Travel Insurance? Travel Insurance
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Travel Insurance, Trip Insurance, Cruise Insurance Member BBB OnLine Reliability Program Smile of Satisfaction 364 Testimonials-18 Pages Home Site Map Get Side-By-Side Quotes Skip The Details - Order Safely Online Common Questions What's Covered? Or Not? Rental Car Insurance Flight Insurance How To Make A Claim Contact Us - Located in USA About Trip Insurance Store You Can Trust These Companies: Get all the details & prices: CSA Travel Protection HTH Worldwide Travelex Travel Guard Travel Insured TravelSafe - Cancel For Any Reason Coverage Instant Message / Chat If the icon's colored, we're available right now for free chat/instant messaging. If not, leave us a message. How Have We Done? Customers' Websites Link To Us Free Gifts Get A 2 Month Website Hosting Free Trial TripInsuranceStore.com is a Member in Good Standing of These Organizations: What Is Travel Insurance? Travel Insurance (Trip Insurance) is insurance that covers you for problems associated with traveling . Travel insurance protects you if you're forced to cancel or interrupt your trip because of unforeseen events : family emergencies, bad weather , lost luggage, terrorism and other events . Plus emergency medical treatment. Why Should You Get Your Travel Insurance From TripInsuranceStore.com? • Your Satisfaction is Guaranteed Thoroughly examine your policy for 10 days. Wear the smile of satisfaction, or it's no sale. Can you ask more! • 364 Testimonials from Satisfied Customers Unless you're a returning client, you don't know anything about us. Nor have you experienced first hand our great service. Read what others have said. • You Get Personal Service (a rarity when you're online) Call Steve (the President), Denise, Tara, Teresa, Mary or Terry toll free at 1-888-407-3854 (US & Canada) or 507-214-3854 for advice & recommendations. When was the last time a website (or any business) encouraged, wanted or begged you to call? And we answer live! • Selected, Pre-Screened Trustworthy Travel Insurance Companies You can browse or study plans from the only 6 travel insurance companies we trust . They are CSA , HTH , Travelex , Travel Guard , Travel Insured and TravelSafe . • You Get Side-By-Side Comparisons Not awkward top to bottom tables. Click here for your free quotes . • You Can Order Safely Online All orders are processed with 128-bit Military Grade Encryption Algorithms. Do you know which plan you want? If so, skip the details - click here for the secure purchase link . • You Will Enjoy Ongoing Service You can count on us to be here for you after the sale. We even call you a few days before you leave to make sure you have your insurance information. You can always call or contact us here . Over 100 different travel insurance policies are sold online. That's the bad news. The good news is that you don't have to wade through them all. You owe it to yourself to only work with reputable providers . See how these plans compare in an easy to read side-by-side comparison. You can email your quote to yourself, too. Click here to recommend this page to a friend. Your trip cancellation benefits start the day after you buy your travel insurance plan. Your trip interruption benefits begin when you leave home for your trip. You choose which travel insurance plan is right for you. Get your instant travel insurance comparison quote to easily compare the different plans, benefits and prices. You can safely order your travel insurance plan online, too. You'll find plans from the leading travel insurance providers: CSA Travel Protection , HTH , Travelex , Travel Guard , Travel Insured and TravelSafe . These links take you to our detailed description pages. Or skip the details, going straight to the Fastrack Online Purchase Links . Protect yourself if you have to cancel or interrupt your trip for a pre-existing medical condition . Keep these three important rules in mind: • You have to insure your trip's full prepaid, non-refundable cost (you can't round it down) and • The person (including non-traveling family members) with the medical condition has to be medically stable when you get your insurance and • You must get your travel insurance in the first 10, 14 or 21 days after your first trip payment date When your first trip payment date is more than 10, 14 or 21 days in the past and you're concerned about pre-existing medical conditions, click here . On the other hand, the Lookback Period doesn't apply to you when there aren't any pre-existing conditions. Discover how to protect yourself for pennies on the dollar. Look at these real life examples of a $3,000 trip (up to 30 days) for a 70 year young or a 35 year old traveler: -- Your Age: CSA Silver HTH TP HTH TP Pf'd Travelex Lite Travelex