Family Vacation Ideas Winter

Holiday Season: Family Vacation Ideas  You are here: About > Travel > Travel with Kids Travel Travel with Kids Essentials Family Vacation Ideas Winter and Spring Break All-Inclusive Resorts Ten Latest Family Travel Deals Family Resorts: top places; photos Articles & Resources Family Travel: What's Hot Top Vacation Spots VT, ME, NH, CT, MA, NY, PA Mexico Family Vacations Caribbean Vacations More Beach Vacations Florida Family Vacations Resorts with Water Park More Family Resorts Fun Places for Kids Disney Vacations Family Cruises Babies;Teens;Single Parents Lots More Destinations Family Travel TIPS, GAMES Buyer's Guide TAKE ALONG: Christmas books Christmas flicks Activity Kits more CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Travel with Kids newsletter! See Online Courses   Search Travel with Kids Holiday Season: Family Vacation Ideas Travel with Kids Blog « New at The Atlantis | Main | Holiday Packages » From Teresa Plowright , Your Guide to Travel with Kids . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! November 19, 2005 Holiday Season: Family Vacation Ideas Nickelodeon Family Suites by Holiday Inn in Orlando has an amazing amount of fun on-site: two waterparks; Sponge-Bob and other Nick characters; pool games and nightly entertainment designed by Nickelodeon. Not surprisingly, extra fun is planned for the Holiday Season. Click to read details about seasonal parades, parties, shows, and sliming. (You can also click to learn more about Nick Hotel .) lots more Holiday Season ideas continued below... Nickelodeon Family Suites by Holiday Inn: Holiday Season --This information has been provided by Nickelodeon Family Suites by Holiday Inn -- It's the first Holiday Season for NickHotel-- but the property has already won an award as Best Holiday Inn in North America" and visitors can expect major fun over the holidays. The season continues through Jan. 8, celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa with holiday entertainment. SpongeBobs Christmas Wish : SpongeBob SquarePants discovers the magic in an interactive musical, in which guests dive down to Bikini Bottom to uncover the origins of the very first undersea Christmas. Lots of jokes and sing-alongs. Holiday theming : all the usual fun shows get a holiday flavor, especially the live shows in the Studio Nick (theater. Santa Claus joins SpongeBob throughout December, meeting kids each weekday evening. special viewings of A Rugrats Chanukah . Holiday Menus : Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Eve and New Years Day. New Year's Eve: The Official Last Sliming of 2005 : two lucky guests get the last slime of the year, followed of course by The Official First Sliming of 2006 . Also on New Year's Eve: dive-in movies from 7:00pm to midnight; DJ at the Lagoon Pool from 8:00pm; for younger guests, Cosmo and Wanda countdown to the New Year in Fairyland. Click to see more about Holiday Events at Nickhotel, and also seasonal deals . Rates for the Season best deals are available for advance bookings for weekday stays: $125/night, forselect dates in Nov. and Dec. 2005, Jan and Feb. 2006 non-advance purchase rates start at $184 midweek Friday and Saturday rates begin at $249 and $199 for November and December with some blackout dates book early to get the best rates Find out more -- and see photos -- about " Nick Hotel ". Email to a Friend Display Latest Headlines | | | Read Archives powered by Movable Type Advertisement Most Popular Charades -How To Play Charades Family Vacation Spots The Atlantis Resort Great Places to See Santa Disney Christmas Magic Kingdom What's Hot Grand Floridian Chinese New Year - 2006 Poconos Great Wolf Lodge photo Dog Friendly Hotels, inns, lodges -- find dog-friendly vacat... Kwanzaa Related Topics Florida for Visitors New England for Visitors Theme Parks Hotels / Resorts / Inns Parenting of K-6 Children        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 Grand Floridian Chinese New Year - 2006 Poconos Great Wolf Lodge photo Dog Friendly Hotels, inns, lodges -- find dog-friendly vacat... Kwanzaa Headlines Bunch of family travel deals Latest deals added include a January Travel Special at the... First Nights! "First Night" events celebrate New Year's with family-friendly festivities-- and... Top Family Travel Trends in 2005 It's that time of year... to pause the mad dash... Bookmark the NORAD Tracks Santa site! It's not a family trip, but it's certainly a trip...

