Mexico Travel
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Mexico City Hotels, Resorts, Mexico Travel Guide - Mexico City Hotel Reservations and Hotel-City Information Mexico City hotels, resorts, all-inclusive and Spas: Visit Si-Mexico Hotel And Resort Travel Guide, your source for the best online Mexico City reservation deals for Mexico only Hotels, resorts, spas, all-inclusive and articles, city information, maps, videos and listings of 6 star, 5 star and 4 Star Hotels Resorts in Mexico City, Mexico. Home Airfare Search Hotels-Condos Search Package Trips Travel Offers Travel Store Travel Tips Travel News Travel Tools Travel Books Message Board RESOURCES Diving Resources Mayan Ruins Mexico Airport Codes Mexico Resources Mexico Rental Resources Reservation Resources Web Travel Resources Contact Si-Mexico Hotels In Mexico City Visual Tour: Mexico City • Car Rentals • Check Weather Here • Mexico City Area Map • What To Do And See Camino Real Mexico City European City Colon Mision Reforma European City Maria Isabel Sheraton European City Gran Melia Mexico Reforma European City Royal Pedregal European City Century Zona Rosa European City Fiesta Americana Grand Chapultepec European City Four Seasons European City Hilton Airport European City Holiday Inn Zocalo European City Hotel Century Zona Rosa European City Hotel Nikko European City JW Marriott European City Krystal Zona Rosa European City Marquis Reforma European City Marco Polo Hotel Zona Rosa European City Mision Zona Rosa European City Plaza Lancaster Hotel European City Presidente Inter-Continental European City Radisson Paraiso Hotel European City Royal Zona Rosa European City Hotel del Prado European City San Marino Suites Hotel European City Sheraton Suites European City Best Western Estoril European City Calinda Geneve & Spa European City Crowne Plaza European City El Ejecutivo* European City Fiesta Americana Reforma European City Fiesta Inn Naucalpan European City Fiesta Inn Perinorte European City Fiesta Inn Tlalnepantla European City Hotel de Cortes* European City Hotel Fontan* European City Hotel Ritz* European City Hotel Prim European City Majestic Best Western* European City Tulip Inn Ritz European City Mexico City surrounds visitors with reminders of the city's larger-than-life past. A strong air of Europe drapes the capital, sometimes in sharp contrast to the city's ancient Indian past. Its people make gregarious and gracious hosts. Few cities on earth can match Mexico City for historic grandeur. Its tumultuous past encompasses every phase of Mexican history. It is unique in the Western Hemisphere as a colorful and compelling mosaic of Pre-Columbian, European colonial, and modern eras. Visitors find accommodations ranging from fine world-class resorts, to colonial inns and stately Old World hotels. The city is home to dozens of outstanding museums, spanning topics of varied artistic and academic interest. Music, dance, theater and modern art thrive in the city's flourishing fine arts community. Dining and shopping are first rate and the city's spring-like climate invites visitors year round. Links To Additional Information Mexico City - A Treasure Worth Discovering Mexico City Travel Books Mexico City Virtual Guide - Information and tips to enjoy Mexico City Diego Rivera Web Museum Destinations Cities Hotels-Resorts-Inclusive Acapulco Hotels Aguascalientes Hotels Akumal Hotels Cabo San Lucas Hotels Cancun Hotels Chichuahua Hotels Cozumel Hotels Cuernavaca Hotels Durango Hotels Ensenada Hotels Guadalajara Hotels Guanajuato Hotels Hermosillo Hotels Huatulco Hotels Ixtapa Hotels Juarez Hotels Kantenah Bay Hotels La Paz Hotels Loreto Hotels Los Cabos Hotels Manzanillo Hotels Mayan Riviera Hotels Mazatlan Hotels Merida Hotels Mexico City Hotels Monterrey Hotels Morelia Hotels Oaxaca Hotels Patzcuaro Hotels Playa Del Carmen Hotels Playa Paraiso Hotels Puebla Hotels Puerto Aventuras Hotels Puerto Escondido Hotels Puerto Morelos Hotels Puerto Penasco Hotels Puerto Vallarta Hotels Punta Bete Hotels Punta Maroma Hotels Rocky Point Hotels Saltillo Hotels San Carlos Hotels San Jose Del Cabo Hotels Tijuana Hotels Tulum Hotels Veracruz Hotels Villahermosa Hotels Zihuatanejo Hotels Xcaret Hotels Xpu Ha Hotels MedToGo Mexico Health & Safety Travel Guide - Where will you be when you wish you had it? $19.95 + tax Home | About Us | Disclaimer-Privacy Policy | Site Map 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Our Partners: World Countries Info | Juarez Travel Guide 2005 Si-Mexico Hotel And Resort Travel Guide. All rights reserved. Site Design & Maintenance Forbes Communications Corp. Hosting Graffic Traffic
