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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

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Portugal Travel Guide Versão Portuguesa Tourist Information + Latest Travel News Where to Go + North Oporto • North • Centre Lisbon • Tagus Valley • Beiras • South Algarve • Alentejo • Islands Madeira • Azores • Where to Stay History Culture + Art • Architecture • Literature • Gastronomy Getting Around Shopping Sport & Leisure A-Z Factfile + Select Letter A B C D E F G H J L M N O P R T V MICE Traveller's Tips Win a Prize Image Bank WebCam Add to Favorites About Us Latest Travel News SEARCH FOR NEWS Combined Train and Rent-a-Car Ticket Available Travellers exploring the length and breadth of Portugal can let the train take some of the strain with a low-priced ticket combining car rental with a return rail trip to destinations all over the country. [+] Lisbon Travel Market in January Lisbon's annual travel market, the Bolsa de Turismo de Lisboa (BTL), will take place from 18-22 January at the city's FIL fairground in the Parque das Naes. A popular attraction for visitors is the restaurant pavilion featuring local specialities and wines from every region of Portugal, including Madeira and the Azores. [+] Reid's to Close During Renovation Period The famous Reid's Palace in Funchal, Madeira, will be closed for important refurbishment work between 16 January and 13 April, 2006. [+] TAP to Test In-Flight Passenger Communications Passengers flying with TAP Air Portugal will be among the world's first to be able to switch on their mobile phones and make in-flight calls when OnAir's new air communication service is tested towards the end of next year. [+] TGV to Link Lisbon with Porto and Madrid Respective journey times from Lisbon to Porto and Madrid will take just 1 hour 15 minutes and 2 hours 45 minutes in the future, thanks to a new high-speed train service recently approved by the Portuguese government. [+] Europe's Largest Christmas Tree in Lisbon Visitors to the Portuguese capital over the forthcoming festive period literally cannot miss the 72-metre-high Christmas tree prominently located in the city's Praa do Comrcio. [+] More News Estoril and Sintra Golf Passport Available Pousada Winter Offer in the Algarve Vintage House Joins Relais & Chateaux New Year Festivities at the Bahia Palace in the Azores Gourmet Week at Choupana Hills 7-Night Cruises Along the Algarve Portugal Hotel Guide Distributed at the World Travel Market in London Lisbon Looks Back Useful Links + • Euro 2004 • Hotels in Portugal • Flight Information • Train travel in Portugal • Coach travel in Portugal • Lisbon Public Transport • Oporto Public Transport • Lisbon Metro • Lisbon Ferries • Maps of Portugal • Lisbon Zoo • Lisbon Tourism • Weather in Portugal • Wines of Portugal © 2004 Maisturismo Edições e Publicidade, S.A.

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VirtualTourist.com - Vacation Deals and Specials - Chicago Vacation Deals and Specials around the world. Check prices and availibility from a selection of the best providers. member log in | join for free! | help Home Travel Guides Hotels Flights NEW! "Deals NEW! Members Meetings & Events Do It Yourself Guides Forums Vacation Deals and Specials - Chicago Travel Guide | Hotels | Flights | Forum | Top 5 Pages | Deals | Members | Meetings & Events Home » North America » United States of America » Illinois » Chicago Vacation Packages Hotels | Flights | Cars | Cruises | Vacations Top 5 Results for 'Chicago Vacation Packages' Chicago Vacation Package Special Travel Rates on Air, Hotels & More - Book Your Vacation Today! Chicago Travel Package Choose from Over 760 Destinations Vacation Package Savings-Hotels.com Marriott Chicago Hotels Official Site. Downtown, suburb & OHare Airport location. Book direct Build your Dream Vacation Select your Flight, Hotel & Extras Book with Expedia and Save! Special Vacation Package Visit Atlantis, Paradise Island - a unique resort experience. More Results for 'Chicago Vacation Packages' Chicago Vacation Packages Shop and Compare Vacation Packages. Save up to 40% more at Priceline. The Belden-Stratford Chicago Lincoln Park landmark hotel packages currently available. Chicago Vacation Package Last Minute Vacations on Sale. Book Air, Hotel & Travel and Save. Find Vacation Deals Fly From: (city or airport code) Fly To: (city or airport code) Stay In This City: (optional) Departure Date: Anytime Morning Afternoon Evening MIDNIGHT 01:00 AM 02:00 AM 03:00 AM 04:00 AM 05:00 AM 06:00 AM 07:00 AM 08:00 AM 09:00 AM 10:00 AM 11:00 AM NOON 01:00 PM 02:00 PM 03:00 PM 04:00 PM 05:00 PM 06:00 PM 07:00 PM 08:00 PM 09:00 PM 10:00 PM 11:00 PM Return Date: Anytime Morning Afternoon Evening MIDNIGHT 01:00 AM 02:00 AM 03:00 AM 04:00 AM 05:00 AM 06:00 AM 07:00 AM 08:00 AM 09:00 AM 10:00 AM 11:00 AM NOON 01:00 PM 02:00 PM 03:00 PM 04:00 PM 05:00 PM 06:00 PM 07:00 PM 08:00 PM 09:00 PM 10:00 PM 11:00 PM Travelers: 1 2 3 4 Vacation Search by OneTime.com Find: Destinations Members Keywords Matching: Advanced About VT | Contact Us | Site Tour | Advertising | Merchant Login | Travel Tools | VT Chat | VT Gear | Help User Agreement | Privacy Statement Virtual Tourist® ©1994-2005 VirtualTourist.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Disney vacation. Walt Disney

