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Rundown
for the Week of August 29, 2003
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Holiday from Hell by Martin Stott 
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While we all dream of idyllic vacations where everything turns out perfectly, the truth is, we come home with more amusing stories when things go awry. Hopefully, for most of us, the vacation is worth it -- but every once in a while, we all suffer what the Brits call the "holiday from hell." Martin Stott has just returned from his in Cornwall, England. It was supposed to be a relaxing week away from home with the family, but let's just say, the day of the trip started with someone rear-ending his wife's car -- and it didn't get much better from there.
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Speaking in Clicks by Larry Massett
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Even if you don't have a great ear for languages, French, Spanish, German and Italian have some semblances of familiarity. But what if you wanted to pick up a language without any Latin roots? There, you might be duly intimidated. Larry Massett tells us how he fared with a language in which most Americans couldn't even say "hello."
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Click here to search for other stories by Larry Massett
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"James Dean Died Here" Interview with author Chris Epting
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Ever wanted to know precisely where Marilyn Monroe stood when her white dress billowed up over that subway grating? Well, from the spot where Christopher Columbus landed to where the Brady Bunch lived to where Bigfoot walked, author Chris Epting shares some pop cultural attractions and "historical" sites that you can visit on your next road trip. Savvy Traveler host Diana Nyad talks to Chris about how got into his journey to document famous American landmarks in his book "James Dean Died Here: The Locations of America's Pop Culture Landmarks."
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Sound Travels Singing Frogs of the Pantanal
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We like to end the show each week with some collected sounds that instantly get us "traveling," with just our ears as our guide. This week, Tom Lopez takes us on a trip to the wilds of Brazil. While there, he recorded the singing frogs of the Pantanal.
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Deal of the Week Athens in the Off-Season
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Our Travel-Expert-in-Residence, Rudy Maxa, says that with fall fast approaching, most of the summer tourists are starting to clear out of Europe -- and that's why there are great off-season bargains in Athens, Greece.
THE DEAL? If you go to Athens now, you'll notice how crowded it can be in August -- and how empty and magical it can be when you visit in the dead of winter, for example.
That's why a tour company called Friendly Planet has put together some nice packages for travel on certain dates to Athens from November through March. By then, the heat will have subsided and the crowds will have retreated.
To get the very lowest prices, you'll have to hurry and book by Sunday, Aug. 31st. But even if you wait until next week to make firm plans, you'll still get a nice bargain.
DETAILS? You'll get roundtrip airfare from New York aboard Swiss (Air), 5 nights in a deluxe hotel overlooking the Acropolis, plus breakfasts and 4 full days to explore the sites of Athens...for only $699 per person, based on two people traveling together.
After Sunday, the price goes up by $200 per person -- but even that is a sweet deal.
WANT MORE? Add three extra days to your itinerary and get some guided tours as well as visits to outlying sights, including Delphi, for another $349.
And, you'll find some add-on fares for departures from other cities, such as $60 from DC, $100 from Chicago and Miami, and $150 from Los Angeles. Taxes will add about another $135 per person.
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