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iExplore Community: Spain Tourism, Things To Do In Spain, Spain Travel Keyword Search: -- Home Trip Finder Travel Guides Community Special Offers Store My iExplore Journals & Reviews | Travel Photos | Get Answers | Find a Travel Buddy | Earn Rewards advertisement Community Join the iExplore Community for FREE! Search for Travel Reviews Search for Travel Photos Write Reviews & Post Photos Find a Travel Buddy Ask a Question Log In: Email Address: Password: Not a member yet? Join now for free! What is the iExplore Community? First-hand travel reviews and photos from everyday travelers like you. Members Spotlight Irene writes: "Frankfurt is a vibrant metropolis of shimmering skyscrapers, a charming old world town center, and i"... read more icheapa writes: "Good eats for cheap. This is my list of dining experiences in the diverse cuisines in Chicago. So"... read more Search in Travel Reviews Travel Photos Members All Sections Advanced Search Spain Activities Lodging Dining Culture Nightlife Experiences Journal Name: Solo Travel around Spain Member Name: islandgirl83 (Register or Login to see this member's profile!) Type of Trip: Pleasure Date Created: 11/3/2005 Description: I traveled for the first time on my own around the country of Spain by train. I visited seven destinations in Spain, including: Barcelona, San Sebastian, Madrid, Cordoba, Sevilla, Granada, and Valencia. I did this trip over the course of 3 weeks, staying in youth hostels and cheap hotels. Entry Category Member Recommendation Content Rating Solo Travel around Spain Overview N/A Hostel New York Lodging Recommended Lolo Urban House- Enjoy San Sebastian Lodging Very Highly Recommended Barbieri International Hostel Lodging Somewhat Recommended Mad Hostel Lodging Highly Recommended Albergue Juvenil Cordoba Lodging Highly Recommended Hostal Buen Dormir Lodging Recommended Funky Backpackers Hostel Lodging Recommended Home Youth Hostel Lodging Very Highly Recommended Old town San Sebastian Bars and Pubs Very Highly Recommended Dancing Madrid Bars and Pubs Highly Recommended Radio City Bars and Pubs Very Highly Recommended La Carboneria Live Performers Very Highly Recommended Museu Picasso Museums Very Highly Recommended Surfing San Sebastian! Other Sports Highly Recommended Parc Guell Parks and Zoos Very Highly Recommended Mirador San Nicolas Popular Sights Very Highly Recommended Ciudad de las Ciencias Popular Sights Very Highly Recommended Most Recent Spain Journals Solo Travel around Spain Pilgrimage to El Rocio 4 Weeks in Spain 2005 Spain There's more to Spain than museums advertisement Spain Photos About Us Advertise Site Map Privacy Policy Travel Agents Contact Us iExplore has not reviewed the content found on this community page and does not endorse the information found therein.Please refer to our terms of use . Why iExplore? | Advertise | Site Map | Privacy Policy | Travel Agents --

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QBE Insurance Group - Home Page If you can read this your browser does not support javascript or this feature is currently switched off. Please update your browser using one of the following links or enable javascripting via your browser settings. Click here to download Internet Explorer 6 Click here to download Mozilla QBE Insurance Group "QBE Insurance is Australia's leading International General Insurance and Reinsurance groups and one of the to 25 world wide." Core underwriting entities Standard & Poor's Rating = A+ Our Vision internationally recognised as a highly successful general insurance and reinsurance group; a builder of shareholders' wealth; a developer of "can do" people; and an organisation that excels in the continuous delivery of new and proven quality products and services. Our Values increasing the long-term wealth of shareholders; customer satisfaction and retention; employee satisfaction; and integrity. Divisions Group Annual Report Press Releases Shareholder Centre Financial Centre Webcasts Australia "QBE Insurance Australia, protecting people in all walks of life - from the home to the office and beyond" From our humble beginnings as the North Queensland Insurance company we have grown into a sophisticated provider of general insurance products. Our strength is our diversity. We provide over nine broad categories of general insurance. We provide comprehensive protection for peoples' homes, their lifestyles, their work environments. As a group, QBE works together to improve our customer service, our technology and our products. QBE Insurance - Aviation QBE Insurance - Commercial - QBE Mercantile Mutual QBE Insurance - Compulsory Third Party - CTP QBE Insurance - Corporate QBE Insurance - Personal - WQBE - Western QBE QBE Insurance - Professional Liability QBE Insurance - Surety QBE