Germany Travel

Germany Travel Information | Lonely Planet Destination Guide worldguide | shop | thorn tree forum | travel services | travel ticker | theme guides | on the road | postcards | travel links : Explore Germany Germany Story-book charm, cultural clout and a whole lot of gravitas. At a Glance Fast Facts WORLDGUIDE Introduction Background Info See Image Gallery Events Transport Money General RELATED Thorn Tree Forum Postcards Travel Links More Places Check out our other destinations: Within Germany Berlin Cologne Dusseldorf Frankfurt Hamburg Hanover Munich Stuttgart View Map Click here Feature Attraction Aachen Dom Aachen's main draw is its Dom, with Charlemagne's exquisite Pfalzkapelle (palace chapel) at its core. One of the best-preserved examples of Carolingian ... more Germany wears its riches well: elegant big-city charm, small picture-postcard towns, pagan-inspired harvest festivals, a wealth of art and culture and the perennial pleasures of huge tracts of forest, delightful castles and fine wine and beer are all there for the savouring. Deep in the heart of Europe, Germany has had a seminal impact on Continental history. From Charlemagne and the Holy Roman Empire to Otto von Bismarck's German Reich, Nazism and the rise and fall of the Berlin Wall, no other nation has moulded Europe the way Germany has - for better or worse. When To Go Germany is a fine destination year-round, but most people visit between May and September when sunny skies are most likely and much of life moves outdoors. Beer gardens and cafes bustle at all hours; outdoor events and festivals enliven cities and villages; and hiking, cycling and swimming are popular pursuits - at least as long as the weather plays along. Remember that rain is a possibility in any month. The flipside of summer travel is, of course, larger crowds at museums and other attractions. Accommodation needn't be hard to come by unless you're drawn to beach and mountain resorts popular with German holiday-makers. The shoulder seasons (from March to May and from October to early November) bring fewer tourists and often surprisingly pleasant weather. In April and May, when flowers and fruit trees are in bloom, it can be mild and sunny. Indian summers that stretch well into autumn are not uncommon. With the exception of winter sports, activities between November and early March are likely to focus more on culture and city life. In these months, skies tend to be gloomy and the mercury often drops below freezing. On the plus side, there are fewer visitors and shorter queues (except in the winter resorts). Just pack the right clothes and keep in mind that there are only six to eight hours of daylight. In December the sun (if there is any) sets around 15:30 . Factoid Smellpol When the files of the former East German secret service, the Stasi, were opened up, they were found to contain, among other things, cotton wool swabs of dissidents' body odour, kept in bottles for use by sniffer dogs. SPONSORED LINKS Enquire Accomodation Reviews Find Lonely Planet author reviewed places to stay * Required Fields Country * Please select Argentina Australia Austria Belgium Brazil Canada China Cuba Czech Republic Denmark Egypt England Estonia Finland France Germany Hungary Iceland India Ireland Israel & the Palestinian Territories Italy Japan Malaysia Mexico Morocco Netherlands New Zealand Poland Portugal Russia Scotland South Africa South Korea Spain Sweden Taiwan Thailand Turkey USA United Arab Emirates Vietnam City * Please select Travel Services · Flights · Hostels · Hotels · Travel Insurance More Services › Disclaimer: We've tried to make theinformation on this web site as accurate as possible, but it isprovided 'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injuryor inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information.You should verify critical information (like visas, health and safety,customs and transportation) with the relevant authorities before youtravel. text & images © lonely planet 2005 about us | privacy | feedback | advertising FAQs worldguide | shop | thorn tree forum | travel services | travel ticker | theme guides | on the road | postcards | travel links

russia travel Odessa hotel

UKRAINETOUR - tours to Ukraine and Russia -- Kiev Moscow St. Petersburg Kharkov Yalta 10 YEARS ON THE MARKET The primary aspect of our Travel Agency is providing services and support for foreign tourists and people visiting Ukraine and Russia. Let us assist you in discovering the history, culture, and scenic beauty of Ukraine and Russia . Our personalized tours include visa support, travel arrangements, accommodations, escort, guide and interpreter services upon request, and any additional services that you may require to make your visit a truly enjoyable and unforgettable experience. Invidual and Group Tours to Ukraine and Russia. Transportation, Accommodation, Excursions. If you are traveling to Ukraine or Russia on business, UKRAINETOUR can provide full support for all of your travel and accommodation needs while in the country, allowing you to relax and concentrate on your business arrangements . Ukraine and Russia Business travel support If you have or had relatives or friends in Ukraine, our agency has years of experience in locating people and researching archive documents to trace individuals and family histories. Learn more about People search If you'd like to learn the languages of Pushkin, Esenin, Tolstoy, Dostoyevsky and Shevchenko, UKRAINETOUR invites you to attend our Russian/Ukrainian language school for intensive and enjoyable personalized instruction. Russian and Ukraine Language studies Christmas Delivery!!! Express Flowers & Gifts Delivery to your friends or relatives in Ukraine and Russia Ukraine and Russia Christmas Delivery services Again, a warm, friendly welcome to Ukraine from all of us ! We look forward to assisting you as one of our valued clients! ukrainetour@ukrainetour.com Ukraine Tour Russia Tour Ukraine Visa Russian Visa Kiev Hotel Kharkov Hotel Moscow Hotel St.Petersburg Hotel Yalta Hotel Car Services in Ukraine and Russia Air and Train Tickets in Ukraine and Russia Kiev Apartments Kharkov Apartments Odessa Apartments Yalta Apartments Dnepropetrovsk apartments Tour Sources [AD] Web site developed by AlProsoft.com. Visit AlProSoft.com to learn more about our services Site Map - Our Friends Ukraine train tickets Ukraine tour Travel moscow Ukraine visa Ukraine russia travel Odessa hotel Dnepropetrovsk hotel Hotel kiev ukraine St petersburg hotel Yalta hotel Russia tour Hotel moscow russia Kharkov apartments Kiev apartments Ukraine flower