Italy Travel Guide Travel

Italy Travel | Guide to travelling Italy | 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 Italy Travel Guide Travel Destinations Guide Italy Tuscan countryside, Italy - Mike Bonsall Italy Photo Gallery Italy is the home of the maffia, some of soccer's finest teams, and Roman Catholocism. Quite simply, this is a place of such diversity that the only thing that will stop you spending the rest of your days here is an empty wallet. Museums display some of the most beautiful art works ever made; but the living, breathing Italy that operates outside museum doors has enough beauty to suffice the average visitor. Stroll down the streets of Rome, Florence, Naples or Venice, and you'll be struck by the wealth of history and culture tied up in the cobbled streets, baroque styled buildings, or beautiful chapels. Natural beauty abounds, too: gorgeous stretches of coastline; the majestic Alps sealing off the northern border; and the people, of course. Best of all, Italy is the home of pizza and pasta, so expect a culinary experience superior to any Pizza Hut meal you've ever had. Quick Facts Capital: Rome Population: 57,998,000 Religions: Roman Catholic Government: Republic Official / National Languages: Italian, German, French, Slovene Country Phone Code: +39 Map of Italy Flag of Italy Member Comments Members talk I finally visited Italy last year after wanting to go for the last 12 years. I had built it up in my mind so much. I did all of my .. Full comment dl180301 | 28th Sep 05 I'm a travel agent specialized on Italy. I can give more than help on planning your trip to Italy. I live in Rome .. Full comment lakota | 19th Aug 05 Just go there! It is just the place........ so buetifull. .. Full comment ol_11 | 2nd Aug 05 Become a member or login to add your comment. More comments from our members... Want some personal advice on Italy? 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 36 Travel Helpers available to answer your questions about Italy. Italy 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 Italy. Italy Accommodation Italy hotels (741) Italy last minute hotels (533) Italy apartments (171) Italy campsites (32) Italy bed & breakfasts (570) Italy hostels (135) Italy budget hotels (631) Other Products Cheap travel insurance Eurail passes & Train tickets Italy tours (42) Around the world tickets Italy Travel Sites Our Pick Life in Italy - Italy site with articles, pictures, news, accommodation, culture and more Italian related products and information. Sponsor Deruta Italian Ceramics - Authentic Deruta Majolica, fine hand-painted Italian ceramics including tiles, tableware and dinnerware from Deruta in Italy. Sponsor Frammenti Art - Decoration laboratory of mosaic art where architectural and interior mosaics are produced following the ancient Mediaeval-Byzantine traditions. More Italy 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

