Site EMEA Forum 2012 in Berlin - Participants' Booklet

in cooperation with Berlin Convention Office of visitBerlin and MARKENREISE GmbH | 1

Site EMEA Forum 2012

CoNtENtS

02 | Welcome letters

05 | Site EMEA Forum 2012 - Organisation Team

06 | Site EMEA Forum 2012 - Sponsors

07 | Day Programme - short overview

08 | Monday, 18th June 2012 - Schedule

09 | Tuesday, 19th June 2012 - Schedule

10 | Wednesday, 20th June 2012 - Schedule

11 | Berlin Incentive Discovery Tours 11 | Tour 1 Classic Berlin11 | Tour 2 The Berlin Scene12 | Tour 3 Capital History12 | Tour 4 Fashion & Art13 | Tour 5 Berlin‘s Alternative Neighbourhoods 13 | Social Workshop: Prinzessinnengarten - Urban Gardening

14 | Speakers

16 | Welcome to Berlin - public transport

17 | Hotel - Eco Scandic Berlin Potsdamer Platz

18 | Berlin Information

19 | Did you know?

20 | Some useful German vocabulary

21 | travel ABC - Germany



Dear Participants,

We are happy to welcome you to Berlin and look forward to spen-ding a couple of days with you in this amazingly interesting city. Almost no other metropolis has experienced such frequent and radical transformations over the past two decades. Berlin has indeed witnessed steady growth in its importance, with dazzling epochs alternating with darker eras. Nonetheless, this formerly divided city has succeeded in becoming the beating heart of central Europe. Nowadays people from all over the world delight in experiencing Berlin’s vivid history and vibrant night-life. You will get this chance over the next few days during the Site EMEA Forum 2012.

With best regards, enjoy your stay in Berlin!

Site EMEA Forum 2012 Team



Dear Colleagues and Friends,

We are pleased to welcome you to Berlin to the 2nd Site EMEA Forum. This format was conceived to offer members an accessible and attractive networking and education programme.

Our aim is to provide a platform for professionals facing similar situations - focusing on the future of incentive- and motivational travel and drafting a prognosis for our sector.

The Host and Education Committees have worked hard to produce, direct and deliver an eco-sustainable programme that will equip you to face everyday challenges, identify solutions and seize opportunities.

We are grateful to Site Germany, VisitBerlin, Markenreise GmbH and Deutsche Lufthansa AG as leading partners and to our sponsors including the Site International Foundation and IMEX Frankfurt. We are particularly indebted to Heike Mahmoud, Director of VisitBerlin Convention Office, and to her charming local team including Sandra Gollnest, Alexandra Spriess and Mateja Bauer.

We are confident that we will have a memorable “Summer feeling in Berlin” event and that we will all benefit from this Site EMEA Forum experience!

With best wishes,

Annamaria Ruffini CMP Chair Site EMEA Forum 2012

Dr. Patrick PatridgeChair Host Committee

Maria Arnolda EgbertsChair Education Committee



Liebe Site 2012 EMEA Forum Teilnehmer, Hello Site 2012 EMEA Forum participants!

It is more than 30 years since my last visit to Berlin and I am really excited to see you at this great education and networking opportuni-ty in Europe.

Site started 2012 with an excellent Site Executive Summit in Barilo-che, Argentina, and I have no doubt that this event will raise the bar for our association, too!

I want to thank Site Germany and our partners VisitBerlin Convention Office, Markenreise GmbH and Deutsche Lufthansa AG without who-se time and resources I know this event would not have succeeded.

Thanks also to the group of leaders who worked hard to deliver this fantastic agenda of seminars that will foster discussion and interac-tion among participants. Site is proud to support this new format for our events in Europe.

Don’t forget to register to our International Conference which takes place in Beijing from 14-17th September 2012.

Updates about all Site events are available at www.siteglobal.com where you will also find information on ITE, Site Nite North America, Site Classic and member receptions at IMEX North America and EIBTM.

