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TM
How Spontaneous Are You?
By Madelyn Miller
Fly Roundtrip to Malaysia for $600; Taipei or Stockholm
just $400
Must purchase online by September 17, 2004
THREE OF MY FAVORITE DESTINATIONS HAVE JUST GONE ON
SALE.
Malaysia Airlines, the largest carrier in Southeast Asia, has announced some
amazing internet fares for travelers who can book by September 17.
Roundtrip Deals from Los Angeles (LAX)
LAX to Taipei, $400
LAX to Kuala Lumpur (KUL) $600
Must purchase online at
www.malaysiaairlines.com by September 17, 2004 for travel from September
15 - November 15, 2004 or January 15 - March 30, 2005.
Restrictions: This is a non-refundable ticket. No stopovers or rerouting.
ENRICH Award Points will be not awarded. Price does not include any
applicable taxes and surcharge. Fares subject to seat availability. Changes
of date/itinerary is not permitted. See website for complete terms and
conditions.
Roundtrip Deals from Newark (EWR)
EWR to Stockholm $400
EWR to Kuala Lumpur (KUL) $600
Must purchase online at
www.malaysiaairlines.com by September 17, 2004 for travel from November
1 - November 15, 2004 or January 15 - March 30, 2005.
See website for complete terms and conditions.
Restrictions: This is a non-refundable ticket. No stopovers or rerouting.
ENRICH Award Points will be not awarded. Price does not include any
applicable taxes and surcharge. Fares subject to seat availability. Changes
of date/itinerary is not permitted. See website for complete terms and
conditions.
About Malaysia Airlines
Malaysia Airlines is the largest passenger carrier in Southeast Asia, flying
to more than 100 destinations in six continents. Known for its exemplary
in-flight service, Malaysia Airlines has won numerous international awards
for best cabin staff, best signature dish, best airline lounge, best
business class and overall best airline. It offers five flights per week
from Los Angeles and three from New York to Kuala Lumpur. Its tour
operation arm, Golden Holidays, offers flexible travel packages in four- and
five-star lodging.
More About Sweden
In Sweden, the seasons are a contrast. Light summer
nights when the sun barely dips below the horizon alternates with short,
snowy winter days.
Stockholm is one third water, one third green belt and
one third city.
Stockholm
has got history—but also the latest in fashion and IT. The trendy
Stockholmers are often used as a test market by international companies, as
they are quick to pick up on the latest trends. This is the most obvious on
the island of Sodermalm, a hotbed of fashion, young culture and
entertainment.
GREAT GUIDEBOOK
Stockholm
Knopf Mapguides
www.aaknopf.com
BEST MAP
A map really matters in Stockholm. The best one is
free, a 12 page section of STOCKHOLM SHOPPING GUIDE. I got mine free at
Victory Hotel in Old Town, but search one out.
www.mobilamedia.se
Madelyn's Favorites In Stockholm
Restaurants
Gondolen (the Gondola)
It hovers between the sea and the sky and has an astonishing view on Lake
Malaren and the Baltic sea. Order the caviar and you will dream of returning
to taste it again.
Restaurant Leijontornet
The only restaurant in Stockholm with a 14th century fortification tower in
the dining room. Try the pork on a pumpkin puree with gnocchi.
Grinda Wardshus
There is an award winning restaurant on this charming island. Ingredients
come mostly from the archipelago and the menu changes to offer the best of
each season. The breath-taking sea view is the perfect appetizer.
Grinda Wardshus
Sodra Bryggan Grinda
S—185 99 Waxholm
Tel 468-542-491
Fax 468-542-497
info@grindawardshus.se
www.grindawardshus.se
Yasuragi’s Teppan Yaki Restaurant
Guests are seated around a cooking hub and watch a specially trained chef
prepare the meal with total precision. Guests can indulge with all their
senses in the meal where the presentation and taste are truly Japanese.
