South America Travel

Destinations: Tropical South America | CDC Travelers' Health Home About CDC Press Room Funding A-Z Index Centers, Institute & Offices Training & Employment Contact Us CDC en Español Search: Travelers' Health Travelers' Health Home > Destinations > Tropical South America Health Information for Travelersto Countries in Tropical South America On This Page Vaccines for Your Protection Diseases Found in Tropical South America Other Health Risks What You Need To Bring With You Staying Healthy During Your Trip After You Return Home For More Information Travel Notices in Effect Yellow Fever: Venezuela, South America (Released November 4, 2005) U.S. Department of State See all Traveler's Health travel notices Vaccines for Your Protection: Tropical South America Routine Vaccinations Check with your healthcare provider: you and your family may need routine as well as recommended vaccinations. Before travel, be sure you and your children are up to date on all routine immunizations according to schedules approved by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice (ACIP). See the schedule for adults and the schedule for infants and children . Some schedules can be accelerated for travel. See your doctor at least 4–6 weeks before your trip to allow time for shots to take effect. If it is less than 4 weeks before you leave, you should still see your doctor. It might not be too late to get your shots or medications as well as other information about how to protect yourself from illness and injury while traveling. Recommended Vaccinations and Preventive Medications The following vaccines may be recommended for your travel to Tropical South America. Discuss your travel plans and personal health with a health-care provider to determine which vaccines you will need. Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG). Transmission of hepatitis A virus can occur through direct person-to-person contact; through exposure to contaminated water, ice, or shellfish harvested in contaminated water; or from fruits, vegetables, or other foods that are eaten uncooked and that were contaminated during harvesting or subsequent handling. Hepatitis B , especially if you might be exposed to blood or body fluids (for example, health-care workers), have sexual contact with the local population, or be exposed through medical treatment. Hepatitis B vaccine is now recommended for all infants and for children ages 11–12 years who did not receive the series as infants. Malaria: your risk of malaria may be high in these countries, including some cities. See your health care provider for a prescription antimalarial drug. For details concerning risk and preventive medications, see Malaria Information for Travelers to Tropical South America . Rabies , if you might have extensive unprotected outdoor exposure in rural areas, such as might occur during camping, hiking, or bicycling, or engaging in certain occupational activities. Typhoid vaccine. Typhoid fever can be contracted through contaminated drinking water or food, or by eating food or drinking beverages that have been handled by a person who is infected. Large outbreaks are most often related to fecal contamination of water supplies or foods sold by street vendors. As needed, booster doses for tetanus-diphtheria and measles . Required Vaccinations Yellow fever is present in this region and vaccination is recommended if you travel to the endemic zones in any of these countries. A certificate of yellow fever vaccination may be required for entry into certain countries if you have visited an endemic area. For detailed information, see Comprehensive Yellow Fever Vaccination Requirements . Also, find the nearest authorized U.S. yellow fever vaccine center . Diseases found in Tropical South America (risk can vary by country and region within a country; quality of in-country surveillance also varies) Malaria An Anopheles freeborni mosquito takes a blood meal. Malaria is always a serious disease and may be a deadly illness. Humans get malaria from the bite of a mosquito infected with the parasite. Prevent this serious disease by seeing your health care provider for a prescription antimalarial drug and by protecting yourself against mosquito bites ( see below ). Your risk of malaria may be high in these countries, including some cities. Travelers to malaria-risk areas, including infants, children, and former residents of South America, should take an antimalarial drug. Chloroquine is the recommended drug for Paraguay. Travelers to Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela should take one of the following antimalarial drugs: (listed alphabetically): atovaquone/proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine, or primaquine (in special circumstances). For additional information on malaria risk and prevention, see