Luxury Central and Eastern Europe Travel
Germany
With its picture-book castles, palaces, churches and villages, Germany is a step back in time. From the marvellous natural scenery to the industrious cities, a visit to Germany is sure to fascinate any traveller.
WEB SITE: http://www.germany-tourism.de
CAPITAL: Berlin
MAJOR CITIES: Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt
POPULATION: 81 million
RELIGION: Catholic, Protestant
LANGUAGES: German
CURRENCY: Euro (EUR)
ELECTRICITY: 220V, 50Hz
CLIMATE:
Summers are warm and sunny, often extending into October. Winters are relatively mild, except in the mountainous regions.
AVERAGE TEMPERATURE:
January: -1.5 o to 3o C (29 o to 37oF)
July: 13 o to 24o C (56 o to 75oF)
TIME ZONE: GMT plus 1 hour (two hours ahead in summer)
WHAT TO WEAR: Lightweight clothing with a few extra layers should be fine in summer. Pack warm layers and a heavy coat during winters. Rain gear is recommended year-round. Pack the appropriate gear if you plan on skiing or hiking.
NATIONAL HOLIDAYS & EVENTS: Berlin's International Film Festival (February); Easter Week (April); Munich's Oktoberfest (September); National Day (October 3); Boxing Day (December 26).
OTHER FACTS: The tallest steeple in Europe is at Munster Cathedral in Ulm. The Magi's Shrine in Cologne's Dom Cathedral is believed to contain the remains of the Three Wise Men. The Grosses Fass (Great Vat) at Heidelberg Castle is an 18th Century keg that has a 49,000 gallon capacity.
OTHER THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND: No major health risks are present. Keep in mind that the red-light districts are generally higher crime areas.
ATM & BANK INFO: All major credit cards are accepted. ATMs are widely available. U.S. traveller's cheques are easily exchanged. Banking hours are 8:30am-4:00pm Monday through Friday but are often open until 5:30pm on Thursday.
LOCAL TIPPING: In hotels and restaurants, a 5%-10% tip is customary. For porters, 2 EURO per piece of luggage; cloakroom attendants, 1 EURO; taxi drivers, 10%-15%; barbers, 10%.
HIGHLIGHTS: A Cruise down the Rhine River, the Gothic Cathedral of Cologne, the interesting Pergamon Museum in Berlin, Wartburg Castle and Mad King Ludwig's Castle, or a ride through the Alpine Road to Lake Constance are just some of Germany's many interest. For the racing enthusiasts, don't miss the F1 Grand Prix in July at Hockenheim. To find out more go to http://www.f1corporate.com/.
PLEASE NOTE: While all care has been taken to provide accurate information, we suggest you contact applicable tourist boards and destination offices for clarification and further information.
With its picture-book castles, palaces, churches and villages, Germany is a step back in time. From the marvellous natural scenery to the industrious cities, a visit to Germany is sure to fascinate any traveller.
WEB SITE: http://www.germany-tourism.de
CAPITAL: Berlin
MAJOR CITIES: Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt
POPULATION: 81 million
RELIGION: Catholic, Protestant
LANGUAGES: German
CURRENCY: Euro (EUR)
ELECTRICITY: 220V, 50Hz
CLIMATE:
Summers are warm and sunny, often extending into October. Winters are relatively mild, except in the mountainous regions.
AVERAGE TEMPERATURE:
January: -1.5 o to 3o C (29 o to 37oF)
July: 13 o to 24o C (56 o to 75oF)
TIME ZONE: GMT plus 1 hour (two hours ahead in summer)
WHAT TO WEAR: Lightweight clothing with a few extra layers should be fine in summer. Pack warm layers and a heavy coat during winters. Rain gear is recommended year-round. Pack the appropriate gear if you plan on skiing or hiking.
NATIONAL HOLIDAYS & EVENTS: Berlin's International Film Festival (February); Easter Week (April); Munich's Oktoberfest (September); National Day (October 3); Boxing Day (December 26).
OTHER FACTS: The tallest steeple in Europe is at Munster Cathedral in Ulm. The Magi's Shrine in Cologne's Dom Cathedral is believed to contain the remains of the Three Wise Men. The Grosses Fass (Great Vat) at Heidelberg Castle is an 18th Century keg that has a 49,000 gallon capacity.
OTHER THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND: No major health risks are present. Keep in mind that the red-light districts are generally higher crime areas.
ATM & BANK INFO: All major credit cards are accepted. ATMs are widely available. U.S. traveller's cheques are easily exchanged. Banking hours are 8:30am-4:00pm Monday through Friday but are often open until 5:30pm on Thursday.
LOCAL TIPPING: In hotels and restaurants, a 5%-10% tip is customary. For porters, 2 EURO per piece of luggage; cloakroom attendants, 1 EURO; taxi drivers, 10%-15%; barbers, 10%.
HIGHLIGHTS: A Cruise down the Rhine River, the Gothic Cathedral of Cologne, the interesting Pergamon Museum in Berlin, Wartburg Castle and Mad King Ludwig's Castle, or a ride through the Alpine Road to Lake Constance are just some of Germany's many interest. For the racing enthusiasts, don't miss the F1 Grand Prix in July at Hockenheim. To find out more go to http://www.f1corporate.com/.
PLEASE NOTE: While all care has been taken to provide accurate information, we suggest you contact applicable tourist boards and destination offices for clarification and further information.
