Asia Travel || Hong

Hong kong Travel Information Provided by Asia Travel Hong Kong Country and Travel Information Climate || Entryregulations || Airport facilities || Transfer information Hong Kong's new airport at Chek Lap Kok || Currency || Tipping Telephone || Gettingaround in Hong Kong Hotels Reservation in Hong Kong at upto 75% discount from published rates TourReservation in Hong Kong Hong Kong in a Nutshell ( Don't miss ) Map of Hong Kong The Fragrant Harbour ( click for postcard ) Lying at the southeastern tip of China, Hong Kong adjoins the province of Guangdong (Canton), and is just south of the tropic of Cancer. The total land area of Hong Kong is 1,078 square kilometers, comprising Hong Kong Island (77.5 square kilometers); Kowloon (45.5 square kilometer); and the New Territories , including 235 outlying islands (955 square kilometers). Today Hong Kong has become a great international trading post, a powerful manufacturing base and one of the world's largest financial centres. Population and Language The population as of 2002 was about 7.5 millions, almost 95 per cent of which is Chinese. Chinese and English are the official languages. Cantonese is the most widely spoken Chinese dialect, though Mandarin, Shanghainese and other Chinese dialects are also spoken. Many people, especially in shops, hotels, and service industries, speak English. Climate Hong Kong has a subtropical climate: Spring (March - mid-May): Temperature and humidity rising. Jackets or sweaters suggested. Average temperature: 23C (73F), humidity around 82%, sea temperature, 22.3 C (72 F) Summer (late May - mid-September): Hot and humid. Temperature may rise to 33C (91 F) with humidity up to around 90%. . Shirtsleeves, cotton clothing, a sweater for indoors and an umbrella for outside suggested Average temperature: 28C (82F), humidity 80%, sea temperature 28C (82F). Autumn (late September - early December): temperature and humidity drop. Clear sunny days. Shirtsleeves to sweaters and light jackets suggested. Average temperature: 23C (73F), humidity 72%, sea temperature 17C (63F). Winter (late December- February): Cool with low humidity. Suits, light woollens and sometimes overcoats suggested. Average temperature: 17C (62F), humidity 72%, sea temperature 17C (63F). Top Entry Regulations Visitors must hold a valid passport, endorsed where necessary for Hong Kong. Citizens of some 24 countries, including the USA, Japan, and certain Western European and South American nations are permitted one-month visa-free visits. Three-month visa-free visits are available to another 23 countries as well as all Commonwealth countries. Visitors from most countries can enter Hong Kong without a visa for periods of seven days to six months, depending on nationality. Check with any Chinese embassy or consulate for the latest status. Health Regulations Vaccination certificates are not required for yellow fever, cholera and typhoid for visitors travelling to Hong Kong. Check with your travel agent well before your departure, however, as requirements can change without notice. Customs Allowance Visitors may bring into Hong Kong free of duty: Liquor - A one-litre bottle of wine or spirits. Ivory - The importation and exportation of raw or worked ivory is governed by strict regulation. Firearms must be declared and handed into custody until departure. Top Airport Facilities A baggage storage service is available in the departure hall and the arrival hall. Other services include a bank, moneychangers, gift shops, duty-free shops, snack bars, restaurants, payphones, a police station, post office, a HK Telecom International Ltd. Office, HKTA Information Centres and private reception rooms. Airport Departure Tax Adults: HK$80; children (aged 12 years and under) free. Safety Hong Kong is generally considered a safe city by day or night. Policemen are very helpful, and those who speak English wear a red label under their shoulder badge. As in all big cities, avoid carrying large amounts of cash; traveller's cheques or credit cards are preferable. Make use of your hotel's safe-deposit boxes. Top Currency The unit of currency is the Hong Kong dollar (HK$). Notes issued by two private banks (the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank and Standard Chartered Bank) have denominations of $10, $20, $50, $100, $500, and $1000. The Bank of China issues all of the denominations except HK$10. There are silver coins for HK$1, HK$2, and HK$5, bronze coins for HK10 cents, HK20 cents and HK50 cents, and a new nickel and bronze coin for $10. Most foreign currencies and traveller's cheques are easily changed in Hong Kong, either at banks, hotels or moneychangers (check how much you will get in return before handing over your money). Top Tipping Most restaurants add a 10 per cent service charge but an additional 5 per cent may be given, where deserved. When a service charge is not automatic, 10 per cent is acceptable. Small tips may also be given to taxi drivers, bellboys, doormen and washroom attendants. Electricity The voltage in Hong Kong is 200/220 volts, 50 cycles. Most hotels provide adaptors. Water All water direct from government mains in Hong Kong satisfies the United Nations World Health Organization standards. Bottled water is widely available in hotels and supermarkets. Top Telephones Telephones in Hong Kong are advanced, economical and easy to use. Local calls are free, and many stores and restaurants offer use of a telephone free of charge to patrons. Calls from public coin phones cost HK$1. Most hotels have International Direct Dialling (IDD). Please note that some hotels charge a handling fee for local and/or international calls. You can also make long-distance calls from (IDD) Public Coin Phones and from HK Telecom International Ltd. Offices. An easy method of making calls is to purchase stored-value phonecards (HK$50, $150 and $200), which can be used in any Cardphone box. The new Hello Phonecard (HK$100, $200,$300) is a stored value card that enables the user to place calls to and from over 30 countries from a touch-tone phone. Both types of cards can be purchased at HKTA Information and Gift Centres and most convenience stores. Call 013 for information. Post Offices The main post offices are on Hong Kong Island, next to the Star Ferry and in Kowloon at 10 Middle Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. Both are open from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday and 8am to 2pm on Saturday. All post offices close on Sunday and public holidays. Television There are two English-language channels. Programmes include a selection of locally produced shows as well as features from the UK, the US, and Australia. Also available is STAR TV (a satellite channel) and, in some areas, Cable TV (subscription television). Radio Fifteen radio channels are broadcast in Hong Kong. Six English-language channels provide a wide range of programmes and the BBC World Service is available 24 hours. Office and Banking Hours Most offices open from 9am to 5pm with a lunch hour from 1 pm to 2pm. On Saturday the hours are 9am to 1 pm. Some Chinese businesses open at 10am and close around 6pm or later. Major banks are open from 9am to 4.30pm on weekdays, 9am to 12.30pm on Saturday. Top Getting Around In Hong Kong Airport Transport After you have reclaimed your baggage and passed through Customs, you will find yourself in the Buffer Hall of Hong Kong International Airport where the Hong Kong Tourist Association Information Centres are located . There you can obtain free visitor publications and any other assistance you may need. Hong Kong International Airport is approximately 40 minutes' drive by car from all major hotels in Kowloon and about 50 minutes' drive via the Cross-Harbour Tunnel from all major hotels on Hong Kong Island (under normal traffic conditions). If you are making your own way to your hotel, follow the signs directing you to the Transport Terminus for taxis or use the airport coach service. If you have no local currency on arrival, change only enough at the airport to get you to your hotel. Hotel Transport Hotel bookings do not normally include transportation from the airport. However, if you have a prearranged hotel booking that includes an airport transfer, you should leave the Buffer Hall via the exit marked Hotel Transport and look for the hotel representative waiting to meet you. Taxis Taxis are numerous and readily available, and fares are low compared with those in most cities. Red taxis serve Hong Kong Island and Kowloon; green ones in the New Territories and blue taxis on Lantau Island operate at even lower rates. Many drivers speak some English but it is wise to have your destination written in Chinese characters. Rates for red taxis start at HK$16.5 on the flag fall plus HK$1.60 for every 200 metres after the first two kilometres. Waiting time is HK$1.10 per minute. Pay, in Hong Kong dollars only, the fare shown on the meter, plus any additional charge where applicable. A HK$20 surcharge applies to cross-harbour tunnel trips (includes the driver's HK$10 return toll). There is also a surcharge for rides through the Lion Rock (HK$6), Junk Bay (HK$3) and Aberdeen (HK$5) tunnels, and a HK$5 charge for each piece of luggage. Taxi drivers expect a tip, but just round up the fare to the nearest dollar. Drivers cannot pick up or drop off passengers on restricted streets, which are marked with yellow lines. New Territories taxis will pick up and drop off only in the New Territories. If you have any queries or complaints, note the taxi's number and call the 24-hour Police Hotline on 2527 7177. Buses Double-decker buses, which run from 6 AM till 3 midnight, cover most parts of the territory. Fares range from HK$1 to HK$30.60. Exact change is required. You'll find that, in general the drivers do not speak much English. Minibuses Minibuses are small passenger vans which are yellow with a red stripe. They can pick up passengers and let them off anywhere except regular bus stops and the usual restricted areas. Fares range from HK$2 to HK$7. Maxicabs Maxicabs are yellow with a green stripe. They run along specific routes and have fixed prices ranging from HK$1 to HK$8. A sign on the front indicates the destination. Pay as you get on. Trains The Kowloon-Canton Railway (KCR) is 34 kilometres long and runs from Hung Hom in Kowloon up to the border with China. Trains run every tour to 10 minutes in each direction, and vary according to the ordinary single trip to Sheung Shui, the farthest you can go without a China visa). It's a go way to visit some of the New Territories' towns and villages. The Mass Transit Railway (MTR), Hong Kong's fast, efficient and air-conditioned underground system, runs not only along the north side of Hong Kong Island, but also from Central across the harbour to divide into east and west branches in Kowloon. Stations are located by a X symbol. Fares range from HK$4 to HK$11. MTR and KCR stored-value tickets (HK$70-200) are also available. The Light Rail Transit (LRT) is a high-speed surface system linking the New Territories towns of Tuen Mun Yuen Long. The LRT runs from 5.30am to 12.30am daily. Fares range from HK$3.20 to $4.70. Ferries The Star Ferry, which has connected Hong Kong and Kowloon since 1898, runs regularly between 6.30am to 11.30pm. At HK$ 2.20 (upper deck), it must be one of the cheapest and most scenic ferry rides in the world. The crossing takes approximately eight minutes. The Hong Kong Ferry (Holdings) Company provides other regular and inexpensive services which connect Hong Kong Island to other parts of the Kowloon Peninsula and to the outlying islands. Trams ( click for postcard ) Since 1904, the tram system has run east to west along the north side of Hong Kong Island, and still provides a leisurely, grandstand view. The flat fare is HK$1.20 (exact change required) and the service operates between 6 AM and 1 AM. The Peak Tram is one of the most advanced tram systems in the world, taking just eight minutes to climb Victoria Peak. The service operates from 7am to midnight and the single fare is HK$12 (HK$19 return). The funicular railway has run since 1888 and is still the quickest way to reach the Peak. Car Hire Self-drive rental cars are not often used in Hong Kong, but chauffeur-driven cars are widely available. Hotels have their own limousines for hire. Rickshaws The only means of travel in the old days, rickshaws today are used mainly for fun rides and photo sessions. Rickshaw drivers congregate at the Star Ferry on Hong Kong Island and charge for a trip round the block or for a photo session. Negotiate the price first. Top Asia Travel || Hong kong Hotels Page

Europe Travel

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Vacation Rentals!! "Vacation Rentals,

Vacation Rentals, Vacation Homes, European Vacation Rentals Vacation Rentals - A1VacationProperties.com | Browse FREE for Vacation Rentals!! "Vacation Rentals, Beach Rentals, and Villa Rentals" Quick links ------------ LOCATIONS ------------ Canada USA (mainland) Hawaii Mexico Caribbean Central America Europe Australia New Zealand ------------ Join Us Members Area Contact Us Find Vacation Rentals | Property Owners - It's FREE to list! | FAQ's | About Us | Members Login to myVR Username: Password: Now Search through our Vacation Rentals even easier. Click on "Find Rentals" to get detailed information on your next vacation rental Not a Member?: Join more than 5000 property owners and get your property listed today. Test us out for free! Sign-up now. Welcome to A1 Vacation Properties! We have thousands of Vacation Rentals from around the world. Hilton Head Rentals, Mexico Rentals , Disney Rentals, are some of the areas we specialize in. Free to list your vacation rental and home and Free to browse as well . Mexico Vacation Rentals U.S. Vacation Rentals Cabo San Lucas , Mazatlan , Puerto Vallarta , Cancun , Playa Del Carmen , San Jose ... Arizona , California , Florida , Disney World , Hawaii , Hilton Head , Kauai, Las Vegas , Los Angeles , Miami , New York , North Carolina , Orlando , Phoenix , Lake Tahoe , San Diego , San Francisco , Seattle ... This Month's Feature Vacation Rental: Casa Del Mar , Cabo Real Cabo San Lucas, Mexico The Casa del Mar resort is located on the beach and is part of the Cabo Real development including the world class Cabo Real golf course. Amenities include 2 bedrooms/2 bathrooms, full kitchen with all appliances and utensils, satellite TV, stereo, air conditioning, restaurant on the premises, 6 fresh water pools ... Click for More European Rentals Canadian Rentals Amsterdam , Barcelona , France , Germany , Greece , Ireland , Istanbul , Italy , Tuscany , London , Paris , Portugal , Rome , Spain , Sweden , Turkey , UK ... Montreal , Toronto , Vancouver , Calgary, Whistler, Kelowna... Caribbean Rentals Central America Rentals Barbados , Dominican Republic , Jamaica , Bahamas , St.Lucia , US Virgin Islands . . . Belize , Costa Rica , Honduras , Nicaragua , Panama ... Asia Rentals South America Rentals Bangkok , China , Hong Kong , India , Japan , Malaysia , Singapore , Thailand ... Argentina , Brazil , Chile , Ecuador , Peru , Rio de Janeiro ... Africa/Middle East Rentals Australia/Oceania Rentals Egypt , Israel , Kenya , South Africa ... Fiji , Sydney , New Zealand FAQ's | About Us | Sign-up | Login | Home | Contact Us | Bookmark This Page | Links More Vacation Rentals Cabo San Lucas All Rights Reserved 2001-- A1VacationProperties . com

France Travel

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

Japan travel tips -

Japan travel tips - Japan holiday travel tips  You are here: About > Travel > Japan for Visitors > Japanese Penpal / Chat > Japan travel tips - Japan holiday travel tips Travel Go Japan Essentials Clickable Map of Japan Japan Pictures Japan Travel Tips Japanese Geisha Japan 101 - Fact about Japan Articles & Resources Japan Maps Picture of Japan / Web cams Best of Japan / Attractions Hotels/Accommodations Tokyo / Cities / Regions Japanese Translators Japanese Culture Etiquette / Living in Japan Japan Weather / Geography Japan History / Samurai Japanese Penpal / Chat Plan Your Trip to Japan Air Travel / Train Travel Restaurants / Japanese Food Japanese Gift / Japan Books Buyer's Guide Before You Buy Top Picks Japanese Gifts Product Reviews Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Japan for Visitors newsletter! See Online Courses   Search Japan for Visitors Shinkansen - Bullet Train Shizuko Mishima Stay up to date! Shinkansen - Bullet Train Shizuko Mishima Email to a friend Print this page Suggested Reading Christmas in Japan New Year's Day in Japan Transportations in Japan Most Popular New Year Cards Japanese Geisha Christmas in Japan Japanese Tattoos Free Japanese postcards - Japanese new year cards - japan fr... What's Hot Japan Postcard - Japanese free email postcards - New Year's ... Japan Map - Nagano Prefecture Map - Map of Japan Universal Studios Japan Odaiba Photos Pictures of Japan - mount fuji picture - mt. fuji Photo Related Topics Japanese Cuisine Japanese Language Asia for Visitors Anime PlayStation Games Japan Holiday Travel Tips From Shizuko Mishima , Your Guide to Japan for Visitors . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Winter Holiday Travel If you are planning to visit Japan in December or January, try to avoid traveling during the last week of December and the first week of January. This period is the busiest travel season for Japanese people in the year. Many people are off work from the last weekend of December to the first weekend of January. It's hard to make reservations for transportations and accommodations during this time, so please plan ahead. Traveling around Christmas Day in Japan isn't as bad as in western countries. One thing to remember is that Christmas Eve has become a night for young lovers to go out and spend a romantic time together at fancy restaurants or hotels in Japan. It is almost impossible to make reservations for a restaurant or hotel at the last minute on this day. Also, Christmas is not a Japanese national holiday . Unless it is Sunday, businesses and schools are open on the day. Also, remember that December 23 is a Japanese national holiday, Heisei Emperor's Birthday. New Year's holidays are very important for Japanese people. People usually spend New Year's Eve rather quietly with the family. Most of businesses are closed from the 29th or 30th of December to 3rd or 4th of January, depending on the kind of business and day of week. Be aware that banks and hospitals are closed around this time of the year. Check their operation dates before the holidays begin. In recent years, many restaurants, convenience stores, supermarkets, and department stores are open during holidays. Since many people traveling out of Tokyo during this time, Tokyo is rather quiet than usual, except temples, shrines, and markets. It might be a good choice to stay in Tokyo during this time. You may get good deals for nice hotels. Hot springs and  ski resorts throughout Japan are crowded by many visitors. You need to make reservation early to stay at those areas. Helpful Links: How to Travel Cheap in Japan How to Find Discount Airfares to Japan Flight Search to Japan by Kayak Train Travel in Japan Cheap Hotels in Japan Japan Hotel Search by Kayak Japan Picture Gallery          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 Japan Postcard - Japanese free email postcards - New Year's ... Japan Map - Nagano Prefecture Map - Map of Japan Universal Studios Japan Odaiba Photos Pictures of Japan - mount fuji picture - mt. fuji Photo