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Tourism in Germany

Ðàáîòà èç ðàçäåëà: «Òóðèçì»

The South Ural State University



                               The paper work:


                             TOURISM IN GERMANY



                                                                 Written by:
                                                 Shamanova Nadejda Andreevna
                                                                Group: S-151
                                                                 Checked by:
                                                      Kovaleva Olga Ivanovna

                                 Chelyabinsk

                                    2004

                                  Contents


Introduction.    4


1. Germany  5


2. Getting there 7


3. Accommodation in Germany. 10


4. Where to go.  13

4.1.Festivals    13
4.2. National Parks    15
4.3. Routs in Germany. 20

5. A Journey to Berlin 24

5.1. Accommodation in Berlin 24
5.2. Sightseeing in Berlin   28
5.3. Eat, Drink, Nightlife   32

Conclusion. 34


Literature  35


Sites 35



                                Introduction.


  Germany is rich by its tourist recourses. Each land has a lot of  various
places of interest. «Come and be enchanted by  the  HISTORIC  HIGHLIGHTS  OF
GERMANY!» - This is the motto chosen  by  thirteen  historic  German  cities
that have joined together  to  offer  you  some  truly  incomparable  travel
experiences. They will all fascinate and delight you -  Augsburg,  Bonn  and
Bremen; Erfurt,  Freiburg,  Heidelberg  and  Lübeck;  Münster  and  Potsdam;
Regensburg and Rostock; Trier and Würzburg.
   Each of these many-faceted cities is steeped in history. At  every  turn
you will encounter the great names of the past and enjoy  the  architectural
and artistic heritage of great eras. Deep in the heart  of  Europe,  Germany
has had a seminal impact on Continental history. From the Holy Roman  Empire
to Otto Von Bismarck's German Reich, Nazism and the rise  and  fall  of  the
Berlin Wall, no other nation has moulded Europe the way Germany  has  -  for
better or worse.
  Here, history really comes to life. And life comes to life too- in  every
season the calendars  are  jam-packed  with  events  for  every  taste:  Top
quality  concert  series,  art  exhibitions,  outstanding   theatre,   major
international sporting events, colourful street  festivals  and  traditional
Christmas Markets sparkle with lights. This  rich,  interwoven  tapestry  of
the past and the modern is also the key to the charm  and  dynamism  of  the
historic highlights.
   Fairy-tale castles, medieval towns, boisterous beer halls,  breathtaking
landscapes and a cutting-edge  arts  scene  -  the  land  of  Beethoven  and
Bratwurst delights, excites and inspires.

                                 1. Germany


  Environment
  The lowlands in the north of Germany  stretch  from  the  Netherlands  to
Poland, skimming southern Denmark where it  bridges  the  North  and  Baltic
seas. The industrialised central belt cinches Belgium and Luxembourg to  the
Czech Republic's western prong. The Rhine and Main Rivers, long crucial  for
inland shipping, power through the troughs and gorges which cut through  the
Central Uplands.  To  the  south,  the  Danube  River  drains  the  Bavarian
highlands from the Black Forest, near  the  French  and  Swiss  borders,  to
Munich. The southern reaches of the Bavarian Alps give way to Austria.
  Germany is not prey to dramatic climatic  extremes,  although  there  are
regional differences.  The  most  reliably  good  weather  is  from  May  to
October, with high summer a good bet for shorts and  T-shirt,  even  in  the
north. Autumn is a  good  time  to  visit  Germany.  As  the  tourist  scrum
disperses and the forests turn golden, it's not too stifling  to  be  active
but still thirsty enough to end the day with  a  few  well-deserved  steins.
Winter is wet, especially in the south, with snow rarely settling  for  long
except in the high country.

   Facts for the Traveler
   Visas: EU citizens can enter on an official identity card. Americans,
Australians, Canadians, New Zealanders and Japanese just need a valid
passport (no visa). Unless you're a citizen of a developing country, you
can probably stay up to three months.

Time Zone: GMT/UTC +1 (Central European Time)

Dialling Code: 49

Electricity: 230V, 50Hz

Weights & measures: Metric

   When to Go
   The German climate is variable so it's best to be prepared for all types
of weather throughout the year. That said,  the  most  reliable  weather  is
from May to October. This coincides, naturally  enough,  with  the  standard
tourist season (except for skiing). The shoulder  periods  can  bring  fewer
tourists and surprisingly  pleasant  weather.  There  is  no  special  rainy
season.
   Events
   Germans love to party, and kick up their heels at everything from  pagan
harvest romps to black tie  opera  galas.  The  Winter  Carnival  (Fasching)
season occurs throughout Germany, with big cities such  as  Cologne  (Köln),
Munich  and  Mainz  erupting  into  commotion  just  before  Ash  Wednesday.
Germany's rich musical heritage is showcased in  a  plethora  of  festivals.
Some towns concentrate on a particular  composer,  such  as  the  Thuringian
Bach Festival in March or the  Richard  Wagner  Festival  in  Bayreuth  each
July, whereas others focus on a particular  style.  The  jazz  festivals  in
Stuttgart (April) and Berlin (November) are lively and popular. Autumn is  a
great time for harvest-inspired mayhem, especially in the  Rhineland,  where
the Rhine in Flames frolics feature barges  laden  with  fireworks.  Mention
must be made of Oktoberfest, Munich's annual lager frenzy, but  it's  a  bit
like being stuck in a nightmarish soccer crowd and is  more  an  example  of
tourism at its lowest ebb than a display of German culture. Christmas  fairs
are embraced wholeheartedly  by  German  families;  they  occur  in  Munich,
Nuremberg, Lübeck, Berlin, Münster and Heidelberg, amongst other places.



