ARGENTINA Travel Guide Overview

VirtualTourist.com - Argentina Travel Guide - Pictures, Tips and Reviews Argentina Travel Guide. Tips, Reviews & Photos plus Hotels, Restaurants, Activities & More in Argentina member log in | join for free! | help Home Travel Guides Hotels Flights Deals NEW! Members Meetings & Events Do It Yourself Guides Forums ARGENTINA Travel Guide Overview | Hotels | Forum | Things To Do | Top Member Pages | Deals | Members | Meetings & Events Home » Travel Guides » South America » Argentina Destinations Members Keywords Sponsored Links for Argentina Visit Argentina for Less Escorted Tours & Vacation Getaways Enter to win a free trip for two Marriott Hotels Enjoy stylish luxury hotels with Marriott's new rooms. Book now. Hotels Compare Prices, View Photos & More! Low Rates Guaranteed - Book Now Hotels Find Low Rates, Nearby Attractions & Dining, Hotel Pics, Maps & More! Find the Hotels You Want Hotel Photos, Info & Virtual Tours Save up to 50% on hotels at Expedia Argentina Hotel Rates City: Check-In Date: Check-Out Date: Guests: 1 2 3 4 Hotels by OneTime.com Argentina Forum Join a Discussion Internal Flights - Aerolineas Argentinas or LAN? (2 replies, 1:53 AM Dec. 27, 2005) I saw a carousel in Buenos Aires... (5 replies, 4:14 PM Dec. 27, 2005) Visit Argentina in July (3 replies, 2:49 PM Dec. 27, 2005) Be the first to reply to these questions New Years Eve in Salta (no replies yet) Golf... (no replies yet) Travelling to BA in December (no replies yet) » All Argentina Discussions » Post a Argentina Discussion Travel Resources Car Rental Cruises Vacations Luggage NEW! Argentina Deals » All Argentina Deals » Post a Argentina Deal FREE VT Deals Newsletter great deals, inside tips & no spam Popular Argentina Hotels In: Buenos Aires Parque Nacional del Iguaz Mendoza San Carlos de Bariloche Ushuaia El Calafate Argentina Flight Rates From: To: Departure Date: Anytime Morning Afternoon Evening Midnight 01:00 AM 02:00 AM 03:00 AM 04:00 AM 05:00 AM 06:00 AM 07:00 AM 08:00 AM 09:00 AM 10:00 AM 11:00 AM Noon 01:00 PM 02:00 PM 03:00 PM 04:00 PM 05:00 PM 06:00 PM 07:00 PM 08:00 PM 09:00 PM 10:00 PM 11:00 PM Return Date: Anytime Morning Afternoon Evening Midnight 01:00 AM 02:00 AM 03:00 AM 04:00 AM 05:00 AM 06:00 AM 07:00 AM 08:00 AM 09:00 AM 10:00 AM 11:00 AM Noon 01:00 PM 02:00 PM 03:00 PM 04:00 PM 05:00 PM 06:00 PM 07:00 PM 08:00 PM 09:00 PM 10:00 PM 11:00 PM Passengers: 1 2 3 4 Flights by OneTime.com Argentina Local time: 7:41 pm Wednesday, December 28, 2005. TravelPro Sale - LuggageGuru.com Hotels in Argentina Flights to Argentina Map NEW! Members living here: 1,284 Member tips: 8,236 Member pictures: 13,157 Popular Destinations in Argentina Buenos Aires Parque Nacional del Iguaz Mendoza San Carlos de Bariloche Ushuaia El Calafate Rosario Puerto Madryn Puerto Iguaz Parque Nacional Los Glaciares Mar del Plata Salta Crdoba Fitz Roy San Martn de los Andes San Miguel de Tucumn San Juan Humahuaca Villa La Angostura Cafayate Tigre Perito Moreno Corrientes Paran San Ignacio » More Destinations in Argentina Regions in Argentina Distrito Federal Provincia de Buenos Aires Provincia de Catamarca Provincia de Crdoba Provincia de Corrientes Provincia de Entre Ros Provincia de Formosa Provincia de Jujuy Provincia de La Pampa Provincia de La Rioja Provincia de Mendoza Provincia de Misiones Provincia de Ro Negro Provincia de Salta Provincia de San Juan Provincia de San Luis Provincia de Santa Cruz Provincia de Santa Fe Provincia de Santiago del Estero Provincia de Tucumn Provincia del Chaco Provincia del Chubut Provincia del Neuqun Tierra del Fuego Top Pages About Argentina 1. Endless Hope by andal13 35 Tips 36 Pictures 2. A Crisis Doesnt Get The Beauty Away! by Lunita 24 Tips 25 Pictures 3. Don't Cry For Us, Argentiiiiinnaaaaaaa ! by Maillekeul 30 Tips 44 Pictures 4. Argentina, Football, Asado And Tango by lolitajane 26 Tips 31 Pictures 5. Argentina Es El Pais ! by lihue 18 Tips 63 Pictures » View all rated pages (125) » View newest pages » Build your own Argentina page Tips and Photos about Argentina in General Overview General Tips Tips: 242 - Pictures: 187 Restaurants