Chicago Vacation

Family Vacation Tip: Chicago Greeters You are here: About > Travel > Travel with Kids 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 Family Vacation Tip: Chicago Greeters Travel with Kids Blog « Family Vacation Idea: USVI | Main | Family Vacations: Disney World » December 22, 2003 Family Vacation Tip: Chicago Greeters Visiting Chicago? Get a (free!) introduction to the city with your own personal guide, courtesy of the City of Chicago Greeter Program . Similar to the terrific Big Apple Greeters in NYC. Email a Friend Display Latest Headlines Read Archives 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...

Germany Travel

U.S. Commercial Service Germany: Travel Site Map BUYUSA.GOV -- U.S. Commercial Service Germany Local time: 11:40 PM Business Travel Visa Travel Getting around in Germany Additional Information Timezone Currency Communication Electric Current Climate Money Matters Hours of Business VAT Refunds & Tax-Free Shopping Visa U.S. citizens do not require a visa to enter Germany. Without a visa, however, they may not stay longer than three months every half-year or take up gainful employment requiring a work permit. If required, citizens may obtain a residence and/or work permit after entry. For more information, visit the German Embassy site in the U.S. Travel Welcome to Germany: the meeting, convention and tourism destination for successful business representatives from around the world. What defines success in business also defines Germany: technology, innovation, flexibility, expertise, efficiency, organization, and mobility. Add drawing power in the form of brilliant natural beauty, majestic castles and regal palaces, world-class culture and cities steeped in history and you will come to see why no other destination for business travel even begins to compare. Visit the German National Tourist Board website and discover what attracts two-thirds of the world's top international trade fairs to one place: Germany. Getting around in Germany Air Domestic flights are well developed. All major cities are frequently served from many cities. Frankfurt and Munich are hubs to Lufthansa, Germany's national airline. Flight time is short (about 1 hour) to get anywhere in Germany. International Airports in Germany (IATA-Code): SXF - Flughafen Berlin-Schönefeld http://www.berlin-airport.de TXL - Flughafen Berlin-Tegel http://www.berlin-airport.de THF - Flughafen Berlin-Tempelhof http://www.berlin-airport.de DUS - Flughafen Düsseldorf (Rhein-Ruhr) http://www.duesseldorf-international.de FRA - Flughafen Frankfurt am Main (Rhein-Main) http://www.frankfurt-airport.de HAM - Flughafen Hamburg (Fuhlsbüttel) http://www.airport.de HAJ - Flughafen Hannover (Langenhagen) http://www.hannover-airport.de CGN - Flughafen Köln/Bonn (Konrad Adenauer) http://www.airport-cgn.de MUC - Flughafen München (Franz-Josef-Strauß) http://www.munich-airport.de NUE - Flughafen Nürnberg http://www.flughafen-nuernberg.de STR - Flughafen Stuttgart (Echterdingen) http://www.stuttgart-airport.com National Airports in Germany (IATA-Code): ZCC - Flugplatz Baden-Baden http://www.baden-airpark.de BFE - Flugplatz Bielefeld http://www.flugplatz-bielefeld.de BRV - Flughafen Bremerhafen http://www.regionalflughafen-bremerhaven.de DTM - Flughafen Dortmund (Wickede) http://www.flughafen-dortmund.de DRS - Flughafen Dresden http://www.dresden-airport.de FDH - Flughafen Friedrichshafen (Löwenthal) http://www.fly-away.de HHN - Flughafen Hahn (Rheinland) http://www.hahn-airport.de HOQ - Flughafen Hof http://www.flughafen-hof.de KEL - Flughafen Kiel http://www.airport-kiel.de LHA - Flughafen Lahr (Schwarzwald) http://www.blackforest-airport.com LEJ - Flughafen Leipzig/Halle (Schkeuditz) http://www.leipzig-halle-airport.de LBC - Flughafen Lübeck http://www.flughafen-luebeck.de MGL - Flughafen Mönchengladbach http://www.mgl.de FMO - Flughafen Münster/Osnabrück (Greven) http://www.flughafen-fmo.de PAD - Flughafen Paderborn-Lippstadt http://www.flughafen-paderborn-lippstadt.de SCN - Flughafen Saarbrücken (Ensheim) http://www.flughafen-saarbruecken.de SGE - Flughafen Siegerland (Burbach) http://www.siegerland-airport.de Rail The Deutsche Bundesbahn offers a network that will get you almost anywhere in Germany. Rail travel is of no comparison to that in the United States. Highspeed trains operate between major cities, making it an option to flying, as railstations are always located in the city center. Car Germany's highway - the Autobahn - is famous. They are in excellent condition and very well developed. However, to keep such quality, maintenance is necessary and construction sites are common. Ferry From several seaports on the North-Sea and the Baltic-Sea you may find your desired ferry connection . Additional Information Timezone Germany is located within the Central European Time Zone. To convert U.S. time to German time: Eastern Standard(EST): +6 hours Central Standard Time(CST): +7 hours Mountain Standard Time(MST): +8hours Pacific Standard Time(PST): +9 hours Alaska Standard Time(AST): +10 hours Hawaii Standard Time(HST): +11 hours Currency