What they say ... and what they actually mean

Photo by the Walt Disney Co.

The July re-launch of the Hall of Presidents attraction at the Magic Kingdom adds an audio-animatronic likeness of President Obama, who will have a speaking role, along with the figures of Washington and Lincoln. Disney World employees do a lot of speaking, too, but some remarks need a "translation."

Years ago, a group of Walt Disney World employees (or "cast members," in Disneyspeak) put together a satirical newsletter that unofficially translated phrases frequently heard around the Magic Kingdom. Here are highlights from the list, which was reprinted in the book "Realityland."

* "We are experiencing technical difficulties."

Something bad just happened.

* "We should be operating again in about an hour."

I have no idea how long it will be.

* "These 3-D glasses will impair your normal vision."

They look goofy if you wear them outside.

* "Excuse us, please."

If you don't move, a one-ton cart will run you over.

* "Yes, I do work here."

What tipped you off, genius? The nametag or the dorky costume?

* "Please remain calm."

It's time to panic. You are all going to die!

Websites' airline-ticket trick upsets a senator

U.S. Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) has introduced legislation to stop online websites from offering service under a major carrier's name and waiting until buyers pay to reveal that a small regional carrier is actually doing the flying. "The airlines are pulling a bait-and-switch, and it could be making flying less safe," Schumer told the Daily News. He cited Expedia and the big airlines' own websites.

A luxury rafting trip for $995 a person

A new four-day Middle Fork of the Salmon Rafting Adventure, beginning Aug. 25, will be offered for $995 per person. The 70-mile trip, from ROW adventures is a one-time event. Rafting will start in Boise and end in Salmon, Idaho. The free-flowing Middle Fork drops 3,000 feet through central Idaho's remote "River of No Return" wilderness. Natural and diverse, the Middle Fork of the Salmon River is one of America's first "Wild and Scenic Rivers" protected by Congress.

Call 800-451-6034 or e-mail info@rowadventures.com. For more about Salmon rafting, click here.

Worth quoting

"Is there anything as horrible as starting on a trip? ... The last moments are earthquake and convulsion."

-- Anne Morrow Lindbergh

A chance to see the Dead Sea scrolls in Toronto

The Fairmont Royal York is promoting a Dead Sea Scrolls Package that gives preferred access to the newly opened exhibit at the Royal Ontario Museum. The package is available seven days a week and includes a night's accommodations, complimentary valet parking for one car, a $25 food and beverage credit and two adult tickets to "Dead Sea Scrolls: Words that Changed the World," with a reserved time. Rates begin at about $205 U.S.

Click here or call 800-441-1414.

And speaking of Toronto ...

Canada's largest city is multicultural indeed, with nearly 47 percent of its population belonging to a visible minority group. To emphasize that, someone decided to do a little Photoshopping on the cover of the city's Summer Fun Guide.

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New Hampshire enters the blogosphere

A new blog, "Karno Trip Picks," is continually updated with the latest travel news from selected New Hampshire-based travel organizations and destinations. These include the Waterville Valley Resort, the White Mountains Attractions organization, the Currier Museum of Art in Manchester, the Cog Railway, the Barnstormer's Theatre in Tamworth, and the M/S Mount Washington cruises on Lake Winnepesaukee. Readers can subscribe via email, via an RSS feed, or follow the feed on Twitter @LkarnoTripPicks.

The blog can be found at http://www.karnotrippicks.com/. The Twitter feed is called "New Hampshire Travel."

Friday's trivia answer

No, Hagatna is not an East European stew. Rather, it's the capital of Guam and one of the American island territory's busiest commercial districts.

Look who's coming to Tokyo!

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of Gundam, the giant robot from a Japanese anime TV series, a 59-foot robot will be displayed in Tokyo's new waterfront Odaiba district from July 10-Aug. 31 to promote Tokyo's bid to host the 2016 Olympics. The robot can move over 50 body parts as well as eject light beams and mist, as in the TV series.  Sounds as if that might be worth a trip to Tokyo all by itself.

Five free attractions that are really worth your while

Many attractions across the country are free simply because that's what they are worth. But others can give you so much fun that you can't put a price on it. Here, from TripAdvisor.com, are five favorite freebies.

* Mallory Square, in Key West, Fla., where you'll find food vendors, acrobats, musicians and a spectacular sunset.

* Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, Colo., home to sandstone rock formations and a view of Pike's Peak.

* Cliff Walk, Newport, R.I., a scenic 3 1/2-mile walkway with the ocean on one side and views of the famous Newport mansions on the other.

* Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles, where you can look up at the night sky through a telescope or simply take in the view of Los Angeles and the famous Hollywood sign.

* You've no doubt heard of the above four, but are you familiar with Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah? There, in the scenic Angel Canyon,  you can volunteer to help with the animals or take a free tour of the grounds.

How's that again?

A shopping bag spotted in Japan proclaims,  "Primitive Cool: collective heterosexual scenario and turn the women red."

It's the early bird that catches Stowe's discount

Vermont's Stowe Mountain Lodge is already getting ready for snow.  For those who can't wait to be the first on the lift, the lodge will offer up to a 20% discount on nightly room rates with its First Tracks package. The offer includes lodging for two in a studio guestroom, 2 two-day ski passes, complimentary ski storage and boot warming. One guest per booking will also receive a Royal Foot Treatment at The Spa at Stowe Mountain Lodge --  a 25-minute wrap, scrub and massage for the feet and lower legs. The package is valid for visits between Nov. 28 and Dec. 18, with rates starting at $329 per night (This represents up to a 25% discount off best available rates).  A two-night minimum stay is required for  this package, which must be booked by Aug. 31.

Visit  www.stowemountainlodge.com or call 888-4-STOWE-VT, and refer to booking code FIRSTTRACKS.  

