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Rundown for the Week of November 15, 2002

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Opening Of Show

Congolese Paris by Judith Ritter
Who doesn't dream of Paris: its cafes and great museums and monuments? People come to Paris for cafes, croissants and the Eiffel Tower, usually. But Judith Ritter went to Paris with something else on her mind: a taste of Africa.

Hotel Of The FutureReal Audio Listen in RealAudio
A survey of British biz travelers asked what they want, and don't want, in a hotel room. They said the least useful item is a Bible. The next least useful item was the shower cap. Apparently, technology is what these folks want. Nearly 42% said the most useful item in a hotel room is an Internet connection, followed by phone and laptop chargers. Here in the States, Hilton has a laboratory of sorts, where they're developing cutting-edge quarters for business travelers. For a sneak peak at the design of the hotel room of the future, Savvy Traveler host Diana Nyad visited a Hilton Garden Inn in Los Angeles.

Some of the high-tech upgrades found in each "Room of the Future":
Electronic in-room safe, digital thermostat and high-tech door locks:
http://www.onity.com
Remote, fingertip control of lighting, temperature, drapes and television:
http://www.inncom.com
Heated toilet seats with friendly, ergonomic control panel and anti-slam lids:
http://www.terrylove.com/wc/pana/

Hilton's Room of the Future is located in El Segundo, California:
www.hiltongardeninn.com

Phone Home: Interview with Doug LanskyReal Audio Listen in RealAudio
If there ever was a "savvy traveler," it's Doug Lansky. He joins us every so often to give advice on getting around the world without spending lots of dough. Today, Doug chats with Savvy Traveler host Diana Nyad about ways to stay in touch when you're on the road, far from home. Calling home has always been a big problem when you're traveling, in terms of finances. Doug clues us in on ways to say "hello" -- without breaking the bank.

Links:
Ekit, A full service budget communication package for those on the move:
www.ekit.com

International Phone Cards:
www.besttelephonerates.com

Monthly Bill Budget service:
http://phonecallworld.com/1callback.html

Callback Services:
New World - http://www.newworldtele.com
One World Communication - www.owcusa.com
World-Link - www.world-link.com/services.html
And a more complete list at: www.escapeartist.com/internet/callback.htm

The Cybercafe Search Engine with 6305 internet cafe and public access listings in 169 countries:
http://cybercaptive.com

Prices for webphones are low, but the quality of the connection can be as well:
www.net2phone.com
www.iconnecthere.com

Country calling codes: www.countrycallingcodes.com/

Book Interview: Pacific HighReal Audio Listen in RealAudio
Tim Palmer, outdoorsman extraordinaire, and his wife, Ann Vilisis, packed up the van Tim has been living and traveling in for the last 22 years and headed out to explore every nook and cranny of the Pacific Coast Range, from the bottom of the Baja Peninsula to Kodiak Island in Alaska. The trip took 9 months. Tim Palmer's book on the Pacific Coast trip is called "Pacific High."

Links:
Support The Savvy Traveler by purchasing this book online:
www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1559636491/marketplaceradio

Cup of Coffee by Susan CaseyReal Audio Listen in RealAudio
One of great things about traveling is meeting people from different countries and different cultures. So often, we have a warm exchange with someone, or a good laugh, and then exchange addresses, with mutual sincere intent of keeping in touch. But our lives get busy -- and we don't. Susan Casey met a man while she was traveling years ago and did keep in touch. That effort came around full circle for Susan when she took a trip to his native country this year.

Traveler's Aid: Security Update
Next Tuesday, November 19th, is the deadline for all airport security screeners to be federalized. Presumably, that means we'll have a new, highly trained workforce helping to keep the skies safe. But many analysts have predicted the Transportation Security Administration won't meet the deadline. We talk to TSA Spokesman Robert Johnson and Mary Schiavo about it. Schiavo, the former inspector general of the Department of Transportation, gives us the truth behind the spin.

Deal of the Week: Beat-the-Crowds Ski Deals
Sure, the East Coast may have experienced a bit of an "Indian Summer" recently, with unseasonably warm weather, but our Travel-Expert-in-Residence, Rudy Maxa, is back with a cool deal on skiing out West.

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