Plus TG Protect Assist Travel Insured Travel Safe Age 70 $174 (6%) $194 (6.5%) $255 (8.5%) $168 (5.5%) $257 (8.5%) $251 (8%) $185 (6%) $254 (8.5%) Age 35 $124 (4%) $139 (4.5%) $186 (6%) $129 (4%) $199 (6.5%) $145 (5%) $111 (4%) $101 (7%) Note: these plans have different coverages and benefit levels - Don't be influenced by price alone. Click here to see a detailed side-by-side plan benefit comparison . Medicare doesn't cover you outside the USA. You can get travel insurance as late as the day you leave home. Travel Supplier Waiver Plans are surprisingly different from travel insurance. Our Privacy Policy is in full FTC compliance. Your benefits are paid in Tax-Free US Dollars. Not vouchers. Not "trip credits". You get fast, not-in-a-hurry, unbiased advice. Steve, Denise, Tara, Teresa, Mary & Terry do not work on commission. You get personal service - a rarity when you're online. You're not limited to one choice or confused by too many choices. You'll find plans that are uniquely different from each other. You get the travel insurance plan that's best for your trip and your family's needs. We may recommend one plan for one trip and a different plan for another trip. There's no hidden agenda to steer you to one company over another. We don't charge you extra fees. You can read what others say about TripInsuranceStore.com Safely, easily online from CSA Travel Protection , HTH , Travelex , Travel Guard , Travel Insured or TravelSafe (these links take you to our detailed description pages) Over the telephone: Call Steve, Denise, Tara, Teresa, Mary or Terry toll free at 1-888-407-3854 (US & Canada) or 507-214-3854. - You get to talk to a live person. - We're happy to answer all your questions. - We can even complete your application over the phone. - Everything you tell us is confidential. Our Privacy Pledge . Through the mail: We'll fax or send you a brochure . Call the insurance providers directly: If you do this, please give them our agent or ID number. Here's what you need if you call. You get email or postal sevice confirmation of your policy, too. CSA Travel Protection has three plans: Silver, Comfort and Luxe. All plans include at least $50,000 emergency medical, $250,000 emergency medical evacuation and 150% Trip Interruption. Ten-day money back satisfaction guarantee. Available to US and Canadian residents only. View Details HTH Worldwide two plans: HTH Trip Protector and Trip Protector Preferred. Both HTH plans have at least $500,000 emergency medical evacuation. Ten-day money back satisfaction guarantee. Available to US and Canadian residents only. HTH TripProtector has $100,000 emergency medical and all the standard coverages. HTH TripProtector Preferred includes $250,000 emergency medical, 150% trip interruption and other higher coverages. View Details Travelex offers both $50,000 and $500,000 emergency medical / medical evacuation with 150% Trip Interruption. Children under 16 are covered at no charge when accompanied by a covered adult. Ten-day money back satisfaction guarantee. Available to US residents only. View Details Travel Guard is America's #1 travel insurance provider online insuring more than 6 million travelers each year. Ten-day money back satisfaction guarantee. Available to both US and Canadian residents. View Details Travel Insured gives you $50,000 emergency medical, $250,000 emergency medical evacuation and 150% Trip Interruption. Twenty-day money back satisfaction guarantee. Available to US residents only. View Details TravelSafe gives you $50,000 emergency medical, $250,000 emergency medical evacuation and 150% Trip Interruption. Cancel For Any Reason upgrade is available. Ten-day money back satisfaction guarantee. Available to both US and Canadian residents. View Details Do you want 'customized' travel insurance recommendations? Or do you have any questions? If so, call Steve, Denise, Tara, Teresa or Mary toll free at 1-888-407-3854 (US & Canada) or 507-214-3854. Links Town and Country, Ski, Frommers.com, The Wall Street Journal, Chicago Tribune, L.A. Times, Reader's Digest, IHT, etc. Read 'em. to use , provides answers, and is backed up by the toll free phone line. You make shopping for a complicated product easier. Thanks! - Cynthia C., Portland, OR Are You Interested In? Pre-existing Conditions What's Covered? Instant Quotes Group Travel Insurance FAQ's Ordering Brochures Rental Car Insurance Top 10 Information Pages 1. Pre-existing conditions 2. What's Covered? 3. Common Exclusions 4. How To Make A Claim 5. Traveling companions 6. What is your trip's cost? 7. Site Map 8. FAQ's 9. Primary - Secondary 10. Travel Supplier Plans "Go directly to the source - a broker, where you can get competitive bids," says Bob Hunter, director of insurance services at the Consumer Federation of America.
