VACATION West Middle East

Tennessee Vacation - The State's Official Travel Planning Website Tennessee Vacation Chattanooga Choo-Choo Search Engine ABOUT TENNESSEE PLACES TO STAY ROAD TOOLS myTNVACATION West Middle East Music & Arts Sports & Recreation History & Heritage Nature & Outdoors Attractions In Tennessee, the stage is set for you . Artistic types can dabble in music and the arts . Tennessee has an athletic ability to bring sports and recreation to any fan. History and heritage buffs can reflect on Tennessee's past. Take the road less traveled through Tennessee's nature and outdoors . Have a fun-loving time at one of our many attractions . New: explore a Tennessee winter . December '05 S M T W R F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 10 things to do With a wealth of things to do and places to see in Tennessee, choosefrom these lists to get started. sort by interest -- 1 Ripley's Aquarium World-class saltwater aquarium 2 Reelfoot Lake Tennessee's only natural lake 3 Knoxville Zoo Over 800 animals in natural habitats 4 Nashville Shores Wet and wild in Nashville 5 Dollywood A family fun attraction 6 The Hermitage Home of President Andrew Jackson 7 Stax Museum of American Soul Celebrate the legacy of American soul music 8 The Children's Museum of Memphis Enter a world of discovery and fun 9 Memphis Zoo More than 3,500 animal exhibits 10 Ruby Falls Thundering 145-foot waterfall about Tennessee Tennessee is the perfect stage for your vacation. If you decide to make Tennessee yourhome or just want to brush up on Tennessee's heritage, get in the knowin the About Tennessee section. Narrow down your trip to East , Middle or West for an in-depth look at one of our regions. Let your interests be your guide to vacationing in Tennessee. Finalize your outings in myTNvacation and hammer out all the driving details in road tools . Once you have made your selections and built your vacation, forget your worries and stress.Come unwind in Tennessee. myTNvacation MyTNvacation offers you an easy way to bookmark favorites andcreate trips to make your perfect vacation a reality. Simply register , browse the siteand add anything that catches your interest. upcoming events sort by interest -- Nov 5, 2005 - Dec 30, 2005 Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival Pigeon Forge, TN Dec 2, 2005 - Dec 30, 2005 Festival of Lights Lebanon, TN Nov 1, 2005 - Dec 30, 2005 New Years Eve Celebration Murfreesboro, TN Dec 14, 2005 - Dec 30, 2005 "Misery" Memphis, TN Dec 30, 2005 Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl Presented by Bridgestone Nashville, TN Browse Festivals & Events Travel Ideas, Maps, Roadtrips, Coupons and more. > The Stage is Set for You. [ return home ] [ about tennessee ] [ recent news ] [ music & arts ] [ sports & recreation ] [ nature & outdoors ] [ history & heritage ] [ attractions ] [ west tennessee ] [ middle tennessee ] [ east tennessee ] [ myTNVacation ] [ make contact ] [ website feedback ] Disclaimer: The use of trade, firm, or corporation names in the publication (or pages) is for the information and convenience of the reader. Such use does not constitute an official endorsement or approval by the Tennessee Tourism Department of any product or service to the exclusion of others that may be suitable.

