TRAVEL NEWS
Saturday, June 14, 2008
As oil rises, Americans rediscover rail travel
As oil prices spike, many Americans are rediscovering the railroad.
Amtrak, America's struggling passenger railroad, saw record numbers in May when ridership rose 12.3 per cent from a year earlier, and ticket sales climbed 15.6 per cent, according to company data.
theage.com.au
Amtrak, America's struggling passenger railroad, saw record numbers in May when ridership rose 12.3 per cent from a year earlier, and ticket sales climbed 15.6 per cent, according to company data.
theage.com.au
Sunday, June 08, 2008
Venice urges tourists to drink from fountains
As summer sets in, tourists visiting Venice will find fountains feature unexpectedly high on this year's sightseeing tours as the city council aims to reduce waste in the world's biggest consumer of mineral water.
A new initiative to cut down on bottled water consumption, called "100% Public" (www.100X100pubblica.it), will be launched on Thursday, which is World Environment Day.
Tourists will be given an empty water bottle with the message "Don't throw me away, re-use me!" and a map indicating the 122 fountains flowing with water from the city's aqueducts, inviting them to quench their thirst directly from the source.
theage.com.au
A new initiative to cut down on bottled water consumption, called "100% Public" (www.100X100pubblica.it), will be launched on Thursday, which is World Environment Day.
Tourists will be given an empty water bottle with the message "Don't throw me away, re-use me!" and a map indicating the 122 fountains flowing with water from the city's aqueducts, inviting them to quench their thirst directly from the source.
theage.com.au
Labels: Venice, water supply
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Aussie tourists to register for US entry
The US Government is imposing tougher restrictions on Australians wanting to visit America.
Australia is currently one of more than two dozen countries that enjoy visa waiver rights for short-term travel to the US.
But from the beginning of next year Australians wanting to travel to America will have to register with the US Government at least three days in advance.
US Homeland Security secretary Michael Chertoff says the move will help identify potential terrorists.
"It's very important to us to remain a welcoming country to visitors and business travellers and students from around the world, at the same time, recognise the importance of maintaining vigorous security standards," he said.
"Recent intelligence has underscored the fact that Al Qaeda and similar extremists are attempting to recruit operatives who blend in to western society."
Travellers will not be allowed on planes or cruise ships unless they produce this new US Government authorisation.
Source: au.news.yahoo.com
Australia is currently one of more than two dozen countries that enjoy visa waiver rights for short-term travel to the US.
But from the beginning of next year Australians wanting to travel to America will have to register with the US Government at least three days in advance.
US Homeland Security secretary Michael Chertoff says the move will help identify potential terrorists.
"It's very important to us to remain a welcoming country to visitors and business travellers and students from around the world, at the same time, recognise the importance of maintaining vigorous security standards," he said.
"Recent intelligence has underscored the fact that Al Qaeda and similar extremists are attempting to recruit operatives who blend in to western society."
Travellers will not be allowed on planes or cruise ships unless they produce this new US Government authorisation.
Source: au.news.yahoo.com
Monday, June 02, 2008
Thousands join Heathrow protest
Thousands of campaigners opposed to plans for a third runway at Heathrow joined a protest rally outside the west London airport.
An estimated 3,000 protesters marched from Hatton Cross to Sipson, the village that would be lost if the planned runway goes ahead.
news.bbc.co.uk
An estimated 3,000 protesters marched from Hatton Cross to Sipson, the village that would be lost if the planned runway goes ahead.
news.bbc.co.uk
Labels: Heathrow
Tube drinks party sparks mayhem
Six London Underground stations were closed as trouble flared when thousands of people marked the banning of alcohol on London transport with a party.
news.bbc.co.uk
news.bbc.co.uk
