European Vacation By Ray

10 Money-Saving Tips for Your European Vacation Web TransitionsAbroad.com Home Work Study Travel Living As seen in Transitions Abroad Magazine March/April 2001 Related Topics Back Door Travel with Rick Steves Budget Travel Related Articles Europe’s Online Travel Deals Cheap Travel in Europe Ricks Steves' Thrifty Fifty: How to Make Your Dollars and Sense Carry You Further in Europe Ricks Steves' Dirty Thirty: More Tips on How to Make Your Dollars, Euros, and Pounds Stretch 10 Money-Saving Tips for Your European Vacation By Ray Bangs Traveling cheaply is not just about saving a few francs, it is really about getting a better value for your money. Eat like the locals and you will save big bucks. Food and drink costs add up. For breakfast, a cup of coffee, a roll, assorted cold cuts, and a piece of fruit from the local market can be very reasonable. For lunch, try a picnic. Even in winter you may find Europeans unpacking a sandwich in the park. Choose the fixed menu and the house wine. Restaurants usually offer two or three choices that highlight some of the house specialties. Spend the night on a train. Your long-haul transportation and accommodations are taken both care of and you gain one more day for exploration. Bring a meal and snacks with you, since the dining car prices are often outrageous. Water is essential and will help you avoid that hangover effect if you do not sleep well. If you decide against the sleeper-car, an inflatable neck-pillow is important. Buy the postcard. Instead of snapshots of the Eiffel Tower take pictures of your friends and the people you meet. Keeping the rolls of film in a Ziploc bag will allow you to safely transport them back to the U.S. where developing costs are much less. Digital cameras are another eco- and wallet-friendly option, as long as you have some means of recharging the battery. Send an email instead. At a dollar each, the cost of mailing postcards can add up. Try to get everyone’s email address before you go, then at every city send a group email from an Internet café. If you are using a digital camera, you could even send that photo of you trying to distract the Buckingham Palace guards. It’s nice to receive emails from the people who write back to you as you travel. Try to speak the language and meet the locals. Everything can cost more than it should when you are unfamiliar with the currency, the customs, and the language. Following the advice of locals beats following the guidebooks. Use your credit card and get cash at ATMs. You will get a much better exchange rate and not have to pay conversion fees. Buy prepaid phone cards. In Europe these are available at any market or kiosk. Plan your souvenir budget. The little sew-on patches, stickers, or postcards are inexpensive mementos. If you simply must have a replica of Julius Caesar’s bust, remember that the further away from the Coliseum you go, the cheaper it will be. Get the discounted price. A student ID card can help you get the best prices on everything from museums to hotels. Joining a hostel association is worth the small investment. In the larger cities, an inexpensive public transportation ticket will allow you to enjoy the tour at your own pace. RAY BANGS lived for two years in Europe before moving to Tempe, AZ. He is planning a move back to Europe. Contact him at RCBangs@hotmail.com . Web TransitionsAbroad.com Home Work Study Travel Living Disclaimer ©Transitions Abroad

France Travel Cheat Sheets

Free France Travel Cheat Sheets  You are here: About > Travel > France for Visitors Travel Go France Essentials New Year's Eve in Paris and France Worst of France 2005 Paris Travel Guide Top French Ski Resorts Best New Year's Eve Champagne Articles & Resources Destinations Trip Planning Transportation Interests & Situations Money, Safety & Issues Things to Do in France Where to Stay in France Staying Connected Blogs Picture Galleries Culture, Language & People Fun, Freebies & Quizes Relocating to France Nudism, Sex & Gay Travel D-Day & Historic Travel Buyer's Guide Before You Buy Top Picks Sites Selling French Products Before You Buy the Gift of Travel Gifts for the France Fanatic Product Reviews Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the France for Visitors newsletter! See Online Courses   Search France for Visitors Free France Travel Cheat Sheets France for Visitors Blog « France: The Bad Side | Main | Terrorist Arms Factory Found Near Bordeaux » March 30, 2004 Free France Travel Cheat Sheets Why do France the hard way? Get a little assistance with these free France Travel Cheat Sheets, which provide tips on getting around, the French language, the French people, important and emergency numbers, and more. Get a personalized (and free) guidebook for your trip with my new France Travel Cheat Sheets . Email a Friend Display Latest Headlines Read Archives Advertisement Related Blogs Dispatches from France Blog Paris Blog French Word-a-Day Blog La Coquette Blog Chroniques dune Fraise Nice Blog Rsidence Les Marronniers Provence Blog L'Oiseau Blog Chocolate and Zucchini Blog Forty Days in Paris Blog Most Popular "Naked City" Christmas in Paris Photo Tour Paris Sex District Top Paris Attractions Christmas in France What's Hot New Year's Eve in France Paris Gay Pride Parade Host A France-Themed Party Nice, France Photo Gallery Camping in France Related Topics Europe for Visitors French Language French Cuisine Honeymoons / Romantic Getaways Wine        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 New Year's Eve in France Paris Gay Pride Parade Host A France-Themed Party Nice, France Photo Gallery Camping in France Headlines Lose Weight with the French Diet The French eat rich foods, drink lots of wine and Worst of France 2005 The year 2005 was a tough one for France, as Top Ski Resort Hotels in France France features some of the world's best skiing, be it New Year's Eve in Paris and Other French Cities The French really know how to celebrate New Year's, whether

