3 Star Options:

• Courtyard by Marriott Hanover
• Kastens Hotel Luisenhof
• Concorde Hotel Berlin
• Haus Sparkuhl Hotel
• Hotel Koerner
• Hotel Martens
• Hotel Wegner
• Echo Hotel Hanover
• Holiday Inn Hanover Airport
• Concorde Sporting Hotel
• Copthorne Hotel Hanover
• TRYP Celle
• Congress Hotel am Stadtpark 

Car Hire:

Please call Kirsty or Stuart for advice and rates on 01903 832888. Alternatively you can email us, or click here to see rates online and request a vehicle.  

Entertainment:

Culture:

Hanover has a rich arts scene that gives the city a lively, creative atmosphere, and there are many interesting destinations for excursions in the immediate vicinity. A veritable open-air art museum, Hanover is full of works of art, including Niki de Saint-Phalle’s "Nana" sculptures and the famous designer bus stops. Guided walking art tours for groups are available all year round.

Museums:

• Sprengel Museum - one of the best-known museums of 20th-century art. This museum’s treasures of 20th century art by artists such as Picasso, Nolde, Leger, Beckmann and Klee have set European standards.
• Kestner Museum - collections include arts and crafts from the Middle Ages to the present and works of Egyptian, Greek, Etruscan and Roman art.
• Wilhelm Busch Museum - features regular special exhibitions of caricatures and critical graphics.
• Historical Museum - devoted to the history of the city and Lower Saxony. Guided tours are also available on weekends.
• Niedersachsen Landesmuseum - Contains a selection of paintings and sculptures spanning nine centuries. The museum's art collection includes the works of Rembrandt, Rubens and numerous other artists.

Nieder Sachsische Stadtstheatre :

Opernhaus (opera house, built on a plan drawn by Laves) is included in the world’s top 20 by the London Opera Guide.

This is Hanover's top venue for ballet; concerts; and opera, and is housed in a building that was built between 1845 to 1852. This is the place to go to experience a cultural night out, watching some of the best performances in Germany.

Shopping:

Exclusive shops in the Georgstrasse (between Kropcke and Aegidientorplatz) and the Old Town. Many department stores between Kropke and Steintor and in the pedestrian precinct. Elegant roofed shopping malls: Galerie Luise and Kropke Passage. Lister Meile. Markthalle (Market Hall, Karmarschstrasse). Flea market on the Hoher Ufer in the Old Town every Saturday from 7-16h.

Food:

The restaurant scene is a colourful one, with 1,500 establishments offering every type of cuisine from the good hearty meal to the exquisite delicacy. In summer it is the beer gardens and street cafés that lure passers-by, in winter the cosy pubs and "in scene" bars around the station and Raschplatz.
 
Those who want to try out typical Lower Saxony dishes will find hochzeitssuppe "wedding soup" and Calenberger pfannenschlag (a kind of thick stew with sausage meat), followed by Welfenspeise (Guelph pudding) as a dessert; in the cold months there is braunkohl mit bregenwurst (kale and sausage) accompanied by a beer and chased down with a clear schnapps.

If you prefer international cuisine, you have a wide choice: an alphabetical list running from A for Afghan to Z for Zypriotisch (Cypriot) fills 40 pages of the Hanover Yellow Pages, taking in the familiar and the unfamiliar on the way: Arab, Indonesian, Israeli, Japanese, Korean, Mexican, Thai, with the countless Italian, Greek, Spanish and Chinese restaurants occupying a lot of space in between.

And then there is the Market Hall, where people meet for a capuccino at an Italian stall or for lunch at a Turkish one, here there are fresh vegetables and freshly squeezed fruit juices of every variety. Fish delivered in the morning is cooked at lunchtime under your very eyes.

Be sure to try Broyhan-Atl, which is the main product of the best-known local brewery, Lindener Gilde. The brewery has another claim to fame: it has been in continuous operation since 1546.

Some suggested restaurants:

Artemis
Ricklinger 154, Linden-Sud
Tel: 511 458 2366
Located adjacent to the Kaiser-Center Sports Complex, Artemis serves up traditional Greek favorites in a casual environment. The great dining options include peppered steak, lamb entrees, and vegetable favourites. The drinks menu complements any choice, and the service is nice. Good prices for a full meal.

Arts Restaurant
Radisson SAS Hotel
EXPO Plaza 5
Tel: 511 383 830
Arts Restaurant & Bar is right next to the lobby and serves an imaginative and creative selection of dishes and wine in a modern and elegant atmosphere. Every month, Arts Restaurant presents a different theme, taking you on a culinary journey to remember.