                              2. Getting there

   Getting There & Away
   The main arrival/departure points for flights in Germany are  Frankfurt-
am-Main, Munich and Düsseldorf. Frankfurt is Europe's busiest airport  after
Heathrow. An airport departure tax of around  US$5  is  included  in  ticket
prices. If you're already in Europe, it's generally cheaper to  get  to  and
from Germany by train or bus. While train travel  is  often  more  expensive
than catching a bus, it's generally faster, more  comfortable  (particularly
for overnight travel) and more efficient. Germany is served by an  excellent
highway system connected to the rest of Western Europe. Roads  from  Eastern
Europe are being upgraded but some  border  crossings  are  a  little  slow,
especially from Poland. To enter Germany with a car or motorbike,  you  must
have third-party insurance. Ferries run  between  Germany's  northern  coast
and Scandinavia and the UK.
   Getting Around
   By train. Getting  around  Germany  is  easy.  Domestic  air  travel  is
extensive but unless you're in an awful hurry, you might as well  save  your
money - the German train network is wonderful. The  railway  system  enables
everyone  to  travel  comfortably  to  their  destination.  There  are  good
connections to both distant and local areas.  Airports  (Berlin  Schönefeld,
Düsseldorf, Munich and Stuttgart) are also merged into  this  system.  There
are 60 different connections to  the  neighboring  European  countries  that
originate daily in Germany. The customs clearance  usually  takes  place  on
the train once it has left the station.
   The eastern and western  train  systems  have  now  been  fully  merged,
although fares in the east are still  cheaper.  Numerous  fares  and  ticket
passes are available.  There  is  usually  a  surcharge  for  the  InterCity
Express (ICE) trains but it's worth it to travel  250km/h  (155mph)  through
the German countryside. Forget about buses until you're in  train-unfriendly
terrain.
By bus. A European bus service  completes  the  railway  system.  It  offers
special  connections  on  particularly  interesting  routes   to   tourists.
Information regarding the bus  system  is  also  available  in  each  travel
agency.
   A journey by  bus  will  guarantee  comfortable  travelling.  Enjoy  and
experience towns and landscapes in a relaxing way. Lean back and  enjoy  the
view of diverse landscapes from large bus windows or visit one of  Germany´s
famous towns.Get on and relax - once you are comfortably seated, your  well-
earned holidays will begin. Besides,  you  have  chosen  an  environmentally
friendly way of travelling.
Internationaler  Bustouristik  Verband   e.V.   (RDA),   the   international
federation of bus tour operators, has set up a list  of  operators  offering
bus journeys. The list is set up according  to  the  Lands  of  the  Federal
Republic of Germany and is available. Here you will find  numerous  journeys
based on particular themes, sightseeing tours and club  tours.  It  is  also
possible to set up your own  journey  in  co-operation  with  the  operator.
Deutsche Touring GmbH offers attractive journeys  on  public  service  buses
along Germany´s touristic holiday routes. Today Deutsche Touring is  one  of
the most important bus companies in  Europe.  In  cooperation  with  foreign
partners, it  provides  regular  international  services  linking  over  700
cities  throughout  Europe.  Regional  and   urban   public   transportation
operators and associations offer  a  rich  network  of  short  distance  bus
trips.
   By car. If you are travelling by car, an ultra-modern and efficient
freeway network awaits you. Over 700 restaurants, gas stations, motels and
kiosks are open day and night to travellers driving across the
approximately 11,000 km freeway network of the Federal Republic.
   German roads are excellent, and motorised transport can be a  great  way
to tour the country, although most towns  have  problems  with  car-parking.
The national and famous motorway network known as autobahn can be  wonderful
and nightmare.
   Bicycle touring in Germany is very popular.  There  are  often  separate
cycling routes in the cities, towns and in the countryside, but  cycling  on
the autobahn is strictly not allowed.



                        3. Accommodation in Germany.

   There is a wide variety of accommodation possibilities in Germany
ranging from a private room to a vacation home up to a luxury hotel. There
are also lower priced lodgings available. Either way, standards are set and
checked so that you can expect a comfortable place to stay in every case.
Hotel corporations and regional and local tourism organisations publish
their own accommodation directories. You can make room reservations
directly through the hotel chain reservation systems, hotel corporations,
the airports and tourism organisations. Travel agencies also work closely
with hotels.
   More and more hotels and hotel chains in  Germany  are  including  youth
specials into their programs. Special youth hostels and  youth  hotels  have
dedicated and specialised themselves to tourists needs.  They  can  even  be
accommodated close to the  city  centers.  Vacation  villages  and  vacation
apartments are a good idea for  spending  more  than  one  night  somewhere.
Tourists can also spend the night at one of more than 2000 camping sites  or
in one of over 600 youth hostels. Bed & Breakfast  is  not  just  a  British
speciality. Almost all tourist information points can  find  you  a  private
room on arrival and can sometimes even make advance reservations.

