Asia Travel

PHILIPPINES TRAVEL INFORMATION Philippines Country Information The Land || History || The People || First-time Traveler Tips || Visas || Customs || Currency || Weather Clothing || Utilities || Newspapers & Media || Business Hours || Language || Getting Around Modes of Transport || Weather Conditions || Things to Know || Sightseeing || Museums and Art Further Information The Land The Philippines is an archipelagic nation made up of 7,107 islands spanning 1,840 kilometers north to south. It is part of the East Indies, a vast island group lying south and east of mainland Asia, with Taiwan at its northernmost coast and Borneo on the south. The three main Philippine island groups are Luzon , the Visayas and Mindanao . Luzon is the island of contrasts. The most modern districts in the Philippines , including the capital city of Manila , are in Luzon , but so are some of the oldest tribal communities in the nation like the Ifugao of the Cordilleras. Luzon is also where a visitor can see the latest model luxury cars overtaking a carabao sled or modern skyscrapers within driving distance of primordial volcanos. The Visayas is famous for its charm, a trait shared by many other southern regions in the world, but here seems to run deeper among a people who are intrinsically connected to their sun soaked island home. The Visayas is also famous as a seat of history, being one of the earliest landfalls of western voyagers. It has also gained a reputation as being a cradle of the nation's future, if the unprecedented economic growth of Cebu City continues. Mindanao is our offering to the Guinness Book of Records with the world's largest clam, the world's largest Eagle, the nation's highest peak and the world's largest city. Mindanao is also home to the Philippines' Muslim population. With a land mass of 300, 780 square kilometers, the Philippines is considered a medium-sized nation, about two- thirds the size of its first colonizer, Spain, and a little larger than the British Isles. Manila is only one hour and 40 minutes from Hong Kong by jet; Sydney only 7 1/2 hours away. Flights to Europe take 17 hours and to the American west coast 15 hours. The Philippines has many things to offer the visitor: a mixture of the old and the new, a diversity of art and culture and a warm, friendly people. Blessed by nature, the Philippines has something to offer every sportsman too . . . extraordinary dive sites, forests to roam, mountains to climb, caves to explore. Top History Situated on the crossroads of Asia, on the eastern rim of the China Sea, the Philippines has hosted voyagers, migrants and traders since the dawn of history. That it was the center of lively Asian trade route that stretched all the way to China and Japan can be seen from the relics these early visitors left behind. Among our archaeological treasures is a Neolithic spirit boat typical of early Southeast Asian culture. The West discovered the Philippines when Ferdinand Magellan, the Portuguese explorer who sailed for Spain, landed in Cebu in 1521. However, colonization didn't actually begin until 1565, when Miguel Lopez de Legazpi established a Spanish base in the town of Manila. Because Philippine society was loosely organized, without a central government, the Spanish conquest was rapid and total. Only the Muslims in the south and some inaccessible hill tribes were able to resist Spanish influence. Along with the Spanish conquerors came a new religion, Christianity, a new language, new laws and the galleon trade. Despite several uprisings against Spain, including the Katipunan, a revolutionary movement inspired by Dr. Jose Rizal and led by Andres Bonifacio, it was the United States of America that broke the Spaniard's grip on the Philippines. Unfortunately, that began the nation's second period of colonization. Once again there was resistance, this time led by Emilio Aguinaldo; but his rag-tag army was no match for Admiral Dewey's forces. In 1901, with Aguinaldo's capture, the Americans were entrenched. The Americans brought over their educational system, their legal system and planted the seeds of their own style of government. In 1935, the Philippines became an American commonwealth country with Manuel Luis Quezon as president. The status quo ended with the Japanese Occupation; and it wasn't until 1946, after the end of the Pacific war, that the Philippines finally regained true independence as the Republic of the Philippines under the presidency of Manuel Roxas. Still one of the strongest democracies in Asia, the current president is Joseph Ejercito Estrada. Top The People Halo-halo is a Filipino word that means mixture. While it describes a popular dessert, it could also describe the Filipinos. They look like Asians, write and speak English like Americans, worship like Spaniards, and have an outlook that is international. Like the Southern Chinese, the Thai, Malay, Indonesian and Burmese, the modern-day Filipino traces his remotest genetic lines back to an Australoid and Mongoloid stock. You will also find a touch of Caucasian, Chinese, Indian and Arabic in their gene pool as well. But to truly understand the Filipino, you have to look at the land. The historic isolation between islands and the topographic isolation on each island, become the primary influence governing regional traits and societal behavior. This diversity makes Filipinos all the more interesting. However, what is apparent isn't how different they are from each