Hasseludden Konferense & Yasuragi
Se-132 81 Saltsjo-boo
www.hasseludden.com
info@hasseludden.com
Telephone +46-8-747 61 00
Telefax +46-8-747 61 01
BEST DEAL ON A MEAL
Hisar Fastfood
08/218522
Hotorgshallen
11157 Stockholm
There are lots of interesting ethnic choices in this
food market. I saw a crowd around a Turkish sandwich shop and decided to
follow the natives. For less than four dollars 25kr. I had a vegetarian pita
filled with a stuffed grape leaf, fried eggplant and more vegetables all
covered with lettuce, tomatoes, peppers and smothered with garlic sauce, red
pepper sauce and eggplant sauce. Yum. And then I found out this bargain
price included water or apple juice.
COOLEST PLACE TO EAT
Upplev Icehotel Sommar
2995 SEK
www.icehotel.com
BEST INTERNET CAFÉ
Café Old Town Spegeln
Internet Café
Vasterlanggatan 34—Gamla Stan
08-21-92 92
www.oldtownspegeln.se
About 40 K an hour. But you will not be able to resist
the delicious pastries and coffee. You will easily spend that much on snacks
while you are there. I found myself thinking about my email everytime I
walked the café and got a whiff of the delicious baked goods
BEST PLACE FOR HOMESICK AMERICANS
Grays American Foodstore in Gamla Stan has all the
most-missed snacks including Oreo cookies and Snapple Iced Tea. They also
sell all-American breakfast cereals.
14 Vasterlanggatan 14
MADELYN'S FAVORITE HOTELS
Victory Hotel
Lilla Nygatan 5
S-11128
Stockholm, Swden
info@victory-hotel.se
www.victory-hotel.se
46-0-8-506400 00
This Relais and Chateau property has two sibling hotels, Lord Nelson and
Lady Hamilton
Sheraton
Stockholm Hotel &Tower
Tegelbacken 6
Box 195
SE 101 23 Stockholm, Sweden
Tel 46-(0)8 412 3400
Fax 46-(O)8-412 3409
MOST UNUSUAL PLACE TO STAY
You can stay in the former prison of Longholmen. You
can also buy appropriate nightwear here—modern reproductions of the old
prisoner’s shirts.
GET AWAY FOR A DAY
Grinda, an archipalgo island, is only an hour away.
Yasuragi, a center for tranquility, beauty and harmony
is a place where guests can wind down, clear their thoguhts and regain
energy to tackle stresses and pressures of everyday life.
Telephone +46-8-747 61 00
Telefax +46-8-747 61 01
www.hasseludden.com
info@hasseludden.com
BEST CAMERA SHOP
Kameradoktorn at David Bagares Gata 3.
I hope you do not need this information. Unfortunately,
I did.
BEST PLACE TO CHANGE MONEY
Forex is everywhere, but eXchange gives you better
rates and charges no commission no matter how small an amount you exchange
www.exchangecenter.se
Klarabergsgatan 35 111 24 Stockholm
Sveavagen 23 111 34 Stockholm
BEST DEAL IN TOWN
The Stockholm Card which costs 260 kr (about $36) and
allows you access to 70 museums and public transportation for 24 hours. The
card can be purchased online at
www.stockholmtown.com/stockholmcard
HOW TO GET A TAX REFUND
If you spend over 250 kr in one store, ask for the
Global Tax refund form. They will seal and stamp your purchase which you
must then show at a cash refund point when you leave the country. You will
save up to 18%
www.globalrefund.com
taxfree@se.globalrefund.com
TRANSPORTATION
Bus, underground and local trains
Stockholm’s public transport system covers the whole region
With the Stockholm Card or SL’s Tourist card you have unlimited travel in
and around Stockholm.
Taxi
Taxis accept credit cards
Taxis also take about 35 minutes and often have a fixed price for trips into
the city. (always ask the price first)
Air
Arlanda Airport is 40 kilometers north of Stockholm
The express train, Arlanda Express departs every 15
mnutes and takes 20 minutes to get into town. Airport buses depart every
5-15 minutes and take 35 minutes to get into the center.
Train
The main railway station is right in the center of Stockholm. There are
connections to the underground, buses, local trains, airport buses and
Arlanda Express.