Switzerland Travel Go Europe
Germany Austria Switzerland Travel Planning and Guides You are here: About > Travel > Europe for Visitors > Germany Austria Switzerland Travel Go Europe Essentials European Vacation Planning Map Europe Travel 101 - Before you Go European Distances The Best of Europe European Photo Gallery Articles & Resources Europe Travel Planning What to do In Europe Lodging - Hotels and More European Travel Maps Sex and Nudism Travel Photography Transportation Benelux Countries France Germany Austria Switzerland Greece Italy and Malta Travel Info Scandinavian Travel Spain and Portugal United Kingdom and Ireland Buyer's Guide Before You Buy Top Picks Italy Travel Guidebooks Europe Travel Guidebooks German Travel Guidebooks Product Reviews Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Europe for Visitors newsletter! See Online Courses Search Europe for Visitors > Germany Austria Switzerland Germany - Austria - Switzerland Travel Information Travel information on Germany, Austria and Swizerland. Travel guides and planners for cities and attractions in these central countries. Subtopics Austria (45) Switzerland Travel Guide (88) Germany Travel (354) Articles & Resources Sort By : Guide Picks | Alphabetical | Recent Austria Map and Travel Essentials Use our interactive map showing cities and rail lines to plan your trip to Austria. Then peruse the information you'll need before you go: currency, language, eating out, tipping, transportation, and weather. Germany Map and Travel Essentials See a map of Germany showing the major cities and a list of the resources on this site for tourists planning a visit to Germany. Also links to a map of the German states and includes information on language, tipping, and weather. Swiss Map and Travel Essentials Switzerland in a Nutshell -- find essential information on traveling to Switzerland using our map and resources. 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 Power Adapters Noord-Holland - Delights of North Holland Travel Visiting Pompeii Italy Guidebooks Naples - Getting There Headlines Antwerp Pictures Antwerp is a fashion and diamond center for Belgium and... Like to Travel Well? Follow the CIA! I really should have paid attention when the CIA came... Tapas from Cans? Ok, so you wander into one of Barcelona's most celebrated... North Holland: Noah's Ark Redux A pious north Holland businessman took out a 300 000...
Family Vacation Spots Travel
Family Vacation Spots You are here: About > Travel > Travel with Kids > Top Vacation Spots > Family Vacation Spots Travel Travel with Kids Essentials Family Vacation Ideas Winter and Spring Break All-Inclusive Resorts Ten Latest Family Travel Deals Family Resorts: top places; photos Articles & Resources Family Travel: What's Hot Top Vacation Spots VT, ME, NH, CT, MA, NY, PA Mexico Family Vacations Caribbean Vacations More Beach Vacations Florida Family Vacations Resorts with Water Park More Family Resorts Fun Places for Kids Disney Vacations Family Cruises Babies;Teens;Single Parents Lots More Destinations Family Travel TIPS, GAMES Buyer's Guide TAKE ALONG: Christmas books Christmas flicks Activity Kits more CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Travel with Kids newsletter! See Online Courses Search Travel with Kids Family Vacation Spots: a "personal best" list of family vacation spots... They say one man'spizza is another man's poison, and the same is true for "best" family vacation spots: we allhave preferences. I admit leanings toward history and the dread word "scenery"... Nonetheless, we've had super trips of many different styles-- Disney, Caribbean beaches, Tuscan hill towns, Utah skiing -- that I hope you'll enjoy too. Scroll down below, or take these shortcuts: Paris | Walt Disney World | Yellowstone | Jamaica Resort | US Virgin Islands | Amelia Island | Whistler, BC | Europe family resorts | Mayan Riviera | Tuscany | NYC | Brazil all-inclusive | Oahu | Quebec Carnival | Utah skiing 1) Best Family Vacation Spots: ParisWith Kids Ah, the City of Light: not to mention famous (free for kids) museums; the Eiffel Tower, my kids' top attraction ever; the river Seine with its wide walkways so perfect for strollers; and heavenly patisseries . (More Europe destinations are found below.) 2) WaltDisney World Orlando, Florida was merely a swampy spot and a gleam in Walt Disney's eye in 1966, but is now the planet's most powerful magnet for families. Many attractions have joined Walt Disney World, but it's still the colossus, with four huge theme parks and an area the size of Boston, and probably ranks as "best family vacation spot" for millions. 