brad pitt

The Brad Pitt Interview!

Get ready to see a whole lot of BRAD PITT at your local multiplex! The fair-haired heartthrob, starring in next month's Rat Pack redo, 'Ocean's 11,' celebrated the debut of yet another film, the ROBERT REDFORD espionage-themed thriller 'Spy Game,' at a star-studded premiere in Westwood, CA last night

Brad talked to ET's JANN CARL about the film's subject matter, why he'd like to spy and just how the movie parallels today's world-at-war. And make sure to watch tonight's ET for all the red-carpet scoop from the 'Spy Game' premiere, including Brad's appearance with wife JENNIFER ANISTON!

Get Robert Redford's "Spy Game' interview here!

JANN CARL: I've always loved movies having to do with spies ... what do you think the fascination is?

BRAD PITT: I guess the idea of living a secret in a covert manner, diverting the enemy, winning, coming out ahead, being on the inside ...

JANN: When we watch, we fantasize about being that ...

BRAD: I'll tell you, I was fortunate enough to meet a few guys who were in the CIA ...

JANN: What were they like?

BRAD: Very serious, dedicated, intelligent men. Guys who have given up life, relationships and families to do this. It was glaringly apparent to me that they'd seen things that I'd never wish to see. It's a much dirtier, uglier, tougher game than we romanticize it as.

JANN: Watching the movie, and the scenes that have to deal with assassination of a terrorist, made me really nervous! What are your thoughts about this movie, in light of everything that has happened?

BRAD: I think it's topical. I don't want to confuse the matter -- first and foremost, it's a fictional story. It's really a relationship movie, a teacher-mentor, father-son story, with the CIA as a background. Now, of course, given the climate, this rises to the top.

For me, it's quite relevant today. It asks questions, and that's what this time is about. For the studio, of course, they went to the ends of the earth as far as the sensitivity of the issue; we edited a couple of scenes.

There was one bombing scene, an explosion scene, which became superfluous in today's landscape. A lot of that was peeled back. The movie was tested with a lot of audiences who unanimously enjoyed the ride, enjoyed the subject and did not have a problem with it.

JANN: We're all feeling that life will never be the same again. How do you feel different?

BRAD: I'd say the strongest thing for me is that I'd forgotten how great it is to live in this country, to have our freedom. I'm dead serious. I was painfully reminded after those events about the liberties, opportunities and freedom we have, and I'm very thankful to be here. And to see religions embrace other religions, political interests embrace other political interests, that's what the country was founded on. I hope we stay on that course.

JANN: You were in Morocco, London, Budapest, how long were you gone?

BRAD: I don't really remember, maybe six months.

JANN: That's a long time! You were a newlywed; how much were your phone bills and plane tickets to visit home?

BRAD: Well, we work plane tickets into the deals -- this has become a must!

JANN: Jennifer flew over a lot?

BRAD: Right. And we had some breaks.

JANN: And 'Ocean's 11' is coming up, can you give us a little sniff about what to expect?

BRAD: It's just good fun!

Your daily humor:

Helpful Mom...

The worried housewife sprang to the telephone when it rang and listened with relief to the kindly voice in her ear. "How are you, darling?" it said. "What kind of a day are you having?"

"Oh, mother," said the housewife, breaking into bitter tears, "I've had such a bad day. The baby won't eat and the washing machine broke down. I haven't had a chance to go shopping, and besides, I've just sprained my ankle and I have to hobble around. On top of that, the house is a mess and I'm supposed to have two couples to dinner tonight."

The mother was shocked and was at once all sympathy. "Oh, darling," she said, "sit down, relax, and close your eyes. I'll be over in half an hour. I'll do your shopping, clean up the house, and cook your dinner for you. I'll feed the baby and I'll call a repairman I know who'll be at your house to fix the washing machine promptly. Now stop crying. I'll do everything. In fact, I'll even call George at the office and tell him he ought to come home and help out for once."

"George?" said the housewife. "Who's George?"

"Why, George! Your husband!....Is this 555-1374?

"No, this is 555-1375."

"Oh, I'm sorry. I guess I have the wrong number."

There was a short pause and the housewife said, "Does this mean you're not coming over?

   Maine Offers Hot Deals This Fall
   
   Enjoy Foliage In The Outdoor Adventure Capital Of The East
   
   AUGUSTA, ME -- (INTERNET WIRE) -- The word is out: Maine is experiencing a banner foliage year. Experts say the summer's balmy heat, coupled with August's minimal rainfall, have heightened the colors this season, granting Maine the crisp, brilliant foliage that everyone longs for in a New England autumn.
   
   To celebrate nature's glorious gift, the state's travel industry: hotels, motels, plus some restaurants and attractions are offering super hot deals for fall visitors. Some deals seem too good to be true, such as those of the elegant, turn-of-the century, Oakland House Seaside Resort (800-359-RELAX) tucked into the edge of the Blue Hill peninsula, in Brooksville. Oakland House has a range of packages that include free boat rides, a Culinary Getaway, three nights midweek for the price of two or five nights for the price of three.
   
   The deals are everywhere in Maine, from wide-open Aroostook County to downtown Portland. For visitors, these hot deals and fabulous foliage form the perfect backdrop for the thrill of outdoor challenges in Maine, the Outdoor Adventure Capital of the East.
   
   Adventures abound. It could be a hike, bike ride or a simple round or two of golf. The Sugarloaf Grand Summit Resort Hotel and Sugarloaf Inn (1-800- THE LOAF) are offering room rates at $49 per person, double occupancy, including breakfast and health club privileges.
   
   In the Moosehead Lake region, one of the nation's prime foliage spots, visitors can relax at Evergreen Lodge in Greenville. Stay two or more nights, pay full price for the first night and half price each night after. Spend the day canoeing on Moosehead Lake, or hiking nearby. Few fall experiences are as breathtaking as the view from atop Mount Kineo.
   
   Or carry your own canoe or kayak for a spontaneous paddle as you wander the looping roads of Maine's midcoast peninsulas. At the Revolutionary War-vintage Blue Skye Farm in Waldoboro (866-506-6254), overlooking a marsh trimmed with ruddy foliage, the second night is half-price and includes a lobster supper for two.
   
   But if your idea of an outdoor adventure is the journey between mall and golf course, look into the ever-dramatic Cliff House (207-361-1000), just a few miles up from the outlets of Kittery. It's offering a three-night October package that includes a round of golf at two nearby courses, plus a lobster dinner.
   
   For more than 150 other great deals tailored to this spectacular season, view the extensive list at www.visitmaine.com.
   
   These hot deals coincide with the very start of Maine's foliage season, which is moving blissfully slow this year. According to the state's foliage website, www.mainefoliage.com, Aroostook County, Western Maine, Katahdin and Downeast are still at least a week away from peak color, while central and southern Maine are just beginning their journey to brilliance. To find out what the foliage is like and where, visit the website, or call Maine's foliage hotline at 800-777-0317.
   
   With such a range of activity for the fall traveler, it pays to linger, taking advantage of such deals as Bridgton's Noble House B & B (888-237-4880). Two adults can stay for $99 a night, including a full country breakfast and complimentary wine and cheese upon arrival. Bridgton is on one of the state's suggested fall foliage driving tours, the Maples and Mountains loop. Drive north for a dramatic hike in Grafton Notch State Park, then head around to Lovell and Fryeburg where the sweep of scarlet, gold and green is mirrored in the stillness of a lake and accentuated by the quiet white of village steeples.
   
   Other suggested driving loops are highlighted on the 'Hot Deals' section of the Maine Office of Tourism's web site, www.visitmaine.com. You'll find deals in each as you head deep into the heart of Maine, the Outdoor Adventure Capital of the East.
   
   To view photo, visit:
   http://www1.internetwire.com/iwire/release_clickthrough?release_id=32675&category=Travel
   
   Sundancer's West Introduces B&B/Eco Tour Section
   
   A Bed&Breakfast and Eco/Tour section has been added to the Sundancer's West web site. Visitors may now go to the site to locate a Bed & Breakfast establishment at their holiday destination, and innkeepers may list their inns free of charge at the site.
   
   
   Sundancer's West, an internet site that explores the old and new American West, and provides world-wide travel news for its readers, has upgraded the site once again. The site will soon provide a place for Bed and Breakfast profiles and Eco Tour Travel, as well as news and links to related sites.
   
   Larry Lagarde, founder of Areafocus, Inc., a New Orleans, Louisiana based services firm, will be in charge of the new section, entitled "Travel By Bed and Breakfast."
   
   Mr. Lagarde has an extensive background in the travel and hospitality industry. As webmaster for approximately 90 travel related web sites, his responsibilities include writing copy, shooting photography and the design, promotion and maintenance of these sites. Mr Lagarde recently managed his own travel site and e-zine.
   
