International Travel News articles from March 2003

International Travel News archives from March 2003

Boarding pass.(Editorial)
March 1, 2003... Dear Globetrotter: Welcome to the 325th issue of your monthly overseas travel magazine. And with this we begin our 28th year of publishing ITN! Thank you all for making it possible, with your travel reports, your support for our...

Report Cards.(notes from travelers)
March 1, 2003... On-the-spot reports from around the globe 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 your travel impressions are...

Exploring Tanzania's national parks on a private tour.
March 1, 2003... It is lunchtime, in Nairobi. Inside the cool confines of the Thorn Tree Cafe, the venerable oasis that has long served as a refuge from the teeming streets of Kenya's capital, the tables are filled with businessmen, diplomats, missionaries and...

Northwest's World Club 'a great bargain'. (Travelers' Intercom).(Northwest Airlines)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... For my 62nd birthday my wife gave me a life membership in the Northwest Airlines World Club. It has turned out to be one of the most useful presents I ever received. It is a comforting thing, when arriving at an airport one or two hours...

Hotel near Bangkok airport--special rates' for ITN readers! (Travelers' Intercom).(Miracle Grand Convention Hotel)
March 1, 2003... It seems like almost all of my international trips connect through Bangkok. Coming from the States, I always arrive around midnight, totally exhausted after the seemingly endless flight, yet I have to be back at the airport for the morning's...

Helpful tourist offices include Slovenia's. (Travelers' Intercom).(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2003... I'm thankful for the updated Tourist Office Directory in the January issue. I almost always contact the agency(ies) of my destination(s) before I leave on a trip. The results vary. I've contacted the British Tourist Authority so many times...

Enjoying London. (Travelers' Intercom).
March 1, 2003... On a trip I took in June '02, I returned to London from Dublin via Ryanair (visit www.ryanair.com) at the bargain price of [euro]60 (near $59) round trip, but I had to book well in advance. I took the Heathrow Express ([pounds sterling]12, or...

Take extra passport photos. (Travelers' Intercom).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... When we were in Cambodia in October '02 on the "Images of Indochina" tour of Abercrombie & Kent (Oakbrook, IL), our tour leader asked us if we could give him one passport photo each. We always carry a few extra photos, so this was no problem....

Funniest thing. (Travelers' Intercom).(travel anecdote)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Tell ITN about the funniest thing that ever happened to you while traveling in a foreign country. There are no restrictions on length. (ITN prints no info on destinations in the U.S., Canada or Mexico.) The ITN staff will choose each month's...

East Africa caution. (News Watch).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... On Nov. 2S, 2002, there was a car bomb attack on. a hotel near Mombasa, Kenya, in which 15 people were killed, plus an unsuccessful attempt to shoot down an Israeli charter plane departing Mombasaon the same day. The threat to aircraft by...

Possible danger in Tanzania. (News Watch).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The Department of State has received information that a terrorist group may be planning an attack on an unspecified location frequented by Westerners on the Tanzanian island of Zanzibar. This may include restaurants, clubs or hotels. ...

Crises in Zimbabwe. (News Watch).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The Department of State warns U.S. citizens that Zimbabwe is in the midst of political, economic and humanitarian crises, carrying serious implications for the security situation in the country. All U.S. citizens in Zimbabwe are urged to take...

Cyclones hit Solomons. (News Watch).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... In late January, the Solomon Islands were being battered by Cyclone Beni, the second cyclone to hit within a month. Cyclone Zoe, a category 5 tropical storm, passed over the Temotu Province, Dec. 28-30, inflicting widespread damage on the...

Delta's new standby rules. (Travel Briefs).(Delta Air Lines)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... As of March 1, 2003, Delta Air Lines no longer allows passengers to stand by for a flight without having a confirmed ticket. Until now, if a passenger wished to be put on a different flight, he could stand by until a seat became available...

'Music-Land Germany'. (Travel Briefs).(German National Tourist Office brochure)
March 1, 2003... The brochure "Music-Land Germany: Living Culture, Musical Enjoyment of the Finest in Bavaria and Saxony" provides itineraries, locations and programs of the Berlin Philharmonic and the Bamberg Symphony. Included are addresses for websites with...

