Shopping

Berlin:
Unlike many cities in Europe, the stores are open for long hours, often late into the evening. If you are a tourist from outside of Europe, the 12.7% sales tax will be reimbursed. Kurfürstendamm and Friedrichstraße are the main shopping districts in Berlin. The Potsdamer Platz, the Kranzler Eck, and the Europa Center are good choices for large shopping centers.

Dresden:
The main shopping district in Dresden extends from Ferdinandplatz, west to Sankt-Petersburger Straße, and northwest to Wilsdruffe Straße. At the south end on Ferdinandplatz, you will find a cinema, several restaurants, and a huge Karstadt department store (which also sells groceries). Check out TeeGschwendner, which is a truly astonishing tea emporium.

Bamberg:
Bamberg is famous for its beer, bread and gardens. The town's bakeries supply gourmet food stores such as Dallmayer in Munich and the KaDeWe in Berlin. You can buy the acclaimed Bamberg Rauchbier (smoked beer) and Bierschnaps (beer schnapps) at both of the famous breweries in town.

Munich:
The major shopping centers are City Center, Schwabing, Glockenbach and Maxvorstadt. In the City Center region, you will find an array of shops and stores selling brand products. The Schwabing features boutiques, jewelry shops, book stores and other small shops. Funky dress items and trendy shoes are available in large numbers. The Elisabethmarkt sells grocery items like fruits, vegetables and spices.