Japan travel tips -

Japan travel tips - Japan holiday travel tips  You are here: About > Travel > Japan for Visitors > Japanese Penpal / Chat > Japan travel tips - Japan holiday travel tips 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 Shinkansen - Bullet Train Shizuko Mishima Stay up to date! Shinkansen - Bullet Train Shizuko Mishima Email to a friend Print this page Suggested Reading Christmas in Japan New Year's Day in Japan Transportations in Japan 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 Japan Holiday Travel Tips From Shizuko Mishima , Your Guide to Japan for Visitors . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Winter Holiday Travel If you are planning to visit Japan in December or January, try to avoid traveling during the last week of December and the first week of January. This period is the busiest travel season for Japanese people in the year. Many people are off work from the last weekend of December to the first weekend of January. It's hard to make reservations for transportations and accommodations during this time, so please plan ahead. Traveling around Christmas Day in Japan isn't as bad as in western countries. One thing to remember is that Christmas Eve has become a night for young lovers to go out and spend a romantic time together at fancy restaurants or hotels in Japan. It is almost impossible to make reservations for a restaurant or hotel at the last minute on this day. Also, Christmas is not a Japanese national holiday . Unless it is Sunday, businesses and schools are open on the day. Also, remember that December 23 is a Japanese national holiday, Heisei Emperor's Birthday. New Year's holidays are very important for Japanese people. People usually spend New Year's Eve rather quietly with the family. Most of businesses are closed from the 29th or 30th of December to 3rd or 4th of January, depending on the kind of business and day of week. Be aware that banks and hospitals are closed around this time of the year. Check their operation dates before the holidays begin. In recent years, many restaurants, convenience stores, supermarkets, and department stores are open during holidays. Since many people traveling out of Tokyo during this time, Tokyo is rather quiet than usual, except temples, shrines, and markets. It might be a good choice to stay in Tokyo during this time. You may get good deals for nice hotels. Hot springs and  ski resorts throughout Japan are crowded by many visitors. You need to make reservation early to stay at those areas. Helpful Links: How to Travel Cheap in Japan How to Find Discount Airfares to Japan Flight Search to Japan by Kayak Train Travel in Japan Cheap Hotels in Japan Japan Hotel Search by Kayak Japan Picture Gallery          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

air travelers. These proposals

Air Travel Privacy Air Travel Privacy Latest News | Resources | Identification Schemes | Profiling | FOIA Documents | Other Documents | Analysis | Previous Files The right to travel is a part of the "liberty" of which the citizen cannot be deprived without due process of law under the Fifth Amendment ... Freedom of movement across frontiers in either direction, and inside frontiers as well, was a part of our heritage. Travel abroad, like travel within the country, may be necessary for a livelihood. It may be as close to the heart of the individual as the choice of what he eats, or wears, or reads. Freedom of movement is basic in our scheme of values. "Our nation," wrote Chafee, "has thrived on the principle that, outside areas of plainly harmful conduct, every American is left to shape his own life as he thinks best, do what he pleases, go where he pleases." -- Justice William O. Douglas, Kent v. Dulles (1958) Post-September 11, several measures have been considered to improve aviation security. Some of these proposals, such as improved training for airport screeners, checking all bags for bombs, strengthening cockpit doors, and placing air marshals on flights, do not implicate privacy interests and are sound security measures. Others, however, present privacy and security risks to air travelers. These proposals concern efforts to identify passengers and schemes to distinguish the "good guys" from the "bad." EPIC will make available on this page aviation security and privacy related documents it obtains from the government under the freedom of information law to promote and inform the public debate over these new schemes. In earlier responses to security threats the FAA issued a secret regulation that allowed airlines to demand photo identification and instituted a new profiling program called CAPPS (Computer Assisted Passenger Pre-screening System) based on travel data airlines