Spain Travel
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Freelance Spain - Travel Facts Spain Destination Spain DESTINATIONS AT A GLANCE Want to discover one of the world's favorite countries? Here are some basic facts for the traveler in Spain. When to go In general, late spring and late summer-early autumn are the best times for traveling in Spain. Fair weather is practically guaranteed, and the countryside is at its best. High summer is stiflingly hot in most inland areas, including Madrid and the inland cities of Andalusia such as Seville and Crdoba. Big cities, especially Madrid, empty during August, with many shops and restaurants closing, though a visit then does have advantages, such as light traffic (you can even find a parking space). Summer weather is milder along the Mediterranean coast, but July and August in popular resorts such as the Costa del Sol are best avoided unless you like crowds. Summer along the northern coast of Spain, from the Basque Country to Galicia, can be very pleasant. Winters along the Mediterranean coast are generally mild, but expect occasional heavy rains - alternating with long spells of glorious sunshine - any time between October and April. In inland areas, winter temperatures can reach below freezing and snow is is not infrequent. Bear in mind Spain's fiestas when planning a trip - be it to go to them, or to avoid them. During major fiestas such as the San Fermin bull runs in Pamplona or the April Fair in Seville, hotel rates double and even so rooms must be reserved months in advance. Getting There Practically all transcontinental flights land at Madrid's Barajas airport, so you will need to book an extra flight if you want to travel by air to another destination in Spain. Air fares between North America and Europe are highly competitive. You might find it cheaper to fly to Spain via another European country. Rates between Great Britain and any number of destinations in Spain are especially worth checking out. Rail communications between the rest of Europe and Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia and Seville are very good. There are also regular ferries between southern England and northern Spain. Major cities in Spain are well connected to continental Europe and each other by motorway. Entry Formalities If you are a citizen of a European Union country, all you need to enter Spain is a national identity card. In the case of the United Kingdom, which does not issue such cards, you'll need a passport. Visas for stays of no longer than 90 days are not required for travelers from the United States, Canada, Australia or New Zealand, but South Africans do need to apply for a visa before they leave. Language A knowledge of Spanish will enrichen a trip to Spain, but you can get by perfectly well with English in the major destinations. Spaniards are in general friendly and tolerant towards foreign visitors. Getting Around Spain is a big country - the second largest in western Europe after France - so don't expect to "do Spain" in a week. Flights between Spanish cities are frequent, but the fares tend to be high. Iberia, Spanair and Air Europa are the major operators. Train service between the larger cities is excellent, and irreproachably punctual, but slower in the case of smaller regional cities. The bus is an inexpensive alternative. Driving in Spain Renting a car is a reasonably-priced option, and by far the best way to travel if you want to enjoy Spain's rich and varied countryside. The major international car hire firms operate in Spain; local companies usually charge somewhat cheaper rates. In any case, it is usually a better bet to reserve and pay for your rental car from home, before you leave. To rent a car you have to be over 21 and have a valid driver's license. Your national license is valid for driving in Spain as a tourist. Major roads are generally good, though traffic can be heavy on more popular routes, especially on weekends or during holiday periods. Local roads range from good and pleasant to hair-raisingly narrow and winding. Enquire locally before embarking on a driver to a distant village, and don't take a road just because it is a reassuring color on the road map. Avoid driving in cities: it can be a nightmare experience, especially if you're unfamiliar with the city or with some of the quirkier local driving habits. Park in a guarded parking area, and take a taxi, which are very good value in Spain. In Madrid, it's worth familiarizing yourself with the excellent Metro (subway) system. Money Matters The official currency in Spain is the Euro Credit cards are widely accepted in Spain, Visa and Masters more so than American Express or Diners. Provided you know your Personal Identification Number, you can use your card to withdraw cash from ATMs in Spain. Often, you'll find the rate of exchange is more favorable than if you go to a bank or exchange bureau. When