London Vacation

Vacation Packages - Paris Travel Deals, London Travel Deals, Britain Travel Deals Best Virgin Bargains Value-Plus Virgin Virgin Deluxe & Different Virgins Holiday Getaways Air Only Beyond London South Africa Cambodia China Hong Kong India Indonesia Japan Singapore Thailand Vietnam Australia Fiji Islands New Zealand Tahiti Argentina Belize Brazil Chile Costa Rica Ecuador Guatemala Honduras Panama Peru Uruguay Asia Europe Austria Belgium Czech Republic Denmark England Finland France Germany Greece Hungary Ireland Italy Malta Netherlands Norway Portugal Scotland Spain Sweden Switzerland Turkey Aruba Dominican Republic Jamaica Mexico St. Martins Home \\ Check Reservation \\ Contact Us \\ Site Map \\ Privacy Policy Virgin`s London Excursion (Air Inclusive) London is brimming with culture and is filled with artistic and architectural triumphs. This wonderful city has something for everyone and with the extras we've included you're sure to have the trip of a lifetime. Package Includes Round-trip Economy air on Virgin Atlantic, complete with Meet & Greet service in London Round-trip transportation between London airport and hotel 6 nights hotel accommodations Hotel taxes and service charges Continental Breakfast daily Original London Sightseeing Bus Tour The Pub Pass, go for lunch and a drink in a London pub Virgin's exclusive London City Guide Discounts for off-site parking at your departure airport in the states with AirportDiscountParking.com (at participating locations) Discount coupons featuring the Maxwell's Restaurant Group (Not valid in December) Discount coupon for Magellan's Travel Supplies "Welcome Abroad" carry-all Mandated airline fuel surcharges Package price excludes airport taxes and fees Package Categories Prices based from 1/10/2006 to 3/25/2006 Title Category Location Double Triple Single Tria Hotel Budget London $759 $759 $1039 My Place Hotel Budget London $789 $789 $1139 Regent Palace Hotel Budget London $819 $819 $1019 Holiday Villa Hotel Tourist London $829 $829 $1119 Ramada Marylebone Hotel Tourist London $879 $879 $1159 Queens Park Hotel Budget London $879 N/A $1199 Millennium Knightsbridge Hotel Superior London $949 N/A $1439 Somerset Bayswater Hotel Standard London $989 N/A $1499 K West Hotel & Spa Superior London $989 $989 $1439 St Giles Central London Hotel Tourist London $1019 $1019 $1599 Harrington Hall Hotel Superior London $1049 $1049 $1619 Flemings Mayfair Hotel Superior London $1089 $1089 $1729 Montcalm Hotel Nikko Superior London $1129 $1129 $1749 Royal Garden Hotel Deluxe London $1369 $1369 $2339 Sheraton Park Lane Hotel Deluxe London $1639 $1639 $2669 Swissotel London Howard Hotel Deluxe London $1769 N/A $2869 Grosvenor House Hotel London Deluxe London $2019 $2019 $3429 Ritz London Hotel Superior Deluxe London $2749 N/A $4569 Hotel Category Help Departure cities: $0 - New York JFK Newark-NJ $30 - Boston-MA $80 - Washington Dulles $170 - Albany-NY Hartford-CT Philadelphia-PA Providence-RI $210 - Buffalo-NY Manchester-NH Rochester-NY Syracuse-NY $220 - Cleveland-OH Norfolk-VA Ottawa Portland-ME $230 - Los Angeles-CA Miami-FL Orlando International San Francisco-CA $380 - Las Vegas-NV Notes & Restrictions Notes: Space is limited and your desired travel dates may not be available if you wait, so book early to avoid disappointment. We highly recommend 2nd and 3rd choices for travel dates and/or accommodations. A supplement will be charged for transfers that operate on December 25th, 26th and January 1st. Please note : Our award-winning carrier Virgin Atlantic Airways operates non-stop flights to London from JFK, Newark, Boston, Washington Dulles, Orlando, Miami, Los Angeles San Francisco and Las Vegas. All other destinations within the U.S. are serviced by Continental Airlines and will be routed to connect through to Virgin's New York gateway. Final payment due 45 days prior to departure. Passport Requirements: It is the sole responsibility of each passenger to obtain the necessary documents for travel, not excluding passports and visas. A valid passport is normally the only requirement for U.S. citizens. Visa requirements do change without notice and vary by nationality. Please check with the consulate office of the destination country as to visa requirements. Restrictions: Prices are per person based on double occupancy