Argentina Travel

Travel: Argentina Travel Notes -- Argentina Cities Round The World Flights - Free TravelNotes e-mail Travel Notes : Latin America : Argentina @ Travel Notes : Argentina Cities -- Booking Engine Vacation Finder Latin America @ Travel Notes Argentina Belize Bolivia Brazil Caribbean Chile Colombia Costa Rica Ecuador El Salvador Falklands Fr. Guiana Guatemala Guyana Honduras Mexico Nicaragua Panama Paraguay Peru Sth. Georgia Suriname Uruguay Venezuela Major Cities in Argentina Buenos Aires is the capital of Argentina and in the summer it seems that every one leaves the city for the cool hill country of Crdoba or the beaches of Mar del Plata. In the winter, Bariloche becomes the popular destination for skiers . Bahia Blanca Bahia Blanca : The english section was still under construction when we looked at it, but there's plenty of information in Spanish. Bariloche San Carlos de Bariloche is on the southern shore of Lake Nahuel Huap, in western Argentina. If you feel like you're in an Alpine town, it's probably because Austrians and Germans settled here around 1895. Bariloche attracts skiers in the winter and hikers in the summer. Boating and fishing are also popular on the lake. You'll also arrive here if you're travelling to or from Puerto Mont in Chile . Ansa International Rent a Car : AI Rent a Car in Bariloche, with over twenty five years experience of renting cars locally and regionally. There are also branch offices around Argentina, Chile and Uruguay. Bariloche Accommodation : Where to stay in Bariloche. Bariloche Guide : Directory of information relating to Bariloche, with links to local websites. Nahuel Huapi : Directory devoted to Bariloche and the visitor who can read Spanish. Buenos Aires The capital of Argentina , founded in 1580, is situated inland from the Atlantic Ocean; on the western bank of the Ro de la Plata. The Plaza de Mayo , close to the waterfront, is where the city began, and it has expanded in ever-widening semi-circles. The Avenida de Mayo runs west from the Plaza de Mayo to the National Congress. To the north of Avenida de Mayo are the more wealthier suburbs, while the colourful La Boca neighbourhood of working class families and descendants of Italian emigrants lies to its south. Argentines like their meat and tend to dine out late. It's not uncommon to be the only guest in a restaurant before nine in the evening. Buenos Aires Accommodation : Where to stay in Buenos Aires. Buenos Aires Directory : Buenos Aires listings for restaurants, bars and pubs, bingos and casinos, discotheques, markets, art galleries, places to visit and Tango houses. Metropolitano : Schedules and fares for the Metropolitano network. Official Buenos Aires : Only in Spanish. Tandilnet : Tandil is located in the southeast of Buenos Aires province, about 360 km away from the city of Buenos Aires. This local directory of information and links is available in English and Spanish. Cordoba Founded on the Ro Primero, in central Argentina, by the Spaniard Jernimo Luis de Cabrera in 1573, Crdoba became one of the major centres of learning in South America. The Jesuits founded the National University of Crdoba in 1613. The city is also home to an astronomical observatory and the National Meteorological Institute. The beautiful hill country surrounding Crdoba makes it a popular summer escape from the heat of Buenos Aires. Crdoba : Crdoba portal, in Spanish. Mar del Plata The most popular seaside resort in Argentina is at Cape Corrientes on the Atlantic Ocean. Midsummer is January and February, and the beaches are packed with people from Buenos Aires -- standing room only. Mar del Plata : Mar del Plata has excellent road and rail links with most of Argentina. The majority of people come to Mar del Plata for the beaches; General Pueyrredon district's 47 km coastline contains a huge variety to choose from. Mendoza Mendoza Tour : Things to do and places to stay around Mendoza -- for readers of Spanish. Rosario Rosario is the second most important city in the Republic of Argentina. It is located in the south of the province of Santa Fe along the shores of the Paran river and is approximately 300kms northwest of the capital, Buenos Aires. Rosario : Basic information for visitors to Rosario. Salta Colonial architecture draws the tourists to Argentina's northwest . The cathedral and numerous churches, government buildings, and private mansions throughout the area reflect its Spanish colonial past. Salta's fiesta time is in September. SightseeingTours, Events and Attractions . Miscellaneous -- Online Reservations Maps & Travel Books : Stanfords is the UK's leading specialist retailer of maps and travel books. 