Mexico Travel Site: Everything

Mexico Travel Tools T RAVEL T OOLS T RAVEL T OOLS Alvarado Antigua Castillo De Teayo Catemaco Cazones Cempoala Cerro Azul Chachalacas Chiapas Coatepec Coatzacoalcos Coatzintla Cordoba Cosamaloapan Costa Esmerelda El Tajin Fortin De Las Flores Gutirrez Zamora Huatusco Jalcomulco Martinez Minatitln Naolinco Nautla Oaxaca Orizaba Otatiln Pnuco Papantla Poza Rica Puebla Quiahuiztln San Andres Tuxtlas San Juan Evengelista San Lorenzo-Tenochtitlan Santiago Tuxtlas Sontecomapan State of Veracruz Tampico Tecolutla Tlacotalpan Tlapacoyan Tlaxcala Villahermosa Xico Navigate Veracruz Mexico City , 20 million strong and growing, is the largest City in the Americas. It is built upon the ruins of the most glorious City of the pre-Columbian Americas by the Aztecs who were the last of many ambitious civilizations who rose to power and glory beginning around 1200 BC with the Olmecs of Veracruz. At the beginning of another age, about 500 years ago, our featured Carnaval City Veracruz was again the cradle of the Mexico today when Hernn Corts landed on the coast near modern-day Veracruz on Good Friday 21 April 1519 with 11 ships, 550 men and 16 horses. The determined man of destiny ordered his ships burned. (history continued ) Daily News Update from Mexico & Latin America ANNUAL EVENTS || PASSPORT/VISA CUSTOMS || GUIDES TO MEXICO || State Tourismo || LINKS || GETTING THERE || - Bus Companies || PLACES TO STAY -- Veracruz State || -120 Cities || HEALTH & SAFETY || TOURS || MAPS || MONEY || FAST FACTS || LANGUAGE || WEATHER || MEDIA || - Top Headlines || TRADE || HISTORY Planning at Trip Mexico by frommers.com > Planning a Trip > Tips for Travelers with Special Needs For Families Highly recommended For Students no formal network of student discounts For Gay & Lesbian Public same-sex affection is rare Disabilities one giant obstacle For Seniors popular country for retirees, paperwork important For Women Alone safer traveling in Mexico than USA Mexico Travel Site: Everything you need to know for an enjoyable vacation in Mexico. Annual Events Calendar of Events by www.visitmexicopress.com Calendar of Mexican Fiestas and Holidays by vivasancarlos.com Holiday Planner by www.infopv.com Similar pages Passport/Visa Customs /Documents Traveling in Mexico requires proof of citizenship, which is easiest to provide by carrying a valid passport. If you do not have a passport, never fear. It is also possible to get a tourist visa (tarjeta de turista) with certified copy of your birth certificate (embossed seal do impress) and a photo ID at border crossings. The cost of a tourist visa is about $20 USD, and is included in the cost of your international plane or cruise ship ticket . Visas are typically valid for 180 days M ost people officially need a passport to pick up their tourist card, but for US and Canadian citizens all that's required is proof of citizenship (an original birth certificate or notarized copy, for instance, or naturalization papers), along with some form of photo ID (such as a driver's license). D on't lose the blue copy of your tourist card, which is given back to you after immigration inspection. You are legally required to carry it at all times, and if you have to show your papers, it's more important than your passport. Get extra visas if you'll be leaving and returning to Mexico during your trip. Planning your Flight & air travel rules by carnaval.com When taking chances on an expired ID your biggest concern is the airlines will not accept it. The Mexican rules do not say the ID must be current but that may not matter to your air carrier. Visas And Red Tape by roughguides for travelnow USA Restrictions of entering USA from Mexico by mexicoweb.com State Department Travel Information Sheet on Mexico US Consulates: Embassies and consular agents should be contacted for such emergencies as police arrest, lost passports or tourist cards, medical difficulties or accidents, or if you find that your car is unable to make the requisite return trip out of Mexico. http://travel.state.gov/travel_warnings.html for Consular Information sheets and warnings http://travel.state.gov/tips_mexico.html Tips for Travelers to Mexico. Visa and Travel Advisories for Mexico by nationalgeographic.com Guides to Mexico OFFICIAL www.visitmexico.com Mexico's Tourism Promotion Board Mexico-travel.com / Ministry of Tourism of Mexico Select City: Acapulco Aguascalientes Ajijic Akumal Alamos Baha de Kino Bajamar Barra de Navidad Batopilas Boca del Rio Buceras Buenavista Cabo Pulmo Cabo San Lucas Campeche Cancun Catavia Cerocahui Chapala Chetumal Chichen Itza Chihuahua Chilpancingo Cholula Cihuatln Ciudad del Carmen Ciudad Delicias Ciudad Juarez Ciudad Madero Ciudad Mante Ciudad Obregon Ciudad Valles Ciudad Victoria Coatzacoalcos Cob Cocoyoc Colima Cozumel Creel Cuernavaca Culiacan Divisadero Dolores Hidalgo Durango El Fuerte Ensenada Garza Garcia Gomez Palacio Guadalajara Guanajuato Guaymas Guerrero Negro Hermosillo Huatulco Huatusco Isla de Navidad Isla Mujeres Ixtapa Ixtapan de la Sal Jalapa Jiutepec Juriquilla Kantenah La Huerta La Paz La Piedad Lagos de Moreno