Italy Travel Resources: Rome

Italy - Travel and Tourism Information for Italy  You are here: About > Travel > Italy for Visitors Travel Go Italy Essentials Italy Profile Top Ten Cities to Visit in Italy Eating Out in Italy Ski in Piedmont New Year's Celebrations in Italy Articles & Resources Planning and Information Florence, Italy Rome, Italy Venice, Italy More Italian Cities Regions of Italy Italy Pictures Food and Wine of Italy Language and Culture Festivals and Events Gay and Lesbian Travel Italian History Things to Do in Italy Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Italy for Visitors newsletter! See Online Courses   Search Italy for Visitors From Martha Bakerjian , Your Guide to Italy for Visitors . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Travel to Milan, Italy Milan is one of Italy's most fashionable and richest cities but it also has many great artistic and historical sights and a thriving cultural scene. Home to the largest Gothic cathedral in the world and the famous opera house, La Scala, Milan has a lot to offer the traveler. If you want to travel in northern Italy, Milan, with 2 airports, makes a convenient starting or ending destination. Read our Travel Profile of Milan, Italy , to learn more about Milan. You don't have to spend as much money as the CIA did on their stay in Milan. If you want to look for a hotel, here are some Milan Hotel listings with links to Kayak so that you can compare prices and even book online if you find one you like. Tuesday December 27, 2005 | permalink 2006 Winter Olympic Update According to Northern Italy's Torino 2006 Blog , the Olympic Village in Turin is complete and ready for the Winter Olympics starting in February. The village has 750 apartments as well as service buildings and will be converted to residential and student housing following the games. Meanwhile, the Olympic torch is spending the Christmas holidays with friends and family in Sicily and will resume its travels on December 26. The travel route will take the torch into southern Italy where it will arrive in Naples on New Year's Eve. Naples has one of the best New Year's Eve fireworks displays in Italy. More on Celebrating the New Year in Italy . Sunday December 25, 2005 | permalink Where Are Italians Going This Christmas? According to AGI News , 7 million Italians will travel outside their city during the long Christmas weekend this year. 30% are families who will return on the 26th or 27th but 70% will take an extended vacation and travel through at least January 1. Where will they go? 65% will visit relatives or friends or their second home. The rest will travel to a mountain resort or visit one of the Italian art cities - Rome, Venice, or Florence. Most of those who plan to travel outside Italy will visit another European capital. Italy Travel Resources: Rome Travel Resources | Venice Travel Resources | Florence Picture Gallery | Winter Sports in the Piedmont Mountains Saturday December 24, 2005 | permalink Italy in the Travel Blogs: St. Nick and the Government Wine Bar Italians celebrate St. Nicholas in a feast day on December 6th. But did you know that St. Nick is buried in the coast town of Bari after sailors stole his body from Myra, Turkey? Gadling has the goods. Attitudes toward wine are different in Italy than in the US. Imagine the outcry in the US if the government financed a wine bar, just like the Italian region of Lazio did recently. Check out Gridskipper's Your Government Wine Bar . Friday December 23, 2005 | permalink Relive Casanova's Venice--or not Perhaps it was the movie Casanova ,but the old libertine's lusty ways seem to be undergoing a sort ofRenaissance. As you know, the legendary lover's heritage includes theoft publicized use of the early condom, which for Casanova consisted ofa reusable sheep-gut sheath tied on with a pink ribbon and rinsed, whenrequired, in the Grand Canal. Now, according to Venice Word ,"fourteen million tourists a year can now leave with a new"serenissimo" gadget that appears destined to be a hit: the Casanovacondom packed in a single-unit package with the image of GiacomoCasanova." You probably won't need to stand in line at Venice pharmacies toprocure a Casanova special, they'll be available in 2006 attobacconists and newspaper kiosks, the same place you get your bustickets, usually. And hold on you your...hats, "Beginning in January, the Casanova will also be sold in a seven-condom package shaped like a... gondola." Italy Travel Resources: Venice Tuesday December 20, 2005 | permalink