MÜNSTER /KASSEL/BERLIN Travel Tips & General Information 1 From June 10 to October 1, the city of Münster will hold Skulptur Projekte Münster for the fifth time. Held every ten years (1977, 1987, 1997, 2007), Skulptur Projekte Münster presents the works of international artists in a wide variety of spaces around the city. The curatorial team, presently made up of Kasper König, Britta Peters, and Marianne Wagner, has invited artists from all over the world to investigate the relationship between art, the public realm, and the urban environment, and to develop new, site-specific works. Past editions have seen the work of artists such as Donald Judd, Bruce Nauman, Claes Oldenberg, Daniel Buren, Jorge Pardo, and Jeff Koons, to name a few. Additionally, from June 10 to September 17, the city of Kassel will hold Documenta 14 (held every five years). Alongside Venice’s Biennale, Documenta is seen as the most important, regularly occurring exhibition for modern and contemporary art in the world. Artistic Director Adam Szymczyk has been building up a team of curators that include Pierre Bal-Blanc, the director of Contemporary Art Center (CAC) Brétigny; Hendrik Folkerts, curator of performance, film, and discursive programs at the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam; Hila Peleg, the founder and artistic director of the Berlin Documentary Forum; Dieter Roelstraete, senior curator at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago; and, Monika Szewczyk, visual arts program curator at the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, University of Chicago, where she also lectures in the departments of Visual Arts and Art History. As usual, the list of artists is kept confidential until the opening of the show. 1. ACCOMMODATIONS Mauritzhof Hotel Munster Eisenbahnstr. 17, 48143 Münster, Germany Tel: +49 (0)251 41720 http://www.mauritzhof.de/default-en.html The Mauritzhof Hotel, sometimes referred to as the Designhotel Mauritzhof, is a stylish four-star hotel near Münster's railroad station, the inner ring road, and the Altstadt. Although its building was constructed in 1957, the Mauritzhof underwent a complete overhaul in the mid-1990s under the direction of the Ranier Maria Kresing architectural firm. The rebuilt hotel is a glass-fronted structure that visitors might expect to see in Berlin or Hamburg, with large windows, light woods, and bright ultramodern furnishings. The public rooms and the north-facing bedrooms overlook the Promenade (the pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly green belt that surrounds Münster's old town). Amenities include free Wi-Fi for guests, a library, and a terrace café next to the Promenade during the warm months. Every one of the Mauritzhof's 39 rooms is unique in size and decor. Rooms are grouped in four basic categories: Komfort, Studio, Junior Suite, and Suite. Ask for a room facing the Promenade--you'll pay more than you would for a view of the busy Eisenbahnstrasse, but you won't regret the modest surcharge. (Most rooms on the Promenade side have small terraces or balconies, making them even more desirable.) Schlosshotel Bad Wilhelmshöhe Conference & SPA Schlosspark 8, 34131 Kassel, Germany Tel: +49 (0)561/ 30 88-0 http://www.schlosshotel-kassel.de/fileadmin/pdf/Imageflyer_Schlosshotel_von_August_2016_Englisch_3_Web.pdf The Schlosshotel Bad Wilhelmshohe Conference & SPA is situated in Europe’s largest and most beautiful mountain park, which was recently declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. The calm and tranquility of the location in combination with the modern interior of the hotel offer the ideal atmosphere for restful days. The four-star hotel offers breathtaking views over Kassel and most rooms include a balcony. 2 The new luxury spa has an indoor pool, an ecological outdoor swimming pond, different saunas, and extensive wellness treatments. Regional and international cuisine is served in the restaurants, and guests can also dine on the terrace. Cultural highlights that are within short walking distance include the Castle Wilhelmshohe, Lowenburg Castle ruins, Ornamental Water Displays, and the town’s landmark – the Herkules Monument. In Kassel, the landmark city of German fairytales, visitors can experience where the Grimms brothers lived and were inspired. They can also enjoy an exquisite shopping experience at the Konigs-Galerie Kassel. Waldorf Astoria Berlin Hardenbergstr. 