South America travel, Luxury

South America Tour Packages, South America travel, South America Luxury Vacations & Cruises South America Tour Packages, South America travel, Luxury Vacations & Cruises Site Index South America Cultural Tours, Biking Tours, Hiking Tours, Family Tours Virtuoso Tour Consultants: First Class Tour Arrangements Suited to Your Needs Luxury South America Vacation: Call 1- 415-446 5252 to book . Open Every Day! 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Many of these lands were first discovered and inhabited by intrepid Viking explorers, Irish monks, and Inuit hunters. Expedition to Patagonia -- Tierra Del Fuego & Torres del Paine 12 Days / From: $4,6295 plus airfare At the tip of South America, the stately Andes Mountains rise impressively, creating a magnificent wilderness environment with landscapes of outstanding beauty and abundant natural wonders. Alluring South America ( 16 Days / From: $7,295 plus airfare ) You can't resist this tour that takes you to the very best of South America. You'll get a healthy portion of South American big-city excitement, balanced by the incomparable natural beauty of this spectacular continent. Click here for more South American vacation packages Amazon River & The Pantanal ( 17 Days / From: $8,595 plus airfare) Indulge your wildest travel desires on an extraordinary excursion through nature's greatest playgrounds in the Amazon Basin & the Pantanal wetlands. Here you'll find over 600 species of birds and a fascinating variety of aquatic reptiles and exotic wildlife. Chile: Atacama & Patagonia (12 Days / From: $6,395 plus airfare) See the beauty and wonder of Gorgeous Chile from every angleclimb to the lovely hilltops, voyage out to sea, journey through the lush valleys and get up close to the magnificent local glaciers. You'll explore the trails leading into the luxuriant rainforests. Patagonia Adventure (13 Days / from $3595) Journey through Chile and Argentina's Lake District, Southern fjords and ice fields, Perito Moreno Glacier and Tierra del Fuego National Park. Sail through the Argentinean and Chilean lakes across the Andes, admiring dazzling scenery of snow-capped mountains, glaciers and un-spoilt nature. Patagonia Explorer (15 days, from $5949) A varied exploration of the beautiful wilderness of Patagonia - Tierra del Fuego, Glaciers National Park, Torres del Paine and the Lake District. Enjoy Buenos Aires, abound with garden parks, broad boulevards for shopping, historic and colonial landmarks, colorful and fashionable districts, as well as an intriguing nightlife. Wonders of Peru (9 Days / From: $3,895 plus airfare ) One word that most travelers use in describing Peru is mystical. Some claim ancient Incans had been contacted by aliens from another planet. Some travelers claim to have had odd spiritual experiences. Peru does have an ambiance; a numinous atmosphere. click here for more luxury south american vacation packages <<back 1 2 3 next>> Please Note: Luxury tour & vacation package prices listed in this guide are published fares. Our fares are often substantially lower. Please contact us for up to the minute specials and pricing. We are a member of Virtuoso - Specialists in the Art of Travel. Described by Conde Nast Traveler as "a network of the finest agencies...a reliable indicator of experience, knowledge, and industry clout." We are recommended by the Discovery Travel Channel, the Today Show, Conde Nast Traveler, ESPN TV, Fine Living TV, and Neiman Marcus Awards Program and National Geographic. During this time of price volatility in the travel and cruise industry, please be advised the pricing can fluctuate within the same day. All of our promotions are subject to change without notice. As a result, prices will not be guaranteed until booked. Book Your South America Luxury Tour Submit a South America vacation planner Testimonials About Our Services Search Your Vacation, Tour or Cruise Luxury Tour Specials Exclusive Luxury Tours River Cruise Tour Vacations America River Cruise Tours Asia River Tours European River Cruise Tours Galapagos Islands Luxury Tours River Barge Tours Moderately Priced Tours North America Tours South America Tours Mexico Tours America Tours Canada Tours South Africa Tours East Africa Tours England & Ireland Tours Italy Tours Central & Eastern Europe Tours European River Cruises Asia Tours Australia & New Zealand Tours Tahiti Vacation Packages Hawaii Vacation Packages Fiji Vacation Packages SA Luxury Travel Insurance Travelex Luxury Travel Insurance Travel Safety Expert Current Travel Warnings Travel Agent Career Opportunities Luxury Cruise Guides Crystal Cruises South America Full Service, South America Luxury Tour Vacation Planner Click here to save money, time and stress planning, making reservations, or booking your luxury tour vacation with our full service Virtuoso South America Luxury Tour Consultants. We can arrange every little detail of your tour vacation, including air, and pre-tour and post-tour arrangements to make sure you have a wonderful, carefree vacation experience at no extra charge! When you complete our "South America Luxury Tour Vacation Planner" our Virtuoso--Travel Consultants will promptly call you, provide you with their direct toll free telephone number, all your options, and up-to-the-minute specials . Call 1-800 -330 -8820 to book your luxury tour vacation . Full Service, South America Luxury Cruise Vacation Planner Click here to save money, time and stress planning, making reservations, or booking your luxury cruise vacation with our full service Virtuoso Luxury Cruise Consultants. We can arrange every little detail of your cruise vacation, including air, excursions, and pre-cruise and post-cruise arrangements, to make sure you have a wonderful, carefree vacation experience at no extra charge! When you complete our " South America Cruise Vacation Planner" our Virtuoso--Travel Consultants will promptly call you, provide you with their direct toll free telephone number, all your options, and up-to-the-minute specials . Call 1-800 -330 -8820 to book your luxury cruise . 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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 .