and a 21-day advance purchase. Purchases within 21 days will incur additional fees. Flight departure times may be at any time on your requested departure day. Surcharges of $25 per person each way may apply for travel Friday through Sunday. Prices already include the mandated airline fuel surcharges. Air taxes/Government-imposed fees/surcharges are excluded. These fees are in addition to the package prices and will be added to invoice. Travel is valid for these dates only. Certain other restrictions may apply, and offer is subject to change without notice. Once submitted your request can take at least 24 hours to confirm. Book This Package 12/24/2005-1/9/2006 from $779 1/10/2006-3/25/2006 from $759 3/26/2006-5/28/2006 from $919 5/29/2006-8/30/2006 from $1269 8/31/2006-10/31/2006 from $919 ' CLASS=SubmitBtn style='width:150px' Purchase Deadline Jan 19, 06 - Thu Helpful Links Return to previous page Print this page Send this page to a friend -- Personal Service Can't find what you're looking for? Call us for further information or to book. We specialize in customized vacations! 1-888-937-8474 Call for personal service: 9am - 8pm Mon - Fri, 10am - 4pm Sun (EST). Book This Package 12/24/2005-1/9/2006 from $779 1/10/2006-3/25/2006 from $759 3/26/2006-5/28/2006 from $919 5/29/2006-8/30/2006 from $1269 8/31/2006-10/31/2006 from $919 ' CLASS=SubmitBtn style='width:150px' Customer Quotes -- Virgin Vacations Home | Europe Vacations | Central America | Asia Vacations | South Pacific | Caribbean Vacations Mexico Vacations | Low Cost Paris Flights | Paris Travel Deals | London Travel Deals | Britain Travel Deals Exclusive Vacations | Sight Seeing | Vacation Packages | Vacation Resources | Vacation Articles | Site Map ©2005 Virgin Vacations. Offers worldwide cheap vacation packages and escorted tours including Paris travel deals, London travel deals, Britain travel deals, European vacation deals

cruise vacation? This site

All-inclusive resorts and cruise vacation source All-inclusive resorts vacation and cruise vacations Want an all-inclusive resort vacation or a cruise vacation? This site provides the vacation seeker with a comprehensive source for all-inclusive resort vacation and cruise vacation information. You will find your dream vacation for a wide variety of destinations including the Caribbean (Carribean), Mexico and the Mexican Riviera, Europe, Asia and many other destinations worldwide. all-inclusive resort vacation and cruise vacation worldwide for the family, couples, singles and honeymooners; hot specials and discount deals are posted daily in our searchable database. Caribbean all-inclusive resorts We offer an extensive database of caribbean resorts to choose from. Simply locate the all-inclusive resort of your choice and click on the request quote button to receive your free quote within 24-hour. Our travel agents will give you the personal attention and find you the lowest cost for the all-inclusive resort of your choice. All-inclusive carribean resorts are very popular with travelers. Mexican resorts are also very popular especially in Cancun and Puerto Vallarta. Cruise Vacation Cruise vacation source for all the major cruise lines including Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Windstar, Carnival, Silver Seas. Specializing in caribbean cruises, mexican cruises, alaskan cruises and european cruises. Cruise specials and all-inclusive resort vacation specials and discounts Hot specials and discounts for cruise vacations and all-inclusive resorts are posted every day. Check back often and search our specials and discounts database. If you are currently seeking a great deal on a cruise or all-inclusive resort vacation package you will find a large selection of specials and discounts for both cruise vacations and resort vacations worldwide. All-inclusive Resort vacation and cruise resources: All-inclusive resorts Cruise vacation Cruise pecials and resort Specials and Discounts SuperClubs (Super Clubs) All-inclusive resorts Sandals All-inclusive resorts Cruises: Royal Caribbean Windstar Cruises Celebrity Cruise Line Carnival Cruise Line all-inclusive resorts, caribbean cruises, caribbean resorts, cruise vacation, resort vacation, caribbean resorts and caribbean cruises are targeted key words © 2004-2005 All-Inclusives.com, All Rights Reserved.