Orlando Vacation Home -

Florida, Orlando Vacation Rentals-1st Choice Vacation Rentals the #1 Online Vacation Rentals Website. Worldwide Vacation Rentals, Lodging Vacation Rentals, Homes Vacation Rentals, Cabins Vacation Rentals, Bed and Breakfast's, Hotels, Resorts, Inns, Villa Vacation Rentals, and Vacation Rental Properties United_States/Florida/Orlando Home Search New Rentals List Your Rental About Us NotePad My 1stChoice Customer Login Destinations United States Mexico Caribbean Europe Australia Africa South Pacific New Zealand Asia South America Central America Canada Activities Open NotePad Close NotePad About NotePad Customer Service Press Help - FAQ Web Development News Letters My Destinations My Specials You are Here United States Florida Orlando Orlando Categories > Condos 1-2 Bedrooms Homes 7 Bedrooms and up Condos 3-4 Bedrooms Investment Properties 4 Sale Homes 3 Bedrooms Luxury Homes Homes 4 Bedrooms Private Owners Homes 5 Bedrooms Resorts Inns Hotels and Motels Homes 6 Bedrooms Properties >> Orlando Vacation Home - Platinum Series 5 Star - 4... This Vacation Home was built in 2003. This home is luxurious, west facing, privatly l... Florida Spirit Guest Services : 407-396-4441 or Toll Free: 1-866-357-74 Calendar Max Bdrms: 4 Price/nt: $175 - $250 Some advantages 1st Choice has to Offer You as a Vacation Rental Manager/Owner: Exposure to 20,000 visitors a day Self manageable property page with quality tools and design that is easy to use Top in search engine rankings... Only $11-$25/month for this kind of exposure... "The site has been up for two weeks and already 5 bookings and 237 hits already. Fantastic exposure! Thanks for a great site!!" Peter Regla, Pine Arbor Retreat Yosemite, CA Do you have a vacation rental property you want to list on the internet? You should consider advertising with 1st Choice Vacation Rentals. Add Your Vacation Rental 1st Choice Testimonials 1st Choice Features Advertising Opportunities Featured Property of the Month.. Most Exquisite Vacation Homes in Florida! 1st Choice Voted Best of the Web Pick by Forbes.com. Join our 1st Choice Vacation Rentals Newsletter and get information on what's new with 1st Choice. Sign-Up Now! In the News Seven Great Tips for Making Your Vacation Photos Memorable IN THE NEWS: Wall Street Journal Instant Messages Are Popping Up All Overby Daniel NasawAcknowledging that instant messaging isn't just for gossiping teenagers anymore, companies increasingly are using new IM tools to promote products, boost productivi...... Full Story IN THE NEWS: New York Times RENTING A HOUSE WITH A CLICK OF A MOUSEBy Bob TedeshiRandy McNamara spent last spring in a protracted spin cycle of Internet irritation. Mr. McNamara, a salesman for a printing company in Phoenix, was hunting for a vaca...... Full Story Since 1994 1st Choice Remains a Leader in the Vacation Rental Industry! A pioneer and leader the online vacation rental industry since 1994, 1st Choice Vacation Rentals continues to lead the way in cost effective online advertising, marketing, and value added features for our customers.Reinve...... Full Story Home | About 1st Choice | Customer Service | Pricing Information | Help Press | Testimonials | Privacy Policy | Legal Notices | Site Map | Link Exchange © 1994 - 2005 1stChoice Internet | All Rights Reserved | Powered by 1stChoice Internet

Chicago Vacation Packages Free

Chicago tourism - Chicago vacation reviews - Chicago vacations - TripAdvisor Chicago vacations - Chicago tourism Sign in • Sign up Home > United States > Illinois > Chicago > Chicago Tourism Chicago tourism: Overview Hotels Flights Attractions Dining Deals Getaways Forums Maps, etc. Chicago itinerary | All Chicago reviews | Getaways from Chicago Search (e.g., Chicago hotels, Las Vegas, Paris art museum) Chicago Chicago Overview Chicago Itinerary All Chicago Reviews Chicago Getaways Chicago Hotels Flights to Chicago Chicago Deals Chicago Attractions Chicago Restaurants Chicago Forum Chicago Maps Chicago Discount Hotels Chicago