Business Traveler articles from August 2003

Business Traveler archives from August 2003

Editor's letter.
August 1, 2003... IN RECENT WEEKS I'VE RECEIVED QUITE A FEW letters from readers expressing their displeasure with frequent flyer programs and the service they've been receiving as they fly. A number of carriers are dropping amenities and perks and making miles...

The longest mile. (Letter of the Month).(Letter to the Editor)
August 1, 2003... On April 21, 2003, I traveled on UA111 from TPA to LAX, via ORD. When I reviewed my Premier Executive Mileage Plus statement, I noticed qualifying credit of only 2,158 miles, rather than 2,912 miles (1012 TPA-0RD b 1900 ORD & LAX) actually...

European Union green lights open-skies negotiations. .
August 1, 2003... THIS JUNE, THE EUROPEAN UNION AGREED TO SEEK A SINGLE AIR-TRAFFIC RIGHTS deal or "open skies" accord with the United States. The European Transport Commission, the executive arm of the EU will negotiate with the U.S. on behalf of the bloc in...

High pitch. .(Midwest Airlines.)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... MIDWEST AIRLINES WILL LAUNCH a new low-fare service in August--Midwest Airlines Saver Service--that will complement the existing service, now renamed Midwest Airlines Signature Service. "Our focus has always been business travelers, and......

Fast and pretty.(Global 5000 private business jet.)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... WHAT COULD POSSIBLY FILL THE PLACE OF THE CONCORDE IN THE business traveler's heart? Bombardier Aerospace (creators of the Learjet) hopes that it will be the Global 5000 private business jet. At Mach .89 maximum cruise speed, it is the...

Viva W. (Hotels).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... THIS AUGUST, W'S FIRST HOTEL IN Latin America opens in Mexico City's Polanco neighborhood. "Our most avant-garde hotel yet" is how Starwood CEO Barry Sternlicht defines the property. The 26-story, 237-room hotel is centered around a lobby...

Miami high. (Hotels).(Four Seasons Hotel in Miami)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... AT 70 STORIES, THE NEW FOUR Seasons Hotel in Miami, which opened early this summer, has the distinction of being the tallest building in the U.S. south of Atlanta. The building, close to the city's financial and business center, also houses...

Map in hand. (Rail).(Amtrak offers MapQuest software at www.amtrak.com)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... TRAVELERS PLANNING AN AMTRAK railway trip can now get detailed driving directions and maps for railway stations at their arrival or departure sites (or for points in between) with MapQuest computer technology. The MapQuest software will now be...

Vegas monster monorail. .(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... THIS SUMMER THE ENTREPRENEURS WHO WILL GIVE LAS VEGAS ITS FIRST monorail train unveiled the prototype at inauguration ceremonies in New York City and Las Vegas. The first new monorail car is sponsored by the Monster Beverage Company to promote...

In-room road warrior boot camp. (Hotels).("Get Fit With Hilton In-Room Fitness Program" available at over 100 Hilton hotels)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... BUSINESS TRAVELERS KNOW THAT THERE ARE A MILLION EXCUSES FOR staying sedentary when on the road. "The hotel gym was closed" will no longer be an option for Hilton Hotel guests. The "Get Fit With Hilton In-Room Fitness Program" will be...

Silk route redux. (Hotels).(Radisson SAS in Tashkent, Uzbekistan)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... TASHKENT, THE CAPITAL OF Uzbekistan, was once the fourth-largest city in the former USSR. Today it boasts a burgeoning new business and banking center and a brand-new Radisson SAS hotel in the center of it--on the Amer Timur Road. The...

Food flights. .(Airplane food service.)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... ANA HAS CREATED A NEW ON-demand meal service that will offer more personal attention and a wider variety of choices in its New First Class and New Style Club ANA business class on daily, nonstop flights to Tokyo from New York, London and...

See the light. (Reader Offer).
August 1, 2003... SAY GOOD-BYE TO DARK HALLWAYS at trendy boutique hotels with your very own high-powered flashlight. Lightwave, the first professional flashlight maker to focus only on LED technology, has designed a series of stylish high-quality flashlights....

