Austria Travel Specialists Client

Austria Vacations, Austria Travel, Austria Luxury Resorts, Austria Hotels Austria Luxury Vacations, Austria Cruises, and Austria Hotels Guide Austria Vacation Guide: Romantic Austria Hotels and Honeymoons Austria Vacations and Cruise Consultants Austria Luxury Vacation :Call 800 330 8820 to book your tour or cruise. Other Places in Austria Austria Glacial Skiing Austria Hiking Austria Mountain Biking Austria Skiing Vacations Graz Innsbrock Klagenfurt Linz Salzburg Vienna Other Places in Europe Albania Andorra Austria Belarus Belgium Bosnia-Herzegovina Bulgaria Croatia Czech Republic Denmark England Estonia Finland France Georgia Germany Greece Hungary Iceland Ireland Italy Vacatioin Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macedonia Monaco Netherlands Norway Poland Portugal Romania Russia Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland Turkey Ukraine United Kingdom Wales Europe Cruises River Cruises in Europe Mediterranean Guide Austria Vacation, Tours and Travel Guide In this section you will find all great Austria luxury hotels . Romantic Austria Honeymoon Destinations. Austria Yachting Vacations. Austria Hiking and Austria mountain biking ---Plus tons of enjoyable virtual tours and streaming videos---You will find everything here except the sunscreen. Austria luxury travel arrangements. Great Austria Skiing and Austria glacial skiing . romantic Austrian resorts and hotels--- Austria, located in the center of Western Europe, is famous for it fabulous skiing regions, but also for breathtaking scenery, magnificent mountains and wonderful hiking trails. The western Federal Provinces Vorarlberg, Tirol and Salzburg Province are the most popular tourist regions. The hilly terrain lends itself to fabulous hiking , walking and climbing as well as skiing . Alpine huts are available in the summer. Austria Skiing facilities can be found in hundreds winter sport resorts between Brand in the west and Semmering in the east. Skiing enthusiasts have the choice of some of the finest ski-instructors in the world. The capital, Vienna , is situated in the northeast of the country with the Danube running through the northern suburbs of the city. Variety and beauty, both natural and cultural, make Austria a (geographically) small jewel in the heart of Europe. Simply walking along one of the many cobblestone lanes, visiting a small country church, or standing awe-struck before a magnificent country abbey, brings you face to face with history and culture. During the 640-year reign of the Habsburg Empire, a few vivid symbols were brought into being, symbols that have remained alive and continue to define Austria in the minds of visitors today. Among these are the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, the Lipizzan stallions of the Spanish Riding School and the Vienna Boys' Choir. Of course, there's music: In Austria, it seems that music mirrors the almost melodious beauty of the land. For centuries, music has been both an integral part of everyday life and the crowning glory of special occasions. There is no other country that has made such enormous musical contributions to the world or had such an enduring influence on the international musical scene as has Austria over the course of its long and distinctive history. Austria offers the riches of Europe in the proverbial nutshell: spectacular vistas, Alpine splendor, pulsating nightlife, sophisticated shopping, classical culture and culinary adventure. And don't forget: Austria is the cradle of Alpine skiing--and skiing is a way of life in the country of any skier's dreams. Austria has been a favored travel destination for more than a thousand years. We would like to introduce you to Austria, its Imperial cities and Alpine splendor, and possibly whet your appetite to get to know more about it all. The Austrian capital is an important area for East, West trade and a frequent host to major congresses either in the Vienna International Center or at the >Austria Center Vienna. Vienna is situated in the northeast of the country with the Danube running through the northern suburbs of the city. The Ringstrasse forms the boundary of the Inner City or Innenstadt, with its fine architecture, shops