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France Hotel Deals - Unbiased Reviews - TripAdvisor France Hotel Deals and TripAdvisor SmartDeals Sign in • Sign up Home > Europe > France > SmartDeals France tourism: Overview Hotels Flights Attractions Deals Forums Maps, etc. Discount hotels | Hotel + air deals | All travel offers Search (e.g., Boston hotels, Las Vegas, Paris art museum) France France Overview France Hotels Flights to France France Deals Discount hotels Hotel + air deals All travel offers France Attractions France Forums France Maps France Discount Hotels France Vacation Packages e-mail this page to a friend Popular hotel deals Acapulco hotel deals Alaska hotel deals Amsterdam hotel deals Anaheim hotel deals Arizona hotel deals Aruba hotel deals Aspen hotel deals Atlanta hotel deals Atlantic City hotel deals Bahamas hotel deals Barbados hotel deals Belgium hotel deals Bermuda hotel deals Boston hotel deals Branson hotel deals Breckenridge hotel deals British Virgin Islands hotel deals Cabo San Lucas hotel deals California hotel deals Canada hotel deals Cancun hotel deals Caribbean hotel deals Colorado hotel deals Costa del Sol hotel deals Cozumel hotel deals Dallas hotel deals Daytona Beach hotel deals Dominican Republic hotel deals Florida hotel deals Florida Keys hotel deals Fort Lauderdale hotel deals France hotel deals Germany hotel deals Grand Canyon National Park hotel deals Greece hotel deals Grenada hotel deals Hawaii hotel deals Hilton Head hotel deals Ibiza hotel deals Ireland hotel deals Italy hotel deals Ixtapa hotel deals Jamaica hotel deals Kauai hotel deals Key West hotel deals Lake Placid hotel deals Lake Tahoe hotel deals Las Vegas hotel deals London hotel deals Los Angeles hotel deals Los Cabos hotel deals Maui hotel deals Mazatlan hotel deals Melbourne hotel deals Mexico hotel deals Miami hotel deals Montreal hotel deals Myrtle Beach hotel deals Nashville hotel deals Nassau hotel deals New York hotel deals New York City hotel deals Niagara Falls hotel deals Nova Scotia hotel deals Oahu hotel deals Orlando hotel deals Paris hotel deals Park City hotel deals Philadelphia hotel deals Phoenix hotel deals Pigeon Forge hotel deals Puerto Rico hotel deals Puerto Vallarta hotel deals Punta Cana hotel deals Quebec City hotel deals Reno hotel deals Rome hotel deals Salt Lake City hotel deals San Antonio hotel deals San Diego hotel deals San Francisco hotel deals Santa Fe hotel deals Scotland hotel deals Seattle hotel deals Spain hotel deals St. Croix hotel deals St. Lucia hotel deals St. Maarten/St. Martin hotel deals St. Thomas hotel deals Sydney hotel deals Texas hotel deals Toronto hotel deals Tucson hotel deals U.S. Virgin Islands hotel deals Vail hotel deals Virginia Beach hotel deals Washington DC hotel deals Whistler hotel deals Read more France tourism France Hotel Deals and TripAdvisor SmartDeals Hotel deals Super-savers, web deals, exclusive promotions — find today's best deals in France lodging! France : Book Best Available Room. ClassicVacations.com Call 800-921-2680 to find your luxury travel specialist France : Book Now - Pay on Checkout! Venere.com Buying Direct Means Lower Prices. Hotels, B&Bs, Apartments and More. France : Why stay in tiny hotel room? Villa4Vacation.com Rent from owners. Vacation Rentals: Less money, more room! Paris Hotels www.Hotels-Paris.fr 250 Charming Hotels selected. Up to 50% discount- No prepayment 7000 hotels in France FranceHotelNetwork.com Special offer: Rooms from 39 Book Online or Call +33 489 884 005 France Hotels www.francehotelreservation.com Wide Selection of hotels in France Compare and Book online or by phone Discount Europe Hotels visiteu.net Wide Choice of European Hotels - Instant Booking, Amazing Rates! Hotels www.Travelocity.com Find Low Rates, Nearby Attractions & Dining, Hotel Pics, Maps & More! Paris Las Vegas www.ParisLasVegas.com Rates from $99/night! Best Rate Plus Guarantee. Book Now Heart of Paris hotels www.heart-of-paris-hotels.com A selection of charming hotels on the famous places of Paris. View more France hotel specials Hotel + air — Save money! Book hotel + air and save! Often called packages, these bundles can save you a bundle. France : Vacation Planning Experts. ClassicVacations.com Call 800-921-2650 to find your luxury travel specialist France : Low Vacation Prices Made Easy Orbitz Vacations The faster, easier way to find the hotel you want. Just Orbitz and go! Europe Vacation Packages www.GoAheadTours.com Buy Any Package - One Free Airfare. See Our Vacation Packages Today! All-Inclusive