Philippines info at hand. (Travel Briefs).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Mobile phone users now have access to an innovative tool for researching information on the Philppines. WOW Philippines Finder offers details on tourist facilities, services and attractions in the country's more than 7,100 islands through...

Tourist Office Directory addendum.(Correction Notice)
March 1, 2003... The following corrections have been brought to our attention regarding the Tourist Office Directory printed in the January 2003 issue: Andorra For visas, contact Permanent Mission to the UN for Andorra, 2 UN Plaza, 25th Fl., New York,...

Cruising the Adriatic in elegant style.(Correction)(Correction Notice)
March 1, 2003... After viewing the dazzling archipelago that lies off the Croatian coast, George Bernard Shaw wrote, "On the. last day of Creation, God desired to crown His work, and thus created the Kornati islands out of tears, stars and breath." When...

Included tours vs. optional tours. (Travelers' Intercom).
March 1, 2003... In summer 2002 we took Grand Circle Travel's "Norwegian Fjord Explorer," which departed July 27 and featured a "Bergen Line cruise along the coast of Norway. Bergen Line did a fine job 'with a beautiful cruise and our quarrel is not with it. We...

Aboard 'Kristina Regina'. (Travelers' Intercom).
March 1, 2003... Travelers with poor legs may want to avoid the M/S Kristina Regina, a Finnish ship. It has no lift and you can neither eat nor drink without using stairs because the restaurant and bar are half decks away from the cabins and the nice lounge can...

Bering Sea adventure. (Travelers' Intercom).
March 1, 2003... To reach the Russian islands in the Bering Sea, our group first had to fly to Nome, Alaska (where the Iditarod sled dog race ends). I was with 57 others. In Nome, on June 10, '02, we boarded the small but luxurious expedition ship Spirit...

Could have been stranded. (Travelers' Intercom).
March 1, 2003... In the Editor's "Boarding Pass" in the December '02 issue, he asked whether any other ITN readers had been stranded because of their credit cards, as Paul F. Sargent described. A similar problem happened to us in Kyoto, Japan. Our visit...

Overseas and out of cash. (Travelers' Intercom).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... In answer to the question posed in the December '02 "Boarding Pass" column, I was stranded in 1988 on a Guerba trip in Africa, traveling round trip from Tunis to Togo. I did not have a lot of cash and was careful using. my Visa card - for...

Himalayan Treasures & Travels 'outstanding'. (Travelers' Intercom).(travel agency)
March 1, 2003... We spent 21 days in Bhutan, Tibet and Nepal during October-November '02. The trip was, arranged by Govind Shahi of Himalayan Treasures & Travels (3596 Ponderosa Trail, Pinole, CA 94564; phone 800/223-1813 or visit www.himalayantrekking.com)....

The Explora in Patagonia. (Travelers' Intercom).(Chile)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... In November '02 we spent a week in Patagonia, Chile. We flew from Chicago to Santiago to Punta Arenas, where we spent one night at the Hotel Jose Nogueira (www.hotelnogueira. Corn). Immediately upon our arrival in Punta Arenas we hired a...

Some of the best food ever in Italy. (Travelers' Intercom).
March 1, 2003... In a previous issue (April '01, pgs. 2, 193), a reader recommended the Hotel Fortuna (via Bonazzi 19) and the Ristorante Albergo Latini near San Gimignano (Via dei Platani 1, Loc. La Steccaia, 53037 San Gimignano (SI) Italy; phone 39-0577...

Dining around Kuchl. (Travelers' Intercom).(Austrai)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... We found two wonderful restaurants in Kuchl, Austria, in September/October '02. Located in the center of Kuchl is the Gasthof Muhlthaler, MarketstraBe 12--excellent local food at reasonable prices, and the waitress spoke excellent English....

Pleased in London. (Travelers' Intercom).(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2003... * I saw the Report Card headed "From London, England, Sept. 28" (Dec. '02, pg. 4), and my friend and I can also recommend Denise's Restaurant on Southampton Road. It has friendly staff, nice atmosphere and consistently good food. On my...

