Italy Travel-The Original and

Italy Travel - Italy Travel-The Original and Best Tour Company in Italy-High Quality Tours Florence Tuscany Rome Venice Wednesday, 28th December 2005 User Name: Password: 0 && document.login_prompt.mysource_password.value.length 1) { return true; } else { return false;}" Italy Home A selection of the best tours and accommodation in Italy About Us The Original and Best-Leaders in creative innovative tours and experiences, great service, fabulous guides Why Us Simply the Best Italy Tours The Best Tours in Italy with an Asta approved travel company Tour Bookings Italy Transfers Cruise ship and shopping tour transfers Gift Vouchers Give a gift they will treasure forever! Custom Vacation Planning Have us plan your perfect trip to Italy Italy Museums Save time waiting on long ques, reservations to Italy's most famous museums Museum Reservations Save hours waiting on long lines by booking directly with us Italy Accommodation Online Reservations Italy Accommodation Hotels Florence Tuscany Venice Rome Cinque Terre Amalfi Europe Accommodation Search Engine The most comprehensive search for accommodation in Europe, over 12,000 properties with reviews Italy Production Services Artviva has all your production needs in Italy Artviva Experiences Art Cooking Photography Bespoke Perfume Italy Florence Tuscany Rome Venice Feedback Weddings in Italy Weddings in Tuscany Florence Italy with the best wedding planners Currency Converter Opera in Italy A guide to opera in Italy Essential Italy Information about Italy, restaurants, hotels, events, schools and study, what to do and see Weather The Weather in Florence and Tuscany,forcasts and seasonal reports so you can better prepare for your trip Train Bookings Italy Europe Easy online ticket booking service Car Rental Easy, secure Europe online car rentals Italy Maps Europe, Italy, Florence,Tuscany, Rome Venice a selection of the best maps online Links artviva links link exchange Terms & Conditions Security and Privacy Travel Agents, Hotels Agenzie turistiche o hotel Site Map Work with Us Lavora con noi Winter Tour Specials 2005 Home > Italy Travel-The Original and Best Tour Company in Italy-High Quality Tours Florence Tuscany Rome Venice Artviva & The Original and Best Walking Tour Company Presents Creative tours, great service, good prices, the best guides and peace of mind with an ASTA approved travel company based in Florence, Italy New! SEE OUR SUPER WINTER TOUR SPECIALS Europe's most comprehensive online search for hotel, train and car rental International Acclaim for Our High Quality Service s "Walking Tours of Florence are wise and well informed. They have a fresh accessible style which makes it fun. The recipe seems to be the more you enjoy the more you learn. And it works." Michael Palin Actor/Presenter (Monty Python and a list of fabulous films too long to list here) "The Greatest Tour Guide Ever!" Lou Reed Rock Star Personalized tour Italy Florence "...This tour is wonderful, it is informative, complete and fun. And more importantly, you don't feel like a sheep in a flock, herded around town..." Richard Kind Actor (Mad about You, Spin City ) Florence tour Italy "Thank You for the Wonderful Experience!" Alex Rodriguez (Baseball Star) In December of 2000 Rodriguez became the best-paid ballplayer of all time when he signed a $252 million contract with the Texas Rangers . "Walking Tours of Florence are much more than tours,because you leave feeling almost as if you know Michelangelo and the other Masters personally." Mike Munro One of Australia 's finest investigative journalists and well known media personalities. Past awards include the Logie for Reporter of the Year and the Penguin Award for Best Current Affairs Journalist. "thank you for a wonderful job. Your entire staff was attentive to our shooting schedule and the details which can befuddle so many who are not familiar with the peculiarities of production crews. And most important, you made us feel like we were the most important people in Florence . We all left singing your praises. Thank you very much." Bill Kurtis Acclaimed documentary host and producer, network news anchor and multimedia production company president USA "Don't miss an opportunity to join one of the highly informative and entertaining Walking Tours of Florence , led by English speaking guides who really know their subjects. I loved every minute of my tours." Sandra A Guftstason Author of Great Sleeps and Great Eats in Italy "Entertaining and Informative!" Nat Young (World Surfing Champion ) Florence tour Italy BEWARE OF IMITATIONS! As seen on History Channel and WORLD Our company is recommended by The New York Times The Daily Mail Australian Financial Review Departures Magazine The Independent Telegraph Rick Steves Frommers Let's Go Lonely Planet American Express Travel Eyewitness Travel Guides Time Out Going Like Lynn Hello Italy! Getaway Florence in Your Pocket Travel Channel La guide du Routard Expedia.com and more.... Integrity in Travel Theatre Company since 1976 Tours since 1996 Proudly a fully licensed and insured tour operator Lic No 516411 Compagna Assicuratrice Unipol S.p.A For more information & reservations We speak English! Italy (39) 055 2645033 Office open 8.00-6.00 pm (Monday-Saturday & Sunday mornings until 1.30 pm) Italy (39) 329 6132730 Cellular phone open 8 am-8 pm every day Fax line: Italy (39) 055 2728680 Address of Walking Tours of Florence Italy: Via Sassetti, 1 Email: staff@artviva.com Web: www.italy.artviva.com 2000/2005 Rose Magers Walking Tours - DIA del 06.11.00 Artviva The best tours, guides and services in Italy with an ASTA approved company. Italy Tours, Florence Tours, Tuscany Tours, Pisa Tours, Venice Tours, Rome Tours Siena Tours, Venice gondola Cinque Terre Tours. Bike tours Tuscany, bike tours Italy, bike tours Florence. Private tours, personalized tours, quality guides. Wine tours Tuscany, wine tours Italy Artviva The best links to Italy maps, Florence maps, Tuscany maps, Venice maps, Rome maps Artviva The best selection of accommodation in Italy, Florence , Tuscany, Cinque terre, Venice, Rome, hotels, B and Bs, villas, apartments Artviva the best place to book reserve museums in Italy, Florence, Tuscany, Venice, Rome, Milan Museum tickets museum reservations Uffizi, uffizzi Accademia, David, last supper Doges Palace Vatican , Artviva The place to look for weddings in Italy, weddings in Florence and weddings in Tuscany Artviva Italy pre-production, production, production logistics, location managers, location scouting, high quality reasonably priced renaissance and medieval costumes, costumes, make up, lighting and equipment rental, sound equipment, location permits, fixing, props, on site translators, research, historian research services, highly regarded historians and art historians expert on the art and history of Italy, drivers, transport, actors, extras, flag throwers, musicians, accommodation booking, phone rentals, catering services, and research assistance ensuring costumes, props and locations are historically correct. Guided tours and museum bookings also available. Contact Us & Feed Back | Terms & Conditions | Security Privacy Web Use Terms | Contact Artviva.com 1996-2005 Rose Magers artviva/walking tours all rights reserved Use of this web site signifies aggreement to terms of use