Family Vacation Ideas Winter

Holiday Season: Family Vacation Ideas  You are here: About > Travel > Travel with Kids Travel Travel with Kids Essentials Family Vacation Ideas Winter and Spring Break All-Inclusive Resorts Ten Latest Family Travel Deals Family Resorts: top places; photos Articles & Resources Family Travel: What's Hot Top Vacation Spots VT, ME, NH, CT, MA, NY, PA Mexico Family Vacations Caribbean Vacations More Beach Vacations Florida Family Vacations Resorts with Water Park More Family Resorts Fun Places for Kids Disney Vacations Family Cruises Babies;Teens;Single Parents Lots More Destinations Family Travel TIPS, GAMES Buyer's Guide TAKE ALONG: Christmas books Christmas flicks Activity Kits more CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Travel with Kids newsletter! See Online Courses   Search Travel with Kids Holiday Season: Family Vacation Ideas Travel with Kids Blog « New at The Atlantis | Main | Holiday Packages » From Teresa Plowright , Your Guide to Travel with Kids . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! November 19, 2005 Holiday Season: Family Vacation Ideas Nickelodeon Family Suites by Holiday Inn in Orlando has an amazing amount of fun on-site: two waterparks; Sponge-Bob and other Nick characters; pool games and nightly entertainment designed by Nickelodeon. Not surprisingly, extra fun is planned for the Holiday Season. Click to read details about seasonal parades, parties, shows, and sliming. (You can also click to learn more about Nick Hotel .) lots more Holiday Season ideas continued below... Nickelodeon Family Suites by Holiday Inn: Holiday Season --This information has been provided by Nickelodeon Family Suites by Holiday Inn -- It's the first Holiday Season for NickHotel-- but the property has already won an award as Best Holiday Inn in North America" and visitors can expect major fun over the holidays. The season continues through Jan. 8, celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa with holiday entertainment. SpongeBobs Christmas Wish : SpongeBob SquarePants discovers the magic in an interactive musical, in which guests dive down to Bikini Bottom to uncover the origins of the very first undersea Christmas. Lots of jokes and sing-alongs. Holiday theming : all the usual fun shows get a holiday flavor, especially the live shows in the Studio Nick (theater. Santa Claus joins SpongeBob throughout December, meeting kids each weekday evening. special viewings of A Rugrats Chanukah . Holiday Menus : Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Eve and New Years Day. New Year's Eve: The Official Last Sliming of 2005 : two lucky guests get the last slime of the year, followed of course by The Official First Sliming of 2006 . Also on New Year's Eve: dive-in movies from 7:00pm to midnight; DJ at the Lagoon Pool from 8:00pm; for younger guests, Cosmo and Wanda countdown to the New Year in Fairyland. Click to see more about Holiday Events at Nickhotel, and also seasonal deals . Rates for the Season best deals are available for advance bookings for weekday stays: $125/night, forselect dates in Nov. and Dec. 2005, Jan and Feb. 2006 non-advance purchase rates start at $184 midweek Friday and Saturday rates begin at $249 and $199 for November and December with some blackout dates book early to get the best rates Find out more -- and see photos -- about " Nick Hotel ". Email to a Friend Display Latest Headlines | | | Read Archives powered by Movable Type Advertisement Most Popular Charades -How To Play Charades Family Vacation Spots The Atlantis Resort Great Places to See Santa Disney Christmas Magic Kingdom What's Hot Grand Floridian Chinese New Year - 2006 Poconos Great Wolf Lodge photo Dog Friendly Hotels, inns, lodges -- find dog-friendly vacat... Kwanzaa Related Topics Florida for Visitors New England for Visitors Theme Parks Hotels / Resorts / Inns Parenting of K-6 Children        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 Grand Floridian Chinese New Year - 2006 Poconos Great Wolf Lodge photo Dog Friendly Hotels, inns, lodges -- find dog-friendly vacat... Kwanzaa Headlines Bunch of family travel deals Latest deals added include a January Travel Special at the... First Nights! "First Night" events celebrate New Year's with family-friendly festivities-- and... Top Family Travel Trends in 2005 It's that time of year... to pause the mad dash... Bookmark the NORAD Tracks Santa site! It's not a family trip, but it's certainly a trip...

