Delta Offers Special Fare on New Nonstop Service between Atlanta and Kuwait

Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) today announced a limited time introductory, one-way fare of $589 (see restrictions below) on its new nonstop route between Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Kuwait City, Kuwait. The offer applies to tickets purchased before Aug. 15, 2008 for travel between Nov. 7 and Dec. 13, 2008. (*Additional taxes/fees/restrictions/ baggage charges may apply. Round trip purchase required. Details are included below.)

Kuwait is the fourth richest country in the world. The Atlanta to Kuwait flight, which begins Nov. 7**, strengthens Delta’s leadership position in the Middle East, complementing existing service from Atlanta to Dubai and Tel Aviv; and from New York-JFK to Istanbul, Tel Aviv, Cairo and Amman.

“With the Kuwait flight, Delta now offers more service to the Middle East than all other U.S. carriers combined,” said Robert Cortelyou, senior vice president – Network Planning. “With 37 weekly frequencies to six destinations in the Middle East, Delta is the right airline for leisure and business travel, as well as cargo to the region.” Traffic between the United States and Middle East is one of the fastest growing markets in aviation. The Middle East is a key component of Delta’s international expansion. Since 2005, the airline has added more than 60 new international destinations to its network, and Delta is now the leading carrier across the Atlantic with 44 destinations, more than any other airline.

Passengers on Delta’s flights between Atlanta and Kuwait travel on Boeing 777-200ER aircraft. Customers seated in Delta’s award-winning BusinessElite cabin enjoy all-leather sleeper seats with 60 inches of legroom, innovative food offerings designed by celebrity chef Michelle Bernstein, on-demand personal in-seat entertainment, as well as upgraded pillow, duvet cover and amenity kit. Economy class customers also enjoy all-leather economy seats, amenity kits and recently enhanced food offerings.

On flights to and from Kuwait, Delta’s service also features Arabic-speaking flight attendants, in-flight movies with Arabic subtitles, as well as Halal meal options in BusinessElite and Middle Eastern selections in economy.

Delta’s new nonstop service between Atlanta and Kuwait is scheduled as follows:

Flight
Departs
Arrives
Effective
Frequency
DL 158
Atlanta at 9:35 p.m.
Kuwait at 6:50 p.m. (next day)
Nov. 7, 2008
Tue., Thu., Fri., Sat.
DL 159
Kuwait at 11:35 p.m.
Atlanta at 7:05 a.m. (next day)
Nov. 8, 2008
Wed., Fri., Sat.
DL 159
Kuwait at 12:10 a.m.
Atlanta at 7:40 a.m.
Nov. 10, 2008
Mon.

Delta Air Lines operates service to more worldwide destinations than any airline with Delta and Delta Connection flights to 327 destinations in 62 countries. Delta has added more international capacity than any major U.S. airline during the last two years and is the leader across the Atlantic with flights to 44 trans-Atlantic markets. To Latin America and the Caribbean, Delta offers 609 weekly flights to 62 destinations. Delta's marketing alliances also allow customers to earn and redeem SkyMiles on more than 16,000 flights offered by SkyTeam and other partners. Delta is a founding member of SkyTeam, a global airline alliance that provides customers with extensive worldwide destinations, flights and services. Including its SkyTeam and worldwide codeshare partners, Delta offers flights to 499 worldwide destinations in 105 countries. Customers can check in for flights, print boarding passes and check flight status at delta.com.

Sandy Toes and Edisto's Loggerhead Sea Turtles

Having just arrived at our destination, we were quick to grab our swimsuits and fall out the door onto the sand of Edisto Beach, South Carolina. Slather on some sunscreen and let the vacation begin. While our expectations were high for the week, we stumbled across other finds that show us high hopes for the future.

Surrounding our beach house on the water side were two areas of orange tape. Looking closely, we could see indentations in the sand and the signs placed by the volunteers who watch the Loggerhead Sea Turtle. We sat smack down in between two turtle nests. One had been there for about 40 days and the other one about 10 days according to beach patrol Gary. Gary, who patrols the beach and is a volunteer loggerhead watcher, was eager to teach us landlubbers about the turtles.

The gracious ladies who come ashore to lay their eggs between May and August are coming home to the island of their birth. These gentle creatures can be up to three feet in size and weigh several hundred pounds. They come ashore at night to lay the ping pong ball sized eggs. Their flippers serve as a shovel and it can take an hour or more for the female to complete her nest. A typical nest will contain approximately 60-180 eggs.

The turtles are easily distracted from the work at hand. Should there be lights on the beach, or animals in the vicinity, the turtle may just crawl up and crawl back, thus exhibiting a "false crawl," whose track shape resembles a horseshoe. Gary told us she would then just abort the eggs into the ocean. A "true crawl" is one where the volunteers who walk the beach at night can locate the nest, and it has two distinct tracks.

Our second morning on the beach was thrilling. Here were new turtle tracks. Our trusty guide Gary showed us how to read the turtle tracks. In front of the nest was a huge "x" as in "x marks the spot." Gary explained the turtle patrol who had watched the turtle during the night placed the "x" to alert him of a new nest. He then placed an orange flag in the center of the nest.

Over the incubation period of the next 50-60 days, Gary and the other turtle watchers will keep a close eye on the nest. As time nears for the eggs to hatch, the sand will start to settle. A shell is then placed on top of the nest to show how much it is sinking. Experienced eyes can read those shells and determine about when the hatchlings will make their appearance. The hatchlings will boil out of the nest and head towards the ocean. The watchers are there in hopes that all of the young will make it there. Imprinting happens as soon as those hatchlings emerge. They follow the light of the moon to the ocean. If there are any lights on at the houses, the little tykes become confused and head towards the road.

Once the turtles go into the water, the males will never again touch land. Only the females will return in about 20 years or so.

Gary explained the process where the turtle watchers verify a nest. The nest will be about 18 to 24 inches down in the sand. A stick is used to verify the eggs' location. From the explanation, a gentle hand is used during this process.

Sometimes the eggs are too close to the high tide mark and have to be moved. Should the nest be moved, each egg must be individually moved without rotating the angle at which it was found. If the eggs are turned, the turtles will not hatch, or they will be deformed. While we were there, the oldest nest in front of our house had to be moved. There was an extremely high tide one night and the front part of the nest would not have been above the water line for more than a few days at most. The patrol moved the eggs about 30 feet. While this nest only had a few weeks left to go in its incubation phase, it was the only way any of the eggs will have a chance to hatch.

According to Gary, the female turtles will come ashore three or four times during the season to lay their eggs. The survival rate of the little tykes from the laying to adulthood is only about 1 in a thousand.

These animals can survive for close to 200 years. Full of grace and beauty, they are on the endangered list. Survival from predators who are natural and non-natural have severely depleted this turtle population. Over development on beaches and the loss of sandy beach for their nests have also taken their toll.

Protect the sea turtle. Give them hope. Give us hope.

Until next time,
Sandy Toes on Edisto

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Falling in Love with Cape Town is Easy with South African Airways’ $799(a) Round-Trip Fare

BUSINESS WIRE --South African Airways (SAA), South Africa’s flagship airline and the continent’s most awarded carrier, introduced fares as low as $799(a) round trip for travel from New York or Washington, D.C., to Cape Town, South Africa, in time for travelers to fall in love with “the fairest cape” during its spring season. The $799(a) fare also is available for travel from New York or Washington to Dakar, Senegal. The travel period for the fare is Oct. 30-Nov. 30, 2008, but the fun can begin even sooner, with summer fares that start as low as $999(a) round trip for travel from Aug. 1-Oct. 29 on the same routings.

“Cape Town is about to enter its spring season - the best time of year to visit this spectacular city known as ‘the fairest cape’ – or a visit to Dakar with its vibrant sights and sounds could be in order,” said Marc Cavaliere, executive vice president, North America for South African Airways. “With fares this low, South African Airways can help turn that dream trip into a reality.”

The sale fares do not include taxes and fuel surcharges. Tickets must be purchased by Aug. 15 by calling 1-800-722-9675, online at flysaa.com, or by calling your travel agent.

(a) Taxes and fuel surcharges apply. Seats are limited and may not be available on all flights. Fare is non-refundable and non-endorsable. Minimum stay over a Sunday, maximum stay of 3 months. Child and infant discounts apply.

All Aboard! The Polar Express 4-D Experience Joins Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival Lineup

BUSINESS WIRE --The Polar Express 4-D Experience pulls into Dollywood’s 19^th annual Smoky Mountain Christmas festival Nov. 8, 2008 through Jan. 3, 2009, in the theme park’s Imagination Cinema.

“This Christmas, I’m inviting families to take a spectacular holiday journey where dreams become real, and everybody knows I dream bigger than just about anybody else,” Dolly Parton said. “On The Polar Express 4-D Experience, all you have to do is believe, and I sure do!”

This holiday season…What if there is a place beyond your imagination and to get there all you have to do is BELIEVE! Dollywood guests are invited to come journey to the North Pole where dreams become real and all of their senses come alive in this magical 4-D Experience. When a doubting young boy takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole, he embarks on an epic journey of self-discovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe. The Polar Express 4-D Experience is based on the film from Warner Bros. Pictures and Shangri-La Entertainment, inspired by the beloved Caldecott Medal children's book by Chris Van Allsburg, and includes 3-D and 4-D effects that will make you BELIEVE.

SimEx-Iwerks is the worldwide exclusive distributor of The Polar Express 4-D Experience.

