KEY: BOLD = PICTURE, HYPER LINK = WEBSITE

HOUSE KEEPING: Remember when you click on the pictures in "Where's Johnny Jet," they will open up in another window. Just click the "x"(close) in each picture to get back to the newsletter. This should alleviate complaints about closing Johnny Jet. Thanks again for your support, and remember: If you book trips on the web, please go through JohnnyJet.com. (It will save you money).

LONDON WEB RESOURCES Trip Advisor London Hotels Trip Advisor Wondering what to do in London? Get The London Pass Transport For London Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino Airport Rome’s Ciampino Airport SideStep.com (Search for low fare carriers) EasyJet Gatwick Airport Heathrow Airport Gatwick Express Train Victoria Station The Tube London Taxi One Aldwych Hotel TKTS Heathrow Express Tube from Heathrow RECOMMENDED BOOKS & MOVIES Frommer's London 2005 Frommer's London from $90 a Day Frommer's® Irreverent Guide to London Rick Steves' London 2005 Eyewitness Top 10 Travel Guide to London Lonely Planet London: City Guide London (Eyewitness Travel Guides) Let's Go 2005 London The London Mapguide Fodor's London 2005 Walking London : Thirty Original Walks In and Around London Streetwise London The Phantom of the Opera Frommer's Europe by Rail Frommer's Europe Frommer's Europe from $85 a Day, 46th Edition Frommer's Europe's Greatest Driving Tours Europe (Eyewitness Travel Guides) Lonely Planet Europe On A Shoestring Rick Steves' Europe Through the Back Door 2005 Let's Go 2005 Europe Lonely Planet Western Europe

