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Solo Traveler Features & Tips
(For past Solo Traveler entries, please click here for archives
10 Reasons Cruising is a Great Value Making every penny of the vacation dollar count: that is the goal of any solo traveler. Taking a cruise vacation makes that goal easily achievable. The consumer who does some research and takes advantage of expert advice will discover many ways to save and stretch the dollar by choosing a cruise. “One of the top reasons cruises are so popular is the outstanding value they represent. And, because of the incredible variety of cruises, cruise ships, itineraries and destinations available, consumers can find even greater value and stretch their vacation dollar further by choosing the right cruise for their budget,” said Terry L. Dale, president and CEO of CLIA. Here are some tips for planning a value-added cruise vacation: 1. Most cruise lines offer inclusive pricing. Accommodations, meals, entertainment, use of most ship’s facilities, and transportation from destination to destination are all included in the cruise price; this means the consumer is already off to a great start in realizing value for money spent. 2. Cruises are offered in every possible price category. Spend a little or spend a lot; it’s easy to pick the line that matches your budget. 3. Cruises come in every length, from three days to three months. If budget is a high priority, pick a shorter cruise. 4. Cruise lines operate all over the world. By picking an “off season” destination – the Caribbean this summer, for example – travelers can often save money without losing any of the fun, excitement and pleasure of vacationing in the tropics. 5. With a weak U.S. dollar, planning a European cruise and paying in advance, in dollars, often represents added value compared to a European vacation paid in local currencies. 6. On most ships, the price of your cruise is based on your choice of accommodations, nothing else. Most ships offer a wide choice of inside and oceanview staterooms, staterooms with balconies, even suites. If budget is a consideration, choose an inexpensive inside stateroom and enjoy the same dining, entertainment and use of ship’s facilities as everyone else. 7. Most ships offer a wide variety of accommodations. If spacious, luxurious accommodations are your top priority, choose a cruise line whose suites match your budget. 8. Cruises are an ideal choice for families, extended families and friends who want to share a memorable vacation. Put together your own group of cruisers and ask for a group rate. 9. There are more than 30 homeports for cruise ships in the United States. Wherever you live, pick a cruise you can drive to in order to save on the cost of airfare. 10. No type of vacation offers more variety than cruising; you’ll enjoy extra satisfaction – and that, after all, is what value really means – by matching your cruise with your tastes, interests and budget. For more information about stretching the vacation dollar, visit http://www.cruising.org/ _____ TIMELY, UPDATED DEALS & IDEAS TO SAVE MONEY, TIME, HASSLE We've culled press releases and other sources for travel deals and ideas --wheteher you are traveling with others, or on your own *Star Deal*: Skip Single Supplements Have you always wanted to take a singles vacation but don't want to pay the industry-standard single supplement? Problem solved! Singles Travel International is announcing our new Solo Super Savers vacation option! There's no single supplement, and if you book a package with air by June 30th, we'll take $100 off your reservation. You can't loose. See our fantastic Solo Super Saver destinations below. Space is limited so book now! ***** *Star* Deal: Divas Only at the Hotel Giraffe in NYC The "Diva's Only Weekend" includes: Rates start at $445 per person, per day. There is a two-night minimum stay. Rates and packages are based on availability. Rates shown do not include tax or daily occupancy fee. To visit Hotel Giraffe's website, click here ***** *Star* Deal: Gas Tax Holiday at The Cliff House at Pike's Peak, CO John Mc Cain and Hillary Clinton have proposed a “Gas Tax Holiday” through the summer, whereas, Barrack Obama has stated that this will equate to a savings of $28.00 for each family and the “tax holiday” will end up costing all of us in the end. We’re hearing lots of rhetoric but not receiving relief. That’s where The Cliff House at Pikes Peak steps in and offers a $30.00 gas card as part of their “Gas Tax Holiday” Package. Also offered in this package is a premium wine tote with your choice of a bottle of Beringer “Stone Cellars” Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay or White Zinfandel, fresh garden fruit, and a light breakfast buffet. Rooms for this package start at $159.20 (not including Taxes, service fees and parking fees.) The package begins on June 1 2008 and ends on September 30 2008. Times are tough but The Cliff House at Pikes Peak is offering relief. Come for dinner; spend the night at The Cliff House at Pikes Peak.
Call 888-212-7000 or visit us on the web at www.thecliffhouse.com Originally built in 1874, The Cliff House at Pikes Peak is located in Colorado’s historic Manitou Springs at the Front Range of the magnificent Rocky Mountains. Adjacent to Colorado Springs and 70-miles south of Denver, the 55-room Cliff House, second oldest hotel operating in Colorado, features 19th century Victorian charm, décor, and architecture with 21st century technology and service. Following a $10 million renovation in 1997, the hotel now offers studios, junior and deluxe suites, and celebrity suites decorated to evoke memories of such former guests as Theodore Roosevelt, Clark Gable, and P.T. Barnum. Accommodations range in price from $145.00 to $475.00. The Cliff House, a member of Historic Hotels of America and Conde Nast Johansens and is included on the National Registry of Historic Places. The Cliff House Dining Room features the continental nouveau cuisine of Chef Scott Savage. With a front veranda, open gardens and patios offering panoramic Rocky Mountain views, The Cliff House at Pikes Peak is the perfect base from which to enjoy the Pikes Peak Cog Railroad, Cave of the Winds, Garden of the Gods, Manitou Cliff Dwellings Preserve, and Miramont Castle. For further information, visit www.thecliffhouse.com, email info@thecliffhouse.com or call 888-212-7000. *Star* Deal: "Park the Car Getaways" in Virginia Adventure seekers with a passion for filling a shopping bag or an empty stomach instead of a gas tank can find the "Park the Car" trip ideas on www.Virginia.org. Virginia's convenient location, just 2-6 hours from major cities such as D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York and Raleigh make it the remedy for gas pump blues, with dozens of walkable cities, all-in-one resorts and other destinations that require little or no driving. Walkable Cities The city of Staunton, one of Virginia's many walkable Main Street communities, combines historic charm with a modern arts vibe. The stately Stonewall Jackson Hotel sits next to the American Shakespeare Center where professional actors present the best of "the Bard" in a recreation of the famous Blackfriars' Playhouse. Art galleries and outstanding restaurants line the city's streets. Drop into Sunspots for fine glass art and live glassblowing demonstrations. Roanoke, once Western Virginia's railroading center, is experiencing a new wave of excitement. Stay at the majestic Hotel Roanoke adjacent to a vibrant downtown. Catch a play at Mill Mountain Theatre, shop for art, fine jewelry and accessories and join in the bustle at some of Virginia's most popular new restaurants. And keep an eye out for the new Art Museum of Western Virginia, opening Fall 2008. Historic Richmond is easy to love, with many hotels right downtown, so visitors can walk up and down the cobblestone streets to lively restaurants, historic sites and shops, or take a hotel shuttle to the "Mile of Style" in Cary Town. Virginia Beach is a summertime favorite and perfect place to park and play. Stay at one of the many oceanfront hotels lining America's longest pleasure beach hugging the Atlantic Ocean. The three-mile-long boardwalk has separate lanes for pedestrians and cyclists and is a sunny conduit to sand castles and salty breakers. Stroll leisurely or rent a bicycle or 4-wheel surrey to and from Virginia Beach's excellent restaurants, shops and outdoor adventure outfitters for biking, fishing, parasailing and more. Close and Convenient Locations Stay-n-Play Resorts Lansdowne Resort in Northern Virginia has Greg Norman golf and the 12,000 square-foot Spa Minerale. The resort's fine dining is accentuated by its star sommelier, Mary Watson-Delauder, whose passion for wine makes the resort's food and wine camps a must for wine lovers. Talk about happy campers. The historic Homestead Resort in the Alleghany Mountains of Virginia has been a respite for travelers long before vehicles existed. Since 1766, travelers have vacationed in luxury at the resort known for legendary golf, classic cuisine and natural warm springs that once soothed the "soles" of Thomas Jefferson himself. Williamsburg's Kingsmill Resort has a spectacular riverfront setting, a full-service spa, fine dining and championship golf. For guests seeking nearby adventures, Kingsmill also offers in-season shuttles to neighboring Busch Gardens and Water Country USA and regular shuttle service to and from Colonial Williamsburg. "Park It" at Virginia's State and National Parks Visit www.Virginia.org for more "Park the Car Getaways" in Virginia. Explore the Web site, discover your "passionality" and request a free copy of the 2008 Live Passionately – Virginia is for Lovers Travel Guide. Travel resources are also available by calling 1-800-932-5827. ***** *Star* Deal: Tax Rebates Deals for Hotels Americans will be receiving their tax refunds and economic stimulus payments shortly. Instead of buying that big screen television, using the payments to travel will be a much more rewarding way to boost the economy and pamper onesself. The following is a list of our select clients who are offering "Tax Rebate" packages with special savings for travel in the US and internationally. HKHOTELS, NYC
 HKHOTELS in New York City, which includes the Casablanca Hotel, the Library Hotel, Hotel Elysee and Hotel Giraffe, is offering a savings of $10 to $50 for stays from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Regular summer rates at these boutique hotels start at $265 to $289. Guests booking the Library Hotel and the Casablanca Hotel will also receive a complimentary signature tote bag to carry all the tax rebate swag (while supplies last). Use promotion code "taxrebate" when booking to receive the savings.