      Hotel rooms in Germany have a wide selection of price ranges. You  can
stay overnight in luxury suites,  rooms  in  middle  class  hotels  or  very
inexpensive accommodation in smaller hotels. From Flensburg to Munich,  from
Aachen to Dresden, you can find  hotels  to  fit  your  needs  according  to
German hotel classification standards. Hotels  are  classified  based  on  a
uniform criteria and are categorised by a  certain  number  of  stars  (i.e.
****  =  luxurious).   Some   of   Germanys`   finer   hotels   are   Accor,
ArabellaSheraton and Maritim

   Camping & Caravaning

   Whether staying in an RV trailer, motorhome or within the four walls  of
your tent, you can be right at home in any  beautiful  setting.  For  a  few
days or several weeks, delightful landscapes can be  directly  outside  your
front door. Relax in nature and recover from the  hectic  pace  of  everyday
life. Germany offers an abundance of camp sites  in  areas  chosen  for  the
incredible scenery they possess, and their gates are open to  everyone.  For
your vacation, you can choose from sites located in more tourist  areas  or,
for longer stays, get away to more remote locations in  the  middle  of  the
most gorgeous surroundings.


Guesthouses & inns

   Besides hotels in all categories, there is naturally also a  variety  of
guesthouses and inns which can be found almost everywhere in  Germany.  They
offer a good opportunity for enjoying a  low-priced  vacation  in  a  family
atmosphere.

Youth hostels

   The youth hostels in Germany are open to all people,  whether  young  or
old. Suitable for short visits or longer stays, hostels are ideal  for  many
different types of people and activities. Guests can include single  people,
families,  tour  groups,  sport  teams  and  youth  groups.  They  come  for
everything from vacation camps to ski  trips  as  well  as  conferences  and
seminars. The only requirement is that one must be a member  of  the  German
Youth Hostel Association.

Vacation on a farm

   The most beautiful time of the year is awaiting you right outside your
door.  Vacation farm areas can provide  with peaceful, unencumbered days.
Out in the country, you will find elements of life that you otherwise may
not experience. Instead of the hectic pace of everyday life that makes you
feel unacknowledged, you encounter real hospitality in a warm, personal
atmosphere.

       You will find yourself rejuvenated in such a natural setting whether
just walking outside, fishing, biking or horseback riding. There's no end
to the new experiences and discoveries you can make. The hosts of the farm
will spoil you with regional delicacies like fragrant fresh breads, home-
made sausages and cheeses as well as wine and juices from own vineyards.
Diverse leisure activities for both young and old round off the whole
experience in the country.
   Bed and Breakfast
   A Bed and Breakfast is typically a lower-priced alternative to hotels
and inns. Instead of staying in anonymous hotel beds, you sleep in cosy,
private guest rooms. You are welcomed cordially by your hosts who offer a
pleasant atmosphere in which to enjoy your stay. In the morning, breakfast
is prepared just for you according to your taste. Your hosts take a
personal interest in helping you with providing tips and information about
the area, the country and the people.

                               4. Where to go.



                                4.1.Festivals

   A) The Berlinale.
   From its beginning in post war Berlin, the Berlinale was designed to  be
an international rather than a national film festival.

Over the years the festival has cemented its status as major  European  film
festival and is easily  as  important  as  its  competitors  in  Venice  and
Cannes.

The Golden and Silver Berlin bear and many honorary awards are much  sought-
after.
   B) Love parade in Berlin
   German techno guru Dr. Motte and 150 of his closer friends  started  the
rave in 1989. They met at Berlin's 'Ku'damm' to celebrate  a  party  and  to
demonstrate for tolerance and love.

Successfully: the mobile party attracts en-vogue  DJs  and  an  enthusiastic
crowd.

Some facts: In 2000, the loveparade's busiest year to date, 250  DJs  on  53
wagons partied together with over a million guests.

Recently, Austria, Israel, South Africa and Mexico  have  joined  the  craze
and organised their own love parades.
   C) Frankfurt's Bookfair
   Frankfurt is a big player in  global  trade  fair  business.  An  annual
average of 80 fairs and exhibitions attract numerous visitors from all  over
the world.

One of the highlights is  Frankfurt's  book  fair.  The  biggest  book  fair
worldwide dates back to the 15th century. Its popularity has increased  ever
since.
   Today, more than 250,000 annual visitors flood the fair.

The aim: information on a selection of the almost 400,000  books  which  are
being presented. Readings, talks, interviews and  other  side  events  offer
additional incentives for an interested public. Book  industry,  publishers,
critics, readers and writers alike are under the spell of the  biggest  book
fair world wide.
D) Carnival in Germany
In Germany Mardi Gras ('Fasching') is also referred  to  as  the  fifth  and
foolish season ('die närrische Zeit'). It is a time  of  elaborate  parades,
masks, balls and election of Carnival king and queen and official madness.

The exact time of  celebration  and  the  traditions  vary  from  county  to
county, but it generally takes  place  in  early  spring.  Munich,  Cologne,
Mainz  are strongholds of Mardi Gras celebrations.

Switzerland and Austria, too,  join  the  party  with  enthusiasm  following
their own traditions.

