FRANCE TRAVEL INFORMATION :

France travel information tips, Paris hotel specials, and France travel and tourism facts. 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 Woman Tours Gay/Lesbian Corporate Group Travel Club Trips Info Book a Tour Site Map 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 Travel news/announcements/Info: See our latest newsletter for updates Southern France, Spain, Italy - the best weather in the fall season ! We can take last minute bookings up to 7 days in advance of travel - subject to hotel availability. Our recommendations: Carcassonne Countryside - more challenging cycling tour visits the famous Cite of Carcassonne and vineyards of the Corbiere before finishing at the sea side. Provence - Avignon to Mediterranean - most popular tour for a full cross section of charming Provence. Spain - Catalonia and the Costa Brava near Girona . Lovely farmhouse family style lodging or gastronomic charm hotels. Exceptional late season biycle tour! Italy -Tuscany - enchanting region with its famously hilly terrain is best visited in the fall. We can accommodate 4 or 6 night packages. Paris Getaways : Low Season - November through March from low rates for excellent hotels of charm. Add on museum passes, metro passes, airport transfers or even add a stay in any of the many provinces easily reached by train from Paris like Dijon, Bordeaux, Avignon, Strasbourg, Tours, Reims, Lyon, and so on! Paris by foot; see our new Da Vinci Code tour and other programs in Paris Self Guided Walking Tours : Our program of self-guided travel is open to anyone; to know more visit this page of our website: Self Guided Touring FRANCE TRAVEL INFORMATION : This bit of information is for general travel throughout France. Each of our tour clients will receive this in addition to more detailed information about their tour. Paris Hotels - see our site at www.hotelsparis.net Hotels throughout France - see our site at www.francegetaways.com Regional Tourist Offices throughout France - see our links page See our new Vocabulary and interactive Language page Arriving in Paris: most flights now arrive at Charles de Gaulle airport from foreign destinations. There are still some charters and inter France flights going out of Orly. Our site at www.gotoparis.net discusses in detail the different options available for getting into the city. These options include: express buses, trains, taxis, and private transfers. To get from CDG airport to Orly, the best is by Air France bus. They depart every 30 minutes between 6:30 am and 10:30 pm. Traveling around in France: France is 1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (G.M.T. +1). This makes it 6 hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Standard Time (E.S.T. +6, and +9 PST). The time is the same all over the country. The country is divided in 95 departments – each has its name and its number and this number is set by alphabetical order. That number is found at the beginning of each zip code of the department as well as the last 2 digits of the car plates. Documentation U.S citizens only need a valid passport to travel to France as long as their stay does not exceed 3 months. You are required to carry identification with you at all times when traveling in France. If you lose your passport, contact: American Consulate 2, rue Saint Florentin - 75001 Paris Tel: 01.42.96.12.02 or 01.42.61.80.75 Consular Section for Canadians 35, Avenue de Montaigne - 75008 Paris Tel: 01.44.43.32.00 Post Office - Mail / Shipping The Post Office is called LA POSTE or PTT. Generally open M-F from 9am to 6pm and Saturday from 9am to 12pm. Telephone France is divided by 5 zones for the telephone. The 2 first digits of a phone number tells you the area: 01 is Paris / 02 northwest / 03 northeast / 04 southeast / 05 southwest. From the States, you don’t need to dial the 0. But once in France, you have to dial the 0. Phone numbers must have 10 digits (including the first 0), no exception – except of course the emergency numbers. Public phones in France require a telephone card, or they can often work also with a credit card. Check for the signs “Visa”, “Master Card”, etc… Emergency telephone numbers throughout France 24 hour ambulance (called “SAMU”): 15 Police: 17 Fire: 18 Other telephone numbers in Paris: 24 hour doctor: 01.47.07.77.77 24 hour