Europe Travel

Fregata Travel - Eastern Europe Holiday and Travel Specialists Tel: 020 7420 7305 City Breaks - Hotels - Luxury - Cruising - Incentive & Business - Activity - Exciting Offers - Brochure Welcome to Fregata Travel , your comprehensive resource for travel and holidays to Central & Eastern Europe, and the UK's number one specialist for over 50 years. Click here to see what the press have to say about us... Escorted Tours in Eastern Europe Choose from a selection of escorted tours in Eastern Europe, that offer a unique opportunity to witness this fascinating region. More... Hotel Only Book your hotel anywhere in Central and Eastern Europe, along with optional extras like excursions, show tickets, and guided tours. More... City Breaks in Eastern Europe We have superb value on city breaks all over Central and Eastern Europe, both with low cost airlines and with BA and other national carriers. More... Exciting Offers Indulge in a last-minute weekend break in Eastern Europe to include a concert or a sports event. More... Luxury Breaks in Eastern Europe Stay in a real castle or a grand country house and get unrivalled value for money. Pamper yourself with the superb facilities. More... Spa Breaks in Eastern Europe Take a week off and spend your time taking care of your body at one of many superb thermal spas, around Eastern Europe. More... Austria Belarus Bulgaria Czech Rep. Estonia Germany Hungary Latvia Lithuania Poland Romania Russia Slovakia Ukraine Book Your Airport Lounge Book Your Airport Parking Book Your UK Airport Hotel Book Travel Insurance City Guides - About Us - Contact Us - Order a Brochure - Useful Links - Exciting Offers See our terms and conditions Eastern Europe Holidays with Fregata Travel Ltd., The Eastern Europe holiday specialists. Book city breaks to all eastern European cities, including Budapest, Prague, Tallinn and Moscow. Book escorted tours that suit the needs of all tastes, from cultural tours to activity holidays, spa breaks in Hungary, Czech Republic and Poland. We have river cruises along the Danube, the Elbe, and river cruises that take you from Moscow to St. Petersburg via Novgorod and some wonderful scenery along the way. Fregata Travel tour operators are a division of Commodore International Ltd. and are bonded with ABTA as tour operators under number W3442, ATOL 1607 and with IATA for your peace of mind. The air holidays and flights show are ATOL Protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. our ATOL number is ATOL 1607. ATOL Protection extends primarily to customers who book and pay in the United kingdom . Click the ATOL logo if you wish to find out more .

Vacation rentals worldwide We

Escape Rental - worldwide vacation rentals. Home | Search Vacation Rentals | List Your Properties | Owner Login | Visitor Login | About Us | Contact Us | Links Canada (146) United States (1275) Mexico (116) Caribbean (153) Central America (28) South America (36) Europe (747) Africa (23) Asia (17) The Charming Villa Nuba apartments , Perugia Italy Spectacular Oceanfront Brand Spanking Ne , Cabo San Lucas Mexico Vacation rentals worldwide We offer thousands of vacation rentals by owner all around the world in the most exciting places - in mountain retreats, seaside resorts, exciting cities, romantic countryside and many more. Our list includes villas, apartments, cottages, ranches and hotels. All vacation rentals are located in the most popular destinations. Let us help with your holiday plans - we can help you find a comfortable "home away from home". Finding vacation property with Escape Rental is easy. Select a destination, find a vacation property you like and book it directly. All the properties have a large number of pictures, a detailed description, a list of amenities, rates and contact information. You can contact the property owner directly- either by email or phone. USA: Alabama · Arizona · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · EUROPE: Belgium · Bulgaria · Croatia · Czech Republic · France · Germany · Greece · Holland · · Ireland · Italy · Malta · Norway · Poland · Portugal · Romania · Russia · Spain Sweden · Switzerland · Turkey · UK · MEXICO : Acapulco · Cabo San Lucas · Cancun · Cozumel · Playa Del Carmen · Puerto Vallarta · San Jose del Cabo · CARIBBEAN: Anegada · Antigua & Barbuda · Bahamas · Bermuda · Cayman Islands · Dominican Republic · Grenada · Jamaica · Puerto Rico · St. Croix · St. John · St. Lucia · St. Martin · Virgin Gorda · CENTRAL AMERICA : Belize · Costa Rica · Cuba · Honduras · Trinidad & Tobago · SOUTH PACIFIC: Australia · Fiji · TOP DESTINATIONS : Amsterdam · Bali · Barcelona · Berlin · Buenos Aires · Canary Island · Cannes · Cape Cod · Cape Town · Destin · Disney · Edinburgh · Florence · Ibiza · Kauai · Key West · Lake Tahoe · Las Vegas · London · Lisbon · Madrid · Mallorca · Maui · Miami · Miami Beach · Monterey · Myrtle Beach · New Orleans · Nice · Oahu · Orlando · Paris · Prague · Rio De Janeiro · Rome · San Diego · Savannah · Sydney · Tuscany · Venice · Francais Español Deutsch Home | Search Vacation Rentals | List Your Properties Owner Login | Visitor Login | About Us | Contact Us | Links 2002 Escape Rental ™ . All Rights Reserved. Property owners : Register today! Visitors: Register today! How do I search for properties? How do I register? How do I make a reservation? How do I list my properties? How do I update my listings? Tell A Friend Bookmark EscapeRental Escape Rental: info@escaperental.com