Basil
DragonerStrasse 30a
Tel: 511 622636
This chic restaurant is housed in a building that was once used by the Royal Prussian military. The decor is elegantly rustic, with iron pillars extending to the vaulted brick ceiling. The large windows contribute to the pleasant ambience. The menu changes regularly and consistently includes numerous thoughtfully selected items.

Brauhaus Ernst August
Schmiedstrasse 13A,
Tel: 511 306 030
Diners come here for the light-hearted atmosphere and the excellent traditional German food. Live entertainment is provided most nights, which encourages patrons to leave their seats and enjoy a dance or two.

Brunnenhof Restaurant
Central Hotel Kaiserhof
Ernst August place 4
Tel: 0511 368 3100
The restaurant's name means "fountain court," and that's a particularly appropriate appellation for a restaurant whose inner courtyard is enlivened by a small fountain that's kept stocked year-round with plump trout which, of course, they serve freshly caught.

Daily Planet
Aegidientorplatz 1
Tel: 511 323 002
This hot little cafe near the Opera House and the city centre is a great place to grab a light sandwich and beer after a day of sightseeing or business meetings in the central business district. It is also popular for a late-night cocktail. The service includes Internet access when the system is not, as they say, "kaput."

Gattopardo
Hainholzer Strasse 1
Tel: 511 143 75
This chic Italian restaurant is located right next to the Cinemaxx, thus attracting a number of well-known performers. Diners will enjoy the ever-changing menu with various creative dishes by Chef Matthian Westhuis. The interior is well appointed with tasteful decor.

Landhaus Ammann
Hildesheimer Strasse 185
Tel: 511 830 818
This traditional restaurant is named for its owner and is considered by many to be one of the better restaurants serving old-style German cuisine. Delicious noodles, potato dishes, and meat entrees dominate the menu. They also serve up breakfast at good prices. Good ambience and service.

Le Chalet
Isernhagener Strasse 21
Tel: 511 319 588
This delightful French restaurant is a local favourite for traditional meals and a good selection of accompanying wines. Every meal is perfectly prepared in the old Gallic way, and the flavors are pure continental. The lovely ambience and first-rate service make for a good overall dining choice.

Maredo
Georgstrasse 38
Tel: 511 323 148
This great Argentinean steak house is a real treat in every city, and the site in Hanover (near the Opera House) is tops for perfectly cooked steaks. The accompanying salads and side items are as equally well prepared, and the drinks menu is extensive. Patrons can enjoy good service and a casual ambience, plus the restaurant's great location in the heart of the city.

Schweine-Schulze
Neue Strasse 36, Alstadt, Celle
Tel: 514 122 944
This restaurant has been a part of Hanover culinary fame for many years, and the building the restaurant occupies has been a part of the landscape since the late 15th century. Try the fried potatoes, pork entrees, or lighter fare selections. It is popular with regulars, local politicians, and travelers who are lucky enough to find the place. You can get delicious traditional food here at very good prices.

Shalimar
Lange Laube 13
Tel: 511 148 48
This is the oldest Indian restaurant in Hanover, very popular with great Indian interior and menus. They also serve Indian beer, Lassi.

Sushi Island
Joachimstrasse 4-5, Zentrum
Tel: 511 300 8081
This great Japanese restaurant is a popular site for a full selection of sushi, as well as for American dining favorites. Good burgers, steaks, traditional Japanese dishes, and lighter meals are served. The restaurant has excellent traditional service and ambience, and regular live music acts perform also.

Vier Jahreszeiten
Waldhausenstrasse 1,
Tel: 511 841 212
In English, the name of this restaurant is "Four Seasons," and the eatery is a popular spot for dining in the old style. Popular Northern German cuisine dominates the menu. Delicious meats, fish, and salads are served, and the popular on-site beer garden doubles as a nice spot to dine in the changing leaves of fall. Nice ambience and first-rate service.  

Sport:

Hanover 96 is is Hanover's professional soccer club in Germany's premier division. The city is also home to the "Scorpions" ice hockey team, and rugby matches or games of American football are also played at the AWD Stadium. 

Particularly appreciated by trade fair visitors and other outsiders, however, is the wide choice of golf courses in the region. There are a good dozen all around the city, nearly all of which can be reached in half an hour at the most, attracting visiting golfers with affordable green fees. Whether it is in idyllic heathland surroundings, on Scottish-style links or in spacious parks, each of the courses has its own exclusive atmosphere. The oldest course and the one with the greatest wealth of tradition is that of Hannover Golf Club in Garbsen; the two newest, which connoisseurs rate as being amongst the most beautiful courses in the links style in Germany, are those in Rethmar and Gleidingen. Rethmar was designed by the legendary golfer Arnold Palmer.

The people of Lower Saxony themselves are great enthusiasts for equestrian sport. The exclusive sport of polo has become more and more established at the heart of Lower Saxony’s "horse country": insiders describe the Lower Saxony Polo Club’s grounds, where a major tournament takes place every year, as being among the most beautiful in Germany.  

