vacation rental property owners

Breckenridge Lodging - Breckenridge Vacation Rentals Breckenridge Lodging - Breckenridge Vacation Rentals Colorado Rental Homes, Condos, Villas, Cottages and Cabins Connecting premier Breckenridge vacation rental property owners with renters. Find Beach, Ski, Golf and Pet friendly vacation rentals worldwide. Vacation Rentals SEARCH Rentals Ebook LIST YOUR PROPERTY MY ACCOUNT WHY? Breckenridge Lodging - Breckenridge Vacation Rentals Browse our featured 69 Breckenridge vacation rentals . You may also customize a search of Breckenridge vacation rentals to list rental properties that better fit your requirements. Vacation Rentals > Colorado Vacation Rentals - Lodging > Breckenridge Displaying Rentals Express .com search results 1 - 10 (69 total). Colorado Vacation Rentals - United States Breckenridge Vacation Rental, Colorado, United States 1Bd Ski In Condo, NEW, Heated Pool - Breckenridge Lodging Property Bedrooms/Baths Price / Night Condominium 2-4 1 / 1 200.00 - 650.00 Breckenridge Vacation Rentals, Colorado, United States Gold King Lodge - Ski In/Ski Out 3 Bedroom + Loft! - Breckenridge Lodging Property Bedrooms/Baths Price / Night House 12-14 3+loft / 2.5 250.00 - 1100.00 Breckenridge Vacation Rental, Colorado, United States New, Private 3200 Square Foot Cabin with Pool Table and More! - Breckenridge Lodging Property Bedrooms/Baths Price / Night Cabin 10- 4 / 3.5 - Breckenridge Vacation Rentals, Colorado, United States Whispering Pines Lodge, an amazing 5BR home with amazing views! - Breckenridge Lodging Property Bedrooms/Baths Price / Night House 16-18 5 / 4.5 400.00 - 1500.00 Breckenridge Vacation Rental, Colorado, United States Lodge Pole Retreat - New Charming 5 Bedroom/5 Bath Home on Peak 7 - Breckenridge Lodging Property Bedrooms/Baths Price / Night House 14-16 5 / 5 250.00 - 1100.00 Breckenridge Vacation Rentals, Colorado, United States Luxury 2BR Rental Chalet in Town, Walk Everywhere, Hot Tub & Views - Breckenridge Lodging Property Bedrooms/Baths Price / Night Townhome 5- 2 / 2.5 145.00 - 425.00 Breckenridge Vacation Rental, Colorado, United States Gold Flake Chalet - Gorgeous In Town 5 Bedroom + Loft Home - Breckenridge Lodging Property Bedrooms/Baths Price / Night House 16-18 5+loft / 4 400.00 - 1400.00 Breckenridge Vacation Rentals, Colorado, United States LUXURY SKI IN/OUT TOWNHOME - Breckenridge Lodging Property Bedrooms/Baths Price / Night Duplex 10-12 4 / 3.5 285.00 - 650.00 Breckenridge Vacation Rental, Colorado, United States Beaver Run Ski-In/Ski-Out 2 Bed 2 Bath - Breckenridge Lodging Property Bedrooms/Baths Price / Night Condominium 6-8 2 / 2 150.00 - 595.00 Breckenridge Vacation Rentals, Colorado, United States Ski-in/Ski-out 4 bedroom, 3 bath Peak 8 - Breckenridge Lodging Property Bedrooms/Baths Price / Night Condominium 8-10 4 / 3 - 1 2 3 4 5 6 | Next 10 >> Breckenridge Vacation Rentals: Browse Breckenridge Vacation Rentals by property type Breckenridge Vacation Rentals ~ House Breckenridge Vacation Rentals ~ Townhome Breckenridge Vacation Rentals ~ Condominium Breckenridge Vacation Rentals ~ Cabin Breckenridge Vacation Rentals ~ Cottage Breckenridge Vacation Rentals ~ Duplex Breckenridge Vacation Rentals ~ Lodge Featured Rentals $300 / Night Colorado Lodging and Vacation Rentals | SEARCH Vacation Rentals | Advertise your Vacation Rental | MY Vacation Rentals | CONTACT | IN THE PRESS Florida Vacation Rentals | Colorado Vacation Rentals | California Vacation Rentals Hawaii Vacation Rentals | Utah Vacation Rentals | Arizona Vacation Rentals Maine Vacation Rentals | Oregon Vacation Rentals | Massachusetts Vacation Rentals North Carolina Vacation Rentals | South Carolina Vacation Rentals RentalsExpress.com ® is a Trademarks of Global Rental Database, Ltd. By using Rentals Express .com you agree to: Global Rental Database user agreement . All rights reserved.© 2005

Europe Travel 101 -

