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Interesting World Wide Web Sites

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Get a map, get directions, get time and money saving tips. Rand McNally has a very useful road trip guide that can map out a trip anywhere in the U.S. - even will provide info on points of interest and weather information for the area. The maps also suggest places to stay overnight along the route, and what to do with those kids in the back seat. An Explore America section provides ideas on where to go in case you haven't planned that out just yet. World Wide Web: http://www.randmcnally.com/rmc/road/rtgHome.jsp

If you're the type who would rather map out a trip to Walt Disney World rather than go looking for surprises, then you'd probably want to stop off at VacationCoach.com. The site, which requires membership registration, tracks more than 240 leisure destinations. The site essentially takes input from visitors on what kind of vacation they're looking for, then comes back with recommendations on the destination that most closely approximates their desires. It also dishes out projected costs for daily lodging and meals per person so folks can plan their vacation budgets. World Wide Web: http://www.vacationcoach.com

If the pioneering CBS broadcaster Edward R. Murrow were uttering those words today, he wouldn't be talking about the same place he once described so well. In fact, London seems to be continually changing. So if you're heading to London there for the first time and need to research the city to find out about the museums, sporting events, places to eat, and ways to get around, you could do worse than the Londinum.com site. The site, named for the ancient Romans' original name for the city, gathers more than 5,000 links to various attractions in the city, as well as to information on the city's businesses and technological centers, among many other things. World Wide Web: http://londinium.com

Elvis fans can visit Graceland any time they want thanks to the Graceland Mansion Web site, maintained by Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc. The virtual tours are extensive, including those recorded during Christmas, and require a browser plug-in. A Graceland Webcam operates 24 hours a day, and there are Elvis e-cards, newsletters and fan information. For those planning to visit Memphis, Tenn., there is a guide and details of all the admission fees for Graceland and the various museums and exhibits. Thank you very much. World Wide Web: http://www.elvis.com/graceland

American Hiking is a national organization dedicated to serving hikers and protecting the nation's hiking trails. The organization's online Hiker's Info Center provides resources for hikes, trail events and volunteer opportunities in your state. In California, for example, you can find a description of the Telescope Peak Trail with its spectacular views. The guide will tell you the best time of year to go, and how hard it is for the uninitiated. World Wide Web: http://www.americanhiking.org

Tokyo may have the world's best sushi bars, but San Francisco has Ace Wasabi's Rock 'n' Roll Sushi with its live pictures of sushi chefs in action, creating their nigiri and kamikazi rolls between 5:30 and 10:30 p.m. Pacific time. This unconventional sushi bar on Steiner Street in the Marina features other unique attributes, including rock n' roll instead of traditional Japanese crooners to eat raw fish by. But alas, this Web site also shows off the facility's dingy interior, complete with wacky if not tacky wallpaper and boxes of Asahi beer piled up all over the floor. World Wide Web: http://www.acewasabis.com

Here's a cheap escape to the gorgeous sights and sounds of Costa Rica's Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve. Online here are the sound files of a variety of birds and animals, including howler monkeys, quetzel birds, and prong-billed barbets. If that's not evocative enough, check in on the quetzel nest, live on a Webcam; organizers are awaiting the birth of new quetzel chicks. Also live is Hummingbirdcam. Guided online "tours" offer insight into various aspects of the teeming forests. For those who want to help preserve the rain forest the site offers volunteer and contribution opportunities. World Wide Web: http://www.cloudforestalive.org

Here is a search engine for the state of Maine in which commercial sites, community sites, and sites in the nonprofit sector can be keyword searched. The engine searches out artists, events, colleges, calendars, government services, the media, and of course travel and tourism activities, destinations, dining and lodging. World Wide Web: http://www.findmaine.com/

The English language version of the St. Petersburg Times offers news, views, events and classified ads for this Russian city, and it's updated twice a week. The paper proclaims a strict ethical code that forbids any journalist from accepting money from any informational source, company or politician. "This means that there is no hidden advertising, just factual, independent and informative reporting." World Wide Web: http://www.sptimesrussia.com/

This older Web site provides a fascinating insight into what a driving tour of the Oregon coastline would have been like in in 1940. The strip follows the coast from Astoria to the California border on the famous Highway 101. The highway was only completed eight years before this road trip took place. The charming black and white pictures and descriptions can be compared alongside a modern-day trip. World Wide Web: http://arcweb.sos.state.or.us/coast/OregonCoastIntr.html

Thirsty Brits and traveling foreigners may find this online pub guide invaluable. You can search for information about pubs by the region of England you're in, or by services such as food, lodgings, and value. A brief description and the name of the road is returned. World Wide Web: http://www.goodguides.com/pubs/search.asp

Have a site we should review? Send it to the editor at comptimes@aol.com and make your Subject line read "WWW Site For Review."

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