Malaria Information for Travelers to Tropical South America . Yellow Fever Yellow fever is present in this region and vaccination is recommended if you travel to the endemic zones. A certificate of yellow fever vaccination may be required for entry into certain countries if you have visited an endemic area. For detailed information, see Comprehensive Yellow Fever Vaccination Requirements . Also, find the nearest authorized U.S. yellow fever vaccine center . Food and Waterborne Diseases Avoid buying food or drink from street vendors, because it is relatively easy for such food to become contaminated. Make sure your food and drinking water are safe. Food and waterborne diseases are the primary cause of illness in travelers. Travelers’ diarrhea can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites, which are found throughout Tropical South America and can contaminate food or water. Infections may cause diarrhea and vomiting ( E. coli , Salmonella , cholera , and parasites), fever ( typhoid fever and toxoplasmosis), or liver damage ( hepatitis). Brucellosis is occasionally seen in travelers, most commonly acquired through eating or drinking contaminated milk products. Additional information: see the Safe Food and Water page for a list of links. Other Disease Risks Dengue , filariasis , leishmaniasis , onchocerciasis , and American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease) are other diseases carried by insects that also occur in this region. Epidemics of viral encephalitis and dengue fever occur in some countries in this area. Bartonellosis, or Oroya fever (a sand fly-borne disease), occurs in arid river valleys on the western slopes of the Andes up to 3,000 meters (9,842 feet). Louse-borne typhus, a rickettsial infection is often found in mountain areas of Colombia and Peru. Protecting yourself against insect bites ( see below ) will help to prevent these diseases. Schistosomiasis, a parasitic infection that can be contracted in fresh water in this region, is found in Brazil, Suriname, and north-central Venezuela. Do not swim in fresh water (except in well-chlorinated swimming pools) in these countries. (For more information, please see Swimming and Recreational Water Precautions .) If you visit the Andes Mountains, ascend gradually to allow time for your body to adjust to the high altitude, which can cause insomnia, headaches, nausea, and altitude sickness. In addition, use sunblock rated at least 15 SPF, because the risk of sunburn is greater at high altitudes. Other Health Risks Injuries Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of injury among travelers. Protect yourself from motor vehicle injuries: avoid drinking and driving; wear your safety belt and place children in age-appropriate restraints in the back seat; follow the local customs and laws regarding pedestrian safety and vehicle speed; obey the rules of the road; and use helmets on bikes, motorcycles, and motor bikes. Avoid boarding an overloaded bus or mini-bus. Where possible, hire a local driver. What You Need To Bring With You Long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and a hat to wear whenever possible while outside, to prevent illnesses carried by insects (e.g., malaria , Dengue , filariasis , leishmaniasis , and onchocerciasis ). Insect repellent containing DEET . Bed nets treated with permethrin. For use and purchasing information, see Insecticide Treated Bednets on the CDC malaria site. Overseas, permethrin or another insecticide, deltamethrin, may be purchased to treat bed nets and clothes. Flying-insect spray to help clear rooms of mosquitoes. The product should contain a pyrethroid insecticide; these insecticides quickly kill flying insects, including mosquitoes. Iodine tablets and portable water filters to purify water if bottled water is not available. See Preventing Cryptosporidiosis: A Guide to Water Filters and Bottled Water for more detailed information. Sunblock, sunglasses, and a hat for protection from harmful effects of UV sun rays. See Skin Cancer Questions and Answers for more information . Prescription medications: make sure you have enough to last during your trip, as well as a copy of the prescription(s) or letter from your health-care provider on office stationery explaining that the medication has been prescribed for you. Always carry medications in their original containers, in your carry-on luggage. Be sure to bring along over-the-counter antidiarrheal medication (e.g., bismuth subsalicylate, loperamide) and an antibiotic prescribed by your doctor to self-treat moderate to severe diarrhea. See suggested over-the-counter medications and first aid items for a travel kit . Staying Healthy During Your Trip Travelers should take the following precautions To stay healthy, do... When using repellent on a child, apply it to your own hands and