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Ski Vacation - Package ski vacations to the West - Sports America- Family Ski Holiday to Colorado Utah Wyoming Montana Canada California COLORADO Aspen Beaver Creek Breckenridge Copper Mountain Crested Butte Keystone Snowmass Steamboat Springs Telluride Vail Winter Park UTAH The Canyons Deer Valley Park City Salt Lake Region IDAHO Sun Valley CALIFORNIA/NEVADA Lake Tahoe Mammoth OREGON Mt Bachelor ALASKA Alyeska CANADA Banff / Lake Louise Whistler WYOMING Jackson Hole MONTANA Big Mountain Big Sky NEW MEXICO Taos Since 1976 Sports America has assisted thousands of individuals, families, groups and clubs create excellent ski vacations. All ski packages are to North America's premier ski resorts in Colorado, Utah and other Western resorts. Please feel free to call us at 800-876-8551 and ask one of our Ski Vacation Experts for assistance on one of your ski vacations, or you may email your request. Our ski representatives have years of experience in answering questions about ski resorts and matching the best airfares, resorts, lodging, car rental/transfer, and even ski rentals for your ski vacations. Popular Pages: Aspen Lodging River Mountain Lodge Steamboat Condos Wed Nov 30 16:04 Sun Up and Sun Down Bowls Open Today in Vail Tue Nov 22 15:32 Breckenridge opens big Thu Nov 3 16:09 Grand Targhee Goes Green Wed Nov 2 12:25 Vail Opens November 18th! Wed Oct 19 11:54 Northwest Changes Ski Equipment Guidelines Breckenridge Free Lodging & Ski Vacation $285-481 Lodging at Park Place View Package Details Crested Butte Condo/Lift Holiday Special $206-367 Lodging at The Chateaux View Package Details Copper Mountain Ski Vacation $394 Lodging at Village at Copper View Package Details Jackson Hole Ski Vacation $567 Lodging at Antler's Inn View Package Details Aspen Ski Vacation $655 Lodging at Silverglo View Package Details Lake Tahoe Central Florida $615-683 Lodging at Lakeland Village View Package Details Vail Extra Value Vacation $610-623 Lodging at Vail International View Package Details Ski Telluride Vacation $418-612 Lodging at Telluride Lodge View Package Details Keystone Ski Vacation $343 Lodging at Soda Ridge View Package Details Park City Lodging Promotion $256-385 Lodging at Park Station View Package Details SPECIALS!! About Sports America Contact Us Group Travel Request A Quote Privacy Policy Destination: Alyeska Aspen Banff Beaver Creek Big Mountain Big Sky Breckenridge Canyons Copper Mt. Crested Butte Deer Valley Jackson Hole Keystone Lake Tahoe Mammoth Mt. Bachelor Park City Salt Lake Snowmass Steamboat Sun Valley Taos Telluride Vail Whistler Winter Park Arrival: # of Nights: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 # of Guests: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Quick Resort Search: Alyeska Aspen Banff Beaver Creek Big Mountain Big Sky Breckenridge Canyons Copper Mt. Crested Butte Deer Valley Jackson Hole Keystone Lake Tahoe Mammoth Mt. Bachelor Park City Salt Lake Snowmass Steamboat Sun Valley Taos Telluride Vail Whistler Winter Park Site Search:

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Amazon.com Travel: Your Store Travel See All 32 Product Categories Your Account | Cart | Wish List | Help | travel books | camera & photo | portable electronics | travel gear | kids' handheld games | luggage | local dining Search Amazon.com Travel Web Search Browse Featured Partners Hotwire.com Amazon.com Cruises by The Vacation Store Travel Planning Travel Books Travel Magazines Camera & Photo Luggage Travel Gear Travel Videos Travel DVDs Language & Travel Software Portable Electronics Deep Discounts on Travel with Hotwire Hotwire.com has consistently lower-priced airfares, hotels, car rentals, and vacation packages. We negotiate special discounts from our travel partners, then pass these savings on to you. See what you could be saving with Hotwire.com! Live large, travel cheap. Get deep discounts on airline tickets Save up to 75% on hotel rooms Drive away with car rental deals from $16.95 per day Find cheap vacation packages at specially negotiated rates Up to 75% Off Hotels Stay in a four-star hotel at two-star prices with Hotwire ! A Cruise for Everyone Whether you're looking for a short getaway or a transatlantic voyage, let our experts help you book the cruise vacation of your dreams. (Prices are subject to change.) Get in tune with Caribbean rhythm onboard Carnival's newest ship, Carnival Glory . It's in the Bag No matter who in the family needs a brand-new bag, we have sturdy, reliable, and affordable luggage for every trip. Eddie Bauer Target Samsonite More bags, backpacks, and cases 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 Top of Page 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

Switzerland Travel