   Mr. Lagarde, who lives and works in New Orleans, Louisiana, serves as category editor for the Netscape Directory (DMOZ) and speaks occasionally at web site design and promotion conferences. He also serves on the board of directors for Louisiana Marine Fisheries Museum, a state museum.
   
   Larry Lagarde has attended college in New Orleans and Austria, and has traveled extensively throughout the United States, using his skill as photography to illustrate his travels. He is married and loves cycling, hiking, kayaking and traveling.
   
   Sundancer's West http://www.sundancerswest.com has won the Golden Web Award for Webmasters and Designers both years of its life on the net.
   
   For more information, please contact:
   
   Gerry Watkins
   Sundancer's West
   http://www.sundancerswest.com
   817-545-5265
   gwat1@swbell.net
   
   Catholic Pilgrimage to the 'Last House of the blessed Virgin'
   
   icTurkey...one of the UK's leading special interest holiday company launches the Catholic Pilgrimage 2 - The last house of the Blessed Virgin Mary near Ephesus.
   
   In the closing years of the nineteenth century, the Aegean coast of Turkey witnessed three of the greatest archaeological finds of all time. Two of these - the discovery of Ephesus and Troy - made international headlines overnight. The third, in 1881, was immediately enveloped in secrecy. It was kept a secret because nobody in the Vatican believed that an obscure French priest, following the equally obscure visions of a German nun and mystic, could possibly have found the actual house where the Virgin Mary spent her last years. Yet by the end of the century the evidence had become so compelling that scholars had pronounced the discovery authentic and Pope Leo XIII had declared the site a place of pilgrimage.
   
   Today it is one of the holiest shrines in Christendom. Pope Paul VI and Pope John Paul II have both made special journeys there to worship, and over a million people visit every year. For Christians around the world, it has become quite simply the most important house on earth.
   
   "this holy house is unique throughout the World" Pope Pius Xll
   
   further reading available at www.icturkey.com/theholyhouse.htm
   
   
   For more information, Please Contact:
   
   Solomon Icturkey
   Icturkey
   http://www.icTurkey.com
   44+07050 614 858
   info@icTurkey.com
   
   Fuel Your Olympic Fire with MSN MapPoint
   New Alternative to MapQuest gets you around Salt Lake City
   
   (ARA) - You've managed to score the coup of a lifetime: tickets to the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in February. But you don't know anything about Salt Lake City, and you're concerned about finding your way around.
   
   No worries. Thanks to MSN MapPoint, a new online mapping and directions service available free through MSN, you can get driving directions and locate addresses or destinations in a snap. Easy-to-read maps and driving directions print without advertising or awkward spacing. Or you can simply e-mail them to friends or family. If you want real-time traffic updates or the cheapest gas prices in a given area, try the MSN Carpoint online automotive service.
   
   MSN MapPoint also offers links to city guides, so you can peruse restaurant reviews, find out when and where your favorite bands are playing, and get an insider's view of the night life at local pubs and clubs. When you have some time between events, you can even find movies and other attractions in the area.
   
   Unlike other online mapping services, MSN MapPoint enables you to quickly zoom in on maps and pan and resize them to meet your needs without having to waste time refreshing screens. A team of cartographers on staff at Microsoft Corp. work with a variety of information providers to ensure that you're getting the most accurate maps available online.
   
   MSN MapPoint also features free driving directions by phone. Simply program your cell phone's speed dial, and when you are lost, call for automated driving directions to get you to your destination in no time.
   
   So throw away those bulky maps, and don't even think of stopping to ask for directions. With MSN MapPoint, getting to your destination is now easier than ever. Just visit mappoint.msn.com or click on the Maps & Directions link on MSN, www.msn.com.
   
   * Connect-time charges may apply.
   
??????    BizCharter Ltd Launches International Flights and Jet Charter website
   
   BizCharter Ltd., a London based on-line travel company is launching its new website on 1st July 2001. BizCharter offers a unique travel service that differs from most travel sites in that it mainly caters to regular international travelers and those who use private jet charters.
   
   London, UK - BizCharter Ltd., a London based on-line travel company is launching its new website on 1st July 2001. BizCharter offers a unique travel service that differs from most travel sites in that it mainly caters to regular international travelers and those who use private jet charters.
   
   BizCharter.co.uk will promote BizCharter skills in corporate and group travel. This revolutionary service has been created to provide significant savings on mainly long haul flights.
   
   "I believe that we can offer a substantial cost saving to regular international flyers. Making clever use of the international agreements between co-operating countries and their carriers, BizCharter can show savings of up to 25 percent on the annual travel bill. When you take into account the amount of travel costs for the average medium-sized business, the savings can be considerable," says Marcus Poulton, Founder and Managing Director of BizCharter.
   
   BizCharter.com will provide an online private jet booking service. The BizCharter airport location tool uses a 6.1 million record Gazetteer database, the user can search up to 16,200 large and small airports around the world and can select the nearest and most convenient departure and destination points. The site then calculates an estimate of the trip using ‘best fit’ technology to select an appropriate aircraft for the journey. The results can be saved as an itinerary for use in planning and can be used when making a booking eliminating the need to re-enter the flight details.
   
   The site also provides a comprehensive database of private jet aircraft information as well as an ‘Empty Leg’ charter system, where uses can search for empty outbound or return flights. The Empty Leg system enables the charter operators to make extra revenue from their aircraft by offering discounted trips, making use of otherwise non-revenue flights.
   
   For more information, visit http://www.bizcharter.co.uk
   
   From Pearl Harbor To Main Street Movie Houses Nation’s Historic Places
   Are In Danger
   
   AIRLINES.CA - THE NEW CANADIAN ONLINE TRAVEL SERVICE - LAUNCHES!
   
   Montreal - The thousands of Canadian consumers using the Internet to search and book travel now have access to a great new tool called Airlines.ca! Airlines.ca is an easy-to-use travel website that focuses on answering the needs of Canadian travelers, both leisure and corporate.
   
   "We want to provide consumers with a truly Canadian travel website, not only a copy of an American site," said Yoav Cohen, President and CEO of Airlines.ca. "We decided to create, in partnership with Amadeus, a totally bilingual and user-friendly travel reservation engine." The young, Montreal-based, start-up company has a strong knowledge of the travel and Internet industries. It uses the latest travel technologies available in order to ensure the best service to its customers, both online and offline. In addition to providing availability, pricing and booking for flights, hotels and cars, travel insurance, and useful travel tools in French and English, Airlines.ca offers its customers e-ticketing capabilities for more airlines than any other website. Airlines.ca is also the first agency in Canada to offer advanced corporate solutions that will help companies of different sizes manage their travel needs and save on all their traveling expenses. Search and booking functions are also available directly from mobile devices, a first in the travel industry. TELUS and Rogers AT&T have already signed a partnership with Airlines.ca to ad the service to their menu and to promote it to their members. The company also has signed contracts with big other big players in the industry such as Branchez-vous and Vox-Tel.
   
   The founders and managers of Airlines.ca are very optimistic about the future because e-travel is, without a doubt, the leading and fastest growing online industry. Yoav Cohen adds "according to the PhoCusWright 2000 Travel E-Commerce Survey, more than 20 million consumers will purchase more than $20 billion in online travel in 2001. We strongly believe that, with our top-of-the-line technology and our excellent customer service, Canadians will discover their own travel site and feel comfortable purchasing on-line." Airlines.ca presently employs 20 people and plans to hire twenty more within the next year. Apart from its start-up costs, Airlines.ca plans to inject $ 5 millions in the Canadian economy over the next three years.
   
   About Airlines.ca
   Airlines.ca was founded in 2000 by Yoav Cohen in order to satisfy the tremendous demand growth of Canadian corporate and leisure travelers for products and solutions that combine the efficiencies of the Internet with superior customer service. The company’s headquarters is located in downtown Montreal, on Sainte-Catherine West.
   
   How can consumers contact Airlines.ca?
   
   www.airlines.ca
   (514) 384-6440
   1-866-445-1599
   
   About Amadeus
   Amadeus is a leading global distribution system (GDS) and technology provider serving the marketing, sales and distribution needs of the world’s travel and tourism industries. It offers booking capabilities for 747 airlines, 52,371 hotels (322 chains) and 46 car rental agencies around the world. Amadeus is an international company, active throughout the world. Its unique approach to partnerships gives Amadeus a strong market presence both globally and locally.
   
   FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY:
   Yoav Cohen President and CEO of Airlines.ca
   yoav@netgroup.ca Tel: (514) 448-4820
   
   National Trust For Historic Preservation Announces 2001 List Of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places
   
   WASHINGTON, DC -- (INTERNET WIRE) -- For more than 60 years, it’s been a monument to a day that lives in infamy. Yet Pearl Harbor’s Ford Island - where remnants of Japanese bomb craters are still visible - is now threatened by a massive development initiative.
   
