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Welcome to Germany
There are many things that a tourist must know before visiting Germany. The focus of this page is to inform, and facilitate the understanding of what tourism resources and services are available to the english speaking tourist, based on the web-page author's findings, in the areas visited, in the Harz Region. |
While In the Harz Region
HARZ & HOCHHARZ NATIONAL PARKS
The two national parks that we visited on our trip were very tourist friendly. All national parks in Germany are fee-free. However, overnight camping and fires are prohibited. Signs pointing the way, while trekking the maintained paths in either park, were evident and legible. As long as you know where you want to go and where you came from, you should have no trouble negotiating these paths. At both parks, guided tours were available in english. These tours have to be scheduled in advance and require a minimum number of people. Pamphlets about the parks where also available in english.
For more information on these parks contact:
Harz National Park
Oderhaus
37444 Sankt Anderasberg
Tel.: 055 82/91 89-0
Fax.: 055 82/91 89-19
E-mail: info@nationalpark-harz.de
Internet: www.nationalpark-harz.de
Hochharz National Park
Lindenallee 35
38855 Wernigerode
Tel.: 0 39 43/55 02-0
Fax.: 0 39 43/55 02 37
E-mail: fa32-us3@fla.ml.lsa-net.de
Internet: www.nationalpark-hochharz.de
BRAUNLAGE
A little town nestled amongst the surrounding rolling hills; Braunlage is a beautiful example of an old, small village in the German countryside. Even in a town of its size, there is a tourism bureau to aid visitors. Services available there included a huge electronic posting board of rooms available to tourists. Many of these are bed and breakfast style accommodations in private homes. Maps and brochures are also available, in German. Direction to the bureau is facilitated with the use of street signs. These sings are fairly universal, using a green 'i' (information) that is encircled. There is also a computer system that is available at the bureau to find out more about events and services in the area. However, it is only available in German. The computer was not function Some restaurants in town, such as Robis' Treff, Italian Eatery, have menus available in english.
GOSLAR
A UNESCO world heritage site, Goslar is a wonderful example of an Imperial city. Within the stonewalls surrounding the city, one feels as though one has traveled back hundreds of years in time. The architecture is breath taking. The old wood, mud, and stone buildings seem to tower above you as you walk along the narrow cobblestone roads. Goslar has many services available catering to tourists. The tourist information bureau is located in the city's old square, in plain sight of all visitors (see picture at top of page). This location is ideal as most tourists would happen upon this square anyhow. Information, maps and pamphlets, as well as guided tours, are available in a number of languages at the tourist information bureau. The people are very welcoming and receptive to tourists. They aim to please. And, yes, tips are included in the prices of meals and beverages. One should also note that money is not directly handed to the person in Germany; plates and counters are used for passing money.
WERNIGERODE
Watched over by a majestic old castle, Wernigerode is a beautiful old town surrounded on all sides by beautiful green hills. A former East-German city, Wernigerode has not yet fully developed its tourism potential. Its architecture and atmosphere is similar to that in Goslar. There are, however, fewer tourists crowding the streets of Wernigerode. The castle is a must see while in Wernigerode. Tours are available in German only. Tourist information is available, in Wernigerode, at the train station; however, we were unable to locate the tourist bureau.
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Touring Berlin
Although Berlin is not in the Harz Region, it is a city full of tourist attractions and interesting places to visit. Due to its large population, and the vast number of tourists which visit each year, it is a city that provides english tourists with information and services in their native language.
The main tourist office in Berlin (Berlin Tourismus Marketing) is located in the Europa-Center at Budapester Strasse 45, near Zoo Station. A second large tourist bureau is in the south wing of the Brandenburg Gate. There are many other small bureaus located throughout Berlin. Maps are located on the airport, bus, and railway station walls to help the tourist find their location with respect to the rest of Berlin. They also indicate what modes of travel are available to the various destinations and landmarks that lie within. Special day passes are available to tourists at a discounted rate to those traveling Berlin with the aid of the public transportation system. It is easy to navigate throughout Berlin as most streets run east to west, north to south. All the major tourist attractions, such as the Brandenburg Gate and Checkpoint Charlie, are easily accessible through the use of the well constructed public transportation system. The authors traveled by foot to many of the points of interest in Berlin in less than a day. |
Overview
Many of the locations visited are not geared for english or non-german speaking tourists. It appears as though little effort is made to promote or aid foreign visitors. If one looks hard enough, information on towns, attractions, and points of interest are available. Most of the towns visited have information available at the local tourist bureau. The people are very welcoming and willing to assist you when possible. We, however, recommend that the tourist research and prepare the travel plans in German ahead of time. It is very useful and will aid your travels if you know some basic questions and phrases in german. We would also recommend purchasing a book, such as the 'Lonely Planet'(www.lonelyplanet.com), to aid your travels in Germany.
Thanks To Bob & Eric
We would, especically, like to thank Lakehead University, Hoschule-Harz, as well Bob Payne and Eric Cline for giving us the opportunity to travel to, explore, and study, in Germany. THANK YOU for making this wonderful experience possible. |
ICE Train - The first of many German trains we travelled on
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