Talk About Travel: Transcript Hosted by Craig Stoltz Washington Post Travel Editor Monday, March 29, 1999

Craig Stoltz The Washington Post

Fairfax, VA: Gary,
Two questions. First, if I am only going to have 7 days of travel during my month long visit to Europe is a Eurailpass needed? Some of the trips will be quite short.
Secondly, where would you go if you had a couple of days inbetween Venice and Rome? My ideas were Lucca, Siena or Perugia but this is my first trip so I don't know too much. Thanks!

Gary Lee: The monthlong eurailpass would certainly be too expensive. You may want to look into weeklong pass options or just buy individual tickets. Of the places along the route in Itlay you mentioned, Siena is my favorite. You can't go wrong.

Carrboro, North Carolina: Is the crisis in Yugoslavia affecting air travel to and from Europe?

Gary Lee: Unless you're going to Belgrade not much need to worry. The crisis has brought about stepped uo security, but no significant change in flights themselves.

Washington, D.C.: What are your top 5 travel tips for seeing the sights in Paris?

Gary Lee: Take a cruise down the Seine. Go at least part way up the Eiffel Tower. Spend a half day or so in Notre Dame and the area surrounding it. Take a long walk up and down the Champs Elysee. Finally, if you have only one outing to make outside of the city Versailles, 20 minutes from Paris by train, is a must. Bon Voyage!

Washington, DC: Gary,
Should I have any concerns about travelling in Europe this summer, given the situation in Kosovo? Where might I find more information about precautions I should take?

Gary Lee: There will probably be heightened security across the continent due to kosovo but not so much tension that you should be disauded from going. The state department keeps good tabs on the political and social situation in most countries as far as tourists are concerned. I would have thought your best source of most current information would be the office of the U.S. consulate in whatever country you're thinking of visiting.

Washington, DC: I'm visiting a friend who is currently studying in London this July, for a week-long visit. We'll spend a few days in the city, but what sites or cities in Great Britain would you suggest visiting, either as day-trips or for a few days?

Gary Lee: If you want idyllic countryside try the Cotswolds, which is a very popular area along the coast. Edinburg, easily reachable by train, is a great urban destination. There is an annual theater festival there which is lots of fun. The Shakespeare theater in Stratford on avon is a good day trip from London. I have always found the town of Oxford and Cambrige very charming and good for getting a feel for Old England.

Cockeysville, MD: We are going to Paris in May and will be there for May 8, Liberation -VE- Day. I hear that lots of places close, including restaurants, shops, and museums. What should we expectin the way of celebrations, crowds, eating options, etc? Also, we've heard very mixed reviews about Parisians' attitudes toward strangers, and perhaps Americans in particular. We are trying to brush up French and make sure we use our best manners. Anything else we should think about? What are some recent experiences?

Gary Lee: I go to Paris at least 4 times a year and have never run into that Parisian snobbiness that Americans often complain about. I think as long as you show that you're making an honest effort to try to make yourself understood in French you'll get good response. As for what is closed on May 8, your best bet would be to check with the French tourism office in NYC.

Washington,DC: I am going to Europe on a package tour through WETA. Is it a good idea to exchange some money here in the US into the currency of the countries I will be visiting, or just go with travelor's checks?

I will be going to Budapest and people are scaring me about the gypsies. Can you offer a calming work?

As you can see I'm a novice when it comes to European travel.

Mary

Gary Lee: It's a good idea to have a bit of money, let's say about $40 each in the currency of the countries you are visiting. ATM machines are now quite common all over Europe. I prefer withdrawing money from them because they let you take money directly from your bank account in the local currency. Also, there's no commission charge. But traveler's checks should also be brought along just in case the ATMS don't work with your card.

Arlington, VA: I am going to Scandinavia this summer (Denmark, Sweden, Finland and a day in Tallinn, Estonia) at the end of August. We so often hear about large crowds throughout Europe especially in August. Will this year be as crowded as usual? moreso? Does Northern Europe or Scandinavia ever really get crowded in the way that less expensive southern areas do?

