Bed and Breakfast Le Contesse, new B&B in Florence, is situated at the first floor of a nineteenth century building, just few steps from cultural and fashion heart of florence, and is owned with carefullness by Mrs Candida and Mrs Gabriella. Completely renewed in the 2007, B&B Le Contesse has been projected and furnished according to modern and functional style, using tipical florentine style. it’s a unique bed and breakfast among the others in Florence and it’s an ideal starting point to discover the fascinating Florence where huge rinascimental buildings integrates themselves with charming and luxury streets.

Furnished in a tipically florentine style, our rooms welcome you in the heart of Florence among charming atmosphere and superior comforts. Three rooms, different one other, are the perfect way to stay for a vacation or for business, surrounded by a relaxed and nice ambient with the typical facilities of an hotel. All the rooms are equipped with a bathroom with shower along with high quality comforts including: air conditioning, Internet connection and TV.

Breakfast
Every morning, you could have breakfast in your room choosing from fruit juices, yogurt, milk, coffee, butter and bread . International breakfast on demand. .

Bed & Breakfast Le Contesse is situated in Via Carducci, just in the middle between Sant’Ambrogio and Santa Croce areas., in front of Sant’Ambrogio church, one of the richest of history and atmosphere of the whole city. In the neighbourhoods, you can walk in little streets full of charme where you can discover the real florence, the one of traditional craft workshops and markets as Mercato delle Pulci located in Piazza de’ Ciompi, picturesque corner of Florence with traditional flavors.

Planning a trip to Italy? The top 3 destinations in Italy are Rome, Venice and Florence; for example, in order to make it easy to find an hotel in Rome, you can have a look at our advanced search. Simple as 1-2-3, the same method can be applied to find guided tours in Naples, or to compare price for different hotels in Palermo, from bed and breakfast to Hotels.

San Frediano Mansion is located in an important historical palace in Florence, built in the XVth century through the union of various minor buildings. The mansion’s ancient history is represented by a series of frescoes, including one with S: Giuseppe, the Madonna and the Child ina room at the ground floor.
The interior still preserves important pistorial decoratives and frescos. You can enter in the palace also by the back garden- Lungarno Sederini. Parterre keeps the original shape of the 18th century.

A new and finely restored Florence Bed and Breakfast offers 4 wide and comfortable rooms, finely furnished and featuring a private bath, air conditioning and satellite TV channels. The four rooms are furnished in style. They are big and spacious having comfortable private bathrooms with satalite television.
Out of the four rooms, one room contains four beds, and the other three rooms are doubles with the possiblity to add a floor bed.
Guests can relax in a peaceful back garden in its original XIX century style.

San Frediano Mansion is located in Borgo San Frediano, Hotel in Florence’s center, near Palazzo Pitti and Boboli’s garden. The district is famous for its local restaurants, where visitors can enjoy Florence’s typical and traditional cuisine. The Bed&Breakfast San Frediano Mansion is a 10 minute walk from the station. After exiting the station, continue to the Piazza Santa Maria Novella and then towards Via de’Fossi.. When you arrive at Ponte alla Carraia, go straight through, and you will be in Borgo San Frediano.
Rooms

The four rooms in Florence are furnished in style. They are big and spacious having comfortable private bathrooms with satalite television.

Out of the four rooms, one room contains four beds, and the other three rooms are doubles with the possiblity to add a floor bed.
air conditioning and tv sat

The other month I was taking my car to the Newcastle airport parking place, which - in retrospect - I must say is quite different from the Heathrow airport parking that I usually frequent for matters like these (i.e. a holiday). I’d made sure that I knew the times of my departure and when I was coming back, certainly allowing for some time to travel to the terminal itself, otherwise I’d have only been allowed to part at the time specified and if I’d planned it badly then I would have maybe ended up missing my flight, which wouldn’t have been much fun. A good thing to know beforehand is the location of the parking site, just so you can factor in how long it’ll take you to reach your plane, to avoid disappointment. Security’s a big issue for me as well, not because I’m particularly wealthy and have a car that just begs to be broken into, but just for the peace of mind so I’m not worrying about some criminal damaging my car while I’m away on holiday. I try and find out anything I can about the site beforehand, for example, how secure it is and if there’s been any history of criminal damage or theft. I’d just appreciate feeling secure and it’s not much of an extra effort to find out these things.