I would love to see you at more Site events in the coming months.

Let Site shine in!

Alejandro VerzoubSite President 2012



SItE EMEA FoRuM 2012 – oRGANISAtIoN tEAM

ChairAnnamaria Ruffini – Events In & Out, Rome, Italy

Host Committee |Host Committee ChairDr. Patrick Patridge – Tourism Marketing & PR, Frankfurt, Germany

VisitBerlin Convention OfficeHeike Mahmoud, CMPBerlin, Germany

VisitBerlin Convention OfficeSandra Gollnest

DMC - MARKENREISE GmbHAlexandra Spriess Berlin, Germany

Official Airline CarrierDeutsche Lufthansa AG

Education CommitteeDirk Bracaval – Admire Belgium, Belgium

Karim Elminabawy - Emeco Travel, Egypt

Bill LaViolette - I&MI Media, France

Krzysztof Michniewicz - Incentive Concept, Poland

Rosario Morais – Vega, Portugal

Eggert Thor Olason – Iceland Congress, Iceland

Mateja Bauer - Eurotravel Solutions - Berlin, Germany

Education Committee |Education Committee ChairMaria Arnolda Egberts CMP CMM Global Sales Manager, AllliedPRA



SItE EMEA FoRuM 2012 - SpoNSoRS

A big thank you on behalf of the organisers and participants to the following kind and generous sponsors:

VisitBerlin Convention Officewww.convention.visitberlin.de

Site International Foundationwww.siteglobal.com

Site Germanywww.site-germany.de

imex Frankfurt 2013www.imex-frankfurt.com

Lufthansa AGwww.lufthansa.com

Tourism Marketing & PRwww.dr-patrick-patridge.de

Canadian Tourism Commissionen-corporate.canada.travel/

Tourism Torontowww.seetorontonow.com/

travel Albertatravelalberta.com/

http://www.convention.visitberlin.de

http://www.siteglobal.com

http://www.site-germany.de

http://www.imex-frankfurt.com

http://www.lufthansa.com

http://www.dr-patrick-patridge.de

http://en-corporate.canada.travel/

http://www.seetorontonow.com/

http://travelalberta.com/



DAy pRoGRAMME – SHoRt ovERvIEw

Sunday, 17th June 2012

EveningArrivals at Berlin Tegel or Schönefeld Airports, individual transfers and hotel check-in

Monday, 18th June 2012

MorningArrivals at Berlin Tegel or Schönefeld Air-ports, individual transfers, hotel check-in

13.30pm – 17.45pm“Berlin Incentive Discovery Tours“ – 5 inspiring tours to choose from; departures from “Eco Scandic Berlin Potsdamer Platz”

19.15pmWelcome reception, summertime buffet and social event on the “MS Hoppetosse”

Tuesday, 19th June 2012

MorningSite EMEA Forum 2012 – Education programme at ICC Berlin

Lunch

AfternoonSite EMEA Forum 2012 - Education programme at ICC Berlin

EveningSocial event in the historic Tempelhof Air-port together with “MEXCON” participants

Wednesday, 20th June 2012

Morning Site EMEA Forum 2012 – Education programme at the Scandic Hotel

AfternoonDepartures Post-Site EMEA Forum 2012 optional tours



MoNDAy

18th June 2012

In the afternoon, everybody will have a chance to discover Berlin from different aspects, look behind the scenes by foot or by bike. Part of one “Incentive Tour” is a social workshop at the “Prinzessin-nengarten” – an urban garden in Berlin Kreuzberg.To top the day off there will be a “Summer feeling in Berlin” al fresco buffet and BBQ on the “MS Hoppetosse”. The scenic panorama view over the Spree River and the almost maritime flair will surely add to a relaxing atmos-phere at this informal Site social event. Provision will also be made for UEFA European Football Championship fans.

