Rail passes - the economical way to see Europe

By George Pandi, CanWest News Service

Rail Europe, the European railways' agency that distributes go-as-you-please passes, has just announced its new products and prices. The good news is prices remain close to last year's level, with the Eurail Global and Select passes going up just one per cent, French and Swiss passes about five per cent.

Four new passes came on line. The two-country, first-class Eurail Austria-Hungary Pass for four days of travel in two months costs $263. The two-class Italy-Spain pass for four to 10 days starts at $337 on second class; ferries between Italy and Spain offer reductions to pass holders. Two new national passes cover Ireland, five days of travel in one month for $218, and Croatia, three to eight days in one month, starting at $127.

Veteran travellers -- who had turned Eurailpass into a verb, as in "we will be eurailpassing this summer" -- panicked when they didn't see the word on the 2007 list. But the classic pass that took millions on summer-long explorations changed in name only, to Eurail Global Pass, in a minor branding exercise.

For those not familiar with the concept: Rail Europe's passes are valid on all trains -- often on buses and ships as well -- with unlimited mileage. With a consecutive pass you can travel daily from four days to three months; flexi passes let you choose the days of travel within a period, one or two months. The price varies with the number of travel days, the countries covered, and the class. For example, the single-country Czech Flexipass costs $98 for three days in 15, second class; the 18-country Eurail Global Flexi offers 10 days in two months, first class, for $880.

The favourite of nomads under 26 is the second-class Eurail Global Pass Youth: $1,361 buys three months of daily travel through 18 countries. The flexi version offers 10 days in two months for $572, 15 days for $751. Less peripatetic adults prefer the Eurail Select Pass that lets them choose three to five bordering countries and five to 15 days in two months. Prices start at $473 for for five days in three countries.

There are 22 more multi-country passes that combine from two to six countries and 19 national passes. Some are open-ended: you can buy additional travel days. The cost drops by about 15 per cent for two or more people travelling together if the pass has a Saver versions; as well, there are youth and senior discounts.

Passes include supplements, but not seat reservations, which cost about $5. However, on the French TGV the compulsory reservation increases with distance and is, in effect, a high-speed surcharge. Note that you can't reserve aboard the train and may have to pay the full fare as a fine. "Premier" trains (Artesia, AVE, Thalys, etc) are not free with passes, but those with a pass get considerable discounts, for example, on the Madrid-Seville AVE the first-class fare is $207, but pass holders pay $53.

See raileurope.ca or 1-800-361-7245.

Article Source: http://www.leaderpost.com

Lessons From Flight 1549

LAST Thursday evening, as Kevin Leibel settled into his seat on an American Airlines regional plane about to take off from St. Louis to Raleigh, N.C., he did something he had rarely done in the past: He actually paid close attention to the safety procedures being recited by the flight attendant.

It was less than four hours after US Airways Flight 1549 had splashed down in the Hudson River, with all passengers and flight crew eventually rescued, and which Mr. Leibel had watched with some amazement on the large-screen televisions in the Admirals Club at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport. “The conversation in the room centered on how we all wanted to know if the passengers sitting in the emergency exit really knew what they were doing,” Mr. Leibel, a frequent flier from Chapel Hill, N.C., recalled.

So when his flight to Raleigh boarded for its 6:30 p.m. Central time takeoff, Mr. Leibel took his seat, 11C, in an emergency exit row and scanned his surroundings closely. “I did look at my row mates — one solo seat across the aisle and another seat next to mine — and briefly considered how they might perform,” he said.

Mr. Leibel was not alone. Interviews with several passengers and flight attendants who flew in the hours and days after the Hudson River crash suggest that passengers’ awareness of their surroundings, and what to do in a possible emergency of their own, was at a height few had ever experienced before.

“It was the first time I can remember when everyone paid attention to the safety announcement,” said Matt Davidson, an executive at a plastic injection molding company from Lake Forest, Ill., who flew from Chicago to Denver on Saturday. “Also, I and others around me checked for the red life-vest tab under the seat. The United attendant announced that infant life vests were available. I’ve never heard that before.”

