Italy Travel

Request your free brochure on line HOME Request your free copy of our information brochure The Italian Government Tourist Board invites you to take part in realizing your dream of Italy with our new and improved brochure: "Realize the Dream". You will find up to date information on everything from art and history, to cuisine, music and more; including translation of commonly used phrases to help you along your journey. First name Last name Address 1 Address 2 City State/Province Please select one Alabama Alaska Alberta Arizona Arkansas British Columbia California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Manitoba Maryland Massachussets Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Brunswick Newfoundland New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Nothwest Territories Nova Scotia Nunavut Ohio Oklahoma Ontario Oregon Pennsylvania Prince Edward Island Puerto Rico Quebec Rhode Island Saskatchewan South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Virgin Islands Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Yukon Zip code Country Please select one USA Canada Email address Check here if you are NOT interested in receiving special promotions or package information from preferred suppliers to Italy. PLEASE HELP US TO IMPROVE OUR SERVICE BY ANSWERING THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS 1. Have you traveled to Europe before? Yes No 2. Have you ever visited Italy? Yes No 3. Your education: Please select one High School College University Post graduate other 4. Your annual household income: Please select one less than $25,000 $25,000-$49,000 $50,000-$74,000 $75,000-$99,000 $100,000 and more 5. The main purpose of your trip: Please select one vacation visit friends, relatives business study other 6. What type of interest/activities would appeal to you during your visit? First interest Second interest Third interest Art/History/Heritage Art/History/Heritage Art/History/Heritage Food and wine Food and wine Food and wine Nature Nature Nature Fashion and design Fashion and design Fashion and design Shopping Shopping Shopping Performing arts Performing arts Performing arts Health and beauty Health and beauty Health and beauty Biking/Hiking Biking/Hiking Biking/Hiking Events Events Events Religion Religion Religion 7. Do you have any suggestions to improve our web site? Please allow 10 to 15 business days for shipment. 07/12/2005

