International Travel News articles from August 2003

International Travel News archives from August 2003

Boarding pass.(Editorial)
August 1, 2003... Dear Globetrotter: Welcome to the 330th issue of your monthly overseas travel magazine. Dianne Jurczak of Haslett, MI, sent us the picture above and the following note: "I'm writing to thank ITN for bringing my husband, Dennis,...

An Oasis in the City.(Give us your input ...)
August 1, 2003... Have you ever been in a big, busy city overseas; dodging traffic, recoiling from the noise and gasping for air when you came upon an oasis of calm and beauty in the form of a garden or park--a refuge of (relative) quiet and nature where locals...

Report cards: on-the-spot reports from around the globe.(Letter to the Editor)
August 1, 2003... 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 the travel impressions are fresh in your mind, or e-mail...

Exploring the island nature reserves of Seychelles.
August 1, 2003... (First of two parts) Seychelles is located in the Indian Ocean about 700 miles northeast of Madagascar, at about 4[degrees] south of the equator and nine time zones east of our home in Virginia. Our 6-week trip to Seychelles began Jan....

UK coach travel.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips, & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
August 1, 2003... National Express Limited coaches travel from Heathrow all over the U.K. They are comfortable, reliable and very inexpensive. If you are over 60, there is a concessionary fare, approximately half price. Those over 50 can purchase a discount...

Just take bus, Metro into Paris.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips, & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
August 1, 2003... A side trip to Paris is always a temptation, now even more so because of the incredibly cheap easy Jet fares from other European centers (visit www.easyjet.com). For example, on May 5, '03, I paid CHF50 (about $36) one may, all inclusive, for a...

Asia travel and SARS.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
August 1, 2003... I traveled in Asia for three weeks, April 11-May 8, '03. I spent two weeks in China and one week in Thailand. Regarding the SARS outbreak, I have the following comments. First, considering the size of the Chinese population, the number of...

DAN for travel insurance.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Divers Alert Network )(Letter to the Editor)
August 1, 2003... In the article on travel insurance in the July '03 issue, an incorrect website was given on page 40. The website for Divers Alert Network (DAN) is actually www.diversalertnetwork. org (not.com). I called DAN and they were efficient and very...

Successful evacuation from Nepal.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)
August 1, 2003... The plan was to celebrate my husband's 80th birthday while in Tibet during October '02. Actually, as it turned out, on that day he was en route to the U.S., returning 10 days early. The good part is there is sometimes a free lunch--or almost a...

Re blood clots and travel.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
August 1, 2003... I read with interest the letters "Danger of Blood Clots" and "Deleterious Result of Taking Sleeping Pills" (July '03, pg. 76). As a pulmonologist, a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a condition I often evaluate and treat. A serious and potentially...

Speedy Olympia Voyager.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
August 1, 2003... We took a 13-day cruise aboard the Olympia Voyager from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, to Genoa, Italy, April 14-27, '03. We crossed the Atlantic at Barbados and spent four days at sea on the fastest cruise ship on the water--it travels at 29 knots....

Funniest thing.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... 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...

SARS contained.(News Watch)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... On June 25, the World Health Organization (WHO) rescinded its recommendation that people should postpone all but essential travel to Taiwan because of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). This was the last area in the world for which a...

Typhoid fever in Haiti.(News Watch)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... According to the World Health Organization, as of May 30, 2003, 200 cases of typhoid fever, including 40 deaths, had occurred in remote villages of the Grand Bois Area of Haiti. Deaths occurred primarily among people who did not receive medical...

Mauritania uncertainty.(News Watch)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens to the fluid and uncertain security situation in Mauritania following an attack against the government on June 8, 2003. Fighting has occurred between unidentified factions within the military and...

Military actions in Indonesia.(News Watch)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... On May 19, 2003, the Indonesian government declared martial law in Aceh and launched significant military operations in response to the ongoing separatist conflict between the Indonesian military and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM). The Indonesian...

East Timor caution.(News Watch)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... American citizens traveling to East Timor are reminded to exercise caution, avoid large gatherings and remain alert with regard to their personal security.' Additionally, in light of recent attacks in Southeast Asia, Americans should exercise...

