Switzerland Travel

Switzerland, Switzerland Travel Advice, Ski Switzerland, Skiing in Switzerland, Swiss Ski Resorts, Swiss, Switzerland Information,Jungfrau, Verbier, Saas Fee and more Swiss Skiing, Ski Europe, Poll Thai Resorts, Poll France Resorts, free travel newsletter About Activelifestyle | Contact | Activelifestyle total solutions package Snow reports Search Activelifestyle Select from list Partner hotels Brochures on-line Alpine routes Alpine ski maps EU golf maps TH golf maps UK Ski tours Golf video Ski video FREE Newsletter Snow Sports Gear SkiGear SkiJackets SnowboardBoots Ski Switzerland, Europe's spotless land of lakes and mountains. If skiing in Europe is your dream or if you do it frequently, skiing in Switzerland is a wise destination choice. World class ski resorts are all over Switzerland. World class ski lifts and mountain transportation will safely and comfortably get you into ski country, and some of the best hotels and restaurants in Europe will see to your comfort in Switzerland. Wining and dining in Switzerland are excellent activities and the Swiss kitchen, although underrated is certainly one of the best. Select from the resorts featured here-we will be adding more soon. Information for Travel in Switzerland Zermatt.com Saas Fee Château d'Oex Les Diablerets Leysin Villars Engelberg Luzern Verbier Switzerland.com Andermatt Crans-Montana Veysonnaz Adelboden Gstaad - Saanenland Davos St. Moritz Jungfrau Region.com Grindelwald Interlaken Lauterbrunnen Mürren Wengen Activelifestyle "news you can use" Advertise here pay per result Pay per click, per request or per month, change when you want, full reporting actone@activelifestyle.com Hotels in central Courmayeur Request here for great prices, great locations, and fast, friendly service Link to ME form with hotel list Activelifestyle "news you can use" Property Paradise? Invest for income or to live in Thailand. Paradise is yours. www.thailandpropertytimes.com Got something to say? Say it to a global audience. Free. www.bloggerup.com Luxury Holiday Word Europe, America, Asia, Canada, Yachting luxury www.luxuryski.com Speak Italian? Courmayeur brochure in Italian with great page turning feature. No plug-in needed. www.brochures-on-line.com Count the page views of your ad and "Click trough visits" to your site here. About Activelifestyle | Contact Activelifestyle The Activelifestyle Travel Network. Focused travel targeting at its best = perfect results for buyer and seller. 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Cheap Travel

Tim Leffel's Cheapest Destinations Tim Leffel's Cheapest Destinations Places where a fistful of dollars will pay for weeks of hotels, train rides, and meals. « More Reasons Not to Take a Cruise | Main | A Home Abroad vs. A Home at Home » November 22, 2005 "Cheap" Travel is Relative If you're not convinced that your choice of destination will have the biggest impact on your travel budget, mosey on over to the New York Times' Cheap Sleep article. It's a nice rundown on hip and stylish places that won't cost you as much as a night at the Four Seasons, but for anyone who has traveled to any of The World's Cheapest Destinations , $114 a night for a hotel with a shared bath seems downright warped. Other bargains in the article include a $107 hotel in Paris and a $124 hotel in L.A. with "Moroccan dcor." I won't go into what you can get for that amount of money in Morocco itself. Or how you could get a penthouse suite and all three meals for that price in most of Indonesia. But trust me when I say the price of a "bargain" room in these cities is near the top end of the scale in a few hundred other cities around the globe. I can attest to the fact that anything under $200 a night is definitely a deal in Manhattan, however--I was just there last week. The three of us stayed at Radio City Apartments , right off Times Square. Convenient location, a clean 2-bed room bigger than the one at the W I had last time, a kitchenette, and only $155 a night. (Plus loads of taxes, including a $3 Javitz Center tax. Funny, didn't realize I was there for a convention...) Of course meals cost a bundle, the subway's up to $2, we shared a cab from Newark Airport for $60, my inlaws got two drinks at a hotel bar for $18, going to the top of the Empire State Building is $14, yada yada yada. Before you know it, you've spent an amount of money that would last you weeks in other spots on the globe. But it's a great city, so you suck it up and keep opening the wallet. As New Yorkers will tell you though, the city is not without its deals. My daughter screamed with joy when she saw the carousel in Central Park. It put a big smile on my face too when I saw that it was only $1.25 a ride. Walking through the park was free of course, and beautiful at this time of year, with the leaves still changing colors. Speaking of