Solo Travel: Features/Tips Archives

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Whether for business or leisure, off-season travel can be right-on for solo travelers if you’re looking for better service, local festivities and great deals. And popular sites probably won’t be overrun with tourists, so you can get to know a place as locals do.

Yes, downsides include bad weather, some closings, and such, so you’ll have to work it out. But in travel, as all things, the greater the risk, the greater the reward. To minimize that risk, some suggestions:

Read up. Check out rainy seasons, average temps and such. You may not find them as daunting as you imagine, especially if you’re prepared with gear, layers, and a list of indoor activities. (Rainy season often means rainy afternoons. Plan accordingly.

Be flexible. If your schedule allows you to pick and choose, take advantage and be willing to do the off-beat, off-time. Remember that seasons are opposite in the southern hemisphere, so you can ski in July in Argentina and warm up in Sydney in February. Know your destination, think creatively, and make the most of it.

Take advantage of opportunities. Check out off-season deals. Reserve a larger room, knowing you’re getting the biggest bang for the buck. Upgrade, because there’s room to and besides, you’ll be saving on fares, or be able to spend those hard-to- use frequent flyer miles. You can dine at the best restaurants –at tables you’d have to reserve months in advance, if indeed you could get a table in high season. You’ll be pampered by staffs that aren’t frazzled. You can get tickets to the most popular shows, last-minute.

Stay comfy. I was conducting writing workshops for an oil corporation in Houston, in August. The temperature hovered around a humid 102 and I was frustrated, stuck in my hotel. After maybe the fifth pay-per-view movie and sixth dip in the pool, I decided to venture out --but only in the early morning and evening --for walks. I dined at fine restaurants near my hotel, and stayed cool as a Margarita. The trip wound up win-win, because I made it so and didn’t push my limits.

Hang where locals do, and do what they do. Take a siesta in the heat of the tropics. Buthe fleece vest you see others wearing; it probably fits the local climate. Walk indoor paths in winter and stroll the shady sides of streets in the heat, or take an evening jaunt just like the locals. And enjoy festivities, customs and natural wonders that you otherwise might overlook in-season when crowds are daunting.

Most national parks experience a significant drop in visitors fall and winter. This “Quiet Season” is special for serenity amid natural grandeur. (At Yosemite for example, visitor numbers drop to about 200,000 in November, from 500,000 in August. The Grand Canyon gets roughly 170,000 visitors in January, compared with up to 600,000 in July.)

Off-season you can actually enjoy vistas without having to hear groups chit chat about real estate and stock prices, and you may even see animal critters which get scared off by crowds. Book a room at the finest lodges, often reserved years ahead, in-season. I’ve been to the Grand Canyon three times, and then best time for me was in January when I felt the awesome solitude.

In the Netherlands in winter, the wind can be raw across the Zeider Zee. But hey, this is the land of Han Brinker, and if you or your kids ever dreamed of ice skating, grab a wool scarf and mittens, and go. Most small towns offer picturesque outdoor rinks, where you can rent skates, and end your experience with Dutch hot chocolate. You’ll feel a part of a scene that’s as classic as it comes. Indoors, some of the world’s greatest museums feature local boys Rembrandt, Vermeer and Van Gogh. And you can get into the Ann Frank museum in Amsterdam without standing in line.

Italy, like most European countries, can seem like a tourist park in the summer, with guides leading tee-shirted throngs in a cacophony of languages. But off season, you can enjoy this glorious country with the Italians; you don’t have to wait for hours to see the Sistine Chapel or Uffizi gallery. Pasta and wine taste even better in the cool. You can stroll the gorgeous paths of Cinque Terre without getting jostled, and in most of the country the weather is fine for walking: mistily, cozily, emptily romantic.

Barbados Jazz Festival: This grand festival takes place January 14 to 20, 2008. Jazz performed by talented artists and bands. This year's attraction includes Erykah Badu and Bob James.

Carnival: The annual Carnival of Rio de Janeiro is a four-day extravaganza, from February 2 to 5, and includes the usual flaunting of glamour and beauty. Location is the Praça General Osório, a minute's walk from Ipanema Beach.

Buenos Aires Tango Festival: The celebration involves some of the best tango dancers in the world. February 22 to March 3..

Las Fallas: This Spanish festival scheduled during March 15 to 19, in Valencia, includes puppets in the shape of celebrities and politicians, hung in almost 350 spots. The strangest activity includes setting a house on fire!.

Carnevale: The Venice Italy celebration takes place just before the Christian period of Lent. Masked balls, parades and fireworks accompany the jubilation. January 25 to February 5..

Sundance Film Festival: Movie-freaks and celebrities feel at home here. The tickets cost $10 each and movies are screened to the audience. January 17 to 27..

Mardi Gras: The New Orleans classic offers colorful parades and a range of gorgeous activities. The festival lightens up the city. January 19 to February 5, 2008.

Winterlude: In Ottawa Canada guests enjoy a range of amusements in the Snowflake Kingdom, the largest snow playground in the continent. The festival continues throughout three weekends, from February 1 to 17.

Polar Bear Jumpoff and Ugly Fish Toss: For the welfare of the American Cancer Society, the Polar Bear Jumpoff and Ugly Fish Toss is celebrated widely throughout Alaska. Activities include diving into 35-degree water, oyster slurping, dog-sled racing, and ice bowling. January 18 to 20..

Winter Music Conference: A great venue to enjoy the heat of Miami, the festival - a blend of music, fun and ultimate entertainment - is a hub for music lovers and professionals from across Florida. March 25 to 29.

Hit the (snowless) slopes! Obviously, if you're looking to hone your slalom skills, this isn't the best time of the year to visit ski resort towns. But if it's a great vacation deal (rates are usually about 25% less) you're looking for, the off season is the time to go. Despite the lack of perfect skiing conditions, there are still a number of ways to enjoy the great outdoors in these areas.

The ski resorts in Colorado, Utah, Stowe Mountain in Vermont, or Hunter Mountain in New York (just to name a few) are not only beautiful locations, but the areas offer something for everyone to enjoy,

You can soak up some cool mountain air as you take to the fabulous trails in these areas either on foot, on horseback, or on a mountain bike. Also, because these towns thrive on the money they receive from tourism, they work hard to keep bringing vacationers in by holding cultural arts and crafts festivals during the summer months that are fun for the whole family.

Make the most of the new school calendar loop hole. Over the past few years, many school districts, specifically those on the southern side of the Mason-Dixon line, have passed laws prohibiting schools from starting any earlier than the last week of August in order to lengthen the tourism season in these areas. This change has given many families three to four more weeks of vacation each year.

While the schools have extended their summer breaks, many vacation rental home published rates still mimic the older school calendar summer dates when kids went back to school in early August.

That means many property owners still reduce their published rates by 20-30 percent in August because they're still used to August being a slow rental month. These areas include locations such as North Carolina, most of Florida, Tennessee, and the beaches of Alabama, and desert locations in New Mexico, Nevada, and Utah.

Keep your eye on Florida. This state, which houses a number of choice vacation spots—Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, and Panama City just to name a few—is actually cheaper this time of the year. Tired of the humid temperatures, many Floridians head for cooler mountain locations during the late summer/fall. And to make a little extra money, they rent out their properties while they're gone. With just a little searching you can be enjoying a bargain vacation on South Beach in no time.

Some vacation homeowners will downsize their rental property for you. Everyone has seen those huge houses on or near the beach that have four or more bedrooms. These usually rent for a pretty penny during the peak of tourism season, but after the season slows down in August you can find great deals in these homes. To keep bringing in rental dollars some vacation homeowners will lock off some of the bedrooms and rent their home for a rate that is comparable to how many rooms are available. It's a great way to spend your vacation in a beautiful property, and rather than squeeze the family into a hotel room, you'll all have some room to roam.

Take advantage of the cheapest dates. Always take advantage of mid-week pricing. If vacation homeowners couldn't rent a property for the full week, they'll sometimes reduce rates to try and get some renters in to finish out a week. Or hold off on your vacation until the very end of August or early fall.

The absolute cheapest weeks to rent vacation homes are the last week of August, the second or third week of September, or the third or fourth week of October. These offer great opportunities for anyone who slipped up and forgot to plan their vacation or for anyone looking to treat themselves to a bonus vacation when the summer has officially come to an end.

It's the perfect time to vacation overseas. If you're not stuck in the midst of the current passport waiting game, and already have yours ready to go, right now and the next couple of months are great times to spend some time in Europe. There are great specials available in less-frequented locations such as Alicante, Spain; Lisbon, Portugal; and Vienna, Austria.

And you won't have to worry about outrageous air fares. Many airlines have already started reducing their rates. With just a little research and planning, you will go from having no vacation to spending yours sight-seeing in a unique European location.

Christine Karpinski is the author of How to Rent Vacation Properties by Owner.

The Western Azores: Islands Across the Atlantic

The archipelago of the Azores, the closest point in Europe to New England, is made up of nine islands. They offer sapphire blue and emerald green lakes, fertile prairies, volcanic cones and craters, colorful hydrangeas and azaleas, 15th century churches and majestic manor houses.On the beach at Faja de Baixo, you can imagine nothing but water between you and the eastern coast of the United States. Behind you, 40 waterfalls cascade down soaring cliffs.

