Safety first: Tips for camping teenagers and their parents

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

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

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

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

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

For Teens

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 Search Amazon.com for Ireland

Trivial question

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

Four nights at Dublin’s Four Seasons for $699

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

Worth quoting

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

$100 discount for exploring all of Ireland

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

Who’s confused?

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

An eight-day walking tour of Ireland

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

A chance to see Scotland as well as Eire

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

Trivial answer

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

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.

Going abroad? These tips may enhance your experience

The Taj Mahal: Never on Friday

Part of the joy of overseas travel is observing the differences in cultures and lifestyles. But those differences can also lead to questions. For instance: When should you avoid shopping in southern Europe or visiting the Taj Mahal?  When is the best time to visit Kyoto, Japan, or the best time of day to see wildlife in Africa?   
 
The U. S. Tour Operators Association, whose member companies send 11 million people annually on vacation,  asked its members for insider tips on trips to various parts of the world.  Below are some of the tips, along with their sources.
 
Southern Europe.  In some parts of southern Europe, shops and restaurants close for siesta  in the afternoon, reopening in the evening and staying open late.  Travelers should plan accordingly so they are not disappointed.  (Avanti Destinations)
 
Italy. The nation's climate in Italy can vary from 15-20 degrees in all seasons.  So  bring a sweater, clothes that can be layered, and an all-weather jacket, plus comfortable walking shoes.  Also, some religious sites may require modest dress to enter, meaning no shorts, short skirts or sleeveless tops. (Gate 1 Travel)
 
Where can you dine at a 350-year-old restaurant in Rome?  La Cisterna, one of Rome’s oldest restaurants, is in the city’s Trastevere section.  The restaurant’s origins date to 1630. (Tauck World Discovery)
 
Ireland and Scotland. To see Ireland on your own terms, choose an open voucher program that provides the first night’s stay at a pre-booked hotel, and remaining nights wherever you want, such as at bed-and-breakfasts. In between,  explore on your own. (Celtic Tours World Vacations)
 
To mark the 250th anniversary of poet Robert Burns' birth, with the celebration going on now through Nov. 30, Scotland is hosting numerous events, including the first annual Homecoming, which focuses on visitors with Scottish heritage. (Go Ahead Tours)
 
Australia.  One U.S. dollar buys $1.25 in Australian currency.  Not only will travelers save money while visiting due to the favorable exchange rate, but the trip itself will cost less.  (Goway)
  
U.S. citizens need a visa for entry into Australia.  But that visa is inexpensive and easy to obtain. (Explorica)
 
Botswana and South Africa. Animals are most active in the early morning and late afternoon, because they avoid the midday sun. (African Travel, Inc.)
  
No immunizations are required for travel to South Africa, unlike other parts of the continent.   And while the official languages of South Africa are Afrikaans and English, there are 11 officially recognized languages.  Guides and bush trackers all speak English well. (International Expeditions)
 
India. Avoid visiting Agra and the Taj Mahal on Friday.  The Taj Mahal is closed every Friday.  (SITA World Tours)
 
Japan and Vietnam. The best times to see Kyoto, Japan,  are during its festive summer season; or visit in autumn to see the foliage.  (Signet Tours)
 
If you’re going to Vietnam, enhance the experience by adding on a tour to Angkor Wat in Cambodia. (Brendan Vacations)
 

General advice. Carry all prescriptions and over the counter medicines in their original containers.  (Abercrombie & Kent)   Schedule transfers with your travel agent prior to your arrival in a foreign destination to avoid long lines and language issues. (Travel Bound) On cruises, purchase optional shore excursions before boarding the ship.  Doing so will help you avoid long lines and allow you to disembark earlier than those buying excursions at the  last minute. (Homeric Tours)
 
More Information. For more information on the U. S. Tour Operators Association, and for a list of member companies serving destinations around the world, visit:  www.ustoa.com, www.ustoa.travel, or see a travel agent. 

Worth quoting

"The Americans are a noisy nation. ... They do not seem able to enjoy themselves unless there is a tremendous noise going on about them all the time." 

                                                             -- Canadian author L.M. Montgomery, after a visit to Boston

The fine print in JetBlue's unlimited-flight offer

At first glance, JetBlue's new offer of unlimited flights sounds great, and for many travelers it will be. But here are some things to keep in mind: Flights must take place Sept. 8-Oct. 8; do you have a lot of destinations you want to go to in that time span or will you just be flying to take advantage of the deal? JetBlue flies to 57 destinations, which obviously isn't everywhere you might want to go. If you change your mind after booking, there is a $100 penalty for no-shows. Taxes and fees of up to $127.60 each way are not included for trips to Puerto Rico or international destinations. 

Visit www.jetblue.com or call 800-538-2583.

Fascinating fact

A Boeing 747 can carry 57,285 gallons of fuel.

Facebook fans, how good is your geography?

