Climate

Overview

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 mid 20°C (low 70°F) shorts-and-t-shirt conditions, 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 warm enough to leave you thirsty for a few well-deserved steins. Winter is frosty and wet, especially in the south, with snow rarely settling for long except in the high country.

Communication

Telephone overview

Deutsche Telekom - Germany's one-time state controlled telephone monopoly - has been privatised and forced to swim alongside other phone companies in the race for the consumer's eurocents. Call costs have in turn come down and the range of services on offer make the German market very user friendly.

Be prepared to buy phone cards if you anticipate using phone booths, as many now do not take coins. Cards can be purchased in post offices, TKS Shops, Telefonladens, Internet cafes and various newsstands and stationery stores.

Telephone adaptors

The German phone adaptor has an off-balance arrow shape with a small fork protruding from one edge. Older adaptors are being phased out as the North American RJ-11 adaptor grows in use.

Mobile phones overview

The GSM 900/1800 system is the network standard for Germany; it is not compatible with North American or Japanese systems, with a few exceptions. The NMT system, which runs at 450Mhz can still be found in some areas of Germany. GSM coverage by all major carriers is comprehensive; a daunting array of choices is available when it comes to hand-sets, long and short term contracts, SIM cards and pre-paid cards.

Driving while using a mobile phone without a 'hands-free' kit is against the law in Germany.

Currency

Euro notes come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500. It is often difficult to get change for a EUR 500.00 note.

One euro is divided into 100 cents or centimes. Coins of 1, 2 and 5 centimes are copper-coloured; coins of 10, 20 and 50 centimes are gold-coloured; 1 and 2 euro coins are gold-and-silver coloured. It's a good idea to keep a supply of various coins for parking meters, laundrettes, tolls etc.

Typical prices

Tipping

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, but rounding up in euros can be too generous. Taxi drivers expect a small tip of around 10%.