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“The Rough Guide Map Germany” combines clear modern mapping and bang-up-to-date research, and is the essential companion to anyone travelling around this fascinating and varied country. Whether you’re exploring the snow-capped peaks of the Bavarian Alps or the valleys of the Rhine, the “Rough Guide Map” provides invaluable information to help you find your way. It is printed on waterproof and rip-proof Polyart paper, and includes detail on everything from road numbers and railways to National parks and airport locations.

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Produced for Rough Guides by World Mapping Project

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INTRODUCTION

“In Italy for thirty years under the Borgias they had warfare, terror, murder, bloodshed, but they produced Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and the Renaissance. In Switzerland they had brotherly love; they had 500 years of democracy and peace. And what did that produce? The cuckoo clock.”

Orson Welles as Harry Lime, in The Third Man (1949)

Never has one throwaway movie line done so much to damage the reputation of a whole country. Even now, despite being one of the most visited countries in Europe, Switzerland remains one of the least understood. The facts are that until national reconciliation in 1848, Switzerland was the most consistently turbulent, war-torn area of Europe (so much for brotherly love), and yet, both before and after it found stability, it brought forth such literary and artistic pioneers as Hans Holbein, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Paul Klee, Hermann Hesse and Alberto Giacometti (so much for the cuckoo clock ? a Bavarian invention, anyway).

But two centuries of tourism have left their mark: faced by an ever-increasing onslaught of visitors, these days the Swiss are content to abide by a quaint stereotype of Switzerland that?s easily packaged and sold ? the familiar Alpine idyll of cheese and chocolate, Heidi and the Matterhorn ? while keeping the best bits for themselves. Come for a “Lakes and Mountains” package, or a week of skiing, or a short city-break, and you?ll get all the pristine beauty, genteel calm and well-oiled efficiency of the Switzerland that the locals deem suitable for public consumption. The other Switzerland ? the one the Swiss inhabit ? needs time and patience to winkle out of its shell, but can be an infinitely more rewarding place to explore.

Within this rugged environment, community spirit is perhaps stronger than anywhere else in Europe. Since the country is not an ethnic, linguistic or religious unity, it has survived ? so the Swiss are fond of saying ? simply through the will of its people to resolve their differences. Today, a unique style of “bottom-up” democracy ensures real power still rests with the people, who seem to vote almost monthly on a series of referenda affecting all aspects of life from local recycling projects to national economic policy. The constitution devolves power upwards from the people to municipal governments and up again to the regions (known as cantons), only as a last resort granting certain powers to the federal government.

This kind of decentralized structure means that the cantons ? which are, in essence, tiny self-governing republics who have volunteered to join together ? have mostly held onto their own, unique flavours. Although Swiss people value their shared Swissness above all, they also cherish their own home-town identity and their differences from their neighbours.

Tensions exist between the four language communities, as they do between Catholic and Protestant, or between urban and rural areas, while regional characteristics remain sharply defined and diverse. Local pride is fuelled by a range of traditional folkloric customs, most of which stem from pagan or medieval Christian festivals. Most prominent of these is carnival, held around the country on or around Mardi Gras, the last day before Lent. The most exuberant celebrations, held in Luzern, Bern and Basel, feature bands, masked parades, street dancing and spontaneous partying that belie the stereotype of a placid, unadventurous Switzerland. A host of smaller events fills out the calendar and it?s still easily possible to stumble on village festivals that have been staged by local people for centuries past.

This sense of cultural continuity sits oddly with the fact that Switzerland has grown into one of the world?s richest countries. Its economy is small-scale but thoroughly modern: traditional industries such as watchmaking and textiles now thrive by focusing closely on the luxury end of the market and have ceded prime position to engineering, pharmaceuticals and service industries galore. Tourism has been a high earner since the mid-nineteenth century, when the Alps became both a fashionable destination for wealthy travellers and a prescribed retreat for sufferers from respiratory diseases needing curative sunshine and fresh mountain air. And yet the country, seized by an increasingly anachronistic national Kantönligeist, still stands alone. In the 1940s, Switzerland was surrounded by hostile Axis powers; these days, it?s encircled by the “friendly” EU. With the end of the Cold War, recent damaging revelations of Swiss collaboration with the Nazi Third Reich, and increasingly close ties amongst Western European nations, Swiss neutrality rings ever more hollow ? and yet, far from embracing a wider perspective, the country has collectively taken a step into conservatism. Commentators are noting sadly that Switzerland is only now embarking on the kind of multiethnic social integration that its neighbours began in the 1950s.

