Germany Travel Guide :::

Germany Travel Guide REAL ESTATE COMPANIES IN GERMANY :: GERMANY MAPS Tell a Friend December 28, 2005 Home Germany Travel Guide ::: GERMANY GUIDE · Germany History · Best of Germany · Germany cities · Getting Around · Germany Festivals · Explore Germany ::: WHAT TO DO? · Where to go and When · Eating in Germany · Drinking in Germany ::: GERMANY INFOS · Gay Germany · Germany basic facts · Germany Maps · Red tape & Visas · Costs, money & banks · Communications · Moving to Germany · German courses · Insurance in Germany · MBA Programs in Germany · Real Estate in Germany · External Links : EUROPE TRAVEL GUIDES · England Travel Guide · France Travel Guide · Germany Travel Guide · Greece Travel Guide · Italy Travel Guide · Portugal Travel Guide · Spain Travel Guide : AFRICA GUIDES : · Egypt Travel Guide : AMERICAN GUIDES : · Argentina Travel Guide · Canada Travel Guide · California Travel Guide · Cuba Travel Guide · Florida Travel Guide · Cuba Travel Guide · Brazil Travel Guide · Mexico Travel Guide · Peru Travel Guide : ASIA GUIDES : · Japan Travel Guide · Turkey Travel Guide · India Travel Guide GERMANY TRAVEL GUIDE Germany Cities: Berlin Cologne Dresden Dsseldorf Frankfurt Hamburg Hannover Munich Stuttgart :: view full list If your dream holiday consists of romantic landscapes, enchanting castles, cosmopolitan cities , colourful festivals and friendly people - Germany is your only choice. A land where history and culture come alive and whose complex past has made it the extraordinary country it is today... The Federal Republic of Germany covers an area of 357,000 square kilometers and is home to 81 million people. Stretching from the North and Baltic seas to the snow-capped Bavarian Alps, the country boasts at least five major geographical regions, each totally different in character. Germany has long been at historys crux being heavily involved in World War I and the instigator of World War II. After World War II, Germany was divided up between the Allies, with Britain, France and the USA consolidating the western portion into the Federal Republic of Germany and the Soviet half becoming the communist German Democratic Republic. The city of Berlin was also divided in half. West Germany made a rapid recovery after the War to become Europes most formidable economic power. The collapse of communism in Eastern Europe has no more poignant symbol than the tearing down of the Berlin Wall in 1989. No other country gives the sense of a living history in the way that Germany does. :: Germany Travel Option :: Cities of Germany Work & Study in Germany The German Art Germany Maps Germany Festivals Real Estate Companies in Germany MBA Programs in Germany Partner Sites: Insurances Guide Mortgages Guide Boat for sale Free Resume TRAVEL OPTIONS Maps of Germany Germany Visas German money GERMANY INFO MBA programs Germany Real Estate directory Germany Newspapers Moving Guide Movers Directory Bachelor degrees Online Insurance Guide Mortgage Guide TRAVELERS Germany Gallery Site Map | Contact Us | Advertising | How to Link to Us ©2005 - JustGermany.org

