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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Globe Theatre ‘Reopens’ After 354 Years

If not for the automatic sprinkler system embedded in the thatched roof, it could be the early 1600s inside London’s new Globe Theatre, an authentic re-creation of the Shakespearean landmark that burned in 1613.

Tickets are now on sale for the Globe’s inaugural season, which starts June 14 with performances of “Henry V” and “The Winter’s Tale,” to be followed with performances in August of “A Chaste Maid in Cheapside” and “The Maid’s Tragedy.”

The theater seats 1,000, with standing room for an additional 500. Ticket prices start at the modern equivalent of the Elizabethan penny: 5 pounds, or about $7.60. Information: British Tourist Authority, (800-GO2-BRITAIN) (800-462-2748), or the Globe’s box office, 011-44-171-401-9919.

No smoking in transit: Good news for non-smoking Americans traveling in China: Less than two weeks after China’s most famous smoker, Deng Xiaoping, was cremated, the government banned all smoking on public transportation.

Beginning May 1, China’s 350 million smokers will be prevented from lighting up in railway carriages, aircraft, ships, buses, subways, taxis, ticket halls or waiting rooms. Offenders will be fined up to $6.

China’s smoking legions consume an estimated 1.6 trillion cigarettes a year - 30 percent of the world’s total. The cigarette ban will be most troublesome for smokers on long train journeys. The Ministry of Railways estimates that China’s 1.2 billion people take 1 billion rail journeys a year and 60 percent of travelers smoke.

Let guides be your guide: The United Kingdom’s lineup of festivals, celebrations and major sporting events - including the Queen’s official birthday parade (June 14), Wimbledon (June 23-July 6), the International Musical Eisteddfod in Llangollen (July 8-13), and the Edinburgh International Festival (Aug. 10-30) - is included in the publication “Britain: More Than You Think,” available free from the British Tourist Authority, phone (800-462-2748).

Other handy guides now available include:

“Hostelling North America 1997,” the official guide to 222 hostels across the United States and Canada, $2. Call (202-783-6161).

The 1997 “Old West Dude Ranch Vacations” describes 64 dude ranches located in eight states and British Columbia, free. Call (800-444-DUDE) (800-444-3833).

“Student Travels” magazine, with articles about European travel for students, is available free from the Council on International Educational Exchange at (888-COUNCIL) (888-268-6245).