HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: brekshyn@shearson.com (Bohdan Rekshynskyj)
Subject: Traveling to Rome, please advise.
Keywords: Italy Rome
Reply-To: brekshyn@shearson.com
Organization: Ordinatio
Date: Tue, 6 Oct 1992 14:46:55 GMT

Greetings,

   I am traveling (finally!) to Rome on vacation at the end of the month for the
first time since 1985.  I'd like to know how much things have changed in the
interim, especially items pertaining to ancient Rome.  But I also have some
other questions:

*) Easy way from Leonardo da Vinci airport to the city?  Don't want to use a
   ripoff cab!
*) Good places to stay (not more than $180 per double per night), centrally
   located.
*) Events held there for first week of November (musical, historical)?
*) Good places to eat (I'll splurge a little on food this time)!
*) What kind of weather?
*) Is Hadrian's villa open this time of the year?
*) Is it a good idea for a one-day trip to Castelli Romani or Frascati?
*) Is the museum at EUR still closed?

Any information and insights in addition to the above is really appreciated!
Please feel free to email me...  soon!  Thanks in advance again!

					Bohdan

P.S. - If I get enough feedback, I'll post a summary.





=====================================================================
 
Bohdan Peter Rekshynskyj
 
Consultant                     
 
Compuserve:  72576.1754@compuserve.com


                              
All promulgations are my own.  No corporate entity has authorization
to represent me.
 
Imprimatur.						Nihil obstat.
 
=====================================================================


Newsgroups: rec.travel
From: pchris@dcc.uchile.cl (Chris Perleberg)
Subject: Re: Anyone know about festival in Quito Dec. 6??
Originator: pchris@pehuen
Date: Tue, 29 Sep 1992 19:55:39 GMT
Reply-To: pchris@dcc.uchile.cl
Organization: Universidad de Chile, Depto. de Ciencias de la Computacion


In article <10932@sun13.scri.fsu.edu>, nall@sun8.scri.fsu.edu (John Nall) writes:
> In looking through The SA Handbook, in dreamy anticipation of my
> vacation trip to Quito, Equador the last part of November and the
> first part of December, I note that it says:
> 
> 	"Another festival, for week ending Dec. 5, celebrates
> 	 foundation of [Quito].  Hotels allowed to charge extra.
> 	 Bullfights, and music in streets."
> 
> Anyone been through this?  Anything good/bad which I might want
> to see/avoid?

Two years ago, I arrived in Quito from Colombia on the 4th of December.  I 
didn't know anything about the festival.  The town was packed and I had to 
wander about quite a bit until I found a room.  All of the hotels/residencias
were full.  I was too tired to see much of the festival, but other travelers
went to see the bullfights.  I guess you have to be used to bullfights
because they really didn't like it too much, the blood and all.

Yes, there is a lot of andean music in the street, and it's probably a good
time to see Quito with the people all celebrating.  The New's Years Parade
on Amazonas is definitely worth checking out with a lot of politically
controversial floats, people etc.  At they end, they burn all of the floats
with *huge* bonfires.  Not something you are going to see in NYC....

One of the interesting things about the police in Quito (at least in the
several months that I was there) is the cuantity of tear-gas that they use
every week.  In my short time there, I saw several tear-gassed events.  When
the teachers had a protest march because of there low wages (minimum wage
(about $40/month at the time) after 4-5 years of University education), the
police were there tear-gassing them.  When the students protested about the
Persian Gulf War, the police made circles in their armoured vehicle around
a block near the University, shooting tear gas at the students.  The students
would run up as it approached, throw some rocks, then run away and wait for
the next time it would come around the block.  A circus, basically.  Maybe
I should mention that I wasn't seeking events that would be tear-gassed.  I
was simply there for some other reason when they occurred.

