Travel Savings Alerts Newsletter - February 2005 Issue
tips2travel
P.O. Box 91033
Columbus OH 43209
http://www.free-webspace.biz/tsa
travel...@wowmail.com
ISSN: 1542-801X, Copyright 2005, All Rights Reserved
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In This Issue:
Intro Rates at Montana Luxury Hotel
30% Siesta Sunday Savings in Los Cabos
Ecuador Fare Sale
Intro First Class Fares Fort Lauderdale to Nassau
Discount Train Tours in Japan
Fr.ee Ride to Fort Myers Beach
10 Do's & Don'ts to Beat Seasonal Sniffles
Renault's 'Early Bird Special'
USA3000 New Services to Mexico, Caribbean
$100 Off Contiki Tours to Europe
Virgin Atlantic Winter Fares from $196
Delta Slashes Fares up to 50%
UK Deals and Discounts
Israeli Scientists Develop Explosives Detector
Kid-Friendly St. Petersburg, FL
Dead Sea Scrolls in Mobile
Catch the Cruise Wave & Save
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Shake-Up Your Style with Beads -- Iolite Beaded Necklace -- Beaded
chains are the hottest fashion look that's jumped right off the
catwalk. This 16-inch-long chic necklace with scores of Iolite beads
dangling half-way around a chunky, sterling silver chain is a must.
These exceptional hand-made necklaces, imported from Mexico, have
matching earrings and bracelets available.
Remarkable Iolite stones have dichroic properties, which means it
shows two or more colors, depending on how light strikes its surface.
Our translucent Iolite beads shimmer and change from shades of violet
to blue to gray, making this is a must-have accessory for cool-colored
clothes. Since each bead will diffuse the light differently, the colors
will vary from necklace to necklace, making each necklace truly unique.
This fashion statement is bound to become a classic. Expect to pay at
least $600 for the necklace at designer boutiques. Snap up the beaded
chain necklace for $165, matching 7 1/2-inch bracelet for $99 and
matching post earrings for $49. Click here to order.
http://www.3ajewels.biz
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Intro Rates at Montana Luxury Hotel -- The Resort at Paws Up will bring
five-star service and amenities to Montana when it opens in June 2005,
combining luxury with adventure on 37,000 acres of untamed western
wilderness.
Paws Up will offer special opening rates starting at
$248, available June 5 through Sep. 6, 2005 (regular rates start at
$495 for the same time period). Rates include airport transfers and a
guided ATV tour.
Small Luxury Hotels of the World recently named Paws Up as
its first member in Montana.
The Resort at Paws Up sits along seven winding miles of the
Blackfoot River, made famous by Robert Redford's classic, A River Runs
Through It. More than 100 miles of trails wind through the property for
horseback riding, ATVs, hiking and mountain biking. Activities include
fly-fishing, whitewater rafting, lake activities, kayaking, bird and
wildlife watching, and sporting clay shooting with 14-time national
champion Andy Duffy.
Accommodations for 80 guests range from private,
2,600-square-foot Big Timber homes to a fully renovated, 100-year-old
farmhouse on the bank of Elk Creek, each decorated with a rich, yet
rustic elegance. Five-star amenities include 300-count linens, heated
granite bathroom tiles, private en-suite laundry rooms, flat screen TVs
with satellite and DVD players, and DSL connections.
Outdoor enthusiasts can spend a night along the
Blackfoot River in a luxury tent, featuring feather beds, fine linens,
artwork and all modern conveniences.
Paws Up will offer a full-service spa, a fine-dining
restaurant, a bar and bistro, live entertainment, an outdoor swimming
pool, a children's club, meeting facilities and the largest private
equestrian center in Montana.
Paws Up is 35 minutes northeast of Missoula in western Montana.
The Resort at Paws Up http://www.pawsup.com or
800/473-0601.
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30% Siesta Sunday Savings in Los Cabos -- The 56-suite Casa del Mar,
Beach, Golf & Spa Resort, in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, offers its new
"Siesta Sundays" package for 2005.
Arrive on Sunday and stay for four days and receive a
special 30 percent savings over regular rates. The "Siesta Sundays"
package" is available Jan. 15 through May 31, 2005 and Nov. 1 through
Dec. 20, 2005.
The package offers exclusive amenities including
ocean-view accommodations in a deluxe room or suite, roundtrip airport
transfers, fre.e daily shuttle to Cabo San Lucas and San Josè del
Cabo, 25 percent discount at the Robert Trent Jones-designed Cabo Real
golf course and unlimited use of spa, Jacuzzi, steam room and sauna.
Rates per night for the package in an ocean view room
start at $289 Jan. 15 through Feb. 28, 2005 and drop to $269 Mar. 1
through May 31, 2005 and Nov. 1 through Dec. 20, 2005. For the same
periods, rates for the suite start at $329 and go to $309 respectively.
