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AIAs Vacation Rentals Lodging Accommodations Condo Rentals Beach Houses Ski Homes Private Self Catering Holiday Villas For Rent By Owner AIAs Vacation Rentals Lodging Accommodations Condo Rentals Beach Houses Ski Homes Private Self Catering Holiday Villas For Rent By Owner AIA's lodging4vacations.com an easy-to-use collection of vacation rentals, private homes, beach condos and luxury villas for rent by owner. AIA's unforgettable web pages show plenty of photos, unique details and convenient contact forms for the friendliest vacation rentals around the world! Before you continue, please read the disclaimer 4lastminute search advertise with-us e-mail us lodging4 submit 4 link exchange UNITED STATES Alabama Rentals Lake Eufaula Rentals Thomas Creek Lakefront Arizona Lodging Sedona Vacation Rentals Sedona Vacation Rentals Red Rock Realty Red Rock Realty-Pg3 California Lodging Bishop Joseph House Inn Catalina Island Catalina Vacation Rental Crystal Cove Newport Coast Newport Coast Luxury Dana Point Harbour House Rental Ivory Coast Condo Monarch Beach Home Coastal Cottage Condo Dana Point Town Home Headlands Luxury Condo Dana Point Condo The Cleopatra Luxury Luxury Beach Condo Dana Point Beach Condo Dana Point Monarch Beach Dana Point Ocean Breeze Monarch Beach Links Home Dana Point Condo Luxury The Strand Headlands-II Cabana on the Coast Disneyland The Barclay House Huntington Beach Rentals Surfside Beach House B21 Beach Cottage B75 Lake Tahoe Vacation Rentals Alpine Chalet Lodging Cheyenne Tahoe South Lake Tahoe Keys Inverness 2210 South Shore 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Country Club Monterey Country Club Condo Pismo Beach Dollivers Travels 1 Dollivers Travels 2 Sweet Dreams 2 Sweet Dreams 3 Sweet Dreams 4 Pismo Beach 4U Point Reyes Cottage Inverness San Diego Oceanfront Walk Penthouse Mission Beach Condos Ocean Front Condo Mission Bay Condo Mission Beach House Mission Beach Bayfront Mission Beach Ensenada Ct Mission Bayside Condo Santa Mariana Bay Side Beach Front Mission Beach Beach & Bayside Vacations North San Diego Del Mar Beach Rentals Moonlight Beach Condo California Beach House California Beach Rental Moonlight Beach House Del Mar Rental Studio San Clemente T-Street Cottage Colorado Lodging Breckenridge Alpine Retreat Breckenridge Swiss Chalet "Discovery" at Breckenridge Forest Haus Breckenridge Townhome Mountain Vista Rental Claimjumper Condo #24 Claimjumper Condo #29 Claimjumper Condo #13 Claimjumper Condo #30 Claimjumper Condo #34 Sunset Ski In #10 Breckenridge Discovery Place Quandary Chalet Breckenridge Ski Crest Cabin Breckenridge Homes "Discovery" at Breckenridge Breckenridge Ski-in Ski-out Berghaus Condo Rental Keystone Large Luxury Enclave River Run Luxury Condos Silverthorne Saltlick Condo Buffalo Village Condo Steamboat The Bettger Home Steamboat Home Rental Cedar #22 Whistler Village EagleRidge Lodge Condo High Tide Ranch Bunkhouse Winter Park Vasquez Trail Retreat Florida Lodging Beaches of South Walton Seacrest Villa Rental Florida Keys Summerland Estate Treetops Vacation Rental Venetian Tropics Islamorada Fort Myers Bridgewater Bonita Springs Hollywood Circle Villa Orlando~Kissimmee~Disney Orlando Homes Disney Condos Panama City Beach Rentals Boardwalk Beach Resort Sarah's 3 Bedroom Boardwalk Sarah's 2 Bedroom Boardwalk Sarah's Boardwalk Studio Dunes of Panama Myra's Dunes of Panama Edgewater Edgewater Towers Condos Edgewater Gulf Front Pg1 Edgewater Gulf Front Pg2 Edgewater 811 2BD/2BA Edgewater Leeward Edgewater 104 1BD/2BA Edgewater Tower III Edgewater Golf Villas Edgewater Windward Edgewater 3BR #108 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Top of the Gulf Treasure Island Treasure Island Condo Christy's Condos Pensacola Beach & Bay Portofino Pensacola Condo Ponte Vedra Beach Blue Water Villa La Mer Ponte Vedra Hawaii Lodging Big Island Kailua-Kona Condo Kona Coast Resort Beach Condo Kailua-Kona Kanaloa at Kona Condo Hualalai Oceanfront Villa Kauai Poipu Beachfront Maui Maui Kai #906 Whaler Kaanapali Kaanapali Beach Pineapple Inn Maui Maui Whaler Molokai Miller Molokai Molokai Shores Condo Oahu Vacation Rentals Turtle Bay Resort Hiatt Hale Idaho Lodging Sun Valley Curry's Log Home East Fork Sun Valley Maine Lodging Cape Elizabeth Cape Elizabeth Waterfront Massachussetts Lodging Marthas Vineyard Seaspray Vacation Rentals Marthas Vineyard Sandpiper Michigan Lodging Torch Lake Torch Lake Vacation Rental Missouri Rentals Lake of The Ozarks Osage Beach Cottages Osage Beach Houseboat Osage Beach Rental Montana Lodging Big Sky Vacation Rentals Big Sky Meadow Village Hidden Village Montana Cabins Arrowhead Big Sky Rental Lone Peak's Mountain Village Gary's Walk to Skiing Tamarack Condo Skycrest Big Sky Condos Skycrest