Argentina Travel Guide Overview

Argentina Tourist Attractions & Argentina Tourism | iExplore.com FORBES' #1 ADVENTURE TRAVEL SITE 5 YEARS IN A ROW — TIME MAGAZINE TOP 50 Keyword Search: -- Home Trip Finder Travel Guides Community Special Offers Store My iExplore advertisement -- Home Travel Guides Central and South America Argentina Where to Go Argentina Travel Guide Overview Tours Where to Go Activities General Info History Weather Travel Tips Dining Shopping Visa & Health View Trips to Argentina Central and South America Overview Browse Argentina Photos Argentina Questions and Answers Read Argentina Journals Find a Argentina Travel Buddy Argentina Tourist Attractions Buenos Aires Argentina’s capital city is located within the Capital Federal District and forms one of the world’s largest metropolitan areas. Buenos Aires is an elegant shoppers’ paradise and cosmopolitan center that takes pride in its cultural establishments. There are now few reminders of the city’s glorious past, although the immense Catedral Metropolitana (Metropolitan Cathedral), which contains the remains of San Martín, Argentina’s liberator, is a notable exception. So is the famous Teatro Colón, the world’s largest opera house (with a capacity of 2500 seats), which occupies an entire block on the massive Avenida 9 de Julio, the city’s major thoroughfare with its Obelisco (obelisk) at the intersection with Avenida Corrientes (the traditional theater, cinema and nightlife district). Also worth a visit are the Isaac Fernández Blanco Museum of Spanish-American Art, which houses an important silverware collection and is located in a beautiful neo-colonial mansion; the Ambrosetti Museum and the Museum of Colonial History. The old artists’ quarter of La Boca, home of the tango, is located along a narrow waterway lined by meat-packing plants and warehouses. Visitors can see a tango show at one of several tango bars for approximately US$40-60. The San Telmo borough, one of the oldest parts of the city and particularly known for the Manzana de las Luces (Block of Enlightenment), has also preserved its artistic spirit. The city’s oldest church, the Jesuit Iglesia San Ignacio, is located here. San Telmo has many cafes, antique shops, tango night spots and a Sunday flea market on Plaza Dorrego. Buenos Aires’ open spaces are particularly notable in the northern part, where a succession of parks stretch for miles along the River Plate. The Palermo neighborhood contains the Jardín Botánico Carlos Thays (Botanical Gardens), the Jardín Zoológico (zoo), the Campo de Polo (polo grounds), the Hipódromo (racetrack) and the Planetarium. The city’s main shopping districts are located around the microcentro (north of Avenida de Mayo), which icludes popular tourist areas like the Florida and Lavalle pedestrian malls, the Plaza San Martín, and the commercial and entertainment areas of Corrientes, Córdoba and the fashionable Santa Fe. North of the microcentro is the chic and upper-class Recoleta borough, famous for its Cementerio de la Recoleta (where many members of Argentina’s élite are buried) and the renowned Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (Museum of Fine Arts), which has works by Renoir, Rodin, Monet, Van Gogh and numerous Argentine artists. Near the presidential palace, the neighborhood known as Puerto Madero is now in serious competition with Recoleta to become the city’s most chic quarter. Many of the port’s 19th-century warehouses and docks have been transformed into Manhattan-style lofts, expensive restaurants, trendy nightclubs, new office blocks and a university campus. Further southeast is the Costanera Sur National Park, a nature reserve close to the banking district. Excursions Argentina’s most important devotional site (attracting millions of pilgrims every year), is the neo-gothic Basílica Nuestra Señora de Luján (whose day is May 8), which is located 70km (43 miles) west of Buenos Aires. Around 113km (71 miles) west of the capital lies the village of San Antonio de Areco, the center of Argentina’s gaucho tradition and host to the Día de la Tradición, the country’s biggest gaucho celebration held annually in November. The village is also known for its artisans, who specialise in mate (paraphernalia), rastras (silver-studded belts) and facones (knives). The country town of Capilla del Señor can be visited on a day trip with an old historic steam train (tickets should be purchased a week in advance). The Atlantic Coast Mar del Plata Located approximately 400km (250 miles) from Buenos Aires, this is the main tourist resort on the Atlantic coast. Often referred to as ’Mardel’, Mar del Plata’s sandy beaches attract thousands of visitors during the December to March season. The many grandiose mansions testify to the city’s upper-class origins. Interesting sites include the Villa Normandy (which has a distinctive French style), the Iglesia Stella Maris (a church with an impressive marble altar), the Torre Tanque (an 88m/289ft tower offering good views) and the Villa Victoria (once a literary salon). The Banquina de Pescadores is a picturesque wharf near the port with many restaurants and cafeterias. Mar del Plata is also the site of the largest gambling casino in Argentina. Elsewhere Other well-known resorts on the Atlantic coast include Villa Gezell, Pinamar, Miramar and Necochea, the latter being well known for the Parque