FYI TRAVEL
An annual summer adventure for 14 years, Hungary's Sziget Festival is a temporarily constructed city in Budapest, a place to spend a week of self-abandon where the national language is decadent revelry and the party runs 24 hours a day. With more than 1,000 different programs of entertainment spread across more than 60 venues ranging from circus entertainment to classical music, this festival is guaranteed to satisfy even the most eclectic of tastes. Top off a week of excess by listening to the melodious sounds of Radiohead, the screeching vocals of rock-god Robert Plant and the reverberations of electro-industrial legend Ministry. Camping space is available on the festival site, and Vamhaz Hostel in Budapest has rates starting at $18 a day.
FYI: This year's festival will be Aug. 9-16. For more information about the Sziget Festival and area accommodations, visit www.sziget.hu/festival_english Rooms at Vamhaz Hostel can be booked at www.hostelworld.com.
PARTY ANIMALS - The 2005 Sziget Festival in Budapest included roving performance artists that towered over the crowd. CNS Photo by Balazs Glodi.
DRIVING RANGE
The Land Rover Golf and Drive package at Quebec's Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello gives a whole new meaning to a good drive, taking golfers on an off-road adventure through a nature wonderland of more than 65,000 acres. The package is available through Oct. 17 and begins at $375 per night (two-night minimum required) and includes daily buffet breakfast, a two-hour Land Rover off-road lesson and a round of golf for two.
FYI: Based on double occupancy. Package may be booked by calling 800-441-1414 or visiting www.fairmont.com.
THE BEST IN BELIZE
The Lodge at Chaa Creek is situated in the scenic San Ignacio region of Belize. This 345-acre private nature reserve hosts a natural history center, butterfly farm, walking trails, an exquisite spa and access to Mayan sites. Their summer special packages run through Oct. 31, including the Chaa Creek Rainforest Adventure Package, which includes accommodations, dinner and breakfast, canoe trips, a horseback or mountain bike ride, a nature or jungle walk and access to the natural history center and butterfly farm. Package rates start at $647 per adult for four nights; stay five nights for $777 and get the sixth night free. Family discounts include no charge for children under 18 who stay in their parents' room and free meals for all children 12 and younger.
Another Belize property, Corona del Mar, is located in the beach area of Ambergris Caye, a short 15 minute walk into lively San Pedro Town. From now through Nov. 14, the resort is offering seven-night packages for their Sunset Room at $874, double occupancy, and the Oceanfront Room with balcony at $1,024, double occupancy. The packages include room, a daily continental breakfast, half-day snorkel trip to Hol Shan and Shark Ray Alley, a cave tubing and zoo excursion, and free rum or fruit punch all day long. For those who decide to stay for more than seven nights, there is an additional 10 percent discount.
FYI: To contact The Lodge at Chaa Creek, call 877-709-8708, e-mail reservations@chaacreek.com or visit www.chaacreek.com. To contact Corona del Mar, e-mail corona@btl.net, call 011-501-226-2055 or visit www.ambergriscaye.com/coronadelmar/index.html.
PAY RESPECT TO THE KING
Elvis Presley considered Las Vegas his home away from home, and the Elvis-A-Rama Museum contains the world's largest private collection of Elvis items. From his infamous blue suede shoes to a 1960 Rolls Royce, this exhibit is valued at almost $5 million.
There are also a number of tribute shows, from a free 15-minute show to hour-long performances costing $17.95, with a free shuttle pick-up from any major casino on the Strip.
FYI: Elvis-A-Rama is located at 3401 S. Industrial Rd., less than a mile from the Strip. Admission is $12.95 for adults; $9.95 for seniors; children 12 and younger are free. Admission for the museum and one of the hour-long shows combined is $25. For more information and shuttle reservations, call 702-309-7200.