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Off Season Travel In Europe - Tips and Tools for Off-Season Vacations You are here: About > Travel > Europe for Visitors > Europe Travel Planning > Off Season Travel In Europe - Tips and Tools for Off-Season Vacations Travel Go Europe Essentials European Vacation Planning Map Europe Travel 101 - Before you Go European Distances The Best of Europe European Photo Gallery Articles & Resources Europe Travel Planning What to do In Europe Lodging - Hotels and More European Travel Maps Sex and Nudism Travel Photography Transportation Benelux Countries France Germany Austria Switzerland Greece Italy and Malta Travel Info Scandinavian Travel Spain and Portugal United Kingdom and Ireland Buyer's Guide Before You Buy Top Picks Italy Travel Guidebooks Europe Travel Guidebooks German Travel Guidebooks Product Reviews Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Europe for Visitors newsletter! See Online Courses Search Europe for Visitors Off-Season Rain in Vienna - Time to duck into a cafe for some Sacher Torte! James Martin Stay up to date! Off-Season Rain in Vienna - Time to duck into a cafe for some Sacher Torte! James Martin Email to a friend Print this page Off Season Travel Tools Historic European Climate - Cities Hours of Daylight Winter Travel to Europe Off Season Things to Do Chrismas Markets in Europe Oktoberfest Fall Tours and Trips Recent Discussions Need Help Planning a Trip Accomodation in london Mediteranean Feries Most Popular Europe Map - Distances Between Cities in Western Europe Europe's Best Nudist Beaches Europe Picture Galleries Italy Pictures Europe Travel 101 - Before You Travel to Europe for the Firs... What's Hot Power Adapters Noord-Holland - Delights of North Holland Travel Visiting Pompeii Italy Guidebooks Naples - Getting There Related Topics France for Visitors Greece for Visitors United Kingdom / Ireland for Visitors Eastern Europe for Visitors Italy for Visitors Off Season Travel In Europe - Tips and Tools for Off-Season Vacations From James Martin , Your Guide to Europe for Visitors . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Travel Cheap - Enjoy Europe's Culture - Go in the Off-Season You'll hear seasoned travelers extolling the virtues of September-May off-season travel so often you probably know them by heart: fewer tourists, greater cultural options and mingling opportunities with the locals, more relaxed atmosphere, cheaper airfares and hotel rates, and the lack of that summer swelter. But there's a reason folks travel in high season in Europe: it seldom rains, there's maximum daylight, it's easy packing light, and there are abundant tourist resources. But off-season travel still aces out high-season travel in my book, because all those problems with off-season travel can be overcome with a few tricks seasoned travelers call upon to make their vacations meaningful and fun. Read on. Places to Go - Choosing an Off-Season Destination Seasoned travelers base their destinations on seasonal considerations. For example, I don't particularly fancy eating the traditional tourist favorites of Germany, Switzerland or Austria in summer; the food is too heavy for the heat. But give me a crisp fall day to walk the black forest or cruise the Rhine, then let me return to my hotel, take a hot bath, and go downstairs to a medieval wood-beamed room with roaring fire and I'll happily eat mounds of sausages and spaetzle while drinking lustily from a flask of homemade reisling. For Mediterranean countries, fall starts the rainy season. Over the ages, many cities have found ways to deal with the inconvenience of a daylight rain. The Italian city of Bologna features a huge network of arcaded streets. You can walk from one side of town to the other without getting wet. Medieval Europe featured houses with overhangs, it's one of the ways you can tell the older parts of a city. Old towns also offer seductive cafes. Pop in and nurse a coffee, soda, or warming snifter of brandy while waiting for the rain to taper off. Or use your railpass to take a scenic train ride . Hours of Sunlight - Off-Season's "Shorter" Days Yep, the off-season in Europe is marked by fewer hours of sunlight. This doesn't bother me at all, because I find moonlight strolls more seductive than daylight ones. If you shudder at the thought of walking "downtown" in a city after dark, consider that European city centers are quite a bit safer than most American ones at these hours, because European culture favors convivial meetings in public places along with