Travel Savings Alerts Newsletter - July 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:
Walt Disney World Savings
Fr.ee Leno Tix
Fr.ee Passport From Sunburst Vacations
Britain Offers Value, Part II
New Sonesta Sao Paulo Hotel $69
Priority Club Bonus Points
Stay a Spell Coupons, Chances for Prizes
Stricter ID Checks
Eurotunnel Slashes Fares
Best of Barbados Deals
Fly Fre.e with Country Hearth Inns' Offer
El Al Business Class Summer Fares
The Right Sunglasses for Summer
Power Pass Expands Offerings, Adds City
Sea Pines Lowcountry Loafin' Rate
Win Prizes at La Quinta and Baymont Hotels
Riding the Rockies by Rail by Nicki Chodnoff
Air France Detroit Launch Offers Bonus Miles/Reward Tickets
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A PROFESSIONAL ASTROLOGER REVEALS YOUR FUTURE...TOTALLY FR.EE
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Jenna is one of the most famous astrologers at the moment. She has done
8000 readings in 10 years with an astounding accuracy. Today she offers
you a FR.EE reading all about your future (love, money, career) for the
coming month. http://www.aboutastro.com/i.php?r=TSA&a=2005-07-01
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Walt Disney World Savings -- HURRY, BOOK BY JULY 3 -- Thanks to a
special offer that must be booked by July 3, you can save nearly 30
percent off the non-discounted price of the "Magic Your Way Package
Plus Dining" this fall at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, FL.
The vacation includes hotel room, theme park tickets and dining, all
for one rate.
The price of $425 per adult, based on adult double occupancy
in a standard room, includes five nights at a select Disney Value
Resort, admission to a WDW theme park on each of six days, the Disney
Dining Plan providing one counter-service meal, a select snack and one
table-service meal per person, per night of the package. You can choose
from more than 100 WDW restaurants.
If you arrive by air at Orlando International Airport,
Disney's Magical Express service provides fr.ee roundtrip ground
transportation and luggage delivery to your room.
Other benefits include Extra Magic Hours, in which one of
four WDW theme parks opens one hour early or stays open up to three
hours later, allowing extra time in the parks to experience select
attractions.
Kids can stay, play and dine, too. With this package, you
can add up to two children in the same room for $168 per child ages 3
to 9 or $209 per junior child ages 10 to 17.
The "Magic Your Way Package Plus Dining" is good for stays
most nights Aug. 21 to Oct. 4, 2005. The number of packages available
is limited. You can get special pricing on packages with other lengths
of stay or at Disney moderate- or select deluxe-category resorts.
The Walt Disney Travel Company http://www.disneyworld.com
or 407/939-7713. Ask for booking code YMP.
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Fr.ee Leno Tix -- Universal Studios Hollywood teams with the Tonight
Show with Jay Leno to provide visitors with tickets to the late-night
talk show. A limited number of fr*ee Priority Seating passes for the
following week's shows are distributed on Fridays on a first-come
basis. The only other source of Leno tickets is the NBC "Tonight Show"
box office.
If you still want to see a taping of the Tonight Show
with Jay Leno, you can get tickets by mail or in person at the box
office. Attending a taping is fr*ee.
For the full Tonight Show experience, there's nothing like
picking up tickets in person at the NBC box office which opens 8 a.m.,
Monday through Friday. On an "average" day, get to the box office by
6.30 am. Depending on the popularity of the guest and season (summer is
usually busier), you may want to get there earlier. Tickets are
distributed to family, friends, and other "VIPs" of the show, further
decreasing the number of tickets available to the general public.
Here are a few things to do before you line up at the box
office: Dress appropriately; mornings, even in summer, can be cold.
Bring a distraction such as a book, newspaper, radio, or friend. Bring
more bodies to get more tickets; NBC limits 2 tickets per person. Bring
money. The box office is inside the NBC store, so you may want to buy
NBC show memorabilia. Even if you don't want to buy souvenirs, you
might want to purchase tickets for the studio tour. (Note: Tonight
Show tickets are fr*ee; studio tour tickets aren't). Bring a camera.
Fans of NBC soap operas will recognize that outside the box office is
the working set to Days of Our Lives.
