Switzerland Travel Guide @

Switzerland Travel Guide @ TravelNotes.org Car Hire Cruises Flights Hotels Tours Vacations About Travel Notes™ Destinations Budget Travel Feedback Search Travel Forums Travel Writers Africa Asia Caribbean Europe Middle East North America South America Oceania Switzerland Switzerland Travel Guide @ TravelNotes.org Around Switzerland , Basle , Bern , Geneva , Hotels in Switzerland , Languages in Switzerland , Luzern , Map of Switzerland , Swiss Alps , Swiss Tourism , Swiss Tours , Swiss Travel Agents , Switzerland Directories , Travel in Switzerland , Zrich . Round The World Flights - Free TravelNotes e-mail Flag of Switzerland Switzerland is also called La Suisse in French; Schweiz in German; and Svizzera in Italian. Local Currency Convert your currency into Swiss francs. Buy a Map of Switzerland Countries neighbouring Switzerland are: Italy , France , Germany , Austria and Liechtenstein . National Anthem of Switzerland. Food Travel Fiction Health Kids Bios Humor Mags Software Gifts Tech Business Other Your Ad Here Travel Notes Mailing List News Headlines World News Directory of newspapers and news sources from around the world. Hotel City Search : Hotels in Switzerland Find and Book a Hotel in Austria Hotels in Switzerlad by City : Bern , Geneva , Lugano , Zurich . Popular Destinations in Switzerlan d : Crans-Montana , Davos Klosters , Lake Lugano , Les Quatre Valles , St. Moritz , Zermatt . Languages in Switzerland There are four national languages in Switzerland, and English isn't one of them. German -- or a Swiss dialect of it (Schwyzerttsch) -- is the most widely spoken. French is the spoken language of the Romand cantons: Geneva, Vaud, Neuchtel, Fribourg, Jura, and the western part of Valais. Italian is mainly reserved for the southern canton of Ticino, but is still heard in the major cities. The fourth national language, Romansh , is spoken by less than 1 per cent of the people -- mainly in the mountainous canton of Graubnden (or Grisons, in French). Around Switzerland Geneva and Zurich are important cities in Switzerland, but Bern is the capital. Bern The capital of Switzerland , also spelt Berne, is on the Aare River towards the west of the country. A bear is the emblem of Berne, and the bear pit -- maintained since 1513 -- is a popular tourist attraction. Bern was founded in 1191 and still has a medieval feel to it. Bern Tourismus : Bern is quieter than Zurich or Geneva, but there's still more to the capital than a bear pit and the houses of parliament. Geneva Situated on Lac Leman, or Lake Geneva, the city is in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, right on the border with France . Ville de Geneve : Geneva is widely recognised as the city of peace and major international negotiations. The Red Cross was set up here, and Geneva also hosts the UN European headquarters, the World Health Organisation, and the High Commission for Refugees. Zrich Zurich : Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the financial capital of the country. The Swiss stock exchange is here, and the elegant shops in Bahnhofstrasse still smell of money. Hotel Alexander, Zurich : Centrally located, three-star hotel in Zurich's Niederdorfstrasse, 5 minutes from Zurich main station. The best deal in town. Zuri Cam : See the Limmatquai from the top of Hotel Central in Zurich. Swiss Alps As one of the most mountainous countries in Europe, Switzerland has plenty of Alpine resorts and mountain peaks to choose from. Tourist Mountains : The Matterhorn is in the Valais, above Zermatt, while the Jungfrau and the Eiger are in the Bernese Oberland, near Interlaken. The Eiger is notorious for its fearsome North Face. Gimmelwald : Not to be confused with Grindlewald, Gimmelwald is a tiny, timeless, sleepy village at the far end of the Lauterbrunnen valley, accessible by train and car from Interlaken. Gimmelwald.com : Alex visited Gimmelwald during his four country tour of Europe, fell in love with the place, bought the domain name and created this wonderful tribute. Meet the people through Alex's eyes and find out how to get to this little part of Alpine paradise. Interlaken Tourism : Situated between Lakes Brienz and Thun, in the Bernese Oberland, Interlaken is a popular resort all year round. You can even see the Jungfrau peak from the town. Grindelwald Grindelwald is an Alpine village in the Bernese Oberland. Its world-famous attractions include the Eiger, the Jungfraujoch and the longest glacier in the Alps - protected by the UNESCO Natural World Heritage. Hotel Kreuz & Post : Located in the centre of Grindlewald (near the train station, sport complex and main shopping district) the Hotel Kreuz andPost offers tastefully equipped rooms, junior suites and panorama suites with bath/shower/WC, radio, telephone, minibar, colour TV and hair dryer. All south facing rooms come with a balcony and magnificent view. Luzern (Lucerne) Luzern : The old wooden bridge was destroyed by fire a while back, but has been beautifully restored. Basle (Ble) Note the different names for the city: German -- Basel French -- Ble English -- Basle Italian -- Basilea Basel Tourismus : Often overlooked by visitors to Switzerland, Basle is on the border with Germany and France and is an important cultural