then rub them on your child. Avoid children's eyes and mouth and use it sparingly around their ears. Wash your hands often with soap and water or, if hands are not visibly soiled, use a waterless, alcohol-based hand rub to remove potentially infectious materials from your skin and help prevent disease transmission. In developing countries, drink only bottled or boiled water, or carbonated (bubbly) drinks in cans or bottles. Avoid tap water, fountain drinks, and ice cubes. If this is not possible, learn how to make water safer to drink . Take your malaria prevention medication before, during, and after travel, as directed. (See your health care provider for a prescription.) To prevent fungal and parasitic infections, keep feet clean and dry, and do not go barefoot, even on beaches. Always use latex condoms to reduce the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. Protect yourself from mosquito insect bites: Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats when outdoors. Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats. Use insect repellents that contain DEET (N, N-diethylmethyltoluamide). For more information about insect repellents and correct use, see What You Need to Know about Mosquito Repellent on the CDC West Nile Virus site . If no screening or air conditioning is available: use a pyrethroid-containing spray in living and sleeping areas during evening and night-time hours; sleep under bed nets, preferably insecticide-treated ones. If you are visiting friends and relatives in your home country, see additional special information about malaria prevention in Recent Immigrants to the U.S. from Malarious Countries Returning 'Home' to Visit Friends and Relatives on the CDC Malaria site. Do not Do not eat food purchased from street vendors or food that is not well cooked to reduce risk of infection (i.e., hepatitis A and typhoid fever). Do not drink beverages with ice. Avoid dairy products, unless you know they have been pasteurized. Do not swim in fresh water to avoid exposure to certain water-borne diseases such as schistosomiasis. (For more information, please see Swimming and Recreational Water Precautions .) Do not handle animals, especially monkeys, dogs, and cats, to avoid bites and serious diseases (including rabies and plague). Consider pre-exposure rabies vaccination if you might have extensive unprotected outdoor exposure in rural areas. For more information, please see Animal-Associated Hazards . Do not share needles for tattoos, body piercing or injections to prevent infections such as HIV and hepatitis B. After You Return Home If you have visited a malaria-risk area, continue taking your antimalarial drug for 4 weeks (chloroquine, doxycycline, or mefloquine) or seven days (atovaquone/proguanil) after leaving the risk area. Malaria is always a serious disease and may be a deadly illness. If you become ill with a fever or flu-like illness either while traveling in a malaria-risk area or after you return home (for up to 1 year), you should seek immediate medical attention and should tell the physician your travel history. For More Information For more information about these and other diseases, please check the Diseases page and CDC Health Topics A-Z Diseases carried by insects Dengue : http://www2.ncid.cdc.gov/travel/yb/utils/ybGet.asp?section=dis&obj=dengue.htm : http://www2.ncid.cdc.gov/travel/yb/utils/ybGet.asp?section=dis&obj=lyme.htm Malaria information for Travelers to Tropical South America : http://www.cdc.gov/travel/regionalmalaria/tropsam.htm Malaria Frequently asked questions : http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/faq.htm Malaria Prescription Drugs : http://www.cdc.gov/travel/malariadrugs.htm : http://www2.ncid.cdc.gov/travel/yb/utils/ybGet.asp?section=dis&obj=plague.htm Yellow fever : http://www2.ncid.cdc.gov/travel/yb/utils/ybGet.asp?section=dis&obj=yellowfever.htm Diseases carried in food or water : http://www2.ncid.cdc.gov/travel/yb/utils/ybGet.asp?section=dis&obj=madcow.htm Cholera : http://www2.ncid.cdc.gov/travel/yb/utils/ybGet.asp?section=dis&obj=cholera.htm Escherichia coli diarrhea : http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/escherichiacoli_g.htm Hepatitis A : http://www2.ncid.cdc.gov/travel/yb/utils/ybGet.asp?section=dis&obj=hav.htm Schistosomiasis : http://www2.ncid.cdc.gov/travel/yb/utils/ybGet.asp?section=dis&obj=schisto.htm Typhoid fever : http://www2.ncid.cdc.gov/travel/yb/utils/ybGet.asp?section=dis&obj=typhoid.htm Diseases from person-to-person contact Hepatitis B : http://www2.ncid.cdc.gov/travel/yb/utils/ybGet.asp?section=dis&obj=hbv.htm HIV/AIDS prevention : http://www2.ncid.cdc.gov/travel/yb/utils/ybGet.asp?section=dis&obj=hivaids.htm HIV-infected travelers (in The Immunocompromised Traveler) : http://www2.ncid.cdc.gov/travel/yb/utils/ybGet.asp?section=special&obj=hivtrav.htm&cssNav=browseoyb