and hotels. An atmosphere of elegance and bygone style prevails in this area, which should be experienced on foot. Art Nouveau buildings, such as the Majolikahaus, line the streets of some suburbs, as Vienna was the birthplace of this then controversial style. The Austrian National Library at the Josefsplatz is regarded as an outstanding example of Baroque architecture. Vienna was the center of the cultural Renaissance during the 18th and 19th centuries, and home not only to Mozart and to Strauss but also to Haydn, Beethoven, Schubert, Bruckner, Brahms and Mahler. Vienna is ideal for art and music enthusiasts. The Viennese Boys' Choir and the Viennese Philharmonic are internationally renowned. Tirol is situated in the heart of the Alpine region, it is the most mountainous region of all, with forests, hamlets and alpine pastures, beautiful valleys and mountain lakes. In summer it is a popular destination for hikes; in winter, skiing and other winter sports are available. Traditional Tirolean architecture is reflected in the villages, churches and castles. Innsbruck, the Tirolean capital was twice the home of the Winter Olympics. It is the center of another internationally renowned ski complex comprising six major resorts. An 800-year-old university town, it has numerous fine buildings dating from Austria's cultural Renaissance in the 16th-18th centuries, and a 12th-century castle. For spectacular views over the town and southern Alps, take the funicular to Hungerburg and then the cable car to Hafelekar. The Lech area is most beautiful skiing and hiking area in Austria and Europe. Lech has the longest skiing tradition and because of the romantic location, its natural beauty and the huge number of skiing lifts it developed to the top skiing area and also to the most expensive skiing village in Austria visited by the noble and famous people. During summer Lech is famous for beautiful trekking in the Alps. 85 lifts, 260 km prepared skiing slopes, snowboard funparks, 3 skiing schools, private skiing teachers, paragliding school, ballooning and hiking. Saalbach/Hinterglemm area has 2 villages and is one of the main skiing paradises in Austria which is famous because of several skiing world championships. Because of its wonderful mountains which are up to 2000 m and its natural beauty Saalbach/Hinterglemm became to a huge winter and summer resort. You will love this nice area with over 200 km slopes and over 60lifts and all the possibilities. Last not least you will enjoy the Apres Ski and the evening nightlife in Saalbach and Hinterglemm. If you have ever heard of the classic grand tour of the Alps, if you are enchanted by romantic names like Klippitzt? Turracher H? Grossglockner, and Silvretta, and if you love to drive with the air blowing through your hair, then you have come to the right web site. The thirty-four scenic routes through Austria's provinces and Italian South Tyrol presented here are in fact thirty-four very different travel experiences. Another advantage is that each itinerary interlocks with the next. So open-air fans can put together a complete tour of Austria, or just a small part according to their individual tastes and interests. Some of these scenic routes are challenging and require a degree of driving skill, but they lead through the most stunning scenery Austria and South Tyrol have to offer, so take plenty of time to look at what there is to see along the way: car and motorcycle museums, castles and palaces, not to mention nature preserves and trails. "Challenging? also does not mean that these routes are for rally drivers. They have been planned as interesting and enjoyable drives. So that they may continue to be so for others in the future, and in the interest of those who live along them, please drive carefully and with a minimum of noise. Of course, the itineraries described here by no means exhaust the variety of touring possibilities and sites to see in Austria. They should be taken merely as an introduction, and an invitation to explore other fascinating highways and byways on your own individual tour through Austria. Inclusive, custom designed Austrian honeymoons at excellent values. Select exactly the components you want in your vacation. You