1800-Hostels.com : Budget Accommodation in Latin America. Latin American Directory : Latin America links sorted by country and category. Send @ Postcard Unique images of travel destinations by Travel Notes. Travel Industry : Add Your Tours Add Your Property Latin American Spanish Phrasebook : Most guidebooks have a few words to help you get by but real travellers will need this companion. Learn Spanish . Mailing List Keep up with the latest news @ Travel Notes. Meta-Travel Forums : If you have a question, want to hang out with other travellers, tourists or the natives.... then join Travelnotes in the Meta-Travel forums and share in the global experience. Countries Weather Flights Cars Lodging Specials Contact Meta Flight Tickets : Save money on Round The World flight tickets. Travel News : Get the inside scoop with the latest travel features and tips. Past Articles . Argentina Cities Argentina Culture Argentina Hotels Argentina News Argentina Regions Argentina Skiing Argentina Tourism Argentina Tours Bariloche Buenos Aires Business Corner LearningSpanish Patagonia Local Currency Convert your currency into Argentine pesos. Travel Directory : Latin America : Argentina @ Travel Notes : Argentina Cities -- Add URL Search Travel Notes | Travel Notes | Search Resources | Submit Your Travel Site | Meta-Travel Search | | 1800-Countries | 1800-Casinos | 1800-Cruises | 1800-Olympics | 1800-Worldcup | | Airlines | Airports | 1800-Fly | 1800-Lodging | 1800-RentalCars | Vacation Rentals | | Legal Notice | Travel Articles | Magun's Compass | Advertisers | Online Reservations | The URL for this page is: http://www.travelnotes.org/LatinAmerica/Argentina/argentina_cities.htm

Hotel Travel

Web 2.0 Conference Home Why Attend Registration Program Speakers Workshops Sessions Events FAQ Sponsors Hotel/Travel Media Center Hotel and Travel Information Conference Headquarters Hotel Hotel Nikko San Francisco 222 Mason Street San Francisco, CA 94102 Tel: (415) 394-1111 Fax: (415) 394-1106 Rate Standard Room Rate: $169.00 Single or double occupancy. To be eligible for this discounted rate, you must identify yourself as attending the "Web 2.0 Conference" when reserving your room. NOTE: The cutoff date for this discount is Tuesday, September 14, 2004. Reservation requests will be accepted only on a space- and rate- availability basis after the cutoff date. All rates are single or double occupancy. Additional persons are $30.00 per person, per night. Rates do not include a 14% city occupancy tax (subject to change without notice). Make your hotel reservations by PHONE. Call the Hotel Nikko directly at: (415) 394-1111 - OR - Make your reservations by FAX. Download the housing reservation form and fax it to the Nikko at: (415) 394-1159 To receive the discounted room rate of $169, be sure to inform the reservationist when calling the Nikko Hotel that you are attending the "Web 2.0 Conference". Getting There San Francisco International Airport San Francisco International Airport is served by over 16 domestic and 22 international airlines. Located only 15 miles from the Hotel Nikko. Parking Valet Parking is available at the Hotel Nikko. Rates are as follows: Overnight (for hotel guests only): $39.00 + 14% tax* Oversized Vehicles** : $43.00 + 14% tax* * 14% tax is imposed by the City of San Francisco ** An oversized vehicle is considered as equivalent to a Ford Expedition or larger. Self-Parking is available in area parking garages, located within short walking distance to Hotel Nikko. Prices range from $12 - $20 per day. O'Reilly Media, Inc. assumes no responsibility or liability for the facilities or services provided by the vendors and suppliers. Anyone attending this conference releases O'Reilly from any and all claims that may arise out of attending at this conference. -- -- -- Sponsors Web 2.0 Sponsor Opportunities --Reach business leaders and technology influencers at the Web 2.0 conference. Call Amber Rattu at 415-905-2647 or email at Download the Web 2.0 Sponsor Prospectus . Press and Media For media-related inquiries, contact Ben Stricker: or Suzanne Axtell: Registration For registration questions, contact us at

