London Vacation
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★ London in Canada - About city, London Vacation London Canada London Canada Skyline London Canada Downtown London is nice clean city located in the Province of Ontario just about a two-hour drive from Toronto, Niagara Falls. In London live about 331,000 inhabitants. In general London is a clean and safe city with a wonderful network of parks, recreational, and cultural facilities. London is the home of a University called: University of Western Ontario , check it out for more details. Vacation in London Did you ever think to visit London for a vacation? That would be a great idea, there are many attractions in London and surrounding area. Maybe is a time to surprise your spouse or girlfriend (boyfriend) and travel to London, visit local towns, for vacations? As you take a look around, you will soon see that London , Ontario is a city on the move, where confidence is building each and every day, invigorating our citizens to get involved in shaping its future. And definitely, the London Home Builders Association has played a key role in London's communitys success and growth. London Pride Festival 2004 Pride London Festival exists to provide an annual opportunity to generate celebratory, cultural and educational events which affirm the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, transgender, and two-spirited people, and supporters in the 519 area code through activities which promote unity, inclusion, and awareness of sexual and gender diversity (Source londonpride.ca). London links about London in Canada: Official London Canada Web Site - www.london.ca The Londno International Airport - www.londonairport.on.ca London Transit - www.londontransit.ca London Stock Exchange, Canda - www.tse.com 2004 London Pride Festival - www.londonpride.ca Information About London - info.london.on.ca City Of London Neighbourhood Watch - www.city.london.on.ca/neighbourhoodwatch/ Beside London You can read about other cities in Canada, follow the links below: Canada Canada Toronto Canada Ottawa Canada Montreal Canada Vancouver Canada Victoria Canada Edmonton Canada Calgary Canada Winnipeg Canada Canada Home | Contact | Canada Web Design - Abacus.ca | Books about london canada
Russia Travel Resources >
Russia Travel - Need to Know You are here: About > Travel > Eastern Europe for Visitors > Russia-Belarus-Ukraine > Russia Travel Resources > Travel Essentials - Russia > Russia Travel - Need to Know 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 Peter and Paul Fortress, St. Petersburg, Russia M. Schumacher Stay up to date! Peter and Paul Fortress, St. Petersburg, Russia M. Schumacher Email to a friend Print this page Elsewhere on the Web Map of Russia's Time Zones Converting to Metric Converting Shoe Sizes in Russia Elsewhere on the Web Converting Clothing Sizes Weather in Russia 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 Need to Know From Apply Now , Your Guide to Eastern Europe for Visitors . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Russia Travel Guide Below is some need-to-know information about Russia before you travel there.
Time Zones
Counting Kaliningrad, Russia spans 11 time zones. Moscow and St. Petersburg are in the same time zone, which is three hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time in the winter, and four hours ahead during Daylight Savings Time. See a map of Russia's time zones in the linkbox on the right side.
Electricity
Voltage: 220v. Frequency: 50Hz.
Outlets: Still in use is the two-pin GOST 7369 plug and socket that was widespread throughout Russia and Eastern Europe. This 4.0mm pin plug is being phased out in favor of the European CEE 7/4 Shuko and CEE 7/16 Europlug with 4.8mm pins. It's best to bring converters for both types of outlets.
TV Standard
SECAM
Measurements
Russia uses the metric system. Russia also has its own measurements for shoes and clothing. See the linkbox for a handy metric conversion website and for clothing conversion sites.
Weather
Russia's great expanse means the weather depends on where you are, but much of the country experiences winters with six months of snow cover. Most of Russia has two primary seasons of winter and summer, with brief periods of spring and autumn. In the very north, you will find arctic conditions. In Moscow and St. Petersburg, expect long, cold winters and mild summers. In the very south-eastern areas influenced by the Pacific Ocean, there is little snow in winter and summers are hot and rainy. Russia's popular Black Sea resort region enjoys almost tropical weather in the summer.
See average monthly temperatures for Moscow, St. Petersburg, and other areas from the website in the linkbox.
Public Holidays
During Russian public holidays, expect all government offices (including embassies) to be closed and most shops also. Many people have the day off from work.
January 1-2: New Years Day
January 7: Orthodox Christmas
March 8: Womens' Day
May 1-2: May Day
May 9: Victory Day
June 12: Independence Day
November 7: Peace and Harmony Day (former October Revolution Day)
December 12: Constitution Day
Back to the Russia Travel Guide index
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
Cruise Vacation and Honeymoon
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Cruise Vacation
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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