Cheers from London! Before we get started my heart goes out to all those effected by the Hurricane. I encourage everyone to contribute to the ongoing Hurricane Katrina relief effort by visiting one of the above links (In Website of The Week). Please do what you can and keep everyone in your prayers. Thank you for your feedback about our new format. I included many letters below, in "Reader Email." After you read them you can see I better get back to the drawing board, because the overall results were mixed. I know it’s impossible to make everyone happy, but I’ll do the best I can. I’ll keep experimenting. In the meantime, let’s go back to our old format, and to our recent trip to Europe. (First, though, this media alert for Chicago readers: I will be on WTTW Channel 11 (PBS) Wednesday night, Sept. 7, at 7 p.m.). CIAMPINO AIRPORT Last week we left off in beautiful Roma. From there I took a 30-minute, €32 taxi to the Ciampino Airport. Ciampino is not Rome’s major airport -- that’s Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino Airport. Unlike Fiumicino there is no train, so I had to take either a couple of buses or a taxi. I chose the latter. I was flying out of Ciampino because I was headed to London on EasyJet (a low-fare carrier similar to Southwest Airlines). I booked my ticket a few weeks in advance using SideStep online (I found it on JohnnyJet.com), and paid $142. Not the greatest deal, but still significantly cheaper than all the rest. FYI: Most European low-fare carriers fly out of secondary airports, so keep that in mind when booking tickets. EASY JET The check-in and security lines were both long, but moved quickly (15 minutes). At security I didn’t have to take my laptop out like we do in the States, but they do randomly pull and search people before boarding the plane, like they used to in the U.S. I tried to figure how not to get pulled aside, because EasyJet does not assign seating -- it’s like Southwest, with open seats and the same A, B and C boarding process. I wanted to make sure I got on early. Because I checked in late I was in boarding group "C,’ but I made sure I was one of the first in the "C" line to board the bus taking passengers out to the plane. BOARDING People with boarding cards "A" and "B" both fit on the same bus -- and so did a few "C’s." I would’ve been in that group, but some turkey cut me. When the agent told the person in front of me to wait for the next bus I was bummed, because that meant for sure I’d be selected for secondary screening (they were picking the first few people in each line). When the passenger in front used the old "but my friend is on that bus," I blurted out the same thing. It was a crazy reaction, and if the agent suspected I was lying I would not only be secondary searched, but probably body cavity searched as well. I never lie -- but that’s what my subconscious did to avoid winding up in a middle seat. The agent called my bluff and asked who my friends were. I pointed to two girls. She let me go, and when I thought she was following me I pretended to talk to the girls over the crowd. What a freak I am. ROME to LONDON’S GATWICK EasyJet was easy. The plane was a new Airbus 319, we took off on time, the flight attendants were cool and the flight was a smooth 2 hours. Because EasyJet is so inexpensive they charge for practically everything, including soda and bottled water. When we arrived at Gatwick, one of London’s secondary airports (Heathrow is the main one), I walked a long way to customs. I cleared customs quickly, though, and the agent was friendly. In fact, the entire Gatwick airport was pleasant. A big reason is because baggage claim offers free luggage carts – just like all airports should for International arrivals. GATWICK EXPRESS TRAIN I was headed to Covent Garden (Central London), so I bought a ticket at the Gatwick Express ticket counter for the Gatwick Express Train and a single tube ride. Total cost: 15 pounds ($26.78). Then I hit the ATM for some pounds ($1 USD = .56 GBP; 1 GBP = $1.78 USD -- that hurts!). The train was easy: It takes 30 minutes, departs every 15 minutes and has an on-board beverage cart. I later learned that tickets can be purchased on the train at no extra cost (that’s not true for Heathrow Express). For more info about Gatwick Express, click on GatwickExpress.co.uk. VICTORIA STATION Gatwick Express goes to London’s Victoria Station. I love this stop because of its high ceilings, great light and many places to eat and shop. It’s also a madhouse, like Grand Central Station. At Victoria Station I asked a cop (there were plenty, because this was a week after the first London bombing) if I could take the tube (subway) all the way to Covent Garden. He said yes. I was surprised, because I thought it was one of the places affected by the bombing. THE TUBE I jumped on the Tube to prove those cowardly terrorists weren’t scaring me. I was not the only one -- I didn’t sense any fear in the many Londoners joining me on the tube. It was business as usual. Unfortunately for me the cop was wrong, because my transfer station was indeed closed. Instead of lugging my bag on a double decker bus I jumped in a taxi, and went a mile or so for 9 pounds ($16) (ouch!). London taxis aren’t cheap, but they are the most comfortable and spacious cabs in the world. ONE ALDWYCH HOTEL I was in London because I cashed in United Miles for a frequent flier ticket, and it was the only city in Europe where I could depart out of on the dates I wanted. Instead of rushing from one gate to another (or airport, for that matter) I thought I would spend a night and check out a hotel I had read so many good things about. One Aldwych Hotel has won numerous awards, and is listed in Conde Nast Traveler as one of "the world’s