   In the nation’s capital, the home of the father of the African-American history movement sits abandoned and forgotten, an ironic legacy of a man who spent his life preserving history and culture. And throughout the nation, historic movie theaters go dark every day, leaving gaping holes on the once-vibrant main streets of America.
   
   These are just three of the 11 sites the National Trust for Historic Preservation named yesterday to its 2001 list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places.
   
   Each year, the National Trust identifies places throughout America to help bring home its message about endangered places. Last year, the National Trust called the country’s attention to the historical structures at Valley Forge; the art deco-inspired Santa Anita Racetrack; and the island of Nantucket, to name a few.
   
   The National Trust is a private, nonprofit membership organization dedicated to protecting the irreplaceable. Some other places mentioned on this year’s list are the 1880 Bok Kai Temple in Marysville, CA; the country’s first "office campus" in Bloomfield, CT; and Colorado’s Telluride Valley, where a massive resort, including a large hotel complex, gondola, golf course, commercial space and housing, is planned for the valley floor.
   
   For more information and images of the sites, visit www.nationaltrust.org/11most
   
   The Business Traveler's Friend
   
   How many times have you wished that you could make one phone call and all the necessary time consuming evils associated with organizing a business trip to the UK would be taken care of? Travel, accommodation, transport, organization of meetings, venue finding, spouse programs, restaurant reservations, places of interest, administration requirements, finding a special gift for the Client etc., etc., etc.
   
   A concierge service with a difference now exists in the United Kingdom. It is the brainchild belonging to two Yorkshire businesswomen who believe time is a precious commodity and one that most active business people do not have enough of. The company exists to give people extra time by providing the range of services required to support busy people who travel on a regular basis. It is a one stop shop for virtually anything a person can use.
   
   Whilst the concierge industry has been around for more than a decade, the industry is still relatively new in the North of England. Generally speaking, concierge companies focus upon offering their services on a regional or nationwide basis and give assistance to their Clients when they travel overseas. The angle adopted by the Yorkshire duo is to deal with requests from overseas Clients who wish to visit the UK. Whether you are travelling on business or for pleasure, the company will assist with a multitude of needs.
   
   The company promises to deliver a highly confidential service, ideal for any impending business acquisitions that may need outsourced administration or back-up facilities.
   
   Tell them what, when and where and consider it done. Whilst you sleep, your tasks are taken care of.
   
   If you feel this is a service that could be of interest to you then visit their web site at http://www.sheer-finesse.com or e-mail: information@sheer-finesse.com
   
   Around The World In 30 Days
   
   Singapore Airlines And Virgin Atlantic Airways Partner To Offer Travelers The World On A Budget
   
   NEW YORK, NY -- (INTERNET WIRE) -- From the U.S. to Europe to Asia and back, Singapore Airlines and Virgin Atlantic Airways announce a new $1,499 round the world fare that invites travelers to see the world. The affordably priced Round the World ticket allows globetrotters to plan the vacation of their choice. Trips may last as many as 30 or as few as seven days and include numerous combinations of flights offered by the two award-winning airlines.
   
   Valid for departures from August 15 - November 15, 2001, the program includes one Transatlantic and one Transpacific crossing with stopovers in exotic destinations such as London, Amsterdam, Cape Town, Delhi, Cambodia and Bali, to name a few. Travelers may select as many destinations as they like, in many combinations, for a total flight mileage fewer than 24,000 miles in the air. Additional mileage is available at an additional charge.
   
   For reservations, contact your professional travel agent, Singapore Airlines at 1-800-742-3333 or www.singaporeair.com online or Virgin Atlantic Airways at 1-800-862-8621 or www.virgin-atlantic.com.
   
   ** Rate listed is per person and subject to restrictions. Advance purchase is required. Reservations for all sectors of travel must be made at least seven days prior to arrival at the first international stopover. International departure taxes, customs users fee and passenger facility charges not included.
   
   "Price of gas will burn a lot of vacation cash!" So make sure you spend the rest of it wisely! Unique website for Door County Wisconsin lets you do that!
   
   DoorCountyNavigator.com offers in-person reviews of inns, B&Bs, resorts, restaurants, shops, golf courses and more.
   
   Though the price of gas this summer will burn a lot of your cash, you can make sure if you are heading to Door County Wisconsin that you can spend the rest of your vacation money on the best inns, restaurants and activities!
   
   How can you find the best?
   This unique website, www.DoorCountyNavigator.com, offers real information that you can really use to make your trip the best. In-person reviews of inns, B&Bs, resorts, restaurants, shops, golf courses and more let you find exactly what you are looking for so you won't be surprised by price or quality.
   
   Exclusive one-click Romantic Getaway Planners let you find the best romantic inns, fine dining restaurants, carriage rides, spas, wine shops and more - all in one place! And there is a planner for men, and one for women!
   
   Winner of 19 Web Awards!
   This site has won 19 web awards for excellence in design, ease of navigation and rich content!
   
   Log-On to Find out!
   You will be able to spend the rest of your vacation money in the smartest way, so you can spend your vacation enjoying Door County and all it has to offer. No other website offers this content and in-depth knowledge of the area! Make www.DoorCountyNavigator.com, "Your Portal to the Door!"
   
   For more information, visit or contact:
   
   www.doorcountynavigator.com
   dan@doorcountynavigator.com
   
   Curaçao Announces Jewish Heritage Tours To Celebrate Congregation’s 350th Anniversary
   
   The "Mother Congregation of the Americas", United Congregation Mikvé Israel-Emanuel in Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles, is the oldest active Jewish congregation in the Americas. To celebrate the 350th anniversary of Congregation Mikvé Israel-Emanuel and this Dutch Caribbean island’s rich Jewish heritage, the Curaçao Tourist Board and the Curaçao Hospitality and Tourism Association have announced Jewish Heritage Tour Packages.
   
   Willemstad, Curaçao -- In a city teeming with carefully preserved 18th Century buildings (it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site) visitors can explore forts and town mansions transformed into boutiques, restaurants, museums and galleries. But no building is more intriguing than Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue - a genuine architectural treasure right in midtown, the oldest continually worshipped-in Jewish temple in the New World and home to "Mother Congregation of the Americas", United Congregation Mikvé Israel-Emanuel the oldest active Jewish congregation in the Americas.
   
   To celebrate the Congregation’s 350th anniversary and this Dutch Caribbean island’s rich Jewish heritage, the Curaçao Tourist Board and the Curaçao Hospitality and Tourism Association have announced Jewish Heritage Tour Packages now through September 15, 2001. Rates start at $295 per room, per night and include accommodations, a special Jewish Heritage Tour, daily American breakfast, round-trip on-island airport transfers, service charge and government tax.
   
   The Curaçao Jewish Heritage Tour includes stops at some of the most important sites in this unique Congregation’s history: historic Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue, with its elegant Georgian architecture, polished mahogany, brass and a sandy floor; the Jewish Cultural Historical Museum, home to a permanent collection of art and artifacts including an original Torah scroll brought to Curaçao in 1659; the Scharloo neighborhood of Willemstad whose mansions were once home to Jewish settlers; Landhuis Rooi Catootje with its Mongui Maduro Library which houses a remarkable collection of works on the history of the Jewish community in Curacao, and Beth Chaim Cemetery, consecrated in 1659, now a national historic site and information center.
   
   Participating hotels also offer their own special features as part of the package. The Avila Beach Hotel includes free tennis day and night, and chaise lounges and towels at the pool and beach. The Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort includes free day and night court tennis, admission to their fitness center, the Manager’s Wednesday evening cocktail party, chaise lounges and towels at the pool and beach, and invites up to two children to stay free per room with parents. There is a breakfast charge $17.50 per child including service charge and tax, and a minimum 3 night stay is required. The Sheraton Curaçao Resort includes free tennis, admission to their fitness center, the Manager’s Tuesday evening cocktail party, chaise lounges and towels at pool and beach, and allows up to two children under twelve years old to stay free when sharing room with parents. A breakfast charge applies. The Trupial Inn offers free transfers to and from historic Willemstad twice daily, and a child can share a room with parents for $7.00 per day plus taxes.
   
   Rates are based on two people per room per night, air fares are not included. Round-trip air transportation to Curaçao is available from all major U.S. gateways. Fares are based on dates of departure and can be requested when booking. A Curaçao departure tax of $20 per person is not included.
   
   Located outside of the hurricane belt, Curaçao’s dry climate makes it a perfect Caribbean vacation spot. Visitors enjoy beautiful beaches, world-class dive sites, unique family attractions, historic monuments, museums, golf and more. Blue Bay Golf Resort, the island’s new 18-hole golf course uses the scenic Caribbean coastline to create a challenging game. Pristine reefs teeming with underwater life offer some of the best diving and snorkeling in the Caribbean. Above the water, explorers discover an abundance of unique plant and animal life on canoe, jeep and horseback riding tours. Ecotourists will enjoy turtle-monitoring, deer-spotting and bird-watching in Curaçao’s national parks. Kids of all ages will be amazed by the inhabitants of the Ostrich & Game Farm, and the experience of being face-to-face with sharks and other underwater denizens at the Sea Aquarium.
   