For reservations and information on HKHotels, click here  The Blue Acorn Inn, Henniker House B&B, The Highland Lake Inn and The Rosewood Country Inn, the four classic country Inns in New Hampshire that are the founding members of Granite State Vacations, are offering a "FRUGAL YANKEE PACKAGE," the perfect summer getaway that won't break the bank.
The Inns are located in the Sunapee region of New Hampshire, which offers a wealth of arts and culture, notable attractions, outdoor recreation, and unparalleled shopping. Visit the individual Inn's website for reservations and additional information: For additional information on Granite State Vacations, click here. ***** *Star Deal*: New Scandanavian Rail Pass Visit www.scandinavianrail.com and find out what’s newly available from ACP Rail for traveling around Scandinavia. Whether your goal is to fully explore Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Norway or to limit yourself to sampling a couple of countries, ACP Rail has a Eurail Pass that will work for you. ***** *Star* Deal: Northern Michigan Spring Vacation Interested in a great value on a spring vacation? Even better, how about having Uncle Sam foot the bill? That’s the idea behind the Celebrate Michigan! Traverse City Rebate Rally, a new spring vacation package between May 1 and June 12 that offers great room rates at Traverse City hotels, motels and resorts (as low as $27.50 per person, plus tax, based on double occupancy) plus restaurant and shopping discounts, casino deals and even a discount on wine purchases. Even better, visitors who book a Rebate Rally package of at least three nights will also receive a $25 gas card. All that’s necessary to qualify is to book the package through a toll-free reservation line, 1-800-TRAVERSE (1-800-872-8377). It’s Traverse City’s contribution to Michigan Week, an annual tribute to the “Great Lakes state” that runs May 17-23. The local Convention & Visitors Bureau thought it was an appropriate time to encourage taxpayers to spend some of their 2008 tax rebate on a visit to Michigan’s favorite four-season destination. “It’s a true ‘win-win’ situation,” said Bureau President Brad Van Dommelen. “You get to enjoy the Traverse City area at great rates -- paid for by your Uncle Sam – while helping to stimulate Michigan’s economy.” To learn more about the Celebrate Michigan! Traverse City Rebate Rally and other vacation packages, visit the Traverse City Convention & Visitors Bureau Web site at www.visittraversecity.com. ***** *Star* Deal: Top Caribbean Hotel in Nevis Offers Summer Specials Nisbet Plantation Beach Club, the Caribbean’s #1 Luxury Hotel according to TripAdvisor’s 2008 Travelers’ Choice Awards, is offering enticing rates to summer travelers. Nisbet Plantation on unspoiled Nevis is the perfect location for your romantic Caribbean escape. The longer you choose to stay at this luxury beachfront resort, the more you will save with Nisbet’s Sultry Summer Savings. Nisbet Plantation’s Sultry Summer Savings offers you the opportunity save up to 20% off the lowest rates of the year depending on your length of stay. Enjoy your sun, sand, and sea drenched Caribbean vacation at Nisbet and save: Guests who stay 3 to 5 nights will save 10%; Guests who stay 6 to 10 nights will save 15%; Guests who stay 11 or more nights will save 20% “For an intimate resort on the tiny island of Nevis, Nisbet always fills up very quickly for the peak winter months,” says Nisbet Plantation Beach Club General Manager Glen Hurd. “A summer vacation at Nisbet is an ideal alternative for guests who want the best at more affordable rates.” Nisbet's Sultry Summer Savings is available on all room categories, even Upper Premier Junior Suites overlooking the beach. To help you explore the island of Nevis, Nisbet has negotiated a 20% discount on car rentals from June 1 to August 10. Also, guests who stay 6 nights or more receive 2 tickets to either the Museum of Nevis History or the Lord Nelson Museum. Sultry Summer Savings is available to travelers who call reservations toll-free at 1-800-742-6008 or the hotel directly at 1-869-469-9325. About Nisbet Plantation Nisbet Plantation Beach Club is the Caribbean’s only deluxe plantation inn located directly on the beach. It is also one of the Caribbean’s historic sugar plantations and the ancestral home of Fanny Nisbet, the loving and ever-faithful wife of Britain's most famous naval hero — Lord Admiral Horatio Nelson. The plantation’s beautifully-restored Great House, which dates from 1778, and 36 charming cottages all with modern conveniences are set in 30 acres of lush tropical foliage. The resort recently completed a renovation and installed an artificial reef to prevent beach erosion. Nisbet Plantation was named the #1 Luxury Resort in the Caribbean and Latin America and #6 in the World in the 2008 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards. Nisbet has been ranked by Condé Nast Traveler’s readers in the top 3 of all Caribbean resorts. From AAA, Nisbet has garnered two 4-Diamond Awards — one for the hotel and one for the Great House dining room — one of only two air-conditioned dining venues on Nevis. For more information and reservations, visit www.NisbetPlantation.com or call (800) 742-6008 toll free in North America, or direct to Nisbet Plantation, Nevis (869) 469-9325. About Nevis This 36-square-mile Caribbean island lies near the top of the Lesser Antilles archipelago, about 200 miles south of Puerto Rico, and just west of Antigua. This island jewel is approximately 7 miles long and 5 miles wide, with natural vegetation that is unparalleled. Nevis is one of the remaining unspoiled places on earth. From the top of the 3,232-foot Nevis Peak created by the only shield volcano in the Caribbean, to the depths of the clear waters offshore, there is a world of flora and fauna to be explored. ***** *Star* Deal: BritRail Guest Pass The BritRail Guest Pass is a great opportunity for your Britain-based friend or relative to experience the flexibility and convenience of a BritRail Pass, which is normally not available to residents of Britain! From March 1 2008, buy a qualifying adult First or Standard Class BritRail Pass for yourself and one for your Britain-based traveling companion before you leave your residence in North America and you both can be rewarded with a 25% discount. ***** *Star* Deal: Under 1k for a Week at the Beach -- in Micronesia
*Star* Deal: Ten "Bang for Your Buck"Ideas for an With millions of solo moms soon expecting a government tax rebate ranging from $600 to $1,200 and beyond, now is the time to plan a family vacation that puts the money to work. To stretch the dollars further, the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc. (Orlando CVB) recently introduced nearly 40 special values on accommodations and attractions at VisitOrlando.com. In addition, the Orlando CVB offers the following tips, to help families on a budget make the most of their vacation:
