|
|
|
If
you are interested in castles - you must not miss "The
Castle Road" - 975 km long route from Mannheim to
Prague in the Czech Republic takes in over 70 romantic
fortresses, ruins and fairytale castles. Because the route
also takes in medieval towns, cultural historical treasures
and monastries - you are assured of a varied experience.
Other
interesting routes cover things like Germany's Wines,
The German Clock route, Precious Stones, Pottery, Industrial
Heritage route etc. If natures appeals more - Germany
has more than 90 nature parks, 13 biosphere reserves
and 13 national parks which are all internationally recognised.
Over 11 000 kms of modern and efficient freeway covers
the Federal Republic so all the above are easily reached.
The speed limits within city limits is 50km/hour. Outside
city limits the maximum speed is 100kms. On freeways
a speed of 130 km/hr is recommended.
|
No matter
how you travel - whether by car, motorhome or boat Germany provides
delightful landscapes and is sure to have something that interests
every one in your party. The are more than 150 "Scenic Routings/
Vacation Highways in Germany all connected to specific cultural
themes. The most famous route would be the Romantic Road - a
220 miles journey from the Alps to the River Main. Wending your
way past Mad King Ludgwigs famous Neuschwantstein castle, the
fabulous Wuerzburg Residence Palace and even past Noerdlingsen
Ries Crater, where America's astronauts trained for the moon
walk - even the most cynical and unromantic traveller cannot
help being seduced by the sheer beauty and romance of it all.
So how should
you get around Germany? If you want to travel by train - consider
a German Rail Pass. This allows visitors to travel for 4 to 10
days within a four week period. The German Rail Twin Pass is
a discounted offer for two persons travelling together and available
for First and Second Class. For younger people there is the German
Rail Youth Pass. The German Rail pass is also valid on ships
on the river Rhine and Mosel (Koln-Dusseldorfer German Rhine
Line).
There are
over 60 different connections to neighboring European countries
that start from Germany. Visit the German Rail website at www.bahn.de or
ask us for details. (conditions apply). So should you travel
around by train? It depends on a number of factors - some things
to consider would be:
How much luggage will you have? What sort of accommodation are you after? Remember
if you travel from station to station - you have to carry your luggage with
you to your hotel. If you are not up for a hike or a taxi fare - hotels around
stations can be pricier than those 10 minutes away. Are you going off the beaten
track? Consider how long you have to wait for trains i.e look at the train
timetables to see how often they operate. How many people are travelling together?
One or two by train can be a reasonable proposition but add another person
or two and a car immediately becomes a better financial proposition.
So should
you travel by car? Your own hire car gives you freedom. Freedom
to go where you want and when you want without having to consider
train timetables and a wider choice of accommodation, sightseeing
options etc. The downside though is having to load and unload
your luggage from accommodation to accommodation. So if you take
this option - pack very lightly !!
If you have
now decided on a car - should you rent or should you lease? Rule
of thumb - If you are under 25 years of age - definitely lease
a car. If you want a car for more than a month - consider leasing.
So what's the difference between renting and leasing you now
want to know? In a nutshell - car leasing is a tax free scheme
initiated by the French government to encourage tourism and it
works very well ! You are 'buying' the car and then 'selling'
it back - all at a predetermined price and it includes everything
- comprehensive insurance with NO excess. The longer you take
it, the cheaper it becomes. Ideally, pick it up and return it
in France. The cars can be delivered to other countries and you
pay a set price for this. However, on our current Earlybird deals,
you get this for half the price or even free - depending on which
company you use.
Click on http://www.drivetravel.com/carlease/index.shtml for
more info on leasing.
If you want
the car for under a month - consider rental. With rental you
do have to pay for things like airport fees, additional driver
fees and if you have an accident - or if your vehicle is stolen
- an excess will apply. In most instances this should be covered
by travel insurance. Check your policy if you have one or ask
us for details. We can offer you a choice of 3 companies.
Click here for details: http://www.drivetravel.com/carrent/germany.shtml
Another way
of seeing Germany would be by motorhome and this offers terrific
value - especially for families. Points to consider here would
be: The luxury of only having to pack and unpack once!! The savings
to be had by preparing your own simple breakfasts, packed lunches
and dinners. Restaurant meals, 3 times a day over an extended
period can become a bit boring and heavy on the wallet! Shopping
for your own groceries allows you to experience the true ambience
of a country, chatting to locals and sampling local delicacies.