Insurance - Trade Credit QBE Insurance - Travel QBE Insurance - Workers Compensation Application for Credit Limit Endorsement QBE Insurance - Europe QBE Insurance - Asia Pacific QBE Asia Pacific: Our Vision Increasing Accountability Local Knowledge - Specialist Expertise Thriving on Complexity Our Vision - QBE Asia Pacific We aim to be recognised within the Asia Pacific markets as: a highly successful provider of specialist insurance solutions a team of results-oriented entrepreneurs with high levels of expertise and integrity a strong and ethical business partner an organisation that thrives on innovation and excels in the delivery of quality products and services a builder of customer value and shareholder wealth Increasing Accountability & Litigation For Asia Pacific companies to thrive in today's challenging business environment, they must be smarter, quicker and more entrepreneurial. They constantly face new business exposures and challenges arising from government regulation and common law. The margin for error has been squeezed in business today, and managers are confronted by the global trend of increasing accountability and litigation. They need specialist insurance solutions, backed by technical expertise. Equally as important, they need risk management experts with specialist knowledge who can translate the global into practical solutions at the local level - and then provide the on-the-ground resources when they are needed most. QBE Asia Pacific Operations has developed considerable strengths to best serve clients. Our history of commitment to the Asia Pacific markets means that we've developed a wealth of knowledge and experience. Local Knowledge - Specialist Expertise Five of our operations were established in the late 1880s, and four more were established in the early 1890s. Building on this strong foundation, we entered four additional markets in the 1970s and 80s, and five more in the 1990s. We now have over 18 QBE operations in various markets throughout the Asia Pacific region. Each market features different characteristics and dynamics, and local market knowledge can make all the difference for clients. For example, QBE operates in: Mature markets such as Singapore, New Zealand and Japan Emerging markets such as Indonesia and the Philippines Developing markets such as Thailand and Malaysia Small markets characterised by tightly knit communities, such as Vanuatu and Micronesia Markets that are rapidly moving toward more open economies, such as Vietnam and China Markets that have seen new opportunities emerge from the return to their motherland, such as Macau and Hong Kong Markets that operate under French customs and law, such as New Caledonia and French Polynesia Markets that have experienced political and social upheavals, such as Fiji, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands In each of these markets, local knowledge is invaluable. And with the internationalisation of trade and business practice, businesses also need an underwriter with specialist insurance expertise, vast global experience and solid financial strength. Thriving on Complexity Ours is a complex business, and we thrive on that challenge. It is also a dynamic one, with growth driven by an acquisition strategy and a commitment to the professional development of our local teams. We are a grass roots company that is international in every sense of the word. The combination of local knowledge and specialist expertise provides important benefits to clients and intermediaries. In Asia Pacific, it's the QBE difference! QBE Insurance - QBE Asia Pacific - Specialist Risks Unit QBE Insurance - QBE Asia Pacific - Marine Risks Network QBE Insurance - QBE Asia Pacific - Hong Kong QBE Insurance - QBE Asia Pacific - Indonesia QBE Insurance - QBE Asia Pacific - Macau QBE Insurance - QBE Asia Pacific - Mainland China QBE Insurance - QBE Asia Pacific - Malaysia QBE Insurance - QBE Asia Pacific - Philippines QBE Insurance - QBE Asia Pacific - Singapore QBE Insurance - QBE Asia Pacific - Thailand QBE Insurance - QBE Asia Pacific - Vietnam QBE Insurance - QBE Asia Pacific - Fiji QBE Insurance - QBE Asia Pacific - French Polynesia QBE Insurance - QBE Asia Pacific - Japan QBE Insurance - QBE Asia Pacific - Micronesia QBE Insurance - QBE Asia Pacific - New Caledonia QBE Insurance - QBE Asia Pacific - New Zealand QBE Insurance - QBE Asia Pacific - Papua New Guinea QBE Insurance - QBE Asia Pacific - Solomon Islands QBE Insurance - QBE Asia Pacific - Vanuatu QBE Insurance - the Americas QBE Insurance Group Limited, is an insurance and reinsurance company publicly traded on the Australian Stock Exchange. Its history dates back over 116 years when the Company was founded in Australia. Since then the Company has grown to have operations in 47 countries with over $2 billion dollars of capital