   For reservations contact Arza World Travel at 1-800-223-7406 or 212-683-6311. For more information visit, www.curacao-tourism.com or call the Curaçao Tourist Board at 1-800-3CURACAO.
   
   Marriott Rated #1 In Hotel Customer Satisfaction, Reports The Wall Street Journal
   
   WASHINGTON, D.C. -- (INTERNET WIRE) -- Today, The Wall Street Journal reported that The American Customer Service Index (ACSI) rated Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE:MAR) as best in customer satisfaction for hotels this year with a score of 77 out of a possible 100, up 4.1 percent from last year. Marriott was the only company in the "Hotels" category reported as improving its rating.
   
   According to the Journal, the ACSI is based on a customer survey conducted by the University of Michigan Business School's National Quality Research Center. The Journal reports that the Center annually rates more than 180 businesses and 30 government agencies.
   
   Also, in the May 21 issue of Forbes, Marriott International was rated as one of the magazine’s "Magnetic 40." Forbes named Marriott as one of the world’s best companies with which to do business, and said, "The ability to attract partners and manage alliances, or as we prefer to call it, to be magnetic, is the new core competency of the networked age."
   
   MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC. (NYSE:MAR) is a leading worldwide hospitality company with over 2,300 operating units in the United States and 59 other countries and territories. Marriott Lodging operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, JW Marriott, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites and Ramada International brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott, Ritz-Carlton and Horizons brands; operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing through its ExecuStay by Marriott division; and operates conference centers. Other Marriott businesses include senior living communities and services, wholesale food distribution and The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. The company is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and has approximately 154,000 employees. In fiscal year 2000, Marriott International reported systemwide sales of $19.8 billion. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at www.marriott.com.
   
   
   
   Disney World - The Online Guide Unveils New Attractions Section
   
   Manchester, UK - Picture the scene. Mr and Mrs Average have been saving for years to take their two young children on a holiday of a lifetime to Walt Disney World in Florida. But wait. How do they know which rides are not to be missed, when the best time to visit certain attractions is, or how to get the most out of their trip? They could waste a lot of precious time on their vacation simply because they haven't done any planning or research.
   
   Each year, millions of people, just like Mr & Mrs Average visit Walt Disney World for a dream vacation, yet many don't spend any time properly planning their trip. This is where Disney World - The Online Guide steps in. Disney World - The Online Guide has unveiled a brand new attractions section, which features detailed information on every ride and show at Walt Disney World. Information includes a description of each ride, along with photos, sounds, and reviews. Tips on when to visit the attraction, where the best seats are, and how to get the most out of it are also featured. If Mr and Mrs Average visit Disney World - The Online Guide, they won't be wasting their valuable time and money once they reach the Disney World theme parks.
   
   Along with attraction information, Disney World - The Online Guide features over 1500 pages bursting with information to help plan your trip to the world's #1 vacation spot. Comprehensive information on every Disney Resort hotel, and every Disney World restaurant can be found at the site, along with tips and reviews, hundreds of photos, and maps of every Resort and theme park.
   
   "Why spend money on a guidebook, when you can get much more comprehensive information for free at Disney World - The Online Guide?" asks site owner Joanne Forshaw.
   
   Disney World - The Online Guide is the ultimate, unofficial guide to Walt Disney World in Florida. Visitors to the site can find all the information they need to help plan their trip of a lifetime. Information includes Disney Resorts, parks, dining, tips, reviews, maps, photos, menus, where to meet characters, and Disney news updated daily. The site also features message boards, where visitors can ask questions, and talk to other Disney fans and experts. Visit Disney World - The Online Guide http://www.wdisneyw.co.uk.
   
   Connecting Cruise Ship Passengers to the Far Reaches of The Last Frontier
   
   (ARA) - Imagine sipping chilled wine or cappuccino as you watch the sun set and the sky burst into prisms of color over jagged mountain peaks topped with snow. Reclining in your lush, oversized seat as you begin your journey to Denali, passing through mountains and over rivers as you spot moose, caribou, dall sheep and grizzlies roam the wilderness. Disembarking for an overnight stay in the Talkeetna Lodge with a spectacular view of Mount McKinley in the distance. Doesn't sound like your typical cruise vacation, does it?
   
   Shore excursions for Alaskan cruise ship passengers used to consist of being herded onto busses, driving to crowded tourist destinations nearby, snapping a few rolls of film and - if lucky - spotting a lone moose wandering through town or an eagle soaring overhead. Now, new travel opportunities enable passengers to go beyond the coastline and deep into the interior of Alaska's untamed wilderness on one of North America's truly great scenic railroads.
   
   Formed last year by Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises, Royal Celebrity Tours' Alaskan Cruisetour programs allow passengers sailing on Gulf of Alaska cruise itineraries to design their own pre- or post-cruise land excursions, ranging from two to six nights, to places such as Alyseka, Denali, Talkeetna, Anchorage and Fairbanks.
   
   Your journey into the heart of The Last Frontier begins in Seward, where you board Royal Celebrity Tour's Wilderness Express, the world's largest and most accessible double-decker glass-domed rail cars complete with open viewing platforms and ADA-compliant seating, allowing physically-challenged travelers to access both levels of the rail cars.
   
   Unlike other cruise tours, Royal Celebrity Tours balances their itineraries to maximize viewing time onboard the railcars and exploring time outdoors. Cruisetour land packages run the gamut from relaxing to challenging. You can traverse an ice field, kayak past a spectacular glacier, hike deep into a national forest, roam free among majestic wildlife or marvel at Misty Fjords. There's also fishing, golfing, shopping, horseback riding, and whitewater rafting - the possibilities are endless.
   
   To enrich the beautiful scenery, Cruisetours are escorted by expert Tour Directors, trained to guide you through every step of your adventure and offer unique insights on the flora and fauna, geology, native culture and history of Alaska. Don't forget to pack plenty of film, because without proof, your family and friends won't believe you when you tell them all the things you saw and did!
   
   "We are thrilled to offer vacationers the opportunity to explore some of Alaska's most stunning and remote areas," explains Bob Stone, vice president of operations for Royal Celebrity Tours. "We are confident that our guests will enjoy our varied itineraries and the 360-degree views offered by our spacious, comfortable glass-domed railcars."
   
   Royal Celebrity Tours' land-and-sea programs begin in May 2001. For additional information or to make reservations, call Royal Caribbean at (800) 327-6770 or Celebrity Cruises at (800) 437-3111, visit
   www.royalcaribbean.com or www.celebritycruises.com, or contact your travel agent.
   
   Comprehensive City Guide Launch Announced
   
   A new website has been launched for searching attractions or planning a trip. The unique database allows a user to input the criteria including the driving distance and a full comprehensive list of results will appear.
   
   A new website has been launched for searching attractions or planning a trip. The unique database allows a user to input the criteria including the driving distance and a full comprehensive list of results will appear. With over a quarter million listings a user is sure to find what they are searching for. The online city guide is currently free for all to use and has primarily focused on the South East. It should feature the rest of the United States by the end of the year. Along with listings of various tourist attractions and accommodations, the site also features colorful pictures and local historical and current topics that allow a reader research the area. The system, which is a first of its kind, uses a very complex equation that was interpreted by Dr. Fred Roush who is distinguished in the mathematical world for disproving the Williams Conjecture Theorem. The website, is currently running on a Microsoft(tm) SQL Server, and also uses IPIX(tm) Virtual Tours to enhance its thousands of listings with 360 degree panoramic photographs. Metroradius.com makes it easier for consumers to find local attractions. With a variety of different categories and an easy to follow format Metroradius.com can provide a comprehensive listing of your particular interests within a given region.
   
   For more information, visit http://www.metroradius.com
   
   Personal Advice Technology Leader VacationCoach Unveils
   One-Of-A-Kind Tool That Lets Disney Visitors Map Out
   Their Theme Park Experience
   
   MAYNARD, MA -- (INTERNET WIRE) -- VacationCoach, the pioneer in expert-based profiling and personal advice technology for the travel industry, unveils the first and only personal advice tool on theme park attractions for Walt Disney World(R). This new interactive application instantly serves up expert advice on the best rides for children and adults based on their personal likes and dislikes. Acting like a virtual Disney travel expert, this unique tool has built-in intelligence and instantly recommends the best ride options for the Disney enthusiasts - from babies to seniors. The application is even able to suggest the best rides for groups of people traveling together.
   
