International Travel News articles from January 2000

International Travel News archives from January 2000

Report Cards.(of various travel options throughout the world)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2000... From SOUTH AFRICA, November '99... * South African Airways, round trip from New York's JFK to Johannesburg and also round trip from Johannesburg to Cape Town -- best service we've had on any airline recently. The crew was up and down the...

Boarding Pass.
January 1, 2000... Dear Globetrotter: "A big 'Thanks' to Dave Harlowe of Sherman Oaks, CA, for his letter 'Paris Restaurants Tried, and True' in the October '99 issue, page 21": this from Judith Williams of Bedford, TX, who continued, "That article alone was...

A North African oasis teeming with architectural treasures.(Tunisia)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2000... Tunisia overwhelms the senses. This small North African country jutting into the Mediterranean is not only a museum of Roman art and architecture, it is also fringed with beaches, has beautiful alpine settings, contrasting desert salt pans, and...

South Africa travel risks.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2000... South Africa is not currently on the list of countries for which the State Department has travel warnings, but travelers should be aware of the following information which the Department keeps posted. Although the vast majority of visitors...

Cezanne exhibition in Vienna.
January 1, 2000... The exhibition "Cezanne: Complete -Incomplete," being held Jan. 20-April 25, 2000, at Vienna's Kunstforum, is devoted to the many paintings by Paul Cezanne which were left unfinished. The state of these paintings and their degree of completion...

Garden show in Graz.
January 1, 2000... Under the theme "The Magic of Gardens," the International Garden Show 2000 in Graz, Austria, April 27-Oct. 29, will present the best of garden design. A flower garden, a mountain garden, a pheasant garden and a "virtual garden" Will be a...

Choir competitions in Linz.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2000... * Linz will be resounding with the voices of many choirs from all over the world, July 7-16, 2000, during the first Olympics of choral Music. "People, Songs and Nations -- Voices of the World" is the motto for this special choir festival...

Nazareth re-created.(in Israel in January 2000)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2000... A full-scale re-creation of first-century Nazareth, including homes, storage caves and a synagogue, opens in Israel in January 2000. Nazareth village is set on the last remaining field farmed by Nazareth villagers at the time of Jesus. The...

Museum boat in Regensburg.(Germany)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2000... Floating on the Danube in medieval Regensburg is the historic paddle-steamer Ruthof housing the Regensburg Danube Navigation Museum. The old steamer now has been joined by the motor towboat MZS Freudenau, giving visitors insight, into life...

Tourist hotline in Korea.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2000... Visitors to Korea now may access a tourism information service by dialing 1330 in any of Korea's 22 registered cities. Designed to aid English-, Japanese- and Chinese-speaking visitors, information operators provide information on the...

Travelers' Intercom.
January 1, 2000... You can take a bath while surfing We were going to have a day layover in Bergen, Norway, at the end of our Norway an Coastal Cruise, so I went on the Internet to scout out a night's hotel reservations. I got a whole list of hotels with prices...

Funniest Thing.
January 1, 2000... 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...

Alternative accommodations in France.(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2000... In June 1999 my husband and I took his fourth and my 21st trip to my second homeland, France. I was an AFS exchange student and return at least every two years to sightsee and visit my French family. When I'm lucky, my husband accompanies me....

The Ulm Card.(German towns offer discounts and coupons for attractions)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2000... The twin Danube towns of Ulm and Neu Ulm have introduced the Ulm-Card, offering visitors unlimited use of public transportation plus discounts on sightseeing tours, evening walking tours and admission to the cathedral and museums. The...

LTU fares to Germany.(LTU International Airways)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2000... LTU International Airways, Germany's, leading leisure airline, with year-round service to Germany from three cities in Florida and, seasonal summer service from Los Angeles, has announced low PEX fares to Germany for travel until April 30,...

An ecotourism adventure in Costa Rica's cloud forest.(Ecolodge San Luis)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2000... Costa Rica's famed cloud forest area of Monteverde is a mere 75 miles northwest of the capital city of San Jose, yet driving there over bone-rattling, unpaved gravel roadways takes a little more than four hours. You bump up and down and are...

