Be on the lookout for these six travel 'gotchas'

       The November issue of Consumer Reports' ShopSmart magazine warns against a half-dozen travel gotchas -- those oh-so-common gimmicks that can make your trip cost more than you ever thought it was going to. The gotchas:

FARE JUMPING: You click on a great deal, and the site says it’s no longer available. On Expedia, a flight from Miami to Montego Bay, Jamaica, suddenly rose by 40%; on Travelocity the price of a hotel room in Chicago suddenly rose by $110. So don’t bank on getting a juicy rate online until you click through to book it. 
ADDED FEES: Many travel products include taxes, fees, and surcharges. But not all are posted, so you might not find out about them until you get to the hotel or airport. Instead, go to the travel provider’s website for fee info to avoid surprises.   
OVERPRICED PACKAGES: When you book a flight online, you’re asked whether you’d like to add a hotel room or rental car. But packaged deals aren’t always bargains. So take the time to price a package’s components. Also check out DealBase, which does the math and lists good and bad deals. 
PRICE GUARANTEES: The ads promise you’ll get the lowest rates or you get a refund. But ShopSmart found so much fine print that it concluded that claiming a refund is a long shot. You should ignore price guarantees and find the best deals on your own.  
DYNAMIC PRICING: This means that different people might get different prices online for identical searches. To avoid this, erase traces of searches by resetting the browser preferences and deleting cookies, or use two different browsers to check prices.
HIDDEN BARGAINS: Major travel sites sometimes make it difficult to find the lowest prices. If you search for a car on Expedia, for example, no initial sorting tool allows you to see all rentals in price order.  Don’t book until you’ve reset search preferences to find all the deals. Also visit sites of individual travel vendors if they’re missing.   

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Trivial question

      In what country will you find Ticos? (Answer somewhere below.)   

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$100 off and a 100% snow guarantee

       Rail Europe Inc., Switzerland Tourism and the Swiss Travel System will offer $100 off every booking of $200 or more that contains a Swiss Pass.  You get the discount by entering promo code SWISS100 when booking online through RailEurope.com or MySwitzerland.com/train.  Or you can call 888-382-7245 and mention promo code SWISS100. In addition,  Alex Herrmann, director of Switzerland Tourism North America, says “Switzerland’s winter resorts are on average at higher altitudes than those of other European countries. We can therefore promise a 100 percent snow guarantee.” 
     For more winter ideas go to www.myswitzerland.com/winter

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Fabulous fact

      Qantas is an acronym for: Queensland And Northern Territories Air Service. 

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Take me out to the ball game ... in Israel

     Here's a rare chance to play baseball with the Israeli National Team. The Jewish National Fund is planning a trip May 29-June 4 that includes games, clinics, and a tour of the Holy Land. The land-only price, with hotel stays, begins at $1,000, and participation without a hotel stay is $325. For details, click here.

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Trivial answer

      Ticos are found in Costa Rica. Tico is simply the  name used to refer to the native inhabitants.

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Three Las Vegas travel deals

       During the current slump, Las Vegas and environs are  wooing visitors with a variety of deals. Here, from Vegas.com, are three of them:   

Buffet Special: Book a minimum two-night stay at selected resorts between now and Nov. 15  for stays between Nov. 1 and Dec. 29, and get a 24-hour buffet pass valid for unlimited visits to seven of Vegas' best buffets.Details here.

 Free Seat Upgrade: For a limited time, guests can get mezzanine seating at balcony prices when booking selected Jabbawokeez show tickets on vegas.com. You save up to $11 per ticket. Details here.

50% Off: Book a stay at Boulder Station, near the Strip, between now and Dec. 28 for selected stay dates between now and Dec. 29 and receive 50% off Sunday-Thursday. Details here. 

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What's gnu on TV? National Geographic's 'Great Migrations'

        One of the great sights of my life was a seemingly endless stream of wildebeest (gnu) migrating from Tanzania's  Serengeti plains to the hills of Kenya’s Masai Mara -- a distance of  over 1,800 miles -- in search of rain-ripened grass. So you can be sure I'll be hunkering down in front of my TV to watch  the National Geographic Channel’s "Great Migrations,"  a seven-part series premiering in the U.S. on Nov. 7.
     The series will spotlight the arduous journeys that millions of animals undertake to ensure the survival of their species. Shot from land and air, in trees and cliff-blinds, on ice floes and underwater, "Great Migrations" will tell the stories of many of the planet’s species and their movements, while revealing scientific discoveries. Among the sights:
      * The  red crab migration on Christmas Island, which has been termed miraculous.
      * Flying foxes in Australia and army ants in Costa Rica.
      * Wildebeest, great white sharks, zebra and Mali elephants. 
      * Microscopic plankton and jellyfish in Indonesia. 
      * The first radio transmitter attached to a monarch butterfly. 
      * The first film crew on the ground in Sudan in 25 years, there to capture the migration of the white-eared kob. 

        The National Geographic Great Migrations team spent 2 1/2  years in the field, traveling 420,000 miles in 20 countries and all seven continents. I'm impressed.

Photo/National Geographic

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Trivial question 

    Millions of people have visited Italy's Leaning Tower of Pisa. But what was its original purpose? (Answer somewhere below.)

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$99 one way, Boston to LA, on Virgin

      Virgin America has  cut West Coast fares from Boston to $99-$129 each way. Sample fares:  Los Angeles, $99;  San Francisco, $119;  Las Vegas, $129; San Diego, $129.
Travel is valid Nov. 1 - Feb. 15 but you must book by 2:59 a.m. Eastern Time Nov. 2. Not surprisingly, the lowest fares are for travel Tuesdays and Wednesdays. 

     Visit www.virginamerica.com. I gave it a try this morning and did indeed find a $99 fare (plus fees) to LA on  Tuesday, Nov. 9.

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Fabulous fact

     The "you are here" indicator on a map is officially called an ideo locator.

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The wonderful world of the Web

     Starting today (Oct. 26),  TripAlertz.com goes live to offer impulse getaway packages with prices that it says are 30 to 50 percent below the leading public online travel sites. Members, who sign up for free,  will have access to  deals in destinations like Miami, Orlando, Beverly Hills, San Francisco, and Cancun. Visit 

www.tripalertz.com. 

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Terrible travel joke

     You know you're on a no-frills airline when before takeoff the flight attendant asks you to fasten your velcro and the captain makes a plea over the loudspeaker for passengers to chip in for gas.

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Trivial answer 

    The Leaning Tower of Pisa was designed  to be a bell tower, not a tourist attraction filled with trinket salespeople.

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Utah resort thinking of singles on holidays

Guests who find themselves alone for the holidays might be interested in  the Signature Package at Red Mountain Resort & Spa in St. George, Utah. The package, which starts at $269 per night single occupancy, nightly accommodations, three meals a day, unlimited fitness classes, healthy life classes, daily guided morning hikes, personal discovery activities, cooking demos, and use of the resort's amenities such aspools, bikes, walking trails, and strenght-and-cardio studios. People who book a three-night stay will receive a $125 adventure and spa credit, and those who book a five-night stay will receive a $200 credit. Package details can be found here.

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'If I had my life to live over again'

Harriet Lewis, cofounder of Boston-based Grand Circle Travel. sent the following e-mail to clients and other interested travelers. We think it's worth repeating verbatim:


"I'm a big believer in living life with no regrets. I think it's so important that we make the most of each day we're given, that we actively pursue the things in life that bring us the most happiness and pleasure. So when I came upon the following poem—written by Nadine Stair, of Louisville, Kentucky, when she was 85 years old—it really resonated with me:



If I had my life to live over again,
I'd dare to make more mistakes next time.
I'd relax. I would limber up.
I would be sillier than I have been this trip.
I would take fewer things seriously. I would take more chances.

I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers.
I would eat more ice cream and less beans. I would perhaps have more actual troubles, but I'd have fewer imaginary ones…

If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall.
I would go to more dances.
I would ride more merry-go-rounds. I would pick more daisies.
"I hope you’ll find Nadine’s words as inspiring as I did. And whether you aspire to fill your days with more ice cream cones, merry-go-round rides, or freshly picked flowers, may you always live life to its fullest."


Harriet Lewis and her husband, Alan, have written a book about how they came to found and expand Grand Circle, a favorite of older travelers. a quarter-century ago. Its title: "Driving With No Brakes."

Why visit Japan? Most say they go for the fabulous food

For my Boston Globe essay involving Japan, click here.

There are many reasons why Americans visit Japan, but according to a survey, food is ichi ban, or number one. The recently released on foreign visitors to Japan in 2009 ranks “culinary”  as  first  for  those who stayed  2-30 days in Japan.  The survey was conducted at their departure at major ports and airports by the Japan National Tourism Organization. Here is the food they like best:

* Sushi (the choice of 50%).

* Sashimi and tempura (17.8%).

* Ramen noodle soup (9.6%).

* And my own favorite, udon noodles (7.5%). 

The breakdown indicates that Americans are now embracing a wider variety of Japanese food, such as such as gyoza dumplings, onigiri (rice ball), noodles, yakitori (chicken skewers), and okonomiyaki (a grilled concoction). Food festivals are also of interest. In Shizuoka, the country’s top green tea manufacturing region, Japan’s tea culture will be presented along with teas from all over the world  the last weekend of October, at the World O-CHA Festival 2010. 

In November, the Peninsula Tokyo holds  “Cirque Culinaire.”  The event features fine wines and dishes of  chefs from different Peninsula Hotels and world’s renowned restaurants. Meanwhile, Niigata, one of the cold sake brewery regions, celebrates  sake collections from many breweries in early March.

As the first choice of 70.7% of those polled, "culinary" was way out in front. The runners-up were “visiting historic landmarks” (59.5%), “shopping” (49.6%), “local life, local experience” (47.2%), and “natural beauty, scenery” (45.3%).

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Trivial question

What are the two continents through which the Equator passes? (Answer somewhere below.)

Taking a roadless 'road trip' in Canada 

Traveling by rail has been called a "roadless road trip." And VIA Rail’s 2010 Canrailpass includes seven trips in economy class anywhere in Canada within a 21-day period. Passes for adults during the peak season (June 1-Oct. 15) begin at  $ 910 U.S., while the off-peak period (Oct. 16-May 31) bring starting fares of $568.  Children, students and seniors can purchase off-peak passes beginning at $511, while peak season passes start at $819. For more information visit viarail.ca/canrailpass. 

Those looking for a shorter trip, or who want to hop between major cities in central Canada, can try VIA’s  Corridorpass, which allows seven trips in economy class within a 10 -day period in southern Québec and southern Ontario. Thus, for a single  price, passengers can plan up to seven segments of rail travel to Québec City, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto and Niagara Falls.  2010  prices start at $325 U.S.  for adults or $293 for children, seniors and students. For more information visit viarail.ca/corridorpass.

Fabulous fact

Alaska has the highest percentage of people who walk to work. 

Rescue a turtle and go kayaking in Baja

Sea Kayak Adventures is offering an all-inclusive eight-day package where participants can spend three days hands-on helping researchers monitor and tag endangered sea turtles at their nesting beach in Magdalena Bay, then three days paddling a sea kayak alongside dolphins and sea lions in  Loreto Bay in the Sea of Cortez. The itinerary offers opportunities for novices to paddle and explore uninhabited desert islands by stable sea kayak, snorkel with colorful fish along isolated coves and learn all about sea turtles. All activities are led by naturalist guides.

The tour is Oct. 24-31, including the air arrival and departure days. Forty percent of the price of $1,650  per adult ($1,485 for youth 12-17) goes to the local sea turtle conservation efforts. The price includes three hotel nights in Loreto (with pool); all meals at camp; all camping, sleeping and kayaking equipment; airport transfer, ground transportation, instruction and guides, and  taxes. Not included: air fare from Los Angeles, gratuities, $25 national park fee, meals in town, snorkeling gear, and personal items.  For more information or reservations, phone Sea Kayak Adventures at 800-616-1943 or go to www.seakayakadventures.com. 

N.E.'s largest film festival set for  Providence 
Providence will be the site for the largest public film festival in New England, the FLICKERS: Rhode Island International Film Festival, next month. The event  will run Aug. 10-15 and include premieres  of more than 175 films, industry seminars, educational programs and award ceremonies. 
A Weekender Hospitality Package is  available Aug. 13-14 at the Renaissance Providence Hotel, which provides overnight accommodations and festival passes for two, with those travelling from New York and Boston receiving complimentary Amtrak tickets.  Priced at $1,000, based on double occupancy, the  package represents a savings of $800 on the actual cost.  Package activities include select movie screenings, High Tea at Slocum Gardens, a historic walking tour and a Sweet Success/A Cinematic Salute special event screening and dessert party with filmmakers.  Official Flickers 2010 posters, T-shirts and mugs will also be distributed.  For more information or to book, visit www.renaissancehotels.com.

Trivial answer

The Equator passes through Africa and South America.

The top pet-friendly casinos in the United States

Traveling with your pet can be a gamble. Will you find a lodging spot that welcomes cats, dogs or aardvarks? Will your pet be happy there? And if you're going to a casino, will there be any hope of a happy Fido, Smokey or Gary the Gecko?  GR88.com (pronounced Great Eight .Com) says yes, and in fact lists the U.S. casinos that are friendliest to pets, along with the casinos' distinguishing features. The list:

Photo by Richard P. Carpenter

Bokhara Pet Resort & Spa, Williamsburg, Mich.

This resort makes vacationing more enjoyable for both owners and their pets, says GR88.  Dogs and cats live in paradise at this resort while their owners enjoy the proximity to the Grand Traverse Resort & Turtle Creek Casino.  The doggie resort is on 14 acres of lush land and has two layers of fencing to protect guests from unwanted visitors. Cats get cage-free boarding in a separate cottage, away from the bow-wows.  Additionally, all pets can get professional grooming during their stay.

Red Rock Casino, Resort, Spa, LasVegas

The rooms are serene, and guests and pets will feel at homet. Red Rock Casino, Resort and Spa  offers  packages ranging from spa treatments, to golfing to outdoor ventures. But, as with several lodging spots,  there's a weight limit:  Dogs weighting less than 30 pounds are welcome.

Atlantis Casino Resort, Reno

The Atlantis Casino Resorthouses the largest gaming floor in Reno.  The hotel underwent expansion in 2006 and  recently opened the casino’s unique convention center sky bridge. This luxury hotel and casino offers gamers indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a spa, salon and a variety of excellent restaurants.  On top of all this, the casino is pet friendly, welcoming animals of all types.

Aliante Station Casino and Hotel, Las Vegas 

This casino opened in November 2008, but is already a favorite of many Las Vegas first-time visitors and regulars. The hotel is known for its mix of a casino, nightlife, and live entertainment. The resort welcomes dogs that weight under 25 pounds.

Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Biloxi, Miss.

This casino is for music and pet lovers.  It is rock-star themed with accommodations for smokers and non-smokers, offering accommodations that are comfortable for your pet. The casino houses 1,200 slots and 50 tables.  Guests can leave their dogs and cats in their room, as they relax in the spa, exercise in the fitness room and shop at the nearby stores. 

The Westin Casuarina Hotel, Casino and Spa, Las Vegas

This hotel is the best place to escape from the hustle and bustle of Vegas.  Test your luck at the Casuarina Casino and enjoy a calmer atmosphere than most casinos.  Both you and your pet will get a taste of the good life at this gamers’ paradise. The Westin accepts pets that weigh less than 40 pounds.

Sheraton Atlantic City Convention Center Hotel

Just minutes from the boardwalk, the near lots of shops, casinos and dining. The staff happily welcomes pets and features a display of Miss America memorabilia and other pageant collectables. Guests can bring one dog that weighs up to 80 pounds.

The Sands Regency, Reno

There are numerous rooms for gamers looking for a more laid-back atmosphere.  The variety of games at this casino also makes it unique. Gamers can find everything from bingo to poker to slot machines.  One pet up to 50 pounds is welcome.

Knights Inn Atlantic City

The hotel is located centrally between the heart of Atlantic City and the city’s international airport.  GIt is also near the mall, boardwalk and historic city, Smithville. The Knights Inn accepts dogs that weigh no more than 80 pounds.

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And speaking of pets ...

Dog Fancy magazine has named Provincetown, Mass., the winner of the 2010 DogTown USA competition, saluting it as America’s most dog-friendly city. Others in the top 10:

• Carmel, Calif.

• Madison, Wis.

• Benicia, Calif.

• Fort Bragg, Calif.

• Lincoln City, Ore.

• San Diego, Calif.

• Virginia Beach, Va.

• Sioux Falls, S.D.

• Salem, Ore.

    

Trivial question

What is the capital of Bhutan? (Answer somewhere below.)

Learn Spanish -- in Spain, of all places

The sunny region of Valencia on Spain’s Mediterranean coast offers great options for learning Spanish.  Throughout the year, Americans can choose among 15 schools offering intensive immersion courses for one or two weeks or even months at a time. For more information about the schools, click here.

Fabulous fact

 Grandparents traveling with grandchildren represent 7% of U.S. adult leisure travelers.

Let's hear it for National S'mores Day!

Tuesday, Aug. 10, is National S’mores Day, and The Shores Resort & Spa in Daytona Shores Beach, Fla., is celebrating with the first-ever S’mores Weekend & Cook-Off event, Aug. 6-10. Girl Scouts and their families and friends can enjoy a weekend of activities, culminating with a s’mores cook-off contest for the most creative and tastiest s’more.  A portion of the proceeds from the weekend will benefit the Girl Scouts of Citrus Council, which serves six Central Florida counties and more than 16,000 girls.  Girl Scouts, after all, are believed to have invented the treat, made by placing a piece of chocolate and a roasted marshmallow between two graham crackers. For complete details of the S’mores Weekend & Cook-Off Event, and to register for the competition, visit www.shoresresort.com/smores.php.

Trivial answer

Thimpu is the capital of Bhutan.

Fun, fun, fun at Curious George Festival in N.H.

 You've got to love Curious George. New Hampshire's Waterville Valley certainly does -- so much so that the 4th Annual Curious George Cottage Family Festival returns  Aug. 13-15,  featuring a weekend full of family-friendly activities including a banana pancake breakfast, a family nature walk, a Fireman's BBQ lunch, photo opportunities with George and the Man With the Yellow Hat, a traveling barnyard, face painting, games for kids, a Curious George story hour and movie viewing, planetarium shows, and a family spaghetti dinner. Whew!

Headlining the festival will be musician Steve Schuch, and storytellers Rick and Carolyn Hunt Schuch will sing "Songs & Tales of the Earth," celebrating nature in all its diversity. Rick and Carolyn, better known as The Laughing Couple, combine Native American storytelling and improvised art into one program for audiences of all ages.

Wristbands for the 4th Annual Curious George Cottage Family Festival are $28 per person for a 3-day pass. Children two and under get in free with a paying adult. Limited tickets available at the event. While in Waterville Valley, families can also enjoy swimming and canoeing on Corcoran's Pond, walk along Waterville Valley's many hiking trails, skate at the WV Ice Arena, or play a game of tennis at the WV Tennis Club.

Participating hotels are offering  festival packages, which include Friday and Saturday night  lodging, a round of golf per day at the WV Golf Club, a Festival Wristband, and a Curious George souvenir.  (That wristband includes admission to the Fireman's BBQ Lunch, Photo Opportunity with Curious George, Petting Zoo, Live Music, Mad Science Show and Fun Station, Storytellers, Face Painting, Games for Kids, Curious George Storytime, Movie Viewing, Planetarium Show and Nature Walks). Additional fees are charged for the Banana Pancake Breakfast and Curious George Spaghetti Dinner; tickets  can be purchased with wristbands.
   
Curious George, a sweet simian who is now featured in books, movies and television,  was born in the imaginations of H.A. and Margret Ray, who spent their summers in Waterville Valley.
For more information about the area and the Reys, call 1-800-GO-VALLEY or go to www.visitwatervillevalley.com.

Trivial question

On average, how many people are airborne over the United States at any given hour?  6,100? 61,000? 610,000? Or 61,000,000? (Answer somewhere within this posting.)

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A memorable free travel exhibit in Boston

 To celebrate their  passion for travel, Grand Circle Corporation Chairman and Vice Chairman Alan and Harriet Lewis have accumulated an extensive collection of vintage travel posters dating from the early 20th century up to World War II. They are now sharing their collection with the public through the Grand Circle Gallery, which opens to the public Friday in Boston.
In addition to vintage travel posters, the gallery will feature the breathtaking photography of their late friend,  Bradford Washburn, who also was a founding honorary director of Grand Circle Foundation, their company’s charitable organization.

The gallery will also include the Lewises'  black-and-white photography—some travel-related, like the vintage images of Europe photographed by George Daniell, and some reflective of times of historic world change, like the dramatic portrayals of the civil rights movement captured by photographer and filmmaker Danny Lyon, and photographs of the 1960s by Elliott Erwitt, including a portrait of Jacqueline Kennedy at her husband’s funeral in 1963.

Grand Circle Gallery is housed in Boston’s Fort Point Channel district, in a historic 19th-century brick building whose first tenants were Chase & Co., a confectionery company that patented America’s first candy machine in the early 1800s.  Today, it is the headquarters of Grand Circle Corporation, parent company of Overseas Adventure Travel and Grand Circle Travel. For more information on the gallery, click here.

Fascinating fact

American Airlines saved $40,000 in 1987 by eliminating one olive from each salad served in first-class. Or so legend has it anyway.

A luxurious lake stay in Missouri

A Day on the Lake Package is being offered by Chateau on the Lake Resort & Spa in Branson, Mo. Featuring an Ozark mountaintop setting overlooking Missouri’s  Table Rock Lake, the AAA Four-Diamond resort features a full-service marina that the resort says offers more water sports activities than any other resort in the Midwest. Offerings include watercraft rentals, such as ski boats, fishing boats, waverunners, catamarans, paddleboats, sea kayaks, and canoes. Parasailing, guided fishing excursions, scuba diving, and snorkeling are among other options.

 

In addition to accommodations for two nights in a lake view room, the package includes a $150 credit for the Chateau Marina to be used toward one of the water sports offered, as well as a picnic lunch for up to four people. The package, which is available through Sept. 30, begins at $570 per room, plus tax, and is based on availability. For reservations or for more information, call 1-888-333-LAKE (5253) or (417) 334-1161 or visit www.chateauonthelake.com.

Trivial answer 

 On average, 61,000 people are airborne over the United States at any given hour.

Seven steps to protect yourself during airline delays

 Labor strikes. Mechanical strikes. Thunderstorms. Volcanoes. Lately there seems to be no end of things that can cause flight cancellations and delays. Your rights as an airline passenger can get sketchy, because carriers are not required to provide you with meals or a hotel room. So how can you protect yourself? The September issue of ShopSmart magazine lists seven steps you can take:

       Know the ground rules: There are no federal requirements when it comes to airline delays, so each carrier has its own guidelines. They’re listed in its “contract of carriage” agreement, available on its website (use the search function) or at ticket counters. Print out the relevant sections on delays and cancellations and take them with you, as well as your trip-insurance policy, if you’ve bought one.  

      Consider a travel agent: If you’re booking an international trip or a complicated itinerary, using a travel agent can pay off. When widespread cancellations occur, good agents have the know-how to rebook you through other cities or on other carriers.

     Charge your trip: Use a credit card for payment in case your airline delay is because the carrier — or any of your other travel providers — has gone belly up.

     Call ahead: To avoid getting stranded at the airport in  case of a problem, check your flight status online or by phone.

      Ask for help: If your plane is delayed, find out how long the disruption is likely to be and whether it’s a "force majeure" situation. That way, you can find out whether you might be entitled to any meals or a hotel room. Either way, it can’t hurt to ask for assistance. 

      If your flight is canceled, skip airport lines: Call reservations or your travel agent instead -- it may be quicker than waiting at a customer-service counter. If you qualify, go to the airline lounge for help. Ask whether you can get rebooked on another airline. Using another carrier probably won’t speed things up if the delay is due to weather, but if could help if the delay is due to airline-specific issues like mechanical problems.

    Use you status but be nice: If you’re an elite frequent flyer or traveling in premium class, or if you booked a full-fare tickets, be sure you let the airline rep know that because it may help you get freebies like phone cards or meal or hotel vouchers. Just keep in mind that airlines are not required to offer compensation “damages” in case of delays, so demanding them can be a waste of energy. But you might have luck asking for credit toward a future flight. 

Have a pet fish for a hotel roommate
InterContinental Tampa’s newest offering is  the Tampa Stayquarium Package. Beginning at $161 on  weekends, the package includes tickets for two adults and two children to The Florida Aquarium. Guests will also have the company of a pet fish in a small aquarium to display in their room for the duration of their stay, and a “Finding Nemo”   CD. The package is available through Dec. 30. call 866-402-0758 and mention rate code IKCT1 or visit www.intercontampa.com. 

Trivial question

How tall is the Eiffel Tower? 384 feet? 684 feet? 984 feet? Or 1,284 feet? (Answer near the bottom of this posting.)

Transformers fans, this one's for you
Chicago is transforming into a Hollywood set this summer as the backdrop for the "Transformers 3" movie.  Which is why Hotel 71, located along the Riverwalk, is offering a Transformers room package and special menus to celebrate filming that will take place in the immediate area. The Transform Your Summer package is available during the four to six weeks "Transformers 3" is filming  and includes overnight accommodations,   30% off a second room, a    $20 credit at 71 East Cafe toward Transformers menu items, complimentary viewing of "Transformers and Transformers " and an arrival amenity.Visit  www.hotel71.com. To book the second room, call  312-346-7100. 
 
Fascinating fact
Indonesia has 167 of the 850 active volcanoes known in the world.

Worth quoting

Travelers never think that they are the foreigners.  -- Mason Cooley

Grandparents stay for free -- if ...
Grandparents get a complimentary all-inclusive stay worth up to $2,478 when the family books a minimum of five rooms at Grand Velas All Suite & Spa Resort Riviera Maya and Velas Vallarta Suite Resort in Puerto Vallarta.  A $500 USD credit towards a future stay and special family activities are also included. Additionally, children under 16  stay free when sharing a suite with their grandparents.  At Velas Vallarta Suite Resort in Puerto Vallarta, the package features a welcome dinner  on the beach for the family with live mariachi music.Grandparents can also indulge in a 25-minute massage at the Velas Vallarta spa. Packages at both resorts include airport and hotel transfers. Packages start at $270 per person, per night based on double occupancy, through Dec. 23 at Velas Vallarta and $413  through Dec. 19at Grand Velas Riviera Maya. A minimum three-night stay is required at both resorts. Cal 888-323-2776 or visit www.velasresorts.com.

Trivial answer
The Eiffel Tower stands 984 feet high.

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You can find the darndest things in Michigan

Only in Michigan can you see roadside attractions such as the World’s Largest Tire (I-94 east of Detroit Metro Airport), The World’s Largest Cherry Pie Pan (Traverse City), and the World’s Largest Stove (Detroit). Some of the state's roadside attractions include:

• Big Gus, the world’s largest working chainsaw. Gus is 23 feet long, is powered by a V-8 engine and is the star of the fittingly named Da Yooper’s Tourist Trap in Ishpeming.

• The Eiffel Tower. Well, sort of. In Paris, Mich., north of Big Rapids, you'll see a 20 foot tall replica of the landmark. Crafted by welding steel, the monument sits among the tall trees and was made by industrial arts high school students.
• The house with 60,000 soft drink bottles. The bottles lay on their side with the bottoms forming the outside wall. the Bottle House is in Kaleva, 10 miles from Lake Michigan.
• Mystery Spot. Someone tall is suddenly small. Or climb a wall into the air without falling. This puzzling attraction is 5 miles west of St. Ignace and the Mackinac Bridge on Highway US-2.
• Cross Village. Following a short drive through the Tunnel of Tree that begins in Harbor Springs, you come upon upside-down stove legs that decorate the roof of the inn. Meanwhile, the interior features unusual shapes crafted from polished twining tree roots. Good Polish food is available, too.
  
• The Musical Fountain. From Memorial Day through Labor Day on Friday and Saturday evenings, you'll hear and see this sound and lighting masterpiece as it pumps out 4,000 gallons of water a minute and sprays 125 feet in the air. Grand Haven, where the foiuntain is located, had the idea in 1963, way before Las Vegas built the Bellagio.
• Paul Bunyan. The statue stands 15 feet tall in Manistique..
• The Shrine of the Snowshoe Priest Bishop Baraga. This one is 35 feet tall, high atop US-41 in L’Anse. The good Bishop founded 5 missions after he first came to the Upper Peninsula in 1830 from Slovenia.
• Hiawatha. This statue, in Ironwood, tops them all. It's 50 feet high, weighs 16, 000 pounds and can withstand 140 mph winds.

For other quirky attractions and destinations, visit www.michigan.org.

15 years of fire and water in Rhode Island
Water Fire is celebrating 15 years as one of the premier attractions in Providence. The award-winning art installationconsists of 100 bonfires that wind through the three downtown rivers, with lightings on selected Saturdays during summer and fall. Upcoming lightings take place on July 17, July 31, Aug. 14, Aug. 28 and Oct. 9. WaterFire has attracted millions of spectators through its visual aesthetics and fragrant wood smoke scent. The lightings are synchronized with music from around the world and often accompanied by dance performances. The July 31 lighting, for instance, will feature a live performance from the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra, accompanied by a dance performance from Festival Ballet Providence. Spectators can enjoy every WaterFire experience on both land and water with boat and gondola rides available for an additional fee.

Visit www.waterfire.org or www.goprovidence.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." -- Susan Heller

Here's a chance to stay in Cinderella's castle
A Southwest Airlines sweepstakes with an entry deadline of July 15 promises the winner a chance to win a package for four to Walt Disney World and stay in the Cinderella Castle Suite. Included are roundtrip flights, a one-night stay in Cinderella's digs, two nights at another deluxe Disney resort property and four-day park tickets. For details, go to www.southwest.com and wait for the Cinderella squib to magically appear.

Fascinating fact
Bagpipes are believed to have originated in Rome, not Scotland.

Explore Nassau's past with Hilton package
Validthrough Dec. 31, British Colonial Hilton's Historic Tour of Nassau Package takes guests on a journey through the island's culture and history. With rates starting at $239 per night based on double occupancy, the package offers renovated accommodation, daily breakfast and a two-hour guided Surrey ride of the island’s most enchanting sights. Travelers will visit old forts, botanical gardens, white-sand beaches and parliamentary buildings, accompanied by the driver’s tales of old. For reservations or more information, call 1-877-GO-HILTON and mention promotion code P7.

BoltBus marks a milestone
BoltBus, a discount curbside bus service, has reached its 3-millionth passenger milestone since it was launched in March 2008. The bus now provides express service between New York and the following locations: Baltimore; Boston; Cherry Hill, N.J.; Greenbelt Park & Ride, Md.; Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. Tickets are available for purchase in advance at www.boltbus.com, bycalling 1-877-BOLTBUS (265-8287) or from a driver before boarding. Prices are available on the website.

Fun facts about Germany and jelly doughnuts

The bear is the symbol of Berlin, and likenesses can be found throughout the city. (Photo by Richard P. Carpenter)



When, in 1963, John F. Kennedy told a rapturous Berlin crowd, "Ich bin ein Berliner!" the roar of approval was deafening. The translation, of course, is "I am a Berliner!" Later, however, the president's words caused some amusement because a "Berliner" is also a popular name for a type of jelly doughnut. But what the heck: a president can be anything he wants, even a jelly doughnut. Here are more fun factoids from the authentic German website s.m.d. markeur:
* When the perfume brand "Irish Mist" was introduced to the German market, it had to be renamed because in German, "mist" means, ahem, "bullshit." The product became "Irisch Moos," meaning moss.
* Germany has about 1,280 breweries offering more than 5,000 different beer brands.
* There are more than 1,500 types of sausages.
* The country has more than 300 different types of bread and more than 1,200 types of biscuits and pastries.
* In the mid 1800s, the first garden gnomes were made in Thuringia, Germany. They have spread via central and northern Europe as far as America and Australia.
* The first cuckoo clock was made in Germany in the early 17th century.
* It took more than 632 years (from 1248 to 1880) to build Germany’s most popular tourist attraction, the Cologne Cathedral.
* Germany is the only European country that has no overall speed limit on its highways, known as the Autobahn.

A slow start for a German product
Volkswagen sold a mere 390 Beetles during the car's first year in the United States, 1951.

Three places where summertime freebies abound

There's something magical about the word "free," so here are three diverse spots with no-cost summer activities. (In some cases, of course, there are requirements or restrictions.)
* In Colorado, free Vail activities include jazz and rock concerts, guided nature hikes, volleyball, bocce, horseshoes, gondola rides for youngsters, fly fishing clinics, tennis matches, admission to the Colorado Ski Museum and even parking in Vail Village. Rooms at The Arrabelle at Vail Square start at $199 per night and The Lodge at Vail start at $149 per night. For more information, visit www.rockresorts.com.
* The Resort at Paws Up in Greenough, Mont., has several activities that are complimentary to children and adults alike. They include geocaching, disc golf, hundreds of miles of hiking trails, wiffle ball, spin fishing, badminton, basketball, and croquet. Visit www.pawsup.com.

* You can golf free at Grande Lakes Orlando. The Florida resort, which consists of the Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott allows youngsters 17 and under to golf free every day with a paying adult. Daily golf clinics are also available year-round for guests of the resort. Visit www.grandelakes.com.

Summer savings at 11 London hotels

From July 23 to Sept. 6, all 11 Radisson Edwardian London properties are offering guests deluxe accommodations and picnic essentials to enjoy at a nearby park including a bottle of Prosecco, fresh strawberries and a picnic blanket. Daily breakfast for two and a 25 percent discount on dining at each property are also included in the offer, resulting in a 20 percent discount.

Rates start at about $196 per room, per night. For a list of the hotels and more details, call 800-333-3333.

New ship offers discounted fares to Antarctica

AdventureSmith Explorations is offering an introductory rate starting at $2,795 per person for an 11-day itinerary on its new Antarctic cruises aboard the 124-passenger M/S Expedition. If you've looked into Antarctica trips, you will recognize that that is an excellent starting price.

And speaking of Antarctica ...

The male penguin's job is to incubate the single egg that his mate lays. During the two-month period, the gallant gent does not eat and will lose up to 40 percent of his body weight.

It's all a matter of size

The state of Florida, at 65,795 square miles, is bigger than England, which encompasses 50,346 square miles.