All rooms are subject to a 10 percent service charge and 12 percent
government tax.
All rooms have ocean views with terraces or balconies,
air conditioning, ceiling fans, sofas, bathrooms with Jacuzzis and
separate showers, remote controlled television, telephones, mini-bars
and safes. One- and two-bedroom suites with kitchen are suitable for
couples, families or groups of friends traveling together.
Casa del Mar http://www.CasadelMarMexico.com or
888/227-9621.
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Tinsel Chains Below Wholesale -- We still have 16-inch long, sterling
silver tinsel-style chains.
We must liquidate the 1.3mm wide chains that retail around $49. Now you
can 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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Ecuador Fare Sale -- LAN offers deals on flights to Ecuador. A
roundtrip flight from New York to Quito, Ecuador starts from $540. Fly
New York to Guayaquil, Ecuador for as little as $572.
Fares are good for departures through Mar. 31, 2005 on
LAN Ecuador Flights XL 539 and return flight XL 538. A Saturday-night
stay is required and the maximum stay is four months.
There is an equally good offer from Miami to Quito or
Guayaquil. Roundtrip airfare to either city is $346. Fares are good
for departures through Mar. 31, 2005 on outbound flight 517 and
homeward flight 517. As with the New York offer, a Saturday night stay
is required and the maximum stay is four months.
If you purchase your ticket from New York or Miami to
Ecuador and this is your first intercontinental purchase on LAN.com,
you will earn 10,000 extra LANPASS frequent flyer kilometers.
LAN http://www.lan.com
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Intro First-Class Fares, Fort Lauderdale to Nassau -- Fly First Class
begins exclusive non-stop jet service from Fort Lauderdale to Nassau on
Friday, Feb. 11, 2005. Fly First Class will offer scheduled flights
Wednesdays through Mondays on Boeing 737 aircraft outfitted with 54
all-leather, first-class seats. The intro airfare (FP class) starts at
$299 roundtrip, includes taxes and fees, and is valid through May 25,
2005.
Non-stop, 45-minute flights include fr.ee appetizers, an
open bar, three fr.ee pieces of baggage as an allowance with golf bags
included in that allowance and jetway boarding. Additionally, Fly First
Class offers "Premier Pass" travel discount booklets for the frequent
flyer.
The regular published fares (F class), all first class,
are $150 for a one way flight and $299 roundtrip, plus taxes and fees
(approx. $58). Their guaranteed booking requires a credit card at the
time of booking.
A standby fare (FS class) is available on the website, by
telephone, usually within 48 hours of departure, and at the ticket
counter just before boarding. The standby fare will range from $199
roundtrip plus taxes and fees to $350 depending on load factors.
Fly First Class http://www.flyfirstclass.us or 866/878-8757.
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Discount Train Tours in Japan -- Japan's super-fast "bullet trains"
compete with airlines, despite high fares, because they are more
convenient than flying and people like the experience. The high-fare,
high-speed trains are usually too much for budget-conscious foreign
visitors.
Now the "bullet train" company that serves Tokyo, Kyoto
and other key cities in the southern and western portion of the islands
has teamed with the Japan Travel Bureau to offer
specially discounted two-day package tours from Tokyo.
The usual cost for a roundtrip fare from Tokyo to Kyoto
on the Hikari Super Express is 26,400 yen (about $254). With the
discounted two-day package, the price drops to 19,000 yen (about $183)
and includes one night's lodging.
Reservations for the special tour packages can be made at
Japan Travel Bureau offices and at most international hotels in Tokyo,
Nagoya, Kyoto and Osaka.
Destinations and details on packages in English at
http://www.jr-central.co.jp/English.nsf
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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.
Order Face-It Luggage Tags from On The Go Publishing
here: http://www.onthegopublishing.com/face-it.shtml
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Fr-ee Ride to Fort Myers Beach -- Southwest Florida beachgoers can
enjoy a fr-ee ride to the beach on the new Park & Ride trolleys in Fort
Myers Beach. There's no need to drive a car to the beach, eliminating
the hassles of traffic and parking.
Three new trolleys joined the two currently in service,
for a total of five trolleys, providing service every 12 minutes
between Summerlin Square Shopping Center and Bowditch Park. Operated by
LeeTran's Park & Ride Trollee system, trolleys are re-fabricated to
provide room for beach equipment, coolers and beach umbrellas. Fr*ee
parking is available at Summerlin Square Shopping Center and the Main
Street lot just before Matanzas bridge.