Tips: 123 - Pictures: 56 Hotels and Accommodations Tips: 116 - Pictures: 76 Things To Do Tips: 438 - Pictures: 375 Nightlife Tips: 59 - Pictures: 24 Off the Beaten Path Tips: 140 - Pictures: 125 Tourist Traps Tips: 22 - Pictures: 14 Warnings or Dangers Tips: 64 - Pictures: 28 Transportation Tips: 82 - Pictures: 37 Local Customs Tips: 93 - Pictures: 59 Packing Lists Tips: 33 - Pictures: 20 Shopping Tips: 24 - Pictures: 13 Sports Travel Tips: 8 - Pictures: 8 » See tips about a specific place in Argentina More Sponsored Links for Argentina Argentina packages Top 25 Weekly Specials in Air, Hotels, Packages, Cruises! Fantastic Hotel Deals 1000's of hotels & villas from 19 Great deals online with Cresta Argentina Hotel Discounts Shop and Compare Hotels. Save up to 40% more at Priceline. Find: Destinations Members Keywords Matching: Advanced About VT | Contact Us | Site Tour | Advertising | Local Merchant Login | Travel Tools | VT Chat | VT Gear | Help User Agreement | Privacy Statement Virtual Tourist® ©1994-2005 VirtualTourist.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Orlando Vacation Packages Free

Cheap vacations to Orlando - discount hotel + air deals - TripAdvisor Orlando vacation discounts and deals Sign in • Sign up Home > United States > Florida > Orlando > SmartDeals > Vacation packages Orlando tourism: Overview Hotels Flights Attractions Dining Deals Getaways Forums Maps, etc. Discount hotels | Hotel + air deals | All travel offers Search (e.g., Orlando hotels, Las Vegas, Paris art museum) Orlando Orlando Overview Orlando Hotels Flights to Orlando Orlando Deals Discount hotels Hotel + air deals All travel offers Orlando Attractions Orlando Restaurants Orlando Forum Orlando Maps Orlando Discount Hotels Orlando Vacation Packages Free Newsletter Get deals, news and articles on Orlando Plus weekend trip ideas from your hometown Nearby Cities You may also be interested in these deals within five miles of Orlando: Edgewood Deals Winter Park Deals e-mail this page to a friend Orlando vacation packages Acapulco vacation packages Alaska vacation packages Amsterdam vacation packages Anaheim vacation packages Arizona vacation packages Aruba vacation packages Aspen vacation packages Atlanta vacation packages Atlantic City vacation packages Bahamas vacation packages Barbados vacation packages Belgium vacation packages Bermuda vacation packages Boston vacation packages Branson vacation packages Breckenridge vacation packages British Virgin Islands vacation packages Cabo San Lucas vacation packages California vacation packages Canada vacation packages Cancun vacation packages Caribbean vacation packages Colorado vacation packages Costa del Sol vacation packages Cozumel vacation packages Dallas vacation packages Daytona Beach vacation packages Dominican Republic vacation packages Florida vacation packages Florida Keys vacation packages Fort Lauderdale vacation packages France vacation packages Germany vacation packages Grand Canyon National Park vacation packages Greece vacation packages Grenada vacation packages Hawaii vacation packages Hilton Head vacation packages Ibiza vacation packages Ireland vacation packages Italy vacation packages Ixtapa vacation packages Jamaica vacation packages Kauai vacation packages Key West vacation packages Lake Placid vacation packages Lake Tahoe vacation packages Las Vegas vacation packages London vacation packages Los Angeles vacation packages Los Cabos vacation packages Maui vacation packages Mazatlan vacation packages Melbourne vacation packages Mexico vacation packages Miami vacation packages Montreal vacation packages Myrtle Beach vacation packages Nashville vacation packages Nassau vacation packages New York vacation packages New York City vacation packages Niagara Falls vacation packages Nova Scotia vacation packages Oahu vacation packages Orlando vacation packages Paris vacation packages Park City vacation packages Philadelphia vacation packages Phoenix vacation packages Pigeon Forge vacation packages Puerto Rico vacation packages Puerto Vallarta vacation packages Punta Cana vacation packages Quebec City vacation