Miguel Lillo, a large green space beside the beach, whose pine woods are popular for cycling and riding. New resorts are constantly springing up along this stretch of coastline. Most can offer deep-sea fishing and watersports. Further south, some 650km (407 miles) from Buenos Aires, lies Bahía Blanca, the largest southern city, whose massive port makes it one of the country’s major commercial centers. The Pampas The area known as the Pampas consists mostly of flat agricultural land and contains the provinces of Buenos Aires and La Pampa as well as parts of Santa Fe and Córdoba. The area is well known for its horse-breeding tradition and cattle ranches. La Plata Located 56km (35 miles) southeast of Buenos Aires, La Plata is the capital of the Buenos Aires Province and an important administrative, commercial and cultural center. It has one of the country’s best universities. South of La Plata lies the Sierra de la Ventana, whose scenic peaks attract many hikers and climbers. One of the most popular peaks for climbing excursions is the Cerro de la Ventana (1136m/3408ft), which is located within the Ernesto Tornquist Provincial Park. Santa Fe The capital of the Santa Fe Province is linked to Paraná, capital of the Entre Ríos Province, via a tunnel beneath the River Paraná (see below). Mainly important as an agricultural and industrial center, Santa Fe’s colonial past is still visible in its streets and squares, though there are also many modern buildings. The nearby city of Rosario, on the west bank of the River Paraná, was where the Argentinian flag was first raised and its biggest attraction is the impressive, boat-shaped Monumento Nacional a la Bandera (Monument to the Flag). La Semana de la Bandera (Flag Week) is celebrated annually in June. Nearby is the town of Rufino, an important center for cattle raising. Walking and trekking are popular in the Lihue Calel National Park, an area consisting mostly of desert, located some 226km (142 miles) southwest of the city of Santa Rosa, and known for its pink granite rock formations (reaching up to 600m/1968ft). Misiones, El Chaco & Mesopotamia The Misiones Province has a subtropical climate and is nearly surrounded by Paraguay and Brazil. It is most famous for its Jesuit missions and the spectacular Iguazú Falls. El Chaco is a sparsely populated area of nature reserves and parks. Mesopotamia usually refers to the area between the Paraná and Uruguay rivers and comprises the provinces of Entre Ríos and Corrientes. Posadas The capital of the Misiones Province is joined to Paraguay by a modern bridge. The province is well known for its old Jesuit missions, and the most impressive Jesuit ruins can be visited at San Ignacio Miní, some 50km (32 miles) east of Posada. Jesuit carvings and art are on display at Posada’s Museo Regional. The gigantic Yacyreta Dam lies 200km (125 miles) upstream from Posada. Iguazú Falls Puerto Iguazú is the gateway to the majestic Iguazú Falls (parts of which are located in neighboring Brazil). The falls are located within the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Iguazú National Park, whose subtropical rainforest provides a habitat for over 2000 identified plant species and 400 bird species (for details of hiking trails, see the Activities section). The Iguazú Falls are formed by the River Paraná which, before reaching the edge, divides into many channels. The most impressive of these is the Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Throat), which can be approached via a system of catwalks (some of which may occasionally be closed owing to flooding). At their highest point, the falls have a vertical drop more than one and a half times the full length of Niagara Falls. Visitors can catch a good view of the falls from a tower near the visitor center, which also organizes free trips to the Isla San Martín, another good lookout point from which to catch an extensive and crowd-free view. El Chaco The capital of the Chaco Province is Resistencia, which prides itself on being a ’city of sculptures’ (there are over 200 of them), and is a major crossroads for Paraguay and excursions through the Chaco to the northwest. The Chaco National Park is a large expanse of swamps, grasslands, palm savannahs and forest, which is rarely visited as camping is the only available accommodation. Interesting nature reserves within the area include Estricta Colonia Benitez (in eastern Chaco) and the Pampa del Indio Provincial Park. Campo del Cielo is an area famous for its meteorite fragments dating back some 6000 years. Formosa The capital of Formosa Province is a good starting point for excursions to the northern Chaco. Interesting buildings in the city include the Casa de Gobierno, which has been declared a national monument. Apart from Formosa’s annual week-long Fiesta del Río (a nocturnal religious procession), one of the main regional attractions is the massive Río Pilcomayo National Park, an area of swamps, marshland and savannah on the Paraguayan border, whose Laguna Blanca is an ideal spot for birdwatching. Corrientes Corrientes, the capital of its namesake province, is one of Argentina’s oldest cities. The General Belgrano Bridge over the Paraná River joins the city to Resistencia, the capital of the Chaco Province (see above). Among Corrientes’ oldest churches, the Santísima Cruz de los Milagros and the Convento de San Francisco