Argentina travel a few

Argentina Family Travel Recommendations 1.800.344.6118 { contact us } Argentina Tours & Travel Home · Testimonials · In the News · About Us · Once You're Booked · Lodging · e-News South America Amazon Tours Argentina Tours Bolivia Tours Chile Tours Ecuador Tours Galapagos Tours Patagonia Tours Peru Tours Central America Belize Tours Costa Rica Tours Guatemala Tours Panama Tours Antarctica Antarctica Tours Extensions Extend your Argentina travel a few more days with an Argentina extension. Argentina Tour Extensions » Buenos Aires Hospitality Packages » Icon Legend Please click to see a detailed explanation of these icons used throughout the site. Escort Escorted Unescorted Difficulty Easy Moderate Challenging When to Travel Excellent Very Good Unpredictable Unavailable Discounts Register for Adventure Weather Map of Argentina Customized Travel Articles & Information Argentina FAQs Argentina Family Travel HOME » Argentina Travel » Argentina Family Travel Supplement Country By Country Recommendations : Select a Country ------- Family Travel ------- Amazon Antarctica Argentina Belize Bolivia Chile Costa Rica Ecuador Galapagos Guatemala Panama Patagonia Peru Argentina Tours Minimum age: 6 Our Argentina tours offer a mix of dramatic landscapes, challenging treks, stunning wildlife, and unique cultural experiences. Most are recommended for older children and active families, though Iguazu Falls is sure to delight most ages. These tours generally fall into three categories- sightseeing, trekking tours, and boat-based trips. Sightseeing Tours: Minimum age = 6 Our sightseeing tours, including Iguazu Falls and Northwest Culture and Landscapes, promise dramatic nature features and breathtaking scenery. Families may particularly enjoy the Iguazu Falls tour that is based entirely out of one lodge. Jungle wildlife, short transfers, a rainforest canoe trip, and over 275 separate waterfall cascades are sure to delight children of all ages. The Northwest Culture and Landscapes tour is a better choice for older children as it includes longer transfer times, full day hikes on multiple days, and more remote/ austere scenery. Consider your own family's travel experience and preferences. Our Argentina travel coordinators would be happy to provide additional details to help you decide if these tours are right for your family. Trekking Tours: Minimum age = 12 These tours include multi-day treks, glacier walks, and our most challenging desert trek where temperatures can vary upwards of 60 degrees in a 24-hour period. They can be great choices for older children and active families. Prepare your family for trekking tours by planning weekend day hikes or overnight camping trips before you go. Keep in mind that some days the distances hiked each day may feel much further due to the rugged terrain and altitude variance. Each traveler should bring a daypack with essentials such as a camera, waterproof jacket, water bottle, and snacks. Tours with the Perito Moreno Glacier have a minimum age of 12 because ice-hiking equipment is not available for smaller children. Boat Based Tours: Minimum age = 6 Our boat based Mare Australis tour traverses Patagonia's waterways with a focus on dramatic glacial scenery and wildlife. Kids of all ages are welcome, but relatively rare. Onboard entertainment options (such as educational lectures, a library, and wildlife observation) may not hold the attention of younger children. These tours are not a good choice for children who can be easily bored, crave high intensity activities, have rigid schedules/ food preferences, are prone to motion sickness, or are not able to swim, etc. Tour Name Days Min. Age Comments Argentina Glacier Adventure 8 12 Wildlife and hiking tour. Includes glacier walk that has minimum age of 12 and multi day trek/ camping - best for older kids and active families Awesome Argentina 9 12 Wildlife and hiking tour. Includes glacier walk that has minimum age of 12 End of the World 11 12 Daily hiking combined with Mare Australis cruise - best for older kids & active families End of the World 11 12 Daily hiking combined with Mare Australis cruise - best for older kids & active families Iguazu Falls 3 10 Based out of one lodge, flexible schedule, beautiful scenery, canoe ride Iguazu Falls 5 6 A great option for kids of any age with an interest in wildlife and waterfalls. M/V Mare Australis 4, 5 & 8 6 Focus on dramatic landscapes and wildlife. Limited entertainment for kids onboard. M/V Via Australis 4, 5 & 8 6 Focus on dramatic landscapes and wildlife. Limited entertainment for kids onboard. Northwest Culture & Landscapes 9 10 A remote Argentina tour with cultural and scenery focus that may not captivate the attention of younger children. Some long transfers (4 hrs or more) Northwest Trek 9 12 One of our most challenging treks because of huge temperature variance in desert. Multi day trek and camping- best for older kids and active families Patagonia Panorama 14 12 4-8 hours hiking daily & camping adventure - best for older kids & active families Mare Australis 5-8 6 Focus on dramatic landscapes and wildlife. Limited entertainment for kids onboard. Iguazu Falls 3-5 10 Based out of one lodge, flexible schedule, beautiful scenery, canoe ride Northwest Culture and Landscapes 9 10 Remote tour with cultural and scenery focus that may not captivate the attention of younger children. Some long transfers (4 hrs or more) Northwest Trek 9 12 One of our most challenging treks because of huge temperature variance in desert. Multi day trek and camping- best for older kids and active families End of the World 11 12 Multi-day trek with camping and daily hiking combined with Mare Australis cruise - best for older kids & active families Awesome Argentina 9 12 Wildlife and hiking tour. Includes glacier walk that has minimum age of 12 Argentina Glacier Adventure 8 12 Wildlife and hiking tour. Includes glacier walk that has minimum age of 12 and multi day trek/ camping - best for older kids and active families Patagonia Panorama 14 12 4-8 hours hiking daily & camping adventure - best for older kids & active families -- Family Travel Supplement | Amazon | Antarctica | Argentina | Belize | Bolivia | Chile | Costa Rica | Ecuador | Galapagos | Guatemala | Panama | Patagonia | Peru Argentina Articles & Information : Iguazu Falls + Ibera Marshlands | Patagonia - The Last Refuge of Nature | Buenos Aires | Argentina Estancias | Northwestern Argentina | The Southern Most Point in the World the international ecotourism society international mountain explorers connection america outdoors international association of antarctica tour operators leave no trace international galapagos tour operators association Adventure Life • 1655 S 3rd St. W, Suite 1 • Missoula, MT 59801 • 1-800-344-6118 :: Site Map ::

