Travel Savings Alerts Newsletter - June 2005 Issue
tips2travel
P.O. Box 91033
Columbus OH 43209
http://tsalerts.freespaces.com
travel...@wowmail.com
ISSN: 1542-801X, Copyright 2005, All Rights Reserved
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In This Issue:
D.C. Heats Up with Summer Savings
Family Rates, Kids Eat Fre.e at Cheyenne Mountain
Americans Pick Top U.S. Treasures
Scottsdale Cool Summer Savings
Hotel Derek Summer Deals
Checked Bag Arrives with You or Fare is F.ree
Britain Offers Value
2005 Thunderbirds Performance Schedule
Charter Service to Brazil
First All-Glass Undersea Restaurant Opens
Marriott, United & Visa Serve Up Family Savings
Clearing the Air on Airplane Cabin Air
American Express, Pan Pacific 50% Off
Find Discounts in Waldo County, Maine
Buy Four Nights, Get Four Nights Fre.e
On the Go Skin Care Goals by Mia Guerra
What’s New In Washington, D.C. Part II by Kay Douglas
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Heavenly Style -- This bracelet is as beautiful as a heavenly vision.
For some, the bracelet represents each layer in the foundation of
heaven, a meaningful, spiritual reminder.
The 7" long bracelet is made from pearls and crystals that represents
sardonyx, beryl and chalcedony, stones mentioned in the Bible.
The 12 genuine multi-colored crystals beads and freshwater pearls are
each separated by pewter spacer beads. Each crystal bead is faceted to
bring out its color and sparkle. Rarely found in stores or jewelry
shops, we sell the Heavenly bracelet for only $29.
Click here to order http://www.aaa-jewelry.com
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D.C. Heats Up with Summer Savings -- Washington, DC gears up for a
season of festivals and special events. The Washington, DC Convention &
Tourism Corporation's Summer Freedom Savings promotion offers savings
of 50 percent or more on accommodations, attractions and dining.
Available through Labor Day, promotional hotel rates begin at $99 per
night and include add-ons like Metro passes, breakfast and parking.
The city's newest professional sports team, the Washington
Nationals, has inspired several hotels to offer baseball-themed Summer
Freedom Savings packages with amenities such as souvenir programs and
Cracker Jacks. Packages are available exclusively online at
http://www.washington.org/, or 800/422-8644.
Aug. 1 to 7 is Washington, DC Restaurant Week, when diners
enjoy three-course, fixed-price lunch and dinner specials priced at
$20.05 (lunch) and $30.05 (dinner).
Washington's museums offer fr-ee exhibitions. At the
National Gallery of Art, catch Toulouse-Lautrec and Montmartre (through
June 12) and Gilbert Stuart (through July 31). The National Museum of
Natural History explores The Allure of Pearls and the National Museum
of the American Indian showcases its new feature film, A Thousand
Roads. Visitors enjoy fr-ee admission to these and other well-known
attractions, including the 14 museums of the Smithsonian Institution.
Fr-ee concerts take place at many points throughout the
city, including the Library of Congress, the Corcoran Gallery of Art
and the National Zoo. Military bands perform several nights of the week
at the U.S. Capitol, the U.S. Navy Memorial and the U.S. Marine Corps
War Memorial.
Washington, DC Convention & Tourism Corporation
http://www.washington.org/.
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Family Rates, Kids Eat Fr-ee at Cheyenne Mountain -- Through September,
Cheyenne Mountain Resort, near Colorado Springs, Colorado, offers rates
from $129 for a family of four, combined with a Kids Eat Fr-ee program.
Family sports and recreational activities include a daily
summer camp for children five to 12; an aquatics program with swimming
lessons and lifeguard training; day care Monday through Saturday; a
35-acre recreation lake with water sports and trout fishing; 18 tennis
courts; a championship golf course; five swimming pools including
adult, baby, indoor, outdoor and resort pools; and hiking and biking on
the resort’s 217 acres.
Four restaurants offer choices and include a Kids Eat Fr-ee
menu for children 12 and under.
Cheyenne Mountain Resort http://www.cheyennemountain.com or
800/428-8886.
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Tinsel Chains Below Wholesale -- Only 200 left -- We still have 16-inch
long, sterling silver tinsel-style chains. We must liquidate the 1.3mm
wide chains that retail around $49. Now buy these chains below
wholesale: $9.99 per chain -- when you purchase 2 or more chains, plus
shipping and handling.
Click here to order. http://www.aaa-jewelry.com/tinsel.shtml
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Americans Pick Top U.S. Treasures -- The Travel Industry Association of
America (TIA), in a national survey, asked Americans to name the top
American treasures they would like to visit. Results showed a true
appreciation for the nation’s natural and historic sites. The top ten
selections, in order, were:
The Grand Canyon
The Statue of Liberty
Yellowstone National Park
The White House and monuments of Washington, DC
Niagara Falls
The Hawaiian Islands
Mount Rushmore
The Redwood Forest
The Glaciers and the Fjords of Alaska
The Rocky Mountains
Roger Dow, TIA’s President and CEO notes that survey
results support TIA’s new See America’s Treasures Campaign, which
offers travelers a fun way to discover treasures in their backyards or
in far-flung locations. Visitors to TIA’s website can play the See
America’s Treasures Game and link to all kinds of interesting places
and things to do.
Through July 31, visitors can enter a sweepstakes to win one
of six vacations featuring many of the top ten treasures including a
trip to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon, a trip to New York and Boston,
a trip to the Finger Lakes and Niagara Falls, a cruise in Alaska, a
trip to Hollywood, and a trip to Orlando with tickets to the theme
parks.
