Switzerland Travel Guide, climate:

Switzerland Travel Guide - Information and Advice Switzerland Travel Guide Information and Advice Switzerland Pictures | Switzerland Map Guerba can take you walking in the very best parts of Switzerland with three itineraries ranging from 8 to 13 days. Guerba Tours | Swiss Alpine Trails | High Trails of Mont Blanc | Swiss Walking and Montreux Jazz | Free Brochure Switzerland Travel Guide, climate: Best: June-Sept for summer activities and Dec-March for winter sports. Length of stay: Minimum worthwhile stay, not including flights: Zurich or Lucerne for a romantic weekend, or Zermatt for a sports break. Recommended: 10 days to get totally knackered at your choice of activity. Switzerland Festivals Guide: Snow freaks have plenty of wacky winter festivals to attend, such as: pop festivals at 1,800m in deep snow [Fuchstival, mid March or Kleine Scheidegg early April]; dog sled racing [Zinal, mid March or Chandolin early April]; Waterslide Contest [Bettmeralp, late March or Valais, April]; downhill mountain bike races [on snow] from 3,600m [Allalin, early April]... Feb/March, Fasnacht [carnival] - especially colourful in Basel, but makes an appearance elsewhere too. July, Montreux Jazz Festival. August 1, Swiss National Day - with various activities including fireworks. For some precise dates see: European Festivals or Arts Festiva ls . Activities Guide: Hiking: With magnificent views of mountains, flower-carpeted alpine valleys, waterfalls and superbly organised and supported trails, this is a must-trek destination. Possibilities are too many to list with 50,000 kms of footpaths out there! Biking: There are over 150 well designed mountain bike routes in Switzerland, ranging from the easy to the insane, and all with staggering views. For regular bikes there are over 3,000 kms of track. Inline Skating: Around 600 kms of specially asphalted, reasonably flat, scenic routes , such as the Rhine, the Rhone and the Mittelland, make this possibly the world's best skating destination. Windsurfing: Wind can be erratic due to altitude or rock interference, but some popular spots are these lakes: Leman, Bieler, Urner, Alpenmacher, Maggiore [north], Lugano. Canoeing: The Muota River [Schwyz] and the Doubs [Jura] are most wanted. White-water rafting: The Rhine and Saane rivers are well known but the Alps provides many more possibilities. Mountaineering: Zermatt, Pontresina and Meiringen are areas favoured by serious climbers. Gliding: yet another use for those huge hunks of rock...hang and paragliding are well provided for in most larger resorts. Snow sports: Vast quantities of the white stuff are just about everywhere of course, but what makes this country a bit special is a] doing the white thing in the shadow of a truly awesome mountain, like Zermatt/Matterhorn, and b] that in some places the snow is around nearly all year. Zermatt and Verbier are best targets for skiing and nightlife. Wellness: With pure alpine air and a teutonic attitude to health, Switzerland offers a mass of spas, saunas and therapy centres in stunning locations. More unusual activities: Switzerland goes in for some off-the-wall sports too, such as canyoning , zorbing [rolling down a mountainside in huge transparent ball] or house running [abseiling down tall buildings at high speed]. Interlaken and Lucerne are centres for these mad moments. Switzerland Star Guide: Monuments * Shopping and souvenirs *** Walkability ***** Food Quality and Variety **** Value for Money *** Hotel Prices and Value ** Beaches lakes Wildlife *** Landscape ***** Local People ** Architecture **** Safety ***** Nightlife and Clubbing **** Health Problems none Museums **** Accommodation Guide: Tourist offices are efficient in listing local rooms/hotels available, often with boards placed outside rail stations. They also hand out 'guest cards' that secure various discounts. Hotels are not necessarily expensive but hostels are, of course, the cheapest option , though still good quality. Campsites are good too, mostly open only in summertime. Free camping is not permitted. Cuisine Guide: If you're a non-dairy eater then you'll have a big problem if you travel in Switzerland, though vegetarians will be unusually fulfilled. Cheese appears frequently and is the star of Swiss specialities like fondue [dipping bread or potato into melted cheese], raclette [similar] and rosti [cheese-topped grated potatoes]. Lake fish are a popular dish and vegetarian restaurants common. Those on a budget can find good value set lunch menus or self-service restaurants in department stores. Why Travel to Switzerland? Yet another quirky little European country, Switzerland is unique, spectacular and well worth a trip or two. Clichés perhaps, but some of the best Swiss experiences involve incredible mountains and lakes, stunning sports - summer or winter, stylish, lively towns, quaint hillside villages , and all tied together with a supremely efficient transport system . In addition it's super-safe , just about everyone speaks two or three languages , including English, and it's loaded with terrific beers, rich food and amazing pastries and chocolate . Is that a good thing? You choose. Downside: - this not a cheap destination . - don't try anything remotely illegal , [such as crossing the road when the little man is red], this is a very law-abiding