Japan Travel Guide, climate:

Japan Travel Guide - Information and Advice Japan Travel Guide Information and Advice Japan Pictures | Japan Map | Asia Map Outstanding holidays on every continent from Explore, the biggest adventure travel company in the world! Extensive worldwide travel options include the 'Shogun Tour' of Japan. Explore: Japan 'Shogun Trail' Tour | Central Asia Tours | South East Asia Tours | Free Brochure Request Japan Travel Guide, climate: Best: March-May, Sept-Nov. Worst: July, August [rains, heat, humidity] Beware Japanese holiday accomodation problems: New Year [Dec 29-Jan 6], Golden Week [April 27-May 6], O-bon [midsummer] Length of stay: Minimum worthwhile stay, not incl. flights: Tokyo only - 4 days Recommended: 2 weeks, Tokyo & Kyoto Festivals Guide: Feb Lantern Festival, Nara : 3,000 ancient lanterns are lit, with dance, at Kasuga Shrine Feb, Snow Festival, Sapporo, Hokkaido : gorgeous, massive ice/snow sculptures & 'let's get wrecked' ambience. March, Water Drawing Festival, Nara : Spectacular religious night festival with torches and chanting, at Todaiji monastery. Late March, early April, Hanami : Japan gets plastered under the cherry blossom trees. Date depends on flowering. May,Toshogu Shrine Festival, Nikko : a huge fancy-dress parade and sacred dance at a supremely beautiful shrine . July, Gion Matsuri, Kyoto : a parade of monstrous, wonderfully decorated floats. Also good for a few days before the parade. Mid-July to mid-August, O-Bon Festival nationwide : date depends on local council. Festival of the Dead, paper lanterns on water, candle ceremonies etc. Oct, Festival of Ages, Kyoto : massive historical dress parade. For some precise dates, more suggestions and information see: Exotic Festivals Japan Activities Guide: Walking and Hiking: Nikko, Chichibu and Hakone Parks are not far from Tokyo. Best during the week. Hiking and Climbing: Mt Fuji [3,700m] is a serious hike, esp. non-summertime. Hot Springs and Baths [Onsen] , esp. 'rotenburo' [outdoor pools] are fun, functional and authentic. Traveller warning - No soap in the pool! Skiing Dec-April. Nightlife is lively and colourful, if expensive, and it's totally ok to get reeling drunk and throw up on your neighbour's shoes. Unless he's American. Japan Star Guide: Monuments **** Shopping and souvenirs ***** Walkability ***** Food Quality and Variety ***** Value for Money **** Hotel Prices and Value ** Beaches ** Wildlife * Landscape ** Local People **** Architecture *** Safety ***** Nightlife and Clubbing ***** Health Problems ***** Museums **** Why Travel to Japan? This is a great, confusing, fascinating, crammed, funny country, full of contradictions - not least of which is the mix of ultra high technology with ancient traditions. There are few great 'big' sights, but lots of terrific little sights, from exquisite elevator ladies in department stores to leather-clad rockers in Yoyogi park to funky old wooden restaurants [Akachochin/red lantern] to weird capsule hotels... It's so safe that you'd have to pay someone to mug you , and teach them how to do it, though the current youth attitude is not looking good. The food is superb, varied and not necessarily expensive. Traditional hotels [Ryokan] are relatively cheap and interesting. Domestic travel systems are superb. Try the bullet train if you can afford it. Downside: - It's sometimes expensive, crowded and hectic. - There are plenty of dull, endless suburbs, hideous overhead powercables, concrete, concrete. - Quaint trad clothing like kimonos are rarely seen outside ceremonial occasions. - It's not tourist oriented , so comprehensible signs can be rare and ATMs often don't like foreign credit cards. Where to travel in Japan: 1] ***Tokyo. A huge, busy city with lots of action, big and little. See the Imperial Palace, Asakusa area, Ginza area, Yoyogi park on a Sunday afternoon, Shinkuku at night, Roppongi at night, Shibuya love hotels, Sumo wrestling, Kabuki [at Kabuki-za, Ginza?], Hama Rikyu Japanese garden. Tokyo National Museum? Disneyland? Little known factoid: the set designer for Blade Runner was inspired by Shinjuku. 2] **Nikko. A recreation area, with a sensational temple, a waterfall and some lovely walks. 2hrs by train from Tokyo. 3] *Hakone. Another favourite mountainous, rec and hot spring area, esp. in the autumn, with great views and a superb futuristic museum. 1.5hrs train travel from Tokyo. 4] ***Kyoto/Nara. Hundreds of elaborate temples, buddhas and zen gardens, tho' central Kyoto has the usual urban sprawl apart from the Imperial Palace. Also see a tea ceremony, Geisha, Katsura Imperial Villa [& gardens] and Himeji castle nearby. 5] *Hida-no Takayama. Very old, traditional, rustic town[aka Little Kyoto]. 6] *Nagasaki. A museum and park dedicated to the A-bomb, a fine recreation of old European homes in the south and a full-scale, lived in Dutch town in the north. 7] Hiroshima. The first bomb site, also with an excellent museum and park and Japan's #1 sight [according to locals], the 'floating' Itsuku Shima Shrine, in Miyajima, not far away. 8] Yokohama, Osaka, Kyushu, Hokkaido, Okinawa. Not worth travelling there unless it's for a festival or some special interest or you have lots of time. Japan Tours Tour operators offering tours to Japan can be found in our listings here: Japan Tours For more information on Japan Travel try these links: National Tourist Offices Online Travel Guides Cheap Airline Tickets UK Cheap Airline Tickets US Travel Insurance UK Tour Operators Embassies Currency Climate Language Japan Travel Links And while you're in Asia you might like to see some other Travel Guides: China Travel Guide Vietnam Travel Guide Cambodia Travel Guide Thailand Travel Guide Travel Pictures | Destination Finder | Exotic Places | World Festivals | World Wonders | Safari Wildlife | Beaches | Top of Page European Places | Walking Tours | Travel Health | Travel Safety | Travel Directory | English Speaking Places | Tours Gap Year | Site Map | Travel Guide Homepage | Contact | Press | Advertising | Legal | Maps | Travelogue © 2000-2005 Bugbog

