European Vacation," was just

feature National Lampoon's European Vacation "NATIONAL LAMPOONS EUROPEAN VACATION Intro Oh, my goodness -- is this really the last night of Joe Bob's Summer School? Well, hack off my leg and call me Peggy. I'm Professor Joe Bob, and tonight's class is Recreational Geography 207, where we find out whether our first movie, "National Lampoon's European Vacation," was just a good excuse for the stars to go to Europe -- and we can DO that, because we have not only the producer, Matty Simmons, as one of our guest lecturers, but we have the world's most famous expert on travelling all over the world without paying anybody for anything, the one and only Robin Leach. He'll stay with us for this movie and maybe our second one, too, Dan Aykroyd and John Candy in "The Great Outdoors." Now. Speaking of vacations, I want you to remember the one cardinal rule of all professional vacation-goers. [writes on blackboard] "Do Not Structure Your Damn Time." Do you understand what I'm saying here? For example, I have this friend Larry who's as rich as a sitcom star, and so every year at this time he takes one of those European cruises where you drink champagne every night and listen to bad cabaret acts and occasionally get off the boat to look at some Madonnas or sit at a seaside cafe with red-checkered tablecloths where you can guzzle the local vino for thirty bucks a pop. And they have all kinds of "programs" and "seminars" and "athletic activities" on board, so you can learn how to be a real-estate agent or a professional shuffleboard coach or find out who Marcel Proust was. Now here's the interesting part. On his daily schedule of all the "programs" and "seminars" and "cultural activities," there's always a place marked "Free Time." Like there's time that costs money, and then there's FREE TIME. But, no, that can't be what it means, because it ALL costs money on a cruise, whether you CALL it free or not. So what they mean is, there's PRISON time and then there's FREE time. This is when the guy's ON VACATION! This is when he's in the one place in the world where ALL the time is supposed to be free! What's wrong here? When I was a kid, I'd go to these science fairs where they had "labor-saving inventions of the future," and we were all supposed to be working twenty-hour weeks by now. But what happened? We invented all these labor-saving devices, everything got faster, and we have two-thirds LESS "Free Time" than we had twenty years ago. You know why? Because of guys like Larry who CAN'T STAND IT. They go on vacation and they're faced with this endless stretch of "Free Time," and they start to go crazy with guilt and nervousness. There's some great Yuppie Devil God in their gut crying out, "You could have done SEVENTY HOURS of work in the time you spent hanging around the Parthenon and chucking rocks in the Aegean. Your life is MEANINGLESS." And so they have "Free Time." They work just as much as they do when they're back home -- they're getting an education, or they're becoming culturally enlightened, or they're IMPROVING themselves -- and then, after they've done that, they can just barely face that agonizing hour of "Free Time." They can suck down a couple martinis without guilt, though, because they've just read part of a book about Giotto. They can USE that Giotto someday. They'll be talking to that West Coast sales rep who's into European art, and they can just casually mention that magic word -- "Giotto" -- and pretty soon they'll be bosom buddies for life. But tonight we're gonna teach you how to vacation right, by watching "National Lampoon's European Vacation," the follow-up to the comedy classic "National Lampoon's Vacation." "European Vacation" picks up as the Griswalds accidentally win a gameshow and embark on their first trip overseas, where they run people over, trash national monuments and make a general nuisance of themselves. Check it out, and we'll have Robin Leach popping out here to join us. [fading] Robin's gonna be slumming. Instead of doing "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous," he'll be doing "Lifestyles of the Hard-Up and Obscure." "NATIONAL LAMPOONS EUROPEAN VACATION Commercial Break #1 See, isn't this movie helpful as a travel tool? When planning your European vacation, just beat Paul Bartel and his family on "Pig in the Poke"! You know what's NOT a good sign, though? FOUR dream sequences, and the movie's barely 20 minutes old. Okay, let's not dwell on that, because it's time to welcome our first guest-lecturer of the evening, world-traveler extraordinaire, a guy who has been every place via every mode of transportation. The one and only Robin Leach. LEACH: How're you doing? Welcome to Joe Bob's Summer School. And all right, so here we are. LEACH: Only two places in the world I haven't been to. Really. What are they? LEACH: I haven't been to Burma, which is now called Myanmar and I haven't been to Papua New Guinea, where in some parts there's still cannibalism practiced. Really? LEACH: I don't want to wind up . . . You won't go there even to sample the cuisine? (LAUGHTER) All right, so here we are watching a movie about a European vacation. I would suppose that you have taken a vacation in Europe so many times that, well, let me ask it this way. The Griswalds -- they just checked into this worst hotel in London. LEACH: The worst. The worst. Have you ever gone out to do like a journalistic piece as part of one of your shows and ended up in some roach-infested nightmare? LEACH: No. It never happens. LEACH: I tell you the only thing that was really surprising to me in all my travels was in Cuba, where I went into a bedroom and I was the only person in the bedroom. But there were eight single beds in the bedroom. I wondered who the other seven friends (LAUGHTER) were going to be for the night. And who showed up? LEACH: No, fortunately nobody. Not even cigar farmers. So that was all right. Or unfortunate. All right. Have you ever . . . LEACH:. . . And the bed I was given was the furthest from the phone. That I never understood. (LAUGHTER) What, you couldn't switch beds? That was against the rules? LEACH: No they wouldnt let me switch beds. Against the rules. Have you ever paid for anything Robin? (LAUGHTER) LEACH: Is that the traditional Joe Freeload question? (LAUGHTER) Of course we've paid as we've gone around the world. Weve done it at a travel agent discount but no, we pay. We have to -- that's the law. Oh, even at the hotels . . . LEACH: Yes. that you're featuring in a