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.

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.

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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.

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. 

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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.

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.)

 

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.

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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.

Get set to celebrate in New Orleans and Curacao 

Some call it "The Greatest Free Show on Earth." We're talking about the Mardi Gras. Only three weeks left between now and Fat Tuesday, so preparations for the 312-year-old  festival are well underway.

More than 60 parades are scheduled to roll through  Greater New Orleans in March,with  many of them taking place simultaneously. These range from French Quarter  groups (known as krewes) such as  Pete Fountain's infamous Half-Fast Walking Club (of which actor John Goodman is a member) to "super krewes" like Orpheus, whose ornate floats cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and take months to build. The Krewe of Endymion, meanwhile, includes celebrities Anderson Cooper, Kelly Ripa and Pat Benatar, who will all serve as royalty.All the information you need is at www.mardigrasday.com.

*

Curacao's Carnival has been called the Mardi Gras of the Caribbean. Through March 8, visitors will join thousands of spectators in lining island roads for the Tumba Festival, with views of intricately-costumed groups dancing in competition to the Tumba beat, an Afro-Caribbean-Latin music hybrid. The Grand Carnival Parade on March 6, marks the peak of the celebration and concludes with the Grand Farewell Parade on March 8.  In addition to street parades, the monthlong celebration includes beauty pageants and parties galore. Through March 15, a Curaçao NOW! package can be booked, for a free night’s stay and other  amenities at participating properties.For more information, visit www.curacao.com or www.curacaocarnival.info. 

Trivial question

What does Mardi Gras mean in English?  (Answer somewhere below.)

Check out India's royal wealth with this Toronto package

The Fairmont Royal York hotel in Toronto is featuring a  Royal Maharaja Package, with tickets to  "Maharaja: The Splendour of India’s Royal Courts," on exhibit at the Art Gallery of Ontario through April 1, 2011. The package starts at $219 and includes two tickets to the gallery and a one night hotel stay. The exhibition looks at the splendor of India's Royal Courts, featuring over 200 works of art created for India's  kings, including artwork, tapestry, thrones, weapons and jewels. Call 800-441-1414, or visit www.fairmont.com/royalyork.

Fascinating fact 

Little Rock, Ark., was originally known as Arkopolis.

Candy Man sweetens hotel stay at Chicago's Ritz

The Ritz-Carlton Chicago, A Four Seasons Hotel, has teamed up with a local sweet shop, Candyality, to present The Candy Man. Dressed in a red- and white-striped jacket and matching hat, this sweet felow will bring his traveling candy cart right up to guests rooms. He delivers to rooms by appointment between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. daily and offers his sweets -- gummy, chocolate, sour, crunchy and sweet candies -- at $5 per half-pound.  For hotel information, visit www.fourseasons.com/chicagorc or call 312-266-1000.

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Worth quoting

“Boy, those French. They have a different word for everything.” -- Steve Martin

Free breakfast for Waikiki food donors

Waikiki's Ala Moana Hotel is giving a complimentary buffet breakfast to guests who bring in a donation for the Hawaii Foodbank. Visitors staying at the hotel who contribute six cans or five pounds of food from now to April 3  willget  a coupon for breakfast at the in-house eatery, Plantation Café. For hotel information, call 800-446-8990 or visit www.alamoanahotel.com.

Trivial answer

Mardi Gras, which is French, translates to Fat Tuesday, so called because of the feasting that takes place. In the Christian calnedar, the day is known as Shrove Tuesday, the day before Lent begins (and feasting ends) on Ash Wednesday.

Seen them on the screen? Now give them a gander in real life

The Feb. 27 Academy Awards will no doubt inspire many people to see the places where the Oscar nominees took place. CheapOair.com knows this, so has lined up deals linked to the Best Picture category, with reservations required by Feb. 28. Here they are:

Black Swan -- New York: The offer is for the Bentley Hotel, starting at $ 159 per night.  Sample round-trip airfare starts at $288. Click here.