Vacation Packages Free Newsletter Get deals, news and articles on Chicago Plus weekend trip ideas from your hometown e-mail this page to a friend Traveler Reviews Write a review . What was your experience with Chicago? Tell others what's hot and what's not. Deals on Chicago Hotels Sofitel Chicago Water Tower Amalfi Hotel Chicago Park Hyatt Chicago Hotel Burnham The Peninsula Chicago Fitzpatrick Chicago Hotel Hotel Monaco Renaissance Chicago Hotel Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Downtown Crowne Plaza Chicago Silversmith Comfort Inn & Suites Downtown Renaissance Chicago O'Hare Hotel Crowne Plaza Chicago Metro Four Seasons Conrad Chicago The Talbott Hampton Inn and Suites Chicago - Downtown Hotel Indigo Chicago Gold Coast Ritz-Carlton Chicago Courtyard Chicago Downtown / Magnificent Mile Courtyard Chicago Downtown Four Points Chicago Downtown / Magnificent Mile Swissotel The Fairmont Chicago Homewood Suites by Hilton Chicago Downtown Sutton Place Hotel Fairfield Inn & Suites Chicago Downtown Marriott Chicago Downtown Medical District / UIC The Westin Chicago River North Best Western Hawthorne Terrace Embassy Suites Hotel Chicago Downtown Lakefront Hotel Allegro Wyndham Chicago Wheeler Mansion Majestic Hotel Residence Inn Chicago Downtown The Westin Michigan Avenue Chicago Drake Hotel SpringHill Suites Chicago O'Hare Hotel 71 The Villa Toscana InterContinental Chicago W Chicago Lakeshore Embassy Suites Hotel Chicago Downtown Chicago Hilton and Towers House of Two Urns Bed and Breakfast The Palmer House Hilton Omni Chicago Hotel Best Western Inn of Chicago Courtyard Chicago Midway Airport Chicago hotels: 1 - 20 Chicago hotels: 21 - 70 Chicago hotels: 71 - 120 Chicago hotels: 121 - 170 Chicago hotels: 171 - 179 Read more Chicago tourism Chicago vacations - Chicago tourism With attractions and activities galore, Chicago is everyone's kind of town. See all the famous sights, then catch a show in the theater district or a Cubs game at historic Wrigley Field, followed by a latenight visit to a blues club or jazz bar. Culture hounds will delight in the multitude of museums, including the prestigious Art Institute and the Chicago Historical Society. Families will find plenty to do at Navy Pier and to explore at the Field Museum and the Lincoln Park Zoo. You could... (more) Find Hotels Travelers Trust City: Check-in: Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov 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 Check-out: Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov 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 Price level: Adults: 1 2 3 4 More options Currency: U.S. Dollar Euro British Pound Canadian Dollar Australian Dollar Swiss Franc Sponsored links * Chicago Travel Deals Chicago : Hotel Deals from $70 Expedia.com Don't just travel. Travel right! Chicago : Great Prices, Great Rooms hotels.com We Know Hotels Inside And Out. View Maps, Photos, Rates. Book Now! Chicago : Low Hotel Prices Made Easy Orbitz.com The faster, easier way to find the hotel you want. Just Orbitz and go! Chicago : Guaranteed Best Room Rates. Starwood.com Official site for Westin and Sheraton Hotels. Click now for exclusive offers! All results: View all 1,118 Chicago travel deals Airfare: Find deals on airfare to Chicago Chicago Hotel Recommendations Find a great hotel based on web-wide popularity and coverage. Top-Rated hotels: Sofitel Chicago Water Tower Amalfi Hotel Chicago Park Hyatt Chicago Hotel Burnham The Peninsula Chicago Fitzpatrick Chicago Hotel Hotel Monaco Renaissance Chicago Hotel Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Downtown View all Chicago hotels Top-Rated B&B: Flemish House of Chicago View all Chicago B&Bs   Hotels for: Less than $100/night $100-200/night $200-300/night More than $300/night Hotels by Star Rating: 5-star 4-star 3-star 2-star 1-star Neighborhoods: All Magnificent Mile/River North The Loop Lincoln Park Lakeview Loyola Wicker Park/Bucktown Edgewater Near South Side Hyde Park South Side O'Hare Airport