FREE Rental Car in Europe!

Hey friend!

I just stumbled over an ad while I surved through the Internet. I wondered how come to travel by car for FREE!

I checked back and found out, it IS for real!

See that ad below here? See anything else on that picture? Humm... that picture was made in the main station in Cologne! Yeah, first I thought I do not see correct, but it is!

And the train on that picture? That is the French Thalys train. Also a high-speed and luxus train. Starts in Cologne and goes to France. I think it is every two hour or so.

But the good point is, that you get a FREE Rental Car by purchasing your pass through them. That's amazing, isn't it? Yes, it is. ;-)




So... what are you waiting for, hm? Just go there and grab your free car! Hurry! ;-)

Warmly,
Marcus

Hamburg Germany -- 5 Insider Tips

Hamburg has 1,734,000 inhabitants. They all want to have fun, excitement, and occupation. You too? Great! Then read on.

1. Speicherstadt

The historical Speicherstadt in Hamburg is the largest warehouse complex in the world, and one of Hamburg's landmarks and indisputably sightseeing highlights.

The century-old Speicherstadt is located in the Free Port between the Deichtorhallen and Baumwall. It was built at the turn of the century in red brick, typical of northern Germany, with gabled roofs and small towers, which are beautifully reflected in the canals they border. And during night it's even more beautiful, because buildings, bridges, and canals are lighted. The illumination makes the warehouse complex an impressing place of mystery and dream.

You should plan to go on a harbour tour to see all the details. There is a Captain. His name is "Pruesse," and he takes off daily from the Landungsbruecken (landing stages). Inform yourself in advance if ebb and flow allow the tour, and when he does start.

2. Town Hall

The Hamburg Rathaus (Town Hall) was built 1886 - 1897 with a splendid sandstone construction in Neo-Renaissance style. After the Town Hall burnt to the ground in 1842, the town council moved into temporary quarters in the former orphanage, after that into the building of the Patriotische Gesellschaft. This temporary solution lasted over 55 years!

The new Rathaus was inaugurated in 1897. It stands on over 4000 oak posts. Very much in contrast to the Hanseatic style, the Town Hall gleams with an elaborately ornate façade which is graced by a total of 20 statues of the Kaiser. It dominates the city centre with its impressive architecture. It is the seat of the city senate and the municipality of Hamburg and has 647 rooms!

The grand banquet hall in the Rathaus is 46 metres long, 18 metres wide and 15 metres high. Five huge paintings depict the history of Hamburg from 800 to 1900. The three chandeliers, each with 278 bulbs, weigh 1500 kilos apiece!

3. Jungfernstieg

This story is amazing: In the old days, families went here for a walk on Sundays and brought out their unmarried daughters (Jungfer - virgin)!

The Jungfernstieg is still something very special, not only because of its ideal situation on the banks of the Alster Lake. For Hamburg residents, it is above all the historic importance of the promenade which plays a significant role.

Today, everything here revolves around shopping in big department stores and luxury boutiques. The famous Alsterhaus and places full of tradition such as Streit's cinema are also worth seeing. And if you are hungry or just want a refreshment, you can go to the Alsterpavillion. Sit down, watch other people, and relax. Amazing.

4. Fischmarkt

The Fischmarkt is not only famous here in Germany but in the entire world. When you are there you will know why. We call them "Marktschreier," or Market Screamer. Men and women who has an ostentatious job. All the time. Their entire life.

You can watch them every Sunday morning from 5 to 9.30 a.m. (7 to 9.30 a.m. from Nov. 16.th to Mar. 14th). Since 1703, customers come from near and far to bargain with vendors praising wares of virtually every type at Hamburg's oldest, most traditional open-air market

5. Landungsbruecken (Waterway Station)

The 700 metre-long floating dock at the underground station Landungsbrücken is Hamburg's waterway station. This is where harbour tours start.

The first Landungsbrücken were built in 1839 and served as moorings for steamers. They were erected at the edge of the harbour because it was possible to load coal there, which they needed for their engines. Since they sailed with stoked fires onboard, they posed a cauldron of dangers for the harbour. Another reason for the erection of the Landungsbrücken for the steamers at the harbour's edge.

From 1907 to 1909, an entire waterway station grew out of the first Landungsbrücken. In the Second World War, the Landungsbrücken were seriously damaged. The moving pontoons of today have existed since being rebuilt between 1953 and 1955.

