LONDON ON THE CHEAP. Thanks in part to a strong British pound, London isn't a bargain destination. But if you want to try your luck there anyway, you don't have to pay a fortune for accommodations. The British Universities Accommodation Consortium, which has 120,000 guest rooms, offers more for your pound. Choose between modern or period architecture. Stay at a university that's steeped in history or one that's modern in every way. These accommodations are available to the public during June, July, August and September. The cost of bed and breakfast at London's School of Economics, for example, starts at approximately $29 a night. For details, check the Web at www.buac.co.uk.
TRAVEL GUIDES "LITE." Lonely Planet, the company that pioneered adventure guidebooks, might be pioneering yet another concept: condensed guidebooks. The series has short-stay travelers in mind. The company's condensed series captures the best the destination has to offer. After all, short-stay travelers have time to see only the best of the best. The series makes it debut with six books: California, Crete, London, New York City, Paris and Sydney. The books are a compact size, they have full color and include gatefold maps and grid maps. The information is selective rather than comprehensive. They are available at the bookstore near you. Suggested retail: $9.95.
AMERICAN EXPRESS ENHANCES TRAVEL WEB SITE. www.americanexpress.com has put another feather in its Web site's cap. You can now book entertainment on the site in addition to travel. By forging relationships with Playbill, Zagat Survey, Ticketmaster, citysearch.com and MovieFone, American Express has made it possible for you to research theatrical shows, seating maps, ticket prices and availability in 11 U.S. cities, London and Toronto. To plan where you'll eat, you can access the Zagat Survey and Fodor's Restaurant Miniguide. All this information is in "Destination at a Glance." The Web site also lists "Last Minute Travel Bargains."
"AMERICA'S SCENIC DRIVES." The new and updated version is hot off the press and is available through next March for a 25 percent discount off the cover price of $16.95. The book describes 220 officially designated scenic drives in the United States. It includes maps for each route with the location of campgrounds, picnic areas, national and state parks, hiking trails, recreation areas and national forests. The book has been a best seller for Roundabout Publications. The price through March of 2001 is $15.95, which includes shipping. Order by calling 1-800-455-2207. Or visit the Web at www.TravelBooksUSA.com. In addition, you'll receive a copy of a 48-page booklet called "Guide to State Scenic Byways."
GARDENS IN WALES. The Welsh landscape has been celebrated by poets, artists and writers. The country's gardens are being celebrated in a booklet called "Premier Gardens of Wales." The brochure is free and available from the British Tourist Authority by calling 1-800-462-2748. Information about the gardens is also available on the Web at www.gardenofwales.org.uk. As part of the country's millennium celebration, it established its first national botanic garden at Carmarthenshire in South Wales. The free booklet also describes Bodnant Garden (recently rated No. 1 by readers of the Daily Telegraph) and the gardens of Portmeirion, Powis Castle, Aberglasney, Chirk Castle, Dyffryn Garden, Erddig, Museum of Welsh Life, Pennrhyn Castle and Plas Newydd.
SEAWORLD'S NEW ATTRACTION. "Pirates 4-D" is the newest attraction at SeaWorld San Diego. The movie introduces a fourth dimension by adding sprays of water, blasts of air and other surprises to the 17-minute, 3-D movie. The movie is about a hapless captain and his crew of pirates. It stars Leslie Nielsen and Eric Idle. The movie is scheduled to open this week. SeaWorld admission is $40 for adults, $36 seniors and $30 children 3-11. Parking is $7.
ROAD CONSTRUCTION ADVISORY. According to AAA Utah, motorists should be aware of the following major road construction projects:
Utah
North on I-15:
From Corinne to Elwood, overlay and structural repair takes place for 11 miles. Northbound and southbound traffic is restricted to one lane each direction.
South on I-15:
South of Fillmore, northbound and southbound traffic is reduced to one lane in each direction for 15 miles from Baker Canyon to Meadow.
U.S. 6:
The 8 miles from Helper to Price will have lane restrictions with one lane open in each direction.
Idaho
Motorists will find construction projects in Pocatello, Blackfoot, Idaho Falls and Dubois. There are lane reductions but probably won't be any delays.
Wyoming
Intermittent construction between Rock Springs and Rawlins cause no or little delays with some lane closures and a slightly reduced speed limit.
Jackson area: between mileposts 118-121 (east of Alpine) and 135-141 (LeGrand Junction) on U.S. 89 you may have to drive on gravel or other forms of temporary surfaces. Expect delays.
E-mail: kclayton@desnews.com