International Travel News articles from May 2001

International Travel News archives from May 2001

Report Cards.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... From Cape Town, SOUTH AFRICA, March 3, '01... * Completed a Kenya and Tanzania safari in February -- superb! Fabulous food, weather and people! Saw over 30 mammals in one month! Arranged through Journeyworld (New York, NY; phone...

Boarding Pass.
May 1, 2001... Dear Globetrotter: "Feb. 26, 2001 -- At this time, the TRAVELING TIGHTWAD, Geoffrey Templeman, Is checking out many B&B motels throughout France, all located near airports and downtowns. So far, the highest he has paid is $37 per night,...

Portugal: visiting the land of discoverers.
May 1, 2001... I arrived in Lisbon at approximately 7 a.m. on a rainy Wednesday morning in October. Although tired from my cross-country and transatlantic flights, my eyes were wide open and I was looking forward to the sights and sounds of Portugal. ...

Travelers' Intercom.
May 1, 2001... Cheaper phone calls One of the cheaper ways to make phone calls overseas (and in the U.S.), without changing your long-distance provider, is to dial 101-6868. * For calls from within the U.S. to Canada or the Caribbean, dial 101-6868, then...

Funniest Thing.
May 1, 2001... I had traveled to Italy for a wedding, one that was held at a villa on Lake Como. The wedding party was staying at the Villa de Este Hotel on the lake. The trip to the wedding site required boarding a motor launch to travel across the lake to...

United Kingdom travel restricted due to FMD.(foot-and-mouth disease )(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... The United Kingdom is experiencing an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD, known in the United States as hoof-and-mouth disease). While there is no risk to humans, it is an acute, highly contagious, degenerative viral disease of...

Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... The Department of State warns American citizens to defer all travel to Tetovo and the area of Macedonia north of Tetovo and Skopje and west of Kumanovo due to periodic security incidents including armed clashes between Macedonian security...

No advance visa needed for UAE.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... U.S. and Canadian travelers to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are no longer required to apply for an entry permit prior to leaving their home countries. International travelers to the UAE will now be issued visas directly upon arrival in...

Laos visa regulations.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... U.S. citizens planning People's on traveling to the Lao Democratic Republic should be aware that on March 9, 2001, the Government of Laos changed the procedures for issuance of visas to foreign tourists at point of entry. Foreign tourists...

Romanization of the Korean language.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... The structure of the Korean Hangul language, which was developed in 1443, does not reflect a one-to-one translation of romanized characters. As a result, visitors often have been perplexed to find multiple spellings of the same word in Korea,...

Guatemala steam train returns.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Steam engine 205, a Baldwin 2-8-2 narrow-gauge train built in 1948, has returned to take passengers on weekly and planned daily excursions in Guatemala. With vintage passenger coaches the "Guatemala Choochoo" will depart every Wednesday...

Treasure of the Basel Cathedral.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Art, legends and stories of faith -- 1,000 years of history of the message of salvation -- comprise the former treasure of the Basel Cathedral in northwestern Switzerland, and it will be reassembled for an exhibit at the Historical Museum in...

Carinthian Summer Festival.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... In the southernmost Austrian state of Carinthia, every year medieval Ossiach and the resort town of Villach, on the western end of Lake Worth; join forces to present the Carinthian Summer Festival This year the festival takes place July...

Jesuit missions and San Ignacio Fiesta highlight a trip to Bolivia's lowlands.
May 1, 2001... In July 2000, my husband and I visited eastern Bolivia as participants in a 16-day tour with Victor Emanuel Nature Tours. With this group we visited the remote Noel Kempff National Park and a private ranch. This is a specialized tour for people...

WHAT'S NEW IN ANCIENT EGYPT.
May 1, 2001... In January 2001 I joined a group of photographers and writers not only for a glimpse of the wonders of the ancient world but for a look at what's new in Egypt. The "Highlights of Egypt" tour would cover Cairo, the Nile cruise, Sharm el-Sheirkh...

Europe.(Travel tips)
May 1, 2001... We have often traveled in Europe and would like to share with ITN readers a gem of a discovery in the Brittany area of FRANCE. During the first week of October '00 we stayed three nights at the home of John and Sue Robinson, La Renardais...

Caribbean.(Travel tips)
May 1, 2001... We found a little bit of paradise at the St. Croix Sugar Mill Villa (302 Judith's Fancy, P. O. Box 4640, Kingshill, St Croix, U. S. VIRGIN ISLANDS; phone [340] 778-5466 or visit www.stcroixvilla.com). St. Croix, the largest of the U.S....