Red carpet for St. Petersburg's 300th. (Travelers' Intercom).
March 1, 2003... St. Petersburg, Russia, is THE European destination for 2003. My husband and I visited briefly in August '02 and, believe me, St. Petersburg wants to be ready for their 300th anniversary this year. Everywhere we went there was scaffolding...

Unexpected thrills in St. Petersburg. (Travelers' Intercom).(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2003... Put aside the roller coaster. Forget scuba diving or snowboarding or even skydiving without a parachute. For thrills, just ride through. St Petersburg, Russia, for a few memorable moments in a taxi. If I were a cat, most of my nine lives would...

Exchange program offers unique insight into the culture and people of Japan.
March 1, 2003... I couldn't sleep. I was too excited about our trip to Japan. My wife, Donna, and I were members of a delegation of 10 people who were to travel to Nagano, Japan, for a 3-week cultural exchange beginning Oct. 19, 2002--part of the...

Viewfinders. (Africa).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... As part of a 68-day adventure from Rio to Athens in February-May 2001, we arrived in the port of Cape Town at the end of a l4-day Silversea cruise aboard the Silver Shadow. We planned to travel 'north on safari to Zimbabwe, Botswana and Kenya,...

Cities in Britain. (Travel Briefs).(UK City Experience)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The booklet "UK City Experience" features nearly two dozen urban centers in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland worth visiting for at least a few days. Concise city profiles identify major visitor sites, museums, galleries,...

European rental cars with DER. (Travel Briefs).(Destination Europe Resources)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Destination Europe Resources' (DER's) new "2003-2004 European Rental Cars" brochure includes information on basic and inclusive car rentals. in 20 European countries, rentals to Eastern Europe from Germany and Austria, and DER's Rail 'n Drive...

PNG air safari from Australia. (Travel Briefs).(Papua New Guinea)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Through Trans Niugini Tours in conjunction with Reefwatch Air Tours, a group of, up' to five travelers can charter a private Aero Commander aircraft to transport them from Cairns, Australia, to Papua New Guinea, where locally chartered aircraft...

Iceland: small-ship adventure in the 'land of fire and ice'.
March 1, 2003... My wife and I had always wanted to go to Iceland. Something, about this so-called "land of fire and ice," strictly off the beaten track, appealed to us. We were sold after reading Abercrombie & Kent's "Explorer" brochure, describing this...

How to see Europe inexpensively by car. (Travelers' Intercom).(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2003... April '02 we found a great travel option on the Internet offered by EuropeHotDeals.com. The airline would allow us a maximum stay of 89 days, so we figured it was a great opportunity to travel independently through parts of France, Spain,...

Sampling southern Finland. (Travelers' Intercom).(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2003... While on a more than 3-week trip in Northern Europe in Mar '02, another couple and my wife and I visited Finland for the first time. What a great idea it was: spending little time in Helsinki but, rather, enjoying the Finnish countryside and...

Blowing bubbles with the Datogo. (Travelers' Intercom).(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2003... My granddaughter, Kristi Young, practiced bubble blowing with some of the' Datogo children on our visit to their during a safari in Tanzania in June '02. When we planned our safari, we wanted our six grandchildren (part of our 14-member...

Central Europe. (Travelers' Intercom).(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2003... A letter of mine was printed under the title "Recommendations in Central Europe" (Dec. '02, pg. 98). I have changed my e-mail address to rberner@cox.net, if anyone wants more information on' the area we visited on this trip.

New perspectives. (Travelers' Intercom).(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2003... I lived in Helsinki for 27 years, and when I saw the picture of Helsinki published on page 33 of the February '03 issue it looked a little odd at first. But then I looked at it in the mirror and the port started to look normal that way. The...

China travel. (Travelers' Intercom).(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2003... In my letter on visiting China with China Travel Service (Feb. '03, pg. 40), I invited readers to call me with any questions, but I gave an incorrect phone', number. The correct 'number at which to reach me is 949/854-7771' (off by one digit).

On the Acropolis. (Travelers' Intercom).(Correction Notice)
March 1, 2003... The structure pictured on page 157 of the February '03 issue, one of four major monuments on, the Acropolis in Athens, Greece, was misidentified as the Temple of Athena. Rather it is the Erechtheum (or Erechtheion). Incidentally, the National...

