Asia Travel || Laos

TRAVEL LEISURE TOURS HOTELS RESORTS LAOS Map of Laos Laos Visa Requirement LAOS AT A GLANCE Official Name : State of LAO P.D.R. : Head of State : Head of Government : Official Language : Land Area : Population : Currency : GDP per Capita : Main Exports : Main Imports : Exports : Imports : Lao People's Democratic Republic People's Democratic State President Nouhak PHOUMSAVANH Minister Khamtay SIPHANDONE Lao 236,800 square kilometres 4,581,128 (1995) Kip US$350 (1994-1995) Electricity, timber and wood products, garments and texties, coffee, tin, Petroleum, machinery and raw materials, vehicles, cement, iron, fabrics US$209.40 (1994-1995) US$375.40 (1994-1995) The Lao People's Democratic Republic is located in South East Asia at the centre of the Indochinese Peninsula between latitude 14-23 degrees north and longitude 100108 degrees east. Laos has an eastern border of 1,957 km with the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, a western border of 1,730 km with the Kingdom of Thailand, a southern border of 492 km with the Kingdom of Cambodia a northern border of 416 km with the People's Republic of China and a North Western border of 230 km with the Union of Myanmar. Total area of Laos is 236,800 square kilometres, three quarters of which is mountainous and forest-covered 40 % while the country is rich in natural resources, such as mineral deposits, including 1 billion tons of high quality iron are between 60-70%, lead, gold, tin and 8200-8232 calorie/gram coal. Although the Lao P.D.R. has no direct access to the sea, it has the Mekong River which is the main river of the country flowing north to south. In addition, there are many branch rivers which nourish agriculture. Laos people use it as a power source which supplies hydro-electric of over 18,000 MW from 57 dams. The Population of the Lao P.D.R. is estimated at 4,581,128 (1995) and population density remains one of the lowest in the region at 19 persons per square kilometre with a population increase rate of 2.64 %. The Lao population is ethnically diverse with up to 68 different ethnic groups identified inhabiting the country, with various languages, cultures and traditions which are classified into three groups: The Lao Loam, who occupy the lowlands plains and the Mekong River valley, and constitute about 56% of the total population; the Lao Thing, who occupy the mountain slopes, comprising about 34% of the population, and the high mountain Lao, constituting about 9% of the total population, and one per cent foreigners. LAOS VISA REQUIREMENT - Request for Laos Visa Approval should be emailed to asiatrav@asiatravel.com giving the following informations: Family Name and Giving Name and Sex Nationaltiy Passport Number - Date of Issued & Expiry Date of Birth Occupation Date of Arrival ** It takes another 2 working days to obtain Lao visa aproval Ater getting the Laos Visa Approval, travellers have to obtain Lao Visa Stamp at the Lao Embassy in their own country or in Bangkok with the following documents: 2 Visa Application Form (Photocopy accepted) 2 photos Original Passport **It takes another 2 working days to obtain Lao visa stamp FOR TRAVELLERS WHO WISH TO OBTAIN LAO VISA ONLY The Arrangement fees is US$95 HOW TO REACH LAO PDR One can arrive in Vientiane either by air or by land BY AIR - From Bangkok, Hanoi or Phnompenh to Vientiane BY TRAIN - From Bangkok to Nongkai **Train from Bangkok to Nongkai travels at night berth. Upon arrival at Nongkai in the morning, you will have to take taxi or rickshaw to Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge and cross the border. The guide will wait for you after Lao Immigration to transfer you to Vientiane. Asia Travel || Laos Hotels & Resorts

