Air Travel newsletter! See

SARS affects the health of air travel  You are here: About > Travel > Air Travel Travel Air Travel Essentials Save money on airfare Airline Seat Maps Airlines - details and phone numbers Frequent Flyer 411 Info about the 30 Busiest Airports Articles & Resources Book your trip Shopping & gift giving Airlines big/small/budget Airport Info/Shop/Stay/Play Travel Docs and Mileage Seat maps and Inflight Advice and Tips In the news + Travel Tools Safety / Security Job search and training Info/History Buffs Skydive, glide and more Destinations and Events Humor and fun Service Issues Buyer's Guide Luggage Digital SLR Cameras Children's books Portable DVD Players MP3 Players Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Air Travel newsletter! See Online Courses   Search Air Travel Stay up to date! Email to a friend Print this page Elsewhere on the Web World Health Organization - SARS Centers for Disease Control and Prev. Travelers' Health Suggested Reading SARS: from About - Asthma Air travel safety and security Most Popular Airline Phone Numbers Family emergencies - bereav... Paramount Airways Frequent Flyer - Air Tran Sun Country Airlines What's Hot Frequent Flyer - Singapore Jet2 Saving time checking in for... bmi baby Essential Philippines Related Topics Business Travel Budget Travel Hotels / Resorts / Inns SARS affects the health of air travel From Arlene Fleming , Your Guide to Air Travel . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! SARS attacks the air travel industry It is not just war or armed conflict that can have an adverse effect on air travel. Sometimes a virulent virus can create enough ripples of panic in passengers that travel plans are changed or canceled, and airlines suffer as people stop flying or stay closer to home. SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) is proving to be an example of a virus that is steering passengers away from flying to certain regions of the world. Part of the reason that SARS is so potentially devastating to certain sectors of air travel is the fact that it remains ill-understood. Could you catch it from a fellow passenger? How easily transmittable is it? How long can the virus survive airborne, or on objects that have been used by someone infected by SARS? As world health authorities grapple with trying to find concrete answers to such questions, less passengers are willing to risk their well-being (and potentially their lives) over a virus that seems to be reaching different countries by infected passengers traveling via international flights. Not knowing all that there is to know about SARS has led to thousands of canceled bookings as many companies and individuals are heeding the advice to not travel to certain parts of the world unless absolutely necessary. Some airlines have had employees invoke work refusals as the fear of contracting the virus, and its rapid worldwide spread are realized. In light of the growing impact of SARS on air travel, it is important to know what advice is out there for passengers and what efforts airlines are taking on to prevent the spread of SARS. 1 2 3 4 Next        Topic Index | Email to a Friend Our Story | Be a Guide | Advertising Info | Work at About | Site Map | Icons | Help User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy | Kids' Privacy Policy ©2005 About, Inc., A part of the New York Times Company . All rights reserved. Around About New Video iPod - Review POLL: Must-Have Gadgets VIDEO: Portable Gaming VIDEO: Choosing a TV Hugh Hefner's Life What's Hot Frequent Flyer - Singapore Jet2 Saving time checking in for... bmi baby Essential Philippines

Golf Vacation

The Legacy Golf Resort 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 he Legacy's 328 spacious suites, 18-hole championship golf course, sparkling pool and deluxe health club, coupled with an endless variety of recreational activities amidst an inviting resort community, make The Legacy the perfect destination getaway. The Legacy's close proximity to Sky Harbor International Airport , downtown Phoenix , and the Valley's major sporting venues, make it the perfect location for a family vacation, business trip, or weekend getaway. NEWS FLASH! The pool is getting a hot new makeover for spring! On November 28 - January 31, the pool will be closed to be revamped with a brand new deluxe cabana bar, pebble-teching and new decking. Alternative pool accommodations will be made for our guests during this time. Hope to see you poolside soon enjoying our Oasis in the Desert! FIESTA BOWL Fiesta Bowl Accommodations Still Available, But Limited! Rates starting at $199.00. Located less than 10 minutes from Sun Devil Stadium and Downtown Tempe. For Group Rooms of 10 