Asia Travel

PHILIPPINES TRAVEL INFORMATION Philippines Country Information The Land || History || The People || First-time Traveler Tips || Visas || Customs || Currency || Weather Clothing || Utilities || Newspapers & Media || Business Hours || Language || Getting Around Modes of Transport || Weather Conditions || Things to Know || Sightseeing || Museums and Art Further Information The Land The Philippines is an archipelagic nation made up of 7,107 islands spanning 1,840 kilometers north to south. It is part of the East Indies, a vast island group lying south and east of mainland Asia, with Taiwan at its northernmost coast and Borneo on the south. The three main Philippine island groups are Luzon , the Visayas and Mindanao . Luzon is the island of contrasts. The most modern districts in the Philippines , including the capital city of Manila , are in Luzon , but so are some of the oldest tribal communities in the nation like the Ifugao of the Cordilleras. Luzon is also where a visitor can see the latest model luxury cars overtaking a carabao sled or modern skyscrapers within driving distance of primordial volcanos. The Visayas is famous for its charm, a trait shared by many other southern regions in the world, but here seems to run deeper among a people who are intrinsically connected to their sun soaked island home. The Visayas is also famous as a seat of history, being one of the earliest landfalls of western voyagers. It has also gained a reputation as being a cradle of the nation's future, if the unprecedented economic growth of Cebu City continues. Mindanao is our offering to the Guinness Book of Records with the world's largest clam, the world's largest Eagle, the nation's highest peak and the world's largest city. Mindanao is also home to the Philippines' Muslim population. With a land mass of 300, 780 square kilometers, the Philippines is considered a medium-sized nation, about two- thirds the size of its first colonizer, Spain, and a little larger than the British Isles. Manila is only one hour and 40 minutes from Hong Kong by jet; Sydney only 7 1/2 hours away. Flights to Europe take 17 hours and to the American west coast 15 hours. The Philippines has many things to offer the visitor: a mixture of the old and the new, a diversity of art and culture and a warm, friendly people. Blessed by nature, the Philippines has something to offer every sportsman too . . . extraordinary dive sites, forests to roam, mountains to climb, caves to explore. Top History Situated on the crossroads of Asia, on the eastern rim of the China Sea, the Philippines has hosted voyagers, migrants and traders since the dawn of history. That it was the center of lively Asian trade route that stretched all the way to China and Japan can be seen from the relics these early visitors left behind. Among our archaeological treasures is a Neolithic spirit boat typical of early Southeast Asian culture. The West discovered the Philippines when Ferdinand Magellan, the Portuguese explorer who sailed for Spain, landed in Cebu in 1521. However, colonization didn't actually begin until 1565, when Miguel Lopez de Legazpi established a Spanish base in the town of Manila. Because Philippine society was loosely organized, without a central government, the Spanish conquest was rapid and total. Only the Muslims in the south and some inaccessible hill tribes were able to resist Spanish influence. Along with the Spanish conquerors came a new religion, Christianity, a new language, new laws and the galleon trade. Despite several uprisings against Spain, including the Katipunan, a revolutionary movement inspired by Dr. Jose Rizal and led by Andres Bonifacio, it was the United States of America that broke the Spaniard's grip on the Philippines. Unfortunately, that began the nation's second period of colonization. Once again there was resistance, this time led by Emilio Aguinaldo; but his rag-tag army was no match for Admiral Dewey's forces. In 1901, with Aguinaldo's capture, the Americans were entrenched. The Americans brought over their educational system, their legal system and planted the seeds of their own style of government. In 1935, the Philippines became an American commonwealth country with Manuel Luis Quezon as president. The status quo ended with the Japanese Occupation; and it wasn't until 1946, after the end of the Pacific war, that the Philippines finally regained true independence as the Republic of the Philippines under the presidency of Manuel Roxas. Still one of the strongest democracies in Asia, the current president is Joseph Ejercito Estrada. Top The People Halo-halo is a Filipino word that means mixture. While it describes a popular dessert, it could also describe the Filipinos. They look like Asians, write and speak English like Americans, worship like Spaniards, and have an outlook that is international. Like the Southern Chinese, the Thai, Malay, Indonesian and Burmese, the modern-day Filipino traces his remotest genetic lines back to an Australoid and Mongoloid stock. You will also find a touch of Caucasian, Chinese, Indian and Arabic in their gene pool as well. But to truly understand the Filipino, you have to look at the land. The historic isolation between islands and the topographic isolation on each island, become the primary influence governing regional traits and societal behavior. This diversity makes Filipinos all the more interesting. However, what is apparent isn't how different they are from each other, but rather how alike they are. Brought together by a common history, and looking forward to a common future, it is not surprising to find a sharing of certain