In conjunction with the Chocolate Exhibition at the American Museum of Natural History, InterContinental The Barclay New York is offering a "Chocolate Luxuries" package. (United States).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... In conjunction with the Chocolate Exhibition at the American Museum of Natural History, InterContinental The Barclay New York is offering a "Chocolate Luxuries" package. Valid through September 7, the package includes luxury accommodations, two...

Through December 30, business travelers can take advantage of The Fairmont Copley Plaza's "Copley Connections Package." (United States).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Through December 30, business travelers can take advantage of The Fairmont Copley Plaza's "Copley Connections Package." For $225 per night, package includes a one-night stay in a newly renovated Fairmont room, high-speed Internet access and...

Save over 50 percent at The Jefferson, a Loews Hotel located four blocks from the White House, with the "Capital Sleepover" package. (United States).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Save over 50 percent at The Jefferson, a Loews Hotel located four blocks from the White House, with the "Capital Sleepover" package. Through August 31, guests can stay for $189 per night (Saturday-night stay required) in luxury accommodations...

Stay at the Courtyard by Marriott Daytona Beach, steps away from Daytona Beach International Speedway, for just $99 per night. (United States).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Stay at the Courtyard by Marriott Daytona Beach, steps away from Daytona Beach International Speedway, for just $99 per night. The 122-room property opened last April and will run the introductory rate through September 30; special event...

The San Clemente Palace, Venice, is offering inaugural rates on Classic Double Rooms starting at $360 per room, per night and special package deals. (Europe).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... The San Clemente Palace, Venice, is offering inaugural rates on Classic Double Rooms starting at $360 per room, per night and special package deals. The "Gourmet Package" includes deluxe accommodations in a double room, daily breakfast, wine...

Visit London and save up to 50 percent at the Chesterfield Mayfair, The Montague on the Gardens and The Rubens at the Palace with the "Sizzling Summer" package. (Europe).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Visit London and save up to 50 percent at the Chesterfield Mayfair, The Montague on the Gardens and The Rubens at the Palace with the "Sizzling Summer" package. The package includes accommodations in a Deluxe Room (two-night minimum stay),...

Through August 31, The Conrad Istanbul is offering an exclusive summer weekend promotion. (Europe).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Through August 31, The Conrad Istanbul is offering an exclusive summer weekend promotion. Stay Thursday to Sunday and enjoy a room with a view of the Bosphorus, daily breakfast, Sunday brunch, use of the health club and a half-hour massage for...

The Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac is offering a "Master of Suspense Package" to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Alfred Hitchcock's movie I Confess, filmed on location in Quebec City. (Canada).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... The Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac is offering a "Master of Suspense Package" to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Alfred Hitchcock's movie I Confess, filmed on location in Quebec City. Package includes a stay in Suite 6153 (where Hitchcock...

Lufthansa. (Airline Deals).(Deutsche Lufthansa AG first class 2-for-1 promotion)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... LUFTHANSA has introduced the "AMEX SUMMER 2003 FIRST CLASS PROMOTION." This is a limited-time addition to their participation in the Amex Platinum 2-for-1 program that is normally offered only in business class. This makes Lufthansa one of only...

Northwest Airlines & KLM. (Airline Deals).(KLM Royal Dutch Airlines)
August 1, 2003... NORTHWEST AIRLINES & KLM We found an outstanding round-trip business-class fare on Northwest Airlines/ KLM, specifically from Newark to Munich (service is via their hub in Amsterdam). The fare is published round-trip at only $1,800 plus tax and...

Royal Air Maroc. (Airline Deals).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... ROYAL AIR MAROC offers "Business Class Excursion Companion Fares" from various U.S. cities, including New York, LA., Chicago, San Francisco and Boston to Morocco. This promotion allows you to purchase an already reduced round-trip...

All Nippon Airways (ANA). (Airline Deals).(Round The World fare from All Nippon Airways Company Ltd. and Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd.)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... ALL NIPPON AIRWAYS (ANA) All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Virgin Atlantic offer a joint Round The World (RTW) apex fare priced at only $3,727 in business class. That's less the cost of a normal one-way business-class fare from NYC to either Tokyo...

Hyatt Gold Passport. (Reward Roundup).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Through August 31, Gold Passport members paying for hotel stays with ally MasterCard credit card can earn a free night after every two stays with the relaunch of Hyatt's popular "Faster Free Nights" promotion. Members can redeem their free...