“The Polar Express is by far the finest magical cinematic experience of our lifetime,” Mark Cornell, SimEx-Iwerks Vice President, Attraction Development said. “This iconic film is further brought to life with the perfected use of our own 4-D Special FX technology, and makes for an unforgettable multi-sensory adventure, leaving all who see with hair-raising goose-bumps! Upon your arrival at the North Pole…it actually begins to snow inside the 4-D Special FX Theater and when the conductor sings “Hot Chocolate” and the dancing waiters begin to pour, the audience can smell the delightful aroma of every cocoa cup!! The state-of-the-art 3-D Digital projection system allows you to see images virtually leap off the screen and when combined with 4-D FX, a blend of realism and fantasy unlike anything seen before is impeccably delivered. A must see for the whole family!!”

In addition to a winter wonderland of more than four million holiday lights, Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas festival includes a lineup of award-winning entertainment. Dollywood’s Babes in Toyland, highlighted by the march of the 21 toy soldiers and a spectacular surprise finale, won the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions Honorable Mention for 2007 Best Overall Production. Rounding out the Christmastime entertainment lineup are Christmas in the Smokies, ’Twas the Night Before Christmas, An Appalachian Christmas, Christmas with the Kingdom Heirs, The Victorian Melodies, O’ Holy Night, Carol of the Trees plus the nightly Lighted Christmas Parade. All shows are included with park admission.

Families also can explore Santa’s Workshop, a magnificent 500-square-foot home away from home featuring larger-than-life-sized toys including “Jumbo the Elephant,” which measures nine-feet-tall; a seven-foot-tall sailboat; a five-foot-tall tricycle; an eight-foot-tall dollhouse; a six-foot-tall View·Master^® that displays a variety of holiday images and more. Dollywood is a 130-acre family adventure park in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., and operates mid-March through Jan. 3, 2009. Dollywood offers more than 40 rides and attractions; award-winning live entertainment featuring country, bluegrass, gospel and mountain music; and a dozen crafters authentic to the East Tennessee region. For more information, call 1-800-DOLLYWOOD or visit dollywood.com. Operating days and hours vary.

Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum Refurbishment Takes Flight

BUSINESS WIRE --Renowned American Aviator Amelia Earhart is best known for her mysterious disappearance more than 70 years ago while attempting to circle the globe. Hampton^® Hotels will remind the world of the greater legacy Earhart left on the aviation world as the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean by refurbishing her childhood home in Atchison, Kansas as part of its ongoing Save-A-Landmark® program. Earhart’s birthplace was purchased by the “Ninety Nines,” a non-profit group of female pilots formed by Earhart in 1984, and has enjoyed a second life as the official museum, www.ameliaearhartmuseum.org, honoring her legacy.

The restoration effort is the third Save-A-Landmark project of 2008, and the 38^th in the program’s nine-year history. Dozens of volunteers from local Kansas and Missouri Hampton Hotels will work to clean, prime, paint and repair both the interior and exterior of the museum grounds. Additionally, helpers will install new stained glass windows and will replace the existing roof of Earhart’s childhood home. Hampton will contribute more than 40 volunteer hours towards ensuring the ongoing care of the national landmark.

“Amelia Earhart was a brilliant aviator and paved the way for all future female pilots. Our hope is that visitors will be able to continue to celebrate the life and accomplishments of Amelia through the Museum’s refurbishment,” said Judy Christa-Cathey, vice president of brand marketing for Hampton Hotels. “July 24 would have been Amelia’s 111^th birthday. What better way to honor her legacy than to restore the grounds where she was born?”

Hampton Hotels’ Save-A-Landmark 2008 campaign – aptly named “Landmark Legends,” is devoted to restoring sites that pay homage to prominent Americans. This year’s program kicked off in Memphis, honoring the 40^th anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s untimely passing with the refurbishment of the National Civil Rights Museum. Several other iconic locations such as the Barnum Museum and the Poe Museum will be refurbished in 2008 through Save-A-Landmark as well. The list of legendary figures was generated from a nationwide survey, conducted by Hampton Hotels, to celebrate the accomplishments of those Americans who have inspired change, overcome adversity and made a difference.

Those looking to discover other locations devoted to historic individuals – or to possibly nominate their own “Landmark Legend” – can visit the Save-A-Landmark site at www.hamptonlandmarks.com and click on “submit a landmark” to enter a nomination for a legendary landmark or mail recommendations to c/o Save-A-Landmark to 8730 Sunset Blvd, 5^th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90069. Below is just a sample of “heroic” landmarks already included in the program’s online database.

• Jesse Owens Memorial Park, Danville, Ala.: This park honors Olympic great Jesse Owens, an Oakville native who won four gold medals in the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games, the first American and the second athlete in history to win four gold medals.
• Jackie Robinson Birthplace, Cairo, Ga.: Born here on January 31, 1919 to sharecroppers and enslaved grandparents on what was once a plantation, Jackie Robinson – the first African-American major league baseball player – was just two years old when his mother packed up Jackie and his four siblings, hopped on a train and headed to California.
• Hellen Keller Birthplace, Tuscumbia, Ala.: This small birthplace cottage was the site of the remarkable story of Helen Keller, the woman who was struck blind and deaf after becoming ill around the age of two. The home, called Ivy Green, eventually became the living quarters for Helen and her teacher, Anne Sullivan, whose huge teaching strides with Helen began by simply spelling out the word "water" in Helen’s hand as she pumped water over it.
• Celia Cruz and Freedom Tower, Miami, Fla.: The Cuban songstress Celia Cruz, “the Queen of Salsa,” performed at Freedom Tower during a 2001 fundraiser to turn the site into a museum, and was later brought to the tower after her death so tens of thousands of mourners could pay their last respects to the legendary singer. Known as the Ellis Island of the Cuban community, Freedom Tower is where immigration officials processed more than 500,000 Cubans who fled the country in the 1960s.

Hampton’s Save-A-Landmark program is continuing its ninth year preserving historical, fun and cultural landmarks, from the Carousel Gardens in New Orleans, La. to the historical National Monument to the Forefathers in Plymouth, Mass. During this time, the program has helped research landmarks in need, promoted landmark sites and their importance, facilitated thousands of volunteer hours, donated several tons of supplies and worked with matching grants — all at an investment of more than $2.5 million. Uniting its hotels together in the communities they serve, Hampton employee-volunteers work hand-in-hand on the landmarks while Hampton provides the financial support to refurbish selected sites.

Discover What’s Blooming In Ohio

(NAPSI)-Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote that the “Earth laughs in flowers,” and if that’s true, Ohio is certainly one of the world’s more joyful places. Each region of the state hosts a diverse collection of natural preserves, botanical gardens, estates, garden cemeteries and more.

Natural Areas and Preserves

Natural areas and preserves provide visitors the opportunity to experience Ohio’s plentiful mature forests, lush wildflowers, wildlife and rare plants all in their natural habitats. Lawrence Woods State Nature Preserve in Northwest Ohio is one such wooded oasis. Visitors can enjoy a boardwalk to spot wildflowers or explore more than 1,300 acres of centuries-old oak trees.

In the same region of Ohio, Oak Openings Preserve Metropark hosts prickly pear cactus blooming on dry, hot sand dunes just yards from orchids growing in low, wet swales. Nearby Kitty Todd State Nature Preserve is home to more than 100 rare plants.

Tucked along the coast of Lake Erie is the Lakeside Daisy State Nature Preserve on Marblehead Peninsula. This former limestone quarry is home to the only natural population of Lakeside Daisies in the United States and one of only three locations worldwide. The Lakeside Daisy is the rarest of more than 200 endangered plant species in Ohio.

Arboretums

If majestic tree and woody plant collections are more your style, Ohio has plenty of arboretums offering shady spots for relaxation or audio walking tours. The Stranahan Arboretum on the University of Toledo’s campus grows 1,500 specimens of trees from as far away as China, Japan and Norway.

Holden Arboretum in Kirtland is one of America’s largest arboretums at 3,400 acres and is also known for its rhododendrons.

Estate and Cemetery Gardens

Ohio’s estate and garden cemeteries represent some of the most exquisite, historic and artist-worthy settings in the state. For instance, the gardens at Adena Mansion in Chillicothe were created with seeds from Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello estate in the early 1800s. Jefferson gave the seeds to Thomas Worthington, one of Ohio’s first senators. The view from Adena is said to have been the inspiration for Ohio’s state seal.

Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum in Cincinnati is among the top garden cemeteries in the country, offering 400 acres of artfully developed landscape dotted with 12 ponds. It was established in 1845 to honor 40 Civil War Union generals.

Gardens and Conservatories

Ohio’s city gardens and conservatories bring colorful plants from every corner of the Earth to the core of the state’s cities, providing spaces to learn about distant habitats and to escape from life’s hectic pace.

The Franklin Park Conservatory in Columbus takes visitors on a journey through the Himalayan Mountains, the rainforest, the desert and the Pacific Islands. Franklin Park is known for its annual Blooms & Butterflies exhibition, which transforms the Pacific Island Water Garden into an enchanting haven for butterflies. Downtown Columbus is also home to the world’s only existing topiary interpretation of a painting. The Topiary Garden depicts Georges Seurat’s famous “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte.” His re-creation consists of 54 topiary people as tall as 12 feet.

The Cleveland Botanical Garden in University Circle provides 10 acres of award-winning gardens set in the heart of the city’s arts and cultural area. The Garden features the Armstrong Glass House, where visitors can walk into two of the world’s most endangered environments--Madagascar’s Spiny Desert and the Costa Rican Cloud Forest.

