From the sophistication of united Berlin to the ancient town of Heidelberg, from the splendors of Dresden to cosmopolitan Munich, from the Black Forest to the Bavarian Alps: There are hundreds of reasons to visit Germany. Bavaria and its capital, Munich, are the most popular tourist destinations for Germans and foreigners alike. Other popular destinations include the Baltic Coast, the northern lake-district, the Thuringian Forest, the Black Forest, and the Rhine Valley. You may be coming to Oberamergau or for Oktoberfest, but anytime of the year you will find Germany a most welcoming tourist destination offering a wealth of culture and experience for every traveler!
To contact Auto Europe from Germany, dial 00-800-223-5555-5.

Entry Requirements
U.S. citizens do not require a visa to enter Germany for visits of less than three months. Pets are allowed to enter the country as long as they have valid vaccination certificates that are translated into German. Pets must be vaccinated at least 30 days but less than one year prior to the date of entry. No more than three pets can enter at one time.

Local Time
Germany is 6 hours ahead of Eastern Time in the United States and Canada. 7 hours when Daylight Savings Time is observed in North America.

Language
German is the official language. Local dialects can be confusing, but virtually all Germans speak 'Hochdeutsch' (standard German) and respond happily to visitors who attempt to speak German. English is widely spoken in major cities, especially in the former West Germany.

Electricity
230 V, 50 Hz. The Continental two-round-pin plug is standard.

Local Tourist Information
Verkehrsamt Berlin
Europa Center
Eingang Budapesterstrasse
Phone (+49) 030-262-6031
Fremdenverkehrsamt Munchen Hauptbahnhof
80313 Munchen
Phone (+49) 089-233-0300
KölnTourismus
Unter Fettenhennen 19 (Lageplan)
50667 Cologne / Köln (Am Dom)
Phone (+49) 0221 30400
DZT -- German National Tourist Board
Beethovenstrasse 69
60325 Frankfurt am Main
Phone (+49) 0 697-5720
For the phone numbers above, dial the numbers in parentheses (long-distance access code 0 plus the city code) only if calling from German locations outside the city. For the phone numbers below, the numbers in parentheses are the country code for Germany (49) and city code -- no 0 needed.

Customs
Travelers are not required to pay duty on an appropriate amount of items for their personal use during their visit. In addition, the following duty-free allowances apply: no more than 2 liters of liquor and 2 liters of wine; and 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco.

Currency Exchange
Banks provide the most favorable rate of exchange, second to ATM withdrawals. German banks are open from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and then from 1:30 to 4 p.m weekdays. Most banks will have extended hours until 5:30 pm on Thursdays, but all are closed on Saturday and Sunday. Money exchange bureaus, located at airports, border crossings and major railway stations, are generally open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Tipping
Hotels and restaurants automatically add a service charge of 10 to 12 percent, but excellent service may warrant an additional tip. Customarily you may round up to the nearest denomination of €5 or €10. Bartenders also expect a small tip in recognition of their service. In smaller establishments where a service charge is not previously applied, 10% is acceptable. Taxi drivers customarily receive 10 percent of the fare; hotel porters and doormen, €1per bag; hotel maids, €1-2 per day; coatroom attendants or gas station attendants (when they do more than fill the tank), €.50 - €1.

General Business Hours
Museums: Typical hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Shopping: As of 1996 German law extended hours of operation to no later than 8 p.m. weekdays and 4 p.m. Saturday. Some stores will still close at 5-6pm, but operation hours are monitored closely by the government. Most pharmacies observe normal business hours, but they post locations of pharmacies that are open nights, Sundays and holidays. Post offices: Typical hours are 8 a.m. to noon and 2 to 6 p.m. weekdays, and 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays. Post offices at air and rail terminals keep longer hours. Restaurants: Mealtimes parallel those in the U.S. and Canada, except that dinner generally is served after 6 p.m. Many Germans have their most substantial meal at midday.

Value Added Tax
16%