European Vacation Ideas for

Benelux and Beyond - Northern European Vacation Ideas for the Benelux Countries  You are here: About > Travel > Europe for Visitors > Benelux Countries > Benelux and Beyond - Northern European Vacation Ideas for the Benelux Countries 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 Benelux and Beyond - Northern European Vacation Ideas for the Benelux Countries 5 Countries in 14 days? Why Not? If you have a short vacation and want to travel through the most varied cultural landscapes in a short time, why not consider Benilux--Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg--along with adjacent pieces of the bookend countries of France and Germany? Short distances and the availability of high speed rail connections mean that you won't spend all your time looking out a window on a moving landscape. Plus, Benelux rail 'n drive packages give you the flexibility to see it all by train and car. The Benelux countryside is flat and watery--you can bike or walk on tow paths along the many canals to observe calming rural vistas for hours. Benelux Countries - Benelux Rail Map Benelux Map © 2005 by James Martin, licensed to About Why Benelux? Benelux is compact. It's 123 miles between Brussels and Amsterdam, 184 miles between Paris and Brussels--and both of these destinations are served by high speed rail that'll speed you between Paris and Brussels in one hour and 25 minutes. Folks in Benelux countries are quite likely to speak English , since the local languages are confined to a relatively small goegraphic area. Benelux hospitality is legendary --you might want to consider a farm stay while you're there--especially if you have kids--to test the friendliness of the natives and get a feeling for what it's like (more below). Variety - and France and Germany are just across the border. Not only do you have three countries to visit, all within an hour or so travel time between each other, center to center, but France and Germany are easily visited as well. Lille, just across the border in France, was a European capital of Culture for 2004, and it's a major rail hub for high speed trains. Koln (Cologne) and its famous cathedral are also close, and the landscape around Trier--a colonial capital under Roman Emperor Augustus in 16 BC and Germany’s oldest city--is beautiful, and the city isa good starting point for trips into theMosel Valley and cruises on the scenic Mosel River, Germany’s mainwine-producing region--just in case you get tired of the almost infinite varietyof Beer styles you find in Belgium that is. Getting to the Benelux Countries You'll probably start your vacation from a large city. Major airports usually offer the best fares from the US, so you'll probably be starting from Paris, Frankfurt, or Amsterdam. If you find a good fare to London (or wish to add that city to your visit), you can take the Eurostar from London to either Paris or Lille, and continue your Benelux vacation from there. Getting Around the Benelux Countries While rail is highly recommended, and trains can get to most cities in the Benelux countries, you might want to also view a little of the countryside. Rail 'n Drive passes make this easy. Plan Your Benelux Adventure Transportation Rail Passes (Including Rail 'n Drive Passes) for Benelux, France and Germany. Thalys - High Speed Train Information - The thick blue line on the map is the Thalys route. Eurostar - All About the Eurostar - London to Lille, Paris, and Brussels. If your end point is Brussels, you'll get a free pass to any other stop in Belgium, just in case you wish to avoid Brussels altogether. Destinations in or Accessable from Benelux Lille, France Reims and the Champagne Region of France Belgium: Belgium Guide | Belgium Map | Belgium Pictures Netherlands: NetherlandsGuide | NetherlandsMap | Amsterdam Guide Luxembourg: Luxembourg Guide Cologne, Germany Dusseldorf Germany Frankfurt, Germany Trier, Germany Farm Stays in Belgium Many "farm" stays don't set you down in a real, working farm. I've found the Spreeuwenburg farm in a perfect location in the Belgian countryside not so far from the Netherlands border and nearby to the justly famous old smuggler house turned into a restaurant bar, Roste Muis. Read more: A Pleasant and Inexpensive Farm stay in Belgium . Benelux - The Final Word I hope you'll check out the Benelux countries. The major cities are interesting and chock full of art from old masters. Belgium cuisine is considered one of the best in Europe, and the beer is outstanding as well. Amsterdam is an amazing city, and if you want to visit a city that's mostly ignored by tourists, look into Antwerp, Belgium. Peter Paul Ruben's house makes an outstanding visit--and even Antwerp's main train station is worthy of the label "Railway Cathedral." 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...