traits. Their warmth, graciousness and hospitalityall part of the Filipino psychewill make your stay a delight. Top Tips for First-time Philippine Travelers Generally speaking, it is important to travel light. Bring only what's necessary. Avoid the extra baggage. You don't want to pay exorbitant fees for your luggage service. As in any foreign place, be careful with pickpockets. Some might act as a helpful stanger, but they're out to get something from you! It's good to be cautious at all times. Whenever going outdoors, being in a group is recommended. If you're bringing kids with you, make sure to bring all the things they would need, like medicine, bottles of potable water (although many bottled water is available, it is always recommended to bring one), and one of your kids' favorite toys for their own receration. Top Visas If you are coming from America, Asia or Europe with a valid passport, and either a return ticket or a ticket to another destination outside the Philippines you may enter without a formal visa and stay for 21 days. If you wish to stay longer you must obtain a Visa Extension either before your trip from a Philippine Consulate or Embassy. Or, once here, you may obtain it from the Bureau of Immigration. Customs Upon Arriving: Visitors are allowed to bring in duty free personal belongings, two cartons of cigarettes or two tins of pipe tobacco and up to one liter of alcohol. Balikbayans have separate rules and should check with the Embassy or Consulate in their home city. You may bring in unlimited amount of foreign currency. Upon Leaving: Any antiques you may have acquired during your stay must be accompanied by a certificate from the National Museum. You may also not take more than PhP5,000.00 (five thousand Philippine pesos) out of the country. Currency The currency in the Philippines is the Peso (PhP) and the Centavo. 100 centavos = P1. Coin denominations are: 1, 5, 10, and 25 centavos, P1, and P5. Bill denominations are : 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1, 000 pesos. Foreign currency may be exchanged at your hotel, and in most of the large department stores, banks and authorized money changing shops. Exchanging money anywhere else is illegal and the laws are strictly enforced. Most large stores, restaurants , hotels and resorts accept major credit cards including American Express , Visas and MasterCard. Traveller' s checks preferably American Express are accepted at hotels and large department stores. Personal checks drawn on foreign banks are generally not accepted. Top Weather The Philippines is tropical with just two seasons--hot and dry from November to June, and rainy from July to October. Filipinos will tell you that it is cool from December through February and they themselves will wear jackets. Clothing People in the Philippines dress for the weather (HOT!) Casual attire during the day for women are light blouses and shorts. For men collared T- shirts worn over slacks. In the evening skirts are substituted for shorts and the T-shirts are tucked in. For Men Only: If you expect to have to attend any occasion which would usually require a jacket and a tie (which is torture in this weather) there is a wonderful substitute. Go immediately to a department store and buy a barong tagalog. It is an embroidered shirt that is considered a formal dress. It will cost more or less PhP1,000.00, but it is worth every centavo. Utilities Electricity is 220 volts a/c. Many of the major tourist hotels also have 110 volt a/c outlets. Water supply in Metro Manila and in all the other major cities are considered potable. Bottled purified water, spring water or mineral water is often supplied by hotels and resorts, and sold in all grocery stores. Telephone service is modern and you can direct dial anywhere in the world. Public phones are plentiful. Public phones require a minimum of two one-peso coins for a local call. Some Important Telephone Numbers: (24-Hour Hotline) Police & Fire: 757 or 116 Emergency No.: 501- 650 or 501- 728 Directory Assistance: 114 National Operator: 109 International Operator: 108 For other emergency numbers, please refer to Directory . NOTE: It is advisable to always have the telephone number and the address of your embassy or consulate with you. Top Newspapers & Other Media The newspapers in the Philippines have been called the freest in the world, as you will see for yourself, with more than 24 different morning papers to choose from, most of them in English. There is also a wide selection of magazines printed in English including Time, Newsweek and Asiaweek. In Metro Manila you can buy the Asian Wall Street Journal, The International Herald Tribune and USA Today. Television is "on the air" from early morning to midnight, showing American programming as well as local programming. The standard channels are 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 13, and 23. If you need more channels, most of the major hotels are with Cable TV bringing in TV programs from all over the world. There is also AM and FM radio broadcasting with the pop stations primarily on AM in Filipino and the English language programs on FM. Top Business Hours Most businesses are open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM weekdays and 8:00 AM till noon Saturdays. Banks are open from 9:00 AM till 3:00 PM Mondays through Fridays. When banking in the Philippines, it is advisable to have your passport with you for identification. The post offices are open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM weekdays only. Stamps for postcards are frequently available from the Concierge Desk at most