Inns give unique rewards to frequent guests
A group of upscale inns in the West and Northwest, members of Unique Inns, has a program called Unique Experience Rewards that includes unusual experiences as a reward for frequent stays.
Guests who log five combined nights in any of the group's inns are eligible for programs that include lessons in professional sand-castle building, a course called Innkeeping 101, and another in picking and curing olives, then making olive oil.
To see the whole list of unusual awards, go to the Web site www.uniqueinns.com, and click on the Rewards button.
The Adventure Travel Trade Association, or ATTA, has launched a new Web site for travelers, www.adventure.travel/. It features adventure tours and experiences offered by the association's pre-qualified professional members. The nature-based tour operators offer adventures all over the world, from kayaking to trekking.
Tour operators on this site cannot buy their way into top listings, as is the case on many commercial sites. They must be members of ATTA, have good customer reviews and be willing to eventually sign agreements to pursue cultural, environmental and wildlife conservation practices. Each tour operator is assigned a rating based on a combination of factors.
London hotels are some of the priciest worldwide, with a three-star hotel often starting at $300 or more. What's a savvy traveler to do? Consult Uptown Reservations, www.uptownres.co.uk, which offers 80 private, upscale bed-and-breakfasts for as little as $192 per night for two, including breakfast.
The hosts are often empty-nesters, from businessmen to diplomats, who have an elegant home and room to spare. The hosts can serve as your informal advisers on London, giving you tips on where locals eat, where to catch the bus and what sights should not be missed.
The homes have been inspected and are in some of the city's best areas, including Mayfair, Chelsea and Belgravia. Staying in one of these gives you an insider's look at British life, and guests often compare it to staying with friends.
You can search properties on the site and make a reservation by completing the booking form; confirmation is by e-mail or telephone.
In print
"Germany for Dummies," by Donald Olson, is published by Dummies Travel at $21.99. From where to find the best beer gardens in Munich to wandering the biggest fairytale castles, such as Neuschwanstein, this book has details on every kind of experience you might have fantasized about before packing your lederhosen.
It gives lists of the best hotels and restaurants for every budget, and explains complete details of cities as different from each other as Berlin and Baden Baden. It also covers every mode of transportation, when and where to eat what (from wurst to white asparagus), and which charming villages in the Black Forest are worth a special visit.
High culture in Germany's many museums is covered, as well as the best night spots in the larger cities. In addition to telling the reader what is essential, the author also tips you off on what you can skip. Included are stick-on index tabs to note your favorite pages.