Dress code: The following attire is recommended for all discovery tours and for the social workshop: comfortable footwear & casual clothes. During the social workshop you will receive protective over-clothing so please do not wear your best clothes!

The dress code for the evening social event is smart casual.

Schedule13.15 – 17.45 Meeting at hotel lobby | Berlin Incentive Discovery Tours All details of these inspiring tours on pages 11 to13. Please take your Berlin Welcome card with you!17.45 – 18.45 Break in hotel - time to freshen up - followed by transfer to “MS Hoppetosse“ 19.15 – 20.00 Welcome by Site EMEA Forum 2012 Chair Annamaria Ruffini | Welcome by Heike Mahmoud on behalf of Berlin and Dr. Patrick Patridge on behalf of the Host Committee | Welcome by Alejandro Verzoub, President Site Global “Site EMEA Forum 2012 Ambassador Award”20.00 – 23.00 Summer-time buffet & social event on the “MS Hoppetosse”



tuESDAy

19th June 2012 | “MICE Industry 2030”

The dress code is smart business (day) & smart business (evening).

Schedule08.00 Meeting at hotel lobby – guided transfers to the ICC Berlin by public transport09.00 Opening Remarks: Annamaria Ruffini and Alejandro Verzoub | “Keep Fit”09.30 Keynote speaker: Lode Beckers “The Euro: Its Infancy and its | Adolescence – Implications for Incentive Travel and Meetings”10.30 – 11.00 Coffee Break11.00 – 12.30 Workshop 1 with Ricardo Perez Nuckel | “Negotiate GIVE AND TAKE – Why do some get more than others?”11.00 – 12.30 Workshop 2 with Rosan Gompers “The Future of Work & Organizations - Awareness & Choices for the Leaders of Tomorrow”11.00 – 12.30 Interactive Debate “Keep Fit”12.30 – 13.30 Lunch with MEXCON participants (ICCA, MPI, VDR, EVVC & GCB)13.30 – 15.00 Workshop 1 with Ricardo Pérez Nuckel (see above)13.30 – 15.00 Workshop 2 with Rosan Gompers (see above)13.30 – 15.00 Interactive Debate “Keep Fit” | “Keep Our Image Up”15.30 – 16.00 “Trends and Innovations in the Motivation and Incentive Travel Industry” with Alejandro Verzoub16.00 – 17.00 Panel Discussion | Early evening individual transfers with public transport to the hotel, Refresh18.45 Meeting point at hotel lobby for coach transfers to the historic Tempelhof Airport19.30 – 23.00 Social event together with MEXCON participants



wEDNESDAy

20th June 2012

Morning education programme at the Scandic Hotel.

In the afternoon you are more than welcome to go on an individual post-Site EMEA Forum 2012 optional tour to round off your Site EMEA Forum 2012 and Berlin experience.

The dress code is smart business (day).

Schedule09.10 – 10.10 Key Note Speaker Gerrit Heykoop “Forget Social Media! Daretogive and start using your network”10.10 – 10.30 Coffee break10.30- 12.30 Interactive Debate “Keep on Wrestling” A powerful mix of energy, ideas and thought- provoking contributions - inspiration for the future This lively session will feature representatives from different segments of our industry (e.g. motivators, organisers, suppliers).12.30 Lunch at Scandic Hotel Afternoon Individual transfers to Berlin Tegel and Schönefeld airports Individual post-Site EMEA Forum 2012 tours



BERlIN INCENtIvE DISCovERy touRS

Tour 1 | Classic Berlin

In complete harmony with the times, the tour starts off on a relaxed and environmentally friendly note with a trip by electric tuk tuk direct from the hotel. The route takes in Tiergarten (Berlin’s leafy central park), passes by the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag and the Victory Column, and brings participants to such sites as Checkpoint Charlie, redolent with the city’s eventful history. The relaxed means of transport chosen and the information provided by the guide make this tour the ideal introduction to the German capital for any first-time visitor.