major hotels. The Philippines uses ZIP codes, please include them in addressing local mail. NOTE: The Standard lunch hour is noon to 1:00 PM. Most businesses and government offices are closed. Language While there are over 100 regional languages in the Philippines, the national language is Filipino, with English as the most widely spoken second language. All business, governmental and legal transactions are conducted in English. Top Getting Around There are four modes of public transport in Metro Manila and surprisingly, they are easy to use. Buses : Both air-conditioned and regular buses travel most of the major routes in Metro Manila. On an air-con bus a short ride costs PhP 9.00, adding a few peso for every succeeding kilometer. The regular bus' minimum fare is PhP 4.00. Just tell the conductor where you are going and he will tell you how much it costs. Keep your bus receipt as it is your proof of payment. Jeepneys : Called "folk arton wheels," jeepneys ply most of Manila's secondary roads and even a few major thoroughfares. They're as much fun to ride on as they are to look at and you have to try one. Although there are regular stops, you can often just flag one down and hop on. Call out "bayad" (bah-yhad) and pay the driver. If you are too far back, pass your PhP 4.00 (minimum fare for the first 4 kilometers; 1 peso additional for every succeeding 500 meters) down. When you are ready to get off, call out "para" (pah-rah); wait till he slows down and jump. The LRT : It's a fast, cheap way to go to downtown Manila. A token can take you between Monumento (the northern end of Edsa) and Baclaran, travelling first along Rizal Avenue and then Taft Avenue. Many of the tourist maps have the route of the LRT marked. The MRT : After it's somewhat unsuccessful opening, the MRT is now enjoying a fair share of passengers plying EDSA. This is definitely the fastest mode of transport, this side of the metropolis. The MRT runs from the North Avenue Station in Quezon City up to Taft Avenue Station in Pasay City. Passengers would enjoy the traffic-less route, clean stations and coach, with a good view of Metro Manila's landscape. The only problem is that some stations have very high stairways. Although a number of elevators is operational, not all stations have one. Travel time is approximately 20 minutes end to end. Taxis : Air-conditioned taxis cost PhP25.00 on the meter and an additional PhP 2.00 is added for every succeeding 200 meters to the final cost. Non-airconditioned taxis do not ply anymore. Taxis are always lined up at the major hotels and tourist restaurants and can be hailed on the street. If you take a taxi, make sure the driver turns on the meter. If he gives you a story that it is broken, get out and take another taxi. Unless you are taking a long trip or the traffic is unusually horrible, most taxi rides should be well under P100. At least a 10% tip is expected. Top Other Modes of Transport Most of the major car rental agencies, including AVIS, Budget, and Hertz have offices in Metro Manila and carry a full line of vehicles from jeeps to limousines. All vehicles may be rented with or without a driver. If you wish to do your own driving you must have a valid foreign or international license. Inter-island transportation is provided by either airplane or ferry boat. Philippine Airlines services most of the major provincial airports. Cebu Pacific, Asian Spirit, SeaAir, Air Philippines, and Pacific Airways are smaller carriers servicing more remote tourist destinations. For information about boat schedules, check with the Department of Tourism on T.M. Kalaw Street, Manila (63-2-5267652, 5267653, 5267655). Top WEATHER CONDITIONS & GEOGRAPHY Climate: Tropical (two seasons) Dry Season: March -May (warm) 33-34 C Wet Season: June- October (monsoonal) November -February (coolest) 29-31C Coastline: 334,539 km. Terrain: Many of the islands in the Philippines are extinct volcanoes and atolls. On the larger islands, many mountains, rainforests, rich valleys and swamp regions. The Philippines still does have thermal activity consisting of active volcanoes and hot springs. Top THINGS TO KNOW Language: Filipino (based on Tagalog dialect) is the National Language. The American occupation was responsible for teaching the English Language. The Philippines is currently the third largest English speaking country in the world. Currency: Peso(PhP). Notes are issued in denominations of , PhP 10, PhP 20, PhP 50, PhP 100, PhP 500, and PhP 1000. Coins are issued for 5c, 10c, 25c, PhP 1, PhP 5. Foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks, hotels and authorized exchanged dealers. Outside of Manila payments are preferably made in pesos. Major Travellers Cheques are widely accepted. Major Credit Cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Diners Club) can be used to pay for most goods and services. Bank Hours: Banks are open 9am-3pm Mon-Fri (except public holidays). Shop Hours: Most shops operate 10am-7.30pm daily (except public holidays). Time : Local time is GMT plus 8 hours. Business English is the language used. Sexual equality is more widespread in the Philippines than in other Asian countries. Make sure you have business cards. Top SIGHTSEEING Casa Manila: A replica mid 19th Century house, recreating the Intramuros lifestyle of upper class Filipinos at this time. Corner Real and General Lunar Streets, Intramuros, Manila. Luzon Chocolate Hills : Bohols most famous attraction: the area is named thus, because of the rich grass which covers them turns brown in summer. Carmen Town, Bohol. Visayas* Colon Street: The oldest street in the Philippines located