vacation package FEATURED DESTINATION

Future Vacations - Vacation Package destinations Mexico All-inclusive Caribbean Hawaii Las Vegas Mountain Ski vacations family Orlando Florida Beach romantic European vacation package FEATURED DESTINATION VACATION DESTINATIONS Bermuda California Canada Caribbean Europe Florida Beaches Hawaii Las Vegas Latin America Mexico Orlando Other US Destinations Ski Universal Orlando Resort SAN JOSE Future Vacations provides a variety of air-inclusive and hotel-only tour packages to more than 120 of the world's most desirable vacation destinations, including the Bahamas, California, the Caribbean, Europe, Florida, Hawaii, Las Vegas, Mexico, and more. Click here to learn more about the advantages of booking with Future Vacations. Book your Vacation in 5 easy steps. Select your departing location (airport/city) followed by your destination. Enter the number of adult travelers, followed by the ages of up to four chidren (17 and under). Next enter the departing date. Leaving From: Abilene, TX Akron, OH [Canton] Albany, GA Albany, NY Albuquerque, NM Alexandria, LA Allentown, PA Altoona, PA Amarillo, TX Appleton, WI [Outagamie] Asheville, NC Athens, GA Atlanta, GA [Hartsfield] Atlantic City, NJ Augusta, GA [Bush] Augusta, ME Austin, TX Bakersfield, CA Baltimore, MD Bangor, ME Bar Harbor, ME Baton Rouge, LA Beaumont, TX Beckley, WV [Raleigh] Billings, MT [Logan] Binghamton, NY Birmingham, AL Bloomington, IL Bluefield, WV [Mercer] Boise, ID [Gowen] Boston, MA [Logan] Bozeman, MT [Gallatin] Bradford, PA [Bradford] Brownsville, TX Brunswick, GA [Glynco] Buffalo, NY Burbank, CA Burlington, IA Burlington, VT Butte, MT [Bert Mooney] Calgary, Canada Cape Girardeau, MO Carlsbad, CA Casper, WY [Natronay] Cedar City, UT Cedar Rapids, IA Champaign (Urbana), IL Charleston, SC Charleston, WV [Yeager] Charlotte, NC Charlottesville, VA Chattanooga, TN Chicago, IL [Midway] Chicago, IL [O'Hare] Cincinnati, OH Clarksburg, WV [Benedum] Cleveland, OH Cody, WY [Yellowstone] College Station, TX Colorado Springs, CO Columbia, MO Columbia, SC Columbus, GA Columbus, OH Columbus/West Point, MS Corpus Christi, TX Cumberland, MD Dallas, TX [Love] Dallas/Fort Worth, TX Dayton, OH [Cox] Daytona Beach, FL Decatur, IL Denver, CO Des Moines, IA Detroit, MI Dodge City, KS Dothan, AL Du Bois, PA Dubuque, IA [Dubuque] Duluth, MN Durango, CO El Centro/Imperial, CA El Paso, TX Elko, NV Elmira, NY Erie, PA [Erie Intl.] Eugene, OR [Mahlon] Evansville, IN Farmington, NM Fayetteville, AR Fayetteville, AR [Drake] Fayetteville, NC Flagstaff, AZ Flint, MI [Bishop] Florence, SC [Florence] Fort Huachuca, AZ Fort Lauderdale, FL Fort Leonard Wood, MO Fort Myers, FL Fort Smith, AR Fort Walton Beach, FL Fort Wayne, IN Franklin, PA [Venango] Fredericton, Canada Fresno, CA Gainesville, FL Garden City, KS Grand Junction, CO Grand Rapids, MI [Kent] Great Bend, KS Great Falls, MT Green Bay, WI [Austin] Greenbrier, WV Greensboro, NC [Piedmont] Greenville, NC Groton, CT Gulfport/Biloxi, MS Gunnison, CO Hagerstown, MD Halifax, Nova Scotia Halifax, Nova Scotia Harlingen, TX Harrisburg, PA Hartford, CT Hays, KS Helena, MT Hickory, NC Hilton Head Island, SC Houston, TX [Ellington] Houston, TX [Hobby] Houston, TX [Intercont.] Huntington, WV [Tri-State] Huntsville/Decatur, AL Hyannis, MA [Barnstable] Idaho Falls, ID [Fanning] Indianapolis, IN Inyokern, CA [Inyokern] Islip, NY [Mac Arthur] Ithaca, NY [Tompkins] Jackson, MS Jackson, WY Jacksonville, FL Jacksonville, NC [Ellis] Jamestown, NY Johnstown, PA Joplin, MO Kalamazoo, MI Kalispell, MT [Glacier] Kansas City, MO Key West, FL Killeen, Tx Kingman, AZ Knoxville, TN [McGhee] La Crosse, WI/Winona, MN Lafayette, LA Lake Charles, LA Lancaster, PA Lansing, MI Laredo, TX Las Vegas, NV Latrobe, PA Lawton, OK Lebanon, NH Lexington, KY [Blue Grass] Lincoln, NE Little Rock, AR [Adams] Long Beach, CA Longview, TX [Gregg] Los Angeles, CA [LAX] Louisville, KY [Standiford] Lubbock, TX Lynchburg, VA Macon, GA Madison, WI [Dane] Manchester, NH, USA Manhattan, KS Marathon, FL Marion, IL [Williamson] Marquette, MI Martha's Vineyard, MA Massena, NY McAllen, TX [Miller] Medford, Oregon Melbourne, FL Memphis, TN Meridian, MS [Key] Miami, FL Midland/Odessa, TX Milwaukee, WI [Mitchell] Minneapolis, MN [St. Paul] Missoula, MT Mobile, AL [Bates] Moline, IL [Quad] Monroe, LA Monterey, CA Montgomery, AL Montreal, Canada Montrose, CO Morgantown, WV Muskegon, MI Myrtle Beach, SC Nantucket, MA Naples, FL Nashville, TN Nassau, Bahamas New Bern, NC [Craven] New Haven, CT [Tweed] New Orleans, LA New York, NY [JFK] New York, NY [LGA] Newark, NJ [Newark] Newburgh, NY [Stewart] Norfolk/Virginia Beach, VA Oakland, CA [Oakland] Ogdensburg, NY Oklahoma City, OK Omaha, NE [Eppley] Ontario, California Orange County, CA Orlando, FL Ottawa, Canada Owensboro, KY [Daviess] Oxnard, CA [Oxnard] Paducah, KY [Barkley] Page, AZ Palm Springs, CA Palmdale, CA [Palmdale] Panama City, FL Parkersburg, WV [Wood] Pasco, WA [Tri-Cities] Pensacola, FL Peoria, IL Philadelphia, PA Phoenix, AZ Pinehurst/S. Pines, NC Pittsburgh, PA Plattsburgh, NY [Clinton] Pocatello, ID Portland, ME Portland, OR Poughkeepsie, NY Prescott, AZ Presque Isle, ME Provid., Caicos Is. [Provid.] Providence, RI [Green] Quincy, IL [ Baldwin] Raleigh-Durham, NC Rapid City, SD