Travel and tips

Travelers to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada will be required to have a passport to enter or re-enter the United States. This is a change from prior travel requirements and will affect all United States citizens entering the United States from countries within the Western Hemisphere.
This new requirement will also affect certain foreign nationals who currently are not required to present a passport to travel to the United States. Most Canadian citizens, citizens of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda, and to a lesser degree, Mexican citizens will be affected by the implementation of this requirement. Essentially, you must have a passport if you wish to enter the United States, even if you are a U.S. citizen.
When It Goes Into EffectThe travel initiative requirements will be rolled out in phases. The proposed implementation timeline is as follows:1. December 31, 2005 – Passport required for all travel to or from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Central and South America.
2. December 31, 2006 – Passport required for all air and sea travel to or from Mexico and Canada.
3. December 31, 2007 – Passport required for all air, sea and land border crossings.
How Do I get a passport?U.S. citizens may visit the Passport section of the State Department web site [state.gov] for information on how to apply for a U.S. passport. You should allow yourself a sufficient amount of time to apply and receive your passport in advance of travel. Current processing time estimates are 6 to 8 weeks.
In ClosingAs the world becomes a more dangerous place, borders are being tightened. How depressing.

The announcement was made after Norwegian AS — one of Europe’s leading low-cost airlines — successfully concluded negotiations with Malta International Airport (MIA) and the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA), opening the doors for Norwegian AS to operate the route offering cheap flights to Malta.
Norwegian Air Shuttle will operate two flights to Malta a week, every Tuesday and Saturday, and is expected to move tourism to Malta in Norway, providing the Mediterranean island with a new influx in tourism. Joining the likes of Ryanair, who have been operating direct routes to Malta for over a year with relative success.
The addition of yet another low cost airline is expected to further boost tourist numbers visiting Malta and Norwegian Air Shuttle opens a window of opportunity to attract more Scandinavian tourists to visit the Maltese islands. Malta’s economy heavily depends on tourism and the introduction of low cost airlines to offer cheap flights to Malta is seen as a positive move by the authorities who had been protective of national airline Air Malta initially.
Norwegian AS commenced operations in September 2002 with four domestic routes and six B737-300 aircraft but has grown considerably since then and nowadays has 31 aircrafts and an additional 53 new B737-800’s on order from early next year. The low-cost airline offers a flight network of 128 routes to 76 destinations from Norway, Sweden and Poland.
“We are very proud to include Malta in our already extensive European network” said Daniel Skjeldam, Chief Commercial Officer of Norwegian AS. “Malta has always been a favourite destination for Scandinavians and we realised that there is a great demand, judging from the numerous enquiries we receive from our customers. We believe that with low prices and a direct flight, it will be a success”. Mr Skjeldam added. He went on to say that the airline is collaborating with the MTA and MIA to promote the route in Norway, offering cheap flights to Malta, and he expressed his appreciation for the support that both entities have shown throughout.

If you’re looking for a entertainment filled trip, then there’s no need to look any further than Orlando. Even if you’ve been to Orlando before, the amount of new new entertainment that have opened in the area in the last year is unbelievable.
Universal Studios have opened what will undoubtedly be one of the main attractions at any of the parks with the introduction of The Simpsons ride. Replacing the old Back to the Future attraction, you get chance to visit Krustyland with the worlds most famous family. Universal Studios also announced the opening of a innovative rollercoaster snappily called Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit to open in 2009.
Also due to open in 2009 is a tie up between J K Rowling and Islands of Adventure with an area of the theme park to be dedicated to Hogwarts, that is also set to open in 2009.
The other major additions has involved another Orlando favorite, Seaworld Orlando. Intent on becoming one of the top entertainment centers in Orlando, Seaworld Orlando have added a waterpark to the Seaworld and Discovery Cove parks in the area. Known as Seaworld Aquatica, Seaworld have added interaction between the animals in the park and the rides. Seaworld have recently announced they will be adding a new rollercoaster called Manta to the original park, that will open in 2009.
So that leaves Disney World. Disney have been really improving Disney’s Hollywood Studios recently to make it one of their top draw theme parks. With recent additions to the park including the Block Party Bash parade, Toy Story Mania ride and an area of the park dedicated to Pixar Studios the theme park has some really fresh visitors attractions this year.
