Orlando Vacation Packages-- family

Orlando Vacation Packages-- family deals and Orlando vacation packages You are here: About > Travel > Travel with Kids > Family Travel: What's Hot > Family Travel Deals > Orlando Vacation Packages-- family deals and Orlando vacation packages Travel Travel with Kids Essentials Family Vacation Ideas Winter and Spring Break All-Inclusive Resorts Ten Latest Family Travel Deals Family Resorts: top places; photos Articles & Resources Family Travel: What's Hot Top Vacation Spots VT, ME, NH, CT, MA, NY, PA Mexico Family Vacations Caribbean Vacations More Beach Vacations Florida Family Vacations Resorts with Water Park More Family Resorts Fun Places for Kids Disney Vacations Family Cruises Babies;Teens;Single Parents Lots More Destinations Family Travel TIPS, GAMES Buyer's Guide TAKE ALONG: Christmas books Christmas flicks Activity Kits more CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Travel with Kids newsletter! See Online Courses Search Travel with Kids Orlando Vacation Packages -- and other deals This pageincludes Walt Disney World and Universal Studios. See also other Florida deals , and latest deals . Orlando vacation packages and other deals More on Orlando: Top tips for visiting Walt Disney World Where to Stay at WDW Top 10 Things to do in Orlando great guidebook: Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2005 Universal Orlando: Kids Free new One Free Kids 2-day ticket is included with each 2-Day day ticket purchased online at the regular price of $99.95; a kid, by the way, is age 3 to 9. Buy online and get two additional days free: buy by January 1, 2006 for use by April 30, 2006. Kids are free with Packages too: kids play, stay, and eat for free January 1, 2006. Ritz-Carlton Orlando: Family Package If you're looking to put on the Ritz in Orlando, this package is available year-round; rates vary by date, but start from $578/night. Package includes: two connecting rooms with confirmed upgrade to Lake View; kids up to age 12 eat at no charge in all Ritz-Carlton restaurants (except Norman's) with every adult entree purchased; complimentary photo album and disposable camera; unlimited ice cream for 2 kids up to age 12; late check-out; complimentary Ritz Kids club for up to 2 children ages 5-12 (reserve 24 hours in advance); OR Breakfast Buffet for 2 adults and 2 children (ages up to 12) at The Vineyard Grill. Nickelodeon Family Suites by Holiday Inn, Orlando Find money-saving packages at this popular all-suites hotel, which has two waterparks plus theming, pool games, and entertainment by Nickelodeon. For example: Single Parent Package, Pizza Delivery Package... Walt Disney World, with United Vacations These vacation packages combine airfares, accommodation at a Disney World resort, and Disneys new Magic Your Way tickets (that add theme park tickets and more at favorable rates.) Three-night packages start at $549 for a Value Resort with airfare from NYC, Boston, and DC. Magic Your Way- Walt Disney World Since Jan. 2 2005, guests staying at a Disney World Resort (Value, Moderate or Luxury) have had have a new way to buy passes: daily cost drops the longer you stay; Dining-inclusive Option can be a money-saver. Dawn's Deals About's guide to Florida for Visitors has Theme Park Deals, Discounts and Coupons, Contests and Sweepstakes, and more. More Orlando Discounts About's Guide for Orlando lists discounts for dining and attractions, plus current specials at the major theme parks. save on Orlando attractions (alphabetical) Affordable Disney S ign up for the free weekly newsletter that's full of tips. Purchasing the (online) book SecretsTo An Affordable Walt Disney World Vacation gives access to news of specific deals. MouseSavers.com A great site, dedicated to helping people get a price break on a Disney Vacation. MouseSavers.com collects discounts of all sorts for Disney World; a treasure trove of money-savers. Orlando: Attractions Discounts The Orlando Sentinel (local newspaper) posts discounts regularly for Walt Disney World and other attractions. Orlando Magicard Get a free "Magicard" from the Orlando Convention and Visitors Bureau, for (usually modest) discounts at SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Gatorland and other attractions, golf, restaurants, and some good discounts on lodgings. Orlando Promotions Orlandoinfo.com is the official site of the Orlando/Orange County Convention and Visitors' Bureau: read about Orlando vacation packages, hotel deals, Magicard, and more. Orlando Ticket Sales "Save time and money" is the promise, at this official site