Cruise Vacations | Discount

Cruise Deals, Cruise Deal from CruiseDeals.com CRUISE DEALS HOME | REQUEST A DEAL -- -- Begin your search here for our Best Cruise Deals. Destination: Choose destination Any destination Africa Alaska Australia Bahamas Baltic Sea Bermuda Canada/New England Caribbean Caribbean - Eastern Caribbean - Southern Caribbean - Western Costa Rica Cruise To Nowhere Europe Europe - Northern Europe - Western Far East Greek Isles Hawaii Mediterranean Mexico New York New Zealand Orient Pacific Coastal Pacific Northwest Panama Canal Red Sea South America South Pacific Southeast Asia Tahiti Transatlantic Transcanal Transpacific World Cruise How Many Nights? Any cruise length 1-2 Nights 3-6 Nights 7-9 Nights 10-14 Nights Over 14 Nights Sailing Date: Any month January February March April May June July August September October November December 2005 2006 2007 Cruise Line: Any cruise line Carnival Cruise Lines Celebrity Cruises Costa Cruise Lines Cruise West Crystal Cruises Cunard Line Ltd. Disney Cruise Line Holland America Line Norwegian Cruise Line Oceania Cruises Orient Cruise Lines Princess Cruises Radisson Seven Seas Royal Caribbean Seabourn Cruise Line Silversea Cruises Viking River Cruises Windjammer Barefoot Windstar Cruises More Search Options Click any of our Best Cruise Deals for more details. Spectacular Spring deal on Royal Caribbean only $259 pp for 4 nights to Mexico next Feb and March!! Sail to St. Thomas, Barbados, Dominica and Aruba for only $429 pp! Fall sailings for 7 nights! SEE THE SHIP BEFORE YOU SAIL! Carnival Virtual Tours View cabins, casinos, restaurants and more! See Your Ship >>> CRUISE CLOSE TO HOME Click here for ship embarkation points near your home! Check Your City >>> TAKE A VIRTUAL CRUISE Visit the islands on your cruise without leaving home! Take A Cruise >>> NO ONE BEATS OUR RATES! Fill out our online form and let us offer you the best rate. Deal Request >>> Click any of these Great Cruise Deals for more details. Have Fun in Hawaii! Spend 12 incredible nights cruising around Hawaii on Carnival. Rates start at only $1099! Spring Break Deal on Carnival! Sail for 4 nights from Port Canaveral in March and April for only $329 pp! Sail from San Francisco for 10 nights! Special CruiseDeals.com rate of only $575 + FREE Upgrades! $477 pp for 7 nights on Princess! Sail on the incredible Grand Princess. Sail the magnificent Celebrity Century this January for rates starting as low as $550 pp! Amazing Mediterranean Deal on Royal Caribbean! Sail next summer on the Voyager of the Seas to Europe only $999 pp! More Cruise Deals >>> Sign up today and recieve our SeaMail sent directly to your email. Get great special offers, the best Cruise Deals and more. Need Port Directions? Shore Excursion Info Travel Insurance View Your Invoice Online Jewel of the Seas Royal Caribbean's newest super liner is an amazing floating masterpiece! This incredible ship sails almost everywhere, from Bermuda, Bahamas, Caribbean and summers in Europe. Click here to learn more about this new superliner! Learn more! >>> Click Here for Quotes on Group Cruises >>> (800) 668-6414 Our Best Cruise Deals About Us | FAQs | Group Cruises | Contact Us Privacy Policy | Terms of Use -- (800) 668-6414 Cruise Deals | Alaska Cruises | Caribbean Cruises | Royal Caribbean | Carnival Cruise Lines | Celebrity Cruises Group Cruises | Norwegian Cruise Lines | Best Cruise Deals | Hawaii Cruises | Mexico Cruises | Princess Cruises Cruise Deals | Alaska Cruise Deals | Caribbean Cruise Deals | Cruise Vacations | Discount Cruises | Cruise Specials Cheap Caribbean Cruises | Last Minute Cruise Deals | Carnival Cruise Deals Request a Deal | Let Us Beat Your Rate | Our Best Cruise Deals | About Us | FAQs | Group Cruises | Contact Us © 2002-2005 Cruise Deals, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Directory | Resources 1 2 3 4 5 6 Sitemap • powered by 93octaneTRAVEL • -- 12/28/2005

