Richard P. Carpenter's Travel & Trivia

2011-07-12T13:10:00.005-04:00

Double trouble for travelers: baggage thieves and cellphone crooks

It's a good thing travel is so enjoyable because, frankly, there are things to worry about when you take a trip. Things such as whether your baggage will be waiting for you at the end of a flight and whether someone might be tapping into your cellphone.
Let's talk about luggage first. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, mishandled baggage complaints, including theft, rank second only to flight problems as the most common consumer complaint. Although actual baggage theft from luggage carousels and other pilferage may account for a small percent of mishandled bags in the U.S., it is still prevalent in some parts of the world. In fact, the U.S. State Department, in its Country Specific pages, provides destination information on international airports where pilferage may be a problem.

The US Travel Insurance Association, through its TRIP web site, offers the following tips to lessen the chance that your bags will vanish:
* Use hard-sided luggage.
* Pack valuables in your carry-on
*Avoid luggage that looks expensive.
* Pack only items that are easily replaced or those you can live without.
* Use a TSA-approved lock or plastic cable ties to secure your bags.
* Make your bags conspicuous by choosing eye-catching colors or distinctively colored straps.
For more details and additional tips, visit www.trip.ustia.org.

Now about those cellphones. AVG Technologies, an online security specialist, warns that cyber crooks are increasingly targeting mobile users with fake apps that steal data or trick users into accepting fraudulent charges. Here's how travelers can help protect themselves:
*Any mobile device should be equipped with security software. Not surprisingly, AVG Technologies recommends AVG Mobilation.
* Be careful when downloading apps for your phone. Pay special attention to their names. If you want Free Wi-Fi Finder, then make sure it's Free Wi-Fi Finder and not Free Wi-Fi Finding.
* Do not "jailbreak" your device to get around limitations set by your carrier or manufacturer. Doing so will remove protections built into the device.
* Check your phone bills. Many carriers now allow you to check your usage and charges online. Report any suspicious activity quickly.
* Exercise the same caution as you would on your computer. Most people have no idea their cellphones can be attacked. And that is one reason why cyber crooks are going after them.

Trivial question
What is the highest mountain in Canada? (Answer somewhere below.)

Hey, Tweeters, you could win a Hawaiian stay

To mark its 30th anniversary, the oceanfront Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa,on the Kohala Coast of Hawaii Island,has launched a photo caption contest via Twitter. The monthlong contest (#WaikoloaMarriott30) will give entrants the opportunity to win a five-night stay in a Royal Suite at Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, overlooking ancient Hawaiian fishponds and the white-sand ‘Anaeho‘omalu Bay. @MarriottHawaii will post one photo of Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa each weekday for 30 days. People can enter by replying on Twitter with a caption that best describes the photo. Entries must include the hashtag #WaikoloaMarriott30. Of the 30 daily qualifiers, Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa will randomly select one contest winner the week of Aug.22 For all the rules, visit www.marriotthawaii.com/waikoloamarriott30.

Fascinating fact

West Virginia is the only state in the Union without a natural lake.

Coming up at Disney World: Royal Guest Rooms

Opening early next spring, the Royal Guest Rooms at Walt Disney World's Port Orleans Resort-Riverside allow princes and princesses of all ages to stay where Disney royalty have stayed. Guests find regal touches left behind by some of their favorite Disney characters -- fiber-optic special effects above ornately decorated beds, gold and crystal accents, custom linens and drapes, and in-room art and details including Princely banners and well-known Princess friends. The 512 Royal Guest Rooms will start at $189 per night.

Search Amazon.com for Walt Disney World

Worth quoting

"To put it rather bluntly, I am not the type who wants to go back to the land; I am the type who wants to go back to the hotel." -- Fran Lebowitz

Trivial answer

Canada's highest mountain is mount Logan in the Yukon. At 19,551 feet, Logan is the second-highest mountain in North America, after Mount McKinley, which is 20,320 feet.

2011-06-28T12:05:00.001-04:00

Want to save gas? Keep down your speed ... and weight, too

This is the year that the price of gas flirted with $4 a gallon nationwide. As many prepare for summer driving vacations, they might heed these tips from the June issue of AARP Bulletin:

*Lose weight. You can save 1 to 2 percent of your fuel by getting rid of an extra 100 pounds. (You needn't go on a starvation diet. Just empty unneeded stuff out of the vehicle.)

* Keep your speed down. Every 10 miles an hour above 40 or 50 causes you to lose about 4 miles a gallon.

* Do all your errands in one trip. It takes a lot of gas to start a cold engine and get it running at peak efficiency.

*Avoid idling. Drivers who cut idling to no more than one minute can typically make their gas last 19 percent longer.

*Carpool. An environmental organization in your area might be willing to pay you to not drive alone. (Not that you plan to take strangers or casual acquaintances on vacation with you.)

*Accessorize carefully. Individually devices don’t use up all that much gas, but they all add up.

* Go easy on the air conditioning. In general the AC compressor is a huge drag on gasoline efficiency, so if you’re driving around at less than top speeds, lower the windows. (Some might argue, however, that open windows cause their own drag.)

* Check those gas-saving websites. Before you leave the house, check out websites such as GasBuddy.com and FuelMeUp.com that tell you what stations in your area have the cheapest gas.

For complete details on these tips, click here.

And speaking of saving on gas
Through Aug. 31, guests who stay two or more consecutive nights at a Choice brand hotel in a participating area will receive a $25 gas card that can be redeemed at Shell stations. The markets are: Cleveland; Daytona Beach, Fla.; Harrisburg, Pa.; Milwaukee; Mobile, Ala.; and the state of New Hampshire. All Choice Hotels properties within a 50-mile radius of each participating city are also included. Reservations must be made, by July 13 through ChoiceHotels.com. Participating hotels include Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria Suites, Ascend Collection, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn.

Trivial question
Name two countries that border the Khyber Pass. (Answer somewhere below.)

Beijing, Shanghai, air, hotels and tours for $899
China Spree has put together an eight day Winter Special—A Tale of China’s Two Great Cities—that costs $899 plus tax in November, January and February. The Beijing/Shanghai package includes round-trip non-stop air from San Francisco ($330 more from New York), fuel surcharge, first-class hotel accommodations, daily American breakfast, four lunches, one dinner, guided private tours and entrance fees. Prices quoted are the cash discount rate per person, double occupancy, are subject to availability and do not include departure taxes. Visit www.chinaspree.com and click China Tours, then Winter Specials, or call 866-652-5656.

Fascinating fact
Thomas Cook, the original travel agency guy, led the first around-the-world tour in 1872-73. The trip took 222 days and covered more than 25,000 miles.

Big celebrities (sort of) to entertain in Waikiki

You can't, and shouldn't, spend all your time on the beach when you're in Hawaii. Accordingly, there's a lot of great entertainment on those magical isles, too. For instance, beginning Dec. 8, the noted tribute artist production Legends in Concert will debut an all-new show at the Royal Hawaiian Center in the heart of Waikīkī,. Six nights a week, year-round, artist will pay tribute to and portray the likes of Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Rod Stewart, Madonna and Prince, enhanced by a live band and dancers. In all, Legends in Concert features more than 80 superstar personas that are rotated through its many venues. Ticket information will be announced.

Worth quoting

"Once you have traveled, the voyage never ends, but is played out over and over again in the quiestest chambers. The mind can never break off from the journey." — Pat Conroy

Vrooom! Italy package includes racing events

ItalyVacations.com is celebrating the Superstars International Series and the World Superbike Championship with three- and five-night packages for three race weekends in Italy: Maserati-Ferrari Superstars Mugello Race Weekend (Sept. 23-26), Ducati Superbike Imola Race Weekend (Sept. 23-26) and Ferrari Superstars Vallelunga Race Weekend (Oct. 7-10). Prices start at $2,299 per person, double and include luxury hotel accommodations, a Superstars Pack VIP Pass, private transfers, and other amenities. Click here.

Trivial answer

Two countries bordering the Khyber Pass are Pakistan and Afghanistan, both of which are much in the news these days.

2011-06-21T13:34:00.007-04:00

Old Faithful? No, that's the Beehive Geyser, also at Yellowstone National Park.

Fascinating facts about America's wonderful West
Because America's West is fascinating, Austin-Lehman Adventures has come up with fascinating factoids about the area. To wit:
* There are fewer than 1,000 geysers in the world. yet more than 500 of them are within Yellowstone National Park, giving it the highest concentration of geysers on the planet. (Another factoid: Although the park is primarily in Wyoming, it extends into Montana and Idaho.)
* More than 2,400 miles of streams flow through Yellowstone, providing some of the best fly-fishing in the world.
* In the Black Hills of South Dakota, the work-in-progress Crazy Horse mountain carving will be the world’s largest sculpture -- 563 feet high and 641 feet long.
* Mount Rushmore’s Thomas Jefferson sculpture was originally started on George Washington's right, but after 18 months Jefferson was dynamited off and carved on the other side.
* At the intersection of three separate ecosystems, Zion National Park has a more than 900 species of plants not found anywhere else in Utah.
*In most rural areas of the United States, 2500 stars can be seen on a clear night. But at Bryce Canyon in Southwestern Utah, 7,500 stars can be seen twinkling.

For more curious fun facts, click here. For information about Austin-Lehman trips to the above destinations and to places world wide, visit www.austinlehman.com.

Search Amazon.com for National Parks

Trivial question

Where in the world can you find a pangolin? (Readers of Adam Mansbach's best-seller, "Go the F**k to Sleep" have a ready reference.)

Baby on the way? Take a break while you still have time

The Trump Collection's Babymoon Package caters to couples on their second trimester who want to savor what will soon be all too rare: lazy mornings, quiet time for two, and plenty of pampering. The package is available at at Trump International Hotel & Tower New York and Chicago, Trump International Hotel Las Vegas and Waikiki Beach Walk®and Trump SoHo New York. Included in the two-night offer, which starts at $889, are a prenatal massage for her and Trump Classic Massage for her partner; one in-room breakfast for two; a twice-daily selection from a menu of healthy mocktails, smoothies and teas; and prenatal pillows. Visit visit www.trumphotelcollection.com.

Worth quoting

"Travel is glamorous only in retrospect.." -- Paul Theroux

The circus is coming -- to Vermont's Okemo

In the winter, we associate Okemo Mountain Resort in Ludlow, Vt., with fine skiing. But in the summer, it's a variety of attractions. For instance, on Fourth of July weekend, a circus will feature aerial acts with trapeze and fabric elements, partner acrobatics, and comedy. The three performers, each with credentials including Ringling Bros. & Barnum & Bailey, Circus Smirkus, and Cirque du Soleil. You can save by pre-purchasing tickets online at Okemo.com. Cost is $12 for 13 and older and $9 for 12 and younger. Children 2 and younger will be admitted free. Tickets purchased at the door will be priced at $15 and $12 respectively. Okemo’s celebration of the Fourth of July weekend will also include concerts and fireworks

The resort's Fourth, Festival and Fireworks package includes a three-night stay at The Jackson Gore Inn or a mountainside condo and a three-ride coupon (for each person) for the new Timber Ripper Mountain Coaster, plus access to the Spring House Pool and Fitness Center. Rates start at $68.24 per person, per day, or $545.95 total for a family of four. Okemo’s Vermont Symphony Package includes a two-night stay, two tickets to the popular July 3 Vermont Symphony Orchestra performance at Grafton Ponds Outdoor Center, a Vermont gift basket and access to Jackson Gore’s Spring House Pool and Fitness Center, plus additional amenities. Rates start at $479 for 2 adults.Call 802-228-1600 or visit www.okemo.com.

Tour guide joke

When tourists who are about to explore a cave ask worriedly, "Are there any bats in the cave?", some guides can't resist answering, "No. There were but the snakes ate them all."

Polar bears are a bargain in Churchill, Manitoba

The most famous polar bears in the world live on the Manitoba coast of Hudson Bay, and come into the little town of Churchill every fall on their annual trek onto the sea ice. A new three-day, two-night short tour is available for $1,695, including round trip air between Winnipeg and Churchill, accommodations in Churchill, breakfast and a full-day Tundra vehicle excursion to view the bears. There are seven departures for the Bear Country Adventure between Oct. 11 and Nov. 14.Call The Great Canadian Travel Company at 800-661-3830 of visit www.greatcanadiantravel.com. To go directly to the Bear Country Adventure page, click here.

Trivial answer
You can find a pangolin, or scaly anteater, in tropical regions of Asia and Africa. But do you really want to?

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2011-05-24T10:46:00.002-04:00

Tokyo for under $800 -- including air, hotel and donation

Travel to Japan has plummeted since the March earthquake, so key players in the tourism industry have come up with an offer designed to reverse that trend and to thank Americans for their generous support. A four- night stay in Tokyo plus a round trip flight from major U.S. gateways is being offered for $780, with all taxes and surcharges included. In addition, $50 per booking will be donated to the Consulate-General of Japan in New York for charities. Travel will be in June and must be booked by May 31 at 5 p.m. EST.

Flights are from New York every Wednesday and Thrusday in June; from Newark June 2; from Los Angeles: every Wednesday and Thursday in June and June 7 and 14; from Chicago every Wednesday and Thursday in June; from San Francisco every Wednesday and Thursday in June; and from Honolulu every Wednesday and Thursday in June. To book, To book, call IACE Travel, 877-489-4223 or 212-972-3200; Nippon Travel Agency America Inc., 800-682-7872; JTB USA, 800-222-5824, 800-305-5824 or 877-798-9808; ANA Sales Americas at 800-826-0995; Amnet, 212-247-1900; or Kintetsu International, 800-422-3481. Participating airlines are Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Continental Airlines and United Airlines. Participating hotels are Akasaka Excel Hotel Tokyu, Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu, Haneda Excel Hotel Tokyu, The Prince Park Tower Tokyo, and Tokyo Prince Hotel.