Resorts www.resortvacationstogo.com Great rates on the all-inclusive resorts in Mexico and Caribbean. Delta to France www.delta.com Booking your flight online at Delta.com just got even easier! France Vacation www.BudgetTravelOnline.com Travel Tips & Info on Destinations All Over Europe - Learn More! Vacation packages www.funjet.com FunJet Offers All-Inclusive Vacations For Less. Book Today! AAVacations.com www.aavacations.com As individual as you are. Book your dream vacation. TotalTrip on Travelocity www.Travelocity.com Save big when you create your own custom trip. Book Flight & Hotel. French Castle Vacations www.simplychateau.com 350+ self-catered castle & manor house rentals throughout France. View all 2859 France hotel + air packages Car rental Find great deals on rental cars. Europe car rental www.alamo.com Going to Europe? Reserve your rental car now at Alamo.com Car Rental France www.kemwel.com Save on Your France Car Rental. Book Online Today with Kemwel. Discount Car Hire France www.rentacar-worldwide.com Save on car rental in France when you book through Nova RentaCar Car Hire France-Online www.autoreservation.com Great Discount Rates with Alamo, Europcar, Sixt and more Airfare Get flight info from the airport of your choice to France All travel offers Don't see your favorite France hotel here? Click here to view all our deals for France hotels. Looking for More Deals? See all the travel deals TripAdvisor has to offer. Discount hotels Hotel + air deals All travel offers SmartDeals SmartDeals are the best deals we found on very popular hotels in France. Save up to 33% on 5-star hotels Four Seasons Hotel George V Average price: $979 Four Seasons Hotel George V - Great Rooms from $663 - Orbitz.com | More reviews, deals Hotel Lancaster Average price: $578 Hotel Lancaster - Great Rooms from $490 - Orbitz.com | More reviews, deals Chateau de Bagnols Average price: $490 Chateau de Bagnols - Book best available room - ClassicVacations.com | More reviews, deals 4-star hotels Renaissance Paris Vendome Renaissance Paris Vendome from $455 - Expedia.com | More reviews, deals Hotel de la Cite Average price: $384 Hotel de la Cite - Great Rates - Hôtel de la Cité | More reviews, deals 3-star hotels Victoria Palace Average price: $321 Victoria Palace - Great Rates - hotels.com | More reviews, deals Hotel d'Aubusson Average price: $408 Hotel d'Aubusson - Book Now! - Venere.com | More reviews, deals Save up to 35% on other SmartDeals Chateau des Ormeaux Average price: $151 Chateau des Ormeaux from $136 - Active Hotels | More reviews, deals Hotel Le Manoir les Minimes Average price: $190 Hotel Le Manoir les Minimes from $124 - Active Hotels | More reviews, deals Hotel Le Walt Average price: $289 Hotel Le Walt - Book Now! - Venere.com | More reviews, deals Read more about France travel! TripAdvisor's Tourism page has the web's best articles on France travel . Our France hotels page presents hotels ranked by popularity - read traveler reviews and guidebooks. Looking for things to do in France? Try our Attractions page! Visit our France forums page to ask questions and get advice about France travel. TripAdvisor forums let you ask questions and get advice - post in our France forums . Our Maps, etc. page has maps and other travel information. Visit our France discount hotels page for great savings on France hotels, including TripAdvisor SmartDeals. Looking for vacation packages to France? We've got deals including hotel and airfare. Book a flight to France on our Flights page. To view all the specials, vacation packages, and other travel offers we've found, visit our All travel offers page. About TripAdvisor Visit TripAdvisor for the very best deals on the most popular hotels in France. 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Italy Travel

Italy Hotels, Italy Hotel Reservations in Rome, Venice... Italy Hotels Online Hotel Reservations with Instant Confirmation Milan | Rome | Florence | Venice | Bologna | All destinations | Hotels around the World | About us | Help Hotels in Italy Find Accommodation in Italy: Hotels , Bed & Breakfast , Apartments with real time availability and online direct booking. Quick & easy Hotel Reservation in Italy Why Traveleurope? No deposit! No intermediate fee Instant confirmation Interactive city maps Car Rental Italy Fairs in Italy 1 Where do you like to go? Amalfi Coast Lake Como Naples Sorrento Bologna Lake Maggiore Rimini Turin Florence Mestre Rome Venice Genoa Milan Siena Verona All destinations Choose a destination Abano terme Abbadia san salvatore Abetone Abruzzo