Travelrific® Travel Journal

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Archive for international travel

The Passion Play Returns

By Linda Tancs

It’s (almost) that time again.  Reservations will begin in 2008 for the 2010 production of The Passion Play in the Bavarian village of Oberammergau, Germany.  The play, depicting the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, was first mentioned in a text from the 1600s citing the villagers’ promise to God to produce the play every 10 years in exchange for being spared from the Black Death.  The 2010 performances, from May to October, will mark the 41st production in modern times.  If you snooze you’ll lose out until 2020.

The Kingdom of Nepal

By Linda Tancs

In this week’s edition of Travelrific Travel Show, the topic is Nepal.  This tiny kingdom boasts plenty of attractions in the valley for those who aren’t interested in scaling the world’s tallest mountain.  Tune in at www.travelrificradio.com.

Las Vegas, Dubai Style

By Linda Tancs

Is there room in the world for another Strip (without the gambling)?  Dubai’s Bawadi is developing a $100 billion strip of themed resorts (think Epcot), including the world’s largest hotel.  The resorts characterizing the Americas will be the Latino Resort representing Latino culture, America Hotel and Resort (celebrating North American and South American cultures) and Wild Wild West (think John Wayne).  Other resorts will represent Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.   A Universal site will provide general entertainment.  Sounds more like a World’s Fair than a Vegas-like showplace.  Then again, maybe that’s the point.

The World’s First City to Go Green

By Linda Tancs

The Welsh have six different ways of saying “green,” so it should come as no surprise that Wales boasts the first city to adopt an all-green program.  The tiny hamlet of St. David’s has initiated an Eco City Project designed to maintain a carbon neutral lifestyle.  The project supports the planting and preservation of trees to absorb carbon emissions, harvesting of rainwater, low-energy light bulbs and solar-heated water.  Learn more at www.eco-city.co.uk.

Charles Dickens Comes to Life in Kent

By Linda Tancs

Charles Dickens alive and well in Chatham?  Bah, humbug.  But seriously, you can explore the life and times of the great storyteller in his hometown of Chatham, England along with many of his favorite characters at the newly opened Dickens World.  Check out www.dickensworld.co.uk.

Use of Cell Phones During U.S. Flights is Scrapped

By Linda Tancs

The FCC has abandoned its plans to initiate the use of cell phones during commercial flights in the U.S.  But don’t put away those cell phones just yet.  European regulators just might green-light the idea after airlines finish testing for interference.  Why the difference in philosophy?  Undoubtedly it has something to do with the mobile phone culture in Europe, about a billion or so users strong.  How’s that for market penetration?

Proposed Change in Overbooked Flights Comp Rule

By Linda Tancs

For the first time in 30 years, the U.S. Dept. of Transportation is considering upping the ante on compensation for stranded passengers.  Current rules allow for compensation up to $200 for domestic flights delayed up to 2 hours and international flights delayed up to 4 hours.   For delays past 2 hours and 4 hours, respectively, the ante is raised to $400.

Of course, these amounts are not indexed for inflation.  That’s why one of the proposals on the table is to increase the $200 cap to $624 and the $400 cap to $1248.  There are other proposals as well, such as eliminating all compensation limits and using the ticket’s value as a guide.  What say you?  Weigh in with your two cents by September 10, 2007.  Go to http://dms.dot.gov and plug in docket number OST-01-9325-4 to read all of the proposals and instructions for public comment.