Chicago Vacation Packages Free
Chicago Hotel Deals - Unbiased Reviews - TripAdvisor Chicago Hotel Deals and TripAdvisor SmartDeals Sign in • Sign up Home > United States > Illinois > Chicago > SmartDeals Chicago tourism: Overview Hotels Flights Attractions Dining Deals Getaways Forums Maps, etc. Discount hotels | Hotel + air deals | All travel offers Search (e.g., Chicago hotels, Las Vegas, Paris art museum) Chicago Chicago Overview Chicago Hotels Flights to Chicago Chicago Deals Discount hotels Hotel + air deals All travel offers Chicago Attractions Chicago Restaurants Chicago Forum Chicago Maps Chicago Discount Hotels Chicago Vacation Packages Free Newsletter Get deals, news and articles on Chicago Plus weekend trip ideas from your hometown e-mail this page to a friend Popular hotel deals Acapulco hotel deals Alaska hotel deals Amsterdam hotel deals Anaheim hotel deals Arizona hotel deals Aruba hotel deals Aspen hotel deals Atlanta hotel deals Atlantic City hotel deals Bahamas hotel deals Barbados hotel deals Belgium hotel deals Bermuda hotel deals Boston hotel deals Branson hotel deals Breckenridge hotel deals British Virgin Islands hotel deals Cabo San Lucas hotel deals California hotel deals Canada hotel deals Cancun hotel deals Caribbean hotel deals Colorado hotel deals Costa del Sol hotel deals Cozumel hotel deals Dallas hotel deals Daytona Beach hotel deals Dominican Republic hotel deals Florida hotel deals Florida Keys hotel deals Fort Lauderdale hotel deals France hotel deals Germany hotel deals Grand Canyon National Park hotel deals Greece hotel deals Grenada hotel deals Hawaii hotel deals Hilton Head hotel deals Ibiza hotel deals Ireland hotel deals Italy hotel deals Ixtapa hotel deals Jamaica hotel deals Kauai hotel deals Key West hotel deals Lake Placid hotel deals Lake Tahoe hotel deals Las Vegas hotel deals London hotel deals Los Angeles hotel deals Los Cabos hotel deals Maui hotel deals Mazatlan hotel deals Melbourne hotel deals Mexico hotel deals Miami hotel deals Montreal hotel deals Myrtle Beach hotel deals Nashville hotel deals Nassau hotel deals New York hotel deals New York City hotel deals Niagara Falls hotel deals Nova Scotia hotel deals Oahu hotel deals Orlando hotel deals Paris hotel deals Park City hotel deals Philadelphia hotel deals Phoenix hotel deals Pigeon Forge hotel deals Puerto Rico hotel deals Puerto Vallarta hotel deals Punta Cana hotel deals Quebec City hotel deals Reno hotel deals Rome hotel deals Salt Lake City hotel deals San Antonio hotel deals San Diego hotel deals San Francisco hotel deals Santa Fe hotel deals Scotland hotel deals Seattle hotel deals Spain hotel deals St. Croix hotel deals St. Lucia hotel deals St. Maarten/St. Martin hotel deals St. Thomas hotel deals Sydney hotel deals Texas hotel deals Toronto hotel deals Tucson hotel deals U.S. Virgin Islands hotel deals Vail hotel deals Virginia Beach hotel deals Washington DC hotel deals Whistler hotel deals Read more Chicago tourism Chicago Hotel Deals and TripAdvisor SmartDeals The Windy City has hotels, attractions and entertainment to fit all tastes and budgets. From the Sears Tower to Lake Michigan, the Magnificent Mile to Wrigley Field, blues to plays, Chicago has it all. Hotel deals Super-savers, web deals, exclusive promotions — find today's best deals in Chicago lodging! Chicago : Hotel Deals from $70 Expedia.com Don't just travel. Travel right! Chicago : Great Prices, Great Rooms hotels.com We Know Hotels Inside And Out. View Maps, Photos, Rates. Book Now! Chicago : Low Hotel Prices Made Easy Orbitz.com The faster, easier way to find the hotel you want. Just Orbitz and go! Chicago : Guaranteed Best Room Rates. Starwood.com Official site for Westin and Sheraton Hotels. Click now for exclusive offers! Chicago : Great Hotel Rates! CheapTickets.com finds you low prices where you need to stay! Just click - you're there. Chicago : Country Inns & Suites Site CountryInns.com Official Online Reservation Site. Enjoy Our Best Web Rate Guarantee. Chicago : Room Rates from $76 Lodging.com Spend Less, Sleep Well with Lodging.com's RestEasy rates! 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Discount hotels Hotel + air deals All travel offers SmartDeals SmartDeals are the best deals we found on very popular hotels in Chicago. 5-star hotel Renaissance Chicago Hotel Average price: $305 Renaissance Chicago Hotel - Great Rates - CheapTickets.com | More reviews, deals Save up to 49% on 4-star hotels Sofitel Chicago Water Tower Average price: $289 Sofitel Chicago Water Tower from $175 - Expedia.com | More reviews, deals Hotel Monaco Average price: $273 Hotel Monaco - Great Rates - Priceline.com Hotels | More reviews, deals Renaissance Chicago O'Hare Hotel Average price: $193 Renaissance Chicago O'Hare Hotel from $99 - Expedia.com | More reviews, deals Save up to 46% on 3-star hotels Amalfi Hotel Chicago Average price: $257 Amalfi Hotel Chicago from $149 - hotels.com | More reviews, deals Hotel Burnham Average price: $274 Hotel Burnham - Great Rooms from $149 - Orbitz.com | More reviews, deals Fitzpatrick Chicago Hotel Average price: $224 Fitzpatrick Chicago Hotel from $189 - Lodging.com | More reviews, deals Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Downtown Average price: $195 Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Downtown - Great Rates - HiltonGardenChicago.com | More reviews, deals Crowne Plaza Chicago Silversmith Average price: $202 Crowne Plaza Chicago Silversmith - Best Web Rate - Crowne Plaza Hotels | More reviews, deals Comfort Inn & Suites Downtown Average price: $223 Comfort Inn & Suites Downtown - Low Rates - alpharooms.com | More reviews, deals Read more about Chicago travel! TripAdvisor's Tourism page has the web's best articles on Chicago travel . Our Chicago hotels page presents hotels ranked by popularity - read traveler reviews and guidebooks. Looking for things to do in Chicago? Try our Attractions page! TripAdvisor's Chicago restaurants page shows you the best local places to dine. Planning a weekend trip to Chicago? Check out our Chicago weekend itinerary ! Visit our Chicago forum page to ask questions and get advice about Chicago travel. TripAdvisor forums let you ask questions and get advice - post in our Chicago forum . Our Maps, etc. page has maps and other travel information. Visit our Chicago discount hotels page for great savings on Chicago hotels, including TripAdvisor SmartDeals. Looking for vacation packages to Chicago? We've got deals including hotel and airfare. Book a flight to Chicago on our Flights page. To view all the specials, vacation packages, and other travel offers we've found, visit our All travel offers page. About TripAdvisor Visit TripAdvisor for the very best deals on the most popular hotels in Chicago. Recommendations for hotels, resorts, inns, vacations, travel packages, travel guides and lots more! Visit TripAdvisor in another language: About Us | Membership | Site Map | Become an Affiliate | Top Cities | Hotel Reservations | Hotel Deals | TripAdvisor Gear Popular Hotels: 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , by city TripAdvisor Recommends: Las Vegas hotels , London hotels , Paris hotels , Rome hotels , New York City hotels , Chicago hotels , Orlando hotels © 2005 TripAdvisor, Inc. All rights reserved. TripAdvisor Terms of Use and Privacy Policy . * TripAdvisor, Inc. is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site... ( more ) TripAdvisor, Inc. is not responsible for content on external web sites.