writing in excess of $3 billion dollars in premium. QBE the Americas operations commenced in 1986 when the QBE Insurance Group established a presence in the U.S. QBE the Americas now conducts business through its five companies, QBE Reinsurance Corporation, QBE Insurance Corporation, QBE Aseguradora de Riesgos del Trabajo S.A.,Argentina, QBE Del Istmo, Panama and QBE Brasil Seguros S.A. Lloyd's The Lloyd's division comprises QBE's share of the Lloyd's syndicates managed by Limit. The 2001 results are the first to contain a full year of activity from the acquisition of Limit in August 2000. Gross written premium for the Lloyd's division was $2,182 million, compared with $547 million last year. Net earned premium was up 273% to $1,365 million. Significant progress was made during 2001 towards achieving the objectives set out in last year's annual report. The rationalisation of the structure of the Lloyd's division continued with the merger of syndicates 79 and 2999, the closure of the under-performing syndicate 456 and the disposal of the property and aviation syndicate 318. This resulted in a significant reallocation of QBE's capital towards its best performing Lloyd's syndicates. Our exposure to poor performing US liability business was significantly reduced. QBE is now the sole capital provider to each of Limit's syndicates, other than syndicate 386 where our share has increased to over 40%. For the 2002 underwriting year, QBE provides 78% of Limit's aggregate capacity compared with 72% in 2001. The tragic events of 11 September overshadowed the year and the World Trade Center (WTC) loss had a significant impact on performance. In addition, upgrades were made to prior year outstanding claims provisions, principally to reflect adverse development on US liability business seen across the market. These upgrades have been substantially mitigated by reinsurance protections and provisions established on acquisition to allow for deterioration. Consequently, the result for the year largely reflects the performance of the 2001 underwriting year. The claims ratio was 72.9%, compared with 59.4% for last year. The combined operating ratio was 108.6%, compared with 101.1% last year. Excluding the WTC loss, the combined operating ratio would have been 101.0%. The movement in the commission ratio from 27.3% to 24.6% reflects the change in the mix of business during 2001. The decrease in the expense ratio from 14.4% to 11.1% reflects the synergies and savings delivered by the integration of QBE's former Lloyd's operations with Limit, partly offset by residual post acquisition integration costs during the year. 2001 was a transitional year in the market cycle with the rate increases anticipated at the start of the year not materialising until at least the middle of the year and, in some cases, not until after the impact of 11 September. We are now seeing substantial increases in premium rates across all classes of business underwritten within the Lloyd's division. These rate increases, together with a high level of business retention, new business opportunities and the reallocation of QBE's capital, should ensure profitability for the 2002 underwriting year. Our objectives for 2002 are to: take advantage of the dramatically improved rating environment and return all areas of underwriting to strong profitability; seek further rationalisation of the underwriting and operating structure in order to improve capital efficiency and our expense ratio; acquire further capacity on syndicate 386 as it becomes available; and be actively involved in the reforms proposed for the Lloyd's market. Our business at Lloyd's remains highly dependent upon the quality and commitment of our underwriters and their business franchise. I thank them for their efforts and achievements, which have ensured that QBE's Lloyd's division is now ideally positioned to take advantage of the hard market conditions now prevailing at Lloyd's. Steven Burns, Managing director, Lloyd's division Global Trade Credit "QBE Trade Credit, World-Wide credit solutions in an increasingly volatile business environment" QBE's Trade Credit underwrites $30bn of domestic and export trade credit from units in Australia, New Zealand, Asia and Europe having extensive experience in assessing risks in over 150 markets. We are a Standard and Poors A+ rated company. Supported by a product range of tailored solutions to your credit needs, QBE is uniquely placed to offer our clients the opportunity to conduct business in a secure environment. Established in 1962, we have in the last four decades risen to become the largest Australian Insurer offering both Domestic and Export trade credit insurance and have expanded offshore to service our clients locally around the world. QBE Re QBE Re is a leading global reinsurer providing treaty and facultative reinsurance, direct insurance, and other financial products to its varied clients. QBE Re conducts business through three Divisions: Australia, Europe, and the Americas. As a global reinsurer, QBE Re underwrites traditional and financial products covering all major lines and classes of business. Through its divisional network of companies, QBE Re excels in providing regional expertise and service tailored to local-market needs. For additional solutions from QBE Re, please visit our local teams: QBE Insurance - Australia QBE Insurance - Europe QBE Insurance - the Americas

