ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, February 4, 1996 TAG: 9602030001
SECTION: TRAVEL PAGE: G-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BARBARA SHEA NEWSDAY
Want to make sure you catch the next airfare sale that allows only a few days for booking?
A new e-mail alert service called TravelGram VIP provides its subscribers with travel deals within seconds after they've been announced.
Each day, editor John Hart sifts through hundreds of faxes and e-mail messages from airlines, hotels and tour operators advising him of new bargains. Then he gets the best ones off to his subscribers, who pay an annual fee of $25.
An Internet Web page highlights some selected deals a day later. You can check the World Wide Web site http://www.databack.com/~travgram for a closer look.
Subscribers also get two bonuses: Hart's QUEST Adventure Discount Card, offering discounts on a wide variety of specialty travel adventures worldwide, and a free subscription to his monthly ``Colorado on a Budget'' newsletter.
Hart's e-mail address is travelgram(at)ichange.com.
Need a travel agent? You can now find one - as well as other travel information - via the American Society of Travel Agents' new World Wide Web service, ASTAnet. Services include a directory of more than 27,000 ASTA members, travel bulletin boards, news releases, travel tips and a list of ASTA's consumer brochures. The web address is http://www.astanet.com. Not yet computer literate? You can also reach ASTA at (703) 739-2782.
BY THE BOOK: Here are some specialized new guides to ease your future journeys:
Were you planning to spend your golden years traveling until you realized you probably can never afford to retire? You might find some help from a book called ``Whaddayah Mean Leave Home and Travel For the Rest of My Life!: The Guide to Pre-Retirement RV Living.'' It describes how to earn a living while traveling. Authors Gene and Deanne Townsend have been working in their motorhome full time since 1987. They list more than a hundred jobs suitable for RV travel and share resources and money-saving tips. The $13.95 book is available at bookstores or from Wilderness Adventure Books, (800) 852-8652.
You'll always know where to find the perfect pint if you travel with the ``Beer Travelers Guide'' by Stan Hieronymus and Daria Labinsky, just out from the publisher of All About Beer magazine. It lists more than 1,700 of America's best taverns, brew pubs and restaurants. Look for it soon in bookstores for $14.95; it can also be ordered (for $16.95) by calling (800) 977-BEER.
Tired of trying to find local radio stations when you're in a strange town? Two new guides to the rescue. ``Radio on the Road'' by William Hutchings lists more than 14,000 AM, FM and TV stations in the United States and Canada by state, city and broadcast format. The book also includes weather data, road-condition hot lines and popular points of interest for each state. It's $12.95 plus $3 for shipping and handling from Arrowhead Publishing, (800) 431-7274.
``Essential Radio'' by Jeffrey L. Dingle is a compilation of about 6,000 AM and FM stations across America. It's $9.95 in bookstores or $12.45 from Peregrine Press, (800) 299-AMFM.
``The 1996 American Casino Guide'' by Steve Bourie outlines features of more than 500 casinos and includes a section with coupons worth more than $300 in savings at 23 casinos, as well as freebies such as cruises, shows, bus tours, buffets, match-play money and more. It's $12.95 at bookstores or $15.95 from Casino Vacations, (800) 352-6657.
``Cross-Country Skiing in New England'' describes the best ski-touring areas, as well as nearby food facilities and lodging. The guide, written by Lyn and Tony Chamberlain, is $12.95 in bookstores or from the Globe Pequot Press, (800) 243-0495.
``Fly for Less 1996'' by Gary E. Schmidt includes invaluable information on just about any air-ticket consolidator or wholesaler you'll come across. It gives the name of the owner and general manager, staff size, date originated, annual sales figures, accreditation, travel agent ratings, whether frequent-flier miles are offered, as well as destinations and airlines used. Though many of the listings note that information wasn't provided about bond coverage, escrow or security, such omissions can tell you something, too. All in all, a very handy source book, $19.95 at bookstores or $22.75 from Travel Publishing Inc., (800) 241-9299.
``Flying Smart'' by Zalin Grant is a new paperback whose subtitle says it all: ``Everything you need to know about flying (abroad) but were afraid to ask (for fear of sounding like a bumpkin).'' It's $12 at bookstores or $15 from Pyrhia Press, (703) 709-0919.
LENGTH: Medium: 91 linesby CNB