Europe Travel 101 -

Taking the Train in Europe - Rail Travel Info from Europe for Visitors  You are here: About > Travel > Europe for Visitors Travel Go Europe Essentials European Vacation Planning Map Europe Travel 101 - Before you Go European Distances The Best of Europe European Photo Gallery Articles & Resources Europe Travel Planning What to do In Europe Lodging - Hotels and More European Travel Maps Sex and Nudism Travel Photography Transportation Benelux Countries France Germany Austria Switzerland Greece Italy and Malta Travel Info Scandinavian Travel Spain and Portugal United Kingdom and Ireland Buyer's Guide Before You Buy Top Picks Italy Travel Guidebooks Europe Travel Guidebooks German Travel Guidebooks Product Reviews Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Europe for Visitors newsletter! See Online Courses   Search Europe for Visitors Taking the Train in Europe What you need to know about rail travel in Europe. Is taking the train better than taking a car? Well, it depends on what you want to see. Here are a few considerations: Train Travel Plusses Car Travel Plusses Trains allow you to move easily between cities and European capitals. Most train stations are located near the tourist centers and have hotels nearby. No parking worries. With an unrestricted Eurail Pass, you can get on and off when you wish, often without the hassle of dealing with ticketing agents. You can take the train on a rainy day just to see the scenery, without having to worry about the unscheduled expense. You can sleep on the train, saving travel time and some of the cost of a hotel. You can pay full attention to the scenery at hand--or read a book. You can meet with and talk to the locals--or get travel info from other travelers, while you're moving on to your next destination. It's easy to get to small, out-of-the-way towns and hidden romantic getaways. Go where you want, when you want. You don't have to go by someone else's timetable. Visit sites out in the countryside without having to sign up for an expensive tour. When in transit, you can leave your luggage in the car (albeit at some risk!) Many people can travel at the same cost. Train Travel Minuses Car Travel Minuses If you want to experience an event in the countryside, you'll most likely have to sign on to an expensive tour. Usually, two people travel for double what one person can travel for. A large family traveling on a train is usually quite a bit more expensive than renting a car, especially in northern Europe, where train fares tend to be higher. On the other hand, keeping young children entertained may be easier on the train. In a major city, you'll have to deal with parking and related fees, if you can figure out how to get to your destination in the first place. You'll have to deal with the worries involved with driving in an unfamiliar place with unfamiliar rules. Young children may not like long journeys in the car. If you're traveling with a large group of people, want to visit small towns, and like to drive in Europe, then it's a no-brainer--you'll want to rent or lease a car . But if you're a single traveler or couple who wishes to visit the great capitals of Europe, then train travel might just be the best bet for you. There are options for people who want both experiences as well. A Rail 'n Drive Pass allows you to use both modes of transport. The EurailDrive ( buy direct or get information ) Pass, for example, allows you four days first class train travel and two full days of car rental over a two month period. Rail Passes If you're intent on seeing many large cities in a limited amount of time it might save you considerable money to purchase a rail pass. Most passes for European tourists require you to buy them ahead of time in your own country. In the '70s the issue was simple. You bought a Eurail Pass or you didn't. The pass was valid for a solid period. In other words, you bought a month's pass and it was good for unlimited first-class rail travel during that month--all you needed to do once you had your pass was to flash it at the conductor and go. Only if you wanted a sleeping compartment did you need to purchase a supplement. Lately the options have multiplied enormously. So have the complications in using and understanding them. See Rail Passes - Which Rail Pass is Right for Your Vacation . Rick Steves' How Railpasses Work is an excellent primer on getting to understand railpasses. Another good resource is The Backpackers Ultimate Guide to Rail Travel in Europe . You can purchase just about any pass you can think of from Rail Europe . And What if I want to see the countryside as well as the major cities? European trains go to many small cities and towns, but for the smaller towns not serviced by trains you'll often find a local bus making a round trip between your city and the town you wish to visit--busses scheduled so the locals can shop in the big city and get back before dark. Your best bet is to check out the bus stations in the city in which you're staying. Local bus lines with an Internet presence can be found at Budget Travel's excellent Europe Bus Transportation page. The other alternative is a tour. Huge, lumbering busses can be seen on all roads in the most remote areas of Europe during the season. Check at the local tourist office or at your hotel check-in desk. For other transportation ideas, see our Transportation links. For scenic train routes, see Scenic Rail Journeys in Europe. For tips on buying tickets and riding the train, see 10 top train tips . From James Martin , Your Guide to Europe for Visitors . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Advertisement Most Popular Europe Map - Distances Between Cities in Western Europe Europe's Best Nudist Beaches Europe Picture Galleries Italy Pictures Europe Travel 101 - Before You Travel to Europe for the Firs... What's Hot Power Adapters Noord-Holland - Delights of North Holland Travel Visiting Pompeii Italy Guidebooks Naples - Getting There Related Topics France for Visitors Greece for Visitors United Kingdom / Ireland for Visitors Eastern Europe for Visitors Italy for Visitors        Topic Index | Email to a Friend Our Story | Be a Guide | Advertising Info | Work at About | Site Map | Icons | Help User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy | Kids' Privacy Policy ©2005 About, Inc., A part of the New York Times Company . All rights reserved. Around About New Video iPod - Review POLL: Must-Have Gadgets VIDEO: Portable Gaming VIDEO: Choosing a TV Hugh Hefner's Life What's Hot Power Adapters Noord-Holland - Delights of North Holland Travel Visiting Pompeii Italy Guidebooks Naples - Getting There Headlines Antwerp Pictures Antwerp is a fashion and diamond center for Belgium and... Like to Travel Well? Follow the CIA! I really should have paid attention when the CIA came... Tapas from Cans? Ok, so you wander into one of Barcelona's most celebrated... North Holland: Noah's Ark Redux A pious north Holland businessman took out a 300 000...