other, but rather how alike they are. Brought together by a common history, and looking forward to a common future, it is not surprising to find a sharing of certain traits. Their warmth, graciousness and hospitalityall part of the Filipino psychewill make your stay a delight. Top Tips for First-time Philippine Travelers Generally speaking, it is important to travel light. Bring only what's necessary. Avoid the extra baggage. You don't want to pay exorbitant fees for your luggage service. As in any foreign place, be careful with pickpockets. Some might act as a helpful stanger, but they're out to get something from you! It's good to be cautious at all times. Whenever going outdoors, being in a group is recommended. If you're bringing kids with you, make sure to bring all the things they would need, like medicine, bottles of potable water (although many bottled water is available, it is always recommended to bring one), and one of your kids' favorite toys for their own receration. Top Visas If you are coming from America, Asia or Europe with a valid passport, and either a return ticket or a ticket to another destination outside the Philippines you may enter without a formal visa and stay for 21 days. If you wish to stay longer you must obtain a Visa Extension either before your trip from a Philippine Consulate or Embassy. Or, once here, you may obtain it from the Bureau of Immigration. Customs Upon Arriving: Visitors are allowed to bring in duty free personal belongings, two cartons of cigarettes or two tins of pipe tobacco and up to one liter of alcohol. Balikbayans have separate rules and should check with the Embassy or Consulate in their home city. You may bring in unlimited amount of foreign currency. Upon Leaving: Any antiques you may have acquired during your stay must be accompanied by a certificate from the National Museum. You may also not take more than PhP5,000.00 (five thousand Philippine pesos) out of the country. Currency The currency in the Philippines is the Peso (PhP) and the Centavo. 100 centavos = P1. Coin denominations are: 1, 5, 10, and 25 centavos, P1, and P5. Bill denominations are : 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1, 000 pesos. Foreign currency may be exchanged at your hotel, and in most of the large department stores, banks and authorized money changing shops. Exchanging money anywhere else is illegal and the laws are strictly enforced. Most large stores, restaurants , hotels and resorts accept major credit cards including American Express , Visas and MasterCard. Traveller' s checks preferably American Express are accepted at hotels and large department stores. Personal checks drawn on foreign banks are generally not accepted. Top Weather The Philippines is tropical with just two seasons--hot and dry from November to June, and rainy from July to October. Filipinos will tell you that it is cool from December through February and they themselves will wear jackets. Clothing People in the Philippines dress for the weather (HOT!) Casual attire during the day for women are light blouses and shorts. For men collared T- shirts worn over slacks. In the evening skirts are substituted for shorts and the T-shirts are tucked in. For Men Only: If you expect to have to attend any occasion which would usually require a jacket and a tie (which is torture in this weather) there is a wonderful substitute. Go immediately to a department store and buy a barong tagalog. It is an embroidered shirt that is considered a formal dress. It will cost more or less PhP1,000.00, but it is worth every centavo. Utilities Electricity is 220 volts a/c. Many of the major tourist hotels also have 110 volt a/c outlets. Water supply in Metro Manila and in all the other major cities are considered potable. Bottled purified water, spring water or mineral water is often supplied by hotels and resorts, and sold in all grocery stores. Telephone service is modern and you can direct dial anywhere in the world. Public phones are plentiful. Public phones require a minimum of two one-peso coins for a local call. Some Important Telephone Numbers: (24-Hour Hotline) Police & Fire: 757 or 116 Emergency No.: 501- 650 or 501- 728 Directory Assistance: 114 National Operator: 109 International Operator: 108 For other emergency numbers, please refer to Directory . NOTE: It is advisable to always have the telephone number and the address of your embassy or consulate with you. Top Newspapers & Other Media The newspapers in the Philippines have been called the freest in the world, as you will see for yourself, with more than 24 different morning papers to choose from, most of them in English. There is also a wide selection of magazines printed in English including Time, Newsweek and Asiaweek. In Metro Manila you can buy the Asian Wall Street Journal, The International Herald Tribune and USA Today. Television is "on the air" from early morning to midnight, showing American programming as well as local programming. The standard channels are 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 13, and 23. If you need more channels, most of the major hotels are with Cable TV bringing in TV programs from all over the world. There is also AM and FM radio broadcasting with the pop stations primarily on AM in Filipino and the English language programs on FM. Top Business Hours Most businesses are open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM weekdays and 8:00 AM till noon Saturdays. Banks are