   "VacationCoach’s Me-Print technology facilitates confident, quick, and hassle-free decisions," says Rob Roberts, Head Coach and CEO. "Our self-service travel advice tools help travelers with the entire planning and booking cycle - from deciding where to go based on their lifestyle to choosing the most suitable vacation package or theme attraction options for the entire family."
   
   Using VacationCoach’s Theme Park Attractions Coach, even families not familiar with Walt Disney World’s rides can find out which attractions are best for them and create an itinerary in a matter of seconds. The tool explains the ranked suggestions by showcasing how well rides match user preferences. Servicing the broadest range of travel tastes, this virtual coach provides ideas in less than 1/10 of a second!
   
   "VacationCoach’s Theme Park Attractions Coach is a one-of-a-kind solution for families looking to get the best experience out of their Disney World visit this summer," shares Sheila Halloran, VacationCoach’s Disney-certified expert. "VacationCoach interactive advice tools recreate the intimate experience customers have with their travel agents."
   
   The Theme Park Attractions Coach was created with the help of Ms. Halloran who is a Certified Travel Consultant with over 20 years of experience. Her extensive credentials include training from the Disney College of Knowledge, ICTA, Universal Studios, and the STARS program.
   
   VacationCoach has been offering its patent-pending Me-Print technology and personal advice tools to the travel and lifestyle industries since the summer of 2000. Me-Print is at the forefront of the new generation of travel personalization applications, combining proprietary expert systems technology, sophisticated customer data gathering and analysis, and expert knowledge and advice.
   
   About VacationCoach, Inc.:
   
   (www.vacationcoach.com/docs/partner.html) Headquartered in Maynard, MA, VacationCoach, Inc. is a leader in expert-based travel personalization, delivering self-service, personal advice applications, which facilitate decision-making and brand selection. VacationCoach has developed the patent-pending Me-Print profiling and advice technology, available for syndication to companies in the travel, recreation, and lifestyle industries. The company’s expert leisure advice and unbiased travel planning resources, which are showcased at www.VacationCoach.com, are also offered to affinity and corporate benefit providers as an innovative membership perk.
   
   VacationCoach has garnered top-notch industry acclaim: an eTravel World Best Niche Travel Site award, the Applied Arts Magazine Annual Award selection, and the Gold Award for Best E-commerce Business-to-Consumer site from the Advertising and Design Club of Canada, among others. Current VacationCoach partners include Hearst Magazines, Salon.com, Worldres.com, Whatsgoingon.com, Qixo, Renaissance Worldwide, Pro Media, ISM, Shaw’s Supermarkets and Star Market Inc., Wild Apple, Abilizer, Save@Work, Gill-Robbins Consulting, WCRB, and WGBH.
   
   NEW On-Line Travel Agency Adds a Personal Touch!!
   
   Great Escapes Certified Travel Inc., a full service and online Travel Agency located at www.greatescapesinc.com, allows you to book travel or request a quote online. Now offering you the convenience of talking to a live Travel Counselor by dialing their NEW nationwide toll-free number at (888) 679-6086.
   
   Salem, Ohio - Great Escapes Certified Travel Inc. located in Salem, Ohio and also online at www.greatescapesinc.com offers new expanded online services. This agency now offers online booking for your travel needs; in addition they now provide you with online travel quotes. One thing that sets them apart from many online travel booking engines is that you now have the option to speak with a LIVE TRAVEL COUNSELOR by calling their NEW NATIONWIDE toll-free number at (888) 679-6086. "We feel our customers should be able to speak with a Travel Counselor at anytime during their travel planning stage, says Todd Dow, President & CEO of Great Escapes Certified Travel Inc.
   
   Great Escapes Certified Travel Inc. is a part of a nationwide network of independent Travel Agencies with their corporate headquarters, Certified Travel Services Inc., being located in Oklahoma City, OK. The affiliation with more than 75 travel agencies throughout the U.S. allows the agency to pass greater savings on to their customers by polling their buying power. Great Escapes Certified Travel Inc., is accredited by the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA), Cruise Line International Association (CLIA), IATA and is a member of Vacation.com and for your protection they offer United States Tour Operators Association tours and travel. Great Escapes Certified Travel is connected to SABRE, one of the largest computer reservations systems in the world allowing them to provide their customers with the greatest number of travel options.
   
   Great Escapes Certified Travel Inc. is dedicated to providing the best value in travel and exceptional customer service by providing COMPLETE travel counseling services at NO additional cost to their customers. Quoting Todd Dow, President & CEO of greatescapesinc.com and Great Escapes Certified Travel Inc. "call the other Travel Agencies first then call us, you will see the difference, our agents take the time necessary to plan your vacation right the first time, you have my word on it."
   
   For more information, contact:
   
   Todd Dow
   Great Escapes Certified Travel Inc.
   http://www.greatescapesinc.com
   888-679-6086
   travel@greatescapesinc.com
   
   Is the English Language Greek to You?
   
   Don't Know "Caveat Emptor" from a "Cul-de-Sac"? New Dictionary Makes You a "Connoisseur" of Foreign Phrases
   
   Do you ever feel like the English language you've spent a lifetime speaking is, well ... changing? If so, you're not alone. New words are added to the dictionary each year, challenging Mr. and Mrs. John Q. Public to keep up with those vocabulary wizards, the Joneses.
   
   Foreign phrases, in particular, are entering our language at unprecedented speed via the Internet and other media. They're ushered in on newscasts and lifestyles pages, and as slang from the frontiers of film and fashion.
   
   Most of us probably didn't blink an eye when the comedy sequel "Hot Shots! Part Deux" arrived in theaters in the early `90s. The title may have been tongue-in-cheek (and a little silly), but it didn't require any explanation to audiences who've grown accustomed to a foreign element in their pop culture.
   
   As an integral part of our evolving global community, foreign phrases are becoming household terms faster than you can say "nouveau arrivé" (French for "new arrival"). But even if you flunked your high school German class, you can still add firepower to your linguistic arsenal and impress your friends by picking up the new World Dictionary of Foreign Expressions: A Resource for Readers and Writers.
   
   Two decades in the making, the dictionary includes foreign phrases from over twenty languages -- including Spanish, Hindi, Chinese, German and Afrikaans. Neil Steinberg of the Chicago Sun Times notes that "...a quick scan provides intriguing expressions in language from Sanskirt to Yiddish. Not too quick, though, since almost every entry invites contemplation."
   
   Indeed, many native-English speakers might be surprised to discover the source of some of the foreign phrases that have inundated everyday English. Did you know that words such as "index" and "recipe" were of Latin origin? How about guessing which language the word "taboo" comes from? If you guessed any of the romance languages, move your game piece back three spaces and make a mental note to visit Tahiti soon ("taboo" is Polynesian for" forbidden or not permitted, especially by religious or social beliefs").
   
   Yet you may be surprised to discover how many foreign phrases and expressions you use every day, often to soften the blow of a word's true meaning. Euphemism -- substituting a less distasteful term -- is a popular reason for adopting the foreign. Pet owners do this when they "neuter" Fido, while similarly treated choir boys become "castrati" (the practice, "grace à dieu," is mercifully extinct).
   
   Whether you're a traveler hoping to increase your worldly vocabulary, or a first year law student who can't quite put your finger on the multitude of Latin phrases coming up on the next exam, the World Dictionary of Foreign Expressions is sure to assist in your quest for a few "bon mots" (French for "a clever, witty saying or remark").
   
   For more information on the new World Dictionary of Foreign Expressions, contact the book's publisher at:
   
   http://www.bolchazy.com.
   
   The dictionary can be purchased at Barnes & Noble and Borders bookstores.
   
   Europe goes under the hammer! Online air ticket auctions by thomascook.co.in
   
   In a path-breaking move, Thomas Cook (India) Limited, India's leading Travel and Financial Services Company, brings the Indian traveller, the first ever airline ticket auctions by a Travel Company. On offer are a range of exciting European destinations including London, on all Alitalia's six weekly departures ex Mumbai, for specific dates in May and June.
   
   In a path-breaking move, Thomas Cook (India) Limited, India's leading Travel and Financial Services Company, brings the Indian traveller, the first ever airline ticket auctions by a Travel Company.
   
   Starting May 23, 2001,Thomas Cook (India) Ltd has been auctioning business and economy class tickets on Alitalia airline on bidorbuyindia.com, a premier auction site. On offer are a range of exciting European destinations including London, on all Alitalia's six weekly departures ex Mumbai, for specific dates in May and June. The bids start at Rs 25,000 and Rs 55,000 for economy and business class tickets respectively. An attractive add-on to every business class ticket is a free onboard duty free shopping voucher valued at approximately UD$25.
   
