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...

CRUISE VACATIONS 2005 -

Antarctica Travel Antarctica Cruise Antarctica Vacation Antarctica Travel Cruises and Tours Antarctica Travel Cruises Tours Reservations & Inquiries ANTARCTICA TRAVEL CRUISE VACATIONS 2005 - 2006 Explore the Drake Passage and the Antarctic Peninsula aboard the M/S Andrea Cruise Antarctica on the m/s Andrea. Pre-departure materials and final documents for the trip. All meals on board including wine and beer served with lunch and dinner. On Antarctic Cruises Only: One night pre-cruise accommodation in Ushuaia, Argentina at a first class hotel on a bed & Breakfast basis. Group Transfer with porterage from the hotel to the ship and from the ship to the airport . All shore excursions including Zodiac cruising and landings where necessary. (On Antarctic Only). Services of a professional expedition leader and guest lecturers. Port Charges. Post Expedition Log. Special Expedition jacket (on Antarctic cruises only). Cruise Antarctica & Sub-Antarctic Islands Antarctica Adventure Cruises Choose from 9 luxury cruises aboard the M/S Andrea From 10 nights to 18 nights Departure Dates & Prices Cruise the South Shetland Islands , Drake Passage and the Antarctic Peninsula aboard the Grigoriy Mikheev Antarctica Expedition Cruises Choice of 9 Antarctica Cruises From 10 nights to 18 nights Falklands - South Georgia - Antarctic Peninsula Our small, specially designed expedition ships journey south, taking full advantage of the 24 hours of daylight during the austral summer. Ice-strengthened hulls and state-of-the-art equipment allow us to navigate safely through the pack ice and narrow waterways. Our zodiac excursions, guided by foremost Antarctic experts, offer the freedom to explore remote locations and observe Antarcticas abundant wildlife. Our cruise itineraries include: the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands, Falkland Islands (Malvinas), South Georgia and the South Orkney Islands. Departure Dates & Prices About Scantours General Conditions Travel Insurance Practical Tips CST # 2022206-40 SCANTOURS INC. USA Toll free US & Canada: 1-800-223-7226 Local Phone: 310-636-4656 Fax: 310-390-0493 Comments? Suggestions? E-mail us at info@scantours.com 2003 Scantours Inc. All rights reserved. HOME USEFUL LINKS Webmaster

travel insurance plans from

Travel Insurance - Compare Every Major Company - Instant Cover Travel Insurance Made Simple Compare over 100 travel insurance plans from the top providers and buy immediately or use our comprehensive research features. Our technology is tightly integrated with the insurance carriers featured on our site, allowing you to quickly purchase on-line with confidence or to thoroughly investigate every feature of every policy. SQM Rating™ System We use the unique SQM Rating™ System to allow you to easily find the policy that provides the best coverage for your particular requirements. Whether it’s medical, baggage, cancellation etc. we rate every single benefit within every single policy. Zero Complaint Policy We work on your behalf. If any one of our clients has a complaint against an insurance carrier that cannot be resolved to our satisfaction, we will remove the carrier from our site and no longer sell its products. travelers insurance - quotetravelinsurance.com is now powered by squaremouth.com . Click the button to the right to instantly quote and purchase from over 100 travel insurance products. Our unique system is the first and only website to rate every individual element within each policy against it's competitors. We are also the ONLY insurance agent to offer a zero complaint tolerance guarantee with every carrier on our site. Every purchase is in real time , you will immediately receive a policy number and full email confirmation of your purchase. We also send a hard copy by US Mail. © 2000 - 2005 squaremouth.com all rights reserved (2961765) Use this site to compare plans We are recommended by Frommers Budget Travel Magazine. What is Travel Insurance? Travel insurance protects a traveler's vacation cost against cancellation and interruption while also providing medical, lost or damaged property and travel delay coverage. Travelers are reimbursed if they have to cancel or interrupt their travel, they are also covered should the need arise for emergency medical treatment, medical evacuation and a number of other situations. Travel insurance can be broken down into the following major categories: Trip Cancellation – Reimburses travelers unable to take their trip d ue to Illness or death (of the traveler or a family member), weather, airline strikes, terrorism, bankruptcy, becoming unemployed, jury duty or their home being rendered uninhabitable due to fire/flood etc. Trip Interruption – Reimburses travelers if they have to cut short their trip due to Illness or death (of the traveler or a family member), weather, airline strikes, terrorism, bankruptcy, becoming unemployed, jury duty or their home being rendered uninhabitable due to fire/flood etc. Medical/Health – Reimburses medical and emergency dental costs. Almost all travel insurance plans work by reimbursing the traveler after they have paid locally for treatment. Claims are usually paid within 7 to 10 days. Pre-Existing conditions are covered by most policies if the policy is purchased within (at the most) 21 days from the date the traveler made the first trip payment (deposit). Medical Evacuation – Provides emergency transportation to either a local hospital in the event the traveler is unable to get there by themselves or back to a hospital near the travelers home. If family members are covered on the same policy they can return home also. Accidental Death – This coverage is split into 3 parts – Air Flight Accident – Covers death or dismemberment during an air flight only. Usually provides the highest amount of coverage due to a lower risk. Common Carrier – Covers death or dismemberment while traveling on public transport such as, plane, ferry, train, bus or taxi. Accidental Death – Covers death or dismemberment at any time on your trip. Usually provides the lowest amount of coverage due to a higher risk. Travel Delay – Reimburses travelers for hotel, food or clothing expenses in the event of a flight delay. Some plans also cover costs associated with catching up to a cruise should a delay cause the traveler to miss embarkation. Baggage Loss – Reimburses travelers for lost, stolen or damaged personal items. This coverage is usually for the duration of the trip and not confined to baggage damaged or lost by the airline. There are two policy limits, total claim and per item maximum. Some policies also place limits on the type of items that can be claimed for such as jewelry, laptops and sporting goods. Rental Car Damage – Reimburses travelers for damage or loss to a rental vehicle. It is designed to allow the traveler to decline CDW (collision damage waiver) coverage offered by the car rental companies. Liability coverage should still be purchased through the car rental company. Rental Car Damage coverage is also often included with the credit card used to pay for the car rental which is often identical to the coverage provided in the policy. Assistance Services – Provides a 24 hour collect call advice and assistance service to travelers. This service can be used anytime a traveler needs advice. More on this topic insurance_health_articles - contact us - about us - why buy - press_room - health quotes - links - site map - travel insurance news UK travel insurance for UK residents