with Loft Skycrest Big Sky Rental Skycrest 1st Floor Rental Skycrest 1712 2 Skycrest Condos Saddle Ridge Ski-in Ski-out The Pines Big Sky Hidden Village Condo Big Sky Silver Bow Condo Bozeman Silver Creek Cabins Flathead Lake Silver Salmon Shores Nevada Lodging South Shore Kingsbury Home New Hampshire Lodging Lake Winnipesaukee The Heritage Resort White Mountains Bartlett Chalet New Jersey Lodging Cape May Montgomery Manor New Mexico Lodging Taos Vacation Rentals Casita Truchas Taos Honeymoon Adobe Taos Luxury Rental Taos Panorama Casa Taos Ski Valley Taos Large Luxury Adobe New York Lodging Finger Lakes Mitchell Cabin North Carolina Lodging Atlantic Beach Surfside Realty Jim Foster Realty South Carolina Lodging Myrtle Beach Oregon Lodging Sunriver Mt. Bachelor Sunriver Meadows Lodge Northwoods Lodge Sunriver Lodge Home North Course Fairway Executive Lodge Home Sunriver Ledgerock Lodgehome Sunriver Vacation Home Sunriver River Rock Retreat Bachelor Sunriver Haven Sunriver Mt. Bachelor Sunriver Pine Lodge #1 Sunriver Pine Lodge #2 Sunriver Escape Rockaway Beach Rockaway Beach House Pennsylvania Lodging Bedford County Hemlock Hill Rhode Island Lodging Newport Vacation Rentals Newport Hillside Farm Estate Utah Lodging Park City Vacation Rentals Grand Love Shack The Morton House Park City Grand Luxury Deer Valley Luxury Home Large Woodside Park City Mountain Family Home Old Town Victorian Park City Mountainside Park City Downtown Resortside Luxury Homes Park City Claim Jumper Park City By Owner Deer Valley Vacation Home Joyce's Condo Park City Park Ave Park City Rental Home Park City Rental Park City Vacation Rental Luxury Deer Valley Condo Park City Crestview Deer Valley Townhome Cedar Way Home Powder Pointe Condos Silver Cliff Village Ski-in/Ski-out Snowflower Solitude Mountain Powderhorn Lodge Washington Lodging Mount Baker Glacier Chalet #7 Port Townsend Pilot's Cottage CANADA Alberta Lodging Calgary Vacation Rental 25th Ave Executive Penthouse British Columbia Lodging Lake Okanagan Cove of Sand Whistler Vacation Rentals Whistler Ski-in Ski-out Whistler Accommodations CARIBBEAN Bahamas Lodging Abacos Vacation Rentals Bahama Vacation Villas Lubbers' Quarters Cay Great Guana Paradise Green Turtle Cay Beach House Green Turtle Cay Osprey Cottages Shorecrest II Outisland Bahamas Eleuthera Island Breeze Bahamas Island Breeze Bungalow Point O'Vue Beach Villa Exuma & Exuma Cays Exuma House Bahamas Bahama Villa Rentals Seastar Bahamas Jamaica Lodging Montego Bay Villa Olga Carib Vista Villa Negril Beach House Villas Leeward Islands Lodging Anguilla CuisinArt-Resort & Spa Antigua Antigua Villas French West Indies Lodging St. Maarten & St. Martin Esmeralda Resort Alamanda Resort All Inclusive Le Flamboyant All Inclusive Hotels & Resorts Affordable Villas Large Luxury Villas Grand Villa Estate Rentals Baciata dal Sole Luxury Villa Chateau des Palmiers Estate La Salamandre Villa Estate Le Tropezienne Grand Deluxe Reservations Center 4FunStMartin.com Why A Villa Vacations Christmas in St. Martin MEXICO Akumal Vacation Rentals Akumal Private Villa Translate this page to ... 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Travel Insurance for Australians - 1Cover Travel Insurance Cheap Australian Travel Insurance Call 1300 368 344 for discount holiday insurance or annual travel insurance at 1Cover Single trip australian travel insurance from 5 to 365 days. 1cover saves you money - but don't be fooled by policies offering lower levels of cover. Our policy includes FREE medical cover for ski and scuba. Available for travellers up to 75 years old automatically, with 76 and above available with online approval. If you are planning several holidays this year then our annual travel insurance policy will save you time and money. Unlimited trips abroad over the year and travel up to a maximum of 90 days per individual trip. Planning on travelling and looking for adventure? For many people, especially students, backpacking is the only way to travel. We provide backpacker insurance that covers you from 28 days to 12 months. Our budget medical only travel insurance covers you in case of emergency, and our long stay gives you some of the benefits of our comprehensive policy without all of the cost. Are you in Australia? If not, please click the relevant flag below to go to your local 1cover website: UK NZ Policies underwritten by Allianz Australia Insurance Limited Single Trip Quote | Annual quote | Backpackerquote | Retrieve a previous quote | Coversummary | Policy details | TravelAdvice | Affiliate programme Adventure | Annual | Australian Travel Insurance | Budget Travel Insurance | Business Travel | Cheap Flights | Cheap Holiday | Compare | Direct | International | Overseas | Travel Insurance | Cheap Travel Insurance | Holiday Insurance | Family Travel | Long Stay | Medical | Online Quote | International Student | Snowboard | Brokers | Ski Travel | Backpacker Insurance | Travel Health | Travel Insurance Online | Travel Insurance Australia | Travel Insurance UK | Travel Insurance NZ | Sitemap | Resources The insurance is managed by ETI Australia Pty Ltd, a company of the Mondial Assistance Group AFS Licence No 245631 ABN 52 097 227 177 This insurance is underwritten by Allianz Australia Insurance Limited AFS Licence No 234708 ABN 15 000 122 850 (Allianz)