Flores, and its tiny neighbor Corvo. make up the western group of Azorean islands – over 150 miles from the central group.

Flores western coast is a flat slice of land called a Fajã, running from the cliffs of the mountain plateau to sharp black rocks and beaches along the Atlantic. Tiny towns, with white-washed houses, flow to the sea, and a dozen of waterfalls splash from the cliffs behind them. In this mild climate, there are cedar forests, tidal pools, and trails to climb to the waterfalls; even ponds to swim in at the foot of waterfalls.

The central mountain plains are dotted with seven crater lakes, all easily accessed by foot or car, all at different heights. The landscape here is like an English moor, with hydrangeas that follow the roads that rise fall with the green landscape. Sheep, goats and cattle graze amid the dark crater lakes, and rabbits dash back and forth from the brush.

The southern coast is home to the former whaling town of Lajes Das Flores, where the black ramp leading up to former whaling factory is still the best way to the rocky beach. Old tripots and whaling implements are on display at the factory. Nearby restaurants serve the fresh catch of the day, and 19th century church crowns over the village.

Follow the ocean road north through cedar forest to the main town of Santa Cruz on the east coast. The small island of Corvo, shaped like a giant tear, floats 30 miles off the coast, its 300 inhabitants living in the island's only town, Vila Novo do Corvo. The wild and open place is accessed by a 10-minute flight, ferry, and by tagging along on a local fishing boat.

Pleasant, white, and riding high black sea cliffs, Santa Cruz offers most of the island's simple eateries --many run by fishermen and their families -- as well as a whaling museum (with lots of New England artifacts and bottles of whale oil), and numerous churches. The town offers a few basic hotels, and plenty of activity in its ports.

Follow the road north along steep sea cliffs to the northern town of Ponta Delgada, with its lighthouse and open coast. Trails stretch back miles to the south coast, perfect for hiking. There is no access for cars, and the landscape is green, wild, and natural. No village or sign of life can be found for miles, as the centuries-old footpaths lead through waterfalls, and striking sea views back to the westernmost coast in Europe.

Where to Stay

Most hotels are comfortable, affordable and near the sea. But two places stand out for authentic experience:

Aldeia da Cuada - Cuada was a tiny village whose residents emigrated for a better life decades ago. When Carlos and Teotonia Silva started to buy up the ruined houses, the place was overgrown, its ocean views no longer viable. Over two decades they bought and restored 15 of the towns' 17 houses (one is still in the hands of a family, the other is a chapel), and made them into simple one-and two-bedroom cottages. The Aldeia (or village in Portuguese) has the feel of an ancient town, with rough stone paths (no cars allowed) open fields, and stone houses -- all with kitchenette, and furnished in period antiques.

Prices are less than $100 per night and the town is connected by a new road, and ancient paths to the nearby towns Fajã Grande and Fajazinha. Views to the west are of the sea, and to the east of the waterfalls. Web: www.aldeiadacuada.com

Casa Paraiso- This old home has been restored as a bed and breakfast, overlooking the sea. The rooms are all dressed in antiques, and the house has amazing views. It is run by a former pilot, Jacinto Avelar. www casaparaiso.port5.com

Azores Express, a U.S.-based tour operator and member of the SATA Group, offers direct flights on wide body A310 aircraft to São Miguel, the main island in the Azores archipelago, with connections to Flores. Connecting flights from São Miguel are also offered to Lisbon and the island of Madeira. Azores Express has connected New England with the Azores and mainland Portugal for more than 20 years. The carrier is part of the SATA Group, which connects the Azores, an autonomous region of Portugal, with the world.
www.Azores-Express.com. For more info about the Azores Islands, visit Portugal's official tourist board site at www.visitportugal.com and www.drtacores.pt.

Here's a guide, especially helpful for solo travelers:

Lost Luggage

The travel Web site Airfarewatchdog.com provides links to each airline's contract here.) But there are so many exclusions to these rules that in the end, the airline can pretty much give you however much they want.

If an airline loses your bags permanently, for example, you are entitled to up to $2,500 in compensation for domestic flights. (For international flights, you can be compensated up to $9 per pound of luggage.) But most airlines refuse to cover jewelry and valuables, electronics, fragile items, prescription medication, or any business-related items, such as merchandise.

Even for items you can be reimbursed for, such as clothes, you need to provide receipts. And then depreciation kicks in, where each airline determines how much of the clothes' original price you'll get back,

That said, most airlines also have policies in place to reimburse passengers for necessities until they're reunited with their bags. .Delta Air Lines, for example, offers $25 a day for up to five days of mishandled bags. It's awfully hard to put together a vacation wardrobe on that. Other airlines, particularly European ones, can be more generous.

Stranded at the Airport

First, find out what caused the problem. If it's a carrier-caused delay, such as a mechanical problem, you have a much better chance of getting a reimbursement from the airline, such as meal or hotel vouchers or even a full or partial refund of your ticket. (Again, this is outlined in each airline's Contract of Carriage.) But with circumstances not under the airline's control -- weather conditions, airport strikes or, for that matter, any "act not reasonably foreseen" by the airline -- it's up to that gate agent to fulfill your requests.

In either case, the airline isn't required to compensate you in any way. (The only exception is if you're "bumped" from an oversold flight: You're entitled to up to $400.) And then it's all about being proactive. So be sure to ask for compensation.
Consider calling the airline's 1-800 number instead of lining up to rebook a fflight with a ticketing agent. Or buy a day pass to the airline's airport club -- typically $40 or so -- where you can talk with an agent with no line whatsoever.

The Disgruntled Flier's Survival Kit

1. Always have a copy of the airline's Contract of Carriage with you.. Vague as they are, it helps to know your rights.

2. With delayed or canceled flights, try rebooking on the phone.

3. With lost bags, fill in all paperwork on the spot and ask the airline about its reimbursement or daily allowance policy.

4. If you're packing valuables in your luggage, consider buying additional luggage coverage from the airline. It will cost you a few extra bucks -- the typical charge is $6 per $100 of value -- but you'll get a special sticker on your bag and chances are, it will be handled more carefully.. At Delta, you can bump your insured value up to $3,000, for example, for a $30 fee.

5. Play your status. If you have elite or higher status on an airline's frequent-flier program, be sure to mention it to the gate agents. "You might get somewhat more ambitious customer service because that identifies you as a more profitable customer," says Tim Winship, editor of the Web site FrequentFlier.com.

6. Complain. Once home, don't hesitate to write the airline about your negative experience. But be reasonable and specific with your demands. Click here for airline customer service contacts.

7. Be persistent. If you're unhappy with the response, write again and escalate your case. If you don't get results from the airline, file a service complaint with the Aviation Consumer Protection Division (ACPD).

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Solo travelers are sure to benefit from the following transformations taking place in accommodations, attractions, transportation, and infrastructure.

The Port Louis Project, in St. George’s, Grenada, will offer a wide range of options, not only for tourists, but for investors, yachtsmen, and prospective homebuyers as well. Once completed, Port Louis will include a 350-slip world-class marina, yachting facilities for yachts up to 90 meters, 36 estate lots for individual houses and 280 residential units, and a 120-room, five-star hotel including a luxurious spa. Along with these seafront renovations, a mid-range, 120-room hotel will be built in order to cater to all aspects of the tourist market. The project will also revitalize Pandy Beach, including extensions, diving, water sports, and more. For more information, visit http://www.portlouisgrenada.com/.

This $600 million project in the tourist area of Morne Rouge and Grand Anse, aims to transform the Cinnamon Hill property to a first class hotel, retail, recreational, and residential development that will offer a luxurious vacation for all. The property’s name has been changed to Mount Cinnamon on Grand Anse Beach. The developer of both this and the Port Louis project, Peter de Savary, plans to completely renovate 21 apartments into luxury villas. These accommodations will include amenities such as a pool and clubhouse and will ultimately result in the creation of a 200-room hotel with beautiful architecture and a tropical atmosphere. The natural beauty of Grand Anse Beach will enhance the surroundings and be unharmed during the landscaping of this project. Tourists interested in fractional and whole ownership will have the opportunity with 300 units aimed at this residential market.

The Prickly Bay Waterside development sits at the water’s edge of the Lance aux Epines peninsula in the southern end of Grenada. Scheduled to begin during the second quarter of 2007, the Prickly Bay Waterside project is a residential resort that encompasses luxury lifestyle. The new residences will entice any tourist with the modern architecture, designer furniture, plasma televisions, and contemporary entertainment centers. A main attraction of Prickly Bay Waterside is the marina-style vision, which will feature natural spaces and open-plan bathrooms. Even the bedrooms will have king-sized beds and plush linens to satisfy every tourist’s relaxation needs.

The overall facility will have a fully equipped gym, spa, swimming pool, boutique, dive services, meeting rooms, and a business center. Services include a 24-hour concierge, airport transfers, butler service, room service, wedding hosts, Wi-Fi Internet, laundry, pillow menu, bath menu, dockage and marine fuel service.

