Frankfurt for the Un-Tourist! The Ultimate Travel Guide for the Person Who Wants to See More than the Average Tourist

By BookCaps

This is NOT your normal travel guide. If you are visiting Frankfurt, then you probably have a general idea of what the average tourist sees. But what if you don't want to see tourist Frankfurt? What if you want to see the real Frankfurt?!

This guide will show you where to stay, where to play, and how to get around the city. We’ll have the normal tourist stuff too, but are hope is that we can show you more than what everyone else sees.

This guide also gives you a history of city, tells you the best times to visit, and even gives you a crash course in the language! Additionally, address are included as hyperlinks, so if you are using an eReader with wi-fi that supports Google Maps, you will be able to see the address on a map (please contact us if you have trouble with this functionality)! It's the ultimate travel guide for Paris!

Sit back, relax, and let us show you Frankfurt like you’ve never seen it before!

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookCaps
• Release date: Mar 15, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476411118

BookCaps

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Introduction

This is NOT your normal travel guide. If you are visiting Frankfurt, then you probably have a general idea of what the average tourist sees. But what if you don't want to see tourist Frankfurt? What if you want to see the real Frankfurt?!

This guide will show you where to stay, where to play, and how to get around the city. We’ll have the normal tourist stuff too, but are hope is that we can show you more than what everyone else sees.

This guide also gives you a history of city, tells you the best times to visit, and even gives you a crash course in the language! Additionally, address are included as hyperlinks, so if you are using an eReader with wi-fi that supports Google Maps, you will be able to see the address on a map (please contact us if you have trouble with this functionality)! It's the ultimate travel guide for Frankfurt!

Sit back, relax, and let us show you Frankfurt like you’ve never seen it before!

Chapter 1: What to Know Before You Go

So, you probably already know that Frankfurt is the financial and trade capital of Germany and a fascinating place to visit, but here are a few key things you really should know before you get there:

German is of course the official language, but you’ll find that quite a few people (between 25-50%) speak English, and signs in the airport will be clearly posted in English as well.

The currency is the Euro (€), so you can either exchange money at a currency exchange house (there are several in the airport), or any bank will exchange dollars to Euros as well (although small banks may not be able to exchange $100 bills). Many people simply choose to use their bank ATM cards to withdraw Euros from a local ATM machine. Of course, you may want to call your bank ahead of time so they don’t assume your card is lost/stolen, and you might also check to see if your bank charges international ATM fees.

If you carry a valid U.S., Canadian, or British Passport, you DO NOT need an additional VISA, or special permission, to visit or stay in Germany up to 90 days - just make sure your passport doesn’t expire before you leave! If you are from another country (outside of the European Union), you might need to apply for a VISA ahead of time. You can find out at the website: www.germany.info

If you plan to carry more than €10,000 in cash (yeah, not likely), you will have to make a declaration to the customs authorities. Only bring enough prescription medication for your personal use during the trip, preferably in the original containers or with a copy of the prescription, just in case. Most of the other custom regulations are pretty standard.

You will be subject to all German laws during your visit, and could be prosecuted even if you unwittingly commit a crime. Under German DUI (Driving Under the Influence) law, the blood alcohol limit is .05% (one or two drinks depending on your size), so be careful how much alcohol you consume if you will be driving (or just call a taxi)!

Violent crimes against tourists are rare in Germany, but it’s best to use caution in major metropolitan areas by avoiding large demonstration groups or other groups of hooligans or drunken skinheads who could harrass foreigners. Dial 110 for police help.

Don’t plug in just any U.S. appliance - if it’s designed for 110 voltage, it’ll fry! Germany uses 220 voltage, so you can take a voltage converter (from Radio Shack or Walmart) as well as a few plug adapters (they have round not flat electrical outlets). If your appliance says both 110V-220V, then it should work fine without the converter. But if in doubt, use the voltage converter, or you might have to buy a new hair dryer in Germany!

Everyone loves a good sale - but what about calculating sales tax? Luckily, in all of the European Union, items already have their VAT (value added tax) included in the price, so you don’t have to do any tricky math at the sales register. If you want to recover the 19% VAT refund for any of your purchases that were over € 25 (equivalent to $35), make sure to present your passport to the cashier and get the proper VAT refund documentation (called a Ausfuhrbescheinigung or Tax Free Shopping Check). At the end of you trip (either at the airport or other port of exit), you present all your tax free documents to a customs agent and then you can find a Global Blue, TaxFreeWorldwide, or Premier Tax Free office where they will refund you your cash on the spot, for a small (around 4%) fee.

Tipping rates might vary a bit from what you are accostumed to in the U.S. At casual restaurants or bars a 5% tip (often 1 or 2 Euros) is fine, while at expensive restaurants a 10% tip would be nice (of course, feel free to