family vacation at many

Family Travel Guides : Family Vacation Destinations Navigate our Site ------------------ Home Read Articles Search for Lodging Deals and Specials Travel Food Tips Heath and Safety The Great Outdoors Regional Travel Comments/Suggestions Newsletter Regions Lodging Newsletter Great Outdoors Food Travel Tips -- new map created 12/2005 by Rafe Magnuson:-- These travel articles contain the guidance you need for a happy and fun-filled family vacation at many US, Canada and Caribbean destinations! New England States That smallish, wild area in the northeast corner of the United States that is rugged yet refined Eastern Seaboard States A wide variety of vacation opportunities: the fast pace of the Big Apple; the historic significance of the Colonial States (and Ellis Island); and the awesome beauty of the mountains and the Atlantic Coast. Southeast States Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and South Carolina The Southeast is large, varied, fairly warm and often sunny and humid Bluegrass Country Many defining periods in U.S. history are reflected in Bluegrass and Appalachian country--this was Cherokee country and the beginning of the Trail of Tears; the Appalachian and Smoky Mountains evoke the early settlers and pioneer days; Kentucky and Tennessee were major players in the Civil War Midwest States Your family will have a fun-filled vacation complete with sports, theme parks, history and natural beauty. Great Lakes While various states touch on the Great Lakes, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin are dominated by the Lakes and offer an unending selection of wilderness adventures Mountain States Perched atop the Continental Divide and sloping down east and west toward the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans, the mountain states are dominated by the Rocky Mountains. Southwest States The American Southwest lures many looking for sunshine or moonlight, quiet or excitement, history or the future, new beginnings or retirement. Pacific States California, Oregon, Washington are such large states that they offer a number of types destinations for your family to choose from. Hawaii We've watched Hawaii from afar in movies, on TV, on travel posters and every vacation book in print. It seems everyone goes to Hawaii as often as possible. And why not? It's paradise! Alaska The 49th state to enter the United States of America (in 1959), Alaska has always been full of surprises, treasures and magnificence. Canada Prince Edward Island.. The entire region is often dubbed "Anne's Land." Caribbean Sun fun and beaches! What more do you need to make a good family vacation great? Come inside to find out. Amazing Getaways of the Pacific Northwest Guide to some of the best attractions the Northwest has to offer. The Compass Webzine for New England Adventurer featuring Vermont & Massachusettes outdoor activities. Reintroduction of the Wolf into the Southwest Learn about wolves and hear their howls at this site which explores the pro's and con's of bringing back the native southwest wolves. -- family lodging | road food | family adventure vacations travel deals and vacation packages | USA destinations travel safety and tips | links Travel Guides | Elegant Small Hotels | Bed and Breakfast Inns

Taiwan travel Home News

2005-05-09 Price tag to be high for potential Taiwan travel 2@webnews ,taiwan#tourist, 0 Trip to Taiwan /enpproperty-- Price tag to be high for potential Taiwan travel Home News Center China Price tag to be high for potential Taiwan travel (Xinhua) Updated: 2005-05-09 18:34 A ten-day tour in Taiwan may cost Chinese mainland residents 10,000 yuan (1,215 US dollars) after the mainland removes a ban for its residents to travel to the island, an expert predicted. Zhou Xiaoping, researcher with Jiangsu Provincial Tourist Bureau, said that the cost will remain high after the tour of Taiwan is officially launched. The estimation, which is currently almost as high as that of a European tour, is expected to drop gradually. Prices would fall after the opening of the direct flights across the Taiwan Straits, specialists said. Mainland residents have shown great interest in the trip after it announced early this month that citizens of Chinese mainland will soon be allowed to travel to Taiwan, said Zhou. Mainland residents have been restricted from traveling to the island during the past two decades. The first group of Chinese mainland tourists made a trip from east China's coastal Fujian Province to Jinmen Islands (also known as Quemoy islands) off Taiwan in December under a deal designed to promote tourism and people-to-people exchanges across the Taiwan Straits. Statistics provided by the Chinese mainland show that Taiwan compatriots made nearly 3.7 million trips to the mainland in 2004, up 34.9 percent over the previous year, while only 145,000 mainland people visited Taiwan in the same period. Chen Yunlin, director of the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, has said that tourism administration and