Europe Travel
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Europe Travel: Destination guides, hotels and news at TripSpot.com Back to Home General Guides Destination Guides City Guides (48) State Guides (50) International Business Travel Specialty Travel Deal Finders Best Fares Travel Auctions Cruise Bargains Hotel Bargains Last-Minute Bargains U.S. Airlines Int'l Airlines Airports Frequent Flyer Rental Cars Road Trips Road Warnings Rail & Subway Buses & Shuttles Cruises Packing Tips Hotels Bed & Breakfasts Resorts Vacation Rentals Camping Hostels Spas Sports/Recreation Arts/History Outdoors Dining Cyber Cafs Maps Languages Weather Photo Galleries Travel Headlines Travel Magazines Travel Sections Travel Agents About TripSpot Free Newsletter -- Link to TripSpot Helpful Tips Suggest a Site Advertising Info Contact Us Free Newsletter Enter your e-mail address below: -- Back to HomePage Search Site Free Newsletter -- Link to Site City Guides Anchorage Atlanta Austin Baltimore Boston Charlotte Chicago Cincinnati Cleveland Columbus Dallas Denver Detroit Ft. Lauderdale Hartford Honolulu Houston Indianapolis Jacksonville Kansas City Las Vegas Los Angeles Memphis Miami Milwaukee Minneapolis Montreal Nashville New Orleans New York Oklahoma City Orlando Philadelphia Phoenix Pittsburgh Portland Raleigh Sacramento San Antonio San Diego San Francisco San Jose Seattle St.Louis Tampa Toronto Vancouver Wash. D.C. State Guides AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DE FL GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WV WI WY StartSpot Network BookSpot.com CinemaSpot.com EmploymentSpot.com GenealogySpot.com GovSpot.com HeadlineSpot.com HomeworkSpot.com LibrarySpot.com MuseumSpot.com TripSpot.com Europe Countries | City Guides | Specialty Travel | Hotel and Dining Guides | News Destination Guides European Visits - Magazine about traveling. Lonely Planet - Maps and descriptions of every country. Rick Steves - Europe Through the Back Door. Trotty - Tourism links for many countries. VisitEurope.com - Guides include events and activities. World Travel Guide - Comprehensive information. Countries Austria Czech Republic Finland France Germany Greece Hungary Ireland Italy Norway Poland Russia Spain Sweden Switzerland United Kingdom City Guides Cityvox - Profiles of 24 cities. Fodor's - Guides for dozens of European cities. TravelPage.com - City guides and home pages. Specialty Travel BUG Europe - Backpackers Ultimate Guide to Europe. Eurotrip.com - Backpacking and student travel. GORP - Adventure and vacation ideas. Hotel and Dining Guides ASE.net | HotelWorld | restaurantsOMH.com News HeadlineSpot: Europe News Advertisement More to Explore TripSpot Articles Lists Questions & Answers Destination Ideas City Guides State Guides Bargains Deal Finders Best Fares Hotel Bargains Last-Minute Bargains Related Spots GourmetSpot.com MuseumSpot.com ShoppingSpot.com Back to Home Page Find more useful resources in popular areas of the StartSpot Network ... Today's Headlines Bestselling Books Online Museums State Government Jobs by State Click and Give Genealogy How-To International News Recipes Dictionaries Libraries Maps -- © 1997-2005, StartSpot Mediaworks, Inc. Advertising Information | Privacy Policy | Contact Us
Vacation Guide: Sign up
Taos, New Mexico Vacation Guide Wednesday, December 28, 2005 FRANCAIS | ESPANOL | DEUTSCH | RELATED LINKS | SITE MAP Taos is actually a blend of several close-knit communities that, together, provide visitors with a world of infinitely varied experiences. Visit Taos Pueblo, an ancient living Indian village that has stood unchanged for centuries. Or explore historic Taos Plaza and its side streets. Many of the old adobe buildings that now house shops and galleries were once the homes of some of Taos' leading citizens -Kit Carson, among them. Set off on a mountain trail on skis, horseback, bike or your own two feet. Or ride the bucking Rio Grande in a raft or kayak. With four seasons and five life zones, your recreational options are wide open.Our Native American, Spanish, and Anglo cultures are proudly preserved through art and architecture, music and dance, and food and festivals for all to enjoy throughout the year. Join us and discover the many different sides of Taos for yourself. The staff at the Taos Visitor Center is ready to help you get started. Search all of Taos Vacation Guide: Sign up to receive Taos Vacation e-News. For complete reservation information call: 800-816-1516 Published by Taos County Lodgers Association TellMeMore@taosvacationguide.com Also see TaosGuide.com for more websites about Taos. This site is part of the TaosWebb community. -- Lodging | Events & Activities | History & Culture | Skiing & Recreation | Arts & Shopping | Day Trips | Photo Album | Getting to Taos | Meetings Photo Credits | Top