Gary Lee: I have been in Stockholm, Helsinki and Copenhagen fairly often in summer and have never seen the kinds of throngs that you see in Paris or London. The capitals of Sweden and Denmark will probably be the most crowded. Summer is also the time of year that Scandavians themselves are more out and about than ever so the crowds you see are more likely to be locals. The Baltic capitals, including Estonia, are still far enough off the beaten trek that you won't see that many Americans.

Takoma Park, MD: I was thinking of going to Germany for a week this summer as my German roomate returns home to visit his family. As someone who doesn't speak German, I'm a little concerned about a communication gap if I venture out on my own.
According to him, just about everywhere you go in Germany, people speak English, and I'd have no trouble communicating. How accurate do you think his assessment is? And, in what other countries can you get by without speaking the native language?

Gary Lee: English is spoken very widely in the cities and almost anywhere in the western part of the country. In my experience travelling in the eastern part of the country English is not so commonly known. in any case, you can usually make your wishes known with little or no German.

Washington, DC: Hi&-33 My boyfriend and I are in our mid 20's and are trying to plan an inexpensive vacation with minimal children-kids and crowds. We can go as early as the end of May. Is this a good time to go to Europe? We have both been before, but would love to go back. We were thinking about Italy, Switzerland, France, Ireland, or maybe Greece. Airfares seems to be very inexpensive, but when is a good and inexpensive time to go? We have also been thinking about a cruise or Disneyworld. Which cruise lines are inexpensive, have lots of -especially indoor- activities or things to do -shows, dancing- -I can't be out in the sun much-, and are for couples in their mid 20's? What about Disney? Would a cruise and visiting Disney be too much? How much time should we allow for both if we want a 4 or 7 day cruise -neither of us have cruised before-? Thanks for any advice you or others can give us&-33

Gary Lee: If it's a cruise you're interested in try Royal Caribbean or Carnival and go to the Caribbean for cheaper rates. Disney is relatively expensive and it's crowded with kids. (All cruise lines target families during school breaks. Go before school gets out for the summer. Go to Europe by the end of May if you want to save money. After that prices shoot up until October 1.

Washington, DC: I was last in Prague two years ago, and I'm thinking about going back to the Czech Republic this summer. Has Prague now been so overrun by Marks and Spencers, Bennetton, etc. that it's not even worth going back to? What about travel to the Ukraine?

Gary Lee: Kiev is a wonderful off the beaten trek destination. I would recommend it over Prague if you've already been to Prague. If you really liked Prague, however, don't be intimidated by the Americanization of it. The local charm of the place is still stunning.

Reston, VA: Gary,
We'll be flying into Amsterdam
April 30. I note from yesterday's Travel Section that there are ceelebrations in and around Amsterdam for Queen Beatrix's birthday. Are you aware of any events connected with the Queen's birthday that might be particularly interesting? Also, any idea whether the Keukenhof tulip gardens would be in bloom at the start of May?

Tahanks for whatever information you or the other participants can supply.

Gary Lee: The biggest attraction is a huge flea market that takes over all of the streets of the inner city in Amsterdam on that day. Also, all of the bars and pubs have parties that spill over into the streets. It's good people-watching fun.

Centreville, Va: I travel alone regularly in the us, but I am more uncomfortable doing it in Europe. Not so much from the fear standpoint, but rather the sore thumb point of view. It seems they are less familiar with, maybe even less welcoming of, single travelers. Any suggestions? I'm not a huge fan of escorted tours.

Gary Lee: Carolyn Spencer Brown, who often travels alone, says that some tour groups can be good fun. Backroads, which does biking and walking tours in various countries, is a great way to meet locals and spend quality time with other solo travelers. One piece of advice, she says: the smaller group the better. She just went on a river cruise on the Rhone, she said, with 115 other passengers. It was a great bonding experience.

Bethesda, : Regarding the recent question about what to do during a long weekend in London, I think the traveller should realize that although Edinburgh is a wonderful city to visit, there is more than enough to do in and around London for five-seven days, including Windsor, Stonehenge, Blenheim Palace, the sites you mentioned, etc.