Meanwhile, Sunday River is all set for summer

Sunday River in Newry, Maine,   shifts   into its summer mode with the opening of the Sunday River Mountain Bike Park and the start of the resort’s summer activity calendar. Additional summer activities for guests include golf and guided or unguided ATV/Ranger rides, fly fishing, mineralogy and canoe/kayaking tours. New this summer is the Chondola for scenic rides and mountain bike transport and 6 new miles of mountain bike terrain for beginners and intermediates.   The $7.2 million Chondola -- part gondola and part chairlift -- gives a seven- minute ride to North Peak where the resort’s system of mountain bike and hiking trails branch from.  The eight-person gondola cabins are reserved for pedestrians, while the six-person chairs are  for mountain bike transport. Mountain bike adult all-day tickets with Chondola access are $27; trail-access-only tickets are $10. Roundtrip Chondola rides are $8 (ages 5 and under ride  free).

Guided tours (ATV/Ranger, fly-fishing, mineralogy and canoe/kayaking) can be booked seven days a week by calling 800-543-2754. For more information on Sunday River, visit www.sundayriver.com or call 207-842-5234.

Trivial question

Where would you find Hagatna? Answer Monday.

Relax ... even if you're lost on the drive

Steve Halpern's CD "Drive Time RX" has relaxation suggestions encoded so softly in his music that the listener can't hear them, but the subconscious does, and will respond. At least that's the theory behind the recording artist's latest effort. So when you're totally lost while driving to your vacation destination, you might want to pop this disc into the CD player.

The CD is available at www.innerpeacemusic.com and Amazon.com, among other places.

 Fascinating fact

Smokey the Bear, that indefatigable fighter of forest fires, has his own ZIP code: 20252.

Budget vacations from Appalachian Mountain Club

The Appalachian Mountain Club  (AMC) is offering summer vacations for every budget, from free naturalist activities for day trippers to all-inclusive, five-night vacations for a family of four under $1,500. Three-night values for two include camping trips under $100, shore-side private cabin retreats in the Maine Woods for $300, and lodge-to-hut hiking under $500. Everyone is welcome, and AMC members get additional discounts.  The destinations are in New Hampshire, Maine and New Jersey.

   For details, click here.

These streets weren’t named for elephants OR circuses

One of the many things I love about London are the names of its streets. You know: places like Bleeding Heart Yard, Houndsditch, Spitalfields, Elephant and Castle. But how did they get those colorful names anyway? The Associated Press recently looked into that question and came up with these answers:

* Bleeding Heart Yard is from a legend that a noblewoman's still-pumping heart was found there after she was murdered in the 1620s.

* Houndsditch comes from the ditch where people dumped dead dogs in the Middle Ages.

* Spitalfields, the site of a popular market in east London, is a contraction of "Hospital Fields." The New Hospital of St. Mary without Bishopsgate was located there in the early 12th century.

* Elephant and Castle, in south London, may be a corruption of "La Infanta de Castilla," which in Spanish refers to Catherine of Aragon, the Spanish princess who was the first (but not the last) to marry Henry VIII..

And there are more:

* Piccadilly Circus gets its name from a stiff collar called a "picadil" and a picadil tailor’s mansion called Piccadilly Hall. In this instance, “circus” merely means a circular area.

* Pall Mall, which cuts through London’s center, may have got that name because British nobility liked to play "paille maille" on long, straight streets.

* Chalk Farm, in north London, is a corruption of "Chalcot Farm," which the AP says no longer exists but was chosen as the name for the nearby Underground stop “simply because it was memorable.”

For a lot more about London, including a three-night flight-and-hotel offer starting at $599, go to www.visitlondon.com.


Everyone groan -- here comes a travel joke
A passenger piled his suitcases on the scale at an airline counter in Chicago and, after paying the airline’s outrageous fees, told the ticket agent, "I'm flying to Los Angeles. I want the square case to go to Denver and the two round ones to go to Boston."
"I'm sorry, sir, but we can't do that," said the ticket agent.
"Why not?” answered the passenger. You did it the last time!"

Las Vegas resort gives a $100 beverage credit
The Signature at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, a Mobil four-star resort, is celebrating its third birthday with a deal. Throughout July, when you book the Signature Celebration package, rates start at $129 per night for a junior suite -- and you get a $100 beverage credit. If it happens to be your birthday, too, you get a complimentary upgrade to a one-bedroom suite.
Call 877-727-0007 and mention booking code “BIRTHDAY.” The website is www.signaturemgmgrand.com.

And speaking of beverages ...
The Deerfield Inn in Deerfield, Mass., is celebrating its 125th anniversary with a new tavern and name for the restaurant. In a tribute to acclaimed painter and late 19th century Deerfield resident, James Wells Champney, the name is now Champney’s Restaurant and Tavern. What’s more, the beverage menu features a whopping 101 custom-blended martinis, and restaurant guests get a free treat -- some of the inn’s signature Dense Chocolate Torte for dessert.
Visit www.deerfieldinn.com or call 413-774-5587 .

Worth quoting

“There ain’t no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them.”

                                                                                                                                            -- Mark Twain

2 months of music, dance, theater, flamenco
For 60 days this summer, Madrid will welcome performing artists like Sara Baras, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Cesária Évora, Gilberto Gil, Jerry Lee Lewis, Youssou N’Dour, Carlos Saura and James Taylor. The Spanish capital’s Summer in the City Festival will have 1,166 performances – 65 concerts, 50 plays, 30 dance companies, 200 film screenings and two circuses. Events begin Thursday and run through Aug. 23. Prices, locations and times vary. For the rundown, click here.  To learn about Spain, visit www.spain.info.

Fascinating facts
With a coastline of 2,650 miles, Chile makes up more than half the western coastline of South America. This ultra-thin country is between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes, the earth's longest exposed mountain range at more than 4,300 miles.

Answer to Monday’s trivia: Buenos Aires
The striking span pictured below is the Puente de la Mujer in Buenos Aires, a 335-foot-long suspension pedestrian bridge The central portion can turn 90 degrees to allow water traffic to get by.

Photo by Richard P. Carpenter

Where are you?

Today's trivia: In which city will you find this bridge? Answer Wednesday.

Without $4 gas, Americans will keep hitting the road

A year ago, the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline was $4.07. Today, according to AAA, the average is $2.69. Everybody say, "Whoopee!"