The system uses global positioning satellites to predict
arrival times for the trolleys, giving riders up-to-the-minute
information on the expected arrival time of the next trolley. The
system will have displays at four locations enroute to Fort Myers
Beach: Summerlin Square Shopping Center, the Main Street parking lot
just before Matanzas bridge, Lynn Hall Park and Bowditch Park. Once on
Fort Myers Beach, the trolley provides service up and down the length
of the beach.
Fort Myers Beach 239/765-0202, LeeTran
http://www.rideleetran.com or 239/277-5012.
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10 Do's & Don'ts to Beat Seasonal Sniffles -- Tis the season for colds
and flu. Wading into crowds of sneezing, wheezing fellow travelers -
particularly with this year's flu vaccine shortage - does not improve
the odds of arriving at one's destination unexposed to whatever is
"going around."
According to Dr. Walter B. Koppel, medical director
MEDEX Assistance Corporation, a provider of travel assistance and
international medical insurance, popular winter travel venues, whether
in colder or warmer climates, can increase the risk of colds and flu.
"The change in the air coming into your lungs is enough to trigger
viral growth in lungs and sinuses," explains Dr. Koppel. "Still, with
crowds of travelers, people and not climate are most often responsible
for passing colds and flu."
To help keep travelers a tad happier and healthier, MEDEX
Assistance provides the following preventative tips:
1. Most germs spread by contact. Wash your hands
frequently and carry moist towelettes for times when soap and water are
not available.
2. If a flu-shot is not available, ask your doctor about
the nasal spray flu vaccine (for ages 5-49 only), or about preventative
prescription drugs: Tamiflu (effective for influenza A and B virus
strains) or Symmetrel and Flumadine (both effective for influenza A
only). Tamiflu can also be effective when started immediately
following potential flu exposure.
3. Stress decreases immunity. To reduce stress, avoid
caffeine which increases heart rate and heightens stressful feeling).
For more help, ask your doctor about prescribing an anti-anxiety drug.
4. Be prepared with affordable emergency medical kits.
MEDEX Assistance provides emergency medical assistance for travelers
including evacuation, but the company recommends travelers' medical
kits which can include temporary solutions for a lost dental filling,
sealed sterile sutures and syringes for trips to more exotic locales.
5. When traveling in cramped quarters avoid Deep Vein
Thrombosis (causes blood clots in the legs) by walking, stretching your
legs or simply flexing your ankles in an up and down motion about once
every hour and a half.
6. Keep prescription medications in their original
pharmacy-labeled containers to avoid questions (or confiscation) at
customs. Pack them for easy access in your carry-on luggage, purse
or briefcase.
7. When traveling by air with children and babies, equalize
their ear pressure during take-offs and landings by giving infants a
pacifier or bottle to suck on. Older children and adults can alleviate
ear pressure by chewing gum.
8. Don't mega-dose Vitamin C or other vitamins to avoid
getting colds or flu. Keeping to the recommended dosage avoids
potential complications such as kidney stones.
9. Don't wear a surgical mask or battery operated
air-filters to avoid breathing airplane cabin air. Re-circulated
airplane cabin air is safe and remarkably well filtered for germs and
bacteria.
10. Don't bother bringing your own bottled water on domestic
flights (and major western international carriers) as served water
generally comes from bottles that are opened in front of you. Use
caution on smaller, international carriers.
MEDEX Assistance http://www.medexassist.com or 800/537-2029.
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Renault's "Early Bird Special" -- Renault's Early Bird Special is
valid for reservations from Feb. 15 to Mar. 31, 2005. Cars can be
picked up anytime in 2005. Eleven vehicles in the Renault line are
discounted. A 17-day lease on a Megane Classic 1.6 sedan is $1,019,
down from $1,119. The Grand Scenic with automatic transmission is
$1,399 for 17 days, instead of $1,499. The 17-day lease of the Espace
minivan with GPS and automatic transmission is reduced to $1,899, from
$2,019. Additional days beyond the initial 17 days are $23, $24, and
$30 respectively.
Eurodrive is a short-term lease program that's
practically indistinguishable from a traditional car rental. The
Eurodrive program is designed for leisure travelers staying between 17
days and six months, a time frame suited for students, teachers,
retirees, ex-patriots and others. The minimum age for leasing is 18
and there is no maximum age. Traditional rental agencies may require
customers to be at least 23 or 25 and no older than 70.
Officially a purchase-repurchase plan, the Eurodrive
program is similar to American leasing plans. A new car is registered
in the customer's name; Renault finances the cost of it. Customers are
charged a set fee for the first 17 days of the lease and a nominal per
day fee for the remaining time. As in a conventional lease, the
customer essentially buys a brand-new vehicle and the manufacturer
agrees to take it back at a pre-arranged date.
The Eurodrive program allows travelers to see Europe as
they choose. The requirements for leasing are simple: visitors must
reside outside Europe, must not work during their stay, and can't stay
longer than six months. In certain cases, leases can be extended to one
year.