Air Travel Complaints Program
FAQ's - How to file a complaint Complaints - Home The Agency's Role Jurisdiction of the Agency Types of Complaints General Consumer Information How to file a complaint People who want to make a complaint against an air carrier may mail or fax the Agency at: Canadian Transportation Agency Air Travel Complaints Program Ottawa, Ontario K1A ON9 Fax: (819) 953-5686 For more information, you may call the Agency from Monday to Friday, from 8 am to 8 pm, Eastern Time, at: Phone: 1-888-222-2592 TTY: 1-800-669-5575 You may also file a complaint directly over the Internet Is there anything I should do before I contact the Agency? You should collect all your facts, receipts, names and phone numbers of people to whom you spoke and, most importantly, a copy of your ticket. Having this information at hand will assist in the review of your complaint. Approaching the carrier with your concerns is often a good idea as many problems can be handled quite quickly that way. In the end if you feel that you have a justifiable complaint, or if you are not satisfied with how the airline has resolved your complaint, you may bring it to the Agency. Do I need to complain to the carrier first? In many instances, issues or problems may be dealt with quite quickly and simply by bringing the situation to the attention of the carrier first . Some issues such as quality of service provided by an airline should first be brought to the carrier's attention before the Agency will be able to address your complaint. How can I complain to an air carrier directly when I don't know how to reach them so that my complaint will get dealt with? Here is a list of the largest Canadian Air Carriers' Customer Service Departments . What if I don't have all the information from my flight? While it would be helpful to have as much information as possible concerning your air travel arrangements, this does not prevent you from filing your complaint. However, you may encounter delays while staff researches the information that is needed to deal with the complaint. In some cases, it may be impossible to make a determination without sufficient relevant information. What needs to be included in my complaint? The more detail you can provide in your complaint, the more easily the matter can be resolved. Please see the complaint forms for details on the type of information which you should provide for different types of complaints. If you do not have all the information that the form requires, that is okay, but it will take extra time to find that information and process your complaint. Is there a time limit to file a complaint? No, but in practical terms it is better to bring the matter to the carrier's or Agency's attention sooner rather than later. The older a complaint, the more difficult it may be to obtain necessary documents, records, or information. Do I need a lawyer? You do not need to hire a lawyer in order to file a complaint with the Canadian Transportation Agency. The complaint process is simple and easy to understand. Of course, you may consult a lawyer if you wish. Are there any fees/costs to process my complaint? There is no charge to file a complaint with the Agency. Once I file my complaint, what happens? When the Agency receives a complaint, a few things must be verified before the complaint can be processed. First, the complaint is examined to determine if it falls within the jurisdiction of any other government department or agency. If so, then it will be referred to the appropriate organization, and at the same time you will be notified where it has been sent. Then, it must be verified that you have first raised the issue with the air carrier. If you have not, then your complaint will be forwarded to the airline on your behalf to give the carrier the opportunity to resolve it. If you are still not satisfied with the way in which the airline handled your complaint, then the Agency can become involved. The nature of the complaint and the outcome that you seek will be determining factors in how the Agency deals with your complaint. Your complaint will be reviewed to ensure that it is clear and complete. It is possible to expedite matters if you collect all the facts, receipts, names and numbers of people who were involved and, most importantly, a copy of the ticket. Having this information at hand will greatly assist in the review and resolution of your complaint. Once the Agency has received all your relevant information, it will be forwarded to the carrier to give the airline a chance to respond. Should the air carrier raise any new issue or information, then you may be asked to respond. The Agency will try, whenever possible, to arrive at a solution acceptable to both parties. Even if your particular complaint cannot be resolved, it will prove useful in assisting the Agency to analyze and report on trends in customer service issues for the airline industry. If you are curious about the status of your complaint at any time, you may call the Agency staff assigned to your case, using your case reference number, to get an update. How long does it take? The Agency's procedures for a regulatory complaint require a resolution within 120 days unless an extension is agreed to by all parties. The length of the complaint process will depend heavily on the complexity of the complaint, on the quality and accuracy of information that is provided, and the type of outcome you seek. It is possible to expedite matters if you collect all the facts, receipts, names and numbers of people who were involved and, most importantly, a copy of the ticket. Having this information at hand will greatly assist in the review and resolution of your complaint. What