Travel Guide

Official State of Montana Vacation, Recreation, Accommodations and Travel Information LEWIS & CLARK MONTANA KIDS WILDLIFE WINTER PLAN A MONTANA VACATION FEATURES & EXTRAS ADVANCED SEARCH SITEMAP/HELP/FAQ LINKS TO RELATED SITES WEATHER & CONDITIONS Site Features Email This Page To A Friend Look for the Email This Page To A Friend button on all the pages in this site. It allows you to show the page you are viewing to interested friends or family. Quick Search Tourism Regions The state's six tourism regions invite you to find out more about the distinct scenery, attractions and experiences each offers. Wintermt.com Montanakids.com Lewis & Clark Indian Nations International Visitors Montanafilm.com Montanagroups.com Montanameetings.com State of Montana Feedback Form Privacy Policy Montana's National Parks From the wondrous geological features of Yellowstone to the majesty of Glacier, Montana's National Parks inspire and astound. Taking in everything that these parks have to offer is something that you'll never forget. So what are you waiting for? Visit Yellowstone & Glacier National Park. 1-800-VISIT-MT Our travel counselors love their jobs, and why shouldn't they? Everyday they help hundreds of happy callers plan their visits to our great state. So give us a call at 800-VISIT-MT(847-4868) and keep our travel counselors smiling. •••Note: Our call center will be closed Friday, August 26 while we install new customer service software. We will return to normal operation Tuesday, August 30 at 7:00 am MST.••• -- International Visitors Our partner websites can provide information for visitors from other countries in several different languages, including Chinese , Francais , English , Deutsch , Japanese and Italien . Special Deals Looking for Packages, Lodging, Dining, Camping or Adventure deals? Let us help! Save money on Montana vacations Montana Events Take in one of our many events--from wild & wooly rodeos to Lewis & Clark bicentennial commemorations, you'll find that events in Big Sky Country are uniquely Montana. Events Info Fishing and Hunting Licenses Buy your hunting and fishing licenses online. Online License Sales Travel Montana Intranet : contains information about the Montana Promotion Division of Department of Commerce, State of Montana, including information about the Governors Conference on Tourism & Recreation , The Travel Montana Marketing Plan, Travel Montana Programs, TIIP Grants and News & Updates. Directory of Tourism Businesses & Attractions If you know of a business or event by name, feel free to use the links to our directory below. If you do not know the business event by name, use the Plan a Montana Vacation Link above or the search box. A - C (#'s also) D - H I - M N - R S - Z Top Stories Montana Through the Photographer's Eye Check out our new featured photographer. Visit Montana is featuring beautiful photos of Montana taken by photographer Larry Mayer. View the Gallery -- Invite A Friend To Montana — Invite your friends and family members to explore Montana with a personalized invitation from Governor Schweitzer! Share Montana with someone special The Montana Dinosaur Trail Montana has yielded some of the world's most significant dinosaur discoveries. The thirteen stops along the Montana Dinosaur Trail allow you to discover these paleontological treasures for yourself. Follow The Trail For Dino Adventure Montana Fire Information Update The Summer wildland fire season has begun. Wildland fires are a natural part of life in Montana. They have helped create the landscapes and environment that attract our states residents and visitors. The impact of wildland fires is very local, and Montana is a very big state 94 million acres or 147,000 square miles. To help you understand where the fires are and their impact, if any, on the states attractions and outdoor activities, check out our Montana Fire Information Page. -- Beartooth Highway Open Repairs to the Beartooth Highway (Hwy 212) are now complete. Find out more information about the Beartooth Highway re-opening. Spotlight: Arts and Culture Montana has always been a place of inspiration and beauty. Plan on taking in the diverse offerings of Montana's artistic heritage and see how it's artists interpret the inspiration of Big Sky Country. Arts & Culture Montana Wedding Planner Looking for the perfect wedding location? Let us help! Get Married In Montana Discover Montana's Past Featuring articles about Big Sky Country's past, information about historical attractions like ghost towns, museums, Lewis & Clark, and historical tours. Montana History -- We Got Some Wild, Wild Life In Montana, everyone has a few wild neighbors; of course we're referring to antelope, elk, moose, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, eagles, trumpeter swans, bears, wolves, and more. Glimpse our watchable wildlife . -- All contents © 2005, Travel Montana, Department of Commerce, State of Montana. All rights reserved.