Annual Garden Events

No matter what time of year you visit Ohio, there’s something colorful and alive waiting to greet visitors. In addition to Ohio’s permanent sites and attractions, the following annual events attract visitors from around the world:

WinterBlooms Orchid Show & Sale (Mid-January-February), Holden Arboretum, Kirtland

Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Zoo Blooms (Held annually each spring)

Cincinnati Flower Show (April), Coney Island, Cincinnati

Cleveland Botanical Garden Flower Show (Biannual, Late May), Cleveland

Columbus Rose Festival (June), Park of Roses, Columbus

Tipp City Mum Festival (Held annually in September), Downtown Tipp City

Free visitor information is available to travelers interested in planning a garden getaway to Ohio. For more information about Ohio in Bloom, visit www.DiscoverOhio.com.

Visitors enjoy a guided tour through the gardens at Adena Mansion in Chillicothe, Ohio.

Michael C. Carlos Museum of Emory University Helps Bring King Tutankhamun to Atlanta

The Michael C. Carlos Museum of Emory University brings Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs to Atlanta this fall in partnership with the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities, National Geographic, Arts and Exhibitions International and presenting sponsor Northern Trust.

Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs will be exhibited in Atlanta's historic Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center from November 15 to May 25. The exhibition, spanning 2,000 years of history, will include more than 130 artifacts from the tomb of Tutankhamun and other ancient Egyptian sites. This is the first time these treasures will be seen in the Southeast. To complement the Tutankhamun exhibition at the Civic Center, the Carlos Museum will showcase at its Emory campus location the photography of Harry Burton, the photographer who documented the Tutankhamun excavation when the tomb was discovered in 1922.

"The Michael C. Carlos Museum of Emory University is honored to bring to Atlanta one of the greatest artistic and cultural legacies of the ancient world. The people of Georgia will be able to experience first-hand the impact and relevance of these extraordinary treasures and we look forward to offering an array of educational programs to further illuminate the life and times of King Tutankhamun and the great pharaohs of Egypt," said Bonnie Speed, Director of the Carlos Museum.

The Carlos Museum is home to one of the few Egyptian collections in the southeastern United States as well as the only institution in Georgia dedicated to the research and display of ancient Egyptian art and culture. King Tutankhamun, endearingly called the "boy king," will find a welcoming community in which to reside for a short while. Speaking of the Carlos Museum at the April 2 announcement, Mayor Shirley Franklin said, "Those of us who live in Atlanta have access to the wonders of the world's civilizations right in our backyard,"

The Carlos Museum, known for its act of cultural cooperation when it identified and later returned what was most likely the mummy of Pharaoh Ramesses I to his home in Egypt in 2003, is a unique host for the King Tutankhamun exhibition. With scholars, curators, and conservators providing the interdisciplinary research and conservation required to maintain and understand ancient art and artifacts, the King Tutankhamun exhibition will provide rich historic and cultural perspectives to university scholars, academicians, scientists, collectors, students, and exhibition-goers interested in ancient Egypt -- even as it applies to modern times.

The Carlos Museum will lead the development of educational materials in conjunction with the exhibition for elementary, middle and high school audiences. These supplemental materials will be downloadable for free to classrooms across the country and will address topics such as childhood in ancient Egypt and the journey to the afterlife. Peter Lacovara, curator of ancient Egyptian arts and artifacts, said, "As the Carlos Museum's collections grow, they become increasingly important as a teaching and research resource for faculty and students at Emory and other universities." The Carlos Museum along with the Emory community provides a meaningful context for this exhibition and will serve as a research, education, and reflective opportunity for many.

Emory University President James Wagner, said, "Emory's dedication to courageous inquiry and the spirit of global partnerships are qualities we want to foster. The Carlos Museum of Emory University has helped to create a superb opportunity to reflect on and honor the ancient legacies of the world, their profound impact on our lives, and the importance of continued dialogue. We trust that King Tutankhamun's visit will open many doors."

The most recent U.S. tour of King Tut's treasures, Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs, drew nearly 4 million visitors from 2005-2007, setting records in each city it visited. The 2005 visit marked the first time in more than 25 years that treasures from King Tutankhamun's tomb were shown in the United States.

Tickets can be reserved for the Atlanta run at www.carlos.emory.edu or www.kingtut.org

Delta Air Lines Announces New Service from New York-JFK to Balmy, Beautiful, Breezy… Bonaire

Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) will turn up the heat this winter with a new nonstop flight between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and the sunny island of Bonaire starting Dec. 20, 2008 (subject to foreign government approval).

Known as one of the finest snorkeling and scuba diving destinations, Bonaire is part of the Dutch Caribbean islands off the coast of Venezuela. This new flight complements Delta’s existing flight between Atlanta and Bonaire.

Delta’s schedule between New York-JFK and Bonaire effective Dec. 20, 2008:
Flight Departs Arrives Frequency
DL 553 New York-JFK at 10:35 a.m. Bonaire at 4:25 p.m. Saturday
DL 554 Bonaire at 5:15 p.m. New York-JFK at 9:05 p.m. Saturday

To celebrate the start of the new JFK-Bonaire service, Delta is offering customers a special one-way introductory fare of $239* for travel between Jan. 10 and April 4, 2009. Round-trip ticket purchase required. Tickets must be purchased by Aug. 6, 2008. Additional taxes/fees/restrictions/baggage charges may apply. Details are included below.
December will be a month of growth for Delta in the Americas region, as it continues expanding internationally with new flights between New York-JFK and Buenos Aires, Argentina** (Dec. 18); Atlanta and Tegucigalpa, Honduras** (Dec. 18); and Atlanta and Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic (Dec. 20).
“The Caribbean is a big part of our international expansion strategy as we add service and increase frequencies to popular beach destinations during the winter months,” said Christophe Didier, Delta’s vice president of Sales and Government Affairs for Latin America and the Caribbean. “Delta makes it easy for customers in New York and the Northeast region to enjoy Bonaire’s sunny weather and crystal-clear waters, and it’s all one convenient nonstop flight away.”

*Terms and Conditions: Fare shown is available at delta.com. Tickets cost $25 more if purchased from Delta over the phone, or at a Delta ticket counter, and this amount is nonrefundable. Tickets are non-transferable. Seats are limited. Tickets: Tickets must be purchased within 3 days after reservations are made, but no later than August 6, 2008. Travel Period: Travel may begin on or after January 10, 2009 and must be completed by April 4, 2009. Blackout Dates: None. Fare Validity: Fare is valid in the Economy (Coach) cabin on Delta flights only. Minimum Stay: Saturday night. Maximum Stay: 28 days. Cancellations/Refunds/Changes: Tickets are nonrefundable except in accordance with Delta’s cancellation policy. Fees may apply for downgrades/reissues and itinerary changes. Contact a Delta agent or visit delta.com for details. Taxes/Fees: A $3.50 Federal Excise Tax, Passenger Facility Charge(s) of up to $4.50 for each flight segment, and the September 11th Security Fee of up to $2.50 for each flight segment are not included. International fares do not include U.S. International Air Transportation Tax of up to $30.80 and U.S. and foreign user, inspection, security or other similarly based charges, fees or taxes of up to $299, depending on itinerary. Taxes and fees must be paid when the ticket is purchased. Baggage Charges: For travel within the United States/PR/U.S. Virgin Islands, no fee for 1 checked bag and $25 fee for second checked bag. For all other travel, no fee for 2 checked bags and $150 fee for third checked bag. Allowances subject to size/weight limits. Contact a Delta agent or visit delta.com for details. Miscellaneous: Fares, taxes, fees, rules, and offers are subject to change without notice. Other restrictions may apply. ©2008 Delta Air Lines, Inc.

**Subject to foreign government approval.

Delta Air Lines Gets Ready for a Grand Entrance into Tegucigalpa with a Brand-New Boeing 737-700

Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) will launch the first-ever nonstop daily flights between Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and Toncontin Airport in Honduras’ capital city of Tegucigalpa, starting Dec. 18, 2008 (subject to foreign government approval). The new flights will be operated using brand-new Boeing 737-700 aircraft being delivered to Delta this year that will allow the addition of service at unique airports such as Tegucigalpa with short runways, extreme temperatures and high altitudes.

“We’ve been looking forward to flying into Tegucigalpa for a long time, and the brand-new 737-700 aircraft makes it possible, complementing the long list of Central American destinations Delta serves,” said Delta’s Christophe Didier, vice president of Sales and Government Affairs for Latin America and the Caribbean. “Our flights to San Pedro Sula and Roatan have consistently performed well, and we are immensely optimistic to see Tegucigalpa become a great addition to our Honduras service.”

Delta inaugurated service to San Pedro Sula and Roatan in March 2006.

In celebration of the new Atlanta-Tegucigalpa service, Delta is offering customers a special one-way introductory fare of $329* for travel between Jan. 5 and March 31, 2009. Round-trip ticket purchase required. Tickets must be purchased by Aug. 4, 2008. Additional taxes/fees/restrictions/baggage charges may apply. Details are included below.

The new flight to Tegucigalpa is part of Delta’s ongoing international expansion, of which Latin America is a key component. Delta also will start flights between New York-JFK and Buenos Aires**, Argentina (Dec. 18); New York-JFK and Bonaire (Dec. 20); and Atlanta and Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic (Dec. 20). With the additional service to Tegucigalpa, Delta will offer over 340 weekly nonstop flights to more than 50 destinations across Latin America and the Caribbean from the airline’s largest Latin gateway at Atlanta.