Stadium:

AWD Arena:

The AWD-Arena is the football stadium located in Hanover. The stadium is the home ground of the Bundesliga club Hannover 96. It has a capacity of 48,933.

The stadium was originally known as Niedersachsenstadion, built in 1954. During the 2006 World Cup, the stadium will be called "FIFA WM Stadion Hannover" (in English, "Hanover World Cup Stadium"). Both Brazil and Holland played matches here during the 1974 FIFA World Cup.  The stadium has now been reconstructed and renamed to the AWD Arena

Directions:

From the main station (Hauptbahnhof), take the underground U3 or U7 towards Wettbergen, or you can take the U9 towards Empelde. The nearest underground station to the stadium is "Waterloo", which is located approximately 5 minutes walking distance from the entrance.

World Cup Stadium Schedule:

• 12th June 2006 Group E: Italy - Ghana 8pm
• 15th June 2006 Group A: Ecuador - Costa Rica 2pm
• 19th June 2006 Group H: Saudi Arabia - Ukraine 5pm
• 22nd June 2006 Group E: Czech Republic - Italy 3pm
• 27th June 2006 Final Sixteen: First in Group H - Second in Group G 9pm
  

Tourist Tips:

Hanover’s city forest, the Eilenriede, stretches right across the city and down into the centre; numerous parks and idyllic gardens have helped to spread the city’s reputation for being a "green metropolis".

Today’s city displays a successful blend of historic buildings and modern architecture. Whole streets of houses from the self-confident period when Germany was united in the 19th century are to be found in the List district, magnificent villas from the days of the Empire in the Zoo quarter, austere functional buildings from the Weimar Republic in the southern districts of the city, and the remnants of the medieval town between the Market Church and the River Leine. Painstakingly restored old buildings give a dignity to the townscape. In between them, modern buildings predominate.

In the course of the years both residential and commercial buildings have been created that may well be described as strokes of creative genius. Examples are the twisted Gehry Tower and the (International Institute for Neurosciences), shaped like a head, in the Medical Park.

Why not try The Red Line: A line painted on the pavement that guides visitors to 36 interesting sights on a 4.2km route.

Herrenhauser Gardens:

The Herrenhauser Gardens,located in Lower Saxony's capital of Hanover are made up of the Great Garden, the Berggarten, the Georgengarten and the Welfengarten. The gardens are a heritage of the Kings of Hanover.

The Great Garden has always been one of the most distinguished botanical gardens of Europe while the Berggarten has been transformed over the years from a simple vegetable garden into its second large botanical garden with its own attractions. Both the Georgengarten and the Welfengarten have been made in the style of English gardens, and both are considered popular recreation areas for the residents of Hanover. The history of the gardens spans several centuries, and they remain a popular attraction to this day.

The "State Stage of Hanover" uses the Garden Theatre of the Great Garden during the summer for both musicals and other theatrical performances. Similarly, the building that houses the garden's orangery is utilized for both art exhibits and performances of classical music; matinee performances are presented in the foyer. The focal point of the garden is the large fountain which can, with optimal weather conditions, reach a maximum height of 80 metres.

Leibnizhaus:

The former home of mathematician and scientist Gottfried Liebniz, this home dates from the late 17th century and represents the city during its height as a German power. The house features a baroque façade and symbolizes regional architectural styles of the period. The house is interesting to view and a must-see for visitors to the city.

Marktkirche:

In the 14th century, the Marktkirche (The Church on the Marketplace) was built here. Together with the Old Town Hall to the right they are considered to be the southernmost specimens of the "North German neo-Gothic" style. Just as the tower reached half of its planned height, the construction had to be stopped due to shortages in the town's coffers. "The builders be faint and taken of the sickness", reports contemporary chronicle. For financial reasons, a shortened spire was mounted without further ado (which became very popular and was imitated widely). Destroyed during the Second World War, the Marktkirche was rebuilt - unchanged in style - in 1952. The portal with scenes from the saddest chapter of German history was designed by Gerhard Marcks.

Even many of Hanover's well-informed citizens are oblivious to the fact that the "Deutsche Michel" (a nickname the Germans often give to themselves) is actually buried here. He was by no means just a legendary figure. His name was General Johann Michael von Obentraut, and he was leading the Danish and German army against Tilly when he was mortally wounded on 25 October 1625. This hero of the Thirty Years War was known as "der deutsche Michel" to his contemporaries.

Die Altstadt:

Hanover's old town extended from Steintor to Aegidientorplatz and is today only recognizable by its elliptical shape. The old main streets like Osterstrasse, Schmiedestrasse, Knochenhauerstrasse, Burgstrasse, Leinestrasse and others are linked by numerous lanes and join again at the old gates as was common in German merchants' settlements in the Middle Ages.

