Germany Travel

Travel news for Germany -Discover Germany with German News --- --- --- --- German News online travel magazine The german travel magazine Welcome to the travel magazine Your editor for travel questions Gerd Bruckner Our travel magazine comes monthly and brings you interesting german travel news on your screen. Discover "Germany" with German News and find out some themes around Germany. You will find interesting travel roads, cities with actual events and of course special offers for a very cheap prices. If you can read a little bit german please have also a look to the german articles. Articles in english has a small icon. All other articel are in german. --- Hint for your navigation: Articles are in german and english language. If you want to see only english sites please use the internal search engine on the left side and use the appendix "english". On the right side are some options for a selection. Please feel free to click your favourite holiday area and make your selection. News with the icon offers an online ticket service for events in this town or area. News with the icon offers local hotels for your vacation in this town or area. Have fun with the German News travel magazine. PS: If you want to write a comment to an article or you want to send an article please make a registration first and than write your story. Free travel catalogues are availaible for order at travel catalogue service Nachrichten Archiv www.german-news.de www.german-news.de/news backend.php July 2004 August 2004 September 2004 October 2004

European Vacation (1985) Starring:

Amazon.com: National Lampoon's European Vacation: DVD: Chevy Chase,Beverly D'Angelo,Dana Hill,Jason Lively,John Astin,Sheila Kennedy,Paul Bartel,Cynthia Szigeti,Malcolm Danare,Kevi Kendall,Tricia Lange,William Zabka,Wendy Goldman,Angus MacKay,Julie Wooldridge,Peter Hugo,Jeannette Charles,Derek Deadman,Mel Smith,Gwen Nelson,Amy Heckerling Your Store DVD See All 32 Product Categories Your Account | Cart | Wish List | Help | Advanced Search | Browse Genres | Top Sellers | New & Future Releases | Television Central | Life & Learning | DVD Essentials | Blowout DVDs | Movie Showtimes | Used DVDs Search Amazon.com DVD Web Search Join Amazon Prime and ship Two-Day for free and Overnight for $3.99. Already a member? Sign in . DVD Information Explore this item buying info editorial reviews customer reviews cast and crew fun facts Listmania! 25 Awesome Offbeat Comedies : A list by K. Ellis "kjjcellis" Add your List Ready to buy? Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering. A9.com users save 1.57% on Amazon. Learn how . MORE BUYING CHOICES 83 used & new from $7.10 Have one to sell? National Lampoon's European Vacation (1985) Starring: Chevy Chase , Beverly D'Angelo Director: Amy Heckerling Rating: See larger image Share your own customer images List Price: $14.98 Price: $10.99 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. See details You Save: $3.99 (27%) Availability: Usually ships within 1 to 2 days. Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. 83 used & new available from $7.10 Edition: Other Versions and Languages Other Versions (DVD) List Price Price Other Offers: DVD Ultimate Vacation Collection (Vacation / European Vacation / Christmas Vacation / Vegas Vacation) $52.98 $39.99 61 used & new from $39.28 Other Versions (VHS Tape) VHS Tape National Lampoon European Vacation $9.98 46 used & new from $0.97 VHS Tape Pee-Wee's Big Adventure $14.99 Better Together Buy this DVD with National Lampoon's Vacation (20th Anniversary... DVD ~ Dana Barron today! Total List Price: $34.96 Buy Together Today: $18.96 Customers who bought this DVD also bought National Lampoon's Vacation (20th Anniversary Special Edition) DVD ~ Dana Barron Vegas Vacation (Widescreen Edition) DVD ~ Chevy Chase National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (Special Edition) DVD ~ Chevy Chase Funny Farm DVD ~ Chevy Chase Explore Similar Items : in DVD Storyline Genres: Comedy Tagline: For over two thousand years, Europe has survived many great disasters. Now for the real test. Chevy Chase & his family are coming from America! Plot Outline: The Griswalds win a vacation tour across Europe where the usual havoc ensues. Plot Synopsis: The Griswalds win a vacation to Europe on a game show, and thus pack their bags for the continent. They do their best to catch the flavor of Europe, but they just don't know how to be be good tourists. Besides, they have trouble taking holidays in countries where they CAN speak the language... Plot Keywords: Urban Legend | Road | Stonehenge | Eiffel Tower Paris | Sequel | Vacation | Paris France | Cyclist | Game Show | Traffic Circle | National Lampoon Series | (Show all 37 plot keywords recommended by customers) Product Details Actors: Chevy Chase , Beverly D'Angelo , Dana Hill , Jason Lively , John Astin , See more Directors: Amy Heckerling Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Subtitled, Widescreen, Ntsc, Widescreen Anamorphic Region: Region 1 ( U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats. ) Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Number of discs: 1 Rated: Studio: Warner Home Video DVD Release Date: April 2, 2002 Run Time: 94 minutes Average Customer Review: Based on 57 Reviews DVD Features: Available Subtitles: English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Georgian, Thai, Chinese Available Audio Tracks: English (Dolby Digital 2.0), French (Dolby Digital 2.0) Commentary by: Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo (Unknown Format) Cast film highlights From IMDb: Quotes & Trivia ASIN: B00005Y71D Amazon.com Sales Rank: #3,042 in DVD Theatrical Release Information US Theatrical Release Date: July 26, 1985 MPAA: Production Company: Warner Bros. USA Box Office: $49 Million Filming Locations: Bressanone, Bolzano, Trentino - Alto Adige, Italy| London, England, UK| Paris, France| Rome, Lazio, Italy Editorial Reviews Amazon.com