Vacation Rentals by Owner


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Vacation Rentals - Vacation Homes, Condos, Cabins by Owner Vacation Rentals by Owner Thousands of vacation rentals directly from their owner(s)/manager(s). Vacation homes, condos, villas, cabins, and more ... Help Vacation Rentals by Owner Advanced Search Search State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Timeshare City (optional) Lodging Type (optional) Bed and Breakfast Condominium Cottage/Cabin Home/Villa Hotels/Inns Studios/Penthouses Timeshare Townhome Farm/Ranch Listing Number (optional) Click here for our Advanced Search Popular Vacation States Florida Georgia California Tennessee Hawaii Pennsylvania North Carolina New Hampshire South Carolina Vermont Colorado Virginia Arizona New York Massachusetts Texas Maine Washington Michigan New Jersey Community Find Vacation Rentals Help Compare Us vs Hotels Website Announcements Vacation Rental Comparison Site Map Link Exchange Owner's Special Listing Englewood, FL Finding a perfect vacation rental has never been easier! We offer thousands of vacation rentals for rent in every major vacation spot directly from their owner or manager. FindVacationRentals.com offers an array of vacation homes, condos, villas, and cabins to meet your vacation needs. Whether you are looking for a vacation condo rental along the beaches of Myrtle Beach, a cabin rental in Breckenridge, Colorado or a villa rental near Orlando or Disney, FindVacationRentals.com can accommodate you! Select a destination below, find the vacation home of your choice, and book it directly through the owner! Click here to view Cities Current Promotion Featured Vacation Listing Winter Park, CO Featured Vacation Listing Okemo, VT Recently Added Stunning Ocean Views, Litchfield Retreat Condo, Free Interne Litchfield , SC Treasure Cay, Bahamas Beach Villa - 2 Bedrroms / 2 Baths Treasure Cay , Bahamas Newton Fork Ranch - A Magical Hideaway Black Hills , SD North Conway Station- 8 bedroom family vacation home North Conway , NH Hot Vacation Spots Anna Maria Island Depoe Bay Albrightsville Bethany Beach Big Bear Black Hills Blairsville Blue Ridge Breckenridge Bryson City Cape Coral Clermont Corolla Davenport Daytona Beach Destin Dillsboro Ellijay Ft. Myers Beach Gold Beach Gulf Shores Hilton Head Island Incline Village Indian Shores Islamorada Isle of Palms Kailua Kaneohe Key Largo Key West Kiawah Island Kissimmee Lake Tahoe Las Vegas Mission Beach Myrtle Beach Naples New Orleans New Smyrna Beach North Myrtle Beach Oceanside Orange Beach Orlando Palm Springs Panama City Beach Park City Phoenix Pigeon Forge Princeville Rotonda West San Diego Sanibel Island Santa Barbara Sarasota Scottsdale Seagrove Beach Sedona Snowshoe South Lake Tahoe St. Augustine Beach St. Pete Beach Steamboat Springs Sunriver Vail Venice Waianae Waikiki Winter Park Wintergreen 2005 FindVacationRentals.com . All Rights Reserved. Disclaimer of Use
Air Travel Consumer Report
Aviation Consumer Protection Home Page Español/Spanish Organization & Functions | Air Travel Problems/Complaints | Air Travel Consumer Report | Rules & Guidelines Travel Tips & Publications | Airline Customer Service Plans | Service Cessations | Safety/Security Information Air Travel Consumer Reports for 2005 The Air Travel Consumer Report is a monthly product of the Department of Transportation's Office of Aviation Enforcement and Proceedings (OAEP). The report is designed to assist consumers with information on the quality of services provided by the airlines. This page was last updated on December 1, 2005, and the most recent data is from October 2005. The report is divided into six sections (Flight Delays, Mishandled Baggage, Oversales, Consumer Complaints, Customer Service Reports to the Transportation Security Administration, and Airline Reports of the Loss, Injury, or Death of Animals During Air Transportation). The sections that deal with flight delays, mishandled baggage and oversales are based on data collected by the Department’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics. The section that deals with consumer complaints is based on data compiled by the OAEP’s Aviation Consumer Protection Division (ACPD). The