choose your hotel, room category -from sea views to suites-, rental car, private transfers and customized sightseeing tours. We do it all! Our Virtuoso Travel and Cruise Consultants will create the Austrian vacation you have always dreamed of. Book Your Austria Vacation Submit a vacation planner to our Austria Travel Specialists Client Testimonials about our services Search Your Vacation, Tour or Cruise Austria Overview Austria History Austria Culture Austria Geography Austria After Arriving Austria Practical Info Austria Luxury Accommodations Austria Virtuoso Hotels Austria Luxury Hotels Europe Luxury Hotels European Hotels & Villas Europe Luxury Tours Central Eastern & Western England & Ireland Tours Scandinavia & Russia Tour Portugal & Spain Tours Escape to Europe Cruises France Luxury Tours Italy Luxury Tours Europe Train Vacations Europe River Cruises Eastern Europe Packages Europe Bike Vacations Europe Active Vacations Moderatly Priced Europe Tours England & Ireland Tours France Vacations Italy Tours Central & Eastern Europe Tours European River Cruises Europe Luxury Cruises Western Europe Cruises European River Cruises Luxury Cruises World Luxury Cruises Helpful Travel Links Other Helpful Travel Links Instant Passports in 24 hours Travelex Luxury Travel Insurance CSA Luxury Travel Insurance Travel Guard Insurance Travel Safety Expert Current Travel Warnings Travel Agent Career Opportunities Bookmark this page Full Service Luxury Europe Vacation Planner Click here to save money, time and stress planning, making reservations, or booking your luxury vacation with our full service Virtuoso Travel Consultants. We are recommended, authorized Virtuoso Vacation Specialists, and can arrange every little detail to make sure you have a wonderful, carefree cruise experience at no extra charge! You may call our Virtuoso Vacation Specialists, but first, we'd really appreciate it if you complete our "Luxury Vacation Planner" so we have all your requirements beforehand and are prepared to present you with all your options and up-to-the-minute specials. Thank you very much! Call 1- 800 -330 -8820 to book your Europe vacation . Full Service, Worldwide Luxury Europe Tour Vacation Planner Click here to save money, time and stress planning, making reservations, or booking your luxury tour vacation with our full service Virtuoso Luxury Tour Consultants. We can arrange every little detail of your tour vacation, including air, and pre-tour and post-tour arrangements to make sure you have a wonderful, carefree vacation experience at no extra charge! When you complete our "Luxury Tour Vacation Planner" our Europe Specialists will promptly call you, provide you with their direct toll free telephone number, all your options, and up-to-the-minute specials . Call 1- 800 -330 -8820 to book your Europe tour vacation . Full Service, Luxury Europe Cruise Vacation Planner Click here to save money, time and stress planning, making reservations, or booking your luxury cruise vacation with our full service Virtuoso Luxury Cruise Consultants. We can arrange every little detail of your cruise vacation, including air, excursions, and pre-cruise and post-cruise arrangements, to make sure you have a wonderful, carefree vacation experience at no extra charge! When you complete our " Luxury Cruise Vacation Planner" our Virtuoso--Specialists will promptly call you, provide you with their direct toll free telephone number, all your options, and up-to-the-minute specials . Call 1- 800 -330 -8820 to book your Europe luxury cruise . 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Orlando Vacation Packages and