Japan Travel International Travel

Metropolis - Tokyo Japan Travel: God speed JAPAN TODAY | METROPOLIS | CLASSIFIEDS | PERSONALS | JOBS Issue Index Original Features Features Mini Features Cultural Features Life in Japan Big in Japan Rant & Rave Cars & Bikes Health & Beauty Interiors Practical Jobfinder Money Talks Tokyo Tech Web Watch Food & Drink Food & Drink Restaurant Reviews Bar Reviews Word of Mouth Travel Travel Features Japan Travel International Travel Travelogue Style Art Artifacts Fashion Tokyo Talk In Store Buyline Music Japan Beat CD Reviews In Person Concerts Clubbing JAPAN TRAVEL Photos by Mary King The mother of all Shinto temples, Ise Grand Shrine is the spiritual home of the Japanese nation. Mary King takes a pilgrimage. D own the ages various rumors and tales have circulated about the sacred mirror of Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess. It was once said that whoever laid eyes on the mirror would immediately be struck blind, a possible deterrent for would-be thieves. Others have claimed to have seen the mirror and reported that it is inscribed with ancient Hebrew lettering, reading “eheyeh asher eheyeh,” the name of the Judaic-Christian God written in Exodus 3:14 and meaning “I AM THAT I AM.” Heavenly abode Japan’s sacred mirror, one of three items of the Imperial Regalia, is kept in the Inner Shrine (Naiku) at Ise Grand Shrine, a sanctuary that many visitors to the Mie Prefecture city of Ise are astonished to discover they are not allowed to enter or even see. Ise Jingu, popularly known as “O-Ise-san,” or officially “Jingu,” holds the most honored position among the more than 100,000 Shinto shrines that are scattered throughout the breadth of Japan. The site of the nation’s most Holy of Holies, and boasting some of the world’s greatest architectural monuments, Jingu is also home to some of the simplest and most mysterious structures. Described as the “starting point for all journeys in Japan,” Ise is regarded as the spiritual home of the Japanese, a place to which most wish to make at least one pilgrimage to in their lives. In fact, more than six million pilgrims and worshipers come to Jingu each year, crossing the Uji Bridge spanning the sacred Isuzu River to symbolically leave behind the temporal world and enter a “pure world” of kami (gods and spirits) and the ancient mythology of the land. Odyssey Passing through the second huge torii at the end of Uji Bridge, a long gravel approach leads you through a natural cathedral of towering cryptomeria. Pilgrim and tourist alike are taken on a divine journey toward the Naiku and Geku, where Amaterasu and Toyouke (God of Abundant Food) are respectively worshipped. It is an unforgettable odyssey, one that spirits you back to the country’s earliest recorded “history” that tells of the “Age of Kami,” the creation of Japan and the origins of its people right through to the Imperial line and succeeding generations of emperors and empresses. The auxiliary shrines resemble ancient granaries The Geku (Outer Shrine) was dedicated to the grain deity Toyouke, possibly in a bid to bolster the new imperial cult that started, according to the myth, when Amaterasu sent her grandson, Ninigi no Mikoto, down to earth to rule. The Sun Goddess handed her grandson the mirror that had lured her out of her cave, along with Susano’s sword, and a curved jewel. The mirror (yata no kagami), along with the jewel and sword, remain the Three Imperial Regalia, symbols of divine authority, and to this day the emperor conducts rites to ensure a bountiful harvest as well as secret rituals in which he symbolically mates with the Sun Goddess. The high priestess of Ise, meanwhile, has traditionally been an Imperial princess, reflecting the nation’s early history of shamanesses, priestesses and ruling empresses. Having passed through large open grounds and crossed over a small bridge (hiyokebashi), you gradually move towards the more sacred area of the Naiku. To the right of the main pilgrimage path is located a font for the ablutions made by pilgrims prior to proceeding toward the main sanctuary grounds. Beyond the daiichi torii (first sacred gateway) are steps that lead to the Isuzu River, where since ancient times pilgrims have purified their body and mind by washing their hands in, and rinsing their mouths with, the waters of this sacred river. According to Shinto thought, one’s pure mind and body given by the kami must be ritually cleansed so as to return to a state of purity. Amaterasu Omikami is enshrined in the main sanctuary building, the Goshoden, of the inner sanctum of Naiku, in which the august mirror, her symbol or goshintai, is kept and worshipped. As they are considered most sacred, pilgrims or other visitors may see neither the mirror nor the main sanctuary. In fact, the only people allowed to enter the Holy of Holies, according to my guide, are members of the Imperial Family, although on one occasion, it is rumored, Queen Elizabeth was invited in. Restoration Except for the exalted mirror, all of Jingu’s other sacred shrines and objects must be reconstructed in synch with each 20-year Shikinen Sengyo cycle. The elaborate transference procession and ceremony involves the remaking of some 491 holy treasures, 1600 accessories and 125 kinds of sacred apparel that are then put in their proscribed places by the priests. Formerly used objects are kept in the nearby Jingu History Museum, which is open to the public. It is possible to find two absolutely identical Naiku and Geku standing side by side-one old, one new. In time the older one will be deconstructed and its wooden parts, now forever consecrated, recycled as repair pieces for other shrines around Japan. The newer one-once the transference of holy objects has been consummated-hence replaces the old as a locus of veneration. The shrines themselves are thought to resemble ancient granaries or storehouses and are built from Japanese cypress (hinoki) from the Kiso forestry preserves extending between the Gifu and Nagano Prefectures. Befitting the reverence accorded to these sanctified building blocks, death, loss of a limb, or imprisonment have, over the centuries, been the penalties for felling these jewels. A visit to the majestic Ise shrine allows one to understand why. Where to stay: Oaken, tel: 059-622-2589; Hinodekan, Tel: 059-628-2954; Saekikan, tel: 059-628-2017; Okubun, tel: 059-628-2231. Ise City Tourist Information, tel: 059-623-9655. TRAVELOGUE WORLD TRAVEL TRAVEL FEATURES JAPAN TRAVEL: SEPTEMBER 389: God speed The mother of all Shinto temples, Ise Grand Shrine AUGUST 385: Hattoji Highland hamlet JULY 380: Nagasaki Remembrance of things past 378: Kawagoe From modern Tokyo to "Little Edo" 376: Tottori Tottori's stunning landscapes JUNE 375: Kyushu Bed and bath under the volcano 373: Ryogoku Land of the giants 372: Osaka Universal Studios Japan MAY 371: Osaka Amerika-mura: Osaka's funky town 369: Mie Mikimoto Pearl Island 368: Takarazuka Hyogo-ken's all women theater group APRIL 365: Kawasaki Kawasaki's annual fertility festival 364: Aomori A day on Fear Mountain MARCH 362: Nagano Chill out snowboarding 361: Asuka One foot in the grave FEBRUARY 356: Yamanashi Hakushu's hidden treasures 355: Waseda Tram Trip A streetcar named... 352/3: Aomori Jesus in Japan 351: Kumamoto Under the volcano in Kyushu 350: Sado Island Explore the forgotten charms of Shukunegi ISSUES 348- ISSUES 298- TOP