Lower gas prices, of course, mean more affordable summer travel for many. If last year's $4 prices had been repeated, a new survey finds that more than 67 percent of the people questioned would cut their summer travel plans, sometimes drastically. But the news is good, and BedandBreakfast.com, which conducted the survey of 3,300 travelers,  found that nearly 80 percent  plan to take as many or more trips this summer as they did last year and are evenly split between staying closer to home for “staycations”  and traveling farther away. Here are the survey results:

* 70.5% say they'll take two to four trips this summer. 

* 78.6% say they'll take as many or more trips this summer as last.

*  Respondents are evenly tied between staycations and "go-cations" to distant destinations.

* Although the recession has affected  travel plans for 6 out of 10 respondents, they're still anticipating summer vacations. A total of 51.2% of survey respondents said they would change their plans and spend less each day, while 43.4% said they would vacation for fewer days.

* 76% said good deals on lodging would encourage them to travel more, while nearly half said  the simple need to get away was the biggest motivator for travel. 
* Relaxation was the most popular anticipated activity for vacations (65%), followed by visiting with friends and family (56%) and swimming at beaches and lakes (47%). 

Inns that belong to BedandBreakfast.com have crafted more than 125 reward offers to help guests with their gasoline and other costs. Visit  www.bedandbreakfast.com and click the fuel gauge graphic in the center of the screen. The group also has an offer  to save an extra $50 on a three-night sunny destination vacation when booked online  by June 30. click here,  type in a destination and travel dates, look for the Book It button, and use the promo code BBSUN50.

And speaking of driving ... 

Clark Howard, money expert for the HLN network, says driving can cost you about 50 cents a mile because of wear and tear, so you might actually save by renting a car, thus putting the wear on someone else's vehicle.

Visit cnn.com/clarkhoward.

Fascinating fact

Seoul is Korean for "capital city," which of course is what Seoul is.

A room in San Diego for $19?

From Aug. 16-31, the Rancho Bernardo Inn in San Diego will discount its $219 room rate drastically if you are willing to give up some amenities. Here's how it goes: $199 without breakfast,  $179 without honor bar,  $159 without air conditioning or heat,  $139 without pillows, $109 without sheets,  $89 without lights,  $59 without linens, $39 without toiletries and $19 without bed. After all, there's nothing like a good snooze on the floor.

Click here or call 877-517-9340

There's no accounting for taste

According to a survey by USA Today and TripAdvisor.com, America's favorite roadside store is that temple of tackiness, South of the Border in Dillon, S.C.,  picked by  33 percent of  those surveyed. My favorite, Wall Drug Store in Wall, S.D., came in a close second with 31 percent.

Begorrah, but it's germy

The aforementioned TripAdvisor has named Ireland's Blarney Stone the would's germiest tourist attraction. The stone is kissed by 400,000 people a year.

Travel tip

From From Sally Qu Yi, a program director for Grand Circle Travel: "If you are a market person, the first place you should go in Beijng is the Silk Market. The Chinese silk products ... are cheap but good quality... but there are also lots of cashmere  garments, down jackets, leather goods, shoes, hats, watches and some handcrafts and trinkets."

Travelocity sale

Travelocity is holding a Summer to the Rescue Sale, in which you can save up to one-third if you book by June 30 and travel by July 31.

Visit www.travelocity.com/sale.

All aboard for the world's 10 best train rides!

Photo by Rocky Mountaineer

Some of the most widely traveled people on earth were recently polled about what they considered the world’s most exciting and scenic train rides. Here, in order,  are the top 10 rides chosen by members of the Society of American Travel Writers, along with the organization’s descriptions.

1. The Rocky Mountaineer (www.rockymountaineer.com), which offers spectacular two-day journeys through the Canadian Rocky Mountains from Vancouver to Banff or Jasper.

2. The Glacier Express (www.glacierexpress.ch), the famous Swiss mountain railway from St. Moritz to Zermatt. This 7 1/2-hour journey crosses 291 bridges and burrows through 91 tunnels.

3. The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad (www.durangotrain.com), which winds through rugged canyons in the remote wilderness of Colorado’s two-million-acre San Juan National Forest.

4. The Bernina Express (www.rhb.ch), which runs from Chur, Switzerland to Tirano, Italy, and makes the highest rail crossing of the Alps, passing from icy glaciers to palm-shaded piazzas in just a few hours.

5. Peru Rail Cusco to Machu Picchu (www.perurail.com), which carries passengers on a dramatic journey through the high Andes. There are three levels of service, from backpacker trains to Vistadome cars to the luxurious blue and gold Hiram Bingham train.

6. The Coastal Classic Train on the Alaska Railroad (www.akrr.com), which winds through the wilderness between Anchorage and Seward. Massive glaciers are visible from the track as the train climbs into the Kenai Mountains and travels to the shores of Resurrection Bay for connection to Kenai Fjords National Park, offering whale watching, sea kayaking, tidewater glacier viewing, fishing, and dog sled rides.

7. The Royal Scotsman (www.royalscotsman.com), which rolls through sweeping glens, towering peaks and mirror-calm lochs as the train weaves through wild countryside and along virgin stretches of coast on two- to seven- night journeys in the Scottish highlands.

8. The Whistler Mountaineer (www.whistlermountaineer.com) in Canada, a three-hour ride along the magnificent coast of British Columbia, from Vancouver to Whistler, famous for its views of cities, old-growth forests, deep valleys, snowcapped peaks and seascapes.

9. Mexico’s El Chepe (www.chepe.com.mx), which ventures into the imposing landscapes of the Sierra Tarahumara and into Mexico’s Copper Canyon, passing through 87 tunnels and crossing 37 bridges. The Copper Canyon is four times the size of the Grand Canyon – and deeper.

10. The Flam Railway (www.norwaynutshell.com) is regarded as one of the highlights of the “Norway in a Nutshell” tour. The 20-kilometer-long journey from the mountain station of Myrdal takes 55 minutes and presents views of some of the most magnificent mountain scenery in Norway.

For more about the Society of American Travel Writers, visit www.satw.org.

