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.

What to bring to make your travels more pleasant

Last week we presented advice on stretching your travel dollar from Teri Gault, who as  CEO of  GroceryGame.com has traveled many, many miles. This week, we present her advice on what to bring with you when traveling. These are a few of her favorite things:


Hand sanitizer: Gault says that people have between 2 and 10 million bacteria between the fingertip and elbow -- areas that you frequently, if accidentally, end up touching. She recommends Veripur hand lotion. (You, of course,  might have your own favorite among germ-fighters or other products she mentions.)

Sneakers: Bring running shoes in your carry on, if you are changing planes. If you miss a connecting flight, you may be stuck in the airport for a day or more. So if  you’re running late on the first flight, before it lands, take off your slip-on shoes, and put on your running shoes. "I have literally run to a flight, and wouldn’t have made it any other way, many times," she says. (Isn't travel fun?)

Bottled water:  Bring at least one water bottle on the plane, or better yet two. After you go through security, go straight to a vendor and buy two overpriced water bottles, even if your flight is going to be short. Why? "On a short flight from Memphis to Phoenix last week, we were stuck in the plane for an hour and a half before takeoff. Once out on the tarmac, the flight attendants cannot serve any beverages. The plane was hot; unless you are at the gate, there is no air." Meanwhile, when in a hotel don't buy water --  use an empty bottle or the one you bought at airport and fill it up at the gym. It is cold, free and filtered.

Bed bug spray: These days it pays to be prepared. Her choice is Stop Bugging Me! 

An iPad : It's Gault's favorite and most necessary item when traveling. Mine, too. You can check  email, watch movies, and kill time reading blogs like this one. The iPad has great battery life and is relatively light to carry. (The iPad 2, to be announced this week, may be lighter yet.)

 Snacks: You'll avoid those airport prices. Gault's favorite high protein travel snack is raw almonds.

 Zip-lock bags: The practicality of zip-lock baggies such as Tili Bags when traveling is unmatched by any other travel accessory, says Gault.   

Trivial question
What does the sign on Mount Lee in California say? (Answer somewhere below.)

Springtime in Lisbon -- for under $1,000

This spring, Lisbon -- Portugal’s capital on the Tejo River --  is promoting  a host of new museums, restaurants and cultural venues and hotels.  Azores Express/SATA has a weeklong package from Boston, with six nights' lodging and air starting at $969 per person. 

 Packages from Boston to Lisbon (via the Azores) depart Tuesdays and Fridays mid-September through the fal, combined with six-night stays at a choice of four hotels. For Tuesday departures, packages range from  $969 to $1,619 per person, double occupancy (plus tax). All packages include daily breakfast. Travelers can choose a package that combines a stay in São Miguel in the Azores for the same $969 base price. Children under 6 pay child’s airfare while children under 10 pay 10% of the hotel rate, plus airfare.
 New this year is the modern Tivoli Oriente, a 4-star hotel in the newest part of the city, the riverfront Nation’s Park, and near the Oceanarium.  The other featured hotels include  Hotel Azores Lisboa, a modern 4-star hotel in the city’s business and shopping district; the downtown Tivoli Jardim, set near major sites and shopping; and the Hotel Mundial, right in the city’s center. The Mundial, recently restored, was famed as a center of espionage during World War II.For more information or reservations, call 800-762-9995 or visit  www.sata.pt.

Worth quoting

“I told the doctor I broke my leg in two places. He told me to quit going to those places”. – Henny Youngman

Ski and stay in N.H. from $60 a person-- or even less

A ski-and-stay package that includes lodging and lift tickets at New Hampshire's Waterville Valley Resort can be had from $60 per person a night, quad occupancy. Package guests also receive half  off rentals, all day Kids Venture Kamps and Child Care. The deal is being offered midweek in March plus the weekends of March 25–27 and April 1–3.