Time is short for this offer but it is quite the bargain. If you've never been to Tokyo, which was basically unharmed by the massive quake, you are in for a treat.

Search Amazon.com for Tokyo

Trivial question

Which maritime country has the shortest coastline? (Answer somewhere below.)

Adventure travel company handing out $500 credits

The adventure tour company Boundless Journeys s giving away unlimited $500 travel credits for trips during the remainder of 2011. The $500 credits can be applied to any small-group scheduled trip (one credit per person, per trip) or to a Private Collection journey (one credit per group). The offer applies to new reservations received by June 15. Visit www.boundlessjourneys.com.

Fascinating fact

Portugal is the largest producer of cork in the world.

Family summer getaways in Boston

Boston is wonderful to visit in summer and the Fairmont Copley Plaza has put together some enticing-sounding family packages. The American Girl Package features a welcome note with a map to the American Girl store in nearby Natick to spend the day shopping for new outfits and accessories. Be welcomed back to your room with a special turn down service for the girls as well as the doll(s), including cookies and milk. The doll(s) even get their own bed(s) during this slumber party. Rates start at $379. The Museum of Science Family Package includes accommodations for four and four tickets to the museum (two adults, two children). Available through Dec.31, the price starts at $239. The New England Aquarium Family Package includes accommodations for four and four tickets to the aquarium (two adults, two children). Rates start at $259. The Just Ducky Package includes overnight accommodations and four tickets for Boston Duck Tours on a land-and-sea vehicle. Rates start at $319. (A package for four people over age 11 would be $329). And because summer isn't the only good time to visit Boston, the packages are available to Dec. 31, except the ducky package, which ends Nov. 28. Visit www.fairmont.com/copleyplaza or call 800-441-1414.

Worth quoting

"Don’t worry about the world coming to an end today. It’s already tomorrow in Australia." – Peanuts

Big spenders get an iPad 2 with this resort offer

In Florida's South Beach, the Sagamore Hotel’s CEO Package puts you in a Penthouse with 1,800 square

feet of interior space, including three bedrooms and an 1,800-square-foot private outside terrace with private elevator entrance. This Chief Entertainment Officer Package is available for travel through Sept. 30, with rates starting at $1,300 per night, which is actually a savings of 15 percent. Mention the “Sagamore CEO Package” at the time of booking and receive a new iPad2; a complimentary limousine pickup at the airport; a bottle of Moët & Chandon champagne upon arrival; a complimentary daily breakfast buffet for up to six people; and free daily beach chairs for up to six people. Gee, those CEOs get the best of everything. Reservations must be booked by June 15 and require a two-night minimum stay. Email reservations@sagamorehotel.com.

Trivial answer
Monaco is the maritime country with the smallest coastline -- just 4 kilometers.

2011-05-13T13:55:00.006-04:00

Safety first: Tips for camping teenagers and their parents

When children go to camp -- be it a traditional overnight camp, a school field trip or a adventure halfway around the world -- parents understandably worry about their children's safety. And that worry doesn’t cease when the youngsters reach their teen years. Here, from a Chicago-based service adventure travel company called The Road Less Traveled, are safety tips for both parents and teenagers.

For Parents
Choose a credible company. Select a program that has a great track record and an established reputation. Don’t be afraid to ask for references or testimonials from previous participants. Another possibility is to choose a program that is accredited by the American Camp Association.

Check the State Department’s website. At www.travel.state.gov, you can find up-to-date information on country-specific travel warnings.

Check your family’s overseas medical insurance coverage. Make sure your policy applies to overseas and will cover emergency transportation expenses. If it doesn’t, you might consider supplementary coverage for your child.

Check the certification. See what minimum first aid certification level the leaders are required to have. If your child will ever be more than two hours from a hospital, the best training is Wilderness First Responder (WFR). The Road Less Traveled maintains that standard first aid, and wilderness first aid, are not sufficient certifications in remote settings.

Talk to the directors of the program. If they are inaccessible when you are making a decision, they may well be inaccessible during the summer. Ask what their mission and values are. Make sure they align with your own values.

For Teens

Leave a detailed itinerary and duplicate documents. Make copies of your itinerary, passport and credit cards and leave them with your parents. Make sure the itinerary includes addresses, phone numbers and any other relevant information.

Register. For those traveling in another country, register your trip on Smart Travelers Enrollment Program (STEP). The program is a free service from the U.S. government to U.S. citizens who are traveling to, or living in, a foreign country. STEP allows you to enter information about your upcoming trip abroad so that the Department of State can better assist in an emergency.

Locate the American Embassy. Take the embassy phone number and address with you and keep it in a safe place. Should an emergency arise, you may well need to contact them for help.

Stick together. Avoid walking around alone, especially at night. Stay away from isolated areas and always take a friend or staff member with you if you need to venture away from the group.

Know the laws of your destination. While in a foreign country you are subject to its laws. Be aware of local conditions and respect the local culture.

For information about The Road Less Traveled, visit www.theroadlesstraveled.com or call 800-939-9839.

Trivial question
Which country is nearest to Scotland’s Shetland Islands? And no fair peeking at a map. (Answer somewhere below.)

The holidays are half off at this St. Thomas resort
The Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort & Spa., an all-inclusive resort in St. Thomas, has launched an early booking sale for travel this upcoming holiday season. The Holiday Sale provides a 50% discount on all-inclusive reservations of four nights or more Dec. 23-Jan. 1. Rates start at $$439 a night, including meals and beverages, entertainment, half-day access to the supervised Kid’s Club, and a comprehensive activities program. Book through July 17 by calling 888-582-9104 or visiting www.sugarbaywyndham.com.

Afternoon tea in London for 11 cents
To honor its 1865 opening, The Langham, London will bring back the original price of afternoon tea on June 10. For just 7 pence (or U.S. 11 cents), guests will experience the Wonderland Tea, normally priced at £38 (U.S. $62). This signature tea features dainty sandwiches, scones with Devonshire cream, pastries and cakes and a variety of teas. Guests must submit their table reservation request at www.palm-court.co.uk/1865 by midnight May 31. Names will then be chosen at random and recipients will receive reservation notifications by email on June 3. I stayed at the Langham a few years back and loved it.

Book those Disney dining reservations early
As soon as you know the dates for a trip to Walt Disney World, you might consider making dining reservations because some dinners, especially those that feature the Disney characters, book up fast. I’m speaking from experience: After booking a trip to Disney World for late September yesterday, I tried to make reservations for Donald Duck’s Safari Breakfast at the Animal Kingdom theme bark. Tables for every day of my stay were already filled. No breakfast with Donald? I don’t know if I can survive this!

Worth quoting
“Throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” — Mark Twain

A special Father’s Day weekend for the golfing dad
The Pinehurst Resort in Pinehurst, N.C., will hold its third annual Father’s Day Weekend June 17-19 with a celebration of golf and golf stories, and a round on the recently restored Pinehurst No. 2 where guests can attempt to re-create the Father’s Day putt that won Payne Stewart the 1999 U.S. Open. The package, which starts at $795 per person, includes three nights’ accommodations; a Saturday round of golf on Pinehurst No. 2 with a caddy followed by an early Sunday round on Pinehurst No. 4; access to the U.S. Open VIP room all weekend; breakfast each morning; and two dinners with speakers. Visit www.pinehurst.com or call 800-487-4653.

Trivial answer
Norway is the country closest to Scotland’s Shetland Islands.

2011-05-06T10:10:00.000-04:00

Let's get a wee bit naughty with these photos from Bonaire, taken at the entrance to the national's park's rest rooms for men and women. We bet you can tell which is which! (Photos by Richard P. Carpenter.)

From Harry to Hairy in Independence, Mo.
One of the many joys of travel is encountering an unexpected and unusual attraction. Take Independence, Mo., where many go to see the home of President Harry S Truman but leave talking about such eccentric attractions as these:

Leila’s Hair Museum, 1333 S. Noland Road, is perhaps the only such museum of its kind. Boasting over 2,500 hair wreaths, brooches, watch fobs, bracelets, earrings buttons, jewelry and artwork made partially or entirely out of human hair, the collection pays homage to the Victorian craft of hair work. Wreaths were created by women to illustrate family genealogy and were made from hair both of the living and the dead. Recent acquisitions include framed hair from celebrities such as Elvis, Abraham Lincoln, Marilyn Monroe, and JFK. The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, $2.50 for seniors and children under 12. For more information, go to www.hairworks.com/leila or call 816-833-2955.

And then there is the Puppetry Arts Institute, 11025 E. Winner Road, a store frontfilled with hundreds of puppets and marionettes from all over the world. Rod puppets, hand puppets, shadow puppets and marionettes are displayed, as well as a special Punch and Judy display and puppets from the factory of Hazelle Rollins, world famous puppeteer, inventor and manufacturer of puppets. Her nearby Kansas City factory was the largest puppet factory in the world. When she died and the factory closed, its inventory was left to the institute. Visitors can choose a professionally made puppet head, paint and clothe it and put on an impromptu show on one of the institute’s stages. The institute is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and costs $3 for adults, $1.50 for ages 16 and under. There is an extra $5 charge to make a puppet. Visit www.hazelle.org or call 816-833-9777.

While in Independence you can also travel back to the Civil War era at the 1859 Jail, Marshal’s Home and Museum, 217 N. Main, as you step into the gloomy limestone cells with two-foot-thick walls and heavy metal gated doors. Imagine the stories of residents like outlaw Frank James or Quantrill’s Raiders guerillas. Listen and watch for evidence of ghostly inhabitants who are rumored to haunt the premises. The jail is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. (closed during November, open from Thanksgiving weekend through Dec. 30 and then closed for the winter till April 1.) Visit

www.jchs.org/jail/museum.html or call 816-252-1892.

For more information, lodging information, maps, discount tickets and a list of events, go to www.visitindependence.com.

Trivial question

What is the most populous country in Central America? (Answer somewhere below.)

Travel products to go

Downy Wrinkle Release and Dryel Instant Stain Remover are two products that come in sizes small enough (under 3 ounces) that they are acceptable as carry-on items for flights. Two non-liquid but handy products are the Bounce travel size Lint & Freshness Roller and the Tide Travel Laundry Bag, which eliminates odors and fits inside a suitcase.

Worth quoting

“Never stand when you can sit; never sit when you can lie down, and by God, if you find a clean toilet, use it!” -- Anonymous

A Native American view of historic Plymouth

Visitors to Plymouth, Mass., hear about the Mayflower and the Pilgrims. Native Plymouth Tours, however, gives those visitors a chance to learn more about the earlier settlers via walking tours of the city's historic downtown -- tours that tell about the shared history of the Wampanoag and the Pilgrims from a Native American perspective. The 1 1/2-hour tours are given April through November and cost $15 for adults, $10 for children and $12 for seniors 60 and older. Visit www.nativeplymouthtours.com.

Fascinating fact

The Kiliaen restaurant in Hasselt, Holland, is so small it seats but two guests. Check out a video here.

Visit Pittsburgh -- and leave a tree behind

Hey, there, all you proponents of a cleaner, greener environment: Fairmont Pittsburgh’s Take a Trip, Leave a Tree package includes tickets to Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, a guided bike tour of the Three Rivers Heritage Trails, a picnic lunch and a tree donated to the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy. The package is available Thursday-Sunday through Dec. 31, with rates starting at $370 per night. Call 888-270-6647 or visit www.fairmont.com/pittsburgh.

Trivial answer

Guatemala, with 13,276,517 residents, give or take a few, is the most populous country in Central America.

2011-04-15T11:02:00.004-04:00

Yosemite Valley National Park in California.

Free admission for a week at our marvelous national parks

Some of my happiest travel have come from visits to America's national parks, and I'm certainly not alone. But during National Park Week April 16-24, things get even better because admission is free at all 394 parks and special events are planned at many. Those events may not be earth-shaking but will give you a feel for the what the National Park Service has to offer. Here is a sampling:

* Steamtown National Historic Site, Pennsylvania. Short train excursions will begin on Sunday. These tours are offered on a first-come basis. For more information, call 570-340-5204.

Muir Woods National Monument, California. Celebrate naturalist John Muir's birthday April 21 with a quiet walk through what he called "the best tree-lover's monument in all the forests of the world." Phone the Muir Woods Hotline at 415-388-2595 for program information.

* Stones River National Battlefield, Tennessee. Parks and volunteers nationwide are dedicating tomorrow to preserving America's Civil War sites. At Stones River National Battlefield and the Civil War Preservation Trust, employees and volunteers will fan out to remove exotic plants, trash, and modern fencing.

* Congaree National Park, South Carolina. National Park Week, National Junior Ranger Day, and Earth Day will all be celebrated tomorrow with guided walks, junior ranger programs and canoe tours. All events are free. For more information call 803-776-4396.

All right, let's get to the free part. For starters, many sites are free year round. But for 100 of the biggest parks, where admissions vary, the savings can be substantial. The waiver includes entrance fees, commercial tour fees, and transportation entrance fees. But they don't apply to other fees such as reservations, camping, tours, concession and fees collected by third parties unless stated otherwise. In addition, many national park concessioners are joining the National Park Service with their own special offers. To see them, click here.

And if you can't visit April 16-24, take heart: Other free days this year are June 21, Sept. 24 and Nov. 11-13.

