South America Travel Tips

South America Travel Tips Book Online or call (800) 682-3333 Europe Asia Americas Caribbean Mediterranean Pacific Cruises Home Hotels Find a Vacation Specials Contact Us Italy & Sicily Spain & Portugal Britain & Ireland France Belgium & Holland Central Europe Scandinavia Greece River Cruises China & Japan Southeast Asia Thailand India South America Brazil Peru Costa Rica Bahamas Caribbean & Mexico Bahamas Cancun Riviera Maya Punta Cana Jamaica Greece & Turkey Israel Egypt Morocco Australia & New Zealand Tahiti China & Japan Southeast Asia Sea Cruises River Cruises South America Travel Tips Climate / Clothing Language Code of Conduct Currency Holidays Travel Insurance Departure Tax Luggage Local Emergency/Phone Health Precautions Passports and Visas Driving Electricity Shopping Tipping Airport Tax - Chile Climate /Clothing Brazil: The weather in Brazil is temperate to hot year round. Bring casual, lightweight clothing that can be layered. Sunscreen and a hat are advisable. Bring insect repellent if you plan on a visit to the rainforest. Brazil Average Temperatures: www.gate1travel.com/south-america-travel/weather/Brazil-weather.htm . Peru: Peru's climate can be divided into 2 seasons - wet and dry. The coast and the slopes of the Western Andes are dry with summer falling between December and April. In the Andean highlands, the dry season is from May to September, while the wet season takes up the remainder of the year. Bring casual, lightweight clothes that can be layered and a jacket if you are going up into the mountains. Bring sunscreen and a hat to protect against the strong sun along the coast and in the rainforest. Insect repellent is necessary as well. Peru Average Temperatures: www.gate1travel.com/south-america-travel/weather/Peru-weather.htm . Argentina: The climate of Argentina is mostly temperate; arid in the southeast and sub-Antarctic in the southwest. Bring lightweight clothes you can layer, a sweater and an all-weather coat. Dress is more formal in the city of Buenos Aires and a jacket a tie or cocktail dress may be required at some of the finer restaurants. Casual dress is more appropriate in the countryside. Argentina Average Temperatures: www.gate1travel.com/south-america-travel/weather/Argentina-weather.htm . Chile: Climate varies from subtropical and sunny in the extreme north; dry and arid in the Atacama north desert; mild, pleasant and Mediterranean in the fertile central valley; cool, temperate and rainy in the southern region; and covered with ice and snow in the Antarctic region. Chile Average Temperatures: www.gate1travel.com/south-america-travel/weather/Chile-weather.htm . Ecuador: The climate and geography of Ecuador vary widely. The highlands are cool and dry. Bring lightweight clothes, a jacket and comfortable shoes. Along the coast it's warm and sunny all year round. Sunscreen and a hat are important accessories to have on hand. The Amazon rain forest is tropical and humid. Light, layered clothing and plenty of insect repellent are advisable. Ecuador Average Temperatures: www.gate1travel.com/south-america-travel/weather/Ecuador-weather.htm . Language Brazil: The official language of Brazil is Portuguese. Some English is spoken in the major cities. Peru: Spanish is the official language of Peru. In most tourist center, English is spoken. Argentina: Spanish is the official language of Argentina. English is spoken at hotels and restaurants in Buenos Aires. Chile: Spanish is the official language in Chile, although English is often spoken in hotels, restaurants and shops. Ecuador: Ecuador has two official languages - Spanish and Quechua. English is spoken in the major tourist centers. Passports and Visas Brazil: Passport and visa required. Peru: Passport required. Visa not required for tourist stay of up to 90 days, extendible after arrival. Argentina: Passport required. Visa not required for business/tourist stay of up to 90 days. Chile: Passport required. Visa not required for stay of up to 90 days. Entry fee of $100 (U.S.) charged at airport. Ecuador: (including the Galapagos Islands) - Passport required. Visa not required for a stay of up to 90 days. Columbia: All U.S. citizens must have a valid passport and proof of return ticket to enter Columbia. No visa is required. Uruguay: All U.S. citizens must have a valid passport to enter Uruguay. No visa is required for stays up to 90 days. See http://www.gate1travel.com/visas.htm for more information. Currency Brazil: The currency of Brazil is the Real. U.S. currency can be exchanged at banks, exchanges and hotels. Peru: The official currency is the Peruvian Sol. Most tourist areas accept and exchange U.S. Dollars. Exchange your currency at your hotel or a bank. Argentina: The currency of Argentina is the Pesa. It is not always easy to change money in the interior of the country. Major credit cards are accepted in most hotels, restaurants and shops. Chile: The unit of currency is the Chilean peso (CHP$). U.S. dollars and travelers checks are easily changed in banks and exchange bureaus. Major credit cards are widely accepted in shops and hotels. Ecuador: Official currencies are the U.S. Dollar and the Sucre. Tipping Brazil: Most services get tipped a mandatory 10%, often included in the bill. If a waiter is friendly and helpful, you may like to give more. Because of Brazil's high unemployment rate, services that may seem superfluous are customarily tipped. Parking assistants are the most notable as they receive no wages, but petrol-station attendants, shoe shiners and barbers are also frequently tipped. Taxi drivers are an exception: most people round the price up, but a tip is not expected. Peru: A combination of taxes and service charges are added to bills in the best hotels and restaurants and can total as much as 28%. The cheaper hotels and restaurants don't add taxes. Tipping is not expected in budget restaurants. A tip of 10-15% is fine in upmarket restaurants if a service charge has not already been added to the bill. Taxi drivers are not tipped - bargain hard beforehand and stick to your price. Local guides should be tipped US$3-5 per day. Argentina: Tipping around 10% is customary in restaurants. Chile: In restaurants, it is customary to tip about 10% of the bill. In general, waiters and waitresses are poorly paid, so if you can afford to eat out, you can afford to tip. Taxi drivers do not require tips, although you may round off the fare for convenience. Ecuador: Tipping is expected by tour guides, porters and other tourist industry workers, though not by taxi drivers. Quality restaurants add 10% tax and a 10% service charge to their bills; cheaper restaurants usually don't. If you want to tip your server, give the money to them directly - don't just leave it on the table. Please refer to our main brochure under www.gate1travel.com/tipping.htm for additional tipping suggestions. Electricity Brazil: Brazil's voltage is 110, however some hotels operate on 220. Peru, Argentina & Chile: The voltage used is 220. Ecuador: Ecuador's voltage is 110. *Note: The U.S. uses 120 volts and you can purchase a converter and transformer at most hardware stores for your 120V appliances. Shopping Brazil: Shops are open from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Friday and until 1:00 p.m. on Saturday. Brazil has a rich array of native crafts from Afro-Brazilian textiles to Bahian pottery and delicate lace tablecloths. Peru: Duty-free shops and artisan's shops offer tourists the opportunity to purchase Peruvian handicrafts such as pottery, carvings, and weavings. Argentina: Business hours are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. Banking hours are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The shops open at 9 a.m. and generally close at 7 p.m. Saturday hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Good buys include leather goods, jewelry and furs. Chile: Good shopping can be found in the streets of Providencia and Santiago. There are also a few big shopping malls. Handicrafts in Chile are the best bargains. Local jewelry made of lapis lazuli, found only