routinely collected. See Previous Files . New proposals advocate using biometric credentials for "trusted travelers" and using extensive data mining of credit history, criminal records, and travel patterns to profile all airline passengers. NASA has even suggested developing "non-invasive neuro-electric sensors" or brain scans at the security gate to see if people are having suspicious thoughts. The stated goal of these new proposals is to rely on technology to reduce the "hassle factor" in airports and to reduce security threats. The core idea is to focus security resources on suspicious travelers, while ensuring that most people are not inconvenienced by heightened security. Terrorists, however, have been known to go to great lengths to look like most people. Former Transportation Security Agency chief John Magaw refused to endorse a "trusted traveler" card, fearing that it would be the first thing a terrorist will try to obtain. New profiling and identification programs will convert airport security into all-purpose police stops where criminals, deadbeat dads, and others seeking to avoid law enforcement for non-aviation security related reasons face the risk of being arrested. The basic structure of passenger profiling is to use an algorithm to determine indicators of characteristics or behavior patterns that are related to the occurrence of certain behavior. The CAPPS-II initiative will expand the range of databases searched for suspicious activity so that each airline passenger will be subjected to an extensive profiling. John Pointdexter's office in the Defense Department is considering developing a similar Total Information Awareness system. Each structural element of the CAPPS-II profiling system, however, raises a host of complex questions: Algorithm: What logic will be used? What is the basis for developing the algorithm? What are acceptable false positive and false negative rates? Indicators: What indicators are relevant? Are these indicators available? Who will collect and store the relevant indicators? Related: How are the indicators related to particular kinds of behavior? Is that relationship reliable? Behavior: Who determines what behavior should be targeted? What types of specific behavior will the system try to catch? In addition there are several technical issues such as how reliable is the data used to make profiling decisions? What kind of data should be collected and how long should the data be retained? Who will have access to the data and for what purposes? The policy issues also need to be addressed: what will be the rights of individuals to control their personally identifiable information? What recourse will be available for someone wrongly identified or denied a service? Will profiling based on deep data-mining stand up to charges of equal protection and due process violations? The new proposals directly implicate long standing constitutional protections under the fourth and first amendments, including the right to travel, and must be clearly understood and properly considered by the public. Latest News EPIC Joins Campaign Against Biometric Identification. Civil liberties organizations have sent a letter to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regarding their plans to include biometric identifiers such as fingerprints and facial scans on all newly issued electronic passports. The letter, organized by Privacy International , warns this will lead to the first truly global database of biometric information. For more information, read the letter from the Campaign, see EPIC's biometrics page, and read a story by the BBC . (Mar. 30) EPIC Suit Uncovers Watchlist Errors. EPIC has uncovered agency documents through the Freedom of Information Act that raise important questions about how the Transportation Security Administration currently operates the "No-Fly" watchlist. The concerns surrounding the agency's administration of the list previews several potential problems with the proposed roll out of CAPPS-II , the Enhanced Computer Assisted Passenger Pre-screening System. For more information, see EPIC's analysis of the FOIA documents. (Apr. 1) Senators Want Answers on Air Profiling. The Senate Commerce Committee has unanimously agreed to an amendment (pdf) by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) that would require the Transportation Security Administration to report to Congress on the privacy and civil liberties implications of the controversial CAPPS-II air passenger profiling system. See EPIC's Passenger Profiling page for more information. (Mar. 13) EPIC Comments on Air Travel Database. EPIC submitted comments on a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) proposal [PDF] to create a new database of Aviation