February 2005 Travel Newsletter

Don’t Let Add-Ons Take Away From Your Hotel Stay
In an effort to increase their revenues without raising room rates, hotels are beginning to add new fees and charge for services that used to be included in their room rate.  Here are some ways to avoid extra fees and not be surprised at checkout time.

-- Pack the clothes you’ll need and avoid having to use hotel laundry services.  Press the few clothing items that may require it yourself.  Most rooms include an iron and ironing board, if not request them at the front desk.

-- If you like to snack in your room, stop by a local store to pick up a few of your favorites.  Most food items, and now sometimes even the bottled water stocked in your room, incur a hefty “restocking” charge on your hotel bill.  If you do use room service, some hotels are starting to automatically add both a service charge and a gratuity for room service.  So, check the room service charge before signing it and adding a generous tip on top of that.

-- Watch the phone calls.  If your cell phone plan does not include roaming charges, use it.  Long distance calls will most likely cost you much more from a hotel room than they would at home.  Even hotels that offer free local calls may now limit the number of minutes allowed before starting to charge you even for them.

-- If you like to participate in a lot of different activities while on vacation, equipment rentals for all of those activities can really add up, especially for a family  Consider staying at a resort where everything is included.

-- Watch for a “resort fee” at hotels that you would not consider resorts.  Some hotels are starting to charge a $10 to $15 per night “resort fee” to cover costs such as pool maintenance, daily newspapers, health club and Internet access, services you may not even use.

You should be able to avoid any surprise add-on fees by simply asking about “any other fees or charges above a stated room rate” when you book your hotel reservations.  If you are making reservations on-line, use the hotel’s 800 number to call and verify the same information.  Finally, when you check out, review your bill and question any undisclosed fees that appear.  Let the manager know that you are not happy about them and that there are other hotels that would greatly appreciate your future business.
Traveler’s Italian Language Class
Heading to Italy in the near future?  We can help you brush up on your language skills!  Changes In Latitude will be offering a Traveler’s Italian class starting Monday, April 11th, from 7:00 to 8:30, which will run for six Monday evenings.  Learn what you need to know for travel with a small group of fellow travelers.  The cost is just $79.95 (plus handouts) and class size is limited, so stop by our store or call us at (303) 786-8406 to reserve your place.
Upcoming Travel Programs
Tuesday, February 8th (7:00pm) - The Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos archipelago is famous for its unique and fearless wildlife, and has become a mecca for natural history enthusiasts.  The islands are located out in the Pacific Ocean, 1000 kilometers east of Ecuador, and are comprised of thirteen main islands and six smaller ones.  Tonight, Charlie Anderson will share his images and stories of a naturalist's dream trip.  Please join us!
Tuesday, February 15th (7:00pm) - The Grand Canyon: A River Journey Through Time
Under famously blue skies, the dramatic landscape of deep, colorful canyons, and the beautifully serene, yet wild Colorado River form the spectacular Grand Canyon in Arizona.  Take a river ride with raft guide, Charlie Heavenrich, as he plunges us into the history of the native people around the Canyon, the geology, the new management plan for the area, the operation of the dam at Glen Canyon & more.  Charlie captures the magic of one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World in imagery, merging it with a soundtrack to create an extraordinary experience for all to share.  Don't miss "the Spirit of the Canyon".
Tuesday, February 22nd (7:00pm) - Morocco
Morocco's intoxicating blend of cultures & influences have attracted travelers for generations.  Join Bill & Judy Korstad as they share stories and pictures of their recent trip.  Visit the medieval cities of Marrakesh, Fez & Casa Blanca.  Discover modern day Rabat, venture out to ride camels in the desert, the Atlas Mountains and the colorful people of Morocco.  Exotic and unfamiliar, Morocco won't disappoint your dreams of this ancient country.
Tuesday, March 1st (7:00pm) - Packing Clinic For Organized Travel
Our focus tonight is to pack light for your international trip!  We’ll cover the latest in packing tips for easy packing.  Learn the secrets of traveling light and avoiding all of the hassles of overpacking.  You’ll discover travel tips on how to be an organized traveler by packing efficiently.  YOU can be the experienced traveler who zooms through airport security checks.  Join us for a fun evening.  Specials and prizes tonight only!

Suggested Reading
“Planes, Trains and Elephants” by Brian Thacker, 2003, published by Allen & Unwin Pty., Limited.  Tour guide and incessant traveler, Brian Thacker, not only illustrates with his book that the journey is often more exciting than the destination, but that it can also be more alarming, more spectacular, more humorous, and more entertaining, as well.  Throughout his travels, he has experienced many different and unique modes of transport in all kinds of locations.  His adventures in transportation include everything from bumpy hovercraft to grouchy camels to a suicidal donkeys.  This funny book will help you to really appreciate the transportation portion of any journey.
Just For Fun
A couple with three children waited in line at San Francisco's Pier 41 to purchase tickets for a boat trip to Alcatraz.  Others in line watched with varying degrees of sympathy and irritation as the young children fidgeted, whined, teased and punched one another.  The frazzled parents reprimanded them to no avail.  Finally they reached the ticket window.  "Five tickets, please," the father said. "Please make two of them round trip, and the other three one way."
Newsletter Subscriptions
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"Stop worrying about the potholes in the road
  and celebrate the journey.”
    - Fitzhugh Mullan
Happy Travels!
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www.cil.com		 Changes In Latitude    2525 Arapahoe    Boulder, CO 80302    USA
phone: 303-786-8406     fax: (303) 786-8408
e-mail: adventure@cil.com
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