dentist: 01.43.37.51.00 English language crisis line: 01.47.23.80.80 Public Holidays January 1st / Easter Monday / May 1st = Labor Day / May 8th / Ascension Thursday (last Thursday of May) / Pentecote Monday (beginning of June) / July 14 = Bastille Day / August 15 = Assumption / November 1st / November 11th / December 25th. Electric current Electricity in France runs on 220 volt, 50-cycle AC current. If you bring electrical devices, you will need to have a transformer and plug adapter. Banking / Purchasing Banks are generally open weekdays 9am - 4:30pm. In many cities outside Paris banks close for lunch, sometimes for 2 hours. Most banks are closed Saturday and Sunday and all holidays. The main banks are: BNP / Credit Agricole / Societe Generale / Caisse d’Epargne / Credit du Nord, etc… The Euro - € As of January 1, 2002, the Euro is the official currency in France and the 11 other countries currently participating in European currency union. The old French Franc is now part of history and is no longer accepted as a payment form. Check before departure the equivalent of the Euro compare to the U.S Dollar. The Euro paper currency will be the same in all 12 countries, in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 Euros. The coins however, will bear a different face according to the country. There are 8 coins: 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 cents and 1 and 2 Euros. Driving in France Document / Insurance / Law - An American driver’s license is valid for Americans driving in France. Have another ID document with you like your passport. - Insurance is highly recommended, be sure you are set before you leave home. - The legal age to drive in France is 18. - Trucks – except with special authorization – are not allowed to drive on Sunday. - Seat belts must be worn at all times – children under 12 must sit in the backseat - Park your car only where it is authorized, fines arrive quickly! And cars are often towed away. Car rental The legal age to rent a car is 21– but most companies require being 25 years old. See our links page for companies, and insurance options. Gas Taxes on gas are very high in France, which explains the price of the liter: On the petrol pump “Sans Plomb” means unleaded petrol. Gas stations along highways are open 24 h / 7 days. French usually get gas at large stores like Carrefour, Leclerc, Casino, etc… You can go at any time, help yourself and use your credit card Types of roads Interstate toll way / Motorway = A + the number of the road / 130km/h is the speed limit. This is also a toll road, you can pay tolls with a credit card; this is the fast way to travel, but is not cheap! Every 20 km you have restaurants, gas station, sometimes shops, restrooms… National road = N + number of the road / 90km/h. If you are not traveling too far or if you have plenty of time, then the more scenic and free way to go is on the National roads. A famous road in France is the National 7 / N7. There is even a song ? about that road sung by Charles TRENET! Department road = D + number of the road / 50km/h. Great for seeing the back country of France; very slow going. PARIS - some basic info is below. Museum passes, metro passes, day tours, shows, bus tours, more: www.gotoparis.net TOURIST OFFICES There are many convenient locations within Paris: Carrousel du Louvre: 99 Rue de Rivoli, 75001. Metro: Palais Royal / Louvre (1,7) Montmartre: 21 Place du Tertre, 75018. Metro: Abbesses (12) Gare du Nord: Metro / RER (B,D,4,5) Tour Eiffel: Metro / RER: Champs de Mars / Tour Eiffel (C), Bir-Hakeim (6) Gare de Lyon: Metro / RER (A,D,1,14) Opera – Grands Magasins: 11 rue Scribe, 75009/ Metro: Opera (3,7,8) / RER: Auber (A) Train Stations in Paris: Gare du Nord: North of France, Belgium, Eurostar to London, UK Gare de L’Est: Champagne, Alsace / Germany Gare de Lyon: Southeast, Provence – Cote d’Azur / Italy Gare Austerlitz: Loire Valley, Southwest France Gare Montparnasse: Brittany, TGV to Loire and Southwest Gare Saint Lazare: Normandy, western coast More detailed travel information is available at the French Governement Tourist Office Website at www.franceguide.com Home | Cycling Classics | Pure Adventures | Bicycle Tours | Walking Tours | Media | Links Promotions | Travel Agents | FAQs | Weather | Newsletter | Group Travel | Privacy © 2006 Discover France (SM)

