Here's a little quiz to gauge readers' knowledge of travel

8/31/2002

As we approach the beginning of the 20th year of this column - the first appeared in September, 1983 - it seems sort of appropriate to test your gray matter again with a simple little quiz ... of 20 questions, naturally.

1. Who was Thomas Cook?

a. 18th-century explorer who journeyed to Australia and Alaska

b. Popular chef appearing on the Food Channel

c. Developer of the first package tour for English factory workers

d. Inventor of the flush toilet

2. What city would you be in if your sightseeing itinerary included visits to the B&O Railroad Museum, the Babe Ruth Museum, Harborplace, and Johns Hopkins University?

3. In English the German city of Muenchen is called Munich. Give the English version of each of these European cities:

a. Praha

b. Bruxelles

c. Firenze

d. Moska

e. Athinas

4. What major event is commemorated in England on Nov. 5?

5. Name the country to which each of these Mediterranean Islands belongs:

a. Madeira

b. Malta

c. Corsica

d. Ibiza

e. Sardinia

6. How much is the European Euro worth today in U.S. dollars?

7. The Inside Passage runs some 300 miles through the waters of southeast Alaska. From south to north, put these ports in the correct order.

a. Juneau

b. Skagway

c. Sitka

d. Haines

e. Ketchikan

8. Unlimited rail travel in 17 European countries is included in a standard Eurailpass. Great Britain is one of those countries. True or False?

9. These authors write books usually set in one particular locale. Name those places for each of the following writers

a. Peter Mayle

b. Reginald Hill

c. Sue Henry

d. Leonard Elmore

e. John D. McDonald

10. The year 2002 is the 150th anniversary of the birth of Antoni Gaudi. Who was he and what city is home to his most famous works?

11. In other English-speaking countries, foods we know well sometimes are known by different names. Translate the following common items into American English.

a. capsicum

b. courgette

c. salt beef

d. aubergine

12. Some of the most interesting museums in the United States are neither large nor well known. Do you know where these are located?

a. Lucy-Desi Museum

b. Tsirku Cannery Museum

c. Pearl Buck House

d. Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum

13. Approximately how many Americans visit Great Britain each year?

14. A National Scenic Byway must have archaeological, cultural, historical, natural, recreational, or scenic significance to qualify. Which department of the U.S. government is responsible for designating these highways?

15. What is the maximum size bag that qualifies as a carry on?

a. 26 inches

b. 22 inches

c. 24 inches

d. 18 inches

16. Which island group is closest to the North Pole?

a. Les Cheneaux

b. Scilly

c. Shetland

d. Lofoten

17. In England, what do Hampton Court, Kew Gardens, Windsor Castle, and the Houses of Parliament have in common?

18. According to Consumer Reports in July 2002, travelers still get the best rate of exchange overseas by using a charge card in spite of recently added fees. True or False?

19. What are each of these London streets best known for?

a. Harley Street

b. Baker Street

c. Watling Street&tab;

d. Carnaby Street

e. Fleet Street

20. If you were traveling in Spain and came upon a parador, what might you do to it?

a. Marry it

b. Fight it

c. Stay in it

d. Drink it

Next week: The answers.