show. LEACH: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. You have to pay. Favorite destination in Europe? LEACH: In Europe, again it would be Italy. Italy? LEACH: Just like the Griswalds wind up there, the most spectacular country is Italy. And so after all your travels, its still good ol' Italy -- probably one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. LEACH: Because they know how to live, those people. They have such a great lust for life. You know, they drink wine. They smoke cigars. They eat pasta. They don't care about anything other than . . . No smoking sections in a restaurant. (LAUGHTER) LEACH: No. None of that stuff. LEACH: This is the la bon vie, as they say in France. Of course most of our audience can only dream about places like that 'cause right now they're planning their trips to Six Flags over Bakersfield. (LAUGHTER) But you probably do those kinds of trips too. Ever do, like, low budget trips? Have you ever done that? LEACH: No. Never. (LAUGHTER) You've never been. LEACH: I dont, I dont . . . Youve probably never been to Six Flags have you? LEACH: Yes, in Dallas. You were there? Okay, the original Six Flags over Texas in Arlington. You went there? LEACH: Yes. How did you like it? LEACH: The roller coaster was great. And I went to the Six Flags in New Jersey with Bob Pittman, who used to run it, and on the Batman and Robin ride. What else would I go on? You've experienced it. But I doubt if you stayed at the Six Flags Inn across the street, did you? LEACH: No. And Motel Six is a strange name to me. (LAUGHTER) All right. Let's return to National Lampoons European Vacation and -- roll the film -- and then we'll talk some more at the next break. By the way, Robin. My eagle eye picked up Playboy Playmate of the Month for 1984 Tricia Lang as the game show hostess at the beginning of the movie. Now, did you ever do any Playmates on Lifestyles? That didn't come out right. Did you ever have any Playmates as Lifestyles guests? LEACH: I want you to try that even one more time. (LAUGHTER) No, but we did feature Hugh Heffner up at The Mansion, so a lot of the attractive, ah, decorations were hanging around. (LAUGHTER) So you went to the king? LEACH: Well, yeah, or the king came to the mountain. I don't know what that is but yeah, it was -- that's a palace. Palace of pleasure. Okay. I can imagine. (LAUGHTER) "NATIONAL LAMPOONS EUROPEAN VACATION Commercial Break #2 I don't mean any disrespect to the late Dana Hill, but she doesn't really seem right for this part. I think it would've worked better with that kinda laid-back prettiness of the original Audrey, Dana Barron. Hey, Robin, did I tell you I'm moving to El Lay? LEACH: No. You like El Lay don't you? LEACH: Yeah. It's one of your favorite places. Can you introduce me to some girls? LEACH: Ah, probably. Okay Robin. LEACH: You won't have a tough time handsome, tall, talented host. (LAUGHTER) Don't bet on that, Robin. Okay, let's get down to the nitty gritty all right? What are the best party towns in the world? Where can you go if you just really want to tear it up? LEACH: New York is the greatest party town in the world. Really? Right here in the USA. LEACH: Then the nightlife of Paris. Okay. Paris. That's a big one. LEACH: It used to be a great nightlife in Rome, but not so much any more since La Dolce Vita quieted down. Monte Carlo is also good during the summertime in San Tropez. And of course, in America, we have Las Vegas, which is the party city of the entire world. I need to start writing these down. Where can you go if you just want to tear it up and you don't want anybody in your immediate family to know what you did while you were there? LEACH: About four thousand miles away. Four thousand miles away . . . LEACH: Get four thousand away from the nearest family member. (LAUGHING) Yeah. And what, you findwhat city would that be? LEACH: It could be any city. You can have fun and games in any city of the world. Okay. But you know are there some that are kind of like special in, you know, special cities for like that dark, naughty side? LEACH: Paris. Paris is the best? LEACH: I would think so. Okay. LEACH: As you see in this movie when the Griswalds go off to the nightclub, they even find their own child in the Crazy Horse. Right. Well now, see, one reason I trust you, Robin -- even before you were world famous, I would have trusted you because you're English. And I trust the English guys on any kind of issue like this about nightlife, because, well But one thing I do, I make it a rule to never drink with English guys or at least try to drink as much as they drink. (LAUGHTER) Because now we -- now listen, hear me out. Wouldn't you agree, Robin, your countrymen do know how to put away cocktails? (LAUGHTER). And you will drink 37 different kinds of cocktails at dinner and sweet ones and everything and then at two in the morning somebody'll say, But we haven't had an after-dinner liqueur yet! The English like many many, many different kinds. Would you say this is true? LEACH: I would say that's true. Okay. (LAUGHTER) Well, all right, all right. Well keep working on that party list as we return to National Lampoon's European Vacation. Roll it. You know, the trouble with going to those kinds of places is that you can't remember 'em when you get home 'cause somebody told me that. . . LEACH:. . . they don't wish to remember them. Well maybe that's good 'cause . . . ROBIN:. . . explains why there is heavy drinking. I know, I know, 'cause somebody told me one time that they spent three days with me at Mardi Gras in 1985. I don't even remember even going there. (LAUGHTER) LEACH: We've forgot New Orleans. Yeah. Oh. LEACH: The greatest of them all. That's on the list. And it's naughty isn't it? LEACH: I don't how you define that. Oh, ho. Come on, okay? LEACH: There's no such thing as naughty. Oh, okay then I do understand you. (LAUGHTER) The whole list was naughty. "NATIONAL LAMPOONS EUROPEAN VACATION Commercial Break #3 And Chevy Chase takes his famous pratfalls to the extreme and knocks down Stonehenge. Ha ha ha. Lot of the gags in this movie don't really work, do they? LEACH: No, it was the model that didn't work in the movie. That's true. It was kind of cheesy wasn't it? LEACH: Did you notice that as well? Yes, I. . . LEACH: That's a lot of damage for a small English car to do that hardly backed up in reverse. Yes. Okay, Robin, now we're in Paris. First thing . . . LEACH:. . . ooo la la . . . Yes, we were just talking about Paris. Now, first thing that