open from 9:00 AM till 3:00 PM Mondays through Fridays. When banking in the Philippines, it is advisable to have your passport with you for identification. The post offices are open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM weekdays only. Stamps for postcards are frequently available from the Concierge Desk at most major hotels. The Philippines uses ZIP codes, please include them in addressing local mail. NOTE: The Standard lunch hour is noon to 1:00 PM. Most businesses and government offices are closed. Language While there are over 100 regional languages in the Philippines, the national language is Filipino, with English as the most widely spoken second language. All business, governmental and legal transactions are conducted in English. Top Getting Around There are four modes of public transport in Metro Manila and surprisingly, they are easy to use. Buses : Both air-conditioned and regular buses travel most of the major routes in Metro Manila. On an air-con bus a short ride costs PhP 9.00, adding a few peso for every succeeding kilometer. The regular bus' minimum fare is PhP 4.00. Just tell the conductor where you are going and he will tell you how much it costs. Keep your bus receipt as it is your proof of payment. Jeepneys : Called "folk arton wheels," jeepneys ply most of Manila's secondary roads and even a few major thoroughfares. They're as much fun to ride on as they are to look at and you have to try one. Although there are regular stops, you can often just flag one down and hop on. Call out "bayad" (bah-yhad) and pay the driver. If you are too far back, pass your PhP 4.00 (minimum fare for the first 4 kilometers; 1 peso additional for every succeeding 500 meters) down. When you are ready to get off, call out "para" (pah-rah); wait till he slows down and jump. The LRT : It's a fast, cheap way to go to downtown Manila. A token can take you between Monumento (the northern end of Edsa) and Baclaran, travelling first along Rizal Avenue and then Taft Avenue. Many of the tourist maps have the route of the LRT marked. The MRT : After it's somewhat unsuccessful opening, the MRT is now enjoying a fair share of passengers plying EDSA. This is definitely the fastest mode of transport, this side of the metropolis. The MRT runs from the North Avenue Station in Quezon City up to Taft Avenue Station in Pasay City. Passengers would enjoy the traffic-less route, clean stations and coach, with a good view of Metro Manila's landscape. The only problem is that some stations have very high stairways. Although a number of elevators is operational, not all stations have one. Travel time is approximately 20 minutes end to end. Taxis : Air-conditioned taxis cost PhP25.00 on the meter and an additional PhP 2.00 is added for every succeeding 200 meters to the final cost. Non-airconditioned taxis do not ply anymore. Taxis are always lined up at the major hotels and tourist restaurants and can be hailed on the street. If you take a taxi, make sure the driver turns on the meter. If he gives you a story that it is broken, get out and take another taxi. Unless you are taking a long trip or the traffic is unusually horrible, most taxi rides should be well under P100. At least a 10% tip is expected. Top Other Modes of Transport Most of the major car rental agencies, including AVIS, Budget, and Hertz have offices in Metro Manila and carry a full line of vehicles from jeeps to limousines. All vehicles may be rented with or without a driver. If you wish to do your own driving you must have a valid foreign or international license. Inter-island transportation is provided by either airplane or ferry boat. Philippine Airlines services most of the major provincial airports. Cebu Pacific, Asian Spirit, SeaAir, Air Philippines, and Pacific Airways are smaller carriers servicing more remote tourist destinations. For information about boat schedules, check with the Department of Tourism on T.M. Kalaw Street, Manila (63-2-5267652, 5267653, 5267655). Top WEATHER CONDITIONS & GEOGRAPHY Climate: Tropical (two seasons) Dry Season: March -May (warm) 33-34 C Wet Season: June- October (monsoonal) November -February (coolest) 29-31C Coastline: 334,539 km. Terrain: Many of the islands in the Philippines are extinct volcanoes and atolls. On the larger islands, many mountains, rainforests, rich valleys and swamp regions. The Philippines still does have thermal activity consisting of active volcanoes and hot springs. Top THINGS TO KNOW Language: Filipino (based on Tagalog dialect) is the National Language. The American occupation was responsible for teaching the English Language. The Philippines is currently the third largest English speaking country in the world. Currency: Peso(PhP). Notes are issued in denominations of , PhP 10, PhP 20, PhP 50, PhP 100, PhP 500, and PhP 1000. Coins are issued for 5c, 10c, 25c, PhP 1, PhP 5. Foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks, hotels and authorized exchanged dealers. Outside of Manila payments are preferably made in pesos. Major Travellers Cheques are widely accepted. Major Credit Cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Diners Club) can be used to pay for most goods and services. Bank Hours: Banks are open 9am-3pm Mon-Fri (except public holidays). Shop Hours: Most shops operate 10am-7.30pm daily (except public holidays). Time : Local time is GMT plus 8 hours. Business English is the language used. Sexual equality is more widespread in the Philippines