The lavish resort at Bacolet Bay on the eastern coast of Grenada is an investment opportunity that combines five-star luxury with endless options for leisure and relaxation. The project, launched in late January of 2007, will include 43 acres of tropical gardens, a white sandy beach, and a secluded bay in an exclusive setting. All owners will have full access to the spa, fitness and sports centers and to the beachfront bars and restaurants, which will offer the finest local and international cuisine in Grenada.

The entire resort has been designed around the country’s flora and fauna in an effort to uphold the natural beauty that this pristine atmosphere offers tourists. To enhance the natural experience visitors will get at Bacolet Bay, there will be limited vehicle access and hiking and biking trails for adventure seekers. Ocean lovers will have plenty of watersport options that include windsurfing, snorkeling, and diving amongst the coral reefs. Bacolet Bay will offer dozens of holistic spa treatments overlooking the bay, and the white sandy beach will entice those who love the sun. Each studio apartment or deluxe villa will be created to blend with the surrounding tropical foliage. For more information, email info@propertyfrontiers.com.

The Mount Edgecombe Plantation project aims to restore a beautiful working plantation in St. Mark’s parish of Grenada. Through this project, the western coast of Grenada will be revived with the growth of every fruit and vegetable that can grow on the island. Added initiatives include Grenada’s first eco-holistic spa that will be in addition to the spa and well-being center at Port Louis. It will include 20 guest rooms and spa services that will take visitors back to the serene and organic ideals of nature, while being pampered in a rainforest atmosphere.

The end of 2007 should bring great advantages and services to privately owned aircraft traveling to Grenada. These changes will compliment the services already provided by the International Airport in Point Salines. There will be a V.I.P. lounge with dedicated customs and immigration personnel for quick, easy arrival and departure of mainly private passengers. A restaurant and bar will also be added to accommodate travelers so that they can relax in a picturesque setting before their flights. The restaurant will be open to other executive passengers as well. This project hopes to give Grenada an added bonus as a destination that is welcoming for all private airline owners.

Plans are in the final stages so that the waterfront Carenage area in St. George’s will be illuminated at night. Tourists will enjoy the luminous atmosphere as they stroll the streets of Grenada. This plan hopes to be implemented in the beginning of 2007.

Other Refurbished Attractions: The Grand Etang Welcome Center and Park, along with Fort Frederick and the Annandale and Concord Falls, have been refurbished and continue to welcome visitors. The Concord Waterfall attraction has received new toilet facilities and vendor booths, to enhance the needs of guests.

In northern Grenada, the construction of a heritage project at Leaper’s Hill will provide tourists with a history of the native people of Grenada. This project will allow tourists to learn about the customs and lifestyles of the past.

In preparing to host major sporting and cultural events in 2007, specifically the Cricket World Cup, the construction of a state-of-the-art multi purpose national stadium with a capacity to comfortably accommodate 15,500 seats is almost completed. A home-stay program is also being implemented to accommodate visitors coming for the events. More than 1,000 rooms have been approved among the offerings that visitors will be invited to choose from and it will allow tourists to feel at home during their visit.

For more information on Grenada’s growing tourism sector, please contact the Grenada Board of Tourism at (473) 440-2279 or visit the Tourist Board’s official website at www.grenadagrenadines.com.

For surgeons in India, dentists in the Philippines, medical tourism is taking off -- and U.S. medical insurers are taking notice

Vacation time isn't just for fun. Increasingly, people who have never left the United States before are traveling thousands of miles for complex medical procedures. The reason is, simply, money. Treatments that would drive many people into bankruptcy at home often cost only a few thousand dollars in the developing world.Added bonus: Medical tourists get to see another part of the world. But the risks can be significant. Imagine everything that can go wrong after surgery -- then imagine it going wrong in a strange city, 10,000 miles from home, in a country whose legal system may make it difficult or impossible to sue.

Still, the financial rewards are big enough, and the quality of care high enough, that growing numbers of Americans with limited or no insurance are outsourcing their medical care.Take the case of Tim Devinney, a North Carolina Realtor who needed surgery to close a hole in his abdominal wall. Devinney, who is in his 40s, did not have insurance, and a doctor told him the surgery would cost about $30,000.

He put it off, but his intestine kept squeezing through the abdominal wall -- an incredibly painful experience that sent him to the emergency room several times/ Then he read a newspaper story about a North Carolina company that helped people -- mostly middle class and uninsured -- find medical treatment overseas. A few months later, he was on a plane to Delhi, India.

When Devinney landed, a driver was there to meet him. But his medical liaison, who was stuck in Delhi's notorious traffic, was not. The driver didn't speak much English.

''The driver just dropped me off at the emergency room and these people did not know who I was,'' he says. 'The doctor was ready to start an examination and I was like, `No, you're not.' ''

His liaison found him a few minutes later, and shepherded him through the admissions process. The hospital was a bit shabby -- no air conditioning in the hallways, interiors that felt older than those in U.S. hospitals. Some nurses wore gloves when they touched him; others didn't.

But, he says, ``where they were way ahead was in patient care. . . . The night before I had the procedure, I had six doctors in my room for an hour, talking with me about the procedure, answering questions. That's unheard of here.''

The cost of the entire 10-day trip -- including airfare, the hotel stay and all of his medical bills -- was less than $5,000, one sixth what the procedure would have cost in the United States.

In many ways, Devinney is typical of the new wave of medical tourists. In the past, those who traveled abroad for care often had family overseas, and typically went for minor or elective procedures, such as dental work or cosmetic surgery.To be sure, many still make such trips.

Abella Bayanos of Miami took her son home to the Philippines this summer after she learned that he needed dental work that would have cost $7,000 here. The whole trip, including the dental work in Baguio City and two round-trip tickets bought at the last minute, cost just over $3,000.

''For me, I think if there's any kind of problem again I'd rather go back to the Philippines,'' Bayanos says. ``It's a lot cheaper.''

More and more, though, medical tourists are going to unfamiliar countries for complex treatments such as orthopedic surgery and cardiac procedures. For the most part, these are working people who are under-insured or uninsured -- though this may soon change.

Several large corporations are considering adding overseas medical treatment to the range of options for employees with health insurance, says Dr. Arnold Milstein, of Mercer Human Resource Consulting, who has been retained by five Fortune 500 companies (he won't say which) to figure out whether outsourcing healthcare is a viable option in some cases. One option under consideration to make the trip more palatable: Covering all of the employee's out-of-pocket expenses, along with a round-trip ticket for a spouse or other caregiver.

Price discounts vary widely, but Milstein says savings of 60 percent are realistic, after factoring in roundtrip airfare for the patient and a companion, the cost of the procedure itself, and food and lodging during the recovery process. Anecdotal reports show even greater discounts.

Of course, price is the easy part. More difficult is finding a hospital with highly trained staff, and the equipment and training to handle the wide range of problems that can arise during or after any medical procedure.

One useful indicator is accreditation by Joint Commission International, the international wing of the Joint Commision on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, or JCAHO, the most important source of hospital accreditation in the United States Joint Commission International was launched in 1998 and has now accredited roughly 100 hospitals in 25 countries, said Anne Rooney, JCI's vice president of consulting. She said the international accreditation standards are based on U.S. standards, with modifications that suit local customs and regulations.

Bumrungrad Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand, one of the best known of the JCI-certified hospitals, now claims more than 400,000 international patients (inpatient and outpatient) per year.

'You go to Bumrungrad's website and you say `I'd like to see a rheumatologist, or a gynecologist, or an orthopod,' '' says Claudia Auger, who retired from Miami to Bali and has been to the Bangkok hospital several times. ``There's a link to all those doctors. Then you can click on their name and up comes a photo of them and a full bio.''

Auger, who chose a doctor who trained at the Mayo Clinic, likes the customer-service side of Bumrungrad. ''You are not held to wait,'' she says. ``You are walked to your next appointment. When you go to pay for your whole procedure, they hand you any drugs that have been prescribed.''

In the United States, several small companies have sprung up to act as middle-men, helping U.S. consumers find doctors abroad. Stephanie Sulger, a nurse in New York, launched Medical Tours International five years ago, and now works with a team of doctors and nurses screening both overseas hospitals and U.S. patients.

She tries to warn off those who are too sick to make a long journey, or those with unsafe medical plans ''People are getting too much cosmetic surgery at one time,'' she says. ``They'll go overseas and get a complete body lift. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons has clearly said you shouldn't be getting this much plastic surgery at one time, even here.''

Despite the recent boom in medical tourism, the number of South Florida patients coming in for help for problems after an overseas cosmetic procedure goes wrong seems to be declining, according to Dr. Onelio Garcia, a Hialeah plastic surgeon who chairs the board of trustees of the Florida Society of Plastic Surgeons.

''There was a time around the turn of the century where this was a weekly event where some nightmare was showing up in an emergency room in this town,'' he says. ``We see it less now than we used to . . . I think people are more aware of the risks.''