centre. Travel in Switzerland By Car -- There are no tolls on the motorways in Switzerland, although you will need to buy a vignette to stick in the windscreen if you drive your own car in the country. These are available at service-stations and at the border -- Switzerland is not in the European Union. If you hire a car in Switzerland, there will already be one in the windscreen. By Train : Travel by rail is very convenient in Switzerland, and the trains -- cog-railways -- take passengers up some of the steepest, snowiest slopes; even in winter. If a train doesn't go there, to Saas Fe for example, then yellow PTT busses will. You can catch them from from post-offices in the smallest villages and near train station in the larger towns. By Boat -- There are also many lakes in Switzerland and you can travel between the towns on a boat. On Lake Contstance, Bodensee in German, you can go across the lake, from Romanshorn, to Germany or Austria . If you're in Lausanne, an interesting day trip is across Lake Geneva to Evian, France -- don't lose all your money in the casino though. Swiss Tourism Swiss Castles : The castles are sorted by canton, although the descriptions and further information are written in French. At least you can view the photographs. Swiss Club International : Summer camps in Switzerland for 12-18 year olds; learning and cultural enrichment through travel and direct involvement in a great variety of fun activities. Switzerland Tourism : Choose the country you're travelling from. Organised Tours in Switzerland Alps by Motorbike : Beach's Alpine adventure takes in the mountains of Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland and France. You may not hear the cow bells through the helmet, but the scenery is breathtaking. Bosenberg Motorcycle Excursions : Scheduled 12-day tours on 3 Alpine routes start at Frankfurt/Main, Germany. Tours are for discriminating motorcyclists where the destination is almost as important as the ride itself and are described in a 16-page full-colour brochure. 3% discount to Travel Notes members . Switzerland Directories Swiss Telephone Book : You can search the whole of Switzerland if you think that someone has moved. Swiss Travel Agents Last Minute Travel : If you're in Switzerland and want to get away for a week or two, these are some of the travel options on offer. Searches the major Swiss tour operators and seems to power the flight search engine that the others use. Esco : Provides holiday packages around the Mediterranean, Canary Islands, and Caribbean. Founded in 1953 and based in Basel. Helvetic Tours : Part of the Kuoni Group -- available in French and German. Hotelplan : Founded in 1935, you'll usually find a Hotelplan office near some of the larger Migros chains. Imholz : Book last minute holidays, flying out of Zurich or Geneva, or choose to tour one of Europe's other major cities. Kuoni : Founded by Alfred Kuoni in 1906, the holding company is headquartered in Zurich and has subsidiaries around the world. In 2001, Kuoni won the World Travel Award as best Tour Operator for the 4th time in a row. Passepartout : RBM's flight ticketing specialists. RBM : Based in Zurich with a nice selection of catalogues. Reisen Netto : The premise of this new brand is to lists prices that are truly all-included prices (no airport taxes and other surcharges although you'll have to pay your own bar bill) -- launched in 2002, by Kuoni. Vgele Reisen : Founded in 1988 as a sister firm of the Charles Vgele clothing retailer, soon to be swallowed up by TUI along with Imholz -- for Kuoni to come along and buy a 49% stake in the group. The Vgele catalogue does have a few more exotic destinations to choose from, than the average sun and sand package holiday company. Europe Travel Forum : From Albania to Vatican City, Scandinavia to the Mediterranean, Europe is culturally eclectic and full of lavish history. Join us in the travel forums if you have a question about Europe or would like to share your experiences about travelling or living in Europe. The Internet TravelNotes.org Switzerland Travel Guide Flight Tickets : Save money on Round The World flight tickets. Travel News : Get the inside scoop with the latest travel features and tips. Past Articles . Airlines & Airports : This travel article points you to airlines and the three letter airport codes with links to their websites. Cyber Cafes : The Internet Caf Guide. Weather Outlook Car Hire Cruises Flights Hostels Tours Vacations Destinations Budget Travel Feedback Meta-Travel Travel Forums Travel Writers Africa Asia Caribbean Europe Middle East North America South America Oceania Travel Directory : Europe : Switzerland Travel Guide -- Submit to Travel Notes | Advertise on TravelNotes.org | Favourite Destinations | Magun'sCompass | Travel Articles | Writers | | Airlines | Airports | Car Hire | Cruises | Flights | Hotels | Online Reservations | Vacation Rentals | | Casinos | Olympics | World Cup | General Disclaimer | Meta-Travel | Search Resources | | TravelNotes is a Trademark of TravelNotes.org | Travel Notes Blog | Add URL | Add to Favorites The URL for this page is: http://www.travelnotes.org/Europe/switzerland.htm

Europe Travel & Tourism

