Germany Travel Mart: The


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GTM Germany Travel Mart 2006™ Home E-Mail Deutsch FAQ Print Sitemap Greeting Facts Exhibitors Buyers Journalists Contact More Information Germany Information (www.germany-tourism.de) Germany Trade Information (www.germany-extranet.net) Press Centre (www.germany-tourism.de) Germany Highlights (www.germany-extranet.net) Contact German National Tourist Board (GNTB) Beethovenstrasse 69 60325 Frankfurt/Main Tel.: +49 (0) 69/97 464-0 Fax: +49 (0) 69/97 464-105 E-Mail: messen@d-z-t.com Germany Travel Mart: The biggest workshop for incoming tourism to germany The Germany Travel Mart (GTM) is a real success story. Since its launch in 1972, this sales event designed specifically for the travel trade has become the most important meeting place for Germany’s incoming tourism industry. The tourism products and services offered by the German travel trade are at the heart of this B2B market place. In fact information, business development and purchasing are the Germany Travel Mart’s central themes. In short, the GTM is an essential event for international buyers and German service providers – that includes you! Would you like to offer your customers a wider range of attractions? Find out about new trends, destinations and what they have to offer – put together your next new selection of German products and services. Would you like to register now ? Exhibitors (German only) * Buyers * Journalists * (* password protected) German National Tourist Board. All rights reserved. Internet Agency: Department X GmbH, Rhein-Main end #pageInfo --
Russia Travel Resources >
Russia Travel Guide Long Distance Transportation You are here: About > Travel > Eastern Europe for Visitors > Russia-Belarus-Ukraine > Russia Travel Resources > Travel Essentials - Russia > Russia Travel Guide Long Distance Transportation Travel Go Eastern Europe Essentials Best of Eastern Europe Map of Central/Eastern Europe Photo Gallery Country Profiles Discount Travel Websites Articles & Resources Planning Your Trip Ways to Travel What to Do in East Europe Maps for Eastern Europe Czech-SlovakTravel Hungary Travel Poland Travel Russia-Belarus-Ukraine Romania-Moldova Travel Baltic Travel Balkan Travel Culture and Holidays Photo Galleries East Europe Travel and Language Books Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Eastern Europe for Visitors newsletter! See Online Courses Search Eastern Europe for Visitors Stay up to date! Email to a friend Print this page Most Popular First Christmas Tree Europe map Best of Eastern Europe Croatia Naturism and Nudism Discount Travel Websites What's Hot Krakow Photo Gallery Profiles of Eastern Europe Moscow City Profile Czech Republic Photo Gallery - Charles Bridge and castle Sofia's Religous Buildings Related Topics Hotels / Resorts / Inns European History Architecture Air Travel Europe for Visitors Intercity Travel - Russia From Apply Now , Your Guide to Eastern Europe for Visitors . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Russia Travel Guide Whether you're traveling across borders or from city to city, Russia has transportation options to get there.
Airlines
A number of airlines provide international flights to Russia, including the national airline Aeroflot that flies domestically and internationally. Also see this list of airlines of the new independent states of the former USSR.
Airports
There are three airports serving international flights to Moscow. The one you will fly to depends on the airline you use. The main other airports in Russia are also listed below.
Moscow: Sheremetyevo-2 - SVO - is the city's main international airport, located 35 km northwest of the city.
Moscow: Vnukovo -VKO- is an international airport located 11 km from the city.
Moscow: Domodedovo is a modern international airport increasingly attracting travel.
St. Petersburg: Pulkovo - LED.
Ekaterinburg: Koltsovo - SVX.
Kirovsk/Apatity - KVK.
Novosibirsk: Tolmachevo - OVB.
Rostov na Donu
For transportation from the airport to your accommodations, your options are to take a taxi, a shuttle, or public transportation, unless you are fortunate enough to have someone pick you up. While public transportation is the least expensive, luggage makes this choice not always practical. If you want to take a taxi, ignore anyone by the airport doors trying to give you a ride and go to the taxi line outside. You can order a taxi before you arrive with WaytoRussia.net . Many of the larger hotels offer shuttle service to and from the airport. Depending on the city, taxis can cost from $10-$25 to get you to your destination.
Trains
There are several types of long-distance trains in Russia:
High-speed trains (skorostnoj poezd'). These trains, numbered 161-169, travel at about 100 km per hour and have comfortable amenities.
Fast trains (skorry poezd'). These trains, which are reasonably comfortable, are numbered 1-160 and stop only at major stations.
