air travel and how

"Air rage is caused by oxygen deprivation."--Diana Fairechild HOME | FREE | FAST | ABOUT | CONTACT | NEWSLETTER | RADIO | NONPROFIT | SEARCH EXPERT WITNESS | SPEAKING | CONSULTING | BOOKS | PRESS ROOM . AIR RAGE CAUSED BY OXYGEN DEPRIVATION By Diana Fairechild First Published by Reuters News Service in 7-98, then in the Jet Smart Newsletter on 12-28-98 "Diana Fairechild, who, having circled the planet more than a hundred times, is able to offer tips on everything from how to avoid blocked ears to how to get a freshly brewed cup of coffee." -GQ Magazine "Diana Fairechild is a natural born healer. She was put on Earth to help millions of people. I really truly feel that Diana's motivation is to educate us, the people who fly--who could die on airplanes." -Uri Geller, Psychic "Fairechild discusses all the hazards of air travel and how to protect yourself." -Andrew Weil, MD "Nobody should get on a plane without Jet Smarter. There is no other information out there on how to travel and protect your health at the same time. It's not available, I've checked. You must protect yourself... it's very serious. This book is indispensable. Don't travel without it." -Layna Berman ( radio ) "Fairechild's great sense of humor reduces anxiety. You become stronger by reading this book and able to protect yourself from the rigors of air travel." -George Hoffer, Frequent flyer "Jet Smarter is the Encyclopedia Britannica of air travel! Read it before you board an airplane -- then pack it in your carry-on. This book can save your health, maybe even your life! There are more dangers in flying than you ever dreamed of. It's all in Jet Smarter. The book is hard-hitting, in depth, comprehensive, full of solutions, entertaining, and often witty." -Arlene Ashe, reader "Diana Fairechild has been warning and advising frequent flyers about poor air quality in airplanes since her 1992 publication Jet Smart." -Frequent Flyer "The thing I enjoy only slightly less than a tooth extraction is flying... Fairechild, still perky after what amounts to 300 circumnavigations of the globe, said that the mostly non-lethal dangers of air travel amount to one of the great unexplored environmental health issues of the day...Considering how many of us this affects, this lone voice is well worth hearing." -John Bogert, Copley Newspapers "Diana Fairechild, a highly respected consumer advocate for the flying public, says there is 'no quick fix for all the symptoms of jetlag because of all the different causes -- shifts in time, alterations in magnetic fields, modifications in climate, and diversitites in cultures. Flying in commercial jets, we're deprived of air and humidity while exposed to recycled germs and chemicals, radiation, pesticides, and noise.'" -Ambassadair Travel Club "Fairechild has a bag of carry-on health tricks larger than fits in the overhead compartment, all included in her book, Jet Smarter." -American Bar Association Journal "Diana Fairechild, a former flight attendant who writes about and does consulting on the health risks of flying, says some frequent travelers often fail to connect the dots between their travels and chronic ailments." -Alina Tugend, The New York Times "Take the advice of Diana Fairechild." -Smart Money "Diana Fairechild is an aviation health and safety analyst." -Andrea Arceneau, CNN-TV "Diana Fairechild's book Jet Smart dropped a bomb in Washington and the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Transportation changed policy." -Ed Randegger, Environ "Thank you so much Diana Fairechild for coming forward and saying what needs to be said about the airline industry. You are a real hero." -thepowerhour.com ALL AROUND THE WORLD, frequent flyers, territorial about armrests and fretful about footing, now secretly wonder if the person next to them is a business flyer or a berserk flyer! And they may have good reason to be apprehensive. Unruly behavior in the skies has been increasing at an astonishing rate in both numbers and levels of hostility. In well-publicized incidents, airline passengers have defecated on food carts, beaten up crew members, and even sexually assaulted their own seats! Here are some examples of "air rage." Passenger Mr. Finneran, a banker, was fined $50,000 by United Airlines after he assaulted an attendant and then defecated on a first-class food cart during a Buenos Aires-to-New York flight. Passenger Mr. Guzman-Hernandez removed his pants and then "simulated having sex with the back of his own seat." Passenger Mr. Misiak put his hands around the throat of a flight attendant and threatened her because she spilled a drink on him. A passenger named Ms. Pennix grabbed a flight attendant's finger and bent it backward. Pennix explained to authorities that she didn't like the way the flight attendant told her to put her tray and seat in an upright