International Travel News articles from April 2002

International Travel News archives from April 2002

Boarding pass.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Dear Globetrotter: Welcome to the 314th issue of your monthly overseas-travel magazine. Knowing that ITN readers, among the most traveled in the world, sometimes like to get together with other travelers for a sociable evening, Tom...

Report Cards: On-the-spot reports from around the globe.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... The following is a sampling of reports received from ITN readers around the globe. ITN invites you to join our corps of reporters -- just drop a card in the mail while your travel impressions are fresh in your mind. To obtain your ITN Report...

Reflections on the Rhine.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... It was like unwrapping a Christmas present, expecting socks but getting a new bike instead. That's howl felt when I was led into the Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum in Rudesheim on a shore tour with Viking River Cruises. Just another...

Attn: Chocoholics.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Some of Melbourne, Australia's best chocolate/dessert makers and coffee houses are visited on walking tours run by Talkabout Tours. You can sample and nibble away downtown during the "3Cs - Coffee, Cake and Chocolate" walk, the "Chocolate...

Reders' opinions, tips & recommendations. (Travelers' Intercom).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... GCT Thailand trip We took the "Golden Triangle" Thailand trip, December '01-January '02, with Grand Circle Travel (Boston, MA; phone 800/221-2610). It was excellent -- the best Grand Circle trip we've taken. We were in the north, away from the...

Funniest thing.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Tell ITN about the funniest thing that ever happened to you while traveling in a foreign country. There are no restrictions on length. (ITN prints no info on destinations in the U.S., Canada or Mexico.) The ITN staff will choose each month's...

Nepal violence. (News Watch).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... In Nepal, February has in recent years been marked by heightened Maoist violence as Maoist groups commemorate the anniversary of their insurgency. The first week of February 2002 witnessed an increase in the number and scale of Maoist attacks...

'Avoid travel to' Colombia. (News Watch).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... The security situation in Colombia has worsened in the aftermath of the collapse of peace talks between the government and rebels. On Feb. 20, Colombian President Andres Pastrana announced that peace talks with the Fuerzas Armadas...

Current warnings. (News Watch).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... For details, call the State Department at 202/647-5225 or visit http:// travel.state.gov/travel_warnings. html. As ITN went to press, the State Department had travel warnings on 27 destinations Iran Pakistan, Afghanistan, Algeria Israel/the...

Smoking ban in Israel. (Travel briefs).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... A ban on smoking in public places has been instituted by Israel's Ministry of Health. The new law, prohibits smoking in restaurants, hotel lobbies, bars, cafes and museums, except in specially designated areas. Smoking will also be entirely...

Expo.02 in Switzerland. (Travel briefs).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Expo.02, an exposition on Switzerland, is taking place in the Three Lakes Region, May 15-Oct. 20, 2002. There have been five previous country expositions in Switzerland, in 1883, 1896, 1914, 1939 and 1964. The 2002 expo will focus on the...

Berlin's Alte National-galerie reopens. (Travel briefs).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Located on Berlin's Museum Island, the Alte Nationalgalerie (Old National Gallery) reopened for the first time in 3 1/2 years on Dec. 2, 2001. The opening marked a milestone in a 10-year renovation project modernizing and restoring Museum...

Legoland Deutschland. (Travel briefs).(world's largest Legoland is set to open in Gunzburg, Germany)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Situated next to the A 8 motor-way halfway between Munich and Stuttgart, near Ulm, the world's largest Legoland is set to open in Gunzburg, Germany, on May 17, 2002. In the 120-acre park, 50-million Lego bricks have been put together to...

Medical records on the Web. (Travel briefs).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Now you can keep your medical and dental records and any pertinent health information (such as allergies or EKG results) on the Web, where they're accessible (with your permission) 24 hours a day every day. The records stored at...

Med+Link medical records access. (Travel briefs).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Med+Link International offers the Med+Link Network, an electronic medical records service that enables travelers to consolidate, store and manage all their medical records in one secure location for easy access when needed. Detailed...

Ecuador -- more than just the Galapagos.
April 1, 2002... I told a friend, who had been talking for months about going to Ecuador to explore retirement living opportunities, that if she could find a cheap airfare I'd join her. On April 22, 2001, she told me we had plane reservations and would be...

Out from Paris.(day-tripping in Paris)
April 1, 2002... After multiple vacations in Paris, I've decided this is one of Europe's perfect spots for day trips. Day-tripping has become something of a passion for me over the years, and the day trips from Paris are like the wine list in a well-heeled...