Argentina Travel Guide >

Argentina flights to Argentina Travel to Argentina Tickets Buenos Aires Airfare Patagonia Tickets Search Exito Travel.com: Book your hotel online: Choose a country Argentina Belize Bolivia Brazil Chile Colombia Costa Rica Ecuador Guatemala Honduras Mexico Nicaragua Panama Paraguay Peru El Salvador Uruguay Venezuela Choose a city Select a City Abilene, TX Ackron, OH Albany, NY Albuquerque, NM Allentown, PA Amarillo, TX Atlanta, GA Austin, TX Baltimore, MD Bangor, ME Baton Rouge, LA Birmingham, AL Boston, MA Brownsville, TX Buffalo, NY Burlington, VT Charleston, SC Charlotte, NC Chicago, IL Cincinnati, OH Cleveland, OH Colorado Springs, CO Columbia, SC Columbus, OH Corpus Christi, TX Dallas, TX Dayton, OH Daytona Beach, FL Denver, CO Detroit, MI El Paso, TX Erie, PA Flint, MI Fort Lauderdale, FL Fort Meyers, FL Fort Wayne, FL Grand Rapids, MI Greensboro, NC Greenville, SC Gulfport, MS Harlingen, TX Harrisburg, PA Hartford, CT Houston, TX Huntsville, AL Indianapolis, IN Jackson, MS Jacksonville, FL Kalamazoo, MI Kansas City, MO Knoxville, TN Lansing, MI Laredo, TX Las Vegas, NV Little Rock, AR Los Angeles, CA (LAX) Lubbock, TX Madison, WI Manchester, NH Mc Allen, TX Memphis, TN Miami, FL Midland/Saginaw, MI Midland/Odessa, TX Milwaukee, WI Minneapolis, MN Moblie, AL Nashville, TN New Orleans, LA New York, NY Newark, NJ Norfolk, VA Oakland, CA Oklahoma City, OK Omaha, NE Ontario, CA Orange County, CA Orlando, FL Palm Springs, CA Pensacola, FL Philadelphia, PA Phoenix, AZ Pittsburgh, PA Portland, OR Portland, ME Providence, RI Raleigh, NC Reno, NV Richmond, VA Rochester, NY Sacramento, CA Salt Lake City, UT San Antonio, TX San Diego, CA San Francisco, CA San Jose, CA Sarasota, FL Savannah, GA Seattle, WA Shreveport, LA South Bend, IN St Louis, MO Syracuse, NY Tampa, FL Toledo, OH Tucson, AZ Tulsa, OK Tyler, TX Victoria, TX Waco, TX Washington DC West Palm Beach, FL Westchester, NY Wichita, KS Wilkes-Barre, PA Why can't I find my departure city? Apr 2005 May 2005 Jun 2005 Jul 2005 Aug 2005 Sep 2005 Oct 2005 Nov 2005 Dec 2005 Jan 2006 Feb 2006 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec -- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Select A Country -ARGENTINA- -BELIZE- -BRAZIL- -CHILE- -COLOMBIA- -COSTA RICA- -ECUADOR- -EL SALVADOR- -GUATEMALA- -HONDURAS- -MEXICO- -NICARAGUA- -PANAMA- -PARAGUAY- -PERU- -URUGUAY- -VENEZUELA- -BELGIUM- -FRANCE- -GERMANY- -ITALY- -NETHERLANDS- -SPAIN- -UNITED KINGDOM- Then a City Why are some cities ALLCAPS? Apr 2005 May 2005 Jun 2005 Jul 2005 Aug 2005 Sep 2005 Oct 2005 Nov 2005 Dec 2005 Jan 2006 Feb 2006 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec -- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 -- Later Date? Round Trip One Way Normal Flights Group Flights Extended Stay Flights Airpasses Multi-Stop Flights Adult 2-11 yrs < 2 yrs 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Flight Options: Flights for Groups Extended Stay Flights Multi-Country Flights Resources: Travel Tips Travel Resources Special Requests Study Spanish Trips and Treks About Us: Why Exito? Contact us Discount Airfare > Argentina Flights & Travel Buenos Aires Travel Overview Buenos Aires is arguably the most beautiful capital city in Latin America. It prides itself on its European feel, modern architecture, plethora of cafes, active nightlife and of course as the home to the tango. The city is well-suited to tourism with plentiful buses, colectivos, a fairly extensive metro system, the subte , and centralized attractions based around plazas in a grid-like layout. The capital city is divided into neighborhoods, barrios , which are detailed below. You should plan a minimum of three - four days to fully enjoy the city, more if nightlife is your thing. Porteños (residents of Buenos Aires) tend to be very well-dressed, even by Latin American standards, and are known for a somewhat cool, elitist attitude. Buenos Aires Travel Info provided by Live Travel Guides Argentina Travel Guide > Argentina Travel Guide -- Buenos Aires -- The Argentine Andes -- The Iguazu Falls -- The Patagonia -- Tierra del Fuego Tours to Central America Belize Tours Costa Rica Tours Guatemala Tours Honduras Tours Nicaragua Tours Panama Tours Flights to South America Argentina Tours Bolivia Tours Brazil Tours Chile Tours Ecuador Tours Peru Tours Venezuela Tours Flights to Central America Mexico Flights Guatemala Flights Belize Flights Costa