position before landing. Passenger Mrs. Levy grabbed a flight attendant by the arms and twisted her wrists. Levy was traveling with three children and explains that she lost her temper because her 20-month-old was crying, had wet pants, and there was no way to get to the bathroom. Passenger Mr. Okada from Japan "allegedly urinated on the seats" then punched another passenger who told him to stop. A group of drunken Irish tourists were apparently so unruly over the Atlantic that the crew enlisted the help of a wrestling team to restrain them. Airline crews have begun to take drastic measures which sometimes have disastrous consequences. In December 1998, an unruly passenger was aboard a Malov flight between Bangkok and Budapest. The crew and passengers tied the unruly man to his seat, then a doctor on board injected him with a tranquilizer. The passenger died--tied to his seat with airplane headset cords! Once the crew noticed that the unruly passenger had died, the plane made an unscheduled stop in Istanbul. Five witnesses (passengers) were detained by the Turkish police along with the doctor. After a 13-hour delay, the remaining 183 passengers winged away (and behaved themselves, in spite of their late arrivals and missed connections). An autopsy in Istanbul showed that the unruly passenger had died due to the mixture in his blood of the tranquilizer and some other drug or alcohol. WHO IS RESPONSIBLE? The airlines must accept the major portion of the blame. Here's why, numbered 1 through 5: 1) Airline management is not responding to the need for in-flight security. Crews should not be in the position to be bouncers and bodyguards. Every flight attendant I know has been the brunt of temperamental travelers. When I was exhausted myself at times, my lack of training in this area did not give me the skills to handle these passengers as well as I could have. 2) One more cause of air rage is certainly the in-flight cabin environment--a place that is high in toxic chemicals and allergens, and low in air pressure and oxygen. Vincent Mark, M.D., an environmental physician in Santa Cruz, supports my theory. "Curtailment of fresh air in airplanes can be causing deficient oxygen in the brains of passengers, and this often makes people act belligerent, even crazy," said Dr. Mark in a telephone interview, adding "I'm positive about this, and it can be proven with a simple blood test." Rage bubbles up at high altitude just like soft drinks fizz over at high altitudes. The link between air rage and poor air quality deserves a closer look. To start with, passenger unruliness began to rise some 20 years ago, coinciding with the cost-cutting practice of using recycled air instead of fresh air in commercial jets. 3) Still another culprit, high on the list of irritants for airline passengers, is cramped "sardine seating." Airline seats are now as small as seats on subway trains, and with many flights lasting longer, passengers feel they are packed like sardines in a can, or chickens in crowded cages. Is it any wonder they peck peevishly at those around them? The last time I flew, I was in an aisle seat in economy. The passenger next to me was too large to fit in his seat, and his touching me all through the flight made me very uncomfortable. On the other side, everyone who passed, even the carts, bumped into me. Airline executives (who travel in first class) have, to date, only pointed to excess luggage as the cause for surly passenger behavior. In testimony before Congress, airline management blamed air rage on the number and size of bags passengers bring on the plane. Upon closer examination, it appears the airlines themselves have contributed to the luggage problem by removing coat closets, leaving little room for garment bags or heavy outer clothing. And with eight percent of all airline baggage lost or stolen , travelers are increasingly reluctant to check their luggage. 4) The difference between passenger expectations for comfort and service and the reality of what awaits them on board, especially in coach class, is no doubt another contributor to the increase of air rage. Airline ads still show flight attendants answering passengers' every wish. This is not possible because all the airlines have downsized to save money. 