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"Air rage is caused by oxygen deprivation."--Diana Fairechild HOME | FREE | FAST | ABOUT | CONTACT | NEWSLETTER | RADIO | NONPROFIT | SEARCH EXPERT WITNESS | SPEAKING | CONSULTING | BOOKS | PRESS ROOM . AIR RAGE CAUSED BY OXYGEN DEPRIVATION By Diana Fairechild First Published by Reuters News Service in 7-98, then in the Jet Smart Newsletter on 12-28-98 "Diana Fairechild, who, having circled the planet more than a hundred times, is able to offer tips on everything from how to avoid blocked ears to how to get a freshly brewed cup of coffee." -GQ Magazine "Diana Fairechild is a natural born healer. She was put on Earth to help millions of people. I really truly feel that Diana's motivation is to educate us, the people who fly--who could die on airplanes." -Uri Geller, Psychic "Fairechild discusses all the hazards of air travel and how to protect yourself." -Andrew Weil, MD "Nobody should get on a plane without Jet Smarter. There is no other information out there on how to travel and protect your health at the same time. It's not available, I've checked. You must protect yourself... it's very serious. This book is indispensable. Don't travel without it." -Layna Berman ( radio ) "Fairechild's great sense of humor reduces anxiety. You become stronger by reading this book and able to protect yourself from the rigors of air travel." -George Hoffer, Frequent flyer "Jet Smarter is the Encyclopedia Britannica of air travel! Read it before you board an airplane -- then pack it in your carry-on. This book can save your health, maybe even your life! There are more dangers in flying than you ever dreamed of. It's all in Jet Smarter. The book is hard-hitting, in depth, comprehensive, full of solutions, entertaining, and often witty." -Arlene Ashe, reader "Diana Fairechild has been warning and advising frequent flyers about poor air quality in airplanes since her 1992 publication Jet Smart." -Frequent Flyer "The thing I enjoy only slightly less than a tooth extraction is flying... Fairechild, still perky after what amounts to 300 circumnavigations of the globe, said that the mostly non-lethal dangers of air travel amount to one of the great unexplored environmental health issues of the day...Considering how many of us this affects, this lone voice is well worth hearing." -John Bogert, Copley Newspapers "Diana Fairechild, a highly respected consumer advocate for the flying public, says there is 'no quick fix for all the symptoms of jetlag because of all the different causes -- shifts in time, alterations in magnetic fields, modifications in climate, and diversitites in cultures. Flying in commercial jets, we're deprived of air and humidity while exposed to recycled germs and chemicals, radiation, pesticides, and noise.'" -Ambassadair Travel Club "Fairechild has a bag of carry-on health tricks larger than fits in the overhead compartment, all included in her book, Jet Smarter." -American Bar Association Journal "Diana Fairechild, a former flight attendant who writes about and does consulting on the health risks of flying, says some frequent travelers often fail to connect the dots between their travels and chronic ailments." -Alina Tugend, The New York Times "Take the advice of Diana Fairechild." -Smart Money "Diana Fairechild is an aviation health and safety analyst." -Andrea Arceneau, CNN-TV "Diana Fairechild's book Jet Smart dropped a bomb in Washington and the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Transportation changed policy." -Ed Randegger, Environ "Thank you so much Diana Fairechild for coming forward and saying what needs to be said about the airline industry. You are a real hero." -thepowerhour.com ALL AROUND THE WORLD, frequent flyers, territorial about armrests and fretful about footing, now secretly wonder if the person next to them is a business flyer or a berserk flyer! And they may have good reason to be apprehensive. Unruly behavior in the skies has been increasing at an astonishing rate in both numbers and levels of hostility. In well-publicized incidents, airline passengers have defecated on food carts, beaten up crew members, and even sexually assaulted their own seats! Here are some examples of "air