International Travel News articles from June 2004

International Travel News archives from June 2004

Boarding pass.
June 1, 2004... Dear Globetrotter: Welcome to the 340th issue of your monthly overseas travel magazine. ITN reader Margo Spears of Reno visited the Dominican Republic in February and sent in a trip report (see page 35). She added, "We also learned of...

Making calls abroad.(Give us your input ...)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Making calls abroad The question we're putting to you this month Comes from Harry Pearson of Cape Canaveral, Florida. He wrote, "In the letter titled Surprised at Bill for Call from Hotel' (April '04, pg. 30), the distress the reader felt...

Report cards: on-the-spot reports from around the globe.
June 1, 2004... 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. To obtain your ITN Report...

Combining fine food, wine and relaxation on a south of France cruise.
June 1, 2004... Question: What could be better than cruising through southern France? Answer: Absolutely nothing! My husband and I, newly retired, decided to celebrate with a different type of trip. Although this was my 24th trip to France, it was...

Online cruise agency recommendation.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2004... I would like to recommend an online cruise agency that I use, www.icruise.com (127 W. 25th St., 12th Floor, New York, NY 10001; phone 888/909-6242). I have booked three cruises with them and find them very efficient and reliable. Their...

Had to skip Brazil when passports not returned in time.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendation)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2004... A reader mailed ITN a copy of the letter below, sent to the Brazilian Embassy in Washington, D.C. The cruise referred to was aboard Holland America's m.s. "Amsterdam," beginning Jan. 29, '04, in Valparaiso, Chile, and concluding Feb. 19 in Rio...

Reciprocal tourism with Turtle Tours.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2004... I had already taken two tours with Turtle Tours (Box 1147, Carefree, AZ 85377; phone 888/299-1439 or 480/488-3688, fax 480/488-3406, e-mail turtletours@earthlink.net or visit www.turtletours.com) when I received the brochure which read, "Join...

Funniest thing.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
June 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...

Central African Republic upheaval.(News Watch)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... The Department of State warns U.S. citizens against travel to the Central African Republic (CAR). On March 15, 2003, rebel forces that had been operating in the countryside outside Bangui took over the capital and seized power from the...

Threats in Nepal.(News Watch)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... The Department of State continues to urge U.S. citizens to defer nonessential travel to Nepal. The U.S. Embassy continues to receive reports of Maoist demands to cease developmental and social welfare projects by U.S.-affiliated nongovernmental...

Saudi Arabia warning.(News Watch)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... The Department of State warns U.S. citizens to defer travel to Saudi Arabia. The U.S. Government has received recent and credible information indicating that extremists are planning further attacks against U.S. and Western interests in Saudi...

Thailand violence.(News Watch)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... The far south of Thailand has experienced incidents of criminally and politically motivated violence, including incidents attributed to armed local separatist or extremist groups. Since January 2004, a series of incidents in Narathiwat,...

Possible SARS cases in China.(News Watch)(Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome )(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... As of April 26, the Chinese Ministry of Health had reported a recent eight possible cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), with six in Bejing and two in Anhui Province in east-central China. Nearly 1,000 contacts of these patients...

Asian avian flu update.(News Watch)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Beginning in January 2004, outbreaks of avian influenza A (H5N1), a serious viral infection, were reported among poultry in Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, South Korea, Thailand and Viet-Nam. The virus was responsible for 34 reported...

Yellow fever in Liberia.(News Watch)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... On Feb. 25, an emergency mass immunization campaign was announced in response to reports of confirmed cases of yellow fever in Liberia. As of March 9, a total of 39 suspect cases, including eight deaths, were reported from eight counties. ...

Africa's 'meningitis belt'.(News Watch)(Meningococcal disease)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Meningococcal disease has been reported this year in Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Central African Republic and Chad. These and several other countries in sub-Saharan Africa form the "meningitis belt," an area that extends from Ethiopia in the east to...

Antarctica--sailing to a world of sculpted ice and captivating wild-life.(Orlova)
June 1, 2004... Time does not change the ocean currents, and since its discovery, the Drake Passage, a turbulent body of water connecting the tip of Argentina to the waters off Antarctica, has been giving ships and their passengers a hard time. The magic...

