Columbus Celebration Honors Christopher

To coincide with Columbus Day on Monday, an exhibit of Impressionist paintings--”Masterpieces of Impressionism and European Modernism, The Sirak Collection”--opens today at the Columbus Museum of Art in Columbus, Ohio. It will be a curtain-raising event for what is being billed as the nation’s largest community-wide program commemorating the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ first voyage to the Americas. The city was named for the explorer who discovered (at least for the European world) the Americas.

A massive horticultural and cultural exhibit, AmeriFlora ‘92, will open April 20 in 88 acres of gardens in Columbus’ Franklin Park, with international and domestic exhibits, film and multimedia productions, performances and entertainment, international cuisine and shopping. And a replica of Christopher Columbus’ flagship, the Santa Maria, will be permanently moored in the Scioto River in downtown Columbus’ Battelle Riverfront Park.

Travel Quiz: What two countries in South America are landlocked?

Making Time in the Air: In August, U.S. airlines improved their on-time performance and baggage handling record over the previous year and received fewer complaints from consumers, according to the Department of Transportation.

The nation’s 12 largest carriers posted an on-time performance of 83.3% in August, compared to 78.5% in August, 1990. July, 1991’s overall on-time percentage was 84.5%. Delays caused by mechanical problems are not counted in compiling the data.

The department said mishandled baggage reports for August averaged 5.22 per 1,000 passengers, down from the 6.66 recorded in August, 1990, and slightly less than the 5.23 average for July, 1991.

Quick Fact: State that used least amount of motor fuel in 1989: Alaska. State that used most: California. (Source: Department of Transportation.)

Rail Rise: The state-run Mexican railway monopoly has increased passenger fares by about 75%, the daily El Universal reported last week. But even with the passenger fare increase, the trains are still a relative bargain. The newspaper quoted railway workers as saying that first-class rail fares have risen by about 15 cents a mile, those for special first-class by about 4 cents a mile, and those for sleeping car accommodations by about 7 cents a mile.

More Bests: Last week we reported that the readers of Conde Nast Traveler magazine voted Singapore Airlines the No. 1 airline in the world for 1991. Now the ballots have been counted from a poll of 2,400 American Society of Travel Agents members, who named British Airways best foreign-flag airline and Delta best U.S. airline. Royal Caribbean Cruise Line was named best cruise line by the agents; best railroad, foreign or domestic, was BritRail. Best car rental company, Hertz. Best hotel chain was Marriott, and best single hotel or resort was the Hyatt Regency Waikoloa on the Big Island of Hawaii. Best foreign tourist office was the British Tourist Authority, and best domestic office was the Florida Division of Tourism.

Panama Warning: After the U.S. Embassy in Panama received unconfirmed reports that Panamanian dissident groups may be planning to carry out violent attacks during the month of October, the State Department last week advised travelers to Panama to exercise caution, especially at Panama City bars, discos and other gathering places frequently visited by civilians employed by the U.S. government, members of the U.S. military and tourists. Last year’s March 2 bombing at the My Place Bar in Panama City resulted in the death of one U.S. serviceman and injuries to several dozen servicemen and Panamanians. A group called M20 claimed responsibility.

Currents Abroad: Want to know what adapters are necessary for plugging in a hair dryer or electric shaver in Brussels? In Cairo? In Botswana? The 1991 edition of “Electric Current Abroad” can provide all the advice necessary, including types of plugs and where the current is stable enough for such equipment as clocks and slide projectors. To order, call the U.S. Government Printing Office at (202) 783-3238 and ask for the $3 booklet, order number 003-008-00203-0.

Comparatively Speaking: Cruise ship sanitation scores for ships inspected in August (a score of 86 or higher indicates acceptable sanitation): Costa Riviera, 67. Festivale, 74. Mardi Gras, 62. Crystal Harmony, 78. Eugenio C, 50.

A Leg Up: A quarter of business travelers adds a vacation on to professional trips, and more than one in four spends $1,000 or more per person on that leisure portion, according to a recent telephone survey by Money magazine. Surprisingly, the 403 respondents said the recession did not affect how much they spent on the vacation segments of their trips. The most important factor in deciding whether to add leisure time was location of the business trip (61%). Other reasons were the chance to be with family or friends (53%) and the savings over taking a separate vacation trip at another time (39%). The most popular domestic spots for business meetings coupled with pleasure trips were California (20%) and Florida (13%). The most frequented foreign location was Europe (7%).

Fair Warning: For those who love band music, the 27th annual Selma Marching Band Festival will offer dozens of bands, both in parade competition and half-time formation and exhibition, Oct. 26. High school bands from the valley and coast near Selma, in the Fresno area, will march down High Street in the morning and, from noon to about 7 p.m., at Selma High School. A small street fair will provide food. For more information, contact the Selma Chamber of Commerce: (209) 896-3315.

Quiz Answer: Bolivia and Paraguay do not border an ocean.