france Travel for Kids
Travel for Kids: France fun things to do with kids in France France, famous for painters, food, medieval cathedrals and much more. You may have been to Paris before, but exploring Paris with your kids will be new and exciting, as they uncover unexpected delights like a boulangerie with the Eiffel tower as bread sculpture. (It was delicious!) As you travel into into the countryside, kids can see for themselves the landscapes immortalized by the Impressionists, and let your children soak up the French joie de vivre. Tip: Don't miss our top picks for children's books on France, recommended by the staff of Travel for Kids, see below. Paris Central Ile-de-France The Loire – Orleans, Amboise, Loire chateaux North Normandy West Brittany Southwest The Dordogne – Lascaux, Rocamadour Languedoc-Roussillon – Carcassonne Southeast Provence Marseilles Cote D'Azur Nice The Cat Who Walked Across France Kate Banks, Georg Hallensleben Irresistible journey of a cat through France, past chateaux and shaded canals, dodging cars in Paris, roaming across lavender fields, to return to his home – a stone house by the edge of the sea. Fabulous double-page illustrations. (Picture book) Katie's Sunday Afternoon James Mayhew Little Katie gets in the picture when she climbs into a Pointillist painting, and joins the swimmers in the cool river. When water pours back into the gallery, Katie fetches a rowboat from another painting to rescue the elegant people in Sunday clothes. A delightful book for summer and fun for little kids. (Picture book) Katie's other adventures with French paintings: Katie Meets the Impressionists Paris Renzo Rossi Illustrated history of Paris, from Roman times when it was called Lutetita Parisiorum, down through Middle Ages with its glorious Gothic cathedrals, 17th century reign of Louis XIV, revolutionary times, Napoleon and the transformation of Paris into the one of the most beautiful cities in the world. (Picture book, fun facts) Eleanor: Crown Jewel of Aquitaine, France, 1136 Kristiana Gregory Fictional diary of 13 year old Eleanor – in just one year, she became Duchess of Aquitaine, then she married Louis Capet, and one week later she was Queen of France! (Chapter book) The Three Musketeers Alexandre Dumas, Deborah Felder Classic swashbuckling, swords-flashing adventure of d'Artagnan and the musketeers, sworn to protect King Louis. The musketeers uncover a plot by the scheming Milady de Winter and Cardinal Richelieu to betray the queen. Fun for new readers. (Easy reader) Kids will also enjoy reading the illustrated abridged version for themselves and listening to the audio CD . Or read the complete version out loud (fun for everyone in the family). The Orange Trees of Versailles Annie Pietri A fabulous tale of intrigue at Versailles. Marion Dutilleul, the gardener's daughter, makes exquisite perfumes for the Marquise de Montespan, favorite of Louis XIV, but Marion discovers the beautiful marquise harbors a dark secret. (Chapter book) Stone Soup Marcia Brown Coming into a French village, three hungry soldiers, returning from the wars, cleverly trick the stingy peasants into sharing their food in a delicious "stone soup." (Picture book) Betsy and the Emperor Staton Rabin Captivating novel of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, in exile on St. Helena. Now a prisoner, living with a local family, Boney finds a kindred spirit in teenage Betsy Balcombe, an uncommon young lady, who plots his escape from the remote island. (Chapter book) The Magical Garden of Claude Monet Laurence Anholt Endearing story of a girl who thinks Monet is the gardener. Anholt's illustrations are seamlessly interwoven with Monet's paintings – you feel as if you're in the water garden, "where lilies sparkle bright as stars." (Picture book) The Impressionist Art Game Wenda O'Reilly Before you go to the museums, "Go Fish" for the Impressionists. The game is simple, but you really look at the paintings on the cards. The accompanying book is a readable, fun introduction to