Orlando Vacation

Discount Walt Disney World Tickets - Theme Park Tickets & Park Hopper Passes Walt Disney World Theme Park Tickets Universal Studios Theme Park Tickets Orlando Dinner Show Tickets Sea World Orlando Theme Park Tickets Our tickets are 100% guaranteed!! Discount Theme Park Tickets & Orlando Dinner Shows Discount WaltDisney World Tickets and Discount Orlando Theme Park Tickets are sold. Thanks to the volume of internet shoppers, we are able tooffer Discounted Walt Disney World Tickets with some of the lowest prices on the web. Discounts on Universal Studios Florida , Islands of Adventure and Sea World Orlando theme park tickets. Our tickets are guaranteed and no timeshare nor any other strings attached. Save on all Orlando area theme park tickets here! Save on Orlando Dinner Shows ! Some are on sale NOW! Discount Arabian Nights , Medieval Times Orlando & Pirates Dinner Adventure . Great discounts on Orlando Dinner Shows. Click Here Have you seen all that is new to the Orlando FlexTicket? Click Here Disney's Magic Your Way Tickets 2 Day Disney World Tickets 3 Day Disney World Tickets 4 Day Disney World Tickets 5 Day Disney World Tickets 6 Day Disney World Tickets 7 Day Disney World Tickets 10 Day Disney World Tickets Ticket Explanations Universal Studios Florida Theme Park Tickets 1 Day Universal Studios Florida or IOA Ticket - Click Here 2 Day Universal Studios Florida Hopper Ticket - Click Here 3 Day Universal Studios Florida Hopper Ticket - Click Here 7 Day Universal Studios Florida Stay & Play Ticket - Click Here 4 Park Orlando FlexTicket - Click Here 5 Park Orlando FlexTicket - Click Here We are proud members of the Better Business Bureau . Click Here for that information. Get your Orlando Theme Park Information here in one convenient spot. Click Here to visit our category for theme park hours, maps & more! Quick Links for Walt Disney World Theme Park Tickets 2 Day Disney World Park Hopper Tickets 3 Day Disney World Park Hopper Ticket s 4 Day Disney World Park Hopper Ticket s 5 Day Disney World Park Hopper Ticket s 6 Day Disney World Park Hopper Ticket s 7 Day Disney World Park Hopper Ticket s 10 Day Disney World Park Hopper Ticket s 3 Day Disney World Plus Tickets 4 Day Disney World Plus Tickets 5 Day Disney World Plus Tickets 6 Day Disney World Plus Tickets 7 Day Disney World Plus Tickets 10 Day Disney World Plus Tickets 3 Day Disney World Premium Tickets 4 Day Disney World Premium Tickets 5 Day Disney World Premium Tickets 6 Day Disney World Premium Tickets 7 Day Disney World Premium Tickets 10 Day Disney World Premium Tickets Walt Disney World Tickets Explanation Orlando Theme Park Information Here you will find helpful maps, hours of operation & general information pertaining to the Orlando theme parks. Main Category Page Walt Disney World Universal Orlando Resort Sea World Orlando Magic Kingdom Epcot MGM Studios Animal Kingdom Down Town Disney Pleasure Island Disney Quest Typhoon Lagoon Blizzard Beach Wide World of Sports Theme Park Operating Hours Disney World Maps Walt Disney World Map Magic Kingdom Map Epcot Map MGM Studios Map Animal Kingdom Map Down Town Disney Map Typhoon Lagoon Map Blizzard Beach Map Wide World of Sports Map Map of Route 192 Universal Studios Orland Resort Maps & Others Universal Orlando Resort Map Universal Studios Florida Map Islands of Adventure Map City Walk Map Sea World Orlando Map Busch Gardens Tampa Map Kennedy Space Center Map Wet n Wild Map I-Drive Area Map Universal Blvd Map DisneyWorld Category Get Your Site Ranked! MonsterLinkSwap.com: Trade links quickly and easily with thousands of other willing web sites! Our link exchange process saves countless hours in the link trade process to let you focus on whats important on your website! Link Exchange Our Members Links FastCounter by bCentral

