Europe Travel
|
|
Europe Travel: Destination guides, hotels and news at TripSpot.com Back to Home General Guides Destination Guides City Guides (48) State Guides (50) International Business Travel Specialty Travel Deal Finders Best Fares Travel Auctions Cruise Bargains Hotel Bargains Last-Minute Bargains U.S. Airlines Int'l Airlines Airports Frequent Flyer Rental Cars Road Trips Road Warnings Rail & Subway Buses & Shuttles Cruises Packing Tips Hotels Bed & Breakfasts Resorts Vacation Rentals Camping Hostels Spas Sports/Recreation Arts/History Outdoors Dining Cyber Cafs Maps Languages Weather Photo Galleries Travel Headlines Travel Magazines Travel Sections Travel Agents About TripSpot Free Newsletter -- Link to TripSpot Helpful Tips Suggest a Site Advertising Info Contact Us Free Newsletter Enter your e-mail address below: -- Back to HomePage Search Site Free Newsletter -- Link to Site City Guides Anchorage Atlanta Austin Baltimore Boston Charlotte Chicago Cincinnati Cleveland Columbus Dallas Denver Detroit Ft. Lauderdale Hartford Honolulu Houston Indianapolis Jacksonville Kansas City Las Vegas Los Angeles Memphis Miami Milwaukee Minneapolis Montreal Nashville New Orleans New York Oklahoma City Orlando Philadelphia Phoenix Pittsburgh Portland Raleigh Sacramento San Antonio San Diego San Francisco San Jose Seattle St.Louis Tampa Toronto Vancouver Wash. D.C. State Guides AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DE FL GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WV WI WY StartSpot Network BookSpot.com CinemaSpot.com EmploymentSpot.com GenealogySpot.com GovSpot.com HeadlineSpot.com HomeworkSpot.com LibrarySpot.com MuseumSpot.com TripSpot.com Europe Countries | City Guides | Specialty Travel | Hotel and Dining Guides | News Destination Guides European Visits - Magazine about traveling. Lonely Planet - Maps and descriptions of every country. Rick Steves - Europe Through the Back Door. Trotty - Tourism links for many countries. VisitEurope.com - Guides include events and activities. World Travel Guide - Comprehensive information. Countries Austria Czech Republic Finland France Germany Greece Hungary Ireland Italy Norway Poland Russia Spain Sweden Switzerland United Kingdom City Guides Cityvox - Profiles of 24 cities. Fodor's - Guides for dozens of European cities. TravelPage.com - City guides and home pages. Specialty Travel BUG Europe - Backpackers Ultimate Guide to Europe. Eurotrip.com - Backpacking and student travel. GORP - Adventure and vacation ideas. Hotel and Dining Guides ASE.net | HotelWorld | restaurantsOMH.com News HeadlineSpot: Europe News Advertisement More to Explore TripSpot Articles Lists Questions & Answers Destination Ideas City Guides State Guides Bargains Deal Finders Best Fares Hotel Bargains Last-Minute Bargains Related Spots GourmetSpot.com MuseumSpot.com ShoppingSpot.com Back to Home Page Find more useful resources in popular areas of the StartSpot Network ... Today's Headlines Bestselling Books Online Museums State Government Jobs by State Click and Give Genealogy How-To International News Recipes Dictionaries Libraries Maps -- © 1997-2005, StartSpot Mediaworks, Inc. Advertising Information | Privacy Policy | Contact Us
Cruise Vacation
We are searching for availability. Please Wait... We are searching for availability. Please stand by... -- Vacation Outlet Home Page 800-690-2210 Offer Code: 9NGJ-K1V [x] [ close ] Departure City: Departing: Select a Departure City Aberdeen, SD (ABR) Abilene, TX (ABI) Alamogordo, NM (ALM) Albany, NY (ALB) Albuquerque, NM (ABQ) Allentown, PA (ABE) Alpena, MI (APN) Akron/Canton, OH (CAK) Amarillo, TX (AMA) Anacortes, WA (OTS) Anaheim/Santa Ana, CA (SNA) Anchorage, AK (ANC) Aspen, CO (ASE) Atlanta, GA (ATL) Austin, TX (AUS) Bakersfield, CA (BFL) Baltimore, MD (BWI) Bangor, ME (BGR) Baton Rouge, LA (BTR) Bellingham, WA (BLI) Bentonville, AR (XNA) Billings, MT (BIL) Birmingham, AL (BHM) Bismarck, ND (BIS) Block Island, RI (BID) Bloomington, IL (BMI) Boise, ID (BOI) Boston, MA (BOS) Bozeman, MT (BZN) Brainerd, MN (BRD) Brookings, SD (BKX) Brownwood, TX (BWD) Buffalo, NY (BUF) Burbank, CA (BUR) Burlington, VT (BTV) Cape Girardeau, MO (CGI) Carson City, NV (CSN) Catalina Island, CA (AVX) Cedar Rapids, IA (CID) Charleston, SC (CHS) Charleston, WV (CRW) Charlotte, NC (CLT) Chattanooga, TN (CHA) Chicago, IL (MDW) Chicago, IL (ORD) Chico,CA (CIC) Cincinnati, OH (CVG) Cleveland, OH (CLE) Colorado Springs, CO (COS) Columbia, SC (CAE) Columbus, MS (UBS) Columbus, OH (CMH) Columbus, OH (LCK) Dallas, TX (DAL) Dallas, TX (DFW) Dayton, OH (DAY) Daytona Beach, FL (DAB) Del Rio, TX (DRT) Denver, CO (DEN) Des Moines, IA (DSM) Detroit, MI (DTW) Dickinson, ND (DIK) Dillingham, AK (DLG) Duluth, MN (DLH) Durango, CO (DRO) Eastsound, WA (ESD) El Centro, CA (IPL) El Paso, TX (ELP) Enid, OK (WDG) Eugene, OR (EUG) Fargo, ND (FAR) Flint, MI (FNT) Fort Wayne, IN (FWA) Fresno, CA (FAT) Friday Harbor, WA (FRD) Ft Lauderdale, FL (FLL) Ft Myers Area, FL (RSW) Gainesville, FL (GNV) Gainesville, TX (GLE) Grand Rapids, MI (GRR) Grand Rapids, MN (GPZ) Great Bend, KS (GBD) Great Falls, MT (GTF) Green Bay, WI (GRB) Greensboro, NC (GSO) Greenville, NC (PGV) Greenville/Sprtnburg, SC (GSP) Greenville, TN (GCY) Gunnison, CO (GUC) Harrisburg, PA (MDT) Hartford, CT (BDL) Hartford, CT (HFD) Hilo, Hawaii, HI (ITO) Hilton Head Island, SC (HHH) Honolulu, Oahu, HI (HNL) Houston, TX (HOU) Houston, TX (IAH) Huntsville, AL (HSV) Huntsville, TX (HTV) Hyannis, MA (HYA) Imperial Beach, CA (NRS) Indianapolis, IN (IND) Islip, NY (ISP) Ithaca, NY (ITH) Jackson, MS (JAN) Jackson, TN (MKL) Jackson Hole, WY (JAC) Jacksonville, FL (JAX) Jacksonville, NC (OAJ) Kahului, Maui, HI (OGG) Kalamazoo, MI (AZO) Kalaupapa, HI (LUP) Kamuela, HI (MUE) Kansas City, KS (KCK) Kansas City, MO (MCI) Kearney, NE (EAR) Kenmore Air Harbor, WA (KEH) Key West, FL (EYW) Kirksville, MO (IRK) Knoxville, TN (TYS) Kona, Hawaii, HI (KOA) Lake Tahoe, CA (TVL) Lanai, HI (LNY) Lansing, MI (LAN) Las Vegas, NV (LAS) Lexington, KY (LEX) Lihue, Kauai, HI (LIH) Lincoln, NE (LNK) Little Rock, AR (LIT) Long Beach, CA (LGB) Lopez Island, WA (LPS) Los Angeles, CA (LAX) Louisville, KY (LOU) Louisville, KY (SDF) Lubbock, TX (LBB) Madison, WI (MSN) Manchester, NH (MHT) Manistee, MI (MBL) Marathon, FL (MTH) Melbourne, FL (MLB) Memphis, TN (MEM) Miami, FL (MIA) Michigan City, IN (MGC) Midland, TX (MAF) Milwaukee, WI (MKE) Minneapolis/St Paul, MN (MSP) Minocqua, WI (ARV) Moab, UT (CNY) Mobile, AL (MOB) Moline, IL (MLI) Molokai, HI (MKK) Monterey, CA (MRY) Moses Lake, WA (MWH) Myrtle Beach, SC (MYR) Nashville, TN (BNA) New Orleans, LA (MSY) New York City, NY (JFK) New York City, NY (LGA) New York City, NY (NYC) Newark, NJ (EWR) Newburgh, NY (SWF) Newport News, VA (PHF) Niagara Falls, NY (IAG) Norfolk, NE (OFK) Norfolk, VA (ORF) Oakland, CA (OAK) Oklahoma City, OK (OKC) Olympia, WA (OLM) Omaha, NE (OMA) Ontario, CA (ONT) Orlando, FL (MCO) Palm Springs, CA (PSP) Pensacola, FL (PNS) Peoria, IL (PIA) Philadelphia, PA (PHL) Phoenix, AZ (PHX) Pilot Point, AK (PIP) Pittsburgh, PA (PIT) Ponca City, OK (PNC) Port Townsend, WA (TWD) Portland, OR (PDX) Portland, ME (PWM) Portsmouth, NH (PSM) Providence, RI (PVD) Raleigh/Durham, NC (RDU) Rapid City, SD (RAP) Reno, NV (RNO) Richfield, UT (RIF) Richland, WA (RLD) Richmond, VA (RIC) Roanoke, VA (ROA) Roche Harbor, WA (RCE) Rochester, NY (ROC) Rockford, IL (RFD) Rosario, WA (RSJ) Sacramento, CA (SMF) Saint Cloud, MN (STC) Salt Lake City, UT (SLC) San Antonio, TX (SAT) San Diego, CA (SAN) Sand Point, AK (SDP) San Francisco, CA (SFO) San Jose, CA (SJC) San Luis Obispo, CA (SBP) Santa Barbara, CA (SBA) Sarasota/Bradenton, FL (SRQ) Savannah, GA (SAV) Scranton, PA (AVP) Seattle/Tacoma, WA (SEA) Shreveport, LA (SHV) Sioux City, IA (SUX) Sioux Falls, SD (FSD) Skagway, AK (SGY) South Bend, IN (SBN) Spokane, WA (GEG) Springfield, MO (SGF) Springfield, IL (SPI) St Louis, MO (STL) Steamboat Springs, CO (HDN) Storm Lake, IA (SLB) Syracuse, NY (SYR) Tallahassee, FL (TLH) Tampa, FL (TPA) Telluride, CO (TEX) Toledo, OH (TOL) Topeka, KS (FOE) Tri-City/Bristol, TN (TRI) Tucson, AZ (TUS) Tulsa, OK (TUL) Vail, CO (EGE) Vernal, UT (VEL) Waikoloa, HI (WKL) Washington, D.C. (DCA) Washington, D.C. (WAS) Washington, D.C. (IAD) Watertown, SD (ATY) West Palm Beach, FL (PBI) White Plains, NY (HPN) Wichita, KS (ICT) Williston, ND (ISN) Wilmington, DE (ILG) Wilmington, NC (ILM) Wilmington, OH (ILN) Winfield, KS (WLD) Worland, WY (WRL) Dec Jan 2006 Feb 2006 Mar 2006 Apr 2006 May 2006 Jun 2006 Jul 2006 Aug 2006 Sep 2006 Oct 2006 Nov 2006 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Destination: Returning: Choose from our top destinations ----------------------- Acapulco Amsterdam, Netherlands Anaheim/Santa Ana Antigua Aruba Aspen/Snowmass via Aspen Banff, Alberta Barbados Barcelona, Spain Belize Bermuda Big Island of Hawaii - Kona Boston Breckenridge, Colorado Brussels, Belgium Canada - Calgary Canada - Montreal Canada - Niagara Falls Canada - Quebec City Canada - Toronto Canada - Vancouver Canada - Whistler Cancun/Riviera Maya Cayman Islands/Cayman Brac Cayman Islands/Grand Cayman Copper Mountain Costa Rica/Liberia Costa Rica/San Jose Cozumel Curacao Disney, Florida Flagstaff Ft. Lauderdale Ft. Myers/Sanibel/Naples/Marco Glasgow, United Kingdom Grand Bahama Island Hilton Head Ireland - Dublin/Cavan Ireland - Galway/Mayo Ireland - Killarney/Kerry Ireland - Shannon/Limerick Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo Jackson Hole Jamaica Kauai Key Largo Key West Keystone La Romana Lake Tahoe Las Vegas London, United Kingdom Los Angeles/Southern California Los Cabos Madrid, Spain Maui Mayan Riviera/Cancun Miami Milan, Italy Mont Tremblant, Quebec Munich, Germany Nassau/Paradise Island New Orleans New York City Nice, France Oahu (Honolulu) Orlando Palm Springs Paris, France Park City/Deer Valley Phoenix/Scottsdale Playa del Carmen/Cancun Puerto Plata Puerto Rico - San Juan Puerto Rico - Vieques Puerto Vallarta Punta Cana Reno Riviera Maya/Cancun Rome, Italy Salt Lake City San Diego/La Jolla San Francisco/Sonoma San Jose Del Cabo Santo Domingo SnowBird/Alta St. Croix, US Virgin Islands St. Kitts St. Lucia St. Maarten/St. Martin St. Thomas/St. John USVI Steamboat via Denver Steamboat via Steamboat Tampa/St. Pete/Clearwater Telluride Tucson Turks & Caicos Vail/Beaver Creek via Denver Vail/Beaver Creek via Eagle Venice, Italy Vienna, Austria Washington D.C. West Palm Beach/Boca Raton Whistler, British Columbia Winter Park Zurich, Switzerland Dec Jan 2006 Feb 2006 Mar 2006 Apr 2006 May 2006 Jun 2006 Jul 2006 Aug 2006 Sep 2006 Oct 2006 Nov 2006 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Show All Destinations Passengers: (up to 9) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 adults(18+) 0 1 2 3 children(0-17) Ages at time of travel: info Child 1 Child 2 Child 3 -- < 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 -- < 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 -- < 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Other Search Options: Activities Search | Resort Finder Destination: Caribbean Mexico Bahamas Alaska Europe - All Hawaii Bermuda Canada/New England/NY ------------- All Destinations Alaska - All Alaska - Gulf of Alaska Alaska - Inside Passage Bahamas Bermuda Canada/New England/NY Caribbean - All Caribbean - Eastern Caribbean - Southern Caribbean - Western Cruise to Nowhere Europe - All Europe - E. Mediterranean Europe - Mediterranean - All Europe - Northern Europe - W. Mediterranean Europe - Western Exotic - Asia/Africa/Other Hawaii Mexico Panama Canal/C. America South America