European Vacation U.S. Front

U.S. Front Groups Take a European Vacation - Center for Media and Democracy Center for Media and Democracy Publishers of PR Watch Home Spin of the Day Dec 08, 2005 U.S. Front Groups Take a European Vacation U.S. Front Groups Take a European Vacation Topics: corporations | lobbying | global warming Source: The Independent (UK), December 8, 2005 Britain's Independent reports on a "detailed and disturbing strategy document" authored by a U.S.-based Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) official that seeks "to destroy Europe's support for the Kyoto treaty on climate change ." CEI's Chris Horner , also a senior figure in the " Cooler Heads Coalition ," is "a veteran campaigner against Kyoto." CEI has received "almost $1.5m from ExxonMobil ." Horner's plan "seeks to draw together major international companies, academics, think-tanks , commentators, journalists and lobbyists from across Europe," under the name " European Sound Climate Policy Coalition ." The coalition, Horner suggested, would be based in Brussels and have "anti-Kyoto position papers, expert spokesmen, detailed advice and networking" devoted to undermining the accord. He pitched the plan to Ford Europe, Lufthansa and German utility company RWE; the document says that Lufthansa, Exxon and Ford "have already indicated their interest." Asked by the Independent whether a U.S. lobbyist funded in part by oil companies should be targeting European companies, Horner replied, "Everybody else does." login or register to post comments | printer friendly version Home SourceWatch PR Watch Spin of the Day Books Forum Volunteer News Feeds Donate Search this site advanced search About Us The Center for Media and Democracy About PR Watch Staff Biographies Financial Supporters Privacy Policy Contact Us Navigation recent posts news aggregator syndication Syndicate more User login Username: Password: Create new account Request new password Topics activism animal rights arts/culture corporations corporate social responsibility tort reform democracy education environment agriculture mad cow disease biotechnology global warming nuclear power sludge ethics gay/lesbian health food safety human rights international labor lobbying marketing advertising guerrilla marketing media citizen journalism internet journalism pundits pharmaceuticals politics left wing right wing propaganda public relations astroturf crisis management front groups issue management public diplomacy third party technique video news releases race/ethnic issues religion rhetoric science secrecy social justice think tanks tobacco U.S. government war/peace Iraq terrorism women Weekly Spin Enter your email address to get our free weekly bulletin about spin and propaganda in the media. Books Banana Republicans Weapons of Mass Deception Trust Us, We're Experts Mad Cow USA Toxic Sludge Is Good For You Recent blog posts USAID in Indonesia: Expecting Waves of Gratitude Tracking the Zigs and Zags of Issues The Victory of Spin Fake News: It's the PR Industry Against the Rest of Us Academic Freedom Ain't What It Used to Be One Step Forward (But Two Back) in the Fight Against Fake News Support Our Props The Emperor Doesn't Disclose: Why the Fight Against Fake News Continues The Wave of the Future: From Tragedy to Far-Reaching Policy, in Less Than a Month Jim Crow Propaganda more Active forum topics INTELLIGENT DESIGN Where are the Faceless Cowards at USCIS? Poll, Bush, politics The dark side of US For our readers in the right wing more Upcoming events Public Affairs Council's Annual "Grassroots" Conference (event) (26 days) International Conference on Disease-Mongering (event) (103 days) more Center for Media and Democracy 520 University Avenue, Suite 227 Madison, Wisconsin 53703 Phone: 608-260-9713 Email: editor AT prwatch.org

FRANCE TRAVEL INFORMATION :