Latin America.(Travel tips)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Gamboa Rainforest Resort (phone, in PANAMA, 507-206-5566; from the U.S., phone 877/800-1690 or visit www.gamboaresort.com). This is an impressive rainforest resort situated on the Chagres River and the Panama Canal about an hour's drive...

Tracing Welsh and Scottish roots.
May 1, 2001... Last month the Prindles visited Ireland, one of the countries of their ancestral roots. This month, they continue their independent auto tour in Wales and Scotland. Priceless B&B in Wales We had planned to take the ferry from Dun...

Germany in bloom.(National Horticultural Show)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... The 26th German National Horticultural Show, or Bundesgartenschau (BUGA), began in Potsdam on April 21 and runs through Oct. 7, '01. On display will be spring blossoms and summer flowers, trees, shrubs and even fruit groves. BUGA has been...

French cooking classes.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... "A Week in Provence" is a 5-day culinary vacation in the south of France that features three to five hours of daily culinary instruction by master chef Daniel Bonnot. The program is operated by hosts Anne and David Reinauer and takes place...

Thai cooking classes in Bangkok.(at the Shangri-La Hotel)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... The Sdlathip Thai Restaurant at the Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok is offering a "hands-on" cooking class where the chef Gesinee Chakkrot first escorts guests to the Chatuchak Weekend Market by Skytrain to select ingredients needed for favorite Thai...

The subject of tipping for guide services.
May 1, 2001... In his January 2000 "Far Horizons" column, ITN Contributing Editor Randy Keck discussed the issue of tipping a group tour leader who also happens to be the, company owner, but many travelers remain unsure of how much to tip their tour escort,...

Guide to travel health.(from Rough Guides Publishing)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
May 1, 2001... In "The Rough Guide to Travel Health," Dr. Nick Jones tells you everything you need to know to stay healthy while traveling. The first section covers immunizations, jet lag, what to pack and first aid plus safety tips for skiers, scuba...

'Health Hints for the Tropics'.(new guide)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... The 12th edition of "Health Hints for the Tropics" includes chapters on Preparation for Travel; Immunizations; Malaria Prevention; Travelers' Diarrhea; Special Health Problems; Travel Advice, and References and Resources. The 50-page...

Map/guide of Macau.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... An easy-to-follow map of Macau has been published by the Macau Government Tourist Office. Available at all MGTO information counters, the map shows all of the main sights, lists emergency telephone numbers and pinpoints restaurants in the...

Around the world in 64 days - with the emphasis on Asia.
May 1, 2001... There was snow on the ground as my wife and I flew from Burlington, Vermont, of February 11, 2000, for an around-the-world adventure that took 64 days, covering 10 countries and including 18 flights. Our friend Penny, who lives for four months...

WALES.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... If you like the English lake district you'll love northern Wales. In August '00 I discovered this area, relatively unknown to Americans, by taking an 8-day trip that surpassed any European tour I have taken in 15 years of travel. My...

COSTA RICA.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... In March '00 I had an unexpected 6-day gap in my schedule before a previously planned cruise of the Galapagos. My cruise ticket was routed via San Jose, Costa Rica, so I immediately looked up everything I could find on that country. I ended up...

BHUTAN.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Over New Year's 1999-2000 we visited Bhutan as members of the "Iron Dragon Millennium Celebration" arranged through Far Fung Places (1914 Fell Street, San Francisco, CA 94117; phone 800/410-9811 or 415/386-8306, fax 415/386-8104 or visit...

CZECH REPUBLIC.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... In June '00 we took a trip through the Czech Republic organized by Tim Orsak at Orsak Adventures (8623 Angora St., Dallas, TX 75218; phone 214/327-3534, fax 972/925-3501 or visit www.orsakadventures.com). We started in Prague and continued...

CHINA-RUSSIA.(Trans-Siberian Express trip)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Seeing the reader's letter regarding his Beijing-Moscow Trans-Siberian Express trip (Dec. '00, pg. 45) reminded me that I was going to send in a recommendation of our trip on the transSiberian railroad. We had considered the Uniworld trip...

SPAIN AND PORTUGAL.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... We took our first group tour in fall '00. It was the "Bus, Bed and Breakfast tour of Spain and Portugal" from Rick Steves' Europe Through the Back Door (Box 2009, Edmonds, WA 98020; phone 425/771-8303 or visit www.ricksteves.com). We chose...

CROATIA.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... In September, '00, we took a 14-day trip to Croatia with ROW, Inc. (Box. 579, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83816-0579; phone 800/451-6034 or 208/765-0841, fax 208/667-6506, e-mail info@rowinc or visit www.rowinc.com). Once primarily a rafting...

