Rhine Escapes presents a visual and intellectual web tour this issue, traveling to sites that feature incredible web design and stimulating online pursuits.

First stop is Cool Homepages.com, the online collection of outstanding web design. Featuring thumbnails of hundreds of splash pages, this resource includes sites in a variety of categories including Entertainment, E-zines, Portals, Flash and Hip.

At Digital Thread, an online resource for digital artists, surfers can explore the Web Gallery where they will find cutting-edge html. The gallery is updated bimonthly and includes sites of superior quality.

To round out your trip take a tour of the Top Links at How Now Web Design. Categories include design, inspiration, top ten, fun stuff, online magazines, and entertainment news. The chosen sites are both informative and well-designed.

MIND GALLERY

For daily inspiration, some good news or an uplifting jolt of humor , make The Positive Press a daily stop.

Developing thinking ability is the key to Thinks.com, where you can play brain games, work on puzzles and other pastimes.

Take a battery of psych tests at Tests, Tests, Test and get to know yourself better, online.

Lastly, visit the Center for the Easily Amused. The site has a wealth of trivial, and stimulating online fun.