Taking the Train in Europe - Rail Travel Info from Europe for Visitors  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 Taking the Train in Europe What you need to know about rail travel in Europe. Is taking the train better than taking a car? Well, it depends on what you want to see. Here are a few considerations: Train Travel Plusses Car Travel Plusses Trains allow you to move easily between cities and European capitals. Most train stations are located near the tourist centers and have hotels nearby. No parking worries. With an unrestricted Eurail Pass, you can get on and off when you wish, often without the hassle of dealing with ticketing agents. You can take the train on a rainy day just to see the scenery, without having to worry about the unscheduled expense. You can sleep on the train, saving travel time and some of the cost of a hotel. You can pay full attention to the scenery at hand--or read a book. You can meet with and talk to the locals--or get travel info from other travelers, while you're moving on to your next destination. It's easy to get to small, out-of-the-way towns and hidden romantic getaways. Go where you want, when you want. You don't have to go by someone else's timetable. Visit sites out in the countryside without having to sign up for an expensive tour. When in transit, you can leave your luggage in the car (albeit at some risk!) Many people can travel at the same cost. Train Travel Minuses Car Travel Minuses If you want to experience an event in the countryside, you'll most likely have to sign on to an expensive tour. Usually, two people travel for double what one person can travel for. A large family traveling on a train is usually quite a bit more expensive than renting a car, especially in northern Europe, where train fares tend to be higher. On the other hand, keeping young children entertained may be easier on the train. In a major city, you'll have to deal with parking and related fees, if you can figure out how to get to your destination in the first place. You'll have to deal with the worries involved with driving in an unfamiliar place with unfamiliar rules. Young children may not like long journeys in the car. If you're traveling with a large group of people, want to visit small towns, and like to drive in Europe, then it's a no-brainer--you'll want to rent or lease a car . But if you're a single traveler or couple who wishes to visit the great capitals of Europe, then train travel might just be the best bet for you. There are options for people who want both experiences as well. A Rail 'n Drive Pass allows you to use both modes of transport. The EurailDrive ( buy direct or get information ) Pass, for example, allows you four days first class train travel and two full days of car rental over a two month period. Rail Passes If you're intent on seeing many large cities in a limited amount of time it might save you considerable money to purchase a rail pass. Most passes for European tourists require you to buy them ahead of time in your own country. In the '70s the issue was simple. You bought a Eurail Pass or you didn't. The pass was valid for a solid period. In other words, you bought a month's pass and it was good for unlimited first-class rail travel during that month--all you needed to do once you had your pass was to flash it at the conductor and go. Only if you wanted a sleeping compartment did you need to purchase a supplement. Lately the options have multiplied enormously. So have the complications in using and understanding them. See Rail Passes - Which Rail Pass is Right for Your Vacation . Rick Steves' How Railpasses Work is an excellent primer on getting to understand railpasses. Another good resource is The Backpackers Ultimate Guide to Rail Travel in Europe . You can purchase just about any pass you can think of from Rail Europe . And What if I want to see the countryside as well as the major cities? European trains go to many small cities and towns, but for the smaller towns not serviced by trains you'll often find a local bus making a round trip between your city and the town you wish to visit--busses scheduled so the locals can shop in the big city and get back before dark. Your best bet is to check out the bus stations in the city in which you're staying. Local bus lines with an Internet presence can be found at Budget Travel's excellent Europe Bus Transportation page. The other alternative is a tour. Huge, lumbering busses can be seen on all roads in the most remote areas of Europe during the season. Check at the local tourist office or at your hotel check-in desk. For other transportation ideas, see our Transportation links. For scenic train routes, see Scenic Rail Journeys in Europe. For tips on buying tickets and riding the train, see 10 top train tips . From James Martin , Your Guide to Europe for Visitors . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! 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...