Florence Picture Gallery The off season is a wonderful time to capture the best light of Florence. Check out our new photo gallery: Florence Pictures - Monuments, Buildings and the art of Florence, Italy . The pictures, taken on Thanksgiving day, include a Florence street decorated for the winter holidays and two cow sculptures, part of Florence's CowParade open air exhibit that runs through January. Saturday December 17, 2005 | permalink Ski in Northern Italy's Piedmont Region The mountains of Piedmont featured at the Torino 2006 Winter Olympics provide a unique backdrop for winter sports, especially skiing. Piedmont features 53 ski resorts with 1,300 kilometres of run. Winter sports that can be practiced in the Piedmont region include alpine and cross-country skiing, telemark, snowboarding, ice climbing, free riding, ski mountaineering, horse trekking, driving sleighs pulled by Siberian huskies, paraskiing, and heliskiing. The Piedmont region is also noted for gastronomic specialties and wine. With early snows in Italy, the region is ready for winter sports. Read about where to go to Ski in Italy's Piedmont region . Friday December 16, 2005 | permalink Celebrating New Year's Eve in Italy Italy is a great place to be on New Year's Eve for the celebration of La Festa di San Silvestro . No matter where you are there will probably be a celebration including fireworks. In the bigger cities, you will find music and dancing in the squares. Food is a part of any Italian celebration and New Year's Eve is no exception. Here's how the Italians celebrate New Years and some special places to go for a big New Year's festival or party . You'll also find out where the Olympic torch will be on New Year's Eve! Monday December 12, 2005 | permalink A Look at Turin, Italy Turin, Torino in Italian, will host the 2006 Winter Olympics. As a result, the city of Turin is frantically spiffing up for an influx of visitors on February 10. Turin's central piazza , the Piazza Castello , will become the stage for the awards ceremonies, integrating the Olympic outcome with Italy's famous piazza culture. Turin is a beautiful city with a great cafe culture, excellent museums, Baroque palaces, and arcaded promenades. It also has some of the best food in Italy. It's often overlooked by tourists but well worth a spot on a travel itinerary. Take a look at our Profile of Turin Travel Essentials . Sunday December 04, 2005 | permalink Florence Hotel Recommendation I've just returned from Florence where I stayed in a very nice and comfortable 4-star hotel for just a little more than I paid last November for a cramped and smoky 2-star with a terrible bathroom! The Hotel Adler Cavalieri is conveniently located, has a helpful English-speaking staff, and is very quiet. Both the common rooms and bedrooms are attractive and welcoming. I would definitely stay here again! The hotel also gave us a great restaurant recommendation where we enjoyed a wonderful and relaxing dinner. The Club Culinario Toscano da Osvaldo , although centrally located, is a little difficult to find but well worth the search. This was definitely one of the best meals I've had in Florence! Sunday December 04, 2005 | permalink Display Latest Headlines | | | Read Archives powered by Movable Type Advertisement Most Popular Naples, Italy Overview Italian New Year Celebrations Top Ten Cities in Italy Italy Information Rome Italy Travel Essentials What's Hot Italian New Year Celebrations Florence Pictures - Copy of Michelangelo statue David in fro... Florence Pictures - View of the Tuscan countryside from the ... Florence Pictures - Pitti Palace Fountain from Boboli Garden... Florence Pictures - Florence CowParade - Cow Art Related Topics France for Visitors Europe for Visitors Greece for Visitors Italian Cuisine        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 Italian New Year Celebrations Florence Pictures - Copy of Michelangelo statue David in fro... Florence Pictures - View of the Tuscan countryside from the ... Florence Pictures - Pitti Palace Fountain from Boboli Garden... Florence Pictures - Florence CowParade - Cow Art Headlines Travel to Milan, Italy Milan is one of Italy's most fashionable and richest cities... 2006 Winter Olympic Update According to Northern Italy's Torino 2006 Blog, the Olympic Village... Where Are Italians Going This Christmas? According to AGI News, 7 million Italians will travel outside... Italy in the Travel Blogs: St. Nick and the Government Wine Bar Italians celebrate St. Nicholas in a feast day on December...