France Travel

France travel groups, custom requests, bicycle tour groups, walking tour groups - let us organize your holiday! 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 Book a Tour Tour de France Walking Tour Regions Alsace Brittany Burgundy Champagne Dordogne/SW Paris/Ile de France Languedoc Loire Valley Normandy Provence Bicycle Tour Regions Alsace Brittany Burgundy Champagne Dordogne/SW Languedoc Loire Valley Normandy Poitou-Charentes Provence Rhone-Alpes Are you looking to book a package of travel for a group of friends? Perhaps for your corporate event, or you club? Whatever group you may be part of or lead, we have a number of themes we can organize for any group of 6 or larger. Some of the possible themes include: cycling, hiking, cooking, photography, architecture, wine, military history,antiques, religious theme, barging/river travel, as well as extreme sports like mountaineering, via ferrata, canyoning, and more. Our groups include cycling clubs, garden clubs and arboretums, families and familiy reunions, hiking clubs, outdoor clubs, groups of friends, photography teachers and their classes, antique store owners and their clients, and so on. Naturally, special pricing applies to groups. This usually means lower per person costs, depending on the services requested. We can arrange motorcoach services, deluxe chateaux hotels, or modest B&B's with basic vehicle support. The range is wide open. Also, we have a great incentive for group leaders to travel for free, so if you are the one to organize your fellow enthusiasts, then ask us about FREE TRAVEL! For the most part, our group travel is organized for custom groups. We typically do not organize groups and then open them to anyone person to join. But, there are exceptions such as our Tour de France tours. All these tours are organized for the sole purpose of having anyone join us. If this is the kind of trip you are looking for, please contact us so we can advise what we have to offer! This is where we are of most use to our groups. We customize to your needs. Simply call us on the phone or send us an email. We will want to know how many in your party, approximate travel dates, types of services requested, and approximate budget. We can even arrange air in some cases, but for the most part our services are limited to ground only in France. See our contact info at the top of this page. Home | Cycling Classics | Pure Adventures | Bicycle Tours | Walking Tours | Media | Links Promotions | Travel Agents | FAQs | Weather | Newsletter | Group Travel | Privacy © 2006 Discover France (SM)