European Vacation Planning Map

Packing for your European Vacation - Packing Tips  You are here: About > Travel > Europe for Visitors > Europe Travel Planning > Packing Tips 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 > Europe Travel Planning > Packing Tips Packing for your European Vacation - Packing Tips Packing right can make the difference between a great vacation and disaster. If you're traveling by train or in a small car, you'll want to pack light and you'll need to have a use for everything you pack. Is packing light overrated? You've never heard anyone say "geez, my bags weighed a ton and so I had a great vacation," have you? Subtopics Shipping Excess Baggage (3) Articles & Resources Sort By : Guide Picks | Alphabetical | Recent Red Oxx Airborne Carry on Ruck Sack - C-Ruck - Review The Red Oxx Airborne Carry on Ruck Sack is a durable and versatile carry-on bag, worth its premium price. Packing Tips - Packing A Suitcase to Thwart Wrinkles Illustrated packing tips from Europe for Visitors. Pack in a way that clothes won't wrinkle. Packing Light: Consider Your Unmentionables! Packing light is the mantra of the diehard wanderer. It allows us to get in all sorts of trouble with our increased mobility. Here are a couple of hints you might use on your next trip-or you can just read it and laugh at my obsessivness over saving weight in my luggage. Your choice. Clothes Compressors - Do They Work? Clothes Compressors take the air out of the stuff you pack and can allow you to get more into the ever shrinking baggage allowance the airlines impose. But do they work as the advertisements say? Well, I've performed some tests and you can see the results in this article. Top 5 Carry-On Bags Here's some ideas for your carry-on luggage. One of these may be your main bag if you pack light. Packing Tips for French Travel Kelby Carr over at France for Visitors has more packing tips and links for you about packing for that vacation of yours. One Bag (all about packing, luggage, and traveling light) Pretty much everything you need to know about packing, luggage and traveling light, including what to pack and what to pack it in. Packing your Bags The guys over at the Brussels Airport have a pretty good list of things to consider when you're packing--including the all-important forbidden items list. Rick Steves' Travel Tips: Packing List Here's the stuff that Rick Steves takes along to Europe, minus the film crew that is. The Travelite FAQ Packing tips for the new age.        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...

Chicago vacation. You'll get

Go Chicago Card, Chicago Attractions, Things to Do in Chicago What is it? Featured Attractions Shopping and Dining Chicago Guidebook Products and Pricing What They Are Saying Frequently Asked Questions Corporate Information Travel Agents -- Log In In The News Attraction Spotlight The Adler Planetarium Free admission with the Go Chicago Card The Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum continues to be on the leading edge of science museums since founded by Max Adler in 1930. Blast off to the stunning Sky Pavilion, where nine state-of-the-art exhibition galleries chronicle modern space exploration and the history of astronomy. Fly through a dazzling star-filled night sky in the StarRider Theater, the world’s most technologically advanced, audience-interactive planetarium. Or get Stranded in an Alien Lab, where a cosmic twist puts a spin on the search for extraterrestrials – in this lab, the aliens are looking for Earthlings! The Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum is America’s first planetarium. It has inspired more than 35 million visitors in it’s mission to stimulate the public’s interest in astronomy. Unlimited Admission at over 25 Chicago Attractions and Tours! LAST MINUTE SALE! Save 15% on 2, 3, 5 and 7-Day cards. FINAL TWO DAYS! Sale Ends Thursday, Dec. 29th Only on this site. Go Chicago™ Card is the perfect way to save on your Chicago vacation. You'll get unlimited FREE general admission to over 25 attractions and tours for one low price, as well as discounts at some of Chicago's top retailers and restaurants! Highlights include: Adler Planetarium The Field Museum Shedd Aquarium Museum of Science and Industry The Art Institute of Chicago The Notebaert Nature Museum John Hancock Observatory Sears Tower Sky Deck Frederick C. Robie House Chicago Children’s Museum Museum of Contemporary Art 2-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley pass Gray Line Grand Chicago Tour Gray Line North Side Tour Gray Line South Shore Tour Chicago Architectural Foundation walking tours Chicago Historical Society tours and Museum admission Shoreline Sightseeing Skyline Cruise Shoreline Sightseeing Architectural River Cruise Navy Pier IMAX Navy Pier Attractions and much more! Plus save up to 20% on shopping and dining around the city and get a FREE full color guidebook to help you plan your visit. PLEASE NOTE: Please be aware that the Shedd Aquarium will be closed for the day on Monday, January 9, 2006 due to a private function. What is it? | Featured Attractions | Shopping & Dining | Chicago Travel Guide Hotel and Vacation Packages | What They Are Saying | FAQ | Purchase the Card | Sitemap Corporate Information | Related Travel Sites | Other Travel Resources | Become an Affiliate Go Chicago Card is perfect for the Chicago vacation and offers unlimited admission to museums, tours and sightseeing for one low price. Also includes an Illinois travel color pocket guidebook. Hotel and Vacation packages are also available. Makes a great holiday Christmas Present. ©2005 Go Chicago™ Card 800-887-9103, 111 West Washington Street, Suite 1770, Chicago, IL 60601 Go Chicago Card is owned and operated by Smart Destinations, Inc .