will the Agency do if it finds in my favour? The Agency's response will depend on the nature of the complaint. If the Agency found that a fare, rate or increase offered on a route within Canada served by only one carrier was unreasonable, then the Agency could disallow the fare, rate or price increase; direct the carrier to reduce the fare, rate or increase; and order the payment of refunds, if practical, to passengers who were found to have been overcharged. If the Agency found that a term or condition of carriage in a carrier's tariff was unreasonable or unduly discriminatory, it could prohibit the carrier from applying that term or condition, and it may also substitute a new term or condition in its place. If the Agency found that a carrier failed to apply its tariff , it could order the carrier to apply its tariff as written and order the carrier to pay compensation for out of pocket expenses to a passenger if he or she was adversely affected by the carrier's failure to apply its tariff. If the complaint involved a carrier discontinuing or reducing its service to a community without giving proper notice, the Agency could order the carrier to resume service for up to 60 days or could impose a fine. In some circumstances, the Agency can also fine a carrier for specified violations of the Act. What happens if the Agency does not find in my favour? If the Agency finds in favour of the air carrier, the complaint would be dismissed and the matter would be closed. What happens if I'm not happy with the outcome of my complaint? If the facts or circumstances relating to an Agency decision changed after the decision was made, then either you or the carrier could ask the Agency to review its finding. You may also appeal the Agency's finding to the Federal Court of Appeal or ask the Federal Cabinet to review it. These processes would probably require the assistance of a lawyer. The Air Travel Complaints Program's role is to assist air travellers in resolving their complaints against air carriers through an informal complaint process. If a satisfactory resolution to the complaint is not achieved, the case may be referred to the Agency's formal complaint process. Last Updated: 2005-10-24 [ Important Notices ]
Russia Travel Guide From
Russia Travel Guide You are here: About > Travel > Eastern Europe for Visitors 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 Stay up to date! Email to a friend Print this page Most Popular First Christmas Tree Europe map Best of Eastern Europe Croatia Naturism and Nudism Discount Travel Websites 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 Related Topics Hotels / Resorts / Inns European History Architecture Air Travel Europe for Visitors Russia Travel Guide From Apply Now , Your Guide to Eastern Europe for Visitors . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Welcome Welcome to the Travel Guide for Russia! This online tourist planner will help you prepare for visiting the immense country of Russia. While this planner will give you plenty of information, if you have a specific question not found here, visit the Eastern Europe for Visitors Forum and post your question there.
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Asia Travel
PHILIPPINES TRAVEL INFORMATION Philippines Country Information The Land || History || The People || First-time Traveler Tips || Visas || Customs || Currency || Weather Clothing || Utilities || Newspapers & Media || Business Hours || Language || Getting Around Modes of Transport || Weather Conditions || Things to Know || Sightseeing || Museums and Art Further Information The Land The Philippines is an archipelagic nation made up of 7,107 islands spanning 1,840 kilometers north to south. It is part of the East Indies, a vast island group lying south and east of mainland Asia, with Taiwan at its northernmost coast and Borneo on the south. The three main Philippine island groups are Luzon , the Visayas and Mindanao . Luzon is the island of contrasts. The most modern districts in the Philippines , including the capital city of Manila , are in Luzon , but so are some of the oldest tribal communities in the nation like the Ifugao of the Cordilleras. Luzon is also where a visitor can see the latest model luxury cars overtaking a carabao sled or modern skyscrapers within driving distance of primordial volcanos. The Visayas is famous for its charm, a trait shared by many other southern regions in the world, but here seems to run deeper among a people who are intrinsically connected to their sun soaked island home. The Visayas is also famous as a seat of history, being one of the earliest landfalls of western voyagers. It has also gained a reputation as being a cradle of the nation's future, if the unprecedented economic growth of Cebu City continues. Mindanao is our offering to the Guinness Book of Records with the world's largest clam, the world's largest Eagle, the nation's highest peak and the world's largest city. Mindanao is also home to the Philippines' Muslim population. With a land mass of 300, 780 square kilometers, the Philippines is considered a medium-sized nation, about two- thirds the size of its first colonizer, Spain, and a little larger than the British Isles. Manila is only one hour and 40 minutes from Hong Kong by jet; Sydney only 7 1/2 hours away. Flights to Europe take 17 hours and to the American west coast 15 hours. The Philippines has many things to offer the visitor: a mixture of the old and the new, a diversity of art and culture and a warm, friendly people. Blessed by nature, the Philippines has something to offer every sportsman too . . . extraordinary dive sites, forests to roam, mountains to climb, caves to