European Vacation Planning Map

Your European Vacation and the Tumbling Dollar - Should you go this Year?  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 Central Sardinia, where viewing ancient "Giant's Tombs" is free. James Martin Stay up to date! Central Sardinia, where viewing ancient "Giant's Tombs" is free. James Martin Email to a friend Print this page The Euro Guide to the Euro Using your Credit Card in Europe Using your ATM Card in Europe Recent Discussions Need Help Planning a Trip Accomodation in london Mediteranean Feries Planning your European Vacation European Vacation Planner Map Europe Travel Basics 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 Your European Vacation and the Tumbling Dollar - Should you go this Year? From James Martin , Your Guide to Europe for Visitors . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Feb 12 2004 Will my vacation be too exensive? Maybe not as expensive as you think! A reader asks: "Should we wait until the Euro gets weaker to plan our European vacation?" While I am certain to be viewed as a biased source of information on this topic, and considering the fact that no one I know has a crystal ball able to predict exchange rates, I will nevertheless plunge ahead and give my reasons and justifications for taking that vacation to Europe this year. Exchange Rate. No one can predict what the future will hold, but some "experts" have surmised that the dollar may fall to as low as 1.5 Euros before the bloodbath is over. At the time of writing, the rate seems to have stabilized in the short term at around 1.25 or so. It's hard to see the dollar strengthening anytime soon, given the huge deficit and slow economy. Waiting for the dollar to strengthen may leave you waiting a long time. But maybe things aren't as bad as you think. Historically, Things Average Out. I've been traveling to Europe since the mid 1970s, and it's always seemed to me that prices have slowly risen as hotels adapted higher standards and the economy reacted to general increases in living standards, especially in Southern Europe. These changes seemed slow and steady, and largely independent of major short-term fluctuations in the exchange rate. See the next argument for a free market reason why I may not have noticed currency fluctuations much during my travels. The Equal and Opposite Reaction. With the sharp decline in US visitors to Europe we've seen over these past couple of years, hotels are finally lowering their rates, recognizing that their excess supply of rooms may continue unless something is done to entice visitors. For example Arthur Frommer reports that London "hotels of five-star quality (are) charging less than $150 for a double room that would normally cost $400." This is how the Free Market is supposed to work; when things get too expensive for people to buy, prices must drop to "incent" them. It's happening for hotel rooms, airfares, and other tourist-only items right now. The effect may be that your vacation cost won't be as high as you might think compared to previous years. Just don't expect to buy standard European goods at a discount--shopping at home is recommended when the dollar is week. Last year I walked into a great looking hotel in Chaves, Portugal, only to notice the sign on the desk proclaiming that all rooms were 90 Euros. When the clerk asked to help me, I pointed out that the room was too expensive and turned to leave--but fortunately not before she offered the room at 60 Euros, a price she quoted as standard for these tough tourist times. While still expensive for Portugal, the room offered 4 star, air conditioned comfort with a great view of the castle from the balcony, and the most elegant bathroom we've ever bathed in. Things Change. An argument put forth by Carol Field and others is that European traditions are fading quickly in a multi cultural, easily traveled world. While independent of exchange rate, this argument, for me, is a compelling one, especially as Starbucks and McDonalds replace small, family run cafes and restaurants and Europe starts to look more and more like main street USA. I don't travel to experience the same things I can at home, and it's why I have to dig deeper and deeper to find places that celebrate those rapidly disappearing cultural differences. The price of gas and the doomsday scenario. Many experts suggest that the price of gasoline will have to rise sharply to cover the cost of recovering oil from the neglected wells in Iraq (yes, oil wells go bad, I've read) and this increase is likely to spike after the elections and continue on an upward trend. Europe, it seems to me, is in a much better position to weather these increases in the short term, as they offer alternative modes of public transportation. Even Worse: There is no doubt that oil is an increasingly rare commodity in an energy hungry world, and steadily rising prices will effect most of us around the globe equally. (Studies of Peak Oil and Gas ( pdf ) have predicted the production of Oil peaking at the end of this decade, and slowly declining thereafter.) This is my doomsday strategy, "go while you can, who knows what economic nastiness lurks around the next corner as we run out of energy sources." Have a different view? Why not submit a rebuttal through our submittal form ? How to offset the dollar's weakness without sacrificing your vacation Fun? Read on to Page Two: Saving Money on your European Vacation - 12 Frugal Vacation Tips .        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

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Italian Travel Information | Travel-Italy.com HOME ITALY HOTELS ITALY VILLAS CLASSIFIEDS SEARCH ITALY MAPS Most Popular: Rome Hotels   | Tuscany Villas   | Florence Hotels   | Venice Hotels   | Italy Travel Info AboutUs | ContactUs | Community Italy Hotels Travel-Italy offer a nice selection of about 240 Italy hotels which can be booked online or by telephone. See our selection of Italian hotels from the links below: Rome Hotels , Florence Hotels , Venice Hotels , Amalfi Coast Hotels , Tuscany Hotels , and Italy Hotels in more cities . Italy Villas Staying in Italian villas can be a wonderful experience. Travel-Italy brings you a large selection of properties to choose from in most popular locations. See our selection of Italian villas from the links below: Tuscany Villas , Umbria Villas , Veneto Villas , Amalfi Coast Villas , Cinque Terre Villas , and Italian Villas in other locations Most Popular Links Rome Rome Hotels Rome Travel Information Rome City Maps Florence Florence Hotels Florence Travel Information Florence City Maps Venice Venice Hotels Venice Travel Information Venice City Maps Tuscany Tuscany Villas Tuscany Hotels Tuscany Travel Information Tuscany Maps Other Italy Travel Links Amalfi Coast Campania Travel Information Cinque Terre Liguria Travel Information Italy Maps Travel-Italy offers over 250 detailed Italian folding maps (city maps, provincial maps, regional maps, etc.) from suppliers like Touring Club Italiano through its sister company, TrekTools.com . Italy Apartments Much like a villa, staying in an apartment in Italy can let you see Italy like a local. Rome Apartments , Florence Apartments , Venice Apartments ItalyTalk.com Check out our new message board where you can communicate with other people about Italy and the Italian Travel Experience. There is one forum for each region, plus Rome, Florence and Venice of course. Italian Travel Information Find a large array of different types of travel information organized by region. You'll find information about regional tourist offices, books about Italy, hotel accommodation directly from the owners, as well as links to many resources. It's a work in progress. Travel Information for Italian Regions Abruzzo Travel Information Basilicata Travel Information Calabria Travel Information Campania Travel Information Emilia Romagna Travel Information Friuli Travel Information Lazio Travel Information Liguria Travel Information Lombardia Travel Information Marche Travel Information Molise Travel Information Piemonte Travel Information Puglia Travel Information Sardinia Travel Information Sicily Travel Information Trentino Travel Information Tuscany Travel Information Umbria Travel Information Valle D'Aosta Travel Information Veneto Travel Information Home | Italy Hotels | Italy Villas | Italy Maps | Italian Travel Info Hotel Owners | Advertising | Travel Agents About Us | Contact Us Read our Privacy Statement

Austria Travel

Austria Travel Information | Lonely Planet Destination Guide worldguide | shop | thorn tree forum | travel services | travel ticker | theme guides | on the road | postcards | travel links : Explore Austria Austria Music, art and story-book scenery: Austria takes the sacher torte . At a Glance Fast Facts WORLDGUIDE Introduction Background Info See Image Gallery Events Transport Money RELATED Thorn Tree Forum Postcards Travel Links More Places Check out our other destinations: Within Austria Salzburg Vienna View Map Click here Feature Attraction Krimml Falls These triple-level falls are an inspiring sight and attract hordes of visitors in summer. In winter, the slopes above Krimml village become a ski area, ... more Austria has few peers as a year-round holiday destination, with plenty of winter sports in the Alps, some of the most impressive and overblown architecture in Europe and an unrivalled musical tradition that even The Sound of Music couldn't sully. The cities have plenty to engage visitors. Vienna is the capital, hub of the country's musical life and littered with beautiful buildings. Music, art and architecture reach baroque perfection in Salzburg, Mozart's birthplace. Innsbruck's snow-capped peaks frame its fascinating historic buildings. Factoid Men In Hats Perhaps the most unusual Austrian festival is Perchtenlaufen , held every January in Sazburger Land. The highlight is a street procession with men wearing heavy ornamental headdress, accompanied by younger men dressed as women. SPONSORED LINKS Enquire Accomodation Reviews Find Lonely Planet author reviewed places to stay * Required Fields Country * Please select Argentina Australia Austria Belgium Brazil Canada China Cuba Czech Republic Denmark Egypt England Estonia Finland France Germany Hungary Iceland India Ireland Israel & the Palestinian Territories Italy Japan Malaysia Mexico Morocco Netherlands New Zealand Poland Portugal Russia Scotland South Africa South Korea Spain Sweden Taiwan Thailand Turkey USA United Arab Emirates Vietnam City * Please select Travel Services · Flights · Hostels · Hotels · Travel Insurance More Services › Disclaimer: We've tried to make theinformation on this web site as accurate as possible, but it isprovided 'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injuryor inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information.You should verify critical information (like visas, health and safety,customs and transportation) with the relevant authorities before youtravel. text & images © lonely planet 2005 about us | privacy | feedback | advertising FAQs worldguide | shop | thorn tree forum | travel services | travel ticker | theme guides | on the road | postcards | travel links