So if you have haven’t been to Orlando for two or three years, you’ll be pleasantly suprised at what rides and shows have been added to the Orlando parks and what we can look forward to in the next year.

It’s easy to forget how massive Walt Disney World Orlando actually is. Even the most frequent of visitors to Disney World are impressed by what changes each year when they return to the parks. If you think about it though with the scale of Walt Disney World, with it’s host of theme parks, water parks, hotel resorts and restaurants it isn’t really that surprising.
So where has the most change taken place recently. I think you don’t have to look any further than Disney’s Hollywood Studios to see a park being rejuvenated. Formerly known as MGM Studios has a number of new rides and shows that have been added to in the last year. The biggest introduction has to be the opening of Toy Story Mania. This is an exciting 3D ride where you take part in shooting arcade from your car as you make your way around a Toy Story themed shooting arcade. The ride has been opened within the Pixar Place area of the park, so we can expect more Pixar themed attractions in that area. Parades and shows have also been introduced, including Block Party Bash which is a parade featuring characters from the Toy Story movies. Another movie franchise is a High School Musical show which also takes part in the park. Another permanent feature is the Jedi Training Academy. Originally only at the park during Star Wars Weekends, this is now a full time attraction at the park.
On the resort front, the Contemporary Resort has been going through one of the biggest remodelling phases since it opened. The Contemporary is one of the original Walt Disney World hotels, opening along with the Magic Kingdom back in 1971. A recent addition to the hotel is The Wave restaurant, which is focusing on the healthy-eating conscious visitors to the resort. Another resort that has gone through a lot of change is the Animal Kingdom resort, with the addition of the up market Animal Kingdom Villas.

Newcastle is often referred to as Newcastle upon the Tyne and situated in Northern England. Newcastle’s climate is moderate, making it an ideal place to visit any time of year. Established in the Roman Era by the Emperor Hadrian and formerly named Pons, Aelius, Newcastle upon the Tyne is a place rich with historical sites to see and recreational activities to engage in. Whether you are seeking fine dining or interesting activities to enjoy, there is no finer place to visit that Newcastle.
Places of interest:The cultural enthusiast will find no end to the historical sites of interest situated in Newcastle. One of England’s most incredible cities, tourists find themselves longing to return to Newcastle time and time again. Not only is Newcastle full of exciting sites to see, it is conveniently situated near many of England’s popular cities and attractions. Nearby cities surrounding Newcastle includes Bath, Belfast, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool, London, Nottingham, Oxford, and York. Further, tourists will find Newcastle filled with galleries, museums and historical sites to visit during their stay.
ALDERMANS FENWICKS HOUSE: located at 98 Pilgrim Street, is a historical mercantile town house in the North of England. Its origins are found in the medieval era and prove completely entertaining for the history enthusiast. The Aldermans Fenwicks House is open during regular office hours and tourist can book night time tours if they call in advance.
BESSIE SURTEES HOUSE: situated at 41-44 Sandhill in Newcastle is open to tourists all year round and were originally the homes of wealthy merchants. Existing since the 17th century, the Bessie Surtees House currently stands as the as the site for the North East Regional Office of English Heritage.
DISCOVERY MUSEUM: the Discovery museum at Blandford Square is situated near the Central station, so transportation is available. This museum offers free entrance and shares with tourists England’s rich maritime history in addition to its scientific and technological advances.
MILITARY VEHICLE MUSEUM: found at the Exhibition Park Pavilion, just off of Claremont Road, holds well over 50 wartime vehicles, from WWII and after, as well as antique bicycles, armour, and historical documents on exhibit.
MUSEUM OF ANTIQUITIES: located at The Quadrangle, just off of Kings Walk in Newcastle, has a number collections, including collections from the Palaeolithic period through the 1600’s. Entry into the Museum of Antiquities is free for both children and adults.
BROWN’S ART GALLERY: Browns Art Gallery at 15 Acorn Road, Jesmond, is filled with gorgeous paintings and pottery, sure to please any tourist. The gallery holds limited editions and offers a picture framing service to the public.