Lazaro Cardenas Len Loreto Los Barriles Los Mochis Manzanillo Maroma Matamoros Matehuala Mazatlan Merida Mexicali Mexico City Minatitlan Monclova Monterrey Morelia Mulege Municipio de Solidaridad Naucalpan Navojoa Nogales Nuevo Laredo Nuevo Vallarta Oaxaca Pachuca Palenque Paracho Patzcuaro Pie de la Cuesta Piedras Negras Playa del Carmen Poza Rica Progreso Puebla Puerto Angel Puerto Aventuras Puerto Escondido Puerto Morelos Puerto Nuevo Puerto Peasco Puerto Vallarta Queretaro Real del Catorce Real del Mar Reynosa Rincn de Guayabitos Rosarito Salina Cruz Saltillo San Blas San Carlos San Cristobal de las Casas San Felipe San Felipe del Agua San Ignacio San Jos del Cabo San Juan del Rio San Luis Potosi San Miguel de Allende San Quintin Santa Rosala Sn Pedro Garza Garca Tamazunchale Tampico Tapachula Taxco Tecate Tehuacan Tenacatita Tepic Tequisquiapan Tijuana Tlalnepantla Tlaquepaque Tlaxcala Todos Santos Toluca Torren Tultitln Tulum Tuxtla Gutierrez Uruapan Uxmal Valladolid Valle de Bravo Veracruz Villahermosa Xilitla Zacatecas Zapopan Zihuatanejo Zimapan OFFICIAL State Tourism Offices in Mexico Mexican Government Tourist Board -- main office in Mexico City (tel. 555/203-1103 ). USA: Mexico Hot Line (tel. 800/44-MEXICO Chicago (tel. 312/606-9252 ); Houston (tel. 713/772-2581, ext. 105, or 713/772-3819); Los Angeles (tel. 213/351-2069; fax 213/351-2074); Miami (tel. 305/718-4095 ); and New York (tel. 212/308-2110 ). The Mexican Embassy is at 1911 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W., Washington, DC 20005 (tel. 202/728-1750 ). Canada: 1 Place Ville-Marie, Suite 1931, Montreal, QUE, H3B 2C3 (tel. 514/871-1052 ); 2 Bloor St. W., Suite 1502, Toronto, ON, M4W 3E2 (tel. 416/925-0704 ); 999 W. Hastings, Suite 1110, Vancouver, BC, V6C 2W2 (tel. 604/669-2845 ). Embassy office: 1500-45 O'Connor St., Ottawa, ON, K1P 1A4 (tel. 613/233-8988; fax 613/235-9123). Guide to Mexico by Lonely Planet || Map || Home Excellent short history and good overview of the highspots. Lonely Planet sells 4 guidebooks to Mexico. www.mexconnect.com mailto:davidmcl@mexconnect.com Mexico travel tips by mpsnet.mx || Interest Index || Mexico City || Espanol Immigration, Customs, Taxes, Tips, Banking Services, Driving, Safety and Health. Huge very capable and worthwhile site. by mexico.netgate.net Organized by State HISTORY MAPS RECREATIONAL SITES ECOTOURISM MUSEUMS LOCAL FESTIVITIES BEACHES COLONIAL SITES ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES . Getting There By Air - Aeromxico and Mexicana are the largest Mexican airlines but there are many airlines offering special pricing. The web is empowering air travelers like never before to enable them to get the best deal with the least hassle. Visit our frequently updated web- guide to this fast growing area. Airports in Mexico BUS Companies in Mexico Mexico has one of the best bus transit systems in the world. nearly every location is served by a bus. Some Spanish will be required By Car - Temporary Import Permit Required As a NAFTA border country, one hopes the long standing hassle of this process would ease. All foreign registered car requires a Temporary Import permit. You can do this at the border but you need to have prepared in advance if your car has a lien on it.. Process takes a couple of hours and requires proof of ownership (notarized permit to take car to Mexico from lien-holder, if any), a bond issued to the Mexican Government for the market value of the car or a valid credit card imprint charged with a processing fee approximately valued at US $12. It is good are good for six months. ... Driving at night is not recommended (potholes, livestock, and the lack of lighting are the chief hazards)... Also be cautious of roadside bandits who may attempt to get you to stop only to rob you... English speaking Angeles Verdes (Green Angels 91-800-90392), assist tourists on the highways for free except for gas and spare parts... Unleaded gas is found throughout Mexico at all gas stations... Gas up when reaching one-quarter level in remote locations. Last Minute Deals From City: To: State or Region... City... This page requires Javascript. Getting Around There Rough Guides Getting Around in association with TravelNow Buses camiones rule! (Mexican word for the long distance buses to serve virutally every town in the nation) First-class vehicles have numbered, reserved seats, videos and air conditioning Trains Only recommended for from the border to Mexico City (where sleeper services represent great value), Mexico City to Oaxaca, and the amazing Copper Canyon Railway. Flights Aeromxico and Mexicana, which between them connect most places to Mexico City, usually several times a day. Aviacsa serves the Yucatn, Chiapas, Oaxaca, Guadalajara, Acapulco, Cancn, Tijuana and Monterrey. Aerolineas Internacionales and Aero California also cover most major destinations while Aeromar operates mainly in the north Ferries Baja California with a trio of ports on the Pacific mainland: Santa Rosala to Guaymas, and La Paz to Mazatln and Topolobampo (for Los Mochis). For detailed information on fares and schedules see http://www.mexconnect.com/mex_/mexicoferryw.html Driving Recommends not taking your own car but renting for short periods. Mostly due to the targeting of tourists for shakedowns by underpaid traffic police. Drivers from the US, Canada, Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand will find that their licences are valid. Other reasons to avoid the hassle: Speed bumps can be huge, gas by government monopoly Pemex expensive & Theft of