$1US = 1.7DM
$1A = 1.42DM
A budget meal in Germany would cost around $5-10 US dollars.
A restaurant meal would be about $15-20 US dollars.
A budget bed would cost about $20-30 US dollars.
A mid-range hotel would be approximately $50-80 US dollars for a double bed.
A 4-5 star hotel would be about $100-200 US dollars for a King sized bed, per night.
When to go.
The German climate is variable so it's best to be prepared for all weather conditions throughout the year. The most reliable weather is from May to October this coincides, naturally enough, with the standard touring season. The shoulder periods can bring fewer tourists as suprisingly pleasent weather. There is no special raining season.
Festivals.
From March to October there are many festivals. Such as the October Fest in Munich. Other festivals such as the jazz festival in Frankfurt during March, Stuttgart in April, and Berlin during October are lively and popular. Familiar festivals like Christmas and New Year are usual.
Culture.
Unsurprisingly for a country whose land has so often been at history's crox, the moods and pre-occupation's of Germany's people are reflected in a rich artistic heritage: from the calustrophobic beauty of it's cathedrals to some of the world's most influential philosophers, from the cream of classic composers to contemporary indurtrial grunge music, from the genius of Goethe to the revolutionary theatre of Brecht, Germany has it all. The scope of German art is such that it could be the focus of the entire visit.
Activities.
Germany is a country with a large amount of leisure activities as nearly every one in three people are a member of a sporting club. Cycling like many other sports is a favourite recreation. With many Western German cities bosting super smoothe cycling trails.
In winter, skiing, both downhill and crosscoutry dominate during winter. The Black Forest, although vertically challenged is popular for skiing.
Germany's rivers and lakes are great for boating, with sruises operating around Berlin, the huge lakes in southern Germany and the Baltic Sea. Sailing and wind surfing are also very popular, especially on lake Constance in the south.
Travel information within Germany.
In Germany, there are a lot of public transport, such as buses, trains, cabs that you can take to get around the city. Or you can hire a car and drive around for yourself.
Travel tips and advice.
On the entry of the country, visitors must have valid passports and a Visa is not required for visits up to 3 months. Duty Fe\ree allowance is up to 400 cigarettes or 100 cigars or 500g of tabacco. 1 litres of spirits (more than 22 degrees of proof) or 2 litres of spirits (up to 22 degrees proof) and 2 litres of wine. There is no restriction on the import and export of local or foreign currencies. No vacations are required for any international traveler.
Driving Essetials.
Required international license for travelers.
The speed limits for the following are:
Built up areas- 50km
Open roads- 100km
Motorways- 130km
Autobahn- As fast as you want.
Take care of yourself.
In certain regions of Germany, tourists of colour and members of certain religous groups may feel threatened by local residents. Neo-Nazi skin-heads of large cities of Eastern Germany may atack certain tourists (so be careful).
History of Germany.
Who could forget the misery of WWII brought by Adolf Hitler and his troops.From 1939 he started to invade Poland to increase the size of Germany. In between this he started the "Holocaust". Where he killed so many Jews. Many neo-nazi's are still around too. Anyway, the ended in 1945 with Hitler killing himself (belief of disappearence) at a bomb shelter.
Areas of Interest.
In Munich, you can visit the Triumph Arc, situated in Leopoldstrabe. Or the Angel of Peace monument standing tall and proud in Prinregentenstrabe. You may want to go skiing in the Alps as well. There are a lot of festivals to go to during the year too.
Itenary information.
If you want to send postcards or letters, you should visit the local Post Office. They are usually open Monday to Friday at 8am to 6pm. On Saturdays it is open at 8am to noon.
If you want to make phone calls using public telephones, a local call costs 30 pfennigs. And for emergencies, the police ph. is 110. For a fire or medical emergency the ph. is 112.
Useful Language tips.
In Western Germany, the English language is common, so you wouldn't find it too hard to communicate there. In the East, it's different. So these tips may help you. Bitte means 'please', 'excuse me', 'help' or thanks. Bitte is a polite way of saying these words. Bitte schön iseven politer. Entschuldigung means 'excuse me', 'sorry I bumped into you' or 'help me now'. But we strongly you to bring German/English dictionaries too.
Tourist Packages to Germay.
Pakage 1. City Tour.
In this package, you will first stay in Berlin at the Grand Hyatt hotel (Marlene Dietrich-Platz 2). Each room has a dataport, internet, interactive T.V., video on demand, telephone, marble bathroom, separate bath and shower, minibars, personal safe and a Tea and Coffee maker. The services there are a parking garage, valet parking, multi-lingual staff, concierge service for all travel and entertainment, 24 hour desk and room service, communications center with secretarial service, fax machines and a baby-sitter by prior request.
Then, you will go off to Stuttgart. Staying at the lovely Astron hotel (Leipziger Strab 1). In the hotel there is a bar/bistro. basement car park, fitness area, sauna and solariumand a steam bath.
After Stuttgart, you will go on to Munich staying at the Hotel Europa (Marlene Dietrich-Platz 2). Each room has a T.V., dirct dialing, a private bathroom, a private chower and a private WC. This hotel also has plenty of parking space.
Then finally, you choose where you want to stay for the last city. We will arrange everything needed (hotel, flight, etc...)
You will stay in Germany for 4 weeks and stay in each city for a week. We will arrange for a car for you to use if you want. You also have a choice of a guided tour, or an unguided tour.
Costs.
For adults, it costs A$1,739 per head, and for children it cost A$899. For a guided tour it costs A$90 per person extra. For a car, it costs A$200 for the 4 weeks.
For couples it costs A$A$3,000 with the a car and guided tour same as above.
For a family of four (2parents, 2 children) it costs A$4,700 with a car and guided tours same as above.
The costs may vary depending on which extra city you choose to go to and what extras are needed.
Package 2. Food tour.
In this package you will go to the traditional Berlin fare.
You will stay for three weeks in Berlin at the Grand Hyatt hotel or if you want to choose a different hotel, you can. You will go to Wihelm Hoeck, Charlotterberg and Wilmersdorfer Strasse 149.The costs will vary depending on which hotel you stay at.
For adults, it costs A$1,000, and for children it costs A$500. For a couple it costs A$1,750. For a family, it costs A$2,500. For a guide to help you around it will cost A$100 extra. For a car it costs A$150 for the 3 weeks.
Pakage 3. Ecotourism(drifters.
In this pakage, you can go wherever you wish to go. You tell us where you want to go, and we'll provide a car, or if you wish, a flight to the destination you want. But it must be in the ecotourism are or else we won't take you there. We advise you to go to places such as the Bavarian Alps, Lake Constance and the Black Forest.
The costs will vary, depending on how you travel, and where you travel. Just to take you to Germany it will cost A$1,000 per adult and A$500 per child. A car will cost about A$5o per week.
You will camp out the whole time in Germany, but we will provide the tents.
Making Reservations.
Email us at dontworry@thisisntreal.com. You can pay over the net or if you send us a cheque to 449 Dont Send Us a Message St. Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. 3000.