exchanging money at a bank, avoid converting small amounts at a time, as the minimum commission charged can be prohibitive. Most Spanish banks close in the afternoon, all day Saturday during summer, and all day Sunday year round. Value added tax (IVA) is charged on purchases, at a rate of 16% for most goods and services (it is 7% for hotel accommodation). If you are resident of a non-European Union country, you can get a refund of this tax on purchases over 100 Euros in certain participating shops. The refund can be claimed at the airport customs office on your departure: you can either get cash there, or have them send a check to your home address or credit the amount to your credit card. Staying in Touch To call abroad from Spain, dial the international access code (00), then your country code (such as 1 for the US, 44 for Great Britain), then the number. If you have a phone card from your home company, you can place a call by dialing your company's access number in Spain: ATT 900 990 011 MCI 900 990 014 Sprint 900 990 013 British Telecom 900 990 044 Mobile phones can be used in Spain provided they conform to the European GSM standard and the "roam" feature is activated. Hotels In general, hotels in Spain are comfortable and good value. Hotels in large cities such as Madrid and Barcelona are around twice the price as hotels elsewhere in Spain. Hotels are rated from one to five stars, which gives a rough indication of their facilities, but not of the friendliness or efficiency of the service. Fodor's guide to Spain gives good, up-to-date information on hotels in the major Spanish destinations. Hotels often offer good deals in slower periods, such as summer in Madrid. When phoning for a reservation, always ask for the room rate, and enquire regarding special offers. Spanish hotels do not normally require your credit card number to accept a reservation. For more advice on choosing where to stay in Spain, see the article by Nick Inman on Hotels in Spain , and check our Guide to Hotels in Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao, Granada and Seville. Electrical Current The electrical current in Spain is 200 volts, 50 cycles AC. Plugs are of the continental type, with two round prongs. American appliances require a transformer and a plug adapter for use in Spain. Have A Question? If you have a question regarding any aspect of traveling in Spain, you can obtain personalized travel information from the experts by visiting guidebookwriters.com . In addition, you can post a message in our Forum section to request information or exchange views with other travelers to Spain. For useful on-line sources of information for travelers, head for our Links section and click on "Travel". DESTINATIONS AT A GLANCE : Madrid - Barcelona - Bilbao - Granada - Seville Almera desert - La Mancha - Formentera Canary Islands: La Palma - Canary Islands: Puerto de la Cruz FREELANCESPAIN HOME Freelance Spain Showcase - Journalists - Photographers Features - Travel - People - Freelance Selections - Editor'sShortcut - Links little@spainview.com
Austria Travel
Austria,austria - Travel Photo Gallery U sername: P assword: R emember Me Car Hire Travel Insurance Airport Parking UK Cheap Accommodation Hotel Bookings Travellerspoint Travel Community Forums Blogs Destinations Accommodation Travel Help Reunions Tools Links Austria,austria - Travel Photo Gallery Travel Photography > Austria,austria - Travel Photo Gallery This Gallery Show as stream Size: XS S M Tags: austria Countries: Austria Count: 36 Photos Related Categories: landscapes vienna austria snow night buildings mountains Page 1 2 Next Northern Vienna Woods 1 Along our daily route from home to work. Date: 21 November 2005 Photographer: Hartwig Dellmour : gallery Country: Austria : gallery Tags: snow landscape vienna_woods Send as postcard Featured in the Austria Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M | L The Prater Rollercoaster - Vienna - Austria Date: 31 October 2005 Photographer: Agnese P. : gallery Country: Austria : gallery Tags: skylines shadows Send as postcard Featured in the Austria Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M | L Vienna Shadows Date: 29 October 2005 Photographer: Agnese P. : gallery Country: Austria : gallery Tags: skylines Send as postcard Featured in the Austria Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M | L 'Hundertwasserhaus' Date: 13 October 2005 Photographer: Adelina Ong : gallery Country: Austria : gallery Send as postcard Featured in the Austria Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M | L hofsburg Date: 13 October 2005 Photographer: Adelina Ong : gallery Country: Austria : gallery Send as postcard Featured in the Austria Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M | L Karlskirche Date: 12 October 2005 Photographer: Adelina Ong : gallery Country: Austria : gallery Send as postcard Featured in the