packages Reno vacation packages Rome vacation packages Salt Lake City vacation packages San Antonio vacation packages San Diego vacation packages San Francisco vacation packages Santa Fe vacation packages Scotland vacation packages Seattle vacation packages Spain vacation packages St. Croix vacation packages St. Lucia vacation packages St. Maarten/St. Martin vacation packages St. Thomas vacation packages Sydney vacation packages Texas vacation packages Toronto vacation packages Tucson vacation packages U.S. Virgin Islands vacation packages Vail vacation packages Virginia Beach vacation packages Washington DC vacation packages Whistler vacation packages Read more Orlando tourism Hotel + air deals to Orlando * Featured specials - December 28, 2005 Orlando : Save on hotel + air Expedia Vacations Don't just travel. Travel right! Orlando : Great Deals on Vacations VacationOutlet.com Your premier online destination for dream vacations and cruise getaways. Orlando : Buy Hotel + Air and Save hotels.com Vacations We Know Hotels Inside And Out. 1-800-764-6835 Orlando : Affordable Vacations on Hotwire Hotwire.com Get a discounted all-in-one rate and go! Cheap Orlando Vacations Orlando.Hotelscorp.com 3 Days, 2 Nights & 2 Park Tkts $79 Disney or Universal Tkts 2 for $25. Kissimmee Vacation Homes www.villadirect.com View vacation villa homes and condos in Kissimmee, Florida Orlando Vacation Packages www.magicalgetaway.com $100 Off Multi-Day Disney Tickets. Universal 2-Day Tickets for $75 Disney Orlando Vacations www.hotelscorp.us Disney Tix Only $12.50. $19 Hotels. 2 Disney Tickets with Hotel Package Hotels (187) B&Bs / Inns (1) Other lodging (1) Sorted by popularity hotel name Veranda Bed and Breakfast , Orlando Popularity index: #2 in Orlando based on 7 sources Veranda Bed and Breakfast : Book Hotel + Air and Save hotels.com Vacations We Know Hotels Inside And Out. 1-800-764-6835 View all travel offers for this hotel Read more about Orlando travel! TripAdvisor SmartDeals are the best deals on the best hotels in Orlando. Visit our SmartDeals page. TripAdvisor's Tourism page has the web's best articles on Orlando travel . Our Orlando hotels page presents hotels ranked by popularity - read traveler reviews and guidebooks. Looking for things to do in Orlando? Try our Attractions page! TripAdvisor's Orlando restaurants page shows you the best local places to dine. Planning a weekend trip to Orlando? Check out our Orlando weekend itinerary ! Visit our Orlando forum page to ask questions and get advice about Orlando travel. TripAdvisor forums let you ask questions and get advice - post in our Orlando forum . Our Maps, etc. page has maps and other travel information. Visit our Orlando discount hotels page for great savings on Orlando hotels, including TripAdvisor SmartDeals. Book a flight to Orlando on our Flights page. To view all the specials, vacation packages, and other travel offers we've found, visit our All travel offers page. About TripAdvisor TripAdvisor lists cheap air + hotel deals to Orlando, Florida. Recommendations for hotels, resorts, inns, vacations, travel packages, travel guides and lots more! 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MEXICO TRAVEL NEWS 12/23/2005

Mexico Travel News - Si-Mexico Hotel And Resort Travel Guide Acapulco Hotels Resorts, Cancun Hotels Resorts, Cabo San Lucas Hotels Resorts, Puerto Vallarta Hotels Resorts, Los Cabos Hotels Resorts, Mazatlan Hotels Resorts, Manzanillo Hotels Resorts, Mexico City Hotels Resorts, San Jose del Cabo Hotels Resorts, Playa del Carmen Hotels Resorts, All Inclusive, Online Reservations, Travel Guide, Information, Maps, News, Activities, 6 Star, 5 Star, 4 Star Hotels Resorts in Mexico. Home Airfare Search Hotels-Condos Search City Tours Package Trips Travel Offers Travel Store Travel Tips Travel News Travel Tools Travel Books Message Board RESOURCES Diving Resources Mayan Ruins Mexico Airport Codes Mexico Resources Mexico Rental Resources Reservation Resources Web Travel Resources Contact Si-Mexico MEXICO TRAVEL NEWS 12/23/2005 MEXICOS NOCHEBUENA A GOOD NIGHT INDEED Christmas Eve or La Nochebuena is