Firm fast trains (firmeny poezd'). These trains are included with the group above but the "firmeny" indication means they have additional service, including cleaner cars, for which you will pay about 10 percent more. These trains include the Rossia that travels from Moscow to Vladivostok and the Krasnaya Strella from Moscow to St. Petersburg.
Passenger train (passazhersky poezd'). These trains are numbered 170-870, travel more slowly than the other trains listed above, and make many stops.
For long-distance routes, you can choose from options that approximate first, second and third class seating. Sleeping cars (first class) have two sleeping berths per compartment plus a small washbasin, and the toilets at the ends of the cars are usually clean(er). Kupes (second class) have four berths per compartment and the toilets are less desirable. Bring your own paper and disposable wipes. Platzkart (third class) has 54 berths per car.
For a timetable of trains across Russia and the CIS, see Poezda.net .
To buy your tickets, you can order them before you even leave for Russia by using an online travel service or a travel agent. You can buy your tickets in Russia at the train station, a railway agency office, or a travel agent.
Express Coaches/ Buses
You can get to Russia by bus and you can also get around Russia by bus. Inside Russia, you can travel very cheaply by bus from city to city (and to remote areas not served by trains) but the vehicles are not comfortable and usually are crowded (because they are cheap.) You'll certainly meet Russians this way, but without knowledge of the Russian language, you will face difficulties. You can buy tickets at the bus station but be prepared for a long wait.
The situation is different traveling internationally by bus. A number of private firms have very comfortable coach buses, and fares are usually cheaper than airfare, even when traveling from western Europe. Major coach companies are:
Eurolines . Connects you to 25 European countries.
Berlin Linien Bus - German-language site. This line takes you from western Europe to European Russia.
Beetroot Backpackers . Backpackers will enjoy the prices and fun with this low-priced bus option. Russia Travel Guide Index
Profile of Russia
City Profile: Moscow
City Profile: St. Petersburg
Before You Go
Need to Know
Money Matters
Intercity Travel
City Transit
Driving
Health and Safety
Lodging
Dining and Drinking
Communications
Shopping
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European Vacation Rentals bySteenie
Amazon.com: Vacation Rentals in Europe: A Guide: 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 Join Amazon Prime and ship Two-Day for free and Overnight for $3.99. Already a member? Sign in . or Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering. A9.com users save 1.57% on Amazon. Learn how . More Buying Choices 42 used & new from $2.27 Have one to sell? See larger image Share your own customer images Publisher: learn how customers can search inside this book. Vacation Rentals in Europe: A Guide (Paperback) by Michael Murphy , Laura Murphy List Price: $19.95 Price: $19.95 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. See details Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours. Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Only 1 left in stock--order soon (more on the way). Want it delivered Thursday, December 29? Choose One-Day Shipping at checkout. See details 42 used & new available from $2.27 Better Together Buy this book with European Vacation Rentals bySteenie Harvey today! Buy Together Today: $37.90 Customers who bought this book also bought European Vacation Rentals by Steenie Harvey A Traveler's Guide to Vacation Rentals in Europe: Apartments, Villas, Cottages, Chalets, Farmhouses and Condos by Michael Murphy Explore Similar Items : in Books Editorial Reviews Book Description If you have ever dreamed of staying in a villa in Tuscany or in a Tyrolian chalet, but thought it was beyond your budget, this book will show you how you can make your vacation dreams come true. Instead of visiting Europe as a tourist and paying high hotel rates, you can experience Europe more intimately-and affordably. Join the growing number of travelers, especially those with families, who are realizing substantial savings by booking their rentals directly through European rental agencies and organizations. Authors Michael and Laura Murphy are experienced travelers who have personally inspected each type of accommodation featured in the book and culled the best-from limestone cottages in the Cotswolds to condos on the Costa del Sol. From the Publisher Includes all the information you need to secure the perfect vacation rental: * Names, addresses, and phone numbers of the most reputable rental agencies * What to look for in a rental agreement and what information you should provide when inquiring about rentals, including advance-booking deadlines * Detailed descriptions of the regions of each country * Average prices of rental properties * Accessibility to transportation * Information on buying, leasing and renting cars Michael and Laura Murphy are the authors of Interlink's The Waterways of Great Britain and Ireland: A Traveller's Guide to Rental Boating. Product Details Paperback: 