New this winter is a Wicked Long Ski Weekends package, which offers guests the option of checking in as early as 12:30 p.m. on Friday, with a 3 p.m. checkout on Sunday. Free skiing on Friday afternoon is included. The price starts at $89 a person per night, double occupancy, in December, and $158  in January, February and March. Meanwhile, guests can ski on St. Patty’s Day (March 17) for $17 and stay the night for $17 a person, quad occupancy. Then there is an April Fool’s Day package: Stay March 31 or April 1,   and ski April 1 from $51 a person, double occupancy. The package includes a $50 dinner certificate.

Call 800-GO-VALLEY or visit www.waterville.com.

Fascinating fact

Aiea, Hawaii, may be the only U.S. community whose name contains just vowels. (If you know of others, feel free to tell us.)

Choice Hotels now offering $50 gas cards

Guests who stay two separate times at a Choice Hotels property, March 3 – May 4 can receive enough Choice Privileges points to redeem them  for a $50 gas card. Travelers, in fact,  can earn more than one $50 gas card during this promotion. To be eligible, they must book at ChoiceHotels.com or by calling 800-4CHOICE.

Trivial answer

The sign on Mount Lee reads HOLLYWOOD and is, in fact, one of the world's most famous signs.

Philadelphia region gets set for a busy, bracing autumn

Photo by Peddler's Village

Summer travel is well underway, so let's think about the fall. The Philadelphia area, for example, will welcome autumn with special exhibitions, Halloween haunts and annual events for all ages. Princess Diana, Jim Henson, Henri Matisse and George Washington Carver lead the lineup, which also includes Body Worlds 2 at The Franklin Institute Science Museum, tattoos aplenty at the Independence Seaport Museum, "Terror Behind the Walls" at the Eastern State Penitentiary, and a variety of festivals.

As part of the new With Love, Philadelphia XOXO campaign, visitors who book one of the nearly 100 featured packages on www.gophila.com/withlove will receive a Philadelphia Privileges coupon book, a five-pack of With Love postcards, a With Love pin and Philly Fill-Ins word games, along with brochures, coupons and maps.Visitors can book packages online or by calling the hotels directly. Here are some of the events coming up in the Philadelphia region:

History and Science

Diana: A Celebration, a 10,000-square-foot National Constitution Center exhibition, showcases the life and work of the princess of Wales. Diana’s childhood, her engagement to Prince Charles, her lavish royal wedding, her children and her works as a global humanitarian are all part of the exhibit. Oct. 2-Dec. 31. 525 Arch St., 215-409-6700, www.constitutioncenter.org.

Visitors to The Franklin Institute can uncover the intricacies of human anatomy during Gunther von Hagens’ Body Worlds 2 & The Three Pound Gem. More than 200 specimens, including 20 whole bodies, healthy and unhealthy organs and body sections, provide an unprecedented view inside the human body. And The Three Pound Gem delves into the mysterious world of the brain. October 2009-spring 2010, with exact dates to be announced. 222 N. 20th Street, 215-448-1200, www.fi.edu

Born into slavery, George Washington Carver devoted his life to science, education and humanitarian efforts. Videos, hands-on activities and more than 150 artifacts at The Academy of Natural Sciences guide visitors through Carver's life and work. Nov. 12-Feb. 28. 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, 215-299-1000, www.ansp.org

The Arts, from Matisse To Kermit

Including about 35 paintings and sculptures, Matisse and Modern Art on the French Riviera at the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s Perelman Building celebrates the French Riviera’s mythic allure for modern artists. Through Oct. 25. Fairmount & Pennsylvania Avenues, 215- 763-8100, www.philamuseum.org

The Independence Seaport Museum presents Skin & Bones – Tattoos in the Life of the American Sailor, a new and original exhibition using historical and contemporary images, objects and tattoos to illustrate sailors’ stories and recount the meaning of their tattoos and the belief in their power to protect sailors at sea. Through Jan. 3. Columbus Boulevard at Walnut Street, 215- 413-8655, www.phillyseaport.org

