family vacation. Full Details

Login or Register Search by Destination : Destinations United States New England Alaska Hawaii Southern & Mid US US West Canada Eastern Canada Western Canada Europe Great Britain & Ireland Scandinavia Russia and the Baltics France Central & Eastern Europe Spain & Portugal Italy Mediterranean Asia Africa Australia Antarctica Latin America Search by Travel Type : Travel Types Autumn Colors Best Sellers Family Travel Ocean Cruising Premier Events Rail Journeys River Boat Cruising Singles Specials U.S. National Parks Value Season 1 Week Journeys 2-3 Week Journeys 1-2 Week Journeys Travel Type Autumn Colors Family Travel Ocean Cruising River Boat Cruising Rail Journeys U.S. National Parks Best Sellers Premier Events Value Season Singles Specials 1 Week Journeys 2-3 Week Journeys 1-2 Week Journeys Spotlight Journey Discover our Journeys > Travel Type > Family Travel Tauck Bridges adventures are designed to delight every member of the family, from school-age children to grandparents. Our 13 carefully crafted journeys combine the joy of seeing, doing and learning as a family with ample opportunity for just plain family fun. Click here to learn more about Family Travel with Tauck. Experience the Fun on Tauck Bridges! Click here to view our short video that highligts the fun of a Tauck Bridges family tour! Patriots of America (Family Travel) Family FYI: Did you know that President Abraham Lincolns top hat is located at the Smithsonian? History will come alive for your family as you travel through time on this Philadelphia to Washington DC vacation. Full Details | Check Availability Cowboy Country Northbound (Family Travel) Family FYI: Did you know that the rodeo is one of the few sports to evolve from an industry ranching? Attend a real rodeo when you experience life in the old west during your Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone family vacation. Full Details | Check Availability Cowboy Country Southbound (Family Travel) Family FYI: Did you know that on Mount Rushmore, granite shafts reflect the sunlight and make the presidents eyes appear to sparkle? Discover the old west during your Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone family vacation. Full Details | Check Availability Montana: Big Sky Adventure (Family Travel) Family FYI: Did you know when Lewis and Clark first explored the Northwest, people believed that woolly mammoths, seven-toed beavers, and unicorns might live there? Visit Glacier and Yellowstone national parks on a Montana family vacation. Full Details | Check Availability Red Rocks and Painted Canyons (Family Travel) Family FYI: Did you know that Kanab, Utah, is known as little Hollywood because so many westerns were filmed there? Starting with an Arizona vacation, have fun exploring Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon and Zion national parks. Full Details | Check Availability Alaska: Call of the Wild (Family Travel) Family FYI: Did you know that Alaska has over 100,000 glaciers covering over 5% of the state? On Taucks family Alaska vacation, youll enjoy experiences such as jet boating, flightseeing, rafting among icebergs and spotting wildlife. Full Details | Check Availability Jungles & Rainforests: Costa Rica (Family Travel) 2005 | 2006 Family FYI: Did you know that one of Costa Ricas most famous residents is the tiny Poison Arrow frog? During this unforgettable Costa Rica adventure tour an ecological wonderland complete with rainforests, jungles and a cloud forest. Full Details | Check Availability Galapagos: Wildlife Wonderland (Family Travel) 2005 | 2006 Family FYI: Did you know that red-footed boobies have both webbed feet and prehensile toes that let them sit in the branches of trees? During this exceptional family Galapagos vacation, discover wildlife found nowhere else in the world. Full Details | Check Availability Tanzania: A Grand Family Safari (Family Tour) Family FYI: Did you know that many people regard Ngorongoro Crater as Africas Garden of Eden? On this unforgettable Africa tour, spot the big five on game drives with your family in Tarangire, Lake Manyara and Serengeti national parks. Full Details | Check Availability Legends & Lore of Ireland (Family Travel) FYI: Did you know that, before he wrote Dracula, Bram Stoker attended Dublins Trinity College and worked as a civil servant at Dublin Castle? Explore the best of the Emerald Isle on this Ireland vacation with your family. Full Details | Check Availability Castles & Kings: London to Paris (Family Travel) 2005 | 2006 Family FYI: Did you know that French was the official language of Great Britain for over 600 years? Feel like royalty in London visit Windsor Castle and the Tower of London; in Paris tour the Palace of Versailles and dine at the Eiffel Tower. Full Details | Check Availability Tour de France (Family Travel) Family FYI: Did you know that, before a causeway was built in the 1870s, visitors to Mont-Saint-Michel risked being swallowed up by quicksand and the tides? Taucks family northern France tour includes the beaches of Normandy and Paris. Full Details | Check Availability Italia Bella: Rome to Venice (Family Travel) 2005 | 2006 Family FYI: Did you know that in addition to chariot races and gladiatorial contests Romes Colosseum hosted battles between ships, staged on a make-believe sea? Two-night stays in Rome, Florence and Venice highlight this family Italy tour. Full Details | Check Availability Magical Hawaii (Family Travel) 2005 | 2006 Family FYI: Did you know that it takes 8 hours to cook the traditional luaus main dish, kalua pig, in an underground oven filled with hot coals and leaves? Have fun on this wonderful family Hawaii vacation stay at beachfront resorts on three islands. Full Details | Check Availability For reservations, contact your local travel agent or call 1-800-788-7885. Sitemap | Careers | Privacy & Terms All Content © 2005 Tauck, Inc. All rights reserved.