464 pages Publisher: Interlink Publishing Group (October, 2000) Language: English ISBN: 1566563585 Product Dimensions: 9.0 x 5.9 x 1.1 inches Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds. ( View shipping rates and policies ) Amazon.com Sales Rank: Today: #886,449 in Books Yesterday: #881,060 in Books (Publishers and authors: improve your sales ) Customers interested in this title may also be interested in: Sponsored Links: What is this? Travel + Leisure Magazine Try 2 Free trial issues. Enjoy the endless possibilities of travel www.TravelandLeisure.com Europe Travel Guide Top quality Low Cost Student Tours Teachers travel free! www.Explorica.com European Vacation Rentals Private vacation rentals in Europe , low rates. Photos & weekly rates. www.A1Vacations.com Feedback Customer Reviews Be the first person to review this item . 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Air Travel
Airport timetables of Greece." CaptainChris Greek Air Travel News Airline News Greek Airlines Air Travel News Travel Tips Traveller's Tales Travel surveys Photo section Thessaloniki Airport timetable CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE COMMERCIAL WEB SITE OF CaptainChris C.2000 VirageNet A CaptainChris creation GREEK AIRLINE NEWS Philoxenia2000 Tourist Trade Fair November 2 to 5 in Thessaloniki, Greece at the Helexpo centre. In 10000sq meters, 530 stands from 16 countries with Turkey taking part for the first time. Aegean Airlines and Cronus Airlines had very good representation at the fair with good looking and informative stands. Cronus had several tickets that could be won in a simple competition. Olympic Airways had for the second year the best stand, they had a competition to, with several domestic tickets to be won, but the big attraction was a flight simulator on which you could try to take-off and land at Osaka's Kansai airport, with a choice of All Nippon 737, 767, 777 or 747 aircraft's. Axon Airlines, Galaxy Airways, Alitalia, Crossair and CSA Czech Airlines had a stand of their own, while several airlines were represented by their general sales agents or the tourist bureaus of their countries. Virgin Atlantic was present for the first time in Philoxenia, the airline was placed in a small part of the Aegean Airlines stand. Cyprus Airways, also present with their own stand every year, had a competition for a 4-day holiday in Cyprus for three pairs. Axon Airlines Axon Airlines has ordered four 50 seat Embraer ERJ145s. Deliveries are to take place during 2001. Axon is to return to Rome with a twice daily ERJ145 service next spring, while launching two new destinations to be operated with the new regional jets. Lyon and Strasbourg in France. Olympic Airways Group Olympic Airways has increased the number of domestic operated in Greece with the addition of one daily return from Athens to Thessaloniki, Chania, Kavala and Kerkyra, while at the same time upgraded ATR72 flights to 737-200 four times a week to Lemnos and once daily to Ioannina. On its international network the carrier added two flights per week from Athens to Istanbul now totalling at nine per week. Flights to Milan have been reduced to two, down from three, for the winter months. The airline discontinues flights to Riyadh, while increasing frequencies to the other remaining Saudi Arabia destination, Jeddah from two to five per week. A weekly service to Brussels has been added now totalling 11 flights a week. Olympic Aviation, the regional subsidiary of Olympic has upgraded the twice weekly service between Thessaloniki and Istanbul, Turkey from ATR72 to Boeing 717 aircraft, the regional carrier also launched a once weekly service between Heraklio and Larnaca, Cyprus. 11 Boeing 737-200 and 3 Airbus A300-605R have been fully refurbished, and now work starts on 13 Boeing 737-400s which should be completed by March of 2001. The refurbishment consists of changing the colours and materials used on carpeting, wallpaper, the plastic and foam rubber on passenger seats, seatbelts, wall coverings and flight attendants seats. All entranceways and other surfaces of the cabin have been upgraded. Cutting edge technology materials have been used with special aesthetic specifications. Part of the refurbishment is the installation of new Business Class seats in the Boeing 737 -200, -300 and -400 aircraft family. Convertible Leather seats that convert from a 3-3 layout to a more comfortable 2-3 layout and 35inches of seat pitch giving increased personal space. A spacious drinks table now separates two seats from each other. The seats also have footrests, adjustable headrests and backs that recline at a greater angle than before. Olympic Aviation is to add a third Boeing 717 aircraft this January. This aircraft is to based in Thessaloniki, where two more 717s are based and operated to Munich, Stuttgart, Istanbul, Amsterdam, Berlin, Brussels, Paris and Larnaca. The third aircraft is to be used for the launch of new services to Rome and Tel Aviv. The carrier is also evaluating the possibility to re-launch services from Thessaloniki to Belgrade, Yugoslavia and launching new routes to Skopje, Macedonia and Sofia, Bulgaria. Higher costs because of the strong US Dollar and the continuing rise in fuel prices forced the carrier to rise its