Austrian Airlines' 'Vienna On Us'.(offers business class travelers free night hotel, meals through 2000)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2000... Austrian lines has extended its "Vienna On Us" program through- out the year 2000 In the optional "Vienna On Us" program, travelers who purchase a full-fare Grand Class (business class) ticket to any of the many destinations served by...

North End Barns.(and Friary Close, two bed and breakfast accomodations in UK)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2000... During our annual month long sojourn in the U.K., my husband and I found two outstanding B&Bs that I'd like to share with ITN readers. * North End Barns in Bletsoe (Bedford, MK44 1 QT ENGLAND; phone 01234 781320) - four rooms, facilities...

Ledgowan Lodge Hotel.(Scotland)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2000... Ledgowan Lodge Hotel (Achnasheen, Ross-shire, SCOTLAND, IV22 2EJ U.K.; phone 01445 720252, or fax 01445 720240, or visit www.ledgowanlodge.co.uk). I truly enjoyed this atmospheric Victorian treasure, formerly a hunting lodge, located in...

Best Western Seaside Hotel.(Helsinki, Finland)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2000... Best Western Seaside Hotel (Ruoholahdenranta #3, 00180 Helsinki, FINLAND; phone 09 69360, or fax 09 6932123) -- within walking distance of downtown markets. Fantastic and roomy with. a kitchenette, dinette and large bath. Pleasant staff....

Comfort Hotel.(on road between Erfurt, Germany and Weimar, Germany)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2000... On the outskirts of Erfurt, GERMANY, we noticed a banner proclaiming special room rates as we drove by the Comfort Hotel on the road between Erfurt and Weimar. The hotel, actually a motel, was new and had a large, free parking lot. We got...

Klosterbrau Hotel.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2000... While visiting AUSTRIA, I took the train to Seefeld, via Innsbruck, for a 5-day stay at the Klosterbrau Hotel (A6100 Seefeld, Austria; phone 43 5212 2621, or fax 43 5212 3885, or e-mail info@klosterbrau.com). This is a fabulous 5-star hotel...

Mme. Grosset B&B.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2000... Mme. Grosset B&B (Le Pont Ricoul 35720, St. Pierre de Plesquen, Ile de Vilaine, FRANCE) -- delightful cottage not far from Rennes. The owner lives in a house on the grounds and supplies breakfast in her home. Dinner, if desired, is delivered to...

Riverview Lodge.(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2000... In March '99 I traveled with friends (two adults and two children, 11 and 13) to the beautiful South Island of NEW ZEALAND. What a great place to travel with kids! I reserved our rooms eight months in advance (as our group often occupied...

Smooth sailing on the "Great Rivers of Europe:" the Rhine, Main & Danube.(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2000... Our Boeing 767 roared westward carrying my wife, Merilyn, and me away from Vienna, Austria, toward Atlanta on route home to New Mexico. Nostalgia was settling onto me, and through my mind drifted highlights of our just-concluded Grand Circle...

Favorites here and there.(European historic houses as vacation accommodations)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2000... During the many years I have traveled in Europe, I have made it a practice to stay only in chateaux, paradores, castles, estates, etc., and I find it impossible to select only one to recommend. I can, however, select a handful that through the...

Bavarian ducal hunting lodge.(Schloss Eggersberg)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2000... Schloss Eggersberg, near Riedenburg, Niederbayern (Bavaria), Germany, is a 17th-century ducal hunting lodge in Bavaria equidistant from Munich and the Bavarian Forest. It is beautifully situated in a Jurassic valley overlooking the Altmuhl...

At home in Italy.(castles as hotels)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2000... Happiness is sitting in my very own castle on a high bill overlooking the blue waters of the Mediterranean. Happiness is glass of chilled champagne sipped slowly on the terrace while watching the sunset. Happiness is watching the twinkling...

