| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 15/05/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 48 |
| Copyright: Other |
Location: Hanover is situated in north Germany in the state of Niedersachsen, 1hr 30mins flying time from London.With a population of 509,800 the city is a significant business travel destination which hosts many festivals and trade fairs, not least Expo 2000.
Sample attractions: although Expo 2000 will dominate the city’s attractions timetable for the next year, there are plenty of other sightseeing opportunities for those willing to explore. One of the city’s must-see attractions is the Herrenhauser Garten which can be found in the grounds of the original palace buildings. This houses the oldest hedged theatre in Europe and the symmetrical landscape of the Great Garden. Also included in the £1.20 admission is a typical 19th-century English garden and a botanical collection of more than 12,000 different plants. Georgstrasse is the city’s pedestrianised main street. Known as Schorsenbummel by the locals, this is the best route to the two main squares, Opernplatz and Georgplatz. Burgstrasse and Kramerstrasse in the old town on the western side of the city are the best streets to view German medieval architecture.
Getting around: the 40m visitors who are expected to visit the Expo can find their way around Hanover with the aid of buses and trams, which link the city in a network of accessible routes, covering the centre and a range of suburban areas. The Hanover Card is available from the tourist information office and allows unlimited travel on buses and trams in the Hanover ticket zone, as well as discounts for certain tourist attractions. The card costs £4.25 for one day or £7 for three days. Licensed taxis are numerous – the fleet consists entirely of beige Mercedes’ which can be booked in advance or simply hailed from the street. In the run-up to Expo, public transport is the best method of getting around as roadworks are expected to cause delays.
Eating out/nightlife: good quality original and international cuisine is available in the city and exists alongside a bustling cafe culture. From June to October, nightlife is likely to be centered around the Expo site although German Travel Centre managing director Mohamed Bhimani advises visitors to head into the centre of Hanover and take their pick. “The close proximity of everything means visitors can try out several bars in one night or take in a couple of bars before heading to a club,” he said.
Picture perfect: there are many attractions in the city’s bustling centre