Spain Travel

Freelance Spain - Travel Facts Spain Destination Spain DESTINATIONS AT A GLANCE Want to discover one of the world's favorite countries? Here are some basic facts for the traveler in Spain. When to go In general, late spring and late summer-early autumn are the best times for traveling in Spain. Fair weather is practically guaranteed, and the countryside is at its best. High summer is stiflingly hot in most inland areas, including Madrid and the inland cities of Andalusia such as Seville and Crdoba. Big cities, especially Madrid, empty during August, with many shops and restaurants closing, though a visit then does have advantages, such as light traffic (you can even find a parking space). Summer weather is milder along the Mediterranean coast, but July and August in popular resorts such as the Costa del Sol are best avoided unless you like crowds. Summer along the northern coast of Spain, from the Basque Country to Galicia, can be very pleasant. Winters along the Mediterranean coast are generally mild, but expect occasional heavy rains - alternating with long spells of glorious sunshine - any time between October and April. In inland areas, winter temperatures can reach below freezing and snow is is not infrequent. Bear in mind Spain's fiestas when planning a trip - be it to go to them, or to avoid them. During major fiestas such as the San Fermin bull runs in Pamplona or the April Fair in Seville, hotel rates double and even so rooms must be reserved months in advance. Getting There Practically all transcontinental flights land at Madrid's Barajas airport, so you will need to book an extra flight if you want to travel by air to another destination in Spain. Air fares between North America and Europe are highly competitive. You might find it cheaper to fly to Spain via another European country. Rates between Great Britain and any number of destinations in Spain are especially worth checking out. Rail communications between the rest of Europe and Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia and Seville are very good. There are also regular ferries between southern England and northern Spain. Major cities in Spain are well connected to continental Europe and each other by motorway. Entry Formalities If you are a citizen of a European Union country, all you need to enter Spain is a national identity card. In the case of the United Kingdom, which does not issue such cards, you'll need a passport. Visas for stays of no longer than 90 days are not required for travelers from the United States, Canada, Australia or New Zealand, but South Africans do need to apply for a visa before they leave. Language A knowledge of Spanish will enrichen a trip to Spain, but you can get by perfectly well with English in the major destinations. Spaniards are in general friendly and tolerant towards foreign visitors. Getting Around Spain is a big country - the second largest in western Europe after France - so don't expect to "do Spain" in a week. Flights between Spanish cities are frequent, but the fares tend to be high. Iberia, Spanair and Air Europa are the major operators. Train service between the larger cities is excellent, and irreproachably punctual, but slower in the case of smaller regional cities. The bus is an inexpensive alternative. Driving in Spain Renting a car is a reasonably-priced option, and by far the best way to travel if you want to enjoy Spain's rich and varied countryside. The major international car hire firms operate in Spain; local companies usually charge somewhat cheaper rates. In any case, it is usually a better bet to reserve and pay for your rental car from home, before you leave. To rent a car you have to be over 21 and have a valid driver's license. Your national license is valid for driving in Spain as a tourist. Major roads are generally good, though traffic can be heavy on more popular routes, especially on weekends or during holiday periods. Local roads range from good and pleasant to hair-raisingly narrow and winding. Enquire locally before embarking on a driver to a distant village, and don't take a road just because it is a reassuring color on the road map. Avoid driving in cities: it can be a nightmare experience, especially if you're unfamiliar with the city or with some of the quirkier local driving habits. Park in a guarded parking area, and take a taxi, which are very good value in Spain. In Madrid, it's worth familiarizing yourself with the excellent Metro (subway) system. Money Matters The official currency in Spain is the Euro Credit cards are widely accepted in Spain, Visa and Masters more so than American Express or Diners. Provided you know your Personal Identification Number, you can use your card to withdraw cash from ATMs in Spain. Often, you'll find the rate of exchange is more favorable than if you go to a bank or exchange bureau. When exchanging money at a bank, avoid converting small amounts at a time, as the minimum commission charged can be prohibitive. Most Spanish banks close in the afternoon, all day Saturday during summer, and all day Sunday year round. Value added tax (IVA) is charged on purchases, at a rate of 16% for most goods and services (it is 7% for hotel accommodation). If you are resident of a non-European Union country, you can get a refund of this tax on purchases over 100 Euros in certain participating shops. The refund can be claimed at the airport customs office on your departure: you can either get cash there, or have them send a check to your home address or credit the amount to your credit card. Staying in Touch To call abroad from Spain, dial the international access code (00), then your country code (such as 1 for the US, 44 for Great Britain), then the number. If you have a phone card from your home company, you can place a call by dialing your company's access number in Spain: ATT 900 990 011 MCI 900 990 014 Sprint 900 990 013 British Telecom 900 990 044 Mobile phones can be used in Spain provided they conform to the European GSM standard and the "roam" feature is activated. Hotels In general, hotels in Spain are comfortable and good value. Hotels in large cities such as Madrid and Barcelona are around twice the price as hotels elsewhere in Spain. Hotels are rated from one to five stars, which gives a rough indication of their facilities, but not of the friendliness or efficiency of the service. Fodor's guide to Spain gives good, up-to-date information on hotels in the major Spanish destinations. Hotels often offer good deals in slower periods, such as summer in Madrid. When phoning for a reservation, always ask for the room rate, and enquire regarding special offers. Spanish hotels do not normally require your credit card number to accept a reservation. For more advice on choosing where to stay in Spain, see the article by Nick Inman on Hotels in Spain , and check our Guide to Hotels in Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao, Granada and Seville. Electrical Current The electrical current in Spain is 200 volts, 50 cycles AC. Plugs are of the continental type, with two round prongs. American appliances require a transformer and a plug adapter for use in Spain. Have A Question? If you have a question regarding any aspect of traveling in Spain, you can obtain personalized travel information from the experts by visiting guidebookwriters.com . In addition, you can post a message in our Forum section to request information or exchange views with other travelers to Spain. For useful on-line sources of information for travelers, head for our Links section and click on "Travel". DESTINATIONS AT A GLANCE : Madrid - Barcelona - Bilbao - Granada - Seville Almera desert - La Mancha - Formentera Canary Islands: La Palma - Canary Islands: Puerto de la Cruz FREELANCESPAIN HOME Freelance Spain Showcase - Journalists - Photographers Features - Travel - People - Freelance Selections - Editor'sShortcut - Links little@spainview.com

