Travel Tips & Trends

> Web cams to watch
> Colorado Scottish Festival
> Crested Butte Music Festival
> Opera for adults and kids
> Bluegrass
> Finding nature on a cruise
> Visiting Kennedy Space Center
> Why a recession is a good time to travel
> How annoying are you?
>Antique auto tour in Golden

Web cams to watch

With hundreds of thousands of web cams located in prime travel destinations around the world, there's always something to see. Here are a few to try

Watch the giraffes at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs. The best times are 9:15 a.m. and 5 p.m. when the giraffes move in and out of their enclosure. www.cmzoo.org/animals/Plants/animalCams/giraffeCam.asp

Estes Park CVB offers nine different cams, located around the town and in Rocky Mountain National Park. www.estesparkcvb.com/cams.cfm

Look for the Loch Ness Monster, or just enjoy constantly changing views of the loch and historic Urquhart Castle. www.camvista.com/scotland/highlands/lochness.php

Japan's famous "snow monkeys," macaques which soak year-round in the Jigokudani Yaenkoen hot springs, can be seen at www.jigokudani-yaenkoen.co.jp/livecam/monkey/index.htm.

Check out what's going on at the North Pole (hint: not much) via NOAA's drifting ice-floe web cam. You won't need to worry about time zones—the sun doesn't go down until October. www.arctic.noaa.gov/gallery_np.html

Watch Old Faithful and other nearby geysers on Yellowstone National Park's live video cam. When a geyser erupts, the camera zooms in for a closer view. www.nps.gov/yell/photosmultimedia/yellowstonelive.htm

A beautiful live view of the Pyramids at Giza can be found at www.pyramidcam.com.

Live video from busy Trafalgar Square in London can be fascinating any time of the day or night. www.camglobal16.camstreams.com

The blue Aegean waters and white roofs of Santorini are captured at www.santorini.net/caldera.html. The web cam faces west, so you can enjoy a Greek sunset too.

Colorado Scottish Festival

The 47th annual Colorado Scottish Festival and Rocky Mountain Highland Games will be held August 8-9 this year at the Highland Heritage Park in Highlands Ranch.

The main attraction of any Highland Games is the competitions: Highland dancing, pipe and drum competitions for both bands and solo performers, and traditional Scottish athletics such as the caber toss and hammer throw. At noon on both days, there will be a Parade of Clans with massed pipe and drum bands.

A wide variety of other events are scheduled throughout the weekend, including exhibitions of British dogs and British cars, a Celtic Music Extravaganza on Saturday evening, haggis tasting and children's activities.

For more information visit www.coloradoscots.com or call 303-238-1027.

Crested Butte Music Festival

Each summer, Coloradans can enjoy a wide variety of music festivals in majestic locations-surrounded by mountains and vibrant wildflowers. One of them is the Crested Butte Music Festival. Now in its 12th year, this festival runs from July 4-26, featuring nearly 90 performers from all over the world.

The 2009 season kicks off with a free patriotic concert on July 4. There will be seven other free concerts and several donation-based events, in addition to ticketed performances.

Symphony, chamber and jazz Daniel Schnyder from New York City will be the 2009 Composer in Residence. Schnyder is one of the leading jazz saxophone players and composers in the world. He is known for combining composition and improvisation, jazz and traditional chamber music.

The popular "Have a Beer with Beethoven" event returns this year on July 12 with Beethoven's Symphony Number 6, "Pastorale." The symphony will be presented in the Ein-Lynch Barn with its outstanding acoustics, fresh air, and views of the surrounding mountains and horse pastures.

Each year, the festival highlights a new instrument, and in 2009 it's the ney (Persian flute). Bassam Saba from Beirut, a leading figure in the Arabic music scene, will play an evening performance on July 16. On July 18, Saba will also present a free children's performance at the Crested Butte Train Depot. This event, "A Morning in Persia," will demonstrate how the ney differs from the orchestral flute and will include compositions inspired by Turkish gypsy music and classical Arabic song.

The music of Joseph Haydn and Felix Mendelssohn will be featured throughout the season, with symphonic and chamber music programs honoring the work of these two great composers and the musical journey from the classical era of Haydn to the romantic era of Mendelssohn.