Unlocked luggage. Have they thought this through? (Travelers' Intercom).(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2003... Regarding the new security regulation to leave checked suitcases unlocked, what effect will this have on leisure travelers, specifically seniors? One assumes that it depends on the losses that will occur if suitcases can be easily opened by...

Will keep an eye on it. (Travelers' Intercom).(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2003... When I read the letter titled "Airport Security Contraband" (Oct. '02, pg. 50), about the reader's encounter with airport security personnel at San Francisco International Airport, I was immediately "on frequency" regarding an. incident that...

Carry-on weight constraints. (Travelers' Intercom).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Many people have written in explaining how they travel internationally with only a carry-on bag. However, I have never seen a particular related question addressed and I wonder if anyone has an answer. Do all of these people travel only on...

All aboard!(Semmering Railroad)
March 1, 2003... Semmering Railroad You expected a pleasant ride on the Austrian Railroads' (log on to www.oebb.at) EuroCity train south from Vienna's South Station, but by the time your train reached Murzzuschlag your trip had exceeded your expectations....

Tours: a selection of escorted tours.
March 1, 2003... GARDENS OF ENGLAND--10-day "Gardens of England" tour of classical landscape gardens and intimate smaller gardens of the south of. England, plus the Chelsea Flower Show. Departs May 14, '03. Limit, 20 participants. Highlights: Anne Boleyn's...

The discerning traveler.(A Russian cruise on the MS Kirov, part 2)
March 1, 2003... A Russian cruise on the MS Kirov (Second of three parts) In this issue, I continue my narrative of our June 2002 Russian cruise. The Kirov casts off After three hectic but wonderful days in Moscow, our ship, the MS Kirov of...

Timeless roads of the Mideast & Mediterranean.(Provence, France)
March 1, 2003... A potpourri of Provence memories (4 of 4. on Provence, France) The 14 days Moreen and I spent during May 2002 with Ronald Hind-man's Tours of Provence opened our eyes to a beautiful region of France, one we plan to revisit in even more...

Far horizons.(San Pedro de Atacama. Northern Chile, part 2)
March 1, 2003... San Pedro de Atacama (2 of 3 on northern Chile) The second part of my visit to Chile in. September 2002 concentrated on the natural wonders of the mystical desert region around San Pedro de Atacama. This included two separate...

Kevin Keating's Kilroy was here!(various news items)(Column)
March 1, 2003... On board the M/V Silver Whisper... In March of 2002, Lloyd's of London decreed that ships will no longer be known as "she" but "it." Ships have always been christened with the traditional phrase, "God bless her and all who sail in...

Two ways to save with Spanair. (Travel Briefs).(Spain Pass, Discover Spanair Pass)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... For travelers who plan ahead, Spanair is offering two passes that, can mean big sayings on flights in and around Spain. * The Spain Pass is available to passengers who book their international flight to Spain with Spanair or any other...

Seniors save 10% on Lufthansa. (Travel Briefs).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Lufthansa is offering seniors who are 60 years or older a special 10% discount off of any published fare from the U.S. to Europe. To qualify, seniors must present age verification at the time of check-in, Fares are limited and are subject...

Seniors save on France rail travel. (Travel Briefs).(France Seniorpass)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Seniors age 60 and over can-save on train travel throughout France with the France Seniorpass. Offering any three days of unlimited train travel in one month and first-class train travel, the France Seniorpass costs $199, and up to six...

Thalys, Paris-Brussels. (Travel Briefs).(premier train)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Until April 3, kids ride free on the Thalys premier train between Paris and Belgium, the Netherlands or Germany. Up to four children under 12 can travel free When accompanied by a paying adult. To take advantage of this offer, tickets .must...

'World of Rail Travel Center'. (Travel Briefs).(Rail Travel Center catalog)
March 1, 2003... Rail Travel Center has published the 2003 catalog "The World of Rail Travel Center," describing rail programs worldwide. Programs feature classic attractions, historic hotels and various types of transportation, including narrow-gauge...

QE2 gets down for its Farewell Transatlantic Season. (Travel Briefs).(Queen Elizabeth 2)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Cunard Line's Queen Elizabeth 2, the only ship presently offering regularly scheduled trans-atlantic crossings between 'New York and. Southampton, England, is celebrating her Farewell Transatlantic 'Season with 17 gala crossings from April...

