Travel Guide 02 02 04 04 05 Quick view Travel etiquette Health Phone calls & Internet 05 06 08 08 09 Getting around Top 10 sights Shopping in Restaurants Nightlife 10 11 Calendar of events Hotels Shutterstock LH.com/travelguide 01/12
02 Quick view - a brief overview Wealthy was all-but destroyed in WWII, and few buildings were left standing. Besides a small area of the Altstadt (Old Town), most of the city centre was rebuilt in modern styles, but the central zones are all linked by a series of leafy parks, making it a pleasant place to stroll around. The capital of the Lower Saxony is a forward-looking place, and a major business hub. In particular, the vast Hannover Messe boasts 50 hectares (123 acres) of indoor exhibition space, able to host some of the biggest events in the world, including CeBIT the world s largest computer trade fair. 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 02/12
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 2018 2019 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 03/12
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 04/12
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. Contractual physician of Lufthansa Riebschläger, Thomas Landarztpraxis Neuwarmbüchen Farster Str. 17a 30916 Isernhagen Tel. +49-5139-982210 Please note that Lufthansa accepts no responsibility for the treatment nor will it bear the cost of any treatment. 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. Getting around Getting around Public Transport The city has an efficient bus and tram network operated by Üstra (tel: (0511) 16680, www.uestra.de) and a suburban railway (S-Bahn). Buy tickets from vending machines at tram stops. Depending on the machine, you may need to validate them before use. Short-trip tickets (valid for three tram or five bus stops) and single tickets are sold, but day tickets (cheaper than two singles) offer the best value. The Hannover Card tourist card gives you unlimited free travel within the city. LH.com/travelguide 05/12
06 Taxis Pick up taxis from a designated rank, or call a company such as Hallo Taxi 3811 (tel: (0511) 3811) or Mein Taxi (tel: (0511) 434 343). Tipping isn t necessary. Top 10 sights Top 10 sights in Neues Rathaus Completed in 1913, the former New City Hall is enjoys a waterside location by the Maschpark. Today, the impressive building is mainly used as office space and for weddings. Trammplatz 2 Tel: (0511) 1680 Herrenhäuser Gärten In a northern suburb, the huge baroque Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen were created in the 17th century as an attempt to copy the Versailles Gardens in France. Many say they are the finest gardens in. Herrenhäuser Strasse 4 30419 Tel: (0511) 1683 4000 Opening times: Daily 0900-2000 Niedersachsisches Landesmuseum The Lower Saxony State Museum contains an eclectic mix of exhibits, covering the prehistory of the local area, historical exhibits of the Kingdom of, Prussia and the German Empire, and more. Willy-Brandt-Allee 5 30169 Tel: (0511) 980 7686 Opening times: Tue-Wed and Fri-Sun 1000-1800 Thurs 1000-2000 www.landesmuseum-hannover.nieders achsen.de Sprengel Museum Hannover This museum of contemporary art contains work by esteemed artists such as El Lissitzky, Andy Warhol, Paul Klee and Max Ernst. But the main focus is on Kurt Schwitter, who was born in. Kurt-Schwitters-Platz 30169 Tel: (0511) 1684 3875 Opening times: Tue 1000-2000 Wed-Sun 1000-1800 www.sprengel-museum.de LH.com/travelguide 06/12
07 Altes Rathaus s few surviving medieval buildings, the Old City Hall was built in the 15th century, and its facade was restored in 1844 to look as it did in 1500. These days, the interior houses shops and a restaurant. Karmarschstrasse 42 Tel: (0511) 300 8040 altes-rathaus-hannover.de Leineschloss The impressive chateau was once the palace of the ian royal family. It is now the parliament building for the state of Lower Saxony. Hinrich-Wilhelm-Kopf-Platz 1 Tel: (0511) 3030 Erlebnis Zoo One of Europe s better and more modern zoos, the emphasis here is on conservation and education above entertainment. It is divided into a number of themed zones, focusing on different climatic or geographic regions. Adenauerallee 3 30175 Tel: (0511) 2807 4163 Opening times: Daily 0900-1800 (Mar-Oct) www.zoo-hannover.de Maschsee This man-made lake was dug out during the 1930s to create a watery playground in the heart of the city. Covering 68 hectares (168 acres), it s a popular spot for summer boat rides or evening dinner cruises. Am Maschpark Marktkirche The city s main Lutheran church is a focal point of the city, and its spire a local landmark. Originally built in the 14th century, many of its impressive interiors were destroyed during WWII and had to be restored in the 1950s. Hanns-Lilje-Platz 2 Opening times: Mon-Fri 0900-1900 Sat 0900-1600 Historisches Museum Hannover The Historical Museum traces the history and folk culture of the city and the LH.com/travelguide 07/12
08 surrounding region from the time of its foundation some 900 years ago to the present day. Pferdestrasse 6 Tel: (0511) 1684 2352 Opening times: Tue 1000-1900 Wed-Fri 1000-1700 Sat-Sun 1000-1800 www.historisches-museum-hannover.d e Shopping in Shopping in Key Areas Head to Georgstrasse and Bahnhofstrasse to find the large department stores and fashionable boutiques. The area around the Opera House and Kröpcke square is also home to a range of exclusive shops and large department stores. You ll find more top-end boutiques and antique shops in the Altstadt. Markets For food and other everyday goods, Markthalle (Karmarschstrasse 49), in the Altstadt, is a huge indoor market selling a vast array of fresh produce and other items. Head to Am Hohen Ufer in the Altstadt any Saturday, and you ll find one of Europe s largest and oldest flea markets, by the banks of the River Leine. Shopping Centres The city s most convenient and central conventional shopping mall is the Ernst- August-Galerie, a huge complex containing more than 150 stores, handily situated right beside the main station. More upmarket foodstuffs and designer fashion labels are sold in the glass-covered Galerie Luise, near the Opera House. Restaurants Restaurants in There is a wide range of restaurants to choose from in the city, but with no Michelin-starred restaurants, even the top-end places are unlikely to break the bank.eating in one of the many pubs serving hearty Germanic fare is also popular. Gallo Nero Upmarket Italian cuisine, served in a 400-year-old half-timbered suburban house. Gross-Buchhlzer Kirchweg 72B 30655 Price: Expensive Gattopardo Modern and refined Italian food prepared using only the freshest ingredients. Hainholzer Strasse 1 Price: Expensive LH.com/travelguide 08/12