Every vehicle is factory fresh and includes a full factory
warranty, unlimited mileage, and a fully comprehensive insurance
policy with no deductible that covers collision, personal injury, fire
and theft. Thanks to a special law, each Eurodrive lease is tax-free.
Renault's 17,000 agents and qualified service stations are at the
ready. If the need arises, Renault will arrange for towing and repair
and will help with car replacement, car rental, and hotel
reservations.
Renault's service and support network includes
round-the-clock, toll-free, English-speaking roadside assistance.
Leasing means fewer geographic restrictions than renting. Just about
all of Europe is open road with 36 Renault pick-up and drop-off
locations in nine countries. You are able to pick up in one country and
drop off in another. The process of ordering, taking delivery and
returning a leased vehicle is simple, with all paperwork completed
before picking up the vehicle.
Renault Eurodrive http://www.renaultusa.com or
800/221-1052.
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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, folk-life
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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USA3000 New Service to Mexico, Caribbean -- USA3000 Airlines, a
low-fare, full-service airline, offers new nonstop public charter
services to Mexico and the Caribbean. A limited number of seats are
available at the lowest fares.
>From Detroit to Puerto Vallarta and Cozumel, one-way fares start at
$129 to Puerto Vallarta and $139 to Cozumel plus taxes.
>From Chicago to Aruba, one-way fares start at $199 plus
taxes.
Chicago to Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and Zihuatanejo, Mexico,
one-way fares start at $129 plus taxes.
Newark to Cancun, one-way fares start at $139 plus taxes.
St. Louis to Cancun, one-way fares start at $99 plus taxes.
On board amenities include fr.ee meals with entree choices
and special meal requests. A nominal fee for headsets to view movies or
listen to multiple audio channels is charged on every international
flight.
USA3000 offers simple fare rules: No roundtrip ticket
purchase or Saturday stay, one-year extensions if you are unable to
make the trip as originally purchased, and name changes are also
possible. For flights to Mexico operating as public charter, roundtrip
flight purchase is required.
USA3000 http://www.usa3000.com or 877/872-3000.
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$100 Off Contiki Tours to Europe -- Contiki Holidays, a vacation
company for 18- to 35-year-olds, offers deals online, including a
special British Airways promotion that saves $100 per person on any
10-day or longer Contiki European Fly n' Tour package. The special
offer must be booked by Mar. 4, 2005 and is valid for peak season
travel between Apr. 4 and Oct. 26, 2005. You must mention "Save $100 On
BA" when booking.
The special promotions include: $1,384 per person for a
12-day, 10-night "European Horizon" trip with visits to London,
Amsterdam, Rhine Valley, Munich, Hopfgarten, Venice,
Lauterbrunnen, and Paris.
$1584 per person for the 10-day, 8-night "Great Britain"
package exploring Oxford, York, Edinburgh, Scottish Highlands, Glasgow,
Liverpool, and London. $1604 per person for the 11-day, 9-night
"European Magic" tour stopping at London, Amsterdam, Rhine Valley,
Munich, Venice, Lucerne and Paris.
Prices include roundtrip airfare from New York to London,
Paris or Madrid during April; hotel, lodge or cabin-style
accommodations; motorcoach transportation; most breakfasts and dinners;
and a professional tour manager and driver throughout. Prices are based
on twin-share or two people per room. Tickets are non-refundable,
non-changeable and subject to availability.
Contiki Holidays http://www.contiki.com or 888/266-8454.
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Virgin Atlantic Winter Fares from $196 -- Virgin Atlantic Airways new
fares are designed to extend vacation dollars further with an array of
amenities in economy class. The winter fares start from $196 roundtrip
from New York to London and offer more than just a seat. To sweeten the
deal, when you book online at the airline's web site, you get $10
off.
Economy amenities include a seat-back personal
entertainment systems with 43 audio and video channels featuring
first-run movies, television and the latest Nintendo games; a choice of
three meals; fr-ee cocktails from takeoff to touchdown; and an amenity
kit with socks, lip balm, eye-shades, earplugs and breath mints. Young
passengers get goodie backpacks, kid-friendly television programming
and movies.
In addition to the new winter fares, Virgin Atlantic offers
exclusive packages and buy-one get-one-free add-ons that let you
pre-book in U.S. Dollars, saving on the exchange rate. An all-inclusive
package starts at $389 and includes airfare, three night's hotel
accommodations and continental breakfast daily. You can add buy-one,
get-one-free options to your package, including theater tickets, city
and country sightseeing tours, rail cards and more.
Virgin Atlantic http://www.virginatlantic.com/
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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 from On The Go Publishing
http://www.onthegopublishing.com/products.shtml#seals
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Delta Slashes Fares up to 50% -- Customers flying on Delta Air Lines
will pay as much as 50 percent less for their ticket as the airline
expands its SimpliFares for travel within the 48 contiguous United
States.