Important: This document is not a complete medical guide for travelers to this region. Consult with your doctor for specific information related to your needs and your medical history; recommendations may differ for pregnant women, young children, and persons who have chronic medical conditions. Date: November 4, 2005 Content Source: National Center for Infectious Diseases, Division of Global Migration and Quarantine Destinations Vaccinations Diseases Yellow Book Safe Food and Water Illness and Injury Abroad Traveling with Children Cruise Ship and Air Travel Special Needs Travel Traveling with Pets Travel Medicine Clinics Yellow Fever Vaccination Clinics References and Resources Travelers' Health Automated Information Line PHONE: 877-FYI-TRIP toll free (Information about ordering the Yellow Book and International Certificates of Vaccination and recorded messages on travel-related health topics) VIA EMAIL: Contact Us Form Home | Policies and Regulations | Disclaimer | e-Government | FOIA | Contact Us Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,1600 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30333, U.S.A Tel: (404) 639-3311 / Public Inquiries: (404) 639-3534 / (800) 311-3435

Spain Travel

Hotels and Inns of Spain :: Travel Accommodation, Tourism :: Spain Vacation Inns and Hotels in Spain :: Travel and Accommodation in Spain :: Home Contact Us Charming Inns and Hotels in Spain Inns of Spain Part of Inns en Route Email Tel:+1.250.412.7336 Fax:+1.604.648.9356 - France Hotels - Portugal Hotels - Mallorca Hotels - Canary Islands Hotels - Paradores Hotels - Italy Hotels - Canada Hotels - USA Hotels - Costa Rica Hotels Inns of Spain represents over three hundred interesting, small and charming Spanish Hotels and Inns throughout mainland Spain and the islands. These inns include converted former monasteries, Asturian farmhouses, Galician pazos, historic castles, Andalusian cortijos, country inns, and many elegant hotels in Spain’s fascinating towns and cities. Some of these attractive inns are in the Canary Islands and Balearic islands . The charm, warmth and service at these Spanish Inns is unparalleled. Most are independently owned, family operated businesses conveniently located for touring itineraries of Spain and the islands. InnsofSpain.com showcases these Spanish inns and hotels, allowing you to easily browse, select and reserve rooms in these special properties. We also include frank comments and observations from our clients who have stayed at these inns to help you in your decision-making. If you prefer larger properties in historic settings, we also represent the Paradores group. In addition to these special places in Spain, we represent similar small, charming inns throughout France , Portugal and Italy . Our newest sites are Costa Rica , USA and Canada . Inns of Argentina and Inns of Morocco will be on our site in the new year. City Hotel Finder A Coruna Arcos Avila Barcelona Bilbao Burgos Cadiz Cordoba Cuenca Denia Estepona Gaucin Gijon Girona Granada Guadalajara Huelva Javea Jerez La Coruna Logrono Madrid Malaga Marbella Merida Nerja Ourense Oviedo Palma Ribadesella Ronda Salamanca San Sebastian Santander Santiago de Compostela Segovia Sevilla Tarifa Tarragona Toledo Trujillo Ubeda Valencia Xativa Zafra Prices: Low Medium High -- -- New Feria de Sevilla April 25 to 30 2006 - note that some hotels have extra high season rates before and after Feria also. Semana Santa (Easter week) in 2006 is April 9 to 16. Early in 2006 we will include some very special places in Argentina and Morocco. We are excited about both of these countries and believe they offer safe, unique and special experiences for the independent traveller. At the beginning of January we will offer another forty small hotels throughout Spain. Many are located in out-of-the-way places and are a delightful mix of very old buildings with wonderfully modern and stylish interiors. Posada Molino del Canto is an unusual little countryside hotel (with just six rooms), that was once a mill and miller's house. It is located in the Valley of Zamanzas, on the edge of the River Ebro. The hotel is 88 km. from Santander and 77 km. to the fascinating city of Burgos. The hotel has a delightful dining room or, in the summer, enjoy sitting outside for breakfast or dinner. Villa Turistica Bubion is offered as a base from which to explore the Alpujarra region. A little hotel village surrounded by peaks, it is ideal for those who love hiking and outdoor activities. Some of the little casitas are big enough for six people. Posada del Marques is 22 km. from the wonderful city of Leon. It was once part of a monastery, with a fascinating history, and part of the building is still used by a religious order and you can listen to the Gregorian chants in the church each day. There are just eleven ensuite rooms. Pago del Vicario is close to Ciudad Real and is a perfect destination for those interested in wine-making and wine. A new hotel, in the centre of the vineyards, and with a superb restaurant and cellar. A perfect place to taste, chat with the vintners and learn about the Bodega's special offerings. Hotel Bremon is a lovely hotel in the heart of Cardona, that was once a school for Carmelite nuns. There are nineteen comfortable rooms and a delightful restaurant. Special events over the summer in various locations: 6 July Medieval tournament in Hita, Guadalajara. 