Russia Travel Guide Travel

Russia Travel | Guide to travelling Russia | Travellerspoint 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 Russia Travel Guide Travel Destinations Guide Russia Moscow, Russia - Don Kam Russia Photo Gallery At the start of the 18th century, Napoleon made one of the biggest errors of his life when he invaded Russia in winter; Hitler attempted a strikingly similair move less than a century and a half later. The vast, cold expanses which make up Russia's landscape have long proved its greatest ally in warfare. Now, with its economy down in the pits, Russia's natural wonders are once again beginning to lend a helping hand. Travellers are recognizing Russia's awesome potential for mountaineering, hiking, skiing, cycling, and kayaking. But perhaps the best way to see Russia's vast wilderness is via the Trans-Siberian Railway. In those areas which are inhabited, however, Russia's rich cultural and historical heritage is everywhere. Onion-domed churches, bleak Soviet style architecture and the elegant designs of pre-Stalin Russia can be found within blocks of each other, making for fascinating peaks into the complexity of Russian history. Quick Facts Locally known as: Rossiya Capital: Moscow Population: 144,530,000 Religions: Russian Orthodox, Muslim Government: Federation Official / National Languages: Russian Country Phone Code: +7 Map of Russia Flag of Russia Member Comments Members talk Russia is certainly the mystery it is made out to be. The largest country in the world does not simply offer long travel times, but a limitless expanse of adventure!From .. Full comment Brendan | 15th Mar 05 Russia is a wonderful place to visit. But be careful about your wallet and passport, always carry them in your front pocket. be careful who you rent flats from- AVOID .. Full comment billb | 26th Feb 04 Become a member or login to add your comment. Want some personal advice on Russia? The Travel Helpers are Travellerspoint volunteers willing to answer your travel questions about a country they feel they know a lot about. There are currently 11 Travel Helpers available to answer your questions about Russia. Russia Travel Helpers Travel Products Below is a collection of Travellerspoint products and services that might be of use to you while you are researching your trip to Russia. Russia Accommodation Russia hotels (68) Russia apartments (18) Russia bed & breakfasts (9) Russia hostels (27) Russia budget hotels (10) Other Products Cheap travel insurance Eurail passes & Train tickets Russia tours (4) Around the world tickets Russia Travel Sites Our Pick The Moscow Times Guide to Russia - A great collection of travel tips and useful information. Find out about things to do, travel within Russia, Health, Media, Money, Visas and much much more. Once you're done researching your trip, you can visit the main area of the site for the latest Russian news. Sponsor Russia SIM Cards & Cell Phones - Get free incoming calls with your own Russia prepaid SIM card and GSM cell phone. Roam Russia without the roaming surcharges. Baikaler - Local guide Jack Sheremetoff offers tours to Baikal. His site also contains descriptions of tours and information about the region. More Russia links can be found in our Travel Sites Directory. The links contained in this directory are external sites and will pop up in a new window. © 2002 - 2005 Travellerspoint Travel Community | Contact | FAQ | About | Terms | Site Map