Midway Airport Chicago Southwest Find this weekend's best available hotels Chicago Traveler Recent Reviews Chicago Traveler Photos Our users are talking about Chicago! Here are their latest comments: Best Reviews Park Hyatt Chicago: "A Neat Freaks Dream," Dec 27, 2005 , A TripAdvisor Member Sofitel Chicago Water Tower: "lovely hotel, great value," Dec 27, 2005 , A TripAdvisor Member Worst Reviews China Grill: "China Grill Chicago, Terrible," Dec 27, 2005 , A TripAdvisor Member Omni Ambassador East: "terrible stay," Dec 21, 2005 , A TripAdvisor Member Read all Chicago reviews Our users are taking photos in Chicago! Here are their latest pictures: View all Chicago traveler photos Chicago Attractions and Dining Top Chicago Attractions: Field Museum Millennium Park Museum of Science and Industry Art Institute of Chicago Sears Tower Shedd Aquarium Navy Pier Lincoln Park Zoo Wrigley Field John Hancock Center View all Chicago attractions Top Chicago Restaurants: Les Nomades Caffe Baci - N. Lasalle Caffe Baci - S. Lasalle Demon Dogs Bistro Pacific Spring Fogo de Chao Red Rooster Wine Bar & Cafe Mangino's Sweet Thang View all Chicago restaurants Chicago Articles and Guidebooks SmartDeals From tips & tricks to rants & raves. Read the best sources and the most up-to-date reviews... TripAdvisor's Chicago itinerary "Chicago Overview," Fodors.com "An Online Update for Frommer's Chicago," Nov 25, 2004 , Frommer's "A Place to Indulge the Budding Artist or Doll Collector," Aug 7, 2005 , New York Times (free registration required) Read all Chicago reviews Find a great Chicago hotel deal! SmartDeals show you the best rates on the best hotels. Sofitel Chicago Water Tower - save up to 40% Average price: $289 Sofitel Chicago Water Tower from $175 - Expedia.com More reviews, deals Amalfi Hotel Chicago - save up to 43% Average price: $257 Amalfi Hotel Chicago from $149 - hotels.com More reviews, deals Hotel Burnham - save up to 46% Average price: $274 Hotel Burnham - Great Rooms from $149 - Orbitz.com More reviews, deals View all SmartDeals Chicago Traveler Forum Travelers like you give candid advice on hotels and much more. Join the Discussion Holiday Inn Chicago-City Centre (Mag Mile) (6 replies, 5:52 pm, today) Dave & Buster's (1 replies, 4:25 pm, today) Navy Pier (6 replies, 11:05 am, today) Read all Chicago discussions Post a new Chicago topic Share Your Travel Savvy Your Local Experts for Chicago (no replies, 7:28 pm, Dec 22, 2005) Time to spare needs some ideas (no replies, 4:12 pm, today) The Courtyard on Ontario (no replies, 3:40 pm, today) Browse all Chicago discussions Newsletter Alerts Other Destinations Subscribe to our TripWatch newsletter: Weekly alert to new reviews and deals Personal watch list is customizable to add other cities, hotels or attractions Plus getaway ideas from your hometown ( new feature, limited coverage ) Let Us Watch Chicago for You E-mail: Popular Illinois Destinations TripAdvisor travelers also enjoy these locations... Bloomington Chicago Galena Oak Park Peoria Quincy Rockford Springfield Destinations Near Chicago Our one-page travel guides will inspire you! View all weekend getaways near Chicago About TripAdvisor TripAdvisor provides unbiased reviews, articles, recommendations and opinions on Chicago vacations. Recommendations for hotels, resorts, inns, vacations, travel packages, travel guides and lots more! Visit TripAdvisor in another language: About Us | Membership | Site Map | Become an Affiliate | Top Cities | Hotel Reservations | Hotel Deals | Links | TripAdvisor Gear Popular Hotels: 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , by city TripAdvisor Recommends: Las Vegas hotels , London hotels , Paris hotels , Rome hotels , New York City hotels , Chicago hotels , Orlando hotels © 2005 TripAdvisor, Inc. All rights reserved. TripAdvisor Terms of Use and Privacy Policy . * TripAdvisor, Inc. is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site... ( more ) TripAdvisor, Inc. is not responsible for content on external web sites.

