January 2005 Travel Newsletter
Winning At Currency Exchange
Over the past year or so, the U.S. dollar’s value has declined versus the Euro, which has made European trips slightly more costly.  Here are some ways to stretch your dollar to keep this year’s travel plans on track.

-- Look for travel packages whose prices were calculated prior to the last decline or two of the dollar.  All-inclusive packages can often save you significantly over separate airfare and hotel bookings.  Make your travel arrangements with a tour company that guarantees your price once deposit is made, and will not add any unexpected currency surcharges later on.

-- Travel off-season, when crowds are not as big, lines are not as long and fares are not as expensive.

-- Be careful where you exchange your currency.  Rates can vary widely.  Obtain some foreign currency before leaving home so you aren’t stuck having to exchange at an unfavorable rate at the airport or at hotel reception (both notorious for bad exchange rates).  Verify exchange rates with your credit card company before you leave.  Sometimes cards with good rates make up for it by charging big commisions on each transaction.

-- Cut some of your travel costs by using public transportation instead of taxis or limousines.  You can save substantially by taking the subway from the airport to the center of town, sometimes it is even faster.  Taking a bus around the city also allows you to see more, get oriented to your new surroundings and meet some of the locals, who can give you some great tips on what to see and on what is currently happening around the city.

-- Lastly, consider somewhere besides western Europe.  It’s a big world.  A trip to a developing country in Central or South America, or even Eastern Europe, will allow you to travel comfortably at a much lower cost.  If you do have your sights set on Europe, look for vacation spots outside of the more expensive major cities.
Upcoming Travel Programs
The winter 2005 season of our popular “Traveler’s Tuesday” shows is here and we’re very excited about it.  We’ll be covering a wide selection of activities and destinations around the world!  The first few shows are listed below.  You can also, check our website’s Travel Programs page at anytime for other upcoming shows and a printable version of our show schedule.

Tuesday, January 18th (7:00pm) - Chile
One of the great treks in the world is set amongst the breathtaking beauty of the famous granite torres (towers) and cuernos (horns) in Torres del Paine National Park in southern Chile.  Enormous glaciers, sparkling blue lakes, and granite peaks thrusting straight up from windswept pampas will dazzle you.  Enjoy the Patagonian wildlife such as penguins & guanacos.
Tuesday, January 25th (7:00pm) - Iran, An Independent Adventure
If you imagine Iran as a country of chador-clad women, of third-world conditions, and inhospitable to travelers, you are in for a big, but pleasant, surprise!  Sheryl Shapiro spent one month traveling around Iran this past spring, most of it independently, and found it to be a friendly, easy to get around and quite modern country.  Join us for a slide show of spectacular images and listen to Sheryl as she gives us a unique perspective of travel in Iran.
Tuesday, February 1st (7:00pm) - The Kingdom Of Bhutan
Isolated, independent and undeveloped.  Bhutan, "the Land of the Thunder Dragon", is a bastion of Tibetan Buddhism.  Stunningly beautiful mountains, wonderful and warm people, exquisite temples, age old traditional festivals, dances and sacred masks, a mysterious country known to few.  Join Judy Richtel as she recounts her magical trip to Bhutan in November of 2004.  Judy will share her great photos and warm, colorful stories.  You will truly enjoy this show, so please join us.
Tuesday, February 8th (7:00pm) - The Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos archipelago is famous for its unique and fearless wildlife, and has become a mecca for natural history enthusiasts.  The islands are located out in the Pacific Ocean, 1000 kilometers east of Ecuador, and are comprised of thirteen main islands and six smaller ones.  Tonight, Charlie Anderson will share his images and stories of a naturalist's dream trip.  Come sail away with us!

Plan Ahead For 2005
Thinking about overseas travel in 2005?  Traditionally, late December through February is the slowest time of the year for passport applications, so it is a great time to apply.  During the busier spring and summer seasons, it can take up to six weeks to obtain a passport.  It’s easy to do.  Just bring a couple of passport photos of yourself, proof of your U.S. citizenship and a valid form of photo identification (such as a driver’s license) to one of thousands of application locations.  For more information, current fees and printable passport applications, visit the U.S. State Department’s Passport webpage.  An adult passport doesn’t expire for 10 years.  So, apply now and you’ll be prepared not only for any travel opportunities that present themselves in 2005, but for all the travel adventures you can think of for the next decade.
Suggested Reading
“Time's Magpie: A Walk In Prague” by Myla Goldberg, 2004, published by Crown Publishing Group.  Myla Goldberg lived in Prague for a year in 1993, just as the process of Westernization was getting under way.  She returned ten years later, in 2003, to see how the pursuit of capitalism had changed it and to observe the integral ways in which Prague's character had endured.  Goldberg's language is lush and evocative as she wanders through the narrow alleyways and cobblestone streets to places most tourists never see.  This imaginative and fascinating journey through Prague will show you the odd and unique corners of a historic, multifaceted city often seeking to erase what its very stones will not allow it to forget.
Just For Fun
On a trip to Scotland's Isle of Skye, a tour bus encountered some sheep resting in the middle of the narrow, twisty road.  The driver could not get past them.  He tried his horn with no success, then moved the bus slowly forward trying to nudge his way through, but the sheep remained quite undisturbed.  He then opened his window, stuck his head out and shouted, "MINT SAUCE!"  The sheep immediately all got up and ambled off the road into the heather, to the great merriment of the passengers.
Newsletter Subscriptions
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"If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion
  and avoid the people, you might better stay at home.”
    - James Michener
Happy Travels! Back To Previous Page

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