13 and 14 July, Medieval fair in Noia, Galicia. Fridays in July and August Medieval fair in Besalu. 9 August. Medieval tournament in Cortegana, Huelva. 10 August Medieval Tornament in Alba de Tormes, Valladolid. 9, 10 and 11 August Medieval fair in A Coruna. 24 August, Circo romano in Guinzo de Limia, Orense. 30 August Medieval Fair in Almassera, Valencia. 31 August Medieval tournament Casa de los Naranjos is an economically-priced twenty room hotel in the heart of Cordoba. In a typical Cordoban style, with two storeys and a central courtyard, it offers comfortable rooms in a central location. Finca El Tossal is a five room inn (with a delightful swimming pool) located inland from Altea. More News Are there any fees for using your service? Is information submitted to Inns en Route Inc. secure? There is availability, how do I make a reservation? More FAQ's Many thanks for your excellent follow-up – your planning was terrific AT May we compliment you on the efficiency of your service MA I will recommend this website to anyone going to Spain. JB More Kudos | Main | Spain Hotels Map | Spain Hotels List | News | FAQ | | Search | Fine Print | Travel Tips | Spain Car Rental | Maps of Spain | | My Reservation | Other Sites | Hoteliers | Contact Us | Site Map

travel insurance direct we

Travel Insurance - USA Travel Insurance Products USA Flight Insurance is a leading travel insurance authority. By selling travel insurance direct we save our customers up to 50% in commissions charged by other companies. Travel insurance can be arranged months in advance of a trip, and our fully trained and friendly staffs are happy to provide advice and general information as well as issuing quotes and policies. Travel insurance is one type of insurance you are guaranteed to use. We need medical attention from time to time, and some of us need it quite often. When it is needed, you want to focus on getting better ­ not on how you are going to come up with the money to pay your medical bills. A good travel insurance plan allows you to focus on what's most important, your physical well being. Is there anyone who doesn't need travel insurance? Even if you're young, healthy and haven't had to see a physician in years, you never know when you might be involved in an accident or be diagnosed with a serious medical condition. While your health coverage will pay for things that aren't too costly like routine doctor's visits or lab tests, the main reason to have coverage is to have protection against the potentially tragic cost of serious injury or illness. You may consider it as an annoyance and an extra expense, and hopefully you may never need to use it - but travel insurance is vital if you are going abroad. Travel insurance takes much of the stress out of unforeseen events (such as loss of valuable or luggage, delay or cancellation), as well as protecting you against the (often very high) cost of medical treatment. You might decide not to buy travel insurance because you think you're covered elsewhere. But you need to make sure that you're adequately protected. Don't be tricked into thinking that the travel accident insurance that comes with your credit card gives you full travel coverage - it doesn't. Travel Articles Inexpensive Things to do in Atlanta during the summer Slip into some shorts and a cotton shirt and prepare to have wholesome, cheap fun in Atlanta during the summer. From free concerts to inexpensive Asian meals, Take One magazines to Starbucks on every corner, and down the way to Little Five Points where parking is cheap and refundable, and shops call out to you on the sidewalks with their air- conditioned caverns. Read more... Main Menu Home Page Travel Insurance Flight Insurance Articles Travel Advice Health Center Insurance Terms Travel Forums Contact Us About Us Site Map Who's Online We have 10 guests online Travel Forums - Housing Bubble Home default notices spike Freddie Mac CEO says high-end housing bubble in some markets (CBS Market Watch) If Housing Slumps, How Safe Are You? (BusinessWeek Online via Yahoo! News) Seattle may escape housing bubble (Seattle Post-Intelligencer) Fed chief keeps eye on housing (Kansas City Star) USA Travel Insurance Insurance Licence #0E66207. All rights reserved.

