Double trouble for travelers: baggage thieves and cellphone crooks

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

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

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


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

Hey, Tweeters, you could win a Hawaiian stay

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

Fascinating fact

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

Coming up at Disney World: Royal Guest Rooms

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

Search Amazon.com for Walt Disney World 

Worth quoting

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

Trivial answer

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 For complete details on these tips, click here.


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

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

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

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

Big celebrities (sort of) to entertain in Waikiki

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

Worth quoting

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

Vrooom! Italy package includes racing events

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

Trivial answer

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

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

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

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

   Search Amazon.com for National Parks

Trivial question

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

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

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


Worth quoting

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

The circus is coming -- to Vermont's Okemo

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

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

Tour guide joke

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

Polar bears are a bargain in Churchill, Manitoba

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

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


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

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

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

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

Search Amazon.com for Tokyo

Trivial question

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

Adventure travel company handing out $500 credits

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

Fascinating fact

Portugal is the largest producer of cork in the world. 

Family summer getaways in Boston

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

Worth quoting

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

Big spenders get an iPad 2 with this resort offer

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

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

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

 

Safety first: Tips for camping teenagers and their parents

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

 For Parents
Choose a credible company.   Select a program that has a great track record and an established reputation.  Don’t be afraid to ask for references or testimonials from previous participants.  Another possibility is to choose a program that is accredited by the American Camp Association. 
 
Check the State Department’s website. At www.travel.state.gov,  you can find up-to-date information on country-specific travel warnings.

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

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

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

For Teens

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Trivial question

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

Travel products to go

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

Worth quoting

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

A Native American view of historic Plymouth

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

Fascinating fact

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

Visit Pittsburgh -- and leave a tree behind

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

Trivial answer

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

Yosemite Valley National Park in California.

Free admission for a week at our marvelous national parks

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Search Amazon.com for National Parks 

Trivial question

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

Discover France shrinks size of groups needed for discounts

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

Worth quoting

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

Book a package and save nearly $600

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

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

Fascinating fact 

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

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

Trivial answer

Afghanistan, of course.