International Travel News articles from July 2004

International Travel News archives from July 2004

Boarding pass.
July 1, 2004... As you know, ITN readers comprise the greatest source of travel experience and offer the most candid appraisals, so I first refer any caller to the ITN Reference Index, found in each March and September issue. Tour companies are listed...

Special shops.(Give us your input ...)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Is there a favorite shop or department store you loved finding? A special clothing store with the threads that are "just you"? A specialty food shop where you stock up on hard-to-find items to bring home? A knickknack shack? Seconds shop? Tell...

From Minori, Italy, May 27, '04 ...(Report cards: on-the-spot reports from around the globe)(Hotel Villa Romana)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... * Hotel Villa Romana (Corso Vittorio Emanuele 90, Minori)--on the Amalfi Coast. We were traveling with another couple and stayed two nights here at approximately $165 per night with an EP food plan. Our traveling partners had the sewer...

From Istanbul, Turkey, May 25, '04 ...(Report cards: on-the-spot reports from around the globe)(services of Blue House and Zener Pafia Konagi)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... * Mav Evi, or Blue House (Delbasti Sok 14, Istanbul; phone 02121638-9010), is also a hotel, but we only ate there. Ask for its rooftop restaurant, since there is also' one at ground level. The servings are generous, as is the marvelous view...

On Northern Ireland, May '04 ...(Report cards: on-the-spot reports from around the globe)(services Caldhame Lodge and McGeown restaurant)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... * On my May 5-10 trip, I caught a bus from Dublin Airport to Belfast (19 [euro] one way). The Belfast bus station was literally around the corner from my hotel, Days Hotel (40 Hope St., Belfast, Northern Ireland; visit www.travel.ian.com). ...

Botswana--choosing the safari that's right for you.(Kwetsani Camp and Savuti Camp)
July 1, 2004... Close your eyes for a moment. Say the word "safari." What images fill your mind? "Out of Africa," Hemingway's "Snows of Kilimanjaro" or maybe the demonic lions in "The Ghost and the Darkness"? The reality is very different. Safari insights...

Athens auto rental.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2004... We don't usually have favorable comments about car rental agencies, but in October '03 we received extraordinary service from Dionysos S.A. Rent-A-Car (25 Syngrou Ave., Athens 11743, Greece; phone 210-9243310, fax 210-2943750, e-mail...

Volunteer vacation in England.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2004... We participated in a week-long "working vacation" in northern England, March 27-April 3, '04, with the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers, or BTCV (Conservation Centre, 163 Balby Rd., Doncaster, South Yorkshire, DN4 0RH; phone 01302...

Enjoying Venice.(Traveler's intercom: reader's opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2004... We arrived in Venice, Italy, on April 8, '04, flying from Chicago via Madrid on Iberia Airlines--excellent service, comfort and food. Luggage was handled promptly and efficiently. One of the local security dogs (God bless them) fell in love...

Re credit card coverage of CDW.(Traveler's intercom: reader's opinions, tips & recommendations)(collision damage waiver)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2004... I would be interested in hearing from others concerning their rental car insurance experiences. For over 30 years I declined the auto rental companies' insurance in England and France and used my credit card coverage for the CDW (collision...

Day cruise in Fiji.(Traveler's intercom: reader's opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2004... My husband and I began planning our January '04 trip to Australia and New Zealand about a year ahead. Several people mentioned that a stopover in Fiji would be a good way to end it. About that time, we read about a "Whale's Tale day cruise." We...

Funniest thing.(Brief Article)
July 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 or Mexico.) The ITN staff will choose each month's...

No SARS cases on the planet.(News Watch)(severe acute respiratory syndrome)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... According to the World Health Organization, the recent outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), which was first reported in China on April 22, 2004, has been contained. Nine cases, including one death, were reported during the...

Israel the West Bank and Gaza.(News Watch)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... In the aftermath of the killings of two HAMAS leaders by Israel in less than a month, the Department of State continues to urge all U.S. citizens to defer travel to Israel, the West Bank and Gaza due to safety and security concerns. Some HAMAS...