Disney Hotels :: Walt Disney World Hotels | Disney Tickets | My Hotel List | Review Reservations | Cancel Reservations | Reservations Help Book Your Walt Disney World® Resort Vacation Package Online or Call us :: 1-888-275-9100 Other Hotels near Walt Disney World® Resort: Walt Disney World® Hotels | Orlando Hotels | Kissimmee Hotels | Lake Buena Vista Hotels | Disney Land® Hotels Disney Hotels :: Walt Disney World® Hotels Value Resorts Walt Disney World All Star Movies Resort Rating: 3 magic keys Giant Icons from Favorite Disney Movies including 101 Dalmations, Toy Story, Fantasia, The Mighty Ducks and the Love Bug set the scene at this extradinary resort hotel. The Walt Disney World® All Star Movies Resort joins the two other All Star Value Priced Resorts, Walt Disney World's All-Star Music Resort and Walt Disney World's All Star Sports Resort On a 62 acre Site near the Walt Disney World® Animal Kingdom. Walt Disney World All Star Sports Resort Rating: 3 magic keys The larger-than-life flair of this fun resort will fill even the tallest order. Music landscaping and lighting create sports scenes --palm tress arranged to look like a basketball team at tip-off, a quiet pool in the shape of a baseball infield and neon and fiber optics highlight the main icons. Walt Disney World's All Star Sports Resort joins two other all star resorts-Walt Disney World's All Star Music Resort and Walt Disney World's All Star Movies resort on a 62-acre site near Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom theme park. Walt Disney World All Star Music Resort Rating: 3 magic keys Sounds set the scene at Walt Disney World's all-star music resort. the musically themed resort doesn't miss a beat with giant banjos guitars trombones conga drums and maracas boldly greeting guests. A collection of three story buildings with themes like Broadway, Calypso, Jazz, Country and Rock n Roll make up the music hotel. Walt Disney World's all star music resort joins two other all star value-priced resorts-Walt Disney World's All Star Movies Resort and the All Star Sports Resort on a 62 acre site near Disney World's animal kingdom theme park. Deluxe Resorts Walt Disney World Animal Kingdom Lodge Rating: 6 magic keys Resort hotel guests are immersed in an environment inspired by the cultural splendor and picturesque beauty of an African wildlife reserve. Many of the deluxe resorts hotel guestrooms feature balconies overlooking 33-acre tropical savannah that is home to more than 200 mammals and birds including giraffe, zebra, thomsons gazelle, ostrich and sacred ibis. Walt Disney World Beach Club Resort Rating: 6 magic keys A sandy white beach alone a shimmering lake recreates a feeling reminiscent of the lazy days of summer along the eastern seaboard. Relaxed, yet luxurious, the deluxe resort shares an array of amenities with its sister resort--Disneys Yacht Club Resort--just a few feet away. Walt Disney World Yacht Club Resort Rating: 6 magic keys The grand, turn-of-the-century summer homes of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket were the inspiration for this deluxe hotel resort. Comfy chairs, hardwood floors and beams of sunlight streaming in a welcoming lobby invite guests to linger. With bustling nightclubs, restaurants and quaint shops this seaside village awaits guests at Walt Disney World's boardwalk resort entertainment district. Walt Disney World Polynesian Resort Rating: 6 magic keys A relaxing tropical paradise with lush landscaping, waterfalls and colorful birds awaits guests at this deluxe hotel resort. Friendly people, fun, laughter and good cheer reflect the enchanting customs and culture of the islands. . Walt Disney World Contemporary Resort Rating: 6 magic keys From the dramatic art in the main tower with sleek monorails cruising overhead, to the casual style and convenience of garden rooms overlooking the beach, this is a Walt Disney World resort experience not to be missed. The deluxe resort's bold a-frame design makes it a modern masterpiece, capped off by a breathtaking view of the Disneys Magic Kingdom. Take in the awe-inspiring view of Cinderella Castle from high atop the resort at the award-winning California Grill Restaurant. The perfect hotel accommodations for any Disney vacation. Walt Disney World Boardwalk Inn Rating: 6 magic keys Beautifully appointed rooms, shingled rooftops, private courtyards and magnificent gardens combine to recreate the charming atmosphere of romantic bed-and-breakfast inns found along the mid-Atlantic coast of the 1940s. 