are worth a visit. In the north of the province lies the Esteros del Iberá, an area of marshland, lagoons and lakes providing a refuge for hundreds of bird species, reptiles and mammals such as swamp deer and capibara (the world’s largest rodent). There are numerous remains of Jesuit settlements in the vicinity, notably at Yapeyú, the birthplace of José de San Martín. Cattle ranches ( estancia ) can be visited at San Gará, Atalaya and San Juan Poriahú. Well known for its fiestas and carnivals, the Corrientes is also the land of the chamamé , a characteristic type of rhythmic music derived from the polka, celebrated in the annual National Chamamé Festival . Paraná The capital of the Entre Ríos Province can be reached from Santa Fe via the Hernandarias Tunnel under the River Paraná. East of Paraná, near the border with Uruguay, Concepción del Uruguay has numerous spas and river beaches (on the River Uruguay), notably at Banco Pelay and Itapo. The nearby city of Gualeguaychu is famous for its carnival, which rivals those of Rio and Bahía in Brazil. Further north, some 360km (225 miles) from Buenos Aires, lies the El Palmar National Park, whose main attractions are the old yatay palms, some of which are nearly 800 years old. Córdoba, Mendoza & the Andes Córdoba Located on the bank of the River Primero, Córdoba has preserved much of its colonial past and character. Some of the most interesting colonial buildings include El Cabildo (the Town Hall) and the Casa del Obispo Mercadillo. One of the best streets in which to see colonial buildings is the Calle Obispo Trejos. Also worth seeing are the churches of the Compañía de Jésus, San Francisco and San Roque. Argentina’s first university, the Universidad Nacional de Córdoba was founded here. The scenic mountain hinterland known as the Sierras de Córdoba is dotted with colonial hermitages and tourist towns: Cosquín hosts an annual folklore festival and la Falda is a popular resort for excursions to the Sierra Chica. Around Córdoba, numerous Jesuit churches can be visited: Alta Gracia, 35km (22 miles) southwest of the city, is one of the best known. Also of interest is the town of Jesús María, which hosts the Fiesta Nacional de Doma y Folklore , an annual celebration of gaucho horsemanship and customs. Mendoza The Mendoza Province is Argentina’s main wine-producing region and the annual grape harvest festival, the Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia , is held in the provincial capital, Mendoza, at the end of February and the beginning of March. Founded in 1521, Mendoza is characterized by tree-lined streets and a large network (some 500km/32 miles) of irrigation channels. The Andes mountain ranges can be seen in the distance from many parts of the city, whose universities, museums, theaters and art galleries testify to a lively cultural life. Interesting museums include the Museo Sanmartiniano (for history) and the Museo Popular Callejero (architecture). Most wineries near Mendoza offer tours and tasting. Some of the province’s main wine cellars are located in San Rafael. Near the border with Chile lies the famous Mount Aconcagua (6995m/22,944ft), the highest mountain in the Western hemisphere, located within the Aconcagua National Park. A good starting point for exploring the area is Uspallata, located in a serene valley surrounded by mountains. Some of the best ski resorts can be found at las Leñas (one of Argentina’s most prestigious winter sports resorts, open from June to October), the Valles del Plata and los Penitentes. Also worth visiting is the striking Puente del Inca, a natural stone bridge over the River Mendoza; and Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer), a famous monument in the high Andes, nearly 4000m (13,120ft) above sea level, offering magnificent views. San Juan San Juan, capital of the San Juan Province was rebuilt after an earthquake in 1944. Today, the city is characterized by wide, tree-lined streets and fairly modern buildings. Around 60km (38 miles) southeast from here, the small town of Vallecita attracts large numbers of pilgrims who come to visit the famous Difunta Correa shrine (with the busiest times being around Easter and Christmas). The city of Agustín del Valle Fértil is a good base for excursions to the Ischigualasto National Park, a desert valley also referred to as ’the valley of the moon’, owing to its distinctive rock formations and fossils dating back some 180 million years. The Andean Northwest Jujuy The capital of Jujuy Province, San Salvador de Jujuy, was once a stopover for colonial mule traders. It has an interesting Indian market, the Mercado del Sur and, at Termas de Reyes, thermal baths overlooking the scenic canyon of the River Reyes. North of the city lie the colorful dry landscapes of the Quebrada de Humahuaca and its isolated peasant villages. The indigenous village of Purmamarca is surrounded by the Cerro de los Siete Colores (Hill of Seven Colors), whose layers show different geological periods. Further up stands the Paleta del Pintor (Painter’s Pallet), named after its view of the multi-colored surrounding mountains. The Calilegua National Park lies on the province’s eastern border. It has abundant birdlife, some dense subtropical cloud forest and offers good views of the Gran Chaco from Mount Hermoso (3600m/11,808ft). Salta The city of Salta, capital of Salta Province, is