France Travel

France Vacations & Tourism, France Hotels, France Attractions - Yahoo! Travel Primary Navigation Overview | Hotels | Things to do | Restaurants | Map | Flights | Cars | Deals | FareChase France: Search Travel Travel > Guides > Europe > France Email this page Print France Vacations, Tourism, Hotels View larger map of France Top Cities in France Paris Nice Bordeaux St. Tropez Cannes Aix-en-Provence Lyon Chamonix Marseille Toulouse Strasbourg Lille Annecy Lourdes Montpellier Biarritz See all cities in France View larger image One of the best ways to get to know France is to visit a local market. Strolling among the stalls on Boulevard Richard Lenoir in Paris one morning, we watched as finicky chefs picked through crates of Brittany mussels and truck drivers recharged themselves with tiny cups of strong coffee. A little girl helped her mother arrange bouquets of fresh flowers. A … Read More Popular France Hotels Paris Best Western Hotel L'Horset Opera Westin Paris Hotel Chambiges Elysees Ritz Paris Hotel de Crillon Nice Hotel la Perouse Tulip Inn Nice Brice Hotel Negresco Regence Hotel Hotel West-End Bordeaux Libertel Hotel Claret Hotel Majestic Mercure Chateau Chartrons Best Western Grand Hotel Francais Les Sources de Caudalie St. Tropez Hotel des Lices Byblos Saint Tropez Villa Saint-Elme Ermitage Hotel Hotel Le Yaca Cannes Hotel Martinez Splendid Hotel Cannes Hotel Canberra Hotel Regina Noga Hilton Cannes Aix-en-Provence Hotel Aquabella Chateau de la Pioline Le Pigonnet Hotel Ibis Hotel Grand Hotel Mercure Roi Rene Lyon La Tour Rose Sofitel Lyon Bellecour Hotel Alize Villa Florentine Boscolo Grand Hotel Chamonix Grands Montets Club Med Chamonix Le Hameau Albert I Hotel Mont-Blanc Prieure Hotel Related Information Popular Attractions in France Arc de Triomphe Eiffel Tower Musee du Louvre Promenade des Anglais Basilique du Sacre-Coeur Musee d'Orsay Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Paris Abbaye Saint-Victor Beaubourg - Centre Georges Pompidou Musee Rodin Popular Hotels in France Hotel Martinez Best Western Hotel L'Horset Opera Westin Paris La Tour Rose Hotel Chambiges Elysees Splendid Hotel Cannes Ritz Paris Hotel de Crillon Hotel des Lices Best Western Left Bank Saint Germain Popular Cities in France Paris Nice Bordeaux St. Tropez Cannes Aix-en-Provence Lyon Chamonix Marseille Toulouse Yahoo! Travel: Your best choice for cheap airline tickets and other great deals! Help get your favorite places listed on Yahoo! Travel: suggest a hotel or suggest an attraction .

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

Asia Travel Blog Moves...

Asia Travel Blog: All about Asian travel destinations, news, stories and more. We are now a part of b5media.com . Watch out for updates and news on the merger . MAIN | About | Archives | Admin | Jump to navigation Asia Travel Blog Moves... Finally Category: General : Asia Travel Sorry for not having updated this blog for a while. We had server problems for most of last week, and now we're finally migrating. Do tune around. I'll be back to regular posting soon! Er, I hope. tags: asia , travel , blog 12/19/05 - 07:34:05 - Ruth - No comments |No Trackbacks This post was displayed 315 times. Mandarin Oriental Hotel Opens In Tokyo Category: Asian Hotels and Resorts Visiting Tokyo? Try the newly-opened Mandarin Oriental and let the Tokyo panorama take your breath away: Guests arriving at Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Tokyo are ushered from a private entrance, whisked directly to the 38th floor Sky Lobby and presented with a breathtaking view of the dramatic cityscape. Above, the sky is revealed through the vast glass windows. There is no doubt the new Mandarin Oriental hotel epitomises sophisticated luxury. Located on Chuo Dori, the 5th Avenue of the rich historical district off Nihonbash, the Mandarin Oriental Hotel is offering introductory internet rates . Rates may vary from day to day, but a deluxe room on a weekday start at about JPY 48,000 (a bit less than $400). A bit pricey for me, personally, but hey, it's Mandarin Oriental! tags: tokyo, , mandarin , oriental 12/13/05 - 06:28:00 - Ruth - No comments |No Trackbacks This post was displayed 430 times. The Shopping Paradise That Is Singapore Category: Shopping in Asia Blogger Christine , who is a Filipino expatriate based in Singapore, wrote an article about Singapore as shopping haven. With the gamut of shops in Singapore, Christine provides a short primer of where to find what, bringing us to a cyber-shopping trip across Orchard Road, Marina Bay and the food jaunts at the Hawker Centers. Go and have a look-see . tags: singapore, , shopping 12/12/05 - 12:52:00 - Ruth - No comments |No Trackbacks This post was displayed 474 times. Air Travelling With Pets Category: Getting There and Away : Asia So you want to go on a holiday and would like to bring your pet with you? Think twice, because although it is not impossible, it's gonna cause you a great deal of hassle. Think hard, and plan well in advance. In most aircrafts, unless it's a service animal (such as guide dogs for blind passengers), pets are not allowed inside the cabins. However, some, like Thai Airways does allow, small pets in the cabin, as long as there are no more than two animals aboard the cabin at the same time (you've got to coordinate with the airline). The