Ramada. (Reward Roundup).(Ramada Inc. offers frequent flyer miles to Club Ramada members )(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Through Sept. 30, Club Ramada members can earn 250 frequent flyer miles as well as Club Ramada points for each stay. Participating frequent flyer programs include Delta SkyMiles, American Airlines AAdvantage and Continental OnePass. In order to...

AAdvantage.(American Airlines frequent flyer program.)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... AAdvantage members can earn up to 35,000 bonus miles for round-trip travel from the U.S. to Japan, now through Dec. 31. Earn 5,000 miles for one round-trip ticket in first, business or full-fare economy; 15,000 for two round-trips; and 35,000...

United Mileage Plus. (Reward Roundup).(Preferred Hotels Association Inc. offer )(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... This summer earn double United Mileage Plus miles when yon stay at participating Preferred Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. Properties include St. Andrews Bay Golf Resort & Spa, St. Andrews, Scotland; Boston Harbor Hotel, Boston, MA; La Mansi6n del...

Raffles. (Reward Roundup).(Swissotel Hotels and Resorts in Chicago and New York offer frequent flyer miles to members of their frequent-stay-program)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Guests staying at the Swissotel Chicago and Swissotel The Drake--Raffles' brand hotels--can earn up to 500 frequent flyer miles pet' stay, through Dec. 31. To qualify for this offer, guests must present a frequent-stay-program card from another...

Mandarin Oriental. (Reward Roundup).(London, England)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Stay at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park now through Sept. 7 and earn triple air miles or points. Guests spending $385 plus VAT or more per room, per night for at least two nights are eligible for triple points with 12 international frequent...

SkyMiles. .(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Delta Airlines and Awards for Mortgage and Real Estate have announced a partnership that will allow SkyMiles members to earn thousands of miles while enjoying competitive rates on mortgage and home equity loans, a streamlined loan process and...

Starwood. (Reward Roundup).(Starwood Hotels and Resorts Inc.)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Members of Starwood Hotel's Preferred Guest Program can soon start cashing in points for Tumi bags and business accessories. This summer, Starwood Preferred Guest will announce several marketing programs that will allow frequent guests to get...

Lufthansa. (Airlines Flight Log).(Deutsche Lufthansa AG; new services on business-class jets to Munich and Dusseldorf)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Lufthansa has added new service aboard all business-class jets to Munich and Dusseldorf through the Swiss charter company PrivatAir. Forty-eight-seat business jets will provide nonstop connections between the two German cities and major...

US Airways. (Airlines Flight Log).(resumes service between Pittsburgh, London Gatwick airport and Frankfurt, Germany)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... US Airways has resumed service between Pittsburgh and both London Gatwick airport and Frankfurt, Germany. US Airways will operate one daily nonstop round-trip flight on each route. Its Pittsburgh--London service was suspended on April 1, 2003,...

Emirates. (Airlines Flight Log).(Emirates Airlines increases flights between Dubai and Perth, Australia)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Emirates has increased flights between Dubai and Perth in Western Australia from four times a week to a daily service.

ATA Airlines. (Airlines Flight Log).(increased service to Chicago and Indianapolis)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... ATA Airlines has increased service from six to eight daily nonstops between LaGuardia and Chicago-Midway airports. The airline has also increased service from two to three daily nonstops between LaGuardia and Indianapolis.

ANA (All Nippon Airways). (Airlines Flight Log).(All Nippon Airways Company Ltd. resumes service between Tokyo and Hong Kong)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... ANA (All Nippon Airways) has resumed twice-daily service between Tokyo and Hong Kong, restoring a daily round-trip flight that had been suspended in April in response to the SARS crisis.

Widder Hotel Zurich. (Hotel Check).
August 1, 2003... ACCORDING TO CHINESE ASTROLogy, the ram is the patron of the arts. Nowhere is the artistic endowment of the curly-horned Aries more honed than in Zurich's Widder (German for ram) Hotel. The constellation of rooms and suites comprising this...

Spot check. (Consumer Checks).(lunch prices at restaurants in major cities )(Brief Article)(Illustration)
August 1, 2003... We asked popular restaurants in major cities what they charge for a three-course prix fixe lunch. Here's what we found: MANSION ON TURTLE CREEK $30 Dallas GERARD'S PLACE $29.50 Washington, D.C. BLUE WATER GRILL...

