http://travel.travelocity.com/flights/InitialSearch.do
NY-Panama City - EWR-PTY
Wed 02/01 17:00-22:15 ewr Wed 02/22 10:05-15:15 618+97>716 CO1021/CO1022 COPA/CA


Panama City
Hotel Lisboa 0111 507 227 5916 hang up L/P
http://www.hotelcaliforniapanama.net $55
http://www.hostels.com/hosteldetails.php/HostelNumber.56811
Colonial Las CumbresLas Cumbres, Panama City
http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/Hostal-Aleman/Panama-City/55771?sc_sau=sfab
Hostal Aleman Private $22 Calle Anzio 56, Panama City, Panama
Hostal Panama $32 Via Porras, Calle 62 Este,

Boqueue
Suenos del Rio (River Dreams 720-2736 / C: 6-601-7771
http://www.serasphere.net/boquete.htm)
Walk to Mirador
Edgar Restaurant.

Israel: Jerusalem Memorials Yad Vashem in
Spain: Granada La Alhambra, escenario de mis sueños - Water effect also see Cordoba & Portugal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axlEcGdS19E

Public Transport to Newark Airport
http://www.njtransit.com/sf/sf_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=TripPlannerItineraryFrom Newrark Airport
DOVER 1:45 PM FRANK R LAUTENBERG SECAUCUS UPPER LEVEL at 3:03 PM
TRENTON TRANSIT CENTER 3:31 PM NEWARK AIRPORT RAILROAD STATION at 3:31 PM
NEWARK AIRPORT RAILROAD STATION at 3:31 PM AIRTRAIN STOP TERMINAL A at 3:53 PM ~2.5 hrs
$19.75

DOVER at 1:45 PM NEWARK BROAD ST at $9.00 2:52 PM
BROAD ST AT LACKAWANNA AVE at 3:00 PM Bus No 27 toward IRVINGTON VIA PRU CTR $1.50 3:05 PM
BROAD ST AT CEDAR ST at 3:10 PM Bus No GO28 toward NEWARK AIRPORT EWR $0.70 3:26 PM ~ 1.40 min
Walk 0.33 mile W to Newark Airport Terminal A $11.20
Or
DOVER at 2:55 PM NEWARK BROAD ST at 4:00 PM
BROAD ST AT LACKAWANNA AVE at 4:09 PM Bus No 27 toward IRVINGTON VIA PRU CTR-Exact Fare 4:15 PM
BROAD ST AT CEDAR ST at 4:21 PM Bus No GO28 toward NEWARK AIRPORT EWR 4:37 PM ~ 1.40 min
Walk 0.33 mile W to Newark Airport Terminal A
$11.20

TRAVEL INFORMATION

Table of Contents
MISCELLANEOUS 2
Items to carry 2
INTERNATIONAL 4
Misc. locations 5
Jean-Georges Vongerichten Favorites 5
Best Places to live 5
AFRICA 6
Algeria 6
Tunisia 6
Mozambique 7
Zanzibar, Tanzania 7
AMERICAS 8
Argentina 8
Brazil 10
Chile 11
Club Med 11
Costa Rica 12
Cuba 13
Ecuador 13
Nicaragua 14
USA 15
EAST / MIDDLE 16
Iran 16
Sites: 17
Asia – Far East 21
China 21
India 21
Indonesia 22
Japan 22
Malaysia - Penang 22
Myanmar (Brma)- Bagan 22
Philippines – Subic Bay (Sebu/Cebu) 23
Thailand 24
Vietnam 24
New Zealand 25
Asia, Central - Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan! , Tajikistan, Turkmenistan. 26
EUROPE 27
Bulgaria 27
Cyprus 27
Czech 27
France 27
Hungary 27
Italy 28
Spain 28
Turkey 28
UK 29
MISCELLANEOUS 30
The Frugal Traveler Sees the World – Croatia, Lisbon, Bologna, Montenegro, Turkey, Urumqi 30


MISCELLANEOUS
mid-week flights are generally cheaper,
http://www.airtimetable.com/airpass_asia.htm Air pass programs ***
www.Staralliance.com 29000 miles 15-stop world ticket $3,099. Till end of 2000. ???
www.lastminute.com British Web site for low rate flights from London.
Air Lingus $99 to Ireland
www.asaptickets.com $505 Argentina + more
http://www.adventuroustrekker.com Himalayas, Lhasa, Tibet (12 days: $2400)
http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0403/ Mike Fay’s great walk thru the central African jungle

R.A. Travel 212 633 8300 Car/Hotel www.ratravel.com 39 W 14 #306 Rome: $650 vs. Pan Express $595
Air-Savibgs.com 212 545 1212 www.Air-Savings.com 303 5th Ave #905 Rome $750
Global 212 575 2898 Rome $740
Cancun, Mexico 800 216 9182 Employee code: MX 349 All inclusive: $349 + free FL ticket

http://home8.inet.tele.dk/huosan/Traveliran.htm Travel, Iran
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/dest/sam/col.htm Travel, Colombia
Items to carry
Cloths Shirts (dress, polo, T-shirt); pants (dress, jeans), shorts, underwear, Socks
Slippers, shoes? Bathing suits/goggles?
Rain-wear, umbrella, sweat-shirt, cap, hand-towel, Toilet paper
Ziploc Carryon liquids: In 3 oz containers in a 1qt ziploc bag
Toothpaste, mouth wash, shampoo, liquid soap, Hand lotions, Shaving Cream, after shave
Toiletry bag Toothbrush, flosses (3 types), ear swabs
Soaps (pocket), Lief, lip balm
Hair brush, comb + Razor, detergent (powder), cloth line
Sewing kit, safety pins, Money pouch, Nail clipper, Swiss army knife,
Misc. Transformer/converter, Camera (battery, USB cable) Flashlight, Alarm clock,
Passport (2) & passport pictures, birth certificate + copies of each
Imodium: $5/12 Bought: 11/24/2009 exp: 03/12 : 2 after 1st, 1 after each subsequent, Max 4/day
Tamiflu: $60/10 Bought: 11/24/2009 exp: 06/16 2/day for 5 days
Cancel WSJ delivery
Wear your bulkiest clothes on the plane
Carry-on luggage : 43 linear inches (The total length, width & height)
The packing lists on the Peace Corps wiki are a good source if you need to know what kind of clothes to bring

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703959104576082200251735460.html?mod=WSJ_hp_MIDDLETopMiniLeadStory


US
Acadia National Park, Mount Desert Island, Maine-Near Bar Harbor 1300 acres of trails Martha Stewart
www.nyc.gov/foreverwild
Lake George Alpine Village 518 668 2193 Water ski
www.tommystaxi.com 631-665-4800 Mon-Sat: $17, Sun: $20
Tommy’s Bus to Fire Island From 81st & 3rd: Sat & Sun 8:00, 9:15, 10:15am
Fr. Ocean Beach Ferry: Sat: 7:10, 7:40, 8:40, 10:15pm Sun: 6:40, 7:40, 8:45, 10:10pm
Bike Tours:
Brooks Country Cycling Tours
140 W. 83rd Street. NY 10024 (212) 874-5151 Jerry $105 8:15a-6:15p.
7/22/00 Westend NJ - Delaware River-Lumberville 30-38 miles
7/23/00 CT - LI Sound Westport - 25-44 miles
09/24/00 Sharon, CT 21,34,42,49 miles -8:00-6:30 $75+30 Van to Duchess County
09/25/00 Stockton, NJ
L&L Tours 89 Bowery St. Niagara Falls, 2 days, $89 Washington DC $55 http://lltours.com

I took some vacation time last week and went to northern Minnesota for the ultimate 10,000-lake-state experience -- The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. My family and I paddled our way from one lake to the next by canoe. No motorized boats are allowed. We were rewarded for our efforts by seeing loons, moose, beavers, deer, and eagles. Because this area consists of over one million acres, we saw only a small part of its wonders. We learned a lot about keeping the area pristine and saving it for generations to come. It was a great summer trip for us. If you like hiking, canoeing, and camping, I highly recommend a trip to this area

Palmyra, NY 10-acre wood – Joseph Smith, the founder of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, saw the vision of God in 1820
(843 Stafford Rd., Palmyra, NY 14522) http://www.hillcumorah.org/grove.asp NY: 6-hrs 360 miles

Vermont Ski
Less visited ski slopes: Pico, Suicide Mission, Ascutney. Make picture-perfect village of Woodstock your base; forgo busy Big K
Stow: my favorite, with Noco Chang

Oregon Times 6/16/06 The Fruit Loop, Hood River Country, www.HoodRiverFruitLoop.com , www.HoodRiverHotel.com Cherry Season
Interstate 84, Columbia River

Fall Foliage in NY Following the Foliage, by Subway
Central Park Law Olmstead planned the park with autumn in mind, favoring maples, oaks, elms – 25,000 trees
Prospect Park Also by Olmstead, Q train to Prospect Park – Lincoln Road
Inwood Hill Park #1 train to 215 St – Enter at 218 St
Forest Park J train to 111th St. Enter at the corner of Myrtle Ave. & Park Dive South
Kazimiroff Nature Trail Bronx, Pelham Bay Park, starting from Orchard Beach



INTERNATIONAL
Currency Convertor http://www.xe.com/ucc/
Cost of Living table http://www.mercer.com/summary.htm;jsessionid=mrLXf7J5-XEZE9-aeOZL3A**.mercer02?idContent=1314675

http://www.finfacts.ie/costofliving.htm 50 countries – Cheapest: Hamburg 90
http://www.finfacts.ie/costofliving2006.htm 144 countries – ASUNCION, Paraguay: cheapest 43 – GDP: $4300/pc
LP: Budget: US$20-30 a day
118 118 LIMA Peru 68.7 66.9
121 114 PANAMA CITY Panama 68.5 68.3
124 119 WINSTON SALEM United States 66.7 66.6
125 129 TEHRAN Iran 66.4 64.4
127 125 BANGKOK Thailand 64.9 65.3
128 131 TIANJIN China 63.6 62.5
130 133 BOGOTA Colombia 62.7 62.7
133 126 TUNIS Tunisia 60.7 65.2
134 135 SAN JOSE Costa Rica 58.1 58
135 137 QUITO Ecuador 57.4 54.6
137 138 CHENNAI (MADRAS) India 56.7 54.4
138 140 MONTEVIDEO Uruguay 56.5 53.5
139 141 BANGALORE India 56.4 51.7
141 143 MANILA Philippines 56 49.8
142 142 BUENOS AIRES Argentina 54.8 50.3
144 144 ASUNCION Paraguay 43.5 40.
Homes
http://www.fusedworld.com/search.html?q=ASUNCION%2C
http://www.jfestate.com/index.php?idmenu=21&procode=21255

