Kiel Live Cam

Your are in Germany on business. You have a tight schedule. You travel frequently across borders, to other cities, to meetings with many different people. You just can't hassle with bothersome things like fair dates, train departure times, or the geographical location of sights. For this reason we have done all this groundwork for you. Just click your mouse through today's business Germany. You only need to concentrate on two essentials: your job and Germany.

Just think, you are planning a major meeting in Germany and someone gives you support with the organization, saves you time and money. This someone is the German Convention Bureau (GCB). Backed by many organizations such as the congress cities, hotels, travel agencies, the German Tourist Board, Lufthansa and German Rail, the GCB is at your service as neutral consultant for staging conferences, meetings and conventions without any commercial interests.

You are spoilt for choice between 600 towns and cities with conference and meeting facilities, more than 350 congress halls and meeting suites, almost 4000 hotels and numerous other venues with conference possibilities. But no cause for alarm, you only need one address.

Everyone knows that Germany lies in the middle of Europe. But naming all our neighbouring countries is a bit more difficult. And how to get around in Germany and travel from A to B can be complicated too, without the right tools.

The turn of the millenium marks a time in history full of symbolic power and drama. Ideas, questions, plans - everything which moves mankind at the beginning of a new era finds expression at the World Exhibition EXPO 2000 in Hanover.

Under the motto "Man, Nature and Technology", nations from throughout the world can present themselves and their future concepts for five months long. Six pairs of themes provide a further platform for presentation: Health and Nutrition, Living and Working, Environment and Development, Communication and Information, Leisure and Mobility, Education and Culture. Therefore the core is the adjacency of economy and ecology. Curious about this "intellectual Eifel Tower"? Saunter through the pavilions in the theme park. Be astounded at how the visionary demands can be harmonized with high entertainment value. Because many of the exhibits are being staged by such famous producers like Stephen Spielberg. Naturally you do not have to wait until the year 2000 before visiting Germany. Alongside its business attractions Germany has always had a host of touristic highlights to offer. Choose between cultural enjoyment, relaxing nature, intriguing cities and delightful towns and villages. After your expedition in to the next millennium, treat yourself to a tour through Germany's present.

As trade fair venue, Germany is something special. In the field of international fairs it is world market leader, hosting 120 to 130 such events annually. Germany's fairs are attended by around 65,000 exhibitors and 1.8 million visitors from abroad each year. Numerous branches hold their principal world fair here. Fairs not only streamline contacts to German industry, but business between foreign partners is also an important element. Spaniards deal with Japanese, Canadians with Egyptians. Germany's attraction as fair venue is naturally due to the size of the market and the country's location at the center of Europe.

Just as important, however, is the quality of the fairs themselves. Fair concepts are developed and planned long-term under close cooperation with exhibiting and visiting industries. Fair organizers promote their events to pertinent target groups worldwide. They have representatives in numerous countries who directly advise and inform interest parties. The international fairs in Germany are exclusively specialist or multi-branch events with clearly confined branch spectrum. They address clearly defined target groups and overlap only in exceptional cases, despite the vigorous growth in the number of fairs over the last decade. And Germany has a range of other assets besides: romantic towns, world famous sights, picturesque landscapes. Spend a few extra relaxing days after the fair and make your stay here rewarding from all aspects.

For everyone seeking active recuperation, Germany is just tailor-made. For a health or fitness vacation Germany has lots to offer. Choose from more than 300 spas and health resorts. Here you will find many addresses once favored by Europe's royalty. And in sport-loving Germany sport lovers can do everything which is fun on land, on or in water and in the air - for almost all types of sport you'll find ideal conditions in Germany.

The German word "kur" comes from the Latin "cura" and means no less than care and attention. And it is not just the name which stems from the Romans. The idea too: from early times they appreciated the healing powers of thermal water and built thermal baths everywhere where springs bubbled. Today as then, the "Kur" is the natural way of mobilizing physical strengths, regenerating health and putting body and mind back into harmony. Germany's 300 spas and health resorts offer plentiful opportunities.

Regardless of what you opt for, with a vacation in Germany you have backed the right horse. Equestrian sport is offered in numerous resorts, for example in riding schools and riding clubs. Not to forget the many hacking and pony farms. The individual tourist boards will be happy to assist you. For riding in the open each federal state has its own code of behaviour. The central association "Deutsche Reiterliche Vereinigung" can tell you more. Please do not hesitate to pester the regional tourist boards with your questions.

Many a star has been made on German tennis courts, after all Steffi and Boris had their first lessons here. But those playing just for fun will also find volleys of opportunities. Outdoor and indoor courts are found in almost all major tourist resorts. And if you haven't brought your equipment with you, most tennis centers offer all you need for hire. Hotels often have private tennis courts for their guests.

Maybe it is thanks to Bernhard Langer that golf in Germany finds increasingly more followers. But also thanks to the ca. 470 golf courses which are now dotted around Germany. And at least one of them is bound to be close to where you are vacationing. It is advisable to call the club beforehand to hear if the course is open and arrange tee-off times. Some golf courses do close between November and April. Important too, is to bring along your home club membership card with handicap. This is required at most clubs and it also makes the arranging of matches simpler. For novices to the game, many hotels offer an introduction to the world of golf. Give it a try, see if the sport of the small ball and big precision is something for you.