Security Screening Records on all airline passengers. EPIC argued that the proposed system did not provide sufficient information for the public to contribute meaningfully to this rule-making procedure, and that the proposed system would infringe on the Constitutional right of association and travel. See TSA Docket for more information and public comments. (Feb. 24) EPIC Criticizes Gov't Rule on Citizen Travel. EPIC has filed comments [PDF] on the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS)'s proposed rule to collect passenger manifest information on all international travelers, including American citizens and legal permanent residents. The comments argue that the proposed rule is legally deficient because the INS has not complied with the Privacy Act in creating this new "system of records." EPIC has asked the INS to reissue its notice and meet the requirements of the Privacy Act. The comments also note that, by collecting and sharing travel data about citizens, the INS is placing a burden on the right to travel and the rights of anonymous association. (Feb. 4, 2003) EPIC Files Suit for "No-Fly List" Information. Seeking information about aviation security watchlists, EPIC has filed a lawsuit [PDF] against the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in federal court in Washington. The legislation creating TSA authorizes the agency to maintain such lists, which reportedly have been used to interfere with the travel of political activists. (Dec. 12, 2002) Resources EPIC's presentation for the National Academy's seminar on Concealed Threat Detection , March 2005. Transportation Security Agency Aviation and Transportation Security Act of 2002 EPIC v. TSA FOIA Lawsuit seeking information on new identification and passenger profiling schemes Implementation of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act with a Focus on the 60-day Deadline for Screening and Checked Baggage House Transportation Committee, Subcommittee on Aviation, Jan. 23, 2002 Audit Reports on Aviation Security Office of Inspector General, Department of Transportation White House Commission on Aviation Safety and Security web page. EPIC's Profiling Page. EPIC's National ID Page. EPIC's Biometrics Page. EPIC's Face Recognition Page. EPIC's Terrorism Page: Information on pending efforts in Congress to increase wiretapping and gather personal information. EPIC's new page on Surveillance of European Air Travelers . Identification Schemes Gilmore v. Ashcroft -- FAA ID Challenge Aviation Security Biometrics Working Group [see Steering Committee Analysis for detailed information on proposed biometric identification schemes] Airlines Plan Quick System For Identifying Passengers Washington Post , June 22, 2002 Smart Check-In Cuts Airport Lines Wired News , Feb. 5, 2001. [Trusted traveler schemes have been contemplated well before 9/11] Maximus Flysecure proposal Profiling Trading Freedom for Security . The New American Magazine , May 5, 2003. EPIC's new Passenger Profiling page. Air Security Focusing on Flier Screening . Washington Post , September 4, 2002. Intricate Screening Of Fliers In Works . Washington Post , Feb. 1, 2002. Carnival Booth: An Algorithm for Defeating the Computer-Assisted Passenger Screening System . MIT/Harvard Law School Student paper. Electronic Record Systems and Individual Privacy . U.S. Congress Office of Technical Assessment OTA-CIT-296. House Transportation Hearing on Airline Passenger Profiling . Feb. 27, 2002. ACLU Passenger Profiling Complaint Form Documents Obtained under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) EPIC Suit Uncovers Errors in TSA's Watchlist , April 2003. NASA Ames Research Center Northwest Airlines Briefing . December 10-11, 2001. Other Documents Final Report of the White House Commission. Initial Report of the White House Commission (September 9, 1996). Executive Order 13015 creating the White House Commission on Aviation Safety and Security (August 22, 1996) ( PDF version ) Initial Federal Register notice of public meeting of White House Commission. Revised Federal Register notice announcing that part of the Commission's meeting will be closed to the public "in the interest of national security." 