of the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau. Order discount attractions tickets in advance. Seasons Pass to Theme Parks Virtually all theme parks offer seasons' passes, and often, the cost isn't much more than the price of two days' admission. Passes often offer other goodies too: discounts on foods and merchandise, free parking, early entrance... "Town car" from the airport to Disney World If you've got a couple of kids along, taking a "town car" may be cheaper than either a shuttle or a taxi. Universal Orlando: Packages Current packages, including resort stay, for this major theme park complex. hotel bargains: Go2Orlando Vacation Planner This site always has bargains: Embassy Suites, Hampton Inn, Hawthorn Suites, lots more. Kissimmee/St. Cloud Bargains This area is full of bargains, and close to Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, Sea World, Cypress Gardens and the Kennedy Space Center. Check Special Offers, such as rooms from $19.95 a night, and 3rd day free at Universal Orlando; or check the Hot Deals page. Universal Orlando: Portofino Bay Hotel The Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando is photogenically modeled on the town of Portofino, Italy. Top features include: large "beach pool", waterslide, water shuttle to the theme parks, and front-of-the-line access on rides. Check for Winter WonderLoews rates. * Deals change often: always double-check dates! please note: Any of the Web sites linked to from the About.com Web site are not affiliated in any manner with About.com, Inc. From Teresa Plowright , Your Guide to Travel with Kids . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Advertisement Most Popular Charades -How To Play Charades Family Vacation Spots The Atlantis Resort Great Places to See Santa Disney Christmas Magic Kingdom What's Hot Grand Floridian Chinese New Year - 2006 Poconos Great Wolf Lodge photo Dog Friendly Hotels, inns, lodges -- find dog-friendly vacat... Kwanzaa Related Topics Florida for Visitors New England for Visitors Theme Parks Hotels / Resorts / Inns Parenting of K-6 Children Topic Index | Email to a Friend Our Story | Be a Guide | Advertising Info | Work at About | Site Map | Icons | Help User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy | Kids' Privacy Policy ©2005 About, Inc., A part of the New York Times Company . All rights reserved. Around About New Video iPod - Review POLL: Must-Have Gadgets VIDEO: Portable Gaming VIDEO: Choosing a TV Hugh Hefner's Life What's Hot Grand Floridian Chinese New Year - 2006 Poconos Great Wolf Lodge photo Dog Friendly Hotels, inns, lodges -- find dog-friendly vacat... Kwanzaa Headlines Bunch of family travel deals Latest deals added include a January Travel Special at the... First Nights! "First Night" events celebrate New Year's with family-friendly festivities-- and... Top Family Travel Trends in 2005 It's that time of year... to pause the mad dash... Bookmark the NORAD Tracks Santa site! It's not a family trip, but it's certainly a trip...

Asia Travel

Asia Travel Pictures | Asia Travel Photos Asia Get travel inspiration and travel suggestions for visiting Asia. Fly your way! Book your flight to Asia online - saving 40% or more! Countries: Azerbaijan Bahrain Brunei Cambodia China Georgia Hong Kong India Indonesia Iran Israel Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Laos Lebanon Macau Malaysia North Korea Oman Pakistan Philippines Saudi Arabia Singapore South Korea Sri Lanka Syria Thailand United Arab Emirates Vietnam Yemen For me, Asia is a continent of extremes. Extremely vast, extremely crowded, extremely empty in parts, and with an incredible variation of cultures, religions, history, languages.... It is colourful, proud, fascinating, fast and slow... In Asia, one often feels very small, confronted with all these sensations. One feels small because of the huge distances one has to travel. One feels small when admiring a huge statue. One feels small when trying to walk in huge masses of people. Asia is a continent of mysteries. Languages are often written in characters strange to foreigners. Cultures are so different from European ones, that it is a defiance to unravel them. But really understanding them for a European like me, is an illusion. People are sometimes nice, sometimes incredibly impertinent. To be honest, I must say that Asia is not my favourite continent. Mostly for the exact observations given before. It is almost impossible to really connect with the people. They always seem to be hidden behind a mask, a mask of their culture, language, religion. And the