best places to stay." When my taxi pulled up to One Aldwych and I was immediately greeted by two bell/doormen (one opening my door, the other grabbing my bag), I knew I was in for a treat. Yet I had no idea what was in store for me. One Aldwych sits on a triangular site at the junction of The Strand and Aldwych — in the middle of London, where the city meets the West End. The contemporary luxury hotel, opened in 1998, has 105 rooms and suites. One Aldwych occupies one of London’s most important Edwardian buildings (it’s now protected by English Heritage). The building was constructed in 1907 as the home of The Morning Post newspaper. The hotel owners have kept some of the original feel, but added a collection of contemporary art and colorful flowers. The hotel bar is one of the liveliest in London, because many locals meet after work for drinks. After checking it out, I agree. Some people also go to the Axis restaurant bar, on the other side of the hotel. Speaking of restaurants, One Aldwych has two fine ones. The other restaurant, Indigo, is where I had an incredible lunch with public relations director Howard Rombough. It overlooks the lobby, and serves exquisite food. Just take a look at dessert! MY ROOM If you think dessert looked good, wait until you see my room. Holy cow! It’s definitely in the top 5 rooms I have ever stayed in. When the bellhop escorted me there and I saw the double door, I knew it would be nice (double doors = suite, baby!). But I had not the faintest idea what I was about to experience. He opened the door, and I was in a small hallway with five other doors. That’s right: five! The first door led to a private toilet (for my guests); the second was to a kitchenette/stocked bar; the third opened to my bedroom. I had a king bed, a giant plasma TV, a desk, and a large private bathroom with tub, shower and killer bath products. (Actually they weren’t killer, but rather 100% pure and natural products from New Zealand.) The fourth door was to my gigantic living room, which had another desk (all rooms have free internet), another giant plasma television, a couch, a dining room table, and my own private terrace with great views. Now I know you are trying to hold in your screams (I sure was), but then he showed me what was behind door number five: my own private gym. Are you kidding me? There was a running machine, an entire weight set machine and a TV. I couldn’t wait for the bellman to leave, because I was about to explode with excitement. When the door shut, the first thing I did was jump so high on the bed I almost hit my head on the ceiling. When that wasn’t good enough I ran to the bathroom, stuck my head in the toilet and screamed underwater as loud as I could so no one could hear me. Then I called all my friends. THE OWNER One of the best parts about One Aldwych is that it’s not a stuffy or trendy hotel. The staff are all very friendly, and down to earth. That’s probably because the owner, Gordon Campbell Gray, really cares about people. Not only does he treat his guests well, but he cares about his staff and the environment. None of the bathroom products have any harmful paraffins; all the food is organic, and the toilets use a vacuum system like an airplane (to conserve energy). He also thought of many little things – for example, fresh fruit in the rooms; all different types of electrical outlets, a small reading light by the bed to avoid disturbing your bed mate; in-room safes hidden behind paintings; heated bathroom tiles; a state-of-the-art fitness center with an 18- meter pool, and a private 35-mm projection screening room for 30 people to watch movies. If you can’t afford to spend a night, (NOTE: standard rooms are nice too) the hotel offers specials for dinner before of after seeing a play (the hotel is surrounded by theaters). There is also a dinner-and-movie special for the screening room. One Aldwych; One Aldwych, London WC2B 4RH; tel: 20-7300-1000. ½ PRICE THEATRE TICKETS I had such a nice room, I almost didn’t leave it. (I was so bummed I was only in town for 18 hours, and had no friends to share it with). But I wanted to spend some time outside, so I grabbed an umbrella and walked around the area. I’ve been to London a bunch of times, so I didn’t need to see any of the major landmarks. Instead I walked around through Covent Garden to get to Leicester Square to find a discounted play ticket. London is the best place in the world for plays; the theatres are all historic, and it’s my favorite thing to do there. Many kinds of stores sell tickets, none more popular than TKTS (the same company as in Times Square). But I went to the one I always use, and bought a $45 ticket to "The Producers." It was my first time seeing a play by myself. Other than looking like a loser and having no one to share it with, it wasn’t so bad. Actually, the experience was quite relaxing, and the play was funny. HEATHROW EXPRESS After an incredible sleep in my comfortable bed I took a walk for some breakfast, then jumped in a taxi. This time I went to Paddington Station, where the Heathrow Express trains depart and arrive. Heathrow Express is a non-stop rail-air link between Heathrow Airport and Paddington Station. Trains depart every 30 minutes. The trip takes only 15 minutes, and costs 14 pounds ($24.22). If I wanted to save money I could have taken the tube (£3.80 = $6.78). Departures are every 5-10 minutes, but there are many stops, and the trip takes 45 minutes. VIDEO To see a 1-minute video of my short trip to London, click this link and let it load. High speed should take about 1 minute; dial-up, 3 days. NEXT WEEK Next week we fly to the States, and take a vacation from our vacation. Happy Travels, Johnny Jet *Please tell us what you think of this week's newsletter!