5) Alcohol and altitude don't mix. The inside of the airplane cabin is 8,000 feet. Passengers are afffected by alcohol more quickly than they realize at high altitudes. Drinking dehydrates people, and this can lead to irritability, fatigue and tunnel vision. Since alcohol also lowers inhibitions, why should we be surprised that it also magnifies the emotional reaction to the difficult flying environment? Most air rage incidents have been alcohol related. While "unruly" passengers have been a problem within the airline industry for many years, they are just now coming to the attention of the public, the press and Congress. Even flight attendants are speaking up--in spite of the gag orders most have signed with their respective airlines. Since passengers, not just crew, are being fondled and assaulted, Congress is investigating. But the chances of an effective response are slim considering the fact that minimal airplane air quality standards--debated in Congress since June 12, 1996--have yet to pass into law. HERE'S WHAT TO DO In case you find yourself on a flight with an air raged "unruly" passenger: --Rather than confront the offender directly, leave your seat and seek out the purser or senior flight attendant. The purser is usually found in first class, so bypass the flight attendants in coach. Give the purser the row and seat number of the unruly passenger. Remain calm and communicate clearly. --And if you have a tendency to be an unruly passenger, here's what you might consider. The airplane is a microcosm of humanity. There are high-techies next to hikers, politicians next to pilgrims, and business flyers next to bawdy kids. Keep in mind that the trip is a challenge for everyone on board. Tolerance and gestures of gentility could make your flights more pleasant--for you, and for everyone around you as well. --Please! Think what you can do to make it easier for others. Say "please." Be kind. Act on your compassion. FROM READERS "I am very much impressed with your work concerning health in flight. My findings concerning environmental anemia actually re-enforce your original insight that the lower air-pressure of the in -flight cabin can cause air rage. My own work on this subject delves into the physiology of the oxygen deprivation and my results back up your original thesis." --Dr. Ross Lee Graham, University of Linkoeping, Sweden .... "I think they should do away with drinking alcohol on flights just like they did cigarettes. It's a toxin, a drug, and a leading cause of violence."--Dee Pollock "To what extent, do you think, the no-smoking rule, on international flights, is contributing to the "air rage"? While I absolutely support the rule, my son-in-law, who smokes, became extremely irritable and aggressive on a flight to London last year. My daughter was ready to kill him. I can see how nicotine deprivation combined with alcohol could be a dangerous combination."--Evelyn Staus "I would suggest that the enraged passenger develops his/her rage at the plane or in the terminal in specific, direct, and immediate response to airline employee arrogance, incompetence, superciliousness, discourtesy, rudeness, ignorance, and disregard for normal courtesy, much less some things called professional standards and professional conduct and professional performance."--Thomas Ryan Nelson RELATED PAGES Radio Interviews on Air Rage Pilots Control the Cabin Air Fairechild's Passenger Bill of Rights FOR MORE DEPTH & INFORMATION, SEE DIANA'S BOOKS AND/OR WRITE TO DIANA . HOME | FREE | FAST | ABOUT | CONTACT | NEWSLETTER | RADIO | NONPROFIT | SEARCH EXPERT WITNESS | SPEAKING | CONSULTING | BOOKS | PRESS ROOM FLYANA.COM

Family Vacation

weather.com - Vacation Theme Results Home My Page | Health | Travel | Driving | Events | Recreation | Home & Garden World | Maps | Mobile | Weather Tools | Store Notify! weather.com® Gold My Page My Profile Close Window Vacation Planner Forecast | Business Travel | Vacation Planner | Aviation Local Weather See weather related to ... Aches & Pains Allergies Skin Protection Air Quality Cold & Flu Fitness Health Home Planner Lawn & Garden Pets Schoolday Sporting Events Driving Boat & Beach Golf Ski Outdoors Business Travel Vacation Planner Home Travel Vacation Planner Destinations Family Travel We've found the following cities matching your chosen theme. Click on a city name to determine the best time to visit. Washington, DC Washington, DC, is famous not only for being the capital of the world's most powerful democracy, but also for its stately monuments, world-class art museums, and eclectic, culture-rich neighborhoods. Learn more... Average High/Low (F) Dec 48/28 Jan 43/24 Feb 47/26 Find the best time to visit Destinations Average High/Low (F): Dec Jan Feb World Region Boston, MA 42/28 36/22 39/24 United States Grand Canyon, AZ 40/17 38/16 40/17 United States Hershey, PA 40/24 35/19 39/21 United States Jackson, WY 26/2 25/1 31/3 United States Las Vegas, NV 57/37 57/37 63/41 United States Niagara Falls, NY 37/23 31/17 33/17 United States Orlando, FL 73/53 72/50 74/51 United States Page, AZ 44/27 43/26 50/30 United States Pigeon Forge, TN 50/27 46/25 51/27 United States Please enable JavaScript in your browser to switch the measurements on this page from English to Metric Units. NOTE: Before traveling, consult The US Bureau of Consular Affairs web site for travel warnings, passport information and more. Back to Vacation Planner Welcome Page Tell Us What You Think Search the Web