Reading, PA Reno, NV Richmond, VA Roanoke, VA Rochester, MN Rochester, NY Rockford, IL Rockland, ME [Knox] Rocky Mount, NC [Wilson] Rutland, VT Sacramento, CA Saginaw, MI [Tri City] Salina, KS Salisbury, MD [Wicomico] Salt Lake City, UT San Angelo, TX [Mathis] San Antonio, TX San Diego, CA San Francisco, CA San Jose, CA San Juan, Puerto Rico San Luis Obispo, CA Santa Barbara, CA Santa Maria, CA Saranac Lake, NY Sarasota, FL Savannah, GA Scranton, PA Seattle, WA Shreveport, LA Sioux City, IA Sioux Falls, SD [Joe Foss] South Bend, IN [Michiana] Spartanburg, SC Spokane, WA Springfield, IL Springfield, MO St. George, UT St. Louis, MO St. Thomas, Virgin Isl. State College, PA Staunton, VA Steamboat Springs, CO Stockton, CA Sun Valley, ID [Friedman] Syracuse, NY Tallahassee, FL Tampa, FL [Tampa] Texarkana, AR Toledo, OH Topeka, KS [Forbes] Toronto, Canada Traverse City, MI [Cherry] Tri-Cities, TN [Tri-City] Tucson, AZ Tulsa, OK Twin Falls, ID Tyler, TX Utica, NY [Oneida] Vail/Eagle, CO [Eagle] Valdosta, GA Vancouver, Canada Vernal, UT [Vernal] Victoria, TX [Victoria] Waco, TX Washington, DC [Dulles] Washington, DC [Reagan] Waterloo, IA Watertown, NY Wausau, WI West Palm Beach, FL West Yellowstone, MT Westchester County, NY Wichita Falls, TX Wichita, KS Williamsburg, VA Williamsport, PA Wilmington, NC Worcester, MA Youngstown, OH Yuma, AZ Going To: Acapulco, Mexico Amsterdam Schiphol Antigua Aruba Athens, Greece Atlantic City, NJ Barbados Barcelona, Spain Berlin, Germany Bermuda Boise, ID [Gowen] Brussels, Belgium Budapest, Hungary Calgary, Canada Cancun, Mexico Cozumel, Mexico Curacao Daytona Beach, FL Denver, CO Dublin, Ireland Florida Keys, FL Fort Lauderdale, FL Fort Myers, FL Frankfurt, Germany Freeport, Grand Bahama Island Geneva, Switzerland Grand Cayman Guadalajara, Mexico Gunnison/Crested Butte, CO Ixtapa, Mexico Jackson, WY Jacksonville, FL Kauai, HI Kona, HI La Romana, Domincan Republic Las Vegas, NV London, England Los Angeles, CA Los Cabos, Mexico Madrid, Spain [Barajas] Manchester, England Manzanillo, Mexico Maui, HI Mazatlan, Mexico Mexico City, Mexico Miami, FL Milan, Italy Montego Bay, Jamaica Montreal, Canada Moscow, Russia Munich, Germany Nassau, Bahamas New Orleans, LA New York, NY Nice & Cannes, France Oahu (Honolulu), HI Orlando, FL Palm Beach, FL Palm Springs, CA Paris, France Phoenix, AZ Prague, Czech Republic Puerto Plata, Dom Rep. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Punta Cana, Dominican Republic Reno/Lake Tahoe, NV Rome, Italy [Fiumicino] Salt Lake City, UT San Diego, CA San Francisco, CA San Juan, Puerto Rico Santo Domingo, Dom Rep. Shannon, Ireland St. Croix, Virgin Islands St. Lucia St. Martin/St. Maarten St. Thomas, Virgin Islands Tampa, FL Taos/Albuquerque, NM Toronto, Canada Turks & Caicos Vancouver, Canada Vienna, Austria Warsaw, Poland Zurich, Switzerland Adults: 01 02 03 04 Children's Ages: na 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 na 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 na 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 na 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Departing: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 2005 2006 Promotional Code: Hotel/Car Only - Decline Airfare FEATURED VACATIONS Occidental Grand Aruba, All-Inclusive Aruba Crystal Cove Hotel, All-Inclusive St. James Top Promotions Get Free Alamo Upgrades in Florida Ski More for Less with Free Nights Stay 4, Play Free at Universal Orlando Resorts We've got some ASTONishing deals in Hawaii More... Punta Cana London St. Maarten -- Home | Vacation Packages | Promotions | Reservation Inquire | Contact Us | Help © 2005 Future Vacations - All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Legal Notice | Terms and Conditions | Travel Agents | Group Travel F V

RUSSIA Travel 309 Peters

Russian Embassy and consulate of Russia information online. Russian visa requirements online. Travel guide, Russian airlines information, air and train tickets, hotels reservation and information TRAVEL AGENTS Home Train Reservations Full visa services - Armenia - Azerbaijan - Belarus - Georgia - Kazakhstan - Kyrgyzstan - Moldova - Russia - Turkmenistan - Ukraine - Uzbekistan Visa support only - Armenia - Belarus - Georgia - Kazakhstan - Kyrgyz stan - Moldova - Russia - Ukraine Fiancee visa - The Process - Services - Who we are Travel services - Cell Phone Rental - Guide and translator - Transport services and airport transfers - Tours and packages - VIP services - Travel Insurance Airport Transfers - Moscow Transfers - St.Petersburg Trans - Kiev Transfers - Odessa Transfers Hotels & Apartments - Hotels in Russia - Hotels in Ukraine - Apartments in Moscow - Apartments in St.Petersburg - Apartments in Yoshkar-Ola - Apartments in Ekaterinburg - Apartments in Kiev - Apartments in Odessa - Apartments in Lviv Airline Tickets - International - Domestic Adoption travel - Doing your own research - Buying your tickets - Airline recommendations - Passports - Travel visas - Hotels in Russia - Getting to your hotel - Safety Traveler’s essentials - Russian visa - Arriving by plane - Arriving by train - Foreign Embassies - Phone services - Internet Access - Exchanging money - Medical help - Time zones - Russian mail US Passports - New US Passport - Passport