"With the war continuing in Iraq, as travelers, we're all coping with big changes in travel. For some, "Where should I go?" now has been shortened to, "Should I go?"
There are plenty of things you need to know to be a traveler these days. That's where we come in, because when you have the right information, you can make informed decisions on if you should travel and what precautions you should take if you do. Below are links that can help:
Now, for some of you, finding out the latest about what airlines are heading for Chapter 11 or what flights are getting cut on a daily basis is essential information. You could be a stockholder in a big airline or you have thousands and thousands of frequent flier miles, or maybe you're just a travel industry news junkie -- regardless, here's a way to find out the most recent travel industry news. It's good to be informed, since many of you are postponing or canceling immediate travel plans, which has thrown the travel industry into crisis.
Remember, travel is an option -- just be informed.
In the next few weeks, we'll be collecting more resources to help you make decisions about travel.
"
--Diana Nyad
host, The Savvy Traveler
»This Week's Show...
State of the Tourist Industry Interview with Marketplace Morning Report Host Tess Vigeland
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in RealAudio
Host Diana Nyad and Marketplace Morning Report host Tess Vigeland talk about airline losses and how normally over-booked hotels are becoming "ghost towns."
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in RealAudio
There's one easy way to hear from, and even talk to, people on the ground in places you're curious about: via Internet bulletin boards. But perhaps you're not a cyber-wizard. Good thing Don George, the global travel editor from Lonely Planet, is here to help us navigate our way through the Web of travel bulletin boards.
Bulletin Board Web Resources: Savvy Traveler Web Resources: Peruse the dozens of useful Web links we collected to help you with travel during these uncertain times. Savvy Traveler Bulletin Board: Share your travel tips, get recommendations from fellow travelers, or tell us about your favorite places away from home.
Travel Agents in Your Corner Interview with Sandee Litwin
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in RealAudio
With cancellation policies and other travel company rules changing on nearly a daily basis, a travel agent can come in and save you when you're miles away and things go wrong. Sandee Litwin of Litwin Travel says agents are invaluable to travelers because they've built up solid relationships in all areas of travel.
ALSO MENTIONED WorldCell.com: Cellphones for overseas use
Tourist updates from Paris, London and Rome
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in RealAudio
Springtime in big European cities usually means a bump of about 25% in tourism -- but bookings for flights from the States to Europe are down some 40% now. That means the usual crowds at the Coliseum and the Eiffel Tower are pretty thin. We hear from three reporters on the ground in Europe today.
Fix My Trip with Christopher Elliott
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Diana Nyad and our troubleshooter Christopher Elliott talk about the travel issues and worries that arise when you're at home watching tank movements on CNN: namely, cancellation policies for airlines, hotels, trains, car rentals and cruises.
Do you have a trip that needs fixin'?
If you've exhausted every possible remedy and still can't resolve your travel problem, we might be able to help. Tell us what happened to you and what you've done to resolve it. Include dates, names and your contact numbers.
Due to the volume of mail we receive, we're not able to "fix" every trip submitted, but if we select yours to feature on the show, our Travel Troubleshooter, Christopher Elliott, will give you a ring. E-mail us: fixmytrip@savvytraveler.org. You can also visit Christopher Elliott on the Web at www.elliott.org.
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in RealAudio
Author and Stateside Francophile Edmund White has spent years living in Paris. He has even written two books about his experiences there, "Our Paris" and "The Flaneur." His love of the country is apparent.
Listen to the original broadcast: Edmund White's Paris: Originally aired September 20, 2002. Listen to the audio and browse his Web site.
Mass Tourism by Naomi Lewin
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Reporter Naomi Lewin takes us into some old houses of worship in Spain. But she went a step further than just gazing at the stained glass windows: Naomi visited the churches during mass for the locals.
Listen to the Original Broadcast: Mass Tourism originally aired on July 6, 2001. Click here for audio and script.
Sound Travels: Naxi Orchestra, Lijiang, China
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This week, we take you as far from the modern world as possible -- just by listening to simple sounds. Jake Chance recorded music that dates back to the Chinese Ming Dynasty in Lijiang, China, on the eastern edge of the Himalayas. The music is more than 100 years old.
Related Media: www.terragalleria.com: Online photo gallery of Naxi musicians, people, costumes and instruments. http://www.elijiang.com/: Pictures of Lijiang Provence, its culture, people and local travel informaiton
Deal of the Week: Stowe Weekend of Hope
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One in three people alive in the US today will be affected by cancer at some point in their lives--whether the disease hits them or a close family member.
For two years, we've made the Vermont Cancer Network's annual "Stowe Weekend of Hope Cancer Event" our deal of the week, and the third annual weekend occurs May 2-4. And once again local hotels are donating hundreds of free rooms to attendees who come to Stowe, Vermont, to attend educational workshops, hear from leading cancer researchers, and to celebrate life and love with family members.
Want to know what governments are saying about traveling now? Check out 