cruise vacation along rivers

Barge cruise - european river and canal barge cruises, theme cruises - Golf, wine and family cruises, luxury barge cruise vacation along rivers and canals in France, Scotland, Ireland, England and Germany, GoBarging with European Waterways - website design, search engine optimisation, internet marketing by transform e business solutions UK, 360 virtual tours by www.360-virtual.com GoBarging with European Waterways Luxury Barge cruises in Europe Hello, and welcome to our GoBarging website. We'd like to introduce you to the European waterways, to the world of GoBarging. Our luxury hotel barges cruise the inland waterways of seven European countries, along canals, rivers, lakes and lochs. This is an opportunity to visit these countries and experience life there, from a truly unique perspective. Take our video tour for a taste of a unique barging experience Your floating hotel cruises gently along, while you relax, enjoy the fine wines and excellent cuisine, the company of fellow passengers - new friends, family, or old acquaintances. Take a guided tour around the many castles, markets, battlefields and ancient monuments, or go off exploring on your own. Whatever you do, our dedicated and highly trained professional staff will be there to look after you. Our Captains ensure a safe and yet exciting passage along your chosen route, our Chefs prepare a wide range of exquisite food to suit every taste, our Tour guides are knowledgeable and enthusiastic, and our stewards & stewardesses ensure that our high standards are maintained throughout your cruise. Travel the route of Rick Stein's French Odyssey on Anjodi and Rosa - now showing on BBC2 TV, with accompanying BBC Book Please use our website to explore our GoBarging world. We offer many ways to navigate the website and find out about our barges. Use the side menu to visit our Europe cruise map to see the countries where we cruise, click on a region and find out more about it, and the barges which cruise there. If you are new to barging, have a look at our Barging Video, take a tour of our Barge fleet and read our GoBarging FAQ to find out more about barge cruises on the European Waterways. You can then use our Cruise guide to find a country, region and barge of your choice. Every barge page has its own menu, offering you lots of information on the unique merits of each barge. We offer a wide range of Theme cruise charters too, from Golf cruises to Wine cruises, and our Theme Cruise guide will help you to find a theme cruise to suit your needs. Our site map contains links to all pages, and a short description of each, offering another quick route to explore our website. We provide cruise rates and you can check availability for any barge and your preferred cruise dates. You can request a brochure, download a copy, or have one mailed, and why not subscribe to our monthly newsletter the Lockkeeper, where we feature different barges each month, provide cruise news and offers. So, welcome once again, and we hope this website gives you a taste for our unique barging world. For reservations or more information including a full colour brochure, contact Go Barging on International + 44 1784 482439, UK 0178 448 2439, USA 1 800 394 8630, Canada 1888 342 1917,fax: (+44) 1784 483072 or e-mail sales@GoBarging.com website design,search engine optimisation,internet marketing by transform ebusiness solutions uk

Disney vacation Cabin rentals

..VRBO is Vacation Rentals by Owner Vacation Homes Rentals by Owner Millions of visitors here each month... List your Vacation Rental Home here! Beautiful USVI - US Virgin Islands Vacation Rentals 46,000 Vacation Rentals - Rental Homes by Owner Search by VRBO# City Search Enter complete or partial city name Text Search Yachts/Cruises Worldwide USA Vacation Rentals Canada Rentals Mexico Rentals Caribbean Rentals Europe Austria Belgium Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic England Denmark France Germany Greece Hungary Iceland Ireland Italy Macedonia Malta Monaco Netherlands Norway Poland Portugal Romania Russia Scotland Spain Sweden Switzerland Turkey Ukraine United Kingdom Africa Morocco Seychelles South Africa Central America Belize Costa Rica Guatemala Honduras Nicaragua Panama South America Argentina Brazil Chile Colombia Peru Uruguay Venezuela Asia China Cyprus Hong Kong India Indonesia Israel Japan Malaysia Mauritius Philippines Sri Lanka Thailand Turkey South Pacific Australia Fiji French Polynesia New Zealand Caribbean Yachts & Cruises Anguilla Antigua Aruba Bahamas Barbados Bay Islands Belize Bermuda Bonaire British Virgin Islands BVI Cayman Islands Curacao Dominica Dominican Republic Grenada Guadeloupe Isla de Margarita Jamaica Martinique Puerto Rico Roatan Saba Saint Martin (St Maarten) St. Barthelemy St. Eustatius