perhaps the most important celebration of the holiday season in Mexico. During this evening, families gather together to celebrate and share traditional holiday dishes such as turkey, and regional dishes including bacalao a la vizcaina (Biscayan dried cod), and romeritos, wild greens in mole sauce. For the holiday toast, the typical drink is ponche con piquete - similar to hot apple cider, made of seasonal fruits, cinnamon sticks, and spiked with brandy or rum. After dinner, gifts are opened around the Christmas tree and many families have a piata which marks the end of the posadas tradition. Afterward, the little ones usually go to bed earlier so that Santa can come, with the adults celebrating late into the night. 12/22/2005 PAMBER YOURSELF IN NAYARIT Punta de Mita, Nayarit, one of the most exclusive vacation spots in Mexico, will welcome a new ultra-luxe resort by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide in 2007. The hotel will include 120 guest rooms, 65 luxury villas, spa and fitness center, world-class concierge, two restaurants, and the second Punta de Mitas Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course. Punta de Mita is located 35 miles northwest Puerto Vallarta. This region of Nayarit has become one of the most exclusive best planned resort and residential community. The state of Nayarit also features archaeological sites, colonial structures and 19th-century buildings in its cities, including the renowned destination of Nuevo Vallarta, one of the most luxurious attractions in Mexico and just north of Puerto Vallarta. In addition to its captivating cities, the state of Nayarit is renowned for its local cuisine that includes the unique sopa marinera, made from seafood; iguana steak; smoked stopped mullet and fried fish. As one of the countrys most exclusive marine and residential complexes, the diverse state also offers a wide range of shopping options, featuring everything from local handicrafts made by the Huichol, to more upscale items like fine leatherwork, silver, perfumery, trendy beachwear and local ceramics. For more information, call (866) 478-2777. 12/22/2005 SICK OF THE COLD?... COZUMEL IS CLOSER THAN EVER People in Colorado looking to escape the cold have a new option to reach the warm shores of Cozumel a direct flight from Denver from Frontier Airlines. The service offers mid-morning Saturday departures on a weekly basis, an Airbus A319 aircraft with 33 inches of legroom and 24 channels of live television and pay-per-view movies. Excuses are definitely running out to visit the largest inhabited island in Mexico. Cozumel lays just off the coast of Quintana Roo in the Yucatan Peninsula. Visitors will find great luxurious hotels and restaurants, surrounded by the age-old structures of the Mayan coral reef. An ideal Caribbean destination, Cozumel also offers prehispanic archeological sites and incredible underwater wildlife. For additional information, visit www.flyfrontier.com. 12/21/2005 FRONTIER AIRLINES DENVER/ACAPULCO NONSTOP FLIGHT TO RUN THROUGH APRIL 16 Frontier Airlines twice-a-week, nonstop season service from Denver, Colo. To Acapulco, Guerrero will run through April 16. The flight departs every Sunday and Thursday excluding the month of January, which will only have one non stop flight every week departing on Sundays. The Acapulco service benefits travelers looking to take advantage of the Pacific port citys many diversions. Aca, as the locals call it, offers much more than just stretches of beach: Mexicans and foreigners agree that it is the perfect place for people of all tastes and budgets to swim, shop, dine, party or just soak up the sun. For additional information, please visit www.flyfrontier.com. 12/21/2005 HAVE A MERRY MEXICAN CHRISTMAS Mexico celebrates Christmas with of indigenous, local and European traditions, a reflection its rich history and cultural heritage. One of these traditions, Las Posadas, takes place throughout the country on nine consecutive evenings, from Dec. 16 to 24. The posada is the reenactment of the journey Mary and Joseph took to Bethlehem for Christs birth. Entire communities