Switzerland.....the land of aching muscles Switzerland......the land ofaching muscles! Join the Budget Travel Mailing List Disclaimer : This travelogue is based on my travel experience in 1995. Things have changed since I've been there. I write this only to let you know of MY experiences. We are all different, so what I observe and experience may be different for you. Please do not take everything I say too seriously or take offence at my opinions or observations. I do not pretend to be a professional travel writer or to know this destination extremely well. Getting Around / Geneva / Interlaken / Grindelwald / Costs ($) / Hiking Tips Getting Around Without a doubt the best way toget around Switzerland is by train - it is fast, convenient and every place isaccessible. If you plan on doing a moderate amount of train travel, I wouldrecommend that prior to arriving in Switzerland, you purchase the Swiss Card. Withthis card, you will receive 1 free transfer from any Swiss airport or border town to anycity or town in Switzerland + 1 free transfer from any Swiss city or town to any Swissairport or border town + 50% off all other rail, steamboat, bus and mountain excursions. Thesavings really add up. Depending on how you use your free transfers, the card may payfor itself right there. In Canada the pass costs approx. CA$ 160. In the US, it costsapprox. US$ 116. Links: Rail Europe or Swiss Bahn sites formore details. Getting Around / Geneva / Interlaken / Grindelwald / Costs ($) / Hiking Tips Geneva What to see and do: Geneva is a charming world class city withlots to offer travellers looking for history, architecture, shopping, and a lot more.Located on Lake Geneva, the city has been said to be the most peaceful in the world. It isno wonder when institutions like the Red Cross and League of Nations were born in Geneva.The city is home to the United Nations. Sights you may want to take in include: the St.Pierre Cathedral, the UN building, the Jet d'eau on Lake Geneva, and the Jardin Anglaiswhich has a huge clock made out of flowers and a fountain which is popular with the kidson a hot day. If you are there during the summer and don't feel like frolicking with thekids in the fountain there is a beach which, I gather from the lack of visible swimwear,is a nude beach. Walking around the old part of the city is interesting and veryenjoyable. Where to stay: Although there are quite a few youth hostels and budgetaccommodations (budget in Swiss terms), sometimes cheap people like me just stay at theairport. Links: The Budget Traveller's Guide to Sleeping inAirports Getting Around / Geneva / Interlaken / Grindelwald / Costs ($) / Hiking Tips Interlaken What to see and do: I could write a bookabout things to see and do in and around Interlaken. The options are really just too much.I spent a week in Interlaken and I still did not see or do everything. Things to see intown include the Casino (have to be 21 years of age - if you still look 16 like me,you will be carded) There are also bars and restaurants. Apparently there is a bowlingalley somewhere in town for you wild and crazy party-animals. The Berner Oberland (Switzerland actually) is a hikers dream. There are many signedpaths to follow. No matter where you are in the mountains, you can easily find your wayback. Here are just a few of the activities that I suggest: Since Interlaken is located in the middle of two lakes, Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, cruises are available. The Lake Brienz, the cleanest lake in Europe, is much more scenic than Thun, which has high cliffs and a few waterfalls. A round trip ticket in the Lake Thun costs SFR 22 (14 with Swiss Card). You can off as many times as you want. Hike from Lauterbrunnen up to Kleine Schedeige. I did it the other way around and it was really just too steep for anybody to go down. HIKING UP IS ALWAYS EASIER THAN COMING DOWN! The Trummelbach Falls in Lauterbrunnen is a waste of money. I think I paid SFR 10 to see the inside of the falls. There is no tour, all you are paying for is the privilege of seeing this. On the Lake Thun, the Beatushlen prehistoric caves has stalactites, waterfalls and an ancient cell of the St. Beatus monk. This is a good trip for a rainy day. From here you can hike along a path to the next village or town that proves to be interesting. Oberhofen has a huge castle-like place. I am not sure if there are tours or if people just like to take pictures of it. Take the steam boat from Interlaken to Iselwelt (SRF 5.20 or 2.60 with Swiss Card). Get off at Iselwelt and walk to Geissbach Falls. This is not a challenging walk, but is more leisurely. When you arrive at the foot of the falls, you will have the option of taking a cable car higher up or hiking up. Hike up!! The cable car is for lazy people. When you arrive at the hotel you will see that you have not made it to the top of the falls yet. Keep going. There are paths that meander through