Golf Vacation

The Official Site of Kiawah Island Golf Resort, Vacation Rental, Charleston Hotel, Charleston South Carolina, SC, USA . . . . . JUST ANNOUNCED: Kiawah Island's Ocean Course will host the PGA Championship in 2012! This will be the first time a major is held in South Carolina. More Details . . . . .The Ocean Course is also host of the 68th Senior PGA Championship in 2007. Visit the PGA Website for more details . . . . .The Ocean Course has been ranked #38 among America's Greatest Golf Courses by Golf Digest for 2005-06. The famed links rank #8 among all public courses . . . . . Discover all that the finest golf resort on the East Coast has to offer by reserving your Classic Kiawah Golf Package today. Summer rates start at just $241 per person, per night . . . . . Visit The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island's website, TheSanctuary.com , today! . . . . . The Kiawah Golf Experience The resort boasts five championship golf courses, including the world-renowned Ocean Course, host of the 2007 Senior PGA Championship and the 2012 PGA Championship. We offer golf packages that include all greens and cart fees, range balls, accommodations and breakfasts. The only details you'll need to worry about are club selections and pin positions. The Kiawah Vacation Experience One of the nation's top ten beaches. AAA Four Diamond rated accommodations. Nine dining options. An endless list of activities scheduled for all ages. Golf and tennis in a setting you'll find nowhere else. And, of course, Charleston - the #3 travel destination in North America (Conde Nast, 2002) . The Kiawah Meeting Experience As relaxed and unhurried as the island itself. With flexible conference facilities, comfortable guest rooms, easy access by land or air, and spectacular outdoor function venues, Kiawah Island Golf Resort provides groups with an unforgettable experience. The Kiawah Tennis Experience Kiawah Island has been named the #1 Tennis Resort in the US by Tennis magazine! We have a wide range of programs that cater to every skill level. The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Located along the pristine shores of Kiawah Island, this exquisitely designed luxurious hotel, just thrity minutes from downtown Charleston, captures the spirit, history, and charm of southern hospitality. New Ocean Course Clubhouse Underway Click here to read more about the new Ocean Course Clubhouse. Join the Kiawah E-Club! We'll periodically send you details on special offers & packages and keep you up-to-date on the latest news from Kiawah Island! Click Here To Join Charleston, SC (800) 576-1570 ~ or ~ (843) 768-2121 Kiawah Golf Packages From $241! Kiawah Island Golf Resort will host the 2007 Senior PGA Championship and the 2012 PGA Championship. Here is your chance to play where the pros play! Kiawah Island Golf Resort offers a host of packages to fit every golfer. Visit Kiawah this summer and enjoy the best collection of golf courses in the country! DETAILS Employment | Press Office | Travel Agents | Real Estate Info | Privacy & Security | Contact Us 2005 Kiawah Island Golf Resort. All Rights Reserved.