Japan Travel International Travel

Metropolis - Tokyo Japan Travel: God speed 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 JAPAN TRAVEL Photos by Mary King The mother of all Shinto temples, Ise Grand Shrine is the spiritual home of the Japanese nation. Mary King takes a pilgrimage. D own the ages various rumors and tales have circulated about the sacred mirror of Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess. It was once said that whoever laid eyes on the mirror would immediately be struck blind, a possible deterrent for would-be thieves. Others have claimed to have seen the mirror and reported that it is inscribed with ancient Hebrew lettering, reading “eheyeh asher eheyeh,” the name of the Judaic-Christian God written in Exodus 3:14 and meaning “I AM THAT I AM.” Heavenly abode Japan’s sacred mirror, one of three items of the Imperial Regalia, is kept in the Inner Shrine (Naiku) at Ise Grand Shrine, a sanctuary that many visitors to the Mie Prefecture city of Ise are astonished to discover they are not allowed to enter or even see. Ise Jingu, popularly known as “O-Ise-san,” or officially “Jingu,” holds the most honored position among the more than 100,000 Shinto shrines that are scattered throughout the breadth of Japan. The site of the nation’s most Holy of Holies, and boasting some of the world’s greatest architectural monuments, Jingu is also home to some of the simplest and most mysterious structures. Described as the “starting point for all journeys in Japan,” Ise is regarded as the spiritual home of the Japanese, a place to which most wish to make at least one pilgrimage to in their lives. In fact, more than six million pilgrims and worshipers come to Jingu each year, crossing the Uji Bridge spanning the sacred Isuzu River to symbolically leave behind the temporal world and enter a “pure world” of kami (gods and spirits) and the ancient mythology of the land. Odyssey Passing through the second huge torii at the end of Uji Bridge, a long gravel approach leads you through a natural cathedral of towering cryptomeria. Pilgrim and tourist alike are taken on a divine journey toward the Naiku and Geku, where Amaterasu and Toyouke (God of Abundant Food) are respectively worshipped. It is an unforgettable odyssey, one that spirits you back to the country’s earliest recorded “history” that tells of the “Age of Kami,” the creation of Japan and the origins of its people right through to the Imperial line and succeeding generations of emperors and empresses. The auxiliary shrines resemble ancient granaries The Geku (Outer Shrine) was dedicated to the grain deity Toyouke, possibly in a bid to bolster the new imperial cult that started, according to the myth, when Amaterasu sent her grandson, Ninigi no Mikoto, down to earth to rule. The Sun Goddess handed her grandson the mirror that had lured her out of her cave, along with Susano’s sword, and a curved jewel. The mirror (yata no kagami), along with the jewel and sword, remain the Three Imperial Regalia, symbols of divine authority, and to this day the emperor conducts rites to ensure a bountiful harvest as well as secret rituals in which he symbolically mates with the Sun Goddess. The high priestess of Ise, meanwhile, has traditionally been an Imperial princess, reflecting the nation’s early history of shamanesses, priestesses and ruling empresses. Having passed through large open grounds and crossed over a small bridge (hiyokebashi), you gradually move towards the more sacred area of the Naiku. To the right of the main pilgrimage path is located a font for the ablutions made by pilgrims prior to proceeding toward the main sanctuary grounds. Beyond the daiichi torii (first sacred gateway) are steps that lead to the Isuzu River, where since ancient times pilgrims have purified their body and mind by washing their hands in, and rinsing their mouths with, the waters of this sacred river. According to Shinto thought, one’s pure mind and body given by the kami must be ritually cleansed so as to return to a state of purity. Amaterasu Omikami is enshrined in the main sanctuary building, the Goshoden, of the inner sanctum of Naiku, in which the august mirror, her symbol or goshintai, is kept and worshipped. As they are considered most sacred, pilgrims or other visitors may see neither the mirror nor the main sanctuary. In fact, the only people allowed to enter the Holy of Holies, according to my guide, are members of the Imperial Family, although on one occasion, it is rumored, Queen Elizabeth was invited in. Restoration Except for the exalted mirror, all of Jingu’s other sacred shrines and objects must be reconstructed in synch with each 20-year Shikinen Sengyo cycle. The elaborate transference procession and ceremony involves the remaking of some 491 holy treasures, 1600 accessories and 125 kinds of sacred apparel that are then put in their proscribed places by the priests. Formerly used objects are kept in the nearby Jingu History Museum, which is open to the public. It is possible to find two absolutely identical Naiku and Geku standing side by side-one old, one new. In time the older one will be deconstructed and its wooden parts, now forever consecrated, recycled as repair pieces for other shrines around Japan. The newer one-once the transference of holy objects has been consummated-hence replaces the old as a locus of veneration. The shrines themselves are thought to resemble ancient granaries or storehouses and are built from Japanese cypress (hinoki) from the Kiso forestry preserves extending between the Gifu and Nagano Prefectures. Befitting the reverence accorded to these sanctified building blocks, death, loss of a limb, or imprisonment have, over the centuries, been the penalties for felling these jewels. A visit to the majestic Ise shrine allows one to understand why. Where to stay: Oaken, tel: 059-622-2589; Hinodekan, Tel: 059-628-2954; Saekikan, tel: 059-628-2017; Okubun, tel: 059-628-2231. Ise City Tourist Information, tel: 059-623-9655. 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

