Family Vacation

Grand Rapids Minnesota Resorts Hotels Motels Family Vacations Grand Rapids, Minnesota, selected as the 49th Best Small Town in America in the Prentice Hall publication, "The 100 Best Small Towns in America", offers the best of what life has to offer, from modern conveniences to rustic splendor. Plan your next Minnesota Vacation in our town! Are you looking for a Minnesota resort or motel in the Grand Rapids Area? The Grand Rapids area offers a full range of choices in overnight lodging. Lodging properties range from northern Minnesota resorts , elegant Grand Rapids hotels , to intimate bed and breakfasts and economical motels . The Grand Rapids north woods also offers a variety of campgrounds to choose from throughout the 1,000 Grand Lakes. Outdoor adventures, scenic beauty and preserved heritage come together in the 1,000 Grand Lakes area for an experience visitors will remember. Our famed hospitality, combined with quality venues, makes it easy to plan successful Minnesota Vacations , Minnesota c onferencing or group tours . A full range of vacation activities can complement any event, including countless attractions, events and recreational opportunities. Winter in Grand Rapids, especially ice fishing and snowmobiling, is for everyone. If you've never tried a Minnesota winter vacation your missing a great vacation opportunity. Grand Rapids serves as the southern gateway to the Chippewa National Forest where you can trek into the wilderness for hiking, biking, snowmobiling, fishing and hunting. If golf is your game, four well-maintained Minnesota golf courses provide championship play. Celebrate the life and times of Judy Garland, born Frances Ethel Gumm, at her birthplace in Grand Rapids. Feast your eyes on Mother Nature by driving the Edge of the Wilderness National Scenic Byway from Grand Rapids north to Effie. Step into pages from the past and discover the history of the logging era at the Forest History Center. Hot Deals, Packages, Winter Trail Conditions, Events and more...Let us keep you updated. Complete the following form and you'll be the first to know what's happening in our area. First Name: Last Name: Email: December 9-11 Star of the North Hockey Tournament 15 Itasca Orchestral Society Children's Concert 16-18 Star of the North Hockey Tournament 18 101st Annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count 30-1/1 MN North SnoCross (snowmobile races) Check the December Calendar for all the details Link your site to ours CLICK HERE V ACATIONS | C ONFERENCING | G ROUP T OURS | S ITE M AP | H OME Visit Grand Rapids (Formerly the Grand Rapids Area Convention & Visitors Bureau) 1 NW 3rd Street Grand Rapids, Minnesota 55744 1-800-355-9740 218-326-9607 2005 Visit Grand Rapids Designed by Midwest Captions, Inc.

air travel for pets.