Renewal - Lost Passport - Second Passport - Adding Pages - Child US Passport - Child Lost Passport - Name Change Russia in Pictures Newsletter Internet Specials Gift Certificates Flower Delivery About us - What our clients say - Our staff - Our partners - Job Opportunities Russian Visa Guide What it is, what it looks like, how to get one. Everything you need to know about a Russian visa put in layman's terms. How to read Ukrainian Visa Arriving by Plane Did you know there are 5 airports in Moscow? Detailed plan of Sheremetyevo International Airport, how to get to the city, customs declaration forms. Arriving by Train We list all 9 of Moscow's train stations here. Foreign Embassies Important numbers and addresses in case you are stranded and need help from your embassy. Phone Service It may seem simple, but you need to know how to make a call, how much it is, where to rent a cell phone, how to make a long distance call. This isn't like learning Russian, but without this info you may feel lost. Internet Access Internet cafes are everywhere in Moscow and we list some of the most popular ones. It's now simple to stay in touch with your friends and relatives back home. Exchanging Money A little guide on what is Russian money, how to spend it, where to exchange it, how much of it to tip. Medical Help If you need medical help while in Russia, you want to make sure it's the same high quality help you're used to. We tell you where to go and who to call. Time Zones Russia spans over 11 time zones - more than any other country in the world. When it's sunrize in one Russian city, it may be a sunset in another. Find out what time is where. Russian Mail Russian mail system explaned: post office locations in Moscow, Express Mail services, how to address a package. What our clients say about Go To Russia Apply for Visa Online -Make your selection- Visa to Armenia Visa to Azerbaijan Visa to Belarus Visa to Georgia Visa to Kazakhstan Visa to Kyrgyzstan Visa to Moldova Visa to Russia Visa to Turkmenistan Visa to Ukraine Visa to Uzbekistan Track Your Visa Online Online tracking for visa papers received by our office Last Name: Date of Birth: 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 Save $$$ on travel to Russia and CIS! Our newsletter contains special announcements, sales, interesting stories & facts. GO TO RUSSIA Travel 309 Peters St., Unit A Atlanta, GA 30313 Phone: 1.888.263.0023 , 404.827.0099 Fax: 404.827.0435 Office hours Mon-Fri 9AM - 8PM EST Saturdays 11AM - 3PM EST 2004 GTR - Russian Visa All rights reserved Russian Visa Services

Asia Travel || Indonesia

Travel Information of Indonesia Indonesia Country and Travel Information Climate || Visas || Customs || Transport || Currency || Tipping || Clothing Office hours || Food || Shopping || Culture || Public holidays Tourist Destinations || Map of Indonesia Introduction The Republic of Indonesia is the world's largest archipelago and is the fifth most populous country, with 17,700 islands streching 5,120 kms (3,200 miles) between Australia and the Asian mainland. Population and Language 200 million people are distributed throughout 27 provinces. However, 55% of these people are concentrated on Java, Bali and Madura, on only 7% of the total area. Climate A tropical country, with humidity ranging from 69% - 95%, there are two seasons: Dry Season, from May to October and Wet Season, from November to April. It should be noted that occasional showers do occur during the dry season; similarly, during the "rainy" season it is more likely that heavy tropical down-pours are interspersed with sunshine. Average temperatures range f rom 68 to 86 or 20 to 30C . Passport and Visas Visitors must arrive in Indonesia with passports valid for at least six months after arrival and with onward or return tickets. Visas are not required for nationals of: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Philippines, New Zealand, Singapore,South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States of America and West Germany. A non-extendable tourist pass for citizens of these is issued for a maximum of 60 days with entry and departure through: Airports: Medan, Batam, Pekanbaru, Padang, Jakarta, Bali, Manado, Ambon, Biak,Ku pang, Pontianak, Balikpapan and Surabaya; Seaports: Medan, Batam, Jakarta, Surabaya, Semarang, Riau, Bali, Manado, and Ambon. Through other ports, a visa is required. Nationals of countries not listed above can obtain 30-day tourist visas from any Indonesian embassy or consulate abroad. Health Certificates International certificates for smallpox and cholera are not required and yellow fever vaccination are necessary only for visitors coming from infected areas. Customs Each adult is permitted to bring, on entry, a maximum of two litres of alcoholic beverages, 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 100 grams of tobacco and a reasonable quantity of perfume. Photographic equipment and typewriters must be declared and are admitted provided they are taken out on departure. Prohibited from entry are the following items: narcotics, arms and ammunition, TV sets, radio and radio casette recorders, pornography, fresh fruit, printed matters in Chinese characters and Chinese medicine. All movie films and video casettes will have to be deposited