The problem hasn't disappeared, though. And often, Garcia says, issues arise not because of incompetence on the part of the overseas doctor but because the patient does not have access to follow-up care and so does not address post-operative complications as soon as they arise. But even with risks such as these, the global economics of health care mean medical tourism will continue to grow, says Milicia Bookman, an economist at St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia who lives in Miami and is writing a book on the subject.

''Medical tourism has the possibility of being the great health care equalizer in this country,'' she says. ``You've got highly trained, western trained physicians using state of the art technology. What more do you want?''

For Devinney, the North Carolina Realtor, the answer might have been home sweet home. His surgery last year went well, and a few days later he moved into a nearby hotel. But he was alone, and the recovery proved emotionally difficult at times.

``Being in a strange country where you don't know anyone -- even though they're all very nice -- it's not the same. There's that loneliness.'' Despite that, he'd do it again, he says. ``I would recommend it to someone else. But I would say don't expect it to be exactly what you would get here. In some ways it is going to be better, [in others] it's going to be not as good.''

With the holidays here, many of us singles are invited to stay with family and friends. Some strategies for the modern houseguest:

Communicate clearly beforehand. If you are allergic or have special needs, mention them.

Don't overstay your welcome. Three days is great, but a week can be too much even with family. On visits longer than three days, be independent as possible.

Be flexible and listen to your host. Around the house, it's great to help out. But follow the hosts' lead. Their comfort level should prevail.

Don't automatically help yourself to food, but trust your hosts if that's what they suggest. Such as a cooler stocked with soft drinks.

Follow directions. If your host says don't strip the bed, there may be a reason.

Always arrive with a gift, no matter whom you're visiting or how long you'll stay. Also, invite your host out for a meal, or several meals. Offer to pay for groceries.

Say thanks before, during and after the visit, and always send a thank-you note.

Below is a brief snapshot of data from the Voice of the Traveler survey by the Travel Industry Association and Synovate.

SPA VACATIONS: More than half (54%) of travelers said they were currently interested in going to a spa or a place where they can relax and rejuvenate themselves. Good news for the spa industry…interest appears to be growing. Almost a third (28%) of travelers said they were MORE interested now compared to five years ago in going to a spa or a place where they can relax and rejuvenate themselves. In fact, spa vacations ranked fifth when listing all the things people said they were MORE interested in doing now compared to five years ago. Among those who are interested in spa vacations, the majority (40%) are 35 – 54 years old; however, interest is also strong among 18 – 34 year olds (37%).

VOLUNTEER VACATIONS: One-quarter (24%) of travelers said they were currently interested in taking a volunteer or service-based vacation. More than one in ten travelers (11%) said they were MORE interested now compared to five years ago in taking a volunteer or service-based vacation. Interest was strongest among baby boomers, with the largest share (47%) of those interested in taking a volunteer vacation falling into the 35 – 54 year old age range.

CHILDREN-FRIENDLY DESTINATIONS: More than 35% of travelers said they were currently interested in traveling to places that cater to children. Among those who are interested, the majority (51%) are 18 – 34 years old, presumably young families with young children. Nearly one in five travelers (18%) said they were MORE interested now compared to five years ago in traveling to places that cater to children.

SPIRITUAL VACATIONS: One-quarter (25%) of travelers said they were currently interested in taking a spiritual vacation (e.g., religious retreat, pilgrimage). More than one in ten travelers (12%) said they were MORE interested now compared to five years ago in taking a spiritual vacation. The appeal of a spiritual vacation spans the ages, with approximately one-third of each age group (18 – 34 years old, 35 – 54 years old and 55+) expressing current interest in taking such a vacation.

ENRICHMENT TRAVEL: More than half (56%) of travelers said they were currently interested in taking an educational trip where they and/or their family can learn something. Nearly 22% of travelers said they were MORE interested now compared to five years ago in taking such a trip.

Even if you’ve traveled to Niagara Falls before, there are a multitude of new attractions for solo travelers to enjoy.

Contact the Niagara Tourism and Convention Corporation at 1-877-FALLS-US or via t www.niagara-usa.com to request a free Visitor Guide or brochures about individual attractions.

The following summarizes the dress codes and suggestions for a number of the most popular cruise lines, whether you're traveling solo or with others :

Carnival Cruises

Formal dress or resort wear is required in the dining room. Proper formal attire includes a tuxedo, suit and tie, or sport coat, tie and slacks. For women, evening gowns, cocktail dresses and pantsuits are appropriate. Casual resort wear includes sport shirts and slacks, dresses, skirts and pantsuits. Shorts, t-shirts and bathing attire are not permitted in the dining room during dinner. Dress requirements for children in the dining room are the same. For those guests who do not want to dress up, the Lido restaurants are open nightly, with the exception of the last evening of the cruise, and have a more casual dress code.

Princess Cruises

During "smart casual" dining evenings, guests should dress as they would for a fine restaurant at home. This includes pants and open-neck shirts for mean, and skirts/dresses, slacks and sweaters for ladies. T-shirts, shorts, halter tops and jeans are not permitted in the dining room and shoes must be worn at all times. Formal evenings in the dining room require a tuxedo, slacks with dinner jacket, or suit for men. Women should wear evening gowns and cocktail dresses.

Holland America

Comfortable, relaxed clothing is appropriate for designated "casual" evenings. This includes jackets and optional ties for men, and dresses or pantsuits for women. T-shirts, swimsuits, tank tops and shorts are not allowed in the dining room, Pinnacle Grill, Lido Restaurant or public areas during evening hours. Swimwear is suitable for dining at the Terrance Grill near the pool. On formal evenings, suits and tuxedos are suggested for men, although jackets and ties are welcome; women wear cocktail dresses and gowns.

Crystal Cruises

The Crystal dress code applies to all public areas of the ship after 6 p.m.
Proper attire for formal evenings includes dresses and gowns of fashionable length for ladies, and a tuxedo, dinner jacket or dark suit and tie for gentlemen. Infomal attire is appropriate for most nights on board the ship. For ladies, evening dresses, cocktail dresses or pantsuits are fine. Men should wear sport coats and slacks, with ties optional. Casual nights are based on days in port and the time of departure. On casual evenings, more relaxed attire is appropriate, including casual dresses and pantsuits for women, sport shirts and slacks for men. Jackets and ties are not required.

Celebrity Cruises

Whether an intimate table for two or an elaborate table for many, appropriate attire is part of the overall evening dining experience on Celebrity cruises. Formal night attire includes a tuxedo, dinner or dark suit for men and evening gown or fancy dress for ladies. Informal nights feature a jacket and tie with slacks for guys and informal dress or pants and blouse for ladies. Gentlemen are welcome to wear a sport shirt and slacks, while ladies can wear a pantsuit or sporty outfit, on casual nights. Specialty restaurant dining requires a jacket and tie for men and dress or pants and blouse for women every night. Jeans, shorts and casual daywear are allowed in all dining venues before 6 p.m.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Shipboard attire on Regent Seven Seas Cruises ranges from informal wear to "Country Club" casual to formal attire. Country club casual (resort-style attire) is fine for daytime on board the ship and ashore, but shorts are not appropriate after 6 p.m. in any of the public rooms or lounges. Depending on the itinerary, evening attire also can be country club casual, informal (sport coat and tie recommended for men), or formal (black tie optional). The dress code for Alaska, Bermuda and Tahiti sailings is always country club casual. Bathing suits and beachwear is not allowed in the restaurants at any time.

The Yachts of Seabourn

Guests aboard the luxury ships of Seabourn experience the special
atmosphere of formal evenings and the more informal ambiance of other
nights. On formal nights, tuxedos and dark suits are appropriate for men;
evening gowns or other formal attire are recommended for women. Elegant casual evenings feature slacks with a jacket over a sweater or shirt for men; sundresses, skirts or pants with a sweater or blouse for women. Casual wear is welcomed in the Veranda Café on evenings when dinner is served there. This includes slacks and a sweater or shirt for gentlemen; skirts or slacks with a sweater or blouse for women.

The daily news bulletin posted by most cruise ships during voyages also includes the appropriate dress code for the evening's events.

Exclusive Experience Napa Valley – This package for two includes tickets to the renowned Lincoln Theater and a luxurious evening of perfectly paired dishes and unforgettable toasts at étoile Restaurant at Napa Valley’s famous Domaine Chandon Winery. Priced at $296 per couple.

Casual Luxury –Vineyard Cottage in Sonoma Valley – The intimate Grape Leaf Inn provides a luxurious, yet relaxed stay in cottages surrounded by 80-year-old Zinfandel vines. Enjoy a generous wine and cheese tasting in the wine cellar and a picnic lunch to Armida Winery with private tour and tasting. Priced at $699 per couple.

Ultimate Vineyard Stay: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County– This “Exclusive Experience” in Santa Rosa, CA allows couples to enjoy wine tasting at the Ferrari-Carano Winery and a stay at Vintner’s Inn, complete with an in-room therapeutic couple’s massage and more. Priced at $1,100 per couple.