Russia Travel Resources >

Russia Travel Guide - Money Matters  You are here: About > Travel > Eastern Europe for Visitors > Russia-Belarus-Ukraine > Russia Travel Resources > Travel Essentials - Russia > Russia Travel Guide - Money Matters Travel Go Eastern Europe Essentials Best of Eastern Europe Map of Central/Eastern Europe Photo Gallery Country Profiles Discount Travel Websites Articles & Resources Planning Your Trip Ways to Travel What to Do in East Europe Maps for Eastern Europe Czech-SlovakTravel Hungary Travel Poland Travel Russia-Belarus-Ukraine Romania-Moldova Travel Baltic Travel Balkan Travel Culture and Holidays Photo Galleries East Europe Travel and Language Books Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Eastern Europe for Visitors newsletter! See Online Courses   Search Eastern Europe for Visitors Stay up to date! Email to a friend Print this page Most Popular First Christmas Tree Europe map Best of Eastern Europe Croatia Naturism and Nudism Discount Travel Websites What's Hot Krakow Photo Gallery Profiles of Eastern Europe Moscow City Profile Czech Republic Photo Gallery - Charles Bridge and castle Sofia's Religous Buildings Related Topics Hotels / Resorts / Inns European History Architecture Air Travel Europe for Visitors Money Matters From Apply Now , Your Guide to Eastern Europe for Visitors . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Russia Travel Guide Like everywhere else you travel, you'll need money when you visit Russia. Below you'll find handy information about money in Russia, including cash, credit cards, travelers checks, exchange rates, ATMs, and banks. Currency The currency in Russia is the ruble (RUR). One ruble equals 100 kopeks. Banknotes have a value of 5, 10, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 rubles. Coins are found in 1, 5, 10 and 50 kopek pieces and 1, 2 and 5 ruble coins. Only notes and coins dated 1997 or after are valid. Taking Money with You If your travel plans are just to the larger cities of European Russia, it's best to bring a mixture of cash, travelers checks, and credit cards. You should bring just $100-200 per person. Travelers checks, which are safe because if lost or stolen can be replaced, can't normally be used to pay for goods or services but can be used to get cash when you need it. If you travel outside of larger cities in European Russia, expect to use cash only. Exchanging Money Check the latest conversion rates before you go. Don't change money on the street as there is no need and the risks are too great. Change money in a bank or currency exchange office, or use an ATM machine. The problem with ATMs is that there are now scams where account and PIN numbers are electronically stolen. Therefore, it might be safer to use an ATM machine inside a bank. Currency exchange offices are "obmyen balooti," and they usually advertise their rates in their windows. There are plenty of them in the big cities and their rates tend to be better than in banks. Credit Cards MasterCard and Visa credit cards are generally accepted at hotels, restaurants and many shops in larger cities. In the hinterlands, you'll have to rely more on cash. Travelers Checks American Express and Thomas Cook travelers checks are the most widely accepted, and there are offices in major cities where you can exchange them for cash. Banks Banking hours are generally Mon–Sat 10:00 am to 6:00 or 8:00 pm. Many banks offer Western Union money transfer services. Costs Moscow can be expensive for tourists, especially for hotels and upscale restaurnats, and costs can be twice that of St. Petersburg. Outside these two cities, costs are considerably lower. Depending on the level of luxury you require, however, budget travelers can still find reasonable costs in Russia's larger cities, whether for accommodations or meals. Other costs, such as certain groceries and public transportation, are very cheap. Russia Travel Guide Index Profile of Russia City Profile: Moscow City Profile: St. Petersburg Before You Go Need to Know Money Matters Intercity Travel City Transit Driving Health and Safety Lodging Dining and Drinking Communications Shopping        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 Krakow Photo Gallery Profiles of Eastern Europe Moscow City Profile Czech Republic Photo Gallery - Charles Bridge and castle Sofia's Religous Buildings

Germany Travel

