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Austria Sight-Seeing, Tours & Travel AUSTRIA Places to Stay in Austria Austria Tours & Travel Attractions, Culture, and more... AUSTRIA HOME AUSTRIA TOURS AUSTRIA TOURS AND TRAVEL Contrary to popular perpections Austria is not all about mountains. In fact, the Alps only occupy about half of the country. A diverse mix of landscapes is packed into a relatively small area. Glaciers, meadows, alpine valleys, wooded foothills, gently rolling farmland, vineyards, river gorges, plains and even semi-arid steppes can be found in Austria. AUSTRIA TOURS AND TRAVEL: GRAZ TOURS & TRAVEL , SALZBURG TOURS & TRAVEL : Salzburg Sight-Seeing Tours , Salzburg Dinner Tours & Marionette Plays , Salzburg Transfers , VIENNA TOURS & TRAVEL : Vienna Sight-Seeing Tours , Day Tours from Vienna , Vienna at Night Tours , Vienna Cycling & Hiking , Vienna Transfer s , SALZBURG TOURS, Travel to Austria Salzburg Tours & Travel In picturesque Salzburg, visit wonderful sights including Mirabell Palace, Mozarteum School of Music, Marionette Theatre, County Theatre, House where Mozart lived, Trinity Church, County Legal Courts, Nonnberg Abbey, Hellbrunn Palace, Villa of Frohnburg, Neutor tunnel, and Festival Hall ... SALZBURG TOURS & TRAVEL: Salzburg Sight-Seeing Tours , Salzburg Dinner & Plays , Salzburg Transfers , VIENNA TOURS, Travel to Austria Vienna Tours & Travel See the Ringstrasse known for such magnificent buildings as the Museum of Applied Arts, the State Opera House, the Museum of Fine Arts and the Museum of Natural History. Also see the Hofburg, the famous residence of Empress Elizabeth, affectionately known as 'Sisi' to the Austrians ... VIENNA TOURS & TRAVEL: Vienna Sight-Seeing Tours , Day Tours from Vienna , Vienna at Night Tours , Vienna Cycling & Hiking , Vienna Transfers , GRAZ TOURS, Travel to Austria Where the White Horses Run 5 hours - Take a journey through the West Styria region and on to the home of the famous white horses of the Spanish Riding School. Marvel at the beauty of the gleam in a glass of Schilcher wine, the glow of onion skins, the glint of pumpkin seed oil, and the play of light on the hills of the Lipizzaner Stud! ... Riegersburg Castle - A Trip to Styrian Volcano Land 5 hours - A well visible landmark, the mighty Riegersburg castle was built over 850 years ago on a volcanic hill, overlooking the lush vineyards of Southeast Styria. Thanks to a hillside lift, you can reach the top within 90 seconds. Join a trip to the legendary Riegersburg castle and enjoy a sample of the local culinary treats on offer! ... Wine Country - A Taste of the South 5 hours - Travel back to where the simple things in life are the most comforting - a place where excellent wines are referred to as 'a good drop', or where the modestly named Brettljause is literally a snack on a little board, filled with a formidable array of home grown and cured meats. Where else but Graz? ... Highlights - A Guided Walk through the Old Town 2 hours - Graz oozes a romanticism that is completely unique, with its narrow lanes and picturesque courtyards. Enjoy a guided city walk along cobble stone streets, travelling through Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture, and marvel at one of Europe's best preserved cities! ... HOTELS AND ACCOMMODATION IN AUSTRIA AUSTRIA HOME AUSTRIA TOURS SEE ALSO FOR AUSTRIA: PLACES TO STAY: ALL HOTELS , Graz Hotels , Innsbruck Hotels , Salzburg Hotels , Seefeld Hotels , Vienna Hotels , TOURS & TRAVEL: ALL TOURS , Graz Tours , Salzburg Tours , Vienna Tours , ATTRACTIONS, CULTURE & MORE: VIENNA : Belvedere Palace , Heeresgeschichtliches Museum , Schonbrunn Palace , SHOP : Austria Posters and Prints , Austria Travel Guides , Images of Austria BRIEF HISTORY OF AUSTRIA: Once the center of power for the