If writing for tickets by mail, send a self-addressed
stamped envelope with a brief letter listing the desired date of taping
and three alternate dates to: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno --
Tickets, 3000 W. Alameda Ave., Burbank, CA 91523
Here's what NBC suggests or requires at the box office:
You must arrive to wait in line before 4 p.m for the 5 p.m. taping.
Sometimes the show tapes earlier if Jay has to dash off to Las Vegas or
has other plans. Sometimes it tapes later. Most online sources suggest
arriving early, by about 2:30 p.m. No cameras are allowed and the
minimum admission age is 16 with I.D. required. Tickets are issued as
"Ticket distribution is in excess of studio capacity," which means a
ticket does not guarantee admittance!
The NBC box office is at 3000 W Alameda Ave, Burbank, CA,
91505
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Give a Jaguar -- An Amber Jaguar
The remarkable face of a jaguar is hand-carved onto a lovely piece of
cherry amber that's 33x20 mm in size. The dramatic pendent hangs on an
ultra-chic 18" natural-colored leather necklace cord with a sterling
silver clasp. Boy will this turn heads.
High-style boutiques and jewelers charge $500 or more for this glam
piece. It's yours for only $125 plus shipping & insurance. Order at:
http://www.3ajewels.biz, click on the amber category.
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Fr*ee Passport From Sunburst Vacations -- Book a seven night vacation
to any of Sunburst Vacation's destinations and receive a fr*ee
passport. You must book this offer by Aug. 30, 2005 for travel through
April 30, 2006.
By Dec. 31, 2005, a passport will be required for anyone
traveling to the Caribbean or Bermuda as a way of improving US border
security.
The "Passport Rewards" was created in response to this new
law. This new law affects all travelers including children. Any family
purchasing an all-inclusive seven-night vacation will be reimbursed the
cost of two children's passports.
Lastly, as a bonus, for every Sunburst Vacation booked
through 2015, you receive these travel benefits: in 2006 $50 vacation
rebate per room, 2007 fr*ee travel gift, 2008 fr*ee resort experience
or dinner for two, 2009 fr*ee roundtrip limousine service from your
home to airport, 2010 fr^ee private island tour for two, 2011 fr^ee
piece of luggage, 2012 fr^ee private transfers to
your hotel, 2013 fr^ee one-day car rental, 2014 one f^ree spa treatment
or round of golf, 2015 fr^ee passport renewal for two.
Sunburst Vacations http://www.sunburstvacations.com or
800/SUNBURST
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Britain Offers Value -- Britain offers diverse experiences at
affordable prices for U.S. travelers in England, Scotland and Wales. In
part II of this article, VisitBritain, the national tourist office,
highlights ways to save on accommodations, attractions, dining,
entertainment and travel within the country.
Attractions
Museum lovers should take advantage of the fr.ee
admission at the National Museums and Galleries in England, Scotland
and Wales. There are 238 f.ree museums and galleries in London, 11 in
Scotland and eight in Wales.
The Great British Heritage Pass enables you to explore
historic sites by allowing unlimited entry into nearly 600 castles,
stately homes and gardens in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and
Wales. The pass costs $50 for four days, $75 for seven days, $95 for 15
days, and $130 for 30 days.
The London Pass grants fr.ee entry to 50 attractions, and
special offers such as discounts at restaurants and theaters. The pass
also enables you to avoid lines at popular attractions. The pass has an
option for sightseers to secure fr.ee access to public transportation
on buses, tubes and trains. The one-day pass costs £12 (about $23).
The Edinburgh Pass provides fr.ee access to participating
attractions and public bus transportation around Edinburgh and the
Lothians. The pass also gives discounts in shops, restaurants, theaters
and a guidebook outlining special offers. The pass costs £26 (about
$51) for one day, £34 (about $66) for two days, and £40 (about $78)
for three days.
The Cardiff Welcome Card offers unlimited discounts to
top attractions, restaurants and shops in Cardiff, Wales. The card also
enables you to travel around Cardiff and Penarth. The cards cost £7
(about $15) , £11 (about $21) and £15 (about $40), depending on the
length.
The Original London Walks uses knowledgeable and friendly
blue badge guides to inform you about the history and interesting facts
about London. The company has more than 300 walks through London,
Explorer Days, one-day sightseeing tours to Bath, Cambridge,
Canterbury, Cotswolds and Oxford, Hampton Court, Stonehedge and
Salisbury. Go to www.walks.com for prices, schedules and tours.