for review by the Film Censor Board. There is no restriction on import and export of foreign currencies and travellers cheque; however, import or export Indonesia currency exceeding Rp 50,000,- is prohibited. Airport Tax Airport tax levied on passengers for international travel is Rp 17,000,-. While for travel within Indonesia it varies from one region to another with an average of Rp 3,500,- for each departure. Top Transportation An airconditioned airport-hotel shuttle service, operates frequently scheduled trips to/from major hotels to coincide with flights from Jakarta's international airport at a cost of approx Rp 4,000,per person. Taxis at a higher rate, are also available with metered taxis operating only in Jakarta, Surabaya, Bandung, Semarang and Solo. Elsewhere, other forms of transportation, which required setting the fare in advance, include minicars for two passengers, "bemos" or small buses covering regular routes and "becaks" powered by human energy. Trains operate in Java and parts of Sumatra. Garuda Indonesia has an extensive networkof dailyflights toallcitiesinthe 27 provinces. These flights are supplemented by domestic air services on Merpati, Nusantara, Mandala and Bouraq . Currency The local currency is the Rupiah. Foreign currencies, either banknotes or travellers cheques, are easily exchangedatbanks and moneychangers in major tourist destinations. Credit cards are accepted at most hotels and restaurants in main cities. It is advisable to carry sufficient amounts of Rupiah when travelling to smaller towns or outer provinces. Tipping Major hotels add a 10% service charge to bills. Where it is not included a tip of between 5% to 10% of the bill would be appropriate if service is satisfactory. Airport poterage is Rp 500,- for a small bag and Rp 1,000,- if weighing more than 20 kg. Tipping taxi and hire-car drivers is not mandatory, but Rp 500,would be sufficient for a taxi driver, but more for a hire-car driver. Clothing Dress is generally informal in Indonesia. Light fabrics are recommendeddue to the warm, humid climate. For men, a jacket and tie is considered appropriate when making officials calls or non formal occasions. Or, follow local custom by wearing a long-sleeve batik shirt. It is recommended to bring a sweater or light jacket for travel to mountain areas. Shorts and beachwear are not considered appropriate except at sports facilities and on the beaches, and never appropriate for visits to temples, mosques and other places of worship. Top Office Hours Government offices: Monday - Thursday 8 am to 3 pm Friday 8 am to 11.30 am Saturday Saturday 8 am to 2 pm Business offices Monday - Friday 8 or 9 am to 4 or 5 pm Some offices are open half day on Saturday. Banks: Monday - Friday 8 am to 3 pm Food The main staple food of the majority of the population is rice. Coconut milk and hot chili peppers are popular cooking ingredients nationwide. Tastes range from very spicy dishes of meat; fish and vegetables to those that are quite sweet. The most popular dishes are "nasi goreng" (fried rice) which is otten served for breakfast, lunch or dinner, "satay" barbequed meat or chicken on skewers and "gado-gado", a vegetable salad with a pean ut sauce.All are most compatible with internationaltastes. Inthemaintouristcenters and cities, restaurants catering to international visitors are many, from fine continental grill rooms to Japanese specialty restaurants. Chinese restaurants are found in all towns throughout Indonesia. Tropical and subtropical fruits are available yearround. Bottled drinking water can be purchased everywhere. Shopping Many of Indonesia's main cities have department stores, supermarkets and large shopping complexes, open generally from 9 am to 8 pm, where fixed prices prevail. In local markets and small shops bargaining is the rule. Time Indonesia streches across three time zones:Western Indonesia (Sumatra, Java, West and Cen tral Kalimantan) + 7 GMTCentral Indonesia (Bali, South and East Kalimantan, Sula wesi, Nusa Teng gara) + 8 GMTEast Indonesia (Maluku and Irian Jaya) , +9 GMT Electricity Most hotels use 220 volts 50 cycles and two-pronged plugs. However it is not uncommon to find some hotels using 110 volts, particularly in the provinces. Check before using an appliance. Some hotels supply adaptors on request. Communication Long distance calls within Indonesia may be made by direct dialing through International Direct Dial (IDD) in major cities or through operator-assisted calls. Telex and fax services are readily available in major hotels and larger cities. Top Culture and Traditions Indonesians are a very friendly and polite people. Handshaking is customary, for both men and women, on introduction and greeting, smiling is a national characteristics. The population is predominantly Moslem. Nevertheless, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism and other religions are freely practiced. Traditional customs form a major part of family and community life. The use of the left hand to give or receive is considered ill-mannered. Likewise crooking your finger to call someone is impolite. Public Holidays January 1 New Year Feb 20, 21 Idul Fitri Festival March 21 Seclusion Day / Saba New Year April 5 Good Friday April 28 Idul Adha Great Day May 16 Ascention day of Christ May 19 Hijriah New Year June 2 Waisak Day July 28 Maulid of Prophet Mumammad August 17 National Independence Day Dec 8 Isra Miraj of Prophet Muhammad December 25 Christmas Day Top Asia Travel || Indonesia Hotel and Resorts