coast Aci castello Acquappesa Acqui terme Aeolian islands Agrigento Alassio Alba Alberobello Alessandria Alghero Alps - dolomites Altavilla vicentina Amalfi Amalfi coast Anacapri Ancona Andora Anghiari Anzola emilia Aosta Arabba Arbatax Arborea Arco Arenzano Arese Arezzo Argegno Assago Assisi Avellino Azzate Bacoli Bagni di lucca Baia domizia Baja sardinia Bareggio Bari Basiglio Bassano del grappa Bastardo Bastia umbra Battiferro Baveno Bellagio Belluno Bentivoglio Bergamo Bettona Bibione Biella Binasco Bisceglie Bivigliano Bologna Bologna airport Bolsena lake Bonassola Bordighera Borgomanero Brescia Bressanone Brindisi Brufa di torgiano Brunate Brusimpiano Buonconvento Buscate Bussolengo Cagliari Calcinaia Caldogno Calenzano Caltanisetta Camogli Campi bisenzio Canalicchio di collazzone Candiolo Caorle Capo vaticano Capoliveri Capri Cardano al campo Carimate Carmagnola Carpi Casale monferrato Casale sul sile Casalvelino Casapulla Casciano di murlo Cascina Caselle di sommacampagna Caserta Casier Casorate sempione Casoria Castagnole lanze Castel d'azzano Castel maggiore Castel san giovanni Castel san pietro terme Castel volturno Castellammare di stabia Castelleone Castelli romani Castello di cisterna Castenedolo Castiglioncello Castiglione del lago Castrovillari Catania Cattolica Cavriglia Cecina Cefal Celle ligure Cento Ceriale Cesano maderno Cesena Cesenatico Chianciano terme Chianti Chiavari Chioggia Chiusi Cilento Cinisello balsamo Cinquale Cinque terre Circeo Citt della pieve Citt di castello Citt sant'angelo Cittanova Civitavecchia Claviere Colle val d'elsa Colli sul velino Comerio Como Como lake Contignano Corbara Cortina d'ampezzo Cortona Cosenza Costa marchigiana Costa smeralda Costermano Courmayeur Craveggia Cremona Crotone Deiva marina Desenzano del garda Diacceto Diano marina Dolo Dolomites Donnini Dozza Elba Erba Erice Erice mare Etruscan coast Fabriano Faedo Faenza Falconara marittima Fano Feltre Ferrara Fiano romano Fiesole Fiesso d'artico Fiumicino Fiumicino airport Florence Florence airport Foligno Follina Forl Fossacesia Francavilla di sicilia Frascati Friuli coast Fuipiano valle imagna Furore Gabicce mare Gaeta Gaiole in chianti Gallarate Garda lake Gargano Gela Genoa Genoa airport Gerenzano Giardini naxos Gioiosa marea Giugliano Grado Gravedona Gravina di catania Greve in chianti Grosseto Gualdo cattaneo Gualtieri Guardamiglio Guardia piemontese m.na Gubbio Igea marina Imola Imperia Impruneta Induno olona Ischia Iseo lake Jesi Jesolo La quercia La spezia Lacco ameno Lacona capoliveri Laglio Lamezia terme Langhe Lastra a signa Laterina Latina Lavagna Lavarone Lerici Levanto Levico terme Lezzeno Lido di camaiore Lido di jesolo Lignano pineta Lignano sabbiadoro Linate airport Lipari Livorno Loano Lonate pozzolo Loro ciuffenna Lucca Lugano lake Madonna del sasso Madonna dell'acqua Madonna di campiglio Maggiore lake Maiori Malabergo Malcontenta Malpensa airport Mantova Maratea Marcialla Maremma Marghera Marina di bibbona Marina di campo Marina di pietrasanta Massa lubrense Massa marittima Massa martana Massalombarda Massino visconti Matera Merano Mercatale val di pesa Mesagne Messina Mestre Milan Milano marittima Minerbio Mira Mirano Modena Moena Mogliano veneto Molini di triora Moltrasio Moncalieri Moneglia Monferrato Montaione Montalcino Montecatini terme Montecchio maggiore Montefalco Montefiascone Montemerano Monteporzio catone Montepulciano Monteriggioni Monteroni d'arbia Montesilvano Montesolaro di carimate Montespertoli Monticelli terme Monzuno Mortara Murlo Naples Naples airport Naples gulf Nervi Nola Noli Norcia Noto Noventa di piave Olbia Olmo Opera Oristano Orta lake Orta san giulio Orvieto Oscano Ostia Ostuni Padua Paestum Paganico Palaia Palermo Panicale Paratico franciacorta Parco nazionale del pollino Parghelia Parma Passignano sul trasimeno Pavia Perugia Pesaro Pescara Pettenasco Piacenza Pietra ligure Pietralunga Pieve a nievole Pieve di cento Pignone Pilastro Pilzone d'iseo Pineto Pinzolo Pisa Pisa airport Pistoia Pitigliano Plan de corones Poggibonsi Poggio a caiano Pollein Pomaia Pomezia Pontassieve Ponte san giovanni Pontedera Ponzano veneto Poppi Pordenone Porlezza Porretta terme Porto azzurro Porto recanati Portoferraio Portofino Portoscuso Portovenere Positano Pozzuoli Praiano Prata Prato Predazzo Preganziol Procida Quart Quarto d'altino Quercegrossa Radda in chianti Radicofani Ranco Rapallo Ravello Recco Reggio calabria Reggio emilia Riccione Rieti Rimini Riomaggiore Riva del garda Riviera ligure Riviera romagnola Roccatederighi Rodigo di mantova Rome Roncade