Chicago Vacation

Family Vacation Tip: Chicago Greeters  You are here: About > Travel > Travel with Kids Travel Travel with Kids Essentials Family Vacation Ideas Winter and Spring Break All-Inclusive Resorts Ten Latest Family Travel Deals Family Resorts: top places; photos Articles & Resources Family Travel: What's Hot Top Vacation Spots VT, ME, NH, CT, MA, NY, PA Mexico Family Vacations Caribbean Vacations More Beach Vacations Florida Family Vacations Resorts with Water Park More Family Resorts Fun Places for Kids Disney Vacations Family Cruises Babies;Teens;Single Parents Lots More Destinations Family Travel TIPS, GAMES Buyer's Guide TAKE ALONG: Christmas books Christmas flicks Activity Kits more CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Travel with Kids newsletter! See Online Courses   Search Travel with Kids Family Vacation Tip: Chicago Greeters Travel with Kids Blog « Family Vacation Idea: USVI | Main | Family Vacations: Disney World » December 22, 2003 Family Vacation Tip: Chicago Greeters Visiting Chicago? Get a (free!) introduction to the city with your own personal guide, courtesy of the City of Chicago Greeter Program . Similar to the terrific Big Apple Greeters in NYC. Email a Friend Display Latest Headlines Read Archives Advertisement Most Popular Charades -How To Play Charades Family Vacation Spots The Atlantis Resort Great Places to See Santa Disney Christmas Magic Kingdom What's Hot Grand Floridian Chinese New Year - 2006 Poconos Great Wolf Lodge photo Dog Friendly Hotels, inns, lodges -- find dog-friendly vacat... Kwanzaa Related Topics Florida for Visitors New England for Visitors Theme Parks Hotels / Resorts / Inns Parenting of K-6 Children        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 Grand Floridian Chinese New Year - 2006 Poconos Great Wolf Lodge photo Dog Friendly Hotels, inns, lodges -- find dog-friendly vacat... Kwanzaa Headlines Bunch of family travel deals Latest deals added include a January Travel Special at the... First Nights! "First Night" events celebrate New Year's with family-friendly festivities-- and... Top Family Travel Trends in 2005 It's that time of year... to pause the mad dash... Bookmark the NORAD Tracks Santa site! It's not a family trip, but it's certainly a trip...

Orlando Vacation Resorts Looking

Orlando Hotels - Book your vacation online! Orlando hotels and vacations without the booking fees ! Find out how you can save money by booking your accommodations online. Orlando Vacation Resorts Looking for a hotel room with all the comforts of home? Our vacation resorts section lists affordable resorts in the Orlando area including the International Drive , Kissimmee , and Disney World areas . Featured Orlando Vacation Resort: Econolodge Hawaiian Maingate Resort Orlando - Kissimmee MainGate Area Ready to spend some quality time in America's greatest family vacation spot? After a long day spent at the nearby parks such as Walt Disney World, you'll find ways to keep occupied with the facilities offered at our family oriented property. Book online / more info $56.50 lowest avg nightly rate Discount Accommodation Our discount accommodation listing is sorted by price from low to high. Here you will find lodgingin all areas of town including the Orlando International Airport , Disney , Universal , SeaWorld , International Drive , Downtown , Kissimmee , Point Orlando , and LakeBuena Vista areas . Featured Discount Accommodation: Orlando Grand Plaza Orlando - International Drive/Sea World Area Located on International Drive in the heart of Orlando, the hotel staff is a perfect mix of professionalism and sincerity offering guests an excellent service. Come experience a whole new world of stylish comfort at the Orlando Grand Plaza! Book online / more info $49.76 lowest avg nightly rate Best Value Hotel Deals These hotels have been evaluated based on quality, location and price. We have deemed them the "Best Value" because they offer the most for your money. Featured Best Value Hotel Deal: Clarion Maingate Orlando - Kissimmee MainGate Area Welcome to the Clarion Hotel Maingate, conveniently located less than two miles from Walt Disney World, Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney Animal Kingdom and Disney MGM Studios. Book online / more info $129.06 lowest avg nightly rate Disney World Vacation Resorts Looking for accommodation in the Disney Resort area ? Our Disney vacation section allows you to reserve your Disney hotel room online and enjoy magical savings without booking fees! Featured Disney World Vacation Resort: Grosvenor Resort Orlando - Disney World Resort Area Of all the Official Walt Disney World Hotels, the Grosvenor Resort has the most to offer your family. Enjoy an elegant stay and comfortable price in the Downtown Disney Resort area Book online / more info $172.14 lowest avg nightly rate Hotels by location: Disney World Hotels Kissimmee MainGate Area Lake Buena Vista Area Disney Village Area Disney World Resort Area Universal Studios Area International Drive Area Sea World Area Orlando International Airport Florida Mall Area Downtown Hotels Browse All Hotels in Orlando Hotels by type: Best Value Hotel Deals Discount Accommodation Off the Record Specials Cheap Motels & Lodging Orlando Vacation Resorts Disney Vacation Resorts Luxury Accommodation 5 Star , 4 Star , 3 Star Hotels by name: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Quick Search: (hotel name) Surrounding Cities: Kissimmee Altamonte Springs Coocoa Beach Daytona Beach Tampa Bay Clearwater Beach Saint Petersburg Activities: Things to See and Do in Orlando More Great Cities: Atlanta Cape Town Chicago Denver Florence Honolulu Las Vegas Los Angeles Madrid Memphis New Orleans Prague San Francisco Seattle Washington DC SEARCH: Flights | Hotels | Cruises | Packages Home | Contact Us | Sitemap 2004, 2005. Hotels Resource , "A Travel Holdings, Inc. Premier Affiliate". All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Taiwan Travel