*Terms and Conditions: Fare shown is available at delta.com. Tickets cost $25 more if purchased from Delta over the phone, or at a Delta ticket counter, and this amount is nonrefundable. Tickets are non-transferable. Seats are limited. Tickets: Tickets must be purchased within 3 days after reservations are made, but no later than August 4, 2008. Travel Period: Travel may begin on or after January 5, 2009 and must be completed by March 31, 2009. Blackout Dates: Apr 1-15, 2009. Fare Validity: Fare is valid in the Economy (Coach) cabin on Delta flights only. Minimum Stay: Saturday night. Maximum Stay: 30 days. Cancellations/Refunds/Changes: Tickets are nonrefundable except in accordance with Delta’s cancellation policy. Fees may apply for downgrades/reissues and itinerary changes. Contact a Delta agent or visit delta.com for details. Taxes/Fees: A $3.50 Federal Excise Tax, Passenger Facility Charge(s) of up to $4.50 for each flight segment, and the September 11th Security Fee of up to $2.50 for each flight segment are not included. International fares do not include U.S. International Air Transportation Tax of up to $30.80 and U.S. and foreign user, inspection, security or other similarly based charges, fees or taxes of up to $299, depending on itinerary. Taxes and fees must be paid when the ticket is purchased. Baggage Charges: For travel within the United States/PR/U.S. Virgin Islands, no fee for 1 checked bag and $25 fee for second checked bag. For all other travel, no fee for 2 checked bags and $150 fee for third checked bag. Allowances subject to size/weight limits. Contact a Delta agent or visit delta.com for details. Miscellaneous: Fares, taxes, fees, rules, and offers are subject to change without notice. Other restrictions may apply. ©2008 Delta Air Lines, Inc.

**Subject to foreign government approval.

Delta Offers Complimentary US Helicopter Service Between JFK and Manhattan for Customers Traveling in Domestic First Class and Unrestricted Economy

(PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Customers traveling on Delta Air Line's (NYSE:DAL) domestic flights in First Class or unrestricted Economy Class to or from its hub at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport can enjoy complimentary* US Helicopter Airport Shuttle Service for a limited time.

This promotional offer is valid for tickets purchased through Aug. 29, 2008. Additional taxes/fees/restrictions apply; additional details are below. Complimentary US Helicopter service between JFK and Manhattan is available year-round to Delta BusinessElite customers.

Delta's on-the-go travelers enjoy unrivaled benefits from US Helicopter service including:


* Eight-minute(1) travel time between New York City Heliports in
Midtown and Downtown Manhattan and JFK, with flights operating 27
times daily;
* Federally regulated TSA security clearance at NYC Heliports before
arriving at JFK for departing flights;
* Convenient check-in and boarding passes to final destinations (for
both domestic and international travelers departing from and
arriving in Manhattan); and
* Baggage check to final destination (for passengers traveling to
and from Manhattan).

US Helicopter operates 27 daily flights, Monday through Friday, connecting the Downtown Manhattan Heliport near Wall Street and the Atlantic Metroport at East 34th Street in Midtown Manhattan with Delta's Terminal 3, Gate 11 at JFK. Customers can book via delta.com, through Delta Reservations at (800) 221-1212, via www.flyush.com or by calling US Helicopter Reservations at (877) 262-7676. A one-way flight on US Helicopter is complimentary when purchasing eligible domestic first class or unrestricted economy tickets.
The cost is $159** one-way for customers traveling in Economy Class with restricted tickets. **Additional taxes/fees/restrictions apply; details are included below.

Terms and Conditions:

* Complimentary USH ticket requires payment of Federal segment fees of up to $7.00, September 11th security fee of up to $5.00, and passenger facility charges of up to $4.50.

** The USH nonrefundable fare shown includes Federal Tax of 7.5%. The following fees are not included: Federal segment fees of up to $7.00, September 11th security fee of up to $5.00, and passenger facility charges of up to $4.50.

Complimentary one-way or round-trip helicopter service is included when purchasing a qualifying round trip or one way First Class or unrestricted economy class ticket (designated by fare basis code beginning with F, A, J, D or Y) on Delta (DL) booked nonstop flights connecting via JFK. Offer valid for tickets purchased on or after July 9, 2008. This promotional offer is available for tickets issued through August 29, 2008. Origin or termination point must be JRB or TSS, via JFK. Offer is not valid for point to point fares between JRB or TSS and JFK. Seats are limited. Code share flights are eligible when booked as a Delta (DL) flight. Additional restrictions apply. Offer subject to change without notice.

Helicopter service is available only on weekdays (excluding holidays).

All SkyMiles program rules apply. To review the rules, please visit Membership Guide & Program Rules. The U.S. State Department's new visa and passport requirements for international travel have recently changed. Review requirements for international travel at delta.com.

Markets subject to change.

(1) Average actual flight time is eight minutes or less.

There’s a New Hotel Lobby in Town, and It’s Drawing Quite a Crowd

There’s a new hotel lobby in town, and it’s drawing quite a crowd. The new Sheraton Link lobby is the first of its kind in Texas and one of less than a handful in the U.S. It is the centerpiece of a multi-million renovation of the Sheraton North Houston at George Bush Intercontinental Airport.

“Lobbies used to be a major social gathering place 50 years ago, but evolved into a sterile environment, primarily for check-in,” said Robert Kisker, hotel general manager. “Guests simply went to their rooms, and only returned to the lobby when they passed through it on their way somewhere else or to check out of the hotel. Today’s travelers want to have more interaction. The new design is a sea change and refashions the lobby into an appealing destination for guests, providing comfortable spaces that promote socialization and networking. We have gone from perhaps one or two people sitting in the lobby to 20 to 30, and it is pretty much continuous throughout the day, with several hundred people using the area each day.”

The Sheraton’s new lobby space provides guests with a sense of belonging, warmth and community. At the heart of the lobby re-design is the “Link @ Sheraton,” a signature lobby-based communications hub that enables guests to stay connected and fully productive while traveling and away from their offices. The Link @ Sheraton is a unique environment that meets the needs of Sheraton’s core guests by enabling them to work, relax and remain connected to family and friends during their travels. It provides a total online experience, including free Wi-Fi and Internet-enabled computer stations, which allow guests to e-mail, search the Web, research local attractions and even print up boarding passes. Guests also have access to televisions, daily newspapers, and food and beverage offerings.

Adding to the social aspect of the new lobby design, a communal table at the lobby’s center allows several groups of guests to work independently of one another within the same space, with game tables and oversized chairs that encourage interaction or rest and relaxation. Guests also are surrounded by a distinctive ambiance created through new sensory elements, including a clean, “open air” scent, music, lighting and botanical designs.

World-Class Museum Coming to Georgia!

PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Explore the Earth and search the stars when the Tellus: Northwest Georgia Science Museum opens in Cartersville, Ga. later this year.

The 120,000 square foot museum is being constructed on the site of the former Weinman Mineral Museum and will excite visitors with amazing exhibits that will open minds and ignite a passion for science.

Tellus Features:

The Weinman Mineral Gallery - Learn how the Earth formed and see dazzling displays of minerals from all over the world, including some from the Moon and beyond.

The Fossil Gallery - Walk through time from the start of life on Earth through the age of dinosaurs. Touch a real dinosaur fossil and stand among some of the largest creatures to ever walk the land.

Science in Motion - Learn about the history of motorized transportation in this unique gallery featuring a replica Wright Brothers flyer, a 1948 Bell 47 helicopter, a jet cockpit and more.

Collins Family My Big Backyard - Just for kids! Play, experiment and learn how the world works. Discover the science behind light, sound, electricity, weather and more in this interactive, engaging gallery.

Planetarium and Observatory - Travel the universe in style in our digital planetarium, and become an amateur astronomer at our incredible observatory housed on the Tellus campus.

Tellus: Northwest Georgia Science Museum will be a world-class museum with something for everyone.

Keep up with Tellus news by signing up for the museum's monthly newsletter at www.tellusmuseum.org. For more information, call 770-386-0576.

Day Out With Thomas™ 2008: The Great Discovery Tour Pulling Into Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

Peep! Peep! Thomas the Tank Engine is set to roll into Dillsboro for the Day Out With Thomas 2008: The Great Discovery Tour. The event, which takes place July 25-29 and July 31-August 3, 2008, will be hosted by the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad and presented by HIT Entertainment and sponsored by the LEGO Group.

For more than six decades, children have been captivated with the tales of Thomas the Tank Engine. Pulling out of the station for its 13th consecutive ride on the rails, the Day Out With Thomas 2008: The Great Discovery Tour will visit more than 45 cities in the United States and Canada. Day Out With Thomas is the only place for families to take a ride with a 15-ton replica of everybody’s favorite #1 engine, Thomas the Tank Engine, and enjoy Thomas-themed activities at the Imagination Station, including stamps, temporary tattoos and hands-on arts and crafts. Each year the tour grows, traveling to new destinations, adding new activities and welcoming new visitors.

Thomas the Tank Engine, star of Thomas & Friends™, on PBS KIDS® and PBS KIDS SproutSM will be kicking off his Day Out With Thomas 2008: The Great Discovery Tour in March and is expected to welcome more than 1 million passengers through December. During the Day Out With Thomas 2008: The Great Discovery Tour, children will be provided with a “Great Discovery Tour Map,” that guides them through the various event activities. At the last stop, each child will receive a free gift. Activities include:

· A 25-minute (approximate) ride with Thomas the Tank Engine
· The opportunity to meet Sir Topham Hatt™, Controller of the Railway
· A Thomas & Friends Imagination Station; featuring stamps, temporary tattoos, hands-on arts and crafts activities and coloring sheets.
· Storytelling, video viewing and live music

Fans will rally to nominate Thomas to the “National Toy Hall of Fame” when he will enlist the help of his friends on a brand-new adventure - his journey to the National Toy Hall of Fame®. All attendees can add their name to the petition. The National Toy Hall of Fame, at the Strong National Museum of Play®, in Rochester, NY, recognizes toys that have achieved Icon Status, having enjoyed popularity over multiple generations. By signing a petition at any of the 2008 Day Out with Thomas Events, fans can help Thomas make tracks to The National Toy Hall of Fame.