free, perhaps the greatest bargain of all is the ride on the Staten Island Ferry. We timed it perfectly and saw the city from the water as the sun was going down, then the Statue of Liberty at sunset and when the torch is lit for the evening. I used to live up there and have seen it all before, but it's still magical. Posted by Tim Leffel at November 22, 2005 03:26 PM RSS Feed Forbes Best of the Web Buy The Book Untitled Document The Worlds Cheapest Destinations provides a capsule overview of 21 great travel bargains, with cost information for lodging, restaurant meals, local transportation, and attractions, including what you can get for a buck or less in each country. From the Great Pyramids to the Taj Mahal to some of the best snorkeling and diving spots on Earth, this book will show you where to have a fantastic experience without spending a fantastic fortune. Free Excerpt From The Book (PDF file - requires Adobe Acrobat Reader) Buy the Book Links Cheapest Destinations Web Site Destination Articles Search Search this site: Recent Entries A Home Abroad vs. A Home at Home "Cheap" Travel is Relative More Reasons Not to Take a Cruise U.S. Survey - Our Airlines Suck Responsible Tourism - Your Job Too (Relaxed) Travel Is Good for Your Health Charities Block Famine-Relief Savings Do Your Homework Before You Travel Yo, What About Guatemala? Money for Travel - a Matter of Priorities Archives November 2005 October 2005 September 2005 August 2005 July 2005 June 2005 May 2005 April 2005 March 2005 February 2005 January 2005 December 2004 November 2004 October 2004 September 2004 August 2004 July 2004 June 2004 May 2004 April 2004 March 2004 February 2004 January 2004 December 2003 November 2003 October 2003 September 2003 August 2003 July 2003 June 2003 May 2003 April 2003 Find Other Blogs Popdex Blogarama BlogUniverse BlogWise Eatonweb Globe Of Blogs Powered by Movable Type 2.63

Russia Travel Resources >

Russia Travel Guide - Health and Safety  You are here: About > Travel > Eastern Europe for Visitors > Russia-Belarus-Ukraine > Russia Travel Resources > Travel Essentials - Russia > Russia Travel Guide - Health and Safety 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 Suggested Reading Russia Travel Guide 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 Health and Safety - Russia From Apply Now , Your Guide to Eastern Europe for Visitors . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Russia Travel Guide With a little foresight and common sense, you can stay safe and healthy while traveling in Russia. Read on to learn what you need to know. Crime and Violence The U.S. State Department recommends that travelers avoid the Caucasus region of Russia, particularly Chechnya, because of continued unrest and violence. Like other European cities, occasionally there are acts of terrorism in large Russian cities. In October 2002, terrorists seized a Moscow theater and held its audience captive for several days before Russian Special Forces stormed it. More recently, a bomb went off in the Moscow subway. Travelers should be alert for unusual behavior, unattended luggage in public areas, and other possible indicators that something out of the ordinary is in progress. The U.S. State Department also has this important information to share: As a visitor to Russia, be alert to your surroundings. In large cities, take the same precautions against assault, robbery, or pickpockets that you would take in any large U.S. city. Be aware that women and small children, as well as men, can be pickpockets or purse-snatchers. Persons carrying valuables in backpacks, in back pockets of pants, and in coat pockets are especially vulnerable to pickpockets. Keep your billfold in an inner front pocket, carry your purse tucked securely under your arm, and wear the shoulder strap of your camera or bag across your chest. Walk away from the curb and carry your purse away from the street. The most vulnerable areas include underground walkways and the subway, overnight trains, train stations, airports, markets, tourist attractions, restaurants, hotel rooms and residences -- even when locked or occupied. Para. Members of religious and missionary groups have been robbed by people pretending to be interested in their beliefs. Foreigners who have been drinking alcohol are especially vulnerable to assault and robbery in or around nightclubs or bars, or on their way home. Some travelers have been drugged at bars, while others have taken strangers back to their lodgings, where they were drugged and robbed. In many cases in which a credit card was stolen, thieves used them immediately. Victims of credit card or ATM card theft should report the theft to the credit card company or bank without delay. Robberies may occur in taxis shared with strangers. Travelers have generally found it safer to travel in groups organized by reputable