3) Family Adventure in Yellowstone National Park "Family Adventures" are all-inclusive escorted tours in a great outdoors area, with "multisports" like hiking, rafting, and horse-riding. Yellowstone was far better than I'd dreamed-- as was the "family adventure" concept. Think: no hassles, check-in line-ups, or "where'll we eat?" Think: a small group of fellow travelers who turn out to be great company, and guides who go all out to make your trip wonderful. 4) Franklyn D. Resort, Jamaica The phrase "all-inclusive family resort" is common in the Caribbean, but only FDR and its sister resort include a "vacation nanny" throughout your stay. Fun includes biking, water-sliding, scuba diving (for ages 12 and up), walking up a waterfall. Feeding kids is a piece of cake, whether you choose kiddie buffets or a five-course dinner on the boardwalk. Suites are huge. More Great Caribbean Resorts 5) Best Family Vacation Spots: US Virgin Islands Three distinct islands in "American's Caribbean" offer family-friendly resorts, a land-and-sea National Park, super snorkeling, colonial towns and forts, duty-free shops, and some novel ways to explore the underseas. Personal favorite activities: snorkeling and sea-trekking. 6) Amelia Island, Florida Still relatively unknown, Amelia Island-- in northern Florida near Jacksonville-- has lovely beaches; a historic fort complete with actors who play period characters; a quaint town with wonderful old buildings; delicious sea-food; and two fine resorts, the Amelia Island Plantation and the Ritz-Carleton, both of which welcome kids. 7) Whistler-Blackcomb Ski Resort (BC, Canada) Whistler-Blackcomb is a hip place forx-treme skiers and partiers: yet this dual resort welcomes thousands of families, with a Children's Adventure Park, a family-friendly zone of green runs, popular ski camps for kids, Ride Tribe for teens. Stay in an attractive townhome with full kitchen; hop on free shuttle buses to the slopes. 8) Europe: Center Parcs Family Resorts Center Parcs has 13 family resorts in northern Europe: each with a huge domed area that houses a tropical pool (slides, waves, etc.), restaurants, shops, etc. Large cottages; country settings; many outdoors activities-- and affordable. 9) Family Vacation Spot, Mexico: Mayan Riviera A top family vacation spot, that combines beach fun with interesting (and even educational!) outings in the area. Just south of busy Cancun is a very different Mexico, with sleepy beach towns, beautiful coral reef, a unique eco-archeological theme park, lagoons for snorkeling, and Mayan ruins. 10) Tuscany & Unbria Kids are natural-born medievalists: they love knights and castles and tales of old-- and the hill towns of Tuscany and Umbria are super places to let their imaginations go. The old sections of these towns are picture-perfect, with centuries-old stone buildings and no plastic ticky-tack. If you're willing to try alternative-type lodgings, the adventure can even be affordable. 11) New York with a Teen New York is exciting for any age but theres an extra thrill in visiting with a child old enough to know they're in one of the world's great cities. Click to see highlights of a visit with a 13-year-old: and as a bonus, many of these activities are low-cost or even free. 12) Breezes Costa do Sauipe, Brazil Yes, it's far to go; but, ah, once you're there... Award-winning Breezes Costa do Sauipe has five miles of unspoiled beach; multi-resort complex with shared equestrian, golf, and lake activities; nearby outings; tour of historic Salvador; kids' program and infant care; fabulous seafood; a very fun and Brazilian ambiance. And your dollar goes a long way. 13) Oahu, Hawaii One small island, so much to do: from famous Waikiki Beach to north shore surfing, eco-tours, Pearl Harbor, luaus, and High Tea in British colonial style (with kids' tea also), Hawaii's island of Oahu has an amazing range of fun for family vacations. 14) Quebec Winter Carnival Ice Palaces, ice sculptures, snow sculptures (left), giant slides for sleds... the Quebecois people know how to celebrate winter. Quebec City is easily reached from northeast cities, and its 2-week carnival in February is a joyous and friendly good-time-for-all, especially kids. (If you don't parlez , don't worry; people in the tourist industry speak English.) 15) Salt Lake City Skiing There are seven very different ski areas, under an hour's drive from Salt Lake City. We had a great time sampling three of them: Alta (skiers only), Solitude, and Park City. A top family vacation spot for skiing! More Top Family Vacation Spots: Related Resources Top-rated Vacations Travel Games and Toys Important productdisclaimer information about this About site. From Teresa Plowright , Your Guide to Travel with Kids . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Advertisement Most Popular Charades -How To Play Charades Family Vacation Spots The Atlantis Resort Great Places to See Santa Disney Christmas Magic Kingdom What's Hot Grand Floridian Chinese New Year - 2006 Poconos Great Wolf Lodge photo Dog Friendly Hotels, inns, lodges -- find dog-friendly vacat... Kwanzaa Related Topics Florida for Visitors New England for Visitors Theme Parks Hotels / Resorts / Inns Parenting of K-6 Children Topic Index | Email to a Friend Our Story | Be a Guide | Advertising Info | Work at About | Site Map | Icons | Help User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy | Kids' Privacy Policy ©2005 About, Inc., A part of the New York Times Company . All rights reserved. Around About New Video iPod - Review POLL: Must-Have Gadgets VIDEO: Portable Gaming VIDEO: Choosing a TV Hugh Hefner's Life What's Hot Grand Floridian Chinese New Year - 2006 Poconos Great Wolf Lodge photo Dog Friendly Hotels, inns, lodges -- find dog-friendly vacat... Kwanzaa Headlines Bunch of family travel deals Latest deals added include a January Travel Special at the... First Nights! "First Night" events celebrate New Year's with family-friendly festivities-- and... Top Family Travel Trends in 2005 It's that time of year... to pause the mad dash... Bookmark the NORAD Tracks Santa site! It's not a family trip, but it's certainly a trip...
Russia Travel
Travel East Russia - Travel Partners Travel Partners Throughout our years of involvement in Eastern Russia, we have worked and cooperated with numerous travel companies. We have had a chance to look at their operating capabilities and procedures, their product, their management style and most importantly how they deal with their clients. We also monitor for safety concerns and client's response to their tour programs. We undertake at least two to three trips each year to monitor development and work very closely with the travel community here in the US and in Eastern Russia. We have also put in a system of ranking tour operators according to their experience with foreigners. *Extensive working experience with international travelers **Interested in working with foreigners. Great experience working with Russians These travel partners provide individual arrangements. They also can put together tour packages upon request: Buryatia Region Baikal-Naran Tour * Contact: Sesegina Rabdanova, General Director baikalnarantour@mail.ru This company has lots of logistical experience in Buryatia. The General Director is a former Intourist employee and of Buryat heritage. They offer a number of different programs with local Buryat communities. They formerly operated in cooperation with a US partner. Firn Travel * Contact: Larissa, International Travel Coordinator Info@travelbaikal.net Firn travel has long time experience in ecotourism operations in Buryatia. They started out at Firn Club, dedicating their efforts to leading volunteer youth groups on ecotours in the regions of Severobaikalsk and the Barguzinsky Reserve. They have both English and German speaking staff and have a lot of experience in operating tours for German tour operators. Irkutsk Region Baikal-Discovery * Contact: Alexei Nikorof, Manager travel@baikal-discovery.com Alexei Nikiforov has been involved in tourism in Irkutsk for a long time, about twenty-five years, first as an Intourist guide, later connected with the Baikal Business Center, Green Express and now his own company. The company has long -term experience in operating eocotours connecting the regions of Mongolia, Buryatia and the Irkutsk region. Their itineraries are well researched and include unique encounters with the indigenous populations. Alexei is a tireless supporter of ecotours in this part of Russia. He writes a lot of articles about ecotourism development, speaks at conferences and educates other tour companies on following ecotourism principles in their own operations. Ivan Ivanov who oversees the operational aspects for the company has achieved one of Russia's highest accomplishments graduating from the Presidential Management course with honors. Both Alexei and Ivan are involved in the development of interesting program spanning all nearby regions. The company also offers an interesting program of winter activities and is always interested in new ecotourism ideas. They have cooperated with a number of travel companies from Europe and the US, including TCS Expeditions. Kamchatka Region