Go Before They’re Gone

by Neil Woodburn on

This month’s Men’s Journal features an article whose theme is horribly depressing; phenomenal travel destinations that will soon disappear.

For those of you who don’t believe in Global Warming, you may want to click over to some feel-good fantasy site because the following may upset the balance of the perfect little fictitious world you’ve created for yourself.

For the remaining intelligent souls among us, I’d like to remind you that man’s encroachment on nature takes many forms and each, in its own insidious way, is affecting everything around us. The Men’s Journal article details a handful of what we may be losing in the near future and when these tragedies are expected to occur. I’ve only included three in this post. For the complete list, check out a copy of the May edition of Men’s Journal-sorry, but it is not online.

Mont Blanc, France – Warming temperatures are expected to melt most of the mountain’s glaciers by 2035.

Three Gorges, China – The massive demand for energy has resulted in the construction of the world’s largest dam. By 2009, the area’s incredible landscape and archeological relics will be under 350 feet of water.

Maldives, Indian Ocean – Low-lying island nations such as the Maldives, which are only three feet above sea level, are expected to disappear by 2100 due to rising waters brought on by global warming.

[Photo: Flickr | YXO]

Rick Steve's Free Paris Podcast

by Erik Olsen on

If you don’t already have your fill of
itinerant travel writer Rick Steves through his multitudinous books, TV shows,
etc., you might be interested that he is also doing audio
tours now, available from his site and/or through itunes. And if you act now…well, and/or later as well…you can
download a free copy of Steve’s walking tour of Paris.

Steve’s audio
tour includes tours of the Louvre and Orsay Museums, Versailles Palace, and a walk through historic Paris. Now, do you
want Steve’s dulcet voice coming into your head as you walk the Louvre? That’s a question you’ll have answer for
yourself. We are but mere messengers here. We merely want you to know you have the option.

Disney Cruises to Set Sail in Europe

by Karen Walrond on

From CNN.com:  Starting in May 2007
through August 2007, Disney Cruise Lines will begin sailing to Italy, France and Spain, in an attempt to "chart
new waters."  The cruise line will offer 10- and 11-night cruises starting in Barcelona, and traveling to
eight European cities.  The news comes in at a time when the industry is soaring, and is predicted to reach
pre-September 11th highs.

"The cruise takes care of [guesswork associated with traveling Europe with
small children] and people trust Disney. At the end of the day you know you’re coming back to the ship and having
five-star dining, great entertainment and you know your kids are going to have a good time,"  said company
President Tom McAlpin.

Update: Before you book, you may want to check out this report on cruising with young
children from Blogging Baby.

Da Vinci Code Tours

by Neil Woodburn on

Another bestseller, another literary tour. 

It really shouldn’t come as a great surprise that tour companies have already jumped on The Da Vinci
Code bandwagon.  The bestselling book practically reads as a travel guide, taking readers deep into
historical sites, churches, and museums across Europe.  And now, for just €20, you can do the same in
person. 

Having just finished the book, but not yet seen the movie, British journalist Ginny McGrath recently embarked on
the two-hour tour which began at the
Place Vendôme just outside the Ritz Hotel in Paris—the same place the book began.  Although, I
won’t bore you with the locations visited (anyone who has read the book can figure out where such a tour might
visit) I will tell you that McGrath seemed to have enjoyed the tour and her witty
guide—although McGrath does express some disdain and mockery for the slightly obnoxious American tourists in the
group. 

I found it interesting to learn that some of the locations, such as St. Sulpice, have posted notices discrediting
the accuracy of the popular book and correcting some of its misguided “facts.” 

McGrath also mentions similar tours and locations that can
be visited in London.  Go and check them out before the 5% of this planet who haven’t read the book, watch
the movie and decide to join the literary tour themselves. 

Roller Coasters, Theme Parks, Cultures & More

by Adrienne Wilson on

Call me out of touch with the whole
amusement park business, but "Dude! Where’s My
Passport?! 2005" doesn’t strike me as a likely film title for theme park reviews. Am I alone on this one?
The new DVD by Don Garrison and Monica Jack showcases 15 parks across Europe like Thrope Park in England, Vidampark in
Hungary and Alpine Coasters out of Austria. Thrill Network does an amazing job
describing each segment of the DVD
and as a whole offers this for any interested other, um, coaster ‘tools’ out there:

"These DVD’s
include amazing footage of not just roller coasters, but cities around Europe. From Thrope Park to Parc Asterix and
back again, these tools are in for a world of fun. From being crazy "gangsta" to touring Europe, Don has a
few run-ins with a certain trampoline that will have you laughing when the trampoline actually beats him!"

Wait  – crazy gangsta? Since when did ‘crazy gangsta’ and theme parks become almost one-in-one? Last time I
went to Disney World or Knotts
Berry Farm I don’t remember Mickey or Snoopy being crazy gangsta. Perhaps I was at the wrong park? If you’re a lover
of coasters worldwide I suggest checking out the DVD.
Furthermore, I welcome you to come back and make some sense of all this for me. I may not know which ride your passport
flew off on, but Dude, I’m sure feeling like I need to trade mine for a lesson in Roller Coaster Cool 101.

To
order the DVD or find out more visit Theme Park Review.