International Travel News articles from October 2001

International Travel News archives from October 2001

Report Cards.(travel tips)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... On-the-spot reports from around the globe From Lima, PERU, Aug. 10,'01 * Flew Aero Continente from Cusco to Lima. Nice flight. The Cusco airport, at 11,000 feet, was quite busy as well as clean and it had nice shops. * In Lima I...

Boarding Pass.(Letter to the Editor)
October 1, 2001... Dear Globetrotter: John Scheleur, the organizer of one of the travel clubs that started as a result of ITN readers simply writing in and expressing interest in getting together, checked in with this update: "Our club, the Chesapeake Bay...

Malaysia: enchanting beauty half a world away.
October 1, 2001... Unsuccessfully dodging rain drops, Barney, Art and I, members of a small group of journalists invited by the Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board, set out from our hotel to explore the ultraclean and modern streets of Kuala Lumpur. Our quest? To...

A world away.(Malaysia)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... Our final stay was at the Holiday Inn Resort Damai Lagoon, located on the beachfront of the South China Sea. I'm sorry I was only there less than a day. The hotel lobby is large, nicely decorated and open-air. The rooms were nicely made up....

Twelve nights' Bali.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... Scenic World is "Sizzling Bali" packages through Nov. 30, 2001, and from Jan. 10 to March 31, 2002. For $1,475 per person, enjoy 12 nights at the 5-star Nikko Bali, with round-trip air on Singapore Airlines from San Francisco or Los...

Travelers' Intercom.
October 1, 2001... Phoning from France In May/June '01 we spent four weeks in France, where we solved the phoning home problem. Our regular phone company (one of the big three) is too expensive, and our backup phone service is too complicated for us, as was...

Funniest Thing.
October 1, 2001... 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...

Israel, the West Bank and Gaza.(United States Department of State's travel warning)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... The Department of State warns U.S. citizens to defer travel to Israel, the West Bank and Gaza due to a heightened threat of terrorist incidents there. Several recent terrorist bombings in Israel have resulted in numerous deaths and serious...

Indonesia caution.(United States. Department of State)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... The Department of State urges American citizens to defer nonessential travel to Indonesia and all travel to Aceh, Maluku, Papua, West Timor, Central and West Kalimantan (Borneo) and Central Sulawesi. Those who must travel to Indonesia, or who...

Iran -- hostility to U.S. 'in some segments'.(United States. Department of State's travel warning)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... The Department of State warns U.S. citizens to defer travel to Iran. Iranian President Khatami has called for a "dialogue of civilizations" and an increase of private exchanges between Iranians and Americans; some limited exchanges have taken...

Kyrgyzstan 'dangerous'.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... The Department of State urges U.S. citizens to avoid all travel to areas of the Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyzstan) to the south and west of the provincial capital of Osh and particularly along the Kyrgyz-Tajik and Kyrgyz-Uzbek borders. The security...

Sierra Leone warning.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... The Department of State warns U.S. citizens against travel to Sierra Leone. Although security in Freetown has improved over the past year and there are encouraging signs that the U.N. peacekeeping force is making progress in disarming and...

Floods in Sudan.
October 1, 2001... In addition to the ongoing civil war, heavy rains and above-normal Nile River levels have caused extensive flooding throughout Sudan. Nile floods have affected Khartoum, River Nile and Sennar states, and flash floods have affected Kassala,...

Current warnings.
October 1, 2001... As ITN went to press, the State Department had travel warnings on 28 destinations: Iran, Sierra. Leone, Israel/West Bank/Gaza, Indonesia, Macedonia, Yemen, Sri Lanka, Iraq, Tajikistan, Libya, Liberia, Algeria, Central, African Republic,...

Tokyo art museum guide by e-mail.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... A new Tokyo museum exhibition and gallery guide called "etc.english" is now available in monthly PDF format over e-mail. This comprehensive guide, in English, covers Tokyo's museums and galleries and those in the greater Tokyo area. It also...

Enjoying the traditions of Christmas at Germany's myriad markets.
October 1, 2001... From Nov. 30 to Dec. 10, 2000, we visited Christmas markets (Weihnachtsmarkts/Christkindlmarkts) in southeastern Germany, including places both on and off the tourist route. The logistics Our 40-person tour was booked through Gateway...