the falls. The Geissbach Falls are impressive! Where to stay: Although Balmer's Herberge is said to be one of the best hostels in Europe, that is really a personal choice. If you do not mind sharing two bathrooms with 50 other people, sharing your room with 50 other people and climbing three beds up to get to your bed on the top bunk, then Balmer's will make you very happy. If you are a light sleeper, there is no way you will be able to sleep with the constant chatter of drunk young backpackers wandering in at all hours of the night. In short, Balmer's is a PARTY hostel. Depending on when you go, the average guest age could very well be 18. Even if you stay somewhere else, you will probably return to Balmers several times during your stay. There is a store that sells everything you may need (not including groceries), a mini bar/restaurant for alcoholics, currency exchange and many day tours can be arranged. There are double rooms, but you have to be there early in the morning to grab those ones. After one sleepless night at Balmers, I stayed at the Hotel Beyeler/Heidi's Hostel. Don't ask me why it has two names. The owner told me that many Balmers refugees come to this place. It is not fancy, but it is an affordable roof over your head. The cheap travellers room is on the third floor and has three beds. If you get the single bed near the window, you better have extra blankets, because the window sometimes blows open and the cold mountain air may kill you. The room has a sink and there is a shared washroom in the hall. Oh, one more tip about this place. Bring your own WD-40. The door to this room is very loud!!! If you are travelling solo don't want to stay couped up in your room alone, let the owner know that you are willing to share if any other people are looking for a roommate. If anyone comes along, she will accommodate everybody. I don't think you will save any money, but it is good company. My roomies were one of the highlights of my trip. Contact: Heidi's Garni/Hotel Beyeler - 37 Bernastr (tel. 229 030) or if you are desparate, Balmer's Herberge 23-25 Hauptstr (tel 221 961). Getting Around / Geneva / Interlaken / Grindelwald / Costs ($) / Hiking Tips Grindelwald What to see and do: Grindelwald is smaller than Interlaken and not so infested with tourists. There is a lot to keep you busy for a few days at least. From town you can hike to the Upper Glacier or the Glacier Gorge. The hike to up to the top of the Upper Glacier is very challenging. No matter how fit you claim to be, you will be huffing and puffing a few times at least. And if you have big feet, it will probably take you twice as long to get to the top. The stairs are painfully narrow and small. I did the hike up First Mountain twice (once from Bort and the second from Grindelwald). The part from Grindelwald is very steep and tiring, so bring lots of water with you. To avoid the steep part, take the chair lift (the longest in Europe) to Bort, get off and hike up the rest of the way. The fresh air is revitalizing!!! Depending on the time of year you go, there might be snow at the top and lots of it. Here is the recipe to make your own slushie: take some hard fruit-flavoured candy with you, grab some snow (that is not yellow) and place both in your mouth. Yummy!!! When you get to the top, you will have a magnificent view of Eiger, Jungfrau and Mnch. Take one of those disposable panoramic cameras and snap away. If you think you are hearing a thunder storm approaching, it is just an avalanche. If the sound is more distant, you can probably turn around and see the avalanche on the other side of the valley. If it sounds really close, then I am afraid that you will be a fair bit of trouble!!! Where to stay: Lehmann's Herberge is a real Swiss chalet-like lodge. Rooms are wooden with red curtains, have nice, warm comforters, and a shared washroom for every two units. The washrooms are modern and have hot water. Many rooms overlook a valley, while a few others overlook a road. Lehmann's is VERY COMFORTABLE right off one of the main roads in town. 25-35 SFR per night - breakfast is included. There are some other youth hostels, but for comfort Lehmann's is the place to go! Contact: Lehmann's Herberge (tel. 531 141). The woman that runs the hostel does speak English. Getting Around / Geneva / Interlaken / Grindelwald / Costs ($) / Hiking Tips Costs You probably know that Switzerland is a very expensive place to visit. Here are a few extra tips when planning your Swiss vacation: When looking for accommodations it will cost you an extra bundle for a private washroom. Unless you are staying at a really nice hotel, most lower end hotels have a couple of shared washrooms per floor. Showers usually cost extra. Food is very expensive. I am from Canada and the cost of a loaf of bread was a shocking SFR 3.10. Four bananas cost SFR 2.05 and 6 