See America offers travelers a commercial-fr-ee U.S.
information site with maps for cities and states, driving directions,
itineraries, deals and a search engine that brings travelers to the
destinations that meet their needs.
Travel Industry Association www.SeeAmerica.org
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Scottsdale Cool Summer Savings -- Scottsdale, AZ has much to offer, so
visitors can make vacation planning easier with all the summer packages
at www.ScottsdaleSummerValues.com.
A few examples:
The Bed & Breakfast package at CopperWynd Resort and Club
starts at $149 per night and includes one night in a mountain-view room
with gas fireplace and private balcony plus breakfast for two.
A pitcher of margaritas is delivered to your room at the
Renaissance Scottsdale Resort. The Margarita Getaway also includes a
suite with a private hot tub spa for $179.
The unlimited golf package at the Four Seasons Resort
Scottsdale at Troon North costs $235 per night, with same day
consecutive play golf at Troon North, Legend Trail or Talking Stick
golf clubs for every night’s stay.
The Essenza Di Vita at the Royal Palms Resort and Spa
includes three nights in a luxurious casita, two rounds of golf at
Troon Golf facilities and two spa treatments at Alvadora Spa for $989.
Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau
http://www.ScottsdaleSummerValues.com or 800/805-0471.
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Hotel Derek Summer Deals -- The Houston hotel offers special packages
and promotions for the sunny summer season.
Play ball with the "Houston Astros Package" and enjoy a
one-night stay, fr,ee valet parking and a fr,ee welcome amenity. To
top it off, you will get two Derek ball caps to wear to the game.
Available through Oct. 10, 2005, the package costs $215 for a weekday
night and $149 for a weekend. This package is based on availability
and some restrictions apply.
See Phantom of the Opera, July 6 through July 30, and take
advantage of the "Broadway in Houston" package that includes champagne
and truffles on arrival, deluxe accommodations, fr,ee breakfast for two
and a Phantom of the Opera soundtrack souvenir. The package costs $239
per weekday night and $149 per weekend night, with taxes included.
The spend the night package, with room service dinner for
two, a one-night stay, fr,ee valet parking and one in-house movie costs
$259 per weekday night and $199 per weekend night.
Hotel Derek http://www.hotelderek.com or 713/961-3000.
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Fun, Fr-ee Things, San Diego -- Order your FR.EE brochure of Almost 40
Fun, Fr-ee Things to do in San Diego. When heading to Southern
California, attend summer concerts or visit a State Historic Park and
keep that cash in your pocket. $1 handling fee. To get your Fr-ee Fun
San Diego, send an email to in...@onthegopublishing.com with Free Fun in
the subject line. We will email you a secure, Paypal payment link for
the $1 handling fee. Once that’s received, we will email you the San
Diego Fr-ee Fun brochure.
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Checked Bag Arrives with You or Fare is Fr,ee -- As a way to highlight
its growing reputation for excellent customer service and operational
performance, low-fare airline Independence Air offers a new guarantee.
If your checked bag does not arrive at your final destination when you
do, Independence Air will offer a credit for future travel in the
amount of the one-way fare paid for that flight. You can use the credit
any time within the next year.
As a way to kick off the new service promise, Independence
Air also introduces the "Happy Bags Instant Win Game" that will run for
at least one month. Every checked bag on all Independence Air flights
will be tagged with a special game piece. 500 winners will receive a
grand prize of a roundtrip flight to any Independence Air destination.
All other game pieces will contain a discount coupon for future travel.
Full details and limitations of the "Happy Bags Instant Win Game" and
the Independence Air baggage delivery service promise can be found
online.
Independence Air http://www.FLYi.com.
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Britain Offers Value -- Britain offers diverse experiences at
affordable prices for U.S. travelers in England, Scotland and Wales. To
help visitors reap the best value for their dollar, VisitBritain, the
national tourist office, highlights ways to save on accommodations,
attractions, dining, entertainment and travel within the country.
Accommodations:
Several hotels are running guaranteed pound for dollar
promotions. Travelers pay the pound rate in dollars to stay at
properties. Participating properties include Athenæum Hotel &
Apartments, the Cadogan Hotel, Capital Hotels, Dorset Square Hotel,
Royal Garden Hotel, the Stafford Hotel and Thistle Hotels.
Britain’s colleges and universities have accommodations
in student halls, hostels, college- or university-owned lodgings and
student apartments for rentals during the summer and school holidays.
For information about lodgings at recognized colleges and universities,
visit the http://www.venuemasters.com.
Self-catering apartments are an affordable way for
cost-conscious consumers to save money during their stay in England,
Scotland and Wales. Several companies such as Emperor’s Gate
(www.apartment-hotels.com) in London, Royal Garden Apartments
(www.royal-garden.co.uk) in Edinburgh and Coastal Cottages
(www.coastalcottages.co.uk) in Pembrokeshire operate affordable
apartments in Britain.
The Youth Hostels Association is Britain’s leading
accommodation provider with a network of 227 youth hostels in England
and Wales. The hostels are ideal for single and family travelers,
student and youth groups because they provides comfortable
accommodations, and good food at reasonable prices. For more
information about the hostels, please visit the website www.yha.org.uk.
Edinburgh First operates a network of bed and breakfast
accommodations and self-catering apartments in the center of Edinburgh.
The company’s accommodations are on the scale of a three star hotel.
Accommodations and prices are at http://www.edinburghfirst.com.