Jim Henson’s Fantastic World at the James A. Michener Art Museum documents Henson's visual thinking through works of art, photographs, documents, puppets and film and video clips. Sept. 12-Nov. 29. 138 Pine St., Doylestown, 215-340-9800, www.michenermuseum.org

During the 10th annual Philadelphia Open Studio Tours, known as POST to locals, visitors can look into the workshops of local artists across all mediums in neighborhoods throughout the city. Oct. 3-4, 10-11. 215-546-7775, www.philaopenstudios.com

It’s all about me at the First Person Festival of Memoir and Documentary Art, called the only event in the nation dedicated to artistic creation based on real-life experiences. The multidisciplinary festival features performance art, experiential tours, visual art exhibitions, concerts and film screenings at The Painted Bride Art Center. Nov. 4-8. 230 Vine St., 267-402-2055, www.firstpersonarts.org

Halloween All Month

A free family favorite, the 31st annual Scarecrow Festival at Peddler’s Village features scarecrow displays, pumpkin-painting workshops and pie-eating contests. Sept. 12-13. Routes 202 & 263, Lahaska, 215-794-4000, www.peddlersvillage.com

Thrill-seekers celebrate the Halloween season at Eastern State Penitentiary with Terror Behind the Walls, a haunted house inside an abandoned prison that once held notorious criminals like Al Capone. Sept.18-Nov. 1. 22nd Street & Fairmount Avenue, 215-236-3300, www.easternstate.org

Miniature ghosts and goblins can wear costumes, trick-or-treat throughout the park, watch Elmo’s Halloween show and take a hayride during The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular at Sesame Place. Weekends, Sept. 26-Oct. 31. 100 Sesame Road, Langhorne, 866-GO-4-ELMO, www.sesameplace.com

The area’s crafters display their best scarecrows for Morris Arboretum’s Scarecrow Walk (Oct. 3-18). After picking their favorites, visitors can catch the Great American Lighthouses-themed Garden Railway display (through Oct. 13). 100 E. Northwestern Avenue, 215-247-5777, www.morrisarboretum.org

Laurel Hill Cemetery can be unsettling even when programming doesn’t include happenings like Dead Men Do Tell Tales, the South Jersey Ghost Research presentation of paranormal investigations at Laurel Hill (Oct. 10); Halloween flashlight tours (Oct. 23-24, 30); or Fall Family Day, celebrating costumes and all-things Halloween (Oct. 25). 3822 Ridge Avenue, 215-228-8200, www.thelaurelhillcemetery.org

The revitalized Franklin Square, one of Philadelphia’s original public parks, gets fun in a creepy way in October with Spooky Mini Golf every Saturday and Sunday night, scary storytelling and pumpkin decorating (Oct. 10, 17) and a trick-or-treat trail (Oct. 24, 31). 6th & Race Streets, 215-629-4026, www.historicphiladelphia.org

The Philadelphia Zoo calls all kids to Boo at the Zoo, a masquerade party and trick-or-treating extravaganza. There are also storytelling, face painting, games and music. Oct. 24-25. 3400 W. Girard Avenue, 215- 243-1100, www.philadelphiazoo.org

Annual Festivals

Longwood Gardens’ Autumn’s Colors festival, monster pumpkins, unusual gourds, a garden railway and live entertainment fill the floral sanctuary. Sept. 7-Nov. 22. 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square, 610-388-1000, www.longwoodgardens.org

The 27th annual Philadelphia Shell Show and Festival at The Academy of Natural Sciences features treasures of the seas on display and for sale. There will be free shells, naturalist presentations and crafts for youngsters. Oct. 10-11. 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, 215-299-1000, www.ansp.org

The free and fruity 38th annual Apple Festival at Peddler’s Village honors the healthy treat with old-fashioned country apple butter, apple cider, apple dumplings, apple fritters and caramel-dipped apples. Nov. 7-8. Routes 202 & 263, Lahaska, 215-794-4000, www.peddlersvillage.com

For more information about travel to Philadelphia, visit www.gophila.com or www.uwishunu.com or call 800-537-7676.