Misc. locations
St. Marks Mike Jacobs: Visit Trunk Bay Beach
Bukhara Original (unlike Khiva) - Central Asia's holiest city
Newfoundland http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118653592482391230.html
The Search for the Next Hot Spot http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118739057150101435.html

Salina, Italy– island screne http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/07_37/b4049082.htm?chan=search
09/10/07 Movie Il Postino
Matera, Italy - An Italy Less Traveled http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/07_11/b4025093.htm?chan=search
04/12/07 Mel Gibson’s Jesus movie



Jean-Georges Vongerichten Favorites: japan, Thailand, Spain
My favorite markets around the world are:
Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo;
Or Tor Kaw market in Bangkok, where they have produce and prepared foods you've never seen
Boqueria in Barcelona
Best Places to live
www.WorldProperties.com Click on “Country info” / “Business Practices” / Select country – See ownership info
Just behind Panama were Malta, New Zealand, Uruguay, Mexico. France, Romania, Argentina, Malaysia, and Ecuador rounded out the top ten.
Malta: Small Island South of Italy, north of Algeria/Libya
France: Agricultural land in Peas, in NE, $9,000/Hectare Vs. neighboring champagne producing lots for $1.5m/Hec.
It was on Nice (France) in guest house. (Gite de France). http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/rentals/villefranche-de-lonchat/124854

AFRICA
Algeria
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/destinations/africa/algeria?poi=102196
1 US Dollar = 73.32923 Algerian Dinar
Average Room Prices
Low Mid High Deluxe
DA€10-50 DA€50-100 DA€100-300 DA€300+
Average Meal Prices
Low Mid High
DA€3-15 DA€15-30 DA€30-45

Once on a par with neighbouring Morocco as a travel hot-spot, Algeria's decade long civil war scared off all but the most foolhardy of travelers. Now that the violence has subsided a trickle of visitors is returning to explore the one of Africa's most diverse and fascinating countries.

Timimoun is a storybook Saharan oasis town. Its palmeraie counts over 400,000 palm trees and there are views of an ancient salt lake and distant dunes from the edge of an escarpment on which the town is built. The architecture here is a magnificent terracotta colour, with smooth shapes and soft lines curving around the windows.
A handy highlight which doubles as accommodation is Hotel Gourara built by the legendary French architect Fernand Pouillon in 1950s, who built practical structures whilst respecting local building traditions. The Gourara is an ochre, dilapidated building, with two swimming pools glittering amid palm trees. There are stunning oasis views from its terrace, especially at sunset, when sighing over the romantic atmosphere is obligatory.
Close to Timimoun is Tasfaoud village, a small oasis with a 13th century Almohad castle and a fascinating desert irrigation system, a gravitation point for all the village houses.

http://travel.nytimes.com/2006/12/10/travel/10algeria.html
There’s the bustling Mediterranean city of Oran, a party capital fueled by funky Algerian raï music. There are the splendid Roman cities of Djemila and Timgad, where wind whistles through the ruins of amphitheaters, arches and forests of crumbling columns. But nothing quite defines Algeria like the vast Sahara.
Sprawled across 80 percent of the landscape, the undulating sea of sand hides medieval oasis cities, teeming market towns and acres upon acres of prehistoric cave paintings at Tassili Oua-n-Ahaggar.
Tunisia
http://www.ianandwendy.com/OtherTrips/Tunisia/ Read the journal
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/destinations/africa/tunisia
1 US Dollar = 1.31125 Tunisian Dinar TND
litre of petrol TD0.43
small bottle of water TD1.00
souvenir t-shirt TD5.50
street treat - chicha smoke TD1.50
local Celtia beer TD2.00
basic hammam fee TD2.00
foreign newspaper TD3.00
local wine from supermarket TD4.00
entry into large ancient sites TD5.40
local wine from restaurant TD9.00
Average Room Prices
Low Mid High Deluxe
TD7-15 TD15-30 TD30-55 TD55+
Average Meal Prices
Low Mid High
TD3-7 TD7-15 TD15-40

Tunisia's list of attractions would do justice to a country twice its size. From the Roman-era hot springs at Hamman Mellegue to the space-age sets of Star Wars (parts of which were filmed at Matmata), its lush-to-lunar landscapes have seen more action than the New World nations combined.
Spend a few days here and you'll agree: daydreaming at the famous Roman ruins of Carthage and El-Jem is almost as good as stepping into Virgil's Aeneid and knocking one back with Dido, while a day's dawdling on the north coast's beaches or those of Jerba Island, the 'Land of the Lotus Eaters', will leave you wondering why Hannibal ever left.

Sufetula
One of North Africa's best preserved ancient Roman cities Sufetula is awash with temples, monumental arches and bath complexes that speak of an ancient civilization that really knew how to live. With its Byzantine-era basilicas and remote, windswept, end-of-the-earth location, this is as evocative an ancient site as you'll find anywhere.

Gulf of Tunisia – Sidi Bou Said

www.tunisia.com
http://properties.tunisia.com/Property.aspx?Property=79 thetunisianhouse@yahoo.co.uk 2-br Villa
Hammamet North, about 7 minutes walking distance from the beach. The property benefits from panoramic views of the sea and
mountains from its roof terrace. 250pounds/mo
Depends on what you like Places such as Dougga and Sbeitla off great ruins to walk about. However for partying Hammamet and Sousee seem to have the lions share of nightclubs and Discos though I am sure that their will be some good time to be had around Skanes as it is a popular location. However it may be worth doing some recon during the day to see if you fancy it and to get your barings.
Monastir has a lovely old medina and also some sights such as Borguibas tomb etc.

Mozambique
Consulate: 420 E42 ST. 644 6900 Need visa
Portuguese colony
The civil war ended in 1994. Government is trying to promote tourism. Arabs and other investors are moving in.
Capital, Mapto is safe, on Indian Ocean, beautiful mansions.
When May-October: Ideal
Operators: Mozambique Advisor www.advisor.co.mz
Mozambique Connections MozambiqueConnections.co.za

Eateries:
Miramar Seafood tapas, young crowds
Costo del Sol Beautiful, local institution, enormous fish dinner, foot-long prongs. $25, include cab ride & waiting time.
Catembe Gallery A boutique mansion, owned by a Belgian, in downtown, near a fishing village
Barra New beach spot,
Zanzibar, Tanzania
http://travel.nytimes.com/2006/12/10/travel/10zanzibar.html
“I am mesmerized,” wrote the Scottish explorer and missionary Dr. David Livingstone about Zanzibar, the base for his final African adventures in the 19th century. “This is the finest place I have known in all of Africa to rest before starting my last journey,” he said.

Dr. Livingstone was scarcely the only foreigner to swoon under the charms of the Edenic beaches, bustling bazaars and beguiling multicultural froth of the so-called Spice Island, now an autonomous territory of Tanzania. A jaunt through the mazelike passageways of the Stone Town, a Unesco World Heritage Site in the capital city of Zanzibar Town, reveals bygone Arab palaces, Indian merchant homes, Zoroastrian traders’ offices, Portuguese chapels and an Anglican cathedral — all testament to the island’s onetime glory as an international trading center for cloves and ivory (as well as slaves).

the streets of the Stone Town are again calm, and many of the rustic colonial mansions have been reborn as period-rich hotels. Beyond the city’s bustle, rural spice plantations produce a symphony of scents, a medley of nutmeg, vanilla, cinnamon and, as ever, cloves. Or to live out your secret fantasies of “Robinson Crusoe” — or “The Blue Lagoon” — sneak off to one of Zanzibar’s sheltered beaches. As you lounge under a coconut grove and watch monkeys scuttle across the warm white sand, you may need to throw some electric turquoise water on your face to know that you’re not dreaming.

Ahh, Zanzibar, Zanzibar, the fabled Spice Island, what a wonderful place. Our week on this wonderful island was truly incredible; here are a few excerpts about the more memorable moments.
Stone Town an UNESCO historic place and a highlight into itself.
It is Africa with a Polynesian flare but unmistakably African.
The next morning, via mini-bus, we made our way to Kendwa - an relatively isolated beach on the north–western part of the island, about 1+ hour from Stonetown. Here, we found ourselves in a wonderful guesthouse/budget beach resort call Kedwa Rocks (www.kendrocks.com ) that would be home for the next 5 days. Our accommodation was a raised thatched hut over the sand, about a 100 meter walk form the beach.

AMERICAS
Argentina
$1 = 4 pesos 11/25/09: 3.80
www.buenosaireshousing.com.ar Furnished studios, with weekly maid service for $450/mo
www.argentinahomes.com
http://paddyinba.blogspot.com/2008/11/cost-of-living-in-buenos-aires.html Cost of living
http://www.tefl.com/home/col_survey.html?tefl_session=9fad1961fc581111f947e98b26b81f3d&ci_id=4 Prices
North: Muggy rain forest
South: Patagania, icy landscapes
Visit Argentina Pass: $450 from Aerolineas Argentina – fly between 3 interior citis
City of Mendoza Winery
Bodega La Rural Wine Museum – Oldest, biggest in the country : Take bus # 173 on La Rioja
Iguzai Falls Makes Niagara Falls looks like a kitchen sink (Eleanor Roosevelt)
Stay at nearby Sheraton Iguazu in the National Park - $100 – 54 3757 491 800
Food Local Parrila or asador (grill & barbecue), try La Estancia (54 11 4326 0025)
Checkout San Martin de los Andes – R.E.
Patagonia: Bosque de Arrayanes trekking
sailed in expansive lakes surrounded by the Andes mountains.