St. Christopher’s Inn operates dormitory-style hostels
in Edinburgh, Scotland; London; Newquay (Cornwall); Bath; and Brighton
in England. The hostels give value for the money in centrally located
areas. http://www.st-christophers.co.uk.
Attractions, dining and travel within Britain options
will be covered in the July 2005 issue.
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2005 Air Force Thunderbirds Performance Schedule -- In 1947, while the
jet age was still in its infancy, the U.S. Air Force was created as a
separate service. Six years later, the Air Force’s official air
demonstration team, designated the 3600th Air Demonstration Unit, was
activated at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona.
The name “Thunderbirds” was adopted, influenced by the
strong Indian culture and folklore of the southwestern United States.
Indian legend speaks of the Thunderbird with great fear and respect. To
some it was a giant eagle, others envisioned a hawk. When it took to
the skies, the earth trembled from the thunder of its great wings and
its eyes shot bolts of lightning. Nothing in nature could challenge the
bird of thunder, the story said, and no man could stand against its
might.
The original demonstration sequence consisted of aerobatic
formations lasting 15 minutes. In 1956, the Thunderbirds became the
world’s first supersonic aerial demonstration team and moved to
Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.
If you’d like to see the heart-stopping performances of
this unmatched aerial precision team flying in their F-16C aircraft,
here are the places they will be performing.
June: 1st USAF Academy, CO; 4th Peterson AFB, CO; 5th Malmstrom AFB,
MT;
11 to 12 Rochester, NY; 18 to 19 La Crosse, WI; 25 to 26 Davenport, IA.
July: 2nd Tinker AFB, OK; 3 to 4 Battle Creek, MI; 9 to 10
Pittsburgh, PA; 16 to 17 Dayton, OH; 23 to 24 Terre Haute, IN; 27th
Cheyenne, WY; 30 to 31 McChord AFB, WA.
August: 13 to 14 Abbotsford, Canada; 20 to 21 Chicago, IL;
27 to 28 Westfield, MA; 30 to 31 Atlantic City, NJ;
The schedule for September, October and November is
online at
http://www.airforce.com/thunderbirds/scheduletext.htm.
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Face-It Luggage Tags -- Your Face on Your Luggage -- There's no
mistaking your luggage with the NEW Face-It Luggage Tag. The durable,
laminated tag displays your face and the phrase "This Face Belongs With
This Luggage."
A Face-It Luggage tag makes it less likely for a stranger
or thief to walk off with your luggage and helps you recognize your
luggage at a glance in hotels or airports. Face-It tags are also
available for briefcases, portfolio books, backpacks, sporting
equipment, musical instruments, bicycles and more.
Click here to order Face-It Luggage Tags
http://www.onthegopublishing.com/face-it.shtml
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Charter Service to Brazil -- Avocet Travel offers a new vacation
package with non-stop
charter air service from New York to Bahia, Brazil. Beginning June 2,
you can fly on Varig Airlines directly to Salvador, Bahia, a nine hour
flight, instead of Sao Paulo, eliminating nearly five hours of travel
time.
In addition to charter flight service, the seven-day
package includes accommodations and tours for an intro rate of $998 per
person based on double occupancy. The intro rate is valid until Sep.
30, 2005. You must book the package by July 27, 2005.
Air-only flights to Salvador, Bahia, with a limited
availability, start from $575 one way or $775 roundtrip. The minimum
stay for air-only flights is two weeks with a maximum stay of six
weeks. The above promotional rates are available through Sep. 30, 2005.
A copy of the contract detailing your rights and
information on the charter program is available from Avocet Travel.
According to the American Society of Travel Agents, Bahia,
the most historic city in Northeast Brazil and the birthplace and first
capital of the country, is the third leading tourism destination in
Brazil. The state has more than 620 miles of tropical coastline, 100
islands and a yearly average temperature of 78 degrees.
Avocet Travel http://www.avocettravel.com or 866/862-2442.
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First All-Glass Undersea Restaurant Opens -- The first all-glass
undersea restaurant opened at the Hilton Maldives Resort & Spa. Ithaa
sits 15 feet below the waves of the Indian Ocean, surrounded by a coral
reef and encased in clear acrylic with 270-degrees panoramic underwater
views. Ithaa (pronounced eet-ha) means ‘pearl’ in the language of
the Maldives, Dhivehi.
Curved transparent acrylic, in the walls and roof similar
to those used in aquarium attractions, is the component for the entire
restaurant except for the floor. A coral garden on the reef is being
planted on one side to add to the views of the rays, sharks and fish
that live around the reef near the restaurant. A clear lagoon is on the
other side.
A transparent arch spans the entire room, which seats 14
people. Ithaa is reached by a wooden walkway from the nearby over-water
Sunset Grill Restaurant. Diners begin their meal with drinks on a
specially constructed deck over the ocean and then descend to the
restaurant via a spiral staircase where the à la carte menu is
served..
This restaurant is part of a multi-million dollar re-build
of Rangalifinolhu Island, one of the twin islands that make up Hilton
Maldives Resort & Spa.
Hilton Maldives Resort & Spa
http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=MLEHITW
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Marriott, United & Visa Serve Up Family Savings -- This summer,
travelers who purchase the Stay for Breakfast rate with a Visa card at
participating JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Marriott Hotels & Resorts
and Renaissance Hotels & Resorts will receive a $100 Bonus Bucks coupon
toward a future two-night stay worldwide at those brands. In addition,
they will receive a coupon for $50 off the ticket price of their next
qualifying roundtrip United flight. The Marriott summer promotional
rate is available seven days a week and requires a Friday or Saturday
night stay.
