Switzerland Travel

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

Russia Travel Division -

Google Directory - Regional > Europe > Russia > Travel and Tourism > Travel Services > Tour Operators Directory Help Search only in Tour Operators Search the Web Tour Operators Regional > Europe > Russia > Travel and Tourism > Travel Services > Tour Operators Go to Directory Home Categories Saint Petersburg (54) Vladivostok (2) Related Category: Regional > Europe > Travel and Tourism > Travel Services > Tour Operators (119) Web Pages Viewing in Google PageRank order View in alphabetical order Russian National Group - http://www.russia-travel.com/ Offers travel and visa services to Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and other CIS countries. Description of services, company information, information for tourists. Russia Experience - http://www.trans-siberian.co.uk Train travel and ecotourism trips in Siberia and Mongolia - including trekking and nature-study at Lake Baikal, and nomad trips in Mongolia. Ecological Travels Centre - http://www.ecotravel.ru/ Offers ecotours: expeditions, bird watching, wildlife viewing, rafting, mountaineering, horseback riding, filming and others. Description of services, company and contact information. Interactive Russia Travel Division - http://travel.in-russia.com/ Offers adventure and ecological tours to Russia. Includes description of tours, destinations, hotel and airfare booking service. Intel ServiceCenter - http://www.intelservice.ru/ Offers tours in St. Petersburg and Moscow. Descriptions of services, contact information. The Geographic Bureau - http://www.geographicbureau.com Organizes trips throughout the former Soviet Union, and specializes in the Caucasus and Mount Elbrus ascents. Intourist Joint Stock Company - http://www.intourist.ru/ Organise group, motor, individual and special interest tours to the former USSR. Lost World Tours - http://www.travelkamchatka.com/ Offers adventure tours to Kamchatka. Description of services, company information, information about the region. GW Travel Ltd - http://www.gwtravel.co.uk/ Offering guided hotel on wheels train travel on Russian rail routes. Details of forthcoming tours and contact information. Irkutsk Baikal Travel Inc. - http://www.irkutsk-baikal.com Offers individual and group tours, adventure tours, other travel services. Description of services, contact information. Sokol Tours - http://www.sokoltours.com/ Offers adventure and regular tours in Russia and Central Asia, including bookings for transport and accommodations, visa support, and a range of travel packages. Description of services, company and contact information. Russian Cycle Touring Club - http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/8640/ Adventure bicycle tours in Russia. Information about cycle touring in Russia. Supporting travelers. Exeter International - http://www.exeterinternational.com/ Organizing group and private tours to Russia and Eastern Europe. Red Star Travel - http://www.travel2russia.com Tour operator and travel agency providing travel services to Russia, including visa processing and visa support letter Voentour M - http://www.voentour.com/ Offers cultural, military-historical and educational tours in Russia. Description of services, company information. Russian Gateway (UK) - Ltd - http://www.russiangateway.co.uk/ Information about travelling to Russia, including details of obtaining a visa, and organised tours. Sweagent - http://www.sweagent.se/ Offers private, package and conference tours, visa services, and freight forwarding for Russia. Description of services, contact information. Premier-Voyage - http://travel.inc.ru/ Travel services in Russia, St. Petersburg: hotel reservation, guides, excursions, visa services. Description of services, contact information. Baikaler - http://www.Baikaler.com Local guide Jack Sheremetoff, MA offers tours to Baikal. Description of tour, information about the region. Adventures with Wild Russia - http://www.wildrussia.spb.ru Organise Mountain and adventure expeditions; guided ascents on Mt.Elbrus, wildlife safaries on Kamchatka and horse back trekking to the center of Siberia. Vostok-Express - http://www.vostexp.vl.ru/ Visa support, booking of air tickets, hotel reservations, organization of holidays and business visits. Tours to Vladivostok and Kamchatka, Primorsky region (Nikolaevka, Ussuriisk, Popov Island). Far East Russian Tours - http://www.fareastrussiantours.com Organizes tours to this beautiful part of the world. Offices in both the United States and Vladivostok. St. Petersburg Travel, Inc. - http://www.trips2russia.com/ Offer group and individual tours, transportation, and tour guide services. Glavs Travel USA - http://www.glavs.com/ Specialise in VIP travel to Russia and Eastern Europe. Site includes details of the tours available, current special offers, and contact details. Sibtravel Club - http://members.tripod.com/sibtravel/ Organise adventure travels and research expeditions, in Siberia. Tours Around Russia - http://www.aroundrussia.ru Tours Moscow, St. Petersburg, Velikiy Novgorod, Valaam, Kizhi islands with English-speaking guide. Safari tours: hunting, fishing, yachting. Hotels booking, transport, visa support, guiding and interpreter services. Forum. Mosco - http://www.mosco.ru Specializes in managing the requirements of business and leisure travelers within the former USSR. Travel Technology Group - http://www.welcome-russia.com/ Offers a range of services for tourists: visa services, ticketing and reservations, hotel reservations, rent a car. Description of services, contact information. Team Gorky - http://www.teamgorky.ru/index-e.html Provides adventure tours: whitewater rafting, canoeing, kayaking, trekking, fishing, bicycling, outdoor activity in Russia, Siberia, Altai, Middle Asia, Nepal, Chile. Description of services, contact information. Charisma Travel Ltd. - http://www.charismatravel.net/ Offers custom tours to Russia. Description of tours, contact information. FOS Tours & Travel Inc. - http://www.fostours.com/ Provides escorted group travel, independent tours and customized itineraries to Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Baltics and Scandinavia. Description of services, booking request form, contact information. Russian Connection - http://www.rctours.com/ Specialises in arranging and conducting tours, travel and excursions to Russia and Eastern Europe. Description of services. Saint-Petersburg - Region - http://www.travel-company.spb.ru Provides services in St.Petersburg, Moscow and north-western region of Russia. Information about company and St.Petersburg, description of services. Top Sport Travel - http://www.tst.spb.ru/eng/index.html Specializes in active and sports tours: Alpine Ski, Mountain Climbing, Ski, Trekking. Description of services, contact information. Baikal-Safari - http://www.baikal-safari.ru/ Offers adventure tours in Siberia and the Far East. Description of services, company information. IntelService - http://www.russian-site.com/IntelPage.htm Russian tour operators. Site includes a summary of the services offered, and contact details. Nota Bene Co Ltd - http://nb.travel.spb.ru/ Russian tour company. Site includes information about the services offered including tours, learning Russian in Russia, transport, translation and guides. Travel Russia - http://www.travelrussia.net/ Offers tours to many cities and regions in Russia. Descriptions of tours, company information, Victoria Travel Co - http://kamchatka.al.ru Travel and Adventure trips in Kamchatka, Russia: outdoor, fishing, rafting, heli-skiing, climbing, trekking, volcano. Description of tours, contact information. Dersu Uzala - http://www.ecotours.ru/english/index1.htm Organizes ecotours which support Russian nature reserves and local communities. Description of services, contact information. Infinity Travel - http://www.infinity.ru/ American-Russian travel management company. Site includes online booking, details of hotels, and information on obtaining a visa and student travel. Help build the largest human-edited directory on the web. Submit a Site - Open Directory Project - Become an Editor Modified by Google - ©2004 Google Advertise with Us - Jobs, Press, Cool Stuff...

Russia Travel Guide Travel

Russia Travel | Guide to travelling Russia | Travellerspoint 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 Russia Travel Guide Travel Destinations Guide Russia Moscow, Russia - Don Kam Russia Photo Gallery At the start of the 18th century, Napoleon made one of the biggest errors of his life when he invaded Russia in winter; Hitler attempted a strikingly similair move less than a century and a half later. The vast, cold expanses which make up Russia's landscape have long proved its greatest ally in warfare. Now, with its economy down in the pits, Russia's natural wonders are once again beginning to lend a helping hand. Travellers are recognizing Russia's awesome potential for mountaineering, hiking, skiing, cycling, and kayaking. But perhaps the best way to see Russia's vast wilderness is via the Trans-Siberian Railway. In those areas which are inhabited, however, Russia's rich cultural and historical heritage is everywhere. Onion-domed churches, bleak Soviet style architecture and the elegant designs of pre-Stalin Russia can be found within blocks of each other, making for fascinating peaks into the complexity of Russian history. Quick Facts Locally known as: Rossiya Capital: Moscow Population: 144,530,000 Religions: Russian Orthodox, Muslim Government: Federation Official / National Languages: Russian Country Phone Code: +7 Map of Russia Flag of Russia Member Comments Members talk Russia is certainly the mystery it is made out to be. The largest country in the world does not simply offer long travel times, but a limitless expanse of adventure!From .. Full comment Brendan | 15th Mar 05 Russia is a wonderful place to visit. But be careful about your wallet and passport, always carry them in your front pocket. be careful who you rent flats from- AVOID .. Full comment billb | 26th Feb 04 Become a member or login to add your comment. Want some personal advice on Russia? The Travel Helpers are Travellerspoint volunteers willing to answer your travel questions about a country they feel they know a lot about. There are currently 11 Travel Helpers available to answer your questions about Russia. Russia Travel Helpers Travel Products Below is a collection of Travellerspoint products and services that might be of use to you while you are researching your trip to Russia. Russia Accommodation Russia hotels (68) Russia apartments (18) Russia bed & breakfasts (9) Russia hostels (27) Russia budget hotels (10) Other Products Cheap travel insurance Eurail passes & Train tickets Russia tours (4) Around the world tickets Russia Travel Sites Our Pick The Moscow Times Guide to Russia - A great collection of travel tips and useful information. Find out about things to do, travel within Russia, Health, Media, Money, Visas and much much more. Once you're done researching your trip, you can visit the main area of the site for the latest Russian news. Sponsor Russia SIM Cards & Cell Phones - Get free incoming calls with your own Russia prepaid SIM card and GSM cell phone. Roam Russia without the roaming surcharges. Baikaler - Local guide Jack Sheremetoff offers tours to Baikal. His site also contains descriptions of tours and information about the region. More Russia links can be found in our Travel Sites Directory. The links contained in this directory are external sites and will pop up in a new window. © 2002 - 2005 Travellerspoint Travel Community | Contact | FAQ | About | Terms | Site Map

Ski Vacation Packages Ski

Delta Vacations - Ski Vacation Package Skiing travel packages Membership log in E-mail address: Password: Remember me. Not A Member? Forgot Your Password? My Profile Related Links delta.com Vacation Protection Plan Special Group Rates SkyMiles Membership Last Minute Deals Home Ski Vacation Packages Ski Vacation Packages Your complete Ski vacation package is just a few clicks away! The unparalleled beauty and varied terrain of the majestic Rocky Mountains provide the foundation for Colorado's outdoor Winter playgrounds. White blankets of untouched powder and remote areas make Utah a popular ski destination for the serious winter enthusiast. Towering pine trees, outdoor hot tubs, indoor pools, and headlining entertainment in the heart of mountain splendor make Reno & Lake Tahoe a top mountain travel choice. Taos is a skier's world, un-crowded and unspoiled, it is a rare gem - one of the few family owned, no-snowboarding ski resorts in the country. Considered by many to be the night skiing capitol of the world, Canada's spectacular resorts feature some of the largest vertical drops in North America. Find the Ski vacation package that is perfect for you. Delta Vacations makes it easy to hit the sloopes with your own customized ski vacation package in just a few clicks! See for yourself why purchasing a Delta Vacations package is right for you. Start planning your Ski Vacation Package right now! More fun-filled vacations from Delta Vacations: All-Inclusive Vacation Packages Aruba Vacation Packages Bahamas Vacation Packages Cancun Vacation Packages Caribbean Vacation Packages Colorado Ski Vacation Packages Disney Vacation Packages Europe Vacation Packages Family Beach Vacation Packages Family Vacation Packages Florida Beach Vacation Packages Florida Vacation Packages Hawaii Vacation Packages Jamaica Vacation Packages Las Vegas Vacation Packages Maui Vacation Packages Mexico Vacation Packages Orlando Vacation Packages Ski Vacation Packages South Beach Vacation Packages Waikiki Vacation Packages Walt Disney World® Vacation Packages -- Wednesday, December 28, 2005 Save $300 on a Golf and Spa Getaway Earn 10,000 Bonus Miles to London 3 Night Packages to Turks & Caicos from $790 Search all Last Minute Deals -- Announcing Daily Flight Service Salt Lake to Cancun begins 6/1/05 Atlanta to Moscow begins 6/1/05 -- Member Registration ® 2005 Delta Vacations. All rights reserved. delta.com | Site Map | About Us | Privacy Policy | Legal Notices | Customer Care | Web Compatibility | Travel Agents ### ISHQWEBCVGNET02 ### ### --