delivery Sevastopol hotel Ukraine travel agent Ukraine airfare Kherson hotel Russian visa www.sevilleinn.net www.montana-ranch.com www.montana-vacation.net www.travel-airline-hotel-vacation.net www.sevilleinn.net www.montana-ranch.com www.sevilleinn.net www.sevilleinn.net www.travel-airline-hotel-vacation.net ukrainetour.com --- http://www.ukrainetour.com/matrimus/ http://www.ukrainetour.com/matrimus/ http://www.ukrainetour.com/matrimus/ chumak travel agency, specializing in providing full, low cost travel services fortourists and business people planning to visit ukraine and russia tours to ukraine andrussia, eastern europe travel,travel to ukraine,travel to russia, tour to moscow, singlestours,tours to kiev, ukrainian visa, russian visa, language studies, people search,archivesearch,singles,introductions,dating service,accommodation in kiev, accommodation inmoscow, kharkiv, kharkov, kiev, kyiv, kyyiv, odessa, yalta, crimea, moscow, st.petersburg,petersburg http://www.ukrainetour.com ukrainian travel agency russian travel agencyukrainian travel agency russian travel agency ukrainian travel agency russian travelagency ukrainian travel agency russian travel agency ukrainian travel agency russiantravel agency ukrainian travel agency russian travel agency ukrainian travel agencyrussian travel agency ukrainian travel agency russian travel agency ukraine agent easterneurope travel russia agent travel to ukraine ukraine travel travel to russia ukraine tourstour to moscow tour to kharkov tour to kiev ukraine visa ukrainian visa russia moscow tourrussian visa st petersburg russia hotel crimea travel moscow russia hotel tours to yaltahotel ukraine tours to ukraine and russia tours to st petersburg russia tours to kievukraina tomsk, novosibirsk kherson travel to kharkov ukraine kharkiv, kharkov, tours todnepropetrovsk ukraine kiev, kyiv, kyyiv, odessa, odesa, st.petersburg,petersburg, yalta,crimea moscow, moskow, moskov sevastopol, sevastopil apartments rental in kievaccommodation in kiev, apartments rental in kharkov accommodation in moscow, apartments inodessa accommodation in kharkov apartments in kherson kharkov hotels language studiesukrainian language studies russian language studies ukrainian language courses russianlanguage courses russian classes people search looking for a relative missed relativearchive search archive search in ukraine people search in ukraine link towww.ukrainetour.com/matrimus/ kharkov, kharkiv, kiev, kyiv, travel, tours, marriages,matrimony, marry, ladies, weddings, brides, wifes, fiance, fiance visa, visa, visas,introduction, introductions, introduction services, dating service, dating, love letters,love, matrimus, ukrus, foreign, foreign travel, foreign wife, immigration, immigrationvisa, air ukraine, ukraine travel, ukraine marriage cheap rate flying to russia like tomeet russian womanbest rate for accomadations in ukraine kyiv excursions in yaltahistorical sights in ukraine info on rates for ukraine airfare mail order brides russianor ukrainian tours to ukraine and russia, eastern europe travel,to ukraine,to russia,tourto moscow,to kiev, ukrainian visa, russian, people search,introductions,datingservice,accommodation in kiev, moscow, kharkiv, kharkov, kiev, kyiv, kyyiv, odessa, yalta,crimea, moscow, st.petersburg, petersburg ukraine ukraine traveler ukriane tourism ukrainetravel eastern europe ukraine links, ukraine escorted tours ukraine cruise bed and breakfast in ukraine travel to ukraine tours to ukraine journey to ukraine trip to ukraine travel information about ukraine ukraine travel support ukraine travel assistance guided excursions in ukraine tour information about ukraine valuable travel advise ukraine ukrainian history ukrainian cossaks transportation in ukraine train tickets booking in ukraine airtickets booking in ukraine domestic ukrainian flights airport transfers in ukraine car minibus transfers in boryspol airport car driver rent in ukraine ukrainian visa support ukraine visa information luggage handling in ukraine ukrainian travel agency travel agencies in ukraine eastern europe travel ukraine tour support fair prices in ukraine best priced tours to ukraine low charge ukrainian tour cheap travels to ukraine discount travel to ukraine reasonable ukrainian tour price low fee services in ukraine accommodation all over ukraine accommodation in ukraine rented apartments in ukraine flat rent in ukraine cozy accommodation in ukraine hotels in ukraine ukrainian hotels professional english speaking guide in ukraine english speaking drivers in ukraine ukrainian train schedule ukrainian flights schedule ukrainian travel plan best connections in ukraine ukrainian travel network ukrainian travel agent homestay in ukraine ukrainian family genealogy research in ukraine genealogy studies in ukraine family research in ukraine russian ukrainian language russian ukrainian studies ukrainian ancestors ukrainian roots living relatives in ukraine relatives in ukraine experience travel services in ukraine vip service in ukraine vip airport meeting at boryspol airport ukrainian customs support travel recommendations in ukraine ukraine trip tips ukraine tour packages ukraine travel packages flexible itinerary in ukraine flexible ukrainian tour packages personal interpreter in ukraine professional interpreter in ukraine individual journey to ukraine individual tours to ukraine group tours to ukraine bus transportation in ukraine train transportation in ukraine car services in ukraine unlimited mileage in ukraine sightseeing excursions in ukraine ukrainian unforgettable sightseeing biggest square of europe biggest country of europe east europe travel golden gate maidan university education preparatory courses ukrainian churches currency exchange in ukraine general information about ukraine ukrainian money credit cards using in ukraine travellers checks using in ukraine airport meeting in ukraine best apartments in ukraine luxury apartments in ukraine cheap apartments in ukraine economic apartments in ukraine easy travel to ukraine reliable ukrainian travel agency canadian travel agent chumak chumak agency pysanka lwow lviv lviw odesa odessa ukraina kiev kyiv kyyiv travel to kiev odessa kharkov dnepropetrovsk mariupol yalta lugansk sevastopol tours to kyiv odessa kharkov dnepropetrovsk mariupol yalta lugansk sevastopol journey to kiev odessa kharkov dnepropetrovsk mariupol yalta lugansk sevastopol trip to kyiv odessa kharkov dnepropetrovsk mariupol yalta lugansk sevastopol travel information about kiev odessa kharkov dnepropetrovsk mariupol yalta lugansk sevastopol guided excursions in kiev odessa kharkov