After winning a tour package in a game show, the bickering Griswald family carve a trail of destruction through England (where they knock over Stonehenge), France, Germany, and Italy. Somehow Ellen (Bevery D'Angelo), the mom, gets kidnapped by gangsters, leading to a car chase that reunites the family, despite their differences. It's hard to believe that National Lampoon's European Vacation is only the second of the Vacation movies; it has the exhausted pallor of the last of a long series of sequels, drained of all zest or original ideas. The charmless smirk of Chevy Chase, mechanical in its idiocy, hangs over European Vacation like a death mask. It's hard to believe that this hack was once the funny and sexy hero of Foul Play . D'Angelo keeps her chin up and gives the movie whatever class it may have; she deserves better. --Bret Fetzer Product Description: The Griswalds are on vacation again when they win a deluxe tour of the old world and take on the European continent -- the continent loses. Customers who viewed this DVD also viewed Spies Like Us DVD ~ Chevy Chase Caddyshack DVD ~ Chevy Chase The Great Outdoors DVD ~ Dan Aykroyd National Lampoon's Animal House (Widescreen Double Secret Probation Edition) DVD ~ John Belushi Explore Similar Items : in DVD , in Video , and in Music Spotlight Reviews Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers. 18 of 18 people found the following review helpful: NOT the original theatrical version! , September 19, 2003 Reviewer: T. D. Charlton "alltheothernamesaretaken" (CA United States) - See all my reviews This is NOT the original version!!! I'm very disappointed that Amazon.com didn't disclose this information. Scenes are missing and parts are dubbed over. Funny parts are still funny but it's just not the same. I feel duped. Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) 3 of 4 people found the following review helpful: ANOTHER FUN TRIP!!!! , September 21, 2004 Reviewer: A. R SCOTT "Alesha Scott" (Houston, Texas) - See all my reviews YEP! THIS IS ANOTHER TRIP WITH THE GRISWOLDS. I LIKE THIS MOVIE IT IS FUNNY I LIKED IT. THE GRISWOLDS DECIDED TO GO TO EUROPE AND THEY HAVE ANOTHER ADVENTUROUS AND HILARIOUS TRIP. I THOUGHT THIS WAS A FUNNY MOVIE. I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS MOVIE TO ANYONE WHO LIKES THE VACATION MOVIES OR CHEVY CHASE. I THOUGHT THIS ONE WAS JUST AS FUNNY AS THE FIRST ONE AND STILL DELIVERS A LOT OF FUN AND A LOT OF LAUGHS. Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) Customer Reviews Average Customer Review: Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers. 0 of 3 people found the following review helpful: great , September 13, 2005 Reviewer: Stacy Wagner - See all my reviews the transaction itself was very quick and the product came to me in new perfect condition. Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) 2 of 2 people found the following review helpful: Not on par with the original, but pretty close! , April 19, 2005 Reviewer: Britt Gillette "www.thedvdreport.com" (Chesapeake, VA USA) - See all my reviews Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo return as Clark and Ellen Griswold in National Lampoon's European Vacation, sequel to the original Vacation movie and precursor to the holiday classic Christmas Vacation. Like the other films, this edition contains different cast members to play the roles of Griswold children Audrey (Dana Hill) and Rusty (Jason Lively). The only Vacation movie that doesn't feature Cousin Eddie (Randy Quaid), European Vacation is nevertheless one hilarious movie. It's an old school comedy like they just don't make anymore... When the Griswold family appears on the hit TV game show, Pig In A Poke, they inadvertently beat a superior family and win an all-expenses paid trip to Europe. As usual, Clark is giddy about the wonderful trip of family bonding which he dreams his family will enjoy. But Audrey is mortified at the prospect of leaving her boyfriend behind. Nevertheless, the Griswolds hop on a plane bound for Europe. Right off the bat, Clark's dream vacation begins to experience shortcomings. The first hotel the family stays in is a half-star dump with a community bathroom, and Clark gets stuck on a circular roadway where he endlessly passes by Big Ben and Parliament. A couple of brilliant guest appearances are turned in by Eric Idle (of Monty Python fame) who plays the role of a zealously friendly biker. In one of the funniest scenes in the film, Clark smashes into the biker, who apologizes to Clark while hobbling away from the wreck and who springs a bloody leak from his wrist that he passes off as a mere "flesh wound". When Clark hits another motorist, he and the family are given the man's bumper as a souvenir to take home to America. As the Griswold clan makes their way across mainland Europe, especially in France and Germany, they encounter various pitfalls and cultural misunderstandings. Rusty causes a dog to jump to its death from the heights of the Eiffel Tower, and Clark instigates a riot in a small Bavarian township. One of the more memorable one-liners from the film is when Audrey tells Clark that in Germany "sex" means "six," so while searching for his relatives who live in apartment six, he greets some surprised residents with the tagline, "Hello, my family and I are looking for sex!" When the stress becomes unbearable, the vacation inevitably drives each of the family members in a different direction, but everyone is quickly brought back together when Ellen is kidnapped by a pair of petty criminals who want to get their hands on the family vacation fund. Clark must come to the rescue and save, not only his wife, but the family's entire vacation experience as well... A great comedy that contributes to the overall quality of the National Lampoon's Vacation films, European Vacation is a fun, family-oriented film. Those who enjoyed the exploits of Clark Griswold in the more recent Christmas Vacation or Vegas Vacation films will find it well worth their while to go back see this movie which many people have forgotten about. This is an utterly hilarious film in its own right, and clearly earns its designation as a must-see film... The DVD Report Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) Great Comedy , April 17, 2005 Reviewer: John Livermore "buster_trader" (Bethesda, MD, USA) - See all my reviews Not as good as "... Vegas Vacation" and "... Vacation" but it is still very good! Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) 2 of 3 people found the following review helpful: just as side splitting as N. L. Vacation , February 25, 2005 Reviewer: DSG "DSG" (Franklin, Wisconsin) - See all my reviews don't have much to say about this one. was lauging too hard at this one. it's just such a hilarious follow up to National Lampoon's Vacation. see this movie if you like Chevy Chase. so glad I have this on dvd. it too will be watched time and time again Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) See all 57 customer reviews... Listmania! Own every National Lampoon DVD... : by Tom Benton 25 Awesome Offbeat Comedies : by K. Ellis "kjjcellis" Favorite Movies Of All Time!! : by M. D. James So You'd Like to... Laugh So Hard You'll Cry : by Egon P. Singerman , Gigantic Movie Buff enjoy funny books and movies : by Humor Book Addict , avid viewer and reader Buy My Collection of Great 80's Flicks: Part 2 : by 80's Girl , A movie lover Fun Facts from IMDb.com: Nominations Click here to see more Nominations Young Artist Awards: Young Artist Award for Best Starring Performance by a Young Actor - Motion Picture Trivia Click here to see more Trivia On their first day in Paris, Clark wears a sweatshirt from "Walley World", the Griswolds' destination in the first film, Vacation. It is revealed in the intro, on his passport, that Clark's middle name is Wilhelm. Goofs Click here to see more Goofs In this movie, the family name is spelled Griswald. In other Vacation movies, it is spelled Griswold. Movie Connections Click here to see more Movie Connections Follows: Vacation Followed by: Christmas Vacation Alternate Versions Click here to see more Alternate Versions Some alternate takes of scenes were filmed especially for television, toning down the raunchy nature. For example, the female aerobic dancers in the television version are wearing tops. Another alternate take was of Rusty and the girl he meets in Germany. In the theatrical/video version, as they kiss, she unbuttons her uniform and Rusty stares at her breasts which we see. The alternate was her unbuttoning it and having a bra on. This take is on all television versions of the film today. When aired on TV, the scene where the Griswalds leave the house of people they thought were Helga and Fritz, Helga's reply (to Fritz's question of who the hell they were) of 'Beats the shit out of me' was changed to 'Damned if I know.' In the more recent TV airings, the original phrase was there with the word 'shit' blured on the subtitle. In the scene where Ellen sees the billboard with her picture on it advertising the stolen homemade porno flick, there are three different versions of the subtitles that explain the title. One is "The Wet Hot Wife," which appeared on the laserdisc version. Another was "The Slut in the Showers," which I believe appeared on the televised version. And the final was "The Whore in the Hot Tub," which appeared on one of the VHS incarnations. When aired on TV, Clark's song "The Sound of Griswald" was altered because one line of the song that goes: "This should spin around for a very long time" sounds too much like "This shit's been around for a very long time." When Clark's car suffers the blowout during the chase, he yells out the f-word. The television and VHS version dubs this to say "Darn it all!" The recent 2003 version seen on the Encore! network also has this dub, which is very evident. Quotes Click here to see more Quotes Stewardess : Can I get you anything to drink? Clark Griswold : Honey? I guess I'll have a Coke. Stewardess : Do you want that in the can? Clark Griswold : No, I'll have it right here. [in Germany, Clark peers down at a village in the hills and tears come to his eyes] Clark Griswold : There it is, kids, my motherland. Rusty Griswold : Dad, Grandma is from Chicago. Clark Griswold : Shut up, Russ. For more information about "National Lampoon's European Vacation" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) Look for similar items by category Browse similar items in: DVD > Actors & Actresses > ( A ) > Astin, John DVD > Actors & Actresses > ( B ) > Bartel, Paul DVD > Actors & Actresses > ( C ) > Chase, Chevy DVD > Actors & Actresses > ( D ) > Dangelo, Beverly DVD > Actors & Actresses > ( H ) > Hill, Dana DVD > Actors & Actresses > ( L ) > Lively, Jason DVD > Actors & Actresses > ( S ) > Smith, Mel DVD > Actors & Actresses > ( Z ) > Zabka, William DVD > Directors > ( H ) > Heckerling, Amy DVD > Genres > Comedy > By Theme > Nothing Goes Right DVD > Genres > Comedy > By Theme > Vacations DVD > Genres > Comedy > Comedy Stars > Chevy Chase DVD > Genres > Comedy > General DVD > Genres > Comedy > Parody & Spoof > General DVD > Genres > Comedy > Slapstick DVD > Genres > Horror > General Suggestion Box Your comments can help make our site better for everyone. 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Spain Travel

