Travel Forum / Destinations / Europe / October 2003

I am confused as to what the difference is between these Paris metro
cards: Carte Orange (zones 1-3) and Paris Visite (zones 1-3). I
understand that Paris Visite is meant for tourists and that Carte
Orange lasts 7 days as opposed to 3 days for Paris Visite. However,

There's not much information on the web for the Crystal Palace Hotel in
Palermo.  None, in fact, except that it's in the central city, a three-star,
modern, and made of glass and concrete.
Has anyone here on r.t.e. stayed at this hotel?  If so, would you recommend it?

The lowest priced tickets I could find on the Internet for Lido or
Moulin Rouge cost around EUR 90 (for the shows after 11:30 pm). This
is still beyond my means. Is there a way I could get cheaper tickets,
perhaps if I don't buy the ticket in advance, but just before the show

I booked a Paris hotel room through Expedia. I paid the hotel directly
when I checked out. I was charged the agreed rate, no surprises.
Question: How does Expedia get paid? Is it through the hotel? And, if
so, how much?

I'm looking for ideas about a car trip from Munich next April/May.
I'm planning a trip of about 14-18 days for the spring.  I've never
spent much time in Germany (especially the east), or Austria and have
never been to Czech (although my wife has been to Prague).  I was

I'm investigating flying to Haugesund as a cheap way of getting to
Bergen, if possible. I have the schedule for the 400 express service,
but I can't find any recent fare info. Anyone know what the fare would
be, return? I saw a figure of 370 NOK, but that was 2001, and I couldn't

Will Euros or USD be accepted in Croatia and Slovenia until I can get
some local currency?  Bob M.

We are going to Italy for the first time in early December, spending 5 nights
in Florence and 4 in Venice. I am wondering if you folks can help on the
following questions:
1.  Are there any companies that offer walking or bus tours of Florence,

Have lost, misplaced info re: modest (3 star or less) hotels adjacemnt to,
near, "on campus", Malpensa Airport for RON before an early flight.  Should
also be convenient to airport shuttle from Milan or local train station
w/suburban service from Milan.

When do the big after Christmas sales start in London? How long do the sales
usually run?  Thanks.

I'm going to fly into and out of Florence on an upcoming vacation.  The last
couple of days I'll be in Siena.  How would I get from Siena to the Florence
airport.?  Would it be better to go back to Florence the night before? (My
plane leaves at 11:30 AM)? - gedlin

My cousin and I are taking our 60-some-year-old mothers to London
in May 2004. I'd appreciate your comments to help choose a hotel.
None of us have been there before.
This is what my cousin says:

We're flying Lufthansa from San Francisco to Istanbul via Frankfurt, with a
12 hour layover in Frankfurt. We're going to spend the day in the city, but
we'll need to get cleaned up first. Since we're traveling coach, we can't
use the shower facilities in the business class ...

My girlfriend and I are lucky enough to be travelling to Istanbul this
weekend to stay a week or so.  We would really appreciate any info on great
or unusal nightclubs or bars that we should visit whilst we are there, plus
traditional & cultural night bars with a relaxing atmosphere ...

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