Russia Travel Brochure with

RNG - Maps Russian National Group Official guide to Russian Visas, Travel and Hotels (646) 473-2233, (877) 221-7120 Home Visas Air tickets Cruises Tours Excursions Hotels About Us Excursions Traveler Tips Travel Insurance Testimonials Travel Links Russian Passports Travel Passports Document's Legalization FAQs US Office, New York Phone (646) 473-2233 Toll Free Phone (877) 221-7120 Fax (646) 473-2205 E-Mail info@rnto.org Address 224 West 30th Street Suite 701 New York, NY 10001 Moscow Office Phone +7 095 980 8440 Fax +7 095 980 8441 Address 5/10 Chistoprudni Blvd Suite 214 Moscow, Russia Member of Russian Travel Union Online maps Link to an Interactive Map of Russia MORE MAPS C.I.S. Russian Museums Moscow Admin. Moscow Transport -- Moscow Metro St. Petersburg -- St. Petersburg Metro -- Useful Links -- News from Russia True Search Free Submit St. Petersburg Russian folk ensemble "Barynya" History -- Russian Consulate Mentionings in the news Budapest Weather Cheap Birmingham Airport Parking Student Gap Year Travel Insurance Ski and Snowboarding Insurance YoYsearch-ten types of search Bucharest Hotels Appartments in Prague Prague Hotels Budapest Hotel Reservation Holiday Planning, Travel Info Echolist Directory My Travel Directory Cheap Hotel in Brussels Branson Lodging, Travel Cheap advice on travel in Europe Newark Airport Hotel Service Cheap Travel Africa Holiday Villas in Portugal Birmingham Hotels Ireland travel Joker Poker Motels Reservation, Tourism Info Romania Hotels Directory Cyprus Magnifico Hotel, Rome Hotel Nella Florence Travel Europe Car Rentals Europe North Cyprus Holidays DiscountHotels Napa Sonoma Limousine Tours Real Estate Dubai Himalayan Goji Juice Betplatinum Starluck Casino Usa casino Blackjack Ballroom Casino Jazz Festivals 777 Dragon Internet Fraud, Mail Fraud Discount hotels worldwide www.RussianScamCheck.org Online Maps Request your copy of 2006 Russia Travel Brochure with prices and itineraries We help with international adoptions. Click here to inquire Weather Moscow | ST. Petersburg home | feedback | terms