Click here to recieve more information about Germany's currency and economy. Communication International Calls To Germany: 011 + 49 + Area Code (disregard 0) + number Example - 030 83052730: 001 49 30 83052730 To U.S.: 001 + Area Code + number Mobile Phones In Germany, cell phone coverage is almost 100% - you will always have service! However, frequencies throughout Europe differ from those used in North America. Your service provider can tell you if your phone is compatible with the German / European system and offer you alternatives if it is not. Network frequencies: EGSM 900 / GSM 1800 / GSM 1900 Computers & Internet Bringing a laptop to Germany is simple: most run on both 110 volts, as in North America, or 230 volts, as found throughout Europe. Although the voltage is universal, you will still need an adapter to plug your computer into an electrical outlet. While in Germany, the Internet is easily accessible. You can often log on at your hotel, either right from your room or in computer rooms, and at business centers, which offer internet access to guests. If neither is available, ask your hotel about an Internet café – chances are excellent one is right around the corner! Electric Current Germany uses 230V. Therefore, a converter will be needed in order to use american 110V devices. Climate The climate is similar to that of the North Eastern U.S. The current weather can be found at: http://www.donnerwetter.de/deutschland/menu.hts Money Matters ATMs/ Banks: ATMs are as easily found in Germany as they are in North America. They are located at bank branches and standing alone in shopping, tourist and other busy areas. Major credit and debit cards, along with all other bank cards carrying the PLUS and NYCE symbols, are universally accepted. When located indoors, use your card to gain access if the door is locked, just as you would normally do. Credit Cards: Credit cards are commonly accepted in Germany, although they are not often used for everyday expenses. Restaurants, hotels, stores, train stations and other places regularly frequented by tourists will almost always accept them. Tipping: The bill you receive at a hotel, restaurant, cafe or bar often includes a service charge already. A tip is an indication of your satisfaction – 5% is average, whereas 10% indicates exceptional service. Tip taxi drivers about 5% and porters and others who assist you with baggage one Euro per item. Hours of Business Stores in Germany open between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. Most close between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturday between 6 or 8 p.m.. On Sunday almost all stores are closed, the exceptions being gas stations and convenience stores, which carry some food items as well as snacks and beverages. Banks and post offices are generally open from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and again from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday; some banks have extended hours on Thursday. Pharmacies open at 8 a.m. Museums are generally closed on Mondays. Throughout the year, many cities have a “Long Night of the Museums,” where all the city’s museums are open through the night. VAT Refunds & Tax-Free Shopping Prices for goods and services in Germany always include a 16% value-added tax (VAT). Some or all of the VAT may be refundable for goods purchased at stores displaying the “Tax-Free for Tourists” sign. You will receive a tax-free form upon making a purchase. Before leaving the country and before checking any luggage, present the purchased goods, the tax-free form and your receipt to German customs officials. They will certify the form as proof of legal export. You may then obtain a cash refund at one of the Tax-Free Shopping Service counters located at all major border crossings, airports, ferry ports and train stations. Links to interesting pages: Web page of the German Federal Government http://www.bundesregierung.de/en Information about Germany http://www.deutschland.de/ Home Doing Business in Germany Profile of Germany German Economy and Business Practices Business Infrastructure Travel German Holidays WEEE and RoHS Downloads Market research on Germany Find German Business Partners Trade Events Business Service Providers Contact Internship Links FAQ Our Worldwide Sites Other European Markets Export.gov Trade Portal Informationen für deutsche Firmen Search Printable version © 2001-2005 All rights reserved Privacy Policy Disclaimer

ski vacation. More Big

