I checked into the so called "incident at Oase" you might want to talk to "Alex" the Bulgarian gal who works the front desk. That was not a security person who was at the entrance with a group. It was a manager thanking them for their visit.
Funny what one person who sees is different then what is really going on. Then goes and tells a version of something that just did not happen. Yes there was a group of punters, (what else is at Oase?) but "NO" they were not being escorted out by security. The person who was suppose to witness this event should ask for the manager and they'll be in for a surprise. Just cause someone has bulk and is big does not mean they're security.
It's common (if you know who is who at a club) that security personnel are promoted to management. You usually don't see these guys, their behind walls watching video monitors. This is something tour groups get to see, the behind the scenes of clubs.
World is another good example, several of the main managers look like body builders and less knowledgeable people assume they're security. Their not.
FKK Tour group did not rise from DH either, another false assumption since they were around for many years before DH arrived on the scene. Sorry all my posts here are not on any other site, again please don't assume, go look yourself. Lets not assume and make up stories. Can't we all get along?
Assuming and misleading is never a reasonable thing. Much information is born of gossip on discussion forums, just cause you read it does not mean it's valid or true.
I was wondering, if one is staying in the city you can take a combination of train and cab to the FKK. but if you did not want to wake a train a cab can be pretty expensive.
i think my cab from the airport area hotel to oase was 45 eur each way!
if one were to rent a car, the cost could be more reasonable.
i was wondering how easy is it to navigate around the city?
i was also thinking of visiting WORLD but that cab ride would be almost 100 EUR
is it easy to find on the road?
has any one here rented a car and ben able to get around easily
I did this with Number 6, who occasionally pops in on this forum. Took me a while to trust the GPS like the Force, but once I did, it was all good- managed to hit Oase, World, GT and Finca all in one week, and for tourism, hit the Rhine, Würzburg and Rothenburg as well. Probably did a thousand miles of driving (so got my several hundred euros worth out of that Mercedes C200 diesel).
This isn't like the US, with wide roads and grids. So include that in the cost of things (unless you have your own unit- phone GPS might be very costly because international data charges for something like Google Maps will be pretty heinous).
World is out in the boonies a bit, but you should be able to find it with GPS.
will a US gps work in germany?
All the GPS receiver does is give your position, it's up to mapping software to handle showing you where you are on the map. That's dependent on the model.
The unit I was using needed a CD/DVD in it to work correctly. Don't know if that's true with yours.
My US Garmin GPS worked well for me last summer in the Netherlands and Germany. However, you must purchase the European maps that come in an SD card that you plug into the GPS unit.
I prefer driving rather then be tied to trains or taxis. It's not for everyone but can be done if you have the nerve and skills.
RENTING
If you do your homework and search the internet you can find some decent deals. Remember renting at the airport will add about 20% taxes and fees. Bring the rate IN EUROS and dollars so you know what you're getting. When in Germany your rate will obviously be in Euros. If you booked it online in dollars you want to ensure the price is the same on the contract. Rent by the seat (person) capacity and luggage not just by pictures that are displayed. Your rental will be by category, so don't be surprised when you arrive and its a different car. Ask for diesel if possible as fuel can often be more per day then the rental itself. While you might not need the insurance (if you credit card includes it) damage fees can be expensive and are different then in the US.
I personally would stay away from Dollar or Thrifty (they are the same in Germany). I've heard they might be selling out to one of the bigger names so this might change. I've rented a few times from them after which they tried to rip me off for damages I did not do. Once it was for a spare tire that was never included from the onset, they wanted, get this $1900 Euros for the spare, stating that I did not take the insurance and now since it was missing it must have been stolen. I did not look for the spare when I rented the car (who does?) but I noticed the spare tire tools, jack and wrench were in the trunk but not where they should be. So what happened is the person who rented the car before me had a tire problem, changed it and the replacement was not put back. So when I brought it back they claimed it was stolen. Luckily I found some paperwork in the glove which proved my side, however this still did not stop them from billing my AMEX card for 1900 Euros. Amex eventually sided with me when I produced the documents. Needless to say Dollar/Thrifty went out of their way to try and screw me. You'll note they often have cheaper prices but do the heavy sell for added insurance which when added makes it more expensive then the competition.
FUEL
While for the most part cars are more fuel efficient in Europe fuel is about three times as expensive. I recall on the last trip about 1.28 a liter for Diesel and 1.40 for regular gas. Now remember to convert that times X 4 (3.78 to be exact) which is what a gallon is going to cost you. A diesel will save you, not much but it helps. So keep this in mind if going the rental route, FUEL is a big part of it.
GPS and FINDING PLACES
Germany is not like the US, yes things are not as far away, Germany is the size of one large state in the US. In the US we have the grid system which means blocks. You can follow directions fairly easy with the grid system. 2 blocks then left, 5 blocks then right etc. In Europe cities were built around a castle, city center etc, and everything went AROUND that, no squares used. So a circular system is used, (bare left, bare right etc.) Then throw in congestion and one way streets and it can be confusing. Now even if your GPS sends you down a one way street or the wrong way, you're liable so take care. I used to find places only using a map and I'll tell you it was hell. So if you plan on driving and don't have a GPS be prepared to get lost, waste time and ask for help. Don't plan on many people speaking English or understanding you. There are some but not everyone speaks English. Yes if you bring your own GPS you'll need to buy Germany or European maps, which usually come on a DVD or Flash card.