Travel with a private jet.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Orient-Express Hotels is offering the "Orient-Express Private Jet Experience." Flying out of the U.S. by private jet, travelers can design their own itinerary to any destination or choose from a portfolio of scheduled one-week itineraries to...

Arrangements needed double-checking.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2004... We took a trip to Machu Picchu, Peru, arranged through Analie Tours. The trip was delightful, but we felt Analie Tours was frightful. Upon arrival at the Miami airport at 3 p.m. on Nov. 17, '03, we were told that our 6:15 p.m. flight had...

It seemed no shuttle was forthcoming.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2004... We travel frequently and always use the local SuperShuttle for travel to the airport. SuperShuttle always tries to get us to make a reservation for our return home. For a December '02 trip, we did make a return reservation since we were flying...

Zegrahm makes it right.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2004... My husband and I took a trip to Mauritius, Madagascar and Seychelles, Feb. 23-March 9, '04, with Zegrahm Expeditions (192 Nickerson St., Ste. 200, Seattle, WA 98109; phone 800/628-8747 or visit www.zeco.com). In Madagascar, one of our carry-on...

Nightmare in Guatemala.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2004... I returned March 13, '04, from a month-long trip to Honduras, Guatemala, Yucatan and Belize with Adventures Abroad (Richmond, B.C., Canada; phone 800/665-3998). I found them very thorough in coveting the architectural and cultural parts of...

Travels in the Dominican Republic.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2004... My husband, Joe, and I traveled to the Dominican Republic and Haiti, Feb. 2-11, '04, to complete visits to all the nations of the Western Hemisphere. We made Internet arrangements with Alyssa Johnson of SAS Travel & Tours in Santo Domingo...

Narrowboat in Wales.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2004... Along with another couple, my wife and I "narrowboated" the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal in southeast Wales at the end of July '03. We hired our narrowboat through Beacon Park Boats (visit www.beaconparkboats.com) and had a wonderful...

Enjoyed river cruises in Russia.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2004... In reading the March '04 issue, on page 32 I came across a reader's comments concerning a cruise aboard the Novikov Priboy in Russia. Contrary to the general impression left by those comments, I found my two Russian river cruises--on a...

Found Russia 'fascinating'.(Traveler's intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2004... I noticed in the Travelers' Intercom section a couple of rather negative reports of Russian riverboat experiences (March ' 04, pg. 32 & April '04, pg. 82). Having enjoyed three such trips over the past six or seven years, I would like to...

Cruise in Russia.(Traveler's intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2004... In August '03, my husband and I took a wonderful 12-day trip to Russia with Lexcorp Cruise & Tour Marketing (3401 Investment Blvd., Ste. 3, Hayward, CA 94545-3819; phone 800/578-3401). They have over 20 years' experience in travel. We have...

Favorite museum dept.(Traveler's intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2004... Republic of China On a trip to Taiwan in 2001 I visited the Great National Treasures of China collection in the National Palace Museum in Taipei. It's a mind blower. My eyes almost dropped out of my head! Here are many treasures of Imperial...

Impressions from a self-drive of Tunisia.
June 1, 2004... Most travel stories try to Whet your appetite for a destination, but mine, about Tunisia, may actually discourage you from going there. That's not because this North African nation has nothing to offer but because it doesn't deliver as big a...

Accommodations Worldwide: hotels * B&Bs * homestays * apartments).(Accommodations Worldwide: hotels * B&Bs * homestays * apartments)
June 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. ...

Favorite special-interest museums.
June 1, 2004... ITN asked you to name your favorite museum, but not one of the usual, obvious choices like The British Museum or the Louvre; we wanted to hear about your favorite "special interest" museum--the exhibit or collection that really hit a nerve or...

Fairytales come alive on a children's trip to England.
June 1, 2004... "Have you ever wanted to jump right into the book you are reading? Here is your chance. Join us on an adventure to discover the real homes of British book characters and their authors. We will see the sights of London, stay on a working...