Cruise Vacation Travel Cruises

Better Your Chances for a Safe Cruise Vacation  You are here: About > Travel > Cruises > Cruise Planning > Better Your Chances for a Safe Cruise Vacation Travel Cruises Essentials Planning Your First Cruise Cruise Travel Packing List Choosing a Caribbean Cruise Destination How To Get a Passport How to Choose a Cabin on a Cruise Ship Articles & Resources Cruise Lines Cruise Destinations Cruise Photo Album Cruise Planning Cruise Reviews Cruise Cams Cruise Glossary Cruise News Getting There Lifestyle - Theme Cruises Cruise Activities Travel Gear and Gadgets Cruise Jobs More Cruise Resources Buyer's Guide Before You Buy Top Picks European Cruise Guidebooks Cruise Guidebooks - General Information Alaska Travel Guide Books Product Reviews Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Cruises newsletter! See Online Courses   Search Cruises Stay up to date! Email to a friend Print this page Most Popular Cruise Packing List Carnival Cruise Line Reviews Choosing a Cruise Ship Cabin Planning Your First Cruise Cruise Jobs What's Hot Carnival Conquest Review HAL Norfolk Cruises Alaska Cruise Itineraries Radisson Seven Seas Mariner Crown Princess 2006 Debut Related Topics Caribbean for Visitors Europe for Visitors Honeymoons / Romantic Getaways Senior Travel Travel with Kids Better Your Chances for a Safe Cruise Vacation From Linda Garrison , Your Guide to Cruises . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Things to Do to Avoid Being a Crime Victim A cruise ship is one of the safest places you can take a vacation. However, in today's world, that is not saying much! No one sets out to become a crime victim, but it can happen to anyone. There are steps you can take to lower your risk of being a crime statistic when you travel. Before You Leave Home Make copies of your passport, driver's license, credit cards, wallet contents, and travel documents (plane tickets, etc). You also should make a copy of the credit card "lost or stolen" notification phone numbers to include with this package. Leave one set of copies at home with a trusted friend or family member, and take the other set with you, packed separately from the originals. Many cruise ships will hold your passport to expedite clearing the ship in foreign ports. Therefore, I always make a couple of extra copies of my passport to use to take ashore. Buy an under-the-clothing money bag and use it. These can be quite comfortable, and will thwart "cut and run" thieves who have been known to cut purse straps or waist packs right off their victims. Packing Your Luggage Don't rush out and buy expensive luggage. Plain-looking luggage is less likely to be a target. Some thieves might equate expensive luggage with expensive contents. Make a list of everything you have put in your luggage, and take pictures of it while packing in case of loss. Don't pack medications, eyeglasses, and valuables in your checked luggage. (Better yet, don't take valuables like expensive jewelry with you on the cruise.) Although you need to put external (and internal) tags on your luggage, don't list your full home address on the outside. This is a signal to expert thieves that you won't be home for a week! You really don't want to advertise to everyone at the airport where you live. Although you don't want expensive luggage, you do want luggage that will not pop open at an inopportune time. I've seen all sorts of baggage contents (including some "unmentionables") come out on the luggage carousels at the airport, and always felt sorry for the owners whose bags had come open. Consider using an extra band, airport plastic wrap, or duct tape to help secure your bags. You can buy self-locking plastic tags from travel or home improvement stores for about a dollar. These work well on zippered bags. In Your Cabin When you first get to your cabin, check the bathroom and closet while the cabin door is still open. While a ship is in port, many more people have access to it than you might imagine. Being cautious never hurt anyone. In addition, sometimes the locks on cruise ship cabins are not changed as often as hotel locks. Don't leave valuables lying around in your cabin. Put your wallet and valuables in the cabin's safe or the purser's safe. Be sure to use ALL the locks on the door when you are asleep. Don't open the door to strangers. Protect your cabin key and cabin number. On the Ship Although cruise ships are relatively safe, common sense is needed even at sea. Stay in the public areas, and remember that a cruise ship and its crew and passengers are like a small city, not like your family. If you are cruising with your children, set rules just like at home. Establish curfews for your teenagers, and caution them to not accompany crew members to non-public areas. Don't give your children "the run of the ship" while you are in the club, show, or casino. While In Port If you are going to be a crime victim while on a cruise, it is most likely to occur when you are ashore. Most crimes committed against cruise passengers are those of opportunity. I wear an under-the-clothing bag for my money and credit cards. While in Europe on a cruise vacation, there were at least three men on our cruise whose pockets were picked. Two men had their wallets in their back pocket--the worst place to carry it! One of these men was in the elevator of our pre-cruise Barcelona hotel, and another was waiting to cross the street at a busy intersection. The third man was on a crowded subway in Rome, and had his wallet in his front pants pocket. All three of these crimes could have been avoided. I once had my purse stolen while on business in Washington, D. C. I left it on the back of my chair while dining. I now know to hold it in my lap. I was very glad that I had recorded all of my credit card numbers (and notification phone numbers) in a place other than my purse. I was able to quickly notify the credit card companies and my bank, even though the theft occurred at night. You can't put your camera inside your clothing and have it ready to snap that special picture. Don't put it in a backpack, unless you wear it in front! I have a small camera bag that I can attach to a belt. If you want to carry it in a waist pack, put the strap through your belt loops. These tips are all common sense. Use them to make your next cruise vacation a safe one! Page 2 > > More on Having a Safe Cruise Vacation > > 1 2 3 Next        Topic Index | Email to a Friend Our Story | Be a Guide | Advertising Info | Work at About | Site Map | Icons | Help User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy | Kids' Privacy Policy ©2005 About, Inc., A part of the New York Times Company . All rights reserved. Around About New Video iPod - Review POLL: Must-Have Gadgets VIDEO: Portable Gaming VIDEO: Choosing a TV Hugh Hefner's Life What's Hot Carnival Conquest Review HAL Norfolk Cruises Alaska Cruise Itineraries Radisson Seven Seas Mariner Crown Princess 2006 Debut

