April 2014

While Germany sits in the driver’s seat of Europe’s economy, it doesn’t take a cultural backseat either. Here are a few of the latest developments.

• Berlin is trying to finish construction of its new, 5-billion-euro (nearly 7-billion-dollar) airport, Willy Brandt Berlin-Brandenburg International, but the project has been perennially delayed by a faulty fire-safety system, glitches in the baggage-sorting equipment and other technical problems. A partial opening in 2014 is possible but not likely.

In Thailand, a popular destination for Asians and Europeans is Hua Hin, a beach resort town about 125 miles south of Bangkok in an area favored by the Thai royal family. It is where King Rama VII (1893-1941) built a beautiful summer palace, now a tourist attraction, and it is where the current king made his residence, in another palace nearby, until his poor health required that he move to a hospital in Bangkok.

16 days, 15 nights, June 18-July 3 & Aug. 27-Sept. 11, 2014. Highlights: In Ulaanbaatar, 19th-century Gandan Monastery, dinosaur skeletons and eggs at Natural History Museum/in Gobi Desert, Eagle Valley/desert ger camps/at Khongoryn Els, ride Bactrian camels to 2,600-foot-high “singing” sand dunes/in Bayanzag, Flaming Cliffs/Khögnö Khan Uul Nature Reserve/ruins of ancient Mongol capital of Karakorum/Erdene Zuu, possibly the country’s oldest-surviving Buddhist monastery. Land, $5,495-$5,895 per person, double. Single, $6,290-$6,690.

14-day, 13-night festival tour of SRI LANKA, July 27-Aug. 11, 2014. Highlights: In Colombo, Cinnamon Gardens, Sea Street, Dutch Church of Wolfendhal/in Sigiriya, climb fifth-century rock fortress/elephantback safari/in Kandy, decorated elephants, performers parade under full moon/in Royal Botanical Gardens, flying foxes, orchid house, spice-and-herb gardens/in Nuwara Eliya, tea factory tour/Yala National Park. Land, $3,895. Single supp., $1,295.

8-day, 7-night tour in TURKEY, Sept. 13-20, 2014. Highlights: In Constantinople, sixth-century Yerebatan Sarayı cistern, Hippodrome, Hagia Sophia/Byzantine mosaics in Chora Church/in Thrace, Anastasian Wall/private Bosphorus cruise /Ottoman fort Rumeli Hisarı/Sadberk Hanım Museum/Topkapı Palace/Blue Mosque/cake and tea at Pera Palace Hotel. Land, £2,185 (near $3,645). Single supp., £325 ($542).

9-day, 8-night tour through southern Croatia. Through September 2014. Highlights: Dubrovnik hinterland/in Cavtat, Račić family mausoleum/in Orebič, winery tour/Rector’s and Sponza palaces/folklore performance at Ljubač family farm/on island of Korčula, 1912 hotel/historic Trogir/in Salona, Roman ruins/in Split, Diocletian’s Palace/Dalmatian folk a capella performance. Land, from $3,351 per person, double (varies by departure date). Single, $5,220. Prices less if no private tour on Day 2.

8-day, 7-night hiking tour (challenging) through Dolomite Mountains in ITALY, July 5-12, Aug. 2-9 & Sept. 6-13, 2014. Head lamps, ice axes, etc., provided. Highlights: Via ferrata (iron paths) through mountain passes/WWI ruins in open-air museums/stays in rifugios (huts)/at Mt. Lagazuoi, hidden military forts/Marmolata Glacier. Land, €1,990 (near $2,728); more if fewer than four in group. Single supp., (hotels only), €65 ($89).

11-day, 10-night bicycle tour (14-31 miles per day) through ENGLAND’s Cotswold district. Highlights: Meet in Cheltenham; ride through villages/Cotswold Wildlife Park/Hidcote Manor Garden/Bourton-on-the-Water/Northleach, historic wool town/Sudeley Castle/Iron Age fort at Crickley Hill/mosaic floors and artifacts in Chedworth Roman villa. Land (B&B), £960 (near $1,601) per person, double. Single, £1,151 ($1,920). Can upgrade to hotel.

This month’s winner is SAMANTHA SARTAIN of Colorado Springs, Colorado:
 
My dad was assigned to France Field in the Canal Zone of Panama in 1939. I was only 3 at the time, but I DO remember this.

Just before Thanksgiving that year, a friend of my mother’s got a live turkey, then began to prepare it. This entailed chloroforming it, as she just couldn’t do an axe job on it. Next she plucked out all of its feathers. That’s when she got a phone call from an old friend. 

My wife, Ginny, and I have traveled throughout Europe via Grand Circle Travel (Boston, MA; 800/221-2610). The Grand Circle Foundation funds, in part, many programs around the world, including a number involving upgraded educational opportunities for children, especially in the younger grades. As a longtime coin collector, I’ve used the 50 State Quarters® Program coin series for a wonderful impact on these children.