Iran tensions.(News Watch)(Terrorism)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Tensions generated by the current situation in Iraq have increased the potential threat to U.S. citizens in Iran. Americans may be subject to harassment or kidnapping. Some areas of the country, including the Baluchistan border area near...

Be alert in Yemen.(News Watch)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... The Department of State warns that the security threat to all U.S. citizens in Yemen remains high due to continuing efforts by Al-Qaida to reconstitute an effective operating base. This could lead to possible attacks against U.S. citizens,...

Kyrgyz Republic security.(News Watch)(Terrorism)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... The State Department reminds U.S. citizens that extremist groups such as the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), a terrorist organization with links to al-Qaida, may be planning terrorist acts targeting Americans or American interests in the...

Eastern Sabah, Malaysia.(News Watch)(Terrorism)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Due to the presence of terrorist organizations in Southeast Asia, the Department of State reiterates its concern about the safety of American citizens and interests there, especially along the east coast of the Malaysian state of Sabah. Since...

Philippines threats.(News Watch)(Terrorism)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... The terrorist threat to Americans in the Philippines remains high. The U.S. Embassy urges Americans to avoid crowds as well as nightclubs and bars, among other places, and to exercise caution in public places or on public transportation. ...

Kenya concerns.(News Watch)(Terrorism)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... The U.S. Government continues to receive indications of terrorist threats aimed at American and Western interests in Kenya and throughout East Africa. In particular, there is a continuing threat against Westerners in Nairobi and the coastal...

Burundi warning.(News Watch)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... The Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens against travel to Burundi and the surrounding Great Lakes Region. Burundi has been plagued by civil war since 1993. As the result of a peace process undertaken by many of Burundi's...

Colombia yellow fever vaccination.(News Watch)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Colombia is requiring visitors to the country's national parks along the Atlantic coast to show proof of yellow fever vaccination. Last year through mid-March 2004, cases of yellow fever were reported from the departments of Guajira,...

Yellow fever in Burkina Faso.(News Watch)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... According to the World Health Organization, as of May 10, 2004, the Ministry of Health of Burkina Faso had reported 25 suspect cases of yellow fever in the districts of Bobo-Dioulasso and Gaoua.

Ebola in southern Sudan.(News Watch)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... According to the World Health Organization, 25 cases of Ebola hemorrhagic fever (EHF), including six deaths, have been reported from Yambio County in southern Sudan. Regarding protective measures, in addition to avoiding contact with Ebola...

Current warnings.(News Watch)(travel warnings from US state department)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... As ITN went to press, the State Department had travel warnings on 26 destinations: Haiti, Kenya, Lebanon, Iran, Burundi, Yemen, Israel/ West Bank/Gaza, Central African Republic, Saudi Arabia, Nepal, Iraq, Indonesia, Algeria, Libya, Colombia,...

Madagascar--a place like no other.
July 1, 2004... (Part 1 of 2) I always considered Madagascar to be a dream travel destination, and I fervently wanted to visit the island. Having taken previous ecotours to West, East and Southern Africa, I felt I was ready to take on this big island. ...

Health Hints for the Tropics'.(American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... The 12th edition of "Health Hints for the Tropics" is available from the American Society of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene. The 50-page booklet includes the chapters Preparation for Travel; Immunizations; Malaria Prevention; Travelers' Diarrhea;...

Tropical health consultants.(American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... The "Directory of Clinical Consultants in Tropical Medicine & Travelers' Health" is a resource for travelers seeking referral to a specialist in tropical medicine and/or travelers' health, whether for pre-travel counseling and immunization or...

Inquire about 'optionals' in advance.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2004... We took Trafalgar's tour No. 159 to Finland, Russia, Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania, Sept. 9-24, '03. The tour cost us $2,560 each, including air from Philadelphia. This was our fourth Trafalgar tour and possibly the last, due mainly to the...

Shipping added cost, despite verbal assurances.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2004... My wife and I went on a "Discover Thailand" tour with Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT), Sept. 9-Oct. 2, '03. Our tour was 16 days long, to which we added a pre-trip of three days in Cambodia, visiting Angkor Wat. The basic cost was $1,690 per...