Threats in Colombia.(News Watch)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... The Department of State warns U.S. citizens against travel to Colombia. Terrorist and criminal violence by narcotraffickers, guerrillas, illegal self-defense (paramilitary) groups and other criminal elements continues to affect all parts of the...

Fighting in Liberia.(News Watch)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... The Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens against all travel to Liberia. At press time, rebels were engaged in clashes with government troops in a number of areas throughout the country. The President of Liberia had called for the...

Pitfalls in Nigeria.(News Watch)(Department of State warning)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the dangers of travel to Nigeria. Violent crime, committed by ordinary criminals as well as by persons in police and military uniforms, can occur throughout the country. Kidnapping for ransom of...

Current warnings.(News Watch)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... As ITN went to press, the State Department had travel warnings on 28 destinations: Nigeria, Colombia, Indonesia, Liberia, Yemen, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Taiwan, Lebanon, Iraq, Burundi, Israel/the West Bank/Gaza, Pakistan, Algeria, Central...

Picasso Museum opens in Malaga.(Travel briefs)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... The new Museo Picasso Malaga Museum opens Oct. 24, 2003, in the city where the painter was born. It will showcase over 200 paintings, sculptures, ceramics and graphic works from the private collections of Christine and Bernard Ruiz-Picasso, the...

Centenary of suffragette movement.(Travel briefs)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... 2003 marks the 100th anniversary of the foundation of the Women's Social and Political Union by Emmeline Pankhurst. Better known as the suffragettes, it was set up in Manchester, northwest England, to get the vote for women. Emmeline, with her...

The Bergen Card.(Travel briefs)(visiting Norway)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... For visitors to Norway, the Bergen Card provides free bus transportation within the city limits and free admission to most museums and attractions, including the Bergen Art Museum, Mount Floyen funicular, Bryggens Museum, King Hakon's Hall,...

Pets to London on Continental.(Travel briefs)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Continental Airlines is the first U.S. airline to be approved under the United Kingdom's "Pet Travel Scheme" (PETS), which eliminates the usual 6-month quarantine for cats and dogs traveling to London. Continental customers whose pets meet...

A look at fascinating Thailand plus Cambodia.
August 1, 2003... This was more than the typical "Bangkok and beyond" tour. It was in-depth coverage of the entire country of Thailand, with the added aspect of trekking for the 50ish-or-older crowd. A 4-day extension to Cambodia's Angkor War and Angkor Thom...

Interval of refund.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
August 1, 2003... For our Royal Olympia Cruises' 17-day "Great Rivers of South America" cruise on the Voyager, embarking Dec. 5, '02, we selected our shore tours on Oct. 21; these included a visit to Puerto Ordaz on the Orinoco River. After setting sail, we...

NCL sends reply.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Norwegian Cruise Line)
August 1, 2003... printed in the May '03 issue, page 36, a letter from Alexander Manos titled "Much Pleased, Despite Noisy Cabin." It dealt with 1) a letter distributed to ship's passengers regarding a virus that some passengers had contracted on the previous...

Single's outlook on Freestyle Dining.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Norwegian Cruise Line )
August 1, 2003... On Feb. 6, '03, I returned from a "South America Explorer" cruise on the Norwegian Dream with Vantage Deluxe World Travel (Boston, MA). I selected this ship and tour because of the destination, and I booked it while on a Holland America Line...

Uniworld ran tour for two.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
August 1, 2003... In the letter titled "Will the Departure Date Be Changed?" (July '03, pg. 16), a reader pointed out that many tour operators will change the departure date of a tour if it doesn't have enough people signed up for it to be economically...

Surprises from Morocco.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)
August 1, 2003... I have a recommendation for those wishing to purchase a rug, should they be in Marrakech, Morocco. In many foreign countries, it is customary for your tour guide to retain a local guide to show you the sights. Invariably, many start out...

Balkans by train.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... We took a trip to Europe and the Balkans in March '03. We flew Icelandair from Boston to Frankfurt with a 2-day stopover in Reykjavik, Iceland. There is no need to change money in Iceland as they take credit cards for everything. The bus...