ITALY Travel Guide Overview

VirtualTourist.com - Italy Travel Guide - Pictures, Tips and Reviews Italy Travel Guide. Tips, Reviews & Photos plus Hotels, Restaurants, Activities & More in Italy member log in | join for free! | help Home Travel Guides Hotels Flights Deals NEW! Members Meetings & Events Do It Yourself Guides Forums ITALY Travel Guide Overview | Hotels | Forum | Things To Do | Top Member Pages | Deals | Members | Meetings & Events Home » Travel Guides » Europe » Italy Destinations Members Keywords Sponsored Links for Italy Marriott Hotels Enjoy stylish luxury hotels with Marriott's new rooms. Book now. Costa Rica Vacation $995 10 Day Escorted Tour, All Inclusive 53 Years. Smart Shoppers Compare. Hotels Compare Prices, View Photos & More! Low Rates Guaranteed - Book Now Vacation In Paradise Visit Atlantis, Paradise Island for the vacation of a lifetime. Cheap Hotels at Expedia Expedia Special Rates Means We Guarantee Our Low Rates on Rooms. Italy Hotel Rates City: Check-In Date: Check-Out Date: Guests: 1 2 3 4 Hotels by OneTime.com Italy Forum Join a Discussion Travelling from Florence to Venice (1 replies, 7:53 PM Dec. 26, 2005) Need traveler to Italy for school project (1 replies, 12:25 PM Dec. 22, 2005) Italian wine (21 replies, 6:32 AM Dec. 23, 2005) Be the first to reply to these questions Accommodation in Pesaro and other cities on the Adriatic coast (no replies yet) Anyone with advice on Perugia (no replies yet) Accomodations near Milan airport or bus station? (no replies yet) » All Italy Discussions » Post a Italy Discussion Travel Resources Car Rental Cruises Vacations Luggage NEW! Italy Deals Holiday fares for flights to and within Italy starting 39 euros! (2 comments, 12:17 PM Dec. 26, 2005) Train travel in Italy for as little as 10 euro (2 comments, 8:49 AM Dec. 19, 2005) 20% Rail Discount for Non-Italians (0 comments, 8:10 PM Nov. 7, 2005) » All Italy Deals » Post a Italy Deal FREE VT Deals Newsletter great deals, inside tips & no spam Popular Italy Hotels In: Rome Venice Florence Milan Verona Pisa Italy 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 Italy Local time: 11:43 pm Wednesday, December 28, 2005. TravelPro Sale - LuggageGuru.com Great hotels from $53/pp. Hotels in Italy Flights to Italy Map NEW! Members living here: 4,950 Member tips: 56,654 Member pictures: 93,018 Popular Destinations in Italy Rome Venice Florence Milan Verona Pisa Valeggio sul Mincio Naples Pompeii Trieste Genoa Bologna Siena Torino Bergamo Padova Lucca Palermo Sorrento Lago di Garda San Gimignano Catania Bolzano Ravenna Positano » More Destinations in Italy Regions in Italy Abruzzo Basilicata Calabria Campania Emilia-Romagna Friuli-Venezia Giulia Lazio Liguria Lombardy Marche Molise Piemonte Puglia Sardegna Sicilia Trentino-Alto Adige Tuscany Umbria Valle d'Aosta Veneto Top Pages About Italy 1. Italia Nel Cuore by croisbeauty 117 Tips 375 Pictures 2. Italia - Prego! by iandsmith 133 Tips 154 Pictures 3. The Many Faces Of Italy by deecat 88 Tips 103 Pictures 4. Beautiful Italy by sim1 84 Tips 89 Pictures 5. The Best Time To Be In Italy by Ciambella 52 Tips 69 Pictures » View all rated pages (413) » View newest pages » Build your own Italy page Tips and Photos about Italy in General Overview General Tips Tips: 1,094 - Pictures: 862 Restaurants Tips: 290 - Pictures: 161 Hotels and Accommodations Tips: 342 - Pictures: 211 Things To Do Tips: 1,647 - Pictures: 1,480 Nightlife Tips: 97 - Pictures: 58 Off the Beaten Path Tips: 496 - Pictures: 435 Tourist Traps Tips: 123 - Pictures: 63 Warnings or Dangers Tips: 228 - Pictures: 92 Transportation Tips: 324 - Pictures: 188 Local Customs Tips: 334 - Pictures: 243 Packing Lists Tips: 96 - Pictures: 48 Shopping Tips: 60 - Pictures: 40 Sports Travel Tips: 21 - Pictures: 17 » See tips about a specific place in Italy More Sponsored Links for Italy Visit the New Delta.com Low fares to Italy & other destinations. Low Change Fees! Italy Hotels View photos, maps, reviews, rates and book: pay only on check out ! Italy Villas For Rent View a comprehensive collection in the country and on the coast. 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.