Internet Public Library: Europe Travel & Tourism The Internet Public Library This collection All of the IPL Advanced -- Subject Collections Arts & Humanities Archives & Records Management Culture Fine Arts History Language Libraries Literature Museum Studies Philosophy Religion Arts & Humanities News Fine Arts & Humanities Libraries History of Arts & Humanities Business Accounting Agriculture Banking Business Administration Business Directories Business & Economics News Commerce & Trade Consumer Issues & Services E-Commerce Economics Employment Entrepreneurship Finance History of Business & Economics Industry Insurance International Business Labor & Workplace Marketing & Advertising Non-Profit Organizations Real Estate Statistics Tax Computers Computer Hardware Computer Science Computer Software Cyberculture Internet Platforms Programming System Administration Computers & Internet News History of Computers & Internet Education Adult Education Alternative Education Early Childhood and Pre-school Education News Higher Education K-12 Education Special Education Teachers & Administrators Vocational Education Entertainment Arts & Crafts Books Entertainment & Leisure News Fashion Food Games History of Entertainment & Leisure Hobbies Home & Garden Movies Music Outdoor Recreation Paranormal Phenomena Pets Radio Sports Television Theater Travel & Tourism Health Alcohol, Drugs & Tobacco Alternative Medicine Anatomy & Physiology Consumer Information Disabilities Diseases, Disorders & Syndromes Donors & Transplants Exercise & Fitness First Aid General Medicine Geriatrics Health & Medical Sciences News Health Care Management & Policy History of Medicine Injuries Medical Technology Men's Health Mental Health Medications & Pharmaceuticals Nursing Nutrition & Diet Occupational Health & Safety Oral Health & Dentistry Pain Treatment & Management Pediatrics Preventive Medicine Professional Resources Sexuality Specializations Surgery Veterinary Medicine Women's Health Law & Government Law Law Enforcement Government Political Science History of Law, Government & Political Science Regional Africa Asia Australia Caribbean Europe Middle East North America South America South Pacific Science & Tech Agriculture & Aquaculture Astronomy Chemistry Communications Controversial Earth Sciences Electronics Energy Engineering Environmental Sciences & Ecology History of Science & Technology Horology (Time) Life Sciences Mathematics Paleontology Physics Science & Technology News Science & Technology Libraries Transportation Social Science Anthropology Archaeology Customs, Etiquette, Folklore Education Ethnicity, Culture & Race Gender & Sexuality Geography History History of Social Sciences People by Age Group Political Science Psychology Social Issues & Social Welfare Social Sciences News Sociology Ready Reference Almanacs Calendars Dictionaries English Non-English Translation More… Style & Writing Guides Quotations Telephone & Address Genealogy Biographies Encyclopedias Geography Reading Room Books Magazines Newspapers KidSpace TeenSpace Special Collections Blogs Literary Criticism Science Fair More… Associations on the Net Blogs Exhibits Literary Criticism Native American Authors POTUS Science Fair Searching Tools FARQs Pathfinders Search this Site Web Searching Accessibility Info About the IPL Teach with the IPL Ask a Question Contact Us Search YOU ARE HERE: Home » Subject Collections » Entertainment & Leisure » Travel & Tourism » Regional & Country Information » Europe » Europe Travel & Tourism SEE ALSO Magazines • Associations on the Net Sub-headings: Travel and Tourism Resources in this category: You can also view Magazines , Associations on the Net under this heading. -- All About Spain - Travel and Tourism :: http://www.red2000.com/spain/index.html Online virtual guidebook. Bratislava Guide :: http://www.bratislavaguide.com/ A guide to Bratislava, Slovakia, designed for visitors to the city. The authors are residents of the city and post information on arts and culture, news, dining, shopping, and other activities for tourists. Bruges Info :: http://www.brugesinfo.com/ Bruges, Belgium travel information guide, your travel resource to the Venice of the North. Explore over 500 photos of Bruges, weather and maps, Bruges hotel, and bed and breakfasts for accomodations Central Europe Online :: http://www.einnews.com/centraleurope "Produced daily, Central Europe Online contains a comprehensive mix of Daily News from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, and Slovenia with country home pages, special features, Travel and Cultural Information, and useful links to other sites." Chris De Witt's Berlin Wall Web Page :: http://www.appropriatesoftware.com/berlinwall/welcome.html Chris De Witt's Berlin Wall Web Pages are a great resource to students of history who want to learn more about Berlin's divided past. This web site guides visitors on a virtual tour of Berlin's past and present with loads of photos and essays about the city. The site provides its visitors a more intimate look into a city with a significant role in world history. The Cyber Cafes of Europe :: http://kiosek.com/eurocybercafes/ Complete, browsable directory of cyber cafés in Europe, browsable by country, with links to café homepages where available. Europe for Visitors :: http://europeforvisitors.com/ "More than 