Travel Guard | AgentLink:

Travel Insurance: Travel Guard - Trip, Medical/Health & Accident Coverage Travel Guard: Why Buy Travel Insurance? Non-US Residents | Sign up to sell Travel Guard | AgentLink: TRAVEL INSURANCE WHY BUY? CUSTOMER SERVICE ABOUT US Cruise International Single Trip Flight Student Travel Medical Annual All Products Contact Us Alerts Strike List View Policy Modify Policy Claims Newsroom Testimonials About Us Let us find the insurance protection that is right for you: Cruise Single Trip Vacation Family Travel Honeymoon Flight Travel Medical Annual Study Abroad Last Minute Car Rental Sports Travel Travel Accident *JavaScript required. WHY TRAVEL GUARD? SPOTLIGHT WHY BUY TRAVEL INSURANCE? Travel Guard International is the industry's leading travel insurance provider - covering more than 6 million travelers worldwide each year. Our travel insurance plans offer coverage for vacation and trip cancellation, travel interruptions and delays, emergency medical and health expenses, lost baggage and more. Plus, every Travel Guard insurance plan includes our 24-hour "911" travel emergency service for emergency medical assistance, last-minute or emergency travel and flight changes, lost luggage tracking, pre-trip travel advice and more. Explore our options online to choose the coverage that best meets your travel needs. Worldwide Health: Medical coverage up to $1 million for travelers leaving their home country. Coverage includes: Medical expenses Emergency medical evacuation Trip interruption Lost checked luggage 24-hour assistance services Learn more today! Exclusive New Coverage! Travel Guard's Golf Travel Plan is a premium travel insurance program featuring coverage and services designed specifically for golf travelers. More Info At Travel Guard we understand that your vacation can take a year to save for, but only a second to ruin. While you can't do anything to prevent an unexpected storm from closing the airport, you can do something to help cover your travel investment-buy travel insurance. Travel insurance can provide you coverage for medical expenses, trip cancellation/interruption, baggage damage, and much more. Plus, with every Travel Guard insurance plan you will also receive 24-hour travel assistance. 1.800.826.4919 ©Travel Guard International, 2005 ¿Habla Español? Privacy Policy Affiliate Program Site Map Contact Us Travel Guard coverage includes travel insurance & assistance that travels with you. Coverages may include: Trip cancellation due to terrorism and other named unforeseen events, trip delay, lost baggage, medical emergency, and others. Purchase online for immediate coverage. Certain coverages are subject to purchase requirements. See each coverage for details.