Italy Travel Info AboutUs

Italian Travel Information | Travel-Italy.com HOME ITALY HOTELS ITALY VILLAS CLASSIFIEDS SEARCH ITALY MAPS Most Popular: Rome Hotels   | Tuscany Villas   | Florence Hotels   | Venice Hotels   | Italy Travel Info AboutUs | ContactUs | Community Italy Hotels Travel-Italy offer a nice selection of about 240 Italy hotels which can be booked online or by telephone. See our selection of Italian hotels from the links below: Rome Hotels , Florence Hotels , Venice Hotels , Amalfi Coast Hotels , Tuscany Hotels , and Italy Hotels in more cities . Italy Villas Staying in Italian villas can be a wonderful experience. Travel-Italy brings you a large selection of properties to choose from in most popular locations. See our selection of Italian villas from the links below: Tuscany Villas , Umbria Villas , Veneto Villas , Amalfi Coast Villas , Cinque Terre Villas , and Italian Villas in other locations Most Popular Links Rome Rome Hotels Rome Travel Information Rome City Maps Florence Florence Hotels Florence Travel Information Florence City Maps Venice Venice Hotels Venice Travel Information Venice City Maps Tuscany Tuscany Villas Tuscany Hotels Tuscany Travel Information Tuscany Maps Other Italy Travel Links Amalfi Coast Campania Travel Information Cinque Terre Liguria Travel Information Italy Maps Travel-Italy offers over 250 detailed Italian folding maps (city maps, provincial maps, regional maps, etc.) from suppliers like Touring Club Italiano through its sister company, TrekTools.com . Italy Apartments Much like a villa, staying in an apartment in Italy can let you see Italy like a local. Rome Apartments , Florence Apartments , Venice Apartments ItalyTalk.com Check out our new message board where you can communicate with other people about Italy and the Italian Travel Experience. There is one forum for each region, plus Rome, Florence and Venice of course. Italian Travel Information Find a large array of different types of travel information organized by region. You'll find information about regional tourist offices, books about Italy, hotel accommodation directly from the owners, as well as links to many resources. It's a work in progress. Travel Information for Italian Regions Abruzzo Travel Information Basilicata Travel Information Calabria Travel Information Campania Travel Information Emilia Romagna Travel Information Friuli Travel Information Lazio Travel Information Liguria Travel Information Lombardia Travel Information Marche Travel Information Molise Travel Information Piemonte Travel Information Puglia Travel Information Sardinia Travel Information Sicily Travel Information Trentino Travel Information Tuscany Travel Information Umbria Travel Information Valle D'Aosta Travel Information Veneto Travel Information Home | Italy Hotels | Italy Villas | Italy Maps | Italian Travel Info Hotel Owners | Advertising | Travel Agents About Us | Contact Us Read our Privacy Statement

Asia Travel || Malaysia

HOTELS RESORTS TRAVEL LEISURE TOURS MALAYSIA ASIA Kuala Lumpur Travel Information Getting around || Business Hour || Money Changing || Tips for Shoppers || Shopping Things you can get || Main shopping area || Fashion/Designer Boutiques || Food Outlets Spectacular Sights Hotels & Resorts Reservation Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia. From its centralised position which spans 243.6 sq. kilometres, this ultra-modern nerve centre of Malaysia expands outwards to embrace the world. Discovering KL (as locals affectionately call it) is like travelling through a time tunnel. Here, vivid traces of history continue to influence and inspire a country set on becoming a fully industrialised nation by the year 2020. You will see ultra-modern skysrapers standing magnificently next to rows and rows of quaint old shophouses. Haute cuisine beside hawker stalls. To the avid shopper KL, is paradise. From world-renowned designer labels and brands to exquisite made-in-Malaysia items, the highly competitive environment that exists among traders is a blessing in disguise to shoppers. While department retail establishments or at any one of KL's famous night markets. KL will enthrall you. It will capture your heart and mind in a way no other city will. Top Getting Around in Kuala Lumpur The city has an efficient