Mon, Dec 01, 2008

Travel

travel briefs

Tucson, Arizona | Published: 08.17.2008
Connecticut starts ice cream trail
MYSTIC, Conn. — You've heard of winery trails and biking trails and birding trails. But how about an ice cream trail?
Eastern Connecticut has created an official ice cream trail to guide visitors to the best spots for locally produced and often homemade ice cream.
A brochure, "Follow the Ice Cream Trail: Sundae Drives," lists 35 places to get your scoops, cones, shakes, rainbow sprinkles and hot fudge sauce. It is available online at www. mysticcountry.com from the Eastern Regional Tourism District of Connecticut.
The list of ice cream shops and stands also offers tips on attractions and activities nearby. For example, stop in for a treat at Canterbury Cones, on Route 169, in Canterbury, and then head to nearby Burgess Brook Alpaca Farm.
VisitBritain offers home-exchange tips
NEW YORK — VisitBritain, the country's offical tourism guide, has some tips for Americans interested in swapping homes as a way to save money on vacation.
The tourism promotion agency recommends Intervac — www.intervac.com — as a home-exchange program that offers a "diverse selection of apartments, country houses and cottages in England, Scotland and Wales."
Green Theme International Home Exchange Holiday Service — www.gti-home-exchange .com — specializes in "eco-friendly homes" that may have solar panels, fluorescent or LED lights and sometimes even bicycles or hybrid cars.
HomeExchange — www. homeexchange.com — offers house swaps as well as hospitality exchanges, where you may stay with your host family.
Self-catering apartments such as Club Suites — www. sloaneclub.co.uk — and Soho Square — www.london apartmentservice.co.uk — can also help you cut down on dining-out expenses. Self-catering apartments have full-service kitchens with cooking utensils so you can buy food at a local grocery store and cook your own meals.
In addition, VisitBritain recommends checking out www.beabritdifferent.com to connect with locals for tips on places to go and ways to save money.
Louisville celebrates cultural diversity
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville is hosting its sixth annual WorldFest on Friday and Saturday of Labor Day weekend. The free festival, Aug. 29-30, will take place on the city's Belvedere at Fifth and Main streets.
Nonstop music at "A World of Performances" will showcase everything from gypsy jazz to reggae, with dance and music from salsa, merengue, Celtic, African, flamenco, Indian and Chinese traditions.
About 100,000 people are expected to attend. The event will feature 20 vendors offering cuisine from around the globe and chef Nancy Russman's "Cooking Up Cultures" demonstrations. In addition to the Budweiser International Bier Garden, there will also be wine, spirits and coffee samplings.
World of Children offers family entertainment, and a Parade of Cultures takes place Saturday at noon. On Friday, more than 700 people will take their oath of U.S. citizenship at a naturalization ceremony at the Kentucky International Convention Center.
For a full schedule, visit www.louisvilleky.gov/ international. Discounted attractions tickets and hotel accommodations can be purchased at www.gotolouisville.com or 1-888-568-4784.
— The Associated Press