in Chile and Afghanistan, makes a beautiful souvenir. Ecuador: Duty-free shops and artisan's shops offer visitors the opportunity to buy Ecuadorian handcrafts such as ponchos, tapestries, ceramics, jewelry. Health Precautions Brazil: No vaccinations are required to enter Brazil. However, it may be advisable to get inoculated against yellow fever, malaria and typhoid. Be sure to consult your doctor before your trip, especially if you are planning to go up the Amazon River. Drink only bottled water and do not eat raw fruits and vegetables. Peru: A yellow fever vaccination is recommended if you are going into the Amazon rain forest. Travelers with heart conditions or high blood pressure should check with their doctor about high-altitude travel if you will be visiting the mountainous regions. Avoid the tap water and raw fruits and vegetables. Bottled water is widely available Argentina: No inoculations are necessary when arriving in Argentina from the U.S. Chile: Tap water is fairly safe to drink, but it is advisable to drink bottled water. Consult with your doctor if you are planning to visit the higher altitudes. English speaking doctors are easy to find in all major cities. Ecuador: No inoculations are required for entry. Travelers with heart conditions or high blood pressure who plan to visit the highlands should check with their doctor about high-altitude travel. Bottled water is advisable and is available everywhere. *To prevent "Montezuma's Revenge," avoid the tap water, including raw fruits and vegetables washed in tap water. Your stomach may still become upset due to the change in diet. Bring anti-diarrhea medicine just in case. *For the latest overseas travel health information, call the Center for Disease Control's traveler's hotline at 404-332-4559. Or visit their web site at www.cdc.gov Conservation/Code of Conduct Brazil: Handshaking is customary on meeting and taking ones leave, and normal European courtesies are observed. Frequent offers of coffee and tea are customary. Flowers are acceptable as a gift on arrival or following a visit for a meal. A souvenir from the visitors home country will be well received as a gift of appreciation. Casual wear is normal, particularly during hot weather. In nightclubs smart-casual (eg blazer, no tie) is acceptable. For more formal occasions the mode of dress will be indicated on invitations. Smoking is acceptable unless notified otherwise. The Catholic Church is highly respected in the community, something which should be kept in mind by the visitor. Peru: Shaking hands is the customary form of greeting. Visitors should follow normal social courtesies and the atmosphere is generally informal. A small gift from a company or home country is sufficient. Dress is usually informal, although for some business meetings and social occasions men wear a jacket and tie. Life is conducted at a leisurely pace. Argentina: The most common form of greeting between friends is kissing cheeks. When invited to somebodys house it is quite common to take a homemade dish or dessert. Dinner is usually served between 7pm - 10pm. Avoid casual discussion of the Falklands/Malvinas war. Dress is not usually formal, though clothes should be conservative away from the beach. Formal wear is worn for official functions and dinners, particularly in exclusive restaurants. Smoking is prohibited on public transport, in cinemas and theatres. Chile: Handshaking is the customary form of greeting. Most Chileans use a double surname and only the first part should be used in addressing them. Normal courtesies should be observed when visiting local people. It is very common to entertain at home and it is acceptable for invitees to give small presents as a token of thanks. Informal, conservative clothes are acceptable in most places but women should not wear shorts outside resort areas. Ecuador: Casual wear is widely acceptable, but businesspeople are expected to dress smartly. It is important to be punctual when arriving for meetings. Smart clothes are often required when visiting hotel dining rooms and better restaurants. Beachwear should only be worn on the beach and revealing clothes should not be worn in towns. Smoking is widely accepted. A tip may be requested if you wish to take someones photograph and it is better to seek permission first. Luggage *Gate 1 tour packages allow one piece of luggage per person, plus carry-on bag. Additional baggage will be subject to handling charges of up to $100 per piece. As Gate 1 will not be responsible for loss or damage to luggage and personal belongings, you MUST report any loss or damage immediately at the time of the incident and obtain a written report from the local authority for submission to your insurance provider. If you luggage is lost or damaged by the airlines, a baggage claim form MUST be filed with the carrier before leaving the airport. See www.gate1travel.com/destinations/luggage.htm for Important Baggage Information for U.S. Travelers. Departure Tax There is no Departure tax levied in Brazil. Please see www.gate1travel.com/Destinations/departure_tax.htm for more information. Travel Insurance We strongly recommend the purchase of travel insurance as additional security in the case of cancellation or interruption of travel plans, lost or damaged luggage, travel delays, illness, or accident. Keep all boarding passes, ticket copies and receipts for expenses paid during your trip if it later becomes necessary to file a claim. Local Emergency Phone # Brazil: general emergency: 911 Peru: general emergency: 011 or 5114 Argentina: ambulance/medical: 101 fire: 107 police: 101 Chile: ambulance/medical: 131 fire: 132 police: 133 Ecuador: ambulance/medical: 131 Holidays Brazil : Public Holidays Jan 1 New Years Day Jan 20 *Founding of Rio de Janeiro Jan 25 *Founding of So Paulo Feb 19-23 Carnival Mar 25 Good Friday Apr 21 Tiradentes May 1 St of Brazil May 26 Corpus Christi Sep 7 Independence Day Oct 12 Our Lady Aparecida, Patron St of Brazil. Nov 2 All Souls Day Nov 15 Republic Day Dec 24 Christmas Eve (half day) Dec 25 Christmas Day Dec 31 New Years Eve (half day) *Note: Regional observances only. Argentina : Public Holidays Jan 1 New Years Day Mar 24 Maundy Thursday Mar 25 Good Friday Apr 4 Malvinas Day May 1 Labor Day May 25 National Day (Anniversary of the 1810 Revolution) June 20 National Flag Day Jul 9 Independence Day Aug 17 Death of General Jos de San Martn Oct 12 Day of the Americas (Columbus Day). Dec 8 Immaculate Conception Dec 25 Christmas Day Dec 31 New Years Eve Dec 25 Christmas Day Dec 31 New Years Eve (half day) Peru : Public Holidays Jan 1 New Years Day Mar 24 Maundy Thursday (half day) Mar 25 Good Friday May 1 Labor Day Jun 29 St Peters and St Pauls Day Jul 28-29 Independence Day Celebrations Aug 30 St Rosa of Lima Day Oct 8 Angamos Battle Nov 1 All Saints Day Dec 8 Immaculate Conception Dec 24 Christmas Eve (half day) Dec 25 Christmas Day Chile : Public Holidays Jan 1 New Years Day Mar 25 Good Friday Mar 26 Holy Saturday May 1 Labor Day May 21 Navy Day May 23 *Corpus Christi Jun 29 St Peter and St Paul Aug 15 Assumption Sep 5 Reconciliation Day Sep 18 Independence Day Sep 19 Army Day Oct 12 Dia de la Raza (Columbus Day) Nov 1 All Saints Day Dec 8 Immaculate Conception Dec 25 Christmas Day *Note: Corpus Christi dates for 2004 and 2005 are actually Jun 10 and May 26 respectively, however, the holiday is observed on the Monday closest to these dates. Ecuador : Public Holidays Jan 1 New Years Day Feb 7-8 *Carnival Mar 24 Maundy Thursday Mar 25 Good Friday May 1 Labor Day May 24 Battle of Pichincha May 26 Corpus Christi Jul 24 Simon Bolivar Day Aug 10 Independence Day Oct 9 *Foundation of Guayaquil Nov 2 All Souls Day Nov 3 *Foundation of Cuenca Dec 6 *Foundation of Quito Dec 25 Christmas Day Dec 31 New Years Eve *Note: These holidays are not official public holidays, but are widely observed. Other holidays, in addition to the above, may be marked locally. Driving Brazil: Brazil has 1,940,400km (1,202,800 miles) of roads. Traffic drives on the right. Peru: The Central Highway connects Lima with La Oroya and Huancayo. From La