After the bombing raids of the Second World War there was almost nothing left of Hanover's old town. Forty old half-timbered buildings remained, twelve thereof in Knochenhauerstrasse, Kramerstrasse and Burgstrasse. During the rebuilding of Hanover, parts of the old buildings, mainly the facades, were transferred and concentrated in this area. So today they form a "new old town" in Hanover's oldest part.

New Town Hall:

This splendid City Hall was built in 1901 on oak piles and looks like a castle. It soon has become a well known landmark of Hanover. Kaiser Wilhelm Ist inaugurated it in 1913.

Its height is 97,37m from the bottom to the golden top. Beside the architectural attractions it shows huge halls with wonderfully carved doors and beautiful portraits. The visitor can also enjoy a great view over Hanover from a special observation point.

Hamelin:

Hamelin is famous for the folk tale of The Pied Piper of Hamelin. The version written down by the Brothers Grimm made it extremely popular throughout the world; it is also the subject of a well-known poem by Robert Browning. Although Hamelin has a fine medieval old town with some remarkable buildings, the main attraction is the Pied Piper tale. In the summer every Sunday the tale is played by actors in the authentic places.

There was a monastery at the place, which was founded as early as 851. A village grew in the neighbourhood and became a town in the 12th century. The incident with the Pied Piper is said to have happened in 1284 and may be based on a true event, although somewhat different from the tale. In the 15th and 16th century Hamelin was a minor member of the Hanseatic League.

Wolfsburg:

Wolfsburg is just a short drive away from Hanover and is the home to Europe’s largest car manufacturer, Volkswagen (which literally translates to "people’s car"). The Automuseum gives some insight into the history of the car designed by Rudolf Porsche, who was the contractor hired by Adolf Hitler to "build a car that the ordinary working man could afford."

Other suggestions for sightseeing:

• Kropcke - The most central square in Hanover and a favourite city-centre meeting place.
• Old Town Hall - The old government building dates from the 15th century and features brick architectural styles from the period.
• Maschee - Inner city lake
• Waterlooplatz - venue for the Hanover World Cup Fanfest
• Aegidienkirche Memorial
• Hanover Zoo
• Leineschloss - castle on the river Leine, today the seat of Lower Saxony's parliament
  Baroque Gardens
• Mausoleum
• Christuskirche
• Eilenriede - big inner-city forest, affectionately called the "green lung" of Hanover
• Gehry Tower - post-modern building in the inner city near the Steintor Square
• Hermes Tower - steel skeleton tower at the exhibition grounds in Laatzen
• VW Tower - old broadcast tower near the central bus station
• Telemax -  new broadcast tower in Hannover-Buchholz, (highest building in Hanover)
• Hildesheim - UNESCO World Heritage site with many historical sights.
  

History:

The town was founded in medieval times on the bank of the river Leine (the original name Honovere may be translated as "high bank"). It was a small village of ferrymen and fishermen, which became a comparatively large town in the 13th century. In the 14th century the main churches of Hanover were built, as well as a city wall with three town gates to secure the city.

In 1636 the Duke of Calenberg decided to move his residence to Hanover. His duchy was afterwards known as the Duchy of Hanover (see: House of Hanover). His descendants would later become kings of the United Kingdom; the first of them was George I, who ascended to the British throne in 1714. Three kings of the United Kingdom were at the same time Electoral Princes of Hanover.

During the Seven Years' War on July 26, 1757 the Battle of Hastenbeck took place. The French army defeated the Hanoverian Army of Observation, leading to the occupation of Hanover.

After Napoleon imposed the Convention of Artlenburg (Convention of the Elbe) on July 5, 1803 about 30,000 French soldiers occupied Hanover.  The convention also meant the disbanding of the army of Hanover. George III did not recognize the Convention of the Elbe and made an effort to recruit foreign troops. As a result a great number of soldiers of Hanover eventually emigrated to England leading to the King's German Legion which later played an important role in the Battle of Waterloo.

At the Congress of Vienna in 1814 George III elevated the electorate to the Kingdom of Hanover. The capital town Hanover expanded to the western bank of the Leine and grew considerably. In 1837 the personal union of the United Kingdom and Hanover ended as William IV's heir in the United Kingdom was female, and Hanover could be inherited only by males. Hanover continued as a kingdom until 1866, when it was annexed by Prussia. After the annexation, the people of Hanover opposed the Prussian regime. Nevertheless, the growth of Hanover continued until World War II, when two thirds of the town was bombed to ruins.

After the war, Hanover was in the British zone of occupation of Germany, and later became famous for hosting commercial expositions such as the CeBIT and the Hanover Fair. In 2000, Hanover hosted the Expo 2000. 

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