For more information about vacation experiences in Orlando, to order a complimentary vacation planning kit that includes a comprehensive Official Vacation Guide and Orlando Preferred Visitor Magicard™ or to purchase discount attraction tickets, visitors can log onto Orlando's official Web site at VisitOrlando.com or call an Official Travel Counselor at 1-800-551-0181 (United States and Canada) or 407-363-5872. While in Orlando, visitors may stop by the Official Visitor Center located at 8723 International Drive, at the southeast corner of International Drive and Austrian Row. The Official Visitor Center is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (closes at 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving, Dec. 24 and Dec. 31 and is closed Dec. 25). ***** *Star* Deal: The US Virgin Islands " Sizzling Summer Sampler" This summer is sure to sizzle when the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism invites travelers to experience everything that St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas have to offer – from sea trekking to golf – all while taking advantage of the cool savings offered with the new Encouraging longer visits with a complimentary fifth night and a $50-$100 resort credit, the package is also designed to entice guests to explore the sites, flavors and culture of America’s Caribbean with a $50 gift card, plus up to $200 in savings on a host of included experiential activities, tours and extras. “Whether they are a first time visitor or planning a return trip, there is always so much more for visitor’s to discover in the U.S. Virgin Islands,” states Tourism Commissioner Beverly Nicholson-Doty. “Our duty-free shopping, award-winning beaches and endless options for outdoor adventure always allow our guests to experience something new and exciting during their stay. And with our Sizzling Summer Sampler package, guests can enjoy it all at a significant savings.” The Sizzling Summer Sampler is valid for bookings made between April 15 and October 31, 2008 for travel between May 1 and October 15, 2008 and is based on a five-night minimum stay. Participating hotels include: The Buccaneer Hotel, Carambola Beach Resort, Chenay Bay Resort, Club St. Croix, Colony Cove, Divi Carina Bay Resort, Hotel Caravelle, Palms at Pelican Cove and Sand Castle on the Beach in St. Croix. Also included are The Westin Resort on St. John, as well as the Best Western Emerald Beach, Bolongo Bay Beach Resort, Holiday Inn Windward Passage, Marriott Frenchman’s Reef, Pavilions & Pools, Point Pleasant Resort, Sapphire Beach Resort & Marina Sapphire Village, Secret Harbour Beach Resort and Wyndham Sugar Bay Beach Resort & Spa on St. Thomas. The Sizzling Summer Sampler applies to new bookings only. Reservations for this promotion can be made through a number of tour operators, including BookIt.com, Vacation Outlet, Vacation Express, Funjet Vacations, Spirit Vacations, United Vacations, Delta Vacations, Future Vacations, Continental Airlines Vacations, CheapCaribbean.com, Travelocity, TNT Vacations, LIBGO Travel, US Airways Vacations, Travel Impressions, Classic Vacations and Total Vacations. ***** *Star* Idea: Use Bristol Airport Instead of Heathrow Cut out ‘Heathrow hassle’ when visiting the UK: Bristol International Airport is located in the heart of the historic South West of England, within twelve miles of the historic city of Bath, and close to attractions such as Stonehenge and the Cotswolds. With daily flights from Newark with Continental Airlines, US tourists can bypass London’s rip-off prices and its infamously crowded airports, arriving directly in the heart of the real England. ***** *Star* Idea: Fly from Ft. Lauderdale to the Keys Try out the new direct, daily commercial flights from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport to both Florida Keys Marathon Airport and Key West International Airport. ***** *Star* Idea: Yellowstone Drive-To After making the drive to Yellowstone National Park, it is nice to let someone else get behind the wheel to provide not only transportation, but to share insider’s knowledge. Xanterra Parks & Resorts, operator of lodging, restaurants, gift shops and activities in Yellowstone, offers a variety of options for visitors who want a car-free Yellowstone experience. “People who learn about Yellowstone simply have a significantly better vacation experience,” said Rick Hoeninghausen, director of sales and marketing for Xanterra in Yellowstone. “Stopping at the visitor centers, attending ranger-led talks and participating in interpretive tours are all great ways to improve the vacation while not having to focus on driving. Yellowstone is really a ‘drive- to,’ not a ‘drive-through’ destination.” Last summer, Xanterra reintroduced eight White Motor Company model 706 touring vehicles to the park after an absence of more than 40 years. These 13-passenger touring cars with roll-back tops were refurbished and brought to today’s commercial, safety and emissions standards to allow the vehicles to be used for park tours. The “Historic Yellow Buses” are located in four of the park’s five villages where they are used for partial, all-day and evening tours. The original touring vehicles transported visitors in the park for more than 20 years starting in 1936 when the Yellowstone National Park Transportation Company purchased 27 of the Model 706's for the season. By 1940, 98 of the vehicles were being used throughout the park. In the 1950s, however, private vehicle usage increased tremendously and the vehicles were sold and disbursed across the country. Under the guidance of trained drivers/interpretive specialists, the tours cover a wide range of topics such as park history, wildlife and geology. Xanterra’s bus and van tours operate from mid-May until late September. These tours include “Lamar Valley Wildlife Expedition,” “Yellowstone in a Day,” “Circle of Fire” and “Picture Perfect Photo Safari.” For those who want to create their own touring experience, Xanterra offers custom tours that incorporate individual tour planning directly with the guest. Xanterra’s interpretive department will take the time to call the customer directly to discuss the focus, expectations and, subsequently, the specific itinerary of the tour. The guide and visitors can focus on topics such as history, wildlife, geology, thermal features, wildflowers, birds, photographic scenery or hiking. Once the visitors are in the park, the guides will pick up and return them to their lodging location. Both the custom and scheduled tours use a 12-passenger van, handicapped-accessible van, four-passenger vehicle or a 36-passenger bus. Custom tours are also available by boat on Yellowstone Lake. Xanterra and the Yellowstone Association Institute collaborate to offer a series of popular multi-day “Lodging & Learning” packages designed for visitors who want to explore the park by day and stay in comfortable hotels at night. These packages are focused on topics such as “Old Times on the Grand Tour” which offers visitors a chance to see Yellowstone from the perspective of the park’s early visitors, “Yellowstone For Families,” the hiking-oriented “Trails Through Yellowstone” and more. Most packages include breakfast and box lunches, expert instruction and, most important for those who do not want to drive, in-park transportation. For those interested in non-motorized transportation, Yellowstone’s Western Adventures feature horseback trail rides, stagecoach adventures and the Old West Dinner Cookout. Corrals for horseback rides are located at the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel, Canyon Lodge & Cabins and the Roosevelt Lodge & Cabins. The one-hour stagecoach rides from Roosevelt Lodge feature replicas of those used in the early days of Yellowstone National Park. The coaches are drawn by two horses through sagebrush flats to a point about two miles from Roosevelt Lodge. The western cookout is held daily from early June through the end of August. Participants go to the ride via horseback or covered