Russia Travel Guide Overview

Russia Travel Tips and Advice | iExplore.com FORBES' #1 ADVENTURE TRAVEL SITE 5 YEARS IN A ROW — TIME MAGAZINE TOP 50 Keyword Search: -- Home Trip Finder Travel Guides Community Special Offers Store My iExplore advertisement -- Home Travel Guides Europe Russia Do's and Don'ts Russia Travel Guide Overview Tours Where to Go Activities General Info History Weather Travel Tips Dining Shopping Visa & Health View Trips to Russia Europe Overview Browse Russia Photos Russia Questions and Answers Read Russia Journals Find a Russia Travel Buddy Russia Travel Tips & Advice Social Conventions It is customary to shake hands when greeting someone. Company or business gifts are well received. Each region has its own characteristic mode of dress. Conservative wear is suitable for most places and the seasonal weather should always be borne in mind. Smoking is acceptable unless stated otherwise. Avoid ostentatious displays of wealth; it is advisable to keep expensive jewelry, watches and cameras out of sight and take precautions against pickpocketing. Tipping Hotels in Moscow and other large cities include a 10 to 15 per cent service charge. Otherwise 10 per cent is customary. International Travel: Travel warning Because of the security situation in the North Caucasus, it is strongly advised not to travel to Chechyna, Ingushetia, Dagestan, North Ossetia, Karachai-Cherkessia, Kabardino-Balkaria (including the Elbrus area) and to the eastern and southern parts of Stavropol Krai, particularly where it borders Chechnya and North Ossetia. Chechen militants have threatened further violence in response to the killing of their rebel leader, Aslan Maskhador, on March 8 2005. It is advised that potential travelers monitor this situation. There is a high threat from domestic terrorism in Russia, including suicide bombings in public places. Air The national airline is Aeroflot – Russian International Airlines (SU) (website: www.aeroflot.com ). Other airlines serving the Russian Federation include Air France , Austrian Airlines , British Airways , Czech Airlines , El Al , Finnair , Lufthansa and SAS Scandinavian Airlines . Approximate flight times From Moscow or St Petersburg to London is three hours 45 minutes. From Moscow to Almaty is four hours 40 minutes, to Baku is three hours 10 minutes, to Bukhara is three hours 40 minutes, to Kiev is one hour 45 minutes, to Minsk is one hour 20 minutes, to Odessa is two hours, to Samarkand is three hours 50 minutes and to Yerevan is two hours 50 minutes. International airports Moscow (SVO) (Sheremetyevo) (website: www.sheremetyevo-airport.ru ) is 35km (22 miles) northwest of the city. Taxis are available at the airport to the city center for approximately US$10-15 (travel time – 30 to 40 minutes). ‘Autoline’ fixed-route taxis and buses are also available. Express coaches depart for the city every 20 minutes (0545-0030). Coaches depart for the airport from the Central Air Terminal in Moscow, 37 Leningradsky Prospekt (travel time – 50 minutes for international flights). Express trains leave every 30 minutes. Airport facilities include outgoing duty free shops, banks/bureaux de change, post office, car hire, restaurants and first aid. Moscow also has three primarily domestic airports: see Travel – Internal section. St Petersburg (LED) (Pulkovo) is 17km (10.5 miles) south of the city. Buses are available to the city center 0700-2000 every 10 minutes (travel time – 10 minutes). Taxis are available for roughly US$10 (travel time – 15 minutes). Airport facilities include banks/bureaux de change, flight information, duty free shops, restaurant, bar, snack bar, left luggage and first aid. Departure tax None. Rail There are various connections from London. The sleeper coach to Moscow takes about 53 hours. The main route is: London–Brussels–Cologne/Berlin–Moscow. The journey from London to Brussels can be made by a variety of train and ferry services (including via Eurostar ), or via the Channel Tunnel. Services from Brussels are daily. There are through trains or coaches from other Western and Eastern European cities, from CIS countries, and from China (PR), Iran, Mongolia and Turkey. See also Trans-Siberian Express in the Travel – Internal section. Road Foreign tourists may drive their own cars or may hire cars (see Travel – Internal ). The speed limit is 60kmph on minor roads, 90kmph on major roads and variable on highways. A road tax is payable upon entry to the country. The following crossing points between Finland and the Russian Federation are available: Vaalima–Torfianovska; Nuijamaa–Brusnichnoye and Rajajooseppi–Lotta. There are also crossing points between the Russian Federation and all neighboring countries although, at present, there are restrictions on cross-border travel to Azerbaijan and Georgia. Plans to simplify this process are currently underway. Those entering by car should have their visas registered at the hotel, motel or campsite where they will stay for the first night, and must also ensure that the car registration number is recorded in the visa. Travelers should also insure their vehicle with Ingosstrakh , which has offices at all crossing points and in most major cities, and to purchase service coupons at the border. Although motorcyclists can enter the Russian Federation, cyclists wishing to cross the Russian border should find out whether this is permissible from the Russian Embassy or their travel agent before departure. Eurolines , departing from Victoria Coach Station in London, serves destinations in the Russian Federation. For further information, contact Eurolines (tel: (08705) 143 219; e-mail: welcome@eurolines.co.uk ; website: www.eurolines.co.uk ). Duty free regulations are liable to change at short notice. The following should be used as a guide only, and travelers are advised to contact the Embassy or Consulate for up-to-date information. The following goods may be imported into the Russian Federation by persons of 16 years of age or older without incurring customs duty: 1000 cigarettes or 1kg of tobacco products ; 1 . 