Having taken centuries to bolt their country together from diverse elements, the Swiss seem instinctively to return to their sense of community spirit, expressed most tangibly in the order and cleanliness you?ll see on show everywhere. Yet the sterility so decried by Graham Greene (who wrote Harry Lime?s jibe about brotherly love), if it characterizes any part of the country, applies only to the glossy, neatly packaged tourist idyll of lakes and mountains. The three great Swiss cities of Geneva, Zürich and Basel are crammed with world-class museums and galleries. In Zürich and Lausanne, there?s a humming arts scene and underground club culture that feeds nightlife as vibrant as anything you?ll find in much larger European cities.

The landscapes are dominated by the Alps and their foothills, but mountains aren?t the only story. In the north and centre are lush, rolling grasslands epitomized by the velvety green hills of the Emmental, traditional dairy-farming country. Vineyards rise tiered above Lake Geneva, the Rhône valley and the Rhine. The fairytale southeast is cut through by wild, high-sided valleys, lonely, dark and thickly forested. Most surprisingly of all, bordering Italy in the south you?ll find subtropical Mediterranean-style flower gardens, sugarloaf hills and sunny, palm-fringed lakes. For a small, little-regarded mid-continental country with a profound image problem, Switzerland has plenty more to offer than most visitors suspect.

About the Author

Matthew Teller is an experienced and accomplished travel writer. He is also the author of the Rough Guide to Jordan.

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Make the most of your time on earth!

Whether you are planning a trip to France, dreaming about going or already have a trip booked, check out Rough Guides 25 Ultimate Experiences to France, not to see what you could be doing but to see what you should be doing!

From drinking cider in Normandy and whitewater rafting in the Ardeche to winter sports in the Alps and getting naked at Cap d’Agd. Covering well known and off-the-beaten track experiences this book gives you 25 reasons to grab your passport, stop what you are doing and go.

One of 25 Rough Guide Ultimate Experiences – collect the set of 25 pocket sized books and make the most of your time on Earth!

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The Rough Guide to Switzerland tells you all there is to know about this beautiful and varied country. The 36-page, full-colour section introduces all of Switzerland”s highlights, from snowboarding in the Alps and sampling swiss wine to the country”s Gothic cathedrals and medieval castles. The guide includes extensive listings of the all the top places to eat, drink and stay, whatever your budget, plus brand-new ”author picks” to highlight the very best. There is plenty of practical advice on outdoor pursuits, including where to find the best mountain walks and most scenic ski resorts. The guide takes a detailed look at Switzerland”s history, wildlife and culture and comes complete with maps and plans for every region.

About the Author

Matthew Teller is an experienced and accomplished travel writer. He is also the author of the Rough Guide to Jordan.

Matthew Teller is an experienced and accomplished travel writer. He is also the author of the Rough Guide to Jordan.

Review

”Rough Guides are consistently readable, informed and, most crucially, reliable” – Bill Bryson

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The Rough Guide to Poland is the ultimate guide to this fascinating country, with detailed coverage of all the top sights and the clearest maps of any guide. Discover the highlights of Poland, from the picturesque old towns of Krakow, Warsaw and Gdansk to hiking in the Tatra Mountains. You?ll find expert accounts of Poland?s major attractions from medieval castles and Habsburg palaces to Baltic beaches and forest-clad lakes. New full-colour features explore Poland?s food and drink and religious architecture, while a comprehensive Polish language section will get you started in learning Polish. Fully updated and expanded, you”ll find detailed practical advice on what to see and do in Poland whilst relying on up-to-date descriptions of the best hotels in Poland, bars in Poland, restaurants in Poland, shops in Poland and Polish festivals. There?s also comprehensive background on everything from Polish history to folk music and Poland?s rich literary heritage. Explore all regions of Poland with the clearest maps of any guide, and coverage of off the beaten track sites not to be missed.