Search Amazon.com for National Parks

Trivial question

Only one country that begins with an "A" doesn't also end with an "a." Name the country.

Discover France shrinks size of groups needed for discounts

Discover France Adventures, specialists in France for cycling and hiking tours, announces that groups of four or more can now get group discounts on self guided cycling tours that previously were only available to groups of 10 or more. The amount of savings increases with the group size. For example, on the Self Guided Provence Vineyards & Lavender Tour, the posted per person rate is 1,335 euros. If four persons book and travel together, a discount of 55 euros per person is possible, adding up to a group savings of 220 euros, or about $320. This offer is valid for bookings through Oct. 31 for the 2011 season only.

Worth quoting

"I had a prejudice against the British until I discovered that fifty percent of them were female.” -- Raymond Floyd

Book a package and save nearly $600

As we've said before, you often can save substantially when booking a package or tour. Here's an example:

TourCrafters, which specializes in Italy travel,has a four-night Rome City Break that costs $1,252 until May 15 and again from Sept. 1-Oct. 31. That price includes a round-trip flight from New York, the fuel surcharge, airport transfer, hotel accommodations, daily buffet breakfast, a half-day sightseeing tour, service charges, taxes and even an ice cream cone in a historic gelateria. (Air fare from other departure cities is additional.) If you were to book these elements yourself, TourCrafters notes that you would pay $815 for air fare, $420 for fuel surcharge, $99 for airport transfer, $316 for hotel, $72 for breakfast, $49 for sightseeing, $62 for service charges and taxes, and $3 for the ice cream cone — a total of $1,836 and a difference of $584.

Fascinating fact

The Dominican Republic flag is the only one with a Bible on it. (You have to look carefully to see it, though.)

A chance to win 6.5 million hotel rewards points
Best Western’s “Jumpstart to Summer” promotion kicks off April 17 with a chance for one lucky traveler to win 6.5 million rewards points. That could mean more than two years of free hotel rooms!
Best Western Rewards members (free to join) who register for the Jumpstart promotion at www.bestwestern.com/jump and stay with Best Western three times between April 17 and June 5 will earn a $50 Best Western Travel Card, which can be used like cash at any of the chain’s 4,000+ properties worldwide. Those who register are also entered in a daily drawing for a $65 Best Western Travel Card.
Then, those who complete three separate stays at two different "descriptor" hotels (a Best Western, Best Western Plus and/or Best Western Premier) will be automatically entered into a drawing for the 6.5 million rewards points. Five second prizes of $650 travel cards will also be awarded.

Trivial answer

Afghanistan, of course.

2011-04-14T09:53:00.003-04:00

You want to check-in WHAT ??????????????????????

You never know what people will try to check in before their flight. Take these strange items that members of the Virgin Atlantic Airways check-in staff have encountered:

* A bathtub. A woman passenger who had her family carry the tub through the airport at JFK expected the item to be checked in. It wasn't even wrapped or packaged.

* A pet tarantula hidden in a woman's coat at JFK airport. * A dead cow wrapped in plastic at JFK..

* A bag of cutlery previously stolen from a Virgin Atlantic flight at Delhi airport.

* A bag full of sand, sea and water. You see, a couple fell in love on the island of Grenada and wanted to check in a memory.

* A bag of soil and coconut trees at Grenada airport.

And how does the check-in staff react to such swell stuff? A Virgin Atlantic executive put it this way: "It certainly brightens up their day."

Trivial question

On what sea is Poland located? (Answer somewhere below.)

Funjet Vacations is having a Disney sale

Funjet Vacations says that when travelers booka vacation package to a Walt Disney World resort at a Deluxe or Deluxe Villa Resort hotel, they’ll save up to 30 percent for stays through Aug. 13. In addition, Funjet will include the following when a package is booked by April 30 or a $50 discount at Moderate Resorts; an additional $75 discount on Deluxe and Deluxe Villa Resorts. Savings will automatically be included when booking a qualifying reservation. Click here or call 800-FUNJET-1.

Worth quoting

"I guarantee the flying public we will not sleep until we can guarantee that there's good safety in the control towers when these planes are coming in and out of airports." -- U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to ABC World News about several recent cases of about the several cases of air traffic controllers falling asleep on the job.

A 2-for-1 Bahamas flight deal

For a limited time, The Bahamas is offering 2-for-1airfare or an instant air credit up to $300 for bookings of four or more nights. Book by May 9, and travel April 24 through Dec. 22, at one of 40 participating resorts and hotels throughout Nassau/Paradise Island, Grand Bahama Island, The Abaco Islands, Cat Island, Harbour Island and The Exuma Islands, among others. For a full list of participating hotels and to book the offer, visit www.bahamas.com or call 800-BAHAMAS. No blackout dates apply. Visit www.Facebook.com/VisitTheBahamas to find out who’s been there, interact with fans of the islands, and get information, photos and a free Island Guide.

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Fascinating fact

Finland appears to be the country with the most islands -- 179,584. But to be fair, the number of Canada's islands has never been counted. There are an estimated 30,000 islands along the eastern shore of Georgian Bay alone.

Half off a second room with Florida baby boomer package

Jupiter Beach Resort & Spa in Jupiter, Fla. (of all places) has a Beach Boomers package starting at $169 per night.It includes 20 percent off the resort's best available rate, overnight luxury accommodations, daily breakfast for two, two-for-one bicycle rentals, a 10 percent discount in The Spa and Sinclairs Ocean Grill as well as daily beach chair and umbrella rentals. Encouraging multi-generation travel, the package also allows guests to book a second room at a 50 percent discount, perfect for bringing the children and grandkids. Call 800-228-8810 or visit www.jupiterbeachresort.com and use promo code BOOMERS.

Trivial answer

Poland is on the Baltic Sea.

2011-04-11T14:06:00.003-04:00

Read this and leave your flying fears on the ground

Recent problems with a Southwest Airlines plane have some people asking yet again, "Is flying safe ... really?" The answer is, yes, flying is extremely safe. Brian Clegg, writing in London's Daily Mail, puts it this way: "The statistics are remarkably reassuring. The risk of being killed in a plane crash in any particular year is one in 125 million passenger journeys. That’s three times safer than travelling by train — when did you last worry about that? — and 12 times safer than travelling by car. In fact, you’re more likely to have a fatal accident during six hours at work than you are during six hours on a plane." So stop clenching those armrests and relax as aviation expert Clegg clues you in to other things that worry some fliers:

* Wobbling wings are normal. The upward and downward movements of the plane’s aluminium alloy body are rippling out along the wings. The tips of a large airliner wing can move up and down as much as 3 meters (almost 10 feet) during flight.

* It's not dangerous for your ears to pop while flying. Ears pop because as the plane climbs and the atmosphere outside thins, the cabin is artificially pressurized to a level that is different from the atmospheric pressure we’re accustomed to on the ground. The popping can be painful, though.

* What about turbulence or (shudder) a lightning strike? Clegg notes that "no modern aircraft has ever been brought down by turbulence, although passengers have been injured or even killed, either because they weren’t wearing seat belts and hit their heads on the ceiling or because heavy luggage fell out of the overhead lockers." As for lightning, pilots are able to fly around or above most storms. "But if you do find yourself flying through one, don’t worry. The safest place to be in an electrical storm is inside a metal cage — such as an aircraft."

* Suppose some clown tries to open a door during flight? He won't succeed. As the plane climbs, the cabin air pressure pushes the door outwards, sealing it into place. But, adds Clegg, please, don’t try.

* And then there's the most worrisome fear of all -- getting stuck on a toilet seat. There's even a tale about a woman who pushed the flush button before getting up and was sealed to the seat. Well, it didn't happen. Lavatories do use vacuum flushes but the flush button is normally placed behind the toilet lid, making it impossible to flush without standing up.

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Trivial question

Which Central American country uses English Creole as its principal language? (Answer somewhere below.)

Kids, they're speaking your language

To introduce its new Kid Spoken Here offering this summer, the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) is rolling out lower child and teen rates, new kids’ meals, and a broader variety of family-friendly outdoor activities at each of its lodges and huts in New Hampshire and Maine. The greatest changes are coming to AMC’s Highland Lodge, where a new “big mountain” outdoor playscape and child-only Kids Club activities are planned. AMC has also lowered everyday lodging rates for children by up to 25 percent and added a new teen rate. The AMC's outdoor experiences for families and young explorers range from free walk-on programs such as beginner family hikes to more adventurous overnight hut adventures and other backcountry outings. For full details on AMC’s new Kid Spoken Here offerings, visit www.outdoors.org/kidsguide. New, all-inclusive nightly rates at Highland Lodge, including lodging, dinner, breakfast, and guided activities, start at $356 for a family of four ($296 for AMC members) in private room with private bath accommodations. For reservations, call 603-466-2727 or book online at www.outdoors.org/lodging.

Fascinating fact

The Mediterranean sea gets its name from the Latin phrase meaning "sea in the middle of land."

Marriott hotel stays in the Carolinas start at $69

At selected Marriott and Renaissance properties in North Carolina and South Carolina, weekend rates begin at $69 per night for Friday and Saturday stays, and weekday rates from $99 per night for Sunday through Thursday stays. Travelers must book by midnight April 15 to get the special rates, which are valid for travel through July 25. Those rates are non-refundable, exclusive of tax, and subject to availability.To book, call -800-228-9290 or visit www.marriott.com or www.renaissancehotels.com.; refer to Promotional Code ADP.

Worth quoting

"We may run, walk, stumble, drive, or fly, but let us never lost sight of the reason for the journey, or miss a chance to see a rainbow on the way." -- Gloria Gaither

Everything you always wanted to know about lobsters in Maine

In Maine, Historic Inns of Rockland is featuring a Lobster 101: Lobsters, Lighthouses & Luxury package offered June 1-30.

The package offers a two- or three-day itinerary including accommodations at a choice of four inns: LimeRock Inn, Berry Manor Inn, Granite Inn, and Captain Lindsey House, each representing the luxury component of the package. In addition, the package includes:

Two tickets to the Maine Lighthouse Museum for a self-guided tour or a special guided tour with a docent of the museum on Thursday mornings throughout June.
A guided tour of Rockland’s Historic Breakwater Lighthouse every Wednesday at 10 a.m. (weather permitting) and a copy of the book “The Lighthouse at Rockland Breakwater Then and Now.”
An official Lighthouse Map to all of Maine’s lighthouses and a driving map to six local area lighthouses.
The Book of Maine Lighthouses filled with history and fun facts.
Two tickets to Captain Jack’s Lobster Adventure Cruise where guests work with a real Maine lobsterman (and a true salty character too!) and learn lobster lore.
Two “Got Lobster” T-shirts.
An afternoon tour of a working lobster pound followed by guided instruction in the best way to ea.t a lobster, complete with a freshly caught lobster dinner for each person (offered Monday-Saturday.)
A Chocolate Seascape handmade by a local chocolatier.
Two whimsical Lobster Hats.

Two-night packages are $395-$745 (plus tax, double occupancy). Book early in the month to take advantage of low season rates (high season rates begin June 15). Book a third night and get 25 percent off rack rates.

Trivial answer

Belize is the Central American country where Creole English is principally spoken. The other nations speak Spanish.

2011-04-05T11:38:00.004-04:00

A carpet of flowers in Brussels

Europe, the affordable, fun and sometimes quirky way

Travel to Europe is slowly picking up. In fact, the European Travel Commission is expecting to see 2 to 3 percent more Americans in 2011 than in 2010, as the U.S. economy bounces back. Hotel prices and other costs have been lowered in countries such as Greece, Ireland and Portugal, and Central European countries continue to be highly affordable.

But where do you find the deals? One place is www.visiteurope.com, with quick links to European Travel Commission members’ websites. A recent search turned up packages such as these:

Virgin Vacations offers a Brussels and Amsterdam city break for eight days, with three nights in each city, rail transfer with reserved seating, and daily breakfast. Land prices range from $509 to $589, but round-trip air/land packages are available ranging from $1,199 to $1,649 from New York (including fuel surcharges but not taxes and fees; other gateways are of course available).

Brussels is easily manageable in a few days, with fabulous museums from Old Master paintings to modern art, surrealist Magritte and even comic strips, plus funky neighborhoods for shopping and night life. Amsterdam, meanwhile, is a city of commerce with canals, cafés, museums brimming with the works of Dutch artists like Rembrandt, Vermeer and Van Gogh, and Anne Frank’s house filled with historical exhibits. The train ride in between is a classic European experience. Visit www.virgin-vacations.com to book.

Sceptre Tours’ Emerald Isle independent tour features round-trip air, six nights' accommodation with daily Irish breakfast, and a weekly standard shift car rental for $739-$1,129 per person, and offers travelers flexibility to set their own itineraries. First night is in a pre-booked hotel in Shannon or Dublin. The next five nights are spent in B&Bs sprinkled throughout the country. Upgrades in accommodations and automatic cars are available, as are extra nights. Another option is an upgrade to a five-star castle for the final night. Over 100 US gateways are available.

