Florida’s latest scream

One of Florida’s oldest theme parks is being revived as Cypress Gardens Adventure Park, with the help of $45 million in new investment.

The original Cypress Gardens park in Winter Haven, known for its water-ski shows, lush gardens and hostesses dressed as Southern belles, closed in April 2003 after more than six decades. It had suffered from declining attendance.

Earlier this year, Kent Buescher, who runs Wild Adventures in Valdosta, Ga., bought the shuttered park.

The revised attraction, which was to have opened Thursday, has added 38 thrill rides, a schedule of concerts, a live butterfly habitat and more, while retaining the ski shows, gardens and Southern belles.

Cypress Gardens is open daily, beginning at 10 a.m., except Thanksgiving and Christmas; closing times vary seasonally. Under a special opening rate, admission, with tax, is $31.74 per person through Feb. 28. www.cypressgardens.com.

Direct flights to Vietnam

United Airlines last week was planning to start daily flights from San Francisco to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, by way of Hong Kong. It’s the first U.S. carrier to provide direct service to Vietnam in nearly 30 years, company officials said.

The new service comes as United adds flights as part of a shift to more lucrative international routes. It recently moved up plans for nonstop daily service between San Francisco and the soon-to-be-opened central Japan International Airport near Nagoya. Those flights are to begin March 26.

United also plans to add a second daily service between LAX and Tokyo’s Narita International Airport in June.

Sycamore Farms badly damaged

A fire has destroyed much of Sycamore Farms and the Bonny Doon Vineyard tasting counter in Paso Robles.

No one was injured in the Dec. 1 blaze, which was started by a malfunctioning paper shredder, but the gift shop, office, toolshed and wine cellar were destroyed, and the farm’s greenhouse sustained extensive damage.

“Sycamore lost everything except its nursery stock,” said manager Megan Hall, who estimated the loss at $500,000 to $750,000.

Sycamore Farms, featured in the Travel section’s Nov. 28 Weekend Escape, plans to rebuild.

Workshops have been canceled, but the nursery has resumed plant sales, and Bonny Doon has set up a tent for wine tasting. (805) 238-5288, www.sycamorefarms.com.

Smoking? Mais, non!

It’s hard to believe, but in a country where nearly everyone seems to light up, the high-speed trains are now nonsmoking.

France’s TGV (Trains a Grande Vitesse) system this month extended its smoking ban to all areas, even the bar car, on all trains in the country.

“It’s all about competing with the airlines, and making trains as attractive a transportation option as possible,” said Rail Europe President Fabrice Morel.

For bookings, call (888) 382-7245 or visit www.raileurope.com.