Pictures of London   Easy Jet   Flight Attendants     Gatwick Airport   Gatwick Express Victoria Station Tube Station   Taxi London One Aldwych Hotel Dessert My Bedroom My Own Gym   Desk   Walking In Rain   Saw The Producers

HELP SUPPORT JOHNNY JET! BOOK YOUR TRIPS THROUGH US

• Alaska Travel Gram - KFQD 750AM Anchorage, AK



• *If you heard about us somewhere else or have the link to the story please email Johnny Jet media and let us know where!

• I am a Greek subscriber to your newsletter. I travel extensively all over the world and I have been enjoying your newsletter immensely. It is the most informative and interesting travel newsletter that I have ever received. I wish I had time enough to read all the articles in it! I hope you will keep us informed, if the "Door-to-door Baggage Direct" service expands to other airlines too. What would I have given for a service like that? I travel to USA twice a year, do a lot of shopping and going from the USA cities to the airport with two heavy bags, then going through TSA and checking in is a small nightmare! I hope the "Baggage Direct" service eliminates all that in the future. Thanks for a wonderful newsletter, Christina Houvarda - Greece
• I will probably read the Where’s Johnny Jet column more often if it takes less time. Wish I had time to read everything on the net. Luke A. - Silicon Valley
• I love this format. You can see all the pictures at once with narrative without going back and forth. This is a KEEPER!!!!! Keep up the good work. Wish I could travel with you!!! A. - Dedham, Massachusetts
• Love it, love it, love it! Makes for much nicer and quicker reading with picture incorporated like that! Thanks! Tricia, Seattle WA
• I like the new format better. Ankur Hajare -
• I definitely enjoyed this format. It reminded of my "easy reader" days as child where you had pictures and words. Usually on your main newsletters I open maybe one or two photo shots (just lazy I guess). But this way I can absorb everything and in a easy to read layout. As you said you can't possibly do this every week but when you are devoting a single place destination this is the ideal format. Regards, Cheryl McCartey - New York City
• I just wanted to mention that I really like the new format. I love looking at the pictures but for some reason I can’t always open all of them up. With this new format, I can see all of them. I especially loved reading about Rome, my favorite city! Thanks for sending fascinating stories….I can travel vicariously through you and feel like I am actually there. Tracy Bates - St. Louis, MO
• I like the new format. Good job. I am with you when it comes to the lack of shower curtains. I encountered that when I went to Paris. I used every towel and the sheets from the bed to keep the water off of the floor. Very odd. Beth M. - Irvine, CA
• I love the new format...I got so annoyed having to open all those individual pictures. This is a much cleaner way of doing it. Sally P. – Portsmouth, NH
• Great to see the photos as thumbnails! Ronald K – Long Island, NY
• Traveling is looking good when you do it the Johnny Jet way. As always, your fotos are great and folding them into the new format works well. With the fotos inserted one gets to see all of them and then can enlarge those as interested. That's the favorable improvement. What's missing now is your personality, views, previews, recommendations, etc. that makes your travel experience ours too. Improvement is good, but don't lose sight of what you ordinarily give your readers. Did you see any pickpockets around the coliseum? They did me in when I was there, but fortunately I was able to recover my wallet intact. Ciao and more happy travels! Burt -NJ
• The new newsletter was good but I found it to be very brief. Too brief for my liking. I prefer the old format myself. Keep up the great work though as I love getting your emails. Sincerely, Marianna Martin - Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
• I've just looked at your 8/31 letter, featuring Rome: I enjoyed seeing the photos and being able to enlarge them. (Did you take all the interior/night shots, or are some of them scanned postcards?) Good to read that you're keeping the previous format: it's "neat" to be able to click on certain info. in the body of the article; plus, the links at the end are equally helpful! Other "stuff": I always look forward to the "Webcam Of The Week" and "Good To Know" sections! I also check out the "Website Of The Week", and 99% of the time, it's a site I end up saving!! I really feel like an "armchair traveller"!!! Happy trails! Tim O'Neill - Vancouver, BC. REPLY: Thanks for the feedback! I took all the photo’s.
• Loved the new format! So many times I just read your tale b/c I don't have time to click on every photo link. This was a great way to enjoy the tale & the corresponding photos in the time I have to do so! Happy trails! Nicole Simmons - New York, NY
• Johnny, much better format,less going back and forth between pictures and text. Kevin - L.I.
• Love the new format, mainly because of the time element - there is no need to click photos on and off. Not quite as much information available, but armchair travellers don't need it, and serious travellers can investigate further. Keep up the good work! Marilyn Reid - Australia
• At first I didn't know how to feel about this new format - but after a few minutes, I liked it! I could enlarge a picture if I wanted or just view the small image. I was able to read the entire newsletter in about 1/4 the usual time. I do think that you're on to something grand! Geof O'Connor - San Diego and San Francisco
• Yes, I like the small pictures embedded within the text of the story, better than the original method with links to the individual full-sized pictures. Terry - Superior
• I LOVE what you did with "Where's JohnnyJet"! I absolutely love reading your newsletters, but there have been many I didn't have time to read, so I end up saving them on a folder to read later. This modification however, lets me glance at pictures and read the ones that most interest me at that moment. But one thing is for certain, your writing is awesome and super entertaining, so it should be me MAKING the time to read your newsletter, not you having to modify it! Happy travels, Melissa - Miami, FL