reputed to have the best preserved colonial architecture in Argentina. The most significant buildings are grouped around the central square, including the Cathedral, the Cabildo (Town Hall) – which houses the Museo Histórico del Norte, the Museo Colonial and the Museo de Bellas Artes – and the Iglesia San Francisco. The province is well known for its spectacular train journey, el Tren a las Nubes (Train to the Clouds), which ascends the Quebrada del Toro and climbs up to the puna (plateau). The climax of the trip is the crossing of the la Polvorilla viaduct (4182m/13,716ft above sea level). Around 100km (63 miles) south of Salta, the Quebrada de Cafayete is a landscape of barren sandstone known for its distinctive formations, such as the Garganta de Diablo (Devil’s Throat). Surrounding Cafayete are many vineyards, which flourish in the warm, dry and sunny climate. Los Cardones National Park is known for its large cacti (cardó), reaching heights of up to 6m (20ft). Tucumán Another Andean province offering green valleys with subtropical vegetation surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Within the Tafí Valley lies the Parque de los Menhires, named after its interesting collection of stones decorated by Tafí Indians. Also worth a visit are the ruins at Quilmes, an ancient fortified citadel built by Quilme Indians. Catamarca This province is flanked by the Sierra del Colorado in the west and the Sierra Graciana in the east, with San Fernando del Valle del Catamarca being the provincial capital. The region is popular for hiking, trekking and horseback riding tours to the surrounding mountains. Santiago del Estero The provincial capital of Santiago del Estero Province, named after the province, is the country’s oldest city, with numerous churches and old colonial buildings. The province is renowned for its spas and warm thermal pools, the most popular being at Río Hondo and las Aguas del Sol. La Rioja This province has a large variety of mountains, canyons, gorges and red-earthed plains. The Talampaya Canyon is one of its most famous natural attractions, owing mostly to its peculiar rock formations. The town of Nonogasta has many vineyards and wine cellars open to visitors. La Puerta de Talampaya is well known for its petroglyphs. Patagonia Comprising the provinces of Río Negro, Neuquén, Chubut and Santa Cruz, Patagonia – the southernmost portion of South America (located in both Argentina and Chile) – is a vast region with numerous parks and nature reserves. The Patagonian coast is home to large herds of seals, sea lions, blue whales and thousands of penguins. Río Negro One of the best-known resorts in the southern Lake District is San Carlos de Bariloche, which is surrounded by lakes, glaciers and forested mountains and which has both modern tourist amenities such as shopping areas and casinos, as well as hiking, mountaineering and picnic sites. Skiing is possible in Gran Catedral, a well-known resort with modern facilities. The nearby Nahuel Huapi National Park contains the massive Nahuel Huapi Lake, stretching over 100km (63 miles) to the border with Chile. Within the lake area lies the Isla Victoria, a natural sanctuary, which can be reached by private or organized boat trips. Traveling south, a road through spectacular scenery, passing the shores of three lakes, leads to El Bolsón, 130km (82 miles) from Bariloche, known for its hops and fruit orchards. The Feria Artesanal , a market held in El Bolsón on Saturday (and on Thursday during summer), provides a good opportunity to sample local dishes. Possible excursions within the area include the trail to the Cabeza del Indio, a rock formation resembling the ’noble savage’, with good views of the Río Azul and Lago Puelo en route. Nequén The town of Junín de los Andes is well known for trout fishing and offers good access to the Lanín National Park (see below). Nearby San Martín de los Andes, located on Lake Lácar, is close to one of Argentina’s main winter sports destinations in Cerro Chapelco. San Martín is connected to Bariloche by a scenic road (also called ’the route of the seven lakes’), leading past spectacular lakes and through a landscape of snow-capped mountains, waterfalls and gigantic trees. The region’s principal attraction is the Lanín National Park, a fairly untouched area dominated by the extinct, snow-capped Volcán Lanín (3776m/12,386ft), and characterized by rare plant and animal species (including raulí , a type of beech, and pehuén , the monkey puzzle tree). On the northern shore of Nahuel Huapi National Park (see above) lies Villa la Angostura, a resort whose main interest is the nearby Los Arrayanes National Park. Located on the Quetrihué peninsula (connected to Angostura by an isthmus), this park is best known for the El Bosque de Arrayanes, a forest of arrayán (cinnamon-barked) trees, many of which are over 100 years old. The Siete Lagos scenic road connects the park to San Martín de los Andes (see above). Chubut Puerto Madryn, founded by Welsh settlers, is a popular base for excursions to the nearby wildlife sanctuary at the Península Valdes nature reserve in Chubut Province, where large numbers of sea lions, elephant seals and penguins frequent the beaches. Further north, the Isla de los Pájaros bird sanctuary is home to cormorants, flamingos and egrets. A number of trails and spots in the area provide