dnepropetrovsk mariupol yalta lugansk sevastopol tour information about kiev odessa kharkov dnepropetrovsk mariupol yalta lugansk sevastopol kiev history train tickets booking in kiev odessa kharkov dnepropetrovsk mariupol yalta lugansk sevastopol airport transfers in kiev kharkov odessa simferopol car driver rent in kiev kharkov odessa simferopol best priced tours to kiev kharkov odessa simferopol discount travel to kiev kharkov odessa simferopol low fee services in kiev kharkov odessa simferopol accommodation in kiev kharkov odessa simferopol b&b in kiev kharkov odessa simferopol rented apartments in kiev kharkov odessa simferopol flat rent in kiev kharkov odessa simferopol cozy accommodation in kiev kharkov odessa simferopol hotels in kiev kharkov odessa simferopol professional english speaking guide in kiev kharkov odessa sevastopol english speaking drivers in kiev kharkov odessa sevastopol personal interpeter in kiev kharkov odessa sevastopol dnepropetrovsk alushta individual journey to kiev kharkov odessa sevastopol yalta individual tours to kiev kharkov odessa sevastopol yalta car services in kiev kharkov unlimited mileage in ukraine sightseeing excursions in kiev kharkov odessa sevastopol yalta airport meeting in kiev kharkov odessa dnepropetrovsk best apartments in kiev kharkov odessa sevastopol yalta cheap apartments in kiev kharkov odessa sevastopol yalta economic apartments in kiev kharkov odessa sevastopol yalta easy travel to kiev kharkov odessa sevastopol yalta wwii museum in kiev cave monastery monasteries in kiev kharkiv kharkov university kharkiv kharkov medical institute kharkov kharkiv pharmaceutical academy polish military cemetery in kharkov wwii memorial in kharkov blessed news cathedral in kharkov natural history museum of kharkiv ukrainian black sea resorts crimean peninsula picturesque mountains of ukraine crimea carpathian mountains carpathians war history of ukraine and russia assumption orthodox catholic cathedrals of ukraine and russia yaroslav the wise opera house in kiev and odessa odesa apartments in kherson yalta hotel oreanda hotel tickets to ukraine airfare to ukraine apartments rental in kharkov apartments rental in kiev apartments rental in odesa apartments rental in sevastopol yalta alushta russia russia tourism russia travel russian links, russia escorted tours bed and breakfast in russia tours to russia journey to russia trip to russia travel information about russia russia travel support russia travel assistance guided excursions in russia tour information about russia valuable travel advise russia russian history transportation in russia train tickets booking in russia domestic russian flights airport transfers in russia car minibus transfers in sheremetyevo airport car driver rent in russia russian visa support russian visa information russian travel agency travel agencies in russia fair prices in russia best priced tours to russia low charge russian tour cheap travels to russia discount travel to russia reasonable russian tour price low fee services in russia accommodation all over russia accommodation in russia rented apartments in russia flat rent in russia cozy accommodation in russia hotels in russia professional english speaking guide in russia english speaking drivers in russia russian train schedule russian travel plan best connections in russia russian travel network russian travel agent experience travel services in russia vip service in russia travel recommendations in russia russian trip tips russia tour packages flexible itinerary in russia flexible russian tour packages personal interpreter in russia professional interpreter in russia individual journey to russia individual tours to russia group tours to russia car services in russia sightseeing excursions in russia currency exchange in russia general information about russia russian money rubles credit cards using in russia travellers checks using in russia airport meeting in russia best apartments in russia cheap apartments in russia economic apartments in russia easy travel to russia reliable russian travel agency st.petersburg petersburg moscow moskow moskov novosibirsk tomsk travel to moscow st.petersburg petersburg novosibirsk tomsk tours to moscow st.petersburg petersburg novosibirsk tomsk journey to moscow st.petersburg petersburg novosibirsk tomsk trip to moscow st.petersburg petersburg novosibirsk tomsk travel information about moscow st.petersburg petersburg novosibirsk tomsk guided excursions in moscow st.petersburg petersburg novosibirsk tomsk tour information about moscow st.petersburg petersburg novosibirsk tomsk

Asia Travel

PHILIPPINES TRAVEL INFORMATION Philippines Country Information The Land || History || The People || First-time Traveler Tips || Visas || Customs || Currency || Weather Clothing || Utilities || Newspapers & Media || Business Hours || Language || Getting Around Modes of Transport || Weather Conditions || Things to Know || Sightseeing || Museums and Art Further Information The Land The Philippines is an archipelagic nation made up of 7,107 islands spanning 1,840 kilometers north to south. It is part of the East Indies, a vast island group lying south and east of mainland Asia, with Taiwan at its northernmost coast and Borneo on the south. The three main Philippine island groups are Luzon , the Visayas and Mindanao . Luzon is the island of contrasts. The most modern districts in the Philippines , including the capital city of Manila , are in Luzon , but so are some of the oldest tribal communities in the nation like the Ifugao of the Cordilleras. Luzon is also where a visitor can see the latest model luxury cars overtaking a carabao sled or modern skyscrapers within driving distance of primordial volcanos. The Visayas is famous for its charm, a trait shared by many other southern regions in the world, but here seems to run deeper among a people who are intrinsically connected to their sun soaked island home. The Visayas is also famous as a seat of history, being one of the earliest landfalls of western voyagers. It has also gained a reputation as being a cradle of the nation's future, if the unprecedented economic growth of Cebu City continues. Mindanao is our offering to the Guinness Book of Records with the world's largest clam, the world's largest Eagle, the nation's highest peak and the world's largest city. Mindanao is also home to the Philippines' Muslim population. With a land mass of 300, 780 square kilometers, the Philippines is considered a medium-sized nation, about two- thirds the size of its first colonizer, Spain, and a little larger than the British Isles. Manila is