1994 statute authorizing FAA research into security matters (including "behavioral research") and exempting information relating to such research from disclosure under the FOIA. Analysis Image of a person scanned using a new x-ray device from AS&E. National Academy of Sciences report " Airline Passenger Security Screening: New Technologies and Implementation Issues " Paper on the limitations of profiling , Roger Clark, Australia National University. ACLU testimony before White House Commission on "Civil Liberties Implications of Airport Security Measures" (September 5, 1996). Letter to Privacy Journal editor Robert Ellis Smith from the FAA denying Smith's request for a copy of the FAA Security Directive on identification of airline passengers. HotWired article " Fear of Flying " on proposals. (September 11, 1996). Previous Files FAA Proposes Profiling Regulations. The Federal Aviation Administration published proposed regulations on April 19, 1999, governing "Security of Checked Baggage on Flights Within the United States." The draft rules detail the use of computer profiling techniques to identify suspicious passengers. Public comments can be filed until June 18, 1999. Airline Passenger Profiling Goes Into Effect. The Computer Assisted Passenger Screening System is scheduled to be phased in nationwide beginning on January 1. Under the system, passengers who "fit the profile" will be selected for heightened security measures, which can include a thorough search of their luggage, intrusive personal questioning, tagging of luggage with orange tape, and a physical escort from the check-in counter to the airport gate by security personnel. The ACLU is providing an online complaint form for passengers targeted by the profiling system. Microsoft Chief Architect Charles Simonyi tells what happens when you "fit the profile" (from Slate ). Proposed FAA rule for collecting personal information including name, address, Social Security Number, Date of birth and next of kin for every domestic passenger. General Account Office report, Aviation Safety and Security: Challenges to Implementing the Recommendations of the White House Commission on Aviation Safety and Security (Testimony, 03/05/97, GAO/T-RCED-97-90). The Gore Commission has released its final report recommending passenger profiling. A coalition of 17 groups has sent a letter to Gore opposing ID checks, profiling, new x-ray technologies and excessive secrecy by the FAA in making decisions. EPIC Privacy Page | EPIC Home Page Last Updated: March 29, 2005 Page URL: http://www.epic.org/privacy/airtravel/default.html

South America Travel

Tucan Travel, South and Central America Travel Specialists Home Travel Styles Discovery Tours Adventure Tours Overland Expeditions Independent Travel Family Adventures Antarctica Galapagos Islands Language Schools Specials GAP Year Adventures Tour Info Pre-Departure Information Documents Inca Trail & Machu Picchu Country Dossiers FAQ Useful Links Latest News Visas Post Tour Questionnnaires Tour Highlights Central America South America Peru (inc Inca Trail) Picture Gallery About Us All About Us Sustainable Tourism Tucan Staff Travel Shows Contact Us Book Online Travel Agents Bookings General Enquiries Find an Agent Brochure Request Booking Form & Conditions Travel Insurance Employment Opportunities Quick Trip Finder Country Any Antarctica Argentina Belize Bolivia Brazil Chile Colombia Costa Rica Cuba Ecuador Guatemala Honduras Mexico Nicaragua Panama Paraguay Peru Uruguay Venezuela Length Any < 1 week 1 - 2 weeks 2 - 3 weeks 3 - 4 weeks 5 - 6 weeks 6 - 7 weeks > 7 weeks Travel Style Any Adventure Tours Antarctica Discovery Tours Family Adventures Galapagos Islands Language Schools Overland Expeditions Departing After: 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2005 2006 2007 Independent Travel Country Any Argentina Brazil Chile Ecuador Peru Subscribe to the email newsletter Email Country First Name If you have an adventurous spirit, a strong sense of fun, a desire to embrace new cultures and are longing see the world as it really is, then come andtake the trip of a lifetime with Tucan Travel, and lose yourselfin Latin America, Cuba, or Antarcita. Put yourself in the Tucan picture Don't miss your last chance to get 10% off Book before Friday31 January06 and get 10% off ANY Tucan tour but hurry: this special is in its final days. Iguazu Falls, Brazil Chichen Itza, Mexico Machu Picchu, Peru Fulfil your dream to see Machu Picchu, learn how to salsa in Rio,see ancient ruins and temples in Mexico, or close your eyes and feel the spray of Brazil's Iguazu Falls Click for more details 06/07 Brochures out now Read our new Brochure online. Just click on the the front cover and away you go! You can also request your free copy by completing the details on the bottom left of this page. WEB SPECIALS Do you need a holiday in a hurry? PHOTO GALLERY Browse through our photos and be inspired. LATEST NEWS Is something happening in Latin America that you need to know about? INCA TRAIL Discover what makes this hike so celebrated around the world. FINDYOUR STYLE With five unique styles oftravel,Tucan cater for every kind of traveller. FAQ If you're pondering a Tucan Tour, and want to find out more, browse through our FAQ. LANGUAGE SCHOOLS Learn a new language and embrace the cultural experience that Tucan Travel provides. Win a tour to Guatemala! If you subscribe to the Tucan Traveller, Tucan's monthly e-magazine, before December 31st 2005, you could win an unforgettable, magical 7 day journey through Guatemala, on Tucan's popular Chichi tour Girls in Antigua Rio Dulce Tikal Temple The Tucan Traveller will keep you up-to-date with all the latest Tucan news, specials and competitions. To subscribe to the Tucan Traveller, please complete area to the left. Take the adventure of a lifetime with Tucan Travel Leaders in Latin American travel On a budget? Cheap travelin Europe, Turkey, Egypt &South America