• The newsletter format was BRILLIANT! I zipped through the story so quickly and having the pictures loaded already saved a lot of time. You're the best! Bill Sensenbrenner, New York City
• Super! I really like having the pictures with the text...makes for great uninterrupted reading! It would be nice if the pictures could be a tad bit larger though. Great improvement on your wonderful travel stories. Luane - Princeville, Kauai, HI
• I enjoyed your website this week. The inclusion of pictures along with explanations was great. Your trip to Iceland several months back with so much information has really come in handy as my husband and I will be visiting Reykjavik for 4 days in September on our way home from Stockholm. We are definitely going to the Blue Lagoon, plan to ride the Icelandic ponies and sightsee the old town. Thanks for the info on the Flybus which we will use getting to the Hotel Reykjavik. Beverly Hall - Rutherfordton, NC
• Hey there! Great new format - I love it - so much quicker - you've got my vote - loved the "gladiator" picture! You're the best. Chris - New Jersey
• I love the new format. Please consider keeping it this way. The problem I had was if I clicked on a picture and then closed, I closed the site. So I had to use the back button, which is a bit of nuisance. I'm not very computer savvy so maybe there's a way I don't know of. But I LOVE the format and look forward each week to your travel stories. Keep up the good work. (Work????) Thanks, Mary S. - Dallas, TX
• I liked the new format. I especially like that the photos are right there for me to see! I enjoy the photos just as much as the narrative. Thanks, Ann F - Brunswick, GA
• Nice format for shorter stories. One problem though. In all your past columns you had the reader hit the close button to go back to the story from a picture. Now we have to use the back button. There was no mention of this in the story.It might be a little confusing. John A. Jr - Harrisburg PA
• I like your new format. much quicker to read and the photos next to words are much more attractive. good work. also like the European locations. Please give us more of that. thanks. Shirley S -
• I like the new format very much - one picture is worth a thousand words. Happy travels! Robert Marks – Chicago.
• This is much, much better! Sometimes before, I would skip pictures because it took the time to click, look, then click back, but this way I can see all the pictures and choose what I want to look at more closely. It even seems easier to read. Good job! Lora Howard -
• Picture version is SUPERB. Thanks. John - St. Petersburg, FL
• Love the new format - less reading - more looking! Shirley Willing - Windsor, Ontario, Canada
• I think the new e-letter version is more sophisticated than the previous one w/words highlighted that have an accompanying pic. BUT - you are still running your copy across the page which the human eye will MISS when it goes to the next line. This is why all perdioicals and newspapers have a "grid". and newsletters usually have a 3-column grid. In fact, my screen barely shows all the copy going across. This width is probably the max. Continued safe travels - Rhea Albert - Long Island
• Yeah, no more 10000 clicks to see the whole thing! (This means I like the new format). Cindy D. - Utah
• You're right I don't have time to read it all. LOVE the pictures. That would always be my choice. Thanks Sandy H – Atlanta, GA
• I'm a creature of habit but could easily get used to the new picture format. The only problem was on p. 4 the last two pictures would not load. Either way, I wouldn't miss a single word or picture of your letters! It's like having a travel friend to give me a fix each week inbetween my own vacations! Karen Turack -
• molto gentile! Saved time, but not between pages. Pat M. – Norwalk, CT
• Love your newsletter either way. New format is nice for a quick glance. Going to Rome in a month so timing couldn't have been better. I've read your stuff for a long time, however, and feel like I know you and your family. Always look forward to your next adventure. Thanks! Susan S. - Signal Mtn., TN
• Your new format is great—thanks for speeding up the process. Linda B – Tulsa, OK
• The new style would be ok if it loaded faster, but even with DSL it takes much longer than the old format. Tony F - Miami, FL
• Loading each page is slow and even the photos load slowly and I’m connected directly from my office. Don’t forget photos of the food! Anita Cotter – Los Angeles
• A bit of a pain to read (page is too wide and you have to read the curser), but it easier to view the pictures. Robert Jaffe
• I didn't mind the new format of your stories. However, if it was a city I didn't know much about, I would think your descriptions pretty uninformative. Since I have been to Rome nine times, I could fill in most of my own information. I don't think that the lack of a shower curtain was necessarily the hotel trying to be chic. I think this (or curtains that are to short) is fairly common in hotels in Italy--at least in my experience. Thank goodness you spelled Colosseum correctly in the video! That didn't quite rescue all the other times it was misspelled and if you used spell check, don't; it's wrong. A presto, Joan Schmelzle - Rockford, Illinois
• I like the format and all, but it takes forever to load the pages. I feel sorry for the poor saps on dial-up. But I do like the hotel/flight searches. Joe S - Venice, CA
• Dear Johnny Jet, I enjoy your articles and pictures each week and find that you give very valuable advice. I look for you whenever I am in an airport waiting area, because I am convinced that some day, I will see you. Keep sending the excellent articles and pictures. Your new format is anything BUT speedy. I have broadband high speed internet, and it took me at least three times as long to read your travel article. In your old format, the pictures came right in when I clicked on them. And I could read your story without interrupting the flow. Reading and viewing this week’s article was like watching paint dry. Then too, the screen size changed, forcing me to scroll back and forth in order to finish sentences. Very frustrating! Please go back to the old way of doing things. Thank you for giving me an easy way to provide comment. In spite of my complaints, I really do enjoy your articles very much! Patience Gall, Minneapolis, MN