in the heart of Cebu. Cebu. Visayas* Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery: The only underground cemetery in the Philippines; it served as a meeting place for the revolutionary leaders in Laguna. Laguna, Luzon Island Magellans Cross: The most historically-famous landmark in Cebu. Planted by Ferdinand Magellan in 1521, it marks the place where the first Christian Filipinos were baptized. Cebu. Visayas* Top PARKS & WILDLIFE Katibawasan Falls: These 250-foot falls cascade down to a pool surrounded by orchids and other rich tropical flora- 4 km from Mambajao. Camiguin. Mindinao* Maquinit Hot Springs : Located on a scenic beach corner, this is the premium hot spring in the Philippines. Palawan. Luzon* Hidden Valley: A natural recluse is created within this 90-meter crater . A haven for lush jungle life, natural springs and still water pools. Accommodation available. Alaminos, Laguna. Luzon, Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife: Quezon Avenue. Quezon City. Luzon. Rizal Memorial Park: Within the lush park there are monuments, a skating rink and adventure playground. Free concerts every Sunday. Ermita, Manila. Luzon. Top MUSEUMS AND ART GALLERIES Museums & art galleries Ateneo Art Gallery Quezon City Tel: (02) 998 721 Metropolitan Museum of Manila Tel: (02) 832 3645 National Museum Manila Tel: (02) 494 450 Villa Escudero San Pablo City, Quezon City Tel: (02) 521 8698 Top VISAS AND PASSPORTS Visa and Passport No Visas are required for foreigners entering the country for a stay no longer than 21 days provided that you have valid passports and tickets to leave the Philippines. Visas are required only for stateless persons and citizens of countries with which the Philippines have no diplomatic relations. A temporary visitor's visa is required for those who are planning to stay up to 59 days. Vaccination certificates may be neccesary for long term stays. Holders of Hongkong and Taiwan passports need special permits. All visas and permits may be obtained from Philippine embassies and consulates. Duty Free Items: Two 1-litre bottles of alchohol, and two cartons of cigarettes are allowed. Air Travel to the Country : Ninoy Aquino International Airport (7 km from city centre) Ninoy Aquino Avenue Manila, Philippines: Mactan International Airport Cebu, Philippines: (Most major airlines have flights to the country). Top FURTHER INFORMATION Department of Tourism: T.M. Kalaw Street Rizal Park Metro Manila P.O. Box 3451 Tel: (02)523-8411 Fax: (02) 521 7374 Philippine Convention and Visitors Corporatiom: 4th Floor, Suites 10-17 Legasi Towers 300 Roxas Boulevard Metro Manila Tel: (02) 525-93-18-27 Fax: (02) 521-61-65/ 525-33-14 Top

France Travel

France tour | Guided and Self-guided France tours | France tourism You are here: Home Europe France Tour Trip Listing Service Home Categories Active Adventure Affinity Family History & Culture Hobby Nature & Wildlife Romance Soft Adventure Spiritual Sports Destination Africa Asia Australia Caribbean Central America Europe Middle East North America Oceania South America Popular Categories Arts & Crafts Bicycle Tours Boating & Sailing Culture & History Eco & Wildlife Fishing & Hunting Golf & Spa Gourmet & Cooking Schools Hiking & Trekking Language Schools Naturist Paddling & Rafting Railway Trips Scuba Diving Maps WeekendGetaways Backroad CityEscape UniqueStays Castle Hotel Eco Lodge Outdoors Fishing Lodge Hunting Lodge Guest Ranch Resorts Spa Diving Golf Naturist France Tour Whether you are looking for a self-guided France tour or want to join a guided tour, you will likely find one here at InfoHub.com. Below you'll find some of the best guided and self-guided France tours available. Many of these France tour packages feature unique France tourism opportunities that you are not likely to find anywhere else. Click on the tour name to see the tour details. You can contact the tour operator to ask questions, order a free brocure, or inquire about availability with no obligations to purchase. 1 LOIRE VALLEY Small Group Cultural Tour ( click to view details ) Hot Trip Highlight: Activity Driven, Small Group Tour, Cooking Class, Wine & Cheese Tasting, Chambord, Blois, Amboise, Loches, Chenonceau! Destination: France Activity: Cooking School Cultural Expeditions Castles/Palaces 2 Small Group Active Provence Tour ( click to view details ) Hot Trip Highlight: Activity driven, Small group Tour, Provence Markets, Culinary class, Cassis, the Calanques, Wine & Cheese tasting, Luxury Hotel!! Destination: France Activity: Gourmet/Gastronomy Cooking School Cultural Expeditions 3 Bordeaux Gourmet, Wine Walking Tour ( click to view details ) Hot Trip Highlight: Activity driven, Small group Tour, 1st and 2nd growth estates, 2 Culinary classes, Wine & Cheese tasting, bread baking!! Destination: France Activity: Walking Tours Winery Tours Cooking School 4 7-day LOIRE VALLEY Small group Tour ( click to view details ) Hot Trip Highlight: Activity driven, Small group Tour, Castles, Culinary class, Wine & Cheese tasting, Amboise, Blois, Chenonceau, Chambord, Loches and more!! Destination: France Activity: Cooking School Cultural Expeditions Castles/Palaces 5 Mont Blanc ( click to view details ) Hot Trip Highlight: Enjoy the glaciers, cable cars & pine forests of France, Italy, Switzerland and The Alps on a fabulous 12 days walking tour. Priced from $1020 pp. Destination: France Switzerland Italy Activity: Hiking Glacier Tours Mountain/Rock Climb 6 2005 Tour de France Spectator Tour ( click to view details ) Hot Trip Highlight: ONLY 2 spaces left, July 15-20, reserve your place today! Destination: France Activity: Sports Tours Gourmet/Gastronomy Cultural Expeditions 7 Mary Magdalene, Cathars, Templars ( click to view details ) Hot Trip Highlight: The DaVinci Code. Experience The Land of the Four Heresies. Mary Magdalene, Black Madonna, Holy Grail, Cathars, Templars and Troubadours. Destination: France Activity: Church Tours Pilgrimage/Mythology Religion/Spirituality 8 Provence Cycling ( click to view details ) Hot Trip Highlight: Self-guided Cycling in Northern Provence. 