ski vacation at Smugglers

Winter Vacations at Smugglers' Notch Vermont Smugglers' Notch, Vermont - Voted the #1 Resort for Family Programs in North America for 7 years by the readers of SKI Magazine! A ski vacation at Smugglers Notch Vermont is one of the best Vermont Family Vacations youll ever experience and, as you can see, were not the only ones who think so! SKI Magazine Readers have voted us Number One for Family Programs in North America for 7 years! This year, they also voted us: · Number One Resort Overall in the Eastern U.S. · Number One for Lodging in the Eastern U.S. · Number One for Service in the Eastern U.S. · Number One for Off-Hill Activities in New England! Weve designed our family vacation packages with your winter family vacation in mind. Our Vermont ski packages include 3 big mountains of skiing, snowboarding, snow blading or ski blading. Plus, your familys vacation package will include award-winning childrens ski lessons and childrens snowboard lessons (including your teens) with upgrades to full-day camps available at a great value. Off-slope, indoor activities include an indoor pool, Family Entertainment Center and two teen centers and we also offer a variety of dining and evening entertainment for families and adults right here at Smuggs. Also included in your winter family vacation package is a long list of daily outdoor activities like cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snow tubing, ice skating and Winter Walking. We also have lots of optional activities for skiers and non-skiers to choose from; snowmobiling, dog sledding, air boarding, massage, art workshops and more! No matter how you spend your day - you'll be happy to return to your mountainside condominium lodging nestled in the snow-covered Green Mountains of Vermont. Our experienced Vacation Planners will help you with all the details prior to your arrival so you can sit back, relax and enjoy the Winter Family Vacation of a Lifetime. Come visit Smugglers Notch Vermont this Winter and discover why were Americas Family Resort. Winter Read the awards Family Vacation Packages Ski & Ride Info Snow Report Winter Children's Programs Winter Kids Programs Winter Teen Programs Family Reunions Group Vacations Ski School Adult Programs Snowboarding XC Skiing Snowshoe and Nordic Ski Center Lift Ticket and Season Pass Rates Make Your Winter Reservation Online Winter Events Calendar Summer Family Vacation Packages Make Your Summer Reservation Online Resort Amenities Summer Children's Programs Summer Kids Programs Summer Teen Programs Family Reunions Group Vacations Summer Events Calendar Summer Fun Options Fall Family Vacation Packages Resort Amenities Fall Kids Programs Fall Children's Programs Fall Family Activities Foliage Tours & Day Trips All Seasons Family Vacations Vacation Homeowners RCI Visitors Ownership Opportunities Smugglers' Notch Press Box Privacy Policy America's Family Resort is a service mark, and Smugglers' Notch Vermont, Smugglers' Notch Resort, Smuggs, FamilyFest, Snow Sport University, Summer Fun University and the accompanying designs are registered service marks of Smugglers' Notch Resort. Smugglers’ Notch, Vermont ® America’s Family Resort SM Request a FREE Planning Guide & DVD Enter to WIN a Winter Vacation! Make Your Winter 2005-2006 Vacation Reservation Today! >>> Gift Certificates for the Holidays! Special Winter Vacation Values >>> T No Bull Snow Report Wed, Dec 28, 2005 - 03:12 PM Trails Open: 60 Lifts Operating: 8 Current Weather: Partly sunny skies and 32 degrees at Sterling Summit with winds of 1 to 5 mph. New Snow: 4 inches of new snow in the past 48 hours! Comments: Top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains! 2005-2006 Season Passes & Bash Badges HOME EMPLOYMENT ENVIRONMENT OWNER INTRANET PRESS PRIVACY SPONSORS CORPORATE CONTACT US SITE MAP Smugglers' Notch Resort, 4323 Vermont Route 108 South, Smugglers' Notch, VT 05464-9537 phone: 1-800-451-8752 fax: 1-802-644-1230 email: smuggs@smuggs.com © 2005 Smugglers' Notch Resort. All rights reserved. LOG IN LODGING & REAL ESTATE SKIING & SNOWBOARDING CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS ACTIVITIES & AMENITIES PLAN YOUR VACATION SMUGGS JUKEBOX ACCOMMODATIONS & FLOOR PLANS RESORT MAP VACATION OWNERSHIP & REAL ESTATE OWNER INTRANET RCI WATER PARKS & POOLS FUNMEISTER’S CLUBHOUSE TREASURES CHILD CARE CENTER TEEN CENTERS TENNIS CENTERS GOLF DRIVING RANGE MINI-GOLF VIDEO ARCADE PLAYGROUNDS PETTING PEN CABLE TV, INTERNET & CELLULAR SERVICES EXPERIENCE OUR MOUNTAINS TRAIL MAP TERRAIN PARKS & SUPERPIPE GLADED TERRAIN MOUNTAIN STATS & LIFT HOURS DAY LODGES TRAIL BY TRAIL HUGH’S BLOG & PHOTO OF THE DAY WEATHER FORECAST INDOOR POOL & HOT TUBS FUNZONE FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT CENTER TREASURES CHILD CARE CENTER TEEN CENTERS DAY LODGES CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING & SNOWSHOEING VIDEO ARCADE CABLE TV, INTERNET & CELLULAR SERVICES ACCOMMODATIONS & FLOOR PLANS RESORT MAP VACATION OWNERSHIP & REAL ESTATE OWNER INTRANET RCI ACCOMMODATIONS & FLOOR PLANS RESORT MAP VACATION OWNERSHIP & REAL ESTATE OWNER INTRANET RCI POOLS FUNMEISTER’S CLUBHOUSE TREASURES CHILD CARE CENTER TENNIS CENTER MINI-GOLF DISC GOLF VIDEO ARCADE PLAYGROUNDS CABLE TV, INTERNET & CELLULAR SERVICES WATERPARKS & POOLS EXPERIENCE OUR MOUNTAINS HIKES & WALKS TENNIS GOLF OUTDOOR ADVENTURES WEATHER 360 DEGREE VIEWS AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES VERMONT COUNTRY FAIR EVENING ENTERTAINMENT DAY TRIPS CANOEING & KAYAKING WINTER WALKING CROSS COUNTRY SKIING SNOWSHOE TOURS SNOWMOBILE TOURS DOG SLEDDING AIRBOARDING TUBE SLIDING ICE SKATING SMUGGS 3 MOUNTAINS SNOW REPORT PHOTOS & VIDEOS EVENTS LIFT TICKETS & PASSES CHILDREN’S LESSONS & PROGRAMS ADULT LESSONS & PROGRAMS EQUIPMENT CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING & SNOWSHOEING SMUGGLERS’ NOTCH SKI & SNOWBOARD CLUB DRIVING DIRECTIONS TRANSPORTATION & SHUTTLE SERVICES POOLS EXPERIENCE OUR MOUNTAINS HIKES & WALKS TENNIS GOLF COURSES NEARBY MINI-GOLF DISC GOLF OUTDOOR ADVENTURES WEATHER CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS & CAMPS TEEN CENTERS & EVENTS TREASURES CHILD CARE CENTER BABYSITTING ONLINE KIDS’ FUN ADAPTIVE PROGRAMS GUIDED HIKES & WALKS SELF-GUIDED HIKES & WALKS HIKING TRAIL MAP PHOTO OF THE DAY PHOTO ARCHIVE VIDEOS 360 DEGREE VIEWS CHILDREN’S LESSONS & PROGRAMS TEEN CENTERS & EVENTS TREASURES CHILD CARE CENTER BABYSITTING ON-LINE KIDS’ FUN ADAPTIVE PROGRAMS CHILD CARE - 6 WEEKS TO 5 YEARS KIDS’ CONNECTION - 6 WEEKS TO 5 YEARS BABYSITTING ON-LINE KIDS’ FUN GUIDED HIKES & WALKS SELF-GUIDED HIKES & WALKS HIKING TRAIL MAP RESORT AMENITIES RESTAURANTS & LOUNGES FAMILY ACTIVITIES TEEN ACTIVITIES ADULT ACTIVITIES HEALTH & WELLNESS MASSAGE ARTS & CRAFTS WORKSHOPS SHOPPING EVENTS THE SURROUNDING AREA TRANSPORTATION & SHUTTLE SERVICES EXPLORE SMUGGS WEEK-AT-A-GLANCE TEEN CENTERS & EVENTS TEEN PROGRAMS 11-15 YEARS TEEN PROGRAMS 16-17 YEARS EVENING ENTERTAINMENT TENNIS CENTER ADULT TENNIS PROGRAMS CHILDREN’S TENNIS PROGRAMS COURT RENTAL & PRIVATE INSTRUCTION INDOOR ACTIVITIES OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES EVENING ENTERTAINMENT DAY TRIPS RESORT AMENITIES OUTDOOR ADVENTURES RESTAURANTS & LOUNGES FAMILY ACTIVITIES TEEN ACTIVITIES ADULT ACTIVITIES ARTS & CRAFTS WORKSHOPS MASSAGE & YOGA SHOPPING EVENTS THE SURROUNDING AREA TRANSPORTATION & SHUTTLE SERVICES EXPLORE SMUGGS WEEK-AT-A-GLANCE RESORT AMENITIES RESTAURANTS & LOUNGES ACTIVITIES DAY TRIPS ART WORKSHOPS MASSAGE SHOPPING EVENTS THE SURROUNDING AREA WEEK-AT-A-GLANCE VACATION PACKAGES & RATES REQUEST A QUOTE MAKE A RESERVATION SPECIAL OFFERS REUNIONS GROUP VACATIONS & MEETINGS REQUEST A VACATION PLANNING GUIDE & DVD BUILD A CUSTOM BROCHURE READ BEFORE YOU PACK TRAVEL INFO DRIVING DIRECTIONS DAYTIME ACTIVITIES EVENING ENTERTAINMENT DAY TRIPS BIG KIDS’ CAMP CANOEING & KAYAKING DISC GOLF FISHING LLAMA TREKS DRIVING RANGE ADULT GOLF PROGRAMS CHILDREN’S GOLF PROGRAMS GOLF COURSES NEARBY MINI-GOLF LIFT TICKET RATES SEASON PASSES & BASH BADGES DISCOUNTED TICKETS & SPECIALS GIFT CERTIFICATES CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING & SNOWSHOE TRAIL PASSES MULTI-WEEK KIDS PROGRAMS LEARN TO SKI & SNOWBOARD PROGRAMS VACATION PACKAGES INDOOR ACTIVITIES OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES EVENING ENTERTAINMENT VACATION PACKAGES & RATES REQUEST A QUOTE MAKE A RESERVATION SPECIAL OFFERS GROUP VACATIONS & MEETINGS REQUEST A VACATION PLANNING GUIDE & DVD BUILD A CUSTOM BROCHURE READ BEFORE YOU PACK PERFECT VACATION GUIDE DRIVING DIRECTIONS TRAVEL INFORMATION VACATION PACKAGES & RATES MAKE A RESERVATION SPECIAL OFFERS REQUEST A QUOTE MOTORCOACH TOURS GROUP VACATIONS & MEETINGS REUNIONS REQUEST A VACATION PLANNING GUIDE READ BEFORE YOU PACK TRAVEL INFO DRIVING DIRECTIONS BIG KIDS’ CAMP CANOEING & KAYAKING DISC GOLF GEOCACHING LLAMA TREKS MOUNTAIN BOARDING & DIGGLING CLIMBING ADVENTURES BIKING FISHING INDOOR ACTIVITIES OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES EVENING ENTERTAINMENT DAY TRIPS DAILY PROGRAMS MULTI-WEEK PROGRAMS SHOPPING AT THE RESORT ON-LINE SHOPPING SHOPPING IN THE AREA SALES RENTALS & DEMOS TUNING & REPAIR CANOEING & KAYAKING BIKING FISHING AREA RESTAURANTS AREA ATTRACTIONS CULTURAL HERITAGE SHOPPING IN THE AREA SHOPPING AT THE RESORT ON-LINE SHOPPING SHOPPING IN THE AREA SHOPPING AT THE RESORT ON-LINE SHOPPING SHOPPING IN THE AREA AREA RESTAURANTS AREA ATTRACTIONS CULTURAL HERITAGE SHOPPING IN THE AREA AREA TRANSPORTATION SERVICES RESORT SHUTTLE AREA RESTAURANTS AREA ATTRACTIONS CULTURAL HERITAGE SHOPPING IN THE AREA AREA TRANSPORTATION SERVICES RESORT SHUTTLE BURLINGTON SKI BUS AREA TRANSPORTATION SERVICES RESORT SHUTTLE BURLINGTON SKI BUS

European Vacation Planning Map

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... 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...