Hunting down the deals in .NET framework

Making DataMatrix in .NET framework Hunting down the deals

You can find a tour package on your own In fact, the information is right under your nose: Start by looking for packagers advertisements in the travel section of your local Sunday paper Also check national travel

magazines such as Arthur Frommer s Budget Travel, Travel + Leisure, National Geographic Traveler, and Cond Nast Traveler Reputable packagers include these standouts: American Express Vacations (% 800-346-3607; wwwamerican

expresscom/travel)

Euro Vacations (% 877-471-3876; wwweurovacationscom) Go-Todaycom (% 425-487-9632; wwwgo-todaycom) Liberty Travel (% 888-271-1584; wwwlibertytravelcom) Magical Holidays (wwwmagicalholidayscom) Airlines often package flights together with accommodations When you check out the airline choices, look for one that offers both frequent service to your airport and frequent-flier miles The following airlines offer tour packages: American Airlines Vacations (% 800-321-2121; wwwaavacations com) Continental Airlines Vacations (% 888-898-9255; wwwcool

vacationscom)

Delta Vacations (% 800-872-7786; wwwdeltavacationscom) Northwest Airlines World Vacations (% 800-800-1504; wwwnwa worldvacationscom) United Vacations (% 888-854-3899; wwwunitedvacationscom) US Airways Vacations (% 800-455-0123; wwwusairways

vacationscom)

Most European airlines offer competitive packages as well (see the Quick Concierge for their Web sites and toll-free numbers) Several big online travel agencies Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz, Site59, and Lastminutecom also do a brisk business in packages If you re unsure about the pedigree of a smaller packager, check with the Better Business Bureau in the city where the company is based, or go online to wwwbbborg If a packager won t tell you where it s based, don t book with it The biggest hotel chains and resorts sometimes offer packages, too If you already know where you want to stay, call the hotel or resort and ask about land/air packages

Many people love escorted tours The tour company takes care of all the details and tells you what to expect at each leg of your journey You know your costs up front, and you don t get many surprises Escorted tours can take you to see the maximum number of sights in the minimum amount of time with the least amount of hassle If you decide to go with an escorted tour, consider purchasing travel insurance, especially if the tour operator asks you to pay up front But don t buy insurance from the tour operator! If the tour operator doesn t fulfill its obligation to provide you with the vacation you paid for, there s no reason to think that it will fulfill its insurance obligations, either Get travel insurance through an independent agency (We tell you more about the ins and outs of travel insurance in 9) When choosing an escorted tour, along with finding out whether you have to put down a deposit and when final payment is due, ask a few simple questions before you buy: What is the cancellation policy Can the tour operator cancel the trip if it doesn t get enough people How late can you cancel if you re unable to go Do you get a refund if you cancel What if the tour operator cancels How jam-packed is the schedule Does the tour schedule try to fit 25 hours into a 24-hour day, or does it give you ample time to relax by the pool or shop If getting up at 7 am every day and not returning to your hotel until 6 or 7 pm sounds like a grind, certain escorted tours may not be for you Can you opt out of certain activities Does the tour allow picking and choosing activities; or does the bus leave once a day, and you re out of luck if you re not onboard How large is the group The smaller the group, the less time you spend waiting for people to get on and off the bus Tour operators may be evasive about this, because they may not know the exact size of the group until everybody has made reservations, but they should be able to give you a rough estimate Is there a minimum group size Some tours have a minimum group size and may cancel the tour if they don t book enough people If a quota exists, find out what it is and how close they are to reaching it Again, tour operators may be evasive in their answers, but the information may help you select a tour that s sure to happen What exactly is included Don t assume anything You may have to pay to get yourself to and from the airport A box lunch may be included in an excursion, but drinks may be extra Beer may be included but not wine Are all your meals planned in advance Can you choose your entree at dinner, or does everybody get the same chicken cutlet