Family Vacations Honeymoon Packages

Gunflint Trail Minnesota vacation resort- cross country skiing, dog sledding, family, fishing & honeymoon's at Gunflint Lodge Gunflint Lodge A premier wilderness vacation resort in Northeastern Minnesota, on the Gunflint Trail just north of Grand Marais ( location map ) for cross country (nordic) skiing , dog sledding , snowshoing , families , fishing , honeymoons , and horseback riding 1-800-328-3325 Welcome to Gunflint Lodge . Our Minnesota wilderness setting fills your vacation with as much adventure or relaxation as you wish. Our northwoods pine and aspen forest, with deep clear water lakes and lots of wildlife, remains much the same as found by the voyageurs over a century ago. The atmosphere at Gunflint is wilderness elegance and home-away-from-home comfort. We invite you to make Gunflint your place in the northwoods -- a place where you'll arrive as a guest and leave as a friend. You won't merely feel like you belong -- you will know this is your home up north. Winter at Gunflint-main lodge WINTER Cabin rates Wild Winter Package Nordic Ski (Cross Country) Package New Year's Resolution Week Dog Lover's Weekends "Full Moon" Lover's Pkg Women's Weekend Retreats Snowshoe Making Stress Buster Weekend Winter Tracks Festival Massage Weekend "Books in the Woods" Retreat The winter season The snow is getting deeper and deeper The snows keep coming and everything is white and beautiful. The lake has frozen over and the timber wolves are starting to roam about on the ice. Firewood is stacked by each cabin for a warm toasty evening while you are curled up with a favorite book. The deer have started to come in for their winter handouts and we have about a ton of corn stored, as we plan ahead. The crosscountry ski trails are all open and groomed. The trail groomer is out nearly every day setting tracks and keeping everything perfect for excellent skiing. The sled dogs have arrived for the winter and the mushers have them out on the trails every day getting them in shape for trail rides. Guests that came up on our decorating weekends did a bang up job on the lodge and grounds-- the Christmas trees are up and decorated, garlands hang everywhere around the lodge and on the outside light poles, and strings of white lights illuminate the outside of the lodge come evening. Our chef has an all new winter menu that has some very tasty selections. He is featuring more entrees of the country. Among his new choices are an Elk steak, a big double bone pork chop, new walleye recipes, new pasta selections, new salads, and new breads and desserts. Some of our Best Winter Packages Wild Winter Package , Nordic Skiing , New Year's Resolution Week Women's Retreat Weekend , Dog Lovers Weekends Packages and Rates for the upcoming months December January February Some of our best December vacancies January vacancies SPRING Cabin Rates "Best of the Spring" Pkg Riding Weekends Dog Lover's Weekend Women's Weekend Retreats "Thank You" to Past Guests Spring Chores Weekend Fishing Reports SUMMER Cabin rates Family Packages Rustic and Plush Pkg Canoeing Weekends Grand Slam Fishing Pkg FALL Riding Weekends Moose Calling Women's Weekend Retreats Work Weekends Oct School Break Weekend Thanksgiving Weekend BWCAW Canoe Trips by Gunflint Northwoods Outfitters Holiday Decorating Weekends for 2006 YEAR AROUND PACKAGES Honeymoons Anniversary Weekends We thought you might be interested in some of the remodeling projects we have going on this winter. We took cabin 16 (2 bedroom classic cabin) and are just finishing up a major facelift. The cabin has all new panelling (including the ceiling), a huge new rock fireplace, ceramic floors in the kitchen and bathrooms, a washer and dryer, new carpeting and new furniture. The picture on the left was before remodelling, showing the original fireplace and the white ceiling. The picture on the right shows the new rock fireplace being finished and the new panelling. GENERAL INFO Cabin Descriptions Pet Policy Reservation Information Driving Directions Write ups and