EUROPE TRAVEL FEATURES Tasting

MSNBC - Europe Front Page Skip navigation Travel Active Travel Holiday Travel Luxury Travel Winter Travel Business Travel Family Travel Travel Tips Destinations Cultural Travel Golf Travel Your World Photos U.S. News World News Business Sports Entertainment Tech / Science Health Weather Travel Blogs Etc. Local News Newsweek Multimedia News Video Most Popular NBC NEWS MSNBC TV Today Show Nightly News Meet the Press Dateline NBC MSNBC Home Travel Europe Tourists visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Cathedral in the "Square of Miracle" August 24, 2002 in Pisa, Italy. The tower reopened in December 2001 after 10 years of stabilization work. Italian Dreams History, architecture, art and more - great Italian destinations in the hosting country of the 2006 Winter Olympics. SLIDE SHOW Franco Origlia / Getty Images Cross-border skiing in Europe Italy readying security for Turin Olympics Slide show: European Escapes Italian golf - at its most Italian! MORE EUROPE TRAVEL FEATURES Tasting Italy: Indulge in Piedmont Get away for some great Euro-shopping Spotlight on: Dubrovnik Austria's alive with action Spotlight on: Florence The village resorts of Austria that aren't Valencia's medieval center Low-fare airlines boom in Europe Magnificent London Italy's jaw-dropping Dolomites Go to Porto for the port, stay for more! Visiting Avebury henge Hungary for luxury? Find it here! The shopping capital of Scotland Visit Germany's rebuilt capital Pamplona: Spain's morning run Bullish on Pamplona, Spain Europe-bound? Pack these guides Live like a king in Spain's paradors Chur: Charm in the Swiss Alps The grandest places to visit in Scotland 10 great European drives Southern Spain escapes EU's new passenger rights Three days in Rome Video: Smart Travels with Rudy Maxa Travel Forecasts Weather.com Forecasts and Conditions Business Traveler Forecasts Plan your Vacation: Destination Finder Check your flight status, airport conditions MSNBC's Weekly Travel Newsletter TRAVEL TOOLS Currency converter Traveler's health warnings from the CDC Travel warnings from the State Department Airport status map from the FAA Cover | U.S. News | World News | Business | Sports | Tech/Science | Entertainment | Travel | Health | Blogs Etc. | Weather | Local News Newsweek | Today Show | Nightly News | Dateline NBC | Meet the Press | MSNBC TV About MSNBC.com | Newsletters | RSS | Podcasts | Help | News Tools | Jobs at MSNBC.com | Contact Us | Terms & Conditions | Privacy © 2005 MSNBC.com MSN Privacy | Legal Feedback | Help