foreigner is always excluded. Nevertheless, there is a strong interaction between these sensations. And this interaction is precisely the attraction of the vast collection of countries that make up Asia. Feel welcome to share my experiences in The Mysterious Continent! Go directly to: Africa Europe North America Oceania South America Join our mailinglist: If you want to be updated about developments at Around the World in 80 Clicks, subscribe! Your E-mail address: Travel Forum Join others in discussions on Asia Also on this site: read and sign the guestbook send us your suggestions ! send this site to a friend read about the background of this site publications on this site meet new friends for travel, dating or just fun! Around the World in 80 Clicks All rights reserved - www.traveladventures.org - 1999-2005 Share your comments

golf vacations Some are

Editors' picks: Best golf vacations - TripAdvisor Editors' picks: Best golf vacations Sign in • Sign up Free Newsletter Get deals, news and articles Plus weekend trip ideas from your hometown e-mail this page to a friend Editors' picks: Best golf vacations Some are legendary, some are serene and off the beaten path, but all have world-class public access or stay-and-play golf courses. We've selected a variety of renowned golf vacations, each with its own distinctive perks. Golf and history are inseparable in Scotland, the home of golf, as well as in County Kerry, Ireland. If you're looking for luxurious resort accommodations after your round, try Phoenix or Los Cabos. For those who want to get away from the crowds, Colorado Springs in Colorado and Jasper Park Lodge in Alberta offer mountainous settings where you can focus on your game. Spectacular desert courses in Mesquite, Nevada, make the perfect day trip from the Las Vegas strip. Hilton Head Island in South Carolina and the American Club in Wisconsin provide lots for your family to do while you hit the greens. And in Bermuda you can break up your golfing with long rests on pink sand beaches. Destinations St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland Phoenix, Arizona County Kerry Las Vegas, Nevada Hilton Head, South Carolina Bermuda Sheboygan, Wisconsin Los Cabos, Baja California Colorado Springs, Colorado Jasper, Jasper National Park, Alberta 1. St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland As serious golfers who have made the pilgrimage to St. Andrews Links know, your knees will knock upon first sight of the Old Course . St. Andrews also has the gorgeous Kingsbarns Golf Links . More awe-inspiring sights are only an hour away in Edinburgh , including the intriguing, medieval Edinburgh Castle . Great deals for St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland Rufflets Country House Popularity index: #3 in St. Andrews Rufflets Country House : Great rooms from $220 Expedia.com Don't just travel. Travel right! View all travel offers for this hotel Check out all St. Andrews hotels Let TripAdvisor help you plan a trip to St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland Read articles and reviews about St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland View attractions in St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland View a list of popular hotels in St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland 2. Phoenix, Arizona Legacy Golf Resort , Phantom Horse , Wildfire and Club West are all great picks at the golf mecca they call Valley of the Sun. With over 100 courses to choose from, you'll be sure to find a favorite. Getting to know the area's history will enhance your appreciation the courses' sweeping desert vistas. Pueblo Grande is the unforgettable site of an ancient Native American village. The Heard Museum offers the foremost collection of Southwestern Native American art and cultural exhibits and also schedules many weekend dance performances and concerts. Great deals for Phoenix, Arizona Maricopa Manor Bed and Breakfast Inn Popularity index: #3 in Phoenix Maricopa Manor Bed and Breakfast Inn : Save on nearby hotels Expedia.com Don't just travel. Travel right! View all travel offers for this hotel Check out all Phoenix hotels Yum Yum Tree Guesthouse Popularity index: #48 in Phoenix Yum Yum Tree Guesthouse : Save on nearby hotels Expedia.com Don't just travel. Travel right! View all travel offers for this hotel Check out all Phoenix hotels Let TripAdvisor help you plan a trip to Phoenix, Arizona Read articles and reviews about Phoenix, Arizona View attractions in Phoenix, Arizona View a list of popular hotels in Phoenix, Arizona 3. County Kerry