rage." Passenger Mr. Finneran, a banker, was fined $50,000 by United Airlines after he assaulted an attendant and then defecated on a first-class food cart during a Buenos Aires-to-New York flight. Passenger Mr. Guzman-Hernandez removed his pants and then "simulated having sex with the back of his own seat." Passenger Mr. Misiak put his hands around the throat of a flight attendant and threatened her because she spilled a drink on him. A passenger named Ms. Pennix grabbed a flight attendant's finger and bent it backward. Pennix explained to authorities that she didn't like the way the flight attendant told her to put her tray and seat in an upright position before landing. Passenger Mrs. Levy grabbed a flight attendant by the arms and twisted her wrists. Levy was traveling with three children and explains that she lost her temper because her 20-month-old was crying, had wet pants, and there was no way to get to the bathroom. Passenger Mr. Okada from Japan "allegedly urinated on the seats" then punched another passenger who told him to stop. A group of drunken Irish tourists were apparently so unruly over the Atlantic that the crew enlisted the help of a wrestling team to restrain them. Airline crews have begun to take drastic measures which sometimes have disastrous consequences. In December 1998, an unruly passenger was aboard a Malov flight between Bangkok and Budapest. The crew and passengers tied the unruly man to his seat, then a doctor on board injected him with a tranquilizer. The passenger died--tied to his seat with airplane headset cords! Once the crew noticed that the unruly passenger had died, the plane made an unscheduled stop in Istanbul. Five witnesses (passengers) were detained by the Turkish police along with the doctor. After a 13-hour delay, the remaining 183 passengers winged away (and behaved themselves, in spite of their late arrivals and missed connections). An autopsy in Istanbul showed that the unruly passenger had died due to the mixture in his blood of the tranquilizer and some other drug or alcohol. WHO IS RESPONSIBLE? The airlines must accept the major portion of the blame. Here's why, numbered 1 through 5: 1) Airline management is not responding to the need for in-flight security. Crews should not be in the position to be bouncers and bodyguards. Every flight attendant I know has been the brunt of temperamental travelers. When I was exhausted myself at times, my lack of training in this area did not give me the skills to handle these passengers as well as I could have. 2) One more cause of air rage is certainly the in-flight cabin environment--a place that is high in toxic chemicals and allergens, and low in air pressure and oxygen. Vincent Mark, M.D., an environmental physician in Santa Cruz, supports my theory. "Curtailment of fresh air in airplanes can be causing deficient oxygen in the brains of passengers, and this often makes people act belligerent, even crazy," said Dr. Mark in a telephone interview, adding "I'm positive about this, and it can be proven with a simple blood test." Rage bubbles up at high altitude just like soft drinks fizz over at high altitudes. The link between air rage and poor air quality deserves a closer look. To start with, passenger unruliness began to rise some 20 years ago, coinciding with the cost-cutting practice of using recycled air instead of fresh air in commercial jets. 3) Still another culprit, high on the list of irritants for airline passengers, is cramped "sardine seating." Airline seats are now as small as seats on subway trains, and with many flights lasting longer, passengers feel they are packed like sardines in a can, or chickens in crowded cages. Is it any wonder they peck peevishly at those around them? The last time I flew, I was in an aisle seat in economy. The passenger next to me was too large to fit in his seat, and his touching me all through the flight made me very uncomfortable. On the other side, everyone who passed, even the carts, bumped into me. Airline executives (who travel in first class) have, to date, only pointed to excess luggage as the cause for surly passenger behavior. In testimony before Congress, airline management blamed air rage on the number and size of bags passengers bring on the plane. Upon closer examination, it appears the airlines themselves have contributed to the luggage problem by removing coat closets, leaving little room for garment bags or heavy outer clothing. And with eight percent of all airline baggage lost or stolen , travelers are increasingly reluctant to check their luggage. 4) The difference between passenger expectations for comfort and service and the reality of what awaits them on board, especially in coach class, is no doubt another contributor to the increase of air rage. Airline ads still show flight attendants answering passengers' every wish. This is not possible because all the airlines have downsized to save money. 