Italy Travel

Italy Travel Tips Book Online or call (800) 682-3333 Europe Asia Americas Caribbean Mediterranean Pacific Cruises Home Hotels Find a Vacation Specials Contact Us Italy & Sicily Spain & Portugal Britain & Ireland France Belgium & Holland Central Europe Scandinavia Greece River Cruises China & Japan Southeast Asia Thailand India South America Brazil Peru Costa Rica Bahamas Caribbean & Mexico Bahamas Cancun Riviera Maya Punta Cana Jamaica Greece & Turkey Israel Egypt Morocco Australia & New Zealand Tahiti China & Japan Southeast Asia Sea Cruises River Cruises Italy & Switzerland Travel Tips Climate / Clothing Language Code of Conduct Currency Holidays Travel Insurance Car Regulations Luggage Local Emergency/Phone Health Precautions Passports and Visas Driving Electricity Shopping Tipping Venice Transfers Departure Tax Papal Audiences Climate /Clothing Italy : Spring and Fall: 55 - 75F; Summer: 70 - 85F; Winter: 40 - 55F. Bring comfortable shoes, a sweater, clothes you can layer and an all-weather coat. On the cruises, informal dress is the general rule but there may be some occasions were formal dress is required. Some religious sites may require modest dress to enter (no shorts or sleeveless tops). Italy Average Temperatures: www.gate1travel.com/italy-travel/weather/italy-weather.htm . Switzerland : The Alps cause many climatic variations throughout Switzerland. In the higher Alpine regions temperatures tend to be low, while the lower land of the northern area has higher temperatures and warm summers. Switzerland Average Temperatures: www.gate1travel.com/italy-travel/weather/switzerland-weather.htm . Language Italy : Italian is the local language. Limited English is generally spoken as well. Switzerland : German, French, Italian, and Raeto-Romance are the official languages, but English is widely spoken. Passports and Visas Italy : Passport required. Visa not required for tourist or business stays up to 90 days. Switzerland : Passport required. Visa not required for tourism/study stay of less than 90 days. For more information, please see www.gate1travel.com/visas.htm . Currency Italy : Euro Switzerland : The Swiss Franc Tipping Italy : This is a matter of personal discretion. Tips are appreciated and expected for good service in restaurants and other places. Although restaurant bills often include a service charge, this amount is not typically for the waiters/staff. A typical tip is approximately 10%. Switzerland : A service charge is included in all hotel, restaurant, cafe, bar, taxi and hairdressing services by law; further gratuities are not usually required. For specific guidelines, please refer to www.gate1travel.com/tipping.htm Electricity Italy & Switzerland : The voltage used is 220 volts. *Note: The U.S. uses 120 volts and you can purchase a converter and transformer at most hardware stores for your 120V appliances. Shopping Italy : Shops are generally open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m., with some variations in Northern Italy, where the lunch break is shorter and shops close earlier. Prices are reasonable and the quality of goods is very high. Department stores such as La Rinascente, Coin, Upim, and Standa are found in many Italian cities and towns. Things to buy: Clothes for men & women (dresses, shoes, gloves, silk ties, shirts); lacework, jewelry, leather goods (handbags, cases, boxes, luggage), ceramics, gold and silver items, alabaster; woodwork, straw, embroidery, glass and crystal ware. It is advisable to carry merchandise purchased with you in order to avoid any inconvenience. All major credit cards are honored in Italy. A proof of purchase (receipt) must be kept. Switzerland : Special purchases include embroidery and linen, Bernese woodcarving, chocolate, cheese, Swiss army knives and luxury handmade clocks and watches. Shopping hours usually run Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1:30 -6:30 p.m., Sat 8 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1:30-4 p.m. Most shops are closed on Monday mornings. Health Precautions Italy & Switzerland : No inoculations are necessary when arriving in Italy or Switzerland from the U.S. but you should consult with your health care provider before traveling. To prevent "Montezuma's Revenge," avoid the tap water, including raw fruits and vegetables washed in tap water. Your stomach may still become upset due to the change in diet. Bring anti-diarrhea medicine just in case.