LH.com/travelguide Münster/Osnabrück

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1 Travel Guide Quick view Travel etiquette Health Phone calls & Internet Top 10 sights Shopping in Restaurants Nightlife Calendar of events Hotels istock/getty Images LH.com/travelguide 01/11

2 02 Quick view a brief overview The two northwest German cities of Münster and Osnabrück are around 50km from one another, but have a common link in their shared airport, and fast transport links connect the two in under an hour. Both are bustling cities in their own right, but Münster, with a population of around 300,000, is twice the size of its more manageable neighbour to the southwest. Münster is also Westphalia s regional capital and has a particularly young and vibrant feel thanks to its student population, which tops 50,000 during term time. Osnabrück is smaller and more business oriented, but no less lively. General Information Country overview Once mockingly referred to as the land of schnitzels and leather pants, has acquired a much more modern image in recent decades. International visitors are attracted to the big cities, especially the capital, Berlin. Since the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, in particular, the city with its many cultural and entertainment attractions has become a major tourist destination. But other German cities also know how to celebrate and enjoy life. Hamburg s annual Hafengeburtstag port anniversary festival attracts around two million visitors every year, the Rhineland is famous for its carnivals, and Munich s Oktoberfest is famous the world over. also has a variety of natural landscapes: for example, from the Wadden Sea and lowland plains of the northwest, the lakelands in the northeast of the country, numerous low mountain ranges and heathlands, to the central highlands and Alpine regions. Geography borders Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Poland and Switzerland. The northwest has a coastline on the North Sea, while the Baltic coastline in the northeast stretches from the Danish to the Polish border. The country is divided into 16 states (Bundesländer) and has an exceedingly varied landscape. In what was once known as West, the Rhine, Bavaria and the Black Forest stand as the three most famous features, while in the east, the country is lake-studded with undulating lowlands. River basins extend over a large percentage of the region, and some of Europe s most prominent rivers flow through the country. These include the Elbe, the Danube and the Rhine. The highest point in the country is the 2962m (9718ft) peak of Zugspitze Mountain in the Bavarian Alps. Cable cars run to the summit, which can also be climbed. General Information Key facts LH.com/travelguide 02/11

3 03 Population: 81.9 million Population Density (per sq km): 227 Capital: Berlin. Language German is the official language. Regional dialects often differ markedly from standard German. Currency Euro (EUR; symbol ) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of 2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents. Electricity 230 volts AC, 50Hz. European-style round two-pin plugs are in use. Public holidays The public holidays for the January 2018 December 2019 period are listed below. Note: * In catholic regions only ** Sachsen only *** only in the New Laender (Bundesländer) 2018 New Year s Day: 1 January 2018 Epiphany: 6 January 2018* Good Friday: 30 March 2018 Easter Sunday: 1 April 2018 Easter Monday: 2 April 2018 Labour Day: 1 May 2018 Ascension Day: 10 May 2018 Whit Sunday: 20 May 2018 Whit Monday: 21 May 2018 Corpus Christi: 31 May 2018* Assumption: 15 August 2018* Day of German Unity: 3 October 2018 Day of Reformation: 31 October 2018*** All Saints Day: 1 November 2018* Repentance Day: 21 November 2018** Christmas: 25 and 26 December New Year s Day: 1 January 2019 Epiphany: 6 January 2019* Good Friday: 19 April 2019 Easter Sunday: 21 April 2019 Easter Monday: 22 April 2019 Labour Day: 1 May 2019 Ascension Day: 30 May 2019 Whit Sunday: 9 June 2019 Whit Monday: 10 June 2019 Corpus Christi: 20 June 2019* LH.com/travelguide 03/11

4 04 Assumption: 15 August 2019* Day of German Unity: 3 October 2019 Day of Reformation: 31 October 2019*** All Saints Day: 1 November 2019* Repentance Day: 21 November 2019** Christmas: 25 and 26 December 2019 All information subject to change. Travel etiquette How to fit in Handshaking is customary in, and it is considered rude to address people by their first name unless invited to do so. Normal courtesies should be observed. Before eating, it is normal to say guten Appetit to the other people at the table to which the correct reply is danke, gleichfalls ( Thank you, the same to you ). If you ve been invited to eat at a German house, it is customary to present the hostess with unwrapped flowers (according to tradition, you should always give an uneven number, and it is worth noting that red roses are exclusively a lover s gift). In shops and other businesses, courtesy dictates that visitors should utter a greeting, such as guten Tag (or grüß Gott in Bavaria) before saying what it is that they want; to leave without saying auf Wiedersehen or tschüss can also cause offence. Similarly, when making a telephone call, asking for the person you want to speak to without stating first who you are is impolite. Casual wear is widely acceptable, but more formal dress is required for some restaurants, the opera, theater, casinos and important social functions. Smoking is prohibited where notified, on public transportation and in most public buildings. Health Health Main emergency number: 112 Food & Drink There s nothing to mark out German products as particularly risky to general health (although it has a partly founded reputation for being high in fat). Tap water is safe to drink. Other Risks Tick-borne encephalitis is present in forested areas of southern ; vaccination is advisable. Rabies is present; look out for Tollwut signs. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. During the summer months, sunburn can be a problem. The southwest generally has the highest temperatures. The usual precautions apply: Use a generous amount of sunscreen and be sensible about how long you spend in direct sunlight. Be aware that a breezy day can sometimes mask high temperatures. If walking over a long distance in warm weather, it s advisable to drink and carry plenty of water and wear appropriate clothing, including a sun hat. Blisters can be another problem for hikers. These can often occur if new walking shoes are being worn over a long distance. Ideally, footwear should be worn in before the LH.com/travelguide 04/11