5) Alcohol and altitude don't mix. The inside of the airplane cabin is 8,000 feet. Passengers are afffected by alcohol more quickly than they realize at high altitudes. Drinking dehydrates people, and this can lead to irritability, fatigue and tunnel vision. Since alcohol also lowers inhibitions, why should we be surprised that it also magnifies the emotional reaction to the difficult flying environment? Most air rage incidents have been alcohol related. While "unruly" passengers have been a problem within the airline industry for many years, they are just now coming to the attention of the public, the press and Congress. Even flight attendants are speaking up--in spite of the gag orders most have signed with their respective airlines. Since passengers, not just crew, are being fondled and assaulted, Congress is investigating. But the chances of an effective response are slim considering the fact that minimal airplane air quality standards--debated in Congress since June 12, 1996--have yet to pass into law. HERE'S WHAT TO DO In case you find yourself on a flight with an air raged "unruly" passenger: --Rather than confront the offender directly, leave your seat and seek out the purser or senior flight attendant. The purser is usually found in first class, so bypass the flight attendants in coach. Give the purser the row and seat number of the unruly passenger. Remain calm and communicate clearly. --And if you have a tendency to be an unruly passenger, here's what you might consider. The airplane is a microcosm of humanity. There are high-techies next to hikers, politicians next to pilgrims, and business flyers next to bawdy kids. Keep in mind that the trip is a challenge for everyone on board. Tolerance and gestures of gentility could make your flights more pleasant--for you, and for everyone around you as well. --Please! Think what you can do to make it easier for others. Say "please." Be kind. Act on your compassion. FROM READERS "I am very much impressed with your work concerning health in flight. My findings concerning environmental anemia actually re-enforce your original insight that the lower air-pressure of the in -flight cabin can cause air rage. My own work on this subject delves into the physiology of the oxygen deprivation and my results back up your original thesis." --Dr. Ross Lee Graham, University of Linkoeping, Sweden .... "I think they should do away with drinking alcohol on flights just like they did cigarettes. It's a toxin, a drug, and a leading cause of violence."--Dee Pollock "To what extent, do you think, the no-smoking rule, on international flights, is contributing to the "air rage"? While I absolutely support the rule, my son-in-law, who smokes, became extremely irritable and aggressive on a flight to London last year. My daughter was ready to kill him. I can see how nicotine deprivation combined with alcohol could be a dangerous combination."--Evelyn Staus "I would suggest that the enraged passenger develops his/her rage at the plane or in the terminal in specific, direct, and immediate response to airline employee arrogance, incompetence, superciliousness, discourtesy, rudeness, ignorance, and disregard for normal courtesy, much less some things called professional standards and professional conduct and professional performance."--Thomas Ryan Nelson RELATED PAGES Radio Interviews on Air Rage Pilots Control the Cabin Air Fairechild's Passenger Bill of Rights FOR MORE DEPTH & INFORMATION, SEE DIANA'S BOOKS AND/OR WRITE TO DIANA . HOME | FREE | FAST | ABOUT | CONTACT | NEWSLETTER | RADIO | NONPROFIT | SEARCH EXPERT WITNESS | SPEAKING | CONSULTING | BOOKS | PRESS ROOM FLYANA.COM

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MSNBC - MSNBC Travel Front Front Page Skip navigation Travel Active Travel Holiday Travel Luxury Travel Winter Travel Business Travel Family Travel Travel Tips Destinations Cultural Travel Golf Travel Your World Photos U.S. News World News Business Sports Entertainment Tech / Science Health Weather Travel Blogs Etc. Local News Newsweek Multimedia News Video Most Popular NBC NEWS MSNBC TV Today Show Nightly News Meet the Press Dateline NBC MSNBC Home Travel Holiday Highlights 2005 Pope Benedict's first Mass, 16-foot snowman, soldier's special delivery & more. IMAGES MORE TOP STORIES ON MSNBC TRAVEL Deep in Utah's snowy backcountry Bowl season also means great golf! 2005 - an interesting year in travel Sion Touhig / Getty Images file OTHER TOP TRAVEL STORIES Pop the cork!10 hip places toring in the New Year! The Year in Review 2005: The Year in Pictures Aplace that's happy to see you? New Orleans! Beat the winter blahs! Top 10 beaches we love 3,500 feet of vertical glory: Telluride Ski Resort The best places to cross-border