your vehicle is a significant concern. Hitching Not recommended particularly solo. If you do keep your baggage to hand in case you need to leave in a hurry (feigned carsickness is one way to get a driver to stop). Particularly avoid areas frequented by bandidos Local Transportation always plentiful and inexpensive, Banditry: A Warning Roads where there have been regular reports of problems, and where you should certainly try to avoid driving at night, include Hwy-15 (Los Mochis-Mazatln) and express Hwy-1 in Sinaloa, Hwy-5 (Mexico City-Acapulco) in Guerrero, Hwy-75 (Oaxaca-Tuxtepec), Hwy-57 (San Luis Potos-Matahuela), and near the border, in particular on Hwy-2 (Mexicali-Agua Prieta) and Hwy-40 (Matamoros-Monterrey). Places to Stay tripadvisor has links to a growing number of places to stay in hundreds of Mexican Cities and over a third have ratings by real people 120 Mexican Cities with on-line booking starsanddiamonds.com.mx has certification program with 5 stars as the highest rating Health & Safety Although Mexico is considered a third world country, its general concern about sanitation and cleanliness have improved enormously in the past decade. As is the case in most tropical countries, consider what your system is used to before you eat it. Purified water is always available during trip. Montezuma's revenge or turista is best avoided by not drinking the water including ice cubes (which are not always made with " agua purificada ") but there is no sure way to avoid the unfamiliar bacteria. Mexico has a relatively low crime rate but take precautions against theft. Nationally: Red Cross Medical emergency 15-20-55 Police emergency is 18-39-54; Fire department 14-2 0 -50; Travelers’ Health Information for Mexico & Central America by www.cdc.gov/travel . Cholera, dengue fever, hepatitis, malaria, polio, rabies, tetanus, typhoid. Air pollution in Mexico City between December and May. USA http://travel.state.gov/medical.html State Department offers medical information for Americans traveling abroad and a list of air ambulance services Health and Vaccinations for Mexico by nationalgeographic.com Talk About It Mexico State Tourism Offices by mexonline.com Travelers Message Service "Before you leave home, give your family and friends the URL of this board.... http://www.weblane.com/experiencia/bb/ ...then if you need to get in touch with each other, just post messages on this board." Tours Frequently updated inclusive list from Publisher Ron Mader, Mexican Association of Adventure Travel and Ecotourism (AMTAVE) Phone: (25) 661-9121 Fax: (25) 662-7354 Email: 74174.2424@compuserve.com Cancun Tours Operators by mexicoweb.com Maps www.maps-of-mexico.com 4000 pages of Mexico maps Maps google.com/search=mexico+maps Mexico Map by lib.utexas.edu Won't fit on your screen or print. Mexico Map by Expedia Money S ince 1998 when we began check the exchange rate for the U.S. dollar, and the one used in this book, is around 10 pesos; at that rate, an item that costs 10 pesos would be equivalent to US$1. However the peso is very unstable so you cannot count on this being the rate. Check before you go Best Exchange Rates: Automated teller machines (ATMs) and credit cards continue to offers the best exchange rates. Traveler's checks experiencing declining relative exchange rate and reduced acceptance. U.S. cash is accepted by many merchants at exchange rates that vary widely. Banks usually give the best exchange rate. Credit cards are widely accepted in most cities and resort areas at exchange rate determined by your bank. ATMS ( Cirrus and PLUS systems) are widely available and allow you to not carry too much cash. Tipping: Luxury resort areas are equivalent to US levels- 15% and 20%. Elsewhere 10% is acceptable. $1 per day for your hotel maid or $1 per bag for the porter. Taxi drivers don't expect tips but be sure to negotiate the price in advance. A tip of U.S. coins, which cannot be exchanged into Mexican currency, is of no value to the service provider. Support your Tour guides (including this one) VAT: Mexico has a value-added tax of 15% (Impuesto de Valor Agregado, or IVA; pronounced "ee-bah") on most everything, including restaurant meals, bus tickets, and souvenirs. (Exceptions are Cancn, Cozumel, and Los Cabos, where the IVA is 10%; as ports of entry, they receive a break on taxes.) Hotels charge the usual 15% IVA, plus a locally administered bed tax of 2% (in most areas), for a total of 17%. You quoted hotel rate may not have included this fee Y OUR CREDIT CARD BANK: There is significant credit card fraud and your bank may not honor your charge unless you have told them in advance of your plans. Also they are more likely to cut you off following significant activity so take a back-up card. Many cards add a surcharge onto foreign transactions particularly Airline cards and American Express. It is ieasy to avoid this chage of 1 to 4% by checking in advance since it is simply a gouge as there is actually no extra cost to the bank card provider more on c urrency Conversion at tradeday.com Costs And Money in Mexico by travelnow.com Mexico is not as cheap as it once was Shopping in Mexico by nationalgeographic.com 800/424-7787 or www.mastercard.com . 