Crystal offers gourmet kosher cuisine. (Travel Briefs).(Crystal Cruises)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Crystal Cruises is offering gourmet 'kosher cuisine for guests on board its fleet--Crystal Harmony, Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity, the latter to debut in July '03--on all 7- to 104-day global itineraries throughout 2003. Dozens of...

Culinary and wine tours. (Travel Briefs).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The International Culinary Tourism Association publishes a list of almost 50 culinary and wine tour operators. These companies exclusively run tours geared to food and/or wine, taking you to a cooking school, for example, or on wine tastings....

Tuscan Way cooking programs. (Travel Briefs).(adds Villa Castelletti location)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... For its 4- and 7-day Tuscan cooking vacations, Tuscan Way has added a third location, Villa Castelletti, a 15th-century estate set in a lush 17-acre park nine miles from Florence. Tuscan Way's other sites are Casa Innocenti, the company's...

Farmhouse, villa rentals in Italy. (Travel Briefs).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Italia Reservations offers farmhouse rentals in Tuscany, Umbria and Sorrento and can help you select the perfect house for your family or group. Many houses are private residences for part of the year. Local managers or owners greet each...

London's Athenaeum courts Americans. (Travel Briefs).
March 1, 2003... A special package valid year-long on all major 3-day U.S. holidays that fall either on a Friday or Monday is being offered by the 5-star, deluxe Athenaeum Hotel & Apartments in London. The Athenaeum's "U.S. Holiday Package" is priced at...

Banyan Tree Maldives. (Travel Briefs).(Banyan Tree Maldives Vabbinfaru)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... In the Indian Ocean southwest of Sri Lanka, a coral garden encircles Vabbinfaru, one of the Maldive Islands. Valid until April 30, 2003, the "Island Fantasy" promotion at Banyan Tree Maldives Vabbinfaru includes three nights' accommodation in...

Best Western Travel Card. (Travel Briefs).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Give someone a good night's sleep. The new Best Western Travel Card, which can be used toward Best Western stays worldwide, is a prepaid and reloadable stored-value card available in any denomination from $25 to $1,000. The card can be...

Seoul Museum of History. (Travel Briefs).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The Seoul Museum of History opened in May 2092. It highlights the history and culture of Seoul, Korea, from the prehistoric era to modem times, with an emphasis on the Joseon Dynasty. In one hall of exhibits, 9,804 of 20,160 artifacts were...

Asia Dive Expo 2003. (Travel Briefs).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The Tourism Authority of Thailand and the City of Bangkok will host ADEX 2003, the Asia Dive Expo, at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre in Bangkok, May 9-11. The event is open to trade visitors on May 9 and to the general public on...

Person to Person.(Reader exchange )
March 1, 2003... --Reader-to-reader info exchange-- Planning a trip overseas and need specific info? Let your fellow ITN readers provide the answers. Send your question to Person to Person, do ITN, 2120 28th St., Sacramento, CA 95818, or e-mail...

Dubrovnik.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... On a trip in April-May '01 we visited Dubrovnik, Croatia, a fascinating walled city with an equally fascinating past, having earned its wealth as a city-state mediating trade between the Turks and the Venetians. There are remarkable churches,...

Where in the World?(photo contest)
March 1, 2003... January's photo The correct answer for the photo in the January issue was the Laxey Wheel (a.k.a. the "Lady Isabella"), a waterwheel in Douglas, capital of Isle of Man, a dependent of the U.K., in the Irish Sea. It was correctly...

Austrian Air's 'Vienna on Us'. (Travel Briefs).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Austrian Airlines will extend throughout 2003 its "Vienna on Us" program, which consists of a free, luxury overnight stay in a 5-star Vienna hotel for full-fare Grand Class (i.e., business class) passengers who are traveling via Vienna to a...

'Enchanting Towns in Germany'.
March 1, 2003... "Enchanting Towns in Germany" is a guide to such romantic and legendary towns as BadenBaden, Eisenach, Meissen, Passau and Rudesheim. It contains specifics on accommodations, events, shopping and key points of interest. It's free from the...