E) Munich's 'Oktoberfest'
   Even though it is called  'Oktoberfest',  the  festival  actually  takes
place in September, as Bavarian autumn  can  be  tricky  and  surprise  with
early cold and snow.  Today,  the  'Oktoberfest'  is  the  largest  festival
worldwide attracting a multitude of visitors.  Apart  from  beer  tents  the
festival  offers  amusements  as  diverse   as   roller   coasters,   circus
appearances, festive parades and live brass bands.

The ceremonial opening happens at noon.  The  mayor  arrives  in  a  festive
coach followed by a decorated horse-drawn brewer's cart. Guests,  staff  and
the numerous brass bands are all wearing  traditional  costumes  (lederhosen
and dirndls) for the occasion. At the end of the parade the major  taps  the
first keg of beer and shouts, 'o'zapft is!' (The keg is tapped).

It takes good nerves and a solid stomach to survive the  festivals  16  days
of intensive partying. However, the festival is a huge success:  Apart  from
attracting a multitude of visitors the festivals  brand  name  'Oktoberfest'
has been exported all over the world.



                             4.2. National Parks

A) The Jasmund National Park


   [pic]
   The Jasmund National Park offers many different landscapes within a very
small area. Come and visit a cretaceous landscape with  numerous  bogs,  wet
grasslands and dry meadows. The  most  renowned  attraction  are  the  chalk
cliffs surrounding the Königsstuhl which have been captured in paintings  by
the famous artist Caspar David Friedrich.
   Apart from the Königsstuhl, the highest point on  the  chalk  coastline,
the whole length of the chalk coastline is impressive. It stretches  over  a
length of 10 km, reaches a height of 117 m and consists of both  active  and
inactive cliffs, illustrating the dynamics of an active steep coastline.
   The national park offers a wide range of activities, such as hiking  and
bicycle tours,  excursions  and  seminars  which  give  the  opportunity  to
explore the most beautiful  hiking  trails  through  the  region´s  forested
landscapes.
   The Stubnitz area is not just worth a visit because of its magical chalk
landscape, it is also the home of mythical figures.

On guided  tours,  organised  on  a  regular  basis  by  the  national  park
administration, you will  find  out  everything  about  Hertha,  a  Germanic
goddess, and Störtebecker, a pirate who is  said  to  have  buried  treasure
somewhere in this area.
   Highlights:

- Cape Arkona with the little town of Vitt

- the fishing port of Sassnitz with its fishing museum

- 'Piratenschlucht' (pirate´s gorge) in Sassnitz

- Greifswald's museum with an exhibition of paintings by Caspar David
Friedrich

- historic craftsmen's dwellings in Gingst

- Grümbke lookout tower near Neuenkirchen
   Activities:

Jasmund offers a wide range of guided tours (daily  tours  take  place  from
April - September, both from the parking lot in  Hagen  to  the  Königsstuhl
and from Sassnitz to the bizarre rock formations of 'Wissower Klinken').

Furthermore, you can  visit  numerous  exhibitions  (at  the  national  park
visitors´ center at the Königsstuhl and also at the  Granitz  hunting  lodge
near Sellin).

The biosphere reserve  'South  East  Rügen'  organises  further  hiking  and
bicycle tours, as well as excursions.

B) The Wadden Sea of Hamburg National Park
The Wadden Sea of Hamburg National Park, which is the smallest of three mud-
flats national parks, is characterized by three islands:

'Neuwerk', widely  covered  with  meadows  and  with  a  population  of  40,
'Scharhörn', with its sand dunes, and  'Nigehörn'  which  has  been  created
artificially. The island group is located  directly  at  the  mouth  of  the
river Elbe near Cuxhaven in northern Germany and  protects  a  landscape  of
approximately 12,000 hectares of wadden sea.
   On guided tours you not only have the opportunity  to  learn  about  the
region´s landscape but also about the islands´ historical background.

 On the way from Neuwerk to Scharhörn you will  walk  along  trails  leading
across seemingly endless mud-flats. Scharhörn, which used to be a  sandbank,
is a tourist attraction mainly for its sea bird colonies. On a visit to  the
ornithological station you will see one  of  the  largest  colonies  of  sea
swallows.
   Highlights:

- carriage ride across mud-flats from Sahlenburg to the island of Neuwerk

- voyage with the MS 'Flipper' from Cuxhaven to the island of Neuwerk

- guided walks across the Wadden sea

- guided tours to the bird colonies, salt marshes and wadden sea of Neuwerk

- guided tours to Scharhörn, the bird sanctuary

- searching for amber on the 'Kleiner Vogelsand'

- amber exhibition on the island of Neuwerk
   Activities:

We recommend national park visitors on day trips to take a  walk  along  the
main dyke, from which you can see the foreshore with its bird  colonies  but
also the island´s interior. Cars are banned on the islands. For this  reason
tours, for example, to  the  fortified  tower  of  the  island  of  Neuwerk,
through the salt marshes of the foreshore with their abundance of flora  and
fauna, or to the 'Ostschleuse' lock, can either be made on foot or by horse-
drawn carriage.