The Orlando Vacation Store - Discounted Disney, Universal & Sea World Vacation Packages Bookmark this site! Call Toll Free: 1-866-882-4720 Home | Faq | Contact Us | About Us | Testimonials | My Reservation | Espaol We are the #1 Seller of Orlando Vacation Packages and everyday we provide our guests with the Best Orlando Hotels & Park Tickets Deal Discounted Disney, Universal Studios & Sea World Vacation Packages Search for great deals now: Check In: Select Dec 2005 Jan 2006 Feb 2006 Mar 2006 Apr 2006 May 2006 Jun 2006 Jul 2006 Aug 2006 Sep 2006 Oct 2006 Nov 2006 Dec 2006 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 Check Out: Select Dec 2005 Jan 2006 Feb 2006 Mar 2006 Apr 2006 May 2006 Jun 2006 Jul 2006 Aug 2006 Sep 2006 Oct 2006 Nov 2006 Dec 2006 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 Members of your party: Adults Juniors Children Infants 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 (21 & Over) (10 to 20) (3 to 9) (Under 3) Rooms: 1 2 3 4 5 6 Shop With Confidence: Best Package Price Guarantee 24 Hours no Cancellation Fee Sign-up to receive our free Orlando Insider email newsletter with news, tips and special offers Sign me up To Unsubscribe Click Here Privacy Statement: Your email address will not be sold or shared with another party General info about Orlando theme parks, Disney, Universal & Sea World park hours, etc. Theme Park Info Park Hours Our Hotels Area Map Go General Information and tips to better plan your Orlando Vacation Resort Preview Offers Save an additional 50% to 70% over our already discounted prices. Just give the resort 90 minutes of your time and save on your Orlando Vacation. You can even stay at a 5 Star Resort for the price of a regular hotel room! We are a Local Travel Company At The Orlando Vacation Store , we hand pick the best Orlando hotels according to quality, location and features, and negotiate the best possible wholesaler rate. The result is a comprehensive list of hotels in the Disney, Universal and Sea World area at great prices. Then We combine our Orlando Hotels wholesaler rates with volume theme park tickets discounts, to offer packages at better prices than anyone else. Thats why we offer a Best Package Price Guarantee and 24 hours no cancellation fee policy, all with a superb local customer service. Additionally, many of our hotels offer free breakfast and / or transportation to the Disney, Universal and Sea World theme parks, for even greater savings and convenience. Also, your Disney, Universal or Sea World theme park tickets will be waiting at the hotels front desk before your arrival, so no long lines at the parks to purchase tickets, more time to enjoy the attractions. Another reason to choose The Orlando Vacation Store Why Us? - 24 Hours no cancellation fee policy. Learn More - Best Package Price Guarantee. Learn More - 128-bit secure transaction Server by GeoTrust Florida Seller of Travel Lic. No ST-35794 Home | Faq | Contact Us | About Us | Testimonials | Theme Parks - Dinner shows info & park hours | Area map | Our Orlando hotels | View Reservation | Espaol Additional information about Orlando Vacation Packages: Orlando Vacation | Florida Vacations | Orlando Theme Park Vacations | Disney World Vacation Packages The Orlando Vacation Store 2003-2006. Specializing in Disney World, Universal Studios and Sea World Vacation Packages. All brands are Registered by their respective owners. Not affiliated with the Disney World, Universal Escape or Anheiser-Busch Companies. Revised:22 December, 2005

Golf Vacation | Golf

Golf Schools: Golf School Vacations America's Favorite Golf Schools 2, 3 and 5 day Golf School Vacations Home | Brochure Request | Reservations | What's Included in our Golf Schools | Testimonials | Contact Us Questions?? Call us toll-free at 1-800-365-6640 Live and Stay with a Master Golf Teaching Professional GOLF SCHOOL LOCATIONS Arizona Arkansas California Connecticut Florida Georgia Hawaii Illinois Kansas Louisiana Maryland Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Nevada New Mexico New York North Carolina Ohio Pennsylvania South Carolina Tennessee Texas Vermont Virginia Wisconsin New! Seniors & All Military Personnel Receive 10% Discount off Schools! "The Game has Never Been Easier to Learn!" GOLF SCHOOL VACATIONS MAKE GREAT GIFTS! BUY A GIFT CERTIFICATE CLICK HERE Welcome to America's Favorite Golf Schools, the #1 Choice in Golf School Vacations offering two, three and five day packages at over 50 locations across the United States. With thousands of graduates over 20 years, students return season after season to refine their playing skills, relax and enjoy the amenities our many locations have to offer. You can request a free hard copy version of this website (brochure), or quickly and easily make your reservations online to one of our golf schools, or call us toll free