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Events

• 'Where in the World' Launches a New Site for Adventurers, Travellers, and Explorers

  October 29, 1999 (INB) — Where in the world announces its new website <http://www.whereintheworld.co.uk>, which provides a comprehensive directory of unusual vacations and events across the globe. Unlike many travel related sites, Whereintheworld.co.uk does not operate on commission from individual travel companies. Instead, it is completely independent and, therefore, unbiased. The aim is to inspire both new and seasoned travellers to try something different and unusual.

  The website gives users access to full and complete travel details to support each adventure or expedition, including dates, costs, itineraries, contact details and background information such as currency, weather, visa, and safety where appropriate. Each is regularly checked and updated throughout the year, with a direct link to the individual travel operator's own website for booking purposes.

  Where in the world is divided into themed sections including Spiritual journeys, Ancient Splendours, Great Explorations, True Grit, With the kids, The Big Blue, High Octane and The Final Frontier, as well as a section on unusual events in Diverting Detours.

  Users can explore the site in several ways via the themed menu, the full listing page of the keyword search facility encompassing the whole site.

  For more information, visit the site at http://www.whereintheworld.co.uk
  
  

• Help Give Away Our Money!
  
  We want to give away $25,000 to non-profit organizations helping the environment and social causes.  Help us decide who should get the money — we'll give $.25 for each person who votes! —
  http://www.greentravel.com/giveback/
  
  
• Travel Agents Still a Better Source than Internet, Survey Finds
  
  

  October 12, 1999 (INB) — A five month survey conducted by VacationsURent.com <http://www.vacationsurent.com> in the spring and summer of 1999 found that hundreds of consumers searching for a vacation rental property left the net satisfied only 10% of the time, and that Travel Agents were still a better source of information.

  Consumers regularly contact VacationsURent.com, a leading Internet vacation rental and home exchange site, to request information about properties for rent in various locations. Within three months of their initial request, each consumer was contacted by e-mail for follow up information about their success in finding what they wanted.

  In those follow up contacts, 84% of respondents said they were still looking for a vacation rental property, while 10% said they had found what they were looking for on the Internet.

  The questionnaire also asked the consumer what other sources they used to find a vacation property to rent. Travel Agents and friends were the next most common sources of information.

  There are several possible reasons why consumers cannot find what they want on the net. Among them is the small number of properties presently listed, and the fact that most of those properties have very high occupancy rates, leaving little choice for consumers.

  "The Internet is clearly a very good place for owners who wish to rent out their vacation properties or find a home exchange partner, based on our research, and based on the feed back we get from our advertisers. Many of our advertisers report a big increase in occupancy, and a much broader market to sell to" said Lawrence Pierce, President of Vacations U Rent.

  Pierce also said that he was surprised that more owners did not use the Internet, considering the demand. "Our site offers a full year of advertising, with pictures and e-mail links, and links to the advertiser's web page for about the same cost as a four line ad in a daily newspaper for 5 days."

  VacationsURent.com is a searchable database of alternate accommodations, including condos, houses, cabins, castles, home exchanges, and bed and breakfasts worldwide. Consumers can search the database by town, state, or country; size, type of accommodation and cost. And deal direct with the owners. Owners can advertise their properties for a full year, with pictures, for about the cost of five days in a daily newspaper.

  Full survey results ,and a list of consumer requests for properties at <http://www.vacationsurent.com>.

  Enough About 'Hearts' and San Francisco - The Victorian Home Walk Tour Helps Visitors Appreciate the 'Soul' of the City

  Victorian Home Walk Tour is a Window on the Finest Homes and Most Colorful Historical Period of San Francisco - America's Victorian Jewel

  SAN FRANCISCO - November 16, 1999 (INB) — Experience the splendor of the San Francisco Victorian era with a friendly and informative guide. Jay Gifford leads daily walking tours through the Pacific Heights, Fillmore and Cow Hollow neighborhoods. Follow Jay and others on the tour through the many layers of history, colorful style and changes that have occurred in the area. Learn not only about the homes but also about the Victorian culture.

  Even with the San Francisco hills - the tour is low impact as Jay winds his way through the streets seeing the highlights while taking special care in selecting a route easy for most anyone. Along the way see the Mrs. Doubtfire, Party of Five and other popular homes and experience majestic views of Cow Hollow, the Marina area and the Golden Gate Bridge. You'll see and smell many shops and restaurants and have a chance to enjoy some of the city's finest as the tours ends on Union Street (one of the most treasured shopping and dining neighborhoods in the city).

  A note from Jay: "As a resident of San Francisco for 20 years, I have a great passion for our city's trademark Victorian architecture. The streets in our best Victorian neighborhoods are too narrow for tour buses, and as a result most visitors miss these local treasures. I created Victorian Home Walk to give people a chance to appreciate the Victorians the way San Francisco natives do, and to offer the seasoned traveller a tour 'off the beaten path.' I am an active member of the San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau, San Francisco Tour Guide Guild, IGLTA, The Victorian Alliance, and The Foundation for San Francisco's Architectural Heritage."

  Tour Details: Tours depart at 11 am each day from the lobby of the St. Francis Hotel on Union Square. (We meet by the beautiful antique clock in the lobby). San Francisco weather changes quickly so we recommend that participants bring a jacket (even on sunny days) and wear comfortable shoes. Couples, individuals or small groups are always welcome. Cost is $20 per person with advance booking preferred but not required.

  Visit Victorian Walk for a detailed on-line photo tour. For reservations or more information: jay@victorianwalk.com or (415) 252-9485.

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Places To Go &
Things To Do

While you're in Sweden,
we recommend the following:

Restaurants:
• Fiskekrogan
  
  Address: Lilla Torget 1
  Phone: +46(0) 31-10 10 05
  Fax: +46(0) 31-10 10 06
  Specialty: Seafood
  
  
• Thörnströms Kök
  
  Address: Thörnströms Kök
  Teknologgatan 3
  Phone: +46(0) 31-16 20 66
  Specialty: Traditional Swedish dishes
  
  Note: Owner Håkan Thörnströms is a former member of the Swedish National Olympic Cooking Team.
  

  Hotels:
  
  

• Scandic Hotels - Göteberg



• Lady Hamilton - Stockholm



Attractions:

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