wagon. General reservations for accommodations, tours and activities can be made by calling (1) 307-344-7311 or toll-free 866-GEYSERLAND (1-866-439-7375), or visiting the web site www.travelyellowstone.com. For Lodging & Learning packages, guests should call (1) 307-344-5516. ***** *Star* Idea: Black Tomato Custom Tours with a Hip Twist Black Tomato, the award-winning London-based travel company that specializes in creating exceptional travel experiences with a hip twist, has launched its U.S. website: www.blacktomatotravel.com. Based on the insight that "your time is precious, your time-off even more so,” Black Tomato creates tailor-made experiences that ensure that women travelers make the most of every minute away and bring back a suitcase full of bragging rights. Catering to hard-working, hard-playing and discerning affluents with a taste for the unique and exclusive, Black Tomato travels to the four corners of the world, and countless spots in between, to find rare and wonderful experiences for its growing clientele. [The name, Black Tomato (“blák to-máh-to”), is inspired by a beautiful and rare species of the ubiquitous fruit.] “Black Tomato sees travel as a lifestyle, not just a product,” said co-founder Tom Marchant in announcing the U.S. website. “It’s about getting under the skin of a destination and off the beaten path. Let’s face it: Black Tomato is not your parents’ travel agency. We will make sure each Black Tomato journey is one of the most memorable and fulfilling experiences one can have while traveling.” Black Tomato was founded on the conviction that travel is a mindset and not just about the destination. Key to Black Tomato’s DNA is that while the world may have been discovered, it has yet to be fully explored. The Black Tomato experience begins in the planning with a trip to the website. Chucking commodity-oriented and conventional travel lingo for a friendly, conversational tone, blacktomatotravel.com is designed to get customers engaged and excited about creating a custom travel itinerary. With interactive features that are practical and easy to use, Black Tomato makes the planning process fun, starting with the playful “Panic Button” for the “under planned” traveler. When activated, the “Panic Button” directs customers to last-minute vacation planning ideas and services that include a reassuring, knowledgeable voice at the other end of the line. For those stuck on where to go and in need of ideas, the “Departures Board” is a fun-to-use, yet highly practical, search function that generates travel suggestions based on the traveler’s desired pulse (activity level), perspiration (climate) and patience (travel distance). Putting the focus on what travelers want to do when they are away, Black Tomato’s website groups opportunities according to suggested potential (and “tweakable”) itineraries labeled “Escape Time,” “Action Time,” “Sports Time,” “Stylish Time,” “Intrepid Time,” “Inspiring Time,” “Hangout Time,” and “From Scratch” – the latter signifying the ultimate bespoke travel experience. Travelers can ask Black Tomato for advice on whether a trip is right for them by clicking on “Convince Me”. Incorporated into every Black Tomato trip are “Essential Extras” that include hand-picked music and reading selections based on the traveler’s preferences and delivered prior to departure. Back-to-reality pampering, meant to avoid the real world for a few more hours, includes either a complimentary pair of AMC Movie Theatre tickets or a month's free membership to Netflix with a predetermined DVD of choice awaiting their return. To catch-up on current events while guests are away, the latest issue of TIME Magazine awaits their arrival. Thanks to a talented, well-connected team of travel experts and a website rich in content and creativity, Black Tomato has quickly risen to the forefront of the U.K.’s bespoke travel industry. It has won many accolades and widespread recognition including Condé Nast Traveller UK Hotlist’s “One’s to Watch,” Gentleman’s Quarterly UK “100 Best Things in the World,” “Part of Travel’s New World Order,” The Sunday Times and the prestigious Observer and Guardian best travel website of the UK for the last two years running. Vanity Fair has branded them “The guys who have zipped travel agents into the contemporary and are supremely professional in everything they do.” ABOUT BLACK TOMATO Award-winning and innovative, Black Tomato was founded in a London flat by three 26-year-old guys who ditched the corporate fast track to spend their days pursuing their passion for travel and sharing it with their peers. It has quickly risen to the forefront of the U.K. bespoke travel industry, thanks to a talented, well-connected team of travel experts and a website rich in content and creativity. In 2008, the company officially “crossed the pond,” launching a website for U.S. customers and laying plans for a New York sales office by the end of the year. www.blacktomatotravel.com 1.877.815.1497 ***** *Star* Idea: Reunited and it Feels So Good ... in the Canadian Rockies Canadian Rocky Mountain Resorts is making it easier for solo women to stay connected. Through the development of a new program aimed at attracting those seeking to reunite with family, friends and clubs, the family-owned company hopes to bring people together in an age of email, voicemail, and video games. ***** *Star* Idea: "Itineready" New York This is a fresh approach to travel planning. They put together customized itineraries which are created to meet your specific wishes and contain only the things you want to do. Packed full of the most up-to-date information, you'll be ready to explore the city with ease. Info: www.itineready.com or gdobson@itineready.com ***** *Star* Idea: Forecasting Aurora Made EasierFrom 24-hour predictions to by-the-hour precision, those at the University of Alaska Fairbanks' Geophysical Institute know when to look in the sky for one of the most requested sights in Alaska. The aurora borealis, or Northern Lights, may be a phenomenon, but researchers at this Alaska university can now forecast aurora activity by the hour - they are making the forecasts easily accessible to the general public on a new Web site, www.gedds.alaska.edu/AuroraForecast. For those planning a trip to Alaska, the site also offers a 28-day forecast allowing visitors to narrow dates for the best likelihood of catching the dancing sky, but please keep in mind that when activity may be high, variables such as cloud coverage and city lights may also effect the views. Once in Alaska, inquire as to whether your lodging provides an aurora wake-up call; you'll be surprised that many do. For more information on the aurora borealis or for accurate forecasts, visit www.gedds.alaska.edu/AuroraForecast. _____
NORTHERN EUROPE: A UNIQUE CRUISE DESTINATION
 From the coastal villages and majestic fjords of Norway to the splendor of St. Petersburg, from the Land of the Midnight Sun above the Arctic Circle to the former Soviet capitals of the Baltic Sea, few regions of the world offer such variety of landscapes, beauty and cultural significance as northern Europe. In fact, in a part of the world where natural environments, history and culture have been shaped by the sea, there may be no better or easier way to savor it. And, thanks to inclusive pricing and current foreign exchange rates, passengers who have paid in advance in dollars are enjoying much appreciated extra value on their northern Europe cruise this summer and fall.