transport network that enables visitors to move around conveniently and economically. Taxi Services Taxi may be hired from taxi stands, hailed by roadsides or through a radio-phone paging system. Tel: 03-2936211, 7330507, 2211011, 7330507, 7815352. City taxis operate by meter. The current rate is RM I.50 for the 1st kilometre and 10 sen for each subsequent 200 metre. Radio taxis charge an additional RM 1.00 for phone bookings. Bus Services There are two types of city buses in Kuala Lumpur, i.e., mini buses and omnibuses. Mini buses charge a standard fare of 60 sen (70 & 90 sen for air-cond mini buses) to any destination within their route. The fare for omnibuses starts at 20 sen and varies with the distance travelled. The following are the major bus terminals in the city: Kelang Bus Station (Bus No: 32 & 33) To Petaling Jaya, Subang Airport, Shah Alam and Port Klang. Jalan Sultan Mohamad Bus Station (Bus No: 13, 19, 32, 40, 42, 48, 244, 274, 31 1, 326, 332, 335, 337, 338 & 793) To Taman Bangsar, Petaling Jaya (Old Town Kelana Jaya and Pantai Buit Damansara. Bang}ok Bank Bus Stand (Bus No: 10, 11, 43 & 71) To Selayang Baru, Segambut Dalam and Batu Caves. Kota Raya Shopping Complex/Menara Maybank (Bus No: 13, 25, 44, 103, 104, 121, 123, 124 & 125) To Jalan Cheras, Sri Petaling, Serdang Lama, Taman Pudu Raya Bus Station (Bus No; 102, 103, 104, 104A, 107, 109, 110 & 133) To Seri Kembangan, Sungei Besi Camp, Balakong, Taman Seri Serdang Kajang. Lebuh Ampang Bus Stand (Bus No: 12, 191) To Taman Greenwood, Kampung Air Panas, Sri Gombak, Taman Setapak and Batu 12 Gombak. Chow Kit Bus Stand (Bus No: 8, 13, 17, 20, 24, 65 & 191) To Kampung Datuk Keramat, Ulu Kelang, Bangsar, Gombak and Jalan Genting Kelang. Top Business Hours Shops generally open from 9.30 am to 7.00 pm while supermarkets and department stores open from 10 am to 10 pm. The bigger stores also remain open on Sundays. Money Changing Foreign currency and travellers cheques may be changed in all commercial banks during banking hours: Mondays to Fridays - 10.00 am to 3.00 pm Saturdays - 9.30 am to 11.30 am Licensed money changers at the airport, international hotels and within the city sometimes offer better rates than banks. Travellers Cheques are also accepted by hotels and major departmental stores but banks give the best rates. Top Tips for Shoppers It is wise to compare prices before you buy to ensure you get the best bargains. Prices in the bigger stores are usually fixed although bargaining is still practised in smaller shops and road side stalls. Check for the correct voltage in electronic and electrical goods. Malaysia, uses 220 volts. Most stores however often sell electrical goods without plugs which may be fitted on request. Top Shopping in Kuala Lumpur Kuala Lumpur, the commercial hub of the country, has its fair share of famous landmarks, historical relics and heritage buildings plus a pulsating night life to keep the visitor occupied day and night. None of these, however, would be complete without the sheer fun and excitement of bargain hunting within the cool comforts of ultra-modem, one-stop shopping complexes or the thrill of browsing among antiques and curio items in the older establishments in the older parts of the city. Mingle with the jostling crowd at the numerous roadside stalls or share in the heady excitement of the carnival like 'pasar malam' or night markets. Top Things you can get in Kuala Lumpur Handicrafts of local origin range from intricate silver, brass and pewter items to pottery, rattan and wickerwork. Batiks of silk and cotton come in tantalisingly vivid hues. The bold designs and dazzling colours of Malaysian Batik set it apart from others within the region. Art objects and curio items from the orient vie for attention with carpets and rugs of lustrous silk and fine wool in traditional designs of intricate geometric motifs or patterned in beautiful flowery designs of pastel hues. There's ready-to-wear apparel of every design and colour and trendy shoes and handbags. From the fashion centres of the world come designer collections, elegant footwear, exclusive watches, optical items and quality fabrics. Electrical appliances, electronic equipment, computers and cameras are available too. And the list goes on..... Top Main shopping areas in Kuala