Dining options
Savor fine fare at affordable prices with prixe fix
three-course lunch and dinner specials at participating restaurants in
Britain. Many restaurants offer lower priced dinner menus for early
afternoon or 'early-bird' specials. In addition, restaurants
located near theatrical productions offer pre- and post-dinner specials
for additional savings on the fine dining experience.
Gastropubs are the biggest things to happen to British
food and drink in the last few years. They provide a relaxed
alternative to traditional dining without compromising on the quality
of food. Gastropubs are pubs serving high quality food. Noteworthy
gastropubs include the Eagle (London), the Drewe Arms in Broadhembury
(Devon), the Punch Bowl Inn at Crosthwaite (Cumbria), Crinan Hotel
(Argyll, Scotland), the Harbor Inn, Bowmore, (Islay, Scotland) and the
Foxhunter at Nant-y-Derry (Wales).
Several chains such as Benjy's, Boots, Mark &
Spencers, Pret A Manger, and others have a wide selection of take-away
food items at affordable prices. Look for tasty items such as
sandwiches, salads, soups and such on the menu.
Travel within Britain
bmibaby, a subsidiary of British Midland Airways, is a
low-cost airline with flights to Birmingham, Cardiff, Durham Tees
Valley, Manchester, and Nottingham East Midlands. The airline is an
affordable way to travel within Britain. For example, bmibaby has
roundtrip flights from Cardiff to Edinburgh for £6 (about $15).
www.bmibaby.com.
BritRail provides value for money and the flexibility to
explore and travel by train within Britain. BritRail has several pass
options, senior citizen and student discounts, and 25 percent discounts
during the winter. www.britrail.com
easyJet.com is a low cost airline carrier serving Britain
and Europe. easyJet.com keeps costs low with online bookings, etickets,
and e-mailing passengers travel information. For example, a one-way
flight from London to Edinburgh can cost as little as £12.99 (about
$25). www.easyjet.com.
Megabus.com, a low-cost bus service, offers online
bookings for travel in Britain. For £1 (about $2), travel to and from
Birmingham to London, Bristol to London, Cardiff to London, Portsmouth
to London, Glasgow to Edinburgh and Manchester to Leeds.
www.megabus.com.
Ryanair is a low cost, no frills airline serving Britain
and Europe. It is known for offering a limited number of fr.ee tickets
if you cover costs for airport surcharges and taxes. Ryanair offers
roundtrip flights from Glasgow to London for £.69 (about $1.33).
www.ryanair.com.
Sample fares can change with the fluctuation of the dollar
and do not include tax. The low fares are on a first-come, first-serve
basis and must be booked online.
VisitBritain http://www.visitbritain.com/usa or 877/899-8391, visit the
website or e-mail trave...@visitbritain.org.
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New Sonesta Sao Paulo Hotel $69, Lima $55 -- Sonesta Hotels &
Resorts" newest addition in Brazil is the Sonesta Sao Paulo
Ibirapuera, located in Moema, one of Sao Paulo's most fashionable
neighborhoods. The hotel offers 310 rooms, a business center, indoor
valet parking, lobby/news shop, fitness center, indoor heated pool and
massage room. Introductory rates, valid until Aug. 1, 2005, start from
$69 per night and include breakfast.
Another good Sonesta deal is at the Sonesta Posada del
Inca Miraflores in Lima, Peru. Special rates, valid through Dec. 31,
2005 start at $50 per night for a standard single and $55 per night for
a standard double, which includes a breakfast buffet.
Sonesta Hotels & Resorts http://www.sonesta.com
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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
requesting the guide to in...@onthegopublishing.com. We will email you a
secure, Paypal payment link for the $1 handling fee. Once received, we
will email you the San Diego Fr-ee Fun brochure.
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Priority Club Bonus Points -- InterContinental Hotels gives its loyalty
program members added incentive to travel this summer. Through Aug. 31,
2005, Priority Club Rewards members can earn 2,000 bonus points or 500
bonus miles for every second qualifying stay at any InterContinental
Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza, Hotel Indigo, Holiday Inn and Resorts
Holiday Inn Express, Staybridge Suites or Candlewood Suites worldwide.
Guests at Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites earn an additional
1,000 points or 250 miles for every qualifying stay. Members can earn a
maximum of 20,000 bonus points or 5,000 bonus miles.
