9: Catering to Special Travel Needs or Interests in Visual Studio .NET

Creation QR Code in Visual Studio .NET 9: Catering to Special Travel Needs or Interests

country (If your kids have already read the series, they know that Harry shops in Diagon Alley in London before he goes off to school at Hogwarts) Older children may enjoy the thought of traveling around London in the Underground (called the Tube) or taking a boat trip down the Thames With the information in this book and some online investigating, you can also incite your kids curiosity about historic sites, such as the Tower of London (see 12), Stonehenge (see 16), and Warwick Castle (see 19)

Maybe you really need a relaxing evening at the opera and a romantic late dinner But you can t take Junior along on this special evening What are your options Ask your hotel staff if they can recommend a local baby-sitting service Most of the hotels marked with a Kid Friendly icon in this book can help arrange baby-sitting London also has several respected and trustworthy baby-sitting agencies that provide registered nurses and carefully screened mothers, as well as trained nannies, to watch children One old and trustworthy baby-sitting service is Universal Aunts (% 020/7386-5900; wwwuniversalauntscouk), which charges 11 ($22) per daytime hour, 9 ($18) evenings until midnight (three-hour minimum for both), plus a 19 ($38) agency fee

England doesn t present any problems for you if you re a senior who gets around easily If this is not the case for you, be aware when planning your trip that some hotels don t have elevators particularly less expensive B&Bs The steep staircases in some places are a test for anyone with luggage When you reserve a hotel, ask whether you have access to an elevator (or lift, as Brits call it) Being a senior may entitle you to some terrific travel bargains, such as lower prices for BritRail passes and reduced admission at theaters, museums, and other attractions Always ask, even if the attraction doesn t have the reduction posted Carrying ID with proof of age can pay off in all these situations Note: You may find that some discounts, such as public transportation reductions in London, are available only to UK residents Members of AARP (formerly known as the American Association of Retired Persons), 601 E St NW, Washington, DC 20049 (% 888-687-2277 or 202-434-2277; wwwaarporg), get discounts on hotels, airfares (including flights to London), and car rentals, when booked through the AARP Web site AARP offers members a wide range of benefits, including AARP: The Magazine and a monthly newsletter Anyone over 50 can join Many reliable agencies and organizations target the 50-plus market Elderhostel (11 Ave de Lafayette, Boston, MA 02110; % 877-426-8056;

wwwelderhostelorg) offers people 55 and over a variety of univer-

sity-based education programs in London and throughout England These courses are value-packed, hassle-free ways to travel Travel packages include airfare, accommodations, meals, tuition, tips, and insurance And you ll be glad to know that no grades are given Tours change yearly, but may focus on London s legal, music, theater, and art scenes; the gardens of the Cotswolds, Kent, or the Lake District; literary sights in Wessex and Yorkshire; or a number of other topics and locations Grand Circle Travel (347 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210; % 800-5973644; wwwgctcom) is another agency that escorts tours for mature travelers to England Recommended publications offering travel resources and discounts for seniors include: the quarterly magazine Travel 50 & Beyond (www travel50andbeyondcom); Travel Unlimited: Uncommon Adventures for the Mature Traveler (Avalon); The 50+ Traveler s Guidebook (St Martin s Press); and Unbelievably Good Deals and Great Adventures That You Absolutely Can t Get Unless You re Over 50 (McGraw-Hill), by Joan Rattner Heilman