Opera for adults and kids

Mozart's "Le Nozze di Figaro" (The Marriage of Figaro) will be performed in Italian with English supertitles on July 22, 24 and 26. The principal singers will also perform a variety of arias and duets, "Opera Extravaganza," at a soiree on July 13. For young children, the one-act opera "L'Enfant et les Sortileges" by Maurice Ravel will be performed free on July 25. The opera tells the story of a child who is reprimanded by objects in his room after he has thrown a tantrum.

Bluegrass

Two bluegrass concerts are offered this year. The Blue Canyon Boys, winners of the 2008 Telluride Bluegrass competition, will entertain audiences on July 25. This bluegrass powerhouse captivates audiences with high-energy music that blends incredible vocals and hard-driving instrumental proficiency.

Also coming to the Festival are the Infamous Stringdusters, who will perform on July 11.

For a complete schedule and ticketing information, call 970-349-0619 or visit www.crestedbuttemusicfestival.com.

Finding nature on a cruise

The world's natural treasures-magnificent, untouched landscapes, rare ecosystems and extraordinary plants, birds and animals-tend to be in remote places. Surprisingly, a cruise vacation can be an easy way to reach them.

The fjords of Chile, the wilderness of Alaska and the Panama Canal are just a few of the world's remote regions that serve as cruise destinations. Here's a sample of what cruisers can find:

Carnival Cruise Lines

Among the nature-themed activities offered on Carnival's itineraries: whale watching and an eagle preserve adventure in Alaska; ecological snorkel tours in Cabo San Lucas; white water rafting near the jungles of Costa Rica; and exploring the waterfalls and sulfur springs of Dominica in the Caribbean.

Celebrity Cruises
The 92-guest Celebrity Xpedition offers all-inclusive, environmentally-conscious cruises in the Galapagos Islands. A guided tour and onboard naturalists certified by the Galapagos National Park are features of every itinerary, as are hikes and walks to provide an in-depth exploration of the islands' unique fauna and flora.

Crystal Cruises
Crystal offers several opportunities for guests to get to know the wildlife in the exotic destinations they visit. Some examples include swimming with dolphins in the Bay of Islands in New Zealand; visiting Siberian sled dogs in Russia; riding elephants at the Bali Elephant Safari Park or spotting dragons at Komodo National Park in Indonesia.

Disney Cruise Line
One of Disney's newest offerings on Castaway Cay, the line's private island, is the opportunity to snorkel with stingrays in a private lagoon. Participants can feed, touch and interact with the rays under the guidance of marine specialists.

Holland America Line
Holland America's Alaska itineraries bring opportunities to see orca and humpback whales, puffins, dolphins, Dahl's porpoises, bears, seals, sea otters and the full extent of Alaskan marine and land birdlife. Shoreside activities can include everything from leisure walks through northern rainforests to kayaking with a pod of whales or dog sledding.

Princess Cruises
Princess offers two Iguazu Falls cruisetours on select South America itineraries. These cruisetours feature tours of the thunderous falls from both above and below, with a Macuco Boat Safari up river for incredible views. The Ecological Jungle Train takes you to the Devil's Throat, the most impressive overlook of the falls.

Visiting Kennedy Space Center

For the last four decades, NASA's Florida spaceport has served as the departure point for every American manned mission into space, plus hundreds of unmanned scientific spacecraft. Located 45 minutes from Orlando, its Visitor Complex attracts travelers from around the world to experience the past, present and future of the space program.

The Launch Operations Center was established in 1962, and was renamed the NASA John F. Kennedy Space Center a year later in honor of the president who put America on the path to the moon. At the same time, the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge was formed. This 140,000-acre refuge surrounds the Space Center and is home to more than 1,500 species. Alligators are often seen on the drive into the complex.

Allow a full day for visiting Kennedy Space Center (KSC). The cost of admission (currently $38 adult/$28 child) includes a narrated tour, all exhibits including the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame and a variety of IMAX films, and the Shuttle Launch Experience-a realistic simulation of what it's like to fly on the space shuttle.

The KSC narrated tour is an outstanding experience, with views of launch pads, the Vehicle Assembly Building (one of the largest buildings in the world) and massive machinery like the giant crawlers built to transport space vehicles to the launch pad. The two crawlers have been in use since the Apollo moon program, weigh six million pounds each, and run on diesel-at a mileage of 35 feet to the gallon.