all relevant parties on the mainland welcome organizations from Taiwan's tourism industry to start early consultations. Experts pointed out that before the opening of the trip for Chinese mainland residents, there is still a long way to go for both sides to negotiate a deal. Close Today's Top News Top China News HSBC spends $1.04b to double China insurer stake Top SOE jobs go up for graps globally Red Square parade marks WWII victory Path of future cross-Strait relations laid down N. Korea hints at re-opening stalled talks Japan speaks highly of Hu's proposal on ties EU seeks to end textile tension President praises Soviet veterans SOE top jobs go up for grabs globally Path of future cross-Strait relations laid down Chinese make most of May Day vacation GM Daewoo files suit against Chery Go to Another Section select hot link News Center China World Business Life Sports Most Popular Photo Gallery Story Tools Related Stories PFP chairman pays homage to ancestral tombs Panda pair among gifts for Taiwan Path of future cross-Strait relations laid down Wang speaks highly of PFP's one-China stance Wang Daohan meets PFP chairman Soong Soong pays homage to KMT founder Soong aims for the 'bridge of trust' News Talk It is time to prepare for Beijing - 2008 Find Suppliers Trade Leads Firm Directory Product Directory China Products Gold Suppliers Hot Products Hot Buys New Products Country Search Trade Shows Advertisement

travel insurance. Find out

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Ski Vacation in Glenwood

Sunlight Mountain Resort - Sunlight Mountain Resort Colorado Ski Resort - Skiing at Sunlight Mountain - Ski Vacation in Glenwood Springs, CO - Colorado Ski Areas Lift tickets for only $10 - all procedes go to the United Way! Ski or Board for only $10 Friday, January 6, 2006. LaFarge and EnCana Oil and Gas will host our annual Skier Appreciation Day. All ticket proceeds will be donated to the United Way of Garfield County. Come out and share the day on the slopes, enter the Ditch Cup fun races and stay for music by Devon Alves from 3-5pm in the Last Turn Lounge, plus major give-a-ways. For more info call 970-945-7491. Sunlight Ski & Bike Shop Has Latest Ski Gear, Tune Ups, Season Rentals Sunlight Ski and Bike is your one stop shop for anything you need. Stop by Sunlight Ski & Bike Shop at 309 9th Street in downtown Glenwood Springs for this year's ski gear. Come in to the shop and let our knowledgeable staff help you pick the right gear to make your Winter extra fun. Catch the shuttle from Sunlight Ski & Bike Shop out to Sunlight Mountain Resort every morning at 8:20am. It returns to the shop from the Mountain at 5:00pm. Sunlight Ski & Bike Shop 309 9th Street in downtown Glenwood Springs. Have questions? Call the shop at 970-945-9425 for the best customer service around! Got a Clue Yet? The Sunlight Mountain/Big Horn Toyota Treasure Hunt is still going. Hidden somewhere on the mountain are two season pass for next season and $1,000 in cash! Find the treasure chest, containing the winners notice, then return it to Ski School to claim your prizes. Check here for your weekly clues. 1st CLUE: DON'T GO WILLY NILLY 2nd CLUE: LOOK DOWN LOW, UNDER SOME SNOW 3rd CLUE: DON'T GO TO EXTREMES 4th CLUE: 110,880 INCHES ABOVE THE OCEAN Rail Jam Series coming Sundays, Jan. 8, 15, and 22 Calling all rail jammers!! Sunlight Mountain is hosting the 2006 Sunlight Rail Jam Series on the new Roaring Fork Centre of the Rockies Terrain Park. Sunlight Mountain has blown out its three rail parks with tons of metal rails, table tops, rainbow rails, volcanoes, and large jumps all new this year! Trickriders compete on three consecutive Sundays - January 8, 15, and 22, 2006. First prize is a 2006-2007 Sunlight Season Pass. Smaller prizes given at each round to the daily points leader. Registration fee is $5 per round or $10 for all three. Registration begins at 9am Jan. 8 at Sunlight Mountain. Riders receive a raffle ticket for each day they are registered. The raffle is for your choice of a new snowboard or pair of trick skis. Each round consists of a morning and afternoon session. Morning session starts at 11am. Afternoon sessions start at 2pm. Each rider performs tricks on a designated section of the terrain park. Riders will be judged on their skill, style and trick difficulty. Their scores for the day will be averaged. Daily leaders and points placement for each round will be announced at 4pm in the day lodge. At the end of the final round, all scores are averaged. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place receive prizes. The final Award Ceremony and Raffle Drawing are at 4pm, Jan. 22. Ski, Swim & Stay Ski, Swim & Stay packages, start as low as $60 per person/per day and includes skiing at Sunlight Mountain Resort, admission to the world-famous Hot Springs Pool, and a nights lodging at one of 14 participating lodges. Kids 12 and under receive a free lift ticket with each adult that purchases a Ski, Swim and Stay package. Click here for more Ski Swim Stay details! #Session.Green# " WHERE'S ROVER? Look for the Sunlight Mountain Resort Land Rover all over! Be on the lookout for our brand new Land Rover Freelander SE3!! If you would like a ride as nice as ours, visit Land Rover Roaring Fork. Get set up with the most well traveled vehichles on the planet at www.landroverroaringfork.com #Session.Green# " For more information contact: Sunlight Mountain Resort - 10901 County Road 117, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 suninfo@sunlightmtn.com or phone (800)445-7931 or (970)945-7491 Please read our privacy policy on how we will use any data that we collect from you. Problems with this site or any information regarding this site please send email to webmaster@sunlightmtn.com © 2000-2005 Sunlight Mountain Resort

Spain Travel

Tourist Office of Spain - Travel Tips for travel to and within Spain Our Office Useful Addresses How to get there Travel Tips Activities Travel Bulletin Tour Operators' Index Request Information Home Visiting Spain is not only about sun, great cuisine, and a warm welcome, but also its rich monumental heritage and dazzling natural environment. There is a perfect destination for everyone -choose yours. Visit our main Web site: Travel Tips for travel to and within Spain PASSPORT - MONEY - CUSTOMS PASSPORT AND VISA REGULATIONS : No visa for Spain is required for Canadian, US passport holders and nationals of European Unions countries for stays up to 3 months as a tourist. For stays exceeding this period, other nationalities or work permits please contact the Consulate of Spain nearest you. The addresses and telephone numbers of the Spanish Consulates are as follows: Toronto : 200 Front Street, Suite 2401, Toronto, Ont. M5V 3K2. Tel. (416) 977 1661 cgspain.toronto@mail.mae.es Open to the public from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. Montreal : 1 Westmount Sq. Ste 1456, Montreal, P.Q. H3Z 2P9. Tel. (514) 935 5235 consular@total.net Open to the public from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday to Friday. For more information click here . INOCULATIONS : No inoculations are required when entering or leaving Spain. MONEY: As of January 1st, 2002, the new Spanish currency, as in most European Union countries, is the Euro. The currency will have notes and eight coins. The notes will have face value of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 or 500 euros. The Euro is divided into 100 cents and the coins will range in value from 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents and 1, 2 euros. Tourists may bring up to 6,010.12 euros (approximetly $10,000 Canadian dollars) without declaring the amount at customs. The current rate of exchange varies from week to week. For an updated exchange rate, check with newspapers or banks. Travellers cheques are most practical and Canadian currency can be exchanged at banks, airports, main hotels, etc. In order to get the most for your money, we advise you to buy some euros before leaving (for first day expenses) and exchange the rest of your dollars or travellers cheques at the bank once in Spain (although banking hours might be subject to change, presently they are: Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.) Major credit cards are honoured in most hotels and restaurants, main stores, rent-a-car companies and others, although this should be checked before each transaction. The convenient Interact System can also be used throughout Spain, providing one of the easiest and cheapest ways of obtaining cash abroad; consult with your bank about your particular card and fees. For Currency converter click here . CUSTOMS: You may bring the following into Spain: personal effects, a personal laptop, one video camera or two still cameras with ten rolls of film each. A portable radio or portable tape recorder per person is admitted free of duty, as well as 200 cigarettes, or 50 cigars, or 250 grams of tobacco. One bottle of wine and one of liquor per person. The following sports equipment is also allowed: fishing gear, one bicycle, skis, tennis or squash racquets and golf clubs. PETS: Pets do not need to be held in quarantine prior to entering Spain. A certificate stating that an animal is in good health and has been inoculated against rabies (for dogs and cats) is required. The document must be issued by a veterinarian and certified at the nearest Consulate of Spain. TRANSPORTATION WITHIN SPAIN Railways: Spain has an extensive railroad system with fast and comfortable trains, offering some of the best fares in Europe. The national network is known as RENFE. Internet address: www.renfe.es . One of Europes most luxurious sightseeing trains is the AL ANDALUS EXPRESS with classic cars restored and refurbished in modern "grand luxe" style. There is 5-stars accommodation in the bedroom/salon cars. All excursions and meals are included. The AL ANDALUS EXPRESS have several itineraries, although it usually goes from Madrid south to Andalusia. The TRANSCANTABRICO, another sightseeing train, covers the northern and