opportunities for observing colonies of sea lions and elephant seals, notably at Punta Delgada, in the sheltered bay of Caleta Valdés, below the cliffs of Punta Loma and the nature reserves of Punta Norte and Punta Pirámide – the latter also being the main base for whale-sighting trips to the Gulf of San José; the best time to see whales is from August to December. The Punta Tombo reserve is known for its vast colonies of Magellanic penguins (around half a million of which use the reserve as a breeding ground from September to April). Further south, near the sunny town of Esquel, is los Alerces National Park, which protects vast stretches of the tall and long-lived (400 years) alerce conifer trees. Santa Cruz One of the province’s main attractions is the UNESCO World Heritage-listed los Glaciares National Park, an area of great natural beauty, with rugged mountains and numerous glacial lakes, including Lake Argentino. Accessible from the busy tourist town of El Calafate, the park’s centerpiece is the Moreno Glacier, one of the earth’s few advancing glaciers. Huge icebergs calve and topple into Lake Argentino at the so-called Canal de los Témpanos (Iceberg Channel), and there are nearby catwalks and platforms from which to observe this event. It is also possible to visit the Upsala Glacier via a boat trip from Puerto Bandera along Lake Onelli and past floating icebergs. Tierra del Fuego Over half of this remote southern province belongs to Chile. Tierra del Fuego is the gateway to the Antarctic. Ushuaia The provincial capital is the world’s most southernmost city, located in a dramatic setting, with jagged glacial peaks rising from sea level to nearly 1500m (4920ft). The Museo del Fin del Mundo (Museum of the End of the World) has exhibits dedicated to the Indians, nature, local history and the many shipwrecks that happened in the area. The nearby Martial is within walking distance and yields spectacular views of the city and the Beagle Channel. The city of Río Grande is mostly a petroleum service center facing the South Atlantic and, though of no particular interest, the surrounding countryside offers good hiking opportunities (particularly around the Garibaldi Pass, where lenga tree forests show striking displays of red leaves during autumn). Some 18km (12 miles) west of Ushuaia, the Tierra del Fuego National Park, Argentina’s only coastal national park, comprises rivers, lakes, forests and glaciers. Ushuaia is also a major port for cruises departing to the Antarctic. Day-trips to Antartica, costing US$630 including return flights, lunch, and a tour, are possible from Malvinas Argentina International Airport. Sponsored Listings ( Add your listing ) advertisement Advertisement -- advertisement Why iExplore? About Us Advertise Site Map Privacy Policy Travel Agents Contact Us © 2005 Adventure Travel with iExplore --

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Breckenridge Lodging - Breckenridge Vacation Rentals Breckenridge Lodging - Breckenridge Vacation Rentals Colorado Rental Homes, Condos, Villas, Cottages and Cabins Connecting premier Breckenridge vacation rental property owners with renters. Find Beach, Ski, Golf and Pet friendly vacation rentals worldwide. Vacation Rentals SEARCH Rentals Ebook LIST YOUR PROPERTY MY ACCOUNT WHY? Breckenridge Lodging - Breckenridge Vacation Rentals Browse our featured 69 Breckenridge vacation rentals . You may also customize a search of Breckenridge vacation rentals to list rental properties that better fit your requirements. Vacation Rentals > Colorado Vacation Rentals - Lodging > Breckenridge Displaying Rentals Express .com search results 1 - 10 (69 total). Colorado Vacation Rentals - United States Breckenridge Vacation Rental, Colorado, United States 1Bd Ski In Condo, NEW, Heated Pool - Breckenridge Lodging Property Bedrooms/Baths Price / Night Condominium 2-4 1 / 1 200.00 - 650.00 Breckenridge Vacation Rentals, Colorado, United States Gold King Lodge - Ski In/Ski Out 3 Bedroom + Loft! - Breckenridge Lodging Property Bedrooms/Baths Price / Night House 12-14 3+loft / 2.5 250.00 - 1100.00 Breckenridge Vacation Rental, Colorado, United States New, Private 3200 Square Foot Cabin with Pool Table and More! - Breckenridge Lodging Property Bedrooms/Baths Price / Night Cabin 10- 4 / 3.5 - Breckenridge Vacation Rentals, Colorado, United States Whispering Pines Lodge, an amazing 5BR home with amazing views! - Breckenridge Lodging Property Bedrooms/Baths Price / Night House 16-18 5 / 4.5 400.00 - 1500.00 Breckenridge Vacation Rental, Colorado, United States Lodge Pole Retreat - New Charming 5 Bedroom/5 Bath Home on Peak 7 - Breckenridge Lodging Property Bedrooms/Baths Price / Night House 14-16 5 / 5 250.00 - 1100.00 Breckenridge Vacation Rentals, Colorado, United States Luxury 2BR Rental Chalet in Town, Walk Everywhere, Hot Tub & Views - Breckenridge Lodging Property Bedrooms/Baths Price / Night Townhome 5- 2 / 2.5 145.00 - 425.00 Breckenridge Vacation Rental, Colorado, United States Gold Flake Chalet - Gorgeous In Town 5 Bedroom + Loft Home - Breckenridge Lodging Property Bedrooms/Baths Price / Night House 16-18 5+loft / 4 400.00 - 1400.00 Breckenridge Vacation Rentals, Colorado, United States LUXURY SKI IN/OUT TOWNHOME - Breckenridge Lodging Property Bedrooms/Baths Price / Night Duplex 10-12 4 / 3.5 285.00 - 650.00 Breckenridge Vacation Rental, Colorado, United States