5 05 trip. As a counterpoint to the balminess of the summer, German winters can be fairly severe. This is generally truer the further east you travel. If you re arriving during the coldest months of the year, make sure you have adequate clothing. At any time of year, in fact, temperatures can be unpredictable even in July and August it makes sense to have a sweater (and maybe an umbrella, too) to hand. Other health problems that inexperienced travelers might reasonably encounter are the various knock-on effects of consuming too much alcohol. The risk, unsurprisingly, is particularly prevalent among those attending Munich s Oktoberfest. Be aware that some beers have ABV levels of as much as 6 or 7% and should therefore be treated with respect. Phone calls & Internet Phone calls & Internet Telephone Country code:+49 Mobile telephony and Internet Since June 2017, EU citizens traveling within the EU, and also in Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein have been able to use their cell phones and surf the Net without incurring any extra charges: In other words, customers pay the same price for phone calls, text messages and data volume as they do at home. Restrictions do apply to the constant use of SIM cards abroad, however, and caps may be set on data packages. For full details, contact your mobile telephony provider in your country. Travelers using a SIM card from a non-eu state do not benefit from the new arrangement. Free Internet access via Wi-Fi is possible in many busy tourist spots. When using public Wi-Fi networks, it is a wise precaution to ensure encryption of all passwords, credit card details and banking TANs entered. Use of a VPN app or security software to check the safety of a hotspot is recommended. Top 10 sights Top 10 sights in Aasee (Münster) You can easily reach the north end of this beautiful semi-rural artificial lake from Münster city centre, and it s a great place for sailing, strolling, or simply relaxing by the water. It becomes very popular on summer weekends. Münster Botanical Garden (Münster) These lovely botanical gardens, part of Münster s Westfälische Wilhelms University, were originally founded in 1803, and still contain hundreds of rare and exotic species. Schlossgarten Münster Tel: (0251) Daily (Apr-Sep) (Oct-Mar) LH.com/travelguide 05/11

6 06 garten.uni-muenster.de Stadtmuseum (Münster) This city museum takes visitors on a journey through time from the founding of Münster in medieval times to the present day. Salzstrasse 28 Tel: (0251) Tue-Fri Sat-Sun St Paulus Dom (Münster) Münster s main cathedral was built in the mid-13th century, but had to be rebuilt after being destroyed during WWII. One element that escaped the bombardment was its fabulous astronomical clock, dating from 1560, which springs into action every day at noon. Domplatz 28 Tel: (0251) Mon-Sat Sun Kunstmuseum Picasso (Münster) This museum, in an 18th-century nobleman's house, focuses on the works of Pablo Picasso, and contains a collection of around 800 graphic pieces, including what is thought to be a near complete series of the Spanish artist s lithographs. Picassoplatz 1 Tel: (0251) Tue-Sun de Zoo Osnabrück This spacious city zoo covers a large area, and the animals are given plenty of space in which to roam around. Klaus-Strick-Weg Osnabrück Tel: (0541) Daily (Apr-Oct) (Nov-Mar) Felix-Nussbaum-Haus (Osnabrück) Housed in a striking 1998 building designed by Polish architect Daniel Libeskind, this collection centres on works by the Jewish painter Felix Nussbaum ( ), who was born in Osnabrück, but died in Auschwitz. LH.com/travelguide 06/11

7 07 Lotter Strasse Osnabrück Tel: (0541) Tue-Wed and Fri Thu , Sat-Sun Museum Industriekultur Osnabrück A few kilometres north of Osnabrück, this small museum dedicated to the region s industrial heritage is located at a former coal mine. Some of the old buildings and machinery have been preserved and restored. Furstenauer Weg Osnabrück Tel: (0541) Wed-Sun Medieval Houses (Osnabrück) Several half-timbered houses in the city centre escaped major damage during WWII. Among the most impressive are the 1533 house at Krahnstrasse 4, and the nearby 1586 Renaissance Haus Willmann at number 7. Hackenstrasse, Bierstrasse and Krahnstrasse Osnabrück Market place (Osnabrück) Osnabrück s impressive main square is hemmed in by the Marienkirche church on one side and the late-gothic 1512 Town Hall on another. The latter is where the Peace of Westphalia was negotiated, ending the Thirty Years War ( ). Markt Shopping in Shopping in Key Areas Münster s main shopping centre is based along and around Prinzipalmarkt, a pedestrianised street with medieval colonnades that has been the place for retail therapy since the 12th century. In Osnabrück, the best place to look for exclusive designer goods is along Krahnstrasse, running from the Town Hall to Nikolaiort. Markets For bargains in Münster, the area running between Hindenburgplatz and the Aasee hosts a flea market on the third Saturday of every month from May to September. In December, Osnabrück s Christmas market, in the shadow of the Heger Tor gate, is regarded as one of the prettiest in. Shopping Centres LH.com/travelguide 07/11

