We're on the brink of the summer travel season, and 10 recent developments or events may affect your travel plans:
• Alitalia to Italy: Can you safely hang on to that Alitalia ticket you recently bought? Can you just as safely buy a future ticket on the financially troubled Alitalia? In the wake of political events, the answer seems to be yes. The recent election of Silvio Berlusconi undoubtedly means that Alitalia is secure for the next several months. Berlusconi has already defied the European Community's categorical rule against bailing out insolvent carriers (by making an interim, 300-million-Euro loan to Alitalia). You can be reasonably certain that he will either not permit Alitalia to go under, or that he will create a new Italian airline honoring Alitalia's ticket obligations.
• China: There's still time to squeeze in a trip to the ''Middle Kingdom'' before the Olympics closes out that nation's hotel capacity. And if you're having difficulty finding a tour package for a trip in June (about the only remaining time for an uncrowded China), you might want to consider traveling independently. The major Chinese search engine, www.english.ctrip.com, has recently upgraded its English-language Web site to permit the sale of U.S.-to-China airfares at wonderfully advantageous rates, like roundtrip between Chicago and Shanghai for 3,150 yuan ($450).
• Trans-Atlantic flights: For a summer flight to the British Isles, consider using the cut-rate Canadian carrier called Zoom (www.flyzoom.com). In addition to operating from New York City to London, shortly it will be offering biweekly flights there from Fort Lauderdale, and San Diego. And you can bet that its airfares will undercut the normal level by at least $200.
• U.S. river barges: Most Americans are still unaware that we have river cruises of the United States using giant, football-field-length, propeller-driven barges, and not those hokey, imitation paddlewheelers that ply the Mississippi. Throughout the summer, cruises of various durations will be available on the Ohio, Cumberland and Upper Mississippi Rivers, and the Texas-Louisiana Intracoastal Waterway, at rates averaging $300 a day for all-inclusive arrangements -- an interesting way to spend a summer vacation. Contact: www.riverbarge.com.
• African safaris: Tour operators have resumed their trips to the game parks of Kenya, now that peace seems to have settled over the political situation there. One Canadian company, Lion World, is charging as little as $1,999 per person, including trans-Atlantic airfare to Kenya, for a one-week safari. In my opinion, the length is perfectly sufficient for that activity. Info: 800-387-2706 or 416-920-5466.
• Self-drive canal boats: If you're a party of four or more, you might consider a self-skippered, live-aboard boat for a two-week vacation along the many waterways (not the rivers, but the narrow, man-made canals) of Europe. It's an increasingly popular method of touring the continent, and it's quite cost-effective for parties of four. Contact European Boating Holidays at www.european boatingholidays.co.uk, or 866-606-5278.
• Luggage allowances: There are increasingly strict airline attitudes toward the number of suitcases you bring to the flight, their permissible dimensions and their weight. The rules are different for U.S. domestic flights, trans-Atlantic flights and intra-European flights -- so different that a complicated chart is needed to convey them clearly. The United States Tour Operators Association (www.ustoa.com) now publishes such a chart on its Web site.
• Canadian national parks: Tired of visiting Yosemite and Yellowstone? Looking for something different -- but just as cheap? Give some thought to Banff National Park and Jasper National Park in Alberta. Though not quite as inexpensive as a U.S. park (but their admission charge for a family group is less than $20), they are moderate indeed, and afford you spectacular views and hot springs bathing (in Banff) and extraordinary wildlife (in Jasper).
• Alaskan cruising: With seagoing travel concentrated so heavily in European waters during the summer months, there are some indications that cruises of Alaskan waters may be falling off. That's about the only explanation for the decision of Online Vacation Center (800-329-9002) to offer sharp discounts, bringing the price down to $699 per person for round-trip departures in late June, from Seattle, of seven-night Alaskan cruises aboard the upscale ships of Holland-America. And since airfares to and from Seattle are generally lower than to Vancouver or Anchorage, these are excellent bargains.
• European apartments: The rental of apartments is increasingly seen as a smart way to avoid the high costs of Europe. The various sources of European apartment rentals are experiencing heavy demand, and among them is www.Rentalo.com, currently offering per-night rates of $134 and $135 for two-bedroom apartments well located in Paris.
