International Travel News articles from December 2004

International Travel News archives from December 2004

Boarding pass.(monthly overseas travel magazine)(Editorial)
December 1, 2004... Dear Globetrotter: Welcome to the 346th issue of your monthly overseas travel magazine. Following the one-two-three punch of hurricanes in the Southeast this August and September, Chris Harvey, president of Quotetravelinsurance.com in...

Vienna-airport train.(Travel briefs)(City Airport Train)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... An all-new City Airport Train provides high-speed service between the Vienna International Airport and Vienna's city center in 16 minutes, about half the driving time. Trains depart every half-hour between the airport and Vienna's city Air...

Hans Christian Andersen Museum.(Travel briefs)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The Hans Christian Andersen Museum in Odense, Denmark, is fully reopened after a 2-year renovation that added a domed exhibition hall. Visitors will see a recreation of the great writer's modest living quarters, his unusual clothing and...

Ecuador's Folklore Ballet.(Travel briefs)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Jacchigua, Ecuador's acclaimed Folklore Ballet, has moved to the Teatro Bolivar on Espejo Street, one block from Independence Square, in Quito's Old City. The 90-member company of dancers and musicians presents traditional dances and folk arts...

Always on the move in Finland.
December 1, 2004... Barking. Yelping. Howling that pleaded "Pleeease!" Too antsy to sit still, these bushy-tailed huskies several miles outside of Rovaniemi were just dying to start running. And with three sledges teamed with six dogs each, we had to shout to hear...

'Accessible Scotland'.(brochure)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Almost 1,000 accommodation establishments and tourist attractions in Scotland providing good access for the disabled are described in "Accessible Scotland." The 108-page brochure is available free from VisitScotland. Call 0845 22 55 121 or...

Found Italian villa through agent.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2004... Our family enjoyed a fabulous time at a villa on the outskirts of Siena, Italy, in July '04. I wish to recommend the agent with whom we worked to find the villa, Silvia Gualengi (phone 0039 347 1402903, fax 0039 0577 377821, e-mail...

Tourist-friendly Croatia.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2004... Recent articles about travel in Croatia, including Rick Steves' piece about Plitvice Lakes National Park (Jan. '04, pg. 97), only scratch the surface about the historic sights, marvelous weather and safety of this tourist-friendly country....

Winter beauty of Austria.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2004... As I finished reading the article "Rewards of Winter Travel" in the September '04 issue (page 46), I knew I had no choice but to write about my experiences with winter travel, even though the trip took place nearly five years ago. In...

Big rewards for little outlay.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2004... My wife and I prefer to travel alone or sometimes with another couple. We have been all over the world and have never paid as much as $30 per night to stay anywhere. We book on the Internet. We rarely see Americans. Last year in Hanoi we...

Better left unsaid.(Traveler's intercom: reader's opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2004... A tour we were on took us to Estonia in September '04. While dining in a restaurant on Saaremaa Island, we found that a mistake, in our favor, had been made on our bill. Being honest, we reported it and the waiter brought two chocolates for us....

Funniest thing.(Competition and winner)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... 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, Mexico or the Caribbean.) The ITN staff will choose...

Explosions in Egypt.(News Watch)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... On Oct. 7, an explosion severely damaged the Hilton Hotel in Taba on the northeast coast of Sinai, Egypt. At least 35 people were killed and 160 injured. Other explosions took place in the vicinity of Nuweiba, located south of Taba. While there...

Laos concerns.(News Watch)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... In Laos, since 2000, there have been periodic attacks on markets, two bus stations, all forms of ground transportation, border checkpoints and other public places. Between February 2003 and June 2004, bombings occurred in Vientiane, Savannakhet...

Kyrgyz Republic safety issues.(News Watch)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... U.S. citizens are urged to consider their safety and security before traveling to the Kyrgyz Republic. The U.S. government is aware of increased activity by the extremist group Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) in Central Asia. New tactics,...