Schedule13.30 – 15.45 sightseeing tour beginning at the hotel16.00 – 17.30 workshop17.30 transfer to hotel (with local public transport)

Tour 2 | The Berlin Scene

Berlin is loud and colourful! Here is where the trends start, where the new is tried out and where a relaxed café and Biergarten atmosphere is celebrated. In the streets off Kastanienallee, guests get the chance to dive into this laid-back ambience, visiting brilliantly decorated boutiques, flashy corner shops and kitschy cult locations of the Berlin fashion scene, all accompanied by a local insider.

Schedule13.30 transfer (with local public transport) and workshop15.30 – 17.15 sightseeing tour17.15 transfer to hotel (with local public transport)



Tour 3 | Capital History

Berlin is bursting with history. The division of the city has left a particular mark that can be clearly observed right up to today in the city. During a guided bike tour, our guests follow the line of the Wall, discover historic graveyards that have also been marked by the varied history of the city, as well as visiting the newly created spaces around the recently build central train station, Hauptbahnhof. A watchtower dating from the bad old days is now cared for by the family and friends of one of the Wall‘s victims, who will familiarise our guests with background information on this tragic episode of German capita´s city history.

Schedule13.30 sightseeing tour beginning at the hotel16.00 – 17.30 workshop17.30 transfer to hotel (with local public transport)

Tour 4 | Fashion & Art

Berlin offers inspiration and creativity and the Mitte district – the heart of the city – is the place like nowhere else where trends and new cultural directions come into the world. The guided city stroll starts directly at Hackescher Markt. Our guide is very familiar with the local scene and guides our guests through such back streets as Schönhauser and Auguststrasse with their many happening shops, local designers and labels, galleries and courtyards, showing you the German capital‘s many-layered world of art and fashion.

Schedule13.30 transfer (with local public transport) and workshop15.30 – 17.30 sightseeing tour17.30 transfer to hotel (with local public transport)



Tour 5 | Berlin´s Alternative Neighbourhoods

Kreuzberg is one of Berlin‘s most polarised neighbourhoods. We will wander through the streets and catch a glimpse of the artistic sub-culture, Turkish markets, small food shops, fashion boutiques, and everything that makes the “Little Istanbul” of Berlin so unique. If you like urban street art you will not be disappointed - the citizens know how to express their feelings, thoughts or political disappointment. On this tour you will look behind curtains and detect many surprises and local mysteries!

Schedule13.30 transfer (with local public transport) & social workshop15.15 – 17.30 sightseeing tour 17.30 transfer to hotel (with local public transport)

Social Workshop: Prinzessinnengarten – Urban Gardening

What started as a dream of two rather clueless amateur gardeners becomes now reality in Kreuzberg, Moritzplatz for the fourth year in a row. Robert Shaw who used to be a filmmaker before devoting himself to gardening had a brilliant idea of using a run-down aban-doned lot in Kreuzberg to encourage citizens to grow plants. Inspired by urban gardening in Cuba and similar places in New York he un-derstood the im¬portance of such a spot for its surroundings. Kreuz-berg as a neighbourhood of rather low education levels, with a high unemployment rate and phenomenal multicultural diversity made perfect sense. The “Prinzessinengarten” cooperates with schools and some societies. People of different ages, from different countries, with different professional backgrounds come here to help – similar to our Site EMEA Forum group:

The idea: An oasis in the midst of Berlin for everyone.

The group result: After learning briefly about the garden´s history the participants get the opportunity to leave their mark. The “raised bed” will be donated to a school in the neighbourhood.