Russia Travel Resources >
Russia Travel Guide - Communications You are here: About > Travel > Eastern Europe for Visitors > Russia-Belarus-Ukraine > Russia Travel Resources > Travel Essentials - Russia > Russia Travel Guide - Communications Travel Go Eastern Europe Essentials Best of Eastern Europe Map of Central/Eastern Europe Photo Gallery Country Profiles Discount Travel Websites Articles & Resources Planning Your Trip Ways to Travel What to Do in East Europe Maps for Eastern Europe Czech-SlovakTravel Hungary Travel Poland Travel Russia-Belarus-Ukraine Romania-Moldova Travel Baltic Travel Balkan Travel Culture and Holidays Photo Galleries East Europe Travel and Language Books Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Eastern Europe for Visitors newsletter! See Online Courses Search Eastern Europe for Visitors Stay up to date! Email to a friend Print this page Most Popular First Christmas Tree Europe map Best of Eastern Europe Croatia Naturism and Nudism Discount Travel Websites What's Hot Krakow Photo Gallery Profiles of Eastern Europe Moscow City Profile Czech Republic Photo Gallery - Charles Bridge and castle Sofia's Religous Buildings Related Topics Hotels / Resorts / Inns European History Architecture Air Travel Europe for Visitors Communications From Apply Now , Your Guide to Eastern Europe for Visitors . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Russia Travel Guide Communications services throughout Russia vary according to the region, although improvements are gradually coming.
Post Office
Russia has 40,000 post offices. All of them sell stamps and envelopes and can process domestic and international letters and cards. Larger post offices will offer more service, including domestic and international parcel post, telephone calls, domestic and international express letters, Internet service and currency exchange.
The post can take some time to be delivered in Russia. For quicker and more reliable service, use American Express if you are a member or a private delivery service.
Telephones
The country code is for Russia is 7.
The city code for Moscow is 095 and for St. Petersburg 812.
In larger cities, you will find modern public telephone booths that accept phonecards, for sale at hotel front desks, post offices, newspaper kiosks and metro stations.
To make an international call from Russia, dial 8, wait for a tone, then 10 + country code + area code + number. To dial another city in Russia, dial 8, wait for the tone, then the city code + number. Send faxes from your hotel, business centers, or telegraph offices. Some post offices can also send faxes.
Mobile Telephones
There are three main providers of mobile telephone service in Russia:
Mobile Telesystems - MTS
VimpelCom
Megafon (Russian-language site)
If you want to use your own GSM phone (it has a Subscriber Identity Module smart card that has account information about the subscriber) you should check with your local provider about which company to use in Russia. However,the cost per minute will likely be high.
GSM is a popular system in Russia, although other standards also operate on different networks.
A good alternative is to buy a pay-as-you-go mobile phone. You can purchase one from a telecom shop for not much money.
Internet Service
You can find Internet cafes throughout Russia, and naturally cities have the greatest abundance. You won't have any trouble finding an Internet cafe in St Petersburg or Moscow. For a list of Internet cafes in Russia, see Globaltrek .
Radio
Radio stations abound in Russia. With the Internet, you can listen to Russian radio stations. See this list for a list of radio stations in Russia.
Television
Russians enjoy numerous television stations, now that satellite transmissions supplement the traditional fare. Major stations are:
1TV
Ladya-TV
RTR-Planeta
Here you can get a list of other stations with Internet transmission.
Newspapers
There are several English-language newspapers published in Russia. The Moscow News and the Moscow Times are dailies. The St. Petersburg Times is an English-language paper published twice a week. Pravda has an English edition as well as its Russian version .
Webcams
Webcams provide a current look at far away places. Here are webcams of some favorite spots around Russia.