How To Germany - Travel Home | Resources | Advertising | Contact Us | Disclaimer • Airports • Beaches • Best of Germany • High Times in Lower Bavaria • Nearby Countries • Offbeat Tourism • Oktoberfest / Festivals • Quedlinburg • River Boats • Theme Parks • Wine Regions • Christmas Museum • Winter Travel / Christmas Markets • Train Travel Basic Facts Clubs & Organizations Driving Education Embassies & Consulates Expat Experiences Financial Genealogy Insurance Language Schools Legal System Living In Germany Medical/Health Moving & Relocation Office Services Postal Services Press Radio/TV Residence/Work Permits Shopping Sports Telephone Service Voting Working Airports in Germany Germany's burgeoning airports are being linked into the nation's railway system. Cheap domestic and inter-European flights have put in a sudden appearance. An overview of Frankfurt International Airport. About 120 international scheduled airlines serve Germany, carrying more than 100 million passengers a year. Of these airlines 102 serve Frankfurt, the nation's biggest airport. The relatively new airport at Munich has become a second hub, and other major airports are located at Düsseldorf, Cologne and Hamburg. Berlin, presently with a collection of smaller airports, promises to be a major air center in the future. The former U.S. air base at Hahn, 75 miles from Frankfurt, is also playing a role in the aviation picture, as a base for super cheap airlines. These have sent domestic and inter-Europen fares plunging, even on the established airlines. There is also a very aggressive program to link air travel to rail travel. High speed InterCity trains directly serve the Frankfurt, Düsseldorf and Cologne-Bonn airports. Frankfurt is the busiest airport not merely in Germany but on the entire European continent. It has scheduled connections to 296 airports in 105 countries. And it set a new record for passengers handled in 2004, topping 50 million for the first time. To cope with this traffic the airport opened a second large terminal building in 1994, and now has active plans to construct a third terminal and a fourth runway. Many of the passengers had Frankfurt itself as a destination, since the city is an important commercial center. But Frankfurt is also a transfer point for air and rail connections to other German cities and an air transfer point to many other countries, notably in Eastern Europe and the Asia. Europe's busiest expressway cloverleaf, the "Frankfurter Kreuz" is right adjacent to the airport. This is where the A3 and the A5 autobahns, the most important in Germany, intersect and allow quick access to Europe's extensive superhighway net. The airport also has parking facilities for 15,000 vehicles and its own bus station. But stress is being laid on reaching the airport swiftly and comfortably by rail. Some 88 long distance trains a day stop at its railway station, affording passengers direct connections to Cologne, Hamburg, Munich, Berlin, Dresden, Nürnberg and many other German cities, not to mention Vienna, Milan, Zürich and Amsterdam. Some airlines even have check-in counters right at the station. The new high-speed Frankfurt-Cologne rail line, which cuts travel time from two-and-a-half hours to less than an hour, also serves the Frankfurt airport, and also the Cologne-Bonn one. Frankfurt long has had a second railway station, offering rapid transit service to the Rhein-Main area, and this continues to operate. For all that Frankfurt is getting stiff competition from the relatively new Franz Josef Strauss Airport in Munich. Though it only opened in 1992, it is already Germany's second air hub, and the eighth largest airport in Europe, having counted 26.8 million passengers in 2004. This growth is largely because the German airline Lufthansa has chosen to do much of its expanding in Munich, which now handles more of Lufthansa's domestic flights than does Frankfurt. This rapid growth led first to an expansion of the original Munich terminal and then, in 2003, to the opening of a second terminal. The big disadvantage of Franz Josef Strauss Airport is that it is far from the city center. Plans to compensate for this with a high speed "Transrapid" magnetic train appear to be stalled. Another proposed "Transrapid," linking Frankfurt to the "cheapy" center at Hahn, also looks stalled, even though the former air base racked up nearly 2.8 million passengers in 2004. That was up 13.6 percent over the previous year. The Irish no-frills airline Ryanair has made the so-called "Frankfurt-Hahn" airport its hub, and will fly you from there to Stansted Airport, near London, for as little as €25. Ryanair offers similar bargain service to 74 airports, usually secondary ones, in 12 European countries The catch is that, despite that name "Frankfurt-Hahn," the airport actually is 75 miles (125 km) from Frankfurt, and it takes about an hour and 30 minutes to get there. Nor is Hahn the only center of no-frills flights. The Konrad Adenauer Airport, between Cologne and Bonn, is also becoming one. It is the home base for both Germanwings and Hapag-Lloyd Express. And its new railway station connects it to the Frankfurt Airport in less than an