Economy Class: Making Decisions
— -- In an election year (in any year) the choices you consider before you make travel purchase decisions can set the stage for great getaways or doom you to ho-hum trips. You can’t make the right choices unless you know about the options.
Gambling in London or Las Vegas
In America, we like to recreate everything. The latest is London. Not content with buying their bridge, we have replicated its gaming aspects (more or less) in — where else? — Las Vegas.
The London Club at the just-opened Aladdin is North America’s first European-style gaming salon. The owners talked the Nevada Gaming Control Board to approve the issuance of the ultimate “poker chip” — a $10 million “plaque,” the largest denomination gaming token ever issued in Nevada and, it’s believed, in the world. If you think that’s excessive, consider that France (with a 10 million French franc chip) has had at least one gambler sitting with eight of the chips stacked in front of him.
Don’t worry, the usual stakes are standard Las Vegas — even though the new gaming locale also offers “plaques” of $5 million, $1 million, $500,000 and $100,000. Nothing succeeds like excess — or so the Aladdin hopes.
To Go to Sydney or Stay Home
The Sydney Olympics may be too far away to make North Americans jump through the five rings it takes to get there. Bargain hunters may want to consider making the effort. As the event nears, some prices dare falling. Tickets for many of the prime events are still offered. You can check availability (and find airfare and accommodation updates) at the Sydney Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games Web site.
Accommodations are available through sources including the country’s official Olympics travel source, Traveland. The best rooms are almost completely gone, but you won’t need a five-star room to enjoy your stay. Look outside of the city center and you can still find nice rooms with breakfast for $100-150 per night.
Take Fido or Suffer the Guilt
If your vacation involves air travel, please consider leaving Fido at home (with a trusted pet care person) or in a good kennel. Think of the kind of abuse humans have been getting from the airlines. Imagine what “cargo” must be like when Coach is so unnerving.
If you’re driving, arm yourself with up-to-date information on pet-friendly accommodations and attractions and plan to actually spend some destination time with your furry friend. Most pets would as soon wait for you at home as at a Radisson.
Don’t pay dearly for a big “travel with pets” book. Use up-to-date online sources (search under “vacations with pets”) or pick up a copy of the inexpensive AAA Petbook (Traveling With Your Pet). It has the usual information, plus listings for animal clinics that offer emergency veterinary care.
The book is $6.95 for AAA members for $6.95 who purchase it at local offices; $13.95 at book stores (distributed through Simon and Schuster).
Stay at a Hotel or an Estate
Let’s say the cost to stay at the estate is the same—maybe even less — than hotel rates. That’s the case at Chateau Manzanillo in Mexico. The only catch is that you have to rent in weekly increments.
Spend $100 (for a one-bedroom apartment) to $800 (for the entire estate), per night. You’ll be staying in a 10,000-square-foot retreat overlooking the Pacific’s Bay of Santiago. Amenities include a commercial kitchen, complete purified water throughout the house, full air conditioning, five bedrooms (four with private baths), cable TV, Stereo, VCR and telephone. The rate also includes a full staff and a masseuse on call (for added cost). You can relax in a “grand room” with a 22-foot ceiling and swim in the indoor/outdoor pool (accessible from the living room, which is of course, next to the billiards room). Call 435-680-3541 (you’ll probably have to leave a message), or e-mail johnma@prontomail.com. A 50 percent, non-refundable deposit is required, and you have to pay a 15 percent sales tax. The full amount must be paid 60 days prior to your arrival and cancellation penalties are steep.
National Parks in Peak or Off-Peak
Head for Yosemite this autumn and you’ll save money and miss summer crowds so thick that your best view of “nature” is on a postcard rack. Save the most for mid-week (Sunday through Thursday) stays.
Curry Village deals (available August 27 through October 31) cover cabins with canvas exterior walls and ceilings, wood floors, electric lights, screened windows and shared restroom/showers. Nightly rates start at $64. A two-night Fall Hiking Package at $99 includes two nights, fanny packs, trail mix and bottled water. Get the same extras, plus all-day bicycle rental for two, for $119 for two nights.
The Wawona Hotel dates back to 1856 and offers verandas, tennis courts and a nine-hole golf course. The Midweek October Package (actually available from September 4 through October 26) provides two nights in a room with shared bath for $168 and includes a house credit of $25. The $150 Autumn Special (October 29 through November 21) covers two nights in a room with private bath.
Immediate Gratification or Delayed
The year-end holiday season is just three months away. Save some vacation time to enjoy a seasonal getaway, and you won’t have long to wait. The trick is to tempt yourself (and summon your patience) by finding something worth waiting for.
How about a Rocky Mountaineer Railtour through the Canadian Rockies? You won’t have to trim a tree this year with a million or so outside your window.
Land packages range from two to 10 days, each including a two-day, all-daylight rail trip. Choices include a nine-day Christmas In Victoria, departing December 21 (adult rates from $1,089 and a child rate at $519); a six-day Ski Banff departing December 19 and 26 (adults from $789 and $299 for children); and a five-day Wildlife In Winter, departing December 19, 20, 26 and 27 (from $639 for adults and $269 for children). If you need a break from holidays with relatives, opt for the latter package and enjoy the company of wolves, weasels, owls and lynx.
Tom Parsons is editor of Best Fares Magazine.