Europe Travel 101 -

Europe Travel with the Celebs: Berlin - Europe for Visitors Archives You are here: About > Travel > Europe for Visitors 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 December 01, 2005 Europe for Visitors Blog Archives « November 30, 2005 | Main | December 03, 2005 » From James Martin , Your Guide to Europe for Visitors . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Europe Travel with the Celebs: Berlin Yep, Berlin is one hot European destination. Hotels are popping up all over, so prices are quite reasonable for a European capital. Nazi Bunkers are being transformed into luxury penthouses . Celebrities flock: Newlyweds Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher recently tripped the light fantastic at the Ritz-Carlton ( check prices on Berlin Hotels ), according to Celebrity Romantic Travel News . What more can you wish for in a travel destination? Of course Berlin offers more than cavorting rich people. You'll find a hot nightlife, compelling cultural events, and enormous and captivating museums to name a few. Find out more in our sketch of Germany's biggest city: Berlin, Germany Travel Essentials . And if all this hotness has you gasping, Iceland Express will whisk you from Berlin to Reykjavik on the cheap: as low as 7GBP on the ever changing " Icebreaker " fare list. Of course, the airline could add up to 30 GBP (British Pounds) in "taxes and charges," which seems devious to the max. I mean, when you ask, "what are you charging?" you hardly expect the answer to be, "9, but then there are charges of up to 30, of course." C'mon... 10:33 AM # Display Latest Headlines | | | Read Archives powered by Movable Type Advertisement Most Popular Europe Map - Distances Between Cities in Western Europe Europe's Best Nudist Beaches Europe Picture Galleries Italy Pictures Europe Travel 101 - Before You Travel to Europe for the Firs... What's Hot Power Adapters Noord-Holland - Delights of North Holland Travel Visiting Pompeii Italy Guidebooks Naples - Getting There Related Topics France for Visitors Greece for Visitors United Kingdom / Ireland for Visitors Eastern Europe for Visitors Italy for Visitors 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...

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France Travel

France Vacations & Tourism, France Hotels, France Attractions - Yahoo! Travel Primary Navigation Overview | Hotels | Things to do | Restaurants | Map | Flights | Cars | Deals | FareChase France: Search Travel Travel > Guides > Europe > France Email this page Print France Vacations, Tourism, Hotels View larger map of France Top Cities in France Paris Nice Bordeaux St. Tropez Cannes Aix-en-Provence Lyon Chamonix Marseille Toulouse Strasbourg Lille Annecy Lourdes Montpellier Biarritz See all cities in France View larger image One of the best ways to get to know France is to visit a local market. Strolling among the stalls on Boulevard Richard Lenoir in Paris one morning, we watched as finicky chefs picked through crates of Brittany mussels and truck drivers recharged themselves with tiny cups of strong coffee. A little girl helped her mother arrange bouquets of fresh flowers. A … Read More Popular France Hotels Paris Best Western Hotel L'Horset Opera Westin Paris Hotel Chambiges Elysees Ritz Paris Hotel de Crillon Nice Hotel la Perouse Tulip Inn Nice Brice Hotel Negresco Regence Hotel Hotel West-End Bordeaux Libertel Hotel Claret Hotel Majestic Mercure Chateau Chartrons Best Western Grand Hotel Francais Les Sources de Caudalie St. Tropez Hotel des Lices Byblos Saint Tropez Villa Saint-Elme Ermitage Hotel Hotel Le Yaca Cannes Hotel Martinez Splendid Hotel Cannes Hotel Canberra Hotel Regina Noga Hilton Cannes Aix-en-Provence Hotel Aquabella Chateau de la Pioline Le Pigonnet Hotel Ibis Hotel Grand Hotel Mercure Roi Rene Lyon La Tour Rose Sofitel Lyon Bellecour Hotel Alize Villa Florentine Boscolo Grand Hotel Chamonix Grands Montets Club Med Chamonix Le Hameau Albert I Hotel Mont-Blanc Prieure Hotel Related Information Popular Attractions in France Arc de Triomphe Eiffel Tower Musee du Louvre Promenade des Anglais Basilique du Sacre-Coeur Musee d'Orsay Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Paris Abbaye Saint-Victor Beaubourg - Centre Georges Pompidou Musee Rodin Popular Hotels in France Hotel Martinez Best Western Hotel L'Horset Opera Westin Paris La Tour Rose Hotel Chambiges Elysees Splendid Hotel Cannes Ritz Paris Hotel de Crillon Hotel des Lices Best Western Left Bank Saint Germain Popular Cities in France Paris Nice Bordeaux St. Tropez Cannes Aix-en-Provence Lyon Chamonix Marseille Toulouse Yahoo! Travel: Your best choice for cheap airline tickets and other great deals! Help get your favorite places listed on Yahoo! Travel: suggest a hotel or suggest an attraction .