As part of Delta's transformation plan, SimpliFares lower
unrestricted fares on flights operated by Delta and certain Delta
Connection carriers. With SimpliFares, no fare -- including last-minute
walk-ups -- is higher than $499 one way in economy or $599 one way in
first class.
Additional taxes, fees, and restrictions apply, and fares
are available only for purchase on online or from a travel agent. If
you book at the airline's website, you can choose refundable or
non-refundable tickets and save even more by purchasing tickets three,
seven or 14 days in advance of travel. A roundtrip purchase is required
for some fares, but you no longer have to stay over a Saturday night.
With SimpliFares, the ticket change fee is reduced to $50 from $100.
Customers who purchase tickets online can receive 1,000
bonus miles with no direct ticketing fees. Tickets purchased over the
telephone from Delta Reservations will now cost $5 more per ticket and
$10 more if purchased at Delta ticketing locations, including at the
airport. These additional costs apply to original ticket sales on
Delta, Delta Shuttle, Delta Connection, and Song, Delta's low-fare air
service, and are non-refundable.
Delta Airlines http://www.delta.com.
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UK Deals and Discounts -- The British Tourist office wants the word to
get out that there are numerous travel deals and discounts to the
United Kingdom.
One deal is United Winter Vacations to London from $499.
This includes roundtrip economy airfare, three or more nights' hotel
accommodations (with one night fr.ee), and daily breakfast. The package
is available through Mar.28, 2005. http://www.unitedvacations.com.
The National Theatre in London offers many tickets at £10
each during 2005, repeating last year's successful 'Travelex £10
Season, and there are no booking fees. This promotion starts May 2005.
Productions are on their website: www.nationaltheatre.org.uk. Tel. (011
44) 207 452 3000.
Some of the best seats at London's Royal Opera House,
Covent Garden also cost £10 for the 2005 season, thanks to a
sponsorship deal with Travelex. 100 top price stalls and stalls circle
tickets will be available every Monday, one-and-a-half hours before a
performance, a total of 2,000 seats. In some cases this means a saving
of up to £165 per ticket. If you can't take advantage of this offer,
at least half the tickets for every performance of the Royal Opera and
Royal Ballet will cost £50 or less and the average ticket price for
the ballet has been reduced by seven per cent.
www.travelex.royaloperahouse.org.
The BBC Proms are two months of outstanding, varied
performances held at London's Royal Albert Hall starting July, 2005.
Even for sell-out concerts at the Royal Albert Hall, more than 500
"promming" places are available at the door for only £4 each. A
Prom means a Promenade Concert, or a concert where part of the audience
stands in a "promenade" area of the hall. Part of the Proms audience
has always stood in the Arena, directly in front of the orchestra. Many
consider this the best position in the hall. However, you can also
stand high up in the Gallery and just let the sound drift up to you.
For more information check www.bbc.co.uk/proms.
The five-star Athenaeum Hotel & Apartments in Piccadilly,
London offers 'pound for dollar' rates giving US visitors around a
40 percent savings. The special rates are through May 31, 2005 (subject
to availability). For example, an executive guestroom that sells for
£315 is now $315 based on double occupancy excluding tax. Ask for the
'£ for $ promotion' when booking. 800/335-3300.
The Dorset Square Hotel offers a guaranteed dollar rate of
no more than $260 per night (excluding tax of 17.5%), through Aug. 31,
2005. Book any Friday and Saturday night and Sunday will be fr*ee.
Reservations http://www.dorsetsquare.co.uk or 866/788-4001 or email:
reserv...@dorsetsquare.co.uk.
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Israeli Scientists Develop New Explosives Detector -- Perhaps this is
the breakthrough that will help air travelers feel much safer. Haaretz,
the Israeli newspaper, reports that researchers at the Technion -
Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa, developed a pen-sized device
to detect triacetone triperoxide (TATP), an explosive commonly used by
terrorists.
The device resembles a pen with three buttons on it. It
dispenses chemical solutions which change color upon contact with the
material. Device inventor Ehud Keinan explains that TATP, unlike
conventional explosives, does not give off heat as it is detonated and
that is why conventional explosives-detection devices cannot recognize
it.
TATP and similar explosives from the peroxide family
are widely used by terrorist organizations across the world, since they
are relatively easy to prepare and difficult to detect. The substances
are very unstable and dangerous to their manufacturers, resulting in
many "work accidents" in pirate labs established by Palestinian
militants.
The device won first prize in a competition to develop
technology for defense against terror.
In recent years, a large number of suicide bombers used
TATP, among them those at the Dolphinarium disco in Tel Aviv, on the
pedestrian mall in Jerusalem and attacks on many buses.