Tips and recommendations on Ireland.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)
August 1, 2003... The following information is from a trip taken June 11-22, '02. ACCOMMODATIONS--Here are three bed-and-breakfast spots in Ireland that we recommended: Sunny Bank (phone 064-34109) in Killarney--great location. Very nice rooms....

Homemade clothes dryer.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)
August 1, 2003... I developed a clothes-drying method similar to one that is sold as Bloozdryer and which can be made with materials from a dime-store-type facility. I have been using this method for years. My wife calls it the "Severs Self Dry." You need...

Unveiling the treasures of Prague.
August 1, 2003... To celebrate a 40th birthday, best friends Dan Gifford and Steve Shaffer undertook a 52-day around-the-world tour. Covering over 32,000 miles in the fall of 2002, their journey encompassed six major stops. This is the first article from their...

To anyone interested in exploring East Anglia, we can heartily recommend Watermill Cottages.(Great Britain & Ireland)
August 1, 2003... To anyone interested in exploring East Anglia, we can heartily recommend Watermill Cottages (Watermill House, Kettleburgh, Woodbridge, Suffolk, U.K., 1P137JS; phone 01728 621121 or fax 0172862118). The cottages are a delight--thatched,...

Beadnell House.(Great Britain & Ireland)(Outstanding accommodation in the Northumbrian area of England)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... For an outstanding accommodation in the Northumbrian area of ENGLAND, close to attractions such as Alnwick Castle, Bamburgh Castle, Holy Island of Lindisfarne, etc., we highly recommend Beadnell House (Beadnell, Northumberland, NE67 5AT,...

Ramada Presidenti Hotel.(Europe)(Helsinki, Finland)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... In August '02 I took an extensive solo trip around various Scandinavian countries. I was surprised by how much I liked FINLAND! The people are not only very handsome but kind and helpful. Most Scandinavians speak a lot of English, which helps a...

Les Oliviers.(Europe)
August 1, 2003... In April '02 my husband and I and two other couples spent a week at a house in the Languedoc region of FRANCE. Via the Internet, we found the house, Les Oliviers, at Holidays France Rentals (24, rue de la ville l'Eveque, 75008 Paris, France;...

Hotel Bayerischer Hof Dresden.(Europe)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Hotel Bayerischer Hof Dresden (Antonstrasse 33-35, 01097 Dresden, GERMANY; phone [0351] 82937-0, fax [0351] 8014860, e-mail info@bayerischer-hof-dresden.de or visit www.bayerischer-hof-dresden-de) --near the Neustadter Bahnhof (train station)...

Ferienwohnung Family Kreuzer.(Europe)(2-bedroom holiday flat in Munich)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Ferienwohnung Family Kreuzer (Wiesentrasse 4, Munich, GERMANY; phone ++49 89 149 43 80, fax ++49 89 58 99 83 89 or e-mail ferienwohnungkreuzer@web.de). It can be a real challenge to find a short-term rental in Munich, so we were delighted...

Paradise Hotel.(Pacific)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... In TONGA in February '02, I took a tour with Friendly Islands Kayak Company (e-mail tours@ fikco.com or visit www.fikco.com) out of Neifau, Vava'u. They were offering guided kayak. trips and camping tours of the Vava'u and Ha'apai island...

For ITN readers who would prefer to go to South Africa as independent travelers, may I recommend an excellent source of B&B accommodations?(Africa)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... For ITN readers who would prefer to go to SOUTH AFRICA as independent travelers, may I recommend an excellent source of B&B accommodations? The Portfolio Collection (Box 132, Newlands, 7725, Cape Town, South Africa; phone +27 21 689 4020,...

Riad Louna.(Africa)(Riad (large traditional Moroccan home) in Fes, Morocco, is recommended)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... I would highly recommend a beautiful riad (large traditional Moroccan home) in Fes, MOROCCO. Riad Louna (21, Derb Serraj, Fesmedina, Maroc; phone/fax 212 55 741985, e-mail riadlouna@iam.net.ma or visit www.riadlouna.free.fr) is a wonderful home...