   C) The Wadden Sea of Lower Saxony National Park
   Make a trip to one of the most impressive wadden  sea  landscapes.  High
up, in northern Germany, at the North Sea coast of Lower Saxony, the  Wadden
Sea of Lower Saxony National Park is located. It protects  the  wadden  seas
landscape between the river Ems and the river Elbe, including  the  offshore
East Frisian Islands. The national park offers  amazing  natural  spectacles
and various landscapes, such as salt-marshes,  which  are  typical  of  this
region, the steep coast near Dangast and the 'swimming bog' near  Sehestedt,
Germany's only remaining bog landscape located outside the country's dykes


   Highlights:

- Wadden Sea House in Wilhelmshaven

- Norddeich seal station

- Lightship and whale-bone fence on the island of Borkum

- Fisherman's House Museum on the island of Norderney

- Dornumsiel Castle, surrounded by water

- German Shipping Museum in Bremerhaven

- Old lighthouse on the island of Wangerooge
   Activities:

The surrounding area offers a wide range of sightseeing opportunities,  such
as the East Frisian islands of Juist and Norderney. Whether you want  to  go
swimming and enjoy the broad beaches, take a ride in a carriage  across  the
island or a walk through the salt-marshes, the  national  park´s  recreation
and leisure program will guarantee a lot of fun and relaxation.


   D) The Wadden Sea of Schleswig-Holstein National Park


   Welcome to the  Wadden Sea  of  Schleswig-Holstein  National  Park,  the
largest national park in central Europe.  One  third  of  Schleswig-Holstein
belongs to the world´s largest uninterrupted  wadden  sea  landscape,  which
reaches from the North Sea coast of  the  Netherlands  up  to  Denmark.  The
wadden sea, a stretch of land affected by tides, are flooded  by  sea  water
during high tide and  remain  dry  during  low  tide,  a  unique  phenomenon
worldwide. Experience an oceanic landscape as near to nature as it  can  be,
with dunes, beaches, salt-marshes and 'Halligen', small  islands  which  are
not protected by dykes and therefore become  flooded  whenever  there  is  a
spring tide or a heavy storm.
   Experienced guides will show the amazing spectacle of low and high tide.
You can watch how, after six hours  of  low  tide,  the  wadden  sea  become
flooded again and  the  deep,  artificially  constructed  furrows  -  called
'Priele' - fill with water. Whether you go swimming in the sea, take a  walk
along the beach or over the mud-flats, join a boat tour or watch  the  birds
in the salt-marshes - your holiday in the Wadden Sea  of  Schleswig-Holstein
National Park will definitely be relaxing, for both body and soul.
   Highlights:

- Multimar Wattforum in Tönning, a national park center

- Husum, with its old river port and museums

- ride in a carriage to the Südfall Hallig

- guided hiking tour across the mud-flats

- Nordstrand tourist information center with its aquarium

- Friedrichskoog seal station
   Activities:

One of many possible sightseeing  opportunities  is  a  trip  to  the  small
fishing villages which belong to the national park. You can  also  go  on  a
boat tour to the seal banks and observe  a  unique  and  fascinating  animal
spectacle.

4.3. Routs in Germany.


    Germany’s first “Vacation Routes” and  “Scenic  Routes”  date  back  to
1927, each carving a path dedicated  to  a  particular  cultural  or  scenic
theme. Today, some 150 such routes exist,  and  millions  of  people  travel
them annually. Discover Germany along  the  “German  Castle  Road,”  “German
Fairytale Road,” or the most famous,  the  “Romantic  Road.”  Whatever  your
interest, our Scenic Routes will guide you on a fun and exciting vacation.
   A) The “Romantic Road.”
   [pic]
   Wuerzburg Residence Palace
   In every traveler's life, there are never-to-be-forgotten  moments.  One
of them is  the  transformation  that  begins  at  the  exit  from  the  A-7
Autobahn, where you enter the Romantic Road. One of the most famous  of  the
German Vacation Routes wends its way from Wuerzburg to Fuessen.
   The Romantic Road is a 220-mile journey from the River Main to the  Alps
that offers the traveler what is simply one of the most beautiful  and  most
engaging melange of scenery, cuisine and ambience Germany can offer.
It's all gorgeous - the stunning Wuerzburg Residence Palace, the  centuries-
old  panorama  and  magical  atmosphere  of   Rothenburg-ob-der-Tauber   and
Dinkelsbühl, the Roman  remains  in  Augsburg,  Bavarian  King  Ludwig  II's
unforgettable dream-  castle of Neuschwanstein.


   [pic]
   Castle of Neuschwanshtein
   Wherever travellers find themselves on the  Romantic  Road,  exceptional
cuisine, delicious wines, glorious land- and city-scapes, castles,  churches
and fortresses inspire the appetite and the soul. Here, in one of  the  most
charming and beautiful sections  of  Germany,  even  the  most  cynical  and
unromantic traveler cannot help but be seduced.
   B) The Classic route.
   Whether we pass through Erfurt, Weimar, Jena or  Gotha,  names  such  as
Goethe, Schiller, Wagner and Strauss always linger on any trip  through  the
'green heart of Germany'.

     The town of Eisenach is known  as  the  home  of  the  'Wartburg',  the
castle once inhabited by the famous Martin Luther. It is also, however,  the
city of minstrels and birthplace of Johann  Sebastian  Bach,  whose  history
can be traced in the local 'Bach House' museum. Eisenach is a medieval  town
which both Goethe and Wagner liked to visit, and  it  is  a  joy  to  wander
through the splendid forest landscapes of this area.
   [pic]
   Wartburg castle
   Along the classic route, Gotha is also worth a visit. The  'Friedenstein
Palace' and annual events such as the 'Ekhof  Festival'  all  contribute  to
give the town a unique touch. In Arnstadt, we  reach  'the  gateway  to  the
Forest of Thuringia '.