moderate alcohol consumption. Filling the streets with good, honest people is probably the best defense against street crime there ever was. But how can you figure out how much daylight there'll be? Here's a handy site, The Sun and Moon Ephemerides . Pick your destination and the date, and the tool will return the hours of daylight to expect. Climate - What's the Off-Season Like? Here is a directory of historic climate for Europe's major cities . Packing Tips for the Off-Season in Europe Packing light is easy to accomplish when your daily wear is shorts and a shirt. Things get tricky when the weather cools. The key is layering. Everything in my suitcase goes with everything else. I wear a light undershirt, long sleeved shirt, sweater if it's going to be cold, light windbreaker/rain jacket for the rainy days. I pack two fashionable sweaters of varying warmth instead of lugging around a coat. On the beautiful days I don't end up with a coat slung over my arm that's too big for my suitcase. When it rains I simply get out my rain jacket. I can also wear a sweater into a fancy restaurant and look pretty presentable. (Europeans tend to dress more formally, especially in the off-season. You might consider throwing a tie or scarf into your suitcase.) But sweaters are big and bulky. True, but there's a fix. A sweater keeps you warm by trapping air between thin fibers, much like house insulation. Take the air out and sweaters compress to a fraction of their size. If you're stuck in the 50's, you have dad sit on your suitcase while you latch it. Today you can purchase clothes compressor bags. Eagle Creek makes some I use and recommend ( review ) ( check prices ). You'll find that you can squeeze 40-50 percent of bulk out of a sweater with these bags. The downside is that sweaters don't work as efficiently in the wind, and you may need that rain jacket as a windbreak on blustery days. The Bottom Line - What's good about Off-Season Travel in Europe Europe takes advantage of the cultural activities that enjoy a winter season. Sure, in summer you can hear short chamber music in Vienna structured for a tourist's short attention span, but you'll have to wait until the real symphony and opera season to hear the best European orchestras playing serious music for hours on end. And who cares if it's raining outside when you intend to spend your day at the Louvre? Bottom line: if you like meeting folks on their own turf, have a hankering for high culture, or just like to lounge around a roaring fire listening to a foreign language and dreaming of learning it--off-season travel is something you should try. 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 Power Adapters Noord-Holland - Delights of North Holland Travel Visiting Pompeii Italy Guidebooks Naples - Getting There
Spain Travel Map: Location
Valencia Spain Travel Information - Valencia Profile You are here: About > Travel > Europe for Visitors Travel Go Europe Essentials European Vacation Planning Map Europe Travel 101 - Before you Go European Distances The Best of Europe European Photo Gallery Articles & Resources Europe Travel Planning What to do In Europe Lodging - Hotels and More European Travel Maps Sex and Nudism Travel Photography Transportation Benelux Countries France Germany Austria Switzerland Greece Italy and Malta Travel Info Scandinavian Travel Spain and Portugal United Kingdom and Ireland Buyer's Guide Before You Buy Top Picks Italy Travel Guidebooks Europe Travel Guidebooks German Travel Guidebooks Product Reviews Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Europe for Visitors newsletter! See Online Courses Search Europe for Visitors Valencia, Spain Travel Map: Location of Valencia within Spain and the Iberian peninsula. James Martin Stay up to date! Valencia, Spain Travel Map: Location of Valencia within Spain and the Iberian peninsula. James Martin Email to a friend Print this page Valencia, Spain Travel Information Valencia Travel Directory Recent Discussions Need Help Planning a Trip Accomodation in london Mediteranean Feries Spain Maps Spain Travel Map Spain Rail Map Spain Region Map Most Popular Europe Map - Distances Between Cities in Western Europe Europe's Best Nudist Beaches Europe Picture Galleries Italy Pictures Europe Travel 101 - Before You Travel to Europe for the Firs... What's Hot Power Adapters Noord-Holland - Delights of North Holland Travel Visiting Pompeii Italy Guidebooks Naples - Getting There Related Topics France for Visitors Greece for Visitors United Kingdom / Ireland for Visitors Eastern Europe for Visitors Italy for Visitors Valencia Spain - Travel and Tourism Information for Valencia Valencia, Spain From James Martin , Your Guide to Europe for Visitors . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Valencia - Location: Valencia is located on Spain's eastern Mediterranean coast, on the Gulf of Valencia at the mouth of the Turia river. Throughout history, Valencia was one of the most important sea ports of the Iberian peninsula. Valencia is 350 km from either Madrid to the west or Barcelona, to the north. Valencia Population: Valencia's population is estimated at around 790,000 people. Languages of Valencia: Residents of Valencia speak Spanish, of course, but you'll also hear "Valenciano" when you're touring the neighborhoods. Valencia Train Stations: The Norte Railway Station of Valencia is located in the heart of Valencia. Daily connections to Madrid, Barcelona, Sevilla, Alicante, Port Bou (French border), Zaragoza, Bilbao and trains to other provinces leave from here. For more information and train schedules see RENFE , the Spanish Railway Service. Valencia Weather: Valencia is dominated by a Mediterranean climate, meaning there are warm and dry summers with relatively mild winters. The rainy season comes primarily in spring and fall, when there are occasional torrential rainfalls. The average July and August temperatures are 25 degrees Centigrade. For a Valencia weather forecast, see Valencia, Spain Forecast: Weather Underground . Las Fallas - Valencia's Most Famous Festival: Las Fallas is a festival held from March 12th to March 19th. What are Las Fallas? Huge papier-mache art sculptures are erected on almost every square. Usually there are around 300 of these, and most are indicative of social criticism and sarcasm. Then, on March 19th the Fallas are simultaneously burned at midnight in a ritual called " la nit del foc " Fiona Honor Hurley has written a wonderful description of Las Fallas for Boots and All, called The Fires of Spring . Valencia - The Covered Market: Fans of covered markets will want to head over to Valencia's huge central market, al Mercado Central de Valencia , for a fix. You'll find 8000 square meters of market space inside the steel and glass building decorated with Valencian ceramic tiles. Nearby is the Llotja de a Seda , the Silk Exchange, in Placa del Mercat--a testament to Valencia's lofty position in the silk trade. Shopping in Valencia: Handicrafts: What to look for in Valencia markets? Ceramics is one of the big hits, and anything crafted in wood or vegetable fibers is a good bet, as Valencia is in a very green zone. Rice is one of the big foodstuffs tourists might buy if they don't mind lugging a few kilos of rice around Europe for that next big paella. City of Arts and Sciences, Valencia, Spain: The 87-acre site contains Hemispheric , housing a planetarium and imax theater, the Trojan helmet like Palau de les Artes and the hands-on Prince Felipe Museum of the Sciences ( Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe) , where you are encouraged to build and discover elements of science. There's also L'Oceanogràfic , called the largest aquarium in Europe, housing species in pavilions named after their home oceans and seas. A covered garden view promenade called Umbracle brings it all together. Attractions in Valencia: Valencia is a city of art and history. There are lots of museums to visit. Here is a list of the most frequented: Bulfight Art Museum - right by the train station at C. Dr. Serra 16, the first museum in the world devoted to bullfighting. El Museo de Bellas Artas de Valencia - The fine arts museum is second only to Madrid's Prado. Lots of works from Valencia's golden age around the 15th century. Museum of Science "Principe Felipe" at 5 Avenida Autopista de El Saler 46013, an interactive museum inside the City of Arts and Science with exhibitions about science and technology. Valencian Institute of Modern Art - One of the best modern museums in Spain--plus the ancient walls cut right through it. For other interesting museums, see Museums in Valencia from Valencia Online. Valencia's Botanic Gardens , Jardi Botanic , are the oldest in the city and one of the more interesting in Europe, containing over 40,000 plants. Valencia's Cathedral was started in the 13th century, finished in the 15th. Although primarily gothic, it contains a mix of styles reflecting aspects of romanesque, gothic and baroque construction. There are guided tours from 4-7pm for a small charge. The Cathedral Museum, Museu de la Seo , is a little museum chock full of amazing treasures collected by the church. Find more interesting Valencia attractions in Valencia Online's Interesting places . Nighlife - Bohemians head over to the Barrio del Carmen , the "real" old town of Valencia with winding and narrow streets, the houses now teeming with restaurants, bars and clubs. In the summer the action moves over to the pubs and hangouts in the beach zone, along the Neptuno Avenue. Folks head out around 11, or earlier if tapas is required before your long night out. This is Spain, so you can't eat earlier than 9 or so unless it's tapas. 