Touring Armenia--a small country with a big heart.
August 1, 2003... We had been introduced to Armenia by the Armenian-American writer William Saroyan. Our interest was further heightened by Bitov's lyrical "A Captive of the Caucasus" and Peter Balakian's bittersweet memoir "Black Dog of Fate." We were...

ChinaPlus, Inc.(China)
August 1, 2003... On April 23, '03, my wife, Laurena, and I joined nine other persons on the 21-day "China Highlights and Yangtze River Cruise" offered by ChinaPlus, Inc. (320 Decker Dr., Ste. 100, Las Colinas/ Irving, TX 75062; phone 888/868-8811, e-mail...

ChinaPlus.(Thailand and Cambodia)(15-day trip)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... I traveled with ChinaPlus (Las Colinas/Irving, TX) to China and Tibet in 2002 (Dec. '02, pg. 79) and was so impressed with their passion for taking care of everyone on their tours at all times that I took their 15-day Thailand/Cambodia trip,...

Himalayan Treasures & Travels.(Viet-Nam and Cambodia)(Description of 17-day trip)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... A 17-day trip my wife and I took in January-February '03 was planned by Govind Shahi of Himalayan Treasures & Travels (3596 Ponderosa Trail, Pinole, CA 94564; phone 800/223-1813 or 510/222-5307, e-mail info@ himalayantrekking.com or visit www....

Inside Japan Tours.(Japan)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... My wife and I took a trip to Japan, March 24-April 7, '03, organized by a small U.K.-based company, Inside Japan Tours (1 Calcott Road, Bristol BS4 2HB, U.K.; phone ++ 44 870 746 1044, e-mail bookings@insidejapantours.com or visit...

Kenia Tours & Safaris, Ltd.(Kenya and Tanzania)
August 1, 2003... In June '02 my wife and I took a 2-week safari with Kenia Tours & Safaris, Ltd. (Box 19730, 4th Floor, Jubilee Insurance Bldg., Kaunda/Wabera St., Nairobi, Kenya; phone [254-2] 223699, e-mail kenia@africaonline.co.ke or visit...

Midway Motor Travel.(Ireland)(A 17-night tour)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... My husband and I took a superb 17-night tour of Ireland with a private car and driver, April 28-May 14, '03, designed by Anton Prole of Midway Motor Travel (Southerwicks, Corsham, Wiltshire, England SN13 9NH; in U.S., phone 800/214-8738, e-mail...

smarTours.(Malaysia)(16-day tour to Malaysia)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... We took a 16-day tour to MALAYSIA with smarTours (501 Fifth Ave., Ste. 1402, New York, NY 10017; phone 800/337-7773 or visit www. smartours.net) in August '02. The cost was $2,482 including air from Los Angeles. It was a great trip,...

Mayan magic--visiting the historical sites of Guatemala and Honduras.
August 1, 2003... Travel is broadening, according to the old saying, and even a brief visit to a foreign place can expand one's horizons amazingly. A trip I made to Guatemala and Honduras in June 2002 uncovered not only layers of history but also a vibrant...

An Australian holiday.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)
August 1, 2003... In April '02 we visited Sydney, Ayers Rock, Perth and Adelaide. Western Australia and South Australia were new states to us and completed our visiting all eight states and territories in Australia. As always, the lifestyle was great, but...

Ms. Maud in Perth.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Dining in Australia)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... My wife and I took the Indian-Pacific from Perth to Sydney, April 13-16, '03. In Perth we found Ms. Maud (97 Murray Street, corner of Pier Street), a Swedish buffet restaurant with an h la carte menu too. They have hotel accommodations as well....

Cruise in northern Italy.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)
August 1, 2003... I took a trip in Italy from Milan to Venice, April 26-May 7, 2001, mostly along the Po River. This was my third river cruise-tour with Uniworld; the first was to Lisbon and the Douro River in Portugal in June 1999 and the second was on the...

Italy rail plus Lufthansa.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... My wife, Emily, and I went to Italy in March '03. We debated about buying Italy railpasses for our transportation but found it hard to decipher the best deals. When confused I never grab the wallet, so we opted to buy point-to-point railpasses...