than in other Asian countries. Make sure you have business cards. Top SIGHTSEEING Casa Manila: A replica mid 19th Century house, recreating the Intramuros lifestyle of upper class Filipinos at this time. Corner Real and General Lunar Streets, Intramuros, Manila. Luzon Chocolate Hills : Bohols most famous attraction: the area is named thus, because of the rich grass which covers them turns brown in summer. Carmen Town, Bohol. Visayas* Colon Street: The oldest street in the Philippines located in the heart of Cebu. Cebu. Visayas* Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery: The only underground cemetery in the Philippines; it served as a meeting place for the revolutionary leaders in Laguna. Laguna, Luzon Island Magellans Cross: The most historically-famous landmark in Cebu. Planted by Ferdinand Magellan in 1521, it marks the place where the first Christian Filipinos were baptized. Cebu. Visayas* Top PARKS & WILDLIFE Katibawasan Falls: These 250-foot falls cascade down to a pool surrounded by orchids and other rich tropical flora- 4 km from Mambajao. Camiguin. Mindinao* Maquinit Hot Springs : Located on a scenic beach corner, this is the premium hot spring in the Philippines. Palawan. Luzon* Hidden Valley: A natural recluse is created within this 90-meter crater . A haven for lush jungle life, natural springs and still water pools. Accommodation available. Alaminos, Laguna. Luzon, Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife: Quezon Avenue. Quezon City. Luzon. Rizal Memorial Park: Within the lush park there are monuments, a skating rink and adventure playground. Free concerts every Sunday. Ermita, Manila. Luzon. Top MUSEUMS AND ART GALLERIES Museums & art galleries Ateneo Art Gallery Quezon City Tel: (02) 998 721 Metropolitan Museum of Manila Tel: (02) 832 3645 National Museum Manila Tel: (02) 494 450 Villa Escudero San Pablo City, Quezon City Tel: (02) 521 8698 Top VISAS AND PASSPORTS Visa and Passport No Visas are required for foreigners entering the country for a stay no longer than 21 days provided that you have valid passports and tickets to leave the Philippines. Visas are required only for stateless persons and citizens of countries with which the Philippines have no diplomatic relations. A temporary visitor's visa is required for those who are planning to stay up to 59 days. Vaccination certificates may be neccesary for long term stays. Holders of Hongkong and Taiwan passports need special permits. All visas and permits may be obtained from Philippine embassies and consulates. Duty Free Items: Two 1-litre bottles of alchohol, and two cartons of cigarettes are allowed. Air Travel to the Country : Ninoy Aquino International Airport (7 km from city centre) Ninoy Aquino Avenue Manila, Philippines: Mactan International Airport Cebu, Philippines: (Most major airlines have flights to the country). Top FURTHER INFORMATION Department of Tourism: T.M. Kalaw Street Rizal Park Metro Manila P.O. Box 3451 Tel: (02)523-8411 Fax: (02) 521 7374 Philippine Convention and Visitors Corporatiom: 4th Floor, Suites 10-17 Legasi Towers 300 Roxas Boulevard Metro Manila Tel: (02) 525-93-18-27 Fax: (02) 521-61-65/ 525-33-14 Top

Austria Travel

Austria Pictures - Photo Galleries of Austria Travel Pictures  You are here: About > Travel > Europe for Visitors > Germany Austria Switzerland > Austria > Austria Pictures Travel Go Europe Essentials European Vacation Planning Map Europe Travel 101 - Before you Go European Distances The Best of Europe European Photo Gallery Articles & Resources Europe Travel Planning What to do In Europe Lodging - Hotels and More European Travel Maps Sex and Nudism Travel Photography Transportation Benelux Countries France Germany Austria Switzerland Greece Italy and Malta Travel Info Scandinavian Travel Spain and Portugal United Kingdom and Ireland Buyer's Guide Before You Buy Top Picks Italy Travel Guidebooks Europe Travel Guidebooks German Travel Guidebooks Product Reviews Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Europe for Visitors newsletter! See Online Courses   Search Europe for Visitors Austria Pictures - Photo Galleries of Austria Sometimes pictures will give you an idea of what a city offers and you can plan you vacation around visual images. Here you'll find travel pictures of Austria. Articles & Resources Sort By : Guide Picks | Alphabetical | Recent Up a category Salzburg Pictures Here's the start of our Salzburg Slide Show--annotated pictures of many Salzburg attractions. Vienna Pictures - Vienna Austria Photo Gallery Here are our annotated pictures of Vienna, Austria.        Topic Index | Email to a Friend Our Story | Be a Guide | Advertising Info | Work at About | Site Map | Icons | Help User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy | Kids' Privacy Policy ©2005 About, Inc., A part of the New York Times Company . All rights reserved. Around About New Video iPod - Review POLL: Must-Have Gadgets VIDEO: Portable Gaming VIDEO: Choosing a TV Hugh Hefner's Life What's Hot Power Adapters Noord-Holland - Delights of North Holland Travel Visiting Pompeii Italy Guidebooks Naples - Getting There Headlines Antwerp Pictures Antwerp is a fashion and diamond center for Belgium and... Like to Travel Well? Follow the CIA! I really should have paid attention when the CIA came... Tapas from Cans? Ok, so you wander into one of Barcelona's most celebrated... North Holland: Noah's Ark Redux A pious north Holland businessman took out a 300 000...

Central America Travel

South America Travel | Panama, Argentina, Brazil & Chile | iExplore.com FORBES' #1 ADVENTURE TRAVEL SITE 5 YEARS IN A ROW — TIME MAGAZINE TOP 50 Keyword Search: -- Home Trip Finder Travel Guides Community Special Offers Store My iExplore advertisement -- Home Travel Guides Central and South America The dense Amazon rainforest . The jagged spires of the Andes Mountains . Tropical beaches. Towering waterfalls. With this kind of nature all around, it's no wonder why Central and South America have become nearly synonymous with ecotours . The cloud forests of Costa Rica , the birds and animals of Belize , the otherworldly Amazon rainforest , Ecuador's Galapagos Islands , Argentina's 22,834-foot Mount Aconcagua , Chile's Class V Rio Futaleufu , Mayan ruins hidden in the jungles of Guatemala , Peru's Machu Picchu ... There is an endless variety of things to see and do in Central and South America. Countries Argentina Belize Bolivia Brazil Chile Colombia Costa Rica Ecuador El Salvador Falkland Islands French Guiana Galapagos Islands Guatemala Guyana Honduras Nicaragua Panama Paraguay Peru Suriname Uruguay Venezuela Tour Spotlight iExplore Peru - Amazon Lodges Your Peruvian rainforest adventure begins with a 50-mile journey by boat down the Amazon River to your comfortable lodge. On guided hikes through... Trip Overview Trip Itinerary Departure Dates Peru Photos Peru Travel Guide Destination Spotlight Peru Peru is a large, mountainous country on the Pacific coast of South America. It has borders with Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile and the... Overview Where To Go Travel Tips Peru Trips Peru Photos advertisement Sponsored Listings ( Add your listing ) Advertisement -- advertisement Why iExplore? About Us Advertise Site Map Privacy Policy Travel Agents Contact Us © 2005 Adventure Travel with iExplore --

Asia Travel according to

Asia Travel - All about Asia Travel Asia Travel Hotels and Resorts Reservation Service World Travel Hotels and Resorts Reservation Service You may have already visited many of our hotels, resorts, travel and leisure establishments, scenic destinations, places of interest, and country travel information pages. Or perhaps you just arrived at our homepage ready for your exploration. In any event, we extend .... .. a very warm welcome and hope you enjoy your visit .. We hope that you find here, all the necessary information you need to plan your travel, or virtual travel. If there is some information that you cannot locate on our site, please feel free to e-mail us at info@asiatravel.com. We will do our best to supply the information you require. Our goal is to provide all information and necessary reservations for your business, or leisure travel. This information can be at your fingertips at home, at the office, or on the road. We are committed to bringing you a selection of hotel and resort accommodations in Asia, Pacific region, Middle East, USA and Europe. All the hotels and resorts on our site provide full information, such as rates and discounts, graphics of rooms, sport, recreation, function, food and cuisine facilities. Location and fact sheets are provided to ensure you a comfortable and memorable stay. All hotels and resorts are listed on Asia Travel according to the discounted room rates they are offering to the Internet User. This listing does not necessarily reflect the class rating of the hotel. For example, a 5 star property may be listed in the same rate category as a 3 star property due to the good discounts they are offering. All the information we put up on the hotels, resorts, and travel and leisure establishments is the official information supplied by the management and owners. All the information is checked and approved before it is activated online. Also constant updating is done to ensure such information is current. All hotels and resorts accept online enquiries and reservations through their online enquiry and reservation forms. All enquiry and reservation forms are programmed to be received by Asia Travel and the Individual Establishment from which the forms are being sent. All enquiries and reservations will be responded to within 24 working hours , either by the hotel or Asia Travel. Some hotels offer instant availabilty and confirmation for reservation and check-in voucher can be printed online. All discounts and special offers are only applicable if reservations are made through the online reservation forms or directly through Asia Travel. All hotels and resorts accept advance reservations. You pay directly to the hotels or resorts only upon check-in or check-out, either by cash or credit card. These hotels and resorts do not ask for any advance payment or deposits. In some cases, due to very high season demand, they may ask for a credit card guarantee for the first day only of the reservation. This again is only a guarantee of stay, not a payment. Also there will be a grace period for cancellation in which case the guarantee will be invalid. If there is a guarantee requirement, a credit card authorisation form will be e-mailed to you and you can fill in the details and return it by fax. In addition to providing a platform for hotels to offer their rooms direct to Internet users, we also work with travel wholesalers and tour operators to offer their hotels, sightseeings and air-ticketing services. However, products offered by these wholesalers and tour operators will have to be prepaid. To ensure that our guests are provided with the best service, all collection of payments and confirmation of services are co-ordinated and handled by asiatravel.com (a brandname of AT Reservation Network Pte Ltd). As you plan your next trip, please think of us and please tell us how we may serve you better. Once again thank you very much for your visit. We hope to be of service, always. Our Offices are shown below Singapore Corporate Office : Asiatravel.com Holdings Ltd 1 Kim Seng Promenade #13-07 Great World City West Tower Singapore 237994 Tel : (65) 6732 6773 Fax : (65) 6732 1226 For hotel enquiries, pls call below numbers Tel : (65) 6235 2498, 6235 6426 Singapore Reservation Office : AT Reservation Network Pte Ltd 22, Cavenagh Road/Orchard Road #02-05 Hotel Grand Central Singapore 229617 Tel : (65) 6235 2498, 6235 6426 Fax : (65) 6235 7620 TA Licence : 01148 Singapore Tour Division : SH Tours Pte Ltd 100 Kim Seng Road #02-03 Kim Seng Plaza Singapore 239427 Tel : (65) 6734 9923 Fax : (65) 6733 5763 TA Licence : 00790 Thailand : AT Network Co. Ltd. Lumpini Tower, 1168/44 18th Floor Rama 4 Road, Tungmahamek Sathorn Bangkok 10120, Thailand Tel (8 lines) : (662) 677 6240-5, 679 7185, 679 7187 Fax (2 lines) : (662) 677 6246-7 TA Licence : 11/1921 Indonesia Jakarta : PT Asia Travelindo Nusantara Jl Perjuangan No 21 Kompleks Ruko Sastra Graha, Block P&Q Kebon Jeruk, Jakarta-11530 Indonesia Tel : (62-21) 532 8682, 535 7573 Fax : (62-21) 535 7853, 536 4671 TA Licence : Kep.181/BPW/08/1999 Indonesia Bali Branch : Kompleks Pertokoan Tuban Plaza No 49 Jalan By Pass I Gusti Ngurah Rai Kuta 80361, Badung, Bali Indonesia Tel : (62-361) 763 701, 763-702 Fax : (62-361) 763 703 Hong Kong : Asia Travel Network Ltd Rm 7A, No 6, Knutsford Terrace Tsimshatsui, Kowloon Hongkong Tel : (852) 2736 0922 Fax : (852) 2405 0922 TA Licence : 352156 China : Asia Travel Shanghai Office, 333 Jiu Jiang Road, 17th Floor, Room 1707/1708 Finance Square Shanghai 200001, China Tel: (86-21) 6322 3855 Fax: (86-21) 63229542, 63600967 Philippines : AT Phil., Inc Unit 1203-1204 12/F Prestige Tower, F. Ortigas Jr. Road (formerly Emerald Ave.), Ortigas Center, Pasig City, Metro Manila, Philippines Tel : (632) 635 5099, 914 4970 up to 72 Fax : (632) 635 6699, 914 4973, 910 6294 DOT Accreditation No: TO-154-2004 Philippines- Cebu Branch: Lobby, Waterfront Airport Hotel 1 Airport Road, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, Philippines Tel : (6332) 341-20-35 Fax: (6332) 341-20-36 Dubai : Asia Middle East Tours LLC Suite 306 3rd Floor Al Bassam Centre, Port Saeed Road Deira, Dubai United Arab Emirates P.O.Box 112758 Tel: +971 42626751 Fax: +971 42669730 Tourism Licence : 549563 Indochina : AT Network Co. Ltd. Lumpini Tower, 1168/44 18th Floor Rama 4 Road, Tungmahamek Sathorn Bangkok 10120, Thailand Tel (8 lines) : (662) 677 6240-5, 679 7185, 679 7187 Fax (2 lines) : (662) 677 6246-7 TA Licence : 11/1921 Asia Travel

Germany Travel