The Stay for Breakfast rate is popular with families since
breakfast is included in the room rate for up to two adults and
children under the age of 12.
Marriott's moderately priced brands, Courtyard, Residence
Inn, SpringHill Suites, TownePlace Suites and Fairfield Inn are also
teaming up with Visa. Travelers who book the Promotional Weekend Rate
with a Friday or Saturday night stay and pay with a Visa card will
receive a $50 Bonus Bucks coupon toward a future two-night stay
worldwide at those brands.
Both the Stay for Breakfast and Weekend Promotional Rate
offers are valid for stays through Sep. 5, 2005 at participating hotels
in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.
Marriott International http://www.marriott.com or
877-MARRIOTT. Insert code "OTP" for JW Marriott, Marriott and
Renaissance hotels or "OP7" for Courtyard, Residence Inn, SpringHill
Suites, TownePlace Suites or Fairfield Inn hotels.
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Protect Luggage with Baggage Guard Seals -- The pre-numbered, one-time
use plastic padlocks are the perfect way to protect your luggage since
they cannot be reinstalled once removed. That feature lets you
instantly know if someone tampered with your luggage. Yet when TSAs at
airports need to inspect your luggage, Baggage Guard Seals can be
easily removed. A package of 10 Baggage Guard Seals is still only
$9.95.
Click Here to Order
http://www.onthegopublishing.com/products.shtml#seals
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Clearing the Air on Airplane Cabin Air -- Fear about the safety of the
air in airplane cabins heightens whenever a new or emerging infection,
such as SARS or avian (bird) flu, appears in the headlines. Each new
report raises questions if airplane cabin air can transmit the viruses,
which some scientists predict could be the source of the next major
global influenza epidemic.
"The flying public needs to be armed with the facts and
informed about the risks of cabin air transmission of viruses, bacteria
and fungi that can cause illness," says Joe Lundquist, an airplane air
filtration technology expert at Pall Corporation. A new study published
in Lancet concluded that the risk of transmission of infectious
diseases in airplanes is not as great as people perceive it to be. The
risk is low, even in aircraft that re-circulate air, provided that the
airplane is equipped with HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air)
filters.
However, Lundquist points out that not all filters used by
aircraft, even some designated HEPA, provide the highest level of
microbial removal efficiency available today. In order to prevent the
dissemination of infectious diseases, the filters must stop microbes of
all shapes and sizes on the first pass before they can be dispersed
throughout the cabin.
The efficiency standards for filters to be classified as
HEPA can vary considerably. These standards are based on chemical
challenge tests, which do not simulate the removal of microorganisms
and do not reflect a filter's true microbial removal efficiency. The
most accurate way to determine whether a filter can remove
microorganisms efficiently is with bacteria and viral challenge tests.
That’s because the surface chemistry and shape of bacteria, fungi and
viruses (which all have very complex organic shells) act differently.
Although helpful, Lundquist explains that even
state-of-the-art cabin air filters cannot prevent direct
person-to-person transmission within the aircraft cabin. Touching
common surfaces, sneezing, coughing and talking with an infected
individual on an airplane, can transmit infections. Proximity to an
infected individual increases risk more than the duration of a flight.
Infectious disease specialists recommend that air
travelers wash their hands frequently. Lundquist also recommends that
opening the overhead air nozzles to provide a steady flow of filtered
air can help reduce the direct transmission of microbes from
neighboring passengers.
Pall Corporation http://www.pall.com/.
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American Express, Pan Pacific 50% Off -- Receive 50 percent off
published room rates when you stay at any Pan Pacific hotel and resort
before Nov. 30, 2005. What’s more, stay two nights or more, and the
third night is fr,ee. Simply book and pay with your American Express
Card through June 30, 2005.
The offer applies to deluxe rooms only, except for Palau
Pacific Resorts where the offer is for suites only. Reservations and
the fr,ee night are subject to availability plus local taxes and
service charges apply.
Pan Pacific San Francisco's new Business First program
offers a special rate of $189. The program includes dedicated Business
First check-in or curb-side check in, 24 hour personal valet, welcome
amenities (your choice of snacks and beverages), frequent flyer miles,
fr,ee use of the business and fitness centers and fr,ee Internet
access. The Business First program is valid until Dec. 31, 2005.
Pan Pacific Hotels http://www.panpacific.com/offers.html
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Find Discounts in Waldo County, Maine -- A group of historic inns and
motor courts in mid-coast Maine (many former 19th century ship
captain's homes) offer discounted rates during the state's
all-too-brief high season, June through October.
During the "Finding Waldo" promotion, June through October
2005, discounted daily rates at inns range from $67 to $160 (regularly
$75 to $185); self-catering weekly rental rates (cottages to luxury
estates) range from $760 to $3,400 per week (regular price $850 to
$4,000) and motel rates range from $41 to $135 (regular price $49 to
$159).
Participating properties include:
1794 Watchtide.by the Sea - Searsport B&B listed on the
National Register of Historic Places; http://www.watchtide.com or
800/698-6575.
Carriage House Inn - Searsport "Painted Lady" on Historic
Register; http://www.carriagehouseinmaine.com or 800/578-2167.
Londonderry Inn - 1803 Maine farmhouse in Belfast;
http://www.londonderry-inn.com or 877/529-9566.
Wildflower Inn - 1846 sea captain's home in Searsport;
http://www.wildflowerinnme.com or 888/546-2112.
