Free Germany Guidebook in English

There’s a new source of information for young travelers planning to include Germany in their travels abroad.

The German National Tourist Office has just published an English-language version of its 34-page brochure, “Germany Live.” It’s designed specifically to point out what Germany has to offer young visitors, and copies are available free.

In “Germany Live” the country is divided into 12 sections. For each area there is a geographical description, tips on key sights to see, food, lodging, sports facilities and major events and festivals.

Youth Hostels Pinpointed

The brochure is lacking in specific dates of events and detailed addresses for youth hotels, but tucked under the back cover you will find a helpful map indicating the location of Germany’s more than 500 youth hostels, rail and ferry services, tourist information offices, palaces, castles and ruins.

If you are going to make use of the extensive youth hostel system, keep in mind that in most of Germany travelers under 28 have priority for youth hostel beds. In Bavaria if you’re over 27, staying at hostels is not for you.

Using the German youth hostel system can mean accommodations in a castle for less than $10 per night but you must also be prepared for some drawbacks. One is that doors are shut and lights are out by 10 p.m. Enforcing the rule is generally up to the discretion of the hostel manager.

If you do use the system you’ll find that a night’s lodging for someone up to the age of 24 ranges from $2.50 to $3 depending on the standard of hostel. If you are not already a member of the International Youth Hostel Federation, you can buy an international guest card for 30 Deutsch marks ($12). Meals range from $1.25 to $2.50, and if you don’t have your own sleeping bag, you may rent one for about $1.

For a free copy of “Germany Live,” contact the German National Tourist Office, 444 S. Flower St., Suite 2230, Los Angeles, Calif. 90071.

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Here’s some helpful news for young budget travelers planning to visit Vancouver’s Expo 86 this summer. Canada’s national student travel bureau, Travel CUTS, is arranging low-cost three-night accommodation packages for visiting students and budget travelers.

The Travel CUTS packages include lodging in single and twin-bedded residence rooms at the University of British Columbia during the student holiday period May through August. Most of the rooms are singles and many rooms are still available for June and July.

The packages consist of three nights of accommodations, three continental breakfasts, a three-day Expo pass and a meal at an Elephant and Castle restaurant (one is at the British Pavilion on the Expo site). The cost, including hotel tax, is about U.S.$85.

The campus residence is about 6 1/2 miles west of downtown Vancouver, less than 45 minutes from the Expo site by public transportation. Organizers hope that by the time the site is open, a special shuttle bus service will also be available.

Extra Added Attractions

While staying on campus, guests can make use of university facilities, including banks, recreational facilities, a restaurant and tourist attractions such as the Nitobe Japanese Gardens and the Museum of Anthropology.

A $50-dollar deposit (Canadian) is required to hold a reservation, and the balance must be paid six weeks before your stay.

For further details contact Travel CUTS (Canadian Universities Travel Service Ltd.), Student Union Building, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C. V6T 1W5, Canada, phone (604) 224-2441.