Joining in holiday celebrations overseas.
April 1, 2002... The following are among letters received after ITN best asked readers to name the places outside of North America. to spend any of the traditional holidays and any great places to join in celebrating a local holiday overseas. My Christmas...

Accommodations worldwide. (Hotels B&Bs Homestays Apartments).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... The following is a listing of some of the hotels, B&Bs, etc., in which ITN readers have stayed over the past year or so plus restaurants or sights nearby. Prices are those paid at the time of the visit and conversion rates are approximate. ...

Cape Town to Cardiff on the last of the Royal Mail Ships.(from South Africa to Wales stopping at Canary Islands, Ascension and St. Helena)
April 1, 2002... A passenger/cargo ship sails regularly between Cardiff in Wales and Cape Town, South Africa, carrying a maximum of 128 passengers. It calls at Tenerife in the Canary Islands and the remote South Atlantic islands of Ascension and St. Helena....

Considerations when booking a tour.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Package tours have improved greatly over the years, and most of them are carefully designed to ensure you a comfortable, carefree and rewarding travel experience. The 2002 offerings are the best yet -- and at prices the traveler can't resist!...

Candid appraisals of group tours. (Tours in Review).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... The following are candid appraisals of some of the tours ITN readers have taken in the last year or so. Where possible, for comparison's sake, different readers' appraisals of a particular tour company are presented in tandem. When writing...

24 Cities for $747 -- AccessAsia Pass. (Travel briefs).(Malaysia Airlines' AccessAsia Pass )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... The Malaysia Airlines' AccessAsia Pass lets you fly to any or all of 24 destinations in Southeast Asia for one low fare of $747 per person. Price includes round-trip economy-class fare between Los Angeles and Kuala Lumpur plus economy class to...

Offers from Rail Europe. (Travel briefs).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... * EXTRA DAY AUSTRIAN RAIL -- Anyone purchasing an Austrian Railpass from Rail Europe by April 30, 2002, will receive an extra day of unlimited rail travel free. Because railpasses are valid for six months from date of purchase, travel may take...

'Low Budget Switzerland'. (Travel briefs).(Swiss Youth Hostels' "Low Budget Switzerland" program)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Swiss Youth Hostels' "Low Budget Switzerland" program offers 3-, 5- and 6-day packages at 11 Swiss hostels. The 3-day package at SF80 (near US$48) and 5-day package at SF130 ($78) are geared to the single traveler (no age limit) and include...

Paris and the Riviera. (Travel briefs).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... The French Experience offers a week-long program combining Paris and the Riviera. "The Pariviera Extravaganza" begins with three nights in Paris at a selection of 3- and 4-star hotels and includes a half-day tour by minivan. From Paris,...

Bali with Natrabu. (Travel briefs).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Until May 31, 2002, Natrabu Travel has a deal in Bali that includes international airfare; 12 nights on a beachfront property; 12 breakfasts (international buffet); five island tours (three 9-hour tours and two 5-hour tours), including one to...

Attn: Tarzan. (Travel briefs).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Hamanasi Dive & Adventure Resort on the southern coast of Belize has just completed construction on four deluxe tree houses. Nestled in Hamanasi's coastal forest where the jungle spills onto the beach, the tree houses are raised 12 feet and...

Italy's south -- definitely not a wasteland.
April 1, 2002... Many people seem to think that Italy ends at Naples or the Amalfi Coast and that anything south of there (with the possible exception of Sicily) is wasteland. Being passionate Italy fans, we decided to test this common belief and were rewarded,...

Southeast Asia: A hallmark experience; for the past few years, Viet-Nam has held a great interest for me. Then, when Cambodia's Angkor Wat became safe for travel again, I knew my time had come for a trip to Southeast Asia.
April 1, 2002... I contacted a number of orgainizations advertised in ITN and chose Scott Wild of Wild Card Adventures (751 Maple Grove, Camano Island, WA 98292; phone 800/590-3776, e-mail swild7@juno. corn or visit www. awildcard.com) to plan our trip. Scott...

Adelaide food tours.
April 1, 2002... In Adelaide, South Australia, Adelaide's Food-Fun-Wine Tours offers four tour options in the city. Eat your way around Adelaide's historic Central Market or take a progressive luncheon through Central Market, Gouger Street and the Chinatown...

Ait Ben-Haddou Ksar, Morocco. (Viewfinders/UNESCO World Heritage Site).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... My husband, Richard; and I visited Morocco in April 2000 and the highlight was our visit, to the Ait Ben-Haddou Ksar on the road from Marrakesh to Ouarzazate. This fortified village has been classified by UNESCO as one of the world's...