European Vacation (1985) Reviewed

National Lampoon's European Vacation (1985) . Review Archive: # | A-C | D-F | G-I | J-L | M-O | P-R | S-U | V-Z | Viewer Ratings | Main WARNER BROS. MOVIE INFO Director: Amy Heckerling Cast: Chevy Chase , Beverly D'Angelo, Dana Hill, Jason Lively Screenplay: John Hughes, Robert Klane Tagline: For over two thousand years, Europe has survived many great disasters. Now for the real test. Chevy Chase & his family are coming from America! MPAA: Rated PG-13. DVD DETAILS Presentation: Widescreen 1.85:1/16x9 Audio: English Monoraul French Monoraul Subtitles: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese Closed-captioned Runtime: 94 min. Price: $19.98 Release Date: 4/2/2002 Bonus: • Audio Commentary With Actor Chevy Chase • Theatrical Trailer PURCHASE • DVD Search Products: EQUIPMENT Sony 36" WEGA KV-36FS12 Monitor; Sony DA333ES Processor/Receiver; Panasonic CV-50 DVD Player using component outputs; Michael Green Revolution Cinema 6i Speakers (all five); Sony SA-WM40 Subwoofer. RELATED REVIEWS National Lampoon's European Vacation (1985) Reviewed by Colin Jacobson If you look at a short list of Chevy Chases hit films, youll indeed discover its a very short list. Itd include 1980s Caddyshack , 1983s National Lampoons Vacation , and 1985s Fletch . Interestingly, Chase went on to appear in sequels to all three of these. He was the only original castmember of Caddyshack to come back for its flop 1988 sequel, and he also returned for 1989s Fletch Lives . Neither of those franchises made it past a second iteration, though it appears that Kevin Smiths leading a third Fletch flick that wont star Chase. His most enduring chain is definitely Vacation , which has so far offered three sequels. None of these enjoyed the success or fan popularity of the original. First out of the hopper came 1985s National Lampoons European Vacation . European Vacation assumes you saw the original flick, as it provides very little exposition to establish the characters. At the very start of the film, we re-encounter the Griswald family from the first movie: father Clark (Chase), mother Ellen (Beverly DAngelo), and teen children Audrey (Dana Hill) and Rusty (Jason Lively). They appear on a TV game show called Pig in a Poke where they win the grand prize: an all-expenses-paid two-week trek across Europe. And theres your plot! Essentially, European features no real storyline; it just plops the Griswalds in Europe as an excuse to show them encounter various wacky scenarios. They begin in London and then move to Paris, Germany and Rome before they finally come home. The closest thing to a plot relates to Clarks continued obsessiveness; he wants to complete a happily family vacation no matter what the cost. However, European s Clark lacks the same drive and fervor found in the first film. Sure, he expresses his intent to get his own way and move forward despite many setbacks - and persistent disinterest from his family - but these elements felt lackluster and forced. In Vacation , Chase made Clark a man possessed, but this one did little more than pay lip service to that original attitude. That lackadaisical tone spread to the whole movie. For the most part, European seemed to exist just to be a sequel. The first film had some spark and originality, but European felt obvious and forced. Really, Clarks obsession influenced and united the original movie as he worked toward a nervous breakdown as various societal elements ruined his big family trip. In the sequel, Clark essentially becomes little more than the ugly American. Very few of the problems occur due to external forces; Clark causes most of them, as he seems more and more like a bumbling fool. Despite the lack of focus, European had some entertaining moments. The satirical view of British politeness could be mildly funny, and a case of mistaken identity in Germany also generates a few laughs. However, most of the humor really didnt go anywhere. The gags didnt seem overtly bad for the most part, but they just fell flat. Part of the problem related to the acting. As noted, Chase came across with little of the spark or energy he displayed in the first flick, and that left a big hole at the center. DAngelo was adequate but left without much to do, while the kids created substantial concerns. We found neither of the original actors; Anthony Michael Hall played Rusty the first time, while Dana Barron portrayed Audrey. (Apparently the filmmakers wanted to keep the kids the same age for all the Vacation flicks even as Clark and Ellen aged.) Lively appeared too goofy and