5l of spirits and 2l of wine ; a reasonable quantity of perfume for personal use ; gifts up to the value of US$10,000 . Note On entering the country, tourists must complete a customs declaration form which must be retained until departure. This allows the import of articles intended for personal use, including currency and valuables which must be registered on the declaration form. Cameras, jewelry, computers and musical instruments should all be declared. Customs inspection can be long and detailed. It is advisable when shopping to ask for a certificate from the shop which states that goods have been paid for in hard currency. Presentation of such certificates should speed up customs formalities. Prohibited imports Photographs and printed matter directed against the Russian Federation, weapons and ammunition, narcotics, fruit, vegetables and live animals unless with a special permit. Prohibited exports Arms, works of art and antiques (unless permission has been granted by the Ministry of Culture), precious metals and furs. Note Up to 280g of caviar per person may be exported, provided a receipt is shown proving that it was bought at a store licensed to sell it to foreigners. Internal Travel: Air The internal network radiates from Moscow’s four airports. Aeroflot runs services from Moscow to most major cities. All-inclusive tours are available from specialist tour operators. Note: In the 1990s, Aeroflot was broken up into many small airlines which led to a catalog of air disasters earning it a reputation for poor safety. Thankfully, its safety record has improved in recent years. Domestic airports Vnukovo Airport (VKO) is 29.5km (18 miles) southwest of Moscow. Coaches go to the airport from the Central Air Terminal (travel time – one hour 15 minutes). Outgoing duty free facilities are available at the airport. Taxis are available to the city. Domodedovo (DME) is 48km (25 miles) southeast of Moscow. A coach goes from the Central Air Terminal to the airport (travel time – one hour 20 minutes). Bykovo Airport (BKA) is the smallest of Moscow’s airports, 35km from the city. Coaches go to the airport from the Central Air Terminal. Approximate flight times From Moscow to Bratsk is six hours 45 minutes, to Donetsk is one hour 30 minutes, to Irkutsk is seven hours, to Khabarovsk is seven hours 30 minutes, to Kharkov is one hour 15 minutes, to St Petersburg is one hour 30 minutes, to Volgograd is one hour 50 minutes and to Yalta is two hours 15 minutes. Sea Owing to its geographical position, the Russian Federation has ports on its Pacific and Baltic shores and in the south on the Black Sea. The most important eastern ports are Vladivostok, Magadan, Nakhodka and Petropavlovsk; the most important western ports are St Petersburg and Kaliningrad on the Baltic. The only links to the Atlantic are the ports of Murmansk on the Kola peninsula, which never freezes over and Archangelisk. Major harbors on the Black Sea are Novorossiysk and Sochi. There are plans to build an extension to the St Petersburg harbor at Ust-Luga. Upgrading of facilities at Kaliningrad and Vyborg is also planned. Sea cruises on the Black Sea and the Baltic are popular. River Cruises and excursions are available on the Amur, Don, Irtysh, Lena, Ob, Volga and Yenisey rivers. Many companies offer cruises on board comfortable, modern boats. The Volga towns, the Golden Ring and Moscow–St Petersburg are popular routes. Rail The 87,079km (54,109 miles) of track are a vital part of the infrastructure because of the poor road system. The largest and busiest rail network in the world is predominantly for freight traffic. Only a few long-distance routes are open for travel by tourists, and reservations must be made on all journeys. Children under five years of age travel free. Children aged five to nine pay half fare. Rail travelers are advised to store valuables in the compartment under the bed or seat and not to leave the compartment unattended. The Trans-Siberian Express , probably the most famous train in the world, is one of the best ways of seeing the interior of the country. It runs from Moscow to the Pacific coast of Siberia and on to Japan. There is a daily service, but the steamer from Nakhodka to Yokohama only sails approximately once a week. The through journey from Moscow to Yokohama takes 10 days. It is the world’s longest continuous train journey, crossing seven time zones and 9745km (5778 miles) from Europe to the Pacific, with 91 stops from Vladivostok to Moscow. Bed linen and towels are provided in the ‘Soft Class’ (first-class) berths, and there is a toilet and washbasin at the end of each carriage. Attendants serve tea from samovars for a small charge and there is a restaurant car on every train where meals can be purchased (however, no alcohol is available on the train, so passengers are advised to bring their own if desired). The Trans-Manchurian Express follows the same route, before heading southeast into China and down to Beijing. Another, slightly shorter but no less epic journey can be made on the Trans-Mongolian Railway to Beijing. It runs from Moscow to Irkutsk (Siberia), skirting Lake Baikal and then entering Mongolia. The journey to the Mongolian capital, Ulaan Baatar, is remarkable for its dramatic scenery. The journey concludes in Beijing. Road The European part of the Russian Federation depends heavily on its road network, which totals 552,000km (343,000 miles) throughout the Federation. Generally, the few roads in Siberia and further east are impassable during the winter. It is a good idea to arrange motoring holidays through a reputable agency. It is also advisable to pre-plan the itinerary and accommodation requirements. On the majority of tourist routes, signposts are also written in the Latin alphabet. Travelers can take their own car (see Travel – International ) or hire a vehicle; tariffs include the cost of insurance. Chauffeured cars are available in major cities. Sample distances: Moscow to St Petersburg: 692km (432 miles); Moscow to Minsk: 690km (429 miles); Moscow to Rostov-on-Don: 1198km (744 miles); Moscow to Odessa: 1347km (837 miles). Bus: Long-distance coach services have only recently become open to foreigners. They are a great way of seeing the country but patience is a necessity and getting lost is commonplace. Traffic regulations: Traffic drives on the right. Speeds are limited to 60kph (37mph) in built-up areas and 90kph (55mph) elsewhere. Hooting the horn is forbidden except when to do so might prevent an accident. Motorists should avoid driving at night if possible. It is forbidden to carry unauthorized passengers or pick up hitch-hikers. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is forbidden. Every car must display registration plates and stickers denoting the country of registration and be fitted with seat belts, a first-aid kit, a fire extinguisher and an emergency sign (triangle) or red light. In case of an accident, contact the nearest traffic inspection officer and make sure all participants fill in written statements, to be witnessed by a militia inspector. All repairs will be at the foreign motorist’s expense. Documentation: An International Driving Permit and a national license with authorized translations are necessary. Visitors traveling in their own cars must also possess the following documents at all tmes: passport and visa; itinerary card bearing visitor’s name and citizenship, car registration number and full details of itinerary presented upon entry to the Russian Federation relating to the route to be taken and the date and place of stopovers; form provided by Customs on arrival guaranteeing that the car will be taken out of the Russian Federation on departure; petrol vouchers purchased at the border; and insurance cover documents. A road tax is payable upon entry to the country (see end of Travel – International ). Motor insurance for travel within the Russian Federation should be arranged prior to departure, or upon entry to the Russian Federation at the offices of Ingosstrakh , the Russian Federation foreign insurance agency. Contact the Embassy or a specialist tour operator for further details. Urban Public transport in the cities is comprehensive and cheap. Many services are electric traction (metro, tramway, trolleybus). Stations on the Moscow and St Petersburg metros are always elegant and often palatial. Entry to the underground is by tokens, which are inserted into the ticket barrier. Fares are standard for the various forms of transport. Taxis are also available; they can be hailed in the street, hired at a rank or booked by telephone. It is safer to use officially marked taxis, which should not be shared with strangers. Travel Times The following chart gives approximate travel times (in hours and minutes) from Moscow to other major cities/towns in the Russian Federation: Air Rail Sea Khabarovsk 7.30 - - St Petersburg 1.30 9.00 - Irkutsk 7.00 88.00 - Nakhodka - - 141.00 Volgograd 1.30 - - Sponsored Listings ( Add your listing ) advertisement Advertisement -- advertisement Why iExplore? About Us Advertise Site Map Privacy Policy Travel Agents Contact Us © 2005 Adventure Travel with iExplore --

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Europe Travel 101 -

Winter Travel to Europe - Low Season Highs from Europe for Visitors You are here: About > Travel > Europe for Visitors Travel Go Europe Essentials European Vacation Planning Map Europe Travel 101 - Before you Go European Distances The Best of Europe European Photo Gallery Articles & Resources Europe Travel Planning What to do In Europe Lodging - Hotels and More European Travel Maps Sex and Nudism Travel Photography Transportation Benelux Countries France Germany Austria Switzerland Greece Italy and Malta Travel Info Scandinavian Travel Spain and Portugal United Kingdom and Ireland Buyer's Guide Before You Buy Top Picks Italy Travel Guidebooks Europe Travel Guidebooks German Travel Guidebooks Product Reviews Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Europe for Visitors newsletter! See Online Courses Search Europe for Visitors Stay up to date! Email to a friend Print this page European Tickets on the Web European Tickets on the Web Box Office Online Italy Winter Travel Resources Christmas Markets Winter Festivals Europe Carnivals Europe Weather Europe Weather Links 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 Winter Travel To Europe From James Martin , Your Guide to Europe for Visitors . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Winter may be the perfect time to travel. Why not travel in winter? Hotels and airfares are cheap, sweaty summer crowds are a dim memory, and there's plenty going on: Attend Cultural events: Opera, Theater, and Symphony Winter Seasons. Have Fun in the Snow: skiing, snowboarding See Christmas Markets, Festivals and Carnival Enjoy Winter food - an entirely different animal from summer's simplicity! Why Travel in Winter? While it's great fun hanging out under the August sun slurping spaghetti with fresh tomato sauce at an outdoor cafe in Rome, winter travel offers some interesting opportunities you may not have considered. There are the obvious ones, like skiing and snowboarding. But what about the opera and orchestra season? European cultural events in historic halls are going full blast in winter. Winter offers you a chance to see Europe in a whole different--albeit dimmer--light. The season presents you with a chance to put on your woollies and hike snow covered peaks, or squeeze into a tux and go to an opera gala. How can I afford all this? Saving Money If you think you can't afford a winter vacation, take a look at winter airline prices. It could cost you a half to a third of the price of a summer flight to get to Europe in the off-season. Hotels usually offer discounts in winter as