Tourist Office of Spain - Travel Tips for travel to and within Spain Our Office Useful Addresses How to get there Travel Tips Activities Travel Bulletin Tour Operators' Index Request Information Home Visiting Spain is not only about sun, great cuisine, and a warm welcome, but also its rich monumental heritage and dazzling natural environment. There is a perfect destination for everyone -choose yours. Visit our main Web site: Travel Tips for travel to and within Spain PASSPORT - MONEY - CUSTOMS PASSPORT AND VISA REGULATIONS : No visa for Spain is required for Canadian, US passport holders and nationals of European Unions countries for stays up to 3 months as a tourist. For stays exceeding this period, other nationalities or work permits please contact the Consulate of Spain nearest you. The addresses and telephone numbers of the Spanish Consulates are as follows: Toronto : 200 Front Street, Suite 2401, Toronto, Ont. M5V 3K2. Tel. (416) 977 1661 cgspain.toronto@mail.mae.es Open to the public from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. Montreal : 1 Westmount Sq. Ste 1456, Montreal, P.Q. H3Z 2P9. Tel. (514) 935 5235 consular@total.net Open to the public from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday to Friday. For more information click here . INOCULATIONS : No inoculations are required when entering or leaving Spain. MONEY: As of January 1st, 2002, the new Spanish currency, as in most European Union countries, is the Euro. The currency will have notes and eight coins. The notes will have face value of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 or 500 euros. The Euro is divided into 100 cents and the coins will range in value from 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents and 1, 2 euros. Tourists may bring up to 6,010.12 euros (approximetly $10,000 Canadian dollars) without declaring the amount at customs. The current rate of exchange varies from week to week. For an updated exchange rate, check with newspapers or banks. Travellers cheques are most practical and Canadian currency can be exchanged at banks, airports, main hotels, etc. In order to get the most for your money, we advise you to buy some euros before leaving (for first day expenses) and exchange the rest of your dollars or travellers cheques at the bank once in Spain (although banking hours might be subject to change, presently they are: Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.) Major credit cards are honoured in most hotels and restaurants, main stores, rent-a-car companies and others, although this should be checked before each transaction. The convenient Interact System can also be used throughout Spain, providing one of the easiest and cheapest ways of obtaining cash abroad; consult with your bank about your particular card and fees. For Currency converter click here . CUSTOMS: You may bring the following into Spain: personal effects, a personal laptop, one video camera or two still cameras with ten rolls of film each. A portable radio or portable tape recorder per person is admitted free of duty, as well as 200 cigarettes, or 50 cigars, or 250 grams of tobacco. One bottle of wine and one of liquor per person. The following sports equipment is also allowed: fishing gear, one bicycle, skis, tennis or squash racquets and golf clubs. PETS: Pets do not need to be held in quarantine prior to entering Spain. A certificate stating that an animal is in good health and has been inoculated against rabies (for dogs and cats) is required. The document must be issued by a veterinarian and certified at the nearest Consulate of Spain. TRANSPORTATION WITHIN SPAIN Railways: Spain has an extensive railroad system with fast and comfortable trains, offering some of the best fares in Europe. The national network is known as RENFE. Internet address: www.renfe.es . One of Europes most luxurious sightseeing trains is the AL ANDALUS EXPRESS with classic cars restored and refurbished in modern "grand luxe" style. There is 5-stars accommodation in the bedroom/salon cars. All excursions and meals are included. The AL ANDALUS EXPRESS have several itineraries, although it usually goes from Madrid south to Andalusia. The TRANSCANTABRICO, another sightseeing train, covers the northern and north-western parts of Spain know as Green Spain, from San Sebastian in the Basque region to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia. The train is air-conditioned and has showers, a bar and live music. All excursions and meals are included. AVE, Spains sleek bullet train, is the rail link between Madrid and Seville, going through Ciudad Real and Cordoba. This ultramodern train, which travels at a speed of up to 185 miles per hour, makes the Madrid-Seville run in 2 hours 30 minutes. TALGO is an ultramodern, fully air-conditioned train operating throughout Spain. New fast and sleek trains called EUROMEDS are going along the Mediterranean Coast, significantly cutting your travelling time from Barcelona to Valencia. Tickets can be purchased through RAIL EUROPE: 1-800-361 RAIL , which sells special rail passes only for Spain. Train Passes, such as EUROPASS and FLEXIPASS can also be purchased through RAIL EUROPE. Buses: Public bus service in Spain is comfortable and efficient. Although there are many lines which cover long distances, buses are specially recommended for short trips and for excursions from major tourist centres. Local tourist offices can provide you with schedule information. Ships: Travellers who wish to visit the Spanish Islands may depart from the mainland using the COMPAIA TRANSMEDITERRANEA. this national carrier has regular scheduled ferries from Barcelona and Valencia to the Balearic Islands and from Cadiz to the Canary Islands. TRANSMEDITERRANEA also offers inter-island service. The same company offers service to North Africa: from Almeria and Malaga to Melilla and from Algeciras to Tangiers and Ceuta. For reservations please call the headquarters in Madrid. Tel. : 011-341-431-0700, fax: 011-34- 431- 0804. Website: http://www.trasmediterranea.es Modern Hydrofoil ships are now linking Mainland Spain to the Balearic Islands, Algeciras to Tangier and between the Canary Islands. Inquire in our Office for more details about ferries. Driving in Spain: In order for Canadians to drive in Spain, they must: Have an International Driving Licence Be 18 years of age or older Be a tourist Traffic Offences: On the spot payment of fines (reduced by 20%) is compulsory for non-residents. Taxis: All major cities in Spain have metered taxi service. Any