Housing
http://www.apartmentsba.com/Consulting_&_Property_Management_Services_69/Real_Estate_Buying_Process_84/ General info

Buenos Aires
Enclave of San Telmo, fine restaurants, young hip urban scene, thriving art community, colonial houses, $60-90/sf
In Recoleta, an elegant downtown tourist magnet, $200-300/nite, see ou sf

the family-heavy quiet of Barrio Norte is the Upper West Side, the vaguely tough San Telmo is the East Village of a decade ago, the hippest restaurant-and-boutique zone is called Palermo Soho, and Las Cañitas is a mini–meatpacking district.

weekend jaunts to Uruguay’s chic Punta del Este?
A three-course meal including rack of lamb and a nice bottle of wine will only set you back about $40 a head at Sucre, one of the best restaurants in town.
The average price for a square foot of Manhattan real estate—about $970—will get you ten times the space in a tony neighborhood here. (LoTempio’s tricked-out pied-à-terre on the trendiest street in B.A. set him back just $68,000.)

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=33892627581
Buenos Aires has Havanna coffee shops like Seattle has Starbucks: to-die-for chocolate and extensive selection of specialty coffee drinks.
Namely alfajores. For those uninformed of this life-changing confection, it’s basically manjar (refer to entry "la comida chilena" for a description) sandwiched by light cookies and covered in meringue or chocolate.
Parrillas: Grills. I don’t even like steak that much, but unless you are vegan or vegetarian there is really no point in going and not indulging in their signature plata.
4. Cheap food: I really can’t explain this any better than with a real-life example:
For our last night of our magical weekend in BA, my friends and I went to a really nice restaurant/tango house Café Tortoni. After seeing the show we decided to dine in the charming upstairs section. We had the best table service I think I’ve ever had in my life... our waiter, Alonso, was the nicest older Argentinean man ever and he TOTALLY brought us extra dessert.
Anyway, I was ridiculously hungry that night and figured to "splurge" on my last night in BA so I ordered a glass of hard cider, starter of cheese and olives, steak and the most expensive dessert on the list. My bill was less than US $15 and I was so full I could barely move when I left.
6. $30 cashmere sweaters on Calle Florida:
7. La Boca: It’s extremely touristy but I can’t help but love this little district in northwest BA. It’s one of the few places you can get a free decent tango show in the street, plus the artesanal feria and vividly-painted buildings are charming and great photo opportunities.

http://www.jasonharley.com/Chilejournal.php
Bariloche: Our first stop has been Bariloche Premier Hotel where we have based ourselves for a few days to explore
If there was one word that would describe Bariloche then it would be ´Postcard? The place is a beautiful ski resort with a hint of Swiss architecture. The town is set on Lake Nahuel Hupapi and while we only had a brief spell of snow while we were there? it has a distinct Christmas Card appeal about it. The 2 biggest shops in the town are chocolate shops and if it exists, these places make it in 26 different types of chocolate and 117 different sizes. On the Sunday we walked to Cerro Otto and got the cable car up to the summit for spectacular views. At the summit there is a revolving restaurant and while it was tempting to blame the dizziness on the speed of revolution and altitude sickness (it was probably the beer we had sitting there watching the world spin by).
On the Monday, a 20 minute bus journey takes us to the Llao Llao Hotel, the most famous hotel in Argentina and a 20km walk round the lakes and through the mountains just takes your breath away with the scenery (plus the fact that it was a National Holiday so we couldn’t find the bus back turning our 2hour planned walk into a 5hour one!). Tuesday brought an equally amazing trip to the Tronador Volcano and the Black Glacier with a boat journey along Lago Mascardi. The Patagonian region has been stunning in every sense.

Restaurants
Among others, Oviedo (Spanish restaurant), Arenales & Ecuador, 4822-5415.

http://www.escapeartist.com/OREQ7/Buenos_Aires.html
While we didn't find any steals we did find very reasonable real estate prices in the San Telmo neighborhood. San Telmo is sort of the Greenwich Village of Buenos Aires, filled with cafes, antique shops, jazz clubs, tango clubs, art galleries and an ongoing street fair that gets jammed on weekends. The hodgepodge of European architecture in San Telmo, much of it covered with graffiti, does have a certain scruffy appeal. There is a ruinous quality to the neighborhood that gives the impression of once rich royalty down on its luck. For a certain kind of person it'd be a great place to live, perhaps the greatest place of all
…….
We are one of the few foriegners that moved here not for the wines, but rather for the weather. We don't like humidity anymore after 5 years of being spoiled in San Diego so anywhere north and east is out. We don't like fairy consistent winds and rain so Patagonia is out.
The only weather complaint one could have about Mendoza is that it may be too dry - and that just doesn't work for some people. Otherwise, 300+ days of sunshine, 12 days average rain - yeah some chilly nights in Winter, but warms up nicely in the day. We just had the coldest winter in 50 years so the locals were freaking out - lol.
Mendoza is a pretty spreadout place -fun to explore! Don't forget Uco Valley - some of the best mountain views in all of Argentina cheers

Chacras de Coria, near Mendoza, worth checking
……
Bariloche - though touristy - i think would be more fun, as would the surrounding towns - San Martin etc. Let me know if you have any more questions and i will be happy to oblige

Another vote for Cordoba as the place with the best weather in Argentina; you have the Calamuchita Valley corridor which is beautiful, semi-rural, and close enough to Cordoba city for your culture fix.

http://www.expatintelligence.com/expat-argentina.shtml
Cost of Living
http://www.travelsur.net/forum/messages/5/2627.html
Best places to live



http://www.enjoy-argentina.org/lugares-magazine/lugares-magazine-de-cordoba-a-calamuchita.php Enjoy Argentina

Brazil
http://www.bahiarealestates.com/list-ent.php?tipo=1&codigo=1 R.E.
1USD = 2.10 Real
Some prices of interest:
Internet connection: R$ 3 - 5 per hour
Beer: R$ 2 - 3 per 600 ml bootle; R$ 1 - 2 per 350 ml can
Taxi: R$ 3 - 6 per km
Big mac: R$ 4 - 5; a comparable local sandwich goes for about half that price
A giant pizza: R$ 20 - 30
A cinema ticket: R$ 5 - 15
Packet of cigarettes (20 pieces, king size): from as low as R$1 (local brands) to about R$4 (international brands)
A good meal is about US$5 per person; a basic Brazilian car goes for about US$6K.

Expats:
$70/Mo Internet + Phone
$75/Mo medical policy from Hospital Italiano, covers everything including terminal care
www.ConversationExchange.com Native tutors to tutor in Spanish

Salvador:
Artists, Colonial heart, atmosphere: dark, intense, sad, beautiful and dangerous
Food: Fusion of Africa & America. Big stews,
attractions: glorious tropical beaches, and a historic district UNESCO has declared a treasure of humanity.
ITEM Reais US$ =
One US Dollar equals: 2.60
Condo fees and IPTU 503 193.46
Special Condo fees (Taxa extra) 300 115.38
Firemen's Tax 6 2.31
Electricity 150 57.69
Drinking water 15 5.77
Propane gas 30 11.54
Telephone 150 57.69
ISP & High Speed Internet Connection 140 53.85
Cable Television 70 26.92
Transportation - bus and taxi 200 193.46
Travel US once a year 350 134.62
Food 450 173.08
Health Insurance for both 600 230.77
Prescription medicine 450 173.08
Gifts 100 38.46
Clothes 45 17.31
Haircuts, manicures, etc. 100 38.46
Dentist 100 38.46
Gym (Academia Ginastica) 0 0.00
Misc 200 76.92
=========
3959 1639.23
Meals
Budget: US$5-10
Mid-range: US$10-20
Top-end: US$20 and upwards

Lodging
Budget: US$5-20
Mid-range: US$20-70
Top-end: US$70 and upwards

After the long-expected devaluation of the real in 1999, many people anticipated explosive inflation. So far, however, exchange rates and prices have held steady. If you're traveling on buses every couple of days, staying in hotels for US$10 a night, and eating in restaurants or drinking in bars every night, US$40 is a rough estimate of what you would need. If you plan to lie on a beach for a month, eating rice and beans every day, US$20 to US$25 would be enough. Bear in mind that prices for accommodation increase 25-30% from December to February.
Credit cards are now accepted all over Brazil. Visa is the best card to carry for cash advances, finding an ATM that accepts your particular card can be difficult, though. Changing cash and travelers' checks is simple - there are cambios in all but the tiniest towns. It's worth having enough cash to tide you over the weekend, when finding an open change bureau, even in big cities, can be difficult. When buying cash ask for lots of small bills as change is often unavailable for small transactions.
Bargaining for hotel rooms should become second nature - always ask for a better price. You should also haggle in markets and un-metered taxis.

Chile
http://travelog.uberblog.com/viewwholearticle.yatta?articleID=712&userID=101
Santiago, ugly, smog problem, hiding the mountains
On Friday we caught a bus on to Valparaiso, the second largest city
Viña Del Mar - no chance of swimming here because the water is freezing all year round!

