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August 2006
Cumberland Island’s future?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The debate over Cumberland Island is heating up with a proposal to open up part of the island to tour vehicles, with eight to 10 tours a day to pristine areas formerly accessible only by hiking.
How do you feel about that? Have you camped and hiked on the island and want it to remain as it is, with little traffic allowed on the Main Road? Or are you on the other side, someone who’s wanted to visit the island but doesn’t have the ability to hike long distances?
Having recently visited the Galapagos Islands, I can see how difficult it is to balance protecting the environment and its animal inhabitants and allowing tourists to explore the islands. I’m not sure how that balance would play out on Cumberland.
Traveling this fall?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Carlson Wagonlit just released a survey of its travel agents on the top domestic and international destinations they’re booking for the rest of 2006. Georgians are being consistent with their domestic choices: Las Vegas and Orlando usually rate 1 and 2 with New York close behind; this year, they all tied for first place. Next were two islands of Hawaii, which also ranks high with traveling Georgians — Honolulu, Oahu, and Kahului, Maui.
Internationally, we’re still cruising the Caribbean (ranked No. 1) or visiting Cancun (No.2); tied for No. 3 are London, Riviera Maya, Mexico and Rome, Italy. But we’re also branching out a little — I don’t remember Budapest, Hungary making the list in years past — it’s tied at No. 7 with a whole slew of destinations: Athens, Greece; Bermuda; Cabo San Lucas/Los Cabos, Mexico; Europe (Mediterranean) cruises; Florence and/or Tuscany, Italy; Nassau, The Bahamas; Nice, France; Prague, Czech Republic; Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Vancouver, British Columbia; and Venice, Italy.
Where are you headed this fall? Did you take a trip more off the beaten path this summer? Or do you love Las Vegas, Orlando and New York and try to go at least once a year?
I personally love visiting Las Vegas, Orlando and New York, but just don’t get there very often — there’s too much to see and too little time to return to the same place year after year, even when they’re great destinations. How do you feel about that — like the comforts of relaxing in a place your know or need the excitement (and sometimes headaches) of exploring someplace new?
Surprised by a vacation?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
As some of you may have read, I just returned from a week in Ecuador, visiting Quito, the capitol, and the Galapagos. I expected to love the Galapagos, and I did, but Quito was a big surprise: A wonderful city well worth a visit for its colonial architecture and history, its unusual and tasty food and it’s charming and friendly people. I’ve heard from several visitors who were equally surprised and impressed with this city, which isn’t on most tourists’ “must-see” lists.
So my question to you is: What’s the most delightfully surprising trip you’ve taken? Where have your visited that’s perhaps not all that well known or that you had somewhat low expectations for and it turned out to be just the best? And how did the destination win your heart?
Want to go to Antarctica?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The weather in Antarctica can be surprisingly pleasant during December, says a recent travel article. Temperatures often get above freezing that month, which is summer in the southern hemisphere.
And more and more travelers are heading there. About 26,000 visited in the past year, and the number is increasing yearly.
The increase has led some environmental groups to seek limits on the number of tourists each year.
Does Antarctica appeal to you? Would you go?
Rethinking your travel plans or not?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The security level has been raised to its highest level in Britain as a result of a thwarted plot to blow up aircraft.
Here at home, heightened security means travelers are waiting in long lines at airports and being ordered to throw out any liquids they are carrying, among other things.
How are you being impacted by this? Are you struggling to fly somewhere and dealing with long lines?
One organization, the American Society of Travel Agents, is urging people to cooperate with authorities and be flexible in their plans. But it also urges travelers not to succumb to the intimidation of terrorists.
“If we allow terrorist threats to disrupt peaceful commerce and communities, then terrorists have won,” the organization said in a statement.
Do you agree? How will your travel plans the near future be impacted?
Hartsfield-Jackson airport security
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Speaking of airport security issues, I was appalled on a 7:30 a.m. visit this week to baggage claim at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.
I pack light and haven’t checked a bag in years, even on a two-week visit to Europe a few years ago. On Tuesday, returning from Ecuador, I had to check a bag after a last-minute, unexpected gift of books. So I expected the drill: claim bag, go through Customs, recheck bag and pick up in baggage claim. It went smoothly and surprisingly quickly.
I picked up the bag, my friend got hers and we were ready to show our claim tickets to exit. And NOBODY was staffing any of the exit gates. We could have left with any bag of our choosing, and so could anyone else. Is this normal for Hartsfield? Have you found the exits unstaffed frequently? Since I never check bags, I was shocked.
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A better baggage system?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A new $170 million baggage security system at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport should make baggage check-in easier. The system is already operating in the North Terminal and will soon be in use in the South Terminal.
Travelers will be able to check luggage at ticket counters insteading of lugging it to screening areas. The system takes bags on a conveyor belt to a row of explosive-detection machines.
Does this sound good? Will it make you feel more secure?
Are you generally satisfied with the handling of your luggage when you fly?