Quick refund from International B&B.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2004... My husband, Eugene, and I were scheduled to leave on April 12, '04, on a month-long trip to Eastern Europe, beginning in Prague. After having seen in ITN an ad for International Bed & Breakfast (Box 823, Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006; phone...

Travel insurance inquiry.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2004... Because my husband and I travel extensively, we are paying out exorbitant amounts of money on comprehensive travel insurance when we only require to be covered for certain risks. As an example, we have medical insurance that covers us...

Made use of travel insurance.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2004... This letter is to inform ITN readers of the utmost necessity of taking out travel insurance before any trip, especially with regard to interruption of a tour and, of course, reimbursement of medical expenses. My husband, Robert, always...

Deck plans in brochures not always reliable.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2004... A reader mailed ITN a copy of her letter to Great American Travel, as follows. We booked the "Land of the Maya" cruise on the mv Discovery, Jan. 27-Feb. 23, '04. From the deck plan you provided us, we selected cabin No. 7105 on the...

Coping with a heat wave on a river cruise.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2004... We had heard in the U.S. about the severe heat wave and drought that was affecting all of Europe during the summer of '03, causing rivers to be dangerously low, so we wondered how Uniworld (Encino, CA; phone 800/257-2264 or visit...

A nice breeze in Curacao.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2004... In January '04 we spent 15 nights at the beautiful Curacao Marriott Beach Resort & Emerald Casino (phone [599-9] 736-8800, fax [599-9] 462-7502 or visit www.marriotthotels.com/ curmc). This 5-star resort is first Class. We paid $229 for a nice...

The man who has been everywhere.
July 1, 2004... Quick now, pick the right answer: Marco Polo, Captain Cook, Christopher Columbus, Phineas Fogg. Who is the world's greatest explorer? The correct answer is none of the above. Even though you've never heard of him, the world's greatest...

Memorabilia.
July 1, 2004... What do YOU collect on trips overseas? What got you started? Have you derived any special benefits or had any interesting experiences due to your searches? Do you have any tips for others on a similar quest? Those were the questions we put...

Dean's Eye being restored.(Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary's renovation work)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... In Lincoln, 140 miles, north of London, a year-long restoration is underway of one of the most important examples of medieval stained glass in Europe. Located in the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary (commonly known as the Minster), the...

Accommodations worldwide: hotels * B&Bs * homestays * apartments.
July 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 conversion rates are approximate....

Mongolia--exploring the Gobi Desert and beyond.
July 1, 2004... As a teenager, I read Roy Chapman Andrews' books about his expeditions to Mongolia in the 1920s and 1930s and dreamed of someday traveling there. That became a reality when I joined the MIR trip "The Gobi Desert and Beyond" in July '03. ...

Wolsey Lodges private homes.(Wolsey Lodges)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Founded in 1981, Wolsey Lodges is a consortium of 188 privately owned houses providing lodging in England, Scotland and Wales. Arrivals are treated as family or friends, rather than guests, and often dine with their hosts. Entries include...

Monastery stays, Italy and Spain.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Many of the monasteries listed in Elizabeth Barish's "The Guide to Lodging in Italy's Monasteries" (ISBN 1-884465-19-6--512 pp., $22.95) and "The Guide to Lodging in Spain's Monasteries" (ISBN 1-884465-17-X--480 pp., $22.95) are hundreds of...

Sri Lanka.(Tours in review: candid appraisals of group tours)
July 1, 2004... Sri Lanka is an often forgotten but absolutely fascinating travel destination. A friend and I were most fortunate to travel there for 10 days in April '03 with Ceylon Tours, Ltd. (8A Sir Ernest de Silva Ave., Colombo 07, Sri Lanka; phone...

China.(Tours in review: candid appraisals of group tours)(ChinaPlus Inc.,)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... We read readers' comments in ITN about ChinaPlus, Inc. (320 Decker Dr., Ste. 100, Las Colinas/Irving, TX 75062; phone 888/868-8811, e-mail info@chinaplustour.com or visit www.chinaplustour.com), and found that on our tour, the 20-day "Best of...