Worth quoting
“There isn't a train I wouldn't take, No matter where it's going.”
                                                                                      -- Edna St. Vincent Millay

In search of savings in Britain
Britain on the Cheap is a new website that seeks out bargains in B&Bs, hotels, restaurants, shops, theaters and attractions. Recent savings included 25 percent off Historic House Hotels stays; 20% off the Original Bus Open-Top Tour; and free upgrades on the Heathrow Express.
Visit www.britainonthecheap.com. For savings in other cities, check out www.citiesonthecheap.com.

How’s that again?
Sign spotted at a zoo in Japan: “Do Not Feed Your Hand.”


Cruisegoers can see an original Declaration 
A rare, original copy of the Declaration of Independence will be aboard Princess Cruises’ Alaska-based based ships the week of July 4. The Declaration will be on display aboard the vessels for about two hours while each ship is docked in Juneau. The document, valued at more than $8 million, will be shown aboard Diamond Princess and Star Princess on July 1; Coral Princess on July 2; Island Princess on July 3; Pacific Princess and Golden Princess on July 6, and Sapphire Princess and Sea Princess on July 8.

For full details, click here.

Got the pink slip? You may get a free getaway
In 1992, when Leslie and Brian Mulcahy came to the Rabbit Hill Inn in Lower Waterford, Vt., Brian’s middle management job was being eliminated. So they went from being guests to embarking on a new career as innkeepers at the inn two years later. And now they have launched the Pink Slip Getaway Giveaway Each month through April, 2010 (except September and October 2009), the Rabbit Hill Inn will give away at least one two-night getaway to a couple who has been unemployed for six months or more if their letter explaining their situation is chosen.
For complete details, visit www.rabbithillinn.com.

Answer to Wednesday’s trivia question
The International Bridge links Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., and Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. The bridge spans the St. Marys River. (The Michigan city, incidentally, is the birthplace of a notable journalist: Peter C. Hotton, the Boston Globe’s "Handyman on Call.")

The best food and the least rude

Singapore Airlines has the best food and the most polite flight attendants, according to a survey by SeatGuru.Com, which tells you all about your airline seat. Coming in second in the food category was British Airlines, followed by Continental and Air France. For the worst food, American Airlines came in first, followed by United, US Airways and Delta. As for the best flight attendants, Singapore was followed by British Airways and Southwest Airlines. United had the rudest, according to the 1,600 people who participated in the survey, followed closely by American and US Airways.

All the entertainment you could ever want is on PEI

Photo by Confederation Centre of the Arts

Every year I visit Prince Edward Island in Atlantic Canada, and almost every day I take in a live show.  It's easy and convenient and affordable to do so, because most of those shows take place at the Confederation Centre of the Arts in the capital city of Charlottetown. Check out this season's lineup:

Anne of Green Gables – The Musical. This is the 45th season for this play about a plucky orphan, based on the novel by L.M. Montgomery. More than 2.3 million people have seen the show on the Centre’s 1,100-seat Mainstage theater  since 1965, making Anne  Canada’s longest-running musical and one of the longest-running musicals in the world.

Disco Cirque. Also on the Mainstage, this  musical revue of the disco era is made contemporary with silks dropping from the ceiling and performers both on and above the stage.

Stan Rogers – A Matter of Heart. The music of this great Canadian composer will be presented at The Mack, across the street from the Centre's main building.

Charlie Farquharson and Them Udders. In this sketch comedy, Don Harmon portrays Farquarsohn, who says, “This show is gonna be a ring-tailed snorter of a rang dang doo!” You get the idea.

Abegweit – The Soul of the Island. One of the many good thing about this 45-minute musical production by the The Young Company is that it is absolutely free. Another good thing is that it celebrates Prince Edward Island.

Sketch 22.  This late-night show of short sketches at the Mack isn't for everyone, because it can be smutty. But it can also be hilarious.

And that is just some of what goes on. Ticket prices vary, but you save 15 percent by buying tickets to  two shows, 20 percent for three shows and 25 percent for four-plus shows. The summer season, called the Charlottetown Festival, runs June 18-Sept. 26. And apart from the Centre, all of the island is filled with musical and other entertainment.

Visit www.confederationcentre.com. For Prince Edward Island information, visit www.gentleisland.com.

Trivial question

Since the above item was about Canada, let's have a trivia question from that country. Which U.S. city and which Canadian city are connected by the International Bridge? Hint: It doesn't involve Prince Edward Island. (Answer Friday.) 

Virginia, at 40 percent off ...

In connection with the 40th anniversary of the Virginia Is for Lovers promotion, the state is offering 40 percent off dozens of hotels and attractions. In addition, there are $40 off deals and Buy 3 Get One Free promotions.

For the offers, click here.

... and a third night free in New York

 Hundreds of  lodging properties, including privately-owned campgrounds, will take part in I Love New York's "book two nights, get the third night free" offer. In addition, travelers can save 20 percent on fares to all New York state destinations served by Amtrak and/or receive a 5 percent discount on Enterprise car rentals at Amtrak and MTA Metro North Railroad station stops.

For more information, click here.

Worth quoting

New York's "tall buildings are a waste. In Boston, Bunker Hill gets to the point much quicker than Radio City. "

                                                                                                           -- comedian Fred Allen 

'Saks in the City' is a Boston shopping spree

In Boston, the Fairmont Copley Plaza has partnered with its retail neighbor, Saks Fifth Avenue, to offer a Saks in the City Package. Participants get access to the exclusive Fifth Avenue Club with personal shopping plus light dining and beverages for two,  a cosmetics consultation and  a $100 Saks Fifth Avenue gift card. The package includes one night at The Fairmont Copley Plaza, and is available through Sept. 7. Rates  start at $279.

Click here or call 800-441-1414.

Choose your cruise: Elvis or Sinatra & Martin

An Elvis cruise sails Nov.12-16 from Tampa, Fla., to Cozumel, Mexico, on the Carnival Inspiration, with prices starting at $599. Some of Elvis Presley's former band members will be onboard, rocking out the Elvis oldies.

Click here or call 877-749-8462.

Meanwhile, a Tribute to Frank Sinatra & Dean Martin will be presented by Ron & Joyce Della Chiesa on a seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise aboard the Costa Atlantica, sailing from Fort Lauderdale, Fla.,  Feb. 27 - March 6. Michael Dutra stands in for  Sinatra and Steven Palumbo plays the Dean Martin role. Prices vary.

Click here or call 800-989-8188.

Fascinating fact

The full name of Los Angeles was El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora la Reina de los Angeles de Porciuncula, which means The Town of Our Lady the Queen of Angels of the Little Portion. That name can be abbreviated to 3.63 percent of its size: LA.

These questions have a kind of magic all their own

Photo by Walt Disney Co.

There's nothing temporary about the Contemporary Resort, near the Magic Kingdom.

Guests at Disney's Magic Kingdom sometimes ask the strangest questions. Here, from the book "Realityland: True-Life Adventures at Walt Disney World," are some of the questions that give a new meaning to the term "no-brainer":

* "Are you part of the scenery or do you work here?"

* "When will they tear down the Temporary Hotel and build a permanent one?" [Er, the hotel's name is actually the Contemporary.]

* "Is this bus going to the Polyester Hotel?" [Er, that's the Polynesian.]

* "This place cost over 400 million? Do you have any idea what that is in dollars and cents?"

* Is that the Fairy Godfather's Castle?

* "Just look at the water on that lake!"

* And, my favorite: "Can you show me the way to Toilet Land?"

Fourth of July will sizzle in Chicago ...

Chicago will be an excellent place to spend the Fourth of July weekend, with lakefront fireworks on both July 3 and July 4, the annual Taste of Chicago dining event and many fun and free family activities such as the Lincoln Park Zoo, Millennium Park, and Buckingham Fountain. For those who want to stay in style, the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago, steps from Lake Michigan, and scenic Lake Michigan – has an Experience More package that sort of pays you to stay. Guests get a $100 to $200 room credit per night, based on room category, The credit brings room rates down to a starting point of $295 per night . Still not inexpensive, but this is the Four Seasons after all.

Call 312-280-8400 or click here.

... and sparkle in New Hampshire

New Hampshire's Waterville Valley Resort will have an old-fashioned New England Fourth of July with a town-wide parade on Sunday, July 4, a free outdoor concert and a fireworks display over Corcoran's Pond. And on July 3 at Packard's Field, there will be games, crafts, a 100-foot obstacle course, fireman's BBQ, band and dunk tank. A holiday deal: two nights' lodging, parade flags at check-in, a free glow necklace, and a host of included activities. Prices start at $46 per person per night, quadruple occupancy.

Go to www.visitwatervillevalley.com or call 800-GO-VALLEY.

Worth quoting

“Don’t tell me how educated you are, tell me how much you traveled.”

-- Mohammed

Fall trip prices are expected to jump

With many airlines expected to cut capacity later this year, Travelocity.com says consumers are likely to see price increases as early as fall, making trips this summer a relative bargain. A Travelocity report shows average domestic airfare is $299, down 17 percent from last summer, and the average price of hotels is $142 per night, a decrease of 14 percent. For a family of four, that represents a savings of $374 on accommodations and airfare for an average six-night domestic summer vacation. Similarly, with both average international hotel rates ($197) and airfare ($690) down 14 percent compared to last year, a family of four can save an average of $847 on airfare and hotel for a typical 13-night international vacation.

Time for a (very small) chuckle

A sobbing hotel guest phoned the front desk to say she couldn't get out of her room. "I don't understand," said the clerk. "Why not?"

"Well, the guest said, "there are only three doors in here. One is the bathroom, one is the closet, and one has a sign on it that says, 'Do Not Disturb'!"

Vermont luxury lodge offers a deal for its birthday

Vermont's Stowe Mountain Lodge is celebrating its first birthday with a package with a package deal that is good through Sept. 30, but must be booked between 12:01am on Sunday, June 21, and Tuesday, June 23. A rate of $299 per night to include a choice of one a 50-minute pure results facial, a 50-minute massage of your choice, a 50-minute body treatment. a three-course dinner for one plus wine pairings, a one-hour guided hike followed by a royal foot treatment in the spa or a $100 gift card to be used in Stowe Mountain Lodge's retail shops. This represents a 30-50 percent discount, and although there are blackout dates, there is still room for July 4 weekend.

Visit www.stowemountainlodge.com or call 888-4-STOWE-VT and refer to booking code BIRTHDAY.

Answer to Friday's trivia question

The United States and Canada are the two countries that border three oceans -- the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic.

Saddle up and start your engines for an Adrenaline Tour

Photo by Rexall Edmonton Indy

The new Alberta Adrenaline Tour ’09 combines rodeo feats with watching speed demons race up to 230 mph around hairpin turns. Travel Alberta has helped create a package that features both  the famous Calgary Stampede (July 3-12) and the Rexall Edmonton Indy (July 24-26).  The package includes a Calgary Stampede afternoon rodeo reserved ticket, a Stampede evening Chuckwagon Races & Grandstand Show reserved ticket, a 2009 Calgary Stampede belt buckle, $14 worth of Range Bucks (food vouchers) for the  Stampede, a three-day Gold Section seating pass to the Rexall Edmonton Indy, an Indy Ball Cap  signed by Alex Tagliani (while quantities last), a  West Edmonton Mall Super Saver Coupon Book, and a souvenir program for the  Indy. The price is $450 U.S. per person.

To purchase, visit www.stampedeindy.com or call 888-674-7978. For Calgary Stampede information: www.calgarystampede.com. For the Rexall Edmonton Indy: www.edmontonindy.com.

Trivial question

Only two countries border three oceans. Name the countries and the  oceans. (Answer Monday.)

Vegas excitement, and a $49 condo to stay in

Shell Vacations Hospitality has cut prices  at Las Vegas’ Desert Rose Resort to  as low as $49 per night for one-bedroom condos and $89 for two-bedrooms. (This is not a time-share offer, either.) Guests will also receive upgraded amenities including continental breakfasts each morning and a “manager’s reception” Monday through Thursday. The resort is a block from the Strip, which could mean quieter sleeping conditions.  Payment, however,  is non-refundable and must be up front. The offer is valdi now through July 16 and Aug. 1- Sept. 30. Blackout dates are  June 12-13.
Booking is online only at www.ShellHospitality.com/blog.

Your kids can go 'camping' at a Hyatt resort

The Camp Hyatt program, featuring culturally authentic experiences for younsters staying at a participating Hyatt resort, has been relaunched, with new activities from National Geographic Kids such as identifying animal footprints and hiking the surrounding area. To celebrate Hyatt is reviving the Classic Family Vacation package, which includes accommodations, a full daily breakfast for all registered guests including adults and children, 15 percent savings on restaurant dining, a 15 percent  savings on spa services, a complimentary half day of Camp Hyatt for one child, a welcome snack for youngsters, a 20% shopping discount on NationalGeographic.com and the option to add second room for the children for half off. 
Use offer code FAMVAC at www.classicfamilyvacation.com or call 800-233-1234.

Fascinating fact

Ohio is the only state whose flag is not rectangular. Instead, it is a pennant, although Ohio insists that it is actually a burgee  (a swallow-tailed flag).

South Wales will be the epicenter of all things Elvis

The Porthcawl Elvis Festival in South Wales is the biggest event of its kind in Europe. From Sept. 25-28, thousands of Elvis Presley fans will flock to the small seaside town. A Fringe Festival is held in 20 venues around the town and there is even a Priscilla beauty pageant

For details about this can't-miss event, visit www.elvies.co.uk. 

Lufthansa flights to 50 cities now on sale

Lufthansa has put flights to over 50 cities in Europe and beyond on sale. Among those cities are Amsterdam, Germany, Italy, Jordan, Latvia, Spain and Switzerland. Fares start at just $204 each way for economy class  and $859 for Business class travel. In addition (and if they haven't already been gobbled up), the first 500 U.S. trans-Atlantic bookings made on Lufthansa’s new Web site will receive a $150 pre-paid debit card. The sale ends June 24,  and is valid for U.S. departures through Sept. 12. There are terms and conditions, of course.

Visit www.lh.com. 

Fascinating fact

Windmills across the world turn counterclockwise, except in Ireland where they go clockwise.

You can actually afford these Maine resort cabins

Point Lookout, situated on  dramatic acres overlooking the Penobscot Bay just north of Camden, Maine, has rates starting at $125 per cabin (not per person) per night.  Meanwhile, three-bedroom cabins with two baths and a full kitchen,able to accommodate 6-9 people, start at $175 per cabin, per night. 
Go to www.visitpointlookout.com or call 800-515-3611.

Save a little when visiting this Oregon wine trail

A new Vineyard & Valley Scenic Tour Route now winds through Oregon’s Tualatin Valley, the northern part of the well-known Willamette Valley. The rural driving route takes visitors to 17 small wineries along with farms (some with stands offering fresh produce), pioneer and historic sites, wildlife refuges and scenic viewpoints of the Cascade Mountains, including snow-capped Mount Hood. A coupon good for 10 percent off wine purchases is available from the Web site.

Go to www.VisitWashingtonCountyOregon.com.

Worth quoting

"Kilometers are shorter than miles. Save gas, take your next trip in kilometers.”

                                                                                                                 -- George Carlin

Kids get a Webkinz with a Hampton hotel stay

Book a stay now through Aug. 31  at a participating Hampton hotel and youngsters can bring home one of three Webkinz pets, which take on a life of their own at Webkinz.com. Look for the Webkinz Promotion package when you select your room and rate online. (Memo to my grandson: No, we are not going to book a stay just so you can get another Webkinz.)

For details, click here. 

Families can save at a YMCA that is hardly typical

Most people might not make the YMCA their first choice for a family vacation. But there are affordable Y cabin and lodge vacations still available in Colorado, and they appear to be nice indeed.

Both the YMCA of the Rockies Estes Park Center in Estes Park, Colo., surrounded on three sides by Rocky Mountain National Park, and at Snow Mountain Ranch in Winter Park, situated in beautiful Grand County, near Winter Park Resort offer:
* Buy two, get the third night free packages.

* Free activities on-site, from miniature golf to night hikes.

*  Accommodations including fully equipped mountain cabins or comfortable lodge rooms.

* Two free adult breakfasts per lodge room.

At Snow Mountain Ranch, package rates start at  $109 per night in a lodge room that can sleep up to six adults, and includes two adult breakfasts per day. At Estes Park Center, package 
rates start at $164 per night in a lodge room that can sleep up to five adults. Both offers include two adult breakfasts per day.

Visit www.ymcarockies.org or call 800-777-9622.

Fascinating fact

The Taj Mahal took as many as 20,000 workers and 20 years to complete. (But the results are quite nice.)

Hurry, hurry: Virgin is having a one-day sale

Virgin Atlantic is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a 24-hour sale today for flights from Newark Liberty Airport to London, with fares starting at $186. Book by midnight for travel starting on July 1. 

Visit www.virginatlantic.com.

Monkeying around in Waterville Valley

We're giving you plenty of notice on this New Hampshire event. Waterville Valley Resort’s Curious George Cottage Family Festival will take place Aug-7-9.  The Margret and H.A. Rey Center will be host, and among family events will be a Curious George character lunch, nature walks and hikes, children’s games, a lobster bake, Curious George movies, and astronomy and star gazing. Why, there will even be banana pancakes. A lodging package features Friday and Saturday night lodging, admission to the Fireman’s BBQ Lunch, a photo op with  George, a petting zoo, many activities and  a Curious George souvenir. Prices start at $56 per person per night (based on quad occupancy).

Visit www.ReyCenter.org. 

You deserve a cruise, along with extra savings

Through Aug. 31,  members of the Cruise Lines International Association -- both travel agents and the cruise lines themselves --  are staging a You Deserve a Cruise promotion, with savings and  incentives. After all, says Terry Dale, the association's president and CEO, "Now more than ever, a vacation is what people really need." We agree. 

Read all about the offers  here.

You also deserve a chuckle, of sorts 

Two men are engaging in the old debate on whether Hawaii is pronounced "HaVaii" or "HaWaii." 
They ask a passerby, who answers, "Havaii."
"Thank you," says the  first man.
"You're velcome," replies the passerby.

Trivia answer: The statue is in Ireland

Yesterday's mystery photo (see it below) was taken in Cobh, Ireland. The seaport community, once called Queenstown, was  the departure point for 2.5 million of the 6 million Irish people who emigrated to North America between 1848 and 1950. The statue depicts  girl named Annie Moore, and her brothers. Annie Moore was the first person to be admitted to the United States through the new immigration center  at Ellis Island, New York, Jan. 1, 1892. For the honor of being first, she was presented with a $10 gold piece. It was her 15th birthday.

Where are you?

Today's trivia question is in pictorial form. In which city will you find this statue? Answer Wednesday.

Photo by Richard P. Carpenter

Where to go luxury shopping for less in Philadelphia

For many, shopping is one of the pleasures of travel. In the Philadelphia area, a host of deals at designer boutiques, along with tax-free shopping on clothing and shoes, let visitors can save while they see the city and surrounding countryside. Here are a few suggestions:

* Northeast Philadelphia’s vast outlet mall, Franklin Mills, has been called a bargain-hunter’s destination. Its higher-end retail stores include Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5th, Kenneth Cole, Neiman Marcus Last Call, Polo Ralph Lauren, BCBG, Brooks Brothers and Banana Republic. 1455 Franklin Mills Circle, 215-632-1500, www.simon.com/mall.

* Matthew Izzo is a favorite boutique for chic housewares (Alessi, Jonathan Adler), furniture (Blu Dot) and men’s and women’s clothing (Ben Sherman, Nicole Farhi). The $10 rack showcases a rotating selection of cheaper finds. 151 N. 3rd Street, 215-829-0606, www.matthewizzo.com.

* King of Prussia Mall is the largest shopping mall on the East Coast,  Visitors can get a Travel Rewards program coupon by clicking here  and exchanging the printed-out coupon at the customer service desk for a Travel Rewards Guide, which will net  discounts at stores like DKNY, L’Occitane and Smith and Hawken. The Shop ‘Til You Drop King of Prussia Mall Package offers from nearby hotels such as the Radisson Valley Forge and Crowne Plaza Valley Forge include a $50 gift card with a one- to two-night stay. Route 202 & Mall Boulevard, King of Prussia, 610-265-5727, www.kingofprussiamall.com.

* Old City boutique Sugarcube offers a stimulus package with its Sugarbucks, earned on every purchase and good toward future purchases. 124 N. 3rd Street, 215-238-0825, www.sugarcube.us. 

* For those seeking a sleek but affordable gown, South Philly dress shop Mia’s of Philadelphia has a bargain room with top brands like Nanette Lepore. 1748 E. Passyunk Avenue, 215- 465-2913.

* Reward has men’s and women’s clothes by international designers like Illionaire, Surface to Air Paris and F-Troupe, plus vintage threads. But the greater reward in this Old City store is said to be for shoppers who browse the store’s back section for discounts. 55 N. 2nd Street, 267-773-8675, www.rewardproject.com.

*Local designers like Christina Rizzo and Aelishiva hang alongside 1980s vintage and last season’s designer jeans at Vamp, Manayunk’s consignment fashion store. Those who shop on their birthday receive 20% off on any three items. 4231 Main Street, 215-487-2340, www.vampboutique.net.

* The best bet for finding Prada, Marc Jacobs and Vivienne Tam designs at a discount is Fashion Forward, a high-end designer resale clothier in Chestnut Hill. 7906 Germantown Avenue, 215- 247-3868, www.fashion4resale.com.

*An award-winning consignment shop, Revivals Boutique makes  Escada, Chanel and Missoni available  at a fraction of the retail cost. 258 Haverford Avenue, Narberth, 610-660-8119, www.revivalsboutique.com.

* The mint condition,  quality furniture and home accessories at Bryn Mawr’s Great Estate Consignment Shop make it an excellent source for home decorators with limited means who stilll want top style. 701 County Line Road, Bryn Mawr, 484-380-2174, www.greatestateconsignmentshop.com.

 

Hemingway-esque guys can win prizes in Spain

The Ernest Hemingway look-alike contest in Key West, Fla., is well-known, but now the idea has spread to Spain. To marking the 50th anniversary of the macho author's last visit, Navarre and its capital of Pamplona, site of the  legendary Running of the Bulls, is hosting the First International Ernest Hemingway Look-alike and Impersonators Contest, July 3-5. Participants get a free trip to Pamplona, and the winner goes home with $2,000 and also gets a return trip to Navarre. Applicants must submit a registration form with two recent color photos or a 25-second video before noon (Spanish time) on June 15 via e-mail to hemingwaycontest@artsaia.com. 

For details, click here.

Worth quoting

“Tourists don’t know where they’ve been, travelers don’t know where they’re going.”

                                                                                                                        -- Paul Theroux

What's in a name?

The Family Travel Forum cleverly calls its marketplace for deals The Flee Market. To check out current offers, click here. For its Top 10 Flee Market offers, including a stay at the Ocean Edge resort on Cape Cod for $125 a night, click here.

In Finland: Haul those wives and fling those phones!

Illustration by VisitFinland.com

When it comes to wacky events, it's hard to beat Finland. Just look at some of them:

Wife-carrying. Staged at Sonkajärvi in eastern Finland since 1992, this event is believed to date from the 19th century. If local legend is to be believed, a well-known villain Herkko Ronkainen used to swing his favorite girl on his shoulders, an act that will be duplicated by couples competing in the World Championships on July 3-4.

Mobile-phone throwing. In the homeland of Nokia, what could be more Finnish than this one? The next World Championships will be held on Aug. 22 in Punkaharju, eastern Finland. During the throw, the competitor must stay within the  area allocated. The phone must land within the marked throwing sector. Organizers say that  that “there will be no doping tests. However the jury can rule out the contestant if his/her mental or physical preparedness is not adequate for full a performance.” 

Sauna bathing contest. The 11th Sauna World Championships will be held at Heinola on Aug. 7-8. Rules state: “Competitors have to sit in the sauna with buttocks and thighs on the seat. Posture must be erect; elbows must stay on the knees and arms have to be in an upright position. "

Air guitar playing.  Masters of the make-believe gather each year at the Club Teatria in Oulu in northern Finland. There are training camps, lectures and demonstrations  as well as a competition.  The get-together will be  Aug. 19-21.