regulations and requirements naturally depend on the destination, and in places like Hongkong , for example, pets need an import permit even for transit. But here are a few other factors you might want to consider: Import Permit: Contact the government bureau of your destination country (usually that dealing with Animal and Plant Quarantine) to check your pet's immigration requirements. For pets flying in to Taiwan for example, pet tags , no matter how fancy they may be, just won't suffice. The dog or cat to be imported shall have been implanted microchip and vaccinated against rabies when at the age of at least 90 days old; and the period between the day of vaccination and the day of shipment shall be no less than 30 days and no more than one year. Cages/Kennels: Whether your pet will join you in the cabin or in the cargo section, your pet will need a cage or a kennel. In some cases, the kennels would even have to be pre-approved with the airline you're flying. Quarantine: Find out how long will the destination country will keep your pet in quarantine, if this is necessary. In some countries, this can be up to 6 weeks! Pet Travel is a good starting place to browse information, but feel free to contact your airline. Any good airline should have their regulations in place and should be able to help you out if you have specific situations. Enjoy sharing your Asian travel experience with your pet (if you really must). tags: pets , airline 12/12/05 - 08:13:41 - Ruth - No comments |No Trackbacks This post was displayed 474 times. Dubai Shopping Festival 2006 Category: Shopping in Asia In a previous post , I've enumerated the various shopping festivals in Asia. Well, brace yourself, year 2006 will start with a shopping spree... at the 11th Dubai Shopping Festival ! I've had stop-overs in Dubai several times and I have to say, if the awesome array of fashion, electronics, cosmetics and especially jewelry at the Duty-Free is anything to go by, the Shopping Fetival is one to wow even the most shoppaholics of shoppaholics! Themed ''One World, One Family, One Festival'', the month-long extravaganza will start on the 4th of January. Aside from shopping, there are exhibitions, plays, concerts, bazaars, street performances, fashion shows or sports events to suit everybody. Are you lucky with raffle draws ? Well,then be sure to get your ticket for a chance to win these awesome prizes: Each day, a Lexus LX 470 or ES 300 will be given away, and every other day, you have a chance to walk away with... get this.. one kilogram of gold bars ! If you're flying in for this shopping fiesta, might as well fly Emirates, the official airline of the DSF, and take advantage of the DSF travel package : for $56 per person, choose to stay at any of the 21 hotels available and enjoy the following amenities: Airport-Hotel tranfers by chauffeur-driven cars Buffet breakfast. Emirates Holidays 24-hour emergency assistance. Additional 10 kg free baggage allowance on return/onward flights from Dubai. Stopover charges in Dubai waived for onward bound passengers. Arabian Adventures Welcome Pack. Ah, what to buy, what to buy? Well, here are some definite must-haves from Dubai: Arabic perfumes (attar), from the Perfume Souk near the city centre. Incense: powder, crystal, rock or wood. At the very least, have a look for frankincense Arabic spices: cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, dried fruit and nuts at the Spice Souk. Gold trinkets at the Gold Souk. Carpets and rugs : Persian rugs, Turkish kilims, as well as Turkoman, Kashmiri and Afghan rugs. Dates: these fruits are yummy and healthy fiber-rich snacks! Haute couture clothing, electronics and handicrafts When taking a break from shopping, be sure to check out the myriad of adventures Dubai has to offer: historical tours, cruises, and desert safaris! Enjoy and... don't forget the sunblock! tags: dubai , shopping 12/12/05 - 06:19:33 - Ruth - No comments |No Trackbacks This post was displayed 495 times. Is Asia Too Risky? Category: General : Asia Travel Apparently, a lot of Japanese tourists think so . According to a survey conducted by a Japan travel agency, the expected number of Japanese tourists travelling abroad during this holiday season increased in comparison to last years'. However, "Fewer people plan to visit China after the anti-Japanese demonstrations and due to worries about the bird flu outbreak." Indonesia, hit by suicide bombings on Bali, will probably attract fewer Japanese travellers, with the number expected to decline by 18.7 percent. OK, let's take the political anti-Japanese sentiments out of the list and we're left with bird flu and terrorist threats. I can imagine how these two can possibly turn off tourists, inlcuding those coming from outside Asia as well. I have to admit, I'm mighty afraid of bird flu, as well. But there's bird flu reported in Europe and North America (Canada) as well. Same with terrorism. Spain, Ireland, France, Great Britain and naturally, America is not immune to it, neither. Yesterday, I met my husband's cousin who barely escaped that Bali bombing I blogged about a couple months ago. She said she'd really love to go back and spend another holiday to Bali, in spite of. No fear, no paranoia, nothing. What accounts for the difference in perspective, I wonder? tags: asia , travel , bali 12/08/05 - 06:10:00 - Ruth - No comments |No Trackbacks This post was displayed 684 times. Fly Across Asia For Free Via AirAsia!!! Category: Getting There and Away : Asia Well, if my yesterday's posts on budget airlines didn't wake your urge to travel, maybe this one will: AirAsia is celebrating its 4th annivesary and is giving away 2 million (!) seats for FREE ! To be eligible, book your ticket online or via mobile (available on GPRS, 3G, EDGE mobile phones or wireless device) between now and to 28th December 2005, for travel between 7 Feb 2006 and 10th October 2006. Naturally, offer is subject to availability, but free seats are most often found on midweek travel dates. C'mon, that's travelling for NOTHING (not counting the taxes and airport fees, of course)! If that's not incentive enough to go and explore more of Asia, I don't know what is! tags: budget airline , airasia 12/07/05 - 08:26:00 - Ruth - No comments |No Trackbacks This post was displayed 765 times. Junk? Jewelry? A Bit of Both! Category: Shopping in Asia There's an "art space" -- store to us mortals -- along Silom Road in Bangkok that's gaining popularity for jewelry afficionados. You won't find fancy yellow diamond rings in Kitti Manoonphol's shop , but his creations have been seen on beauty queens and Hollywood stars. He calls his creations "contemporary ethnic arts", making use of ancient beading techniques, and incorporates common materials we see from day to day--plastic toys, Lego blocks, vinyl beads-- to put together a unique portfolio. Check it out on your next shopping trip in Bangkok! Alternatively, according to the Time feature on Manoonphol's jewelries, if you're too lazy slash busy to brave the Bangkok traffic, for the right price, you can also ask him to call, "carting his collection around in the trunk of his BMW". 12/06/05 - 10:07:00 - Ruth - No comments |No Trackbacks This post was displayed 622 times. Birthday Blow-out from Jetstar Asia! Category: Getting There and Away : Asia Jetstar Asia is treating us to a birthday blow-out! After one year flying the Asian skies, Jetstar tempts us to fly more! Have a look at these bargain airfares originating from Singapore: Phuket fr S$18 one-way Bangkok fr S$18 one-way Hong Kong fr S$68 one-way Manila fr S$98 one-way Taipei fr S$88 one-way Kolkata fr S$98 one-way Siem Reap fr S$138 one-way Phnom Penh fr S$138 one-way Yangon fr S$208 return Want to take part in this treat? Simply book by 13 December 2005 for travel from 4 January to 30 June 2006. Sounds like a great Christmas gift idea! tags: jetstar , asia , budget , airlines 12/06/05 - 07:01:00 - Ruth - 3 comments |No Trackbacks This post was displayed 706 times. Budget Airline AirAsia FliesTo More Destinations Category: Getting There and Away : Asia Malaysian budget carrier Air Asia expands network and will soon add the following new connections (first flights this month or in January): From Kuala Lumpur to Balikpapan, Indonesia (RM99.99 / Rp 299.999), starting Dec 20, 2005 to Solo, Indonesia (RM49.99 / Rp 149.999), starting Dec 22. 2005 to Siem Reap, Cambodia (RM79.99 / US$ 22), starting Dec 27, 2005 to Pekan Baru,Indonesia (RM39.99 / Rp 119.999), starting Jan 12, 2006 From Johor Baru (tentatively set to begin on Jan 2006) to Tawau, Sandakan, Kota Bahru and Ipoh In addition to these new flights, AirAsia also increased frequency of flights to other stretches such as KL-Sibu KL-Macau Johor Baru-Penang Johor Baru-Kota Kinabalu Bangkok-Singapore Bangkok-Macau Bangkok-Ubon Ratchathani 12/06/05 - 03:24:19 - Ruth - No comments |No Trackbacks This post was displayed 720 times. Is Expatriate Living In Asia For You? Category: General : Asia Travel The Bali Blog ponders: What would it take for you to move (for good, I guess he means) to Bali? Imagine your dream destination in Asia. Palm trees swaying in the tropical breeze... Warm sand and waters on the beach... drench in cheerful sunshine and witness to breathtaking sunsets. Who wouldn't want that 365 days of the year? Well, I don't. I think half of what makes holiday destinations extra-special is the distance to it all when you're not on holiday mode. The excitement begins as you make the first plans, and steadily increases as you book your tickets, and pack your stuff. When you get there, you've got nothing else on your to-do list except to relax, unwind, and enjoy. Whether it's a weekend get-away or a three-week holiday, you've got people pampering you, and your hotel room gets cleaned by people who, if the service is topnotch, you don't even get to see. No deadlines to meet, no housechores to do, no meetings to attend. All that will change if you're staying at that place for good. Suddenly sprouts the issues of residence permits, employment, insurance, pension, taxes, childcare and schooling. With these issues to attend to, I doubt you'd findmuch time to spend beachcombing and lying under the palm fronds. See how the perfect daydream breaks into shards? I will always yearn for an Asian holiday. Each trip is a glimpse of paradise. A glimpse, that's all. The mystery that remains and the prospect of novel experiences on the next visit are what make me yearn to come back for more. 12/06/05 - 02:23:00 - Ruth - No comments |No Trackbacks This post was displayed 695 times. Greg Bennett Finishes First at the 2005 Laguna Phuket Triathlon Category: Events in Asia A record-breaking