To participate in the promotion, first register online or
call prior to staying at any of the more than 3,500 locations
worldwide. Enrollment in Priority Club Rewards is fr.ee.
InterContinental Hotels http://www.priorityclub.com/2000
or 888/560-5660. Indicate promo code 3238.
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Stay a Spell Coupons, Chances for Prizes -- Through Sep. 15, 2005, when
you check into TripRewards affiliated hotels in the U.S. and Canada,
you can receive a Bewitched movie- themed coupon booklet valued at more
than $250 as part of the 'Stay a Spell' promotion. Affiliated Cendant
hotels include Super 8, Days Inn, Ramada, Howard Johnson, Knights Inn,
Wingate Inn or AmeriHost Inn hotel in the U.S. or Canada or any
Travelodge hotel in the U.S.
Coupon offers include a fr.ee car rental upgrade and
discounts on shopping and entertainment. During the promotional period,
TripRewards members can enter a sweepstakes for daily and monthly
prizes. Every day during the period, TripRewards will give away gas
cards valued at $100 each in the 'Stay a Spell' online instant win
game. Four times during the period, TripRewards members can win one
million TripRewards points.
TripRewards members can redeem points for hotel stays,
with no blackout dates, or partner rewards including airline tickets,
resort vacations, electronics, home appliances, sporting goods, movie
and theme park tickets and gift certificates from 46 retailers and
restaurants. TripRewards membership is fr,ee.
Cendant Hotel Group 800/367-8747.
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Stricter ID Checks -- What you need to enter and move around the U.S.
may be subject to more restrictive rules in the name of homeland
security.
Drivers' licenses may become more difficult to
get. Passports may be needed more often. These may be the most
significant changes in travel routines since Sep. 11, 2001.
Some say the changes are geared toward controlling
illegal immigration not fighting terrorism. Others argue that those two
efforts are inextricably linked and that the U.S. has to start
somewhere, given the number of undocumented people that cross the
nation's borders every year.
What may affect the most people is to make it more
difficult to obtain driver's licenses. Historically, the rules and
regulations regarding driver registration were left to each state,
which totally issue some 70 million licenses a year. Today, getting a
driver's license usually requires simply proof of age, plus a few
other basic forms of ID.
Under the Real ID Act, attached to the $81 million
emergency spending plan for Iraq and Afghanistan, applicants for driver
licenses must prove they are in the country legally. They also must
provide a valid Social Security number, home address, and photo
identification.
This step is controversial, decried as everything from
a back-door attempt to establish a national ID card, to a way of making
U.S. roads less safe by forcing undocumented workers further
underground.
Critics call it an anti-immigrant move more than an
antiterrorism one. Homeland security changes should focus on priorities
such as getting the FBI a computer system that works. Under the new
rule, some of the Sept. 11 hijackers would have licenses.
Driver's license changes may not be the only thing that
will take more documents to obtain. The Transportation Security
Administration (TSA) will require airlines to ask for passengers' full
names and birth dates when selling tickets. Ticket-buyers won't be
required to provide this information. But if they don't, there will be
a much better chance of being pulled aside for extra security
screenings before boarding.
The full name and birthday changes are cited as a way to
keep people from being confused with others who have the same or a
similar name and are on terrorist watch lists, said TSA officials. It
will also help them implement Secure Flight, a computerized passenger
screening program set to enter tests this August.
Also, new rules proposed by the State Department and the
Department of Homeland Security will require Americans returning from
nearby destinations, such as Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, to show
passports on reentry. Previously, returning from these destinations did
not require such documentation.
Under the rules, which haven't been adopted, U.S.
travelers coming from the Caribbean and Panama would need passports
beginning Jan. 1, 2006. A similar requirement for return from Canada
and Mexico would be phased in over subsequent years. Cruise lines and
other modes of travel to the popular islands south of the U.S. are
unhappy about this change.
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Face-It Luggage Tags -- Your Face on Your Luggage -- There's no
mistaking your luggage with the 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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Eurotunnel Slashes Fares -- Eurotunnel is overhauling its passenger
shuttle service, the biggest change since the opening of the Channel
Tunnel 11 years ago, with budget airline-style fares.
Passengers will be able to book low-cost return fares
from £49 per car if they buy their tickets early or travel at off-peak
times. Frequent travelers can get a rate of £39 per car for an off
peak single journey. There will also be more flexibility to change
travel times once bookings have been made.
