Travel News You Can Use
By Judy Newell August 8, 2008 San Miguel de Allende

International News

Italy reopens Capri path after 32 years 

After 32 years, Italy’s president has officially reopened a scenic footpath built into a cliff on the southern Italian island of Capri. President Giorgio Napolitano reopened the zigzagging Via Krupp at a ceremony July 27.

The path was closed in 1976 for safety reasons and some US$11 million has been spent to protect visitors from falling rocks and landslides.

Via Krupp runs just under a mile with hairpin turns and connects the Gardens of Augustus with the Marina Piccola dock. The path was built in the early 1900s by German armaments manufacturer Friedrich Krupp.

How the Italian cookie crumbles

Planning to visit Rome? Forget nibbling biscotti or licking gelato. If your trip includes visits to the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, or frankly any other monuments near the historical center, you’d better think twice before bringing drinks or snacks with you. City Hall has instituted a ban on eating near major tourist sites, which stays in effect through October—i.e., until all the tourists go home. Munchers caught ignoring the mandate may be fined US$80.

Lake Las Vegas files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection 

KVBC News in Las Vegas reports that the developer of Lake Las Vegas filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The ownership group that controls the lake is working around the clock to restructure its debt so that it may continue to pay employees and contractors, but also insists the man-made attraction will not disappear. 

Those worried about the future of Lake Las Vegas should note that this is not the first time the region has been in financial trouble. In fact, the previous owners defaulted on close to US$500 million worth of loans last year.

Mental health tourism could be the new niche 

Just as we’re beginning to familiarize ourselves with the concept of medical tourism, a new wrinkle comes along. The Bangkok Post reported on the contents of a paper presented by Japanese researchers at the Asia Pacific Tourism Association annual conference on mental health tourism. 

It will target city-folk suffering from depression and stress, largely as a result of spending too many hours staring at computer screens. This new market is being studied in order to help tourism planners, suppliers and marketers prepare new products, services and strategies. It will involve the activation of all five senses to restore the imbalance caused by too many hours interacting with your computer. Japan will conduct further studies and we’ll keep you posted.

Roman archeology site in Austria opens villa

The Carnuntum Archaeological Park in Austria is boasting a new attraction: The Villa Urbana, which opened to the public on June 6. The villa recreates a luxurious Roman urban residence that belonged to a wealthy citizen of Carnuntum. Wall murals and floors were reconstructed based on the archaeological remains. 

On gala evenings through September, visitors can experience the sumptuousness of entertaining Roman style with food and drink in this ancient “dream house.” Tours of the villa are offered daily at 2pm.

Judy Newell, a writer and travel industry executive, heads the custom tour company Perfect Journeys. Contact her with comments or suggestions at JudyNewell_03@msn.com or go to her website www.PerfectJourneys.net.