field of 700 athletes competed at the 2005 Thai Airways International Laguna Phuket Triathlon held yesterday, Dec 4. Australian Greg Bennett bags $3000 prize money as the first finisher, with a time of 2:31:40. Last year's champ, Craig Alexander came second. Canadian Samantha McGlone finished first among the women, after 2:44:16 on the race. Congratulations to the winners, and goodluck for the Australian Ironman 2006! Special recognition also goes to the following: First overall amateur finisher Craig Johns from New Zealand Fastest Thai finisher Bunlubsak Doungdun First Thai female finisher Phuttrajit Sangkhaphan who was, at 14 years old, the youngest participant in this years Triathlon. See the finish times of all triathletes by category at the LagunaPhuket website . tags: triathlon , phuket 12/05/05 - 03:18:59 - Ruth - No comments |No Trackbacks This post was displayed 779 times. Hongkong Museums Category: Events in Asia There's more to Hongkong than just shopping and skyscrapers. How about museums? There are a couple of must-see museums in Hongkong that will give you an opportunity to dive into China's ancient dynasties. Here's something for you museum-afficionados out there: Until February 5, 2006, the Art Museum of the Chinese University of Hongkong will feature "Elegance in Relief: Carved Porcelain from Jingdezhen of the 19th to Early 20th Centuries" . ...the Art Museum presents 166 pieces of carved porcelain. The exhibits, made in the period from the Qianlong reign (1736-1795) to the 1950's, are extremely diverse, comprising brushpots, inkstick stands, brush rests, paperweights, vermilion boxes, inkstones, brush washers, waterpots, vases, bottles, snuff bottles, lamps, incense holders, ruyi sceptres, arm rests, belt ornaments, table screens, plaques and many the like. Together they give a comprehensive overview of Jingdezhen carved porcelain that developed fully in the two centuries. Consider that a primer to snuff bottles. Now if you want to see more, then head on the University of Hongkong's Museum and Art Gallery's " Heavenly Creations: An Exhibition of Chinese Snuff Bottles ". This exhibition will feature over three hundred snuff bottles from the collections of five Hong Kong connoisseurs: Anthony K. W. Cheung, Humphrey K. F. Hui, Po-ming Kwong, Mrs Tuyet Nguyet and Christopher C. H. Sin. Their collections include bottles made of glass, porcelain, jade, quartz and other soft stones, organic materials and inside-painted glass and rock crystal, of both imperial and non-imperial origins. The exhibition will be up until February 26. Admission is free. Both museums are closed on public holidays. tags: museums , Hongkong 12/01/05 - 05:59:52 - Ruth - No comments |No Trackbacks This post was displayed 944 times. Asia Travel Blog Moves Category: General : Asia Travel Nope, it's not a pun, but the Asia Travel Blog will move. If you've been following the developments of the merger between the Aboutweblogs and the b5media blogging networks, you'll know what I mean. The merger would mean a lot of work for us, behind the scenes, but hopefully, you won't be aware of it. What it means for you, readers, though, is that this blog will move to another url address, so you might have to change your bookmarks and links. But, I'd be sure to give you a heads-up before this blog finally migrates. We're also trying to come up with a more catchy title, so if you've got any ideas, just shoot me an email. tags: asia , travel , blog 11/30/05 - 08:55:00 - Ruth - No comments |No Trackbacks This post was displayed 961 times. Garden Cliff Resort & Spa Pattaya Category: Asian Hotels and Resorts Yet another five-star hotel opens in Pattaya: the Garden Cliff Resort & Spa which is managed by Sofitel will "soft-open" on Dec 1. To celebrate its opening, the hotel is offering a promotional rate of 4,000 baht (US$97) ++ a night double occupancy in a Deluxe Sea view Room including breakfast until 31 March, 2006 (except during the peak season from 24 Dec 2005 to 10 Jan 06). Because of its relative proximity to Bangkok, Pattaya is gaining popularity among companies as a venue for meetings and conventions. It has a high-tech business center and the hotel ballroom can accommodate up to 420 people theatre-style supported by five fully equipped meeting rooms. Doesn't mean it's off limits for non-business travellers, though. Anyone can enjoy the sweeping view of the bay and the spa facilities just as much... If you want to avail of the promotional rates, you may book your rooms directly from the hotel: tel: (66 38) 259 333 fax: (66 38) 259 332 email: rsvn@gardencliffpattaya.com Source: E-Travel Blackboard tags: Pattaya , hotels 11/30/05 - 05:21:00 - Ruth - No comments |No Trackbacks This post was displayed 1005 times. About Asia Travel Blog Looking for travel tips, ideas, stories, and more about different destinations in Asia? Ruth Schaffer is here to offer resources about Asian travel. Member, AboutWeblogs.com Asia Travel Blog is part of a network that offers personal views, tips, news, reviews and other resources about different niche topics. Our focus is on passions, personal growth and lifestyles. If you have any ideas, suggestions or questions, please feel free to contact us . Navigation Navigation MAIN Archives Network Stats Admin Asia Travel Blog Categories Asian Adventure/Trekking Asian City Tours Asian Hotels and Resorts Asian Spas/Wellness Retreats Culture Shock: Asia Events in Asia Family Destinations in Asia Gastronomy and Asian Cuisine General : Asia Travel Getting There and Away : Asia Shopping in Asia Travel Promos and Deals in Asia Total Entries in This Blog: 131 Subscribe / Feed What's This? Search Login Username : Password : Shared Computer Latest Comments justice says i find this site sooo good that i... Ruth says justice, check out airasia's promo... justice says haha that's why my family is... 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Russia Travel

Travel East Russia Welcome to World Wise Ecotourism Network. Through the information on our Website you have an opportunity to acquaint yourself with an intriguing and unknown part of Russia, the Russian Far East and Siberia. To navigate this site, please use the button on top or link through the text on our Home Page. This site offers you the most up to date ecological and travel information about the various regions in Eastern Russia. If text is not sufficient for you, you may take a photo tour highlighting the various activities we represent in our travel programs . Our network includes a number of travel partners who are the backbone of our operations. You can either book direct with them or travel on World Wise Expeditions that are operated cooperatively, in the more off the beaten path or multiple regions. These programs usually need a more cohesive effort backed both by local and foreign partners giving you the best of two worlds. Our Ecotourism page acquaints you with the standards we incorporate in our joint operations with our network of partners. We also share our hands on international operating and marketing experience with present and potential partners in Russia by consulting on related ecotourism issues. We love to include other worldwide travel partners in the travel trade . Our links will take you to the sites of various organizations active in conservation and ecological programs in Russia in order to provide you, the world wise traveler with the most up to date information to augment the richness of your experience. Travel to Russia still requires an invitation and you will find information on this, airline connections and other travel tidbits under travel logistics . Specific regional information is listed under the specific region. World Wise Ecotourism Network has been operating in Eastern Russia and Siberia for more than twelve years. Our clients include: TCS Expeditions, Society Expeditions, Zegrahm, Marine Expedition, Hanseatic Cruises, World Wildlife Fund/Russian Far East, The Foundation for Russian American Economic Cooperation, the US Department of Agriculture, MIR Corporation and others for the past ten years. We will be more than happy to provide you with our excellent references. Aaltje van Zoelen US, Managing Partner Tandy Wallack US, Partner Antonina Pronina Russian, Managing Partner Erik Erlandsen US, Advisor Nancy Cipra No operations are too difficult for Nancy. Nancy is in charge of formatting our itineraries, marketing research and does training on tour management. We appreciate your comments and your contributions. If you have a travel experience or some information you would like to share with us, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@traveleastrussia.com Also if you are a U.S. or Russian travel company offering programs in Eastern Russia, please contact us for a listing on our website at www.traveleastrussia.com Special Announcement! World Wise Ecotourism Network (Seattle) and ISD (Institute of SustainableDevelopment) Vladivostok will host a global tourism conference on May 19-21, 2005 inVladivostok. "The Creating Global Partnerships for Sustianable Development of Tourism"Conference will feature three different sectors: Ecotourism Tourism andHospitality. Presently the conference is sponsored by RAPP, Russia AsiaPacific Partnership and Wirnock International. The conference is targeted toinclude participants of all of East Russia's regions and from Japan, Korea,China, Europe Australia and the US. A special Web Site will be available forregistration at the end of January. In the meantime, contact us for moreinformation. Tiger Tour to the Russian Far East! In April 2005, Steppes Travel, in conjunction with the conservation charity AMUR, is arranging anexploratory eco-tour to the Russian Far East. The main focus of the trip is the Amur (Siberian) tigerand leopard, but it will also take in other wildlife, local peoples, and an exploration of the incrediblewild landscapes of this faraway region. This part of the Russian Far East is a unique place in theworld where the cold northern climate meets the humid southern one creating a region that is semitropicalin the summer and snowbound in the winter. Get all the details! World Wise Expeditions East Russia is a magical place. A place where wilderness still reignsand life in outlying areas still has a rhythm all of its own. A placeof change every day, every moment. A place where travel can be soglorious and yet so down to earth. East Russia is also the last place on earth, where we have a chance todo it right. To nurture, conserve and protect its boundless naturalresources that sustain all life. To appreciate and respect smallindigenous communities ways of life and to always journey with an openmind