European railpass roundup 2002. (All Aboard!).(rail pass options)(Industry Overview)
April 1, 2002... New railpasses introduced in 2002 expand the money-saving options available to train travelers in Europe this year, but you will need to choose more carefully than ever because of the increased complexity. Sometimes you can select between two...

Value in Burgundy. (Cruise Cavalcade).(inland passenger cruise promotion in France)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Continental Waterways is offering value rates aboard the Anacoluthe, a Burgundy-bound, Impressionist-touting, 6-night cruise that reveals Paris by night as well as the homes of. van Gogh and Monet. The journey begins just north of Paris...

Anniversary 'gifts' in Burgundy. (Cruise Cavalcade).(French Country Waterways offers tour discounts to people celebrating a major anniversary)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Discounts of 25% and 50% on French Country Waterways' luxury hotel barge cruises in Burgundy are offered to. couples celebrating their 25th or 50th wedding anniversary in 2002. The discount applies to selected July and August sailings on the...

Inland waterways of Russia. (Cruise Cavalcade).(inland cruises offered by Intrav)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... INTRAV has announced the 2002 departures of its Russian river cruise,. "Journey of the Czars." The Novikov Priboy, carrying fewer than 250 passengers, has been exclusively chartered for American travelers for a total of nine departures...

Australia's Murray on a sternwheeler. (Cruise Cavalcade).(Murray River tours offered)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... A 6-day cruise on the mighty Murray River -- Australia's Mississippi -- aboard Australia's largest paddle-wheeler, the 60-cabin Murray Princess, has been introduced by Inta-Aussie South Pacific Tours. The 100-mile cruise, a round trip...

A selection of escorted tours. (Tours).(in various countries)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... The elusive leopard, resting in the treetop. Photo courtesy Big Five Tours & Expeditions "MAGICAL IRELAND" -- 9-day tour of the landscapes; food and traditions, Aug. 10-18, '02. Highlights: The cliffs of Moher/The Burren, a limestone...

"Maverick Guide to Oman". (Reviewers' Corner).
April 1, 2002... Here are a few of the latest travel-book reviews written by ITN readers. "Maverick Guide to Oman" by Peter J. Ochs II (2000, Pelican Publishing Co., Box 3110, Gretna, LA 70054. ISBN 1-56554-687-3 -- 374 pgs., $19.95). This is the only...

"China: Yunnan Province". (Reviewers' Corner).
April 1, 2002... "China: Yunnan Province" by Stephen Mansfield (2001, Bradt Travel Guides, U.K./The Globe Pequot Press, Box 480, Guilford, CT 06437. ISBN 1841620025 -- 368 pgs., $18.95). (Reviewers Corner) Yunnan Province occupies a unique corner of...

Tips for the solo traveler.(Brief Article)(Column)
April 1, 2002... QUESTION: I canceled a cruise I had planned for shortly after the September 11 incident. I find, much to my surprise, that I am now somewhat hesitant to travel alone, and instead of discussing our next dream destinations, my friends and I now...

The discerning traveler.(trip to Bergen, Norway)
April 1, 2002... Highlights of lovely Norway (Second of three parts) Last month I related the beginning of our Norwegian trip. In this issue I will continue with our exploits in the city of Bergen. Fana folklore excursion We found the "Fana...

Around the Caribbean.(Grenada hotels)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Grenada resort specials The Calabash Hotel in Grenada is offering the fourth and seventh nights free, with daily breakfast, April 3-Dec. 3, 2002. Rack rates begin at $250 per night for whirlpool rooms April 3-Oct. 1 and $270 per night Oct....

British youth hostels specials. (Brit bits).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... The Youth Hostels Association (YHA) provides the largest network of budget lodgings in England and Wales, among them a log cabin, a moated Norman castle, a former village school and modern buildings in major cities. Nightly rates range...

Lake District marks 'Peter Rabbit' centenary. (Brit bits).(tours offered of area where Beatrix Potter lived)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... In England's Lake District, events in 2002 will mark 100 years since the publication of Beatrix Potter's "Tales of Peter Rabbit." * The Beatrix Potter Society's biennial conference in Ambleside, Cumbria, Aug. 15-20, 2002, will look at the...

Staying healthy on the road. (Rick Steves' Europe[C]).(Column)
April 1, 2002... While I consider Europe as safe as the United States, those traveling to more exotic destinations should consult a travel medicine physician. Only these specialists keep entirely up-to-date on health conditions for travelers around the world....

