Hollywood Hip Revel in Privacy of Old Chateau Marmont: Travel

by Jason H. Harper

Feb. 24 (Bloomberg) -- The Chateau Marmont is Hollywood’s most notorious hotel, so you could hardly call it a hidden gem. Yet the fanciful 1930s-era mansion is famed for both discretion and privacy, important considerations during paparazzi-mad periods like last week’s run-up to the Oscars.

You arrive at the hotel on a narrow driveway off Sunset Boulevard that leads to a low, hidden garage where a tiny, creaking elevator goes straight up to the main floor.

Otherwise you can hoof it up a gloomy stairway to the lobby and cramped check-in nook. Grand? Not a bit. Yet that’s part of the allure of the place, where the Hollywood history is as thick as the grime on the baseboards.

The Chateau has been run by hotelier Andre Balazs since 1990, and while it was remodeled, it was never homogenized. Akin to New York’s Chelsea Hotel, the grittiness is hallowed.

There’s history here, too. The hotel’s often-naughty guests have included Errol Flynn, Jean Harlow, Clark Gable and James Dean. Led Zeppelin members once drove motorcycles inside, and in 1982 John Belushi overdosed in his garden bungalow.

It’s fair to say that the hotel’s 63 rooms both are and aren’t the point. The bungalows, set near the pool behind a locked fence and high hedges, are 600 square feet and the more private option. There are also one- and two-bedroom suites available. I booked the cheapest room: a standard in the main building for $370.

White, No Clutter

Room 16 is right off the lobby: a big square space with tall ceilings and wooden floors. It’s remarkably clutter-free, with no hanging art on the eggshell walls and otherwise only a white wooden armoire, two old chairs, an antique writing desk and an LG flat-screen television.

The baseboards need a good cleaning and a crawl-space trap door on the bathroom ceiling has oily black finger smudges. The bathroom is redone in marble and has a big shower.

If a bit beaten, there’s plenty of character, and large windows let in gobs of light. I like it much better than, say, the quasi-chic cookie-cutter rooms found at the new Hotel Palomar in Westwood, 15 minutes away.

Unfortunately an irksome beep emanates from an ancient speaker above the door, which I ask to be fixed. In the middle of the night I discover that it hasn’t been. So in the morning I’m moved to a much larger space on a higher floor with a full kitchen, including an antique Wedgewood four-burner stove and classic GE refrigerator. My favorite detail is the green Formica kitchen table.

Savory Bar Food

In the evening, a friend and I stop by Bar Marmont, in a separate building on Sunset. Chef Carolynn Spence used to cook at New York’s Spotted Pig, and the bar food includes very non- L.A. yet savory choices like prunes wrapped in bacon and homemade potato chips. It can be a scene, though it’s quiet this Monday night.

We retire back to the hotel lobby, where waitresses serve cocktails to groups sitting in couches and non-matching chairs. The space is dark and cloistered; you can’t quite make out faces. A host in a long black overcoat says the room is full, yet once he learns we’re guests, the attitude completely changes and within minutes we get seats.

This is one of my favorite things about the Chateau: The staff seems solicitous and protective of even their non-famous guests.

The final morning I take my laptop down to the pool among the other writer-like or movie types tapping at computers or talking quietly into cell phones. Not a single person is wearing a bathing suit.

No wonder so many guests make prolonged stays, choosing the hotel as a West Coast base. You can’t help but feel if you’d just hang out long enough, the Chateau’s secrets would start to reveal themselves. If you don’t mind a bit of grime, that’s pretty beguiling.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601088&sid=a.VeO7XmFhAg&refer=muse

Boyd Gaming Offers to Buy Station Casinos Assets

By Beth Jinks

Feb. 23 (Bloomberg) -- Boyd Gaming Corp. offered to buy some assets of Station Casinos Inc., the Las Vegas operator that proposed a bankruptcy filing this month, and may be interested in the entire company.

Boyd sent a letter it called a “non-binding preliminary indication of interest” to Station’s directors to acquire all of the company’s assets that do not serve as collateral for secured loans for about $950 million, Boyd said today in a statement. Boyd may offer to buy the rest of Station after a “due diligence review,” it said.

Station, which was taken private by management and private- equity firm Colony Capital LLC in 2007, struggled to pay creditors in a market among the hardest hit by deteriorating home prices and recession-driven job losses. Gambling revenue in Las Vegas last year declined the most on record.

“This value would present a superior recovery to the unsecured creditors of Station versus the current exchange offer” Station made earlier this month, Boyd said today. Station on Feb. 3 offered investors 10 cents to 50 cents on the dollar in secured notes and cash, in exchange for about $2.3 billion of existing bonds.

Boyd, which hired UBS AG as its adviser, said it had about $2 billion available on its revolving credit facility. The $950 million offered is an estimated “enterprise value” of the assets, it said.

‘Will Evaluate’ Plan

“We intend to continue to work with our lenders and bondholders to pursue our previously proposed plan of reorganization, but we will evaluate the terms of Boyd Gaming’s proposal,” Station spokeswoman Lori Nelson said in an e-mail.

Both Station and Boyd are headquartered in Las Vegas and operate casinos that market themselves to local gamblers. Some of Boyd’s 16 casinos are located in New Jersey, Mississippi, Illinois, Indiana, and Louisiana, while all of Station’s 18 gambling facilities are in the Las Vegas area.

Station Casinos on Feb. 3 proposed filing for bankruptcy in collaboration with lenders, in a restructuring to be voted on by March 2. Some secured lenders have agreed to support the plan, the company said.

The buyout offer and bankruptcy proposal came 15 months after Station’s takeover by the Fertitta family and Colony Capital. The company’s casinos include Red Rock Casino and the 3-month-old Aliante Station.

Bankruptcy Proposal

As part of the proposal, affiliates of the Fertitta family and billionaire Tom Barrack’s Colony Capital have agreed to invest as much as $244 million to maintain their current ownership stakes. The family and Colony paid $90 a share, or $5.4 billion, and assumed about $3.3 billion in debt to acquire Station.

In December, Station abandoned a debt-exchange offer for some senior notes after trying to prod investors to accept a below-face-value cash payment or new, discounted notes with longer maturities. In August, Boyd stopped construction of its $4.75 billion Echelon resort development on the Las Vegas Strip.

Station, founded by Frank Fertitta Jr., started as a Las Vegas bingo hall in 1976 and grew into a casino company focused on attracting gamblers who live and work in Nevada’s Clark County, where the population more than doubled between 1990 and 2006.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aJTpB8QXOa2k&refer=us

Hard Times, High Fares

By AYSE BAYBARS

I miss the nineties. Back then, besides having boy bands and great television shows, traveling by plane was almost a pleasant experience. I could carry-on more than just the clothes on my back, a laptop, and a book. Food and non-alcoholic beverages were both free. Go on a flight nowadays, and you find yourself thirsty, hungry, and possibly bereft of clothes when the airline loses your checked baggage.

I don’t, however, miss the higher airfares. Over the last decade, plane ticket prices have become ridiculously low-priced—on the whole, airfares have dropped an average of 30 percent since 1990. It’s easy to get used to paying less; when fares aren’t as low, the public is outraged and accuses airline executives of lining their pockets.

Given the present economic situation, this attitude is irrational. Raising airfares under the circumstances makes sense as airline companies feel the financial strain due to bad money management, raised fuel prices, and the loss of confidence in air-travel after 9/11. There is a fundamental problem with the entitlement the public feels regarding low airfares—flying a commercial aircraft is expensive, and when low ticket prices are coupled with overall financial strain, airline companies lack the means for the necessary aircrafts, pilots, and crew.

While it’s mildly annoying that we must now pay for food, drinks and checked baggage—which is usually our only option when overhead compartments are too small or flights are so full that we can barely fit our carry-on bags in the space provided—any slack in the system of efficient service is even more distressing.

The financial woes of airlines are particularly noticeable during emergency situations, when any lack of resources becomes obvious. On February 15, 2007, passengers on JetBlue’s Flight 751 to Cancun, Mexico were trapped on the runway for eight hours when a snowstorm delayed their flight. The logical conclusion in most weather-related delays is to have passengers sit in the terminal until the plane is ready to take off; although not an ideal situation, it is still preferable to being trapped in a stuffy airplane. In the case of Flight 751, however, passengers remained stranded on the runway and unable to reenter the terminal because not a single gate was available.

Airlines need to pay over $1 million to airports in gate fees to have ample space for their aircraft—including extra aircraft for emergencies. When airlines face so much financial strain that even water costs money, it’s clear that airlines do not have the means to pay airports for as many gates as are necessary to accommodate delayed flights. Disasters like JetBlue Flight 751 are the result.

Somehow, airlines need to find a means to increase their revenue. Whether this comes from raising food, beverage, and baggage fees—perhaps now pillows, blankets, and even air will cost money!—or from increasing airfares themselves, is up to the airlines.

The more logical and practical option is to increase airfares, despite the frustration many people will undoubtedly feel as they themselves feel the pinch of the economic downturn. Regardless, the public ought to remember that we are not entitled to being flown to our destination of choice for a low price; everyone, including airlines, is affected by the financial crisis. If increasing airfares is the only way to avoid catastrophes like the JetBlue affair, then the public must accept the economic realities of the airline industry and be prepared to shell out just a little more.

http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=526686

Going to Mexico for spring break? Read this first

By Ed Walsh

As we approach spring break season, the US State Department is advising young people to use caution when visiting Mexico.

They have issued the following advice and information:

Over 100,000 American teenagers and young adults travel to resort areas throughout Mexico over Spring Break each year. While the vast majority enjoys their vacation without incident, several may die, hundreds will be arrested, and still more will make mistakes that could affect them for the rest of their lives. Using some common sense will help travelers avoid these unpleasant and dangerous situations.

We encourage all U.S. citizens to phone home periodically to assure family members of your safety and inform them of your whereabouts. Remember, whether you travel to Mexico by land, air, or sea, you are entering a foreign country and are subject to the laws and customs regulations of Mexico.

Entry Requirements

Effective January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air to the United States from Mexico, Canada, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, (or if applicable, an Alien Registration Card, form I-551, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document), to enter or re-enter the United States. American citizens can visit http://travel.state.gov or call 1-8... (1-877-487-2778) for information on applying for a U.S. passport. Please see Mexico’s Country Specific Information for complete entry requirements.