at 1-800-365-6640 . And now for a limited time, receive a free complimentary golf gift when you register for any class . Please request complementary gift when registering. Aside from being the most popular organization of golf school getaways, our continued success hinges on the fact that our teaching staff sincerely cares that you improve. Our relaxed teaching structure lets you work and have FUN at your own pace, whatever your age or level of ability! Beginners and intermediates are just as welcome as low handicappers. Subscribe to our Mailing List For those interested in learning more about upcoming golf school specials and tips for improving your game, please enter your e-mail address and press subscribe. You will be added to our mailing list and receive periodic updates from America's Favorite Golf Schools. FT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA GOLF SCHOOL GET OUT OF THE COLD AND ENJOY A WARM GOLF SCHOOL VACATION IN BEAUTIFUL FT. LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA. ONLY 15 MINUTES FROM THE BEACH, BONAVENTURE COUNTRY CLUB IS ONE OF OUR MORE POPULAR GOLF GETAWAY DESTINATION LOCATIONS. THEIR NATIONALLY FAMOUS #3 WATERFALL HOLE WAS RECENTLY VOTED ONE OF THE TOP EIGHTEEN HOLES IN SOUTH FLORIDA. AMERISUITES WESTON ACTS AS THE HOST HOTEL AND IS ONLY MINUTES FROM THE COURSE TRULY A GREAT PLACE TO WORK ON YOUR GAME! Learn More PHOENIX, ARIZONA GOLF SCHOOL THE SUN SHINES 350 DAYS A YEAR IN PHOENIX, AND YOU WILL CERTAINLY ENJOY A GREAT GOLF SCHOOL EXPERIENCE RIGHT HERE AT AHWATUKEE COUNTRY CLUB. OUR GOLF SCHOOL DIRECTOR & GOLF MAGAZINE TEACHER OF THE YEAR NOMINEE DAVE SHAVER WILL IMPROVE ALL AREAS OF YOUR GAME USING THE EXCITING MODEL GOLF TEACHING SYSTEM. THE BEAUTIFUL WEATHER, HOSPITALITY AND UNMATCHED INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM ENSURE YOU A FANTASTIC GOLFING VACATION. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION. Learn More America's Favorite Golf Schools 1295 SE Port St. Lucie Blvd. Port Saint Lucie, FL 34952 800-365-6640 772-335-3815 Fax 772-335-3822 info@afgs.com More About Our Golf Schools Buy a Gift Certificate View Our Video Request a Brochure What's Included in our Golf Schools Make Reservations View Current Specials Private Lessons Mini Golf Schools Golf Schools for Beginners Golf Schools for Women Golf Schools for Juniors Guidelines for Golf School Teaching Professionals Golf Schools as Family Vacations Other Golf Resources Contact Us View Our FREE Golf School Video Home | Brochure Request | Make Reservations | About Our Golf Schools | Testimonials | Contact Us | Link To Us | Site Map Golf Lesson | Golf Vacation | Golf Instruction | Golf School Information and Policies 2004 America's Favorite Golf Schools®

Asia Travel (65) 6235

Borneo Hotels & Resorts - Asia Travel Reservation Services Malaysia Hotels, Resorts & Travel Reservation Up to 75% Discount Pay on Check-Out Last Minute Rooms Instant Confirmation -- Malaysia Coaches Tours SINGAPORE HOTLINE Travel Information || About Asia Travel (65) 6235 2498 SARAWAK - KUCHING HOTELS & RESORTS Crowne Plaza Riverside Kuching RM 275 nett Superior Room with breakfast per room per night Book Now Holiday Inn Kuching RM 214 nett Standrad Room with breakfast per room per night Book Now Holiday Inn Resort Damai Lagoon RM 194 nett Superior Room with breakfast per room per night Book Now Holiday Inn Resort Damai Beach RM 214 nett Standard Balcony with breakfast per room per night Book Now SABAH HOTELS & RESORTS Shangri-La's Rasa Ria RM 518 nett Superior Rainforest per room per night Book Now Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru RM 370++ Kinabalu Deluxe per room per night Book Now Sepilok Jungle Resort RM 50 nett Standard Room per room per night Book Now Promenade Hotel RM 215 nett Superior Room per room per night Book Now MALAYSIAN CITIES Kuala Lumpur Langkawi Penang Malacca Johor Bahru Puala Tioman Redang Island Desaru Genting Highland Port Dickson Sibu Island Pangkor Island Cameron Highland Kuantan Kuala Terengganu Ipoh Bukit Tinggi Borneo - Sabah & Sarawak SARAWAK - KUCHING HOTELS/RESORTS UP TO 75% DISCOUNT (ALPHABETICAL LISTING) HOTEL/RESORT NAME LOCATION CATEGORY RATE FROM BOOK HERE Crowne Plaza Riverside, Kuching Highly Recommended