and gentle heart. We are the experts in Russia's ecotourism development spanning over 14years of involvement. Our programs offer you well researched authenticexperiences. All programs are operated with our local partners, whoderive economic benefits from their involvement. We like to expose youto areas that are nearly void of other travelers, where you, nature andyour worldwise friends can get back to the things that are important inlife. Join us as we explore these fascinating places, stay with localpeople and get really close to the natural wonders these areas have tooffer. Download Our 2004 Travel Schedule Download Our Winter 2004 Newsletter We operate various types of expeditions: Chita and Buryatia offer the adventurous ecotraveler a range of activities in regions with spectacular scenery, seldom visited preserves, indigenous communities and strong ties with Buddhism and the practices of Shamanism. We spend the aggregate of a month in several regions in Buryatia discussing ecotourism opportunities and practices with local communities, local government, scientists, preserve management and tour companies. We wanted to share some of the information with you to entice you to visit. Chita Chita is far less known then Buryatia as a tourism destination, but deserves the attention of travelers interested in authentic experiences. Buryatia Buryatia is already recognized as an international tourism destination. Don't miss the the Amur River cruise/land tour this year, last year's program was an outstanding success!! Amur River Cruise Itinerary - September 1-12, 2004 Changing Faces of the Amur River Places of Interest in Khabarovsk History, art and culture of the people of the Amur River The Nanai The Ulchi The Nivkh Spectacular Nature Reserves Bolonsky Bolshekhekhtsirsky Komsomolsky Vibrant every day life Magnificent Siberia and its people Siberia, the vast middle part of Russia and its dominant region, Yakutia (or Sakha) are treasure troves waiting to be discovered. While the temperature fluctuates from very hot to very cold, each season brings with its own rhythm and beauty. Yakutia, the largest region in Russia is also the richest in natural resources, such as gold, silver and diamonds. It is also a region offering unsurpassed ecotourism experiences. Read about our journey!! Cultural and nature tours in Chukotka Operated by our partner Circumpolar Expeditions Whale and Walrus Tour - June/August, 2005 Senyavina Strait - June/August, 2005 Provideniya/Chukotka - June/August 2005 Kunashir Exploration - August 24, 2005 Jointly operated with our partners in Vzmorye, Sakhalin-Kurile Island Information Agency, the Center for Cultural and Ecological Initiatives and World Wise Expeditions Because we feel that Eastern Russia offers great diversity within relative short distances, we offer this program not only because it includes a visit to one of the most beautiful Kurile islands, but also as an introduction to what Eastern Russia has to offer. We begin in cosmopolitan Vladivostok, where we sample a vast collection of historical, cultural and natural wonders. We cross over from the mainland to Sakhalin, offering a picture of soviet style villages and towns settled between verdant sloping mountains, fast running rives and magnificent lakes. The main portion of our time will be spend on Kunashir Island, the "black pearl" offering a multitude of one of a kind natural experiences, after which we visit charming and visually attractive Khabarovsk. For detailed information see our details on the Sakhalin Region . Giving the Ancient a Modern Voice - Discover ancient rites and traditions of Russian Far East native cultures, August 2, 2004 As our lives in our western culture become more and more centered on technology, we realize that we are loosing our innate wisdom connected to our natural environment. At the same time indigenous cultures in Russia are trying to retain their ancient rites and traditions to anchor their culture and to instill in the younger generation a clear sense of identity. Sharing our lives may perhaps gives us both the right way to reestablish ourselves drawing from nature that which is our essence. We will visit with Even, Koryak and Ittlmen women during the International Aboriginal Day in Anavgai in Kamchatka. We will then return to the Khabarovski Krai, which has the largest number of native cultures in Russia. There we will share our thoughts with the Orochi, Nanai and Udeghe people when we visit their individual villages. This trip includes travel by local transportation and living locally adapting to the ways of the local people. You need to be extremely flexible, be in excellent health and have the ability to withstand long road trip. Some of our travel will be by helicopter. Arrival and departure point is Khabarovsk. All transportation including local flights or helicopter transportation is included. Itinerary will be posted shortly. Travelogues The Primorsky Coast : Where the Taiga meets the Sea- Steve Nelson The Kamchatka Peninsula : A world of mountains yet to conquer- Aaltje van Zoelen Join our mailing list: Email: Subscribe Unsubscribe Russian Internet Guide World Wise Ecotourism Network 1321 W. Emerson #6 Seattle, WA 98119 Phone: 206-282-0824 Fax: 206-281-4417 E-mail: Info@TravelEastRussia.com 2000 All Rights Reserved Site Design By Morgan Design, Inc .