Mexican Law

While traveling in Mexico, American citizens are subject to Mexican law. An arrest or accident in Mexico can result in a difficult legal or medical situation, sometimes at a great expense to the traveler. Mexican law can impose harsh penalties for violations that would be considered minor in the United States, and U.S. citizenship in no way exempts one from full prosecution under the Mexican criminal justice system. If U.S. citizens find themselves in legal trouble, they should contact the closest U.S. Consulate, U.S. Consular Agency, or the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City. (see "Contact Information" below). U.S. consular officials in Mexico can visit detained American citizens in prison, provide information about the Mexican legal system, and furnish a list of Mexican attorneys, among other assistance. U.S. Consular officials cannot arrange for Mexican officials to release detained American citizens.

Alcohol and Drugs

Excessive alcohol consumption and unruly behavior can lead to serious problems with Mexican authorities. Alcohol is involved in the vast majority of arrests, accidents, violent crimes, rapes, and deaths suffered by American students on Spring Break. Disturbing the peace, lewd or indecent behavior, littering, driving under the influence, drinking on the street or on public transportation, using public transportation without payment, or making obscene or insulting remarks are all considered criminal activities by Mexican authorities. The importation, purchase, possession or use of drugs can incur severe penalties, including imprisonment without bail for up to a year before a case is tried, and imprisonment of several years following a conviction. All individuals 16 years of age or older are tried as adults.

Safety and Security

Standards of security, safety, and supervision may not reach the levels expected in the United States. This has contributed to the deaths of U.S. citizens in automobile accidents, after falls from balconies or into unmarked ditches, by drowning in the ocean as well as in hotel pools, and in water-sports mishaps, among others.

Warning flags on beaches should be taken seriously. If black or red flags are up, do not enter the water. Strong undertow and rough surf are common along beaches throughout Mexico, especially on the Pacific coast, and drownings have occurred when swimmers have been overwhelmed by conditions. Swimming pool drain systems may not comply with U.S. safety standards and swimmers should exercise caution. Do not swim in pools or at beaches without lifeguards. Do not dive into unknown bodies of water, because hidden rocks or shallow depths can cause serious injury or death. If you choose to swim, always exercise extreme caution.

Use only the licensed and regulated "sitio" (SEE-tee-oh) taxis. Some illegitimate taxi drivers are, in fact, criminals in search of victims; users of these taxis have been robbed, kidnapped, and/or raped. Hotels, clubs and restaurants will summon a sitio taxi upon request.

Firearms and Knives

It is best not to carry even a pocketknife into Mexico as this can result in a weapons charge if a knife is found on a traveler who is arrested for a separate offense. Visitors driving across the border should ensure that their vehicles contain no firearms or ammunition. Mexico imposes harsh penalties for bringing as little as one bullet across its borders.

Renting and Operating Vehicles and other Equipment

Visitors should exercise caution when renting vehicles, including jet skis and mopeds. Many are not serviced and in poor condition, and many are uninsured or under-insured. Read rental contracts carefully to be sure your own insurance will cover you in the event of an accident, if the rental company's insurance is not adequate. Drivers of any vehicle, including jet skis and mopeds, should exercise extreme caution and ask the rental agency about local laws and procedures before operating the vehicle. The Department of State has received reports of equipment rental operators using locals to form a “mob” to intimidate customers into paying exorbitant amounts for damage to rented equipment.

Operators of any vehicle that causes damage to other vehicles or injuries to other people may be arrested and held in custody until full payment is made, either in cash or through insurance.

Driving in Mexico

American citizens planning on driving to Mexico should carry a valid driver’s license at all times. U.S. driver’s licenses are valid in Mexico. Mexican law requires that vehicles be driven only by their owners, or that the owner be inside the vehicle. If not, the car may be seized by Mexican customs and will not be returned under any circumstances. We strongly recommend that you purchase a full coverage insurance policy that will cover the cost of bail. Please be aware that if you are involved in an automobile accident, you will be taken into police custody until it is determined who is at fault and whether you have the ability to pay any penalty.

Know Before You Go

The following cities and areas are some traditional destinations in Mexico for travelers on Spring Break. While other resort areas may not be as well-known for this type of travel, the advice contained here still applies:

Acapulco: Drug-related violence has been increasing in Acapulco. Although this violence is not targeted at foreign residents or tourists, U.S. citizens in these areas should be vigilant in their personal safety.

Avoid swimming outside the bay area. Several American citizens have died while swimming in rough surf at the Revolcadero Beach near Acapulco.

Cabo San Lucas: Beaches on the Pacific side of the Baja California Peninsula at Cabo San Lucas are dangerous due to rip tides and rogue waves; hazardous beaches in this area are clearly marked in English and Spanish.

Cancun and Cozumel: Cancun is a fairly large city, approaching 500,000 inhabitants, with increasing reports of crime. Crimes against the person, such as rape, commonly but not exclusively occur at night or in the early morning hours, and often involve alcohol and the nightclub environment. Therefore, it is important to travel in pairs or groups, be aware of surroundings, and take general precautions. To protect against property crimes, valuables should be left in a safe place or not brought at all. If you are a victim of a crime, immediately notify the U.S. Consular Agency in Cancun or Cozumel or the U.S. Consulate in Merida at the telephone numbers provided below.

If you rent a moped or other vehicle in Cancun, it is advisable to purchase third-party insurance, as the insurance offered on some credit cards will not cover you in Mexico. Should you have an accident or cause damage to the vehicle, you may be required to pay the full amount of any repairs, in cash, as determined by the rental agency, or face arrest.

In Cancun, there is often a very strong undertow along the beach from the Hyatt Regency all the way south to Club Med. Already this season, several U.S. citizens have drowned when overwhelmed by ocean conditions. In Cozumel, several drownings and near-drownings have been reported on the east coast, particularly in the Playa San Martin-Chen Rio area.

http://www.examiner.com/x-2026-SF-Gay-Travel-Examiner~y2009m2d22-Going-to-Mexico-for-spring-break---Read-this-first

5 mistakes to avoid when traveling overseas

By Los Angeles Times

Round-trip Los Angeles-London flights for less than $400. Mediterranean cruises for $100 a day. Six-day air-hotel packages to Hong Kong and Singapore for less than $1,500 per person.

With jaw-dropping prices like these, penny pinchers can't go wrong. Or can they?

Amid an avalanche of travel bargains, vacationers who venture abroad can still get stung by surprising fees, unnecessary expenses, unfavorable exchange rates and more. It has to do with how you manage your money.

With that in mind, here are five mistakes that can drain your wallet on a foreign trip -- and how to avoid them:

Ignoring foreign-exchange rates: These are volatile but important. Between the time you book your trip and, say, months later when you take it, your costs on the ground could easily increase or decrease by 15 percent or more, depending on how much the U.S. dollar is worth in other countries' currencies.

During the past five months, the euro, generally used in Western Europe, has roller coastered between about $1.25 and $1.50. In the same time, Britain's pound has steadily plummeted, from nearly $2 to about $1.40, as has Mexico's peso, from about 9 cents to 7 cents, and Canada's dollar, from nearly 90 cents to 80 cents.

A dollar here, a few cents there, and you're spending hundreds more or less than you budgeted.
Less, of course, usually isn't a problem, but if you hate surprises, consider a cruise, a tour or an air-hotel package that includes major expenses such as lodging and meals. Because you pay upfront in U.S. dollars, these costs should remain constant.

If you're willing to take some risk, you might benefit by booking just your flights and first night's hotel, then paying as you go. Over the past few months, as the dollar generally got stronger worldwide, you would have come out ahead. This year? Who knows?

To follow the dollar's daily adventures in foreign-exchange markets, visit Web sites such as www.x-rates.com.

Looking only at exchange rates: Of course, just because the British pound is getting pummeled by the dollar doesn't mean that Britain is suddenly cheaper for Americans to visit than, say, Thailand or Argentina. That's partly because living costs vary.

For quick estimates, check out the U.S. government's per diem allowances for employees dispatched to hundreds of foreign cities. The State Department posts these on its Web site www.state.gov. (Click on "Travel," then choose "Foreign Per Diem Rates" from the drop-down menu.)

The "maximum per diem rate" for each city includes lodging, meals and incidental expenses. Of course, a prudent traveler will spend less, but the rates make useful comparisons.

As of Feb. 2, the per diem for London was $385, compared with Paris ($454), Bangkok, Thailand ($218), Buenos Aires, Argentina ($299), and Vancouver, British Columbia ($250 to $275, depending on the season).

Nearly anywhere in the world, you'll save by spending time outside a country's capital, financial hubs and major resort areas, while meeting more locals and having more authentic cultural experiences. For instance, the U.S. government's per diem for Cardiff, Wales, was $283, about $100 less than for London. In Mexico, the per diem was $300 for Mexico City but only $179 for San Miguel de Allende.

Any short list of cheap or newly cheaper destinations these days -- and there are many -- would include Iceland, which suffered a currency collapse last year; Mexico and Argentina, almost always good values; Hungary; Canada; Thailand; Cambodia, and South Africa.

Dining richly: At home, you surely don't eat every meal out. So why do that when traveling?

Just like here, you'll save a bundle by grabbing food-to-go at groceries and produce markets abroad. Stroll to a park and have a picnic. Eat foods that locals eat. They're nearly always cheaper than Western-style dishes.

If you're big on breakfast, which can easily cost $20 or more at hotels in London, Paris or Singapore, shop for a room rate that includes it. Or explore nearby cafes, where you'll often pay half what the hotel charges and get faster service too.

Taking private transportation: Cab travel is convenient but usually the costliest way to go. Unless you're too jet-lagged or luggage-laden to cope with alternatives, take public transit or shared-ride services, where available, to and from the airport.

The savings can be staggering: about $6 by Tube from Heathrow Airport to central London versus more than $80, plus tip, by taxi. It really pays to study the local transit system before you leave home. Once in the city, take buses and subways. With a little research, you can put together your own bus tour of local highlights for a fraction of the cost of a private one.

Changing money at the airport: You'll nearly always get better rates and pay lower service fees in town. Even more convenient, just shove your debit card into a local ATM machine and get local currency.
But here, too, watch out for fees. Just like in the U.S., you'll probably pay $2 or $3 or more for each ATM withdrawal. And believe it or not, many ATM and credit-card issuers charge "foreign transaction" fees of 1 percent or more to change one currency into another. Check out Capital One's charge cards, which generally don't assess this fee.

As for how to carry cash: In most major destinations, your ATM card should work fine. It can be smart, however, to buy $100 or $200 worth of local currency before you leave home, despite the poorer exchange rate, to cover incidental or unexpected expenses until you can get to an ATM at your destination. And travelers checks are worth carrying too, as a backup.