800/843-7587 or www.visa.com Fast Facts Electricity: 110V, 60 Hz same as USA Weights & measures: metric (see the conversion table .) Telephone Mexico international access code is 52 . Select city codes: Mexico City is 05, Vera Cruz Area Code 28 , Cabo San Lucas 0684, Cancn 0988, Cozumel 0987, Puerto Vallarta 0322. Omit the 0 when calling from abroad. Long-distance calls are expensive, it is best to arrange to have a calling card access number in advance. You can also place reversed-charge calls by reaching an international operator, dial 09. Business Hours : Banks are open 9 AM–1:30 PM Monday–Friday, although some banks are now expanding hours. Stores often open between 9 AM–8 PM, but can close for siesta in midday. Holidays Banks and most businesses close on New Year's Day (1 January), Constitution Day (5 February), Birthday of Benito Juarz (21 March), Good Friday through Easter Monday (four days in March or April; date varies), Labor Day (1 May), Anniversary of Battle of Puebla (5 May), Independence Day (16 September), Columbus Day (12 October), All Saints' Day (1 November), All Souls' Day (2 November), Anniversary of the Mexican Revolution of 1910 (20 November), and Christmas Day (25 December). Area: 1,972,000 sq. km (769,080 sq. mi) Capital city: Mexico City (pop 20 million) Population: 97,967,000 in 1995 (growth rate 2%) ;Literacy rate 88%. People: Approximately 70% mestizo (mixed European and Indian descent) 9% European and 20% indgena (Native Americans or Indians - including Nahua, Maya, Zapotecs, Mixtecs, Totonacs, and Tarascos or Purpecha) 8% of the population speak Indian languages. Also includes Arabic 400,000, Chinese 31,000 Language: Language: Language: Spanish Religion: 90% Roman Catholic, 6% Protestant GDP: US$370 billion GDP per head: US$4000. Travel Seasons -- Mexico has two principal travel seasons. High season begins around December 20 and continues to Easter; in some places it begins as early as mid-November. Low season is from the day after Easter to mid-December; during low season, prices may drop 20% to 50%. In beach destinations popular with Mexican travelers, such as Veracruz and Acapulco , prices will revert to high season during July and August, the traditional national summer vacation period. Prices inland fluctuate little from high to low season, but may rise dramatically during the weeks of Easter and Christmas and at Carnaval time at the port Cities of Veracruz and Mazatlan. Language English <-> Espanol <-> Portuguese travlang.com/languages One of the web's great travel resources with spoken words for 65 languages. Time to brush up on your travel Espanol? Weather Mexico is often considered tropical but is rather temperate or spring like year-round. Dry winter (November through April) and rainy (May through October) season, although the rain is usual tolerable for travelers. In short, anytime of year is going to be relatively nice for travel. Find the Weather for any City, State or ZIP Code, or Airport Code or Country by Wunderground Satelite Photo of the Hemisphere Be your own weather predictor. Weather and Climate of Mexico by nationalgeographic.com Jan Mar May July Sept Nov Acapulco F) 88 72 88 72 90 77 91 77 90 77 90 75 Rainfall (inch) .5 .2 0 8 11 .6 Guadalajara (F) 73 45 82 48 88 57 79 59 79 59 77 50 Rainfall (inch) .5 .3 1 7 7 .5 La Paz (F) 73 55 79 55 91 63 97 73 95 73 84 63 Rainfall (inch) .3 0 0 1 1 .5 Mrida (F) 82 64 90 68 93 70 91 73 90 73 84 66 Rainfall (inch) 1 .5 3 5 7 1 Mexico City (F) 72 43 81 50 81 55 75 55 73 55 73 48 Rainfall (inch) .5 .5 3 6 5 .5 Monterrey (F) 68 48 79 55 88 68 93 72 93 72 73 54 Rainfall (inch) 1 1 2 3 4 1 Oaxaca (F) 82 46 90 54 90 59 82 59 81 59 82 50 Rainfall (inch) 2 1 5 8 11 2 San Cristbal (F) 68 41 72 45 72 48 72 50 70 50 68 45 Rainfall (inch) 2 2 7 7 14 3 Tijuana (F) 68 43 70 46 73 54 81 61 81 61 73 50 Rainfall (inch) 2 1 .2 0 .5 1 Veracruz (F) 77 64 79 70 86 77 88 75 88 77 82 70 Rainfall (inch) 1 1 4 9 12 2 Media & News Mexico City News || Novedades.com.mx/Frontpage thenews@ri.redint.com Daily newspaper; oldest English-language paper in Mexico El-universal.com.mx Mexico's oldest daily has an English section MediaINFO Link - Latin America Another wonderfully comprehensive directory by Ron Mader eco-journalist. Internet del Diario de Yucatn based in Merida La Jornada en Internet : Espanol Only Diario.com.mx : Espanol Only Today's Top Mexico & Latin American Headlines Trade Business wear is formal. Mexicans attach much importance to courtesy and the use of titles. Prior appointments are necessary and if in doubt about a correct title it is advisable to use licenciado in place of seor. English is widelyspoken in business circles although it is a big plus to be able to speakSpanish. AmCham.com.mx || amchammx@amcham.com.mx American Chamber of Commerce - Mexico Phone: (011-52)(5) 724-3830 MexicoBusiness.com/ || MAILBOX@MEXICOBUSINESS.COM Subscriptions are $45 in the United States and Mexico LATCO.org || info@latco.org Latin American Trade Organization of Oregon. "The Mexican Government continues to enact reforms, including the privatization of many economic areas, making the Mexican economy one of the most open economies world-wide." History T he Spaniards were well received in the Veracruz coastal towns by the Toltecs who resented oppressive Aztec domination and were willing to march with Cortes against the great Aztec capital built on a lake. Moctezuma II, the Aztec god king had been expecting a momentous occasion for his priests had long predicted the phoenix like god Quetzalcatl's to return from the east in the year of 1519. Corts wasted little time reducing the City to ashes taking his eager host Moctezuma hostage immediately after being invited to the palace. The war of conquest would last another 28 months but the destuction and supression of the Aztec and Mayan cililizations would continue for centuries. However, the greatest decimation would soon come