explore. Top History Situated on the crossroads of Asia, on the eastern rim of the China Sea, the Philippines has hosted voyagers, migrants and traders since the dawn of history. That it was the center of lively Asian trade route that stretched all the way to China and Japan can be seen from the relics these early visitors left behind. Among our archaeological treasures is a Neolithic spirit boat typical of early Southeast Asian culture. The West discovered the Philippines when Ferdinand Magellan, the Portuguese explorer who sailed for Spain, landed in Cebu in 1521. However, colonization didn't actually begin until 1565, when Miguel Lopez de Legazpi established a Spanish base in the town of Manila. Because Philippine society was loosely organized, without a central government, the Spanish conquest was rapid and total. Only the Muslims in the south and some inaccessible hill tribes were able to resist Spanish influence. Along with the Spanish conquerors came a new religion, Christianity, a new language, new laws and the galleon trade. Despite several uprisings against Spain, including the Katipunan, a revolutionary movement inspired by Dr. Jose Rizal and led by Andres Bonifacio, it was the United States of America that broke the Spaniard's grip on the Philippines. Unfortunately, that began the nation's second period of colonization. Once again there was resistance, this time led by Emilio Aguinaldo; but his rag-tag army was no match for Admiral Dewey's forces. In 1901, with Aguinaldo's capture, the Americans were entrenched. The Americans brought over their educational system, their legal system and planted the seeds of their own style of government. In 1935, the Philippines became an American commonwealth country with Manuel Luis Quezon as president. The status quo ended with the Japanese Occupation; and it wasn't until 1946, after the end of the Pacific war, that the Philippines finally regained true independence as the Republic of the Philippines under the presidency of Manuel Roxas. Still one of the strongest democracies in Asia, the current president is Joseph Ejercito Estrada. Top The People Halo-halo is a Filipino word that means mixture. While it describes a popular dessert, it could also describe the Filipinos. They look like Asians, write and speak English like Americans, worship like Spaniards, and have an outlook that is international. Like the Southern Chinese, the Thai, Malay, Indonesian and Burmese, the modern-day Filipino traces his remotest genetic lines back to an Australoid and Mongoloid stock. You will also find a touch of Caucasian, Chinese, Indian and Arabic in their gene pool as well. But to truly understand the Filipino, you have to look at the land. The historic isolation between islands and the topographic isolation on each island, become the primary influence governing regional traits and societal behavior. This diversity makes Filipinos all the more interesting. However, what is apparent isn't how different they are from each other, but rather how alike they are. Brought together by a common history, and looking forward to a common future, it is not surprising to find a sharing of certain traits. Their warmth, graciousness and hospitalityall part of the Filipino psychewill make your stay a delight. Top Tips for First-time Philippine Travelers Generally speaking, it is important to travel light. Bring only what's necessary. Avoid the extra baggage. You don't want to pay exorbitant fees for your luggage service. As in any foreign place, be careful with pickpockets. Some might act as a helpful stanger, but they're out to get something from you! It's good to be cautious at all times. Whenever going outdoors, being in a group is recommended. If you're bringing kids with you, make sure to bring all the things they would need, like medicine, bottles of potable water (although many bottled water is available, it is always recommended to bring one), and one of your kids' favorite toys for their own receration. Top Visas If you are coming from America, Asia or Europe with a valid passport, and either a return ticket or a ticket to another destination outside the Philippines you may enter without a formal visa and stay for 21 days. If you wish to stay longer you must obtain a Visa Extension either before your trip from a Philippine Consulate or Embassy. Or, once here, you may obtain it from the Bureau of Immigration. Customs Upon Arriving: Visitors are allowed to bring in duty free personal belongings, two cartons of cigarettes or two tins of pipe tobacco and up to one liter of alcohol. Balikbayans have separate rules and should check with the Embassy or Consulate in their home city. You may bring in unlimited amount of foreign currency. Upon Leaving: Any antiques you may have acquired during your stay must be accompanied by a certificate from the National Museum. You may also not take more than PhP5,000.00 (five thousand Philippine pesos) out of the country. Currency The currency in the Philippines is the Peso (PhP) and the Centavo. 