Hitting the highlights: a week in Ecuador.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... My mother and I wanted to spend a week together and were in need of a change. In mutual agreement we chose Ecuador, as we both speak Spanish and it's only a 4-hour flight from Miami. Getting started With the help of an advertisement in...

Eva Peron tours in BA.(Buenos Aires, Argentina)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... Park Hyatt Buenos Aires General Manager Andreas Nauheimer has become so fascinated with Argentine icon Eva Peron that he has decided to personally guide 2-hour "Evita Tours" to introduce guests to Evita and the city where she rose to fame. ...

Resources on studying abroad.
October 1, 2001... The Institute of International Education (IIE) offers some valuable resources for students interested in studying abroad. * IIE offers TIE Passport (log on to www.iiepassport.org), the most complete, online resource for international study....

Rain Forests, Barrier Reefs, Mayan Temples, Monkeys, & Macaws. Discover A Different America.
October 1, 2001... Mesoamerica. Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama. Certainly an America less traveled, and clearly an opportunity for the adventure minded. Ancient Mayan civilizations, vast rain forests teeming with exotic...

How much do you tip?
October 1, 2001... In the May '01 issue, ITN presented readers' thoughts on tipping tour guides. We then asked for their guidelines on tipping people who perform other services for travelers: hotel room maids, cab drivers, cruise ship dining stewards, etc. ...

The subject of tipping for guide services.
October 1, 2001... Here are a few more readers' letters on the subject of tipping tour guides, both private drivers and group leaders. -- Editor My general rule for tipping has always been decided by what a tour director or manager, does. There have been...

'Korean Cultural Insights'.(Review)
October 1, 2001... The publication "Korean Cultural Insights" was specifically designed, for travelers who seek a more in-depth understanding of the nation's 5,000-year-old culture. The 112-page book features chapters on Korea's history, arts, life-styles,...

A small hotel in Paris.
October 1, 2001... "We're going to Paris," my friend Linda Giacomini said while sipping her wine. We were enjoying dinner in a neighborhood restaurant near our homes in Northern California. "I've booked a suite for two weeks on the top floor of a small French...

ACCOMMODATIONS WORLDWIDE.
October 1, 2001... Great Britain & Ireland We spent several days in southern ENGLAND in June and July '00. We rented car at Heathrow and drove west, planning to visit Cornwall and Portsmouth and points between. Following are the better B&Bs in which we...

Sharing your travel photos.
October 1, 2001... When I think of exotic travel, three things come to mind: my subscription to ITN, the Lonely Planet guidebooks and my membership to the Photographic Society of America (PSA). Some background PSA has been one of the best ways to share...

TOURS IN REVIEW.(Bestway Tours & Safaris, Born Free Safaris & Tours, Ceylon Express International, General Tours, Oussaden Tours)(Statistical Data Included)
October 1, 2001... Candid appraisals of group tours MIDDLE EAST We should like to commend Bestway Tours & Safaris (8678 Greenall Ave., Ste. 206, Burnaby, B.C., V5J 3M6 Canada; phone 800/663-0844 or 604/264-7378, fax 604/264-7774 or visit www.bestway.com) for...

UNESCO.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... World Heritage Site On a recent trip to China I visited the rock carvings at Dazu -- a World Heritage Site of incredible beauty. The rock carvings, located 98 miles west of the the largest city in Sichuan Province, Chongqing, date from...

Enjoying some pampering on a Panama Canal cruise.
October 1, 2001... Since I like cruising and wanted to be pampered, there Was only one choice -- a luxury cruise. My wife, Barbara, and I experienced such a cruise early this year on Radisson Seven Seas Cruises' new M/S Seven Seas Navigator through the Panama...

Viewfinders Share your special travel photos.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... Morocco We waited 26 years to return to Morocco, worried that it would have changed and worried that it would not have. Would it still be as hospitable to the tourists, as colorful, as curious a blend of traditional and modern? Yes. ...

All Aboard!
October 1, 2001... New TGV Med A TGV ran from Calais to Marseille, brisk sea to shining sea, on June 7, setting the new world record for longest-sustained high-speed run: 663 miles. It averaged 190.36 mph, with a top speed of 227.8 mph. This inauguration...

Cruises.
October 1, 2001... Extended cruising It is a fact that most of the mentions given in this column refer to the most popular lengths of voyages: three, four, seven, 10 and 14 days in duration. Those are the most prevalent for two principal reasons: usual...