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Kid-Friendly St. Petersburg, FL by Nicki Chodnoff
Weather and water have been drawing visitors to the St.
Petersburg/Clearwater area since the late 1800s. The 26 communities and
more than 35 miles of shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico make up the
peninsula southwest of Tampa, Florida. Parts of the peninsula are
little more than fingers of land on the barrier islands a block or two
wide.
Whether you plan a trip during the more expensive winter high-season
or during the less crowded spring, summer or fall, family fun doesn't
have to be expensive. And sometimes, it's absolutely fr.ee.
Variety is part of the reason St. Petersburg/Clearwater have been
hosting families over the years. Kids can happily romp on the beach, at
water parks or in resort pools for hours. In addition to those
tried-and-true activities, here are a few family-friendly things
Kendall, my nine-year-old granddaughter, and I enjoyed during our
visit. These activities barely scratch the surface of things to do.
Fort DeSoto Park -- The 900-acre county park has seven miles of fr*ee
beaches along the Gulf of Mexico and is consistently rated as one of
America's top 10 beaches. Comprised of five pristine islands, the park
includes the number-one beach in the continental United States in 2003,
ranked by Dr. Stephen Leatherman of Florida International University,
a.k.a. Dr. Beach.
Not only is the park family-friendly, with a sheltered lagoon for
little swimmers and a campground, it's pet friendly. Dogs can run
unleashed in their own enclosed beachfront park, the "Paws
Playground."
Think of Fort DeSoto as beachfront accommodations for the budget
minded. Camping spots (for RV or tent) and picnic areas are staggered
under lush live oak trees. Whether picnicking, finding a site for your
RV or pitching your tent, many of the areas are waterfront. Families
can swim, sun, fish from two piers, sail, kayak, canoe, roller blade,
hike along nature trails or bird watch for fre.e. If you don't bring
your own equipment, you pick-up the tab for equipment rental fees.
The park includes a historic stone and shell fort, on Mullet Key, the
largest of the park's five islands. Built in 1898 to protect the
Tampa Bay area during the Spanish-American War, fr-ee guided history
and fort tours are offered by park rangers. There is an 85 cents toll
on the bridges leading into the park.
Captain Memo's Pirate's Cruise -- Kendall gave me that are we
doing-the-right thing look as we walked the plank to board this
sinister-looking pirate ship docked at the Clearwater Municipal Marina.
After pictures with the captain, Kendall's apprehension turned into
an ear-to-ear grin when the buccaneer-crew started squirting the kids
with water guns. Geared for kids of all ages, the pirates, with zany
names like bilgewater Bill, jewel thief Julie, and gangplank Gary, lead
the kids in a treasure hunt, more water-gun battles, games,
face-painting, dancing and other pirate antics. On our cruise, musical
chairs was the defining event for the coveted grand prize, a key chain.
Moms and dads joined the activities, took videos or photos or scanned
the bay for dolphins. Mostly, parents relaxed with a beverage (beer is
fr.ee on the cruise for adults) while the kids played with carefree
abandon. By the time the cruise ended, the kids all seemed exhausted
but wanted more. For daytime cruises, budget around $30 for adults, $25
for older children and seniors and $20 for children.
Great Explorations - the Children's Museum - St. Petersburg, FL - For
a change of pace or a something to do on a rainy day, this hands-on
museum lets kids play and learn about scientific principles. Once
inside the museum, there seems to be a great divide. Parents sit, relax
or read a magazine in the reading area while the kids are in constant
motion trying the hands-on exhibits. Kendall spent much of her time
composing synthesized music on a laser beam harp and learning about air
pressure. She didn't realize she was learning Bernoulli's Principle
(the theory behind how planes fly) by floating plastic balls over air
vents. Other kids created patterns with a strobe and string, ran a
pizza parlor or tried their hands at more than 20 other interactive
exhibits that challenge and entertain. There's even a gated section
for younger kids (under three years old) where they can dress up in
costumes. The museum won't dinge your budget too deeply. It's $7
for children 3 to 11, Adults $4.
Horse Camp at the Horse & Buggy Bed & Breakfast 6125 62nd Avenue N.
Pinellas Park, FL Located on a 12-acre horse farm in St. Petersburg,
horse enthusiasts can saddle up for a little equestrian fun. The
multi-week horse camp lasts too long for most visitors. However,
youngsters can take riding lessons, learn how to bathe and groom
horses, and find out how to hitch them to a wagon. In a 20 minute mini
lesson, Kendall learned how to balance herself on a horse. First she
let go of the reins and swung her arms, shoulder high, front to back.