Air Travel Tips Medical

ASPCA: Pet Care: Pet Care Tips: Air Travel Tips " name=login width=10 Forgot password? As a member of the ASPCA online community, you can send eCards, get our newsletter, lobby for humane laws, shop for ASPCA gear and enroll in our Rewards program. SIGN UP advocacy alerts Federal: Fight Puppy Mills! Urge Your Representative to Support the Pet Animal Welfare Statute (PAWS)! Federal: Urge your Representative to End Animal Fighting! Support H.R. 817! aspca shop SALE! Check out our new shirts and more at the ASPCA Store! Donate | Adopt | Lobby | Shop | Programs | Cruelty | Pet Care | Hurricane Relief | Media | About Us | About You Pet Care Dog Care Cat Care Horse Care Small Pet Information Pet Care Tips Keep Your Pet's Home Poison Safe ASPCA Pet Nutrition Companion Lines Pet Care Topics Air Travel Tips Medical Tips Emergency Pet Preparedness Bioterror FAQ Free Pet Rescue Sticker Air Travel Tips Car Travel Tips Hot Weather Tips Cold Weather Tips Halloween Safety Tips ASPCA Announces Implementation of Safe Air Transport Law For Pets Wednesday, June 8, 2005 Air Transportation Incident Reports Download our reports of incidents involving the loss, injury or death of an animal during air transportation. Available by month or by airline. - May - June - July - August - September - October - Alaska Airlines - American - Comair - Continental - Delta - Frontier - Hawaiian - Horizon - Midwest - Northwest - United - US Airways Traveling with Your Pet Tips for how to go "on the road" with your pet. high bandwidth low bandwidth high bandwidth low bandwidth TOP TEN TIPS FOR SAFE AIR TRAVEL WITH YOUR PET Traveling can be highly stressful, both for you and the four-legged members of your family. But with thoughtful preparation, you can ensure a safe and comfortable trip for everyone. The ASPCA urges pet owners to think twice about flying their pets on commercial airlines, especially if they plan on checking them in as cargo. The Air Transport Association has reported that in the past, approximately 5,000 pets—or 1 percent of the companion animals are flown on commercial planes—have been injured, lost or killed during transport. "Unless your animal is small enough to fit under your seat and you can bring him or her in the cabin, the ASPCA recommends pet owners to not fly their animal," says Lisa Weisberg, ASPCA Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Policy. If pet owners have already committed to transporting their pets on commercial airlines, the ASPCA is offering the following top ten tips for safe air travel with your pet: 1. Make an appointment with your pet's veterinarian for a check-up, and make sure all vaccinations are up-to-date. Obtain a health certificate from your veterinarian dated within 10 days of departure. 2. Make sure your pet is wearing a collar and an identification tag. Breakaway collars are best for cats. The collar should also include destination information in case your pet escapes. 3. Book a direct flight whenever possible. This will decrease the chances that your pet is left on the tarmac during extreme weather conditions or mishandled by baggage personnel. 4. Purchase a USDA-approved shipping crate that is large enough for your pet to stand, sit and turn around in comfortably. Shipping crates can be purchased from many pet supply stores and airlines. 5. Write the words "Live Animal" in letters at least one inch tall on top of and at least one side of the crate. Use arrows to prominently indicate the upright position of the crate. On the top of the crate, write the name, address and telephone number of your pet's destination point, and whether you will be accompanying him or if someone else is picking him up. Make sure that the door is securely closed, but not locked, so that airline personnel can open it in case of an emergency. Line the crate bottom with some type of bedding—shredded paper or towels— to absorb accidents. 6. Affix a current photograph of your pet to the top of the crate for identification purposes. Should your pet escape from the carrier, this could be a lifesaver. You should also carry a photograph of your pet. 7. The night before you leave, make sure you’ve frozen a small dish or tray of water for your pet. This way, it can’t spill during loading, and will melt by the time he’s thirsty. Tape a small pouch, preferably cloth, of dried food outside the crate. Airline personnel will be able to feed your pet in case he gets hungry on long-distance flights or a layover. 8. Tranquilizing your pet is generally not recommended, as it could hamper his breathing. Check with your veterinarian first. 9. Tell every airline employee you encounter, on the ground and in the air, that you are traveling with a pet in the cargo hold. This way, they’ll be ready if any additional considerations or attention is needed. 10. If the plane is delayed, or if you have any concerns about the welfare of your pet, insist that airline personnel check the animal whenever feasible. In certain situations, removing the animal from the cargo hold and deplaneing may be warranted. | Powered By Convio Print | Tell A Friend | Contact | Site Map | Legal Info | Jobs | 2005 The ASPCA