Oroya there is a road connecting Cerro de Pasco, Hunuco, Tingo Mara and Pucallpa on the Ucayali River. Landslides are frequent in the rainy season (December to March), making for slow travel. The Touring y Automvil Club del Per and the Instituto Geogrfico Nacional sell maps. Travel guides like Gua Toyota and Gua Inca del Per include good road maps. Traffic drives on the right. Argentina: Major privatization programmes have resulted in many trunk roads being upgraded, and roads are generally in good condition. Expect tolls on motorways. Rural roads, composed of packed dirt, become impassable after rain. Nonetheless, buses are considered to be a more reliable form of long-distance transport than trains. Traffic drives on the right. Car hire: There are a number of agencies in Buenos Aires (including Avis , Dollar and Hertz ). Drivers must be at least 21 years of age (sometimes up to 25 years of age). International Driving Permit is required and this must be stamped at the offices of the Automvil Club Argentino (website: www.aca.org.ar ). These documents must be carried at all times whilst driving: proof of ownership, proof of insurance and receipt for last tax payment. Chile: Chile has about 80,000km (49,460 miles) of good roads. The Pan American Highway crosses the country from north to south (a total of 3455km or 2147 miles) from the Peruvian border to Puerto Montt. It is advisable in remoter areas to carry spare petrol and an additional spare tyre. Tires should be hard-wearing. Traffic drives on the right. Ecuador: Traffic drives on the right. An extensive network of roads spreads out from the main northsouth axis of the Pan-American Highway. The Government and PetroEcuador are developing highways into the Oriente. In general, road improvements are being put into effect rapidly but, due to the effect of earthquakes and flooding (in the south) during the last 10 years, conditions remain variable; potholes and cracks in the road are sometimes sizable.The roads between Quito and Guayaquil and between Quito, Latacunga, Ambato and Riobamba are completely paved. A road connects Quito, Otavalo, Ibarra and Tulcn, the frontier with Colombia. Airport Tax - Chile There is an entry fee of $45 per passenger that must be paid before proceeding through Immigration. Return to the South America brochure More TravelInformation Email This Page to a Friend © 2005 Gate 1 Travel Home | About Us | Travel Agent | Free Brochure | Help | Site Map | (800) 682-3333 Read our privacy policy . Contact Us . This site can be best viewed using Internet Explorer 4.0, or higher. The browser software can be downloaded, free of charge, from the Microsoft website at http://www.microsoft.com . All external sites will open in a new browser. Gate1travel.com does not endorse external sites.

Asia Travel

PHILIPPINES TRAVEL INFORMATION Philippines Country Information The Land || History || The People || First-time Traveler Tips || Visas || Customs || Currency || Weather Clothing || Utilities || Newspapers & Media || Business Hours || Language || Getting Around Modes of Transport || Weather Conditions || Things to Know || Sightseeing || Museums and Art Further Information The Land The Philippines is an archipelagic nation made up of 7,107 islands spanning 1,840 kilometers north to south. It is part of the East Indies, a vast island group lying south and east of mainland Asia, with Taiwan at its northernmost coast and Borneo on the south. The three main Philippine island groups are Luzon , the Visayas and Mindanao . Luzon is the island of contrasts. The most modern districts in the Philippines , including the capital city of Manila , are in Luzon , but so are some of the oldest tribal communities in the nation like the Ifugao of the Cordilleras. Luzon is also where a visitor can see the latest model luxury cars overtaking a carabao sled or modern skyscrapers within driving distance of primordial volcanos. The Visayas is famous for its charm, a trait shared by many other southern regions in the world, but here seems to run deeper among a people who are intrinsically connected to their sun soaked island home. The Visayas is also famous as a seat of history, being one of the earliest landfalls of western voyagers. It has also gained a reputation as being a cradle of the nation's future, if the unprecedented economic growth of Cebu City continues. Mindanao is our offering to the Guinness Book of Records with the world's largest clam, the world's largest Eagle, the nation's highest peak and the world's largest city. Mindanao is also home to the Philippines' Muslim population. With a land mass of 300, 780 square kilometers, the Philippines is considered a medium-sized nation, about two- thirds the size of its first colonizer, Spain, and a little larger than the British Isles. Manila is only one hour and 40 minutes from Hong Kong by jet; Sydney only 7 1/2 hours away. Flights to Europe take 17 hours and to the American west coast 15 hours. The Philippines has many things to offer the visitor: a mixture of the old and the new, a diversity of art and culture and a warm, friendly people. Blessed by nature, the Philippines has something to offer every sportsman too . . . extraordinary dive sites, forests to roam, mountains to climb, caves to explore. Top History Situated on the crossroads of Asia, on the eastern rim of the China Sea, the Philippines has hosted voyagers, migrants and traders since the dawn of history. That it was the center of lively Asian trade route that stretched all the way to China and Japan can be seen from the relics these early visitors left behind. Among our archaeological treasures is a Neolithic spirit boat typical of early Southeast Asian culture. The West discovered the Philippines when Ferdinand Magellan, the Portuguese explorer who sailed for Spain, landed in Cebu in 1521. However, colonization didn't actually begin until 1565, when Miguel Lopez de Legazpi established a Spanish base in the town of Manila. Because Philippine society was loosely organized, without a central government, the Spanish conquest was rapid and total. Only the Muslims in the south and some inaccessible hill tribes were able to resist Spanish influence. Along with the Spanish conquerors came a new religion, Christianity, a new language, new laws and the galleon trade. Despite several uprisings against Spain, including the Katipunan, a revolutionary movement inspired by Dr. Jose Rizal and led by Andres Bonifacio, it was the United States of America that broke the Spaniard's grip on the Philippines. Unfortunately, that began the nation's second period of colonization. Once again there was resistance, this time led by Emilio Aguinaldo; but his rag-tag army was no match for Admiral Dewey's forces. In 1901, with Aguinaldo's capture, the Americans were entrenched. The Americans brought over their educational system, their legal system and planted the seeds of their own style of government. In 1935, the Philippines became an American commonwealth country with Manuel Luis Quezon as president. The status quo ended with the Japanese Occupation; and it wasn't until 1946, after the end of the Pacific war, that the Philippines finally regained true independence as the Republic of the Philippines under the presidency of Manuel Roxas. Still one of the strongest democracies in Asia, the current president is Joseph Ejercito Estrada. Top The People Halo-halo is a Filipino word that means mixture. While it describes a popular dessert, it could also describe the Filipinos. They look like Asians, write and speak English like Americans, worship like Spaniards, and have an outlook that is international. Like the Southern Chinese, the Thai, Malay, Indonesian and Burmese, the modern-day Filipino traces his remotest genetic lines back to an Australoid and Mongoloid stock. You will also find a touch of Caucasian, Chinese, Indian and Arabic in their gene pool as well. But to truly understand the Filipino, you have to look at the land. The historic isolation between islands and the topographic isolation on each island, become the primary influence governing regional traits