large Austro-Hungarian Empire, Austria was reduced to a small republic after its defeat in World War I. Following annexation by Nazi Germany in 1938 and subsequent occupation by the victorious Allies in 1945, Austria's status remained unclear for a decade. A State Treaty signed in 1955 ended the occupation, recognized Austria's independence, and forbade unification with Germany. A constitutional law of that same year declared the country's "perpetual neutrality" as a condition for Soviet military withdrawal. This neutrality, once ingrained as part of the Austrian cultural identity, has been called into question since the Soviet collapse of 1991 and Austria's entry into the European Union in 1995. A prosperous country, Austria entered the European Monetary Union in 1999. Top of Page | Places to Stay in Austria | Things to Do in Austria | Links | Site Map | Contact Us AUSTRIA Places to Stay in Austria Austria Tours & Travel Attractions, Culture, and more... Austria Travel Guides Austria Posters & Prints See Also: Czech Republic Germany Switzerland

Russia Travel

Russia Vacations & Tourism, Russia Hotels, Russia Attractions - Yahoo! Travel Primary Navigation Overview | Hotels | Things to do | Restaurants | Map | Flights | Cars | Deals | FareChase Russia: Search Travel Travel > Guides > Europe > Russia Email this page Print Russia Vacations, Tourism, Hotels View larger map of Russia Top Cities in Russia Moscow St. Petersburg Pyatigorsk Kaliningrad Volgograd Vladivostok Ekaterinburg Irkutsk Novgorod Perm Chelyabinsk Khabarovsk Tver Sochi Krasnodar Nizhniy Novgorod See all cities in Russia View larger image Russia is a country of contrasts -- a vast territory rich in natural resources (especially oil and gas), where some are incredibly rich and millions of others are desperately poor. When asked what they want for the future, many Russians speak of "having an easier life, being able to buy good things." Their dreams of prosperity are fueled by foreign films and … Read More Popular Russia Hotels Moscow Marco Polo Presnja Hotel Marriott Grand Hotel Park Hyatt Moscow Golden Apple Boutique Hotel Sheraton Palace Hotel St. Petersburg Grand Hotel Europe Astoria Hotel Helvetia Guest Suites Radisson SAS Royal Hotel Renaissance St Petersburg Baltic Hotel Pyatigorsk Intourist Hotel Motel-Camping Volna Kaliningrad Baltica Hotel Best Eastern Deima Hotel Best Eastern Comandor Hotel Best Eastern Olimpic Best Eastern Dona Volgograd Best Eastern Volgograd Hotel Best Eastern Yuzhnaya Hotel Intourist Hotel Vladivostok Gavan Hotel Vlad Inn Hotel Hotel Hyundai Best Eastern Vizit Pyramid Hotel Ekaterinburg Trans Hotel Atrium Palace Hotel Protea Hotel Ekaterinburg Best Eastern Ural Hotel Best Eastern Home Hotel Irkutsk Baikal Business Centre Best Eastern Sun Hotel Best Eastern Baikalskye Terema Best Eastern Baikal Hotel Best Eastern Angara Hotel Related Information Popular Attractions in Russia The Kremlin (Kreml') Red Square (Krasnaia Ploshchad') Peter and Paul Cathedral Monument to Peter the Great (Monument Petry Velikomu) Isaakievskii Sobor (St. Isaac's Cathedral) Dvortsovaia Ploshchad' (Palace Square) Tretiakov Gallery (Tret'iakovskaia Galereia) St. Basil's Cathedral (Sobor Vasiliia Blazhennogo) Gorky Park Ostankino Television Tower (Ostankinskaia Televizionnaia Bashnia) Popular Hotels in Russia Marco Polo Presnja Hotel Grand Hotel Europe Astoria Hotel Marriott Grand Hotel Helvetia Guest Suites Park Hyatt Moscow Golden Apple Boutique Hotel Volna Hotel Sheraton Palace Hotel Baltica Hotel Popular Cities in Russia Moscow St. Petersburg Pyatigorsk Kaliningrad Volgograd Vladivostok Ekaterinburg Irkutsk Novgorod Perm Yahoo! FareChase: Search dozens of websites, find a cheap airfare Help get your favorite places listed on Yahoo! Travel: suggest a hotel or suggest an attraction .