state. - Swiss people - about 65% Germanic - though extremely polite, are, like their climate, cool towards foreigners. Where to travel in Switzerland: South-west [Lake Geneva]: ** Geneva , attractively situated at the southwest tip of Lake Geneva and near France, is cultured and metropolitan, but more of a business and diplomatic centre than party place. It does, however, offer a great selection of museums and some decent architecture including the ubiquitous old town. ***Lausanne, on the other hand and the other side of the lake, really knows how to play, due partly to the university's youth contribution. Steeply tiered, it 's stylish and pleasantly walkable [going down or along the waterfront] and alive with varied street action and nutty cafés. On the east side of Lake Geneva lie three smaller locations of interest: *Vevey is a small, appealing market town with a lively Street Artist's Festival in late August; *Montreux , 6km down the road is bijou but wealth-oriented and not particularly hospitable apart from July's Jazz Festival; the 13thC ***Chateau de Chillon is the star attraction in this area, a beautifully located and well-preserved castle popularised by Lord Byron's ' Prisoner of Chillon .' The middle [Mittelland ]: **Bern's tiny, quiet, riverside elegance is not at all what you would expect of Switzerland's capital. The old town's cobbled streets and arcaded buildings date from the 11thC to the 18thC, and there is life there still... Just south of Bern the Lake Thun area affords castle freaks the opportunity to pleasure themselves repeatedly on fine 12th and 13thC fortifications. ***Lucerne [Luzern] is more than just another gorgeous Swiss city. Mix lake with river with mountain with alpine meadows with well-preserved old town, throw in some stunning new architecture, a lively youth-oriented street culture, plenty of adventure sports [mostly 1 hour by train uphill to Engelberg ], simmer gently and you've got the young traveller's #1 Swiss role model. The area also provides the country's most spectacular ferry rides. *Basel is wealthy, cultured and convenient, with a pleasant old town and fine museums, but too preoccupied with business to be much fun. ***Zurich, up north, is a far, gnomic cry from it's stuffy banking image these days. Gorgeously located astride a river and boxed in by Lake Zurich and distant snowy mountains, the city is a buzzing hive of creativity and charm, with a lovely medieval old town and a huge variety of imaginative new establishments to relieve you of your wad. The miniscule principality of Liechtenstein is two hours away but offers little of interest. The Alps mountains [south] : *** The Jungfrau Region towards the country's centre offers the highest and most scenic rail trip, connecting three peaks, the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau, though some argue that the Schilthorn cable-car is cheaper, quicker and more scenic. **Murren and **Grindelwald towns are good bases for both winter and summer sports, but Interlaken is too busy to be enjoyable for those who value tranquility. ***The Matterhorn is a Swiss icon and the original model for Toblerone chocolate, while traffic-free *** Zermatt - at it's foot - is the place to stay and base for any number of staggering view experiences, including year-round snow sports and the day-long, panoramic Glacier Express train from Zermatt to St Moritz. **St Moritz. Very posh, very beautiful, and very expensive, though St Moritz-Bad would be less bad for your wallet than snooty St Moritz-Dorf. Ticino, the Italian region, south of the Alps: Warmer and culturally very different from the rest of Switzerland , Ticino sports palm trees, piazzas and pizzas along with the usual lakes, woody hills and medieval old towns. Prime targets are **Locarno and ***Lugano, both on lakes, with the latter offering more views, style and sights. Switzerland Tours Tour operators offering travel around Switzerland can be found in our listings here: Switzerland Tours For links to Tourist Offices, Embassies, Cheap Air Tickets, Currency Converter, Climate, Language advice, other online Travel Guides and more, visit Bugbog Travel Directory Europe Map Visas: EU citizens and nationals of USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan do not need a visa for up to 3 months, though you should carry your passport. Electricity Guide: Electric sockets are 230v and are built for three round pin plugs but will accept the usual 2 round pin plugs , fortunately. Safety Guide: Switzerland is just about the safest place on the planet. Apart from overeating and snow accidents the biggest dangers are likely to be altitude sickness [AMS] or hypothermia if you overestimate your climbing/hiking ability . Language: Not a problem in this country which has more multi-lingual ability than any other on earth . A twisted German is the dominant tongue and French second, but everyone can handle English. Local Transport: Swiss transport is brilliant and trains are the way to go if available. InterRail or Eurail passes offer well-discounted travel, though not on a few spectacular mountain routes. Lake ferries are famously scenic [only June-Sept]. International Transport: Roads and railways from the rest of Europe are superb , while boating from Germany, France and Italy is also possible . Buses are a less comfortable option. Money: Contrary to expectations, the local currency is the Swiss Franc [also used by their little brother Liechtenstein], but most places in tourist areas will accept the Euro. Tipping is not necessary anywhere as 15% service charge is applied to just about everything including taxis. Costs are on the high side, though cheapish travel in Switzerland is possible if you eat fast food, use a railpass and stay in hostels. Pictures are courtesy of Switzerland Tourism. If you plan to travel Switzerland you may find these other Bugbog guides useful: Germany Travel Guide Austria Travel Guide France Travel Guide Italy Travel Guide Czech Republic Guide Hungary Travel Guide Belgium 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

