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

Asia Travel || Malaysia

HOTELS RESORTS TRAVEL LEISURE TOURS MALAYSIA ASIA Kuala Lumpur Travel Information Getting around || Business Hour || Money Changing || Tips for Shoppers || Shopping Things you can get || Main shopping area || Fashion/Designer Boutiques || Food Outlets Spectacular Sights Hotels & Resorts Reservation Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia. From its centralised position which spans 243.6 sq. kilometres, this ultra-modern nerve centre of Malaysia expands outwards to embrace the world. Discovering KL (as locals affectionately call it) is like travelling through a time tunnel. Here, vivid traces of history continue to influence and inspire a country set on becoming a fully industrialised nation by the year 2020. You will see ultra-modern skysrapers standing magnificently next to rows and rows of quaint old shophouses. Haute cuisine beside hawker stalls. To the avid shopper KL, is paradise. From world-renowned designer labels and brands to exquisite made-in-Malaysia items, the highly competitive environment that exists among traders is a blessing in disguise to shoppers. While department retail establishments or at any one of KL's famous night markets. KL will enthrall you. It will capture your heart and mind in a way no other city will. Top Getting Around in Kuala Lumpur The city has an efficient transport network that enables visitors to move around conveniently and economically. Taxi Services Taxi may be hired from taxi stands, hailed by roadsides or through a radio-phone paging system. Tel: 03-2936211, 7330507, 2211011, 7330507, 7815352. City taxis operate by meter. The current rate is RM I.50 for the 1st kilometre and 10 sen for each subsequent 200 metre. Radio taxis charge an additional RM 1.00 for phone bookings. Bus Services There are two types of city buses in Kuala Lumpur, i.e., mini buses and omnibuses. Mini buses charge a standard fare of 60 sen (70 & 90 sen for air-cond mini buses) to any destination within their route. The fare for omnibuses starts at 20 sen and varies with the distance travelled. The following are the major bus terminals in the city: Kelang Bus Station (Bus No: 32 & 33) To Petaling Jaya, Subang Airport, Shah Alam and Port Klang. Jalan Sultan Mohamad Bus Station (Bus No: 13, 19, 32, 40, 42, 48, 244, 274, 31 1, 326, 332, 335, 337, 338 & 793) To Taman Bangsar, Petaling Jaya (Old Town Kelana Jaya and Pantai Buit Damansara. Bang}ok Bank Bus Stand (Bus No: 10, 11, 43 & 71) To Selayang Baru, Segambut Dalam and Batu Caves. Kota Raya Shopping Complex/Menara Maybank (Bus No: 13, 25, 44, 103, 104, 121, 123, 124 & 125) To Jalan Cheras, Sri Petaling, Serdang Lama, Taman Pudu Raya Bus Station (Bus No; 102, 103, 104, 104A, 107, 109, 110 & 133) To Seri Kembangan, Sungei Besi Camp, Balakong, Taman Seri Serdang Kajang. Lebuh Ampang Bus Stand (Bus No: 12, 191) To Taman Greenwood, Kampung Air Panas, Sri Gombak, Taman Setapak and Batu 12 Gombak. Chow Kit Bus Stand (Bus No: 8, 13, 17, 20, 24, 65 & 191) To Kampung Datuk Keramat, Ulu Kelang, Bangsar, Gombak and Jalan Genting Kelang. Top Business Hours Shops generally open from 9.30 am to 7.00 pm while supermarkets and department stores open from 10 am to 10 pm. The bigger stores also remain open on Sundays. Money Changing Foreign currency and travellers cheques may be changed in all commercial banks during banking hours: Mondays to Fridays - 10.00 am to 3.00 pm Saturdays - 9.30 am to 11.30 am Licensed money changers at the airport, international hotels and within the city sometimes offer better rates than banks. Travellers Cheques are also accepted by hotels and major departmental stores but banks give the best rates. Top Tips for Shoppers It is wise to compare prices before you buy to ensure you get the best bargains. Prices in the bigger stores are usually fixed although bargaining is still practised in smaller shops and road side stalls. Check for the correct voltage in electronic and electrical goods. Malaysia, uses 220 volts. Most stores however often sell electrical goods without plugs which may be fitted on request. Top Shopping in Kuala Lumpur Kuala Lumpur, the commercial hub of the country, has its fair share of famous landmarks, historical relics and heritage buildings plus a pulsating night life to keep the visitor occupied day and night. None of these, however, would be complete without the sheer fun and excitement of bargain hunting within the cool comforts of ultra-modem, one-stop shopping complexes or the thrill of browsing among antiques and curio items in the older establishments in the older parts of the city. Mingle with the jostling crowd at the numerous roadside stalls or share in the heady excitement of the carnival like 'pasar malam' or night markets. Top Things you can get in Kuala Lumpur Handicrafts of local origin range from intricate silver, brass and pewter items to pottery, rattan and wickerwork. Batiks of silk and cotton come in tantalisingly vivid