Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-05-17

wv SIX lean years, EUROPE is again 10 ell
terrain the American tourist on
large and lavish scale. School teachers,
students, literati, and all the other types of
travellers are planning to- spend their money
abroad this summer.
The reasons re several. To the usual cult
ural advantages of European travel there are
now added the attractions of alcohol, and of
rates of exchange which make the American
dollar look considerably larger than it does
in this country. Also, Europe has changed
in the years of war, and many people who
would never care to view the same land
: mark or scenic effect twice are going over
again to bring their conversation up-to-date.
Finally, business men are said to be less
rushed with work this year, so that they have
time to run over to Europe as they used to
do in the days of normally.
Altogether Europe is going ODE popular
again. It is difficult now to book passage on
the big steamers for any time this summer.
In fact far-sighted people tell us they began
to make arrangements for this years vaca-
ton as soon as they unpacked their trunks
at home last September.
The steampship companies go so far as
to claim that Europe will receive more tour
lists this summer than in 1918. And even at
that the number will be limited by the ship
ping facilities. The companies are not IN
! position to add to their passenger fleets
materially this year. They, as well as Eu~
ropean business men, have had reason 10 re-
| greet the suspension of tourist TRANSPORTATION
| Their ships have been used as cattle Doats,
| freigbters an dtransports. This has meant
| extensive repairs in almost every case before
the ship could be used for passenger accom-
mediation again. To take one instance tne
| Aeolus, which was converted into 1relsnC-
er is said TO have been laid up Inc mouths nna
in dry dock for repairs aggregating $3,oOO'-
900.
Passages High
Those prospective tourists who are prom
| iced massage this summer are no DOUBT COLI
| Gliding that Europe may be cheaper 10 ClaV
ell in than this country, but an ocean Eoy"eo
tends to gobble up the difference FlrsG class
passage that once cost $12O now sells 10 ~
| about $3.50, and other rates are 'oii
| ingly elevated. ., ,o.+
| oassnorts too seem to have acquired lasC-
ing favor with governments as revenue nA"
terial. and are still demanded OF CoulloIs
the remunerative rate, to the government, ~
$40 ner. red tape thrown in. Passport reu
| +ono is not so rigorous and tiresome as IL mas
heen though it still takes two or three weeks
to obtain papers.
Once the tou list gets to Europe, he may
| or may not be able to save any money
England is notably an expensive place now
,ven with the English pound worth niue
less than three dollars insteau OF It's normal
s4S6 According to the department OF com
merce living costs in England nave not lal-
| len to any extent since the war. Re" colll-
modities tend to -rOp as IN Chls ~ W.
| tn offest the reductions rents have risen anu
travel is more expensive with no lmmeolaIe
| rrosnect of much lower fares.
In Norway and Sweden, likewise, the rate
of exchange is not sufficiently in our 1aVor
| tn do more than offset the heavy increases III
| living costs. Economy for the travelel 10
imnossibIe. we are told, in northern Europe'
| As for Switzerland and France, an experl.
enced traveller, recently returned, says tna'
tbese countries offer satisfactory accommoda-
| lions in the first class hotels, and Win inc
| franc at a little over eight cents lnsteau VI
| nineteen. the American has distinct adVan-
! tage He thinks, however, that 1t is not Pue-
sible to expect to save money even mere ne
| 6rst class hotels have been renovated ana are
| as good as they ever were. But when IL comes
| tn the nensions, or boarding houses, the slt-
nation is different from the old days. BEFORE
| the war it was possible to obtain room anu
| excellent meals in Swiss pension for as 10"
| as one dollar a day. Now the rate is hlgher,
| and the food is very different Butter ana
| meat are scarce. Coarse bread is serVeu
| Economy is still rampant in these smal
| hostelries, lust as it is in private homes.
Hospitable Italy
Italy is looked to by many of the tourists
as the place where the American eagles will
| scream the loudest. And this is no doubt
| true. Passenger rates have increased over
| 200 per cent and hotel and restaurant prices
are 200 and 800 per cent higher. But the
| Ira has decreased 400 per cent. so that il