north-western parts of Spain know as Green Spain, from San Sebastian in the Basque region to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia. The train is air-conditioned and has showers, a bar and live music. All excursions and meals are included. AVE, Spains sleek bullet train, is the rail link between Madrid and Seville, going through Ciudad Real and Cordoba. This ultramodern train, which travels at a speed of up to 185 miles per hour, makes the Madrid-Seville run in 2 hours 30 minutes. TALGO is an ultramodern, fully air-conditioned train operating throughout Spain. New fast and sleek trains called EUROMEDS are going along the Mediterranean Coast, significantly cutting your travelling time from Barcelona to Valencia. Tickets can be purchased through RAIL EUROPE: 1-800-361 RAIL , which sells special rail passes only for Spain. Train Passes, such as EUROPASS and FLEXIPASS can also be purchased through RAIL EUROPE. Buses: Public bus service in Spain is comfortable and efficient. Although there are many lines which cover long distances, buses are specially recommended for short trips and for excursions from major tourist centres. Local tourist offices can provide you with schedule information. Ships: Travellers who wish to visit the Spanish Islands may depart from the mainland using the COMPAIA TRANSMEDITERRANEA. this national carrier has regular scheduled ferries from Barcelona and Valencia to the Balearic Islands and from Cadiz to the Canary Islands. TRANSMEDITERRANEA also offers inter-island service. The same company offers service to North Africa: from Almeria and Malaga to Melilla and from Algeciras to Tangiers and Ceuta. For reservations please call the headquarters in Madrid. Tel. : 011-341-431-0700, fax: 011-34- 431- 0804. Website: http://www.trasmediterranea.es Modern Hydrofoil ships are now linking Mainland Spain to the Balearic Islands, Algeciras to Tangier and between the Canary Islands. Inquire in our Office for more details about ferries. Driving in Spain: In order for Canadians to drive in Spain, they must: Have an International Driving Licence Be 18 years of age or older Be a tourist Traffic Offences: On the spot payment of fines (reduced by 20%) is compulsory for non-residents. Taxis: All major cities in Spain have metered taxi service. Any extra charges must be posted in the vehicle. For further information click here . ACCOMMODATION There are more than 10,000 hotel accommodations in Spain. They are divided into several categories, among them Hotels, Residence-Hotels, Apartment-Hotels, Motels and Pensions. All of them have a plaque at the entrance showing their official category, from one to five stars. Establishment classified, as "Residence-Hotels" does not provide meals. Official forms are available at hotels and any complaint concerning service may be registered. PARADORES DE ESPAA is a state-run network of hotels. Many of them are castles, convents, or palaces restored and furnished with every modern amenity. Most of them are scenically located. Reservations can be made directly to: Central of Reservations in Madrid, Tel: 011 34 91 5166666 and the fax: 011 34 91 516657/8 - Web site: http://www.parador.es For further information please visit Tourism Spain main Web site or contact our Tourist Office in Canada. New representatives in Canada: Adsum Tourism Services 4159 Dundas St. West, Suite 218 Toronto, ON M8X 1Y4 Phone : 416-237-1930 Fax: 416-237-9212 paradores-ca@adsum.ws Apartments and Villas: There are many for rent, especially along the coastal resort areas. It is advisable to stay a few days at a hotel or pension and look around for a suitable place. Prices can vary according to the season, area or location. An Official Guide to Apartment-Hotels can be obtained from the Tourist Office. Call us for a list of addresses. Camping: Spains excellent campsites can be found along the coast, on the islands, as well as in scenic areas. Campings are also classified under a star rating system which can be obtained from the Tourist Office. Rural Tourism: A magnificent alternative to visit the real Spain off the beaten track. Accommodation in traditional country farms is available all over Spain and most of then offer complementary activities such as horseback riding, bicycling, etc. OTHER INFORMATION Taxes: A 7% VAT is to be added to rates for all restaurants and hotel rooms. Service is included. Getting your VAT back: Travellers to Spain are entitled to a reimbursement of the 16% VAT tax they pay on all purchases as long as these add up to no less than 90.16 euros (approximately $150) per store. The vendor must provide the purchaser with a duly filled out invoice, which includes the price of each good, the VAT paid for each item, as well as the identification for both the vendor and purchaser. The goods must be brought out of Spain whitin three months. At the time of departure, the invoice must be submitted to the Spanish Customs Officer in charge of VAT refunds at the international port, gate or airport (there is a specific booth for this purpose