Poland in One Go is an eight-day/six night all-inclusive escorted tour that covers all the must-sees for the first-time visitor, with extra treats for even a repeat visitor. The $1,300 per person price tag covers lodging in Warsaw, Krakow and Zakopane, ground transport, an English-speaking guide and most meals. Highlights include the Museum of the Warsaw Uprising, a private Chopin piano concert, a Klezmer music concert in Kazmierz, a horse-drawn cart ride in Krakow’s Old Town, a cable car ride to Mt. Gubalowka, and visits to World Heritage Sites. Land dates are June 3-9 and Aug. 5-11. Immediately following the August trip is the Simple Pleasures tour, Aug. 12-19 that visits lesser-known areas to experience everyday life. A day is spent learning to cook Polish dishes such as pierogi, and another day includes a class in pottery painting in a village where the houses are painted with floral motifs. Other highlights include a raft trip along the Dunajec River gorge and a farewell cruise on the Vistula River to the Janowiec Castle ruins, as well as visits to a 16^th century wooden church, a World Heritage Site, the Wooden Churches of Debno, and more. Priced at $1,700 per person double occupancy, if booked with Poland in One Go, each package will be discounted by 5 percent. Since prices are paid in Polish zlotys, the actual charge in U. S. currency could be lower, but will never be higher. To book either or both packages, visit www.staypoland.com.

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Trivial question

Which of the Great Lakes does not border Canada? (Answer somewhere below.)

A FASTPASS to see Mickey at Disney World ...

Walt Disney World guests can now go backstage at Town Square Theater for photos and autographs with Mickey Mouse without waiting in a standby queue. That's the result of the first-ever use of Disney's FASTPASS Service for a character meet-and-greet. FASTPASS allows guests to reduce waiting by designating a window of time when they can return for a theme park experience. Town Square Theater is located just inside the Magic Kingdom entrance. Previously known as Town Square Exposition Hall, the venue has been re-imagined as a turn-of-the-20th-Century theater where posters proclaim Mickey as the star of a magic show.Ya gotta love it.

.. and an app to help you see everything else

The Undercover Tourist has a free smartphone app designed to save time and help you find attractions when visiting Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando. Visit www.undercovertourist.com.

Tour guide joke (Bonaire)

"That reddish-colored tree with falling-off bark that you see over there is a gumbo-limbo tree but we like to call it a tourist tree because it is red and peeling."

Mother's Day spa packages at Donald Trump's places

A Mother’s Day Spa Package is being offered at The Spa at Trump's four locations across the U.S.: Trump International Hotel & Tower- Chicago, Trump International Hotel-Las Vegas, Trump International Hotel Waikiki Beach Walk and Trump SoHoNew York. You can choose from two packages costing $299 each: a 90-minute Trump Classic Massage followed by a 60-minute, revitalizing Kate Somerville Dermal Quench Facial with a bonus Kate Somerville Protect SPF 30 sunscreen – a $494 value. Or a 90-minute Trump Gemstone Massage, combining gemstone-infused oils with flowers and herbal essences, followed by a 60-minute, balancing Kate Somerville Trump Results Facial and the bonus Protect SPF 30 sunscreen – a $504 value. The package can be purchased through Mother’s Day, May 8, and must be used by Sept. 5. A 20% service charge on treatments is additional. Visit www.trumphotelcollection.com/spa-reservations.

Fascinating fact

Lightning strikes the CN Tower in Toronto an average of 75 times per year. (Long copper strips run down the CN Tower to grounding rods buried below ground to prevent damage.)

It's a great time to go to jail -- for a tour, that is

The Missouri State Penitentiary in Jefferson City, Mo., is now offering tours day and night -- as if it weren't eerie enough during the day. The landmark, which was decommissioned in 2004, charges $12 for a two-hour tour, $17 for special subject tours focused on specific themes, such as the riot of 1954; $17 for two-hour Twilight tours; $25 for Ghost Hunt tours; and $100 for Open Paranormal Investigations, where you start with the standard tour and then spend the night at the penitentiary to investigate paranormal activity. Eeek! Visit www.missouripentours.com or call 866-998-6998.

Trivial answer

Lake Michigan is the only Great Lake entirely within the United States.

2011-03-23T12:57:00.025-04:00

Let's hear it for generous older travelers who roam the globe

Here are three things you should know about older travelers:

* There are a lot of them. Between Jan.1 and Dec. 31of this year, more than 7,000 of the nearly 78 million American baby boomers, born 1946-1964, will turn 65 every day. Those statistics come from AARP.

* They are traveling and spending. More boomers are turning to travel as a top leisure activity and they are outspending their younger counterparts by an average of 74 percent on their vacations. That's the word from suddenlysenior.com.

* They are a generous lot. The Grand Circle Foundation is working with an organization that serves orphaned children in earthquake-ravaged Japan. The foundation sent an e-mail to travelers one night this week between 7-11 p.m. and as of yesterday at 5 p.m., $62,853 in donations had come in from 615 donors -- which, combined with the $25,000 match by Grand Circle Foundation, brought the donation at that point to $87,853. Donors are Grand Circle and Overseas Adventure travelers, associates in Boston and around the world, as well as trip leaders and program directors.

Grand Circle Travel, along with sister group Overseas Adventure Travel, is a favorite of older travelers. (The fellow in the accompanying Grand Circle photo is meeting the terra-cotta warriors in Xian, China.) So it's no surprise that this week more than 1,000 seniors are participating in Boston meetings to talk about, and hear about, overseas travel. As we indicated, there are a lot of older globetrotters out there ... and I'm proud to be one of them.

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Trivial question

The lily is the symbol of which country? (Answer somewhere below.)

Stay at these hotels and get your airline baggage fees back

InterContinental Hotels Group will be extending its Check It Free promotion through April 30. Guests can now get back up to $100 in checked baggage fees for each round-trip flight with a two-night weekend stay at any of InterContinental’s 4,500 hotels worldwide including InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Indigo, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Club Vacations, Holiday Inn Express, Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites.

Worth quoting

“To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries.” -- Aldous Huxley

Take 10% more off Nantucket inn's sale rates

People who stay at the Jared Coffin House on Nantucket now through May 18 will get an additional 10 percent off the inn's Hot Dates, Cool Rates sale. Those cool rates start at $125.

Fascinating fact

The Himalayas have 19 of the 25 highest mountains in the world (but don't ask us to name them from memory).

Royal Caribbean rolling out an alcohol-buying package
USA Today reports that Royal Caribbean Line is beginning to offer a package rate on buying alcoholic beverage. The offers range from a Beer and Wine Package for $29 per person per day for all beers, house wine by the glass and a 25% discount on all other wines and liquors, to a Premium Package, at $49 per person per day for a whole lot more, including cocktails. Ah, but the offer will first be available only on selected ships that cater mostly to European customers.The full story is here.

So who says gasoline is getting expensive anyhow?

Last-chance spring special in N.H. for $99

Snowy Owl Inn & Resort in Waterville Valley, N.H., has this offer for the first 100 bookings only: a $99 inclusive rate from now until the end of April for almost any room in the house. Book online using promo code JUST99 at www.snowyowlinn.com; the phone number is 800-766-9969. That price includes taxes, there are 10 room types to choose from, and the offer is even valid Easter weekend.

Trivial answer

The lily is the symbol of France.

2011-03-21T12:45:00.003-04:00

What's hot and cool (really, really cool) in Europe this season

Every year, the European Travel Commission meets to talk over the latest travel trends on the Continent. This year, members noted a desire among travelers for slowing down, for comfort and escape -- perhaps hopoing to get away for a while from out electronic gadgets, our computers and television screens. Accordingly, here is what's trending:

* They're going for the waters. Health through water, is making a comeback as the benefits of thermal waters, ocean bathing and mineral springs spark new interest in this time-honored European tradition among aging Baby Boomers. Accordingly, Europeʼs spas are turning up the taps on treatments and amenities. Portugalʼs Vidago Palace Hotel, for instance, reopened in October 2010 after an extensiver enovation. With 70 rooms and suites, this Belle Epoque builting now sports a modernist wing housing a new spa, where guests try the Vidago spring waters, with hydro and Vichy showers, steam baths and sauna. Massages and treatments are taken in 20 rooms.

* Farm-fresh. What with many Americans turning to organic, locally grown foods, Europe is providing that via farm and mountain vacations. Example: “Holidays in the Countryside” offers farm stays along with B&Bs, guesthouses and small hotels throughout Czech Republic. Pension Javořice (pictured) in southern Moravia is a 400-year-old organic farm where guests can dine on honey, sheep products, apples, pears, cherries, fruit ciders and spirits, and mingle with three generations of the family owners. Gothic castles dot the landscapes, and the nearby town of Telc is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

* Foodie heaven. Europe has been making it easy to discover its gastronomicdelights. Take Austria’s Via Culinaria -- “Appetite Way” -- featuring seven routes to culinary achievements in the region around Salzburg. The websiteʼs interactive maps unlock all things food, from bistros, coffeehouses and haute cuisine restaurants to farms and mountain huts serving country specialties. It also tells where to find the best wild game restaurants, the best seafood, the best stores, as well as how to find classes in making pastry, cheese, bread and beer.

*LGBT. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender travel is not only out of the closet but actively encouraged. Germanyʼs gay and lesbian culture, for instance, is legendary and the German National Tourist Board website has a gay-dedicated section that gives in-depth detail on gay travel for points north (Hamburg), south (Munich), east (Berlin) and west (Cologne, site of Gay Games VIII Jul. 31-Aug. 7), complete with hotels, bars, scenes and events.

* Memorable design. Europe these days is full of arty, boutique hotels. Example: Hotel Fabian is a fashionable newcomer in Helsinki. Designed around a courtyard and a short walk from the
Market Square, the Esplanadi gardens and the Museum of Finnish Architecture, this boutique hotel, known for its stylish interiors, has 58 rooms. The hotel's Restaurant Savoy, meanwhile, features an original Alvar Aalto interior.

* Sailing, sailing. Cruisegoing is hot this year , especially in the Mediterranean, the Baltic and the famous
rivers with their fabled landscapes. Whatʼs more, Europe is again affordable for most budgets as new and bigger ships come on line. The average price of a 12-day Med cruise has steadily dropped since 2009.Many upscale cruise lines are offering free round-trip economy flights from North American gateways. New vessels plying European waters in 2011 include Carnival Cruise Linesʼ Carnival Magic (3,652 passengers); Costa Cruisesʼ Favalosa (pictured; 3,502); Celebrity Cruisesʼ Silhouette (2,850); Oceania Cruisesʼ Marina (1,260); Seabourn Cruise Lineʼs Quest (450); Avalon Waterwaysʼ Panorama (166); Amaverde (162); and Uniworld Grand Boutique River Cruisesʼ Douro Spirit (128) and SS Antoinette (164).

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Trivial question
Here's one for World War II buffs, among others: In what island group do you find Guadalcanal? (Answer somewhere below.)

All-inclusive Caribbean getaway is free for Mom
During a sale, starting at midnight on Monday, May 2, and ending at 11:59 p.m. on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 8, travelers who book an all-inclusive Elite Island Resorts vacation will be able to bring Mom for free. In fact, every booking will be buy one, get one free, so anyone else is eligible, too. The "secret" booking code will be announced at midnight on Monday, May 2. This offer will be valid for travel through Dec. 20, also includes VIP treatment and a complimentary room category upgrade, when available at the time of booking. Prices and locations vary. Visit www.eliteislandresorts.com or call 800-858-4618.

Worth quoting

"Live, travel, adventure, bless, and don't be sorry." -- Jack Kerouac

Family time in Paradise, starting at $219

The Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort has launched a new Family Time in Paradise package that includes connecting rooms or suites where available, a daily $50 resort credit, free food and beverage for children under 12, complimentary non-motorized water sports, one welcome amenity per child per stay, a kids cup that can be filled up with juice, milk and soft drinks for free at the pool, and a complimentary rollaway, subject to availability. Rates start at $219. For more information or reservations, call 866-716-8106 or visit www.sheratonnassau.com.

Fascinating fact

Many of us have flown into Chicago's O'Hare Airport, and at least a few of us have wonered why the airport's designation is ORD. We need wonder no longer: ORD comes from the location's old name of Orchard Field.

'Compliments of Bermuda' extended through June
The Bermuda Department of Tourism and its hotel partners have extended their “Compliments of Bermuda” promotion, inviting visitors to enjoy every third night free for hotel rooms booked in April. In addition, travelers who book a three-night stay in May will receive the fourth night free, and guests booking a four-night stay in June will receive their fifth night free. Thedeal is available at more than a dozen participating hotel properties, available for booking through May 30 for travel through June 30. Accommodations range from luxury resorts and boutique hotels to beach clubs and historic beachfront properties. Prices, of course, vary. Visit www.bermudatourism.com/compliments or see a travel agent.

Trivial answer

Guadalcanal is part of the Solomon Islands.

2011-03-18T11:30:00.002-04:00

Cathedral windows in Setubal, Portugal

The top 10 things you can do mostly for free in Portugal

Flying to and staying in Portugal are relative bargains. And once you get there, you'll find plenty of free -- or nearly free -- activities to further cut costs. Here are the country's top 10 freebies:

1) Castles. There are more per capita than in any other nation, and most are free. For example, the Castle of Guimarães, overlooking the Campo de São Mamede, played a role the foundation of the country and its struggles for independence.

2) Cathedrals. – Hundreds of historic churches and cathedrals across Portugal are free, although some may charge to see the cloisters or sacristy. Here you can see a thousand years of architecture with gold and silver, intricate woodwork and sculpture, and the tombs of priests, warriors, kings, and everyday people.

3) Festivals. From Lisbon’s Popular Marches, to Coimbra’s celebration of the Saint Queen Isabel in July, to the Sao Pedro Festival, late spring to fall, these ancient festivals and celebrations are free to all. Attending a traditional festival (festa) is a great way for any visitor to absorb some Portugese popular culture and get to know the locals.

4) City parks. From the sweeping vistas of the Sao Pedro de Alcantara Park in Lisbon, to the stylish paths of the ancient Mata de Santa Cruz in Coimbra, to the Garden of the Episcopal Palace in Castelo Branco, Portugal’s hundreds of city parks rich in heritage and monuments, cost nothing to visit.

