Schmalkalden Travel Plans:  (updated 8 May, 2009)

For 2010 plans will be similar

Contents:

1.    Important information for everyone

2.    For those in IMAGE (BA490) only.

3.    For those in IMAGE & ISSS

4.    Added information for all participating in the IMAGE Program

5.    Added information for all participating in the ISSS Program

6.    Schmalkalden course/travel information for participants.

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1.  IMPORTANT FOR EVERYONE:

General:

* Make sure you bring your passport, ATM card, and student ID. 

* Remember to pack light (you may end up carrying your bags a long way).  Bring a small carry-on bag (e.g. school back pack). 
Check luggage rules HERE 

* Make sure you read TIPS.   The Tips page includes information on travel insurance, getting euros and answers to lots of other questions you might have.    There at numerous ATM machines in the Frankfurt Airport outside the Customs area.

* Please pack a towel. 

* For information about the weather and metric system click on link!  ;  More information on Europe and the EU?  Go here  ;   Get the latest exchange rate information.

* Plan to meet outside building C (business building at FhS) on Monday May 25 at 6:00 p.m. for a short walking tour of Schmalkalden.

Getting to Schmalkalden by Train:

* If you are planning to make your own way to Schmalkalden, it is really easy.  There is train station inside the airport in Frankfurt.  Just follow the train symbols after you exit Customs.  Alternately, if you are travelling before the program, you can catch a train from Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof (main train station) in the city center.  Or for that matter, from anywhere in Europe.

* Go to www.bahn.de  for complete train schedules.  Click the "English" icon.  Enter departing station (e.g. Frankfurt flughafen), the arrival station (Schmalkalden Fachhochschule) and the date, and the alternate schedules will pop up.  

* When you get off the train at Schmalkalden Fachhochschule train station (don't get of at the other Schmalkalden station!) just cross the tracks and go to the building on the left - Building "C".  Got to the top floor - the office of Prof. Robert Richert.  Here is a campus map.

* It is possible to save money by advance booking train tickets.  However, such tickets are only good for the specific departure time shown on the ticket.  Given the uncertainty of an on-time arrival, I think it is better just to buy your tickets when you get there.  (Tickets back from Schmalkalden at the end of your program should be pre-booked, as you have control over your departure time from Schmalkalden.

* Getting hold of me... if you are in Germany  +1 573 450 3434.     Or     Dr. Robert Richert   03683 688 3102

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2.  For those participating in the IMAGE (BA490) program alone, the travel plans are as follows:

* If you need a ride from Cape Girardeau to St Louis, please contact me before May 15.

* Otherwise please plan to meet at St Louis Airport, Main Terminal, inside entrance MT4 at 15:00 (3:00 p.m.)

If you are not already a member of American Airline's frequent flier program, consider joining before the trip - you will get about 10,000 miles - half-way toward a free ticket anywhere in the USA.  Give AA that number when you get your boarding pass at St Louis airport.

Students making own travel arrangements:  Mary Beth HICKS, Stephanie FICKEN and Shahir AL KHANINY.

If you are not traveling with the group, but want to meet the group at Frankfurt Airport,  plan to meet the group at the Customs exit in the terminal where American Airlines passengers will exit.  (it will be listed on monitors in the arrivals area)   The group will meet others ONE HOUR after our arrival time (scheduled for 11:10, but it could be earlier by up to 30 minutes, or late by hours.  If everything is on time, that means 12:10.

If all is on schedule, we should be on the following trains:

* The final exam for the IMAGE Program is provisionally scheduled for late on Friday June 5.  You can schedule to leave Schmalkalden anytime on Saturday (departing Friday night is possible - just not too feasible)

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3.  For those participating in both the IMAGE (BA490) and the ISSS:

By now, all of you should have secured your airline tickets. 

Please see above for a rendezvous time/place in Frankfurt on May 25.  If you are traveling to Schmalkalden on your own, please see travel information under 1., above.  The ISSS only group will be likely traveling on the train schedule listed immediately above.

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4.   Included in the IMAGE program is a weekend in Munich.  You will be departing Schmalkalden on Thursday, May 28.  The group may stop in Bamburg and or Regensburg en route to Munich.  As Monday is a public holiday in Germany, you will end up with three full days/4 nights in Munich.

We have found a hostel close to the main trains station, with multi-bedded rooms.  i

Please review travel web-sites so you know about Bamburg, Regensburg and Munich.

Things to do in Munich:

Deutscher Musuem
Olympic Village
BMW Museum
Rathaus
Nymphenburg Palace
Various Churches - Cathedral Church of our Lady (Frauenkirche); Church of St. Peter (Alter Peter) ; Asamkirche; Theatinerkirche
Hofbrau Haus
Dachau (a short train/bus ride from Munich - a "must see")

and lots more!

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5.   Included in the ISSS program is a weekend in Berlin.  You will have the weekend 20/21 June in Berlin. 

Things to do in Berlin include:

Fantastic Museums (e.g. Pergamon Museum)
Berlin Dom (Cathedral)
Brandenburg Gate
Check Point Charlie
Sections of the old Berlin wall
Lots of WWII and Cold War sites
Charlottenburg Palace (just outside Berlin)

There is a great free walking tour (tip the guide) that leaves from the Brandenburg Gate (near Starbucks).  There will be signs indicating the departure time.  (I think it is 11:00)

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6.  Participant class/travel schedule