Castle in Scotland.(Tullock Castle)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2000... We have stayed at Tullock Castle. Hotel two times, the last being in June '98. Located in the small town of Dingwell in Scotland, it had been the seat of the Clan Davidson. An investor from Aberdeen purchased it and turned it into a hotel. ...

Castle paradores in Spain.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2000... We stayed in two castles in Spain during our February '99 trip. Both castles were paradores. Siguenza (P2A, Del Castillo, S/N, 19250 Siguenza, Guadalajara, Spain; phone [949] 39 0100, or fax [949] 39 1364) is a lovingly restored,...

Ruthin Castle, Wales.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2000... I was in a group that took a delightful 14-day tour to the British Isles with Collette Tours (Pawtucket, RI; phone 800/437-0236) in May '99. Rebecca Colby, Collette Tours guide extraordinaire, gets kudos for having been so well...

SOUTH AMERICA.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2000... I took a trip to Chile's Patagonia and pre-Antarctic area, Feb. 10-28, '99, with Anita Ream of Anitours, Inc. (81 New Rd., Ste. 144, Parsippany, NJ 07054; phone 800/243-8264, or visit www.anitours.com). The cost was $4,350 per person, including...

SCOTLAND AND ENGLAND.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2000... From May 22 to June 24, '99, I took two back-to-back trips with Back-Roads Touring Company (14A New Broadway, London W5 2XA, U.K.; phone 44 181 566 5312). I booked through International Travel Marketing (1492 W. Sixth St., Ste. E, Corona, CA...

FRANCE.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2000... I returned June 24, '99, from a 14-day trip through the Provence area of France with Back-Roads Touring Company (London; phone 44 181 566 5312) 'and want to share my experience with ITN readers. This is the second trip. I've taken with...

ITALY.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2000... We took a tour of Italy, including Capri and the Italian Alps, with Caravan Tours (401 North Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611; phone 800/227-2826, or fax 312/321-9845), June 28-July 11, '99. We booked with them for two reasons: 1) we had...

TANZANIA AND KENYA.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2000... In February '99 we went to East Africa on; two safaris. * The first was a lodge safari in Tanzania with Easy Travel & Tours (Clock Tower, Joel Maeda Rd., Second Floor, Arusha, Tanzania; phone 255 57 7322 or 255 57 4110, or e-mail...

BULGARIA.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2000... I returned from a 15-day trip to Bulgaria on Sept. 7, '99. It was my fourth trip there in four years, and each time I have used the services of Mike Travel (P.O. Box 1813, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria; fax 011 359 2 669102, or e-mail...

UGANDA.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2000... My husband and I traveled 10 days in Uganda, Aug. 25-Sept. 3, '99, on an individualized tour arranged by Patrick Moray of Phoenix Tours in Kampala (phone 256 41 236096, or fax 256 41 236097, or e-mail phoenix@starcom.co.ug). Land cost for two...

ICELAND AND GREENLAND.
January 1, 2000... We had 18 wonderful days in Iceland and Greenland with Scantours (3439 Wade St., Los Angeles, CA 90066; phone 800/223-7226 or 310/636-4656, or fax 310/390-0493, or visit www.scantours.com) in July'99. Every turn of the bus was a surprise, even...

UZBEKISTAN.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2000... It had been a dream of mine for many years to visit the fabulous oases of the Silk Road. Steppes East, Ltd. (Castle Eaton, Cricklade, Wiltshire SN6 6JU, U.K.; phone 01285 810267, or fax 01285 810693, or visit www.steppeseast.co.uk), made that...

MALI.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2000... In November-December '98 I took a 17-day tour of Mali with Wilderness Travel (1102 9th St., Berkeley, CA 94710; phone 800/368-2794 or 510/558-2488, or fax 510/558-2489). The cost was $4,680 including airfare from San Francisco. It was an...

CORRECTION.(Correction Notice)
January 1, 2000... The e-mail address for Compagnia Siciliana Turismo was incorrectly printed in, the December issue. The correct e-mail address is estmail@tin.it, or visit, web.tin.it/cst.