South Pacific - All South Pacific - Australia South Pacific - Tahiti Transatlantic U.S. - All U.S. - American Rivers U.S. - Pacific/Northwest U.S. - Southeast World Cruise You may qualify for special rates: Departure Date: Your U.S. Zip Code: All Dates January 2006 February 2006 March 2006 April 2006 May 2006 June 2006 July 2006 August 2006 September 2006 October 2006 November 2006 December 2006 January 2007 February 2007 March 2007 April 2007 May 2007 June 2007 Why We Ask Cruise Line: Any passengers 55 or older? All Cruise Lines Carnival Cruise Lines Celebrity Cruises Costa Cruises Crystal Cruises Cunard Line Disney Cruise Line Holland America Line MSC Cruises Norwegian Cruise Line Oceania Cruises Orient Lines Princess Cruises Radisson Seven Seas Royal Caribbean Seabourn Cruise Line Silversea Cruises Windstar Cruises No Yes Why We Ask Cruise Length: All 1-2 Nights 3-5 Nights 6-8 Nights 9-11 Nights 12+ Nights Other Search Options: Close to Home Cruises Advanced Search Hottest Weekly Picks prices from: Costa: 2 Night Bahamas from Ft. Lauderdale $268 Carnival Cruise Lines: 7 Night Exotic Western Caribbean $479 Las Vegas:Excalibur – Flight + 3 Nights $295 Miami, Florida: Trump International Sonesta Beach Resort – Flight + 4 Nights $785 All-Time Best Bets Caribbean Vacations Close to Home Cruises Cruise from Boston Group Cruises Last Minute Vacations Ski Deals Vegas Vacations >>See All Deals $480 -- Email Address: Zip Code: Call 800-690-2210 to Book! Offer Code: 9NGJ-K1V Customer Service | About Us | Contact Us | Store Locator | Become an Affiliate | Privacy Policy Vacation Outlet is your premier online destination for dream vacations and cruise getaways. Choose your trip from thousands of discount travel packages and last-minute deals from the world's best resorts, hotels, and cruise lines. © 2005 Vacation Outlet is a registered trademark of NLG. All rights reserved. Seller of Travel Info
Germany Travel
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... 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
Saint-Petersburg, Russia. St.Petersburg travel tips. Home St. Petersburg guide St. Petersburg seasons Tips to come to St. Petersburg Arrival & Departure Transfer Accommodation Excursions Tours Links for tourists Deutsch version Saint-Petersburg: Travel tips See also : Visa support | VISA Requirement | VISA Types Contact us if you like to travel to St.Petersburg, Russia. Hotel prices and itineraries of many tour programs change depending on the season. Peak season is from May to September. Alternatives are to come in spring (1 April-15 May) or fall (1 September-31 October) when prices are lower and the city less crowded. The summer White Nights in St Petersburg are spectacular but, at the same time, summer may be humid and dusty. An Indian summer in the fall is lovely. If you do not mind the cold and snow, the winter season is cheapest and accommodation most readily available. There are some of the events that annually take place in the city in winter season: "Christmas musical meetings in the Northern Palmyra", "Art Square" winter festival, international jazz festivals, sport tournaments, international cinema festivals and theatre first nights. The first thing a visitor should do is picking up “St.Petersburg: The Official City Guide”, an excellent full-color quarterly freebie, or buy the pocket edition of the Traveler's Yellow Pages. The Friday edition of The St.Petersburg Times and the monthly Pulse are both free and have good listings and reviews. All the hostels can provide everything from invitations and accommodation bookings to theatre tickets, restaurant advice and general help and advice should something go wrong. The City Tourist Information Office at 41, Nevskiy prospect is still near the bottom of a steep learning curve. You should always have identification. It is advisable to carry