South America Travel

South America for Visitors  You are here: About > Travel > South America for Visitors Travel Go South America Essentials Plan Your First Trip to South America Photo Gallery Travel Features - Countries and Culture News and Current Events Reader Participation Requested Articles & Resources Most Popular Destinations Countries and Territories Plan Your Trip Getting There Culture Events, Fiestas, Holidays Languages Geography News & Current Events History Archaeology Sports and Recreation Wildlife / Conservation Guides and Gear Cuisine Buyer's Guide Before You Buy Top Picks Guide and Travel Books History and Culture Books Cookbooks Product Reviews Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the South America for Visitors newsletter! See Online Courses   Search South America for Visitors From Bonnie Hamre , Your Guide to South America for Visitors . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! New Year's Eve in Rio de Janeiro - Festa de Iemanj In Rio de Janeiro, on December 31, throngs of people flock to the beaches to celebrate. Some of those people are there to celebrate the New Year, some are there to celebrate the Festa de Iemanj, the Goddess of the Sea and Mother of the Waters in the Umbanda religion of Brazil. Plan your trip with these resources about Rio . Photo of Copacabana beach and Rio de Janeiro by Night thanks to ClipArt.com. Tuesday December 27, 2005 | permalink Photo of the Week Once part of the infamous penal colony, and now a resort area, le du Diable, Devil's Island is one of the three les du Salut off the coast of French Guiana. Do you have a photo that you'd like to see featured as our photo of the week? If you do, send it to me via the Submit a Photo Form . Photo thanks to ClipArt.com. Sunday December 25, 2005 | permalink La Fiesta Grande Annually on December 24-26 thousands gather to worship the patron saint of local gold and copper mines, La Virgen del Rosario (The Virgin of the Rosary), in Andacollo, a small town in central Chile. The celebrations commemorate the many miracles attributed to her and the Nio Dios de Sotaqu, Christ Child of Sotaqui. Feliz Navidad to all! Friday December 23, 2005 | permalink Antarctic Wildlife Photo Gallery Summer in the Southern Hemisphere is the time for Antarctic cruising. One of the usual stops is at Deception Island , where passengers can go ashore for a dip in a narrow strip of shallow water heated by an active volcano and a look at penguins, seals and birds. Photo of a chinstrap penguin displayed with the kind permission of Peter and Jackie Main. Thursday December 22, 2005 | permalink Cuzco, Peru Cuzco, Capital of the Inca Empire, has both historical and cultural significance. As the hub of tourism for Machu Picchu, Ollytantambo, Sacsayhuaman, Pisac and the Sacred Valley of the Urubamba River, Cusco offers archaeological sites, colonial charm and up to date facilities for the visitor. Photo of the night illuminations of the Coricancha , meaning the Golden Courtyard in Quecha, used for ceremonial purposes, thanks to ClipArt.com. Enjoy the expanded Machu Picchu Photo Gallery . Wednesday December 21, 2005 | permalink 2005 Earthquake Count For those travelers who like to keep informed about earthquake activity in South America, you'll now find the weekly count update in the Geography section under Earthquakes, Temblors and Natural Events . Wednesday December 21, 2005 | permalink Two Great Destinations for 2006 Frommers announced their The Top 10 Up and Coming Destinations For 2006 and two of their recommendations are in South America: " Belm, Brazil: Nestled on the banks of the world's longest river and largest rainforest, Belm, Brazil is tropical paradise with an eclectic combination of both modern sophistication and frontier. Belem's collection of excellent restaurants utilizes local ingredients such as tropical fruits and Amazon fish to create a cuisine that is unlike anywhere in Brazil. Belem provides new surprises for the eager explorer. It is also a great gateway to the Amazon." Explore Belm, Gateway to the Amazon . Isla de Margarita, Venezuela : "Known for its reputation as a island getaway, Margarita, Venezuela offers the same amenities as its Caribbean neighbors: all-inclusive resorts, excellent white sand beaches, watersports, natural parks, a golf course, but all at a fraction of the price. Vacationers are benefiting from the economy's steep decline, and often visitors can even find inexpensive scuba diving adventures. Check out Isla de Margarita, Pearl of the Caribbean and choose from one of these Resorts, Hotels and Inns . Tuesday December 20, 2005 | permalink Photo of