Air Travel Guide to Shipping Birds Visitors Online Now: | BIRD PREP | CONTAINERS | CONTAINER PREP | GUIDELINES | TIPS | WEATHER | COSTS | LINKS | Shipping birds can be made to be less stressful by following some sensible advice from experienced shippers and adhering to the rules and regulations of the shippers. What follows is an outline of how to avoid undue stress, accidents, loss, and/or injury to the birds that you want to ship. This is also a useful guide when buying a bird that needs to be shipped. BIRD PREP - It's important that you condition your birds for at least a week before shipping. Babies on formula don't need any extra vitamin supplements, but an older bird may. Fortify them all with a stress reduction preparation such as Ornabac™. This is a granular powder to be administered to their soft foods for at least a week before shipping and a week afterward shipping. The lactobacillus and low ph level will help avert bacterial infections resulting from stress. The B-Complex vitamins will help with the stresslevel itself. You can administer this freely to babies as well as adults. CONTAINERS - Commercial hard plastic kennel cabs are the standard container for shipping. Some breeders construct heavy-duty wooden crates with a slanted top onone side for better air circulation since all containers may have other cargo stacked around and on top of it. If you are travelling with your bird and taking the bird on board with you, you will need to have an underseat carrier. Large birds cannot travel this way. Costs for containers vary and are usually paid for by the recipient or asked for a deposit untilthe recipient can return the carrier. CONTAINER PREP - Remove the water receptacles included with the kennel cab. It is not recommended placing or installing a perch inside the container since rough handling or air turbulence could cause the bird(s) to injure themselves on it. Line the bottom of the carrier with newspaper or crumpled then tamped down paper toweling so that the bird has a better foothold. You might want to tape a thick piece of cardboard halfway up the front door if the weather is inclement or if you are shipping babies. Fill the bottom of the carrier with seed (and/or pellets if that is their diet). It works as a good bedding liner and gives them nourishment if they want to eat during the flight. Place cubes of juicy fruit in the container on the floor - grapes, apples, oranges, etc. This will provide the bird(s) with liquids during the flightand any layovers. Just be sure that there is enough food for the bird(s) in case of a 1 or 2 day delay! Finally, it would be wise to secure an extra piece of hardware cloth over the entire door of the container so that no one is tempted to open the door to take a closer look or to take the bird. Be sure to advise the recipient to have wire cutters handy to remove the wire quickly after getting the birds home or to be able to examine the bird(s) at the airport. Some carriers now have specific requirements for covering sides and front of the container. Larger parrots with more destructive beaks should be shipped in Vari-Kennels rather than the plastic sided carriers that they can chew out of. Containers must have the " LIVE ANIMAL " label on it. GUIDELINES - Each carrier has special requirements for accepting shipments of birds. They do change from time to time, so you should be sure that you are aware of them before making the trip to the airport. Some states require that the airlines obtain a veterinary health certificate (usually paid for by the recipient with costs ranging from $20 and up) and that the bird(s) be banded. Hawaii has special regulations regarding air travel for pets. Health certificates dated no more than ten days prior to origin of travel are required for all live animal shipments into Hawaii. Some airlines require proof of your business and breeder status. Please note that it is ILLEGAL to ship parrots through the USPS. There are fines and confiscation of birds for doing so. If you are unable to prove that the birds are domestic, you may not be able to retrieve them at all. TIPS - Try to avoid shipping birds around major holidays and on Fridays and weekends. It's best to ship in the morning and arrange for arrival times before the regular Air Cargo staff goes home. If there is a flight delay, you may have the bird(s) sitting at an airport for days. Avoid shipping during any national security crisis too. A direct flight is the safest if you have access to a major airport and the recipient does too. There are stopover locations that should be avoided if possible. I believe that one of them is Atlanta GA. Check with your carrier to see how much insurance they will cover your shipment for. They may give you the option of purchasing extra insurance to fully cover the bird(s). Birds are only covered for disappearance, injury or loss resulting from the carrier's negligence. You will not be able to collect anything if itis discovered that the bird(s) health was compromised before shipment. Air Cargo vs. Counter-to-Counter: All birds are shipped air cargo. The counter-to-counter feature pays off when there are layover stops. Rather than sitting on a hot or cold tarmac, the birds are taken inside. On final arrival, the birds are immediately taken to the counter rather than the air cargo office. In most cases, air cargo is sufficient. Sometimes in some locations, it's better because the birds are handled by experienced animal cargo staffers. Counter-to-counter may also not be as secure as air cargo in some larger airports since the carriers are more accessible to the general public. WEATHER - It's wise to check with your airline before shipping to be sure that there will be no weather restrictions. This includes the weather at departure point and the weather at arrival point. The USDA has clear guidelines on temperature limits (45° to 85° limits). SAMPLE COSTS - as of 5/23/00 AIRLINE Delta US Air AIR CARGO $95.63 $93.50 COUNTER-TO-COUNTER $162.50 $170.00 LINKS Delta Airlines - (1-888-736-3738) http://www.delta-air.com Delta Hot Weather FAQs - http://www.delta-air.com/travel/trav_serv/pet_travel/pet_embargo/index.jsp Delta Pet Travel FAQs - http://www.delta-air.com/care/faq/travel_faq/pets/index.jsp Delta Booking Info - www.delta-air.com/prog_serv/cargo/cargo_rates/live_animal/animal_form/index.jsp US Air - (1-800-582-2746) http://www.usairways.com American - http://www.americanairlines.com Continental - http://www.continental.com Continental - 24-hour Live Animal Help Desk (1-800-575-3335) Pet Air Travel - (1-877-FLY-PETS) grandpets@juno.com U.S.D.A. - (1-800-545-8732) Horizon Micro Container (viral shield containers) - (1-800-443-2498) http://www.negia.net/~horizon Shipping birds to the UK - http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/int-trde/animl-im/Captive%20Birds%201.pdf CITES - http://www.ukcites.gov.uk/default.asp