and societal behavior. This diversity makes Filipinos all the more interesting. However, what is apparent isn't how different they are from each other, but rather how alike they are. Brought together by a common history, and looking forward to a common future, it is not surprising to find a sharing of certain traits. Their warmth, graciousness and hospitalityall part of the Filipino psychewill make your stay a delight. Top Tips for First-time Philippine Travelers Generally speaking, it is important to travel light. Bring only what's necessary. Avoid the extra baggage. You don't want to pay exorbitant fees for your luggage service. As in any foreign place, be careful with pickpockets. Some might act as a helpful stanger, but they're out to get something from you! It's good to be cautious at all times. Whenever going outdoors, being in a group is recommended. If you're bringing kids with you, make sure to bring all the things they would need, like medicine, bottles of potable water (although many bottled water is available, it is always recommended to bring one), and one of your kids' favorite toys for their own receration. Top Visas If you are coming from America, Asia or Europe with a valid passport, and either a return ticket or a ticket to another destination outside the Philippines you may enter without a formal visa and stay for 21 days. If you wish to stay longer you must obtain a Visa Extension either before your trip from a Philippine Consulate or Embassy. Or, once here, you may obtain it from the Bureau of Immigration. Customs Upon Arriving: Visitors are allowed to bring in duty free personal belongings, two cartons of cigarettes or two tins of pipe tobacco and up to one liter of alcohol. Balikbayans have separate rules and should check with the Embassy or Consulate in their home city. You may bring in unlimited amount of foreign currency. Upon Leaving: Any antiques you may have acquired during your stay must be accompanied by a certificate from the National Museum. You may also not take more than PhP5,000.00 (five thousand Philippine pesos) out of the country. Currency The currency in the Philippines is the Peso (PhP) and the Centavo. 100 centavos = P1. Coin denominations are: 1, 5, 10, and 25 centavos, P1, and P5. Bill denominations are : 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1, 000 pesos. Foreign currency may be exchanged at your hotel, and in most of the large department stores, banks and authorized money changing shops. Exchanging money anywhere else is illegal and the laws are strictly enforced. Most large stores, restaurants , hotels and resorts accept major credit cards including American Express , Visas and MasterCard. Traveller' s checks preferably American Express are accepted at hotels and large department stores. Personal checks drawn on foreign banks are generally not accepted. Top Weather The Philippines is tropical with just two seasons--hot and dry from November to June, and rainy from July to October. Filipinos will tell you that it is cool from December through February and they themselves will wear jackets. Clothing People in the Philippines dress for the weather (HOT!) Casual attire during the day for women are light blouses and shorts. For men collared T- shirts worn over slacks. In the evening skirts are substituted for shorts and the T-shirts are tucked in. For Men Only: If you expect to have to attend any occasion which would usually require a jacket and a tie (which is torture in this weather) there is a wonderful substitute. Go immediately to a department store and buy a barong tagalog. It is an embroidered shirt that is considered a formal dress. It will cost more or less PhP1,000.00, but it is worth every centavo. Utilities Electricity is 220 volts a/c. Many of the major tourist hotels also have 110 volt a/c outlets. Water supply in Metro Manila and in all the other major cities are considered potable. Bottled purified water, spring water or mineral water is often supplied by hotels and resorts, and sold in all grocery stores. Telephone service is modern and you can direct dial anywhere in the world. Public phones are plentiful. Public phones require a minimum of two one-peso coins for a local call. Some Important Telephone Numbers: (24-Hour Hotline) Police & Fire: 757 or 116 Emergency No.: 501- 650 or 501- 728 Directory Assistance: 114 National Operator: 109 International Operator: 108 For other emergency numbers, please refer to Directory . NOTE: It is advisable to always have the telephone number and the address of your embassy or consulate with you. Top Newspapers & Other Media The newspapers in the Philippines have been called the freest in the world, as you will see for yourself, with more than 24 different morning papers to choose from, most of them in English. There is also a wide selection of magazines printed in English including Time, Newsweek and Asiaweek. In Metro Manila you can buy the Asian Wall Street Journal, The International Herald Tribune and USA Today. Television is "on the air" from early morning to midnight, showing American programming as well as local programming. The standard channels are 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 13, and 23. If you need more channels, most of the major hotels are with Cable TV bringing in TV programs from all over the world. There is also AM and FM radio broadcasting with the pop stations primarily on AM in Filipino and the English language programs on FM. Top Business Hours Most businesses are open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM weekdays and 8:00 AM till noon Saturdays. Banks are open from 9:00 AM till 3:00 PM Mondays through Fridays. When banking in the Philippines, it is advisable to have your passport with you for identification. The post offices are open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM weekdays only. Stamps for postcards are frequently available from the Concierge Desk at most major hotels. The Philippines uses ZIP codes, please include them in addressing local mail. NOTE: The Standard lunch hour is noon to 1:00 PM. Most businesses and government offices are closed. Language While there are over 100 regional languages in the Philippines, the national language is Filipino, with English as the most widely spoken second language. All business, governmental and legal transactions are conducted in English. Top Getting Around There are four modes of public transport in Metro Manila and surprisingly, they are easy to use. Buses : Both air-conditioned and regular buses travel most of the major routes in Metro Manila. On an air-con bus a short ride costs PhP 9.00, adding a few peso for every succeeding kilometer. The regular bus' minimum fare is PhP 4.00. Just tell the conductor where you are going and he will tell you how much it costs. Keep your bus receipt as it is your proof of payment. Jeepneys : Called "folk arton wheels," jeepneys ply most of Manila's secondary roads and even a few major thoroughfares. They're as much fun to ride on as they are to look at and you have to try one. Although there are regular stops, you can often just flag one down and hop on. Call out "bayad" (bah-yhad) and pay the driver. If you are too far back, pass your PhP 4.00 (minimum fare for the first 4 kilometers; 1 peso additional for every succeeding 500 meters) down. When you are ready to get off, call out "para" (pah-rah); wait till he slows down and jump. The LRT : It's a fast, cheap way to go to downtown Manila. A token can take you between Monumento (the northern end of Edsa) and Baclaran, travelling first along Rizal Avenue and then Taft Avenue. Many of the tourist maps have the route of the LRT marked. The MRT : After it's somewhat unsuccessful opening, the MRT is now enjoying a fair share of passengers plying EDSA. This is definitely the fastest mode of transport, this side of the metropolis. The MRT runs from the North Avenue Station in Quezon City up to Taft Avenue Station in Pasay City. Passengers would enjoy the traffic-less route, clean stations and coach, with a good view of Metro Manila's landscape. The only problem is that