pack of pop cost SFR 5.10. Luckily, I brought my own peanut butter and ate A LOT of peanut butter sandwiches!!! Transportation is reasonably priced if you have a Swiss Card, Pass or Eurail Card. And things like postcards aren't too bad in price! Clothing is expensive. A movie costs SFR 13. Getting Around / Geneva / Interlaken / Grindelwald / Costs ($) / Hiking Tips Hiking Unless you hike often and are use to the strain of hiking up/down steep mountains, start off easy. I ruined the whole trip for myself by starting big. The result was that I could barely walk for a few days and I had to put plastic Pepsi bottles full of HOT water on my legs at night. Although I was able to do some great hiking, I could have done more if I didn't start of thinking I was superwoman. This is not to say that I do not exercise at all, because I do everyday. I just don't hike up and down mountains everyday. Please sign my guest book! [ HOME ] This travelogue is based on the travel experiences of Donna McSherry

Argentina Travel Guide Overview

Argentina Tours | Argentina Tour Guide | iExplore.com FORBES' #1 ADVENTURE TRAVEL SITE 5 YEARS IN A ROW — TIME MAGAZINE TOP 50 Keyword Search: -- Home Trip Finder Travel Guides Community Special Offers Store My iExplore advertisement -- Home Travel Guides Central and South America Argentina Overview Argentina Travel Guide Overview Tours Where to Go Activities General Info History Weather Travel Tips Dining Shopping Visa & Health View Trips to Argentina Central and South America Overview Browse Argentina Photos Argentina Questions and Answers Read Argentina Journals Find a Argentina Travel Buddy Argentina Overview Argentina is a land of extremes, its hectic urban centers contrasting with a staggeringly remote hinterland, and can be simultaneously hot in one region and cold in another. The one common thread is that the people possess a curiosity, passion, and fervor for life, most visible when it comes to football, the national obsession. Evita, the Tango, gauchos and estancias are the country’s clichéd attractions, but what strikes visitors most is that life here is for living – the fast pace only letting up for the afternoon siesta. Referred to as a grimy Paris, Buenos Aires is a sophisticated capital brimming with character and an excellent spot for shopping and watching the world go by – whether it’s pedestrians strolling or motorists driving at break-neck speed. Nightlife is second to none and the restaurants are a food-lover’s delight. Argentina’s national parks teem with wildlife and incredible mountainous vistas, while the colossal Perito Moreno Glacier and Iguazú Falls are natural wonders. Endless hiking opportunities abound in the south, where Patagonia is stunningly barren and mystifying and the Tierra del Fuego feels like the end of the world. The Andes offer excellent skiing – the ski-resort of Bariloche being the country’s most established. Horse riding, adventure sports and birdwatching are just a few of the other activities on offer throughout the country. Argentina, vastly unexplored and undiscovered by most tourists, is an adventure waiting to happen. Geography Argentina is situated in South America, east of the Andes, and is bordered by Chile to the west, the Atlantic Ocean to the east and Uruguay, Bolivia, Paraguay and Brazil to the north and northeast. There are four main geographical areas: the Andes, the North and Mesopotamia, the Pampas and Patagonia. The climate and geography of Argentina vary considerably, ranging from the great heat of the Chaco ( El Chaco ), through the pleasant climate of the central Pampas to the sub-Antarctic cold of the Patagonian Sea. Mount Aconcagua soars almost 7000m (23,000ft) and waterfalls at Iguazú stretch around a massive semi-circle, thundering 70m (230ft) to the bed of the Paraná River. In the southwest is a small ’Switzerland’ with a string of beautiful icy lakes framed by mountains. Sponsored Listings ( Add your listing ) advertisement Advertisement -- advertisement Why iExplore? About Us Advertise Site Map Privacy Policy Travel Agents Contact Us © 2005 Adventure Travel with iExplore --

Central America Travel