extra charges must be posted in the vehicle. For further information click here . ACCOMMODATION There are more than 10,000 hotel accommodations in Spain. They are divided into several categories, among them Hotels, Residence-Hotels, Apartment-Hotels, Motels and Pensions. All of them have a plaque at the entrance showing their official category, from one to five stars. Establishment classified, as "Residence-Hotels" does not provide meals. Official forms are available at hotels and any complaint concerning service may be registered. PARADORES DE ESPAA is a state-run network of hotels. Many of them are castles, convents, or palaces restored and furnished with every modern amenity. Most of them are scenically located. Reservations can be made directly to: Central of Reservations in Madrid, Tel: 011 34 91 5166666 and the fax: 011 34 91 516657/8 - Web site: http://www.parador.es For further information please visit Tourism Spain main Web site or contact our Tourist Office in Canada. New representatives in Canada: Adsum Tourism Services 4159 Dundas St. West, Suite 218 Toronto, ON M8X 1Y4 Phone : 416-237-1930 Fax: 416-237-9212 paradores-ca@adsum.ws Apartments and Villas: There are many for rent, especially along the coastal resort areas. It is advisable to stay a few days at a hotel or pension and look around for a suitable place. Prices can vary according to the season, area or location. An Official Guide to Apartment-Hotels can be obtained from the Tourist Office. Call us for a list of addresses. Camping: Spains excellent campsites can be found along the coast, on the islands, as well as in scenic areas. Campings are also classified under a star rating system which can be obtained from the Tourist Office. Rural Tourism: A magnificent alternative to visit the real Spain off the beaten track. Accommodation in traditional country farms is available all over Spain and most of then offer complementary activities such as horseback riding, bicycling, etc. OTHER INFORMATION Taxes: A 7% VAT is to be added to rates for all restaurants and hotel rooms. Service is included. Getting your VAT back: Travellers to Spain are entitled to a reimbursement of the 16% VAT tax they pay on all purchases as long as these add up to no less than 90.16 euros (approximately $150) per store. The vendor must provide the purchaser with a duly filled out invoice, which includes the price of each good, the VAT paid for each item, as well as the identification for both the vendor and purchaser. The goods must be brought out of Spain whitin three months. At the time of departure, the invoice must be submitted to the Spanish Customs Officer in charge of VAT refunds at the international port, gate or airport (there is a specific booth for this purpose just prior to the entrance to the international area). The Customs Officer will stamp the original copy, which should be turned in at a bank in the airport for reimbursement. Tipping: Service is generally included in the bill. Tips are at your own discretion, although a 10% tip is customary. Language: Castilian (Spanish) in the whole territory. Catalan, Basque (Euskera) and Galician in their respective autonomous regions. English is usually spoken in the tourist areas along the Mediterranean coast as well as French, although a booklet with the most common phrases in Spanish is always helpful. Electric Current: 220 volts (50 cycles) are commonly used in Spain, although 110 still exist in some areas. Round prong plugs are used in all outlets. Standard Canadian plugs will not fit into Spanish outlets. Bullfights: The season starts in March and runs until the middle of October. Shopping in Spain: This is not only an exciting venture but also practical as Spain offers today some of the best prices on many articles. Spain has a long tradition in making leather goods (shoes, luggage, bags, coats, dresses gloves, etc.), clothing (original fashion designers or ready-made), embroidery and lace; jewellery (classical or modern designs, as well as artisan gold and silver works); blown glass, pottery, antiques (some of the antique galleries in Madrid, Barcelona or Seville are among the best in Europe); furniture; interior decorating items (the famous Lladro porcelains, iron grille designs, silver and other metals such as candelabra, trays, bowls, etc.); toys; musical instruments (Spanish guitars are know to be the best in the world). Madrid and Barcelona are of course the major cities for shopping. In Madrid, the main commercial areas are: the Goya, Principe de Vergara and Serrano districts for exclusive fashions; Narvaez, Conde de Penalver and the old downtown area of Puerta del Sol, Alcala, Gran Via, Carretas and Arsenal, a place also to find major Department stores. A must is the Sunday flea market of El Rastro, where you can find anything from a hatpin to a masterpiece. In Barcelona, Paseo de Gracia and Diagonal for elegant shopping; the Ramblas and Plaza de Catalunya for almost anything; and the area around the church of Sta. Maria de los Reyes for antique galleries. Other excellent areas for shopping are tourist centres, such as Torremolinos and Marbella in Costa del Sol, Benidorm in Costa Blanca, Playa de Aro in the Costa Brava, Palma de Mallorca and Ibiza in the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands (mainly Tenerife and Gran Canaria) specially, since they are duty-free ports. Shopping Hours: Although big department stores are open from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, most shops keep traditional business hours, approximately 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Some stores are open on Sunday. Museums: The standard hours are Tuesday to Saturday from 9:a.m. to 7:00 p.m.. Sundays and holidays from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., but check with the Tourist Office in Spain nearest you for hours of specific museums. For further information click here . Books and maps on Spain: The Tourist Office of Spain