Saludos,
	Chris Perleberg
	pchris@dcc.uchile.cl
From: brit@wagner.Physics.McGill.CA (Dave Britton)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: Re: Car Rental in San Francisco
Date: 29 Sep 92 02:36:27 GMT
Organization: McGill University

n rec.travel article <1992Sep28.193959.1@vax1.tcd.ie> you wrote:
> Thanks for information received so far about days trips >from SF. Could  
someone please recommend a good place to 
>rent a car, preferably as inexpensively as possible. 
> 
> Peter Boyland, University of Dublin, Trinity College.

SF is a pretty good (ie cheap) place to rent a car.
The best method is to call the 1-800 numbers of the
national companies becasue in my experiance they
always give better rates than calling up the indivual
agencies.  If you rent for more than 3-days then check
the weekly rate... it might be cheaper. If you can
use AMEX or gold-VISA etc you can sometimes almost 
halve the rental cost by avoiding having to get the
CDW.

1-800-try-avis (Avis)
1-800-263-0600 (Hertz)
1-800-for-cars (thrifty)
1-800-327-7607 (General)
1-800-car-rent (National)
1-800-327-9633 (Alamo)

In may experiance (17 x 1-week rentals in last 18-months)
thrifty is normally cheapest but sometimes Avis or Hertz
have a special on that is better.

dave.
From: aodyniec@orion.oac.uci.edu (Alex Odyniec)
Subject: Re: Exchanging money in Europe
Summary: Visa/MC cash advance at ATM's
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Organization: University of California, Irvine
Keywords: money
Date: 2 Oct 92 17:40:36 GMT

     It sounds like a Visa/MC cash advance is the most convenient way
of getting cash in Europe for US visitors. Altho many ATM's in the UK
and France are hooked up to the US (debit) bank card networks (Cirrus,
Plus)*, most ATM's in other European countries (e.g. Germany) are not.
Therefore I called my Visa and MC banks to get PIN's and found out
that both charge not only interest but also a transaction fee of
2-2.5% (not to exceed $10-20) and do not allow a prepayment to avoid
charges. BTW, I can also get emergency cash from Diners Club at many
tourist offices in Europe with no interest but a hefty 4% transaction
charge.
     I am planning on avoiding cash transactions whenever possible and
charging expenses to my credit cards -- with most of them the
transaction fees are 1% or none, exchange rates are pretty close to
interbank, plus I get an interest-free loan for 1-2 months because of
grace and billing periods. For small cash, I'll carry good old
travelers checks and use either those or ATM cash advances whichever
is more convenient. And when applying for credit cards in the future,
I'll consider it an advantage if the banking institution doesn't
charge transaction fees on cash advances or allows prepayment.

* One bank official told me that Cirrus and Plus have merged.

Alex Odyniec
UC Irvine
From: roy@panix.com (Roy Radow)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: Advise sought - AM I LOOKING FOR TROUBLE ????
Date: 4 Oct 92 04:53:19 GMT
Organization: PANIX Public Access Unix, NYC

A friend and I am considering driving by car through Mexico and
Guatemala to Honduras in Central America. I'm not certain what
I'm getting myself into. 

Does anyone have any useful advise or information ?

How difficult is it to get the necessary papers to take a
car into and out of these countries?

Are there any particular areas which should be avoided as
dangerous? (I really don't want to get robbed or worse.)

Are there routes which should be avoided because of road
conditions or whatever?

Do you have any advice as to what to do in case of mechanical
breakdown or accident?

Or are there places which you might recommend as particularly
worth seeing?

Please post or email me any information that you may have.
Any and all advise\reassurance would be greatly appreciated.

Roy






-- 
Roy Radow               roy@panix.com         ...rutgers!cmcl2!panix!roy
North American Man/Boy Love Association -For a packet containing a sample
Bulletin, publications list and membership information send $1.00 postage
to: NAMBLA Info,  Dept.RR,  PO Box 174,  Midtown Station,  NYC NY  10018.
Newsgroups: rec.travel
From: thigpen@lambda.msfc.nasa.gov (Keith Thigpen)
Subject: Honeymoon in Scotland
Summary: Is Scotland a good place for a Honeymoon?
Organization: NASA/MSFC
Date: Tue, 6 Oct 1992 19:03:55 GMT

My fiance has mentioned Scotland as a candidate for a honeymoon. Is this 
a good candidate? 