A travel agency owner is Bethesda who lived in London for two years

Gary Lee: Good advice, thanks a lot.

washington,dc: I will be taking trains from Paris to other cities in France. Is it better to try to buy the tickets here, or just wait until we get there -I know the times and fares-

Gary Lee: If you know the times and fares you should probably get the tickets here. I have sometimes waited to buy tickets there and they have been booked out. Of course, if the routes are less traveled it's probably ok to get the tickets there.

Washington DC: Do Europass, Eurailpass, etc. let you make reservations in English? And how much in advance should I call?

Gary Lee: Yes, Eurail takes reservations in English. As soon as you have your plans down pat, book. The trains get crowded, particularly in June and July.

Silver Spring, MD: I'll be travelling to Europe for rhe first time this year. What's the best way to be inconspicuous? I don't want to scream AMERICAN TOURIST&-33

Gary Lee: Don't talk loud in public places. Don't wear bermuda shorts everywhere. try to eat at some other place besides mcdonalds. Good luck!

Washington, DC: My fiance and I have planned (and already paid for) a honeymoon cruise in Greece this September. The trip begins in Athens and ends in Istanbul. With the current tensions in Eastern Europe and the heated problems between Greece and Turkey, however, we are becoming concerned about our trip. If the State Department issues a warning against traveling at that time, can we expect a refund from the cruise company? How should we proceed?

Gary Lee: Carolyn Spencer Brown, who writes about cruises, offers the following advice: Keep an eye on the state department reports. Also, keep in contact with the cruise line, which we can assure you has no desire to send passengers to a dangerous place.

Orlando, Florida: We are going to France in November for our honeymoon. Other than Paris, can you suggest a romantic place to stay for 10 days. Thanks.

Gary Lee: Nice, in the southern part of the country is a great favorite among Americans. Less traveled but also lovely is the Perigord area, particularly if you like eating. I would look into spending a couple of days in the area around Bergerac.

Arlington, Va: Hi Gary,
I have travel plans in May for destinations in Amsterdam, Nice, and Rome. Will I be self-conscious about wearing a bathing suit in France?

Gary Lee: In general no, but it probably depends on just how risque a bathing suit it is.

Washington, DC: I'll be in Paris next week for a few days. Any off the beaten track must-see or do's? I've done most of the typical tourist sites.

Gary Lee: If you haven't been to the Rodin or Picasso museums, check them out. I also like the Pere Lachaisse cemetery. Lots of famous people buried there. Also, the Marais, and particulaly the old Jewish quarter, are very interesting.

Moscow, Russia: Gary,
Since the economic crisis has taken hold in Russia, what do you think about travel there? Surely things have improved a lot since the old days, and there is still a lot to see, right?

Gary Lee: As someone who lived several years in Russia, I believe it's always an interesting destination. Even though news reports about the mafia and the economic crisis have overshadowed the mood of the country, there are still places to go where travelers are not too overwhelmed by those trends. In particular, I would suggest a few days in St. Peterburg. I have always loved the Siberian city of Irkutsk, which is way off the beaten trek and very American friendly.

Adams Morgan: What's your favorite gotta-go-once-in-your-life restaurant in London? Paris? Venice?

Gary Lee: In Paris, Jules Verne, in the middle of the Eiffel tower, is a great must do once experience. In London, the current restaurant of the moment is place called Nobu, excellent Japanese food in the Metropolian hotel. Pricey but good food and nice ambiance. I don't know Italian cities well enough to recommend there.

Washington, D.C.: I will be in the south of France in the middle of May and wanted to attend the Grand Prix of Monaco. Do you have any advice on how I can get tickets? Should I check the classifieds in the local papers when I arrive?

Gary Lee: It may be too late to check the classified once you arrive. I would call up a travel agent who specializes in France or Europe. Or, if you book a hotel, send a fax to the hotel manager to see whether they can secure tickets for you beforehand.

Gary Lee: Closing out for today. Much thanks for sharing this time with me. Please tune in next week, same time.