Informing the international traveler since 1976.
Archive for January, 2006
January Report Cards
FIRST, FAST & FURIOUS ? The following is a sampling of reports received from ITN readers around the globe. ITN invites you to join our corps of reporters ? just drop a card in the mail while the travel impressions are fresh in your mind. To obtain your ITN Report Cards, send a self-addressed, stamped, [...]Adventure Travel » Luxury adventure travel in South Africa
by Wayne Wirtanen (First of three parts, jump to part 1, part 2, part 3) South African game reserves Everything you ever wanted to know about South African game reserves but didn’t know what to ask! Imagine that your very large, fenced-in backyard had wild animals in it. You could keep track of the animals, and you could [...]Focus on Archaeology » Nicaraguan archaeological gems
by Julie Skurdenis Nicaragua, wedged between Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south and with both an Atlantic and a Pacific coast, was a serendipitous discovery. I’m always on the prowl for archaeological sites and artifacts. Nicaragua did not disappoint in its variety: a rediscovered colonial-era settlement which was the country’s first capital; [...]Ask Steve » Statistically safest
In last month’s issue I introduced myself and invited readers to submit travel questions. The deadline for this month came along before anyone had a chance to respond, so, rather than answer the kind I get every day, like “How far in advance should I check in at the airport?”, “What’s my baggage limit?” or [...]Better Travel Photography » Antarctica — penguins on ice
ITN reader Donna Judd asked for tips on getting good shots in Antarctica and Alaska. In this column I’ll discuss Antarctica, as most visitors go there in the Austral summer, November to March, and many of the techniques apply to both destinations. I recommend some preparatory reading. Photo books can be expensive, but many are available [...]Travel & Health » Dealing with Avian Influenza: hysteria does not help
The President recently made an alarming statement that if Avian Influenza, or bird flu, reached our shores, infected Americans would be quarantined and, if necessary, military troops would be used to enforce this. Naturally, this has scared people, even panicked them, and quite unnecessarily. Avian Influenza is a flu infection of birds. The germ responsible is [...]The Cruising World » Tragedy fuels debate re Antarctic cruising
The tragic death of popular cruiser, explorer and businessman Stephen Glyn Thomas in a hiking accident in Antarctica has fueled debate about the future of cruising and tourism in that region. Stephen Thomas, 51, of Cambridge, England, was a successful businessman and multimillionaire who had launched three major information technology firms, including Geneva Technology, which he [...]All Aboard! » Pendolino to Tampere
by Jay Brunhouse While you feel the acceleration of your S220 Pendolino to Tampere leaving Hämeenlinna, Finland, look left for one of the most impressive sights you can see from a mainline train. The view across the narrow lake reveals the redbrick Hämeenlinna (linna meaning “castle”), dating from the 1260s. It was built by the Swedes [...]Springing a young hawker
At the base of a pyramid near Cairo, Egypt, in January ’05, a young boy approached my wife, Mary, and me and asked if we would buy souvenirs. We smiled and said “No.” He thanked us for not ignoring him, gave Mary a small turquoise beetle and said, “You have a nice day. Smile at [...]Crosswalks for safety
When you are in small towns, remember that you are making it hard on some of the locals by not using crosswalks or following traffic rules. You may have all day to tarry, but locals don’t. I remember trying to walk across a street in Brussels just as the light turned red. A cabbie tried to [...]
© 2008 International Travel News. 