comes to your mind well, first of all, best hotel in Paris? LEACH: Oh, the Ritz. Best restaurant in Paris? LEACH: Um, boy. Well, Taurus would say Maxims, but it would be the new Alain Ducasse restaurant in Paris. Alain Ducasse. Alain Ducasse. Okay. Best place to see naked French girls? LEACH: Ah I would say, go to the Crazy Horse. Really? Still, after all these years . . . LEACH: They change the show every three months so . . . Okay. LEACH: They change the girls every three years. All right. I want to talk about Thailand. LEACH: My favorite country in all the world. Really? LEACH: Yeah. I love Thailand. Is Thailand really all its cracked up to be? You hear so many people . . . LEACH: Nicest people in the world. Yeah. LEACH: The most incredible food. Yeah. LEACH: Wonderful countryside. Wonderful Asian culture. How much does it cost? LEACH: You can get there quite inexpensively. Yeah. LEACH: Depends how you want to do it. If you want to go on a private, you know, G-5, it'll cost a lot of money. But if you want to go as baggage on a boat, it'll cost very little. Yeah (LAUGHTER) but you would never go as baggage on a boat, I mean LEACH: . . . I've only heard about doing those things. (LAUGHTER) The typical trip for you, though, I mean what would it cost for a week? Bangkok? LEACH: It makes a hard man humble. You could do Bangkok on a very, you know, on a grandiose scale of under five thousand for a week. And what does that include? Hotel? Meals? LEACH: Yeah. Everything. LEACH: Not the . . . . . . Okay. LEACH: Not the air transportation. Then Bangkok you could also do much more inexpensively because they have very, very small hotels. And then, of course, if you wanted to go to any of special places that Bangkok is somewhat known for (LAUGHTER). Well that's kind of what I was gettin' at. LEACH: You were getting to the Thai massage. Uh huh. LEACH: Was that what you were getting to? Uh huh. Yeah. LEACH: The two or three girls on a rubber raft. Yeah. LEACH: And the swimming pool? Yeah. I go with that. (LAUGHTER) You can actually stay overnight there. LEACH: I'm told its quite reasonable . . . I would assume. (LAUGHTER) Well, and you could probably stay overnight at those places. LEACH: You can stay for as long as you wish. Oh, so like you just spend seven days there -- you don't even need a hotel room. (LAUGHTER) LEACH: That's one way to look at it. (LAUGHTER) All right. I'm gonna need your home phone number, Robin (LAUGHTER), after this is over. Okay. That was an awfully short segment, so let's get back to the movie. You ever need somebody to do, like, script continuity on your crew or something? LEACH: Are you offering? Location scout. I'll be your (LAUGHTER) location scout. Yes, Im offering. LEACH: You're too tall to go to some of the places we go to. Too tall. LEACH: Yes. Too tall to go to Bangkok? LEACH: No. Not too tall to go there, but there are other places where only the short make it. Really? (LAUGHTER) I don't even want to think about what you're talking about. LEACH: I don't want you to think about what I'm talking about. (LAUGHTER) "NATIONAL LAMPOONS EUROPEAN VACATION Commercial Break #4 Well, that's a first. TNT is famous for holes in the dialogue where the cuss words should go, but I've never seen em bleep the subtitles before. And that scene where the dog jumps off the Eiffel Tower --that's obviously a reference back to the scene in the ORIGINAL "National Lampoon's Vacation" where they forget the dog is tied to the back of the station wagon and they kill the little guy. So this time you THINK the dog is gonna die, but then they go out of their way to show the dog swimming to safety in the river. I mean, why is everything so much SOFTER in this movie? Yeah, it's really not very good, and it was written by John Hughes, the guy who did "Breakfast Club" and all those famous movies in the eighties. "NATIONAL LAMPOONS EUROPEAN VACATION Commercial Break #5 So we KNOW that Audrey misses Jack. We got that. But you probly DON'T know that the guy who just played Fritz, the Bavarian relative, is the German comedy legend "Willy Millowitsch." And you know what cut-ups the Germans are. "Nehmen Sie meine Frau, bitte!" [Naymen-Zee miyna frow, bitta] You know what that means? "Take my wife, please." See, wasn't funny. Anyhow, it's getting crowded here at "Joe Bob's Summer School," we've got so many experts hanging out with us. Robin Leach, the world's most experienced tourist and traveller and . . . could I call you a libertine? AND Matty Simmons, producer of the National Lampoon movies, who for many years published and edited the funniest magazine in American history. Brian McConnachie--funny writer. That sequence where they rush through the Louvre. And then, of course, drinking out of the bedpan --that's always GREAT for laughs. You know what's different about this movie, Matty? There's no goal. In the first one, they had to get to Wally World, but in this one, they're just kinda . . . travelling. I'm sure Robin would agree with me. It's two against one. Did you tell John Hughes his script sucked for that reason? Okay, let's get back to the brilliantly conceived, but less than brilliantly executed, neverthless financially successful, "National Lampoon's European Vacation." Roll it. "NATIONAL LAMPOONS EUROPEAN VACATION Commercial Break #6 Okay, Matty, what's with the extended SHOPPING MONTAGE? The movie's almost OVER. And you're starting a Mafia subplot. What do you have to say for yourself? You know I'm moving to El Lay next week, Matty? I might be able to get you hooked up. As you may know, all our guest-lecturers get a book as a parting gift. We got you this one: it's called "Matador." I figured you could maybe make "National Lampoon's Spanish Vacation." Okay, we're gonna watch the conclusion to "National Lampoon's European Vacation," where we're finally gonna get some plot, believe it or not. So, roll it, and then we'll come back and talk some more to Robin Leach. [fading] Do you think of Chevy Chase as living out YOU on the screen, Matty? "NATIONAL LAMPOONS EUROPEAN VACATION Outro We just had the entire plot of the movie in the last ten minutes, didn't we? Accompanied by a little late-movie cameo by Moon Unit Zappa as Rusty's girlfriend. I should point out that there was some in-fighting of how they were gonna end that flick. Chevy Chase wanted it to be him sitting in front of the fireplace saying, "It's good to be home." But Matty Simmons pointed out that they were making a COMEDY, and then HE came up with what I think is a pretty funny ending, which is that they're all relieved to be home, and a guy with a camera crew knocks on the door, saying, "You've just won a trip to the Great Wall of China!" And Chevy's really happy, and he turns to the rest of the family, and they're all glaring at him, so he says meekly to the guy, "What's second prize?" But Chevy Chase was so p.o.ed at Matty that he'd ix-nayed HIS idea, that Chevy then ix-nayed Matty's idea, and they had to go with Amy Heckerling, the director's idea, which was the Statue of Liberty thing we just saw. And what do you expect from the director of "Look Who's Talking Too," the only flick we've ever given ZERO stars? © 2000 Turner Network Television. A Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved. Legal/Privacy Notice about this site. Return to the Archive