California Coastal Escape– The four-diamond Blue Lantern Inn at Dana Point offers gorgeous ocean views, romantic sunsets, two nights accommodations, dining in a selection of local restaurants, breakfast for two, afternoon wine, hors d’oeuvres and chocolate truffles. Priced at $450 per coupleClassic Wine

Country Romance, Yountville, CA –A getaway to this Euro-chic town features accommodations in Napa’s French country inn, Maison Fleurie, gourmet cuisine from the famed Bouchon Restaurant, breakfast for two and afternoon wine and hors d’oeuvres. Priced at $285 per couple.

The Brandywine Valley, where Pennsylvania and Delaware meet just thirty miles southwest of Philadelphia, is home to art museums, historic sites, exquisite gardens and estates, charming villages, hip cityscapes, and restored industrial districts.

Galleries and antique shops, places to canoe and hike, backcountry roads, performing and visual arts to suit every taste, and a variety of accommodations and dining options round out the limitless subject matter.

Winterthur Museum & Country Estate, Hagley Museum, the Nemours Mansion and Gardens, and Longwood Gardens are part of the du Pont family’s legacy of world-class estates and horticultural displays. Wyeth is the other name forever intertwined with the Brandywine Valley, thanks to the art of N.C., Andrew, Jamie, and other family members.

The Brandywine River Museum, Delaware Art Museum, and the Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts exhibit of a wide spectrum of art, from traditional to cutting-edge, in venues as diverse as a former grist mill and a restored train factory. Experience the past at the Delaware Museum of Natural History, the Historical Society of Delaware, and Rockwood Park and Mansion.

Brandywine River Museum U.S. Route 1, Chadds Ford, PA 19317; www.brandywinemuseum.org.

Delaware Art Museum 2301 Kentmere Parkway, Wilmington, DE 19806; www.delart.org.

Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts, 200 S. Madison St., Wilmington, DE 19801; www.thedcca.org.

Delaware Museum of Natural History, 4840 Kennett Pike, Delaware Route 52, Wilmington, DE 19807; www.delmnh.org.

Hagley Museum and Library, DE Route 141, Wilmington, DE 19807; www.hagley.org.

Historical Society of Delaware (includes Delaware History Museum in Wilmington and George Read II House and Gardens in New Castle), 504 Market St., Wilmington, DE 19801; www.hsd.org.

Nemours Mansion and Gardens, 1600 Rockland Rd., Wilmington, DE 19803; www.nemoursmansion.org.

Longwood Gardens, U.S. Route 1 at PA Route 52, Kennett Square, PA 19348; www.longwoodgardens.org.

Rockwood Park and Mansion, 610 Shipley Rd., Wilmington, DE 19805; www.rockwood.org.

Winterthur Museum & Country Estate, DE Route 52, Winterthur, DE 19735; www.winterthur.org.

As the temperature rises, grab your shades and enjoy a summer vacation in true Florida fashion. You’ll find it all in the Sunshine State – entertainment, culture, and relaxation – and there is always something new to discover. (Listings are organized by city from North to South)

AMELIA ISLAND – The Royal Amelia Golf Club is the newest addition at Amelia Island Plantation. It boasts immaculate TifEagle greens, well-manicured fairways and smooth bunkers. The acquisition of the club offers a total of 72-championship holes offered to the resort’s golfers. (888) 213-8045. www.aipfl.com.

KISSIMMEE – One of Kissimmee’s premier dinner attractions, Arabian Nights, has recently made its show even more magical. Among the additions are two genies, dazzling new costumes, 15 new horses, the magic of Michael Barron before and during the show and an expanded menu featuring a New York strip steak. (407) 239-9223. www.arabian-nights.com.

TAMPA – The Asian Gardens exhibit, one of the oldest at Lowry Park Zoo, has undergone extensive renovations to reflect the style and architecture of Southeast Asia, with new additions including a large free-flight aviary themed after the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. The zoo has also announced its addition of a spacious outdoor exhibit featuring a new colony of African penguins. (813) 935-8552. www.lowryparkzoo.com.

TAMPA – Pirates 4-D, a thrilling comedic 4-D adventure is the newest show to invade the Timbuktu Theater at Busch Gardens. The show stars Leslie Nielson and combines special-effects technology with multi-sensory theater effects to thrill guests of all ages. www.buschgardens.com

FORT LAUDERDALE – Three new IMAX experiences hit the six-story screen this summer at the Museum of Discovery and Science & Blockbuster IMAX Theater. Tour ancient Egypt during MUMMIES: Secrets of the Pharohs, opened March 30. Spider-Man 3, digitally re-mastered to fit the giant screen opened May 4 and Dinosaurs Alive! – a 3D tour of Mongolia’s Gobi Desert with paleontologists from the American Museum of Natural History opened May 25. (954) 467-6637. www.mods.org.

MIAMI/KEY WEST – Board the Key West Express, a jet propelled catamaran launching from the Miami Seaquarium. No traffic, no long drive. Getting to the Southernmost Point is half the fun on the three-deck ship, which offers indoor and outdoor seating, onboard food with full bar service and flat screen TVs throughout. Return sail on the same day or on a different day. (866) 593-3779. www.seakeywestexpress.com.

PANAMA CITY BEACH – Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition will make its stop at the Visual Arts Center of Northwest Florida from May 25-Sept. 3. Hear the story again, and see hundreds of artifacts pulled from the wreckage. (850) 769-4451. www.vac.org.cn.

SARASOTA – The renowned Ringling Museum has opened a new wing which will feature two new exhibits. In Our Time: The World As Seen By Magnum Photographers will be held from May 19-Aug.12, and celebrates the innovation and excellence of one of the most important groups in documentary photography: Magnum Photos, Inc. Impressionists from the Brooklyn Museum will be on display from June 16-Sept. 16, showcasing 40 impressionist paintings representing French and American artists. (941) 359-5700. www.ringling.org.

DAYTONA BEACH – The Second Annual Daytona Beach Jazz Escape will be held Labor Day weekend, Aug. 31-Sept. 2. The outdoor festival will feature some of the world’s top jazz and blues musicians. www.daytonabeachjazzescape.org.

DESTIN – The Palms Resort and Conference Center on the Emerald Coast is now open and accepting reservations. Two-bedroom junior suites, three-bedroom condos and ground-floor poolside villas accommodate every type of visitor. Trader Vic’s restaurant is on-site, as well as a 12,000 square-foot lagoon pool and full service Polynesian spa, among other amenities. (866) 337-5159. www.abecresorts.com.

APALACHICOLA – Visitors to the quaint fishing village known for its oysters and old-world feel will soon be able to experience the luxury of a first-class vacation as well. The three-story 30-unit Water Street Hotel and Marina is set to open Sept. 1 and combines old Florida-style with premier amenities. The hotel-condo will offer guests and residents master bedrooms in each suite, crew quarters, two baths furnished in Hemingway décor, complete kitchens and daily or weekly maid service. Private verandas overlook the marshes and wetlands of the Apalachicola River. The hotel’s two conference rooms provide enough space for 40 clients, friends or business partners. A 20-slip marina with floating docks, dedicated showers for boaters, WiFi, laundry and concierge service will sit next door. (850) 653-3700. www.waterstreethotel.com.

ORLANDO – Tuscana Resort, new this summer, offers 289 Mediterranean-inspired two- and three-bedroom condos. It’s located only four miles from Disney World and offers impressive amenities including a $2 million clubhouse and pool complex with a poolside bar and café, a 25-seat private movie theater and fully equipped fitness center. (877) 448-8722. www.tuscana.net.

CLEARWATER BEACH – The $170 million, 253-room luxury Sandpearl Resort is scheduled to opened its doors in July. It will feature an 11,000 square-foot spa, fitness center and beach club, fine dining with Gulf views, 20,000 square-feet of meeting and event space and 117 condo homes. www.sandpearl.com.

CAPTIVA ISLAND – After 18 months of installing new granite countertops, euro-top bedding and flat panel televisions in the guestrooms, expanding the immaculate pool area to three times its previous size and adding a 24,000 square-foot high-tech meeting space, South Seas Island Resort has opened again. Also during the renovations, Captiva Island Golf Club was re-designed by Chip Powell as one of the Top Five Short Courses in the world. (877) 597-9696. www.luxuryresorts.com.

NAPLES – The stunning Naples Grande Resort and Club has recently put the finishing touches on a multimillion renovation. The waterfront resort is now home to 474 luxury rooms, multiple restaurants and lounges, and the first Golden Door Spa on the United States’ east coast. www.naplesgranderesort.com.

MARCO ISLAND – The impressive and newly renovated Marco Island Marriott Resort, Golf Club and Spa now boasts an infinity-edge pool overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, new resort shopping, dining and golf clubhouse and renovated guest rooms. www.marcoislandmarriott.com.

Famous for its white-washed facades of colonial-era buildings, Merida is the capital of the Yucatan and serves as a gateway to Uxmal and the Puuc Zone, an area known for its prehispanic history and extravagant sissal haciendas. The city is built on a large plain, currently inhabited by three-quarters of a million people, and is characterized by colonial and French architecture, Caribbean atmosphere and Mayan cuisine, which make this place an enchanting destination. Merida is also a place of extreme weather, which easily shifts in one day from sunny mornings to fierce midday hailstorms and back to clear evening skies, perfect for a horse-drawn carriage tour of the Paseo Montejo

For a historical excursion, the Puuc zone is the most important archaeological site in Uxmal and is located approximately 50 miles south of the city. The Museum of Anthropology, in the mansion on Paseo Montejo, is another great place to visit for an interesting background on the city's Mayan history.