100 centavos = P1. Coin denominations are: 1, 5, 10, and 25 centavos, P1, and P5. Bill denominations are : 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1, 000 pesos. Foreign currency may be exchanged at your hotel, and in most of the large department stores, banks and authorized money changing shops. Exchanging money anywhere else is illegal and the laws are strictly enforced. Most large stores, restaurants , hotels and resorts accept major credit cards including American Express , Visas and MasterCard. Traveller' s checks preferably American Express are accepted at hotels and large department stores. Personal checks drawn on foreign banks are generally not accepted. Top Weather The Philippines is tropical with just two seasons--hot and dry from November to June, and rainy from July to October. Filipinos will tell you that it is cool from December through February and they themselves will wear jackets. Clothing People in the Philippines dress for the weather (HOT!) Casual attire during the day for women are light blouses and shorts. For men collared T- shirts worn over slacks. In the evening skirts are substituted for shorts and the T-shirts are tucked in. For Men Only: If you expect to have to attend any occasion which would usually require a jacket and a tie (which is torture in this weather) there is a wonderful substitute. Go immediately to a department store and buy a barong tagalog. It is an embroidered shirt that is considered a formal dress. It will cost more or less PhP1,000.00, but it is worth every centavo. Utilities Electricity is 220 volts a/c. Many of the major tourist hotels also have 110 volt a/c outlets. Water supply in Metro Manila and in all the other major cities are considered potable. Bottled purified water, spring water or mineral water is often supplied by hotels and resorts, and sold in all grocery stores. Telephone service is modern and you can direct dial anywhere in the world. Public phones are plentiful. Public phones require a minimum of two one-peso coins for a local call. Some Important Telephone Numbers: (24-Hour Hotline) Police & Fire: 757 or 116 Emergency No.: 501- 650 or 501- 728 Directory Assistance: 114 National Operator: 109 International Operator: 108 For other emergency numbers, please refer to Directory . NOTE: It is advisable to always have the telephone number and the address of your embassy or consulate with you. Top Newspapers & Other Media The newspapers in the Philippines have been called the freest in the world, as you will see for yourself, with more than 24 different morning papers to choose from, most of them in English. There is also a wide selection of magazines printed in English including Time, Newsweek and Asiaweek. In Metro Manila you can buy the Asian Wall Street Journal, The International Herald Tribune and USA Today. Television is "on the air" from early morning to midnight, showing American programming as well as local programming. The standard channels are 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 13, and 23. If you need more channels, most of the major hotels are with Cable TV bringing in TV programs from all over the world. There is also AM and FM radio broadcasting with the pop stations primarily on AM in Filipino and the English language programs on FM. Top Business Hours Most businesses are open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM weekdays and 8:00 AM till noon Saturdays. Banks are open from 9:00 AM till 3:00 PM Mondays through Fridays. When banking in the Philippines, it is advisable to have your passport with you for identification. The post offices are open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM weekdays only. Stamps for postcards are frequently available from the Concierge Desk at most major hotels. The Philippines uses ZIP codes, please include them in addressing local mail. NOTE: The Standard lunch hour is noon to 1:00 PM. Most businesses and government offices are closed. Language While there are over 100 regional languages in the Philippines, the national language is Filipino, with English as the most widely spoken second language. All business, governmental and legal transactions are conducted in English. Top Getting Around There are four modes of public transport in Metro Manila and surprisingly, they are easy to use. Buses : Both air-conditioned and regular buses travel most of the major routes in Metro Manila. On an air-con bus a short ride costs PhP 9.00, adding a few peso for every succeeding kilometer. The regular bus' minimum fare is PhP 4.00. Just tell the conductor where you are going and he will tell you how much it costs. Keep your bus receipt as it is your proof of payment. Jeepneys : Called "folk arton wheels," jeepneys ply most of Manila's secondary roads and even a few major thoroughfares. They're as much fun to ride on as they are to look at and you have to try one. Although there are regular stops, you can often just flag one down and hop on. Call out "bayad" (bah-yhad) and pay the driver. If you are too far back, pass your PhP 4.00 (minimum fare for the first 4 kilometers; 1 peso additional for every succeeding 500 meters) down. When you are ready to get off, call out "para" (pah-rah); wait till he slows down and jump. The LRT : It's a fast, cheap way to go to downtown Manila. A token can take you between Monumento (the northern end of Edsa) and Baclaran, travelling first along Rizal Avenue and then Taft Avenue. Many of the tourist maps have the route of the LRT marked. The MRT : After it's somewhat unsuccessful opening, the MRT is now enjoying a fair share of passengers plying EDSA. This is definitely the fastest mode of transport, this side of the metropolis. The MRT runs from the North Avenue Station in Quezon City up to Taft Avenue Station in Pasay City. Passengers would enjoy the traffic-less route, clean stations and coach, with a good view of Metro Manila's landscape. The only problem is that some stations have very high stairways. Although a number of elevators is operational, not all stations have one. Travel time is approximately 20 minutes end to end. Taxis : Air-conditioned taxis cost PhP25.00 on the meter and an additional PhP 2.00 is added for every succeeding 200 meters to the final cost. Non-airconditioned taxis do not ply anymore. Taxis are always lined up at the major hotels and tourist restaurants and can be hailed on