only one hour and 40 minutes from Hong Kong by jet; Sydney only 7 1/2 hours away. Flights to Europe take 17 hours and to the American west coast 15 hours. The Philippines has many things to offer the visitor: a mixture of the old and the new, a diversity of art and culture and a warm, friendly people. Blessed by nature, the Philippines has something to offer every sportsman too . . . extraordinary dive sites, forests to roam, mountains to climb, caves to explore. Top History Situated on the crossroads of Asia, on the eastern rim of the China Sea, the Philippines has hosted voyagers, migrants and traders since the dawn of history. That it was the center of lively Asian trade route that stretched all the way to China and Japan can be seen from the relics these early visitors left behind. Among our archaeological treasures is a Neolithic spirit boat typical of early Southeast Asian culture. The West discovered the Philippines when Ferdinand Magellan, the Portuguese explorer who sailed for Spain, landed in Cebu in 1521. However, colonization didn't actually begin until 1565, when Miguel Lopez de Legazpi established a Spanish base in the town of Manila. Because Philippine society was loosely organized, without a central government, the Spanish conquest was rapid and total. Only the Muslims in the south and some inaccessible hill tribes were able to resist Spanish influence. Along with the Spanish conquerors came a new religion, Christianity, a new language, new laws and the galleon trade. Despite several uprisings against Spain, including the Katipunan, a revolutionary movement inspired by Dr. Jose Rizal and led by Andres Bonifacio, it was the United States of America that broke the Spaniard's grip on the Philippines. Unfortunately, that began the nation's second period of colonization. Once again there was resistance, this time led by Emilio Aguinaldo; but his rag-tag army was no match for Admiral Dewey's forces. In 1901, with Aguinaldo's capture, the Americans were entrenched. The Americans brought over their educational system, their legal system and planted the seeds of their own style of government. In 1935, the Philippines became an American commonwealth country with Manuel Luis Quezon as president. The status quo ended with the Japanese Occupation; and it wasn't until 1946, after the end of the Pacific war, that the Philippines finally regained true independence as the Republic of the Philippines under the presidency of Manuel Roxas. Still one of the strongest democracies in Asia, the current president is Joseph Ejercito Estrada. Top The People Halo-halo is a Filipino word that means mixture. While it describes a popular dessert, it could also describe the Filipinos. They look like Asians, write and speak English like Americans, worship like Spaniards, and have an outlook that is international. Like the Southern Chinese, the Thai, Malay, Indonesian and Burmese, the modern-day Filipino traces his remotest genetic lines back to an Australoid and Mongoloid stock. You will also find a touch of Caucasian, Chinese, Indian and Arabic in their gene pool as well. But to truly understand the Filipino, you have to look at the land. The historic isolation between islands and the topographic isolation on each island, become the primary influence governing regional traits and societal behavior. This diversity makes Filipinos all the more interesting. However, what is apparent isn't how different they are from each other, but rather how alike they are. Brought together by a common history, and looking forward to a common future, it is not surprising to find a sharing of certain traits. Their warmth, graciousness and hospitalityall part of the Filipino psychewill make your stay a delight. Top Tips for First-time Philippine Travelers Generally speaking, it is important to travel light. Bring only what's necessary. Avoid the extra baggage. You don't want to pay exorbitant fees for your luggage service. As in any foreign place, be careful with pickpockets. Some might act as a helpful stanger, but they're out to get something from you! It's good to be cautious at all times. Whenever going outdoors, being in a group is recommended. If you're bringing kids with you, make sure to bring all the things they would need, like medicine, bottles of potable water (although many bottled water is available, it is always recommended to bring one), and one of your kids' favorite toys for their own receration. Top Visas If you are coming from America, Asia or Europe with a valid passport, and either a return ticket or a ticket to another destination outside the Philippines you may enter without a formal visa and stay for 21 days. If you wish to stay longer you must obtain a Visa Extension either before your trip from a Philippine Consulate or Embassy. Or, once here, you may obtain it from the Bureau of Immigration. Customs Upon Arriving: Visitors are allowed to bring in duty free personal belongings, two cartons of cigarettes or two tins of pipe tobacco and up to one liter of alcohol. Balikbayans have separate rules and should check with the Embassy or Consulate in their home city. You may bring in unlimited amount of foreign currency. Upon Leaving: Any antiques you may have acquired during your stay must be accompanied by a certificate from the National Museum. You may also not take more than PhP5,000.00 (five thousand Philippine pesos) out of the country. Currency The currency in the Philippines is the Peso (PhP) and the Centavo. 100 centavos = P1. Coin denominations are: 1, 5, 10, and 25 centavos, P1, and P5. Bill denominations are : 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1, 000 pesos. Foreign currency may be exchanged at your hotel, and in most of the large department stores, banks and authorized money changing shops. Exchanging money anywhere else is illegal and the laws are strictly enforced. Most large stores, restaurants , hotels and resorts accept major credit cards including American Express , Visas and MasterCard. Traveller' s checks preferably American Express are accepted at hotels and large department stores. Personal checks drawn on foreign banks are generally not accepted. Top Weather The Philippines is tropical with just two seasons--hot and dry from November to June, and rainy from July to October. Filipinos will tell you that it is cool from December through February and they themselves will wear jackets. Clothing People in the Philippines dress for the weather (HOT!) Casual attire during the day for women are light blouses and shorts. For men collared T- shirts worn over slacks. In the evening skirts are substituted