Roncadelle Ronchi dei legionari Ronzone Rota d'imagna Rovereto Rubano S. marco evangelista Saint christophe Sale marasino Salice terme Salo Salsomaggiore terme San baronto lamporecchio San bartolomeo al mare San candido San casciano val di pesa San felice circeo San francesco al campo San genesio ed uniti San gimignano San giovanni la punta San giovanni lupatoto San giovanni rotondo San giovanni valdarno San giuliano terme San marino San martino buon albergo San martino in campo San mauro torinese San pantaleo San rocco di piegara San vigilio di marebbe Sanremo Sansepolcro Sant'alessio siculo Sant'angelo Sant'ilario d'enza Santa margherita di pula Santa margherita ligure Santa maria navarrese Santa marinella Santa teresa di gallura Santo stefano di camastra Sardinia southern coast Sassari Sassuolo Savignone Scandicci Selvino Senigallia Senise Serravalle pistoiese Sesto san giovanni Sestri levante Sicily northern coast Siena Siena countryside Signa Sinalunga Siracusa Sirmione Solofra Somma lombardo Sorrento Spello Sperlonga Spoleto Spotorno Stezzano Stresa Subiaco Susa Tabiano bagni Taormina Tavarnelle val di pesa Tavarnuzze Termini imerese Terni Tirrenia Todi Torbole Torgiano Torre annunziata Torre del greco Torrette di fano Tortol Tosi Trapani Trasimeno lake Trento Trescore balneario Trevi Treviso Trieste Tropea Tuoro sul trasimeno Turin Udine Urbino Usmate velate Vagliagli Val di susa Valdaora Valle scrivia Valsugana Varazze Varese Varigotti Vasto Vecchiano Venice Venice airport Ventimiglia Verbania Verona Versilia Viareggio Vibo valentia Vicenza Vico equense Vieste Vietri sul mare Vignale monferrato Villasimius Vimercate Vimodrone Vinci Viterbo Vogogna Volcano Volterra Zambrone Zampogna 2 When will you be travelling? Checkin -- 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 --- Jul 2005 Aug 2005 Sep 2005 Oct 2005 Nov 2005 Dec 2005 Jan 2006 Feb 2006 Mar 2006 Apr 2006 May 2006 Jun 2006 Checkout -- 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 --- Jul 2005 Aug 2005 Sep 2005 Oct 2005 Nov 2005 Dec 2005 Jan 2006 Feb 2006 Mar 2006 Apr 2006 May 2006 Jun 2006 3 How many rooms do you need? Rooms 1 2 3 Hotels in Rome our hints Termini Railway station hotels Fiumicino Airport hotels Hotels by Via Veneto Cheap hotels in Rome Top Hotel Spring House Airport Hotels Rome Fiumicino Airport hotels Milan Malpensa Airport hotels Milan Linate Airport hotels Florence Airport hotels Venice Airport hotels Venice hotels for all budgets Saint Mark Venice hotels 4 Star Hotels in Venice Cheap hotels in Venice Budget Traveller Mestre Hotels Top Residenza Cannaregio Business in Milan Fiera - Exhibition Centre Milan Historical Centre Hotels Milan Stazione Centrale 4 Star Hotels in Milan Top Top Hotel Liberty Milan Hotels around the World Get the best offers in top destinations all over the world Europe United States North & South America Caribbean Islands Australia & South Pacific Asia Middle-East Africa Rome Hotels Milan Hotels Florence Hotels Bologna Hotels Venice Hotels Naples Hotels Italy by city Amalfi Assisi Genoa Lake Como Lake Maggiore Lucca Mestre Naples Palermo Perugia Pisa Rimini Siena Sorrento Treviso Trieste Turin Verona Other cities... 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Asia Travel

PHILIPPINES TRAVEL INFORMATION Philippines Country Information The Land || History || The People || First-time Traveler Tips || Visas || Customs || Currency || Weather Clothing || Utilities || Newspapers & Media || Business Hours || Language || Getting Around Modes of Transport || Weather Conditions || Things to Know || Sightseeing || Museums and Art Further Information The Land The Philippines is an archipelagic nation made up of 7,107 islands spanning 1,840 kilometers north to south. It is part of the East Indies, a vast island group lying south and east of mainland Asia, with Taiwan at its northernmost coast and Borneo on the south. The three main Philippine island groups are Luzon , the Visayas and Mindanao . Luzon is the island of contrasts. The most modern districts in the Philippines , including the capital city of Manila , are in Luzon , but so are some of the oldest tribal communities in the nation like the Ifugao of the Cordilleras. Luzon is also where a visitor can see the latest model luxury cars overtaking a carabao sled or modern skyscrapers within driving distance of primordial volcanos. The Visayas is famous for its charm, a trait shared by many other southern regions in the world, but here seems to run deeper among a people who are intrinsically connected to their sun soaked island