Switzerland Travel

Swiss Travel System English | Français | Italiano | Nederlands | Deutsch Home Warenkorb ber uns AGB Impressum Reisende von Grobritanien, Irland oder Skandinavien, hier entlang Swiss Pass Unbeschrnkte Fahrt auf dem gesamten Bahn-, Postauto- und Schifffahrtnetz des Swiss Travel Systems. Inklusive Strassenbahnen und Busse sowie 50% Rabatt bei vielen Bergbahnen und Museen. 4, 8, 15, 22 Tage oder 1 Monat gltig Gratis Familienkarte Swiss Flexi Pass Die selben Vergnstigungen wie beim "Swiss Pass" - doch Sie whlen die Tage whrend der einmonatigen Geltungsdauer. 1 Monat gltig 3, 4, 5, 6, oder 8 whlbare Reisetage Gratis Familienkarte Swiss Transfer Ticket Der ideale Fahrausweis fr Kurzaufenthalte oder Ferien an einer bestimmten Destination. Beinhaltet die Hin- und Rckfahrt zwischen der Schweizer Grenze, dem Flughafen und Ihrem Zielort. 1 Monat gltig Gratis Familienkarte Swiss Card Die selben Leistungen wie das "Swiss Transfer Ticket" - zustzlich reisen Sie per Bahn, Postauto, Schiff und auf den meisten Bergbahnen zum halben Preis. Ideal fr den Urlaub in einer Region. 1 Monat gltig Gratis Familienkarte Swiss Half Fare Card Die Swiss Half Fare Card gewhrt den unbeschrnkten Kauf von Fahrscheinen fr Bahn, Bus, Schiff und einige Bergbahnen zum halben Preis whrend eines Monats. 1 Monat gltig Gratis Familienkarte Ltschberg Tunnel Tickets Mit dem BLS Autoverlad in 15 Minuten durch den Ltschbergtunnel unbeschwert und direkt ins Wallis fahren. Benutzung der Selfservice-Spur mit der Vorverkaufskarte. Gltig fr 1 Fahrt (Fz bis 3.5 t) , unabhngig von Richtung und Wochentag. Vignetten Autobahnvignetten im Voraus zu bezahlen spart Zeit beim berqueren der Grenze. Mit den Schweizer Autobahnvignetten knnen sie mehrmals in die Schweiz einreisen. Bookings Whlen Sie Ihre Unterkunft aus ber 1800 Hotels in der ganzen Schweiz ... ... oder buchen Sie eine traumhafte Ferienwohnung ... Fr alle Schnppchenjger: Whlen Sie die preiswerte Unterkunft schon ab 50 CHF

South America Travel Tips

South America Travel Tips 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 South America Travel Tips Climate / Clothing Language Code of Conduct Currency Holidays Travel Insurance Departure Tax Luggage Local Emergency/Phone Health Precautions Passports and Visas Driving Electricity Shopping Tipping Airport Tax - Chile Climate /Clothing Brazil: The weather in Brazil is temperate to hot year round. Bring casual, lightweight clothing that can be layered. Sunscreen and a hat are advisable. Bring insect repellent if you plan on a visit to the rainforest. Brazil Average Temperatures: www.gate1travel.com/south-america-travel/weather/Brazil-weather.htm . Peru: Peru's climate can be divided into 2 seasons - wet and dry. The coast and the slopes of the Western Andes are dry with summer falling between December and April. In the Andean highlands, the dry season is from May to September, while the wet season takes up the remainder of the year. Bring casual, lightweight clothes that can be layered and a jacket if you are going up into the mountains. Bring sunscreen and a hat to protect against the strong sun along the coast and in the rainforest. Insect repellent is necessary as well. Peru Average Temperatures: www.gate1travel.com/south-america-travel/weather/Peru-weather.htm . Argentina: The climate of Argentina is mostly temperate; arid in the southeast and sub-Antarctic in the southwest. Bring lightweight clothes you can layer, a sweater and an all-weather coat. Dress is more formal in the city of Buenos Aires and a jacket a tie or cocktail dress may be required at some of the finer restaurants. Casual dress is more appropriate in the countryside. Argentina Average