Europe Travel 101 -

European Guidebooks  You are here: About > Travel > Europe for Visitors > Europe Travel Planning > European Guidebooks 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 Stay up to date! Email to a friend Print this page Suggested Reading Tips for Traveling by Train Great Walks in Europe Planning Your Trip to Europe European Photo Gallery Europe Travel 101: Before You Go Related Guide Picks European Walking Guides Western European Travelogues Travel Photography Guidebooks Germany Guidebooks Compact Digital Cameras 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 Top 10 European Guidebooks Guide Picks From James Martin , Your Guide to Europe for Visitors . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Most travelers take one or two guidebooks with them on a European trip and often buy several different books to help plan a great vacation. Here are some suggested books that cover Western Europe, including some specialty travel guides. These guidebooks would make great gifts. 1) Let's Go Europe 2005 Let's Go Travel Guides have long been our favorite for budget travel. Even if you're not traveling on a budget, they are often the best for bus and train information and a good overview of each destination. 2) Let's Go 2005 Western Europe This version covers only Western Europe so has more detail than the above book. Read Review 3) Rick Steves' Best of Europe, 2006 Famous travel guru Rick Steves gives his recommendations for the best places to visit on a European trip, including hotels and restaurants for each destination. This book is not a complete guide to European countries, only the places recommended by Rick. 4) Rick Steves' Europe Through the Back Door 2005 Another Rick Steves recommendation, he calls this "The Travel Skills Handbook for Independent Travelers". In this book, he recommends places somewhat off the beaten track or a little less touristy than in the previous book. 5) Lonely Planet Europe on a Shoestring 2005 Lonely Planet's budget-minded guidebook covers forty countries in about 1200 pages. The book's many maps and recommendations for unusual activities make it practical even if you are not on a tight budget. 6) Lonely Planet Western Europe 2005 This book covers only Western Europe, but has almost 1300 pages of information, including lots of city maps, lodging recommendations, detailed city information, and photos. There are separate guides to Central and Eastern Europe. 7) Michelin Green Guide Europe The Green Guide offers suggestions on what to see and do with 1-3 star ratings and gives background on history and cultural heritage for 35 European countries. It also has maps, itineraries, practical information, and photos. 8) Dk Eyewitness Travel Guide Europe Eyewitness Travel Guides are known for lots of great full-color illustrations. This one has detailed maps of over 23 European cities and highlights the major sights in 20 countries. 9) European Vacation Rentals This book features short-term rentals for every budget and interest in most of Western Europe, inlcuding some unusual options. It also includes regional highlights and other essential travel information. It may be out of date by now, the latest is a 2002 edition. 10) Dk Eyewitness Travel Guides Great Places to Stay in Europe Suggestions on places to stay in Europe with lots of color photos, restaurants and cafes, and essential information for travelers. Important product disclaimer information about this About site.        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