Air Travel Handbook: Learn

Amazon.com: Air Courier Bargains: How to Travel World-Wide for Next to Nothing (Air Courier Bargains): Books 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 This item is not eligible for Amazon Prime, but over a million other items are. Join Amazon Prime today. Already a member? Sign in . 13 used & new from $4.49 Have one to sell? A9.com users save 1.57% on Amazon. Learn how . Share your own customer images Look inside this book Air Courier Bargains: How to Travel World-Wide for Next to Nothing (Air Courier Bargains) (Paperback) by Kelly Monaghan (3 customer reviews) Availability: Available from these sellers . 13 used & new available from $4.49 Other Editions: List Price: Our Price: Other Offers: Paperback (6th) 25 used & new from $1.69 Customers who bought this book also bought Insider Travel Secrets by Tom Parsons Fly Cheap! by Kelly Monaghan Fly Free, Stay Cheap! by Vicki Mills The Courier Air Travel Handbook: Learn How to Travel Worldwide for Next to Nothing (8th ed) by Mark I. Field You Can Travel Free by Robert William Kirk Explore Similar Items : in Books Editorial Reviews Travel Books Review, November/December 1994 A must-read. No other book provides more information about this subject. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. Linda Morgan, The Millennium Whole Earth Catalog This entertaining guide lays out the unromantic details of shepherding stuff - usually boring business documents - to exotic places. It's an excellent way to see the world on a shoestring budget. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. See all Editorial Reviews Product Details Paperback: 217 pages Publisher: Intrepid Traveler; 7th edition (November, 1998) Language: English ISBN: 1887140085 Product Dimensions: 0.8 x 5.8 x 8.8 inches Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces. Average Customer Review: based on 3 reviews. ( Write a review. ) Amazon.com Sales Rank: Today: #144,231 in Books Yesterday: #177,824 in Books (Publishers and authors: improve your sales ) Other Editions: Paperback (6th) | All Editions Look Inside This Book Browse Sample Pages: Front Cover | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover Citations ( learn more ) 11 books that cite this book: The Best Deals and Steals in San Diego: The Ultimate Consumer Guidebook To San Diego and Environs, 8th Version by Sally R. Garyon page 243 Rick Steves' Europe Through the Back Door 2003: The Travel Skills Handbook for Independent Travelers (Rick Steves' Europe Through the Back Door) by Rick Steveson page 92 The Simple Living Guide by Janet Luhrson page 438 The Complete Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacyczynon page 587 See all 11 books citing this book Customers interested in this title may also be interested in: Sponsored Links: What is this? International Air Travel Discounts up to 60% off published fares on major airline carriers. www.airfarewire.com Bid On Worldwide Travel Find Fantastic Deals With Our Travel Auctions SkyAuction.com World Map Explore satellite images of the world . Download Google Earth - Free earth.google.com Feedback Customer Reviews Average Customer Review: Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers. 33 of 34 people found the following review helpful: Watch out flying aircourier.org , June 5, 2002 Reviewer: One of the things they don't tell you in this book is how fly-by-night some of the air courier companies are. I bought a membership in aircourier.org and it was the worst travel investment I ever made. The customer service is terrible, which actually counts tons when you're trying to arrange a flight. (You might have better luck going through another consolidator, but aircourier.org is really terrible.) The other thing I found after diligently checking the flight lists is that you can often do better these days just by finding cheap web-fare flights yourself on sites like qixo.com, expedia.com, etc.. I was really disappointed by what I thought would be higher discounts. It's often no more than a few dollars (!!) difference for a lot more hassle. Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) 30 of 33 people found the following review helpful: Not as good as you might think , June 15, 1999 Reviewer: B. Fakhamzadeh "Travelhog" (Delft, Netherlands) - See all my reviews Hailed by reviewers all over the US (according to the book itself), this book definetely does not deliver. Although it is an interesting read, for an hour or so, the bargains it promises can also be gotten when shopping for cheap fairs by your self, at regular discount stores. Not a usefull book. Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) 17 of 28 people found the following review helpful: The Freelance Air Courier Association recommends this one! , April 14, 1999 Reviewer: We've found this book to be the most complete source of information on air couriers. It lists the most recent air courier companies along with their departure and destination points in a handy easy to read format. We'd recommend this to anyone wanting to explore the discount air courier travel option. Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) Listmania! My Favorite Fun Businesses Boo... : A list by Dee Richards Great Personal Advice Books : A list by Brian Keairns "Author of plain... Part-Time Travel Agent : A list by "kvetsh" Create a Listmania! list Look for similar items by category Subjects > Travel > Specialty Travel > Air Travel Look for similar items by subject Air courier service Airlines Costs Travel Air Travel Rates i.e., each book must be in subject 1 AND subject 2 AND ... 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Travel Insurance tool to