Web notes:
café cortado real coffee, not Nestle´s version
never having dry clothes. I hate putting on damp clothes when it’s freezing.
All of the youth here are obsessed with reggaeton, and the rhythm is always that same, typical, pulsing, boring beat for every song.
3-completo-italianos-plus-two-drinks-for-$2 deals.
Sunday required a trip to the artesan/book fería at la Plaza de Armas to buy chocolate, fruit salad and gifts
Chilean slang. They tack on a "po" for any statement that needs emphasis. There´s a lot of sípos, nopos, en serio-pos
Pan with every meal. The food here in general. which, by the way, the word here for every damn thing on the dinner table is "rico".
An ocean view to kill for from every house. The rich have it, the poor have it, everyone has it. It is absolutely breathtaking.
The obsession with dancing. My host grandfather told me that dancing here is a separate, non-verbal language here where people can connect with total strangers in a way that cannot be expressed with words. I thought that was really interesting.
Onces. Direct translation: elevenses, and I can´t even tell you why. En serio, if you do nothing else in this country eat onces, onces and more onces. Onces is kind of a late afternoon tea and bread affair. In the household it typically consists of pancito (these little breads served at pretty much every meal) that have palta (avocado), mantequilla (butter) or manjar (dulce de-mostamazingthingever- leche). Dining out, onces typically consist of a té or café cortado with milk, cookies, a tiny cup of mineral water, a sandwich or empanada and a postre (my favorite being panqueques with manjar).
2. Palta. The avocado here is like butter.
3. Manjar. Think caramel. It´s a bit too sweet for my liking, but you will have no regrets trying it. I´m bringing three big jars back to the states.
6. Pan, pan, pan. If I could take a suitcase full of bread home, I would do it. It is absolutely fantastic and a staple of the Chilean diet.
7. Sopaipillas. My friend´s host mother told her sopaipillas are what Chileans eat when it rains, which turns out to be true. They are a rich, buttery frybread that taste absolutely divine when warm.
it is cold every minute of the day because there is no place to find refuge. Actually, it is often deceptively colder inside the house than outside. I sleep with seven heavy blankets and walk around the apartment wrapped in at least one, if not two.
night train to Temuco; The bus from Temuco to Puerto Montt took 6 hours (5 pounds) and we eventually found a room in the Hostal Pacifico near the centre of the town - A great base for exploring the local area
Volcano trip: Our first stop was Lago (Lake) Llanquihue ?the 3rd largest in South America at 186 km round. We visited the Puyehue National Park to see the waterfalls and had lunch on the banks of a lake surrounded by volcanoes. We stopped in Puerto Varas, with it’s casino, it stands out as the rich Chileans Holiday play ground.
Chiloe: For our second trip we had decided to visit this beautiful island an hour away from Puerto Montt. We joined the official tour but had arranged that we would make our own way back as we wanted to stay on the island and do some exploring.
Chiloe National Park: The idea of staying on Chiloe was to visit the national park and get to the Pacific Ocean. Our ´guide?was Eamon and we visited Chonchi, Lago Huillinco and Cucao. Lunch was freshly caught Salmon before we walked through the Park to the beach.
Chiloe (Chile) to Bariloche (Argentina): The bus from Castro back to Puerto Montt (4 hours) then another bus to Bariloche (6 hours). We have now left Chile and have arrived in Argentina.
Santiago: That evening, Arturo took us to a wine museum on the top of San Cristobol hill. It was very nice.
flight South to Puerto Montt, the largest town (or city) in what is known as the "lakes region."
exceptional all-day tour of the North of Chiloe, an island to the South of Puerto Montt. To reach Chiloe, we headed South on the Pan American highway for about 45 minutes, and took a ferry across the access to the Pacific.
Petrohue, a national park in the shadow of Volcan Osorno. The park is situated on volcanic ash, the last of which was added when Osorno vented ash in 1961. Petrohue contains spectacular waterfalls, etched into volcanic rock.
Atacama desert . Torres del Paine and Straits of Magellan
Easter Island and Atacama
Club Med
10/12/2005
Cancun Full till Christmas
Turkoise 1789/2209 share/Single JFK
Punta Cana 1511/2239 “ JFK Oct 29 7:50am-11:37am
Return 1:46pm-4:30pm cfm: 522020742

Costa Rica
4/21/01 Continental Ticket to SJO on Cheaptickets: $574
Best fare: Exito 800-655-4053 www.exittravel.com
Tourist season: Christmas to Easter. Raining season: May-Nov.
Tour – Add in NY TImes 800 227 2826 10 days $995 www.CaravanTours.com
www.keytocostarica.com Sight recommended in “Key to Costa Rica”
www.CostaRica.com
www.cocori.co.cr overview of Costa Rica
www.nosara.com
www.samarabeach.com
www.tamarindo.com
www.greencoast.com
http://www.expatfocus.com/expatriate-costa-rica
Groceries: 2/3 of US, $20 a day: Least expensive places. $1= 310 colon
Noise pollution: from someone’s sound system.
To hook up with Ticos families: www.homestay.thebells.org $40-50 day
Rentals: www.Greencoast.com
Hotels: Moderate: $80. www.bergerac.com www.ilisa,com/ho-jude
Inexpensive: $7-20 noisy. Midrange: 20-60 Hotel Aranjuez
Tours www.crsuntours.com
www.Ecolecreracsa.co.cr
www.journeys-inl.com www.voyagers.com
Language: www.institudeculura.com www.ranchodeepanol.com
University – 4 weeks www.elcacr.com
www.CaravanTours.com 10 days - $995 Call for brochure Rainforests, Volcanoes, Beaches, 800 227 2826

Expats:
www.CostaricaRetireonss.cm
$450/MO. 2-story home Santiago de Barbacoas, a quaint town filled w/ tropical vegetation. 45 min. drive SW of San Jose:

Living Abroad in Costa Rica" by ErinVan Rheenan



Cuba
http://www.cuba-travel.com.mx/airfares.htm http://usacubatravel.netfirms.com/
cubavip@ip.etecsa.cu
We can arrange for you the following round trip
06/30/00 Dep NYC 8:10am Arr MBJ 10:50am Flight #010
Dep MBJ 11:45am Arr HAV 2:10pm Flight #061
07/04/00 Dep HAV 3:10pm Arr MBJ 3:35pm Flight #060
Dep MBJ 4:45pm Arr NYC 9:25pm Flight #011
Portion NYC - Montego Bay - NYC, we can make the booking but the price have to provide from Air Jamaica in NYC, the payment have to be made in US.
Portion Montego Bay - Havana - Montego Bay = $223.00 plus 12%($26.76) = $249.76, to be paid after confirmation by our website.
I looking forward to hearing from you, Best regards, Elba Castillo
----------------------------------------------------------
Suite 3541 Hotel Acuario
Marina Hemingway. Santa Fe.
Ciudad de La Habana. Cuba
Tel: (537) 24 6827 (537) 29 7922 Fax: (537) 24 3546
Email: travel@cubavip.com ICQ#: 70196927

Lonely Planet:
When: Dec.-Apr., Lowest rain. Avoid June-Oct, hot& humid OK: May-June; Slowest tourist: Nov.
Hotel: $45 for a decent room.
Adventure Tours: 626-395-7111
AX Travel 212-640-5945
Inland Travel 202-342-3171
Manchi 305-442-8022

Bar: La Floridita : Hemingway (Papa) tries the double Daiquiris – try mojito
Ecuador
Guenca The architecture of the town was really well-maintained
The modern village of Ingapirca, along side the archeological site


Nicaragua
All other nationals (including US) can obtain a Tourist Card on arrival for approximately US$10 for touristic stays of one months

Safe, Poorest in the world, shares Costa Rica natural beauty http://nica-adventures.com
El Lake Nicaragua or Cocibolca (8624 km2), is the second largest lake in Latin America, after Lake Titicaca (they have practically the same area) http://www.edicioneslupita.com/paseo/lagoi.html
Real Estate For Sale
http://www.viviun.com/Real_Estate/Nicaragua/
http://www.viviun.com/AD-52459/

Moon Handbooks
1 Cordoba = $.37 Average daily cost: $20
Best time Dec-Feb, also Jun-Aug w/ cooler temperature & less crowds
Buying R.E.
Popular: Grenada, Rivas, San Juan del Sur
Visit US embassy, www.USEmbassy.State.gov/Managua
Also seek out pro-Nicaraguan, www.Nicaragua.org , an investment promotion agency.
Each property may have a few owners, due to land confiscations by the Sandinista after 1978
Buy Title Insurance from Florida based First American Title Insurance Company at 877 641 6767

Resort vacations Montelimar, on the Pacific Coast, all-inclusive beach compound
Rio Indio Lodge in San Juan del Norte, plushness, in the mountains
Classes Proyecto Ecologico, Loguna de Apoyo, http://www.econic@guegue.com.ni , www.guegue.com.ni/eco-nic
Lakeside lodge in the creator of ancient volcano, 1-hr from Managua & Grenada.
Great lodging, food, one week, $190, include classes, activities, room, board
Visit Streets of colonial Grenada
The slopes of the La Isla de Ometepe
Rum-and-Sun beach town of San Juan del Sur.
Student-filled Leon
Dry agricultural Mecca of Chinandega on Pacific Coast, visit remote volcanoes and beaches.
Isolated Atlantic Coast, 1-hr flight from Managua for the seafood, beaches
Managua Chaotic, not much to see, fun weekends/nightlife
Masaya, Garazo, the Pueblos Blancos
Dozen of villages known for residents’ artistic passion. Drive around & have lunch at the tip of an ancient volcano overlooking its azur lagoon
Granada The most picturesque & comfortable of Nicaragua’s colonial cities
Tranquil base to explore Masaya & the Pueblos, 365 Isletas right offshore. The island of Zapatera & the pristine cloud forest of nearby volcano Mombacho, also the Laguna de Apoyo, the bottomless volcanic lake & enjoy fresh fish at the shoreline restaurants
Rivas & La Isla de Ometepe
A vibrant colonial history, to visit la Isla de Ometepe, the twin volcanic peaks, one dormant & forested, one hot & active.
San Juan del Sur & S.W. Coast
Favorite beach town

21-day itinerary
1 Arrive at the Managua’s airport
2-3 Hop a bus to Grenada, visit muses, city, enjoy languid waterfront.
Paddle to nearby isletas or go hiking on Volcano Mombacho
4 Make Grenada your base, make a day trip to city of Masaya & its local active volcano & visit the old market
5-7 Head South, catch the boat at San Jorje to Ometepe
8-9 Catch the boat back San Jorje & bus it South to Rivas to the beach at San Juan del Sur
10-11 Catch the early express bus to Managua, transfer directly to Leon
12-13 Catch a ride to Matagalpa, continue East to village of San Ramon, hike to the rivers & tour a coffee farm
14-19 Return to Managua, take pm flight to Corn Island, visit Little Corn, enjoy fresh lobster
20 Take am flight back to Managua, visit Mercado Roberto Huembes

http://travel.nytimes.com/travel/guides/central-and-south-america/nicaragua/overview.html
A boom has started just to the north
sweet maduros (fried ripe bananas)
Granada is in a spectacular location. A richly forested volcano overlooks the city, which is perched at the edge of Lake Nicaragua. At the foot of the city, an enchanting archipelago of tiny, close-set islands beckons: Las Isletas are heaps of rock that were spewed out of the volcano and are now covered in big, leafy tropical vegetation. Some are private estates, opulent getaways for captains of Nicaraguan industry. Others are modest, primordial knobs concealing rustic cottages.
But Lake Nicaragua seems too majestic a place for such thoughts. It’s a near-mythical tropical lake, one of the largest in the world, ringed by volcanoes and forest. Its waters are home to strange beasts — including freshwater sharks and sawfish, both sadly in decline — and moving legend: it is said to have been an Eden that was drowned after a Romeo and Juliet tragedy. It is shallow, and turbid from volcanic ash, but it is warm, and clean, lending a freshness to the air along its shores. Toward its southern end is an unexpected gem: the island of Ometepe.
Ometepe, composed of twin volcanoes rising from the lake, is like a magical little freshwater Hawaii. It is a true backwater — the rough road around the island was finished just 15 years ago, and the only access is by ferry — with the feel of a place where nothing ever happens, in the best sense.