Kidsflysafe.com, which sells a child safety harness for use on planes as an alternative to a car seat, reported a spike in visits to the site. “Apparently a lot of folks took a look at the crash and perhaps have travel coming up with their child and thought, ‘I need that,’ ” Lisa Orman, a spokeswoman for the site, wrote in an email message.

It wasn’t just the passengers who were on increased alert. Flight attendants also found themselves reliving the details of the US Airways crash, and reminding one another of what they had learned in training programs of their own.

“After the miracle-on-the-Hudson incident occurred, I started trying to imagine what I would have done,” said Debby Gravitt, a veteran flight attendant with American Airlines. “The first thing I did was get out my in-flight manual and study the ditching portion of the 757, which I am currently flying. Those flight attendants had to immediately pull everything from memory while maintaining calm.

“We have a 30-second review we are supposed to do in our heads before every takeoff, and we are supposed to pick out which two passengers we would choose to use to aid us in our emergency landing,” she added. “Without a doubt, I plan to do this every time from here on.”

And for passengers and flight crew members alike, the important role of people who sit in the exit rows was reinforced. Mr. Leibel, for one, found himself questioning the long-standing policy that those exit-row seats, with their extra legroom, often go to frequent fliers, as a perk, or are even sold by airlines like Virgin, Northwest and JetBlue, to passengers who are willing to pay a bit more for the extra space. “The competence of the passenger is never considered, and the screening questions online are a joke,” Mr. Leibel said.

Accounts of the evacuation of Flight 1549 indicate that one of the key reasons the passengers were able to escape was that a man, only identified in previous reports as Josh, followed the instructions printed on the laminated cards in the emergency exit rows.

Josh apparently had read the card and knew how to open the emergency door. When someone tried to pull the door in, The New York Times reported last week, Josh stepped in and, according to one of the thankful survivors, said: "‘No, you’ve got to throw it out.’ He twisted it and threw it out.”

Not everyone was as clear-thinking during what some passengers described as the “controlled chaos” of the evacuation, stopping to snatch bags from the overhead bins.

“That’s one of the things you constantly hear about,” said Lonny Glover, safety and security coordinator for the flight attendants union at American Airlines, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, who has debriefed passengers involved in accidents. “How things were slowed down because a passenger is reaching up to take a suitcase or laptop out of the overhead bin.”

Flight crews are trained to guide passengers in an emergency with calm but direct commands: Unfasten seat belts! Come this way! Don’t take anything with you!

In the case of Flight 1549, it appears the pilot expertly handled the emergency river landing, and flight attendants did their best to keep passengers calm while quickly evacuating the aircraft.

In a water landing, flight attendants are taught never to open the rear door because it could sink the plane. Indeed, some passengers who were at the back of Flight 1549 reported flooding nearly up to their necks. The flooding would have been much worse if one of the flight attendants onboard had not stopped a passenger from opening a rear door and letting in a gush of water, according to a report by The Associated Press.

The Federal Aviation Administration mandates that every crew member receive training in so-called ditching, or emergency water landings. Instruction must be specific to the aircraft and safety equipment onboard.

But the number of hours dedicated to training and the type of drills can vary from airline to airline. For example, some flight attendants are trained to fly both domestic and international routes. American Airlines flight attendants review ditching procedures each year during recurrent training at the company’s headquarters in Fort Worth, Tex., including use of flotation devices and what to say and do to evacuate the plane safely. But only American’s international flight attendants, who typically fly on aircraft outfitted with life rafts, flares and other emergency equipment designed for survival in large bodies of water, get into a pool and practice inflating and boarding a raft.

For passengers, Mr. Glover recommends the following safety tips:

Pull out the emergency briefing card in the seat back pocket and review it. “Most passengers unfortunately feel they know their own surroundings and have been on the planes frequently. This time the plane may be changed to a different type. The exits may be located in a different area and may operate differently than the ones you are used to.”

When you sit down, count the number of rows or seats to your nearest emergency exit — in front and behind. “If the plane is damaged or filled with smoke and you need to get out, it could be a very chaotic environment in the cabin. It is best to know how many rows you may need to go in the dark cabin to get out. Also, the exit closest to you or the one you boarded through could be blocked. Know where the next available one is and how close it is. It could be right behind you.”