fares for the second time in one year by 10% on domestic routes only. Galaxy Airways Galaxy Airways is operating this winter with a single Boeing 737-500, while the carriers 737-400 is being returned to its lessor. The airline plans to lease two Boeing 737-400s at the beginning of next year and to add frequencies on existing routes. Galaxy discontinues flights from Preveza for the current winter season. Aegean Airlines Aegean Airlines is to add two ATR72-500s next spring to allow for the increasing of frequencies on some routes and to launch new destinations. Mykonos, Kos and Zakinthos are under consideration. The airline is to replace its three ATR72-100 with a similar number of upgraded ATR72-500 when the leases of these aircraft expire in two years time. The carrier is in talks with both SkyTeam and the Star Alliance with a possibility in joining either one of these alliances. Higher costs because of the strong US Dollar and the continuing rise in fuel prices forced the carrier to increased its fares by 12%. Cronus Airlines Cronus Airlines announced that by the summer of 2001 the company will add two more Boeing 737 aircrafts, one -300 and one -700, to its fleet of 6. 4 737-300 and 2 737-400s. The constantly expanding flight schedule of Cronus Airlines includes as from November 20 a new domestic destination, Mytilene which is to be served twice daily from Athens. New routes from Kavala are also launched and include a daily service to Athens, a second weekly flight to Stuttgart and a service to Cologne. Within the context of the continuous efforts made for the improvement of the services provided by the carrier, Cronus Club, a new business class has been launched. Passengers enjoy more space, priority on reservations, priority check-in and luggage collection, special transport service to the airport, weight allowance of 30Kgs, exquisite food served in flight! Soon special Airport lounges will be offered to Cronus Club passengers waiting for their flight in Athens, Heraklio, Thessaloniki and all international destinations. The airline is refurbishing the cabins of all its aircrafts and by March of 2001 all will have comfortable leather seats with leg room increased to 32 inches in Economy and 34 in Cronus Club, where the new seats will convert from 3-3 to 2-3 giving more elbow space to passengers. Cyprus Airways Cyprus Airways has announced that from next March it will add a fourth daily service between Larnaca and Athens and upgrade its three weekly flights to Thessaloniki to a daily operation. The carrier is soon to decide on a replacement aircraft for its four Airbus A310s. The A330-200 and the new Boeing 767-400 are more favourable. Cyprus Airways is also to add two or three 50-70 seat regional jets to its fleet in the near future to operate short haul routes to Tel Aviv, Beirut, Amman, Damascus, Cairo and Rhodes. CSA-Czech Airlines CSA Czech Airlines which is the latest member of the SkyTeam Alliance announced that from next spring will operate a daily schedule from Prague to Athens, while its, until now, seasonal twice weekly flights to Thessaloniki will be operated year-round from next year. The carrier is also to replace its two Airbus A310s in the near future with the Boeing 767-400 being favoured as a convenient replacement. Crossair/Sabena Swissair subsidiary Crossair, is to double its frequencies between Zurich and Thessaloniki next spring with the addition of a mid day departure from Zurich and an afternoon departure from Thessaloniki. The carrier expressed the need for a more frequent schedule after experiencing very high load factors this last summer season. The current early morning departure from Thessaloniki connects in Zurich with Swissair's European and Intercontinental network and many passengers use this convenient service. Swissair's other subsidiary Sabena is to add a third daily service between Brussels and Athens. This new flight will depart Brussels in the evening and Athens early in the morning allowing easy connections to be made in Brussels to several destinations in America. Alitalia Alitalia, is continuing its second daily service from Thessaloniki to Milan citing increased demand especially for passengers wishing to transfer in Milan to Alitalia's European and International network. The airline previously used to operate this second daily flight only during the high summer season. In other Alitalia news, the airline has cut back on many flights citing low load factors and increased costs from strong US Dollar and increasing fuel prices. Flights to Bangkok, Sydney, Addis Ababa and Nairobi have been withdrawn, while cut-backs have been made to its short haul network also. Continental Airlines Continental Airlines announced that it is hoping to launch a daily service between New York Newark and Athens next Spring with brand new Boeing 767-400 equipment. The service will be operated with a smaller 767-200 in the winter months. British Airways British Airways Manager for Greece and Cyprus Mr. Vassilis Dallaris said that the airline plans to discontinue its daily service from London Gatwick to Athens currently operated by Boeing 737-400 aircraft and instead add a third daily 767 service from London Heathrow. This flight will depart Heathrow early in the morning