With that balancing act under her belt, she learned to balance without
her feet in the stirrups. The grand finale, riding without holding the
reins and without feet in the stirrups. What a sense of accomplishment
she took from that mini-lesson. Even visitors too young for these
activities, under the age of three, can enjoy a supervised pony ride.
After a busy day of taking the reins, kids can ride in a carriage, a
buggy or a hay-wagon or cool off with a dip in the pool. A half-hour
pony ride, for example, costs $20, and an hour-long riding lesson is
$35. Visitors do not have to be guests of the inn to participate.
The inn has seven guestrooms: Three rooms in the main house are
reserved for adults. The carriage house and the separate family house
are suited for kids. A stay starts around $65 per night, per room.
727/547-2646.
The Pier: 800 Second Ave. NE, St. Petersburg. 727/821-6164. This famous
landmark has been part of St. Petersburg since 1889, when the first
railroad pier was constructed. This unique piece of Florida
architecture offers you a chance to experience the waterfront along
Tampa Bay. The five-story inverted pyramid, the point is on the ground
floor while the wide base is on the top level, includes shops, a dining
court, observation deck and an aquarium. Outside, there are public boat
docks and two catwalks for fishermen. The Pier hosts 500 events each
year including several major fr*ee festivals and on-going events such
as the Sunday music-fest, Saturday family afternoon fun and the pals
kids club. There is no admission for the Pier. Most shops open 10 a.m.
until 9 p.m.
The aquarium inside the pier uses the expertise of several
local college marine science graduate students in giving tours,
lectures and workshops. The marine environments explore Tampa Bay, the
California kelp forests, the Caribbean and Pacific coral reefs. The
aquarium is
open daily and admission is $2, children 12 and under are fr'ee.
Sunset at Clearwater -- Move over Key West. Clearwater celebrates
sunset every day in a family-friendly and fr.ee way at Pier 60. The
party starts two hours before sunset with artisans and crafts-people
showing and selling their works. Stands line both sides nearly the full
length of the fishing pier. To enhance the festive atmosphere, street
entertainers juggle and paint faces. For more grown-up fare,
entertainers perform live music in the beach-side pavilion. A
beachfront playground gives the kids a chance to move and play. After
walking to the end of the pier and watching the sun set, Kendall needed
more action. The playground proves good entertainment for kids before
and after sunset, once they've finished with the jugglers and
face-painters. Parents can keep an eye on kids at the playground and
listen to live entertainment from the adjacent pavilion. After sunset,
the entertainment continues for another hour or two, depending on the
time of year.
Busch Gardens -- The beautiful 335-acre theme park started as a beer
garden. Now it's a mix of wild coasters and wild animals. It's
still very park looking, with beautiful trees, shady areas, flowers and
fountains. On a hot day, nothing beats getting soaked. Busch Gardens'
three water rides are great ways to get down-to-the-skin wet with a
tidal wave ride, a more sedate log flume and the river rapids.
To view animals, head to the 26-acre Serengeti Plains
(the best vantage point is on the sky ride) complete with elephants,
rhinos, hyenas and giraffes. The cool, lush jungle-like Myombe Reserve
is home to chimpanzees and gorillas. The primates are fascinating and
the shady area is a nice respite during the heat of the afternoon. The
North African architecture in the Egyptian area has a replica of King
Tut's tomb and themed souvenirs in the gift shop.
Thrills are provided on the five roller coasters
including the 8000-ft Gwazi wooden roller coaster. Kiddie rides and
entertainment -- bumper cars, a sand dig in Egypt, a bird show theater
-- are in the Congo and Timbuktu areas. Rhino Rally, the park's
signature attraction, takes you on a wild jeep ride though animal
habitats.
The newest attraction is Katonga, Tales from the Heart
of Africa, a Broadway-style musical of folklore and fables. This is the
most expensive attraction we visited with admission $55.95 for adults
and $45.95 for children 3 to 9. If you plan to visit several days or
are in drive distance of the park, the Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Fun Card
is a great value. It allows unlimited general admission through Dec.
31, 2005 for $61.95 for adults and $51.95 for children.
For more information, contact the St.
Petersburg/Clearwater Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
http://www.floridasbeach.com or 877/352-3224.
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Cheap Tix Chart -- Buy Tickets at a Discount -- Special ticket outlets
sell discounted day-of- performance tickets to theatrical 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 the Cheap Tix Chart
http://www.onthegopublishing.com/products.shtml#tix
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Dead Sea Scrolls in Mobile -- Through April 24, 2005 -- If you've
ever wanted to see the Dead Sea Scrolls but didn't have the time or
money to travel to Jerusalem, here is your chance to see them in the
United States.