Austria Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M | L parliament Date: 10 October 2005 Photographer: Adelina Ong : gallery Country: Austria : gallery Send as postcard Featured in the Austria Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M | L Salzburg city Salzburg city from the fortress Date: 24 September 2005 Photographer: Pradis Maneesaeng : gallery Country: Austria : gallery Tags: landscapes buildings austria Send as postcard Featured in the Austria Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M | L Hallstatt Date: 22 September 2005 Photographer: Pradis Maneesaeng : gallery Country: Austria : gallery Tags: landscapes mountains lakes hallstatt austria Send as postcard Featured in the Austria Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M | L Hallstatt, AUSTRIA Date: 22 September 2005 Photographer: Pradis Maneesaeng : gallery Country: Austria : gallery Tags: landscapes mountains lakes Send as postcard Featured in the Austria Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M | L Hallstat Salzkammergut, Austria Date: 17 May 2005 Photographer: Valerie N : gallery Country: Austria : gallery Send as postcard Featured in the Austria Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M | L ST STEPHENS CATHEDRAL A view of the Cathedral through a narrow street in Vienna... Date: May 2005 Photographer: Anne Reinstein : gallery Country: Austria : gallery Tags: churches Send as postcard Featured in the Austria Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M Austrian Ski Resort, Obertauern Date: 20 April 2005 Photographer: Kye Brown : gallery Country: Austria : gallery Tags: landscapes mountains snow Send as postcard Featured in the Austria Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M | L Staapark in Winter Vienna, Austria Date: 19 January 2005 Photographer: Valerie N : gallery Country: Austria : gallery Send as postcard Featured in the Austria Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M | L United Nartions, Vienna Vienna International Centre Date: 17 January 2005 Photographer: Valerie N : gallery Country: Austria : gallery Tags: buildings Send as postcard Featured in the Austria Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M | L Sunrise in the Austrian Alps Taken on a company ski trip in the resort of Chamonix. I love the alps! Date: 2005 Photographer: Gregory Brine : gallery Country: Austria : gallery Tags: landscapes sunsets_and_sunrises mountains sky snow Send as postcard Featured in the Austria Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M | L Hiking in Leoben Date: 2005 Photographer: Adam Smith : gallery Country: Austria : gallery Tags: landscapes mountains Send as postcard Featured in the Austria Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M | L Evening in Spittal Parked for the night with lots of time on the hands. You need a hobby with this job. Date: 2005 Photographer: Jon Carlisle : gallery Country: Austria : gallery Send as postcard Featured in the Austria Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M | L austrian alps Date: July 2004 Photographer: Emma Dean : gallery Country: Austria : gallery Tags: landscapes sky Send as postcard Featured in the Austria Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M salzburg dom Date: July 2004 Photographer: Emma Dean : gallery Country: Austria : gallery Tags: churches salzburg Send as postcard Featured in the Austria Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M CHURCH One of the dozen of churches we saw in Vienna. Date: May 2004 Photographer: Anne Reinstein : gallery Country: Austria : gallery Send as postcard Featured in the Austria Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M GLORIETTE-SCHONBRUNN PALACE I called this Belvedere before, I just edited the title. This is the area called the Gloriette, opposite of Schonbrunn Palace which was supposed to be the "crowning touch" of the Palace. Date: May 2004 Photographer: Anne Reinstein : gallery Country: Austria : gallery Send as postcard Featured in the Austria Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M Graz, Castle Tower Date: 2004 Photographer: Rich Perkins : gallery Country: Austria : gallery Send as postcard Featured in the Austria Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M Salzbourg Salzbourg at night Date: 31 December 2003 Photographer: Andrea Spalla : gallery Country: Austria : gallery Send as postcard Featured in the Austria Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M Graz River Theatre Date: 2003 Photographer: Rich Perkins : gallery Country: Austria : gallery Send as postcard Featured in the Austria Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M Page 1 2 Next © 2002 - 2005 Travellerspoint Travel Community | Contact | FAQ | About | Terms | Site Map
Golf Vacation
