The 2003 Sourcebook

The Federal Trade Commission calls them “trip traps,” tickets to Heartbreak Hotel.

Airports now screen checked bags, most electronically. Here’s what else you need to know to keep your trip hassle-free.

You’re traveling abroad, and you’ve left at home the trappings that fairly shriek “rich American”: the logo baseball caps and T-shirts, the expensive athletic shoes, the designer watch and flashy jewelry.

The State Department is warning Americans to avoid travel to these countries: Afghanistan; Algeria; Angola; Bosnia-Herzegovina; Burundi; Central African Republic; Colombia; Congo-Kinshasa; Indonesia; Iran; Iraq; Israel, the West Bank and Gaza; Ivory Coast; Jordan; Lebanon; Liberia; Libya; Macedonia; Nigeria; Pakistan; Somalia; Sudan; Tajikistan; Venezuela; and Yemen.

Here is a list of selected government tourist offices.

Alabama: Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel, 401 Adams Ave., Suite 126, Montgomery, AL 36104; (800) 252-2262, (334) 242-4169, fax (334) 242-4554, https://www.touralabama.org.

This list of visitor information offices, edited by The Times for space, was provided in part by the California Division of Tourism in Sacramento.

Find out about scenic and historic sites as well as special programs, fees and directions to California’s national parks, monuments and recreation areas: Alcatraz Island, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Ft.

Ace Rent a Car(800) 243-3443https://www.acerentacar.com Advantage(800) 777-5500 https://www.arac.com Alamo(800) 462-5266 https://www.goalamo.com Americar Rental System(800) 327-9096 https://www.americar.com Auto Europe(800) 223-5555 https://www.autoeurope.com Avis(800) 331-1212 https://www.avis.com Avis International(800) 331-1084 https://www.avis.com Budget(800) 527-0700 https://www.budget.com Dollar(800) 800-4000 https://www.dollar.com Dollar International(800) 800-6000 https://www.dollar.com Driven Image (877) 646-2433https://www.drivenimage.com Enterprise(800) 325-8007 https://www.enterprise.com Europcar(877) 940-6900https://www.EuropcarAmericas.com Europe by Car(800) 223-1516 https://www.europebycar.com European Car Reservations(800) 535-3303 https://[email protected] Fox Rent-A-Car (Arizona and California)(800) 225-4369https://foxrentacar.com Hertz(800) 654-3131 https://www.hertz.com Hertz International(800) 654-3001 https://www.hertz.com Holiday Rent-A-Car Reservation System(800) 729-5378 https://www.holidaycar.com Kemwel International(800) 678-0678 https://www.kemwel.com National(800) 328-4567 https://www.nationalcar.com National International(800) 227-3876 https://www.nationalcar.com Payless(800) 729-5377 https://www.paylesscarrental.com Renault Eurodrive(888) 532-1221https://www.renaultusa.com Rent a Wreck(800) 944-7501 https://www.rentawreck.com Sixt (Europe)(888) 749-8227 https://www.e-sixt.com Thrifty(800) 847-4389 https://www.thrifty.com

In Europe, better and faster trains are the order of the day.

After returning from a recent trip to Florida, Chris McIntyre likened driving his car to life in a fishbowl.

America’s baby boomers, seeking new ways to get away from it all, have helped RV sales skyrocket in the last year.

For every traveler who has a special need or interest, there are agencies, Web sites and other resources that can help.

You can’t take all the risk out of travel in these uncertain times, but you can reduce the financial risk by buying insurance.

Here is a listing of cruise lines and their vessels.

The following is a list of selected national and international airlines that fly out of major cities in the United States.

The Internet is generally the best way to find deals on air fares, but there are other ways to save on that ticket to London or Hawaii.

In San Francisco, the tracks have been laid and the final touches are being put on the BART rail extension that will connect the city’s airport with downtown later this year -- a system more than 30 years in the making.

Here are phone numbers and Internet sites for major lodging companies and associations.

From a financial standpoint, if nothing else, the benefits of home exchanging are clear.

The right shots are important, but don’t discount prudent behavior on the road.

When things go wrong on a trip and travelers seek an explanation or apology from a hotel, airline or other travel service, they often get neither.

Our list of Web travel resources grows every year -- and with good reason.

As you’re budgeting for your trip abroad, add more money to the line marked “passport.”

I’m pretty sure somebody did a study recently and discovered there are now more companies publishing guidebooks than there are people to read them.

In the Los Angeles area these stores specialize in travel literature and accessories: California Map & Travel Center, 3312 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica; (310) 396-6277, fax (310) 392-8785, https://www.mapper.com.