some stations have very high stairways. Although a number of elevators is operational, not all stations have one. Travel time is approximately 20 minutes end to end. Taxis : Air-conditioned taxis cost PhP25.00 on the meter and an additional PhP 2.00 is added for every succeeding 200 meters to the final cost. Non-airconditioned taxis do not ply anymore. Taxis are always lined up at the major hotels and tourist restaurants and can be hailed on the street. If you take a taxi, make sure the driver turns on the meter. If he gives you a story that it is broken, get out and take another taxi. Unless you are taking a long trip or the traffic is unusually horrible, most taxi rides should be well under P100. At least a 10% tip is expected. Top Other Modes of Transport Most of the major car rental agencies, including AVIS, Budget, and Hertz have offices in Metro Manila and carry a full line of vehicles from jeeps to limousines. All vehicles may be rented with or without a driver. If you wish to do your own driving you must have a valid foreign or international license. Inter-island transportation is provided by either airplane or ferry boat. Philippine Airlines services most of the major provincial airports. Cebu Pacific, Asian Spirit, SeaAir, Air Philippines, and Pacific Airways are smaller carriers servicing more remote tourist destinations. For information about boat schedules, check with the Department of Tourism on T.M. Kalaw Street, Manila (63-2-5267652, 5267653, 5267655). Top WEATHER CONDITIONS & GEOGRAPHY Climate: Tropical (two seasons) Dry Season: March -May (warm) 33-34 C Wet Season: June- October (monsoonal) November -February (coolest) 29-31C Coastline: 334,539 km. Terrain: Many of the islands in the Philippines are extinct volcanoes and atolls. On the larger islands, many mountains, rainforests, rich valleys and swamp regions. The Philippines still does have thermal activity consisting of active volcanoes and hot springs. Top THINGS TO KNOW Language: Filipino (based on Tagalog dialect) is the National Language. The American occupation was responsible for teaching the English Language. The Philippines is currently the third largest English speaking country in the world. Currency: Peso(PhP). Notes are issued in denominations of , PhP 10, PhP 20, PhP 50, PhP 100, PhP 500, and PhP 1000. Coins are issued for 5c, 10c, 25c, PhP 1, PhP 5. Foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks, hotels and authorized exchanged dealers. Outside of Manila payments are preferably made in pesos. Major Travellers Cheques are widely accepted. Major Credit Cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Diners Club) can be used to pay for most goods and services. Bank Hours: Banks are open 9am-3pm Mon-Fri (except public holidays). Shop Hours: Most shops operate 10am-7.30pm daily (except public holidays). Time : Local time is GMT plus 8 hours. Business English is the language used. Sexual equality is more widespread in the Philippines than in other Asian countries. Make sure you have business cards. Top SIGHTSEEING Casa Manila: A replica mid 19th Century house, recreating the Intramuros lifestyle of upper class Filipinos at this time. Corner Real and General Lunar Streets, Intramuros, Manila. Luzon Chocolate Hills : Bohols most famous attraction: the area is named thus, because of the rich grass which covers them turns brown in summer. Carmen Town, Bohol. Visayas* Colon Street: The oldest street in the Philippines located in the heart of Cebu. Cebu. Visayas* Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery: The only underground cemetery in the Philippines; it served as a meeting place for the revolutionary leaders in Laguna. Laguna, Luzon Island Magellans Cross: The most historically-famous landmark in Cebu. Planted by Ferdinand Magellan in 1521, it marks the place where the first Christian Filipinos were baptized. Cebu. Visayas* Top PARKS & WILDLIFE Katibawasan Falls: These 250-foot falls cascade down to a pool surrounded by orchids and other rich tropical flora- 4 km from Mambajao. Camiguin. Mindinao* Maquinit Hot Springs : Located on a scenic beach corner, this is the premium hot spring in the Philippines. Palawan. Luzon* Hidden Valley: A natural recluse is created within this 90-meter crater . A haven for lush jungle life, natural springs and still water pools. Accommodation available. Alaminos, Laguna. Luzon, Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife: Quezon Avenue. Quezon City. Luzon. Rizal Memorial Park: Within the lush park there are monuments, a skating rink and adventure playground. Free concerts every Sunday. Ermita, Manila. Luzon. Top MUSEUMS AND ART GALLERIES Museums & art galleries Ateneo Art Gallery Quezon City Tel: (02) 998 721 Metropolitan Museum of Manila Tel: (02) 832 3645 National Museum Manila Tel: (02) 494 450 Villa Escudero San Pablo City, Quezon City Tel: (02) 521 8698 Top VISAS AND PASSPORTS Visa and Passport No Visas are required for foreigners entering the country for a stay no longer than 21 days provided that you have valid passports and tickets to leave the Philippines. Visas are required only for stateless persons and citizens of countries with which the Philippines have no diplomatic relations. A temporary visitor's visa is required for those who are planning to stay up to 59 days. Vaccination certificates may be neccesary for long term stays. Holders of Hongkong and Taiwan passports need special permits. All visas and permits may be obtained from Philippine embassies and consulates. Duty Free Items: Two 1-litre bottles of alchohol, and two cartons of cigarettes are allowed. Air Travel to the Country : Ninoy Aquino International Airport (7 km from city centre) Ninoy Aquino Avenue Manila, Philippines: Mactan International Airport Cebu, Philippines: (Most major airlines have flights to the country). Top FURTHER INFORMATION Department of Tourism: T.M. Kalaw Street Rizal Park Metro Manila P.O. Box 3451 Tel: (02)523-8411 Fax: (02) 521 7374 Philippine Convention and Visitors Corporatiom: 4th Floor, Suites 10-17 Legasi Towers 300 Roxas Boulevard Metro Manila Tel: (02) 525-93-18-27 Fax: (02) 521-61-65/ 525-33-14 Top

Cruise Vacation Travel Cruises

Better Your Chances for a Safe Cruise Vacation  You are here: About > Travel > Cruises > Cruise Planning > Better Your Chances for a Safe Cruise Vacation Travel Cruises Essentials Planning Your First Cruise Cruise Travel Packing List Choosing a Caribbean Cruise Destination How To Get a Passport How to Choose a Cabin on a Cruise Ship Articles & Resources Cruise Lines Cruise Destinations Cruise Photo Album Cruise Planning Cruise Reviews Cruise Cams Cruise Glossary Cruise News Getting There Lifestyle - Theme Cruises Cruise Activities Travel Gear and Gadgets Cruise Jobs More Cruise Resources Buyer's Guide Before You Buy Top Picks European Cruise Guidebooks Cruise Guidebooks - General Information Alaska Travel Guide Books Product Reviews Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Cruises newsletter! See Online Courses   Search Cruises Stay up to date! Email to a friend Print this page Most Popular Cruise Packing List Carnival Cruise Line Reviews Choosing a Cruise Ship Cabin Planning Your First Cruise Cruise Jobs What's Hot Carnival Conquest Review HAL Norfolk Cruises Alaska Cruise Itineraries Radisson Seven Seas Mariner Crown Princess 2006 Debut Related Topics Caribbean for Visitors Europe for Visitors Honeymoons / Romantic Getaways Senior Travel Travel with Kids Better Your Chances for a Safe Cruise Vacation From Linda Garrison , Your Guide to Cruises . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Things to Do to Avoid Being a Crime Victim A cruise ship is one of the safest places you can take a vacation. However, in today's world, that is not saying much! No one sets out to become a crime victim, but it can happen to anyone. There are steps you can take to lower your risk of being a crime statistic when you travel. Before You Leave Home Make copies of your passport, driver's license, credit cards, wallet contents, and travel documents (plane tickets, etc). You also should make a copy of the credit card "lost or stolen" notification phone numbers to include with this package. Leave one set of copies at home with a trusted friend or family member, and take the other set with you, packed separately from the originals. Many cruise ships will hold your passport to expedite clearing the ship in foreign ports. Therefore, I always make a couple of extra copies of my passport to use to take ashore. Buy an under-the-clothing money bag and use it. These can be quite comfortable, and will thwart "cut and run" thieves who have been known to cut purse straps or waist packs right off their victims. Packing Your Luggage Don't rush out and buy expensive luggage. Plain-looking luggage is less likely to be a target. Some thieves might equate expensive luggage with expensive contents. Make a list of everything you have put in your luggage, and take pictures of it while packing in case of loss. Don't pack medications, eyeglasses, and valuables in your checked luggage. (Better yet, don't take valuables like expensive jewelry with you on the cruise.) Although you need to put external (and internal) tags on your luggage, don't list your full home address on the outside. This is a signal to expert thieves that you won't be home for a week! You really don't want to advertise to everyone at the airport where you live. Although you don't want expensive luggage, you do want luggage that will not pop open at an inopportune time. I've seen all sorts of baggage contents (including some "unmentionables") come out on the luggage carousels at the airport, and always felt sorry for the owners whose bags had come open. Consider using an extra band, airport plastic wrap, or duct tape to help secure your bags. You can buy self-locking plastic tags from travel or home improvement stores for about a dollar. These work well on zippered bags. In Your Cabin When you first get to your cabin, check the bathroom and closet while the cabin door is still open. While a ship is in port, many more people have access to it than you might imagine. Being cautious never hurt anyone. In addition, sometimes the locks on cruise ship cabins are not changed as often as hotel locks. Don't leave valuables lying around in your cabin. Put your wallet and valuables in the cabin's safe or the purser's safe. Be sure to use ALL the locks on the door when you are asleep. Don't open the door to strangers. Protect your cabin key and cabin number. On the Ship Although cruise ships are relatively safe, common sense is needed even at sea. Stay in the public areas, and remember that a cruise ship and its crew and passengers are like a small city, not like your family. If you are cruising with your children, set rules just like at home. Establish curfews for your teenagers, and caution them to not accompany crew members to non-public areas. Don't give your children "the run of the ship" while you are in the club, show, or casino. While In Port If you are going to be a crime victim while on a cruise, it is most likely to occur when you are ashore. Most crimes committed against cruise passengers are those of opportunity. I wear an under-the-clothing bag for my money and credit cards. While in Europe on a cruise vacation, there were at least three men on our cruise whose pockets were picked. Two men had their wallets in their back pocket--the worst place to carry it! One of these men was in the elevator of our pre-cruise Barcelona hotel, and another was waiting to cross the street at a busy intersection. The third man was on a crowded subway in Rome, and had his wallet in his front pants pocket. All three of these crimes could have been avoided. I once had my purse stolen while on business in Washington, D. C. I left it on the back of my chair while dining. I now know to hold it in my lap. I was very glad that I had recorded all of my credit card numbers (and notification phone numbers) in a place other than my purse. I was able to quickly notify the credit card companies and my bank, even though the theft occurred at night. You can't put your camera inside your clothing and have it ready to snap that special picture. Don't put it in a backpack, unless you wear it in front! I have a small camera bag that I can attach to a belt. If you want to carry it in a waist pack, put the strap through your belt loops. These tips are all common sense. Use them to make your next cruise vacation a safe one! Page 2 > > More on Having a Safe Cruise Vacation > > 1 2 3 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 Carnival Conquest Review HAL Norfolk Cruises Alaska Cruise Itineraries Radisson Seven Seas Mariner Crown Princess 2006 Debut

Russia Travel Guide Overview

Russia Travel Tips and Advice | iExplore.com FORBES' #1 ADVENTURE TRAVEL SITE 5 YEARS IN A ROW — TIME MAGAZINE TOP 50 Keyword Search: -- Home Trip Finder Travel Guides Community Special Offers Store My iExplore advertisement -- Home Travel Guides Europe Russia Do's and Don'ts Russia Travel Guide Overview Tours Where to Go Activities General Info History Weather Travel Tips Dining Shopping Visa & Health View Trips to Russia Europe Overview Browse Russia Photos Russia Questions and Answers Read Russia Journals Find a Russia Travel Buddy Russia Travel Tips & Advice Social Conventions It is customary to shake hands when greeting someone. Company or business gifts are well received. Each region has its own characteristic mode of dress. Conservative wear is suitable for most places and the seasonal weather should always be borne in mind. Smoking is acceptable unless stated otherwise. Avoid ostentatious displays of wealth; it is advisable to keep expensive jewelry, watches and cameras out of sight and take precautions against pickpocketing. Tipping Hotels in Moscow and other large cities include a 10 to 15 per cent service charge. Otherwise 10 per cent is customary. International Travel: Travel warning Because of the security situation in the North Caucasus, it is strongly advised not to travel to Chechyna, Ingushetia, Dagestan, North Ossetia, Karachai-Cherkessia, Kabardino-Balkaria (including the Elbrus area) and to the eastern and southern parts of Stavropol Krai, particularly where it borders Chechnya and North Ossetia. Chechen militants have threatened further violence in response to the killing of their rebel leader, Aslan Maskhador, on March 8 2005. It is advised that potential travelers monitor this situation. There is a high threat from domestic terrorism in Russia, including suicide bombings in public places. Air The national airline is Aeroflot – Russian International Airlines (SU) (website: www.aeroflot.com ). Other airlines serving the Russian Federation include Air France , Austrian Airlines , British Airways , Czech Airlines , El Al , Finnair , Lufthansa and SAS Scandinavian Airlines . Approximate flight times From Moscow or St Petersburg to London is three hours 45 minutes. From Moscow to Almaty is four hours 40 minutes, to Baku is three hours 10 minutes, to Bukhara is three hours 40 minutes, to Kiev is one hour 45 minutes, to Minsk is one hour 20 minutes, to Odessa is two hours, to Samarkand is three hours 50 minutes and to Yerevan is two hours 50 minutes. International airports Moscow (SVO) (Sheremetyevo) (website: www.sheremetyevo-airport.ru ) is 35km (22 miles) northwest of the city. Taxis are available at the airport to the city center for approximately US$10-15 (travel time – 30 to 40 minutes). ‘Autoline’ fixed-route taxis and buses are also available. Express coaches depart for the city every 20 minutes (0545-0030). Coaches depart for the airport from the Central Air Terminal in Moscow, 37 Leningradsky Prospekt (travel time – 50 minutes for international flights). Express trains leave every 30 minutes. Airport facilities include outgoing duty free shops, banks/bureaux de change, post office, car hire, restaurants and first aid. Moscow also has three primarily domestic airports: see Travel – Internal section. St Petersburg (LED) (Pulkovo) is 17km (10.5 miles) south of the city. Buses are available to the city center 0700-2000 every 10 minutes (travel time – 10 minutes). Taxis are available for