8 days/7 nights. Shorter and longer options available. Starting at Cdn$1375/US$1195. Destination: France Activity: Bicycle Touring 9 Hiking the French/Spanish Pyrenees Mountains ( click to view details ) Hot Trip Highlight: Fully guided 7d/7n hikes of the French/Spanish Pyrenees to learn about the culture, language, ecology and history: 2006 dates: $995.00 Destination: France Activity: Hiking Cultural Expeditions Nature Trips 10 Hiking and Biking in Brittany France ( click to view details ) Hot Trip Highlight: Fully guided 7d/7n adventures in Brittany France to experience the Megaliths, nature and culture of this unique place: 2006 dates: $895.00 Destination: France Activity: Hiking Cultural Expeditions Nature Trips 11 Cooking with SE France Wild Edible Plants ( click to view details ) Hot Trip Highlight: Stay in a Provence Alps Mountain home in the SE of France and learn how to collect & cook French cuisine with the wild edible plants of France. Destination: France Activity: Cooking School Walking Tours Cultural Expeditions 12 Sea kayak and gourmet cuisine in France ( click to view details ) Hot Trip Highlight: 'Sea kayak in France', 7 days trip, includes luxury inns, gourmet cuisine and cultural discovery, for only $1895-Single supplement $350 Destination: France Activity: Canoeing/Kayaking Sea Kayak Cultural Expeditions 13 THE CATALAN SHORE ( click to view details ) Hot Trip Highlight: 6 NIGHTS SELF-GUIDED WALKING HOLIDAY ON MEDITERRANEAN COAST WITH HALF BOARD, LUGGAGE TRANSFERS, MAPS/NOTES, LOCAL BACK-UP, FROM 425/$750 PP Destination: Spain France Activity: Walking Tours Hiking Trekking 14 Swiss alpine Trails ( click to view details ) Hot Trip Highlight: Guided walking in the French & Swiss Alps includes visits to Lavey vineyards, Chamonix and the Grand Balcon. Land only 365plus Local Payment 80euros Destination: Switzerland France Activity: Walking Tours Winery Tours 15 PILGRIM ROUTE OF ST. JAMES ( click to view details ) Hot Trip Highlight: SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA, THE PILGRIM ROUTE. FROM 6 NIGHTS SELF-GUIDED WALKING HOLIDAY. FROM 395/$700 PP. Destination: France Spain Activity: Pilgrimage/Mythology Hiking Trekking 16 THE VINEYARDS & VILLAGES OF BURGUNDY ( click to view details ) Hot Trip Highlight: SELF-GUIDED WALKING HOLIDAY IN BURGUNDY 7 NIGHTS HALF BOARD INCLUDING THE BEAUTIFUL, HISTORIC TOWN OF CLUNY 450/$790 PP Destination: France Activity: Hiking Walking Tours Trekking 17 The Tastes of Bordeaux Wine Tour ( click to view details ) Hot Trip Highlight: The Tastes of Bordeaux Wine Tour: 6 day luxury wine tour with tastings. Visit and taste Grand Crus. Stay at a Chateau, gourmet dining and fun: $2950 Destination: France Activity: Winery Tours Gourmet/Gastronomy Cooking School 18 Truffle, Foie Gras -- Winter in Provence ( click to view details ) Hot Trip Highlight: Truffles, Wine, Foie Gras & Duck Confit - A Winter's Tale in Provence & Languedoc. 5days/5nights. Accom. included. 1075E ($1300) Destination: France Activity: Cooking School Cultural Expeditions Gourmet/Gastronomy 19 A Journey of the Senses ( click to view details ) Hot Trip Highlight: A Journey of the Senses in Provence, Art, Writing & Cooking: 6 nights' accom. included. $2280 early bird by Feb 20th Destination: France Activity: Artists Workshops Gourmet/Gastronomy Writing Workshops 20 Teen Trip to Provence ( click to view details ) Hot Trip Highlight: Teen Tour to Provence, 8 days, cooking, exploring, learning, with experienced culinary instructors & guides Destination: France Activity: Archeology/History Canoeing/Kayaking Gourmet/Gastronomy 21 Cooking and French Immersion in Provence ( click to view details ) Hot Trip Highlight: In lovely Arles, daily French classes, 4 cooking classes, excursions, demi-pension (b&l, or b&d) accom. in b&b inclu 13 nights. $2800 Destination: France Activity: Cultural Expeditions Language Study Gourmet/Gastronomy 22 HIKING THE BRITTANY COAST ( click to view details ) Hot Trip Highlight: SELF-GUIDED WALKING HOLIDAY ALONG THE COAST OF BEAUTIFUL BRITTANY 7 NIGHTS HALF BOARD WITH LUGGAGE TRANSPORTATION FROM 425/$735 PP Destination: France Activity: Hiking Walking Tours Trekking 23 THE DORDOGNE ( click to view details ) Hot Trip Highlight: THE DORDOGNE - A SELF GUIDED WALKING HOLIDAY IN THIS BEAUTIFUL AREA OF FRANCE 6 NIGHTS HALF BOARD 395/$725 PP Destination: France Activity: Hiking Trekking Walking Tours 24 TARN & JONTE GORGES ( click to view details ) Hot Trip Highlight: TARN & JONTE GORGES, A 6 NIGHT SELF-GUIDED WALKING HOLIDAY IN SOUTHWEST FRANCE. HALF BOARD, LUGGAGE TRANSPORTED 395/$725 PER PERSON Destination: France Activity: Hiking Trekking Walking Tours 25 Nature of Provence ( click to view details ) Tour package Highlight: Photograph galloping white horses of Camargue, cherry blossoms in hill villages, 1000's of flamingos, meet locals at festivals of Provence, Smallest groups, perfect time of year with pro guide. Season: April - April Destination: France Activity: Photography Nature Trips Wildlife Viewing Duration: 9 days Price: USD 2533 and above Free brochure: click to order [ 1 ] | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | next page Related links: Castle hotel page for France Naturist resort page for France Golf resort page for France Map page for France Company | Supplier program | Travel agent program | Trip List Service | Affiliate Program | Submit Links | Contact Archive Site map Destination Guide InfoHub