Ski Vacation. Durango Mountain

Durango Mountain Resort - Purgatory Ski Area - Colorado Ski Vacation bookmark site Durango Mountain Resort Activity Guide Family Reunion Family Ski Packages Featured Property Getting Here Group Packages Lessons Lift Tickets Massage Mountain Lodging Mountain Stats Rentals Search Hotel Anywhere Sign Up for Deals Skiing Ski Shops Ski/Board Packages Sleigh Rides Snowboarding Snowcat Skiing Snowmobiling Spring Break Terrain Park The Village Transportation Tubing Hill Vacation Rentals Colorado Ski Resorts Weather Update click here Planning a family reunion? sign up for Durango deals Email: Search By WhatUSeek RIDE PURGATORY EXPRESS Our most popular 2-day/2 night discounted package! Includes lodging & lift tickets... click here Puragatory at Durango Mountain Resort in Durango Colorado Ski and snowboard this season at Durango Mountain Resort, continually rated #1 Winter Weather by SKI Magazine readers. Great Snow ~ Great Weather ~ Uncrowded Trails ~ Short Lift Lines Puragtory at Durango Mountain Resort is Scheduled to open Friday, Dec. 9th. Once the snow falls, Durango Mountain Resort (DMR) becomes a paradise for winter sports enthusiasts. An ideal location to enjoy a beautiful Colorado Ski Vacation. Durango Mountain Resort offers skiers and snowboards the chance to savor spectacular winter fun! Durango Mountain Resort offers 40 miles of groomed terrain and 75 trails. The terrain offers 23% beginner, 51% intermediate, and 26% advanced/expert. An average of 260 inches of snow a year (over 21 feet) blankets the mountain. Custom Packages Let us custom build a discounted package just for you! Our service and discounted prices make your winter getaway to ski or board at Durango Mountain Resort (aka Purgatory) as easy as ONE, TWO, THREE! GROUP SKI/BOARD TRAVEL We are the top ski vacation provider for groups visiting Durango Mountain Resort. The Ski area is an easy 30-minute drive from downtown Durango and no mountain passes to cross. Shuttles to and from the ski area are also available during ski season. It's long known that the San Juan Mountains with its majestic Needles and La Plata Ranges jutting up around the resort provide views compared more commonly to the Alps than the Rockies. Jean-Claude Killy called it "the most beautiful scenery this side of the Italian Alps." In a recent SKI Magazine readers’ poll, Durango Mountain Resort gets picked as #1 for best weather among North American resorts! Durango Mountain Resort (formerly known as Purgatory) spans more than 2,400 acres with 723 acres of maintained terrain. 40 miles of groomed Nordic trails are blanketed by 240 inches of snow. 11 chairlifts serve the 75 trails, of which the longest is two miles. DMR has been the recipient of many honors and accolades. It was chosen as the triple World Cup site by the National Off-Road Bicycling Association. In addition, Snow Country Magazine ranked it "the second-least-crowded ski area on the continent." The resort is easily accessible by airport. It offers many choices in lodging, restaurants and entertainment, both on-site facilities as well as nearby Durango which is world-famous as a tourist destination. Home of the Durango-Silverton train ride , Durango is a historic mining town with Victorian charm and history, restaurants, music, festivals, shopping, dinner sleigh rides and snowmobiling. Durango was honored by SKI Magazine as one of America's Top 10 Ski Towns. Yet summer is Durango's busiest season, a windfall for skiers seeking extra value. When snow falls, so do Durango's lodging prices. (we offer awesome packages & group rates ) Let us help you plan your Colorado Ski Vacation - call 1-888-302-0061 or click here to get a quote on your ski/board vacation. You will notice many changes up on the mountain including a new high-speed, six passenger super chair. Up the mountain in 6 minutes flat! Other improvements include new ski and snowboard programs for families and children, a nighttime lesson center and a 25% increase in snowmaking capacity. Durango Mountain Resort has long been a favorite with skiers and snowboarders from all over. Come and experience the difference! Summer at Durango Mountain Resort Durango Mountain Resort can also entertain the summer visitor with many different activities. There is an alpine slide that can entertain the whole family. For those more daring try mountain biking down the mountain after a scenic chairlift ride to the top. Durango Mountain Resort hosted the Durango World Cup July 11-15th of 2001. Durango Mountain Resort hosted the World Mountain Bike Championships in 1990. You can ride the well-designed and well-marked course. Visitors are invited to ride the chairlift for free, then explore the top and hike or ride the lift back down. There is a small fee to ride the chairlift for mountain biking and the alpine slide but it is definitely worth the experience. ( summer packages ) Nationwide PCS/Cellular Services - Great Deal for the Traveler! Cognigen and Creative Links are proud to offer the finest in cellular/PCS systems through providers like AT&T, ALLTEL, Verizon and more! You can enjoy calling plans that fit your individual needs at a price you can't beat! click here and sign up today Home | Travel Info | Real Estate | Mountain Living | Around Durango | Groups | Things To Do | Deals | Sitemap Durango Downtown is brought to you by Creative Links Please forward inquiries, comments or suggestions to this address Linking, advertising and sponsorship opportunities available. Click here for more information © 2005 Creative Links