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/business/40032882.html

Las Vegas Art Museum closing next week

By Kristen Peterson

The Las Vegas Art Museum is closing its doors.

The museum will close Feb. 28. Staff and board members say the museum will remain an entity and keep its name so that it can possibly reemerge when the economy improves. Members and docents were notified this afternoon.

“We’ve tried everything to keep this afloat. It’s just a challenging time,” says Patrick Duffy, president to the museum’s board. “The economic climate has eliminated several of our donations and or reduced them significantly.”

The decision comes less than three months after executive director Libby Lumpkin resigned because the board announced that budget cuts would affect salaries and result in possible layoffs.

Lumpkin joined the museum in 2005 and with the board took the institution from a community art center to a contemporary art museum, featuring exhibits that included “Southern California Minimalism,” including work by Robert Irwin, John McCracken and James Turrell; a Frank Gehry exhibit; and “Las Vegas Diaspora: The Emergence of Contemporary Art from the Neon Homeland.”

“Las Vegas Diaspora” featured the work of artists who had studied at UNLV with Dave Hickey.

It’s current exhibit “L.A. Now,” curated by art critic David Pagel, features work by Los Angeles contemporary artists.

The museum formed 59 years ago as an art league. In 1974 it became a fine art museum and in 1997 it moved into the Sahara West Library on 9600 W. Sahara Ave.

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/feb/20/economy-leads-closing-las-vegas-art-museum/

Spring break: Should you stay or should you go?

By Helen Anders

A lot of Texans are playing wait-and-see with their spring break plans this year, and the result is a lot of last-minute deals as destinations try to boost their crowds.

In past years, if you didn't have your spring break destination booked by January, you were in danger of not finding a place to stay.

That's not the case this year. There are still plenty of rooms available with prices at or below last year's rates in South Padre Island, Corpus Christi and Galveston, as well as such other spring break destinations as Orlando and Panama City, Fla., and Lake Havasu City, Ariz. Ski resorts in Utah and Colorado also are offering good rates.

Austin-area resorts such as Horseshoe Bay Resort and Hyatt Lost Pines Resort also have deals on the table, hoping to lure people who can't afford to travel far.

Procrastinators who want to go to Cancún, Quintana Roo, might be out of luck, though. There are hotel rooms available, but "air to Mexico is hard to find now," says travel agent Sally Watkins of Century Travel.

Most schools and colleges in Texas have their spring break the week of March 16 this year. Austin's South by Southwest festival is also that week, and some people might be staying for that, if the number of festival volunteers is any indication.

"We had almost twice the number that normally show up" to volunteer, says SXSW publicist Elizabeth Derczo. "Our speculation was that people weren't going to be going out of town at spring break, so they wanted something to do, or perhaps they were out of a job and either wanted to volunteer so they could attend because they couldn't afford to otherwise, or to attend to network and hopefully find a job."

Spring break destinations are keenly aware that the economy is working against them this year, and competition is so fierce that some tourism pitches are starting to sound like political campaigns.

In one television interview, Corpus Christi Beach Hotels Sales Director Carla Ligon said that city expects heavy spring break bookings because hurricanes hit both South Padre Island and Galveston last year, and "we are truly the only beach destination in Texas."

That's not the case. South Padre Island's beaches are in good shape . Galveston had more erosion, although it has beaches open, including a lot of freshly replenished beaches along the sea wall. The big beaches on the island's west end have been cleaned but are still badly eroded.

Travel agents and student booking companies agree more people are waiting to plan spring break this year.

"For whatever reason, to wait and see about the weather or maybe whether they have any money, the trend seems to be last-minute," says Patrick Evans, spokesman for Dallas-based STA Travel, which books student trips.

Although some Galveston hotels are still filled with disaster workers, the visitor Web site, www.galveston.com, shows numerous rooms available the week of March 16 for between $55 and $120. Weekends are a bit higher. Galveston is primarily a family destination.

South Padre Island, where students predominate during March, has hotel rates similar to last year's - starting about $200 a night booked directly through hotels - although South Padre-based Inertia Tours books seven-night packages in major condo complexes, meals and parties included, starting at about $400 a person.

Inertia President Chad Hart says its bookings are nearly sold out, with most of its students coming from Texas State University-San Marcos, Texas Tech and the University of North Texas rather than the University of Texas.

Overall, though, South Padre Island Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Dan Quandt says, South Padre's bookings are a little behind last year's pace. And last year wasn't a banner year: About 60,000 students visited the beaches in March. Quandt is hoping numbers get to that point this year.

Rates might be staying high because a few big hotels, notably the Sheraton, still haven't reopened after being damaged by Hurricane Dolly. The hotel closest to the spring break stage, the Radisson, changed ownership this year and is now Isla Grand . It still has rooms available at $289 a night, with a maximum of four people per room.

Neither South Padre tourism officials nor tour operators are urging students to visit Mexico while they're in South Texas. A U.S. State Department alert warns about drug violence in the border regions.

Cancún, on the other hand, is a Yucatán tourist haven and isn't included in the State Department alert. Hart says, however, that the destination isn't as popular this year.

"International spring break destination travel is down across the board for spring break by over 50 percent from year," he says. "Parents are pulling back."

On the other hand, STA's Evans says his agency has booked as many trips to Cancún as last year and that Texans have also booked trips to London, Rome and Madrid, where money exchange rates have improved from last year.

Domestically, many destinations, including Orlandoand Lake Havasu City, are offering third or fourth nights free, along with buy-one-get-one-free attraction tickets and "kids eat free" promotions.

In Panama City, Fla., prices are about like last year's, according to Dan Rowe, president of that city's convention and visitors bureau.

"Students are calling around shopping for a deal," Rowe says.

Cancun Hotels, Cancun Travel

http://www.statesman.com/life/content/life/stories/travel/02/21/0221springbreak.html

Spring break still goin' strong

NEW YORK -- College students don't seem to be planning staycations for spring break. Bookings to beach destinations are strong, according to travel companies, and volunteering vacations continue to gain steam. Here's how students will be spending their break:

Beaches: Jamaica and, in Mexico, Cancun and Acapulco are top destinations, according to Patrick Evans of STA Travel. About 30,000 revelers are expected to visit Cancun this year, about the same number as last year.
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In the United States, Panama City Beach, Fla., remains a top destination for the college crowd, according to Jason Chute, director of operations for StudentCity.com. Once again the beach hosts mtvU's Spring Break party March 8-21.

Adventure: Demand for trips to Asia and Australia is up, according to Atle Skalleberg of StudentUniverse.com. France, Italy, Spain and the U.K. remain popular, he said.

"The exchange rate is still not great for Americans, but it is a lot better, and that seems to be enough," he said.

Alternatives: Spring break volunteering is growing exponentially.

"We're farther away from Katrina, but President Obama was just elected," said Steven Roy Goodman, educational consultant. "There has been a real resurgence of a spirit of service."

And students can solicit donations to cover the cost of alternative spring breaks, said Goodman.

Jimmy Camacho, 26, a senior at San Diego State, will be working in Honduras to bring clean water access to a village.

About 40 students are going, and many of them are interested in the Peace Corps.

"I think this program was attractive in that it's only a week and not a two-year commitment," Camacho said. "It gives you work experience while allowing you to experience a new country and make a lot of new friends."

http://www.indystar.com/article/20090221/LIVING/902210315/1007/LIVING

Surviving Spring Break in Cancun for adults

by John Frenaye

The beach was pristine. The clear blue water of the lagoon-style pool beckoned. The food was fabulous and the room exquisite.

After years of planning, Brian Mayers was finally able to escape the pressures of his job with the Anne Arundel County, Md., Fire Department to take a well-deserved break from his three kids. He had arranged for the pet, house, and baby sitters. He and his wife were finally headed to the paradise called Cancun to celebrate an anniversary.

But when Mayers landed in the tropical paradise on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, he found he wasn’t alone.

Thousands of spring breakers were also there, waiting to spoil his dream. “They took over the pool, and when they weren’t in the pool they were taking over the bars,” he remembers. “Kids passing out and vomiting all over this luxury property was not what I had in mind. The hotel even removed all of the fire extinguishers because the kids were stealing them.”

Mayers went on to describe the other antics he encountered, ranging from being flashed from the balcony to having other guests pound on his door at 4 a.m., to enduring food fights at the buffet.

What’s an adult to do?

Avoid hot dates. Spring break comes into full swing every year in early March and continues through early May and it is no longer limited to the college crowd. Today’s spring breakers are younger and more apt to be inexperienced in traveling, and in the case of the spring break ritual — drinking. When you book your trip, keep these two months in mind. Your travel agent can discretely inquire about the guests and get a good feel for you. Some subtle questions to ask your travel planner might include:

* How many rooms will accept four people? (Most spring breakers pack as many people in a room as possible.)
* Are there any groups that are booked into the resort? (Sometimes schools and travel agencies will sponsor spring break trips.)
* How many vacant rooms are there now? (Spring break is a coming of age ritual and is typically planned at least 5 to 6 months in advance.)

Grow up. There is a growing segment of the vacation market that caters to the adult community. While spring breakers are technically considered adults, many of these properties require that you be at least 25 to book your trip, and many will not allow more than two per room. You will see very few spring breakers at resorts such as Sandals, Secrets, The Grand Lido or Couples resorts. If you are looking for a family oriented trip, Beaches or Breezes might be the best choice. What tends to separate these from the rest of the pack are inclusions and price. Any of these resorts will set you back a bit, but if you are seeking a civilized vacation, especially during the danger months, look to an adults-only resort that advertises itself as a resort for adults or couples.

Go to sea. Sometimes, the best way to avoid the spring breakers is to get on a boat as they are getting off of a plane. Again, most cruise lines do not accept individual passengers under 25. While a land-based resort may have hundreds of acres and many buildings, a cruise ship is a big floating hotel with 2,000 or more people. While they are very spacious, they are still relatively small and the crews are not very obliging towards behavior that would disrupt another guest. Cruising is still a growing business and they want you to return time and time again, and will go to the extreme to disembark a happy sailor.

Avoid the hotspots. While you probably want to go to a beach, think about avoiding the hot spots for spring break. Currently, Cancun, South Padre Island, Daytona Beach, and Key West are the “in” places for spring break with close to 70 percent of all spring breakers heading to one of those destinations. Why not avoid it entirely and head someplace else? To steer clear of the crowds, look to Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Mexico’s Riviera Maya, or even the Bahamas or Bermuda if it is a little later in the season. Hotspots will change, however. Fort Lauderdale went to great lengths to shed its spring break image after the city realized that it did more damage to its reputation than good. Any competent travel consultant will be able to give you a good idea where the kids are heading in any given year.