Trivial question

Name the U.S. state capitals that have "City" in their names. (Answer somewhere below.)

The healing power of Hawaii

It was an emotional reason that brought Rebecca Lane of Port Orchard, Wash., to Hawaii. "My son, who had cystic fibrosis for thirty years, passed away recently and and it turned my world upside down," she e-mailed me. "I desperately needed to do something to turn it right side up again ... I wanted to take some of his ashes someplace special. I knew it was Hawaii and I didn't want something "touristy." I found this place on line called Wellness With Aloha [on the Big Island] and something just clicked when I talked to them." She spent several days with energy and massage healers and writes, "If there ever was such a thing as Hawaiian Healing, I think this is it. After I got back, people said how I looked like I had found peace. I think I found something authentic on a different level in Hawaii and it helped heal my heart."

Fascinating fact

The Tigris river, which runs through Baghdad,  is about 1,150 miles long. The name "Tigris" comes from Old Persian and translates as "the fast one."

By the sea, in Charleston

The Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina is offerings a Sullivan’s Island Beach Experience package starting at $129 per room, per night, including accommodations, transportation to and from Sullivan's Island, a boxed lunch and beverages for everyone registered in the room, and a cooler, too.

For more information, click here.

Trivial answer

The cities are Salt Lake City, Carson City, Oklahoma City and Jefferson City. Although there is a Kansas City in both Kansas and Missouri, neither is a capital.

Hawaiian resorts that the children will love, too

Photo by Hilton Waikoloa

Hawaiian resort prices are near, or at, all-time lows. But if you're traveling with children, in addition to a good price you will want  activities that let parents rest while knowing their youngsters are well supervised. Here, from Hawaii.com, are resorts that fit that category. Although rates are given, they are constantly changing and new specials are offered daily.

Turtle Bay Resort, Oahu. This resort on the North Shore boasts some of the best surfing in all of Hawaii, as well as the island's only on-site helipad. For teens looking to "catch a wave," group lessons begin at $75. (For safety reasons, children under 13 require private lessons, starting at $95 for one hour.) For future equestrians, The Stables at Turtle Bay offers a 20-minute pony walk for children under age 7. Plus there are  clear-bottom kayaks, allowing them to see the sea life in an unforgettable way. There's also a "buried treasure" hunt and 12 miles of hiking trails to accommodate any age. Prices for an oceanfront king room have been spotted for $237 a night.

Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa, Koloa, Kauai. Youngsters can choose from a variety of complimentary activities available in the lobby atrium each day including lei making, hula lessons or ukulele lessons. Or there's a meandering river pool, a 150-foot waterslide and an active pool for basketball or volleyball. At the saltwater lagoon, they can swim, float or kayak together. Non-water options include an easy hike along a sea cliff with spectacular views; they might see endangered humpback whales, green sea turtles or monk seals. Prices start around $300 a night for a garden-view room.

The Kahala Hotel & Resort, Honolulu. This resort has a  Keiki Club (keiki is the Hawaiian word for child) for ages 5-12.  Among activities are reef walking, snorkeling, bamboo pole fishing, lei making, hula dancing, crabbing and cavorting with dolphins. Possible rates are $395 a night for a scenic view room.

 

Hilton Waikoloa Village, Kohala Coast, Big Island. The Dolphin Quest, where you meet and swim with the lovable creatures,  is a hit with children and parents, and there are classes in hula and making flower, ti leaf or shell-and-bead leis. Also,  Waikoloa Family Golf Days take place every day after 3 p.m. through July 31. Families can inexpensively play nine holes. Hawaii.com has seen prices starting at $199 and calls it one of the best island deals for a major resort.

