GERMANY

INTRODUCTION

Through the turmoil of the 20th century, Germany has emerged as a powerful, confident nation and, with the memory of the wall that divided Berlin into east and west still fresh in the national consciousness, continues to be the driving force towards greater European integration.

The German people enjoy a reputation for accuracy, precision and efficiency √ words often used to describe their excellent cars √ although an equally enduring image is of lederhosen -clad Bavarians hoisting beer steins at Munich ‘s famous Oktoberfest. Neither of these stereotypes reflects the diversity of Germany ‘s towns and cities, though. From romantic Heidelberg , the medieval Nuremberg of Durer and the Weimar of Goethe and the Bauhaus, to the lively port cities of Bremen and Hamburg , the financial centre of Frankfurt and revitalised cities of the former east like Dresden . Overshadowing them all is the cosmopolitan decadence of Berlin , where bureaucrats of the new capital rub shoulders with artists and techno club-goers.

The German landscape is similarly varied. In the south, the Alps attract ski-lovers in winter and hiking enthusiasts in summer, who come to explore the scenic lakes and atmospheric castles here and in the Black Forest . Watersports are another summer pastime, and in the north, the island of Rugen with its majestic white cliffs and coastal towns like Wilhelmshaven offer terrific facilities for adventures on the North Sea .

Language: German. English is widely spoken and French is also spoken, particularly in the Saarland . In the north of Schleswig-Holstein, Danish is spoken by the Danish minority and taught in schools. In Brandenburg and Saxony , Sorbic is spoken by the ethnic minority called the Sorbs and is also taught in about 50 schools. Regional dialects often differ markedly from standard German.

Religion: Approximately 34 per cent Protestant, 34 per cent Roman Catholic, with Jewish, Muslim and other non-Christian minorities.

Time: GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October).

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. European-style round two-pin plugs are in use. Lamp fittings are screw type.

Money

Single European currency (Euro): The Euro is now the official currency of 12 EU member states (including Germany ). The first Euro coins and notes were introduced in January 2002 and completely replaced the Deutschmark on 28 February 2002 . Euro (┬) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of ┬500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of ┬2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.

CLIMATE

Temperate throughout the country with warm summers and cold winters, but prolonged periods of frost or snow are rare. Rain falls throughout the year.

Required clothing: European clothes with light- to medium weights in summer, medium- to heavyweights in winter. Waterproofs are needed throughout the year.

When to Go

The German climate is variable so it’s best to be prepared for all types of weather throughout the year. That said, the most reliable weather is from May to October. This coincides, naturally enough, with the standard tourist season (except for skiing). The shoulder periods can bring fewer tourists and surprisingly pleasant weather. There is no special rainy season.

Food & Drink

The main meal of the day in Germany tends to be lunch with a light snack eaten at about 1900 in the evening. Breakfast served in homes and hotels usually consists of a boiled egg, bread rolls with jam, honey, cold cuts and cheese slices. Available from snack bars, butcher shops, bakers and cafes are grilled, fried or boiled sausages ( Wurst ) with a crusty bread roll or potato salad. There are also bread rolls filled with all kinds of sausage slices, hot meat filling (such as Leberkase ), pickled herring, gherkins and onion rings or cheese. In bakeries, Strudel with the traditional apple filling, a variety of fruits and fromage frais is available. There is also an astonishingly wide variety of breads. A set menu meal in a simple Gasthof or cafe usually includes three courses: soup is the most popular starter. The main meal consists of vegetables or a salad, potatoes, meat and gravy. For pudding, there is often a sweet such as a blancmange , fruit or ice cream. Restaurants often serve either beer or wine. Cakes and pastries are normally reserved for the afternoon with Kaffee und Kuchen (▒coffee and cakes’) taken at home or in a cafe. Cafes serving Kaffee und Kuchen are not only to be found in cities, towns and villages but also at or near popular excursion and tourist spots. International speciality restaurants, such as Chinese, Greek, Turkish and others, can be found everywhere in the western part of the country. Waiter or waitress service is normal although self-service restaurants are available. Bakeries and dairy shops specialise in lighter meals if preferred.

Nightlife

In all larger towns and cities in western Germany and also in the major eastern cities visitors will have the choice between theatre, opera ( Hamburgische Staatsoper , Deutsche Oper Berlin and the National Theatre in Munich are some of the most famous names), nightclubs, bars with live music and discos catering for all tastes. Berlin , in particular, is famous for its large selection of after-hours venues. Traditional folk music is found mostly in rural areas. There are Bierkellers in the south and wine is drunk in small wine cellars in the Rhineland Palatinate, Franconia and Baden region.