Zambia, the 'new' Southern Africa destination. (Africa).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... (First of three parts) With the political problems in Zimbabwe, more and more safari enthusiasts are turning to Zambia. New safari tour camps are popping up in the four major national parks, as I found out on a recent trip. If you want...

The scoop on Lima and Cusco hotels. (Latin America).(part 2)
April 1, 2002... (Second of two parts on Peru) In Peru, the hotel star system is not always relegated to luxury. Many luxurious hotels, for example, are too small to achieve a 5-star rating. On the other hand, several hotels that herald five stars do not...

Sur and the eastern region of Oman. (Timeless Roads of the Mideast & Mediterranean).(part 2)
April 1, 2002... (Part.2 of 4 on Oman) Few tours of the Middle East include Oman, located at the eastern end of the Arabian Peninsula. Those that do, routinely limit visits to Muscat, its capital, and bypass other areas equally rich in history and...

Turkish odyssey. (Focus on Archaeology).(archaeological sites)
April 1, 2002... I first traveled to Turkey 20 years ago. It was love at first sight then. Each time I return to Turkey, I revisit my old favorites -- like seeing old friends -- but I always try to add a few new sights. However, there were two sights -- both...

Chile's magical southern lakes. (Far Horizons).(part 1)
April 1, 2002... (Part 1 of 3 on Chile) Over the Christmas and New Year's holidays I traveled to South America as a guest of the renowned Chilean tour operator Turismo Cocha. The opportunity to visit several regions of Chile and spend time with a friend,...

Springtime in the Greek Isles. (Kilroy was Here!).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Mediterranean cruising is beginning to recover after the tragic events at the World Trade Center on September 11 last year. We found warm weather and champagne in Homer's "wine dark" seas. Our cruise ship drove steadily all day through...

Correction.(Correction Notice)
April 1, 2002... In Kevin's February '02 column on Peru, an incorrect contact number was given for the Hotel Monasterio and the Sanctuary Lodge. Correctly for info on these hotels, call The Leading Hotels of the World at 800/223-6800. Additional info can be...

Hop on, hop off in Hong Kong. (Travel briefs).(Kowloon Motor Bus Co. tour)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... There is a new Kowloon Circle bus tour, the first hop-on, hop-off sightseeing bus in Hong Kong. Among sites on the tour are the Chi Lin Nunnery with its Tang dynasty-style architecture and seven wooden halls; the Hong Kong Museum of Arts;...

Taxi-vans in Seoul. (Travel briefs).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... The Seoul Metropolitan Government now licenses jumbo taxis, or "taxi-vans, which can seat nine persons including the driver. Visitors to Korea with large amounts of baggage may find them convenient when traveling to or from the airport. ...

Bird-watching in Seoul. (Travel briefs).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... In the midst of Seoul, Korea's, shopping and financial district of Yeoudio is an area on the Han River that serves as a respite for more than 15,000 migratory birds each year. The two smallest of the Bamseom Islets were designated an ecological...

Luxury amenities package in HK. (Travel briefs).(Hong Kong)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... With the traveling businesswoman in mind, The RitzCarlton, Hong Kong is offering the "L.A.D.Y." (Luxury Amenities Designed for You) program. Featuring items that are either frequently needed yet forgotten or that guests might need in a dilemma,...

Translations online. (Travel briefs).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Those of you with Internet access can use a free translation service from AltaVista. The AltaVista Translation box (also called Babel Fish) enables you to translate short passages to and from English to a number of languages and to and from...

Person to Person. (Travel briefs).
April 1, 2002... -- Reader-to-reader info exchange -- Planning a trip overseas and need specific info? Let your fellow ITN readers provide, the answers. Send your question to Person to Person, do ITN, 2120 28th St., Sacramento, CA 95818. Please...

Where in the World?
April 1, 2002... You could win a year's subscription to ITN simply by identifying where the above photo was taken. The winning entry will be drawn from a pool of correct answers. Answers must reach the ITN offices by April 25. Send your postcard entry...

"Insight Guide: Florence". (Reviewers' Corner).
April 1, 2002... "Insight Guide: Florence" by Insight Guides (2000, Insight Guides/Langenscheidt Publishers, 46-35 54th Rd., Maspeth, NY 11378. ISBN 0-88729-036-1 - 312 pgs., $22.95). What a delight it was to return from a semester's stay in Florence in...