Hyatt Regency Maui, Lahaina, Maui. Camp Hyatt Ka'anapali gives cameras to children of all ages, and their favorite picture will be turned into a photo T-shirt. Youngsters can also play tennis, try "coconut bowling," fish and explore Maui's wildlife and volcanoes. By night, children can learn about the Hawaiian  sky with the Tour of the Stars astronomy program. Rates have been spotted at $240 a night.

 

Prince hotels on Maui, Oahu and the Big Island.  You can request a private nanny for about $18 per hour or have your children participate in the Prince Keiki Club. Half-day and full-day programs are available, with many fun activities. Counselors are certified. Rates usually begin at $415 a night, but currently there is a special rate beginning at $269, with the possibility of a fourth night free.

For more information or to book, visit www.hawaii.com.

Busted guitar can't stop this fellow's music 

Dave Carroll's You Tube video for the song "United Breaks Guitars" has gone viral, receiving more than 600,000 hits as of yesterday. To view the saga of a guitar that Carroll says was broken by United Airlines, click here.

Last-minute specials on Nantucket

Summer rates on the Massachusetts island of Nantucket can seldom be considered inexpensive, but you will pay less with these last-minute specials: The Cottages & Lofts at the Boat Basin, July 12-16, starting at $350 a night.  The Wauwinet, July 12-16 and July 21-22, $395. And the White Elephant, July 11-15, $395.

Fascinating fact

The lowest recorded temperature, minus 129 degrees Fahrenheit, occurred in Antarctica in 1989.

$129 summer rate at some Kimpton hotels

Through Sept. 7, Kimpton Hotels has a Sunday-Thursday online rate of $129-$179 a night, along with your choice of a $30 dining credit or free parking.

Click here.

Worth quoting 

"A journey is a person in itself; no two are alike. ... We do not take a trip; a trip takes us."

                                                                                                                         -- John Steinbeck

Trivial question

What is the world's largest sea? Answer Monday.

 

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.

A half-dozen ways to say aloha to savings on Hawaii trips

Photo by Richard P. Carpenter

Yes, Hawaii is far from almost anywhere else, but this enchanting state is well worth the trip, especially now when bargains abound. Some of the places to seek those savings are obvious, while others may surprise you. Here, from the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau, are six places to search. (And what holds true for Hawaii often applies to other destinations as well.) 

Travel wholesalers. Among them are All About Hawaii, American Airlines Vacations, American Express Vacations, Apple Vacations, Classic Vacations, Liberty Travel/GOGO Worldwide Vacations, Pleasant Holidays and United Vacations. For a list of wholesalers offering travel bargains, click here. 

Travel agents. Let us not forget these professionals, who continue to be one of the most reliable resources for planning a Hawaii vacation, especially when visiting more than one island.

Online agencies.  Expedia, Orbitz, Travelocity and others have an ever-growing number of offers and packages, as well as a variety of tools  that help you decide what to see and do on the six major Hawaiian islands. 

Airline, hotel and activity Web sites.  You often get good deals right at the source. “best rates” for customers wanting to book their own vacations. And customer reward programs offer such perks as Internet access and reduced baggage check-in fees. 
 
Social media. Sites like Twitter are good for more than asking what someone had for breakfast.  Suppliers are posting offers daily and consumers are helping each other to find the best values. For Hawaii-specific deals on Twitter, use the hashtag – #hideals.  

Newspapers and magazines. These old standbys continue to be useful resources. With the majority of those periodicals now online, consumers can find destination deals and news 24/7.

For information about Hawaii and vacation planning, visit www.gohawaii.com.

Worth quoting

"Throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          -- Mark Twain

Phooey on frequent-flier miles

There was a time when, if you looked early enough and were flexible enough, using frequent-flier miles to get a free flight was no problem. But, as those who have tried lately will tell you, nowadays the search yields more frustration than results. Seats just don't seem to be available, especially at the level requiring the fewest miles. A whole new middle tier of necessary miles has been added to some award charts, eating up almost double the miles you once needed -- and you still can't always find seats. I no longer base my choice of airline on getting enough miles for a trip award. I don't know why anyone would these days. 