Mexico Travel

Mexico Travel Information | Lonely Planet Destination Guide worldguide | shop | thorn tree forum | travel services | travel ticker | theme guides | on the road | postcards | travel links : Explore Mexico Mexico A country so lively that even The Day of the Dead is a hoot. At a Glance Fast Facts WORLDGUIDE Introduction Background Info See Image Gallery Events Transport Money General RELATED Thorn Tree Forum Postcards Travel Links More Places Check out our other destinations: Within Mexico Acapulco Cabo San Lucas Cancun Cozumel Mazatlan Mexico City Puerto Vallarta San José del Cabo View Map Click here Feature Attraction Sierra de San Francisco Sierra de San Francisco is the gateway to spectacular pre-Hispanic rock art and as such has been declared a Unesco World Heritage site. At Cueva Pintada, ... more Mexico is a traveller's paradise, crammed with a multitude of opposing identities: desert landscapes, snow-capped volcanoes, ancient ruins, teeming industrialised cities, time-warped colonial towns, glitzy resorts, lonely beaches and a world-beating collection of flora and fauna. This mix of modern and traditional, the clichéd and the surreal, is the key to Mexico's charm, whether your passion is throwing back margaritas, listening to howler monkeys, surfing the Mexican Pipeline, scrambling over Mayan ruins or expanding your Day of the Dead collection of posable skeletons. Hurricane Damage/Crime in Mexico City Mexico's Yucatan peninsular has been hit hard by Hurricane Wilma, causing widespread flooding and property damage. Travellers are advised to check local information services before venturing to the Cancun/Yucatan region as many hotels will remain closed while undergoing repairs. Crime in Mexico continues to plague travellers, particularly in Mexico City. The incidence of violent crime and, more specifically, sexual crimes against women is on the up. Taxi theft, armed theft, pickpocketing, purse snatching, credit-card fraud and ATM robbery are frequently reported. A spate of recent kidnappings have targeted travellers in the Nuevo Laredo region of northern Mexico. When To Go Mexico is enjoyable year-round, but October to May is generally the most pleasant time to visit. The May-September period can be hot and humid, particularly in the south, and inland temperatures can approach freezing during December-February. Facilities are often heavily booked during Semana Santa (the week before Easter) and Christmas/New Year, the peak domestic travel periods. Mexico's climate has something for everyone: it's hot and humid along the coastal plains, and drier and more temperate at higher elevations inland (Guadalajara or Mexico City, for example). Try to avoid Mexico's southern coast between July and September - the resorts are decidedly soggy and jam-packed, as July-August is also the peak holiday months for foreign visitors. Factoid Pyramid Envy While Egypt might be the first place that comes to mind when thinking about pyramids, Mexico is actually home to the world's largest pyramid. The Quetzalcóatl Pyramid at Cholula de Rivadiais measures 3.3 million-cubic meters (4.3 million cubic yards) compared to The Great Pyramid of Giza's 2,600,600 cubic metres (3.4 million cubic yards). SPONSORED LINKS Enquire Travel Services · Flights · Hostels · Hotels · Travel Insurance More Services › Disclaimer: We've tried to make theinformation on this web site as accurate as possible, but it isprovided 'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injuryor inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information.You should verify critical information (like visas, health and safety,customs and transportation) with the relevant authorities before youtravel. text & images © lonely planet 2005 about us | privacy | feedback | advertising FAQs worldguide | shop | thorn tree forum | travel services | travel ticker | theme guides | on the road | postcards | travel links