Today, colourful souvenir shops offer waterfront memories to buy, and cosy fish restaurants serve as much fresh plaice or North Sea shrimps as you can eat. The tower on the eastern side indicates the water level as well as the time, and the ship’s bell tolls every half an hour.

So, that's it. Would you like to get 4 additional tips? Would you like to see photos? Okay, just visit http://www.smart-travel-germany.com/hamburg.html for more tips!

Have a great day!

Marcus
© Copyright http://www.smart-travel-germany.com/ All Rights Reserved

Berlin Germany Insider Sigtseeing – TOP 10 Sights – Part 4 of 4

What the Museum Island means to the UNESCO, is the Erotic Museum for adults. But let's see what (else) amazingly we will discover today.

X. Erotik Museum

This "museum" lies on the corner of the seediest-looking block in Berlin. The museum in its exhibits honors the "queen of the Rubber Willy" herself, Beate Uhse. It's a household name here in Germany. Her life is documented from her days at the "Deutsche Luftwaffe" to pictures of her at the helm of a large speedboat. This septuagenarian opened the world's first shop devoted to "marital hygiene," ultimately championing the right to sell contraceptives. Today she still heads the world's largest sex-related merchandising business. Downstairs are video cabins filled with middle-aged men in raincoats and a "sex superstore."

However, you start out on the third floor and work your way down (there is no sexual pun intended). Eventually, it is hard to believe, that it has become the fifth most visited museum in Berlin. The museum shelters 5,000 sexual artifacts from around the world. Asian and Indian miniatures of erotic positions; African fertility masks; large carved phalli from Bali; or some Chinese wedding tiles from the 18th and 19th century that were supposed to provide sexual education to a newly married couple. Life-size dioramas explore topics such as fetishism and S&M. Well-worth visiting.

XI. Gendarmenmarkt

Gendarmenmarkt is considered as Europeans most beautiful square, so a must see for every tourist. Here you will find three historical buildings; the "Konzerthaus" (Concert House), the "Deutscher Dom" (German Cathedral), and the "Franzoesischer Dom" (French Cathedral).
The square was laid out from 1688 to the plans of J.A. Nering. It was originally known as Linden Markt, then Friedrichstädtischer Markt or Neuer Markt. Because the square was used by a curassier regiment "gens d'arms," from 1736–82, complete with sentry boxes and stables, the name Gendarmenmarkt arose. From 1777, the square was developed according to unified plans drawn up by Georg Christian Unger. It was badly damaged in the Second World War. On the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the Prussian Academy of the Sciences (Akademie der Wissenschaften), it was renamed "Platz der Akademie." In 1991, its previous name was restored.

==> Konzerthaus

The Konzerthaus is the new building designed by Karl Friedrich Schinkel to replace the Nationaltheater built from 1800–02 by Karl Gotthard Langhans, which was burnt to the ground in 1817. The conception of the Konzerthaus integrates the remains of Langhan's rectangular building and adds a higher, wider, gabled solidium in the center, complete with an ionic columned hall projecting at the front. Following its destruction in the Second World War, the building was initially only made safe, and the systematic restoration of the original design only began in 1979. Since its reopening in 1984 it has served not as a theatre, but as a concert hall.

==> Deutscher Dom

The German Cathedral was built from 1701-08. M. Grünberg planned it, and Giovanni Simonetti built it. From 1780-85, during the redesigning of the Gendarmenmarkt, Carl von Gontard added the domed tower onto the cathedral. The cathedral was destroyed in the Second World War as well. However, it had been reconstructed and rebuilt. The reopening was on October 2nd, 1996, five years after the reunification.

==> Franzoesischer Dom

The Französische Friedrichstadtkirche was built from 1701-05 by Cayart. He designed it as a church for Berlin's Huguenot community. From 1780-85, the imposing tower of the French cathedral (Französischer Dom) was added to plans by Unger and Gontard as part of the redesigning of Gendarmenmarkt. In the World War 2, the cathedral was badly damaged. However, from 1977 on it was rebuilt and reconstructed.

And, how was the journey? Did you shoot enough photos? I hope so... :-) And did you recognize, that I gave you 11 instead of 10 tips? Good! :-)

Well, that’s it! What? You want more? No problem, visit http://www.smart-travel-germany.com/berlin.html for updates and more.

However, enjoy your trips!