tour agencies. Travelers are advised to be vigilant in bus and train stations and on public transport. Crime aboard overnight trains has occurred. On some trains, thieves have been able to open locked compartment doors. Always watch for pickpockets in these areas. Never hitchhike or accept rides from strangers. Be wary of persons representing themselves as police or other local officials. To avoid highway crime, travelers should try not to drive at night. Never drive alone at night. Never sleep in vehicles along the road. Do not, under any circumstances, pick up hitchhikers, who not only pose a threat to your physical safety, but also put you in danger of being arrested for unwittingly transporting narcotics or narcotics traffickers in your vehicle. Your vehicle can be confiscated if you are transporting marijuana or other narcotics. Violent, racially motivated attacks on people of color and foreigners have become widespread in Russia. Many of these attacks target university students, particularly those of Asian and African origin, but older tourists have also been targeted. Travelers are urged to exercise caution in areas frequented by "skinhead" groups and wherever large groups have gathered. Incidents of violent crime directed against homosexual men have also been reported. Four foreign men reported to have been gay have been murdered since 1999. It is not uncommon for Americans to become victims of harassment, mistreatment and extortion by law enforcement and other officials. Authorities are concerned about these incidents and have cooperated in investigating such cases. Try to obtain the officer’s name, badge number, and patrol car number, and note where it happened, as this information assists local officials in identifying the perpetrators. Report crimes committed against you by persons presenting themselves as police or other governmental authorities to the U.S. embassy or the nearest U.S. consulate. Next page: What to do if your passport is stolen. Also information about sex in Russia and medical emergencies. 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 1 2 Next        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 Krakow Photo Gallery Profiles of Eastern Europe Moscow City Profile Czech Republic Photo Gallery - Charles Bridge and castle Sofia's Religous Buildings

ski vacation of four

Get $100 Off Your Ski Vacation Customer Care | My Stuff Home Travel Info Center Flight Status Destination Guides Travelocity Business About Travelocity Flights Search Flights Top Deals Web Fares Low Fare Alert Last Minute Packages Hotels Search Hotels Top Deals Trip Ideas Popular Cities Cars/Rail Search Cars Search Rail Top Deals About Neighborhood Search Popular Car Destinations Vacation Packages Search Vacations Top Deals Disney Vacations Trip Ideas Cruises Search Cruises Search by Destination Search by Cruise Line Top Deals Ship Finder Last Minute Packages Search Deals Top Deals This Weekend Next Weekend Need Ideas? Activities Activities by Destination Get into this season's snow flow with a limited-time Travelocity offer to make you glow: We'll give you $100 off your flight + hotel ski vacation of four or more nights if you book your trip using your MasterCard® card. How to Redeem Your Ski Discount: Enter promotion code SKIMC100 on the online checkout billing page to get $100 off your flight + hotel vacation.* You must use a MasterCard® card to make the booking. Applicable getaways are to ski destinations with a minimum four-night hotel stay. Travel must occur by between November 14, 2005 and April 15, 2006. Hurry, sale ends December 31, 2005. Take $100 Off These Already Low Vacations Sample Ski Packages Hotel Rating Flight + 3 Nights Hotel Lakeland Village Resort - Lake Tahoe, CA Save on stays of 4 nights or more From $454 Village at Squaw Valley - Lake Tahoe, CA Save on stays of 4 nights or more From $668 Arrowhead Condominiums - Beaver Creek, CO Book by 12/31 and save From $572 Beaver Run Resort - Breckenridge, CO Special savings throughout the ski season From $439 Inn at Lost Creek - Telluride, CO Save on stays of 3 nights or more in January From $704 Pokolodi Lodge at Snowmass, CO Save on stays of 3 nights or more in December From $425 Big Sky Resorts Huntley - Big Sky MT Save on stays of 4 nights or more From $524 Prospector Square Lodge by All Seasons Resorts - Park City, UT Save on stays of 4 nights or more in December and January From $452 Country Inn and Suites - Salt Lake City South Towne, UT Save on weekend stays through mid-January From $419 The Wort Hotel - Jackson Hole, WY Save on stays of 3 nights or more in January From $525 Book Your Trip Flight + Hotel Hotel Only From: To: Choose a ski destination: Aspen/Snowmass -via Aspen -via Eagle -via Denver Big Sky, MT Crested Butte Denver Area Ski Resorts Durango Jackson Hole, WY Lake Tahoe Ski Resorts - via Reno - via