Laos, Cambodia and Burma.(Tours in review: candid appraisals of group tours)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Great itinerary, outstanding guides, superior accommodations and a reasonable price: what more could one ask for? Thanks to the ITN readers who answered my inquiry in "Person to Person," I enjoyed the trip of a lifetime in November '03...

Eastern Europe.(Tours in review: candid appraisals of group tours)(Grand Circle Travel)
July 1, 2004... My wife and I took a group of 15 friends on a tour of Eastern Europe, Oct. 21-Nov. 8, '03. We planned "extended stays" so that we could spend some quality time in the cities we wanted to visit; we also do not like to repack every day. We stayed...

France and Italy.(Tours in review: candid appraisals of group tours)(International Council for Cultural Exchange)
July 1, 2004... We highly recommend the France-and-Italy opera trip offered by the International Council for Cultural Exchange, or ICCE (426 South Country Rd., Ste. 1, Brookhaven, NY 11719; phone 800/690-4223, e-mail info@iccetravel.org or visit...

Viet-nam and Laos.(Tours in review: candid appraisals of group tours)(Sayang Holidays)
July 1, 2004... Pannir of Sayang Holidays (220 Montgomery St., Ste. 469, San Francisco, CA 94104; phone 888/472-9264 or visit www.sayangholidays.com) did a fantastic job making all the arrangements for our Viet-Nam/Laos trip, Dec. 3, '03-Jan. 2, '04. The price...

Correction.(Tours in review: candid appraisals of group tours)(Correction Notice)
July 1, 2004... I was thrilled that my tour review was printed in the June '04 issue (page 66), but readers should be informed that the e-mail address of Galapagos Travel is now info@galapagostravel.com. --NILI OLAY, New York, NY

Strolling the streets of Cordoba, the city that changed Europe.
July 1, 2004... It has been said that the Andalusian city of Seville, Spain, is like a young dancing girl flinging her skirts. If that description is apt, then nearby Cordoba is an elegant Lady of the World, sedately dressed and cushioned in her Mozarabic...

'Movies under the stars'.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Princess Cruises ships in the' Caribbean now are showing up to three feature-length films a day on deck at poolside, using a 300-square-foot LED screen and a 69,000-watt sound system. Chaise lounges can be reserved. The first movie to be shown...

Enamored of Iceland.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2004... My husband, Compton, and I wanted to get away to gain new perspectives and hoped to find some peace in Iceland. We found that and much, much more. The one week we spent there in September '03 was most memorable and exciting. We only regret that...

A special place in the South Pacific.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2004... If you enjoy discovering new places, here is a very special treat. Approximately 420 miles east of Sydney, Australia, is Lord Howe Island. It was discovered in 1788 and named after the English First Lord of the Admiralty. It is a remnant of...

Treed cat.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2004... TREED CAT--In the article about Kenya and Tanzania in the April '04 edition, the author mentioned that she thought the tree-climbing lions of Tanzania were "Somewhat of a fantasy." I have a picture from September '02 visit to the Ngorongoro...

Lesser-known sites in the Cotswolds.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2004... (part 3 of 3) We spent six weeks in England, July-August '03, mostly exploring the Cotswolds area (May '04, pg. 82 & June '04, pg. 84). We were based in Cirencester. Try not to miss two castles in the area. Berkeley Castle (5 [pounds...

In and around Quito.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2004... When my grandson got married in November '03, we promised to pay for his honeymoon (within reason, of course). He told me, "Grandpa, if you do that, we insist that you come along." Somewhat unusual, to say the least, but we were honored. My...

Fingerprinted in Brazil.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2004... My husband and I took a 2-month segment of a 4-month cruise on the Saga Rose, a British ship sailing from Southampton, England. The portion of the cruise we took left Southampton on Jan. 4, '04, and we disembarked in Sydney, Australia, on March...

Trauma in Guatemala.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2004... In the June '04 issue, on page 34, Barbara Virden described being robbed at gunpoint on a highway in Guatemala on Feb. 21. I was also on that bus. Most people in Guatemala are very friendly. Unfortunately, Guatemala is the second-poorest...