Taiwan Vacations, Taiwan Travel, Taiwan Luxury Resorts, Taiwan Hotels Taiwan Luxury Vacations, Taiwan Cruises, and Taiwan Hotels Guide Site Index Taiwan Vacation Guide: Romantic Taiwan Hotels and Honeymoons Taiwan Vacations and Cruise Consultants Asia Luxury Vacations: Call 1-800 330 8820 to book. Open Every day! Asia Vacations Bali Vacations Bhutan Vacations Cambodia Vacations China Vacations Hong Kong Vacations India Vacations Indonesia Vacations Japan Vacations Kyrgyzstan Vacations Laos Vacations Macau Vacations Malaysia Vacations Maldives Vacations Mongolia Vacations Myanmar Vacations Nepal Vacations Pakistan Vacations Philippine Islands Singapore Vacations South Korea Vacations Sri Lanka Vacations Taiwan Vacations Thailand Vacations Tibet Vacations Turkey Vacations Turkmenistan Vacations Uzbekistan Vacations Vietnam Vacations Brunei Kazakhstan Tajikistan Afghanistan Armenia Azerbaijan Bangladesh North Korea Luxury Cruise Guides Luxury Cruises World Luxury Cruises Asia River Cruises Travel Agent Career Opportunities Bookmark this page Taiwan: Overview In this section you will find great Taiwan Luxury Resorts and Hotels. All-inclusive Taiwan Resorts. Romantic Taiwan Honeymoon Destinations. Taiwan Yachting Vacations. Taiwan Cruises. Taiwan Luxury Villas---Plus tons of enjoyable virtual tours and streaming videos---You will find everything here, all the insider's secrets. Shaped roughly like a tobacco leaf, 240 miles long and 85 miles wide, Taiwan is located 100 miles off the coast of southeastern China and is approximately the same size as Holland. The Portuguese named it La Isla Formosa ("beautiful island") during their occupation in 1517 and for very good reasons. The east coast has magnificent cliffs that dive straight into the ocean and mountains, many over 10,000 feet high, cover two-thirds of the island. The Jade Mountain (Yushan), for example, is the tallest peak in northeast Asia at 13,114 feet; the climate at sea level is subtropical. Taiwan Luxury Tours Taiwan has been loosely affiliated with China since the 13th century and independent since 1945. Today, Taiwan is a living showcase of Chinese culture and tradition. The best display of China's past is seen in The National Palace Museum in Taipei, reputed to be the world's greatest repository of Chinese art. Taiwan Country Highlights Taiwan Country & Its People Another of Taipei's attractions is the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial, one of the most breathtaking sites in Taiwan. Jade markets, tea shops, parks and more museums also await you. Taiwan is situated in the Western Pacific about 160 kilometers (100 miles) off the southeastern coast of the Asiatic Continent. Lying midway between Korea and Japan to the north and Hong Kong and the Philippines to the south, Taiwan is a natural gateway for travelers to and within Asia. Taiwan has a total area of nearly 36,000 sq. km (14,400 sq.miles). The island is shaped roughly like a tobacco leaf, and is bisected north to south by the Central Mountain Range. About two-thirds of the island is covered with mountains with the rest made up of foothills, terraced flatlands, and coastal plains and basins. Yu Shan (Jade Mountain), the island tallest peak, towers 3,952 meters (12,966 feet) above sea level. The Tropic of Cancer crosses the southern part of Taiwan. Taiwan proper also includes the Penghu Archipelago--a group of 64 islands--and 21 other islands. Most of them are of volcanic origins, while some are formed by a mass of coral reefs. Taiwan is a stable democracy and has a strong and well-developed economy. Tourist facilities are widely available. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Passport required. Taiwan previously required that U.S. visitors to Taiwan hold passports valid for at least six months. This is no longer the case: Taiwan now considers U.S. passports valid for return to the United States for six months beyond the expiration date of the passport. For specific information about entry requirements, travelers may contact the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO), 4201 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20016-2137, via either its main telephone number,(202) 895-1800, or its visa section telephone number,(202) 895-1814. The main fax number at TECRO is (202) 363-0999, and the visa section fax number is (202) 895-0017. There is also an Internet address: http://www.taipei.org/teco.htm. The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) also has offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Guam, Honolulu, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco and Seattle. AMERICAN INSTITUTE IN TAIWAN: Unofficial relations with the people of Taiwan are conducted through