home. The Visayas is also famous as a seat of history, being one of the earliest landfalls of western voyagers. It has also gained a reputation as being a cradle of the nation's future, if the unprecedented economic growth of Cebu City continues. Mindanao is our offering to the Guinness Book of Records with the world's largest clam, the world's largest Eagle, the nation's highest peak and the world's largest city. Mindanao is also home to the Philippines' Muslim population. With a land mass of 300, 780 square kilometers, the Philippines is considered a medium-sized nation, about two- thirds the size of its first colonizer, Spain, and a little larger than the British Isles. Manila is only one hour and 40 minutes from Hong Kong by jet; Sydney only 7 1/2 hours away. Flights to Europe take 17 hours and to the American west coast 15 hours. The Philippines has many things to offer the visitor: a mixture of the old and the new, a diversity of art and culture and a warm, friendly people. Blessed by nature, the Philippines has something to offer every sportsman too . . . extraordinary dive sites, forests to roam, mountains to climb, caves to explore. Top History Situated on the crossroads of Asia, on the eastern rim of the China Sea, the Philippines has hosted voyagers, migrants and traders since the dawn of history. That it was the center of lively Asian trade route that stretched all the way to China and Japan can be seen from the relics these early visitors left behind. Among our archaeological treasures is a Neolithic spirit boat typical of early Southeast Asian culture. The West discovered the Philippines when Ferdinand Magellan, the Portuguese explorer who sailed for Spain, landed in Cebu in 1521. However, colonization didn't actually begin until 1565, when Miguel Lopez de Legazpi established a Spanish base in the town of Manila. Because Philippine society was loosely organized, without a central government, the Spanish conquest was rapid and total. Only the Muslims in the south and some inaccessible hill tribes were able to resist Spanish influence. Along with the Spanish conquerors came a new religion, Christianity, a new language, new laws and the galleon trade. Despite several uprisings against Spain, including the Katipunan, a revolutionary movement inspired by Dr. Jose Rizal and led by Andres Bonifacio, it was the United States of America that broke the Spaniard's grip on the Philippines. Unfortunately, that began the nation's second period of colonization. Once again there was resistance, this time led by Emilio Aguinaldo; but his rag-tag army was no match for Admiral Dewey's forces. In 1901, with Aguinaldo's capture, the Americans were entrenched. The Americans brought over their educational system, their legal system and planted the seeds of their own style of government. In 1935, the Philippines became an American commonwealth country with Manuel Luis Quezon as president. The status quo ended with the Japanese Occupation; and it wasn't until 1946, after the end of the Pacific war, that the Philippines finally regained true independence as the Republic of the Philippines under the presidency of Manuel Roxas. Still one of the strongest democracies in Asia, the current president is Joseph Ejercito Estrada. Top The People Halo-halo is a Filipino word that means mixture. While it describes a popular dessert, it could also describe the Filipinos. They look like Asians, write and speak English like Americans, worship like Spaniards, and have an outlook that is international. Like the Southern Chinese, the Thai, Malay, Indonesian and Burmese, the modern-day Filipino traces his remotest genetic lines back to an Australoid and Mongoloid stock. You will also find a touch of Caucasian, Chinese, Indian and Arabic in their gene pool as well. But to truly understand the Filipino, you have to look at the land. The historic isolation between islands and the topographic isolation on each island, become the primary influence governing regional traits and societal behavior. This diversity makes Filipinos all the more interesting. However, what is apparent isn't how different they are from each other, but rather how alike they are. Brought together by a common history, and looking forward to a common future, it is not surprising to find a sharing of certain traits. Their warmth, graciousness and hospitalityall part of the Filipino psychewill make your stay a delight. Top Tips for First-time Philippine Travelers Generally speaking, it is important to travel light. Bring only what's necessary. Avoid the extra