European Vacation, Tour or

Europe Vacation, Europe Travel, Luxury Cruises in Europe, Europe Tours and Europe Hotel Guide Europe Vacation, Europe Travel, Luxury Cruises in Europe, Europe Tours Europe Vacation Guide: Romantic Europe Tours and Honeymoons Europe Luxury Vacations, Travel, Tours and Cruise Consultants Call 1 800 330 8820 to book your European Vacation, Tour or Cruise. Other Places in Europe Albania Andorra Austria Vacations Belarus Belgium Vacations Bosnia-Herzegovina Bulgaria Croatia Vacations Czech Republic Denmark Vacations England Vacations Estonia Finland Vacations France Vacations Georgia Germany Vacations Greece Vacations Hungary Vacations Iceland Ireland Vacations Italy Vacations Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Vacations Macedonia Monaco Vacations Netherlands Vacations Norway Vacations Poland Vacations Portugal Vacations Romania Vacations Russia Vacations Slovakia Slovenia Spain Vacations Sweden Vacations Switzerland Vacations Turkey Vacations Ukraine United Kingdom Vacations Wales Vacations Luxury Cruise Guides Luxury Cruises World Luxury Cruises European River Cruises Europe Cruises Mediterranean Guide Travel Agent Career Opportunities Europe Vacation, Travel and Luxury Cruise Guides In this section you will find great Europe luxury resorts and hotels . All-inclusive European vacations for every country. We also specialize Romantic European river cruises . You'll find fabulous h oneymoon destinations in the guide. Europe luxury y achting vacations. Europe cruises , Europe Ski Vacations . Europe g uided & escorted tours ---Plus tons of enjoyable maps , virtual tours and streaming videos---You will find everything here except the sunscreen. Europe-Travel We provide vacation accommodations in British and Irish castles, quaint village inns, classic country houses, French chateaux, Italian villas, German inns, Spanish paradors, Portuguese pousadas, Scandinavian country houses, and many more small, charming hotels throughout Europe. Travelwizard.com offers custom, premium class, personalized, Europe luxury travel related services, exclusive boutique vacation destinations and exotic tours designed specifically for the sophisticated traveler . Central Eastern & Western Europe Packages England-Ireland Vacation & Tour Packages France Vacation & Tour Packages Italy Vacation & Tour Packages Scandinavia & Russia Tour Packages Portugal Tour Packages Greece Luxury Tours Spain & Morocco Tour Packages Imagine people watching at a sidewalk cafe, viewing the world's most famous pieces of art or visiting historic sites like Vatican City, Big Ben, the Eiffel Tower or the Acropolis. We've been customizing European vacation itineraries for discriminating travelers for more than 20 years. European Villas, former European palaces, elegant European hotels and yachts are part of Europe's unique accommodations that provide the perfect base for exploring the character of Europe. Select exactly the components you want in your vacation. You choose your hotel, room category -from sea views to suites-, rental car, private transfers and customized European sightseeing tours. We do it all! Our Virtuoso European Travel and Cruise Consultants will create the European Vacation you have always dreamed of. Why Should You Use our Virtuoso Europe Luxury Vacation, Travel and Cruise Specialists ? We are Specialists in the Art of Travel. Described by Conde Nast Traveler as "one of the finest agencies...a reliable indicator of experience, knowledge, and industry clout." We are recommended by the Discovery Travel Channel, the Today Show, Conde Nast Traveler, Forbes Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, Fine Living TV, and the Neiman Marcus Awards Program. All of us at Travelwizard.com have a sincere passion for travel. We throughly enjoy our work, the exciting places we explore, the wonderful people we meet, and would be thrilled to share this passion with you! Europe vacations are by far the most popular for a number of reasons. The diversity of the European cultures, incredible history, romantic settings, fine cuisine, excellent yachting, water sports, skiing resorts, mountain climbing, bicycling tours, winery tours, you name it, Europe has it all! Vacationing in Europe is a great way to experience many countries, meet interesting people, try their wonderful cuisine, and see some of the finest art in the world. A paradise of sun, sea, rivers, mountains and lakes. A land of historic treasures from the world's ten greatest civilizations. The Mediterranean, Aegean, and the Black Seas, the French Riviera, the Italian Riviera all beckon you. Europe is a must! Travelwizard.com was picked by the NBC Today Show to orchestrate the perfect honeymoon destination for their "Throws a Wedding" show. We are very proud that the Today Show turned to Travelwizard.com to find the perfect honeymoon. Travelwizard.com's renowned South Pacific specialists designed the perfect honeymoon to Turtle Island, in Fiji that was chosen for the NBC Today Show. Click here for Europe Hotels and Luxury Villas Europe vacation destinations requires minimal planning, but offers a spectacular experience! A European vacation is perfectly suited for all lifestyles. Whether you want a romantic European vacation, a natural or adventurous experience by day, sleep in a luxurious hotel by night, racing along