Excursions to  the  'Wachsenburg  Fortress',  'Gleichen  Castle  Ruins'  and
'Mühlburg Ruins' are highly recommended.
   Next stop is Weimar, 'European Cultural  City  1999',  which  links   to
Goethe and Schiller. Besides 'Goethe's residence', his 'summer-house on  the
Ilm' and  the  'German  National  Theater',  the  'Goethe  National  Museum'
represents a special attraction in the city. Not far from Weimar is  a  town
called Jena, known foremost for the work and life of Friedrich Schiller  and
which has therefore become a popular destination.

Ñ) The Castle Road
   Historical places and charming countryside with many romantic fortresses
and fairy tale castles make the 975 km long castle route from Mannheim to
Prague a varied route. The glory of time's past still has an effect today
on many towns and villages.

      The countryside is as varied as the history. The river Neckar winds
its way through the Odenwald, the Hohenloher Ebene seems to stretch
endlessly into the distance, next the rolling Frankenhöhe and then the
northern part of so-called Franconian Switzerland. The legacy of the
artloving Electors of the Palatinate can still be admired in towns such as
Mannheim, Heidelberg or Schwetzingen.
   [pic]       [pic]
    Ludwigsburg Castle                  Schwerin Castle

On the tracks of the Palatinate Earls, Mosbach, Neckarzimmern or Bad
Wimpfen are certainly well worth a visit, with their picturesque old town
centres and romantic halftimbered houses. Near Heilbronn the route passes
through winegrowing areas, the medieval free city of Nuremberg and the
vererable towns of Rothenburg o. d. Tauber, Coburg, Kronach, Kulmbach,
Bayreuth right through to Karlsbad and Marienbad, the famous spa towns, to
eventually reach Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic.
   All these towns with their 70 fortresses, ruins and castles line the
castle route like many pearls in a row and present themselves as impressive
witnesses to the past. Medieval towns, monasteries, historic buildings and
cultural treasures make sure the journey along the castle route becomes a
special and varied experience.

                           5. A Journey to Berlin

   The might and scope of Prussian achievement is manifest in Berlin, one
of the world's most fascinating and troubling cities. Of strategic
importance since it first straddled the Spree River in the 13th century,
Berlin never hogged centre stage quite like it did this century. This is
the heart of Germany, its stoic beat echoing through grand public
buildings, glorious museums and theatres, and its urbane restaurants,
bustling pubs and raucous nightclubs. Today, the city, restored as the
nation's capital, is the focus of the mammoth project of reunification and
readings of Germany's mood are taken most accurately here.
   Berlin is a good city to explore on foot. Take time to stroll from
Alexanderplatz to the Brandenburg Gate along Unter den Linden. The nearby
Kulturforum is a cluster of museums and concert halls on the south-eastern
side of Tiergarten that can take days to explore.

   5.1. Accommodation in Berlin

   During the cultural festivals? Trade fairs and conferences?  Hotels  are
totally booked up. The flood of tourists has increased since the opening  of
the wall. Unless you have alternative  accommodation,  a  spur-of-the-moment
trip to Berlin can be marred by an unpleasant or futile search for  a  hotel
room.  Reservations  made  several   weeks   in   advance   are   definitely
recommended.
   Luxury Hotels
1. Bristol Hotel Kempinski (Kurfurstendamm 27) – The epitomy of traditional
   luxury
   [pic]
   2. Grand Hyatt Berlin
   In the new heart of Berlin at Potsdamer Platz, the modern  design  hotel
Grand Hyatt Berlin is adjacent to restaurants, shopping  arcades,  a  casino
and the city's main musical theatre. The Philharmonic Theatre, New  National
Gallery and Picture Gallery are located in the immediate neighbourhood;  the
Government  District,  the  city  park  Tiergarten  and  Berlin's   greatest
cultural treasures are within walking distance. The city  train  and  subway
stations at Potsdamer Platz are nearby, and Tegel International  Airport  is
9.4 miles/15 kilometres from the hotel.
   3. Grand Hotel Esplanade ( Lutzowufer 15)  - The modern, polished design
emphasises   functional    luxury.    Centrally    located    between    the
Kurfurstendammm,  Unter  den  Linden  and  Potsdamer  Platz,  opposite   the
Tiergarten Park, this designer hotel captures  the  spirit  of  contemporary
Berlin in a sophisticated setting. The hotel offers flexible and  attractive
conference and banqueting rooms for  up  to  450  people.  Hotel  room  have
bathroom, WC, telephone, fax, modem-connection, radio,  TV,  safe,  minibar,
sound insulation, air conditioning,  restaurants,  2  bars,  swimming  pool,
whirlpool, 3 saunas,  solarium,  beauty  center,  massage,  fitness  center,
hairdressing salon, 6  conference  rooms  for  up  to  450  persons,  garage
parking, and conference boat. The “Esplanade” is  a  5-star  boat  available
for conferences, parties and  private  celebrations.  Room  facilities:  Air
conditioning,  Minibar,  Radio,  Safe,  Satellite  TV,   Sound   insulation,
Telephone with modem-connection.
   4. Inter-Continental (Budapester strasse 2) – the largest hotel in town.
Famous for its luxury.
   5. Palace Hotel (Budapester strasse 45)
    This luxury 5-star  city  hotel  presents  282  individually  decorated
rooms, including 32 suites about 55 - 225 sqm. Cable TV,  refrigerated  mini
bar, trouser press, soundproofed windows and further extras  belong  to  our
standard. Its suites are appointed with marble  bathrooms,  exclusive  hifi,
as well as whirlpool  and  large  dressing  rooms.  The  elegant  banqueting
floors  offer  12  different  function  rooms  that  can  be   extended   to
accommodate 10 - 700 persons as well as 5 banquet  rooms  in  the  adjoining
Business Centre. Breakfast restaurant 'Bon Dia', 'Lounge'  and  'Sam's  Bar'
offering snacks and cocktails. Michelin-rated-Restaurant 'First Floor'  with
chef  Mathias  Buchholz,  Cafe-Restaurant   'Tiffany's'   and   the   rustic
restaurant 'Alt- Nurnberg' in the bordering Europa-Center.  Money  exchange,
room service, laundry- and shoe cleaning  service.  Admission  free  to  the
'Thermen am Europa-Center', a large  health  spa  with  sauna  and  swimming
pool.
   First-class Hotels
   Art hotel Sorat (Joachimstaler Strasse 28-29) – Art  and  accommodation:
the Wolf Vostell designer furniture  sculptures  make  each  room  a  unique
experience.
   Avantgarde (Kurfurstendamm 15)  –  Neo-Baroque  house  with  huge  rooms
decorated with stucco mouldings.
   Artemisia (Branderburgishe Strasse 18) –  tiny,  attractively  decorated
hotel reserved exclusively for women.
   Dom Hotel (Mohrenstrasse 30, Mitte) – fine modern hotel overlooking  the
most beautifull square in the city: the Platz der Academy.
   Mondial (Kurfurstendamm 47)  –  spacious  rooms.  The  entire  hotel  is
designed for use by handicapped.
   Hotels & Pensions.
   Alpina (Trabener Strasse 3) – small villa with garden near the Grunewald
S-Bahn Station.
   Kreuzberg (Grossbeerenstrasse 64) – for young, undemanding guests.
   Savoy (Meinekestrasse 4) – Small but nice.
   Terminus (Fasanenstrasse 48) – neither plush nor dingy.
   Transit (Hagelberger Strasse 53-54) – Charming hotel  for  young  people
who care more for atmosphere than luxury.