Planning a month's trip to Australia and NZ.(New Zealand)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2000... My husband, George, and I had been dreaming about visiting Australia and New Zealand for several years -- I had wanted to visit Australia ever since I began corresponding with a pen pal in Brisbane when I was a teenager. We began by...

'Emirates Stop over in Dubai'.(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2000... The airline Emirates is offering the "Emirates Stopover in Dubai" program with any Emirates ticket, regardless of fare paid, until Sept. 30, 2000. Priced from $29 per person per night, the program includes hotel accommodation, breakfasts,...

Falconry classes in Ireland.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2000... In the first program of its kind in Ireland, a school of falconry has been set up for guests at Ashford Castle, a luxurious, 83-room hotel in Cong, County Mayo. Two authorities on falconry, James and Deborah Knight, have developed a series of...

'USTOA Advantage'.(United States Tour Operators Association membership)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2000... "The USTOA Advantage," a new pamphlet from the United States Tour Operators Association, explains the benefits of choosing a USTOA member company when planning a trip. All USTOA Active Member companies must meet the travel industry's...

Revisiting the 'QE2' -- transatlantic.(Queen Elizabeth II)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2000... Queen Elizabeth 2, or the QE2 as she is more familiarly known, was launched in 1967 and commenced commercial service in 1969. In August "99, soon after her 30th birthday, my wife and I sailed on her again, our fourth time. Previous voyages were...

Wheelchair traveler aboard 'Black Watch'.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2000... We took an archaeology and history theme cruise, "Wonders of the Ancient World," on the Black Watch of Fred.. Olsen Cruise Lines, Sept. 14-Oct. 6, '99. At $4,699 per person including airfare from New York City, we felt this was a reasonably...

Staff 'incredible' aboard the 'Ryndam'.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2000... In September '99 I was invited aboard the ms Ryndam for a 3-day journey with Holland America Line. This was my first cruising experience and I couldn't have asked for a nicer introduction. My journey began upon arrival at the airport in...

Luxury hotel barge, in Holland.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2000... Cruising through Holland by luxury hotel barge is a completely different way to explore: Holland. As most of the land lies below sea level, the elevated waterways offer marvelous views of the countryside. The captain of the Stella Maris...

ICE T vs. Cisalpino.(GermanRail's newest line, ICE T)
January 1, 2000... GermanRail's (DB) third-generation ICE (InterCity Express) train, the ICE T, made a highly successful debut over the curving tracks between Zurich and Stuttgart on May 30, 1999. It tilts. DB's tilting mechanism is not the only thing that...

"PRIVATE CHATEAUX & GARDENS OF NORMANDY & BRITTANY,".(specials to France)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2000... "PRIVATE CHATEAUX & GARDENS OF NORMANDY & BRITTANY," May 9-22, 2000. Designed for those who enjoy a small, group and a leisurely pace. Three nights are spent at each country inn or historic city-center hotel. Highlights include Claude...

"MOZART'S SALZBURG,".(special package to Austria)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2000... "MOZART'S SALZBURG," July 26-Aug. 3, 2000. Arrive in Salzburg as the International Music Festival begins, with tickets for three festival performances. included in your tour price: a performance by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, chamber...

"BARCELONA TO BlLBAO,".(special package to Spain)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2000... "BARCELONA TO BlLBAO," a 3-day tour of Spain. Explore the art and architecture of the Barcelona area as well as the highlights of the Basque country. The tour begins in Barcelona, where highlights include a walk along Las Ramblas;...

"EXPLORER'S THAILAND,".(special package to Thailand)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2000... "EXPLORER'S THAILAND," a 17-day adventure that includes a 3-day journey into the heart of Khao Sok National Park -- filled with rainforest-covered limestone outcroppings and the calls of gibbons and hornbills. This park is nestled in...