The move will hopefully stop revenue shortfalls and
declining passengers as the Anglo-French company tries to negotiations
with creditors over its debt burden. Eurotunnel says that without a
deal, it will be forced into bankruptcy by Christmas.
Presently, the shuttle runs day and night with up to four
trains an hour running in each direction at peak times. During heavy
periods such as the summer high season the service is full. At off-peak
times, trains may be five percent full, with three or four cars using a
shuttle train that can transport up to 180 vehicles.
Eurotunnel http://www.eurotunnel.com
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Round Hill at Extraordinary Rates -- As Round Hill Hotel & Villas in
Montego Bay, Jamaica, continues its "beautification" program, the
hotel offers a full-service villa experience at extraordinary rates
Sep. 1 through Oct. 7, 2005.
Rates, all quoted European Plan, provide a great savings
over regular rates. They include a two bedroom villa at $400 per night
for up to four people (regularly $1,200 during winter); three bedroom
villa at $600 per night for up to six people (regularly $2,120 during
winter); four bedroom villa at $800 per night for up to eight people
(regularly $2,540 during winter); and a five bedroom villa at $1,000
per night for up to 10 people (regularly $3,440 during winter). All
rates include tax and service charge.
For an additional $100 a day per person, all meals, cooked
and served by the villa staff, will be included and each villa will be
stocked with soft drinks, water, Red Stripe beer and red/white house
wine. Other alcoholic beverages may be pre-ordered by guests.
Each villa is set on a hillside in the midst of secluded
tropical gardens with panoramic views of the sea. Each comes with its
own staff and swimming pool.
The restaurant and main bar will be closed during this
period while Round Hill renovates its Pineapple House rooms. Balconies
will be added to the rooms and bathrooms will be appointed by
Waterworks. A new main swimming pool will be constructed at the same
time. Room service or afternoon tea will not be served but other
facilities, including the tennis courts, Spa, and beach bar, will be
open. The new rooms will be available Nov. 1 and the pool will be
available Nov. 20.
Round Hill Hotel & Villas http://www.roundhilljamaica.com
or 800/972-2159.
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Fly Fr,ee with Country Hearth Inns' Offer -- Stay three nights at any
of the nation's Country Hearth hotels and you can purchase an airline
ticket from $239 and receive the second companion ticket for fr,ee.
It's all part of the chain's "Fly Fr,ee With Me" summer promotion,
which runs through Sep. 1, 2005.
Participation in "Fly Fr,ee With Me" automatically
enters you into the Country Club frequent guest program, where in
addition to the fr,ee companion airfare, members who stay 10 nights are
awarded the 11th night for fr,ee.
To receive a fr,ee companion air ticket, complete a
"Fly Fr,ee With Me" registration form, available at all Country Hearth
properties, and send it with your hotel receipts for three nights (from
any Country Hearth hotel through Sep. 1, 2005). You will receive a
certificate registration acknowledgment and easy next-step instructions
for booking.
"Fly Fr,ee With Me" is valid on most major airlines.
In addition to coach and first class tickets, upgrades may be
available. Travel must be completed within one year of the date of
issue and blackout dates may apply. The promotion is subject to certain
terms and conditions.
Country Hearth Inns http://www.countryhearth.com or
800/848-5767.
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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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El Al Business Class Summer Fares -- EL AL, Israel' s national airline,
offers summer savings for Platinum business class tickets between New
York (JFK or Newark) that are trimmed more than 30 percent. From July 3
through Sep. 9, 2005, business class passengers pay $2,176 roundtrip
(including fuel surcharge), per person, when flying nonstop on select
flights from JFK or Newark to Israel.
EL AL business class passengers enjoy amenities such as
spacious seating, upgraded cuisine and access to full service lounges.
After an expedited check-in, business class passengers can relax in
the King David departure lounges in Terminal 4 at JFK and in Terminal
3 at Ben Gurion Airport, which feature a Business Center with private
workstation equipped with telephones and computer modems.
To receive the above fare on select flights, you must
reserve at least 30 days prior to departure and must be ticketed within
seven days of a confirmed reservation. Tickets are valid seven to 60
days and are non-refundable once issued. $79.65 applicable taxes are
not included. Other restrictions may apply.
EL AL http://www.elal.com. or 800/223-6700.