section that deals with customer service reports to the Department of Homeland Security’s Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is based on data provided by TSA. The section that deals with animal incidents during air transport is based on reports required to be submitted by airlines to the ACPD. Each section of the report is preceded by a brief explanation of how to read and understand the information provided. The report is usuallyissued during the first week of each month. Oversalesare reported quarterly rather than monthly, and oversales figuresmay be slightly older than the other data in certain months. Thereport, which contains tables of information, is best printed in"landscape" orientation. Additional air travel data can be found on the BTS website . Reports Issued in 2005 To see the PDF version of the reports you will need the Adobe Acrobat reader. Click the icon to download it for free. December 2005 Report PDF Version | MS Word Version Flight Delays: October 2005 / 12 Months Ending October 2005 Mishandled Baggage: October 2005 Oversales: 3 rd Quarter 2005 / January-September 2005 Consumer Complaints: October 2005 Customer Service Reports to the Dept. of Homeland Security: October 2005 Airline Animal Incident Reports: October 2005 November 2005 Report PDF Version | MS Word Version Flight Delays: September 2005 / 12 Months Ending September 2005 Mishandled Baggage: September 2005 / January-September 2005 Oversales: 3 rd Quarter 2005 / January-September 2005 Consumer Complaints: September 2005 / January-September 2005 Customer Service Reports to the Dept. of Homeland Security: September 2005 Airline Animal Incident Reports: September 2005 October 2005 Report PDF Version | MS Word Version Flight Delays: August 2005 / 12 Months Ending August 2005 Mishandled Baggage: August 2005 Oversales: 2 nd Quarter 2005 / January-June 2005 Consumer Complaints: July 2005 Customer Service Reports to the Dept. of Homeland Security: August 2005 Airline Animal Incident Reports: August 2005 September 2005 Report PDF Version | MS Word Version Flight Delays: July 2005 / 12 Months Ending July 2005 Mishandled Baggage: July 2005 Oversales: 2 nd Quarter 2005 / January-June 2005 Consumer Complaints: July 2005 Customer Service Reports to the Dept. of Homeland Security: July 2005 Airline Animal Incident Reports: July 2005 August 2005 Report PDF Version | MS Word Version Flight Delays: June 2005 / 12 Months Ending June 2005 Mishandled Baggage: June 2005 / January-June 2005 Oversales: 2 nd Quarter 2005 / January-June 2005 Consumer Complaints: June 2005 / January-June 2005 Customer Service Reports to the Dept. of Homeland Security: June 2005 Airline Animal Incident Reports: June 2005 July 2005 Report PDF Version | MS Word Version Flight Delays: May 2005 / 12 Months Ending May 2005 Mishandled Baggage: May 2005 Oversales: 1st Quarter 2005 Consumer Complaints: May 2005 Customer Service Reports to the Dept. of Homeland Security: May 2005 Airline Animal Incident Reports: May 2005 June 2005 Report PDF Version | MS Word Version Flight Delays: April 2005 / 12 Months Ending April 2005 Mishandled Baggage: April 2005 Oversales: 1st Quarter 2005 Consumer Complaints: April 2005 May 2005 Report PDF Version | MS Word Version Flight Delays: March 2005 / 12 Months Ending March 2005 Mishandled Baggage: March 2005 / January-March 2005 Oversales: 1st Quarter 2005 Consumer Complaints: March 2005 / January-March 2005 April 2005 Report PDF Version | MS Word Version Flight Delays: February 2005 Mishandled Baggage: February 2005 Oversales: 4th Quarter 2004 / January-December 2004 Consumer Complaints: February 2005 March 2005 Report PDF Version | MS Word Version Flight Delays: January 2005 / 12 months ending January 2005 Mishandled Baggage: January 2005 Oversales: 4th Quarter 2004 / January-December 2004 Consumer Complaints: January 2005 Febuary 2005 Report PDF Version | MS Word Version Flight Delays: December 2004 / 12 Months Ending December 2004 Mishandled Baggage: December 2004 / January - December 2004 Oversales: 4th quarter 2004 / January - December 2004 Consumer Complaints: December 2004 / January - December 2004 January 2005 Report PDF Version | MS Word Version Flight Delays: November 2004 / 12 months ending November 2004 Mishandled Baggage: November 2004 Oversales: 3rd quarter 2004 / January-September 2004 Consumer Complaints: November 2004 Organization & Functions | Air Travel Problems/Complaints | Air Travel Consumer Report | Rules & Guidelines Travel Tips & Publications | Airline Customer Service Plans | Service Cessations | Safety/Security Information Additional information may be obtained by contacting airconsumer@ost.dot.gov . Office of Aviation Enforcement and Proceedings 400 Seventh Street, SW, Room 4107 Washington, DC 20590 http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov
Germany Travel > Pictures
Pictures of Germany - Germany Travel Photos and Landscape Pictures You are here: About > Travel > Europe for Visitors > Germany Austria Switzerland > Germany Travel > Pictures of Germany Travel Go Europe Essentials European Vacation Planning Map Europe Travel 101 - Before you Go European Distances The Best of Europe European Photo Gallery Articles & Resources Europe Travel Planning What to do In Europe Lodging - Hotels and More European Travel Maps Sex and Nudism Travel Photography Transportation Benelux Countries France Germany Austria Switzerland Greece Italy and Malta Travel Info Scandinavian Travel Spain and Portugal United Kingdom and Ireland Buyer's Guide Before You Buy Top Picks Italy Travel Guidebooks Europe Travel Guidebooks German Travel Guidebooks Product Reviews Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Europe for Visitors newsletter! See Online Courses Search Europe for Visitors Pictures of Germany - Germany Travel Photos and Landscape Pictures Here are pictures of Germany's best tourist destinations. Germany is popular with tourists, and sometimes choosing your destination by pictures is a reasonable way to decide where to go in Germany. Articles & Resources Sort By : Guide Picks | Alphabetical | Recent Up a category Cologne Cathedral Picture Cologne's Cathedral is immense, and stands close to Cologne's central train station. Cologne Germany Pictures Cologne Germany Pictures - A gallery of pictures making up a virtual tour of Cologne. Get the sense of the city from these pictures. Dachau Memorial Concentration Camp Pictures Somber reminder of the attrocities committed in Nazi Germany. (8 pictures) Dinkelsbuhl Pictures Dinkelsbuhl is one of my favorite romantic road destinations, featuring an intact wall with towers, lots of artists and craft shops, half-timbered houses and more. Take a virtual tour with our pictures. Heidelberg Pictures Pictures of Heidelberg, a very pleasant tourist destination on Germany's Castle road. 5 more Articles & Resources below Articles & Resources more from your guide Leipzig Pictures Leipzig has a great many attractions for the tourist, including a three-level train station with lots of shopping opportunities. (12 pictures) Nuremberg Germany Pictures - Oriel Windows Know what an oriel window is? Nuremberg has many. Nuremberg Pictures Nuremberg, the second largest city in Bavaria, has a lot to offer the tourist. (12 pictures) Rothenburg Pictures Pictures of Rothenburg, Rick Steves' favorite city along Germany's Romantic Road. Schwabisch Hall Pictures Pictures of Schwabisch Hall, a village along Germany's Castle Road, that is one of the most asthetically pleasing towns in southern Germany. (10 pictures) Topic Index | Email to a Friend Our Story | Be a Guide | Advertising Info | Work at About | Site Map | Icons | Help User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy | Kids' Privacy Policy ©2005 About, Inc., A part of the New York Times Company . All rights reserved. Around About New Video iPod - Review POLL: Must-Have Gadgets VIDEO: Portable Gaming VIDEO: Choosing a TV Hugh Hefner's Life What's Hot Power Adapters Noord-Holland - Delights of North Holland Travel Visiting Pompeii Italy Guidebooks Naples - Getting There Headlines Antwerp Pictures Antwerp is a fashion and diamond center for Belgium and... Like to Travel Well? Follow the CIA! I really should have paid attention when the CIA came... Tapas from Cans? Ok, so you wander into one of Barcelona's most celebrated... North Holland: Noah's Ark Redux A pious north Holland businessman took out a 300 000...
