World village

There are also many national parks to be visited in California. For more information:

> National Parks Service in California
http://data2.itc.nps.gov/parksearch/state.cfm?st=ca
http://www.nps.gov/deva/Pdf/cal_statemap.pdf

A last news, good or bad?
Wi-Fi Deployment is Nation´s Largest in California State Recreation Areas
http://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/712/files/011905.pdf

While renting a car in United States, you may be requested to subscribe to many insurances. It is commonly said by several travel agencies that only two insurances are really important:
- CDW/LDW (Collision/Loss Damage Waiver), which will cover car damages or theft
- LIS/SLI (Liabillity Insurance Supplement) or EP (Extended Protection), which will cover personal liability up to 1$ million

With you credit card, you may be offered that kind of insurances but:
- the coverage depends on your contract and most of the time
- you have to pay first and wait for a long time before to be refunded.

Other insurances, such as PAI (Personal Accident Insurance) or UMP (Un- and Underinsured Motorist Protection) are not really necessary.

It could be interesting to buy a car rental package including all taxes, both CDW and LIS insurances, a fuel tank, an additional driver.

> More information
http://www.hm-usa.com/carrent02.html
http://www.bnm.com/insgas.htm
http://www.ambest.com/guide/rental.html

Chicago o´hare
http://www.ohare.com/

> 4 domestic terminals (1-4)
> 1 International Terminal (Terminal Five)

Riding the ATS whithin the airport

The Airport Transit System (ATS) is a quick, convenient, and economical way to get around the airport. The ATS is a free, 24-hour rail system that operates between the three domestic terminals, the international terminal, long-term parking, and the Metra station.

The ATS is fully automated and spans 2.7 miles. It accommodates up to 2,400 passengers per hour. From beginning to end - Terminal 1 to Lot E - the travel time is just nine minutes.

Reach Chicago downtown by train

The Chicago Transit Authority´s (CTA) Blue Line provides 24-hour access between downtown Chicago and O´Hare International Airport. Trains run 8 minutes or less from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and every ten minutes from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekends. Currently, a one-way fare for the 45-minute ride is $1.75 and $.25 for a transfer.

The CTA station is located at the lowest level of the Main Parking Garage (next to elevator center 4) and is accessible by pedestrian tunnels located in Terminals 1, 2, and 3. From Terminal 5, take the Airport Transit System (ATS) to Terminal 3 and follow the signs.

For additional CTA information:
Phone: +1 312-836-7000
http://www.transitchicago.com/

Since October 26, 2004, travelers to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) have been required to carry a machine-readable passport. People who do not have such a passport have no longer been able to travel visa free.
http://www.amb-usa.fr/consul/NIV.HTM

At their arrival in United States, foreign visitors are required to register through US VISIT program that digitally scans travelers´ fingerprints and photos.

One of California´s highlights is its deserts. Below are the most famous:

> Death Valley
- General information
http://www.nps.gov/deva/

- Park map (pdf - 1 Mb)
http://data2.itc.nps.gov/parks/deva/ppMaps/ACFC9FE%2Epdf

> Mojave National Preserve
- General information
http://www.nps.gov/moja/

- Park map (gif - 42 kb)
http://data2.itc.nps.gov/parks/moja/ppMaps/papermap%2Egif

> Joshua tree National Park
- General information
http://www.nps.gov/jotr/

- Park map (pdf - 207 kb)
http://data2.itc.nps.gov/parks/jotr/ppMaps/JOTRmap%2Epdf