"BACKWATERS OF THE ARABIAN SEA,".(special package to India)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2000... "BACKWATERS OF THE ARABIAN SEA," a 7-day tour of INDIA with houseboating in Kerala. The tour begins with a 2-day stay in Cochin, including visits to the synagogue in Mattancheri, the "Dutch Palace" and an Indian Kathakali dance...

"INCREDIBLE AROUND AUSTRALIA TOUR,".(special package to Australia)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2000... "INCREDIBLE AROUND AUSTRALIA TOUR," Oct. 9- Nov. 3 and Oct. 16-Nov. 10, 2000. This 26-day escorted tour includes Tasmania, Perth, Darwin/Kakadu National Park and the Outback opal mining center in Coober Pedy, destinations rarely included...

11-DAY TOUR OF CHILE.(special package to Chile)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2000... 11-DAY TOUR OF CHILE, with first departure on Oct. 19, 2000. This active adventure begins in Santiago with a walking tour of the historic district and' wine tasting at' well-known Chilean, wineries. Then travel to the southernmost tip of...

ENGLAND.(special package to England)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2000... "England's Lake District," an 8-day inn-to-inn walking tour through the heart of the Lake District, with lodging along the way at Lakeland inns. Walk across vales and hills (you need to carry only a small backpack). Walks cover five to 10 miles...

EGYPT.
January 1, 2000... "The Valley of the Nile: Egypt's Ancient World," a 10-day family. tour. Families will explore the Nile Valley's temples, pyramids and, monuments, cross the. Nile River on board a felucca sail-. boat, shop in lively bazaars and have dinner...

BELIZE.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2000... "Rolling down the River:. Cave Tubing in Central America." Thrill-seekers go underground in Belize's tropical jungle, tubing through miles of caves and. caverns on subterranean rivers. Many of the caves are lined with Mayan artifacts and wall...

Cruises.
January 1, 2000... It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Louise Bennett, who died in September after a long illness. She was a very special person and a close friend of ours here at ITN. We enjoyed her company and humor at many an office party...

Med yacht cruise.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2000... The Sea Cloud, a 360-foot-long, 4-masted, luxury barque with 29 sails, invites you aboard for "A Unique Mediterranean Gourmet & Wine Cruise," May 10-20, 2000. The trip begins in Rome with a 2-night stay at the deluxe Hotel Excelsior and...

Along South America.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2000... Clipper Cruise Line has announced a new voyage from Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro aboard the 122-passenger expedition ship Clipper Adventurer, departing March 21, 2000. "Exploring Coastal South America" begins with an overnight stay in...

Save on luxury barges in France.
January 1, 2000... French Country Waterways is offering a special spring discount of $300 per person that, when added to the $400 "value-season" discount, provides a $700-per-person saving on April departures of luxury barge cruises in Burgundy, Champagne and the...

"London Theatre Walks: Thirteen Dramatic Tours Through Four Centuries of History and Legend".(Review)
January 1, 2000... * "London Theatre Walks: Thirteen Dramatic Tours Through Four Centuries of History and Legend" by Jim De Young and John Miller (1998, Applause Theatre Books, 1841 Broadway, Ste.1100, New York, NY 10023 -- $14.95, 234 pgs.). You love...

"The Maya World: Southern Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador".(Review)
January 1, 2000... * "The Maya World: Southern Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador" by Peter Eltringham, John Fisher and Iain Stewart (1999, Rough Guides, Ltd., 62-70 Shorts Garden, London WC2H 9AB, England--$19.95,528 pgs.). If you've seen the...

"Fodor's '99: Europe's Great Cities".(Review)
January 1, 2000... * "Fodor's '99: Europe's Great Cities" (Fodor's Travel Publications, Inc., subsidiary of Random House, Inc., 201 E. 50th St., New York, NY 10022 -- $14.00, 352 pgs.). Are you trying to select two or three cities for your very first trip to...

Brighton -- a star attraction in Sussex.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2000... My son Richard and I toured England for two weeks in October '98, leaving. Boston's Logan Airport Oct. 5 on British Airways (phone 800/ AIRWAYS). With my son planning to do the driving, we rented a car from Auto Europe (phone...