Park Hyatt at the Bellevue Philadelphia. (Comsumer Checks).
August 1, 2003... TOWERING OVER THE HEART OF Philadelphia's City Center, the landmark Bellevue Building was designed by George C. Boldt to rival the Waldorf-Astoria and soon after its opening in 1904 became the hot stop for Philadelphia's high society. The hotel...

Swiss international air lines first class. (Flight check: New York JFK to Geneva).
August 1, 2003... First Impressions: There was no one on the red carpet at first-class check-in, and the woman behind the desk was a smiling beacon of warmth. She handed me a boarding card and directed me to the SWISS lounge a few yards away with a promise that...

Brussels. (Table Tops).(De Ultieme Hallucinatie)(Restaurant Review)
August 1, 2003... De Ultieme Hallucinatie (The Ultimate Hallucination) Koningsstraat 316, tel. 02 217 06 14 Overview: Just minutes from the European Union city center of Brussels, De Ultieme Hallucinatie transports diners to a grand private house...

Miami. (Table Tops).(Pao: Washington Ave., Miami Beach, Florida)(Restaurant Review)
August 1, 2003... PAO The Clinton Hotel 825 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, tel. 305-695-1957 Overview: At the tiny, stylish Clinton Hotel in the heart of Miami's Art Deco District, Pao, the latest operation of cb5 restaurant group delivers authentic...

New. .(Restaurants.)(Restaurant Review)
August 1, 2003... U.S. LAS VEGAS AH SIN AND RISQUE Paris Las Vegas, 3655 Las Vegas Blvd. South, tel. 702-946-7000 Pan-Asian restaurant and lounge with dishes such as lettuce wraps, dim sum and sauteed Dungeness crab as well as a satay bar,...

Power structures: Chicago's diverse economy is helping the city weather the recession. .
August 1, 2003... CHICAGO IS A CITY IN LOVE WITH HEIGHT AND novelty, architecture and technology that pushes limits, mass production and consumer goods. It's telling that it was at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair that the Ferris wheel was introduced, as were...

Comfort zones: we've sussed out some of the world's most cutting-edge hot spots for BT's first global nightlife guide.(Bar Review)
August 1, 2003... BOSTON MANTRA 52 Temple Place, tel. 617-542-8111 This Beaux Arts hall, formerly the Old Colony Bank and located in Boston's newly chic Ladder District, houses an ambitious restaurant where French cuisine is mixed with Indian...

Please stay: hotels are sweetening the deal for business travelers who stick around.( www.residenceinn.com, www. towneplace.com, www.home wood-suites.com, www.summerfieldsuites.com, www.oakwood. com, www.choicehotels .com,,,,)
August 1, 2003... WHEN ERIC MYERS, A NEW YORK LITERARY AGENT AND movie publicist, had to be in Fishkill, New York, for four months on a film shoot, he stayed at a Residence Inn. Though the town was fairly desolate in midwinter, Mr. Myers found that the...

The finer points of doing business in Chile, Brazil and Peru. .
August 1, 2003... IN A WORLD WHERE GLOBAL COMMERCE HAS BECOME THE NORM, understanding the subtle nuances that vary from culture to culture and country to country can make or break a business deal. With that in mind, let's take a look at the business and social...

Sip and soar: Eunice Fried reports on the results of Business Traveler's annual airline wine competition.
August 1, 2003... WHAT ARE THE BEST WINES on the wing? Which reds, whites and sparklers will soar to the highest scores? Are they really the wines that business travelers want at 39,000 feet in the air? And if so, what airlines offer them? In many ways,...

High energy: Ed Peters finds the consumer mood in Tokyo contrary to the gloomy financial headlines.
August 1, 2003... WHETHER IT'S YOUR FIRST VISIT TO TOKYO, OR your 101st, there's always the sensation of having fallen into a vacuum. It's a mesmerizing metropolis that science fiction writers and movie directors have cited as an inspiration, and a tentative...

Both sides now. .(Doing Business in Montreal.)
August 1, 2003... A FEW YEARS AGO, TWO OLD FRIENDS BUMPED INTO EACH other on Ste. Catherine Street, downtown Montreal's main drag. They ducked into the now relocated Dunn's, a deli famous for its towering smoked meat sandwiches, and slid into a booth. One...