London City is by a long way one of the desired places to stay in the modern world. What day-trippers desire in a hotel is without doubt going to be significantly different from what any London resident would in all probability deem necessary. Today there are many different kinds of hotels about. Hence you must think a good deal in regards to what you are wanting for in a hotel. This is a very individual opinion and with the selections on hand to you at the moment it can be a tough decision to make.

Modern, traditional, funky, are you looking to be pampered, have afternoon tea somewhere fantastic or simply have a couple nights to loosen up in luxurious accommodation.

A couple of the more regular hotels are the longest and grandest in the Capital and has to be said that they are by and large filled with a certain sort of customer, you’re not in reality going to stay here if you are with your children or relatives. The Ritz, Savoy and Claridges are simply a number of the hotels that have been operating since Victorian age. They have all had restoration work carried out since then yet still grasp loads of their renowned virtues and features. There are few hotels on earth at the moment that offer this exact type of extravagance, people fly from all over the earth to see these hotels and the workforce take care that there experience is enormously worth it. Check out Time Out for all the latest information about London Hotels.

With the City recently being a fashionable place to visit it makes obvious sense that they have great hotels to match. Boutique hotels are becoming little by little more popular and give a unique type of hotel accommodation than perhaps your more established accommodation would offer. If you are trying to find some of the greatest then head to places like that of Knightsbridge, Notting Hill & Soho and you’re expected to find exactly what you are searching for. The Soho Hotel & St Martin Lane Hotel are a number of the most excellent hotels in the Capital.

Considering the areas most impacted by bird flu are in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, it is advisable to stay clear of these regions. However, circumstances may arise that necessitates travel. In which case, you need to know how to protect yourself in these areas from contracting bird flu.

In general, basic hygiene can prevent a wide array of infectious diseases. For this reason, frequent hand washing is advised to eliminate bacteria and viral components from one’s hands.

More specifically, travelers should avoid any contact with poultry, including those held for agricultural use or wild birds. Any area potentially contaminated with bird feces should also be avoided. Currently, bird flu is only being transmitted from poultry to humans and not from human contact; therefore, you should assume every bird you see is potentially infected, as that very well may be the case.

You should also take special care not to ingest undercooked poultry, poultry products, or dishes made with poultry blood, as the virus may still be active in such dishes.

You also need to avoid contact with sick people or people that are exposed to poultry. This may seem excessive, but the bird flu virus is expected to mutate and be transmitted through human contact. If this were to occur, you could easily catch the disease from someone else. It is better to be cautious and alive than the alternative. Likewise, you may also consider avoiding crowds, as densely populated areas are an ideal breeding ground to spread disease.

If, during your travels, you become severely ill, you may contact a United States Embassy for guidance in seeking treatment and notifying family and friends. Depending on your location, medical care may be limited. Use caution in securing treatment.

Special concern has been shown in visiting Singapore and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve; however, it has been made very clear that Singapore is free from bird flu. Two entities, AVA and NParks, have continual surveillance projects of the reserve and take blood samples from the birds on a regular basis to ensure infection has not occurred. On the same token, it is unlikely a human would become infected by a wild bird, as direct handling is almost impossible. Most of the cases reported have been contracted from chickens or domestic birds. The primary way a human would be infected from a wild bird is through contact with bodily secretions and feces.

Sarah is an acclaimed writer on medical matters, and has written extensively on the subjects of Attention Deficit Disorder, Bird Flu and Crohn’s Disease.
For more of her articles, go to www.imedicalvillage.com now. www.imedicalvillage.com“> Click here now and re

Here are some important pet travel tips that you need to know while planning a vacation with your pet.

Bringing your pet with you on your vacation is becoming easier. Lots of hotels and motels are accommodating pet travel.

Most National Parks have strict regulations restricting pets. Check with them ahead of time. Your pet may not be able to walk with you but you can still spend some happy time together.

Before you bring Fido or Fluffy on your trip make sure that they are physically up to it. Take her to the vet first and be sure that she is in sound health.

Make sure she has all her necessary vaccinations along with a health certificate to bring along with you on your trip.

Be sure she has a collar with ID tag that contains your name and phone number. If she gets lost somehow, that could be the only way she gets back home.

A pet that is not well behaved can be a problem and may not be suited to travel. She will be in strange surroundings and you don’t want her to scratch or bite out of fear and confusion.

If you must leave your pet home please be sure that she is well cared for. Professional pet sitters, kennels, friends or family are options available to you.

Leave explicit instructions for care and the phone number of your vet.

Most airlines will accommodate pet travel but they all have their own rules. Dogs and cats are usually ok but other pets may present a problem.