U.S. Commercial Service Germany: Travel Site Map BUYUSA.GOV -- U.S. Commercial Service Germany Local time: 11:40 PM Business Travel Visa Travel Getting around in Germany Additional Information Timezone Currency Communication Electric Current Climate Money Matters Hours of Business VAT Refunds & Tax-Free Shopping Visa U.S. citizens do not require a visa to enter Germany. Without a visa, however, they may not stay longer than three months every half-year or take up gainful employment requiring a work permit. If required, citizens may obtain a residence and/or work permit after entry. For more information, visit the German Embassy site in the U.S. Travel Welcome to Germany: the meeting, convention and tourism destination for successful business representatives from around the world. What defines success in business also defines Germany: technology, innovation, flexibility, expertise, efficiency, organization, and mobility. Add drawing power in the form of brilliant natural beauty, majestic castles and regal palaces, world-class culture and cities steeped in history and you will come to see why no other destination for business travel even begins to compare. Visit the German National Tourist Board website and discover what attracts two-thirds of the world's top international trade fairs to one place: Germany. Getting around in Germany Air Domestic flights are well developed. All major cities are frequently served from many cities. Frankfurt and Munich are hubs to Lufthansa, Germany's national airline. Flight time is short (about 1 hour) to get anywhere in Germany. International Airports in Germany (IATA-Code): SXF - Flughafen Berlin-Schönefeld http://www.berlin-airport.de TXL - Flughafen Berlin-Tegel http://www.berlin-airport.de THF - Flughafen Berlin-Tempelhof http://www.berlin-airport.de DUS - Flughafen Düsseldorf (Rhein-Ruhr) http://www.duesseldorf-international.de FRA - Flughafen Frankfurt am Main (Rhein-Main) http://www.frankfurt-airport.de HAM - Flughafen Hamburg (Fuhlsbüttel) http://www.airport.de HAJ - Flughafen Hannover (Langenhagen) http://www.hannover-airport.de CGN - Flughafen Köln/Bonn (Konrad Adenauer) http://www.airport-cgn.de MUC - Flughafen München (Franz-Josef-Strauß) http://www.munich-airport.de NUE - Flughafen Nürnberg http://www.flughafen-nuernberg.de STR - Flughafen Stuttgart (Echterdingen) http://www.stuttgart-airport.com National Airports in Germany (IATA-Code): ZCC - Flugplatz Baden-Baden http://www.baden-airpark.de BFE - Flugplatz Bielefeld http://www.flugplatz-bielefeld.de BRV - Flughafen Bremerhafen http://www.regionalflughafen-bremerhaven.de DTM - Flughafen Dortmund (Wickede) http://www.flughafen-dortmund.de DRS - Flughafen Dresden http://www.dresden-airport.de FDH - Flughafen Friedrichshafen (Löwenthal) http://www.fly-away.de HHN - Flughafen Hahn (Rheinland) http://www.hahn-airport.de HOQ - Flughafen Hof http://www.flughafen-hof.de KEL - Flughafen Kiel http://www.airport-kiel.de LHA - Flughafen Lahr (Schwarzwald) http://www.blackforest-airport.com LEJ - Flughafen Leipzig/Halle (Schkeuditz) http://www.leipzig-halle-airport.de LBC - Flughafen Lübeck http://www.flughafen-luebeck.de MGL - Flughafen Mönchengladbach http://www.mgl.de FMO - Flughafen Münster/Osnabrück (Greven) http://www.flughafen-fmo.de PAD - Flughafen Paderborn-Lippstadt http://www.flughafen-paderborn-lippstadt.de SCN - Flughafen Saarbrücken (Ensheim) http://www.flughafen-saarbruecken.de SGE - Flughafen Siegerland (Burbach) http://www.siegerland-airport.de Rail The Deutsche Bundesbahn offers a network that will get you almost anywhere in Germany. Rail travel is of no comparison to that in the United States. Highspeed trains operate between major cities, making it an option to flying, as railstations are always located in the city center. Car Germany's highway - the Autobahn - is famous. They are in excellent condition and very well developed. However, to keep such quality, maintenance is necessary and construction sites are common. Ferry From several seaports on the North-Sea and the Baltic-Sea you may find your desired ferry connection . Additional Information Timezone Germany is located within the Central European Time Zone. To convert U.S. time to German time: Eastern Standard(EST): +6 hours Central Standard Time(CST): +7 hours Mountain Standard Time(MST): +8hours Pacific Standard Time(PST): +9 hours Alaska Standard Time(AST): +10 hours Hawaii Standard Time(HST): +11 hours Currency Click here to recieve more information about Germany's currency and economy. Communication International Calls To Germany: 011 + 49 + Area