St. Petersburg
Moscow
Ekaterinburg Russia Travel Guide Index
Profile of Russia
City Profile: Moscow
City Profile: St. Petersburg
Before You Go
Need to Know
Money Matters
Intercity Travel
City Transit
Driving
Health and Safety
Lodging
Dining and Drinking
Communications
Shopping
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London Vacation Packages e-mail
London tourism - London vacation reviews - London vacations - TripAdvisor London vacations - London tourism Sign in • Sign up Home > Europe > United Kingdom > England > London > London Tourism London tourism: Overview Hotels Flights Attractions Deals Forums Maps, etc. All London reviews Search (e.g., London hotels, Las Vegas, Paris art museum) London London Overview All London Reviews London Hotels Flights to London London Deals London Attractions London Forum London Maps London Discount Hotels London Vacation Packages e-mail this page to a friend Traveler Reviews Write a review . What was your experience with London? Tell others what's hot and what's not. Deals on London Hotels Parkes Hotel Renaissance Chancery Court London Draycott Hotel The Halkin Hotel Hotel 41 Cranley Hotel Royal Park Hotel The Milestone Hotel The Landmark London Sofitel St James London Chesterfield Mayfair Rubens At The Palace Dukes Hotel Montcalm Nikko London City Inn Westminster The Zetter The Dorchester The Bentley London Baglioni Hotel London The Soho Hotel K+K Hotel George Claridge's Crown Moran Hotel Ramada Encore London West Langham Hotel London One Aldwych Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park London Sydney House Courthouse Hotel Kempinski The Montague on The Gardens 22 Jermyn Street Kingsway Hall Hotel Marriott London County Hall Threadneedles Hotel Athenaeum Hotel & Apartments De Vere Cavendish St. James's 47 Park Street - Marriott Grand Residence Club Swissotel The Howard Luna & Simone Hotel The Sanctuary House Hotel The Stafford Hotel Sheraton Park Tower Hazlitt's London Marriott West India Quay The Conrad London Royal Horseguards Four Seasons Hotel London Mandeville Hotel The Lanesborough, A St. Regis Hotel Myhotel Chelsea London hotels: 1 - 20 London hotels: 21 - 70 London hotels: 71 - 120 London hotels: 121 - 170 London hotels: 171 - 220 London hotels: 221 - 270 London hotels: 271 - 320 London hotels: 321 - 370 London hotels: 371 - 420 London hotels: 421 - 470 London hotels: 471 - 520 London hotels: 521 - 570 London hotels: 571 - 620 London hotels: 621 - 670 London hotels: 671 - 720 London hotels: 721 - 770 London hotels: 771 - 820 London hotels: 821 - 870 London hotels: 871 - 920 London hotels: 921 - 970 London hotels: 971 - 1020 London hotels: 1021 - 1070 London hotels: 1071 - 1120 London hotels: 1121 - 1170 London hotels: 1171 - 1177 Read more London tourism London vacations - London tourism Find Hotels Travelers Trust City: Check-in: Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Check-out: Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Price level: Adults: 1 2 3 4 More options Currency: U.S. Dollar Euro British Pound Canadian Dollar Australian Dollar Swiss Franc Sponsored links * London Travel Deals London : Hotel Deals from $88 Expedia.com Don't just travel. Travel right! London : Great Prices, Great Rooms hotels.com We Know Hotels Inside And Out. View Maps, Photos, Rates. Book Now! London : Low Hotel Prices Made Easy Orbitz.com The faster, easier way to find the hotel you want. Just Orbitz and go! London : Book Now - Pay on Checkout! Venere.com Buying Direct Means Lower Prices. Hotels, B&Bs, Apartments and More. All results: View all 4,159 London travel deals Airfare: Find deals on airfare to London London Hotel Recommendations Find a great hotel based on web-wide popularity and coverage. Top-Rated hotels: Parkes Hotel Renaissance Chancery Court London Covent Garden Hotel Draycott Hotel The Halkin Hotel Hotel 41 Cranley Hotel Royal Park Hotel The Milestone Hotel The Landmark London View all London hotels Hotels for: Less than $100/night $100-200/night $200-300/night More than $300/night Hotels by Star Rating: 5-star 4-star 3-star 2-star 1-star Neighborhoods: All Islington/Angel/King's Cross Tower of London/City of London Mayfair/Soho/West End Covent Garden/Trafalgar Square/Piccadilly Paddington/Bayswater Westminster/Belgravia Chelsea Knightsbridge/Earl's Court/Kensington Fulham Hammersmith North Kensington South Bank/Bankside Greenwich Northwest/Regent Park Hampstead Ilford Harrow Kingston upon Thames London North London East London West London Southwest London Southeast Find this weekend's best available hotels London Traveler Recent Reviews London Traveler Photos Our users are talking about London! Here are their latest comments: Best Reviews Hotel 41: "Wonderful Hotel," Dec 27, 2005 , A TripAdvisor Member Chesterfield Mayfair: "The pinnacle of service," Dec 27, 2005 , Worst Reviews The Caesar: "Hostel standard !!!!!!!Worst hotel Ive ever stayed in!!," Dec 27, 2005 , A TripAdvisor Member The Cumberland: "Design first, customer comfort last," Dec 26, 2005 , Read all London reviews Our users are taking photos in London! Here are their latest pictures: View all London traveler photos London Attractions Top London Attractions: Tower of London British Airways London Eye Tate Modern Westminster Abbey Hampton Court Palace British Museum Cabinet War Rooms Victoria and Albert Museum Original London Walks St. Paul's Cathedral View all London attractions London Articles and Guidebooks SmartDeals From tips & tricks to rants & raves. Read the best sources and the most up-to-date reviews... "Overview of London," Frommer's "Rediscovering New York and London," Dec 9, 2005 , Dallas Morning News (free registration required) "Looking down on London," Nov 13, 2005 , Toronto Sun Read all London reviews Find a great London hotel deal! SmartDeals show you the best rates on the best hotels. Renaissance Chancery Court London Average price: $477 Renaissance Chancery Court London - Great Rates - hotels.com More reviews, deals Draycott Hotel Average price: $440 Draycott Hotel - Great Rates - EpoqueHotels.com More reviews, deals Parkes Hotel - save up to 9% Average price: $378 Parkes Hotel from $346 - Expedia.com More reviews, deals View all SmartDeals London Traveler Forum Travelers like you give candid advice on hotels and much more. Join the Discussion Swimming at the Berkeley??? (1 replies, 5:52 pm, today) FAO onward and all other Canadians (esp Vancouverites) (2 replies, 5:50 pm, today) Did Santa leave London-related presents? (17 replies, 5:47 pm, today) Read all London discussions Post a new London topic Share Your Travel Savvy New & Improved: Websites for London Visitors (no replies, 1:31 pm, Nov 22, 2005) Your Local Expert for London (no replies, 5:58 pm, May 23, 2005) UAL Systemwide Upgrades (no replies, 4:53 pm, today) Browse all London discussions Newsletter Alerts Other Destinations Subscribe to our TripWatch newsletter: Weekly alert to new reviews and deals Personal watch list is customizable to add other cities, hotels or attractions Plus getaway ideas from your hometown ( new feature, limited coverage ) Let Us Watch London for You E-mail: Popular England Destinations TripAdvisor travelers also enjoy these locations... 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France Travel
FRANCE Geography History Politics Culture Transportation Lodging Restaurants Museums and Monuments Nightlife Currency 1. Geography France is bordered by the English Channel to the North; Belgium and Luxembourg to the Northeast; Germany, Switzerland and Italy tothe East; the Mediterranean Sea to the South; Spain and Andorra to the Southwest; and the Atlantic Ocean to the West. It includes theisland of Corsica in the Mediterranean Sea to the Southeast of the mainland. The country's 210,026 squre miles offer vastly diverse scenery. It is comprised of the Alps and Pyrenees mountain ranges, the valleys of the Loire, Rhone, and Dordogne rivers, and the fertile flat lands and cliffs of Normandy and the Atlantic coast. France is bordered by 1800 miles of coastline. 2. History France was originally inhabited by Neanderthal and Cro-Magnon peoples. After the disintegration of the Roman Empire in the 5th century, it was settled by Gauls - a Celtic people. In the 8th century, Charlemagne established his Frankish empire stretching from the Pyrenees to the Baltic. Over the next several centuries the feudal lords of Paris consolidated power over various regions, creating for the first time a French nation. The reign of Louis VI from 1108-1137 represented the first time that royal authority came to fruition in certain areas of France. There remained however powerful rulers who served as Louis VI's vassals in name only, such as the Dukes of Normandy. During the FrenchRenaissance, Francois I helped develop the chateaux in the Loire Valley. These luxuries reached their peak during the reign of the SunKing Louis XIV (1643-1715) in which the power of the French state was further centralized and France became the major Europeanpower. Louis XV's reign (1715-1774) saw a time of prosperity as well as a growing gap between rich and power. During this period, the nobility and clergy were exempt from the payment of taxes. These disparities culminated in the French Revolution of 1789 which overthrew Louis XVI and sought equality of the individual before the law. Rising army commander Napoleon Bonaparte overthrew the weak and unpopular governemnts of the end of the 18th century in 1799.Five years later he was declared Emperor and attempted to establish a French empire in Europe. In 1812 Napoleon's good fortune wasreversed after his failed invasion of Russia. He was exiled and his army dismantled but escaped and returned to France for a briefHundered Days until he was defeated at Waterloo by the Duke of Wellington. The 19th century saw France waver from republic to monarchy to republic to empire, and finally back to republic. It faced an emerging Germany in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871and again as the network of treaties and alliances collapsed in 1914 with the assassination of the Austrian Grand Duke Ferdinand in Serbia. In the interbellum period, after the Versailles Treaty, France recovered the Alsace-Lorraine region originally lost in the Franco-PrussianWar, and established a new electoral system based on proportional representation. With the advances of Nazi Germany into Poland in1939, France once again declared war on Germany and entered WWII. However, it was swiftly occupied by the Nazis who establishedthe Vichy Regime from 1940-1944. The Fourth Republic was established after the war but could not resist the pressures induced by the Algerian Conflict. General deGaulle, former Resistance leader of the exiled anti-Nazi government during WWII, established the Fifth Republic. 