Business Traveler articles from June 2003

Business Traveler archives from June 2003

Editor's letter.
June 1, 2003... FOR FREQUENT BUSINESS TRAVELERS, MILES and points accrued in loyalty programs can become almost an obsession, one way of justifying the long trips and jet lag. They can also make the difference between which airline, hotel or car rental road...

Best for last. (Letter of the Month).(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2003... One routing that passengers rarely take advantage of is the "last flight in/first flight out" connection. These occur when a scheduled flight arrives at a hub or connection airport after the last onward flight has left to a particular city. For...

Tea and sympathy. (Readers' Letter).(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2003... After reading Jack Young's stellar review of the Westin New York Times Square in the April 2003 issue of Business Traveler, I felt compelled to share my experience on two recent stays at that property. A few days before New Year's, I...

Delhi growth. (Readers' Letters).(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2003... Congrats to all hands; nice issue (April 2003). Would Carmen Pryce be able to answer a question? She notes in "Big Wheels" that "India is a country that's growing fast, at around 6 percent a year." She means GNP (or GDP; hard to tell the...

BYOB on board. (Readers' Letters).(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2003... In the April 2003 issue of Business Traveler, Dwaine Crawford wrote, "I like a glass of wine with my meals, and I find myself having to dig out $4 with a dinner tray in my lap. Air France still does not charge." I am wondering if he knows...

Texas two-step. (Readers' Letters).(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2003... I am a clinical research consultant and travel three to four weeks a month, mostly by air. My best travel aid is the Bose acoustic noise canceling headset. By using the headset, I am more relaxed when I arrive at my destination. The second...

Curiouser and curiouser. (Readers' Letters).(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2003... Mr. Loehr's silly (and annoying) experience with security (March 2003 issue) reminds me of a conversation I had in December with an American Airlines pilot in line to buy coffee at JFK. He recounted that when he became exasperated with a...

French miss. (Reader's Letters).(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2003... On my recent return to Paris, I flew Air France nonstop from San Francisco. The cabin was old looking, even though it was a relatively new 777. Seats were poorly separated, the bulkheads were incredibly small and the seat comfort was marginal....

Pistol packing pilots. (Airline Security).
June 1, 2003... IT'S HIGH NOON FOR TERRORISTS. U.S. PILOTS BEGAN WEAPONS TRAINING THIS SPRING, learning how to handle their government-issued .40-caliber semiautomatic pistols in a special training program run by the Transportation Security Administration. ...

Miles away. (Loyalty Programs).(changes to award values for discounted tickets)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... GETTING MILES FOR DISCOUNT flights and points for discounted hotel stays may soon become a thing of the past. In a response to a tighter economic climate, British Airways and Delta Air Lines plus Hilton Hotels have changed their point plans....

Cathay Pacific vs. SARS. (Airlines).(Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. now able to fly to Beijing, Shanghai and Xiamen; offers SARS information service at www.cathaypacific.com)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... THE IMPACT OF SARS ON TRAVEL to Asia has been called a "body blow" by industry insiders. Although it is still reeling from the punch, Cathay Pacific, one of the Pacific Rim's largest airlines, is not down for the count. The airline has...

New Millennium. (Hotels).(Manhattan's Millennium Hilton Hotel renovated)
June 1, 2003... THE MYTHICAL BIRD THE PHOENIX has been taken as the title for the abstract painting that hangs behind the reception desk at the Millennium Hilton Hotel--itself a phoenix rising from the ashes of the World Trade Center attacks on September 11....

On the waterfront. (Hotels).(Seattle Marriott Waterfront Hotel)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE? THE NEW Seattle Marriott Waterfront Hotel (the first full-service Marriott in downtown Seattle) offers 358 rooms with a view of Elliott Bay, Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountain Range. The hotel also offers the signature...

Five Apple Core properties in Manhattan are offering a "Rest and Ride" package through July 31. (United States).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Five Apple Core properties in Manhattan are offering a "Rest and Ride" package through July 31. Stay at La Quinta Inn Manhattan, Red Roof Inn, Comfort Inn Midtown, Super 8 Hotel Times Square or the Ramada Inn East Side and receive two $10...

