Spain Travel

Freelance Spain - Travel Facts Spain Destination Spain DESTINATIONS AT A GLANCE Want to discover one of the world's favorite countries? Here are some basic facts for the traveler in Spain. When to go In general, late spring and late summer-early autumn are the best times for traveling in Spain. Fair weather is practically guaranteed, and the countryside is at its best. High summer is stiflingly hot in most inland areas, including Madrid and the inland cities of Andalusia such as Seville and Crdoba. Big cities, especially Madrid, empty during August, with many shops and restaurants closing, though a visit then does have advantages, such as light traffic (you can even find a parking space). Summer weather is milder along the Mediterranean coast, but July and August in popular resorts such as the Costa del Sol are best avoided unless you like crowds. Summer along the northern coast of Spain, from the Basque Country to Galicia, can be very pleasant. Winters along the Mediterranean coast are generally mild, but expect occasional heavy rains - alternating with long spells of glorious sunshine - any time between October and April. In inland areas, winter temperatures can reach below freezing and snow is is not infrequent. Bear in mind Spain's fiestas when planning a trip - be it to go to them, or to avoid them. During major fiestas such as the San Fermin bull runs in Pamplona or the April Fair in Seville, hotel rates double and even so rooms must be reserved months in advance. Getting There Practically all transcontinental flights land at Madrid's Barajas airport, so you will need to book an extra flight if you want to travel by air to another destination in Spain. Air fares between North America and Europe are highly competitive. You might find it cheaper to fly to Spain via another European country. Rates between Great Britain and any number of destinations in Spain are especially worth checking out. Rail communications between the rest of Europe and Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia and Seville are very good. There are also regular ferries between southern England and northern Spain. Major cities in Spain are well connected to continental Europe and each other by motorway. Entry Formalities If you are a citizen of a European Union country, all you need to enter Spain is a national identity card. In the case of the United Kingdom, which does not issue such cards, you'll need a passport. Visas for stays of no longer than 90 days are not required for travelers from the United States, Canada, Australia or New Zealand, but South Africans do need to apply for a visa before they leave. Language A knowledge of Spanish will enrichen a trip to Spain, but you can get by perfectly well with English in the major destinations. Spaniards are in general friendly and tolerant towards foreign visitors. Getting Around Spain is a big country - the second largest in western Europe after France - so don't expect to "do Spain" in a week. Flights between Spanish cities are frequent, but the fares tend to be high. Iberia, Spanair and Air Europa are the major operators. Train service between the larger cities is excellent, and irreproachably punctual, but slower in the case of smaller regional cities. The bus is an inexpensive alternative. Driving in Spain Renting a car is a reasonably-priced option, and by far the best way to travel if you want to enjoy Spain's rich and varied countryside. The major international car hire firms operate in Spain; local companies usually charge somewhat cheaper rates. In any case, it is usually a better bet to reserve and pay for your rental car from home, before you leave. To rent a car you have to be over 21 and have a valid driver's license. Your national license is valid for driving in Spain as a tourist. Major roads are generally good, though traffic can be heavy on more popular routes, especially on weekends or during holiday periods. Local roads range from good and pleasant to hair-raisingly narrow and winding. Enquire locally before embarking on a driver to a distant village, and don't take a road just because it is a reassuring color on the road map. Avoid driving in cities: it can be a nightmare experience, especially if you're unfamiliar with the city or with some of the quirkier local driving habits. Park in a guarded parking area, and take a taxi, which are very good value in Spain. In Madrid, it's worth familiarizing yourself with the excellent Metro (subway) system. Money Matters The official currency in Spain is the Euro Credit cards are widely accepted in Spain, Visa and Masters more so than American Express or Diners. Provided you know your Personal Identification Number, you can use your card to withdraw cash from ATMs in Spain. Often, you'll find the rate of exchange is more favorable than if you go to a bank or exchange bureau. When exchanging money at a bank, avoid converting small amounts at a time, as the minimum commission charged can be prohibitive. Most Spanish banks close in the afternoon, all day Saturday during summer, and all day Sunday year round. Value added tax (IVA) is charged on purchases, at a rate of 16% for most goods and services (it is 7% for hotel accommodation). If you are resident of a non-European Union country, you can get a refund of this tax on purchases over 100 Euros in certain participating shops. The refund can be claimed at the airport customs office on your departure: you can either get cash there, or have them send a check to your home address or credit the amount to your credit card. Staying in Touch To call abroad from Spain, dial the international access code (00), then your country code (such as 1 for the US, 44 for Great Britain), then the number. If you have a phone card from your home company, you can place a call by dialing your company's access number in Spain: ATT 900 990 011 MCI 900 990 014 Sprint 900 990 013 British Telecom 900 990 044 Mobile phones can be used in Spain provided they conform to the European GSM standard and the "roam" feature is activated. Hotels In general, hotels in Spain are comfortable and good value. Hotels in large cities such as Madrid and Barcelona are around twice the price as hotels elsewhere in Spain. Hotels are rated from one to five stars, which gives a rough indication of their facilities, but not of the friendliness or efficiency of the service. Fodor's guide to Spain gives good, up-to-date information on hotels in the major Spanish destinations. Hotels often offer good deals in slower periods, such as summer in Madrid. When phoning for a reservation, always ask for the room rate, and enquire regarding special offers. Spanish hotels do not normally require your credit card number to accept a reservation. For more advice on choosing where to stay in Spain, see the article by Nick Inman on Hotels in Spain , and check our Guide to Hotels in Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao, Granada and Seville. Electrical Current The electrical current in Spain is 200 volts, 50 cycles AC. Plugs are of the continental type, with two round prongs. American appliances require a transformer and a plug adapter for use in Spain. Have A Question? If you have a question regarding any aspect of traveling in Spain, you can obtain personalized travel information from the experts by visiting guidebookwriters.com . In addition, you can post a message in our Forum section to request information or exchange views with other travelers to Spain. For useful on-line sources of information for travelers, head for our Links section and click on "Travel". DESTINATIONS AT A GLANCE : Madrid - Barcelona - Bilbao - Granada - Seville Almera desert - La Mancha - Formentera Canary Islands: La Palma - Canary Islands: Puerto de la Cruz FREELANCESPAIN HOME Freelance Spain Showcase - Journalists - Photographers Features - Travel - People - Freelance Selections - Editor'sShortcut - Links little@spainview.com