Lumpur The main shopping areas in Kuala Lumpur are the Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman area, Jalan Petaling/ Jalan Bandar area and Jalan Bukit Bintang. Jalan Tuanku Abd. Rahman The main shopping area along Jalan Tuanku Abd. Rahman, stretches from the Jalan Dang Wangi junction to Jalan Tun Perak and is lined on both sides by a quaint mix of ultra modern buildings sandwiched between pre-war buildings whose gracious facades have been lovingly preserved. China Arts and Peiping Lace are a must for lovers of Oriental Art, antiques and curios. Both shops stock an irresistible collection of fine embroidered bed and table lined, carved rosewood furniture, chests and cabinets, Chinese ceramics and jade and ivory carvings. Shops dealing in oriental carpets may also be found here. Jalan Masjid India which runs almost parallel to this area is the place to go to for ethnic goods of Indian origin, sarees, sarongs and textiles. Jalan Bukit Bintang Jalan Bukit Bintang, the 'Golden Mile' of Kuala Lumpur owed its fame in the heyday of the post-war era to 'BB Park', the entertainment complex located on the site of the present Sungei Wang Plaza and BB Plaza. Today, the area is barely recognisable; gone is the gaily lit fairground of merry-go-rounds and ferris wheels and in its place are ultra-modern shopping and commercial complexes, interspersed with towering international standard hotels. Shoppers would lose all sense of time, browsing through the shops of Lot 10, Sungei Wang Plaza, Bukit Bintang Plaza and Kuala Lumpur Plaza. Petaling Street and Jalan Bandar are at the hub of Kuala Lumpur's bustling Chinatown. Shops here offer a variety of textiles, clothes, shoes and handbags at bargain prices. The area is also known for its jewellery shops with their fascinating variety of fine jewellery items beautifully crafted in gold and set with priceless gemstones. Nepalese traders offer exotic ethnic jewellery, wall hangings, ornaments, curios and teapots from India and Burma. Make-shift and mobile stalls jam the streets with their offerings of dried foodstuff, herbs, fruits, flowers and herbal remedies. This is the place to hone your bargaining skills; where a poker face and the 'gift of the gab' would be plus points in your favour. This unusually busy street becomes more lively at night with the sprouting up of stalls offering a diverse range of products from ethnic goods, clothing and cosmetics to 'designer watches'! The bright lights from the shop fronts and stalls combine with the blaring music to lend the area a festive carnival air. Top Fashion/Designer Boutiques The emergence of famous names on the Kuala Lumpur shopping scene is a clear indication that prestige shopping is here to stay! The Lot 10 shopping centre designated its entire 4th floor as the 'Prestige floor' housing exclusive names such as Jaegar, Donna Karan, Nina Ricci and Hanae Mori, to name a few. At City Square, along Jalan Tun Razak, the aura of exclusivity and understated elegance pervades the entire ground floor. Designer boutiques may also be found at Kuala Lumpur Plaza and the Hilton Hotel shopping arcade. Not to be outdone, many other shopping complexes have also alloted several lots to accommodate 'Designer Comers' offering select but impressive range of items. Fashion wear range from classic suits in pure wool and linen, elegant dresses for evenings, chic dresses and smart casuals for day time wear to cheerful, fancy leggings, cycling shorts and sweaters in vivid rainbow colours for the young and 'young at heart'. There is also an equally impressive range of menswear and accessories, leather goods and timepieces and writing instruments, not to mention the mind boggling display of fashion eye wear of every imaginable shape and design. Top Food Outlets Most major shopping centres have a number of restaurants specialising in Malay, Chinese, Indian or Western food located within their premises, for those in a hurry, there's always Mc Donalds or Kentucky Fried Chicken! Some of these complexes devote almost an entire floor to food stalls offering a mouth-watering array of local fast foods. Withs so many food outlets to choose from, the hassle comes only in actually deciding what to eat! Top Asia Travel || Malaysia Hotel & Resorts Malaysia Travel Information