Better spend some time making sure you have the correct address as well. If you enter the address incorrectly you might end up driving 500k in the wrong direction. Remember in Germany often cities have the same street names, so you're required to know the zip and region. If you've never been or relay totally on a GPS and it screws you, be prepared to get really lost. That's the bad part of GPS we end up relying on them and when they fail we get screwed.
Think you'll be able to use the sun, forget it, Germany is notorious for bad weather or clouds so navigation by sky is usually impossible. Thus you'll note even most taxi's use GPS in Europe.
Autobahns also differ then the US. Off ramps can be 50k-75km apart so if you miss an off ramp be prepared to do extra work finding your way back, or re-routing. You're required to stay to the right and only use the left lanes to pass. It is illegal to flash your lights, honk your horn in anger or flip the bird. That's right they have ROAD RAGE laws which are enforced only by a phone, the reporting person does not need to prove anything. Regardless people will flash you from behind if you ride the No. 1 left lane. It's not like in the US where some A-hole can drive 75 in the fast lane and think its OK. Slower traffic must stay to the right, its the law. Also don't pass on the right, this is also illegal. Do it and people will get angry. So remember, get on, stay to the right and only get over to pass. No right turns on RED either. Your first big surprise will be the BMW, MB or Porsche that rips by you at 280km an hour. You can imagine and I've seen it happen where some tourist jumps over to the fast lane at 100km and gets rear ended by a car going 250km.
PHOTO RADAR AND LASER
If you're lucky you won't be affected by speed camera's or speed traps. They are common, there are several on the way to Oase and often they are mobile ones set up right at the airport. Depending on your speed and offense they will set you back 15-100 Euros a shot. You'll be signing an agreement with your contract that allows the rental company to bill your credit card should this happen. It can be a week or month later you'll see an additional charge on your credit card, then when you ask they'll tell you "Driving violation plus service charges". These camera's are all over the place, A3 south bound to FRA has 6 cameras in 3 lanes and often the cops set up a third camera after the permanent ones. They fine for speed as well as following too closely.
PARKING FEES and FINES
One time at LR in Kaarst I was ticketed for parking on the street. They did not even put a copy of the ticket on the car. It was for something silly like tire not to the curb. Management at the club who I know well told me the cops often do this to piss off guests of the club. Its a game of sorts, the concept is to piss off guys who might be married, since the wife might see the violation and address where it occurred. Made no sense to me, but I was told this does happen. You're also required to have a parking time card (has a clock with movable hands) which some parking areas require you to set your own time when you parked. Some rental firms like Avis don't include them. You can't claim your a dumb tourist and did not have one.
DAMAGE CLAIMS ON RENTAL CARS
When you collect your rental car when you arrive, play close attention to details. (I use a digital camera) Park the car in the best light you can, as when you rent it, often its in a subterranean garage several floors down. Note any dings, scratches, missing hub cabs, wind shield stone chips, cracks etc. Even the most smallest ones which in the US the rental car companies claim are normal wear and tear. In Germany from experience with several of the rental firms (Even US names they are run by Germans) bill flat rates for these damages. You'll note when you return the car, the return area is often well lighted, in terminal 2 the rental return is underground and they've added lights just to inspect the car when you return it. I once was billed 600 Euros for a very small door ding made by someone who parked next to me. OK so note any damage and see if it appears on your contract? Don't read German, then ask someone to interpret it for you.
You can't use the excuse later you did not understand the language. If the damage is not noted make sure you find the attendant and have them mark the damage on both copies, yours as well.
Now if you got the full coverage then none of this matters. But remember this will add to the cost of the rental. Remember you have 1 hour courtesy time when returning the car, that means you need to get it back at the same time you picked it up, they give you one extra hour (usually) then it's additional hours or days. Bring it back FULL or the top off fee can be huge, not only the cost of the fuel but a hefty service charge as well.
Don't drive your car into an eastern block country. German cars with the exception of Ford can be driven to EB countries but you have to let the rental desk know in advance. Usually MB, VW, Porsche and BMW's are forbidden to be driven to EB countries, since they're high theft risks. Some countries require you to buy Autobahn paid passes, this is not included in your rental. For Germany you're covered and these passes are included and can be seen on the windshield.
Finally if considering the freedom of a rental car, take into consideration all the costs, fees and extras.
1. Rental
2. Insurance
3. Fuel
4. GPS rent one or bring your own (with German maps)
5. Info for GPS
6. Caution needed on the road
This is not meant to scare you away, as others have said it can be done. For some people it's actually fun. If you take care and follow the guidelines and take the precautions you'll be OK. If this sounds like a hassle use the trains and taxis (YES to World it can cost as much as 160 Euros each way). I know this since a friend told me he paid this. Remember it depends on time of day, who is driving, traffic and route. You can also get round trip to World FKK Club with a guide for about 175 Euros total, includes hotel, airport or train station pick up and return. German and English speaking driver and guide. Cheaper if there are two of you as well.