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 Power Adapters Noord-Holland - Delights of North Holland Travel Visiting Pompeii Italy Guidebooks Naples - Getting There
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Insurance for Canada and the United States by RBC Insurance RBC.com | Search | Site Map | Contact Us | Legal Terms | Français Other RBC Sites: Banking Investments Insurance Global Services Capital Markets Canada Individuals & Families Business Representatives & Distributors Representatives & Distributors United States Individuals & Families Business Policy Outsourcing & Software Solutions Reinsurance Newsroom For information about RBC Financial Group including corporate communications, investor relations, careers and more. About RBC About Our New Look Individuals & Families: Life & Health Insurance Property Insurance Auto Insurance Travel Insurance Loan, Mortgage & Credit Protection Business: Employee Benefits Employee Benefits Managers iServices Group Administration Forms Representatives & Distributors: Life & Health Insurance Travel Insurance 2004 Corporate Profile IBM to acquire Liberty Insurance Services RBC Insurance launches the RBC Local Hockey Leaders program -- Individuals & Families: Customer Service Life Insurance Annuities Travel Health Contact an Agent or Sales Representative Business: Secure Sign In RBC Insurance Sales Quick Links: About Us Insurance Ratings *The online discount is less for Quebec auto-plan members. The discount is only applicable for the first year of the auto policy for Ontario residents. rbcinsurance.com is operated by RBC Insurance Services Inc. Privacy | Legal Terms | Underwriters © RBC Insurance Services Inc. 2001 - 2005 Last modified: 12/08/2005 15:09:51
France Travel
France,france - Travel Photo Gallery U sername: P assword: R emember Me Car Hire Travel Insurance Airport Parking UK Cheap Accommodation Hotel Bookings Travellerspoint Travel Community Forums Blogs Destinations Accommodation Travel Help Reunions Tools Links France,france - Travel Photo Gallery Travel Photography > France,france - Travel Photo Gallery This Gallery Show as stream Size: XS S M Tags: france Countries: France Count: 54 Photos Related Categories: landscapes france me streets mountains people snow buildings art skylines Page 1 2 3 Next Monte Carlo Port, Monaco Date: 1 December 2005 Photographer: Rishi and Ben Fox : gallery Country: France : gallery Send as postcard Featured in the France Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M | L Napolean looks over the courtyard at Les Invalides This statue looks out over the courtyard at Les Invalides, where Napolean is buried Date: 16 October 2005 Photographer: Greg Wesson : gallery Country: France : gallery Tags: art Send as postcard Featured in the France Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M monmartre Date: 2 October 2005 Photographer: Adelina Ong : gallery Country: France : gallery Send as postcard Featured in the France Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M | L Exiting the Pantheon , Paris, France A fantastic view greets people leaving the Pantheon. In the distance is Luxembourg gardens, and in the far distance, the Eiffel tower. Date: 23 September 2005 Photographer: Greg Wesson : gallery Country: France : gallery Tags: cityscapes Send as postcard Featured in the France Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M | L Skull and bones in the catacombs of Paris, France Pretty creepy, no? Date: 12 September 2005 Photographer: Greg Wesson : gallery Country: France : gallery Send as postcard Featured in the France Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M | L Angel in Reims Notre Dame of Reims - laughing angel. Date: 15 August 2005 Photographer: Brigitte Leuridan : gallery Country: France : gallery Tags: art Send as postcard Featured in the France Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M | L Moissac abbey The abbey of Moissac is a highlight of the French medieval art. We had a wonderfull