The tour provides a unique, interactive family experience at every station, offering a variety of entertaining activities that reflect the local flavor of each stop. At the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad activities will include: Bubble Station, Bouncy Train and Giant Slide, Model Railroad Layout, Sandblast Area, Balloon Animals, and a Petting Zoo.

The approximately 25-minute train ride with Thomas the Tank Engine will depart every 45 minutes, rain or shine, with departure times at 9:45-3:00pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, or 9:00am-4:00pm on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets for the Day Out With Thomas 2008: The Great Discovery Tour are $18.00 for ages two and up.

Tickets are on sale now by calling toll-free 866.468.7630 or logging onto www.ticketweb.com/thomas For more information and directions contact the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad at 800-872-4681 or GSMR.com.

For general information or to find a Day Out With Thomas 2008: The Great Discovery Tour event near you, visit www.thomasandfriends.com.

Visit Edisto Island SC with Sandy Toes

Edisto Island, South Carolina, is about 40 miles from Charleston and remains unspoiled. The small beachfront community is ideal for families who want to find their place in the sand. To date, there has been no excess development on the island and everyone finds "Edislow Time." Join "Sandy Toes" and see some of the natural beauty of the island.

Click here to see another one of Sandy Toes' adventures on Edisto.


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Community News You Can Use

Aquarium Mascot Announces Candidacy for President

Deepo, Georgia Aquarium’s mascot, announced his presidential bid recently this month in a press conference held at Georgia Aquarium. His swim for the presidential office is historic: Deepo represents the first garibaldi fish to enter a presidential race in history. Swimming under the Neptune Party’s campaign ticket, Deepo vowed to stand for every organism in the water column of this great blue planet.

Stephanie Green, campaign manager and Deepo’s first mate, spoke on behalf of Deepo, stating that “this will be an eco-friendly and sustainable campaign.” Green went on to say, “Deepo’s presidential campaign encompasses the true issues. It’s about time a presidential candidate made such promises!”

Deepo’s campaign promises include: standing for even the smallest phytoplankton and the largest right whale; ensuring clean reefs and beaches for retirement and future guppies; supporting research initiatives that educate and conserve; obtaining uni-quatic healthcare for all through the Correll Center for Aquatic Animal Health; providing an educational experience for each Georgia Aquarium guest; and, promoting educational initiatives like the Sponsored Education Admissions (SEA) program.

Deepo’s campaign has already received accolades throughout the aquatic community. Campaign supporters include: “Mayor Sturgeon Franklin,” who proclaimed, “There is nothing fishy about this candidate”; Georgia Aquarium jellies are excited to finally have a “candidate with a backbone”; “Eel Kovalchuk” exclaimed “Deepo is a candidate that won’t blow bubbles”; and “Ludafish” proclaimed “Finally, a candidate who seas clearly.”

Deepo’s campaign is funded through community support and Georgia Aquarium’s Oceans Society. Green encouraged those interested in supporting Deepo’s swim for the oval office to join Georgia Aquarium’s Oceans Society and contribute to the 4R Program. Supporters may join Deepo’s campaign on the web at deepo.org, visit Georgia Aquarium’s Members Entrance, or call campaign headquarters at 404-581-4010, and tell the campaign representative you want to support Deepo’s campaign by joining the Oceans Society.

Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, Georgia, is the world’s largest with more than eight million gallons of water and the largest collection of aquatic animals. The mission of Georgia Aquarium is to be an entertaining, educational and scientific institution featuring exhibits and programs of the highest standards; offering engaging and exciting guest experiences promoting the conservation of aquatic biodiversity throughout the world. Georgia Aquarium is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums. For additional information, visit http://www.georgiaaquarium.org/.

Delta Connects Global Customers with Nonstop Service between New York-JFK and Lyon, France

Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) today begins service between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and Saint-Exupéry International Airport in Lyon, France, offering the only nonstop flight between the United States and France’s second-largest city. Through the airline’s joint venture with Air France, the new Delta flight also connects customers to 40 European destinations via Lyon.

Delta links the United States nonstop to more French cities than any other airline. The Lyon flight complements Delta’s existing daily nonstop service between Paris Charles de Gaulle International Airport and New York-JFK, Atlanta, Cincinnati and Salt Lake City; and to Nice from New York-JFK. The flight forms part of Delta’s growing international network, which now operates more than 450 weekly flights to 47 destinations in 31 countries in Europe, Africa, Asia, India and the Middle East, more than any other airline.

“Our new service to Lyon – France’s second-largest city, a thriving business destination and a growing tourist gateway to the Alps – strengthens Delta’s position as the leading carrier across the Atlantic,” said Lee Macenczak, executive vice president – Sales and Marketing. “Together with our joint venture partner Air France we offer passengers the best travel options between the U.S. and Europe, the Middle East and Africa.”

“Not only is this new service between New York and Lyon part and parcel of our global offer with Delta Air Lines in the frame of our joint venture agreement, but it also consolidates the very specific hub system that we have been successfully building in Lyon over the past 10 years,” said Jean Claude Cros, Air France’s vice president and general manager-USA. “In Lyon we offer quick and convenient connections from and to 40 European cities as well as a premium nonstop flight for our clients of the large Rhône-Alpes and Central Eastern area of France.”

Delta’s new nonstop service between New York-JFK and Lyon will be operated using a Boeing 757-200 ETOPS aircraft with up to 174 seats in a two-cabin configuration, including 16 seats in Delta’s award-winning BusinessElite service and 158 economy class. Delta’s BusinessElite service features all-leather sleeper seats, innovative food offerings from celebrity chef Michelle Bernstein and award-winning, original wine selections chosen by Master Sommelier Andrea Robinson. The airline’s on-demand personal in-seat entertainment boasts more than 20 first-run and popular classic movies, a variety of TV programs, a broad range of music, and a suite of 12 video games in both classes of service. Economy class customers also benefit from new all-leather economy seats, amenity kits and enhanced food offerings. Flights between New York and Lyon will have English- and French-speaking flight attendants onboard.

Delta customers traveling to Lyon can also take advantage of U.S. Helicopter service, which provides an eight-minute trip between New York-JFK and Manhattan. U.S. Helicopter service is complimentary with Delta’s BusinessElite service to and from JFK*, or $159** one way plus taxes and fees. See below for details.

Delta’s nonstop service from New York-JFK to Lyon is scheduled as follows: Flight
Departs
Arrives
Effective
Frequency

DL174 / AF8987
New York-JFK at 4:30 p.m.
Lyon at 7:05 a.m. (arrives the following day)
July 17, 2008
5 x week

DL175 / AF8992
Lyon at 9:30 a.m.
New York-JFK at 12:15 p.m.
July 18, 2008
5 x week

A portion of travel for some itineraries may be operated by Air France.

Delta Air Lines operates service to more worldwide destinations than any airline with Delta and Delta Connection flights to 327 destinations in 62 countries. Delta has added more international capacity than any major U.S. airline during the last two years and is the leader across the Atlantic with flights to 44 trans-Atlantic markets. To Latin America and the Caribbean, Delta offers 609 weekly flights to 62 destinations. Delta's marketing alliances also allow customers to earn and redeem SkyMiles on more than 16,000 flights offered by SkyTeam and other partners. Delta is a founding member of SkyTeam, a global airline alliance that provides customers with extensive worldwide destinations, flights and services. Including its SkyTeam and worldwide codeshare partners, Delta offers flights to 499 worldwide destinations in 105 countries. Customers can check in for flights, print boarding passes and check flight status at delta.com.

Recently named the "Best Trans-Atlantic Airline" for the third consecutive year by Global Traveler’s Reader Survey, recipient of Aviation Week & Space Technology’s "2006 Commercial Air Transport Laureate," and named "Airline of the Year for 2005" by Air Transport World, the Air France KLM group operates more than 2,470 daily flights out of Paris and Amsterdam to 242 destinations in 105 countries. Air France currently operates from 15 U.S. gateways and provides service from 125 U.S. cities through code-share agreements with SkyTeam partners Delta, Continental and Northwest Airlines. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit http://www.airfrance.us/ or contact your travel professional.

*Complimentary one-way or round-trip helicopter service is included when purchasing applicable published one-way or round-trip through fares, respectively, as described in the following. Origin or termination point must be JRB or TSS, via JFK, to receive the published through fare. Offer is not valid for point to point fares between JRB or TSS and JFK. Valid for travel through December 31, 2008. All tickets must be purchased, and travel must be completed by December 31, 2008. Offer valid for tickets purchased on or after April 15, 2008. Valid only on nonstop flights between JFK and international destinations when purchasing a qualifying Business Class fare (designated by fare basis code beginning with C, D or J excluding Government/Industry Discounted fares). Round-trip purchase not required. Codeshare flights are eligible when booked as a Delta (DL) flight. Mexico, Central America, and Caribbean destinations are excluded. Additional restrictions apply. Offer is not combinable with complimentary chauffeur service. Offer subject to change without notice.

**The USH nonrefundable fare shown includes Federal Tax of 7.5%. The following fees are not included: Federal segment fees of up to $7.00, September 11th security fee of up to $5.00, and passenger facility charges of up to $4.50.

National Study Reveals Habits of Last Minute Travelers

T2F Note: We admit it. Our staff are part of this 33% who make plans at the last minute. Got a great location in mind? Let us know and we're on it!

BUSINESS WIRE --Fully one-third of leisure travelers embarked on a last minute trip last year, according to the 2008 Ypartnership/Yankelovich National Leisure Travel MONITOR, revealing a sizeable necessity for impulse vacations by today’s traveling public. The newly released data also defines the average time frame of advanced planning for a last minute booking. On average, travelers planned late-breaking trips just 15 days in advance of their departure.

