Goch

Goch sits on the banks of the river Niers which in medieval times formed the main transportation connections to the surrounding area and many large towns in the Netherlands as well as Germany and Belgium.

Goch is a very attractive town with a rich history that dates back to Roman times. Walking around the town you can see wonderful examples of various architectural styles. It has 2 busy shopping streets and at its centre is the market square which holds popular weekly markets where fresh produce can be purchased.

The market square really comes alive in the Spring/Summer when the locals and tourists enjoy the long warm evenings relaxing outside various Cafe Bars and Restaurants.

Shopping

Groceries       Some of the more popular grocery store chains in the area are Edeka, Plus, Lidl, Aldi and REWE. The Real (Rees) has a wide selection of products and friendly staff who often have enough English to help translate. The Kaufland Centre in Goch is a shopping complex with a shoe shop, butcher, green grocer, bakery and a very well stocked supermarket.

The Bauernmarkt (Farmers’ markets) stores, which look like barns at the side of the road, are places where fresh produce, cheeses and meat can be purchased, with cash being the preferred method of payment. The Lindchen Bauernmakt on the main road between Goch and Kalkar is excellent.

Department Stores       There are many different department stores around the area:                       

• City Möbel Markt in Goch near the railway station.
• Woolworths (in Kleve and Xanten) carry the usual selection of department store items at quite reasonable prices.
• The Fundgrube, or second-hand store (in Wardt). Here you can often pick up that household item that was forgotten, or piece of furniture required for that tricky corner, at quite reasonable prices.
• Schleckers and Ihrplatz are 2 chain stores selling the kind of things you would find at "Boots", except pharmaceutical prescriptions.
• Ikea stores in Kaarst and Nijmegen.
• Müller in Goch is good for household, chemist and 21 entertainment goods.                                                                                                                           

Post Offices       Although most personnel use the BFPO mail service, the Deutsche Post provides a viable alternative. Visit the website (in English) for information on postage rates, tracking packages, post office locations and other helpful items.

Newspapers       The BFG newspaper Sixth Sense is issued weekly and is free. Daily British newspapers can be purchased from the NAAFI at JHQ Rheindahlen or Weeze Airport.

Dry Cleaning      (Chemische Reinigung) Found on the Marktplatz and on Vossstrasse, one of the main shopping streets in Goch.                                    

Opening Hours       Most businesses in small towns like Goch and Kalkar (including banks and post offices) close during lunch hour for about 2 hours. Shops are open on a Saturday, but many of the smaller ones shut at around 2pm. Supermarkets are generally open 8am-8pm Mon - Sat. On Sundays all shops are shut, apart from a few bakeries which are open until mid morning.

Eating Out       One of the joys of being in Europe is the opportunity to sample different cuisines. In this area there are many choices, from the Schnellimbiss (a fast food place featuring sausages and fried potatoes and salads), Italian, Greek and Chinese speciality restaurants and the great British favorite; Doner Kebab, to the typical German Gasthaus.

Cinemas        The nearest cinemas showing movies in their original language are located just over the border in Nijmegan. They are the Calypso, Carolus and Lux Movie Theatres; check Filmladder for info.

 Also try the Globe Cinema at JHQ Rheindahlen, click here for up to date listings.         

Tax Concessions       UK personnel based at Kalkar are entitled to buy goods in Germany tax-free. However, shops will usually only provide a tax-free service on goods over a minimum value of 50 euros. To obtain tax-free goods you will first need an Auftrag (German tax concession form) – available from the Tax Office at Kalkar. Click for comprehensive list of dealers offering the tax-free service.

If you want to purchase items duty free in the UK you will need a JAPCC or CAOC 2 Status Certificate, also obtainable from the Tax Office at Kalkar. You should then speak with UK Customs and Excise and they will explain how to arrange the duty free sale with your supplier in the UK.

US shopping facilities are located in Europe in accordance with the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). The SOFA for each individual country determines the control of entry criteria. Thus, Germany allows personnel other than American Forces, e.g. NATO Forces, to use the facilities. To access the facilities you and your spouse will need a Base Installation Pass (paperwork obtainable from the JAPCC Directorate USAF SNCO) and to use the facilities you will need a US Privilege and ID Card (obtainable from the US Support Office, Kalkar).

US shopping facilities:

Visit the AAFES locations interactive map which provides links to AAFES Stores throughout Germany.

Geilenkirchen (GK) NATEX located near JFC Brunssum.

British shopping facilities:

NAAFI Shopping Complex located at JHQ Rheindahlen.

SSVC Shops located in BFG.

Transport

Air       Weeze International Airport, formerly RAF Laarbruch, is located approximately 15 minutes drive from Goch. Excellent deals are currently available on flights to a variety of UK and European destinations.

• There is a bus service provided (really a taxi under contract to Goch Council) which picks passengers up at Goch Train Station (SL 17 Bus Stop) in accordance to the timetable found here (you must phone and book it at least 30 mins in advance). You (and anyone else who has booked it) get in and it takes you to the airport. You then have to sign a form which the driver gives you. This form enables the driver to claim back the full fare from Goch council, but you only pay the taxi driver €3.90. On the return trip from the airport it is worth asking the driver if he/she will drop you off at home rather than the train station.

Rail       Train travel can be inexpensive, especially at weekends or if you book in advance. Deutsche Bahn offers some good weekend breaks and there is an excellent web site (in English), with timetables (including fares) and an on-line reservation service.

Rental Cars       Rental car prices vary considerably and competition between agencies is especially fierce on weekends when business customers are few. Therefore, many rental firms offer good weekend rates but you should ask about special offers in any event. All major car rental firms have phone reservation services at local-call rates. It can be cheaper to book a hire car through visiting websites such as www.ryanair.com even if you are not flying with them.

Taxis       Radio call taxis in Germany, usually beige in colour, offer a comfortable but rather expensive means of transport. If you plan to use a taxi for a longer journey try and bargain for a flat rate rather than a meter rate. In many cities there are cheaper alternatives to the usual taxi services: so-called Mini-cars offer lower mileage costs. They are not allowed to wait at regular taxi stands, nor may they pick up passengers on the road, which is why they are not outwardly recognized as taxis. Again you must turn to the local yellow pages to find out the telephone numbers. Many of these mini-car firms also offer a mini-bus service for transporting larger numbers of passengers. A common taxi may transport no more than 4 passengers, so for large families and groups it’s usually wiser to order one mini-bus taxi than 2 regular taxis.

Sport & Leisure 

There are a variety of recreational facilities available in the local area. There are many modern sporting facilities offering activities such as horse riding, Golf, canoeing and even gliding at a local airfield on the outskirts of the town. A well maintained and diverse network of foot and cycle paths invite and encourage locals and visitors to explore the towns and countryside of the Lower Rhine. There are many places locally where you can rent bicycles and canoes. Look for the maps on wooden display boards that indicate local Wanderung routes (good areas and trails for walking or cycling).

NOTE: Refer to the RSU Community webpage for a host of leisure activities in and around the JHQ Rheindahlen area.

Golf         There are numerous golf courses throughout the region, the following three courses attract a discount on green fees if you are a member of the Kalkar Golf Society (KGS):

              Land Golf Club Schloß Moyland                  Golf Park Schloß Moyland                  Mülenfhof Golf and Country Club

Water Sports                         

Local attractions and theme parks

Useful websites featuring the Lower Rhine Region (English )

Tourism.de