SHOPPING

Special purchases include precision optical equipment such as binoculars and cameras, porcelain, handmade crystal, silver, steelware , Solingen knives, leatherwear, sports equipment, toys from Nuremberg and Bavarian Loden cloth. Special purchases in eastern Germany include musical instruments, wooden carved toys from the Erzgebirge Mountains , and Meissen china (the workshops in Meissen are open to the public). Shopping hours: Shops can regulate their own opening hours within these times Mon-Fri 0600-2000, Sat 0600-1600. Smaller shops may close 1300-1500 for lunch. All shops, except a few bakeries, are closed on Sunday

Special Events

Hundreds of annual festivals and special events are celebrated throughout the country. Full details can be obtained from the Deutsche Zentrale fur Tourismus e.V (German National Tourist Board ; see Contact Addresses section). The following list is a selection of events celebrated in 2004:

Jan 16-25 International Green Week , Berlin . Jan 22-27 93rd Berlin Six-day Race (bicycle-race). Mar 12-16 International Tourism Trade Fair (ITB) , Berlin . Apr 9-12 Bavaria Easter Festival . Apr 17-May 9 Cologne Music Triennial . May 7-16 German Mozart Festival , Chemnitz . Jun 16-22 Mainz Midsummer’s Eve Celebrations . Jul 10 Berlin Love Parade . Jul 14-18 21st German Choir Festival . Aug Young Euro Classic (European Music Summer), Berlin . Aug-Sep Public Wine Festival . Sep 31st Real Berlin Marathon . Sep-Oct Munich Oktoberfest . Nov-Dec Christmas Markets , nationwide; Winterdom (large funfair, including circus), Hamburg . Dec 31 New Year’s Eve Party at the Brandenburger Tor , Berlin.

Attractions

Berlin

Of strategic importance since it first straddled the Spree River in the 13th century, Berlin never hogged centre stage quite like it did this century. Today the city, restored as the nation’s capital, is the focus of the mammoth project of reunification and the barometer of Germany ‘s moods.

Berlin is a veritable motherlode for lovers of art, architecture and artefacts . Its great clusters of museums will keep the most dedicated culture addict happy. The layers of the city’s history, from war and violent division to imperial fancy, exist in fascinating proximity to its dynamic present.

Frankfurt

Frankfurt is often seen only as a transit hub or a business centre, but it’s so much more. It boasts Germany ‘s most spectacular skyline and Europe ‘s tallest office building. It’s also the country’s most international town; more than a quarter of its citizens are foreign.

Flaneurs get the best view of Frankfurt . Luckily most of its obvious attractions are located around the city centre. Invest in a ‘ Museumsurfer Ticket'(available at museums) and spend a couple of days cruising Frankfurt ‘s galleries and museums at a fraction of their individual prices.

Lubeck

Lubeck is a glorious medieval town that’s earned its place on UNESCO’s World Heritage list. Although it’s easily accessible from Hamburg , Lubeck is off the main tourist trails and can be a quiet alternative to the more spectacular attractions further south. The altstadt (old town) was heavily bombed in WWII but has been sensitively rebuilt and the town’s stately charm is apparent today.

Munich

Munich , rivalled only by Berlin as Germany ‘s most popular destination, is a city that enjoys contradicting itself. Don your Lederhosen, pack your Dirndl and head down to the capital of Bavaria , where cutesy folk traditions rub shoulders with BMWs, haute cuisine and high-minded sophisticates.

Munich is a compact enough city, but you could easily spend several weeks exploring its museums, architectural treasures and idyllic surrounds. The Altstadt (old town) is a pleasure to stroll around, with its grand avenues and spacious squares that recall the glory of Bavaria ‘s monarchy.

Rhine Valley

Here are dramatic landscapes with fertile vineyards clinging to steep hills, numerous imposing castles and dreamy wine villages. Every village has at least one wine festival per year, with the most famous being the Rhine in Flames series of festivals, when water, lighting and fireworks are combined to spectacular effect.

Weimar

Best known abroad as the birthplace of the ill-fated Weimar Republic , this small city is a cultural pilgrimage site for Germans. It was the epicentre of the country’s Age of Enlightenment and home to such intellectual and creative giants as Goethe, Bach, Schiller, Liszt, Nietzsche, Kandinsky and Klee , to name a few.