articles about Gunflint Lodge Employment Lodge History Links A recent guest testimonial: "Thank you so much for making our honeymoon so memorable, something we will be able to tell our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren about. You have a wonderful staff that really care about the customers. We know that there are many vacations spots, but when we found Gunflint we knew that this was the only spot for us!!!!" Matt & Mary Paquette Concord, New Hampshire What's New this Winter at Gunflint Adventure Services There's so much to do here at Gunflint sometimes it can be difficult to know where to start. So we opened an Adventure Concierge office to help you plan your activities during your stay. This person will be available to make recommendations on which ski trails to go on depending on your skill level, which days might be better for snowshoeing, or even booking any popular activities for you before you arrive. Winter Specials Everyone loves a deal so here is our best winter offer. If you're the kind of person who always wants a vacation to last just one more day, we can relate! If you arrive on a Sunday or Monday and spend 3 nights with us, the fourth night is on the house. Dog Sledding For guests staying over Monday throughout the winter we are treating you to a taste of dog sledding by offering you complimentary dog sled rides. Bundle up and hop in the sled, and let our musher and team of eager sled dogs introduce you to an exciting way to traverse the snow-covered trails that wind through the woods. This is always popular so reservations are a must! The complimentary dog sled rides are for guests spending Sunday and Monday nights at Gunflint. While we do reserve the whole day for rides, there is limited capacity. Sleigh Rides For guests staying over Tuesday we will be offering complimentary sleigh rides every Tuesday evening. Big Belgian horses pull the sleigh through the woods and alongside a frozen lake on lit trails beneath a star-filled sky. Homemade hot cocoa awaits you upon your return from this classic north woods experience. Just to be clear, the complimentary sleigh rides are for guests spending Monday and Tuesday nights at Gunflint. This activity is particularly limited in capacity due to size of the sleighs and can only hold 12 people. So it is open to the first 12 people who sign up. If you are interested in reserving a sleigh ride for a different night of the week, call us and we can arrange it for you. As your hosts, we know that your personal time is very valuable to each of you so we continue to refine the details and activities that you will experience. Every detail, from extra towels for the hot tubs, to your fireplace preset with kindling and wood upon arrival, is taken care of. A vacation to the Gunflint highlands of northern Minnesota is unique. The area is remote and pristine, while it abounds with wildlife and panoramic beauty. The countless stars and colorful northern lights will amaze you and your family throughout the winter nights. We invite you to join our family in an area where moose encounters and deer sightings are more common than a visit by your neighbors at home. It would be our pleasure to welcome you and your family to Gunflint Lodge. Your hosts , Lee and Eva Kerfoot (on right) Bruce and Sue Kerfoot (still involved, but starting to travel more) To request printed brochures with more detailed information and pricing, please tell us a little about you and what you like: Contact Information: First Name: Last Name: Address1: Address2: City: State: Select State Not Applicable Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Zip: E-mail: Home Phone: Work Phone: I am interested in: Family Vacations Honeymoon Packages Boundary Waters Canoe Trips Couples Packages Fishing Packages Women's Retreats Conference Center Information XC Skiing and Dog Sledding Riding Retreats Organized Group Canoe Trips Vacation Dates: (mm/dd/yy) Start End Number of: adults children Infants (under 4) Additional comment or questions: One of the founding members of " Distinctive Lodges " A small select group of resorts known for excellence and a family hosting tradition . Anniversary - April Special - Birding - Best of Spring - Scrapbooking - Thank You - Springtime Trails - Cross Country Skiing - Snowmobiling - Wild Winter - Holiday Crafting - Holiday Decorating - Intro to XC Skiing - Summer Family Package - Thanksgiving - Honeymoon - Birthday - Full Moon Lover's - Senior's Biking - Senior's Riding - Senior's Moose Calling - Chef's Table - Everyone's a Critic - Kitchen Kraze - Wine Experience - Girls' Getaway - Fall Fling - Fall Work Weekend - Spring Chores - Sue's Garden Club - Fishing Report - History - Pet Policy - Map to Gunflint - Webcam - Employment - Moose Madness - Books in the Woods - Winter Boreal Birds - Cross Country Skiing - Dog Sledding - Snowshoeing - Honeymoons - Anniversaries - Boreal Birding - Three Night Sampler - Grand Slam Fishing - Autumn Riding - Canoeing Weekend - Couples Riding - Experienced Riders - Fishing Value Package - Grandparent & Grandchild Fishing - Summer Holidays - Intro to Riding - Mother & Daughter Riding - Bring Your Own Horse - Rustic & Plush - October School Break - Senior's Canoeing - Single Parent Family Package - Single Parent Fishing Package - Spring Horseback Adventure - Springtime Trails