Classic cars in Coventry.(Coventry Transport Museum)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... The Coventry Transport Museum relaunched in March following a major refurbishment. It displays the world's largest collection of British vehicles, with over 230 cars and commercial vehicles, 90 motorcycles and 250 cycles. It's open daily 10...

Australia.(Tours in review: candid appraisals of group tours)
June 1, 2004... When the company with which we had scheduled our November '03 tour to Australia went bankrupt, we contacted AAT Kings Tours, Inc. (U.S. office, 801 East Katella Ave., Third Floor, Anaheim, CA 92805; phone 866/240-1659, e-mail info@aatkings.com...

Iceland and Greenland.(Tours in review: candid appraisals of group tours)(Hotel Angmagssalik)
June 1, 2004... In August '03 I joined a 15-day Iceland and Greenland tour with Explore Worldwide, the arrangements made through their U.S. contact, Adventure Center (1311 63rd St., Ste. 200, Emeryville, CA 94608; phone 800/227-8747, e-mail...

Italy and Austria.(Tours in review: candid appraisals of group tours)(Hotel Monumento)
June 1, 2004... I do not recommend the "Italy-Austria: Cultures and Landscapes" biking tour to anyone who is a strong biker or who wants to experience some adventure. The 14-day tour, offered by Elderhostel (11 Ave. de Lafayette, Boston, MA 02111; phone...

Galapagos and Ecuador.(Tours in review: candid appraisals of group tours)
June 1, 2004... My husband and I went on a magnificent 16-day trip to Quito, Ecuador, and the Gahipagos Islands, Jan. 6-21, '03, with Galapagos Travel (783 Rio del Mar Blvd., Ste. 49, Aptos, CA 95003; phone 800/969-9014, e-mail info@galapagostravel.com or...

Costa Rica.(Tours in review: candid appraisals of group tours)
June 1, 2004... On June 6, '03, we left on the 13-day "Real Affordable Costa Rica" trip with Overseas Adventure Travel (One Broadway, Ste. 600, Cambridge, MA 02142; phone 800/9551925 or visit www.oattravel.com). We paid $4,235 for two persons, including air...

Australia and New Zealand.(Tours in review: candid appraisals of group tours)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... We went on a wonderful trip to Australia, Dec. 19, '02-Jan. 13, '03, with Overseas Adventure Travel (Cambridge, MA), adding on their New Zealand extension. Our tour leader, Colin Jones, was articulate and extremely knowledgeable about all...

Italy.(Tours in review: candid appraisals of group tours)
June 1, 2004... My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed a tour of Sicily and southern ITALY with Perillo Tours (577 Chestnut Ridge Rd., Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07677; phone 800/431-1515 or visit www.perillotours.com). Our 14-day tour, Feb. 26-March 11, '03, began...

The Philippines--sophisticated city life plus a taste of the tropics.
June 1, 2004... Don't get me wrong. I had been to the Philippines before and loved the place, but faced with an invitation to visit again in February-March '03, the decision was not easy. Years of tentative governments, guerrilla warfare, kidnappings,...

Birdwatching in Korea.(Durumi Pension to house bird-watchers)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Migratory birds flock to Yangji-ri in Dongsong-eup, Cheorwongun, Gangwon-do, Korea, every winter, including endangered eagles and cranes, and the Cheolsae (Migratory Bird) Village people of Yangji-ri have built the Durumi Pension to house...

A Christmas gift to remember.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)
June 1, 2004... For Christmas 2003, my husband, Bernie, and I decided to give each other an extra-nice present: we would take a 9-day "Hot Air Balloon Flight Over the Alps" tour in January '04. Two days of the tour would be spent at the International Balloon...

A week for Prague and Budapest.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)
June 1, 2004... Four of us, who were spending the week of Thanksgiving 2003 in Budapest and Prague, were annoyed that we couldn't escape popular American music playing everywhere. Also, while we weren't surprised to find McDonald's, Burger King and KFC, in...

