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Side Trips
Briefs: Riding high
Compiled by JANET K. KEELER from staff and wire reports
Published October 16, 2005
Six Flags Great Adventure theme park is adding another big coaster to its collection of thrill rides.
El Toro is scheduled to open in the spring at Six Flags' New Jersey park, 45 minutes from New York City. Park officials say it will be the second-tallest (181 feet), second-fastest (up to 70 mph), steepest-dropping (76 degrees) wooden coaster in the United States. The fastest and tallest wooden coaster is Son of Beast at Paramount King's Island in Cincinnati.
LONDON'S COOLEST BAR
At London's Absolut Icebar, which is constructed entirely of ice, visitors sit on ice stools (draped in reindeer skins), drink from ice glasses and are surrounded by ice walls and sculptures.
To protect customers from the temperature (in the low 20s), silver capes and gloves are provided. The bar holds up to 60 people, and a timed booking system limits guests to 45-minute stays. The entrance fee - 12 pounds, or about $22, at $1.80 to the pound - covers the first drink. Icebar, 29-33 Heddon St; (44-20) 7287 9192.
RETURN TO NEW ORLEANS
Carnival Cruise Lines expects the Sensation to return to New Orleans in October 2006 with the same four- and five-day itineraries that were offered before Hurricane Katrina. The Sensation, currently under charter to the federal government for hurricane relief efforts, will sail to the Caribbean from Port Canaveral from March until it returns to New Orleans. Call toll-free 1-866-299-5698 or go to www.carnival.com
A BRUSH WITH HISTORY
The last day visitors can see the Gettysburg Cyclorama painting before it closes for a two-year restoration will be Nov. 20.
The Cyclorama, titled The Battle of Gettysburg, is a 359-foot-long, 27-foot-high circular oil painting depicting the charge of Confederate infantry led by Gen. George Pickett. For information, visit www.gettysburgfoundation.org
AN ALASKAN ADVENTURE
Many Americans consider visiting Alaska to be a once-in-a-lifetime trip. Now tourism officials in the state have taken that view one step further with a new promotion called "Alaska B4UDIE" (before you die).
If that doesn't get you up there, they figure nothing will. A travel-planning Web site can be found at www.alaskab4udie.com Or call toll-free 1-800-862-5275 for a free guide.
ICE-COLD AIR
Golf in the desert has gotten cooler. The course at the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Phoenix now has air-conditioned golf carts. Although open-air, they direct blasts at the driver and passenger. The resort's driving range is flanked by two air-conditioning units, too. For more information, call 480 624-1000 or go to www.kierlandresort.com
ASK GWYNETH
Gwyneth Paltrow, American expatriate, actor and mummy of Apple, suggests that fellow Yanks in London refrain from wearing shorts and baseball caps. The locals don't, so why should you? she asks in the November issue of Marie Claire. Her other words of travel wisdom include mellowing out because service isn't as efficient there as in the States, bringing a raincoat and carrying something from home to fight homesickness. Paltrow keeps an old bottle of her mother's discontinued Balenciaga perfume to sniff when she feels pangs for New York.
- Compiled by JANET K. KEELER from staff reports and the Associated Press, Dallas Morning News and New York Times. She can be reached at 727 893-8586 or krieta@sptimes.com
[Last modified October 14, 2005, 08:46:05]
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