For the most part, Munich enjoys a mild climate. Weather can be hot and humid in the summer, with temperatures falling between 51 and 90 degrees F. The period from May to August experiences the most rainfall. Winter temperatures can sink below freezing, in the range of 23 to 38 degrees F. Munich also gets the occasional winter snowfall.

British Chamber of Commerce in Germany

Brazilian Consulate

British Consulate

Chinese Consulate

French Consulate

Japanese Consulate

U.S. Consulate

Netherlands Consulate

Most large hotels also have business centers that offer many of the same services that independent centers provide.

IBC International Business Center

Munich Artemis

Internationales Congress Center München (ICM)

Kern

DHL

Fahrrad Courier

Fahrrad Express

Rapid

All upper-range and most medium-priced hotels are equipped with dataports that allow guests to use laptop computers. Many hotels also offer business centers equipped with computers and Internet access. Outside hotels, cyber cafes are available including:

Café Gastronomie GmbH

Citizens of the EU, Brazil, Czech Republic, the Republic of Korea, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the U.K., and the U.S. do not need a visa for a stay up to 3 months. Citizens of the People's Republic of China must apply for a visa.

Duty-free allowances are 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco; 1 liter of spirits with an alcohol content exceeding 22% by volume or 2 liter of spirits or liquors with an alcohol content not exceeding 22% by volume or 2 liter of sparkling liquor; 2 liter of any other wine; 50g of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette; 500g of coffee or 200g of coffee extract, and; personal goods up to the value of EUR178.95. However, there are now no limits imposed on tobaccos and alcohol from one EU country to another.

The country code for Germany is 49. The area code for Munich is 089.

• Police
110
• Ambulance
112
• Fire
112
• Rape/Battered Women's Hotline
70-94-94

All German city codes begin with 0 when dialing from inside the country. For calls within Munich, drop the city code. Some local telephone numbers may have more digits than others. Dial 03 to get the operator and dial 01188 for directory inquiries. Dial 00118 for international directory assistance.

Germany's primary cellular standard is GSM, and the main mobile phone operators are T-Mobile, E-Plus, Mannesman Mobilefunk, and Viag. If you choose to bring your cellular phone into Germany, be sure to check with your home cellular service provider to establish compatibility of your phone with systems abroad. Rent a locally compatible cellular phone before you arrive to obtain reasonable rates and reliable service.

As of January 1, 2002, euro became the official currency. Euro notes are available in denominations of EUR5, EUR10, EUR20, EUR50, EUR100, EUR200, and EUR500, while coins are in 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 cents, and EUR1 and EUR2. The euro is divided into 100 cents. Foreign currency can be exchanged at banks, post offices, hotels, train stations, airports, or at the offices of American Express and Thomas Cook. ATMs are available throughout the country. Most businesses accept Visa and MasterCard, and some accept American Express, Diners Club, and JCB cards.

• Restaurants
Round up the bill to the nearest euro or two (unless a service charge is included on the bill)
• Bars
Round up the bill to the nearest euro or two
• Airport Skycap/Porter
EUR1 per bag
• Taxis
Round up to the nearest euro or two at most
• Hotel Bell Desk
Except in instances of extremely good service, a tip is not necessary
• Hotel Housekeeping
EUR1 or EUR2 per day
• Parking Attendant/Valet
EUR1 or EUR2
• Haircare/Personal Services
EUR2 or so

Munich is in the Central European Time Zone (GMT/UTC plus one hour). Daylight-savings time is observed from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October.

Most prices already have Germany's 16% VAT included. Some goods, like books, carry a 6.5% VAT.

Electrical voltage and current are 220V-240V AC / 50Hz. Electrical Plugs Plugs have two round prongs. Heavy-duty plugs have a third round prong.

Unless you're planning excursions from Munich, you do not need to rent a car. Munich's excellent public transportation system can get you wherever you need to go, and the traffic and parking situation in Munich is dire. Munich's yellow Mercedes Benz taxis are generally excellent, though on the expensive side. A quick jaunt across town will run you at least EUR7. Taxi stands are located throughout the city, and near the central train station and larger hotels.

The MVV, Munich's municipal transit system, operates buses, trams, and a subway (U-Bahn) that covers the entire city. Buses are clean, efficient, and prompt. Munich's U-Bahn has six U-Bahn lines that converge at Hauptbahnhof (Central Station) and Marienplatz, where you can change for the S-Bahn, suburban commuter trains.

There are no particular health problems to worry travelers in Germany. The standards for food handling are among the highest in the world. The water throughout the country is safe to drink right from the tap, though its high calcium content makes it taste almost universally lousy.

Alois Dallmayr, one of Munich's most upscale establishments, is known for fine continental and German food and scrumptious pastries. At Hunsingers Pacific the chef, Werner Hunsinger personally enjoys cooking extraordinary fusion food for adventurous palates. For more casual dining, Hundskugel specializes in traditional Bavarian dishes. Among Munich's best French restaurants is the chic Le Bousquerey, with its fine selection of seafood. Käfer-Schänke is a very typical Bavarian gourmet restaurant with a relaxed atmosphere although it is one of the most upmarket places in town. Italian eatery Metropolitan is a tasty choice in a chic setting that includes a breath-taking view. One of Munich's trendiest meeting places, Reitschule is a posh restaurant that serves up an eclectic menu containing dishes like the unbeatable gnocchi in prosecco sauce with spinach and Parma ham.

In Munich you can find a wide selection of international brands as well as a range of traditional Bavarian crafts. Nymphenburg porcelain, wood crafts, beer steins, food items and traditional Bavarian clothing are among the most popular local gifts. The city's major shopping areas are Neuhauserstrasse, Kaufingerstrasse, Maximilianstrasse, and Leopoldstrasse.

Munich beer gardens are copied the world over. For an authentic beer-garden experience, try the famous Hofbrauhause or Chinesischer Turm in the English Garden. Two other favorites are Augustiner-Keller and Hirschgarten.

The church Asam-Kirche is a stunning example of Rococo style. At one time a residence of the royal Wittelsbach family, the museum of Residenz displays a fine collection of art from around the world as well as of precious jewels. On view within Florentine-style Lenbach Haus is an impressive collection of modern European art, including what may be the largest assembly of works from the Blaue Reiter movement. Other art museums in Munich that merit a visit include the Nationalmuseum, Alte Pinakothek, and Neue Pinakothek.

One of Europe's best science museums, the Deutsches Museum, is located in Munich.For those interested by automotive culture, the BMW factory offers tours.

Munich's green spaces include the Englischer Garten, an expansive park that includes bike paths, walking trails and a lake, and the botanical garden at Shloss Nymphenberg, which offers a serene atmosphere. Other recreation activities include visiting the Tierpark Hellabrun zoo or taking in a Bayern Munich soccer game during the season.