Air Travel

AirHitch - Take Advantage of Last-Minute Seating Availability on commercial Jet Aircraft AirHitch email updates It's winter time, and we offer you the best prices we can. Seats are available to many destinations. So take the freedom AirHitch offers you to fly Winter in Europe, check the flights, on every day there are more then 20 flights from the East Coast to Europe and back. All are with Seat Confirmation 24 hours before the flight so you know you're flying We improved our Flight confirmation request and flight system. in your personal page under "My AirHitch" page check to see available flights. Once you find a flight that fits your travel needs, view the detailed flight information and press the "Confirm Flight" button. You will open a new request that you can update by confirming a different flight. We will contact you prior to your flight with confirmation number and boarding information if seats are available. To check your flights logon to your personal page. Join our members it's FREE. Only Members receive by e-mail Discount codes to selected flights U.S to/from West Europe U.S-Mediterranean U.S Main Land to/from Hawaii U.S-Caribbean U.S-Mexico U.S-Australia U.S-Far East U.S-Africa U.S-Domestic U.S-Central America Indicates an e-ticket confirmation 24 hours before departure R/T Los Angeles to Honolulu - $279* R/T San Francisco to Maui - $279* R/T Sacramento to Honolulu - $279* R/T New-York to Dusseldorf - $379* R/T Portland to Honolulu - $319* R/T New York to Madrid - $329* R/T Washington to Frankfurt - $276 * R/T New-York to Manchester UK - $250 * R/T New-York to London - $339 * You may be astounded to know that on any given day, literally thousand of seats go empty on commercial jet aircraft - the same kind you usually fly on. Providing you are flexible and savvy enough to fit your own travel plans into what is available, then the AirHitch way might be what you have been waiting for. * Taxes are not included. airhitch airhitch airhitch airhitch travel last minute airhitch flights budget airhitch airhitch airhitch airhitch europe student airhitch airline

Italy travel packages from

Private Italy tours, custom vacations, Italian experience Custom Private Tours A magical experience with our delightful tours of Italy. We will arrange every aspect of your worry free travel in Italy. We design a program to match your interests, budget and schedule Tour Coach, Escorted Let the experience of our tours experts guide you. We offer a selection of moderate to deluxe escorted tours of Italy with Trafalgar, Globus and Cosmos, Insight Vacations Small Group Travel Service We can take all the worry out of the travel arrangements to Italy for your family or friends as well as save you money. No matter how complex the travel arrangements are, we can handle them. Customer Testimonials Much of our business over the Internet is from clients who have booked several times with us. We are constantly receiving client comments about how much they enjoyed the travel arrangements we made for them. About Us Details on who we are, our mailing address, how to contact us by phone, fax and email. How long we have been in business and what we specialize in. Information This section includes information about travel in Italy, detailed regional and city maps plus helpful tour information on regions and cities. Weather and currency converter. -- W e design vacations and tours of Italy tailored exactly to your specifications. Our Italian experts have detailed knowledge of the different regions including Tuscany, the Amalfi coast, the Lake District, Umbria, Sicily and the classical cities of Rome, Florence and Venice, Italy. We remove any worries by arranging everything ahead of time then we send you an attractive detailed illustrated itinerary which includes information on your vacation, travel and transport arrangements, vouchers and airline tickets if required. To experience Italy, call our consultants for detailed information on custom private or escorted coach tour itinerary details. Stay in luxurious hotels, Italian villas, castles, palaces, historical homes, farms or agritourism accommodations. Read some of the recent client comments we have received, then give us a call and let us set you on the road to your dream vacation with our specialized services to customize a tour matching your budget, schedule and itinerary. Experience our luxury escorted or independent vacation packages. Humans do it best! W e offer a wide selection of Italy travel packages from traditional to unique and unusual. Hotels, villas, castles, farms or historical homes for rent. Also our offices in Italy are happy to assist you at any time if you need assistance while you are traveling there. Or, experience an escorted tour from one of our established and reputable operators meeting our high standards such as Globus and Cosmos, Trafalgar Tours and Insight Vacations. W e have many programs for special interests - Opera and music, special wine or cooking courses, golfing and walking holidays... We believe that humans do it best. Call our North American toll-free telephone line or email us. W e design programs for groups of 2 to 200 people. We will arrange romantic honeymoons or group packages. Let us make your Italy travel road a smooth one! Road to Travel | Road to Egypt | Total Travel Service Site Map | Escorted Tours | Custom Tours | Tour Information | About Us | Search | Useful Travel Links 2000 - 2005 Total Travel Service (tm) All Rights Reserved.