28, 10623 Berlin, Germany Tel: +49-(0)30/814000-0 http://waldorfastoria3.hilton.com/en/hotels/berlin/waldorf-astoria-berlin-BERWAWA/index.html Timeless elegance is artfully blended with the vibrant, modern attitude of Berlin in the Waldorf Astoria Berlin hotel. Located 7 minutes from the beach, in the heart of the prestigious neighborhoods of Berlin City West, by the luxury shopping district of Kurfürstendamm and Berlin zoo, the hotel offers an array of world-famous landmarks and activities to discover within simple walking distance or by the efficient S and U-Bahn transport systems. Admire incredible panoramic views of the Berlin skyline from every guest room, with floor to ceiling windows, and the 15th floor library. The upper floors have Berlin's highest suites and some have their own private terrace. In addition, all rooms boast large marble bathrooms and the latest entertainment technology. Inspired by the original Waldorf Astoria design, Art Deco features are merged seamlessly with elements of modernity to create a totally unique hotel interior. Discover serene rejuvenation in the only Guerlain Spa in Germany, featuring a wide range of signature beauty and massage treatments, an indoor pool, thermal zone and the latest fitness equipment. Modern French cuisine is served at Michelin-starred Les Solistes by Pierre Gagnaire; Mediterranean cuisine is served all day at Roca, a relaxed brasserie environment; and signature drinks and light snacks are served at the 1920s-themed Lang Bar. 3 2. GERMANY OVERVIEW About Germany Misunderstood by many, Germany is one of the most varied and charming countries on the continent. Anyone expecting a homogenous nation conforming to old Teutonic stereotypes is in for a shock. As a destination, it offers a clutch of truly lovely cities, culture served up in hefty portions and rural scenery so pretty you’ll wonder why it isn't on every tourist hit list. The country occupies a prime position at the heart of Europe – both literally and figuratively. It is home to the biggest economy on the continent, has more inhabitants than anywhere else in the EU and shares land borders with no less than nine other nations. It's no surprise, then, that today’s Germany is more diverse and cosmopolitan than old stereotypes suggest; mixing time-honored nationalism and tradition with multicultural modernism and self-confidence. History The territory that we now know as Germany was for many centuries a loose collection of independent (and often warring) states, occupied by rulers including the Roman Empire, the Holy Roman Empire and the Austrian Habsburgs. Unification was attained after a victory in the Franco-Prussian war of 1871. There followed a period of political, military and economic advancement that placed it as a genuine world power. Following defeat in WWI, however, the Treaty of Versailles saw the country sliced and diced. Germany was forced to cede parts of its territory to surrounding nations as well as to pay significant reparations – a punishment that would prove crippling for the already ailing German economy. It was these dire economic circumstances, amplified by the worldwide economic Depression of 1929 and a growing tide of racism in Europe that gave rise to the emergence of the National Socialist German Workers’ (Nazi) Party, making Adolf Hitler head of state. His notorious legacy remains a shocking historical blight. Initial military success in WWII ended in further defeat for Germany, although this time, the country’s economy recovered more quickly. After the war, Germany’s borders were once again redrawn, and the country and its capital city, Berlin, were divided. For more than 40 years, the communist East Germany was cut off from the US-allied West. In 1989, the Berlin Wall, which separated the eastern districts of the city from the west, started to be dismantled. Reunification took place shortly after in October 1990. From 1995 onwards, a new leadership under would-be chancellor Gerhard Schröder emerged to challenge the long-standing Helmut Kohl Christian Democrat (CDU) government. Schröder came to power in 1998, his reign coming to an end amid confusion following September 2005's inconclusive election. Germany faced weeks of uncertainty resulting in a deal that saw Angela Merkel sworn in as Germany's first female chancellor. Since then, Merkel has guided Germany through the global recession, helping to ensure a quick recovery for the country with stimulus packages. In 2013, she was sworn in for her third four-year term and in 2014, Merkel became the longest serving incumbent head of state in the European Union. Getting There You will need your passport, which should be valid for the entire duration of your stay. United States citizens (traveling on business or on vacation) are entitled to remain in Germany for up to 90 days without a visa. Before your departure, you will receive Art Quest International luggage tags – these should be attached to your luggage for easy identification by the tour leader and hotel staff. How to get to the Hotel from the Airport As soon as you exit the baggage claim area, Taxi signs will be visible. If a queue has formed, please await your turn and accept the first available taxi. As all taxis abide by the same rating regulations, you can rest assured that your fare will be fair. Each taxi is equipped with a standard meter that will calculate the cost of your commute in Euros. 4 The distance between the Munster Osnabruck International Airport (FMO) and the Mauritzhof Hotel in Munster is 17 miles, and should take about 20 to 30 minutes via car.