Vacation Rentals at your

Owner Direct Vacation Rentals - Privately-owned villas, condos, apartments and homes for rent worldwide. World Wide Vacation Rentals at your finger tips Login | Site Map | Help | Customer Service Home Vacation Rentals Register Travel Guides Specials Last Minute Deals Welcome to Owner Direct Vacation Rentals! A Unique Matching Service that makes finding perfect Vacation Rental Accommodation quick and easy. Four Simple Steps 1. Find Your Destination 2. Enter Your Dates 3. View Accommodations 4. Book the Unit Enter Unit ID# Learn More About the Owner Direct Difference Looking for a Vacation Rental? Why spend more and get less with a hotel? We have thousands of privately-owned villas, condos, apartments, bed and breakfasts, chalets, cottages and cabins for rent nightly, weekly or monthly worldwide. Start Your Search Now Enter a resort, city or town: or Customer Service Daily 7am - 9pm Pacific Standard Time. NO charges until you communicate directly with the Owner . Last Minute Deals Luxury Units Login Need Help Renting your Vacation Home? Click Here Member of the Better Business Bureau Our interactive software avoids all the common frustrations encountered at typical web listing services... Testimonials Just find the best available property to rent, submit a request and let us do the rest . Each owner sets their own competitive rates ... Great value and selection . Email: info@ownerdirect.com Contact Us Toll Free: North America: 1 888 869 6377 - UK: 0 800 032 7226 - Australia: 1 800 046 378 - Toll: 1 250 764 8100 Argentina Buenos Aires Tourism: Adrogue - Mendoza Patagonia: Bariloche Australia Australian Capital Territory: Canberra New South Wales Lodging : Ballina - Blackheath - Bondi - Coffs Harbour - Katoomba - Sydney Queensland Accommodations : Atherton Tablelands - Bedarra Island - Cairns - Caloundra - Daintree - Gold Coast - Mission Beach - Palm Cove - Port Douglas - Tinaroo Falls - Trinity Beach - Yungaburra Victoria: Dromana Western Australia: Busselton - Perth Brazil Vacations Rio de Janeiro - Pinheira Bulgaria Holidays Eastern Europe - Varna: Balchik - Varna Canada Accommodations Alberta Banff National Park Accommodations - Banff - Bragg Creek - Calgary - Canmore - Edmonton British Columbia BC Rockies Accommodations : Castlegar - Christina Lake - Fairmont - Fernie Alpine - Golden - Invermere - Kicking Horse Mountain Resort - Kimberley Alpine - Kootenay Lake - Nelson - Panorama - Radium Hot Springs - Revelstoke - Riondel - Rossland (Red Mountain) - Skookumchuck - Spillimacheen - Windermere - Whistler Accommodation Cariboo Chicotin : Deka Lake - Horsefly Lake - Hundred Mile House - Sun Peaks Accommodations Coast: Abbotsford - Chilliwack - Fort Langley - Vancouver's Gulf Islands - Mudge Island - Pender Island - Quadra Island - Sechelt - Seton Lake - Savary Island - Silver Star Accommodations - Sunshine Coast - Thetis Island - Greater Vancouver - Vancouver - Whistler Accommodations - White Rock Northern BC: Dunster - Prince George - Smithers Thompson- Okanagan Accommodation : Central Okanagan - South Okanagan - Adams Lake - Allison Lake - Apex - Big White Accommodations - Blind Bay - Carr's Landing - Cawston - Chase - Celista - Fintry - Idabel Lake - Kalamalka Lake - Kaleden - Kelowna - Killiney Beach - Lake Country - Naramata - Nicola Valley - Okanagan Centre - Okanagan Falls - Osoyoos - Oyama - Paradise Lake - Peachland - Greater Penticton - Penticton - Quilchena - Salmon Arm - Scotch Creek - Shuswap - Sicamous - Silver Star Accommodation - Summerland - Sun Peaks Accommodation - Vernon - Winfield - Wood Lake Sunshine Coast Accommodations : Gibsons - Halfmoon Bay - Roberts Creek Vancouver Island Accommodations : Central Vancouver Island - North Vancouver Island - South Vancouver Island - Courtenay - Coombs - Desolation Sound - Ladysmith - Lake Cowichan - Genoa Bay - Mill Bay - Mt. Washington - Nanoose Bay - Nanaimo - Parksville - Pender Harbour - Port Renfrew - Qualicum Beach - Shawnigan Lake - Sidney - Skutz Falls - Sooke - Sproat Lake - Tahsis - Greater Victoria - Victoria Accommodations - Wilson Creek Manitoba Home Rentals Brandon - Dauphin - St.Malo - Flin Flon - Portage La Prairie - Sainte Rose de Lac - Selkirk - St.Malo - Steinbach - Thompson - Winkler - Winnipeg Nova Scotia Accommodations Bedford - Bras D'Or Lake - Halifax - Kingsburg - Lunenburg - New Ross - Peggy's Cove - Pictou - Purcell's Cove - Shelburne - South Shore Ontario Cottage Rentals Central Ontario - Northern Ontario - Southwestern Ontario - Beaver Valley - Bowmanville - Calabogie Lake - Eagle Lake - Huntsville - Matinenda Island - Ottawa - Stratford - Thessalon - Greater Toronto - Turkey Point Prince Edward Island Accommodations Cavendish Quebec Vacation Rental Lac des Plages - Magog Mont Orford - Mont Sainte Anne - Montreal - Mont Tremblant Condo Rentals - Quebec City - Sainte Christine D'Auvergne Yukon Tourism Braeburn Lake - Whitehorse Caribbean Vacation Rentals Anguilla : Sea Feathers Bay Antigua Holidays : English Harbour - Jolly Harbour - Falmouth Bahamas Vacation Rentals : Abaco Island : Abaco -- Harbour Island: Dunmore Town -- Grand Bahama: Freeport Vacation Rentals -- Exuma: Georgetown - Little Exuma -- Eleuthera : Governor's Harbour -- New Providence: Nassau Barbados Villa Rentals : Christ Church - St. James - St. Philip British Virgin Islands : Tortola Cayman Islands Vacation Rentals : Grand Cayman - Cayman Brac Cuba Holiday : Havana Dominica Travel : Soufriere Dominican Republic Holidays : Boca Chica - Cabarete - Cabrera - Costambar - La Romana - Playa Cofresi - Sosua Jamaica Villa Rentals : Discovery Bay - Duncans - Montego Bay - Negril - Ocho Rios Netherlands Antilles: Saba St. Kitts and Nevis: Frigate Bay - Nevis Island