„What goes around comes around“



SpEAKERS

Official opening Site EMEA Forum 2012 and presentation of the Site EMEA Forum 2012 Ambassador Award

Alejandro Verzoub • President Site Global 2012, Site South America chapter leader

• Board member at World of DMC‘s

• President Latincentives, AV Business & Communication

Annamaria Ruffini CMP• President & CEO of Events In & Out (Italy – UK)

• Co-founder & President of GMIC Italia Chapter

• Past President of Site Italy Chapter

• Site Master Motivator Award 2011

• WTM Global Award 2011

Keynote speakers

Lode Beckers “Keep Fit - The Euro: Its Infancy and its adolescence – Implications for Incentive Travel and Meetings”

• Chairman LOBO Eurostrategies

• Board Member of various financial institutions & associations

• Board member of Board of Trustees Site Foundation, Chicago

Alejandro Verzoub

Lode Beckers

Annamaria Ruffini



Gerrit Heykoop“Forget Social Media! Daretogive and start using your network”

• Partner ‚How Can I Be Social’- creates scenarios on effective use of Social Networks

• Co-founder ‚Triqle Event Intelligence‘ - developed award-win-ning “What’s On?”platform

• Master Systems Engineering & Policy Analysis, Delft University of Technology

Workshops

Ricardo Pérez Nuckel“Keep Fit – Negotiate GIVE AND TAKE – Why do some get more than others?”

• Vice-President at conflict management & negotiation firm ALTER NEGO

• Expert for international organizations

• Publications: „Gérer lesrisques psycho-sociaux“ (psycho social risks management), ESF, 2012

Rosan Gompers“Keep Fit - The Future of Work & Organizations”

• Management Consultant, Author, Coach; Founder & Owner NewCompany Creations™

• Broadened knowledge and vision of performance and future of organisations

• Educated at Hoge Hotel School Maastricht, roots in hospitality and services industry

Gerrit Heykoop

Rosan Gompers

Ricardo Pérez Nuckel



Your way to the Eco Scandic Hotel Potsdamer Platz Berlin.

tegel Airport

Flughafen Tegel

Bus X9 direction S+U Zoologischer Garten

change for

U Ernst-Reuter-Platz

U2 direction Pankow

to

U Mendelssohn-Bartholdy-Park

Ticket: Single ABDuration: 35 min

Schönefeld Airport

S Flughafen Berlin-SchönefeldS9 direction Pankow

change for

S+U Schönhauser Allee

U2 direction U Theodor-Heuss-Platz/ Ruhleben

to


Ticket: Single ABCDuration: 1 h

OR:

Flughafen Schönefeld Terminal

Bus 171 direction U Hermannplatz via U Rudow

change for

Pflügerstraße

Bus M29 direction Grunewald, Roseneck

to


Ticket: Single ABCDuration: 1:15 h

wElCoME to BERlIN – puBlIC tRANSpoRt

Main Station/Hauptbahnhof

S+U Berlin Hauptbahnhof

Bus M41 direction Sonnenallee/ Baumschulenstr.

change for

S+U Potsdamer Platz

U2 direction U Ruhleben

to


Ticket: Single ABDuration: 20 min

You need to buy a single ticket only.

Costs: Single AB 2.30 €; Single ABC 3.00 €

Please validate your ticket before travelling.

Where to buy a ticket?: BVG or S-Bahn outlets, from ticket machines at stations or from bus drivers.

A Berlin WelcomeCard (AB 72 hrs) will be held ready for you at the hotel.

Public Transport: Network is structured into A, B, and C fare zone. Major sights are in the AB zone.



HotEl

Scandic Berlin Potsdamer Platz

Gabriele-Tergit-Promenade 19 | 10963 Berlin | +49 30 700 779 0

• 563 rooms, located at Berlins modern centre - Potsdamer Platz, Scandinavian interior design & sustainable philosophy

• Room features: French windows and wooden floors, private bathroom(shower/bathtub), hairdryer, cosmetic mirror, flat screen TV, wireless internet access, desk, air conditioning, mi-nibar, iron & ironing board, laptop safe, blackout curtains, direct dial phone with voicemail, armchair

• Hotel: modern gyms, smart ideas, unique meeting menus by Jamie Oliver; restaurant, two bars, a 24h shop, garage