Arizona Hotel & Golf Resort Francisco Grande: Arizona Golf Resorts, Hotels Enter your email to get promotion & special event updates. Francisco Grande, the legendary Arizona golf resort, is located halfway between Phoenix and Tucson, and is just 45 minutes from the Phoenix airport and an hour drive from Scottsdale. The Francisco Grande: Arizona Hotel & Golf Resorts offer its guests luxury accommodations, superb food, outstanding golf, and excellent value. This traditional 7400 yard Arizona golf course is one of the most historic in the Southwest and is overseeded every winter and has over 1500 mature trees and three lakes in a parkland setting. This Arizona hotel & golf resort has recently undergone an $ 8 million renovation of its tower hotel rooms and suites, including the golf course and all its dining and meeting facilities. Out of the 107 guest rooms, all 64 tower rooms and spacious suites have been completely upgraded and are overlooking our golf course and pool area. For the value-minded golfer or budget minded group, there are 43 courtyard rooms, which offer all the resort amenities, but have not undergone a major renovation. Every guest room in the tower is oversized and has a large, inviting balcony with expansive views of the golf course and the mountains in the distance. The resort's restaurants, and watering holes provide a variety of casual and upscale dining and entertainment options. The Francisco Grande: Arizona Golf Resorts is like an oasis in the Arizona desert and is the ideal place for vacation getaways, retreats, weddings, conferences, conventions and corporate events. The Arizona golf resort has nearly 10,000 square feet of flexible meeting space equipped with state-of-the-art audio-visual production and presentation facilities. This unique Arizona golf resort weaves a rich tapestry in Arizona tradition, playing host to celebrities and sports stars and accommodating visitors for more than 40 years. Contact us now toll free at 800-237-4238 and ask about our Stay and Play Arizona golf packages or click here to check room availability and book your room or tee time online now. Arizona Resort Reservations Accommodations Dining Directions History Meetings & Events Golf Golf Packages Contact Us Recent News Careers Specials Vacation Packages Links Home Francisco Grande Arizona Hotel & Golf Resort • (800) 237-4238 • (520) 836-6444 • 26000 W. Gila Bend Highway Casa Grande, Arizona 85222
EUROPE TRAVEL FEATURES Tasting
MSNBC - Europe Front Page Skip navigation Travel Active Travel Holiday Travel Luxury Travel Winter Travel Business Travel Family Travel Travel Tips Destinations Cultural Travel Golf Travel Your World Photos U.S. News World News Business Sports Entertainment Tech / Science Health Weather Travel Blogs Etc. Local News Newsweek Multimedia News Video Most Popular NBC NEWS MSNBC TV Today Show Nightly News Meet the Press Dateline NBC MSNBC Home Travel Europe Tourists visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Cathedral in the "Square of Miracle" August 24, 2002 in Pisa, Italy. The tower reopened in December 2001 after 10 years of stabilization work. Italian Dreams History, architecture, art and more - great Italian destinations in the hosting country of the 2006 Winter Olympics. SLIDE SHOW Franco Origlia / Getty Images Cross-border skiing in Europe Italy readying security for Turin Olympics Slide show: European Escapes Italian golf - at its most Italian! MORE EUROPE TRAVEL FEATURES Tasting Italy: Indulge in Piedmont Get away for some great Euro-shopping Spotlight on: Dubrovnik Austria's alive with action Spotlight on: Florence The village resorts of Austria that aren't Valencia's medieval center Low-fare airlines boom in Europe Magnificent London Italy's jaw-dropping Dolomites Go to Porto for the port, stay for more! Visiting Avebury henge Hungary for luxury? Find it here! The shopping capital of Scotland Visit Germany's rebuilt capital Pamplona: Spain's morning run Bullish on Pamplona, Spain Europe-bound? Pack these guides Live like a king in Spain's paradors Chur: Charm in the Swiss Alps The grandest places to visit in Scotland 10 great European drives Southern Spain escapes EU's new passenger rights Three days in Rome Video: Smart Travels with Rudy Maxa Travel Forecasts Weather.com Forecasts and Conditions Business Traveler Forecasts Plan your Vacation: Destination Finder Check your flight status, airport conditions MSNBC's Weekly Travel Newsletter TRAVEL TOOLS Currency converter Traveler's health warnings from the CDC Travel warnings from the State Department Airport status map from the FAA Cover | U.S. News | World News | Business | Sports | Tech/Science | Entertainment | Travel | Health | Blogs Etc. | Weather | Local News Newsweek | Today Show | Nightly News | Dateline NBC | Meet the Press | MSNBC TV About MSNBC.com | Newsletters | RSS | Podcasts | Help | News Tools | Jobs at MSNBC.com | Contact Us | Terms & Conditions | Privacy © 2005 MSNBC.com MSN Privacy | Legal Feedback | Help
VACATION FEATURES & EXTRAS
