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

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

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

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

Search Amazon.com for Tokyo

Trivial question

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

Adventure travel company handing out $500 credits

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

Fascinating fact

Portugal is the largest producer of cork in the world. 

Family summer getaways in Boston

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

Worth quoting

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

Big spenders get an iPad 2 with this resort offer

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

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

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

 

Rainy days don't get New Hampshire down

This picture from the McAuliffe–Shepard Discovery Center seems appropriate for the Fourth of July weekend. Happy Independence Day!

It's been a rainy, misty, dreary month in New England, but that doesn't mean there's nothing to do but rust. Consider the possibilities, indoors and out,  in New Hampshire alone:

* In Manchester, the Currier Museum of Art has reopened with  a 33,000-square-foot addition, a glass-enclosed restaurant, new music and art programs for the public and a new performance space to house world-class collections. Check the museum out at www.currier.org.

* The Waterville Valley resort area has a huge indoor athletic club and an indoor ice rink. Family activities and free "chalk talks" are offered every weekend at the town's Curious George Cottage  Waterville's town square is lined with shops and restaurants, with a  covered walkway in this pedestrian-only zone. Go to www.visitwatervillevalley.com.

* Mount Washington Cruises operates  three enclosed and climate-controlled tour boats

that offer day, evening and charter cruises on Lake Winnipesaukee. Visitors can even take a cruise on the  U.S. Mail delivery boat, the M/V Sophie C.  Visit www.cruisenh.com.

* Rainy or not, you can journey to the stars at the new McAuliffe–Shepard Discovery Center in Concord. Youngsters can take part in rocket-making workshops, help land a space

shuttle or watch the shows in the high-tech planetarium theater. Visit www.starhop.com.

* The Conway Scenic Railroad in Conway or the Hobo Railway in Lincoln can provide an indoor view of  mountainous scenery the old-fashioned way. Another rail option is to chug up Mount Washington on the Cog Railway, an authentic coal-fired steam train based in Bretton Woods. Chug on over to www.mountwashington.org.

* An indoor-outdoor experience can be found at the Polar Caves in Plymouth, which offers explorations through tunnels and rocks. Click here. 

* For more ideas, and deals too, click here.

Worth quoting

"They seem to enjoy life a little bit more. They aren't running around as much as in New York. They enjoy time with the family. They don't always have their BlackBerries on." -- Gwyneth Paltrow, telling the Associated Press how a visit to Spain at age 15 changed her outlook and her life.

One way to beat those checked-baggage fees

Eight hotels and inns on Amelia Island in northeast Florida have relaunched a Pack Your Bags for Amelia Island program, offering air travelers up to an $80 room credit for checked baggage fees.  The program is valid through Dec. 31 on stays of three or more nights.

For details, click here.

How's that again?

T-shirt spotted in Tokyo's Shibuya district: "It's so easy to it curiosity what wonderful relaxing?"

A luxe Boston hotel welcomes canines

Boston's upscale XV Beacon Hotel now welcomes dogs as well as guests.  Selected furnished rooms  on the designated canine floor provide a doggie bed and bowl of fresh water.   Furry guests also get turn-down service and fresh baked dog biscuits . The hotel concierge will arrange dog walking, pet sitting, grooming and spa and veterinarian services. The hotel will donate all of its $25 pet fee to   MSPCA-Angell,  a nonprofit organization whose services include veterinary care, animal protection and adoption, advocacy, humane education and law enforcement.

Call 617-670-1500 or visit www.xvbeacon.com.

Trivia answer: The spider is in Ottawa

The answer to Wednesday's "Where are you?" question shown below  is Ottawa, at the plaza of the National Gallery of Canada. Mamanis,  a 30-foot bronze  spider sculpture  by Louise Bourgeois, weighs 18,000 pounds and carries a sac of 20 pure white marble eggs under her belly.