Big White Ski Resort Chalet & Condo Rental Directory : Big White Chalets & Condos by Owner Rentals Big White Ski Resort Chalet & Condo Rental Directory Big White- Budget to Luxury Ski-In/Out Chalets & Condos - Find Big White ski chalet & condo accommodation rentals, tips, maps & ski resort info on our owner direct vacation rental & vacation planning directory. Quickly search, view & book one of 70+, top-located Big White vacation rentals by owner to get local advice & to save tons of money on your ski vacation. More Big White Value & Ski Resort Hospitality for Less Money! -Avoid costly & unecessary Big White Ski Resort middle agent fees & book your Big White chalet or condo direct with owners! Big White Ski Chalet & Condo Vacation Rental Service & Value - Benefits to Booking your Big White Condo, Chalet or Townhouse on this Rental Directory Book your Big White owner-direct accommodations on AlluraDirect.com and savour the following benefits: More Big White Accommodation Value for Your Money/Affordability -You will pay less money as result of the elimination of middle agent fees, taxes and the nickel and dime factor. In most cases, owners do not charge hotel taxes, except if they own and manage more than 3 properties. You save 10% right away,and usually more... Search & View Big White Chalet & Condo Rentals See Your Big White Rental before you Book It! -See the exact vacation home you will stay in before you book it! Search & View Big White Accommodation Easy, Fast & Secure Reservations -Instantly confirmed, guaranteed reservations with online credit card payments. The owner never sees your credit card info when you pay via their AlluraDirect.com property web site. Search & View Big White Rental Chalets & Condos More Space for Less Money -You will get more space for your dollar-thus giving you and your family and friends more comfort! Search & View Big White Accomodation More Reservations Flexibility -Owners have more flexible policies like minimum night stays, check-in/out times, arrival and departure days, etc. Search & View Big White Chalets & Condos More Amenities -Book a personal ski or golf vacation home with a full kitchen and all the personal extras and convenience items that will make your vacation sensational! Personal private vacation homes have the personal conveniences and extras not typically found in a standard sterile vacation rental offered through booking agents. Search & View Big White Vacation Rentals More Local Big White Resort Knowledge -Get great local tips and advice from an owner who knows the resort! Search & View Big White Chalets & Condos More Personal Service -Your vacation home will have a dedicated customer service representative (the owner) with no other guests during that time periond, except YOU! Search & View Big White Ski Vacation Rentals Customer Support 7 Days/Week until 11 pm PST -We are here to assist you when need us the most! Search & View Big White Accommodation AlluraDirect.com Standards, Convenience & Confidence -Book on AlluraDirect.com and get standards you can trust! Book online with your credit card for a fast, easy & guaranteed reservation. Search & View Big White Accommodation Thanks for using our Big White Resort Chalet & Condo Rental Directory! Big White Chalet & Condo Rental Directory - Over 70 Chalets & Condos Vacation, Reservation & Check-In Support 9 am-11pm PST 7 Days per Week Local : 604-707-6700 Toll Free North America : 1 - 866 - 4 - Allura Toll Free UK : 0-800-028-9346 Toll Free Australia : 877-226-6358 Toll Free Hong Kong : 800-903-329 Email Us Big White Homepage Organize Vacation Find Accommodations 4 Fast & EASY Searching Methods FastFind My Owner/Property Find a specific person or listing Book with Confidence Find out why people like you & Frommers Travel love this Big White site! Checklist & Planning Resources Get Info, Tips & Savings Alerts Get Big White Tips & Free Vacation Planning Checklist! Keep In Touch All raves, rants & suggestions will be repsonded to! Send Positive Feedback Make Site/Service Suggestion Make a Complaint Update Your Guest Profile Owners Get Free Rental Business Tips! Get Property Listing Information List Property Now Owner Login Free Business Listings List Owner Service Business List Guest Services Business About Us Learn about AlluraDirect.com! Whistler | Sun Peaks | Big White | BC Ski Resort Canada Vacation Rentals by Owner Whistler Blackcomb Accommodations Rentals Home Big White Ski Resort Lodging Home Sun Peaks Lodging Home Big White Owner Direct Ski Accomodations Search Tools Big White BC British Columbia Lodging Vacation Checklist Big White Resort Quick Vacation Planning Reference Guide Chalet Rentals at Big White - Big White Ski Chalets Big White Real Estate For Sale

Spain travel guide Hiking

Spain travel guide Spain travel guide Back home | Bookmark | Start page | Site map Services Free postcards News Online games User's forum Free wallpapers Channels Home & Family Family Health Home Kitchen Self help Women Leisure Entertainment Holidays Travel Technology Computers Freeware Internet -- Personal tech Webmastering Business Business Job & Career -- Money & Finance Real estate Science Astronomy -- Biology Chemistry -- Ecology & Geology Engineering Medicine Math & Physics Paleo & Archeology Site Search Website directory Submit your site Free email Username: Password: Help Lost password? Travelling To Spain - The Spanish Regional Travel Guide Rhiannon Williamson Up to 60 million visitors travel to Spain every year to delight in the country's 315 sunny days and its rich and diverse history and culture. As a result the Spanish government spend millions of Euros per year on the travel and transport infrastructure to service the