Fewer than 500 men and women have flown in space, and the opportunity to meet one of them is a highlight of the KSC for many visitors. The daily "Astronaut Encounter" and "Lunch with an Astronaut" programs are extremely popular. Both require reservations and are not included in the general admission cost. An impressive list of astronauts has appeared since this program began, among them Wally Schirra, John Glenn and Jim Lovell. During the banquet-style "Lunch with an Astronaut," visitors hear inspiring stories about space exploration and have an opportunity to ask questions, take photographs and get autographs.

Packages are available that include accommodation, admission to Kennedy Space Center and "Lunch with an Astronaut." For more information talk to your travel agent.

Watch a launch

Two missions will launch from Kennedy Space Center in August: the space shuttle Discovery, carrying equipment to the International Space Station (August 6) and the first test flight of NASA's new launch vehicle Ares I (late August, exact date not yet scheduled). Visiting during a launch is a great opportunity to experience the space program. Can't make it? Watch live coverage of launches and other events online at www.nasa.gov.ntv.

Why a recession is a good time to travel

With the economic woes of the past year, many people have put their vacation plans on hold. This reaction, while understandable, has in many cases resulted more from anxiety than from facts. A careful look at the current landscape reveals a number of compelling reasons to travel now.

Fewer crowds
The crowds of fellow travelers at popular destinations can often detract from the experience. Given the reluctance or inability of many to travel in an economic downturn, now is a fantastic time to visit those "must-see" destinations if you can.

Stronger dollar overseas
Although the fact has faded from most people's memory, a very weak dollar made overseas travel prohibitively expensive just one year ago. The dollar has strengthened since then, and that means more buying power on an international trip.

Great deals are easy to find
Many travel providers are currently enticing consumers with a host of special programs and promotions to bring in business. As just one example, tour and cruise operator Tauck World Discovery is offering credits of up to $580 per couple on some Europe and Western Canada packages, and is still holding 2008 prices on all of its 2009 land journeys in Europe.

Stress relief
Finally, and ironically, the very thing that has prompted people to forgo travel is one of the key things that argues in favor of taking a vacation-stress. A nice, relaxing escape, even locally, can offer a very welcome respite and doesn't have to be expensive. Talk to your travel agent for ideas within your budget, from quick road trips to deals on more exotic destinations.

How annoying are you?

Recognize any of these? It's a list of annoying things drivers do that make them both inconsiderate and unsafe.

Tailgate.
Pass on the right.
Crowd pedestrians and cyclists.
Drive on the shoulder in traffic jams.
Use the horn as an expletive.
Weave through pedestrians trying to cross an intersection.
Avoid letting anyone pass … ever.
Drive very slowly to block other cars and "enforce" the speed limit.
Fail to signal-any time.
Weave back and forth through traffic to get a few cars ahead.

Now, score yourself. You get one point for every behavior you admitted to.

8-10 points: Well, let's just say your fellow drivers aren't telling you you're Number One when they make that hand signal at you. Get a grip, or you'll find those 8-10 points on your license soon.
4-7 points: You may have a little too much attitude on the road, so make a conscious effort to share the road with more courtesy.
1-3 points: You're doing pretty well, although you have to watch out for impatience sometimes. Take a deep breath and remember that it's not worth getting upset about.
0 points: Either you're the perfect driver … or you're a little forgetful. No matter which it is, remember there's always room to improve.
For more tips on being a less annoying (and much safer) driver, visit the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety at www.AAAfoundation.org.

Antique auto tour in Golden

More than 100 antique cars will be seen touring in the Golden area, when the 64th AAA Revival Glidden Tour comes to Colorado, from August 23-28. The annual event is the largest continuously-held antique automobile tour in the world.

The original Glidden Tours took place between 1904 and 1913, promoted by businessman Charles Glidden to prove the reliability of auto travel. Drivers from the East Coast cranked up their vehicles to travel together to cities that included St. Louis, New York City, Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City and Montreal.

"Charles Glidden was to the automobile what Charles Lindbergh was to the airplane," said Geoff Sundstrom, national director of public relations for AAA. By 1913, there was one car for every 35 people in the country, compared to one car for every 1,000 people when the tours began.

In 1946, the Veteran Motor Car Club of America organized the first Revival Glidden Tour for antique autos. Instead of making a drive to a designated city, today's tour revolves around a specific metro area each year. The 2009 tour in Golden is organized by the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) with assistance from AAA and local volunteers.

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