Again you have the freedom to choose your own itinerary and timetable
and even better, you don't have to worry about finding accommodation.
You have it all in one. In Germany we can offer you a starting
point in Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt and Dusseldorf. More depots
will be following shortly. Click here for more details:
http://www.motorhomesworldwide.com/motorhome/centraleurope.shtml
Other
options would be on a luxury catered cruise. On Amadeus Waterways
cruise from historic Nuremberg through the Main-Danube Canal
to the Main river with its quaint medieval towns like Bamberg,
Wertheim and Miltenberg. Then sail through the most beautiful
stretch of the Rhine from charming Rudesheim to Koblenz before
entering the meandering Moselle Valley with Europe's steepest
vineyards. Visit the great towns of Cochem, Zell, Bernkastel
and Trier and taste Moselle vintages in cozy taverns. End your
European trip with 3 nights in stunning Paris which is included
in the price. These fabulous cruises include 7 nights deluxe
cruise from Nuremberg to Trier, superb dining with all meals
included in the elegant Panorama Restaurant, quality wines with
every dinner, Captains Gala Dinner and an interesting itinerary
and visits ashore each day. To see more details on this cruise
click on
http://www.canalboatholidays.com/canalboat/amadeus/index.shtml
If you are
more adventurous, why not try a canal boat. In Germany, we can
offer you a choice of 4 canalboat hire companies. Its river tourism
at its best and no special licence is required. We have boats
suitable
for
2 to 12 persons. Click on http://www.canalboatholidays.com/canalboat/germany.shtml for
more details.
To help you
with your planning here are two guides.
Click
here for Distance Guide between cities
Click
here for number of hours for train travel between cities
GERMANY CONTACTS
German Tourist Office: +49 (0)69 974 640
German Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 298 4000.
German Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7824 1300.
German Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 232 1101.
German Embassy, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2 6270 1911.
German Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 427 8900.
German Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 269 3011.
German Embassy, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 (0)4 473 6063.
United States Embassy, Berlin: +49 (0)30 238 5174.
British Embassy, Berlin: +49 (0)30 204 570.
Canadian Embassy, Berlin: +49 (0)30 203 120.
Australian Embassy, Berlin: +49 (0)30 880 0880.
South African Embassy, Berlin: +49 (0)30 220 730.
Irish Embassy, Berlin: +49 (0)30 220 720.
New Zealand Embassy, Berlin: +49 (0)30 206 210.
Emergencies: 110 (Police); 112 (Ambulance)
GERMANY AIRPORTS
Berlin Tegel Airport (TXL)
Location: The airport is situated five
miles (8km) north west of the centre of Berlin. Time: GMT +1 (GMT
+2 between the last
Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in April).
Contacts: Tel: +49 180 50 00 186. Transfer to the city: The most
convenient and cost effective way to get to and from the airport
is by bus. They connect with the subway and overground train stations.
Taxis are readily available outside the airport terminal, they
take around 20 minutes to the city centre. Car rental: Vehicle
hire companies represented at the airport include Budget, Avis,
Hertz, Europcar, National and Sixt. Facilities: Facilities include
banks, bureaux de change, ATMs, a post office, business centres
and baby rooms. There are several shops, including duty-free, and
a selection of restaurants. Disabled facilities are good; travellers
with special needs should contact their airline in advance. Parking:
There are several long and short-term parking lots at the airport.
Departure tax: None. Website: www.berlin-airport.de
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Location: The airport
is situated eight miles (13km) south west of the centre of Frankfurt.
Time: GMT +1
(GMT +2 between the last
Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in April).
Contacts: Tel: +49 (0)69 6900. Transfer between terminals: The
two terminals are connected by the Sky Line people mover. Transfer
to the city: Buses leave regularly for Frankfurt and other destinations
from outside Terminals 1 and 2, tickets can be bought from the
bus driver. Many hotels provide a free shuttle service to and from
the airport. Rail connections are excellent; the airport has a
station beneath Terminal 1, from which trains depart regularly
to central Frankfurt, 24 hours a day. There is also a long-distance
train station open between 5am and midnight, accessible from Terminal
1, from which Intercity and Eurocity trains depart. Taxis are available
outside both terminals, the journey to central Frankfurt takes
20-30 minutes. Car rental: Car hire companies represented in both
terminals at the airport include Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz
and Sixt. Facilities: Frankfurt Airport is one of the best-equipped
airports in the world; it even offers a casino. There are numerous
restaurants, shops, bars and cafes in both terminals, and banks,
bureaux de change and ATMs are in both Arrivals and Departures.