Current warnings.(News Watch)(travel warnings on 28 destinations)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... As ITN went to press, the State Department had travel warnings on 28 destinations: Iraq, Haiti, Pakistan, Cayman Islands, Nepal, Indonesia, Grenada, Cuba, Congo-Kinshasa, Saudi Arabia, Israel/West Bank/ Gaza, Liberia, Afghanistan, Nigeria,...

Midnight trains.(Travel briefs)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Rail Europe and DER are offering savings of up to 50% over full fares on Elipsos overnight trains between Spain and France, Italy or Switzerland that are booked at least 14 days in advance. Elipsos runs between Madrid and Paris and also between...

'Quick Irish Getaway'.(Travel briefs)(Great Southern Airport Hotel)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... With the 4-night "Quick Irish Getaway" package, priced at $399 round-trip from New York, Boston or Baltimore, the first night is at the Great Southern Airport Hotel in Shannon or Dublin, then you explore the country at your own pace, staying...

Tuscan villas.(Travel briefs)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... According to Isabel Innocenti, Owner of Tuscan Way, a packager of villa rentals and cooking courses in Tuscany, from January through April the rates for villas drop up to 40% in the region. A one-week stay in Casa Innocenti, a 12th-century...

Scottish ancestry.(Travel briefs)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Visit Scotland's website www. ancestralscotland.com features Scotland travel itineraries themed around the history, castles and sites of seven of the most famous Scottish clans--Morrison, Gordon, MacDonald, Mackenzie, Scott, Wallace and...

Aussie Air Pass.(Travel briefs)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... For customers flying from Los Angeles or Honolulu, Qantas' Aussie Air Pass is good for three bonus domestic flights within Australia. Round-trip prices start at $999 in economy class from Los Angeles, including a choice of three domestic...

Flight info in your hand.(Travel briefs)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... MobiMate[R] has the WorldMate[TM] Professional Edition for Pocket PC ($69.95 including a year of online services), which, among other things, allows a user to check the status of a flight before leaving for the airport, as well as check flight...

Virgin Atlantic's upper class suites.(Travel briefs)(Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd.)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Virgin Atlantic has fitted four pairs of double suites onto two of its Boeing 747-400 aircraft (more planned), giving passengers traveling together two square meters of space. The suites can remain separate until the middle partition is...

Austrian Air + mobile phones.(Travel briefs)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... For use overseas, Austrian Airlines passengers can have a Daystar Global Wireless cell phone and number delivered to them by mail in the U.S. prior to their departure. Users purchase prepaid airtime. Additional airtime can be purchased by...

Unmarred beauty of New Zealand's Abel Tasman National Park.(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2004... My husband and I have, for many years, wanted to see the national parks of New Zealand, but none of the "affordable" packaged tours seemed to meet our needs. Ultimately deciding to rent a car and tour on our own, in March '04 we spent two weeks...

'Eccentric Edinburgh'.(Travel briefs)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The book "Eccentric Edinburgh" by Benedict le Vay (Bradt Travel Guides) includes weird places to eat, sleep, drink and shop and highlights the oddest exhibits in the city's museums. Along with some practical information, it includes...

Shore excursions fell through.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2004... We took a Holland America Line (HAL) cruise to South America and Antarctica aboard the MS Amsterdam, departing from Lima on Jan. 29, '04, and arriving in Rio on Feb. 19. What attracted us to this cruise was the opportunity to see three wonders...

Strike three on islands cruise.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2004... We booked a Holland America Line cruise to the southern Caribbean aboard the Maasdam for March 23-April 3, '04. The price for two was $2,493. We specifically chose this cruise because it sailed from Norfolk, Virginia, to which we were able to...

'Fine cuisine' on Regatta.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2004... We took a 10-night cruise on Oceania's 684-passenger Regatta from Costa Rica to Los Angeles, Jan. 16-26, '04. We enjoyed the experience, but, like any journey, there were pluses and minuses. Oceania Cruises (Miami, FL; 800/531-5658 or visit...