well. But isn't it Cold Over There? Some places are indeed quite chilly. But the south of Italy, Spain, Portugal and most of Greece are pretty balmy in winter. Winter is a great time to visit Spain's Andalucian trio of Seville, Cordoba and Granada. Or perhaps you'd rather take a winter visit to almost deserted Pompeii with a stopover in Naples in order to eat some of the best food in Italy. Check our Europe Weather Links for the skinny on temperatures. The Contrarian View - Winter as, well...Winter! Why look for sun and balmy weather at all? Winter has charms of its own. Instead of a seat at an outdoor cafe, think of wandering through Venice's wintry fog, peering into the city's steamed-up windows in search of a cozy cafe--or, better yet, think of eating rich, winter foods beside a roaring fire beneath the intricately carved timber-beams of an historic guild hall restaurant in Basel, Switzerland. In winter, European cuisine changes dramatically. Southern Mediterranean dwellers wouldn't think of eating heavy cream sauces in summer (although they will whip butterfat into just about anything for tourists who demand such culinary blasphemy). But once the leaves fall off the trees, European kitchens burst into winter mode--creamy, long-cooking sauces, preserved duck and goose, root vegetables, and the roasting of wild game all contributing to aromas that will leave you wishing you could stay in Europe forever. In winter you'll come to find all those food "specialties" you've read about in guidebooks but were never able to locate in summer. Cultural Events also come alive in winter. The opera, theater, and symphony seasons are in full swing. Sure, in summer you can spend good money going to a historic building to see short ditties truncated for the enjoyment of limited-attention-span summer tourists, but the shorter days of winter leave time in the evenings for the real deal. Today you'll find many ticket sales for these events online. Check the "European Tickets on the Web" box on the upper right for more. (continue to page two for Christmas Markets, Festivals, and Skiing. 1 2 Next 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. 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hotels, travel, discount hotels - reservations and lodgings 100,000 luxury, chain and discount hotels worldwide hotels and hotel reservations all-hotels.com, travel,lodgings and reservations Home Hotels Hotels & Flights Promotions & Deals Register / Login / Logout My Hotels My Bookings Site Map List Your Hotel Help -- Quick Search for Hotels Multiple Room Search Find out the availability of hotels... Enter a destination or select a popular location from below... USA Europe Atlanta Boston Chicago Las Vegas Los Angeles Miami New York City Orlando San Francisco Washington Amsterdam Barcelona Dublin Edinburgh London Madrid Munich Paris Rome Venice Arriving Day DD 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 Nights NN 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 Adults 1 2 3 4 (Optional) Hotel name / chain " name="Join2" class="searchbutton" Looking for Discount hotels? All-Hotels is working with many new discount hotel suppliers to ensure that you get some of the cheapest rates on the Internet. We have great deals including hotel accommodation in New York City, London, Paris, Las Vegas, Orlando, San Francisco, Toronto - and many more popular cities for your next city break! For the best hotel discounts look for the All-Hotels Special Logo. North America (per person) Europe (per person) Atlanta Boston Chicago Las Vegas Los Angeles $27 $37 $22 $15 $22 Miami New York City Orlando San Francisco Washington DC $22 $33 $15 $23 $50 Amsterdam Barcelona London Paris Rome 39 25 23 32 28 For more cities in USA For more cities in Europe " " class="subsgo_v" All-hotels Directory Search for your perfect hotel from 100,000 hotels worldwide in 12,000 locations. Choose from luxury cheap or discount hotels. Where's your next vacation?.... " name="Join" class="subsgo_v" Cheap Hotel Deals Looking for a cheap hotel deal in Europe or the US? We have cheap hotels and accommodation in: Orlando, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Atlanta, London, Paris, Nice, Amsterdam and Prague - all great travel and city break destinations for you to discover! " name="Join" class="subsgo_v" "Far more options than most of the competition" (Conde Nast Traveler) Christmas Getaways Whether you want to escape to the sun or hit the slopes, all-hotels has the perfect hotel deal for your winter vacation or city break. Skiing in Aspen Colorado Shopping in New York City Surfing in Hawaii Sunbathing in Miami Winter Wonderland in Whistler Canada More hotels >> City Breaks US City Breaks European City Breaks Featured Hotel Chains Best Western Hilton Clarion Hyatt Comfort Inn Marriott Days Inn Radisson Doubletree Sheraton Orlando Hotels Are you thinking about a holiday in the sun? Well consider an Orlando vacation for your next city break. We have selected a few favorite locations, all you have to do is pack the sunscreen. Disney World Hotels Kissimmee Hotels Universal Studios Hotels Orlando Central Hotels More Hotels >> Newsletter Be the first to know about All-Hotels fantastic hotel deals by signing up to our FREE monthly newsletter. " name="Join" class="subsgo_v" Receive the best monthly hotel deals! -New York City hotel discounts, Las Vegas hotel discounts, deals at the best Paris hotels, cheap London hotels and more... Travel Tools Currency converter Discount hotels Email a friend Print this page Travel Resources 100,000 hotels worldwide to give you the widest choice available All-Hotels is one of the largest online hotel reservation companies - we have every kind of lodging including B & B's, cheap hotels, discount motels, discount hotels, and luxury 5-star accommodation all over the world! Our goal is to offer the widest choice with the best hotel deals and discount rates, just look out for our 'all-hotels Special Rate' and save on your hotel stay! We also offer a convenient, fast and secure way to make a booking. We hope that you will find the right accommodation to meet your travel plans. Hotel search around the world: Amsterdam Anaheim Atlanta Barcelona Berlin Boston Brussels Canada Cancun Chicago Dublin Edinburgh Florence Hong Kong Houston Istanbul Italy Las Vegas London Los Angeles Madrid Miami New Orleans New York City Nice Oregon Orlando Paris Prague Rome San Antonio San Diego San Francisco Seattle Spain Sydney Tampa Toronto Venice Washington DC Our site works best on Explorer 5 + Netscape 7 + Firefox 1 Also to use our site you must have cookies enabled. About Us - Affiliates - Hotelier Services - Advertising - Privacy Policy - Disclaimer - Terms and Conditions All-Hotels is a registered trademark (RN 2,516,395) 1997 - 2005 OTC / Lastminute.com