5) Beaches. With more than 500 miles of Atlantic coast, Portuguese beaches are great for swimming, surfing, and sun. The country boasts has more than 300 miles of sandy beaches, and some of the best weather in Europe.

6) The Cacilheiro. OK, these cost 95 cents, but the orange boats go from Lisbon to Cacilhas and offer grand views of Lisbon from the river.

7) Museums on Sunday and holidays until 2 p.m. Here are just a few that are free during that time period, but check out this site (which, alas, appears to be in Portuguese only) for a full list. Plus, at other times children under 14 years old free and there is a 50 percent discount for seniors.

8) Lisbon’s historic Trolley 28. Trolley 28 runs through historic Lisbon beginning in Graça then to the river. Cost is just 2 1/2 euros (or buy a one day Carris/metro ticket for 3.95 euros) and you pay the fare directly to the driver. The 28 trolley crosses the city from east to west, climbing away from the center through the narrow cobbled streets and steep gradients of the Bairro Alto, Baixa, and Alfama districts.

9) Running of the bulls on Terceira. Part of life since the 16th century, the “touradas à corda” (literally “bullfights by rope”) are held by local Terceira villagers from April/May to late September. In these events, similar to the “Running of the Bulls," a bull is let loose from the town’s square (or other open space) with a very long rope around its neck. Courageous people then attempt to get close tothe animal while avoiding being gored. The animal is eventually retrieved and a festival begins.

10) Levadas on Madeira. The Levada "Walks" are walking trails along the maintenance paths beside the Levadas. Although the Levadas were constructed primarily for agricultural/industrial use, they offer an opportunity for tourists and localsto have outdoor adventures at places inaccessible by car.

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Trivial question

What is the only continent where you won't find glaciers? (Answer somewhere below.)

A batch of new guides for the traveler

DK Eyewitness Travel and Rough Guides has released a slew of new guidebooks this month and will issue more in April. The books, and their list prices, are Back Roads: Germany, Back Roads, Australia, Chile & Easter Island (all $25), Top 10: Italian Lakes ($14), Top 10: England's Lake District ($14, coming in April), Pocket Rough Guides: Amsterdam; Athens; Lisbon; Venice (all $14, coming in April). All have lots of details, photos, maps, and the sleek look that DK guides are known for.

Worth quoting

"Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends." -- well said by Maya Angelou.

Lighthouses, lobsters and lots more for $1,685
Atlantic Canada is one of my favorite places in the world in summer, and one way to get a taste of it is via the the one-week Maritime Sampler program from The Great Canadian Travel Company, which visits New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Priced from $1,685 per person, the package includes six nights’ accommodation (based on double occupancy), transportation throughout, most meals including a traditional Prince Edward Island lobster supper, a welcome reception and visits to Peggy’s Cove with its famous lighthouse, Lunenburg, Grand Pre National Historic Site, Hopewell Rocks, Anne of Green Gables Heritage Place and Prince Edward Island National Park. There are 15 departures between May 28 and Oct. 1. For more info and reservations, click here.

Fascinating fact

Only about 3 percent of the Earth's water is fresh water.

A $399 inn-to-inn summer sampler in N.H.

The Rosewood Country Inn and the Candlelite Inn in Bradford, N.H., are offering an Inn to Inn Summer Sampler for visitors to explore central New Hampshire. Available June 26 to 30 and July 17 to 21, the four-night package includes two nights at each inn, and a self-guided tour with admissions to some of the Sunapee region's most popular and scenic attractions. The package includes two nights at Candlelite Inn, two nights at Rosewood Country Inn, four breakfasts, to dinners, a picnic supper, admissions to Fuller Gardens, St. Gaudens, and The Fells, and tickets for Lake Sunapee Cruise. To book the package, which begins at $399, call the Candlelite Inn at 888-812-5571 or email candlelite@conknet.com.

Trivial answer

Australia contains no glaciers.

2011-03-16T11:57:00.005-04:00

Here's everything you didn't know about the Emerald isle

As St. Patrick’s Day fast approaches, here’s are some interesting and, we hope, entertaining facts about that land of beauty and, sometimes, tears. The information has been gleaned from assorted books and websites, so here we go:

* The longest place name in Ireland is Muckanaghederdauhaulia, in County Galway.

* Couples could marry legally on St. Brigid's Day (Feb. 1) in Teltown, County Meath, as recently as the 1920s by simply walking toward each other. If the marriage failed, they could "divorce'" by walking away from each other at the same spot, on St. Brigid’s day the following year.

* An estimated 80 million people of Irish descent live elsewhere than Ireland

* The original Guinness Brewery in Dublin has a 9,000-year lease on its property.

* A traditional Irish cure for a hangover was to be buried up to the neck in moist river sand.

* According to a 2007 census, the most popular boy’s name in Ireland is Jack, followed by Sean; and the most popular girls’ names are Sarah and Emma.

* The last woman accused of witchcraft in Ireland was Dame Alice Kyteler, born in Kilkenny in 1280. All four of her husbands died, and she was accused of poisioning them. Today you can dine at Kyteler's Inn in Kilkenny (www.kytelersinn.ie), which operates in her old home.

* Some historians maintain that over 40 percent of America's presidents, Barack Obama among them, have had some Irish ancestry.

* Dublin was originally called "Dubh Linn," which means "Black Pool." The name refers to an ancient treacle lake in the city, which became part of a penguin enclosure at the Dublin City Zoo.

* It’s not the custom in Ireland to wear green ties, hats or other green clothes on St. Patrick's Day. A sprig of shamrock in the coat lapel is considered plenty.

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Trivial question

In Ireland, what is a banshee’s wail believed to foretell? (Answer somewhere below.)

Four nights at Dublin’s Four Seasons for $699

Sceptre Tours has a package that includes four nights at the Four Seasons Hotel Dublin and round-trip airfare to Dublin starting from $699 per person. If you put the package together yourself, Sceptre says you’d pay over $1,099. The $699 price, which excludes fees of course, is from JFK Airport in New York. The price is $719 from Boston, $789 from Chicago, and $769 from Orlando. The price is based on two people traveling, on select Wednesday and Thursday departures from March 20 to May 16. call 1-800-221-0924 or click here.

Worth quoting

“Definition of an 'Irish fact': That which tells you not what is the case but what you want to hear.’’ -- Hugh Kenner

$100 discount for exploring all of Ireland

CIE Tours is offering the Irish Classic vacation, a 13-day/11-night comprehensive escorted tour of all Ireland with more than 50 departures,, operating on Wednesdays and Fridays from March 11 through Nov. 18. Land tour prices start at $1,758, but in honor of St. Patrick, CIE is extending a $100 per couple discount on any departure if you book and pay a deposit before March 31. Use code 033111CLA50. Call 800-CIE-TOUR or visit www.cietours.com.

Who’s confused?

There is a village in Kerry called Inch, and a road sign outside the village reads, "Inch 1 Mile."

An eight-day walking tour of Ireland

Walking is a wonderful way to tour Ireland, and Boundless Journeys has an eight-day walking trip called Gems of the Emerald Isle. Participants will walk and hike the forested valleys of the Ring of Kerry, the hills of the Dingle Peninsula, and the limestone paths of the Burren. Walking the quaint streets of villages dotting the south and west of Ireland will be complemented by evenings in a traditional pub. Dates are May 22-29, July 22-29 and Aug. 14-21, and the land cost is $4,095 per person, which includes guides, accommodations, all meals but one, transportation in Ireland, park fees and activities. Call 800-941-8010 or click here.

A chance to see Scotland as well as Eire

A 15-day Brendan Vacations tour begins in Glasgow, witnessing the rugged beauty of Scotland's glens, locks, and isles. Participants then visit Cawdor Castle, famous for its associations with Shakespeare's Macbeth. The trip moves on to Edinburgh, visiting places from Edinburgh Castle to the Royal Mile to Holyrood Palace. Next up is Ireland. with time to explore the cities of Letterkenny, Connemara, Killarney, and Dublin and, of course, have a pint of Guinness. Prices begin at $2599 land only, double occupancy. Visit www.brendanvacations.com or call 800-428-6000.

Trivial answer

A banshee’s cry is said to foretell a death in the family.

2011-03-14T12:00:00.004-04:00

Planning a trip? There are apps aplenty for that

If you have a smartphone or other intelligent mobile device, you're aware that there are applications (better known as apps) for just about anything. Travel is no exception, and here are a few of the latest apps available:

* Rick Steves, the radio-TV Europe guru, has a free app, Rick Steves' Audio Europe, for iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch. Designed to help heighten traveler’s sightseeing experience, it organizes Steves’ library of audio files – 25 audio walking tours of Europe’s top sights plus 200 tracks of travel tips and cultural insights from his radio shows -- into geographic-specific playlists covering all of Europe. Learn more at www.ricksteves.com or go directly to the iTunes App Store.

* With the free Copenhagen Open app from Wonderful Copenhagen, you get loads of information about the top sites, museums, palaces and the like. The app also includes excellent suggestions
for best-kept-secret restaurants, bars, clubs and shops in the city's laid-back residential neighborhoods, where you might feel conspicuous pulling out a guidebook, but searching for info on your phone just makes you look like you belong.

* Kayak.com has a new version of its travel app for iPhone/iPod touch that features a redesigned user interface, and maximizes speed and reliability of search functions. The app continues to include a number of free services such as flight, hotel and car rental search, itinerary management and flight tracking, but has added new features including translation for 10 European languages, a car service search and expanded booking options. The app is can be downloaded free for iPhone and iPod touch devices through iTunes and the App Store.

* Whether you’re home or on a road trip to an unfamiliar place, the free Poynt app uses your phone's GPS and cell site location to know where you are and directs you to the nearest and/or cheapest options to fuel up. Poynt also lets you find restaurants, make reservations, search movies, theaters and showtimes, and seek out businesses. To download, visit www.m.poynt.com from your BlackBerry, iPhone, Android or Windows Phone 7.

* It's not exactly an app, but Hotwire.com now has a mobile site with on-the-go access to Hotwire’s features and deal availability via your smartphone’s browser. The site offers the same discounted hotel and car deals as the full site, which Hotwire says can get you up to 50 percent off. Visit hotwire.com from your smartphone to be re-directed to the mobile site at http://m.hotwire.com.

* The website alOt.com has launched Compare Airfare Prices for finding, comparing and booking travel via a desktop app. The company also has maps, weather and shopping apps. Find the info at at www.alOt.com.

Trivial question

This city was once called Yerba Buena. What is its name today? (Answer somewhere below.)

Dash toward $250 savings with this cruise line offer

Norwegian Cruise Line launches its Freestyle Dash limited-time offer tomorrow, with savings on cruise vacations to Alaska; Bahamas & Florida; Bermuda; Caribbean; Europe; and Hawai’i. People who book by March 18 will receive up to $250 to spend on board for shore excursions, spa treatments or dinners in any of Norwegian’s Freestyle Dining restaurants (based on cruise length and category). The offer also includes reduced cruise deposits at time of booking, plus free upgrades fleet-wide. See a travel agent, call 866-NCL-CRUISE (625-2784), or visit www.ncl.com.

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Worth quoting
"Travelling is the ruin of all happiness! There's no looking at a building here after seeing Italy." -- Fanny Burney

It's no joke -- $10 skiing on April 1

On April Fool’s Day, skiers and riders who donate at least three nonperishable food items at Okemo Mountain Resort in Ludlow, Vt., can purchase a full-day lift ticket for $10. All donations will go to a local food bank. And that is just one of the spring events planned at Okemo. You surely wouldn't want to miss the Joey Jam, Slush Cup pond-skimming competition and, new this year, a wet and wild Tug o’ War. Get the details by calling 802-228-1600 or by visiting www.okemo.com.

Fabulous fact

The world's largest estuary is the Saint Lawrence River, which connects the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean and is mostly in Canada. The estuary is over 1,900 miles long and the watershed occupies 390,000 square miles. The largest U.S. estuary is the Chesapeake Bay, which is 200 miles long and encompasses 64,000 square miles. An estuary is the wide part of a river where it nears the sea, letting fresh and salt water mix. But you already knew that.

Grandparents declare Independence a fine destination

Independence, Mo., is promoting itself as a good fit for grandparents looking for a fresh place to take grandchildren. Wagon rides, the National Frontier Trails Museum, Puppetry Arts Institute, Children's Peace Pavilion, the Truman Library, parks, "spraygrounds" and the Adventure Oasis Water Park appeal to both seniors and children. For info, call 800-748-7323 or go to www.visitindependence.com.

Trivial answer

Yerba Buena is known today as San Francisco.

2011-03-11T10:30:00.005-05:00

15 things you may not know about New York City

New York is a fascinating city but how much do you really know about it? Gray Line has put together, in question and answer form, some facts that may surprise you. Here goes.
1. Only one of the five boroughs that make up New York City is attached to the mainland of the United States. Which one? (answer: The Bronx)
2. If all the New York Subway system tracks were laid out end to end they would stretch for how many miles? (722)
3. The geographical area of the Bronx is comparable to what major European city? (Paris)
4. The longest running musical in Broadway Theater history is? (Phantom of the Opera)
5. How many times have the New York Yankees won the World Series? (27 -- Everyone from Boston can now say, "Booooo!")
6. How long did the Empire State Building hold the title "World's Tallest Building"? (42 years)

The World's tallest building -- from 1931-1973

7. From the lower level to the top floor, how many stories are there in the Empire State Building? (102)
8. From the lobby to the 86th floor observation deck there are how
any stairs? (1550)
9. The world's largest Gothic Cathedral is located in New York City. What is it called? (Cathedral of St. John the Divine)
10. What is the largest auditorium in New York City? (ans Radio City
Musical Hall)
11. Six U.S. presidents were from New York state. But who was the only one from New York City? (Theodore Roosevelt)
12. From south to north, the three toll-free bridges spanning the East River between Manhattan and Brooklyn spell out a luxury car brand. What are they? (Brooklyn, Manhattan, Williamsburg -- BMW)
13. What is the most frequently visited museum in New York City? (Metropolitan Museum of Art)
14. The oldest house of worship on the island of Manhattan is? (St. Paul's Chapel)
15. What is the name of the largest park in all of New York City? (Pelham Bay Park, the Bronx -- 2,700 acres)

Trivial question
If you haven't had enough trivia after that New York entry, here's another question. Which countries/states border Italy? (Hint: There are six.)

Spring deals at Vermont's Stowe Mountain Lodge

As the ski season ends and the weather finally begins to warm up, Stowe Mountain Lodge in Stowe, Vt., entices guests with marble soaking tubs, floor-to-ceiling windows, dual mountain views, a spa, heated indoor access outdoor pool and farm-to-table restaurants. Another enticement is lowered prices, with these deals among those being offered. They are: Spring Stowecation, with 20% off a 2 night stay and 30% off stays of three nights or more. Rates start at $160/night and are good through June 30. Dinner & Theater Package, with discounted accommodations, prix-fixe dinner for two and two show tickets. Email stowereservations@destinationhotels.com or call 802-760-4755. Spa & Stay Package, for two nights with two 50-minute massages and discounted accommodations. Rates start at $299 a night and are good from April 1-June 1. Use booking code SPASTAY. For more packages, click here or call 888-652-0658.

Worth quoting

"One's destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things." -- Henry Miller

Win a trip to London during the Royal Wedding

Today through March 31,Travelocity and Virgin Atlantic Airways are offering a chance to win a regal London getaway for two, including round-trip flights from one of the Virgin Atlantic US gateways to London, in its Upper Class cabin, plus a four-night hotel stay at The Kensington Hotel. Travel dates are April 27 – May 2, giving you a chance to capture the excitement of the wedding of Will and Kate. (Don't expect the prize to include an invite, though.) To enter, log onto http://tvly.com/royalwedding.

Fascinating fact

New Zealand lays claim to being the first country to give women the vote in modern times. The date was Sept. 19, 1893.

Arctic wonders await Hurtiguten cruisegoers

Polar bears and Svalbard reindeer roaming icy tundra, the Moffen Island’s walrus colony, and Hornsund Fjord, with its vertical cliffs and glaciers, are among the rare Arctic wonders travelers can experience on Hurtigruten’s nine-day “Kingdom of the Polar Bear” cruise. The MV Polar Star, specifically designed to explore areas inaccessible to most other ships, travels round trip from Longyearbyen to the farthest corners of Spitsbergen and explores a landscape of Arctic tundra, fjords, national parks and scenic islands. Prices for the voyage, which has 11 departures between June 9 and Aug. 18, range from $6,419 to $10,080 per person, double. Visit www.hurtigruten.us; or call 877-301-3117.

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Trivial answer

Italy is bordered by Austria, France, San Marino, Slovenia, Switzerland and Vatican City. (Tough one, eh?)

2011-03-09T11:45:00.004-05:00

For a unique way to mark the Royal Wedding, see the third item below.

Ready, set, SAVE on flights, hotels and car rentals

These days everyone is looking to save a few dollars when traveling. Here are some tips on cutting costs for hotels, car rentals and flights. First up is Robin Korman an executive with Wyndham Rewards., who proffers this advice:

Ring up a better deal. Call the front desk and ask the clerk about an extra night's stay free, a discounted rate or free upgrade – even if the hotel isn't currently advertising one. When you call, say something like, "I already have a reservation at another hotel at a cheaper rate, but I'll book with you if I can get a third night free." (What’s the worst that can happen? The clerk says no?)

Check your insurance. Rather than paying the insurance that travel sites and car rental companies offer for a supplemental fee, check your own insurance policy. Often, your plan will include a travel clause that you may be unaware of. Particularly with rental car companies, this can save travelers over $30 a day.

Get to know the locals: No one knows a destination better than the people who live there year round. Ask for their advice on great affordable eating, fun sites and little known hot spots.

Avoid the ATM. Try to eliminate the need for ATM visits. You don’t want to spend all your time looking for an ATM from your bank any more than you want to spend money on ATM surcharges. By purchasing traveler’s checks, using a card whenever possible or bringing enough cash, you can avoid visits to the ATM.

Clip coupons. Take advantage of coupons. Whether it is for lodging, food, or attractions – coupons save money! And can be found virtually everywhere -- online, in local newspapers, at convenience stores, hotels, etc. Always read the fine print carefully for terms.

Here is the advice of Justin Soffer of Fly.com:

Pick your day carefully. Since airfare sales normally run Tuesday – Thursday, those are often the best days to book. Plan to travel on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Saturdays as these are typically the least expensive days to fly.

Don’t wait to book car rentals. Rental car reservations rarely require a deposit and are normally cancellable without additional charges (the reservation cancels automatically when one doesn’t pick up the car), and so travelers can make (multiple, if necessary) reservations before finalizing air and hotel reservations. Reserve early and then keep an eye out for better prices, as rental prices can often drop as travel dates approach.

Pack less. Do laundry at the hotel or nearby cleaners rather than paying additional checked baggage fees. (This means less baggage to haul around as well.). Also make sure to research baggage fee information ahead of time to avoid unexpected expenses at the beginning and end of a trip. Fly.com recently launched an application that provides this information.

Capture the power of social media. Sites such as -- tat-da! -- Fly.com often offer real-time Twitter fare (@Fly_com) and Facebook alerts (www.facebook.com/fly) for flights everywhere. Travelers who are flexible with their departure and return dates will find the best rates with “Fare Calendars” (click here for an example). Calendars, when available, displays flight costs for each day of the month.

Trivial question

What two South American countries lack a seacoast? (Answer somewhere below.)

Celebrate the royal wedding -- in Colorado

So you didn’t get an invite to the wedding of Britain’s Prince William and Kate Middleton on April 29. You can still feel like royalty with the Royal Wedding Package at the JW Marriott Denver Cherry Creek. The offer includes accommodations in a for the night of April 28th, a souvenir Royal Tote Bag filled with glossy magazines featuring Wills & Kate, champagne and strawberries to toast the happy couple and a $25 credit for either room service or a meal at Second Home Kitchen + Bar. And to ensure that you don’t miss the historic event - which starts at 4 a.m. mountain time -- the hotel will provide a cheery wake-up call at 3:45 a.m. The price starts at $329 per night. Call 866-706-7814 or visit www.jwmarriottdenver.com. Use Rate Code: UY7.

For Toronto hotel package, just add water

The Fairmont Royal York in Toronto is hoping guests dive into the Water Exploration Package, featuring tickets to “Water: The Exhibition” at the Royal Ontario Museum. This new package features one night at The Fairmont Royal York and tickets to the new exhibit , showing now until Sunday, May 4. The package starts at about $195 U.S. and includes a one-night stay, two tickets to the museum and its water exhibit and, so you’ll feel good about yourself, a $10 donation to the Lake Ontario Waterkeeper charity. But what’s so special about an exhibit on water? Well, this one uses cutting-edge technologies, multimedia installations, hands-on exhibits, live animals and cultural artifacts. For reservations, call 800-441-1414, or visit http://www.fairmont.com/royalyork/HotelPackages/discovery/waterexploration.

Worth quoting

“And that's the wonderful thing about family travel: it provides you with experiences that will remain locked forever in the scar tissue of your mind.” -- Dave Barry

There’s mayhem in Manhattan …. of a different kind

"Mayhem in Manhattan: NYC Horror Weekend Getaway" is being planned by Tours of Terror for Friday-Sunday, July 29-31. The three-day ghoulish getaway includes hotel accommodations; a group orientation party, tickets to the new Off-Broadway thriller "Play Dead" (www.playdeadnyc.com) created by Teller of Penn & Teller, a Scream Queen Soiree at the Jekyll & Hyde restaurant/club (www.jekyllandhydeclub.com); the "Edgar Allan Poe & his Grisly Friends" Haunted New York City Experience; the "Peter Stuyvesant & his Ghostly Friends" Greenwich Village Ghost Walk; theater tickets to "The Addams Family" or another option; and a "Mad Monsters Friends & Fiends" farewell party. All guests will receive a souvenir ghostly goodie gift swag bag. The organizers expect to add a surprise or two, and the group will be joined by a surprise celebrity horror guest star. The weekend cost is $299 per person for all activities/events/admissions/parties or $499 per person including all of the above plus the hotel accommodations. The weekend is open to all ages but limited to 20 spots. Call 203-795-4737 or email ToursofTerror@aol.com. The website is www.toursandevents.com.

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Fascinating fact

You can visit Samoa, Dublin, London, Mecca and Delhi without leaving California. All are communities in that state.

Trivial answer

Bolivia and Paraguay are the South American nations with no coast.

2011-03-07T11:36:00.005-05:00

Attractions and adventures put the 'new' in New Brunswick

Ah, New Brunswick.This province in Atlantic Canada combines friendliness and relaxation with adventure and excitement. Here's what's new:

* St. Andrews by-the-Sea will welcome a new state-of-the-art aquarium in June. The $8.1 million Bay of Fundy Discovery Centre will boast a 40,000-gallon habitat devoted to species from the Bay of Fundy including sturgeon, salmon and stone crabs. (With the highest tides in the world, the bay is home to 12 species of whales including 50 percent of the world’s endangered right whales.)

* Stonehammer, North America’s first Geopark, is in its first full year of operation is. Lying on the bay, the 965-square-mile area has rock formations dating back a billion years along with sea caves and walking trails.

* A new 20,000-square-foot conference centre is opening in Canada’s first free wireless city, Fredericton.

* One of the last remaining coastal wilderness areas in North America is now more accessible via the Fundy Trail. Some nine miles of coastal road and a large network of trails offer spectacular views and opportunities for whale watching. Last June a new segment opened and another section is under construction, due to open in two years.

* Visitors can now dine or overnight at the Fundy Parkway Trail’s Hearst Lodge built as a fishing lodge for newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst.

And here are some of New Brunswick's adventure activities:

* Among the barrier islands of Kouchibouguac National Park, visitors can paddle to North America’s largest tern colony (7,000 nests) and check out over 300 grey seals frolicking.

* Adrenaline junkies can take the 500-foot zipline ride over the Saint John River or try deepelling (that’s rappelling head first) down a 135-foot rock wall in the Grand Falls Gorge – or go off with kilted bikers on a heavy-duty cycling trip.

* Some of the world’s best salmon fishing is on the Miramichi and Restigouche rivers and late spring is peak time for fly fishing.

For more information, visit www.tourismnewbrunswick.ca.

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Trivial question

Kanchanaburi, Thailand, is known for what famous structure? Answer somewhere below.)

Philadelphia hotel package should delight art lovers

The Philadelphia Museum of Art’s first-time Art & About in Philadelphia Hotel Package, which gives buyers access to all Philadelphia Museum of Art properties, is now available through 2011. The two-night package comes with two combination tickets —a $62 value— to five Philadelphia Museum of Art-administered buildings: The Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Ruth and Raymond G. Perelman Building, the Rodin Museum, Cedar Grove and Mount Pleasant. Over two consecutive days, visitors can return to their favorite art hotspots as often as they want. Available at more than a dozen hotels with rates starting at $159 per night, the package also includes free hotel parking. The package can be booked at visitphilly.com.

Worth quoting
“When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money.” -- Anonymous (but very true)

N.H. resort proves that mud can be a treat
In many parts of New England, mud season is coming up. To prove that a little mud won't stop you from having a great time, Wentworth By the Sea Hotel & Spa in New Castle, N.H., has a Mud Season Spa Package, with rates starting at $249 when you use promotion code P91. The package includes a two-night
stay, an organic mud wrap, a seawater pearl facial with mud mask and a molten chocolate cake upon arrival. Visit www.wentworth.com or call 603-422-7322.

Fascinating fact

Older baby boomers -- those born from 1946 through 1954 -- make up 15 percent of leisure travelers and take an average of 4.4 leisure trips each year.

$50 cash and more with this Oregon offering

The Portland Perks program is a special hotel package available only through the Travel Portland website (www.travelportland.com). Among other things, it offers $50 cash back on qualifying hotel stays. Upon check-in at a Perks hotel, guests get a Portland Perks coupon book with more than 40 discounts on entertainment, shopping and dining. To get the $50 cash deal, visitors must book their stay at one of the participating hotels through the Travel Portland website and travel before , April 30. A minimum two-night stay is required.

Trivial answer

Kanchanaburi, Thailand, is home to the Bridge on the River Kwai of World War II fame. Nowadays the bridge is surrounded by cafes and souvenir stalls and has both the original curved spans and straight spans, which replaced those damaged in the 1943 bombing..

2011-03-04T12:14:00.001-05:00

10 sometimes surprising facts about amazing Alaska

The Milepost is an annual publication that modestly calls itself The Bible of North Country Travel. It certainly is filled with facts about Alaska. Here are 10:

* The state's 20,320-foot Mount McKinley/Denali (it has two official names) is the highest mountain in North America. On a clear day, you can see the mountain from Anchorage, some 200 miles away, yet the mountain isn't visible inside Denali National Park until Mile 10 on the Park Road. Visit www.reservedenali.com.

* The access road to the town of Whittier passes through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel. At 13,200 feet, it is the longest highway tunnel in North America as well as the longest combined highway/railroad tunnel on the continent.

* The White Pass & Yukon Route railway (oictured) is the farthest north narrow-gauge railroad and has one of the steepest railroad grades in North America.

* Glaciers cover about 5 percent of the state, and dozens are accessible for up-close viewing, by road or by water.
* Juneau is the only state capital in the continental United States that is not accessible by road from the rest of the state. You've got to take a boat or a plane to get there.

* On June 21 in Fairbanks, you can watch a baseball game at midnight, without artificial lights. The summer solstice offers 22 hours of daylight.

* Anchor River Road on the Kenai Peninsula ends at the most westerly point on the North American continent accessible by a continuous road system.

* The state boasts the second greatest tidal range in North America from Beluga Point on the Seward Highway, just 16 miles south of Anchorage. (The Bay of Fundy in Atlantic Canada has the greatest tidal range.)

* Alaska has more than 10 percent of the world's volcanoes, and one of the most recently active -- Mount Redoubt -- may be seen from the Sterling Highway on the Kenai Peninsula.

* Alaska has two of the largest islands in the U.S. (after Hawaii). Kodiak, in the Gulf of Alaska, is known for viewing the Kodiak brown bear. Prince of Wales Island, which has the most extensive road system in southeast Alaska, is a popular sport fishing destination.

For more about the 784-page Milepost, which is also published digitally, visit www.milepost.com.

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Trivial question

Where would you find the islets of Langerhans? (Answer somewhere below.)

Cherry blossom package proves spring is coming

This year marks the 99th celebration of the original gift of 3,000 cherry blossom trees from the city of Tokyo to the people of Washington, D.C., and the Mandarin Oriental is in there pitching with a exclusive Cherry Blossoms Bloom package. Included are overnight accommodations in a Deluxe room, a buffet breakfast for four in Sou’Wester restaurant, overnight valet parking, cerry treats from the executive chef and a 20 percent discount on the Cherry Blossom Ritual in The Spa at Mandarin Oriental. Room rates are from $395 per night, and the package is valid from March 25 to April 10. Call 888-888-1778 or visit www.mandarinoriental.com/washington.

Here's more proof -- a Spring Fling offer in Florida

The Atlantic Resort & Spa in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., has a Spring Fling package available through May 31. The package, which requires a minimum three-night stay, begins at $249 per night, double occupancy, and includes accommodations in a guestroom featuring a private balcony, a fully-equipped kitchenette and an oversized marble bathroom, a $100 spa credit toward a treatment or service in the Spa Atlantic, 20 percent off any additional spa treatment or service, and two welcome drinks. If you stay five nights, you get a sixth night free. Call 954-567-8020 or visit www.AtlanticHotelFL.com and mention rate code PKGSSF.

Worth quoting

“I dislike feeling at home when I am abroad.” – George Bernard Shaw

Perillo adds culinary tours of Italy to its roster

In April, Perillo Tours will launch 12- and 13-day culinary and cultural tours of Italy in cooperation with Slow Food Italia. There will be two itineraries to four regions in Italy: Piedmont & Italian Riveria, and Tuscany & Umbria. The tours will focus on the local food and beverage products of each of the regions. Pricing for the two itineraries, which collectively have 12 departures between June 17 and Oct. 21, ranges from $4,290 to $4,590 per person, double. Alternatively, individual trips can be booked through ItalyVacations.com for travel at any time of year. For more information, visit:www.perillotours.com/slowfood.

Fascinating fact

The world's southernmost flower can be found where else but in Antarctica. It is a cushion plant with the catchy name of Colobanthus quitensis and appears on a little-known archipelago called the Terra Firma Islands.

Trivial answer

OK, that was a trick question. The islets of Langerhans are found in the pancreas.

2011-03-03T12:38:00.006-05:00

Orlando KOs Las Vegas for spring break championship

Orlando has dethroned Las Vegas as the top spring break destination, according to a new survey from Orbitz on consumer travel habits. Not only that, but Florida holds four of the top 10 spots, based on customer booking patterns. The leading 10 destinations, in order, are:

1) Orlando
2) Las Vegas
3) Cancun
4) Phoenix
5) Fort Lauderdale
6) Fort Myers
7) Tampa
8) New York
9) Los Angeles
10) Denver

Guess what? Average hotel rates are up in all the top 10 except Los Angeles and Denver. Nonetheless, half the destinations -- Orlando, Fort Myers, Tampa, Los Angeles and Denver -- offer average daily hotel rates under $100 per night. Other survey highlights:
* Beaches (29%), cruises (25%) and city escapes (24%) were of interest to most travelers booking a spring break trip.
* An overwhelming 88% of travelers will avoid destinations that are thought to be college party destinations, opting for a more relaxing, family-friendly atmosphere.
* Indicating that the destinations' images are recovering from last year's oil spill, over half of travelers would consider the Florida Gulf Coast and surrounding beaches for their getaway.
Orbitz also offers three savings tips: Consider visiting a big city, such as Chicago or Boston, in the off-season. Look for packages that offer deals when flights, hotels and assorted amenities are booked together. And search for hotel promotions such as "fourth night free" or "kids stay free."

Trivial question

What is the world's largest island country? And Australia doesn't count. (Answer somewhere below.)

A tasty shuttle trip with a Big Island chef
All aboard the new Chef Shuttle at Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa on Hawaii's Big Island for a unique foodie weekend. Guests who book the Chef Shuttle Package wil be escorted by by the resort’s sous chef, Jayson Kanekoa,on a trip to the farmers' market in Waimea on the first Saturday of the month. Together they will talk story (as they say in Hawaii) with farmers and vendors as fresh produce and seasonal items are purchased and taken to the resort to be prepared and enjoyed that Saturday evening at Hawaii Calls Restaurant & Lounge. On Sunday, guests will partake in the Royal Luau, which features traditional and contemporary Hawaiian cuisine, an open bar and Polynesian entertainment. The package starts at $289 per room night and is offered the first weekend of every month. A Friday-Monday stay is required.
Visit www.waikoloamarriott.com or call 808-886-6789 and use code D60.

Worth quoting
“Why buy good luggage? You only use it when you travel.” – Yogi Berra

Vacation in France and (probably) get a tax deduction

For A Cause organizes week-long cycling and walking vacations that raise money for nonprofit organizations. According to the organizers, participants get a tax deduction equal to the cost the trip. This year's event, France Walk or Ride on Sept. 11-17, lets participants cycle, walk or combine both both for their favorite charity.They will spend the week in an 11th-century castle in the Western Loire Valley, and make day trips, visiting towns, wineries and castles.
The registration fee is broken into three options: $500, $1,650 or $2,500, each with its own minimum fund-raising requirement. All expenses are included while on the event, such as accommodations, meals, snacks, and route support. Not included are transportation to and from the event, personal expenses and incidentals. The tax deduction comes into play because this is a fundraising event and a substantial part of the participant's day is dedicated to the fundraising activity. Participants, however, are encouraged to consult with a tax advisor or the IRS for their specific tax situation. Visit www.rfac.org.

Fascinating fact

Every day about 3,000 euros are thrown into the Trevi Fountain in Rome. The money is collected at night and goes to charity.

A six-night Irish idyll starting at $699 with air

Dooley Vacations is promoting an Ireland 3-City Package for six nights beginning at $699 per person, including round-trip air, two nights each hotel in Dublin, Galway and Killarney and a rental car for the week. This package, Dooley says, saves travelers over $600 per person compared to the cost of booking air, accommodations, and car separately. The $699 (plus fees and taxes) is from New York City. It's $719 per person from Boston, $789 from Chicago, and $769 from Orlando. The price is based on two people traveling, on select Monday and Tuesday departures from April 1 to May 31. Other days of the week and departure cities are also on sale for slightly more. Discount pricing is also available for 1 and 3 travelers. Call 877-331-9301 or click here.

Trivial answer

Indonesia, with an area of 1,919,440 km sq. (735,355 sq miles) is considered the largest island country.

2011-02-28T12:15:00.004-05:00

What to bring to make your travels more pleasant

Last week we presented advice on stretching your travel dollar from Teri Gault, who as CEO of GroceryGame.com has traveled many, many miles. This week, we present her advice on what to bring with you when traveling. These are a few of her favorite things:

Hand sanitizer: Gault says that people have between 2 and 10 million bacteria between the fingertip and elbow -- areas that you frequently, if accidentally, end up touching. She recommends Veripur hand lotion. (You, of course, might have your own favorite among germ-fighters or other products she mentions.)

Sneakers: Bring running shoes in your carry on, if you are changing planes. If you miss a connecting flight, you may be stuck in the airport for a day or more. So if you’re running late on the first flight, before it lands, take off your slip-on shoes, and put on your running shoes. "I have literally run to a flight, and wouldn’t have made it any other way, many times," she says. (Isn't travel fun?)

Bottled water: Bring at least one water bottle on the plane, or better yet two. After you go through security, go straight to a vendor and buy two overpriced water bottles, even if your flight is going to be short. Why? "On a short flight from Memphis to Phoenix last week, we were stuck in the plane for an hour and a half before takeoff. Once out on the tarmac, the flight attendants cannot serve any beverages. The plane was hot; unless you are at the gate, there is no air." Meanwhile, when in a hotel don't buy water -- use an empty bottle or the one you bought at airport and fill it up at the gym. It is cold, free and filtered.

Bed bug spray: These days it pays to be prepared. Her choice is Stop Bugging Me!

An iPad : It's Gault's favorite and most necessary item when traveling. Mine, too. You can check email, watch movies, and kill time reading blogs like this one. The iPad has great battery life and is relatively light to carry. (The iPad 2, to be announced this week, may be lighter yet.)

Snacks: You'll avoid those airport prices. Gault's favorite high protein travel snack is raw almonds.

Zip-lock bags: The practicality of zip-lock baggies such as Tili Bags when traveling is unmatched by any other travel accessory, says Gault.

Trivial question
What does the sign on Mount Lee in California say? (Answer somewhere below.)

Springtime in Lisbon -- for under $1,000

This spring, Lisbon -- Portugal’s capital on the Tejo River -- is promoting a host of new museums, restaurants and cultural venues and hotels. Azores Express/SATA has a weeklong package from Boston, with six nights' lodging and air starting at $969 per person.

Packages from Boston to Lisbon (via the Azores) depart Tuesdays and Fridays mid-September through the fal, combined with six-night stays at a choice of four hotels. For Tuesday departures, packages range from $969 to $1,619 per person, double occupancy (plus tax). All packages include daily breakfast. Travelers can choose a package that combines a stay in São Miguel in the Azores for the same $969 base price. Children under 6 pay child’s airfare while children under 10 pay 10% of the hotel rate, plus airfare.
New this year is the modern Tivoli Oriente, a 4-star hotel in the newest part of the city, the riverfront Nation’s Park, and near the Oceanarium. The other featured hotels include Hotel Azores Lisboa, a modern 4-star hotel in the city’s business and shopping district; the downtown Tivoli Jardim, set near major sites and shopping; and the Hotel Mundial, right in the city’s center. The Mundial, recently restored, was famed as a center of espionage during World War II.For more information or reservations, call 800-762-9995 or visit www.sata.pt.

Worth quoting

“I told the doctor I broke my leg in two places. He told me to quit going to those places”. – Henny Youngman

Ski and stay in N.H. from $60 a person-- or even less

A ski-and-stay package that includes lodging and lift tickets at New Hampshire's Waterville Valley Resort can be had from $60 per person a night, quad occupancy. Package guests also receive half off rentals, all day Kids Venture Kamps and Child Care. The deal is being offered midweek in March plus the weekends of March 25–27 and April 1–3.

New this winter is a Wicked Long Ski Weekends package, which offers guests the option of checking in as early as 12:30 p.m. on Friday, with a 3 p.m. checkout on Sunday. Free skiing on Friday afternoon is included. The price starts at $89 a person per night, double occupancy, in December, and $158 in January, February and March. Meanwhile, guests can ski on St. Patty’s Day (March 17) for $17 and stay the night for $17 a person, quad occupancy. Then there is an April Fool’s Day package: Stay March 31 or April 1, and ski April 1 from $51 a person, double occupancy. The package includes a $50 dinner certificate.

Call 800-GO-VALLEY or visit www.waterville.com.

Fascinating fact

Aiea, Hawaii, may be the only U.S. community whose name contains just vowels. (If you know of others, feel free to tell us.)

Choice Hotels now offering $50 gas cards

Guests who stay two separate times at a Choice Hotels property, March 3 – May 4 can receive enough Choice Privileges points to redeem them for a $50 gas card. Travelers, in fact, can earn more than one $50 gas card during this promotion. To be eligible, they must book at ChoiceHotels.com or by calling 800-4CHOICE.

Trivial answer

The sign on Mount Lee reads HOLLYWOOD and is, in fact, one of the world's most famous signs.

2011-02-25T11:36:00.006-05:00

Making the most of your travel dollar

Yes, travel can be expensive and may well be getting more so. But there are many ways to save while still having a great time. Just ask Teri Gault, CEO of the GroceryGame.com, who travels over 150,000 miles a year. Here is a sampling of Gault’s frugal advice:

Talk to the locals: Chowhound, an online food discussion board, lets locals and tourists can chat and exchange tips of places to go and things to see.

Choose lunch over dinner: Lunch menus are often a lot cheaper than dinner menus and sometimes they serve the same thing. If you have your eye on a nice restaurant, instead of paying twice as much for dinner, choose lunch.