Make the most of your holiday with the Rough Guide to Poland.

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The Rough Guide to Provence & the Côte D’Azur is your definitive handbook to one of France’s most stunning regions. From the bustling Vieux Port of Marseille and the beaches of St Tropez to the remote mountains of Haute-Provence, the full-colour section introduces the regions highlights. For every town and village, there are comprehensive and honest reviews of all the best places to eat, drink and stay to suit every budget. Unwind on the off-shore islands, discover the wild costal stretches, and lose yourself in the sloping vineyards, equipped with all the straightforward advise you could need. The guide also takes a detailed look at the region’s history, culture, literature and festivals and comes complete with maps and plans for every area.

About the Author

Various Authors

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The Rough Guide to Venice & Veneto is your definitive handbook to this splendour-aching  European City. From the water-lapped palaces along the Canal Grande to the buzzing Rialto market, the full-colour section introduces all of the regions highlights. With more cultural background than any other guide, you’ll find detailed accounts of all Venice’s monuments and museums, from San Marco to the far-flung islands and practical coverage of Verona, Padua, Vicenza, Treviso, and a host of other Veneto towns and sights. Opinionated reviews of all the best places to eat, drink and stay in every price range. The guide also takes a detailed look at the region’s history, culture, events, painting and architecture and comes complete with maps and plans for every area.

About the Author

Jonathan Buckley is co-author of Rough Guides to Tuscany & Umbria, and Florence & Sienna

Jonathan Buckley is the co-author of the Rough Guides to Tuscany, Umbria, and Florence & Sienna

Jonathan Buckley is co-author of Rough Guides to Tuscany & Umbria, and Florence & Sienna

From Library Journal

These guides offer detailed coverage of both provincial and urban areas, especially Warsaw and, more importantly, Krak?w. The outdoor recreation for which Poland is deservedly well known gets its due. The Rough Guide has few maps and no photos, while Lonely Planet offers 90 maps and 24 pages of color.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
–This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.


Review

OUR FAVES FOR EUROPEAN TRAVEL… MAINLY BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT SO ROUGH

New York Daily News
–This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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The Rough Guide to Norway is the most comprehensive guidebook to this spectacular country. From Viking customs to Norwegian literature, the 32-page, full-colour section highlights all the ”things not to miss”. The guide includes up-to-date listings for all of Norway”s top hotels and restaurants, plus a new ”Author”s Pick” feature to highlight the very best options. There are lively accounts of the major cities and towns, including urbane Oslo and historic Trondheim, plus evocative descriptions of the magnificent mountains and fjords. The guide looks at Norway”s culture and history, from Viking longships to Edvard Munch and the contemporary art scene. There is plenty of practical advice for exploring the great outdoors, plus maps and plans for every region.

About the Author

Phil Lee is an experienced Rough Guides author and has written Rough Guides to Amsterdam, Brussels, Mallorca and Menorca, England, The Netherlands and Canada.

Phil Lee is an experienced Rough Guides author and has written Rough Guides to Amsterdam, Brussels, Mallorca and Menorca, England, The Netherlands and Canada.

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Discover a land of breath-taking beauty and inspiring culture with The Rough Guide to Austria, the most comprehensive guide to Austria available. The full-colour introduction with stunning photography will whet your appetite for the country’s many highlights, from the world-class city of Vienna and the astonishing architecture of Salzburg to the snow-capped mountains of Tyrol. The guide features dozens of easy-to-use maps, as well as expert background information on everything from the best ski and snow-boarding slopes to the music of Mozart. Extensive accommodation and restaurant listings, plus all the practical grittiness you’d expect from a Rough Guide make this your must-have item for the trip of a lifetime. Make the most your time with The Rough Guide to Austria.