Oceania's Regatta.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2004... My wife and I have decided that our perfect vacation is a cruise, and our third full cruise was with Oceania Cruises of Miami, Florida, on their recently refurbished ship Regatta. We purchased the cruise through Great American Travel (3200...

High markup at museum store.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2004... Don't miss the lovely Shaanxi History Museum in Xi'an, China, but I would avoid making any purchases in the museum stores. As Westerners, we are used to being charged, more or less, retail prices in these generally high-quality stores--and...

Day on the Bernina Express.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2004... Like the Glacier Express, the Bernina Express in Switzerland offers a full day (round trip) of magnificent views seen from extra-large train windows revealing sweeping landscapes. My husband, Martin, and I started our trip in Zurich, having...

GPS receiver in hand.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2004... The U.S. has 24 satellites that are the backbone of what we know as the Global Positioning System. Europe is developing its own system. GPS receivers are now widely used to give one's position and elevation (among other data) on the Earth. ...

Animals at arm's length in Zambia and Malawi.(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2004... For our trip to our 100th country, we decided to visit the cradle of humanity: Africa. Over the course of a year we worked with Africa 2000 Tours, located in South Africa, to formulate a 2-week safari to Zambia and Malawi. We wanted to start in...

Making calls abroad.(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2004... ITN asked readers to write in on the subject of making phone calls while traveling. Experiences, information and advice were solicited. Below are responses ITN received. If you have something to add, write to Making Calls Abroad, c/o ITN,...

Accommodations worldwide: hotels * B*Bs * homestays * apartments.(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2004... 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 con-. version rates are approximate....

Burma.(Tours in review: candid appraisals of group tours)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2004... We had a most enjoyable 16-day tour to Burma (Myanmar) in January '03 arranged through Ceylon Express International (Box 5781, Huntington Beach, CA 92646; phone 800/423-9566, e-mail ceylonxprs@aol.com or visit www.ceylonexpress, com). The...

Iceland.(Tours in review: candid appraisals of group tours)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2004... For the short trip my husband, Jerry, and I took to Iceland, May 8-12, '04, Club ABC Tours (Box 7021, Bloomfield, NJ 07003; phone 973/338-8687, e-mail info@clubabc.com or visit www.clubabc.com) was very efficient in all the arrangements they...

Italy.(Tours in review: candid appraisals of group tours)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2004... ITALY In celebration of our 40th wedding anniversary, we took our son and daughter on a tour to Piedmont, Italy, with Vin Marottoli's Tours for Wine Lovers (1211 Quinnipac Ave., New Haven, CT 06513; phone 800/256-0141 or 203/ 469-4218, e-mail...

A wheelchair-friendly visit to South America's Iguazu Falls.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2004... In the spring of 2004, which is fall in South America, my husband, Henri, and I traveled to Argentina. After a few days in Buenos Aires we set out to see one of the greatest natural sights in the world: Iguazu Falls. Our arrival The...

Canal boats and the Cotswolds.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2004... In 1992 my husband and I, two seniors, rented a canal boat in England for two weeks on the Four Counties Ring, including a side trip to Llangollen in Wales. Afterward, we wanted to go back there plus spend time in the Cotswolds to explore some...

'So much to see in Greece'.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2004... In May '04, my companion Sydney and I traveled to Greece on an Untour with Idyll, Ltd. (Box 405, Media, PA 19063; phone 888/868-6871, e-mail info@untours.com or visit www.untours.com). The cost of $2,069 each covered round-trip airfare from New...

A month in Siena.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2004... I studied Italian in Siena from mid-May to mid-June of 2004 at the Societa Dante Alighieri (Via Tomaso Pendola, 37, 53100 Siena, Italy; phone [39] 0577 49533, e-mail info@dantealighieri.com or visit www.dantealighieri.com). To be honest, I...