St. Kitts & Nevis St. Lucia St. Vincent & the Grenadines Trinidad & Tobago Turks & Caicos US Virgin Islands USVI France vacation rentals Aspen vacation rentals Breckenridge vacation rentals Cabo San Lucas vacation rentals USVI US Virgin Islands Vacation Rentals Kauai vaction rentals Maui Vacation rentals California vacation rentals Florida Keys vacation rentals & homes Destin vacation rentals Orlando vacation rentals & condos Lake Tahoe vacation rentals Disney vacation Cabin rentals & Beach rentals Hilton Head rentals Vacation Rentals Hawaii all located on this huge site... Please read the DISCLAIMER before continuing... Join us... | Members Area | Testimonials | Advantages | Want Ads | Links | Blog | Contacts | Adventures of the VRBO Bear... | Ctrl D to Bookmark --- Click here for Hurricane Katrina Housing Offers --- USA Vacation Rentals - Carpe Vacationum "Seize the Vacation" Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Northern CA Lake Tahoe Central CA Southern CA Colorado Cities A-B Cities C-F Cities G-S Cities T-Z Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Destin Area Panama City Beach South Walton Rest of Panhandle Disney / Orlando Florida East Coast Upper Gulf Coast Central Gulf Coast South Gulf Coast Florida Keys Georgia Hawaii Big Island Kauai Lanai Maui Molokai Oahu Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina Hilton Head Myrtle Beach Rest of S. Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Save us in your bookmarks ( press Ctrl-D ) . Plan your next dream vacation right here. More Vacation Rentals in popular locations like these: Lake Tahoe Vacation Rentals - Breckenridge, Colorado Vacation Rentals - Paris, France Rentals - Puerto Vallarta area, Mexico - Florida Rentals: Clermont , Davenport , Destin , Kissimmee vacation Rentals , Seagrove Beach - Kaanapali, Maui Vacation Rentals Family Reunion or Large Group? Check out these Vacation Rentals Around the World that sleep 14 18 22 26 30+ guests Do you own a Vacation Rental Property? Join the group and advertise your rental to millions of visitors to this site each month. People are talking about us... see what our members have to say. We have many fine privately owned vacation rental homes available. Read about the advantages of private vacation home rental. We're the LARGEST and most FRIENDLY vacation rental site specializing in PRIVATE HOMES and BY OWNER vacation rentals. You will find tens of thousands of BY OWNER vacation rental properties listed here PLUS fine private homes, condos and apartments offered thru rental agencies and management companies. Please read the DISCLAIMER before continuing... Join us... | Members Area | Testimonials | Advantages | Want Ads | Links | Blog | Contacts | Adventures of the VRBO Bear... Ctrl D to Bookmark | visit Hotspot for Vacation Rental Sales Tax Compliance VRBO® is Vacation Rentals by Owner® - The largest and most popular vacation rental site. Specializing in BY OWNER vacation rentals, homes, condos, cabins, villas and apartments. ALSO privately owned properties offered thru rental agencies and management companies. To report any problems with this site, please contact webmaster@vrbo.com URL: http://www.vrbo.com/Default.htm ©1995-2005 by VRBO International LLC - all rights reserved

Argentina Travel Guide, climate:

Argentina Travel Guide - Information and Advice Argentina Travel Guide Information and Advice Argentina Pictures | Argentina Map | South America Map Argentina Travel Guide, climate: This is the eighth largest country in the world so summarizing weather conditions is tricky, but one thing we should point out first, this is mostly not a hot country , with temperatures rarely over 30C [85F] except in the far north. Winter [May-Sept] is driest in most areas, but also coolest, between 7-15C [45-60F] in Buenos Aires, so this time would be best if holidays mean skiing, the north country and/or general sightseeing, but don't think beaches, tank tops or Patagonia. Best: Spring [Sept-Nov] or autumn [March-May] strike a fine balance between warmth and clouds, but still no tank tops. Worst: Jan-Feb. Summertime is hot, humid, expensive and everything's booked up, but this is the best time for beaches and tank tops. Argentina holidays are around January, Easter and July, so transport and accommodation become a problem then. Length of stay: Minimum worthwhile stay, not incl. flights [bearing in mind that this is a looong flight for most English speaking travel folk]: 2 weeks. 