Volcan Masaya between Granada & Managua
Best time: December & January
USA
A time to betray – Reza Khalili Dec., 2011
Malibu, CA: Las Flores Canyon Road to Piuma Road – One of the most beautiful drives
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deupG3Kb94E



EAST / MIDDLE
Iran
http://www.britishairways.com $100 + $140 Govt. fees  RT: $480 Hotel 2 nights stay: $25 s.o. extra for weekend.
www.iranair.com LON/THR IR710 Tue/Thu/Sun 16:00-01:00+1 res.teletype@iranair.com
THR/LON IR711 Tue/Thu/Sun 09:15-11:45
Pers Voyage 212 719 0900 2 W 45th St., # 1700 NY 10036 12/23/98-1/5/99 Virgin / Iran Air: $971 Babak
Kambiz.Rouhani@PersVoyage.com $696 + FedEx Charge to my CC ~$30
Roumi Travel 888 786 4728 442 6th St. Palisade Park 07650 201 302 9448 F: 201 346 2032 $870
BoA: 381010232066 ABA: 021200339
Depart: LHR-THR Sun May 04, 08 -- 17:00 Terminal 3 Monday May 12 – 02:30 $690
Arrive: THR-LHR Sun May 18, 08 – 08:45 11:45
Note: EWR-THR on Virgin + Iran Air 900 + 300 tax = $1,200
Cheap tickets 888 585 2727
Iran Air – London desk $454 < 45 days 492 > 45 days stay
ASAP http://www.asaptickets.com/?mfs=199026744_Iran&line=8003162123&gclid=CL3XktqZ85YCFQOuFQodnheVZA

Co Name Airline $ Fr Depart Fr/To Leg 1 Lay Leg 2 Return Leg 1 lay Leg 2
Pars Tofiq Turkish 816 NY-IST 1745-1000 13 2300-0335 THR-IST 0435-0630 5 1120-1535
Emarats 950 NY-DUB 2350-2105 2 2300-0335 THR-DUB 0500-0630 2 0800-1410
KLM 920 NY-AMS 3 7 Free domestic ticket
UA 719 NY-LON 3 7
Air Fran 1045 JFK NY-PAR 2100-0900 4 1330-0925 0225-0600 0925-1035 10/29-11/11 JFK
Virgin 1004 NY-LON 6 2
Roumi Atuza Turkish 650 1745-1000 2300-0330 0535-0630 1200-1600
Air Fran 1066 EWR 102007 NY-PAR 1945—750 5 1330-0925 0225-0600 7 1315-1540
KLM EWR 1830-0755 7 1515-2310 0220—600 3 0930-1210
2/710 711/1 Virgin 870 EWR 020307 NWR-LON 2125-0905 7 16:00-0110 021807 TEH-LON 0800-1045 4 1600-1850 M,W,ST
Pan David KLM 1130 JFK-AMS 1820-0745 8 1515-2310 THR-AMS 0245-0610 8 1415-1410
Cheap NoWest 744



Co Name Airline $ Fr Depart Depart Leg 1 Lay Leg 2 Return Fr/To Leg 1 lay Leg 2
Pars Tofiq Turkish NY-IST 1745-1000 13 2300-0335 THR-IST 0435-0630 5 1120-1535
Emarats 1276 NY-DUB 2300-2105 2 2300-0335 THR-DUB 0500-0630 2 0800-1410
KLM 1170 3/18/09 JFK-AMS 2310-1120+ 4 1535-2310 04/04/09 THR-AMS 0205—520 3 0805-1040 Free domestic ticket
UA NY-LON 3 7
Air Fran JFK NY-PAR 2100-0900 4 1330-0925 0225-0600 0925-1035 10/29-11/11 JFK
Virgin NY-LON 6 2
Roumi Atuza Turkish 1745-1000 2300-0330 0535-0630 1200-1600
Air Fran EWR 102007 NY-PAR 1945—750 5 1330-0925 0225-0600 7 1315-1540
KLM EWR 1830-0755 7 1515-2310 0220—600 3 0930-1210
2/710 711/1 Virgin EWR 020307 NWR-LON 2125-0905 7 16:00-0110 021807 TEH-LON 0800-1045 4 1600-1850 M,W,ST
Pan David KLM JFK-AMS 1820-0745 8 1515-2310 THR-AMS 0245-0610 8 1415-1410
Cheap NoWest


https://www.virtuallythere.com/new/reservationsChron.html;jsessionid=3173BFE0752C426F58B45A2B22333EA6.node2?pnr=MVQTWR&name=&language=0&email=2&clocktype=12&style=0
Sun 5/04/08 17:00-02:30 + 1 HR-THR $690 Roumi
Sun 5/18 08:45-11:45 THR-LHR


$1070 (asap: 1275)
JFK-AMS-THR Wed, 03/18: 2310 - 11:20+1 (7:10 hrs) 15:35 – 23:10 (5:05 hrs)
THR-AMS-JFK Sat, 04/10: 02:05 - 05:20 (5:45 hrs) 08:05 – 10:40 (8:35 hrs)


https://www.virtuallythere.com/new/reservationsChron.html?host=1W&pnr=YWNKJ4JOQ7GB&name=&language=0&email=2
Sat 04/10 02:05 – 05:20 (5:45 hrs) 08:05 – 10:40 (8:35 hrs)
01/31/07 On Virgin/Iran Air: Can postponed return up to 9 months with no charge

http://www.orbitz.com/App/ViewFlightSearchResults?z=9i3d&r=74 Aeroflot
Currency - Sehatti 212 758 1899 602 595 07777 Mr. Khamushpoor
Caspian Sea Movie: The Color of Paradise Locations: Rezvanshahr, Ardeh village, Khoram Abad,
Jadeh Do hezar, Dohezar Forest/Tonekabon
12/14/2004 Feri: Shahsavar/Mazanderan Near road Do Hezar
Yazd Hotel Moayerolmamalek
Hotel Parsian Gaghsar 0262 2228 Karaj, Chalus Road, Near Dizin, Double: 18T, Suit: 42T, Royal/Ghasr: 49T
www.payvand.com
www.neda.net
http://www.iran-export.com/tropp/index.htm
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/letters/ http://www.lonelyplanet.com/letters/meast/ira_pc.htm
www.iranVision.com
http://www.Lib.uTexas.edu/Maps/Iran.html By City

Google Earth:
The only greens besides Caspian Sea
Dezfui to Shush Very Green area elevation: 300 Lonely Planet: Dreadful town
Uramiyeh To the west of the lake elevation: 4,500
Astara: On Russian border, not green? Hotel Jahangardi $45 18252-6063
Ardebil Not much green
Astara-Heyran Ardebil / Kazemian On Russian border, green elev: 2,800
Sabalan, Mt. Meshkinshahr
Yasuj – See slides from Pedram: C:\_JP\_D10\_P10\2999 Misc\Iran http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yfr5xpPA-Q
Sites:
Soltanieh Dome Tomb: This Mausoleum located in Abhar city.Abhar is a city of Zanjan province.
It was constructed during the reign of Soltan Mohammad Khoda Bandeh (Oljaito) in the years 704-712 AH
Armenian church of St. Thaddaeus, known also as the Black Church (Kara Kelisa), near Maku, close to the Turkish border, northwestern Iran.

National Geographic: Journey of a Lifetime:
The Persian Royal Road, developed by Darius, Turkey-Iran. From Sardis in NW Turkey across Mesotomaia to Susa in Iran.
www.Tourismturkey.org
http://persia1.wordpress.com/2008/06/11/beautiful-iran-photos/ see sites …. Uramanat-Kurdistan
2011/12/18 – Donya: Mesr near Isfehan, Meiman near Kerman/Babak-13,000 old residences with 100+yr old blond natives

Syria, Jordan, Lebanon
Syria
http://www.coxandkingsusa.com/ 800-999-1758 Land cost: 15 days – 3,795
http://www.fairwindtravel.com 800-826-7995 Nothing on Syria.