for shorts and the T-shirts are tucked in. For Men Only: If you expect to have to attend any occasion which would usually require a jacket and a tie (which is torture in this weather) there is a wonderful substitute. Go immediately to a department store and buy a barong tagalog. It is an embroidered shirt that is considered a formal dress. It will cost more or less PhP1,000.00, but it is worth every centavo. Utilities Electricity is 220 volts a/c. Many of the major tourist hotels also have 110 volt a/c outlets. Water supply in Metro Manila and in all the other major cities are considered potable. Bottled purified water, spring water or mineral water is often supplied by hotels and resorts, and sold in all grocery stores. Telephone service is modern and you can direct dial anywhere in the world. Public phones are plentiful. Public phones require a minimum of two one-peso coins for a local call. Some Important Telephone Numbers: (24-Hour Hotline) Police & Fire: 757 or 116 Emergency No.: 501- 650 or 501- 728 Directory Assistance: 114 National Operator: 109 International Operator: 108 For other emergency numbers, please refer to Directory . NOTE: It is advisable to always have the telephone number and the address of your embassy or consulate with you. Top Newspapers & Other Media The newspapers in the Philippines have been called the freest in the world, as you will see for yourself, with more than 24 different morning papers to choose from, most of them in English. There is also a wide selection of magazines printed in English including Time, Newsweek and Asiaweek. In Metro Manila you can buy the Asian Wall Street Journal, The International Herald Tribune and USA Today. Television is "on the air" from early morning to midnight, showing American programming as well as local programming. The standard channels are 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 13, and 23. If you need more channels, most of the major hotels are with Cable TV bringing in TV programs from all over the world. There is also AM and FM radio broadcasting with the pop stations primarily on AM in Filipino and the English language programs on FM. Top Business Hours Most businesses are open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM weekdays and 8:00 AM till noon Saturdays. Banks are open from 9:00 AM till 3:00 PM Mondays through Fridays. When banking in the Philippines, it is advisable to have your passport with you for identification. The post offices are open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM weekdays only. Stamps for postcards are frequently available from the Concierge Desk at most major hotels. The Philippines uses ZIP codes, please include them in addressing local mail. NOTE: The Standard lunch hour is noon to 1:00 PM. Most businesses and government offices are closed. Language While there are over 100 regional languages in the Philippines, the national language is Filipino, with English as the most widely spoken second language. All business, governmental and legal transactions are conducted in English. Top Getting Around There are four modes of public transport in Metro Manila and surprisingly, they are easy to use. Buses : Both air-conditioned and regular buses travel most of the major routes in Metro Manila. On an air-con bus a short ride costs PhP 9.00, adding a few peso for every succeeding kilometer. The regular bus' minimum fare is PhP 4.00. Just tell the conductor where you are going and he will tell you how much it costs. Keep your bus receipt as it is your proof of payment. Jeepneys : Called "folk arton wheels," jeepneys ply most of Manila's secondary roads and even a few major thoroughfares. They're as much fun to ride on as they are to look at and you have to try one. Although there are regular stops, you can often just flag one down and hop on. Call out "bayad" (bah-yhad) and pay the driver. If you are too far back, pass your PhP 4.00 (minimum fare for the first 4 kilometers; 1 peso additional for every succeeding 500 meters) down. When you are ready to get off, call out "para" (pah-rah); wait till he slows down and jump. The LRT : It's a fast, cheap way to go to downtown Manila. A token can take you between Monumento (the northern end of Edsa) and Baclaran, travelling first along Rizal Avenue and then Taft Avenue. Many of the tourist maps have the route of the LRT marked. The MRT : After it's somewhat unsuccessful opening, the MRT is now enjoying a fair share of passengers plying EDSA. This is definitely the fastest mode of transport, this side of the metropolis. The MRT runs from the North Avenue Station in Quezon City up to Taft Avenue Station in Pasay City. Passengers would enjoy the traffic-less route, clean stations and coach, with a good view of Metro Manila's landscape. The only problem is that some stations have very high stairways. Although a number of elevators is operational, not all stations have one. Travel time is approximately 20 minutes end to end. Taxis : Air-conditioned taxis cost PhP25.00 on the meter and an additional PhP 2.00 is added for every succeeding 200 meters to the final cost. Non-airconditioned taxis do not ply anymore. Taxis are always lined up at the major hotels and tourist restaurants and can be hailed on the street. If you take a taxi, make sure the driver turns on the meter. If he gives you a story that it is broken, get out and take another taxi. Unless you are taking a long trip or the traffic is unusually horrible, most taxi rides should be well under P100. At least a 10% tip is expected. Top Other Modes of Transport Most of the major car rental agencies, including AVIS, Budget, and Hertz have offices in Metro Manila and carry a full line of vehicles from jeeps to limousines. All vehicles may be rented with or without a driver. If you wish to do your own driving you must have a valid foreign or international license. Inter-island transportation is provided by either airplane or ferry boat. Philippine Airlines services most of the major provincial airports. Cebu Pacific, Asian Spirit, SeaAir, Air Philippines, and Pacific Airways are smaller carriers servicing more remote tourist destinations. For information about boat schedules, check with the Department of Tourism on T.M. Kalaw Street, Manila (63-2-5267652, 5267653, 5267655). Top WEATHER CONDITIONS & GEOGRAPHY Climate: Tropical (two seasons) Dry Season: March -May (warm) 33-34 C Wet Season: June- October (monsoonal) November -February (coolest) 29-31C Coastline: 334,539 km. Terrain: Many of the islands in the Philippines are extinct volcanoes and atolls. On the larger islands, many mountains, rainforests, rich