hues. The bold designs and dazzling colours of Malaysian Batik set it apart from others within the region. Art objects and curio items from the orient vie for attention with carpets and rugs of lustrous silk and fine wool in traditional designs of intricate geometric motifs or patterned in beautiful flowery designs of pastel hues. There's ready-to-wear apparel of every design and colour and trendy shoes and handbags. From the fashion centres of the world come designer collections, elegant footwear, exclusive watches, optical items and quality fabrics. Electrical appliances, electronic equipment, computers and cameras are available too. And the list goes on..... Top Main shopping areas in Kuala Lumpur The main shopping areas in Kuala Lumpur are the Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman area, Jalan Petaling/ Jalan Bandar area and Jalan Bukit Bintang. Jalan Tuanku Abd. Rahman The main shopping area along Jalan Tuanku Abd. Rahman, stretches from the Jalan Dang Wangi junction to Jalan Tun Perak and is lined on both sides by a quaint mix of ultra modern buildings sandwiched between pre-war buildings whose gracious facades have been lovingly preserved. China Arts and Peiping Lace are a must for lovers of Oriental Art, antiques and curios. Both shops stock an irresistible collection of fine embroidered bed and table lined, carved rosewood furniture, chests and cabinets, Chinese ceramics and jade and ivory carvings. Shops dealing in oriental carpets may also be found here. Jalan Masjid India which runs almost parallel to this area is the place to go to for ethnic goods of Indian origin, sarees, sarongs and textiles. Jalan Bukit Bintang Jalan Bukit Bintang, the 'Golden Mile' of Kuala Lumpur owed its fame in the heyday of the post-war era to 'BB Park', the entertainment complex located on the site of the present Sungei Wang Plaza and BB Plaza. Today, the area is barely recognisable; gone is the gaily lit fairground of merry-go-rounds and ferris wheels and in its place are ultra-modern shopping and commercial complexes, interspersed with towering international standard hotels. Shoppers would lose all sense of time, browsing through the shops of Lot 10, Sungei Wang Plaza, Bukit Bintang Plaza and Kuala Lumpur Plaza. Petaling Street and Jalan Bandar are at the hub of Kuala Lumpur's bustling Chinatown. Shops here offer a variety of textiles, clothes, shoes and handbags at bargain prices. The area is also known for its jewellery shops with their fascinating variety of fine jewellery items beautifully crafted in gold and set with priceless gemstones. Nepalese traders offer exotic ethnic jewellery, wall hangings, ornaments, curios and teapots from India and Burma. Make-shift and mobile stalls jam the streets with their offerings of dried foodstuff, herbs, fruits, flowers and herbal remedies. This is the place to hone your bargaining skills; where a poker face and the 'gift of the gab' would be plus points in your favour. This unusually busy street becomes more lively at night with the sprouting up of stalls offering a diverse range of products from ethnic goods, clothing and cosmetics to 'designer watches'! The bright lights from the shop fronts and stalls combine with the blaring music to lend the area a festive carnival air. Top Fashion/Designer Boutiques The emergence of famous names on the Kuala Lumpur shopping scene is a clear indication that prestige shopping is here to stay! The Lot 10 shopping centre designated its entire 4th floor as the 'Prestige floor' housing exclusive names such as Jaegar, Donna Karan, Nina Ricci and Hanae Mori, to name a few. At City Square, along Jalan Tun Razak, the aura of exclusivity and understated elegance pervades the entire ground floor. Designer boutiques may also be found at Kuala Lumpur Plaza and the Hilton Hotel shopping arcade. Not to be outdone, many other shopping complexes have also alloted several lots to accommodate 'Designer Comers' offering select but impressive range of items. Fashion wear range from classic suits in pure wool and linen, elegant dresses for evenings, chic dresses and smart casuals for day time wear to cheerful, fancy leggings, cycling shorts and sweaters in vivid rainbow colours for the young and 'young at heart'. There is also an equally impressive range of menswear and accessories, leather goods and timepieces and writing instruments, not to mention the mind boggling display of fashion eye wear of every imaginable shape and design. Top Food Outlets Most major shopping centres have a number of restaurants specialising in Malay, Chinese, Indian or Western food located within their premises, for those in a hurry, there's always Mc Donalds or Kentucky Fried Chicken! Some of these complexes devote almost an entire floor to food stalls offering a mouth-watering array of local fast foods. Withs so many food outlets to choose from, the hassle comes only in actually deciding what to eat! Top Asia Travel || Malaysia Hotel & Resorts Malaysia Travel Information