Central America Travel

CANOE Travel - Central America -- December 28, 2005 Canada USA Mexico Central America Caribbean Africa Asia Australia/Oceania Europe South America Tips Trends Cybertrips Q&A Books -- Active Vacations Adventure Art Cruises Cultural Cybertrips -- Fall Getaways Families Golf Holidays Romantic Ski More -- Bed & Breakfast VIA Rail Canada All-Inclusive Vacations starting from C$747 Discount Travel Deals Tips on managing your debt -- Contest E-cards Newsletter Forum Feedback Weather Currency Calculator Passport Canada Info Canada Customs Info Travel Health Tips World Airports Guide Atevo Travel Guide Great Canadian Lakes Great Canadian Parks Great Canadian Places Great Canadian Rivers Natural Tourist Park Wardens Ski Canada -- Central America Feature Destination: ANTIGUA, Guatemala Guatemala's re-emergence In a word, Antigua is old. It has been perched in the forested Panchoy Valley for more than 450 years, was one of the Americas' largest cities around the time of the Spanish Armada, and was nearly wiped off the map by an earthquake three years before the U.S. Declaration of Independence was signed. Even its name means old. But it's new to the thousands of tourists arriving from every corner of the globe every day. FULL STORY Discovering Panama Panama City boasts more than just its famed waterway. Visitors can chose between a swim in the Pacific or the Caribbean, hear tales of pirates looting the city's original site, find bargain shopping, sample tropical fruits and try their luck at the horse races in Panama City. FULL STORY CentralAmerica -- Groove to Garifuna's beat "Are you here for the drumming?" The little voice came out of the summer night, and once my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I could see its owner clearly. A little boy was standing next to me, his smile as wide as a hammock strung out between two palm trees. "Yes," I replied. "Are you a drummer?" "No, I'm a dancer!" FULL STORY CentralAmerica -- Water makes Panama go round Water is Panama's liquid gold. Not the salty stuff in the oceans on either side but the clean, fresh water that falls from the sky. FULL STORY CentralAmerica -- PHOTO GALLERY: Caribbean & Central America Click here to enlarge photo and view full Travel Gallery. Friendly smiles outshine scenic beauty Though it's widely accepted that those who live on Canada's East Coast are some of the friendliest on earth, it took a firsthand experience to get this cynical Southern Ontarian to truly understand. FULL STORY More In My Travels Share Your Travel Stories Attention Canoe Travel readers! We want to hear about your vacation. What made it good? What would you recommend others to avoid? Give us a short story (500 to 1,000 words) about your travels, and we might publish it here. Add your photos too! Submit stories now -- ADVERTORIAL -- The 'best little zoo in the world' A solo adventurer's paradise See it to Belize it Costa Rica au naturel Scuba & relaxation More Central America Headlines -- The Prairies: Sculpted by glaciers Like the adjoining Boreal Plains to the north, glaciers have largely flattened the land here, leaving behind a thick layer of dark, humus-rich topsoil that has made the Prairies very fertile, and created Canada's most extensive agricultural region. But it is mainly because of farming that the once ubiquitous grasslands, the northern limit of the Great Plains of North America, are now mostly gone. FULL STORY More in Park Wardens Dec 16: Canadian travellers remain adventurous despite turbulent year, say agencies Dec 16: Italian airline Alitalia signs financing deal with General Electric firm Dec 16: Cruise operator Carnival reports Q4 earnings jumped 20 per cent Dec 15: Fire destroys main building of historic Lake Placid Lodge, no injuries Dec 15: New national scenic byway in Oklahoma and Arkansas offers great views Dec 15: CDC reports West Nile cases up, especially along the Gulf Coast Dec 14: Europe for two, under $1,200 US: A game you can win Dec 14: Rebuilding effort going slowly in Cancun after devastating hurricane Wilma Dec 14: MoMA exhibition celebrates 20 years of animation from Pixar More Travel News Headlines New Year's Eve Deals Still Available Toronto to Santiago de Cuba $597 + tx $199 Toronto to Camaguey $597 + tx $199 Toronto to Puerto Plata $497 + tx $274 Vancouver to Varadero $835 Calgary to Mazatlan $579 -- Click here to sell your vehicle hotelier.ca Get great deals on hotels with hotelier.ca