baggage. You don't want to pay exorbitant fees for your luggage service. As in any foreign place, be careful with pickpockets. Some might act as a helpful stanger, but they're out to get something from you! It's good to be cautious at all times. Whenever going outdoors, being in a group is recommended. If you're bringing kids with you, make sure to bring all the things they would need, like medicine, bottles of potable water (although many bottled water is available, it is always recommended to bring one), and one of your kids' favorite toys for their own receration. Top Visas If you are coming from America, Asia or Europe with a valid passport, and either a return ticket or a ticket to another destination outside the Philippines you may enter without a formal visa and stay for 21 days. If you wish to stay longer you must obtain a Visa Extension either before your trip from a Philippine Consulate or Embassy. Or, once here, you may obtain it from the Bureau of Immigration. Customs Upon Arriving: Visitors are allowed to bring in duty free personal belongings, two cartons of cigarettes or two tins of pipe tobacco and up to one liter of alcohol. Balikbayans have separate rules and should check with the Embassy or Consulate in their home city. You may bring in unlimited amount of foreign currency. Upon Leaving: Any antiques you may have acquired during your stay must be accompanied by a certificate from the National Museum. You may also not take more than PhP5,000.00 (five thousand Philippine pesos) out of the country. Currency The currency in the Philippines is the Peso (PhP) and the Centavo. 100 centavos = P1. Coin denominations are: 1, 5, 10, and 25 centavos, P1, and P5. Bill denominations are : 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1, 000 pesos. Foreign currency may be exchanged at your hotel, and in most of the large department stores, banks and authorized money changing shops. Exchanging money anywhere else is illegal and the laws are strictly enforced. Most large stores, restaurants , hotels and resorts accept major credit cards including American Express , Visas and MasterCard. Traveller' s checks preferably American Express are accepted at hotels and large department stores. Personal checks drawn on foreign banks are generally not accepted. Top Weather The Philippines is tropical with just two seasons--hot and dry from November to June, and rainy from July to October. Filipinos will tell you that it is cool from December through February and they themselves will wear jackets. Clothing People in the Philippines dress for the weather (HOT!) Casual attire during the day for women are light blouses and shorts. For men collared T- shirts worn over slacks. In the evening skirts are substituted for shorts and the T-shirts are tucked in. For Men Only: If you expect to have to attend any occasion which would usually require a jacket and a tie (which is torture in this weather) there is a wonderful substitute. Go immediately to a department store and buy a barong tagalog. It is an embroidered shirt that is considered a formal dress. It will cost more or less PhP1,000.00, but it is worth every centavo. Utilities Electricity is 220 volts a/c. Many of the major tourist hotels also have 110 volt a/c outlets. Water supply in Metro Manila and in all the other major cities are considered potable. Bottled purified water, spring water or mineral water is often supplied by hotels and resorts, and sold in all grocery stores. Telephone service is modern and you can direct dial anywhere in the world. Public phones are plentiful. Public phones require a minimum of two one-peso coins for a local call. Some Important Telephone Numbers: (24-Hour Hotline) Police & Fire: 757 or 116 Emergency No.: 501- 650 or 501- 728 Directory Assistance: 114 National Operator: 109 International Operator: 108 For other emergency numbers, please refer to Directory . NOTE: It is advisable to always have the telephone number and the address of your embassy or consulate with you. Top Newspapers & Other Media The newspapers in the Philippines have been called the freest in the world, as you will see for yourself, with more than 24 different morning papers to choose from, most of them in English. There is also a wide selection of magazines printed in English including Time, Newsweek and Asiaweek. In Metro Manila you can buy the Asian Wall Street Journal, The International Herald Tribune and USA Today. Television is "on the air" from early morning to midnight, showing American programming as well as local programming. The standard