Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-05-23
By Malcolm Lo Probe
The Mon from Cook's"

By Malcolm La Probe
The Man From Cooks"
The summer of 1948 will bring
European travel remarkably close to
prewar levels. In the months since
the 1947 season closed. great ad-
vances have been made in establish
ing normal conditions for Ameri-
cans coming to revisit Great Britain
and Ireland. France, Switzerland.
Italy. Belgium, the Netherlands and
the Scandinavian kingdoms.
Perhaps the biggest news Of 1913
Is that many Of these countries have
relaxed the severe wartime ration
ing Of food. In France, for example,
only bread is now rationed. and
everywhere supplies are placed at a
liberal level for American tourists.
Railroad repairs are almost COM
pletely finished; trains are operat-
ing in all directions at close to pre-
war schedules, and there has been a
rapid development in passenger air
services throughout Europe. The
roads are generally in good condi-
ton, motor coach services are avail
able over many favorite scenic
routes, and travellers using their own
cars are allowed liberal supplies Of
gasoline.
Good Service in Hotels.
Travellers of 1913 will find good
service in European hotels, many Of
which have now been completely
refurbished. Night life is again in
full swing In the large cities, and
this summer Europe offers many
outstanding musical and dramatic
festivals OF special appeal to Ameri-
can visitors. The charm Of the Old
World countryside, the picturesque
ness OF Old World villages and local
fairs remain as always major at
traction. Yes, Europe, apart from
the occupied areas, is ready to re-
ceive and welcome her neighbors
from our side of the Atlantic.
The main limiting factor on trans
Atlantic travel is the insufficient
number of ships in service. The
liners operating today are only a
fraction of the prewar Atlantic
Ferry" but this is balanced of by
the energetic and busy international
air line network that binds America
to Europe with several flights each
day each way. No less than 10
separate air lines participate In this
luxurious new form of trans Allan
tic travel, and the air lines are max
ing European trips possible for
thousands Of busy people.
Here is how conditions shape up in
the main travel areas Of Europe:
THE BRITISH ISLES-American
travellers are affected hardly at all
by the economic restrictions that
apply to the British people London
is still tourist capital par excel
lence. It's only great tourist land
mark that was destroyed in the war
is the medieval Guildhall. Every
thing else remains-the Houses OF
Parliament, Piccadilly Circus, West
minister Abbey, the Crown Jewels
in the Tower, Tower Bridge, and
80 on.
The theaters are open and full of
shows that will rank high with
American visitors. London's famous
West End was hardly hit at all in
the blitz, and the famous atmos-
phere of Mayfair, Soho. Kensington,
Bloomsbury and Westminster re-
mains unspoiled. Activities OF in
terest are always taking place in
London. Most important among
these this summer will be the Olym-
pic Games from July 20 to August IA.
The countryside is still possessed
with its charm and old tradition.
Stratford-on-Avon, the coasts OF
Devon and Cornwall. the Lake Dis
trict, Oxford and Cambridge and the
spas will find many Americans
coming to enjoy their cool retreats.
Then there are Scotland's lochs and
highlands. Wales and Ireland, all
open to travel and browsing, at
will
FRANCE-France is still the pop
ular and romantic land with tf<vsl-
ers. Its famous and historic places
are open in their entirety. And
France has everything" Wonder
full Paris, the chateau country, the
Alps and Pyrenees, the lakes OF
Savoy, the sparkling Riviera, the
many spas and beach resorts-and
now something has been added
the Normandy invasion coast. This
latter is a real travel must" In
tenslte in it's dramatic appearance
and important in history, 1t like
wise is beautiful scenically.
Life in Paris can easily be miSin-
terpreted from too-hasty reading
of casual reports. There have indeed
been strikes and other problems
as where have there not? Paris may
not be as brilliant in lighting
nor in feeding than before the war;
prices have gone up, as where have
they not? But Paris is still unique
in its place in the hearts of Ameri-
cans. 1t Is still producing new ideas
and new products for the world.
It's shops are still fine, its historic
buildings and sights absolutely un-
touched by war. It's cafes and res
taurants, it's hotels and museums,
DEcoDrS