What kind of attractions / activities are available (August, '93)?

Thanks,
Keith

-- 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Keith Thigpen          thigpen@lambda.msfc.nasa.gov      (205)461-4936   |
| New Technology, Inc.   Marshall Space Flight Center     Huntsville, AL   |
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Newsgroups: rec.travel
From: nev@cbnewsj.cb.att.com (nancy.e.ellard-vass)
Subject: Re: need info - caribbean cruise
Organization: AT&T
Distribution: usa
Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1992 12:26:56 GMT

Kai:
I tried to send this to you but it bounced:

I have been on several cruises, one about 3 weeks ago. Basically you
have to decide on:

1. How much you are willing to spend per person
2. When you will be traveling
3. Do you want a wonderful ship, or wonderful itinerary
4. Are you a person who likes elegance as opposed to a party type ship?
5. If you are taking a child are you going at a time when there are other 
children out of school. This will make a difference as far as the ship
having activities catered to children. If you are going in February instead
of April (Easter) there will be less activities/personnel for kids.

Don't take this offensively, but when you bring a child on a cruise you
are seriously limiting the amount of "fun" you can have. For example, 
there are so many things to do from 6:00am-3:00am that you are now limited
to the childs schedule instead of your own. I have talked to several people
who brought children, from 6 months - 6 years old. They said they would
never do it again.

As for cruise lines, Royal Caribbean is the best, I have been on their
Soverign of the Seas which is wonderful!, then again I was on their 
Nordic Prince and hated it. As for the others, I hear good and bad about
Carnival, its a party ship. Princess, the food is good and bad. 

If you want any other specifics, just give me a call or email me.

Nancy
att!hoqax!nev
908-949-5679
Organisation: European Space Operation Centre (E.S.O.C)
Date: Tuesday, 29 Sep 1992 01:15:12 CET
From: <KCHAN@ESOC.BITNET>
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: Re: Yellowstone/GT National Parks in Oct.?

I was there in the 3rd week of October last year. If you are looking for
lodging in Yellowstone, that's the last week that the lodging is available
beofre the start of the winter season and only at Old Faithful. Don't know
about Grand Teton, but there are plenty of lodging available in Jackson Hole
which is less than 30 min from the main Ranger Station.

Weather was pretty good, it was warm and sunny the day we arrived and it
soon got cold and frosty after a few days. In fact it snowed about 7 days
later when we left. So bring your woolies! And also wet weather gear.

As for the scenary, it was a bit barren in terms of vegetation, but not the
landscapes. Probably about 2 to 4 weeks too late for the fall colours. Once
it snowed, the Tetons were absolutely amazing, they are pretty good-looking
even without the snow.

Also it will be rutting season for the elks.

Of course the major bonus will be that the hordes have departed. In Yellowstone
we probably saw less than 50 cars a day and most of these were the same ones!
Contrast this to the traffic jams that I have seen in PBS documentaries of
Yellowstone in summer!

Useful phone numbers:
yellowstone park info: (307)344-7381
grand teton park info: (307)733-2880
tw recreational services (yellowstone lodging): (307)344-7311

-----
Khee Chan
PROFS: esoc(kchan)   BITNET/EARN: kchan@esoc   SPAN: jplsp::kchan
INTERNET: kchan@jplsp.jpl.nasa.gov             COMPUSERVE: 73750,1402
I speak for no-one, and no-one speaks for me, sometimes not even myself!
Newsgroups: rec.travel,bit.listserv.travel-l
From: pki@ipsa.reuter.com (Phil King)
Subject: Mayan Sites
Organization: Reuters Information Services (Canada) Ltd., Toronto, Ontario
Date: Mon, 5 Oct 1992 21:12:54 GMT

I'm planning a two-week trip in Mexico, starting in Cancun.  I'd love to hear
from anyone who has been to Palenque and surroundings, particularly to   
Bonampak and Yaxchilan.  I'd also like to hear opinions on whether this is
too far to travel in two weeks.