1968 saw the adventof student and industrial workers riots threatening to overthrow the fledgling Republic. Throughout the 1970s, conservative presidents and centre-right majorities governed in France. The Socialist party experienced its firstvictory in 1981 with the election of Francois Mitterand who remained in office until 1995. Jacques Chirac, the former mayor of Paris and Prime Minister in cohabitation with Mitterand was narrowly elected President in 1995. Edouard Balladur was first appointed PrimeMinister but was succeeded by Alain Juppe who was committed to streamlining the public sector. Having called for an early election, Chirac is now governing in cohabitation with the Socialist Lionel Jospin, his competitor in the 1995 election. 3. Politics The strong executive branch of the 5th Republic is directed by the President who is elected by direct popular vote for a 7-year term.The legislative branch is governed by a bicameral parliament comprised of a 577-member National Assembly which is elected for 5-yearterms, and the 321-member senate which is elected for 9-year terms with one-third of the seats up for reelection every 3 years. France's main foreign commitment is to the European Union. Its relations with Germany have been considered to be the pillar of the integration movement. France continues to be active in multifarious regions of the world as a means to assert its status as a worldpower. In opposition to American hegemony, France has come into conflict with the United States on a number of instances, most notably at the Uruguay Round of negotion on the 1993 General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and with regards to the commandof armed forces in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. France has conducted several military interventions in Africa where it maintians a significant economic, military, and cultural presence inmany former colonies. In the Franc Zone, many francophone African countires have linked their currencies to the French franc. Frenchmilitary involvement also existed in French Polynesia in the 1995 when the Chiracien goverment conducted a series of nuclear tests atthe Mururoa atoll. Rioting broke out on Tahiti, the main island and severe international condemnation followed. French domestic politics are also rocky as Chirac and Jospin attempt to govern cohesively side-by-side. With an unemployment rate at arecord high of 12.8%, they are finding it difficult to streamline their country's economy to meet the strict criteria necessary for entry into the scheduled European Union economic and monetary union. 4. Culture The official language is French, but many regional dialects such as Basque and Breton exist. Many French speak basic English, but polite efforts to speak French are generally appreciated. 90% of the French population is Roman Catholic. There exists a Protestant minority, and representatives of almost every religion exist. The family is still relatively central to French life, as are long meals with excellent wine and gastronomical delights. The cuisine varies by region as does the wine. Most everything shuts down between noon and 2pm during the week and closes on Sundays. Major national holiday include January 1, Easter Monday, Labor Day (May 1), Victory in Europe Day (May 8), Ascension Day (May 8), Whit Monday (May 19), Bastille Day (July 14), Assumption Day (August 15), All Saints' Day (November 1), Armistice Day (November 11), and Christmas (December 25). In addition,much of the less touristic parts of France slow down the month of August when everyone is on holiday in the often crowded coastal towns. 5. Transportation Visas are not required of U.S., Canadian, New Zealand, or EU citizens. Visas are required however of South Africans and Australians. AIR : France's national airline is Air France(AF), domestically Air Inter(AI). RAIL : Societe Nationale de Chemins de Fer (SNCF) operates an extensive rail network. Timetables are well-organized and color-codedto coincide with peak hours. Tickets are not valid until punched in the orange machine at the entrance to the platforms at the trainstation (la gare). Seat reservations are recommended for international trips, and are mandatory on EuroCity (EC), InterCity (IC), and TGV (train a grande vitesse/ high-speed) trains. All 3 mandate a ticket supplement (between US$3-18) and a reservation fee (betweenUS$2-3). The French Railpass which must be purchased outside France permits 3 days of travel within one month (US$145) with up to 6 additional days available (US$30 each). BUS : usually well-priced and well-organized. The bus station (gare routiere) is usually near the train station. PARIS : AIR : Most transatlantic flights arrive at Aeroport Roissy- Charles de Gaulle, NE of Paris. To get to town, take Roissy Rail, a cheap combination bus-rail system. To get to Roissy Rail, take free shuttle bus to train station, ride RER train B3 to the city. Taxis will be extremely expensive. Air France also offers a clean and safe shuttle bus service to various points in Paris as well as to Orly Airport. Flights arriving at Aeroport d'Orly, S of Paris usually arrive from various points in Europe. To get to town, take free shuttle bus to Orly train station and take RER C2 to central Paris. Or Air France shuttle buses also service Orly. RAIL : Gare du Nord services northern France, Belgium, Britain, Netherlands, Scandinavia, and northern Germany. Gare de l'Est services eastern France, Luxembourg, northern Switzerland, southern Germany, Austria, and Hungary. Gare de Lyon services southeastern France, southern Switzerland, Italy, and Greece.Gare d'Austerlitz