THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 2, 1996 TAG: 9605310056
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E3 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: TRAVEL-WISE
SOURCE: STEPHEN HARRIMAN
LENGTH: 122 lines
YOU'VE MADE PLANS already, if you're smart. Vacation. It's the traditional rite of summer. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day - actually, more often, between the time school's out and the time it starts again - about 232 million people will travel 100 miles or more from home.
To where, exactly? Depends on whom you talk to.
According to the Travel Industry Association of America's survey - a random sample of 1,500 U.S. adults, interviewed by telephone - the favorite destinations are Florida (primarily the Orlando area), California (San Diego is popular), Hawaii, Nevada, Texas and Tennessee. Rounding out the Top 10 are Colorado, Arizona, New York and Washington.
The American Automobile Association's poll of its travel agency managers puts Orlando on top for the seventh straight year, followed by Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona; Los Angeles/Anaheim; Williamsburg; and San Diego. The most popular destinations outside the United States, according to the AAA, are London, Cancun, Frankfurt, the Bahamas and Rome.
Among the AAA's ``hot spots'' for the summer: Atlanta for the Olympics; Cleveland for the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame; and Ledyard, Conn., for the Foxwoods Casino.
What's it going to cost?
The AAA's annual vacation cost survey finds that a family of two adults and two children can expect to pay an average of $193 a day for food and lodging in the United States. Least expensive vacation destination is North Dakota, where food and lodging will cost a family an average of $142 a day. Hawaii is the most expensive at $383 a day. ANOTHER OPINION
The American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) recently asked 158 selected members to pick their top domestic destinations for the summer. The top vote-getters (and the percent who picked each as one of their five top spots):
1. Las Vegas: 46.8 percent
2. Orlando: 28.5 percent
3. New York: 23.4 percent
4. Seattle: 14.6 percent
5. (tie) Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington: 11.4 percent
8. Cruises: 9.5 percent
9. New Orleans: 6.9 percent
10. (tie) Orange County, Calif., Atlanta, Boston: 6.3 percent
(Last year, Orlando was the No. 1 selection.) FROM HERE TO THERE
Norfolk's Chrysler Museum of Art, which organized foreign travel tours that feature private visits to special places and expert escorts, has three such trips scheduled:
An Insider's Week in Prague, Sept. 4-11, will offer an intense look at the Czech Republic city that Goethe once called ``the most beautiful jewel in the stone crown of the globe.'' Cost: $2,995 per person, double occupancy, including air and land arrangements.
The Fine Arts of Paris, Oct. 26-Nov. 3, includes New York-to-Paris flight on the supersonic Concorde, tours in Paris and the countryside. Cost: $4,795, pp/do, including air from New York (add $224 from Norfolk).
Perspectives on Aegean Civilizations, Nov. 8-17, offers a study of Greek history and culture from the Bronze Age to the Classical Period, both on the island of Crete, the Peloponnese peninsula and Athens. Cost: $$2,795, pp/do, including air from New York (add $65 from Norfolk).
For info on all tours, contact Sally Adler (804) 425-0224 or 664-6287, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. ALMOST HEAVEN
That's what West Virginians say about West Virginia. Well, actually it was the geographically challenged John Denver, who first used the term in a song. West Virginia embraced it.
They're so proud of their state that they are opening a cultural center June 19 at Beckley on the West Virginia Turnpike (Interstates 64 and 77, exit 45). It is to be called Tamarack, which also is the name of the state tree, known (I am getting this information from a press release) for its strength, versatility and beauty.
Tamarack is the nation's first statewide collection of handmade crafts, arts and cuisine - 59,000 square feet of it all under one roof. In addition to marketing West Virginia-made products, Tamarack will have children's playgrounds, botanical gardens, nature paths, entertainment events and arts and crafts demonstrations.
Here's what I think might be its greatest appeal: The Greenbrier, one of America's greatest resorts located just a half-hour's drive east of Tamarack at White Sulphur Springs, is providing the food service in a restaurant at the site.
For Tamarack info: (304) 256-6702. For West Virginia general info: (800) 225-5982. ONE DAY FROM ATLANTA
Travelers bound for Atlanta and other venue cities during the Olympic Games (July 19-Aug. 4) will find plenty of tips on places to go and things to see in a new ``One Day from Atlanta'' brochure series. You can get the nine-brochure packet by calling Georgia Tourism (800) 847-4842. WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS. . .
Looking for a place to spend a meaningful Fourth of July, a place to reflect on what independence really means? Consider Monticello, home of the author of the Declaration of Independence.
Since 1776 it was always a special day for Thomas Jefferson, who said, ``The only birthday I ever commemorate is that of our Independence.'' It will be a special day, too, for more than 70 people from countries around the world who will take the oath of American citizenship on the west lawn at 11 a.m. on July 4. It's an annual event and a moving experience.
Monticello is located a couple of miles southeast of Charlottesville on Va. 53 (exit 121 off I-64). Admission is $8. MAKING TRACKS
Amtrak is encouraging family train travel by offering a half-price discount, through September, for the second adult in a family of three or more traveling together. Tickets must be purchased by June 15.
The half-price deal is good on nearly all train service in the Northeast Corridor except for weekday Metroliners, and the special ``family fare'' is in addition to Amtrak's existing half-price fares for children 2 to 15 years old.
For details or reservations, call Amtrak at (800) 872-7245. MEMO: Travel-wise is compiled from wire-service reports, news releases,
trade journals, books, magazines and the deepest recesses of the
writer's mind. Send comments and questions to Travel-wise, The
Virginian-Pilot, Norfolk, Va. 23501-0449; phone (804) 446-2904. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
FILE
More than 70 people will take the oath of American citizenship on
July 4 at Monticello. by CNB