European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - April 18, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Left crowds like this one in Prague Czechoslovakia s Wenceslas Square helped bring about change across the East bloc. Below a gondolier propels his Craft Down the grand canal in Venice Italy. A amps i. Emmett Lewis crumbling barriers broaden travel horizons by Norm Zeigler travel outdoor writer the biggest travel Story of 1990 involves the same Region that has dominated political news Eastern Europe. The Iron curtain is irreparably torn and countries that were formerly closed police states now Promise to become More and More accessible. Hungary Poland Czechoslovakia Romania and East Germany have All thrown out Long entrenched communist regimes in the past year. In East Germany the secret police have been disbanded. In Romania Many of them Are in jail. Concrete and barbed wire have disappeared from Many Borders and All across the East bloc travel restrictions Are being eased. For americans travel to the East in most cases still requires paperwork and Waits for visas. But the whole Region is in a state of flux and even rules that Are in effect Are not always enforced. Hungary Bulgaria Romania and Yugoslavia Issue visas at the Border. Czechoslovakia has also started issuing visas at some Border crossing Points. American service members and Dod civilians still need to  military officials before travelling to East bloc countries. In Many cases an organized tour is still the easiest Way to visit some places in the East. Although the East bloc has dominated the news and seen an upswing in the number of tourists the cities monuments and landmarks of Western Europe will continue to Lead the list of favorite destinations for americans in 1990. Last year s my favorite place contest revealed few surprises in the preferences of stars and stripes readers. Like millions of their countrymen who have visited the continent Over the past few centuries they favored the most popular tourist hot spots Paris London Venice Florence Amsterdam Copenhagen Vienna Athens Berlin. But Many people also fell in love with places off the beaten track a Mountain Village in Italy an Island in Greece a town in Denmark. Living in Europe presents travel opportunities that americans in the United states can Only dream about. If you Are stationed in Frankfurt it is a simple thing to spend one weekend in Paris and the next weekend skiing the Glacier at Zermatt Switzerland. During the week you could meet friends after work for dinner at a Castle on the Road to Heidelberg. From hell Nikon a Greece in a half hour you can be watching the Sun set Over the Parthenon or boarding a boat for an Island cruise. The Trout streams of the pyrenees and the beaches of the Costa brava Are Only a couple of hours drive from Zaragoza a Spain. Go to your base travel office a Sato or itt a or a local tourist office to find out about nearby Points of interest. Do not be intimidated by language differences. Those in the business of promoting tourism Deal with an International clientele and even Many Small offices will have one staff member who Speaks English. This year there Are a number of special events throughout Europe that travellers should take note of. A from now until july 29, the Netherlands travel Europe is a special supplement to the stars and stripes an authorized unofficial publication for . Armed forces overseas. Contents Are not necessarily the official View of the . Government. Department of defense or the . European command. Staff Norm Zeigler. Editor Susan  director Brian  editor Index to editorial contents 2,3 introduction 6,7 space a travel contest 14,15 going by train 20 family travel 22, 27 adventure vacations 32 embassies tourist offices 34 staying healthy 40, 41 driving in Europe 42 arc 48 language basics much of Europe s Charm for american travellers lies in its eve present past As illustrated by our cover photo of a six Story building in Aalborg Denmark dating to 1624. Advertisements in this special Section Are not endorsed by the department of defense the military departments or the stars and stripes. 2 stars and stripes travel Europe april 18, 1990