the Week From Maldonado and Piripolis, past Punta del Este and Rocha to the Brazilian border, miles of sandy beaches sand dunes and great scenery attact beach goers to the Uruguayan Riviera. Do you have a photo that you'd like to see featured as our photo of the week? If you do, send it to me via the Submit a Photo Form . Photo thanks to ClipArt.com. Sunday December 18, 2005 | permalink Walk The Inca Trail Depending on your starting point, the Inca Trail is 27 to 35 miles long passing through high-mountain puno , cloud forest, and mountain passes with elevations of nearly 14,000 feet and an orchid-rich jungle before it brings you to to Machu Picchu, the fabled Lost City of the Incas. Photo of Intipunku , the Gateway of the Sun, the entrance to Machu Picchu from the Inca Trail, thanks to ArtToday.com. Sunday December 18, 2005 | permalink 2005 Reader's Choice - People Readers of South America for Visitor's pages about people, past or present, were most interested in these historical personages, media celebrities, missing persons, and larger than life gauchos. Note: This list is derived from the number of times a reader visited these pages. Friday December 16, 2005 | permalink Display Latest Headlines | | | Read Archives powered by Movable Type Advertisement Most Popular All Stars 9 Empanada Iguazu Falls Pictures of Chile South America Photo Gallery What's Hot Cola de Mono - Monkey's Tail Cuzco Pisco Sour Chilean Style Falkland Islands Photos Virtual Tour Related Topics Caribbean for Visitors Mexico / Central America for Visitors Spanish Language Adventure Travel Budget Travel        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 Cola de Mono - Monkey's Tail Cuzco Pisco Sour Chilean Style Falkland Islands Photos Virtual Tour Headlines New Year's Eve in Rio de Janeiro - Festa de Iemanj In Rio de Janeiro, on December 31, throngs of... Photo of the Week Once part of the infamous penal colony, and now... La Fiesta Grande Annually on December 24-26 thousands gather to worship the... Antarctic Wildlife Photo Gallery Summer in the Southern Hemisphere is the time for...

Japan Travel Tips Japanese

Japan Travel Information - World Travel  You are here: About > Travel > Japan for Visitors 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 From Shizuko Mishima , Your Guide to Japan for Visitors . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Best Japan Photos in 2005 Which Japan photo gallery was viewed the most by visitors to About Japan for Visitor's site? Best Japan Photo Gallery of 2005 Wednesday December 28, 2005 | permalink Japanese New Year's Cards Sending New Year's cards to relatives, friends, teachers, classmates, and co-workers is an important custom in Japan. Send your favorite Japanese new year's cards online! Free Japanese ecards Monday December 26, 2005 | permalink Photo Gallery: Christmas Decorations in Japan Christmas in Tokyo Disneyland, Odaiba, Ebisu Garden Place, and more. Japanese Christmas Pictures Saturday December 24, 2005 | permalink Christmas in Tokyo There are many fun events and beautiful Christmas illuminations to visit in Tokyo. Here is a list of places to go. Tokyo Christmas Pictures of Christmas in Japan Shibuya Photo (c) Shizuko Mishima, licenced to About.com, Inc. Wednesday December 21, 2005 | permalink Japan Holiday Travel Tips Are you planning to visit Japan in December or January? I have some travel tips for you. Japanese Holidays Monday December 19, 2005 | permalink Japanese Railways Japanese railway systems are very advanced. Traveling by trains is very efficient. Plan a trip by trains in Japan. A list of railways in Japan Photo (c) 2005 Shizuko Mishima, licensed to About.com, Inc. Saturday December 17, 2005 | permalink Health Insurances in Japan "I plan on going to Japan in April to study for two years can anyone tell me what is a good insurance company. I hear health care in Japan is very expensive..." Suggestions? Friday December 16, 2005 | permalink Christmas in Japan December 25th is not a Japanese national holiday . How do Japanese people spend Christmas? Read more... Pictures of Christmas in Japan Pictures of Tokyo Ebisu Garden Place, Tokyo - Photo (c) Shizuko Mishima, licenced to About.com Inc. Wednesday December 14, 2005 | permalink Japanese Gift Ideas This is a list of Japanese things which might be good gifts for your loved ones. Japanese Gifts Monday December 12, 2005 | permalink Top 10 Christmas Lights to See in Japan Beautiful Christmas decorations are seen many places. This is a list of popular destinations for Christmas illuminations in Japan. Visit many places near your destinations! Japan Christmas Lights and Decorations Chirstmas in Japan Photo (c) Shizuko Mishima, licenced to About.com, Inc. Saturday December 10, 2005 | permalink Display Latest Headlines | | | Read Archives powered by Movable Type Advertisement 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        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 Headlines Best Japan Photos in 2005 Which Japan photo gallery was viewed the most by visitors... Japanese New Year's Cards Sending New Year's cards to relatives, friends, teachers, classmates, and... Photo Gallery: Christmas Decorations in Japan Christmas in Tokyo Disneyland, Odaiba, Ebisu Garden Place, and more.... Christmas in Tokyo There are many fun events and beautiful Christmas illuminations to...

