In Honor of Trains

If you're reading this on that other coast, I'd like to draw your attention to a wonderful little company run exclusively by train enthusiasts.  You can find it at LARail.com.  On a recent weekend I spoke to several of the owners as I toured their cars.  I say "several" because each person owns one or more of the vintage cars used for the excursions.  They are a congenial group, as railroad people often are.   They love their cars, rescued from near-certain oblivion, and they love sharing them with the public.  This is evident by the very reasonable pricing on their excursions.  If you live in Southern California, or even if you're visiting, it would be well worth it to plan far enough in advance to include a trip by LA Rail.

London, the Olympics, and the Jubilee

Some may say this is a year to avoid London but I say it is THE time to go. The excitement is palpable already. If you really want to live like the Queen, check out the rooms for rent in Buckingham Palace! There are so many special events, they cannot be contained in one list or even one website. For a beginning, try www.visitbritain.com or www.visitlondon.com

Can U C U?

What's HOT for 2012? UCU! Uruguay, Curacao, and Uganda. Curacao is fast becoming "the" undiscovered island of the Caribbean where people sneak away for a glorious week or so. Its position out of the hurricane belt makes it even more attractive. Uruguay and Uganda are both blossoming after years of civil troubles. The rich and famous flock to Punta del Este to sample Uruguay's delicious combination of European and South American flavors. Uganda, now a democracy, is arguably the best place for gorilla trekking on the continent. Beyond that is Murchison Falls National Park, teeming with wildlife but nearly empty of tourists.

Switzerland by Winter, when else?

What better time to see the stunning mountain scenery of Switzerland than in the winter?

Myriad viaducts, tunnels and bridges present the Swiss train traveller with the ultimate Winter show - spectacular mountain scenery and idyllic towns all blanketed in snow! Insight Tours uses a clever combination of both coach and rail means you’ll witness the finest Alpine scenery and historic towns and buildings, without it feeling too rushed. In the traffic-free resort of Zermatt you have most of the day to do as you please.

For rail enthusiasts, there are many Swiss Rail and hotel combinations to suit your taste and catch all the glorious special trains.

Venus Transits the Disk of the Sun

What better way to share your love than aboard the South Pacific's luxury cruise ship, Paul Gauguin, watching the transit of Venus across the sun? Only 5 transits have occurred since 1639 and it will not occur again until 2117. Free airfare from LAX and 50% off regular cruise fares.

There's no place better than the deluxe m/s Paul Gauguin to observe this wonder of the skies -- especially with guest host Bill Kramer, an acknowledged expert in solar eclipse prediction mathematics and a world traveler. Safe solar-viewing tools will be available onboard.

Sure to sell out quickly!

Tourism to Egypt

If you've ever been to Egypt, you know that the country itself is a treasure. Here are excerpts from an email I just received from the Consult/Director in New York.

"First, no single tourist was hurt in Egypt as this crisis unfolded, and all tourists were able to make it back to their respective countries safely.

Second, as the pro-democracy demonstrators continued to express their opinion and demands, a dialogue is going on between various political forces and the government and it is evolving towards a national consensus that will make Egypt come out of the crisis stronger and more appealing to international travelers.

Third, all Egypt's treasures in all cities and outdoor sites are safe and well kept by both people and the government authorities as a precious heritage for humanity."

Visionary Cities

Travel & Leisure points out several current and future plans. Among them...

Masdar City in Abu Dhabi, Arab Emirates which, when fully operational in approximately 2020, expects to have zero waste and zero carbon emissions; it will recycle most of its water and rely on solar energy and other renewable resources. Electric cars will be allowed while gas-guzzling cars are banned. Podlike, battery-operated transit systems travel underground.

Tallinn, Estonia where the government deems free Internet to be a birthright.

Cleveland, Ohio, USA's Galleria at Erieview mall showing how a hydroponics system can ensure a lush growth of vegetables such as spinach, lettuce, and tomatoes. Once harvested, the veggies are sold at the mall's weekly farmers' market.