Rica Flights El Salvador Flights Honduras Flights Nicaragua Flights Panama Flights Flights to South America Peru Flights Ecuador Flights Bolivia Flights Argentina Flights Chile Flights Brazil Flights Venezuela Flights Colombia Flights Uruguay Flights On this page: Argentina flights to Argentina Travel to Argentina Tickets Buenos Aires Airfare Patagonia Tickets. info@exitotravel.com 800-655-4053 Call free to speak to a Flight Expert Monday - Friday 7AM - 5PM Pacific Time 108 Rutgers Street • Fort Collins, CO 80525 • PH: 970-482-3019 800-655-4053 On ExitoTravel.com: Cheap flights to Mexico Flights to Mexico City Costa Rica Tickets Flights to San Jose Costa Rica Flights to Belize Flights to Belize City Guatemala Tickets Flights to Guatemala City Honduras Tickets Flights to Tegucigalpa Flights to Roatan & Utila El Salvador Flights Flights to San Salvador Airfare to Ecuador Flights to Quito Galapagos Flights Flights to Peru Flights to Lima Cusco Flights Airfare to Brazil Flights to Rio de Janeiro Flights to Sao Paulo Flights to Nicaragua Flights to Managua Flights to Panama Flights to Panama City Flights to Argentina Flights to Buenos Aires Flights to Chile Flights to Santiago Chile Flights to Bolivia Flights to La Paz Bolivia Flights to Colombia Flights to Bogota Flights to Uruguay Flights to Montevideo Flights to Paraguay Flights to Venezuela Flights to Caracas Costa Rica Tours Guatemala Tours Honduras Tours Nicaragua Tours Panama Tours Peru Tours Cusco and Machu Picchu Tours Ecuador Tours Galapagos Tours Chile Tours Bolivia Tours Venezuela Tours © 2004-2005 Exito Travel Inc. - all rights reserved, site by 3W Target & Metamorf, creators of L!VE Travel Guides

Europe Travel Planner 10

Eastern Europe Travel Planner Web TransitionsAbroad.com Home Work Study Travel Living Transitions Abroad Magazine September/October 2000 Related Topics Independent Travel Budget Travel More by the Author Work in Prague Paying Bills Back Home Eastern Europe Travel Planner 10 Tips for Visiting “The Other Europe” By Mishelle Shepard It’s true that the majority of Eastern European destinations are not for every traveler. Those who seek comfort and luxury should probably not venture far beyond capital cities like Prague, Budapest, Berlin, Tallinn, and Warsaw. But for those wishing to travel beyond the tourist zone and seek real off-the-beaten path places, people and experiences, Eastern Europe has countless options. Musicians add ambiance to a stroll on the famous St. Charles Bridge in Prague (Photo by Kent St. John) Guidebooks and locals have different definitions of what exactly constitutes “Eastern” and “Central” and “Southern” Europe. Including Albania and Romania with the same traveling advice given for the Czech Republic and former East Germany poses loads of obvious problems. Still, some general tips apply to many countries and can help alleviate minor discomforts. Bring Some Necessities I laughed the first time I left for Eastern Europe in 1990 and my grandfather told me to bring toilet paper. Thinking surely since his visit to communist Russia in the 70s there’s been some improvement, I dismissed the idea. Little did I know that after a couple of weeks I would be begging my family to send me even a 4-pack of bargain brand. Although I wouldn’t dream of loading myself down with such things as kleenex, plastic zipper bags, feminine products, or anti-perspirant, outside the main capitals such things are still difficult to come by. Even in a decent restaurant in a major capital the toilet paper resembles something close to a thin brown-paper lunch bag, and in public facilities it’s rationed according to a per-square price. I consider traveling with emergency reserve tissue an absolute necessity. Choosing Accommodations Planning ahead online is now so convenient that it’s a waste of time not to make reservations when traveling to the major cities in summer. In general, however, even where accommodations are plentiful there can be lack of mid-priced choices. The convenient and popular chains that have sprung up all over the West have not yet filtered deeply into Eastern Europe. • When considering where to stay, a good up-to-date guidebook with phone numbers of accommodations in your price range provides quick and easy piece of mind. Some countries also have extensive hotel and pension listings online that offer discounted reservations, but a follow-up call or fax is still a good idea. • In smaller