France travel information tips, Paris hotel specials, and France travel and tourism facts. DISCOVER FRANCE FRANCE BICYCLE TOURS FRANCE WALKING TOURS FRANCE GETAWAYS PARIS TRIPS PARIS HOTELS Theme Travel » Honeymoons Family Trips Wine/Cooking Paris Packages His & Her Woman Tours Gay/Lesbian Corporate Group Travel Club Trips Info Book a Tour Site Map Walking Tour Regions Alsace Brittany Burgundy Champagne Dordogne/SW Paris/Ile de France Languedoc Loire Valley Normandy Provence Bicycle Tour Regions Alsace Brittany Burgundy Champagne Dordogne/SW Languedoc Loire Valley Normandy Poitou-Charentes Provence Rhone-Alpes Travel news/announcements/Info: See our latest newsletter for updates Southern France, Spain, Italy - the best weather in the fall season ! We can take last minute bookings up to 7 days in advance of travel - subject to hotel availability. Our recommendations: Carcassonne Countryside - more challenging cycling tour visits the famous Cite of Carcassonne and vineyards of the Corbiere before finishing at the sea side. Provence - Avignon to Mediterranean - most popular tour for a full cross section of charming Provence. Spain - Catalonia and the Costa Brava near Girona . Lovely farmhouse family style lodging or gastronomic charm hotels. Exceptional late season biycle tour! Italy -Tuscany - enchanting region with its famously hilly terrain is best visited in the fall. We can accommodate 4 or 6 night packages. Paris Getaways : Low Season - November through March from low rates for excellent hotels of charm. Add on museum passes, metro passes, airport transfers or even add a stay in any of the many provinces easily reached by train from Paris like Dijon, Bordeaux, Avignon, Strasbourg, Tours, Reims, Lyon, and so on! Paris by foot; see our new Da Vinci Code tour and other programs in Paris Self Guided Walking Tours : Our program of self-guided travel is open to anyone; to know more visit this page of our website: Self Guided Touring FRANCE TRAVEL INFORMATION : This bit of information is for general travel throughout France. Each of our tour clients will receive this in addition to more detailed information about their tour. Paris Hotels - see our site at www.hotelsparis.net Hotels throughout France - see our site at www.francegetaways.com Regional Tourist Offices throughout France - see our links page See our new Vocabulary and interactive Language page Arriving in Paris: most flights now arrive at Charles de Gaulle airport from foreign destinations. There are still some charters and inter France flights going out of Orly. Our site at www.gotoparis.net discusses in detail the different options available for getting into the city. These options include: express buses, trains, taxis, and private transfers. To get from CDG airport to Orly, the best is by Air France bus. They depart every 30 minutes between 6:30 am and 10:30 pm. Traveling around in France: France is 1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (G.M.T. +1). This makes it 6 hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Standard Time (E.S.T. +6, and +9 PST). The time is the same all over the country. The country is divided in 95 departments – each has its name and its number and this number is set by alphabetical order. That number is found at the beginning of each zip code of the department as well as the last 2 digits of the car plates. Documentation U.S citizens only need a valid passport to travel to France as long as their stay does not exceed 3 months. You are required to carry identification with you at all times when traveling in France. If you lose your passport, contact: American Consulate 2, rue Saint Florentin - 75001 Paris Tel: 01.42.96.12.02 or 01.42.61.80.75 Consular Section for Canadians 35, Avenue de Montaigne - 75008 Paris Tel: 01.44.43.32.00 Post Office - Mail / Shipping The Post Office is called LA POSTE or PTT. Generally open M-F from 9am to 6pm and Saturday from 9am to 12pm. Telephone France is divided by 5 zones for the telephone. The 2 first digits of a phone number tells you the area: 01 is Paris / 02 northwest / 03 northeast / 04 southeast / 05 southwest. From the States, you don’t need to dial the 0. But once in France, you have to dial the 0. Phone numbers must have 10 digits (including the first 0), no exception – except of course the emergency numbers. Public phones in France require a telephone card, or they can often work also with a credit card. Check for the signs “Visa”, “Master Card”, etc… Emergency telephone numbers