supplies maps, brochures and information circulars free of charge. Persons wishing further information may obtain additional guides and maps at retail stores or, in Spain, from local tourist offices. Travelling with children: Most hotels make reductions for babies and small children, although there are not official regulations. This matter should be arranged with the hotel management. Baby food and disposable diapers are available at most resorts and are obtainable from supermarkets and pharmacies. Baby-sitting arrangements can usually be made locally. The availability and cost should be checked with the establishment directly or through the booking agent. Health Service: Only members of the European Union enjoy free medical assistance under the Spanish Health Service during their stay. You are advised to take out adequate holiday insurance. This is available at your local bank or from most tour operators and travel agents. Although there are multilingual doctors in the tourist areas, those requiring special treatment or diets are advised to carry a letter from their doctor translated into Spanish, indicating the nature of the condition, treatment and medicines required. Special dietary products are available from health shops and pharmacies. Telephoning Home: Canada Direct, offered by Canada's major telecommunications companies, provides travellers with toll-free and hassle-free access to the Canadian telephone network. The Canada Direct access number from Spain is 9000-99-0015 where a Canadian operator is always available. For more information, call 1-800-561-8868 or on the Internet: ( www.canada-direct.com ) Radio Canada International: Radio Canada International ( RCI ) broadcasts on short-wave in Spain. For a schedule of times and frequency of broadcasts, check the RCI web site ( www.rcinet.ca ). You may also e-mail RCI at rci@montreal.radio-canada.ca or call ( 514 ) 597 7555 Casinos: Gambling is legal in Spain. There are 22 casinos in operation. Lists are available upon request. Public Holidays: January 1, New Years Day January 6 Good Friday March 19 May 1, Labour Day August 15, Feast of the Assumption October 12, Spains National Day November 1, All Saints December 6, Constitution Day December 25, Christmas day Each of the 17 Autonomous Regions and Municipalities in Spain has extra official public holidays celebrated only within its boundaries. Important Web site address: (in English) General information: www.tourspain.es IBERIA: www.iberia.com/ibusa RENFE: www.renfe.es PARADORES: www.parador.es SPANISH EMBASSY IN CANADA: www.docuweb.ca/SpainInCanada/ Information on Commercial matters: Please contact the Commercial Office of Spain at: 55 Bloor Street West, Toronto, Tel.. (416) 967-0488. e-mail: buzon.oficial@toronto.ofcomes.mcx.es THE CLIMATE IN SPAIN SPRING is an ideal time to visit the central regions of Castile, Andalusia, the Mediterranean Coast and the Balearic Islands. The climate is generally very good, but expect occasional rain. SUMMER is a good season to visit the northern regions, especially the resorts along the Cantabrian Coast, from Hondarribia on the French-Spanish border to La Guardia at the Portuguese-Spanish frontier. FALL is perhaps the best season of the year to visit the entire country. The climate is excellent, with sunny days and blue skies. WINTER is a good season for the Mediterranean regions, particularly the Costa del Sol, Alicante (Costa Blanca) and the Balearic Islands. The high mountain ranges offer excellent conditions for winter sports. The Canary Islands have an even and pleasant climate all year round. For further information click here . Site Content Our Office Useful addresses Travel Bulletin Travel Tips Activities Tour operators index How to get there Information request Home page ACTIVITIES Cultural: Spain has a very intense cultural life; opera, ballet and concerts can be enjoyed in the major cities - Madrid and Barcelona have their opera, ballet and concert season. Spanish theatre is very popular with more than 30 theatres in Madrid playing daily. There are also the famous "Fiestas". Every city, town and village has its own, usually commemorating their patron saint, including bullfighting, folklore dances, outdoors fairs and events. Larger cities often include ballets, plays and flamenco spectacles. For dates and information please contact our Office. For further information click here . Gastronomy and Restaurants: Food in Spain is taken very seriously. Dining is an indispensable ingredient, in the countrys ebullient social lifestyle. Meals are long and leisurely, providing an opportunity to enjoy good company freshly prepared dishes, and fine wines, such as the world-famous Riojas. Lunch is the big meal of the day and is generally served between 2:00 and 4:00 p.m. Dinner is traditionally served between 9:00 and 11:00 p.m. Vertical forks (from one to five) rate restaurants on a plaque outside the entrance. Prices must be listed both inside and outside the establishment. Ask for the tourist menu, usually an all- included meal very reasonably priced according to the category of the restaurant. Spanish cuisine is based on the healthy Mediterranean diet. Prized Spanish olive oil, garlic, fresh daily produce and wine are the staples. The striking cultural contrasts between regions in Spain are reflected in the tremendous variety of cooking styles. The central plateau of Castile is known for its delicious roasts: lamb, kid, suckling pig, and game such as partridge. Try the garlic soup, hearty bean stews, and famous Manchego cheeses. Valdepeas and Ribera del Duero make exceptional red wines. Catalans are very inventive cooks, combining game and poultry with seafood, and savoury meats with sweet sauces of dried fruits and nuts. Basque cooking is considered the most sophisticated and innovative in Spain. The city of San Sebastian is exemplary, with many restaurants serving some of the finest food in Europe. Traditional cuisine is at its best in fish and shellfish. The north-western region of Galicia is Spains source of a wide variety of fresh shellfish, and delicacies such as barnacles and spider crab. Try the octopus accompanied by the famous Albario and Ribeiro wines. Andalusia is home to the refreshing gazpacho and garlic-almond soup, delicious olives, and world-famous Sherries. The rice fields of Valencia gave birth to the paella as well as a wide variety of excellent rice dishes. Spains greatest contribution to gastronomy may well be the tapas. These little portions of regional specialities are served in restaurants and bars throughout Spain and are generally accompanied by wine, beer or sangria. 