services the Loire Valley, southwestern France, Spain, and Portugal.Gare St. Lazare services Normandy. Gare de Montparnasse services Brittany and the TGV to southwestern France. Within Paris, the subway (Metropolitain, Metro, M) is efficient and quick. Lines are numbered but are referred to by their final destinations.Connections are called correspondances. Coupon Vert allows unlimited weekly travel.Carte Orange is an ID which accompanies the Coupon Vert. The Reseau ExpressRegional (RER) is a commuter train to the suburbs and an express subway in Paris. BUS : use same tickets as Metro which may be purchased from driver. NICE : AIR : Aeroport Nice-Cote d'Azur. Take Sunbus 23 "St. Laurent" from the train station. The airport bus runs from the bus station by pl Massena. RAIL : Gare SNCF Nice-Ville, avenue Thiers is in the center of town next to the tourist office. Trains run frequently to Cannes, Antibes, Monaco, and elsewhere in France, Italy, and Spain. In summer months, several trains connect with the TGV from Marseille to Paris. BUS : Gare Routiere, promenade du Paillon to Monaco, Antibes, Juan-les-Pins, and Cannes. Sunbus to museums and youth hostels. Can buy 5 ticket booklets or weekly passes at agency or kiosk at sq. Leclerc. Bus 12 goes from train station to pl Massena and the beach. LYON : AIR : Aeroport Lyon-Satolas E of Lyon. Take bus from Perrache via Part-Dieu. RAIL : Part-Dieu and Perrache stations both have TGV trains to Paris. Perrache is more central. Part-Dieu is the business district on the east bankof the Rhone. The Metro operates with tickets good for 1hr in 1 direction withbus and trolley connections included. Can purchase 1 day unlimited travel at tourist and TAG offices, not in stations. Troleys operate from pl. St. Jean to St. Just and the top of Fourviere. BUS : Perrache train station to Annecy, Grenoble. Philbert handlesmany domestic routes. Eurolines runs throughout Europe. Iberbus goes to Spain. 6. Lodging HOTELS : Room and all meals (pension) are most often offered with a stay of 3 days or longer. Room, breakfast, and one meal (demi-pension) are often offered outside peak holiday periods. Hotels are generally not expensive but have strict standards. Hotels docharge extra for a third bed in a double room and will charge extra for extra occupants. Logis de France are small or medium sized inexpensive hotels with basic clean and comfortable accomodations. Hotels de Tourisme are graded into categories according to government quality regulations. CAMPING : 7000 campsites exist throughout France. Some have tents and/or caravans for rent. Prices vary but all graded campsitesprovide water, toilet, and washing facilities. YOUTH HOSTELS : Hundreds exist throughout France. Simple accomodation at very low prices. Stays are usually limited to certain agebrackets and to 3-4 nights a week. Most require membership in the National Youth Hostel Association. Some accomodations are privaterooms and others are bunk-beds in shared rooms. Some have curfews. Reservations are advised during peak-seasons. This is a great way to travel cheaply and meet interesting people. Further information may be obtained from national youth hostel organizations. PARIS : HOTELS : Hotels in Paris may be the most practical for most and maybe the most economical for large groups. Costs range, and cheaper rooms maynot come with private baths. You may pay extra for the key to the hall shower. Rooms disappera quickly after morning checkout, so reserve ahead. They usually require one night's deposit. HOTEL DE NEVERS : -53, rue de Malte, 11e, tel: 01 47 00 56 18 HENRI IV : -25 place Dauphine, 1e, tel: 01 43 54 44 53 HOTEL STE-MARIE: -6 rue de la Ville Neuve, tel: 01 42 33 21 61 YOUTH HOSTELS : Most Parisian hostels don't have many restrictionswhich may be found in other hostels. They do often have maximum stays. Theyusually include breakfast and showersin the price. Only 2 HI hostels exist in the city proper. The rest are private hostels or fosters. CENTRE INTERNATIONAL DE PARIS (BVJ) : -Paris Louvre- 20, rue J.-J. Rousseau, 1er., tel: 01 42 36 88 18 -Paris Quartier Latin- 44, rue des Bernardins, 5e., tel: 01 43 29 34 80 AUBERGE DE JEUNESSE JULES FERRY (HI) : -Jules Ferry- 8 bd Jules Ferry, 11e, tel: 01 43 57 55 60 AUBERGE INTERNATIONALE DES JEUNES : -10, rue Trousseau, tel: 01 47 00 62 00 LYON : HOTELS : A financial center, Lyon has little lodging during the week,but many openings on the weekends so plan ahead. First try the hotels near Perrache, then near Pl. des Terreaux if they are full. CENTRE INTERNATIONAL DE SEJOUR : -46 rue du Commandant Pegoud, tel: 04 78 01 23 45 RESIDENCE BENJAMIN DELESSERT : -145 av. Jean Jaures, tel: 04 78 61 41 41 HOTEL VAUBECOUR : -28 rue Vaubecour, tel: 04 78 37 44 91 YOUTH HOSTELS : AUBERGE DE JEUNESSE (HI) : -51, rue Roger Salengro, Venissieux, tel: 04 78 76 39 23 NICE : HOTELS : Summer accomodations require advance reservation.Most affordable and clean hotels surround Notre-Dame rue d'Angleterre,rue de la Suisse, and rue de Russie. HOTEL BACCARAT : -39 rue d'Angleterre, tel: 04 93 88 35 73 HOTEL LES ALIZES : -10 ru de Suisse, tel: 04 93 88 85 08 HOTEL DES FLANDERS : -6 rue de Belgique, tel: 04 93 88 78 94 YOUTH HOSTELS : Very often full, especially summer months.Camping in front of the train station is a dangerous idea, even in groups. AUBERGE DE JEUNESSE (HI) : -rte. Forestiere du Mont-Alban, tel: 04 93 89 23 64 RELAIS INTERNL DE LA JEUNESSE CLAIRVALLON : -26 av Scuderi, tel: 