Japan travel Travel Go

Packing tips for Japan - Japan travel  You are here: About > Travel > Japan for Visitors > Japanese Penpal / Chat > Packing tips for Japan - Japan travel Travel Go Japan Essentials Clickable Map of Japan Japan Pictures Japan Travel Tips Japanese Geisha Japan 101 - Fact about Japan Articles & Resources Japan Maps Picture of Japan / Web cams Best of Japan / Attractions Hotels/Accommodations Tokyo / Cities / Regions Japanese Translators Japanese Culture Etiquette / Living in Japan Japan Weather / Geography Japan History / Samurai Japanese Penpal / Chat Plan Your Trip to Japan Air Travel / Train Travel Restaurants / Japanese Food Japanese Gift / Japan Books Buyer's Guide Before You Buy Top Picks Japanese Gifts Product Reviews Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Japan for Visitors newsletter! See Online Courses   Search Japan for Visitors Stay up to date! Email to a friend Print this page Suggested Reading When to Go to Japan Where to Go in Japan Japan Photo Gallery Recent Discussions Japanese Cooking School in Tokyo Need help with gift new U.S. business Most Popular New Year Cards Japanese Geisha Christmas in Japan Japanese Tattoos Free Japanese postcards - Japanese new year cards - japan fr... What's Hot Japan Postcard - Japanese free email postcards - New Year's ... Japan Map - Nagano Prefecture Map - Map of Japan Universal Studios Japan Odaiba Photos Pictures of Japan - mount fuji picture - mt. fuji Photo Related Topics Japanese Cuisine Japanese Language Asia for Visitors Anime PlayStation Games Packing for Japan From Shizuko Mishima , Your Guide to Japan for Visitors . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Pcking Tips You might be wondering what to bring for your trip to Japan. I will give you some packing tips and a list of items. Tip 1: Money Many Japanese stores don't accept credit cards and traveler's checks, especially in small cities. I recommend bringing traveler's checks to Japan and exchanging them to yen in a bank. Be sure to carry Japanese yen in cash while you are in Japan. It's usually safe to carry cash in Japan. Be careful of pickpockets if you are taking a crowded train or going to an event where you can expect a large crowd. It's still convenient to bring a major credit card, such as MasterCard or Visa. You can use them when you shop at major department stores, hotels, and restaurants. Tip 2: Appliances The electricity in Japan is 100 volts, and there are two cycles (50/60). In Tokyo and areas northeast of Tokyo, the electricity is 50 cycles. In the southwest Japan, it's 60 cycles. Osaka, Kyoto, and Nagoya are in the southwest side. If you need to bring any appliances from your country, make sure to bring a converter or plug. American appliances can be used in Japan without a converter although they will have less power. If your appliances are three-pronged, you need a plug since Japanese appliances are two-pronged. You can buy converters and plugs in the airports or travel equipment stores in Japan. But since it could be a hassle for you to find a store that sells the converters, it's better to purchase them in your own country. It shouldn't take much space in your luggage. If you want to email your family or friends from Japan, you might want to take your laptop. You can connect to the Internet from major hotels and public phones although Internet access can be expensive in Japan. Tip 3: Luggage Compared with westerners, who often travel with large suitcases, it's not common for Japanese people to travel with a large suitcase around the country. Consequently, there isn't usually a wide space to store large luggage in trains, and the coin lockers aren't large enough to hold them either. I recommend keeping your luggage small when you travel around Japan. You might want to bring several small bags so that you don't have to carry a large suitcase. Tip 4: Shoes Since it's a Japanese custom to take off your shoes indoors, you might have to take off your shoes often in Japan. I recommend bringing a pair of shoes that you can slip off and on easily. Make sure to bring, and wear, a nice pair of socks or pantyhose to avoid any embarrassment when you take off your shoes. Tip 5: Handkerchief and Pocket tissue It's important to carry a handkerchief in Japan. Many restrooms in Japan don't have paper towels. Be sure to bring a handkerchief in your pocket to dry your hands! Also, pocket tissues are good to carry, since they are often needed while traveling. Tip 6: Gifts While you are in Japan, you might be visiting a Japanese home. If you are wondering what to bring for gifts, former travelers to Japan share good ideas in the forum. Check List: Passport and Visa (If you are staying in Japan more than 90days) Airplane Ticket Japan Railpass purchasing order Traveler's check Japanese yen in cash if possible Travel Insurance Credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express) Photocopy of all these documents Small suitcase or extra bags Camera (film is cheap in Japan) Umbrella Small calculator Dictionary (Japanese Conversation book) / Guidebook Sewing set Walking shoes First Aid Kit / Prescription / OTC Medicine Alarm clock Glasses and Contact lenses Jackets / Night wear / Socks / Underwear Shaver (cordless would be good) Laptop if you need Plastic bags (can be trash bags) Pen / Memo note Cosmetics and your amenities Packing Tips from Japan for Visitors Forum Money Exchange in Japan Using Internet in Japan Baggage on Shinkansen Suggestions for Gifts More Articles about Japan / Japan Photo Gallery        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 Japan Postcard - Japanese free email postcards - New Year's ... Japan Map - Nagano Prefecture Map - Map of Japan Universal Studios Japan Odaiba Photos Pictures of Japan - mount fuji picture - mt. fuji Photo