Kamchatintour * www.kamchatintour.ru Contact: Irina Sedova, Director of Tourism inform@kamchatintour.ru Kamchatintour was one of the first companies after Perestroika that took the lead in catering to international travelers. They met the first expedition ship traveling from the Komandor Islands to Petropavlovsk. They also developed the first business partnership with Japan now generating about four to five charters of ecotravelers to Kamchatka from that country. Innovative ideas and excellent operational qualities characterize this agency. ExploreKam * Contact: Martha Madsen, Director explorekam@elizovo.ru Explore Kamchatka In 1991, Martha Madsen was the Curator of the Pratt Museum of Homer, Alaska. Even at that time, Martha had a great interest in bringing cultures together and worked with both native Alaskan and Koryak and Even cultures of Kamchatka. Little did she know that she would eventually move from Alaska to a totally different environment, Kamchatka, Russia? When I met Martha, she had finished a stint as Assistant Director for Program Development and Fund Raising at the Yelizovo District Library System and just started her career in travel with Yelizovo Tour Service. This agency was way ahead of the crowd, perhaps not in experience, but in concept as it brought together many of he smaller entrepreneurs who had specific skills related to travel and used their expertise to create and manage their own tours. Not an easy thing to do, in a region where competition is frowned upon. The idea itself though, offers the traveler the best experience. Martha not satisfied with this experience alone, also opened the first Bed & Breakfast in Yelizovo, in a house she and her Russian husband are carefully refurbishing. From feedback, we have heard they serve the most wonderful meals and the ambiance brings travelers back over and over again. Martha as an extension to her hospitality efforts also now operates her own tours, continuing the principle of joint operations with those who have the greatest knowledge. Martha is also the creator and editor of the Kamchatka Explorer brochure. This brochure contains great information about the region and its tourism possibilities. The information is also available through a Web Site www.kamcahtkaepxlorer.com. Volcanolog Tour * Contact: Elena Kochneva, Director travel@mail.iks.ru This company is lead by a scientist in volcanology and a man with great knowledge and humor. He has worked with many German and French groups and has an excellent reputation. Kamchatka Travel Group Ltd. ** Contact: Yulia Nenasheva, inbound travel services yulianiko@yahoo.com This company was founded and is managed by a number of travel professionals with long term experience in tour management in Kamchatka The Climb ** Contact: Galina V. Volgina, Owner climbkam@hotmail.ru This company has been offering hiking and climbing tours in Kamchatka for at least ten years. The company has also a partner in Alaska. Beringia Land ** Contact: Inna Obukhova, Executive Manager inna@mail.iks.ru Beringia Land has been leading sled dog races over the past years. . Beringia is a philosophy as much as a company, offering unique experiences beyond the conventional for the last twelve years. Itineraries offered include remote wilderness travel to general sightseeing and activities from hiking, river rafting and sea kayaking to dog sledding. The company focuses on tours off the beaten path an entrance into what makes Kamchatka so special. Khabarovski Krai Unitravel ** Contact: Ivan Kazzenov Ivan@unitravel.com We have not worked with this company before. They did attend our training and have been excellent in following through with our recommendations. The company has established several ecotours in the region. Bon Voyage * Contact: Svetlana Cherkasova, Director svetlana@mail.kht.ru The company has an excellent record in operating complex logistics and has shown a aptitude for working with foreigners. Primorski Krai Dalintourist * Contact: Olga V Bekhtereva, Director Inbound Department dalint@mail.primorye.ru This company has good experience with international travelers and offers programs all over the Primorski Krai. One of their new efforts includes the development of community tourism in a small village north of Vladivostok. The village still offers travelers a look at the traditional way of life during the soviet years. Dalintourist offers accommodations in its own lodging facility. Villagers are employed in all activities and benefit economically from them. Intourist, Nahodka * Contact: Natalia Kucherenko, Head of International Department natalia@intourist.nahodka.ru Intourist