I'd also like to hear any experiences anyone has on travelling to Tikal in
Guatemala from the Yucatan or from Belize.

Thanks.   /Phil

Newsgroups: rec.travel
From: grand@sweetpea.jsc.nasa.gov (Robert Grand 283-4135)
Subject: Baraboo, Wisconsin
Keywords: Baraboo, Wisconsin
Organization: McDonnell Douglas Space Systems Company
Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1992 12:53:04 GMT




Hello All.  I am considering moving to Baraboo, Wisconsin (about 50 miles North
of Madison, Wisconsin) and would really appreciate any information on the local
area.

I am interested in housing, employment opportunities, recreation, entertainment,
shopping, vacation ideas (local and couple hour driving), etc. about both Baraboo
and Madison.  Any information would be very helpful.

Thank you for your time and effort.

Robert Grand
grand@sweetpea.jsc.nasa.gov
Newsgroups: rec.travel
From: dtokarew@tokafew.Doc.Provo.Novell.COM (Deb Tokarewich)
Subject: Re: Salt Lake City
Organization: Novell, Inc.
Distribution: rec.travel
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 1992 16:04:19 GMT

First (in article <26444@castle.ed.ac.uk> hrvoje@castle.ed.ac.uk) H  
Hecimovic wrote:
> 
> Any suggestions what to see in SLC. I'll be on a short trip from Europe,
> and decided to see that city. Any good student accommodation for 2 days?
> Thanks very much, Hrvoje

Then (in article <duck.717979848@well.sf.ca.us> duck@well.sf.ca.us) Robert  
Lauriston wrote:
> 
> Not much to see in SLC.  Don't miss the bizarre Church of Latter-Day
> Saints (Mormon) Disneyland-style tourist attraction in the basement of
> the Tabernacle.  Great skiing in season.


To Hrvoje:
If you could specify what your interests are and when your 2 days in the  
Salt Lake area will be, I (and perhaps others reading this group) could  
make some specific suggestions about what to see and do while you're here.

To Robert:
I've been to the Tabernacle a number of times for a number of reasons  
(concerts, conferences, historical/architectural tours, etc.) and have  
never heard of, let alone seen, its "basement"--and certainly nothing that  
resembles Disneyland.  But there is a small "green room"/rehearsal area  
just under the Tabnernacle Choir seats where they and other musicians warm  
up and wait before concerts.  Maybe it'd be best if you'd give out  
critiques only about things you really know about (like skiing, it seems).
From: Caroline.Matthews@p14.f1.n7104.z5.fidonet.org (Caroline Matthews)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: Info needed on Ferries from Dover, England.
Date: 29 Sep 92 07:52:18 GMT
Article-I.D.: catpe.2480.2AC89FDD
Organization: FidoNet node 5:7104/1.14 - The Catalyst BBS 1, Port Elizabeth


On 28 Sep 21:51, arevalo@binah.cc.brandeis.edu (5:7104/2) muttered something 
about :

 a> Hi,
 a>   I'd like to know if anyone knows about ferries from Dover.
 a> I need to know if there is a ferrie that leaves Dover for Spain.
 a> Also I would like to know the cost of a round trip ticket also
 a> the one way ticket. One other thing....How much time does
 a> it take to get from England to Spain via ferry.

Hi ! 
Not sure if there is a ferry, but it would go from Southampton or 
Portsmouth if there was one. There is not one from Dover. 

Cheers!
CAROLINE 
 



--  
INTERNET: Caroline.Matthews@p14.f1.n7104.z5.fidonet.org
via:  THE CATALYST BBS in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
       (catpe.alt.za)   +27-41-34-1122 HST or +27-41-34-2859, V32bis & HST.
Newsgroups: rec.travel
From: kester@mte.ncsu.edu (Dan Kester)
Subject: Re: Charges for baby on INTL flight
Organization: North Carolina State University
Date: Tue, 29 Sep 1992 20:21:46 GMT

In article <at9nsq_.sue@netcom.com> sue@netcom.com (Sue Miller) writes:

(in reference to airfares for children)

>No way.  If I pay for a seat for my child, she is going to SIT on
>it.  My daughter and I have traveled by air ever since she was a
>small tyke.  When she was very small, she was allowed to go for $0.00,
>so she stayed on my lap, had no baggage, and consumed no meals.  She
>was basically like a tumor on my lap.  :-)  By the time she was nearly
>two, I paid for her seat (although it was the child's fare), and she
>SAT on it in her carseat.  It has to do with how much money you spend,
>not on how old they are.
>

I think that you are confusing domestic and international flights.  On domestic
flights it is as you describe: free for kids under 2, and no seat.  However, on
international flights (which the original poster asked about) it is 10% of the
adult's ticket for no seat.  Over two pay various amounts (often 2/3 of adult
fare) and get a seat.  On domestic flights, kids over two usually need a full
ticket.

Dan Kester
kester@mte.ncsu.edu
From: 76702.1202@CompuServe.COM (Charlie Smith)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: *NEW* TRAVEL ADVISORY -- Kenya
Date: 5 Oct 1992 13:06:46 -0500
Organization: UTexas Mail-to-News Gateway
NNTP-Posting-Host: cs.utexas.edu

STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL ADVISORY - Kenya
============================================================
KENYA  - CAUTION
 October 2, 1992

Summary:  The Department of State advises U.S. citizens to exercise 
caution when visiting locations in Kenya where political rallies or 
demonstrations are being held.  Security in the Masai Mara game 
reserve has improved.  End Summary.

As Kenya progresses through a period of political transition, 
events such as political rallies or demonstrations have the 
potential for localized disturbances.  In general, the locations 
concerned are not frequented by tourists, and violence has not been 
directed against foreigners unless they accidentally become caught 
in the middle of such a demonstration.

Security in the Masai Mara game reserve, which had deteriorated in 
1991 and early 1992, has improved due to new security measures 
undertaken by the government of Kenya.
Travelers who do not hire reputable safari firms or knowledgeable 
guides or drivers are at risk.  Safaris are best undertaken with a 
minimum of two vehicles, so that there is a backup in case of 
mechanical failure.  Solo camping is risky.

In Nairobi, Mombasa, and the coastal beach resorts there is 
widespread street crime, which is mostly of the "grab and run" 
variety, and confidence scams perpetrated by individuals pretending 
to be police or other government agency officials.  Wherever crime 
is a problem, walking alone or walking in public parks, along 
footpaths or beaches at night could result in being victimized.  
There is a high incidence of residential break-ins.

Kenyan currency may not be taken out of the country, and is 
sometimes difficult to exchange for dollars upon departure.  
Destruction of Kenyan currency is also strictly against the law and 
likely to be prosecuted.

The U.S. Embassy in Nairobi and the Consulate in Mombasa are 
prepared to offer more specific information to U.S. visitors.  
Americans may wish to register their presence upon arrival in Kenya. 
 The Embassy is located at the intersection of Moi and Haile 
Selassie Avenues in Nairobi, telephone 011-254-2-334141.  The 
consulate is located at Palli House on Nyerere Avenue in Mombasa, 
telephone 011-254-11-315101.

 No. 92-170

This replaces the previous travel advisory dated May 12, 1992, to 
advise U.S. citizens that security in the Masai Mara game reserve 
has improved.

Newsgroups: rec.travel
From: jhenderson@pomona.claremont.edu
Subject: Hotel recommendation - Sarasota, FL
Organization: Pomona College
Date: 6 Oct 92 09:48:28 PDT

Could anyone please recommend a hotel in the Sarasota, FL area? I'm not looking
for fancy places, just a clean comfortable room that won't cost me a mint and
more or less conveniently located.