channels are 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 13, and 23. If you need more channels, most of the major hotels are with Cable TV bringing in TV programs from all over the world. There is also AM and FM radio broadcasting with the pop stations primarily on AM in Filipino and the English language programs on FM. Top Business Hours Most businesses are open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM weekdays and 8:00 AM till noon Saturdays. Banks are open from 9:00 AM till 3:00 PM Mondays through Fridays. When banking in the Philippines, it is advisable to have your passport with you for identification. The post offices are open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM weekdays only. Stamps for postcards are frequently available from the Concierge Desk at most major hotels. The Philippines uses ZIP codes, please include them in addressing local mail. NOTE: The Standard lunch hour is noon to 1:00 PM. Most businesses and government offices are closed. Language While there are over 100 regional languages in the Philippines, the national language is Filipino, with English as the most widely spoken second language. All business, governmental and legal transactions are conducted in English. Top Getting Around There are four modes of public transport in Metro Manila and surprisingly, they are easy to use. Buses : Both air-conditioned and regular buses travel most of the major routes in Metro Manila. On an air-con bus a short ride costs PhP 9.00, adding a few peso for every succeeding kilometer. The regular bus' minimum fare is PhP 4.00. Just tell the conductor where you are going and he will tell you how much it costs. Keep your bus receipt as it is your proof of payment. Jeepneys : Called "folk arton wheels," jeepneys ply most of Manila's secondary roads and even a few major thoroughfares. They're as much fun to ride on as they are to look at and you have to try one. Although there are regular stops, you can often just flag one down and hop on. Call out "bayad" (bah-yhad) and pay the driver. If you are too far back, pass your PhP 4.00 (minimum fare for the first 4 kilometers; 1 peso additional for every succeeding 500 meters) down. When you are ready to get off, call out "para" (pah-rah); wait till he slows down and jump. The LRT : It's a fast, cheap way to go to downtown Manila. A token can take you between Monumento (the northern end of Edsa) and Baclaran, travelling first along Rizal Avenue and then Taft Avenue. Many of the tourist maps have the route of the LRT marked. The MRT : After it's somewhat unsuccessful opening, the MRT is now enjoying a fair share of passengers plying EDSA. This is definitely the fastest mode of transport, this side of the metropolis. The MRT runs from the North Avenue Station in Quezon City up to Taft Avenue Station in Pasay City. Passengers would enjoy the traffic-less route, clean stations and coach, with a good view of Metro Manila's landscape. The only problem is that some stations have very high stairways. Although a number of elevators is operational, not all stations have one. Travel time is approximately 20 minutes end to end. Taxis : Air-conditioned taxis cost PhP25.00 on the meter and an additional PhP 2.00 is added for every succeeding 200 meters to the final cost. Non-airconditioned taxis do not ply anymore. Taxis are always lined up at the major hotels and tourist restaurants and can be hailed on the street. If you take a taxi, make sure the driver turns on the meter. If he gives you a story that it is broken, get out and take another taxi. Unless you are taking a long trip or the traffic is unusually horrible, most taxi rides should be well under P100. At least a 10% tip is expected. Top Other Modes of Transport Most of the major car rental agencies, including AVIS, Budget, and Hertz have offices in Metro Manila and carry a full line of vehicles from jeeps to limousines. All vehicles may be rented with or without a driver. If you wish to do your own driving you must have a valid foreign or international license. Inter-island transportation is provided by either airplane or ferry boat. Philippine Airlines services most of the major provincial airports. Cebu Pacific, Asian Spirit, SeaAir, Air Philippines, and Pacific Airways are smaller carriers servicing more remote tourist destinations. For information about boat schedules, check with the Department of Tourism on T.M. Kalaw Street, Manila (63-2-5267652, 5267653, 5267655). Top WEATHER CONDITIONS & GEOGRAPHY Climate: Tropical (two seasons) Dry Season: March -May (warm) 