European vacations, call 1-415-446

Europe Vacation Travel, Luxury Cruises, Tours and Europe Hotel Guide Europe Vacation Travel, Luxury Cruises, Tours and Europe Hotel Guide Site Index Europe Vacation Guide: Romantic Europe Tours and Honeymoons Europe Luxury Vacations, Travel, Tours and Cruise Consultants European vacations, call 1-415-446 5252 to book. Open every day! Other Places in Europe Albania Andorra Austria Vacations Belarus Belgium Vacations Bosnia-Herzegovina Bulgaria Croatia Vacations Czech Republic Denmark Vacations England Vacations Estonia Finland Vacations France Vacations Georgia Germany Vacations Greece Vacations Hungary Vacations Iceland Ireland Vacations Italy Vacations Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Vacations Macedonia Monaco Vacations Netherlands Vacations Norway Vacations Poland Vacations Portugal Vacations Romania Vacations Russia Vacations Slovakia Slovenia Spain Vacations Sweden Vacations Switzerland Vacations Turkey Vacations Ukraine United Kingdom Vacations Wales Vacations Luxury Cruise Guides Luxury Cruises World Luxury Cruises European River Cruises Europe Cruises Mediterranean Guide Travel Agent Career Opportunities Europe Vacation, Travel and Luxury Cruise Guides In this section you will find great Europe luxury resorts and hotels . All-inclusive Europe luxury vacations . We also specialize Romantic European river cruises . You'll find fabulous h oneymoon destinations in the guide. Europe luxury y achting vacations. Europe cruises . Europe g uided tours ---Plus tons of enjoyable maps , virtual tours and streaming videos---You will find everything here except the sunscreen. Travelwizard.com offers custom, premium class, personalized, luxury travel related services, exclusive boutique vacation destinations and exotic tours designed specifically for the sophisticated traveler . Imagine people watching at a sidewalk cafe, viewing the world's most famous pieces of art or visiting historic sites like Vatican City, Big Ben, the Eiffel Tower or the Acropolis. We've been customizing European vacation itineraries for discriminating travelers for more than 20 years. European Villas, former European palaces, elegant European hotels and yachts are part of Europe's unique accommodations that provide the perfect base for exploring the character of Europe. Select exactly the components you want in your vacation. You choose your hotel, room category -from sea views to suites-, rental car, private transfers and customized European sightseeing tours. We do it all! Our Virtuoso European Travel and Cruise Consultants will create the European Vacation you have always dreamed of. All of us at Travelwizard.com have a sincere passion for travel. We throughly enjoy our work, the exciting places we explore, the wonderful people we meet, and would be thrilled to share this passion with you! Why Should You Use our Virtuoso Europe Luxury Vacation, Travel and Cruise Specialists ? We are Virtuoso, "Specialists in the Art of Vacation Travel". Described by Conde Nast Traveler as "one of the finest agencies...a reliable indicator of experience, knowledge, and industry clout." We are recommended by the Discovery Travel Channel, the Today Show, Conde Nast Traveler, Forbes Magazine, ESPN TV, Fine Living TV, Neiman Marcus Awards Program and National Geographic. Our Virtuoso Europe Vacation Specialists offer exclusive insider connections and industry expertise on luxury vacations- along with the guidance and know-how you require to make educated travel choices. We are very innovative, add valuable solutions that consistently exceed our customers expectations and strive to always provide the ultimate travel experience. Europe vacations are by far the most popular for a number of reasons. The diversity of the European cultures, incredible history, romantic settings, fine cuisine, excellent yachting, water sports, skiing resorts, mountain climbing, bicycling tours, winery tours, you name it, Europe has it all! Vacationing in Europe is a great way to experience many countries, meet interesting people, try their wonderful cuisine, and see some of the finest art in the world. A paradise of sun, sea, rivers, mountains and lakes. A land of historic treasures from the world's ten greatest civilizations. The Mediterranean, Aegean, and the Black Seas, the French Riviera, the Italian Riviera all beckon you. Europe is a must! Travelwizard.com was picked by the NBC Today Show to orchestrate the perfect honeymoon destination for their " Throws a Wedding " show. We are very proud that the Today Show turned to Travelwizard.com to find the perfect honeymoon. Travelwizard.com's renowned South Pacific specialists designed the perfect honeymoon to Turtle Island, in Fiji that was chosen for the NBC Today Show. Click here for Europe Hotels and Luxury Villas Europe vacation destinations requires minimal planning, but offers a spectacular experience! A European vacation is perfectly suited for all lifestyles. Whether you want a romantic European vacation, a natural or adventurous experience by day, sleep in a luxurious hotel by night, racing along the Autobahn, taking wine tasting classes in Bordeaux or cooking classes in Tuscany, you'll find it all in Europe! Europe vacation cruising and Europe yachting and barge trips are becoming extremely popular, and a great way for families to enjoy Europe at its finest. Advance planning Europe vacation will save time and money; make a short list of places you want to see and activities you hope to undertake. Do a little research with this site and its links to the sites of individual countries. Apply for a passport if you don't have one. The process is not difficult. Details are found in the Planning Your Trip section for U.S. passports. When you know where you want to go, how much time you have and how much you can spend, consult with one of our travel consultants, especially if it's your first international trip. He or she can speed your planning, give you good ideas, and book your entire vacation. Consider buying travel packages for ease of purchase and to save money. These range from basic air-car-hotel packages for independent travelers to group tours and cruises. Don't worry about language. English is widely spoken far beyond Britain and Ireland. On much of the Continent it is the most widely spoken second language; most people working in tourism will speak English. Families with young children will find a warm welcome in Europe. Tour Packages This hotel is a Virtuoso member and offers special amenities and upgrades that are ONLY available when you book with us. Our Virtuoso travel consultants will assure you incredible value and recognition on your luxury vacation. Book Your Europe Vacation Submit a vacation planner to our Europe Travel Specialists Client Testimonials about our services Search Your Vacation, Tour or Cruise Luxury Europe Accommodations Europe Luxury Hotels European Hotels European Luxury Villas Europe Luxury Tours Virtuoso Scandinavia Luxury Vacation Virtuoso Europe Luxury Vacation Central Eastern & Western England & Ireland Tours Ireland Luxury Tours Monaco Luxury Tours Scandinavia Luxury Tours Russia Luxury Tours Greece Luxury Tours Portugal Tour Packages Spain & Morocco Tour Packages Escape to Europe Cruises France Luxury Tours Italy Luxury Tours Europe Train Vacations Europe River Cruises Eastern Europe Packages Europe Bike Vacations Europe Ski Vacations Europe Active Vacations Moderatly Priced Europe Tours England & Ireland Tours France Vacations Italy Tours Central & Eastern Europe Tours European River Cruises Europe Luxury Cruises Royal Caribbean Europe Cruises NCL Europe Cruises Crystal Cruises Northern Europe Virtuoso Luxury European Cruises Western Europe Cruises European River Cruises Luxury Cruises World Luxury Cruises Helpful Travel Links Other Helpful Travel Links Instant Passports in 24 hours Travelex Luxury Travel Insurance CSA Luxury Travel Insurance Travel Guard Insurance Travel Safety Expert Current Travel Warnings Travel Agent Career Opportunities Bookmark this page Submit Free, Full Service Europe Vacation Planner Here Click here to save money, time and stress planning, making reservations, or booking your Europe vacation with our full service Virtuoso Travel Consultants . We are recommended, authorized Virtuoso Europe Travel Consultants, and will arrange every little detail to make sure you have a wonderful, carefree vacation experience at no extra charge! You may call our Europe Travel Consultants, but first--- we'd really appreciate it if you complete our " Europe Vacation Planner" so we have all your requirements beforehand and are prepared to present you with all your options and up-to-the-minute specials. Thank you very much! Call 1-415-662-2683 to book your Europe vacation. For Europe Cruise Vacations: "Europe Cruise Vacation Planner" For Europe Tours: "Europe Tour Planner" After you've completed your Europe vacation planner you may call 1-415-662-2683 to book your Europe vacation. Thank you very much! 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All of our promotions are subject to change without notice. As a result, prices will not be guaranteed until booked. State of California seller of travel License # 2061139-40 We are on the BetterBusiness Bureau Honor Roll. Travel Agent Opportunities Contact Information Advertise with Travel Wizard 1998 TravelWizard.Com, Tropical Island Vacation Dept. All rights reserved.

Family Vacation Ideas Winter

Cheap Cruises - for families  You are here: About > Travel > Travel with Kids Travel Travel with Kids Essentials Family Vacation Ideas Winter and Spring Break All-Inclusive Resorts Ten Latest Family Travel Deals Family Resorts: top places; photos Articles & Resources Family Travel: What's Hot Top Vacation Spots VT, ME, NH, CT, MA, NY, PA Mexico Family Vacations Caribbean Vacations More Beach Vacations Florida Family Vacations Resorts with Water Park More Family Resorts Fun Places for Kids Disney Vacations Family Cruises Babies;Teens;Single Parents Lots More Destinations Family Travel TIPS, GAMES Buyer's Guide TAKE ALONG: Christmas books Christmas flicks Activity Kits more CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Travel with Kids newsletter! See Online Courses   Search Travel with Kids Family Cruises: Deals It's no surprise that thousands of people search the Web for"cheap cruises": bargain-hunting is the name of the game. Scroll down, below. See also: tips and info on onboard programs and activities for families. Find Cheaper Cruises! latest listings: Disney Cruises: Magical Rates Disney Cruises are known for excellent kids' programs and entertainment with pizzazz; and docking at private island Castaway Cay isn't too shabby either. [p[Every week, Disney Cruises publishes "Magical Rates" on its Specials page. For example, rates posted Monday December 5, 2005 are valid until Sunday, December 11, 2005. You might find a 4-night Bahamian cruise for $479, for Sept. 200 dates; or a 7-night Easter Caribbean cruise for $859 (per person, based on double occupancy.) Chidren's rates are available for kids 3 to 12 in a room with two parents. Under-three's are a bargain as they're free-- unless you want to sign up for Flounder's Nursery. (Other kids programs are free.) Costa Cruises: Kids Sail Free Kids 17 and under are free-- on most Caribbean 2005/2006 sailings, on the new Costa Magica or the Costa Mediterranea-- when sharing a stateroom with 2 adults paying Early Booking Discount rates. Book by August 31, 2005. (Read the web site for some fine print.) Sample price, for adult: from $479, for. a Dec. 18 departure; 5 nights. . Costa is a classy cruise line, "Italian Style"; read about Costa Cruises for families. Single Parents' Cruise Single Parents Tours is an offshoot of the Single Parent Network site, and plans several trips a year, negotiating low rates and ensuring that penalties aren't charged for single-parent families. (Most travel industry pricing is based on two paying adults; the single parent often has to pay a "single supplement".) This trip -- June 26 to July 1 2006-- is on a Carnival ship, and departs from New York for Canada, with port calls in Saint John and Halifax. Royal Caribbean: new ship, with waterpark The new Freedom of the Seas ship, debuting in June 2006, has an on-board kid-friendly waterpark, in addition to rock-climbing wall and other fun. Find 7-night Western Caribbean cruises as low as $700/person. Read more about Freedom of the Seas for families. Booking Buddy A helpful online tool for finding deals; part of the budget-saving Smarter Living network. Alaska and Oregon Adventures Glacier Bay Cruise Line is a small-ship line that aims to take you to "wild and special places", with onboard naturalists and adventure activities such as sea kayaking. Family trips during summer have special activities for kids, and a price break: kids save 50%. (Click "Itineraries", then "Themes".) Hotwire The popular discount travel site has a section just for cruises. Disney cruise savings Brought to you by the excellent money-saving site, Mousesavers .com: a frequently-updated set of all the ways you can save money on Disney cruises. Disney: Specials Check the Specials page at the official Disney site for bargains, such as early booking prices. Kids' rates are available for children under 12 as 3rd and 4th passengers in a cabin. (See photos at Travel With Kids of Disney Cruise ship The Wonder , and article about Disney Cruises .) Disney Cruises Check this page at AllEarsNet for discounts on the Disney Wonder on specific sailing dates: 3 nights land, 4 nights sea. There are many sailing dates, and booking deadlines. Windjammer Barefoot Cruises: Kids Free Forget the Loveboat, and picture instead a tall-masted sailing ship: every summer, (June, July, August), Windjammer has a great deal for families with kids 6 to 17. For ages 6 to 11, "Junior Jammers" program has many fun activities, and kids sail free. "Teen Jammers" is for ages 12 to 17. Water fun includes snorkeling and complimentary SASY (a kiddie version of scuba-diving) and Bubblemaker intro to scuba for ages 8 to 12. Older kids can try scuba. See sample activities for both age groups. Holland America: price break for family reunions The Holland America line has a price break for families-- big families, that is. Those who book five or more cabins for a family reunion will get a price break and a bunch of perks. Holland America has new-and-improved youth programs, too. Norwegian Cruise Line NCL is a major line with several special features for families. NCL sails in both the east and the west, and offers discounts on many voyages including the Hawaiian islands. Discovery Cruises: Kids Sail and Stay Free Discovery runs popular one-day sailings from Ft. Lauderdale to Grand Bahama Island. Age 6 and under sail free; also children stay free (with paying adult) at a participating resort on Grand Bahama Island. Meanwhile, kids 7 to 11 pay only $49 for the sailing, and stay free at the resort. Discovery has a Kids Club, with focus on learning about marine life. TIPS: Advice from About's Linda Garrison, for families: The Disney family cruise line charges reduced rates for ages 3-17, and under 3 is free. Carnival has special rates that vary for those under 12. Almost all lines give special discounts for 3rd and 4th passengers in the same room. Current Deals *** A good place to hunt for cheaper cruises: the bargain page at About's Cruises site. Carnival Cruise Deals Check a bevy of deals. Carnival ships have lots of fun for all ages-- see article at TWKids . Crystal Cruises Crystal has for years been picked by readers' polls for Cond Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure as Worlds Best Large Ship Cruise Line. Check for Specials where kids sail free. * photo courtesy of Holland America. From Teresa Plowright , Your Guide to Travel with Kids . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Advertisement Most Popular Charades -How To Play Charades Family Vacation Spots The Atlantis Resort Great Places to See Santa Disney Christmas Magic Kingdom What's Hot Grand Floridian Chinese New Year - 2006 Poconos Great Wolf Lodge photo Dog Friendly Hotels, inns, lodges -- find dog-friendly vacat... Kwanzaa Related Topics Florida for Visitors New England for Visitors Theme Parks Hotels / Resorts / Inns Parenting of K-6 Children        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 Grand Floridian Chinese New Year - 2006 Poconos Great Wolf Lodge photo Dog Friendly Hotels, inns, lodges -- find dog-friendly vacat... Kwanzaa Headlines Bunch of family travel deals Latest deals added include a January Travel Special at the... First Nights! "First Night" events celebrate New Year's with family-friendly festivities-- and... Top Family Travel Trends in 2005 It's that time of year... to pause the mad dash... Bookmark the NORAD Tracks Santa site! It's not a family trip, but it's certainly a trip...

Italy Travel Resources Italy

Italy Vacation Travel - resorts, books, agents, photos, real estate Italy Vacation Travel Resorts -- Resources --Books -- Agents -- Photos - Real Estate Don't forget to bookmark this page! Currency converter click here Travel agents Cheap air fares Value hotels Italy Travel Resources Italy Travel Books Italy Travel Photos Italy Real Estate Agents - cheap air fares - value hotels - rail passes Hot Deals! - from Travelocity Book a Flight - Find the lowest fare or best schedule on over 400 airlines worldwide Visit SmarterLiving's Deal Alert section for the latest travel deals. Lowest International airfares Economy Travel Resorts Select Tour Destination Any World Country Any USA State Afghanistan Algeria Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Bahamas Bangladesh Belgium Belize Benin Bhutan Bolivia Botswana Brazil British Virgin Is. Bulgaria Burkina Faso Cambodia Canada Cayman Is. Chile China Colombia Cook Is. 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Uganda United Arab Emirates United Kingdom Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela Vietnam West Indies Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Missouri Montana Nebreska Nevada New Hampshire New Mexico New York North Carolina Oregon Pennsylvania Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wyoming Books Books about Venice , Amalfi Coast, Capri, Vesuvius, Pompeii . Books on the National Parks of America, the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley Italy Resources ITALY TRAVEL TOURS, vacation packages to Rome, Venice, Florence by ... Discount vacation travel packages, hotels and tours to all the exciting destinations in Italy . 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Italy vacation packages Reviews of hotels and vacations . ... www.tripadvisor.com/ Packages-g187768-Vacation-Package-Discount-Italy.html Venice School of photography The Venice School of Photography is an English speaking company specialising in photography workshops, tours and holidays in many of the worlds most awe-inspiring locations. www.learninitaly.com Italy Photos Photos of Venice , Amalfi Coast, Capri, Vesuvius, Pompeii Italy Real Estate Italy real estate - properties for sale free landscape photos | free Venice photos | free tools for websites Advertise with us Link to us Awards we have won Distinctive Websites Royalty Free Stock Photos web design UK by beaufortweb search engine optimisation services UK website design and promotion UK

Asia Travel || Malaysia

