Tourism in Germany

Tourism in Germany

The South Ural State University

The paper work:

TOURISM IN GERMANY

Written by:

Shamanova Nadejda Andreevna

Group: S-151

Checked by:

Kovaleva Olga Ivanovna

Chelyabinsk

2004

Contents

Introduction. 4

1. Germany 5

2. Getting there 7

3. Accommodation in Germany. 10

4. Where to go. 13

4.1.Festivals 13

4.2. National Parks 15

4.3. Routs in Germany. 20

5. A Journey to Berlin 24

5.1. Accommodation in Berlin 24

5.2. Sightseeing in Berlin 28

5.3. Eat, Drink, Nightlife 32

Conclusion. 34

Literature 35

Sites 35

Introduction.

Germany is rich by its tourist recourses. Each land has a lot of various

places of interest. «Come and be enchanted by the HISTORIC HIGHLIGHTS OF

GERMANY!» - This is the motto chosen by thirteen historic German cities

that have joined together to offer you some truly incomparable travel

experiences. They will all fascinate and delight you - Augsburg, Bonn and

Bremen; Erfurt, Freiburg, Heidelberg and Lьbeck; Mьnster and Potsdam;

Regensburg and Rostock; Trier and Wьrzburg.

Each of these many-faceted cities is steeped in history. At every turn

you will encounter the great names of the past and enjoy the architectural

and artistic heritage of great eras. Deep in the heart of Europe, Germany

has had a seminal impact on Continental history. From the Holy Roman Empire

to Otto Von Bismarck's German Reich, Nazism and the rise and fall of the

Berlin Wall, no other nation has moulded Europe the way Germany has - for

better or worse.

Here, history really comes to life. And life comes to life too- in every

season the calendars are jam-packed with events for every taste: Top

quality concert series, art exhibitions, outstanding theatre, major

international sporting events, colourful street festivals and traditional

Christmas Markets sparkle with lights. This rich, interwoven tapestry of

the past and the modern is also the key to the charm and dynamism of the

historic highlights.

Fairy-tale castles, medieval towns, boisterous beer halls, breathtaking

landscapes and a cutting-edge arts scene - the land of Beethoven and

Bratwurst delights, excites and inspires.

1. Germany

Environment

The lowlands in the north of Germany stretch from the Netherlands to

Poland, skimming southern Denmark where it bridges the North and Baltic

seas. The industrialised central belt cinches Belgium and Luxembourg to the

Czech Republic's western prong. The Rhine and Main Rivers, long crucial for

inland shipping, power through the troughs and gorges which cut through the

Central Uplands. To the south, the Danube River drains the Bavarian

highlands from the Black Forest, near the French and Swiss borders, to

Munich. The southern reaches of the Bavarian Alps give way to Austria.

Germany is not prey to dramatic climatic extremes, although there are

regional differences. The most reliably good weather is from May to

October, with high summer a good bet for shorts and T-shirt, even in the

north. Autumn is a good time to visit Germany. As the tourist scrum

disperses and the forests turn golden, it's not too stifling to be active

but still thirsty enough to end the day with a few well-deserved steins.

Winter is wet, especially in the south, with snow rarely settling for long

except in the high country.

Facts for the Traveler

Visas: EU citizens can enter on an official identity card. Americans,

Australians, Canadians, New Zealanders and Japanese just need a valid

passport (no visa). Unless you're a citizen of a developing country, you

can probably stay up to three months.

Time Zone: GMT/UTC +1 (Central European Time)

Dialling Code: 49

Electricity: 230V, 50Hz

Weights & measures: Metric

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.

Events

Germans love to party, and kick up their heels at everything from pagan

harvest romps to black tie opera galas. The Winter Carnival (Fasching)

season occurs throughout Germany, with big cities such as Cologne (Kцln),

Munich and Mainz erupting into commotion just before Ash Wednesday.

Germany's rich musical heritage is showcased in a plethora of festivals.

Some towns concentrate on a particular composer, such as the Thuringian

Bach Festival in March or the Richard Wagner Festival in Bayreuth each

July, whereas others focus on a particular style. The jazz festivals in

Stuttgart (April) and Berlin (November) are lively and popular. Autumn is a

great time for harvest-inspired mayhem, especially in the Rhineland, where

the Rhine in Flames frolics feature barges laden with fireworks. Mention

must be made of Oktoberfest, Munich's annual lager frenzy, but it's a bit

like being stuck in a nightmarish soccer crowd and is more an example of

tourism at its lowest ebb than a display of German culture. Christmas fairs

are embraced wholeheartedly by German families; they occur in Munich,

Nuremberg, Lьbeck, Berlin, Mьnster and Heidelberg, amongst other places.

