Russia Travel

David Tomanek's Russia Travel Page David Tomanek's Russia Travel Page This is one of the most unusual destinations I have visited so far.Below are some of the noteworthy facts you will appreciate knowing as a visitor. To a large degree unspoiled by the Communist system, Russians (and other nationals of the former Soviet Union) have kept up withtheir tradition of hospitality. While service personnel may be unfriendly, people are generally friendly, caring and helpful on a personal level. Culture in its original sense, not restricted to performingarts or architecture, and including culture of human relationships,is highly valued. It is truly a joy to get involved in a livelydiscussion with Russians about Art, Science or Politics, and feel theexcitement and deep desire to find the fundamental truth. This alonemakes an encounter with the Russian culture worth the trip. With amazing accuracy, locals spot foreigners even beforethey open their mouth. By default, foreigners are assumed to beAmericans. Ownership of a car provides drivers with a license to kill. To alesser degree, this also applies at pedestrian cross­walks,where car drivers exercise their right of way somewhat lessaggressively. The dual­pricing system, where foreigners are charged a higherrate than locals for the same service, is an outgrowth of plannedeconomy in desperate need for resources. More resources are believedto be generated using the well­established method to increase egg production by forcing chickens to lay several eggs a day, rather thanacquiring more chickens. This dual­pricing system has recently reached a new level ofabsurdity. As an example, the beautiful state Hermitage museum in St.Petersburg charges foreigners 15­20 times more than Russians. Individual tourism is efficiently suppressed by linking visarequirements to a hotel reservation. This provides hotels with aneffective monopoly on visa, and allowing for hotel rates, applied toforeigners, to be a multiple of those applied to locals. Individualtourists are often asked to pay the price of a western first­classhotel accommodation for a room without running water or toilet paper. One unusual exception from this rule is the American­founded Youth Hostel in St. Petersburg .It charges locals and visitors the same rate of US$ 19 per night perperson (as of Summer 1997) in clean rooms with few beds. Showers andtoilets are unusually clean by local hotel standards. There are noage restrictions. Most important, the hostel is run very efficientlyby an in­house travel agency that specializes in arranging visa. Thehostel/travel agency runs a server on the internet and a very useful Web site . The staff are helpful and experienced, and routinely make use oftheir in­house e­mail and fax facilities. ... back to David Tomanek's home page David Tomanek at Michigan State University tomanek@pa.msu.edu This page has been visited 1325 times. Last update: 15 July 1997.

European Vacation Planning Map

Packing for your European Vacation - Packing Tips  You are here: About > Travel > Europe for Visitors > Europe Travel Planning > Packing Tips 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 > Europe Travel Planning > Packing Tips Packing for your European Vacation - Packing Tips Packing right can make the difference between a great vacation and disaster. If you're traveling by train or in a small car, you'll want to pack light and you'll need to have a use for everything you pack. Is packing light overrated? You've never heard anyone say "geez, my bags weighed a ton and so I had a great vacation," have you? Subtopics Shipping Excess Baggage (3) Articles & Resources Sort By : Guide Picks | Alphabetical | Recent Red Oxx Airborne Carry on Ruck Sack - C-Ruck - Review The Red Oxx Airborne Carry on Ruck Sack is a durable and versatile carry-on bag, worth its premium price. Packing Tips - Packing A Suitcase to Thwart Wrinkles Illustrated packing tips from Europe for Visitors. Pack in a way that clothes won't wrinkle. Packing Light: Consider Your Unmentionables! Packing light is the mantra of the diehard wanderer. It allows us to get in all sorts of trouble with our increased mobility. Here are a couple of hints you might use on your next trip-or you can just read it and laugh at my obsessivness over saving weight in my luggage. Your choice. Clothes Compressors - Do They Work? Clothes Compressors take the air out of the stuff you pack and can allow you to get more into the ever shrinking baggage allowance the airlines impose. But do they work as the advertisements say? Well, I've performed some tests and you can see the results in this article. Top 5 Carry-On Bags Here's some ideas for your carry-on luggage. One of these may be your main bag if you pack light. Packing Tips for French Travel Kelby Carr over at France for Visitors has more packing tips and links for you about packing for that vacation of yours. One Bag (all about packing, luggage, and traveling light) Pretty much everything you need to know about packing, luggage and traveling light, including what to pack and what to pack it in. Packing your Bags The guys over at the Brussels Airport have a pretty good list of things to consider when you're packing--including the all-important forbidden items list. Rick Steves' Travel Tips: Packing List Here's the stuff that Rick Steves takes along to Europe, minus the film crew that is. The Travelite FAQ Packing tips for the new age.        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...