Sir Thomas More's cell open to public.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2000... In January the Tower of London will open the lower Bell Tower to the public, and visitors can see artifacts from the life of one of the tower's most celebrated prisoners, the Catholic martyr Sir Thomas More. This is the first time More's...

On-line London info.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2000... British Airways has launched LONDONtraveller.com, a website designed to serve as a comprehensive resource for visitors to London. With thousands of pages of content provided by resources such as TimeOut London Metro-Guides and Fodor's, the site...

Packages available for Wimbledon 2000.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2000... Sportsworld Travel, appointed for the ninth consecutive year by the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club as the sole official tour operator for, North America to The Championships, Wimbledon 2000, is offering tickets for Centre Court, Court...

Great Britain winter sale.(special packages to London)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2000... If planning a visit to London, independent travelers should consider winter-season travel, November through mid-March. Travelers can expect not only lower prices for airline tickets and hotel accommodations but shorter lines at popular...

Turks & Caicos attractions.(Caribbean)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2000... The Bamboo Gallery in Providenciales (Provo), the main, island of the Turks and Gaicos, offers Carbbean art in the form of paintings and wood or metal sculptures. Founded 10 years ago, the gallery represents artists from, Haiti, the...

Dive St. Eustatius.(aboard M/V Caribbean Explorer)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2000... The M/V Caribbean Explorer, a 100-foot, 16-passenger live-aboard ship, offers 7-night/8-day dive trips throughout the northeastern Caribbean. The year-round itinerary includes five dives within the newly opened Statia Marine Park in St....

New York-Bahamas nonstop.(North American Airlines services Club Med destination in Bahamas)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2000... Vacationers to the resort Club Med Columbus Isle (San Salvador), Bahamas, can fly there nonstop from New York's JFK Airport on North American Airlines B737-800 series aircraft. Airport facilities on the 7-by-12-mile island were expanded to...

Millennium London.(attractions)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2000... If you're wondering about a good millennium destination, think London. London is celebrating the year 2000 with revamped museums, exciting new projects along the Thames, and a giant dome at Greenwich. Greenwich -- site of the world's prime...

City sights and sounds.(Lausanne, Switzerland)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2000... Lausanne, laid out on the slopes overlooking the Lake of Geneva, can be reached by either land or water; steamers operate during part of the year with stops on the French as well as the Swiss shores. Historical Lausanne begins in the old...

Old Swiss banknotes lose validity April 30.(2000)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2000... Despite the Swiss franc's being one of the world's strong currencies, the banknotes issued during the '50s and before have, for the most part, already been withdrawn from circulation. Any of these old banknotes will lose their validity on April...

The beauty of the Baroque.(exhibition on tour)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2000... "The Triumph of the Baroque: Architecture in Europe 1600-1750": here is an exhibition which began in Turin in October and will travel and be shown on both sides of the Atlantic for the next year and half, until March 2001. This exhibition...

VAT in French eating establishments.(value added tax)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2000... Anyone visiting French restaurants should realize that the value-added tax (VAT) is 20.6% in traditional restaurants whereas this tax is only 5.5% in the fast-food establishments. If a service charge of 15% to 20% is added to the restaurant...

New-year adventures.(in Africa)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2000... Africa offers so many varied and exciting adventures; these are just a few to pique your interest for 2000. No single supplement African Travel, Inc., is waiving the single supplement for single travelers on its 2000 departures between...

To tip or not to tip the 'TLO'.(tour leader/operator)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2000... Recently, ITN received a letter from an Arizona reader asking an excellent and often controversial question regarding the tipping of a certain category of tour group leader. Specifically, the question was whether or not group members should tip...

Paphos, Cyprus.(part 3)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2000... (Part 3 of 5 on the island of Cyprus) Though the Paphos District is considered to be the least developed of Cyprus' five districts, Moreen and I found it to be the most fascinating during our April 1999 travels. It is scenically beautiful...