Temperatures: www.gate1travel.com/south-america-travel/weather/Argentina-weather.htm . Chile: Climate varies from subtropical and sunny in the extreme north; dry and arid in the Atacama north desert; mild, pleasant and Mediterranean in the fertile central valley; cool, temperate and rainy in the southern region; and covered with ice and snow in the Antarctic region. Chile Average Temperatures: www.gate1travel.com/south-america-travel/weather/Chile-weather.htm . Ecuador: The climate and geography of Ecuador vary widely. The highlands are cool and dry. Bring lightweight clothes, a jacket and comfortable shoes. Along the coast it's warm and sunny all year round. Sunscreen and a hat are important accessories to have on hand. The Amazon rain forest is tropical and humid. Light, layered clothing and plenty of insect repellent are advisable. Ecuador Average Temperatures: www.gate1travel.com/south-america-travel/weather/Ecuador-weather.htm . Language Brazil: The official language of Brazil is Portuguese. Some English is spoken in the major cities. Peru: Spanish is the official language of Peru. In most tourist center, English is spoken. Argentina: Spanish is the official language of Argentina. English is spoken at hotels and restaurants in Buenos Aires. Chile: Spanish is the official language in Chile, although English is often spoken in hotels, restaurants and shops. Ecuador: Ecuador has two official languages - Spanish and Quechua. English is spoken in the major tourist centers. Passports and Visas Brazil: Passport and visa required. Peru: Passport required. Visa not required for tourist stay of up to 90 days, extendible after arrival. Argentina: Passport required. Visa not required for business/tourist stay of up to 90 days. Chile: Passport required. Visa not required for stay of up to 90 days. Entry fee of $100 (U.S.) charged at airport. Ecuador: (including the Galapagos Islands) - Passport required. Visa not required for a stay of up to 90 days. Columbia: All U.S. citizens must have a valid passport and proof of return ticket to enter Columbia. No visa is required. Uruguay: All U.S. citizens must have a valid passport to enter Uruguay. No visa is required for stays up to 90 days. See http://www.gate1travel.com/visas.htm for more information. Currency Brazil: The currency of Brazil is the Real. U.S. currency can be exchanged at banks, exchanges and hotels. Peru: The official currency is the Peruvian Sol. Most tourist areas accept and exchange U.S. Dollars. Exchange your currency at your hotel or a bank. Argentina: The currency of Argentina is the Pesa. It is not always easy to change money in the interior of the country. Major credit cards are accepted in most hotels, restaurants and shops. Chile: The unit of currency is the Chilean peso (CHP$). U.S. dollars and travelers checks are easily changed in banks and exchange bureaus. Major credit cards are widely accepted in shops and hotels. Ecuador: Official currencies are the U.S. Dollar and the Sucre. Tipping Brazil: Most services get tipped a mandatory 10%, often included in the bill. If a waiter is friendly and helpful, you may like to give more. Because of Brazil's high unemployment rate, services that may seem superfluous are customarily tipped. Parking assistants are the most notable as they receive no wages, but petrol-station attendants, shoe shiners and barbers are also frequently tipped. Taxi drivers are an exception: most people round the price up, but a tip is not expected. Peru: A combination of taxes and service charges are added to bills in the best hotels and restaurants and can total as much as 28%. The cheaper hotels and restaurants don't add taxes. Tipping is not expected in budget restaurants. A tip of 10-15% is fine in upmarket restaurants if a service charge has not already been added to the bill. Taxi drivers are not tipped - bargain hard beforehand and stick to your price. Local guides should be tipped US$3-5 per day. Argentina: Tipping around 10% is customary in restaurants. Chile: In restaurants, it is customary to tip about 10% of the bill. In general, waiters and waitresses