FTyourmoney | Travel Insurance Finder Your money / Travel insurance finder Compare travel insurance Use our Travel Insurance tool to compare insurance policies and buy the cheapest, best buy policy for your needs online. Do you require cover for: Annual multi trip Single trip Add Winter Sports cover? Please select your destination Europe inc UK Worldwide AbuDhabi Afghanistan Alaska Albania Algeria Andorra Angola Anguilla Antartic Antigua Argentina Armenia Aruba Ascension Islands Australia Austria Azerbaijan Azores Bahamas Bahrain Balearics Bali Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bonaire(Antilles) Bosnia-Herzegovina Botswana Brazil British Dependent Ter British Virgin Isles Brunei Daussalam Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burma Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Canary Islands Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Rep Chad Chile China Colombia Comoro Islands Congo Cook Islands Corfu Corsica Costa Rica Cote D'Ivoire Crete Croatia Cuba Curacao Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt Eire El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Falkland Islands Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia Gabon Galapagos Islands Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Hawaii Holland Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Ibiza Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Ivory Coast Jamaica Japan Jersey Jordan Kazakstan Kenya Kiribati Korea Kos (Greek Island) Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Lanzarote Laos Latvia Lebanon Leeward Islands Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macau Macedonia Madagascar Madeira Majorca Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Micronesia Midway Island Minorca Moldavia Moldova Monaco Mongolia Monserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands Netherlands Antilles Nevis Island New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island Northern Ireland Northern Marianas Norway Oman Pakistan Palua Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Phillippines Pitcain Islands Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Reunion Rhodes Rodriguez Island Romania Russia Rwanda Saipan Samoa (Western) San Marino Sao Tone & Principle Sarawak Sardinia Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somali Republic South Africa Spain Sri Lanka St Helena St Kitts & Nevis St Lucia St Martin St Pierre & Miquelon St Vincent and The Grenadines Sudan Suriname Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Syria Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Tenerife Thailand Togo Tonga Trinidad & Tobago Tristan Da Cunha Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Turks & Caicos Isles Tuvalu UAE Uganda Ukraine United Kingdom Uruguay USA Uzbekistan Vanuatu Vatican City Venezuela Vietnam Virgin Isles (UK) Virgin Isles (US) Wake Island Wallis & Futuna Yemen Yugoslavia (Former) Zaire Zambia Zanzibar Zimbabwe Please confirm start date / / Please confirm end date / / Legal & privacy notice This site is hosted by Moneysupermarket Ltd, who are regulated by the Financial Services Authority to undertake insurance related activities. FT.com makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness or any other aspect of the information contained on or any service referred to in Moneysupermarket's web site. FT.com shall not be responsible or liable for any loss or damage arising from your reliance upon such information or service or for any agreements, transactions and/or other arrangement entered into by you with Moneysupermarket or any other third party named on (or linked to from) FT.com as a result of your use of their website. All information provided to Moneysupermarket shall be provided by you and FT.com will not assist in the provision of that information.

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