By Arthur Frommer
We're on the brink of the summer travel season, and 10 recent developments or events might affect your travel plans:
Alitalia to Italy: Can you safely hang on to that Alitalia ticket you recently bought? Can you just as safely buy a future ticket on the financially troubled Alitalia? In the wake of political events, the answer seems to be yes. The recent election of Silvio Berlusconi undoubtedly means that Alitalia is secure for the next several months. Though he certainly isn't my favorite politician, Berlusconi is such a headstrong, stubborn egotist that he has already defied the European Community's categorical rule against bailing out insolvent carriers (by making an interim, $463 million loan to Alitalia). You can be reasonably certain that he will either not permit Alitalia to go under, or that he will create a new airline honoring the ticket obligations of Alitalia.
China: There's still time to squeeze in a trip before the Olympics. If you're having difficulty finding a tour package for a trip in June (about the only remaining time for an uncrowded China), you might want to consider traveling independently. The major Chinese search engine, http://www.english.ctrip.com/, has recently upgraded its English-language Web site to permit the sale of U.S.-to-China flights at advantageous rates, like a round trip between Chicago and Shanghai for $450.
Transatlantic flights: Consider using cut-rate Canadian carrier Zoom ( http://www.flyzoom.com/). In addition to operating from New York to London, it will soon offer flights from Fort Lauderdale and San Diego. And its airfares will be about $200 less than most other carriers.
U.S. river barges: Most Americans don't know that there are river cruises of the United States on barges (not those hokey, imitation paddle-wheelers that ply the Mississippi). Throughout the summer, cruises of various durations will be available on the Ohio, Cumberland and Upper Mississippi rivers, and the Texas-Louisiana Intracoastal Waterway, at rates averaging $300 a day. Contact: http://www.riverbarge.com/.
African safaris: Tour operators have resumed trips to the game parks of Kenya now that peace seems to have settled over the political situation there. One Canadian company, Lion World, is charging as little as $1,999 per person, including transatlantic airfare to Kenya, for a one-week safari. In my opinion, the length is perfectly sufficient for that activity. Phone (800) 387-2706 or (416) 920-5466.
Self-drive canal boats: For parties of four or more, consider a self-skippered, live-aboard boat for a two-week vacation along the narrow man-made canals of Europe. Contact European Boating Holidays at http://www.europeanboatingholidays.co.uk/ or (866) 606-5278.
Luggage allowances: There are increasingly strict rules for the number of suitcases, their dimensions and weight that are allowed on a flight. The rules are different for U.S. domestic flights, transatlantic flights and flights within Europe. The United States Tour Operators Association ( http://www.ustoa.com/) publishes such a chart on its Web site.
Canadian national parks: Tired of visiting Yosemite and Yellowstone? Give some thought to Banff National Park and Jasper National Park in Canada's province of Alberta. Though not quite as inexpensive as a U.S. park (admission for a family group is less than $20), they have spectacular views and hot springs bathing (in Banff) and extraordinary wildlife (in Jasper).
Alaskan cruising: With seagoing travel concentrated so heavily in European waters during the summer months, there are some indications that cruises of Alaskan waters may be losing business. Online Vacation Center, (800) 329-9002 offers sharp discounts, bringing the price down to $699 per person for round-trip departures in late June, from Seattle, of seven-night Alaskan cruises aboard the upscale ships of Holland America. And with airfares to and from Seattle generally lower than to Vancouver or Anchorage, these are excellent bargains.
European apartments: The rental of kitchen-equipped apartments is increasingly seen as a smart way to avoid the high costs of Europe. The various sources of European apartment rentals are experiencing heavy demand. One of them, http://www.rentalo.com/, is offering rates of $135 for two-bedroom apartments in Paris.
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