Chicago Vacation Packages Free

Chicago: Fitzpatrick Chicago Hotel - Traveler Reviews - Great Spot for your Chicago Vacation. - TripAdvisor Fitzpatrick Chicago Hotel: Traveler Reviews Sign in • Sign up Home > United States > Illinois > Chicago > Hotels > Fitzpatrick Chicago Hotel > Traveler Reviews Chicago tourism: Overview Hotels Flights Attractions Dining Deals Getaways Forums Maps, etc. Search (e.g., Boston hotels, Las Vegas, Paris art museum) Chicago Chicago Overview Chicago Hotels Fitzpatrick Chicago Hotel All Chicago Hotels Flights to Chicago Chicago Deals Chicago Attractions Chicago Restaurants Chicago Forums Chicago Maps Chicago Discount Hotels Chicago Vacation Packages Free Newsletter Get deals, news and articles on Fitzpatrick Chicago Hotel Plus weekend trip ideas from your hometown Fitzpatrick Chicago Hotel e-mail this page to a friend Traveler Reviews Write a review . What was your experience with Fitzpatrick Chicago Hotel? Tell others what's hot and what's not. Chicago Fitzpatrick Chicago Hotel 166 E. Superior Street Chicago, Illinois 60611 United States Deals on Nearby Chicago Hotels Sofitel Chicago Water Tower Park Hyatt Chicago The Peninsula Chicago Four Seasons The Talbott Conrad Chicago Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Downtown Comfort Inn & Suites Downtown Ritz-Carlton Chicago Wyndham Chicago Courtyard Chicago Downtown Sutton Place Hotel Embassy Suites Hotel Chicago Downtown Lakefront Homewood Suites by Hilton Chicago Downtown InterContinental Chicago Drake Hotel Omni Chicago Hotel Residence Inn Chicago Downtown Fairfield Inn & Suites Chicago Downtown Hampton Inn and Suites Chicago - Downtown Best Western Inn of Chicago W Chicago Lakeshore Embassy Suites Hotel Chicago Downtown The Westin Michigan Avenue Chicago Doubletree Guest Suites Chicago Seneca Hotel Howard Johnson Inn Chicago The Whitehall Hotel Radisson Hotel & Suites Chicago Red Roof Inn Cass Hotel Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel Chicago Courtyard Chicago Downtown / Magnificent Mile Crowne Plaza Chicago - Allerton Lenox Suites Holiday Inn Chicago-City Centre (Navy Pier) Marriott Chicago Downtown Magnificent Mile Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers Oakwood Apartments Raphael The Tremont - Chicago Hotel Burnham Amalfi Hotel Chicago Crowne Plaza Chicago Silversmith Renaissance Chicago Hotel Hotel Monaco The Fairmont Chicago Hotel Allegro Swissotel The Westin Chicago River North Read more Chicago tourism Fitzpatrick Chicago Hotel : Traveler Reviews #6 of 156 hotels in Chicago Compare rates with: Average price*: $ 224 166 E. Superior Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States Rooms: 140 Hotel class: TripAdvisor traveler rating: Call now to book: 1-800-434-6835 from hotels.com Map this hotel: Expedia.com Hotel photos: Expedia.com Virtual tour: Expedia.com Intimate Hotel located on the Magnificent Mile, near shops, dining & entertainment. This description is based on information provided by the hotel. Sponsored links * Hotel deal search: Fitzpatrick Chicago Hotel Click here for best prices for Fitzpatrick Chicago Hotel Fitzpatrick Chicago Hotel : Great rooms from $129 Expedia.com Don't just travel. Travel right! Fitzpatrick Chicago Hotel : More rooms for more value hotels.com We Know Hotels Inside And Out. Click or call now: 1-800-434-6835 Fitzpatrick Chicago Hotel : Low Hotel Prices Made Easy Orbitz.com The faster, easier way to find the hotel you want. Just Orbitz and go! Fitzpatrick Chicago Hotel : Lowest Price Guaranteed Lodging.com Spend Less, Sleep Well with Lodging.com's RestEasy rates! All results: View all 1,118 Chicago travel deals Airfare: Find deals on airfare to Chicago TripAdvisor Traveler Rating Based on 108 reviews worldwide What to expect Rooms Service Value Cleanliness Pool Recommendations couples and romantics business travelers singles families with small children seniors Traveler Reviews (15-19 of 108) (English) Traveler reviews (15-19 of 108) Previous | Next RATING: DATE: Show: All languages English (108) Traveler rating: Chicago: Fitzpatrick Chicago Hotel : "Great Spot for your Chicago Vacation." Jul 18, 2005 : A TripAdvisor Member, Miami, Florida Compare prices with: I stayed at this hotel in: August, 2005 My ratings for this hotel are: Rooms Service Value Cleanliness Dining Activities and gym Pool I traveled to this hotel with: boyfriend/girlfriend I recommend this hotel for: couples and romantics My visit was for: extended vacation Would I stay at this location again: most likely I too enjoy the reviews from Tripadvisor as I plan vacations to new destination. I again used this site in the planning of our trip to Chicago for the 4th of July. I must say, that one of the main reasons that I booked this hotel was because It was number six on the list. After visiting the hotel... Im not sure how it got such a good rating.... I would classify this hotel as a solid 3 1/2 star. The lobby was very small and unimpressive. I had reserved a room with a King bed.... but upon arrival, was forced into one with a queen bed. No big deal. The room had A/C but it was limited in how low you could turn it down. I like it cold, so I had to removed the restrictive device. No problem... The room was VERY large. The bed was comfy. and the bathroom was small... But all in all, it was very confortable. The location is outstanding!!!! It is in a great spot, one block from North Michigan Ave. You can walk to many attractions, catch a quick cab or jump on the subway a few blocks away. It is a great spot for shopping or hitting the bars on Rush Street. I would stay here again. I think that if I was traveling with a family the extra room would be perfect. Never intracted with staff so I have no comments.... This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor, Inc. 9 out of 19 TripAdvisor users found this review to be helpful. Write a review of this hotel Post your photos of this hotel Did you find this review helpful? Traveler rating: Chicago: Fitzpatrick Chicago Hotel : "Great American Girl Package" Jul 13, 2005 : A TripAdvisor Member, Minneapolis, MN Compare prices with: I took my daughter for a girl's weekend at the Fitzpatrick. We loved our "princess suite" complete with doll bed, doll