Beaver Run Ski-In/Ski-Out 2 Bed 2 Bath - Breckenridge Lodging Property Bedrooms/Baths Price / Night Condominium 6-8 2 / 2 150.00 - 595.00 Breckenridge Vacation Rentals, Colorado, United States Ski-in/Ski-out 4 bedroom, 3 bath Peak 8 - Breckenridge Lodging Property Bedrooms/Baths Price / Night Condominium 8-10 4 / 3 - 1 2 3 4 5 6 | Next 10 >> Breckenridge Vacation Rentals: Browse Breckenridge Vacation Rentals by property type Breckenridge Vacation Rentals ~ House Breckenridge Vacation Rentals ~ Townhome Breckenridge Vacation Rentals ~ Condominium Breckenridge Vacation Rentals ~ Cabin Breckenridge Vacation Rentals ~ Cottage Breckenridge Vacation Rentals ~ Duplex Breckenridge Vacation Rentals ~ Lodge Featured Rentals $300 / Night Colorado Lodging and Vacation Rentals | SEARCH Vacation Rentals | Advertise your Vacation Rental | MY Vacation Rentals | CONTACT | IN THE PRESS Florida Vacation Rentals | Colorado Vacation Rentals | California Vacation Rentals Hawaii Vacation Rentals | Utah Vacation Rentals | Arizona Vacation Rentals Maine Vacation Rentals | Oregon Vacation Rentals | Massachusetts Vacation Rentals North Carolina Vacation Rentals | South Carolina Vacation Rentals RentalsExpress.com ® is a Trademarks of Global Rental Database, Ltd. By using Rentals Express .com you agree to: Global Rental Database user agreement . All rights reserved.© 2005

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...

Russia Travel Resources >

Russia Travel Guide - Money Matters  You are here: About > Travel > Eastern Europe for Visitors > Russia-Belarus-Ukraine > Russia Travel Resources > Travel Essentials - Russia > Russia Travel Guide - Money Matters Travel Go Eastern Europe Essentials Best of Eastern Europe Map of Central/Eastern Europe Photo Gallery Country Profiles Discount Travel Websites Articles & Resources Planning Your Trip Ways to Travel What to Do in East Europe Maps for Eastern Europe Czech-SlovakTravel Hungary Travel Poland Travel Russia-Belarus-Ukraine Romania-Moldova Travel Baltic Travel Balkan Travel Culture and Holidays Photo Galleries East Europe Travel and Language Books Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Eastern Europe for Visitors newsletter! See Online Courses   Search Eastern Europe for Visitors Stay up to date! Email to a friend Print this page Most Popular First Christmas Tree Europe map Best of Eastern Europe Croatia Naturism and Nudism Discount Travel Websites What's Hot Krakow Photo Gallery Profiles of Eastern Europe Moscow City Profile Czech Republic Photo Gallery - Charles Bridge and castle Sofia's Religous Buildings Related Topics Hotels / Resorts / Inns European History Architecture Air Travel Europe for Visitors Money Matters From Apply Now , Your Guide to Eastern Europe for Visitors . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Russia Travel Guide Like everywhere else you travel, you'll need money when you visit Russia. Below you'll find handy information about money in Russia, including cash, credit cards, travelers checks, exchange rates, ATMs, and banks. Currency The currency in Russia is the ruble (RUR). One ruble equals 100 kopeks. Banknotes have a value of 5, 10, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 rubles. Coins are found in 1, 5, 10 and 50 kopek pieces and 1, 2 and 5 ruble coins. Only notes and coins dated 1997 or after are valid. Taking Money with You If your travel plans are just to the larger cities of European Russia, it's best to bring a mixture of cash, travelers checks, and credit cards. You should bring just $100-200 per person. Travelers checks, which are safe because if lost or stolen can be replaced, can't normally be used to pay for goods or services but can be used to get cash when you need it. If you travel outside of larger cities in European Russia, expect to use cash only. Exchanging Money Check the latest conversion rates before you go. Don't change money on the street as there is no need and the risks are too great. Change money in a bank or currency exchange office, or use an ATM machine. The problem with ATMs is that there are now scams where account and PIN numbers are electronically stolen. Therefore, it might be safer to use an ATM machine inside a bank. Currency exchange offices are "obmyen balooti," and they usually advertise their rates in their windows. There are plenty of them in the big cities and their rates tend to be better than in banks. Credit Cards MasterCard and Visa credit cards are generally accepted at hotels, restaurants and many shops in larger cities. In the hinterlands, you'll have to rely more on cash. Travelers Checks American Express and Thomas Cook travelers checks are the most widely accepted, and there are offices in major cities where you can exchange them for cash. Banks Banking hours are generally Mon–Sat 10:00 am to 6:00 or 8:00 pm. Many banks offer Western Union money transfer services. Costs Moscow can be expensive for tourists, especially for hotels and upscale restaurnats, and costs can be twice that of St. Petersburg. Outside these two cities, costs are considerably lower. Depending on the level of luxury you require, however, budget travelers can still find reasonable costs in Russia's larger cities, whether for accommodations or meals. Other costs, such as certain groceries and public transportation, are very cheap. Russia Travel Guide Index Profile of Russia City Profile: Moscow City Profile: St. Petersburg Before You Go Need to Know Money Matters Intercity Travel City Transit Driving Health and Safety Lodging Dining and Drinking Communications Shopping        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 Krakow Photo Gallery Profiles of Eastern Europe Moscow City Profile Czech Republic Photo Gallery - Charles Bridge and castle Sofia's Religous Buildings

