When first time driving through southern Germany for two weeks...
Mar 28th, 2009 | 03:42 PM
#41
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,060
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www.omnimap.com is a great source for maps
Mar 29th, 2009 | 02:16 PM
#42
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
ATM's are easy to find, be sure to notify your bank and credit cards that you will be traveling. Nothing worse than being in a foreign country and having your funds cut off!
One of the fun things about traveling in Europe is to go into a local market. If it's not a large city the clerks actually enjoy trying out their English. Just remember to start counting with your thumb. If you hold up your index finger to indicate ein kilo, you are likely to wind up with two. We enjoyed buying our lunchmeat over the counter and then looking for something that looked like mustard to put on our sandwiches (comes in a tube like toothpaste and doesn't need refrigeration).
Our rental car was a PT Cruiser! Everyone in their new BMW/Audi/Mercedes were staring at us. It came with a GPS, but was in German, so had to make do with the maps. Not a problem, and if you get lost its countyside you would not otherwise have seen. Driving in Germany is much better than driving in the US and the signs are pretty intuitive. The only sign I had a question about was a picture of a car and a picture of a tank with a number on it. I figured the tank could go any speed it wanted to
Turns out it was a tonnage sign for the bridge.
Definitely need a sweater and possibly another layer. We went in August and layered on/off throughout the day depending on the time of day and elevation.
Learn as much German as possible before you go, especially please, thank you, hello. If you try your limited German they will most likely try their English, and it's most times very good as English is required in school. Have fun!
One of the fun things about traveling in Europe is to go into a local market. If it's not a large city the clerks actually enjoy trying out their English. Just remember to start counting with your thumb. If you hold up your index finger to indicate ein kilo, you are likely to wind up with two. We enjoyed buying our lunchmeat over the counter and then looking for something that looked like mustard to put on our sandwiches (comes in a tube like toothpaste and doesn't need refrigeration).
Our rental car was a PT Cruiser! Everyone in their new BMW/Audi/Mercedes were staring at us. It came with a GPS, but was in German, so had to make do with the maps. Not a problem, and if you get lost its countyside you would not otherwise have seen. Driving in Germany is much better than driving in the US and the signs are pretty intuitive. The only sign I had a question about was a picture of a car and a picture of a tank with a number on it. I figured the tank could go any speed it wanted to
Turns out it was a tonnage sign for the bridge. Definitely need a sweater and possibly another layer. We went in August and layered on/off throughout the day depending on the time of day and elevation.
Learn as much German as possible before you go, especially please, thank you, hello. If you try your limited German they will most likely try their English, and it's most times very good as English is required in school. Have fun!
Mar 30th, 2009 | 03:49 AM
#43
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,098
Likes: 0
Concerning the IDP: AAA and other issuers are not making a killing at $15 each for an IDP.
It's required by law in some countries; not in others. Not required in Germany. But required, for example, in Italy and Austria.
A cop might never ask you for it in a country where it is required, but you never know. Can't remember the exact amount, but the fine for not having it is several hundred euros.
It's required by law in some countries; not in others. Not required in Germany. But required, for example, in Italy and Austria.
A cop might never ask you for it in a country where it is required, but you never know. Can't remember the exact amount, but the fine for not having it is several hundred euros.