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Vacation Packages Christmas Flowers

Christmas Vacation Packages, Christmas Vacation Package, Family Vacations for Christmas, 2005 Christmas Vacation Packages Christmas Flowers | Christmas Decorations | Christmas Gifts | Christmas Greetings | Christmas Wallpapers : CHRISTMAS VACATION PACKAGE CHRISTMAS VACATION PACKAGE Christmas Holidays are a perfect time to relax and go out on that much awaited vacation with your near and dear ones. There are plenty of Christmas Vacation Packages to choose from and have a whale of a time with your beloveds. Below are listed some of the exotic Christmas Vacation Package ideas: Caribbean Vacation: Caribbean islands have a remarkable variety of places that will make you fall in love with the place again and again. The charming Caribbean with its white sandy beaches, fantastic sunsets and gregarious people is an ideal destination to relax and enjoy. Walt Disney World: Disney World is a heaven for fun loving people where they can participate in activities like tree-lighting, special parade, Very Merry Christmas Party and relive their childhood days once again. Far East: The mystical land of Orients has attracted the fancy of all and one since time immemorial with its rich cultural legacy and hot, tempting cuisines. You can plan out your Christmas Vacations at Goa in India, Malaysia, Indonesia situated in Indian Ocean and rejoice the time. Evergreen England: Picturesque England with its diverse landscape, stunning scenery, cultural heritage and warm people can be visited any time in the season. Spain: It is the third most popular destination in the world and boasts of amazing natural attractions. Barcelona, Salou, Alicante, Marbella , Benidorm, Bilbao, Nerja, Pamplona , Jerez, and Madrid are the preferred tourist cities in the country. The beaches ringed with sand, rock, seawater and abundant sunshine attracts millions of beachgoers. France: Regarded as one of the classics tourist destination, it offers striking mountain ranges, coastlines with rich cultural heritage with castles and places of interest like Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and cathedral of Notre-Dame. USA: USA, regarded as the melting pot of people from diverse backgrounds known for California sunsets, Vegas jackpots, and fast paced eclectic New York guarantees a lifetime of adventure. Greece: Wrapped in beautiful landscapes, lovely beaches, and vivid historical and mythological legacy it welcomes millions of tourists every year. The grand sports event of the world Olympics originated in this city, which is equally famous for its ancient sites like Parthenon on the Acropolis in Athens or the temple of Delphi. Australia: The beautiful continent located in southern India simply mesmerizes you with its inherent charisma. The city blends the European charm in its vibrant cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide. Its places of interest are Uluru, Kakadu National Park, Kangaroo Island, Pinnacles and Bungles. Germany: Offers a rich experience to the tourists in various aspects. The spectacular Alps, Rhine and Moselle valleys, Music festivals at Bayreuth and Munich draw many tourists. The German cities carrying the medieval charm Rothenburg ob der Tauber and Dinkelsbühl are other popular tourist destinations. Italy: Italy famous for its mystical cities like Rome, Venice, Florence and Pompeii is wonderful tourist destination for you. For the connoisseurs of art, the best place to visit the Colosseum, the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Pantheon. The place offers incredible range of cuisines, which are rich with cream and meaty sauces. Denmark: Also known, as gateway to Scandinavia it is an enchanting land with picturesque villages and towns, historic castles and monuments, and a coastline, which varies delightfully from broad sandy beaches to small coves and gentle fjords. Hungary: A lovely country brimming with natural beauty and culture offers attractive tourist destinations Budapest, Buda, Pest, The Danube, Visegrad and Lake Balaton. South Africa: The country offers wide array of tours, safaris, accommodation and attractions to the tourists. South Africa has topography range from arid bushland, sandy beaches, tropical wetlands to mountain ranges. SEND QUICK CARDS