Save on croissants and orange juice: Some hotels offer breakfast which is something you should take advantage of. But if your hotel doesn’t provide this perk, head for the grocery store for yogurt and cereal or whatever, and save.

Be flexible when flying: The time of day you travel, as well as the time of day you purchase tickets can be the difference between saving $100 or not. Traveling on off peak days and times of the weeks can give great savings. Typically, travel on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday is cheapest. Opting to fly into alternate airports can make for huge savings. Another suggestion is to pay attention to what time of the day you look for flights, if the price seems too high, try searching for it at a different time of the day. Airfarewatchdog.com helps you find when and where flights are cheapest.

Check those online deals: Go to sites like Groupon or Living Social and look up deals for each city you will be visiting. GoldStar.com, meanwhile, provides half-price tickets to events and shows in several cities nationwide.

Get advice from the right people: Don’t ask the concierge for suggestions on where to eat because they often get paybacks from the places they recommend. Instead consider asking a local resident like the cleaning lady or boutique owner what their favorite place is. You could end up getting the best experience for the lowest price.

There's an app for that: Many apps for your iPhone, iPod touch, iPad or Android phone can make traveling easier. Among Gault's suggestions are TripTik Travel Planner from AAA, Wikihood (which creates a list of sites worth seeing), Wi-Fi Finder, and Sit or Squat, which locates the cleanest rest rooms.

Trivial question

Where and what is the largest city in Africa? (Answer somewhere below.)

Eat, pray, love in Bali for $999

Immerse yourself in meditation and yoga on an eight-day, seven-night "Eat, Pray, Love ... In Bali" custom-planned vacation with Goway. Featured activities are yoga and meditation programs and a palm reading by
Ketut Liyer, the medicine man in "Eat, Pray, Love." Also included are a cooking lesson in Indonesian cuisine, a Balinese village tour, and a cycling tour. The itinerary costs from $999 per person, land only, for seven nights at Ananda Cottages, with daily breakfast, one lunch, one dinner, touring in private, air-conditioned vehicles, entrance and donation fees, and round trip airport transfers in Bali. Book by March 31 for
travel through Dec. 31. For reservations or more information, phone 888-469-2988 or
visit www.goway.com.

Search Amazon.com for Bali

Fascinating fact

With a mapped length of 348 miles, Kentucky's Mammoth Cave National Park is the world's most extensive cave system.

A chance to see what your hotel room will look like

The new website Room 77 has data on more than 425,000 hotel rooms in 2,500 properties and is still growing. Accessible through its free website and iPhone app, Room 77 provides travelers with specific details about each hotel room at a property, including the room category, square footage, bed type, elevator proximity and if it is a connecting room. For each room, Room 77 also generates a virtual Room View, simulating the actual view from that room’s window using Google Earth-enabled technology.

Worth quoting

“Climbing K2 or floating the Grand Canyon in an inner tube. There are some things one would rather have done than do." -- Edward Abbey

A $139 spa deal -- at the very last minute

Mirbeau Inn & Spa in Skaneateles, N.Y., has a $139 rate for stays this Sunday (Feb. 27) and Monday only. The 34-room spa, is in central New York's Finger Lakes wine region, and is noted fpor bopth its spa treatments and cuisine. For reservations, call 315-685-1927. For more information, visit www.mirbeau.com.

Trivial answer

With 6.7 million people and then some, Cairo is Africa's largest city.

2011-02-24T11:37:00.004-05:00

Ten ways to battle those rising gas prices

As turmoil in the Mideast sends gas prices ricing, travelers worry about the costs of their road trips going up. You certainly don't want to cancel your plans, so here from Freeshipping.org are 10 tips to help you

cut back on costs:

Use Your Smart Phone The GasBuddy app will coordinate your location with the best gas prices in your area. Another app worth trying is CheapGas, which provides precise directions to the nearest and least-expensive gas station.

Shop Online According to a recent study by Carnegie Melon's Green Institute, shopping online saves an average of 35 percent in gas consumption -- fuel that you could put toward your next trip. You can find free shipping coupons at sites like FreeShipping.org or CouponSherpa.com.

Lay-off the Lead Foot Speeds exceeding 40 mph force your vehicle to overcome forceful wind resistance, thus consuming fuel faster. Keep an eye on your odometer for maximum fuel efficiency.

Skip those speedy starts You're wasting a lot of gas just to reach the next stop light a second faster.

Coordinate Carpools Try the Carpicipate app to locate like-minded neighbors or community members interested in sharing rides.

Be Loyal to Your Reward Card Depending upon where you live, some stores offer up to 10-cents off per gallon for buying groceries and filling up at their tanks. Sometimes stores and stations offer an additional savings if you pay cash. Myself, I save a nickel a gallon using my Shell rewards debit card.

Buy Discount Gas Gift Cards Sites like GiftCardGranny.com offer discount gas gift cards from various card vendors.

Fuel Up at Warehouse Pumps Filling up at your local warehouse club can save you anywhere from five to 10 cents on fuel compared to surrounding gas stations.

Give Generic a Go Buying "off-brand" gas gets your car from place to place in the same shape as fuel from name-brand stations. In fact, it's often the same gas, yet the price can differ by several cents a gallon.

Use Low Octane According to NPR's Car Talk, using a higher octane gas when your car doesn't need it is worthless. Check your vehicle's manual to determine how low you can go.

Search Amazon.com for road trips

If you're 53, you may well have taken a tour

A recent informal survey of members of the United States Tour Operators Association showed that the average age of a tour passenger is 53. The survey also found that 16 is the average passenger age for student tours.

Trivial question

What is the only capital city named after a city mentioned in the Old Testament? (Answer somewhere below.)

Give me some savings and Cracker Jacks

Jupiter Beach Resort & Spa in Palm Beach, Fla. has a package revolving around the state's only stadium that hosts two spring training teams: the Florida Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals. The package offers a 10 percent discount on the resort's best available rates, a $10 credit at Roger Dean Stadium, breakfast for two each morning, and a welcome gift of a baseball, a Sharpie and Cracker Jacks. Guests also get complimentary valet parking, high-speed Internet, no resort fee, and rates starting at $269 per night. For more information, visit www.jupiterbeachresort.com/florida-spring-training-getaway.html. For reservations, call 800-228-8810 and mention promo code SPRING.

Worth quoting

“The worst thing about being a tourist is having other tourists recognize you as a tourist.” -- Russell Baker

Tuscany and Venice for $899 a person

Sceptre Tours is offering a six-night Upscale Tuscany - Venice Vacation package starting at $899 per person, a savings of up to $1,200 per package versus if they had booked the individual components on their own. The vacation includes two nights at the four-star Hotel Bolognese in Venice (two separate guest rooms); two nights at the four-star La Fattoria degli Usignoli in Tuscany in a two-bedroom villa; round-trip economy class airfare to Venice; a one-week manual car rental with unlimited mileage and collision damage waiver; and breakfast daily while in Venice

This package is priced from $899 from New York or Newark; $949 from Boston, and $999 from Chicago for travel from March 10 through May 31 on select dates. The offer is available through June at slightly higher rates. Travelers can also opt to fly into Florence and out of Venice for the same price. There are, of course, taxes and fees. Call 800-221-0924 or visit: www.sceptretours.com.

Trivial answer

Salem, Ore., is the city with the Old Testament name.

2011-02-21T11:18:00.005-05:00

Well what do you know: This spring, Americans are going places

Hooray! Americans are leaving their recession mentality behind and getting ready to travel agan. According to a new AOL survey, 72 percent of respondents said that, compared with last year, they have more (31percent) or the same amount (41 percent) of money to spend on spring travel. What's more:

* More than 60 percent of travelers are spending between $500 and $2,000 on their spring outings.
* Sixty-one percent of women are planning to spend less than $1,000, while just 42 percent of men are.
* With less than two months until spring break season, 75% of travelers had yet to book their flights, though 57 percent had chosen their destination.
* 75 percent of travelers plan to stay within the United States, with sunny Florida being the top destination. (Pictured: Miami Beach.)
* Eighty percent of those surveyed will travel more than 250 miles and 58 percent will travel more than 500 miles.

Trivial question

What city is nicknamed The City of Saints? (Answer somewhere below.)

Haven't had enough snow? Where to find more

Snowlink.com, the website of SnowSports Industries America, has plenty of tips on where to go and how to get started, along safety tips, gear and fashion information, resorts info, and a photo gallery of the hottest trends. Myself, I'll take warm places without a speck of snow.

Fascinating fact

The greatest snowfall in North America within 24 hours occurred in Silver Lake Colo. A grand total of 76 inches fell on April 14-15, 1921.

Golf card means savings in the Poconos

Several of the more than 35 golf courses in the area will participate in Pocono Mountains Golf-Around Card, which will provide discounted greens fees throughout the 2011 season. Cards can be purchased later this spring for $40 at participating courses, with rounds based on availability. The Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau plans to unveil the card in March. Visit www.poconosgolf.com.

Worth quoting

“The major advantage of domestic travel is that, with a few exceptions such as Miami, most domestic locations are conveniently situated right here in the United States.” -- Dave Barry

There's nothing rough about six new Rough Guides

Not everyone relies on their smartphones when deciding what to see and where to go. The popular Pocket Rough Guides has released six new volumes for London, Paris, Barcelona, New York, Prague and Rome. The books, a little bigger than pocket size actually, tell what's hot and what's not, detail the sites and give advice on where to eat, drink and stay. And inside the back covers, you'll find pullout maps. If, on the other hand, you are into smartphone apps, Rough Guides has them, too. Visit www.roughguides.com.

Trivial answer

Salt Lake City is nicknamed The City of Saints. (And you thought it was New Orleans.)

2011-02-18T11:52:00.000-05:00

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is extremely popular at Universal Orlando

Saving money and enjoying Orlando in the springtime

Orlando is the most popular destination for families during spring break, according to Ian Ford, founder of Undercover Tourist. “College students take over many of Florida’s beaches, but the theme parks remain the domain of families,” says Ford. Here are a couple of his money-saving tips:

* If you can avoid traveling in late March and early April over Easter weekend, there are deals on park properties. Disney cuts room prices by 25% to 40% through March 27, and then starting up again April 11, theme park visitors will pay as little as $79 for a standard room. Round-trip flights from New York start at $175.

* Some free events come with regular admission, but many parkgoers don’t take advantage of them. At Disney World, there is the annual Epcot Flower and Garden Festival, with many amusing topiary figures of Disney characters, programs for grown-up and kid gardeners, and free outdoor Flower Power concerts. The festival runs mid-March through May. Meanwhile, the Universal Studios theme park has multiple Mardi Gras nights, with a big parade, street performers, Cajun cuisine, free concerts, and New Orleans bands in the French Quarter. Expect party-ers, but plenty of families too.

Meanwhile, dinosaurs are awaiting you in Tampa

An InterContisaurus dinosaur-themed package is now available at the InterContinental Tampa. Riding on the scaly tales of DinoQuest, a Jurassic journey exhibit at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo, the package includes accommodations and an Explorer Kit. With weekend rates beginning at $135, the package includesa night's accommodations and an Explorer Kit, complete with dinosaur silly bands, a dinosaur coloring book, magnifying glass and fossil dig dusting brush, a growing dinosaur sponge in a capsule and a dinosaur-themed cameras.
The zoo's DinoQuest, meanwhile, features life-size dinosaurs that move and roar. Discounted tickets to the zoo and the special dino exhibit can be purchased through the InterContinental Tampa's concierge.

To reserve the InterContisaurus package call 866-402-0758 and mention rate code IKLS2 or visit www.intercontampa.com. For zoo info, go to www.lowryparkzoo.com.

Search Amazon.com for dinosaurs

Trivial question

What is the highest point in California? (Answer somewhere below.)

Slush Cup Weekend is a wild and crazy event

A frozen fish toss, shovel racing, seal slide, and a silly slalom are just some of the wacky activities that are part of Slush Cup Weekend, which takes place at Shanty Creek Resorts in Bellaire, Mich., March 4-6. You certainly wouldn't want to miss the weekend's main event -- racing on skis and snowboards across an icy 40' pond while wearing wacky costumes. Starting at $90 based on double occupancy, you can get a night'slodging in a condominium and a Superticket allowing skiers or snowboarders access to any of Shanty Creek Resorts three mountains. Visit www.shantycreek.com or call 800-678-4111.

Worth quoting

"When you come to a fork in the road ... take it." -- attributed to Yogi Berra.

An $18 hotel room, right near Manhattan

Starting today, guests have 18 days to book a second room night at the the Sheraton Lincoln Harbor for $18. The deal is for Thursday through Saturday arrivals, with checkout check-out by Sunday.

Located in Weehawken, NJ, the Hudson River waterfront property is a five-minute ferry ride from midtown Manhattan. Book by calling 201-617-5600.

Fascinating fact

Ninety languages are spoken in Houston.

An $899 summer package to Ireland

An Ireland 5-Star Resort in Summer package includes six nights in a Deluxe Villa at The Heritage 5 Star Golf & Spa Resort; round-trip economy class airfare to Dublin; a weekly manual full-size car rental; and entrance to the Belleek China Factory. Thie package begins at $899 from New York, Boston, or Chicago from July 1 to Aug. 31, and from $599 March 12-31. Rates are per person based on four people sharing and exclude assorted taxes and fees that can add as much as $182.50 to the cost. This package is also available from Sept. 1 through Oct. 31, from $699. Call 800-221-0924, or click here.

Trivial answer

California's highest point is Mount Whitney.