Austria Travel

sterreich Hotels Reisen Urlaub Last Minute -- mytiscover tiscover.com English Suche Österreich Burgenland Niedersterreich Obersterreich Steiermark Tirol Vorarlberg Wien Krnten Salzburg Sie befinden sich in: Österreich -- Aktuelle Angebote Österreich Burgenland Niedersterreich Obersterreich Steiermark Tirol Vorarlberg Wien Krnten Salzburg Unsere Partner burgenland.info oberoesterreich.at niederoesterreich.at steiermark.com tirol.at vorarlberg.cc Newsletter Bitte whlen Sie ... 50plus Hotels Austria Classic Hotels -- Austria Kuschelhotels Best Wellness Hotels Austria Bio-Hotels Europa Wanderhotels Familotel Feng Shui Hotels Fischwasser sterreich Golf in Austria Gsund & Vital Kinderhotels Landhotels sterreich Landidyll Langlaufen Privatvermieter Radhotels Reiten in sterreich -- Relaix & Chateaux Romantik Hotels Schlank & Schn Schlosshotels & Herrenhuser TopRadStop -- Thermenhotels Urlaub am Bauernhof HV Service Jobs im Tourismus Videos -- Jobregistrierung2 -- ORF ON Tourismuspresse Google Aktuelle Angebote fr Ihren sterreich - Urlaub Pulverschneewochen am Arlberg Genieen Sie den Wintertraum im Hotel Mondschein in Stuben am Arlberg! An einem der schnsten Skigebiete der Alpen erleben Sie eine 7 Tage zum Preis von 6 Tagen inklusive Genieerpension und 6-Tages-Arlbergskipass ab Euro 679,00 pro Person! Impressionen Entdecken Sie die schönsten Seiten Österreichs Gewinnspiel WIN! 1 Romantik-Wochenende fr 2 im Hotel Galtenberg! Winter im Groarltal Das Hotel Viehhauser in Groarl bietet Ihnen eine besondere Wohlfhlatmosphre, eine grozgige Wellness-Oase und ein herrliches Skigebiet vor der Haustre, in der Ski amad sterreichs grtem Skiverbund! Eine Woche mit Halbpension und 6-Tages-Skipass ab Euro 524,50 pro Person. Bundeslnder-News Krnten Auf Skiern und im Sattel Obersterreich Glcklerlufe im Salzkammergut Salzburg Hotel Europischer Hof im Gasteinertal Steiermark Winteropening in der Urlaubsregion Murtal Tirol Gletscherspa im Stubaital Vorarlberg Vor mir der Winter Wien Mit Pummerin und Donauwalzer ins Neue Jahr! Wien Silvester im Hotel Bristol! sterreich Skispa am Arlberg Region: Österreich... Vorarlberg Tirol Krnten Salzburg Steiermark Obersterreich Niedersterreich Burgenland Wien Anreise am: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 2004 2005 2006 Aufenthalt: Reisende: Nächte Pers. Anzahl / Zimmerart: Ferienwohnung Ferienhaus Zimmer Suite Unterkunftstyp: (Alle) Hotel Ferienhaus Gasthof Pension Privatvermieter Bauernhof Hütten & Herbergen Aktuelles Wetter - berspringen B NÖ OÖ K ST T S V W Wetterbersicht Wettervorschau Wasserbericht Schneebericht Rodelbericht Eisbericht Langlaufbericht Lawineninfo About Tiscover Presse Links Partnerprogramm Extranet © 2005 Tiscover AG , © Tiscover Österreich andall its suppliers. All rights reserved. Tiscover terms and conditions. Privacypolicy. Tiscover AG is not responsible for content on externalWeb sites.

Disney Vacation more affordable

The Disney Blog: Airline Shakeout could make Disney Vacation more affordable -- The Disney Blog Informing Disney Fans the World Over with the latest news and updates from all Disney companies, divisions, and related stories. Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruises, Disney Animation, Pixar, ESPN, and more are covered in as much detail as I can muster. Our Sponsors Blogads Disney DVDs Walt Disney: Walt Disney Treasures - The Adventures of Spin & Marty - The Mickey Mouse Club Walt Disney: Walt Disney Treasures - Elfego Baca and The Swamp Fox - Legendary Heroes Walt Disney Treasures - The Chronological Donald, Volume Two (1942-1946) Walt Disney : Walt Disney Treasures - Disney Rarities - Celebrated Shorts, 1920s - 1960s Disney Books Robert Tieman: The Disney Keepsakes Sequel to the Disney Treasures book. A must have for any Disney fan. (****) Pixar: The Art of Pixar: 100 Collectible Postcards Full of wonderful postcard art. Great for any Disney or Pixar fan or anyone who collects postcards. Which would be me! (****) David Gerstein: Mickey And The Gang: Classic Stories In Verse CartoonBrew.com says buy it today! I'll take their word for it. (*****) Bob Sehlinger: The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World, 2006 The Unofficial Guide has served me well in the past and the 2006 edition is sure to be no exception. Its biggest problem is how popular it has become that you'll run into dozens of others who are following its suggestions. (*****) John Canemaker: The Art And Flair Of Mary Blair: An Appreciation An under appreciated artist whose influence on art, animation, and imagineering, is still felt today. (****) James