• CSR: EU Flower eco-labelling system, regards requirements in terms of environment, health and function

• Potsdamer Platz: great selection of shops, restaurants and entertainment; situated near the former Berlin Wall, Brandenburg Gate, German Reichstag Parliament

• All major credit cards accepted (e.g. Visa, MasterCard, AmEx, Diners)



BERlIN INFoRMAtIoN

Berlin - the capital city - is the political centre of Germany and the seat of its supreme authorities. As the so-called heart of the nation it is not only a political centre but showcases science, arts and culture. Furthermore you will find a tolerant, creative, relaxed metropolis. Berlin is constantly reinventing itself; it pulses with history and sets standards and trends. Berlin is a visionary, bright, lively, colourful and enchanting city – all qualities that help make it one of the most “hap-pening” cities in Europe today. Berlin’s urban lifestyle is the product of residents and visitors from all around the world. Here, everyone can find their own Berlin.

Berlin is a place that simply has to be experienced! So, please explo-re the capital of your choice, discover something new and out of the ordinary in every corner and above all - have lots of fun in Berlin!

Berlin city mapcity map

Public Transport The Scandic Hotel is situated near the tube station Mendelsohn-Bartholdy-Platz.

public transport map

Berlin WelcomeCardSee more of Berlin for less. The Berlin WelcomeCard is your ticket to the main attractions in the German capital. Find out here what versions of the card are available and where you can buy them.

WelcomeCard

Event Calender BerlinChoose from a wide range of events in Berlin.

events in Berlin

http://www.berlin.de/stadtplan/

http://www.fahrinfo-berlin.de/Liniennetz/index?language=en

http://www.visitberlin.de/en/welcomecard/the-berlin-welcomecard/sales-points?parent=863&tid=1354

http://www.visitberlin.de/en/experience/events/event-calendar?date_filter%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=2012-06-15&date_filter_1%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=2012-06-20&province=&keys=&field=field_datumstart_value&sort=ASC&items_per_page=10



DID YOU KNOW?

• Berlin is the greenest German metropolis? More than 30% of the city’s area consists of parks and woods or rivers, lakes and waterways.

• Berlin is one of the few cities that have three UNESCO world he-ritage sites?–Museum Island, the Prussian Palaces and Gardens and the Modernism Housing Estates.

• Berlin has about 960 bridges and easily beats Venice.

• Berlin has 18 universities among them four art and ten universi-ties of applied sciences, reaching a number of almost 150,000 students - Berlin is the biggest German university city. Further-more there are about 130 non-university research institutions.

• With an area of 892 sq. km, Berlin is nine times the size of Paris?

• With 368 m the Berlin TV tower is the highest building in Germa-ny and among the highest in Europe.

• Berlin is located at the same latitude as London and the same longitude as Naples, Italy.

• There are nine palaces in Berlin. Among them are Charlotten-burg Palace, Köpenick Palace as well as six former manor houses, which in common parlance tends to be called ‘little palaces’.

• “Kaufhaus des Westens” – the largest department store of continental Europe can be found in Berlin. Widely known as the

“KaDeWe”, it offers some 380,000 sales items over 60,000 sq. m on eight floors.



Hello! Guten Tag / Hallo

How are you? Wie geht es Ihnen?

Fine, thank you. Gut, danke.

What is your name? Wie heissen Sie?

Nice to meet you. Schön, Sie kennenzulernen.

My name is ... Ich heisse ...

Bye! Tschüss

Good bye! Auf Wiedersehen

Good morning. Guten Morgen.

Good evening. Guten Abend.

Good night. Gute Nacht.

Yes Ja

No Nein

Thank you! Danke

You‘re welcome! Bitte!

Cheers! Prost!

Excuse me, ... Entschuldigung

I‘m sorry. Es tut mir leid.

Help! Hilfe

Look out! Vorsicht!