London Vacation Travel Honeymoons

London Vacation  You are here: About > Travel > Honeymoons / Romantic Getaways > Romantic Places > A to Z Destinations > Explore Europe > Great Cities of Europe > All About London > London for the First Time > London Vacation Travel Honeymoons Essentials 10 Ideas for a Great Romantic Getaway All-Inclusive Resorts Best Months to Go Nude Beach Guide Photo Galleries Articles & Resources Valentines Day Adults-Only Travel Honeymoon 101 Romantic Places Best of the USA Honeymoon in Hawaii Las Vegas Caribbean & Mexico Love Boats: Cruises for Two Destination Weddings Love & Romance Inexpensive Trips Honeymoon Buzz Weekend Getaways A - Z Romance Index Buyer's Guide Anniversary Gifts Cheap Champagne Find a Gift by Price Gown & Garment Bags Travelers' Gifts Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Honeymoons / Romantic Getaways newsletter! See Online Courses   Search Honeymoons / Romantic Getaways London Taxis Photo by Susan Breslow Sardone Stay up to date! London Taxis Photo by Susan Breslow Sardone Email to a friend Print this page London Vacation Guides User-Friendly London Guidebooks London Attractions London Dining Explore More of London on Your Vacation London for First-Timers London Hotels London Maps Great Places and Sights to See on Your London Vacation London Museums/Palaces London Pictures London Shopping/Markets Most Popular Best New Romantic Hotels 2006 Romantic Getaway Ideas Love Quotes Anniversary Gift Last Minute Travel What's Hot Royal Caribbean Honeymoons New Year's Resolutions Beverly Hills Hotels Palmilla Resort in Mexico Travel Contests Related Topics Caribbean for Visitors Adventure Travel Canada for Visitors Hawaii / South Pacific for Visitors Marriage London Vacation From Susan Breslow Sardone , Your Guide to Honeymoons / Romantic Getaways . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Thinking of a vacation in London? Thanks to affordable vacation airfares to London, this could be the perfect time to travel to London. Here's how to plan an utterly romantic London vacation that can save you both time and money. 1. Research London Vacation Deals Online. In advance of your London trip, become a fare watcher. Check a variety of vacation travel sites. Rates to London change frequently, and it's important to understand the price range before you purchase your vacation airfare and hotel stay. The airport code for Heathrow Airport in London, England is LHR. Tip: Keep in mind that midweek vacation departures to London and returns are cheaper than weekend ones. As you fare-search, you'll find that the online travel agents don't all return the same flight choices but they do provide a good idea of what's available to London. Before you click a "Buy" button, also check the dedicated site of the airline you prefer to fly on your vacation. 2. Study London Maps . London was not designed to flummox tourists, but it can confuse first-timers on vacation. Before you go, check out London maps online to acquaint yourself with the various areas of the city and where the major attractions are located. Once in London, don't travel without a map. Tip: Don't waste money or vacation time buying a London map if your hotel can supply one free. You can also pick up maps and other free tourist information at the Britain Visitor Centre, 1 Regent Street, Piccadilly Circus. Tip: If you ever get lost in London, hire a taxi. Drivers study for years to learn every nook and cranny of the system, and it's a matter of pride for one to safely deliver you to your destination. London Tube and double-decker buses that run frequently are, of course, more inexpensive ways to get around on your vacation. 3. Choose a London Hotel in the "Right" Neighborhood. What's your passion? If the monarchy, tradition, and parliamentary system of England fascinate you, select a hotel in Westminster close to Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, and the Houses of Parliament. Hope to see plenty of theater on your London vacation? Find a hotel close to Covent Garden . Are you fashion-focused? Then a Kensington or Knightsbridge hotel nearby Harrods, Harvey Nichols, and the Victoria & Albert decorative arts museum can turn your London vacation into a shopping spree. "When a man is tired of London he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford." — Dr. Samuel Johnson 4. Take a Scenic Tour. The best way to see all that London offers is to take a tour on one of its double-decker, open-air, sightseeing buses soon after you arrive on vacation. There are two competing companies in London: The Original Tour and The Big Bus Company . Both have stops all over the city. A ticket is good for 24 hours and unlimited hops on and off the bus are permitted in that period. Both companies also offer River Thames cruises, which are included in the ticket price. Tip: Tour buses operate in one direction. If you're using one for transportation, understand that it may take up to three hours to reach an attraction on the other side of London. 4. Hit the London Museums . London features some of the world's finest museums and it would be a shame to vacation here without visiting a few. The biggest and the best are free to enter. Tops on my list are: The Victoria & Albert Museum, National Gallery, and the British Museum. The Imperial War Museum's Cabinet War Rooms (fee) show you the actual London quarters where Winston Churchill led England through World War II. Tip: Museum shops are great places to find gifts and souvenirs. Best buys include "mummy" cases from the British Museum, bone china from Buckingham Palace, and jewelry and art books from the Victoria & Albert Museum. 