grating, and I actively disliked Hill. Honestly, I never could stand her, and her presence remained emotive and fussy. With that dumpling face, she looked like a Cabbage Patch Kid come to life, and her acting followed suit, as she seemed broad and whiny. Frankly, European Vacation wasnt an unpleasant experience, but it appeared bland and unmemorable. The movie rambled through its 94 minutes with little spark or excitement, and some weak acting from the main cast didnt help matters. Ive seen many crummier films than European Vacation , but I still thought this one was lackluster and only sporadically entertaining. Casting note: as I watched European , I marveled at how good DAngelo looked for her age. As it happens, I didnt need to marvel; she was only 30 at the time! Surprisingly, Hill was less than a decade younger than DAngelo; only Chase - who was well into his forties in 1985 - actually could have sired the girl. The DVD Grades: Picture B / Audio B / Bonus C National Lampoons European Vacation appears in an aspect ratio of approximately 1.85:1 on this single-sided, single-layered DVD; the image has been enhanced for 16X9 televisions. The picture showed a few signs of age, but overall I thought it looked very good. Sharpness consistently appeared solid. One or two wider shots came across as a little soft, but they werent a major issue. The vast majority of the movie seemed crisp and well defined. Jagged edges and moir effects caused no issues, and I saw no signs of edge enhancement. In regard to print flaws, some mild grain caused to most noticeable problem, as it reared its head to a moderate degree during the first half of the film. Most of the second part seemed pretty clean, however, and other defects appeared fairly insubstantial. The film offered a few nicks and occasional speckles, but these didnt provide any significant concerns. Colors usually looked quite good. They seemed generally clear and accurate, with some vivid and bright tones as display. On a few occasions, they came across as a bit heavy, especially when we saw colored lighting, but as a whole, I thought the hues were solid. Black levels appeared reasonably deep and dense, while shadow detail appeared a bit muddy at times, but for the most part, the low-light sequences remained fairly clean. Overall, European Vacation demonstrated some modest issues, but I felt it offered a pleasing image as a whole. Also fairly good was the monaural soundtrack of European Vacation . Speech occasionally came across as somewhat thin and flat, but the lines lacked any edginess and they showed no problems related to intelligibility. Effects also seemed somewhat tinny, but they retained acceptable fidelity and clarity, and they demonstrated no issues related to distortion. Music sounded quite strong, as the songs and score were bright and rich. They featured surprisingly positive bass response and seemed pretty dynamic considering their age. I heard a little hiss and hum at times, but those concerns werent excessive. Overall, I found the track to seem very nice for its period and the restrictions of the monaural format. European Vacation doesnt provide many extras, but we do find one substantial one. In addition to the films theatrical trailer , we get an audio commentary from actor Chevy Chase. He offers a running, screen-specific track, but dont expect much. For the most part, Chase does little more than offer general comments about how much he liked the cast and he tells us when he thinks somethings funny. We learn a few modestly interesting comments, such as which pieces of wardrobe Chase still owns, and at one point he indicates that he previously thought European was a bad movie but this screening changed his mind. Chases commentary isnt a total loss, but it provides little concrete information and features sporadic remarks with many gaps. At least he actually criticizes the film a few times, as he tells us his opinion of how Rusty was depicted. Ive heard worse commentaries, but this was still a rather dull piece. I felt the same about National Lampoons European Vacation as a film. It had a few decent moments and remained watchable for the most part, but it seemed fairly bland and uninvolving as a whole. The DVD offered moderately flawed but generally solid picture and sound plus a fairly flat audio commentary. Fans of the Vacation series should be happy with this release, but those less forgiving will probably prefer to stick with the original film alone. Viewer Film Ratings: 3.7878 Stars Number of Votes: 33 20 1 3 3 6 View Averages for all rated titles.