are poorly paid, so if you can afford to eat out, you can afford to tip. Taxi drivers do not require tips, although you may round off the fare for convenience. Ecuador: Tipping is expected by tour guides, porters and other tourist industry workers, though not by taxi drivers. Quality restaurants add 10% tax and a 10% service charge to their bills; cheaper restaurants usually don't. If you want to tip your server, give the money to them directly - don't just leave it on the table. Please refer to our main brochure under www.gate1travel.com/tipping.htm for additional tipping suggestions. Electricity Brazil: Brazil's voltage is 110, however some hotels operate on 220. Peru, Argentina & Chile: The voltage used is 220. Ecuador: Ecuador's voltage is 110. *Note: The U.S. uses 120 volts and you can purchase a converter and transformer at most hardware stores for your 120V appliances. Shopping Brazil: Shops are open from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Friday and until 1:00 p.m. on Saturday. Brazil has a rich array of native crafts from Afro-Brazilian textiles to Bahian pottery and delicate lace tablecloths. Peru: Duty-free shops and artisan's shops offer tourists the opportunity to purchase Peruvian handicrafts such as pottery, carvings, and weavings. Argentina: Business hours are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. Banking hours are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The shops open at 9 a.m. and generally close at 7 p.m. Saturday hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Good buys include leather goods, jewelry and furs. Chile: Good shopping can be found in the streets of Providencia and Santiago. There are also a few big shopping malls. Handicrafts in Chile are the best bargains. Local jewelry made of lapis lazuli, found only in Chile and Afghanistan, makes a beautiful souvenir. Ecuador: Duty-free shops and artisan's shops offer visitors the opportunity to buy Ecuadorian handcrafts such as ponchos, tapestries, ceramics, jewelry. Health Precautions Brazil: No vaccinations are required to enter Brazil. However, it may be advisable to get inoculated against yellow fever, malaria and typhoid. Be sure to consult your doctor before your trip, especially if you are planning to go up the Amazon River. Drink only bottled water and do not eat raw fruits and vegetables. Peru: A yellow fever vaccination is recommended if you are going into the Amazon rain forest. Travelers with heart conditions or high blood pressure should check with their doctor about high-altitude travel if you will be visiting the mountainous regions. Avoid the tap water and raw fruits and vegetables. Bottled water is widely available Argentina: No inoculations are necessary when arriving in Argentina from the U.S. Chile: Tap water is fairly safe to drink, but it is advisable to drink bottled water. Consult with your doctor if you are planning to visit the higher altitudes. English speaking doctors are easy to find in all major cities. Ecuador: No inoculations are required for entry. Travelers with heart conditions or high blood pressure who plan to visit the highlands should check with their doctor about high-altitude travel. Bottled water is advisable and is available everywhere. *To prevent "Montezuma's Revenge," avoid the tap water, including raw fruits and vegetables washed in tap water. Your stomach may still become upset due to the change in diet. Bring anti-diarrhea medicine just in case. *For the latest overseas travel health information, call the Center for Disease Control's traveler's hotline at 404-332-4559. Or visit their web site at www.cdc.gov Conservation/Code of Conduct Brazil: Handshaking is customary on meeting and taking ones leave, and normal European courtesies are observed. Frequent offers of coffee and tea are customary. Flowers are acceptable as a gift on arrival or following a visit for a meal. A souvenir from the visitors home country will be well received as a gift of appreciation. Casual wear is normal, particularly during hot weather. In nightclubs smart-casual (eg blazer, no tie) is acceptable. For