European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 22, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Travel Europe Raveling Days Are Here again by Norm Zeigler travel outdoor writer after a Bleak Winter dominated by the persian Gulf War and the threat of terrorism travellers Are once again Takin to the roads rails skies and Waterways of Europe two factors should Combine to make this travel season a Bigone for americans in Europe. The first is Relief at the Victory Over Iraq. The second is the troop draw Down which could make this the last summer in Europe for Many service members. An official with the army s on base travel contractor in Germany said his company has seen a Quot tremendous increase Quot in travel since the end of lie War. Ron Van Krann head of the Leisure travel division for scheduled airlines travel off ices overseas said the biggest upsurge in business has been in bookings of bus Tours and cruises. Van Kranen said among the bus tour contractors Sato works with Quot business is really . Rolf Krieger president of the bus tour company enjoy hours said his company s bookings Are about 30 percent above last year s Levels. Krieger said he thinks the reason is that the troop cutbacks have caused some people to rethink their spending priorities. For instance he said a couple who might be considering buying a new television set May choose instead to spend the Money on t Ravel because they know Quot once they Are Back in the states they won t be Able to go to Paris for $99&Quot according to Van Kranen the most popular City bus hours this season Are the a it it it v a y Vav y the lure of Creek islands is irresistible. Here the Sun sets Over the Aegean As a ferry enters the Harbor of los. A amps Michael Abrams traditional favourites pans London Berlin Amsterdam the Netherlands Budapest Hungary and Prague Czechoslovakia. Among the City packages that Are not bus Tours London is no. 1, followed by Rome. Van Kranen said the base closure plans seem to have sparked a trend toward longer trips and More exotic destinations. Among Sato customers planning More extensive vacations much of the interest has entered on a few countries. Quot great Britain and Ireland Are in big demand Quot Van Kranen said. He said there have also been Many inquiries and bookings for Greece a especially the islands a As Well As spam Turkey and the soviet Union. Many service members and their families look on a european assignment As an adventure. A recent readership Survey showed that travel was the no. 2 Leisure time activity among stars and stripes readers. But though they have a general interest in common their individual preferences can be As widely varied As their personalities. One May choose the Security of a carefully planned weekend bus tour. Another might prefer to hit the Road with a m Index to editorial contents f re Fig a travel Europe 1991 is a special supplement to the stars and stripes an authorized unofficial publication for . Armed forces overseas. Contents do not necessarily reflect the official View of the . Government department of defense or the . European command. 2-3 8 introduction on the go in France on the go in Germany Austria and Switzerland on the go in Britain on the go in Italy 20-21 Riding the rails 13-15 adventure at arc 18 on the go in Spain 24 on the go in Belgium 27-28 adventures of a tour guide bus tour tips 31 what s happening this a summer 32-34 capital highlights 36 what to take. I. A. A a a a 38-39 tourist offices embassies and Consula Tes on the go in Czechoslovakia 41-43 taking the kids 46 guide to the guidebooks 51-54 driving Esso autobahn map 56-58 flying space a 61 where to get the most for your Money staff Leah Larkin. Editor John Taylor Norm Zeigler. Anita Gosch assistant editors Wes Booher. Art director Brian Smith. Makeup editor advertising appearing in this supplement is not endorsed by the department of defense the military departments or the stars and stripes