country's growing population and its ever growing numbers of visitors. Therefore Spain has to be one of the easiest and most affordable of the world's popular destinations in terms of its accessibility - particularly from the UK and Northern America. For example there are cheap flights available from all British airports to main and regional airports across Spain daily and direct flights from the main Spanish hubs to the US daily. As an alternative for British and European travellers there are fantastic countrywide train, coach and ferry links and great access for those who prefer to travel by car. This article breaks down the main Spanish travel options by region. Northern Spain The easiest way to access this region is by plane from one of the main UK airports flying directly to Bilbao or from the US to Malaga with transfer to Bilbao. It's possible to connect with Iberia flights for connections across the North and throughout Spain. Alsa and Eurolines have sophisticated coach networks and it's possible to travel all the way across Europe to Bilbao or San Sebastian and then pick up local coaches or rail connections. You can also sail from the UK port of Plymouth to Santander with Brittany Ferries, or you could take the P & O route from Portsmouth to Bilbao. Castile and La Rioja The cheapest way to access these regions is possibly to fly to one of the main Spanish hubs Barcelona, Bilbao or Madrid for example, and then either drive or get connecting flights. You can connect with Iberia for flights to Logrona in La Rioja or Valladolid in Castile. Castile, Rioja and Navarre are serviced by an excellent road network which makes getting around simple and again, Alsa coaches will connect you with major and minor destinations across the regions and the entire country. Aragon, Navarre and the Pyrenees As these regions are easily accessible by car or coach from Madrid it may be best to get a cheap flight to Madrid and then drive the E90 to the heart of the region. You could consider getting a connecting flight to Zaragoza in the middle of the region which is a good jumping off point for explorations in this stunning part of Spain. Alternatively access to this region can be made by rail or coach. Eurolines coaches will connect you with Pamplona or Zaragoza; Eurostar rail will take you from the UK to Paris and from Paris you can catch an overnight high speed rail link to Madridfrom Madrid the options are varied, from local rail and coach connections, car hire, and local flight connections with Iberia. Costa Brava and Costa Dorada As we move east to the beautiful Northern Catalonian coastal regions of the Costa Brava and Costa Dorada, so accessibility increases. Barcelona airport is the main airport for these regions and it welcomes cheap UK and US flights. You can then connect to Girona in the Costa Brava region or Reus in the Costa Dorada region. Barcelona itself has an underground train network for access throughout the city, and if you want to travel further afield the Spanish rail service RENFE has many mainline and local services servicing both regions. The main coastal road in Costa Brava is the A7, with the A2 taking you west away from Barcelona and the C32 taking you south from Barcelona into the Costa Dorada. Barcelona has a port with ferry services to Genoa, Rome, Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza. Central Spain and Madrid Central Spain's main airport is Madrid and it welcomes direct flights from all the major UK and US airports and some of the smaller ones as well. As Madrid is such a major city you can imagine it acts as an important travel hub for the whole of Spain. Coach and rail networks and main auto routes all radiate from the city. Madrid has two main stations with trains departing for regional and international destinations, and the city has an underground metro system as well. Costa del Azahar The main travel hub of this region is Valencia with the city's airport enjoying direct UK flights. To access the rest of the region you can take advantage of the RENFE services from Valencia or enjoy the city via the FGV trams and underground trains. If you want to travel from the coast to Madrid take the N430 and A3; to explore the coast take the A7. Again, Eurolines coaches operate connections to towns and cities in this region including Valencia, Sagunt and Vinaros. And last but not least, Valencia is a port city and has ferries running across the Mediterranean with destinations including Malta, Ibiza, Italy etc. Costa Blanca Most visitors for this region enter via Alicante airport. With the Costa Brava well serviced by roads and Alicante airport offering great car hire opportunities many people prefer to access the rest of the region by road, though RENFE, Eurolines and Alsa offer excellent rail and coach alternatives. Costa Calida Murcia is the main airport for this region, though Alicante airport is also accessible affording visitors and residents an extra opportunity and advantage. From Murcia there are a number of major train services including direct links to Madrid. In terms of roads, again the