*For the latest overseas travel health information, call the Center for Disease Control's traveler's hotline at 404-332-4559. Or visit their web site at www.cdc.gov Conservation/Code of Conduct Italy : The social structure is heavily influenced by the Roman Catholic church and, generally speaking, family ties are stronger than in most other countries in Western Europe. Normal social courtesies should be observed. Dress is casual in most places, though beachwear should be confined to the beach. Conservative clothes are expected when visiting religious buildings and smaller, traditional communities. Formal wear is usually indicated on invitations. Smoking is prohibited in some public buildings, transport and cinemas. Visitors are warned to take precautions against theft, particularly in the major cities. Switzerland : Avoid red roses; never give chrysanthemums or white asters as they are considered funeral flowers. Informal wear is widely acceptable. First-class restaurants, hotel dining rooms and important social occasions may warrant jackets and ties. Black tie is usually specified when required. It is customary to give unwrapped flowers to the hostess when invited for a meal. Luggage *Gate 1 tour packages allow one piece of luggage per person, plus carry-on bag. Additional baggage will be subject to handling charges of up to $100 per piece. As Gate 1 will not be responsible for loss or damage to luggage and personal belongings, you MUST report any loss or damage immediately at the time of the incident and obtain a written report from the local authority for submission to your insurance provider. If you luggage is lost or damaged by the airlines, a baggage claim form MUST be filed with the carrier before leaving the airport. See www.gate1travel.com/destinations/luggage.htm for Important Baggage Information for U.S. Travelers. Departure Tax Italy & Switzerland : There are currently no departure taxes in Italy or Switzerland, please see www.gate1travel.com/Destinations/departure_tax.htm for more information. Travel Insurance We strongly recommend the purchase of travel insurance as additional security in the case of cancellation or interruption of travel plans, lost or damaged luggage, travel delays, illness, or accident. Keep all boarding passes, ticket copies and receipts for expenses paid during your trip if it later becomes necessary to file a claim. Local Emergency Phone # Italy : ambulance/medical: 118 fire, disasters: 115 police & general emergency: 112 Switzerland : general emergency: 112 Holidays Italy : January 1 New Year's Day January 6 Epiphany Mar 28 Easter Monday April 25 Liberation Day May 1 Labor Day June 2 Anniversary of the Republic August 15 Assumption of the Virgin November 1 All Saints Day November 7 World War 1 Victory Anniversary Day December 8 Immaculate Conception December 25 Christmas Day December 26 St Stephens Day *Note : In addition, local feast days are held in honor of town patron saints, generally without closure of shops and offices. These include: Turin/Genoa/Florence: Jun 24 (St John the Baptist) Milan: Dec 7 (St Ambrose) Siena: Jul 2 and Aug 16, Palio horserace Venice: Apr 25 (St Mark) Bologna: Oct 4 (St Petronius) Naples: Sep 19 (St Gennaro) Bari: Dec 6 (St Nicholas) Palermo: Jul 15 (St Rosalia) Rome: Jun 29 (St Peter) Trieste: Nov 3. Switzerland : Public Holidays: January 1 New Year's Day January 2 Berchtolds Day Mar 25* Good Friday Mar 28* Easter Monday May 5* Ascension May 15* Whit Monday Aug 1 National Day Nov 1 All Saints Day Nov 7 World War 1 Victory Anniversary Day Dec 8 Immaculate Conception Dec 25 Christmas Day Dec 26 St Stephens Day *Note : (a) *These holidays may not be observed in certain cantons. (b) There are additional regional holidays which are observed in certain cantons only. Driving Italy : Traffic drives on the right. There are more than 185,500 miles of roads in Italy, including over 3700 miles of motorway (autostrada) which link all parts of the country. Tolls are charged at varying distances and scales, except for the SalernoReggio Calabria, PalermoCatania and PalermoMazara Del Vallo stretches which are toll-free. Secondary roads are also excellent and require no tolls. Road signs are international. Many petrol stations are closed 12 -3 p.m. Visitors are advised to check locally about exact opening