Things to do:Along with all the terrific historical sites, museums and galleries to visit, tourists will find that Newcastle is chockfull of recreational activities. From theatres to comedy clubs, from cinemas to casinos, tourists travelling thorough Newcastle are bound to find many enjoyable recreational pursuits.
BUDDLE ARTS CENTRE: Buddles Art Centre at 258B Station Road, Wallsend, was established in 1981. Tourists will find a number of events, workshops, and exhibits being hosted at the theatre and should call for a schedule before visiting. The Buddle Arts Centre is open during the hours of their events and other offerings.
THEATRE ROYAL: Theatre Royal at Grey Street, is the perfect stop for all fans of Shakespeare as the theatre frequently hosts the Royal Shakespeare Company.
THE HYENA CAFЙ: is located at Leazes Arcade, Leazes Lane, Haymarket in Newcastle, and tourists will find that this comedy club is loaded with visitors every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. If you’re looking for some comic relief while staying in Newcastle, the Hyena Cafй is the place to be.
ODEON: located at The Gate Complex, Newgate Street in Newcastle is an excellent site to stop in and catch your favourite film.
THE SIDE CINEMA: is located at 5 - 9 The Side, Next to Side Cafй in Newcastle and is open from Tuesday until Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm.
ASPERS CASINO: is located at The Gate, Newgate Street in Newcastle, and is a Las Vegas style casino and bar that consists of well over 40,000 square feet of gambling entertainment.
Food & Drink:After a fun filled day of site seeing and enjoying your favourite recreational activities, you are bound to stir up an appetite. Not to worry, Newcastle is filled with fantastic dining locations and you’ll have no trouble pleasing your palate.
KUBLAI KHAN: 22 The Side in Newcastle, is a Mongolian Restaurant offers visitors a banquet. No reservations are required, so the Kublai Khan is an excellent choice if you’re looking to simply walk into a location and grab an excellent bite to eat.
CHIQUITOS: Chiquitos is located at Warner Brothers Complex in Newcastle and serves Mexican delights. Just opposite the Manors Metro station, Chiquitos serves salsa, nachos, salads, chilli, enchiladas, fajitas, and chimmichangas.
HOT BOX CAFЙ: located at St Mary’s Place in Newcastle, offers some of your favourites from burgers and fries to kebabs and pizza. The Hot Box Cafй is an excellent place to visit if you’re looking for fresh, cooked to order dining.
BIMBI’S: located on Nelson Street, is one of the best fish and chips locations in Newcastle. Offering an array of fish entrees, and a variety of pies for dessert, BIMBI’s serves your craving for seafood while visiting Newcastle.
NEWCASTLE PIZZA BEACH: is situated on the waterfront, and serves as a fantastic place to grab a slice of pizza while on the water.
Newcastle Hotels & Accommodation:Newcastle offers visitors a number of different accommodations to choose from. With over 25 gorgeous hotels to choose from finding a place to stay in Newcastle is a breeze. What’s more, every hotel offers its visitors and array of amenities to make their visit both enjoyable and memorable.
Percy Arms Hotel Express by Holiday Inn Newcastle Metro Centre Holiday Inn Newcastle Copthorne Hotel Newcastle Waterside Hotel Royal Station Hotel.
The Vermont Hotel Hadrian Lodge Hotel Cairn Hotel Whites Hotel Jesmond Hotel Swallow Imperial Hotel Best Western New Kent Hotel Britannia Hotel Newcastle Airport Gibside Hotel Caledonian Hotel Carlton Hotel Village hotel and Leisure Club Newcastle Jurys Inn Newcastle Premier Apartments Newcastle Express by Holiday Inn Newcastle City Centre Horton Grange Quality Hotel Newcastle Upon Tyne George Washington Golf & Country Club Thistle Newcastle Grey Street HotelEntertainmentThere is no question that tourists can easily find entertainment in Newcastle. When not touring historical sites or engaging in recreational pursuits, visitors to Newcastle will find that the nightlife in Newcastle is equally inviting. Casinos, bars and nightclubs are readily open and accessible in Newcastle and visitors will never be without something to do in this fine English city.
Newcastle: it’s one of the most splendid places in England. Fine dining, entertainment and a rich history make Newcastle particularly inviting to tourists and visitors return every year to enjoy all that Newcastle has to offer.