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European Travel, London Vacation Packages, Dublin Vacations, Britain and Ireland Tour Packages Book Online or call (800) 682-3333 Europe Asia Americas Caribbean Mediterranean Pacific Cruises Home Hotels Find a Vacation Specials Contact Us Italy & Sicily Spain & Portugal Britain & Ireland France Belgium & Holland Central Europe Scandinavia Greece River Cruises China & Japan Southeast Asia Thailand India South America Brazil Peru Costa Rica Bahamas Caribbean & Mexico Bahamas Cancun Riviera Maya Punta Cana Jamaica Greece & Turkey Israel Egypt Morocco Australia & New Zealand Tahiti China & Japan Southeast Asia Sea Cruises River Cruises Britain & Ireland Vacations : Explore London and Dublin with Gate 1 Travel. We offer Ireland and London vacations, custom-made for your time, family and vacation budget. Experience Europe with luxury vacation packages. Trust your European vacation with Gate1Travel, your Western Europe specialist. Call Gate 1 Travel today or click on one of the tour packages or vacations below for more information. Prices below include airline fuel surcharges but do not include airport taxes, fees and September 11th Security Fee which vary between $50 and $130 per person. Multicity Programs Ireland Escorted Tours European Cruises London and Dublin Vacation Packages Vacation in London and Dublin with these independent vacation packages including flight. London Vacations 5 Days from $479 Thursday departures: Nov '05 - Mar '06 6 Days First Class London from $529 Wednesday-Thursday departures: Nov '05 - Mar '06 6 Days from $529 President's Day departures: Feb 15 6 Days from $539 Valentine's Day departures: Feb 11 6 Days from $559 Tuesday-Thursday departures: Nov '05 - Mar '06 5 Days from $629 Thursday departures: Apr - Oct '06 Dublin Vacations 6 Days from $749 Wednesday departures: Nov '05 - Mar '06 6 Days from $749 Wednesday departures: Apr '06 - Oct '06 Multi-city London and European Vacations Tour Europe with these independent vacations featuring budget flight, hotel and train. 8 Day London & Amsterdam Wednesday departures: Apr - Oct '06 8 Day London & Amsterdam Daily departures: Nov '05 - Mar '06 8 Day London & Dublin Monday departures: Apr - Oct '06 8 Day London & Dublin Saturday departures: Nov '05 - Mar '06 8 Day London & Paris Monday departures: Nov '05 - Mar '06 8 Day London & Paris Monday departures: Apr - Oct '06 8 Day London & Rome Wednesday departures: Nov '05 - Mar '06 8 Day London & Rome Wednesday departures: Apr - Oct '06 9 Day London, Paris & Amsterdam Monday & Wednesday departures: Nov '05 - Mar '06 9 Day London, Paris & Amsterdam Saturday departures: Apr - Oct '06 9 Day London, Paris & Rome Friday departures: Nov '05 - Mar '06 9 Day London, Paris & Rome Friday Departures: Apr - Oct '06 Ireland Escorted Tours Tour Ireland with these escorted tour packages including a flight. 7 Day Ireland Dublin, Waterford, Killarney, Limerick European Cruises 16 Day Taste of Europe Departing: July 30, 2006 - Ship: ms Prinsendam HOT DEALS: discount prices for Britain and Ireland Tours 5 Day Weekend in London from $479 Holiday Specials President's Day Spring Specials Mother's Day Specials Memorial Day Specials Summer Specials Labor Day Specials Thanksgiving Specials Christmas Markets New Year Specials -- Valentine's Day President's Day February Winter Break Rio Carnival March Spring Break Easter Vacation Specials Travel Extras Sightseeing & Transfers Browse & Book Hotel Nights Protect your investment: Buy travel insurance Travel Tips & Tools Britain & Ireland Travel Tips Terms & Conditions Central London Transfers Passports & Visas The Comforts You Expect Map of Western Europe FAQ Email This Page to a Friend © 2005 Gate 1 Travel Home | About Us | Travel Agent | Free Brochure | Help | Site Map | (800) 682-3333 Read our privacy policy . Contact Us . This site can be best viewed using Internet Explorer 4.0, or higher. The browser software can be downloaded, free of charge, from the Microsoft website at http://www.microsoft.com . All external sites will open in a new browser. Gate1travel.com does not endorse external sites.