SoME uSEFul GERMAN voCABulARy

I‘d like ... Ich hätte gerne ...

How much is it ... Was kostet ...?

Could we pay please? Zahlen bitte!

What time is it? Wie spät ist es?

I don‘t understand. Ich verstehe nicht.

I don‘t speak any German. Ich spreche kein Deutsch.

Do you speak English? Sprechen Sie Englisch?

Entrance Eingang

Exit Ausgang

Toilets Toilette

Breakfast Frühstück

Lunch Mittagessen

Dinner Abendessen

Break Pause

One eins

Two zwei

Three drei

Four vier

Five fünf

Six sechs

Seven sieben

Eight acht

Nine neun

Ten zehn

Monday Montag

Tuesday Dienstag

Wednesday Mittwoch

Thursday Donnerstag

Friday Freitag

Saturday Samstag

Sunday Sonntag

The German phrase book on wikitravel also

includes a phrase list that might be useful.

http://wikitravel.org/en/German



Visa Regulations

EU nationals do not require a visa to enter the Federal Re-public of Germany. Generally speaking, all other foreigners require a visa for stays in Germany. A visa is not required for semi-annual visits of up to three months for nationals of those countries for which the European Community has abolished the visa requirement.

www.auswaertiges-amt.de/EN/EinreiseUndAufenthalt/Staa-tenlisteVisumpflicht_node.html

Identification Card | Passport

To enter the Federal Republic of Germany EU nationals only require a valid identification card or passport. To enter the Federal Republic of Germany NON EU nationals additionally require a visa. The passport or recognized ID card of a NON EU national must be valid for at least three months beyond the proposed stay.

Electricity

Electricity in Germany is 230 Volts, alternating at 50 cycles per second. If you travel to Germany with a device that does not accept 230 Volts at 50 Hertz, you will need a voltage converter. You might need a plug adapter if your appliances have a different shape.

tRAvEl ABC

Currency

Legal tender currency in Germany is the Euro.

Physical Health

Please do not forget to take with you:• any personal medicines • sun-glasses and sun-cream in case of hot weather or• an umbrella in case of rain

Attire

Please check the daily programme for recommended dress code.

Weather

Apart from the odd very cold or very hot day, Berlin is not usually subject to extreme weather. The average tempera-ture in Germany in June is 18 °C – 20 °C

language

The main language spoken in Germany, the national lan-guage, is German. (German has many dialects including Bavarian, Swabian, Hessian, Plattdeutsch and Saxon). English is taught in schools, often to a high standard.

Telephone Network | Costs

From 1st of July 2011, making calls across Europe for European networks cannot cost more than 35 cents and receiving calls cannot cost more than 11 cents (excluding VAT). Sending an SMS from abroad to your European home country costs no more than 11 cents (excluding VAT). While receiving an SMS in another EU country remains free of charge. Non EU calls are considerably more expensive. The exact costs must be checked with the network provider in advance.

Code for Germany is: +49Police: 110Fire Service: 110Ambulance: 112

http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/EN/EinreiseUndAufenthalt/StaatenlisteVisumpflicht_node.html

http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/EN/EinreiseUndAufenthalt/StaatenlisteVisumpflicht_node.html



tip

It is typical to “round up” an amount to some more-or-less round figure. A rule of thumb is to add 5-10%, generally en-ding with a full Euro amount. It is, however, not typical to be given a bill / check, and then leave your money on the table. You have to state the amount including the tip you want to pay before you actually pay (via cash or credit card).

Means of Payment

Cash is the preferred mode of payment in Germany. It is not necessarily common to pay with Credit Cards. There is a dense network of automatic teller machines, where you can draw cash. The ATMs are mainly located at banks. Please check with your bank from which ATMs you can withdraw money without charges in advance.

Central European time (CEt)

GMT + 2 hours

Help Hotline

Phone: +49 30 69807886E-Mail: [email protected]

tRAvEl ABC