Europe Travel
Europe Europe: EuroRegion.Net Your Region Listed! EuroRegion.Net Directory is looking for voluntary editors. Join our team, apply now! Submit your European page into EuroRegion.Net. Site tools Bookmark Us! Make EuroRegion Your Homepage Link to EuroRegion Explore Europe, Travel Europe! Tip of the week : Wooden Churches - Slovakia more.. Slovakia as a whole holds a unique treasury of various cultural sites representing various ages and architectural periods. Welcome to the united Europe , the region of the new century. The continent with heritage of acient cultures and unique nature, and recently outcoming single European market with more than 300 mil. citizens - happy, new made Europeans .. This site is dedicated to the idea of the united Europe ,but doesn't concern about the politics a lot. We pointed our attention to the European society and its culture, nature and commerce of the whole new "old continent". Indeed, not only information on the European Union is covered here - any European information can be found throughout our pages. These pages were created without the financial support of listed organizations, and are an independent source of information. Sub categories: Business and Economy Our business section covers information on the European financial and stock exchange markets, Euro currency, real estate and jobs in Europe, business student references. History Europe, history of history of European peoples and cultures from prehistoric times to the present. Maps, documents, genealogy, formation of European Union and much more. Maps Political, relief and road maps of the European continent, countries and regions. Regional All the information on Europe sorted by its geographical location: countries, regions, cities .. Transport Looking for travel schedules, airport, bus, train, taxi, or cableways .. or just fascinated by Eurostar? Travel Destinations Countries, regional information, places to visit, sights to see, favourite journeys, travel tips, where to party ..the best of Europe. Related pages: Travel Dictionaries Buy electronic pocket talkingdictionaries and translators for morethan 20 languages. Business translations Translation services. EuroTrip Backpacking, student and independent European travel - in depth. Editor: administrator © 2001-2003 EuroRegion Network, Strasbourg | Amsterdam | Slovakia | Bratislava | Malta | Rome © Translations by Business Translations
Europe Travel Planner 10
Eastern Europe Travel Planner Web TransitionsAbroad.com Home Work Study Travel Living Transitions Abroad Magazine September/October 2000 Related Topics Independent Travel Budget Travel More by the Author Work in Prague Paying Bills Back Home Eastern Europe Travel Planner 10 Tips for Visiting The Other Europe By Mishelle Shepard Its true that the majority of Eastern European destinations are not for every traveler. Those who seek comfort and luxury should probably not venture far beyond capital cities like Prague, Budapest, Berlin, Tallinn, and Warsaw. But for those wishing to travel beyond the tourist zone and seek real off-the-beaten path places, people and experiences, Eastern Europe has countless options. Musicians add ambiance to a stroll on the famous St. Charles Bridge in Prague (Photo by Kent St. John) Guidebooks and locals have different definitions of what exactly constitutes Eastern and Central and Southern Europe. Including Albania and Romania with the same traveling advice given for the Czech Republic and former East Germany poses loads of obvious problems. Still, some general tips apply to many countries and can help alleviate minor discomforts. Bring Some Necessities I laughed the first time I left for Eastern Europe in 1990 and my grandfather told me to bring toilet paper. Thinking surely since his visit to communist Russia in the 70s theres been some improvement, I dismissed the idea. Little did I know that after a couple of weeks I would be begging my family to send me even a 4-pack of bargain brand. Although I wouldnt dream of loading myself down with such things as kleenex, plastic zipper bags, feminine products, or anti-perspirant, outside the main capitals such things are still difficult to come by. Even in a decent restaurant in a major capital the toilet paper resembles something close to a thin brown-paper lunch bag, and in public facilities its rationed according to a per-square price. I consider traveling with emergency reserve tissue an absolute necessity. Choosing Accommodations Planning ahead online is now so convenient that its a waste of time not to make reservations when traveling to the major cities in summer. In general, however, even where accommodations are plentiful there can be lack of mid-priced choices. The convenient and popular chains that have sprung up all over the West have not yet filtered deeply into Eastern Europe. When considering where to stay, a good up-to-date guidebook with phone numbers of accommodations in your price range provides quick and easy piece of mind. Some countries also have extensive hotel and pension listings online that offer discounted reservations, but a follow-up call or fax is still a good idea. In smaller towns, hotels are reasonably priced and can be found right in the town center. Remember, however, that public transportation stops early in the small towns and a lack of taxis could find you stranded. Even in a heavily touristed spa town like Karlovy Vary during the International Film Festival, a stay in the pedestrian center with breakfast in a well-run 2-star hotel costs about $40. Pensions are a good budget choice in larger cities and are usually friendlier than a crowded hotel. Still, pensions are only a good option when theyre close to public transport, because a late night taxi ride when public transportation is sparse can quickly offset the savings in room cost. The same goes for private rooms offered by individualschanging from bus to subway to tram can cost considerable time and money. When alone, a hostel cant be beat for meeting other travelers. Junior hotels are a similar option in many Eastern European countries and they often rent bikes and