to pass with epidemics which reduced the population from 25 miullion to one million by 1605. T he Spanish were conquistadores who left their women at home and went off on a quest for glory, gold and God. Consequently they often took native wives. Spanish-born who expected to be treated like nobility and the natives of New Spain who built the country contolled the country amidst growing resentment between themselves. The natives also separated themselves as criollos (born of Spanish parents in New Spain), metzitos (mixed Eoropean, African and Indian blood) and Indians or Africans. In 1808 the Frenchman Napoleon Bonaparte occupied most of Spain weakening Spanish control and allowing the rivalry between New Spain groups to intensify. On 16 September 1810 Miguel Hidalgo a Criollo parish priest issued his now-famous call to rebellion, the Grito de Dolores. In 1821 Spain agreed to Mexican independence however the new governments were ineffective and unstable. I n 1845, the US congress voted to annex Texas and the Mexican-American War followed. Under the resulting Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848), Mexico ceded modern Texas, California, Utah, Colorado and most of New Mexico and Arizona to the USA. In 1864 Napoleon's nephew, the foolishly arrogarnt Napoleon III attempted to colonize Mexico, but the reign of his ruler, the Austrian archduke Maximilian of Hapsburg was shortlived ending with his hanging. T he Party of the Institutionalized Revolution (the PRI) took power in 1934 following the 10 year Mexican Revolution which claimed the lives of nearly 1 out 8 citizens. The PRI has dominated the history of Mexico for most of the 20th century but their control is eroding fast. In 1988, Carlos Salinas de Gortari was elected to the single 6 year term as president despite the widely accepted belief that the current Mayor Cardenas of Mexico City won the election. Salinas was very successful in bringing about economic reform and is the person most responsible for the signing of NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Agreement on 1 January 1994. T he prior President, Ernesto Zedillo was 43 when he was elected following the assassination of Salinas' chosen successor. Zedillo has been a genuine reformer allowing opposition parties to win many key elections. His term has been beset be economic crisis as well as a revolution in the southern state of Chiapas by the Zapatistas who demand social justice for Mexico's oppressed Indians. The current President Vicente Fox seeks to completely redefine the relationship of Mexico and its powerful Northern neighbors by opening the borders as wide as possible and convincing his country men to think bigger. A talented and determined historic figure, Fox will have till 2006 to remake a difficult and corrupt bureaucracy staffed by enemies of reform. olmecs are mainly known for f the striking stone figures left behind by the mother culture of Meso America which preceded the Mayans and Aztecs . Olmec civilization was in ascendance between 1300 and 600 B.C. Their greatest architectural treasure has be found at La Venta in the state of Tabasco History of Mexico by nationalgeographic.com Lots of Links: Mexico dmoz Mexico : Travel and Tourism : Arts and Entertainment Business and Economy Education Maps and Views News and Media Society and Culture Transportation Weather Volunteer run DMOZ can be your best way to get a site indexed by google and other search engines Travel and Tourism Lodging Message Boards National Parks Travel Guides Travel Services Birdwatching Camping and RVs Roads and Highways Show Caves Travelogues Wineries Mexican States : Links indicated as of Jan-2004 Note only Baja, Quintana Roo and Jalisco have more than 400. Aguascalientes (7) Baja California (370) Baja California Sur (698) Campeche (10) Chiapas (49) Chihuahua (36) Coahuila (22) Colima (59) Durango (4) Federal District (64) Guanajuato (154) Guerrero (329) Hidalgo (2) Jalisco (405) Mexico State (13) Michoacan (21) Morelos (20) Nayarit (110) Nuevo Leon (79) Oaxaca (166) Puebla (7) Queretaro (13) Quintana Roo (709) San Luis Potosi (19) Sinaloa (76) Sonora (83) Tabasco (1) Tamaulipas (64) Tlaxcala (2) Veracruz see out special section Yucatan (69) Zacatecas (7) Northern Veracruz Costa Esmeralda || CASTILLO DE TEAYO || CAZONES || Cerro Azul || COATZINTLA || Gutirrez Zamora || Martnez || Nautla || Pnuco || P apantla || El TAJN || Poza Rica || Tampico || Tecolutla || Tlapacoyan || Tuxpan Xalapa >> Mexico City Central Antigua || Cempoala || Chachalacas || Coatepec || Jalcomulco || Naolinco || Quiahuiztln || Xico Orizaba- Great Mountains Cordoba || Fortin de las Flores || Huatusco || Orizaba >> Puebla || Tlaxcala Los Tuxtlas Catemaco || Santiago Tuxtlas || San Andres Tuxtlas || Sontecomapan >> Chiapas Papaloapan Plain Alvarado || Cosamaloapan || Otatiln || Tlacotalpan >> Oaxaca Southern Veracruz Coatzacoalcos || Minatitln || San Juan Evengelista || San Lorenzo-Tenochtitlan || Villahermosa Y ucatan Peninsula Cancn || MERIDA || Cozumel || Isla Mujeres || Playa del Carmen Where to Go in Mexico by nationalgeographic.com To Top of Page To Carnaval Home Page (restores frame menu) Questions or comments? email the webmaster@ carnaval.com Last updated Oct-04 Web www.carnaval.com To: From: Depart: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 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 12:00am 1:00am 2:00am 3:00am 4:00am 5:00am 6:00am 7:00am 8:00am 9:00am 10:00am 11:00am 12:00pm 1:00pm 2:00pm 3:00pm 4:00pm 5:00pm 6:00pm 7:00pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm Morning Noon Evening Anytime Stops: 0 1 2 3 Return: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 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 12:00am 1:00am 2:00am 3:00am 4:00am 5:00am 6:00am 7:00am 8:00am 9:00am 10:00am 11:00am 12:00pm 1:00pm 2:00pm 3:00pm 4:00pm 5:00pm 6:00pm 7:00pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm Morning Noon Evening Anytime 0 1 2 3 4 5 Adults (15-64) 0 1 2 3 4 Children (2-14) 0 1 2 3 4 5 Seniors (65+)