PAPUA NEW GUINEA.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... PNG attracts fewer than 5,000 tourists a year but is a fascinating destination. Don't be put off by reports of difficulties with the so-called "rascals." To the degree they are active, the problem is basically confined to the capital city of...

BHUTAN.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... After many years of looking forward to a trip to Bhutan, I finally made it. I traveled Oct. 4-18, '00, with Valet Travel (4095 Adams Ave., San Diego, CA 92116; phone 800/506-1292 or e-mail valettrave_2000@yahoo.com). Soon after my initial...

Rotterdam VI transatlantic to Europe.
May 1, 2001... A friend and I boarded the Rotterdam VI at Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, on April 25, '00, for a transatlantic cruise stopping in New York; Bermuda; Horta and Ponta Delgada in the Azores, and Lisbon, Portugal. The Rotterdam had just returned...

English speakers in minority on 'Melody' cruise.(Mediterranean Shipping)
May 1, 2001... My wife and I both like the weather found during spring or fall in the Mediterranean area. We took a cruise on the Marco Polo (Orient Lines) from Barcelona to Athens in October 1997 and another on the R1 (Renaissance Cruises) from Athens to...

U.S. citizens can sail to Cuba legally.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... We returned Nov. 24, '00, from a 7-day cruise out of Montego Bay, Jamaica, with stops at Grand Cayman; Havana, Cuba; Calica, Mexico, and the Isle of Youth, Cuba. We had a category 4 cabin aboard the Valtur Prima and paid $1,495 each, with a...

'Marco Polo' to Antarctica.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... I chose the Marco Polo for a cruise to the Falklands and Antarctica, Dec. 28, '00-Jan. 12, '01. This ship belongs to Orient Lines (1510 SE 17th St., Ste. 400, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316; phone 800/333-7300 or vist www:orientlines.com). Cost...

'Mayakovski' out of Moscow.(river cruise on the SS Mayakovski between Moscow and St. Petersburg)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... My wife and I were fortunate to take a river cruise between Moscow and St. Petersburg on the SS Mayakovski. We booked the trip through Value World Tours (Fountain Valley, CA; phone 714/556-8258) and the cost was about $1,400 each. We booked our...

Mt. Olympus, three World Heritage Sites and a wedding -- in one week!(personal account of journey to a Greek wedding)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... In August 2000, my husband and I spent a week in Thessaloniki, Greece's "second" city. We had been invited to attend the wedding of a Greek man who had lived with our family while attending a nearby university. Knowing that Thessaloniki's...

New developments.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Normal policy within this column is to not reprint the press releases issued by the cruise companies. There are, however, times when the importance of new features for passenger comfort and safety deserves to be disseminated with the exact...

Julia Child on QE2.(Cunard Line to offer "Chef's Palate" theme on Queen Elizabeth 2 cruise)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Julia Child, the chef who revolutionized American cuisine by demystifying sophisticated French cooking, is scheduled to join Cunard Line's. Queen Elizabeth 2 for the "Chef's Palate" theme cruise, a 6-day transatlantic crossing from New York to...

Wedding anniversary cruise discounts.(French Country Waterways offers hotel barge cruises in Burgundy)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... French Country Waterways is offering discounts of 25% and 50% on luxury hotel barge cruises in Burgundy for couples celebrating their 25th or 50th wedding anniversary in 2001. The discount applies to selected July and August departures...

Paul Gauguin savings with Tahiti Vacations.(savings on cruise aboard Radisson Seven Seas Paul Gauguin)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Tahiti Vacations is offering price reductions for three cruise dates with Radisson Seven Seas Paul Gauguin. A $750 deduction will be made on any booking for the May 5 & 26. June 2, July 7, 14 & 21; Aug. 18 & 25 and Sept. 1 sailings in any cabin...

Kompas on the Danube.(Kompas USA offers Danube River cruise and land program)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... A new Danube River cruise and escorted land program offered May 4-Sept. 15, '01, by Kompas USA visits many of Europe's greatest cities. The 13-day/12-night itinerary starts in Munich and goes on to Passau, Vienna, Melk, Budapest, Krakow and...

TOURS.(multiple, available tours)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... A selection of escorted tours "ENGLISH GARDENS, COUNTRY INNS & STATELY HOMES" -- 15-day tour, June 24-July 8, '01, focuses on gardens and includes a rare, privileged visit to Prince Charles' home and garden at Highgrove. See Hidcote...