Central America : Travel Tips : International Travel : Travelocity area: network~tipsadvice catID: product_category: -- Guides & Advice : Traveler Advice : Tips & Advice Home : International Travel Central America Jungles, volcanoes, dazzling wildlife, and more await you in Central America--but so do several health risks. Staying healthy can make or break any trip, so read on to get some preparatory information about the regions health challenges. Enjoying your trip to its fullest always involves some amount of preparation and knowledge, so to make your planning easier weve put together some basic information outlining the general risks you might face in Central America. Consult the World Health Organization (WHO) or the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the most up-to-date information on current health risks, and ask your physician about the best courses of vaccinations and malaria prophylaxis for the area youre visiting. Food and Water: Stick with bottled or purified water, and only eat cooked vegetables and peeled fruit, as well as well-cooked meat and seafood--these simple rules can easily be the key to staying healthy during your vacation in Central America. Except in the most established and hygienic of restaurants, ceviche, a regional specialty of raw seafood salad, should be avoided, especially if it has any shellfish in it. Milk is not pasteurized in Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras, so avoid all dairy products. If youre really craving some milk, mix powdered or tinned milk with purified water as a safe alternative. The Elements: When youre in the tropics, youre in prime sunshine territory. Clearly this is a plus for all us sun-worshipping folk, but its important to protect yourself from damaging UV rays. Apply lots of sunscreen throughout the day, try to limit your exposure to the sun when you can, and wear protective clothing. Also, be sure to drink lots of water to stave off dehydration. Drink up even when youre not thirsty, and especially if youre engaging in outdoors activities. Combined with the intensity of the sun, even mild dehydration can really put an unpleasant tinge on your experience. Altitude Sickness: If youre planning on doing some trekking in the mountains or on volcanoes, be prepared for some possible bouts of altitude sickness--something that cannot be prevented, but can definitely be alleviated quite easily. For more information, read our How to Avoid Altitude Sickness tip. Health Risks: Costa Rica and Panama generally present few risks (other than those pertaining to food and water) if you stick to the big cities, beaches, and main tourist spots. However, these countries rural areas--as well as other surrounding countries--contain maladies that you should know about. Malaria is a year-round risk in Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, and Panama--with the exception of urban areas. If you plan on venturing outside of the cities, consult your doctor several months before your departure to determine the best course of malaria medication for you. Dengue fever has been reported in the above countries, so arm yourself against mosquitoes with strong insect repellent. Mosquitoes are easily attracted to moisture--mosquito nets are advised if youre staying in coastal areas. For more information on dealing with insects, read our Creepy, Crawly Critters tip. Rabies is widespread throughout Central America, so abstain from provoking stray dogs or other animals in the wild. If you get bitten, seek medical help immediately. Fluke illnesses (from bacteria transmitted in food), Chagas disease, leptospirosis, and lesihmaniasis have been reported in rural foci throughout the region. Schistosomiasis (bilharzia) occurs in some freshwater sources, so avoid swimming and paddling in freshwater whenever possible (for more information on this matter, read our Take Me to the River tip). Immunization Suggestions and Requirements: The following information was culled from reputable sources, such as CDC and WHO and reflects countries currently featured on Travelocity.com. Belize Hepatitis A, typhoid, cholera, polio Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all travelers coming from infected areas Costa Rica Typhoid, polio, cholera (although chances of contracting the latter are very slight) Guatemala Cholera, hepatitis A, polio, typhoid Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all travelers over one year old coming from infected areas Honduras Hepatitis A, typhoid, cholera, polio Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all travelers coming from infected areas Panama Hepatitis A, cholera, typhoid Yellow fever vaccination is strongly recommended for travel outside of urban areas, even if an outbreak of the disease has not been reported     International Travel Tips & Advice Information on the Euro Africa Asia Central America Caribbean Australia/South Pacific South America Middle East Europe North America Embassies and Consulates--A Little Piece of the United States Abroad Choosing the Right Gift for Business Associates in Japan Getting Through Customs Expediting Your Passport Application Process Handling Cash When Traveling Overseas Security Guarantee | '+' Means Some Taxes & Fees Additional © 1996-2004 Travelocity.com LP. All rights reserved. Travelocity and the Stars Design are trademarks of Travelocity.com LP. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of the Travelocity User Agreement and Privacy Policy . CST# 2056372-50. dest.advice.tips.item|Tips and Advice|AOLSVC|ST||||tipID=229| --