Code (disregard 0) + number Example - 030 83052730: 001 49 30 83052730 To U.S.: 001 + Area Code + number Mobile Phones In Germany, cell phone coverage is almost 100% - you will always have service! However, frequencies throughout Europe differ from those used in North America. Your service provider can tell you if your phone is compatible with the German / European system and offer you alternatives if it is not. Network frequencies: EGSM 900 / GSM 1800 / GSM 1900 Computers & Internet Bringing a laptop to Germany is simple: most run on both 110 volts, as in North America, or 230 volts, as found throughout Europe. Although the voltage is universal, you will still need an adapter to plug your computer into an electrical outlet. While in Germany, the Internet is easily accessible. You can often log on at your hotel, either right from your room or in computer rooms, and at business centers, which offer internet access to guests. If neither is available, ask your hotel about an Internet café – chances are excellent one is right around the corner! Electric Current Germany uses 230V. Therefore, a converter will be needed in order to use american 110V devices. Climate The climate is similar to that of the North Eastern U.S. The current weather can be found at: http://www.donnerwetter.de/deutschland/menu.hts Money Matters ATMs/ Banks: ATMs are as easily found in Germany as they are in North America. They are located at bank branches and standing alone in shopping, tourist and other busy areas. Major credit and debit cards, along with all other bank cards carrying the PLUS and NYCE symbols, are universally accepted. When located indoors, use your card to gain access if the door is locked, just as you would normally do. Credit Cards: Credit cards are commonly accepted in Germany, although they are not often used for everyday expenses. Restaurants, hotels, stores, train stations and other places regularly frequented by tourists will almost always accept them. Tipping: The bill you receive at a hotel, restaurant, cafe or bar often includes a service charge already. A tip is an indication of your satisfaction – 5% is average, whereas 10% indicates exceptional service. Tip taxi drivers about 5% and porters and others who assist you with baggage one Euro per item. Hours of Business Stores in Germany open between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. Most close between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturday between 6 or 8 p.m.. On Sunday almost all stores are closed, the exceptions being gas stations and convenience stores, which carry some food items as well as snacks and beverages. Banks and post offices are generally open from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and again from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday; some banks have extended hours on Thursday. Pharmacies open at 8 a.m. Museums are generally closed on Mondays. Throughout the year, many cities have a “Long Night of the Museums,” where all the city’s museums are open through the night. VAT Refunds & Tax-Free Shopping Prices for goods and services in Germany always include a 16% value-added tax (VAT). Some or all of the VAT may be refundable for goods purchased at stores displaying the “Tax-Free for Tourists” sign. You will receive a tax-free form upon making a purchase. Before leaving the country and before checking any luggage, present the purchased goods, the tax-free form and your receipt to German customs officials. They will certify the form as proof of legal export. You may then obtain a cash refund at one of the Tax-Free Shopping Service counters located at all major border crossings, airports, ferry ports and train stations. Links to interesting pages: Web page of the German Federal Government http://www.bundesregierung.de/en Information about Germany http://www.deutschland.de/ Home Doing Business in Germany Profile of Germany German Economy and Business Practices Business Infrastructure Travel German Holidays WEEE and RoHS Downloads Market research on Germany Find German Business Partners Trade Events Business Service Providers Contact Internship Links FAQ Our Worldwide Sites Other European Markets Export.gov Trade Portal Informationen für deutsche Firmen Search Printable version © 2001-2005 All rights reserved Privacy Policy Disclaimer