Germany Tours

• The biggest Beer Festival in the world is, of course, the Oktoberfest in Munich, Bavaria, where the size of the beer glass is not 500 mililitres but a whole litre!
• The first Green Party was organised in Germany. The pro-environment Greens have served in the governing coalitions of several bundeslander (states) and entered a national coalition for the first time in 1999. Germany is one of the leading European countries in terms of recycling and the generation of solar and wind-based power.
• The British royal family is actually an offshoot of the German House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. In 1917, because of the passions of World War I, British King George V changed the dynastic name to Windsor (which, truth be told, is also a little less cumbersome).
• In the eastern town of Kampehl in Brandenburg there is a 13th-century stone church whose vault contains (for public viewing) the mummy of a knight who died in 1703. Legend has it that he was a perjurer who swore in court that if he was lying, his corpse would never rot.
• In the 19th century, the Brothers Grimm collected fairy tales in many towns and regions in Germany and committed them to paper: Snow White and Rose Red took place in Muhldorf; Puss-in-Boots near Berlin; Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in Alfeld; Sleeping Beauty in Sababurg; Little Red Riding Hood in Hesse; Hansel and Gretel near Marburg and Cinderella in Budingen.
• There are about 40 castles on the Rhine River between Koblenz and Mainz.
• The Germans can be credited for the discovery of insulin, the invention of the clarinet, the pocket watch, the automated calculator, the light bulb, television (partly), paraffin, petrol/gasoline and diesel engines, the automobile (as well as the engine, differential gear and other important devices), the motorcycle, the jet engine, the LCD screen and the Walkman.

Australian passport holders travelling to Germany do not need a visa at this time.

We require that your passport is valid for travel for at least six months from the date you are planning to return to Australia. Your passport must be valid to travel internationally and must be machine-readable. You also need to carry a valid return ticket on you.

Whether travelling on an Australian passport or the passport of another country, all travellers require visas for a number of countries, and it is your responsibility to secure what may be required before departing Australia. You can consult with your travel agent, but it is also recommended that you check the foreign embassy website for your respective destination as it can also provide you with useful information.

Australian Embassy in Germany:

Wallstrasse 76-79
10179 Berlin
Ph. +49 30 880 0880
Fax. +49 30 880 088238

The official currency of Germany is the Euro. Notes come in denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5.

The recommended currency to take to Germany is the Euro. Ensure you change a small amount into small denominations.

Advise your bank of your travel plans so that they can make a note of it, otherwise they may cancel your credit card as a safety measure due to the overseas transactions. Also make a note of the 24-hour emergency contact number of the bank or building society which issued your credit card in the unlikely event that your card is lost or stolen.

Whenever possible use ATMs when the banks are open (Mon – Fri) so that if a machine ‘eats’ your card you can then deal with it straight away. It is always advisable to carry a supply of cash in addition to your credit card.

If you don’t have Euro’s with you on arrival, we advise you to exchange some money into the local currency at the airport even if the exchange rate is not the best, this way you’ll have money to get a drink, snack or give a tip during those first few hours of arrival. Your guide will be able to advise you on the best places to exchange money.

Small change is also useful for paying for toilets while on tour which is customary in many places outside of Australia.

• The price of a cappuccino in Berlin is approximately €3.50
• The price of an inexpensive lunch is approximately €12.
• The price dinner in a moderate restaurant is approximately €25.
• The price of a beer in a local pub is approximately €4.50 - €5.

Germans are world masters at the production of würste and the variety of them is impressive. The most popular types are the ones you get, among other places, from the vendors at the festivals and other outdoor events: bratwurst, bockwurst and rindswurst. The bratwurst is mainly pork and served roasted. The bockwurst is the one most similar to the American hot dog, though it is usually longer. The rindswurst (sometimes called the knackwurst) is usually of coarsely ground beef and is fatter and stubbier than the other two. All three are eaten with the fingers and usually dipped in mustard. You often get a brötchen (roll) with them. Other meat dishes that retain their popularity include the schnitzel. Roast pork (schweinibraten) also remains very popular, and is eaten with gravy and those giant, almost chewy dumplings (knödel) that have long been popular. Still another pork specialty is the rippchen, a juicy cured pork chop. It goes nicely with sauerkraut and mashed potatoes (kartoffelbrei).

Important: When dining at buffets (i.e. breakfast) please refrain from taking food away with you to ‘save’ for later! If you feel that you’ll need snacks between meals, pack some dried fruit, nuts, muesli bars etc.

If you have specific food allergies and/or preferences, we highly recommend you take every precaution before your tour, including carrying a small card with your food allergy listed in each language of every country you are travelling to show to table staff when ordering. Whilst we take all dietary requirements seriously, due to the serious nature of potential allergic reactions, it is your responsibility to be as prepared as possible.

June – September is the best time to tour Germany, when the days are warm and nights are cool (definitely take a jacket). April, May and October can also be pleasant, if a little more rainy. It'll be about 5°c cooler than during the summer, but the countryside is even more beautiful (wildflowers in the spring, amazing colours in the autumn). During late autumn and early winter, the Föhn, a warm southern wind, can bring Bavaria and the Alps warmer temperatures than the lowlands. Take a thin jumper any time you visit. Winters are cold and often drizzly, but the skiing is best then.

Want to get out and explore on your own?

The public transport systems in Germany are some of Europe’s best. Trams, buses and trains are inexpensive and generally run on time. Taxis can be expensive and also slower than the trains or trams if you get stuck in traffic.

And, of course, walking is a must in Europe’s finest cities. Munich is a particularly wonderful city to walk around and most attractions are within walking distance of the old town centre.

When catching taxis, have small change on you and choose one with a meter, if it doesn’t have one then negotiate the price before getting in. Also, ask your guide or hotel staff the names of reputable taxi companies.

So, you’d love to bring home a special souvenir from Germany…

In Germany, special purchases include precision optical equipment such as binoculars and cameras, porcelain, handmade crystal, silver, steelware, Solingen knives, leatherwear, sports equipment, toys from Nuremberg and Bavarian Loden cloth. Special purchases in eastern Germany include musical instruments, wooden carved toys from the Erzgebirge Mountains, and Meissen china (the workshops in Meissen are open to the public). Those looking out for traditional gifts can do no better than seeking out the folkish dress found in Munich. While many may scoff at the idea of dirndl dresses and lederhosen, the intricate design and superb workmanship put into traditional dress is incredible. Nor are these clothes for tourists - they come at a high price and are popular with locals, especially during the Beer Festival. In December, Germany is full of delightful Christmas markets, known as Christkindlmarkt or Weinachtsmarkt, where you can buy handcrafted gifts and ornaments, sample mulled cider or wine and hear Christmas music.

Germans always appreciate polite manners and punctuality.

It is common to share tables with strangers in busy restaurants and pubs.

Germany has many events and festivals happening in every city throughout the year, the most famous being Oktoberfest in Munich, lasting two weeks, usually during late September/early October.

Other national public holidays to be aware of include:

• New Year’s Day
• Easter Friday and Easter Monday
• Labour Day (May 1st)
• Ascension Day (40 days after Easter)
• Whit Monday (50 days after Easter)
• Day of German Unity (October 3rd)
• Christmas Day
• Boxing Day