TRAVEL GUIDE Czech History

CzechSite Prague Travel Guide FIX UP YOUR TRIP Book Your Hotel Book Your Apartment Book Your Car Take a Guided Tour Let's Go Outdoor Get a Free Map Get a Guide Book Find the Connection Improve Your Czech Message Board TRAVEL GUIDE Czech History Famous Czechs Visas and Embassies General Information Getting There Getting Around Architecture and Sights Chateaux and Castles Music, Film, Theater Museums and Galleries Pubs and Restaurants Sport Activities Banks and Money Post, Phone, Internet Laundry Medical Care Shopping Around DISCOVER PRAGUE Photo Album Virtual Reality Tour PRAGUE EVERYDAY This Season News Get Daily News Weather Forecast Exchange Rates GENEALOGY Find Your Roots BUSINESS GUIDE Relocate To Czech Hello from Prague! It is night, Wednesday, December 28 in Prague andall Czech people named Bohumila are celebrating their name day. ALFONS MUCHA Exhibition Brotherhood of the Slavs is presented in The House of the Golden Ring till January 8. Find more in This Season News BOOK YOUR APARTMENT Book reasonable apartment for you in Prague through our new service introduced this spring. Find more in Book Your Apartment IMPRESE Rudolfinum Gallery presents exhibition Imprese till January 8. Do not miss it! Find more in This Season News KAREL SLENGER Trade Fair Palace presents Modern Art by Karel Slenger till January 15. Find more in This Season News DAY OF SKIING Let's go out to Krkonose mountains for one day skiing with us. Find more in Let's Go Outdoor SMS GATE Does your Czech friend have a cellular phone? Send him or her a message. Try our SMS Gate CLASSICAL MUSIC Municipal and Rudolfinum concert halls present classical music concerts almost daily. Find more and get the tickets online ABOUT THIS SITE This nonprofit travel guide for your trip to Prague and Czech Republic is located in San Francisco and is updated from Prague daily since 1996. Find more about this site . CHRISTMAS TIME Day is short in Prague, weather is cold and there is huge Christmas tree on Old Town Square. It is wonderful time for walking around this romantic city. Sometimes it might be rainy or snowy, good opportunity to go inside some gallery or exhibition hall. At night you could visit an opera, listen some classical music concert or see some black light theater performance. Enjoy Christmas time in Prague. THE BEST RESTAURANTS Check out the best place for your dinner in our large addressbook of the best Czech restaurants. Find more in Pubs and Restaurants YOUR NEAREST EMBASSY Find your nearest embassy in our large database of Czech missions abroad. Find more in Visas and Embassies NAME DAY SEARCH Do you have a Czech friend? Find out her or his nameday. Try our Name Day Search © CzechSite, San Francisco, Prague, 1996-2005. All Rights Reserved. Contact Webmaster Online accommodation (hotel, hostel), car rental, guided tour reservation, photo album, virtual reality.