8 08 Built in 2006, Münster s glass-domed Arkaden shopping mall (Ludgeristrasse 100), close to Prinzipalmarkt, has over 26,000 sq m of retail floor space. In Osnabrück, the most convenient central shopping centre is Kamp-Promenade (Kamp 49), off Neumarkt, a small mall with around 30 outlets. Restaurants Restaurants in Both Münster and Osnabrück can boast chic award-winning restaurants, including one of the best eateries in the country, aswell as Germanic brewpubs and down-toearth cafés. Whatever you need, you won t go hungry. La Vie One of the best restaurants in, this 3-star Michelin place in Osnabrück settles for nothing less than perfection. Krahnstrasse 1-2 Price: Expensive Gourmet 1895 Small and elegant Michelin-starred restaurant in Münster s Hotel Kaiserhof serving classicly refined food. Bahnhofstrasse 14 Price: Expensive Altes Gasthaus Leve Classic German cuisine cooked to perfection in a large traditional old inn in Münster. Alter Steinweg 37 Price: Moderate Hausbrauerei Rampendahl More hearty German cooking in this stylish old central brewpub near Osnabrück's cathedral. Hasestrasse 35 Price: Moderate Mocca d Or Friendly bustling central bistro in Münster serving up no-nonsense Italian dishes at low prices. Rothenburg Price: Cheap LH.com/travelguide 08/11

9 09 Nightlife Nightlife in With a student population of over 50,000, it is no surprise Münster s nightlife scene is among the liveliest in Wednesday is a popular time for going out.osnabrück s nightlife is only marginally quieter, and also has plenty to offer. Pinkus Müller Large and popular brewpub close to Münster s centre, serving house beers in large volumes. Kreuzstrasse 4-10 Veron Münster s trendiest (and loudest) nightclub keeps people dancing into the early hours. Albersloher Weg Münster Hot Jazz Club Münster s hottest live music venue, this cellar bar hosts all kinds of acts, not just jazz. Hafenweg 26B Münster Alte Gaststätte Holling Family-owned since 1798, this traditional pub in Osnabrück pours a good choice of draught beers. Hasestrasse 53 Panorama Bar This sixth floor bar with great city views over Osnabrück is a café by day and cocktail lounge in the evening. Neumarkt 7 LH.com/travelguide 09/11

10 10 Calendar of events Calendar of events Hammer Strassen Fest Stalls stacked with jewellery, crafts and edible goodies line Hammer Strasse for Westphalia s largest street festival in early August. A couple of stages host a terrific programme of live music, while bouncy castles, carousels and bungee trampolines keep kids content. August Venue: Hammer Strasse, Münster. Osnabrück Wine Days (Osnabrücker Weintage) Oenophiles are in heaven at this summer wine-tasting festival by the Town Hall. Specialist merchants pour a top-notch selection of around 500 German and international wines over four days, and there s a chance to buy your favourite bottles to take home with you. August Venue: Marktplatz, Osnabrück. Kreuzviertel Festival One of Münster s oldest festivals, Kreuzviertel is always a big hit. Live bands entertain crowds from two stages, and there are excellent food and drink stands. A highlight is the children s flea market on the Sunday morning, when parents are likely to be parted from most of their cash August Venue: Various venues in the city centre, Münster. May Week (Maiwoche) Around half a million visitors flock to 10 days of open-air shows during Osnabrück s huge free arts festival. Over 100 acts take to six different stages performing a cracking mix of music, comedy and theatrical productions. Festival goers can pick up unique crafts and tasty treats at surrounding stalls. May 2017 maiwoche.osnabrueck.de Venue: Various stages in the city centre, Osnabrück. Hotels Hotels in Neither Münster nor Osnabrück has any 5-star hotels, but both have enough alternative top-end options to satisfy the pickiestcustomers. Room rates are generally low in both, as in most German cities. LH.com/travelguide 10/11

11 11 Kaiserhof Sumptuous and large central hotel close to Münster station, which has been serving guests for over a century. Bahnhofstrasse 14 Category: Expensive Romantik Hotel Walhalla Charmingly characterful guesthouse in a half-timbered building dating from Bierstrasse 24 Category: Expensive Mauritzhof Design Hotel Elegant design hotel in central Münster with individually furnished and styled rooms. Eisenbahnstrasse 17 Category: Moderate Steigenberger Remarque Stylish well-equipped modern business hotel decorated in warm shades. Natruper-Tor-Wall Osnabrück Category: Moderate Windthorst Just a short walk from central Münster, Windthorst offers 3-star comforts for remarkably little money. Windthorststrasse 19 Category: Cheap LH.com/travelguide 11/11