Manet, Pissarro, Degas, Morisot, Monet, Renoir, Cassatt and Caillebotte. Or, you can buy The Impressionist Art Book separately. Fun for all ages. (Activity pack) Sunday with Seurat Julie Merberg, Suzanne Bober "On a sunny Sunday in the park, families play until it's dark." Toddlers can touch Seurat's paintings in this charming board book, French family fun from the seaside to the circus. (Board book) And there's more in this delightful series: Sharing with Renoir , Dancing with Degas , A Picnic with Monet , A Magical Day with Matisse . The Truffle Hunter Inga Moore Adorable story of Martine, a truffle hunting pig who can't find truffles (a French delicacy), until she meets a wild boar in the forest. Charming illustrations. (Picture book) Monsieur Saguette and his Baguette Frank Asch Monsieur Saguette's trip to the bakery is full of adventure, in this whimsical tale of a delicious baguette. With the baguette, Monsieur rescues at cat in a tree, wedges it into an alligator's jaws, disarms a robber and saves himself from a flooding sewer. Playfully illustrated. (Picture book) Hot Air Marjorie Priceman It's September, 1783, and everyone's gathered at Versailles to see a new hot-air balloon with three passengers on board – a duck, a sheep, and a rooster. Hilarious and unexpected adventures of the animals on their flight over the French countryside. Exuberant illustrations, a delight for little ones. (Picture book) The House from Morning to Night Daniele Bour Peek inside a French apartment building, like a doll house. Each page is a different time of day – the baker bakes bread early in the morning, the family comes home for lunch, in the afternoon the concierge sweeps the sidewalk, the mother puts the baby to bed at night. (Picture book, reinforced pages) Let's Learn French Coloring Book Anne-Francoise Pattis Loads of fun pictures to color – from les animaux to le bateau (boat), le chat (cat), la fleu r (flower), seasons of the year, days of the week, animals and food. (Coloring book) (More children's books on other France pages) travel for kids | france Travel for Kids Your best choice for family travel 2000-2005 Globetracks, Inc. disclaimers and limitation of liability
Japan Travel International Travel
Metropolis - Tokyo Japan Travel: God speed JAPAN TODAY | METROPOLIS | CLASSIFIEDS | PERSONALS | JOBS Issue Index Original Features Features Mini Features Cultural Features Life in Japan Big in Japan Rant & Rave Cars & Bikes Health & Beauty Interiors Practical Jobfinder Money Talks Tokyo Tech Web Watch Food & Drink Food & Drink Restaurant Reviews Bar Reviews Word of Mouth Travel Travel Features Japan Travel International Travel Travelogue Style Art Artifacts Fashion Tokyo Talk In Store Buyline Music Japan Beat CD Reviews In Person Concerts Clubbing JAPAN TRAVEL Photos by Mary King The mother of all Shinto temples, Ise Grand Shrine is the spiritual home of the Japanese nation. Mary King takes a pilgrimage. D own the ages various rumors and tales have circulated about the sacred mirror of Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess. It was once said that whoever laid eyes on the mirror would immediately be struck blind, a possible deterrent for would-be thieves. Others have claimed to have seen the mirror and reported that it is inscribed with ancient Hebrew lettering, reading “eheyeh asher eheyeh,” the name of the Judaic-Christian God written in Exodus 3:14 and meaning “I AM THAT I AM.” Heavenly abode Japan’s sacred mirror, one of three items of the Imperial Regalia, is kept in the Inner Shrine (Naiku) at Ise Grand Shrine, a sanctuary that many visitors to the Mie Prefecture city of Ise are astonished to discover they are not allowed to enter or even see. Ise Jingu, popularly known as “O-Ise-san,” or officially “Jingu,” holds the most honored position among the more than 100,000 Shinto shrines that are scattered throughout the breadth of Japan. The site of the nation’s most Holy of Holies, and boasting some of the world’s greatest architectural monuments, Jingu is also home to some of the simplest and most mysterious structures. Described as the “starting point for all journeys in Japan,” Ise is regarded as the spiritual home of the Japanese, a place to which most wish to make at least one pilgrimage to in their lives. In fact, more than six million pilgrims and worshipers come to Jingu each year, crossing the Uji Bridge spanning the sacred Isuzu River to symbolically leave behind the temporal world