As Germany moves forward into the 21st century, leaving behind a history of division and tyranny, it is a nation embracing its newfound liberalism and redefining a modern cultural identity. Yet even today, visitors to the country can't escape feeling profoundly moved by this country's past and the effects it still has on its people.

Situated in the heart of Europe and bordering nine other countries, Germany provides an ideal gateway to any tour of the subcontinent. Its land is wide and varied with turreted castles nestled below snow-capped mountains, lush river valleys, dark and mysterious forests and bustling medieval villages. This is the land of fairy tales, where farmland minstrels headed to Bremen to become musicians, where Sleeping Beauty was woken and Little Red Riding Hood ventured into the woods.

Germany's cities each have something unique to offer the visitor. Each year millions of litres of beer is consumed in Munich during the city's Oktoberfest, where locals and visitors discover true German revelry and 'gemutlichkeit' (a word the locals use to describe a comfortable, sociable environment). Berlin, while still recovering from some of the scars of division, contains many sights from the iconic Brandenburg Gate, to the path of the old Berlin Wall. The city's vibrant nightlife is still evocative of its height in the 1920s and 30s, as characterised by the songs of Marlene Dietrich, the theatre of Brecht and the Film Cabaret.

Discover the country that gave us Beethoven and Bauhaus, Goethe and Glühwein, Lager and Lederhosen - you won't be disappointed.

BERLIN:
For most of the latter part of the 20th century, Berlin has stood as a symbol of the division between East and West, split by the infamous fortified wall erected to separate the socialist sector from the democratic district. When the Berlin Wall was pulled down in 1990 the city discovered that it suddenly had two of everything, most notably two very distinct societies separated both socially and economically. The past decade has seen Berlin embracing unification and rebuilding itself as a modern European capital.

More than 100 streets have been reconnected, and signs of the Wall's existence have all but disappeared. Yet years of division are still reflected in the new city's architecture, with a modern city of skyscrapers, retail centres and urban developments in the West, while most of the pre-War city still remains in the East.

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Gustave Eiffel, the architect of the Eiffel Tower (Tour Eiffel) could never have guessed that it would become Paris’s signature sight and attract more than six million visitors a year. It was built as a temporary structure to commemorate the centenary of the French Revolution and was opened by the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII of England. It was considered an eyesore by many and there were petitions to have it pulled down. It was saved only because it had become an important antenna for telegraphy. It towers 984ft (300m) above the Champ de Mars and until 1930 was the world’s tallest building. The highest of its three levels offers a wonderful panoramic view over Paris.

Address: Champ de Mars 7; Telephone: (01) 4411 2323 (recorded information); Website: www.tour-eiffel.fr; Transport: RER Champ de Mars-Tour Eiffel station; Métro Bir-Hakeim, Trocadéro, Ecole Militaire; bus 42, 69, 72, 82, 87; Opening time: Daily 9.30am to midnight. The stairs close at 6pm in the winter months; Admission: By elevator – 1st floor €4.10; 2nd floor €7.50; 3rd floor €10.70 (adults). By stairs - €3.80 (only up to 2nd floor). Concessions available


FRANKFURT:
For tourists Frankfurt does offer some sights, some intriguing restaurants in the Nordend, a variety of artistic and cultural events, and excellent shopping opportunities. Sightseeing opportunities are mostly confined to the historical core of the city, known as the Romerberg, where Charlemagne erected his fort in medieval times. Most of the original buildings were destroyed during World War II, but some have been reconstructed, including the home of Goethe, Frankfurt’s famous son who became Germany’s greatest writer. For shopping it is hard to beat the Zeil, Germany’s equivalent to New York’s Fifth Avenue.

With its excellent rail connections and Autobahn system, Frankfurt is the natural hub for travellers wishing to explore the surrounding towns and countryside. It is also the venue for numerous trade fairs, exhibitions and congresses, drawing about 12-million visitors a year to these events. The largest and best known is the annual International Book Fair, which is attended by thousands of publishers.


HAMBURG:
Hamburg is a watery city, geographically, historically and atmospherically. It is Germany’s second largest city and lies on the Elbe River, for centuries a major port and trading centre for central Europe. The city has a network of canals that rival those of Venice (it is said to have more bridges than Venice) and is centred on two artificial lakes that take up eight percent of its total area. Probably because of all the water, Hamburg is also known as Germany’s 'green city', sporting 1,400 parks and gardens. Modern buildings sit cheek by jowl with historic Baroque and Renaissance architecture, and by night the neon lights dazzle all-night revellers, particularly in the city’s notorious red light district, the Reeperbahn.


MUNICH:
The Bavarian city of Munich, centre of southern Germany, is one of the country’s favourite tourist destinations, offering a unique combination of modern flair and traditional charm, all mixed together with a heavy helping of “Gemutlichkeit”, the special German term for hearty, happy, healthy togetherness.

Traditionally the city, famous for its breweries and beer halls, conjures up images of jolly red-cheeked, portly men in lederhosen, downing steins of beer. There is plenty of this fun to be had, but Munich and the Bavarian region has plenty more to recommend it to visitors. The city has numerous great museums, art treasures, hi-tech industries and gems of Gothic and Baroque architecture. It is also the gateway to the Bavarian Alps, drawing winter sports enthusiasts from near and far.

Munich itself was founded in 1158 on the River Isar, and acquired its name, Munchen (home of the monks) from its first monastery. It was the monks that started the beer brewing tradition for which the city is now world famous, particularly since it started celebrating an annual beer festival in 1810. Today close on six million people visit the Oktoberfest every year, and consume more than five and a half million litres of beer during its two-week run.