more formal occasions the mode of dress will be indicated on invitations. Smoking is acceptable unless notified otherwise. The Catholic Church is highly respected in the community, something which should be kept in mind by the visitor. Peru: Shaking hands is the customary form of greeting. Visitors should follow normal social courtesies and the atmosphere is generally informal. A small gift from a company or home country is sufficient. Dress is usually informal, although for some business meetings and social occasions men wear a jacket and tie. Life is conducted at a leisurely pace. Argentina: The most common form of greeting between friends is kissing cheeks. When invited to somebodys house it is quite common to take a homemade dish or dessert. Dinner is usually served between 7pm - 10pm. Avoid casual discussion of the Falklands/Malvinas war. Dress is not usually formal, though clothes should be conservative away from the beach. Formal wear is worn for official functions and dinners, particularly in exclusive restaurants. Smoking is prohibited on public transport, in cinemas and theatres. Chile: Handshaking is the customary form of greeting. Most Chileans use a double surname and only the first part should be used in addressing them. Normal courtesies should be observed when visiting local people. It is very common to entertain at home and it is acceptable for invitees to give small presents as a token of thanks. Informal, conservative clothes are acceptable in most places but women should not wear shorts outside resort areas. Ecuador: Casual wear is widely acceptable, but businesspeople are expected to dress smartly. It is important to be punctual when arriving for meetings. Smart clothes are often required when visiting hotel dining rooms and better restaurants. Beachwear should only be worn on the beach and revealing clothes should not be worn in towns. Smoking is widely accepted. A tip may be requested if you wish to take someones photograph and it is better to seek permission first. Luggage *Gate 1 tour packages allow one piece of luggage per person, plus carry-on bag. Additional baggage will be subject to handling charges of up to $100 per piece. As Gate 1 will not be responsible for loss or damage to luggage and personal belongings, you MUST report any loss or damage immediately at the time of the incident and obtain a written report from the local authority for submission to your insurance provider. If you luggage is lost or damaged by the airlines, a baggage claim form MUST be filed with the carrier before leaving the airport. See www.gate1travel.com/destinations/luggage.htm for Important Baggage Information for U.S. Travelers. Departure Tax There is no Departure tax levied in Brazil. Please see www.gate1travel.com/Destinations/departure_tax.htm for more information. Travel Insurance We strongly recommend the purchase of travel insurance as additional security in the case of cancellation or interruption of travel plans, lost or damaged luggage, travel delays, illness, or accident. Keep all boarding passes, ticket copies and receipts for expenses paid during your trip if it later becomes necessary to file a claim. Local Emergency Phone # Brazil: general emergency: 911 Peru: general emergency: 011 or 5114 Argentina: ambulance/medical: 101 fire: 107 police: 101 Chile: ambulance/medical: 131 fire: 132 police: 133 Ecuador: ambulance/medical: 131 Holidays Brazil : Public Holidays Jan 1 New Years Day Jan 20 *Founding of Rio de Janeiro Jan 25 *Founding of So Paulo Feb 19-23 Carnival Mar 25 Good Friday Apr 21 Tiradentes May 1 St of Brazil May 26 Corpus Christi Sep 7 Independence Day Oct 12 Our Lady Aparecida, Patron St of Brazil. Nov 2 All Souls Day Nov 15 Republic Day Dec 24 Christmas Eve (half day) Dec 25 Christmas Day Dec 31 New Years Eve (half day) *Note: Regional observances only. Argentina : Public Holidays Jan 1 New Years Day Mar 24 Maundy Thursday Mar 25 Good Friday Apr 4 Malvinas Day May 1 Labor Day May 25 National Day (Anniversary of the 1810 Revolution) June 20 National Flag Day Jul 9 Independence Day Aug 17 Death of General Jos de