Marcus Hochstadt
© Copyright http://www.smart-travel-germany.com/ All Rights Reserved

Berlin Germany Insider Sigtseeing – TOP 10 Sights – Part 3 of 4

Did you know that Berlin has more than 140 Museums? In this third part we will take a walk through the medieval Museum's Island.

I strongly recommend using the S-Bahn to go there (station "Friedrichstrasse"). It's just amazing when you recognize how the S-Bahn passes between two of the five Museums.

VIIII. Museumsinsel (Museum's Island)

Considering that Berlin has more than 140 museums, this area is just a tiny part of it. But, the consort of museums found on the Museum Island is a unique cultural inheritance which unites five important museum buildings into a heterogeneous but harmonic ensemble on the River Spree. The oldest museum complex in Berlin suffered more than 70 % destruction in the Second World War. The painstaking work of restoration is a long way from being completed. The island contains the following five edifices:

==> "Alte Museum," built in 1830. Its interior, particularly the domed rotunda, creates a wonderful atmosphere for the sculpture exhibited and the collection of ancient artworks.

==> "Neue Museum," built from 1843-1859, to relieve the Alte Museum. The interior design presents the history of humankind. It is decorated in historical styles which relate directly to the objects exhibited and the epochs they represent.

==> "Alte Nationalgalerie," built from 1867-1976 as a 'Temple of the Sciences'. The building, with its large external staircase and bronze statue of Friedrich Wilhelm IV. on horseback, was rebuilt in the 1950s and has been undergoing expensive restoration since 1997.

==> "Bodemuseum," built end of 19th century. With its imposing dome and splendid entrance hall, the building seems to traverse the Spree like a ship. The interior contains several rooms, whose are individually created in a style appropriate to the epoch exhibited there.

==> "Pergamonmuseum," built in 1930, 100 years after the first edifice on this island. It contains the Roman gate from Milet, the Altar of Zeus from Pergamon, and the Processional Avenue and Gate of Ishtar from Babylon.

If you, however, would like to see more museums than these four alone, I recommend buying the "3-day Museumpass," which cost 12 EUR (reduced: 6 EUR). With it you can visit 70 of the 140 museums on three consecutive opening days.

Now, in the last part we are going into the "Erotic Museum" and... be surprised what else additionally... :-)

See you!

Kind regards,
Marcus Hochstadt
© Copyright http://www.smart-travel-germany.com/ All Rights Reserved

About the Author:
Marcus Hochstadt has a high interest in helping you gain the delightful form of a smart travel to and through Germany. Just recently, he has written a special report on How to Travel for Free! You can download it at http://www.smart-travel-germany.com/freetravel

Berlin Germany Insider Sigtseeing – TOP 10 Sights – Part 2 of 4

In this second part about Berlin Sights we will go onto the TV Tower, and through the Brandenburg Gate, and... let’s see ;-)

Did you know that Berlin has more than 140 Museums? Did you know that this city has more than 1,400 bridges, and besides all that more than 100 additional places of interest? Read on to discover.

IV. Berliner Dom (Berlin Cathedral)

This impressive building was the court church of the Hohenzollern Dynasty. It was also conceived as a protestant answer to St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. It was built during the reign of Kaiser Wilhem II, end of 19th Century. Following extensive damage to the building during the Second World War, a simplified reconstruction took place from 1975–93. The Christening and Marriage Chapel contains the altar painting "Miracle of the Pentecost" by K. Begas the Elder. The royal crypt of the Hohenzollern contains around 100 burials of five centuries.

V. Alexanderplatz

Its short name is "Alex," and it's the most famous square in Berlin. It was almost completely destroyed in the World War 2. It has also the big TV Tower which dominates the square, the Fountain of International Friendship, and the World Time Clock.

VI. Fernsehturm (TV Tower)

This is the highest building in Berlin and one of the biggest attractions. It has a height of 368 metres. When you go up to the viewing platform (at a height of 203 metres), you have a perfect view over the whole city you will never forget.

VII. Brandenburger Tor (Brandenburg Gate)

This is the true symbol of the city. Because it was situated in the no man's land just behind the wall, it also became a symbol of the division of the city. After the fall of the Wall, the Gate was reopened on December 22nd, 1989. It is just amazing to walk through this huge and historical building. Would you like to know how the gate looked like in the year 1770? Or in 1969? Go to http://www.smart-travel-germany.com/brandenburg-gate.html for further information. There you will find the gate's history, and some pictures.