valleys and swamp regions. The Philippines still does have thermal activity consisting of active volcanoes and hot springs. Top THINGS TO KNOW Language: Filipino (based on Tagalog dialect) is the National Language. The American occupation was responsible for teaching the English Language. The Philippines is currently the third largest English speaking country in the world. Currency: Peso(PhP). Notes are issued in denominations of , PhP 10, PhP 20, PhP 50, PhP 100, PhP 500, and PhP 1000. Coins are issued for 5c, 10c, 25c, PhP 1, PhP 5. Foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks, hotels and authorized exchanged dealers. Outside of Manila payments are preferably made in pesos. Major Travellers Cheques are widely accepted. Major Credit Cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Diners Club) can be used to pay for most goods and services. Bank Hours: Banks are open 9am-3pm Mon-Fri (except public holidays). Shop Hours: Most shops operate 10am-7.30pm daily (except public holidays). Time : Local time is GMT plus 8 hours. Business English is the language used. Sexual equality is more widespread in the Philippines than in other Asian countries. Make sure you have business cards. Top SIGHTSEEING Casa Manila: A replica mid 19th Century house, recreating the Intramuros lifestyle of upper class Filipinos at this time. Corner Real and General Lunar Streets, Intramuros, Manila. Luzon Chocolate Hills : Bohols most famous attraction: the area is named thus, because of the rich grass which covers them turns brown in summer. Carmen Town, Bohol. Visayas* Colon Street: The oldest street in the Philippines located in the heart of Cebu. Cebu. Visayas* Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery: The only underground cemetery in the Philippines; it served as a meeting place for the revolutionary leaders in Laguna. Laguna, Luzon Island Magellans Cross: The most historically-famous landmark in Cebu. Planted by Ferdinand Magellan in 1521, it marks the place where the first Christian Filipinos were baptized. Cebu. Visayas* Top PARKS & WILDLIFE Katibawasan Falls: These 250-foot falls cascade down to a pool surrounded by orchids and other rich tropical flora- 4 km from Mambajao. Camiguin. Mindinao* Maquinit Hot Springs : Located on a scenic beach corner, this is the premium hot spring in the Philippines. Palawan. Luzon* Hidden Valley: A natural recluse is created within this 90-meter crater . A haven for lush jungle life, natural springs and still water pools. Accommodation available. Alaminos, Laguna. Luzon, Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife: Quezon Avenue. Quezon City. Luzon. Rizal Memorial Park: Within the lush park there are monuments, a skating rink and adventure playground. Free concerts every Sunday. Ermita, Manila. Luzon. Top MUSEUMS AND ART GALLERIES Museums & art galleries Ateneo Art Gallery Quezon City Tel: (02) 998 721 Metropolitan Museum of Manila Tel: (02) 832 3645 National Museum Manila Tel: (02) 494 450 Villa Escudero San Pablo City, Quezon City Tel: (02) 521 8698 Top VISAS AND PASSPORTS Visa and Passport No Visas are required for foreigners entering the country for a stay no longer than 21 days provided that you have valid passports and tickets to leave the Philippines. Visas are required only for stateless persons and citizens of countries with which the Philippines have no diplomatic relations. A temporary visitor's visa is required for those who are planning to stay up to 59 days. Vaccination certificates may be neccesary for long term stays. Holders of Hongkong and Taiwan passports need special permits. All visas and permits may be obtained from Philippine embassies and consulates. Duty Free Items: Two 1-litre bottles of alchohol, and two cartons of cigarettes are allowed. Air Travel to the Country : Ninoy Aquino International Airport (7 km from city centre) Ninoy Aquino Avenue Manila, Philippines: Mactan International Airport Cebu, Philippines: (Most major airlines have flights to the country). Top FURTHER INFORMATION Department of Tourism: T.M. Kalaw Street Rizal Park Metro Manila P.O. Box 3451 Tel: (02)523-8411 Fax: (02) 521 7374 Philippine Convention and Visitors Corporatiom: 4th Floor, Suites 10-17 Legasi Towers 300 Roxas Boulevard Metro Manila Tel: (02) 525-93-18-27 Fax: (02) 521-61-65/ 525-33-14 Top

Travel Guide

CNN.com - Travel International Edition | Member Center: Sign In | Register Home Page World U.S. Weather Business Sports Politics Law Technology Science & Space Health Entertainment Travel Education Special Reports Video Autos CNN Pipeline E-mail Newsletters Your E-mail Alerts Podcasts RSS CNNtoGO Contact Us 2006 hot spots include Colorado, China, Croatia While travel to perennial favorites like Los Angeles, Orlando, New York and Las Vegas is always strong, some unexpected destinations -- from Colorado and Arizona to Croatia and China -- are showing up as hot spots for travel as the 2006 season begins. FULL STORY • 'Disaster tourism' edges into view TRAVEL CHALLENGE Europe for two, under $1,200 TRAVEL SNAPSHOTS Today: Nassau, Bahamas. Send us your snapshots MORE NEWS • TSA: Changes don't affect screening times • Top amusement parks up 4.2 percent • Time brings changes to Myrtle Beach • Watch: Tips for traveling on the cheap • Mushing in Minnesota's frozen wilderness WATCH FREE VIDEO Browse/Search Business News Update (1:33) Plea deal in Enron case (:27) Featured Video More Top Video • Gaza violence and politics • French hostage video (:40) • Hole forces plane to land (1:13) Featured Video More Top Video More Destinations Nicaragua: Peaceful times for tourists • Washington promoting American originals • Alaska: Venturing north of the Arctic Circle • Sparkle in a small Virginia town sponsored by: More Travel News Mexico resorts getting back in the swim • Air marshals to monitor transit systems • Top places to frolic in your birthday suit • New technology can prevent runway overruns More Travel Adviser News Gifts for globe-trotters • CNN/Money: Holiday escape savings • Delve deeper into your destination • Travel insurance helps cover all the bases More Business & Industry News Ski industry optimistic for good season • Delta pilots accept 15 percent pay cut • Airlines go flat out for comfort • Atlanta poised for major tourism push SPECIAL REPORT CNN/Money: Airline turbulence D.C. DINING ON A DIME Eat like a senator for intern prices LOVELYLOWCOUNTRY Backroads guide to picturesque South Carolina region DRIVING DIRECTIONS Create a personal itinerary with listings of nearby lodging, dining and more • Find a map RESOURCES • Find weather forecasts • CNNMoney.com currency converter • CNN Airport Network • CNN Partner Hotels • Airline toll free numbers • US Customs • Passports • Travel warnings and advisories Search for jobs @ Also see International Edition Languages --------- Arabic Japanese Korean Turkish CNN TV CNN International Headline News Transcripts Advertise with Us About Us © 2005 Cable News Network LP, LLLP. A Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved. Terms under which this service is provided to you. Read our privacy guidelines . Contact us . External sites open in new window; not endorsed by CNN.com Pay service with live and archived video. Learn more Download audio news | Add RSS headlines