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The Right Sunglasses for Summer -- The American Academy of
Ophthalmology (the Eye M.D.s Association) urges Americans to protect
their eyes by wearing sunglasses -- the right kind of sunglasses.
Dark sunglasses may actually cause more harm than good
if they don't have proper UV protection. When you wear dark sunglasses,
your pupils enlarge to allow light in. If your sunglasses don't have
proper UVA protection, you may be letting in the sun's harmful rays
instead of keeping them out.
Studies show that exposure to bright sunlight can
increase the risk of developing cataracts and macular degeneration,
both leading causes of vision loss among older adults. The more
exposure to bright light, the greater the chance of developing these
eye conditions, said Martin Mainster, M.D., Academy spokesperson.
Here's how to protect your eyes:
Select sunglasses that block ultraviolet rays. Don't be
deceived by color or cost. The ability to block UV light is not
dependent on the darkness of the lens or the price tag.
Ideally, your sunglasses should wrap all the way around
to your temples, so the sun's rays can't enter from the side.
In addition to your sunglasses, wear a broad-rimmed hat
to protect your eyes. Don't be fooled by a cloudy day. The sun's rays
can pass through the haze and thin clouds.
Even if you wear contacts with UV protection, remember
your sunglasses.
In addition to the damage caused by a lifetime of
exposure to bright sun, you need to protect your eyes from acute damage
caused by single outings on very bright days. Excessive exposure to
ultraviolet light reflected off sand, snow or pavement can damage the
cornea, the eye's surface. Similar to a sunburn on your skin, corneal
ultraviolet injuries are painful, but usually heal quickly.
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Power Pass Expands Offerings, Adds City -- Travel Fun Card Ltd. offers
Power Pass as an economical way for tourists to see the most popular
attractions in Las Vegas, New Orleans and
Honolulu, HI. Expanded venues in Las Vegas and New Orleans provide more
ways and places to save.
Adding Siegfried and Roy Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat
at the Mirage, the Titanic Exhibit at the Tropicana, the IMAX Movie at
the Luxor and the Atomic Testing Museum of Las Vegas, allows visitors
to tour all of the city's top attractions. The attractions join
participants such as Manhattan Express roller coaster at New York, New
York; Madame Tussauds Wax Attraction; the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art;
Star Trek: the Experience; the Luxor's King
Tut Museum, In Search of the Obelisk and more.
In New Orleans, Power Pass attractions now include Six
Flags Great Adventure. It joins the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas,
Audubon Zoo, Louisiana Children's Museum, Mardi Gras World and Natchez
Steamboat Cruises.
Power Pass Honolulu marks the first time an attraction card
has been offered in an exotic locale.
Using Smart Card technology, the credit card size Power
Pass provides admission to visitor attractions. It minimizes the time
spent buying tickets and waiting in line and maximizes savings through
special discounts and offers.
A complete listing of attractions and offers are on the
Power Pass website.
Power Pass http://www.powerpasscard.com.
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Cheap Tix Chart -- Buy Tickets at a Discount -- Special ticket outlets
sell discounted day-of-performance tickets to theater productions,
films, and sporting events. Discounts can be 50 percent or more. On The
Go Publishing's 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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Sea Pines Lowcountry Loafin' Rate -- The Sea Pines Resort, along the
southern tip of Hilton Head Island, welcomes summer with a Lowcountry
Loafin' rate. Through Aug. 31, 2005, a two-bedroom villa starts from
$189 per night, based on a minimum four-night stay. Advanced
reservations are required, based on availability and the rate is
non-transferable.
The Sea Pines Resort offers five miles of Atlantic beaches,
23 clay courts, 54 holes of golf on three courses, 18 restaurants and
more than 50 lagoons and lakes. Accommodations range from ocean-side
villas, beachfront cottages, homes and the Four-Diamond luxury Inn at
Harbour Town.
The Sea Pines Resort http://www.seapines.com or
800/732-7463. Ask for the "Lowcountry Loafin'" rate.
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Win Prizes at La Quinta and Baymont Hotels -- This summer, La Quinta
and Baymont hotels say "thank you" by giving you a chance to win
hundreds of prizes. Through Aug. 15, 2005, when checking-in, you will
receive a web decoder with your room key that will allow you to play
the "Instant Win" game online. Register at a designated website and use
your decoder to determine if you are an instant winner. Each week, 100
prizes will be given away from La Quinta and Baymont.