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Taiwan Travel Stories (

Motorcycles and Madness in Taiwan - Taiwan - Taiwan Travel Stories :: BootsnAll Travel Network Visit other BootsnAll sites: BootBlog | Bali | London | Australia | Written Road | Travel News Daily Home | Ask an Insider | Members Forum Plane Tickets | Youth Hostels | RTW Guide About Us | Advertising | Contact | RSS | Staff First Time Visitor? By John Matthews Motorcycles and Madness in Taiwan Taiwan It was a beautiful clear morning, and the path to adventure lay before us. The plan was simple. Travel down the west coast of Taiwan, cut across a small mountain range up the east coast, across another mountain range, and home again. Our trusty steed In the area of equipment, economy was important. I had the biggest and most powerful motorbike the average person in Taiwan could buy - 150cc. To this was strapped a tent, sleeping mats, sleeping bags, cooking equipment, food and girlfriend. At a top speed of about 80 - 90 km per hour, we were not going to break any land speed records. Taiwan is best known for computers, but a little known wonder is the natural beauty of the place. Running up the middle of the island is a majestic mountain range. The range is truly spectacular. Leaving the east coast, and the majority of people and factories, also means leaving the thick smog filled air. When first arriving on the east coast, the scenery is spectacular. Mountains reach right down to the sea. The sea is an aqua blue, clean and clear. Without doubt one of the most beautiful sights in the world. Camping is no problem in Taiwan, especially if you have some trouble with the local language. First stop on the plan was Jrben (zurben). This area is famous for hot springs. A lot of people camp in Taiwan, but few of them venture far from the amenities. Once you find a river, not in flood, you are virtually left on your own to the tranquil sounds of the water and the wildlife. Jrben hot spring Taiwan is also well known for its earthquakes. Effects of this instability are the hot springs. There is nothing more soothing after a days ride on a motorbike, then to sit in the heavily mineralised waters of the hot springs. You can choose from the very commercial bathing areas or the natural settings, where the water bubbles up from the source itself. It's the perfect treat for the weary traveller. Part two of the journey saw us travel up the coast to meet the mountain range, and start the long journey home. Travelling anywhere in the region of China and some parts of Asia during the Chinese New Year is not a good idea. In Taiwan most of the country is on the move. Stopping for supplies on the way into the mountains, we spoke to the local shop owner. All he could say in his broken English was "careful, be careful". What could he mean? It wasn't long before we found out. In the centre of the mountain pass was a famous gorge, a nice place to set up and camp for the night and split the journey. Or so we thought. The road snaked its way up heading towards this gorge we had heard about. Arriving, we found just that, a gorge that you could see from a large bridge, but nowhere to camp. On the map it looked like we were about halfway through the mountains. The road continued to make its way up the mountains Two hours later there was still no end to the climb. The road conditions had taken a turn for the worse just in time for the traffic to increase. Being earthquake country, at times half the road was missing. This part of Taiwan was also famous for landslides and in some places the road had been devastated. This seemed of no consequence to the Taiwanese. They came in large numbers, and at great speeds, and on any part of the road that seemed to feel most comfortable. In Taiwan there is an unwritten hierarchy for traffic. It goes in size. Trucks and buses first, cars, and then of course the lowly motorcycles, scooters and bicycles. The consequences of this were that an approaching car would never move over for a motorcycle. Given that the road clings to the side of the mountain, it was a very dangerous dance. On one side was a two-foot wall with at least a drop of a kilometre and the other was the grand prix circuit for Taiwan. Stopping outside a roadside restaurant, searching the skyline and the impossible height of the mountains, we looked for the pass that would take us through to the other side. Upon leaving, the road climbed and climbed. There was no pass. We were going straight over the top. Mountain view Just when you thought that things could get no worse, they did. The temperature dropped about ten degrees. At the top the view was spectacular, not quite risking your life for, but very spectacular. Legend had it that many people died making the road. Local people said that before the weeklong holiday was finished there would be a few more. Riding for three hours and covering less than a hundred kilometres, all that lay ahead was a damp dark tunnel and the other side of the mountain. The road stayed in its normal condition, narrow and falling off the mountain. The traffic however increased significantly. On at least five occasions, a head on collision with a car or truck was only seconds away. If the tinge of fear had not set up camp in the pit of my stomach, then the smell of leaking brake fluid made the tent look like a house. Luck being on our side - it rained. The journey down the other side of the mountain range took another three to four hours. Dismounting at the first town, lips caressed the ground in heart-felt thanks. Chinese New Year brought out the celebrations in people. That meant firecrackers, and lots of them. There goes the restful nights sleep. Waking found us lying in the salted pools again, before making our way home in the driving rain. What could be the moral of the story? My recommendation is this. If you want to enjoy the beauty of Taiwan's mountains, run a bath throw in some salts and connect to the net. This article was added to BootsnAll on March 01, 2001 | Permanent Link Got an opinion? Share your thoughts on this article . More BootsnAll articles like this: Asia ( tag ) Asia Travel Stories ( tag ) China ( tag ) China Travel Stories ( tag ) John Matthews ( tag ) NE Asia ( tag ) NE Asia Travel Stories ( tag ) Taiwan ( tag ) Taiwan Travel Stories ( tag ) Book It! RTW Air Tickets (round-the-world) Plane Tickets (round-trip and one-way) Search for Hotels Rental Cars Youth Hostels Eurail Passes Travel Insurance Adventure Travel & Tours Travel Bookstore TEFL Courses Airport Parking GSM Phone Rental Travel Visas Newsletter Sign up for any or all of BootsnAll's newsletters. Why should you sign-up? Newsletter Sign-Up (enter your e-mail) Research It! 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