San Martn Oct 12 Day of the Americas (Columbus Day). Dec 8 Immaculate Conception Dec 25 Christmas Day Dec 31 New Years Eve Dec 25 Christmas Day Dec 31 New Years Eve (half day) Peru : Public Holidays Jan 1 New Years Day Mar 24 Maundy Thursday (half day) Mar 25 Good Friday May 1 Labor Day Jun 29 St Peters and St Pauls Day Jul 28-29 Independence Day Celebrations Aug 30 St Rosa of Lima Day Oct 8 Angamos Battle Nov 1 All Saints Day Dec 8 Immaculate Conception Dec 24 Christmas Eve (half day) Dec 25 Christmas Day Chile : Public Holidays Jan 1 New Years Day Mar 25 Good Friday Mar 26 Holy Saturday May 1 Labor Day May 21 Navy Day May 23 *Corpus Christi Jun 29 St Peter and St Paul Aug 15 Assumption Sep 5 Reconciliation Day Sep 18 Independence Day Sep 19 Army Day Oct 12 Dia de la Raza (Columbus Day) Nov 1 All Saints Day Dec 8 Immaculate Conception Dec 25 Christmas Day *Note: Corpus Christi dates for 2004 and 2005 are actually Jun 10 and May 26 respectively, however, the holiday is observed on the Monday closest to these dates. Ecuador : Public Holidays Jan 1 New Years Day Feb 7-8 *Carnival Mar 24 Maundy Thursday Mar 25 Good Friday May 1 Labor Day May 24 Battle of Pichincha May 26 Corpus Christi Jul 24 Simon Bolivar Day Aug 10 Independence Day Oct 9 *Foundation of Guayaquil Nov 2 All Souls Day Nov 3 *Foundation of Cuenca Dec 6 *Foundation of Quito Dec 25 Christmas Day Dec 31 New Years Eve *Note: These holidays are not official public holidays, but are widely observed. Other holidays, in addition to the above, may be marked locally. Driving Brazil: Brazil has 1,940,400km (1,202,800 miles) of roads. Traffic drives on the right. Peru: The Central Highway connects Lima with La Oroya and Huancayo. From La Oroya there is a road connecting Cerro de Pasco, Hunuco, Tingo Mara and Pucallpa on the Ucayali River. Landslides are frequent in the rainy season (December to March), making for slow travel. The Touring y Automvil Club del Per and the Instituto Geogrfico Nacional sell maps. Travel guides like Gua Toyota and Gua Inca del Per include good road maps. Traffic drives on the right. Argentina: Major privatization programmes have resulted in many trunk roads being upgraded, and roads are generally in good condition. Expect tolls on motorways. Rural roads, composed of packed dirt, become impassable after rain. Nonetheless, buses are considered to be a more reliable form of long-distance transport than trains. Traffic drives on the right. Car hire: There are a number of agencies in Buenos Aires (including Avis , Dollar and Hertz ). Drivers must be at least 21 years of age (sometimes up to 25 years of age). International Driving Permit is required and this must be stamped at the offices of the Automvil Club Argentino (website: www.aca.org.ar ). These documents must be carried at all times whilst driving: proof of ownership, proof of insurance and receipt for last tax payment. Chile: Chile has about 80,000km (49,460 miles) of good roads. The Pan American Highway crosses the country from north to south (a total of 3455km or 2147 miles) from the Peruvian border to Puerto Montt. It is advisable in remoter areas to carry spare petrol and an additional spare tyre. Tires should be hard-wearing. Traffic drives on the right. Ecuador: Traffic drives on the right. An extensive network of roads spreads out from the main northsouth axis of the Pan-American Highway. The Government and PetroEcuador are developing highways into the Oriente. In general, road improvements are being put into effect rapidly but, due to the effect of earthquakes and flooding (in the south) during the last 10 years, conditions remain variable; potholes and cracks in the road are sometimes sizable.The roads between Quito and Guayaquil and between Quito, Latacunga, Ambato and Riobamba are completely paved. A road connects Quito, Otavalo, Ibarra and Tulcn, the frontier with Colombia. Airport Tax - Chile There is an entry fee of $45 per passenger that must be paid before proceeding through Immigration. Return to the South America brochure More TravelInformation 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.