CLIA member lines offer northern European cruises of three days to two or three weeks in length, from embarkation ports in the United Kingdom, Scandinavia and Europe. Destinations include Ireland and Scotland; the beautiful cities of Scandinavia, including Copenhagen, Oslo and Stockholm; Finland, Russia and other capitals of the Baltic; Germany and Poland. There are longer voyages that encompass Scandinavia and Russia and shorter ones with a more narrow focus - the North Cape and the Arctic Circle, the coast of Norway or the British Isles. And, many transatlantic crossings in the fall of 2008 will feature ports in northern Europe as well as exotic destinations such as Iceland and Greenland. Adding to the appeal are some of the newest cruise ships in the CLIA fleet as well as some of the most luxurious. In all, travelers will have more to choose from - in size and number of ships and itineraries - than ever before. Here are some examples of northern Europe cruises offered by CLIA lines: AZAMARA CRUISES Azamara offers 12-, 14- and 16-night itineraries that feature northern Europe. One, between Barcelona and Copenhagen, combines Spain, Portugal, France, the UK, Holland and Germany with Denmark. There is a "Norwegian Fjords" cruise and a Scandinavia/Russia itinerary, both roundtrip from Copenhagen, as well as a "British Isles" voyage that features Scotland and Denmark. CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES
This year marks Carnival's inaugural season in northern Europe. The new Carnival Splendor will offer a 12-day itinerary beginning July 13 from Dover, England that features Copenhagen, Warnemunde (for Berlin), Helsinki, St. Petersburg (for a two-day visit), Tallinn and Amsterdam. The cruise will be offered on five sailings through August 30, offering passengers an opportunity to experience some of Europe's most famous cultural treasures. CELEBRITY CRUISES
Celebrity will have two ships in northern Europe this year - Celebrity Century and Celebrity Constellation. Five- to 14-night itineraries feature Scandinavia, Scotland and Ireland, Russia, the Arctic Circle and North Cape, and the Norwegian Fjords. Ports of embarkation include Amsterdam, Harwich, Copenhagen, and Stockholm. Among the new ports for Celebrity this year will be Harwich, Cherbourg and Brest. COSTA CRUISES
This year Costa will have three ships in northern Europe - Costa Mediterranea, Costa Atlantica and Costa Victoria. Offering seven-night trips, the itineraries will feature various combinations of ports in Scandinavia, Iceland, Netherlands, Germany, France, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia and Spitsbergen, an archipelago of islands in the Arctic Circle. All three ships feature a large percentage of verandah accommodations for ideal viewing of scenery. CRYSTAL CRUISES
Crystal Cruises this year will offer one seven-day and five 11-day Baltic cruises with extended stays in St. Petersburg, Russia, as well as one North Cape voyage and a British Isles itinerary. In addition to the excitement of the ports themselves, Crystal Symphony's northern European cruises will offer a choice of other features, including top classical music artists, a Tall Ships event, and golfing at top-ranked courses, even VIP access to the famed British Open golf championship. CUNARD LINE
Cunard returns to the Baltic with the new Queen Victoria and a variety of itineraries in Russia and the Norwegian Fjords. The 14-day Russian Rendezvous features Zeebrugge, Oslo, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki, Tallinn, Gdansk and two days in St. Petersburg. There is also a seven-day cruise of the Norwegian Fjords and a 12-day itinerary called Voyage of the Vikings roundtrip from Southampton featuring the North Cape and numerous ports in Norway. HOLLAND AMERICA LINE
Holland America's newest ship, ms Eurodam, will offer a series of 10-day roundtrip cruises from Copenhagen that feature Scandinavia and the Baltic, with the possibility of combining two trips for a 20-day northern Europe cruise that does not repeat a single port. In addition, the ms Prinsendam sails to the Polar Ice Cap as well as the Kiel Canal and journeys up the Thames to the heart of London. Ms Maasdam is featuring a 35-day Voyage of the Vikings cruise roundtrip from Boston. HURTIGRUTEN
Norway's 1,250-mile west coast between Bergen and Kirknes, above the Arctic Circle, is the setting for Hurtigruten's six themed voyages on its fleet of modern ships, which make 34 ports of call during the 12-day roundtrip sailing. Norwegian coastal voyages may also be taken on seven-day northbound and six-day southbound itineraries. The wide range of themes of onboard activities includes "Singles at Sea;" the culture and history of the Himalayas; "Springtime Awakening" to open mind, body and soul; classical music; big bands; Arctic birding; and, for the Red Hat Society, "Northern Lights and Fun-filled Nights." MSC CRUISES
This year, MSC Cruises will have three ships in northern European waters, offering a variety of cruise lengths and itineraries. MSC Opera and MSC Lirica offer seven-night Russia & The Baltic and Scandinavian Fjords voyages departing from either Kiel or Copenhagen. MSC Armonia offers 10-night cruises from Dover that feature the Netherlands, Germany, Russia, the Baltic or the Scandinavian Fjords as well as the North Cape, land of the midnight sun. NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE
In 2008, Norwegian Cruise Line will offer its largest ever deployment in Europe and, for the first time in the company's 41-year history, position a ship in the region year-round. Norwegian Jade and Norwegian Jewel, both complete with Freestyle 2.0 upgrades, will be sailing a variety of Northern Europe itineraries. These itineraries include Baltic Capitals and North Cape cruises with ports of call in Alesund, Kristiansund, Honningsvaag, Trondheim, Hellesylt, Geiranger, Bergen, Oslo and Stavanger, Norway; Amsterdam, Netherlands; Brussels/Brugge, Belgium; Copenhagen, Denmark; Berlin (Warnemuende), Germany; St. Petersburg, Russia; Helsinki, Finland; Tallinn, Estonia; and Stockholm, Sweden. OCEANIA CRUISES
Oceania's 2008 northern Europe season includes a 14-day itinerary between Stockholm and London that features Tallinn, two days in St. Petersburg, Helsinki, Gdansk, Copenhagen, Berlin, the Kiel Canal, Amsterdam and Bruges and an overnight visit in Stockholm. In 2009, the company will offer a new "Scenic Splendors and Gilded Palaces" voyage between Rome and Stockholm as well as a new "Vikings, Castles and Kings" itinerary highlighting the British Isles and Ireland. PRINCESS CRUISES
Crown Princess makes her European debut this year with cruises of Scandinavia and Russia, offering two itinerary options - a visit to Oslo or Berlin combined with two full days in St. Petersburg and all the delights of Scandinavia. Grand Princess offers cruises of the Norwegian fjords, Iceland and the British Isles, while Royal Princess will offer three all-new itineraries, including a sailing to the best of classical Europe between Stockholm and Rome. REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES
Regent Seven Seas will offer 10 cruises in northern Europe this year featuring Scandinavia, Russia and the Baltic. All are offered on the 700-guest Seven Seas Voyager, the only all-suite, all-balcony ship in the region. Trips include seven-night sailings between Stockholm and Copenhagen; 10-night sailings from Copenhagen to Southampton; a 10-night cruise from Reykjavik to Southampton; 11-night roundtrips from Stockholm and two 14-night itineraries. New ports of call include Sochi, Russia; Bristol, England; and Ny Alesund, Norway. ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL
This year will mark Royal Caribbean's largest deployment in Europe, with seven ships visiting all parts of the continent. Jewel of the Seas will sail from Harwich, England on 11- to 13-night voyages to Norway and its famous fjords, the British Isles, Scandinavia, Russia and the cities of the Baltic. Jewel also will sail on a series of three- and four-night North Sea cruises departing from or between such ports as Amsterdam, Oslo, Hamburg and Harwich. Each voyage will feature one popular northern European city, including Copenhagen and Brussels. SEABOURN CRUISE LINE
The intimate Seabourn Pride sails 12 nights round trip from Copenhagen into the heart of St. Petersburg, then lingers for three full days. Tallin, Helsinki, Berlin, an overnight in Stockholm, and the charming Danish Isle of Bornholm round out this summer yachting classic. Copenhagen likewise is the pivot for nine-day yachting cruises of Norway's fjords. Cities like Bergen, Oslo and Aalesund are interspersed with scenic splendors such as Ulvik, Eidfjord, Gudvangen and Flaam. The Sail & Stay option adds two nights ashore in Copenhagen. SILVERSEA CRUISES
This summer, Silversea's Silver Cloud and Silver Wind as well as the company's new expedition ship, Prince Albert II, will feature 24 different northern Europe itineraries of six to 18 days. Among the opportunities offered passengers will be sailing beneath London's Tower Bridge, docking directly in the heart of St. Petersburg, exploring Greenland's fjords and glaciers by Zodiac, a private tour of the Queen's Gallery at Buckingham Palace in London and "cosmonaut for a day" training at Russia's Yuri A. Gagarin Space Center. For more information about northern European cruising, visit http://www.cruising.org/.