France Travel

FRANCE Geography History Politics Culture Transportation Lodging Restaurants Museums and Monuments Nightlife Currency 1. Geography France is bordered by the English Channel to the North; Belgium and Luxembourg to the Northeast; Germany, Switzerland and Italy tothe East; the Mediterranean Sea to the South; Spain and Andorra to the Southwest; and the Atlantic Ocean to the West. It includes theisland of Corsica in the Mediterranean Sea to the Southeast of the mainland. The country's 210,026 squre miles offer vastly diverse scenery. It is comprised of the Alps and Pyrenees mountain ranges, the valleys of the Loire, Rhone, and Dordogne rivers, and the fertile flat lands and cliffs of Normandy and the Atlantic coast. France is bordered by 1800 miles of coastline. 2. History France was originally inhabited by Neanderthal and Cro-Magnon peoples. After the disintegration of the Roman Empire in the 5th century, it was settled by Gauls - a Celtic people. In the 8th century, Charlemagne established his Frankish empire stretching from the Pyrenees to the Baltic. Over the next several centuries the feudal lords of Paris consolidated power over various regions, creating for the first time a French nation. The reign of Louis VI from 1108-1137 represented the first time that royal authority came to fruition in certain areas of France. There remained however powerful rulers who served as Louis VI's vassals in name only, such as the Dukes of Normandy. During the FrenchRenaissance, Francois I helped develop the chateaux in the Loire Valley. These luxuries reached their peak during the reign of the SunKing Louis XIV (1643-1715) in which the power of the French state was further centralized and France became the major Europeanpower. Louis XV's reign (1715-1774) saw a time of prosperity as well as a growing gap between rich and power. During this period, the nobility and clergy were exempt from the payment of taxes. These disparities culminated in the French Revolution of 1789 which overthrew Louis XVI and sought equality of the individual before the law. Rising army commander Napoleon Bonaparte overthrew the weak and unpopular governemnts of the end of the 18th century in 1799.Five years later he was declared Emperor and attempted to establish a French empire in Europe. In 1812 Napoleon's good fortune wasreversed after his failed invasion of Russia. He was exiled and his army dismantled but escaped and returned to France for a briefHundered Days until he was defeated at Waterloo by the Duke of Wellington. The 19th century saw France waver from republic to monarchy to republic to empire, and finally back to republic. It faced an emerging Germany in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871and again as the network of treaties and alliances collapsed in 1914 with the assassination of the Austrian Grand Duke Ferdinand in Serbia. In the interbellum period, after the Versailles Treaty, France recovered the Alsace-Lorraine region originally lost in the Franco-PrussianWar, and established a new electoral system based on proportional representation. With the advances of Nazi Germany into Poland in1939, France once again declared war on Germany and entered WWII. However, it was swiftly occupied by the Nazis who establishedthe Vichy Regime from 1940-1944. The Fourth Republic was established after the war but could not resist the pressures induced by the Algerian Conflict. General deGaulle, former Resistance leader of the exiled anti-Nazi government during WWII, established the Fifth Republic. 1968 saw the adventof student and industrial workers riots threatening to overthrow the fledgling Republic. Throughout the 1970s, conservative presidents and centre-right majorities governed in France. The Socialist party experienced its firstvictory in 1981 with the election of Francois Mitterand who remained in office until 1995. Jacques Chirac, the former mayor of Paris and Prime Minister in cohabitation with Mitterand was narrowly elected President in 1995. Edouard Balladur was first appointed PrimeMinister but was succeeded by Alain Juppe who was committed to streamlining the public sector. Having called for an early election, Chirac is now governing in cohabitation with the Socialist Lionel Jospin, his competitor in the 1995 election. 