For more information
www.stockholmtown.com
Stockholm Visitors Board
Postal address
7542
103 93 Stockholm
Visiting address
Kungsgatan 37, 6tr
Phone +46 8 789 24 00
Fax +46 8 789 24 50
Tourist info
+46 8 789 24 90
MORE ABOUT TAIWAN
CURRENCY
The Republic of China’s unit of Currency is the New
Taiwan Dollar (NT$). The current exchange rate is US to NT$33, and it
slightly fluctuates from time to time. Foreign currencies can be exchanged
at most of the banks and hotels. Major credit cards are accepted and
Travelers Checks may be cashed at some tourist oriented businesses and by
room guests at most international hotels
ELECTRICITY
Electric current is 110 volts, 60 cycles AC. Drinking
water served at hotels and restaurants is distilled or boiled.
WEATHER
The climate is sub-tropical with an average annual
temperature of 22C (72F) in the North and 24C (75F) in the South.
Summer lasts from May to October and is usually hot and
humid with average daytime highs from 27C to 35C (81F to 95F)
Winter lasts from November to February and is short and
mild with average lows from 12C to 16C (54F to 61F)
Snow falls only on higher mountains.
CLOTHING
Sweaters and light jackets or coats are advisable from
December through March and light clothing in April though November.
TIPPING
A 10% service charge and 5% value added tax (VAT) are
automatically added to room rates and meals. Tip your guide or driver $2.00
to $4.00 a day.
BE PREPARED
It helps to have a guidebook like Lonely Planet with a
simple dictionary. Many people in Taipei speak English, but outside the
center of cities you may have trouble being understood. Sometimes it helps
if you write out a question, rather than saying it, as Taiwan people are
more used to reading English than speaking it.
Outside of major cities and luxury hotels, you may need
to provide your own toilet paper. Carry packages of Kleenex with you. You
may also want to use the Kleenex for napkins if you sample street or market
food.
Drinking water served at hotels and restaurants is
distilled or boiled. As a precaution, water should not be drunk directly
from the tap.
Lock your hotel room door. Most hotel doors do not lock
automatically. Also check the windows. Sometimes they are left open for
guests. I learned that one night when I nearly froze to death in the
mountains despite covering myself with two quilts and sleeping in my
clothes. When I heard loud voices early the next morning, I realized the
window had been open.
GREAT GUIDES
I believe a good guide makes all the difference on a
trip. And I had a great one on my recent trip thought Taiwan. Ask for Yichi
at Golden Foundation Tours.
Golden Foundation Tours Corp.
8/F, 134, Sec. 4, Chung Hsiao E. RD.,
Lung Mem Bldg.,
Taipei, Taiwan
Tel 02-2773-3266
Fax 02-2773-4994
www.gftours.com.tw
gftour@ttla.com.tw
HELPFUL WEBSITES
www.taiwan.net.tw
service@tbroc.gov.tw
TRAVEL INFORMATION CENTER
Hotline 886-2-2717-3737 from 8am to 7pm
1F, 345,, Shunghsiao E. Rd. Sec. 4
Taipei, 106 Taiwan
WHERE TO STAY IN TAIPEI
Grand Formosa Regent Taipei
A Four Seasons Hotel
41 Chung Shan N. Road Section 2,
Taipei, Taiwan
886-2-2523-8000
Crowne Plaza Rebar Taipei
32 Nanking E. Rd. Section 5
Taipei, Taiwan
886-2-2763-5656
fax 886-2-2767-9347
www.crownplaza-taipei.com
rebar@CROWNPLAZA-taipei.com
MORE ABOUT MALAYSIA
Great Guidebook
Insight Guide To Malaysia
www.insightguides.com
Malaysian Airlines is well recognized for its
superlative service, cuisine and hospitality. (1-800-552-9264)
www.malaysiaairlines.com.my/
Where To Stay:
HOMESTAY contact Basir B. Wagiman
Tel: 603-3141 2050/2188
Fax: 603-881 1972
Email: farahman@tm.net.my
Tourism Malaysia:
http://tourism.gov.my
http://www.visitmalaysia.com
Tourism Malaysia: Phone (604) 689-8899 (Toll Free: 1-800-689-6872);
Fax: (604) 689-8804
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