by Lea Lane Some people are adept at quantum physics. I know hotels. I've seen more hotel rooms than a New York City call girl on speed-dial. For years I've poked around lodgings throughout the world for consumer guidebooks, and one thing I've learned is that you never know what you'll find. Checking out a hotel room in St. Thomas, I walked in on a guy sitting at a desk, naked. He invited me to stay but I declined. In Bermuda, I opened the door and found a couple asleep in bed. I don't know who of the three of us was most surprised. That said, quirky isn't my thing all the time and it likely isn't yours. Sometimes I seek a cozy B&B that replicates some of the comforts of home; sometimes, a cookie-cutter chain room with space to arrange familiar clutter. In the end, think carefully about how prominently you want your lodging to figure into your solo experience. Here are a few things you might want to keep in mind. Before You Book Your needs and desires may change, sometimes day to day within a destination. If you're spending lots of time in the room, or you're on business where you'll be working with and hosting others, a large space with a plasma TV may work best. If you're in the Canadian Rockies, or near Lake Geneva, or the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, a room with a view might matter more than one with Internet hookup. When the weather's great, a balcony is wonderful. If you're hardly in your room, you may prefer to save money for other things. Budget How much can you afford to spend on accommodations? Obviously money goes further in Podunk than Paris, but even in most big cities you can work within that range, if you're careful. Think creatively about how you budget. If you allocate $100 a night, you don't have to spend that every night: Think about spending $50 for three nights at an inexpensive lodging, then, when it's worth it to you, splurge on a deluxe room with a balcony. Location Think about where you want to spend most of your time, especially after dark, and consider choosing a hotel nearby. Finding transportation door to door after that grand dinner or concert can be dicey. Walking alone at night is rarely advisable, and you don't want to be wasting time commuting or waiting for transport when a closer lodging will allow a quick walk or ride, and more time for fun. When You Book Book far in advance, especially if you'll be near a destination during holiday and festival times. Do you really want to retreat to the 'burbs after the Toronto film festival? Once, after disembarking from a ferry on the small Greek island of Limnos, I soon realized that I had arrived a week before the hotel opened -- and the few alternative lodgings were filled. I didn't panic. I called several hotels, just in case, told them my plight, and one volunteered to let me stay, even though it was in the midst of a deep cleaning, and not officially open. The manager gave me some linens, I chose a room with a dazzling view of the sea, and I had the entire place to myself. I went into the kitchen and found a spoon and bowl and had some yogurt and honey for breakfast, sitting in the enormous dining room by myself. It was a memorable solo experience -- and the closest I've come to spending a night on a bench. Lesson: never give up. Strive for best rates. Avoid paying the rack rate -- listed on price sheets -- the rate a place would hope for, but savvy solo travelers can almost always beat. Deal with hotels individually rather than through their toll-free number, as front desks have lots of latitude when it comes to negotiating; the higher the room price, the more the potential discount. Check the pet policy. If you're traveling with Fido, ensure that the lodging allows pets. Likewise, if you have no desire to mingle with animals, ask about the pet policy. A Few Words About Safety Safety first. Select a hotel with room-entry only through a main lobby, rather than separate entrances for each room (Marriott Courtyards, Hampton Inns, and Days Inn are among lodgings designed with security in mind). Avoid ground-level rooms. Even if they're only accessible through the lobby, their windows expose you more readily to thieves. Ask for a room in a well-lighted area. Book rooms with smoke alarms and fire escapes; if not, be extra vigilant: Don't accept a room at the end of a long, isolated hall with no exit. Choose rooms below the fifth floor for access to fire ladders. Don't let the desk blab your room number. If the hotel staff announces your room, ask for another and explain why. Alert them that you're concerned about security and that you need them to respect that. Have the bellhop accompany you to and from your room if you feel more comfortable. Avoid stairs. Stairwells may offer exercise, but are an ideal spot for crime. Elevators are generally safer, but don't board one if you're not wild about your car mates, and if you want to back out gracefully, pretend you forgot your key. Have it ready in the elevator so you don't have to fumble at your door. And if someone follows you out and tries to attack, knock on doors and scream for help. Don't advertise your whereabouts. Don't put the tag on the door that asks for maid service, but do use the "Do Not Disturb" sign and keep the TV on when you're out. Reject all pop-ins. Don't let a hotel staffer or anyone else in your room unless you're expecting someone; otherwise, call the front desk and ask the person to wait outside for clearance. Lock it all. Lock all doors, and windows, even when you're in the room. Lock valuables in a safe. Lock your luggage. If you're issued a spare room key or key card, don't leave it in your room for someone to take. Also consider bringing your own personal alarm, such as a motion sensor that hangs on the inside doorknob and will go off if the outer knob is turned. Be your own fire warden. Know where the exits are. In case of fire, stay low and cover cracks in doors and windows with wet towels; wait in your room for help if the door is hot, or break a window if needed, and use that fire escape. Know where your key is, and take it with you in case of emergency. And, on a lighter note, if you're really safety conscious, sleep in something you can run out in. (PJs with attached feet won't do.) Where to Stay Following are typical lodgings and lodging arrangements you encounter as a solo traveler. Resorts for Singles & Soloists: These informal, adults-only resorts have numerous activities and communal dining. Club Meds, among other single resorts, allow you to sidestep the single supplement if you take on a same-gender roommate. Concierge Floors in Major Hotels: Concierge (or Business or Executive) floors are havens for solo travelers. Security is often heightened, with a floor concierge and special elevators. The exclusive lounge is a comfortable area for schmoozing, reading newspapers, or grazing (usually with complementary nibbles and/or drinks), and a free continental breakfast may jump-start your morning. Ask if these floors are available when you make reservations at hotels catering to business travelers. Rooms are slightly costlier, but the payback is worth it. Chains with these floors include Doubletree Executive Hotels, Holiday Inn Select, Hyatt, and Radisson. Solo-Friendly Chains: You know what you?re getting when you stay in a chain, and that can be comfortable indeed. Frequently offering good deals for soloists are Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Four Seasons Hotels, Italy's Jolly Hotels, and Sonesta Worldwide Properties. Among the better budget choices are Country Inns & Suites, Microtel Inns and Suites, and the small Park Inn chain. B&Bs: Bed-and-Breakfasts are right-on for solo travelers. Among the standard amenities are a private room (and often a private bath), full breakfasts at communal tables, drinks in the parlor, the opportunity to trade information and travel stories, a friendly house cat or dog, and pastry and coffee anytime. When researching