or more per night, contact the Group Sales Department at 602/305-6312. The Legacy Golf Resort offers 328 beautifully appointed luxury guest suites housed in 12 separate buildings . Decorated in Spanish mission-style with rich wood cabinetry and jewel-toned fabrics, each suite features a full kitchen or kitchenette, spacious living area, and either a balcony or patio overlooking lush tropical courtyards and spectacular mountain vistas. The Legacy Golf Resort is an ideal fit for small, intimate and personal meetings and retreats. Enjoy professional and detailed planning, one on-site contact, affordable pricing and welcoming meeting space. Contact us for a personalized proposal and our current packages and specials. Designed by renowned architect Gary Panks, the 6,908-yard, par 71 Legacy golf course was the site of the 2000 LPGA Standard Register PING tournament. The native vegetation and horticulture introduced by the Heard family was carefully incorporated into the course and design layout. more.. more.. more.. 6808 South 32nd Street Phoenix, AZ 85042 Ph: 602-305-5500 | F: 602-305-5501 | TF: 1-888-828-FORE info@legacygolfresort.com

Taiwan Travel Tips Tajikistan

Taiwan Travel Tips Taiwan Travel Tips Taiwan Travel Tips Help another traveler, tells us some Travel Tips? Describe the Travel Tips or explain the Travel Tips of this country or submit links to pages. Opinions, comments, ideas about the Travel Tips of this country. Thank you, Andy a HoboTraveler.com Click Here to Add a New Travel Link or Comment Add a New Travel Link or Comment To Add a Travel Link to this Hobotraveler.Com pagefill out the form below and click submit. GOT a Travel Tip or something to say about a topic? Adding a comment is easy! Just, fill out the Name, E-mail, Title, Location, Comments fields and click 'Add Comment'. * indicates required fields needed for posting a comment Name: * E-Mail Address: * Site Title/Title: * Webpage: City: * State/Province: * Country: * NOTE: The text in the comments field should contain the word below. If the comment does not contain the word, then enter it on a new line exactly asit is shown below. Submissions placed in the wrong category will BE deleted. Click here for an example tr4taiwantraveltips -- Comments: * If you would like to receive the credit for referring another travel site as a great resource for budget travelers please fill in these two fields. Referred By: Referred By's Website: Note: Enter the code alphabets in UPPERCASE only! -- By submitting to HoboTraveler.com, you agree to the HoboTraveler.com Terms of Service SUBMIT TRAVEL TIPS ABOUT THESE COUNTRIES PLEASE Acadia Travel Tips Afghanistan Travel Tips Albania Travel Tips Algeria Travel Tips America Travel Tips American Samoa Travel Tips Andorra Travel Tips Angola Travel Tips Anguilla Travel Tips Antarctica Travel Tips Antigua and Barbuda Travel Tips Arab Emirates United Travel Tips Arctic Ocean Travel Tips Argentina Travel Tips Armenia Travel Tips Aruba Travel Tips Ashmore and Cartier Islands Travel Tips Atlantic Ocean Travel Tips Australia Travel Tips Austria Travel Tips Austro-Hungarian Empire Travel Tips Azerbaijan Travel Tips Azores Travel Tips Bahamas Travel Tips Bahrain Travel Tips Bangladesh Travel Tips Barbados Travel Tips Barbuda Travel Tips Bassa Da India Travel Tips Belarus Travel Tips Belau Travel Tips Belgium Travel Tips Belize Travel Tips Benin Travel Tips Bermuda Travel Tips Bhutan Travel Tips Bolivia Travel Tips Bosnia and Herzegovinia Travel Tips Botswana Travel Tips Bouvet Island Travel Tips Brazil Travel Tips British Indian Ocean Territory Travel Tips British Virgin Islands Travel Tips Brunei Darussalam Travel Tips Bulgaria Travel Tips Burkina Faso Travel Tips Burma Travel Tips Burundi Travel Tips Cambodia Travel Tips Cameroon Travel Tips Canada Travel Tips Cape Colony Travel Tips Cape Verde Travel Tips Cayman Islands Travel Tips Central African Republic Travel Tips Ceskoslovensko Travel Tips Ceylon Travel Tips Chad Travel Tips Chile Travel Tips China Travel Tips Christmas Island Travel Tips Clipperton Island Travel Tips Cocos (Keeling) Islands Travel Tips Colombia Travel Tips Comoros Travel Tips Congo Democractic Republic of Travel Tips Congo Republic of the Travel Tips Cook Islands Travel Tips Coral Sea Islands Travel Tips Costa Rica Travel Tips Cote D'Ivoire Travel Tips Croatia Travel Tips Cuba Travel Tips Cyprus Travel Tips Czechoslovakia Travel Tips Czech Republic Travel Tips Denmark Travel Tips Deutschland Travel Tips Djibouti Travel Tips Dominica Travel Tips Dominican Republic Travel Tips East Timor Travel Tips Ecuador Travel Tips Egypt Travel Tips El Salvador Travel Tips England Travel Tips Equatorial Guinea Travel Tips Eritrea Travel Tips Estonia Travel Tips