France: The Rough Guide.(Review)
May 1, 2001... "France: The Rough Guide," sixth edition, by Kate Baillie and Mark Salmon (1999, Rough Guides, Ltd., 62-70 Shorts Gardens, London, WC2H 9AB, England -- ISBN 1858284155, $19.95, 1,104 pgs.). My husband and I returned from two months'...

The Treasures and Pleasures of China: Best of the Best.(Review)
May 1, 2001... "The Treasures and Pleasures of China: Best of the Best" by Ron and Caryl Krannich (1999, Impact Publications, 9104 Manassas Dr., Ste. N, Manassas Park, VA 20111 -- ISBN 15702 30773, $14.95, 285 pgs.). Right up front, the authors of this...

The Discerning Traveler.(personal description of travel in China)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Impressions of China (by e-mail) October 4, 2000 Dear children: This is the first of a series of e-mails from China. As you know, we are traveling on an independent 4-week tour, with a different guide in each city. Mom and I...

Rick Steves' Europe[C].
May 1, 2001... Copenhagen: Denmark's grandest city While Rudy explained that I should pour the granola over the thick yogurt, Annette decorated my wife's crispy flatbread with a pickled herring. Rudy and Annette Hollender, who were renting us a room in...

European Potpourri.(touring Switzerland)
May 1, 2001... Wine harvest a good time to discover Switzerland Though the city of Zurich in Switzerland is the largest metropolis of this Alpine republic, there are areas in the canton of Zurich that are both bucolic and 1argely undiscovered. One of...

Far Horizons.(traveling in Patagonia)
May 1, 2001... Viva La Patagonia (First of two parts on Patagonia) What would possess a person to venture from the ideal, warm, primetime Arizona winter season to the cold, rainy albeit summer season of the bottom tip of South America? The answer is...

Kilroy was Here!(travel anecdotes)(Brief Article)(Column)
May 1, 2001... Monkey mind... I've been accused of having a monkey mind -- one that jumps from subject to subject just as monkeys leap from tree to tree. Well, the other day I was at The Buchanan Grill talking with Michael MeCourt, San Francisco's...

Viewfinders.(Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbia)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Share your special travel photos Long before the Gateway of India was built in 1911 to commemorate the visit of King George I and Queen Mary, Mumbai (formerly Bombay) already had an equally majestic landmark. On opening its doors in 1903,...

Midway Atoll special offer for ITN readers.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Midway Atoll was opened to the public a few years ago after being sealed off for over 50 years, and Midway Phoenix Corporation is offering special rates to ITN readers on two options to visit Midway Island and its pristine 1,2-00-acre National...

Renault Euro-drive's 'No Surprises' car deal.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... For travelers planning to drive in" Europe, Renault Euro-drive offers the "No Surprises" car lease deal. Eurodrive guarantees to deliver exactly the right car with the right options, even automatics with air-conditioning. This is possible...

University of Wine.(offers)(English-language program on Rhone Valley wines)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... The independent wine school L'Universite du vin, in France, is offering for the first time an English-language program on Rhone Valley wines. Since 1978 the University of Wine has been educating wine professionals in the renovated,...

Be part of historic dives with Zegrahm.(Zegrahm Expeditions and Deep Ocean Expeditions)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... * Defeated in a fiery battle in May 1941, Germany's powerful battleship the Bismarck now rests on the ocean floor 380 miles southwest of Ireland. With Zegrahm Expeditions and Deep Ocean Expeditions, you can be among the few who dive to the site...

Bed & Breakfast (GB) Country Club Class.(offers British country living)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... The bed-and-breakfast booking company Bed & Breakfast (GB) has introduced a new brand of booking called "Country Club Class." These homes are real gems, selected because they offer a typical experience of British country living. They...

Guide to Danube excursion ships.(available in English and German)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... The "Guide to Excursion Ships on the Danube and Main-Danube Canal 2001," available in both German and English, provides a comprehensive survey of shipping companies and tour operators and the cruise programs they offer in Germany, Austria,...

Insight into Seoul's restroom culture.(offered by new walking tour)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... A new walking tour in Seoul, Korea, points out some of the city's most unique restrooms, including the one in Top Cloud, which has "the best night view from a restroom." Other stops feature restrooms with unique paintings, a restroom where...

Boryeong Mud Festival.(in Korea)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... A distinct type of mud is found exclusively at Daecheon Beach, the largest beach resort on Korea's west coast, and is featured at the Boryeong Mud Festival, July 14-20, '01. The festival features such events as mud bathing, mud therapy, mud...

Person to Person.
May 1, 2001... Reader-to-reader into exchange * I need to spend the night in Glasgow, Scotland, before catching a flight back to the U.S. Anyone know of a place to stay reasonably close to the airport that will provide transportation to and from it as...