ski in Europe Test your angling skills this winter ice fishing World's 10 most expensive ski resorts 2005 Get the most out of your holiday cruise: 10 tips Photos: Travel slide shows from around the world TRAVEL SLIDE SHOWS Holiday highlights 2005 Olympic destinations 2006 Las Vegas then and now Great European escapes Cool Caribbean adventures Explore New Zealand Disneyland celebrates 50 Everyone's favorite city! Polynesian delights in Hawaii Sport Diver's undersea wonders More travel slide shows from around the world ACTIVE TRAVEL MORE DEEP IN UTAH'S BACKCOUNTRY At 3:05 p.m., we entered a grove of ancient Engelmann spruce. A shaft of sunlight illuminated their thick trunks in a bed of snow as soft and fine as powdered sugar. Ride 3,500 vertical feet of glory Make the 19th hole a bowl! Mush! Plunging in the frozen wilderness Best places to cross-border ski in Europe HOLIDAY TRAVEL MORE HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS From Rockefeller Center to Red Square, people around the worldcelebrate the 2005 holiday season. Top 10 places to ring in the New Year 11 perfect gifts for travelers 10 tips for being a goodhouseguest Top 5 places to spend the holidays LUXURY TRAVEL MORE WORLD'S TOP SHOPS 2005 It has never been easier to be a consumer. Not only are products of all kinds available online, but these days it is possible to find Paris fashions, Italian shoes and the newest Japanese cameras along fashionable shopping streets and upscale malls around the world. 10 most expensive ski resorts 2005 Most expensive, remoteresorts 2005 Star quality: What's in a hotel rating? Alaska cruise offers breathtaking scenery WINTER TRAVEL MORE BEACHES WE LOVE Get out of the cold! Go to one of these 10 favorite beaches to beat the winter blahs! December in New Orleans 10 winter wonderland hotels Don't ski? 6 resorts to visit anyway! 10 great winter getaways 2005 BUSINESS TRAVEL MORE BEST NEW BUSINESS HOTELS Business travel may be strong again, but 2005 was a slow year in the hotel-building business - at least in the U.S., that is. The TSA finally gets things right Airlines ditching complimentary meals Top 10 airlines for first-class pampering 5 tips to avoid travel disappointments FAMILY TRAVEL MORE BEST FAMILY SHIPS Choosing the best cruise for your family is a lot more complicated than it used to be. Some ships are better for infants than others, and ditto for teens, and not all itineraries are created equal. Kid picks: 5 top vacation spots Family fun in the Catskills Galloping grandparents Together ... in the Caribbean Travel Tips MORE 10 TIPS FOR HOLIDAY TRAVEL With travel volume back up to pre-9/11 levels, constriction in the airline business, and Christmas and New Year's falling on Sunday this year, the 2005-06 holiday travel season could be one of the most challenging to date. Did the Grinch steal travel? The 12 tips of Christmas travel The TSA finally gets things right Star quality: What's in a hotel rating? MORE DESTINATIONS MORE ALOHA! The Hawaiian Islands offer tropical adventures you will never forget. Asia Travel Europe Travel Hawaii Travel Caribbean Travel CULTURAL TRAVEL MORE BE REBORN IN FLORENCE The center of the Italian Renaissance art movement, Michelangelo's adopted hometown, the birthplace of modern politics, the source of modern-day credit . . . . Florence is all of these and more. Top 10 cities for art lovers Crush without the crowds Fun foot tours of San Francisco The world's best vineyards: Top 10 GOLF TRAVEL MORE GOLF TRAVEL TIPS Nothing can ruin a golf trip faster than finding something wrong or missing with your clubs and equipment before you even get to the first tee. Make the 19th hole a bowl! Great gifts for golfers Guide to stupid golf gifts Golfing Castel d' Aviano TRAVEL TOOLS Currency converter Traveler's health warnings from the CDC Travel warnings from the State Department Airport status map from the FAA MSNBC.COM'S TAKE 3 MAGAZINE Corbis Pop-culture Americana From Area 51 to Katz's Deli, check out these quirky tourist destinations. MSNBC's Weekly Travel Newsletter TRAVEL TOOLS Currency converter Traveler's health warnings from the CDC Travel warnings from the State Department Airport status map from the FAA MSNBC.COM'S TAKE 3 MAGAZINE Courtesy of Icehotel 5 most bizarre hotels From Amazonian treetops to undersea luxury, these sites are more than just a place to spend a night. Problem? Travel Troubleshooter MORE Help! I can't use my airline credit A textbook rental scam? Missed flight, maxed-out card That's not my ding! No nonstop to Disney Downgraded - and out of miles Help! My tour operator is bankrupt A swapped ship in the Galpagos Double booked at Days Inn Rescheduled flight, repriced ticket There's no room at the Rui One trip, two tickets - no refund Travel Tips & Columns TRIPSO.COM Find out what's happening: Tripso