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Whistler Ski Resort Lodging | Discounts| Whistler Ski Resort Checklist Whistler Ski Resort Lodging | Whistler Ski Resort Checkist & Savings Whistler Ski Resort-Priceless personal experiences you can afford . Use our Whistler lodging by owners directory & Whistler ski resort consumer-direct vacation planning tips to create precious lifetime Whistler memories with your friends & family. Search Whistler Lodging Options | View Whistler Ski Resort Vacation Checklist! Free! Book direct with Whistler owners on our wholesale, Whistler lodging & ski resort vacation planning site to avoid middle agent fees & for extraordinary personal service & hospitality-then use the savings to do something really special for yourself, friends & family to make your Whistler ski resort vacation unforgettable! Search Whistler Lodging Options | View Whistler Ski Resort Vacation Checklist! Fast! Whistler Ski Resort Lift Ticket, Rental, Snow School & Lodging Savings -Saving a ton of time & money are only the secondary benefits to using our Whistler lodging & Whistler Blackcomb ski resort site-having a great time with the money you saved is the first! Use our step-by-step checklist & handy links to quickly plan a vacation of a lifetime! Search Whistler Lodging | View Whistler Ski Resort Vacation Checklist! Easy & Fun! Whistler Lodging & Whistler Ski Resort Lift Ticket, Snow School & Rental Specials-Book by Oct. 31, 2004! Plan your Whistler ski vacation reservations around Whistler Blackcomb Discount Discovery Weeks for the best ski vacation resort deals. Act fast-you must book all of your Whistler lodging & Whistler ski resort tickets, rentals and snow school on this site before October 31, 2004. Get Whistler Ski Resort Discount Discovery Week Details Save Money!! Whistler Ski Resort & Lodging Easy Vacation Planning | Discounts Plannng your own Whistler resort ski vacation & Whistler lodging is fun, easy and fast! If you have a computer with an internet connection, creating your own personal Whistler ski vacation is as total snap! Here is a suggested road map and some helpful Whistler information tips & web site links: Step#1-Search & Book Whistler Ski Resort Lodging Book top-located Whistler Blackcomb mountain lodging direct with Whistler ski resort owners & save on your Whistler Blackcomb accommodation by avoiding middle agent fees. Quick search 420+ Whistler Canada lodging options & view the exact rental home you will stay in before you book online, including detailed photos, descriptions, Whistler maps, owner bios & more. Enjoy the personal hospitality & benefits of a Canadian ski resort home and a locally knowledgable, dedicated Whistler ski resort customer service representative with no other guests than you during your dates- the owner! Search Whistler Ski Resort Lodging Options | Send a Fast Whistler Lodging Inquiry Step #2 Book Flights to Whistler Ski Resort- Advice & Quick Tips Its worth it to shop around. Most sites allow you to select your seats and to check-in online, before you go to the airport! Wear good clean socks & get a pedicure-you have to take off your shoes in airport security! Here is a quick tip list to help you plan your Whistler vacation: Web Sites -check out Expedia , Travelocity , Orbitz , Priceline or CheapTickets . These sites have great prices & help you quickly compare fares! Book Direct with Airlines -lately, we have found that they have the best deals. Just go to to their web sites & do some searches. In addition to your favorite airlines, be sure to also visit Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, West Jet and Tango. They have great fares! Use your Airmiles! -Don't forget to use your points, if you can :) Travel Agents -Check-in with your local travel agent for fares. Book your lodging and flights on the same day and book early. Availability on our site changes by the minute! Search Whistler Ski Resort Lodging Options | Send a Fast Whistler Lodging Inquiry Step #3-Book Whistler Ski Resort Discount Ground Transportation Get to Whistler ski resort by car, bus, van shuttle, or our favourite way- by limo! That's right-hiring a limo or van is really affordable & totally worth it. Subscribe to our newsletter & get 10-20% consumer-direct discounts with our selected ground transportation providers. Instead of giving us a commission for our referral, they give you a discount, providing that you give them the customer code provided in the newsletter, when you book directly with them! Search Whistler Ski Resort Lodging Options | Subscribe to Whistler BC Newsletter Step #4-Book Whistler Blackcomb Resort Ski School Book Whistler Blackcomb Snow School early, since space is limited. Plan around Whistler Resort Discount Discovery Weeks for extra special Whistler mountain snow school deals. Act fast-you have to book Whistler lodging & snow school on this site by October 31, 2004! Search Whistler Ski Resort Lodging Options | View Snow School Programs Step #5-Book Whistler Ski Resort Childcare Book it early! There are 2 broad options: Whistler Blackcomb Kids -Whistler Blackcomb has great