Rundown for the week of April 24, 1999
Why New Zealand?
Y'know, here at The Savvy Traveler, we get mail
from folks all over the world wanting to report on their own travel
experiences. But what they don't know is that it's not all about flying
off to some exotic locale...one of our regulars, Judie Fein offered to
give you the inside scoop.
Q&A I: Getting Your Way
Rudy talks to listeners about how they've
kvetched on the road.
Singles Vacation
A lot of people ask me about pre-packaged
singles vacations. Are they just thinly veiled meet-markets? Would I be
comfortable in that situation? The answer, of course, is that you have to
take it on a case by case basis...just do a little research ahead of time.
To help you out, we sent someone who was very uncomfortable with the
idea, to check out a Club Med vacation. Now, to set the scene, you should
know that Club Med isn't really a club. It's a bunch of so-called villages
sprinkled along the equator and each holds roughly 600 visitors at a time.
The villages are divided into three categories: Family, Everyone and
Adult--no one under 18 admitted. It was to an adult village on the Pacific
coast of Mexico, Playa Blanca, that we sent reluctant reporter Alex
Blumberg. He discovered that famous African proverb's Club Med corollary:
It takes a village to act like a child.
Deal of the Week
A Freebie for Mother's Day
Get your pencils ready to write this one down, because you're going to have
to act quickly by this Monday the 26th, to take advantage of this week's deal. It's free lodging in Stowe, Vermont, for Mother's Day, May 8th.
For the second year, all lodges in the Stowe area are providing free rooms in
order to raise money for the National Breast Cancer Coalition. Every dollar
you spend in Stowe that weekend goes to the charity. And local attractions,
like the world headquarters of Ben & Jerry's ice cream, offer free tours.
When you check in to your room, you'll get a voucher for other activities
including in-line skating or a round of golf.
Here's why you have to act fast. Last year, all 600 rooms were claimed in
about six hours. You can make reservations beginning at 9 a.m. East Coast
time on Monday, April 26th. And if last year is any indication, you ought to
dial early and often. Ready for the reservations number? It's 800-247-8693.
Travel Poetry
If you've been tuning in the last few weeks you know we've been
celebrating National Poetry Month by hearing travel poetry written by our
listeners.
Q&A II: General Questions
Rudy takes listeners' general questions about travel. He mentions:
England Attractions
- To find WWII airbases that dot the countryside of Southern England,
check out the Royal Air Force Museum
website. There, you'll find a listing of units and bases. Or you can
call for information, +44-181-205-2266.
- Royal Shakespeare tickets may be purchased and a schedule of
performances obtained online at whatson.com.
- Cross Country International can arrange riding at the Hill's farm. Call
them at 800-828-8768.
Coach Tour of Scotland
- Whyte's Coach Tours offers four- and five-day Heart of the Highlands tours in late July and
late August. You can add on trips to the Orkney Islands and the Inner and
Outer Hebrides. Call +44-1651-862211.
- Elderhostel also offers longer
tours, like their 17-day Castles & Gardens of the Highlands of Scotland
for $3,800, out of New York. Call 877-426-8056.
- The top-notch Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh recommends Scotline Tours
coach tours if you'd like to stay in Edinburgh and take day trips to the
surrounding areas. Loch Ness, Loch Lomond, St. Andrew's and the Borders
areas are all offered. Call +44-131-557-0162.
Horse (and People) Lodging
- The National Park Service can provide a list of phone numbers of all the
national parks. Call 202-208-6843.
- The Horse & Mule
Trail Guide USA will probably be a better resource. It's a
state-by-state listing of stables and trails, with information about
nearby people lodging.
Rwanda Revisted
We're taking a considerable departure as we travel to a
far-off place that most of us would never think of visiting. It bears the
scars of genocide, but Rwanda also holds many surprises. Kitty Felde
recalls her sojourn in a ravaged nation.
Next Week on The Savvy Traveler
Next week we're going to another
place that's seen it's share of turmoil. Martin Stott takes us to Belfast,
Ireland. You might be amazed by what he's discovered.
"People always talk about undiscovered gems - and now I've found one. The
troubles have frightened so many tourists away from Northern Ireland that
you've got it to yourself practically. The place is wonderful and so
peaceful."
The heartwarming surprises of Belfast. We hear the music you've got to
have with you when you hit the road. And if you've ever dreamed of going
into space, next week's guest thinks your fantasy could come true.
"I would say that at least half the average population ought to be able to
make space flights."
Astronaut Buzz Aldrin stops in to talk about the future of space travel.
Hear what it's like to blast off into the stars during next week's edition
of The Savvy Traveler.
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