Swamp football. A  patch of muddy ground, two teams and a football are the  requirements for this one, and 2009 sees the 12th anniversary of the World Championships at Hyrynsalmi in northeastern Finland on July 17 - 18. If you lose your boots in the mud, that's toughbecause you can’t pause to change or replace them.

Other unusual events and pursuits: mosquito swatting (Lapland is prime country), milking stool throwing (farms up and down Finland), table drumming (bars and restaurants), sitting on an ant’s nest (in any forest you choose), team berry picking (Suomussalmi, eastern Finland) and a kick-sledding competition (Ylläs, Lapland).

For more about Finland and it's strange events, go to www.visitfinland.com.

Calling all sophisticated ladies (some of them, anyway)

The JW Marriott Denver at Cherry Creek wouldn't think of calling this package something like Girls' Night Out. Instead, it's the Sophisticated Celebration: Ladies Night Out package. Included are a night's accommodations, a $50 spa gift card, a complimentary drink or appetizer, European-style chocolates  and breakfast. The rate is $140 per person,  a savings of 25 percent over regular pricing. That's for double occupancy; single occupancy is $225 per night.

Click here or call 303-316-2700 and mention promo code GGK. For hotel info, visit www.jwmarriottdenver.com.

Who'd have thought it?

There is a Hooters restaurant in Buenos Aires.

Warming up for July 4 at St. Pete Beach

The TradeWinds resorts in St. Pete Beach, Fla., is offering a Red, White & Boom package  July 2-7,  beginning at $528 at the Island Grand and the Sandpiper Suites. The package includes three nights' accommodations, a Stars & Stripes party and buffet for two on Saturday, July 4, and many resort amenities.

Visit www.JustLetGo.com or call 866-587-8538.

Travel tip

You know those unopened little soaps and shampoos that are yours to bring home from your hotel room? Why not give them to a homeless shelter or other organization; many can really use them. (With thanks to Debbie Collins, a guide for Paragon Tours.)

The most romantic B&Bs for that special occasion

Photo by BedandBreakfast.com

The Francis Malbone House in Newport, R.I.

Let us continue with yesterday's romantic theme.  Not surprisingly, BedandBreakfast.com thinks that B&Bs are the perfect places to celebrate honeymoons or anniversaries.  So its editors roamed America and Europe to compile this list of perfect places for such occasions. The inns were chosen for their amenities, recreation-rich locations, and  decor, hospitality and cuisine. Many cost less than $500 for a two-night stay, but several higher-priced "exceptional choices" are also included.  The list:

WESTERN UNITED STATES
 
Wine Country Inn & Gardens, St. Helena, Calif.

Avalon, A Luxury B&B, Sebastopol, Calif. 

Gables Inn, Sausalito, Calif.

Arch Cape House, Arch Cape, Ore.

Carson Ridge Private Luxury Cabins, Carson, Wash.

Bentwood Inn, Jackson Hole, Wyo.

 
SOUTHWEST & MIDWEST U.S. 

Canyon Villa, Sedona, Ariz. 

Castle in the Country, Allegan, Mich. 

Inn on Lake Granbury, Granbury, Texas

Kimber Modern, Austin, Texas.

St. Croix River Inn, Osceola, Wis.

 SOUTHERN UNITED STATES

Zeigler House; Spanish Moss Inn; The President's Quarters, Savannah, Ga.

The Swag, Asheville, N.C.

L'Auberge Provencale, White Post, Va.

NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES
 
Hartstone Inn, Camden, Maine

Hidden Pond; Cabot Cove Cottages, Kennebunkport, Maine 

Brampton Inn, Chesterfield, Md. 

Inn at Cape Cod, Yarmouthport, Mass.

Francis Malbone House, Newport, R.I.

OUTSIDE UNITED STATES

 Humboldt House, BC, Canada

Agriturismo Marciano, Sienna, Italy 

Antigua Capilla B&B, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

 For descriptions, photos and rates for each inn, click here.  Also, look for savings with nearly 300 romantic B&B packages in Brazil, Italy, Mexico, Canada and throughout the United States by clicking here.

Worth quoting

“Stop worrying about the potholes in the road and celebrate the journey.”

                                                                                                   -- Fitzhugh Mulla

Calm down at the Telluride Yoga Festival

In Colarado,  the Telluride Yoga Festival will be held July 10-12, and the Capella Telluride is offering a Full Yoga Festival Package  starting at $1,095, designed for both yoga enthusiasts and novices. It includes a three-night stay, a full festival pass, a personal assistant, an 80-minute spa treatment at The Spa at Capella and breakfast each morning (with organic, vegetarian and vegan options available). The spa treatment will feature customized aromatherapy blends, treatment salts, muds and oils.

Click here. For hotel details, visit www.capellatelluride.com.

Fascinating fact

The MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas washes 15,000 pillowcases each day.

The clock will tick on special Best Western deals

Best Western’s Countdown to Savings begins tomorrow. Participants can score discounts and other savings for a limited time at www.bestwestern.com. Each day has a theme as it offers special rates for hotels.  

Monday: Capital cities. For example, explore NYC for less than $110 a night or Washington D.C. for $90

Tuesday: Fourth of July hot spots . For example, hit up Huntington Beach for $70 or Lake Tahoe for $75.

Wednesday: Destinations with major tourist attractions. For example, visit Niagara Falls for about $80 or Orlando for $70

Thursday: Hotels near popular water parks and theme parks. For example, take in Busch Gardens Williamsburg for $99 or visit Hershey Park and stay for $85 a night

Friday: Pick from a selection of popular destinations including Dallas, San Diego and Honolulu.

But you have to act fast. The promotions are  available only a few hours a day on www.bestwestern.com. If you’ve missed the sale, a clock on the site will indicate when the next deals will be available.

Where to buy stuff confiscated at airports

Ever wonder what happens to objects that don't get through airport security and are confiscated by the Transportation Security Administration? Well, the public can buy most of the items. For a state-by-state rundown from Eyeflare.com, click here.