scubish.com: Scuba diving Hanover - Jamaica

Understand

Hanover is not a typical European city. Don't expect to see beautiful centuries-old buildings; the city was one of the hardest hit during the World War II, leaving it with only a few historical landmarks. Even the Old City (Altstadt) area is "new"; all the old houses left standing after the war (around 40) were taken from throughout the city and collected in one place.

Hanover has large green areas, with forests and big parks. The landscape is mostly flat, with the river Leine going through the city. The lake Masch (Maschsee) is rather spectacular, considering its size as a man-made object.

The city had a special relationship to the late French artist Niki de Saint-Phalle. She had several of her works in public spots in Hanover (i.e., "the Nanas", "the Cave" in the Great Garden) and also in the Sprengel Museum. To honor her contribution to Hanover, she was granted an honorary citizenship from the city government. Moreover, the recently renovated "underground" shopping passageway from the central station to Kröpcke was named "The Niki de Saint-Phalle Promenade".

Hanover's public services are excellent, due to major reconstruction for the World EXPO 2000. The shopping area under the train station was renovated in 2005-2006 in preparation for the football World Cup 2006.

Kröpcke

Kröpcke is a large pedestrian area in the heart of Hanover. It is Hanover's major shopping spot and has lots of eating possibilities. The underground tram station is the crossing point of all underground trams. Two tram lines that never go underground (10, 17) ran nearby (stops at 'Hauptbahnhof' or 'Steintor'). There is a big green clock in Kröpcke (KröpckeUhr) which serves as a meeting point. The Opera House is also located here.

Using English

Hanover became more of a tourist destination following the EXPO in 2000, and especially since it began hosting CeBIT. English translation was just recently introduced to some official tourist portals such as the train ticket machines. To find an English-speaking person may not be easy, even in public services such as the ticket counter at the central station. Sometimes it can appear as if they refuse to help you. In case this happens, ask around if someone understands English and can help you. Germans are generally helpful, but you have to ask for help as they don't like to jump into other people's business without being invited. Most university students speak English. For general information, it's safest to go to the Tourist Office, Prinzenstr. 12 (close to central station), +49-511-12345-111, M-F 9AM-6PM, Sa 9AM-2PM.

Eat

In most cafés and small restaurants, paying individually is accepted, as Germans very much like this system. Tips are not compulsory but most people do. In smaller cafés, if paying separately, rounding up to the next full euro is common; in bigger restaurants, 10% is best.

Budget

Check out the variety of food stalls in the market hall (Markthalle). You will find almost everything from Spanish tapas to Mett (raw minced meat).

Asia-Garden, A Chinese buffet restaurant in Ernst-August Platz - just opposite the Central Station. It...