Cruise Cavalcade.(information on river cruises in Egypt, Belgium, Baltic Sea)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
October 1, 2001... Upcoming ocean, sea, river or canal cruises 'Private royal barge' on the Nile You can cruise on Egypt's Nile River aboard a "Private royal barge" capable of sleeping two to six persons. The large river craft is a modified felucca,...

TOURS.(National Study Trust Tours, Select International Tours and Cruises, Picasso Travel, Australian Pacific Touring, Gate 1 Travel, TRAVCOA - information on services)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
October 1, 2001... A selection of escorted tours The Wald & Schlosshotel Friedrichsruhe is one of the accommodations on the tour of Germany with National Study Trust Tours. CHRISTMAS IN BLACK FOREST, NEW YEAR'S IN BERLIN -- tour of GERMANY, Dec. 20,...

Reviewers' Corner.(travel books)(Review)
October 1, 2001... The latest travel-book reviews Here are a few of the latest travel-book reviews written by ITN readers. * "Sahara Overland: A Route and Planning Guide" by Chris Scott. (2000, Trailblazer Publications, The Old Manse, Tower Rd.,...

Tips for the Solo Traveler.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... QUESTION: Our mother, who is a young "60-something," has been talking about wanting to take a trip on her own for about the past six months. She seems to be serious, but she has never traveled on her own before and she has not done anything...

The Discerning Traveler.(travel to Czech Republic, part 2)
October 1, 2001... Czech Republic (Second of two parts) This month, I will continue with our exploration of the Czech Republic. As you recall, we left Cesky Krumlov because of bad weather and headed for Jicin. Ossuary chapel On our way, we...

Caribbean Corner.(Hyatt Regency hotels, LALUNA - information on services)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
October 1, 2001... Hyatt Regency packages * Aruba With the "Sunshine On Sale" package, guests at the Hyatt Regency Aruba can receive their fifth night free and can take advantage of Hyatt's Family Plan and receive 50% off the second room for children...

Rick Steves' Europe.(travel to Austria)(Statistical Data Included)
October 1, 2001... Hallstatt, in Austria's Lake District After a 90-minute train ride from Salzburg, you step into a lushly forested playground of gentle mountains and shy lakes, Austria's Lake District. Austrians specialize in good living, focusing on the...

European Potpourri.
October 1, 2001... Art Nouveau in Vienna Art Nouveau flourished in Vienna, Austria, around the turn of the century and produced works of art still admired today. Among examples of these are paintings of Gustav Klimt (1862-1918), Egon Schiele and Oskar...

Mideast & Mediterranean.(touring Esfahan, Iran)
October 1, 2001... Iran today The beauty and magic of Esfahan (Fifth of five parts on Iran) Esfahan was a great finale, the last of the five major Iranian cities we visited in late October 2000. Iranians are rightly proud of this pearl, a city of...

FOCUS ON ARCHAEOLOGY.(author visits the National Palace Museum, Taiwan)
October 1, 2001... Clipper Odyssey and a return to Taipei (Second of three parts on Asia) We'd already been aboard the Clipper Odyssey for four days on its voyage northward from Manila. We'd visited the World War II bastion island of Corregidor,...

Mandarin Oriental hotels online.(online reservation services)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... The Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group now offers an online reservations service providing easy access to rates and availability at all Mandarin Oriental hotels. Reservations can be made (with rates converted into the guest's preferred currency) by...

Hong Kong's Museum of Coastal Defense.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... Back in the 15th century, the future great maritime metropolis of Hong Kong was a strategic outpost guarding China's southern gateway against invasion by pirates and Western imperialists. Forts and batteries dotted the coastline, and war junks...

Far Horizons.(processing and remembering the experience of travel)(Column)
October 1, 2001... Preserving the essence of the travel experience The thesis put forth in this writing is that the essence of the travel experience is essentially an amalgam of the following. First is the here-and-now, experiential, combined...

Kilroy Was Here!(traveling along the Danube River)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... Bull's blood, makes you strong... Larry Dingus is a friend of mine. He's a retired attorney, and when he put away his loopholes he took to travel in a serious way. He's done the high Himalayas by yakback, and he's slept in gers on the...

