Page 14 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Germany
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12 BACK ROADS GERMANY
Practical Information
Germany is a country that is particularly well prepared to receive
visitors. Public services operate smoothly and efficiently, and the
health system is good. Every town, large and small, has a tourist
information centre that can offer guidance on finding accommo
dation and information about local restaurants, attractions and
activities. Germany is a safe country to travel in and its police are
highly trained to deal with any emergency. Communication
networks are good and almost all banks have ATMs. Above Police patrol van
Language for stays of up to 90 days. Visitors accidents and delayed or cancelled
Although all Germans do speak should check with the German flights. Most policies also cover legal
German, many of them use dialects embassy or consulate in their own costs up to a certain limit. A standard
that are sometimes almost incom country prior to travelling or visit policy will not cover hazardous or
prehensible to foreigners with the Federal Foreign Office website extreme sports, so anyone planning
limited knowledge of German. The and search for “visa agreements”. to go surfing, skiing or rockclimbing
most difficult dialects to understand Most embassies, including those must check their policy; extra cover
are probably those of southern of the US and the UK, are located in can usually be added for a small
Germany, particularly Bavarian and Berlin but consulates can be found premium. Most credit card companies
Schwabian, but Frisian and Saxon in other major cities. offer insurance for lost luggage; one
dialects are also likely to cause is also entitled to compensation in
communication problems, even for Travel Safety Advice case of flight delays and cancellation.
Germanspeaking visitors. However, Visitors can get uptodate travel
English is usually under stood, safety information from the Foreign Health
particularly in larger cities and in and Commonwealth Office in the Germany poses no serious health
places frequented by tourists. UK, the State Department in the hazards for visitors and no vaccinations
US and the Department of Foreign are required before entering the
Passports and Visas Affairs and Trade in Australia. country. Ticks are prevalent in rural
Citizens of EU member states, the areas, especially in summer. Avoid
US, Canada, Australia and New Travel Insurance long grass, keep to paths and wear
Zealand do not need a visa to visit All travellers are strongly advised to long trousers and stout shoes.
Germany as long as their stay does take out travel insurance that offers Those who require prescribed
not exceed three months. However, cover for a broad range of possible medication should ensure that they
visitors from South Africa do need a emergencies. It is mandatory for all take enough to cover their stay, as it
visa. Nationals from most other foreign visitors to have a medical may not be available locally. Citizens
countries require a Schengen Visa, insurance policy with sufficient of EU member states can obtain free
named for the 1995 Schengen protection on a visit to Germany. medical assistance in Germany if
Agreement that abolished passport In addition to medical insurance, a they hold a European Health
controls between Austria, Belgium, comprehensive policy will normally Insurance Card (EHIC). Travellers can
Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, cover the holder for loss or theft of obtain the card by applying online
Iceland, Italy, Greece, Luxembourg, luggage and other belongings, such via the website of their national
the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, as passports and money, damage or health authority before leaving
Spain and Sweden. This visa is valid injury to a third party, personal home. To call an ambulance in an
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