participate in the processions that go from house to house seeking shelter until arriving at a local church where a special mass is held. The piata, a symbol of Christmas in Mexico, is the center of attention at the festivities as the children anxiously take turns trying to break it open. The piata, a symbol of sin, attracts humanity. As the piata is broken with the stick, the world is gradually eliminated of sin, and the goodies that ultimately break free represent the gifts that God has bestowed upon the world. Enjoy Mexico States posada and piata fair, celebrated in Alcoman. The fair features a posada procession and childrens party. Among the piatas on display are those made from clay, traditional models with seven points that symbolize the seven deadly sins, and those made from cardboard with popular children's designs. Workshops in piata-making are also offered. For more information, call 1-800-929-4555. 11/30/2005 IRONMAN TO PUSH THE LIMITS IN BAJA CALIFORNIA Ensenada will provide a stunning backdrop to the internationally renowned Half Ironman Mexico race when it hosts Baja Ironman 2006 on May 21. The competition is part of the Ironman 70.3 World Series. Known for other important fitness events like the Rosarito-Ensenada Bike Race, this Baja California city offers visitors a wealth of activities. Visitors can enjoy miles of unspoiled beaches, participate in aquatic sports, tour Bajas wine country and feast on the regions cuisine. A 90-minute drive from San Diego, Ensenada is easily accessible from land, sea and air. For more information on the Ironman race, visit www.ironmanbaja.com/eng_intro.html. 11/28/2005 THERE ARE OTHER FISH IN THE MANZANILLO SEA The deep Pacific waters off the coast of the state of Colima are teeming with so much aquatic life that it has been called the worlds sailfish capital. Every year, the city of Manzanillo hosts the International Sailfish Tournament during the latter end of November. Both amateur and professional fishermen are invited to participate in the tournament that dates back to 1954. Named after the many fruit trees in its forests, Manzanillo is a charming city full of festive streets, friendly people, beautiful landscapes and outstanding tourist facilities. In 1908, following the inauguration of the railroad connection between Manzanillo, Guadalajara and Porfirio Daz, the city became an official port of entry. Today, recent modernizations have made it one of the most important ports and trading centers on Mexicos west coast. For more information call: 312 316 20 21 or visit www.visitacolima.com.mx 11/21/2005 PAINT THE TOWN TIFFANY BLUE! Tiffany & Co. will open a store in one of Monterreys most affluent neighborhoods in Feburary 2006. The approximately 1,500 square foot store will be situated in the new El Palacio de Hierro department store, which is part of a major new luxury retail center located on Av. Jose Vasconcelos #402, Col Del Valle, San Pedro Garza Garcia. The Monterrey store will be the jewelers fifth store in Mexico. Monterrey is a modern city with a sophisticated urban layout and numerous recreational attractions. Its modern malls and luxurious hotels equipped with conference halls serve as one of the largest business and convention centers in Latin America. As the capital of the state of Nuevo Leon, the city offers rich cultural, historical and entertainment options, all set in an exciting metropolis bordered by the beautiful distinctive landmark of the Cerro de la Silla mountain range. For more information, call 212-230-5301 or e-mail mark.aaron@tiffany.com. 10/11/2005 COZUMEL TO HOST SECOND ANNUAL DIVE SHOW For the second consecutive year, Cozumel has been selected as the site of Mexico Underwater, the countrys international dive show, from June 1-3, 2006. The event, hosted by the Cozumel Tourism Board and the Mexico Tourism Board, will provide industry professionals with the opportunity learn about Mexicos underwater natural treasures through exploration. Mexico Underwater is open to the public and will include educational seminars, the latest news on diving technology, equipment information, travel