Through August 31, visitors can get special package deals at 31 of St. Louis' most popular hotels, including the Millennium Hotel St. Louis, the Sheraton Clayton Plaza and seven St. Louis Drury Inn locations. (United States).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Through August 31, visitors can get special package deals at 31 of St. Louis' most popular hotels, including the Millennium Hotel St. Louis, the Sheraton Clayton Plaza and seven St. Louis Drury Inn locations. For example, The "Cardinals Home...

Stay at The Fairmont Orchid on the Big Island of Hawaii and take advantage of the "Spa Sampler Package." (United States).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Stay at The Fairmont Orchid on the Big Island of Hawaii and take advantage of the "Spa Sampler Package." Valid through August 31, the package includes accommodations for two 50-minute spa treatments at the hotel's award-winning spa, daily...

Turnberry Isle Resort and Club, located in Aventura, Florida, is offering the "Summer Elegant Escape" package. (United States).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Turnberry Isle Resort and Club, located in Aventura, Florida, is offering the "Summer Elegant Escape" package. Valid through September 30, the pack age includes deluxe country club accommodations, a welcome cocktail, daily breakfast, gourmet...

Until September 1, the new Le Meridien Minneapolis is offering special weekly and weekend rates to celebrate its grand opening. (United States).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Until September 1, the new Le Meridien Minneapolis is offering special weekly and weekend rates to celebrate its grand opening. The 21-story, 255-room property features Art + Tech rooms. Until September 1, rates are $199 per night Sunday...

Stay at Nisbet Plantation Beach Club on the beautiful island of Nevis and take advantage of reduced rates this summer with the "Love Is in the Air" package. (Caribbean).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Stay at Nisbet Plantation Beach Club on the beautiful island of Nevis and take advantage of reduced rates this summer with the "Love Is in the Air" package. Through August 15, a six-night stay for two can be booked for $1,340, a 53-percent...

The Pan Pacific Glenmarie Kuala Lumpur is offering special rates for extended stays through December 31. (Asia).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... The Pan Pacific Glenmarie Kuala Lumpur is offering special rates for extended stays through December 31. Rates start at $66 a night for a minimum stay of 14 consecutive nights on the exclusive Pacific Floor. Perks include an American buffet...

Swede dreams. (Hotels).(Hotel Rival AB: boutique hotel opened by ABBA's Benny Andersson )(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... WITH ABBA AND SONGS LIKE "Dancing Queen" and "Fernando" behind him, what else could singer/songwriter Benny Andersson do except open a boutique hotel? This August, Andersson opens the Rival Hotel in Stockholm along with partners Christer...

Health nut. (Reader Offer).(Travel Healthy -- The Smart Traveler's Guide to Staying Well Anywhere)(Book Review)
June 1, 2003... FIND YOURSELF SIPPING GALLONS of caffeine when you're jet-lagged? Do you eat unhealthy, fast-food meals on business trips? If so, this month's Reader Offer may be of some help. The book, Travel Healthy--The Smart Traveler's Guide to Staying...

Uber-Airport. (Airports).(Munich International Airport to open new Teminal 2 )(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... MUNICH AIRPORT -- one of the most ultra-functional airports in Europe--will open its new Teminal 2 at the end of June. The new terminal, which will further develop the airport's international hub system, is being built to the east of the...

British Airways. (Airline Deals).(reduced price for Concorde service from JFK to Heathrow)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... BRITISH AIRWAYS is offering a reduced one-way Concorde fare from JFK to Heathrow of $3,818, which can be doubled for round-trip travel ($7,636). The normal unrestricted fare is $6,336 one-way and $12,672 round-trip, making this sale a savings...

The "SkyTeam" alliance. (Airline Deals).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... THE "SKYTEAM" ALLIANCE, which includes Delta, Air France, Alitalia, Korean, AeroMexico and Czech Airlines, offers the ever-popular "Round The World Apex" type fare (RTW) in all classes of service, at levels below that of other alliances, such...