Austria Travel Guide Travel

Austria Travel | Guide to travelling Austria | Travellerspoint U sername: P assword: R emember Me Car Hire Travel Insurance Airport Parking UK Cheap Accommodation Hotel Bookings Travellerspoint Travel Community Forums Blogs Destinations Accommodation Travel Help Reunions Tools Links Austria Travel Guide Travel Destinations Guide Austria Hallstat, Austria - Valerie N Austria Photo Gallery Though its political power has sizably diminished over the 20th century, the legacy of its once mighty Habsburg empire remains intact, most notably at Vienna. The city, once the undisputed cultural centre of Europe, still bears the signs of its glory days: majestic architecture, a haven of Western musical tradition (from waltzes, to classical music, to operatic creations), and museums dedicated to its artistic heritage. But while Vienna's past glory still makes it an unmissable destination, Salzburg is the nation's most popular destination, both for Austrians and tourists; like Vienna, it boasts a rich cultural heritage. Away from the cities, Austria's countryside beauty is as majestic as the Habsburg empire was. Whether it's the graceful Danube stretching across the north, or the Eisriesenwelt ice caves (the largest accessible ice caves in the world), or the magnificent snow-capped peaks of the Alps, visitors will find it impossible to deny Austria's great beauty. Quick Facts Locally known as: Oesterreich Capital: Vienna Population: 8,188,000 Religions: Christian Government: Federal Republic Official / National Languages: German Country Phone Code: +43 Map of Austria Flag of Austria Member Comments Members talk The only one land where i'd like to live all my entire life... .. Full comment nico23 | 20th Jun 05 Become a member or login to add your comment. Want some personal advice on Austria? The Travel Helpers are Travellerspoint volunteers willing to answer your travel questions about a country they feel they know a lot about. There are currently 9 Travel Helpers available to answer your questions about Austria. Austria Travel Helpers Travel Products Below is a collection of Travellerspoint products and services that might be of use to you while you are researching your trip to Austria. Austria Accommodation Austria hotels (129) Austria last minute hotels (80) Austria apartments (2) Austria campsites (3) Austria bed & breakfasts (20) Austria hostels (27) Austria budget hotels (44) Other Products Cheap travel insurance Eurail passes & Train tickets Austria tours (45) Around the world tickets Austria Travel Sites Sponsor Austria SIM Cards & Cell Phones - Get free incoming calls with your own Austria prepaid SIM card and GSM cell phone. Roam Austria without the roaming surcharges. Austria - Official Guide - The tourism board's official guide to Austria is a comprehensive resource for travellers to the country. Austrian Guide - A growing guide to Austrian travel. Austria links can be found in our Travel Sites Directory. The links contained in this directory are external sites and will pop up in a new window. © 2002 - 2005 Travellerspoint Travel Community | Contact | FAQ | About | Terms | Site Map

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Travel Insurance for cheap holiday travel insurance and backpackertravel insurance - Leading Edge Travel Insurance travel insurance : cover for holidays,backpacking and travel overseas Contact Leading Edge TravelInsurance | Our privacypolicy | Sports &Activites | Travel Advice &Links to useful sites Travel Insuranceguidelines Annual Multi-tripinsurance Single Tripinsurance Backpackerinsurance Ski& Snowboard insurance Overour age limit? visit worldwideinsure.com TravelAccessories CarHire Hotels leading edge travel insurance : easy to buy,cheap travel insurance Leading Edge Travel Insurance provides easy to buy, cheaptravel insurance for the younger traveller. Our website is simple to use andyou can buy insurance straight away - ideal for last minute travel. You canalso arrange your holiday insurance by telephone, on 0870 1128099 . You may be going on a weekend break; a family holiday;travelling with friends; backpacking worldwide; skiing or snowboarding -whatever you're planning, wherever you travel, check out Leading Edge's travelinsurance cover. ANNUAL MULTI-TRIP TRAVELINSURANCE Annual Travel insurance to cover any number of trips, up to31 days each. Europe or Worldwide travel options. Wintersports included. Age limit 59yrs SINGLE TRIP TRAVELINSURANCE Single Trip Travel Insurance from 1 to 94 days. Europe orWorldwide travel options. Age limit 59yrs BACKPACKER TRAVELINSURANCE Backpacker Travel Insurance from 3 to 18 months. Europe,Australia or Worldwide travel options. Wintersports can be added for all orpart of the trip. Age limit 45yrs SKI & SNOWBOARDINGINSURANCE Specialist Wintersports Travel Insurance from 5 to 31days. Europe or Worldwide travel options. Covers skiing and snowboarding,including off-piste. Age limit 55yrs leading edge travel insurance :cover for many types of travel and activities Weekend Breaks Holidays from 1 to 94days Independent travel or Package holidays Annual multi-triptravel Gap year travel and student Backpacking Scuba diving Bungee jumping White waterrafting Trekking Wintersports: Ski & Snowboarding leading edge travel insurance : relax and enjoy yourholiday knowing you're covered! Leading Edge Travel Insurance offershigh quality, excellent value travel insurance for the younger traveller, withinsurance policies for backpacker travel, gap years, activities, trekking andwintersports for students, individuals and young couples and families. Leading Edge Travel Insurance is owned and administered by WorldwideTravel Insurance Services Ltd. Worldwide Travel Insurance Services Ltd areauthorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. contact us if you have a problem orquery: Annual Multi-trip Travel Insurance | Single Trip Travel Insurance | Backpacker Travel Insurance | Ski Travel Insurance