04 93 81 27 63 RESIDENCE LES COLLINETTES (HI) : -Summer only! 3 av Robert Schumann, tel: 04 93 86 58 48 7. Restaurants LUNCH / DINNER : a complete meal includes an aperitif (pre-dinner drink), an entree (an appetizer), a plat (main course),salad, cheese, dessert, fruits, coffee, and a digestif (after-dinner drink). Wine is typically taken with meals. Boisson comprise means that you are entitled to a free drink, often wine, with your meal. In restaurants, fixed-price 3-course meals (menus) begin at 60f. A 15% gratuity is most often included in the price (service compris). BREAKFAST : continental breakfast usually includes your choice of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate; and breads and pastries with jam. PARIS : Cafes : LA COUPOLE : -102 bd du Montparnasse, tel: 01 43 20 14 20 LA CLOSERIE DES LILAS : -171 bd du Montparnasse, 6e, tel: 01 43 26 70 50 LES DEUX MAGOTS : -6 pl St-Germain des Pres, 6e, tel:01 45 48 55 25 RESTAURANTS : AU TROU NORMAND : -9 rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud, 11e, tel: 01 48 05 80 23 LES FOUS DE L'ISLE : -33 rue des Deux-Ponts, tel: 01 43 25 76 67 CHEZ LES FONDUES : -17 rue des Trois Freres, 18e, tel: 01 42 55 22 65 CREMERIE RESTAURANT POLIDOR : -41 rue Monsieur-le Prince, 6e, tel: 01 43 26 95 34 TY BRIEZ : -52 bd de Vaugirard, 15e, tel: 01 43 20 83 72 LYON : RESTAURANTS : LE SUD : -11 pl Antonin Porcet, tel: 04 72 77 80 00 CHEZ MOUNIER : -3 rue des Marrioniers, tel: 04 78 37 79 26 CHAERT ET FILS : -11 rue des Marroniers, tel: 04 78 37 01 94 LA MERE VITTET : -26, cours de Verdun, tel: 04 78 37 20 17 CHEZ CARLO : -22 rue du Palais Grillet, tel: 04 78 42 05 79 NICE : RESTAURANTS : O MICHELANGELO : -28 cours Saleya, tel: 04 93 80 05 27 NISSA SOCCA : -5 rue Ste-Reparte, tel: 04 93 80 18 35 LE FAUBOURG MONTMARTRE : -39 rue Pertinax, tel: 04 93 62 55 03 RESTAURANT DE PARIS : -28 rue d'Angleterre, tel: 04 93 88 99 88 8. Museums and Monuments PARIS : MUSEUMS : LES CATACOMBS : -1 pl Denfert-Rochereau, 15e-5-6 million Parisians buried in former limestone mines CENTRE NATIONAL D'ART ET DE CULTURE GEORGES-POMPIDOU : -Palais Beaubourg, 4e.-Musee National d'Art Moderne, 20th century art MUSEE DES EGOUTS DE PARIS : -Quai D'Orsay and pl de la Resistance, 7e. -Sewer Museum MUSEE DU LOUVRE : -Palais-Royal, 1e-Venus de Milo, Winged Victory of Samotrace,David, Delacroix's Liberty Leading the People, MonaLisa MUSEE D'ORSAY : -1 rue de Bellechasse, 7e-1848-1914 Impressionism, etc. MUSEE PICASSO : -5 rue de Thorigny, 3e MONUMENTS : ILE DE LA CITE/ ILE ST-LOUIS : -Cathedrale de Notre Dame de Paris-Palais de Justice -Ste.-Chapelle LATIN QUARTER/ St-GERMAIN-des-Pres : -Pantheon-La Crypt-Le Jardin des Plantes-Boulevard et Place St-Michel-Jardin du Luxembourg FAUBOURG ST-GERMAIN : -Espanade des Invalides-Musee de l'Armee / Napoleon's tomb-Tour Eiffel LOUVRE/OPERA/MARAIS/BASTILLE : -Louvre-Jardin des Tuilleries-Place Vendome-Palais-Royal-Opera CHAMPS ELYSEES/ BOIS DE BOULOGNE/ LA DEFENSE : -Place de la Concorde-Obelisque de Louxor-Avenue des Champs-Elysees-Arc de Triomphe-Bois de Boulogne-La Defense MONTMARTRE / PERE-LACHAISE : -Basilique du Sacre-Coeur-Butte Montmartre-Cimetiere Pere-Lachaise, Jim Morrison's grave LYON : MUSEUMS : MUSEE GALLO-ROMAIN : -17 rue Cleberg-mosaics, helmets, swords, jewlery MUSEE DES BEAUX-ARTS : -Hotel de Ville-French, Spanish and Dutch painters-Italian Renaissance. MUSEE D'ART CONTEMPORAIN : -Quai Charles de Gaulle-Modern Art MONUMENTS :-Basilique Notre-Dame de la Fourviere-Vieux Lyon-Cathedrale St-Jean-Place Bellecour NICE : MUSEUMS : MUSEE DES BEAUX-ARTS : -33 av Baumettes-Fragonard, Monet, Sisley, Degas, sculptures MUSEE MATISSE : -164 av des Arenes de Cimiez MUSEE NATIONAL MARC CHAGALL : -av du Docteur Menard MUSEE D'ART MODERNE ET D'ART CONTEMPORAIN : -Av St-Jean Baptiste and Traverse Garibaldi MONUMENTS :-Promenade des Anglais-Jardin Albert 1er-Espace Massena-La Colle du Chateau-Cathedrale Orthodoxe Russe St-Nicolas-Monastere Cimiez 9. Nightlife PARIS : DANCE CLUBS : -Les Bains, 7 rue de Bourg l'Abbee, 3e, tel: 01 48 87 01 80-Le Balajo, 9 rue de Lappe, 11e, tel: 01 47 00 07 87-Le Palace, 8 rue du Faubourg Montmartre, 9e, tel:01 42 46 10 87 BARS : -Le Bar Sans Nom, 49 rue de Lappe, 11e, tel: 01 48 05 59 36-Le Piano Vache, 8 rue Laplace, 5e, tel: 01 46 33 75 03-Cafe Charbon, 109 rue Oberkampf, 11e, tel: 01 43 57 55 13 LYON : DANCE CLUBS : Check out quai Romain Rolland,quai de Bondy, and quai Pierre Scize in the old city. BARS : -Albion, 12 rue Ste-Catherine-Le Verre a Soi, 25 rue des Capucins-Le Broadway, 9 rue Terraille NICE : DANCE CLUBS : -Chez Wayne, 15 rue de la Prefcture, tel: 04 93 13 46-Master Home, rue de la Prefecture, tel: 04 93 80 33 82-Le Studio, 29 rue Alphonse Karr, tel: 04 93 82 37 66-De Klomp, 6 rue Mascoinat, tel: 04 93 92 42 85-The Hole in the Wall, 3 rue de l'Abbaye, tel: 04 93 80 40 16 10. Currency The basic currency unit is the French franc (Ffr), which is issued in both coins and paper notes, and is subdivided in 100 centimes.Coins are in denominations of Ffr 10,5,2, and 1 + 50,20,10, and 5 centimes. Notes are in denominations of Ffr 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, and 10. Some first-class hotels exchange foreign currency. Also the Credit Mutuel, Credit Agricole exchange currency. Shops and hotelsare prohibited from accepting foreign currency. American Express, Visa, Diners Club, and Travellers checques are widely accepted. Also Visit These Travel Pages GO BACK TO HOMEPAGE