Korean Airlines. (Airline Deals).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... KOREAN AIRLINES has renewed its "Prestige Plus Program" for 2003. This program allows small businesses, as well as any corporation, midsize or mega, to obtain free one-class upgrades. These upgrades can be from full unrestricted economy to...

Singapore Airlines. (Airline Deals).(deals to Frankfurt and Amsterdam)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... SINGAPORE AIRLINES offers business-class travelers a great deal in its two trans-Atlantic markets: JFK to Frankfurt, and Newark to Amsterdam. For JFK to Frankfurt, Singapore offers a round-trip business-class fare of $4,032 plus tax with...

Philadelphia freedom. (Airports).(new terminal at Philadelphia International Airport opens)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... WHAT DO IRISH STEP DANCERS, caricature paintings and a Martini bar have in common? They were all included in the Grand Opening Gala held on April 10 to showcase and publicize the new $550 million international terminal at the Philadelphia...

The train to the plane, San Francisco style. (Rapid Transit).(service from the Bay Area to San Francisco International Airport)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... JUNE 22 WILL SEE THE OPENING DAY of BART rapid transit service from the Bay Area to San Francisco International Airport. The service will connect residents and visitors to the airport, as well as provide new service to the cities of South San...

Delta Connection. (Airlines flight log).(offering nonstop daily flights between Orlando and New Orleans)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Delta Connection begins daily nonstop flights between Orlando and New Orleans on June 11.

American Airlines. (Airlines flight log).(changes to frequent flyer program)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... American Airlines Plan to pay more miles for flights on American. Starting on May 1, more miles are needed for awards. The AAdvantage PlanAAhead first- and business-class award has increased to 45,000 miles from 40,000 miles. The program's...

AeroMexico. (Airlines flight log).(introduces nonstop flight from Ontario, CA to Los Cabos in Baja California)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... AeroMexico has introduced a new nonstop flight from Ontario, CA, to Los Cabos in Baja California as of June 7. It has also altered its flights from Ontario, CA, to Mexico City through Guadalajara, offering a new afternoon departure at 2:05 p.m....

China Southern. (Airlines flight log).(international flight schedule changes)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... China Southern has made significant changes to their international flight schedule: * Guangzhou-Beijing-Amsterdam service increases from two to four flights per week each Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. * There will be four...

Continental Airlines. (Airlines flight log).(electronic interline ticketing with Delta Air Lines implemented by Continental Airlines )(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Continental Airlines has implemented interline electronic ticketing with Delta Air Lines, allowing customers to use a single electronic ticket when their itineraries include travel on both carriers.

Delta Air Lines. (Airlines flight log).(begins nonstop service to Barcelona from New York and Atlanta)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Delta Air Lines began nonstop service to Barcelona from New York and Atlanta as of May 1. On June 14, American inaugurates nonstop service from JFK/New York to Barcelona.

Delta Air Lines has announced a new service between Detroit and Tulsa, Oklahoma, beginning June 6. (Airlines flight log).(service operated by Pinnacle Airlines)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Delta Air Lines has announced a new service between Detroit and Tulsa, Oklahoma, beginning June 6. The new Detroit-Tulsa service will be operated by Northwest Airlink partner Pinnacle Airlines, with a 50-passenger Canadair Regional Jet. The...

Emirates. (Airlines flight log).(Emirates Airlines adds flights between Dubai and Cochin)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Emirates has announced the addition of flights between Dubai and Cochin. The airline will increase the service from three to five flights a week.

Clinics in China. (Traveler's Resource).(health care for foreigners)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... MEDAIRE, AN AUSTRALIAN-BASED FIRM THAT OFFERS "FULLY INTEGRATED health and security solutions" to commercial airlines, corporate flight departments, international business travelers, expatriates, government agencies and the military has...

Starwood Hotels & Resort. (Reward Roundup).(marketing agreement with airlines for frequent flyer miles)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Through July 15, members of American Airlines AAdvantage, United Mileage Plus, Delta SkyMiles and Aeroplan call earn up to 6,000 miles on their next three stays (Sunday-Thursday) at any participating Starwood hotel and resort in the U.S. or...