Kuching RM 275 nett Instant Confirmation Grand Continental Hotel Kuching RM 170 nett Reserve Holiday Inn Kuching Highly Recommended Kuching RM 214 nett Instant Confirmation Holiday Inn Resort Damai Beach Highly Recommended Kuching RM 214 nett Instant Confirmation Holiday Inn Resort Damai Lagoon Highly Recommended Kuching RM 194 nett Instant Confirmation Hornbill Golf & Jungle Club Kuching RM 280 nett Reserve Merdeka Palace Hotel & Suites Kuching RM 195 nett Reserve SABAH HOTELS/RESORTS UP TO 75% DISCOUNT (ALPHABETICAL LISTING) Beringgis Beach Resort Kota Kinabalu RM 170 nett Reserve Hyatt Regency Kota Kinabalu RM 255 nett Reserve Nexus Resort Karambunai Kota Kinabalu RM 345 nett Reserve Promenade Hotel Kota Kinabalu RM 215 nett Reserve Sepilok Jungle Resort Sandakan RM 50 nett Reserve Shangri-La's Rasa Ria Kota Kinabalu RM 518 nett Reserve Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Kota Kinabalu RM 370++ Reserve AIR PACKAGES - KUCHING / KOTA KINABALU 3D2N Kota Kinabalu Air Package (Malaysia Airline) 3D2N Kuching Air Package (Malaysia Airline) 22, Cavenagh Road/Orchard Road #02-05,#01-04A (Hotel Grand Central), Singapore 229617 TEL : (65) 6235 2498 / (65) 6887 4347 , FAX : (65) 6235 7620 / (65) 6887 5489 Asia Travel Worldwide Hot Line Numbers: Hong Kong +852-27360922 Indonesia +62-21-5328682 China +86-21-63223855 Dubai +971-4-2941405 +971-4-2941407 Thailand +66-2-6797187 Philippines +(632) 635-5099; +(632) 635-7499; +(632) 914-4970 up to 72 Call from the USA, Dial : 1-877-367-6577 (Toll-Free) Call from UK, Dial : (44) 208-792-6789 Singapore/Malaysia +65-6732 4183 Call from the USA, Dial : 1-877-367-6577 (Toll-Free) Call from UK, Dial : (44) 208-792-6789 [ Asia Travel Hotel & Resort Reservation Service ] [ Malaysia Hotels & Resorts ]

Taiwan Travel Stories (

Motorcycles and Madness in Taiwan - Taiwan - Taiwan Travel Stories :: BootsnAll Travel Network Visit other BootsnAll sites: BootBlog | Bali | London | Australia | Written Road | Travel News Daily Home | Ask an Insider | Members Forum Plane Tickets | Youth Hostels | RTW Guide About Us | Advertising | Contact | RSS | Staff First Time Visitor? By John Matthews Motorcycles and Madness in Taiwan Taiwan It was a beautiful clear morning, and the path to adventure lay before us. The plan was simple. Travel down the west coast of Taiwan, cut across a small mountain range up the east coast, across another mountain range, and home again. Our trusty steed In the area of equipment, economy was important. I had the biggest and most powerful motorbike the average person in Taiwan could buy - 150cc. To this was strapped a tent, sleeping mats, sleeping bags, cooking equipment, food and girlfriend. At a top speed of about 80 - 90 km per hour, we were not going to break any land speed records. Taiwan is best known for computers, but a little known wonder is the natural beauty of the place. Running up the middle of the island is a majestic mountain range. The range is truly spectacular. Leaving the east coast, and the majority of people and factories, also means leaving the thick smog filled air. When first arriving on the east coast, the scenery is spectacular. Mountains reach right down to the sea. The sea is an aqua blue, clean and clear. Without doubt one of the most beautiful sights in the world. Camping is no problem in Taiwan, especially if you have some trouble with the local language. First stop on the plan was Jrben (zurben). This area is famous for hot springs. A lot of people camp in Taiwan, but few of them venture far from the amenities. Once you find a river, not in flood, you are virtually left on your own to the tranquil sounds of the water and the wildlife. Jrben hot spring Taiwan is also well known for its earthquakes. Effects of this instability are the hot springs. There is nothing more soothing after a days ride on a motorbike, then to sit in the heavily mineralised waters of the hot springs. You can choose from the very commercial bathing areas or the natural settings, where the water bubbles up from the source itself. It's the perfect treat for the weary traveller. Part two of the journey saw us travel up the coast to meet the mountain range, and start the long journey home. Travelling anywhere in the region of