Austria Travel

Austria Pictures - Photo Galleries of Austria Travel Pictures  You are here: About > Travel > Europe for Visitors > Germany Austria Switzerland > Austria > Austria Pictures 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 Austria Pictures - Photo Galleries of Austria Sometimes pictures will give you an idea of what a city offers and you can plan you vacation around visual images. Here you'll find travel pictures of Austria. Articles & Resources Sort By : Guide Picks | Alphabetical | Recent Up a category Salzburg Pictures Here's the start of our Salzburg Slide Show--annotated pictures of many Salzburg attractions. Vienna Pictures - Vienna Austria Photo Gallery Here are our annotated pictures of Vienna, Austria.        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...

Europe Travel 101 -

Taking the Train in Europe - Rail Travel Info from Europe for Visitors  You are here: About > Travel > Europe for Visitors Travel Go Europe Essentials European Vacation Planning Map Europe Travel 101 - Before you Go European Distances The Best of Europe European Photo Gallery Articles & Resources Europe Travel Planning What to do In Europe Lodging - Hotels and More European Travel Maps Sex and Nudism Travel Photography Transportation Benelux Countries France Germany Austria Switzerland Greece Italy and Malta Travel Info Scandinavian Travel Spain and Portugal United Kingdom and Ireland Buyer's Guide Before You Buy Top Picks Italy Travel Guidebooks Europe Travel Guidebooks German Travel Guidebooks Product Reviews Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Europe for Visitors newsletter! See Online Courses   Search Europe for Visitors Taking the Train in Europe What you need to know about rail travel in Europe. Is taking the train better than taking a car? Well, it depends on what you want to see. Here are a few considerations: Train Travel Plusses Car Travel Plusses Trains allow you to move easily between cities and European capitals. Most train stations are located near the tourist centers and have hotels nearby. No parking worries. With an unrestricted Eurail Pass, you can get on and off when you wish, often without the hassle of dealing with ticketing agents. You can take the train on a rainy day just to see the scenery, without having to worry about the unscheduled expense. You can sleep on the train, saving travel time and some of the cost of a hotel. You can pay full attention to the scenery at hand--or read a book. You can meet with and talk to the locals--or get travel info from other travelers, while you're moving on to your next destination. It's easy to get to small, out-of-the-way towns and hidden romantic getaways. Go where you want, when you want. You don't have to go by someone else's timetable. Visit sites out in the countryside without having to sign up for an expensive tour. When in transit, you can leave your luggage in the car (albeit at some risk!) Many people can travel at the same cost. Train Travel Minuses Car Travel Minuses If you want to experience an event in the countryside, you'll most likely have to sign on to an expensive tour. Usually, two people travel for double what one person can travel for. A large family traveling on a train is usually quite a bit more expensive than renting a car, especially in northern Europe, where train fares tend to be higher. On the other hand, keeping young children entertained may be easier on the train. In a major city, you'll have to deal with parking and related fees, if you can figure out how to get to your destination in the first place. You'll have to deal with the worries involved with driving in an unfamiliar place with unfamiliar rules. Young children may not like long journeys in the car. If you're traveling with a large group of people, want to visit small towns, and like to drive in Europe, then it's a no-brainer--you'll want to rent or lease a car . But if