the American Institute in Taiwan, whose offices are authorized by law to perform American citizen services. For assistance, U.S. citizen travelers may contact the American Institute in Taiwan at No. 7 Lane 134, Hsin Yi Road Section 3, Taipei, Taiwan; telephone (886-2) 2709-2000; fax: (886-2) 2709-0908; or the American Institute in Taiwan branch office at No. 2 Chung Cheng 3rd Road, 5th Floor, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, telephone: (886-7) 224-0154; fax: (886-7) 223-8237. In case of emergencies after working hours, the duty officer at the American Institute in Taiwan at Taipei may be contacted at (886-2) 2709-2013. Taiwan Luxury Vacations & Tours Taiwan boasts a remarkable range of attractions for the visitor, as a destination in itself or in combination with one of its neighbors. Known by the Portuguese as Ihla Formosa, or beautiful island, Taiwan's natural beauty is well complemented by its temples and historically rich cities. For aficionados of Asian art, a visit to Taiwan is almost a mandatory pilgrimage. The National Palace Museum boasts one of the world's most important art collections, originally housed in Beijing's Forbidden City. Taipei's temples and bustling streets are balanced by the waterfalls and hot springs of nearby Yangminshan Park, enlivened each spring by cherry blossoms. South of Taipei, artisans' villages make for a fascinating day's excursion. On the East Coast, Taroko Gorge is a steep ravine with marble-rich cliffs and delightful pavilions. Inland, Sun Moon Lake is a lovely spot, with deep blue waters surrounded by mountains. Traditional arts thrive at Lukang, on the western coast. Traveling south, Tainan boasts a wealth of temples, befitting a city that was the island's capital for over two hundred years. At the southern tip of the island, Kenting National Park is a beautiful land of white sand beaches and exotic tropical plants. Imperial Splendor Taipei 4 days/3 nights Cost per person based on double occupancy: Deluxe : $1,160 Beyond the City Walls: Taipei and its Surrounds Taipei, Yangmingshan, Yingko, Sanhsia, and Wulai 6 days/5 nights Cost per person based on double occupancy: Deluxe : $2,245 Eastern Visions Taipei, Taroko Gorge 6 days/5 nights Cost per person based on double occupancy: Deluxe : $2,540 Deluxe Highlights Taiwan Taipei, Taroko Gorge, Sun Moon Lake 9 days/8 nights Cost per person based on double occupancy: Deluxe : $5,040 Over the Mountains, Down to the Sea Taipei, Sun Moon Lake, Tainan, Kenting National Park, Taroko Gorge 9 days/8 nights Cost per person based on double occupancy: Deluxe : $5,010 Journey Along a Silken Thread: Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan Hong Kong, Taipei, Tokyo, Kyoto, Takayama, Kurashiki 19 days/18 nights Cost available upon request. Great Cities of East Asia: Japan, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Vietnam Tokyo, Kyoto, Beijing, Shanghai, Taipei, Hong Kong, Hanoi, Saigon 20 days/19 nights Cost available upon request. East Asian Odyssey: Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, Japan Taipei, Taroko Gorge, Hong Kong, Beijing, Hangzhou, Guilin, Yangtse River Cruise, Xian, Tokyo, Kyoto 33 days/32 nights Cost available upon request. Book your Luxury Taiwan Vacation Submit a vacation planner to our Virtuoso Travel Specialists Client Testimonials about our services Asia Overview Search Your Vacation, Tour or Cruise Taiwan Overview Taiwan History Taiwan Culture Taiwan Country Highlights Taiwan Country & Its People Taiwan Geography Taiwan Practical Info Taiwan Luxury Accommondations Taiwan Luxury Hotels and Resorts Taiwan Luxury Vacations And Tours Taiwan Luxury Tour Asia Luxury Tour Vacation Packages Asia Tour Vacation Packages Taiwan Pictures Click here to book your Luxury Asia Vacation Click here to submit a vacation planner to our Virtuoso Travel Specialists Bookmark this page 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 Consultants. 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 Consultants. We can arrange every little detail of your tour vacation, including air, and pre-tour and post-tour arrangements to make sure you have a wonderful, carefree vacation experience at no extra charge! When you complete our "Luxury Tour Vacation Planner" our 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 Consultants. We can arrange every little detail of your cruise vacation, including air, excursions, and pre-cruise and post-cruise arrangements, to make sure you have a wonderful, carefree vacation experience at no extra charge! When you complete our " Luxury Cruise Vacation Planner" our Virtuoso--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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Travel Guide by the