• Maybe it’s just because I don’t like to adjust to change much, but I like the old-style newsletter. It’s just a quick read for me. Bob - Pittsburgh
• I enjoy reading your newsletters every week, and I prefer the original format. If I don't have time to read the newsletter right away, I save it till I do have time. Thanks for doing such a great job. I look forward to hearing about your travels each week! Annemarie Boyle -
• Please, please stick to the old format. I so enjoy your fairly in depth descriptions and stories. Everything in the world is becoming an "express" version but please not your "Where's JohnnyJet" stories. Harriette Henderson - Malibu, CA
• I prefer the older version because I don't read the info on line but print it for perusal when I have time to enjoy it. Also, I save the printouts for future trip planning. The photos are nice, but I don't need them for reference. Just the information. Perhaps a printable version? Mary Howarth - Oakland, CA
• NO! I don’t like the new format. Not at all. Didn’t read it as a result even though I love Rome. Even on a T-1 it takes too long to load. I read JohnnyJet weekly for the in depth details. I click on many (not all) of the photos hyper-linked in the normal newsletter format. Secondly, without an index who knows which Page contains which information. If I wanted only photos, I’d watch TV (which I don’t). New format = Bad Idea! John H - Ponte Vedra, Florida
• Sorry Charlie (ops that's Johnny)............ I HATED it !! Didn't even read it.
• Wanna know why? Because it didn't draw me in. Your usual newsletter is like a great epic story. I set aside time to read it, I savor it. I read along and then anxiously click on the picture links like I'm opening a Christmas present where I can't wait to see what's behind the wrapping. You take me verbally and visually from my comfortable home to the places you travel each and every week. This new version = boring and lifeless. Enough said. Sincerely your fateful travel companion, Carolyn F. - S.F.
• FYI-You believed what you have read many times. Well, yes, the smallest (area) country is indeed inside Rome but it is NOT Vatican City. It is Sovereign Military Order of Malta (Knights Of Malta). The full legal name is much longer but pay attention to the word, "Sovereign". Palazzo di Malta, Via dei Condotti 68, 00187 Rome, Italy (Roma, Italia). It has its own passports, post office, license plates, coinage, and diplomatic relations with Vatican City, The Holy See, Italy, and many many other countries. You might consider a writeup on it, some time. The new format is a loser. Cumbersome, slow, a nuisance. Jerry Mandel - Dallas, Texas
• I didn't think the new format saved any time because you still have to click on every picture in order to make it big enough to actually see! I prefer the old format. Robynne Genton - Charleston, WV
• Hate it! I'm on a T1 line and it took your server close to a minute to begin to download the first photo/text. Give me text and links to pictures. If I want to see the pictures, I'll cick on the links. Didn't read this article because I don't have the time (or patience) to wait for the pictures to load. By the way, I just checked..... and in the time it took me to write this email, the last picture had yet to load. Sorry I missed the article. Oliver W. - West Hollywood, CA
• Well, I'm not really crazy about this format-it kind of takes away the personal touch, in fact I'm going to say, no I don't like it-thanks for asking-it seems cheap to me or something-just not good. Laurie Engel – Cleveland, Ohio
• Hi … please go back to the old format. The pictures take way too long to load and I have a very fast connection. Dr. Susan A – Denver, CO
• I have been using your site for years and always enjoy your newsletters but I have to say that I do not like the new format. Sorry..... Terry Gargano – Hollywood, FL
• The pictures loaded VERY slowly on the connection I had (T1). Randal J. - Chicago, IL
• I like your old style better. I could glance through it quickly and see if there was something of interest I wanted to click on for further details. Now I have no idea what's on each page and it takes a LONG time for the link and photos to load. My 2 cents.... everything else is great- thanks! Sabrina D. -
• No! I do NOT like the new format better. It's great to read, but I like to copy your reports and put them in my travel files for the day when (if?) I travel there. This version is too bulky, plus is high on image and lacking sadly with usable info. So while it was nice to look at, I didn't save it. D.K. - New York City
• I am a faithful reader of your column and have used a lot of your travel tips. I do not like the new format of the website. I got much more details from the other format, it made me feel like I was seeing what your were seeing on your adventures. Thanks. Patti F. - Indianapolis, Indiana
• It didn't format well. I had to hit the left and right arrow keys to read the last and first words of every line, not a big deal but annoying and a time waster. Best wishes, Jim Hogan -
• I actually think this might have taken more time to go through. I liked the "story" format better..I thought it was what made it unique and personal. Nancy R - Falls Church, Virginia
• I prefer the letter style. The new style involves way too much clicking to get through the entire story because the pictures take up so much page space. J. B. - Glen Rock, NJ.
• I have to say I didn't like the new newsletter format, sorry :( I see what you were trying to do but I missed all your little comments and jokes that make the newsletter yours. I sometimes find that I don't have time to read the whole newsletter right when I get it but a few hours later or the next day I may have time. Also, if I don't have time to read it word for word it's still nice to skim the newsletter and check out the pics. My vote is to bring the old format back! Christine – Washington D.C.
• Trip to Capri--Best one yet. Mother's eulogy was a beautiful touch. Thank you. Al - Milwaukee