italy Travel for Kids

Travel for Kids: Italy fun things to do with kids in Italy "All over Italy, people were friendly, especially to kids. My kids loved it when waiters treated them like real people and tried out their English on them," writes a friend. Italy is also a great place to travel with another family, or bring the grandparents – Italians are happy to accommodate a big family group. Tip: Don't miss our top picks for children's books on Italy, recommended by the staff of Travel for Kids, see below. Rome North Venice The Dolomite Alps Emilia-Romagna – Bologna Liguria – Genoa Milan Central Tuscany Florence South Campania Naples Pompeii Gondola rides in Venice, medieval towers of Lucca, Pinocchio's home town, picnics on the Italian lakes, the bustling piazzas of Rome. Looking for a well-rounded itinerary that combines travel to Italy's popular cities, villages and coastal towns in one trip? Intrepid Travel is just the family tour company to be your guide, as you bike, cruise, hike, and ride the trains around Italy: Intrepid Travel (Promotion code: 1177) Do you have a baby or toddler in tow? Little ones are wide-eyed and ready for adventure, but help with travel logistics is a big plus. Ciao Bambino! will set up a custom itinerary for Italy, with little kids in mind: Ciao Bambino! Da Wild, Da Crazy, Da Vinci Jon Scieszka, Adam McCauley Hilarious adventures of the Time Warp Trio, Fred, Joe and Sam, as they are whirled back to Renaissance Italy to look for da Vinci. When they fall into the clutches of Lord Borgia and Nicolo Machiavelli, Leonardo and the trio da Brooklyn cook up an invention to save their skins. (Easy reader) The Diary of Melanie Martin Carol Weston Breezy, comical adventures of 10-year-old Melanie in Italy, "Or How I Survived Matt the Brat, Michelangelo and the Leaning Tower of Pizza." Perfect to bring on your trip. (Chapter book) Stavaganza Trilogy: City of Masks City of Stars City of Flowers Mary Hoffman A dazzling historical fantasy, set in 16th century Italy. Each book is set in a different city that resembles Venice, Siena and Florence. Magical talismans transport teenagers from present day to the Renaissance, where they encounter deadly feuds, legendary horse races, masked duchesses, mystery and adventure. A fabulous series, so captivating, when you visit these cities, you'll feel like you're part of the story. (Chapter book) The Blood Stone Jamila Gavin In Venice, Filippo Veroneo's family owns a peerless diamond pendant, the Ocean of the Moon, a jewel created by his father. To escape the clutches of his greedy guardian, Filippo leaves Venice on a fishing boat, but he carries with him the precious diamond, a ransom for his father in far-off Hindustan. A shimmering adventure of 17th century Venice, crossroads of the world. (Chapter book) The Renaissance Tim Wood All about the Renaissance, which began in Italy – Italian city-states, painting and sculpture, architecture, music and poetry, alchemy and science, warfare and technology. "See-through" scenes of a Florentine town house and St. Peter's cathedral in Rome. (Picture book) Leonardo da Vinci and the Renaissance Treasure Chest Andrew Langley A treasure chest full of goodies – mini-bio of Leonardo, (the quintessential "Renaissance man"), plastic flying machine to build, Leonardo's sketchbook, paper model of Santa Maria del Fiore, slider of the Last Supper (before and after restoration). (Activity pack) Katie and the Mona Lisa James Mayhew Little Katie gets in the picture, when the Mona Lisa invites her to climb into Italian Renaissance paintings. But everything doesn't go quite right, and it takes an angel with a lute to soothe three angry Botticelli dancers and a roaring lion of Venice. Delightful illustrations and fun for little kids. (Picture book) Michelangelo Diane Stanley Life and times of a Renaissance genius – the mega-talented Michelangelo, painter of the Sistine Chapel, sculptor of the Pieta , and architect of St. Peter's in Rome. (Picture Book) The Renaissance Art Book Wenda O'Reilly When you visit museums or churches in Italy, you'll run into these guys – Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Fra Angelico and Botticelli. This is a fun, readable introduction to 30 different Renaissance paintings and sculpture, e.g. why is the baby Jesus holding a pomegranate (not a bumpy muffin) , each saint has a symbol etc. Good for younger kids. (Picture book) Daughter of Venice Donna Jo Napoli 16th century Venice. Donata breaks the rigid confines of her noble family to explore her beloved city. Sparkling story of a teenage girl who would rather wear smelly clothes of a fisherboy than silks and parasols, and glows with the light and colors of Venice. (Chapter book) Ancient Rome (Eyewitness Books) Simon James Essential guide to ancient Rome – history, the emperors (complete timeline), legionaries, senators and slaves, family life, gladiators and the arena, food and dinner parties, music and theater, gods and religion. Fabulous artifacts, detailed photographs, and a model of the Colosseum. (Picture book) Lift the Lid on Gladiators Philip Wilkinson High-quality gladiator action figure (comes with swords, shields, trident, net, helmet, arm and leg guards) and a drawer full of goodies – booklet on gladiators, map of the Roman Empire, cardboard model of the Colosseum, ancient Roman board game. (Activity pack) The Secrets of Vesuvius (Roman Mysteries 2) Caroline Lawrence 79 A.D. Fresh from solving the mystery of the watchdogs in The Thieves of Ostia , Flavia and her three friends are visiting her uncle near Pompeii. Admiral Pliny has given them a Latin riddle to solve, and they need to find a blacksmith called Vulcan, before Mt. Vesuvius pops its top. (Chapter book) This is a great series, with more adventures in The Pirates of Pompeii , The Assassins of Rome , and The Dolphins of Laussrentum , The Enemies of Jupiter and The Gladiators from Capua . Tiger, Tiger Lynne Reid Banks Twin tiger cubs, captured in their jungle home, are brought to Rome for the Colosseum games. One cub becomes a pet of the Emperor's daughter, the other cub is trained for the arena. Will it be thumbs up or thumbs down, when the tigers meet again? A captivating, exciting story of ancient Rome. (Chapter book) On Etruscan Time Tracy Barrett Twelve year old Hector wasn't keen on spending his summer on an Etruscan dig in Tuscany, but when he finds a mysterious stone eye, the dusty ruins around him become a thriving Etruscan village, more than 2,000 years ago. Can Hector protect an Etruscan boy from an evil plot, and keep the archeological dig going? (Chapter book) Italy Monuments Past and Present A.R. Staccioli If you're planning to visit Rome, Ostia, Hadrian's Villa, Pompeii, Herculaneum or Paestum, this is an essential guide to the ruins. With cool plastic overlays, you can see what the dusty ruins look like today, and what they looked like in Roman times. (Picture book) Strega Nona Tomie de Paola Strega Nona, a kindly "Grandma Witch," has a magic pasta pot. Big Anthony gets into trouble when he says, "Bubble, bubble pasta pot, boil me some pasta nice and hot." Fun for little ones. (Picture book) Pizza for the Queen Nancy Castaldo, Melisande Potter In Napoli, Raffaele has the best pizzeria, so famous the queen wants to taste his pizza. He shops for the finest ingredients – cheese, olive oil, sausage, little fish, and makes three different pizzas. The third pizza, with red tomato, green basil and white mozzarella, the colors of the Italian flag, is the queen's favorite, Pizza Margherita. A charming story, with delightful illustrations. (Picture book) Let's Learn Italian Coloring Book Anne-Françoise Hazzan Loads of fun pictures to color – from l'automobile to la casa (house), il gatto (cat), il pesce (fish), seasons of the year, days of the week, animals and food. (Coloring book) Ciao Bambino! Danna Troncatty Leahy, Gabhor Utomo Take a trip around Italy, just for toddlers. A grinning boy and his lovable bear splash in the water fountains, visit a farm, explore the ruins, and best of all, eat lots of pizza and gelato. Adorable watercolor illustrations. (Picture book) Italy Discovery Journal P.L.Byrne A wonderful way for kids to soak up Italian culture and put things in a journal – spot your favorite pasta shapes, pencil in favorite building colors, collect postcards of your favorite landmark, and many fun activities. (eBook) (More children's books on other Italy pages) travel for kids | italy Travel for Kids Your best choice for family travel 2000-2005 Globetracks, Inc. disclaimers and limitation of liability