2,500 pages of European travel articles, photos, and links from Durant Imboden, author of Buying Travel Services on the Internet ." Germany Tourism :: http://www.germany-tourism.de/ This site about Germany promotes tourism throughout the country, providing information about destinations, upcoming events, travel tips, and an information center. Site visitors can also use a route planner, view 600 panoramic pictures of the country, and view several short videos. The German National Tourist Board oversees the site. Go To Georgia :: http://www.parliament.ge/gotogeorgia.htm Produced by Georgia's Parliament, this website provides information about the culture, economics, governance, tourism, sports, human rights protection, civic society, and other topics related to the country of Georgia. Guia Madrid Rural :: http://www.guiamadridrural.com/ Travel information for the Madrid area. Regional maps and guides to campsites, hotels, hostels, and rural homes. Includes information on outdoor activities and transportation in the area. In Spanish with limited English. Lonely Planet's Guide to Travel in Russia :: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/europe/russia/ On-line publication of a published book by the originating company. Offers information about how to travel in as well as the history of Russia. Paris Net :: http://www.parisnet.net/ Guide to Paris including travel tips, shopping, fashion, business and personal contacts, Paris gastronomie, etc. Rail Europe :: http://www.raileurope.com/us/index.htm Information about train passes, flights, and car rental for travel in Europe, including trains in Britain and Russia. This is a commercial site and therefore you can order tickets here, including group travel arrangements but it also has alot of useful free information. The Budget Traveller's Guide to Sleeping In Airports :: http://www.sleepinginairports.net/airports.htm This useful website has compiled commentary from thousands of travellers on the experience of sleeping in particular airports. The site rates the best airports in which to sleep in terms of cleanliness, safety, comfort, etc. Search the site according to world region or by country. Over 600 airports around the world are included. The Spirit of Romania :: http://www.spirit.ro/ This site provides travel information for Romania with listings of popular sites, photo galleries, an interactive map of the country and a fact sheet about currency, health and other important travel facts. (Site may take a while to load, especially on a dial-up connection.) La Torre de Pisa :: http://torre.duomo.pisa.it/index_eng.html "The Tower of Pisa is the bell tower of the Cathedral. Its construction began in the august of 1173 and continued (with two long interruptions) for about two hundred years, in full fidelity to the original project, whose architect is still uncertain." This site provides a history of the tower, short film and photo archives that allows you to "navigate between the orders (as the various floors are termed) of the Tower of Pisa.""One of the great landmarks and architectural icons of the Western world now has an official Internet home. View thousands of images on afloor-by-floor photographic tour, enjoy a 360-degree view from the belfry via Quicktime VR, or read about the history of the tower -- which began in 1173 and was under construction for about two hundred years, during which time it began to incline. Text in English and Italian describes contemporary efforts to safeguard and preserve this remarkable monument." Transport for London :: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/ "Transport for London provides detailed advice on using the various transport services in London, including Underground, Bus and River services. You will find information on our wide range of tickets, tube (subway) and bus maps to assist you in planning your journey along with useful tips for visitors to London." UK Orbit Shopping Directory :: http://www.ukorbit.com/ Tells you which shops accept your credit, debit, charge or store cards. Which shops offer free delivery, price matching, discounts or credit. Ultimate Italy :: http://ultimateitaly.com/ Ultimate Italy is a resource to discover Italy focusing on everything about the "best of Italy"; the cities, Italian piazzas, the latest picks of restaurants, pizzerias, bars and caffes, italian lifestyle, the nature from Italian national parks, Alps to the breathtaking Islands. You can find not only Italy travel & tourism information but an insight into the famous people of Italy, Italian fashion,the culture, history and arts. Virtual Finland :: http://virtual.finland.fi/ "Should you have any questions about Finland - any at all - the answer probably lies here, where you can get all sorts of information in several languages." VisitEurope.com :: http://www.visiteurope.com/ Comprehensive travel site for people planning to visit Europe. Each country has its own profile, highlighting popular places to visit, hotel and transportation information, trip planning, and news. The site also features tips for first time visitors, a trip planning guide, a calendar of events, and information for travelers with special interests. © 1995-2005 The Regents of the University of Michigan. All rights reserved.