Complain now. If you somehow end up amid a throng of kids, make your dissatisfaction known at the time. Speak to the manager and ask to be relocated to another part of the resort or to another hotel if needed. It is always best to complain at the time of your displeasure. When you return, it is likely that the details will not be fresh — and possibly embellished since you have been stewing for a while and you will not get the resolve you want. The people who have the power to make you happy and correct the situation are on the boat, or in the hotel. If you still can’t resolve it, then get your agent involved when you return.

With a little common sense and some good planning, you can avoid a spring break disaster. There is no reason that your vacation should end up with pool full of anything more than the crystal clear water and other well-behaved guests.

Water Temperature in Cancun

http://www.examiner.com/x-3804-Baltimore-Family-Travel-Examiner~y2009m2d17-Surviving-Spring-Break-for-adults

Toes in the sand

By TIMOTHY MONAHAN

Sunshine, stiff drinks and miles of open coastline await travelers looking to escape brisk winds and frozen sidewalks this spring break. Students looking for the best way to battle the lion's roar next month can trek south of the border to thaw out their body, mind and adventurous spirit.

Cancun, Mexico has been a college favorite for years with its gorgeous Caribbean waters on the country's tropical Yucatan Peninsula. Avid travelers will find familiar territory, but those heading south of the Tropic of Cancer for the first time will receive the most unforgettable experience.

The Mexican city boasts archaeological sites, scuba diving, fishing tours, colonial sites, golf courses and plenty of beaches. According to www.cancun.com, the area around Cancun is small enough that visitors can conveniently traverse the countryside to visit world-renowned ecological parks and Mayan ruins.

The key to making spring break in Cancun more than just another beach bash is leaving the resort and experiencing the exclusive treasures of the Yucatan.

There are three primary Mayan sites within close proximity of Cancun as well as the Xel-Ha ecological park. According to www.cancun.com, Xel-Ha is known worldwide as the largest natural aquarium and includes a massive blue lagoon amid luscious green jungles.

The city of Cancun has plenty of buses and taxicabs available for visitors to travel in safety from location to location, with the bus being the cheapest form of transportation. Taxi fares are set depending on city zones, while buses can take students pretty much anywhere for 6.5 Mexican Pesos, according to www.cancun.travel.

Travelers looking for a taste of adventure can swim with dolphins and whale sharks, rent wave runners and take jungle tours, while those with experienced sea legs can take to the high seas.

According to www.cancun.travel, visitors interested in getting the most out of the Caribbean setting can put on their best Jack Sparrow

If sailing off into the sunset sounds intriguing, there are many Cancun dinner cruises that combine the beauty of the tropical seas with high quality cuisine and entertainment.

For the more timid travelers who like to keep things simple, there are plenty of activities to engage in right in the comfort of the resort area, but they center more on relaxation than adventure.

Helping students forget their studies for a week are miles of beaches, resort spas and shopping centers, according to www.cancun.travel.

Visitors can pamper themselves with a Thalassotherapy session, which combines natural seawater, marine algae and mud for the premium therapeutic experience. Following in ancient Mayan traditions, the popular Mayan Massages use essential oils and hot stones to help ease the pains of Buffalo winters.

When it comes to spending money at the shopping centers, students will find souvenirs for friends, as well as themselves, for any budget. According to www.cancun.travel, travelers will find everything from designer stores and famous brand names, to flea markets and handcrafted souvenir shops.

Helping visitors afford not only their travel and hotel, but also their vacation spending habits, is the considerable exchange rate.

According to www.economist.com, the currency rates as of Feb. 17, 2009 are 14.57 Mexican Pesos for every one U.S. dollar. This means hotels, travel and drinks will seem like great values compared to prices in the States; even a McDonald's Big Mac costs a dollar less in Mexico.

Plane tickets from Buffalo to Cancun range anywhere from $300 to $500 round-trip and give students plenty of choices for departure and arrival times, according to www.priceline.com.

Hotel prices range from the budget vacationer $100 per night up to a luxurious and ritzy $700 each night, with well over 100 hotels and resorts to choose from.

Spring break 2009 is right around the corner and it's never too late to plan an unforgettable experience that includes a bit of history, water sports and lots of drinks with little umbrellas.

Cancun Water Temperature

http://spectrum.buffalo.edu/article.php?id=39274

Money for high speed train could soon be coming to Las Vegas

Eight billion dollars from President Obama's stimulus package could be on its way to Nevada to help fund the long talked about high speed train.

The train would extend from Las Vegas to Anaheim, California and would only take 86 minutes to get from one city to another.

Its been talked about for more than a decade, but the funding was never there.

The train is called a Mag Lev.

Mag Lev stands for magnetic levitation, which is how the train travels on the track, by using magnets and electricity at a speed of 300mph.

To build one from Anaheim to Las Vegas would cost 12 to 14 billion dollars.

While the stimulus package doesn't say a word about the train, it does provide eight billion dollars for unspecified high-speed and intercity passenger rail projects.

"Money that shouldn't be spent right now, we need to worry about other things," Californian Eric Bragg says.

Bragg says we should worry about things like filling our gas tanks, or education, or even the housing crisis.

This eight billion is not ear marked to any specific project, so there is no guarantee Las Vegas will get all or any of the money.

There are several proposals for rail projects like this one across the country.

There's a 33 billion dollar plan to build one from Anaheim to San Francisco that will also compete for money from this package.

http://www.ktnv.com/Global/story.asp?S=9850113

Antigua, Guatemala, is Wanderlust's top city for travel

Readers of the U.K. travel magazine Wanderlust voted the Guatemalan city of Antigua tops for travel in the magazine's annual awards. The Central American city bested Luang Prabang in Laos, winner for the previous two years, to the title.

The decision by U.K. readers and voters was noted with pride by the Guatemala Times in this report, in which Barbara Schieber wrote that it "is a great pride for Guatemala that La Antigua has been chosen as number one city in the world to visit. Number two is Kyoto in Japan, that is a tough one to beat. Paris and New York did not make it to the top ten."

Latin America has been doing well in travel awards of late. Mexico City was declared the world's top religious tourist destination in January, and Peru and Mexico's Michoacan were named two of the top ten cultural destination in the world by Forbes magazine.

Latin American countries dominated the Ethical Traveler's top 10 travel destinations and Conde Nast Traveler's readers' choice awards voted Mexico's San Miguel de Allende and Oaxaca among hemisphere's top 10 cities to visit.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/laplaza/2009/02/antigua-guatema.html

Spring break airfares decreasing

By Kelly Yamanouchi

As airlines cope with a decline in demand for travel, spring break fares are down about 9 percent overall compared with last year, according to an air fare forecasting Web site.

Farecast’s spring break forecast shows that fares for travel Feb. 28 to April 4 from Atlanta to U.S., Mexico and Caribbean destinations averaged $249 this year, down from $273 a year earlier.

Nationally, spring break fares are down more than 15 percent year-over-year for the spring break period, according to Live Search Farecast, whose Web site makes predictions about air fares. The average spring break fare nationally is $308, down from $368 a year ago.

Delta held a fare sale earlier this year that extended through April that would be reflected in the fares, though the booking period for that sale has ended. Delta currently has a sale on flights to a number of cities in Mexico for travel by March 31. “There have been a number of sales in the marketplace in the winter and into the spring across the country,” said Delta spokesman Kent Landers.

The lower fares come as the number of U.S. airline passengers is projected to fall 6.6 percent in 2009 compared with 2008, according to a forecast by Boyd Group International, an Evergreen, Colo.-based aviation consulting firm.

The fluctuation in fares from Atlanta varies significantly, however. Spring break fares from Atlanta to West Palm Beach are down 21 percent and fares from Atlanta to Cancun are down 20 percent compared with last year. But fares from Atlanta to Nassau in the Bahamas are up 3 percent.

Travelers with flexible travel plans can save more by flying on less-popular days, avoiding peak weeks and choosing less expensive locations in Florida, or cities like Las Vegas, San Juan, Puerto Rico or Cancun, according to Farecast.

http://www.ajc.com/business/content/travel/southeast/fl_stories/2009/02/10/spring_break_airfares.html

Tower Rising in Las Vegas but Now, Not So High

By Steve Friess

LAS VEGAS — Usually in this city of ephemera, they at least finish the buildings before they bring them down.

But because of what it is billing as structural defects, MGM Mirage announced recently it has decided to shorten a hotel-condominium project it is building on the Strip to 28 stories instead of the planned 49.

Architectural experts say they cannot recall such a drastic midconstruction downscaling, especially of a building designed by a marquee architect, in this case Norman Foster. No one from Mr. Foster’s firm, based in London, responded to e-mail and telephone requests for comment.

“This is not the way we had expected things to play out,” said an MGM Mirage spokesman, Gordon Absher. “But we want to build safe buildings whose structural integrity everyone has confidence in.”

County inspectors discovered the defect — improper installation of critical steel reinforcements known as rebar — after 15 stories of the building, the Harmon, had been erected.

The Harmon is one of several structures that make up CityCenter, an $8.6 billion, 67-acre development at the heart of the Strip that includes two other hotel-condominiums, two residential towers, a 4,000-room hotel-casino and a 500,000-square-foot shopping center. Those involved in the effort promote it as the largest privately financed construction project in United States history. Besides Mr. Foster, other prestigious architects working on CityCenter buildings are Cesar Pelli, Daniel Libeskind and Helmut Jahn.

All the buildings were to open by the end of this year, Mr. Absher said, but the oval, aqua-colored Harmon, which was to have a 400-room hotel and 207 condominiums, now will not be ready until late 2010. And there will be no condominiums, he said. Would-be buyers who had put 20 percent down on 88 units will be offered refunds or the chance to buy in other buildings.

Mr. Absher said the company and county officials were investigating who is to blame for the problems but he predicted that that would be up to “a whole lot of attorneys” to sort out.

The Harmon is the CityCenter structure closest to the Strip so the shortening will significantly change the development’s look.

“There’s a lot of new work to be done in finding the new skyline of CityCenter,” Mr. Absher said. “We’re still working with the county to address their concerns, so new renderings have not yet been issued.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/11/us/11vegas.html?ref=us

Expedia Partners With HotelsCombined.com in APAC

HotelsCombined.com announced today their new extended partnership with Expedia, Inc. covering 4 key markets in the Asia Pacific region: Australia, New Zealand, Japan and India.