American Airlines AAdvantage. (Reward Roundup).(members printing boarding pass before arriving at airport eligible for onetime bonus of 500 miles)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... AAdvantage members who choose to print out their boarding pass prior to arriving at the airport can earn a onetime bonus of 500 AAdvantage miles from now through June 30. To print out your boarding pass and for more details on this offer, visit...

Alaska Airlines. (Reward Roundup).(promotion offers double miles)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members who fly on its new service from Seattle to Orlando, now through July 31, can earn double miles on every round-trip flight. Members have a chance to earn up to 10,000 miles for flying this route. For more...

Delta SkyMiles. (Reward Roundup).(promotion offers double miles for flights between New York La Guardia and Boston Logan)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Through June 30, Delta SkyMiles members can earn double miles for shuttle flights between New York La Guardia and Boston Logan and between New York La Guardia and Washington Reagan airports. In addition, members can earn double miles during...

America West. (Reward Roundup).(partnership with Hertz for more frequent flyer miles)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... To celebrate America West Airlines and Hertz car rental's new FlightFund partnership, FlightFund members can receive a free day and double miles on qualifying Hertz car rentals through August 31. To qualify for this offer, FlightFund members...

Where to Wi-Fi. (Internet).(wireless internet access available at various hotels)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... THE WIRELESS REVOLUTION CONtinues. Oberoi Hotels has introduced wireless access in business hotels in New Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta, Banglalore and at their Trident Hotel, Chennai in India. The wireless system allows guests to use a secure plug...

State of mind. (Car Rental).(Hertz now offers loss-damage waiver in New York)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... CUSTOMERS CAN NOW BUY SOME extra peace of mind when renting from Hertz in New York state. For $9 per full or partial day when renting cars with a manufacturers suggested retail price (MSRP) of up to $30,000, Hertz customers can now purchase a...

Ararat Park Hyatt Moscow. (Hotel Check).
June 1, 2003... THERE ARE MANY REASONS--both practical and aesthetic--to stay at the Ararat Park Hyatt Moscow. It's near the CBD, the Kremlin and Red Square, and guests can stroll to the hotel within five minutes after an evening at the Bolshoi, still caught...

Finnair business class. (Flight check: Helsinki to New York JFK).(Finnair Oy)
June 1, 2003... First Impressions: I arrived at Helsinki's spotless, efficient Vantaa Airport at 10:30 a.m. and was told rather coldly that I couldn't check in until 11 a.m. for my 2:15 flight for security reasons. I was first in line for check-in and passed...

Spot check. (Consumer Checks).(charges for high-speed Internet access from some hotels around world)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
June 1, 2003... Spot Check We asked hotels around the world what they charge for high-speed Internet access in guest rooms, per 24-hour period. Here's what we found: EMIRATES TOWERS Dubai $0 SHERATON AT FISHERMAN'S...

The Hollywood Standard and the Downtown Standard Los Angeles. (Hotel Check).
June 1, 2003... HIP, HAPPENING AND HALLUCINOGENIC. ANDRE Balazs' two Standard hotels are so very L.A. Want an in-room "Touch Thyself" educational self-massage session? Sure, why not? How about a Mohawk haircut? Or a slice of meat loaf? Hey, no problem. You can...

Qantas business class. (Flight check: Melbourne Tullamarine to lax).(Qantas Airways Ltd.)
June 1, 2003... First Impression: In a country of 20 million friendly people, why is Sheila Sourpuss fronting for the airline at check-in? Even as I oozed charm all over the countertop, my official reprimanded me for having overweight hand luggage and for...

Cafe Pushkin. (Moscow).(Restaurant Review)
June 1, 2003... Tverskoy Bid, 26-a, tel. 229 5590, 229 9411, 787 4087 Overview: Business and political power players dine at this three-story reproduction of a 19th-century mansion close to Pushkin Square, open round-the-clock. To really impress clients,...

Morrells Restaurant. (New York).(Restaurant Review)
June 1, 2003... 900 Broadway at 20th Street, tel. 212-253-0900 Overview: This new downtown offshoot of Morrell Wine Bar and Cafe seems to have loftier culinary ambitions than the Rockefeller Center original. Cuisine: Wine-inspired American fare, using...