   The auction is one of several customer-led initiatives being undertaken by thomascook.co.in, the Internet division of Thomas Cook. Thomascook.co.in has teamed up with bidorbuy.com (in which it has an equity stake) to bring travellers a state of the art platform for travel auctions. Besides air tickets, thomascook.co.in will also be auctioning domestic and international holiday packages.
   
   An overjoyed Ashwini Kakkar, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd 's CEO and MD, says: "Wait and watch, the best is yet to come! This is just one more prong in our customer-centric strategy. Online commerce and dynamic pricing are being driven by customer demand, and as a customer-led organization we have chosen to respond by giving customers access to our products through a wide variety of channels and purchase mechanisms."
   
   Thomascook.co.in is India's leading travel web site offering a range of holidays, hotels, cruises, weekend packages and air fares as also comprehensive travel tools such as in-depth destination guides, maps, travel tips and weather, interactive sections on study abroad and foreign exchange information. The site also offers a specially created e-zine called Trav@zine, providing regular features and holiday inspiration.
   
   For more information, visit http://www.thomascook.co.in
   
   R. Crusoe & Son has Africa covered ... Shorter itineraries added for 2002
   
   R. Crusoe & Son has added several shorter journeys around Africa for 2002. Experts in organized, luxury travel, R. Crusoe can help make touring Africa a dream.
   
   AFRICA - FROM B TO Z - WITH EGYPT IN BETWEEN. R. CRUSOE HAS THE CONTINENT COVERED
   Chicago, IL - Botswana and Zimbabwe. Kenya and Tanzania. Namibia and South Africa. Mali and Morocco. Even Timbuktu and Zanzibar. R. Crusoe & Son covers the African continent like no one else can. From treks to private jets, R. Crusoe travelers may cover a lot of ground, but always at a comfortable pace and always with unexpected style. And let’s not forget Egypt - the cradle of ancient civilization and home to modern wonders. Expert Egyptologists on every R. Crusoe departure explain this country’s glorious past.
   
   Cruising the Nile in Luxury. Cairo Too begins with overnights in one of the world’s grand hotels, Mena House, created for the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869. R. Crusoe guests stay in the main palace and enjoy spectacular views - one sphinx, three pyramids. After touring Memphis, King Menes’s capital city three millennia ago, R. Crusoe travelers use camels as transport around the Great Pyramids.
   
   Join a faculty member of the American University in Cairo for answers to the riddle of the Sphinx. Discover Pharaoh’s treasures in the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities. Visit King Tut. Fly to Abu Simbel, home to the Temples of Ramses II and Hathor, and poke around Elephantine, Aglilika and Kitchener’s islands. Relax over tea at Agatha Christie’s old haunt, the Old Cataract Hotel.
   
   Travelers then board the luxurious M/S Philae, voted THE best boat on the Nile by the Egyptian government, for a journey through time beginning in Aswan and ending in Luxor. The Philae offers everything you would expect from first-class accommodations: verandas for each of the 58 cabins; a swimming pool with sun deck; a restaurant, bars and a beauty salon.
   
   Wonders abound upriver: Aswan’s old and new dams,
   Unfinished Obelisk, Philae Temple, Temple of Horus in Edfu, Great Hypostyle Hall, a private visit to Chicago House (a branch of the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago), Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens, Queen Hatshepsut’s Mortuary Temple, Colossi of Memnon, Karnak, Temple of Luxor, even Qena’s Temple of Dendera.
   
   Ending the tour in Cairo where there’s plenty of time for the Khalili Bazaar, the little-known yet fascinating Gayer-Anderson Museum, and mosques from the ninth to 19th centuries. Following a last night at the Four Seasons Hotel, journey home or extend the trip to Sinai and Jordan. Prices for the 13-day core excursion begin at $4,450, per person/double occupancy including all internal transport; departures are year-round. Prices for the six-day pre- or post-extension to Sinai and Jordan begin at $1,950 per person/double occupancy.
   
   Elsewhere on the vast African continent, R. Crusoe & Son offers a 14-day discovery of the watery wilderness of Botswana and Zimbabwe; a flying safari inside Kenya and Tanzania; and the 32-day Absolutely All Around Africa by private jet, featuring all of the above plus South Africa, Namibia, Zanzibar, Mali, Morocco, and Timbuktu. Shorter tours of Kenya and Tanzania will be available in 2002.
   
   R. Crusoe & Son knows Africa as the company knows the rest of the world. For further information on R. Crusoe’s global adventures, or to receive it’s latest brochure, call 888-490-8045, or email info@rcrusoe.com. Visit R. Crusoe’s Web site, recently voted one of the best by Forbes, at www.rcrusoe.com.
   
   For more information, please contact:
   
   Kelly Wisecarver
   Sage Marketing & Public Relations, Inc.
   http://www.rcrusoe.com
   773-529-9731
   kwsage@aol.com
   
   New Site Challenges Online Travel Giants Expedia, Orbitz and Travelocity; Consumers to Benefit from Unbiased Low-Fare Displays and Money-Saving Alternatives
   
   AirfareScout.com, an unbiased online consumer travel information source, is a tremendous tool for travel shoppers who want truth, education, less confusion and real discounts. Consumers who use AirfareScout.com’s Lowest Published Fare information as the starting point when shopping for airfares are likely to save both time and money.
   
   SAN DIEGO, California - Travel and technology veteran Steve Kosier, who in 1996 co-founded the successful Bestfares.com website, has announced the launch of an unbiased consumer travel information source, AirfareScout.com. Unlike most travel websites, AirfareScout.com’s business model bypasses the conflict-of-interest flaws inherent in the commission-dependent agency model. According to Kosier, AirfareScout.com will enable consumers to confidently shop for the lowest airfare in a way that embodies truth, education, less confusion and real discounts.
   
   "The launch of AirfareScout.com is a giant step forward for consumers," said Kosier. "It will let them know which travel agencies and websites filter out low-fare information and which do not." Kosier cited a July 2001 study documenting the widespread omission of the Lowest Published Fare from low-fare quotes, then explained how AirfareScout.com’s model could help consumers.
   
   "Most of the information on our site is free to the public, including all possible Lowest Published Fare options for each flight you search. We retrieve all data in real-time directly from a federally regulated system, so we know it’s accurate. We then display all published fare options with each airline’s toll-free phone number, website link, and applicable rules and fare basis code. We don’t filter any information and we don’t exclude any low-cost airlines."
   
   In other words, consumers who use AirfareScout.com’s Lowest Published Fare information as the starting point when shopping for airfares are likely to save both time and money. "Hence our 'Dare to Compare!' website slogan," said Kosier.
   
   In addition to displaying the Lowest Published Fare without bias, AirfareScout.com is rich in other valuable information and shopping tools. For instance, a unique FareCompare display shows driving miles and possible savings for alternate departure and destination airports, and Airfare Snapshot displays the Lowest Published Fare from your city to 140 destinations in a single click. The site also lists Web-Only specials from over 20 airlines, hotel and car rental links and toll-free numbers, links to FAA travel advisories, and detailed Smart Shopper Tips. All of these features are free to the public.
   
   About AirfareScout.com
   
   AirfareScout.com is an unbiased online information source whose primary mission is enabling consumers to confidently shop for travel products in a way that embodies truth, education, less confusion and real discounts. AirfareScout.com, which is NOT a travel agency, was launched in response to the lack of regulatory laws protecting consumers from conflicts of interest inherent in the commission-driven agency model. The website offers free, unbiased information to all consumers by displaying the lowest published airfares and detailed purchase information for each route, regardless of airline. Also featured are powerful new shopping tools. FareCompare is a unique single-screen display that compares potential savings at nearby origination and destination airports, and Airfare Snapshot displays the Lowest Published Fare from your city to 140 destinations in a single click. AirfareScout.com is owned and operated by Web Travel Partners, Inc., a privately held Delaware corporation with offices in San Diego, CA. For more information, visit http://www.AirfareScout.com. "Dare to Compare!"
   
====    MILLIONS AFFECTED BY CARSICKNESS HAVE NEW HOPE
   
   Millions affected by carsickness have new hope with ViBAN® eyewear. Newly patented, ViBAN® is the first optical product designed for those who have difficulty reading or focusing while riding in a moving vehicle. Up to 40 percent of people have difficulty performing these tasks.
   
   ViBAN® works by giving passengers control of their vision field. Engineered to block the passenger’s view of motion outside the moving vehicle, ViBAN® provides an undisturbed view of the inside. Once separated from motion outside, passengers are free to focus on a book, magazine, computer, hand-held game, or other activity inside the vehicle. Useful for both business and leisure travel, ViBAN® can be used while riding in a car, truck, bus, taxi, or train. Additional product information (and purchase) is available on the Internet at http://www.viban.com or by calling 888-577-7749.
   