B. Stewart: DisneyWar A detailed look into the fall of Michael Eisner and the path of destruction he left in his wake. (*****) Harrison 'Buzz' Price: Walt's Revolution!: By the Numbers An inside look at the creation of the Themepark Industry. (*****) Jason Rich: The Everything Family Guide To the Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Studios And Greater Orlando: A Complete Guide To The Best Hotels, Restaurants, ... Attractions (Everything: Travel and History) Brand new, huge book (415 pages). John Canemaker: Walt Disney's Nine Old Men and the Art of Animation Canemaker looks into the careers and art of the acknowledged legends of animation -- Disney's Nine Old Men. (****) Karal Ann Marling: Designing Disney's Theme Parks : The Architecture of Reassurance Although it's a few years old, you still can't find a better look at the equal parts of science and illusion (though some would say they're the same thing) that go into making Disney Theme Parks. This book is a must have for the true fan's library. (****) LaughingPlace.com Disney News, Articles and Updates What I'm Listening to While Writing This Shake a Tail Feather Disney: Chicken Little (****) Smells Like Teen Spirit Paul Anka: Rock Swings Didn't think I'd like this, but it's everybit as good as Johnny Cash's The Man Comes Around (but Jazzy and Swingy!) (*****) The Black Pearl Disney: Pirates of the Carribean (*****) My Wish List New Custom Disney Tshirts! Save With Disney Deals 101 Things You Never Knew About Disneyland -- Save 27% at The LaughingPlace.com Store Melody Time DVD -- Save 20% at The LaughingPlace.com Store Schoolhouse Rock: Special 30th Anniversary Edition DVD -- Save 17% at The LaughingPlace.com Store Walt Disney Takes You to Disneyland -- Save 29% at Amazon.com Gargoyles - The Complete First Season (Special 10th Anniversary Edition) -- Save 30% at Amazon.com Rent a vacation home or condo in the heart of Orlando for just $99 per night at holidaynetwork.com -- New!! $2,500 Last-Minute Getaway Sweepstakes -- New!! Chronicles of Narnia UnAbridged AudioCD -- Like Netflix for Audio Books -- 15 Day Free Trial Unlimited DVD Rentals! -- 30 day free trial The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World, 2006 -- Save 32% at Amazon.com Chicken Little Soundtrack -- Save 42% at Amazon.com Check out Delta's last-minute fares for great travel deals. -- Book your Disney Trip Now and Save Big Best Online Rates at ParkPlaza .com Add me to your TypePad People list About Powered by TypePad « Shave and a Haircut... | Main | A long run to Disney World » January 10, 2005 Airline Shakeout could make Disney Vacation more affordable The coming shakeout in the Airline industry should mean lower vacation costs for America's families. That's the message of this article from the Christian Science Monitor . Already a coast to coast flight can be had for as little as $180.00 with 14 days advance purchase. A close reading of the situation leaves me with a few concerns, however. First, if the consolidation of hubs and routes occurs this will leadto fewer seats in the air. This means less capacity to bring the hugecrowds to Orlando and Anaheim during the peak vacation seasons.Vacation Destinations had better be looking at alternate ways to getguests to the gates, more dependance on the international and localmarkets, or plan for flatter attendance patterns. Second, less capacity often results in increased demand. After thecurrent shakeout settles down expect to see a corresponding rise inprices, even on the low cost carriers, until some excess capacity isbuilt back into the system. Also expect there to be less flexibility inwhen and where you travel. The days of non-stop to your destination arewaning and the days of two-to-three hour layovers are once again uponus. Personally, the low cost airlines have worked just fine for me in mycoast to coast travel. I can usually find affordable non-stop flights.But they are less efficient going south to north on the west coast.What should be a 2 hour flight turns into a 5 hour ordeal with layovers and a trip on a commuter plane. I don't see the country becoming any less dependant on air travelanytime soon (and neither do the mega-vacation destinations like Las Vegas which keeps building new hotels). High Speed Rail is still a very expensive alternativeand, so far, impractical when large elevation changes exist. Gas pricesand time make driving much more than 6-8 hours in any direction lessefficient than flying and renting a car. Finally, there is one technology that might shift the balance oftravel. The radius at which it