opportunities and diving time. The small island of Cozumel, located 11 miles east of the northeast Yucatan peninsula, boasts the second-largest coral reef in the world. Divers can choose from approximately 37 dive sites, enjoying waters with year-round temperatures between 77 to 82 degrees. For more information, visit www.islacozumel.com.mx. Home | About Us | Disclaimer-Privacy Policy | Site Map 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Our Partners: World Countries Info | Juarez Travel Guide 2005 Si-Mexico Hotel And Resort Travel Guide. All rights reserved. Site Design & Maintenance Forbes Communications Corp. Hosting Graffic Traffic

Argentina Travel

Argentina Travel Pictures | Argentina Travel Photos Argentina Travel resources, links and information for Argentina. Click on the thumbnails to read stories and see travel pictures. Book your hotel Book a hotel in Argentina Book a hostel Book Youth hostels in Argentina Fly your way! Book your flight to Argentina online - saving 40% or more! Other countries: Belize Bolivia Brazil Chile Costa Rica Cuba Ecuador El Salvador Guatemala Honduras Netherlands Antilles Nicaragua Panama Paraguay Peru Surinam Trinidad & Tobago Uruguay Venezuela The second largest country in South America, Argentina is also the most European. Buenos Aires is definitely the cultural capital of the country. Otherwise, Argentina has a lot to offer for nature lovers. Stories and pictures: Buenos Aires Perito Moreno Glacier Puente del Inca Puerto Madryn La Boca Useful travel links: Book your hotel in Argentina La Hora online news (Spanish) Weather Lonely Planet Tourist Organization Internet access Buenos Aires Herald (English) Learn Spanish in Buenos Aires Current time in Argentina Accommodation in Buenos Aires Bariloche - Patagonia Argentina Learn Spanish abroad Travelogues for Argentina Currency exchange Many more links on Argentina ! Suggest a site Go directly to: Africa Asia Europe North America Oceania South America Join our mailinglist: If you want to be updated about developments at Around the World in 80 Clicks, subscribe! Your E-mail address: Travel Forum Join others in discussions on South America Also on this site: read and sign the guestbook send us your suggestions ! send this site to a friend read about the background of this site publications on this site meet new friends for travel, dating or just fun! Around the World in 80 Clicks All rights reserved - www.traveladventures.org - 1999-2005 Share your comments

Switzerland Travel Guide >

Swiss Rail Improvements 2005 - Switzerland Train Travel Gets Faster and More Comfortable  You are here: About > Travel > Europe for Visitors > Germany Austria Switzerland > Switzerland Travel Guide > Swiss Rail Improvements 2005 - Switzerland Train Travel Gets Faster and More Comfortable 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 Switzerland Fast Rail Travel: Swiss Tilting Train Photo provided by RailEurope Stay up to date! Switzerland Fast Rail Travel: Swiss Tilting Train Photo provided by RailEurope Email to a friend Print this page Switzerland Travel Resources Switzerland Travel Directory Switzerland Travel Map and Resources Swiss Rail Pass and Transportation Information Switzerland Rail Travel Resources Rail 2000 Information from Swiss Rail SSB Switzerland Rail Passes Swiss Rail SSB Recent Discussions Need Help Planning a Trip Accomodation in london Mediteranean Feries 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... What's Hot Power Adapters Noord-Holland - Delights of North Holland Travel Visiting Pompeii Italy Guidebooks Naples - Getting There Related Topics France for Visitors Greece for Visitors United Kingdom / Ireland for Visitors Eastern Europe for Visitors Italy for Visitors Switzerland Rail Travel - What's New in Swiss Trains and Timetables From James Martin , Your Guide to Europe for Visitors . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Aug 28 2005 Travel in Switzerland just got easier Switzerland's rail system is undergoing an expansion program called Rail 2000. What's in it for the traveler to Switzerland? Shorter travel times, more frequent service - including half-hourly departures between major cities - and greater comfort on a growing number of new and refurbished trains. You can get to Switzerland's major airports by train, and in 2005 it'll be easier and more convenient. In early morning on Swiss rail, some cars are designated "quiet cars" where even talking is prohibited--and it's enforced. Switzerland also offers some of the most innovative rail passes in Europe (see below). The New Timetables for Switzerland Trains Starting December 12, 90% of Switzerland's trains will run on a new timetable with half-hourly service between all major cities. To simplify travel planning, arrivals and departures will be on the hour and the half-hour in major hubs (such as Zurich, Basel, Bern). Shorter Travel Times on Swiss Rail The core infrastructure project of Rail 2000 responsible for reducing travel times is the recently completed 29 mile-long rail line between Bern and Olten. This line allows trains to travel at 100 mph and shaves 15 minutes off travel times between Bern-Zurich, Bern-Basel and Bern-Lucerne. When a new signaling system becomes operational, trains will run at 124 mph. The new line enables all travel times within the Bern-Basel-Zurich triangle to be less than one hour. Other Rail 2000 construction projects helping to reduce travel times are a new tunnel between Zurich and Thalwil and a new track between Geneva and Coppet, both already in service. The New Fleet of Trains 44 sleek tilting ICN trains traveling up to 15% faster than conventional trains and featuring a restaurant car and business class compartments, as well as 1st and 2nd class compartments; see the picture above. 340 double-decker Intercity trains, with 1st and 2nd class compartments and business seats, and on certain routes a child-friendly family car, bistro/bar on the lower deck and restaurant on the upper deck; 460 refurbished Intercity trains with 1st and 2nd class compartments Improved service to tourist destinations Most alpine tourist destinations will offer faster, more direct service to/from Zurich and Geneva and their airports: Interlaken - Half-hourly service to/from Zurich Airport (now hourly), 15 minutes shorter time. Zermatt and Saas Fee - Reach Zermatt up to 30 minutes faster from Zurich Airport. New direct service Zurich Airport-Brig every other hour means only one change (now two) to go to either resort. Lausanne, Montreux, Aigle, Martigny, Sion - Half-hourly service to/from Geneva Airport. Davos, St. Moritz, Arosa - Hourly non-stop trains Zurich-Landquart and better connections in Chur or Landquart make the trip to/from Zurich up to 25 minutes faster. Trains on these routes will also have more space for sports equipment and luggage than currently. Locarno - New direct train every hour from either Basel or Zurich. Switzerland Rail Passes There are quite a few options for the traveler these days. You can buy a Swiss Pass with different durations and savings, or you can buy combo passes that combine travel on Swiss Railways with other bordering countries (currently France and Austria). For information on Rail Passes in Switzerland on one handy page, see Rail Europe: Switzerland Rail Passes . Perhaps the most interesting of the services provided is the Fly Rail Baggage option. For $15 US you can check in your luggage at the airport, make your way to the train and pick up your luggage there. Imagine, you don't have to lug all your bags from your destination to the train station! For more on selecting a Swiss rail pass, see our Swiss Rail Pass and Switzerland Transportation Information .        Topic Index | Email to a Friend Our Story | Be a Guide | Advertising Info | Work at About | Site Map | Icons | Help User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy | Kids' Privacy Policy ©2005 About, Inc., A part of the New York Times Company . All rights reserved. Around About New Video iPod - Review POLL: Must-Have Gadgets VIDEO: Portable Gaming VIDEO: Choosing a TV Hugh Hefner's Life What's Hot Power Adapters Noord-Holland - Delights of North Holland Travel Visiting Pompeii Italy Guidebooks Naples - Getting There