vacationing in Florida. Here

Florida Travel Vacation Guide - Accommodations, Attractions and Retirementinfo and more!. Accommodations Attractions Real Estate Theme Park Tickets Disney Savings Magazine Golfing Golfing Hot Deal Retirement Cruise Lines Weather USA 3000 Car Rentals Amtrak Customer Care Articles QUESTIONS? Contact one of our Representative! Last updated: The ultimate, one-stop guide to vacationing in Florida. Here you'll find everything you need to plan your holiday in the sunny south, including the best links to Florida's attractions, accommodations, car rentals, weather, and more! 2005 2006 Check out our Electronic Brochure for Best Rates on Accommodations! Call: 1-800-430-2435 (All prices are in US funds) US - Sarasota location: 866-929-7121 / 941-955-2500 CAN - Ontario location: 800-430-2435 / 519-658-8105 ACCOMMODATIONS Your best resource for affordable vacation accommodations throughout Florida. Narrow your choices down by choosing a region, followed by a specific city. You'll find a listing of Florida accommodations ranging from vacation homes and condos to five-star resorts and hotels. ATTRACTIONS Florida is the place to visit if you're looking for fun in the sun! You'll discover an endless list of things to see and do - from kiddie rides to the newest, wildest roller-coasters. Orlando, home to Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Studios Escape, is rated No.1 for theme parks. RETIREMENT There's no better place to spend your leisure years! With its wonderful climate, endless attractions and amenities, and expertly-designed adult living communities, Florida offers a retirement lifestyle that most only dream about. CRUISE LINES If your idea of a dream vacation involves lying under a cloudless blue sky, indulging in fine cuisine and dancing until the wee hours, then consider a cruise departing from one of Florida's four ports. WEATHER If you're looking for a vacation destination known for its balmy breezes, sunny skies and warm temperatures, then the Sunshine State is the perfect choice. Florida Web Guide Arts and Entertainment Health Events Maps Education Recreation and Sports Employment Shopping Government Society and Culture Links Florida Travel Magazine LOOK INSIDE Our Magazine is designed for people who love all that Florida has to offer! Order Now! We're here to help! 1-800-430-2435 More... Currency Converter CVBs RV Info Camping Temperature Charts Moving South? Timeshare Quick Find Accommodations Northern Florida Central Florida Central East Florida Central West Florida South East Florida South West Florida Attractions Northern Florida Central Florida Central East Florida Central West Florida South East Florida South West Florida Other Topics Car Rentals Weather Links Retirement Cruise Lines RV Info Articles Magazine Camping Timeshare