Germany Travel

How To Germany - Travel Home | Resources | Advertising | Contact Us | Disclaimer • Airports • Beaches • Best of Germany • High Times in Lower Bavaria • Nearby Countries • Offbeat Tourism • Oktoberfest / Festivals • Quedlinburg • River Boats • Theme Parks • Wine Regions • Christmas Museum • Winter Travel / Christmas Markets • Train Travel Basic Facts Clubs & Organizations Driving Education Embassies & Consulates Expat Experiences Financial Genealogy Insurance Language Schools Legal System Living In Germany Medical/Health Moving & Relocation Office Services Postal Services Press Radio/TV Residence/Work Permits Shopping Sports Telephone Service Voting Working Airports in Germany Germany's burgeoning airports are being linked into the nation's railway system. Cheap domestic and inter-European flights have put in a sudden appearance. An overview of Frankfurt International Airport. About 120 international scheduled airlines serve Germany, carrying more than 100 million passengers a year. Of these airlines 102 serve Frankfurt, the nation's biggest airport. The relatively new airport at Munich has become a second hub, and other major airports are located at Düsseldorf, Cologne and Hamburg. Berlin, presently with a collection of smaller airports, promises to be a major air center in the future. The former U.S. air base at Hahn, 75 miles from Frankfurt, is also playing a role in the aviation picture, as a base for super cheap airlines. These have sent domestic and inter-Europen fares plunging, even on the established airlines. There is also a very aggressive program to link air travel to rail travel. High speed InterCity trains directly serve the Frankfurt, Düsseldorf and Cologne-Bonn airports. Frankfurt is the busiest airport not merely in Germany but on the entire European continent. It has scheduled connections to 296 airports in 105 countries. And it set a new record for passengers handled in 2004, topping 50 million for the first time. To cope with this traffic the airport opened a second large terminal building in 1994, and now has active plans to construct a third terminal and a fourth runway. Many of the passengers had Frankfurt itself as a destination, since the city is an important commercial center. But Frankfurt is also a transfer point for air and rail connections to other German cities and an air transfer point to many other countries, notably in Eastern Europe and the Asia. Europe's busiest expressway cloverleaf, the "Frankfurter Kreuz" is right adjacent to the airport. This is where the A3 and the A5 autobahns, the most important in Germany, intersect and allow quick access to Europe's extensive superhighway net. The airport also has parking facilities for 15,000 vehicles and its own bus station. But stress is being laid on reaching the airport swiftly and comfortably by rail. Some 88 long distance trains a day stop at its railway station, affording passengers direct connections to Cologne, Hamburg, Munich, Berlin, Dresden, Nürnberg and many other German cities, not to mention Vienna, Milan, Zürich and Amsterdam. Some airlines even have check-in counters right at the station. The new high-speed Frankfurt-Cologne rail line, which cuts travel time from two-and-a-half hours to less than an hour, also serves the Frankfurt airport, and also the Cologne-Bonn one. Frankfurt long has had a second railway station, offering rapid transit service to the Rhein-Main area, and this continues to operate. For all that Frankfurt is getting stiff competition from the relatively new Franz Josef Strauss Airport in Munich. Though it only opened in 1992, it is already Germany's second air hub, and the eighth largest airport in Europe, having counted 26.8 million passengers in 2004. This growth is largely because the German airline Lufthansa has chosen to do much of its expanding in Munich, which now handles more of Lufthansa's domestic flights than does Frankfurt. This rapid growth led first to an expansion of the original Munich terminal and then, in 2003, to the opening of a second terminal. The big disadvantage of Franz Josef Strauss Airport is that it is far from the city center. Plans to compensate for this with a high speed "Transrapid" magnetic train appear to be stalled. Another proposed "Transrapid," linking Frankfurt to the "cheapy" center at Hahn, also looks stalled, even though the former air base racked up nearly 2.8 million passengers in 2004. That was up 13.6 percent over the previous year. The Irish no-frills airline Ryanair has made the so-called "Frankfurt-Hahn" airport its hub, and will fly you from there to Stansted Airport, near London, for as little as €25. Ryanair offers similar bargain service to 74 airports, usually secondary ones, in 12 European countries The catch is that, despite that name "Frankfurt-Hahn," the airport actually is 75 miles (125 km) from Frankfurt, and it takes about an hour and 30 minutes to get there. Nor is Hahn the only center of no-frills flights. The Konrad