Austria
Home to some of the world’s greatest composers, including Mozart, Beethoven and Strauss, Austria is the perfect place to delight in the sound of music. But more than music to the ears, picturesque Alpine vistas and taste-tempting cuisine make this culturally rich country a delight for all the senses.
Capital: Vienna
Population: 8.2 million
Language: German
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Time Zone: EST plus 6 hours
Electricity: 220V, 50Hz
Germany
More than lager and lederhosen, Germany has an abundance of stories to tell. So it’s no wonder that this would be the home of the world’s most famous storytellers, the Brothers Grimm. From the once-divided city of Berlin to Bavaria’s castle-dotted landscapes, the intrigue of this fabled land is unparalleled.
Capital: Berlin
Population: 82 million
Language: German
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Time Zone: EST plus 6 hours
Electricity: 220V, 50Hz
Switzerland
Historically dedicated to political neutrality, the untamed beauty of Switzerland’s Alpine landscapes will have you declaring your own personal loyalty. Cuckoo clocks and quaint chateaus await you in this picturesque wonderland.
Capital: Berne
Population: 7.5 million
Language: Swiss German, French and Italian
Currency: Swiss franc (CHF)
Time Zone: EST plus 6 hours
Electricity: 220V, 50Hz
Holidays & Festivals
| January 6 |
Epiphany |
| February |
Berlin’s International Film Festival |
| May |
Corpus Christi |
| May 1 |
May Day |
| May 5 |
Ascension Day |
| June |
Geneva Rose Week |
| August 1 |
National Day (Switzerland) |
| August 15 |
Assumption |
| September |
Munich’s Oktoberfest |
| October 3 |
German Unity Day |
| October 26 |
National Day (Austria) |
| November 1 |
All Saints’ Day |
| December 8 |
Immaculate Conception |
| December 26 |
St. Stephen’s Day/Boxing Day |
Books
- The Complete Brothers Grimm Fairy Tales, by Brothers Grimm
- The German Way, by Hyde Flippo
- Germany: A New History, by Hagen Schulze
- Heidi, by Johanna Spyri
- Mozart: A Cultural Biography, by Robert W. Gutman
- A Sailor of Austria, by John Biggins
- Why Switzerland?, by Jonathan Steinberg
- Recompense, by Arnie P. Zimbelman
Videos
- Heidi (1937)
- Sound of Music (1965)
- Das Boot (1981)
- Amadeus (1984)
- Run Lola Run (1998)
- Luther (2003)
- The Brothers Grimm (2005)
Weather
Central Europe summers are warm and sunny, often extending well into October. Winters are relatively mild, apart from the mountainous regions. Layers are your best option while traveling here. Rain gear is recommended year-round. Pack appropriate gear if you plan to hike or ski while visiting the Alps.
Average Temperatures
| |
January |
April |
July |
October |
| Berlin |
30° |
47° |
64° |
48° |
| Innsbruck |
28° |
49° |
65° |
49° |
| Munich |
29° |
46° |
63° |
46° |
| Salzburg |
29° |
47° |
64° |
48° |
| Vienna |
30° |
50° |
67° |
50° |
| Zurich |
30° |
47° |
64° |
47° |
| Temperatures are in °F. For specific weather information, visit www.accuweather.com. |
German for Travelers
| Hello |
Guten tag |
GOOT-en TAK |
| My name is ________ |
Ich heiße _______ |
Ikh HEYESS-eh |
| I would like ________ |
Ich möchte ________ |
Ikh MERKH-teh |
| Please |
Bitte |
BIT-eh |
| Thank you |
Danke |
DAHNK-eh |
| Do you speak English? |
Sprechen sie Englisch? |
SHPREKH-en zee ENG-lish |
| Goodbye |
Auf wiedersehen |
Owf VEED-uh-zain |
Tips for Tipping
Germany and Austria
Service charges are included in all restaurant checks. Nonetheless, it is customary to round up the bill to the nearest euro or to leave about 5 percent. Give the tip directly to the server as you pay the bill; don’t leave it on the table, as that is considered rude. In your hotel, the service charges on your bill are sufficient for most tips, though you should tip bellhops and porters. €1 per bag or service is ample.
Switzerland
Although restaurants include service charges of 15 percent, a small tip is still expected: 1 CHF (one Swiss franc) or 2 CHF per person for a modest meal, 5 CHF to 10 CHF for a first-class meal. When possible, tip in cash. Give bathroom attendants 1 CHF and hotel maids 2 CHF. Theater and opera-house ushers get 2 CHF. Hotel porters and doormen should get about 1 CHF per bag.
Did you know?
- Almost every town in Germany has its own Christmas market.
- The Swiss flag is the only square banner in a sea of rectangle-shaped flags at the United Nations.
- Although women were supposedly ineligible to rule in Austria, Maria Theresa did for 40 years, developing the country into a modern state.
- In Germany you can buy more than 300 sorts of bread and more than 1,500 types of sausages and cold meats.
- The average Swiss eats 23 pounds of chocolate per year compared to the 11.7 pounds consumed by each American annually.
- Switzerland has more than 1,500 lakes, and it is said that you are never more than 10 miles from a lake anywhere in the country.
- In Germany, courtesy dictates that when entering a shop, restaurant or similar venue, visitors should utter a greeting such as “Guten tag.”
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