Puerto Rico Vacation Rentals : Anasco - Esperanza - Isabell II - San Juan St. Barts : Colombier - Vitet St. Lucia Accommodation : Cap Estate - Castries - Mamiku - Rodney Bay Marina - Vigie Point St.Martin/St.Maarten : Marigot - Orient Bay Tobago Accommodation : Black Rock - Grafton - Englishman's Bay Trinidad - Better than a Hotel : Diego Martin Turks and Caicos : Grace Bay - Ocean Point - Salt Cay US Virgin Islands : St.Croix - St. John - St. Thomas Central America Belize: Placencia Costa Rica Vacation Rentals : Escazu - Playa Jaco - Playa Panama - Playa Prieta - Quepos Croatia Eastern Europe - Dalmatia: Komarna Cyprus Argaka - Coral Bay - Klonari - Kyrenia - Polis Cook Islands Vacations Rarotonga: South Pacific Accommodations - Arorangi - Titikaveka - Vaimaanga Denmark Vacation Rentals Sondervig: Ringkobing United Kingdom Accommodation - England Cornwall: Callington Greater London: Lewes - London Gloucestershire: Whitminster Hampshire: Gosport Isle of Wight: Cowes Kent: Maidstone Northumberland: Blanchland Oxfordshire: Oxford Somerset: Castle Cary Yorkshire: Huddersfield - York Egypt Holiday Rentals Al Iskandariyah: Alexandria Fiji Accommodation Northern: South Pacific Vacation Rentals - Savusavu - Taveuni France Villa Rentals South Coast of France - North & West Coasts of France - Inland Regions of France - Alsace - Aquitaine - Bourgogne - Brittany - Corsica - Ile de France - Paris - Languedoc Roussillon - Loire Valley - Midi-Pyrenees - Normandy - Pays de la Loire - Poitou Charentes - Rhone Alps - Savoie - Provence : South Alps - Cote d'Azur French Polynesia Tahiti: Punaauia Germany Houses for Rent Bavarian Wood: Falkenstein Greece Holiday Rentals Attica: Athens Cycladic Islands: Kea - Paros Crete: Agios Nikolaos - Chania - Makriyialos Ionian Islands: Kefalonia Lakonia: Xirokambi Peloponese: Kalamaki - Kalamata - Loutraki - Monemvasia - Porto Heli Sporades Islands: Skopelos Indonesia Bali Villas for Rent: Abang - Legian Beach - North Shore Bali - Seminyak - Ubud Ireland Cottage Rentals County Down: Rostrevor Galway: Salthill Kerry: Sneem Meath: Slane Mayo: Lacken - Newport Offaly: Banagher Waterford: Tramore Israel - Better than a hotel Haifa District: Atlit Southern: Eilat Italy Vacation Rentals Central Italy: Lazio - Marche - Umbria - Tuscany : Arezzo - Chianti - Florence - Garfagnana - Grosseto - Livorno - Lucca - Massa Carrara - Pisa - Pistoia - Siena Northern Italy: Northern Italy Accommodations - Liguria - Veneto - The Dolomites Sardegna: Sardegna Sicily: Sicily Southern Italy: Southern Italy Accommodations - Campania Mexico Villa Rentals Baja and Sonoran : Cabo Real - Cabo San Lucas - Ensenada - Kino Bay - La Paz - Los Barilles - Pedrigal - Rosarito Beach - San Jose del Cabo Central: Guadalajara - San Miguel de Allende - Valle de Bravo Pacific Coast : Acapulco - Barra de Navidad - Bucerias - Guayabitos - Huatulco - Ixtapa - La Manzanilla - Manzanillo - Mazatlan - Puerto Escondido - Puerto Vallarta - Sayulita - Zihuatanejo Yucatan - Atlantic : Akumal - Cancun - Chicxulub - Cozumel - Playa del Carmen - Playa del Secreto - Progreso - Puerto Aventuras - Puerto Morelos - Xcalak Morocco Holidays South Morocco: Marrakech New Zealand Accommodations North Island: Kerikeri - Papamoa - Rotorua - South Pacific Norway Vacations Rogaland: Stavanger Western Fjords: Alesund Panama Beach Condo Rentals San Felipe: Casco Viejo Philippines Homes for Rent Visayas: Cebu Poland Travel Malopolska: Krakow Portugal Villa Rentals Alentejo - Algarve - Azores Islands - Costa Lisboa - Costa Prata - Costa Verde - Douro Valley - Madeira Island - Montanhas Scotland Holiday Cottages Dumfries and Galloway: Dornock Grampian Moray: Glenlivet Loch Lomond: Balquhidder Serbia - Better than a hotel Montenegro: Herceg Novi Seychelles Holidays Island of Mahe: Anse a La Mouche South Africa Accommodation Western Cape: Bloubergstrand - Camps Bay - Cape Town - Knysna - Sedgefield - St. James Spain Vacations Andalucia - Balearic Islands - Canary Islands - Catalunya - Madrid - Murcia - Valenciana Switzerland Lodging Central: Lenk Eastern: Morissen Valais: Branson - Champery - Ovronnaz - Verbier Thailand Vacation Rentals Northeast: Udon Thani Phuket Island: Bang Tao - Loch Palm - Thalang Koh Samui Island: Koh Samui Turkey Villa Rentals Aegean: Bodrum - Orhaniye Mediterranean: Antalya - Istanbul - Kalkan - Kas - Ovacik Hisaronu Uruguay - Better than a Hotel South Uruguay: Punta del Este USA Alaska Lodging Fairbanks Alabama Vacation Rentals Gulf Shores - Orange Beach Arizona Vacation Rentals Lake Havasu - Mesa - Phoenix - Pine - Pine Lake - Scottsdale - Sedona - Tucson Green Valley - Williams California Vacation Rentals San Francisco Bay - South Coast California - Big Bear - Calistoga - Carlsbad - Catalina Island - Cotati - Crescent City - Dillon Beach - Imperial Beach - Indio - Lake Arrowhead - Lake Tahoe - La Quinta - Long Beach - Los Angeles - Malibu - Mammoth - Marina Del Rey - Mission Beach - Monterey Bay - Newport Beach - Northstar - Oceanside - Oxnard - Pacific Grove - Palm Desert - Palm Springs Desert Resorts - Palm Springs Vacation Rentals - Pebble Beach - Rancho Mirage - Ridgecrest - San Diego - San Francisco - San Pedro - Santa Barbara - Santa Cruz - Santa Monica - Sonoma Colorado Vacation Rentals Avon - Beaver Creek - Breckenridge - Copper Mountain - Crested Butte - Dillon - Frisco - Keystone - Purgatory - Redcliff - Silverthorne - Steamboat Springs - Summit County Lodging - Telluride - Vail - Winter Park Florida Vacation Rentals Central - Disney World Area Vacation Homes : Branford - Clermont - Davenport - Haines City - Kissimmee Vacation Home - Lake Wales - Orlando Vacation Homes East Central: Cocoa Beach - Daytona Beach Condo Rentals - Port St Lucie West Central : Anna Maria Island - Bradenton - Clearwater Beach Lodging - Crystal River - Holiday - Indian Rocks Beach - Indian Shores - Inverness - Isla del Sol - Mulberry - New Port Richey - Ormond Beach - Redington Shores - Sarasota - Siesta Key - St. Petersburg - Treasure Island North East : Amelia Island - Atlantic Beach - Fernandina Beach - Jacksonville - St Augustine North West Florida Panhandle Vacation Rentals : Alligator Point - Destin - Fort Walton - Inlet Beach - Panama City - Pensacola - Perdido Key South East Florida - Gold Coast Accommodation : Florida Keys - Boca Raton - Delray Beach - Fort Lauderdale - Hollywood - Islamorada - Key Colony Beach - Key Largo - Marathon - Miami - Miami Beach - Pompano Beach - Singer Island - St. George Island South West : Bokeelia - Cape Coral Vacation Rentals - Captiva Island - Estero - Fort Myers - Fort Myers Beach - Key West - Little Gasparilla Island - Naples - North Captiva - Marco Island - Pine Island - Palm Island - Rotonda West - Sanibel Island - Venice Georgia Lodging Blue Ridge - Helen - Savannah - Villa Rica Hawaii Vacation Rentals Big Island Vacation Rentals : Captain Cook - Hilo Area - Honokaa - Kailua-Kona - Kaimu - Kapoho - Kea'au - Kehena Beach - Kohala Coast - Puako - Puna - Punaluu - South Point - Volcano - Waikoloa - Wood Valley Kauai Vacation Rentals : Anahola - Haena - Hanalei Bay - Kapaa - Kilauea - Lihue - Poipu Beach - Princeville - Wailua Maui Vacation Rentals : Kaanapali - Kihei - Lahaina - Maalaea - North Shore Maui - Wailea - Wailuku Molokai Vacation Rentals : Kaluakoi - Maunaloa Oahu Vacation Rentals : Hauula - Haleiwa - Honolulu - Kailua - Kaneohe Bay - Lanikai - Maili - Makaha - Punaluu - Sunset Beach - Waikiki Idaho Vacations Ashton - Challis - Lava Hot Springs - Schweitzer - Sun Valley Illinois Lodging Alton - Apple River - Galena Maine Vacation Rentals New England - Rockport - Sunday River Massachusetts Tourism New England Accommodation - Cape Cod - Martha's Vineyard - The Berkshires Michigan Vacation Rentals Crooked Lake - Gaylord - Gladwin - Glen Arbor - Kalamazoo - Kalkaska - Manistee - Maple City - Onekama - Oscoda - Shanty Creek - Torch Lake Minnesota Lodging Lake Mille Lacs Mississippi - better than a hotel Tylertown Missouri Condo Rentals Bourbon - Lake of the Ozarks Montana Cabin Rentals Belgrade - Big Mountain - Big Sky - Bitterroot Valley - Bozeman - Elliston - Eureka - Gardiner - Glacier Park - Whitefish Nevada Vacation Rentals Diamond Peak - Incline Village - Lake Tahoe - Las Vegas - Heavenly New Hampshire Lodging New England Accommodations - Effingham New Jersey Home Rentals Stone Harbor New Mexico Rentals Santa Fe - Taos New York Apartment Rentals Adirondaks - Croton On Hudson - Geneva - Gore Mountain - Hunter Mountain - Lake Placid - Long Island - New York City - Southold North Carolina Cabins for Rent Andrews - Bald Head Island - Beaufort - Beech Mountain - Blowing Rock - Lake Lure - Murphy - Pinehurst - Sunset Beach - Topsail Island Ohio Vacation Rentals Hocking Hills Oklahoma Vacations Lake Eufaula Oregon Lodging Gold Beach - Manzanita Beach - Mount Hood - Netarts - Newport - Sunriver Pennsylvania Home Rentals Blue Knob - Camelback - Jim Thorpe Rhode Island New England Accommodations - Newport - South Kingston South Carolina Vacation Rentals Fripp Island - Harbor Island - Hilton Head Island - Myrtle Beach and Area - Myrtle Beach - North Myrtle Beach - Pawleys Island - Seabrook Island - Westminster Tennessee Cabin Rentals Caryville - Gatlinburg - Norris Lake - Pigeon Forge Texas Apartment Rentals Austin - Bacliff - Canyon Lake - Corpus Christi - Galveston - Leakey - Port Aransas - Martindale - Rockport - South Padre Island - Wimberley Utah Vacation Rentals Alta - Deer Valley - Park City Ski Areas - Park City - Snowbasin - Snowbird - Solitude Vermont Chalets New England - Alburg - Bromley - Charlotte - Lake Bomoseen - Killington - Stowe - Stratton - Sugarbush - Woodstock Virginia Lodging Syria - Massanutten Washington Accommodations Friday Harbor - Granite Falls - Lummi Island - Methow Valley - Mount Baker - Snoqualmie Forest - Puget Sound - Seattle - Soap Lake - Whidbey Island Wisconsin Vacation Minocqua Park Falls - Cedar Grove - Chute Pond - Lake Geneva Wales Holiday Cottages South Wales: Pontsticill West Wales: Carmarthen Activities and Regions Sun Peaks Accommodation - Silver Star Accommodation - Whistler Accommodation - Sun Peaks Accommodations - Silver Star Accommodations - Whistler Accommodations - Sun Peaks Accommodation - Silver Star Accommodation - Whistler Accommodation Customer Service | Legal Notice | Privacy Policy | Links | Help

france travel On Tgv.com,

TGV.com : tgv reservation and tgv information for french holiday and week-end ideas TGV.com : tgv reservation and tgv information for french holiday and week-end ideas book a tgv, business travel in france, departure times, france tgv, france travel On Tgv.com, you can book your tgv train ticket and you can easily find some week-end ideas and travel ideas for your next french holiday. All the tgv information , tgv prices and tgv services you need, are available on our web site www.tgv.com . book a tgv , business travel in france , departure times , france tgv , france travel , french tgv , reservation tgv , sncf tgv , sncf tgv reservation , sncf ticket , tgv departure times , tgv france , tgv information , tgv lines , tgv offers , tgv paris , tgv prices , tgv reservation , tgv ticket , tgv tickets , ticket train , train ticket , train tickets , travel france , travels in france , trip in france , visit france , france holiday , french holiday , holiday in france , french train , travel ideas , week end ideas , tgv photos , tgv services , business travel , business travels , business travels france , train reservation , tgv news , tgv -- Leaving from: Dates: (DD/MM/YYYY) Times: 00h 01h 02h 03h 04h 05h 06h 07h 08h 09h 10h 11h 12h 13h 14h 15h 16h 17h 18h 19h 20h 21h 22h 23h and 00h 01h 02h 03h 04h 05h 06h 07h 08h 09h 10h 11h 12h 13h 14h 15h 16h 17h 18h 19h 20h 21h 22h 23h Arriving at: Dates: (DD/MM/YYYY) Times: 00h 01h 02h 03h 04h 05h 06h 07h 08h 09h 10h 11h 12h 13h 14h 15h 16h 17h 18h 19h 20h 21h 22h 23h and 00h 01h 02h 03h 04h 05h 06h 07h 08h 09h 10h 11h 12h 13h 14h 15h 16h 17h 18h 19h 20h 21h 22h 23h 1 st class 2 nd class Smoking Non-smoking Looking for a solution for your business trips or those of your collaborators? TGV proposes answers adapted to your needs and professional constraints. This month, the TGV favourites take you to Annecy, the “Venise in Savoie”. Discover the exceptional environment of this city situated between lake and mountains. Book early for the lowest prices... Special offers starting from 25 €, find out more! Conception and realisation: Crayon noir e-médias | Site plan | FAQs | Contact us | Legal Information

Hotel Travel