Travel Insurance Take a

Travel Insurance - Health Insurance - Total Travel Insurance Companies Plans Products Coverages About Us Best in the Industry Welcome to Total Travel Insurance Take a test drive of the best travel insurance system. Select an area of insurance that interests you, click on a link below and browse. Review information about all major companies that sell travel insurance. Compare plans, products and coverages. Complete a quote, to see prices and plans that match your insurance needs. Companies Plans Products Coverages Compare You can review We offer Each Plan is divided into Every Major 100+ 17 30 travel insurance company plans different products coverages You can review and compare information about companies such as Travelex, TravelGuard, M H Ross and CSA. We offer a wide variety of products ranging from total trip protection that are ideal for expensive vacations, international travels and cruises, to cheap/economy - ideal for students and senior citizens. Some products include all coverages, some only trip cancellation, trip interruption, flight accident, evacuation, or medical. We are reviewed in NY Times Travel Section. You can see a re-print of this article and others in our News section. We now offer plans from HTH Worldwide . HTH operates its own 'best of class' physician community in 170 countries. Easy To Use Our on-line system is very easy to use. In 3 simple steps , you can get a quote, compare 100+ travel insurance plans , and purchase a policy on-line from one of our providers. Complete the 6-question quote to see what you are eligible for. Input your trip dates, trip cost, your residence, and age of all travelers. 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Did you know that HMO's, PPO's and Medicare typically do not cover you abroad? With one of our plans, you would be covered. Wouldn't trip insurance or cruise insurance make you feel better? Review certificate closely before you buy, receive instant quote, then policy (cover) and have a worry-free vacation. Frequently Asked Questions Researching trip cancellation insurance can be a daunting experience. That is why we created this section to list some of the frequently asked questions. What if there is an act of Terrorism at your departure or destination? If you have a specific question, please contact us at: What if your tour operator, cruise company or airline declares bankruptcy ? Will you be covered? info@totaltravelinsurance.com What if a Hurricane or other inclement weather affects my travel? What is Travel Insurance? If you have a group of 10 or more travelers, you can get a custom quote at: Latest News group@totaltravelinsurance.com Trip Deposit Date Departure Date Return Date Trip Cost $ Cost Per Traveler Total Trip Cost I live in Resident of Australia European Union (EU) Japan United Kingdom Other International Alabama Alaska Alberta Arizona Arkansas British Columbia California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Dist. of Columbia Florida Georgia Guam Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Manitoba Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Brunswick New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York Newfoundland North Carolina North Dakota Nova Scotia Nunavut NW Territories Ohio Oklahoma Ontario Oregon Pennsylvania Prince Edward Isl Puerto Rico Quebec Rhode Island Saskatchewan South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virgin Islands Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Yukon Territory Age of Travelers (today) Get a quote from all of these companies: Travelex TravelGuard Travel Insured CSA M H Ross MNU Specialty Risk Intl Medical Group Global Underwriters iTravel Insured SOS International Medjet Assist HTH Privacy Policy Support Contact Us Links Site Map 1999 - 2005 Total Travel Insurance all rights reserved (261118)

Japan travel tips Travel

Japan hot topics - Japan travel tips  You are here: About > Travel > Japan for Visitors > Plan Your Trip to Japan > Japan Hot Topic > Japan hot topics - Japan travel tips Travel Go Japan Essentials Clickable Map of Japan Japan Pictures Japan Travel Tips Japanese Geisha Japan 101 - Fact about Japan Articles & Resources Japan Maps Picture of Japan / Web cams Best of Japan / Attractions Hotels/Accommodations Tokyo / Cities / Regions Japanese Translators Japanese Culture Etiquette / Living in Japan Japan Weather / Geography Japan History / Samurai Japanese Penpal / Chat Plan Your Trip to Japan Air Travel / Train Travel Restaurants / Japanese Food Japanese Gift / Japan Books Buyer's Guide Before You Buy Top Picks Japanese Gifts Product Reviews Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Japan for Visitors newsletter! See Online Courses   Search Japan for Visitors Stay up to date! Email to a friend Print this page Suggested Reading Travel Tips [an error occurred while processing this directive] Most Popular New Year Cards Japanese Geisha Christmas in Japan Japanese Tattoos Free Japanese postcards - Japanese new year cards - japan fr... What's Hot Japan Postcard - Japanese free email postcards - New Year's ... Japan Map - Nagano Prefecture Map - Map of Japan Universal Studios Japan Odaiba Photos Pictures of Japan - mount fuji picture - mt. fuji Photo Related Topics Japanese Cuisine Japanese Language Asia for Visitors Anime PlayStation Games Japan Hot Topics From Shizuko Mishima , Your Guide to Japan for Visitors . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Japan Travel Tips Traveling by Japanese Bullet Train Staying at Japanese Inns The Climate in Japan Japanese Currency Rainy Season Home Stay Shopping in Tokyo When to Go to Japan Where to Go in Japan Saving Money in Shopping in Japan Budget Travel in Japan Packing for Japan Temple Lodging Camping in Japan Japan Tours Japan Holiday Travel Tips More Japan Hot Topics        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 Japan Postcard - Japanese free email postcards - New Year's ... Japan Map - Nagano Prefecture Map - Map of Japan Universal Studios Japan Odaiba Photos Pictures of Japan - mount fuji picture - mt. fuji Photo