Vacation Rentals, Holiday Rentals,

Vacation Rentals, Holiday Rentals, Vacation Rental Home and Condo Rentals Worldwide | PerfectPlaces.com Vacation Rentals, Holiday Rentals, Vacation Home and Condo Rentals Worldwide Choose from over 5000 Vacation Rentals! Click on the world map to view vacation rentals in that region: Finding Vacation Rentals: PerfectPlaces.com has specialized in helping travelers find qualityvacation and holiday rentals around the world since 1996. Properties include homes, villas,condos, cottages, cabins and bed and breakfasts. Try our advanced vacation rental search to search by travel dates and destinations. Listings for vacationrentals include detailed descriptions, pictures, availability,pricing and owner/manager contact information. Review our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information on finding and booking vacation rentals. Advertising Vacation Rentals: Property Owners and Managers canlist vacation rental homes, villas, condos, cottages, cabins and bed and breakfastswithin minutes using our vacation rental management tools. Give your vacationrental property exposure to 1000s of potential guests visiting PerfectPlaces.com each day. Worldwide Vacation Rental Destinations: Africa · Asia · Australia and South Pacific · Caribbean · Central America · Europe · Middle East · North America ( Canada , Mexico , United States )· South America European Vacation Rental Destinations: Austria · Belgium · Bulgaria · Croatia · Cyprus · Czech Republic · Estonia · France · Germany · Greece · Hungary · Ireland · Italy · Malta · Monaco · Montenegro · Netherlands · Norway · Poland · Portugal · Russia · Slovakia · Slovenia · Spain · Switzerland · Turkey · Ukraine · United Kingdom-England · United Kingdom-Scotland · United Kingdom-Wales United States Vacation Rental Destinations: Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · Wisconsin · Wyoming Featured Vacation Rental Orlando Disney World, Florida: 5 Bedroom Golf Club Villa Owners/Managers of Vacation Rentals Introductory Three Month Free Trial! Owners and Managers: add your vacation rentals and start finding new customers today! Click here to list your vacation property View Vacation Rentals by Interest Snow Skiing Golfing Tennis Hiking Boating Pet Friendly Fishing Hunting Scuba Diving Horses Water Skiing View by Accommodation Type Bed and Breakfast Cottage Rentals Villa Rentals Apartment Rentals Holiday Rentals Gites for Rent Condo Rentals Vacationers: Have questions? Click here for our vacation rental FAQ page View PerfectPlaces.com site map © 1996 - 2005 Perfect Places, Inc. All rights reserved. Contact Customer Service