Architecturally, several buildings in Merida still preserve their colonial flavor, including Casa de Montejo, the Palacio Municipal and the Palacio de Gobierno, all magnificent mansions with baroque details and wrought-iron windows. For souvenir shopping, travelers can visit downtown shops carrying local handicrafts and artwork. The lively open-air markets held on Sundays at the Casa de las Artesanias, have a wonderful atmosphere and carry a variety of wooden, shell, leather and pottery handicrafts. A great way to explore downtown Merida's tourists attractions is aboard the trolley bus, "Carnaval," that cruises the historic area.

In the far northeast of the state, 60 miles outside of Merida, is the Celestun Biosphere Reserve, considered one of the most important wetlands in the peninsula. The area shelters a variety of unique species including sea turtles, crocodiles, monkeys, jaguars, white-tailed deer and several migratory birds such as the elegant pink flamingo. The reserve has an area of more than 80,000 hectares, consisting of two different climate and vegetation types - mangrove swamps and low forest.

The various flavors of the Yucatan peninsula are internationally renowned. Main dishes consist of pork - such as beans with pork or poc chuc - and poultry dishes like turkey with black stuffing. Other popular local specialties include lime soup as well as exotic drinks such as rice milk and Xtabentun - an anise liquor mixed with the nectar of the local Xtabentun flower.

Merida is a great place for a pleasant trip into Mexico's prehispanic world and Mayan culture. The city's friendly atmosphere, archaeological sites and colonial architecture are only a few of the many reasons to visit.

Grab a lover, a bunch of galpals, reunite with family --find an excuse to get-away to a quiet, deluxe hideaway in the USA. You'll save transport costs if you can drive. And if you're traveling on your own, you'll find blissful solitude.

St. Michael's, Maryland

St. Michael's is a Victorian resort town on Maryland's Eastern Shore, tucked away in "The Land of Pleasant Living" on a stretch of the longest shoreline in the continental United States. Here you'll find The Inn at Perry Cabin, a luxe manor house with 78 individually furnished guest rooms. Work up a real appetite when you ride a bike, play golf, take a fishing charter, or ride a horse-drawn carriage; after, visit the inn's Sherwood's Landing for an expertly prepared dinner.

Charlottesville, Virginia

Time moves more slowly at Keswick Hall, and life is a bit more refined in the midst of the rolling green hills of central Virginia. This Italianate-style villa on a sprawling 600-acre estate offers just 48 spacious guest rooms and suites, each with a distinct personality and throwback touches like oversized claw-foot tubs. Enjoy a civilized game of snooker, a challenging round on the Arnold Palmer signature course, and slight indulgences at Keswick Club Spa & Fitness.

Pawleys Island, South Carolina

The Grand Strand is noted for its beautiful beaches, superb shopping and dining, the world's greatest collection of public golf courses, and Litchfield Plantation. Here, find four suites in the original Plantation House and an additional 34 rooms and suites scattered over the plantation's rolling 600 acres. Enjoy epicurean delights at The Carriage House Club, tennis, swimming, horse-drawn carriage rides, a private beach clubhouse, and maybe even a ghost.

Hollywood, Florida

It's all about three things: golf, tennis, and absolute comfort. The Diplomat Country Club's 60 plushly furnished rooms and suites, endowed with perks such as spacious bathrooms with dual-head showers, are tucked into a pale yellow mansion overlooking a highly manicured golf course. The mansion itself is literally hidden away in its quiet, clubby atmosphere. Whether you pursue golf or tennis or both, enjoy a dose of bone-melting relaxation in the fabulous spa.

Little Torch Key, Florida

Talk about a hidden treasure! Little Palm Island is just 28 miles east of Key West, making it oh-so accessible by seaplane or by private launch (with dolphins leading the way). At this exquisite lodge, you won't find telephones or television but you will find 30 thatched-roof bungalows, set on stilts and tucked here and there. Indulge in exotic spa experiences, walk in the Zen Garden, go snorkeling, and end the day by dining on the beach under star-filled skies.

Cameron, Montana

Surrounded by rugged national forest, Papoose Creek Lodge is a luxurious haven for hunters, fishermen, and those who love the wild outdoors. Five guest rooms in the main lodge and three spacious private cabins are comfortably decorated in cowboy chic. At this eco-lodge, you'll be invited to attend naturalist talks, you'll dine on gourmet cuisine prepared from local ingredients, and you'll enjoy eco-activities from canoeing to horseback riding in the hills.

Park City, Utah

Stay at this luscious mountainside retreat and, sure, you can go skiing but you can also go mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding, hot-air ballooning, or enjoy an under-the-stars concert by the Utah Symphony Orchestra. Stein Eriksen Lodge's 170 guest rooms and suites have a distinctly European feel. After a day outside, have dinner at the Glitretind Restaurant, enjoy drinks-with-a-view, or sample handmade chocolates from the lodge's Chocolate Atelier.

Carmel Valley, California

Quite possibly, the best of everything gracious and European has been gathered into one place on Stonepine Estate's sprawling 330-acre estate. The Mediterranean-style mansion is home to eight spacious suites and outlying guesthouses and cottages. Wherever you are on the vast grounds, you'll encounter little reminders of Europe, like the wisteria-scented Loggia, where you can relax with your morning coffee. But you are, after all, in California, and typical California-style diversions abound, like mountain biking and hiking along nearby ridge trails.

All Around the United States
From "Beach Beauty" in Malibu, CA to "War Dance" in Big Sky, MT to "Lakeside Promise" in Middleton, NH, "vacation home rentals are a personal and unique alternative to staying in a hotel.

If nobody buys you baubles, no need to sulk. Make it up to yourself. Create a solo shopping spree, traveling somewhere special, and buying something sparkling.

According to a recent Roper poll commissioned by Fodor’s with the publication of my book, Solo Traveler: Tales and Tips for Great Trips, almost 40 percent of us have traveled alone for at least three days in the last two years. And most of us enjoyed it ---a lot.

Soloing doesn’t necessarily mean going it alone. It’s a positive term, meaning independence, and traveling the way you choose, whether on your own, or with a friend or a group. You call the shots and can break away when you wish. You’ll meet more people traveling solo than any other way (and maybe even find someone to buy you something!).

Solo travelers often need a prompt to get out there. So how about a theme of jewels and indulgence? Go where you can buy a bauble at a good price, which will cover the cost of your trip.

Here are three suggestions for gem sprees, (but you could think of others: maybe topaz in Brazil, opals in Australia, amber in the Dominican Republic, pearls in Japan….)

I had read languid descriptions about Cartagena de Indias in the novels of Nobel-Prize winner Gabriel Garcia Marquez. I knew it was one of the best- preserved Spanish-colonial towns anywhere. (And spilling over with emeralds!) So I hopped a short flight to the southern Caribbean coast of Colombia.

Cartagena was declared a World Heritage Sight by UNESCO in 1984. Founded in 1533, it was the start and end point of galleons between the Iberian Peninsula and the New World.

The old city still looks almost 500 years old. Lush plazas, spired cathedrals, wooden balconies spilling with bougainvillea– all seem especially enchanting at night, when lights dramatize the centuries. Horse-drawn carriages clippety-clop past block after block of ornate pastel buildings and through narrow lanes.

To protect the city from pirates and buccaneers, the Spaniards built their most important complex of fortresses in the colonies, including 11 kilometers of walls and seven forts. You can walk and climb and descend ancient golden stonework, from towering parapets to narrow dungeons.

Cartagena was the first province to achieve independence from the Spanish Crown, in 1811, and outside the old city, contemporary shops and markets thrive. Colorful buses called "chivas" dart around, blaring tropical music.

For nature lovers, 50 nearby islands can be reached by boat for a day’s excursion. You can enjoy tropical preserves, an aquarium and a botanical garden.

I stayed in the Hilton, a seasoned resort about a 10-minute drive from the old city, on a lagoon in the high-end Boca Grande district. The beach is minimal, but balconies overlook a shimmering, silvery Caribbean under moonlight.

As for emeralds, several Cartagena jewelry factories demonstrate turning green rock into sparking gems, with workers fashioning and faceting in front of you. I watched, and learned what to choose when I’m ready for this queen of jewels. Restraint is sometimes best.

To dig for sapphires I thought I’d be donning a miner’s hat with a light, and chipping into the depths of the western Montana earth with a heavy pick. Duh.

Instead, at a table at The Sapphire Gallery in small-town Philipsburg, owned by charming entrepreneur ShirIey Beck, I sifted through gravel for an hour in a climate-controlled, comfortable mining room, hunting for my hidden jewel,

You can’t lose if you have patience and a few bucks. Bags of stones are $25 and if you don’t find sapphires, you keep getting a bag until you do.