Foliage. (London).(Restaurant Review)
June 1, 2003... Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, 66 Knightsbridge, tel. 020 7235 2000 Overview: Award-winning chef David Nicholls helms the kitchen at this Adam Tihany-designed restaurant overlooking Hyde Park. Cuisine: Modern European, with an emphasis on...

Soft focus: Allison Block revisits a high-tech hub forever on the cutting edge. (HomeFront: San Jose).(San Jose, California)
June 1, 2003... IN THE 1985 JAMES BOND MOVIE A VIEW TO A KILL, evil technology mogul Max Zorin envisions a massive earthquake that will level Silicon Valley, leaving him and his minions with a monopoly on the world's microchip market. The real-life version of...

Global precautions. (Emergency Health Care Abroad).
June 1, 2003... If you travel a lot, at some point you may need emergency medical services abroad. In extreme cases, you may require medical evacuation. What happens when you need medical attention outside the United States? Would you know where to go to...

How low can you go? The budget airline boom. (Budget Airlines) (Cover Story).
June 1, 2003... Employees of the real estate holding company Sawyer Realty frequently travel between the firm's headquarters in Needham, MA, and College Park, MD. But rather than flying on a major carrier like United, American or Delta, Sawyer employees almost...

Balance of trade: will structural reforms help Mexico realize its full economic potential? (Insider's guide: Mexico City).
June 1, 2003... THE KID WITH THE Mohawk was playing Dennis the Menace, launching rocks at the U.S. Embassy with his slingshot. His companero, also wearing a bandanna around his face like some punk-styled Mexican cowboy, supplied the ammo by chipping with a...

Beyond first: private jets are becoming the new way to fly high. (Special Advertising Section).
June 1, 2003... The increased security inconveniences associated with commercial flying today has led many corporations and individuals to explore alternative air travel that cuts much of the red tape. Welcome to the world of private jets, long the bastion of...

Info power: in forward-thinking Finland, knowledge is power. (Doing Business in Helsinki).
June 1, 2003... WHEN FINLAND ELECTED ANNELI JAATTEENMAKI prime minister this spring, it made history as the first European country with both a female prime minister and a female president, Tarja Halonen (elected in 2000). Jaatteenmaki has set her sights on...

Bella Figura: Alitalia's sleek new service takes flight. (Special Advertising Section).(Alitalia Linee Aeree Italiane S.p.A.)
June 1, 2003... Bella figura: an Italian expression that means, loosely translated, "to be beautifully done, formed, crafted." One hears it often in Rome, Florence, Milan and any other place in Italy. Savvy business travelers have come to expect it--a certain...

Under the radar: George Hobica uncovers stealth sites that can save you time and money. (Tools: Internet).
June 1, 2003... WE ALL KNOW ABOUT THE PRICELINES AND THE TRAVELOCITIES, THE Hotwires and the Quikbooks. They're all great travel Web sites, but we're not going there. Flying way beneath the radar are some really cool niche sites that most travelers have never...

Four hours in Nice.(Nice, France)
June 1, 2003... You don't want to rush around in sunny Nice. Follow the Mediterranean lead, relax and enjoy the sights, sounds and tastes of Provence on Jill Dunning's food-themed four-hour guide. (3) MARKET LIFE Apart from Monday, when it's an...

Hotel Derek: Houston's most fashionable address for business and leisure travelers. (Offer of the month: Texas Houston hotels).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... The first luxury boutique hotel in Houston, Hotel Derek primarily caters to business travelers, who appreciate the guest rooms' generous workspaces, high-speed Internet access, two-line cordless telephones and FedEx supplies in the closets....

Paradise at half the price. (Savings for members: Florida hotels).(Hyatt Sarasota)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Situated in the heart of Sarasota's cultural Arts District, steps away from premier theaters, restaurants, and museums, is the Hyatt Sarasota. Overlooking the tranquil waters of the Sarasota Bay on Florida's West Coast, the 11-story hotel is an...