“This data is consistent with the lead times we’ve observed on our website,” states Uri Argov, President and CEO of Travel Holdings, Inc., who owns and operates LastMinuteTravel.com, the premier online site dedicated to last minute trip bookings. “The last minute travel space online continues to be a beneficial model for us, especially for web users seeking vacation ideas, low rates, wide open availability and vast options with no time constraints.”

Last minute travelers historically book most often to Las Vegas, New York, Orlando, Chicago, and Miami, according to data collected from LastMinuteTravel.com and New Horizons Systems, a proprietary technology that reports the bookings, sales, and trends of the website and other Travel Holdings, Inc., subsidiaries. Statistics also show that the majority of last-minute bookings are made for trips that begin on Friday, followed by Saturday as the second most popular date.

JetBlue Adds Nonstop Service From Portland, Oregon to Long Beach, California

PRIME NEWSWIRE - JetBlue Airways (Nasdaq:JBLU) today announces plans to launch new service this fall between Portland International Airport and its West Coast focus city in Long Beach, Calif. JetBlue will offer two daily nonstop flights to the hassle-free Long Beach Airport, conveniently located between Los Angeles and Orange County. One daily flight begins October 9, while a second daily roundtrip begins November 2. Fares start as low as $79(a) each way.

The introduction of JetBlue service to Long Beach also marks the debut of the airline's EMBRAER 190 aircraft in Portland. JetBlue is the first airline to serve Oregon with the E190, a quiet, fuel-efficient, and full-size 100-seat jet that offers travelers all of JetBlue's signature amenities: 36 channels of free live DIRECTV(r) programming, more than 100 channels of XM Satellite Radio(r), plus comfy leather seats (either an aisle or window, with no middle seat!), lots of legroom, unlimited free snacks and JetBlue's acclaimed customer service.

JetBlue's new service between Portland and Long Beach:

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Portland, Ore. (PDX) to Long Beach, Calif. (LGB) to
Long Beach, Calif. (LGB) Portland, Ore. (PDX)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Depart - Arrive Depart - Arrive
-----------------------------------------------------------------
7:30 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. 11:10 a.m. - 1:35 p.m.
(Daily eff. October 10) (Daily eff. November 2)
2:10 p.m. - 4:25 p.m. 5:05 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
(Daily eff. November 2) (Daily eff. October 9)
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Portland customers traveling to destinations beyond Long Beach may take advantage of easy connecting service to seven additional cities including Austin, Tex.; Boston; Chicago (O'Hare); Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Las Vegas; New York (JFK); and Washington (Dulles). JetBlue also offers nonstop service to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport.

"JetBlue's new nonstop service connecting PDX and Long Beach is a welcome addition for our community, as more than a million travelers fly each year between PDX and the L.A. Basin, making it our top travel destination," said David Zielke, Port of Portland general manager of air service development. "JetBlue has been a great partner with our community since May 2005."

"It's been three years since JetBlue launched our award-winning service to Portland, redefining the air travel experience while bringing humanity back to the skies," said Scott Laurence, JetBlue's director of route planning. "Today we're pleased to give our growing customer base in the Pacific Northwest premium low fare flights to L.A.'s most convenient airport."

Virgin America Unveils New On-Demand Inflight Menu

PRIME NEWSWIRE - Virgin America today began offering guests an expanded on-demand menu that takes in-flight dining to new heights. Guests on all of Virgin America flights now have a new range of healthy, fresh menu options complimentary in First Class and available for purchase in the Main Cabin.

Virgin America is the only U.S. airline to offer a "food button," allowing guests the freedom and convenience to order whatever they want to eat or drink during a flight either with a touch of the video touch-screen at every seat or through the hand-held remote control in every armrest.

"As the only California-based airline, it is part of our company DNA to provide guests with a changing array of upscale menu options that reflect the vibrant food culture of our home state," said Virgin America's Senior Vice President of People and In-Flight Services, Frances Fiorillo. "Our innovative seatback menu system has been one of the most popular features with guests since we launched in August 2007. We've found that guests really enjoy the ease and convenience of not having to wait for the trolley, and they want more food options, so we're pleased to unveil this new, expanded menu."

In the Main Cabin on transcontinental flights, Virgin America has increased portion size and the number of selections to four meals available for purchase via the RED In-flight Entertainment system. With just a swipe of a credit card through the in-seat ordering system, guests can enjoy some of the following new menu selections on Virgin America flights.

Main Cabin (prices range between $7.00 and $9.00): Breakfast
Yogurt Berries and Granola - Build your own breakfast parfait with
creamy fruit-flavored yogurt, a seasonal assortment of fresh berries
and La Brea Bakery Granola.

Anytime
Fruit and Cheese - Hand-cut wedges of Brie, Gouda, and Colby Jack
cheese paired with fresh clusters of grapes and dried apricots and
pecans, served with crispy crackers and breadsticks.
Monterey Beef Wrap - A savory pesto wrap filled with tender grilled
beef, Monterey Jack cheese and roasted red peppers. And for dessert
a pair of assorted Ghirardelli Chocolate squares.
Hummus, Veggies, and Pita - Mediterranean Hummus with a fresh
crudites of celery, carrots, olives and grape tomatoes served with
wedges of whole wheat pita.

Lunch:
Summer Veggie Salad - A refreshing and healthy salad with a mixture
of broccoli, yellow squash, carrots, green beans, sweet snow peas,
with a light lemon parsley vinaigrette.

First Class (all meals complimentary):

On short haul flights, First Class guests will be offered a selection of tapas-style appetizers. In First Class on long haul flights, guests will have new breakfast, lunch and dinner options, including a variety of tapas: Breakfast
Tropical fruit skewers with coconut yogurt, Fennel and tangerine
salad, breakfast breads, New potato quiche, prosciutto egg croissant,
sausage pepperjack quiche,or cinnamon swirl French toast
Lunch and Dinner
Savory Tapas Appetizers - Marinated olives with feta and tomato,
asparagus slaw with goat cheese and lemon vinaigrette.
Tortellini in Basil Cream Sauce, Barbeque chicken salad with smoked
gouda pepper cream dressing, Gemelli in tomato cream sauce, or
Marinated Duck Salad with gorgonzola balsamic vinaigrette.
Dessert Tapas - Tropical Tiramisu, Blueberry Cheesecake, and S'mores
Deconstructed.

There is also a new variety of snacks available for sale on all of Virgin America flights (prices range between ($2.00 and $3.00), including: Chex Party Mix, Pringles Original, Emerald Dry Roasted Almonds, Fiber One Oat n' Chocolate bar, Brent & Sam's Chocolate Chip Cookies, Big Snickers Bar, Peeled Snacks Organic go-Mango-go, Chiquita Apple Bites and Chiquita Carrot Bites.

Virgin America currently flies to seven cities with numerous daily flights from: San Francisco (SFO) to Los Angeles (LAX), SFO to New York (JFK), SFO to San Diego (SAN), SFO to Washington (IAD), SFO to Las Vegas (LAS), SFO to Seattle (SEA), LAX to JFK, LAX to IAD and LAX to SEA.

British Airways Launches 27 City Sale

PRIME NEWSWIRE -- British Airways today launches a sale fare, allowing travelers to fly from the U.S. to a choice of 27 cities throughout the U.K. and Europe.

World Traveller economy roundtrip airfares begin at $562 (including fuel surcharge) between New York (JFK or Newark) and London, Amsterdam, Paris, Milan, Rome, Frankfurt, Geneva, Malaga, Dubrovnik, Brussels, or 17 other European destinations. Comparable airfares are available from all 18 British Airways' U.S. cities to 27 select destinations.

Travelers purchasing roundtrip tickets within this period will also receive a $50 discount on land arrangements throughout Europe, including hotel, car rental, airport/hotel transfer and sightseeing, such as London Sightseeing Pass, Old Amsterdam by Candlelight Cruise, Paris City Hop-On Hop-Off Tour, Rome by Night Tour, and the Dubrovnik Panorama City Tour.

Travelers also have the option to upgrade to World Traveller Plus, the airline's premium economy cabin, starting from $150 each way from select U.S. gateway cities to London.

Prices are available for sale through Thursday midnight (EDT), Jul. 17, 2008. Travel is valid from Sep. 4, 2008, through Oct. 22, 2008.

World Traveller roundtrip fares must be booked and purchased seven days in advance and are non-refundable. World Traveller Plus roundtrip fares must be booked and purchased 21 days in advance. Fares may be higher for other travel dates and from other U.S. departure gateways. Weekend (Thursday-Sunday) surcharge applies at $30 each way. Fares are subject to government approval and do not include government fees and taxes from approximately $165 and a $2.50 September 11 Security Fee. A minimum stay of Saturday night is required and a maximum stay is 11 months.

$50 discount must be booked and purchased with British Airways roundtrip published airfare purchased Jul. 15-17, 2008, originating in the U.S. during the promotional period. Other significant restrictions apply.

“Cancel Anytime” with Access America’s Newest Plan

T2F Note: Sometimes, one has to cancel a trip. This new look at trip coverage may spark some interest as we all watch our pennies a little closer.

(BUSINESS WIRE)--The economic downturn is forcing travel agents to get creative. Among the tactics to get clients to book vacations, they are encouraging the purchase of travel insurance sold through cruise lines and tour operators which offer “cancel for any reason” coverage. But some of these plans don’t reimburse with cash, so a client’s financial investment remains tied up with the supplier – not available for spending on gas, food, or mortgage payments. Today, Access America, a leading travel insurance and assistance provider, announced the introduction of a new plan – Cancel Anytime – providing travel agents with a cash-back alternative for their cruise and tour clients who want the greatest cancellation flexibility.