McGilvery House - Self-catering weekly rentals only. Sea
captain's mansion in Searsport; 207/548-6289.
Homeport Inn - Sea captain's estate in Searsport
overlooking Penobscot Bay; http://www.homeportbnb.com or 800/742-5814.
Yardarm Motel - Motor court-style motel in Searsport with
front porches; http://www.searsportmaine.com or 207/548-2404.
Seascape Motel & Cottages - Cottage rentals and guest
rooms in Belfast with views of the Penobscot Bay;
http://www.seascapemotel.com or 800/477-0786.
Discounts range from 10 to 15 percent. Contact the
property to make reservations and mention the "Finding Waldo" promotion
to receive your discount.. The offer is subject to availability and
black out dates.
The 734-square-mile Waldo County includes 26 small
villages, many along the Penobscot Bay between Camden and Bar Harbor.
Located two hours north of Portland, Waldo County is the quieter,
artistic, family-oriented side of Maine which includes coast and
countryside.
Waldo County, Maine http://www.waldocountymaine.com
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Cheap Tix Chart -- Buy Tickets at a Discount -- Special ticket outlets
sell discounted day-of-performance tickets to theaters productions,
films, and sporting events. Discounts can be 50 percent or more. On The
Go Publishing’s UPDATED Cheap Tix Chart, still only $14, lists
outlets in the U.S. and eight foreign cities that sell discounted,
day-of-performance tickets.
Click here to order
http://www.onthegopublishing.com/products.shtml#tix
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Buy Four Nights, Get Four Nights Fr.ee -- The Mount Nevis Hotel, in
Nevis, West Indies, offers their 50 percent off “Match Made in
Nevis” promotion through Dec. 15, 2005.
Travelers who book a two-bedroom superior suite with
kitchen for four nights at $500 per night, get four nights fr.ee. If
you pay for five nights, you get five nights fr.ee, and so on. The
suite accommodates a family of four or two couples and the kitchen is
well-equipped.
The hilltop location keeps the hotel pleasant, even in
the summer. The hotel’s newly decorated rooms have air-conditioning,
direct-dial telephones, fr.ee cell phones, cable television and video
players with a library of films. Each room also has a patio or balcony
with views of the lush island, the Caribbean Sea and the nearby island
of St. Kitts.
A daytime shuttle service takes guests to a nearby beach
club. On property, there is a 60-foot freshwater swimming pool,
relaxing hammocks, tennis courts and an exercise room. Golf is nearby
on an 18-hole Robert Trent Jones golf course.
The “Match Made in Nevis” promotion is subject to
availability and does not include the 10 percent service or 8 percent
tax or any meals.
Mount Nevis Hotel http://www.mountnevishotel.com
800-756-3847.
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On the Go Skin Care By Mia Guerra
Traveling is fun, but we always seem to forget
something. Some leave the toothbrush or favorite razor, but we are all
guilty of leaving our skin education at home. Not for long. Skin care
has to be a priority and soon it will be part of your daily agenda with
these easy steps.
Whether planning a warrior road trip or simply taking a day
trip, you need to prepare and educate yourself about skin terminology
and tips for travel. After spending much time traveling for business, I
have compiled the cause and effects of skin when out on the run.
Regardless of age, your skin is the key element to your physical
appearance; in fact, your skin tells your age and whether you are happy
or not. Let's become our personalized skin healers and dare to be
skin-savvy and different on our next escapade.
With combination skin, you can have two kinds of skin at
the same time. Your cheeks can be neither dry nor oily, but your
T-zone-the 'T' formed by your forehead, nose and chin-can be a little
oily. Often the pores around your nose are larger than those on the
rest of your face. With sun exposure, you'll probably burn the first
time but the burn will turn to tan quickly. You'll break out
occasionally but your skin will behave well under non-stressful
conditions. As you age, fine lines will appear around your eyes,
forehead and lips.
What to do? Normal/combination skin benefits from a good
beauty cleansing regimen and usually performs well when left to itself.
If you're lucky enough to have this kind of skin, flaunt it! Your skin
can handle just about anything you throw at it! Must-have:
Dermalogica's Special Cleansing Gel.
Dry skin is dull, feels tight after washing, and flakes,
scales and chaps easily. It is more likely to react adversely to harsh
chemicals and will tend to make wrinkles look more prominent, although
it won't actually cause wrinkles. Most skins tend to get drier as they
get older.
What to do? Dry skin should be especially well protected
in summer, as more moisture is lost from the skin when the weather is
hot and humidity is low. A good moisturizer is also important in the
winter when central heating can have the same effect. As a general
rule, the lower the humidity, the heavier your moisturizer should be.
Must-have: La Prairie's Skin caviar Luxe Cream.
Oily skin feels relaxed and supple, but looks shiny and
is more prone to outbreaks of spots. This is because of a heightened
production of sebum by the sebaceous glands. Too much sebum can cause a
blockage in the duct, leading to inflammation and pimples. Sebaceous
glands are unevenly distributed, being more concentrated around the
scalp, on the forehead, along the nose and on the chin, and scarcer on
the cheeks and neck, and around the eyes. As a result, most skins tend
to be oily only in patches.
What to do? Oily skin may or may not lead to acne, but
it is important to distinguish between oil on the surface of the skin,
where it is meant to be and can easily be removed with careful
cleansing, and oil trapped within the sebaceous duct, which can be
helped by regular exfoliation. If you can control excessive oiliness,
your skin will reward you-a light sheen of oil is the essence of that
youthful glow! Must-haves: Ravi Botanical Cleanser and Dr. Brandt's
Exfoliating Facial Wash.
