Travel Tips For Germany
July 23rd, 2009 by Graham McKenzie, under Travel and Leisure. No Comments
A trip to Germany for U.S citizens will require a valid passport and if you are planning on staying for more than 90 days on business you will be required to obtain a visa. Non European union members will be required to have a valid passport to enter Germany as well.
Although the main language spoke in Germany is German you will find that many people do speak English. It is still recommended that you learn enough German to get by, it could be very useful for ordering off a menu or asking directions, especially if you are planning to visit non tourist areas.
It is recommended that you travel light when visiting Germany or any part of Europe. If your luggage will not fit in the carry on compartment of the plane then chances are it will not fit in the space provided on the trains. You also have to keep in mind that you may be in a hotel with no elevator and carrying three heavy bags up four flights of stairs can be exhausting.
You will want to see every inch of the beautiful countryside Germany has to offer but you of course will not have enough time. You should make a list of the more important sights of interest before you arrive. You want to make sure you are not rushing on your trip and that your favorite sights are seen. Central Germany is the place for the adventurous who want to ski or hike their way through the country. Southern Germany will offer castle tours that will be of great interest to the history buff.
Choosing one are to visit at a time is best for your trip to Germany. You do not want to wear yourself out travelling long distances during your trip.
By staying in one area you will get to familiarize yourself with the locals and become a part of the charming town you are staying in. The vacation will feel more like a visit to home and will have you yearning for your return visit.
If you plan your trip with a travel agents help you will be able to join some of the group tours. Group tours are a great way to see the most famous areas of Germany for first time visitors or people travelling alone.
Your visit to the local restaurants might surprise you when you get charged for a glass of water and you might also be surprised that you will be seating yourself. When you walk in to the bar or the restaurant you simply choose your favorite spot and have a seat. Wait staff are paid more in Germany than in the states so tipping is much less, for great service you could shell out one or two EUR and it would be considered a good tip.
Supermarkets will be challenging for U.S.citizens who are used to having everything done for them. The carts require a deposit which you will only get back after you return them to their rightful place and bags are to be purchased by the customer and they will be required to bag their own goods. This is a way of reducing staff and will save you money on your overall bill.
Be sure to have your cell phone charged as public phones are rare in Germany. There are spots to log on to the internet and make public calls but these spots are hard to find.