Ethiopia Travel Tips Europa Island Travel Tips Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Travel Tips Malvinas (Falkland Islands) Travel Tips Faroe Islands Travel Tips Federated States of Micronesia Travel Tips Fiji Travel Tips Finland Travel Tips Flanders Travel Tips France Travel Tips French Guiana Travel Tips French Polynesia Travel Tips French Southern Territories Travel Tips Gabon Travel Tips Gambia Travel Tips Gaza Strip Travel Tips Georgia (country) Travel Tips Germany Travel Tips Ghana Travel Tips Gibraltar Travel Tips Glorioso Islands Travel Tips Great Britain Travel Tips Greece Travel Tips Greenland Travel Tips Grenada Travel Tips Guadeloupe Travel Tips Guam Travel Tips Guatemala Travel Tips Guernsey Travel Tips Guinea Travel Tips Guinea-Bissau Travel Tips Guyana Travel Tips Haiti Travel Tips Heard & McDonald Islands Travel Tips Holland Travel Tips Holy City Travel Tips Honduras Travel Tips Hong Kong Travel Tips Howland Island Travel Tips Hrvatska Travel Tips Hungary Travel Tips Iceland Travel Tips India Travel Tips Indian Ocean Travel Tips Indonesia Travel Tips Iran Travel Tips Iraq Travel Tips Ireland Travel Tips Isle of Man Isle Travel Tips Israel Travel Tips Italy Travel Tips Jamaica Travel Tips Jan Mayen Travel Tips Japan Travel Tips Jarvis Island Travel Tips Jersey Travel Tips Johnston Atoll Travel Tips Jordan Travel Tips Juan de Nova Island Travel Tips Kazakhstan Travel Tips Keeling Islands Travel Tips Kenya Travel Tips United Kingdom Travel Tips Kingman Reef Travel Tips Kiribati Travel Tips Korea Republic of Travel Tips Korea Dem. Peoples Republic Travel Tips Kroatien Travel Tips Kuwait Travel Tips Kyrgyzstan Travel Tips Laos Travel Tips Latvia Travel Tips Lebanon Travel Tips Lesotho Travel Tips Liberia Travel Tips Libya Travel Tips Liechtenstein Travel Tips Lithuania Travel Tips United Empire Loyalist Travel Tips Luxembourg Travel Tips Macau Travel Tips Macedonia Travel Tips Madagascar Travel Tips Magyarorszag Travel Tips Malawi Travel Tips Malaysia Travel Tips Maldives Travel Tips Mali Travel Tips Malta Travel Tips Marshall Islands Travel Tips Martinique Travel Tips Mauritania Travel Tips Mauritius Travel Tips Mayotte Travel Tips Mexico Travel Tips Micronesia Federated States of Travel Tips Midway Islands Travel Tips Miquelon Travel Tips Moldava Travel Tips Monaco Travel Tips Mongolia Travel Tips Montenegro Travel Tips Montserrat Travel Tips Morocco Travel Tips Mozambique Travel Tips Myanmar Travel Tips Namibia Travel Tips Nauru Travel Tips Navassa Island Travel Tips Nepal Travel Tips Netherlands Travel Tips Netherlands Antilles Travel Tips Neutral Zone Travel Tips Nevis Travel Tips New Caledonia Travel Tips New Zealand Travel Tips Nicaragua Travel Tips Niger Travel Tips Nigeria Travel Tips Niue Travel Tips Norfolk Island Travel Tips Northern Ireland Travel Tips Northern Mariana Islands Travel Tips Norway Travel Tips Oesterreich Travel Tips Oman Travel Tips Pacific Ocean Travel Tips Pakistan Travel Tips Palau Travel Tips Palmyra Atoll Travel Tips Panama Travel Tips Papua New Guinea Travel Tips Paracel Islands Travel Tips Paraguay Travel Tips Peru Travel Tips Philippines Travel Tips Pitcairn Travel Tips Poland Travel Tips Portugal Travel Tips Puerto Rico Travel Tips Qatar Travel Tips Reunion Travel Tips Romania Travel Tips Russia Travel Tips Rwanda Travel Tips Saint Helena Travel Tips Saint Kitts and Nevis Travel Tips Saint Lucia Travel Tips Saint Pierre and Miquelon Travel Tips Saint Vincent & Grenadines Travel Tips Samoa Travel Tips San Marino Travel Tips Sao Tome and Principe Travel Tips Saudi Arabia Travel Tips Scotland Travel Tips Senegal Travel Tips Serbia Travel Tips Serbia and Montenegro Travel Tips Seychelles Travel Tips Sicily Travel Tips Sierra Leone Travel Tips Singapore Travel Tips Slovakia Travel Tips Slovenia Travel Tips Slovensko Travel Tips Solomon Islands Travel Tips Somalia Travel Tips South Africa Travel Tips Southern Ocean Travel Tips South Georgia Travel Tips South Sandwich Islands Travel Tips Spain Travel Tips Spratly Islands Travel Tips Sri Lanka Travel Tips Sudan Travel Tips Suriname Travel Tips Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Travel Tips Swaziland Travel Tips Sweden Travel Tips Switzerland Travel Tips Syrian Arab Republic Travel Tips Taiwan Travel Tips Tajikistan Travel Tips Tanzania Travel Tips Thailand Travel Tips Togo Travel Tips Tokelau Travel Tips Tonga Travel Tips Transylvania Travel Tips Trinidad and Tobago Travel Tips Tromelin Island Travel Tips Tunisia Travel Tips Turkey Travel Tips Turkmenistan Travel Tips Turks and Caicos Islands Travel Tips Tuvalu Travel Tips UAE Travel Tips Uganda Travel Tips UK Travel Tips Ukraine Travel Tips United Arab Emirates Travel Tips United States of