Costa Calida is a region with an excellent network of major roads and routes: the N340 runs from Alicante through Murcia to the Costa del Sol, the A7 hugs the coast and local, national and international coach lines service the area. In the port town of Cartagena a passenger terminal was built in 2003 which now serves as a destination for some of the major cruise liners on their way to and from destinations around France, Greece and the Black Sea Coast. Costa de Almeria You're spoilt for choice when it comes to airports serving this region, you can fly to Alicante or Murcia and travel by road or rail into the region or you can fly direct to Almeria airport. The cheapest flights are often to Alicante. RENFE have mainline train services from Almeria to the city of Granada, Eurolines, Alsa and Enatcar all offer coach services across Costa de Almeria. The major routes in the region are the N340 which runs from Costa Calida through the town of Almeria and on south to the Costa del Sol, the A92 which connects with Granada and the A348 which connects Almeria with the Alpujarras. In terms of sea access, Transmediterranea have ferries from the port of Almeria to Northern Africa. Costa del Sol and Andalucia If you can't get a flight to this region of Spain you must be doing something wrong or maybe just hoping to travel during peak season! The main airport is Malaga and nearly every single airline you can think of flies from almost every single UK and US airport you can think of! If you can't get a flight and you're in the UK you might consider driving to the Costa del Sol! In which case your best bet would be to sail from Plymouth to Santander or from Portsmouth to Bilbao and then travel the 900 or so kilometres south. If you start off in Bilbao you'll need the A68 and A1 to Burgos, or from Santander take the N623 to Burgos then from Burgos travel via the N1 to Madrid. From Madrid head to Granada, from Granada head for Malagaphew! Alternatively get a Euroline coach all the way from the UK to Estepona or Malaga or travel from Paris on the fast night train to Madrid and connect with the AVE fast train to Cordoba which in turn connects up with regional Costa del Sol services. Costa de la Luz and Gibraltar You can either fly to Gibraltar or Jerez in the region or make use of the many cheap flights to Spain that land in Malaga. There are ferry services between Tarifa and Algeciras in Spain and Tangiers in Morocco, bus and rail services across Europe and through Spain to the Costa de la Luz and strong road links with the E15 serving Gibraltar from the mainland. Whatever your final destination you should be able to find cheap flights to some of Spain's main airports and then use local and regional travel services to access your destination of choice; as I hope I've shown, the whole of Spain is incredibly easily accessible. About the Author 2005 All rights reserved Rhiannon Williamson rhiannon@shelteroffshore.com Rhiannon Williamson is the publisher of http://www.shelteroffshore.com - the online resource for investment property abroad, offshore investing and living overseas articles, guides and resources. Click the following link for Spanish property and moving to Spain articles, guides, resources and recommended reading. More articles Alicante Spain Vacation ideas Disney World Florida Road rage RV travelling Ormond Beach Florida Samoa Polinesia Home exchange Youth Hostels history Florence Italy Georgia Wine Country Travels digital cameras Africa viewing safaris Cabo Gata Spain Alaska cruises Arizona travels Rehoboth Beach Delaware San Antonio Texas Spain travel guide Hiking socks Quotes I dont know which is worse, ...that everyone has his price, or that theprice is always so low. -Calvin I dont like electrons; theyve always had a negative influence on society. Chris Lipe. I canna change the laws of physics, Captain but I can find ye a loophole. I could charge you with sexual assault, but I wont if you sleep with me. - Marian to Byron Writers If you are a writer and want to see your article published at Theallineed.com, just click here to submit . Info Contact us Privacy policy Terms of use Lexur Today... In the news... Crespo keeps Chelsea on course Hernan Crespo scored the decisive goal as Premiership champions Chelsea overcame a spirited Fulham 3-2 their west London derby to make it six league wins in a row. What accesories do you have for your computer? Digital Camera Web Camera CD Burner DVD Player Speakers Other Things to ponder Why are there interstate highways in Hawaii? Did you know... Holes in a golf course must be 4.25 inches in diameter, and at least 4 inches deep. Quote of the day Even he, to whom most things that most people would think were pretty smart were pretty dumb, thought it was pretty smart. Douglas Adams Featured article Barter, The Electronic Handshake Business owners are always looking for ways to lower expenses. Bartering allows you to build your profit into your expense and conserve your cash flow. It's just one more tool to use to increase the chances of your company's success. © 2002/2005 Lexur

Japan Travel