The Early Bird Gets the Big Savings: Alaska Cruises for Under a Grand

Cruise West, a highly reputable outfit based in Seattle, is offering big discounts for advance bookings on its 2003 Alaska cruises. In keeping with the yield management theory, the company will give you large discounts if you pay by December 6, 2002, somewhat less savings if you fork over the money by February 14, 2003.

A Whale of a Winter's Tale, Just $43 Per Night

Who knew? For more than a decade, humpback and fin whales have been making the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay an annual winter retreat. Until now, the thousands of visitors who go to this area, including Virginia Beach, in warm weather, have made the city the summer vacation capital of the state. From January 2 through March 9, 2003, however, you can experience a Winter Whale-Watching Getaway down in Virginia Beach for as little as $85 for a two-night, three-day experience.

Pallin' Around with Palladio: Venice is Cheaper Yet This Winter

We wrote just last month about TourCrafters' amazing offer of $599 for short stays in Rome, Florence, Naples and Venice. The tourism authorities in Venice aren't satisfied with the number of hotel rooms they have filled, so TourCrafters is able to offer five nights in that city for just $399, roundtrip air included."

Islands of the Great Barrier Reef

From Kirsten: "I just returned from Australia yesterday. We spent 5 nights at Dunk Island which is about 2 hours south of Cairns. The island is amazing!! It is one of the few (or only?) islands covered in rainforest and the resort is set right into the rainforest. Its an all-inclusive resort except you have to pay for motorized water sports. We booked a dive on the Hayley's Comet which took us to the outer reef were we did snorkeling and 2 intro dives (we're not certified but have been diving before) and it was spectacular."

Egypt: Should I Stay or Should I Go?

From Laura Wilson: "I am thinking about traveling to Egypt in the coming 6 or 7 months. Seveeral people have told me that it's a bad idea, due to the political climate in that part of the world. It's our dream trip, but I would not want to put my family in any danger. Any advice?"

Transferability of Disney Park Hopper Passes

Roger Collins: "We were thinking about buying 4-day Disney Park Hopper passes. If only 3 of the 4 days are used, can the fourth day be sold to other park goers? How do the passes work? Is it a punch card or a card with a magnetic strip? Any help would be greatly appreciated."

What Manhattan Restaurants Are Best for a Family Trip at Christmas Time?

From T. Donaldson: "My husband and I are bringing our kids to the city at Christmas time. My problem is my husband and my 15 year old son's idea of dressing up is good jeans and a nice shirt. I would like to visit a couple of the nicer restaurants but I am not sure where they would feel the most comfortable. Any ideas would be great."

Skiing in Italy and Switzerland in Jan 2003

From Annie A.: "Hello everyone, I'm Planning to Visit the northern regions of Italy this January, I was hoping may be I could go Skiing in the Italian and Swiss Alps. Does any one know of any great websites that I could check out? Is Accomodation terribly expensive? Any suggestions or/and comments would make happy!"