has both an office in Nahodka and Vladivostok. Mirabel Tour Company ** Contact: Elena Andreeva, General Director mirabel1@vladivsotok.ru An established, innovative tour company in Vladivostok offering a variety of tours in the region. They are one of the first agencies offering nature oriented tours to the local population and foreign travelers accompanied by a specialist. The agency is very supportive of new tour development and is always looking for new tour product. "Nika tour - 2000" Co., Ltd** Contact: Tatyana Kalinina, General Director nikatour@mail.ru Terratour ** Contact: Anastasiya K. Kaushinskaya, Manager terra-julie@mail.ru This company has not had much experience with the international market place. However, they are very experienced in handling logistics all over Russia. They just finished managing a motorcycle race from Moscow to Vladivostok. Also recommended by WWF/Russia. Vladivostok Travel & Excursion Bureau** Contact: Elvira Khodounova, General Director globus@vlad.ru Vzmorye * Contact: Svetlana Lozovskaya, Leading specialist vzmorye@mail.ru This company is lead by a team of scientists in the field or ornithology and biology. They also have set up a network of B & B's throughout the Primorski Krai. The company is very knowledgeable about birding tours in the Far Eastern Marine Preserve and also nature oriented tours to other areas of the Primorski Krai. The company has excellent relationships with WWF/Russia and the local government. Maik-DV Contact: Natalya Nosyreva Maik-Dv@yandex.ru This company has quite a bit of experience handling conferences andmeetings for the regional government. They also have a number ofspecialists they work with specifically on programs focussing on theAmur Tiger. Magadan Region DVS Tour * Contact: Victoria Belger, Manager dvs_tour@sferacom.ru DVS-TOUR has been organizing ecological, fly fishing and rafting tours for many years. Clients include both Russian and foreign clients. Last year the company managed expedition cruise clients of Zegrahm, a well know US company. Virginia ahs spend about four months in the US as an intern with several ecotourism companies. Yakutia Region Tour Service Center. Co. Ltd. * Contact: V. Ipatiev, Director contact@yakutiatravel.com This company offers exciting and well-managed excursions of Yakutia. One of the main reasons they can do this is because they work with a number of tourism partners in the region who have expertise in specific activities. Arctic Travel * Contact: Guerman Arbugaev, Director g-arbugaev@yandex.ru arctic@sakha.ru This company offers excellent experience in one of a kind tours around Yakutia, specifically to off the beaten places, such as reindeer herding camps, both in the summer and winter. They also offer birding tours in the north. The company has excellent contact with all indigenous communities. Join our mailing list be informed of tours as they become available: Email: Subscribe Unsubscribe World Wise Ecotourism Network 1321 W. Emerson #6 Seattle, WA 98119 Phone: 206-282-0824 Fax: 206-281-4417 E-mail: Info@TravelEastRussia.com 2000 All Rights Reserved
Asia Travel || Malaysia
Travel Information of Malaysia Malaysia Country and Travel Information Malaysia Hotels & Resorts Reservation GENERAL INFORMATION Malaysia is located in the heart of Southeast Asia. Consisting of 127,000 sq. miles (330,200 sq. km), Malaysia is divided into two main regions: Peninsular Malaysia, which lies just south of Thailand, and East Malaysia, which can be found north of Indonesia on the island of Borneo. These two regions are divided into thirteen states and federal territories. Although East Malaysia occupies the larger portion of Malaysia's total area, it is primarily comprised of undeveloped land and jungles. Malaysia is a land of fascinating sights and attractions. Rich in colour and contrasts, her multi-faceted charm provides intriguing images that leave visitors to the country in awe. The natural warmth of Malaysians is legendary; wherever one goes, the friendliness and hospitality of the people would prove to be a very special experience. Malaysia is paradise. Its sun-drenched beaches, enchanting islands, diverse flora and fauna, forest retreats and magnificent mountains are among the best in this region. Many visitors have discovered Malaysia's other attractions: a shopping haven, a versatile conference venue, an incentive destination, an adventure land and much more. WEATHER CONDITIONS With temperature that fluctuates little throughout the year, travel in Malaysia is a pleasure. Average temperature is between 21 to 32 degree celcius. Humidity is high. Rain tends to