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Rundown for the Week of April 11, 2003

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Opening Of Show

Whistle Stop Alaska by Steve Featherstone Listen in RealAudio In the mood to take a break and get away from it all? We are. So, we're traveling to the edge of civilization. Especially lately, looking at all these images of war-torn, dust-covered Iraq, the thought of pristine lakes and untouched meadows in the wild seems like a soothing elixir. So, we're climbing aboard an old-time train with reporter Steve Featherstone. Destination: "America's Last Frontier."

Planning your own escape to Alaska? AlaskaThisYear.com/: Books, travel planner, vacation tips and interactive events calendar Alaska.com: Informative Web portal with pictures, hotel suggestions, recreation news and travel information

Americans Abroad by Jeff Greenwald Listen in RealAudio "In October of 2001, while American bombs peppered Afghanistan, I opened my suitcase -- and began packing," writes veteran travel writer Jeff Greenwald in the recent article in Salon.com "Make Wanderlust, Not War." Thing is, Jeff was traveling back to America. When Jeff travels abroad, he feels protected. But when he's traveling in the U.S., he's uneasy about the mindset of Americans, which he calls "fearful and almost and hysterical." He thinks foreigners have a good ability to be able to separate who Americans are from their government, looking at us as individuals -- and they expect the same from those of us from the States. On a basis human-to-human level, people are people, he says, and that's the only way to approach people as you travel, even during these very difficult times.

To learn more about Jeff Greenwald: www.ethicaltraveler.com www.jeffgreenwald.com

Tea with Nana by Hank Rosenfeld Listen in RealAudio There really is magic in discovering another culture, especially these days. Reporter Hank Rosenfeld traveled to Israel about 10 years ago and stayed at a kibbutz with a friend. As Hank said, "We carried no money, we all ate together, wore each others clothes, and basically enjoyed a brief socialist dream working together in the banana fields." His portrayal of Israel in more peaceful times is what we all wish would come to pass on a permanent basis.

Links: Click here to listen to the original broadcast which aired May 3, 2002.

Robinson's Crusade Interview with Joe Robinson Listen in RealAudio If you've ever met up with a German or a Brazilian or someone from Japan while you're traveling, you've probably heard stories about all the places they've traveled -- and you're envious because Americans just don't have enough vacation time to take that many trips. Well here's a man who's mad as hell about it and just isn't going to take it anymore. Joe Robinson has just written a book called "Work to Live: A Guide to Getting a Life." Joe's on a crusade of sorts to pass a formal vacation law through Congress. He says Americans can work fewer hours and find time to travel.

Learn more about Joe's campaign and purchase his book: WorkToLive.info: Info. about his book and campaign to increase vacation with a minimum paid-leave law and policies that promote a healthy workplace. Work to Live: Joe Robinson's book, available for purchase at AMAZON.com

Listener Letters Listen in RealAudio Last week, we asked you to tell us how you're feeling about traveling during wartime. We wanted to get a sense of whether global events have people too spooked to leave home. Well, apparently not. In all of the dozens of phone calls and e-mails we received, not a single person said they would stop traveling. Here are listeners giving us their thoughts on the subject. Inflight Security Listen in RealAudio As of this week, every commercial plane with 20 or more seats flying in the U.S. must have a bulletproof cockpit door. Congress has even given airlines $100 million to help pay for the overhaul. But what may be more interesting is what's behind the doors -- namely, armed pilots. The first group of gun-toting pilots begins training this coming week. John Mazor of the Air Line Pilots Association is here with more about this. He tells us what kind of training pilots will receive, the guns they'll carry, and whether arming pilots is really necessary now.

To learn more about inflight security: www.alps.org: Air Line Pilots Association www.fletc.gov: Federal Law Enforcement Training Center www.dhs.gov: U.S. Department of Homeland Security www.tsa.gov: Transportation Security Administration

Postcard: Aerogrammes from Paris by Louise Rafkin Listen in RealAudio It's curious to trace back to just when travel habits changed. Maybe you're old enough to remember when we used to get dressed up to get on a plane. We not only wear jeans and sweats these days, but some even slip into a kimono or pajamas on a long flight. Can you picture Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn flying in their pajamas? Contributor Louise Rafkin is fairly young, but even she casts back to a time when being away from home was a more sensual, less technologically driven experience.

Learn more about Louise Rifkin: LouiseRafkin.com: Personal Web site with biography, reviews and writing samples

Sound Travels: Music from the Second Temple, Israel long ago Listen in RealAudio Today, we're traveling back in time. You're about to hear a "best guess" -- an intellectual exercise perfect for the upcoming Passover holiday. Shortly after the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, about 70 A.D., an entire Jewish musical tradition fell into oblivion. Today, using historical texts, ancient Talmudic notations and religious scholars' "hypotheses," the San Antonio Vocal Arts Ensemble has put together a collection of music using ancient instruments, played as they think they were played nearly 2,000 years ago. The release is called "Ancient Echoes."

Interested in liturgy and music resources for worship? www.wlp.com: World Library Publications

Traveler's Aid Bankruptcies, Frequent Flyer Miles Listen in RealAudio The issue on a lot of travelers' minds is booking tickets on airlines that are bankrupt or on the verge of bankruptcy. People are nervous, and if they're booking awards on any of those airlines, they're a real bundle of nerves. Rudy Maxa, our Travel-Expert-in-Residence, is here with some solutions. Rudy gives advice on what to do with your miles if your frequent flyer program is with an airline in Chapter 11. Plus, he'll tell you what you can expect if you've already bought a ticket and the airline goes bust.

Curious about the travel industry? Web Resources: Travel news Web links

Deal of the Week A Weekend Getaway with Lemon-Fresh Scent Listen in RealAudio Who wants to come home from a trip or vacation and have to clean house? No one. So this deal is meant to help you out with your spring cleaning chores. Click here to read all the details.

Links: Book online, www.homewoodsuites.com. Or call 800-call-home, and ask for the "Spring into Homewood" promotion.