Exploring the Cotswolds: (Part 2 of 3).(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)
June 1, 2004... We spent six weeks in England, July-August '03, basically exploring the Cotswold area. We were based in Cirencester (May '04, pg. 82) and, apart from a side trip to Wales to visit friends, we returned there every night. In Wales, incidentally,...

Are you fully covered?(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)
June 1, 2004... As I was making a reservation for a rental car in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, in January '04, I asked the agent, "Will there be any hidden charges?" "No other charges," the Alamo representative answered. I pondered the booking I had just...

Hanoi's transformation.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Correction Notice)
June 1, 2004... A reader in the March '04 issue, page 48, correctly places Hanoi on the "Favorite Cities" list, but to state, "Hanoi, on the other hand, has changed very little in the past 30 years," is inaccurate. The changes we noted between our trip in...

'Christ the Redeemer' statue.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Correction Notice)
June 1, 2004... In the article on Rio de Janeiro in the May '04 issue, there is an error on page 110 where the author is describing the trip to Corcovado Mountain. She states that to reach the "Christ the Redeemer" statue viewing platform, one must walk...

NZ B&B correction.(Correction Notice)
June 1, 2004... In my write-up of our trip to New Zealand (April '04, pg. 38), I said that on the South Island we stayed at a B&B in Hamilton run by some friends of ours. The B&B (e-mail kpastorious@aol.com), with a fantasic view over Tasman Bay, is actually...

Get up and go.(Travelers' intercom: readers' opinions, tips & recommendations)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Since my retirement in 1999, I have taken 10 trips to Europe every year. My frequent trips to Italy have each been to different areas, but I return often to London, Pads, Rome, Prague, Vienna and Amsterdam and have been in those cities in...

Spectacular scenery & old world charm along the Dalmatian coast.(The secret's out)
June 1, 2004... (Part 3 of 3 on the Balkans) Our drive from Split, Croatia, to Dubrovnik followed the coast--and what a treat it was! The memorable villages of Biela and Markarska had pebble beaches that curved around heavily forested coves. The water,...

Nordnorge to Antarctica.(Cruise Cavalcade: upcoming ocean, sea, river or canal cruises)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Norwegian Coastal Voyage has reduced the rates on its air-inclusive 19-day NCV Expedition Voyages to Antarctica and the Chilean fjords, including 15 days aboard the 464-berth MS Nordnorge, between Nov. 3, 2004, and Feb. 9, 2005. The...

Provence 6-water-ways cruise.(Cruise Cavalcade: upcoming ocean, sea, river or canal cruises)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... In 2004, Go Barging's newly renovated, 12-passenger hotel-barge L'Impressionniste, sister ship to La Belle Epoque, will cruise on a unique itinerary in the Provence region of France, taking in six waterways, including rivers, canals and lakes....

Norwegian Cruise Line.(Cruise Cavalcade: upcoming ocean, sea, river or canal cruises)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Norwegian Cruise Line announced that it will keep the SuperStar Leo in its fleet, rename it "Norwegian Spirit" and operate it in the Alaska and Caribbean areas. Its sister line, Star Cruises, will operate NCL's 15-year-old Norwegian Sea. Star...

"Iberian Kaleidoscope".(Tours: a selection of escorted tours)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... "IBERIAN KALEIDOSCOPE"--14-day/12-night tour of PORTUGAL and SPAIN with an optional day trip to MOROCCO. Among highlights: in Lisbon, PORTUGAL, Jeronimos Monastery, seaman's quarter of Alfama, Belem Tower/in SPAIN, Andalucian town of...

Romanian walking tour.(Tours: a selection of escorted tours)(Pure Adventures)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... ROMANIAN WALKING TOUR--8-day/'7-night "moderate" hiking tour of mountains and villages in the countryside. Departures June-October '04. Among highlights: From royal summer residence town of Sinaia, walk to Peles Castle/in Baiului...

"Asian Havens".(Tours: a selection of escorted tours)
June 1, 2004... "ASIAN HAVENS"--15-day tour, Sept. 25-Oct. 9, '04, focuses on JAPAN's traditional inns, arts and hospitality. Among highlights: Kyoto flower market, dinner at a high-tech sushi bar/the Buddhist mountain compound Hieizan/bullet train to hot...

