Travel guide – Germany
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Overview
As Germany moves forward into the 21st century, leaving behind a history of division and tyranny, it is a nation embracing its newfound liberalism and redefining a modern cultural identity. Yet even today, visitors to the country can't escape feeling profoundly moved by this country's past and the effects it still has on its people.
Situated in the heart of Europe and bordering nine other countries, Germany provides an ideal gateway to any tour of the subcontinent. Its land is wide and varied with turreted castles nestled below snow-capped mountains, lush river valleys, dark and mysterious forests and bustling medieval villages. This is the land of fairy tales, where farmland minstrels headed to Bremen to become musicians, where Sleeping Beauty was woken and Little Red Riding Hood ventured into the woods.
Germany's cities each have something unique to offer the visitor. Each year millions of litres of beer is consumed in Munich during the city's Oktoberfest, where locals and visitors discover true German revelry and 'gemutlichkeit' (a word the locals use to describe a comfortable, sociable environment). Berlin, while still recovering from some of the scars of division, contains many sights from the iconic Brandenburg Gate, to the path of the old Berlin Wall. The city's vibrant nightlife is still evocative of its height in the 1920s and 30s, as characterised by the songs of Marlene Dietrich, the theatre of Brecht and the Film Cabaret.
Discover the country that gave us Beethoven and Bauhaus, Goethe and Glühwein, Lager and Lederhosen - you won't be disappointed.
Regions and cities within Germany...
Berlin
Frankfurt
Hamburg
Munich
Climate
Coastal regions of Germany have a temperate climate with warm summers and mild cloudy winters. Inland, the climate is more continental with warmer summers and colder winters. The Alpine and upland regions have cooler weather and more rain. Rain can be expected throughout the country all year round.
Health
There are no serious health risks in Germany, although there have been recent outbreaks of measles in Bavaria, Lower Saxony, and North Rhine Westphalia. The German health service is excellent. There is a reciprocal health agreement with the UK and most EU countries, whose citizens are entitled to free medical and dental treatment on presentation of a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Nationals of other countries should take out medical insurance. Cases of bird flu have been reported, but no human infections have been found. The risk is low for travellers to Germany, but all close contact with wild, caged or domestic birds should be avoided, and all poultry and egg dishes should be well cooked as a precaution.
The basics
Time
GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in April).
Electricity
220 volts, 50Hz. European-style two-pin plugs are standard.
Language
German is the official language.
Tipping
Some restaurant bills already have a service charge added, but if this is not the case add 10%. Hotel porters expect around €1, and cleaning staff, hairdressers, taxi drivers etc expect small tips.
Safety
A visit to Germany should be trouble free, but take normal precautions to avoid mugging, bag-snatching and pick-pocketing, especially at airports and railway stations in the large cities.
Communications
The international access code for Germany is +49. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). Note that telephone numbers in Germany can range from four to nine digits. There are surcharges on international calls made from hotels; it is often cheaper to use public telephone boxes in post offices, which use phone cards. The local mobile phone operators use GSM networks and have roaming agreements with most international operators. Internet cafes are available in the main towns.
Duty Free
Passengers arriving from non-EU countries can enter Germany without paying duty on 200 cigarettes, or 100 cigarillos, or 50 cigars, or 250g smoking tobacco, or a proportional mix of these products; 1 litre of spirits with 22% alcohol volume, or 2 litres of spirits or aperitifs made of wine or similar beverages with alcohol content lower than 22% or sparkling, still or liqueur wines, or a proportional mix of these; perfume up to 50g or 250ml eau de toilette; 500g coffee; and other goods to the value of €175 for personal consumption. Prohibited items include any poultry or pet birds from poultry and derived products coming from Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Pakistan, Thailand and Vietnam. Providing goods are bought for personal use, there are no restrictions on carrying tobacco and alcohol between the 15 original countries of the EU (including the UK), with the exception of Finland, Denmark and Sweden.
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