Sacramento -- Mont Tremblant (via Montreal) Steamboat Springs -via Hayden -via Eagle -via Denver Sun Valley (via Boise) Taos (via Albuquerque) Telluride -via Montrose (MTJ) - via Telluride (TEX) Utah Ski Resorts Vail/Beaver Creek -via Eagle - via Denver Whistler Depart: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Return: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 0 1 2 3 Maximum connections Adults 0 1 2 3 4 5 Children 0 1 2 3 4 Seniors 0 1 2 3 4 5 Destination: Choose a ski destination: Aspen/Snowmass Big Sky, MT Crested Butte Denver Area Ski Resorts Durango Jackson Hole, WY Lake Tahoe Ski Resorts - via Sacramento -- Mont Tremblant Steamboat Springs Sun Valley Taos Telluride Utah Ski Resorts Vail/Beaver Creek Whistler Check-In Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Check-Out Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Guests 1 2 3 4 Adding Lift Tickets and Rentals to Your Package is Easy! Select Travel Extras when booking your flight + hotel Salt Lake City, UT: Ski Salt Lake Super Pass From $48 Per Day – Lift Ticket and Hotel to Ski Resort Transportation Breckenridge and Keystone, CO: Four- & Six-Day Lift Tickets From $99 Heavenly, CA (South Lake Tahoe): Buy One Day, Get One Day Free for $55 More Ski Lift Tickets and Rentals Terms & Conditions: • View complete offer details. • * Please note that the promo codes must be entered in all caps and is not applicable for Last Minute Deals and flight and hotel purchased separately. • Prices are in USD for one adult based on double occupancy and include tax recovery charges. Sample prices gathered on 11/28/05 for travel 01/9/06 to 01/12/06 from Dallas (DFW). Our real-time dynamic Flight + Hotel packaging engine is constantly updating prices and availability. Please check pricing and availability for your travel dates and departure city on this site. 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Asia Travel || Hong

Hong kong Travel Information Provided by Asia Travel Hong Kong Country and Travel Information Climate || Entryregulations || Airport facilities || Transfer information Hong Kong's new airport at Chek Lap Kok || Currency || Tipping Telephone || Gettingaround in Hong Kong Hotels Reservation in Hong Kong at upto 75% discount from published rates TourReservation in Hong Kong Hong Kong in a Nutshell ( Don't miss ) Map of Hong Kong The Fragrant Harbour ( click for postcard ) Lying at the southeastern tip of China, Hong Kong adjoins the province of Guangdong (Canton), and is just south of the tropic of Cancer. The total land area of Hong Kong is 1,078 square kilometers, comprising Hong Kong Island (77.5 square kilometers); Kowloon (45.5 square kilometer); and the New Territories , including 235 outlying islands (955 square kilometers). Today Hong Kong has become a great international trading post, a powerful manufacturing base and one of the world's largest financial centres. Population and Language The population as of 2002 was about 7.5 millions, almost 95 per cent of which is Chinese. Chinese and English are the official languages. Cantonese is the most widely spoken Chinese dialect, though Mandarin, Shanghainese and other Chinese dialects are also spoken. Many people, especially in shops, hotels, and service industries, speak English. Climate Hong Kong has a subtropical climate: Spring (March - mid-May): Temperature and humidity rising. Jackets or sweaters suggested. Average temperature: 23C (73F), humidity around 82%, sea temperature, 22.3 C (72 F) Summer (late May - mid-September): Hot and humid. Temperature may rise to 33C (91 F) with humidity up to around 90%. . Shirtsleeves, cotton clothing, a sweater for indoors and an umbrella for outside suggested Average temperature: 28C (82F), humidity 80%, sea temperature 28C (82F). Autumn (late September - early December): temperature and humidity drop. Clear sunny days. Shirtsleeves to sweaters and light jackets suggested. Average temperature: 23C (73F), humidity 72%, sea temperature 17C (63F). Winter (late December- February): Cool with low humidity. Suits, light woollens and sometimes overcoats suggested. Average temperature: 17C (62F), humidity 72%, sea temperature 17C (63F). Top Entry Regulations Visitors must hold a valid passport, endorsed where necessary for Hong Kong. Citizens of some 24 countries, including the USA, Japan, and certain Western European and South American nations are permitted one-month visa-free visits. Three-month visa-free visits are available to another 23 countries as well as all Commonwealth countries. Visitors from most countries can enter Hong Kong without a visa for periods of seven days to six months, depending on nationality. Check with any Chinese embassy or consulate for the latest status. Health Regulations Vaccination certificates are not required for yellow fever, cholera and typhoid for visitors travelling to Hong Kong. Check with your travel agent well before your departure, however, as requirements can change without notice. Customs Allowance Visitors may bring into Hong Kong free of duty: Liquor - A one-litre bottle of wine or spirits. Ivory - The importation and exportation of raw or worked ivory is governed by strict regulation. Firearms must be declared and handed into custody until departure. Top Airport Facilities A baggage storage service is available in the departure hall and the arrival hall. Other services include a bank, moneychangers, gift shops, duty-free shops, snack bars, restaurants, payphones, a police station, post office, a HK Telecom International Ltd. Office, HKTA Information Centres and private reception rooms. Airport Departure Tax Adults: HK$80; children (aged 12 years and under) free. Safety Hong Kong is generally considered a safe city by day or night. Policemen are very helpful, and those who speak English wear a red label under their shoulder badge. As in all big cities, avoid carrying large amounts of cash; traveller's cheques or credit cards are preferable. Make use of your hotel's safe-deposit boxes. Top Currency The unit of currency is the Hong Kong dollar (HK$). Notes issued by two private banks (the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank and Standard Chartered Bank) have denominations of $10, $20, $50, $100, $500, and $1000. The Bank of China issues all of the denominations except HK$10. There are silver coins for HK$1, HK$2, and HK$5, bronze coins for HK10 cents, HK20 cents and HK50 cents, and a new nickel and bronze coin for $10. Most foreign currencies and traveller's cheques are easily changed in Hong Kong, either at banks, hotels or moneychangers (check how much you will get in return before handing over your money). Top Tipping Most restaurants add a 10 per cent service charge but an additional 5 per cent may be given, where deserved. When a service charge is not automatic, 10 per cent is acceptable. Small tips may also be given to taxi drivers, bellboys, doormen and washroom attendants. Electricity The voltage in Hong Kong is 200/220 volts, 50 cycles. Most hotels provide adaptors. Water All water direct from government mains in Hong Kong satisfies the United Nations World Health Organization standards. Bottled water is widely available in hotels and supermarkets. Top Telephones Telephones in Hong Kong are advanced, economical and easy to use. Local calls are free, and many stores and restaurants offer use of a telephone free of charge to patrons. Calls from public coin phones cost HK$1. Most hotels have International Direct Dialling (IDD). Please note that some hotels charge a handling fee for local and/or international calls. You can also make long-distance calls from (IDD) Public Coin Phones and from HK Telecom International Ltd. Offices. An easy method of making calls is to purchase stored-value phonecards (HK$50, $150 and $200), which can be used in any Cardphone box. The new Hello Phonecard (HK$100, $200,$300) is a stored value card that enables the user to place calls to and from over 30 countries from a touch-tone phone. Both types of cards can be purchased at HKTA Information and Gift Centres and most convenience stores. Call 013 for information. Post Offices The main post offices are on Hong Kong Island, next to the Star Ferry and in Kowloon at 10 Middle Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. Both are open from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday and 8am to 2pm on Saturday. All post offices close on Sunday and public holidays. Television There are two English-language channels. Programmes include a selection of locally produced shows as well as features from the UK, the US, and Australia. Also available is STAR TV (a satellite channel) and, in some areas, Cable TV (subscription television). Radio Fifteen radio channels are broadcast in Hong Kong. Six English-language channels provide a wide range of programmes and the BBC World Service is available 24 hours. Office and Banking Hours Most offices open from 9am to 5pm with a lunch hour from 1 pm to 2pm. On Saturday the hours are 9am to 1 pm. Some Chinese businesses open at 10am and close around 6pm or later. Major banks are open from 9am to 4.30pm on weekdays, 9am to 12.30pm on Saturday. Top Getting Around In Hong Kong Airport Transport After you have reclaimed your baggage and passed through Customs, you will find yourself in the Buffer Hall of Hong Kong International Airport where the Hong Kong Tourist Association Information Centres are located . There you can obtain free visitor publications and any other assistance you may need. Hong Kong International Airport is approximately 40 minutes' drive by car from all major hotels in Kowloon and about 50 minutes' drive via the Cross-Harbour Tunnel from all major hotels on Hong Kong Island (under