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Many of the deluxe resorts hotel guestrooms feature balconies overlooking 33-acre tropical savannah that is home to more than 200 mammals and birds including giraffe, zebra, thomsons gazelle, ostrich and sacred ibis. Moderate Resorts Walt Disney World Caribbean Beach Resort Rating: 4 magic keys Relax as lush gardens, warm breezes and sunny skies beckon at this moderate priced resort. Six brightly colored island villages, each named after a Caribbean destination-capture the alluring ambiance of the tropics. Walt Disney World's Caribbean Beach Resort features seven pools and a pristine white-sand beached on the shores of a 45-acre lake. Walt Disney World Coronado Springs Rating: 4 magic keys Palm-shaped courtyards and Spanish-style haciendas create the perfect climate for relaxation at this moderately priced Walt Disney World resort. Guests can soak up the sun or splash in the pool designed as an archeological dig site with a five-story Mayan pyramid. Hotel accommodations are themed in three different areas with colorful plazas and picturesque vistas reflecting the beauty of Mexico and the American southwest. Walt Disney World Port Orleans - French Quarter Rating: 4 magic keys Stately southern mansions, rustic bayou dwellings and ornate row-house buildings are recalled at Walt Disney World's Port Orleans Resort. This resort hotel is a moderately priced resort featuring two regions: the French quarter and Riverside. A winding road and picturesque waterways that capture the mystery and romance of a trip up the Mississippi River from New Orleans to Natchez connect the two themed regions. Walt Disney World Port Orleans - Riverside Rating: 4 magic keys Stately southern mansions, rustic bayou dwellings and ornate row-house buildings are recalled at Walt Disney World's Port Orleans Resort. This resort hotel is a moderately priced resort featuring two regions: the French quarter and Riverside. A winding road and picturesque waterways that capture the mystery and romance of a trip up the Mississippi River from New Orleans to Natchez connect the two themed regions. Home Away From Home Resorts Walt Disney World Old Key West Resort Rating: 5 magic keys This home away from home hotel resort is themed to the tropical ambiance of a quaint Key West resort at the turn of the century. Studios, one bedroom, two bedroom, or three bedroom villas provide the perfect place for enchanted Disney vacations. The resort hotel features a festive boardwalk and a village of colorful clapboard-sided, tin roofed residence buildings that include spacious living areas, private balconies, beautiful views and fully equipped kitchenettes. Walt Disney World Boardwalk Villas Rating: 5 magic keys Studios, one, two and three bedroom villas combine with the elegance of a bygone era to recapture all the fun, excitement and timeless appeal of the coastal villages of the 1940s at this home away from home resort. The quaint, seaside mid-Atlantic feel is accentuated by all the shops, vendors and excitement of the nearby boardwalk. Walt Disney World Villas at The Disney Institute Rating: 5 magic keys The Villas at the Disney Institute offer villa and suite hotel accommodations in a wooded setting surrounding the lake Buena Vista Golf Course near the Downtown Disney area and Pleasure Island. Air conditioned motor coaches provide easy access to the entire Walt Disney World Vacation Kingdom. The resort offers pools and spas. Downtown Disney marketplace offers a variety of shopping, dining and marina rentals. Camping Resort Walt Disney World Fort Wilderness Cabins & Campground Rating: 5 magic keys Celebrating three decades as a true pioneer in the campground industry, Disneys Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground is a vacation haven for guests who crave natural, rustic charm amidst the most magical place on earth. This home away from home resort includes both cabins and campsites. The cabins offer a quaint, relaxing escape in surroundings that capture the rustic beauty of pioneer days. And for a real back-to-nature experience, campsites are available for travel trailers, motor homes and tents. . Other Deluxe Resort Hotels Walt Disney World Dophin Rating: 6 magic keys Ideally located adjacent to Epcot Center, MGM Studios Theme Park and Disneys Animal Kingdom, Disneys Dolphin and Swan Resorts put you in the center of the most magical place in the world. This exciting resort hotel complex offers everything you've come to expet from a world-class vacation destination. An exciting location, beautiful hotel accomodations, pampering service--it's all right here! Walt Disney World Swan Rating: 6 magic keys Ideally located adjacent to Epcot Center, MGM Studios Theme Park and Disneys Animal Kingdom, Disneys Dolphin and Swan Resorts put you in the center of the most magical place in the world. This exciting resort hotel complex offers everything you've come to expet from a world-class vacation destination. An exciting location, beautiful hotel accomodations, pampering service--it's all right here! Find our more about Orlando, Kissimmee, Lake Buena Vista & Disney World® : Walt Disney World® Official Site | City of Orlando Site | Map of Orlando | Orlando Weather Info | Orlando International Airport | City of Kissimmee | Walt Disney World Info | Lake Buena Vista Weather Info | Official Disneyland Site | The Disney Vacation Guide.com™ is not associated in any official way with the Walt Disney Company, its subsidiaries, or its affiliates. The official Disney site is available at www.disney.com . Besides providing independent information, commentary, reviews, and guides primarily about the theme park resorts of the Walt Disney Co., the Disney Vacation Guide™ allows visitors to book Official Walt Disney World® Resort hotels through an automated online booking system arranged with the resort and their hotels. Walt Disney World® and Disney® are trademarks of the Walt Disney Co.

Disney Vacation - Mouseketrips.com

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