Location / Language of Germany
Germany is a country in Central and Western Europe, lying between the Baltic and North Seas to the north, and the Alps, Lake Constance and the High Rhine to the south. It borders Denmark to the north, Poland and the Czech Republic to the east, Austria and Switzerland to the south, France to the southwest, and Luxembourg, Belgium and the Netherlands to the west. It covers an area of 3.57 lac sq kms and is home to a population of around 83 million. Berlin is the capital and largest city of Germany by both area and population.
German is the official language of Germany and the second most widely spoken Germanic language, after English.
Travel health insurance for German National Visa
Visa Requirements / Currency (please note these procedures / exchange rates can changed from time to time…please get an update from the embassy prior to travel)
As India is not part of the Schengen Area, if one is an Indian passport holder you will need to apply for the appropriate type of Schengen German Visa for travelling to the country. To be eligible for a Schengen Visa for German one will mainly need their current passport, along with certain documents, to be submitted with the Visa application form.
Currency : Euro (EUR)
Conversion: Rs.1 INR = 0.013 EUR
1 EUR = Rs. 78.04 INR
Top 10 Tourist Attractions in Germany
- Berlin Wall – Built in 1961, the wall was the most visible manifestation of the Cold War mentality that existed after WWII, and by the time it was torn down in 1990, it extended some 155 kilometers. Don’t miss the Berlin Wall Exhibition, with its permanent exhibits relating to the Berlin Wall, and the Berlin Wall Memorial.
- Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate – The monumental sandstone structure was the city's first Neoclassical structure. Measuring an impressive 26 meters in height - including the Quadriga, the awazing four-horse chariot carrying the goddess of victory perched atop - its six huge columns on each side of the structure form five impressive passages: four were used by regular traffic, while the center was reserved for the royal carriages.
- Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom) - The Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Mary is located on the banks of the Rhine and is a masterpiece of High Gothic architecture. One of the largest cathedrals in Europe, it covers an area of 6,166 square meters and boasts 56 huge pillars. Above the high altar is the Reliquary of the Three Kings, a 12th-century work of art in gold.
- The Fairytale Castle, Neuschwanstein – The old town of Füssen, situated between the Ammergau and Allgäu Alps is a good base from which to explore Neuschwanstein Castle, built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria as a multitowered and battlement-covered fantasy fortress with it’s Throne Room and the Singers' Hall.
- Miniatur Wunderland – In the historic Port of Hamburg, this magnificent structure is the world's largest model railway, an attraction that appeals equally to young and old alike. Boasting more than 12,000 meters of track, there are sections dedicated to the USA, England, and Scandinavia (as well as Hamburg) and incorporates 890 trains, more than 300,000 lights, and in excess of 200,000 human figures.
- The Rhine Valley – This is Europe's most important waterway, a total length of 1,320 kms, stretching from Switzerland through Germany all the way to the Netherlands. The Upper Middle Rhine Valley, a UNESCO World heritage Site is a 65-kilometer stretch with more than 40 castles and about 60 beautiful medieval towns to be explored by cruise or by car.
- Berlin's Museum Island – Lying between the River Spree and the Kupfergraben, along the 400-meter-long canal off the river is the Old Museum, constructed in 1830 which exhibits the royal treasures. The New Museum and the National Gallery was added in 1876, along with the Bode Museum, home to collections of antiquities. Another highlight of the tour is the Pergamon with its recreated historic buildings from the Middle East.
- Zugspitze Massif – Part of the Wetterstein mountain range, this straddles Germany and Austria and is surrounded by steep valleys. The eastern summit, at 2,962 meters, is crowned by a gilded cross and can be reached by the Bayerische Zugspitzbahn, a cog railway, or by cable car. Another great way to enjoy this area of outstanding natural beauty is aboard the Tiroler Zugspitzbahn, a railway that runs to the Zugspitzkamm station.
- Rügen Island – It is the largest and most beautiful of the German Baltic islands, linked to the mainland town of Stralsund by a causeway. The island's beauty is it’s diverse landscape, including flat farmland and forest-covered hills to expansive sandy beaches, lagoons, and lovely peninsulas. Don’t miss the Jasmund National Park and Stubnitz Beech Reserve on the island.
- Spectacular Sanssouci Park and Palace – This spectacular attraction in Postsdam was built between 1744 and 1756 by Frederick the Great and the park includes a lovely Baroque flower garden, more than 3,000 fruit trees, and numerous greenhouses, shielded on each side by trimmed hedges, perfect lawns, and gorgeous gardens.