America Travel Tips Uruguay Travel Tips USA Travel Tips USSR Travel Tips Uzbekistan Travel Tips Vanuatu Travel Tips Vatican City Travel Tips Venezuela Travel Tips Vietnam Travel Tips Virgin Islands Travel Tips Wake Island UK Travel Tips Wales Travel Tips Wallis & Futana Islands Travel Tips West Bank Travel Tips Western Sahara Travel Tips Western Samoa Travel Tips World Travel Tips Yemen Travel Tips Yugoslavia Travel Tips Zaire Travel Tips Zambia Travel Tips Zimbabwe Travel Tips Subscribe to Free Travel Newsletter! FREE weekly TRAVEL NEWSLETTER Top Travel Sites 2004 PLEASE! Jobs with Hobo HOSTING Hobotraveler.com HoboHideOut.com HoboBlog.com HoboGuide.com HoboJobs.com HoboTravelGear.com Wikihobo.com Flyinghobos.com 1 2 3 4 5 6 Statistics of Site Thank You from Andy of HoboTraveler.com

Vacation Inn of Victoria

A Victoria hotel for the whole family - Vacation Inn Victoria Hotel Room Rates Pet Friendly Waterslide Victoria Activities Mirage Spa Contact Us Book NOW! The only Victoria Hotel with all the fun! Victoria hotel for the Whole Family! Kids just wanna have fun...we know that, so this summer we will be entertaining the kids with our outdoor pool and Waterslide . The only Victoria BC hotel to offer a waterslide! Parents will like to stay here too... Kids Stay FREE! Weary travelers look forward to the warm west coast welcome of the Vacation Inn of Victoria BC. This Victoria hotel greets guests with its renowned hospitality and all the comforts of home - this Victoria BC hotel has tastefully appointed air conditioned rooms, brand new queen size beds and cable television. After a day of traveling or touring, guests can relax at this Victoria hotel in the heated pool and the garden patio lounge. The Vacation Inn features a wide range of dining services, including a casual dining lounge, licensed cocktail lounge, and full facilities for banquets or conventions in Victoria BC. The Vacation Inn is a centrally located Victoria hotel, putting all the delights of Victoria BC just minutes away. The friendly and courteous staff are always pleased to direct you to all the high points of the Garden City. The Vacation Inn also offers free guest parking. Read unbiased opinions about this Victoria hotel at TripAdvisor. All to make your stay a most enjoyable one! Air-conditioners in all rooms All queen size beds Complimentary morning papers Fresh brewed Coffee and Tea in every room Free local calls Free satellite movies and sports Wheelchair accessibility - some rooms 24 hour desk Outdoor heated pool - in season Near Mayfair Shopping Mall Restaurant, Lounge, Pub and Banquets Parking for 250 cars Fax and photocopy service available Visit our Virtual Concierge for Victoria and beyond! Privacy Policy Terms of Use Contact Us Links Address - 3020 Douglas Street Victoria BC V8T 4N4 Phone 250.386.6141 Fax 250.380.9990

Europe Travel Planner 10

Eastern Europe Travel Planner Web TransitionsAbroad.com Home Work Study Travel Living Transitions Abroad Magazine September/October 2000 Related Topics Independent Travel Budget Travel More by the Author Work in Prague Paying Bills Back Home Eastern Europe Travel Planner 10 Tips for Visiting “The Other Europe” By Mishelle Shepard It’s true that the majority of Eastern European destinations are not for every traveler. Those who seek comfort and luxury should probably not venture far beyond capital cities like Prague, Budapest, Berlin, Tallinn, and Warsaw. But for those wishing to travel beyond the tourist zone and seek real off-the-beaten path places, people and experiences, Eastern Europe has countless options. Musicians add ambiance to a stroll on the famous St. Charles Bridge in Prague (Photo by Kent St. John) Guidebooks and locals have different definitions of what exactly constitutes “Eastern” and “Central” and “Southern” Europe. Including Albania and Romania with the same traveling advice given for the Czech Republic and former East Germany poses loads of obvious problems. Still, some general tips apply to many countries and can help alleviate minor discomforts. Bring Some Necessities I laughed the first time I left for Eastern Europe in 1990 and my grandfather told me to bring toilet paper. Thinking surely since his visit to communist Russia in the 70s there’s been some improvement, I dismissed the idea. Little did I know that after a couple of weeks I would be begging my family to send me even a 4-pack of bargain brand. Although I wouldn’t dream of loading myself down with such things as kleenex, plastic zipper bags, feminine products, or anti-perspirant, outside the main capitals such things are still difficult to come by. Even in a decent restaurant in a major capital the toilet paper resembles something close to a thin brown-paper