International Travel News articles from October 2000

International Travel News archives from October 2000

Report Cards.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2000... On-the-spot reports from around the globe -- From Beijing, CHINA, July 15, '00... My elderly parents and I are staying at the Guangzhou Hotel in Beijing; phone (86) 10-66078866; fax (86) 10-66.085998 or visit www.bj.guangzhou-hotel....

Boarding Pass.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2000... In Hilisimaetano, another village on Nias, off Northern Sumatra, a man spreads grain out to dry in front of his home. Dear Globetrotter: On a trip to North Sumatra in 1991, our group was staying at-a hotel in Medan and left to take a...

The romance of Morocco -- from Imperial Cities to desert kasbahs.
October 1, 2000... When I was offered, the opportunity to visit Morocco in March '00 and write an article for ITN, I jumped at the chance. I would be one of six journalists on a press tour sponsored by Royal Air Maroc. Because of the nature of the trip, we would...

Travelers' Intercom.(Letter to the Editor)
October 1, 2000... Readers' opinions, tips & recommendations Replacing English banknotes while in England in July '00, I came across an address which may come in handy to some ITN readers. If you have out-of-circulation English banknotes, (i:e., the pound...

Uzbekistan caution.(travel advisory)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2000... American citizens are urged to be aware of an increased threat of terrorist violence in Uzbekistan and the heightened activity and vigilance by the security forces responding to that threat. This heightened security stance is in response to...

Laos violence.(travel advisory)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2000... As reported in the August '00 issue, there have been several explosions in public places in Vientiane, Laos, this year. While there is no evidence that this violence has been directed against American citizens or institutions, American citizens...

Steer clear of Serbia Montenegro.(travel advisory)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2000... The Department of State warns U.S. citizens against travel to the Serbia and Kosovo regions of Serbia-Montenegro. The U.S. Embassy in Belgrade suspended operations as of March 23, 1999. There currently is no U.S. diplomatic presence in...

Fiji restoring order.(travel advisory)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2000... The new military-backed Government of Fiji has taken significant steps to restore order following the recent political crisis and associated civil unrest. However, sporadic incidents continue, and Americans are urged to maintain a high level of...

Australia tax.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2000... Australia has a tax new nationwide 10% goods and services tax (GST) that went into effect in July'00. Tourists will pay the tax on package tours, hotel rooms and other services. Air tickets bought overseas are exempt, but domestic air tickets...

Australia's Ghan -- save southbound.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2000... Travelers can save on a trip aboard the legendary Ghan train through Australia's Outback by traveling southbound from the town of Alice Springs, in the Northern Territory, to Sydney, Melbourne or Adelaide. Passengers traveling first class...

Around Australia.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2000... The Olympics took the spotlight this year in Australia, but there are many more events of interest there. Here are a few. * Broome Mango Festival, Broome, northwest Western Australia (Nov. 24-26) -- Celebrating the harvest, various venues...

Finding authentic rural charm in Spain's emerald Asturias.
October 1, 2000... Where? Asturias is not exactly a household word to most Americans, but it should be. This beautiful green province of northern Spain has everything -- a mild climate, excellent food, sheltered sandy beaches, grassy hills, fertile valleys and...

Asia's street markets.
October 1, 2000... Once a part of Hong Kong harbor, Reclamation Street is packed daily with locals buying meats and produce for their daily meals. Mixed in with the food stalls are purveyors of clothing and household items. Everyone can at least name a flea...

Great Britain & Ireland.
October 1, 2000... There are many excellent bed-and-breakfast homes in the United Kingdom that are available at reasonable rates, so it is impossible to list all those we have used throughout the years. However, two outstanding ones at which we stayed deserve,...

Europe.
October 1, 2000... In March '00 we enjoyed our I stay at the Auberge du Vieux Puits (6, rue Notre Dame du Pre, 27500 Pont-Audemer, Normandy, FRANCE; phone 02-32-41-01-48, fax 02-32-42-37-28 or e-mail vieuxpuits@wanadoo.fr). Housed in a renovated tannery...