   Carsickness results from the body’s sensory systems sending inconsistent signals to the brain. During travel some senses signal the brain that the body is stationery. Other sensors, especially the eyes, signal the brain that the body is moving. This sensory imbalance may result in carsickness. ViBAN® eyewear blocks out the motion input signaled by the eyes - improving the passenger’s ability to perform focused tasks inside the moving vehicle.
   
   Founded in 1998, ViBAN Corporation is the leader in vision-occluding eyewear and based in Jacksonville, Florida.
   
   For more information, please contact:
   
   David Tromble
   Viban Corporation
   http://www.viban.com
   904-230-2221
   junk2@mediaone.net
   
   Santa's Workshop Back in Business
   
   America's oldest theme park re-opens for 29th Annual Christmas Preview Season in North Pole, New York. Legal complications surrounding the sale of the park caused this historic attraction to be closed for the summer of 2001, the first interruption in its 52-year history.
   
   NORTH POLE, NEW YORK - Santa’s Workshop, the oldest theme park in America, will reopen for business on Friday, November 23, 2001. Legal complications surrounding the sale of Santa’s Workshop caused the park to be closed for the summer of 2001, the first interruption in its 52-year history. This historic attraction traditionally closes after the holiday season and opens again in the summer.
   
   Remember what Christmas meant to you when you were a child - the warmth, enchantment, and excitement? Once again, you can recapture some of those great moments with your family at Santa’s Workshop in North Pole, New York. Santa’s elves and elfins have been hard at work recreating the fairy-tale charm of this enchanting village just in time for the 29th Annual Christmas Preview Weekends.
   
   The spirit of Christmas awaits young and old at Santa’s Workshop, where you can visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus in their very own home. Enjoy the steam train, Reindeer Carousel, Kiddie Bobsleds, and the talking Christmas Tree. Watch the beautiful and inspiring Nativity Pageant. Be entertained and amused by Frosty the Snowman, Rowdy the Reindeer, Miranda Mouse, Chris Moose, and other members of the Mother Goose Guild as they perform throughout the day with puppet shows and live musical reviews.
   
   Santa’s Workshop will be open weekends from November 23 through December 16, 2001 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The entrance will close at 2:00 p.m. to allow every visitor the chance to enjoy all of the park activities including a visit with Santa. Admission is $12 for adults and $9 for children with free admission for children under the age of two.
   
   Family weekend packages are available for November 23-25, November 30-December 2, December 7-9 and December 14-16. The weekend package includes two nights lodging, two dinners, two breakfasts, admission to Santa’s Workshop, two evenings of memorable entertainment in the old-fashioned tradition of family and friends, and much more.
   
   Santa’s Workshop is located in North Pole, New York - just three miles east of Whiteface Mountain Ski Center and 12 miles east of Lake Placid, home of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics. For more information about Santa’s Workshop or to make a Family Weekend package reservation, call 800-488-9853.
   
   For more information, please contact:
   
   Donna Smallin
   Lake Placid/essex County Visitors Bureau
   http://www.lakeplacid.com
   800-447-5224
   donna@lakeplacid.com
   
   "TRAVEL ORB ANNOUNCES LUXURY TRIPS TO THE WORLD’S GREATEST FESTIVALS"
   
   Travel company offers package deals for worldwide festivals and events through leisure travel agents and corporate incentive offices.
   
   SAN DIEGO, CA - The bulls have been running in Pamplona for the last 400 years...beer has been flowing at Munich’s Oktoberfest since the 17th century...and the hips have been swinging at Carnival in Rio de Janeiro for decades. Yet many travelers find it difficult to get accurate information about these events and almost impossible to secure any travel arrangements.
   
   Now, a solution to finding information and scheduling travel arrangements is at hand. Travel Orb, a tour operator that provides luxury travel, promises that those who want to be a part of these festivals will experience the local traditions with comfort and style.
   
   Travel Orb is pleased to introduce its initial festival packages for 2002. Each highly personalized journey is designed to be a creative and memorable experience that embraces the culture and activities surrounding each special event. With thousands of events worldwide, Travel Orb selects only a sampling for their festival showcase each year. However, Travel Orb also customizes trips for companies interested in putting together an incentive package for their customers or top-producing employees. They also work with groups to create specific travel packages.
   
   "Travel Orb is the only company of its kind that packages worldwide festivals and events for both the incentive and leisure travel market," said Michael Donovan, VP of Sales. "Companies who use our specialized trips to increase sales and productivity will be amazed. Hawaii’s great, but it’s been done a million times. Have your employees run with the bulls or lift their steins at Oktoberfest, and you will definitely see an increase in your ROI!"
   
   For more information, please contact:
   
   Robert Stovall
   Travel Orb Group
   858-274-0467 voice
   858-123-4567 fax
   rstovall@travelorb.com
   
   Visa Launches "Visa Destinations"
   
   Breakthrough Travel, Retail And Entertainment Website Offers Exclusive Merchant And Cardholder Values And Convenience
   
   SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- (INTERNET WIRE) -- Visa International recently announced the launch of "Visa Destinations," an innovative, interactive, online travel portal providing Visa cardholders with exclusive offers and values from a select group of global travel, retail and entertainment merchants.
   
   Featuring a wide range of valuable offers and information, this user-friendly, travel planning Website can be accessed through www.visa.com. The site contains retail, travel and entertainment offers from more than 600 merchants in key destination markets or by designated category around the world.
   
   "Cardholders and merchants alike will benefit from Visa’s streamlined approach to added value and immediate information on this consumer-friendly, merchant-friendly, online website," said Tom Shepard, executive vice president, International Marketing Partnerships and Sponsorships, Visa International. "We expect the site’s range of special values, travel tips and information to generate widespread interest among cardholders, while enabling merchants to reach millions of consumers with customized promotions delivering remarkable flexibility. It’s safe to say there has never been anything like Visa Destinations for sheer convenience and value."
   
   Unique Site Offers Benefits to Consumers and Merchants
   
   A Merchant Online Offer Management Program allows merchants to design and input offers directly onto Visa Destination from their local terminals, with flexibility to track offers in real time. All of our merchant partners, along with travel agents, will have the ability to dynamically load offers onto the site at their leisure.
   
   Visa currently is inviting key merchants globally and offering them the opportunity to participate. The online offer management program helps the merchant design an offer on Visa Destinations complete with promotional artwork. The system then reviews the input to ensure it meets all of Visa’s promotional criteria, such as following local and regional guidelines, as well as other online policies. That material is submitted to Visa which reviews the content. Once approved, the offer goes online.
   
   Partners currently online include such leading brands Marriott Hotels and Resorts, Design Hotels, the Korea National Tourism Organization, Accor, Le Méridien, the Salt Lake Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, and Sandals. It is estimated that Visa Destinations will feature more than 1,000 offers from participating merchants by the end of 2001.
   
   "Visa continues to be one of the best in consumer marketing and is well known for developing innovative programs that are designed to benefit both its cardholders and its partners," said Keith Blizzard, Vice President, Strategic Alliances for Marriott International, Inc. "As a global partner, Marriott is pleased to be part of this exciting new travel service."
   
   As the site gains heightened visibility and popularity among merchant partners, it is estimated that Visa Destinations will feature more than 1,000 offers from participating merchants by the end of 2001.
   
   "Visa remains at the leading edge of customer marketing with innovative programs that are always designed to benefit both its cardholders and its merchant partners," said Mr. Cho, Hong-Kyu, President of the Korea National Tourism Organization (KNTO), "As a global partner, KNTO strongly supports the new Visa Destinations initiative and looks forward to working with Visa on this program."
   
   Offers and Benefits Printed at Home
   
   Value added benefits and offers as well as promotional materials can be accessed and employed either online or offline. Valuable coupons from many merchants can be printed from the site and redeemed at select merchant locations. Other offers can be redeemed online or by telephone.
   
   The site also includes relevant consumer content such as destination and cultural information, a link to Visa’s ATM Locator Guide, currency and time converters, and links to tourist and convention bureau sites.
   
   About Visa
   
   Visa is the world’s leading payment brand and the largest payment system worldwide. Visa-branded cards generate almost US $2 trillion in annual volume and are accepted at over 22 million locations around the world. The Visa organization plays a pivotal role in advancing new payment products and technologies to benefit its 21,000 member financial institutions and their cardholders. Visa is a leader in Internet based payments and is pioneering the creation of u-commerce, or universal commerce - the ability to conduct commerce anytime, anywhere, and any way. For more information, visit www.Visa.com.
   
   Visa’s extensive merchant relationships and marketing partnerships, as well as its unsurpassed acceptance in more than 300 countries and territories, provide travelers with unique and valuable travel benefits. For the past four years, Visa has been named the "World’s Leading Credit Card," most recently in April 2001, by the World Travel Awards, the industry’s most comprehensive awards program, recognizing Visa’s commitment to world travelers and the travel industry at large.
   
