Columns

May 2014 issue | Appears on page 59

Avoiding scams and pickpockets
By Rick Steves

The Louvre is Europe’s oldest, biggest, greatest and second-most-crowded museum (after the Vatican). It is home to Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, Michelangelo statues, and paintings by the greatest artists from the Renaissance to the Romantics. Lately, it is also home to groups of pickpockets. It got so bad that in April 2013 the museum staff walked out in protest. The Louvre had to close for a day, and the management finally beefed up police patrols.

Europe is a surprisingly...

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May 2014 issue | Appears on page 60

Invoking Jane Austen
By Yvonne Horn

Bath was awash in Jane Austen character look-alikes. Hundreds of Mr. Darcys and Mrs. Bennets filled the sidewalks of this patrician small city in homage to her for having lived and written there for five years. It was Bath’s annual Jane Austen Festival (in 2014 taking place Sept. 12-21) and I, alas, not a Jane Austen fan, had unwittingly blundered into its midst for a 3-day stay.

“Oh, who could be bored with Bath?” cried Catherine Morland, the ever-optimistic...

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May 2014 issue | Appears on page 63

It’s time for ITN to flourish
By Randy Keck

It is the spring season, a time of renewal and growth… . and time for ITN to sprout new buds and blossoms.

In order to do this, International Travel News must increase its subscriber base. And to accomplish that, we are formally requesting the participation of all current subscribers.

ITN is, for many of you, your most direct communication conduit to the exciting world of international travel. This magazine tells it like it is, without the frills. 

...

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April 2014 issue | Appears on page 0

The Highland castle of Eilean Donan
By Julie Skurdenis
Eilean Donan Castle.
Eilean Donan Castle, on an island in the western Highlands of Scotland
April 2014 issue | Appears on page 2

The extent of viral outbreaks on cruise ships
By David Tykol
Viewing from a larger perspective the extent of viral outbreaks on cruise ships. Also, considering the chances — and impact — of missing a tour departure. Also, it's been 100 years since the start of the first scheduled commercial airline service using winged aircraft.
April 2014 issue | Appears on page 55

What's Cooking in... Thailand
By Sandra Scott
Goong Makham!
April 2014 issue | Appears on page 56

What’s new in Germany for 2014
By Rick Steves
Sightseers visit Berlin’s new memorial honoring the Roma and Sinti victims of Hitler’s genocide. Photo by Rick Steves

While Germany sits in the driver’s seat of Europe’s economy, it doesn’t take a cultural backseat either. Here are a few of the latest developments.

• Berlin is trying to finish construction of its new, 5-billion-euro (nearly 7-billion-dollar) airport, Willy Brandt Berlin-Brandenburg International, but the project has been perennially delayed by a faulty fire-safety system, glitches in the baggage-sorting equipment and other technical problems. A partial opening...

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April 2014 issue | Appears on page 61

Madeira planning
By Randy Keck

(Third of three parts, see part one or part two)

In the final part of this series about my November 2013 visit to Madeira, I will address planning a trip to this enchanting Atlantic isle. In addition to touring choices and accommodation suggestions, I will list some activity options that my wife, Gail, and I were not able to fit into this first visit.

Accommodations

Most of the hotels on Madeira are located in and around Funchal. During our 6-night stay, we had the...

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