In a smoke-filled cabin, breathe through a piece of your clothing. “Cover your nose and mouth with a piece of your clothing to filter out the smoke.”

During an emergency evacuation, leave your carry-on luggage behind. “Passengers trying to remove luggage from the bins in an emergency are taking up precious time to evacuate. You are blocking the aisle and delaying others trying to evacuate. Studies show everyone has approximately 90 seconds to get out. Key here: Which is more important — your laptop, your suitcase or your life? It’s an easy choice.”

By MICHELLE HIGGINS
Published: January 20, 2009

Article source: The New York Times

Hostels more wanted

For the young, Croatia is a favourite tourist destination, and they will find the accommodation suited to their needs in 40 hostels around the country to which 30 more should be added by 2012.

The hostels are already located in some of the most attractive
spots such as Dubrovnik, Pula, Šibenik, Zadar, Rijeka, Veli Lošinj,
and Zagreb. All the hostels, which have 900 beds, completely
correspond to the standards and the way of doing business of all
European hostels. Also, they all work throughout the year, with the
exception of the island hostel in Veli Lošinj, which is open from the start of May until the end October.

The Croatian Youth Hostel Association is a non-profit, non-government organisation and an independent association of youth hostels which is developing youth tourism, and last year it celebrated 55 years of activity. It is a member of international organisations which are promoting youth mobility: International Youth Hostel Federation,European Youth Card Association and World Youth and Student Educational Travel Confederation. As a member of a large hostel family, Croatian Youth Hostel Association ensures a host of opportunities to its members and the youth from around the world in accommodation and other tourist services.

www.hfhs.hr

Plitvice lakes the most visited

National parks in Croatia were visited by more than 2 million tourists,from which there were 1.7 million foreign. The most visited national park was Plitvice Lakes with the total of 891,000 visitors, of which more than 816,000 were foreign visitors. At the list of most visited, in second place was National park Krka with 664,000 guests, followed by Brijuni, Paklenica and Mljet, Kornati, Risnjak,Paklenica and North Velebit.

Croatia has a total of eight national parks, which, together with
other forms of protection, are in the area of one tenth of the total
space.

By avoiding over-building, Croatian tourist and total space – on
islands, on the coast and on the continental part of the country
– is one of the most important reasons for the country’s great tourist reputation and attracting numerous guests from around the
world.

www.lickosenjska.com

www.np-plitvicka-jezera.hr

Carnival in Rijeka

Rijeka, January 17 – February 25

This year’s Carnival will be packed with events and will feature more than 10,000 participants in traditional Carnival Parade taking place the last day.

Carnival in the city of Rijeka has become one of the biggest and most popular in Europe. Every year, it is a host to more than 150 domestic and international groups that take part in the final parade at the end of the celebrations. It is estimated that the Carnival will attract more than 150,000 spectators this year, with the number of tourists growing as it becomes known in more and more countries. Events will include Queen Pageant of Rijeka’s Carnival, Children’s Carnival Parade which has become city’s trademark as well (taking place one week before the final parade), concerts in specially built tents with performances of well known artists, exhibitions, carnival dancing-ball for dignitaries, sport events including car-rally, unique for its kind in Europe, and much more.

The only way to really experience this one of a kind Carnival, is to be there and take part in its festivities.

www.ri-karneval.com.hr

CROATIA – Destination for 2009!

Leading US Tour Operators call Croatia one of the top destinations for 2009 . This comes after December’s USTOA Conference held in Palm Desert, California, Dec 3-5. Croatian National Tourist Board was also present at the conference, and hosted traditional Luncheon on December 5 for more than 400 tour operators attending the Conference. During the Luncheon, Croatian-American composer Zeljko Marasovic and vocal group “Zhena”, performed the “Croleidoscope” , musical work combining Croatian ethno and modern music sounds.

Source: Croatian National Tourist Office, New York

New Easyjet flights to Naples and Dubrovnik

EASYJET will launch three new routes from Liverpool John Lennon airport this summer, increasing its routes from the city to 22 European destinations.