THE BLACK FOREST:
The Black Forest (Schwarzwald in German) covers a range of birch and pine studded hills along 100 miles (161km) of southwest Germany’s border with France. The forest is renowned as a holiday mecca with its picturesque fairy-tale villages, spa-bath resorts, hiking trails and ski resorts. The first famous holidaymaker to enjoy rest and recuperation in the Black Forest was the Roman emperor Caracalla who stopped at the natural spring waters, at what is now the town of Baden-Baden, around 2,000 years ago. Since then the Forest has been the chosen destination of the rich and famous: everyone who is anyone from Napoleon to Mark Twain has come to take the waters and enjoy the forest’s natural beauty.

In medieval times the local people developed the traditional skills of woodcarving, glass-blowing, jewellery-making and clock-making, and these are still followed today to the delight of tourists with spending money in their pockets. The Black Forest has also become known for its local delicacies like Black Forest ham and cherry cake.

The most central town in the Black Forest is Freudenstadt, which is the starting point for hundreds of miles of hiking and ski-trails through the nearby hills. Most visitors, however, prefer to find accommodation in guest lodges in the small villages sprinkled throughout the region, exploring by car, on foot or bicycle.

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Time:
GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in April).

Electricity:
Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. European two-pin plugs are standard.

Language:
German is the official language

Health:
There are no serious health risks in Germany, although there have been recent outbreaks of measles in Bavaria, Lower Saxony, and North Rhine Westphalia. The German health service is excellent. There is a reciprocal health agreement with the UK and most EU countries, whose citizens are entitled to free medical and dental treatment on presentation of a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Nationals of other countries should take out medical insurance.

Tipping:
Some restaurant bills already have a service charge added, but if this is not the case add 10%. Hotel porters expect around €1, and cleaning staff, hairdressers, taxi drivers etc expect small tips.


Safety:
A visit to Germany should be trouble free, but take normal precautions to avoid mugging, bag-snatching and pick-pocketing, especially at airports and railway stations in the large cities.


Communications:
The international access code for Germany is +49. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). Note that telephone numbers in Germany can range from four to nine digits. There are surcharges on international calls made from hotels; it is often cheaper to use public telephone boxes in post offices, which use phone cards. The local mobile phone operators use GSM networks and have roaming agreements with most international operators. Internet cafes are available in the main towns.

Airports: Berlin Tegel Airport (TXL)
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 (premium rate) 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 and cost upwards of €10.

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. 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 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 to 30 minutes and costs around €20.

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. 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 40 50750. 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 and cost about €16. For taxi rides to destinations outside Hamburg passengers can negotiate a fixed price with the driver.

Facilities: Most of the airport’s facilities are to be found in Terminal 4, but there are banks and ATMs in Terminal 3 as well. There are several restaurants, shops, bars and cafes throughout the airport. There is an internet cafe in Terminal 4 Arrivals. Disabled facilities are good; passengers with special needs should contact their airline in advance. 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 89 975 00. Flight Information: +49 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.

Facilities: There 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. Website: www.munich-airport.de

Currency:
Money: The unit of currency is the Euro (€), divided into 100 cents. ATMs and exchange bureaux are widely available. The major credit cards are becoming more widely accepted in many large shops, hotels and restaurants, although Germans themselves prefer to carry cash. Travellers cheques are best cashed at exchange bureaux, as banks often won't change them. The quickest and most convenient way to change money is to obtain cash from one of the ATM machines that are ubiquitous features of all German streets. Banks are closed on weekends, but exchange bureaux at airports and main railway stations are open daily from 6am to 10pm.

Visa & Passport Requirements:
Entry requirements for Americans: US citizens require a passport for travel to Germany. A visa is not required for a stay of up to 90 days (per half year). If the stay exceeds 90 days, a visa can be obtained after arrival.

Entry requirements for UK nationals: UK nationals require a valid passport. Also accepted is a Gibraltar ID card issued to residents of Gibraltar. No visa is required for a stay of up to 90 days in six months if the passport is endorsed British Citizen or has the front cover of the Government of Bermuda endorsed British Overseas Territories Citizen. If the intended stay exceeds 90 days, a visa can be obtained after arrival. In all other cases a visa is required.

Entry requirements for Canadians: Canadians require a passport for travel to Germany. A visa is not required for a stay of up to 90 days (per half year). If the stay exceeds 90 days, a visa can be obtained after arrival.

Entry requirements for Australians: Australians require a passport for travel to Germany. A visa is not required for a stay of up to 90 days (per half year). If the stay exceeds 90 days, a visa can be obtained after arrival.

Entry requirements for South Africans: South African nationals require a valid passport and visa for travel to Germany. Also required are onward or return tickets, sufficient funds to provide financial support, and documents for further travel.
Entry requirements for New Zealanders: New Zealand citizens require a passport for travel to Germany. A visa is not required for a stay of up to 90 days (per half year). If the stay exceeds 90 days, a visa can be obtained after arrival.

Entry requirements for Irish nationals: Irish nationals require a passport for travel to Germany. A visa is not required for a stay of up to 90 days (per half year). If the stay exceeds 90 days, a visa can be obtained after arrival.

Passport/Visa Note: The borderless region known as the Schengen area includes the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. All these countries issue a standard Schengen visa that allows the holder to travel freely within the borders of all.

Note: Passport and visa requirements are liable to change at short notice. Travellers are advised to check their entry requirements with their embassy or consulate.

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