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

Here are three things you should know about older travelers:

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

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

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

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

Search Amazon.com for senior travel

Trivial question

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

Stay at these hotels and get your airline baggage fees back

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

Worth quoting 

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

Take 10% more off Nantucket inn's sale rates

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

Fascinating fact

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

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

So who says gasoline is getting expensive anyhow?

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

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

Trivial answer

The lily is the symbol of France.

 

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

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

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

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


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


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


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


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

Search Amazon.com for Europe travel 

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


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

Worth quoting

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


Family time in Paradise, starting at $219

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

Fascinating fact

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

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

 Trivial answer

Guadalcanal is part of the Solomon Islands.

 

 Cathedral windows in Setubal, Portugal

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Search Amazon.com for Portugal 

Trivial question

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

A batch of new guides for the traveler

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

Worth quoting

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


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

Fascinating fact

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

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

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

Trivial answer

Australia contains no glaciers.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 Search Amazon.com for Ireland

Trivial question

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

Four nights at Dublin’s Four Seasons for $699

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

Worth quoting

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

$100 discount for exploring all of Ireland

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

Who’s confused?

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

An eight-day walking tour of Ireland

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

A chance to see Scotland as well as Eire

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

Trivial answer

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

Planning a trip? There are apps aplenty for that

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Trivial question

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

Dash toward $250 savings with this cruise line offer

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

Search Amazon.com for cruises

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


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

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

Fabulous fact

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

Grandparents declare Independence a fine destination

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

Trivial answer

Yerba Buena is known today as San Francisco.

15 things you may not know about New York City

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

 

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

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

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

Spring deals at Vermont's Stowe Mountain Lodge

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

Worth quoting

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

Win a trip to London during the Royal Wedding

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

Fascinating fact

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

Arctic wonders await Hurtiguten cruisegoers  

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

Search Amazon.com for Arctic travel

Trivial answer

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Trivial question

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

Celebrate the royal wedding -- in Colorado

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

For Toronto hotel package, just add water

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

Worth quoting

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

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

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

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Fascinating fact

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

Trivial answer

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

 Attractions and adventures put the 'new' in New Brunswick

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For more information, visit www.tourismnewbrunswick.ca.

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Trivial question

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

Philadelphia hotel package should delight art lovers

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

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


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

Fascinating fact

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

$50 cash and more with this Oregon offering

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

Trivial answer

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