Middle East.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2000... If you are Looking for a small, accommodating hotel in ISRAEL, the Ginot Yam Hotel in Netanya is for you. The Ginot Yam is located just a few meters from the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. From the roof terrace you can view the beautiful...

Pacific.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2000... Although I have a lifetime subscription and have been receiving ITN for over 15 years, I have never taken the time to write in about a hotel or trip we have taken...until now. We had such a wonderful time at a B&B that opened up in December '99...

Latin America.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2000... While attending a convention in Buenos Aires, ARGENTINA, the first week of June '00 I stayed at Hotel Regidor, located downtown at 451 Tucuman Street between Reconquista and San Martin. My single room with a double bed and Continental...

Hoist the sails: A 'living history' cruise in the Aegean.
October 1, 2000... Everybody seems to be absorbed with the millennium and beyond. I am still fascinated by the antiquities and art of eras when I did not live. Last spring my wife, Barbara, and I were able to experience a living-history, seven-day Star Flyer...

Where 'human rights' is a foreign idea.
October 1, 2000... In my June '00 "Boarding Pass" I asked readers how they felt about people traveling to countries where human rights and religious freedom are virtually nonexistent. I also asked how readers felt about ITN printing articles about such countries....

Bavarian bike route.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2000... A "culinary route for cyclists" is set up in the Augsburg region of Bavaria. It comprises a total of 10 routes through the Swabian region. A brochure describes the level of difficulty of each rout and provides information about sights...

Cycling easy in Switzerland.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2000... Swissair offers bike boxes and will gladly transport your bicycle to Switzerland. When you arrive, the Swiss Travel System, Switzerland's extensive train, bus and boat network, makes getting around easy. Most trains carry bikes in a...

Slovakia-Austria link for cyclists.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2000... On May 1, '00, Blue Danube Tours of Bratislava inaugurated the first ship link specially conceived for cyclists between the town of Devin (in Slovakia) and Hainburg (on the opposite, Austrian, bank of the river). The boat which makes the...

Revisiting South America's altiplano -- still captivating after 25 years.
October 1, 2000... A quarter century had passed since I first visited South America's altiplano (high plain) on a mountain-climbing trip in the Andes of Bolivia and Peru. Now I was ready to return to this high, lovely land above timberline, to show it to my...

INDIA.(the "Princely India" tour )(Brief Article)
October 1, 2000... After deciding that we wanted to visit India, we contacted four companies whose ads we saw. Three responded and, after studying the information provided, we selected the "Princely India" tour of Anitours (1151 Freeport Rd., PMB 144, Pittsburgh,...

INDIA AND NEPAL.(travel)
October 1, 2000... As my wife and I revel daily in the memories of our 29-day trip to India arid Nepal, November-December '99, we want to recommend Ceylon Express International (9542 Dumbreck Dr., Huntington Beach, CA 92646; phone 800/423-9566; or 714/964-6896,...

INDIA.(a tour Rajasthan)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2000... As part of our travels to Asia during late December '99-January '00, we again decided to visit India, this time to tour Rajasthan. From our previous experiences, we knew that Ms. Varini de Silva, of Ceylon. Express Inter national (Huntington...

INDIA.(Rajasthan and the Pushkar Camel Fair)
October 1, 2000... Ten of us from the West Coast shared over three weeks together on the trip, of a lifetime in northern India in November-December '99. Our primary purpose was to do the traditional "Golden Triangle" tour with its great palaces and monuments,...

INDIA.(travel)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2000... On April 28, '00, I returned from an incredible 17-day trip, "The Tiger Trails of India," booked with Special Interest Tours & Travel (10220 N. 27th St., Phoenix, AZ 85028; phone 800/525-6772, fax 602/493-3630 or visit www.GoSafari.com) and...

INDIA.(travel in Tamil Nadu)
October 1, 2000... We'd like to report on our 15-day adventure to the state of Tamil Nadu in southern India with Swagatam Travel & Tours (401, Keltron Chambers, 18/7 Arya Samaj Rd., New Delhi, India; phone 91-11-5744500, fax 91-11-5752776 or visit...