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London webcams! This week we have 3 cameras to check out live action of Big Ben, busy Trafalgar Square, and the London Eye.

• Big Ben
• Trafalgar Square
• London Eye

• bbc.co.uk/languages

In London I discovered one of the coolest travel websites for learning foreign languages. It’s from the BBC, and there is plenty of helpful info for beginners and intermediates. In addition to offering news in 43 languages, they teach free, quick holiday phrases in 34 languages, and help travelers refresh their Spanish, French, German and Italian. They even teach people Chinese, Greek, Irish, Welsh and Scottish Gaelic.

BONUS WEBSITE(S): HURRICANE RELIEF

• American Red Cross
  
• AmeriCares
  
• Salvation Army
  
• Second Harvest
  
• Louisiana Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness
  
• LASPCA
  
• Operation USA
• New Orleans' "New" Airport
  
• Catholic Charities
  
• Methodist Relief
  
• Islamic Relief
  
• Christian Relief
  
• Donate United Miles
  
• Donate Continental Miles
  
• Donate Delta Miles
  
• Donate Frontier Miles
  
• AAdvantage
  

• A summer from the heart
• Sharing your vacation the digital way
• Wisconsin fall fest lineup
• Dining with Lincoln in southern Indiana
• Come back from Colonial Mexico with Spanish air
• The season for lookin' good on the Gauley
• Tiny room, no view: London--for $36
• Wandering three little-known islands of Croatia
• Fast times in Indianapolis
• Dressed to kill on the QM2
• `Dialogues' in Dallas
• Polar bears chill out in Churchill
• News from around the world
• Outré Mongolia
• A real hole in the wall
• Jet lag drag
• Tipping advice from the pros
• Down on the B&B
• Changes for frequent fliers

• How Katrina has affected travel
• Denver's tapped resources
• A bridge to Japan's past
• Check in or out at any time? Sure, if you have clout or cash
• My kingdom (or $4.99) for a sword
• On a high-tech hunt for fall's most glorious displays of color
• How Katrina has affected travel
• Passport deadline deferred
• Denver's tapped resources
• Film fest and stars grace the Rockies
• A French village's unexpected heroes
• Toronto, natty to the north
• Three's a charm in Asia
• In the off season, it's a traveler's market
• In pursuit of that girlish glow

• Tanzania at 15 M.P.H.
• Through Andalusia, in Search of Gazpacho
• Next Stop: Water Buffalo? Swamps? This Is Japan?
• Going to: Nice
• Check In, Check Out: Hotel QT in New York City
• Surfacing: London's Art Scene's Edge Moves Again
• The Season When Leaves (and Prices) Fall
• So, Which Bag Did You Say Was Yours?
• Essay: Father and Son, 5, Share a Journey and a Memory
• Weekend With the Kids: Where the Lake Is Deep, and the Accent French
• Armchair Traveler: 'Riding in the Shadows of Saints' by Jana Richman
• Travel Notes: Rosewood Hotels to Offer Guests G.P.S. Guidance
• Travel Notes: Marking 9/11, Coast to Coast in Myriad Ways
• Travel Notes: Driving Is a Hard Bargain
• Comings and Goings
• Q & A: Opera and Concert Tickets in Vienna; Baltic Cruise Ports
• See the World, by Pedal Power