Royal Jordanian Airlines 949-0050 3/3/2001: 7:15p-3:00p 3/27: 7:50a - 2:50p $725+tax (For Pan Exp.)
5/07/2001: 6/1-7/1: $956 (Open up to 4 months: $1800)
Amman–Beirut RT: $219(168+Tax)
Amman- Damas. RT: $132 (1-way: $66)
Free add on to Beirut, Damascus or Cairo (only if total stay < 30 days) Amman- Cyprus (Laranka) RT: $227 (Special rate for min of 6 days) Called Pan Express; KLM: $785 but not seats on return Jordan Air: Same price as airline – NYC-Cyprus Lufthansa $1509 Jordan Consulate 866 2nd Ave 832-0119 US: $16 +1 2*2 picture Iran: Application sent to Jordan Cyprus 13 E40 868-6016? Lebanon 9 E76 744-7905, 7 1 picture + $35 Apply before 10am, ready by 1pm Syria 202-232-6313, 1, 106 www.syriaembassy.com Print 2 applications and FedEx + Return Envelope (will process in 3 days): US: $100, Iran: $20 07/2010 US: $170 Iran: $190 Armenia 202 319-2983 $35 at the airport, $60 electronic 3/10/01 Amman: Pan Express Jeff – Royal Jordanian Airlines: 707.00 Cyprus Air: 718-267-6880 212-459-1461 NY-Laranka $802 (to London on Virgin) Laranka – Damascus RT: $140+25 1-way: 82+tax (S/B cheaper to buy in Cyprus) Jordan: $599 800-783-7839 Only in Nov./Dec June: $1,100 www.SunnyLandTours.com Turkey $875 800-722-4288 Only in Jan-Mar else $1200 www.PachaTours.Com Lonely Planet - Syria: $1 = S45 (up to 50 in black market) Avg. Room $3, up-market R.: $5 Entry Fee: Get an International Identification Card (ISIC) - buy around Palmyra for $30 Damascus R: Al Khawali in the walled Old City, blocks from Omayyad Mosque Lebanon $1 = 36 SE = 1132 LL Nov, 2008 = 1.500 Lebanese Pound http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/12035/Lebanon-Beirut-1 http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/message.jspa?messageID=13731155 Beirut, Nabay, Anjar, Zahle, Bar Elias, Sidon, Byblos, Jeita, Baalbek, Mount Lebanon ranges in the east Byblos Baalbek The modern boundaries of Syria and Jordan enshroud an ancient alliance dating back many centuries before their prominent unification under the Roman Decapolis. Controlling the valuable trade corridor between Africa and Asia, both countries have traditionally boasted great affluence, spawning the sophisticated and opulent culture with which we are now familiar. This fascinating journey unveils the contrasts and inextricable similarities between Syria and Jordan, and includes two of the most significant archeological sites in the Middle East, Petra and Palmyra. To reserve this tour, close this window and select "reserve a tour" from the menu on the page you just came from. Itinerary Day 1: Arrive Damascus Upon arrival, you will be met by a representative and transferred to your hotel. Cham Palace Hotel Damascus Day 2: Damascus Damascus is mentioned in the earliest historical texts and is widely reputed to be the world’s oldest continuously inhabited city. Tour the beautiful Umayyad Mosque, the mid-eighteenth century Azem palace, the tiny ancient underground church of St. Ananias, and visit the Damascus National Museum. Wander through the bustling souqs (markets) and end your day on Mount Qassioum, famous for its Stunning panorama of the city. Day 3: To Palmyra Drive from Damascus to Palmyra across the spectacular Syrian desert. Palmyra was mentioned in one of the Assyrian tablets as early as the 19th century BC and was an important staging post on the caravan routes. Cham Palace Hotel Palmyra Day 4: To Aleppo Morning tour of Palmyra’s magnificent ruins which include the great Temple of Bel, the Great Colonnade, the theatre and the underground tombs. In the afternoon, drive from Palmyra, via Hama northwards to Aleppo, a flourishing trade center since the 3rd millennium BC. Chahba Cham Palace Hotel Day 5: Aleppo Morning excursion to the basilica of St. Simeon, built around the pillar on top of which St. Simeon sat for 36 consecutive years. Return to Aleppo, an important trading center between the countries of Asia and the Roman Mediterranean. Day 6: Aleppo Today continue your tour of Syria's second largest city. Visit the old city and the Jdeide quarter. You will tour the Citadel, which stands over the city. Day 7: To Damascus Drive from Aleppo to Crac des Chevaliers, a magnificent fortress guarding the ‘Hom Gap’, a strategic point of defense on the ancient trade routes between Syria and Turkey. Built over a period of about 100 years beginning in 1150, this awe-inspiring fortress could accommodate 4000 troops during two years of siege. Lunch overlooking this castle. Cham Palace Hotel Damascus Day 8: Day Trip to Baalbek Today tour to visit the vast Roman ruins at Baalbek, and its temples of Jupiter, Venus and Bacchus. Return late in the afternoon to Damascus. Day 9: To Amman Early drive to Bosra, the ancient city mentioned in 14th Century BC scrolls of Tutmose III and Akhenaten, and capital of the Province of Arabia under the Romans in 106 AD. From Bosra, you will cross the border into Jordan and proceed to Jerash, widely regarded as the best-preserved city of Decapolis. Explore various ruins including the imposing Triumphal Arch, the oval shaped forum, market place, temples and two theatres. From Jerash, travel to Amman. Grand Hyatt Hotel Day 10: Amman Drive to the oasis town of Azraq, the last point on the ancient caravan routes to secure water before entering the eastern deserts. Visit the castle of Amra, adorned with beautiful frescoes and mosaics. Explore Amman, formerly the Ammonite capital city of Rabbath-Ammon and later the Greco-Roman city of Philadelphia, perched on seven main hills (jebels). Here you can see the ancient ruins of the Temple of Hercules, dating from the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius (161-180 AD) and the restored massive Roman theater, dating back to the 2nd Century AD, the highlight of downtown Amman. Day 11: To Petra Depart for Petra, driving down the King's Highway. En route, visit Mount Nebo, Madaba and travel through Kerak. Mount Nebo, reputed to be the site of Moses' Tomb and place from where he viewed the Promised Land, offers spectacular views across the Jordan Valley to the Dead Sea. Drive on to Madaba, home of the most famous 6th century Byzantine mosaics. See the earliest surviving original map of the Holy Lands, dating back to 560 AD at the Church of St. George. Travel through the spectacular Wadi al-Mujib canyon to Kerak and visit the famous 12th century castle built by the Crusader, King Baldwin I of Jerusalem. Movenpick Resort Hotel Day 12: Petra Spend the day exploring the ‘rose-red’ city of Petra, built 2000 years ago as a temporary refuge by nomadic Nabataean Arabs - Bedouins - who came north out of Arabia. Journey down through the ‘Siq’, a huge crack in the Nubian sandstone, to reach el Khazneh - The Treasury, and the city beyond. A lost city for one thousand years, Petra was not fully uncovered until 1958; the rugged hills, which protect the buildings and tombs, make this an extraordinarily peaceful place. Day 13: Petra Depart Petra for Wadi Rum. Wadi Rum’s ancient valleys and towering weathered sandstone mountains rise out of the white and pink colored sands, offering some of the most spectacular desert scenery you are ever likely to see. Day 14: To Amman Drive back to Amman via the Desert Highway. Grand Hyatt Hotel Day 15: Depart Jordan Transfer to the airport for your onward flight. --------------------------- Trip Length: 15 Days, 14 Nights Start: Damascus Finish: Amman Land Cost: US$ 4415 per person double US$ 1125 single supplement What's Included: Private car transfers when arriving and departing Syria and Jordan All hotel accommodation as advised in the itinerary Breakfast daily All sightseeing as shown including entrance fees Services of professional English speaking guide Baggage assistance at all airports and hotels What's Not Included: Private car transfers when arriving and departing Syria and Jordan All hotel accommodation as advised in the itinerary Breakfast daily All sightseeing as shown including entrance fees Services of professional English speaking guide Baggage assistance at all airports and hotels Syria & Jordan: The Ancient Lands Tour Dates: Note: As this tour is operated on two passengers traveling on an individual basis, dates can be chosen to fit the clients’ request Asia – Far East China http://book.eu2.amadeus.com/plnext/airchina/Override.action August 2011 09/06 – 09/18 IST – Beijing $925 NY – Beijing $1226 Boat trip from Chongqing along the Yangtze River Boat cruise down the Li Rivers to see the Guilin landscapes, inspired painters with its limestone pillars Yangshuo On the Li River; limestone karsts Suzhou’s Illustrious gardens, ride a gondola in the ancient water town of Zhouzhuang, and discover Lijiang’s picturesque old town in the shade of Jade Snow Dragon Mountain with its quaint Naxi houses and canals. Movie: Hangzhu, on Yangtze River Delta – Sppendid Nature, famous for it's naturally beautiful scenery and the West Lake Guilin, and the LiJiang river India $1 = 45 Rupees Itinerary: Mughals, Jains, Dehli, Agra (Taj Mahal), Jaipur, Pushkar, Jodhpur, Ranakpur, Udapur, Junagadh, Sasan Gir, Palitana, Ahmedabad, Mumbai Kerala: By Arabian Sea, tangle of lakes & streams known as the Backwaters Hotels: Casino Group: Spice Village, Coconut Lagoon, Boatyard’s main restaurant: History Cochin By Mahan Air from Iran Best time to visit: Oct-Mar Explore the backwaters at Alappuzha or Kolan aboard a Kettuvllam (rice-barge boathouse) Tourist cruise: The popular cruise between Kollam & alppuzha (300) departs 10:30am, arrives 6:30pm daily, Aug-Mar, every other day other times. Reserve at most hotels. Hose boat: Renting one designed like a Kettuvallan (rice-barge) is expensive, but a great experience, reclining on a cushion, watching the scenery or stars. Southern Kerala: Thiruvanannthapuram (Trivandrum): Built over 7 hills, is one of the more pleasant cities. H: Wild Palms Guest House: Rs. 700, lovely feel, quiet. Taurus Lodge: long-term stay, on a quiet laneway, Rs 180. The British Library English books Towns Pommudi & the Cardamom Hills, 61km, nice excursion. Kovalam a Old hippie spot, has become chaotic. Kollam a busy market town Kottayam ugly mess of concrete buildings. Munnar: Ideal retreat, hill town, manicured tea estates. Tourist Info (private), across Gandhi Statue, run by Joseph Iype H: Zena cottages, within tea estates, 3, run by Joseph Iype, Rs 500 Central Kerala: Cochin Oldest church in India. Also mosques. 500-yr old Portuguese houses, 16-C synagogue, tranquil place to rest for a few days. H: For Cohin: Kapithan, clean, quiet, Rs 300 Northern Kerala Kozhikode (Calicat) Pleasant, unhurried feel, less touristy backwater experience. Lakshadweep 36 (11 inhabitable) islands, 32 sqm. 300km west of Kerala. Muslims, fishing, divers’ dream (Oct-May) http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120311052060172249.html?mod=travel_left_column_hs How to travel like a Raja – wsj http://www.royalkishangarh.com/ $80 www.NeemranaHotels.com $60-200 Indonesia $1 = 8380 Rp Costs: Traveler centers with lots of competition is cheaper. Shoestring budget: $12/day, midrange: $30/day US visa valid for 30 days. www.expat.or.id Indonesia,elga.net.id Best: Danau Toba Close to Kuala Lumpur, most tourists stay in Tuk Tuk, but more satisfying is scrambling over the mountain ridge to the villages on the other side of the island. Tuk Tuk H: Tabo Cottages, best deal for 30,000Rs Bagus Bay, for 10,000Rs, just fine Carolina Hotel, god views, swimming, old charm but dated, 50,000Rs. R: Tarian Homestay, Pama’s Red Hot Café/Bar Yogyakarta (Central Java) The soul of the country, two hours ride to the left of Bali. Hear a Gamelan orchestra at the Sultan’s palace. Bali Denpasur The capital; is noisy. South Bali Kuta the tourist beach resort Ubud A relaxed place to spend a few weeks. A simple, clean room within a family home compound is priced around 30,000Rs with private bath & breakfast. Suki Inn: 40,000 Rs, favorite, clean. Japan Restaurants: Shimadazushi 3501-0411 $150 lunch for two – Tuna so good the guest cried Call for map Tokyo The 7c Buddhist Senso-Ji temple in Asakusa in Edo See the city’s lights from Cerulean Tower Tokyo Hotel Escape to Hakone, 60 miles S.W. of Tokyo for its volcanic hot springs & views of Mount Fuji Nikko: Town 80 miles north of Tokyo featured in Shogun – see shrine of Tokugawa Ieyasu – visit Nikko National Park, w/ lakes and hot springs Kyoto: Ryoja-Ji Temple. Malaysia - Penang Penang: WSJ 3/31/07 Expenses Cost (RM) Cost (USD)* Meal for a day RM20.00 USD5.20 A 2-bedroom apartment RM100,000 USD26,300 A bungalow with a 6000sqft land RM500,000 USD131,578 A desktop computer RM1,000 USD263 A visit to the doctor for flu (with medication) RM30 USD7.90 * Based on conversion rate of RM3.8=USD1.00 2br APT, water view $350/mo WHAT IS THIS "MALAYSIA MY SECOND HOME" (MM2H) PROGRAM? You will get a 10-year Visit Pass and Multiple-Entry Visa Open a fixed deposit account of RM150,000.00. http://www.alloexpat.com/malaysia_expat_forum/viewtopic.php?p=86059 very negative comments by an expat. Myanmar (Brma)- Bagan http://www.ancientbagan.com/ Bagan – Filled w/ remarkable temples, pagodas; rarely visited. 