Page 544 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Germany

542  SUR VIV AL GUIDE PR A C TIC AL INFORM A TION  543
PRACTICAL INFORMATION Among younger Germans,

however, ideas of politeness are
Germany is a country that is particularly country is served by an excellent public changing. Older people and
well prepared to receive visitors. Every transport system and a first-rate network women are shown less respect
town, large or small, has a helpful tourist of roads and motorways, which makes and are no longer automatically
information centre that can assist with getting around quick and easy. There is a offered seats on public transport.
Another change is the tolerance
finding accommodation and provide plentiful supply of comfortable, affordable shown towards unruly children
information about local restaurants, tourist accommodation in Germany, but by parents and other adults.
attractions and activities. Virtually all it is worth bearing in mind that hotels can The German dress code,
the larger cities have websites with up-to- become booked up quickly during the except in a work environment
date information on hotels, restaurants, festivals and fairs that occur throughout and among the older gener-
ation, is rather casual. Formal
museums and historic monuments. The the year in different parts of the country.
dress is required in only the
Tourist information centre in Berlin most upmarket restaurants.
Nudity in parks and at beaches
When to Go Germany is one of the 25 Travel Safety Admission Prices Language may shock some visitors.
In Germany, a pleasant holiday European countries that are part Visitors can get up-to-date Admission to museums and Although German is spoken Most traffic rules are strictly
can be enjoyed at any time of of the Schengen Agreement for travel safety information from monuments can be expensive nationwide, many areas have observed. Crossing the street on
the year. If you are planning to shared border control. Once you the Foreign and Common- and prices vary. Entry to a dialects that are virtually a red light, even if the road is
visit cities and historic monu- enter a Schengen country, you wealth Office in the UK, the small regional museum, for incomprehensible, even to deserted, is considered an
ments, however, it is best to may travel continuously State Department in the US example, may cost as little as those from neighbouring offence and can result in an
come in the spring or early between the member countries and the Department of Foreign €2–5, a large state-run museum regions. Travellers can usually official reprimand.
autumn. July and August are for up to 90 days. Non-EU Affairs and Trade in Australia. around €5–12, while a private be understood in Germany by
ideal for a restful holiday by the visitors require a passport when venue may charge up to €14. speaking English, particularly in
sea, in the lake districts or in the entering the Schengen Zone Tourist Information Admission to smaller churches larger cities and in places that Accessibility of
Public Conveniences
mountains. Arriving in Bavaria in and a Schengen visa is required is usually free, but a fee may be are frequented by tourists.
the second half of Septem ber for visitors from most Asian and Tourist information centres charged in some cathedrals, Public toilets (often automatic
offers the chance to take part African states. can be found in all German monastic churches and cubicles) can usually be found
in Oktoberfest. In December, cities, as well as in most church treasuries. Social Customs without much difficulty in large
and Etiquette
Christmas markets all over the of the larger towns. They In many cases, discounted cities. Instructions on how to
country enchant shoppers with Customs Regulations provide information on tickets are available for Although generally friendly, use these facilities are given in
their old-world charm, while German regulations prohibit accommo dation, addresses students, seniors and families. Germans tend to be very honest several languages on the doors.
later in the winter, skiing is importation of drugs, animals and opening hours of historic Combination tickets, offering and direct, sometimes to the Public toilets can also be found
popular in the Black Forest, the and exotic plants that are under monuments and museums, entry to multiple sites, are point of seeming rude. However, in museums, cafés, restaurants
Alps, and the Harz Mountains. special protection. Importation cruises, organized excursions often good value (see p544). most people, particularly the and department stores. Men’s
Road traffic increases during of cigarettes is also regulated. and city tours, as well as older generation, attach great toilets are marked Herren and
school holidays, the dates of An adult may bring in 200 cigar- brochures. They sell useful Opening Hours importance to courteous ladies’ Damen or Frauen.
which may vary between states. ettes or 50 cigars, and 250g guidebooks, maps and behaviour. You constantly hear
Roads can also be quite busy at (9oz) of tobacco, as well as one post cards and may be able Opening hours of shops, offices, “Guten Tag” when entering a Taxes and Tipping
the start of the “long weekends” litre of spirits and two litres of to find and book hotel rooms. and other businesses depend shop, and “Auf Wiedersehen” –
that occur at Easter, Whitsun, and wine. You can also import up to The embassies of most on the size of the town. In larger or the more youthful “Tschüss” – There are no standard rates for
around other national holidays. 5 kg (11 lb) of food, but countries, including the cities, typical opening hours are when leaving. Germans are tipping in Germany, but taxi
restrictions apply to meat and UK and US, are located in from 9am–6pm, while large also very punctual and consider drivers are usually tipped €1–2.
dairy products. Beyond these Berlin. Consulates are also stores are open until 8pm. Banks even a small delay to be Service and tax is generally
Visas and Passports
limits, goods must be cleared by based in other major have shorter hours in smaller impolite. Arriving slightly early included on restaurant bills,
Citizens of EU countries can Customs when entering. German cities. towns (see p548). Trading is for an engagement is regarded but it is usual to leave a tip of
enter Germany with a national limited on Saturdays, especially as courteous. about 10 per cent of the bill.
identity card. Visitors from the in rural areas and on Sundays
UK, Ireland, the US, Canada, and public holidays, only airport
Australia and New Zealand will and train station shops are open
need a full pass port. Non-EU (see pp534–5).
citizens may visit Germany for Museums in Germany are
up to 3 months without a visa; generally open from 9am–6pm,
after that a residence permit in smaller towns from 10am to
(Aufenthaltserlaubnis) is required. 4 or 5pm. Some museums open
For more information and to later, on Wednesdays or
check the visa requirements Thursdays, while on Mondays
visitors should consult the most museums tend to be
website of their German closed. Larger churches in
embassy. Visitors from South major cities are accessible to
Africa need to obtain a valid visa tourists throughout the day. In
before entering Germany for smaller places, visits may require
any length of stay. Oktoberfest celebrations at the Theresienwiese, Munich prior arrangements. Exterior of Museum Brandhorst in Munich (see p224)
A modern train station in Germany

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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.7)
Date 5th March 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm