Central America Travel

Costa Rica Travel Information | Lonely Planet Destination Guide worldguide | shop | thorn tree forum | travel services | travel ticker | theme guides | on the road | postcards | travel links : Explore Costa Rica Costa Rica More coastline than you can shake a surfboard at. 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 Costa Rica San Jose View Map Click here Feature Attraction Península de Nicoya This area on the northwestern Pacific coast is difficult to traverse because of the lack of paved roads; however, it's well worth the effort because ... more Costa Rica is Central America's jewel. It's an oasis of calm among its turbulent neighbours and an ecotourism heaven, making it one of the best places to experience the tropics with minimal impact. It's also mostly coastline, which means great surfing, beaches galore and a climate built for laziness. Costa Rica's enlightened approach to conservation has ensured that lush jungles are home to playful monkeys, languid sloths, crocodiles, countless lizards, poison-dart frogs and a mind-boggling assortment of exotic birds, insects and butterflies. Meanwhile, endangered sea turtles nest on both coasts and cloud forests protect elusive birds and jungle cats. Factoid He Killed Kenny The world record for a musician holding a single note is held by Costa Rican saxophonist Geovanny Escalante of the famed local band Marfíl, which has played in Costa Rica for many years. In 1998, the then 24-year-old artist held a steady 'A' for 90 minutes and 45 seconds, almost twice as long as the previous record held by the US saxophonist Kenny G. SPONSORED LINKS Enquire 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

Argentina Travel Guide Travel

Travel to Argentina. Argentinian travel and tourism destination guide. Travel Argentina Argentinian travel and tourism destination guide. Home Destinations Latin America South America Argentina Travel Guide Travel Directory Search Travel Directory Notes From the Editor Travel Blog Travel Photography Travel Photos Destination Guides Africa Asia Europe Latin America CARIBBEAN • Antigua and Barbuda • Aruba • Bahamas • Barbados • British Virgin Islands • Cayman Islands • Cuba • Dominica • Dominican Republic • Grenada • Guadeloupe • Haiti • Jamaica • Martinique • Netherlands Antilles • Puerto Rico • ST. Kitts & Nevis • ST. Lucia • ST. Vincent & Gren. • Trinidad & Tobago • U.S Virgin Islands CENTRAL AMERICA • Belize • Costa Rica • El Salvador • Guatemala • Honduras • Nicaragua • Panama SOUTH AMERICA • Argentina • Bolivia • Brazil • Chile • Colombia • Ecuador • French Guiana • Guyana • Paraguay • Peru • Suriname • Uruguay • Venezuela Middle East North America Oceania TRAVEL ARGENTINA DESTINATION GUIDE OFFICIAL TRAVEL SITES sectur.gov.ar State Secretariat of Tourism and Sports. www.sectur.gov.ar INDEPENDENT TRAVEL SITES allaboutar.com Buenos Aires, Patagonia, Bariloche, Iguazu, Peninsula Valdes and El Calafate travel and tourism. All About AAR is the complete Argentina Travel Guide. AllAboutAR Argentina Travel Guide alojargentina.com Argentina Tourism and Travel. Argentina travel Agency. Argentina Travel and Tourism argentinacafe.com Indepedent travel advice about Argentina, including highlights, practicalities, background, and more. Argentina Cafe Travel Guide argentinacontact.com Travel and Hotel directory of Argentina. Argentina Contact argentinaonview.com Argentina on View inargentinatourism.com.ar Tourism in Argentina - prices, information, booking, travel and tour holidays. Tourism Argentina Airfares | Car Rental | Hotels | Rail Europe | Travel Insurance Home | About us | Contact us | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Add a travel site

Hotel Travel

O'Reilly Open Source Software Convention 2003 Home Registration Speakers Keynotes Tutorials Sessions At-a-Glance BOFs Community Meetings -- Events Community Software Exhibitors Sponsors Hotel/Travel Venue Map See & Do Press Mail List then put your text -- Hotel and Travel Information Hotel Info | Directions | Room Sharing | Restaurants | Travel Assistance | Rental Cars | Airline Tickets Event Headquarters Hotel Portland Marriott Downtown 1401 SW Naito Parkway Portland, OR 97201 Phone: 503-226-7600 Fax: 503-221-1789 Nestled in a beautiful riverside location with picturesque views of the Willamette River, the Portland Marriott Downtown will serve as the headquarters hotel for the 5th annual O?Reilly Open Source Convention. With the convenience of a downtown location, the Portland Marriott also provides access to numerous downtown amenities, including the MAX Light Rail and an eclectic blend of shopping, dining, and entertainment options. -- Open Source Convention Room Rate Discounted Room Rate: $129.00 (This rate is for single, double, triple or quad occupancy. Looking for a roommate? ) The cutoff date to make your room reservations is Friday, June 13, 2003 . In order to receive the discounted room rate, you must identify yourself as attending the "O'Reilly Open Source Convention." Reservations received after the cutoff date of June 13, 2003 will be honored on a space-available basis at the prevailing rate of the hotel. Hotel room rates are subject to applicable state & local taxes (currently 11.5%) in effect at time of check-in. Make your hotel reservations online: Portland Marriott Downtown Choose the red "Reserve a Room" button that appears at the top of the page. Enter Group Code: OAAOAAA (using the letter "o") to receive the O'Reilly discounted room rate. Choose your arrival and departure dates, and continue through the reservation system. An email confirmation will be sent to you confirming your hotel reservation at the Portland Marriott Downtown for the O'Reilly Open Source Convention. Make your hotel reservations by phone. Call: 1-800-228-9290 or call the hotel directly at (503) 226-7600. Alternative Hotels If you've waited to make your hotel reservations and find the headquarters hotel Sold Out, try these walking-distance alternatives. Residence Inn by Marriott 2115 SW River Parkway, Portland, OR Phone: 503-552-9500 Four Points by Sheraton 50 S.W. Morrison, Portland, OR Phone: 503-221-0711 Days Inn City Center 1414 SW Sixth Avenue, Portland, OR Phone: 503-221-1611 Doubletree Hotel Portland Downtown 310 SW Lincoln, Portland, OR Phone: 503-221-0450 Getting There Portland International Airport (PDX) The Portland Int'l Airport serves approximately 120 domestic and international cities by 17 commercial airlines. Arrival/Departure Information Direction To/From PDX Gate Locations at PDX Location of Car Rental Offices at PDX Ground Transportation Services at PDX MAX Light Rail For cheap & convenient transportation from the Portland International Airport (PDX) to Downtown Portland, hop aboard the Airport MAX light rail "Red Line". Service runs every 15 minutes. If you are staying at the convention headquarters hotel - Portland Marriott Downtown - you will want to exit the rail at the "Morrison downtown" stop. The Marriott is only a 6 - 8 minute walk South from the Morrison train stop. The fare for this ride is less than $2.00. Airport Shuttle Services The Portland Marriott Downtown provides an airport shuttle service. Cost is $15 per person. For airport pickup going to the Portland Marriott Downtown, you must make a reservation ahead of time by calling: (503) 740-0403. Driving Directions Visit the Marriott web site for customized driving directions from your unique starting point to the Portland Marriott Downtown. Click here for specific driving direction to the Hotel from the Portland International Airport. From the North (Seattle) Stay on I-5 South. Take the OMSI/Oregon City exit (#300B), remain in the right lane. Exit onto the Morrison Bridge, remain in the right lane. Take the ramp to Front Avenue (Naito Parkway) which makes a sharp loop to the right, going back under the bridge. Head south on Front Avenue (Naito Parkway), the hotel is located 8 blocks on the right. From the South (Salem) Remain on I-5 North and as you approach closer to Portland remain in the extreme left lane. Take the Front Avenue (Naito Parkway) exit (#1a) which approaches rapidly. When you get to the stop light, cross Front Avenue (Naito Parkway) onto Clay Street. Remain on Clay and make a right on 2nd Avenue. Make a right on Columbia Street and follow it down to Front Avenue (Naito Parkway). The hotel's driveway is the second entrance on your right. From the East (Portland Airport) Follow the signs to I-205 South/Salem. Take the exit I-84 West to Portland. Remain in the left lane and follow the signs to OMSI/City Center. On the overpass, switch to the right lane and take the City Center exit that goes onto the Morrison Bridge. On the bridge, remain in the right lane and take the Front Avenue (Naito Parkway) exit, which makes a sharp loop to the right, going back under the bridge. Head south on Front Avenue (Naito Parkway), the hotel is located 8 blocks on the right. From the West (Oregon Coast) From Highway 26/Sunset Highway, take the Market Street exit (just through the tunnel). This will take you to 4th Avenue. Follow 4th Avenue to Columbia Street. Make a right on Columbia and follow it to Front Avenue (Naito Parkway). Make a right on Front Avenue (Naito Parkway) and the hotel's driveway is the second entrance on the right. Parking Valet Parking Hotel Guest: $21.00 per night Visitor: $5.00 per hour (not to exceed $21.00 per day) Self Parking The Portland Marriott Downtown does not offer a self-parking service, however, there are several self-parking garages located adjacent to or within close walking distance to the hotel. 1st Street (between Clay & Columbia) (located directly behind the Hotel) Self-parking Garage. $12.50 per day. No security is available in this parking garage. Jefferson Street (between 1st & 2nd) (located 2 blocks away from Hotel) Self-parking Garage. $3.00/Hour (not to exceed $12.00/Day). No security is available in this parking garage. Please Note: Parking fees are approximate and completely subject to change without notice. Room Sharing If you are looking to save money on your housing costs, you may wish to room-share. We have set up a room-share mailing list to facilitate finding a suitable roommate. Please visit the Room Sharing page to submit your information and be added to the mailing list. The list will be updated and broadcast weekly. Restaurants within Walking Distance Visit the OSCON Restaurants page for a detailed listing of local restaurants within walking distance from the Portland Marriott Downtown. Travel Assistance The official O'Reilly conference travel planner offers one-stop shopping for your air travel and other travel needs in connection with your attendance at the O'Reilly Open Source Convention. Vivian V. Russell Travel Services 182 Farmers Lane, Suite 102 Santa Rosa, CA 95405 Email: vivianv@sonic.net Phone: (707) 525-0550, Fax: (707) 525-0560 Rental Cars Should you choose to make travel arrangements independently, you may contact Hertz directly to receive the special O'Reilly discount on rental cars at the O'Reilly Open Source Convention. To reserve a car with your special rate, call Hertz : 1 (800) 654-2240 in the U.S. 1 (800) 263-0600 in Canada (405) 749-4434 outside of these areas or call your nearest Hertz reservation center, your corporate travel department, or your travel agent. You must give the agent the Hertz CV #01XY0021 . Air Travel United Airlines is offering attendees traveling to our event a 5% discount off of the lowest applicable discount fare, including First Class, or a 10% discount off of the unrestricted mid-week coach fare. They will also offer an additional 5% off of those tickets purchased at least 60 days in advance. Discounts also apply on Shuttle by United and United Express flights. You must refer to Meeting ID #510CS in order to receive the convention attendee discount. Be certain to give either your travel planner or the United reservation agent (1-800-521-4041) this number. Our Environmental Commitment O'Reilly is committed to holding environmentally responsible events by using recycled products and choosing venues willing to partner with our Green efforts. Visit our Gone Green page for more information on the recycled products you'll receive at the convention. O'Reilly & Associates assumes no responsibility or liability for the facilities or services provided by the vendors and suppliers. Anyone attending this convention releases O'Reilly from any and all claims that may arise out of attending at this convention. O'Reilly Home | Privacy Policy © 2003, O'Reilly Media, Inc.