Executive spotlight: Mark Stone. (Special Advertising Section).(Interview)
August 1, 2003... AGE: 40 POSITION: CEO COMPANY: SENTIENT Sentient, headquartered in Norwell, MA, is the pioneer and leader of the fastest-growing segment of the private jet industry--private jet membership. With a nationwide network of more than...

Executive spotlight: Gina Gallo. (Special Advertising Section).(of E and J Gallo Winery)(Interview)
August 1, 2003... AGE: 35 POSITION: Third-Generation Wine Maker COMPANY: Gallo of Sonoma Valley At age 35, Gina Gallo is already one of the most respected noses in the wine business. It's all in the family, of course; Gina is the third generation...

Executive spotlight: Greg Thomas. (Special Advertising Section).(CEO of PrivatAir Group)(Interview)
August 1, 2003... AGE: 36 POSITION: CEO COMPANY: PrivatAir It's a hazy morning as we sit down to breakfast in the Mont Blanc suite of Mandarin Oriental Hotel du Rhone, overlooking the rooftops of Geneva. British 36-year-old Greg Thomas is not...

Four hours in Cairo: four hours to see Cairo? Local resident Ahmed Helmy suggests a little local cuisine, a spot of history, a dash of shopping and a trip to see the green side of the city.
August 1, 2003... (1) CAFFE RICHE Built in the early 1920s, this was a classic getaway for the capital's intellectual elite. Originally, it was nothing more than a few tables and chairs in an alleyway between two of Taalat Harb Street's biggest buildings...

Coffee, tea or Ethernet? Hotel guests stymied by technology are turning to e-butlers for help. .
August 1, 2003... HOTELS HAVE ALL kinds of specialty "butlers" these days. There are bathtub butlers, fireplace butlers, concierge floor butlers, even pillow butlers. So when I first heard about "technology" butlers and "e" butlers, I was a bit skeptical....

Rothman's wine maker dinner a success. .
August 1, 2003... On June 2, more than 30 subscribers joined Business Traveler magazine, Rothman's Steakhouse and Sean Sullivan, wine maker and proprietor of Sullivan Vineyards in Napa Valley, for--as one guest put it--an evening of "impressive wines,...

Save over 50 percent in Hawaii. (Savings For Members > Hawaii > Hotels).(Maul Prince Hotel and Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki)
August 1, 2003... The Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki is a bold achievement in architectural design. The hotel presents spectacular all oceanfront accommodations and world-class service at one of the most desirable and convenient locations in Waikiki, overlooking...

Save 15 percent when doing business in Chicago. (Savings For Members > Chicago > Hotels).(Lenox Suites Hotel)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Chicago's Lenox Suites Hotel is located one block from the famous "Magnificent Mile" and within walking distance to many of the city's top restaurants; an ideal location for those doing business in the greater Chicago area. With 324 rooms and...

Stay and save at the Swissotel Chicago. (Savings For Members > Chicago > Hotels).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Guests staying at the Swissotel Chicago enjoy luxuriously oversize guest rooms that offer fabulous wraparound views from Navy Pier to Grant Park. The all-glass triangular hotel is wedged into the confluence of the Chicago River and Lake...

Park and save at the Hilton Atlanta Airport. (Savings For Members > Atlanta > Hotels).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Whether you are traveling on business or for pleasure, the award-winning Hilton Atlanta Airport is the perfect stopover. Conveniently located just minutes from Hartsfield International Airport, the hotel is only eight minutes from Atlanta's...

Peak experiences: want somewhere that's relaxing for the eye as well as mind? Dinah Hatch suggests Norway with its beautiful fjords and chill-out attitude. (Great Escape: Norway).
August 1, 2003... THE SAGA HOLIDAYS LINER CRUISED INTO VIEW as I sat blinking into the sun, admiring the ridiculously picturesque fjord. The scene summed up all that was Norway: stunning landscapes, balmy sunshine and elderly tourists--the type that can afford...

Dear readers.
August 1, 2003... Dear Readers: In response to the popularity of Business Traveler's 2002 Four-Hour guidebook, we present you with the brand-new 2003 edition of this special compilation, highlighting some of the most intriguing attractions and activities...