33-34 C Wet Season: June- October (monsoonal) November -February (coolest) 29-31C Coastline: 334,539 km. Terrain: Many of the islands in the Philippines are extinct volcanoes and atolls. On the larger islands, many mountains, rainforests, rich valleys and swamp regions. The Philippines still does have thermal activity consisting of active volcanoes and hot springs. Top THINGS TO KNOW Language: Filipino (based on Tagalog dialect) is the National Language. The American occupation was responsible for teaching the English Language. The Philippines is currently the third largest English speaking country in the world. Currency: Peso(PhP). Notes are issued in denominations of , PhP 10, PhP 20, PhP 50, PhP 100, PhP 500, and PhP 1000. Coins are issued for 5c, 10c, 25c, PhP 1, PhP 5. Foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks, hotels and authorized exchanged dealers. Outside of Manila payments are preferably made in pesos. Major Travellers Cheques are widely accepted. Major Credit Cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Diners Club) can be used to pay for most goods and services. Bank Hours: Banks are open 9am-3pm Mon-Fri (except public holidays). Shop Hours: Most shops operate 10am-7.30pm daily (except public holidays). Time : Local time is GMT plus 8 hours. Business English is the language used. Sexual equality is more widespread in the Philippines than in other Asian countries. Make sure you have business cards. Top SIGHTSEEING Casa Manila: A replica mid 19th Century house, recreating the Intramuros lifestyle of upper class Filipinos at this time. Corner Real and General Lunar Streets, Intramuros, Manila. Luzon Chocolate Hills : Bohols most famous attraction: the area is named thus, because of the rich grass which covers them turns brown in summer. Carmen Town, Bohol. Visayas* Colon Street: The oldest street in the Philippines located in the heart of Cebu. Cebu. Visayas* Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery: The only underground cemetery in the Philippines; it served as a meeting place for the revolutionary leaders in Laguna. Laguna, Luzon Island Magellans Cross: The most historically-famous landmark in Cebu. Planted by Ferdinand Magellan in 1521, it marks the place where the first Christian Filipinos were baptized. Cebu. Visayas* Top PARKS & WILDLIFE Katibawasan Falls: These 250-foot falls cascade down to a pool surrounded by orchids and other rich tropical flora- 4 km from Mambajao. Camiguin. Mindinao* Maquinit Hot Springs : Located on a scenic beach corner, this is the premium hot spring in the Philippines. Palawan. Luzon* Hidden Valley: A natural recluse is created within this 90-meter crater . A haven for lush jungle life, natural springs and still water pools. Accommodation available. Alaminos, Laguna. Luzon, Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife: Quezon Avenue. Quezon City. Luzon. Rizal Memorial Park: Within the lush park there are monuments, a skating rink and adventure playground. Free concerts every Sunday. Ermita, Manila. Luzon. Top MUSEUMS AND ART GALLERIES Museums & art galleries Ateneo Art Gallery Quezon City Tel: (02) 998 721 Metropolitan Museum of Manila Tel: (02) 832 3645 National Museum Manila Tel: (02) 494 450 Villa Escudero San Pablo City, Quezon City Tel: (02) 521 8698 Top VISAS AND PASSPORTS Visa and Passport No Visas are required for foreigners entering the country for a stay no longer than 21 days provided that you have valid passports and tickets to leave the Philippines. Visas are required only for stateless persons and citizens of countries with which the Philippines have no diplomatic relations. A temporary visitor's visa is required for those who are planning to stay up to 59 days. Vaccination certificates may be neccesary for long term stays. Holders of Hongkong and Taiwan passports need special permits. All visas and permits may be obtained from Philippine embassies and consulates. Duty Free Items: Two 1-litre bottles of alchohol, and two cartons of cigarettes are allowed. Air Travel to the Country : Ninoy Aquino International Airport (7 km from city centre) Ninoy Aquino Avenue Manila, Philippines: Mactan International Airport Cebu, Philippines: (Most major airlines have flights to the country). Top FURTHER INFORMATION Department of Tourism: T.M. Kalaw Street Rizal Park Metro Manila P.O. Box 3451 Tel: (02)523-8411 Fax: (02) 521 7374 Philippine Convention and Visitors Corporatiom: 4th Floor, Suites 10-17 Legasi Towers 300 Roxas Boulevard Metro Manila Tel: (02) 525-93-18-27 Fax: (02) 521-61-65/ 525-33-14 Top