3. Politics The strong executive branch of the 5th Republic is directed by the President who is elected by direct popular vote for a 7-year term.The legislative branch is governed by a bicameral parliament comprised of a 577-member National Assembly which is elected for 5-yearterms, and the 321-member senate which is elected for 9-year terms with one-third of the seats up for reelection every 3 years. France's main foreign commitment is to the European Union. Its relations with Germany have been considered to be the pillar of the integration movement. France continues to be active in multifarious regions of the world as a means to assert its status as a worldpower. In opposition to American hegemony, France has come into conflict with the United States on a number of instances, most notably at the Uruguay Round of negotion on the 1993 General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and with regards to the commandof armed forces in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. France has conducted several military interventions in Africa where it maintians a significant economic, military, and cultural presence inmany former colonies. In the Franc Zone, many francophone African countires have linked their currencies to the French franc. Frenchmilitary involvement also existed in French Polynesia in the 1995 when the Chiracien goverment conducted a series of nuclear tests atthe Mururoa atoll. Rioting broke out on Tahiti, the main island and severe international condemnation followed. French domestic politics are also rocky as Chirac and Jospin attempt to govern cohesively side-by-side. With an unemployment rate at arecord high of 12.8%, they are finding it difficult to streamline their country's economy to meet the strict criteria necessary for entry into the scheduled European Union economic and monetary union. 4. Culture The official language is French, but many regional dialects such as Basque and Breton exist. Many French speak basic English, but polite efforts to speak French are generally appreciated. 90% of the French population is Roman Catholic. There exists a Protestant minority, and representatives of almost every religion exist. The family is still relatively central to French life, as are long meals with excellent wine and gastronomical delights. The cuisine varies by region as does the wine. Most everything shuts down between noon and 2pm during the week and closes on Sundays. Major national holiday include January 1, Easter Monday, Labor Day (May 1), Victory in Europe Day (May 8), Ascension Day (May 8), Whit Monday (May 19), Bastille Day (July 14), Assumption Day (August 15), All Saints' Day (November 1), Armistice Day (November 11), and Christmas (December 25). In addition,much of the less touristic parts of France slow down the month of August when everyone is on holiday in the often crowded coastal towns. 5. Transportation Visas are not required of U.S., Canadian, New Zealand, or EU citizens. Visas are required however of South Africans and Australians. AIR : France's national airline is Air France(AF), domestically Air Inter(AI). RAIL : Societe Nationale de Chemins de Fer (SNCF) operates an extensive rail network. Timetables are well-organized and color-codedto coincide with peak hours. Tickets are not valid until punched in the orange machine at the entrance to the platforms at the trainstation (la gare). Seat reservations are recommended for international trips, and are mandatory on EuroCity (EC), InterCity (IC), and TGV (train a grande vitesse/ high-speed) trains. All 3 mandate a ticket supplement (between US$3-18) and a reservation fee (betweenUS$2-3). The French Railpass which must be purchased outside France permits 3 days of travel within one month (US$145) with up to 6 additional days available (US$30 each). BUS : usually well-priced and well-organized. The bus station (gare routiere) is usually near the train station. PARIS : AIR : Most transatlantic flights arrive at Aeroport Roissy- Charles de Gaulle, NE of Paris. To get to town, take Roissy Rail, a cheap combination bus-rail system. To get to Roissy Rail, take free shuttle bus to train station, ride RER train B3 to the city. Taxis will be extremely expensive. Air France also offers a clean and safe shuttle bus service to various points in Paris as well as to Orly Airport. Flights arriving at Aeroport d'Orly, S of Paris usually arrive from various points in Europe. To get to town, take free shuttle bus to Orly train station and take RER C2 to central Paris. Or Air France shuttle buses also service Orly. RAIL : Gare du Nord services northern France, Belgium, Britain, Netherlands, Scandinavia, and northern Germany. Gare de l'Est services eastern France, Luxembourg, northern Switzerland, southern Germany, Austria, and Hungary. Gare de Lyon services southeastern France, southern Switzerland, Italy, and Greece.Gare d'Austerlitz services the Loire Valley, southwestern France, Spain, and Portugal.Gare St. Lazare services Normandy. Gare de Montparnasse services Brittany and the TGV to southwestern France. Within Paris, the subway (Metropolitain, Metro, M) is efficient and quick. Lines are numbered but are referred to by their final destinations.Connections are called correspondances. Coupon Vert allows unlimited weekly travel.Carte Orange is an ID which accompanies the Coupon Vert. The Reseau ExpressRegional (RER) is a commuter train to the suburbs and an express subway in Paris. BUS : use same tickets as Metro which may be purchased from driver. NICE : AIR : Aeroport Nice-Cote d'Azur. Take Sunbus 23 "St. Laurent" from the train station. The airport bus runs from the bus station by pl Massena. RAIL : Gare SNCF Nice-Ville, avenue Thiers is in the center of town next to the tourist office. Trains run frequently to Cannes, Antibes, Monaco, and elsewhere in France, Italy, and Spain. In summer months, several trains connect with the TGV from Marseille to Paris. BUS : Gare Routiere, promenade du Paillon to Monaco, Antibes, Juan-les-Pins, and