Cruise Vacation

CI Travel - Book Your Cruise, Vacation, or Corporate Travel With CI Travel Call 888-734-0773 to speak with our Florida locations. Call 888-627-8000 to speak with our Virginia locations. Cruising Cruise From Florida Cruise From Norfolk Norfolk Cruise Specials Group Travel Honeymoon Travel Vacations Travel Clubs Group Travel Honeymoon Travel Corporate Traveler Profile Travel Request Comment Card Government NASA Travel Air Force Travel SEC Travel JPAC Travel Find My Perfect Vacation! 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St. Kitts St. Lucia St. Martin/ St. Maarten St. Thomas/ St. John, U.S.V.I. Tobago, Trinidad Tortola/ Beef Island, B.V.I. Turks And Caicos -Providenciales US Airways Vacations Destinations --select-- America/USA: -AZ - Phoenix/Scottsdale -CA - Los Angeles CA - Orange County/Anaheim -CA - San Diego -CA - San Francisco Canada - Montreal -- Canada - Ottawa -- Canada - Toronto -- -CO - Denver -CO - Vail FL - Daytona Beach -FL - Clearwater -FL - Ft. Lauderdale FL - Ft. Myers/Captiva FL - Marco & Sanibel Islands FL - Jacksonville -FL - Islamorada/Marathon -FL - Key Largo -FL - Key West FL - Naples -FL - Miami Beach -FL - Orlando -FL - Tampa -FL - Sarasota/Lido Beach -FL - St. Pete Beach -FL - West Palm Beach -LA - New Orleans -HI - Honolulu -HI - Kona -MA - Boston -NV - Las Vegas NV - Reno/Lake Tahoe -NY - New York City -SC - Myrtle Beach -TN - Nashville UT - Salt Lake City -WA - Seattle -Washington, D.C. Anguilla Antigua Aruba Bahamas: -Nassau -Cable Beach -Paradise Island -Grand Bahama Island Eleuthera Island Marsh Harbour Island George Town Island Treasure Cay Island Barbados Belize Bermuda Costa Rica Dominican Republic: -La Romana -Punta Cana -Santo Domingo France - Paris/Nice Germany: -Frankfurt -Munich Grand Cayman Great Britain: -London -Manchester Grenada Ireland - Dublin Ireland - Shannon Italy: -Rome/Florence -Milan/Venice Jamaica: -Montego Bay -Ocho Rios -Negril Mexico: -Cancun -Cozumel -Mexico City -Riviera Maya Netherlands - Amsterdam Nevis Palm Island Puerto Rico - San Juan Scotland - Glasgow Spain - Madrid St. Barthelemy -- St. Kitts St. Lucia St. Maarten/St. Martin Turks & Caicos U.S. Virgin Islands: -St. Croix -St. John -St. Thomas Sandals Vacation Destinations --select-- Antigua: -Sandals Antigua Bahamas: -Sandals Royal Bahamian Jamaica: -Beaches Boscobel -Beaches Negril -Beaches Sandy Bay -Royal Plantation Ocho Rios -Sandals Dunn's River -Sandals Grand Ocho Rios -Sandals Inn -Sandals Montego Bay -Sandals Negril -Sandals Royal Caribbean -Sandals Whitehouse St. Lucia: -Sandals Grand St. Lucia -Sandals Halcyon -Sandals Regency St. Lucia Turkc & Caicos: -Beaches Turks & Caicos Quick Flight Search From: ( Airport Code ) Depart On: To: ( Airport Code ) Return On: Tour Operator Any Abercrombie & Kent Adventure Center Adventure Photo Tours Adventure Tours American Orient Express Brennan Vacations Caravan Tours Celtic Tours CIE Tours CIT Tours Collette Vacations Contiki - Vacations for 18-35 Year Olds Destination Europe Resources (DER) European Incoming Services Holland & Holland Insight Vacations INTRAV Keith Prowse Entertainment Travel Main Street Travel Maupintour Mena Tours and Travel Pacific Delight Tours Perillo Tours Tara Tours The World Outdoors Trafalgar Tours Uniworld Way To Go Costa Rica Region Any Africa Alaska Antarctica Asia Australia/New Zealand Canada Caribbean Central America Europe-Eastern Europe-Northern Europe-Western Hawaii Mediterranean Mexico Middle East Pacific Islands South America Southeast Asia US - Midwest US - Northeast US - Pacific Coast US - Southeast US - Southwest US - Rockies World Duration Any 1-5 days 6-9 days 10-15 days 16+ days Date Any June 2004 July 2004 August 2004 September 2004 October 2004 November 2004 December 2004 January 2005 February 2005 March 2005 April 2005 May 2005 June 2005 July 2005 August 2005 September 2005 October 2005 November 2005 Max Price $ Email Promotions Enter your email address below to receive weekly promotions from CI Travel. 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