other sports equipment. And hostels are not just for students, they offer an affordable alternative for families and other budget-minded travelers. Camping is a great way to meet lots of locals, but, of course, packing gear is inconvenient when traveling around a city. As in Western Europe, the bungalows fill up quickly in summer, so hauling around a tent may be unavoidable. Unfortunately, in a few countries the camping facilities might be the best accommodations available. Money In major cities credit cards are an easy and safe bet, but not some pensions and campgrounds or smaller bars and restaurants. When paying with a credit card outside the capitals, be warned, sometimes the machine is (mysteriously) broken, and youll be asked to pay in cash. If its absolutely necessary for you to pay by card, its best to make sure in advance. Cash machines are easy to come by in cities, but rare in villages. Carrying cash to smaller destinations is unavoidable, but costs are still relatively low outside the popular spots, so a little goes a long way. The foreigner pricing system still exists but is becoming less common because merchants realize travelers dont appreciate spending two times the normal price for the same services. Not everything is a bargain in Eastern Europe and doing a bit of research can help you avoid mistaken assumptions or false claims. For example, skiing in some Eastern European destinations is just not worth the meager reduction in cost when you consider the T-lifts, crowds and quality of rental equipment. Beyond the Capitals Traveling as an English-speaker to small towns and villages may get you some longer-than-average looks, but it will also get you warm hospitality, a more authentic perception of local life and some great cross-cultural experiences. Choosing a destination depends on your interests. For first-time travelers, it can be less isolating and still very rewarding to visit vacation destinations that are popular with Eastern Europeans but fairly untouched by native English-speakers. Places like the Great Masurian Lakes near the border between Poland and Lithuania, the coast of Croatia, the Giant Mountains of Slovakia, or the spa towns in many countries are good choices. UNESCO world heritage sites, such as Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic, the medieval town of Torun in Poland, or the famous caves of Slovakia and Slovenia are also interesting destinations. It can be fun to plan atheme trip, focusing on historical sites and castles, wine regions, or tracing your roots. To Drive or Not to Drive When renting or buying a car for exploring Eastern Europe you have to consider all the hidden expenses. Many countries have toll roads that require you to have a sticker or else dish out a hefty fine on the spot. Sometimes extra insurance is required for cars originating from the West, and gas prices are very high. City-to-city travel by car usually isnt worth it for groups of less than four. On the other hand, driving can be beneficial if you have limited time and want to see as many places as possible, including all the quaint country villages and castles along the way. Getting Educated For many of us, even the biggest culture hounds, Eastern Europe has remained largely a mystery. Misinformation during communist times has been followed by a general lack of information since. Still, there are numerous books, including Eva Hoffmans Exit into History, that poignantly describe the culture, politics and history of the region in an entertaining style. There are also some very informative web sites on Eastern Europe. When researching the culture, dont exclude fiction, especially books written by communist dissidents. A much truer picture of the people, their dreams and their difficulties will emerge than if you limit yourself to non-fiction. Another good cultural education option is to see popular locally produced films, which you can often view with English subtitles at cinemas in the capital cities. Opportunities for work and study are continually expanding, although most economies are still in heavy transition. Those countries hoping for EU entry are adopting stricter visa regulations, so it pays to keep up-to-date at the various embassy web sites. In the major cities, there are many news sources that will keep you up-to-date, and internet cafes have changed the face of traveling altogether. From keeping in touch with family and friends, to knowing whats going on in town to meeting people, nothing beats the convenience of on-line access when abroad. The Dreaded Languages Unfortunately most of us didnt have a couple of years of college Ukrainian and Polish along with our French and Spanish. In Western Europe, most travelers can usually manage, but in off-the-beaten-path Poland the choice is to either to improve your gesturing skills or grow very attached to your phrasebook. If youre staying for more than a few days, its worth the effort to learn some of the language. Its not easy, but youll be rewarded with mountains of praise from the locals. Theres no need to take formal lessons unless you plan to work or go to school. Instead, just try offering an exchange of English for Czech, Hungarian, or whatever, and chances are you can work out a mutually beneficial arrangement. Speaking Russian in most countries wont win you a popularity contest. The few locals who remember their required Russian dont usually care to speak it and would rather try their hand at charades or even very broken English. Services Although its true the atmosphere has changed considerably in the last ten years, that change has stayed primarily in the capital centers. But even in the capitals, old habits die hard. Service varies widely between downright tippable to completely aggravating. However, many of us are spoiled. I, personally, cant recall ever getting better service anywhere in Europe (with the exception of London) than I get regularly in the States. The rule I try to stand by is, dont pay any more attention to the service than they pay to you. That way when its good youre pleasantly surprised and when its not you hardly notice. This