lunch bag, and in public facilities it’s rationed according to a per-square price. I consider traveling with emergency reserve tissue an absolute necessity. Choosing Accommodations Planning ahead online is now so convenient that it’s a waste of time not to make reservations when traveling to the major cities in summer. In general, however, even where accommodations are plentiful there can be lack of mid-priced choices. The convenient and popular chains that have sprung up all over the West have not yet filtered deeply into Eastern Europe. • When considering where to stay, a good up-to-date guidebook with phone numbers of accommodations in your price range provides quick and easy piece of mind. Some countries also have extensive hotel and pension listings online that offer discounted reservations, but a follow-up call or fax is still a good idea. • In smaller towns, hotels are reasonably priced and can be found right in the town center. Remember, however, that public transportation stops early in the small towns and a lack of taxis could find you stranded. Even in a heavily touristed spa town like Karlovy Vary during the International Film Festival, a stay in the pedestrian center with breakfast in a well-run 2-star hotel costs about $40. • Pensions are a good budget choice in larger cities and are usually friendlier than a crowded hotel. Still, pensions are only a good option when they’re close to public transport, because a late night taxi ride when public transportation is sparse can quickly offset the savings in room cost. The same goes for private rooms offered by individuals—changing from bus to subway to tram can cost considerable time and money. • When alone, a hostel can’t be beat for meeting other travelers. “Junior” hotels are a similar option in many Eastern European countries and they often rent bikes and other sports equipment. And hostels are not just for students, they offer an affordable alternative for families and other budget-minded travelers. • Camping is a great way to meet lots of locals, but, of course, packing gear is inconvenient when traveling around a city. As in Western Europe, the bungalows fill up quickly in summer, so hauling around a tent may be unavoidable. Unfortunately, in a few countries the camping facilities might be the best accommodations available. Money In major cities credit cards are an easy and safe bet, but not some pensions and campgrounds or smaller bars and restaurants. When paying with a credit card outside the capitals, be warned, sometimes the machine is (mysteriously) broken, and you’ll be asked to pay in cash. If it’s absolutely necessary for you to pay by card, it’s best to make sure in advance. Cash machines are easy to come by in cities, but rare in villages. Carrying cash to smaller destinations is unavoidable, but costs are still relatively low outside the popular spots, so a little goes a long way. The foreigner pricing system still exists but is becoming less common because merchants realize travelers don’t appreciate spending two times the normal price for the same services. Not everything is a bargain in Eastern Europe and doing a bit of research can help you avoid mistaken assumptions or false claims. For example, skiing in some Eastern European destinations is just not worth the meager reduction in cost when you consider the T-lifts, crowds and quality of rental equipment. Beyond the Capitals Traveling as an English-speaker to small towns and villages may get you some longer-than-average looks, but it will also get you warm hospitality, a more authentic perception of local life and some great cross-cultural experiences. Choosing a destination depends on your interests. For first-time travelers, it can be less isolating and still very rewarding to visit vacation destinations that are popular with Eastern Europeans but fairly untouched by native English-speakers. Places like the Great Masurian Lakes near the border between Poland and Lithuania, the coast of Croatia, the Giant Mountains of Slovakia, or the spa towns in many countries are good choices. UNESCO world heritage sites, such as Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic, the medieval town of Torun in Poland, or the famous caves of Slovakia and Slovenia are also interesting destinations. It can be fun to plan a“theme trip,” focusing on historical sites and castles, wine regions, or tracing your roots. To Drive or Not to Drive When renting or buying a car for exploring Eastern Europe you have to consider all the hidden expenses. Many countries have toll roads that require you to have a sticker or else dish out a hefty fine on the spot. Sometimes extra insurance is required for cars originating from the West, and gas prices are