Official State of Montana Vacation, Recreation, Accommodations and Travel Information LEWIS & CLARK MONTANA KIDS WILDLIFE WINTER PLAN A MONTANA VACATION FEATURES & EXTRAS ADVANCED SEARCH SITEMAP/HELP/FAQ LINKS TO RELATED SITES WEATHER & CONDITIONS Site Features Email This Page To A Friend Look for the Email This Page To A Friend button on all the pages in this site. It allows you to show the page you are viewing to interested friends or family. Quick Search Tourism Regions The state's six tourism regions invite you to find out more about the distinct scenery, attractions and experiences each offers. Wintermt.com Montanakids.com Lewis & Clark Indian Nations International Visitors Montanafilm.com Montanagroups.com Montanameetings.com State of Montana Feedback Form Privacy Policy Montana's National Parks From the wondrous geological features of Yellowstone to the majesty of Glacier, Montana's National Parks inspire and astound. Taking in everything that these parks have to offer is something that you'll never forget. So what are you waiting for? Visit Yellowstone & Glacier National Park. 1-800-VISIT-MT Our travel counselors love their jobs, and why shouldn't they? Everyday they help hundreds of happy callers plan their visits to our great state. So give us a call at 800-VISIT-MT(847-4868) and keep our travel counselors smiling. •••Note: Our call center will be closed Friday, August 26 while we install new customer service software. We will return to normal operation Tuesday, August 30 at 7:00 am MST.••• -- International Visitors Our partner websites can provide information for visitors from other countries in several different languages, including Chinese , Francais , English , Deutsch , Japanese and Italien . Special Deals Looking for Packages, Lodging, Dining, Camping or Adventure deals? Let us help! Save money on Montana vacations Montana Events Take in one of our many events--from wild & wooly rodeos to Lewis & Clark bicentennial commemorations, you'll find that events in Big Sky Country are uniquely Montana. Events Info Fishing and Hunting Licenses Buy your hunting and fishing licenses online. Online License Sales Travel Montana Intranet : contains information about the Montana Promotion Division of Department of Commerce, State of Montana, including information about the Governors Conference on Tourism & Recreation , The Travel Montana Marketing Plan, Travel Montana Programs, TIIP Grants and News & Updates. Directory of Tourism Businesses & Attractions If you know of a business or event by name, feel free to use the links to our directory below. If you do not know the business event by name, use the Plan a Montana Vacation Link above or the search box. A - C (#'s also) D - H I - M N - R S - Z Top Stories Montana Through the Photographer's Eye Check out our new featured photographer. Visit Montana is featuring beautiful photos of Montana taken by photographer Larry Mayer. View the Gallery -- Invite A Friend To Montana — Invite your friends and family members to explore Montana with a personalized invitation from Governor Schweitzer! Share Montana with someone special The Montana Dinosaur Trail Montana has yielded some of the world's most significant dinosaur discoveries. The thirteen stops along the Montana Dinosaur Trail allow you to discover these paleontological treasures for yourself. Follow The Trail For Dino Adventure Montana Fire Information Update The Summer wildland fire season has begun. Wildland fires are a natural part of life in Montana. They have helped create the landscapes and environment that attract our states residents and visitors. The impact of wildland fires is very local, and Montana is a very big state 94 million acres or 147,000 square miles. To help you understand where the fires are and their impact, if any, on the states attractions and outdoor activities, check out our Montana Fire Information Page. -- Beartooth Highway Open Repairs to the Beartooth Highway (Hwy 212) are now complete. Find out more information about the Beartooth Highway re-opening. Spotlight: Arts and Culture Montana has always been a place of inspiration and beauty. Plan on taking in the diverse offerings of Montana's artistic heritage and see how it's artists interpret the inspiration of Big Sky Country. Arts & Culture Montana Wedding Planner Looking for the perfect wedding location? Let us help! Get Married In Montana Discover Montana's Past Featuring articles about Big Sky Country's past, information about historical attractions like ghost towns, museums, Lewis & Clark, and historical tours. Montana History -- We Got Some Wild, Wild Life In Montana, everyone has a few wild neighbors; of course we're referring to antelope, elk, moose, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, eagles, trumpeter swans, bears, wolves, and more. Glimpse our watchable wildlife . -- All contents © 2005, Travel Montana, Department of Commerce, State of Montana. All rights reserved.