4 days in Buenos Aires, 5 days [flight] in Patagonia for glaciers and mountain hikes, 2 days [flight] to Iguazu Falls, and a few days northwest around Salta for Andean culture [flight], deserts and canyons, or skip that and hydrofoil into Uruguay for a quick look at Colonia, the beaches or Montevideo, the capital. Argentina Festivals Guide: February or March, Wine Harvest Festival, Mendoza, a few days. Parades and various folk events in honour of Mendoza's raisin d'etre , wine. March or April, Easter , unusually for a Latin Catholic culture, no big deal. May 25, Revolution Day , with a military parade in BA. Nov 12 or thereabouts, Tradition Day , with some Gaucho celebrations near BA but especially in San Antonio de Areco. Argentina Activities Guide: Tango: a fantastically complex and sensual dance, enjoyed by Argentinians as much as tourists, it's visible all over BA in clubs, in the street and around Plaza Dorrego at weekends. Try to learn it by all means, but it'll be a long job. See Pictures and more information. Wildlife: most famously visible around the barren cliffs of Peninsula Valdés - seals, elephant seals, killer whales, penguins, guanacos [llamas], but especially southern right whales. Puerto Madryn is the base from which to find a tour or rent a car. Wildlife is also found in Iguazu Park alongside the waterfalls, Ushuaia and in swampy Ibera Nature Reserve [wetlands] for cayman, capybaras, monkeys and birds. Activities below are best mainly in the Patagonian Andes, particularly from Los Glaciers National Park in the southwest to Mendoza in the centre-west. Bariloche, El Calafate and El Chalten are the three best activity centres, though Ushuaia is pretty wild too. Hiking: spectacular hikes, well signposted, long and short, particularly around Bariloche and El Chalten. See pictures and more information. Biking: Mendoza and the Lake District are best but mountain bike hire is widely available throughout Patagonia - in spite of occasionally fierce winds. Rock/Ice Climbing: fantastic challenges, mostly around El Chalten, Ushuaia and Mendoza ; a guide will generally be required. Mt. Aconagua 6,959m, near Mendoza, is the highest. Horse Riding: this is gaucho country so there are plenty of high quality horses and guides out there. The Pampas are the true home of gauchos - particularly in estancias [ranches] near San Antonio de Areco - but being mainly flat are far less scenic than rides in Patagonia. Skiing: good powder and sunshine at good prices; mostly resorts around Malargue, the Lake District or San Martin de los Andes, but also in Ushuaia, way south. Fishing: Sea fishing off Mar del Plata and Necochea or fly fishing [esp. in San Martin de los Andes {Patagonia} or Isla del Cerrito {north}] for trout, salmon, dorado and giant catfish. Kayaking and Whitewater Rafting: Availability is increasing, especially near Bariloche and San Martin de los Andes. Argentina Star Guide: Monuments ** Shopping and souvenirs ***** Walkability **** Food Quality and Variety *** Value for Money ***** Hotel Prices and Value ** Beaches *** Wildlife **** Landscape **** Local People *** Architecture ** Safety *** Nightlife and Clubbing ***** Health Problems few Museums ** Why Travel to Argentina: This huge country contains climates ranging from tropical jungle thru desert and snow-capped Andes to barren Patagonia and the end of the world, containing some of the world's most stunning natural wonders and a wide selection of activities during which to enjoy them. Argentina has a down-at-heel but relatively sophisticated, energetic capital buzzing with people of south European stock, excellent soccer and rugby and fine dining - which you can afford thanks to incredibly low prices. Downside: - local culture is hardly exotic. - city traffic is hectic, noisy and polluting. - city pavements [sidewalks] sport ankle-snapping potholes, dog doo, or often both. - widespread poverty is common, restrained begging too. Unusually , we recommend giving beggars a few centavos[cents], most really are hard up. Argentina travel highlights: ***Buenos Aires. The capital is terrific for urban spacemen but a bit short on wow! sights. See BA pictures and more information. ***Glaciers National Park, in the southwest : near El Calafate , for glacier views, walks and boat rides or El Chalten for stunning mountain hikes [UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site]. See pictures and more information. ***[San Carlos de] Bariloche is sadly overdeveloped but gateway to activities galore in the spectacular surroundings of Argentina's Lake District . The Seven Lakes Scenic Route is recommended. Hiking, riding, climbing, fishing, skiing, eating chocolate or heading for Patagonia or Chile, Bariloche gets you there. ***Mendoza is a pleasant town on the doorstep of some magnificent mountains, home to excellent wines and en route to Santiago, Chile. ***Iguazu National Park northeast for massive waterfalls, wildlife and plants [UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site]. See pictures and more information. ***Peninsula Valdés for wildlife, see left for more info [UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site]. ***Ushuaia , the world's most southerly town [3,580 