Rundown for the week of August 7, 1999
Hungary Eclipse
On August 11, a rare celestial phenomenon will descend upon Europe -- and
it's parts of Romania, Yugoslavia, and Hungary that will offer the best
glimpse of this full solar eclipse. The Savvy Traveler's Drew Leifheit has
noticed that Hungary is bustling in a variety of ways to get ready for this
extraordinary event.
Q&A: Your Answers: Travel Resolutions
You may not be the eclipse-chasing type, but we bet you have your own idea
of a trip of a lifetime. So, in honor of The Savvy Traveler's second
anniversary, we're talking about the dream trips you're planning in the
next year.
Eclipse Interview
The eclipse will be partially visible from the northeastern United States
to Asia, but the total eclipse will be seen only from a narrow
corridor that starts in the Atlantic and cuts a swath across Central Europe
and the eastern hemisphere. We've got no shortage of calls
from travelers who want to witness this event first hand. We call them
"eclipse chasers" and we're anxious to know why they're making such a fuss
over, as Drew said, a two-and-a-half minute event. Joe Rao fills
us in. Joe is the meteorologist at News 12 in New York and
author of The New York Times' "Sky Watch" column.
Alaska
Just the name "Alaska" says adventure, doesn't it? It's one of the few
places left where you can experience the wildlife, beauty and isolation of
frontier America. It's also a place that tourists are visiting in
ever-greater numbers....nearly a million and a half each year. Today we
begin a three-part trip to Southeast Alaska with Hal Cannon and Teresa
Jordan of The Open Road. Join them for a trip by ferry up the Inside
Passage, the 950 miles of fjords and islands that shelter Alaska's
panhandle from the wild Pacific.
Deal of the Week
Keep the kids in the other room for less.
Q&A: Ask Rudy
Rudy takes listeners' general questions about travel. This week, he talks
about:
- Millennium Activity in Rome
- Oaxaca, Mexico
Europe in August
This should be a good time for Americans to take a vacation in Europe. The
U.S. dollar is still fairly strong against the euro. And there are some great
bargains on many of the transatlantic air routes. But there could be a bit
of a problem on the other side of the Pond. Europe just might be closed.
This after all is August--the month when many Europeans go on vacation.
Stephen Beard investigates the Great August Shutdown.
Next Week
Well the truth is, it doesn't matter if you go to Europe in August or
December or next year. The point is, you've just got to go. As the Chinese
philosopher, Lao Tzu once said, "The journey of a thousand miles begins
with one step."
And that brings us to the end today's journey...our second anniversary
show. We start a new Savvy Traveler year next week as we ride the bullet
trains across Japan, and come across all sorts of adventures...
"Traitors, murderers, suicidal lovers...I haven't a clue what's going on
but the Japanese think it's great fun."
The mysteries of Japan. And, have you noticed how the architecture, not to
mention the routine, of the airports has changed over the years?
"Gone are the days when you could drive up, kiss your husband or wife
goodbye, wave to the kids and walk in easy manner to the plane."
The past and future of our airports. Plus your tips on how to beat the
heat, and we continue our voyage through Alaska, during next week's journey
with The Savvy Traveler.
Cassette Copies
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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