13th C. Philippines – Subic Bay (Sebu/Cebu) http://www.livinginthephilippines.com/ Palawan (at end of Sebu) - 011 Comm operator: also try 1 USD = 46.65 PHP 04/20/08: 50 10/2011: 43.50 Bohol - just east of Cebu, 60-mile wide island – go to Alona Beach on tiny Panglao Island Boracay – 2.5 miles white sand beach, world’s finest Bonaue Rice Terraces, located in North, constructed 2000 years ago. Nightlife is fantastic and cheap and abundant. liability insurance for you car $14/yr Drivers p3-5k/mo Maid P2k/mo Food P25-40k/mo P 12,000 Rent P 2,000 ADSL and landline P 360 Cable P 16,000 Food P 4,000 Electricity (average bill) P 350 City Water (average bill) P 3,000 miscellaneous (to offset infrequent costs, thus averaging them out) ---------------- P 37,710 is my current estimate for general living costs. The population in SBF is estimated at 3,000. Right next to SBF is Olongapo City with a population of approximately 194,260. Like the rest of the Philippines, the climate in SBF is tropical. There are two seasons: Dry, from November to May. Rainy, from June to October. The climate is without extremes. Average temperature is 80 degrees Farenheit or 26 degrees Celsius. http://www.bohol.ph/ wsj island near Cebu, bon bon shape landscape, bad food Batangas - Anilao, Talisay Check for nature, water. Thailand 1 U.S. dollar = 33.260161 Thai baht Phra Pradaeng Kaosan Road garden of the Siam Society, for instance, which has one of the finest existing examples of an old Thai wooden house food stalls lining Convent Road Sri Bung Rueng Temple, which was the end of the line http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118920638247821142.html wsj – 09/07/2007 Bangkok, Inside-Out http://www.expatforum.com/expats/thailand-expat-forum-expats-living-thailand/21477-cost-utilities-chiang-mai.html Cost of Living You can get a small partly furnished 2 bed detached house with a patch of garden for 5000 pm in the moo bahn estates around the super highway ringroad, http://classifieds.thaivisa.com/real-estate/houses-for-sale/pattaya-house-for-sale-36958.html Homes for Sale http://www.thailovelinks.com/?ovchn=GGL&ovcpn=English+USA+Content+Image+Ads+Thai+Penpals&ovcrn=image+ad&ovtac=PPC&gclid=CKbpnqOnjp4CFQRM5QodEjWEqg Dates Vietnam Tiny fishing village near the Central city of Da Nang – white-sand beaches – Banyan Tree Hotels wsj Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) – Opera House, Hotel De Ville, Continental Hotel, Reunification Palace , Ben Thanh Market, eat a marvelous meal at Le Bordeaux , Visit Hotel Rex Ho Chi Minh Trail: New 2-lane highway: Start from the old capital of Hue, to visit the historical sites such as the imperial fortress and the pagodas, or the coastal city of Da Nang http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118617603025887733.html Hanoi: Placid olive-hued lakes, shaded boulevards, hustling old quarter, French colonial, Temple of Literature, Just to the north of Hoan Liem Lake, delve into the old quarter Kayak legendary Ha Long Bay Hanoi’s water puppet show – Thang-Long Water Puppet Theater Hue – Ancient City – visit royal tombs of the Nguyen emperors, 9 miles south Hoi An – Sa Pa and its spectacular mountain scenery Literature New Zealand 1 NZD = 0.714421 USD Car insurance NZ$350/year http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10394609 R.E. http://www.escapeartist.com/efam/69/Living_In_New_Zealand.html Most people will earn less, as much as 50% less in wages here than for the same work as they did in the U.S. Housing http://www.realenz.co.nz/reinz.htm No capital gains tax and high, tax-free dividends ensure plenty of interest in New Zealand's property and stock markets. http://www.emigratenz.org/LivingInNewZealand.html The Best Places To Live In New Zealand Canterbury, (Christchurch) Bay of Plenty, (Tauranga) The three regions people have been keenest to leave have been: Southland, South Island West Coast, South Island Taranaki, North Island http://www.justlanded.com/english/new_zealand/tools/just_landed_guide/money/cost_of_living The following list provides a rough idea of the weekly cost of living for two people in New Zealand. Note that it doesn’t include ‘luxury’ items such as alcohol, and if you live in Auckland the cost of living is around 20 to 30 per cent more. Item Amount ($) Housing 125 Transport (including a car) 50 Food 100 Utilities and furniture 40 Other goods 25 Health 25 Leisure 50 Clothes 40 Total 455 $100 cost in US = $61 in New Zealand Asia, Central - Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan! , Tajikistan, Turkmenistan. http://www.advantour.com/ Lonely Planet – Central Asia (Multi Country Guide) Rejistan, Karokarum Tajistekan Makhmalbaf movie - Old Panjshanbe market in Khujand Capital: Dushanbe Drive through Anzob pass. After the lunch drive through Shakhristan pass to Khujand. Khujand. City excursion: Archeological museum, Urda (city fortress of XII century from time of Alexander the Great), Mosque-medresse of Sheykh Muslihiddin of XVI century), Rukhak observing tower from XII century Turkmenistan: Ashghabad – Mdern architecture Kazakhstan: Astana, Almaty – Very modern architecture Kyrgyzstan Osh – so so Astana (far) Almaty Taskkand Osh Bukh Samar Doshan. (Tajik) Ashghabad Each ~ 150-200 mi distance ACTED, Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development – Check site for info META (Murghab Eco Tourism Association) – for tours (Stay with Kyrgyz nomads in their yurt) Go to the Pamirs – and touch the sky 2. A popular scam is that taxi drivers will negotiate a price for a non-stop shared ride to your city of interest, but they will cunningly drop you at the nearest taxi stand & transfer you to another taxi, which will leave much later (1-2 hours wait) and demand that you pay them the whole amount. Some times, they'll even ask for an advance. The best way to avoid these scams is to insist on the same driver till the destination and do NOT pay in advance even if it means creating a big row & walking out of the deal. Best times: April-June or Sept-Oct. EUROPE Free walking tour Sanderman’s New Europe; just tip the guide - Lon, Par, Berlin, Ams. http://www.neweuropetours.eu/ Barcelona Hotel Mari-Luv 93 317 3463 Croatia Croatia: Adriatic shores offer a waterfront paradise www.vantageTravel.com Dubrovnik - Medieval city – drive between Rijeka & Dubrovnik, sail to Vis island/grilled Octopus http://www.viviun.com/AD-2267/ Vila Miloš is located in the center of Zaton Veliki, a small picturesque Mediterranean township, 17 kilometers West of Dubrovnik $12/night www.dubrovnik-online.com/villa_milos/ London $65/night Kensington, by Gloucester Rd. Station 866 755 4633 www.oxrg.demon.co.uk London/Paris Budget luxury Apts. 800 664 5663 www.londonguestsuites.com Swiss Aare River - Thun (Bern). other countries? Arosa at the end of line of narrow gauge railway. Snowcapped mountains (winter ski), rivers, wildflowers, hiking, Hassidic Jews. Bulgaria Live like a king for $10k/yr – magnificent beaches & skiing Church of the Birth of Holy Mother at the Rila Monastery, 2-hr drive from Sofia – beautiful green hills, roads Cyprus www.compustravel.co.uk evie@travelscope.com.cy Airports: Laranka, Paphos Laranka-Beirut CY59/118 Amman 51/101 Damascus 48/80 all on Cyprus Air Mopeds: CY5 Lefkosia(Nicosia) Dorm HI Hostel: 444-808 CY5 Tony’s B&B 466-752 CY12 Bicycles Zanettos Bicycles Kyrenia: Unforgettable sights of beach, 30min from Nicosia Hotel: Sidelyah H 815-605 $20 Bristol H. 815-6570? $20 Beach Five Mile Beach The Karpas: N.E Golden Beach, Feast on the eyes, but no hotels, no public transport Nearby: Bogaz H 371-2559 $30 bogazhotel@cc.emu.edu.tr Famagusta: Altin Tabaya H. 366-5363 $20 B&B Beach at Palm Beach H. – Public Ancient Salamis – 10km Lemesos S.W. Touristy, good transport, sightseeing, castle & museum Hotel Luxor Guest House 362-265 CY6 R. Rizitiko Tavern 348-769 CY4 Czech Stramberk: Tiny town dating back to 14c. 4-room medieval Hotel, Trubak beer, in valley, not much to do http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118134188938929569.html?mod=ITPWSJ_6 From Stramberk to a little island in the Mekong called Don Kone, small towns make up some of my fondest travel memories. Before you go, look at other people's recommendations on travel bulletin-board Web sites, like Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree forums, to avoid small towns that are more dull than magical. Karlovy Vary (Karlsbad) France Dorodogne: Between the Loire Valley & the Pyrnees; boasts a countryside & small towns just as charming as those in Provence, but 60% cheaper Hungary http://travel2.nytimes.com/2006/09/03/travel/03journey.html In Buda, the once aristocratic old capital on the west side, bicycles navigated near-desolate cobbled medieval lanes. Castle Hill, Kacsa Vendeglo restaurant: strolling gypsy violinists Nagyvasarcsarnok, the Central Market Hall in Pest, is a bright, dynamic place full of paprika, aromatic food stalls and sweet Tokaji wine. Sidewalk cafes are alive with thrift-shop fashionistas, canoodling couples and joyful chatter in a dozen languages. Raday utca, a little east of Central Market Hall, is five blocks of sidewalk tables Heart of the city: Lizst Ferenc Square, Café Vian http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/07_25/b4039095.htm : Badacsony, on Lake Balaton: Tuscan quality to the land. 2 ½ hrs drive from Budapest, 3 ½ hrs from Vienna, village of Badasconytomaj, horse breeding, vines good wine (bor)), grand villas village of Kovescal : R: Kvirag: lake catfish & noodles H: Kali Art Inn: in Koveskal, w/ rooms in stone stables – former’s officers mess, 3 miles from lake Italy Matera BW: 3/12/07- Ancient Ambience, food, South of Bari, pic looks like Jerusalem, featured in Passion of Christ, Eat at: Baccanti, Le Botteghe, Spain Stephen X Blair 44 120 2348411 44_7919004908 steve.blair@kazjumillaltd.co.uk House: near Torrevieja on Costa Blanca check out www.torrevieja.com Camino de Santiago (Way of St. James)== Santiago de Compostela (Northwest corner of Spain, ~700KM from France border): is a medieval pilgrimage route across northern Spain that is still walked by millions of pilgrims and tourists today. Turkey http://www.turkishairlines.com/en-INT/corporate/contact_us/index.aspx August 2011 http://www.turkishairlines.com/en-INT/corporate/contact_us/call_centers.aspx#abd 1 800 874 8875 http://www.farecompare.com/results/flights-marketsearch.html?departdate=20110828&cabin=Coach&flexDates=&destination=IST&userSearchId=1313597393648.8894780708942&p=1&altAirports=false&onlyNonStops=false&s=d&departure=NYC&saveMySearch=&t=r&c2=2&dsh=1&type=flights-market&returndate=20110929 JFK 11:00 PM=> IST 3:40 PM Nonstop 9h 40m $830 Turkish
IST 5:15 PM=> JFK 9:00 PM Nonstop 10h 45m