La Quinta Inn & Suites will give away Kodak EasyShare digital
cameras, fr-ee seven nights of resort accommodations in popular
destinations and fr-ee night certificates for any La Quinta.
Baymont Inn & Suites will give away Dell DJs portable MP3
players, fr-ee seven nights of resort accommodations in popular
destinations and fr-ee night certificates for any Baymont Inn & Suites.
Everyone wins because once you register online, you will
receive a coupon for$10 off your next stay when booked online that is
valid until Dec. 30, 2005 and a f-ree 8"x10" print from Kodak Gallery.
La Quinta Inn & Suites http://www.LQ.com, Baymont Inn &
Suites http://www.baymontinns.com, Kodak Gallery
http://www.KodakGallery.com.
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Riding the Rockies by Rail by Nicki Chodnoff
When Canada was four provinces strong, the country was
brought together with two ribbons of steel: the transcontinental rail.
Today, highways cris-cross Canada and rail travel has almost
disappeared. But don't write rail travel over just yet. When traveling
from the Pacific Ocean through Canada's Rocky Mountains, the 600 mile
journey becomes more important than the destination when it includes
the clickity-clack of a train rolling down the tracks and
the lonesome wail of a train whistle.
You can experience such a journey aboard the Rocky
Mountaineer, on what's been described as the most spectacular train
trip in the world. During two days, you pass ocean and desert, bridge
countless rivers and breathtaking canyons and tunnel through
awe-inspiring mountains. The final stop arrives much too quickly. To
maximize sightseeing, the entire journey is made during daylight hours.
At daybreak, we boarded the train in Vancouver. As
rush-hour traffic blocked city streets, the Rocky Mountaineer slowly
slipped away headed toward the verdant Fraser Valley.
For tourists, the vast majority from the United States,
England and Australia, the vignettes of history coupled to the scenery
are delivered by on-board attendants who present interesting and
amusing trivia. Amazingly, only about 10 percent of passengers are
Canadian.
Activity on board the train: enjoying the scenery and
wildlife, dining on fine cuisine and chatting with people from around
the world. The GoldLeaf Dome Coach, a full-length, bullet shaped
glass-domed car, offers unobstructed views of the panorama surrounding
you and reclining seats with acres of leg-room. The RedLeaf coaches
have only large picture windows, yet still offer wonderful views.
RedLeaf guests are served meals at their seats, while
GoldLeaf guests descended spiral staircases at the rear of the car to
the dining level, where breakfast and lunch are served. Goldleaf
dining is like a five-star restaurant with linen on tables, polished
silverware, sparkling stemware and fresh flowers on each table. The
menu offers three or four entrees, usually
highlighting Alberta beef or West Coast salmon, Okanagan wines,
beverages and desserts. The meals are prepared on the train by chefs in
state-of-the-art galleys.
Vestibules are located at the rear of each car, offering
riders a chance to smell the fresh mountain air and take in the views.
Like a few others, I spent much time riding there, sticking my head out
looking for that perfect photograph, like a dog in the back of a pickup
truck. Nature seems much closer on the train than when traveling by
car.
Since the train has no sleeper cars, we spent one night
in Kamloops, a city in a semi-arid desert in central British Columbia.
Nightlife for some passengers is an old-fashioned musical review about
Billy Miner, a notorious American train robber apprehended near
Kamloops in 1907. Others opt for dinner and an early light's out,
preparing for the morning's early start.
Day two starts with a parting of the ways. Some of the
train cars follow the North Thompson River toward Alberta's Jasper
National Park. The Jasper train passes Mount Robson, the highest peak
in the Canadian Rockies at about 13,000 feet.
The remaining cars continue toward Calgary during a day
filled with anticipation of the mountains to come. The train
serpentines through ranch lands and tiny railroad towns. We follow the
South Thompson River through the picturesque lakes of British
Columbia's Shuswap region. West of the Revelstoke, the train crosses
the spectacular Stoney Creek Bridge 325 feet above the creek.
High desert leads to alpine splendor. The Columbia
Mountains with their granite castles start the precession, sculpted by
relentless cascades of ice. We sweep past the Cariboo Mountains, the
Monashees, Selkirks and Purcells as they straddle the Continental
Divide before the winding trail into the majestic Rockies.