Ireland's southwest coast is home to some of the world's top golf courses: the legendary Ballybunion Golf Club , the Tralee Golf Club and Waterville Golf Club , just to name a few. After golfing, take a drive along the famous Ring of Kerry and settle in for the night at a cozy inn in Killarney or Kenmare . Great deals for County Kerry Sheen Falls Lodge Popularity index: #1 in Kenmare Sheen Falls Lodge : Book with Luxury Hotel Experts FiveStarAlliance.com Great Rates, Personal Service from the #1 Trusted Luxury Hotel Source. Sheen Falls Lodge : Great rooms, Great rates Expedia.com Don't just travel. Travel right! Sheen Falls Lodge : More rooms for more value hotels.com We Know Hotels Inside And Out. Click or call now: 1-800-434-6835 Sheen Falls Lodge : Low Hotel Prices Made Easy Orbitz.com The faster, easier way to find the hotel you want. Just Orbitz and go! View all travel offers for this hotel Check out all County Kerry hotels Park Hotel Kenmare Popularity index: #2 in Kenmare Park Hotel Kenmare : Book with Luxury Hotel Experts FiveStarAlliance.com Great Rates, Personal Service from the #1 Trusted Luxury Hotel Source. Park Hotel Kenmare : Low Rates on Hotels OctopusTravel.com Very Low Rates. Great Service. Park Hotel Kenmare : Great rooms, Great rates Expedia.com Don't just travel. Travel right! Park Hotel Kenmare : More rooms for more value hotels.com We Know Hotels Inside And Out. Click or call now: 1-800-434-6835 View all travel offers for this hotel Check out all County Kerry hotels Let TripAdvisor help you plan a trip to County Kerry Read articles and reviews about County Kerry View attractions in County Kerry View a list of popular hotels in County Kerry 4. Las Vegas, Nevada Enjoy views of the Spring Mountains and the Las Vegas skyline from the undulating greens at the Siena Golf Club . Or indulge in a South Pacific-themed outing at the Bali Hai Golf Club . In Mesquite, Nevada, you'll find spectacular desert landscapes and howlingly tricky sandstone bunkers at Wolf Creek at Paradise Canyon , the Oasis Golf Club and the Palms Golf Club . All three courses are well worth the 90-minute drive northeast from Las Vegas. Great deals for Las Vegas, Nevada Club de Soleil Popularity index: #36 in Las Vegas Club de Soleil : Great rooms, Great rates Expedia.com Don't just travel. Travel right! Club de Soleil : Great Rooms from $65 Orbitz.com The faster, easier way to find the hotel you want. Just Orbitz and go! Club de Soleil : More rooms for more value hotels.com We Know Hotels Inside And Out. Click or call now: 1-800-434-6835 Club de Soleil : More rooms for more value TravelNow.com Save On Your Next Hotel or Vacation Rental View all travel offers for this hotel Check out all Las Vegas hotels Tahiti Vacation Club Popularity index: #54 in Las Vegas Tahiti Vacation Club : Great rooms, Great rates Expedia.com Don't just travel. Travel right! Tahiti Vacation Club : Low Hotel Prices Made Easy Orbitz.com The faster, easier way to find the hotel you want. Just Orbitz and go! Tahiti Vacation Club : This Hotel from $65 hotels.com We Know Hotels Inside And Out. Click or call now: 1-800-434-6835 Tahiti Vacation Club : More rooms for more value TravelNow.com Save On Your Next Hotel or Vacation Rental View all travel offers for this hotel Check out all Las Vegas hotels Let TripAdvisor help you plan a trip to Las Vegas, Nevada Read articles and reviews about Las Vegas, Nevada View attractions in Las Vegas, Nevada View a list of popular hotels in Las Vegas, Nevada 5. Hilton Head, South Carolina Though only 12 miles long, this sophisticated southern island has 22 golf courses. Top-rated Harbour Town Golf Links is only 45 minutes from breathtaking Savannah , Georgia. Palmetto Dunes Plantation and Old South Golf Links are also good bets. For a break from the fairway, visit the wilds at Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge . Great deals for Hilton Head, South Carolina South Beach Marina Inn Popularity index: #2 in Hilton Head South Beach Marina Inn : Save on nearby hotels Expedia.com Don't just travel. Travel right! View all travel offers for this hotel Check out all Hilton Head hotels Hilton Head Health Institute Popularity index: #10 in Hilton Head Hilton Head Health Institute : Save on nearby hotels Expedia.com Don't just travel. Travel right! View all travel offers for this hotel Check out all Hilton Head hotels Let TripAdvisor help you plan a trip to Hilton Head, South Carolina Read articles and reviews about Hilton Head, South Carolina View attractions in Hilton Head, South Carolina View a list of popular hotels in