occur between November to February on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, on western Sarawak, and north-eastern Sabah. On the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia the rainy seasons is April to May and October to November. PEOPLE AND CULTURE Malaysia has a combined population of over 18 million people. Because of its central location, between the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea, Malaysia has traditionally been a meeting point for traders and travelers from both the East and West. As a result, Malaysia has a multicultural and multiracial population consisting of Malays, Chinese, Indians and numerous indigenous peoples. Although Malay is the official language, English is widely spoken, especially in business, and the English language is a compulsory subject in all schools. With such a varying ethnic composition, it is no surprise that a great diversity of religions is prevalent throughout Malaysia. Although the official religion is Islam, freedom of worship is practiced. As a result, it is a common to see temples, mosques and churches within the same area. Ethnic Groups: 59% Malay and other indigenous, 32% Chinese and 9% Indian. Languages: Malay (official), English, Chinese dialects, Mandarin, Hakka dialects, Cantonese, Tamil and numerous tribal languages. Religion: Muslim (primarily Malays), Buddhism (Chinese), Hindu (Indian), Christianity, Confucianism, Taoism and tribal religions. LOCAL CUSTOMS General: When visiting Malaysia, the visitor should observe local customs and practices. Some common courtesies and customs are as follow:- Although handshakes generally suffice for both men and women, some Muslim ladies may acknowledge an introduction with a gentleman with a nod of her head and smile. A handshake is only to be reciprocated if the lady offers her hand first. The traditional greeting of "salam" resembles a handshake with both hands but without the grasp. The man offers both hands, lightly touches his friend's outstretched hands, then brings his hands to his chest to mean, " I greet you from my heart". The visitor should reciprocate the "salam". It is polite to call before visiting a home Shoes must be removed when entering a Malaysian home. It is also customary to do so upon entering a mosque or an Indian temple. The right hand is always used when eating with one's hand or when giving and receiving objects The right forefinger is not used to point at places, objects or persons. Instead, the thumb of the right hand with the four fingers, folden under is preferred usage. Toasting is not a common practice in Malaysia. The country's large Muslim population does not drink alcoholic bevergaes. THINGS TO KNOW Population: 20 million Capital: Kuala Lumpur Flag: Fourteen equal horizontal stripes of red (top) alternating with white (bottom); there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a yellow crescent and a yellow fourteen-pointed star; the crescent and star are traditional symbols of Islam; the design was based on the U.S. flag. Shop Hours: Department stores and supermarkets are usually open from 10am to 10pm and shops from 9:30am to 7pm. In Kuala Lumpur, as well as in most major towns, there are several 24-hour stores. Bank Hours: Most states: Mon-Fri: 9:30am-4.00pm Sat : 9:30am-11:30am Sun : Closed Kelantan and Terengganu: Sat-Wed: 9:30am-4.00pm Thur : 9:30am-11.30am Fri : Closed VISAS AND PASSPORT Visitors must be in possession of a current passport or other internationally recognized travel document. They must be endorsed for traveling to Malaysia and have a period of validity of at least six months beyond the time of stay allowed in Malaysia. No visas are required for citizens of British Commonwealth countries (except India), British Protected persons, and citizens of the Republic of Ireland, Liechtenstein, the Netherlands, San Marino, Switzerland and the United States (for social, business or academic purposes only). No visas are required for stays not exceeding three months for citizens of: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Luxemburg, Norway, South Korea, Sweden, Tunesia, U.S.A. , France and Germany (except for local employment). CUSTOMS REGULATIONS Duty-Free Items: Items such as cameras, watches, pens, portable radio-cassette players, perfume, cosmetics and lighters are duty-free in Malaysia. Visitors bringing in dutiable goods may have to pay a deposit for temporary importation, refundable on departure - usually 50% of the value (carry receipt of purchase and obtain an official receipt for any tax or deposit paid). Asia Travel || Malaysia Hotels & Resorts Reservation