times. Switzerland : Traffic drives on the right. Road quality is generally good. Many mountain roads are winding and narrow, and often closed in heavy winter conditions; otherwise chains and snow tires may be necessary. Rail is often more efficient than driving. Car Regulations Italy : Driving licenses and other traffic documents valid in other countries are recognized in Italy. Distances are indicated in kilometer ( 1 km = 0.621 miles). An international insurance certificate is required for citizens from non-EC countries.The wearing of seat belts in front and rear seats is obligatory. An appropriate harness system is obligatory for children from 2 to 12 years of age. Gasoline : Almost all the service stations in the country are equipped with pumps for lead-free (95 octane) and diesel fuel. The fuel distribution network for gas-propelled vehicles is reasonably developed (ask for information at the Automobile Club d'Italia offices). Service stations are open from 7 am to 12:30 pm and from 3 pm to 7:30 pm. Service is guaranteed 24 hours a day on the motorways. Automatic pumps, which accept 10,000 and 50,000 lire banknotes, function in the evenings and at night. Carrying gasoline in gas cans is prohibited. Traffic Tips : On highways (autostrade) no U-turns are permitted and stopping is permitted only in emergency parking areas or parking lanes. The Italian Highway Code follows the Geneva Convention and Italy uses international road signs. Driving is on the right, passing on the left. Violators of the highway code are fined; serious violations may also be punished by imprisonment. In cities and towns, the speed limit is 50 km/hr. Papal Audiences, Vatican City General audiences with His Holiness are usually held once a week (Wednesdays at 11 a.m.) in Vatican City. They may be held inside the Basilica itself or in the hall of the Papal Audiences (Aula Paolo VI, Seating 7000), and in summer in Saint Peter's Square or in the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo. Catholics are requested to have a letter of introduction from their parish priest. For this audience women should dress modestly, with arms and head covered. Dark or subdued colors are requested. Men are asked to wear a tie and jacket. Return to the Italy brochure More TravelInformation Email This Page to a Friend © 2005 Gate 1 Travel Home | About Us | Travel Agent | Free Brochure | Help | Site Map | (800) 682-3333 Read our privacy policy . Contact Us . This site can be best viewed using Internet Explorer 4.0, or higher. The browser software can be downloaded, free of charge, from the Microsoft website at http://www.microsoft.com . All external sites will open in a new browser. Gate1travel.com does not endorse external sites.

Switzerland Travel

Switzerland Travel Information | Lonely Planet Destination Guide worldguide | shop | thorn tree forum | travel services | travel ticker | theme guides | on the road | postcards | travel links : Explore Switzerland Switzerland Leave the lederhosen at home and get in line with the stylish Swiss. At a Glance Fast Facts WORLDGUIDE Introduction Background Info See Image Gallery Events Transport Money RELATED Thorn Tree Forum Postcards Travel Links More Places Check out our other destinations: Within Switzerland Geneva Interlaken Zurich View Map Click here Feature Attraction Franches Montagnes Overlooked by most visitors, this pretty woodlands area in the Jura mountain chain has hiking trails and cross-country ski trails. Horse-riding is also ... more Switzerland may be neutral but it is certainly not flavourless. The fusion of German, French and Italian ingredients has formed a robust national culture, and the country's alpine landscapes have enough zing to reinvigorate the most jaded traveller. Goethe summed up Switzerland succinctly as a combination of 'the colossal and the well-ordered'. You can be sure that your trains and letters will be on time. The tidy, just-so precision of Swiss towns is tempered by the lofty splendour of the landscapes that surround them. Factoid You Fondue? Most of the world left fondue back in the 70s, but in Switzerland it's always in style. The classic fondue is bread dunked in Emmental and Gruyere cheeses mixed with white wine and flour - consumed, of course, on shag-pile carpet. 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 › 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