5. Pay Half Price for London Theatre Tickets. Tickets are available for a wide selection of West End shows on the day of performance at the Leicester Square TKTS ticket booth. While there are a number of competitors, this is the only official seller. Expect to pay exactly half price plus a 2.50 £ fee. Keep in mind that most theatres are dark on Sunday nights. Tip: Buy a copy of Time Out London to see what's going on during your vacation. Its calendar of events is extensive, and its theatre listings can help you make a choice you'll be happy with. 6. Organize Your Vacation in London. If you want to pack a lot of sight-seeing into a few days, plan an itinerary ahead of time. Use a map to locate attractions, and see those in proximity to one another instead of spending time racing all over London. Certainly allow time to stroll London's beautiful parks and gardens and linger over a pint at one of her many pubs on your vacation. Next page: Itinerary for a Long, Romantic Vacation Weekend in London > 1 2 Next        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 Royal Caribbean Honeymoons New Year's Resolutions Beverly Hills Hotels Palmilla Resort in Mexico Travel Contests

Japan Travel

JAPAN AIRLINES - CONSULT US! Japan Specialist Travel Agencies -- Choose a Country. AUSTRALIA AUSTRIA BELGIUM BRAZIL CANADA CHINA EGYPT FRANCE GERMANY HONG KONG INDIA INDONESIA ITALY JAPAN KOREA MALAYSIA MEXICO NETHERLANDS NEW ZEALAND PHILIPPINES RUSSIA SINGAPORE SPAIN SWITZERLAND TAIWAN (R.O.C.) THAILAND U.K. U.S.A. VIETNAM For further information regarding your travel to Japan, please send a facsimile message or e-mail to Japan Airlines office or the appointed agency in your country listed below. AUSTRALIA Office Name JALPAK INTERNATIONAL OCEANIA PTY.LTD. Address Level 14, Darling Park, 201 Sussex St. Sydney Telephone (02) 9285-6600 Facsimile (02) 9267-1321 E-mail sydksm@jalpak.com.au AUSTRIA Office Name JALPAK INTERNATIONAL (AUSTRIA) Address Kaerntner Strasse 11 Weinburgasse 2 4 Stock Telephone 01-512-7525 Facsimile 01-512 -2561 E-mail vienna@jalpak.co.uk BELGIUM Office Name JALPAK INTERNATIONAL (EUROPE) B.V. Address Av.Louise 283, Box17 1050 Brussels Telephone 02-639-0910 Facsimile 02-639-0911 E-mail info@jalpak.be BRAZIL Office Name JAPAN AIRLINES SAO PAULO OFFICE Address Avenida Paulista, 542 - 2/3 andares - Cerqueira Cesar 01310-000 - Sao Paulo - SP Telephone 11-3175-2260 Facsimile 11-3175-2241 E-mail org.saossu.jali@jal.com CANADA Office Name JAPAN AIRLINES VANCOUVER OFFICE Address 25th Floor, 1075 West Georgia St., Vancouver, B.C., Canada, V6E 3C9 Telephone 604-606-7735 Facsimile 604-606-7704 E-mail jalcanada@jal.com To page top CHINA Office Name JAPAN AIRLINES BEIJING OFFICE Address 1st Floor, Chang Fu Gong Office Bldg., jiangguo Menwai Dajie, Beijing Telephone 010-6513-0888 Facsimile 010-6513-9865 E-mail org.bjsssu.jal@jal.com Office Name JAPAN AIRLINES SHANGHAI OFFICE Address Room 201, Shanghai Rui Jin Bldg., 205 Mao Ming Nan Lu, Shanghai Telephone 021-6288-3000 Facsimile 021-6288-2505 E-mail shanghai.sales@jal.com EGYPT ( Middle East & Africa ) Office Name JAPAN AIRLINES CAIRO OFFICE Address 1, El Saleh Ayoub St., Zamalek, Cairo Telephone 02-738-1422 Facsimile 02-738-1421 E-mail org.caissg.jal@jal.com FRANCE Office Name JALPAK INTERNATIONAL (FRANCE) S.A.S Address 4, Rue Ventadour 75001 Paris Telephone 01-4455-1500 Facsimile 01-4455-1599 E-mail kss@jalpak.fr GERMANY Office Name JALPAK INTERNATIONAL (GERMANY) GmbH. Address Immermannstr.45 40210 Duesseldorf Telephone (0211)1686-01 Facsimile (0211)1686-160 E-mail web@jalpak.de HONG KONG Office Name JAL SETELLITE TRAVEL CO.LTD. Address Rm. 2901, 29/F., Tower 6, The Gateway, Harbour City, 9 Canton Road, T.S.T., Kowloon Telephone (852) 3429-1298 Facsimile (852) 6104-9053 E-mail satellite@jalselect.com.hk To page top INDIA Office Name JAPAN AIRLINES NEW DELHI OFFICE Address Chandralok Bldg., 36 Janpath, New Delhi 110 001, INDIA Telephone (011)-2332-3174 Facsimile (011)-2332-0586 E-mail delssjl@del2.vsnl.net.in INDONESIA Office Name P. T. TAURINA TRAVEL JAYA Address Kyoei Prince Bldg. Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav, 3-4 Jakarta Telephone (021)251-0555 Facsimile (021) 251-0556 E-mail sales@taurina.co.id ITALY Office Name JALPAK INTERNATIONAL (EUROPE) B.V. Address Piazza Bertarelli 1, 20122 Milan Telephone 02-7255-3333 Facsimile 02-7200-0618 E-mail booking-it@jalpak.it JAPAN Office Name JAL TRAVEL Address 3-7-10 Shimo-meguro, Megoru-ku, Tokyo Telephone 03-5436-6734 Facsimile 03-5436-6796 E-mail inb@jaltravel.com KOREA Office Name JAPAN AIRLINES SEOUL OFFICE Address Paiknam Bldg.188-3,Eulchi-Ro,1-Ka.Chung-Ku,Seoul Telephone 02-757-1720 Facsimile 02-774-1286 E-mail jal@jal.co.kr To page top MALAYSIA Office Name JALPAK MALAYSIA SDN. BHD. Address Suite 20.01A Level 20, Menara Lion, 165, Jalan Ampang. 