DESTINATION   GERMANY

KEY  FACTS  

LINK  COLLECTION

Below are some useful links that are both informative and fun.

General Information About Germany

Destination Germany

This link will lead you to explore maps of Germany, provide information on the 16 Federal States, Regions, Scenery, Cities and much more.
It is a good start for general information about the country.

Germany’s Major Cities

Below are links to the official tourism web pages
of Germany's major cities

Berlin
Hamburg
Munich
Cologne
Frankfurt
Düsseldorf
Stuttgart

Weather And Local Time

Up-to-date weather and local time Takes you to the up to-date weather forecast and local time

Germany News 

Google News on Germany – watch the latest updates

Intercultural Knowledge 

German Culture –  in addition to the short summary below, this article takes you further into the German cultural idiosyncrasies based on the studies of Hofsteede.

Visa Requirements

Do I need a visa? This link will tell you - of course that is something we will help you with.

Route Planning

Getting form A-Z

Major Airlines:

Lufthansa a member of Star Alliance
Air Berlin
German Wing

A FEW WORDS ON GERMAN ETIQUETTE 

German Society And Culture.

We Germans have a reputation of being very good at planning and that we don’t leave things to chance. It is said that we take security out of careful planning and that rules and regulations provide a clear script how to properly plan and that once a proper way of doing something is found, there is no need of doing it in any other way. Some sources say that Germans like to maintain clear lines of demarcation between people, places, and things in an attempt to lead a structured and ordered life and that work and private life are clearly separated..
While the above statements are partially true, they also reflect the attitudes of post war Germany, where structure and planning were called for.
The younger Generation in Germany is ultimately more flexible and less “boring” as the above description may imply. It is actually difficult to make such general statements as there are such profound regional differences. The best thing for a visitor do due, when in Germany (or any other country) is to watch and observe.

My Home Is My Castle

This is true in most places and even more so in Germany. Germans tend take great pride in their homes. In a culture where most communication is rather formal, the home is the place where one can relax and allow your individualism to shine. Commonly, only close friends and relatives are invited into the sanctity of the house, so it is the one place where more informal communication may occur. Thus an informal invitation to a German home can be considered a great sign of trust.
There are many unwritten rules surrounding the outward maintenance of one's home as such is imperative that common areas such as sidewalks, pavements, corridors (in apartments), and steps be kept clean at all times.

Meeting Etiquette

Greetings are usually formal unless parties are well acquainted.
A quick, firm handshake is the traditional greeting.
Titles are very important and denote respect. Use a person's title and their surname until invited to use their first name. You should say Herr or Frau and the person's title and their surname, e.g. Herr Dr. Müller.
In general, wait for your host or hostess to introduce you to a group, however, don’t be upset if they don’t, this is not meant to be a sign of disrespect. Take charge and introduce yourself. When entering a room, shake hands with everyone individually, including children.

Gifts: What Should I Bring?

If you are invited to a German home, bring a gift such as chocolates or flowers.
It does not need to be expensive; it is truly the thought that counts.
Be careful with red roses they are a symbol of romance (unless that is the intention).
Do not give lilies or chrysanthemums as they are often used at funerals.
A good bottle of imported wine is always welcome. Giving German wines is viewed as meaning you do not think the host will serve a good quality wine.
Gifts are usually opened when received.

Dinner Time – how to behave during meals

If you are invited to a German's house: Try to be on time, don’t arrive early or later than 15 minutes.
Punctuality is the Germans most renowned pet peeve.
When you are late, call to give an update.
When leaving an informal dinner, thank the hosts for the hospitality.

Table manners – juggling the cutlery

Remain standing until invited to sit down. You may be shown to a particular seat.
Both fork and knife are used for eating; the fork is held in the left hand and the knife in the right
while eating. Both are held at all times and are but down to the left and right of the plate
with the tips resting on the plate only when taking a break from eating.

Never start eating before the last person has been served.
Do not begin eating until the hostess starts or the person
who is last to receive food invites you to start and
says 'Guten Appetit' (good appetite).
Do not rest your elbows on the table.
Do not cut lettuce in a salad.
Fold it using your knife and fork.
Cut as much of your food with your fork as possible
one at at time.
Do not load your plate. You are expected to finish
what is on it.
Do not cut everything into pieces before you
start your meal.
Bread should be broken apart by hand.
Indicate you have finished eating by laying your
knife and fork parallel across the right side of your plate.

The host gives the first toast.
An honored guest should return the toast later in the meal.
The most common toast with wine is 'Zum Wohl!' ,[tzomm vohl] ('to your health')
The most common toast with beer is 'Prost!' ('Cheers').

In fact, in modern Germany, if you actually said "Cheers" nobody would
notice that you did not say a German toast.

In other words: do not take all of the above too seriously.