Hilton Head, South Carolina 6. Bermuda Southampton offers a central island base for those headed to the greens or to Bermuda 's pink sand beaches. The Port Royal Club is one of the highest-rated public courses in the Caribbean. The 18-hole course at the lovely Southampton Princess Golf Club offers more of a challenge than most resort courses. If you're a member, or you know someone who is, world-class Riddell's Bay in nearby Warwick is worth a visit. Great deals for Bermuda Pompano Beach Club Popularity index: #1 in Bermuda Pompano Beach Club : Great rooms, Great rates Expedia.com Don't just travel. Travel right! Pompano Beach Club : More rooms for more value hotels.com We Know Hotels Inside And Out. Click or call now: 1-800-434-6835 Pompano Beach Club : More rooms for more value TravelNow.com Save On Your Next Hotel or Vacation Rental View all travel offers for this hotel Check out all Bermuda hotels The Reefs Popularity index: #2 in Bermuda The Reefs : Book with Luxury Hotel Experts FiveStarAlliance.com Great Rates, Personal Service from the #1 Trusted Luxury Hotel Source. The Reefs : More rooms for more value hotels.com We Know Hotels Inside And Out. Click or call now: 1-800-434-6835 The Reefs : Great Rooms from $294 Orbitz.com The faster, easier way to find the hotel you want. Just Orbitz and go! The Reefs : More rooms for more value TravelNow.com Save On Your Next Hotel or Vacation Rental View all travel offers for this hotel Check out all Bermuda hotels Let TripAdvisor help you plan a trip to Bermuda Read articles and reviews about Bermuda View attractions in Bermuda View a list of popular hotels in Bermuda 7. Sheboygan, Wisconsin Who knew a Midwest golf club could make you feel like you're playing in the British Isles? The American Club resort, just outside Sheboygan in Kohler , has four courses. Two of them, Whistling Straits and Blackwolf Run , are arguably the finest championship-caliber courses in the Midwest. This first-class resort on Lake Michigan is a short distance north of Milwaukee and only two and a half hours from Chicago . Great deals for Sheboygan, Wisconsin Blue Harbor Resort & Conference Center Popularity index: #2 in Sheboygan Blue Harbor Resort & Conference Center : Great rooms, Great rates Expedia.com Don't just travel. Travel right! Blue Harbor Resort & Conference Center : Great Rooms from $99 Orbitz.com The faster, easier way to find the hotel you want. Just Orbitz and go! Blue Harbor Resort & Conference Center : More rooms for more value hotels.com We Know Hotels Inside And Out. Click or call now: 1-800-434-6835 Blue Harbor Resort & Conference Center : More rooms for more value TravelNow.com Save On Your Next Hotel or Vacation Rental View all travel offers for this hotel Check out all Sheboygan hotels Lake View Mansion Bed & Breakfast Popularity index: #3 in Sheboygan Lake View Mansion Bed & Breakfast : Save on nearby hotels Expedia.com Don't just travel. Travel right! View all travel offers for this hotel Check out all Sheboygan hotels Let TripAdvisor help you plan a trip to Sheboygan, Wisconsin Read articles and reviews about Sheboygan, Wisconsin View attractions in Sheboygan, Wisconsin View a list of popular hotels in Sheboygan, Wisconsin 8. Los Cabos, Baja California A golfer's paradise near the southern tip of Baja California , this region hosts a dizzying array of courses and luxury resorts, including the championship-caliber Ocean Course at Cabo del Sol , Palmilla Resort and Golf Club and Cabo Real . But don't forget that Los Cabos is also the marlin-fishing capital of the world. Serene San Jose del Cabo makes a great sportfishing homebase. You want the nightlife? Check out Cabo San Lucas , the charming, rowdy town at the far end of Los Cabos. Great deals for Los Cabos, Baja California Club Regina Los Cabos Popularity index: #12 in San Jose Del Cabo Club Regina Los Cabos : Great rooms, Great rates Expedia.com Don't just travel. Travel right! View all travel offers for this hotel Check out all Los Cabos hotels Las Mananitas Popularity index: #13 in San Jose Del Cabo Las Mananitas : Great rooms from $225 Expedia.com Don't just travel. Travel right! Las Mananitas : More rooms for more value hotels.com We Know Hotels Inside And Out. Click or call now: 1-800-434-6835 Las Mananitas : More rooms for more value TravelNow.com Save On Your Next Hotel or Vacation Rental View all travel offers for this hotel Check out all Los Cabos hotels Let TripAdvisor help you plan a trip to Los Cabos, Baja California Read articles and reviews about Los Cabos, Baja California View attractions in Los Cabos, Baja