If you've got some sort of rail pass and restrict yourself to cheap takeaways or prepare your own food, it's possible to get by on less than €50 a day. Those with bigger budgets, wishing to eat at mid-range restaurants most days, travel freely by public transport and stay in mid-range hotels should count on dropping at least €100 a day. At restaurants, the service charge is always included in bills and tipping isn't compulsory, though it is appreciated. Germans are used to rounding up prices as tips. Taxi drivers expect a small tip of around 10%.

Geography: Germany is located in Central Europe and is bordered by Austria, Belgium , Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland & Switzerland. Major cities include Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Bremen, Hanover, Frankfurt, Nuremburg, Stuttgart and Dusseldorf.  At the southern end of Germany are the Alps, the highest mountain range in Europe. In central Germany are the Harz mountains. Germany also has many rolling plains which make good farm land. The Rhine River, in the western part of Germany, is a main waterway for transporting goods from northern ports.

Climate: Temperate throughout the country with warm summers and cold winters, but prolonged periods of frost or snow are rare. Rain falls throughout the year.

Recommended clothing: Regular clothes with light- to medium-weights in summer, medium- to heavyweights in winter. Waterproofs are needed throughout the year.

Public Holidays: Jan 1 New Year’s Day. Jan 6* Epiphany. Mar 25 Good Friday. Mar 28 Easter Monday. May 1 Labour Day. May 5 Ascension. May 16 Whit Monday. Jun 10* Corpus Christi. Aug 15* Assumption. Oct 3 Day of Unity. Oct 31* Day of Reformation. Nov 1* All Saints’ Day. Nov 17* Day of Prayer and Repentance. Dec 25-26 Christmas

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