France Travel in December

France in December - Monthly Calendar and French Travel and Vacation Planner  You are here: About > Travel > France for Visitors > Things to Do in France > France Monthly Calendar > France in December - Monthly Calendar and French Travel and Vacation Planner Travel Go France Essentials New Year's Eve in Paris and France Worst of France 2005 Paris Travel Guide Top French Ski Resorts Best New Year's Eve Champagne Articles & Resources Destinations Trip Planning Transportation Interests & Situations Money, Safety & Issues Things to Do in France Where to Stay in France Staying Connected Blogs Picture Galleries Culture, Language & People Fun, Freebies & Quizes Relocating to France Nudism, Sex & Gay Travel D-Day & Historic Travel Buyer's Guide Before You Buy Top Picks Sites Selling French Products Before You Buy the Gift of Travel Gifts for the France Fanatic Product Reviews Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the France for Visitors newsletter! See Online Courses   Search France for Visitors click for more images Ice skating in Paris Paris Tourism Office/Catherine Balet Stay up to date! click for more images Ice skating in Paris Paris Tourism Office/Catherine Balet Email to a friend Print this page More on France in December Christmas Markets of France Christmas in France Christmas in Paris Picture Tour Related Blogs Dispatches from France Blog Paris Blog French Word-a-Day Blog La Coquette Blog Chroniques dune Fraise Nice Blog Rsidence Les Marronniers Provence Blog L'Oiseau Blog Chocolate and Zucchini Blog Forty Days in Paris Blog Most Popular "Naked City" Christmas in Paris Photo Tour Paris Sex District Top Paris Attractions Christmas in France What's Hot New Year's Eve in France Paris Gay Pride Parade Host A France-Themed Party Nice, France Photo Gallery Camping in France Related Topics Europe for Visitors French Language French Cuisine Honeymoons / Romantic Getaways Wine France Travel in December From Kelby Carr , Your Guide to France for Visitors . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Christmas Markets, Skiing and Holiday Spirit Are Big Draws December is the most magical and mesmerizing time to visit France. There are Christmas markets throughout the country, including the centuries-old Strasbourg market. The shopping is divine. Storefronts are decked in lights and delicate ribbons for the holidays. There's ice skating in front of Paris' hotel de ville. In the Pyrenees and Alps, the ski seasons are beginning to gain steam. Yes, it's cold, but this is also a bargain time to fly to France. The month's finale is New Year's Eve, fun to be enjoyed in Paris or any of France's other lively cities. Weather The weather can range from crisp but comfortable days to downright chilly nights. There are major variations in climate depending on where you are in France, but here are weather averages for some major cities: Paris : Average high temperature is 7 degrees celsius/45 degrees farenheit, and the average low is 2 celcius, 36 farenheit. Average number of days with snow is two in the month. Nice : Average high temperature is 12 degrees celsius/53 degrees farenheit, with the average low at 9 degrees celcius/49 degrees farenheit. Average November days with snowfall is zero. Bordeaux : Average high temperature is 10 degrees celsius, 50 degrees farenheit, and the average low is 3 celcius/38 farenheit. Strasbourg : Average high temperature is 5 degrees celsius, or 41 degrees farenheit, and the average low is 0 celcius/32 farenheit. There are an average of five days with snowfall. What to pack It can be challenging to pack for France, particularly if you will visit multiple cities. For the most part, this is a cool or cold time of year. Be prepared for blustery weather and, possibly, snow. Your packing list should include: A winter coat A light jacket or layers for daytime Good walking shoes A scarf, hat and gloves A sturdy umbrella for windy and rainy days Get more ideas with my Packing Tips . Why to go in December Enjoy the quiet and avoid the long lines in the low tourist season There is wonderful shopping It is absolutely magical to see France, already a beautiful country, dressed in its Christmas finery The Christmas markets are one of life's finest experiences Rates are low on lodging and airfare Why not to visit France in December The weather can be uncomfortably cold Some attractions could have restricted hours, or even be closed, especially in smaller villages There are a national holidays (like Christmas Day), which cause France to shut down Events and festivals Christmas Markets Christmas in France Noëlissime , an exhibition featuring fashion, beauty, toys, handcrafted goods, gastronomy and decorations in Paris        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 New Year's Eve in France Paris Gay Pride Parade Host A France-Themed Party Nice, France Photo Gallery Camping in France