California View a list of popular hotels in Los Cabos, Baja California 9. Colorado Springs, Colorado Home of the Broadmoor Golf Club , Colorado Springs is the place to golf if you want to add power to your swing. The high altitude adds 10% to the distance a ball travels. Also, be sure to see The Garden of the Gods while you're in town. No, it isn't a golf course, although it may sound like it. It's a park at the base of Pikes Peak known for its towering sandstone rock formations that seem to defy gravity. Great deals for Colorado Springs, Colorado Holden House - 1902 Bed and Breakfast Inn Popularity index: #1 in Colorado Springs Holden House - 1902 Bed and Breakfast Inn : Save on nearby hotels Expedia.com Don't just travel. Travel right! View all travel offers for this hotel Check out all Colorado Springs hotels The Broadmoor Popularity index: #2 in Colorado Springs The Broadmoor : Book with Luxury Hotel Experts FiveStarAlliance.com Great Rates, Personal Service from the #1 Trusted Luxury Hotel Source. The Broadmoor : Great rooms, Great rates Expedia.com Don't just travel. Travel right! The Broadmoor : This Hotel from $145 hotels.com We Know Hotels Inside And Out. Click or call now: 1-800-434-6835 The Broadmoor : Low Hotel Prices Made Easy Orbitz.com The faster, easier way to find the hotel you want. Just Orbitz and go! View all travel offers for this hotel Check out all Colorado Springs hotels Let TripAdvisor help you plan a trip to Colorado Springs, Colorado Read articles and reviews about Colorado Springs, Colorado View attractions in Colorado Springs, Colorado View a list of popular hotels in Colorado Springs, Colorado 10. Jasper, Jasper National Park, Alberta You're surrounded by rugged peaks and wildlife at this remote golfing locale in the Canadian Rockies. Jasper Park Lodge Golf Course has a wildlife corridor built right down its forested center. After a round of golf and eagle-spotting, you'll appreciate the alpine allure of Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge . Also, non,golfing adventures await you in the surrounding Jasper National Park . To explore more of Alberta, drive to Banff (home of the Banff Springs Golf Course ) and Lake Louise via the scenic Icefields Parkway . Great deals for Jasper, Jasper National Park, Alberta Sawridge Hotel Jasper Popularity index: #8 in Jasper Sawridge Hotel Jasper : Great rooms from $78 Expedia.com Don't just travel. Travel right! Sawridge Hotel Jasper : More rooms for more value hotels.com We Know Hotels Inside And Out. Click or call now: 1-800-434-6835 Sawridge Hotel Jasper : Low Hotel Prices Made Easy Orbitz.com The faster, easier way to find the hotel you want. Just Orbitz and go! Sawridge Hotel Jasper : More rooms for more value TravelNow.com Save On Your Next Hotel or Vacation Rental View all travel offers for this hotel Check out all Jasper hotels Pyramid Lake Resort Popularity index: #11 in Jasper Pyramid Lake Resort : Great rooms, Great rates Expedia.com Don't just travel. Travel right! Pyramid Lake Resort : More rooms for more value hotels.com We Know Hotels Inside And Out. Click or call now: 1-800-434-6835 Pyramid Lake Resort : Low Hotel Prices Made Easy Orbitz.com The faster, easier way to find the hotel you want. Just Orbitz and go! Pyramid Lake Resort : This Hotel from $80 TravelNow.com Save On Your Next Hotel or Vacation Rental View all travel offers for this hotel Check out all Jasper hotels Let TripAdvisor help you plan a trip to Jasper, Jasper National Park, Alberta Read articles and reviews about Jasper, Jasper National Park, Alberta View attractions in Jasper, Jasper National Park, Alberta View a list of popular hotels in Jasper, Jasper National Park, Alberta About TripAdvisor TripAdvisor provides recommendations for hotels, resorts, inns, vacations, travel packages, vacation packages, travel guides and lots more. Recommendations for hotels, resorts, inns, vacations, travel packages, travel guides and lots more! Visit TripAdvisor in another language: About Us | Membership | Site Map | Become an Affiliate | Top Cities | Hotel Reservations | Hotel Deals | TripAdvisor Gear Popular Hotels: 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , by city TripAdvisor Recommends: Las Vegas hotels , London hotels , Paris hotels , Rome hotels , New York City hotels , Chicago hotels , Orlando hotels © 2005 TripAdvisor, Inc. All rights reserved. TripAdvisor Terms of Use and Privacy Policy . * TripAdvisor, Inc. is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site... ( more ) TripAdvisor, Inc. is not responsible for content on external web sites.