The Rocky Mountaineer rises from sea level in Vancouver
to the Continental Divide at Stephen, the trip's topographic high point
at 5,331 feet. The last leg of the trip, as we pass through the village
of Lake Louise toward the town of Banff, where our train ride ends, was
the most spectacular. The magical mountain scenery surrounds you and
the train seems to float by about the speed of a ripple caused by
tossing a small rock in a placid lake.
Yes Banff, our final stop, arrived much too quickly. Our
new anticipation was staying at the stately Banff Springs Hotel and
spending a day at Lake Louise.
Rocky Mountaineer Vacations offer more than 40 different
packages with a variety of destinations such as Jasper, Banff and
Calgary.
Rocky Mountaineer Vacations http://www.rockymountaineer.com
or 800/665-7245.
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Silky Travel Jewelry Roll -- A must have for travelers. Our silky
travel jewelry roll comes in a random assortment of single-color
jacquards, solid colors and two-color brocades. This handy travel
jewelry roll measures 8 1/2 x 11 inches when open and closes to a
compact 8 1/2 x 4 inches. Our exclusive design offers a place for
everything with one deep pocket, a ring bar and three zippered
compartments. Price $40. Order at
http://www.onthegopublishing.com/products.shtml
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Air France Detroit Launch Offers Bonus Miles/Reward Tickets -- To
celebrate its new daily service from Detroit to Paris, Air France
rewards passengers with two special offers: Bonus miles for members of
Flying Blue, Air France's frequent flier program; and an economy class
reward ticket as a perk for company members of its VoyageurRewards
program.
As a member of Flying Blue, you receive up to 10,000
bonus miles each time you travel roundtrip on Air France between
Detroit and Paris, through Sep. 30, 2005.
Additional bonus miles are offered to elite-status
members: Silver members earn 50 percent more; Gold members earn 75
percent more and Platinum members 100 percent more, enough to instantly
redeem a roundtrip economy class ticket within the U.S. on any Flying
Blue airline partner. Members also earn another 2,000 bonus miles when
they travel with Air France partner, Northwest Airlines, roundtrip to
or from Detroit, within the U.S.
Air France also rewards companies in its VoyageurRewards
program, with one economy class ticket when a member employee flies
roundtrip in business class between Detroit and Paris, or on to another
European destination through Sep. 15, 2005. VoyageurRewards is Air
France's loyalty program designed for U.S.-based small- and
medium-sized firms.
Air France http://www.airfrance.com/us
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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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EASY IMMIGRATION TO NEW ZEALAND -- Thinking about making New Zealand
your part-time or permanent second home? It is fast and easy! Read the
'New Zealand Immigration & Relocation Report' and transform your future
today. Wake up to a new life. http://www.nzpassport.com
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Kutztown Festival -- July 2 - 10, 2005 -- America's Premier Folklife
Festival features 200 juried craftspeople, 2,000 locally made quilts
for sale or auction, antiques and collectibles, folklife
demonstrations, entertainment on 6 stages, children's entertainment and
scrumptious food
including Pennsylvania Dutch dinners, an ox roast and farmers' market.
Be sure to visit.
Kutztown Festival http://www.kutztownfestival.com or 888/674-6136.
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READING THIS AD? THEN WHY NOT PUT YOUR AD HERE! Reach more than 180,000
travelers who want to learn about your services or products. Get the
scoop and reserve your spot today at http://tsanews.fateback.com
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Live Among the Locals -- Forget about staying in a boring hotel. Live
among the locals in a house or flat. Coach House London Vacation
Rentals offers short term central London rentals
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
and see. Coach House London Vacation Rentals
http://www.rentals.chslondon.com
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The Latest "Specials" at Connecticut hotels, charming B&B, historic
inns and other attractions. A click of the mouse gets the hottest deals
around the Constitution State, plus package dates and some direct links
to each property. http://www. 52 Getaways http://www.ctbound.org or
800/282-6863.
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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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FR!EE PEARL Necklace & Bracelet -- Direct from a famous jewelry
workshop. Limit 4 necklaces and 4 bracelets per person. ACT RIGHT NOW.
Click here to order http://www.a-bargain.9cy.com/
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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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RVShark, the online recreational vehicle publication features raw
reviews of RV parks based on real RVers' experiences. RVShark includes
RV for sale listings and an RV parks for sale section. RVShark is
fr.ee. http://www.rvshark.com
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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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