• Hard Knock-Offs Life
• Regional Events for Now or Later
• Tele travel
• Road Reads
• Quote of the Week
• Fact
• Iceland: So Chill
• The Best Bargains
• Wild About Anguilla
• It Came in the Mail
• Montana's Beantown
• Flour Power
• Warsaw Goes Gourmet
• When Mother Nature Calls, Four Critters That Listen
• An Icon Imperiled
• March of the Migration
• Katrina Q& A: Cancellation Policies, Refunds and More

• Airlines struggle with fuel spike
• Delta flies hurricane refugees
• Airline gives tickets to victims
• Essay: Will the good times roll again?
• Better tracking needed for illness
• Striking mechanics confront workers
• NWA says clock is ticking
• New route for JetBlue
• Boeing machinists strike
• Travelers cancel Labor Day trips
• East meets West (and Mickey)
• Glitterati getaways
• Hotels give directions on the go
• U.S. sticks with passport plan

• Will Katrina Ground Airlines For Good?
• Jet Fuel Prices Rise Dramatically; Airlines Struggle Amidst Increasing Cost, Scarcity
• New Orleans airport closed to tourists
• First flights into New Orleans rescue stranded travelers
• JetBlue and Sun Country Airlines have installed surveillance cameras on their jets
• Small Illinois city backs AirTran vs. Delta, part I:
• Airlines ferry aid in, fly refugees out of state
• American Airlines to drop 25 of 56 gates at Lambert
• Dallas-Fort Worth's artful new airport terminal
• Beginning Nov. 3, JetBlue begins nonstop service between Boston and Seattle. The carrier will operate one daily flight using Airbus A320 aircraft. Seattle will be JetBlue’s 10th nonstop destination from Boston.
• American Airlines announced new daily nonstop service between San Antonio International Airport (SAT) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

• A New Chain Revolutionizes Accommodations: How's £20 a Night Sound?
• Holy Roman Empire, Batman! Take a Gander at These Air and Hotel Packages
• Repo Madness: When Ships Switch Bases, Jump Aboard for Extra Savings
• Amtrak Codes Cool Down for Fall
• Window or Aisle? Airfare Sales that Span the Globe
• Santa Barbara, America's Answer to the French Riviera, Doesn't Have to Break your Budget Travel Bank
• Don't Waffle, Decide on Big Package Savings to Small Belgium
• Take the Stress Out of Big Group Travel
• Made in the U.S.A.: Tour a Factory for a Taste of America
• Party At Your Place In Two Victoria Hotels
• Let it Roll -- Go For Broke in Nevada this Fall -- Reno and Vegas Deals
• Ice, Ice Baby: Plan Now for Brrreathtaking Ice Hotels of the North
• Where's Johnny Jet: In Iceland, Part I
• Take a Grand Tour of Torino with Johnny Jet, Part I
• Take a Grand Tour of Torino with Johnny Jet, Part II
• Take a Grand Tour of Torino with Johnny Jet, Part III
• Seen the Movie? Take the Roadtrip. Johnny Jet Tours Wine Country a la Sideways

• Boeing Machinists Strike Over New Contract
• Katrina, Rising Oil Prices Hurt Airlines
• New Orleans Facing Environmental Disaster
• Sean Penn Writes Accounts of Iran Travels
• Delta shares plunge amid bankruptcy fears
• TSA May Loosen Ban on Razorblades, Knives
• United, Delta raise fares on U.S. routes
• Airlines' Voluntary Relief Effort Begins
• Party Boats Like Duke O'Fluke Lure Fishermen of All Varieties
• Bringing the Hotel Home With You
• Clooney Bets on New Las Vegas Resort

• North Carolina's 'land of waterfalls'
• Carnival cruise ships to aid Katrina relief
• Katrina slams N.O. music scene
• Gas prices curtail holiday travel
• U.S. sticks with passport plan
• New Orleans struggles to save convention business
• 'Witness' tour explores Amish country
• Cruising along the River Thames
• Cave tours offers science, history, humor
• EU aid tax may hit airline profits
• Destination spas carving new niches
• Cruise ships keep getting bigger
• Strike throwing wrench in travel plans?
• Sorting out rental car insurance options
• Happy kids make for pleasant road trips

• From soldier's road to tourist highway
• The Grand Strand still lures golfers
• Forbes first world airport guide: U.S.
• Going mobile: The return of the RV
• Head east this fall - Russia's on sale
• Reno lets the good times roll in September
• The American casino experience in 2005
• Travel tips: Getting bumped? Make it pay
• King Kong: Hong Kong's favorite luxury hotel
• 10 tips to salvage your summer!
• Slide shows: Photos of your world

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