hour on the high speed InterCity line. This opens up many possibilities for connections that should contribute to the airport's growth and also relieve the Frankfurt runways to some extent. No frills flights also have played a role in preserving Berlin's historic Tempelhof Airport, which was established in 1923 and figured prominently in the 1948-49 Airlift. They've been talking for years about closing it because it is too small and surrounded by built-up areas. But several "cheapies" are glad to have it. The future of Berlin aviation, however, lies mainly in the planned Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg International (BBI). Since German reunification Berlin traffic has been divided between three airports: Tempelhof; Tegel, which was hastily built during the Airlift, and Schönefeld, the East Berlin airport before unification. Now, however, final plans are being laid to expand Schönefeld and make it into a major airport, with an initial capacity of 20 million passengers a year. Construction was scheduled to begin in 2006 with operations expected to start in 2010. It is planned to close both Tegel and Tempelhof when BBI opens. The Fuhlsbüttel Airport in Hamburg is also getting a new terminal building. It was scheduled to be opened in May, 2005. By 2007 the airport was also to have an urban railway link-up, larger parking lots and a shopping plaza. Düsseldorf, too, has a new terminal, replacing and greatly improving upon the one that was destroyed by a disastrous fire in 1996. And Düsseldorf also has two railway stations, one for long distance and InterCity trains and one for the local area. Lufthansa has cut its fares on domestic and some European flights, partly to meet the competition of the no-frills, but also to better utilize its capacity by luring more people from trains and private cars. Its flights still cost more than the no-frills, but they are also full service. Most domestic trips are an hour or less in duration. Airlines from the U.S. that serve German airports include American, Continental, Delta, Northwest, United and US Airways. In the wake of September 11, Germany established flight safety rules similar to the ones in effect in the U.S., including the ban on knives, scissors and the like in hand baggage. Security at Frankfurt and Munich is especially tight on transatlantic flights, on flights to Israel and on flights by British and American airlines no matter where they are headed. It's important that passengers, especially ones on these flights, get to the airport well before takeoff. Some officials urge as much as three hours for international flights. German airports usually feature duty-free shops, restaurants, bars, car rental agencies, conference centers, banks, post offices and medical facilities. And sometimes they offer much more. The Frankfurt Airport almost doubles as a shopping mall. Visit our Storefronts! Airlines, Airports Travel and Destinations Entertainment, Food, Drink Fraport Launches "Airport City" Web Site to Showcase Frankfurt Airport's Diversity Use FRA's Travel, Leisure and Business Channels on the Internet at: www.airportcity-frankfurt.de FRA/rap Reflecting Frankfurt Airport's (FRA) development as a vibrant city, Fraport AG recently launched a newly designed Web site to present expanded information and features not only for passengers and visitors but also for various business partners. Located at www.airportcity-frankfurt.de , the new Web site for Germany's leading air transportation hub now offers details about FRA's strategic business advantages. Frankfurt Airport serves more than 51 million passengers per year. With more than 68,000 employees, FRA is Germany's biggest employment complex at a single location. The Frankfurt Airport City site features three clearly structured and color-coded channels: Travel, Experience, and Business. For example, the Travel channel provides helpful tips for travel planning: current flight information, departing, arriving, transferring, and meeting passengers. The Experience channel presents the extensive range of leisure activities and facilities at Frankfurt Airport City, such as Duty Free and Travel Value, airport shopping, restaurants, 24/7 services, travel services (Airport Reisemarkt, online travel agency, travel agents at FRA), as well as offerings for visitors (Airport Forum, Visitors' Terrace, and airport tours). The Business channel, targeted at airlines, logistics providers, and other trade and business partners, showcases FRA's locational advantages. This area includes detailed information about real estate, retailing, advertising, the Airport Conference Center, CargoCity Frankfurt, etc. A three-dimensional model of Frankfurt Airport City is one of the many interactive features of the site. The complete Web site is available in English and German, while "Quick Guides" provide basic travel information and terminal maps in six languages: Arabic, Chinese, French, Japanese, Korean, and Russian. Site contents ©2001-2005 by ChuckEmerson Media Services Auf der Schorr 10, 54331 Pellingen, Germany Tel +49 (0) 65 88-99 25 65 • Fax +49 (0) 65 88-98 83 29 Site design and maintenance by Gear Brand

European Vacation (1985) Reviewed

National Lampoon's European Vacation (1985) . Review Archive: # | A-C | D-F | G-I | J-L | M-O | P-R | S-U | V-Z | Viewer Ratings | Main WARNER BROS. MOVIE INFO Director: Amy Heckerling Cast: Chevy Chase , Beverly D'Angelo, Dana Hill, Jason Lively Screenplay: John Hughes, Robert Klane Tagline: For over two thousand years, Europe has survived many great disasters. Now for the real test. Chevy Chase & his family are coming from America! MPAA: Rated PG-13. DVD DETAILS Presentation: Widescreen 1.85:1/16x9 Audio: English Monoraul French Monoraul Subtitles: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese Closed-captioned Runtime: 94 min. Price: $19.98 Release Date: 4/2/2002 Bonus: • Audio Commentary With Actor Chevy Chase • Theatrical Trailer PURCHASE • DVD Search Products: EQUIPMENT Sony 36" WEGA KV-36FS12 Monitor; Sony DA333ES Processor/Receiver; Panasonic CV-50 DVD Player using component outputs; Michael Green Revolution Cinema 6i Speakers (all five); Sony SA-WM40 Subwoofer. RELATED REVIEWS National Lampoon's European Vacation (1985) Reviewed by Colin Jacobson If you look at a short list of Chevy Chases hit films, youll indeed discover its a very short list. Itd include 1980s Caddyshack , 1983s National Lampoons Vacation , and 1985s Fletch . Interestingly, Chase went on to appear in sequels to all three of these. He was the only original castmember of Caddyshack to come back for its flop 1988 sequel, and he also returned for 1989s Fletch Lives . Neither of those franchises made it past a second iteration, though it appears that Kevin Smiths leading a third Fletch flick that wont star Chase. His most enduring chain is definitely Vacation , which has so far offered three sequels. None of these enjoyed the success or fan popularity of the original. First out of the hopper came 1985s National Lampoons European Vacation . European Vacation assumes you saw the original flick, as it provides very little exposition to establish the characters. At the very start of the film, we re-encounter the Griswald family from the first movie: father Clark (Chase), mother Ellen (Beverly DAngelo), and teen children Audrey (Dana Hill) and Rusty (Jason Lively). They appear on a TV game show called Pig in a Poke where they win the grand prize: an all-expenses-paid two-week trek across Europe. And theres your plot! Essentially, European features no real storyline; it just plops the Griswalds in Europe as an excuse to show them encounter various wacky scenarios. They begin in London and then move to Paris, Germany and Rome before they finally come home. The closest thing to a plot relates to Clarks continued obsessiveness; he wants to complete a happily family vacation no matter what the cost. However, European s Clark lacks the same drive and fervor found in the first film. Sure, he expresses his intent to get his own way and move forward despite many setbacks - and persistent disinterest from his family - but these elements felt lackluster and forced. In Vacation , Chase made Clark a man possessed, but this one did little more than pay lip service to that original attitude. That lackadaisical tone spread to the whole movie. For the most part, European seemed to exist just to be a sequel. The first film had some spark and originality, but European felt obvious and forced. Really, Clarks obsession influenced and united the original movie as he worked toward a nervous breakdown as various societal elements ruined his big family trip. In the sequel, Clark essentially becomes little more than the ugly American. Very few of the problems occur due to external forces; Clark causes most of them, as he seems more and more like a bumbling fool. Despite the lack of focus, European had some entertaining moments. The satirical view of British politeness could be mildly funny, and a case of mistaken identity in Germany also generates a few laughs. However, most of the humor really didnt go anywhere. The gags didnt seem overtly bad for the most part, but they just fell flat. Part of the problem related to the acting. As noted, Chase came across with little of the spark or energy he displayed in the first flick, and that left a big hole at the center. DAngelo was adequate but left without much to do, while the kids created substantial concerns. We found neither of the original actors; Anthony Michael Hall played Rusty the first