bathrobe, doll slippers, and doll hairwrap. The staff was excellent and took good care of us. I would stay here again on my next trip to Chicago...with or without the doll! This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor, Inc. 13 out of 20 TripAdvisor users found this review to be helpful. Write a review of this hotel Post your photos of this hotel Did you find this review helpful? Traveler rating: Chicago: Fitzpatrick Chicago Hotel : "A Nice Stay with Some Updating Needed..." Jul 12, 2005 : A TripAdvisor Member, Hartland, WI Compare prices with: I stayed at this hotel in: July, 2005 My ratings for this hotel are: Rooms Service Value Cleanliness Activities and gym Pool I traveled to this hotel with: spouse/partner, small children, family members I recommend this hotel for: business travelers, couples and romantics, families with small children, tourists My visit was for: business Would I stay at this location again: most likely Most of the reviews here are on target and complement my family's stay at the Fitz for four days. The staff is exemplary and super-friendly, terrific with young children. Our bedroom suite lacked a door, so our beautiful bed overlooked the sofa bed in which our two children slept. A bit odd, though the room was spacious. Yes, the furniture was a bit sparse and beaten, and, yes again, the bathrooms are cramped and in need of renovation. All in all, the hotel is nice, but if it isn't updated soon, it will really begin to show the wear and tear (others apparently already feel that time has arrived). The location is unbeatable and the hotel offers a pool (that could be cleaned more) for its guests; my children loved the opportunity to swim. I, too, was amazed by the relatively quiet of the rooms at night, though some ambulances can be heard. The elevators are small and they, like the halls, are not air-conditioned, though the rooms were super climate-comfortable! I would recommend this hotel to others, but I also would look to try out some other Chicago hotels on my next visits, which we do three times a year. Unfortunately, I did not have the opportunity to visit the Irish bar downstairs, though my wife said it was beautiful. This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor, Inc. 16 out of 25 TripAdvisor users found this review to be helpful. Write a review of this hotel Post your photos of this hotel Did you find this review helpful? Traveler rating: Chicago: Fitzpatrick Chicago Hotel : "Fitzpatrick could be much better" Jul 8, 2005 : A TripAdvisor Member, hollywood, florida Compare prices with: I was a little disappointed in the outward appearance of the hotel. The picture on the website made it appear more grand. The lobby was unremarkable and the furniture had seen much much better days. There were two people only at the small front desk and they seeemed rather stressed as the phones were ringing non-stop. The room was huge, undoutedly must be one of the largest rooms in Downtown. I liked the layout. You opened the door into a waiting/foyer area, then stepped down into the living area. To the right was the bedroom and then bathroom and then another area to do whatever. The living room was spartanly furnished -- however it had its own smaLL television housed in a display unit. The carpet was worn -- apparently from too much cleaning, which in itself is not too much of bad thing. The spread had two cigarette burns in it, yuck. For such a huge room, the bathroom is rather small and not modern. All in all, with updating and an eclectic infusion, these rooms could become one of the best in Chicago. This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor, Inc. 13 out of 24 TripAdvisor users found this review to be helpful. Write a review of this hotel Post your photos of this hotel Did you find this review helpful? Traveler rating: Chicago: Fitzpatrick Chicago Hotel : "Chicagos best kept secret!" Jul 6, 2005 : A TripAdvisor Member, Dublin, Ireland Compare prices with: I stayed at this hotel in: July, 2005 My ratings for this hotel are: Rooms Service Value Cleanliness Dining Activities and gym Pool I traveled to this hotel with: friends I recommend this hotel for: couples and romantics, honeymooners, singles, families with small children, families with teenagers, large groups, seniors, tourists My visit was for: extended vacation Would I stay at this location again: absolutely! We stayed in the Fitzpatrick hotel in June of this year. We got a very warm Irish welcome when we arrived which lasted throughout our entire stay. The staff were very friendly and helpful. There was a good mix of Irish and American staff which was great. The hotels rooms are larger than what one would expect for a downtown hotel in the heart of the city which was a pleasant surprise. Fitzers bar in the basement was excellent - the food is great and the craic is mighty!! The hotel is within minutes walk of all the major shopping streets, restaurants, tourist destinations etc. I would highly recommend the Fitzpatrick hotel to both the leisure and business customer! This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor, Inc. 17 out of 29 TripAdvisor users found this review to be helpful. Write a review of this hotel Post your photos of this hotel Did you find this review helpful? Traveler reviews (15-19 of 108) Previous | Next Sponsored links * Hotel deal search: Fitzpatrick Chicago Hotel Click here for best prices for Fitzpatrick Chicago Hotel Fitzpatrick Chicago Hotel : Great rooms from $129 Expedia.com Don't just travel. Travel right! Fitzpatrick Chicago Hotel : More rooms for more value hotels.com We Know Hotels Inside And Out. Click or call now: 1-800-434-6835 Fitzpatrick Chicago Hotel : Low Hotel Prices Made Easy Orbitz.com The faster, easier way to find the hotel you want. Just Orbitz and go! Fitzpatrick Chicago Hotel : Lowest Price Guaranteed Lodging.com Spend Less, Sleep Well with Lodging.com's RestEasy rates! All results: View all 1,118 Chicago travel deals About TripAdvisor TripAdvisor provides recommendations for hotels, resorts, inns, vacations, travel packages, vacation packages, travel guides and lots more. 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 | 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.

