Rundown for the week of May 22, 1999
Titanic Tourism
The worst maritime disaster in all of history has, ironically, turned into
the biggest box office grossing movie of all time. I don't have to tell
you I'm talking about Titanic. But the film, in turn, has inspired a
renewed interest in the tragedy and encouraged a tidal wave of tourists to
Nova Scotia. The Savvy Traveler's Kitty Felde went to check it out.
Q&A I: Movies & Music
Rudy talks to listeners about more of their favorite travel films and road
tunes.
Tim Flannery Interview
Papua New Guinea is a nation of islands located north of Australia and
east of Indonesia in the Pacific Ocean. One of the last frontiers on the
planet, the country has been so untouched by civilization there are
virtually no signs of modern life outside the capital of Port Moresby. But
in its place you'll find incredible natural beauty. For nearly twenty
years, research scientist, Tim Flannery, has been exploring New Guinea and
his perceptions are collected in his new book called Throwim' Way
Leg.
Nighttime in Nevada: Donna's Ranch
Nevada is certainly a universe unto itself. Folks travel to the Silver
State knowing it's a wide-open 24-hour-a-day anything goes kind of place.
And anything does go. There's gambling, of course, and legalized
prostitution -- the only place in the U.S. where it's legal. Though
bordellos have been going in Nevada since there was a Nevada it wasn't
until 1970 that the business became legit. Today we continue our series on
Nighttime in Nevada where, tonight we learn, the biggest customers for
prostitution are traveling men. And the most common business travelers are
truck drivers. Hal Cannon of The Open Road went to Wells, Nevada with one
of them.
Deal of the Week
If you can hit the seas on short notice, you may be able to pick up a deal
with Windjammer Barefoot Cruises. Which is perfect if you happen to have
the Caribbean on your mind. Windjammer is a laid-back cruise company
whose tall ships carry between 64 and 128 passengers in the Caribbean.
You can leave the black tie and cocktail dresses at home, Windjammer
prides itself on being informal with lots of stops at beaches for meals.
And, no, you don't have to help raise the sails.
Just as airlines have turned to the Internet to advertise last-minute
fare deals, Windjammer has started what it calls a Cyber Sailor program.
Every Friday you can visit windjammer.com and see if there are any
bargains for sailings ten days in the future. Or you can register at the
site to be automatically notified of the short-notice deals. The company
promises Cyber Sailers savings of up to 50 per cent. The offer is for new
bookings only. That means you can't book a trip months in advance and
then get the cheaper price if you happen to notice your cruise has some
discounted berths at the last moment. If you're sailing alone, you'll
probably share a cabin with another single traveler or find yourself in a
dormitory-style cabin with up to five additional passengers. You can book
right up to the sailing, but airfare is NOT included in the Cyber Sailor
prices. Check out the rules at windjammer.com.
Q&A II: General Questions
Rudy takes listeners' general questions about travel. He mentions:
Paris Digs
- Caron de Beaumarchais is a converted 18th century house. It's in the
Maraise District, and a steal at $131 a night. +33-1-42-72-34-12.
- In the Montparnasse district, stay at the Brea Hotel. It starts at $142
per night. +33-1-43-25-44-41.
- In the Invalides neighborhood, close to the Eiffel Tower and Rodin
Museum sleep at the Tourville hotel. Rates start at $138. Fax them at +33-1-47-05-43-90.
- One of the staff's favorite picks is Du Septieme Art, located in the
Marais district. Rates start at $70 per night in this 1920s motif hotel. Phone them at +33-1-44-54-85-00.
- May 27th is the annual Fete de la Cuisine. More than 30,000 restaurants celebrate by slashing prix-fixe meals by 50 percent! An updated list with addresses and telephone numbers can be found at
www.lhotellerie.fr
Really Authentic Adventure Travel
You've been hiking in the Costa Rican rain forests. You've gone fishing
for lox in Nova Scotia. You've seen Burgundy from a balloon and a canal.
Most recently you lost three toes on Mount Everest and you're probably on
the waiting list for the Moon and Mars. We know you. You're the "been
there, done that" tourist and you've run out of adventures and places in
which to have them. Before you enroll in clown camp as a last resort, let
Now What?, the first post modern, pre-millennial travel agency, plan your
next vacation. The Savvy Traveler's Mary Lou Weissman has designed tours
that put the thrill back into travel.
Next Week on The Savvy Traveler
Next week we've got a guest on board you're not going to want to miss.
Actress, writer, director Anne Bancroft takes us back in time to a place
that's stolen her heart. Would you believe Fire Island, New York?
"Fire Island is a state of mind, that I have found no massage, no yoga, no
nothing can help me reach this state of mind but being in Fire Island for
a few weeks and feeling that enormous relaxation."
Don't you feel relaxed just listening to her? Anne Bancroft next week on
her place of the heart.
Plus, what it's like to be a stranger in a land where nothing is even
remotely recognizable. And we're finishing our series on Nevada at
Nighttime. Talk about strange! We'll meet some folks who are waiting for
visitors...from another planet! That and more so please come along for the
ride during next week's edition of The Savvy Traveler.
For tapes of the show
If you want your very own copy of The Savvy Traveler, order an audio
cassette. It's easy. Just call 303-823-8000. The price is $15.
The Savvy Traveler Newsletter
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