Answers to The Travel Show Listeners' Questions

Despite all the economic ills that segments of our population suffer, Americans continue to travel -- heavily, enthusiastically, and to ever-more exotic and remote locations. They also continue to pursue careers in the travel industry. How do I know? I know it from the questions I receive by e-mail from a surprising number of readers. Here's a sampling: 

Q. How can I escape my current present job and become a tour guide, traveling all over the world? 

A. One way is to sign up for courses with the International Tour Management Institute in San Francisco (travel@itmisf.com or 800/442-4864 for information), which has an impressive record of placing its graduates with leading tour operators. But don't expect to earn anywhere near your present income from that boring current job.

Q. We'll be going to Tunisia, and look forward to exploring the less-heavily-populated areas of that country, like its southern desert. Any recommendations? 

A. Are you kidding? While our State Department does not issue an unqualified ban on travel to Tunisia, it lists serious warnings, especially in the non-touristic areas located in the interior. Consult the State Department's advisories (www.travel.state.gov/travel) before you visit any iffy country. The same advice is given to a reader who is seriously considering a trip to Mali. I wouldn't.

Q. A dozen of us are planning a family reunion trip to Ireland. How can we best obtain the lowest airfares? 

A. Make your reservations one at a time -- and not by asking for twelve tickets all at once. In that manner, some of you may obtain the few heavily-discounted seats aboard the flight you have chosen, and the cost for the entire group will be averaged out to a lower level.

Q. My fiancee and I are planning to be married in Rome on the day after our arrival there, and then to travel within the rest of Italy. Can you name a Presbyterian Church in Rome where we might have this done? 

A. Rome is no Las Vegas. It doesn't issue marriage licenses on the spot to a newly arrived visitor (as they do in Vegas). Nearly all European countries and cities have severe residence requirements, and usually specify a lengthy stay before the knot can be tied.

Q. Can you name a tour operator offering a group visit that starts in Poland (Warsaw and Kracow), then goes to Germany (Regensburg), and finally takes in Paris and the D-Day beaches? 

A. There's none. Tour operators offer logical itineraries of the sort that are requested by a multitude of people. You'd best make your own independent arrangements, using a travel agent. 

Q. We plan to visit Berlin, then spend the rest of our stay in Paris. I'd like to fly between the two cities, my husband prefers taking the train. Which?  

A. It's a matter of taste. If your husband feels strongly that a train trip between Berlin and Paris is itself an important viewing experience, then the train it should be. But point out to him that such a trip requires at least 13 hours.

Q. We wish to study Spanish in Costa Rica, and have heard of a language school there. Do you know anything about it [and here the reader names the school]? 

A. No. What you do in such instances is ask for references from the school -- the names and phone numbers of other Americans who have studied there. You take the same precautions as if you were choosing a dentist or an accountant. You ask for references.

Q. On our forthcoming Alaskan cruise stopping in Skagway, we'd like to rent a car for a day trip into the Yukon. Does that work? 

A. Probably not. The average cruise ship, on a port stop, disembarks passengers around 9 or 10 A.M. and then leaves the port to sail elsewhere at 4 p.m. The process of picking up a rented car (much paperwork) and then handing it back, leaves you with little time for roaming, and the roads going inland from Skagway are undoubtedly minor ones of short distance, in any event. 

Q. Ever heard of a travel agency for Russian travel called "Travel All Russia"? 

A. No. Ask for references before using them.

Q. We are five sisters planning an extensive trip through Great Britain. Where can we stay cheaply?  

A. Look up the many scattered properties belonging to the Travelodge chain, or alternatively the Premier chain, most of them modern hotels with very inexpensive (for Britain) rates.

Q. In view of the several recent problems aboard cruise ships that have lost their electrical power, how can I best select an upcoming cruise? 

A. It appears that the newer ships, those built within the past four or five years, are usually equipped with dual sets of generators located in different sections of the ship. I'd favor those ships in choosing a cruise. I'd also pose questions about whether particular older ships have been subsequently equipped with back-up generators or their equivalent, which one of the large cruise lines has publicly announced it will do. If they do, I would think their ships are now acceptably safe.