INDIA AND NEPAL.(author enjoys trip organized by Worldview Tours and Rainbow Tours)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
October 1, 2000... I can highly recommend the "Highlights of India/Nepal" tour offered by Worldview Tours (Tustin, CA) with in-country services handled by Rainbow Tours (Jaipur). Our 16-day trip took place March 12-27, '00, and included visits in northern India...

ITN reader travel clubs...the get-togethers are snowballing.
October 1, 2000... In the August '00 issue we brought readers up to date on. the progress of several travel clubs started just in the last year or so around the country by ITN readers who simply announced, in ITN, their willingness to help start a club or their...

HK 'heritage trail'.(Lung yeuk Tau Heritage Trail, Hong Kong)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2000... The recently launched Lung yeuk Tau Heritage Trail allows travelers to trace Hong Kong's history by visiting ancient village communities with ancestral halls, churches, walled villages and spirit trees. Lung Yeuk Tau is located northeast of Fan...

'Exotic Bangkok'.(Singapore Airlines and Asian Affair Holidays offer travel package)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2000... Singapore Airlines and Asian Affair Holidays have extended their "Exotic Bangkok" promotion through Dec. 5, '00. The 6-day/4-night package includes four nights' super-deluxe accommodations at the Peninsula Bangkok Hotel, round-trip airfare...

All Aboard!(Swedish Train Company offers tour through the "land of the midnight sun")
October 1, 2000... New trains to Midnight Sun The 958-mile route, from Stockholm past the Arctic Circle into the land of the Midnight Sun, through northern Sweden to Narvik, Norway,. was considered unprofitable. by the Swedish State. Railroads .(SJ) and put...

Cruises.(information on ocean cruises)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2000... A potpourri for planning Looking ahead to the new year, here are a few ideas for cruises that are good possibilities for getting away from the winter and journeying to more amenable climes. Princess "world cruise" Although it can...

Act fast for discounts on Swan Hellenic.(cruises)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2000... Swan Hellenic has released its advance program of discovery cruises, outlining itineraries from March 2001 through January 2002. Travelers who plan ahead can experience Minerva, Swan Hellenic's 300-passenger floating hotel, and receive...

Classical's Red Sea and Arabian Sea.(offerings from Classical Cruises)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2000... Classical Cruises, with a reputation for off-the-beaten-track itineraries, focuses its attention on the Mid east to India this winter. Voyages ranging from 11 to 27 days on two ships will encompass the Red Sea, India and the Arabian Sea,...

Seabourn features six Asian itineraries.(Seabourn Cruise Line)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
October 1, 2000... Seabourn Cruise Line has announced that its all-suite yacht Seabourn Spirit will sail a series of six Asian voyages in the winter of 2000-2001. The 208-guest yacht will explore destinations in Asia that larger ships cannot visit, including tiny...

Zegrahm offers visits to NZ's sub-Antarctic.(Zegrahm Expeditions, travel to islands of New Zealand)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2000... Zegrahm Expeditions is only one of three worldwide operators granted a 5-year concession to travel to the sub-Antarctic islands of New Zealand. Considered among the most environmentally sensitive islands in the world, these far-flung isles are...

Shedding some light on charter yachting.(Select Charters)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2000... Select Charters, an international charter yacht agency, has launched its new free Charter Vacations, a publication devoted exclusively to the world of crewed yachting. This premier issue focuses on comparing different yacht types, gourmet...

TOURS.
October 1, 2000... A selection of escorted tours Upsala Glacier, one of the sights on Anitours' Chile! Argentina tour of Patagonia in April. "A QUICK LOOK AT BRITAIN" is a 4-day tour of York, Darlington, Edinburgh, Chester and surrounding areas. In...

"London -- Off Season and On".(Brief Article)
October 1, 2000... "London -- Off Season and On" by Doris Lehman and Robert Haru Fisher (1999, St. Martin's Press, 175 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10010 -- $16.95, 247 pgs.). As a frequent visitor to England, one who usually plans her trips during the "off'...