Cruise Vacations, 2nd: The

Amazon.com: 100 Best Cruise Vacations, 2nd: The Top Cruises throughout the World for All Interests and Budgets: Books: Theodore W. Scull Your Store Books See All 32 Product Categories Your Account | Cart | Wish List | Help | Advanced Search | Browse Subjects | Bestsellers | The New York Times® Best Sellers | Magazines | Corporate Accounts | Amazon Shorts | Bargain Books | Used Books | Textbooks Search Amazon.com Books Web Search Join Amazon Prime and ship Two-Day for free and Overnight for $3.99. Already a member? Sign in . or Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering. A9.com users save 1.57% on Amazon. Learn how . More Buying Choices 21 used & new from $1.05 Have one to sell? See larger image Share your own customer images Publisher: learn how customers can search inside this book. 100 Best Cruise Vacations, 2nd: The Top Cruises throughout the World for All Interests and Budgets (Paperback) by Theodore W. Scull (3 customer reviews) List Price: $19.95 Price: $19.95 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. See details Availability: This title usually ships within 4 to 6 weeks. Please note that special order titles occasionally go out of print, or publishers run out of stock. These hard-to-find titles are not discounted and are subject to an additional charge of $1.99 per book due to the extra cost of ordering them. We will notify you within 2-3 weeks if we have trouble obtaining this title. Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. 21 used & new available from $1.05 Other Editions: List Price: Our Price: Other Offers: Paperback (1.00) 21 used & new from $0.47 Better Together Buy this book with The Essential Little Cruise Book, 3rd: Secrets... byJim West today! Buy Together Today: $27.90 Customers who bought this book also bought The Unofficial Guide to Cruises by Kay Showker Berlitz 2005 Ocean Cruising & Cruise Ships (Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising and Cruise Ships) by Douglas Ward The Essential Little Cruise Book, 3rd: Secrets from a Cruise Director for a Perfect Cruise Vacation by Jim West Cruise Vacations For Dummies 2005 (Dummies Travel) by Fran Wenograd Golden Fodor's FYI: Plan and Enjoy Your Cruise, 1st Edition : Experts Share Their Secrets (Special-Interest Titles) by Fodor Explore Similar Items : in Books Editorial Reviews Book Description In this guide cruise expert Ted Scull reveals the top 100 cruises available throughout the world based on his decades of cruising, research, and writing. From the Back Cover With hundreds of cruises available worldwide, choosing just the right one for your budget and taste can be a frustrating experience. Cruise travel expert Ted Scull leads the way to the best, but not necessarily the most expensive, cruises all over the world. Clipper ships sailing the Mediterranean, riverboats plying the Yangtze, catamarans cruising to the Great Barrier Reef, mega ships traveling among the Caribbean islands - whatever on-the-water experience you are looking for, you can find it in this authoritative guide. Each cruise profile includes cruise itineraries; ship amenities, atmosphere, cabins, and activities; fare ratings and listings of what's included and what's not; port information, including what to see and do; typical passenger profiles.(7 1/2 x 9, 272 pages, color photos) See all Editorial Reviews Product Details Paperback: 272 pages Publisher: Globe Pequot; 2.00 edition (October 1, 2001) Language: English ISBN: 0762709812 Product Dimensions: 9.0 x 7.6 x 0.7 inches Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds. ( View shipping rates and policies ) Average Customer Review: based on 3 reviews. ( Write a review. ) Amazon.com Sales Rank: Today: #693,635 in Books Yesterday: #692,950 in Books (Publishers and authors: improve your sales ) Other Editions: Paperback (1.00) | All Editions Customers interested in this title may also be interested in: Sponsored Links: What is this? Cruise Vacation Specials All Cruise Lines & Destinations. Big Web Discounts - Save up to 75%! Cruises.AmericasVacationCenter.com Save up to 75% on Cruises We offer great discounts on cruise vacations , holiday cruises and more vacationstogo.com Special Vacation Package Visit Atlantis, Paradise Island - a unique resort experience. www.atlantis.com Feedback Customers who viewed this book also viewed Stern's Guide to the Cruise Vacation 2005 (Stern's Guide to the Cruise Vacation) by Stern Steven B. Mediterranean By Cruise Ship: The Complete Guide to Mediterranean Cruising, Third Edition by Anne Vipond Cruise Chooser : Buyer's Guide to Cruise Bargains, Discounts & Deals by Mary Fallon Miller Frommer's Cruises & Ports of Call 2005 : From U.S. and Canadian Home Ports to the Caribbean, Alaska, Hawaii & More (Frommer's Complete) by Matt Hannafin Frommer's European Cruises & Ports of Call (Frommer's Complete) by Fran Wenograd Golden Explore Similar Items : in Books Customer Reviews Average Customer Review: Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers. 8 of 8 people found the following review helpful: The Cream of the Cruise Crop , December 28, 2003 Reviewer: Robert I. Hedges (Burnsville, MN USA) - See all my reviews This book is exactly what you would expect it to be given the title: a book dedicated exclusively to 100 cruises that are the best in the world in the author's opinion. I agree with him more often than not, but some of the cruises are a bit esoteric and definitely out of the mainstream (particularly the China information), which is fine as long as you understand that is what you are getting here. Many fine itineraries are reviewed here with information on passenger demographics, activities, and cost presented in fine fashion. My biggest quibbles with the book's format is the lack of maps illustrating the geography of the trip to help get a better handle on where the itineraries actually go, and the lack of an easy to use cost index, which is a factor for many of us considering the astronomical costs of many of these cruises. As always, personal taste often dictates an individual's opinion of certain cruises. For instance, I prefer Celebrity's "Horizon" over their "Zenith," (which Mr. Scull prefers) for a Bermuda cruise. This is a fine book overall, if somewhat of a 'dream book.' It is excellent for generating ideas for new destinations and ships, and fills it's niche very well. If you are looking for more comprehensive cruise information, I would recommend "Berlitz Ocean Cruising and Cruise Ships 2003" by Douglas Ward as probably the single best cruise reference available, as it is amazingly complete. Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) 19 of 21 people found the following review helpful: Well worth the price considering the cost of cruises today. , November 6, 2000 Reviewer: A. Gathercoal "fdoamerica" (Norcross, GA) - See all my reviews If you are one of the 7 million people who will take a cruise in the coming year, then Theodore W. Scull's book, "100 Best Cruise Vacations," will be a good value. There are thousands of cruises to select from with various destinations, itineraries, ship size and cost. So which ones are the best value for the money? Which cruises have the best food, personnel, programs, accommodations, design and layouts? In Scull's book, you are introduced to his selection of the world's best. From small ships plying the Amazon or Yangzee Rivers to the behemoth liners of 110,000 tons and 2,600 passengers, Scull provides a comprehensive description of the 100 best cruises by explaining the ship and the itinerary in straightforward commentary. A side bar with pertinent information breakdown accompanies each cruise description. I especially like the thorough contact information provided to get additional information for each cruise, which includes website addresses. I was disappointed that there were no maps detailing where the cruise travels geographically. Likewise, I was annoyed with the absence of any tables or lists that would break down cruises versus their cost. Thus, if you are looking for a five-day cruise for less than $1,000, you must wade through all 100 listings and their cross reference to a dollar sign icon, which designates five levels of cost ranging from $100 to $600 per day (including accommodations, per person, double occupancy, outside cabin), then guess the cruise cost. Scull, a travel writer, has given us a useful resource with which to make a better qualitative choice when deciding on a vacation cruise. Worth the small investment when considering the financial outlay that any cruise these days will be. Recommended. Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) 13 of 20 people found the following review helpful: Best Cruise Book , April 1, 2000 Reviewer: This is one of the best books on travel you can buy. Lots of information on "best buy" cruises. I you are planning to vaction buy this book. I saved over $300.00 on my cruise using this book. An essential for any traveler. Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) Auctions and zShops sellers and our other stores recommend Scull, Theodore W.: 100 Best Cruise Vacations (Scond Edition). , New, Bargain Co (Price: $10.79) Listmania! SeaLetter Recommended Cruise B... : A list by "sealetter" Cruise Chooser's Top Cruise Bo... : A list by Anne Wright Cruise Diva's Favorite Cruise ... : A list by Linda Coffman Create a Listmania! list So You'd Like to... What Celebrities, Fairies, Feng Shui & a Dog Have in Common : A guide by J. H. Sweet , author of The Fairy Chronicles One Dozen Must-Have Books : A guide by kirstiexox , A Very Selective Reader Change It Up : A guide by Elgie Warren , New York Reader Create a So You'd Like to... guide Look for similar items by category Subjects > Nonfiction > Transportation > Ships > General Subjects > Travel > General > Cruises Subjects > Travel > General > Guidebooks Subjects > Travel > General > Reference Subjects > Travel > Specialty Travel > Budget Travel Look for similar items by subject Cruise ships Guidebooks Ocean travel Reference - Cruise Guides Reference - General Travel Travel - General Travel / General i.e., each book must be in subject 1 AND subject 2 AND ... This Book and You Sign in to rate this item Write a Review | Write a So You'd Like To... Guide | Tell a Friend About This Item | Rate This Item Spec tacular Readers Never misplace your reading glasses again with the hip and stylish magnetic readers from CliC . Make a Big Impression Create the perfect keepsake from your trip with a large format print from Shutterfly . Suggestion Box Your comments can help make our site better for everyone. If you've found something incorrect, broken, or frustrating on this page, let us know so that we can improve it. Please note that we are unable to respond directly to suggestions made via this form. If you need help with an order, please contact Customer Service . Please mark as many of the following boxes that apply: Product information is missing important details. Product information is incorrect. Propose corrections using our Online Catalog Update Form . The page contains typographical errors. The page takes too long to load. The page has a software bug in it. Content violates Amazon.com's policy on offensive language . Product offered violates Amazon.com's policy on items that can be listed for sale. Comments or Examples: Examples: Missing information such as dimensions and model number, typos, inaccuracies, etc. Where's My Stuff? • Track your recent orders . • View or change your orders in Your Account . Shipping & Returns • See our shipping rates & policies . • Return an item (here's our Returns Policy ). Need Help? • Forgot your password? Click here . • Redeem or buy a gift certificate. • Visit our Help department . Search Amazon.com Books Popular Music Music Downloads Classical Music DVD VHS Apparel Yellow Pages Movie Showtimes Toys Baby Computers Video Games Electronics Camera & Photo Software Tools & Hardware Office Products Magazines Sports & Outdoors Outdoor Living Kitchen Jewelry & Watches Beauty Gourmet Food Musical Instruments Health/Personal Care Pet Supplies Travel Cell Phones & Service Outlet Auctions zShops Everything Else Automotive for Amazon.com Home | Directory of All Stores Our International Sites: Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | Japan | France | China Help | Shopping Cart | Your Account | Sell Items | 1-Click Settings Investor Relations | Press Room | Careers Conditions of Use | Privacy Notice © 1996-2005, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates