Japan Travel
|
|
Japan Travel Guide, Japanese Popular Culture, History and Japanese Etiquette Japan travel guide, information on Japan and Japanese culture. Japan Store JZ Originals | Books, CDs, DVDs, VHS | Geisha Fans | Folding Screens | Japanese Design | Baseball Goods Japanese Games The Gaming Industry | Game Developers Modern Japan Entertainment Movies | Movie Posters | Anime Movies | Tezuka Osamu | TV Comedy | Yoshimoto | TV Anime | Manga | Pop Music | Takarazuka | Pachinko Famous people Directors | Actors & Actresses | TV Stars | Comedians | Musicians | Sports Stars | Designers | Politicians Japan Inc Economy | Global 500 |Companies A - F | G - L | M | N | O - S | T - Z Cultural Japan Entertainment Kabuki | Noh | Bunraku | Geisha | Instruments Arts Tea Ceremony | Kodo | Ukiyoe | Ikebana | Bonsai | Origami | Literature | Modern Literature Royalty Imperial Family Calendar Festivals | Annual Events | Four Seasons | Cherry Blossoms Costume Kimono | Footwear Food & Drink Basics | Dishes | Alcohol New to Japan General Visas | Accommodation | Health & Welfare | Transport | Local Transport | Mobile Phones | Money | Etiquette | Meeting People Language Alphabets | Kanji | Useful Expressions | New Japanese Employment Working | Teaching | Find a Job Japan Omnibus Geography Facts & Figures | Regions & Cities | Climate Sightseeing Onsen | Tokyo | Kyoto | Hokkaido | Tohoku | Kanto | Chubu | Kinki | Chugoku | Shikoku | Kyushu | Okinawa Sports Baseball | Soccer | Sumo | Martial Arts | Others History Early | Medieval | Modern Religion Shinto | Buddhism | Others | Shrines | Temples | Zen Gardens Politics Government | Parties | Prime Ministers Japan Gallery Landmark | Nature | People | Scenery | Urban | Miscellaneous Japan Job Search Search GaijinPot's database of available jobs JapanBloggers Webring ? Ring Home # Make 100s of thousands of new friends today, FREE! Japan Zone Features: Chat Room | Quizzes | Games | E-cards Street Fashion Our latest poll: "What's the best way to spend New Year in Japan?" Thursday, 29th December 2005 Today's Japan News | Japan Weather | Japan Stocks | Currency Converter | The latest posts on our Japan Forum Join Japan Zone Friends in December - Win a DVD! - Join Now Everyone who joins Japan Zone Friends between now and December 31st will be entered to win a DVD! It's FREE to join, so why not? Welcome to the bizarre world of an American mannequin family who have recently moved toJapan, and cause quite an uproar. Fashionably hip and gut-splitting funny, this feature was first shown on the Japanese late-night show Vermillion Pleasure Night and now has a cult following. Available from ADV Films (the largest producer/distributor for Japanese anime) from December 20 on DVD. Official website Watch a classic clip, "Lady Tutor": High quality | Low quality (Quick Time) The Latest -- Japan Zone is the only site that brings you regular news and gossip in English from the Japanese entertainment world. Noriko's Fashion Choice Talento Kato Noriko (32) is to get married on New Year's Day, according to her agency yesterday. The lucky man is Wakatsuki Yoshio (43), a creative director in the fashion world. The fax announcement of the engagement caught the media by surprise as the two have only been going out since the spring, though they've been living together for the last couple of months. They have known each other for several years, and met when Kato took a break from showbusiness to study in Paris in 2000. Wakatsuki was working on the Paris Collection at the time. • Rock band Mr. Children finished up their first nationwide "dome tour" with a show last night at Tokyo Dome. They played to 45,000 fans, bringing the tour total to about 390,000. Vocalist Sakurai Kazutoshi (35), who battled with serious illness in 2003 that saw the band take a 6-month hiatus, said 2005 was the best year ever. • Kabuki actor Onoe Matsusuke died of cancer at a Tokyo hospital on Monday. He was 59. • A survey has shown that people are pretty evenly divided about whether national broadcaster NHK should take legal action against those who refuse to pay their license fee. The number of those refusing to pay has increased to over a million following a series of scandals involving NHK employees. December 28, 2005 Recent Headlines • Noriko's Fashion Choice (December 28) • All Eyes on Women Skaters (December 27) • Ryoko Polishing Her Bridal Skills (December 26) • Boyz of Summer? (December 24) More news available on our News page . (powered by Movable Type 3.15 ) Syndicate this site Content Picks Planning a trip to Japan? ROYALTY : With the marriage of Princess Sayako, the Imperial Family lost one of its members. Will one of her nieces ever ascend to the imperial throne? CULTURE : Aromatherapy may be all the rage these days, but kodo , the art of incense, has been around for centuries and is one of the three major Japanese traditional arts. ROMANCE : Are you looking for a partner in Japan ? We have some useful background info and a list of resources to help you on your way. TOURS : Try our selection of half-day and one-day tours in Japan's most popular destinations SIGHTSEEING GUIDES : Browse our extensive sightseeing guide to the whole country, with information on all the major sights. Tokyo Kyoto Hokkaido Kyushu Mt. Fuji Osaka/Kobe Okinawa More... ELECTRONIC DICTIONARIES A must-have item for any student of Japanese or trip to Japan is a pocket dictionary.In our JapanStore, we have chosen some of the best ones around. From the reasonablypriced to the multi-featured, you're sure to find one that suits your study, businessor travel needs. Find out more... We've teamed up with Japan's No.1 online job site for English-speakingprofessionals. Search the Gaijinpot job database now for free. Through our partnership with Amazon.com, we are offering an exclusive JapanZone version of the award winning Alexa Toolbar- FREE! No browser should be without this handy tool! Plus, when you download anduse the toolbar, you'll help support Japan Zone. The Top Sites in Japan -- -- Web Japan Zone The current time in: Hawaii Los Angeles Chicago New York Brasilia London Berlin Paris Milano Israel New Delhi Bangkok Beijing Hong Kong Singapore Tokyo Seoul Canberra Guam Sign up for free & meet... Asia's largest friend finder network. Join FREE today! Sign up for our free newsletter. Keep up with the latest news and gossip from Japan. Cultural Japan | Modern Japan | New to Japan | Japan Omnibus | Japan Gallery | Japan Forum | Japan Store About us | Advertising | Links | Terms of Use | Comments on the site? © 1999-2005 Japan Zone international calling cards, phone cards
Disney Vacation Deals at
disney vacation discount usedir.dynu.net disney vacation discount online disney vacation discount Top List Disney Vacation Deals at Travelocity Visit Travelocity.com to get great prices on Disney vacation deals. Book your vacation online and save. site: travelocity.com Disney Vacation Deals at Travelocity Visit Travelocity.com to get great prices on Disney vacation deals. Book your vacation online and save. site: http://www.travelocity.com/ Unique Florida Homes Lists Orlando vacation homes and villas with private pools. Includes actual photos of vacation rentals and a location map in relation to the Disney World. site: uniquefloridaorlando.com All Star Vacation Homes - Florida Vacation Rentals Vacation home management company offers vacation rental homes, condos, and town homes that are located less than four miles from Walt Disney World. site: allstarvacationhomes.com Exclusive Florida Homes, Vacation Homes in Orlando, Florida Agency specializes in short-term vacation homes for rent in the Disney area of Orlando, Florida. site: exclusivefloridahomes.com All Star Vacation Homes - Florida Vacation Rentals Vacation home management company offers vacation rental homes, condos, and town homes that are located less than four miles from Walt Disney World. site: http://www.allstarvacationhomes.com/ Unique Florida Homes Lists Orlando vacation homes and villas with private pools. Includes actual photos of vacation rentals and a location map in relation to the Disney World. site: http://www.uniquefloridaorlando.com/ Exclusive Florida Homes, Vacation Homes in Orlando, Florida Agency specializes in short-term vacation homes for rent in the Disney area of Orlando, Florida. site: http://www.exclusivefloridahomes.com/ Discount Airfare, Hotels, Cruises, Vacations Offers a great selection of travel agent prices for multiple airlines, hotels, cruises, and vacation packages with helpful information, tips, and links. site: http://www.1800gofly.com Discount Disney Vacation - Travel Bargains Find great travel bargains with one-stop comparison. Try SideStep, the award-winning Traveler Search Engine. Download our toolbar to search and save on flights, hotels, car rental and more! site: http://www.sidestep.com Hotwire: Discount Travel To Orlando Bargain travel options, even last minute. Hotwire can get you a deal. site: http://www.hotwire.com Discount Disney Vacation - Travel Bargains Find great travel bargains with one-stop comparison. Try SideStep, the award-winning Traveler Search Engine. Download our toolbar to search and save on flights, hotels, car rental and more! site: http://www.sidestep.com Unique Florida Homes Lists Orlando vacation homes and villas with private pools. Includes actual photos of vacation rentals and a location map in relation to the Disney World. site: www.uniquefloridaorlando.com Florida Dreams Vacations Ask a Disney-vacation-rental specialist about available villas with up to five bedrooms in the central Florida area. Contact homeowners. site: www.floridadreamsvacations.com Florida Vacation Villas - American Homes Rental & Management Call toll-free to reserve these Orlando rental homes close to Disney World and local attractions. Vacation villas are fully furnished and feature swimming pools. site: www.floridavacation-villas.net WeeklyTop10-Orlando.com - ResevationSystem.com Reservation service offers discount rates and packages on Orlando-area accommodations near Disney World, Universal Orlando, and Sea World. site: www.weeklytop10-orlando.com Looking For disney+vacation+discount? Find disney+vacation+discount and more at Lycos Search. No clutter, just answers. Lycos -- Go Get It! site: http://search.lycos.com disney+vacation+discount: Find more information here. Get more information on disney+vacation+discount right now! We pull from the some of the biggest search engines on the internet, so you don't have too! site: http://www.ezanga.com disney+vacation+discount Find disney+vacation+discount at one of the best sites the Internet has to offer! site: http://www.redzip.com Travel Air Tickets, Hotel Reservations, Car Rental PriceLine For Travel Auctions and Airline Reservations, Hotel Reservations, Car Rentals, Take a Cruise, and Vacation Rentals. All at Discount Prices. YOUR ONE STOP TRAVEL CENTER!! site: http://service.bfast.com Not satisfied with your results? Yahoo © 2005 Best Offers at usedir.dynu.net All Rights Reserved Great Thanks for Microsoft Related Categories Criminal Justice Career Online Casino Free Chip No Deposit Mortgage Broker Training.html Hotels Whistler Allentown Lawyer Florida Law Auto Insurance Generic Propecia Progressive Oxford Individual Health Plan C4127x Final Expense Insurance Leads Offshore Account Wholesale Handbag Softwalk Paton Real Estate Jewelry Discount Arizona Divorce Law Mother Of The Bride Dress Free Spyware Spotter Detection Buck Pocket Knife Health Training 2001 Bmw M5 Parts For Colman Pop Ups Windshield Repair Kit Prestige Mortgage Cadillac Cts V Lowest Intrest Rate Fha Home Inspection Capital One Credit Cards No Credit Acne Medication Home Health Care Furnace Air Cleaner Order Norco No Prescription Bi Weekly Mortgage Payment Calulator With Amortization Schedule Tenn. Real Estate Pet Supplies Uk High School Home Study Dodgeviper Instant Personal Loan Carr Insurance Havana Joe Shoe Sql Server Driver Slipper Genie Intellicode Garage Door Opener Outer Bank Vacation Rental Linksys Etherfast Cable Modem Vinyl Shutter Poker Table Plan Christian Home Based Business Internet Homebased Business Millionaire Fast Weight Loss Program Structural Engineering Netxpress Student Loans Filing Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Man Rolex Watch Mortgage Broker School In Florida Business List Perfume.com Clothing Hanger Homes For Sale In Maryland Tampa Fl Real Estate Computer Technology Usaa Mortgage Website Discount Animal Pharmacy Without Prescripton Vacations Hawaii Accommodation In London Celebrity Cruise Discount Noritake Dinnerware Homeowners Insurance Online Quotes Only Hotels Chicago Il Cheap Bontril Mortgage Bank Umbrellas Apply For Credit Cards Online Hotel Myrtle Beach Estate Planning Lawyer Poker Bonus Codes No Deposite Apply For Credit Card Online Didrex Online International Auto Shipping Credit Card High School Student
Orlando Vacations, Right Down
Planning Orlando Vacations, Right Down to the Sunblock Web EzineArticles.com Submit Articles Watch the Video -- Members Login Benefits Recent Articles Expert Authors Experts By Location Read Endorsements Editorial Guidelines Author TOS Terms of Service Ezines / Email Alerts Manage Subscriptions EzineArticles RSS Blog Forums About Us What's New Contact Us Affiliates Link To Us Privacy Policy Site Map Search All Options Search Article IDs Search Article Titles Search Articles Search Expert Authors Search Article Keywords Search Article Summary Advanced Search Power Search Email Address: Your Name: Got an Ezine Marketing or Email Newsletter Question? AskChrisKnight.com HOME :: Travel-and-Leisure / Vacation-Rentals Planning Orlando Vacations, Right Down to the Sunblock By Ken Snow Article Word Count: 475 [ View Summary ] Comments (0) Orlando vacations can be coveted memories in your life. There are many things to do in Orlando. Whether you are going to soak up some sun, shop, hit all the popular tourist spots or just lounge away the days, you are bound to have a great time. There are a few things to remember that can make your trip even more enjoyable. One thing that you should think about when you are looking into Orlando vacations is your budget. Decide on your price range for accommodations and shop accordingly. You can look at online sites for discount lodging. Or, if you are booking a vacation through a travel agency, check what kind of hotels they have planned. Remember to compare price and amenities. Cheaper isnt always better. Depending on how many are traveling in your party and how long you plan to stay, you may find that renting a house for your vacation makes more sense. Another thing that you should think about when you are considering where to stay on Orlando vacations is location. Check to see what side of town most interests you and try to find accommodations on that side. After all, you dont want to spend the majority of your time traveling. You want to spend it enjoying life. If you know that you want to travel around the area but you are going to fly to your Orlando vacations, you might think about renting a car. Compare the costs and hassles of public transportation to those of renting a car for the duration of your stay. Also consider whether youre comfortable driving in unfamiliar areas. If you plan to do some sightseeing outside the immediate area, public transportation may simply be too expensive. When you pack for your Orlando vacations, pack for what youre going to be doing. If you are out for a weekend of romance, dress for romance. Bring comfortable clothes for sightseeing, but pack at least one knock-em dead outfit because few people can resist the lure of the Orlando nightlife. You may think that you arent going for the water, but bring a suit anyway. You may change your mind, even if it is in the hotel pool. Perhaps most importantly, remember sun block. You may figure you can stop and buy some, but the lure of the beach may be too much to resist from the first opportunity. You dont want to spend half of your Orlando vacations blistered and miserable. When planning your Orlando vacations, try to think about what you need before you go. Be smart with your budget. After you do all of this, the only thing left is to make the trip to Orlando where youll relax, kick back, and have a blast. Need more information about Orlando Vacations ? Then visit http://www.best-orlando-vacations.info to get your questions answered. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ken_Snow Additional EzineArticles from the Travel-and-Leisure:Vacation-Rentals Category: Fly Fishing Vacations Top Spots Around The World Strengthening Familial Ties: Have An Annual Family Vacation Vacation Rentals In Beautiful Texas Car Rental Safety During Traveling Hawaii Whale-Watching Think About Taking A Tour To African safari - Serengeti National Park Beware Barcelona Spain Our Visit To Door Peninsula Winery in Door County Wisconsin Booking In Advance Can Take The Headache Out Of Finding Your Cottage Mexico: Travel to The Land of Mystery Choosing the Best Accommodations for Your Orlando Vacation Why Stay in an Orlando Vacation Home? Beachfront Villas, Yachts; All-Inclusive Packages Make Great Caribbean Vacations San Antonio, Texas: Perfect For A Family Vacation Step One to Your Perfect Golf Vacation Disney Area Vacation Attractions Read This Article if You Are Tired of the Snow and Ice Storms 5 Solid Reasons to Buy a Vacation Beach House Now Keep 100% Of Your Rent By Listing Your Vacation Rental By Owner Stop Paying Standard Hotel Rates Through The Web What is Home Exchange? Costa Rica Fishing - A Great Time For Your Whole Family Mountain Cabin Rentals Staying in Discount Hotels Visit Orlando, Miami, Daytona, Naples, or Key West on Your Florida Vacation Tahoe Vacations Prepare for the Fun Do You Want Just Another Vacation - Or An Adventure! Abigail's: No Ghosts Here! Mexico and Renting a House Part II Use Travel to Mend a Broken Heart - The Caribbean, Hawaii or Mexico Will Do! New York Dream Vacation Fun In The Sun: The Perfect Caribbean Vacation Orlando - Not Just For Kids This article has been viewed 81 time(s). Article Submitted On: December 15, 2005 Please Rate This Article: Select Rating Excellent Very Good Interesting Fair Could Use Improvement Number of ratings: 0 Rating: 0 © EzineArticles.com - All Rights Reserved Worldwide. EzineArticles.com is a Member of the EmailUniverse.com Network
russia travel services apartment
WayToRussia.Net - A Guide to Russia and Travel Services Directory - Moscow and St. Petersburg Guide, Trans-Siberian, Baikal, Russian visa, apartment rentals and more Site Guide: What is Russia: -- Introduction -- History -- Travel Itineraries -- Myths and Truth -- Russian Language -- Russian Art -- Women in Russia -- Russian Literature Transportation -- Getting to/from Russia -- Getting around Russia -- Train & Bus Timetables Russian Visa -- Introduction -- Types of Visa and Invitations -- How to Apply -- Visa Registration -- Foreigners' Status -- Russian Consulates Destinations -- Moscow -- St. Petersburg -- Golden Ring -- Trans-Siberian -- Baikal Lake -- Kamchatka Talk Lounge Travel Services -- Apartment Rental -- Accommodation -- Online Visa Support -- Airline Tickets -- Train Tickets -- Transfers / Taxi -- Tours -- Extra Services -- Full Site Search The Guide to Russia that Takes You One Step Further Moscow | St. Petersburg | Trans-Siberian | Siberia | More ... Site Search: Guide to Russia / Features: Chill Out Moscow Style — For the best chill out cafes in Moscow see our 2005 guide. Quick Links: Russian visa info , Train schedules , Women in Russia , Photogallery , Phone cards Recent Updates: 02/12 - Russian People Interviews 25/10 - Guide to Vladivostok - New! 11/10 - Eating Out in Moscow - Update 24/09 - The New Hostel in Moscow Center 20/09 - The New Rock Climbing Gym in Moscow 04/09 - CIS Visa Requirements (latest changes) Recommended Articles: Russian Visa Guide To most comprehensive guide to Russian visa rules, registration, procedure, on the internet. Practicalities in Russia — all the information to make your trip easier: health advice, A to Z practicalities, communication, Russian customs... St. Petersburg Clubs Clubbing guide to St. Petersburg: dance clubs, live music and jazz, gay clubs, and chill-out cafes. Russian Women — who they are, what they like, and what other people think about them. Russia Photogallery: Russia Photogallery — See photos of Moscow, St. Petersburg, Siberia. Upload your own photos. Send e-card to your friends and family. Selected Travel Services: Visa Support Easy way to get a Russian visa with no ties. Accommodation Real-time hotel reservations in Moscow & St. Petersburg. Apartments for Rent Central & cheaper alternative to hotels. Train Tickets Trans-Siberian and domestic tickets. Also: Airline Tickets | Airport Transfers | Tours | Extra Services Russia Forum: 7 Last Posts News from Russia: Browse the Contents: WHAT IS RUSSIA: Introduction • History of Russia • Travel Itineraries • Myths & Truth about Russia • Russian Language • Russian Art • Russian Literature • Russian Women • Russian Food TRANSPORT: Getting to and from Russia: by Air • by Train (inc. Train Routes, Timetable & Prices ) • by Bus (inc. Bus Routes, Timetable & Prices ) • by Car or Moto • by Ferry •• Getting around Russia: by Air • by Train (inc. Train Timetables ) • by Bus • by Car • by Car • Hitchhiking • River Transport TRAVEL SERVICES: Rent an Apartment • Accommodation ( Hotels , B&B , Homestay ) • Russian Visa Support • Airline Tickets • Online Train Tickets • Airport Transfers / Taxi • Tours • Extra Services ( Mobile Phones , Delivery , Translations , Cheap Phone Cards for Russia ) PRACTICALITIES: Planning a Tip • Useful Facts about Russia • Money Advice, Russia Money Transfers • Emergencies • Travelers Advice • Useful Internet Links • Business Guide to Russia • Student Guide to Russia RUSSIAN VISA: What is a Russian Visa • Types of Visa and Invitations • How to Apply • Visa Registration • Russian Consulates Worldwide • Foreigners Status DESTINATIONS: Capitals: Moscow • St Petersburg Northern Russia: Novgorod •• The Golden Ring Trip: ( Vladimir • Suzdal • Ivanovo • Kostroma • Yaroslavl • Rostov Veliky ) •• The Trans-Siberian Trip (Siberia & Far East: Ekaterinburg • Irkutsk • Novosibirsk • Ulan-Ude • Vladivostok ) •• Adventures: Altai Mountains • Baikal Lake & Sayan Mountains • Kamchatka Peninsula - Map of Russia TALK LOUNGE: Moscow , St. Petersburg , Trans-Siberian & Baikal , Questions & Answers , Travel Stories , Personals . LIFE IN RUSSIA: Russian People , Russia Photo Gallery , Russia TV Footages OUR TEAM: About Us • About WayToRussia.Net • Contact Us guide to russia what is russia practicalities transportation russian visa destinations talk lounge life in russia travel services apartment rent accommodation airline tickets train tickets visa support transfers / taxi tours extra services our team about us waytorussia.net contact us russia hotline full site search US$ exchange rate: weather in moscow : Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Site Search © 2001-2003 WayToRussia.Net. All rights reserved. Ask Us a Question Feedback
Germany Travel
Europe Travel - A European Vacation Travel Guide 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 From James Martin , Your Guide to Europe for Visitors . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Antwerp Pictures Antwerp is a fashion and diamond center for Belgium and the world, it has one of the most beautiful train stations in Europe, and it was home to artist Peter Paul Rubens in the 17th century. What's not to like about this Belgian port city? See what it's all about in our latest photo Gallery: Antwerp Pictures . More Antwerp Travel: Antwerp Travel Directory | Antwerp Lodging | Antwerp Museums Wednesday December 28, 2005 | permalink Like to Travel Well? Follow the CIA! I really should have paid attention when the CIA came recruiting at my college. Operatives really get to live it up when they travel, apparently. Imagine, the lucky seven of the "Surveillance Team" sent out to case the joint before kidnapping 39-year-old Muslim preacher Osama Moustafa Hassan Nasr, also known as Abu Omar, managed to spend "$39,995, not counting meals, parking and other services" for a week at Milan's Principe di Savoia ( check prices ), where a room goes for a mere $588 a night, according to Newsday . Once Abu Omar was behind bars in Cairo the CIA folks broke up and went their various ways, some to the renowned Grand Hotel Baglioni ( check prices ) in Florence , a few in cozy pairs to save the taxpayers money, no doubt. Travel Resources: Milan Profile | Florence Profile Tuesday December 27, 2005 | permalink Tapas from Cans? Ok, so you wander into one of Barcelona's most celebrated tapas bars thinking, "wow, I'm gonna down me some fine, fresh seafood this evening--non of that canned stuff like we get at home..." Well, Quimet and Quimet is one of Barcelona's best tapas bars, recommended by just about anyone. Joaquim Perez, owner of Quimet and Quimet, has been called Barcelona's culinary king of canned food. That's right, a tapas king devoted to high-quality goods preserved in metal. I had heard about the increasing interest in vintage sardines , whose flavors are said to increase in intensity and complexity with aging. But Mr. Perez has extended this idea of unlikely gourmet tinkering; he buys "fresh" Galician navajas (clams) from the cannery and sets them to aging for a year or two before serving them (plain) to his customers. And they love 'em. Maybe you should go and see what this canned gourmet thing is all about. There are worse places to spend time on a research expedition. More: Gastronomic Route: Barcelona, a tapas town? Travel Resources: Barcelona Guide | Barcelona Pictures Thursday December 22, 2005 | permalink North Holland: Noah's Ark Redux A pious north Holland businessman took out a 300 000 loan and turned his investment into a "faithful reconstruction of Noah's Ark in scaled down form on the basis of biblical texts," according to the Mail & Guardian . Spring is the expected launch date. No word on where the animals will come from. Travel Resources: North Holland Travel | Holland Map | Benelux Rail Passes Thursday December 22, 2005 | permalink Appreciate Long John Shivers? Head for the Alps I know I frequently extol the virtues of off season travel, but there's a whole bunch of adventurers willing to go the extra mile in their long johns to enjoy icier surroundings than I'd care to experience. Those would be the Ice Hotel People. Word from Vagablond is that "a new ice hotel is being constructed 7,000 feet up into the German Alps." HotelChatter says this ice hotel might well be part of the Iglu-Dorf chain, who specialize in things like Inuit igloos in Switzerland. Like it cold? Get you thrills in the Alps this winter. I'll toast your bravado at the hearth with a steaming hot toddy. Travel Resources: Germany map and Travel Essentials | Switzerland Map and Travel Essentials . Tuesday December 20, 2005 | permalink Europe Travel in the Off Season Why travel in the off season? Well, you know the reasons: fewer tourists, lower prices, and cooler temperatures, to name a few. But there's another reason for me, and that's the warm, slanting light that brings photos alive. See what I mean by taking a gander at: Liguria Pictures - Picture Gallery of Liguria in Autumn . And if you still want to see more pictures of Italy , try out Italy for Visitors Florence Pictures , taken in November. Travel Resources: Off Season Travel Tips | Italy Travel Map Sunday December 18, 2005 | permalink Travel Gifts Ok, you're thinkin' it's too late to post some ideas for gifts at this late date. Hey, you can chalk it up to sloth and indolence, but I don't start burdening my mind with thoughts about winter holidays in May like the rest of my family. The crunch starts now. So I've made up a list of recommended Travel Gifts . Of course, you could buy some of the stuff for yourself as well. Take a look. You've got language help, a deep, inside look at the Vatican, and more, not to mention that Tyrolean Boiled Wool Jacket like you've always wanted. More Stuff You Need: Top Travel Photography Gear Friday December 16, 2005 | permalink Joe Torre carries the Olympic Torch in Florence New York Yankee manager Joe