Your pet can travel either in the passenger cabin or in the cargo hold. Pet travel in the cargo hold can be a little rough and ventilation is not the best. Your vet should be able to help you evaluate if Fido or Fluffy is up to it.

Well behaved pets that are able to travel in an appropriate sized container may be brought with you on the plane. They will be treated as carry on luggage and will have to ride under your seat.

Pet travel in your car is a much more straight forward arrangement for all. Some pets can’t handle it though and it is best to make sure she is up to it before your vacation starts.

Take basic safety precautions like not letting the animal run free in the vehicle. She could cause an accident. This means that she should be leashed securely or travel in a pet container.

Never leave your precious pet in a hot car with the windows shut. It doesn’t take long for the temperature inside to reach lethal levels.

Make sure you provide her with fresh water and food. For dogs, she will greatly appreciate frequent stops to get a quick bit of exercise.

When bringing your pet to a motel or hotel that accommodates pet travel please be sure to follow all their rules. A bad experience will make it more difficult for future pet owners. Keep her leashed and clean up after her. Do not allow her to damage property by chewing or scratching.

Be prepared for emergencies and possible problems due to stress. If possible, find out the name and phone number of a local vet or animal hospital near where you will be staying.

With a little effort your vacation can be safe and fun for both people and animals. Remember, Fido or Fluffy can’t look after themselves so it is up to you to be sure that their traveling needs are taken care of.

The author, of this article, Peter Shannon, is the owner of the website www.1001-vacation-ideas.com. Here you will find a large collection of vacation and getaway ideas for travelers searchable by theme and location.

Lovers of Shakespeare can now enjoy a short break to London with
Superbreak - http://www.superbreak.com - on selected dates in
July, August and September 2005 which includes a guided tour of
Shakespeare’s Globe, entry to the Globe exhibition and a top
priced ticket to see a performance of The Winter’s Tale.
Overnight bed and breakfast accommodation at a luxury four star
hotel is also included.

Before seeing the play on Sunday at 1pm, guests will be able to
take a morning tour of The Globe Theatre, guided by an
actor/story teller who recalls tales of both Elizabethan and
21st Century performances. There is also time to see the
Shakespeare’s Globe Exhibition - the world’s largest exhibition
devoted to Shakespeare and the London which he lived and worked.
Housed in the vast Under Globe beneath the theatre, the
exhibition explores the remarkable story of Sam Wanamaker’s
struggle to rebuild the Globe and bring Shakespeare’s world to
life. There is the chance to add your voice to a scene played by
Globe actors, watch a sword-fighting display, see a working
printing press in action and discover how actors are dressed in
Elizabethan clothing.

SHAKESPEARE’S GLOBE PACKAGE - £113pp - This includes Saturday
night bed and full English breakfast accommodation at the four
star City Inn Westminster, superbly located next to the Tate
Britain and the River Thames. Also included is the tour of the
Globe Theatre, entry to the exhibition and a top priced seated
ticket for the matinee performance of The Winter’s Tale on the
Sunday at 1pm.

Packages are available on 9 and 23 July, 20 and 27 August and 3
and 27 September 2005.

For more information or to book call Superbreak on 01904 644455
or visit http://www.superbreak.com

Who are Superbreak?

Superbreak.com, incorporating Theatrebreak.com, is the internet
division of Superbreak Mini Holidays Limited, the market leader
for short breaks throughout the UK. Superbreak is part of
Holidaybreak plc, a publicly quoted leisure company whose share
price can be found in most major UK newspapers, or at
http://www.holidaybreak.com.

Based in York, England, Superbreak specialises in booking 2-5
star hotel accommodation throughout Britain for the leisure
traveller. Superbreak hold allocations of rooms at all hotels
and we can book up to and including the day of departure.

A visit to the catacombs is a fascinating part of any trip to Rome. The catacombs in Rome are a place where art meets history and religion in a very powerful way. There are several catacombs along via Appia Antica, but not all are open to the public.

The catacombs are located on the ancient way that connected Rome to southern Italy - Via Appia Antica. This ancient road was opened in 312 B.C. and went all the way to Brindisi on the Adriatic sea.

At the time, there was a law against burying the dead inside the city, so Via Appia Antica became the place of choice for burials. The catacombs and fantastic burial monuments are located along the way from Casale Rotondo to Cecilia Metella’s tomb.