Watch for currency 'inspectors'.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2004... At the train station in Bucharest, Romania, in October '00, my friend George and I were exposed to a scare similar to that in which another ITN reader and his friend lost $100 each at the same station (May' 04, pg. 11). We arrived from...

Budapest dining, train.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2004... * The restaurant Karpatia Etterem es Sovozo (Inboda Ferencier Tere 7-8, Budapest, Hungary; phone 0036-1-317-3596) is located in Buda, not far from the Danube. This elegant, old restaurant has it all: a variety of excellent food plus ambiance,...

Provence is 'compact'.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2004... One mistake we made planning our 4-week stay in Provence in 2002 was trying to stay in too many different places. We didn't realize just how small and compact Provence is. It is enough to stay in two or three places, and all sightseeing...

Olympic transportation.(All Aboard!)(transportation facilities)
July 1, 2004... When the best of the world's runners, swimmers, gymnasts and achievers in 44 sports ranging from Archery to Wrestling (Freestyle Women) eagerly march, bearing the colors of the national flags Of the countries of the world, to the Athens Olympic...

Relais & Chateaux.(All Aboard!)(5Oth anniversary celebration)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2004, Relais & Chateaux includes 450 privately owned hotels and restaurants in 50 countries around the world, each establishment adhering to the association's quality charter. Gift certificates, in...

Antarctica sailing bonus.(Cruise cavalcade: upcoming ocean, sea, river or canal cruises)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Bonus savings of up to $1,000 per person are being offered by Radisson Seven Seas Cruises for bookings made by Aug. 15, 2004, on the Jan. 15 and Jan. 26, 2005, sailings of the Explorer II from Ushuaia, Argentina, to Antarctica, the Falklands...

Sail to eclipse in South Seas.(Cruise cavalcade: upcoming ocean, sea, river or canal cruises)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Passengers on the MV Discovery will have the best vantage point to witness a rare annular total solar eclipse in the South Pacific near Polynesia on April 8, 2005. The ship will maneuver to find clear skies under the 15-mile-wide path of the...

Culinary barge cruise.(Cruise cavalcade: upcoming ocean, sea, river or canal cruises)(France Cruises)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Gourmets will enjoy fine dining and wine tasting on France Cruises' 14-passenger canal barge Luciole in the waterways of Burgundy. In addition, daily Cooking lessons will be given by the onboard chef, and there will be a visit to the restaurant...

Deluxe 'flotel' on the Amazon.(Cruise cavalcade: upcoming ocean, sea, river or canal cruises)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... A deluxe ecocruise vessel is navigating Ecuador's Rio Napo in the Amazon jungle. Big Five Tours & Expeditions' Manatee Explorer is a modern, 3-deck vessel with air-conditioning, 13 en suite cabins, dining room, bar and lounge. The...

Three Gorges cruises.(Cruise cavalcade: upcoming ocean, sea, river or canal cruises)(services of Victoria Cruises)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... On its "Three Gorges" cruises on the Yangtze River in China, Victoria Cruises now begins and ends in Yichang rather than Wuhan. The upstream trip now takes five days instead of six, while the downstream voyage is still four days. Reasons cited...

"Hike Normandy & Channel Islands".(Tours: a selection of escorted tours)(Adventure Women Inc.,)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... 10-day/8-night "moderate" walking tour for women 30 and over, Sept. 15-24, '04. Among highlights: Meet in Paris, FRANCE, and ferry from St. Malo to the island of Guernsey, ENGLAND, to wander through wildflower fields and explore WWII...

"Amalfi coast walk".(Tours: a selection of escorted tours)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... 8-day/7-night "moderate-level" walking tour of coast between Amalfi and Sorrento, ITALY. Departures through Oct. 24, '04. Limit, 15. Among highlights: Pickup at Naples airport/fishing town of Minori/in Ravello, Moorish Villa Rufolo, Villa...