very high. City-to-city travel by car usually isn’t worth it for groups of less than four. On the other hand, driving can be beneficial if you have limited time and want to see as many places as possible, including all the quaint country villages and castles along the way. Getting Educated For many of us, even the biggest culture hounds, Eastern Europe has remained largely a mystery. Misinformation during communist times has been followed by a general lack of information since. Still, there are numerous books, including Eva Hoffman’s Exit into History, that poignantly describe the culture, politics and history of the region in an entertaining style. There are also some very informative web sites on Eastern Europe. When researching the culture, don’t exclude fiction, especially books written by communist dissidents. A much truer picture of the people, their dreams and their difficulties will emerge than if you limit yourself to non-fiction. Another good cultural education option is to see popular locally produced films, which you can often view with English subtitles at cinemas in the capital cities. Opportunities for work and study are continually expanding, although most economies are still in heavy transition. Those countries hoping for EU entry are adopting stricter visa regulations, so it pays to keep up-to-date at the various embassy web sites. In the major cities, there are many news sources that will keep you up-to-date, and internet cafes have changed the face of traveling altogether. From keeping in touch with family and friends, to knowing what’s going on in town to meeting people, nothing beats the convenience of on-line access when abroad. The Dreaded Languages Unfortunately most of us didn’t have a couple of years of college Ukrainian and Polish along with our French and Spanish. In Western Europe, most travelers can usually manage, but in off-the-beaten-path Poland the choice is to either to improve your gesturing skills or grow very attached to your phrasebook. If you’re staying for more than a few days, it’s worth the effort to learn some of the language. It’s not easy, but you’ll be rewarded with mountains of praise from the locals. There’s no need to take formal lessons unless you plan to work or go to school. Instead, just try offering an exchange of English for Czech, Hungarian, or whatever, and chances are you can work out a mutually beneficial arrangement. Speaking Russian in most countries won’t win you a popularity contest. The few locals who remember their required Russian don’t usually care to speak it and would rather try their hand at charades or even very broken English. Services Although it’s true the atmosphere has changed considerably in the last ten years, that change has stayed primarily in the capital centers. But even in the capitals, old habits die hard. Service varies widely between downright “tippable” to completely aggravating. However, many of us are spoiled. I, personally, can’t recall ever getting better service anywhere in Europe (with the exception of London) than I get regularly in the States. The rule I try to stand by is, don’t pay any more attention to the service than they pay to you. That way when it’s good you’re pleasantly surprised and when it’s not you hardly notice. This attitude has taken a bit of training, but it’s been worth it in the long run. Meeting the Locals Visiting the local festivals is a great way to meet people in a milieu that is not necessarily language-dependent. Medieval reenactments, world championship sporting events, or traveling Romany festivals attract more locals than tourists. It’s easy to find out what’s going on by simply asking around, checking information centers, or reading the monthly cultural guides available in cities and on-line. Not only have many of the natives changed in the past ten years, the ex-pats have as well. The number of ex-pats living in the most popular Eastern European capitals has actually gone down since its height not long after “the fall.” Hanging out at one of the typical ex-pat bars for the true cross-culture seeker used to mean selling out and choosing cultural “isolation,” but now many of the foreigners living here are in intercultural marriages and actually speak the language or heartily try. Moreover, the locals have found the ex-pat hangouts a great place to meet young travelers and practice their English. Shunning the ex-pat scene today could mean missing out on where the jobs are or the chance to meet locals who are looking to get to know you. The Invitation More so than in Western Europe, social life takes place in people’s homes. Just a bit of preplanning is a sure-fire way to meet people even before you arrive. More than once I’ve started