European rail passes set to rise in price

European rail passesset to rise in price
Prices for European rail passes will rise 3 percent to 5.5 percent, depending on the pass, for 2002. The increase takes effect Jan. 1, so travelers can save by buying their 2002 passes this month. The passes are good for six months after purchase.
Although the new prices weren't announced until last week, they were set in June by the Eurail Group, which consists of European rail and shipping lines, said Chris Lazarus, spokeswoman in New York for Rail Europe, which sells the passes. After the Sept. 11 attacks, Rail Europe appealed to the Eurail Group to cancel the increases, but the plea was recently rebuffed, she added. The passes are sold only to North Americans.
Rail Europe offers dozens of passes, generally covering travel from five days to three months. For instance, in 2002 the 17-country Eurailpass will start at $486 per person for 15 consecutive days of first-class travel when two or more people travel together, vs. $470 this year. Solo travelers will pay $572 vs. $554 this year for the same pass; for information, call (888) 382-7245 or visit www.raileurope.com.
Last month, BritRail, which serves Britain, announced it will keep prices for its rail passes the same in 2002.
Dickens descendantpresents 'Carol' shows
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Charles Dickens comes alive in the person of his great-great-grandson telling Christmas tales at several historic hotels during the holidays.
Actor Gerald Dickens, dressed in frock coat, cravat and embroidered waistcoat, will offer various performances of "A Christmas Carol" in December at the Williamsburg Inn, Williamsburg, Va.; the Hotel Hershey, Hershey, Pa.; the Ojai Valley Inn & amp; Spa, Ojai, Calif.; and the Saint Paul Hotel, St. Paul, Minn.
The meals will include black currant high tea, as well as elaborate holiday feasts.
Other inns in the Historic Hotels of America group, part of the Washington-based National Trust for Historic Preservation, have special Christmas and New Year's getaway packages that include sleigh rides, shopping sprees, performances of the Nutcracker ballet, Victorian carolers and Christmas stockings filled with goodies.
For more information, go to www.historichotels.org or phone (800) 678-8946.
Tests at building siteuncover ancient tombs
CAIRO, Egypt (AP) -- A landowner testing the soil where he plans to put up a building stumbled upon two 2,600-year-old tombs -- one belonging to an ancient builder, Egypt's ministry of tourism says.
In a ministry statement, Zahi Hawass, the top government archaeologist in the Cairo area, said the tombs dating to the 26th dynasty, or 600 B.C., were found 3 yards below the surface. He said 16 statues found in one of the tombs bore the name Uga-Hor in inscriptions that also described Uga-Hor's work in building and construction.
Archaeologists did not immediately enter the second tomb.
Hawass said the tombs were difficult to reach because their entrances were beneath an apartment building.
West Point hotel events
Hotel Thayer, a landmark property built in 1926 on the grounds of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., has a broad schedule of special events planned through spring. The Thayer, with 150 guest rooms, recently was refurbished for $26 million. Many have views of the Hudson River or mountains.
Call (800) 247-5047 or visit www.hotelthayer.com on the Web for more information.
Europe is safe to visit,travel expert asserts
European travel expert Rick Steves' latest newsletter offers tips to those worried about traveling to Europe.
"Keep the news in perspective," Steves says. "Kabul is 3,000 miles from Rome. Ten million Americans enjoyed Europe in 2001. No one was hurt by terrorists."
His tips include:
U New phone cards make Europe-to-United-States calls cheap and easy.
U Be patient. Be thankful for security procedures.
U Travel as a temporary European, avoiding icons of American culture. You won't stand out, and you'll have a better experience.
To receive the free newsletter, contact (425) 771-8303 or visit www.ricksteves.com on the Web.
Toys 'R' Us thinks bigat Times Square site
New York toy lovers can add a new stop to their holiday browsing: Toys "R" Us Times Square, a 110,000-square-foot, multilevel flagship store that opened Nov. 17.
The Times Square complex is being billed as the world's biggest toy store. It boasts a working 60-foot Ferris wheel; a two-story Barbie dollhouse; and a five-ton, 20-foot-tall, 34-foot-long T. rex.
The store is at 1514 Broadway (between 44th and 45th streets).
Companies build portnear Cancun water park
The Cancun, Mexico, area will get a new cruise port, Travel Weekly magazine has reported.
The $40 million port is being built by Carnival Cruise Lines and Parque Xcaret Associates, which runs the popular Xcaret water and theme park. The port will be adjacent to the park, which is 33 miles south of Cancun International Airport. It will be able to accommodate four ships of up to 110,000 tons and will serve as a home port, allowing passengers to begin their cruise from the Cancun area.
Construction is slated to begin in January 2002 and take 12 to 16 months, a Carnival official said.