There are two types of skin that fall into the
sensitive skin category. One is susceptible to break outs, and the
other is easily irritated. The irritations come from overusing products
or using products that are too harsh-especially cleansers. If you've
found that your skin is reacting to some skin products and showing
signs of irritation or redness, you probably have sensitive skin. We
all have skin that is somewhat sensitive, however hypersensitive skin,
which usually goes with blonde or red-haired people, reacts to
irritants by turning blotchy or developing spots and rashes. This type
of skin rarely tans but only burns or freckles.
What to do? Cleanse with gentle, water-soluble lotions
and tepid water. Avoid hot water and washcloths. Moisturizer is
essential to protect sensitive skin-and it should be hypoallergenic and
fragrance fr.ee. Avoid products that contain a lot of stabilizers
-chemicals that add to the shelf life of a product wreak havoc with
hypersensitive skin. Must-haves: Pevonia's Sensitive Cleanser and
Lotion.
Dry, thin and sagging skin is among the most common
complaints of women who have gone through menopause. Lower estrogen
levels are the cause, and the result is that your skin's normal
function slows down. Because your mature skin does not work as fast to
shed dead cells and build new skin, you lose radiance. If you have not
taken good care of your skin in the past or spent years in the sun,
your skin will look rough and weathered. If that weren't enough, the
rate of cell division and replacement falls off by 50 percent between
the ages of 35 and 80, increasing the tendency for the old cells on the
surface of the skin to cling there for a bit longer. All this leads to
sagging, wrinkling, loss of skin tone and uneven pigmentation. The
degree of wrinkling depends on your genetic makeup, but smoking, dry
skin and sun exposure (especially sunburns) make it worse. Dynamic
motion-making facial expressions -also causes permanent creases over
time.
What to do? Treating skin well is now more important
than ever, you need to super-hydrate the skin with rich creams,
following exfoliation. You can give yourself an at home monthly facial
by using an alpha-hydroxy mask, followed by a thick moisturizer.
Alpha-hydroxy Acids (AHAs) dissolve the "glue" that binds dead skin
cells to the skin's surface. When these cells build up, the skin looks
gray and dull; when you remove this buildup, your skin will not only
look more radiant, it will be able to absorb moisturizers better. Also
look for products that contain glycolic or lactic acids to help soften
the overall appearance of your complexion-and use a sunscreen of SPF15
or higher whenever you go outside. Must-haves: Crème de la Mer and La
Roche Posay's Hydranorme
In the normal course of events, sebum, made in the
sebaceous glands deep down in the skin, travel up the hair follicle to
emerge through a fine pore on the surface, creating acne skin. However,
if the sebum hardens and becomes trapped just beneath the surface of
the skin, or if the dead epidermal cells stick together and clog the
opening of the pore, a small pimple or blackhead will appear.
Blackheads are not dirt-the secretion trapped in the pore turns black
upon exposure to air. If the blockage occurs deeper down, inflammation
and primary bacterial infection combine to produce a much larger and
angrier spot, which can spread when touched with dirty fingers. When
the pimple becomes infected, a whitehead or pustule can develop. This
is the type of blemish that can burst and may eventually scar. The
biggest blemish of all is a cyst-the red, swollen result of a deeper
infection. If you develop cysts, you should definitely seek the advice
of a dermatologist.
What to do? Fortunately much can be done to improve
acne. Topical acne treatments range from mild antiseptic astringents to
stronger, more abrasive chemical solutions that strip off the dead
layer of skin cells to unblock the pore and fr.ee the sebum. Lotions
containing benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid or retinoic acid (vitamin
A) are probably the most effective. Cleanse your skin twice daily with
an antiseptic or medicated cleanser, use topical creams and lotions
sparingly and remember not to overdo it-dirt and oil on top of the skin
have nothing to do with any but the smallest of pimples, it is the oil
trapped beneath that is to blame. Must-haves: SkinCeuticals' Gentle
Cleanser and Aveeno's Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser
If your skin has been very red and broken lately, but
it doesn't seem like regular acne, you may have rosacea, a skin
condition that usually occurs in the late 20s or early 30s and affects
both women and men. Rosacea's symptoms include broken capillaries,
redness on the cheeks, nose and forehead, and acne-like lesions that
don't clear with normal acne treatments. Those who have rosacea might
first notice a tendency to flush or blush easily. The condition can
occur over a long period of time and often progresses to a persistent
redness, pimples and visible blood vessels in the center of the face
that might eventually involve the cheeks, forehead, chin and nose.
Other areas that can be affected by rosacea are the neck, ears, chest
and back. Sometimes, rosacea affects the eyes.
What to do? The best advice to anyone who thinks that
they might have rosacea is to see a dermatologist as early as possible.
While there currently is no cure for rosacea, today's treatments can
successfully control, and possibly reverse, rosacea's bothersome
cosmetic and physical effects. In addition to medical treatments,
dermatologists often recommend that certain moisturizers, soaps and
sunscreens be used, which will not irritate and might help rosacea.
People bothered by the redness can use cosmetics, especially green
tinted makeup, to mask it. While rosacea cannot be completely
prevented, flare-ups can often be avoided. The trick is to avoid some
of the things that increases blood flow to the cheeks and make the face
red or flushed. People who suffer from rosacea should keep personal
diaries of those things that seem to trigger their flare-ups.