programs for kids 3 months & up! Nannies -The Nanny Network (604-938-2823) and Babysitting Whistler ( 60 4-902-baby) have certified & screened nannies and is an ideal option for families with many kids. Search Whistler Lodging | View Whistler Blackcomb Kids Programs Step #6-Book Whistler Ski Resort Discount Lift Tickets, Gear& Clothing Rentals Buy discount Whistler Blackcomb ski lift tickets & gear rentals on our Whistler ski resort lodging & ski vacation planning to site to save up to 30%! Research prices & pre-book online within 72 hours of your arrival in Whistler resort to avoid big ticket window line-ups and prices. Pick up your tickets as early as the day before your first skiing/riding day at one of 3 conveniently located Whistler Blackcomb mountain base customer service desks. All tickets and rentals must be booked with Whistler lodging on this site. Book Whistler lodging first, then buy your Whistler lift tickets & rentals. Over 10,000 lift tickets successfully sold and fulfilled from this site! Search Whistler Lodging Options | View Discount Whistler Lift Ticket Pricing or Buy Tickets.. Step #7-Book Whistler Ski Resort Activities Book your favorite activities in advance! Here are our recommended favourites: Snowmobiling, SnowCat, Fishing & Snowshoeing Tours - with Cougar Mountain Adventures Evening Whistler Blackcomb Snowmobile or Snowcat & Fondue Dinner Tour -with Canadian Snowmobile Blackcomb Sleighrides -Enjoy a great evening outing on Blackcomb with friends & family! Swimming, Indoor Skating, Working Out, Raquet Ball- Check out Meadow Park Recreation Centre-just 5 minutes north of Whistler Village on Hwy 99. They have a great kids pool and fitness facilities! 604-935-PLAY Whistler Welcome Nights- head to the Village gondola every Sunday night at 6:30 pm for incredible outdoor fun! Ziptrek Tours between Whistler & Blackcomb Mountains Ziptrek EcoTours Backcountry Touring & Avalanche Awareness -We highly recommend that you check out Whistler Guides to add a new dimension to your Whistler ski resort winter experience! Search Whistler Lodging | View Whistler Ski Resort Activities Info | Subscribe to Newsletter for Activities Discounts Step #9-Buy Whistler Ski Vacation & Lodging Travel Insurance We highly recommend travel insurance, because life happens, and it can happen to you at any time!Make sure that you are covered for lost luggage, as well as flights, lodging and medical. Here are some recommendations: Check your credit card accessory services options -sometimes travel insurance is included, or can be purchased at rock bottom rates! Check your life insurance policies -you may already be covered for medical and may not have to buy those components. Check www.insuremytrip.com to compare options and to buy it online. Leaving it to the last minute -you can buy it at most airports! Whatever you do, don't leave home without it! Search Whistler Lodging Options | Send a Fast Whistler Lodging Inquiry Step #10-Whistler Ski Resort Weather & Clothing Tips Whistler ski resort is located in the Coastal Mountain Range, which means that weather changes are fast and furious! Here are some tips: Dress in Layers -bring lightweather & cold weather gear Bring Gortex -you need waterproof gear. It may be raining in the Village, but snowing like mad just above the Village. Don't get wet before you get on the slopes! Treat your Gortex prior to Arrival -Follow the manufacturer's instructions for re-conditioning your Gortex gear!. We also recommend Nik Wax for Gortex gear and especially for gloves. Check out the Weather Links Below -Here are 3 must see weather sites: Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort Snow Forecast Whistler Ski Resort Weather Forecast Farmer's Almanac Weather Predictions Calling for the 2005 snow to begin flying in late September 2004-Yipee! Step #11- Whistler Resort Road Reports & Tips It is a 2.5 hour drive from Vancouver. Squamish is about 1 hour from Vancouver.Here are our best tips: Gas Up -in Vancouver Bathroom Breaks -before you leave the airport or in Squamish (1 hr from Vancouver). Food & Coffee for the Road - There is a Starbucks, and other restaurants in Squamish. White Spot is a great fast family restaurant (a BC classic :)) Arrive & Drive in Daylight Hours -the highway is complex and weather changes quickly.If you can't drive in daylight, get a limo 1-way and rent a car on the return trip from Avis in Whistler. Expert Drivers Only Please -this is not a drive for the faint of heart. Don't Speed -you will get busted or be killed-seriously. Don't Tailgate -be safe & polite. Everyone will get there. Don't Tailgate Logging Trucks -take this advice seriously, or kiss an old growth log coming through your windshield. Get Road and Snow Reports every 15 Mins -Listen to 102.1 or 107.1 FM. Check for Construction Delays & Conditions before you Leave Search Whistler Ski Resort Lodging Options | Send a Fast Whistler Lodging Inquiry Step #12-Whistler Ski Resort Groceries There is no need to buy groceries anywhere else but Whistler. There are several LARGE grocery stores: IGA -in Whistler Village North Grocery Store -in Whistler Village Pre-Order Online & Save- Order from Whistler Grocery to pre-order online and have your food delivered to your door. Subscribe to the newsletter program and give them the customer code, to receive free delivery. Search Whistler Lodging Options | Subscribe to Whistler BC Newsletter Stp #13-Whistler Ski Vacation GST Refunds If you are a non-Canadian resident, you can get a GST refund for all things purchased that you did not consume in Canada! Exceptions are Whistler lodging accommodations and gear rentals-which are considered services, and are therefore refund-eligible. Don't bother paying someone to do your Whistler resort lodging & ski vacation refund. Keep your money! It is easy to get on your own, as long as you keep your receipts and fill out the form correctly. Read the instructions before you go to Whistler Ski Resort