towns, hotels are reasonably priced and can be found right in the town center. Remember, however, that public transportation stops early in the small towns and a lack of taxis could find you stranded. Even in a heavily touristed spa town like Karlovy Vary during the International Film Festival, a stay in the pedestrian center with breakfast in a well-run 2-star hotel costs about $40. • Pensions are a good budget choice in larger cities and are usually friendlier than a crowded hotel. Still, pensions are only a good option when they’re close to public transport, because a late night taxi ride when public transportation is sparse can quickly offset the savings in room cost. The same goes for private rooms offered by individuals—changing from bus to subway to tram can cost considerable time and money. • When alone, a hostel can’t be beat for meeting other travelers. “Junior” hotels are a similar option in many Eastern European countries and they often rent bikes and other sports equipment. And hostels are not just for students, they offer an affordable alternative for families and other budget-minded travelers. • Camping is a great way to meet lots of locals, but, of course, packing gear is inconvenient when traveling around a city. As in Western Europe, the bungalows fill up quickly in summer, so hauling around a tent may be unavoidable. Unfortunately, in a few countries the camping facilities might be the best accommodations available. Money In major cities credit cards are an easy and safe bet, but not some pensions and campgrounds or smaller bars and restaurants. When paying with a credit card outside the capitals, be warned, sometimes the machine is (mysteriously) broken, and you’ll be asked to pay in cash. If it’s absolutely necessary for you to pay by card, it’s best to make sure in advance. Cash machines are easy to come by in cities, but rare in villages. Carrying cash to smaller destinations is unavoidable, but costs are still relatively low outside the popular spots, so a little goes a long way. The foreigner pricing system still exists but is becoming less common because merchants realize travelers don’t appreciate spending two times the normal price for the same services. Not everything is a bargain in Eastern Europe and doing a bit of research can help you avoid mistaken assumptions or false claims. For example, skiing in some Eastern European destinations is just not worth the meager reduction in cost when you consider the T-lifts, crowds and quality of rental equipment. Beyond the Capitals Traveling as an English-speaker to small towns and villages may get you some longer-than-average looks, but it will also get you warm hospitality, a more authentic perception of local life and some great cross-cultural experiences. Choosing a destination depends on your interests. For first-time travelers, it can be less isolating and still very rewarding to visit vacation destinations that are popular with Eastern Europeans but fairly untouched by native English-speakers. Places like the Great Masurian Lakes near the border between Poland and Lithuania, the coast of Croatia, the Giant Mountains of Slovakia, or the spa towns in many countries are good choices. UNESCO world heritage sites, such as Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic, the medieval town of Torun in Poland, or the famous caves of Slovakia and Slovenia are also interesting destinations. It can be fun to plan a“theme trip,” focusing on historical sites and castles, wine regions, or tracing your roots. To Drive or Not to Drive When renting or buying a car for exploring Eastern Europe you have to consider all the hidden expenses. Many countries have toll roads that require you to have a sticker or else dish out a hefty fine on the spot. Sometimes extra insurance is required for cars originating from the West, and gas prices are very high. City-to-city travel by car usually isn’t worth it for groups of less than four. On the other hand, driving can be beneficial if you have limited time and want to see as many places as possible, including all the quaint country villages and castles along the way. Getting Educated For many of us, even the biggest culture hounds, Eastern Europe has remained largely a mystery. Misinformation during communist times has been followed by a general lack of information since. Still, there are numerous books, including Eva Hoffman’s Exit into History, that poignantly describe