A business centre offers Internet, fax and secretarial facilities.
Other facilities include a hairdresser, chapel and children's play
areas. Disabled facilities are good; travellers with special needs
should ideally contact their airline in advance. Departure tax:
None. Website: www.frankfurt-airport.com
Hamburg Airport (HAM)
Location: The airport is situated five miles
(8km) from Hamburg. Time: GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday
in March and the Saturday
before the last Sunday in April). Contacts: Tel: +49 (0)40 5075-0.
Transfer to the city: The Airport Express runs frequent buses to
the Central Station (Hauptbahnhof). The TRAVELPorter Airport transfer
service provides a door-to-door service within the local area.
Hamburg Bus Lines service the city centre and other suburban areas.
Taxis are readily available outside all terminals, they take around
30 minutes to the city centre. Car rental: Avis, Europcar, Hertz,
Budget, National and Sixt are all represented in Terminal 2. Facilities:
There are several restaurants, shops, bars and cafes throughout
the airport, as well as banks, currency exchange and ATMs in Terminals
1 and 2. There is wireless Internet access in all terminals. Disabled
facilities are good; passengers with special needs should contact
their airline in advance. Departure tax: None. Website: www.ham.airport.de
Munich International Airport (MUC)
Location: The airport
is situated 18 miles (29km) north east of the centre of Munich.
Time: GMT +1
(GMT +2 between the last Sunday
in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in April). Contacts:
Tel: +49 (0)89 975 00. Flight Information: +49 (0)89 975 213 13.
Transfer to the city: Frequent commuter trains run by day and most
of the night to various Munich stations, including the main stations
for connections to major European cities. Taxis are available,
as are buses to many regional destinations and the main train station.
It takes about 20 minutes by train and about 45 minutes by road
to reach the city centre. Car rental: Car hire companies represented
include Avis, Europcar, Hertz, National and Sixt. Facilities: The
airport has several restaurants and bars, duty free and other shops,
shower facilities and a pharmacy. ATMs and currency exchange desks
are available in Arrivals and Departures. Disabled facilities are
good; passengers with special needs should contact their airline
in advance. Departure tax: None. Website: www.munich-airport.de
Dusseldorf International Airport (DUS)
Location: The airport
is situated six miles (10km) north of Dusseldorf. Time: GMT +1
(GMT
+2 from March to October). Contacts: Tel: +49
211 4210. Transfer to the city: There are plenty of transport options
available at the airport, including taxis (which will cost around €20
to the city centre), limousines, local buses, a Skytrain Shuttle
Bus, and the fast and efficient S-Bahn. Car rental: Car rental
companies at the airport include Alamo, Europcar, Hertz, National
and Avis, among others. Facilities: Facilities at the airport include
ATMs, banks, a laundry, dental practice, restaurants, cafés,
snack-bars, Wireless Internet access and baby-changing facilities.
Parking: Long and short-term, as well as valet parking, is available.
Departure tax: None. Website: www.duesseldorf-international.de
Cologne-Bonn Airport (CGN)
Location: The airport
is located eight miles (12km) southeast of Cologne and 10 miles
(16km) north of
Bonn. Time: GMT +1 (GMT
+2 from March to October). Contacts: Tel: +49 (0)22 0340 4001.
Transfer between terminals: The two terminals are linked by a walkway.
Transfer to the city: There are several transport options available,
including taxis (which cost around €30 to Cologne and around €40
to Bonn), the local bus service, and the S-bahn. Car rental: Car
rental agencies at the airport include Budget, National, Hertz,
Avis and Alamo, among others. Facilities: Facilities at the airport
include ATMs, left luggage, a dry cleaning service, shops and restaurants.
Parking: Long and short-term parking is available. Departure tax:
None. Website: www.koeln-bonn-airport.de
Top of Page
|