so that you are familiar with the rules, and getting your refund will be a total snap! Download GST Refund Form, Information & Instructions Whistler Lodging & Whistler Ski Resort Consumer-Direct Vacation Guide-Help Support our Continued Efforts to Bring you the Best Whistler Ski Lodging & Whistler Resort Value! Our Whistler Lodging & Ski Resort Mission We are a consumer-direct Whistler lodging and Whistler ski resort vacation planning directory and have been in business for over 7 years. Our mission is to help people like to you get the best Whistler lodging and Whistler Blackcomb resort services at great prices and in a time-efficient safe and consistent way, by stripping away all uncessary and costly intermediaries that you end up paying for. As result of our Whistler lodging service and Whistler Blackcomb resort consumer-direct vacation planning site, Whistler owners and resort services providers can give you the absolute best, consumer-direct price. We also work fanatically to keep our own costs down, without compromising our great customer support, so that our fees are not passed on to you by owners. Our Whistler Ski Resort Fees-Keeping them Small to Non-Existent, so that you Pay Less! Whistler lodging owners pay us a flat annual subscription fee. We also make a extremely teeny tiny amount of money on Whistler lodging rent transactions, so that we can keep developing the search, property display & reservation software & payment system to make it safer, faster, more consistent & transparent, & more private for you & our other site users. When you pay online, you are ensuring that when you come back to Whistler ski resort, that this site will be even better! Whistler Blackcomb ski resort services providers are profiled for free in exchange for having what we feel is a great service to site users, and by passing on our our referral commission as discounts to you. Finally, we do not do any pesky paid banner advertising because it would impact with your enjoyment of the site and remove all objectivity from our company-thus compromising the quality of the service to you. How You Can Help us Improve & Grow our Whistler Ski Resort & Lodging Service Quality & Value If you liked & value this Whistler accommodations & Whistler Blackcomb resort service and similarly embrace our values and mission in making it easy, unintrusive and affordable for you to have a great & highly personalized vacation experience and would like to support us in continuing to help you get great vacation value in this and other destinations, we would deeply appreciate your support in helping us continually improve our service quality and customer support levels! Here are 4 vital ways that you can help: 1-Please link to our site from yours. Please let us know that you linked to us & tell us about you, your vacation and your web site! We will link back to you and profile you on our site! It really helps us get to know our customers and plays a big role in keeping our costs down to owners, who in turn pass on the benefit to you. Please use the exact link anchor text and URLs below: AlluraDirect.com Vacation Rentals by Owner (http://www.alluradirect.com) Whistler Blackcomb BC Canada- Ski Resort Accommodations by Owner (http://www.alluradirect.com/whistler) 2-Book your Whistler lodging & Whistler ski resort lift tickets, rentals and snow school directly on this site with your credit card. Your business transaction volume and customer feedback directly through this site are instrumental in strengthening our ability to work directly with accommodations homeowners and ski resort guest services providers like Whistler Blackcomb, to bring you tremendous consumer-direct Whistler value, customer support & resort deals. For example, because of your immense business support, we were able to pioneer, create & implement with Whistler Blackcomb, our massively successful Whistler Blackcomb Discount Discovery Weeks program, that now helps thousands of people like you explore more of what Whistler has to offer. 3-Tell your friends & family about this site -word of mouth referrals are deeply appreciated. 4- Send us Feedback! You shape this company, policies and resources with your feedback! We respond personally to all suggestions, comments, rants and feedback! Search Whistler Blackcomb Lodging | Send Fast Whistler Rentals Inquiry | Send Feedback to AlluraDirect.com Staff Thanks for booking on our Whistler British Columbia Lodging & Whistler Ski Resort consumer-direct directory! with gratitude from the AlluraDirect.com staff & owner-hosts! Vacation Rentals By Owner Vacation, Reservation & Check-In Support 9 am-11pm PST 7 Days per Week Local : 604-707-6700 Toll Free North America : 1 - 866 - 4 - Allura Toll Free UK : 0-800-028-9346 Toll Free Australia : 877-226-6358 Toll Free Hong Kong : 800-903-329 Email Us Whistler Homepage Organize Vacation Find Accommodations 4 Fast & EASY Searching Methods FastFind My Owner/Property Find a specific person or listing Book with Confidence Find out why people like you & Frommers Travel love this Whistler Blackcomb site! View All Discount Benefits Discount Lift Tickets Discount Equipment Rentals Discount Ski/Board Lessons Getting Here Suggested Activities Vacation Planning Resources Free! Get Secret Whistler Discount Codes, Local Tips & Savings Alerts! Keep In Touch All raves, rants & suggestions will be repsonded to! Send Positive Feedback Make Site/Service Suggestion Make a Complaint Update Your Guest Profile Owners Get Free Rental Business Tips! Get Property Listing Information List Property Now Owner Login Free Business Listings List Owner Service Business List Guest Services Business About Us Learn about AlluraDirect.com! Whistler Blackcomb Accommodation Home Page Whistler | Sun Peaks | Big White | BC Ski Resort Canada Vacation Rentals by Owner Big White Ski Resort Lodging Sun Peaks Lodging Whistler BC Discounts , Accommodation & Skiing Holiday Tips Newsletter Whistler Map | Discount Accomodations Search Tools Whistler Ski Resort Lodging & Vacation Check List Whistler Canada Accommodation Savings Tips Whistler Resort Tips Whistler BC Specials Whistler Accomodation Deals-All Year Whistler British Columbia Canada Discount Merchant Partners Whistler Condos Rental Tips Whistler Discount Lift Tickets & Ski School Discounts Whistler Blackcomb Discount Equipment Rentals

Central America Travel

Central America : Travel Tips : International Travel : Travelocity area: network~tipsadvice catID: product_category: -- Guides & Advice : Traveler Advice : Tips & Advice Home : International Travel Central America Jungles, volcanoes, dazzling wildlife, and more await you in Central America--but so do several health risks. Staying healthy can make or break any trip, so read on to get some preparatory information about the regions health challenges. Enjoying your trip to its fullest always involves some amount of preparation and knowledge, so to make your planning easier weve put together some basic information outlining the general risks you might face in Central America. Consult the World Health Organization (WHO) or the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the most up-to-date information on current health risks, and ask your physician about the best courses of vaccinations and malaria prophylaxis for the area youre visiting. Food and Water: Stick with bottled or purified water, and only eat cooked vegetables and peeled fruit, as well as well-cooked meat and seafood--these simple rules can easily be the key to staying healthy during your vacation in Central America. Except in the most established and hygienic of restaurants, ceviche, a regional specialty of raw seafood salad, should be avoided, especially if it has any shellfish in it. Milk is not pasteurized in Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras, so avoid all dairy products. If youre really craving some milk, mix powdered or tinned milk with purified water as a safe alternative. The Elements: When youre in the tropics, youre in prime sunshine territory. Clearly this is a plus for all us sun-worshipping folk, but its important to protect yourself from damaging UV rays. Apply lots of sunscreen throughout the day, try to limit your exposure to the sun when you can, and wear protective clothing. Also, be sure to drink lots of water to stave off dehydration. Drink up even when youre not thirsty, and especially if youre engaging in outdoors activities. Combined with the intensity of the sun, even mild dehydration can really put an unpleasant tinge on your experience. Altitude Sickness: If youre planning on doing some trekking in the mountains or on volcanoes, be prepared for some possible bouts of altitude sickness--something that cannot be prevented, but can definitely be alleviated quite easily. For more information, read our How to Avoid Altitude Sickness tip. Health Risks: Costa Rica and Panama generally present few risks (other than those pertaining to food and water) if you stick to the big cities, beaches, and main tourist spots. However, these countries rural areas--as well as other surrounding countries--contain maladies that you should know about. Malaria is a year-round risk in Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, and Panama--with the exception of urban areas. If you plan on venturing outside of the cities, consult your doctor several months before your departure to determine the best course of malaria medication for you. Dengue fever has been reported in the above countries, so arm yourself against mosquitoes with strong insect repellent. Mosquitoes are easily attracted to moisture--mosquito nets are advised if youre staying in coastal areas. For more information on dealing with insects, read our Creepy, Crawly Critters tip. Rabies is widespread throughout Central America, so abstain from provoking stray dogs or other animals in the wild. If you get bitten, seek medical help immediately. Fluke illnesses (from bacteria transmitted in food), Chagas disease, leptospirosis, and lesihmaniasis have been reported in rural foci throughout the region. Schistosomiasis (bilharzia) occurs in some freshwater sources, so avoid swimming and paddling in freshwater whenever possible (for more information on this matter, read our Take Me to the River tip). Immunization Suggestions and Requirements: The following information was culled from reputable sources, such as CDC and WHO and reflects countries currently featured on Travelocity.com. Belize Hepatitis A, typhoid, cholera, polio Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all travelers coming from infected areas Costa Rica Typhoid, polio, cholera (although chances of contracting the latter are very slight) Guatemala Cholera, hepatitis A, polio, typhoid Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all travelers over one year old coming from infected areas Honduras Hepatitis A, typhoid, cholera, polio Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all travelers coming from infected areas Panama Hepatitis A, cholera, typhoid Yellow fever vaccination is strongly recommended for travel outside of urban areas, even if an outbreak of the disease has not been reported International Travel Tips & Advice Information on the Euro Africa Asia Central America Caribbean Australia/South Pacific South America Middle East Europe North America Embassies and Consulates--A Little Piece of the United States Abroad Choosing the Right Gift for Business Associates in Japan Getting Through Customs Expediting Your Passport Application Process Handling Cash When Traveling Overseas Security Guarantee | '+' Means Some Taxes & Fees Additional © 1996-2004 Travelocity.com LP. All rights reserved. Travelocity and the Stars Design are trademarks of Travelocity.com LP. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of the Travelocity User Agreement and Privacy Policy . CST# 2056372-50. dest.advice.tips.item|Tips and Advice|AOLSVC|ST||||tipID=229| --