Hotel, resort and vacation information from Marriott.com Home International Sites Help Contact Us Site Map Welcome to Marriott.com Find & Reserve Specials & Packages Destinations Events & Meetings Marriott Rewards   Marriott's Look No Further ®  Best Rate Guarantee In a city Near an address Near an airport Along a route City State (USA only) 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 Country Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Belgium Brazil Canada Cayman Islands Chile China Costa Rica Curacao Czech Republic Denmark Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt Fiji France Georgia Germany Greece Guam Guatemala Honduras Hungary India Indonesia Ireland Israel Italy Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kuwait Lebanon Malaysia Mexico Netherlands Pakistan Panama Peru Philippines Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Romania Russia Saudi Arabia Singapore South Korea Spain St. Kitts and Nevis Switzerland Thailand Trinidad & Tobago Tunisia Turkey United Arab Emirates United Kingdom USA Venezuela Vietnam Virgin Islands (US) Select a brand All brands Marriott Hotels & Resorts Renaissance Hotels Courtyard Residence Inn Fairfield Inn Conference Centers TownePlace Suites SpringHill Suites Marriott Vacation Club Check-in date Dec, 2005 Jan, 2006 Feb, 2006 Mar, 2006 Apr, 2006 May, 2006 Jun, 2006 Jul, 2006 Aug, 2006 Sep, 2006 Oct, 2006 Nov, 2006 Dec, 2006 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Check-out date Dec, 2005 Jan, 2006 Feb, 2006 Mar, 2006 Apr, 2006 May, 2006 Jun, 2006 Jul, 2006 Aug, 2006 Sep, 2006 Oct, 2006 Nov, 2006 Dec, 2006 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 No. of rooms 1 2 3 Guests/room 1 2 3 4 5 6 Need more rooms? Marriott Rewards number Use Marriott Rewards points Special Rates AAA Senior discount Government & military Corporate/ promotional code Search by hotel amenities Restaurant on site Room service Pets permitted High-speed Internet access Meeting space Airport shuttle Pool Beach Resort Spa Golf (on-site or nearby) Tennis Skiing No preference Look up reservations Search by hotel amenities Browse our hotel directory >>   Learn about our brands Our Family of Brands Marriott Hotels & Resorts JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts Renaissance Hotels & Resorts Courtyard Residence Inn Fairfield Inn Conference Centers TownePlace Suites SpringHill Suites Marriott Vacation Club Our Partner The Ritz-Carlton Corporate Apartments ExecuStay Executive Apartments Timeshare Vacations Marriott Villa Vacations offer spacious 2 & 3 bedroom villas with kitchens and all the comforts of home. Learn how GiftCards & Certificates   -- Share the gift of travel. Surprise them with golf, spa, dining, a weekend getaway ... at hotels around the globe. Customize your present >>   Marriott Corporate Incentives >> Our Online Store Buy plush bedding, bath, and spa products for your home >> Air, Car & More Find a flight >> Rent a car >> Save on a vacation package >> Events & Meetings -- Exceptional facilities and service, whether it's 5,000 conventioneers or an intimate family reunion. Marriott's meeting planning >> Inspiration for your special day. Marriott wedding planning >> Earn a free honeymoon. Rewarding weddings >>   Destinations -- -- restore your soul . -- Specials & Packages -- Three reasons to be thankful this holiday season:  • Packages to tempt every taste >> • Suite deals for families >> • 10% off weekend rates at participating Fairfield Inn Hotels >>   Sign up and enjoy double Marriott Rewards points through January 31 >> Stay in shape through the holidays with free in-room fitness >> More special offers >> Get specials via email >> Marriott Rewards -- Earn points or miles at more than 2,500 hotels worldwide. Join now >> Sign in to view your account >> Get a FREE night certificate with the Marriott Rewards Visa card. Apply now >> Elite member? Sign in to access Elite offers & rewards . So many ways to use Marriott Rewards points. Learn how >> International Sites Travel Agents Corporate Information Careers Help Contact Us Site Map © 1996 - 2005 Marriott International, Inc. All rights reserved. Marriott proprietary information. Terms of Use Internet Privacy Statement

Japan Travel International Travel

Metropolis - Japan Travel: Jesus in Japan JAPAN TODAY | METROPOLIS | CLASSIFIEDS | PERSONALS | JOBS Issue Index Original Features Features Mini Features Cultural Features Life in Japan Big in Japan Rant & Rave Cars & Bikes Health & Beauty Interiors Practical Jobfinder Money Talks Tokyo Tech Web Watch Food & Drink Food & Drink Restaurant Reviews Bar Reviews Word of Mouth Travel Travel Features Japan Travel International Travel Travelogue Style Art Artifacts Fashion Tokyo Talk In Store Buyline Music Japan Beat CD Reviews In Person Concerts Clubbing TRAVEL Jesus in Japan Jesus' supposed resting place Photos by Mary King Mary King hunts down the Messiah in the small village of Herai in the wilds of northern Japan. Church bells will ring out louder this year as millions of Christians across the world join in songs of praise for Jesus Christ's 2000th birthday. While most turn their thoughts to Bethlehem, Nazareth and Jerusalem, few know of the important role some claim Japan played in the life of Christ. There are probably very few Christians who have even heard of the small village of Herai that lies tucked away in the northern reaches of Aomori Prefecture, but some here maintain this to be the place where Jesus settled, married and died at the ripe old age of 106. Although it's commonly held that Jesus grew up as a carpenter in the Galilee town of Nazareth, according to the legend of Herai, or Shingo as it's now known, the 11 "missing years" of Christ's life not accounted for in the New Testament of the Bible were spent in Japan. According to the local legend, Christ first came to Japan, aged 21, during the reign of the 11th emperor, Suinin, and landed at the port of Hashidate on the Japan Sea coast. Apparently, he settled in Etchu province where, under the tutelage of a great master, he studied Japanese language, literature and various other subjects. The Legend of Daitenku Taro Jurai (Daitenku Taro Jurai was the name Christ is said to have later taken) claims that at the end of his 11-year stay, Christ returned to Judea, aged 33, where he taught about the "sacred land" of Japan. But, unfortunately, "Christ's teachings about Japan were considered too radical," and he was condemned to death. The New Testament teaches Jesus was crucified at Golgotha, rose from the dead after three days and later ascended into Heaven. However, according to the legend of Herai, Jesus escaped this fate, and instead his brother Isukiri was nailed to the cross and died. Christ, meanwhile, fled with his disciples and went into hiding, carrying locks of the Virgin Mary's hair and his brother's ear. After an arduous journey across Siberia, Christ finally returned to Japan and settled in Herai where he changed his name, married a Japanese woman called Miyuko, fathered three daughters and