"Fodor's Indonesia".(Brief Article)
October 1, 2000... "Fodor's Indonesia" (1999, Fodor's Travel Publication, 201 E. 50th St., New York, NY 10022 -- $14.00, 161 pgs.). Fodor may have chosen an inopportune time to launch its new Indonesia guidebook, as, religious, secessionist and ethnic...

The Discerning Traveler.
October 1, 2000... How to find the right accommodation at the right price (First of three parts) "Where should we stay?" I asked Flory. "I don't know. You always handle that." "What do you think of the bungalow park Heideheuvel m Holland, the...

Caribbean Corner.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2000... Caribbean cruise options Two-for-one savings are available aboard the 6-star, 3.50-guest SSC. Radisson Diamond on five Caribbean cruises. The twin-hull Radisson Diamond offers guests spacious, ocean-view staterooms (70% with private...

Stay on campus.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2000... Travelers to Britain can arrange to stay on campus in bed-and-breakfast or self-catering accommodations at a selection of universities. 120,000 guest rooms, some available on a year-round basis, are offered by the British Universities...

Student savings in UK.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2000... Young Americans planning to travel, study or work in England, Scotland or Wales will find moneysaving tips in the brochure "Britain on a Budget," its companion publication "UK -- The Guide" and the website www.budgetbritain.com. There are...

Week in Old London.(AHI International)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2000... AHI International is offering a 6-night package to England for $1,395 per person (double occupancy) which includes round-trip air from Newark, NJ, via British Airways or similar carrier; motorcoach transfers between the London airport and...

Britain.(Travel York)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2000... York -- a layer cake of history York, England, is a history lover's dream come true. While your average tourist stays about one day in York, I stayed six days, and a real history buff could linger for several months. In truth, York is...

Thanksgiving in Europe.(holiday options)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2000... This Thanksgiving from Mansions and Manors, enjoy an air-inclusive, 9-day package with a traditional turkey dinner at one of 120 historic castles, villas, chateaux and palaces in Ireland, England, France, Italy and Spain. Prices range from $998...

Rick Steves' Europe.(travel tips)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2000... Strategies for the souvenir hunter Gift shopping in Europe is getting very expensive. I remember buying a cuckoo clock 15 years ago for $5. Now a "Happy Meal" at the Munich McDonald's costs that much. Here are some shopping tips. ...

'Upper Class Britain' packages.(travel packages)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2000... The ETM Travel Group has teamed up with Virgin Atlantic Airways to present an "Upper Class Britain" program with two deluxe packages. * "Classic Collection," starting at $4,735 per person, includes round-trip upper-class air; six nights'...

European Potpourri.(Rome potpourri, art exhibits)(Column)
October 1, 2000... Pickpockets' modus operandi: Rome Though the following is a well-known scam, it bears repeating. Two young girls, one holding a newspaper in a horizontal position much like a tray -- easy to block your way -- will approach you as if...

Timeless Roads of the Mideast & Mediterranean.(Egypt)
October 1, 2000... Visiting Biblical Tanis and Islamic Tanta in Egypt's delta Tourists seldom realize the Nile Delta region in northeastern Egypt has historical sites. During travels in Egypt, Moreen and I have found two: the ancient ruins at Tanis and the...

FOCUS ON ARCHAEOLOGY.(Lithuania)
October 1, 2000... Prehistoric Lithuania In the heart of Vilnius, Lithuania's capital, rises Gediminas. Hill. At 158 feet it towers over the city spread out below. Here, so legend says, Grand Duke Gediminas founded Vilnius in the 14th century, making it his...

Far Horizons.(Guatemala and Belize)
October 1, 2000... Belize adventure (and Guatemala) (Second of two parts) Xunantunich On the morning of Day 5 of our International Expeditions tour of Belize plus Guatemala's Tikal, we departed Pook's Hill traveling via the Belize River Valley En...