Russia Travel Resources >

Travel Essentials - Russia  You are here: About > Travel > Eastern Europe for Visitors > Russia-Belarus-Ukraine > Russia Travel Resources > Travel Essentials - Russia Travel Go Eastern Europe Essentials Best of Eastern Europe Map of Central/Eastern Europe Photo Gallery Country Profiles Discount Travel Websites Articles & Resources Planning Your Trip Ways to Travel What to Do in East Europe Maps for Eastern Europe Czech-SlovakTravel Hungary Travel Poland Travel Russia-Belarus-Ukraine Romania-Moldova Travel Baltic Travel Balkan Travel Culture and Holidays Photo Galleries East Europe Travel and Language Books Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Eastern Europe for Visitors newsletter! See Online Courses   Search Eastern Europe for Visitors > Russia-Belarus-Ukraine > Russia Travel Resources > Travel Essentials - Russia Travel Essentials - Russia For your travels to Russia, use this resource to know where the tourist offices are, when to go, what to expect from weather, public holidays, and similar logistical information. Also find information about communications and health and safety Articles & Resources Sort By : Guide Picks | Alphabetical | Recent Russia Profile Undergoing profound economic and political changes, Russia is struggling to remain an important power on the world stage. For travelers, the country is a rich trove of art, culture and history. Find out more about Russia in this overview of the government, people, languages, travel, history, and more, in one concise page. Money Matters- Russia Like everywhere else you travel, you'll need money when you visit Russia. In this article, you'll find handy information about money in Russia, including cash, credit cards, travelers checks, exchange rates, ATMs, costs, and banks. Transportation in Russia: Long Distance Whether you're traveling across borders or from city to city, Russia has transportation options to get there. Public Transportation - Russia In this segment of the Russia Travel Guide, you'll find general information about mass transit in Russia as well as specifics about Moscow and St. Petersburg: the metro, trams, buses and trolleybuses, and taxis. Driving in Russia Driving in Russia presents challenges. If you still want to drive, read on. Dining and Drinking - Russia Learn what to eat and drink (and what not to) in Russia. Shopping - Russia Visitors to Russia will find plenty of ways to spend their money, particulary in Moscow and St. Petersburg where shops catering to tourists are everywhere. Here you'll find art and antique stores, souvenir shops, department stores and outdoor flea markets. Before You Go - Russia Before you go on your trip to Russia, read this section of the Travel Guide for Russia to learn about tourist information, travel tips, when to go, and what you can bring with you. Need to Know - Russia Before you go on your trip to Russia, read this article about items you need to know, such as time zones, electricity, measurements, weather, and public holidays. Health and Safety - Russia With a little foresight and common sense, you can stay safe and healthy while traveling in Russia. Read on to learn what you need to know. This article deals with crime, theft of your passport, eating and drinking to stay healthy, immunizations, and sex in Russia. Communications - Russia Learn about communicating in Russia, from the post office (and its private sector alternatives) to mobile phones, the Internet, media and webcams.        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 Krakow Photo Gallery Profiles of Eastern Europe Moscow City Profile Czech Republic Photo Gallery - Charles Bridge and castle Sofia's Religous Buildings Headlines Spas of Budapest Whether you want to simply swim or soak in... Warsaw for Travelers In Warsaw, modern glass office buildings have emerged all over... Castle Hotels in Europe If you're seeking unique accommodations for your travels in Eastern... Romantic Destinations in Eastern Europe Looking for something beyond Paris or Tuscany for a romantic...

European Vacation (1985) Starring:

Amazon.com: National Lampoon's European Vacation: DVD: Chevy Chase,Beverly D'Angelo,Dana Hill,Jason Lively,John Astin,Sheila Kennedy,Paul Bartel,Cynthia Szigeti,Malcolm Danare,Kevi Kendall,Tricia Lange,William Zabka,Wendy Goldman,Angus MacKay,Julie Wooldridge,Peter Hugo,Jeannette Charles,Derek Deadman,Mel Smith,Gwen Nelson,Amy Heckerling Your Store DVD See All 32 Product Categories Your Account | Cart | Wish List | Help | Advanced Search | Browse Genres | Top Sellers | New & Future Releases | Television Central | Life & Learning | DVD Essentials | Blowout DVDs | Movie Showtimes | Used DVDs Search Amazon.com DVD Web Search Join Amazon Prime and ship Two-Day for free and Overnight for $3.99. Already a member? Sign in . DVD Information Explore this item buying info editorial reviews customer reviews cast and crew fun facts Listmania! 25 Awesome Offbeat Comedies : A list by K. Ellis "kjjcellis" Add your List Ready to buy? Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering. A9.com users save 1.57% on Amazon. Learn how . MORE BUYING CHOICES 83 used & new from $7.10 Have one to sell? National Lampoon's European Vacation (1985) Starring: Chevy Chase , Beverly D'Angelo Director: Amy Heckerling Rating: See larger image Share your own customer images List Price: $14.98 Price: $10.99 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. See details You Save: $3.99 (27%) Availability: Usually ships within 1 to 2 days. Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. 83 used & new available from $7.10 Edition: Other Versions and Languages Other Versions (DVD) List Price Price Other Offers: DVD Ultimate Vacation Collection (Vacation / European Vacation / Christmas Vacation / Vegas Vacation) $52.98 $39.99 61 used & new from $39.28 Other Versions (VHS Tape) VHS Tape National Lampoon European Vacation $9.98 46 used & new from $0.97 VHS Tape Pee-Wee's Big Adventure $14.99 Better Together Buy this DVD with National Lampoon's Vacation (20th Anniversary... DVD ~ Dana Barron today! Total List Price: $34.96 Buy Together Today: $18.96 Customers who bought this DVD also bought National Lampoon's Vacation (20th Anniversary Special Edition) DVD ~ Dana Barron Vegas Vacation (Widescreen Edition) DVD ~ Chevy Chase National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (Special Edition) DVD ~ Chevy Chase Funny Farm DVD ~ Chevy Chase Explore Similar Items : in DVD Storyline Genres: Comedy Tagline: For over two thousand years, Europe has survived many great disasters. Now for the real test. Chevy Chase & his family are coming from America! Plot Outline: The Griswalds win a vacation tour across Europe where the usual havoc ensues. Plot Synopsis: The Griswalds win a vacation to Europe on a game show, and thus pack their bags for the continent. They do their best to catch the flavor of Europe, but they just don't know how to be be good tourists. Besides, they have trouble taking holidays in countries where they CAN speak the language... Plot Keywords: Urban Legend | Road | Stonehenge | Eiffel Tower Paris | Sequel | Vacation | Paris France | Cyclist | Game Show | Traffic Circle | National Lampoon Series | (Show all 37 plot keywords recommended by customers) Product Details Actors: Chevy Chase , Beverly D'Angelo , Dana Hill , Jason Lively , John Astin , See more Directors: Amy Heckerling Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Subtitled, Widescreen, Ntsc, Widescreen Anamorphic Region: Region 1 ( U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats. ) Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Number of discs: 1 Rated: Studio: Warner Home Video DVD Release Date: April 2, 2002 Run Time: 94 minutes Average Customer Review: Based on 57 Reviews DVD Features: Available Subtitles: English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Georgian, Thai, Chinese Available Audio Tracks: English (Dolby Digital 2.0), French (Dolby Digital 2.0) Commentary by: Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo (Unknown Format) Cast film highlights From IMDb: Quotes & Trivia ASIN: B00005Y71D Amazon.com Sales Rank: #3,042 in DVD Theatrical Release Information US Theatrical Release Date: July 26, 1985 MPAA: Production Company: Warner Bros. USA Box Office: $49 Million Filming Locations: Bressanone, Bolzano, Trentino - Alto Adige, Italy| London, England, UK| Paris, France| Rome, Lazio, Italy Editorial Reviews Amazon.com After winning a tour package in a game show, the bickering Griswald family carve a trail of destruction through England (where they knock over Stonehenge), France, Germany, and Italy. Somehow Ellen (Bevery D'Angelo), the mom, gets kidnapped by gangsters, leading to a car chase that reunites the family, despite their differences. It's hard to believe that National Lampoon's European Vacation is only the second of the Vacation movies; it has the exhausted pallor of the last of a long series of sequels, drained of all zest or original ideas. The charmless smirk of Chevy Chase, mechanical in its idiocy, hangs over European Vacation like a death mask. It's hard to believe that this hack was once the funny and sexy hero of Foul Play . D'Angelo keeps her chin up and gives the movie whatever class it may have; she deserves better. --Bret Fetzer Product Description: The Griswalds are on vacation again when they win a deluxe tour of the old world and take on the European continent -- the continent loses. Customers who viewed this DVD also viewed Spies Like Us DVD ~ Chevy Chase Caddyshack DVD ~ Chevy Chase The Great Outdoors DVD ~ Dan Aykroyd National Lampoon's Animal House (Widescreen Double Secret Probation Edition) DVD ~ John Belushi Explore Similar Items : in DVD , in Video , and in Music Spotlight Reviews Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers. 18 of 18 people found the following review helpful: NOT the original theatrical version! , September 19, 2003 Reviewer: T. D. Charlton "alltheothernamesaretaken" (CA United States) - See all my reviews This is NOT the original version!!! I'm very disappointed that Amazon.com didn't disclose this information. Scenes are missing and parts are dubbed over. Funny parts are still funny but it's just not the same. I feel duped. Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) 3 of 4 people found the following review helpful: ANOTHER FUN TRIP!!!! , September 21, 2004 Reviewer: A. R SCOTT "Alesha Scott" (Houston, Texas) - See all my reviews YEP! THIS IS ANOTHER TRIP WITH THE GRISWOLDS. I LIKE THIS MOVIE IT IS FUNNY I LIKED IT. THE GRISWOLDS DECIDED TO GO TO EUROPE AND THEY HAVE ANOTHER ADVENTUROUS AND HILARIOUS TRIP. I THOUGHT THIS WAS A FUNNY MOVIE. I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS MOVIE TO ANYONE WHO LIKES THE VACATION MOVIES OR CHEVY CHASE. I THOUGHT THIS ONE WAS JUST AS FUNNY AS THE FIRST ONE AND STILL DELIVERS A LOT OF FUN AND A LOT OF LAUGHS. Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) Customer Reviews Average Customer Review: Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers. 0 of 3 people found the following review helpful: great , September 13, 2005 Reviewer: Stacy Wagner - See all my reviews the transaction itself was very quick and the product came to me in new perfect condition. Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) 2 of 2 people found the following review helpful: Not on par with the original, but pretty close! , April 19, 2005 Reviewer: Britt Gillette "www.thedvdreport.com" (Chesapeake, VA USA) - See all my reviews Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo return as Clark and Ellen Griswold in National Lampoon's European Vacation, sequel to the original Vacation movie and precursor to the holiday classic Christmas Vacation. Like the other films, this edition contains different cast members to play the roles of Griswold children Audrey (Dana Hill) and Rusty (Jason Lively). The only Vacation movie that doesn't feature Cousin Eddie (Randy Quaid), European Vacation is nevertheless one hilarious movie. It's an old school comedy like they just don't make anymore... When the Griswold family appears on the hit TV game show, Pig In A Poke, they inadvertently beat a superior family and win an all-expenses paid trip to Europe. As usual, Clark is giddy about the wonderful trip of family bonding which he dreams his family will enjoy. But Audrey is mortified at the prospect of leaving her boyfriend behind. Nevertheless, the Griswolds hop on a plane bound for Europe. Right off the bat, Clark's dream vacation begins to experience shortcomings. The first hotel the family stays in is a half-star dump with a community bathroom, and Clark gets stuck on a circular roadway where he endlessly passes by Big Ben and Parliament. A couple of brilliant guest appearances are turned in by Eric Idle (of Monty Python fame) who plays the role of a zealously friendly biker. In one of the funniest scenes in the film, Clark smashes into the biker, who apologizes to Clark while hobbling away from the wreck and who springs a bloody leak from his wrist that he passes off as a mere "flesh wound". When Clark hits another motorist, he and the family are given the man's bumper as a souvenir to take home to America. As the Griswold clan makes their way across mainland Europe, especially in France and Germany, they encounter various pitfalls and cultural misunderstandings. Rusty causes a dog to jump to its death from the heights of the Eiffel Tower, and Clark instigates a riot in a small Bavarian township. One of the more memorable one-liners from the film is when Audrey tells Clark that in Germany "sex" means "six," so while searching for his relatives who live in apartment six, he greets some surprised residents with the tagline, "Hello, my family and I are looking for sex!" When the stress becomes unbearable, the vacation inevitably drives each of the family members in a different direction, but everyone is quickly brought back together when Ellen is kidnapped by a pair of petty criminals who want to get their hands on the family vacation fund. Clark must come to the rescue and save, not only his wife, but the family's entire vacation experience as well... A great comedy that contributes to the overall quality of the National Lampoon's Vacation films, European Vacation is a fun, family-oriented film. Those who enjoyed the exploits of Clark Griswold in the more recent Christmas Vacation or Vegas Vacation films will find it well worth their while to go back see this movie which many people have forgotten about. This is an utterly hilarious film in its own right, and clearly earns its designation as a must-see film... The DVD Report Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) Great Comedy , April 17, 2005 Reviewer: John Livermore "buster_trader" (Bethesda, MD, USA) - See all my reviews Not as good as "... Vegas Vacation" and "... Vacation" but it is still very good! Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) 2 of 3 people found the following review helpful: just as side splitting as N. L. Vacation , February 25, 2005 Reviewer: DSG "DSG" (Franklin, Wisconsin) - See all my reviews don't have much to say about this one. was lauging too hard at this one. it's just such a hilarious follow up to National Lampoon's Vacation. see this movie if you like Chevy Chase. so glad I have this on dvd. it too will be watched time and time again Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) See all 57 customer reviews... Listmania! Own every National Lampoon DVD... : by Tom Benton 25 Awesome Offbeat Comedies : by K. Ellis "kjjcellis" Favorite Movies Of All Time!! : by M. D. James So You'd Like to... Laugh So Hard You'll Cry : by Egon P. Singerman , Gigantic Movie Buff enjoy funny books and movies : by Humor Book Addict , avid viewer and reader Buy My Collection of Great 80's Flicks: Part 2 : by 80's Girl , A movie lover Fun Facts from IMDb.com: Nominations Click here to see more Nominations Young Artist Awards: Young Artist Award for Best Starring Performance by a Young Actor - Motion Picture Trivia Click here to see more Trivia On their first day in Paris, Clark wears a sweatshirt from "Walley World", the Griswolds' destination in the first film, Vacation. It is revealed in the intro, on