Must-haves: Pevonia's RS2 Line
Travel Savvy Tips: A pressurized cabin has an extremely
drying effect on skin. I keep key beauty products well packed and
within arm's reach while flying. A good moisturizer is critical, but go
easy when applying, and target only areas that feel especially tight.
Research reveals that humidity levels on planes can sometime dip as
low as the Sahara Desert, which makes water a travel essential. Pack
your own bottle and ask for regular refills throughout your flight.
Drink no fewer than six glasses a day, especially since dehydration is
a common symptom of prolonged flights. Never underestimate water's
ability to protect and rehydrate the skin.
By leaning forward in your seat and supporting your face in your
hands for several minutes, you provide the right amount of pressure on
facial skin tissue to help eliminate the puffiness caused by lengthy
flights.
A light splash or spritz of cool water keeps skin supple while
traveling and decreases the chance of puffiness on arrival.
It's an unfortunate fact that you'll probably encounter harsh
lighting in airports and terminals while traveling. To play down the
effects of bad lighting on your face, use foundation like concealer,
applying only where needed: under the eyes, around the nose and on any
areas of high color.
To soothe and seal lips, prick a vitamin E capsule and apply a
light amount over lipstick to guard against dryness.
For your face I insist on a moisturizing glycolic (2-10%) wash; one
should look for ingredients such as
glycerin/dimethicicone/cyclomethicone/stearates for moisture, which
help clear skin and keep it clear.
After washing daily, always use a soothing toner geared for your
skin type. Look for soothing agents such as green tea extract
(polyphenol) or witch hazel for sensitive skin/salicylic acid for
acne-prone skin/glycolic acid for mature or drier skin types.
And forget those harsh rays and opt for St. Tropez or SkinCeuticals
self tanners. Look for DHA, which is in most good self-tanners these
days. This ingredient also helps protect against skin cancer.
And if you still insist on heading towards the rays keep Pevonia's
Hydrating SPF 30 handy and their After-Sun Soothing Gel, just in case.
Not your average beauty writer, Mia Guerra makes certain
she lives and breathes the benefits of beauty. Serving as a beauty
editor for more than 10 years, Guerra promotes the simple things in
life including breathing, "Deep breaths throughout the day makes the
doctor go away."
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Washington, D.C. Part II -- photos and story by Kay Douglas
The World War II Memorial -- It was a long time coming,
which perhaps made the dedication of the World War II Memorial all the
more joyous an occasion for the remaining World War II vets and their
families who gathered on the Mall on May 29, 2004. It was the
culmination of an 11 year crusade to establish the first national
monument dedicated to those who served during World War II, both as
civilians and in the military. Tom Brokaw, President Bush, Tom Hanks,
Bob Dole, and a host of dignitaries and celebrities, along with
thousands of ordinary Americans, gathered to pay homage to "The
Greatest Generation."
The World War II vets I met on the Mall during the
opening ceremonies seemed almost dazed by the attention they were
receiving. One octogenarian, his service cap set at a jaunty angle,
confided, "Where were all these adoring women when I was young? I've
been kissed by so many women today I've lost count!" It was a
dwindling generation's time in the spotlight; the tragedy was that it
took 59 years for the moment to arrive.
The monument is located at a central position on the
mall, at the east end of the Reflecting Pool between the Lincoln
Memorial and the Washington Monument. It sits in a vast oval plaza, a
central Rainbow Pool flanked to the north and south by two 43-foot-tall
pavilions symbolizing the Atlantic and Pacific theaters of operation
during the war. Each pavilion in turn is flanked by granite pillars,
one for each U.S. state and territory. Four thousand gold stars set
into the Fre.edom Wall facing the Washington Monument honor the more
than 400,000 American lives lost during the war.
While the design of the Memorial was deplored by some as
"cold" and "sterile," these critics overlooked the human dimension that
followed. The plaza has become much more than a monument; it has
become a gathering place for all war veterans, their families, and a
grateful nation. Bouquets are routinely placed along the Wall of
Fre.edom, many bearing heartfelt notes of gratitude. The faces of
veterans and their families visiting the monument glow with pride - and
remembrance.
The Museum of Natural History's New Mammal Hall -- In
addition to Washington's new museums and monuments, it's well worth
visiting the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History to see the largest
renovation the museum has undertaken since 1910 - the Kenneth E.
Behring Family Hall of Mammals, a 25,000-square-foot gallery that is a
tour de force of the taxidermist's art. Named after the California
businessman who donated $20 million towards the renovation, the new
mammal hall is three times as large as the old hall, which some may
remember as a dim corridor lined with glass cases containing fusty
specimens. The new mammal hall practically roars it's so lifelike. A
leopard perches high on the limb of a tree, while frozen in a griping
tableau below, two lionesses attack a water buffalo.
But not all is red in tooth and claw. Two-toed sloths
dangle from trees, zebras and giraffes gather peaceably at a watering
hole, and cuddly creatures such as marmosets, koalas, and dik-diks
abound. Even bats are given their due. Some 274 stuffed creatures
inhabit the gallery, along with fossils of their ancestors, a nice
touch that helps visitors understand evolutionary development. Sounds
of the veldt, outback, and jungle play in the background, while at
intervals a tumultuous "rainstorm" takes places in the central display.
This is a big hit with the children, who squeal in mock terror at the
crashing thunder.