Austria Travel Guide, climate:

Austria Travel Guide - Information and Advice Austria Travel Guide Information and Advice Austria Map | Austria Pictures Vienna Pictures | Vienna Travel Guide exodus specialises in “The different holiday”, offering the widest selection of walking, adventure, cycling, mountain biking, wildlife, cultural and winter holidays, and overland journeys across all seven continents! exodus: Homepage | Austria Tours | Brochure Request Austria Travel Guide, climate: Best: May - June, September for summer activities with less crowds and less heat than July/Aug, or Dec - March for a deep white winter. Worst: The country is rarely over hot or hideously overcrowded but July, August and Christmas are very busy times, while Oct/November can be miserable - dark, wet and grey. Length of stay: Minimum worthwhile stay, not incl. flights: Vienna and Salzburg - 4 days Recommended: At least 2 weeks to take in Vienna, Salzburg and some country/mountain activities. Main Festivals in Austria : mid May- June: Vienna Festival - wide range of arts, especially music, naturally, but also dance and theatre, sometimes challenging pieces, all set in magnificent buildings. mid July-Aug: ImPulsTanz - a dynamic and diverse dance festival across the whole of lovely Vienna. End July - end August: Salzburg Festival - opera and concerts. 'Europe's most prestigious summer musical event.' Very large, very expensive. Every year in Mozart's pretty home town. Dec 31st, Kaiserball - waltzing into Vienna's glamorous ball season is this, the ultimate in smart dances, set in the magnificent Hofburg Palace. No expense spared. For some precise dates, more suggestions and information see European Festivals or Arts Festivals Austria activities guide: Hiking: The Alps in summertime offer a zillion stunning, well-marked walking routes, open along with the spring flowers in late May. The Zillertal Alps are particularly scenic and leg friendly, and Zell am Ziller is a good starting point. Lifts help the less fit. Climbing: Plenty of challenging climbs available, with northern Tyrol being especially popular . Skiing: With all those mountains and snow Austria is a great downhill and cross-country ski destination, tho' not cheap. Tyrol and Vorarlberg are most popular. Hangliding & paragliding: Due to the excess of high places and affluence of the country, gliding is commonplace and kit can be rented easily from ski resorts. Rafting /canoeing: Land Salzburg [Salzburg Alps] has superb locations for watersports from quiet canoeing to wild white water rafting. Speed boats are restricted. Biking: This country is extremely bike friendly, with rental machines available from most railway stations and dedicated tracks everywhere. The best long route is the Lower Danube Cycle Track, running beside the river from Vienna to Naarn and passing many gorgeous medieval towns on the way. River Cruises: Lengthy and a bit slow on sights . If your travel time is limited don't bother with the Danube. Night life: Austria is culturally more about classical music than techno raves, tho' the natives do know how to have a good time. Austria Star Guide: Monuments *** Shopping and souvenirs ** Walkability ***** Food Quality and Variety *** Value for Money *** Hotel Prices and Value *** Beaches no sea! Wildlife ** Landscape ***** Local People **** Architecture ***** Safety ***** Nightlife and Clubbing **** Health Problems none Museums ***** Why Travel to Austria? It's efficient, safe, uncrowded [by locals - total population is about 8m], and has stunning towns and magnificent mountains . The rise and fall of the Hapsburg dynasty [1278- 1914] and the Austrian Empire is a monumental story, gone but not forgotten by tourists gaping at the mass of gothic, baroque and rococo royal relics or listening to present day concerts by long-dead Vienna inhabitants - Mozart, Strauss, Brahms and Beethoven to name but a few. Museums offer a lot more than Hapsburg lifestyle samples and cover many topics in great depth and style. The climate offers a comfortable heat in the summer and acceptable cold in winter, encouraging year-round outdoor activities, particularly summer hiking and winter skiing. Transport systems are brilliant and road access to other European cities is easy. Locals are friendly and many speak English. Downside: -Food is heavy and dedicated to carnivores. Vegetarians may have a hard time finding suitable body fuel. -German is more a language of command than conversation. Where to travel in Austria: 1] ***Vienna, a superbly walkable, beautiful, interesting city. Vienna page 2] **Salzburg. Mozart's home is a pretty little town - well, the old bit is - but heavily travelled and without much space to permit tourists to relax and enjoy its rampant baroquery properly. The castle towering over Salzburg is sturdily interesting, as is the cathedral, the Residenz [palace] and the nearby graveyard/catacombs, but the focus is more on where Wolfie the Wonder Boy grew up or Sound of Music locations. It's a very long day trip from Vienna so stay over and visit the 16thC town of Krems , magnificent Melk Abbey and Hellbrunn Palace on the way. Also worth a look, 48km from Salzburg, are the ice caves of Eisriesenwelt , near Werfen. Dramatic, elaborate shapes and frozen waterfalls line the 42km of explored caverns, tho' not all is open and guides may be necessary. Fascinating but cold and slippery so not suited to very young or old travellers. 3] ***Salzkammergut is a vista-overload resort area of mountains, lakes and charming towns just east of Salzburg. In the summer it offers walks and water sports, in winter skiing. Key towns are Bad Ischl [fashionable spa resort], St. Wolfgang [on Wolfgangsee Lake] and Hallstatt . 4] ***Grossglockner Road. If you have wheels and it's May-November then this stunning 50km mountain/glacier route will really honk your horn. Start the tortuous tour from Zell am See. 5] *** Innsbruck [Tyrol] A lovely, partly medieval city surrounded by spectacular peaks, it functions perfectly as a summer resort or winter sports base, though it doesn't have immediate access to slopes. Nearby is Seefeld, a prime ski resort that offers more than just slopes and Mutters , 'the most beautiful village in Tyrol' and romantic in any weather. 6 ] ** St Anton am Arlsberg [Tyrol] Near Switzerland this is another picturesque Tyrolean town with some of Europe's best skiing at reasonable prices. The Blue Danube? Not likely, muddy green at best. There is an explanation for the name however... Napoleon had never lost a battle when he came across the white coated Austrian army at Aspern, around the Danube, in 1809. The French, in blue coats, lost, and their bodies were thrown into the Danube. Due to poor dye quality the colour ran into the water, turning it temporarily blue. Strauss remembered the great victory in 1867 by calling his latest waltz, 'The Blue Danube.' Austria Tours Tour operators offering tours to Austria can be found in our listings here: Austria Tours For links to Tourist Offices, Embassies, Cheap Air Tickets, Currency Converter, Climate, Language advice, other online Travel Guides and more, visit Bugbog Travel Directory Map of Europe Visas: EU citizens and nationals of USA, Australia and New Zealand do not need visas for visits up to 90 days. Electricity: Electric sockets are 230v and take 2 round pin plugs. Safety: Crime is rare and more likely to be opportunistic theft by transient East Europeans rather than locals. Language: German is the native language but most Austrians under 50 speak excellent English. Cuisine Guide: This is not good weight-loss country . National dishes tend to be heavy, saucy and meat oriented - hardly surprising for a place with no coastline - while local cheeses, pastries, beers and wines are excellent and too tempting by half. Street snacks tend to be of the sausage, pickles and chunky bread variety. About the only thing that will not pile on the pounds is the superb coffee. Money: The currency is the Euro and prices are fairly high. ATMs are plentiful and most Traveller's Cheques accepted. If you plan to travel Austria you may find these other Bugbog guides to Europe useful: Germany Travel Guide Hungary Travel Guide Czech Republic Travel Guide Belgium Travel Guide Italy Travel Guide France Travel Guide Greece Travel Guide UK Travel Guide Travel Pictures | Destination Finder | Exotic Places | World Festivals | World Wonders | Safari Wildlife | Beaches | Top of Page European Places | Walking Tours | Travel Health | Travel Safety | Travel Directory | English Speaking Places | Tours Gap Year | Site Map | Travel Guide Homepage | Contact | Press | Advertising | Legal | Maps | Travelogue © 2000-2005 Bugbog

Vacation Packages Check out

MapQuest.Com: Maps, Directions and More Settings Help Mobile Maps Directions Special Offers Show me offers related to: - Select - Hotels Restaurants Flights Rental Cars Jobs Personals Event Tickets Real Estate Apartments Roommates Florists Dentists Mortgage Insurance Lawyers Vacation Packages Check out Orbitz Great Deals On Packages For Your Next Adventure www.ORBITZ.com Vacation Deals Discount Vacation & Travel Packages Book Your Vacation Online Today! www.VacationOutlet.com Expedia Vacation packages Pick Your Flight Hotel Car & Extras Average Savings of $189/package! www.expedia.com Special Vacation Package Visit Atlantis, Paradise Island - a unique resort experience. www.atlantis.com Top 20? Vacation Packages Travelzoo: Your Weekly Guide To Top Vacation Packages Each Week! www.travelzoo.com All-Inclusive Resorts Great rates on the all-inclusive resorts in Mexico and Caribbean. www.resortvacationstogo.com Costa Rica Tour Sale $995 All Inclusive with Meals - 10 Days. 52 Years. Smart Shoppers Compare. CaravanTours.com Vacation Packages Choose from Over 760 Destinations Vacation Package Savings-Hotels.com www.hotels.com Travel Hotel Rooms Hotels Travel Insurance Vacations Travel Europe Travel Real Estate Vacation Homes Foreclosures Homes for Sale Commercial Real Estate Real Estate License Real Estate Vacations Vacations Europe Travel Orlando Florida Fishing Trips Vacation Homes African Safari Getaways Europe Travel Orlando Florida Las Vegas Travel Florida Vacations Mexico Vacations Caribbean Vacations About these results: "Sponsored Links" are listings that have been purchased by companies that want to have their sites appear for specific search terms. These listings are administered, sorted and maintained by Google (MapQuest's partner). For information about how Google sorts these listings, go to http://adwords.google.com/ and click on the 'Advertise with Us' link. Company Advertise Business Solutions Link to MapQuest Toolbar Privacy Legal ©2005 MapQuest, Inc. All rights reserved.