THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 15, 1996 TAG: 9609130081
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E6 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: TRAVEL-WISE
SOURCE: STEPHEN HARRIMAN
LENGTH: 103 lines
ABOUT 13 YEARS ago Tom Parsons started a magazine called Best Fares (see next item), to tell readers how to find discounted air fares and other travel bargains.
Now, Parsons has a book - ``Insider Travel Secrets'' with a subtitle aside, ``You're Not Supposed to Know'' (Heritage Publishing; $19.95). The book is just hitting bookstores. If it's not in your favorite, ask them to order it.
His best advice: Shop for travel deals as you would for a car or a dishwasher. His fare warning: The flexible traveler saves the most.
``There are deals and there are better deals,'' he notes. ``Don't settle for 10 percent off when you can save five or six times more. Be flexible and be patient.''
Parsons' book goes on and on about airlines - the area he knows best. He also has chapters on car rentals and cruises. He writes about coupon deals and discounts, credit cards, ATMs and other emergency cash options. There are tips on tipping, travel insurance and phone use; a chapter on travel agents, travel scams, health, luggage, senior travel and traveling solo. And finally, a chapter on important phone numbers. WHAT'S THE DEAL?
Looking for good travel deals. For subscription information on three fact-filled publications, call the following numbers: Best Fares, $59.95 a year, (800) 880-1234; Consumer Reports Travel Letter, $39 a year, (800) 234-1970; and Travel Smart, $44 a year, (800) FARE-OFF. YOUR MONEY'S WORTH
Sabena (Belgian) Airlines offers a Euroweekend package, through Oct. 31, $499-$599 per person/double occupancy, includes air from New York, round-trip rail between Brussels airport and city's North Railway Station, Friday and Saturday night lodgings in five-star hotel, three-course dinner Friday, brunch Saturday, breakfast Sunday. Info: (800) 955-2000.
Prague for Less is a one-week package, from $746 pp/do, including air from Newark, transfers, six nights' lodging, tax/service charges. Optional sightseeing: two-hour Vlata River cruise, $12 pp; dinner and dancing moonlight cruise, $29 pp; three-hour walking tour of Old Prague, $14. Info: (800) 800-8891.
Diners Club's VIP lounges at Newark, N.J., Honolulu and more than 60 foreign airports are free to cardholders, according to Consumer Reports Travel Letter.
Premier Cruise Lines is offering a Kids Vacation Free deal that allows children ages 2-17 to cruise free when traveling with two adults paying full fare. The package with the line that is also known as The Big Red Boat is good through next year on seven-night packages that include a three- or four-night cruise along with a three- or four-night Orlando theme park attraction package. Park admission and rental car are included. Bookings must be made by Dec. 16, and the savings for a family of four could be up to $900. Info: call (800) DREAM54 or see a travel agent.
Visa cardholders who book a Holland America cruise by Oct. 1 will receive a savings of up to 45 percent and receive a cabin upgrade to the next category. See a travel agent. CRUISE NEWS
Cruise news: With dozens and dozens of cruise ships plying the world's waters, it's hard to keep up with where the vessels are going and what the good deals are.
Enter The Shipboard Cruiser, a 12-page monthly newsletter filled with news, tips and reviews. For a free packet containing information about subscription rates, obtaining a sample copy and guarantees, write to The Shipboard Cruiser, Box 533737, Orlando Fla. 32802-1643; or call (407) 422-6095.
Cruise passengers who remain seasick even after trying traditional remedies may want to consider combining soda crackers and ginger, according to Porthole, a glossy new magazine. If you don't like ginger, the magazine suggests you massage your hand between thumb and forefinger for several minutes, then massage the tendons on the top of each foot between the second and third toes. Porthole is available in many bookstores and by subscription ($19.95 for six issues). To subscribe, call (800) 929-4548. HERE'S TO YOUR HEALTH
The Diabetic Traveler, a six-page quarterly newsletter, includes information on insulin adjustment for air travel, generic and foreign country manufacturers' drug/medication names, locations of all-night pharmacies, etc. Annual rate, $18.95. To receive free insulin adjustment guide/four-page article, list of diabetes organizations in 84 countries, send business-size SASE to The Diabetic Traveler, P.O. Box 8223-RW, Stamford, Conn. 06905. (203) 327-5832. LONDON MADE EASIER
A company that provides bus transportation between Heathrow International Airport and central London has expanded its service to include more stops at the airport and at more hotels.
Airbus Direct last month began making stops at all four Heathrow terminals and increased its drop-off and pickup points in central London to more than 80, reaching 260 hotels and the main rail stations.
Previously the company had provided service only at Terminal 1 - where most international flights begin and end - and made 28 stops in London.
The service costs about $9 one-way and $15 round-trip. It can be booked here through travel agents, or at the terminals.
The most frequent service from Heathrow to London is on the underground's Piccadilly Line, but for passengers with a large amount of baggage to haul, it can be inconvenient. MEMO: Travel-wise is compiled from wire-service reports, news releases,
trade journals, books, magazines and the deepest recesses of the
writer's mind. Send comments and questions to Travel-wise, The
Virginian-Pilot, Norfolk, Va. 23501-0449; phone (757) 446-2904. by CNB