Four hours in London: Jill Dunning leaves the bustle of the West End behind and heads east for a tour by the Thames that takes in London's architectural wonders, old and new.
August 1, 2003... (1) ST. PAUL'S CATHEDRAL You may have admired it from the outside, but have you ever been inside the magnificently baroque St. Paul's Cathedral? Now's your chance. Entry costs 4 [pounds sterling] ($6.60) but it's worth it to gaze up at the...

Four hours in Bangkok: gilded palaces, spicy aromas, exotic markets and gleaming skyscrapers are key elements of the Bangkok experience.
August 1, 2003... Four hours in Bangkok: gilded palaces, spicy aromas, exotic markets and gleaming skyscrapers are key elements of the Bangkok experience. Join Jaclyn Ignall in exploring one of Asia's most exciting cities. If you're staying at one of the hotels...

Four hours in Abu Dabi: in a trek through Abu Dhabi, Yawar Mian takes in the exclusive views from a cruise along the corniche, visits a traditional Bedouin village and souks that evoke ancient trade links, wanders through the first palace of a long-ago ruler and scopes out the construction of a seven-star hotel to open in 2004 spread over a 1/2-square-mile area.
August 1, 2003... (1) THE BREAKWATER AND CONFERENCE PALACE HOTEL Across from the Abu Dhabi Hilton on the corniche, the breakwater is the site of Marina Mall, a modern boat marina, a small heritage village and coffee shops. The breakwater was built in the...

Four hours in Dallas: Apryl Chapman Thomas explores Dallas, from one of the darkest chapters in U.S. history to the restaurant where the first Tex-Mex dishes were created to the largest bronze monument in the world.
August 1, 2003... (1) THE 6TH FLOOR MUSEUM AT DEALEY PLAZA The former old Texas School Book Depository is now a museum and educational exhibit chronicling the life, death and legacy of President John E Kennedy. Other Kennedy Memorials: A historical marker on...

Four hours in Helsinki.
August 1, 2003... Helsinki is a metropolis by the sea, offering much to see and do. Luckily, it is an ideal city to see on foot, as many attractions are centrally located and the streets are safe. And even though you probably won't understand a word of Finnish,...

Four hours in Brussels: Deborah Miller explores the streets of Brussels, Among her stops: an underground museum where excavations can be viewed, a massive flea market, an ornate Belgian bar and the chocolatiers of the swanky antiques district.
August 1, 2003... (1) RUE ANTOINE DANSAERT Along this street are boutiques and fine local Belgian jewelry designers, such as Christa Reniers, whose husband recently assembled a guide on the trendiest Belgian design shops in Brussels, and Olivier Strelli,...

Four hours in Delhi.
August 1, 2003... Westeners are still regarded with some fascination in much of Old Delhi. Women, particularly, will attract a lot of attention especially if alone. Do not let this put you off; dress modestly, slip on your most comfortable shoes and enjoy...

Four hours in Vienna: Mark Frary drinks in Vienna's rich history, culture and architecture, stopping along the way for a slice of the city's famous Sachertorte and a trip on the Prater amusement park's big wheel.
August 1, 2003... (1) STEPHANSDOM, STEPHANSPLATZ Vienna's St. Stephen's Cathedral is the perfect place to start a four-hour whirl as you can take the 343 spiralling steps to the top of the Gothic belltower and get a pigeon's-eye view of the city. Don't...

Four hours in Santa Monica: the sun. The surf. Shops and galleries galore. The world's first solar-powered Ferris wheel. And psychic advisers, too. Allison Block discovers a pier--but no pressure--in Southern California's seaside pride and joy.
August 1, 2003... (1) SHORE THING Shinking your toes in the sand at Santa Monica Beach is likely to prompt a case of deja vu. The 31/2-mile stretch has served as backdrop for many popular TV shows, including Bay Watch. Ride a wave, jog or blade along the...

Four hours in Dublin.
August 1, 2003... With just four hours to spare in Dublin, it would be tempting to snuggle down in the nearest pub with a pint or three of Guinness. But you'd like to see something more of Europe's liveliest capital, wouldn't you? Go on now, you would. So here's...