If by now you imagine yourself spending your day in dark, gloomy caves, staring at bones, you can forget about it. Via Appia Antica has a great view. It is one of the most luxurious areas in Rome. The rich people of modern Rome live nowadays next to the burial location of their ancient ancestors, so while you admire the art work of the tombs, don’t forget to take a glimpse at the houses and gardens of the area.

Inside the catacombs you will not see bones, but the work of art that decorated the ancient tombs of the rich and important.

Entry to the catacombs is only possible with a guide, for safety reasons. The guide, a priest or friar, will explain you all about the history, art and symbolism of the place, and then walk you through the catacombs.

The Catacombs of San Callisto (or Callixtus) - The burial location of the Bishops and Popes, are named after Callisto who restored and enlarged them.

Until the third century, Christians in Rome had no official grave yards. At the beginning of that century, the Pope nominated St. Callisto to be in charge of the burial lands on Via Appia Antica. This was the beginning of the custom of burying Christians in lands that belonged to the church. As time passed, these underground grave yards that were dug in a soft rock, evolved to a maze of canals, layer upon layer.

Whenever the room in one layer was exhausted, another layer was dug, so the most ancient layer is at the top.

Santa Cecilia was buried in one of the graves here. Later, her tomb was moved to the church of Santa Cecilia, and a copy of her statue now stands in the place of the grave.

The tunnels here resemble a dark labyrinth, so stay close to your guide. The guides walk rather quickly through the place to make room for the next group. A tour takes about 40 minutes.

Continuing on Via l’Appia Antica, we find the catacombs and church of San Sebastiano. There are four floors of catacombs here, and a statue of St. Sebastian by Bernini. These were the first to be named “catacombs” after the greek words “Kata Kymbas” that mean “by the graves”. These catacombs are the only ones that are easily accessible to visitors. Of the four floors only the second is usually open.

In the Tricila area of the catacombs there are hundreds of graffiti writings on the walls, mentioning St. Peter and St. Paul. Those are probably from the time their relics were kept here, until they were transferred to the Vatican. Christians used to gather here in order to commemorate them.

This article was written by Rachel Deutsch, creator of www.dream-vacation-in-rome.com , as an addition to the series of Rome walking tour plans on www.dream-vacation-in-rome.com/Rome-vacation-itinerary.html

Whistler-Blackcomb is renowned as North America’s leading ski resort. The two mountains rise up majestically from the valley, with over a vertical mile up to the peak. So imagine you only have a single day to ski. Which mountain do you choose? Each has their advocates. Some people will always head for the Whistler Village Gondola or the Creekside gondola, both of which head up Whistler Mountain, and others head unerringly for the Excalibur gondola or the Wizard chair, the main gateways to Blackcomb. So what are the differences? What kind of skiers choose one over the other? Is there any real difference between the two mountains? Which conditions favour Whistler over Blackcomb, and vice-versa?

Powder days (for experts)

If the weather gods have blessed the day with fresh powder, there is little question that Whistler is the mountain of choice for expert skiers. Two words explain why: Peak Chair. The Peak Chair on Whistler gives access to an immense variety of off-piste runs to cater for all levels of powder skier. (If you are at the very high end, you can head for Air Jordan, a terrifying leap off a cliff which involves a 50 foot descent to a intermediate landing point only 60 foot square, after which you have to take off again and descend another 40 feet to the soft snow below. Fluff your first landing and you are looking at several months in hospital…if you are lucky.) There is no lift on Blackcomb to compare to the powder terrain opened up by the Peak Chair.

Powder days (for the rest of us)

Less accomplished skiers in the powder head for the Blackcomb Glacier on powder days. This is an enormous bowl where you can still find fresh tracks two or three hours after the lift has opened. Whilst the over-ambitious can easily do themselves a lot of damage in the many couloirs and cliffs off the Peak Chair, they can’t come to too much harm on the Blackcomb Glacier.

Stormy days

When the weather is stormy and winds of 70km/hour are battering the high alpine, it is likely that the uppermost lifts are closed. Almost certainly the Glacier Chair and Seventh Heaven on Blackcomb will be shut, as well as the T-bars on the Horstmann Glacier. You’ll probably find that Crystal Chair is also closed. This leaves most of the interesting terrain in Blackcomb inaccessible. However on Whistler, even if the Peak Chair and the Harmony Chair are closed, you still have the Village gondola (which has the added bonus in a storm of offering a sheltered ride all the way to the top), the Garbanzo Chair, Big Red and the Emerald Express. These lifts will remain open in any conditions that you want to be up on the mountain at all in. Garbanzo in particular gives access to many tree-sheltered runs which can be great in a storm.