"Cultural Peru adventure".(Tours: a selection of escorted tours)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... "CULTURAL PERU ADVENTURE"--13-day hotel-based, "easy-moderate" level tour of Peru's natural and cultural wonders. Departures to Dec. 17, '04. Limit, 15 participants. Among highlights: Urcos market/ pre-Inca Wari site of Pikillacta/Incan...

At the Tomb of the Inflatable Pig: Travels through Paraguay".(Brief Article)(Book Review)
June 1, 2004... "At the Tomb of the Inflatable Pig: Travels through Paraguay" by John Gimlette (2003, Alfred A. Knopf. ISBN 1400041767--$25 hardback, 364 pp.). Isolated by harsh surroundings, Paraguay has rarely registered on the world's radar screen. John...

"Eagle Dreams: Searching for Legends in Wild Mongolia".(Brief Article)(Book Review)
June 1, 2004... "Eagle Dreams: Searching for Legends in Wild Mongolia" by Stephen J. Bodio (2003, The Lyons Press. ISBN 1592282075--$22.95 hardback, 216 pp.). Some writers are content to show up in a faraway place and just let things happen. Author...

"Travel Advisory! How to Avoid Thefts, Cons, and Street Scams while Travelling".(Brief Article)(Book Review)
June 1, 2004... "Travel Advisory! How to Avoid Thefts, Cons, and Street Scams while Travelling" by Bambi Vincent and Bob Arno (2003, Bonus Books. ISBN 1566251982 --$22.95 hardback, 254 pp.). The subject matter sounds as enter-mining a read as the fine...

"The World: Travels 1950-2000".(Brief Article)(Book Review)
June 1, 2004... "The World: Travels 1950-2000" by Jan Morris (2003, W.W. Norton. ISBN 0393052087--$27.95 hardback, 458 pp.). Few travel writers could sum up their careers with such an all-encompassing title. But Jan Morris has the been-there, done-that...

Tips for the solo traveler.
June 1, 2004... QUESTION: I have always wanted to visit Papua New Guinea. I was recently talking about this dream with my children and they strongly discouraged my pursuing any solo travel plans because they say it is so dangerous. Is this true? Do you think...

The discerning traveler.
June 1, 2004... Charming Madeira (Second of two parts) In the last issue, I outlined a lovely hike along the Levada da Central da Ribeira da Janela in Madeira. This month, I will continue my story. Returning to Funchal After finishing your...

Best of Barbados.(Around the Caribbean)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... The "Best of Barbados" program, available through June 30 and from Sept. 7 to Nov. 30, 2004, offers a true savings of approximately $600 per couple by providing the following: * one night free when staying seven nights or longer at...

Carriacou Regatta.(Around the Caribbean)(SVG-Air)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... The 39th annual Carriacou Regatta will take place July 25-Aug. 2, 2004. The most southerly of the Grenadines, Carriacou is the largest of the chain of islands between Grenada and St. Vincent. The festival is a salute to its sister island of...

St. Croix to Tortola.(Around the Caribbean)(Road Town Connection)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Seaborne Airlines, based in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Road Town Fast Ferry, based in Tortola, British Virgin Islands, now offer a high-speed, 2-hour connection between St. Croix and Tortola. The "Road Town Connection" package...

Freestay Coins.(Around the Caribbean)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Cruise passengers arriving at St. Kitts' Port Zante pier will see an 8-foot-tall column that has a welcome message on one side and, on the other, an invitation to return and use Freestay Coins. St. Kitts is one of eight islands participating in...

Royal Academy's fine rooms.(Brit bits)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Hidden behind closed doors for over two centuries, the Royal Academy's suite of Fine Rooms has been restored to its Neo-Palladian glory and in March opened to the public for the first time. On the first floor of Burlington House in...