Later, an appraiser checked out my potential stones, the biggest the size of a raisin. One was considered worthy of polishing, and came out pale blue and the size of an appleseed. But I had found it!

I celebrated my tiny sifted gem next door at Shirley’s candy factory, “The Sweet Palace,” humbly dubbed “the grandest candy emporium in the great American West.” Choosing from almost a thousand types of fresh candy is sweet consolation if you don’t find a sapphire.

This wide-open, mountain-fringed Big Sky Country is dotted with 29 ghost towns within 30 miles of pretty Philipsburg (12 of which have buildings that you can explore). These sparsely-inhabited towns return you to late 1800s, when people converged to chase illusive gold dust. (Not that different from chasing sapphires.)

I stayed an hour’s drive away, at Papoose Creek Lodge, nestled among spruce, fir and aspen woods in the spectacular setting of the upper Madison River Valley in Southwest Montana. And oh yes, at dinner I proudly wore my new gem.

Amsterdam is known as “The City of Diamonds.” But this year the country is celebrating another jewel: the Dutch artist Rembrandt van Rijn, whose 400th birthday will be celebrated throughout the year.

You can take a walking tour of Rembrandt’s Amsterdam, including the house where the great painter lived and worked in his most prosperous years, during Holland’s Golden Age. And all of his paintings at the Rijksmuseum will be displayed, including the famed “Nightwatch.”

This great 17th century artist is being feted at events throughout Holland. I took a walking tour in tidy Leiden, where Rembrandt was born. With a great rail system, you’re no more than an hour away from the farthest Dutch town.

As for diamonds, from the time of Rembrandt, merchants have brought these hardest of all gems here from mines in South Africa, to polish and set in precious jewelry.

Throughout Amsterdam, diamond-cutting factories and jewelers open their doors. Guides explain the production from rough cut to multi-faceted brilliant, offering free guided tours and often a complimentary drink.

And at the end of the tour and throughout the city, showrooms sparkle with diamonds from chips to rocks, in creative settings from vintage to modern.

We've got Morocco on our minds as a quick getaway. Sumptuous luxury properties, bustling souks, excellent food, lovely countryside, and a government intent on attracting tourists...it's no surprise that we love Morocco right now. Oh, and did we mention that there's a 6.5-hour direct flight from New York to Casablanca?! .

1. Spend several nights at one of Morocco's deluxe properties.
It seems like there are new luxury hotels and ryads opening every day, but we have a few favorites. Villa des Orangers has a prime location in Marrakech's medina and, unlike many of the smaller medina properties, it also has a spa and rooftop pool -- so you can swim with a city view. Dar Ahlam is a kasbah-style hotel nestled in Skoura, at the base of the Atlas Mountains. After a day exploring nearby Berber villages, the spa and hammam is an excellent place to wind down and refresh yourself. Finally, La Sultana Oualidia hasn't yet opened, but located between Essaouira and Casablanca, it has a prime spot on a gorgeous but sparsely-populated beach and is rumored to be building a beautiful spa.

2. Cook Moroccan specialties like a dada. Though it's now a luxury hotel, La Maison Arabe in Marrakech began as an exclusive restaurant, and its dedication to the art of cooking has never wavered. Learn the techniques for preparing traditional Moroccan dishes from a dada (traditional Moroccan cook) and then prepare your own meal. Conclude, of course, by consuming the fruits of your labor. Delicious!

An ocean town with a laid-back atmosphere, Essaouira has a slower pace, delicious seafood, and some lovely hotels, making it a perfect place to spend two or three nights away from the big cities. At night, we recommend stopping by the promenade, where locals go to enjoy the evening air and eat fresh fish from the food stalls. Another great thing about Essaouira? The two-hour drive from Marrakech passes through groves of Argan trees, unique to Morocco and famous for the goats that climb their branches. You can visit a women's-run Argan oil cooperative to see how the oil is produced from the nut of the tree and used for coveted culinary and cosmetic products.

4. Shop for leather goods in Fes. Treasures await the dedicated shopper in Fes - and half the adventure is in the expedition. As you stroll through the narrow streets of the souk, eager vendors will entice you to their stalls with promises of mint tea. Keep an eye out for the leather pouf pillows and ubiquitous babouches slippers, which make excellent gifts for friends and family. We recommend making a cultural excursion out of it by also visiting the tanneries where leather is treated. Tanning leather is a craft passed down through families for generations, and observing the process offers an important reminder of the hard work that goes into producing these lovely souvenirs.

1) The Adirondacks Naturally: The Whiteface Lodge in Lake Placid, New York sets guests swimming year-round with its gorgeous indoor/outdoor pool. The creatively shaped pool incorporates local biodiversity with artfully placed native rocks, trees and plantings. Guests can swim under a wall from the indoor Pavilion to the outdoor pool, which is heated year round for swimming among the snowflakes. The Lodge also has a burbling hot tub, which is quite popular in winter for shaking off the Adirondack chill. Rates starting at $295/night. www.thewhitefacelodge.com

2) Floor on the Shore: Fortunate guests at VillaHotel Contenta, one of four super-luxurious Miami-based addresses from Villazzo, plunge into elegance in a sizable heated swimming pool with a floor that’s tiled like an Italian mosaic. Surrounding by tropical foliage and views of the Gulf of Mexico, the pool is outfitted with a splashing waterfall and private grotto. VillaHotel Contenta also has two Jacuzzis (one upon the rooftop) and a regulation-size beach volleyball court. Rates from $12,600/day; $70,000/week; $255,000/month. www.villazzo.com

3) ’Scuse Me While I Swim the Sky: Located on the 42nd floor with views of the Hong Kong skyline, Langham Place Hotel’s swimming pool dazzles with underwater music and fiber optic lights. Guests can lounge poolside in cabanas and indulge themselves with a drink or a massage. Or, set your mind on melt while relaxing in the hotel’s luscious rooftop Jacuzzi, heated just the way you like it night and day. Rates starting at $330/night. www.langhamplacehotel.com

4) Now That’s a Cool Pool: Guests of Le Méridien Tahiti can cool their heels, legs, and everything else in the seaside resort’s unique sandy-bottom swimming pool. The largest in the South Pacific, the pool sits alongside Le Méridien Tahiti’s beautiful blue lagoon where it is perfectly integrated into the luxuriant vegetation of the island. Rates starting at $380/night. www.starwoodhotels.com/lemeridien

5) Slide On: There’s more than one way into the water at the multi-level pool complex at Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort & Casino. Should cannon balls not work, try the three-story water slide. Or, take a gander at the resort’s recently refurbished lagoon, where 180,000 gallons of fresh water are home to tropical fish and wildlife, including beautiful black swans, koi and catfish. Rates starting at $285/night. www.aruba.hyatt.com

6) Don’t Fear the Freezer: A year-round, outdoor swimming pool in the deep freeze of Vermont? Yup – and a hot tub, too, at Topnotch Resort and Spa in Stowe. The resort recently added two new pools; one of them heated, just outside its new restaurant, Norma’s. Tiles on the pool deck are kept warm through radiant heat while a nearby fire pit assures everyone will be toasty. Guests can also enjoy a hot tub surrounded by fresh snow and amazing vistas of Mount Mansfield. Rates starting at $335/night. www.topnotchresort.com

7) Swimmin’ Pretty in the City: Guests at Kor Hotel Group’s Chamberlain West Hollywood can soak up the sun on the hotel’s rooftop pool deck along with 360-degree views of L.A.’s edgy cityscape. The heated pool is ideally suited to soothing evening dips, and exclusive cabanas clad in striking white, coal and black offer privacy and exclusivity with sleek lounging beds and chaises with elegant cumaru wood bases. At 12 feet-by-12 feet, the largest cabana offers a full banquette, cushy pillows and a glass coffee table. Rates starting at $119/night. www.chamberlainwesthollywood.com

8) “Take Your Time”: Could there be any wait as interminable as for a spa treatment? Not at The Spa at Little Dix Bay, A Rosewood Resort on Virgin Gorda in the BVIs. Along with the world’s finest beauty and recuperative treatments, the cliffside spa has an outdoor relaxation area offering guests a dip in a two-tiered infinity pool and neighboring Jacuzzi. With panoramic views of the sea, surrounding islands, and floating sailboats on the horizon, guests will discover an incomparably relaxing experience before they even set foot in the treatment room. Rates starting at $395/night. www.littledixbay.com

9) Desert Desserts: Viceroy Palm Spring’s Resort & Estrella Spa’s intimate layout of landscaped courtyards frames three outdoor heated swimming pools – two for adults and one for the whole family. Each invites guests to swim day or night amid lush surroundings of citrus trees and manicured gardens. Poolside manicures and pedicures are available for guests and the poolside bar offers frozen Margarita popsicles or aromatic face and body mists produced right at the spa. Rates starting at $89/night. www.viceroypalmsprings.com

10) A Tall Cocktail of Water: The Blue Mojito Pool Bar & Grill at Hyatt Key West has all the makings for a brilliant day in the sun. As part of the hotel’s $9 million renovation, the pool area has been redesigned, now featuring sleek poolside “spa cabanas” to enjoy swimming and spa-ing along with a sexy pool deck and whirlpool. The Corian-top bar shines with “pearlescent” mosaic work providing a luminous backdrop for sipping the signature Blue Mojito Cocktail. Rates starting at $270//night. www.keywest.hyatt.com

Looking for an area that's safe and easy to drive around in, especially as a solo traveler? Cochise County is one of the most culturally, historically and geographically diverse areas in the American Southwest. Its communities—Benson, Bisbee, Douglas, Tombstone, Sierra Vista and Willcox—were strategically located less than a day’s journey by stagecoach, and are now just a short drive from one another.