With the systems integration finalized on HotelsCombined.com, consumers within the APAC region can now search and compare live hotel rates from Expedia's global selection of hotels against other major travel sites to find the optimal hotel deal. Visitors choosing to make a hotel reservation with Expedia® are then redirected to the respective Expedia site (Expedia.com.au, Expedia.co.nz, Expedia.co.jp or Expedia.co.in) where they will be able to complete their hotel booking without additional fees or markups.

Yury Shar, Managing Director of HotelsCombined.com, welcomed the new deal: "We're excited to be working with the region's leading online travel provider Expedia. It is a very positive development for both companies and most importantly our users."

"We, too, are excited about the opportunity to provide a quality travel product to HotelsCombined.com's users. Expedia Affiliate Network's is continually seeking new ways to improve our service, support and added value for our top partners in APAC. This strategic partnership is yet one more example of Expedia's commitment to the APAC region," says Expedia Affiliate Network's new Managing Director, APAC, Jens Parkitny.

About Expedia, Inc.

Expedia, Inc. is the world's leading online travel company, empowering business and leisure travelers with the tools and information they need to easily research, plan, book and experience travel. The Expedia, Inc. portfolio of brands includes: Expedia, hotels.com, Hotwire, Egencia (formerly Expedia Corporate Travel), TripAdvisor, Expedia Local Expert, Classic Vacations and eLong. Expedia, Inc.'s companies operate more than 60 global points of sale in more than 40 countries, with sites in North America, South America, Latin America, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. Expedia, Inc. is a component of the S&P 500 index. For more information, visit http://www.expediainc.com/ (NASDAQ: EXPE).

About HotelsCombined.com

HotelsCombined.com is the leading global hotel price comparison engine searching over 900,000 hotel deals from prominent travel sites in the United States, Europe and Asia Pacific. Visitors to HotelsCombined.com can search and compare major travel sites to find the optimal hotel deal and click to buy direct from the hotel or favorite travel site. For more information, visit http://www.HotelsCombined.com.

http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/marketwire/0473200.htm

Tourists arrivals to Jamaica increased in January

KINGSTON, Jamaica - Jamaica's Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, has confirmed a 3.4 per cent growth in visitor arrivals for January, compared with the same period last year.

Mr. Bartlett pointed out that the 138, 000 tourists who visited the island during the month would be, "the largest number of visitors to have ever come to Jamaica in the month of January, in any year."

He made the disclosure at a press briefing on Wednesday(February 4) at his ministry, New Kingston.

The Minister credited the growth to intense advertising, marketing and promotion of the island overseas, especially for the start of the winter tourist season, and the staging of the annual Jazz and Blues festival last month.

"We were in a good position in January to benefit from the changing or severe weather conditions that our tourists were experiencing," he said.

"In times such as these, people will travel to realize their passions. They have to be driven by some deeper value. When they have choices to make in terms of how to use their diminishing dollar, your destination must be impelling them to travel to you," the Minister explained.

He also revealed that there was a major spike in tourist arrivals towards the end of the month, while Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival was being held.

"At the first week of January, we were down 6.4 per cent; the second week, we were down 0.3 per cent; the following week, we were up 1.3 per cent, then 1.8 per cent and the three days following that, we were up 51.1 per cent," the Minister outlined.

"The point is that we saw the spike during the two weeks when the festival took place and if it was not for the staging of the festival, the overall growth in arrivals in January would not have happened," he explained.

Mr. Bartlett said that a large portion of the visitors who came to Jamaica during the festival, were Jamaican nationals who came back for the event. He also said that hotels, both large and small, in the Montego Bay area were full to capacity.

Meanwhile, giving an update on the sector's performance last year, the Minister pointed out that, despite the economic downturn in the major markets overseas, Jamaica experienced a four per cent growth with a total of 1,769,271 stop-over arrivals and US$2 billion earned in revenue.

Giving details on individual market performances, he said that the United States continued to dominate the arrivals, with some 1,150,942 visitors, representing an increase of 1.6 per cent over the previous year. Europe followed with 284,700 visitors, an increase of 1.5 per cent.

Special mention was made of Canada, the biggest growth market with arrivals from that country increasing by 23.9 per cent.

The Minister reported that stop-over arrivals from the Caribbean showed a very outstanding growth, increasing by 6.8 per cent, while the Latin American market grew by 32.5 per cent.

On the matter of cruise arrivals, Mr. Bartlett said that the performance has been less than desirable, but it represented a stable position, with the extensive redeployment of vessels out of the Caribbean into the Mediterranean last year. Cruise passenger arrivals totalled 1,088,701 representing a 7.7 per cent decline.

The Tourism Minister said that the focus of the sector is to drive the "strongest and deepest "creative energies, and find new ways to innovate and develop strategies and processes that will identify opportunities that will mitigate the impact of the economic downturn and create growth.

http://www.sflcn.com/story.php?id=5638

Bose opens in Dubai Mall

Bose has recently opened in Dubai Mall, bringing the number of outlets in the UAE to seven. The new store stocks the full range of Bose home entertainment systems and products. The Bose True to Life audio visual presentation has been installed at the outlet for customers to experience the features of Lifestyle Home Entertainment systems.

http://www.ameinfo.com/184179.html

Las vegas deals

BY MIRIAM DI NUNZIO

LAS VEGAS -- What happens in Vegas doesn't have to cost you an arm and a leg.

In a city that boasts $10,000-a-night suites, let's face it, the view is just as grand from a $129-a-night room in the same resort. Even in these tough economic times, there are fabulous finds in town. I've spent years discovering and enjoying these little gems, even in the best of times. With some planning, determination and willingness to occasionally step outside the "comfort zone" of the Strip, there are plenty of money-saving deals to be had when it comes to lodging, dining, entertainment and shopping.

To help you get more for your vacation dollar, here are a few of my fabulous finds. (Prices can change without notice, so call ahead.)

It seems all the top designers in the world have opened boutiques in Sin City. But if Prada is nada in terms of your budget, consider these options:

Macy's at Fashion Show Mall (north end of Las Vegas Boulevard). Wanna know a secret? Stop by the Visitors Services booth (first floor, near the cosmetics) for your 11 percent off Welcome Savings Pass valid for seven days.

The Las Vegas Premium Outlets (875 S. Grand Central Pkwy., 702-474-7500). A quick ride from the Strip (this is where a rental car comes in handy) and a great place for bargains if you're a savvy shopper. Outlets are of the high-end caliber: White House/Black Market, Dolce & Gabbana, Juicy Couture, True Religion, Salvatore Ferragamo, Kate Spade and about 150 more familiar labels.

The Las Vegas Outlet Center (Warm Springs Road and Las Vegas Boulevard, 702-896-5599). Just a few miles south of the resort area, this indoor mall boasts hundreds of outlet stores including Liz Claiborne Shoes, Aeropostale, Greg Norman, Jones New York, Coach and Off 5th. Not nearly as chi-chi as the Premium Outlets, but you will find tons of bargains, and a "restaurant row" has emerged along the road opposite the mall.

If you want souvenirs for everybody you've ever known, head to the Bonanza Gift Shop (Las Vegas Boulevard at Sahara, 702-...). It's purported to be the "World's Largest Gift Shop," and it might very well be. Aisle after aisle of everything from mugs, T-shirts, tote bags and moccasins to magnets and post cards is affordably priced.

For food, Hash House A Go Go (6800 W. Sahara, 702-804-GOGO) is hands-down one of the best places to eat in the city. Its slogan is "twisted farm food," which I translate as "humongous portions of some of the best breakfast, lunch and dinner chow west of the Mississippi." Their 1-pound stuffed burgers served with all the fixin's easily can feed two and will set you back about $10. The hash here ($12.95 on average) is served in a huge cast-iron skillet and is out of this world. Consider the "Pacers Hash" made with roasted pork tenderloin, crispy potatoes, fresh corn, green beans, cherry tomatoes, smoked mozzarella and scrambled eggs. The menu is extensive, the service is outstanding and the prices are very friendly.

Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay (3950 Las Vegas Blvd. South, 702-632-4555). Accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, this is one of the best-kept secrets on the Strip. More than 1,200 species of tropical and freshwater fish, reptiles, and a mind-boggling assortment of sharks and rare golden alligators surround you in 2 million gallons of water. Travel through a glass-encased "under the sea" environment while creatures swim above, below and all around. Admission is $10.95-$17; kids under 4 are free.

Las Vegas Art Museum (9600 W. Sahara, 702...). Just eight miles west of the Strip, this is a nice way to spend a few hours in quiet respite from all the neon. Modern art rules the roost, and you can't beat the $3-$6 admission. You also can take in some extraordinary museum-quality artwork at the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art (inside the Bellagio Resort, 3400 Las Vegas Blvd., 702...). Admission, $10-$15. Currently on display is "Classic Contemporary: Lichtenstein, Warhol & Friends."

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Located 15 miles from the Strip, this desert canyon is worth the 30-minute drive. Travel a 13-mile loop through rock/canyon formations for a $5 car entry fee. You also can hike or bike scenic but very challenging trails (check with park officials at the visitors center for details). Wear plenty of sunscreen. Outdoor enthusiasts also can stay the night in the campground for a fee.

The Aquarium at Silverton Casino and Lodge (3333 Blue Diamond Road, 702-263-7777). Nowhere near the scale of Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay, but every bit as fun. More than 4,000 tropical fish, sharks and other creatures traverse a 117,000-gallon artificial reef. Divers feed the lot at various times and visitors can ask questions while they're serving up lunch or dinner to their aquatic pals. In a throwback to the Vegas of the '40s and '50s, "mermaids" swim into the tank every 15 minutes for an underwater show. Free.

Mt. Charleston. A great day trip, the mount is about 40 miles northwest of the Strip. It's the highest point in southern Nevada -- some 12,000 feet at the summit -- climbing up through an alpine tree line and, depending on the time of year, snowcapped peaks. It's all part of the Spring Mountain Range of the Toiyabe National Forest, and the temperature up there can be as much as 40 degrees cooler than at the desert base. There is a restaurant and lodge around 7,000 feet, with 23 log cabins available year-round for a very different Las Vegas stay. Glorious vistas, waterfalls and plenty of crisp mountain air.

Big Dog's Cafe & Casino (6390 W. Sahara, 702-876-3647). This was the first microbrewery in Las Vegas and it still serves up several award-winning beers from its 15-barrel facility. Happy hour features $2 off all their brews. The food's not too shabby, either. When it's crowded, it's loud, rowdy and fun.