Spain Travel Information -

Europe Travel - A European Vacation Travel Guide  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 From James Martin , Your Guide to Europe for Visitors . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Antwerp Pictures Antwerp is a fashion and diamond center for Belgium and the world, it has one of the most beautiful train stations in Europe, and it was home to artist Peter Paul Rubens in the 17th century. What's not to like about this Belgian port city? See what it's all about in our latest photo Gallery: Antwerp Pictures . More Antwerp Travel: Antwerp Travel Directory | Antwerp Lodging | Antwerp Museums Wednesday December 28, 2005 | permalink Like to Travel Well? Follow the CIA! I really should have paid attention when the CIA came recruiting at my college. Operatives really get to live it up when they travel, apparently. Imagine, the lucky seven of the "Surveillance Team" sent out to case the joint before kidnapping 39-year-old Muslim preacher Osama Moustafa Hassan Nasr, also known as Abu Omar, managed to spend "$39,995, not counting meals, parking and other services" for a week at Milan's Principe di Savoia ( check prices ), where a room goes for a mere $588 a night, according to Newsday . Once Abu Omar was behind bars in Cairo the CIA folks broke up and went their various ways, some to the renowned Grand Hotel Baglioni ( check prices ) in Florence , a few in cozy pairs to save the taxpayers money, no doubt. Travel Resources: Milan Profile | Florence Profile Tuesday December 27, 2005 | permalink Tapas from Cans? Ok, so you wander into one of Barcelona's most celebrated tapas bars thinking, "wow, I'm gonna down me some fine, fresh seafood this evening--non of that canned stuff like we get at home..." Well, Quimet and Quimet is one of Barcelona's best tapas bars, recommended by just about anyone. Joaquim Perez, owner of Quimet and Quimet, has been called Barcelona's culinary king of canned food. That's right, a tapas king devoted to high-quality goods preserved in metal. I had heard about the increasing interest in vintage sardines , whose flavors are said to increase in intensity and complexity with aging. But Mr. Perez has extended this idea of unlikely gourmet tinkering; he buys "fresh" Galician navajas (clams) from the cannery and sets them to aging for a year or two before serving them (plain) to his customers. And they love 'em. Maybe you should go and see what this canned gourmet thing is all about. There are worse places to spend time on a research expedition. More: Gastronomic Route: Barcelona, a tapas town? Travel Resources: Barcelona Guide | Barcelona Pictures Thursday December 22, 2005 | permalink North Holland: Noah's Ark Redux A pious north Holland businessman took out a 300 000 loan and turned his investment into a "faithful reconstruction of Noah's Ark in scaled down form on the basis of biblical texts," according to the Mail & Guardian . Spring is the expected launch date. No word on where the animals will come from. Travel Resources: North Holland Travel | Holland Map | Benelux Rail Passes Thursday December 22, 2005 | permalink Appreciate Long John Shivers? Head for the Alps I know I frequently extol the virtues of off season travel, but there's a whole bunch of adventurers willing to go the extra mile in their long johns to enjoy icier surroundings than I'd care to experience. Those would be the Ice Hotel People. Word from Vagablond is that "a new ice hotel is being constructed 7,000 feet up into the German Alps." HotelChatter says this ice hotel might well be part of the Iglu-Dorf chain, who specialize in things like Inuit igloos in Switzerland. Like it cold? Get you thrills in the Alps this winter. I'll toast your bravado at the hearth with a steaming hot toddy. Travel Resources: Germany map and Travel Essentials | Switzerland Map and Travel Essentials . Tuesday December 20, 2005 | permalink Europe Travel in the Off Season Why travel in the off season? Well, you know the reasons: fewer tourists, lower prices, and cooler temperatures, to name a few. But there's another reason for me, and that's the warm, slanting light that brings photos alive. See what I mean by taking a gander at: Liguria Pictures - Picture Gallery of Liguria in Autumn . And if you still want to see more pictures of Italy , try out Italy for Visitors Florence Pictures , taken in November. Travel Resources: Off Season Travel Tips | Italy Travel Map Sunday December 18, 2005 | permalink Travel Gifts Ok, you're thinkin' it's too late to post some ideas for gifts at this late date. Hey, you can chalk it up to sloth and indolence, but I don't start burdening my mind with thoughts about winter holidays in May like the rest of my family. The crunch starts now. So I've made up a list of recommended Travel Gifts . Of course, you could buy some of the stuff for yourself as well. Take a look. You've got language help, a deep, inside look at the Vatican, and more, not to mention that Tyrolean Boiled Wool Jacket like you've always wanted. More Stuff You Need: Top Travel Photography Gear Friday December 16, 2005 | permalink Joe Torre carries the Olympic Torch in Florence New York Yankee manager Joe Torre carried the Olympic torch 400 yards to the foot of the Ponte Vecchio in Florence yesterday as part of "American day" in the two-month Olympic torch relay. It was the first time he'd been to Italy in 20 years, despite the fact that his mother was born in the village of Patina near Naples. (Source: Indystar.com ) The torch Joe carried was designed by the folks at Pininfarina , who've banged out quite a few sexy Italian auto bodies in their time. The Olympic torch is designed to work in rain, snow and wind up to 74.56 miles per hour, not to mention temperatures from -4°F to +77°F. According to what I've heard, the torch suffered much less than Mr. Torre during the run. Travel Resources: Florence Travel Directory | Florence Pictures: Views from the Arno | Naples Travel Directory Photo above: Ponte Vecchio, Florence by Martha Bakerjian, Italy for Visitors ; click "read more" to see it larger. Read more... Thursday December 15, 2005 | permalink Sunny Valencia It's cold here in my corner of California, prime time to think of warmer climes. Valencia pops to mind. Host to the 2007 America's cup, the sunny Spanish port city has been spiffing itself up lately, and many travelers have remarked that Valencia seems to be passing Barcelona as Spain's city of tourist choice. What's not to like? The spring La Fallas festival is a not to be missed attraction (plan now if you're going), the City of Arts and Sciences holds 87 acres of fascinating art, science and architecture, and the Barrio del Carmen is chock full of music, restaurants and clubs. Find out more about Valence by taking a peek at our latest: Valencia Spain Travel Information - Valencia Profile , or peruse our Valencia Travel Directory . Wednesday December 14, 2005 | permalink Hey Santa! Take That! Scroogy Musings: So a couple guys in Germany get asked what they want for Christmas by Santa, who happens to be waiting for a train home. They've been out shopping all day, unsuccessfully one assumes, because the next thing you know they've latched on to Santa's sack and "beat him over the head with it, breaking his fingers as he tried to protect himself." ( Santa - Germany's new stress buster ) Santa on a train? in Germany? A bit early, isn't it? Has the Christmas spirit been so commercialized that the little people like us suffer with the stress of plunking down good cash for stuff we think people might like but probably won't? Where is the joy of it all? Everyone remembers the magical experience of visiting Santa in the mall when they were kids and the smile it brought to your face. Unfortunately over the last few years it seems the spirit of Christmas is slowly being lost due to many different reasons including political correctness, busier lifestyles and many more issues. Hold on a sec. Now I'm angrier than a red-nosed reindeer. Everyone doesn't remember. Some of us are way too old to conjure the disgraceful vision of mall Santas in their mothball costumes and fake beards. The statement above comes from Live From Lapland (dot com). For a bit less than 15 dollars they'll make a custom video staring Santa, who'll be talking to your kids using the words you put in his mouth via the web site's control panel. Their Santa evidently lives in a paneled room and wears mall Santa clothes and beardage. It's in the sample flick. He could be in Kansas. Still, where else you gonna get a five minute flick to your specs for $14.95? Travel Resources: Lapland (the real one) | Chrismas in Europe Tuesday December 13, 2005 | permalink Display Latest Headlines | | | Read Archives powered by Movable Type 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... 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