Travel

<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Melanie Munk, Features Editor munk@heraldnet.com   Published: Sunday, May 11, 2008 Travel briefs Is Uzbekistan the next travel hotspot? Allison O'Sullivan, managing director of the Women's Travel Club, divides her company's top destinations into three categories. There are traditional favorites like London, Paris and Rome; more recently discovered favorites like Croatia, Prague and Patagonia; and then there are exotic locales -- like Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. Sure, many Americans couldn't place those last two countries on a map and probably couldn't guess the local religions, languages or diet. But O'Sullivan says Uzbekistan and destinations like it are increasingly popular. "It's a whole new world between Russia and China," O'Sullivan said in a phone interview. She said her tours to the region include "desert towns, ancient markets, magnificent mosques and minarets ... but you're in modern buses and new Boeing airplanes. It's the Silk Route, so there are gorgeous carpets and jewelry; caviar is $10, and hotels are small and friendly." The Women's Travel Club is offering a trip to Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan Oct. 30-Nov. 10, $3,710 per person, double occupancy, plus airfare. For travelers looking for more affordable destinations, O'Sullivan recommends Portugal and China as two destinations that give outstanding value. Portugal tours start as low as $950, including air, hotel for four nights and some meals; a "Beijing Blowout" tour starts at $899 including roundtrip air from New York and six nights in China. Details at 800-480-4448 or www.womenstravelclub.com. Madame Tussauds cuts ticket prices One of Washington, D.C.'s, new high-priced museums is lowering its admission fee in response to the economic slowdown. The Madame Tussauds wax museum cut its admission price from $21.15 to $18 for adults. The price for children will be reduced from nearly $16 to $12. There will be even bigger discounts for Washington-area residents, with prices lowered to $13 for adults and $9 for children ages 12 and under. The regional discount applies to residents of the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. Museum officials say they want to make it easier for people to visit exhibits that include lifelike figures of Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Hollywood stars and other Washington celebrities. Tussauds cited the increasing cost of fuel and food, as well as consumer opinion on acceptable prices in the Washington tourism market. Illinois wildlife park celebrates 30 years A wildlife park in central Illinois began its 30th anniversary celebration with help from Animal Planet TV host Jeff Corwin. Corwin was among more than 450 people at a dinner and auction April 25 that raised about $80,000 for Wildlife Prairie State Park, just outside Peoria. The 2,000-acre park features restored native habitat and animals, including bison, elk, otters and wolves. Attractions include a reconstructed log cabin, playgrounds and a petting zoo. Owned by the state and operated by a foundation, the park was created by the late William Rutherford, an attorney, outdoors enthusiast and one-time director of the state Conservation Department. He deeded the park to the state in 2000. His son, William Rutherford Jr., is the current president of the Forest Park Foundation. Events during the yearlong anniversary are aimed at drawing more people to the park, Rutherford said. The park has seen attendance fluctuate over the years. Current admission is $5.50 for ages 13 and older, $3.50 for children 4 to 12 and free for children 3 and younger. Details at www.wildlifeprairiestatepark.org. Associated Press

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