Access America’s Cancel Anytime offers 80% cash-back, for virtually any reason, anytime a policy-holder cancels their cruise or tour for an unforeseen reason. On average, this plan will cost 10% of the client’s total trip cost.

“Cancel Anytime is the result of months of development that included consumer and travel agent research,” said Mark Cipolletti, vice president for marketing communications at Access America. “The research revealed that consumers want cash back, not credits, and they even recommended the percentage of cash back that they thought was fair.”

Cancel Anytime’s introduction will mark the most significant change to travel insurance since the events of September 11th, 2001. “This plan essentially does away with Covered Reasons, the list of perils that are specifically covered in a policy, and replaces them with a short list of exclusions. This type of “all risk” insurance will be familiar to our customers because it works like their homeowner and auto insurance,” said Cipolletti.

With traditional travel insurance, customers sometimes find themselves in situations where they aren’t sure if they are covered. Hurricanes are perfect examples of this. “With Cancel Anytime, as long as the insurance is purchased before the hurricane becomes a foreseeable event, the customer will be covered. They won’t have to wait until their destination is deemed uninhabitable,” said Cipolletti. Cancel Anytime is also an excellent travel insurance option for travelers who are concerned about economic issues.

In addition to providing great Trip Cancellation coverage ($10,000 max.), Cancel Anytime also offers travelers the following benefits:

* Trip Interruption ($10,000 max.)
* Emergency Medical/Dental ($20,000 max.)
* Emergency Medical Transportation ($50,000 max.)
* Baggage Loss/Damage ($500 max.)
* Baggage Delay ($200 max.)
* Missed Connection ($500 max.)
* Travel Delay ($300 max.)
* 24-hour Hotline Assistance

Cancel Anytime must be purchased within 14 days of the initial trip deposit and is available only through Access America partner travel agencies.

Cancel Anytime is being launched in conjunction with the re-release of several existing plans from Access America. Enhancements to these plans include:

* Coverage for Existing Medical Conditions on Access America Basic
* “Kids are Free” on Access America Classic
* A destination website (www.yourdeluxetrip.com) with travel information, advice and links for anyone purchasing Access America Deluxe
* New sporting/electronic equipment coverage on Access America Deluxe

Complete details on Cancel Anytime or other Access America travel insurance plans can be found online at www.accessamerica.com.

The Return Of The Long Weekend

T2F Note: We've always enjoyed getting away-- if only for the long weekend. There are plenty of destinations within driving distance, and we're more than happy to try them all. Go unwind, and enjoy yourself-- if only for a night or two.

(NAPSI)-Americans looking to hit the beach with the kids, the links with their friends or the town with their significant other now say a long weekend getaway is just the ticket.

In fact, leisure travelers take more than twice as many long weekend trips as they do weeklong vacations in a year, according to PhoCusWright, a travel market research company.

So what's the allure of the quick trip? It can be an easy-to plan break from the every day. Plus, new types of promotions and travel packages let weekend travelers make their escape without breaking the bank.

For instance, travelers can find "get-one-free" accommodation and attraction offers throughout Orlando as part Orlando's Endless Summer promotion created by the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc. (Orlando CVB). Stay two nights or stay three nights.

"Get-one-free" offers are available at a wide range of accommodations from value to luxury including Orlando World Center Marriott, The Point Orlando Resort, Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando Resort, Crowne Plaza Orlando Universal, Quality Inn Plaza and Radisson World- Gate, to name a few.

The program, which runs from August 15 through November 15, offers attractions and golf deals under the "get-one-free" theme.

In addition, visitors can peg their travel dates to blockbuster special events that include more than 15 culinary, cultural and sporting events, as well as one of the world's largest destination- wide Halloween celebrations.

For instance, during Orlando's Magical Dining Month, which runs the entire month of September, participating restaurants will offer three-course prix-fixe dinners for $19 or $29, allowing locals and visitors to enjoy exceptional values at some of Orlando's most popular restaurants, including Emeril's Tchoup Chop.

Orlando's thriving arts community will also roll out a new season of cultural entertainment during the promotion including Broadway-series shows at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center, professional-ensemble plays at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater, and family-audience plays at the Orlando Repertory Theatre.

For more information on Orlando's Endless Summer-as well as "get-one-free" offers, participating establishments and special events-visit orlandoinfo.com/endlesssummer or call (888) ORL4-FUN.

Some destinations offer a free third-night stay to long-weekend travelers.

Complimentary Night at Callaway Gardens® Special Bonus: Receive 20% Off Spa Treatments

Experience an inspiring and educational family summer getaway and take advantage of this season’s “Buy Two Get One Free” Package at Callaway Gardens®. This 13,000-acre resort and recreation destination is located one hour from Atlanta, tucked in the southernmost foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. With award-winning gardens, championship golf courses, fishing, nature trails, discovery center and new green residential communities, Callaway Gardens has something for everyone.

Now through August 31st, guests who spend two nights at the luxurious Lodge and Spa receive a third night free* as well as admission to the Gardens including the Day Butterfly Center, Sibley Horticultural Center and Birds of Prey Show; use of the Lodge Fitness Center including the sauna, steam room, all-season outdoor pool and whirlpool spas. A special bonus for package participants is a 20 percent discount on spa treatments at the beautiful, full-service Spa Prunifolia®, which features nature-infused treatments, fully equipped health club, retail and salon boutique.

*Rates are per room, per night. Valid Sunday through Thursday. Based upon availability. Other restrictions and black out dates may apply. Taxes and gratuities not included. Spa discount not valid in the Boutique.

Delta’s Domestic First Class Service, Worldwide Airport Lounges and Frequent Flyer Program Rated the Best

Readers of Executive Travel magazine rate Delta Air Lines’ (NYSE:DAL) domestic first class service, worldwide Crown Room Clubs and SkyMiles frequent flyer program the best in the 2008 Leading Edge Awards. Readers also said they prefer to fly Delta more than any other U.S. airline when they travel to Africa, the Middle East and Canada.

“Delta’s more than 45,000 employees worldwide are committed to offering our global customers a world-class travel experience when they fly with us,” said Richard Anderson, Delta’s chief executive officer. “Their efforts, along with investments we continue to make to improve our product and service offerings, both on the ground and in the air, are clearly resonating with our passengers. We’re thrilled to be recognized by the readers of Executive Travel magazine, many of whom are our most loyal and frequent flyers.”

Honors Delta received include:
Best Domestic Airline for First Class Service;
Best Frequent Flyer Program - Domestic;
Best Airline for Airport Lounges in the world;
Best U.S.-based Airline for Flights to Africa, and No. 3 in the world;
Best U.S.-based Airline for Flights to the Middle East, and No. 3 in the world; and
Best U.S.-based Airline for Flights to Canada, and No. 2 in the world.

Since 2005, Delta has continued to improve the customer experience by:
Adding new international service. With the summer 2008 schedule, Delta operates more than 450 weekly flights to 47 destinations in 31 countries in Europe, Africa, Asia, India and the Middle East;
Completing cabin refurbishments with comfortable all-leather seating and brighter interiors on all aircraft;
Offering customers hundreds of hours of movies, HBO, TV programming, music and video games through the airline’s world-class, in-flight entertainment system, Delta on Demand, available on more than 70,000 seats daily on nearly 140 aircraft;
Providing convenient Breezeway boarding lanes for elite customers in gate areas;
Offerings premium wines selected by Master Sommelier Andrea Robinson and meal selections from celebrity chef Michelle Bernstein for international BusinessElite customers, as well as introducing fully lie-flat seating for BusinessElite customers on its Boeing 777 fleet and announcing a new lie-flat product for its Boeing 767 fleet beginning in 2009;
Expanding the airline's popular EATS food for purchase program to domestic flights of 750 miles or more and offering a selection of signature cocktails;
Providing more unique ways for SkyMiles customers to easily redeem miles, like a new online award calendar, three-tier award program and new pay-with-miles option for American Express Gold and Platinum cardholders;
Maximizing self-service technology for customers by offering more languages on delta.com and more self-service options to speed travel, such as online baggage check, mobile check-in and more; and
Providing one of the broadest airport lounge networks in the world giving Crown Room Club® members access to nearly 100 lounges thanks to Delta's global SkyTeam alliance partners.

In total, the publication’s readers ranked Delta among the top three in more categories than any other airline in the world. Second place honors include:
Best Domestic Airline;
Best Airline for Flights to the Caribbean;
Best Airline for Flights to Central and South America; and
Best Airline Customer Service – Domestic.

Delta received a third place nod for “Best Domestic Airline for Business Class Service” and “Best Credit Card Rewards Program” for the Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express.

In other categories, Executive Travel magazine readers named Delta’s global hub – Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport – the No. 2 domestic airport. Delta AirElite® earned the No. 2 spot as Best Private Jet Service and was the only wholly-owned subsidiary of a commercial airline to rank in the top three.

Subscribers to Executive Travel magazine are senior level executives at Fortune 1000 companies who fly almost once each week. Established in 2006, the publication was created for the frequent business traveler and addresses issues unique to his or her lifestyle. With a circulation of more than 125,000, the recently BPA audited magazine delivers information to help frequent business travelers live life on the road as well as they do at home.