roughly US$10 (travel time – 15 minutes). Airport facilities include banks/bureaux de change, flight information, duty free shops, restaurant, bar, snack bar, left luggage and first aid. Departure tax None. Rail There are various connections from London. The sleeper coach to Moscow takes about 53 hours. The main route is: London–Brussels–Cologne/Berlin–Moscow. The journey from London to Brussels can be made by a variety of train and ferry services (including via Eurostar ), or via the Channel Tunnel. Services from Brussels are daily. There are through trains or coaches from other Western and Eastern European cities, from CIS countries, and from China (PR), Iran, Mongolia and Turkey. See also Trans-Siberian Express in the Travel – Internal section. Road Foreign tourists may drive their own cars or may hire cars (see Travel – Internal ). The speed limit is 60kmph on minor roads, 90kmph on major roads and variable on highways. A road tax is payable upon entry to the country. The following crossing points between Finland and the Russian Federation are available: Vaalima–Torfianovska; Nuijamaa–Brusnichnoye and Rajajooseppi–Lotta. There are also crossing points between the Russian Federation and all neighboring countries although, at present, there are restrictions on cross-border travel to Azerbaijan and Georgia. Plans to simplify this process are currently underway. Those entering by car should have their visas registered at the hotel, motel or campsite where they will stay for the first night, and must also ensure that the car registration number is recorded in the visa. Travelers should also insure their vehicle with Ingosstrakh , which has offices at all crossing points and in most major cities, and to purchase service coupons at the border. Although motorcyclists can enter the Russian Federation, cyclists wishing to cross the Russian border should find out whether this is permissible from the Russian Embassy or their travel agent before departure. Eurolines , departing from Victoria Coach Station in London, serves destinations in the Russian Federation. For further information, contact Eurolines (tel: (08705) 143 219; e-mail: welcome@eurolines.co.uk ; website: www.eurolines.co.uk ). Duty free regulations are liable to change at short notice. The following should be used as a guide only, and travelers are advised to contact the Embassy or Consulate for up-to-date information. The following goods may be imported into the Russian Federation by persons of 16 years of age or older without incurring customs duty: 1000 cigarettes or 1kg of tobacco products ; 1 . 5l of spirits and 2l of wine ; a reasonable quantity of perfume for personal use ; gifts up to the value of US$10,000 . Note On entering the country, tourists must complete a customs declaration form which must be retained until departure. This allows the import of articles intended for personal use, including currency and valuables which must be registered on the declaration form. Cameras, jewelry, computers and musical instruments should all be declared. Customs inspection can be long and detailed. It is advisable when shopping to ask for a certificate from the shop which states that goods have been paid for in hard currency. Presentation of such certificates should speed up customs formalities. Prohibited imports Photographs and printed matter directed against the Russian Federation, weapons and ammunition, narcotics, fruit, vegetables and live animals unless with a special permit. Prohibited exports Arms, works of art and antiques (unless permission has been granted by the Ministry of Culture), precious metals and furs. Note Up to 280g of caviar per person may be exported, provided a receipt is shown proving that it was bought at a store licensed to sell it to foreigners. Internal Travel: Air The internal network radiates from Moscow’s four airports. Aeroflot runs services from Moscow to most major cities. All-inclusive tours are available from specialist tour operators. Note: In the 1990s, Aeroflot was broken up into many small airlines which led to a catalog of air disasters earning it a reputation for poor safety. Thankfully, its safety record has improved in recent years. Domestic airports Vnukovo Airport (VKO) is 29.5km (18 miles) southwest of Moscow. Coaches go to the airport from the Central Air Terminal (travel time – one hour 15 minutes). Outgoing duty free facilities are available at the airport. Taxis are available to the city. Domodedovo (DME) is 48km (25 miles) southeast of Moscow. A coach goes from the Central Air Terminal to the airport (travel time – one hour 20 minutes). Bykovo Airport (BKA) is the smallest of Moscow’s airports, 35km from the city. Coaches go to the airport from the Central Air Terminal. Approximate flight times From Moscow to Bratsk is six hours 45 minutes, to Donetsk is one hour 30 minutes, to Irkutsk is seven hours, to Khabarovsk is seven hours 30 minutes, to Kharkov is one hour 15 minutes, to St Petersburg is one hour 30 minutes, to Volgograd is one hour 50 minutes and to Yalta is two hours 15 minutes. Sea Owing to its geographical position, the Russian Federation has ports on its Pacific and Baltic shores and in the south on the Black Sea. The most important eastern ports are Vladivostok, Magadan, Nakhodka and Petropavlovsk; the most important western ports are St Petersburg and Kaliningrad on the Baltic. The only links to the Atlantic are the ports of Murmansk on the Kola peninsula, which never freezes over and Archangelisk. Major harbors on the Black Sea are Novorossiysk and Sochi. There are plans to build an extension to the St Petersburg harbor at Ust-Luga. Upgrading of facilities at Kaliningrad and Vyborg is also planned. Sea cruises on the Black Sea and the Baltic are popular. River Cruises and excursions are available on the Amur, Don, Irtysh, Lena, Ob, Volga and Yenisey rivers. Many companies offer cruises on board comfortable, modern boats. The Volga towns, the Golden Ring and Moscow–St Petersburg are popular routes. Rail The 87,079km (54,109 miles) of track are a vital part of the infrastructure because of the poor road system. The largest and busiest rail network in the world is predominantly for freight traffic. Only a few long-distance routes are open for travel by tourists, and reservations must be made on all journeys. Children under five years of age travel free. Children aged five to nine pay half fare. Rail travelers are advised to store valuables in the compartment under the bed or seat and not to leave the compartment unattended. The Trans-Siberian Express , probably the most famous train in the world, is one of the best ways of seeing the interior of the country. It runs from Moscow to the Pacific coast of Siberia and on to Japan. There is a daily service, but the steamer from Nakhodka to Yokohama only sails approximately once a week. The through journey from Moscow to Yokohama takes 10 days. It is the world’s longest continuous train journey, crossing seven time zones and 9745km (5778 miles) from Europe to the Pacific, with 91 stops from Vladivostok to Moscow. Bed linen and towels are provided in the ‘Soft Class’ (first-class) berths, and there is a toilet and washbasin at the end of each carriage. Attendants serve tea from samovars for a small charge and there is a restaurant car on every train where meals can be purchased (however, no alcohol is available on the train, so passengers are advised to bring their own if desired). The Trans-Manchurian Express follows the same route, before heading southeast into China and down to Beijing. Another, slightly shorter but no less epic journey can be made on the Trans-Mongolian Railway to Beijing. It runs from Moscow to Irkutsk (Siberia), skirting Lake Baikal and then entering Mongolia. The journey to the Mongolian capital, Ulaan Baatar, is remarkable for its dramatic scenery. The journey concludes in Beijing. Road The European part of the Russian Federation depends heavily on its road network, which totals 552,000km (343,000 miles) throughout the Federation. Generally, the few roads in Siberia and further east are impassable during the winter. It is a good idea to arrange motoring holidays through a reputable agency. It is also advisable to pre-plan the itinerary and accommodation requirements. On the majority of tourist routes, signposts are also written in the Latin alphabet. Travelers can take their own car (see Travel – International ) or hire a vehicle; tariffs include the cost of insurance. Chauffeured cars are available in major cities. Sample distances: Moscow to St Petersburg: 692km (432 miles); Moscow to Minsk: 690km (429 miles); Moscow to Rostov-on-Don: 1198km (744 miles); Moscow to Odessa: 1347km (837 miles). Bus: Long-distance coach services have only recently become open to foreigners. They are a great way of seeing the country but patience is a necessity and getting lost is commonplace. Traffic regulations: Traffic drives on the right. Speeds are limited to 60kph (37mph) in built-up areas and 90kph (55mph) elsewhere. Hooting the horn is forbidden except when to do so might prevent an accident. Motorists should avoid driving at night if possible. It is forbidden to carry unauthorized passengers or pick up hitch-hikers. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is forbidden. Every car must display registration plates and stickers denoting the country of registration and be fitted with seat belts, a first-aid kit, a fire extinguisher and an emergency sign (triangle) or red light. In case of an accident, contact the nearest traffic inspection officer and make sure all participants fill in written statements, to be witnessed by a militia inspector. All repairs will be at the foreign motorist’s expense. Documentation: An International Driving Permit and a national license with authorized translations are necessary. Visitors traveling in their own cars must also possess the following documents at all tmes: passport and visa; itinerary card bearing visitor’s name and citizenship, car registration number and full details of itinerary presented upon entry to the Russian Federation relating to the route to be taken and the date and place of stopovers; form provided by Customs on arrival guaranteeing that the car will be taken out of the Russian Federation on departure; petrol vouchers purchased at the border; and insurance cover documents. A road tax is payable upon entry to the country (see end of Travel – International ). Motor insurance for travel within the Russian Federation should be arranged prior to departure, or upon entry to the Russian Federation at the offices of Ingosstrakh , the Russian Federation foreign insurance agency. Contact the Embassy or a specialist tour operator for further details. Urban Public transport in the cities is comprehensive and cheap. Many services are electric traction (metro, tramway, trolleybus). Stations on the Moscow and St Petersburg metros are always elegant and often palatial. Entry to the underground is by tokens, which are inserted into the ticket barrier. Fares are standard for the various forms of transport. Taxis are also available; they can be hailed in the street, hired at a rank or booked by telephone. It is safer to use officially marked taxis, which should not be shared with strangers. Travel Times The following chart gives approximate travel times (in hours and minutes) from Moscow to other major cities/towns in the Russian Federation: Air Rail Sea Khabarovsk 7.30 - - St Petersburg 1.30 9.00 - Irkutsk 7.00 88.00 - Nakhodka - - 141.00 Volgograd 1.30 - - Sponsored Listings ( Add your listing ) advertisement Advertisement -- advertisement Why iExplore? About Us Advertise Site Map Privacy Policy Travel Agents Contact Us © 2005 Adventure Travel with iExplore --

ITALY Travel Guide Overview

VirtualTourist.com - Italy Travel Guide - Pictures, Tips and Reviews Italy Travel Guide. Tips, Reviews & Photos plus Hotels, Restaurants, Activities & More in Italy member log in | join for free! | help Home Travel Guides Hotels Flights Deals NEW! Members Meetings & Events Do It Yourself Guides Forums ITALY Travel Guide Overview | Hotels | Forum | Things To Do | Top Member Pages | Deals | Members | Meetings & Events Home » Travel Guides » Europe » Italy Destinations Members Keywords Sponsored Links for Italy Marriott Hotels Enjoy stylish luxury hotels with Marriott's new rooms. Book now. Costa Rica Vacation $995 10 Day Escorted Tour, All Inclusive 53 Years. Smart Shoppers Compare. Hotels Compare Prices, View Photos & More! Low Rates Guaranteed - Book Now Vacation In Paradise Visit Atlantis, Paradise Island for the vacation of a lifetime. Cheap Hotels at Expedia Expedia Special Rates Means We Guarantee Our Low Rates on Rooms. Italy Hotel Rates City: Check-In Date: Check-Out Date: Guests: 1 2 3 4 Hotels by OneTime.com Italy Forum Join a Discussion Travelling from Florence to Venice (1 replies, 7:53 PM Dec. 26, 2005) Need traveler to Italy for school project (1 replies, 12:25 PM Dec. 22, 2005) Italian wine (21 replies, 6:32 AM Dec. 23, 2005) Be the first to reply to these questions Accommodation in Pesaro and other cities on the Adriatic coast (no replies yet) Anyone with advice on Perugia (no replies yet) Accomodations near Milan airport or bus station? (no replies yet) » All Italy Discussions » Post a Italy Discussion Travel Resources Car Rental Cruises Vacations Luggage NEW! Italy Deals Holiday fares for flights to and within Italy starting 39 euros! (2 comments, 12:17 PM Dec. 26, 2005) Train travel in Italy for as little as 10 euro (2 comments, 8:49 AM Dec. 19, 2005) 20% Rail Discount for Non-Italians (0 comments, 8:10 PM Nov. 7, 2005) » All Italy Deals » Post a Italy Deal FREE VT Deals Newsletter great deals, inside tips & no spam Popular Italy Hotels In: Rome Venice Florence Milan Verona Pisa Italy Flight Rates From: To: 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 Passengers: 1 2 3 4 Flights by OneTime.com Italy Local time: 11:43 pm Wednesday, December 28, 2005. TravelPro Sale - LuggageGuru.com Great hotels from $53/pp. Hotels in Italy Flights to Italy Map NEW! Members living here: 4,950 Member tips: 56,654 Member pictures: 93,018 Popular Destinations in Italy Rome Venice Florence Milan Verona Pisa Valeggio sul Mincio Naples Pompeii Trieste Genoa Bologna Siena Torino Bergamo Padova Lucca Palermo Sorrento Lago di Garda San Gimignano Catania Bolzano Ravenna Positano » More Destinations in Italy Regions in Italy Abruzzo Basilicata Calabria Campania Emilia-Romagna Friuli-Venezia Giulia Lazio Liguria Lombardy Marche Molise Piemonte Puglia Sardegna Sicilia Trentino-Alto Adige Tuscany Umbria Valle d'Aosta Veneto Top Pages About Italy 1. Italia Nel Cuore by croisbeauty 117 Tips 375 Pictures 2. Italia - Prego! by iandsmith 133 Tips 154 Pictures 3. The Many Faces Of Italy by deecat 88 Tips 103 Pictures 4. Beautiful Italy by sim1 84 Tips 89 Pictures 5. The Best Time To Be In Italy by Ciambella 52 Tips 69 Pictures » View all rated pages (413) » View newest pages » Build your own Italy page Tips and Photos about Italy in General Overview General Tips Tips: 1,094 - Pictures: 862 Restaurants Tips: 290 - Pictures: 161 Hotels and Accommodations Tips: 342 - Pictures: 211 Things To Do Tips: 1,647 - Pictures: 1,480 Nightlife Tips: 97 - Pictures: 58 Off the Beaten Path Tips: 496 - Pictures: 435 Tourist Traps Tips: 123 - Pictures: 63 Warnings or Dangers Tips: 228 - Pictures: 92 Transportation Tips: 324 - Pictures: 188 Local Customs Tips: 334 - Pictures: 243 Packing Lists Tips: 96 - Pictures: 48 Shopping Tips: 60 - Pictures: 40 Sports Travel Tips: 21 - Pictures: 17 » See tips about a specific place in Italy More Sponsored Links for Italy Visit the New Delta.com Low fares to Italy & other destinations. Low Change Fees! Italy Hotels View photos, maps, reviews, rates and book: pay only on check out ! Italy Villas For Rent View a comprehensive collection in the country and on the coast. Find: Destinations Members Keywords Matching: Advanced About VT | Contact Us | Site Tour | Advertising | Local Merchant Login | Travel Tools | VT Chat | VT Gear | Help User Agreement | Privacy Statement Virtual Tourist® ©1994-2005 VirtualTourist.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.