forums Protect yourself from airline schemes Hurricane hassles: The current situation 5 myths about 'au naturel' vacations Nine tips for cruise safety 8 tips for great car rentals Why you should fly the big airlines 50 tips from ... you Getting bumped? Make it pay How to get the service you deserve Getting the best seat on the plane Sherman's Travel Top 10's More top 10's Top 10 places to ring in New Year's Top 10 beaches we love Top 10 wine regions Top 10 fall destinations Top 10 castle hotels Top 10 lakeside retreats Top 10 cities for art-lovers Top 10 U.S. hotel pool bars Top 10 whale-watching destinations Got a travel question? Want to know how to save money on vacation, where to go, or need help solving a travel problem? Send your questions to our travel experts and look for your answers on MSNBC TV this weekend. AP file TRAVEL SLIDE SHOW GALLERY Reuters Happy Holidays! From Rockefeller Center to Red Square, people all around the world welcome the holiday season. Getty Images Italian Dreams History, architecture, art and more - great Italian destinations in the hosting country of the 2006 Winter Olympics. Getty Images European Escapes There's endless adventure around every corner - food, wine, shopping, art and more. AFP/Getty Images Autumn Arrives! With its brilliant palette of fiery red, dazzling orange, bright yellow and gold - enjoy the fall foliage season in all its splendor! AFP - Getty Images Alluring Asia From Seoul to Shanghai and Thailand to Tibet, Asia's diverse cultures and landscapes are a traveler's dream! Cayman Islands Dept. of Tourism via AP Cool Caribbean View photos of this easy, breezy, tropical paradise. www.newzealand.com Explore New Zealand Breathtaking & unique, New Zealand is the perfect travel destination! Reuters Hawaiian Delights The Hawaiian Islands offer tropical adventures you will never forget. Undersea Wonders Presented by Sport Diver Magazine. AP Hooray for New York Visit everyone's favorite city this season! Disneyland Turns 50 Disneyland celebrates its golden anniversary. Lonely Planet Images Great Road Trips Fun one-day driving adventures. REUTERS Warm Getaways See images of more fun, warm getaways for everyone. 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Costa Rica Beach Hotel Spa Resort & Yoga Retreat - Lodging Accommodations & Tours - Vacation Luxury Villas, Hotels & Houses at Tango Mar Costa Rica Vacation Costa Rica Beach Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa Luxury, Exclusive Accommodations & Nature Tours - Spa & Yoga Best of Hotels, Villas and Vacation Houses & Rentals Welcome to the Tango Mar Beach Hotel, Golf Resort, Spa & Yoga Retreat website - a Costa Rica favorite, luxury vacation holiday destination. If you can read this page, your browser does not support frames. Please use the links below to navigate the site to see our hotel resort, spa, and residential community with rental villas, houses, tropical gardens, and wildlife. Make Tango Mar your next tropical vacation holiday, or come to our community to live or retire. Please visit our honeymoon and wedding pages, and our new expanded Costa Rica tours section. Tango Mar - Best of Costa Rica Hotels and Resorts, and the Temptation Island II filming location. We hope to see you soon! Management and Staff of Tango Mar Information about Tango Mar Beach Hotel and Golf Resort Community and Country Club Gourmet Costa Rica restaurant at vacation resort Tango Mar Costa Rica Golf course, Nicoya Peninsula, near Barcelo Resort, Tambor Costa Rica Vacation maps and how to get to Resort Tango Mar Tango Mar - a private ecological resort near Curu Biological Reserve and Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve. Vacation packages, all inclusive, green season, discount package at our hotels Costa Rica Honeymoon Vacation Wedding Packages For Sale - Beach lots, view properties, lots, and golf course homes - real estate houses and villas. Hotel Rates, Tango Mar Reservations for Villa Rentals & Houses Things to do, recreation and activities at the Tango Mar. Tango Mar Reservations, online bookings for our hotel, Villas and Houses. Costa Rica beach hotel, beachfront lodging accommodations, villas & houses Costa Rica Tours, Jungle Tours, Adventure Tours, Nature Tours Adventure tours, horseback riding, birdwatching, snorkeling, mountain bike riding, sportfishing and deep sea fishing. Costa Rica vacation rentals - luxury beachfront villas, houses, homes on the beach Tango Mar Community homeowner newsletter - retire at a beach and golf resort in Costa Rica Costa Rica Vacation & Honeymoon Beach Hotel Resort Tango Mar - Lodging Accommodations Costa Rica Spa Resort - Costa Rica Yoga, Meditation, Instruction Ile de la tentation - 4 Tango Mar Hotel / Resort - Lo Major de los Hoteles, Resortes en Costa Rica Contents, Costa Rica Holiday Information