Hotel Travel

UK hotels, travel and heritage - Britain Express UK travel guide Travelling in England, Scotland, or Wales? We've been there - and if we haven't been there yet, it's on our list! The UK Travel and heritage guide SITE MAP England | Scotland | Wales | History and Culture Accommodation UK Hotels From the leafy lanes of a peaceful village to the excitement of London, we've got the perfect hotel for your UK stay, with over 5000 budget, family, and luxury hotels in every area of the country. Find hotel accommodation in England , Scotland , and Wales . Hotels Search Please enter a place name, postcode, airport, tourist attraction, etc Dates 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 January February March April May June July August September October November December 2005 2006 2007 Nights 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 32 35 Rooms 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 England - most popular Bath Birmingham Blackpool Brighton Cambridge Lake District Manchester Newcastle Stratford upon Avon Windermere York all England locations >> London Hotels Budget Mid-range Luxury London Hotels Central London Gatwick Airport Heathrow Airport all London hotels Scotland Edinburgh Glasgow Borders Highlands all Scotland hotels Wales Cardiff Swansea North Wales (Snowdonia) Pembrokeshire (South west Wales) all Wales hotels Self catering cottages The Britain Express Self catering cottages guide offers online booking at over 1400 self catering holiday cottages throughout England, Scotland, and Wales. Browse Self catering cottages: England London Devon Cornwall Lake District All England self catering >> Scotland Central Highlands Northwest and Highlands Perthshire, Tayside and Fife Stirling, Loch Lomond, Trossachs & Western Isles All Scotland self catering >> Wales North Wales Pembrokeshire All Wales self catering >> Bed & Breakfast - a good friend at BedandBreakfasts-UK.co.uk has put together a lovely directory of British B&Bs. Highly recommended. Attractions in England, Scotland, and Wales UK Attractions - find places to visit by location or by type of attraction. By Location Explore thousands of attractions in England , Scotland , and Wales . By type of Attraction: Ancient Sites Castles Cathedrals Gardens Museums Historic Houses (stately homes) Roman sites Our favourite Villages But there is more to experiencing the UK ... Countryside National Parks National Trails Heritage Coasts Tourist Information Centres in the UK England Scotland Wales Travel Services Car rental Instant, no obligation quotes on rentals throughout the UK. Train timetables and tickets Rail tickets and real-time train timetable information. UK Travel Directory Links to thousands of travel resources throughout England, Scotland, and Wales. To the best of our knowledge this is one of the largest online resources of information on travel in the UK, with listings covering everything from official regional tourist boards to local village websites. England Wales Scotland B&B Hotels Tour Operators Car Rental Walking Holidays Waterways Holidays All categories .... Your Personal Guide to the UK Welcome to my world! My name is David Ross, and I'm proud to be the Publisher of Britain Express, a labour of love, and a celebration of British heritage and culture. My family and I travel to hundreds of UK destinations each year, from famous attractions to quiet villages, and bring you back our considered opinion on each location. Come exploring with us! UK Regional Travel Guides England - Most Popular : Lake District Cotswolds East Anglia West Country London Northeast and Yorkshire All regions of England Virtual Tour of England - for a quick overview of what to see in each region of England. Most popular England County Guides Cornwall Cumbria Derbyshire Devon Dorset Gloucestershire Isle of Wight Kent Norfolk Northumbria Oxfordshire Shropshire Somerset Wiltshire Yorkshire All English County Travel Guides In-depth City Guides Cambridge Chester Oxford Winchester York London Travel Guide Scotland Highlands Borders Dumfries and Galloway Grampian Fife All Scotland regions Wales North Wales Pembrokeshire Cardiff Anglesey Swansea and the Gower Peninsula All Wales regions Virtual Tour of Wales - planning your first trip to the land of the red dragon? Start here! History and Culture Prehistoric Britain Roman Britain Anglo-Saxon Era The Middle Ages The Tudor Era Stuart Britain Georgian Britain The Victorian Age Timeline of English Monarchs English Culture What makes England so ... English? From hedgerows to the history of tea, pastimes to traditional crafts. British Battles The major battles fought on British soil - who fought them, why, and what was the outcome? History of Wales British Biography Our look at the lives of famous people in the fields of art, architecture, science, and literature throughout British history. From Chaucer to Tennyson, Christopher Wren to William Shakespeare. English Architecture The story of English architecture and historic building styles, from prehistoric monuments to Victorian Gothic, with our suggestions for the best examples from each period to visit in England. London History From the Romans to the Blitz, our look at the colourful history of London. New St Michael's Mount Photo Gallery Images of magical St Michael's Mount in Cornwall Tintagel Castle Photo Gallery Images of Tintagel, reputedly the birthplace of King Arthur. Castle Howard Built by the Earl of Carlisle, one of England's finest stately homes York Minster this great Gothic cathedral is the widest in England. Special York Minster photo gallery Photos of Temple Church, London 13th century church founded by the Knights Templar Fairfax House, York a virtual tour of this historic Georgian townhouse in York Gatwick Airport Guide Hotels, airport parking, flight information, Gatwick Express, and more. Heathrow Airport Guide Hotels, airport parking, and Heathrow Express information. Arbor Low Prehistoric Derbyshire stone circle Haddon Hall Perhaps the finest medieval manor in England Heritage Corner Chatsworth, Derbyshire in the 17th century "The Duke's house stands on a little rising ground from the River Derwent which runs all along the front of the house and by a little fall made in the water which makes a pretty murmurring noise; before the gate there is a large Parke and severall fine Gardens one without another with gravell walkes and squairs of grass with stone statues in them ..." Ordnance Survey maps 10% Discount on all Ordnance Survey maps + Plus + Free shipping Contact Britain Express - About us - Privacy policy Britain Express Limited is a UK corporation, Registered in England No. 5251831 Little Rissington, Gloucestershire, England Also from Britain Express Hôtels au Royaume Uni