Bowling at the Suncoast Hotel/Casino (9090 Alta Drive, 702-636-7111). If you really want a fun outing that won't break the bank, consider bowling at this off-the-Strip locale. This is a nicely appointed, state-of-the-art Brunswick affair with 64 lanes, and it's open 24 hours a day. Saturday nights are Cosmic Bowling nights, when disco music blares and the light show thrills. Adults can bowl for $2.90 a game; kids and seniors, $2. Shoe rental is $2.

Las Vegas Springs Preserve (333 S. Valley View Blvd., 702-...). This is one of the most tranquil places you'll visit in the Las Vegas area. It spans the "birthplace of Las Vegas," a 180-acre site of landscaped botanic gardens and interactive exhibits on the city's history, such as the prehistoric swamps that evolved into desert landscape. The Nevada State Museum is slated to open there later this year. Wolfgang Puck's Cafe serves delicious fare and its outdoor terrace is the perfect place for peace and quiet. Admission is $18.95, adults; $10.95, children.

The deep-fried Twinkie -- only 99 cents -- at Mermaid's Casino, downtown Las Vegas (32 Fremont St., 702...). People line up for this sinfully delicious treat in this claustrophobic, rundown, slots-only casino.

The $25 bling ring at Decorazzi (Wynn Las Vegas Esplanade, 702-770-7000). This Swarovski crystal bauble in different colors will make your ring finger dazzle.

The dueling pianos at the Bar Time Square (New York New York Hotel/Casino, 702-74...). For a $10 cover you can sing along -- or not -- to one of the best lounge shows in town in this swanky spot.

When it comes to accommodations, Strip resorts can be very accommodating, especially in these tough economic times.

Average daily room rates were down 9.2 percent for the first nine months of 2008 compared with the same time period of 2007, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

Lodging bargains abound on resorts' Web sites. Here are a couple of examples:

MGM Grand's Maximum Escape Package, featuring a room rate of $80 a night, Feb. 22-25 (other dates are available), includes a $35 activity credit, two line passes to Studio 54, and 25 percent off spa services. The Winter Escape Package is only $72 a night, but for $5 extra you get a $50 activity credit good toward dining, entertainment ("Ka" by Cirque du Soleil, or "Crazy Horse Paris"), spa services or Studio 54; (888) 646-1203, www.mgmgrand.com/special_offers/.

At the Venetian, you can't beat the Suite Life Package. For $149 a night (weekdays, minimum two-night stay), you enjoy a 650-square-foot suite, $40 off front orchestra seating to "Jersey Boys" (the resident production at the adjoining Palazzo), one complimentary passport to the resort's Canyon Ranch Spa and $30 off a variety of services. You also get 20 percent off an entree at Dal Toro Ristorante and a two-for-one gondola ride inside the resort's Grand Canal promenade. Book by Feb. 28; call (86... and mention code EVJHOME, or book online at www.venetian.com.

http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/travel/northamerica/1417797,TRA-News-deals08.article

Travel Picks: Top 10 destinations for chocolate lovers

SYDNEY (Reuters Life!) - As Valentine's Day approaches, travel website IgoUgo.com has come with a list of top destinations for people whose main love is chocolate.

This list is compiled by IgoUgo.com editors and is not endorsed by Reuters:

1. Oaxaca, Mexico

In Oaxaca, chocolate is used not only as a food in chocolate corn, chocolate sauce and so on but also as a popular drink. For their fix, locals frequent Chocolate Mayordomo, a shop with two downtown locations. A trip to Oaxaca can be combined with a stop in Mexico City to see Nestle's factory and chocolate museum.

2. Ghana

Ghana wants to spread the word that it grows great cocoa, so its throwing a party -- National Chocolate Day and Cocoa Day with the theme "consume more cocoa for good health."

3. Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States

Hershey's Chocolate World in the self-proclaimed "sweetest place on Earth" with a factory-tour ride in which children especially enjoy Chocolate World's singing cows.

4. Philippines

In the north, Baguio is a foodie's dream destination, famous for its Chocolate de Batirol, named after the clay pot in which chocolate is heated. Down in Bohol, a main attraction is the Chocolate Hills - not technically edible but a must-see. Further south is Davao and its cacao fields, where every meal seems to end with a decadent dessert.

5. Zurich, Switzerland

Nowhere does Swiss chocolate taste better than in the confiseries of Zurich. Lindt, Sprungli, Teuscher, Suchard; the only hard part is deciding where to begin.

6. Bocas del Toro, Panama

Sample cacao flesh straight from the source on the Bocas del Toro archipelago and wash it down with plenty of cocoa. Research suggests that this habit of Panama's Kuna people keeps their hearts healthy. Another bonus effect of local cocoa is the presence of hiking trails on what were once cacao plantations.

7. Cologne, Germany

In the chocolate capital of Germany, the Chocolate Museum is much lauded for its historical exhibits, family fun, Rhine River views, huge chocolate fountain, and, of course, free samples.

8. New York, NY

New Yorkers know chocolate: how to make it, how to sell it, how to show it. Visitors can take a chocolate tour and attend a chocolate show, and, sometimes, sleep in a chocolate hotel room. You can also find some of the world's highest-quality sweets there, including the hot chocolate served at cocoa master Jacques Torres' shops.

9. Bruges, Belgium

A great spot for chocolate lovers which includes the Chocolate Line shop where the liqueur-filled chocolates come highly recommended.

10. Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona has been breeding leading chocolatiers for centuries, making it a natural place for a museum celebrating the substance. The Museu de la Xocolata features chocolate in every form, from ornate sculptures to hot chocolate. Afterwards burn off the treats on a self-guided tour of the city's high-end chocolate boutiques.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29050309/

Collegians say nay to ‘naycations’

By Angela Mapes Turner

Spring break in exotic … Indianapolis?

For college junior Kaity White, Spring Break 2009 won’t get any wilder than the state capital.

But the Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne student, 21, shivering against the wind on the snowy campus Thursday, said her decision doesn’t have much to do with the current recession.

“I’ve just always worked,” she said. “I’ve never gone anywhere.”

Lower gas prices, airfares and hotel deals are making spring break attractive to even cash-strapped students, who often find they can still afford the iconic beach trip.

Fares for spring break – Feb. 28 through April 5 – are averaging 15 percent lower than 2008 prices, costing about as much as two years ago, said Live Search Farecast, a travel-search Web site that offers airfare predictions.

Premium hotel rates in popular U.S. spring break destinations are also about 15 percent lower than last year, Live Search Farecast said.

Tarik Tucovic, 18, an IPFW freshman, plans to take his usual trip with friends to Florida, and he’s not worried about finding the cash.

“Luckily, my family has not been affected so far,” he said.

According to Rachel Berg, a senior writer for Travelocity’s WindowSeatblog.com, even those families affected by the economic downturn aren’t necessarily choosing a “staycation” – the tourism industry’s term for vacationing closer to home.

But more spring breakers are traveling domestically than internationally.

The top destination this year is Las Vegas, which was No. 3 last year, Berg said.

“Packages to Vegas are so good right now,” she said.

Amusement parks, swimming pools and shows mean Vegas has much to offer for both student groups and families traveling together.

Travelocity does not separate bookings by families and students.

Orlando and South Florida round out Travelocity’s top-three domestic spring break destinations, Berg said.

Travelocity has also seen a trend of more college students booking all-inclusive cruise packages.

“You know very easily what the price is going to be upfront,” she said.

Because of Mexico’s weakened economy, Berg said, three of that country’s destinations top Travelocity’s list for foreign vacations: Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas.

About 30,000 partyers are expected to visit Cancun this year, the same amount as last year, according to the Quintana Roo state tourism office.

Other foreign locales might not see as many American visitors.

Last year, Ben Gates, executive director of Greater Fort Wayne Campus Ministry, led 24 students from IPFW and Indiana Tech on a spring break mission trip to Italy.

At the start of the school year last fall, almost 40 expressed interest in this year’s trip to Nice, France.

But only 11 are going, Gates said.

Because of expensive international airfare, the trip will cost $2,000 a person, not to mention the unfavorable exchange rate for the euro.

Most of the students who opted out told Gates money was the reason.

Even so, Gates said, the organization – IPFW’s largest student group – is planning a trip to Northern Ireland a year from now and to India a year from June.

“Even with the economy the way it is, we’re not cutting back on those trips,” Gates said.

It’s hard to choose a “naycation” – tourism slang for nixing a trip altogether – when the prices keep falling, Travelocity’s Berg said.

“They’re taking advantage of the deals,” she said.

But even the good deals aren’t enough to entice Bethany Casey, 22, an IPFW history major who traveled to Europe on spring break last year.

Even though the recession isn’t necessarily the main reason she’s staying put, she said, it seemed foolish to turn down an opportunity to earn a few dollars at the Allen County Public Library’s Genealogy Center.

“I’ll get stuff done around the house,” Casey said. “I’ll be working part time.”

http://www.journalgazette.net/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090207/BIZ13/302079972/1002/LOCAL

Pioneer Travel hosts third annual travel show at Mel & Faye's Diner

By Bethany A. Monk

Everyone's afraid to spend money on traveling these days, but for those who are able to take a vacation, "now's the time to do it," said Pioneer Travel independent travel agent Bernie Cramer.

Cramer and several other independent travel agents from Pioneer Travel in Pine Grove were on-hand during the agency's third annual Travel Show in the banquet room of Mel & Faye's Diner in Jackson on Jan. 31. An array of travel companies including Club Med, Carnival Cruises, Holland American Line and several others, set up booths in the banquet room, decorated with streaming lights and pictures of far away places. Visitors "shopping" for a good deals on an upcoming getaways mingled with the agents and travel company representatives. Some lucky visitors went home with free vacations packages raffled off during the show.

The purpose of the event, according to Pioneer independent travel agent Sharon Nuuhiva, is to bring travel vendors to the people of Amador and Calaveras counties to help showcase the several travel options available to them.

Pioneer Travel independent travel agent Pat Waller said she's noticed a recent trend for Amador residents booking trips via Pioneer Travel - a majority are planning trips to Alaska, she said. To get the best deals, the ideal time to book these cruises, she said, "is way out or real close" to travel dates.

Holland America Line, in fact, was at the travel show promoting its upcoming Winemaker Cruise, which will feature Stefano Watson, winemaker/owner, Avio Winery of Amador. The seven-day round-trip cruise departs from Seattle July 26. Watson will host wine tasting events and various wine seminars during the cruise, said Rob Taylor, Holland America Line business development manager.

There has been a decrease in people from out of the county booking vacations in Amador, said Pioneer independent travel agent Bernie Cramer.

Nuuhiva said that because of the economy, there has been an increase in sales and deals on various trips.