The award-winning Delta SkyMiles program offers members multiple mileage-earning opportunities when flying Delta, Delta Shuttle®, Delta Connection® carriers, Delta AirElite® and other SkyTeam® airlines. Additional mileage-building opportunities are offered through more than 100 partners such as the Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express, SkyMilesShopping.com, participating hotels, car rental companies, telecommunication services, restaurants, retailers and more. Now in its 27th year, SkyMiles is one of the longest-running and most successful loyalty programs in the travel industry. It was named “Best Frequent Flyer Program” for 2006 and 2007 by Business Traveler magazine and received top honors for “Best Bonus Promotion” from InsideFlyer magazine at the 2007 Freddie Awards.

Avoid Baggage Fees: What Not to Pack

(SPM Wire) With many airlines now charging fliers for a single checked bag, travelers are striving to pack more efficiently and only travel with carry-ons or as little luggage as possible.

According to the experts at IndependentTraveler.com there are several ways to achieve this goal:

* Rethink Wardrobe: Stick to essentials. Choose clothes in neutral colors that can be mixed and matched, and pack a travel-size packet of laundry detergent to wash clothes while traveling. Bring no more than two pairs of shoes: one to be packed and one to be worn on the plane.

* Simplify Beauty Regimens: Don't lug an army of beauty products. Instead, use hotel toiletries or pack products with multiple uses, such as a moisturizer with SPF or a combination shampoo/conditioner. To meet security requirements, pack products in containers of three ounces or less in a quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag.

* Pick One Favorite Guidebook: Don't weigh down a suitcase with books. Pack one comprehensive guidebook and use Internet cafes as necessary to look up additional information on the road.

* Leave the Crown Jewels at Home: Leave all valuables at home. Fancy watches and jewelry are targets for thieves.

* Forget the Gizmos: Pack only indispensable electronic gadgets.

To help travelers pack more efficiently, IndependentTraveler.com offers an interactive packing list at IndependentTraveler.com/packing, featuring more than 100 commonly packed items.

The site also features other packing tips and the latest carry-on rules for air travelers.

5,000 Historic Photographs of China Debut on the Web

T2F Note: What a fascinating look into a place many of us will never have the opportunity to visit. In this case, these pictures are close to 100 years old. Excellent job, Duke!

The Duke University Libraries has launched a digital collection of about 5,000 photographs shot primarily in China between 1917 and 1932 by Sidney Gamble, grandson of Proctor and Gamble co-founder James Gamble. The searchable collection is online at library.duke.edu/digitalcollections/gamble/.

Gamble, a sociologist, China scholar and avid amateur photographer, traveled extensively in China from Liaoning province in the northeast to Guangdong province in the south and to the western edge of Sichuan province along the border of Tibet. The web publication of the Sidney D. Gamble Photograph Collection makes all of his China photographs publicly accessible for the first time.

On four trips to China, Gamble photographed the natural and architectural landscapes as well as scenes of rural and urban life. He also documented events such as the flood of 1918 in Tianjin, student demonstrations in 1919 in Beijing and Sun Yat-sen’s state funeral in 1925.

“Because Gamble was not a professional photographer, but rather a social scientist conversant in Chinese, his photographs of Chinese people engaged in the daily activities of life are like no other photographs of the period,” said Nancy Jervis, an anthropologist and China specialist who has been visiting China for three decades. “They are a stark reminder of what has been gained and lost in the years since.”

Gamble used the China photographs to illustrate the first published social survey of Peking (Beijing), which he completed in 1921, and three economic surveys he later authored. However, most of his China images were not seen by the public during his lifetime. The photographs came to light when Gamble’s daughter, the late Catherine Curran, discovered the collection at the family home in 1984, 15 years after her father’s death.

Curran created the Sidney D. Gamble China Studies Foundation in 1986 to preserve the images and to make them available for exhibit. Since then, about 250 of the pictures have been displayed in multiple venues in North America and Asia, including the China Institute in New York City and the Museum of History in Beijing.

Curran, who died in 2007, gave the entire collection to Duke’s Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library in 2006.

New “Wave” In Travel Brings Families Closer

T2F Note: That's it--- sign me up!

(NAPSI)-Each year, more than 5 million family vacations include three generations, according to the Travel Industry Association. Multigenerational travel has become a growing trend among American families looking to forge stronger family bonds while effectively keeping expenses in check.

Finding an activity both time and cost effective for the entire family can be a challenge. America’s first baby boomer, Kathy Casey-Kirschling, is a 15-year veteran when it comes to traveling locally with her children and grandchildren. An avid boater, she spends summers on local waterways with family and friends aboard her boat, aptly named First Boomer.

“My favorite family vacations-and my children would likely agree-occurred only a few miles from home aboard First Boomer,” said Casey-Kirschling. “Each year, I look forward to spending valuable time with my grandchildren on the water and creating lasting memories.”

With rising airport delays and road traffic hassles, many Americans are looking for family vacation options closer to home. According to the National Marine Manufacturers Association, 90 percent of Americans live within an hour’s drive of a navigable body of water. With this in mind, Casey-Kirschling recommends families interested in multigenerational travel consider a boating excursion for their next family vacation.

Here are some of her tips to help plan a close-to-home vacation that children, parents and grandparents can enjoy together:

Get everyone in on the action. Whether it’s watersports during the day or a relaxing cruise at sunset, propose different activities for all ages to participate in. DiscoverBoating.com offers a variety of fun activities the entire family can do out on the water.

Delve into details. Be sure to discuss sleeping arrangements, boat and watersport rentals and food preparation-minor details can have a major impact if overlooked.

Make memories. Use time on the boat to share family stories and document the trip through a travel journal, digital camera or video recorder.

Create committees. Include all family members in the planning process to get everyone involved (and excited) about the trip. Assign duties to each person to create an efficient trip itinerary.

Get onboard with a budget. Multigenerational travel can be very cost effective. Determine the cost allowances for each family member and build a budget to fit everyone’s financial needs.

There are a number of boating resources available online, including www.DiscoverBoating.com, to help families in their trip planning. This Web site offers a boat selector tool to find the right boat for every family’s needs, a budget planner to outline trip costs, boating activity options for the entire family and water access locations for nearby navigable bodies of water.

Boating is gaining popularity in multigenerational family travel.

B & B in Savannah Rewards Seniors

T2F Note: Since the rapid rise of the price of gasoline, we have been looking around Georgia for fun. Our state has numerous opportunities for those one of a kind trips. Many of them are even day trips. However, a trip down to the lowcountry does involve an overnight stay. Our staff always prefer to stay in historic areas while traveling. With that thought, here is an offer from a historic B & B in the Savannah area.

The Catherine Ward House Inn in Savannah, Georgia is paying Seniors, 55 years and older, fifty dollars when they stay at the Inn this summer. In addition, they are discounting all rooms 15%. To qualify, Seniors must stay for a minimum of two nights Sunday through Thursday or three nights any time of the week.

This package is part of the Inn’s Senior Summer Celebration which runs from July 6 through September 12. Other Discount Packages are also available.

The Catherine Ward House is located on a quiet street in the Victorian District of Savannah. This wonderful 1880’s inn is only ½ block from magnificent Forsyth Park. Historic District shopping, restaurants, museums, and over 250 years of history are within a few minutes stroll from the Inn.

More information about the Catherine Ward House Inn is available on our website at: www.catherinewardhouseinn.com.

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Delta Air Lines Offers Two Nonstop Flights between the U.S. and Ecuador: One to Quito, One to Guayaquil

Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) today announced changes to its Ecuador schedule to offer nonstop flights between Atlanta and Quito, as well as Guayaquil.

Delta currently offers one daily flight from Atlanta to Ecuador that stops in both Quito and Guayaquil before returning to Atlanta. Starting Sept. 5, 2008, Delta will split the route and offer nonstop service in each direction between Atlanta and Quito. Nonstop service in each direction between Atlanta and Guayaquil starts Dec. 1, 2008.

“Both of these nonstop flights to Ecuador will help our passengers save time, while giving them a more pleasant, hassle-free travel experience,” said Christophe Didier, vice president of Sales and Government Affairs in Latin America and the Caribbean for Delta Air Lines. “The nonstop flight to Guayaquil will launch in December to capitalize on peak demand during the holiday season.”

Junior Ranger Program at Sprewell Bluff State Park

On August 6 – 8, Sprewell Bluff State Park will offer a three-day Junior Ranger program for children ages 8 – 12. The camp will last from 9:00 am until 12:00 pm for all three days, and cost $30.00 per child. Each participant will learn about the diverse natural environments at Sprewell Bluff State Park, and have fun participating in activities such as fishing, learning about native plants and wildlife, and hiking the many trails at the park. All participants will complete enough exercises to earn a Level 1 Junior Ranger patch, and have a good foundation for earning levels two and three on their own time.

The Junior Ranger Program is a set of activities developed by Georgia Parks, for children ages 6 – 12 to participate in on their own time, or at parks sponsoring a Junior Ranger day camp. A junior ranger activity book is available at any state park office and free to any interested participants. The exercises are designed to encourage children to explore Georgia’s many diverse parks, and historic sites. All the Park Rangers at Georgia Park’s are committed to helping families learn more about our natural and cultural resources, and protecting and sharing these resources for you and your family.

Sprewell Bluff has an incredible amount of natural resources just waiting to be discovered. From the incredible array of birds along the river, to the Shoal Bass that calls the Flint River home, the multitudes of dragon and damselflies, and open pine savanna rich in native plants and wildlife, to the unique Geology that created Sprewell Bluff, the Junior Rangers will experience all aspects of this unique place.

For more information on this program, and for registration, please call the Sprewell Bluff State Park Office at 706-646-6026, or stop by and talk to a ranger. Pre-Registration is required, and payments in check or cash can be made at the park office, near the entrance of the park, or by talking to one of the park staff. For more information of Sprewell Bluff, or any other state park, check www.gastateparks.org.