Orlando Vacation Rentals l

Orlando Hotels and Vacation Rentals 1.800.ORLANDO (1.800.675.2636) home | view/cancel reservation | contact | faq's Embassy Grand Beach Resort from $55.00 Liki Tiki Resort from $59.00 ORS Vacation Homes from $89.00 Resort Pool Homes from $139.00 Explore Orlando Orlando Dining Orlando Nightlife & Entertainment Getting Around in Orlando Arriving in Orlando 1.800.ORLANDO (1.800.675.2636) Enter Email for news & special offers: Search for hotels in Orlando Check in: January February March April May June July August September October November December 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 2006 2007 Check out: January February March April May June July August September October November December 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 2006 2007 Booking For Groups Of 5+ Rooms? Universal's Royal Pacific Hotel from $169.15 through 12/24/05 Howard Johnson Maingate Resort from $39.00 through 12/31/05 Masters Inn Main Gate from $38.00 through 12/24/05 Radisson Barcelo Hotel from $52.00 through 12/24/05 Country Inn & Suites International Drive from $66.00 through 12/24/05 Radisson Resort Parkway from $67.00 through 12/31/05 Seralago Hotel & Suites from $59.00 through 12/31/05 Best Western - Walt Disney World Resort from $99.00 through 12/31/05 Omni Resort - ChampionsGate from $159.00 through 12/31/05 Walt Disney Dolphin Resort from $220.00 through 12/24/05 Make Orlando.com your vacation guide to Orlando, Florida. Find airfare, attractions, hotels, resorts and car rentals. We offer special hotel room deals on major hotel chains. Get hotel discounts from budget to luxury accommodations! Enjoy Disney, Epcot Center, and Universal Studios. Remember to check our hotel maps for directions. Have Fun! Orlando Hotel Reservations l Orlando Vacation Rentals l Orlando Car Rentals l Orlando Flights contact l faq’s l privacy policy l user agreement l site map © 2005 Orlando.com - All Rights Reserved