guided tour. Date: 18 July 2005 Photographer: Brigitte Leuridan : gallery Country: France : gallery Tags: art Send as postcard Featured in the France Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M | L Strasburo nereali katedra Date: July 2005 Photographer: Martynas Staskevicius : gallery Country: France : gallery Send as postcard Featured in the France Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M | L Kids, Paris Date: June 2005 Photographer: kel seow : gallery Country: France : gallery Tags: children france Send as postcard Featured in the France Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M | L Marais, Paris Date: June 2005 Photographer: kel seow : gallery Country: France : gallery Tags: streets france Send as postcard Featured in the France Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M | L Street Artistes, Montmartre Date: June 2005 Photographer: kel seow : gallery Country: France : gallery Tags: streets france Send as postcard Featured in the France Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M | L Signs Signs on the slopes of Val d'Isere. The glacier indicated had great skiing! Date: 1 May 2005 Photographer: Samuel Klingen Daams : gallery Country: France : gallery Tags: snow signs skiing Send as postcard Featured in the France Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M | L The Eiffel Tower Date: 9 April 2005 Photographer: Greg Wesson : gallery Country: France : gallery Send as postcard Featured in the France Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M Climbing the Arc de Triomphe Looking down the staircase at the Arc Date: 9 April 2005 Photographer: Greg Wesson : gallery Country: France : gallery Send as postcard Featured in the France Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M Vive la France The French flag flies above Paris Date: 9 April 2005 Photographer: Greg Wesson : gallery Country: France : gallery Send as postcard Featured in the France Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M Jardin du Palais Royal, Paris A great place to just sit and relax on a beautiful spring morning! Date: April 2005 Photographer: Katie F : gallery Country: France : gallery Send as postcard Featured in the France Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M Notre-Dame, Paris There are flowers everywhere in Paris in the springtime. Date: April 2005 Photographer: Katie F : gallery Country: France : gallery Send as postcard Featured in the France Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M Musée d'Orsay, Paris View from inside the Musée, looking out to Sacré Coeur Church. Date: April 2005 Photographer: Katie F : gallery Country: France : gallery Send as postcard Featured in the France Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M Ile de la Cité, Paris View from the Pont des Arts Date: April 2005 Photographer: Katie F : gallery Country: France : gallery Send as postcard Featured in the France Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M Montmartre Vineyard, Paris The only vineyard within the city limits of Paris. Date: April 2005 Photographer: Katie F : gallery Country: France : gallery Send as postcard Featured in the France Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M Paris by night View from the Georges Pompidou Centre Date: 14 March 2005 Photographer: Eoghan Healy : gallery Country: France : gallery Send as postcard Featured in the France Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M Notre Dame Catherdal, Paris Interior Date: 13 March 2005 Photographer: Eoghan Healy : gallery Country: France : gallery Send as postcard Featured in the France Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M Sacre Coeur, Montmartre, Paris Date: March 2005 Photographer: Evan Stringer : gallery Country: France : gallery Tags: churches buildings Send as postcard Featured in the France Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M | L Louvre Doesn't this one look pro? haha its a big deal for me Date: March 2005 Photographer: Evan Stringer : gallery Country: France : gallery Tags: buildings Send as postcard Featured in the France Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M | L Meribel French Alps Date: 2005 Photographer: Cristy Phelan : gallery Country: France : gallery Tags: landscapes mountains skylines snow Send as postcard Featured in the France Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M | L Page 1 2 3 Next © 2002 - 2005 Travellerspoint Travel Community | Contact | FAQ | About | Terms | Site Map
Mexico Travel
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