Sunny days

Most of both Whistler and Blackcomb is faces north or west, and receives the sun only obliquely. This is one reason why the snow lasts a long time. However, on a cold but sunny day (and most sunny days are cold in the Whistler winter), you want the sun full on to soften up the piste and to keep you warmer as well. At these times you want to be on Seventh Heaven, the only major south-facing slope in Whistler.

Tree skiing

Both Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains are well-covered with trees in the bottom two-thirds of the skiable terrain. However Whistler has the edge in terms of the sheer area of skiable treed terrain. Runs like Club 21 and Sidecut on Whistler are similar to Bark Sandwich on Blackcomb, but the tree runs off the Peak Chair are incomparable.

Lunch days

If you are one of the people for whom ski runs are short intervals between lengthy doses of café cognac, and for whom lunch is the central part of the day, Whistler has little to offer, and you will probably spend more time on Blackcomb. None of the restaurants in Whistler has much atmosphere, whereas Blackcomb has a couple that are passable: Christine’s in the Rendezvous and the Crystal Hut.

So each mountain has its supporters, and each mountain is better for certain conditions and certain types of skier. Just make sure you try them both when you come.

Whistler is generally ranked as North America’s #1 ski resort, and Henry operates the leading vacation rental company there. Try this link if you are looking for Whistler accommodation resort info

Aruba is more than just picture perfect beaches, beautiful weather and an oasis of relaxation. It’s now one of the best places in the world to hold a business meeting, convention or other corporate function. Why? The U.S. Treasury Department announced that the United States and Aruba signed the Tax Information Exchange Agreement (TIEA) between the two countries. How would this be of interest to event and meeting planners? Because conducting meetings on Aruba will now be exactly like having meetings in the United States, in terms of tax benefits. That’s right; U.S. taxpayers can claim tax deductions for all expenses associated with meetings, seminars and conventions held in Aruba. As a result, Aruba now becomes the ninth significant offshore financial center to sign such an agreement with the United States.

So, why did this agreement happen in the first place? Well, besides the economic benefit that Aruba will no doubt enjoy from the increased business, there are a few other good reasons:

• It’s an example of goodwill between the U.S. and Aruba

• Helps to ensure that no safe haven exists for funds associated with illicit activities, including terrorism, money laundering and tax evasion.

• Serves as a pledge to maintain the confidence of honest taxpayers, and the fairness of the tax systems in the two countries’ dealings.

“Aruba is extremely optimistic about the Tax Information Exchange Agreement with the United States and the fact that for tax purposes, having a meeting in Aruba is now just as easy as one in United States,” said Minister of Tourism and Transportation Edison Briesen. “We hope that the TIEA and the availability of brand-new tax incentives for the group and meetings/incentives markets will make Aruba even more of a desirable destination.”

Why Else Should You Plan Your Next Business Function in Aruba?

• Many great hotels and resorts, offering every amenity needed, including:

o High Speed Internet Access
o Professional Event Management Teams
o 22,000 square foot Convention Center
o Business Equipment
o Meeting Equipment
o AV equipment
o Decorating

• Renaissance Island, a 40-acre private island for business events

• The Island boasts an average temperature of 82 degrees Fahrenheit, is pleasantly cooled by the near constant trade winds and receives very little rain.

• Easy customs process: Some say its like they weren’t entering a foreign country

• Lots of entertainment, dining and Casino choices

• World class golf at Tierra del Sol: An 18-hole championship course, designed by the world-renowned Robert Trent Jones, Jr

• The North Shore: Check out the interesting and undeveloped moonscape of Aruba’s north shore. It’s a great place for four-wheel-drive vehicles.

• Oranjestad for great shopping, including emeralds!

• Incredible Dining! Aruba has a distinct culinary power

• The U.S. dollar is accepted everywhere, and English is spoken universally

The Final Word

If you’re a meeting or event planner, Aruba definitely needs to be highly considered. Where else can you enjoy all the diverse experiences of an island paradise and then receive tax benefits as well? If one thing is true, it’s that Aruba has a dizzying array of things to do: the action is nonstop both day and night.

When is the time to come to Aruba? Anytime! The temperature is relatively constant and there is no point in the year that regularly receives inclement weather. While the high season spans from January through March, expect to find lighter crowds and exceptional deals on lodging from April through December.

This article was written by Jon Wuebben. Jon writes select pieces about travel in Aruba for the Aruba Renaissance Resort