becomes less expensive to fly and rent acar could change dramatically with the wide spread use of fuel cells incars and dual hybrid/plug-n-go configurations. The complete economicramifications of this are left to those with more experience than I,but it will make the next five to ten years interesting to watch. Posted by John Frost in Travel , disney cruise , disney world , disneyland | Permalink TrackBack TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.typepad.com/t/trackback/1651163 Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Airline Shakeout could make Disney Vacation more affordable : Comments Post a comment If you have a TypeKey or TypePad account, please Sign In You are currently signed in as (nobody) . Sign Out Name: Email Address: URL: Remember personal info? Comments: Partner Blogs Home4Sale Orlando Bound Blog Resume Upgrade - New! The Home Blog RSS Feeds Subscribe to this blog's feed Recent Posts Attendance Numbers re-examined Not impressed with Disney Xmas Parade Coverage? Pixar and Disney: can a working partnership be reached? Toy Story 3-D? Can the Disney Co. Really be Saved? Themepark Attendance Figures with Disney on top Iger, Jobs, Close to Announcement? Audio Tour of MoMA's Pixar Exhibit Happy 80th Birthday Pooh! Anastasia: Family Fun DVD? Trip Reports Disney trip full report Not every trip report is 100% cheery. This is one of those. Mike’s Annual Disneyland Trip Report We reported on Mike's trip last year too. Your Donald sucks. The one at Hong Kong Disneyland is more charismatic. Sylvia journeys to Disneyland. Can't tell if she had a good time or not. Unique Disneyland 50th Anniversary Trip Report A wonderful scrapbook revisiting the events surrounding the 50th Anniversary of Disneyland Ammy and Rick visit Disneyland on its 50th Birthday Also see following post for review of Blue Bayou and its new seating policy. Silent Joes Playground - Disney Wrap Up Theme Park Adventure of Disney Dancer Greetings from Disneyworld: Omnipotent? Lynn's Road to Disney World Three Kid Circus Recent Comments loana on Attendance Numbers re-examined rosemary on The Great Hidden Mickey Quest rosemary on The Great Hidden Mickey Quest Kenneth Barnes on The Whistle Blows for Monday Night Football Stacey on Disney ponders new style of hotel Doug135711 on Themepark Attendance Figures with Disney on top Lynnad on Studio Gibli: Howl's Moving Caslte Natasha Kershaw on Edna Mode is Edith Head Tyler C. on Narnia News from the old gray lady Tyler C. on Narnia News from the old gray lady Search This Site Web thedisneyblog.typepad.com December 2005 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Categories Animation Business anti-disney Art Books Broadway Celebration, FL CIC corporate disney Cosplay Current Affairs disneyana disney animation Disney Channel disney comics Disney Concert Hall disney consumer products disney cruise disney dining Disney Fandom disney film Disney Games Disneyism disneyland Disney Mobile Disney Musicals Disney Online Disney Publishing disney television disney vacation disney world DVD EM:HE espn Film Florida Attractions Food and Drink Games Holiday Hong Kong Disneyland Humor Imagineering Indiana Jones LaughingPlace.com Lost Mickey Mouse miramax Miyazaki Muppets Music Narnia NFFC paris disneyland pixar Playhouse Disney Podcast Pooh & Characters Religion Round Up Sports Star Wars Television The Disney Stores Themepark Industry Tim Burton tokyo disneyland Travel Uncle Walt Weblogs Web/Tech World Events Archives December 26, 2005 - January 1, 2006 December 19, 2005 - December 25, 2005 December 12, 2005 - December 18, 2005 December 5, 2005 - December 11, 2005 November 28, 2005 - December 4, 2005 November 21, 2005 - November 27, 2005 November 14, 2005 - November 20, 2005 November 7, 2005 - November 13, 2005 October 31, 2005 - November 6, 2005 October 24, 2005 - October 30, 2005 Disney Links The Disney Blog for Kids Disney Shopping at The LaughingPlace Store The Latest Disney News from LaughingPlace.com Disney Online - The Official Home Page of The Walt Disney Company! LaughingPlace.com - Connecting Disney Fans Around the World Reciprocal Popdex : the website popularity index DisneySearch.net Inn of the Last Home Tampa Film Fan Ward-o-matic not a day over 49 HurtyElbow dead men tell no tales... Reciprocal II Rate our site on DisneySearch.net Post to Del.icio.us Sign up for LinkShare Internet Tools BugMeNot.com AmazonII

Spain Travel Information -