just prior to the entrance to the international area). The Customs Officer will stamp the original copy, which should be turned in at a bank in the airport for reimbursement. Tipping: Service is generally included in the bill. Tips are at your own discretion, although a 10% tip is customary. Language: Castilian (Spanish) in the whole territory. Catalan, Basque (Euskera) and Galician in their respective autonomous regions. English is usually spoken in the tourist areas along the Mediterranean coast as well as French, although a booklet with the most common phrases in Spanish is always helpful. Electric Current: 220 volts (50 cycles) are commonly used in Spain, although 110 still exist in some areas. Round prong plugs are used in all outlets. Standard Canadian plugs will not fit into Spanish outlets. Bullfights: The season starts in March and runs until the middle of October. Shopping in Spain: This is not only an exciting venture but also practical as Spain offers today some of the best prices on many articles. Spain has a long tradition in making leather goods (shoes, luggage, bags, coats, dresses gloves, etc.), clothing (original fashion designers or ready-made), embroidery and lace; jewellery (classical or modern designs, as well as artisan gold and silver works); blown glass, pottery, antiques (some of the antique galleries in Madrid, Barcelona or Seville are among the best in Europe); furniture; interior decorating items (the famous Lladro porcelains, iron grille designs, silver and other metals such as candelabra, trays, bowls, etc.); toys; musical instruments (Spanish guitars are know to be the best in the world). Madrid and Barcelona are of course the major cities for shopping. In Madrid, the main commercial areas are: the Goya, Principe de Vergara and Serrano districts for exclusive fashions; Narvaez, Conde de Penalver and the old downtown area of Puerta del Sol, Alcala, Gran Via, Carretas and Arsenal, a place also to find major Department stores. A must is the Sunday flea market of El Rastro, where you can find anything from a hatpin to a masterpiece. In Barcelona, Paseo de Gracia and Diagonal for elegant shopping; the Ramblas and Plaza de Catalunya for almost anything; and the area around the church of Sta. Maria de los Reyes for antique galleries. Other excellent areas for shopping are tourist centres, such as Torremolinos and Marbella in Costa del Sol, Benidorm in Costa Blanca, Playa de Aro in the Costa Brava, Palma de Mallorca and Ibiza in the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands (mainly Tenerife and Gran Canaria) specially, since they are duty-free ports. Shopping Hours: Although big department stores are open from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, most shops keep traditional business hours, approximately 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Some stores are open on Sunday. Museums: The standard hours are Tuesday to Saturday from 9:a.m. to 7:00 p.m.. Sundays and holidays from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., but check with the Tourist Office in Spain nearest you for hours of specific museums. For further information click here . Books and maps on Spain: The Tourist Office of Spain supplies maps, brochures and information circulars free of charge. Persons wishing further information may obtain additional guides and maps at retail stores or, in Spain, from local tourist offices. Travelling with children: Most hotels make reductions for babies and small children, although there are not official regulations. This matter should be arranged with the hotel management. Baby food and disposable diapers are available at most resorts and are obtainable from supermarkets and pharmacies. Baby-sitting arrangements can usually be made locally. The availability and cost should be checked with the establishment directly or through the booking agent. Health Service: Only members of the European Union enjoy free medical assistance under the Spanish Health Service during their stay. You are advised to take out adequate holiday insurance. This is available at your local bank or from most tour operators and travel agents. Although there are multilingual doctors in the tourist areas, those requiring special treatment or diets are advised to carry a letter from their doctor translated into Spanish, indicating the nature of the condition, treatment and medicines required. Special dietary products are available from health shops and pharmacies. Telephoning Home: Canada Direct, offered by Canada's major telecommunications companies, provides travellers with toll-free and hassle-free access to the Canadian telephone network. The Canada Direct access number from Spain is 9000-99-0015 where a Canadian operator is always available. For more information, call 1-800-561-8868 or on the Internet: ( www.canada-direct.com ) Radio Canada International: Radio Canada International ( RCI ) broadcasts on short-wave in Spain. For a schedule of times and frequency of broadcasts, check the RCI web site ( www.rcinet.ca ). You may also e-mail RCI at rci@montreal.radio-canada.ca or call ( 514 ) 597 7555 Casinos: Gambling is legal in Spain. There are 22 casinos in operation. Lists are available upon request. Public Holidays: January 1, New Years Day January 6 Good Friday March 19 May 1, Labour Day August 15, Feast of the Assumption October 12, Spains National Day November 1, All Saints December 6, Constitution Day December 25, Christmas day Each of the 17 Autonomous Regions and Municipalities in Spain has extra official public holidays celebrated only within its boundaries. Important Web site address: (in English) General information: www.tourspain.es IBERIA: www.iberia.com/ibusa RENFE: www.renfe.es PARADORES: www.parador.es SPANISH EMBASSY IN CANADA: www.docuweb.ca/SpainInCanada/ Information on Commercial matters: Please contact the Commercial Office of Spain at: 55 Bloor Street West, Toronto, Tel.. (416) 967-0488. e-mail: buzon.oficial@toronto.ofcomes.mcx.es THE CLIMATE IN SPAIN SPRING is an ideal time to visit the central regions of Castile, Andalusia, the Mediterranean Coast and the Balearic Islands. The climate is generally very good, but expect occasional rain. SUMMER is a good season to visit the northern regions, especially the resorts along the Cantabrian Coast, from Hondarribia on the French-Spanish border to La Guardia at the Portuguese-Spanish frontier. FALL is perhaps the best season of the year to visit the entire country. The climate is excellent, with sunny days and blue skies. WINTER is a good season for the Mediterranean regions, particularly the Costa del Sol, Alicante (Costa Blanca) and the Balearic Islands. The high mountain ranges offer excellent conditions for winter sports. The Canary Islands have an even and pleasant climate all year round. For further information click here . Site Content Our Office Useful addresses Travel Bulletin Travel Tips Activities Tour operators index How to get there Information request Home page ACTIVITIES Cultural: Spain has a very intense cultural life; opera, ballet and concerts can be enjoyed in the major cities - Madrid and Barcelona have their opera, ballet and concert season. Spanish theatre is very popular with more than 30 theatres in Madrid playing daily. There are also the famous "Fiestas". Every city, town and village has its own, usually commemorating their patron saint, including bullfighting, folklore dances, outdoors fairs and events. Larger cities often include ballets, plays and flamenco spectacles. For dates and information please contact our Office. For further information click here . Gastronomy and Restaurants: Food in Spain is taken very seriously. Dining is an indispensable ingredient, in the countrys ebullient social lifestyle. Meals are long and leisurely, providing an opportunity to enjoy good company freshly prepared dishes, and fine wines, such as the world-famous Riojas. Lunch is the big meal of the day and is generally served between 2:00 and 4:00 p.m. Dinner is traditionally served between 9:00 and 11:00 p.m. Vertical forks (from one to five) rate restaurants on a plaque outside the entrance. Prices must be listed both inside and outside the establishment. Ask for the tourist menu, usually an all- included meal very reasonably priced according to the category of the restaurant. Spanish cuisine is based on the healthy Mediterranean diet. Prized Spanish olive oil, garlic, fresh daily produce and wine are the staples. The striking cultural contrasts between regions in Spain are reflected in the tremendous variety of cooking styles. The central plateau of Castile is known for its delicious roasts: lamb, kid, suckling pig, and game such as partridge. Try the garlic soup, hearty bean stews, and famous Manchego cheeses. Valdepeas and Ribera del Duero make exceptional red wines. Catalans are very inventive cooks, combining game and poultry with seafood, and savoury meats with sweet sauces of dried fruits and nuts. Basque cooking is considered the most sophisticated and innovative in Spain. The city of San Sebastian is exemplary, with many restaurants serving some of the finest food in Europe. Traditional cuisine is at its best in fish and shellfish. The north-western region of Galicia is Spains source of a wide variety of fresh shellfish, and delicacies such as barnacles and spider crab. Try the octopus accompanied by the famous Albario and Ribeiro wines. Andalusia is home to the refreshing gazpacho and garlic-almond soup, delicious olives, and world-famous Sherries. The rice fields of Valencia gave birth to the paella as well as a wide variety of excellent rice dishes. Spains greatest contribution to gastronomy may well be the tapas. These little portions of regional specialities are served in restaurants and bars throughout Spain and are generally accompanied by wine, beer or sangria. 2004 Tourist Office of Spain in Canada 2 Bloor West, Toronto, ON, M4W 3E2 Tel.: (416) 961-3131, Fax.: (416) 961-1992 E-mail: toronto@tourspain.es Developed by DesignByBaxter This web page last updated: Wednesday, May 25, 2005