photocopies of your passport and visa, showing that they have been registered. Frequent random checks by police are taking place, more usually on men. Besides passport and visa are wanted to change money, and to buy train tickets, book hotel rooms and in numerous other situations. In St.Petersburg, as in any large city, you should watch out for pickpockets working in public places, such as on crowded public transport (especially at metro electric trains) or in markets and other touristy spots. Keep money and documents in inner pockets, try not to flash big means, don't leave your baggage unsupervised, have an eye on your handbag (it could be cut up insensibly and you will loose your purse). Stand as far as possible from Gypsies, including the children. Don't give them money and the like. You wan't even notice when all your valuables are disappeared. Walking out late alone in deserted dark areas (courtyards and parks) or after drinking would make you a good target for offenders. Be warned about persons representing themselves as police and wanting to check your pockets, you may find lack of money after a time. Police is allowed to inspect you only at the police station. In case of stopping you in the street dial (on your mobile phone) the special police number arranged for foreigners and explain the situation. You should obtain the officer's name, badge (ID) number, and patrol car number, and note where it happened. Verify your change carefully before leaving the cashier or seller. !! Free option: If your return flight is in the afternoon you can book a suburb tour with us for the morning of the departure day and have airport transfer free of charge! !!! Free option: If you book a travel package with our company youwill get free visa support to obtain a Russian travel visa. Travel services: VISA Support See also : VISA Requirement | VISA Types | Back to : Travel tips Contact us if you like to travel to St.Petersburg, Russia. There are three types of visas: tourist, business and visitor. A tourist visa application can be collected from a travel agent or at a Russian embassy or consulate. Three passport size photos and a photocopy of the information page of your passport are also required. Once confirmation of your the best rates in hotels. Each city you plan to visit must be written on the visa. Once in Russia, you can lengthen your stay or visit additional cities by making arrangements with the service desk at your hotel. If you are sponsored by a Russian organization, you are entitled to a business visa . Ask the organization to fax you with an invitation and dates of stay. Give this to the Russian embassy or consulate; they will usually issue a business visa without proof of hotel stay. Multi-entry visas are also issued with the proper papers. If you hosted by a relative or friend, you can enter on a visitor's visa . You must send your host a visa application filled out in duplicate (not a photocopy). The host must then take it to his own travelers' organization, OVIR, which will issue a visitor's invitation for you after several months. The traveler is only allowed to travel to the cities and stay with the persons designated on the visa. You must make these arrangements far in advance. On arrival , all visitors to Russia must register their visa and passport with Local Visa Office (OVIR) . If you are staying in a hotel, the registration desk will do this for you upon checking in. (Your passport and visa may be held for a few hours or days at the hotel registration desk.) If staying elsewhere, you should go directly to OVIR: Visa Registration Department 4 Saltykova-Schedrina Street. Now you can order visa support. Contact us for more information about visa support. Travel services: VISA Requirement See also : VISA Types | Back to : VISA Support | Travel tips Contact us if you like to travel to St.Petersburg, Russia. All