European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - September 29, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Travel tips it. Six 3r Toj is 3. After two years of work Paris newly refurbished champs-fiys6esnow boasts two ranks of 1 10 plane Trees on each Side and hundreds of modern Street ugh to and traffic lights. Officials say the $45.2 million overhaul will make the world famous Avenue a lot More pleasant Ano safer for tourists and parisians alike. A by Marilyn August the associated press a two year renovation of the City s most famous promenade culminated monday As mayor Jacques Chirac flooded the champs Fly sees in shimmering Emerald Green Light. The champs Elyse is a magical place in the world s subconscious has regained its prestige Chirac said. Celebrated in song and film and considered by some the world s most Beautiful Avenue the champs Elysee in recent years has been overrun by panhandlers pickpockets bumper to bumper traffic fast food joints shopping malls and oversized cafes. Many parisians fled leaving suburbanites and tourists eating pizza and standing in movie lines in the place novelist Stendhal described a Century ago As a Haven of peace and  though the $45.2 million overhaul won t turn the champs Fly sees into a peaceful walk in the country it will make it a lot More pleasant and safer for pedestrians. Sidewalks have been widened to about 65 feet and paved with Gray and Blue Granite with the Side alleys parallel to the main Avenue eliminated., Telephone Booths Are tucked discreetly into turn of the Century columns which also double As old style billboard supports. Newspaper kiosks Are numerous and easy to spot while Green lanterns alternate with new streetlights in Gray stainless steel. For Chirac the champs Elysee has become an exceptional showcase for French Savoir Faire while remaining a prestigious and necessary address for foreign  this renovation is also for them he was quoted As saying in the daily be Parisien. The Light expedition that began monday and runs through nov. 1 is unique because the intensity of the Light shining on the Avenue s Trees varies according to the number of people strolling on the Avenue. To some the effects were less spectacular than expected. I m sorry but i never even noticed the Green lights said april Braxton 22, a visitor from Washington. The French however feel the improvements Are palpable. The champs have been Given Back to pedestrians and move it said Bernard Fertin 52, an office worker. Take a Good look. Everything is symmetrical and  get a passport faster at a higher Price from wire reports need to get out of town fast starting saturday it will Cost you an extra $30 to expedite your new or renewed passport Congress mandated the extra fee for Rush handling with applications processed within three Days of receipt at a passport Agency for those who must travel within 10 Days. The Normal turnaround time is two weeks depending on the season proof of imminent travel tickets or confirmed reservations is required. For information Call 202 647-0518. Two International airlines have recently established new routes to the United states. Gulf air 1 -800-553-2824, the National Carrier of Abu Dahabi Bahrain Oman and Qatar began service to Kennedy International Airport last month. Flights on the Airbus a340 aircraft depart new York at 10 . On sunday and thursday for Bahrain tuesday to Doha Friday to Muscat via Abu Dahabi and sunday to Muscat via Bahrain. Yves bound flights depart Bahrain on tuesday and Friday Abu Dahabi on sunday Doha on wednesday and Muscat on thursday and saturday. The National airline of Fiji air Pacific 1 -800-227 4446, has inaugurated a weekly non Stop flight to and from los Angeles. The Boeing 747s depart los Angeles on saturday at 2 30 . And arrive at Nadi Airport in Fiji at 8 35 . The next Day. The return flight departs Fiji on saturday at 8 . And arrives los Angeles at 11 30 . The same 4 Day. A three Young leopards Are the newest attraction at the Vienna zoo in Austria. They come from the Wassenaar wildlife Breeding Center in Holland. The zoo founded in 1752 during the reign of Maria Theresa is on the West Side of Schonbrunn gardens. Entrance to the gardens is free the zoo charges admission. American Carrier to ban smoking on Atlantic routes beginning january by the new York times Delta air lines plans to ban smoking on its trans Atlantic flights beginning in january making Delta the first american Carrier to impose. Such a ban. Delta s decision is the latest move among Many major carriers to prohibit smoking on some airlines International routes. Smoking has been banned on flights within the United states for years and legislation is working its Way through the House of representatives that would extend the ban to All flights to and from the United states. Delta said the ban was imposed in response to passenger demand the airline is betting that it will attract More than enough new non smoking customers to offset the loss of passengers who want to smoke while they Fly. September 29, 1994 stripes Magazine 25