Europe Travel - A European Vacation Travel Guide  You are here: About > Travel > Europe for Visitors 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 From James Martin , Your Guide to Europe for Visitors . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Antwerp Pictures Antwerp is a fashion and diamond center for Belgium and the world, it has one of the most beautiful train stations in Europe, and it was home to artist Peter Paul Rubens in the 17th century. What's not to like about this Belgian port city? See what it's all about in our latest photo Gallery: Antwerp Pictures . More Antwerp Travel: Antwerp Travel Directory | Antwerp Lodging | Antwerp Museums Wednesday December 28, 2005 | permalink Like to Travel Well? Follow the CIA! I really should have paid attention when the CIA came recruiting at my college. Operatives really get to live it up when they travel, apparently. Imagine, the lucky seven of the "Surveillance Team" sent out to case the joint before kidnapping 39-year-old Muslim preacher Osama Moustafa Hassan Nasr, also known as Abu Omar, managed to spend "$39,995, not counting meals, parking and other services" for a week at Milan's Principe di Savoia ( check prices ), where a room goes for a mere $588 a night, according to Newsday . Once Abu Omar was behind bars in Cairo the CIA folks broke up and went their various ways, some to the renowned Grand Hotel Baglioni ( check prices ) in Florence , a few in cozy pairs to save the taxpayers money, no doubt. Travel Resources: Milan Profile | Florence Profile Tuesday December 27, 2005 | permalink Tapas from Cans? Ok, so you wander into one of Barcelona's most celebrated tapas bars thinking, "wow, I'm gonna down me some fine, fresh seafood this evening--non of that canned stuff like we get at home..." Well, Quimet and Quimet is one of Barcelona's best tapas bars, recommended by just about anyone. Joaquim Perez, owner of Quimet and Quimet, has been called Barcelona's culinary king of canned food. That's right, a tapas king devoted to high-quality goods preserved in metal. I had heard about the increasing interest in vintage sardines , whose flavors are said to increase in intensity and complexity with aging. But Mr. Perez has extended this idea of unlikely gourmet tinkering; he buys "fresh" Galician navajas (clams) from the cannery and sets them to aging for a year or two before serving them (plain) to his customers. And they love 'em. Maybe you should go and see what this canned gourmet thing is all about. There are worse places to spend time on a research expedition. More: Gastronomic Route: Barcelona, a tapas town? Travel Resources: Barcelona Guide | Barcelona Pictures Thursday December 22, 2005 | permalink North Holland: Noah's Ark Redux A pious north Holland businessman took out a 300 000 loan and turned his investment into a "faithful reconstruction of Noah's Ark in scaled down form on the basis of biblical texts," according to the Mail & Guardian . Spring is the expected launch date. No word on where the animals will come from. Travel Resources: North Holland Travel | Holland Map | Benelux Rail Passes Thursday December 22, 2005 | permalink Appreciate Long John Shivers? Head for the Alps I know I frequently extol the virtues of off season travel, but there's a whole bunch of adventurers willing to go the extra mile in their long johns to enjoy icier surroundings than I'd care to experience. Those would be the Ice Hotel People. Word from Vagablond is that "a new ice hotel is being constructed 7,000 feet up into the German Alps." HotelChatter says this ice hotel might well be part of the Iglu-Dorf chain, who specialize in things like Inuit igloos in Switzerland. Like it cold? Get you thrills in the Alps this winter. I'll toast your bravado at the hearth with a steaming hot toddy. Travel Resources: Germany map and Travel Essentials | Switzerland Map and Travel Essentials . Tuesday December 20, 2005 | permalink Europe Travel in the Off Season Why travel in the off season? Well, you know the reasons: fewer tourists, lower prices, and cooler temperatures, to name a few. But there's another reason for me, and that's the warm, slanting light that brings photos alive. See what I mean by taking a gander at: Liguria Pictures - Picture Gallery of Liguria in Autumn . And if you still want to see more pictures of Italy , try out Italy for Visitors Florence Pictures , taken in November. Travel Resources: Off Season Travel Tips | Italy Travel Map Sunday December 18, 2005 | permalink Travel Gifts Ok, you're thinkin' it's too late to post some ideas for gifts at this late date. Hey, you can chalk it up to sloth and indolence, but I don't start burdening my mind with thoughts about winter holidays in May like the rest of my family. The