Travel Insurance FAQs About

Travel Insurance - Columbus Direct (Australia) Our Travel Insurance Assistance & Claims Travel Tips Travel Insurance FAQs About Us Contact Us Travel Insurance - Are you paying too much? As pioneers in travel insurance, Columbus Direct always put the customer first. That's why our travel insurance is typically much cheaper than that offered by travel agents and some other travel insurance providers.* How can we do it? Well, we sell direct, so we cut out the high commissions typically paid to agents and pass these savings on to you, and you'll get the same low price travel insurance whether you call or purchase online. So if you're looking for cheap prices and great service, don't buy your travel insurance until you've checked us out. What our customers say about our travel insurance... I recently purchased insurance from you for the third time in 12 mths as you are great value (even though my husband works for an insurance co). The policy is comprehensive and I have recommended Columbus to friends... - Leanne Read more customer feedback Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance for frequent travellers... You could save even more with our Annual Multi-Trip policy. Year-round cover for all your international trips of up to 60 days. Prices from just $250. Read more about our annual travel insurance * When compared to the most similar travel insurance products. Cover varies between providers. Columbus Direct Travel Insurance, 62 Alexander Street, Crows Nest NSW 2065, Australia Columbus Direct does not provide advice about travel insurance based on any consideration of your objectives, financial situation and needs. To decide if our travel insurance is right for you, please read the Product Disclosure Statement. If you purchase a policy, Columbus will receive a commission based on the type and duration of the travel insurance that is never more than 40% of the premium paid (excluding any GST and Stamp Duty). Columbus Direct Travel Insurance Pty Limited (ABN 99 107 050 582) is an Australian Financial Services Licence holder: No. 246636. © 2005 Columbus Direct Travel Insurance Pty Limited. All rights reserved. Annual Travel Insurance | Ski Travel Insurance | Travel Insurance Australia | Travel Insurance Quote Home | Privacy Policy | Resources | Visit our New Zealand site | Visit our UK site Get a travel Insurance quote now... Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm Australia DST Get a travel insurance quote now... Secure online purchasing Call us to pay by Amex, Diners, cheque or money order. COLUMBUS DIRECT TRAVEL INSURANCE The Columbus St Bernard: A trusted brand for more than 15 years. Columbus Direct Travel Insurance policies are underwritten by certain underwriters at Lloyd's of London Get a travel insurance quote now...

European Vacation Planning Map

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...

European Vacation Ideas for

Benelux and Beyond - Northern European Vacation Ideas for the Benelux Countries  You are here: About > Travel > Europe for Visitors > Benelux Countries > Benelux and Beyond - Northern European Vacation Ideas for the Benelux Countries 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 Benelux and Beyond - Northern European Vacation Ideas for the Benelux Countries 5 Countries in 14 days? Why Not? If you have a short vacation and want to travel through the most varied cultural landscapes in a short time, why not consider Benilux--Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg--along with adjacent pieces of the bookend countries of France and Germany? Short distances and the availability of high speed rail connections mean that you won't spend all your time looking out a window on a moving landscape. Plus, Benelux rail 'n drive packages give you the flexibility to see it all by train and car. The Benelux countryside is flat and watery--you can bike or walk on tow paths along the many canals to observe calming rural vistas for hours. Benelux Countries - Benelux Rail Map Benelux Map © 2005 by James Martin, licensed to About Why Benelux? Benelux is compact. It's 123 miles between Brussels and Amsterdam, 184 miles between Paris and Brussels--and both of these destinations are served by high speed rail that'll speed you between Paris and Brussels in one hour and 25 minutes. Folks in Benelux countries are quite likely to speak English , since the local languages are confined to a relatively small goegraphic area. Benelux hospitality is legendary --you might want to consider a farm stay while you're there--especially if you have kids--to test the friendliness of the natives and get a feeling for what it's like (more below). Variety - and France and Germany are just across the border. Not only do you have three countries to visit, all within an hour or so travel time between each other, center to center, but France and Germany are easily visited as well. Lille, just across the border in France, was a European capital of Culture for 2004, and it's a major rail hub for high speed trains. Koln (Cologne) and its famous cathedral are also close, and the landscape around Trier--a colonial capital under Roman Emperor Augustus in 16 BC and Germany’s oldest city--is beautiful, and the city isa good starting point for trips into theMosel Valley and cruises on the scenic Mosel River, Germany’s mainwine-producing region--just in case you get tired of the almost infinite varietyof Beer styles you find in Belgium that is. Getting to the Benelux Countries You'll probably start your vacation from a large city. Major airports usually offer the best fares from the US, so you'll probably be starting from Paris, Frankfurt, or Amsterdam. If you find a good fare to London (or wish to add that city to your visit), you can take the Eurostar from London to either Paris or Lille, and continue your Benelux vacation from there. Getting Around the Benelux Countries While rail is highly recommended, and trains can get to most cities in the Benelux countries, you might want to also view a little of the countryside. Rail 'n Drive passes make this easy. Plan Your Benelux Adventure Transportation Rail Passes (Including Rail 'n Drive Passes) for Benelux, France and Germany. Thalys - High Speed Train Information - The thick blue line on the map is the Thalys route. Eurostar - All About the Eurostar - London to Lille, Paris, and Brussels. If your end point is Brussels, you'll get a free pass to any other stop in Belgium, just in case you wish to avoid Brussels altogether. Destinations in or Accessable from Benelux Lille, France Reims and the Champagne Region of France Belgium: Belgium Guide | Belgium Map | Belgium Pictures Netherlands: NetherlandsGuide | NetherlandsMap | Amsterdam Guide Luxembourg: Luxembourg Guide Cologne, Germany Dusseldorf Germany Frankfurt, Germany Trier, Germany Farm Stays in Belgium Many "farm" stays don't set you down in a real, working farm. I've found the Spreeuwenburg farm in a perfect location in the Belgian countryside not so far from the Netherlands border and nearby to the justly famous old smuggler house turned into a restaurant bar, Roste Muis. Read more: A Pleasant and Inexpensive Farm stay in Belgium . Benelux - The Final Word I hope you'll check out the Benelux countries. The major cities are interesting and chock full of art from old masters. Belgium cuisine is considered one of the best in Europe, and the beer is outstanding as well. Amsterdam is an amazing city, and if you want to visit a city that's mostly ignored by tourists, look into Antwerp, Belgium. Peter Paul Ruben's house makes an outstanding visit--and even Antwerp's main train station is worthy of the label "Railway Cathedral." From James Martin , Your Guide to Europe for Visitors . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! 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...