Trains in Germany.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)
August 1, 2003... Regarding the ICE 3 line between Frankfurt Flughafen and Cologne Hbf, written about in the May '03 "All Aboard!" column, one word describes the new route: BORING. When we rode the line on Feb. 18, '03, we found most of it about as scenic...

Riding the ICE in Germany.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Inter City Express (or ICE) -- from Lichtenfels near Coburg to Berlin)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... At the end of February '03 we had the pleasure of taking Germany's fast new Inter City Express or ICE from Lichtenfels near Coburg to Berlin. It was a very smooth and most enjoyable ride. We arrived at Berlin's Ost Bahnhof in four hours. ...

Guide in South Africa.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... On March 30, '03, my cousin and I deplaned in Cape Town, South Africa, where we were met by Rob Davidowitz, who has his own Beautiful Cape Town Exclusive Tours (13 Clifford Rd., Sea Point, Western Cape, South Africa, 8005; fax +27 [0] 21 434...

Bistro discovery.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Paris)
August 1, 2003... Saturday, May 3, '03, was a gorgeous day in Paris. The sun was shining. We grabbed a light jacket and headed for the Paris flea market. From the Odeon Metro stop we rode the No. 4 line all the way to Porte de Clignan-court and followed the...

The Jura mountains.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... My wife, Joellen (Josie), and I made a trip to France and Italy in May 2000. We were determined to make this trip because my knee surgery in February had really brought home to us our philosophy of "Do it now! Don't know what tomorrow may...

Germany's highest Alp by train.(All Aboard!)
August 1, 2003... You will find it remarkable that you can get off your jumbo jet in Munich's Franz Josef Strauss Airport and, with only two easy changes of train, and in 3 1/2 hours, inhale invigorating Alpine air and gape at the dazzling Alpine panorama at...

Anniversary discounts.(Cruise cavalcade: upcoming ocean, sea, river or canal cruises)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... On its Burgundy, France, canal cruises aboard the 18-passenger Esprit, 12-passenger Horizon II and 8-passenger Liberte, French Country Waterways is offering discounts on staterooms for couples celebrating certain wedding anniversaries in 2003....

What a fare deal.(Cruise cavalcade: upcoming ocean, sea, river or canal cruises)(Radisson Seven Seas Cruises is offering the "What a Fare Deal")
August 1, 2003... Radisson Seven Seas Cruises is offering the "What a Fare Deal." The 3-tiered special offers guests their choice of a free upgrade to business-class air (when they pay economy-air add-ons) or free round-trip economy air from any of 84 North...

Tours: a selection of escorted tours.(Tour of Hungary and Vienna, Austria; notes other tours)
August 1, 2003... "HUNGARY & VIENNA"--12-day tour focusing on food of the former Austin-Hungarian Empire, led by restaurant critic David Nelson. Departs Oct. 3, '03. Highlights include three days in Vienna, AUSTRIA, featuring music, pastries and palaces/in...

"Time For Food, Amsterdam".(Book Review)
August 1, 2003... by Mike Gerrard (2001, Thomas Cook Publishing U.K. Distributed in the U.S. by Globe Pequot Press, Box 480, Guilford, CT 06437. ISBN 1841570516--96 pp., $9.95 paper). Sampling food in local restaurants is one of the joys of inveterate...

"Knopf CityMap Guide, Amsterdam".(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... (2002, Knopf City Guides, 280 Park Ave., New York, NY 10017; www.aaknopf.com. ISBN 0375709835--344 pp., $8.95 paper). This pocket-sized guidebook provides the only map you'll need to find your way around Amsterdam. You'll no longer find...

Tips for the solo traveler.
August 1, 2003... QUESTION: I read your very nice story in ITN (Dec. '02, pg. 121) and packed my 22"x14"5x9" suitcase and headed for the airport. Upon my arrival, the ticket agent said, "No way" for my carry-on, so I ended up checking my bag and had no carry-on....

Delta's minimum check-in times.(Delta Air Lines is standardizing minimum arrival time for passengers on all international flights)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Delta Air Lines is standardizing the minimum arrival time for passengers on all international flights to one hour prior to flight departure at the airport check-in counter and to 45 minutes at the departure gate. (Customers should keep in mind...