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The Rough Guide to Italy is your ultimate handbook to one of Europe”s most beautiful countries. From the capitoline museums in Rome and the stylish shops of Milan to eating Pizza in Naples and watching the spectacular Palio race in Siena, this guide captures all of Italy’s highlights in a full colour introduction. The top hotels, bars and restaurants are all uncovered in the detailed listings section with the new ‘Author’s Pick’ feature highlighting the very best options. The guide also takes a detailed look at Italy’s history, art and groundbreaking film industry and comes complete with maps and plans for every area.

The Rough Guide to Italy is like having a local friend plan your trip!



About the Author

Various authors

Various authors

Various authors

Various authors

Various authors

Various authors

Various authors

Various authors

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INTRODUCTION

There isn?t a country on earth quite like Belgium. It?s one of the smallest nations in Europe, yet it has three official languages and an intense regional rivalry between the Flemish-speaking north and the French-speaking south. Its historic cities ? most famously Bruges and Ghent ? are the equal of any, as is its cuisine, with a host of regional specialities, alongside a marvellous range of beers and sumptuous chocolate. Neighbouring Luxembourg, commonly regarded as a refuge of bankers and diplomats, has surprises in store too: its capital, Luxembourg City, has a handsome setting, its tiny centre perched on a plateau above deep green gorges, and the rest of the country ? diminutive though it is ? boasts steep wooded hills and plunging valleys aplenty.

Many outsiders view Belgium and Luxembourg as good weekend-break material ? but not much else, which is a pity, as this is historically one of the most complex and intriguing parts of Europe. Squeezed in between France, Germany and the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg occupy a spot that has often decided the European balance of power. It was here that the Romans shared an important border with the Germanic tribes to the north; here that the Spanish Habsburgs finally met their match in the Protestant rebels of the Netherlands; here that Napoleon was finally defeated at the Battle of Waterloo; and ? most famously ? here, too, that the British and Belgians slugged it out with the Germans in World War I. Indeed so many powers have had an interest in this region that it was only in 1830 that Belgium and Luxembourg became separate, independent states, free from foreign rule.

About the Author

After years of travelling, Martin Dunford took up travel writing and co-founded the Rough Guide series. He is now Rough Guides’ editorial director. Phil Lee has been writing for Rough Guides since the late 1980s – his other titles include Norway, Brussels, Mallorca, Menorca, Pacific Northwest and Canada.

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Review

”?The best all-round coverage of attractions and places to sleep and eat? ” – Sunday Times, London

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The Rough Guide to Norway is the ultimate travel guide with clear maps and detailed coverage of all the best Norwegian attractions. Discover the diverse regions of Norway; from the outstanding expresionist art in the unmissable Oslo galleries, to the Loften Islands and majestic coastline of Norway. This incisive, thoughtful guide delves deeper than any other guide into the heart of Norway and its people, the spectacular national parks, stunning scenery and cosmopolitan cities.Find detailed practical advice on what to see and do in Norway whilst relying on up-to-date descriptions of the best hotels in Norway, recommended restaurants in Norway, Norwegian bars, and all the insider tips to the best shopping and entertainment in Norway, for all budgets. You?ll find expert tips on exploring Norway?s untrammelled wilderness, catering for hikers and skiers, to Base jumpers and glacier hikers, with an authoritative background on Norway?s history and culture. Explore all corners of Norway with the clearest maps of any guide.

Make the most of your holiday with The Rough Guide to Norway.

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The Rough Guide to Belgium and Luxembourg is a pleasingly different guide that stands out for uncovering hidden gems and quaint surprises, providing travellers with all they need to know to make the most of their time in these two countries.

The guide is packed with details for every attraction from the art galleries of Bruges to the forests of Ardennes and provides revealing background information behind the art, history and politics and most importantly, the low-down on Belgium’s best beers.

Take the hassle out your trip by using Rough Guides’ detailed maps, concise practical advice and discerning reviews of handpicked restaurants and accommodation. This new edition includes even more photos to really inspire your trip.

Make the most of your time with The Rough Guide to Belgium & Luxembourg

About the Author

Martin Dunford is Rough Guides’ Publishing Director and author of guides to Rome, Italy, Amsterdam and New York, among others.