Schiphol Joins Ranks of ‘Amusing’ Airports

From trickling brooks and orchid gardens (Singapore), to sophisticated shopping centers (Toronto), to children’s museums (Denver), airports around the world are developing into centers for amusement as well as transport. Not to be outdone, the new West Wing of Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport will not only have a 14-story, duty-free shopping complex, business center, bank and drugstore, but also a casino and sauna and, yes, hamburger lovers, a Burger King franchise. To open May 10, the 380,000-square-foot West Wing is part of a 15-year, estimated $265-million expansion aimed at transforming the airport--already considered one of the world’s best--into a state-of-the-art air and high-speed rail terminal.

Travel Quiz: What is Canada’s smallest province?

Smoke-free Trains: Starting today, Amtrak has outlawed smoking on almost all nationwide routes shorter than 4 1/2 hours, as well as on all trains whose entire routes are within California--the only state to be designated “nonsmoking,” so to speak. However, smoking will be allowed in private sleeping car accommodations, except on the Washington-to-Chicago Capitol Limited and the Los Angeles-to-Seattle Coast Starlight. The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) asked Amtrak to establish the ban on smoking on California trains in keeping with California policy that prohibits smoking on state property, according to an Amtrak spokeswoman. (Intrastate routes are operated by Amtrak under contract with the State of California.) On longer trips, such as the new transcontinental route that was launched last month between Los Angeles and Miami, as well as on the California Zephyr, the Sunset Limited and the Southwest Chief--all long-distance trains that service California and other states--there will be a designated area on one coach, not a whole car, for smoking.

Things That Go Bump at Buckingham: A new British government-sponsored report strongly criticizes arrangements for tourists outside London’s Buckingham Palace. The report calls conditions a “national disgrace” and says it is astonishing that more tourists have not been injured dodging cars in the busy traffic circle outside the Palace’s front gates while trying to get close enough to glimpse the daily Changing of the Guard. While police regularly stop traffic to let marching bands and guardsmen enter the palace grounds, the 15 million tourists who come each year must fend for themselves without crosswalks or traffic lights. A spokeswoman for the advisory group that issued the report said 60 people had been injured in the traffic circle in the past three years. The report has recommended that the area between the gates and a statue of Queen Victoria in the center of the circle be turned into a pedestrian mall.

Quick Fact: Countries that Americans cannot travel to on U.S. passports: Iraq, Lebanon and Libya.

Mexico Pledges Protection: Prompted by the April 12 shooting death in Cancun of American tourist Georgina Knafel--who apparently was struck by a stray bullet when one of Mexico’s most-wanted drug traffickers was murdered near her on a city street--Mexico’s Ministry of Tourism has announced two steps aimed at protecting tourists. The “Green Angels,” a government-sponsored highway assistance team that monitors more than 30,000 miles of Mexico’s highway network daily, will be expanded, and a 24-hour national toll-free telephone line within Mexico--91-800-90392, and 250-0123 or 250-0151 in Mexico City--has been established for tourists who need immediate help or advice.

Early Travel Photography: Through July 4, New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art is showing a major exhibition of photographs that contain some of the earliest and finest examples of travel photography from around the world. The exhibit, “The Walking Dream: Photography’s First Century. Selections from the Gilman Paper Company Collection,” spans the years 1839-1939. Among the travel photographs are the earliest pictures of great monuments along the Nile (from the 1850s) and antique marbles on the Acropolis (1860s). The 253 works in the exhibition, many rare or unique, were chosen from more than 5,000 images in the Gilman Collection. The museum is at 1000 Fifth Avenue, (212) 879-5500. Suggested donation for entry to the museum: $6 for adults, $3 for students and seniors, children under 12 accompanied by an adult are free. There is no additional charge for entry to “The Walking Dream.”

L.A. to T.J. Made Easy: Air L.A. has begun regularly scheduled service from LAX to Tijuana, the only airline to offer nonstop service between the two cities. The new service is the result of an agreement with Aeromexico that allows travelers to earn frequent-flier miles with Aeromexico for the L.A.-to-Tijuana-and-back flight, and to make easier connections with Aeromexico flights into other Mexico cities, including Durango, Culiacan and Mazatlan. The Tijuana service, which began last Monday with four round trips weekly, will be followed in about a month by regular service between LAX and Ensenada.

Free Oregon Guide: “Where to Stay in Oregon,” an 88-page guide to the state’s 1,000 accommodations, including hotels, motels, resorts and bed and breakfasts, also lists sources such as chambers of commerce, visitors bureaus and RV parks. For a free copy, call the Oregon State Tourism Division (800-547-7842) or write the Oregon Lodging Assn., 12724 SE Stark St., Portland, Ore. 97233.

Comparatively Speaking: Cruise ship sanitation scores for ships inspected in March (a score of 86 or higher indicates acceptable sanitation): Americana, 63; Costa Allegra, 90; Dawn Princess, 91; Ecstasy, 87; Enchanted Isle, 89; Gruziya, 94; Holiday, 86; Mardi Gras, 88; Mermoz, 80; Radisson Diamond, 92; Regal Princess, 96; Regent Rainbow, 90; Regent Sea, 89; Renaissance III, 67; Scandinavian Dawn, 88; Seabourn Pride, 89; Sky Princess, 86; Song of Norway, 86; Southward, 86; Star Flyer, 68; Starship Oceanic, 93; Statendam, 83; Sun Viking, 86; Viking Princess, 97; Vistafjord, 93; Westward, 83; Zenith, 90. (Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)

Quiz Answer: Prince Edward Island.