Alcatraz- USA
Airing Date: Aug 4th, 2007
Alcatraz is legendary and is probably the world's most famous prison. The subject of many movies and books, Alcatraz has become a symbol of
America's dark side. From fiction rather than fact, there's the many stories of the prison and of some of the men who lived in its cells - Al "Scarface" Capone and Robert Stroud, the "Birdman of Alcatraz", for example.
It was only operational as a prison for 29 years (between 1934 - 1963), but in that time it was home to
America's fiercest criminals. Nowadays, Alcatraz is home to rare flowers and plants, marine wildlife, and thousands of roosting and nesting sea birds.
The National Park Service opened Alcatraz to the public for the first time in October 1973. Visitors had never been allowed on the island before, and the response was overwhelming.
Over the last thirty years, public interest in the island has continued to grow. Each year, more than 1.3 million visitors travel to Alcatraz Island.
There are no formal guided tours of Alcatraz as such - visiting the island is primarily a self guided experience which you can do at your own pace.
But to really get a feel for what life on "The Rock", the award-winning Alcatraz Cellhouse Audio Tour is told by men who actually lived on the island prison and they tell their tales of the legendary penitentiary. Hear both sides of life in the island prison including such famous events as escape attempts, "The Battle of '46", food riots, and surviving solitary confinement.
Alcatraz is located about 1.5 kilometres into the
San Francisco Bay. Once on the island you can stay as long or as short as you wish - there is a ferry departing about every half hour and you can return to
San Francisco on any ferry.
FURTHER INFORMATION-
Alcatraz Cruises- From: $27 Adults; $17 Kids; $80 Family (2 adults 2 kids). Includes ferry, audio tour and daily ranger tours. For more information, visit:
www.alcatrazcruises.comPrices correct at 5.7.07 Prices include taxes, subject to fluctuation. Conditions apply.
Air New Zealand fly return to San Francisco- From: $1770 ex east coast; $2250 ex west coast. Valid for travel 1/11/07 to 9/12/07. For more information visit:
www.airnewzealand.com.au Prices correct at 5.7.07 Prices available online and include surcharges, fees & taxes, subject to fluctuation. Conditions apply.
