During the conference it will be autumn, so the amount of pollen should not be exorbitantly high. If you have a pollen allergy, check with your doctor about possible medication during your trip to Germany. A pollen forecast for Nördlingen can be found here. If you have any food allergies, please inform the local organisers (mentioning it on the registration form will do).

Banks are open from Monday to FridayThere are several bank branches in Nördlingen. Closest to the venue is Sparkasse Nördlingen-Dillingen, Bei den Kornschrannen 1. It Opens Mon, Tue 09:00–12:30 and 14:00–16:30, Wed 09:00–12:30, Thu 09:00–12:30 and 14:00–18:00,  Fri 09:00–12:30 and 14:00–15:30. ATM machines are widespread in Germany. The ATM machine closest to Klösterle is at „Sparkasse Nördlingen-Dillingen“, Bei den Kornschrannen 1.

The climate in Nördlingen is Central European continental, characterised by warm rainy summers and fairly dry winters. The average overall temperature in September is 14 degrees C, the average max temperature being 19 degrees C and the minimum 10 degrees C. Precipitation in September amounts to 67 mm, with 9 wet days on the average. Bring your umbrella and a light raincoat in case of occasional showers.

Nördlingen , as a small town, a comparatively safe place. The most common problems to hit foreigners are pickpocketing and car break-ins. If you want to report a crime, contact the local police station. In Nördlingen it is located at Reimlinger Straße 7, 86720 Nördlingen, phone (09081-29560). For emergencies call 112. Almost all operators speak English.

We do not plan any extreme activities, so people should be safe if they take care under the excursions. There are, hovever some potentially dangerous animals around.

The greatest danger is exerted by ticks. Nördlingen is a risk area for tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). Vaccination against TBE is therefore rcommended, but it might be difficult to obtain such in the US. Also the Lyme-Borreliosis exists in Geermany (no vaccination available yet). To use repellents is a good idea.

Mosquitoes can be a nuisance, especially after rainy weeks. A good repellent should be taken with at the field work.

The only venomous snake in Germany is the common adder (Vipera berus). Care should be taken when entering rocky terrain. The adder is a protected species. If bitten, seek medical attention immediately. Bites are not frequent and fatalities extremely rare.

Although great care will be taken by the organisers to ensure safety of participants, it cannot be fully excluded that accidents or illnesses happen. Participants will take part in all activities of the course at their own risk and the organisers do not have any liability for accidents or illnesses affecting any attendee(s) due to course activities. If participants wish not to take part in part of the activities due to safety or health reasons, this is perfectly OK. The organisers will make a reasonable effort to avoid any disadvantage for attendees because of that.

There is definitely no dress code at the summer course. However, at the farewell dinner you might want to dress a bit smarter.

Many rules on driving resemble those in European  Countries. For guidelines check the wensite (link: https://www.tripsavvy.com/driving-tips-for-germany-autobahn-1520147)

Parking is a problem in the Old town of Nördlingen. Please note that are no parking places at the Hotel Klösterle and you will have to use the subterranean garage. There is a parking lot close to JUFA Hotel.

Illegally parked cars will be clamped. Heavy fines can be imposed for unlawful parking. Credit cards are accepted at most petrol stations.

112 is the general emergency line throughout the European Union (similar to 911 in the U.S.) The number can be dialed from any phone, and the call is free.

Bavarians are very fond of beer, the area has his own beer, “Fürst Wallerstein “. Wines come from the Franconia region north of Nördlingen and are usually dry and light. One should try one of the local fruit (especially apple) juices.

As many generic German dishes are available and popular in Nördlingen, there is a distinctive local cuisine in  the area. Although Nördlingen politicaly belongs to the Federal State of Bavaria (Bayern), people consider themselves Swabians there and he border to Baden-Württemberg is only 3 kilometres away. Therefore lots of elements of the Swabian cuisine can be found in Nördlingen. Generally, food is simple but of high quality and nourishing. If you have some allergies or other dietary requirements please inform the organisers in due course.

Germany is an associate member of the Schengen agreement which exempts travelers from regular personal border controls between 13 European Union (EU) countries (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Sweden) and two European Economic Area (EEA) countries (Norway and Iceland). People living in Great Britain and Ireland are subject to personal border controls upon entry to the Schengen area. Border controls can, however be imposed on travellers from all states.