Tailored Travel for NZ.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2004... We spent almost 5 1/2 weeks in New Zealand in January/ February '04. The major part of our tour was arranged by Robert Panzer, the managing director of Tailored Travel (Thorpe RD2, Wakefield [Nelson], New Zealand; phone [64] 3 543 3825, fax...

Sunny days in Tel Aviv.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2004... In March '03 my husband and I took a taxi from the airport to Tel Aviv, Israel, for $30 and checked into the Sheraton-Moriah Hotel, a Starwood hotel. It is located at 155 Hayarkon along the beach and the rate was $145 per night for two...

Israel 'wonderful' to visit.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2004... I wish to respond to the reader's letter "Visiting Jerusalem" (Oct. '04, pg. 38). I strongly agree that it is not a good idea to rent a car in Jerusalem as the driving habits of the Israelis are very different than ours and it is also quite...

Ripped off in Malaga.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2004... A Russian friend of mine, Eleonora Sefantova, and four Russian friends of hers were visiting Malaga, Spain, in June '04. They contracted a taxi cab for a ride from the airport to town. She was quoted 50 [euro] (near $60)--a bit steep, but since...

'Don'ts' of flying first class.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2004... Much to my disappointment, on my 2001 trip around the world I found that flying first class is better defined by what you don't have to put up with rather than by its extravagances. You don't get a middle seat. You don't get an abnormally...

Tipping for wheelchair service.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2004... I read about tipping the attendant when taking a wheelchair at the airport (Sept. '04, pg. 92). This is definitely something that needs to be addressed. I took one recently at the Phoenix airport and the attendant told me he only gets paid...

Restaurant in Bucharest 'a gem'.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2004... We spent seven days in Bucharest, Romania, at the end of May '04. Already it was about 75[degrees] or higher in daytime. We stayed a couple of nights at the 5-star Hotel Capsa (Calea Victoriei 36; phone +4021/ 313.40.38, e-mail...

Be prepared to enjoy Egypt.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2004... I took a tour of Egypt a few years ago. There was a lot of walking on sand, gravel and irregular surfaces, in and out of buses and on and off motor launches with gangplanks. You'll need good walking shoes with tread. Sun protection should...

Arctic excitement.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2004... I took an expedition cruise from Longyearbyen, the administrative center of Svalbard, Norway, to the north part of Spitsbergen, July 4-14, '04. (Spitsbergen is the name of the largest island in the Svalbard Archipelago and the name used by most...

Year-end bargains.(All Aboard!)(Travel Passes)
December 1, 2004... In the summer of 2002, the Eurail Executive Committee convened in the Netherlands and fixed the prices of Eurail products for 2003. They held the same prices for 2004, and now you can travel during the first half of 2005 at prices set in 2002...

Trafalgar bicentennial.(The Cruising World)
December 1, 2004... Trafalgar. That one word evokes waves of excitement and awe in anyone interested in ships and the sea. Think of all the meanings contained in that word: the heroic death of Britain's greatest naval commander, Admiral Lord Nelson; the end of...

Arctic Norway cruise.(Cruise cavalcade: upcoming ocean, sea, river or canal cruises)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Enjoy a gala New Year's Eve aboard the 482-berth MS Polarlys, induction into the Polar Bear Club in Hammerfest, a Sami lunch by the fire in a turf hut, a horse-and-sleigh fide, ice fishing and a snow scooter ride in Arctic Norway on a 12-day...

Med music cruise.(Cruise cavalcade: upcoming ocean, sea, river or canal cruises)(Wurttemberg Chamber Orchestra)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Classical music artists will perform concerts and recitals with the Wurttemberg Chamber Orchestra on board the April 1-13, 2005, sailing of the 513-passenger MS Deutschland on a 2-week Mediterranean cruise that departs from Lisbon, ends in...

HAL extended-family savings.(Cruise cavalcade: upcoming ocean, sea, river or canal cruises)(Holland America Line)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Holland America Line has created a group category called the "Family Reunion Program." Families booking at least five cabins (half the usual group threshold) get special group pricing plus extra dining options and amenities, such as soft...