kms from BA], offers terrific scenery, hiking, fishing, scenic boat trips, marine wildlife, dog-sledding and skiing [in winter] from a pleasant, if over-touristy town. Also boats to the Antarctic . See pictures and more information. **Cordoba , the country's lively second city has friendly people and a better collection of colonial architecture than BA; partly a World Cultural Heritage Site. **Beaches: Mar del Plata is overbuilt and tacky but has picturesque surroundings and monster beaches that go into overdrive December-February. There're fishing and horse riding as well as beach activities; 400kms [250 miles] from the capital. On both sides are prettier, more peaceful or exclusive resorts, such as Pinamar [posh], Miramar [families], Mar de las Pampas [horses] and Mar Azul . **Peninsula Valdés centre-east coast for marine wildlife. See left. **San Juan and La Rioja provinces sport weird rocks, paleontological delights, petroglyphs and condors passing by in Ischigualasto and Talampaya Natural Parks [UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site]. *Jujuy province in the far northwest contains adobe towns embraced by multicoloured landscapes around Salta and Quebrada de Humahuaca [UNESCO World Cultural Landscape]. *Uruguay - a one hour boat trip gets you to the pretty, laid back old town of Colonia . Return to BA or head off to Montevideo or the posh beaches of Punta del Este . See pictures and more information. Cuisine Guide: Porteños eat late so getting a table at 8pm-9pm should be no problem. Before that time only cheap eats may be available. Argentinian food basically means meat , huge portions of freshly killed cow grilled to perfection and eaten in digestion-challeging mass, or as a snack sandwich [lomito]. Steaks are superb so BA is perfect for confirmed carnivores, but what else is on offer? Cheap eats tend towards good pizzas, terrible pastas, ham and cheese sandwiches, various quality stuffed pies [empanadas] or fast food, but for those who can spare a few pesos more, Buenos Aires is home to a mass of superb foreign restaurants that deliver all kinds of cuisine - including vegetarian [e.g. Japanese, Thai, Middle-Eastern] - that anyone holding dollars/euros can easily afford. Shopping Guide: Argentina produces very high quality, stylish shoes, bags and clothes - particularly leather - at very low cost, so this is the place to do serious fashion shopping if you have room in your luggage. Jewellery and woolen goods are also excellent. Regular souvenirs of all types can be found around any tourist area. Argentina Tours More tour operators offering travel around Argentina can be found in our listings here: Argentina Tours For more information on Argentina Travel try these links: National Tourist Offices Online Travel Guides Cheap Airline Tickets UK Cheap Airline Tickets US Travel Insurance UK Tour Operators Embassies Currency Climate Language Visas: Europeans, Americans, Canadians, Irish, Australians, New Zealanders and most other nationalities can get 90 days permit to stay on arrival at the airport. Electricity: 220v, 2 [slim] round pins and/or three flat angled pins [but a 2 round pin adaptors will be quite sufficient]. Language: Spanish - known as Castellano in Latin America. It's an easy language so learn the basics, they will be useful though locals know some English. Some basic food vocabulary is vital. Safety: Crime is no worse in BA's centre than most of the world's big cities, but don't wear jewellery and stay away from the outer suburbs. Northeast border cities need some care. Health: No huge problems here, though the tropical north [i.e. not BA] can deliver dengue fever via mosquitoes, so keep the buzzers off you. Also be careful of AMS [Altitude Sickness] when hiking above 3,000m. See Travel Health Money Guide: When this research was done in late 2005 Argentina was amazingly cheap, apart from hotels - $10 for a fine dinner with drinks and $4 for a 20 minute taxi ride. ATMs all around, $ cash is king and accepted instead of pesos. Travellers cheques can be a little hard to change and the rate is poor. Traveling Around: Argentina is a massive country and best locations are widely spaced so unless you are ready for seriously long distance bus rides domestic flights will be necessary. These are efficient and reasonably priced but buy an airpass to get the best deals. And if you plan to travel in Argentina you may want to also check: Brazil Travel Guide Peru Travel Guide Ecuador Travel Guide Travel Pictures | Destination Finder | Exotic Places | World Festivals | World Wonders | Safari Wildlife | Beaches | Top of Page European Places | Walking Tours | Travel Health | Travel Safety | Travel Directory | English Speaking Places | Tours Gap Year | Site Map | Travel Guide Homepage | Contact | Press | Advertising | Legal | Maps | Travelogue © 2000-2005 Bugbog