TAIWAN Travel Guide Overview

VirtualTourist.com - Taiwan Travel Guide - Pictures, Tips and Reviews Taiwan Travel Guide. Tips, Reviews & Photos plus Hotels, Restaurants, Activities & More in Taiwan member log in | join for free! | help Home Travel Guides Hotels Flights Deals NEW! Members Meetings & Events Do It Yourself Guides Forums TAIWAN Travel Guide Overview | Hotels | Forum | Things To Do | Top Member Pages | Deals | Members | Meetings & Events Home » Travel Guides » Asia » Taiwan » Taiwan Destinations Members Keywords Sponsored Links for Taiwan Marriott Hotels Enjoy stylish luxury hotels with Marriott's new rooms. Book now. Hotels Compare Prices, View Photos & More! Low Rates Guaranteed - Book Now Priceline Hotel Discounts Great Low Prices, Pictures, and Guest Reviews. Shop. Compare. Save. Hotels Find Low Rates, Nearby Attractions & Dining, Hotel Pics, Maps & More! Cheap Hotels at Expedia Expedia Special Rates Means We Guarantee Our Low Rates on Rooms. by janeword Taiwan Local time: 6:39 am Thursday, December 29, 2005. TravelPro Sale - LuggageGuru.com Hotels in Taiwan Flights to Taiwan Map NEW! Members living here: 190 Member tips: 33 Member pictures: 124 + Add your own tips and photos Taiwan Hotel Rates City: Check-In Date: Check-Out Date: Guests: 1 2 3 4 Hotels by OneTime.com Hotels in Taiwan (1 Reviews - 1 Photos) Four Points Chung Ho Taipei (0 Reviews - Photos) check rates Howard Plaza Hotel (0 Reviews - Photos) check rates Kenting Chinatrust Inn (0 Reviews - Photos) Splendor Hotel Kaohsiung (0 Reviews - Photos) Riviera Hotel (0 Reviews - Photos) Linden Hotel Kaohsiung (0 Reviews - Photos) check rates Lakeshore Hotel Hsin Chu (0 Reviews - Photos) Hualien Chinatrust Hotel (0 Reviews - Photos) Chungli Chinatrust Hotel (0 Reviews - Photos) Agora Garden Taipei (0 Reviews - Photos) » More Hotels in Taiwan » Write your own Hotels Review Things To Do in Taiwan (13 Reviews - 11 Photos) Tainan Bridemaids to my elder sister Lovely Cafe Ching Jing veteran Farm Love River : The best choice to take a walk Taipei A Hit in Tao God's Ceremony tea shop Ching Jing Veteran Farm Meet offering » More Things To Do in Taiwan » Write your own Things To Do Review Restaurants in Taiwan (4 Reviews - 3 Photos) hot and spicy! Don't miss this.... the only real italian restaurant in TAICHUNG dumpling and fried dumplings » Write your own Restaurants Review Local Customs in Taiwan (0 Reviews - 0 Photos) » Write a new Local Customs Review Nightlife in Taiwan (0 Reviews - 0 Photos) » Write a new Nightlife Review Off the Beaten Path in Taiwan (1 Reviews - 0 Photos) Jiu Fen » Write your own Off the Beaten Path Review Tourist Traps in Taiwan (1 Reviews - 0 Photos) Non Mandarin/Chinese dialect speaking tourists » Write your own Tourist Traps Review Warnings or Dangers in Taiwan (0 Reviews - 0 Photos) » Write a new Warnings or Dangers Review Transportation in Taiwan (7 Reviews - 5 Photos) Taipei Subway Getting here and there Bus in Taiwan Toroko National Park Road Toroko National Park Roads » More Transportation in Taiwan » Write your own Transportation Review Packing Lists in Taiwan (0 Reviews - 0 Photos) » Write a new Packing Lists Review Shopping in Taiwan (1 Reviews - 1 Photos) The cute and expensive statues of TaTong » Write your own Shopping Review Sports Travel in Taiwan (0 Reviews - 0 Photos) » Write a new Sports Travel Review General Tips in Taiwan (5 Reviews - 3 Photos) High up to the sky .... When there are no clouds ... Transporting pets Environment Culture » More General Tips in Taiwan » Write your own General Tips Review Tip Group Editor: Become an Editor More Sponsored Links for Taiwan Experts in Taiwan hotels Big Savings - Discount up to 70%. Quality hotels at wholesale rates. Holiday Inn Taipei Taipei Hotels. Book Online Low Rate Guaranteed Fantastic Hotel Deals 1000's of hotels & villas from 19 Great deals online with Cresta Member Pages About Taiwan 1. Lantern Festival For The Chinese Year by luckymiffy 10 Tips 13 Pictures 2. Round Taiwan Adventure Trip - 01 - 11 May 2005 by shane_02 6 Tips 24 Pictures 3. Taiwan, Republic Of China by YellowFire 4 Tips 1 Pictures 4. Taiwan -taipei by Levente_D 2 Tips 5 Pictures 5. I Love Taiwan by fattyjulia 2 Tips 10 Pictures » View all rated pages (3) » View newest pages » Build your own Taiwan page Taiwan Forum Join a Discussion Any hotel/resort to recommand in Beitou? (4 replies, 3:05 PM Oct. 27, 2005) tourist visa to taiwan (3 replies, 2:34 AM Oct. 20, 2005) Lord of the Dance in Taiwan (2 replies, 11:15 AM Oct. 26, 2004) Be the first to reply to these questions SOS (no replies yet) » All Taiwan Discussions » Post a Taiwan Discussion Travel Resources Car Rental Cruises Vacations Luggage NEW! Taiwan Deals » All Taiwan Deals » Post a Taiwan Deal FREE VT Deals Newsletter great deals, inside tips & no spam Taiwan 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 What's Close By? A-li-shan , 19.00 km / 11.81 miles » See all locations nearby » Popular Taiwan locations Local Merchants in Taiwan » Sign up your local business 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.

