Hanover

Climate
Hanover lies in northern Germany, close to the coast - a two-hour drive to the North is the Baltic Sea. The Baltic Sea dictates the mild, humid climate with cool winters and warm in summers. On one side of town is the Lüneburg Heath, a large plain with a picturesque natural landscape, on the other side, the Weserbergland Hills. They make the climate a little cooler than that of the cities south to Hanover.

Currency
Since Germany is part of the Eurozone, the main currency here is obviously the euro. It is best you exchange your currency before arrival, it's even more profitable - to pay for services by credit card, the Master Card is most common.

Language
The main language is German. In the shops, restaurants and museums of the historic centre most also speak English. Most restaurants have an English menu available.

Telephone communication
Police - 110, rescue service - 112.
Tourist center of Hanover: +49 511 12345-111

Traditions and customs
Modern Hannover - the city of fairs, world class congresses and industrial fairs, collecting hundreds of VIPs from around the world. It is a rational mix of contemporary world affairs. But along with this, the city has a place in which to unwind from the frenzied rhythm, relax and be alone in nature. The locals love to rest, and perhaps the most beautiful place for this are the gardens of Paradise, located in the heart of the city.

Religion
Due to the geographical location and by being a business center, Hanover is not ideal for the development of religion. More than half of the population affirm being atheists, the rest is Lutheran and Catholics only make up a small minority.

Mentality
Some say that Germans of the northern part are not as open a friendly as the ones from the south. They say that they keep to themselves are a hard to get to know and finding common ground is often hard. This view is widespread and is not necessarily true. If you are genuinely friendly with other people you will get a friendly response back.

Airports
Hanover has its own international airport..

Getting to the airport is easy in several ways. Perhaps the most convenient option is the S5 train. Trains leave from Hanover Main Station every half hour from 4:30 am to midnight, the trip takes 15 minutes. On the way there are 5 stops (maybe some of them are be closer to your hotel). The airport is also connected by bus route number 470 (departures from the station Langenhagen Zentrum). A ticket costs a little less, but the trip is slightly longer.

Contact info Airport:
• Customer Service: +49 511 977-0


Rental cars
In Hanover, car rental is represented with the two large rental companies Sixt and Hertz. These companies have their own English websites, on which you can choose and rent a car. We strongly recommend that you rent your car car in advance, and if you plan to travel outside of Germany with this car, find out in advance if this is even possible.

To be able to rent a car you must at least have your driver's license for over a year, need to show your credit card and passport. Traffic rules in Germany are not much different. Certain fines are very high, like talking on a cell phone while driving may deprive you of 40 euros.

Public transport
In Hanover you can travel with the S-Bahn, bus and metro. The city is divided into tariff zones - so it's important to know which ones you have to cross during the trip. Guided by this, you should buy one or the other ticket. Tickets for public transport are sold at special vending machines and at bus stops. Immediately after you get on the tram, bus or train, you must validate the ticket at one of the machines.

Taxi
Measured by the meter. Clarify the tariff per kilometer with the driver in advance and also the additional contributions. Try to use only tested companies, like by calling a taxi by phone. For example:
• 0511 381-1 (Hallo Taxi)
• 0511 2141-0 (Funk-Taxi-Ruf)
• 0511 9774370 (Taxi Airport Hannover)

Event

Hanover - a large and developed city, where every day dozens of noteworthy events and activities happen. These are the most common events happening from year to year.

• Fireworks Festival: A magical, colourful show that is watched thousands of spectators. The event stretches over the entire warm season.

• Feast of the shooters - a great event not only in Hanover. The event is considered one of the most colorful and spectacular in the whole of Germany. It lasts two weeks in the first half of July and is accompanied by massive, unforgettable shows, parades and competitions. And, of course, as instituted in Germany, at this festival there is a lot of beer.

In addition, in Hanover, there are often large and interesting international conferences and exhibitions, including one of the most famous exhibitions in the IT sector - CeBIT (at the beginning of spring).

Well, of course, Christmas is celebrated here in a big way!

Culinary Specialities

Given past fragmentation of Germany, it is not surprising that the regional cuisine here is not uniform and may be quite different not only from the neighbouring lands, but even in neighbouring cities. The sea plays a prominent role in the cuisines, as well as an abundance of wetlands in the region - so very often on the menu you can find fresh fish dishes: like flounder, herring and cod. Local feature is fish halophyte, originally popular among sailors.

Along with the fish another specailty of Lower Saxony are the smoked sausages: Bregenwurst and Kohlwurst. Also popular are meat and vegetable based soups. Visiting the old capital of Lower Saxony, you just have to try Rote Grütze - berry-fruit puree with sugar and starch.

Lifestyle
Hanover the ancient capital of the prosperous electorate Hanover of the Holy Roman Empire was a key ally of England. To the present day the city has retained its outstanding features, pride and glory, that attracts many, many tourists every year.

Hanover has played an important role in today's business world - five of the ten world's largest exhibitions have a permanent base in the city.

Attractions
Magnificent gardens - one of the most beautiful in the world, located in the capital of Lower Saxony: Herrenhausen Garten - created by Hanover electors wife in the 18th century, has a likeness to those at Versailles. A large garden with its fountain and a venue for dozens of events in the summer ... Where else in the developed metropolis can you see the gardens by floating down the river in a boat and see rhinos, lions, hippos, elephants and many other exotic animals.
Hanover is also rich in beautiful architecture, preserved from past centuries. Be sure to visit the Old Town with its attractions, shops and old streets that give you impressions of the city's the most unforgettable features.