the street. If you take a taxi, make sure the driver turns on the meter. If he gives you a story that it is broken, get out and take another taxi. Unless you are taking a long trip or the traffic is unusually horrible, most taxi rides should be well under P100. At least a 10% tip is expected. Top Other Modes of Transport Most of the major car rental agencies, including AVIS, Budget, and Hertz have offices in Metro Manila and carry a full line of vehicles from jeeps to limousines. All vehicles may be rented with or without a driver. If you wish to do your own driving you must have a valid foreign or international license. Inter-island transportation is provided by either airplane or ferry boat. Philippine Airlines services most of the major provincial airports. Cebu Pacific, Asian Spirit, SeaAir, Air Philippines, and Pacific Airways are smaller carriers servicing more remote tourist destinations. For information about boat schedules, check with the Department of Tourism on T.M. Kalaw Street, Manila (63-2-5267652, 5267653, 5267655). Top WEATHER CONDITIONS & GEOGRAPHY Climate: Tropical (two seasons) Dry Season: March -May (warm) 33-34 C Wet Season: June- October (monsoonal) November -February (coolest) 29-31C Coastline: 334,539 km. Terrain: Many of the islands in the Philippines are extinct volcanoes and atolls. On the larger islands, many mountains, rainforests, rich valleys and swamp regions. The Philippines still does have thermal activity consisting of active volcanoes and hot springs. Top THINGS TO KNOW Language: Filipino (based on Tagalog dialect) is the National Language. The American occupation was responsible for teaching the English Language. The Philippines is currently the third largest English speaking country in the world. Currency: Peso(PhP). Notes are issued in denominations of , PhP 10, PhP 20, PhP 50, PhP 100, PhP 500, and PhP 1000. Coins are issued for 5c, 10c, 25c, PhP 1, PhP 5. Foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks, hotels and authorized exchanged dealers. Outside of Manila payments are preferably made in pesos. Major Travellers Cheques are widely accepted. Major Credit Cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Diners Club) can be used to pay for most goods and services. Bank Hours: Banks are open 9am-3pm Mon-Fri (except public holidays). Shop Hours: Most shops operate 10am-7.30pm daily (except public holidays). Time : Local time is GMT plus 8 hours. Business English is the language used. Sexual equality is more widespread in the Philippines than in other Asian countries. Make sure you have business cards. Top SIGHTSEEING Casa Manila: A replica mid 19th Century house, recreating the Intramuros lifestyle of upper class Filipinos at this time. Corner Real and General Lunar Streets, Intramuros, Manila. Luzon Chocolate Hills : Bohols most famous attraction: the area is named thus, because of the rich grass which covers them turns brown in summer. Carmen Town, Bohol. Visayas* Colon Street: The oldest street in the Philippines located in the heart of Cebu. Cebu. Visayas* Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery: The only underground cemetery in the Philippines; it served as a meeting place for the revolutionary leaders in Laguna. Laguna, Luzon Island Magellans Cross: The most historically-famous landmark in Cebu. Planted by Ferdinand Magellan in 1521, it marks the place where the first Christian Filipinos were baptized. Cebu. Visayas* Top PARKS & WILDLIFE Katibawasan Falls: These 250-foot falls cascade down to a pool surrounded by orchids and other rich tropical flora- 4 km from Mambajao. Camiguin. Mindinao* Maquinit Hot Springs : Located on a scenic beach corner, this is the premium hot spring in the Philippines. Palawan. Luzon* Hidden Valley: A natural recluse is created within this 90-meter crater . A haven for lush jungle life, natural springs and still water pools. Accommodation available. Alaminos, Laguna. Luzon, Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife: Quezon Avenue. Quezon City. Luzon. Rizal Memorial Park: Within the lush park there are monuments, a skating rink and adventure playground. Free concerts every Sunday. Ermita, Manila. Luzon. Top MUSEUMS AND ART GALLERIES Museums & art galleries Ateneo Art Gallery Quezon City Tel: (02) 998 721 Metropolitan Museum of Manila Tel: (02) 832 3645 National Museum Manila Tel: (02) 494 450 Villa Escudero San Pablo City, Quezon City Tel: (02) 521 8698 Top VISAS AND PASSPORTS Visa and Passport No Visas are required for foreigners entering the country for a stay no longer than 21 days provided that you have valid passports and tickets to leave the Philippines. Visas are required only for stateless persons and citizens of countries with which the Philippines have no diplomatic relations. A temporary visitor's visa is required for those who are planning to stay up to 59 days. Vaccination certificates may be neccesary for long term stays. Holders of Hongkong and Taiwan passports need special permits. All visas and permits may be obtained from Philippine embassies and consulates. Duty Free Items: Two 1-litre bottles of alchohol, and two cartons of cigarettes are allowed. Air Travel to the Country : Ninoy Aquino International Airport (7 km from city centre) Ninoy Aquino Avenue Manila, Philippines: Mactan International Airport Cebu, Philippines: (Most major airlines have flights to the country). Top FURTHER INFORMATION Department of Tourism: T.M. Kalaw Street Rizal Park Metro Manila P.O. Box 3451 Tel: (02)523-8411 Fax: (02) 521 7374 Philippine Convention and Visitors Corporatiom: 4th Floor, Suites 10-17 Legasi Towers 300 Roxas Boulevard Metro Manila Tel: (02) 525-93-18-27 Fax: (02) 521-61-65/ 525-33-14 Top