2. Getting there

Getting There & Away

The main arrival/departure points for flights in Germany are Frankfurt-

am-Main, Munich and Dьsseldorf. Frankfurt is Europe's busiest airport after

Heathrow. An airport departure tax of around US$5 is included in ticket

prices. If you're already in Europe, it's generally cheaper to get to and

from Germany by train or bus. While train travel is often more expensive

than catching a bus, it's generally faster, more comfortable (particularly

for overnight travel) and more efficient. Germany is served by an excellent

highway system connected to the rest of Western Europe. Roads from Eastern

Europe are being upgraded but some border crossings are a little slow,

especially from Poland. To enter Germany with a car or motorbike, you must

have third-party insurance. Ferries run between Germany's northern coast

and Scandinavia and the UK.

Getting Around

By train. Getting around Germany is easy. Domestic air travel is

extensive but unless you're in an awful hurry, you might as well save your

money - the German train network is wonderful. The railway system enables

everyone to travel comfortably to their destination. There are good

connections to both distant and local areas. Airports (Berlin Schцnefeld,

Dьsseldorf, Munich and Stuttgart) are also merged into this system. There

are 60 different connections to the neighboring European countries that

originate daily in Germany. The customs clearance usually takes place on

the train once it has left the station.

The eastern and western train systems have now been fully merged,

although fares in the east are still cheaper. Numerous fares and ticket

passes are available. There is usually a surcharge for the InterCity

Express (ICE) trains but it's worth it to travel 250km/h (155mph) through

the German countryside. Forget about buses until you're in train-unfriendly

terrain.

By bus. A European bus service completes the railway system. It offers

special connections on particularly interesting routes to tourists.

Information regarding the bus system is also available in each travel

agency.

A journey by bus will guarantee comfortable travelling. Enjoy and

experience towns and landscapes in a relaxing way. Lean back and enjoy the

view of diverse landscapes from large bus windows or visit one of Germanyґs

famous towns.Get on and relax - once you are comfortably seated, your well-

earned holidays will begin. Besides, you have chosen an environmentally

friendly way of travelling.

Internationaler Bustouristik Verband e.V. (RDA), the international

federation of bus tour operators, has set up a list of operators offering

bus journeys. The list is set up according to the Lands of the Federal

Republic of Germany and is available. Here you will find numerous journeys

based on particular themes, sightseeing tours and club tours. It is also

possible to set up your own journey in co-operation with the operator.

Deutsche Touring GmbH offers attractive journeys on public service buses

along Germanyґs touristic holiday routes. Today Deutsche Touring is one of

the most important bus companies in Europe. In cooperation with foreign

partners, it provides regular international services linking over 700

cities throughout Europe. Regional and urban public transportation

operators and associations offer a rich network of short distance bus

trips.

By car. If you are travelling by car, an ultra-modern and efficient

freeway network awaits you. Over 700 restaurants, gas stations, motels and

kiosks are open day and night to travellers driving across the

approximately 11,000 km freeway network of the Federal Republic.

German roads are excellent, and motorised transport can be a great way

to tour the country, although most towns have problems with car-parking.

The national and famous motorway network known as autobahn can be wonderful

and nightmare.

Bicycle touring in Germany is very popular. There are often separate

cycling routes in the cities, towns and in the countryside, but cycling on

the autobahn is strictly not allowed.

3. Accommodation in Germany.

There is a wide variety of accommodation possibilities in Germany

ranging from a private room to a vacation home up to a luxury hotel. There

are also lower priced lodgings available. Either way, standards are set and

checked so that you can expect a comfortable place to stay in every case.

Hotel corporations and regional and local tourism organisations publish

their own accommodation directories. You can make room reservations

directly through the hotel chain reservation systems, hotel corporations,

the airports and tourism organisations. Travel agencies also work closely

with hotels.

More and more hotels and hotel chains in Germany are including youth

specials into their programs. Special youth hostels and youth hotels have

dedicated and specialised themselves to tourists needs. They can even be

accommodated close to the city centers. Vacation villages and vacation

apartments are a good idea for spending more than one night somewhere.

Tourists can also spend the night at one of more than 2000 camping sites or

in one of over 600 youth hostels. Bed & Breakfast is not just a British

speciality. Almost all tourist information points can find you a private

room on arrival and can sometimes even make advance reservations.

Hotel rooms in Germany have a wide selection of price ranges. You can

stay overnight in luxury suites, rooms in middle class hotels or very

inexpensive accommodation in smaller hotels. From Flensburg to Munich, from

Aachen to Dresden, you can find hotels to fit your needs according to

German hotel classification standards. Hotels are classified based on a

uniform criteria and are categorised by a certain number of stars (i.e.

**** = luxurious). Some of Germanys` finer hotels are Accor,

ArabellaSheraton and Maritim

Camping & Caravaning

Whether staying in an RV trailer, motorhome or within the four walls of

your tent, you can be right at home in any beautiful setting. For a few

days or several weeks, delightful landscapes can be directly outside your

front door. Relax in nature and recover from the hectic pace of everyday

life. Germany offers an abundance of camp sites in areas chosen for the

incredible scenery they possess, and their gates are open to everyone. For

your vacation, you can choose from sites located in more tourist areas or,

for longer stays, get away to more remote locations in the middle of the

most gorgeous surroundings.

Guesthouses & inns

Besides hotels in all categories, there is naturally also a variety of

guesthouses and inns which can be found almost everywhere in Germany. They

offer a good opportunity for enjoying a low-priced vacation in a family

atmosphere.

Youth hostels

The youth hostels in Germany are open to all people, whether young or

old. Suitable for short visits or longer stays, hostels are ideal for many

different types of people and activities. Guests can include single people,

families, tour groups, sport teams and youth groups. They come for

everything from vacation camps to ski trips as well as conferences and

seminars. The only requirement is that one must be a member of the German

Youth Hostel Association.

Vacation on a farm

The most beautiful time of the year is awaiting you right outside your

door. Vacation farm areas can provide with peaceful, unencumbered days.

Out in the country, you will find elements of life that you otherwise may

not experience. Instead of the hectic pace of everyday life that makes you

feel unacknowledged, you encounter real hospitality in a warm, personal

atmosphere.

You will find yourself rejuvenated in such a natural setting whether

just walking outside, fishing, biking or horseback riding. There's no end

to the new experiences and discoveries you can make. The hosts of the farm

will spoil you with regional delicacies like fragrant fresh breads, home-

made sausages and cheeses as well as wine and juices from own vineyards.

Diverse leisure activities for both young and old round off the whole

experience in the country.

Bed and Breakfast

A Bed and Breakfast is typically a lower-priced alternative to hotels

and inns. Instead of staying in anonymous hotel beds, you sleep in cosy,

private guest rooms. You are welcomed cordially by your hosts who offer a

pleasant atmosphere in which to enjoy your stay. In the morning, breakfast

is prepared just for you according to your taste. Your hosts take a

personal interest in helping you with providing tips and information about

the area, the country and the people.

4. Where to go.

4.1.Festivals

A) The Berlinale.

From its beginning in post war Berlin, the Berlinale was designed to be

an international rather than a national film festival.

Over the years the festival has cemented its status as major European film

festival and is easily as important as its competitors in Venice and

Cannes.

The Golden and Silver Berlin bear and many honorary awards are much sought-

after.

B) Love parade in Berlin

German techno guru Dr. Motte and 150 of his closer friends started the

rave in 1989. They met at Berlin's 'Ku'damm' to celebrate a party and to

demonstrate for tolerance and love.

Successfully: the mobile party attracts en-vogue DJs and an enthusiastic

crowd.

Some facts: In 2000, the loveparade's busiest year to date, 250 DJs on 53

wagons partied together with over a million guests.

Recently, Austria, Israel, South Africa and Mexico have joined the craze

and organised their own love parades.

C) Frankfurt's Bookfair

Frankfurt is a big player in global trade fair business. An annual

average of 80 fairs and exhibitions attract numerous visitors from all over

the world.

One of the highlights is Frankfurt's book fair. The biggest book fair

worldwide dates back to the 15th century. Its popularity has increased ever

since.

Today, more than 250,000 annual visitors flood the fair.

The aim: information on a selection of the almost 400,000 books which are

being presented. Readings, talks, interviews and other side events offer

additional incentives for an interested public. Book industry, publishers,

critics, readers and writers alike are under the spell of the biggest book

fair world wide.

D) Carnival in Germany

In Germany Mardi Gras ('Fasching') is also referred to as the fifth and

foolish season ('die nдrrische Zeit'). It is a time of elaborate parades,

masks, balls and election of Carnival king and queen and official madness.

The exact time of celebration and the traditions vary from county to

county, but it generally takes place in early spring. Munich, Cologne,

Mainz are strongholds of Mardi Gras celebrations.

Switzerland and Austria, too, join the party with enthusiasm following

their own traditions.

E) Munich's 'Oktoberfest'

Even though it is called 'Oktoberfest', the festival actually takes

place in September, as Bavarian autumn can be tricky and surprise with

early cold and snow. Today, the 'Oktoberfest' is the largest festival

worldwide attracting a multitude of visitors. Apart from beer tents the

festival offers amusements as diverse as roller coasters, circus

appearances, festive parades and live brass bands.

The ceremonial opening happens at noon. The mayor arrives in a festive

coach followed by a decorated horse-drawn brewer's cart. Guests, staff and

the numerous brass bands are all wearing traditional costumes (lederhosen

and dirndls) for the occasion. At the end of the parade the major taps the

first keg of beer and shouts, "o'zapft is!" (The keg is tapped).

It takes good nerves and a solid stomach to survive the festivals 16 days

of intensive partying. However, the festival is a huge success: Apart from

attracting a multitude of visitors the festivals brand name 'Oktoberfest'

has been exported all over the world.

4.2. National Parks

A) The Jasmund National Park

[pic]

The Jasmund National Park offers many different landscapes within a very

small area. Come and visit a cretaceous landscape with numerous bogs, wet

grasslands and dry meadows. The most renowned attraction are the chalk

cliffs surrounding the Kцnigsstuhl which have been captured in paintings by

the famous artist Caspar David Friedrich.

Apart from the Kцnigsstuhl, the highest point on the chalk coastline,

the whole length of the chalk coastline is impressive. It stretches over a

length of 10 km, reaches a height of 117 m and consists of both active and

inactive cliffs, illustrating the dynamics of an active steep coastline.

The national park offers a wide range of activities, such as hiking and

bicycle tours, excursions and seminars which give the opportunity to

explore the most beautiful hiking trails through the regionґs forested

landscapes.

The Stubnitz area is not just worth a visit because of its magical chalk

landscape, it is also the home of mythical figures.

On guided tours, organised on a regular basis by the national park

administration, you will find out everything about Hertha, a Germanic

goddess, and Stцrtebecker, a pirate who is said to have buried treasure

somewhere in this area.

Highlights:

- Cape Arkona with the little town of Vitt

- the fishing port of Sassnitz with its fishing museum

- "Piratenschlucht" (pirateґs gorge) in Sassnitz

- Greifswald's museum with an exhibition of paintings by Caspar David

Friedrich

- historic craftsmen's dwellings in Gingst

- Grьmbke lookout tower near Neuenkirchen

Activities:

Jasmund offers a wide range of guided tours (daily tours take place from

April - September, both from the parking lot in Hagen to the Kцnigsstuhl

and from Sassnitz to the bizarre rock formations of "Wissower Klinken").

Furthermore, you can visit numerous exhibitions (at the national park

visitorsґ center at the Kцnigsstuhl and also at the Granitz hunting lodge

near Sellin).

The biosphere reserve "South East Rьgen" organises further hiking and

bicycle tours, as well as excursions.

B) The Wadden Sea of Hamburg National Park

The Wadden Sea of Hamburg National Park, which is the smallest of three mud-

flats national parks, is characterized by three islands:

"Neuwerk", widely covered with meadows and with a population of 40,

"Scharhцrn", with its sand dunes, and "Nigehцrn" which has been created

artificially. The island group is located directly at the mouth of the

river Elbe near Cuxhaven in northern Germany and protects a landscape of

approximately 12,000 hectares of wadden sea.

On guided tours you not only have the opportunity to learn about the

regionґs landscape but also about the islandsґ historical background.

On the way from Neuwerk to Scharhцrn you will walk along trails leading

across seemingly endless mud-flats. Scharhцrn, which used to be a sandbank,

is a tourist attraction mainly for its sea bird colonies. On a visit to the

ornithological station you will see one of the largest colonies of sea

swallows.

Highlights:

- carriage ride across mud-flats from Sahlenburg to the island of Neuwerk

- voyage with the MS "Flipper" from Cuxhaven to the island of Neuwerk

- guided walks across the Wadden sea

- guided tours to the bird colonies, salt marshes and wadden sea of Neuwerk

- guided tours to Scharhцrn, the bird sanctuary

- searching for amber on the "Kleiner Vogelsand"

- amber exhibition on the island of Neuwerk

Activities:

We recommend national park visitors on day trips to take a walk along the

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