Russia Travel

Russia Travel Information | Lonely Planet Destination Guide worldguide | shop | thorn tree forum | travel services | travel ticker | theme guides | on the road | postcards | travel links : Explore Russia Russia Hardship wrapped in history inside splendour. 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 Russia Moscow St Petersburg View Map Click here Feature Attraction Mamaev Kurgan Known as Hill 102 during the battle of Stalingrad, Mamaev Kurgan was the site of four months of fierce fighting. It's now a moving memorial to all who ... more Churchill's 'riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma' remains an apt description of Russia; most outsiders have only a hazy idea of its realities. A composite of the extravagant glories of old Russia and the drab legacies of the Soviet era, it's a country that both befuddles and beguiles. This is a land of snow and deadly winters, but also of rivers that meander across meadows and a midsummer sun that never sets. Its people, in the words of a Russian proverb, 'love to suffer', yet they also love to party and can be disarmingly generous and hospitable. Dangerous Territories Travellers are strongly advised against travel to Chechnya, Dagestan and neighbouring Ingushetia. Military clashes, kidnapping of aid workers and foreigners, violent crimes and muggings are prevalent. Other areas of concern include North Ossetia, Stavropol, Karachayevo-Cherkessiya and Kabardino-Balkariya. Events in all these places are difficult to gauge and can change rapidly. On-the-ground consular support regarding these destinations can be negligible or non-existent. 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 › Travelcasts Pod-up on St Petersburg and hear author Simon Richmond's insider tips. Listen now › 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

Ski Vacation Packages Colorado

Delta Vacations - Colorado Ski Vacation Packages Colorado skiing vacation packages Membership log in E-mail address: Password: Remember me. Not A Member? Forgot Your Password? My Profile Related Links delta.com Vacation Protection Plan Special Group Rates SkyMiles Membership Last Minute Deals Home Colorado Ski Vacation Packages Colorado Ski Vacation Packages Complete Colorado Ski Vacation Packages are just a few clicks away! The unparalleled beauty and varied terrain of the majestic Rocky Mountains provides the foundation for Colorado's outdoor winter playgrounds. There are a myriad of excellent ski programs, lots of packed powder and high-speed chair-lifts that rise to altitudes of 2,300 feet in just minutes. From the multitude of charming communities, fine restaurants and numerous first-rate accommodation choices, Colorado has wide appeal. Best of all, the breathtaking scenery of this winter wonderland will soothe your weary soul. Find the Colorado Ski vacation package that is perfect for you. Delta Vacations makes it easy to hit the sloopes in Colorado with customized Colorado ski vacations in just a few clicks! See for yourself why purchasing a Delta Vacations package is right for you. Start planning your Colorado Ski Vacation Packages right now! More fun-filled vacations from Delta Vacations: All-Inclusive Vacation Packages Aruba Vacation Packages Bahamas Vacation Packages Cancun Vacation Packages Caribbean Vacation Packages Colorado Ski Vacation Packages Disney Vacation Packages Europe Vacation Packages Family Beach Vacation Packages Family Vacation Packages Florida Beach Vacation Packages Florida Vacation Packages Hawaii Vacation Packages Jamaica Vacation Packages Las Vegas Vacation Packages Maui Vacation Packages Mexico Vacation Packages Orlando Vacation Packages Ski Vacation Packages South Beach Vacation Packages Waikiki Vacation Packages Walt Disney World® Vacation Packages -- Wednesday, December 28, 2005 Save $300 on a Golf and Spa Getaway Earn 10,000 Bonus Miles to London 3 Night Packages to Turks & Caicos from $790 Search all Last Minute Deals -- Announcing Daily Flight Service Salt Lake to Cancun begins 6/1/05 Atlanta to Moscow begins 6/1/05 -- Member Registration ® 2005 Delta Vacations. All rights reserved. delta.com | Site Map | About Us | Privacy Policy | Legal Notices | Customer Care | Web Compatibility | Travel Agents ### ISHQWEBCVGNET01 ### ### --

European Vacation Planning Map