Cannes. Sunbus to museums and youth hostels. Can buy 5 ticket booklets or weekly passes at agency or kiosk at sq. Leclerc. Bus 12 goes from train station to pl Massena and the beach. LYON : AIR : Aeroport Lyon-Satolas E of Lyon. Take bus from Perrache via Part-Dieu. RAIL : Part-Dieu and Perrache stations both have TGV trains to Paris. Perrache is more central. Part-Dieu is the business district on the east bankof the Rhone. The Metro operates with tickets good for 1hr in 1 direction withbus and trolley connections included. Can purchase 1 day unlimited travel at tourist and TAG offices, not in stations. Troleys operate from pl. St. Jean to St. Just and the top of Fourviere. BUS : Perrache train station to Annecy, Grenoble. Philbert handlesmany domestic routes. Eurolines runs throughout Europe. Iberbus goes to Spain. 6. Lodging HOTELS : Room and all meals (pension) are most often offered with a stay of 3 days or longer. Room, breakfast, and one meal (demi-pension) are often offered outside peak holiday periods. Hotels are generally not expensive but have strict standards. Hotels docharge extra for a third bed in a double room and will charge extra for extra occupants. Logis de France are small or medium sized inexpensive hotels with basic clean and comfortable accomodations. Hotels de Tourisme are graded into categories according to government quality regulations. CAMPING : 7000 campsites exist throughout France. Some have tents and/or caravans for rent. Prices vary but all graded campsitesprovide water, toilet, and washing facilities. YOUTH HOSTELS : Hundreds exist throughout France. Simple accomodation at very low prices. Stays are usually limited to certain agebrackets and to 3-4 nights a week. Most require membership in the National Youth Hostel Association. Some accomodations are privaterooms and others are bunk-beds in shared rooms. Some have curfews. Reservations are advised during peak-seasons. This is a great way to travel cheaply and meet interesting people. Further information may be obtained from national youth hostel organizations. PARIS : HOTELS : Hotels in Paris may be the most practical for most and maybe the most economical for large groups. Costs range, and cheaper rooms maynot come with private baths. You may pay extra for the key to the hall shower. Rooms disappera quickly after morning checkout, so reserve ahead. They usually require one night's deposit. HOTEL DE NEVERS : -53, rue de Malte, 11e, tel: 01 47 00 56 18 HENRI IV : -25 place Dauphine, 1e, tel: 01 43 54 44 53 HOTEL STE-MARIE: -6 rue de la Ville Neuve, tel: 01 42 33 21 61 YOUTH HOSTELS : Most Parisian hostels don't have many restrictionswhich may be found in other hostels. They do often have maximum stays. Theyusually include breakfast and showersin the price. Only 2 HI hostels exist in the city proper. The rest are private hostels or fosters. CENTRE INTERNATIONAL DE PARIS (BVJ) : -Paris Louvre- 20, rue J.-J. Rousseau, 1er., tel: 01 42 36 88 18 -Paris Quartier Latin- 44, rue des Bernardins, 5e., tel: 01 43 29 34 80 AUBERGE DE JEUNESSE JULES FERRY (HI) : -Jules Ferry- 8 bd Jules Ferry, 11e, tel: 01 43 57 55 60 AUBERGE INTERNATIONALE DES JEUNES : -10, rue Trousseau, tel: 01 47 00 62 00 LYON : HOTELS : A financial center, Lyon has little lodging during the week,but many openings on the weekends so plan ahead. First try the hotels near Perrache, then near Pl. des Terreaux if they are full. CENTRE INTERNATIONAL DE SEJOUR : -46 rue du Commandant Pegoud, tel: 04 78 01 23 45 RESIDENCE BENJAMIN DELESSERT : -145 av. Jean Jaures, tel: 04 78 61 41 41 HOTEL VAUBECOUR : -28 rue Vaubecour, tel: 04 78 37 44 91 YOUTH HOSTELS : AUBERGE DE JEUNESSE (HI) : -51, rue Roger Salengro, Venissieux, tel: 04 78 76 39 23 NICE : HOTELS : Summer accomodations require advance reservation.Most affordable and clean hotels surround Notre-Dame rue d'Angleterre,rue de la Suisse, and rue de Russie. HOTEL BACCARAT : -39 rue d'Angleterre, tel: 04 93 88 35 73 HOTEL LES ALIZES : -10 ru de Suisse, tel: 04 93 88 85 08 HOTEL DES FLANDERS : -6 rue de Belgique, tel: 04 93 88 78 94 YOUTH HOSTELS : Very often full, especially summer months.Camping in front of the train station is a dangerous idea, even in groups. AUBERGE DE JEUNESSE (HI) : -rte. Forestiere du Mont-Alban, tel: 04 93 89 23 64 RELAIS INTERNL DE LA JEUNESSE CLAIRVALLON : -26 av Scuderi, tel: 04 93 81 27 63 RESIDENCE LES COLLINETTES (HI) : -Summer only! 3 av Robert Schumann, tel: 04 93 86 58 48 7. Restaurants LUNCH / DINNER : a complete meal includes an aperitif (pre-dinner drink), an entree (an appetizer), a plat (main course),salad, cheese, dessert, fruits, coffee, and a digestif (after-dinner drink). Wine is typically taken with meals. Boisson comprise means that you are entitled to a free drink, often wine, with your meal. In restaurants, fixed-price 3-course meals (menus) begin at 60f. A 15% gratuity is most often included in the price (service compris). BREAKFAST : continental breakfast usually includes your choice of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate; and breads and pastries with jam. PARIS : Cafes : LA COUPOLE : -102 bd du Montparnasse, tel: 01 43 20 14 20 LA CLOSERIE DES LILAS : -171 bd du Montparnasse, 6e, tel: 01 43 26 70 50 LES DEUX MAGOTS : -6 pl St-Germain des Pres, 