A new four-days-a-week flight to the Italian city of Naples will commence on June 1.

It will be followed the next day with a route to Dubrovnik, in Croatia, each Tuesday, Friday and Sunday, and a Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday link with France’s great wine region of Bordeaux.

Single fares for Dubrovnik and Naples start from £26.99, including taxes and charges, while the Bordeaux flight will start at £22.99.

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2009/01/06/new-easyjet-flights-to-naples-100252-22616251/

Guardian & Observer travel awards 2008

Croatia – the third most desirable european travel destination

Croatia took the third place in the contest for the best European
travel destinations. This was the opinion of over 17,000 readers
of the Guardian and Observer dailies in a survey that has been
carried out for 22 years in a row. The success of Croatian tourism
is that much greater considering the fact that Croatia jumped from
the 10th place to the third in a just year, right after Switzerland in
the first place and Sweden in the second place, leaving Austria
and Italy behind. The presentation of the Guardian & Observer
Travel Awards 2008 was held in mid-October in Morocco with over
120 representatives of the travel industry, advertisers and journalist
teams. Guardian and Observer have around 1.3 million readers
combined.

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Prime Spots Dot the Dalmatian Coast

WHO: Cora Yanacek, 57, of Falls Church.

DREAM TRIP: Croatia's Dalmatian Coast.

BACKGROUND: "Are you ready for a challenge?" e-mailed Yanacek, a Washington lawyer. She wants to explore Croatia's Dalmatian Coast in May but hasn't been able to decide on the best approach: Stay at one resort and use that as a base? Travel by bus along the coast? Take a cruise? She'll be traveling by herself and needs to stay under $2,000, including airfare.

OUR SUGGESTIONS: The bad news is that there's no way Yanacek can see the whole Dalmatian Coast properly in a week: There are simply too many ancient walled cities, achingly picturesque islands, UNESCO World Heritage Sites and miles of exquisite coastline to explore. The good news is that there are lots of ancient walled cities, achingly picturesque islands, UNESCO World Heritage Sites and miles of exquisite coastline to explore. She should zero in on four or five locations and spend a couple of days in each. As for the rest of it, well, she'll just have to go back.

Yanacek has chosen a great time to visit Croatia: In May, the weather should be nice, the summer hordes won't have descended, and the ferries along the coast will have picked up their schedules a bit from winter. (Full schedules don't resume till June.)

DAY 1: Fly from Washington to Dubrovnik. It's not easy getting to Croatia (no direct flights from D.C., not to mention nonstops), and it ain't cheap: The best price we found -- $1,050 round trip, including all taxes -- was through Croatia Travel Agency in New York (800-662-7628, http://www.croatiatravel.com). It's pretty much a full 24 hours of flying, with connections in London and Zagreb, the Croatian capital. But push on, because Dubrovnik, a stunningly beautiful medieval city, will make you forget your jet lag and is a perfect place to start your explorations of the coast.

DAYS 2-3: In Dubrovnik, don't miss the centuries-old Dominican and Franciscan monasteries and Rector's Palace (museums attached to each), any and all cathedrals and the 15th-century Jewish synagogue, the second-oldest synagogue in Europe. And, of course, walk the ancient city walls for unparalleled views of the rooftops and sea. But be sure to save plenty of time for simply sitting at an outdoor cafe on the Stradun (a.k.a. Placa), the walled city's main drag: The people-watching is sublime.

There aren't a ton of lodging options in Dubrovnik (or in the whole country, for that matter); choices tend to range from overpriced Communist-era monoliths to humble B&Bs. One exception: Hotel Stari Grad (4 Od Sigurate, 011-385-20-322-244, http://www.hotelstarigrad.com), an elegant yet affordable boutique hotel in a renovated mansion within the city walls with just eight rooms and a rooftop terrace overlooking the city. A single room starts at $178 in May and includes breakfast.