Europe Travel - A European Vacation Travel Guide  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 From James Martin , Your Guide to Europe for Visitors . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Antwerp Pictures Antwerp is a fashion and diamond center for Belgium and the world, it has one of the most beautiful train stations in Europe, and it was home to artist Peter Paul Rubens in the 17th century. What's not to like about this Belgian port city? See what it's all about in our latest photo Gallery: Antwerp Pictures . More Antwerp Travel: Antwerp Travel Directory | Antwerp Lodging | Antwerp Museums Wednesday December 28, 2005 | permalink Like to Travel Well? Follow the CIA! I really should have paid attention when the CIA came recruiting at my college. Operatives really get to live it up when they travel, apparently. Imagine, the lucky seven of the "Surveillance Team" sent out to case the joint before kidnapping 39-year-old Muslim preacher Osama Moustafa Hassan Nasr, also known as Abu Omar, managed to spend "$39,995, not counting meals, parking and other services" for a week at Milan's Principe di Savoia ( check prices ), where a room goes for a mere $588 a night, according to Newsday . Once Abu Omar was behind bars in Cairo the CIA folks broke up and went their various ways, some to the renowned Grand Hotel Baglioni ( check prices ) in Florence , a few in cozy pairs to save the taxpayers money, no doubt. Travel Resources: Milan Profile | Florence Profile Tuesday December 27, 2005 | permalink Tapas from Cans? Ok, so you wander into one of Barcelona's most celebrated tapas bars thinking, "wow, I'm gonna down me some fine, fresh seafood this evening--non of that canned stuff like we get at home..." Well, Quimet and Quimet is one of Barcelona's best tapas bars, recommended by just about anyone. Joaquim Perez, owner of Quimet and Quimet, has been called Barcelona's culinary king of canned food. That's right, a tapas king devoted to high-quality goods preserved in metal. I had heard about the increasing interest in vintage sardines , whose flavors are said to increase in intensity and complexity with aging. But Mr. Perez has extended this idea of unlikely gourmet tinkering; he buys "fresh" Galician navajas (clams) from the cannery and sets them to aging for a year or two before serving them (plain) to his customers. And they love 'em. Maybe you should go and see what this canned gourmet thing is all about. There are worse places to spend time on a research expedition. More: Gastronomic Route: Barcelona, a tapas town? Travel Resources: Barcelona Guide | Barcelona Pictures Thursday December 22, 2005 | permalink North Holland: Noah's Ark Redux A pious north Holland businessman took out a 300 000 loan and turned his investment into a "faithful reconstruction of Noah's Ark in scaled down form on the basis of biblical texts," according to the Mail & Guardian . Spring is the expected launch date. No word on where the animals will come from. Travel Resources: North Holland Travel | Holland Map | Benelux Rail Passes Thursday December 22, 2005 | permalink Appreciate Long John Shivers? Head for the Alps I know I frequently extol the virtues of off season travel, but there's a whole bunch of adventurers willing to go the extra mile in their long johns to enjoy icier surroundings than I'd care to experience. Those would be the Ice Hotel People. Word from Vagablond is that "a new ice hotel is being constructed 7,000 feet up into the German Alps." HotelChatter says this ice hotel might well be part of the Iglu-Dorf chain, who specialize in things like Inuit igloos in Switzerland. Like it cold? Get you thrills in the Alps this winter. I'll toast your bravado at the hearth with a steaming hot toddy. Travel Resources: Germany map and Travel Essentials | Switzerland Map and Travel Essentials . Tuesday December 20, 2005 | permalink Europe Travel in the Off Season Why travel in the off season? Well, you know the reasons: fewer tourists, lower prices, and cooler temperatures, to name a few. But there's another reason for me, and that's the warm, slanting light that brings photos alive. See what I mean by taking a gander at: Liguria Pictures - Picture Gallery of Liguria in Autumn . And if you still want to see more pictures of Italy , try out Italy for Visitors Florence Pictures , taken in November. Travel Resources: Off Season Travel Tips | Italy Travel Map Sunday December 18, 2005 | permalink Travel Gifts