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Rundown
for the Week of April 25, 2003
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to the Whole Show
Opening
Of Show
 Slideshow
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West Coast Road Trip by Jake Warga
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Many of live like slaves to the rigor of our daily routine. So, what do you do if you have $80 in your pocket and you're just itching to get out of town? It can be very freeing to wake up in a strange place and follow your natural instincts throughout the day, discovering little delights in your surroundings. Jake Warga offers us a vicarious experience in "traveling without a purpose." Jake boards a train in Seattle, then a bus, then a car -- and he ends up in LA with lots of small adventures under his belt.
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Travel Update - Egypt
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in RealAudio
This week, several airlines resumed flights to the Middle East, but Egypt, normally a popular tourist destination, has been crippled by a tourist industry flattened by the war. Reporter Rhoda Metcalf is on the ground in Cairo. She says camel drivers are bored, hotels and restaurants are under-booked, and crowds have thinned out at the pyramids. And, some tourists there say the vibe toward Americans has definitely shifted -- that hostility has reared its ugly head. That's why some of these travelers have been pretending to be anything but American while abroad.
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Travel and War, Interview with William Langewiesche
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in RealAudio
William Langewiesche, the senior correspondent for The Atlantic Monthly, is considered one of the "big think" writers in the world of travel culture. This week, we get his thoughts on the current world zeitgeist of travel. Host Diana Nyad asks him whether we'll ever return to the days of "total-abandon" travel. He says the idea that we're facing a fundamental change in travel is pretty shortsighted -- that, psychologically, it's a short-range reaction to the attacks of, and fallout from, 9/11.
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Online resources:
 Atlantic Monthly: Contributor profile for William Langewiesche
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Travel Behind the Scenes Fred Christina, former waiter at New York's Plaza Hotel
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in RealAudio
Who knows travelers better than the workers who serve them all day? This week, we kick off a new segment called "Travel Behind the Scenes." Our first storyteller is Fred Christina, who just recently retired after 64 years as a waiter at the storied Oak Room of New York's Plaza Hotel. Night after night, Fred served and observed the most famous travelers in the world. Here are his observations...
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Closing of Cypress Gardens Interview with Esther Williams
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in RealAudio
Long before there was Disney World, there was Cypress Gardens. Way back in 1936, a man named Dick Pope built the first theme park in Florida, which became famous for world-class water ski shows. But the most famous face -- and body -- in Cypress Gardens history was movie star and champion swimmer Esther Williams. This week, Cypress Gardens closed shop, even though the state is considering buying and reopening it.
We called Esther and asked her about memories of Cypress Gardens.
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SARS Update Interview with Rob Stein, science writer for the Washington Post
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in RealAudio
The mayor of Toronto was angry this week when the World Health Organization added his city to the list of places to avoid, unless travel there is absolutely necessary. The SARS virus has infected more than 4,000 people and killed nearly 250 worldwide -- but some argue that the flu is even more deadly. So, are we unnecessarily alarmed? Washington Post science writer Rob Stein has been following the SARS saga. Host Diana Nyad asks him if this is a rather "trigger-happy" decision by the WHO.
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Fix My Trip The Case of the Bogus Ticket-Delivery Fee
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in RealAudio: Listener Perry lays out the problem...
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in RealAudio: Chris Elliott swoops in for a save...
Ever encountered a glitch when booking travel? That's why we bring in our travel snafu fixer to help out.
This week: Listener Perry buys an airline ticket on Orbitz and has to pay $20 extra for a paper ticket to be delivered by a courier. Problem is, the ticket shows up in the regular mail a couple days later. When he calls to complain, Orbitz says it's their cost of handling. Is this just another bogus fee? Our Travel Troubleshooter, Chris Elliott, says Orbitz clearly shouldn't have made the charge. Then, he explains why and offers a solution.
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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Deal of the Week Spring / Summer Airfare Sale
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in RealAudio
In an effort to jump start air travel grown sluggish due to the war with Iraq, SARS and the economy, airlines are offering deals left and right. Our Travel-Expert-in-Residence, Rudy Maxa, is here to show you who's offering what.
Click here to read all the details.
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