Cochise County birding is featured prominently in the new 2006 Southeastern Arizona Birding Trail Guide. The area is renowned for birding, with more than 500 species found. To fully explore this beautiful landscape, birding enthusiasts now have a new tool with the 2006 Southeastern Arizona Birding Trail map/guide. It showcases 52 birding sites, and includes valuable information on each birding site. For more information, visit http://www.seazbirdingtrail.com/.

Amelia Earhart was here! In 1929, Earhart and other women participating in the Women’s Air Derby aviators soared into Douglas’s International Airport during a stopover. Now visitors can learn about this and other flight stories at the Douglas Aviation Museum. The museum houses aviation memorabilia including an original photo of Earhart, the pioneering aviator. Hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays beginning in September 2006. To visit on a weekday, call the Douglas Visitors Center to set up an appointment! Contact: 520-364-2478.

Three new antique stores recently opened in Sierra Vista. The Treasure Chest is at 1197 Fry Blvd., Contact: 520-417-9883; What’s New? Nothing! is at 1630 S. Hwy 92, Contact: 520-452-9000 and the Antiques & Collectibles Mall, 112 N. Second St., Contact: 520-227-9422.

Every household with electricity can thank copper and the town of Bisbee, home of the prolific Queen Mine. That’s the message behind “Digging In” an exhibit, debuting in September at the Bisbee Mining & Historical Museum, a Smithsonian affiliate. Depicting the area’s mineral wealth, the exhibit is a look at copper’s importance in America’s rural electrification throughout the Twentieth Century. Contact: 520-432-7071 or www.bisbeemusuem.org

Adventure Coyote Tours provides guided tours for young and old, individuals and groups in a unique six-wheel drive Pinzgauer vehicle. Visitors can learn about Cochise County’s history and culture in adventures through its scenic beauty. Owner Charlie Onehorse Hill gives half- and full-day tours starting at $65 for adults and $50 for children. Contact: Adventure Coyote Tours, 520-508-1623.

The Triangle T Guest Ranch is in the Dragoon Mountain’s Texas Canyon. Kennedys, Vanderbilts and DuPonts have stayed at the ranch. Triangle T also has RV spaces and a hall for hosting special events. Contact: 520-586-7533 or www.triangletguestranch.com.

The Vega Bray Observatory is at the Astronomer’s Inn, with telescope, refractors and giant binoculars. Contact: 520-586-7906 or www.AstronomersInn.com

The Hotel San Ramon opened recently in Bisbee, just behind the Bisbee Mining & Historical Museum. Rates for Hotel San Ramon are $69-$150. Contact: 520-432-1901 or www.hotelsanramon.com.

Tombstone’s Adobe Lodge, at the corner of Fifth and Fremont, is under new ownership and is now called The Bella Union’s Adobe Lodge. Contact: 520-457-2241 or 1-888-457-2241.

Sierra Vista has expanded its lodging inventory with the addition of the new Holiday Inn Express, located at 1902 S. Highway 92, and the Candlewood Suites, located at 1904 S. Highway 92. Together, the properties will add 149 rooms. Visitors can reserve rooms at the Candlewood Suites beginning in late November and at the Holiday Inn Express in late December. Contact: 1 888 HOLIDAY (888-465-4329) or 1 877 CANDLEWOOD (877-226-3539).

The Letson Loft Hotel is an eight-room boutique hotel at 26 Main Street in Bisbee. The hotel is a second story loft hotel in a renovated landmark building that boasts original hardwood floors, skylights and exposed adobe brick walls. Extra touches include luxurious bedding with pillow-top mattresses, as well as flat screen TVs with cable and HBO and free wireless internet access. For more information: 877-432-3210, 520-432-3210 or www.letsonlofthotel.com.

Almost 40 percent of the 75 restaurants in Sierra Vista are ethnic, with Vietnamese, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Mexican, German and Italian. Just recently, the Irish Pub opened at 4301 S. Hwy 92, Contact: 520-378-6835. In addition, Nana Luna’s, a restaurant and wine bar, features continental cuisine and is located at 7156 S. Hwy. 92. Contact: 520-803-7100. Adobe Southwestern Cuisine, located at 5043 S. Hwy 92, is Sierra Vista’s newest restaurant. Contact: 520-378-2762.

Santiago’s Restaurant, next to the Hotel San Ramon at 11 Howell Avenue in Bisbee, opened for business serving authentic Mexican Food in April. Contact: 520-432-1910 or www.santiagosbisbee.com.

1. Get a taste of what life was like in the early days of old Monterey on the Monterey Path of History tour, which visits more than 40 historic buildings and sites (Free self-guided and docent-led tours available.)

2. Take a tour and sample hand-made sweets at Monterey Bay Chocolate Factory in Seaside.

3. Walk (cars are charged a fee, pedestrians are not) into Pt. Lobos State Reserve and hike to the cove said to have inspired Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island. Visit the Whaling Museum, count the number of wildflowers you see, or picnic where you can watch the waves.

4. Follow in the footsteps of John Steinbeck’s characters in “Cannery Row” by exploring the tide pools of the Monterey Bay coastline, especially near Asilomar State Beach.

5. Bike, rollerblade or jog along the scenic Monterey Bay Coastal Trail, an 18-mile stretch of paved pathway that runs alongside Monterey Bay.

6. Climb a real, full-size 1956 steam engine at Dennis the Menace Playground, designed by Dennis the Menace creator’s, Hank Ketcham.

7. Learn about Monterey’s rich history at Pacific House Museum, from Native American times, through its days as the capital of Spanish and Mexican California, up to the raising of the American flag.

8. Visit the historic Custom House to see where California commerce began, and check out the California ‘bank notes’ – cattle hides traded by the Californio rancheros.

9. Uncork your inner oenophile by wine-tasting in Carmel Valley or along the Salinas Valley River Road Wine Trail.

10. Visit the bookstore and redwood-shaded lawns at the Henry Miller Memorial Library in Big Sur, honoring the writer who spent 18 years in the area.

11. Grab a kite and head to the sand dunes in Seaside or at Marina State Beach for a day of play. (They’re a great place to catch the sunset, too.)

12. Conduct a clam-chowder tasting on Monterey’s Fisherman’s Wharf –the samples are provided free by several of the wharf’s restaurants!

13. Inspect the sea lions on the rocks at the end of the Coast Guard Pier.

14. Do some birding at Elkhorn Slough Estuarine Reserve, Salinas River State Beach or Lake San Antonio. Visit San Antonio in winter and you may spot bald eagles!

15. Roam more than 80 miles of scenic mountain bike trails and roads on the former Fort Ord military base.

16. See thousands of migrating Monarch butterflies at the Butterfly Sanctuary in Pacific Grove between October and March.

17. Watch gray whales on their annual winter (December-March) migration between Alaska and Mexico from one of Monterey County’s promontories: Pt. Pinos, Pt. Lobos or the Big Sur coastline.

18. Enjoy spectacular Carmel Valley views from trails at Garland Ranch Regional Park.

19. Take an “Asilomar Ramble” tour with California State Parks rangers to explore 80 acres that includes historic architecture, forested hiking trails and sand dunes topped with wooden walking trails. Key sites include 16 structures designed by Julia Morgan (architect of Hearst Castle) between 1913 and 1928.

20. Walk into San Lorenzo Park in King City to discover the farming past at the Monterey County Agricultural and Rural Life Museum.

21. View jolly giant farmers standing 20 ft. high in the fields off Highway 68 at the entrance to The Farm. Crafted by local artist John Cerney, these larger-thanlife statues of packers, trimmers and irrigators are a tribute to the hard-working men and women of Salinas Valley. Follow up with some fresh veggies from the farm stand.

22. Drop into the Monterey Museum of Art during Third Thursday every month: admission is free and there’s live entertainment and wine-tasting to accompany the art.

23. Walk the boardwalk from Asilomar State Beach, skirting the golf course of the Inn at Spanish Bay, and picnic in the company of seals, sea otters, and other marine wildlife in Pebble Beach.

24. Build sandcastles on Carmel’s famous white, sandy, beach.

25. Visit the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History and pose by Sandy the Whale, a lifesize bronze sculpture.

Make a coastal escape with new nonstop air service linking Monterey to Denver, Las Vegas and Salt Lake City. Daily flights also serve Los Angeles, San Francisco and Phoenix. Learn more at www.montereyairport.com.
For a free Monterey County travel guide, or for information on attractions, events and hotels in the area, visit www.monterey