crunch starts now. So I've made up a list of recommended Travel Gifts . Of course, you could buy some of the stuff for yourself as well. Take a look. You've got language help, a deep, inside look at the Vatican, and more, not to mention that Tyrolean Boiled Wool Jacket like you've always wanted. More Stuff You Need: Top Travel Photography Gear Friday December 16, 2005 | permalink Joe Torre carries the Olympic Torch in Florence New York Yankee manager Joe Torre carried the Olympic torch 400 yards to the foot of the Ponte Vecchio in Florence yesterday as part of "American day" in the two-month Olympic torch relay. It was the first time he'd been to Italy in 20 years, despite the fact that his mother was born in the village of Patina near Naples. (Source: Indystar.com ) The torch Joe carried was designed by the folks at Pininfarina , who've banged out quite a few sexy Italian auto bodies in their time. The Olympic torch is designed to work in rain, snow and wind up to 74.56 miles per hour, not to mention temperatures from -4°F to +77°F. According to what I've heard, the torch suffered much less than Mr. Torre during the run. Travel Resources: Florence Travel Directory | Florence Pictures: Views from the Arno | Naples Travel Directory Photo above: Ponte Vecchio, Florence by Martha Bakerjian, Italy for Visitors ; click "read more" to see it larger. Read more... Thursday December 15, 2005 | permalink Sunny Valencia It's cold here in my corner of California, prime time to think of warmer climes. Valencia pops to mind. Host to the 2007 America's cup, the sunny Spanish port city has been spiffing itself up lately, and many travelers have remarked that Valencia seems to be passing Barcelona as Spain's city of tourist choice. What's not to like? The spring La Fallas festival is a not to be missed attraction (plan now if you're going), the City of Arts and Sciences holds 87 acres of fascinating art, science and architecture, and the Barrio del Carmen is chock full of music, restaurants and clubs. Find out more about Valence by taking a peek at our latest: Valencia Spain Travel Information - Valencia Profile , or peruse our Valencia Travel Directory . Wednesday December 14, 2005 | permalink Hey Santa! Take That! Scroogy Musings: So a couple guys in Germany get asked what they want for Christmas by Santa, who happens to be waiting for a train home. They've been out shopping all day, unsuccessfully one assumes, because the next thing you know they've latched on to Santa's sack and "beat him over the head with it, breaking his fingers as he tried to protect himself." ( Santa - Germany's new stress buster ) Santa on a train? in Germany? A bit early, isn't it? Has the Christmas spirit been so commercialized that the little people like us suffer with the stress of plunking down good cash for stuff we think people might like but probably won't? Where is the joy of it all? Everyone remembers the magical experience of visiting Santa in the mall when they were kids and the smile it brought to your face. Unfortunately over the last few years it seems the spirit of Christmas is slowly being lost due to many different reasons including political correctness, busier lifestyles and many more issues. Hold on a sec. Now I'm angrier than a red-nosed reindeer. Everyone doesn't remember. Some of us are way too old to conjure the disgraceful vision of mall Santas in their mothball costumes and fake beards. The statement above comes from Live From Lapland (dot com). For a bit less than 15 dollars they'll make a custom video staring Santa, who'll be talking to your kids using the words you put in his mouth via the web site's control panel. Their Santa evidently lives in a paneled room and wears mall Santa clothes and beardage. It's in the sample flick. He could be in Kansas. Still, where else you gonna get a five minute flick to your specs for $14.95? Travel Resources: Lapland (the real one) | Chrismas in Europe Tuesday December 13, 2005 | permalink Display Latest Headlines | | | Read Archives powered by Movable Type Advertisement Most Popular Europe Map - Distances Between Cities in Western Europe Europe's Best Nudist Beaches Europe Picture Galleries Italy Pictures Europe Travel 101 - Before You Travel to Europe for the Firs... What's Hot Power Adapters Noord-Holland - Delights of North Holland Travel Visiting Pompeii Italy Guidebooks Naples - Getting There Related Topics France for Visitors Greece for Visitors United Kingdom / Ireland for Visitors Eastern Europe for Visitors Italy for Visitors        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...