Reserve shore tours online.(Cruise cavalcade: upcoming ocean, sea, river or canal cruises)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Radisson Seven Seas' has extended to all five ships in its fleet and to all itineraries a program for reserving shore excursions online prior to sailing. Visit www.rssc.com/excursions. Shore excursion requests can be made online within 60...

Tours: a selection of escorted tours.
December 1, 2004... ACCESSIBLE BRITAIN/ IRELAND--10-day tours (limit 16 people) use coach with wheelchair lift plus accessible accommodations. "Highlights of Ireland," July 7-16--Dublin tour, pub dinner show/ medieval Kilkenny/Queenstown Heritage Center,...

"The Bells in Their Silence: Travels through Germany".(New on the Bookshelf)(Brief Article)(Book Review)
December 1, 2004... "The Bells in Their Silence: Travels through Germany" by Michael Gorra (2004, Princeton University Press. ISBN 0691117659--211 pp., $24.95 hardcover). The modest subtitle "Travels through Germany" hardly does justice to the scope of this...

"The Fellowship of Ghosts: a Journey through the Mountains of Norway".(New on the Bookshelf)(Brief Article)(Book Review)
December 1, 2004... "The Fellowship of Ghosts: A Journey through the Mountains of Norway" by Paul Watkins (2004, National Geographic. ISBN 0792267990--233 pp., $24 hardcover). Don't be put off by the fantasy novel cover art. Despite appearances, this book is...

West Nile Virus.(Travel & Health)
December 1, 2004... In the past decade we've witnessed an increase in emerging infectious diseases, with names such as SARS and Avian Influenza making headline news and becoming household terms. This year, West Nile Virus has captured everyone's attention. ...

How to Google for a better journey.(The Discerning Traveler)
December 1, 2004... The following article is useful for ITN readers who use Google as their search engine. Others may want to skip to the next essay in this magazine. Sitting at my desk, I am waiting for my computer to stop its hissing and clicking. Ten...

Royal Collection drawings.(Brit bits)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The Queen's residence in Edinburgh, Scotland, is displaying a selection of the Royal Collections finest drawings until March 6, 2005, at the Queen's Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse. Gathered over 500 years and normally preserved in the...

Florence Nightingale.(Brit bits)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... "Calamity Unparalleled: Order Out of Chaos," through April 30, 2005, is a special exhibition marking the 150th anniversary of pioneering nurse Florence Nightingale and the Crimean War at the Florence Nightingale Museum in Lambeth, London....

'Iron ladies' of Britain.(Brit bits)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Britain's first female Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, and her impact on women in the 1980s is the focus of an exhibition taking place until April 2, 2005, at the Women's Library in London Metropolitan University. "Iron Ladies: Women in...

Welsh steam railway.(Brit bits)(Ffestiniog Railway)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... A narrow-gauge railway in North Wales which is home to the world's oldest steam locomotive still working on its original line will mark the 50th anniversary of its revival in 2005. The Ffestiniog Railway, a Victorian engineering marvel, winds...

London church restored.(Brit bits)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... A London church dubbed "the St. Paul's Cathedral of the East End" has been restored to its 18th-century grandeur at a cost of 10 million [pounds sterling]. Regarded as architect Nicholas Hawksmoor's masterpiece, Christ Church, Spitalfields,...

Cathedral roof tours.(Brit bits)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Reaching 404 feet above the ground, Salisbury Cathedral's graceful spire (built 1310-1330) is Britain's tallest. Now tours can be taken through the roof spaces to the top of the tower, where visitors can see up into the spire and across the...

Floating cruise terminal in London.(Brit bits)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... A new passenger cruise ship terminal for London has opened. The purpose-built floating terminal--the world's first--includes the latest in security screening and can be moved between Greenwich and Tower Bridge as required, allowing ships up to...