China and some parts of Asia during the Chinese New Year is not a good idea. In Taiwan most of the country is on the move. Stopping for supplies on the way into the mountains, we spoke to the local shop owner. All he could say in his broken English was "careful, be careful". What could he mean? It wasn't long before we found out. In the centre of the mountain pass was a famous gorge, a nice place to set up and camp for the night and split the journey. Or so we thought. The road snaked its way up heading towards this gorge we had heard about. Arriving, we found just that, a gorge that you could see from a large bridge, but nowhere to camp. On the map it looked like we were about halfway through the mountains. The road continued to make its way up the mountains Two hours later there was still no end to the climb. The road conditions had taken a turn for the worse just in time for the traffic to increase. Being earthquake country, at times half the road was missing. This part of Taiwan was also famous for landslides and in some places the road had been devastated. This seemed of no consequence to the Taiwanese. They came in large numbers, and at great speeds, and on any part of the road that seemed to feel most comfortable. In Taiwan there is an unwritten hierarchy for traffic. It goes in size. Trucks and buses first, cars, and then of course the lowly motorcycles, scooters and bicycles. The consequences of this were that an approaching car would never move over for a motorcycle. Given that the road clings to the side of the mountain, it was a very dangerous dance. On one side was a two-foot wall with at least a drop of a kilometre and the other was the grand prix circuit for Taiwan. Stopping outside a roadside restaurant, searching the skyline and the impossible height of the mountains, we looked for the pass that would take us through to the other side. Upon leaving, the road climbed and climbed. There was no pass. We were going straight over the top. Mountain view Just when you thought that things could get no worse, they did. The temperature dropped about ten degrees. At the top the view was spectacular, not quite risking your life for, but very spectacular. Legend had it that many people died making the road. Local people said that before the weeklong holiday was finished there would be a few more. Riding for three hours and covering less than a hundred kilometres, all that lay ahead was a damp dark tunnel and the other side of the mountain. The road stayed in its normal condition, narrow and falling off the mountain. The traffic however increased significantly. On at least five occasions, a head on collision with a car or truck was only seconds away. If the tinge of fear had not set up camp in the pit of my stomach, then the smell of leaking brake fluid made the tent look like a house. Luck being on our side - it rained. The journey down the other side of the mountain range took another three to four hours. Dismounting at the first town, lips caressed the ground in heart-felt thanks. Chinese New Year brought out the celebrations in people. That meant firecrackers, and lots of them. There goes the restful nights sleep. Waking found us lying in the salted pools again, before making our way home in the driving rain. What could be the moral of the story? My recommendation is this. If you want to enjoy the beauty of Taiwan's mountains, run a bath throw in some salts and connect to the net. This article was added to BootsnAll on March 01, 2001 | Permanent Link Got an opinion? Share your thoughts on this article . More BootsnAll articles like this: Asia ( tag ) Asia Travel Stories ( tag ) China ( tag ) China Travel Stories ( tag ) John Matthews ( tag ) NE Asia ( tag ) NE Asia Travel Stories ( tag ) Taiwan ( tag ) Taiwan Travel Stories ( tag ) Book It! RTW Air Tickets (round-the-world) Plane Tickets (round-trip and one-way) Search for Hotels Rental Cars Youth Hostels Eurail Passes Travel Insurance Adventure Travel & Tours Travel Bookstore TEFL Courses Airport Parking GSM Phone Rental Travel Visas Newsletter Sign up for any or all of BootsnAll's newsletters. Why should you sign-up? Newsletter Sign-Up (enter your e-mail) Research It! 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