Japan Travel

Japan National Tourist Organization Website Add to Favorite | Home | Site Map | Contact US | Operation hours of Tourist Information Center (TIC) on the New Year's Day Good Dealh Hotel Special Promotion ! Akasaka Prince Hotel (Tokyo) Aranvert Hotel Kyoto (Kyoto) Fujiya Hotel (Hakone) Hotel New Otani Tokyo Hotel New Otani Osaka -- Tokyu Hotels Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel (Tokyo) Shibuya Excel Tokyu Hotel (Tokyo) -- ANA Hotels ANA Hotel Hakata, Fukuoka -- Kyoto Takaragaike Prince Hotel Hakata Tokyu Inn, Fukuoka -- more Luxury Hotel Four Seasons Tokyo at Chinzan-so Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Tokyo Sign up for site updates! Enter your email address: New Kyoto Tours Combine Serenity, Tradition and Elegance of the Geisha -- 60th Anniversary of the United Nations Special Exhibition in NY Japanese New Year's Special "Hatsumoude" Go back in time for a limited time at Mitsui Echigoya Station (Kimono Outlet) The Imperial Palace opens its grounds to the public for one of only two open houses during the yearI A chance to win a round-trip ticket to Japan! -- offered by Kintetsu International. The Mitsui Memorial Museum opened in October 2005 Fantastic Seasonal illuminations in Tokyo and Kobe! A Winter Wonderland in Hokkaido Reserve your place for the Sapporo Snow Festival The Spiritual Japan Program Japan Vacations 2006 to Fit Your Taste & Budget Last Minutes Winter Special Tour: "Sake" - gOnsenh(Hot Spring) 9 days 7 nights Highlight Japan plus Beyond (Tokyo, Kyoto, Seoul Package) Art Journey in Shikoku Tour Japan Cherry Blossom Tour 2006 g Bonsai h Exhibition Tour The Golf and gHanamih ( Cherry Blossom) Tour Ancient Treasures of Japan and Korea 7 days Japan Escorted Tour from Christmas Eve to the year end!! Last Minutes Tour Deals by JNA Travel. Two other dates available. gKOIh ( Colored Carp ) and gGARDENh Tour Other Kyoto experiences and Geisha Tours IACE's Package Tour Special:Sumo Tour, etc Frank Lloyd Wright's Japan,gTHE WRIGHT WAYh -- A Collectorfs Passion Japan Experience Spring 2006 Package Tokyo and Beijing, Yangtze River Cruise Japan Railways moves closer to non-smoking service. Can an obaasan (with nine grandchildren) visit Japan on her own? -- A story of 5 nights in Japan written by a sweepstakes winner. I entered a contest sponsored by Jalpak, the tour company for Japan Airlines .... in March. I had quite forgotten about it and was surprised to find out in June that I had won a flight to Japan [more] Bathing Monkeys: In Nagano's Yudanaka Onsen not only humans enjoy the hot spring waters Yudanaka and Shibu Onsen are the two most prominent of more than half a dozen hot springs, clustered together in Yamanouchi Town in northern Nagano Prefecture. [more] Japan Airlines All Nippon Airways United Airlines American Airlines more Current Japan time HOME • SITE MAP • WEBSITE INFO © Japan National Tourist Organization