Asia Travel

Japan Travel International Travel

Metropolis - Tokyo Japan Travel: God speed JAPAN TODAY | METROPOLIS | CLASSIFIEDS | PERSONALS | JOBS Issue Index Original Features Features Mini Features Cultural Features Life in Japan Big in Japan Rant & Rave Cars & Bikes Health & Beauty Interiors Practical Jobfinder Money Talks Tokyo Tech Web Watch Food & Drink Food & Drink Restaurant Reviews Bar Reviews Word of Mouth Travel Travel Features Japan Travel International Travel Travelogue Style Art Artifacts Fashion Tokyo Talk In Store Buyline Music Japan Beat CD Reviews In Person Concerts Clubbing JAPAN TRAVEL Photos by Mary King The mother of all Shinto temples, Ise Grand Shrine is the spiritual home of the Japanese nation. Mary King takes a pilgrimage. D own the ages various rumors and tales have circulated about the sacred mirror of Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess. It was once said that whoever laid eyes on the mirror would immediately be struck blind, a possible deterrent for would-be thieves. Others have claimed to have seen the mirror and reported that it is inscribed with ancient Hebrew lettering, reading “eheyeh asher eheyeh,” the name of the Judaic-Christian God written in Exodus 3:14 and meaning “I AM THAT I AM.” Heavenly abode Japan’s sacred mirror, one of three items of the Imperial Regalia, is kept in the Inner Shrine (Naiku) at Ise Grand Shrine, a sanctuary that many visitors to the Mie Prefecture city of Ise are astonished to discover they are not allowed to enter or even see. Ise Jingu, popularly known as “O-Ise-san,” or officially “Jingu,” holds the most honored position among the more than 100,000 Shinto shrines that are scattered throughout the breadth of Japan. The site of the nation’s most Holy of Holies, and boasting some of the world’s greatest architectural monuments, Jingu is also home to some of the simplest and most mysterious structures. Described as the “starting point for all journeys in Japan,” Ise is regarded as the spiritual home of the Japanese, a place to which most wish to make at least one pilgrimage to in their lives. In fact, more than six million pilgrims and worshipers come to Jingu each year, crossing the Uji Bridge spanning the sacred Isuzu River to symbolically leave behind the temporal world and enter a “pure world” of kami (gods and spirits) and the ancient mythology of the land. Odyssey Passing through the second huge torii at the end of Uji Bridge, a long gravel approach leads you through a natural cathedral of towering cryptomeria. Pilgrim and tourist alike are taken on a divine journey toward the Naiku and Geku, where Amaterasu and Toyouke (God of Abundant Food) are respectively worshipped. It is an unforgettable odyssey, one that spirits you back to the country’s earliest recorded “history” that tells of the “Age of Kami,” the creation of Japan and the origins of its people right through to the Imperial line and succeeding generations of emperors and empresses. The auxiliary shrines resemble ancient granaries The Geku (Outer Shrine) was dedicated to the grain deity Toyouke, possibly in a bid to bolster the new imperial cult that started, according to the myth, when Amaterasu sent her grandson, Ninigi no Mikoto, down to earth to rule. The Sun Goddess handed her grandson the mirror that had lured her out of her cave, along with Susano’s sword, and a curved jewel. The mirror (yata no kagami), along with the jewel and sword, remain the Three Imperial Regalia, symbols of divine authority, and to this day the emperor conducts rites to ensure a bountiful harvest as well as secret rituals in which he symbolically mates with the Sun Goddess. The high priestess of Ise, meanwhile, has traditionally