throughout France 24 hour ambulance (called “SAMU”): 15 Police: 17 Fire: 18 Other telephone numbers in Paris: 24 hour doctor: 01.47.07.77.77 24 hour dentist: 01.43.37.51.00 English language crisis line: 01.47.23.80.80 Public Holidays January 1st / Easter Monday / May 1st = Labor Day / May 8th / Ascension Thursday (last Thursday of May) / Pentecote Monday (beginning of June) / July 14 = Bastille Day / August 15 = Assumption / November 1st / November 11th / December 25th. Electric current Electricity in France runs on 220 volt, 50-cycle AC current. If you bring electrical devices, you will need to have a transformer and plug adapter. Banking / Purchasing Banks are generally open weekdays 9am - 4:30pm. In many cities outside Paris banks close for lunch, sometimes for 2 hours. Most banks are closed Saturday and Sunday and all holidays. The main banks are: BNP / Credit Agricole / Societe Generale / Caisse d’Epargne / Credit du Nord, etc… The Euro - € As of January 1, 2002, the Euro is the official currency in France and the 11 other countries currently participating in European currency union. The old French Franc is now part of history and is no longer accepted as a payment form. Check before departure the equivalent of the Euro compare to the U.S Dollar. The Euro paper currency will be the same in all 12 countries, in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 Euros. The coins however, will bear a different face according to the country. There are 8 coins: 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 cents and 1 and 2 Euros. Driving in France Document / Insurance / Law - An American driver’s license is valid for Americans driving in France. Have another ID document with you like your passport. - Insurance is highly recommended, be sure you are set before you leave home. - The legal age to drive in France is 18. - Trucks – except with special authorization – are not allowed to drive on Sunday. - Seat belts must be worn at all times – children under 12 must sit in the backseat - Park your car only where it is authorized, fines arrive quickly! And cars are often towed away. Car rental The legal age to rent a car is 21– but most companies require being 25 years old. See our links page for companies, and insurance options. Gas Taxes on gas are very high in France, which explains the price of the liter: On the petrol pump “Sans Plomb” means unleaded petrol. Gas stations along highways are open 24 h / 7 days. French usually get gas at large stores like Carrefour, Leclerc, Casino, etc… You can go at any time, help yourself and use your credit card Types of roads Interstate toll way / Motorway = A + the number of the road / 130km/h is the speed limit. This is also a toll road, you can pay tolls with a credit card; this is the fast way to travel, but is not cheap! Every 20 km you have restaurants, gas station, sometimes shops, restrooms… National road = N + number of the road / 90km/h. If you are not traveling too far or if you have plenty of time, then the more scenic and free way to go is on the National roads. A famous road in France is the National 7 / N7. There is even a song ? about that road sung by Charles TRENET! Department road = D + number of the road / 50km/h. Great for seeing the back country of France; very slow going. PARIS - some basic info is below. Museum passes, metro passes, day tours, shows, bus tours, more: www.gotoparis.net TOURIST OFFICES There are many convenient locations within Paris: Carrousel du Louvre: 99 Rue de Rivoli, 75001. Metro: Palais Royal / Louvre (1,7) Montmartre: 21 Place du Tertre, 75018. Metro: Abbesses (12) Gare du Nord: Metro / RER (B,D,4,5) Tour Eiffel: Metro / RER: Champs de Mars / Tour Eiffel (C), Bir-Hakeim (6) Gare de Lyon: Metro / RER (A,D,1,14) Opera – Grands Magasins: 11 rue Scribe, 75009/ Metro: Opera (3,7,8) / RER: Auber (A) Train Stations in Paris: Gare du Nord: North of France, Belgium, Eurostar to London, UK Gare de L’Est: Champagne, Alsace / Germany Gare de Lyon: Southeast, Provence – Cote d’Azur / Italy Gare Austerlitz: Loire Valley, Southwest France Gare Montparnasse: Brittany, TGV to Loire and Southwest Gare Saint Lazare: Normandy, western coast More detailed travel information is available at the French Governement Tourist Office Website at www.franceguide.com Home | Cycling Classics | Pure Adventures | Bicycle Tours | Walking Tours | Media | Links Promotions | Travel Agents | FAQs | Weather | Newsletter | Group Travel | Privacy © 2006 Discover France (SM)