Germany's Rhine-sailors, sirens and the ultimate rhinestone.(Rick Steves' Europe[c])(Column)
December 1, 2004... The Romantic Rhine, a powerful stretch of the Rhine River, slashes a deep and scenic gorge through western Germany. Jostling through crowds of Germans and tourists on the boat, I climb to the sundeck on top and grab a chair. Parkas flap in...

Luxury gift certificate.(Travel briefs)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Until Dec. 31, 2004, while supplies last, a Relais & Chateaux gift certificate purchase of $1,000 or more will receive a $1,000 complimentary gift card valid with the private jet-leasing company Blue Star Jets. Gift certificates are...

How to get there.(Travel briefs)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... A new website allows travelers to plan a journey by road or public transport "from anywhere to anywhere" in Britain. The site, www.transportdirect.info, helps people choose the best mode of travel for any journey.

With a camera over my shoulder (Part 3 of 6 on Spain).(Barcelona to Albarracin)(Column)
December 1, 2004... (Part 3 of 6 on Spain) As mentioned in previous columns, in April '04 I traveled with Don Lyon, chief guide and outfitter of Close-Up Expeditions (Oakland, CA phone 800/ 457-9553 or visit www.cuephoto.com), on a photography tour entitled...

Silversea cruises announces travel health lecture series.(Mayo Emeritus)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Seasoned guest lecturer, Dr. John McMichan, Mayo Emeritus Staff Physician, will conduct his lecture series, For Your Health: At Home and Abroad, aboard the all-inclusive, six-star Silver Whisper, sailing April 1, 2005. The 15-day cruise begins...

In search of Hong Kong's past.(Focus On Archaeology)
December 1, 2004... Hong Kong is one of the world's great cities. It's sophisticated, down-to-earth, glitzy and gritty all at the same time. It's a thriving, bustling hub of commerce, an emporium of fabulous shopping, a mecca of fine dining, and home to some of...

Paris cooking programs.(Travel briefs)(La Tremoille hotel)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... La Tremoille hotel in Paris has partnered with Gourmet On Tour to offer customized cooking programs, Choose from 1) a course at Alain Ducasse's culinary school; 2) a food lover's market tour and cooking course with Paule Caillet, or 3) a...

Snorkel and learn in Palau.(Travel briefs)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... A series of educational snorkeling safaris to Palau, Micronesia, is being sponsored by the nonprofit Oceanic Society. Best suited for intermediate or experienced snorkelers, the trips will include themes such as coral reef ecology and fish...

Person to person: reader-to-reader info exchange.
December 1, 2004... Planning a trip overseas and need specific info? Let your fellow ITN readers provide the answers. Send your question to Person to Person, c/o ITN, 2120 28th St., Sacramento, CA 95818, or e-mail editor@intltravelnews. com (include your...

Have you 'Trod the 24'?(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... To commemorate 20 years of International Travel News, we take pleasure in offering the "Trod the 24" award. RULES The world is divided into 24 time zones, starting at the meridian of zero degrees longitude at Greenwich, England. Each...

The aqueduct in Segovia, Spain, was built by the Romans at the end of the first century.(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2004... The aqueduct in Segovia, Spain, was built by the Romans at the end of the first century. I first saw it in 1949, when Segovia was a subdued city 10 years after the end of the Spanish Civil War. Over many visits, I have seen the city become a...

Where in the world?(identify photo and win a yearly subscription to International Travel News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... You could win a year's subscription to ITN simply by identifying where the photo on the right was taken. The winning entry will be drawn from a pool of correct answers. Answers must reach the ITN offices by December 24. Send your postcard...

Departure lounge.('Where Were You In May 2004?' Winners)
December 1, 2004... 'Where Were You In May 2004?' Winners Last month we printed the results of ITN's "Where Were You In May 2004?" Reader Survey. The idea was the results would assist your ITN staff in choosing which destinations to feature in the magazine as...