Europe Travel

Europe Travel Pictures | Europe Travel Photos Europe Get travel inspiration and travel suggestions for visiting Europe. Fly your way! Book your flight to Europe online - saving 40% or more! Countries: Andorra Austria Bulgaria Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany Greece Hungary Italy Liechtenstein Lithuania Malta Monaco Norway Poland Portugal Romania Russia Spain Sweden Switzerland The Netherlands Turkey United Kingdom Vatican City No matter how much I travel, I will always consider Europe to be my home. This is the continent where I was born. This is the continent where i was raised (apart from one year in India). This is the continent where I feel at ease. This, in short, is the continent of my roots. Other continents may have their attractiveness, their mysteries, their specialties, their very own characteristics. But Europe remains the base continent for me. This does not mean that I consider Europe to be one. The attractiveness of Europe for me lies in its diversity. There are not many places in the world where so many different cultures live in such a small area, where so many different countries with such different histories all share the same corner of the world, where the origins lie for so many other countries. Wherever you go, in North America, Asia, Australia, Africa or South America, it is always possible to encounter influences from Europe. This can be caused by colonization, by European settlers moving out of the continent, or for other reasons.This will remain the attraction of Europe. It remains fascinating for me that such a small continent, purely by its central geographical position, was able to have such an impact on the entire world. Although this will disappear within a few years, at the time of writing it is still incredible to be travelling around the continent and having to use different money, languages, and manners after every border crossed. Even though the euro might take away some of this romanticism, it will remain an adventure to travel around this continent for a long time to come. Therefore, I would like to invite to click on and visit the Diverse Continent! Go directly to: Africa Asia North America Oceania South America Join our mailinglist: If you want to be updated about developments at Around the World in 80 Clicks, subscribe! Your E-mail address: Travel Forum Join others in discussions on Europe Also on this site: read and sign the guestbook send us your suggestions ! send this site to a friend read about the background of this site publications on this site meet new friends for travel, dating or just fun! Around the World in 80 Clicks All rights reserved - www.traveladventures.org - 1999-2005 Share your comments