   Youth accommodation
   Jugendherberge Bayernalee
   (youth hostel) – Bayernalee 36

   Jugendgastehaus am Wannsee
    (youth guest house) – Badeweg 1

   Jugendgastehaus BERLIN
    (youth guest house) – Kluckstrasse 3

   Jugendgastehaus am Zoo
   (youth guest house) – Hardenbergstrasse 9a

   Jugendtouristenhotel
   (youth guest house) – Franz-Mett-Strasse 7

                         5.2. Sightseeing in Berlin

A) The Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor)

[pic]
   The Brandenburg gate is the unquestionable symbol of Berlin and  is  now
regarded as one of the greatest symbols of German  unity.  It  is  the  last
remaining gate of the Berlin Wall and marks the western end  of  the  famous
Unter den Linden Boulevard. The statue on top of the  arch  represents  Nike
driving her chariot to victory towards the West.
B) Museum Island (Museumsinsel)
   The Berlin Museumsinsel is a unique ensemble of  museum  buildings  that
illustrate the evolution of modern museum design over more than  a  century.
The museums include The National Gallery, The  Old  Museum  (Altes  Museum),
The Pergamon Museum and The Bode Museum.
   The National Galerie is an ultra-modern building built in the 1960s. The
museum collection specialises in works from the 19th and 20th  centuries  as
well as international contemporary art. The National Galerie is  famous  for
its collection of French impressionists.
   The Old Museum houses an amazing collection of 18th, 19th and early 20th-
century paintings and statues. Any prominent artist  you  can  think  of  it
probably featured here.
   The Pergamon Museum is immense. It is divided into  five  sections:  the
Antiquities Collection, the Middle East Museum, the Islamic Museum, the  Far
East Collection, and the Museum of Popular Art. A  few  days  is  needed  to
properly explore it.
   The Bode Museum's original collection of  Egyptian  artifacts  was  very
badly affected by World War II. However, there are outstanding  exhibits  of
Byzantine and early Christian relics on show.
B) The Tiergarten
[pic]
   The Tiergarten is often referred to as Berlin’s green heart.  Originally
a hunting reserve  for  royalty,  landscape  architect  Peter  Joseph  Lenne
turned the Tiergarten into a beautiful city park in 1742. During  World  War
II many of the trees were cut for  firewood  and  the  pristine  lawns  were
turned into vegetable gardens to feed the populace of Berlin. Heavy  bombing
then damaged much of the rest of the park. The  present-day  plantings  took
place just after the war and today the  beautifully  lush  Tiergarten  is  a
popular place with Berliners and, to the surprise  of  many  tourists,  nude
sunbathing is permitted throughout the park. The park is over 412-acres  and
it stretches for 1.75 miles west from the Brandenburg Gate.
D) The Berlin Wall
   If you want to see what remains of the infamous Berlin Wall head down
Charlottenstrasse and then west along Leipzigerstrasse. There you can see
one of the best examples of what remains of the Wall.