Norfolk, Va., wants you to Sail into Savings

Norfolk, Va., is a 400-year-old city with a popular waterfront, walkable downtown district, many dining options, a growing arts scene, high-end shopping, and year-round special events. With the city's Sail into Savings promotion, running to Aug. 3, guests who book a room at one of 10 participating hotels can get discounts on admissions to the Norfolk Botanical Garden, Chrysler Museum of Art and one sailing expeditions such as the American Rover, Victory Rover and Spirit of Norfolk. Hotel rates start at $99 per night (for the Tazewell Hotel & Suites in downtown Norfolk).  
For more about the program, click here or call 800-368-3097. To learn all about the city, go to www.visitnorfolktoday.com.

Trivial question

Which of these African nations is not landlocked: Niger,  Chad, Congo, or Burkina Faso? Answer Friday.

A Florida sunset, romance and dinner, too

The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club in Naples, Fla., is promoting a Sunset Romantic Getaway, with accommodations for three nights, a  breakfast buffet daily for two,  dinner for two daily at the beachfront HB’s on the Gulf (which includes appetizer, entrée, dessert, coffee and gratuity), reserved beach chairs and cabana daily for two,  one hour of tennis,  afternoon tea and cookies at 4 p.m. daily; a bottle of champagne in the room on arrival, nightly turndown service and complimentary access to The Spa and Fitness Center. The package is from $650 per couple through Oct. 31.

Click here or call 800-237-7600 or 239-261-2222. To learn about the resort, visit www.naplesbeachhotel.com.

Fascinating fact

Tasmania ranks near or at the top of places having the cleanest air  on earth. “The air in Tasmania is as clean as it is in Antarctica,” says Paul Fraser, an authority on ozone and climate change.

Let us now praise great tour guides

Photo by Austin-Lehman Adventures

A great guide actually knows what he is talking about and can convey his enthusiasm to all ages.

Over the years I have had some wonderful tour guides, and I have had some wretched ones. Why the difference?  Some of the traits, such as dedication to, and passion for, the job are obvious. But Dan Austin, co-founder and director of Austin-Lehman Adventures, cites a few traits than can make a guide not merely good but great. For instance:

Having ESP. No, really. The best guides are naturally intuitive, with the innate ability to foretell what a guest is thinking or wanting. 

Handling the unexpected. They have a Plan B ready in case of such things as sudden weather changes, lodging snafus and road delays.

Multi-tasking.They can quickly switch from chauffeur, coach,and doctor, to teacher, culinary wizard, athlete, mechanic, social worker and psychologist. 

Having a sense of humor. They can help even the most bashful particpants break out of their shells , thus creating bonds among strangers. 

Yes, there are times when even independent travelers wish they had a good guide around when confusion crops up. Everyone can use a guardian angel now and then.

Fascinating fact

New York's Central Park, consisting of 843 acres, is almost twice as big as the country of Monaco, with 485 acres. In 56 minutes, the average person can walk across the width of Monaco, which is  the second smallest country in the world, after Vatican City, which has 108 acres. 

See Cirque du Soleil in Toronto, for free

As part of Toronto's Luminato Festival, Cirque du Soleil will give free performances on the city's waterfront, June 12-14. That, of course, is just one of many events during the festival, June 5-14.

For festival details, including other free events and money-saving packages, go to www.luminato.com.

Worth quoting

The wise traveler learns not to repeat successes but tries new places all the time.

                                                                                                                      -- Paul Fussell

An online magazine all about Hawaii

Some say that one day we may real all of our magazines electronically. In any event, you can now read about Hawaii in that manner.  The Magazine is  published by the vacation-planning website Hawaii.com, with breezy page-turning technology. The first issue contains features about what you don't know about our 50th state, Father Damien, the whales of Maui, Kualoa Ranch, and the isle of Lanai.