Spain Travel

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

Cruise Vacations Spa &

Luxury Vacation, Cruises, Luxury Travel, Luxury Tours, Luxury Cruises Luxury Vacations, Luxury Cruises, Luxury Travel, Luxury Tours, Luxury Cruise Ships Luxury Vacation, Luxury Travel, Luxury Tours, Luxury Cruises Guide Virtuoso Luxury Vacations, Travel, Tours, and Cruise Specialists Luxury vacation travel: Call 1-800-330-8820 to book now. Open every day! 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We have tons of money saving specials: free nights, free meals, room upgrades, and wonderful inclusions such as free golf and spa visits. During certain times of the year we can give you a free air ticket from Los Angeles or San Francisco, or a $250 air credit from other cities. Free car with a 7 night stay at 40 different hotels in Hawaii, or receive a credit of $199 value, and apply it to another car category. We have every airline to Hawaii, so you can choose the airline you prefer. You get frequent flyer miles on most of them. We can get you discount first class, or business class tickets. You can book your activities ahead of time to assure peace of mind. How do we do it? Simple. We leverage our tremendous buying power! Email this page to a friend Bookmark this page "The sophisticated traveler's luxury vacation, luxury cruise, luxury travel, luxury villas and luxury tour planners." We are one of the most successful, award winning, highly recommended luxury vacation, cruise, tour and travel companies in the world. Our phenomenal success is due to our forging personal relationships based on trust and integrity with our clientele. Our Virtuoso luxury vacation and cruise planning experts specialize in connecting you to the worlds best destinations - in the best ways possible. We provide a wealth of priceless information that savvy traveler's need to make the right decisions to keep them out of harm's way and insure a memorable vacation. We will save you precious time, assure you of great value and exhilarating experiences. We are very innovative, add valuable solutions that consistently exceed our customers expectations and strive to always provide the ultimate travel experience. Our luxury travel specialists will take the time to get to know you so that your personal vacation dreams become reality. Our luxury travel specialists are available to you before, during and after your vacation. We are always available to serve you person to person! We readily handle luxury vacation, cruises, tours and travel requests from all parts of the globe. 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! Why Should You Use our Virtuoso Luxury Vacation, Travel and Cruise Specialists ? We are Virtuoso, "Specialists in the Art of Vacation 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, NBC TV and The Wall Street Journal. Our Virtuoso Vacation & Cruise Specialists offer exclusive insider connections and industry expertise on luxury vacations. Our professional services suit the world's most demanding luxury vacation travelers. Our name opens doors and guarantees value.You see, as your Virtuoso Luxury Vacation Travel Specialists, we're members of the most prestigious and established travel network in the world. So when you travel, you can do so with confidence - secure in the knowledge that you'll get more, simply by booking through us. The world awaits. Let us take you there. With us you enjoy the benefits of our exclusive agreements with the world's leading luxury cruise lines, luxury hotels and luxury tour companies. This brings you unsurpassed value in the world of upscale luxury travel, including outstanding amenities such as complimentary upgrades, privileged access opportunities and private events at many top international and domestic vacation destinations. You'll find loads of helpful information about luxury vacations, luxury cruises and luxury travel in every country in our luxury vacation guides, but only the very best luxury hotels, resorts, villlas, luxury tour operators, luxury travel related services, cultural travel experiences, personal enrichment travel, exclusive boutique vacation destinations and exotic tours designed specifically for the sophisticated traveler. They have been carefully chosen for your benefit. It's to your advantage to inspect your target destinations on this web site before you contact us. You may call us any time, however we can serve you much better if you use our " Luxury Vacation Travel Planner " so we will know your specific needs beforehand, and be able to answer all your questions professionally. Our Concierge will immediately direct your request to one of our Virtuoso Vacation, Cruise or Travel Specialists that specializes in your destination. 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. Ellen DeGeneres, on the Ellen DeGeneres Show uses Travelwizard.com as her number one source for luxury vacations throughout the world. We are very proud to be the first choice for sophisticated travelers like Ellen DeGeneres! Forbes Magazine picked Travelwizard.com for"Best of the Web" because of our renowned luxury service and great choice of luxury vacations. In an uncertain world, be certain about us About Travel Wizard & Virtuoso Luxury Travel, Tour and Cruise Specialists Book Your Luxury Vacation Submit a vacation planner to our Virtuoso Travel Specialists Client Testimonials about our services Search Your Vacation, Tour or Cruise Luxury Accommodations Luxury Hotels Luxury Resort Hotels Luxury Villas & Homes Luxury Vacations Luxury Tours Luxury Family Tours Honeymoon Specials Virtuoso Luxury Tours Virtuoso Luxury Cruise Vacations Spa & Wellness Getaways Active Vacations Golfing Luxury Vacations Biking Vacations Hiking Luxury Vacations Luxury Train Vacations Grand Prix Vacations Scuba Diving Vacations Family Luxury Vacations All-inclusive Vacations Luxury Villas & Homes Yacht Charter Private Jet Vacations Space Adventures Helpful Travel Links Other Helpful Links 24 Passports Travelex Luxury Travel Insurance CSA Luxury Travel Insurance Travel Guard Insurance Current Travel Warnings Travel Safety Manual Travel Consultant Career Opportunities Full Service Luxury Vacation Planner Click here to save money, time and stress planning, making reservations, or booking your luxury vacation with our full service Virtuoso Travel Specialists. We are recommended, authorized Virtuoso Travel Consultants, 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 Travel Consultants, 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 luxury vacation . Full Service, Worldwide Luxury 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 Specialists. 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 Virtuoso--Travel Consultants 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 luxury tour vacation . Full Service, Worldwide Luxury 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 Specialists. 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--Travel Consultants 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 luxury cruise . 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