and from Athens in the afternoon. These changes are to be made to satisfying increased demand for travel between Athens and London. While the competition is high with five airlines operating on the route, (British Airways, Olympic Airways, Cronus Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and EasyJet) and recent increased flights from Olympic Airways, the British carrier has managed to maintain its position on the market. In a question if British Airways plans to re-launch flights to Thessaloniki Mr. Dallaris said that he has proposed to the London Headquarters a daily nonstop flight which should depart from London in the evening staying overnight in Thessaloniki and depart in the morning for London allowing transit passengers from Greece to the USA and Canada to connect in either Heathrow or Gatwick. A decision is to be made soon. JAT-Yugoslav Airlines JAT-Yugoslav Airlines has ordered 8 Airbus A319 aircraft and is considering ordering a similar number of Airbus A320 aircrafts to replace its current fleet of 6 Boeing 727-200 and 7 Boeing 737-300s. The airline is also to decide on a replacement for its McDonnell Douglas DC10-30 long-haul aircraft now used only for a twice weekly service between Belgrade and Beijing. The Airbus A330-200 or -300 is favoured by the carrier and a need for two or three examples is being discussed. The airline wants to upgrade its flights to both Athens and Thessaloniki to a daily service, currently operated twice weekly with a 737-300 aircraft on a BEG-ATH-SKG-BEG routing. Iberia Iberia Airlines of Spain, plan to add a second daily service between Madrid and Athens from next Spring. This will be in addition to its daily Madrid-Barcelona-Athens service. The airline also intents to add Thessaloniki to its network with a daily service from Madrid. Maersk Air Maersk Air of Denmark, which has experienced high load factors this summer season with its daily Copenhagen-Athens 737-500 service, has launched a four weekly service to Cairo, Egypt and a trice weekly service to Istanbul, Turkey with Boeing 737-500 equipment. The airline is to change to a larger capacity 737-700 aircraft for its Athens schedule next spring and is evaluating the possibility of launching a service to Larnaca, Cyprus. Athens Airport Charges Many airlines have expressed their concern about the fact that landing and handling fees at the new Athens Airport E. Venizelos, which is to open next March, will be higher 100-200% compared with the current fees charged at Hellinikon Ariport. The airport company says that service levels at the new site will be better and the fees charged will be compatible with other airports in the region. The Greek Transport Minister Mr. Christos Verelis said that Greek tax payers have invested a lot of money into the project and they should get back their moneys as soon as possible. Istanbul Airport in Turkey, which has just opened a new state-of-the-art terminal is charging 10% lower than the current Athens Airport and authorities are more efficient with traffic rights. Istanbul has no plans to increase its tariffs. Larnaca Airport which is also expanding and upgrading its facilities charges the same as the current Athens Airport and has no plans to increase rates. It seems that the new Athens airport will have double or triple the fees charged by neighbouring airport hubs. Vernicos Aviation Vernicos Yachts Shipping SA announced the full takeover of KAL Aviation SA, a Greek airline company, for 2.1 billion drachmas, signalling its expansion into the airline industry. The new company, to be named Vernicos Aviation (VER-AVIA), is expected to present a turnover of 1.25 billion drachmas and net profits of 100 million drachmas this year, with a forecast for a turnover of 1.65 billion and net profit of 300 million drachmas in 2001. KAL Aviation is the largest private light cargo airline in Greece, servicing the country's islands and has recently acquired a self-handling licence for the the new Athens airport at Spata. A Vernicos Yachts statement said the takeover was in the framework of a strategic plan of the company to transform into a holding company, covering sea tourism, air transport and shipping activities. The company plans to expand its aviation activities in the Middle East and the Balkans. The new company employs 60 people and has a fleet of four airplanes servicing 13 domestic destinations daily (including Larnaca, Cyprus). It has acquired traffic rights for flights to Tirana, Albania, and Belgrade, Serbia. Professor Christos Papageorgiou, a former Olympic Airways' chairman, was appointed president of Vernicos Aviation. Cretan Airways Konstantinos Badouvas, former Air Greece founder and chairman, announced that the new airline will finally launch operations December 1st with two 70 seat ATR72 aircraft's. The airline awaits its certificate and operations licence from the Greek CAA which has been delayed two times until now, Mr. Badouvas said to the "Patris" newspaper. The airline has started requiting personnel that is been trained to the highest standards. The two aircraft's have been painted and delivered to the airline's hub in Heraklio. First routes served by Cretan Airways will be Heraklio-Athens, Heraklio-Thessaloniki, Heraklio-Rhodes and Chania-Athens.