Thank you.
______________________________________________________________________________
Javier Henderson, N6VBG         | Beat the 55mph limit (legally):
jhenderson@pomona.claremont.edu | Learn to fly!
Newsgroups: rec.travel
From: g86w4846@alpha.ru.ac.za (David Williams)
Subject: LONDON to BORDEAUX in November
Keywords: cheep travel london bordeaux train bus
Organization: Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 1992 09:44:32 GMT

Hi,

Does anyone have any information / suggestions / prices for 
getting to Bordeaux from London in late November. I will be
staying in Bordeaux for a week and would like information on 
places to visit around this area of France, as well as suggestions
as to where to go from there.

Dave
--
my own ideas
Newsgroups: rec.travel
From: lhughes@b11.b11.ingr.com (Lawrence Hughes)
Subject: Re: Berlin->Prague->Budapest->Vienna
Organization: Intergraph Corp. Huntsville, AL
Date: Tue, 29 Sep 1992 13:16:55 GMT

In article <BvBB5y.50n@news.cso.uiuc.edu>, ikg1591@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Irina Kosinovsky ) writes:
> Aaron.Roydhouse@comp.vuw.ac.nz (Aaron Roydhouse) writes:
> 
> 
> >About mid-December I was considering travelling by train from Berlin
> >into Czechoslovakia to Prague, stay there for a time then on into
> >Hungary to Budapest, staying there and into Austria to Vienna (later
> >back into Germany via Salzburg).
> 
> >Anyone care to comment of the practicality of this? Any advice,
> >cautions, ideas. Anyone been through any of these routes who can
> >comment? Czechoslovakia is one big void on the Eurail map - anyone
> >know anything about the train system there?

I have been Vienna-Prague-Budapest-Vienna by rail, and it worked just fine,
in addition to being very reasonable in cost. Tickets in Czechoslovakia had
to be bought at a Cedok office. Prague to Budapest overnight couchette was
$US 9 each. I don't think Eurail passes cover Eastern Europe yet. Beware of
slightly unstable political situation around 1st of year (the velvet divorce).
Requirements for visas may well change.

I also did Vienna-Belgrade-Vienna twice recently, and things had not changed
other than rail prices being higher - first time RT was $100, second time
return trip (with two, in sleeper) was $130. Rail costs inside one country
are VERY low, within Eastern Europe is next lowest, crossing "the curtain"
is most expensive.

> Hi, first of all, its really easy to get a Chech visa -- at least in US
> I called the embassy in DC and they sent me an application and they say
> It takes them only one day once they get an application.
> 
> I will be going Graz -- Salzburg -- Munich -- Prague -- Vienna by car
> and I would like any suggestions on roads, hotels (especially in Prague),
> etc.
> Also, I am not an american citizen so I need a Chech visa -- does anyone
> know if US citizens need one too?

Nope. Far as I can tell, only Yugoslavia (well, call it what you want) requires
one for American citizens, out of all Eastern Europe. I can personally vouch
for Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and Bulgaria. Anyone know for certain about any
others? 

> Thanks, Irina
> 
> >Thanks,
> >Aaron.

Good luck to both of you - some of my fondest memories of travel are in
Eastern Europe. Enjoy!

Larry Hughes - uunet!ingr!b11!lhughes
From: rcsmith@anagld.analytics.com (Ray Smith)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: Re: Good Crab Restaurants In and Around Baltimore
Date: 7 Oct 92 00:29:02 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Computer Sciences Corporation - Systems Engineering Division

For authenticity try Bo Brooks Crab House. For tourist style
try Phillips in the inner harbor.
-- 
Ray Smith                     Computer Sciences Corporation
One of these should work: rcsmith@sed.csc.com   - or -
uunet!anagld!rcsmith    - or -   rcsmith@aplcen.apl.jhu.edu
rcsmith@analytics.com   - or -   RCSmith@DOCKMASTER.NCSC.MIL