Four hours in Frankfurt: Alex McWhirter discovers another side to Frankfurt apart from its high-rise buildings, including Apfelwein, a tropical garden and all things Goethe.
August 1, 2003... (1) UNWIND IN PALMENGARTEN A 50-acre oasis amid the city's concrete and glass. First opened in 1868, the gardens display plants and flowers all year-round. Its centerpiece is a huge tropical Palmenhaus. Open daily 9 a.m.-6 p.m. (4 p.m....

Four hours in Cairo: four hours to see Cairo? Local resident Ahmed Helmy suggests a little local cuisine, a spot of history, a dash of shopping and a trip to see the green side of the city.
August 1, 2003... (1) CAFFE RICIIE Built in the early 1920s, this was a classic get-away for the capital's intellectual elite Originally, it was nothing more than a few tabtes and chairs in an alleyway between two of Taatat Harb Street's biggest buildings...

Four hours in Riga: Lauren Custance takes a stroll around one of the most beautiful and underrated cities in the Baltics and finds lively bars and restaurants, but not the usual crowds of tourists.
August 1, 2003... (1) REVAL HOTEL LATVIA The hotel itself is nothing special, but the 26th floor has a view of the city to riva St. Peter's Church--and is a lot less chilly. The Skyline Bar on this floor is a swish, dimly lit hangout that attracts a strange...

Four hours in Kuala Lumpur: Jonathan McEwan gets a crick in his neck looking up at KL's sights--the tallest buildings in the world, the tallest tower in Asia and even what is said to be the world's tallest flagpole--before seeking refuge in the largest shopping mall in Southeast Asia.
August 1, 2003... Four hours in Kuala Lumpur: Jonathan McEwan gets a crick in his neck looking up at KL's sights--the tallest buildings in the world, the tallest tower in Asia and even what is said to be the world's tallest flagpole--before seeking refuge in the...

Four hours in Santiago: Michael T. Luongo takes in the dramatic views of Santiago and traces its history, stopping along the way for some excellent seafood.
August 1, 2003... (1) PLAZA DE ARMAS See where the city began, the Plaza de Armas, Santiago's colonial heart. Little besides the Cathedral has survived from that time, and the scars of numerous earthquakes are visible inside the church. Just down the...

Four hours in Johannesburg: vistors to Johannesburg seldom spend much time in South Africa's commercial heartland, but if you can avoid most of the traditional tourist traps, four hours in the city's prime gallery district could prove very rewarding, as Bruce Whitfield discovered.
August 1, 2003... Four hours in Johannesburg: vistors to Johannesburg seldom spend much time in South Africa's commercial heartland, but if you can avoid most of the traditional tourist traps, four hours in the city's prime gallery district could prove very...

Four hours in Atlanta: join Apryl Chapman Thomas for a cruise through Atlanta, including a naked steak at the world's largest drive-in restaurant, a tour of Margaret Mitchell's home and a peek at giant pandas Yang Yang and Lun Lun.
August 1, 2003... (1) V IS FOR "VARSITY" This Atlanta institution, which also happens to be the world's largest drive-in restaurant, has been chanting, "Whatta ya have? Whatta ya have?" to customers since 1928. If you want to order like a local, you will...

Four hours in Singapore.
August 1, 2003... In the midst of its skyscrapers, it often easy to see Singapore as a thoroughly Western town, albeit cleaner than most. In fact, the city state's varied ethnic influences have never been totally eradicated by its colonial history nor by its...

Four hours in Riyadh: Mubarak Dahir explores Riyadh, with special emphasis on the older, historic section known as Al-Bathaa--one of the few areas of the city where it's easy to walk around and explore. Keep in mind that for the most part, Riyadh's wide, palm tree-lined boulevards cater to the automobile, not the pedestrian.
August 1, 2003... (1) NATIONAL MUSEUM Umm Seleem is the area that houses the Riyadh Museum, also known as the National Museum. The museum prides itself as the custodian of the country's major exhibit on national culture and heritage, and goes into minute...

Four hours in Bologna.
August 1, 2003... Bologna has variously been nicknamed La Dotta (the learned), La Grassa, (the fat) and La Rossa (the red). It is home to Europe's oldest university, and its food is the best in Italy, but the radical politics that characterized the city for so...