Victorian home reopens.(Brit bits)
June 1, 2004... The home of a 19th-century cartoonist and his family has reopened in London after a 3-year renovation. A middle-class townhouse of the period, Linley Sambourne House was the home of the Punch magazine illustrator Edward Linley Sambourne from...

Stay in a historic building.(Brit bits)("Landmark Trust Handbook")(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... The Landmark Trust is a preservation charity which restores architecturally interesting and historic buildings in Britain and offers them as self-catering holiday homes. Prices vary according to the size of the property and the season,...

'Stay on a Farm 2004'.(Brit bits)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... The free guide "Stay on a Farm 2004" lists more than 1,100 farms in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland offering bed and a hearty breakfast at an average cost of 25 [pounds sterling] (near $46) per person per night. The majority have...

Day trips from Gleneagles.(Brit bits)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... The resort Gleneagles is celebrating its 80th birthday in 2004 with "Classic Scottish Sojourns," in which guests can explore Scotland via private chauffeur-guided tours. The 3-night/4-day program costs $1,800 (guaranteed in U.S. dollars),...

'Britain's gardens'.(Brit bits)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... VisitBritain has a new brochure on beautiful and historic gardens of Britain. It includes info on events and festivals (2004 is the "Year of Gardening" in Britain); insider tips from head gardeners; garden tours and holidays; courses throughout...

Kensington Palace 'D-Day menu'.(Brit bits)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... To commemorate the 60th anniversary of D-Day, The Orangery restaurant at Kensington Palace and the New Armouries restaurant at HM Tower of London will feature, for one year only beginning June 2004, special World War II menus. The wartime...

Smart travel makes more sense than ever.(Rick Steves' Europe[c])
June 1, 2004... Sure, the dollar is down, but your interest in Europe is up. You can still take your dream trip if you know how to make the most of your dollars and sense. Here are my top tips for stretching money. Flights * Europe's highly...

Kernave: Lithuania's royal mounds.(Focus On Archaeology)
June 1, 2004... On my most recent trip to Lithuania, in June-July '03, I went to celebrate a coronation that took place 750 years before. Mindaugas, honored as the founder of the Lithuanian state and the unifier of its many tribal groups, was crowned king in...

Accommodations in Rio de Janeiro: (part 2 of 4 on Rio).(Latin America)
June 1, 2004... The range of accommodations in Rio de Janeiro is overwhelming. To simplify the process I will list, under the appropriate category, properties that I personally visited in September '03. Condos The most effective way to integrate...

Talk to me--column topic solicitation.(Far Horizons)
June 1, 2004... Often, readers' suggestions for article topics get passed through to me to evaluate by ITN Editor David Tykol. This is logical since I have a history of writing about travel issues, especially those that involve a bit of controversy. The...

Turkey lowers visa fee.(Travel briefs)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... The visa fee for American citizens wishing to travel to Turkey was reduced on April 1, 2004, to $20, down 80% from its previous cost of $100. Application forms can be found on the Internet at www. turkishembassy.org/consularservices/...

Fabritius exhibit.(Travel briefs)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... The complete oeuvre of Carel Fabritius (1622-1654), a pupil of Rembrandt, is on display in the Mauritshuis, The Hague, Netherlands, Sept. 23, 2004-Jan. 9, 2005. This 17th-century Dutch painter had a decisive influence on Johannes Vermeer,...

Lufthansa innovations.(offers internet access)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Taking Web surfing to new heights, Lufthansa soon will offer its passengers aboard jumbo jets the opportunity to browse the Internet and access their e-mail with FlyNet. Anything that can be accomplished over the Internet on the ground with a...

Airport parking reservations.(Travel briefs)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... AirportParking Reservations.com offers travelers departing from 65 airports throughout the U.S. and Canada the ability to make advance, guaranteed reservations for long-term parking. The lots are secure, and most offer complimentary luggage...

Luggage delivery service.(Luggagefree Inc.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Luggagefree, Inc., ships luggage anywhere in the U.S. as well as to Canada and Europe. The company picks up luggage at a designated time from the traveler's home or office, wraps it in heavy plastic, ships it to the destination, tracks it along...