the Autobahn, taking wine tasting classes in Bordeaux or cooking classes in Tuscany, you'll find it all in Europe! Europe vacation cruising and Europe yachting and barge trips are becoming extremely popular, and a great way for families to enjoy Europe at its finest. Advance planning Europe vacation will save time and money; make a short list of places you want to see and activities you hope to undertake. Do a little research with this site and its links to the sites of individual countries. Apply for a passport if you don't have one. The process is not difficult. Details are found in the Planning Your Trip section for U.S. passports. When you know where you want to go, how much time you have and how much you can spend, consult with one of our travel consultants, especially if it's your first international trip. He or she can speed your planning, give you good ideas, and book your entire vacation. Consider buying travel packages for ease of purchase and to save money. These range from basic air-car-hotel packages for independent travelers to group tours and cruises. On a Europe vacation you don't have to worry about language. English is widely spoken far beyond Britain and Ireland. On much of the Continent it is the most widely spoken second language; most people working in tourism will speak English. Families with young children will find a warm welcome in Europe. Book Your Europe Vacation Submit a vacation planner to our Europe Travel Specialists Client Testimonials about our services Search Your Vacation, Tour or Cruise Luxury Europe Accommodations Europe Luxury Hotels European Hotels European Luxury Villas Europe Luxury Tours Virtuoso Scandinavia Luxury Vacation Virtuoso Europe Luxury Vacation Central Eastern & Western England & Ireland Tours Ireland Luxury Tours Monaco Luxury Tours Scandinavia Luxury Tours Russia Luxury Tours Greece Luxury Tours Portugal Tour Packages Spain & Morocco Tour Packages Escape to Europe Cruises France Luxury Tours Italy Luxury Tours Europe Train Vacations Europe River Cruises Eastern Europe Packages Europe Bike Vacations Europe Ski Vacations Europe Active Vacations Moderatly Priced Europe Tours England & Ireland Tours France Vacations Italy Tours Central & Eastern Europe Tours European River Cruises Europe Luxury Cruises Royal Caribbean Europe Cruises NCL Europe Cruises Crystal Cruises Northern Europe Virtuoso Luxury European Cruises Western Europe Cruises European River Cruises Luxury Cruises World Luxury Cruises Helpful Travel Links Other Helpful Travel Links Instant Passports in 24 hours Travelex Luxury Travel Insurance CSA Luxury Travel Insurance Travel Guard Insurance Travel Safety Expert Current Travel Warnings Travel Agent Career Opportunities Bookmark this page Full Service Luxury Europe Vacation Planner Click here to save money, time and stress planning, making reservations, or booking your luxury vacation with our full service Virtuoso Travel Consultants. We are recommended, authorized Virtuoso Vacation Specialists, and can arrange every little detail to make sure you have a wonderful, carefree cruise experience at no extra charge! You may call our Virtuoso Vacation Specialists, but first, we'd really appreciate it if you complete our "Luxury Vacation Planner" so we have all your requirements beforehand and are prepared to present you with all your options and up-to-the-minute specials. Thank you very much! Call 1- 800 -330 -8820 to book your Europe vacation . Full Service, Worldwide Luxury Europe Tour Vacation Planner Click here to save money, time and stress planning, making reservations, or booking your luxury tour vacation with our full service Virtuoso Luxury Tour Consultants. We can arrange every little detail of your tour vacation, including air, and pre-tour and post-tour arrangements to make sure you have a wonderful, carefree vacation experience at no extra charge! When you complete our "Luxury Tour Vacation Planner" our Europe Specialists will promptly call you, provide you with their direct toll free telephone number, all your options, and up-to-the-minute specials . Call 1- 800 -330 -8820 to book your Europe tour vacation . Full Service, Luxury Europe Cruise Vacation Planner Click here to save money, time and stress planning, making reservations, or booking your luxury cruise vacation with our full service Virtuoso Luxury Cruise Consultants. We can arrange every little detail of your cruise vacation, including air, excursions, and pre-cruise and post-cruise arrangements, to make sure you have a wonderful, carefree vacation experience at no extra charge! When you complete our " Luxury Cruise Vacation Planner" our Virtuoso--Specialists will promptly call you, provide you with their direct toll free telephone number, all your options, and up-to-the-minute specials . Call 1- 800 -330 -8820 to book your Europe luxury cruise . 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All of our promotions are subject to change without notice. As a result, prices will not be guaranteed until booked. State of California seller of travel License # 2061139-40 We are on the Better Business Bureau Honor Roll. Travel Agent Career Opportunities Contact Information Advertise with Travel Wizard 1998 TravelWizard.Com, Europe Vacation Dept. All rights reserved.

European Vacation Planning Map

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