Air Travel on Orbitz

Purchasing Air Travel on Orbitz Welcome to Orbitz. Sign in | Register now Air Travel Airline Travel US Airways America West Airlines Northwest Airlines Airline Travel-Related Links Orbitz Discount Travel Directory Cheap Airline Tickets Business Travel Travel Deals Related Travel Links Purchasing Air Travel on Orbitz Orbitz is the place to take care of all your air travel needs. We've partnered with major airlines, such as US Airways, Northwest and United, to bring you the most low rates and Web-only specials on airline travel. Our fast, easy-to-use site searches through more than 450 airlines to find the air travel you want at a price you can afford. Plus, you'll enjoy 24/7 access to our Traveler Care experts, for superb customer service along with big travel savings. On Orbitz, booking air travel is a breeze. That's the ticket To purchase air travel on Orbitz, simply follow these easy steps. Use our flight-search engine, the Orbot, located on the right-hand side of the home page. Enter your departure and arrival cities, preferred travel dates and number of passengers. Click the orange "search" button. The Orbot searches more than 2 billion airfares to find the best options that match your search criteria. The results are displayed in an easy-to-read Matrix. In the Matrix, click an airline, price or number of stops to sort the air travel results below. Once you've selected the flight you want, enter all the required fields on the Traveler Information page. Then book your ticket. We'll send a confirmation of your airline travel itinerary to your e-mail address, and pass your frequent-flier account information on to the airline. Now taking requests On Orbitz, air travel passengers can request special in-flight services long before they board the plane. If you'd prefer to eat a vegetarian meal, get seated in bulkhead, or receive some other service, enter those personal flight preferences in My Stuff before purchasing your airline travel ticket. We'll pass your requests to the airline, which will make every effort to accommodate them. Those air travel preferences will be saved under "My Stuff," so you won't have to re-enter the information for future bookings. Central intelligence Once you've booked your air travel, use Orbitz' Airport Intelligence to learn more about your departure and arrival airports. Discover pertinent and interesting information about the 40 largest airports in the United States -- everything from parking to check-in procedures, security updates to nearby rental-car locations. If you're wondering how far in advance of your airline travel you should arrive, see Airline Profiles in Travel Watch, listing suggested airline check-in times, rules on allowable carry-on items and much more. FYI that's A-OK Orbitz takes the surprise out of air travel with our free Traveler Care Alerts. When you purchase air travel on Orbitz, you're automatically enrolled to receive flight updates and news that might affect your travel. You can choose to have them sent to your e-mail, phone, PDA or pager. Plus, you can sign up family, friends and co-workers to receive the same travel updates. To air is human Give yourself a lift -- book your air travel on Orbitz today. You'll reap the benefits from our huge selection of airlines and flights, helpful online information and free Traveler Care. Best of all, Orbitz is where you'll find the most low airline travel fares on the Web. When it's time to buy air travel, it's time to shop with us. My Trips | My Account | Flight Status | Site map | Contact us | Terms and conditions | Privacy | About Orbitz Orbitz for Hotels | Orbitz for Business | Advertise on Orbitz | Become an affiliate | Careers | Media | Investors OrbitzSaver Low Rate Guarantee Flights | Hotels | Car Rental | Vacation Packages | Travel Deals | Travel Guides | Cruises Vacations | Discount Travel | Hotel Reservations | Cheap Hotels | New York City Hotels | Las Vegas Hotels Cheap Vacations | Hawaii Vacations | Las Vegas Vacations | All Inclusive Vacations Search Engine Marketing by 360i Orbitz guards your privacy and security. We're certified by TRUSTe and Verisign. 2001-2004, Orbitz, LLC. All rights reserved. CST 2063530-50 Round trip One-way Multi-city From *City name or airport code To *City name or airport code Exact dates Flexible dates (U.S & Canada) Leave anytime --- 12a-9a 6a-noon 10a-2p noon-5p 4-8p 6p-12a 1 am 2 am 3 am 4 am 5 am 6 am 7 am 8 am 9 am 10 am 11 am noon 1 pm 2 pm 3 pm 4 pm 5 pm 6 pm 7 pm 8 pm 9 pm 10 pm 11 pm midnight Return anytime --- 12a-9a 6a-noon 10a-2p noon-5p 4-8p 6p-12a 1 am 2 am 3 am 4 am 5 am 6 am 7 am 8 am 9 am 10 am 11 am noon 1 pm 2 pm 3 pm 4 pm 5 pm 6 pm 7 pm 8 pm 9 pm 10 pm 11 pm midnight I prefer non-stop flights Travelers (select up to 9 travelers) 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Adult (18-64) 0 1 2 3 4 5 7 8 Child (2-11) 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Senior (65+) 0 1 2 3 4 5 7 8 Youth (12-17) Expand search options Pick-up *City name or airport code at or near airport in city or surrounding area Drop-off Pick-up 1 am 2 am 3 am 4 am 5 am 6 am 7 am 8 am 9 am 10 am 11 am noon 1 pm 2 pm 3 pm 4 pm 5 pm 6 pm 7 pm 8 pm 9 pm 10 pm 11 pm Drop-off 1 am 2 am 3 am 4 am 5 am 6 am 7 am 8 am 9 am 10 am 11 am noon 1 pm 2 pm 3 pm 4 pm 5 pm 6 pm 7 pm 8 pm 9 pm 10 pm 11 pm Discounts If you have a corporate or association discount, select the car rental company below. (You'll enter the number on the next screen) Car rental company No Preference Ace Advantage Rent A Car Alamo Rent A Car Avis Budget Dollar Rent A Car Enterprise Fox Rent Hertz National Car Rental Payless Thrifty Car Rental Expand search options Where *City name or airport code Check-in Check-out Guests 1 2 3 4 Specific hotel Star rating no preference 1 star 2 stars 3 stars 4 stars 5 stars Amenities Any amenities Let me choose preferred amenities Expand search options