"Land of the thunder dragon".(Tours: a selection of escorted tours)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... 11-day tour of BHUTAN starts/ends in NEPAL. Departs Sept. 4, Oct. 9, '04 & May 14, '05. Maximum, 12. Among highlights: In Kathmandu, Hindu shrines, Buddhist stupas, Tibetan communities/view Himalayas on flight to Bhutan/Taktsang "Tiger's...

"Family safari".(Tours: a selection of escorted tours)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... 10-day hotel/lodge/tented camp safari in KENYA with education for children by Intrepid's Adventurer Club. Departures through Dec. 18, '04. Among highlights: In Nairobi, hand-feed Rothschild giraffes at the Giraffe Center/Karen Blixen...

"Coral jaguar".(Tours: a selection of escorted tours)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... 10-day camping/lodge trip of BELIZE. Note: participants should be able to walk five miles. Among highlights" Learn about Belize wildlife at Tropical Education Center/motorboat to Barrier Reef; go sea kayaking and snorkeling, learn marine...

"The Cultural Guide to Jewish Europe".(Jacques and Jacqueline Levy-Willard Foundation)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... "The Cultural Guide to Jewish Europe" by the Jacques and Jacqueline Levy-Willard Foundation (2004, Chronicle Books. ISBN 2020612119--$35 paperback, 610 pp.). Continent-wide surveys often spread themselves far too thin. Here is one that...

"Spanish Recognitions: The Roads to the Present".(Brief Article)(Book Review)
July 1, 2004... "Spanish Recognitions: The Roads to the Present" by Mary Lee Settle (2004, W.W. Norton. ISBN 0393020274--$24.95 hardback, 358 pp.). "To be alone by choice is one of the great luxuries of the world." The first sentence of "Spanish...

"No Touch Monkey! And Other Travel Lessons Learned Too Late".(Book Review)(Brief Article)(Book Review)
July 1, 2004... "No Touch Monkey! And Other Travel Lessons Learned Too Late" by Ayun Halliday (2004, Seal Press. ISBN 1580050972--$14.95 paperback, 273 pp.). Few of us have had our sandals stolen by monkeys in India while recovering from the effects of a...

Tips the solo traveler.(Customer relations)
July 1, 2004... QUESTION: I love traveling alone, and I prefer small hotels because of the price and the local flavor they often offer. The names are hard to remember, and many are in out-of-the-way places. On my last trip I was lost twice because the name was...

St. Paul's renovation.(Brit bits)(Protection and preservation)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... A major stage in the long-term restoration of St. Paul's Cathedral in London Has been completed (Feb. '04, pg. 21). The East End face is looking as good as new following 13 months of painstaking renovation by stonemasons. Restoration of the...

Royal Oak Foundation.(Brit bits)(Membership)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... The Royal Oak Foundation is the American membership affiliate of Britain's National Trust. The National Trust owns and operates over 200 historic houses, gardens, castles and sites in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Royal Oak members enter...

Canterbury Festival.(Brit bits)(Travel industry)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... The Canterbury Festival takes place this year Oct. 9-23. There will be concerts in Canterbury Cathedral and opera, dance and drama in the Marlowe and Gulbenkian theaters, not to mention a range of jazz and folk music, street theater and...

Week-long walk in Scotland.(Brit bits)(Crieff and Strathearn Drovers' Tryst hill walking festival)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Walkers are invited to join a 7-day walk in the steps of 18th-century Scottish cattle drovers from Spean Bridge to Crieff. It is part of the Crieff and Strathearn Drovers' Tryst hill walking festival, Oct. 9-16, 2004. Various shorter walks are...

Chefs of London teach.(Brit bits)(cookery classes)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... The chefs of some of London's finest restaurants are passing on their knowledge at a series of master classes arranged by Tasting Places. They are being held at a designer kitchen in Holland Park and at several restaurants. The morning...

Wheeling and dealing with Europe.(Rick Steves' Europe[c])
July 1, 2004... As long as I've been writing, my passion has been to make Europe accessible. I've focused on economic accessibility (you don't need to be rich to travel) and intellectual accessibility (you don't need to be a scholar to enjoy Europe's history...