A 4-week trip through South India.(The Discerning Traveler)
August 1, 2003... (First of three parts) The following are excerpts from my daily journal during our 4-week trip to South India, December 2002-January 2003. The tour, which encompassed the states of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, was arranged by Barbara...

All-you-can-golf packages.(Westin Rio Mar Beach Resort & Golf Club, Puerto Rico)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... The 600-room Westin Rio Mar Beach Resort & Golf Club, in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, is extending through Dec. 19, 2003, its summer golf packages. Prices shown are per room, double occupancy. * "Heavenly 7" lets pairs stay and play for seven...

Divers' photo course at St. Lucia.(Underwater Photo Course, Caribbean; tour package)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Anse Chastanet Resort on St. Lucia is offering for certified divers an "Underwater Photo Course" taught by Bill Harrigan, Nov. 8-15, 2003. During the 5-day course, half of each day is devoted to classroom work and half to diving. Photos taken...

Bahamas hurricane policy.(hotel reservation cancellations)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... For vacationers who are unable to travel to the Bahamas due to a hurricane situation, the Bahamas Hotel Association Once again is offering this formal policy on hotel reservation cancellations: "... to give the vacationer a choice of using...

Swashbuckling fun with Windjammer.(Windjammer Barefoot Cruises, Caribbean cruises)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... For over 50 years Windjammer Barefoot Cruises has held the moniker of the "pirate of the cruise industry." Never will this reputation be more apt than the weeks of Oct. 20 and 27, when the entire fleet will sail together to celebrate "Pirate...

New Great British Heritage Pass.(United Kingdom, tour package)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... A new 4-day version of the Great British Heritage Pass is available in 2003 offering unlimited entry to nearly 600 castles, stately homes and gardens in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The 4-day pass is priced at $35. Other...

Wales watch.(tourism guides)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... The Wales Tourist Board offers a number of special guides for free, including the "Wales Vacation Planner," "Golf Wales," "Fishing Wales," "Premier Gardens," "Cycling," "Walking," "Beaches," Waterfront Wales," "Riding & Pony Trekking," "Bed &...

Text chat' with BTA.(British Tourist Authority, website )(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Through a "text chat" link, visitors to the British Tourist Authority's website www.travelbritain.org are able to hold live, text-based conversations with BTA's travel experts. The consultants can guide visitors through the site as well as...

Lake Geneva: Switzerland's Riviera.(Rick Steves' Europe, description and travel)
August 1, 2003... Separating France and Switzerland, Lake Geneva is surrounded by Alps and lined with a collage of castles, museums, spas, resort towns and vineyards. Skip the big city of Geneva--it's sterile and expensive. Instead, focus your sightseeing time...

A safari Down Under and a prison island.(Australia, travel; personal narrative)
August 1, 2003... I've been to Australia before, once to cosmopolitan Sydney in combination with Ayers Rock in the continent's vast Red Center and once to Darwin and the Kakadu National Park in Australia's Top End. Both of those trips concentrated on the...

Anguilla treasure trove.(personal narratives, hotel and travel; Caribbean region)
August 1, 2003... In late January my wife, Gail, and I escaped the unusually wicked Virginia winter of early 2003 for a brief sojourn to the Caribbean and the enchanting island of Anguilla. The island has long been known as a respite for the rich and famous and...

Memories of Mach 2.(riding the Concorde plane, personal narrative)
August 1, 2003... The high-flying supersonic Concorde was a magnificent milestone in passenger aviation. It was sad to see one land for the last time in New York this past June. Air France retired the Concorde from service because the plane is no longer...

New Queensland Rail services.(Australia, vistor train services)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Visitors traveling to or from destinations in North Queensland, such as Cairns, the Whitsundays or anywhere along the Great Barrier Reef, now can use Queensland Rail high-speed Tilt Train service. In addition to in-seat dining service and a...

Switzerland by 'Golden Pass'.(train route, tour package)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... A scenic train route in Switzerland connecting Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken, Montreux and Geneva takes passengers through farmland, forests and Alpine passes. Interlaken-based Jungfrau Tours is offering "Golden Pass" packages on the route...