normal traffic conditions). If you are making your own way to your hotel, follow the signs directing you to the Transport Terminus for taxis or use the airport coach service. If you have no local currency on arrival, change only enough at the airport to get you to your hotel. Hotel Transport Hotel bookings do not normally include transportation from the airport. However, if you have a prearranged hotel booking that includes an airport transfer, you should leave the Buffer Hall via the exit marked Hotel Transport and look for the hotel representative waiting to meet you. Taxis Taxis are numerous and readily available, and fares are low compared with those in most cities. Red taxis serve Hong Kong Island and Kowloon; green ones in the New Territories and blue taxis on Lantau Island operate at even lower rates. Many drivers speak some English but it is wise to have your destination written in Chinese characters. Rates for red taxis start at HK$16.5 on the flag fall plus HK$1.60 for every 200 metres after the first two kilometres. Waiting time is HK$1.10 per minute. Pay, in Hong Kong dollars only, the fare shown on the meter, plus any additional charge where applicable. A HK$20 surcharge applies to cross-harbour tunnel trips (includes the driver's HK$10 return toll). There is also a surcharge for rides through the Lion Rock (HK$6), Junk Bay (HK$3) and Aberdeen (HK$5) tunnels, and a HK$5 charge for each piece of luggage. Taxi drivers expect a tip, but just round up the fare to the nearest dollar. Drivers cannot pick up or drop off passengers on restricted streets, which are marked with yellow lines. New Territories taxis will pick up and drop off only in the New Territories. If you have any queries or complaints, note the taxi's number and call the 24-hour Police Hotline on 2527 7177. Buses Double-decker buses, which run from 6 AM till 3 midnight, cover most parts of the territory. Fares range from HK$1 to HK$30.60. Exact change is required. You'll find that, in general the drivers do not speak much English. Minibuses Minibuses are small passenger vans which are yellow with a red stripe. They can pick up passengers and let them off anywhere except regular bus stops and the usual restricted areas. Fares range from HK$2 to HK$7. Maxicabs Maxicabs are yellow with a green stripe. They run along specific routes and have fixed prices ranging from HK$1 to HK$8. A sign on the front indicates the destination. Pay as you get on. Trains The Kowloon-Canton Railway (KCR) is 34 kilometres long and runs from Hung Hom in Kowloon up to the border with China. Trains run every tour to 10 minutes in each direction, and vary according to the ordinary single trip to Sheung Shui, the farthest you can go without a China visa). It's a go way to visit some of the New Territories' towns and villages. The Mass Transit Railway (MTR), Hong Kong's fast, efficient and air-conditioned underground system, runs not only along the north side of Hong Kong Island, but also from Central across the harbour to divide into east and west branches in Kowloon. Stations are located by a X symbol. Fares range from HK$4 to HK$11. MTR and KCR stored-value tickets (HK$70-200) are also available. The Light Rail Transit (LRT) is a high-speed surface system linking the New Territories towns of Tuen Mun Yuen Long. The LRT runs from 5.30am to 12.30am daily. Fares range from HK$3.20 to $4.70. Ferries The Star Ferry, which has connected Hong Kong and Kowloon since 1898, runs regularly between 6.30am to 11.30pm. At HK$ 2.20 (upper deck), it must be one of the cheapest and most scenic ferry rides in the world. The crossing takes approximately eight minutes. The Hong Kong Ferry (Holdings) Company provides other regular and inexpensive services which connect Hong Kong Island to other parts of the Kowloon Peninsula and to the outlying islands. Trams ( click for postcard ) Since 1904, the tram system has run east to west along the north side of Hong Kong Island, and still provides a leisurely, grandstand view. The flat fare is HK$1.20 (exact change required) and the service operates between 6 AM and 1 AM. The Peak Tram is one of the most advanced tram systems in the world, taking just eight minutes to climb Victoria Peak. The service operates from 7am to midnight and the single fare is HK$12 (HK$19 return). The funicular railway has run since 1888 and is still the quickest way to reach the Peak. Car Hire Self-drive rental cars are not often used in Hong Kong, but chauffeur-driven cars are widely available. Hotels have their own limousines for hire. Rickshaws The only means of travel in the old days, rickshaws today are used mainly for fun rides and photo sessions. Rickshaw drivers congregate at the Star Ferry on Hong Kong Island and charge for a trip round the block or for a photo session. Negotiate the price first. Top Asia Travel || Hong kong Hotels Page