Big Changes at the National Archives -- "You're about to
see the real national treasure," announces Lt. Pringle, who is in
charge of the officers guarding the Rotunda holding the Charters of
Fre.edom. Undoubtedly the blockbuster film of the same name has
inspired some of the crowd waiting to view the Declaration of
Independence and other historical documents, but the truth of the
matter is that the badly faded documents are barely legible. The
documents were cleaned and partially restored when they were placed in
new casings, and it's worth taking the time to watch the 18-minute NOVA
segment explaining the complex and lengthy process that led to the
re-encasement of the documents. (The film is shown every half hour in
the Archive's McGowan Theater downstairs.)
After waiting in line for an hour or more then filing
slowly past the historic documents, most visitors simply exit the
building, which is a shame. There's a lot more to see at the Archives,
including an impressive new exhibit that opened in November 2004,
"Public Vaults." While more than a million people visit the Archives
each year to see the Charters of Fre.edom, few realize what how
extensive and active a role the National Archives plays behind the
scenes to document important historical events and preserve critical
cultural materials.
Genealogists, historians, film directors, federal
investigators, and countless others come to the Archives to fact-check
and conduct research. "Public Vaults" gives a good overview of the
types of materials housed in the Archives - everything from a tattered
telegram sent by the "Lost Battalion" caught behind German lines in
World War I to film footage of George W. Bush, age 2. Visitors can see
how the Archives were used to research such films as "Glory" or learn
about the declassification of top-secret documents. They can listen in
to private conversations taped in the Oval Office (Nixon wasn't the
first!), and even see the infamous tape recorder entered into evidence
during the Watergate trial. Letters to various presidents, ranging
from the poignant to the humorous, are displayed on one wall. One
teen's missive is a passionate plea to exempt Elvis from the army.
Planning Your Visit -- Of course, many visitors to
Washington would like to see some of the inner workings of the
government by viewing a Supreme Court or perhaps visiting the Capitol
Building. However, some advance planning is needed to assure
everything goes smoothly.
When the Supreme Court is in session, visitors may attend
oral arguments, but seating is available strictly on a first-come,
first-served basis. It's best to arrive before 9 a.m. to secure a
spot. However, if a visitor merely wishes to observe the Court for a
brief (approximately three minute) period, a separate, faster-moving
line is formed. Normally oral arguments are conducted Monday to
Wednesday, beginning at 10 a.m. until 2 or 3, with a one-hour lunch
recess.
Tickets for guided public tours of the Capitol are
distributed beginning at 9 a.m., and it goes without saying that it's a
good idea to be in line well before that time. The Capitol Guide
Service Ticketing and Information Kiosk is at the southwest corner of
the grounds near the Botanic Garden.
Passes to visit the Galleries of the House and Senate are
available from the offices of individual Senators and Representatives.
Visitors should contact a Senator or Representative from their state in
order to obtain a pass. Doing so in advance of a visit is highly
recommended; while there's a chance your Representative or Senator can
accommodate you at the last moment, the chance is slim.
Finally, White House Tours are generally not available to
individual visitors. Public tours - especially for groups of Boy or
Girl Scouts, church groups, school groups, and so on - are available
for groups of 10 or more people. Again, to obtain tickets for a tour,
it's necessary to submit a request to a Member of Congress. Requests
are accepted up to six months in advance.
The Washington Monument, always wildly popular with
visitors, is currently undergoing extensive remodeling. However, the
next-best panorama of Washington can be seen from the 270-foot tower of
the Old Postal Office. While the security check entering the Old Post
Office Building is rigorous, there's seldom a wait to take the elevator
up to the tower.
The Smithsonian Mammal Hall:
http://www.mnh.si.edu/exhibits/mammals/
The World War II Memorial: http://www.wwiimemorial.com/
The National Archives: http://www.archives.gov/
Visiting the Supreme Court:
http:/www.supremecourtus.gov/visiting/visiting.html
Visiting the Capitol Building:
www.house.gov/house/tour_services.shmtl
Visiting the White House:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/tours/
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PLEASE NOTE: All links are sent as clickable links. Some email
programs such as AOL, Yahoo, & Hotmail change the links so that they
are not clickable.
If you have problems clicking on a link, just copy and
paste the link into your browser.
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CELEBRATE THE STORY OF AMERICAN FOOD at the Smithsonian Folklife
Festival, between the Washington Monument and the U.S. Capitol. See
acclaimed chefs and everyday cooks demonstrate techniques and recipes
in 3 professional kitchens. Students can learn life values at the
Edible Schoolyard by growing and cooking fresh food in a communal
garden. June 23 to 27 and June 30 to July 4, 2005.
Http://www.washington.org
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with more than 60 properties that sleep from 2 to 12 people. Each
rental comes with a neighborhood guide, breakfast provisions for the
first day or two of your stay, a telephone help line, and what to do
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http://www.rentals.chslondon.com
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The Latest “Specials” at Connecticut hotels, charming B&B, historic
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Gambler's General Store -- The world's largest gambling superstore with
slots, video poker, dice, craps, roulette, books, software and more.
Gambler's General Store http://www.gamblersgeneralstore.com or
800/322-CHIP.
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DINNER AT 35,000 FEET -- What meals will you get on your flight? See
behind the scenes at airline catering. Preview first- and
business-class menus and pictures of actual airline meals, photographed
and contributed by passengers. More than 330 airlines represented.
http://www.AirlineMeals.net
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Herd ostrich, ride horses or gather eggs at a family farm in
Pennsylvania, the relaxing alternative to a camping vacation. The 25
family farms roll out the red carpet for families and are found in all
corners of the state. Pennsylvania Farm Vacation Association
http://www.pafarmstay.com or 888/856-6622.
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