Victoria Advocate from Victoria, Texas • 57

12-XHE VICTORIA J. travel ImvelguMe Differs helpful co'nsunier tlpi flier clubs. The book rates winners and sinners in various categories based on reports published in the travel letter and in Consumer Reports magazine, which all are published by the non-profit, Yon-kers-based Consumers Union. Of eourse, a lot of the information most useful to travelers is the sort that gets out of date rapidly, including statistics such as the latest air fares, car-rental rates, credit-card perks and hotel packages. Guidebooks that try to include such information seem hopelessly outdated as soon as they're off the press, so you won't find it attempted here.

Consumer Reports staffers are old hands at writing around the perishable BARBARA SHEA LA TimesWashington Post It is not as sexy as a Danielle Steel novel, but the new Consumer Reports Travel Buying Guide is an absorbing read nonetheless. And, although it is not the best escap-' ist fare for the beach, if you look it over carefully before your vacation, it will help ensure a more carefree trip. Unlike most guidebooks, which focus on what to see and do in various places, this volume from the editors of the excellent Consumer Reports Travel Letter tells you how to make wise travel purchases in the first place. It is filled with timely advice about tours, cruises, airline and hotel service, charters, voucher deals and frequent- ing every travel provider around the world, mind you. It of fers virtually nothing on camping.

And it doesn't discuss options for getting emergency cash abroad or for sending hotel deposits in foreign-currency checks. The book's strength is its no-nonsense advice on problems that travelers don't think about until they're desperately in need of a consumer advocate. The consistently high caliber of reporting done by Ed Perkins and other writers of Consumer Reports Travel Letter also leads me to trust their advice more than that of other guides that don't always identify the sources of their information. The Consumer Reports Travel Buying Guide is $8.95 at bookstores if you order it from Consumer Reports Books, at (800) 272-0722, you'll have to add $2.50. stuff without offering merely vague generalizations, which means the book will have more staying power than most guides.

It clarifies such subjects as rental-car insurance and travel haz- ards without citing rates or world trou-ble spots. There's also a good section on legal rights and obligations, with reports on overbooking regulations, lost-ticket procedures and complaint tactics. In addition to these nuts-and-bolts subjects, there is information on some topics you rarely see included in travel guides, even those on specific foreign countries or cities. For example, there's a chapter on tour operators abroad, which is handy if you find yourself in Europe and wanting a weekend getaway. This isn't an exhaustive directory list Aeiy Las Vegas resort features Egypt theme Frankfurt From La (2) 3 Days2 Nights Plaza Las Glorias Includes roundtrip air London Madrid Milan Paris from Houston on Aero Mexico, roundtrip transfers, hotel, hotel taxes, US department taxes.

Based on dbl. occ. per person. im lower lodging prices. The government has been grading hotels on a five-star scale.

Israel's hefty travel tax on citizens living abroad who return for a visit ends Jan. 1. Bed and breakfasts are now opening throughout Israel, cutting family travel costs significantly. For a new listing of thousands of family rooms for less than $50 a night, phone (212) 560-0600, ext.245. Travel warnings Cholera has been reported in Argentina and Belize.

The Centers for Disease Control said most South American countries and Mexico are affected by the current epidemic, particularly Peru, Ecuador, Brazil, Guatemala and El Salvador. The CDC's advice: "Boil it, cook it, peel it or forget it." Don't drink local water or drinks from street vendors, don't use ice, avoid uncooked vegetables and raw or cold seafood. Visitors to Brazil should also note that the State Department says crime has increased significantly in Rio de Janeiro. Crimes against tourists, including robberies, muggings and pick-pocketings, are a "growing problem" in Albania, the State Department warns. In addition to current Kenya travel warnings, including avoiding the Masai Mara game reserve, the State Department now says crime has increased at beach resorts.

Quick takes The historic Panama Railroad, which halted operations three years ago, is preparing to resume service across the scenic 50-mile isthmus. A free brochure lists 23 farm vacations in Pennsylvania Dutch country; phone (800)735-2629. Montreal's 350th anniversary celebration this summer will feature more than 300 events. For a schedule and lodging information, phone (800) INFO-350. ELIZABETH WISSNER-GROSS LA TimesWashington Post A hotel in which guests take a boat ride from the front desk to the elevators on a river that flows through the lobby may bring new meaning to "door-to-door service." But that's just one of the features of a resort opening next year in Las Vegas.

Circus Circus Enterprises, which recently announced that its newest casino hotel would be based on an Egyptian theme, has disclosed that the pyramid-shaped resort will be called Luxor and will feature a "Nile River" running through the lobby, a full-size reproduction of King Tut's tomb and three special-effects "participatory adventures" for guests. Hotel amenities A hotel scheduled to open in Orlando, on Aug. 4 may have solved one of travel's great airport hassles waiting at the baggage claim area. Guests at the Hyatt Regency can have a bellhop pick up their luggage. Other innovations call-waiting phones in guest rooms, starting Oct.

1, and elevator access to all hotel hallways by key card only. New themes The nation's largest music theme park has opened in San Antonio. The 200-acre Fiesta Texas features more than 60 daily popular music shows in four themed areas Western, Hispanic, German and nostalgia rock 'n roll. Universal Studios Florida has four new attractions. Beetle juice Graveyard Revue rock concert opened last week.

A Lucille Ball tribute opens next month. Fievel's Playland, which will be handicapped-accessible water a "Rocky and Bullwinkle" comedy show open in July. Israel notes The Israeli government is stepping out of the hotel rating business as of June 1 and Israel Minister of Tourism Gideon Patt said he expects this will result in SAVE UP TO $600 7 DAY "FUN SHIP" SAVE PER CABIN u. nn mwww ml lirFf nAV rARIsSEAN AND KIEAIIAN KIVICKt WlUliCJ ttiar SAVE $500 PER CABIN 7 DAY SOUTHERN CARIBBEAN CRUISES SHIM MOMTIMO IN UMWA AND TH1 WWMM Nothing compares to autumn in New England! ireK inrougn me mounidinb jmu vdiiep iu caiuic mih villages, covered bridges and sparkling lakes set amid the colorful brilliance of autumn's foliage. Enjoy this spectacular ritual on Maupintour's seven'fall foliage tours to New England, Pennsylvania, Great Lakes and the Ozarks.

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