Fortunately, since October 22nd, 2002, the Brandenburg Gate remains closed for cars, cabs and busses. So now you can better enjoy the renewed beauty of the Pariser Platz, which forms the link between the Brandenburg Gate and the magnificent "Unter den Linden" boulevard.

VIII. Unter den Linden

It's called as the magnificent boulevard of Berlin Germany. It is surrounded by trees, which it was not all the time. Hitler ordered the linden trees to be chopped down so that the road could be widened and integrated into the east-west axes. However, by the end of the Second World War, the avenue was a wasteland of ruins. Today you can not recognize this part of history. Unter den Linden has been beautifully and well developed and reconstructed.

Museum's Island? Where is it? Calm down :-) It will arrive in the third part of this 4-part article about the TOP 10 Sights in Berlin Germany. And in the fourth part, we will cover the Erotic Museum and... we'll see what else.

Stay tuned!

Kind regards,
Marcus Hochstadt
© Copyright http://www.smart-travel-germany.com/ All Rights Reserved

Berlin Germany Insider Sigtseeing – TOP 10 Sights – Part 1 of 4

Did you know that Berlin Germany has more than 140 Museums? Did you know that this city has more than 1,400 bridges, and besides all that more than 100 additional places of interest? Read on to discover.

With about 3,400,000 inhabitants, Berlin is the largest City in Germany. It is 38 kilometres long and 45 kilometres wide. Consider that Berlin has a lot of suburbs and districts. As you know, the city was divided in its history. You will still recognize that there is/was East-Berlin and West-Berlin so it has a “City East” and a “City West”.

Arrival is possible with four different options.

1. By aircraft – Berlin has three airports.

2. By train – it’s a junction of the German Rail Network. Example, the station “Bahnhof Zoo” is located within Belin Mitte (City East), thus you have "instant access" to a lot of sights and pubs.

3. By Car – All motorways to Berlin lead to the “Berliner Ring”. From there you can get to the inner city on various access roads.

4. By Bus – it’s a well-priced and comfortable way to travel to this (or any other) city. The “Zentraler Omnibusbahnhof” (ZOB – Central Bus Station) is situated near the Exhibition Centre (ICC), in Charlottenburg, City West. From there, you have connections to over 350 destinations in Germany and Europe!

Now, shall we get started? Okay, c'mon, take my hand, let's go sightseeing! :-)

Reichstag

The Reichstag was constructed from 1884–94 by Paul Wallot, is the seat of the German Bundestag or federal government and, with its new transparent dome, one of the biggest crowd-draws in Berlin. Its colorful past reflects the turbulence of German history since the 19th century. From 1994–99, the Reichstag was reconstructed and extended by the Architect Sir Norman Forster. He decided to add an accessible transparent dome, inwhich you can walk through and "participate" and view how political decisions are made. One says, "We (the government) want to show that we have nothing to hide". Go to http://www.smart-travel-germany.com/berlin.html for further information of this monumental building.

Friedrichstrasse

This is the most legendary street in the whole city. It combines the architecture of the New Berlin with the tradition of the "Golden Twenties". In the Twenties, the 3.5 km long street was the location for pleasure palaces, cafés, theatres and variety theatres such as the famous "Wintergarten". After the division of the city, the Wall also cut through this street. The world famous Checkpoint Charlie was located at the border of the districts of Kreuzberg and Mitte and thus at the border of East and West Berlin. Not only visitors but also the employees from the new, chic offices, agencies and media centres all enjoy the urban spirit and New York flair of the new Friedrichstrasse.

Checkpoint Charlie

From 1961 to 1990, Checkpoint Charlie was the only border crossing point for the Allies, foreigners, employees of the Permanent Representation, and officials of the GDR. And it was the place where Soviet and American tanks stood face to face. Today, the checkpoint is commemorated by a border sign and a soldier’s post.

Stuck for a moment, the second part arrives soon :-) Then you can go on with your Berlin Sightseeing Tour. In it we will go to places like the Alexanderplatz, the Brandenburg Gate, and the Museum’s Island.

Kind regards,
Marcus Hochstadt
© Copyright http://www.smart-travel-germany.com/ All Rights Reserved

About the Author:
Marcus Hochstadt has a high interest in helping you gain the delightful form of a smart travel to and through Germany. Just recently, he has written a special report on How to Travel for FREE! You can download it at http://www.smart-travel-germany.com/freetravel

Business to Business In Germany -- 10 Things You Have to Consider Before You Even Start Doing it!