There are lots of options, depends on your skill level, budget, time and effort. After all why do we fly all the way to Germany for something we should be getting right at home? Cause we know what we get in Germany and don't mind the trouble and expense to get it. Sometimes it's about quality of what you get, not the money.
You can get taxi service from World to central Frankfurt for a prenegotiated fee, E50 I think. If you didn't negotiate you'd be looking at more than double.
As for the link to fkktour.com, aren't these guys the former Dexter-Horn folks who were involved in some very questionable material on their website, and had an incident or two with some of their punters at Oase back in the day?
Maybe they've changed, or maybe it's a different group, but I'd be wary of giving free advertising to people you don't know well at all.
DexterHorn and FKKTOUR are two different outfits. I know for a fact they are NOT DexterHorn. It's best not to ASSUME things about people, you make an ASS out of U and ME. But even if they were what does this have to do with anything?
Might help if you elaborated more about incidents rather then just made statements? Thailand which is what it seemed Dexterhorn was all about has nothing to do with Germany, so I don't see the relationship.
Yes I'd be wary about folks making statements about things. Do you have any factual info, real experience that might add to the allegations?
You just answered my question, thanks.
If you have an interest in 21andover.com , Dexter-Horn, or FKK Tour, maybe some disclosure might be in order. I am going to guess a lot of your posts were previously posted on 21andover.com, which looks like it is the former D-H discussion board. Don't get me wrong, they're very informative, but read on.
I mean, a link stating "FKK transportation service to and from World" shouldn't link to a sex tourist agency. Mine is a reasonable question, which deserves a much more polite answer.
Back in the day, Mr. Horn particularly was fond of Cambodia, in a particularly out of bounds manner. I believe he once sold a monger's guide to SE Asia which discussed at length where to find very young prostitutes. Certainly it is wise for you to distance yourself from him. You know the guy is slime, hence your testiness in your response.
As for the FKK Tour group, whose genesis arose from D-H's discussion boards, there was an ugly incident at Oase several years ago, involving American punters, where the punter didn't want to pay for services rendered, and the punter and his group was physically escorted out by security. I have seen the ISG version, and heard two other versions from personal friends of mine (who didn't know each other) who coincidentally happened to witness the incident. According to both friends, the management complained it was a tourgroup involved; one is fluent in German and had access to management; the second heard it from the girls secondhand. So, since these guys were pretty much the only game in town, you draw your own conclusions.
It's a different ballgame now, but as an American whose German is limited, it was not exactly a sure thing to gain entry in the early days of the Internet promoting FKK houses. Idiots like these, and their handlers, made getting into a Babylon, a Bernds, a Sankt-Augustin, etc, places where I was a regular, much more difficult for me. So, maybe you can understand my perspective on this.
Is it fair to dredge back 12-15 years or so historically? Maybe, maybe not. But if you were of questionable character 15 years ago, chances are you still are today. Moreover, and this is no slight against FKK Tour, or it's ilk, FKK is much more user-friendly than it used to be. There's not only a lot more information readily out there, everyone speaks English now. Tourgroups are welcome lol...the concept gestated on steroids and became Atlantis, Oase, World, Artemis, Palace, GT/LR, VV, etc...(while Bernd's remained Bernd's and is still a favorite precisely for that reason).
Moreover, there's a race to see who can construct the first truly worldwide adult entertainment site, TER certainly is in that race, but you have groups from Hong Kong and elsewhere in that race as well. (note to Staff, a Chinese version would be wise). People will always want someone to lead them, no matter the markup, but I think the hosted Germany sextour thingie is obsolete; it didn't have much of a shelf life anyway.
I checked into the so called "incident at Oase" you might want to talk to "Alex" the Bulgarian gal who works the front desk. That was not a security person who was at the entrance with a group. It was a manager thanking them for their visit.
Funny what one person who sees is different then what is really going on. Then goes and tells a version of something that just did not happen. Yes there was a group of punters, (what else is at Oase?) but "NO" they were not being escorted out by security. The person who was suppose to witness this event should ask for the manager and they'll be in for a surprise. Just cause someone has bulk and is big does not mean they're security.
It's common (if you know who is who at a club) that security personnel are promoted to management. You usually don't see these guys, their behind walls watching video monitors. This is something tour groups get to see, the behind the scenes of clubs.
World is another good example, several of the main managers look like body builders and less knowledgeable people assume they're security. Their not.
FKK Tour group did not rise from DH either, another false assumption since they were around for many years before DH arrived on the scene. Sorry all my posts here are not on any other site, again please don't assume, go look yourself. Lets not assume and make up stories. Can't we all get along?
Assuming and misleading is never a reasonable thing. Much information is born of gossip on discussion forums, just cause you read it does not mean it's valid or true.