foreigners traveling to or transiting through Russia must have a passport and visa covering the duration of stay in the country. Visas are issued by Russian Consulates in your home country, based on an invitation (a visa support letter) from a Russian party. To obtain a Russian visa, you should submit the following papers to a Russian Consulate: Completed visa application form (one per person) which can be obtained from consulates of Russia. Original national passport (valid not less than one month after the date of departure from Russia). Three standard passport-size photographs. Please, sign on the back. An invitation from the authorized hosting Russian travel agency (for tourist and business visas). The letter of invitation can be arranged through Nota Bena Co. A Money order or cashiers check payable to the Russian Consulate for visa processing. Russian visas must be registered in the first 3 bank days after your arrival. This can be done either at your hotel at a small fee (about 1 EUR per person) at check-in procedure or in OVIR offices (the local immigration authorities) with the help of the company that invited tourists. Registration fee in this case is negotiable. Russian visa is an exit permit as well and if you lose it or overstay your visa's validity, even for one day, or neglect to register your visa, leaving the country may cause problems. Tourist visas are not subject to prolongation. As for business visas — only your sponsor (organization which has provided your invitation) is allowed to apply for replacement, extension, or changes to your visa. Important Notes : The visa fee is paid to the Consular service issuing visas in your home country. Its cost varies depending on the country. Please, check with Russian Consulate. Visa processing fee is non-refundable. Any person applying for a visa for a stay of more than three months must present a certificate showing that the individual is HIV-negative. After you receive your visa please check it for possible mistakes (passport number, date of birth, term of validity) and, if necessary, return it to the Consulate for corrections. Travel services: VISA Types Back to : VISA Requirement | VISA Support | Travel tips Contact us if you like to travel to St.Petersburg, Russia. TOURIST VISA A supplementary requisitions for a Tourist visa: A standard tourist confirmation (visa support letter) from the authorized hosting Russian travel agency, registered with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The confirmation must contain the agency's reference number, registration number, official seal and signature of authorized person. The invitations must be on letterheads and contain full name of the invited person, his/her date of birth, passport number, period of stay in Russia and cities to be visited. The invitations must be signed by authorized persons and sealed. Original voucher issued by an authorized travel agency (or confirmed hotel reservation), indicating full name of the traveler, date of birth, passport number, dates of entry and departure, name of the hosting Russian tourist company. If you order travel services with us we can provide visa support to you. Contact us for more information about tourist visa. Please, notice that tourist visa is valid for not longer than 30 days! When entering Russia with a tourist visa, you are required also to present at the border checkpoint your tourist confirmation, voucher and a return ticket with a fixed date of departure from Russia. You also will have to prove that you have sufficient funds for your travel. However, this does not apply to cruises and tourist groups! BUSINESS VISA A supplementary requisitions for a Business visa: A letter of invitation from the Russian Foreign Ministry, its regional representatives, Ministry of Interior or its local offices, or any other authorized