his passport, that Clark's middle name is Wilhelm. Goofs Click here to see more Goofs In this movie, the family name is spelled Griswald. In other Vacation movies, it is spelled Griswold. Movie Connections Click here to see more Movie Connections Follows: Vacation Followed by: Christmas Vacation Alternate Versions Click here to see more Alternate Versions Some alternate takes of scenes were filmed especially for television, toning down the raunchy nature. For example, the female aerobic dancers in the television version are wearing tops. Another alternate take was of Rusty and the girl he meets in Germany. In the theatrical/video version, as they kiss, she unbuttons her uniform and Rusty stares at her breasts which we see. The alternate was her unbuttoning it and having a bra on. This take is on all television versions of the film today. When aired on TV, the scene where the Griswalds leave the house of people they thought were Helga and Fritz, Helga's reply (to Fritz's question of who the hell they were) of 'Beats the shit out of me' was changed to 'Damned if I know.' In the more recent TV airings, the original phrase was there with the word 'shit' blured on the subtitle. In the scene where Ellen sees the billboard with her picture on it advertising the stolen homemade porno flick, there are three different versions of the subtitles that explain the title. One is "The Wet Hot Wife," which appeared on the laserdisc version. Another was "The Slut in the Showers," which I believe appeared on the televised version. And the final was "The Whore in the Hot Tub," which appeared on one of the VHS incarnations. When aired on TV, Clark's song "The Sound of Griswald" was altered because one line of the song that goes: "This should spin around for a very long time" sounds too much like "This shit's been around for a very long time." When Clark's car suffers the blowout during the chase, he yells out the f-word. The television and VHS version dubs this to say "Darn it all!" The recent 2003 version seen on the Encore! network also has this dub, which is very evident. Quotes Click here to see more Quotes Stewardess : Can I get you anything to drink? Clark Griswold : Honey? I guess I'll have a Coke. Stewardess : Do you want that in the can? Clark Griswold : No, I'll have it right here. [in Germany, Clark peers down at a village in the hills and tears come to his eyes] Clark Griswold : There it is, kids, my motherland. Rusty Griswold : Dad, Grandma is from Chicago. Clark Griswold : Shut up, Russ. For more information about "National Lampoon's European Vacation" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) Look for similar items by category Browse similar items in: DVD > Actors & Actresses > ( A ) > Astin, John DVD > Actors & Actresses > ( B ) > Bartel, Paul DVD > Actors & Actresses > ( C ) > Chase, Chevy DVD > Actors & Actresses > ( D ) > Dangelo, Beverly DVD > Actors & Actresses > ( H ) > Hill, Dana DVD > Actors & Actresses > ( L ) > Lively, Jason DVD > Actors & Actresses > ( S ) > Smith, Mel DVD > Actors & Actresses > ( Z ) > Zabka, William DVD > Directors > ( H ) > Heckerling, Amy DVD > Genres > Comedy > By Theme > Nothing Goes Right DVD > Genres > Comedy > By Theme > Vacations DVD > Genres > Comedy > Comedy Stars > Chevy Chase DVD > Genres > Comedy > General DVD > Genres > Comedy > Parody & Spoof > General DVD > Genres > Comedy > Slapstick DVD > Genres > Horror > General Suggestion Box Your comments can help make our site better for everyone. If you've found something incorrect, broken, or frustrating on this page, let us know so that we can improve it. Please note that we are unable to respond directly to suggestions made via this form. If you need help with an order, please contact Customer Service . Please mark as many of the following boxes that apply: Product information is missing important details. Product information is incorrect. Propose corrections using our Online Catalog Update Form . The page contains typographical errors. The page takes too long to load. The page has a software bug in it. Content violates Amazon.com's policy on offensive language . Product offered violates Amazon.com's policy on items that can be listed for sale. Comments or Examples: Examples: Missing information such as dimensions and model number, typos, inaccuracies, etc. Where's My Stuff? • Track your recent orders . • View or change your orders in Your Account . Shipping & Returns • See our shipping rates & policies . • Return an item (here's our Returns Policy ). Need Help? • Forgot your password? Click here . • Redeem or buy a gift certificate. • Visit our Help department . Search Amazon.com Books Popular Music Music Downloads Classical Music DVD VHS Apparel Yellow Pages Movie Showtimes Toys Baby Computers Video Games Electronics Camera & Photo Software Tools & Hardware Office Products Magazines Sports & Outdoors Outdoor Living Kitchen Jewelry & Watches Beauty Gourmet Food Musical Instruments Health/Personal Care Pet Supplies Travel Cell Phones & Service Outlet Auctions zShops Everything Else Automotive for Amazon.com Home | Directory of All Stores Our International Sites: Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | Japan | France | China Help | Shopping Cart | Your Account | Sell Items | 1-Click Settings Investor Relations | Press Room | Careers Conditions of Use | Privacy Notice © 1996-2005, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates