Well what do you know:  This spring, Americans are going places 

Hooray! Americans are leaving their recession mentality behind and getting ready to travel agan. According to a new AOL survey, 72 percent of respondents said that, compared with last year, they have more (31percent) or the same amount (41 percent) of money to spend on spring travel. What's more:
 
* More than  60 percent of travelers are spending between $500 and $2,000 on their spring outings.
 *  Sixty-one percent of women are planning to spend less than $1,000, while just 42 percent of men are.
 *  With less than two months until spring break season, 75% of travelers had yet to book their flights, though 57 percent had chosen their destination.
 *  75 percent of travelers plan to stay within the United States, with sunny Florida being the top destination. (Pictured: Miami Beach.)
 *  Eighty percent of those surveyed will travel more than 250 miles and 58 percent will travel more than 500 miles.

Trivial question

What city is nicknamed The City of Saints? (Answer somewhere below.) 

Haven't had enough snow? Where to find more

Snowlink.com, the website of SnowSports Industries America, has plenty of tips on where to go and how to get started,  along safety tips, gear and  fashion information, resorts info, and a photo gallery of the hottest trends. Myself, I'll take warm places without a speck of snow.

Fascinating fact

The greatest snowfall in North America within 24 hours occurred in Silver Lake Colo. A grand total of 76 inches  fell on April 14-15, 1921.

Golf card means savings in the Poconos

Several of the more than 35 golf courses in the area will participate in Pocono Mountains Golf-Around Card, which will provide discounted greens fees throughout the 2011 season. Cards can be purchased later this spring for $40 at participating courses, with  rounds based on availability. The Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau plans to unveil the card in March. Visit www.poconosgolf.com.

Worth quoting

“The major advantage of domestic travel is that, with a few exceptions such as Miami, most domestic locations are conveniently situated right here in the United States.” -- Dave Barry

There's nothing rough about six new Rough Guides

Not everyone relies on their smartphones when deciding what to see and where to go. The popular Pocket Rough Guides has released six new volumes for London, Paris, Barcelona, New York, Prague and Rome. The books, a little bigger than pocket size actually, tell what's hot and what's not, detail the sites and give advice on where to eat, drink and stay. And inside the back covers, you'll find pullout maps. If, on the other hand, you are into smartphone apps, Rough Guides has them, too. Visit www.roughguides.com.

Trivial answer

Salt Lake City is nicknamed The City of Saints. (And you thought it was New Orleans.)

 

Meet Costa Rica, the happiest nation in the world

Travelers embrace Costa Rica's beaches and the greenery in its scenery.

This weekend's announcement declaring Costa Rica the happiest place on earth may have surprised many people. Ah, but there are other ways to measure happiness than the amount of bills stuffed into your wallet. The Happy Planet Index looked at three principal areas: a life expectancy,  citizens' satisfaction with their lives,  and a country's ecological footprint. While pondering all that, let us take a closer look at that pretty and peaceful Central American country.

* Costa Rica means "Rich Coast."  Good thing, because the country has 800 miles of coastline.

* Their McDonald's restaurants have home delivery.

* While violence, political and otherwise,  is not unknown in other Central American countries, Costa Rica has a stable democracy. More than that, it was the first country in the world to abolish its army.  

*Instead of referring to their wives as "my better half," men say (in Spanish) that their wives are "the better half of my orange."

* Costa Ricans refer to themselves as  Ticos  (males) or  Ticas  (females). 

* Life expectancy among its 4 1/2 million people is about 77 1/2 years. (The U.S. figure is 78.1.) The literacy rate exceeds 96 percent.

* The diversity of its wildlife is breathtaking. There are about 52 species of hummingbirds, four   species of monkeys, and four kinds of toucans. There are about 34,000 species of insects, not all of whom contribute to the happiness factor.

*Instead of saying, "She gave birth," Costa Ricans often say, "She gave light." 

* There are more than 120 volcanic formations.

* Speed bumps are referred to as "dead persons."

* More than one-fourth of the country's land is in national parks or other protected areas.

The Happy Planet Index report was  published by the New Economics Foundation, which studied 143 countries before placing Costa Rica at the top. And the United States? It came in 114th. 

For Costa Rica tourism information, click here.

Hurry, hurry: Crystal Cruises plans a 3-day sale

On  July 8, 9 and 10,  Crystal Cruises is offering 25 percent  additional savings on five already discounted itineraries this fall and winter. The extra  savings,  from $885 to $2,000 per person, apply to all deluxe outside and veranda category staterooms on its Sept. 26 Mediterranean cruise, a November itinerary from New York to Bermuda and the Caribbean, a Nov. 12 trans-Atlantic voyage, a Dec. 5 South American and the Amazon journey and a Dec. 10 Panama Canal transit. With the savings, and depending upon the cruise, prices will start at $2,300-$4,050 a person. Also, Crystal's  "All Inclusive -- As You Wish" program provides an additional $500-1,000 per person in  shipboard spending credits.  

The website is www.crystalcruises.com.

Trivial question

What is the world's most densely populated country? Answer Wednesday.

Kansas vacations at $30 per person per day

AAA has rated Kansas among the top five least expensive states to visit, and this summer vacation plans start at less than $30 per person per day, including lodging. Among the adventurous offerings, based around dinosaurs and other fabulous fossils; a quirky itinerary that will take you to such sights as the home of the world’s largest ball of twine; nature-based traveling; and a cowboys-and-cattletowns itinerary.

Visit www.travelks.com or call 785-296-2009.

Worth quoting

"He that is a traveler must have the back of an ass to bear all, a tongue like the tail of a dog to flatter all, the mouth of a hog to eat all that is set before him, the ear of a merchant to hear all and say nothing."

-- Thomas Nashe (1567-1601), English playwright

A hotel's reading choices for the digital age

EPIC, a new and upscale boutique waterfront hotel in Miami,  is going to give guests their choice of ways to read books, including  best-sellers and new releases.The EPIC Page Turner guest reading program will provide complimentary books, access to Sony Reader Digital Books, and an online choice where guests can access book excerpts from the  in-room desktop computer.  Author visits and signing events held during EPIC’s complimentary evening wine hour are also planned.

For more information, click here or call 866-760-3742. 

Were you standing where you thought you were?

Thousands upon thousands of people have had their pictures taken standing at the Four Corners Marker, where Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah were said to meet. But in case you missed the news reports, the National Geodetic Survey found that the actual spot where you can  stand simultaneously in the four states is about 2 1/2 miles west of the marker. Update: The National Geodetic Survey says those reports were erroneous. See July 8 entry.

When it comes to hotel rooms, it pays to haggle

A new survey by Consumer Reports says that of people who tried to negotiate for a lower hotel rate, 83 percent were successful.

Families can save at a YMCA that is hardly typical

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

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

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

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

* Two free adult breakfasts per lodge room.

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

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

Fascinating fact

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

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

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

Visit www.virginatlantic.com.

Monkeying around in Waterville Valley

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

Visit www.ReyCenter.org. 

You deserve a cruise, along with extra savings

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

Read all about the offers  here.

You also deserve a chuckle, of sorts 

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

Trivia answer: The statue is in Ireland

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

The joys (and savings) of vacationing closer to home

“Bicycling in Nantucket is as charming as bicycling in Provence,” says Andy Alpine, co-founder of  Specialty Travel Index, a magazine-directory. “And an all-American deluxe dude ranch can be just as relaxing as a week at Club Med." His point is a good one: During this recession -- or anytime for that matter -- you can save a lot, at least compared to a similar trip overseas,  and have a quality vacation  in North America.  Alpine gives some examples:

* Become a family of dudes. With comprehensive  programs for children and teenagers, , rafting, riding, fly-fishing, hiking, massage, swimming, trips to nearby Mesa Verde, hayrides, and melodramas, Colorado Trails Ranch could please every member of the family. Rates begin at $950 for children under 5, $1,935 for children 5-12 and $2,335 for adults. Click here. 

* Go island hopping -- on a bike.  Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket are perfect for Cycling . A trip from Bike Riders offers daily rides of 15-35 miles on flat to gently rolling terrain. Pedal past lighthouses, windswept dunes and cranberry bogs with stops for kayaking, a stroll through the whaling museum, some of the best restaurants in Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard, or a sunset sail on Nantucket Harbor. Stay  in quaint (and sometimes) luxurious) inns. A 5-day trip is listed for $2,880. Click here.

* Go on safari ...  in Alaska. Great Alaska Adventure Lodge  offers custom-designed safari vehicles  for up-close wildlife and nature viewing with groups of just 6-12 people. One day you will be on a cruiser surrounded by birds and mammals, another day  deep in a national park at a private bear viewing camp and  another day on a flight, seeing  mountaintops. and glaciers—and you’ll be back at a beautiful riverside lodge in time to share photos during happy hour. Rates vary but expect to pay $2,00-$3,000 a person. Click here. 

* Have a culinary adventure.   House on Bayou Road Inn in New Orleans is a petite plantation  set on two acres and features inviting antique-filled rooms, and a pool and hot tub among other amenities. The innn is also the setting for a cooking schoo featuring authentic Creole cooking and  hands-on classes.  In one  long weekend, participants tour New Orleans, take two cooking classes (afterwards enjoying the fruits of your labors) and have a three-course dinner at Brigstens, considered one of the finest restaurants in New Orleans. Prices from Epiculinary Distinctive Cooking Journeys are $975-$1,045. Click here.

For information about Specialty Travel Index, visit www.specialtytravel.com.

(Photo by Rick McIntyre/Alaska Division of Tourism)

Trivial question

What is the world's tallest mountain? Hint: It's not the one you're thinking of. (Answer Tuesday.)

Ever considered a vacation rental?

A sometimes money-saving  alternative to staying in a hotel is renting an  apartment, condo or cottages. Rentalo.com, which specializes in such rentals, cites this example for fans of golf and the music of Branson, Mo.:  Two miles from the Stonebridge Golf Course and five miles from Branson, a two-bedroom, two-bath condo is part of the Eagles Nest Resort at Indian Point. The  recently remodeled apartment has air conditioning, high-speed Internet, hair dryers and a hide-a-bed.  The nightly rate is $115 until May 31, $130 after, with a three-night minimum. The Rentalo ID is No. 101306. 

For vacation properties everywhere, visit www.rentalo.com. For the above offer, click here.

Jazz Festival update: free Stevie Wonder show

 Stevie Wonder will  launch the Montreal Jazz Festival's 30th anniversary with a free concert at the brand-new Place des Festivals on Tuesday, June 30, at 9:30 p.m. on the General Motors stage. See earlier item in May 10 posting.

You can sort of count on it

I wouldn't bet money on it or anything, but if you're flying coach and the passenger next to you is wearing a Rolex watch, chances are that watch is a fake. 

$75-a-week parking for Logan Airport

The Park, Taxi and Fly Service for Logan International Airport, Boston, will be launched Saturday and cost you $75 a week. Travelers who leave on a Saturday or Sunday can park at the Wonderland Dog Track  lot, about 10 minutes from Logan, and take one of the Onsite Taxis directly to their airline terminal. Upon their return, travelers call the local taxi company for transportation directly back to their car. Customers can return at any time, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Parking is $49 per week and the taxi costs $26 roundtrip for a total of $75.  William Bell, who heads  the company, says, “The new service even includes a free jump-start if needed and if your car still won’t start, customers will be given a free ride home anywhere in Massachusetts."

Phone 781-289-4200. Bell's  other parking plan can be found at www.loganairportvaletparking.com.