   About Visa Destinations
   
   The special features of Visa Destinations were designed by Lebensart Technology, a global company, offering full lifecycle, customer centric, solutions for international companies. The leader in Customer Delivery Solutions(tm), Lebensart technology, builds upon the practices of Customer Relationship Management (CRM). Lebensart provides the tools and information to identify and target optimal customers, but allows the opportunity to acknowledge and anticipate needs and behaviors for effective, efficient personalized communication with customers, at every touch point.
   
   China`s best kept secret
   
   China hides a treasure trove of flowering plants . However, many tourists are disappointed when their China Tour takes them to gardens composed only of rocks, ponds and pagodas but no flowering plants.
   
   Yunnan Province, however, in south central China is a wild mountainous region of lush green forests and climate conducive to year-round blooming of a kaleidoscope of colorful flowers.
   
   In 1999 Kunming held the International Garden Expo, the site of which today still displays spectacular garden beds.
   
   Known as "The city of eternal spring," Kunming is the starting point for all garden lovers who like to see flowers blooming in the wild.
   
   Yunnan is the home of Rosa gigantea, the wild tea- scented China rose.
   
   Explore the locations visited by Martin Rix and Roger Phillips in their TV series "Quest for the China Rose". In 1924, plant hunter George Forrest and anthropologist Joseph Rock discovered Camellia reticulata, wild tree peonies and the Banksian rose in Yunnan province.
   
   See rare and endemic plants growing in their natural habitat in forests on Zixi Mountain and in the alpine meadows of Cang Shan Mountain.
   
   Over 240 species of fragrant plants, 250 species of edible mushrooms and 170 native species of rhododendrons have been identified in these areas.
   
   Find out more on the internet at www.toursgallery.com
   
   For information about seeing colorful flowers in China phone Ken Osetroff at (07) 3359 6651
   or Tollfree 1300 307 317.
   
   Email gardens@toursgallery.com
   Web www.toursgallery.com
   
   Free Seminar - New Zealand Adventures
   
   Outdoor Travel Adventures and Carefree Vacations are offering a free seminar on adventure travel to New Zealand. The seminar will be offered at their joint offices in Point Loma (San Diego, CA) on January 10, 2002 at 7:00pm.
   
   Outdoor Travel Adventures and Carefree Vacations are presenting a free seminar, New Zealand Adventures, on Thursday, January 10th at 7:00 pm. Join us to learn what the "adventure capital of the world" has to offer for your next vacation.
   
   This FREE seminar will be jointly presented by the owners of Outdoor Travel Adventures, Roseann Iovine and Wendy Pacofsky, and will feature a slide presentation followed by a question and answer session. The presentation will focus on the many outdoor adventure activities available on the North and South Islands, including hiking, sea kayaking, sailing, mountain biking, blackwater and whitewater rafting, snorkeling, canoeing, jetboating and glacier hiking.
   
   Featured trips include our 12-day adventure, which covers the best of New Zealand from Auckland on the North Island to Queenstown on the South Island. This itinerary is available as a group departure in February or on request for independent travelers. The second featured trip is the Hollyford Track, one of New Zealand’s greatest year-round hikes. Finally, America’s Cup packages and other customized trips will be introduced. Discount offers on guided group trips will be offered to seminar attendees.
   
   Carefree Vacations (a division of San Diego Travel Group) joined forces with Outdoor Travel Adventures last year to jointly promote and sell adventure travel. Carefree Vacations and Outdoor Travel Adventures will host the event at their Point Loma office at 2927-A Cañon Street (near the corner of Cañon & Rosecrans). Reservations are encouraged, and can be taken at (619) 523-2137. Visit the "What’s Hot" page at www.OTAdventures.com for other upcoming seminars, events, and travel features.
   
   For more information, please contact:
   
   Wendy Pacofsky
   Outdoor Travel Adventures
   http://www.OTAdventures.com
   619-523-2137
   wendy@otadventures.com
   


How To Feed A Sweet Tooth

Athletes and non-exercisers alike can experience intense sugar cravings that most dismiss as "having a sweet tooth." If this sounds like you, take a look at your overall eating habits -- are you skipping meals or generally cutting calories short? If so, the lack of calories is most likely to blame for your body's cry for sweets (or carbohydrates, to be specific). Eating balanced meals and healthy snacks should abate your stark-raving cravings for sugar.

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How Sweet It Is

While using honey instead of sugar won't save you any calories, you may get some extra benefits that sugar alone won't provide. Honey contains a form of carbohydrate that can enable good bacteria to grow in the colon. For an added dose of gastrointestinal health, mix honey into yogurt.

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Home Exercise Equipment

It is very tempting to purchase that new and exciting exercise machine advertised on late-night infomercials. Before you spend the money, be sure that you will actually use it. Most of the machines help you perform exercises that you could do without a machine. However, many people find that the machine motivates them to exercise. So, think about it before purchasing it. Chances are if you have other exercise equipment collecting dust, this one will too.

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Healthy Diet As Important For Women As Men The majority of studies comparing diet and heart disease have been performed on men. However, in a study of more than 69,000 women published in the August 13 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine, researchers reported that a healthy diet can lower a woman's risk of developing heart disease by as much as 36%. Previous studies have shown a similar correlation in men. The researchers described a healthy diet as one that is high in fresh fruits and vegetables, legumes, whole grains, fish, and poultry, but low in processed and red meats, desserts, refined grains, and high-fat dairy products. So, whether you are male or female, you will benefit from a healthier diet.

Hangnails

Hangnails are pieces of dried skin adjacent to your nails. Although annoying, they are rarely serious. If you have a hangnail, do not bite it. Instead, use warm soaks to soften the skin and then cut the hangnail as short as possible. Hangnails can become infected, so if the area becomes red, warm, or overly tender, see your doctor.

Grinding Your Teeth

If untreated, tooth grinding can lead to worn-down teeth, headaches, and many other symptoms. If you are unsure if you grind, tape-record yourself while sleeping. If you do grind, see your dentist as he or she might prescribe a mouth guard. One way to reduce your chance of grinding your teeth is by reducing your stress level. To accomplish this, try taking a warm bath or meditating before going to sleep.

Gout

Gout is a type of arthritis in which uric acid crystals deposit in joints, causing sudden pain and inflammation. The most commonly affected joint is at the base of the big toe. Gout is most common in middle-aged men. It often runs in families and can be exacerbated by alcohol consumption. If you suffer from red, hot, tender, or painful joints, see your doctor.

Get Toasty in Cold Weather

A good body warmer in winter is to eat fresh garlic or fresh ginger. Both of these naturally increase the temperature in your body.

Today is Oct. 26.

It was on this day in 1906 that workers in St. Petersburg, Russia, established the first "soviet," or council. After the Russian Revolution and the overthrow of Czar Nicholas II, the word "soviet" would make up the country's new name -- the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

Just one day before NATO was threatening to bomb the former Yugoslavia, Serbian soldiers and police on this date in 1998 began what was said to be a significant pullback from positions in the rebellious province of Kosovo. But the massacre of ethnic Albanians in the province didn't end, and in March 1999 NATO launched air strikes after the Serbians refused to sign a peace agreement on the future of Kosovo.

A setback for the allies on this date in 1942, during the early days of U.S. involvement in World War II. In the Pacific, Japanese warships sank the aircraft carrier USS Hornet off the Solomon Islands.

The Lord Mayor of Cork, Ireland, Terence McSwiney, died on this date in 1920 after a two-and-a-half-month hunger strike in a British prison cell. He was demanding independence for Ireland.

South Korean President Park Chung Hee was assassinated on this date in 1979 by the director of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency.

And it was on this date in 1990 that Washington, D.C., Mayor Marion Barry was sentenced to six months in prison and fined $5,000 after being convicted on misdemeanor drug charges. Barry had been nabbed during a drug sting at a motel. After doing his time, he would be RE-ELECTED as mayor.

Your history lesson for the day:

Today is Oct. 30.

This is the anniversary of the 1938 radio broadcast that triggered a near panic. As part of a series of radio dramas based on famous novels, Orson Welles and the Mercury Players produced H.G. Wells' "War of the Worlds." However, many listeners believed the simulated news bulletins, describing a Martian invasion of New Jersey, to be real.

The Columbian Exposition closed in Chicago on this date in 1893. An elaborate ceremony had been planned. However, two days earlier, Chicago Mayor Carter Harrison had been shot to death by a disgruntled job-seeker. Instead, a single speech was delivered and flags lowered to half-staff.

It was on this date in 1941, more than a month before the United States entered World War II, that an American destroyer, the Reuben James, was torpedoed and sunk by a German submarine.

Simon Bolivar established the independent government of Venezuela on this date in 1817.

And it was on this date in 1983 that the Rev. Jesse Jackson announced plans to become the first black to mount a full-scale campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination.

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