Do you consider doing business to business in Germany? Do you think you are able to lead negotiations in Germany successfully? Do you consider sending your application to a German Corporation? Read on to find out if you are ready.

If you are delicate, apathetic, inconsequential and trivial in your approach as a manager, you may need to consider carefully whether or not you would fit into the culture of a German corporation, or would be able to lead negotiations successfully.

With the following ten points you will find out if there are any difficulties doing business to business in Germany.

1. Leaders
German values favor leaders who are seen to be clearly dominating and charismatic in their style of leadership. Though they are expected to encourage others to work as an integral part of the team, be accessible, and share information, managers in German companies are more distant. It is not unusual to find the chief executive of a big German company making his way to his private office in his own private elevator!

2. Employees
In Germany there is often a complex system of employee performance appraisal. The practice of according job titles and minutely detailing an employee's responsibilities is common in German companies. This can lead to complaints from Germans if they only get vague indications of what they are supposed to do. A lack of clear direction, defined responsibility and goals can result in beginning to lose focus. German employees then see their job as boring and demotivating.

3. Leaders vs. Employees
German corporations unnaturally distance their employees by denying them any meaningful responsibility that would make them feel partly responsible for the success of the company.

4. Punctuality
In Germany, punctuality is necessary and meetings start at the advertised time. Meetings go on for as long as committed followed by a time agenda. (visit http://www.smart-travel-germany.com/business-travel.html for further information)

5. Laziness
It is uncommon for German employees to work Saturdays, take only one week's vacation, and count a day sick as holiday. Germans usually take up to five week's vacation, only work on weekends if their life depends on, and would even count two hours sick as a whole day sick. This lazy working schedule is alien in most other countries. Even though Germany is famous for its disciplinary attitude, Germans have a tendency towards laziness. This, however, does not count for most Managers, whose tend to do business to business in Germany.

6. Loyality
Many Germans don't stay with the same company all their working lives. German companies, who regularly headhunting top employees from other companies, are less committed to the tradition of employee loyalty that is favored by foreign corporations.

7. Initiative
German staff lacks initiative. In German corporations subordinates are seldom involved in, and expected to contribute to, the decision-making process. They may just be expected to follow orders and directives from the top. Although German workers have little responsibility for their work, they do expect recognition beyond an acknowledgment that the job has been done.

8. Relationship
German people place less importance on getting to know others well before entering into any kind of relationship, be that a long-term working relationship or one for a short-term purpose such as negotiating. It is a widely held view in German culture that, so long as people are doing their job, developing a close working relationship with, or even trusting others, is not a requirement.

9. Addressing
In Germany, first name usage is reserved for close family and friends. In the work place people are addressed by the last name headed by the address, unless someone offers differently.

10. Status Symbolization
In the German culture it is material goods, such as clothes, or the size of one's car or office, which symbolizes status.

Consider these ten bullets and you will do business to business in Germany more successfully.

Kind regards,
Marcus Hochstadt
© Copyright http://www.smart-travel-germany.com/ All Rights Reserved

German Amusement Parks Article - Part 3 of 3

Heya,

In this final part of German Amusement Parks and Theme Parks I reveal how you can save approx. 50% of your valuable time in such parks. Then you have 50% more time to dive into a complete different world to escape the everyday life.

Enjoy!

Marcus

German Amusement Parks Article - Part 2

Hey,

first article was amazing, wasn't it? And did you check the pictures on my website? Thrilling... ;-)

However, I just have published the second part of my 3-part series. You can grab it at Amusement Parks and Theme Parks in Germany - Part 2 of 3.

Enjoy!

Marcus

New Article Of Amusement Parks Published!

Hey,

...just want you to know that one more article was published by famous article banks.

You can "grab" it on my site as well, of course. Just go to my article book, there is the article "Amusement Parks and Theme Parks in Germany -- Part 1 of 3".

Enjoy your trips!

Warmly,
Marcus

Amusement Parks and Theme Parks in Germany

Hi,

As we get spring here in Germany, and the temperature goes up, our Amusement Parks and Theme Parks opened their doors. And I? Hum... I just created a page around that topic :-)

You will find the TOP German Amusement Parks and Theme Parks with images, large images (just click on them), and a 5 step-by-step plan on how to save 50% of your valuable time in such parks.

Enjoy!

Marcus