"We have picked up a little bit," Nuuhiva said, noting that Pioneer travel has seen more business in the start of the year than it had seen at the end of 2008. "We're booking smaller trips, like to Canada and Mexico. We haven't done a lot with Europe lately," she said.

Valentine's Day trips can be planned "right away," Cramer said. "Cruises are a fantastic idea - many of them are offering special deals, like two for one deals, or have reduces prices."

Going on vacation within the county is also an option, Cramer said. "We can set up wine tours in the county, one-day theater trips to Sacramento or Sonora."

Even people on tight budgets can benefit from letting a travel agent help them plan a trip. "We can find ways to make it work," she said.

Michael Weldon, district sales manager for Viking River Cruisers, said that the company has reduced prices to help stimulate business. The cruise will take its passengers to Glacier Bay National Park for a full-day scenic cruise, and to Alaskan cities Juneau, Stika and Ketchikan. The final stop on the tour will be Victoria, British Columbia.

A lot of people booking through Pioneer Travel are staying local this year to help save money, Waller said. Popular places to visit right now include San Diego, Monterey and Las Vegas, she said.

Jackson couple Alba and Gary Arosio were among the more than 100 travel show visitors Saturday. The two have booked several trips through Pioneer Travel to places like Washington, D.C. and day-trips to Sonora.

"I like it when we do this," Alba said of attending Pioneer Travel shows. "It's always interesting," she said, adding that the two are just "checking out what they have."

One of the goals of Pioneer Travel, according to its president Pat Thurin, is to find the best deals for travelers. "We can match almost any Internet (deal) if you give us a chance," she said.

Pine Grove resident Kay Drummond said she likes coming to the travel show to learn about the variety of trips and special vacation packages. This year's show "is very nice, Kay said. "It's not as crowded as last year, but it's fun."

Pioneer Travel, 19900 Highway 88, Pine Grove, is open Monday through Friday. For more information, call 296-5555.

http://www.ledger-dispatch.com/life/lifeview.asp?c=253479

Real Resorts Launches Automated Commission Booster

NEW YORK and CANCUN, Mexico, Feb. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Real Resorts loves agents! As a thank you to our travel agent partners, Real Resorts has launched RRMembers Automated Commission Booster(R), an easy to use program that empowers agents to immediately increase their commission's at all four Real Resorts all-inclusive, all-suite properties in Cancun and Playa del Carmen.

The RRMember Commission Booster(R) program enables agents to immediately earn bonuses based on the length of stay, the number of guests, and superior suite categories. Bonuses are paid on all confirmed reservations made for travel beginning March 3, 2009 and beyond. There is no limit on the number of added incentives an agent can earn, and it is easy and free to sign up for the program online at: www.RealResorts.com/RRMembers . Incentives are paid for booking through a host of distribution channels -- travel agencies, tour operators, GDS, Real Resorts 800 number, and online at www.RealResorts.com . Real Resorts include: Gran Caribe Real and THE ROYAL Cancun in Cancun, and Gran Porto Real and THE ROYAL in Playa Del Carmen.

"Real Resorts respects that the travel agent community is integral to our success and we want to thank our partners in a 'big way' for booking Real Resorts," said Ing. Fernando Garcia Zalvidea, Real Resorts' General Director. "In developing our new Real Resorts RRMember Commission Booster(R) program we took a look at what our competitors are offering, and then we listened to you -- our travel agent partners. We believe that we have created the fastest, easiest and most user-friendly commission-boosting program in Mexico. At Real Resorts we are committed to exceeding expectations and rewarding our travel agent partners for your hard work. Our new Commission Booster Program is just one way we work for you, and say thank you for your support throughout the years," added Garcia Zalvidea.

About Real Resorts

Real Resorts is a privately owned hotel company in Mexico. It owns and operates four all-inclusive resorts in Cancun and Playa del Carmen under THE Royal, and Gran brands, which appeal to a wide range of lifestyles. THE Royal in Cancun and Playa del Carmen offer luxurious accommodations and attentive service for couples. THE ROYAL in Cancun and THE ROYAL Playa del Carmen are recent recipients of the prestigious International Star Diamond Award, a recognition awarded by The American Academy of Hospitality Sciences to select five star hotels that exceed a selection of criteria for facilities, operations and service. The Gran Caribe Real in Cancun and the Gran Porto Real in Playa del Carmen offer personal service and upscale accommodations appropriate for families and travelers seeking a casual vacation experience. Reservations can be made through a travel agent or by calling 800-543-7556. For more information visit online at: www.RealResorts.com

http://news.prnewswire.com/DisplayReleaseContent.aspx?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/02-05-2009/0004967272&EDATE=

Travel briefs

CALIFORNIA

Universal Hollywood's sets to reopen in summer

Universal Studios Hollywood announced that most of the sets destroyed last June when a fire ripped through part of its back lot will reopen this summer.

Production will resume in midsummer on the rebuilt New York streetscape — featured in "Spider-Man 2" and "Transformers—" plus Courthouse Square and Brownstone Street, a studio news release said.

Roofers using a blowtorch accidentally started the fire June 1. The blaze also destroyed the King Kong attraction and a video vault.

New sets, including a London-based street and a modern urban cityscape, also will open. No announcement has been made on rebuilding King Kong.

UNITED STATES

Virginia City, Santa Barbara receive historic honors

Coastal gem Santa Barbara, with its Spanish-style architecture, and the historic mining boomtown of Virginia City, Nev., were among the 12 places honored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation's "Dozen Distinctive Destination" awards for 2009.

The list honors places that offer an authentic visitor experience with dynamic downtowns, cultural diversity, attractive architecture, cultural landscapes and a commitment to preservation.

Other winners were Athens, Ga.; Bristol, R.I.; Buffalo, N.Y.; Fort Worth, Texas; Franklin, Tenn.; Hot Springs, S.D.; Lake Geneva, Wis.; Lititz, Pa.; Santa Fe, N.M.; and Saugatuck-Douglas, Mich.

Details at www.Preservation Nation.org/ddd.

This 'March Madness' is all about maple syrup

New Hampshire is gearing up for the February-March maple-sugaring season.

It takes about 40 gallons of sap to make a gallon of syrup, and New Hampshire produces nearly 90,000 gallons of maple syrup each year.

Many sugar houses offer sugaring demonstrations, tastings, sleigh rides or hayrides, petting farms, and opportunities for kids to gather sap and sample just-cooked syrup on snow.

Also, more than 50 sugar houses are taking part in New Hampshire Maple Weekend, March 28-29, with tours, tastings and pancake breakfasts.

Many inns offer package deals during the season with maple-themed meals and maple sugar spa treatments. Details: www.nhmaple producers.com., or call the Maple Hotline, (603) 225-3757.

HOTELS

New brand from Hilton: Home2 Suites

Hilton Hotels has announced the launch of a new extended-stay lodging brand called Home2 Suites by Hilton. Construction is expected to begin on the first hotel in the next six to 12 months.

Applications for franchises for the brand have been received from six states, including Nevada, New York and Texas.

Home2 Suites' design includes sustainable elements like recycled flooring and plumbing that conserves water; complimentary breakfast; a walking and exercise course and fitness facility; indoor pool; and outdoor communal space with grills and areas to socialize.

The room design will include a "working wall" with modular pieces that include work space, closet and storage.

Each property will have an average of 108 guest rooms, 80 percent studios and 20 percent one-bedrooms.

AIRPORTS

New flights from Oakland to Washington state

Tapping into the Northwestern and Canadian travel markets, Allegiant Air has launched a new, twice-weekly route from Oakland to Bellingham, Wash., a gateway to British Columbia.

The flights, using 150-seat MD-80 jets, are on Mondays and Fridays. Departure time out of Oakland International is 5:45 p.m., with arrival at 7:45. The return flights leave Bellingham at 2:55 p.m.

Allegiant, based in Las Vegas, plans to offer three weekly flights by May, and five weekly flights by June.

The carrier's decision to move its Bay Area operations from San Francisco to Oakland was good news for the East Bay airport, which lost a number of airlines in 2008.

Newly released figures show that the airport's 2008 passenger totals were down 21.5 percent from 2007 — a sharp decline, but much less than airport officials initially estimated.

http://www.mercurynews.com/travelheadlines/ci_11629329

AIR JAMAICA STRENGTHENS CORE ROUTES

KINGSTON, JAMAICA – February 5, 2009 – Moving swiftly on key elements of its 2009 Business Plan, Air Jamaica has announced a new schedule that focuses on core routes in the U.S., offering flight options with superior convenience to travelers.

Effective February 26, 2009, the airline’s new schedule will include four daily flights from Fort Lauderdale to Jamaica, allowing South Florida passengers to have the flexibility of early morning arrivals and late evening departures. The Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport offers travelers easy access to Miami, and with many travelers also living and working in West Palm Beach and surrounding areas, Air Jamaica is confident that the new schedule is in step with the lifestyles of its passengers.

The new schedule will also offer the only daily non-stop flights from New York to Jamaica, with two flights to Kingston and one to Montego Bay each day. In addition, this new schedule will give New York travelers a chance to wake up in Barbados or Grenada with two non-stop flights each week to both destinations.

Air Jamaica’s new schedule has 218 weekly flights to 13 destinations, with service between Jamaica and Toronto, New York (JFK), Chicago (O’Hare), Baltimore, Philadelphia, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Curacao and Nassau, as well as service between New York and Barbados and New York and Grenada.

For more information on Air Jamaica’s schedule, or to book a trip, visit www.airjamaica.com

http://travelvideo.tv/news/more.php?id=16662_0_1_0_M

Allegiant Launches Nonstop Grand Rapids – Las Vegas Flights

Currently, travelers in Grand Rapids wanting Las Vegas flights need to change planes, but as of May 1, that all changes: Allegiant Air announced it will launch twice-weekly non-stop Grand Rapids-Las Vegas flights.

To peark travelers' interest, the discount airline is offering one-way introductory rates as low as $99, exclusive of taxes and fees.

To land this discount airfare, book and buy no later than Feb. 18, and complete the trip by July 31. For the lowest discount airfare, purchase your ticket at www.allegiantair.com.

Allegiant’s 150-seat MD-80s will make the Grand Rapids – Las Vegas run Mondays and Fridays.

Good news for travelers in Grand Rapids: you won’t have to run around as much at Grand Rapid’s Gerald R. Ford International Airport, now that a new, curb-front passenger drop-off and pick-up area has opened.

http://news.cheapflights.com/airlines/2009/02/allegiant-launches-nonstop-grand-rapids-las-vegas-flights.html

Booking travel early may cost more

Travelers often like to buy tickets well in advance, but in the current economic climate if you buy too soon you probably will overpay.