Things You Must Do in Germany
- Participate in the Oktoberfest – This is the world's largest Volksfest. Held annually in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, it is a 16- to 18-day folk festival running from mid or late September to the first weekend in October, with more than six million people from around the world attending the event every year. Also check out the Berlin Film Festival.
- Adventure Park Hopping - Germany pumps the adventure game a notch higher with its theme parks. From the highest water slide at the Tropical Islands Theme Park , to Heide Park with its five themed areas, namely Pirate Bay, Transylvania, Lower Saxony, Wild Wild West, and Land of the Forgotten. LEGOLAND is another unique theme park and for thrilling rides, the Europa Park and Phantasialand are just right.
- Sip on German Beer - It is no secret that Germany is a paradise for those who love beer. With more than 1,200 breweries producing over 5,000 different beers, one can explore the rich beer-brewing history of Germany at Hofbrau Brewery, the Andechs Monastery, Erdinger Brewery in Munich, and Becks Brewery in Bremen.
- Shop till you Drop at the German Flea markets - Germany offers many shopping opportunities through its several flea markets. Check out th eBerlin Mauerpark Flea Market which spans over a 8 hectares and is home to around 500 stalls, or Flohschanze Flea market in Hamburg, or the Trabrennbahn Daglfing flea market in Munich to shop for antiques, art, children’s toys, books and everything vintage.
- Discover The World Of Automobiles at Mercedes Benz Museum - This fantastic museum spread over a staggering 8 floors makes a fascinating journey from the time when the first Mercedes-Benz car engine was conceived to the futuristic & research models. One can shop for some cool miniature models at the shop and grab a bite at the cafe after the tour.
Food on the Plate
The cuisine of Germany has evolved as a national cuisine through centuries of social and political change with variations from region to region. Some regions of Germany, like Bavaria and neighbouring Swabia, share dishes with Austrian and parts of Swiss cuisine.
German food one must try includes:
- Rouladen – This typical German food involves wrapping thinly sliced meat – usually beef but also veal or pork – around a filling of bacon or pork belly, chopped onions, pickles and usually mustard, and then browned and simmered in broth (braised).
- Käsespätzle - These noodles made from wheat flour and egg are often served topped with cheese (käsespätzle) – rather like macaroni cheese – and sometimes with roasted onions too.
- Kartoffelpuffer, Klösse and Bratkartoffeln (Potato Dishes) - Kartoffelpuffer are shallow pan-fried pancakes made from grated or ground potatoes mixed with flour, egg, onion and seasoning. Klösse are German potato dumplings, served either as a side or main dish, in soups or sweet. Bratkartoffeln, s involves boiling potatoes and then frying them onion.
- Wurst (Sausages) – There are more than 1500 different types of sausages made in Germany and they are found at street stalls. The most popular include Bratwurst (fried sausage), Wiener which is smoked and then boiled, and Blutwurst and Schwarzwurst.
- Rote grütze is a red fruit pudding that is a popular dessert in northern Germany. It’s made from black and red currants, raspberries and sometimes strawberries or cherries, which are cooked in their juices and thickened with a little cornstarch or cornflour. It’s served with cream (sahne), milk or vanilla sauce or ice-cream.
Overseas Travel Medical Insurance Germany
Since Germany is a country which is part of the Schengen countries in Europe, the traveller needs to purchase adequate Schengen visa insurance India for Germany.
German visa insurance for Indian travelers is relatively cheaper when compared to destinations in Americas, and most insurance companies offer a specific Schengen Insurance Plan. One must ensure that the minimum Accident & Sickness (A&S) sum insured for a Schengen plan must be €30,000 (around $50,000), and a visa to visit any Schengen country will not be provided without this minimum coverage.
The insured must purchase an “Excluding Americas” Plan, if they are travelling to other destinations that don’t include only Schengen countries.
Illustration for 15 days travel medical insurance for Indian tourist to Germany.
Sum Insured($USD or €Euro) / Premium in Rs. INR |
Insured Age 35 |
Insured Age 65 |
Schengen - €30,000 |
Rs.733 |
Rs.1,561 |
Schengen - €50,000 |
Rs.830 |
Rs.1,694 |
Excluding - $50,000 |
Rs.1,028 |
Rs.1,714 |
These premiums are across different plans and different benefits.. please log in to
www.eindiainsurance.com to compare and buy the best India travel insurance for German visa.