Rundown for the Week of January 1, 2000
The Evolution of the Ecohotel
One goal a lot of people set is to be better to Mother Earth. Recycle more,
cut down on waste. Well, if you're traveling to Canada this year, here's
something that's going to make you and your conscience rest a little
easier. A few years ago, the Hotel Association of Canada launched the
world's first eco-rating system for hotels...a score of one to four leafs,
four being best, tells how environmentally conscious and friendly a place
is. Judith Ritter took a tour of a three-leaf, four-star hotel in Montreal,
Canada. Her guide was Pedro Laurenco, a self-described environmental maniac.
Beautiful Bhutan
Deep in the Himalayas, wedged between India and China, is the mysterious
kingdom of Bhutan. For most of its history, Bhutan has been isolated from
the world. That's partly due to geography...it's one of the most
inaccessible spots on the globe. But it's also by choice: It was just over
25 years ago the government issued its first visa. Smita Paul spent a
couple of weeks biking through this mountain kingdom.
Y2K Yawn Postcard
One woman's valiant effort to conquer all that millennial New Year's hype.
Ay, Cuba!
Writer and social commentator Andrei Codrescu was inspired to go to Cuba a
few years ago because he wanted to see a country he thought would remind
him of his childhood in Stalinist Romania. The result of that trip is
Codrescu's book, Ay, Cuba! A Socio-Erotic Journey. Through intimate encounters with everyone
from architects to common working folk, Codrescu portrays a country of
proud, sexy and smart people, who are generally not buying in to their
country's ideology.
Deal of the Week
Two-for-One on Swissair or Sabena
Travelers' Advisory
Disabled Travel Outdoors
Question of the Week
Travel Resolutions
Rudy's View
A Look Back: Travel in 1999
Next Week
We head out on The Open Road and hear about all those scary travel rumors that I swear happened to my brother's fiancee's ex-roommate's cousin.
"Their cousin, who I happen to know, had been to Vegas and had woken up in
the tub with ice around them, with a note saying, 'Don't move, because
we've harvest one of your kidneys.'"
And if you believe that, well, I know two or three bridges I can sell you.
We visit the undiscovered gems right in your hometown...and we take Europe
by storm.
"There's still something quite chilling about German train announcers. Like
we're not just visiting a particular country, but we might also invade it
while we're there."
Railing across Europe...come with us and see if it survives. That's all on
next week's trip.
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.
Rudy Maxa's Traveler
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