time, while Dana Barron portrayed Audrey. (Apparently the filmmakers wanted to keep the kids the same age for all the Vacation flicks even as Clark and Ellen aged.) Lively appeared too goofy and grating, and I actively disliked Hill. Honestly, I never could stand her, and her presence remained emotive and fussy. With that dumpling face, she looked like a Cabbage Patch Kid come to life, and her acting followed suit, as she seemed broad and whiny. Frankly, European Vacation wasnt an unpleasant experience, but it appeared bland and unmemorable. The movie rambled through its 94 minutes with little spark or excitement, and some weak acting from the main cast didnt help matters. Ive seen many crummier films than European Vacation , but I still thought this one was lackluster and only sporadically entertaining. Casting note: as I watched European , I marveled at how good DAngelo looked for her age. As it happens, I didnt need to marvel; she was only 30 at the time! Surprisingly, Hill was less than a decade younger than DAngelo; only Chase - who was well into his forties in 1985 - actually could have sired the girl. The DVD Grades: Picture B / Audio B / Bonus C National Lampoons European Vacation appears in an aspect ratio of approximately 1.85:1 on this single-sided, single-layered DVD; the image has been enhanced for 16X9 televisions. The picture showed a few signs of age, but overall I thought it looked very good. Sharpness consistently appeared solid. One or two wider shots came across as a little soft, but they werent a major issue. The vast majority of the movie seemed crisp and well defined. Jagged edges and moir effects caused no issues, and I saw no signs of edge enhancement. In regard to print flaws, some mild grain caused to most noticeable problem, as it reared its head to a moderate degree during the first half of the film. Most of the second part seemed pretty clean, however, and other defects appeared fairly insubstantial. The film offered a few nicks and occasional speckles, but these didnt provide any significant concerns. Colors usually looked quite good. They seemed generally clear and accurate, with some vivid and bright tones as display. On a few occasions, they came across as a bit heavy, especially when we saw colored lighting, but as a whole, I thought the hues were solid. Black levels appeared reasonably deep and dense, while shadow detail appeared a bit muddy at times, but for the most part, the low-light sequences remained fairly clean. Overall, European Vacation demonstrated some modest issues, but I felt it offered a pleasing image as a whole. Also fairly good was the monaural soundtrack of European Vacation . Speech occasionally came across as somewhat thin and flat, but the lines lacked any edginess and they showed no problems related to intelligibility. Effects also seemed somewhat tinny, but they retained acceptable fidelity and clarity, and they demonstrated no issues related to distortion. Music sounded quite strong, as the songs and score were bright and rich. They featured surprisingly positive bass response and seemed pretty dynamic considering their age. I heard a little hiss and hum at times, but those concerns werent excessive. Overall, I found the track to seem very nice for its period and the restrictions of the monaural format. European Vacation doesnt provide many extras, but we do find one substantial one. In addition to the films theatrical trailer , we get an audio commentary from actor Chevy Chase. He offers a running, screen-specific track, but dont expect much. For the most part, Chase does little more than offer general comments about how much he liked the cast and he tells us when he thinks somethings funny. We learn a few modestly interesting comments, such as which pieces of wardrobe Chase still owns, and at one point he indicates that he previously thought European was a bad movie but this screening changed his mind. Chases commentary isnt a total loss, but it provides little concrete information and features sporadic remarks with many gaps. At least he actually criticizes the film a few times, as he tells us his opinion of how Rusty was depicted. Ive heard worse commentaries, but this was still a rather dull piece. I felt the same about National Lampoons European Vacation as a film. It had a few decent moments and remained watchable for the most part, but it seemed fairly bland and uninvolving as a whole. The DVD offered moderately flawed but generally solid picture and sound plus a fairly flat audio commentary. Fans of the Vacation series should be happy with this release, but those less forgiving will probably prefer to stick with the original film alone. Viewer Film Ratings: 3.7878 Stars Number of Votes: 33 20 1 3 3 6 View Averages for all rated titles.