Adenauer Airport, between Cologne and Bonn, is also becoming one. It is the home base for both Germanwings and Hapag-Lloyd Express. And its new railway station connects it to the Frankfurt Airport in less than an hour on the high speed InterCity line. This opens up many possibilities for connections that should contribute to the airport's growth and also relieve the Frankfurt runways to some extent. No frills flights also have played a role in preserving Berlin's historic Tempelhof Airport, which was established in 1923 and figured prominently in the 1948-49 Airlift. They've been talking for years about closing it because it is too small and surrounded by built-up areas. But several "cheapies" are glad to have it. The future of Berlin aviation, however, lies mainly in the planned Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg International (BBI). Since German reunification Berlin traffic has been divided between three airports: Tempelhof; Tegel, which was hastily built during the Airlift, and Schönefeld, the East Berlin airport before unification. Now, however, final plans are being laid to expand Schönefeld and make it into a major airport, with an initial capacity of 20 million passengers a year. Construction was scheduled to begin in 2006 with operations expected to start in 2010. It is planned to close both Tegel and Tempelhof when BBI opens. The Fuhlsbüttel Airport in Hamburg is also getting a new terminal building. It was scheduled to be opened in May, 2005. By 2007 the airport was also to have an urban railway link-up, larger parking lots and a shopping plaza. Düsseldorf, too, has a new terminal, replacing and greatly improving upon the one that was destroyed by a disastrous fire in 1996. And Düsseldorf also has two railway stations, one for long distance and InterCity trains and one for the local area. Lufthansa has cut its fares on domestic and some European flights, partly to meet the competition of the no-frills, but also to better utilize its capacity by luring more people from trains and private cars. Its flights still cost more than the no-frills, but they are also full service. Most domestic trips are an hour or less in duration. Airlines from the U.S. that serve German airports include American, Continental, Delta, Northwest, United and US Airways. In the wake of September 11, Germany established flight safety rules similar to the ones in effect in the U.S., including the ban on knives, scissors and the like in hand baggage. Security at Frankfurt and Munich is especially tight on transatlantic flights, on flights to Israel and on flights by British and American airlines no matter where they are headed. It's important that passengers, especially ones on these flights, get to the airport well before takeoff. Some officials urge as much as three hours for international flights. German airports usually feature duty-free shops, restaurants, bars, car rental agencies, conference centers, banks, post offices and medical facilities. And sometimes they offer much more. The Frankfurt Airport almost doubles as a shopping mall. Visit our Storefronts! Airlines, Airports Travel and Destinations Entertainment, Food, Drink Fraport Launches "Airport City" Web Site to Showcase Frankfurt Airport's Diversity Use FRA's Travel, Leisure and Business Channels on the Internet at: www.airportcity-frankfurt.de FRA/rap Reflecting Frankfurt Airport's (FRA) development as a vibrant city, Fraport AG recently launched a newly designed Web site to present expanded information and features not only for passengers and visitors but also for various business partners. Located at www.airportcity-frankfurt.de , the new Web site for Germany's leading air transportation hub now offers details about FRA's strategic business advantages. Frankfurt Airport serves more than 51 million passengers per year. With more than 68,000 employees, FRA is Germany's biggest employment complex at a single location. The Frankfurt Airport City site features three clearly structured and color-coded channels: Travel, Experience, and Business. For example, the Travel channel provides helpful tips for travel planning: current flight information, departing, arriving, transferring, and meeting passengers. The Experience channel presents the extensive range of leisure activities and facilities at Frankfurt Airport City, such as Duty Free and Travel Value, airport shopping, restaurants, 24/7 services, travel services (Airport Reisemarkt, online travel agency, travel agents at FRA), as well as offerings for visitors (Airport Forum, Visitors' Terrace, and airport tours). The Business channel, targeted at airlines, logistics providers, and other trade and business partners, showcases FRA's locational advantages. This area includes detailed information about real estate, retailing, advertising, the Airport Conference Center, CargoCity Frankfurt, etc. A three-dimensional model of Frankfurt Airport City is one of the many interactive features of the site. The complete Web site is available in English and German, while "Quick Guides" provide basic travel information and terminal maps in six languages: Arabic, Chinese, French, Japanese, Korean, and Russian. Site contents ©2001-2005 by ChuckEmerson Media Services Auf der Schorr 10, 54331 Pellingen, Germany Tel +49 (0) 65 88-99 25 65 • Fax +49 (0) 65 88-98 83 29 Site design and maintenance by Gear Brand