The travel industry is offering deals for travel in the short term, but sellers are holding out when it comes to the typically busy summer season. Unless you see a great deal, wait to see if prices drop.

It used to be that if you bought 330 days in advance, you would get the best deal, but that's no longer the case. We recently compared fares for February 2009 travel and found that the fares that were available in mid-January 2009 were much lower than those for purchase in September 2008.

For February travel from Boston to Los Angeles, the airlines were charging $408 round trip if you purchased in September, but if you bought tickets in January, the price was $179 round trip. Fares from Dallas to London for travel Feb. 18-25 were selling for $878 in September; $589 in mid-January.

Keep an eye on fares offered now for travel this summer and beyond. If you bought tickets in mid-January from Dallas to Los Angeles, nonstop flights were selling for $278 round trip for February travel vs. $370 round trip for late June travel.

When travel was deregulated in the late 1970s, we saw unbelievable deals. Today, we still see incredible deals, such as $99 one-way flights on coast-to-coast travel. However, in the past, the airlines had much friendlier rules. You could change your ticket multiple times and not face a penalty. Today, change fees range up to $150 on domestic flights and to $250 on international flights. Because of these high fees, and because airlines are holding out on offering far-future deals, you're better off waiting until closer to your travel date to buy.

However, now is the time to buy your spring-break travel. If you're looking for flights to Florida, you'll have to be flexible if you want to find a deal. For example, if you want to travel from Dallas to Orlando from March 14 through March 21, the cheapest fare we found was $411 round trip, but the price dropped to $278 for travel March 15-20. If you can go before or after spring break, you'll save even more with round-trip fares of $219 for travel March 7-14 and $198 for travel March 21-28.

A getaway to Washington, D.C., combined with New York City could be a bargain. When we recently checked fares for travel during spring break, prices including taxes and fees were less than $300 round trip for flights to and from Washington and for flights to New York City and out of Washington.

If you see a $399 round-trip fare for July travel to Honolulu, grab it. If the fare is $1,000, hold off. If the price doesn't drop, consider changing destinations. Depending on what sales are available, less-expensive flights could be to Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe or someplace you hadn't considered. Deals go to flexible travelers.

http://www.bnd.com/542/story/644841.html

Government of Canada Promotes Safe and Healthy Travel

OTTAWA, ONTARIO - The Government of Canada today launched a new information booklet designed to help Canadians stay safe and healthy while travelling abroad.

"This Government is taking steps to ensure that Canadians are healthy and safe, both at home and abroad," said Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health. "Reading this booklet will help our citizens enjoy a problem-free travel experience."

Well on Your Way, A Canadian's Guide to Healthy Travel Abroad, is a joint publication of the Public Health Agency of Canada and Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT). It includes practical recommendations and useful tips on a range of travel health topics, including the importance of immunization and other preventative medications, infectious diseases, personal protective measures and advice on how to cope with a health emergency abroad. The booklet also contains information on how Canadians can access consular services around the world.

"At any given time, about 3.4 million Canadians are outside of the country," said Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon. "Canadians need to take active responsibility for their personal health and safety when planning international trips and when travelling and living abroad. The information in this booklet will help them do that."

Well on Your Way is part of the Government of Canada's campaign to help inform Canadians about health, safety and security issues abroad.

Well on Your Way will be distributed to travel health clinics, travel agencies and other travel-related retail outlets. It is also available upon request from Service Canada, and on the websites of the Public Health Agency of Canada and DFAIT (http://www.voyage.gc.ca/publications/well-way_bon-depart-eng.asp).

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29033018/

Spring break: Have it your way

By Christine Delsol

With its 18-year-old drinking age, yard-long margaritas and buckets of beer, Mexico's hedonistic side trumps the country's scenic, cultural and historical virtues for spring break appeal, but an alternative spring break movement has also taken hold in recent years. Here's a look at options for students who want to party 'til they drop, mix revelry with digestible doses of history and culture, or try to make a difference.

The classics: Party-hearty breaks

The main advantage of these venerable party centers is the number and variety of packages available, which take the guesswork out of budgeting and planning — you can just bring a few hundred dollars for incidentals and concentrate on your tan line and body shots.

Cancún

Incomparable beaches, varied restaurants, glitzy hotels and nonstop nightlife have made Cancún the perennial top dog for spring break in Mexico, if not the world. All-inclusive resorts such as the 1,008-plus room Oasis Cancún, which throws in all meals and drinks for less than $150 a night for students sleeping three or four to a room, sell out by early March.

Days in Cancún can be downright calm, as late risers soak up sunshine on the beach or loll by the pool with a margarita. The madness begins anew when the sun sets and doesn't wind down until dawn. House music, dance mixes, rock, jazz, world beat, reggae, salsa or virtually any other music genre is yours for the asking at clubs ranging from the astounding Coco Bongo to local hole-in-the-wall hangouts. If your head is clear for long enough, fun in the sun can take the form of snorkeling, scuba diving, jungle cruises and ferry trips to Cozumel and Isla Mujeres.

Los Cabos

The 18-mile stretch of coast between San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas (officially the "Cabo San Lucas Tourist Corridor") offers some of Mexico's finest resorts, beaches, snorkeling and diving. The formidable array of clubs and bars range from the infamous Cabo Wabo to El Squid Roe and Zoe's dance clubs to the inevitable Hard Rock/Carlos 'n Charlie's chains.

The focus at this time of year is unmistakably on spring break hijinks. But you can mix it up a little with Cabo's eco-friendly ATV tours, unspoiled hidden beaches, snorkeling, surf breaks, rock climbing, cycling, diving, horseback riding, Baja-style off-road test drives and whale watching. Zero risk of boredom during daylight hours.

The alternatives: Raucous, with some redeeming social value

Sure, you have to party, but sometimes you want to escape the frenzy for awhile and get a taste of authentic Mexico. A major difference in these places is the presence of a traditional zócalo, the central square that serves as the hub of most Mexican life.

Acapulco

The onetime queen of Mexico's Pacific coast resorts slipped off the radar for awhile but is again drawing hordes of college students in search of revelry — so many, in fact, that the city could arguably go in the "party hearty" section. For now, at least, Acapulco garners alternative status on the strength of its less reckless atmosphere and the pride it lavishes on its heritage.

Acapulco's spring break crowd is diluted by squadrons of other vacationers seeking out the city's historical and cultural attractions. Inexpensive family restaurants soothe the budget, and plenty of friendly local bars offer an antidote if you overdose on "Dancing with the Devil" at the Palladium. Among the cultural diversions that are easy to take in: The most important Spanish fort on Mexico's Pacific coast, one of Diego Rivera's last murals, the still-thrilling cliff divers at Le Quebrada or a day trip to secluded Yelapa. For a taste of local life, you can't beat a Sunday band concert in the lushly landscaped zócalo.

Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlán are two other Mexican Riviera resort cities where you can join the spring break pack at plenty of beaches, clubs, foam parties and contests, or bail for awhile to bask in traditional Mexico.

In PV, roam cobblestone streets and drink in the classic white buildings capped by red tile roofs and festooned by blooming bougainvillea, geranium and hibiscus; take in eclectic sculptures, artisan markets and live entertainment along the city's well-scrubbed malecón, or seafront promenade (but steer clear of the spendy gift shops); or jaunt south to the friendly villages along the shores of Bahía de Banderas, Mexico's largest natural bay.

In Mazatlán's beguiling Plazuela Machado, the town square where the Spanish first established their commercial and social center, renovated colonial buildings ringing the square house lively cafes and clubs, and the gorgeous 19th century theater is the nexus of Mazatlán's thriving arts scene. Nightlife here is far more refined than in the Zona Dorada, Mazatlán's spring break central, yet the party frenzy is within easy reach when you need it. Other worthwhile diversions include a bay cruise, a climb to the clifftop El Faro lighthouse at the end of the malecón or a visit to the downtown cathedral and mercado.

The anti-spring break: Doing your part to save the world

Students who want to devote spring break to making the world a better place have virtually endless options in Mexico, from seeking justice for women murdered in Ciudad Juárez to painting churches in a Coahuila mining town to working with orphans in Tijuana. Many colleges and universities have alternative spring break programs, many as members of the Campus Compact or Break Away organizations.

If your school doesn't have a program, one good place to start building your own spring break is Idealist.org, a clearinghouse for global volunteer opportunities. You might conduct marine research on Mexico's remote southern Caribbean coast, teach indigenous children in Chiapas, or conduct research and write for media outlets in Oaxaca, or work on promotional videos in Cuernavaca, among many others.

A sampling of other volunteer opportunities available in Mexico:

* Volunteer International has openings for health outreach in Oaxaca, animal care or newspaper and radio work in Guadalajara, turtle conservation in Tecoman, Colima, and work with ceramic artists in Tlaquepaque, near Guadalajara.
* Global Volunteers needs volunteers to teach English to college students in the colonial cities of Dolores Hidalgo and Queretaro.
* Global Vision International is looking for certified scuba divers to identify wildlife and monitor conditions in the Mesoamerican Reef along Mexico's remote Caribbean coast, in return for training and PADI Advance Open Water certification.

Good to know

Homework: See the U.S. State Department's "Spring Break in Mexico — "Know Before You G0" for a good overview of entry requirements, Mexican law, safety, conditions in popular spring break destinations and other advice.

Deals: Booking several months ahead nets the best choice and value, but last-minute trips are still available well into March. Prices peak in March; if you can go in late February or in April, your bank account will thank you. If you just plan to shuttle from resort to nightclub and back, you probably want a package deals combining airfare, hotel and the occasional added perk. A package from a student travel agency such as STA or Student TravelServices will often be your best bet, but always compare it with the best prices you can find separately before you buy. Mexican agencies such as bestday.com or docancun.com usually have the best deals for destinations off the well-trod spring break circuit.

If you're going with a group and don't require daily maid service or poolside drinks delivered to your lounge chair, consider checking vrbo.com for vacation rentals. A house large enough for your group usually will be cheaper than a hotel, and you can save still more by cooking a few meals at your home away from home.

Safety: Headlines about drug gang firefights notwithstanding, the biggest threat to the spring breaker's well-being is too much alcohol, which efficiently erases everything you know about decent behavior and common-sense precautions necessary in Mexico and anywhere else in the world. While not all spring breakers aspire to MTV's "Girls Gone Wild" model, the vast majority of spring break problems, from minor annoyances to drownings to rapes, are attributed to drinking.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2009/02/04/mexicomix020409.DTL&type=travel