Thinking of living, studying or working in Spain? Here you will find everything you need to know about the joys and pitfalls of living in a Spanish city. This site is dedicated to assisting English speakers find their feet in Spain as from our own experience we know about the problems one can experience when they find themselves in a foreign land without the ability to speak the language. From looking for accommodation or work to learning Spanish, you will find everything you need on here. Advice, information, city guides, language assistance and much more..
Why This Site?The purpose of this site is to create an information and resource centre for people like me who are thinking of either living or working in a Spanish city where free advice can be gained on many aspects and problems you might encounter based on our own experiences. On top of the free advice and info you will find on this site we also offer a range of services that will hopefully allow you to settle here as quickly as possible.
Who are we?We arrived in Spain with the intention of learning the language and then finding work once the language was up to scratch. Initially the plan was to stay for around 6 months and then head back home to England. As our destination I selected Valencia as I wanted to go to a big city but wanted to avoid Barcelona and Madrid as the cost of renting is quite high in comparison (although still cheaper than most places in England!!). Valencia turned out to be a great choice as it is fast becoming one of the most up and coming cities in Europe. There is so much to see and do here and for the moment prices on property remain fairly cheap (but expect to see prices rise as the city becomes more popular).
When I arrived here I spoke very little Spanish and knew nobody. I came armed with a very heavy suitcase and the intention of finding an apartment but initially I began my adventure spending a few nights in a hostel (there are many in Valencia). The hostel was great as the place was full of travellers most of whom were able to speak English so I managed to get some advice of where to begin my quest for finding an apartment. It seemed that the best way to find somewhere was to take a wander along the streets and take note of some of the adverts that people had stuck to trees and lampposts so this is what I did..
The best place to look was around the student area of the city, however usually you will only find notices advertising rooms in flats to share whereas I needed a flat to myself. The other option was to head for an estate agent but straight away you will cost yourself a months rent in estate agent fees so unless you are desperate avoid this course of action. In the end I did manage to find somewhere. Through sheer fortune I met an English student who was leaving her flat the next day but if it wasn’t for her I don’t know what I would have done. I expect I would have had to go bite the bullet and gone through the agents but even this would have been difficult with my very limited Spanish!So hopefully travellers to Spain will see this as a useful resource. Check out the site here… www.new2spain.comDan Carwardineadmin@new2spain.com22 November 2005

Here are my top ten travel tips for students traveling overseas1. Make sure you have a signed, valid passport and visas, if required. Also, before you go, fill in the emergency information page of your passport! Make color copies of your passport and visa information and carry a copy with you at all times. This way you can secure your passport in your hotel room safe.
2. Read the Consular Information Sheets (and Public Announcements or Travel Warnings, if applicable) for the countries you plan to visit. You can easily find them at the U.S. state department travel web site. Register your trip online at the same web site.
3. Leave copies of your itinerary, passport data page and visas with family or friends at home, so that you can be contacted in case of an emergency. Keep your host program informed of your whereabouts. 4. Make sure you have insurance that will cover your emergency medical needs (including medical evacuation) while you are overseas. If you bring any medication with you, ensure that you have copies of your prescriptions.
5. Familiarize yourself with local laws and customs of the countries to which you are traveling. Remember, while in a foreign country, you are subject to its laws! You will not be in Kansas anymore. What is legal in one country may not be in another. Do your homework before you go. 6. Do not leave your luggage unattended in public areas and never accept packages from strangers. Thieves and possible drug smugglers may target you. Be observant and report anything suspicious.
7. While abroad, avoid using illicit drugs or drinking excessive amounts of alcoholic beverages, and associating with people who do. Possession of small amounts of marijuana may be a misdemeanor in your home town, but may be a Class I felony in another country. Instead of a small fine, you may be looking at 10 – 20 years in a foreign prison. Don’t even consider doing drugs in a foreign country.
8. Do not become a target for thieves by wearing conspicuous clothing and expensive jewelry and do not carry excessive amounts of cash or unnecessary credit cards. Dress plain and simple with nondescript shirts and jeans.
9. Deal only with authorized agents when you exchange money to avoid violating local laws. Currency exchanges and banks are your best choices. Money changers on the streets or back alleys may be illegal.