50450, Kuala Lumpur Telephone 03-2161-0922 Facsimile 03-2161-4719 E-mail yoyaku@jalpak.com.my MEXICO Office Name JALPAK DE MEXICO,S,A,DE C.V Address Paseo de la Reforma No. 382, Piso, Col Juarez Del. Cuauhtemoc Mexico D.F.C.P. 5 to Telephone 55-5514-9976 Facsimile 55-5207-6858 E-mail outbound@jalpak.com.mx NETHERLANDS ( Scandinavia ) Office Name JALPAK INTERNATIONAL (EUROPE)B.V. Address Jozef Israelskade 48C, 1072 SB Amsterdam Telephone 020-5709820 Facsimile 020-6736171 E-mail info@jalpak.nl NEW ZEALAND Office Name JALPAK INTERNATIONAL OCEANIA PTY LTD. Address 12th Floor, Westpac TRUST Tower, 120 Albert Street, Auckland Telephone (09) 303-2887 Facsimile (09) 366-0772 E-mail aklssp.jal@jalpak.co.nz PHILIPPINES Office Name UNIVERSAL HOLIDAYS, INC. Address Mezzanine Floor, Dusit Hotel Nikko Ayala Center, Makati City Telephone (02) 819-0080 Facsimile (02) 819-0097 E-mail marketing@universalholidays.com To page top RUSSIA Office Name JAPAN AIRLINES MOSCOW OFFICE Address GALS Tower, 1st Tverskaya Yamskaya St.5, Moscow Telephone (095)730-3070 Facsimile (095)956-4759 SINGAPORE Office Name CREATIVE TOURS (SINGAPORE) PTE, LTD. Address 16 Raffles Quay #01-01 Hong Leong Bldg, Singapore Telephone 6222-8465 Facsimile 6224-5937 E-mail jalselect@creativetours.com.sg SPAIN Office Name JALPAK INTERNATIONAL (SPAIN) S.A. Address Princepe de Vegara 111-dpo 28002 Madrid Telephone 091-593-1400 Facsimile 091-593-4221 E-mail travel@jalpak.es SWITZERLAND Office Name JALPAK INTERNATIONAL (EUROPE) B.V. Address 44, rue de Lausanne, 1201 Geneve Telephone 022-908-6181 Facsimile 022-908-6182 E-mail info@jalpak.ch Address 55 Sihlstrasse 3F 8001 Zurich Telephone 043-344-7290 Facsimile 043-344-7291 E-mail zurich@jalpak.ch TAIWAN (R.O.C.) Office Name CREATIVE TRAVEL (TAIWAN), LTD. Address 5-1 FL., 137, Sec. 2, Nanking East Road, Taipei Telephone (02) 2506-2566 Facsimile (02) 2501-4186 E-mail kk@ctt-travel.com.tw To page top THAILAND Office Name JALPAK TOUR& TRAVEL (THAILAND) Co.,Ltd . Address 1st Floor, Nantwan Bldg. 161 Ratchadamri Rood Lumpni Pathnmwan Bangkok 10330 Telephone 0-2257-4060 Facsimile 0-2257-4080 E-mail outbound@jalpakoutthai.com U. K. Office Name JALPAK INTERNATIONAL (EUROPE) B.V. Address Hanover Court 5 Hanover Square London W1S 1HE Telephone 020-7462-5577 Facsimile 020-7462-5533 E-mail jaltour@jalpak.co.uk U.S.A. Office Name JAPAN AIRLINES E-mail org.amrbsu-m.jal@jal.com Office Name JALPAK INTERNATIONAL AMERICA Telephone (Chicago) 1-800-221-1081 (Detroit) 1-800-451-7995 (Houston) 1-800-776-5575 (Los Angeles) 1-800-221-1081 (Miami) 1-800-343-7173 (New York) 1-888-352-7525 (San Francisco) 1-888-722-8135 (Seatle) 1-866-467-8877 (Washington) 1-800-926-7274 E-mail ejapan@jalpak.com VIETNAM Office Name JAPAN AIRLINES HO CHI MINH OFFICE Address Sun Wah Tower Ground Floor,115 Nguyen Hue St.Dist.1 Ho Chi Minh City Telephone 08-8219098 Facsimile 08-8219097 E-mail jal.hcm@jal.com We look forward to serving you. To page top Legal Notice Contact Us Privacy Policy Recommended Environment

France Travel

France Bicycle Tours, France Walking Tours, France Hiking Tours, France Travel, walking tour france, Bike Tour France, Paris hotel, Paris travel, Paris Tours, France Cycling Vacations, Bike Tour Europe DISCOVER FRANCE FRANCE BICYCLE TOURS FRANCE WALKING TOURS FRANCE GETAWAYS PARIS TRIPS PARIS HOTELS Theme Travel » Honeymoons Family Trips Wine/Cooking Paris Packages His & Her Custom Travel Gay/Lesbian Promotions Group Travel Club Trips Info Terms and Conditions Travel Agents This site is secure; all information is 128 bit encrypted. All bookings must be made using this form. We will however accept credit cards over the telephone once this form is complete. To Do: 1. READ all the TERMS AND CONDITIONS , then 2. Click here to go to the: BOOKING FORM . (Note: Old versions of Internet Explorer or Netscape may not support this form.) NOTE: We know this is going to be a vacation of a lifetime, and we encourage you to call us on the phone, ask any questions you still have, and get the personal touch we have available. You will talk to a live body if you choose to call! Of course, we welcome visits to our offices in Scottsdale, Arizona. Prices quoted throughout this site are in Euros or $US and final payment is always in $US. Note: we require a credit card to secure and hold reservations; however we encourage online check payment and wires for the best prices in making final payment. See the terms link above. TRAVEL AGENTS are welcome to book for their clients as well. Simply follow the same procedures, or give us a call and we'll complete the documentation over the phone, including a credit card to guarantee followed by an agency check number to be forwarded to our offices. Also, include your agency info with IATAN number. Note that we only accept agency checks/credit cards and you will pay net of commission. Within this site you can discover more than just our tours, but also information about the regions of France, and information about traveling in France. Most important though for anyone visiting our site and considering a vacation in France is that you can call us! Let our service and knowledge set us apart! This website isn’t to help us avoid speaking to clients, but to facilitate your planning process, and hopefully get you the information you need right away. If you have a question though, Please contact us if you have any questions about our services to France including: hotels in paris, alsace lorraine, bed and breakfasts, bicycle tours in brittany, hotel burgundy, paris bike tours, bordeaux, burgundy, chamonix, champagne, chateau loire, hotel chamonix, bicycle tours in france, hotels provence, lille, loire, lyon, marseille, paris vacation, normandy travel, orleans, alsace, chamonix hotel, paris accommodation, provence, ski france, tour of normandy, cannes tourism, nice travel, travel paris, gites vacation, walking tour in ouest, hotel alsace, chamonix tourism and the loire valley. Home | Cycling Classics | Pure Adventures | Bicycle Tours | Walking Tours | Media | Links Promotions | Travel Agents | FAQs | Weather | Newsletter | Group Travel | Privacy © 2006 Discover France (SM)