you're a single traveler or couple who wishes to visit the great capitals of Europe, then train travel might just be the best bet for you. There are options for people who want both experiences as well. A Rail 'n Drive Pass allows you to use both modes of transport. The EurailDrive ( buy direct or get information ) Pass, for example, allows you four days first class train travel and two full days of car rental over a two month period. Rail Passes If you're intent on seeing many large cities in a limited amount of time it might save you considerable money to purchase a rail pass. Most passes for European tourists require you to buy them ahead of time in your own country. In the '70s the issue was simple. You bought a Eurail Pass or you didn't. The pass was valid for a solid period. In other words, you bought a month's pass and it was good for unlimited first-class rail travel during that month--all you needed to do once you had your pass was to flash it at the conductor and go. Only if you wanted a sleeping compartment did you need to purchase a supplement. Lately the options have multiplied enormously. So have the complications in using and understanding them. See Rail Passes - Which Rail Pass is Right for Your Vacation . Rick Steves' How Railpasses Work is an excellent primer on getting to understand railpasses. Another good resource is The Backpackers Ultimate Guide to Rail Travel in Europe . You can purchase just about any pass you can think of from Rail Europe . And What if I want to see the countryside as well as the major cities? European trains go to many small cities and towns, but for the smaller towns not serviced by trains you'll often find a local bus making a round trip between your city and the town you wish to visit--busses scheduled so the locals can shop in the big city and get back before dark. Your best bet is to check out the bus stations in the city in which you're staying. Local bus lines with an Internet presence can be found at Budget Travel's excellent Europe Bus Transportation page. The other alternative is a tour. Huge, lumbering busses can be seen on all roads in the most remote areas of Europe during the season. Check at the local tourist office or at your hotel check-in desk. For other transportation ideas, see our Transportation links. For scenic train routes, see Scenic Rail Journeys in Europe. For tips on buying tickets and riding the train, see 10 top train tips . From James Martin , Your Guide to Europe for Visitors . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Advertisement Most Popular Europe Map - Distances Between Cities in Western Europe Europe's Best Nudist Beaches Europe Picture Galleries Italy Pictures Europe Travel 101 - Before You Travel to Europe for the Firs... What's Hot Power Adapters Noord-Holland - Delights of North Holland Travel Visiting Pompeii Italy Guidebooks Naples - Getting There Related Topics France for Visitors Greece for Visitors United Kingdom / Ireland for Visitors Eastern Europe for Visitors Italy for Visitors        Topic Index | Email to a Friend Our Story | Be a Guide | Advertising Info | Work at About | Site Map | Icons | Help User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy | Kids' Privacy Policy ©2005 About, Inc., A part of the New York Times Company . All rights reserved. Around About New Video iPod - Review POLL: Must-Have Gadgets VIDEO: Portable Gaming VIDEO: Choosing a TV Hugh Hefner's Life What's Hot Power Adapters Noord-Holland - Delights of North Holland Travel Visiting Pompeii Italy Guidebooks Naples - Getting There Headlines Antwerp Pictures Antwerp is a fashion and diamond center for Belgium and... Like to Travel Well? Follow the CIA! I really should have paid attention when the CIA came... Tapas from Cans? Ok, so you wander into one of Barcelona's most celebrated... North Holland: Noah's Ark Redux A pious north Holland businessman took out a 300 000...