2004 Tourist Office of Spain in Canada 2 Bloor West, Toronto, ON, M4W 3E2 Tel.: (416) 961-3131, Fax.: (416) 961-1992 E-mail: toronto@tourspain.es Developed by DesignByBaxter This web page last updated: Wednesday, May 25, 2005

Mexico Travel Guide, climate:

Mexico Travel Guide - Information and Advice Mexico Travel Guide Information and Advice Mexico Pictures | Mexico Map | Mexico Beaches Specialists in the best adventure travel that Central America has to offer, Trek America have been successfully organising memorable camping, lodging and walking tours for 31 years. Mexican Tours - Ruta de Maya | Yucatan Adventure | Mexican Adventure | Canyons and Pyramids | Mexican Highlights Mexico Travel Guide, climate: Best: Nov-April. Worst: June-Oct [wet and hot]; June also has US College kid overload. Length of stay: Min. worthwhile stay, not incl. flights : 6 days , e.g. Cancun airport - Merida, Playa del Carmen & Chichen Itza. Recommended: 2 weeks, or much, much longer. Mexico's main Festivals: Jan, Chiapa de Corzo [Chiapas] Fiesta de Enero. Bizarre dances, costumes, masks, parades, fireworks. Feb/March.Veracruz [Gulf Coast] Carnival . Huge, wild party time. Dance. music, parades blahblah.. March, Chichen Itza [Yucatan] see the Kukulcan snake god appear, plus varied entertainments. Couple of days before & after too. Easter Week/Semana Santa. [nationwide but esp. Chiapas state] Processions, costumes, fireworks, music, dance and some weird rituals] Mid April - early May , Aguascalientes [the North] Feria de San Marcos. Large and long established celebration of Mexican music and machismo, with rodeos, bull fights, folk dancing, parades, mariachi and mucho more. May, Puebla [just north of Mexico City] Cinco de Mayo is celebrated with the usual music, dance, parades and mock battles in the 'living museum' of Puebla. Oct - Nov, Days of the Dead. Mainly in the states of Michoacan [ esp. Patzcuaro] and Oaxaca. See Dias de los Muertos. For precise dates, more suggestions and information see: Exotic Festivals Activities Guide: Hiking, Biking & Horse Riding: All over the country but especially well developed in Baja California and Copper Canyon [Barranca del Cobre]. White Water Rafting: Veracruz, Chiapas, Oaxaca and Morelos states. Snorkelling, diving & swimming with dolphins: Off 'Maya Riviera', esp. Cozumel, Isla Mujeres, Playa del Carmen. Also the Pacific coast between Peurto Vallarta and Acapulco. Surfing: All down the Pacific Coast, esp. around Baja California [Ensenada], and Mazatlan, Puerto Escondido. Wind Surfing: Puerto Vallarta, Los Barriles, Manzanillo. Whale, dolphin & seal watching: off Baja California and Puerto Vallarta. Grey whales are especially visible in February. Sea Turtle watching: around Puerto Vallarta and Zihuatanejo. 'EcoParks' [like Xcaret] will give you and the kids Disneyfied wildlife and environment experiences. Mexico travel star rating: Monuments ***** Beaches ***** Shopping and souvenirs **** Walkability **** Value for money **** Hotel prices and value **** Museums **** Food quality and variety *** Nightlife and clubbing *** Health problems *** Architecture *** Landscape *** Wildlife **** Safety ** Local people ** Butterflies: Millions of monarch butterflies migrate to the high forests around Michoacan in winter. Easiest to view by hiking up from El Rosario village. November - Feb. Why Travel to Mexico? Mexico is a multifaceted tourist paradise, with landscapes of every description, from wild deserts to monstrous mountains, superb beaches ranging from action-packed sand to stretches devoid of packaged life forms, chart-topping ancient Maya sites, wild and colourful festivals, wild and colourful wildlife, terrific weather if you get your timing right, excellent public transport systems, excellent undersea life on one coast and great surfing on the other, good food and booze, pleasant colonial towns, and all at a very reasonable price. Downside: - It's perhaps not quite as colourful as the myth of Mexico might suggest. It's a big country so some towns and landscapes can be dull. - Banditry and thievery are not a myth. - Handicraft quality has gone down the tubes. - Worst of all many Mexicans are resolutely uncommunicative [unless you've got $ in your hand] and taxi drivers in particular are a disgrace. However! Good handicrafts and people seem to have travelled out to the coastal resorts...try Mexico City and find out why! Where to travel in Mexico: *** Chichen Itza. A sensational Maya pyramid and many other strange and interesting structures in large expanse of greenery. Stay 2 nights nearby and do it properly. ***Oaxaca, a relaxed, pretty town with a lovely main square and the ancient Zapotec site of Monte Alban nearby. A great location for Dia de los Muertos festivities. **Merida , another pleasant colonial town, with agreeable daily free concerts and dance, good restaurants. A couple of days? Not too far from Uxmal. ***Uxmal, a good warmup for Chichen Itza: a pleasing and unusually rounded pyramid with other varied Maya buildings. A day trip. ***Palenque , a really wild Maya place; terrific but difficult to get to. Small plane, [new train line?] or looong bus travel. **Playa del Carmen [near Cancun] for a cool, casual beach scene and excellent bars/restaurants/shops. Also the Pacific Coast, from **Puerto Vallarta to **Puerto Escondido has great beaches and facilities. *Cancun for 5 star beaches with little culture. **Acapulco , a lively 20 mile bay of beaches, bars and hotels that has entertained Elvis, Sinatra and Kerouac but still has space for budget travellers. A bit brash and busy, but quiet spots survive, as do most of the famous [45m/148ft] cliff divers at La Quebrada. **Mexico City. Visit excellent museums, see superb murals at the Palacio Nacional, and frolic in the Zocalo. Also day trips out to : The grand Teotihuacan pyramids, and the 'living colonial museum' of Puebla. **Barranca [Canyon] del Cobre. A stunning 6 hour train ride from Los Mochis on the Pacific coast up the mountains to Divisadero or Creel drops you on the edge of Mexico's Copper Canyon. Good hiking but trails are not well marked. Travel Safety: Mexico City and some large towns endure fairly high levels of crime, most of it petty, but armed robbery and even rape is not unknown. As usual take special care in busy places like bus and metro stations, when using ATMs and at night. Green taxis are better avoided if possible as they have been implicated in serious assaults. See Bugbog Safety pages. Mexico Tours More tour operators offering travel around Mexico can be found in our listings here: Mexico Tours Caribbean Map Caribbean Beaches For more information on Mexico Travel try these links: National Tourist Offices Online Travel Guides Cheap Airline Tickets UK Cheap Airline Tickets US Travel Insurance UK Tour Operators Embassies Currency Climate Language Mexico Travel Links Electricity: 127v[!], 2 flat pins Health Guide: Hygiene is unexpectedly good in Mexico but, nevertheless, ensure your vaccinations are to the max and up-to-date. Diseases you should be concerned about, at least, are T yphoid [get a jab], Hepatitis A and B [get a jab], Hepatitis B, C,D [take care what you eat, drink, or who you share fluids with, blood included], and dengue fever and malaria , both acquired from mosquitoes . If you plan to travel in Mexico you may be interested in some nearby countries too: Costa Rica Travel Guide Cuba Travel Guide Guatemala Travel Guide Ecuador Travel Guide Peru Travel Guide Travel Pictures | Destination Finder | Exotic Places | World Festivals | World Wonders | Safari Wildlife | Beaches | Top of Page European Places | Walking Tours | Travel Health | Travel Safety | Travel Directory | English Speaking Places | Tours Gap Year | Site Map | Travel Guide Homepage | Contact | Press | Advertising | Legal | Maps | Travelogue © 2000-2005 Bugbog

Argentina Travel Planner First

Argentina Travel Planner  You are here: About > Travel > South America for Visitors Travel Go South America Essentials Plan Your First Trip to South America Photo Gallery Travel Features - Countries and Culture News and Current Events Reader Participation Requested Articles & Resources Most Popular Destinations Countries and Territories Plan Your Trip Getting There Culture Events, Fiestas, Holidays Languages Geography News & Current Events History Archaeology Sports and Recreation Wildlife / Conservation Guides and Gear Cuisine Buyer's Guide Before You Buy Top Picks Guide and Travel Books History and Culture Books Cookbooks Product Reviews Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the South America for Visitors newsletter! See Online Courses   Search South America for Visitors click for more images Cerro Aconcagua Aconcagua.com Stay up to date! click for more images Cerro Aconcagua Aconcagua.com Email to a friend Print this page Suggested Reading Argentina Reservation Help Recent Discussions Great Vegas Site, Great Discounts Great Vegas Site, Great Discounts Help..traveling to South America..... Most Popular All Stars 9 Empanada Iguazu Falls Pictures of Chile South America Photo Gallery What's Hot Cola de Mono - Monkey's Tail Cuzco Pisco Sour Chilean Style Falkland Islands Photos Virtual Tour Related Topics Caribbean for Visitors Mexico / Central America for Visitors Spanish Language Adventure Travel Budget Travel Argentina Travel Planner First Time Visitor Travel Help From Bonnie Hamre , Your Guide to South America for Visitors . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Geography of Argentina:   "Second in South America only to Brazil in size and population, Argentina is a plain,rising from the Atlantic to the Chilean border and the towering Andes peaks.Aconcagua (23,034 ft.; 7,021 m) is thehighest peak in the world outside Asia.Argentina is also bordered by Bolivia andParaguay on the north, and by Uruguayand Brazil on the east. The northern areais the swampy and partly wooded GranChaco, bordering on Bolivia andParaguay. South of that are the rolling, fertile Pampas, which are rich in agriculture and sheep- and cattle-grazing and support most of the population. Nextsouthward is Patagonia, a region of cool,arid steppes with some wooded and fertilesections." Comments from InfoPlease.com. General Information:   Art and Culture Touring Practical Information Commentaries and Travelogues Holidays History Geography Getting Around Pictures of Argentina Fact Page Major Cities:   Cities of Argentina Map Cities of Argentina - including Buenos Aires, Cordoba, Mendoza, Bariloche and other citues Major Attractions:   Attractions of Argentina - including Iguazu Falls, Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego, Nahuel Huapi National Park and more Travel Articles About Argentina Regions of Argentina:   Chaco Cuyo and the Andean Northwest Mesopotamia and the Northeast Pampas Patagonia and the Lake District Tierra del Fuego Getting There and Staying in Argentina:   Compare and select flights from your area. You can also browse for hotels and car rentals.Whenever, or wherever you go in Argentina, tells us about it. Post a "trip report" in the forum. Buen Viaje!        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 Cola de Mono - Monkey's Tail Cuzco Pisco Sour Chilean Style Falkland Islands Photos Virtual Tour