Travel Insurance - Multi

Travel Insurance and Ski Insurance - Travel Insurance Direct Cheap Ski and Holiday Cover Travel Insurance - Single Trip Holiday Insurance for family and single travellers offering great value for money with cheap quotes. The "Travel Bond" is available to UK & Eire residents up to the age of 69 (65 for trips to USA/Canada) Ski Insurance, Snowboard, and Winter Sports Ski and Snowboarding winter sports insurance with off piste cover and helicopter rescue and medical emergency repatriation. Annual Travel Insurance - Multi Trip Save time and money with Annual Insurance. Covers unlimited trips in one year up 60 day per trip. A Ski, snowboard and winter sports option is available. Annual Travel Cover is available to UK & Eire residents up to 65 years. Backpackers & Students Low cost single trip cover for backpackers, students and other young people. Includes sports and adventure activities. Business Multi Trip This is an annual policy covering business business equipment and computer cover and a 24 day ski & wintersports option. Leisure travel is also included. European Breakdown Cover Motoring breakdown service for cars and motorcycles in Europe by AXA Assistance. Insurance for non UK / Eire residents World Nomads offers travel cover for residents of over 44 countries including US & Canadian Residents, Australia and Europe. Ski Insurance, Travel Insurance & Cheap Holiday Insurance for UK & Eire Residents Travel Insurance Home | Help & Advice | About Us Travel Insurance Annual Multi Trip Ski Insurance Business Multitrip Backpackers European Breakdown Non UK / Eire Residents Activities Wording Compare Insurance Travel Guides Ski Guides Site Information Ski, Snowboard and winter holiday insurance On or Off Piste. Free Children's insurance Backpacker Insurance ideal for students and gap year travellers on extended stay trips Travel Insurance for single trips and family holidays with free children's insurance Annual Travel Insurance with Winter Sports Option including free children's insurance Cheap Ski Insurance and Snowboarding cover for young people extended stays Annual Travel insurance with Business Equipment cover - ideal for Business Travel Travel Insurance Agencies Limited are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority and are members of the British Insurance Brokers Association. GET AN INSTANT QUOTE or BUY YOU POLICY ONLINE FOR INSTANT COVER All policies have a 14 day money back guarantee. Compare our prices with other leading travel and holiday insurance companies Maps & Guides Airport Guides Airport Lounges Airport Hotels Airport Car Parking Travel Money Site Information Travel Advice travel insurance | cheap travel insurance | holiday insurance | ski insurance | annual travel insurance student travel insurance | help & information | Travel Europe | Ski & Winter Resort European Guide backpackers insurance | business travel insurance | european breakdown cover | travel tips | travel maps & guides Compare : Boots Travel Insurance | Sainsbury'sTravel Insurance | Post OfficeTravel Insurance | Tesco Travel Insurance Travel Insurance Agencies Limited are Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Services Authority