and enter a “pure world” of kami (gods and spirits) and the ancient mythology of the land. Odyssey Passing through the second huge torii at the end of Uji Bridge, a long gravel approach leads you through a natural cathedral of towering cryptomeria. Pilgrim and tourist alike are taken on a divine journey toward the Naiku and Geku, where Amaterasu and Toyouke (God of Abundant Food) are respectively worshipped. It is an unforgettable odyssey, one that spirits you back to the country’s earliest recorded “history” that tells of the “Age of Kami,” the creation of Japan and the origins of its people right through to the Imperial line and succeeding generations of emperors and empresses. The auxiliary shrines resemble ancient granaries The Geku (Outer Shrine) was dedicated to the grain deity Toyouke, possibly in a bid to bolster the new imperial cult that started, according to the myth, when Amaterasu sent her grandson, Ninigi no Mikoto, down to earth to rule. The Sun Goddess handed her grandson the mirror that had lured her out of her cave, along with Susano’s sword, and a curved jewel. The mirror (yata no kagami), along with the jewel and sword, remain the Three Imperial Regalia, symbols of divine authority, and to this day the emperor conducts rites to ensure a bountiful harvest as well as secret rituals in which he symbolically mates with the Sun Goddess. The high priestess of Ise, meanwhile, has traditionally been an Imperial princess, reflecting the nation’s early history of shamanesses, priestesses and ruling empresses. Having passed through large open grounds and crossed over a small bridge (hiyokebashi), you gradually move towards the more sacred area of the Naiku. To the right of the main pilgrimage path is located a font for the ablutions made by pilgrims prior to proceeding toward the main sanctuary grounds. Beyond the daiichi torii (first sacred gateway) are steps that lead to the Isuzu River, where since ancient times pilgrims have purified their body and mind by washing their hands in, and rinsing their mouths with, the waters of this sacred river. According to Shinto thought, one’s pure mind and body given by the kami must be ritually cleansed so as to return to a state of purity. Amaterasu Omikami is enshrined in the main sanctuary building, the Goshoden, of the inner sanctum of Naiku, in which the august mirror, her symbol or goshintai, is kept and worshipped. As they are considered most sacred, pilgrims or other visitors may see neither the mirror nor the main sanctuary. In fact, the only people allowed to enter the Holy of Holies, according to my guide, are members of the Imperial Family, although on one occasion, it is rumored, Queen Elizabeth was invited in. Restoration Except for the exalted mirror, all of Jingu’s other sacred shrines and objects must be reconstructed in synch with each 20-year Shikinen Sengyo cycle. The elaborate transference procession and ceremony involves the remaking of some 491 holy treasures, 1600 accessories and 125 kinds of sacred apparel that are then put in their proscribed places by the priests. Formerly used objects are kept in the nearby Jingu History Museum, which is open to the public. It is possible to find two absolutely identical Naiku and Geku standing side by side-one old, one new. In time the older one will be deconstructed and its wooden parts, now forever consecrated, recycled as repair pieces for other shrines around Japan. The newer one-once the transference of holy objects has been consummated-hence replaces the old as a locus of veneration. The shrines themselves are thought to resemble ancient granaries or storehouses and are built from Japanese cypress (hinoki) from the Kiso forestry preserves extending between the Gifu and Nagano Prefectures. Befitting the reverence accorded to these sanctified building blocks, death, loss of a limb, or imprisonment have, over the centuries, been the penalties for felling these jewels. A visit to the majestic Ise shrine allows one to understand why. Where to stay: Oaken, tel: 059-622-2589; Hinodekan, Tel: 059-628-2954; Saekikan, tel: 059-628-2017; Okubun, tel: 059-628-2231. Ise City Tourist Information, tel: 059-623-9655. TRAVELOGUE WORLD TRAVEL TRAVEL FEATURES JAPAN TRAVEL: SEPTEMBER 389: God speed The mother of all Shinto temples, Ise Grand Shrine AUGUST 385: Hattoji Highland hamlet JULY 380: Nagasaki Remembrance of things past 378: Kawagoe From modern Tokyo to "Little Edo" 376: Tottori Tottori's stunning landscapes JUNE 375: Kyushu Bed and bath under the volcano 373: Ryogoku Land of the giants 372: Osaka Universal Studios Japan MAY 371: Osaka Amerika-mura: Osaka's funky town 369: Mie Mikimoto Pearl Island 368: Takarazuka Hyogo-ken's all women theater group APRIL 365: Kawasaki Kawasaki's annual fertility festival 364: Aomori A day on Fear Mountain MARCH 362: Nagano Chill out snowboarding 361: Asuka One foot in the grave FEBRUARY 356: Yamanashi Hakushu's hidden treasures 355: Waseda Tram Trip A streetcar named... 