Kilroy Was Here!(learning intermediate Spanish)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2000... School daze... Well, it's obvious that book publishers have my number, all right. No sooner had I bought a new computer when IDG Books Worldwide came out with a book for Dummies on how to make it work. I didn't understand a word of it....

Italy rail bonus.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2000... Anyone buying an Italian Rail Card or Italian Flexi Rail Card from Rail Europe before Dec. 31, '00, will receive up to three free extra days of travel, depending on the rail card purchased. Travel may take place up to six months after the date...

Golf Italy in luxury.(Palazzo Arzaga's Golf Academy)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2000... With an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus II-designed championship course, a 9-hole Gary Player course (which is being expanded to 18 holes) and the Golf Academy, a Teaching and Learning Center of the PGA of Europe, Palazzo Arzaga is the premier golf...

Scotland golf academy.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2000... Colin Montgomerie, Europe's number-one golfer, has opened a state-of-the-art golf academy at Turnberry Hotel, Golf Courses & Spa. Located just a few yards from the resort's golf clubhouse and the first tees of both the Ailsa and Arran...

"Gentlemen's Pursuits' in Scotland.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2000... Less than an hour's drive from Edinburgh or Glasgow, the 850-acre Perthshire estate of Gleneagles is offering a 3-night package that includes deluxe accommodation, one round of golf with a golf pro (preceded by a 15-minute swing check), one...

Destination Golf.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2000... Destination Golf is offering luxury golf vacations that guarantee world-class championship golf, including tee times at the top courses of Ballybunion in Ireland and St. Andrews and Old Head of Kinsale in Scotland. An 8-day "Destination...

'Honeymoon in Paradise'.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2000... Couples celebrating an anniversary renewing their vows may be interested in one of seven packages in romantic Tahiti offered by Islands in the Sun through December '00. Featuring Tahiti and/or the neighboring islands of Moorea, Bora Bora...

HK Dragon Card.
October 1, 2000... Mentioned in the September '00 issue, page 81, with an incorrect phone number, the Hong Kong Dragon Card -- good for discounts at selected outlets in that city -- is available by calling 800/282-4582 or 212/421-3382 ("brochures"). Our apologies...

ReliefBand alleviates motion sickness.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2000... The ReliefBand device, which is used to treat nausea and vomiting due to motion sickness and which was mentioned on page 180 of the September '00 issue, was inadvertently described as costing $75 at an introductory rate. The device is available...

Potsdamer Platz lift.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2000... A 5-mark piece stands upright on its edge on the floor of the lift. Even the slightest vibration would cause the silver coin to fall. The lift starts to move and within 20 seconds it climbs 24 floors. The coin is still standing upright on the...

Robbery reenacted in Berlin.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2000... Every Wednesday and Saturday at 11 a.m. in front of the town hall in the old city of Kopenick in eastern Berlin, a robbery of the city treasury is reenacted, complete with eight soldiers in uniforms and spiked helmets and the legendary "Captain...

Stay in a Korean artists colony.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2000... Located in a remote mountain setting near the city of Andong in the Kyongsangbuk-do Province of Korea, the artists retreat Chirye Artist Colony offers overnight accommodations in historic Korean buildings. Many of the preserved old houses were...

Viewfinders.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2000... Curacao lies 35 miles north of the Venezuelan coast and in 1999 celebrated it 500th anniversary of discovery. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The island, which has been said to look like the wings of a bird in flight, is the largest...

[0] INDIA.(Ceylon Express International 13 day tour)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2000... I arranged a 13-day tour for two to southern India with Ceylon Express International (Huntington Beach, CA) for Jan. 12-27, '00, a good time to go to this part of India as the monsoon rains have ended and the weather is still cool. The tour...

[0] INDIA.(Nino Mohan of Worldview Tours)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2000... For 10 years my husband, Ken, and I have escorted a group of friends (and friends of friends) on trips to destinations that we love and which they probably wouldn't visit on their own. Our October "99 trip was to be a return to India and Sri...