the culture, politics and history of the region in an entertaining style. There are also some very informative web sites on Eastern Europe. When researching the culture, don’t exclude fiction, especially books written by communist dissidents. A much truer picture of the people, their dreams and their difficulties will emerge than if you limit yourself to non-fiction. Another good cultural education option is to see popular locally produced films, which you can often view with English subtitles at cinemas in the capital cities. Opportunities for work and study are continually expanding, although most economies are still in heavy transition. Those countries hoping for EU entry are adopting stricter visa regulations, so it pays to keep up-to-date at the various embassy web sites. In the major cities, there are many news sources that will keep you up-to-date, and internet cafes have changed the face of traveling altogether. From keeping in touch with family and friends, to knowing what’s going on in town to meeting people, nothing beats the convenience of on-line access when abroad. The Dreaded Languages Unfortunately most of us didn’t have a couple of years of college Ukrainian and Polish along with our French and Spanish. In Western Europe, most travelers can usually manage, but in off-the-beaten-path Poland the choice is to either to improve your gesturing skills or grow very attached to your phrasebook. If you’re staying for more than a few days, it’s worth the effort to learn some of the language. It’s not easy, but you’ll be rewarded with mountains of praise from the locals. There’s no need to take formal lessons unless you plan to work or go to school. Instead, just try offering an exchange of English for Czech, Hungarian, or whatever, and chances are you can work out a mutually beneficial arrangement. Speaking Russian in most countries won’t win you a popularity contest. The few locals who remember their required Russian don’t usually care to speak it and would rather try their hand at charades or even very broken English. Services Although it’s true the atmosphere has changed considerably in the last ten years, that change has stayed primarily in the capital centers. But even in the capitals, old habits die hard. Service varies widely between downright “tippable” to completely aggravating. However, many of us are spoiled. I, personally, can’t recall ever getting better service anywhere in Europe (with the exception of London) than I get regularly in the States. The rule I try to stand by is, don’t pay any more attention to the service than they pay to you. That way when it’s good you’re pleasantly surprised and when it’s not you hardly notice. This attitude has taken a bit of training, but it’s been worth it in the long run. Meeting the Locals Visiting the local festivals is a great way to meet people in a milieu that is not necessarily language-dependent. Medieval reenactments, world championship sporting events, or traveling Romany festivals attract more locals than tourists. It’s easy to find out what’s going on by simply asking around, checking information centers, or reading the monthly cultural guides available in cities and on-line. Not only have many of the natives changed in the past ten years, the ex-pats have as well. The number of ex-pats living in the most popular Eastern European capitals has actually gone down since its height not long after “the fall.” Hanging out at one of the typical ex-pat bars for the true cross-culture seeker used to mean selling out and choosing cultural “isolation,” but now many of the foreigners living here are in intercultural marriages and actually speak the language or heartily try. Moreover, the locals have found the ex-pat hangouts a great place to meet young travelers and practice their English. Shunning the ex-pat scene today could mean missing out on where the jobs are or the chance to meet locals who are looking to get to know you. The Invitation More so than in Western Europe, social life takes place in people’s homes. Just a bit of preplanning is a sure-fire way to meet people even before you arrive. More than once I’ve started correspondences with people on-line and had the time of my life when they invited me over once I arrived in town. It’s important to be cautious, of course, but an invitation to a local’s home opens otherwise tightly closed doors. Rustic weekend cottages and garden plots play a big role in local