   Visit www.hawaii.com/magazine.

Summer savings on cruises in France

France Cruises, which conducts luxury canal and river sailings, has cut prices for July and August. One example:  A $2,000-per-couple discount is available on  July 25 and Aug. 15 departures of the 16-day rand Exploration of France. Cruisegoers spend a week in Southern France aboard the MV Princesse de Provence, embarking and disembarking in Lyon. After an included TGV transfer to Paris halfway through the trip, they board the MV Cezanne for a week-long cruise, embarking and disembarking in Paris. Eleven guided land excursions are included. Prices start at  $2,925 per person.

For details, click here. For information on all trips, visit www.francecruises.com.

Trivial question

By area (not population), what is the largest municipality in the United States? (Answer Tuesday.)

Ways to stretch your travel dollars as summer starts

Las Vegas is one of the vacation spots where many great deals are available, providing you don't gamble away what you saved, and then some. By the way, this famous sign, built in 1959, has just been added to the National Register of Historic Places. (Photo by Las Vegas News Bureau/LVCVA.)

With summer unofficially beginning this Memorial Day weekend, it's heartening to know that the rocky economy isn't stopping travelers from, er, traveloing. A survey of more than 600 American Express Travel agents hints that while Americans continue to book summer vacations, they are being savvier by making slight-but-smart tradeoffs to help offset costs. Among the strategies:

* They are booking vacations closer to dates of travel to take advantage of last-minute deals.

*They are vacationing closer to home.

*They are cashing in their frequent-flier miles and credit-card reward points.

* They are choosing destinations where the dollar goes farther (see below).

Here, from the agents surveyed, are tips for saving this summer:

* Look for packages with free-night promotions. (We would add that packages, in general, are a good way to save. Even if you don't use all the features in a given hotel or hotle-flight package, you could still come out ahead.

*Consider a cruise. This helps travelers manage their budgets because costs, including that of dining, are included.

*Be flexible about travel dates. The best deals are midweek.

* Twosomes might consider a couples-only resort. Deep discounts are currently available.

And the destinations that make your buck stretch? The agents picked these U.S. Cities: Las Vegas, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, New York and Los Angeles. For international destinations, they chose Rome, London, Paris, Madrid and Prague.

Travel tip

Do not turn your hotel room keycard in to the desk at the end of your stay because most contain your credit-card information. It's best to take them home and shred them. And speaking of those cardes, do not put them in your pocket next to your cfellphone. The phone could demagnetize the information strip on the card.

Elope and honeymoon in Texas for under $500

The Star of Texas B&B in Brownwood has one of the most affordable wedding packages we've seen. The package includes a wedding ceremony preformed in the Garden Room or on the outdoor wedding deck by the innkeeper/chaplain, a bouquet of flowers for the bride, a small cake for two with punch, plus a photo CD. The cost is $169 plus the price of the room, with rates from $129-$169 per night.

Call 800-850-2003 or visit www.hat.org.

Old and tired travel joke

A vulture was boarding an airplane with two captured carcasses. "Sorry," said the flight attendant, "only one carrion per person."

A summer stay on the Big Island for $67 a night

Shell Vacations Hospitality has an online-only deal at Hawaii’s Kona Coast Resort on the Big Island. Guests get 40-60 percent off when they book a fully-furnished villa, and to sweeten the deal even more, Shell is offering a 10 percent discount on all food and beverage charges in the resort’s restaurant, plus a free one-day snorkel rental for two. With this special, rates begin at $67 per night. The package is valid through Aug. 1, except for July 3- July 5 and Oct. 7 – 11.
Bookings can be made only at Shell's blog.Click here.

Trivial question

In what city will you find Domodedovo International Airport? (Answer Saturday. And, yes, we know that you can google the answer, but let's play fair.)