Taiwan Travel

Taiwan Travel, Tourism home publications events committees membership living in Taiwan yellow pages advertising -- about us contact Travel and Tourism: 2003 Issues Upgrade Taiwan's tourist industry Promote inbound tourism Link Taiwan to Greater China travel itineraries The ECCT Travel and Tourism Committee addresses issues concerning Taiwan's travel, tourism and hospitality industries and aims to help attract more visitors from Europe and raise the number of annual visitors to the island to six million as outlined in Taiwan's Challenge 2008 plan. While the issues raised in this position paper are focused on the business side on travel and to developing Taiwan's travel infrastructure, the ECCT wishes to point out that drawing more Europeans to Taiwan will help to improve understanding among Europeans of the island's people and their position in the world. The committee is happy to note that some progress has been made on issues raised in last year's position paper. With regards to the issue of immigration facilities at CKS International Airport, the committee welcomes the government's recent announcement to allow ARC holders that are members of the ECCT, and the American and Japanese chambers of commerce, to use the APEC-member immigration line. Although the committee would have preferred the adoption of its proposal to follow the Hong Kong model, where ID cardholders are not required to fill out any paperwork and are allowed to use a separate and speedier entrance and exit, the new measure is expected to significantly speed up immigration time for our members. Furthermore, progress has been made on the issue of female staff working at night. Although the penalty for infringements of Article 49 of the Labor Standard Law (which restricts women from working at night) has been reduced from a jail sentence to a fine, the committee urges the government to abolish this restriction, as it results in unfair discrimination against women, additional contract bargaining, and raises costs and reduces the competitiveness of firms operating in Taiwan. Upgrade Taiwan's tourist industry The Ministry of Transportation and Communications allotted NT$6.5 billion for upgrading the tourist industry. It is unclear how European companies, either as local branches or foreign entities, can apply for these preferential loans on equal terms with their Taiwan counterparts. Recommendation The committee proposes that investment by European companies be allowed and encouraged in all areas and that they have full access to the government funds and that any regulatory barriers to entry and operation of tourism entities are removed. Promote inbound tourism The Tourism Bureau has a larger promotion budget than ever before and this is a positive step in boosting visitors. Recommendations Attract more European visitors with incentives to foreign travelers and overseas and local Taiwanese tour operators. Allocate more of the Tourism Bureau's resources to attracting Europeans to Taiwan, rather than to mature markets where Taiwan is already well known. Japan is getting the lion's share of the promotion budget, with Hong Kong and Singapore taking up most of the remainder. Devoting more planning and funding to promote Taiwan systematically in Europe would reduce Taiwan dependency on a few sensitive sources. Publication of a tourism marketing plan would help European operators understand the government's strategic position and lead towards a quality tourism market. Cooperate with city government efforts to attract international tourists. Provide sufficient signage and information in English. Taipei has started to rectify this problem on bus signs, but not at bus stops. Bus maps and tour information for major cities and nearby areas should be published in foreign languages, and promoted both in and outside Taiwan. We offer our assistance in distributing this information. We also urge city and central governments to apply the Hanyu Pinyin system, which is taught in Europe for translating Chinese into foreign languages, and for use in addresses, on street signs, in government literature and elsewhere. Provide drug, weapon and quarantine information to travelers more discreetly. The lengthy and stern warnings provided during landing preparations give the passengers, the vast majority of whom are law-abiding, a "death penalty" image of Taiwan, as do posters at the international airport. The committee recommends that drug, weapon and quarantine information be provided together with visa application forms or landing cards and at tourist information outlets abroad. Promote specific aspects of Taiwan to Europeans. As a large number of current European visitors are traveling alone and are in Taiwan on business, attractions that would best be promoted to encourage them to extend their stay would include night life, museums, shopping (for IT and other products) and weekend trips to nearby mountains, hot springs, beaches and historic venues as well as to outlying islands. Our committee is ready to assist in supplying expertise from Europe to help develop these segments. Link Taiwan to greater China travel itineraries The committee encourages the promotion of Taiwan as a leading destination in greater China itineraries in support of the government's plan to operate direct flights between both sides of the Taiwan Strait in the near future. Technical preparations should be started soon, as trips between Taiwan and China now generally require combinations of tickets sold only in Taiwan or greater China at unpublished special prices, with a transfer most commonly in Hong Kong or Macau. Making matters even more bothersome, certain "agents" buy tickets outside Taiwan from mainland carriers for local resale, often without proper reservations or support. This raises the cost and complexity of organizing a tour to greater China including a stopover in Taiwan by European and local operators. Recommendation The committee proposes that to stimulate support and investments in the travel industry by European travel companies, efforts be made to regulate and upgrade this travel segment to international industry norms and provide tools to bring more ease and transparency to tour pricing and airline fares for European tourism via Taiwan to greater China. This would be helped by initiating Billing Settlement Plan membership and proper representation of mainland airlines, and by facilitating correct and full display of local and mainland flights and fares with unrestricted Global Distribution and airline reservation systems' access to the Taiwan market. © ECCT