water.
Electricity
They use the following current:
220V, 50 Hz
220V, 50 Hz
Behaviour
Punctuality is perhaps the most important virtue in Germany.
Business Hours
Shops are open from 9.00 to 18.30 (Monday - Friday), Thursdays often to 20.30, and from 9.00 to 13.00/14.00 on Saturdays.
Banks are open from 8.00 to 16.00 (Monday - Friday), Thursdays often to 17.30. Some banks close a couple of hours around noon.
Banks are open from 8.00 to 16.00 (Monday - Friday), Thursdays often to 17.30. Some banks close a couple of hours around noon.
Food and drink
Germans have a long cooking tradition, and it is particularly focused on animal flesh . If you go to a restaurant the menu often consists of a lot of flesh, especially pig-flesh is popular. If this is not to your taste you can go to one of the many ethnic restaurants which have emerged during the last 20 years in Germany. Do not forget that beer is the national drink of Germany.
Disabled travellers
Under the motto "tourism without borders", Germany has marketed itself as a country which is very friendly towards disabled travellers. There are several accommodation and transport possibilities for disabled people, and several organisations specifically help the disabled tourist
Holidays
New Year's Day, 1 January
1 May
The German Union Day, 3 October
Christmas Day, 25 December
Boxing Day, 26 December
Public holidays, which are not fixed
Penance and Praying Day, 3rd Wednesday in November
Good Friday, March or April
Easter Sunday, March or April
Easter Monday, March or April
Ascension Day
Whit Sunday
Whit Monday
1 May
The German Union Day, 3 October
Christmas Day, 25 December
Boxing Day, 26 December
Public holidays, which are not fixed
Penance and Praying Day, 3rd Wednesday in November
Good Friday, March or April
Easter Sunday, March or April
Easter Monday, March or April
Ascension Day
Whit Sunday
Whit Monday
Accommodation / Hotel
Weather you are looking for five starred hotels in the city or wooden guesthouses in the countryside, there are accommodation possibilities for any taste in Germany. You can often find a good offer.
Book your Hotel in Germany here
Book your Hotel in Germany here
Camping
There are large, well established camping sites all over Germany. Even the most basic camping sites have toilets, bathing facilities and a small shop. The better equipped can almost be characterised as open-air hotels with swimming pool and supermarket. Prices depend on the location and on the facilities and most are occupied between June and September.
There is a wide selection of hotels in Germany. Common to them all is that they are clean, comfortable and functional. You should be aware, though, that when there is a fair or a festival in town the hotels often double their prices.
Bed og breakfast or guesthouse
On German roads you often see signs with the words "Zimmer frei" (free room). They will lead you to some of the many private guesthouses, which are spread all over Germany. These Bed & Breakfast/Guest houses are often cheaper the further you go into the countryside.
Hostels
In Germany it is rarely far to the nearest "Jugendherberge" (Youth Hostel), but most are quite occupied so it is a good idea to book beds a long time ahead. Furthermore you must be a member of "Deutschen Jugendherbergswerk" to use the Hostels.
Other Accommodation
You can spend your holiday in the countryside if you wish to get away from the city rush.
Local transport
Transport in Germany might not be the cheapest in the world but it might be the most efficient. The Germans have a very well extended infra structure which means that getting around, even with public transport, is easy. If you go by car it is a good idea to listen to the traffic radio which reports on accidents and car queues on the "Autobahn".
Planes
Lufthansa and quite a few regional air companies control domestic air travel. The airport at Frankfurt am Main is the centre of all domestic Flights and all other major airport in Germany can be reached in about 50 minutes.
Bus
Buses are as efficient as trains. This is perhaps due to the fact that many bus companies co-operate with or are part of the German Railway (Deutsche Bahn).
Trains
Trains are probably the most efficient form of transport in Germany. You can for example use the ICE-trains, which travel at 250 kilometres per hour. They go from Hamburg to Munich in six hours. In and around the larger cities you will also find local train connections.
Taxi
Getting a taxi in Germany is easy. In Berlin alone there are about 350 taxi ranks.
car rental
It is not a problem to rent a car in Germany, land of cars. All over, famous and less famous car rentals chains are ready to rent out a car, which matches your particular needs.
Boat or Ferry
Regular ferry connections operate on most rivers, lakes and coasts in Germany.
Other Transport
Cycling holidays in Germany are not a bad idea. Several travel agents sell cycling trips where food and lodging is included in the price. Most German roads have marked cycle paths, both in the country and in the city. You can also carry your bike on the train and rent bikes at German train stations.
Special conditions
Since 1 January 2001 it has been possible to pay by Euro in Germany. For the time being you can only pay by card or by check, but as soon as 2002 the Euro will become a reality in the shape of notes and coins with the German eagle on the back.
Region and City Guides
Region
• Bayern
• Central Germany
• Former Eastern Germany
• Schleswig-Holstein
• Southwest Germany
• The Rhine Regions
• Central Germany
• Former Eastern Germany
• Schleswig-Holstein
• Southwest Germany
• The Rhine Regions
City