The King's Speech -- London: A package from New York to London starts at $363 per person and includes  airfare and a four-night stay at the Hilton Wembley Plaza. Click here.

 The Fighter -- Boston: A package from Los Angeles to Boston starts at $477 per person and includes airfare and a four night stay at the Hotel Marlowe-A Kimpton Hotel. Click here.

Inception -- Paris: Visit the location where Leonardo DiCaprio taught Ellen Page the intricacies  of The Pasiv dream machine. Starting at $ 119 per night, stay at Holiday Inn Paris La Villete. Sample airfare starts at $468. Click here.

True Grit -- Texas: A package from Los Angeles to Austin begins at  $611 per person and includes airfare and a four-night stay at the Renaissance Austin Hotel. Click here.

Social Network -- Silicon Valley: This deal takes you from New York to San Jose starting at $608 per person and   includes airfare and a five-night stay at the four-star Four Points By Sheraton San Jose. Click here.

You will not be surprised that assorted taxes and fees are extra and that prices may be higher on some dates. 

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Trivial question

What is the southernmost city in Australia? (Answer somewhere below.)

Skate your way to savings with Boston packages

Starwood is sponsoring the first-ever ice rink at the Prudential Center in Boston. The rink will be open to the community for one month. In celebration, the Sheraton Boston is offering two Share the Ice  packages:

The Family Skating package includes four tickets  to the Rink at Prudential Center (a $40 value), and complimentary valet parking (a $44 value), with rooms beginning at $199 and suites from $279. In addition, the first 50 suites booked for stays between Feb. 20-25 get four tickets to Disney on Ice.

The Date Night package offers a romantic skating experience for stays before March 6. This package include a room with an outstanding view of the Charles River, complimentary valet parking and two tickets to the rink.

Stays can be booked at www.sheraton.com/boston.

Travel tip -- and we do mean 'tip' 

When it comes to tipping, hotel maids often get left out. Because few guests actually see the maids, some people figure it is easy to skip the tip. Others might want to tip but aren't sure whether the money they leave just before checking out will go to the maid who has done most of the work in the room. The answer is to tip daily. Leave a dollar or two on your pillow before going out in the morning. The maid who does the work will get the tip and your room will sparkle.

Kennebunkport resort rewards early bookers

The people at the Rhumb Line Resort in Kennebunkport, Maine, say they are tired of seeing the last-minute guest get the best deals. So they are rewarding those who book well in advance, with the best available rates and deals.  With the Rhumb Line’s new Best Booking Deal guests who book well in advance can take satisfaction in knowing that those who wait will pay more. In addition, youngsters 16 and under stay free in their parents' room. Current deals include two nights' lodging, a $25 dining certificate to a choice of several Kennebunkport restaurants, continental breakfast, Free wifi and use of the resort’s indoor pool, indoor and outdoor hot tubs, and fitness area, all  starting at  $125 per couple. Visit www.rhumblineresort.com/specials.htm or call 207-967-5457.

Worth quoting

“Too often travel, instead of broadening the mind, merely lengthens the conversations.” -- Elizabeth Drew

How about Italy for a family spring break?

TourCrafters has an Italy by Train package that takes in the sights of Rome, Florence and Venice. The 11-day/10-night package costs $1,129 ($985 if booked by March 1) and includes round-trip air from New York, an arrival transfer, accommodations at the hotels Brasile in Rome,  Meridiana in Florence and Malibran in Venice, daily buffet breakfast, tickets for the Eurostar train, a half-day tour in each city, a Hop-On-Hop-Off bus tour in Rome, service charges and VAT tax. The package is valid from March 1 to April 15. Air fares from other cities are also available.

For details, visit www.tourcrafters.it.  For reservations, call 800-482-5995.

Fascinating fact

Indonesia has about 13,000 islands.

Forgot Valentines Day? You can still escape the doghouse

Jupiter Beach Resort & Spa in Jupiter, Fla., has created a Get Out of the Doghouse package designed for those who made a mess of  Valentines Day.  The package,  at $1,299,  includes a night of luxury, oceanview accommodations in the penthouse suite, a  four-course dinner for two prepared in grand butler style by the resort’s executive chef, a half-day in the Spa, including two, 50-minute signature treatments followed by a duet massage complete with champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries, flowers, two cocktails called Kiss Up Cosmos, and an  “I’m in the doghouse” T-shirt and leash. Visit www.jupiterbeachresort.com and use promo code UDIRTYDOG.

Trivial answer

Hobart is Australia's southernmost city.

Walt Disney World plans a few pleasant surprises for summer

While the big change -- a major expansion of Fantasyland -- won't happen until 2012 and 2013, Walt Disney World has several changes and new attractions that will be in place by summer. Among them:

* A 10-minute projection show that transforms Cinderella Castle into a shimmering spectacle (pictured) called “Let the Memories Begin.” The show, to be presented on select nights at the central Florida theme park, will be  highlighted by images of Walt Disney World guests photographed that same day in the Magic Kingdom.

* At Disney's Hollywood Studios, the Star Tours attraction  (scheduled to reopen May 20) depicts an earlier chapter of the Star Wars saga than the original Star Tours did, so the spaceship of choice is now the Starspeeder 1000.  C-3PO, a new pilot (by accident) takes the controls for a journey to the "metropolitan" planet Coruscant or to Tatooine (pronounced tætu'in), an arid planet on the "Outer Rim," or to some other planet within Star Wars' mythical universe. Even the outcome of the adventure may change from one "launch" to the next.
* Also, Animal Kingdom will add a new extra-cost experience, Wild Africa Trip. Jake and the Never Land Pirates will be part of Disney Junior -- Live on Stage at  Hollywood Studios, which also plans a new parade called Pixar Pals Countdown to Fun. Also at the  Hollywood park, TV's Phineas and Ferb will put on an interactive show.
Visit www.disneyworld.com

(Photo/Walt Disney Co.)

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Trivial question

What is the name of the country once called Dutch Guiana? (Answer somewhere below.)

What'll it cost you to fly standby?

It's 1 p.m. and your flight's not scheduled until 6. Naturally, you don't want to hang around the airport, but will requesting standby for an earlier flight take a bite out of your budget. According to travel guru Terry Trippler's  Airline Rules To Know, that all depends upon the airline and what kind of ticket you have. Example: If you have a refundable ticket, American Airlines charges no fee. But if you have a nonrefundable ticket, the same-day standby option isn't available. Ah, but there are exceptions such as active duty U.S. Military on orders or personal travel, and persons with certain AA awards cards. It's complicated, so be sure to check the airline's policy well in advance.

Fascinating fact

All of Australia's large, permanent lakes have been created by dams. You might say they are unnatural.

St. Thomas resort at 50% off

The Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort & Spa, an all-inclusive resort in St. Thomas, is holding a  Winter Value Sale.  Guests get up to 50 percent off all-inclusive nightly rates for travel through Dec. 22. Those rates include meals and beverages, entertainment, half-day access to the supervised Kid’s Club, and an activities program featuring snorkeling, kayaking, sailing, scuba instruction, miniature golf and family movie nights.  Guests can book the special  rates from  $368 double occupancy through April 3 by calling 888-582-9104 or visiting www.sugarbaywyndham.com.  

Worth quoting

“Kilometers are shorter than miles. Save gas, take your next trip in kilometers.” -- George Carlin

 Pardon me boy, is this the Transylvania Station?

Calling all fans of Dracula and/or train travel: The Great Canadian Travel Company has a four-day, three-night train package called “Transylvanian Journey.” Beginning from Budapest,the journey follows the course of the blue Danube to Istanbul and provides sightseeing on the Bosphorus. Passengers will  find stunning scenery and ancient architecture as they pass through rural Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria. Included  are three nights’ accommodation on the Danube Express, all meals (with drinks) on the train, drinks in the train’s lounge car, and all tours, excursions and entries during the journey.  The price is about $3800, and  there are five departures between May 4 and Sept. 21. Visit www.greatcanadiantravel.com/europe-hungary-transylvania-train-tour.

Trivial answer

What was once Dutch Guiana is now Surinam.

Where the buffalo stampede

Here's a chance to see 8 tons of gen-u-ine American bison. Beginning Feb. 25, Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede Dinner Attraction in Branson, Mo., will present “Return of the Buffalo!”  nightly in the 35,00-square-foot arena.  In addition to the buffalo, the show presents 32 horses as  North and South conduct a friendly rivalry, assisted by audience participation. The show comes complete with a four-course feast. Ticket prices begin at about $25 for children and $46 for adults, but there are sometimes coupons and other discounts.  Visit www.dixiestampede.com.   

As for those buffalo, they are the largest terrestrial animal in North America, and once numbered 60 million in massive herds roaming the grasslands.  In modern time, buffalo have been restricted to a few national parks and reserves, and nowadays Branson.

Trivial question

Which South American countries does the equator pass through? Hint: There are three of them. (Answer somewhere below.)

Here comes the world's largest pub crawl

A  world record is expected when the 10^th Annual Mardi Gras Pub Crawl hits the road on Feb. 19 at Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks.  Considered the world's largest pub crawl, this year's festivities are expected to attract a  record  6,000 participants, organizers say. During the crawl,  shuttle buses will carry participants to 19 Lake-area restaurants and bars.  Participating venues will feature a variety of food and drink, including Ozarks barbecue, Chicago-style pizza, seafood, Mexican favorites and more.  Bars will offer live rock, blues and country music, plus DJs and karaoke.  Along the way, revelers will be able to collect plenty of Mardi Gras beads and souvenirs. A $5 wristband, available at any of the venues and participating hotels, is all you need to ride and participate, but you do have to be 21 or older. Visit www.lakepubcrawl.com.

Fascinating fact

In 1791, Maine's first lighthouse keeper got an anuual salary of $160. But then he had a unique residence with a seaside view. 

Mmmmmm ... chocolate -- all month long 

Throughout this month, Kimpton hotel guests, restaurant diners and local cocoa cravers can indulge in complimentary chocolate-themed events at more than 50 hotels and restaurants across the country.  And on Feb. 17, Kimpton will celebrate “Chocolate Lover’s Day” from 5-7 p.m. in hotel living rooms with complimentary chocolate-inspired desserts, tastings, hors d’oeuvres and Kimpton’s ultimate hot or chilled chocolate drinks. Also, participating restaurants around the country will feature at least two chocolate loving desserts on the menu all month. Visit www.kimptonchocolate.com for recipes, featured chocolate desserts at restaurants and a schedule of tasting events.

Worth quoting

"Let your memory be your travel bag." -- Alexander Solzhenitsyn

Three Las Vegas deals

The following offers can be found at www.vegas.com:

Book a room marked with the Up to 30% Off Your Stay offer at Trump International Hotel and Tower between now and Feb. 28,  for stay dates between now and Feb. 28 and get up to 30 percent off your stay and a $50 spa credit. Book a room marked with the "Includes Free Bottle of Wine and $50 Food Credit offer The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas for a two-night stay between now and Feb. 28 for stay dates between now and Sept. 30 and get a free bottle of wine and $50 food credit. For a limited time, buy a ticket to see Penn & Teller  (pictured) and get dinner at Cafe Martorano of Buzios inside Rio All Suites Hotel & Casino. 

 

Trivial answer

 The three South American countries the equator passes through are Ecuador, Brazil and Colombia.