Russian Agency. The letter must contain: official seal and legal address of the agency, document registration number, date of registration, signature and name of official authorized to invite foreigners to Russia, travel itinerary, dates of stay, names of persons invited. A cover letter from your company or from yourself if you are traveling individually, with information about the traveler, destinations, terms and purpose of visit. Contact us for more information about business visa. VISITOR'S VISA A supplementary requisitions for a Visitor's visa: Original visa support letter (" Izveschenie ") issued by a Local Visa Office (OVIR) in Russia. Applicant's friends or relatives can obtain such invitations. The invitations must be on letterheads and contain full name of the invited person, his/her date of birth, passport number, period of stay in Russia and cities to be visited. The invitations must be signed by authorized persons and sealed. " Izveschenie " is valid within one year from the date indicated there. !!! Free option: If you book a travel package with our company youwill get free visa support to obtain a Russian travel visa. home | St.Petersburg guide | seasons | tips to come | arrival & departure | transfer | accommodation | excursions | tours | links © 2005 Nota Bena Co. Contactus .
Russia Travel Resources >
St Petersburg, Russia City Profile You are here: About > Travel > Eastern Europe for Visitors > Russia-Belarus-Ukraine > Russia Travel Resources > Cities & Destinations > St Petersburg, Russia City Profile 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 Peter and Paul Fortress, St. Petersburg, Russia M. Schumacher Stay up to date! Peter and Paul Fortress, St. Petersburg, Russia M. Schumacher Email to a friend Print this page Elsewhere on the Web Russian Tourist Office St Petersburg Guide Aeroflot Suggested Reading St Petersburg's 300 Candles General Travel Info for Russia Healthy Travel in Eastern Europe 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 City Profile for Travelers to Eastern Europe From Apply Now , Your Guide to Eastern Europe for Visitors . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! St Petersburg, Russia St. Petersburg of the Russian Federation is a city of turbulent history and the keeper of much Russian culture, art and architecture. Founded 300 years ago by Peter the Great as a port city on the Baltic Sea, the city was the seat of the tsars until Nicolas II was dethroned in 1917. Located in the northwest corner of Russia (get a map of Russia) (bordering on Finland, several hundred miles northwest of Moscow, St. Petersburg is a traveler’s delight, famous for its summertime White Nights, its famous old city section, beautiful buildings on the banks of the Neva River, and its many churches, museums, gardens, theaters and activities. St. Petersburg is home to the State Hermitage Museum, the Mariinsky Opera and Ballet Theater, St. Isaac’s Cathedral, and the palace of Peter the Great. The city hosts annual art exhibits and music and film festivals, including the Viva Russian Cinema festival. Nevsky Prospekt is the main thoroughfare that runs through the heart of the city and is also the area of most interest to tourists, with palaces, gardens, churches and museums in the vicinity. Getting There and Getting Around Aeroflot Russian Airlines Consolidated airline tickets Public transportation Things to Do and See Museums State Hermitage Museum Nightclubs Shopping Sightseeing Walking tour Maps of Main Tourist Areas Nevsky Prospekt (half) Nevsky Prospekt (second half) Map of embankment area Practical Information Profile of Russia (general travel information) Visas (you need one for travel to Russia) Visa process Hotels sorted by price range Bed and Breakfasts Restaurants great list, sorted by location and type 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