Geo Challenge, a popular game on Facebook, lets you challenge your friends to see who knows the most countries, flags and cities of the world. 

Click here. 

An Iceland air-hotel package for $499

Icelandair has  announced a $469 per person package in November that includes airfare from New York or Boston, two nights' lodging in three star hotels in the historic center of the capital city of Reykjavik, and big Scandinavian-style breakfasts for two mornings. The same package in October is  $90 more, and although September travel is slightly higher, travel costs are still generally 20 to 30 percent lower than peak season rates. (Of course, there are taxes and other restrictions.)

Visit www.icelandair.com. 

 

A taste of Scotland -- and its famed whisky

Strathisla Distillery on Scotland's Malt Whisky Trail (Photo by VisitScotland.com)

Scotch whisky and Scotland go together like ... welll, scotch and soda. Nowadays, aficionados can tour several top distilleries and visit themed events while staying at one of Connoisseurs Scotland’s 23 upscale hotels. Three of Scotland's most popular distillery attractions are located near one or moreof those properties. For example:

* The Marcliffe Hotel and Spa is close to the Malt Whisky Trail,  a 68-mile route through the glens of Speyside, connecting several distilleries. The five-star country hotel is offering a Partner Stay Free package, allowing a second guest to stay at no extra charge when a single rate Executive or Deluxe room is booked Monday-Thursday. A full Scottish breakfast is included.
* Whisky Live takes place in cities from Glasgow to Tokyo, bringing together hundreds of different whiskies for tasting by both industry professionals and novices. Hotel du Vin, in Glasgow's  fashionable West End,  is offering a free half or whole bottle of Macallan to those booking Standard/Club or Superior rooms, respectively, and a complimentary in-house whisky tasting to those booking suites. 
* The Glasshouse, Edinburgh’s five-star boutique hotel, is convenient to Glenkinchie, the 19th-century distillery known for its single malt whisky. The Glasshouse is currently offering three nights for the price of two, with regular prices starting at  $250 per room per night, with full breakfast included. Scottish whisky's name is derived from name is derived from "usige beatha," which is Gaelic for "water of life." So live it up, responsibly of course.

For more information on Connoisseur's Scotland, click here.

Thursday's trivia answer

Canada has the world's largest coastline at  243792 kilometers or 15,1485 miles (including the coastline of the country's 52,455 islands). Good citizens that they are, Canadians contribute around $1 billion a year to help protect the coast from erosion and pollution.

Smile brightly, and Orlando may reward you richly

Orlando, Fla.,  is looking for a pair or people with great smiles and a lot of stamina. Their assignment will be to to experience every attraction in Orlando over 67 consecutive days, the time it would take to try the more than 100 attractions in this sunny land of theme parks and alligators, and share their adventures with the world via social media outlets and interviews. The Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau calls this campaign “Orlando Makes Me Smile.”  The pair will stay free in a two-bedroom downtown condo and will be given cell phones, digital video and still cameras, a rental car and $25,000. The experiences will include everything from roller-coaster riding to hang gliding, swimming with dolphins, spa-ing, golfing, gator wrestling, museum exploring, theater-going and dining.

Interested? Get all the details here. And smile. 

Worth quoting

"It's one of the prettiest states in our great country" -- Frank Sinatra, in concert. The Chairman knew whereof he spoke.

By the beautiful sea in Oxnard, Calif.

Oh, to be on the beach in California. Embassy Suites Mandalay Beach Hotel & Resort, which lays claim to being the only all-suite resort in southern California that sits directly on the beach, has a trio of similar offers.  The Summer Getaway Package includes three nights' accommodations, a $50 dining credit, an in-room movie or one-hour Nintendo play, two bike rentals, parking and Internet access. Prices start at $750. The Summer Fun Package is good for five nights, a $100 dining credit, two movies or two hours of Nintendo, three bike rentals, parking and Internet. The price begins at $1,250. With the Summer Vacation Package, the stay is seven nights, and the dining credit $150, along with  three movies or three hours of Nintendo, four bike rentals, and the parking and Internet. Rates begin at $1,750.

Call 805-984-2500. For hotel information, click here.

The wide world of the Web

Hotelicopter is among the latest Web sites promising great deals on hotels. The site searches more than 30 other travel sites for deals. Helicopter gained some notoriety on April Fools Day when it floated a story about a flying hotel, and people who should have known better reported it as true.

Visit www.helicopter.com.

Fascinating fact

The King Ranch in South Texas, with 82,5000 acres, is bigger than the state of Rhode Island, with 77,6957 acres. 

Keep the kids quiet with a free coloring map

A coloring-game map of the U.S. from "Miles of Smiles: 101 Great Car Games & Activities" can be downloaded free. When the kids spot a license plate, they color in that state, an activity that seems better than watching a DVD, zombie-like, in the car. The book, by  Carole Terwilliger Meyers, has games and activities  with travel-related themes.

For the game map, click here.