Torre carried the Olympic torch 400 yards to the foot of the Ponte Vecchio in Florence yesterday as part of "American day" in the two-month Olympic torch relay. It was the first time he'd been to Italy in 20 years, despite the fact that his mother was born in the village of Patina near Naples. (Source: Indystar.com ) The torch Joe carried was designed by the folks at Pininfarina , who've banged out quite a few sexy Italian auto bodies in their time. The Olympic torch is designed to work in rain, snow and wind up to 74.56 miles per hour, not to mention temperatures from -4°F to +77°F. According to what I've heard, the torch suffered much less than Mr. Torre during the run. Travel Resources: Florence Travel Directory | Florence Pictures: Views from the Arno | Naples Travel Directory Photo above: Ponte Vecchio, Florence by Martha Bakerjian, Italy for Visitors ; click "read more" to see it larger. Read more... Thursday December 15, 2005 | permalink Sunny Valencia It's cold here in my corner of California, prime time to think of warmer climes. Valencia pops to mind. Host to the 2007 America's cup, the sunny Spanish port city has been spiffing itself up lately, and many travelers have remarked that Valencia seems to be passing Barcelona as Spain's city of tourist choice. What's not to like? The spring La Fallas festival is a not to be missed attraction (plan now if you're going), the City of Arts and Sciences holds 87 acres of fascinating art, science and architecture, and the Barrio del Carmen is chock full of music, restaurants and clubs. Find out more about Valence by taking a peek at our latest: Valencia Spain Travel Information - Valencia Profile , or peruse our Valencia Travel Directory . Wednesday December 14, 2005 | permalink Hey Santa! Take That! Scroogy Musings: So a couple guys in Germany get asked what they want for Christmas by Santa, who happens to be waiting for a train home. They've been out shopping all day, unsuccessfully one assumes, because the next thing you know they've latched on to Santa's sack and "beat him over the head with it, breaking his fingers as he tried to protect himself." ( Santa - Germany's new stress buster ) Santa on a train? in Germany? A bit early, isn't it? Has the Christmas spirit been so commercialized that the little people like us suffer with the stress of plunking down good cash for stuff we think people might like but probably won't? Where is the joy of it all? Everyone remembers the magical experience of visiting Santa in the mall when they were kids and the smile it brought to your face. Unfortunately over the last few years it seems the spirit of Christmas is slowly being lost due to many different reasons including political correctness, busier lifestyles and many more issues. Hold on a sec. Now I'm angrier than a red-nosed reindeer. Everyone doesn't remember. Some of us are way too old to conjure the disgraceful vision of mall Santas in their mothball costumes and fake beards. The statement above comes from Live From Lapland (dot com). For a bit less than 15 dollars they'll make a custom video staring Santa, who'll be talking to your kids using the words you put in his mouth via the web site's control panel. Their Santa evidently lives in a paneled room and wears mall Santa clothes and beardage. It's in the sample flick. He could be in Kansas. Still, where else you gonna get a five minute flick to your specs for $14.95? Travel Resources: Lapland (the real one) | Chrismas in Europe Tuesday December 13, 2005 | permalink Display Latest Headlines | | | Read Archives powered by Movable Type Advertisement 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 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 Headlines Antwerp Pictures Antwerp is a fashion and diamond center for Belgium and... Like to Travel Well? Follow the CIA! I really should have paid attention when the CIA came... Tapas from Cans? Ok, so you wander into one of Barcelona's most celebrated... North Holland: Noah's Ark Redux A pious north Holland businessman took out a 300 000...