6e, tel:01 45 48 55 25 RESTAURANTS : AU TROU NORMAND : -9 rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud, 11e, tel: 01 48 05 80 23 LES FOUS DE L'ISLE : -33 rue des Deux-Ponts, tel: 01 43 25 76 67 CHEZ LES FONDUES : -17 rue des Trois Freres, 18e, tel: 01 42 55 22 65 CREMERIE RESTAURANT POLIDOR : -41 rue Monsieur-le Prince, 6e, tel: 01 43 26 95 34 TY BRIEZ : -52 bd de Vaugirard, 15e, tel: 01 43 20 83 72 LYON : RESTAURANTS : LE SUD : -11 pl Antonin Porcet, tel: 04 72 77 80 00 CHEZ MOUNIER : -3 rue des Marrioniers, tel: 04 78 37 79 26 CHAERT ET FILS : -11 rue des Marroniers, tel: 04 78 37 01 94 LA MERE VITTET : -26, cours de Verdun, tel: 04 78 37 20 17 CHEZ CARLO : -22 rue du Palais Grillet, tel: 04 78 42 05 79 NICE : RESTAURANTS : O MICHELANGELO : -28 cours Saleya, tel: 04 93 80 05 27 NISSA SOCCA : -5 rue Ste-Reparte, tel: 04 93 80 18 35 LE FAUBOURG MONTMARTRE : -39 rue Pertinax, tel: 04 93 62 55 03 RESTAURANT DE PARIS : -28 rue d'Angleterre, tel: 04 93 88 99 88 8. Museums and Monuments PARIS : MUSEUMS : LES CATACOMBS : -1 pl Denfert-Rochereau, 15e-5-6 million Parisians buried in former limestone mines CENTRE NATIONAL D'ART ET DE CULTURE GEORGES-POMPIDOU : -Palais Beaubourg, 4e.-Musee National d'Art Moderne, 20th century art MUSEE DES EGOUTS DE PARIS : -Quai D'Orsay and pl de la Resistance, 7e. -Sewer Museum MUSEE DU LOUVRE : -Palais-Royal, 1e-Venus de Milo, Winged Victory of Samotrace,David, Delacroix's Liberty Leading the People, MonaLisa MUSEE D'ORSAY : -1 rue de Bellechasse, 7e-1848-1914 Impressionism, etc. MUSEE PICASSO : -5 rue de Thorigny, 3e MONUMENTS : ILE DE LA CITE/ ILE ST-LOUIS : -Cathedrale de Notre Dame de Paris-Palais de Justice -Ste.-Chapelle LATIN QUARTER/ St-GERMAIN-des-Pres : -Pantheon-La Crypt-Le Jardin des Plantes-Boulevard et Place St-Michel-Jardin du Luxembourg FAUBOURG ST-GERMAIN : -Espanade des Invalides-Musee de l'Armee / Napoleon's tomb-Tour Eiffel LOUVRE/OPERA/MARAIS/BASTILLE : -Louvre-Jardin des Tuilleries-Place Vendome-Palais-Royal-Opera CHAMPS ELYSEES/ BOIS DE BOULOGNE/ LA DEFENSE : -Place de la Concorde-Obelisque de Louxor-Avenue des Champs-Elysees-Arc de Triomphe-Bois de Boulogne-La Defense MONTMARTRE / PERE-LACHAISE : -Basilique du Sacre-Coeur-Butte Montmartre-Cimetiere Pere-Lachaise, Jim Morrison's grave LYON : MUSEUMS : MUSEE GALLO-ROMAIN : -17 rue Cleberg-mosaics, helmets, swords, jewlery MUSEE DES BEAUX-ARTS : -Hotel de Ville-French, Spanish and Dutch painters-Italian Renaissance. MUSEE D'ART CONTEMPORAIN : -Quai Charles de Gaulle-Modern Art MONUMENTS :-Basilique Notre-Dame de la Fourviere-Vieux Lyon-Cathedrale St-Jean-Place Bellecour NICE : MUSEUMS : MUSEE DES BEAUX-ARTS : -33 av Baumettes-Fragonard, Monet, Sisley, Degas, sculptures MUSEE MATISSE : -164 av des Arenes de Cimiez MUSEE NATIONAL MARC CHAGALL : -av du Docteur Menard MUSEE D'ART MODERNE ET D'ART CONTEMPORAIN : -Av St-Jean Baptiste and Traverse Garibaldi MONUMENTS :-Promenade des Anglais-Jardin Albert 1er-Espace Massena-La Colle du Chateau-Cathedrale Orthodoxe Russe St-Nicolas-Monastere Cimiez 9. Nightlife PARIS : DANCE CLUBS : -Les Bains, 7 rue de Bourg l'Abbee, 3e, tel: 01 48 87 01 80-Le Balajo, 9 rue de Lappe, 11e, tel: 01 47 00 07 87-Le Palace, 8 rue du Faubourg Montmartre, 9e, tel:01 42 46 10 87 BARS : -Le Bar Sans Nom, 49 rue de Lappe, 11e, tel: 01 48 05 59 36-Le Piano Vache, 8 rue Laplace, 5e, tel: 01 46 33 75 03-Cafe Charbon, 109 rue Oberkampf, 11e, tel: 01 43 57 55 13 LYON : DANCE CLUBS : Check out quai Romain Rolland,quai de Bondy, and quai Pierre Scize in the old city. BARS : -Albion, 12 rue Ste-Catherine-Le Verre a Soi, 25 rue des Capucins-Le Broadway, 9 rue Terraille NICE : DANCE CLUBS : -Chez Wayne, 15 rue de la Prefcture, tel: 04 93 13 46-Master Home, rue de la Prefecture, tel: 04 93 80 33 82-Le Studio, 29 rue Alphonse Karr, tel: 04 93 82 37 66-De Klomp, 6 rue Mascoinat, tel: 04 93 92 42 85-The Hole in the Wall, 3 rue de l'Abbaye, tel: 04 93 80 40 16 10. Currency The basic currency unit is the French franc (Ffr), which is issued in both coins and paper notes, and is subdivided in 100 centimes.Coins are in denominations of Ffr 10,5,2, and 1 + 50,20,10, and 5 centimes. Notes are in denominations of Ffr 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, and 10. Some first-class hotels exchange foreign currency. Also the Credit Mutuel, Credit Agricole exchange currency. Shops and hotelsare prohibited from accepting foreign currency. American Express, Visa, Diners Club, and Travellers checques are widely accepted. Also Visit These Travel Pages GO BACK TO HOMEPAGE

Chicago Vacation Packages -

Chicago Vacation Packages - Caribbean in Illinois at Respond Vacations A business referral community with over 2.5 million members My Account | Advertise directory.respond.com | matching.respond.com | referrals.respond.com Did you really mean : Cruises Chicago Vacation Packages - Caribbean Secure Form Get Matched to Top Local Travel Agents in Chicago Complete these questions and get a customized, timely response from prescreened and member referred Travel Agents serving Chicago that are interested in working with you. You choose the Travel Agent that best meets your needs. No Cost. 1) Which part of the Caribbean would you like to visit? 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