A B&B is a much more affordable option. Even if you're a hotel person, consider staying in a private room, or soba. Locals will approach you with "Sobe" ("Rooms") signs at ferry, bus and train stations, but it's safer to rent from a travel agency: There's a slight markup, but the places are vetted and rates are still eminently affordable, usually around $40 to $55 a night. Concrete behemoth with no character for $150 a night, or charming room with shared bath overlooking the Adriatic for $40? Pretty much a no-brainer.

Lots of choices at dinnertime: Fresh seafood places are everywhere. Lokanda Peskarija (Na Ponti, on the Old Town harbor) has great shrimp and fish dinners for about $15, and you can sit outside in nice weather, with neighborhood cats cruising for a handout. Orhan (1 Tabakarije), also on the harbor, is fancier, with fresh fish dinners at about $45, including wine.

DAYS 4-5: Take a ferry to Korcula, one of the many delectable islands off the Croatian coast, and spend a couple of days decompressing from city life. Croatia's main ferry company, Jadrolinija ( http://www.jadrolinija.hr), doesn't operate every day in May, but you can take a bus-ferry combo from the Dubrovnik bus station (Autobusni Kolodvor-Dubrovnik, http://www.libertasdubrovnik.hr/voznired.swf) for about $15. Once on the island, prepare to be dazzled: It's a miniature Dubrovnik, complete with medieval city walls, cathedrals and white marble streets. The city is laid out in a fishbone pattern, with streets radiating off the backbone like ribs -- designed that way to either catch the breezes or cut down on the wind, depending on whom you talk to. Other great island options: Hvar, Mljet, Brac, Vis.

Again, simply wander around the island for dining options. Gajeta (11a Kraljeviceva), with outdoor tables overlooking the sea, is especially appealing at night, with a grilled fish dinner running about $25.

Here and for the rest of your trip, stay with locals in private rooms.

DAYS 6-7: Continue up the coast to Split , another don't-miss city. Regular ferry service doesn't resume till June, but you can catch a Krilo catamaran (it leaves at 6 a.m., sorry; tickets from Marco Polo Tours, 011-385-20-715-400). Split may disappoint at first glance -- it's a working city, not a shimmery showplace like Dubrovnik -- but it offers a fascinating glimpse of the way Croatians live, and it's the site of some of the most amazing Roman ruins on the planet, Diocletian's Palace. Those ruins are hopping, too, with a maze of stores, cafes and apartments within the palace walls. Also check out the vibrant Riva seaside promenade, where locals romp day and night. If you have time, consider a day trip to the medieval island village of Trogir, across the bay; catch a bus from the main station.

DAY 8: Okay, so it's not on the coast. But Croatia Travel chief exec Boris Miketic says you simply can't visit Croatia without stopping at Plitvice Lakes National Park on your way back to Zagreb. "It's something that everybody raves about, an unbelievable cascade of waterfalls and lakes. I've gone there twice in the last year." Take the bus from Split, about two hours (see http://www.ak-split.hr/EN/vozni.red/VozniRedOdlazaka.aspx for a schedule). Don't miss traditional roasted lamb dishes at Licka Kuca restaurant in the woods; dinner is about $20. Then take the bus from Plitvice to Zagreb and spend the night in the capital, because you've got an early flight the next morning. There are lots of hotel choices in Zagreb, but not many you'd call moderate. One exception: the appealing, centrally located Hotel Ilica (102 Ilica, http://www.hotel-ilica.hr), with singles starting at about $80, including breakfast.

DAY 9: Fly to London, then home to Dulles. Spend all that connecting time planning your trip to Hvar, Zadar, Istria and all the other coastal destinations you couldn't squeeze in this time.

SPLURGE: Dubrovnik's Pucic Palace (1 Oc Puca, http://www.thepucicpalace.com) is a five-star hotel in the heart of the Old Town with antique-filled rooms, a rooftop terrace restaurant and all the amenities. About $550 a night.

COST: Airfare from Washington to Dubrovnik is $1,050. Bus and ferry trips run about $55, lodging about $600, museums and guides about $125. Total, not including food, tips and incidentals: $1,830. Okay, so you won't eat much.

-- K.C. Summers

Article Source: www.washingtonpost.com