UK
London:
04/04/08 May cxl till 4/20 $729
Sun 4/20 21:10-09:05 EWR-LHR
Sun 5/18 16:00-18:40 LHR-EWR
Chase Chaseside - Solent Building, Floor G Bournemouth BH7 7DA

http://www.urbanbeachhotel.co.uk/index.php
See:
Columbia Flower Market on Sunday
Inns of Court: Clustered around Holborn & South of Fleet St. See: Lincoln Inn (15c. building) grounds 9-6 M-F. & Gray’s Inn, Middle Temple

Hotels:
West End: Oxford St. YHA 0870 770 5984 14 Noel Street, Oxford Street District W1F 8GJ @22-24 http://www.londonnethotels.co.uk/YHA_London_Oxford_Street.htm
From LHR: Take Piccadilly Line of the underground & go to Green Park. XFR onto the Victoria Line and continue to Oxford Circus.
Bloomburry Arran House 207 636 2186 77-79 Gower St., London WC1E 6HJ @18 www.arranhotel-london.com
Ashlee House, 20 7833 9400 261-265 Grays Inn Road, London WC1X 8QT, England@14-30 www.AshleeHouse.co.uk
EasyHotel www.EasyHotel.com Pod Hotel – wsj 12 SHERWOOD STREET, Piccadilly Circus @20

Bournemouth:
From London Waterloo - National Express 2 ½ hrs 34
Indian Ocean 4 W Cliff Rd
Ciao 144 Old Churchill Rd Pizza, Pasta
West Beach Pier Approach Seafood
Basilica 73 Seamoor Rd

Bath
A World Heritage site; wealth of architectural wonders. One of world’s finest Roman spas
Tour: Free Mayor’s Guide Walking Tour www.TheCItyOfBath.co.uk 10:30 & 14:00 Sun-Fri
Train: www.SouthWestTrains.com 0845 6000 650 9 0845 748 4950 http://www.swt.trainsfares.co.uk/Time_Table/QTT_Display_Timetable.asp
Bournemouth Southampton Central Bath
06:62 Saturday @28
08:21 08:57/09:10 10:34
Redding
06:45 10:04/10:27 11:25

Stonehenge
One of world’s most important pre-historic sites
Bus: Salisbury – Stonehenge 40 min. 9 daily via Old Saram
National Express http://www.nationalexpress.com/ 0845 6000 650 run coaches from Victoria Coach Station, London and Heathrow - will need to get off at Amesbury and either walk the remaining 2 miles or get a local bus or taxi. 06:50-07:55 only £12.40

You can travel to Salisbury by train from Waterloo Station in London, Buses go from Salisbury Rail Station to Stonehenge - enquire at the station. Stonehenge is about ten miles from Salisbury Railway station. Trains are hourly from about six in the morning to midnight, and the journey takes about an hour and a half.
Check times before your travel - BR Information line 0171 000 000 and on http://www.rail.co.uk/ Salisbury Rail Station 7 miles
Saturday: 06:50 -07:40 07:45-10:30 @8.50
Bus X3 BMT Royal Hospital
09:25 10:25

Basilica 37 Seamoor St. Westbourne, across street from Mark & Spencer – Great food, try sea bass - the Albanian chef is superb),
Enjoy the perfect cappuccino made by the owner.
Tuk Tuk 250 Charminster Road – Great Thai food, the chef happens to be from Chang Mai, where they make some of the best sea foods.
Ciao 144 Old Christchurch Rd – the South African chef is great. Try somked eggplant appetizer (ask to replace feta with goat cheese)


MISCELLANEOUS
The Frugal Traveler Sees the World – Croatia, Lisbon, Bologna, Montenegro, Turkey, Urumqi
http://travel2.nytimes.com/2006/09/03/travel/03frugaltraveler.html
Croatia, Old women would be waiting at every port to rent out rooms for a few kuna.
Lisbon: One stop was mandatory: I paid homage to Portugal’s adventurers by visiting the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, a 500-year-old monastery where seamen would make their last confessions before sailing off to the edge of the world. The sun was out, and the monastery’s pale Manueline spires stood out against the clear sky. Better yet, because it was Sunday, entrance was free (at least till 2 p.m.).
Bologna: The students had one word for me: Quindici, an osteria known for its belly-filling meals at prices that won’t empty your wallet (via Mirasole 15; 39-051-331806).
Montenegro: Montenegro was reputed to be significantly cheaper than Croatia, its neighbor to the north?
Through Vlatko Bulatovic, a restaurateur in Perast and, at the time, one of only about eight Montenegrins on Couchsurfing.com (a recently re-launched Web site that allows members to offer sofas to like-minded travelers), I found a small, clean bedroom in a stone house owned by friends of his. The room was only 8 euros a night, or about $10.
NYT: Hotel Splendid. A ½ mile complex on Adriatic Sea,
From Bar to Tivat, Montenegro’s most prize of starch of coast, Russian voice can be heard – Buying everything w/ illegal money.
Check their R.E.

Turkey: The Istanbul-based organization (www.bugday.org/tatuta) places volunteers on about 70 organic farms throughout Turkey and is affiliated with World-Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (www.wwoof.org), an international alliance of similar groups.
In Istanbul, near the Sultanahmet neighborhood, is a place on the shore of the sea of Marmara where carpet sellers gather every night to drink beer & sing Turkish songs.

Urumqi-Beijing Train: After arriving in Urumqi, China, from Kyrgyzstan ($199 on China Southern Airways), I could have flown to Beijing for an extra $75. But I longed for the 48-hour train ride there, on which I hoped to get a people’s-eye view of life in the People’s Republic. So the following morning, I boarded the T70 (631 yuan, about $80) and found my bed: the middle bunk in a set of three facing another set of three in a car with 20 such sets, all open to the corridor. Crowded? A little, but also spotless, modern, cozy and friendly.

San Francisco One afternoon, I took the bus to the Alemany Farmers’ Market, a nest of concrete stalls enlivened with bright murals, where I drooled over the luscious Early Girl tomatoes and polymorphous squash, and thought about the recipes I had picked up on my travels: Turkish bean stews, Georgian cucumber-walnut salads and pulpo a la gallega.
http://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/food/recipes/recipe/8739
From there, I hiked up dusty Bernal Hill for what one reader called “the greatest panoramic view of the city.” She was right.