correspondences with people on-line and had the time of my life when they invited me over once I arrived in town. It’s important to be cautious, of course, but an invitation to a local’s home opens otherwise tightly closed doors. Rustic weekend cottages and garden plots play a big role in local life in many countries and are a great way to really get to know people. What began as a practical and economical alternative to traveling remains a favorite escape from the city and a special treat for the honored guest. The East in general has retained a sense of formality and hierarchy that has become foreign to most of the West. At the same time, Eastern Europeans seem to expect the traveler to break the rules. The same faux pas that would probably get you a repressed sneer in France will be noticed with only a subdued snicker in Poland. Reading up on the local customs will remind you that taking off your shoes in someone’s home, bringing a small bouquet to the host, avoiding probing questions over dinner, sitting with strangers at a restaurant and other common courtesies are not typically shared by westerners. Perhaps undeservedly, Americans (and other native English speakers) are, for the most part, still adored in most of Eastern Europe. Of course, there has been quite a bit of “demystification” on both sides in the last ten years, but now even among the older generations apprehension has been replaced by full-fledged curiosity. That means the typical tourist misses out on great opportunities for a real cross-cultural experience while their eyes are glued to the cathedrals and their ears are pinned to the city guide. Many first-timers from the West are surprised how far the major cities have come compared to what they’ve read or seen in the past. Other travelers notice how little has really changed in some of the more remote villages. One thing is certain, though; while prices are still low and locals still curious, it’s well worth it to take advantage of this part of the world and appreciate what is undoubtedly a fleeting moment in time. Selected Web Sites www.inyourpocket.com . www.centraleurope.com . www.cdc.gov/travel/easteurp.htm. goeasteurope.about.com/mbody.htm. www.culturekiosk.com . www.hotelscentral.com . www.adventureguide.com . www.concierge.com . Newsflashes General Complying with EU regulations means many countries are updating visa policies. All Canadian tourists will need a visa to travel to the Czech Republic in 2001. Long-term visas are already required for Americans, but the requirements for obtaining one may become less stringent. Slovakia Food and service is still regularly improving and many new options have opened in Bratislava’s The Old Market Place. The new Montana’s Grizzly Bar has already become a popular hang out. Czech Republic In Karlovy Vary the famed Nezvala theatre of Helmer and Fellner, complete with the original curtain by G. and E. Klimt and F. Matsch, has finally reopened after several years of reconstruction. The annual International Film Festival, which takes place in early July, is gaining more international recognition every year. The 1999 appearance of Woody Harrelson caused quite a stir, and Milos Forman is a regular favorite. Prague was chosen as one of the European cities of culture for 2000. Under the broad theme of “cultural heritage” the city has different activities planned throughout the year. The famed ex-pat meetingplace and bookstore The Globe has moved to a bigger and better location: Pstrossova 6 in Prague 1. Eastern Germany This year marked the third year for the annual Summerfest of Theatres in Berlin, for budget travelers it’s a great way to enjoy scenes of local productions for free. The Erotic Museum is an interesting alternative for travelers tired of the run-of-the-mill art and history museums. Poland Krakow, is another of the Year 2000 cities of culture, plans to extend the cultural events into a 5-year program to promote tourism. For nightlife seekers in Krakow the new In Vitro dance club is a popular hip-but-cheap option. Slovenia The international summer festival in Ljubljana is getting bigger and better every year. Not to be missed is the International Biennial of Graphic Arts at the Museum of Modern Art. The Julian Alps are a cheaper alternative to a mountain getaway than her Austrian and Italian neighbors, but expect higher prices than other Eastern European countries. MISHELLE SHEPARD is a freelance writer currently teaching English and French at Charles Univ. in Prague. She served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Czech Republic from 1994-96. You may contact her at mischelleshepard@hotmail.com . Web TransitionsAbroad.com Home Work Study Travel Living Disclaimer ©Transitions Abroad