Vacation Information "The beauty

Travel Alaska - State of Alaska Travel & Vacation Information What is My Alaska? -My Alaska allows you to collect information from throughout the site to create a customized trip planner for your visit to Alaska. My Alaska Login » Explore Alaska Maps of Alaska Alaska's Regions Cities & Towns Parks & Public Lands Books on Alaska Alaska Photo Gallery Plan Your Trip Activities Transportation Food & Lodging Events Planning Specialists Package Tours Weather & Climate Sample Trips & Tips Travel Specials» Search TravelAlaska State of Alaska Travel & Vacation Information "The beauty of Alaska cannot be put into words." -Ester McNeil, Middlebury Alaska. Imagine your vacation in Alaska for one moment. Alaska Travel Business Search Select a region from the map above or search by keyword Your delight when you spot a grizzly bear with a cub or two in tow. That instant when the silence of a misty fjord is shattered by a pod of giant humpback whales, breaching high into the air, then crashing back against the sea. While your floatplane flies over crystal glaciers, toward the midnight sun, remember: This is Alaska. This is real. This is the adventure of a lifetime. "It would take a lifetime to experience everything Alaska has to offer." -Charmaine Curtis, Seattle Traveling in Alaska is like traveling no other place on earth. There are 586,000 square miles here, and almost that many possibilities. Choose from wildlife viewing, sea kayaking and guided glacier hikes. Relax aboard a one-day cruise, pan for gold, bait a rod for Alaska’s world famous King salmon fishing. "On a scale of 1 to 10, I rate Alaska as a 20." -Richard Ulmer, Jacksonville Alaska is a grand American Vacation destination you don’t want to miss! Use this site to plan your travel to Alaska and/or Alaska vacation today: create a personal itinerary and get special deals on an unforgettable adventure to Alaska! Select My Alaska at the top of the page to set up a personal account to store your Alaska vacation information. Register once and then update as often as you like. Alaska - Beyond your dreams. Within your reach. ® Top » Back » Media Center | Travel Trade | Contact Us | Community Links | Alaska for Kids | Free Vacation Information TravelAlaska.com Privacy Policy © 2001-2005 Alaska Travel Industry Association Alaska (logotype) & Beyond Your Dreams. Within Your Reach. are registered Marks of the Alaska Travel Industry Association

Ski Vacation

West Virginia Skiing | Glade Springs - Skiing | Ski Vacation Packages [ SPECIALS HOME ] [ BED AND BREAKFAST ] [ MOTHER'S DAY ] [ MOUNTAINS OF FUN ] [ GOLF ] [ SKI-FREE ] [ SPA ] Ski Free Package $99.00 per room, per night when you stay at The Resort at Glade Springs, an $83.00 savings. Receive two Free Lift Tickets*per room, per night when you stay atThe Resort at Glade Springs. Please call 1-800-634-5233 for more information. Glade Springs offers multiple choices in affordable, upscale lodging with a great selection of amenities. After a long day on the slopes relax with a massage or some time in the sauna at The Spa at Glade Springs. Play indoor tennis and basketball or try our new arcade and ice skating rink. Breakfast and lunch buffet is available daily in the Rotunda. Enjoy fi ne dining or a drink in the lounge at Glade’s Grill & Bar or stop by Small Talk Café for a specialty coffee, fresh pastry or light fare. The possibilities are endless. Theres something for everyone at our sister resort Winterplace West Virginias premier ski resort. Winterplace features 90 acres of snow covered fun, comprised of 27 trails 11 beginner, 12 intermediate, four expert, nine lifts, and the largest snowtubing park in West Virginia. Skiing conditions are always superior at Winterplace, featuring the highest snow making capacity in the southeast, plus 100% snowmaking capabilities on every trail, Winterplace is truly a skiers paradise. After a day of skiing West Virginias trails cut loose on 16 lanes of snowtubing runs, which are fueled by five specially designed snowtubing lifts. Winterplace offers a huge fleet of Rossignol skis and snowboards and Salomon snowblades at the Rental Shop, in addition to a special group rental facility, ski and boot lockers, ski accessory retail shops even a daycare center. Professional-quality lessons are available from the Ski Instructions of America Ski School, including a SkiWee Program for kids. Theres something for everyone at our sister resort Winterplace West Virginias premier ski resort! Arrival Date: 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 2005 2006 2007 Departure Date: 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 2005 2006 2007 Adults: 1 2 3 4 Children: 0 1 2 3 4 The Spa at Glade Springs is the perfect place to unwind, relax and reward oneself. We offer an extensive menu of therapeutic and beauty services. Our exceptional staff of licensed massage therapists, cosmetologists and aestheticians is dedicated to providing you with a truly extraordinary spa experience.