Travel Information of Malaysia Malaysia Country and Travel Information Malaysia Hotels & Resorts Reservation GENERAL INFORMATION Malaysia is located in the heart of Southeast Asia. Consisting of 127,000 sq. miles (330,200 sq. km), Malaysia is divided into two main regions: Peninsular Malaysia, which lies just south of Thailand, and East Malaysia, which can be found north of Indonesia on the island of Borneo. These two regions are divided into thirteen states and federal territories. Although East Malaysia occupies the larger portion of Malaysia's total area, it is primarily comprised of undeveloped land and jungles. Malaysia is a land of fascinating sights and attractions. Rich in colour and contrasts, her multi-faceted charm provides intriguing images that leave visitors to the country in awe. The natural warmth of Malaysians is legendary; wherever one goes, the friendliness and hospitality of the people would prove to be a very special experience. Malaysia is paradise. Its sun-drenched beaches, enchanting islands, diverse flora and fauna, forest retreats and magnificent mountains are among the best in this region. Many visitors have discovered Malaysia's other attractions: a shopping haven, a versatile conference venue, an incentive destination, an adventure land and much more. WEATHER CONDITIONS With temperature that fluctuates little throughout the year, travel in Malaysia is a pleasure. Average temperature is between 21 to 32 degree celcius. Humidity is high. Rain tends to occur between November to February on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, on western Sarawak, and north-eastern Sabah. On the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia the rainy seasons is April to May and October to November. PEOPLE AND CULTURE Malaysia has a combined population of over 18 million people. Because of its central location, between the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea, Malaysia has traditionally been a meeting point for traders and travelers from both the East and West. As a result, Malaysia has a multicultural and multiracial population consisting of Malays, Chinese, Indians and numerous indigenous peoples. Although Malay is the official language, English is widely spoken, especially in business, and the English language is a compulsory subject in all schools. With such a varying ethnic composition, it is no surprise that a great diversity of religions is prevalent throughout Malaysia. Although the official religion is Islam, freedom of worship is practiced. As a result, it is a common to see temples, mosques and churches within the same area. Ethnic Groups: 59% Malay and other indigenous, 32% Chinese and 9% Indian. Languages: Malay (official), English, Chinese dialects, Mandarin, Hakka dialects, Cantonese, Tamil and numerous tribal languages. Religion: Muslim (primarily Malays), Buddhism (Chinese), Hindu (Indian), Christianity, Confucianism, Taoism and tribal religions. LOCAL CUSTOMS General: When visiting Malaysia, the visitor should observe local customs and practices. Some common courtesies and customs are as follow:- Although handshakes generally suffice for both men and women, some Muslim ladies may acknowledge an introduction with a gentleman with a nod of her head and smile. A handshake is only to be reciprocated if the lady offers her hand first. The traditional greeting of "salam" resembles a handshake with both hands but without the grasp. The man offers both hands, lightly touches his friend's outstretched hands, then brings his hands to his chest to mean, " I greet you from my heart". The visitor should reciprocate the "salam". It is polite to call before visiting a home Shoes must be removed when entering a Malaysian home. It is also customary to do so upon entering a mosque or an Indian temple. The right hand is always used when eating with one's hand or when giving and receiving objects The right forefinger is not used to point at places, objects or persons. Instead, the thumb of the right hand with the four fingers, folden under is preferred usage. Toasting is not a common practice in Malaysia. The country's large Muslim population does not drink alcoholic bevergaes. THINGS TO KNOW Population: 20 million Capital: Kuala Lumpur Flag: Fourteen equal horizontal stripes of red (top) alternating with white (bottom); there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a yellow crescent and a yellow fourteen-pointed star; the crescent and star are traditional symbols of Islam; the design was based on the U.S. flag. Shop Hours: Department stores and supermarkets are usually open from 10am to 10pm and shops from 9:30am to 7pm. In Kuala Lumpur, as well as in most major towns, there are several 24-hour stores. Bank Hours: Most states: Mon-Fri: 9:30am-4.00pm Sat : 9:30am-11:30am Sun : Closed Kelantan and Terengganu: Sat-Wed: 9:30am-4.00pm Thur : 9:30am-11.30am Fri : Closed VISAS AND PASSPORT Visitors must be in possession of a current passport or other internationally recognized travel document. They must be endorsed for traveling to Malaysia and have a period of validity of at least six months beyond the time of stay allowed in Malaysia. No visas are required for citizens of British Commonwealth countries (except India), British Protected persons, and citizens of the Republic of Ireland, Liechtenstein, the Netherlands, San Marino, Switzerland and the United States (for social, business or academic purposes only). No visas are required for stays not exceeding three months for citizens of: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Luxemburg, Norway, South Korea, Sweden, Tunesia, U.S.A. , France and Germany (except for local employment). CUSTOMS REGULATIONS Duty-Free Items: Items such as cameras, watches, pens, portable radio-cassette players, perfume, cosmetics and lighters are duty-free in Malaysia. Visitors bringing in dutiable goods may have to pay a deposit for temporary importation, refundable on departure - usually 50% of the value (carry receipt of purchase and obtain an official receipt for any tax or deposit paid). Asia Travel || Malaysia Hotels & Resorts Reservation

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