Bonus rail travel day--Italy.(Rail Europe Group offers deal on rail card)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
October 1, 2001... Young travelers 12 to 26 or parties of two to five traveling together who purchase an Italy Rail Card or Italy Flexi Rail Card from Rail Europe by Dec. 31, 2001, will receive an extra free day of rail travel. Travel with railcards may take...

Five nights' Paris.(France Vacations)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... France Vacations has a low-season Paris package, It is priced from $439 per person, double occupancy, with round-trip airfare from New Jersey's Newark airport on Continental Airlines, five nights' lodging (with daily breakfast) and city tax....

Gate 1 Spain packages.(Gate 1 International Travel Service)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
October 1, 2001... Gate 1's Spain "Fly and Drive" packages, starting at $499 per person, include round-trip airfare from New York to Madrid, Barcelona or Malaga and seven days rental of an air-conditioned economy car with unlimited mileage. Hotel accommodations...

6-day 'enticements' in Europe.(CIT Tours offers tours of cultural capitals)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... CIT Tours is offering an air/land, 6-day/5-night "Capital Enticements" package with five cultural capitals from which to choose: Rome, Florence, Naples, London or Pads. Prices begin at $599 and include round-trip transatlantic airfare from New...

Orient On Sale.(travel package from SITA World Travel Inc.)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
October 1, 2001... Through Dec. 5, 2001, SITA is offering a 9-day/7/night "Orient On Sale" package that includes three nights in Singapore and four nights in Bangkok, using superior-first-class hotels (e.g., Carlton Hotel and Rembrandt Hotel, respectively), as...

Leading Hotels directory.(Leading Hotels of the World Ltd.'s 'Leading Affordables Directory')(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... The Leading Hotels of the World Ltd., has released the 22nd edition of its annual "Leading Affordables Directory," which outlines special offerings and value-added programs at member hotels. This year there are 175 of the world's finest...

Spend last night near5 CDG Airport, Paaris.(travel to Paris, France)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... This is of particular intertest to travelers with an early-morning flight out of Paris. With the "Last Night in Paris" package, valid through Dec. 31, 2001, travelers staying in Paris can enjoy their final day there shopping or...

Science park in France.(Cite I'Espace, Toulouse, France)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
October 1, 2001... In Toulouse, France, the science theme, park Cite de I'Espace (Space City) has opened a pew attraction, the Terr@dome, with a new show entitled "Earth -- The. Living Planet." Located next to an Ariane 5 rocket and a replica of the Mir space...

Second Disney theme park in Japan.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... Disney is celebrating the opening of its second theme park in Japan as well as the first hotel to be built inside of a Disney park in Japan. Tokyo DisneySea Park and Tokyo DisneySea Hotel MiraCosta are now open on the shores of Tokyo Bay. Hotel...

One-stop shopping.(travelers and airline passengers free way to file complaints)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... Victimized travelers and airline passengers now have an easy and free way to file complaints -- without making dozens of phone calls, spending hours researching their rights or finding out the proper process for complaining when they have been...

Korean Duty Free Shops online.(Korea National Tourism Organization)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... The Korean Duty Free Shops, run by the Korea National Tourism Organization (KNTO), now offer visitors the luxury of shopping online at home prior to their visit and picking up their purchases upon their departure from Korea. Visitors may...

Cultural village in Macau.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... In Macau, the A-Ma Cultural Village is being established on the Alto de Coloane, where the world's highest white marble statue of A-Ma stands. With the first phase scheduled to be finished in October 2001, the religious and cultural...

Skeeter Defense Patch.(Lanco Research)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... Many of the products commonly used to repel mosquitoes contain N, Ndiethylmtoluamide, commonly called DEET. Adults as well as children are at risk for toxicity due to DEET's effect on the central nervous system. Reactions have included...

Person to Person.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... -- 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, c/o ITN, 2120 28th St. Sacramento, CA 95818. Please indicate...

Show of hands.(Letter to the Editor)
October 1, 2001... I found the picture and caption on page 165 of the August '01 issue very interesting. On a visit in February '99 I saw a similar sculpture in Puerto Natales, Chile, but it was the left hand. This is significant because our local guide told us...

East Timor crime.(travel tips to Americans going to the region)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... American citizens should exercise extreme caution if traveling to East Timor, which is currently under the authority of the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET). During the year 2000, East Timor witnessed a...