For a limited time, through Apr. 24, 2005, the scrolls
and artifacts are on loan from the Israel Antiquities Authority, the
Israeli governmental agency responsible for the majority of Dead Sea
Scroll fragments found, and on display at the Gulf Coast Exploreum in
downtown Mobile, AL. The 12 authentic scrolls on display are from the
collection of more than 100,000 fragments excavated from the caves
surrounding Qumran, near the Dead Sea.
Although the Dead Sea Scrolls were displayed in Grand
Rapids, MI in 2003 and Houston, TX in 2004, the scrolls for the Mobile
exhibition are different from those shown previously. Five of the
scrolls have never been shown outside of Israel while seven are
biblical texts from the Old Testament among them a fragment from
Deuteronomy that includes the Ten Commandments. This is the largest
number of biblical scrolls shown in the U.S. in one exhibit.
Once this exhibition is complete, the scrolls will return
to their home at the Shrine of the Book at the Israel Museum in
Jerusalem.
Admission for the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Exploreum is
$17 for adults, $15 for youths (13 to 18) and seniors; and $12 for
children 2 to 12. Add $2.50 to each admission price to get into the
IMAX Theater. Reservations are recommended.
Mobile Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau
http://www.mobilebay.org or 800/5MOBILE.
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Catch the Cruise Wave & Save -- From January to March, cruise lines
reel in their largest 'wave' of bookings for the year. Cruise Lines
International Association (CLIA), the marketing arm for the cruise
industry, reports so far bookings are stronger than pre-9/11 levels.
Ships are filling up fast. To celebrate Wave Season, and to further
stimulate bookings, CLIA cruise lines offer promotions to tempt
travelers to sample life on the high seas. Here's a sampling of
what's offered.
Costa Cruise Lines - the "Easy Upgrade" promotion provides an upgrade
from an inside to oceanview stateroom or oceanview to veranda
accommodations. The offer, good through April, is valid on the Costa
Atlantica and Costa Mediterranea's seven-night Caribbean itineraries
out of Fort Lauderdale.
Cunard offers special rates from $1,799 for balcony staterooms on the
Queen Mary 2's Apr. 10, 16 and 22 transatlantic crossings. Their "QM2
Winter Caribbean Special" provides fr^ee upgrades on select seven-day
sailings. Get a fr.ee balcony upgrade when purchasing ocean-view
staterooms on the Feb. 12, 19 and 26; and March 9, 17 and 25 sailings.
Holland America "View & Verandah" promotion features fr'ee upgrades
on cruises booked through Feb. 28. Book an ocean-view stateroom for the
price of an inside stateroom. If you book a Deluxe Verandah stateroom,
you're upgraded to a Deluxe Verandah suite.
MSC Cruises offers special promotions. During MSC Opera's inaugural
Caribbean season out of Fort Lauderdale, sail on the Opera's Mar. 26
seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise from $790 per person including
airfare from select gateway cities. Two-for-one specials are available
on Lirica's Feb. 15, Mar. 9 and Mar. 31 cruises; 11-night Caribbean
cruises from Fort Lauderdale, and the Feb. 26 and Mar. 20, 11-night
Panama Canal cruises, from Fort Lauderdale.
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) "Sale of all Sails" promotion offers up to
four-category
upgrades on every 2005 ship and itinerary, up to 50% savings from
published fares and $50 shipboard credits on select sailings. The fleet
expands to 12 ships this summer with the
introduction of Pride of America and Norwegian Jewel.
Oceania Cruises offers fr-ee airfare and two-for-one fares on winter
2005-2006 voyages to Asia, China, the Caribbean and South America.
Two-for-one cruise fares begin at $1,599 per person for European
voyages and $1,199 per person for voyages to the Caribbean, South
America and Asia.
Through May, get two-for-one or 40 percent savings on five Caribbean
and Panama Canal cruises aboard Radisson Seven Seas Mariner.
Two-for-one prices from $2,198 on a seven-night Western Caribbean
sailing; two-for-one prices from $4,198 on 14-night Fort Lauderdale-Los
Angeles sailing; and 40 percent savings from $3,297 on nine-night
"Bermuda & Colonial America" sailing.
All 2005 European and transatlantic on the three Windstar Cruises'
motor sailing yachts are at two-for-one rates, or better. Rates apply
to sailings Apr. 2 to Nov. 13. Pricing examples include $1,795 per
person for a seven-day Malaga to Marseille aboard Wind Surf; $1,895 per
person for a seven-day Barcelona to Rome cruise aboard Wind Spirit; and
$2,695 per person for an 11-day Rome to Istanbul cruise on Wind Star.
CLIA member cruise lines listed at www.cruising.org.
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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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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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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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Go Boston Card -- fre.e admission to 25 top attractions, 2-day hop-on,
hop-off trolley pass, $700 in discounts at shops and restaurants, fre.e
gifts, and a 132 page full-color pocket guidebook. Go Boston Card
http://www.GoBostonCard.com
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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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