Austria Travel

Austria. At Last! Site Map | Meeting & Incentive | Professionals | Jobs | Your Country Portal: ----------------------- Österreich Australia België (nl) Belgique (fr) Canada Česká republika China Hrvatska Danmark Deutschland España France India Italia Japan Korea Magyarország Malaysia Nederland Polska România Russia Schweiz Singapore Israel Slovensk republika United Arab Emirates Slovenia Sverige Taiwan Thailand UK & Ireland USA All other countries Macromedia Flash Player: DOWNLOAD Macromedia Flash Player: DOWNLOAD -- Hotline: USA: 212 944-6880 Canada: 416 967-3381 Brochure Request Brochure Download E-Mail: travel@austria.info Register to get the latest information and travel deals. Home The longing for a vacation in Austria cannot be easily explained, sketched or demonstrated. Our friends, the two penguins Joe & Sally are the manifestation of this desire. They are curious and fascinated by the appeal of discovering a destination and the unknown - the wonderful quality of a truly Austrian experience. Joe and Sally are well travelled. In fact they have been practically everywhere and seen everything there is to see. Finally, the two are experiencing the wealth of enjoyment Austria has to offer. Go ahead and discover Austria - the most charming travel destination! If you are looking for an agent with excellent knowledge about Austria, we can help. Every year we educate travel agents across the U.S. & Canada, who graduate from our intensive course on Austria and are designated Austria Experts. More Celebrate the 40th anniversary of The Sound of Music . This great 2-disc set is brimming with all-new special features, incl. audio commentary by Julie Andrews & Christopher Plummer, SINGALONG karaoke subtitles and much more... More ...and clebrate his 250th birthday with us with great celebrations staged throughout Austria ...book now and celebrate with us... More Arranging your trip to Austria is easy. We have compiled great Travel opportunities specially for you... More Add information marked with to the Suitcase. and listen to Jeremy Irons presenting Mozart... More buy your tickets online... More make your reservation now... More ...get ready and buy travel literature for your stay in Austria... More About Us | Press | Contact | Imprint/Disclaimer (c) 2005 by Österreich Werbung - All rights reserved.

Disney Vacation Planner to

Disney Vacation Planner | Whether it is a fun filled cruise to the Caribbean, aboard a signature Disney Cruise Liner, or a family vacation to Disneyland, the happiest place on earth, Montrose Travel can help make it happen! Use our Disney Vacation Planner to start planning your.. | Montrosetravel.com - Flights, Tickets, Vacations, Cruises, Cheap Travel, Hotels, Cars, Cheap Tickets Login | Register | Email Signup | Sitemap Home 5 Day Flash Cruise Observer Disney Vacation Planner Welcome to the Happiest Celebration on Earth! Disneyworld Vacations Disneyland Vacations Disney Cruise Line Vacations Globus Europen Fall Offer Classic Hertz Offer Get Email Deals Select State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Travel Tools Travel Alerts Weather Maps Destination Info Airport Codes Flight Status Flight Tracker Flight Itinerary Passport Info Buy Foreign Currency Welcome to the MontroseTravel.com Disney Vacation Planner Enjoy a fun-filled vacation at the Disneyland Park and Resort! Check out our current offers: Have you always dreamed of visiting the Disneyworld Resorts? Check out our special promotions and make your dream a reality: Wanting to take a cruise this year?Try Disney Cruise Lines and enjoythe 7 seas in a Disney way! Home Page | Flights | Cars | Hotels | Cruises | Vacations | Group Travel | Corporate Travel | Honeymoon Travel | Independent Contractors | Luxury Travel | Customer Service | About Montrose Travel Affiliate Programs SARA Enterprises Inc., is not responsible for content on external Web sites. ©2005 Montrose Travel. All rights reserved. CST#1018299-10