Ok, you're thinkin' it's too late to post some ideas for gifts at this late date. Hey, you can chalk it up to sloth and indolence, but I don't start burdening my mind with thoughts about winter holidays in May like the rest of my family. The crunch starts now. So I've made up a list of recommended Travel Gifts . Of course, you could buy some of the stuff for yourself as well. Take a look. You've got language help, a deep, inside look at the Vatican, and more, not to mention that Tyrolean Boiled Wool Jacket like you've always wanted. More Stuff You Need: Top Travel Photography Gear Friday December 16, 2005 | permalink Joe Torre carries the Olympic Torch in Florence New York Yankee manager Joe Torre carried the Olympic torch 400 yards to the foot of the Ponte Vecchio in Florence yesterday as part of "American day" in the two-month Olympic torch relay. It was the first time he'd been to Italy in 20 years, despite the fact that his mother was born in the village of Patina near Naples. (Source: Indystar.com ) The torch Joe carried was designed by the folks at Pininfarina , who've banged out quite a few sexy Italian auto bodies in their time. The Olympic torch is designed to work in rain, snow and wind up to 74.56 miles per hour, not to mention temperatures from -4°F to +77°F. According to what I've heard, the torch suffered much less than Mr. Torre during the run. Travel Resources: Florence Travel Directory | Florence Pictures: Views from the Arno | Naples Travel Directory Photo above: Ponte Vecchio, Florence by Martha Bakerjian, Italy for Visitors ; click "read more" to see it larger. Read more... Thursday December 15, 2005 | permalink Sunny Valencia It's cold here in my corner of California, prime time to think of warmer climes. Valencia pops to mind. Host to the 2007 America's cup, the sunny Spanish port city has been spiffing itself up lately, and many travelers have remarked that Valencia seems to be passing Barcelona as Spain's city of tourist choice. What's not to like? The spring La Fallas festival is a not to be missed attraction (plan now if you're going), the City of Arts and Sciences holds 87 acres of fascinating art, science and architecture, and the Barrio del Carmen is chock full of music, restaurants and clubs. Find out more about Valence by taking a peek at our latest: Valencia Spain Travel Information - Valencia Profile , or peruse our Valencia Travel Directory . Wednesday December 14, 2005 | permalink Hey Santa! Take That! Scroogy Musings: So a couple guys in Germany get asked what they want for Christmas by Santa, who happens to be waiting for a train home. They've been out shopping all day, unsuccessfully one assumes, because the next thing you know they've latched on to Santa's sack and "beat him over the head with it, breaking his fingers as he tried to protect himself." ( Santa - Germany's new stress buster ) Santa on a train? in Germany? A bit early, isn't it? Has the Christmas spirit been so commercialized that the little people like us suffer with the stress of plunking down good cash for stuff we think people might like but probably won't? Where is the joy of it all? Everyone remembers the magical experience of visiting Santa in the mall when they were kids and the smile it brought to your face. Unfortunately over the last few years it seems the spirit of Christmas is slowly being lost due to many different reasons including political correctness, busier lifestyles and many more issues. Hold on a sec. Now I'm angrier than a red-nosed reindeer. Everyone doesn't remember. Some of us are way too old to conjure the disgraceful vision of mall Santas in their mothball costumes and fake beards. The statement above comes from Live From Lapland (dot com). For a bit less than 15 dollars they'll make a custom video staring Santa, who'll be talking to your kids using the words you put in his mouth via the web site's control panel. Their Santa evidently lives in a paneled room and wears mall Santa clothes and beardage. It's in the sample flick. He could be in Kansas. Still, where else you gonna get a five minute flick to your specs for $14.95? Travel Resources: Lapland (the real one) | Chrismas in Europe Tuesday December 13, 2005 | permalink Display Latest Headlines | | | Read Archives powered by Movable Type 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... 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