Italy is buzzing with Jubilee 2000 celebrations. US Airways Vacations says the number of people purchasing its packages to London and Paris has doubled this year. Even Austrian tourism is picking up after a winter lull prompted by the popularity of Joerg Haider, a politician linked to pro-Nazi sentiments who has since stepped out of the limelight. Va. Americans were there aplenty, and he could tell who they were. The louder ones.
Traffic also is heavy to destinations off the most trodden tourist track.
A record 1.2 million vacationers are expected to cruise European waters this year , according to the Cruise Lines International Association. Rooms may be harder to find this summer, but they'll be easier on American wallets. And they were all really, really quaint and nice. Bob Wesolowski of Ann Arbor, Mich., found an inexpensive alternative to lodging in St. Andrews, Scotland, near the Old Course, site of next week's British Open. He booked for this month.