10. When overseas, avoid demonstrations and other situations that may become unruly or where anti-American sentiments may be expressed. Avoid government buildings and embassies unless you absolutely have to go. Registering with the state department travel website will provide the embassy a way to contact you in country either by phone or email.
Use common sense and have a great trip.

No visit to Bangkok is complete without visiting the temples in the city. The temples, or wats, are all over and the main temples can be seen in a day or two.
You can either plan your own trip or check in the lobby of your hotel and sign up for a Ѕ or full day trip. There are 5 temples that are definite “must see”.
Wat Arun is the temple of the dawn. It is located on the Chao Phraya River. As the name indicates, it is ideal to visit first thing in the morning as the sun rises. This way you will see the sun bounce off the walls of the temple with a pearly iridescence.
Wat Phra Kaew, or the temple of the Emerald Buddha, is in the heart of Bangkok, at the Royal Palace. Despite the name, the statue is really made of jade and is adorned in golden garments. There are three sets of gold clothing that are changed according to the seasons. Like all the temples, you should dress appropriately. For the men, this means slacks and a collar shirt. For the ladies, wear a dress and cover as much skin as possible. If you are improperly dressed, you will either be turned away or be offered to rent some clothes.
Another temple to visit is Wat Pho. This is the temple of the Reclining Buddha. This is the oldest temple in Bangkok and houses over 1,000 images of Buddha. The Reclining Buddha is 46 meters long, plated in gold, with inlaid mother of pearl on his eyes and soles of his feet.
Next is Wat Benchamabophit. This is a beautiful marble temple built in 1899. Inside the Ordination Hall (Ubosot) is a Sukhothai-style Buddha statue named Phra Buddhajinaraja, cast in 1920 after the original located in Wat Mahathat in Phitsanulok. The ashes of King Chulalongkorn are buried beneath the statue. In the gallery surrounding the ordination hall are 52 Buddha statues, collected by Prince Damrong Rajanubhab for his king.
Lastly, is Wat Tramit, the Golden Buddha. This is a fascinating story and a temple you have to see. You need to read the history and learn how the Thai people hid this Buddha in clay to keep the Burmese from taking it and melting down the gold for war. It went undiscovered until an accident chipped away some of the clay to reveal part of the 5 tons of gold. No guards in sight as no one would dare steal it.
Whether you are religious or not, visiting the temples in Bangkok or anywhere else in Thailand is something you should do.

Experienced travelers the world over know the tried and true saying: Less is more. Who wants to schlep around heavy, bulky bags when you’re far from home, most likely running from place to place, trying to make sure all of your belongings continue to be your belongings? The trick of the trade, according to seasoned travelers, is to consider packing only one bag. What’s more, to consider making that bag the size of a carry-on bag. That’s right, the size of a bag that fits, or mostly fits, in the overhead compartment on today’s commercial airlines.
Consider the following reasons to travel light:1. SafetySimply put, one bag is easier to keep tabs on than two bags, or three, or… You get the idea. You don’t have to check your bags and risk losing them altogether as you travel.
2. EfficiencyOne bag means less to carry, which means you don’t have to pay someone to help you or pony up for one of those Smarte Cartes at the airport. Also, with one bag, you won’t be as tempted to buy as many useless souvenirs you’ll never need, because there won’t be room for anything extra in your bag on the return trip.
3. FlexibilityWith only one bag, you don’t have to worry about getting to the airport so early or sticking around so long after your flight lands. You can run through train terminals more speedily and shove yourself more quickly into the backseats of taxi cabs. And customs inspections? No problem.
So, now that you’re convinced you should limit your travel bags to one, you may well be wondering how on earth to fit all your necessaries into a single satchel. Plan carefully what you will need for your trip and take only those thing: If you think, “I might need this” then it’s probably safe to assume that you won’t. If you think “I can’t live without this,” then into your travel bag it goes.
Other tips:* Plan to do laundry while you’re traveling (even if that means doing them in your hotel room sink!). This way you won’t feel as compelled to take as many clothes.
* Take clothes that you can mix and match.