attitude has taken a bit of training, but its been worth it in the long run. Meeting the Locals Visiting the local festivals is a great way to meet people in a milieu that is not necessarily language-dependent. Medieval reenactments, world championship sporting events, or traveling Romany festivals attract more locals than tourists. Its easy to find out whats going on by simply asking around, checking information centers, or reading the monthly cultural guides available in cities and on-line. Not only have many of the natives changed in the past ten years, the ex-pats have as well. The number of ex-pats living in the most popular Eastern European capitals has actually gone down since its height not long after the fall. Hanging out at one of the typical ex-pat bars for the true cross-culture seeker used to mean selling out and choosing cultural isolation, but now many of the foreigners living here are in intercultural marriages and actually speak the language or heartily try. Moreover, the locals have found the ex-pat hangouts a great place to meet young travelers and practice their English. Shunning the ex-pat scene today could mean missing out on where the jobs are or the chance to meet locals who are looking to get to know you. The Invitation More so than in Western Europe, social life takes place in peoples homes. Just a bit of preplanning is a sure-fire way to meet people even before you arrive. More than once Ive started correspondences with people on-line and had the time of my life when they invited me over once I arrived in town. Its important to be cautious, of course, but an invitation to a locals home opens otherwise tightly closed doors. Rustic weekend cottages and garden plots play a big role in local life in many countries and are a great way to really get to know people. What began as a practical and economical alternative to traveling remains a favorite escape from the city and a special treat for the honored guest. The East in general has retained a sense of formality and hierarchy that has become foreign to most of the West. At the same time, Eastern Europeans seem to expect the traveler to break the rules. The same faux pas that would probably get you a repressed sneer in France will be noticed with only a subdued snicker in Poland. Reading up on the local customs will remind you that taking off your shoes in someones home, bringing a small bouquet to the host, avoiding probing questions over dinner, sitting with strangers at a restaurant and other common courtesies are not typically shared by westerners. Perhaps undeservedly, Americans (and other native English speakers) are, for the most part, still adored in most of Eastern Europe. Of course, there has been quite a bit of demystification on both sides in the last ten years, but now even among the older generations apprehension has been replaced by full-fledged curiosity. That means the typical tourist misses out on great opportunities for a real cross-cultural experience while their eyes are glued to the cathedrals and their ears are pinned to the city guide. Many first-timers from the West are surprised how far the major cities have come compared to what theyve read or seen in the past. Other travelers notice how little has really changed in some of the more remote villages. One thing is certain, though; while prices are still low and locals still curious, its well worth it to take advantage of this part of the world and appreciate what is undoubtedly a fleeting moment in time. Selected Web Sites www.inyourpocket.com . www.centraleurope.com . www.cdc.gov/travel/easteurp.htm. goeasteurope.about.com/mbody.htm. www.culturekiosk.com . www.hotelscentral.com . www.adventureguide.com . www.concierge.com . Newsflashes General Complying with EU regulations means many countries are updating visa policies. All Canadian tourists will need a visa to travel to the Czech Republic in 2001. Long-term visas are already required for Americans, but the requirements for obtaining one may become less stringent. Slovakia Food and service is still regularly improving and many new options have opened in Bratislavas The Old Market Place. The new Montanas Grizzly Bar has already become a popular hang out. Czech Republic In Karlovy Vary the famed Nezvala theatre of Helmer and Fellner, complete with the original curtain by G. and E. Klimt and F. Matsch, has finally reopened after several years of reconstruction. The annual International Film Festival, which takes place in early July, is gaining more international recognition every year. The 1999 appearance of Woody Harrelson caused quite a stir, and Milos Forman is a regular favorite. Prague was chosen as one of the European cities of culture for 2000. Under the broad theme of cultural heritage the city has different activities planned throughout the year. The famed ex-pat meetingplace and bookstore The Globe has moved to a bigger and better location: Pstrossova 6 in Prague 1. Eastern Germany This year marked the third year for the annual Summerfest of Theatres in Berlin, for budget travelers its a great way to enjoy scenes of local productions for free. The Erotic Museum is an interesting alternative for travelers tired of the run-of-the-mill art and history museums. Poland Krakow, is another of the Year 2000 cities of culture, plans to extend the cultural events into a 5-year program to promote tourism. For nightlife seekers in Krakow the new In Vitro dance club is a popular hip-but-cheap option. Slovenia The international summer festival in Ljubljana is getting bigger and better every year. Not to be missed is the International Biennial of Graphic Arts at the Museum of Modern Art. The Julian Alps are a cheaper alternative to a mountain getaway than her Austrian and Italian neighbors, but expect higher prices than other Eastern European countries. MISHELLE SHEPARD is a freelance writer currently teaching English and French at Charles Univ. in Prague. She served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Czech Republic from 1994-96. You may contact her at mischelleshepard@hotmail.com . 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