A list of countries whose citizens DO NOT need a visa to visit Germany can be found here. If you need a visa, please start the paperwork AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Not only can handling times be long, but it might be difficult to find the embassy responsible for citizens of your nationality and location.

The hotel and the hostel offer wireless connections.

There are no coin-operated self service launderettes in Nördlingen, but there is a laundry at close to the venue. It is called ”Textilpflege Paris”. It opening times are: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 08:00 – 12:00 and 13:00 – 18:00, Sat and Wed 08:00 Uhr – 12:00 Uhr.

Dinners are served in the dining room at JUFA Hostel for all participants, and lunches at Klösterle Hotel, if not specified otherwise in the schedule. For people having chosen hotel accommodation, breakfasts are served at the prospective hotels.

In case of emergency, call 112 (general emergency). The medical service is quite good. There is a hospital in Nördlingen. Pharmacies (Apotheke) are also widespread in Nördlingen. The closest one to the venue “Stadtapotheke zum Engel”(link stadtapotheke-zum-engel-noerdlingen.de) at Marktplatz 14. It opens Mon, Tue, Thu  08:00- 12:30 and 14:00 to 19:00, Wed, Fri 08:00- 12:30 and 14:00 to 18:00 and Sat 08:00- 12:00.

Germany has the Euro since 2001. Notes of the old German “D-Mark” currency are no longer accepted as payment. Cash machines (ATMs) are never hard to find in Germany. The ATM machine closest to Klösterle is at „Sparkasse Nördlingen-Dillingen“, Bei den Kornschrannen 1.

Post offices are generally open during normal shopping hours: from 09.00 to 18.00 hours on weekdays, and 09.00 – 12.00 on Saturdays. The Nördlingen Post Office is close to the Railway station, Bgm. – Reiger-Str. 3.

There are no official public holidays in Nördlingen during the course.

• Nördlingen is a small, but very nice town. Most sights are also at close walking distance of the conference venue. This includes the Ries crater the museum, the Town Hall, the St. Georg church (built with Suevite), the old City wall and the City Museum. Information about Nördlingen  can be found here.

Shops generally open 09:00 – 18:00 (Mon to Fri) and 09:00 – 12:00 (Sat). Some department stores and shops in tourist areas stay open later. Please note that some shops have lunch breaks and  close on Wednesday afternoon. Most popular souvenirs are:

• Estonian liquor (Vana Tallinn, Valga Viru).
• Pickled food, honey, mead candles and bee wax products.
• Handicraft items such as hand-knitted woolen sweaters with traditional Estonian folk patterns, carved wooden beer mugs, juniper coasters and carved limestone product.
• Original art such as graphic prints, handmade jewellery, colourful glassware or fine ceramics.
• CDs of Estonian composers of international acclaim (Tormis, Pärt, Tubin, Tüür).
• Dark, bittersweet Estonian chocolate and other local sweets produced by the Kalev confectionery.
• Hand-painted marzipan.

Taxis are safe and cheating tourists is not very common. A ride from the railway station to Klösterle or Jufa Hotels should not cost you more than EUR 10,- . However, it is wise to remember the following points:

When setting off, the taxi’s meter should be turned on. It is illegal for driver to smoke or to allow others to smoke in the taxi. The driver is not allowed to ask for more than what is on the meter. The driver must be paid in Euros.

For calls to Germany: Dial +49 (the country code for Germany), then the area code and the subscriber’s number. If you want to male a call from Germany, dial 00 + the country code + area code + the subscriber’s number.

The GSM network works on frequencies of 900 MHz and 1800 MHz (dependent on the carrier). If you are taking your mobile phone with you, make sure that it is able to work on these.

Central European daylight saving time (UTC + 2) will be in force during the meeting. There an one hour time shift between the UK and Germany If it is 1 o’clock in London and 2 o’clock in Nördlingen.

Tipping has becomes less common in Germany. In restaurants, service is included in the bill, but if you get a good service in a restaurant where the bill is sent to the table you can tip 5-10 %. In case of bad service it is OK to give nothing.

The  gentlemen’s is usually marked with “H” or “Herren”, and the ladies’ room with “D” or “Damen”. Unisex toilets are less common in Germany than in other countries.

Please see the Venue & Access page for details.

The electricity supply in Germany is 220 volts AC, 50 Hz. European-style 2-pin plugs are in use.

Germany uses the metric system.