Vacation Packages Christmas Flowers

Christmas Vacation Packages, Christmas Vacation Package, Family Vacations for Christmas, 2005 Christmas Vacation Packages Christmas Flowers | Christmas Decorations | Christmas Gifts | Christmas Greetings | Christmas Wallpapers : CHRISTMAS VACATION PACKAGE CHRISTMAS VACATION PACKAGE Christmas Holidays are a perfect time to relax and go out on that much awaited vacation with your near and dear ones. There are plenty of Christmas Vacation Packages to choose from and have a whale of a time with your beloveds. Below are listed some of the exotic Christmas Vacation Package ideas: Caribbean Vacation: Caribbean islands have a remarkable variety of places that will make you fall in love with the place again and again. The charming Caribbean with its white sandy beaches, fantastic sunsets and gregarious people is an ideal destination to relax and enjoy. Walt Disney World: Disney World is a heaven for fun loving people where they can participate in activities like tree-lighting, special parade, Very Merry Christmas Party and relive their childhood days once again. Far East: The mystical land of Orients has attracted the fancy of all and one since time immemorial with its rich cultural legacy and hot, tempting cuisines. You can plan out your Christmas Vacations at Goa in India, Malaysia, Indonesia situated in Indian Ocean and rejoice the time. Evergreen England: Picturesque England with its diverse landscape, stunning scenery, cultural heritage and warm people can be visited any time in the season. Spain: It is the third most popular destination in the world and boasts of amazing natural attractions. Barcelona, Salou, Alicante, Marbella , Benidorm, Bilbao, Nerja, Pamplona , Jerez, and Madrid are the preferred tourist cities in the country. The beaches ringed with sand, rock, seawater and abundant sunshine attracts millions of beachgoers. France: Regarded as one of the classics tourist destination, it offers striking mountain ranges, coastlines with rich cultural heritage with castles and places of interest like Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and cathedral of Notre-Dame. USA: USA, regarded as the melting pot of people from diverse backgrounds known for California sunsets, Vegas jackpots, and fast paced eclectic New York guarantees a lifetime of adventure. Greece: Wrapped in beautiful landscapes, lovely beaches, and vivid historical and mythological legacy it welcomes millions of tourists every year. The grand sports event of the world Olympics originated in this city, which is equally famous for its ancient sites like Parthenon on the Acropolis in Athens or the temple of Delphi. Australia: The beautiful continent located in southern India simply mesmerizes you with its inherent charisma. The city blends the European charm in its vibrant cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide. Its places of interest are Uluru, Kakadu National Park, Kangaroo Island, Pinnacles and Bungles. Germany: Offers a rich experience to the tourists in various aspects. The spectacular Alps, Rhine and Moselle valleys, Music festivals at Bayreuth and Munich draw many tourists. The German cities carrying the medieval charm Rothenburg ob der Tauber and Dinkelsbühl are other popular tourist destinations. Italy: Italy famous for its mystical cities like Rome, Venice, Florence and Pompeii is wonderful tourist destination for you. For the connoisseurs of art, the best place to visit the Colosseum, the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Pantheon. The place offers incredible range of cuisines, which are rich with cream and meaty sauces. Denmark: Also known, as gateway to Scandinavia it is an enchanting land with picturesque villages and towns, historic castles and monuments, and a coastline, which varies delightfully from broad sandy beaches to small coves and gentle fjords. Hungary: A lovely country brimming with natural beauty and culture offers attractive tourist destinations Budapest, Buda, Pest, The Danube, Visegrad and Lake Balaton. South Africa: The country offers wide array of tours, safaris, accommodation and attractions to the tourists. South Africa has topography range from arid bushland, sandy beaches, tropical wetlands to mountain ranges. SEND QUICK CARDS

Mexico Travel Net PUERTO

CABO LA PAZ LORETO Mexico Travel Net PUERTO VALLARTA CANCUN COZUMEL ACAPULCO EAST CAPE MAZATLAN ROSARITO BEACH IXTAPA MANZANILLO ENSENADA L.A. BAY HUATULCO BAJA CALIFORNIA MEXICO...Once you cross the Mexican-American border the excitement begins Baja Motions Tours is committed to making your next vacation into Baja the most enjoyable, worry free experience ever. Since we are the Baja experts, we customize each package to fulfill your every desire. We are group specialists no matter how small or large. Whale Watching Tours Baja Explorer Group Transportation Hotels, Villas & Condos Sport-Fishing Baja Golf Copper Canyon Baja Photo Gallery Eco-Tours & Treks Baja Travel Pass Long Range Sport-Fishing Tijuana, Rosarito & Ensenada Tours Baja Rent-a-Car Baja Kayaking Mexican Auto Insurance Easy ON-LINE Form Baja Motion Tours offers the most exciting destinations on the Baja peninsula including beautiful places such as Ensenada , San Quintin , Bahia de Los Angeles, Loreto , La Paz , East Capes , and of course the world famous Cabo San Lucas . If all of these destinations are of interest to you, check out our exclusive Baja Tip 2 Tip , a 9-day motorcoach excursion based out of San Diego touring the entire Baja peninsula to the tip of Cabo San Lucas with fly back return service to San Diego. Vacation Packages We also offer air / hotel packages from anywhere in the world to Baja, motorcoach transportation and charters throughout Mexico, sportfishing charters and golf packages up and down the peninsula on both the Pacific coastline, as well as the beautiful Sea of Cortez. If you choose to drive yourself into Baja, we offer rent a car services and Mexican auto insurance for you and your group or family. We are your one stop shop for touring Baja. Our service is second to none and we will customize each adventure into Baja to meet your group or familys every desire! "CLICK HERE" to Visit Our NEW site - MexicoTravelNet.com CABO LA PAZ LORETO Mexico Travel Net PUERTO VALLARTA CANCUN COZUMEL ACAPULCO EAST CAPE MAZATLAN ROSARITO BEACH IXTAPA MANZANILLO ENSENADA L.A. BAY HUATULCO Top of Page HOME Contact Us