Welcome to the Official Fiji Islands Travel Guide by the Fiji Visitors Bureau. The Flying Fijians Australia Continental Europe UK USA Download Fiji Brochures Arrival and Departure Entry Requirements Geography Health History and Culture Fiji Missions Overseas Money Sports Tourism 2005 Presidents Cup Yacht Race Adventure Attractions Cruising and Charters Diving Eco Tourism Events Fishing Golf Meetings and Incentives Shopping and Dining Tour and Coach Operators Weddings and Honeymoons Other Activities Price Region Size Accommodated Cruising Airlines Rental Cars Limousines and Chauffeurs Ferry Services Bus andTaxi Frequently Asked Questions Contact Us Visitor Arrivals 2003 FVB worldwide Offices Updates and Reports 2005 FVB Promotional Calendar 2004 FVB Industry Day Visitor Arrival Statistics FVB Marketing Materials 2004 Excellence in Tourism Awards 2004 Tourism for Poverty Alleviation Forum 2005 Fiji Tourism Forum home hotdeals about fiji activities accommodation transportation infodesk trade info --- The Flying Fijians Sunny, unique and unspoiled, the Fiji Islands are one thousand miles of pristine white sand beaches, fabulous coral gardens and azure lagoons... Fiji Brochures... Click HERE VIEW OUR NEW WEBSITE IN PREVIEW MODE: Bula! (Welcome) to the Official Fiji Islands Travel Guide by the Fiji Visitors Bureau. We have developed this comprehensive site to assist you in your quest for that perfect holiday. Then you can plan out your ideal holiday using the wealth of information within. Enjoy! Upcoming Events: 20th-22nd Jan 2006 Benny Hinn Fiji Healing Crusade [ click here ] Sign up for our mailing list! Fiji Time Local Fiji Hot Deals Get the latest specials for Australia, Asia, Europe, and the US. Click Here .. Visit our national airline: Regional websites... Australia - Fiji Visitors Bureau New Zealand - Fiji Visitors Bureau Japan - Fiji Visitors Bureau Korea - Fiji Visitors Bureau America - Fiji Visitors Bureau German - Fiji Visitors Bureau HOME | HOT DEALS | ABOUT FIJI | ACTIVITIES | ACCOMMODATION | TRANSPORTATION | INDUSTRY

Germany Travel

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