E) The Berlin Radio Tower
   The Berlin Radio Tower was built in 1924 for the Third German
Broadcasting Exhibition. Standing at 138-meters high, this steel-latticed
tower is a fantastic viewing point with panoramic bird’s-eye views of the
city. An elevator takes you to the observation deck at 125 meters to admire
the vista. There is a restaurant at the 55-meter level.
F) The Charlottenburg Palace (Schloss Charlottenburg)

[pic]
   The Charlottenburg Palace is the oldest  surviving  Prussian  palace  in
Germany. Building began in 1695 and was completed  in  1790.  There  are  70
rooms  and  corridors  crammed  full  of  ornate  furnishings  and   Watteau
paintings. The east wing houses  an  incredible  collection  of  romanticist
paintings  while  the  west  wing  houses  a  collection  of   ancient   and
prehistoric art and artifacts. Take a guided tour of  the  royal  apartments
and then stroll through the formal gardens that surround the palace.

G) The Reichstag

   The Reichstag, built in 1884-94, has witnessed many of the  key  moments
in 20th century German history. It has seen the Proclamation of  the  German
Republic in 1918, endured a burning in 1933, a storming in 1945  by  Russian
troops and German Reunification in 1990. Since its renovation  in  1999,  it
has housed the Bundestag (Parliament).


   H) Soviet War Memorial (Treptower Park)
   Treptower Park houses a very sobering monument to  the  Soviet  soldiers
who died fighting Hitler. The park also contains a mass grave for the  5,000
soldiers killed in action. Walk the tree-lined avenue to  see  a  statue  of
Mother Russia crying for her dead  children.  There  are  huge  white  stone
reliefs set up in a manner not unlike the Stations of the Cross.  They  bear
quotations from Stalin and depict how the Soviets won out  against  Fascism.
At the far end of the park there is a massive  statue  of  a  heroic  Soviet
soldier clutching a child in one  arm  and  smashing  a  swastika  with  the
other.
   I) The Jewish Quarter
   The Scheunenviertel (Stable Quarter) is both Berlin's  newest  hot  spot
and one of its oldest areas. It was originally founded in the  17th  century
outside the medieval city walls. It survived Allied bombing  raids  and  the
Red Army's assault on the city. Recently, the quarter’s  old  buildings  are
being reincarnated as trendy bars, cafes, restaurants, and galleries. It  is
lively, trendy and bohemian and well worth a visit.

                         5.3. Eat, Drink, Nightlife

   Berlin offers a wide range of possibilities to go out. Restaurants, Pubs
and clubs of all kind and for  every  gusto  invite  you.  Many  places  and
streets are perfect night walks because one restaurant is here next  to  the
other.
   Many restaurants invite you  to  discover  the  delicacies  of  Berlin's
cuisine. In a cosy ambiance you can savour  the  regional  specialities  and
discover the variety of typical food along  the  meetballs  (Bouletten)  and
Berliner Weiße (beer with juice).
   The whole world is at home in Berlin. Restaurants offer food from around
the world, from Argentina to Zimbabwe, folkloristic or  exclusive.  You  are
at the right place in Berlin to go on a culinary journey  around  the  world
or to discover really particular food.
   [pic]          [pic]
   Savigny-Platz
   Night owls with stamina can also give their undivided attention  to  the
interesting range of pubs around Savignyplatz in  Charlottenburg.  The  area
consist of a great number of restaurants and bars where  everyone  can  meet
the stars of television or Berlin's culture and  political  scene.  Here  is
the melting pot that combines symbolically  the  former  west  and  the  new
centre to a harmonic construction.
   Pariser Straße and Ludwigkirchplatz
   Especially the younger crowd is attracted to the Pariser Straße. At this
location you will find taverns, bars, American diners,  Mexican  restaurants
and very modern and stylish discos. During the summer life  concentrates  on
the street in form of many chairs and tables that invite us to rest. In  the
middle of this street the well-maintained  Ludwigkirchplatz  with  its  rich
areas of green providing a relaxing shadow is located.


   The Winterfeldtplatz and Schöneber
   The Winterfeldtplatz is the location of a frequently visited market.  In
the numerous taverns and bars, plenty  of  customers,  tourists  and  locals
meet each other. The scene is uncomplicated and open  minded,  also  due  to
the presence of Berlin's gay population.
   In Goltzstraße the Schönebergers meet in places such as the Café M,  Lux
or one of the numerous Indian snack bars. Between Schöneberg and  Tiergarten
the 90° is still an up-to-date party location. But the  Latinamerican  Clubs
El Barrio or the Caracas Bar invite for a visit as well.



                                 Conclusion.

   Germany is among the most attractive countries for tourists  because  it
has developed tourist and hospitality industry. In every  city  or  even  in
the country tourists have an opportunity to find accommodation and to  taste
the national dishes. And there are everywhere numerous  places  of  interest
in Germany.
   Every year a lot of tourists  visit  Germany  to  see  its  amazing  and
outstanding sightseeing. There is no doubt  that  tourists  visited  Germany
wouldn’t be disappointed.


                                 Literature

   1.Western Europe on a shoestring.
   2.Berlin. Insight pocket guide.



                                    Sites

1. www.berlin-tourist-information.com
2. www.germany-tourism.de
3. www.lonelyplanet.com




ref.by 2006—2022
contextus@mail.ru