South America Travel Guide

Google Directory - Regional > South America > Travel and Tourism > Travel Guides Directory Help Search only in Travel Guides Search the Web Travel Guides Regional > South America > Travel and Tourism > Travel Guides Go to Directory Home Categories Argentina (26) Bolivia (4) Brazil (26) Chile (21) Colombia (13) Ecuador (12) Falkland Islands (6) French Guiana (6) Guyana (13) Paraguay (6) Peru (13) Suriname (7) Uruguay (5) Venezuela (11) Related Categories: Recreation > Travel > Guides and Directories (152) Regional > South America > Guides and Directories (22) Web Pages Viewing in Google PageRank order View in alphabetical order South American Explorers Club - http://www.samexplo.org Travel information for South and Central America. Columbus Guides - World Travel Guide: South America - http://www.wtgonline.com/region/sam.asp Tourist and business travel information by country with facts on climate, visa, health, passport, currency and customs requirements. Nuevo Mundo - http://www.nvmundo.com Provides a searchable hotel, tour and restaurant database for South and Central America. South America Outdoors - http://gorp.away.com/gorp/location/latamer/south_america.htm A travel, tourism and recreation guide, including hiking, biking, paddling, climbing, nature and national parks. Aventura - http://www.aventura-mag.com A travel publication focused on Latin America with a searchable database of adventure activities and destinations. Think Venezuela - http://think-venezuela.net Venezuela's history, culture and nature discussed. Exploitz - http://www.exploitz.com/pages/regions/southamerica/ Photos and images of travels and adventures with computer gear throughout the continent. Gofir South America - http://www.gofir.com/regions/south_america.htm Originally developed to assist the professional flight crew obtain information for the purpose of planning a domestic or international flight. Adventure South America - http://photoadventure.8m.com Travel quide to South America, specially designed to photographers, videographers, Tv and Cinema producers. South America for Visitors - http://gosouthamerica.about.com/travel/gosouthamerica/ From airlines to zoos, everything the visitor to South America needs to make the journey memorable. Seektravel - http://www.seektravel.com/sthamerica.html Travel to South America, covering airlines, hotels, and other resources. BUPA International - http://www.bupa-intl.travel-guides.com/Country.jsp?Region=South%20America Travel guides and country information. AmazonHerp - http://www.amazonherp.com/ Introduction to the reptiles and amphibians of the Peruvian Amazon, with many images. Also includes sections on people and places, travel, and articles from Reptiles magazine by Matt Russell. InterHabit - http://www.interhabit.com/ Information about destinations, maps, tips, spots to visit, lodging, tours and activities. Includes Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, Peru and the Falkland-Malvinas Islands. Americasol - http://www.americasol.net An information provider, specially visual, about Ecological Tourism and Adventure Travel in South America. Preview of places and of routes of trips through virtual tours. Patagonias - http://www.patagonias.net/Services.htm Listings include travel agencies, rent a car, airlines, bus, marine transport and adventure tourism in Patagonia Argentina and Chile. South America Travel Guide - http://www.tripeze.com/en/content/TravelGuides/index.jhtml?SearchValueID=T3 Offers destination information researched and written by a professional editorial teame. Worldsurface - http://www.worldsurface.com/browse/location-region-m.asp?locationid=8 Information about tourism for independent travellers and backpackers in South America. Chili Ski - http://chile-ski.com A guide to skiing in Chile and Argentina. Destination Explorer - http://www.journeymart.com/DExplorer/SouthAmerica/default.asp?id=11 Contains destination and travel information on the South American Continent and its countries. Ecuador, Galapagos and Peru - http://www.20riverside.freeserve.co.uk A personal travel diaries including logs of Ecuador, Peru, and a picture gallery. Help build the largest human-edited directory on the web. Submit a Site - Open Directory Project - Become an Editor Modified by Google - ©2004 Google Advertise with Us - Jobs, Press, Cool Stuff...