lived to the age of 106. Devout Christians may insist that the Garden Tomb, which lies not far from Damascus Gate outside the Old City of Jerusalem, is Jesus' true burial site, but the people of Herai have another story to tell-marked by a large wooden cross, Jesus' tomb ( Juraizuka ) sits alongside his brother's ( Judaibo ) in Herai. Isukiri's tomb holds his ear and locks of the Virgin Mary's hair. It's hard to imagine anyone, let alone Christ, would have schlepped out to one of the remotest parts of northern Japan in days of old, as even today it demands a great deal of effort to reach the village. Herai epitomizes the middle of nowhere. The place is little more than a lonely grocery store, a sprinkling of farmhouses and scraggly garlic fields and rice paddies blanketed with snow at this time of year. Most tourists either already know about the tombs, as well as the "pyramids" said to predate those of Egypt, or are so intrigued by the wild talk they hear of Herai while trekking out near Towadako Lake they can't resist coming to check it out. Remains of the Mirror Stone pyramid Pyramid scheme The first pyramid of the "O-Ishigami Pyramid" circle, we are told, was discovered in August, 1935 on Mt Towari, exactly one day after the discovery of Christ's tomb in the village. According to the "history of the Divine Age" found in the documents of the Takenouchi family, there are seven pyramids in Japan, dating back tens of thousands of years and older than the Egyptian pyramids. Legend has it that the largest of these "pyramids," the Mirror Stone, used to stand upright and had writing engraved on it, but fell over during an earthquake in 1857 and became embedded in the ground. Disappointingly, not one of the rocks slightly resembles a pyramid in the Egyptian or Mexican sense, but apparently Japanese pyramids are different from those found elsewhere. They were triangular rocks situated on the top of mountains and used for sun-worship in ancient times. A local standing by what may be Jesus' grave Tomb of the unknown Savior The "pyramids" are a five-minute drive from the Kirisuto no Sato Denshokan (Village of Christ Legend Museum; Tel: 0178-78-3741), where you can read about the history and customs of Herai, and catch the audio-visual show of the Kirisuto Matsuri (Christ Festival) held in the early summer. The museum is open from April to October. Contact the Shingo Business and Tourist Section at Shingo Village Office (Tel: 0178-78-2111) for visits during other times of the year. The present museum, open for the past five years, also records the uncanny circumstances surrounding the tombs of "Christ and his brother Isukiri" as well as old folk songs and customs that resemble ancient Judaic-Christian ones and various theories that either support or quash links between the Japanese and Christians of Jewish descent. Even the name of the village, Herai, is said to be derived from the word Hebrai (Hebrew). It sounds like a tall tale, but no stranger than stories of burning bushes, the parting of the Red Sea and water being turned into wine. For the people of Herai too, the revelation that Christ is buried in their village came as a shock when documents claiming Jesus had resided in Japan were discovered in Ibaraki Prefecture in 1935. Said to be Christ's will and testament and the proof that he had lived and died in Japan, the "Takenouchi documents" later proved to be fake. For years, many villagers felt that the shroud of mystery surrounding the large ancient tombs in a bamboo thicket had finally been lifted. The documents explained some of the village's customs, such as marking a cross on the forehead of a child when it first leaves the home and why Sanjiro Sawaguchi, a village elder, had "blue eyes like a foreigner." The museum explains mysterious local customs The tombs are located close to the Kirisuto no Sato Denshokan, marked by two large wooden crosses and are sitting on a small hill overlooking those of the Sawaguchi family-local garlic farmers who are said to be the descendants of Christ and who, to this day, care for their great ancestor's tombs. "Somebody special lies there but I don't really believe it's the tomb of Christ. It's probably the tomb of a foreigner who settled in the village at some point. It's certainly interesting that some of the old customs in this village are said to be similar to those of ancient Judea, and it may explain why some people in the village have blue eyes. But this village has always been Buddhist and the Shinto shrine in the village is more than 1000 years old, so I really don't think that there are any ancient links between Japanese and Jews or Christians of Jewish descent," said Yoshiteru Ogasawara, who runs Nobara Pension (Tel: 0178-78-2484). Regardless of what you believe, Herai makes an interesting-if somewhat barren-destination, and you're guaranteed a great travel story to share with friends. Getting there: From JR Ueno stn, take the Tohoku shinkansen to Morioka stn and change to the express train for Hachinohe. From Hachinohe, take a bus to Gonohe, where you can change to a bus for Shingo (Herai). For information on the local bus service, contact the tourist section of the Shingo Village Office (Tel: 0178-78-2111; Fax: 0178-78-2118). Getting around: Those seriously thinking of venturing out to this part of the world to see the tombs and the "pyramids" should consider hiring a car or taxi from Hachinohe or Gonohe as the local bus service is irregular, and getting around Herai on foot is nigh-on impossible, especially during the winter months. TRAVELOGUE WORLD TRAVEL TRAVEL FEATURES JAPAN TRAVEL: SEPTEMBER 389: God speed The mother of all Shinto temples, Ise Grand Shrine AUGUST 385: Hattoji Highland hamlet JULY 380: Nagasaki Remembrance of things past 378: Kawagoe From modern Tokyo to "Little Edo" 376: Tottori Tottori's stunning landscapes JUNE 375: Kyushu Bed and bath under the volcano 373: Ryogoku Land of the giants 372: Osaka Universal Studios Japan MAY 371: Osaka Amerika-mura: Osaka's funky town 369: Mie Mikimoto Pearl Island 368: Takarazuka Hyogo-ken's all women theater group APRIL 365: Kawasaki Kawasaki's annual fertility festival 364: Aomori A day on Fear Mountain MARCH 362: Nagano Chill out snowboarding 361: Asuka One foot in the grave FEBRUARY 356: Yamanashi Hakushu's hidden treasures 355: Waseda Tram Trip A streetcar named... 352/3: Aomori Jesus in Japan 351: Kumamoto Under the volcano in Kyushu 350: Sado Island Explore the forgotten charms of Shukunegi ISSUES 348- ISSUES 298- TOP