life in many countries and are a great way to really get to know people. What began as a practical and economical alternative to traveling remains a favorite escape from the city and a special treat for the honored guest. The East in general has retained a sense of formality and hierarchy that has become foreign to most of the West. At the same time, Eastern Europeans seem to expect the traveler to break the rules. The same faux pas that would probably get you a repressed sneer in France will be noticed with only a subdued snicker in Poland. Reading up on the local customs will remind you that taking off your shoes in someone’s home, bringing a small bouquet to the host, avoiding probing questions over dinner, sitting with strangers at a restaurant and other common courtesies are not typically shared by westerners. Perhaps undeservedly, Americans (and other native English speakers) are, for the most part, still adored in most of Eastern Europe. Of course, there has been quite a bit of “demystification” on both sides in the last ten years, but now even among the older generations apprehension has been replaced by full-fledged curiosity. That means the typical tourist misses out on great opportunities for a real cross-cultural experience while their eyes are glued to the cathedrals and their ears are pinned to the city guide. Many first-timers from the West are surprised how far the major cities have come compared to what they’ve read or seen in the past. Other travelers notice how little has really changed in some of the more remote villages. One thing is certain, though; while prices are still low and locals still curious, it’s well worth it to take advantage of this part of the world and appreciate what is undoubtedly a fleeting moment in time. Selected Web Sites www.inyourpocket.com . www.centraleurope.com . www.cdc.gov/travel/easteurp.htm. goeasteurope.about.com/mbody.htm. www.culturekiosk.com . www.hotelscentral.com . www.adventureguide.com . www.concierge.com . Newsflashes General Complying with EU regulations means many countries are updating visa policies. All Canadian tourists will need a visa to travel to the Czech Republic in 2001. Long-term visas are already required for Americans, but the requirements for obtaining one may become less stringent. Slovakia Food and service is still regularly improving and many new options have opened in Bratislava’s The Old Market Place. The new Montana’s Grizzly Bar has already become a popular hang out. Czech Republic In Karlovy Vary the famed Nezvala theatre of Helmer and Fellner, complete with the original curtain by G. and E. Klimt and F. Matsch, has finally reopened after several years of reconstruction. The annual International Film Festival, which takes place in early July, is gaining more international recognition every year. The 1999 appearance of Woody Harrelson caused quite a stir, and Milos Forman is a regular favorite. Prague was chosen as one of the European cities of culture for 2000. Under the broad theme of “cultural heritage” the city has different activities planned throughout the year. The famed ex-pat meetingplace and bookstore The Globe has moved to a bigger and better location: Pstrossova 6 in Prague 1. Eastern Germany This year marked the third year for the annual Summerfest of Theatres in Berlin, for budget travelers it’s a great way to enjoy scenes of local productions for free. The Erotic Museum is an interesting alternative for travelers tired of the run-of-the-mill art and history museums. Poland Krakow, is another of the Year 2000 cities of culture, plans to extend the cultural events into a 5-year program to promote tourism. For nightlife seekers in Krakow the new In Vitro dance club is a popular hip-but-cheap option. Slovenia The international summer festival in Ljubljana is getting bigger and better every year. Not to be missed is the International Biennial of Graphic Arts at the Museum of Modern Art. The Julian Alps are a cheaper alternative to a mountain getaway than her Austrian and Italian neighbors, but expect higher prices than other Eastern European countries. MISHELLE SHEPARD is a freelance writer currently teaching English and French at Charles Univ. in Prague. She served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Czech Republic from 1994-96. You may contact her at mischelleshepard@hotmail.com . Web TransitionsAbroad.com Home Work Study Travel Living Disclaimer ©Transitions Abroad