Travel Insurance 100+ Plans

MapQuest.Com: Maps, Directions and More Settings Help Mobile Maps Directions Special Offers Show me offers related to: - Select - Hotels Restaurants Flights Rental Cars Jobs Personals Event Tickets Real Estate Apartments Roommates Florists Dentists Mortgage Insurance Lawyers Compare Travel Insurance 100+ Plans - All 16 Major Companies Travel Insurance - Get It Today. www.InsureMyTrip.com Travel Guard Insurance Get travel insurance . www.travelguard.com Save with Lonely Planet Low cost global travel insurance . Win a $4,000 travel pack ! www.lonelyplanet.com Compare Travel Insurance Compare all companies and save. Instant coverage. 800-821-4940 www.quotewright.com Travel Insurance Lonely Planet's trusted provider. Win a $4,000 travel pack ! www.worldnomads.com Travel Insurance The Travel Insurance Experts Compare Plans, Buy Online Instantly WorldTravelCenter.com Need Travel Insurance ? Protect your family and trip costs. Great service, affordable coverage. www.accessamerica.com Travel Insurance Plans Cover trip costs of up to $50,000 each. Fast service. Call toll free. www.TripInsuranceStore.com Travel Hotel Rooms Hotels Travel Insurance Vacations Travel Europe Travel Real Estate Vacation Homes Foreclosures Homes for Sale Commercial Real Estate Real Estate License Real Estate Vacations Vacations Europe Travel Orlando Florida Fishing Trips Vacation Homes African Safari Getaways Europe Travel Orlando Florida Las Vegas Travel Florida Vacations Mexico Vacations Caribbean Vacations About these results: "Sponsored Links" are listings that have been purchased by companies that want to have their sites appear for specific search terms. These listings are administered, sorted and maintained by Google (MapQuest's partner). For information about how Google sorts these listings, go to http://adwords.google.com/ and click on the 'Advertise with Us' link. Company Advertise Business Solutions Link to MapQuest Toolbar Privacy Legal ©2005 MapQuest, Inc. All rights reserved.

Air Travel Consumer Report

Hawaiian Airlines: Hawaii Starts Here Help/FAQ Sitemap Membership #: Password (Need Help?) : Roundtrip One-Way Multi-City From: Oahu - Honolulu Big Island - Hilo Big Island - Kona Kauai - Lihue Maui - Kahului ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ HA MAINLAND U.S. ~ Las Vegas, NV Los Angeles, CA Phoenix, AZ Portland, OR Sacramento, CA San Diego, CA San Francisco, CA San Jose, CA Seattle, WA ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ HA INTERNATIONAL ~ Sydney, Australia Pago Pago, Samoa Papeete, Tahiti ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ALL OTHER CITIES ~ Fresno, CA Juneau, Alaska Monterey, CA San Luis Obispo, CA Santa Barbara, CA Spokane, WA To: Oahu - Honolulu Big Island - Hilo Big Island - Kona Kauai - Lihue Maui - Kahului ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ HA MAINLAND U.S. ~ Las Vegas, NV Los Angeles, CA Phoenix, AZ Portland, OR Sacramento, CA San Diego, CA San Francisco, CA San Jose, CA Seattle, WA ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ HA INTERNATIONAL ~ Sydney, Australia Pago Pago, Samoa Papeete, Tahiti ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ALL OTHER CITIES ~ Fresno, CA Juneau, Alaska Monterey, CA San Luis Obispo, CA Santa Barbara, CA Spokane, WA Depart: 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 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Anytime Before 9am 9am - 12pm 12pm - 3pm 3pm - 6pm After 6pm Return: 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 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Anytime Before 9am 9am - 12pm 12pm - 3pm 3pm - 6pm After 6pm Adult(s): 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Children (age 2-15) : Restrictions 0 1 2 3 4 5 Infant(s) (under age 2) : Restrictions 0 1 2 3 4 5 Detailed rules on unaccompanied minors Baggage Check-In Service Flight Tracking/Status Flight Schedule Route Map Hotel & Car Vacation Packages Activities, Tours & Dining Hawaii Destination Info > $50 OFF – HawaiianMiles Member Savings Book: Now - December 31 | Travel January 9 - March 15, 2006 Not a member yet? Join today FREE! | Learn More > Enjoy Live Hawaiian Sights & Sounds NOW Download the free “Hawaii Anytime” portal for a virtual vacation to everyone's favorite islands! | Learn More > WINTER FARES January 9 - March 15, 2006 Starting at $298* Roundtrip | Book Now > MELE FARES Starting at $298* Roundtrip Book: Now – January 31, 2006 | Learn More > Low, unadvertised fares. Receive email announcements of exclusive interislandand mainland fares. | Learn More > Hawaii Vacation Package Deals Exclusive Offers on All Islands Starting at $564 pp/dbl from the West Coast Limited Time Offer | Learn More * Fares are subject to seat availability during the travel period shown and may change at any time without notice. Additional cost of $3.30 ZP tax per segment, a $2.50 per enplanement September 11th Security Fee (not to exceed $10) and PFC surcharge of $3-$4.50 where applicable will be applied to each ticket purchase. Taxes, fees & other restrictions apply. Hawaiian's Quality of Service Tops All Carriers Department of Transportation October 2005 Air Travel Consumer Report Learn More Contact Us Privacy Policy © 2005 Hawaiian Airlines

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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