my book on B&Bs and inns in New England, I stayed at hundreds of properties, and what made or broke them most times were the owners: sometimes in your face, sometimes not around, always different. You never know when you'll come upon a Basil Fawlty or some other similarly memorable character, and traveling solo, you'll often connect. Homestays: To feel really at home, stay in a home, the easiest way for solo travelers to meet and live with locals. Others may be sharing the house as well, usually with the family, and often there's a minimum stay, maybe a week or so. This alternative varies from deluxe to less private, less charming, and less regulated than a B&B experience -- and less expensive. You may have to share a room or a bath, but if you're willing to spend a bit more, you can often negotiate this. Kitchen privileges are usually included, you'll probably have a key to come and go as you please, and sometimes a private entrance. The family may even guide you around -- maybe for a fee. Obviously, homes and hygiene vary, so check on this aspect, and get referrals before committing. Some travel packages cover air costs and lodging, and could include a couple of meals a day. Time-Shares: If you want a comfortable apartment or condo, this is a great way for a solo traveler to make friends and revisit them. And even better, you can probably swap your timeshare for another, somewhere else in the world. These lodgings are kept in good order, with ample space and generic taste, as maintenance is controlled. Resources General Lodging Sites Connecting: Solo Travel News. Network on the Web, find B&Bs, hostels, resorts, and discount hotels. Caveat: the network accepts site listings as offered and makes no independent effort to review or verify claims. SoloTravelPortal.com. Get the skinny on single rooms. An accommodations page is updated frequently. Small Hotel Chains Red Carnation. Choose from nine luxury boutique hotels in England, South Africa, Switzerland, and the United States. 877/955-1515. Relais & Chateaux. Strictly administered, deluxe group of independently owned chateaux, country houses, manors, and quality restaurants worldwide that cater to solo travelers. 800/735-2478 or 212/856-0115. The Springs Resort and Spa and Andalusian Court. Spanish/Moorish-style boutique resorts with spas and fitness centers. 619/297-0009. This article is excerpted from Solo Traveler: Tales and Tips for Great Trips (Fodors) _____ by Lea Lane I recently set forth to traverse Vietnam from south to north with a traveling budget of almost unlimited resources. A dream trip for solo travelers or with others.. You can go for broke, or go for less. Either way, Vietnam is a great destination. Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) I arrived in Ho Chi Minh City (better yet, call it Saigon, as the locals do) after a flight on United Airlines, which flies directly from either Chicago or San Francisco via Hong Kong. The first thing I noticed upon hitting the ground: the city’s robust, almost frenetic energy. On a humid evening awash in neon, my taxi maneuvered through weaving motorbikes and three-wheel cycles before dropping me in center city at the newly refurbished Caravelle (011-84-88-234-999; caravellehotel.com). During the war, network bureaus headquartered here, and Vietcong rocket teams would sight their weapons on downtown Saigon by the neon Caravelle (sailing ship) atop — until authorities finally figured out to turn the damn thing off. Today, the ambience is decidedly more mellow, all sleek marble and quiet service. After having spent 20-some hours at 30,000 feet, I seized the chance to savor the panoramic overview of the city at the hotel’s Saigon Saigon Bar, the city’s premier hangout. A bracing shower and a deep sleep in my wood-trimmed suite later, I ventured into the neighborhood the next day for a glimpse of Saigon’s wartime history. Across the street, the refurbished Rex Hotel was once a military billet. The nearby Eden Building had housed journalists and spies; the coffee shop was the site of “Radio Catinat,” the political rumor mill and supposed target of the bicycle bomb in Graham Greene’s 1955 novel The Quiet American. And as I wandered into the Continental hotel, the setting for much of Greene’s novel, I felt the resonance of decades of violence. Still, my jet lag required additional pampering, which I received with a whirlpool in the spacious outdoor pool, and a deep-tissue massage at the gleaming spa. For dinner, I was treated to a bowl of steaming pho, the classic Vietnamese soup of ginger, basil, noodles and beef. Phan Thiet The transportation options in Vietnam are surprisingly robust: I could have flagged a taxi, hired a driver or helicoptered the hundred miles up the mountain-fringed coast to my next destination, Phan Thiet, Vietnam’s choicest sun-and-fun area. I decided instead on a first-class train ticket, a chance to doze for three peaceful hours as villages sped by. Upon arrival, I was chauffeured from the station to the secluded tropical gardens, emerald lawns and pavilions of Ocean Dunes Golf Club (011-84-62-822-393; vietnamgolfresorts.com). A full-service resort, Ocean Dunes offers sprawling suites that overlook a private beach and come with wireless Internet access. Golf magazine rates the ninth hole at the resort’s par-72 Nick Faldo bentgrass course one of the 500 best in the world. Throughout all 18 of the layout’s offerings, windswept dunes determine the natural contours — affording the feel of a Scottish seaside course, but one bordered in bougainvillea. One starry night, I was driven in a golf cart to a tiny ancient temple right off a green, where I dined by torchlight on delicate fish in a basil-infused broth with a side splash of nuoc mam, the pungent local fish sauce that tastes better than it smells. Young dancers entertained me as if I were a Vietnamese empress. You can’t experience that at Pebble Beach. As an alternative to Ocean Dunes, the city will soon also boast the Princess d’Annam Resort & Spa (011-84-62-682-222; princessannam.com) — which, upon opening this summer, promises to be the highest-end lodging in Phan Thiet. An all-villa luxury boutique resort, it provides a fusion of contemporary and traditional aesthetics, and prides itself on indulging any whim that its guests could wish for, such as . . . Da Lat . . . this one: For my 75-mile trip north to the cooler highlands of Da Lat, the Princess d’Annam arranged a motorcycle-sidecar caravan — a dashingly retro (if slightly reckless) ride. My motorcycle driver careened along the dramatic, winding roads, while villagers waved us on as if we were competitors in the Vietnam Grand Prix. To calm my nerves and soothe my soul, Princess d’Annam also arranged, halfway through the trip, a luxury lunch stop by a waterfall. There I relaxed with a full massage from one of the resort’s expert masseuses, followed by a seven-course classic French pique-nique with formal service and paired wines, crafted by the spa’s resident chef. Wind-whipped but refreshed, I arrived at Da Lat — which reminded me at first glance of an old-world European beauty spot, something like an Asian Baden-Baden. Created as a French colonial hill town early in the last century, its grand villas, hundreds in Art Deco style, face the wide boulevards. One piece of the past: the sublime course at Dalat Palace Golf Club (011-84-63-821-201; vietnamgolfresorts.com), which Golf Digest rates the best in Vietnam — and one of the finest in all of Asia. Bao Dai, the last emperor (and then the country’s most prominent hacker), spurred its construction in the 1920s. The classic layout meanders around a series of lakes, affording panoramic views from its undulating greens. If it’s pursuits of a more adventurous kind you crave, canyoning, rock climbing and kayaking are mere minutes away. But after 18 holes, I opted instead for super-soft adventure — a nap — at my hilltop hotel, the Sofitel Dalat Palace (011-84-63-825-444; sofitel.com). The guest room featured a canopied bed, working fireplace and spacious balcony overlooking a lake. At dinner on the terrace, I tried a chef’s specialty: stuffed baby squash and pumpkin flower, with crab nectar plated in a confetti of edible flora — not the heartiest meal of my life, but definitely among the finest. Ha Long Bay After a brief stay in Hanoi at the famed colonial-era Sofitel Metropole Hanoi (011-84-4-826-6919; sofitel.com)), then a bottle of Margaux and a medium-rare prime T-bone at the Western-style Press Club (011-84-49-340-888; hanoi-pressclub.com), I headed 100 or so miles east, a three-hour drive past rice fields and villages in a chauffeured Mercedes, to the destination I most wanted to experience: Ha Long Bay. (I could have opted for a helicopter flight, but catching a chopper in ’Nam seemed a bit too evocative.) There, my overnight accommodation was the Emeraude (011-84-49-340-888; emeraude-cruises.com), a floating replica of a three-level 1910s paddle steamer evoking the grandeur of colonial-era Vietnam. Book any of Emeraude’s private cabins, then cruise among Ha Long Bay’s hundreds of odd-shaped limestone islands. Me? I booked the brass-and-wood bow suite with the captain’s view. From my oversized bed, I gazed at endless craggy islands rising through the mist while my feet and neck were expertly massaged and my buzzy mango concoction readily refilled by smiling attendants. Hoi An One of the few villages in Vietnam to have escaped destruction from any of its recent wars, Hoi An is now a World Heritage Site that exudes charm from every covered bridge, pagoda and antiquity-filled museum. All that — and sublime accommodations. As a bonus, Hoi An is known most for exceptional handmade silk and wool clothing. Scores of stores advertise one-day tailoring. The city’s finest is Thu Thuy (011-84-05-108-61699), where beautiful shopgirls take your measurements with a smile, offer tea and ship the clothing to you if time is short. Life Heritage Resort Hoi An (011-84-51-091-4555; life-resorts.com), a tranquil haven on the Thu Bon river, offers a full-service spa and bilevel rooms. But the area’s — perhaps the country’s — finest respite is to be found a bit north, on a one-kilometer stretch of pristine China Beach, at The Nam Hai (011-84-49-286-630; thenamhai.com). With 60 split-level guesthouses and 40 grand pool villas — each boasting landscaped gardens and views of the South China Sea and Cham Islands — Nam Hai delivers a multitude of amenities: from flat-screen TVs to espresso machines to private, temperature-controlled pools. Indeed, Nam Hai serves, in a way, as the final confirmation of what can happen with intoxicating traditions and gracious people. And a dream budget! _____ From Antarctica to the Arctic, the Caribbean to Canada, Mexico to the Their size enables a small group of travelers, especially wonderful when you're traveling solo, to go where no other cruise ships go - to the inland capitals of Europe and Asia, tiny islands in the tropics, undiscovered ports in the Middle East, remote coves and bays in Alaska, America's Intra-Coastal Waterway and much more. The combination of out-of-the-way destinations and relatively small amount of passengers means that the lucky few onboard experience the world as though it was theirs alone to discover. They enable guests to socialize easily and share experiences with new-found friends who share their interests and tastes. They provide a true and very satisfying sense of having a home away from home, feeling cared for by staff the guests come to know and enjoy. And, small ships virtually eliminate the hassles of travel. Getting on and off the vessel is effortless, with docking in the very center of the action of each destination or port, and sightseeing is _____ Multitasking. Solo travelers need to multitask to save time, which can be more important that money. People would rather carry their own luggage to their rooms than wait for the bellman — although that practice also saves money in tips. Providing faster baggage collection after a flight lands would be a service most of us would pay for. People talk with their thumbs. Hotel guests might prefer to text-message their room service orders; it would also solve language barriers and order errors. We like the touch-screen menus that let you order; they’re in place at Heathrow’s otel pod hotel and on Virgin America’s Red inflight system, to mention a few. Thrill-seeking. This is “generation X-tasy,” and travelers today are jaded and always looking for fantasy experiences they don’t get at home. Normal is no longer good enough. Certainly the elaborate hotels in Las Vegas have been tapping into this trend, transporting guests to recreated ancient Rome or faux Venice; but even relatively mundane perks ─ fabulous tropical showers, supersized HDTV, and really expensive, supercomfy beds ─ help transport guests to dreamland. Voyeurism. Or, “voyeurgasm,” the flip side of the previous item: People are involved with reality TV programs and YouTube and they like seeing behind-the-scenes “real life.” Open kitchens where you can watch the chefs at work cater to this trend. We also like the "magic elves” who make our beds and leave us chocolates when we’re not looking. Looking for the fountain of youth. Solo women are looking to renew and reinvent themselves, citing the spa explosion. Spa-type amenities are a good start when a whole spa isn’t available. Very true; we’ll even pay $10 for tea if you claim it has anti-aging benefits. Digitality. Technology and gadgets are part of almost every traveler’s lifestyle today; travel suppliers need to make it as easy as possible for people to use them — and can’t assume that leisure travelers will leave their BlackBerries and laptops home. Plenty of hotels now offer iPod docking stations; we’d like free wireless, too. _____ Provence: Surprising, Southern France Being beautiful is important, but is no longer enough. In today’s world, where we are spoiled for—and by—choice, a holiday destination must provide more than beauty to stand out from the crowd. And Provence does. It’s true that Provence has spectacular scenery, a long, rich history, vibrant culture, nearly perfect climate, wonderful food and easy-drinking wines. But what makes it unique is the gift it has for taking you by surprise, by offering you those one-of-a-kind moments that stay in your memory and make living such a wondrous adventure. Provence surprises you in all kinds of ways. Only in Provence can you drive peacefully along a back road even in the height of summer. And only in Provence can you take a hiking trail and encounter just the faint whisper of the wind in the trees. The quality of the light, particularly in winter, will astound you, too. It is at its most brilliant after the fierce Mistral wind, amazing in its own right, has swept down the Rhône Valley, making temperatures plummet and blowing every cloud out to sea. The light takes on a cut-glass clarity that you find nowhere else and that has made Provence a painter’s paradise. Provence will surprise you, as well, with the warmth of its people, who are more than willing to spend time sharing their passions. Only in Provence can the simple act of buying a melon at the market turn into one of life’s special moments. Chances are the stall keeper will show you how to choose a perfectly ripe one, tell you how this year’s harvest compares to previous ones and finally send you away with several suggestions on how to serve it. Provence is also a dynamic, forward-moving region that shows a special talent for marrying the past with the present, bringing out the best in both. The originality of Provence lies in its contrasts: quaint and cutting-edge, ecological and high-tech, it is never completely predictable and always more than you expect. Provence has no end of surprises in store. If you want to get back to unspoiled nature: < |
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