been an Imperial princess, reflecting the nation’s early history of shamanesses, priestesses and ruling empresses. Having passed through large open grounds and crossed over a small bridge (hiyokebashi), you gradually move towards the more sacred area of the Naiku. To the right of the main pilgrimage path is located a font for the ablutions made by pilgrims prior to proceeding toward the main sanctuary grounds. Beyond the daiichi torii (first sacred gateway) are steps that lead to the Isuzu River, where since ancient times pilgrims have purified their body and mind by washing their hands in, and rinsing their mouths with, the waters of this sacred river. According to Shinto thought, one’s pure mind and body given by the kami must be ritually cleansed so as to return to a state of purity. Amaterasu Omikami is enshrined in the main sanctuary building, the Goshoden, of the inner sanctum of Naiku, in which the august mirror, her symbol or goshintai, is kept and worshipped. As they are considered most sacred, pilgrims or other visitors may see neither the mirror nor the main sanctuary. In fact, the only people allowed to enter the Holy of Holies, according to my guide, are members of the Imperial Family, although on one occasion, it is rumored, Queen Elizabeth was invited in. Restoration Except for the exalted mirror, all of Jingu’s other sacred shrines and objects must be reconstructed in synch with each 20-year Shikinen Sengyo cycle. The elaborate transference procession and ceremony involves the remaking of some 491 holy treasures, 1600 accessories and 125 kinds of sacred apparel that are then put in their proscribed places by the priests. Formerly used objects are kept in the nearby Jingu History Museum, which is open to the public. It is possible to find two absolutely identical Naiku and Geku standing side by side-one old, one new. In time the older one will be deconstructed and its wooden parts, now forever consecrated, recycled as repair pieces for other shrines around Japan. The newer one-once the transference of holy objects has been consummated-hence replaces the old as a locus of veneration. The shrines themselves are thought to resemble ancient granaries or storehouses and are built from Japanese cypress (hinoki) from the Kiso forestry preserves extending between the Gifu and Nagano Prefectures. Befitting the reverence accorded to these sanctified building blocks, death, loss of a limb, or imprisonment have, over the centuries, been the penalties for felling these jewels. A visit to the majestic Ise shrine allows one to understand why. Where to stay: Oaken, tel: 059-622-2589; Hinodekan, Tel: 059-628-2954; Saekikan, tel: 059-628-2017; Okubun, tel: 059-628-2231. Ise City Tourist Information, tel: 059-623-9655. TRAVELOGUE WORLD TRAVEL TRAVEL FEATURES JAPAN TRAVEL: SEPTEMBER 389: God speed The mother of all Shinto temples, Ise Grand Shrine AUGUST 385: Hattoji Highland hamlet JULY 380: Nagasaki Remembrance of things past 378: Kawagoe From modern Tokyo to "Little Edo" 376: Tottori Tottori's stunning landscapes JUNE 375: Kyushu Bed and bath under the volcano 373: Ryogoku Land of the giants 372: Osaka Universal Studios Japan MAY 371: Osaka Amerika-mura: Osaka's funky town 369: Mie Mikimoto Pearl Island 368: Takarazuka Hyogo-ken's all women theater group APRIL 365: Kawasaki Kawasaki's annual fertility festival 364: Aomori A day on Fear Mountain MARCH 362: Nagano Chill out snowboarding 361: Asuka One foot in the grave FEBRUARY 356: Yamanashi Hakushu's hidden treasures 355: Waseda Tram Trip A streetcar named... 352/3: Aomori Jesus in Japan 351: Kumamoto Under the volcano in Kyushu 350: Sado Island Explore the forgotten charms of Shukunegi ISSUES 348- ISSUES 298- TOP