09 Altes Rathaus Good-quality, German-style cooking served in the historic surroundings of the Old Town Hall. Karmarschstraße 42 30159 Hannover Price: Moderate Basil This striking restaurant in a former military riding hall is the place to come for eclectic international dishes. Dragonerstrasse 30 30163 Price: Moderate Al Dar Popular Syrian/Lebanese place selling tapas-style snacks to full meals. Konigstrasse 3 30175 Price: Cheap Nightlife Nightlife in Compared with some other livelier German cities, has a restrained nightlife scene. Away from the Old Town and its bustling traditional pubs, the centre can sometimes feelquiet at night. But there are still plenty of choices for those who fancy stepping out. Brauhaus Ernst August Spacious Altstadt brewpub serving pilsners brewed in house in large volumes. Schmiedestraße 13 Waterloo Biergarten Huge outdoor tree-shaded beer garden, the perfect spot for warm summer nights. Waterloostrasse 1 30169 Harry s New York Bar Based in the Sheraton Pelikan Hotel, this New York-style piano lounge bar serves more than 200 cocktails and almost as many different whiskies. LH.com/travelguide 09/12
10 Pelikanplatz 31 30177 Oscar s Bar Relaxed award-winning cocktail bar with as many whiskies on offer as cocktails. Georgstrasse 54 Eve Klub s most popular nightclub, hosting regular DJ nights and occasional live music. Reuterstrasse 3-4 Calendar of events Calendar of events Marathon As runners pound the streets of for the annual marathon, numerous samba bands and musicians accompany the athletes and the city offers an entertainment programme on Trammplatz where a big stage will host games, fun and music and the winners' prizes will also be presented here. 9 April 2017 www.marathon-hannover.de/en/home.html Venue: Throughout the city. Masala World Beat Festival Covering everything from jazz and tango to funk and salsa, Masala World Beat Festival is an eclectic music event with a lively multicultural injection. 20-29 May 2017 www.masala-festival.de/ Venue: Hannover Pavilion. Swinging Hannover More than 30,000 people gather to hear free jazz music played in front of the city's town hall. 25 May 2017 www.swinginghannover.info Venue: Various venues. LH.com/travelguide 10/12
11 Schützenfest (Marksmen's Fair) The world's largest Marksmen's Festival attracts over one million annual visitors. Established in the 16th century, it consists of several large beer tents and the "Marksmen's Parade", a 12km-long (7 miles) parade of marksmen from around the world, plus more than 100 bands, 60 wagons, carriages and big festival vehicles. The landmark of the funfair is a 60m tall (200 ft) tall Steiger Ferris wheel which can carry 420 people in its 42 passenger cabins. 30 June - 9 July 2017 www.hannover.de Venue: Schützenplatz. Kleines Fest im Grossen Garten (Little Festival in the Great Garden) Kleines Fest im Grossen Garten (Little Festival in the Great Garden) will host 120 artists from around the world across more than 30 stages. Expect music, theatre, cabaret and fireworks as well as a fountain display. 12-30 July 2017 www.kleinesfest-hannover.de/hannover/kleines-... Venue: Grosser Garden, Herrenhausen. Maschseefest (Masch Lake Festival) Music, street theatre, clowns, aquatic activities and culinary delights mark this popular annual summertime event. Around two millions visitors flock to the city for the celebration, which started in 1986. The event opens and closes with spectacular fireworks too. 2 August - 20 August 2017 www.hannover.de/maschseefest Venue: Maschsee Christmas Market Hannover's three Christmas markets help to create a festive spirit. The most traditional Christmas market takes place in the old town illuminated with scores of candles and lights and featuring more than 150 stalls. It's a chance for visitors to sample a plethora of German food and delicacies and buy traditional handmade gifts including trinkets and wooden toys. The historical and Finnish Christmas village and the so-called Wishing Well Forest are also linked to this occasion. 1 November - 22 December 2017 Venue: Old Town Hotels Hotels in s hotels are firmly focused on the business sector. When a large trade fair comes to town, prices can soar and rooms become difficult to obtain unless you bookedfar in advance. On the other hand, prices can drop dramatically in summer and at weekends. LH.com/travelguide 11/12
12 Kastens Hotel Luisenhof The city s top hotel, effortlessly combining luxury comfort with modern business convenience. Luisenstrasse 1-3 Category: Expensive Grand Hotel Mussmann Modern comforts and marble finishes blend seamlessly at this central hotel. Ernst-August-Platz 7 Category: Moderate Radisson Blu Well-equipped business hotel beside the Hannover Messe. Expo Plaza 5 30539 Category: Moderate City Panorama Bright, newly built central hotel with cosy rooms and agreeably low rates. Hanns-Lilje-Platz 2 Category: Cheap Irodion City Hotel Centrally located good-value hotel offering simple comforts at the right price. Grosse Packhofstrasse 21 Category: Cheap LH.com/travelguide 12/12