Park your car, upgrade your room and enjoy a delicious buffet breakfast for one low price at the Hilton Atlanta Airport. (Savings for members: Georgia Atlanta hotels).(Brief Article)
June 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...

Merchant Court Hotel Sydney. (Savings for members: Sydney hotels).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... The Merchant Court Hotel, Sydney features 361 beautifully appointed rooms and suites, an award-winning J.P. Bastiani Restaurant and Wine Cellar, an internationally acclaimed Amrita Spa to renew and revitalize mind, body and soul in a private...

Get the most out of Chicago and count your savings at Hotel 71. (Savings for members: Chicago hotels).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Dramatically perched on the edge of the Chicago River where the city's business, financial, cultural and luxury shopping districts come together, Hotel 71 is the latest and largest of Chicago's new collection of transformed, redesigned hotels....

Back to life: Deborah Miller finds rejuvenation in Monaco's marine treatments. (Great escape: Monaco).
June 1, 2003... SWEEPING INTO MONACO BY helicopter on the 14-mile, seven-minute trip from Nice Airport, we glided and swooped above a glinting Mediterranean, with the city's yachts and penthouses looming before us at glorious angles that begged for a better...

Foreword.
June 1, 2003... Dear Readers: In 2002, Business Traveler added two valuable supplemental guides--the Four-Hour Guide and Class Distinction--to its portfolio. These supplements have been an enormous success with you, our readers. As you have let us know...

Editor's letter.
June 1, 2003... Welcome to Business Traveler's The Essentials, our first compilation of the Essentials sections of some of BT's most popular destination guides. Designed to make business travelers' trips easier, more productive and more enjoyable, the...

Kuala Lumpur.(Malaysia)
June 1, 2003... GETTING AROUND Kuala Lumpur is not a pedestrian-friendly city (it's hot and there are lots of major roads to cross), so the best way to get around is by taxi. Most five-star hotels have their own cars or vans, which are more expensive, but...

Helsinki.
June 1, 2003... GETTING AROUND Much of Central Helsinki is walkable, with an outstanding public transportation system to boot. Buy a Helsinki Card and get unlimited travel on public transportation (buses, trams, Metro, local trains) within Helsinki and on...

Johannesburg.(South Africa)
June 1, 2003... GETTING AROUND The only way to get around Johannesburg is by car. Most business hotels have a taxi rank outside, but taxis cannot be flagged down on the street, so if you are visiting a client and are not near a rank, a taxi for the return...

Santiago.(Chile)
June 1, 2003... GETTING AROUND Taxis: Flag taxis down all along the main road of Alameda, or look for stands near tourist sites and hotels. They are very cheap--approximately 30 cents to enter, and 25 cents per kilometer. Trains: The subway system was...

Jeddah.(Jidda, Saudi Arabia)
June 1, 2003... GETTING ABOUND Car rentals are plentiful at either the airport or big hotels. But they may ask to see your valid visitor's visa, However, be warned that driving in Saudi is fast and often dangerous. At one point, there were so many car...

Mexico City.
June 1, 2003... GETTING AROUND If you are not familiar with Mexico City, taxis are the best way to get around. Your hotel will offer you private cars that can run three times the price, but they are guaranteed safe. Trying to get a radio taxi, which is...

Dubai.
June 1, 2003... GETTING AROUND The only real way to get around Dubai is by car. The city is compact, with fast superhighways running straight through it. Generally no journey takes more than 10 minutes, but allow 30 minutes from the town center to the...

London.
June 1, 2003... GETTING AROUND A new congestion-charging zone has led to less traffic in central London, so it takes the famous London black cabs less time, and therefore less money, to get to their destination (drivers of private cars must pay $8 to...

Madrid.
June 1, 2003... GETTING AROUND Taxis are plentiful and cheap--don't expect to pay more than $4 for a city center journey, providing the driver doesn't take you on the long, circular route. Taxis have meters in front; make sure they are switched on. It...

Copenhagen.
June 1, 2003... GETTING AROUND A taxi from the airport to central Copenhagen costs about DKK 150 ($22) and takes about 20 minutes. Most taxis accept major credit cards. Tipping is not expected. Copenhagen's new light-rail system, scheduled for...