352/3: Aomori Jesus in Japan 351: Kumamoto Under the volcano in Kyushu 350: Sado Island Explore the forgotten charms of Shukunegi ISSUES 348- ISSUES 298- TOP
Germany Travel
German Travel You are here: About > Homework Help > German Language > German Travel Homework Help German Language Essentials German Vocabulary German Word Games German Lessons German Grammar Guide Wort des Tages Articles & Resources Audio / Listening Vocabulary Culture Lessons Grammar Genealogy DVD Video TV Reading German Speaking German Writing German Jobs/Careers Games, Exercises German Travel Teaching German Translating German Buyer's Guide Before You Buy Top Picks DVDs and Videos in German German Dictionaries German Music CDs Product Reviews Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the German Language newsletter! See Online Courses Search German Language > German Travel German Travel Articles, information, and links about traveling to or in German-speaking countries. Subtopics Travel Web Links (37) Articles & Resources Sort By : Guide Picks | Alphabetical | Recent Course Newsletter: Travel German Planning a trip to Germany, Austria, or German Switzerland? This special Travel German course will help you prepare. You'll learn the essential German vocabulary and key phrases that will help you get more from your trip. Each week for six weeks you'll receive a new lesson. German for Travelers: The Basics An article on basic German travel vocabulary from your Guide. English-German Travel Glossary An annotated English-to-German travel lexicon from your Guide. Essential German - On One Page Don't have time to learn German? You know you need to know a few basics, but you're a busy person. Here's some help. A one-page phrasebook for people in a hurry. Fotogalerie - German Photo Gallery Take a virtual tour of Austria and Germany in our special photo gallery for German. Features scenic and cultural photographs of many places in German-speaking Europe. Driving Glossary: Traffic Signs If you're planning to drive in Europe you should make sure that you know what the traffic signs mean. Most European traffic signs are uniform throughout the continent and they usually communicate via symbols and graphics, but there are also situations where knowing German is important. With a self-scoring quiz. Euro & Money Glossary German-English The euro () and other money-related vocabulary. The euro went into circulation in Austria, Germany, and 10 other countries on January 1, 2002. German Menu/Dining Guide A menu and dining guide with words and expressions that are likely to be encountered on a typical menu ( die Speisekarte ) in Austria, Germany or Switzerland. Part of Lektion 13 - Essen und Trinken (German for Beginners). German Weather Glossary How to understand a weather forecast and talk about the weather... in German. Medical Vocabulary - English-German German words and phrases related to medical treatment, diseases and injuries. What to tell the German doctor or pharmacist when you're not feeling well. German for Beginners Our free online course is perfect for Europe-bound travelers who know little or no German, or those who need to brush up 0n a hurry. No book required and you can start any time. 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 German Words of the Year 2005 (plus English) German First Names and Their Meanings 6 German Word of the Day - 23. Dezember German SMS 2 - Sources - Text Messaging auf Deutsch German Word of the Day - 22. Dezember Headlines German SMS - Text Messaging auf Deutsch German SMS, also known as text messaging, has been popular... German Words of the Year 2005 Each year in December the Gesellschaft fr deutsche Sprache (German... Christmas Lights in Germany: Weihnachtshuser It's common to see colorful Christmas lights and decorations on... Bauernregeln - German Folk Sayings The German word Bauernregel (f.) is variously defined as "country...