By JANET K. KEELER, Times Staff Writer
Published July 24, 2005
[Times photo (1998): Thomas M. Goethe
Ghost Hunters University leads "students" on two-night adventures at historic bed-and-breakfasts in St. Augustine. Classes touch the basics of ghost hunting, including an introduction to ghost hunting theory and the use of technical equipment for real ghost hunting.
Classes are Sept. 12-13, Sept. 14-15, Sept. 19-20, and Sept. 21-22. Price is $125 per person $250 per couple plus the cost of inn accommodations, which include breakfast. (The price increases $25 per person after Aug. 1). For reservations, call toll-free 1-877-616-6444, or see www.ioeghost.com
TRAVEL TALK
"Tourists don't know where they've been, travelers don't know where they're going." - Paul Theroux, author of The Great Railway Bazaar, The Old Patagonian Express
AUSTIN GOES BATTY
In Austin, Texas, an estimated 1.5-million Mexican free-tail bats roost beneath a downtown bridge, attracting 100,000 visitors a year to watch their nightly flights.
Now, the state's official flying mammal is getting its own festival. The inaugural BatFest is Sept. 3-4.
One of the best vantage points is the observation area at 305 S Congress, which has kiosks and, on some nights, volunteers from Bat Conservation International to answer questions. Bat-watching cruises are offered by two companies. For more information, call 512 327-9721 or see www.batcon.org
TV STUDIO VISIT
Consider a TV-studio tour on your next visit to the Los Angeles area. Call ahead to make reservations and confirm schedules:
- Warner Bros. VIP Tour (4000 Warner Blvd., Burbank; 818-972-8687) includes a two-hour trolley ride through backlot sets, sound stages and craft shops, where guests are likely to see productions in progress, followed by a stop at the Warner Bros. Museum. Tickets are $39, ages 8 and up.
- Sony (10202 W Washington Blvd., Culver City; 323-520-8687) has a two-hour guided indoor and outdoor walking tour that offers a glimpse of old Hollywood. Tours are 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $25, ages 12 and up.
- Paramount (5555 Melrose Ave., Hollywood; 323-956-1777) has a two-hour behind-the-scenes tour of the studios that created The Godfather and Titanic. Tickets are $35, ages 12 and up.
- NBC (3000 W Alameda Ave., Burbank; 818-840-3537) has a 70-minute behind-the-scenes tour of NBC studios, which may include glimpses of the Tonight show and Days of Our Lives sets. Adults $7.50, and kids 5 to 12 $4.
POP QUIZ
The Appalachian Trail is the longest continuous trail in the world, stretching 2,175 miles through 14 states and into Canada. For the section within the United States, which two states mark thebeginning and the end? It begins in Maine and ends in Georgia. (Unless, of course, you're starting from Georgia!)
CROSSWORD CRUISE
Holland America Line will play host to the American Crossword Federation's cruise, a 10-day Panama Canal/Southern Caribbean itinerary on the Zaandam that departs Jan. 4 from Fort Lauderdale.
Group puzzle-solving sessions are scheduled on days at sea and include individual and team competitions, informal word and trivia games and instructional seminars on a range of linguistic topics.
Fares start at $1,680 per person, based on double occupancy. For information on the crossword cruise, call toll-free 1-800-326-0373 or see www.hollandamerica.com
Compiled by JANET K. KEELER from staff reports and the Associated Press, Washington Post and Knight Ridder newspapers. She can be reached at 727 893-8586 or krieta@sptimes.com