France Travel

France Travel Information | Lonely Planet Destination Guide worldguide | shop | thorn tree forum | travel services | travel ticker | theme guides | on the road | postcards | travel links : Explore France France Douce France taught the world just how sweet life should be. At a Glance Fast Facts WORLDGUIDE Introduction Background Info See Image Gallery Events Transport Money General RELATED Thorn Tree Forum Postcards Travel Links More Places Check out our other destinations: Within France Bordeaux Corsica Lille Marseille Nice Paris Toulouse View Map Click here Feature Attraction Château de Versailles Paris' leafy and trés bourgeois suburb of Versailles is home to the grandest and most famous chateau in Europe. It's the site of the most important ... more The French wrote the book on la vie en rose and gave the world champagne and camembert, de Beauvoir and Debussy, the Tour de France and the Tour Eiffel. There's a term for their seductive lifestyle - Douce France (Sweet France) and you'll find yourself using it often. Although the ubiquity of Levis and Le Big Mac flusters the country's cultural purists, anything from a year in Provence to a weekend in Paris will explain why half the world grows dreamy over stalking Cyrano's streets or picnicking Manet-style sur l'herbe . When To Go Spring offers the best weather to visitors, with beach tourism picking up in May. Temperatures aren't too bad in autumn, although the short days mean limited sunlight and the cold starts to make itself felt towards the end of the season, even along the Côte d'Azur. Winter means playing in the snow in France's Alps and Pyrenees, though the Christmas school holidays send hordes of tadpoles in uniform scurrying for the slopes. Mid-July through to the end of August is when most city dwellers take their annual five weeks' vacation to the coasts and mountains, and the half-desolate cities tend to shut down a bit accordingly. The same happens during February and March. Factoid Dirty Pretty Two possibly contradictory statistics about the French: 1. Only 47% of French people bathe or shower every day. 2. French men and women buy more beauty products (creams, masks, etc) than any other people on earth. SPONSORED LINKS Enquire Accomodation Reviews Find Lonely Planet author reviewed places to stay * Required Fields Country * Please select Argentina Australia Austria Belgium Brazil Canada China Cuba Czech Republic Denmark Egypt England Estonia Finland France Germany Hungary Iceland India Ireland Israel & the Palestinian Territories Italy Japan Malaysia Mexico Morocco Netherlands New Zealand Poland Portugal Russia Scotland South Africa South Korea Spain Sweden Taiwan Thailand Turkey USA United Arab Emirates Vietnam City * Please select Travel Services · Flights · Hostels · Hotels · Travel Insurance More Services › On the Road Discover Le Panier, an old girl with a kick in her step. Read it › Disclaimer: We've tried to make theinformation on this web site as accurate as possible, but it isprovided 'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injuryor inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information.You should verify critical information (like visas, health and safety,customs and transportation) with the relevant authorities before youtravel. text & images © lonely planet 2005 about us | privacy | feedback | advertising FAQs worldguide | shop | thorn tree forum | travel services | travel ticker | theme guides | on the road | postcards | travel links

TRAVEL INSURANCE    

Extrasure Travel Insurance - holiday or business trips - for residents of EU countries               EXTRASURE TRAVEL INSURANCE           ANNUAL POLICIES 120 Days per trip 31 Days per trip SHORT TRIPS Extrasure - (Holiday) LONG STAY Backpacker TOP-UP Auto Liability         Have you already read the Initial Disclosure Document giving 'Keyfacts' about us? YES NO Bennett Gould & Partners Limited is a registered Lloyd's Insurance Broker, and is a member of the British Insurance Brokers Association Bennett Gould & Partners Limited Unit 1 Manor Park Business Centre, Mackenzie Way, Cheltenham, GL51 9TX. 01242 518300, or mail extrasure@bgpchelt.com Bennett Gould & Partners Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority   Worldwide Travel Insurance Insurance is arranged and administered by Bennett Gould & Partners Limited a member of the Trans Continental Investment Services Group for further enquiries please phone (UK 0044) (0)1242 518300 or mail extrasure@bgpchelt.com 120 Day Annual Available : to residents of European Union countries Cover : 365 days whilst travelling Duration : up to 120 days any one trip Style : business travel worldwide For persons : aged up to 65 Families : special reduced rates for families Includes : 17 days insurance for Winter Sports 31 Day Annual Available : to residents of European Union countries Cover : 365 days whilst travelling Duration : up to 31 days any one trip Style : good economy travel worldwide For persons : aged up to 70 Families : special reduced rates for families Includes : 17 days insurance for Winter Sports Single Trip Departures : from the EU, including IoM & Channel Isles Duration : up to 180 days, (12 months on referral) Destinations : travel worldwide For persons : aged up to 74 Families : extra special reduced rates Options : insurance for Winter Sports and Activities Options : include cover for journeys One-Way Long Stay Available : to residents of UK and Ireland Duration : single trips of from 3 to 12 months Extendable : up to a maximum of 18 months Style : good economy travel worldwide For persons : aged 18 to 46 Optional : Winter sports Choice of : 2 levels of Cover Drivesure Available : to EU Residents driving rental vehicles Destinations : in USA and Canada, or worldwide Duration : single trips of up to 180 days Cover : Third-Party Excess Liability Insurance Style : Top-up cover for hired or borrowed vehicles For persons : driving, aged between 21 and 74 Optional : Loss Damage Waiver Cover