* For your toiletry items, use travel-size products. Even if they’re not easy to find, you’ll be glad you took the trouble. And remember that most of them can be refilled and reused—even toothpaste tubes can be refilled with enough patience and manual dexterity!* Pack underwear, socks, and other small cloth items inside larger items, such as shoes, to maximize all available space.
* Check the weather of your destination ahead of your departure time so you can plan your wardrobe accordingly.
* If you’re the type of person who can’t resist a good—or a bad—souvenir, take one or two items of clothing that are mostly worn out. Wear them once, toss them, and fill up the space they occupied with that plastic replica of Mt. Rushmore that you just can’t live without.
And, of course, the most important travel tip of all: remember to have fun, wherever you go and however you get there.

You are a lucky person, you have a good chance to know more about this great city, which is as beautiful as ever, despite all crises and misfortunes! Russia travel agency Nordway is the best starting point for your Moscow travel. Read it, enjoy it and feel happy and confident.
Moscow is one of the oldest and one of the most beautiful Russian cities. The city has absorbed many different styles that strike the visitors with their variety. The great number of churches and cathedrals in the Russian capital amuses Moscow visitors.
Magnificent stone churches and cathedrals with multiple golden, blue and white domes towering everywhere over all other buildings and structures. Even in the heart of Moscow, in the Kremlin, old churches compete with the immense Congress Palace for space. Despite its size (about 900 square kilometers) and the scale of many of Moscow buildings and avenues, the general layout is easily grasped - a series of concentric circles and radial lines, emanating from the Kremlin - and the center is compact enough to explore on foot. We display everything required by any traveler who plans a trip to our wonderful city.
St. Basil’s CathedralThe famous St. Basil’s Cathedral was commissioned by Ivan the Terrible and built on the edge of Red Square between 1555 and 1561. Legend has it that on completion of the church the Tsar ordered the architect, Postnik Yakovlev, to be blinded to prevent him from ever creating anything to rival its beauty again.
(He did in fact go on to build another cathedral in Vladimir despite his ocular impediment!) The cathedral was built to commemorate Ivan the Terrible’s successful military campaign against the Tartar Mongols in 1552 in the besieged city of Kazan. Victory came on the feast day of the Intercession of the Virgin, so the Tsar chose to name his new church the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Virgin on the Moat, after the moat that ran beside the Kremlin. The church was given the nickname “St. Basil’s” after the “holy fool” Basil the Blessed (1468-1552), who was hugely popular at that time with the Muscovites masses and even with Ivan the Terrible himself.
St. Basil’s was built on the site of the earlier Trinity Cathedral, which at one point gave its name to the neighboring square.
Statue to Minin and Pozharsky In the small garden outside St. Basil’s stands an impressive bronze Statue to Minin and Pozharsky, who rallied Russia’s volunteer army during the Time of Troubles and drove out the invading Polish forces. They were an interesting duo - Dmitry Pozharsky was a prince, while Kuzma Minin was a butcher from Nizhny Novgorod.
The statue was designed by the artist I. Martos and erected in 1818 as the city’s first monumental sculpture. It originally stood in the center of Red Square in front of what is now the GUM Department Store, with Minin symbolically indicating to Pozharsky that the Poles were occupying the Kremlin and calling for its liberation.
Arbat The Arbat is a true symbol of old Moscow, and has recently celebrated its 500th anniversary. Its name is first mentioned in the city chronicles of 1493. In that year the whole city was engulfed in a terrible fire, sparked by a candle in the Church of St. Nicholas in Peski, which is situated on the Arbat. This disaster led to the well-known saying: ‘A penny candle razed Moscow to the ground.’ However, from the second half of 18th century the Arbat became the most aristocratic quarter of the city, just like Prechistenka.
It was often described as the St. Germain of Moscow, and the Muscovite intelligentsia settled in this area. The Arbat and Prechistenka have much in common in their history and character. There have never been any factories here, nor any workers’ huts, and there were no taverns or bazaars.
Muscovites used to say: ‘For money, go to Zamoskvorechye, for a career, go to St. Petersburg, but for knowledge and memories, go to the Arbat.’ The area between the Arbat and Prechistenka takes us back to the unique world of quiet lanes where each house is still steeped in the atmosphere of old Moscow.