Welcome to the November 2004 edition of SINGLE PARENT TRAVEL e-zines - a continuing series of monthly newsletters created for the community of single adults who travel alone with kids.

To sign up for our newsletter go to http://www.SingleParentTravel.net. Forward this newsletter to a friend!

In this issue:

I. GLOBAL BRENDA'S MESSAGE
II. WHAT IF MY AIRLINE FOLDS? By John Freynaye
III. SINGLE PARENT FAMILY FRIENDLY SPECIALS
IV. MEETING OTHER SINGLE PARENTS
V. SUBSCRIBERS SPEAK UP-REQUESTS, INQUIRIES, COMMENTS

I. GLOBALBRENDA'S MESSAGE

Dear Readers,

My October highlight this year was a fun-filled Columbus Day weekend trip to the Adirondacks to enjoy the glorious fall foliage, the exciting Olympic Village at Lake Placid and the stunning Adirondack Museum at Blue Mountain Lake. The most memorable moment was standing at the top of the highest ski jump at the Olympic Village and pretending to have the courage to go down. (No way, José!) I will be writing about those attractions in a future newsletter.

Last Wednesday I was a guest on "Talkin' Travel" a Florida based radio show that airs on Wednesdays at 11:30am, WTNY, 1280AM on your dial. Single Parent Travel will be working with "Talkin' Travel" on some travel promotional ideas, so tune in - it's a good show!

Our feature article this month is a timely topic: What to do if your airline goes belly up? ATA just went under, much to the dismay of our Indianapolis readers and residents of other cities serviced by ATA. Delta is skating on thin ice and we are still looking carefully at what will take place with USAir and United. The article, written by John Freynaye, owner of Carlson Wagonlit Travel, my booking agency, offers some excellent advice on what you can do to protect yourself.

In December 2002 my newsletter focused on special Christmas activities in three U.S. cities - New York, New Orleans, and Santa Fe. For my December 2004 newsletter I would like to do something similar and I invite all my readers from the U.S.A., Canada, and the UK to email me a paragraph or two about the holiday activities (Christmas or otherwise) you have enjoyed in your local city or town. Please include any Web site addresses and please send by November 29, so I can post them in our December newsletter.

Want to send a Christmas present to Single Parent Travel without spending a dime or even a cent? Here's how: Go to my Web site: http://www.singleparenttravel.net/ Then click on one or more of those little boxed Google ads that are posted on my Web site. By doing that, you provide Single Parent Travel with some additional income to support this site and the newsletter. So get out there and wiggle that mouse, my friends. Do it now before you read the newsletter and forget all about it!

Happy Turkey Day!
GlobalBrenda

II. WHAT IF MY AIRLINES FOLDS?
by John Frenaye

These aren't the best of times to be an air traveler.

US Airways' chairman has said that in the event of a second bankruptcy filing there's only a one to two percent chance the airline would survive. And his airline just filed for Chapter 11 protection.

Delta is grasping at straws to stay afloat. United is still mired in bankruptcy with emergence nowhere in sight. American has been disturbingly quiet. ATA just went under. Northwest is busy making - and then unmaking - ludicrous pricing decisions.

The last airline to go belly-up was TWA, which was absorbed into American. I'm not sure that most of today's travelers remember when Eastern or Pan Am ceased operations.

It's anyone's guess who will be first to liquidate (and yes, I believe there'll be more than one).

But the real question is: What do I do?

Read the rest here: http://www.singleparenttravel.net/Writing/airlinefolds.htm

III. SINGLE PARENT FAMILY FRIENDLY SPECIALS

Special #1 - Kids are 50% off on Amtrak

Amtrak tickets for children are half off the adult fare on select routes. Riders can get up to two children's discounts for each adult traveling. See: http://www.Amtrak.com

Special #2 - The Swiss Travel System Family Card

If you are traveling in Switzerland, take advantage of the Swiss Travel System Family Card (http://www.rail.ch/pv/sts-offer_e.htm) Children up to 16 years of age get free travel with at least one adult accompanying them.

Special #3 - Going to Maui?

Not exactly our typical special, but for those Hawaii goers, Hike Maui offers a free hotel pick up with at least one adult and one child for their Waterfalls and Rainforest Hike in East Maui. The excursion is $91.20 for each person plus tax. See http://www.hikemaui.com/specials/

Check out all our single parent travel specials at http://www.singleparenttravel.net/Specials/

* Don't have a travel agent? Then find one in "The Single Parent Travel Handbook" which has a listing of over 75 travel agents who specialize in single parent travel. Buy the book from any place books are sold or get an autographed copy from GlobalBrenda, the author, at http://www.SingleParentTravel.net/Book/

IV. MEETING OTHER SINGLE PARENTS

Where are the Arizonan single parents? Chat online with Annecodylaurel and Craigcush here: http://tinyurl.com/6kcos

Or if you are from California, you can chat with MilesMum and MoWeb here: http://tinyurl.com/3p7vo

Please note that this bulletin board service is provided free of charge to our readers. The Single Parent Travel Network does not monitor postings or have any knowledge of the exact nature of the individuals doing the posting. BEFORE communicating with anyone on the bulletin board, please take precautions to protect you and your family. Also, please note that if you post your email address on the bulletin board, there is a likelihood that it will be harvested by spammers. Thank you.

V. SUBSCRIBERS SPEAK UP-REQUESTS, INQUIRIES, COMMENTS

Trish from Marin County, CA writes: "I am interested in finding other single parents with teenagers who like to go snowboarding in Tahoe, CA. I would like to share driving and rentals with several to cut costs. Perhaps a single parent already has a cabin they would like to share?"

GlobalBrenda: Readers may contact Trish directly at pbj824@aol.com

Janna writes: "I am interested in where to take my soon-to-be 12 year old daughter to go SCUBA diving. I need a good beginner place."

GB: Your question is very broad. You do not say where you are from - east coast, west coast and what part of the world you are considering and what your budget is.. I know of many fine dive sites for experienced divers - Cozumel, off the coast of Mexico, the Bay Islands off the coast of Honduras, etc. If you are looking for a great place for a training program for a beginner that is 12-years-old then there is a myriad of places to suggest - the islands of the Caribbean, Hawaii, the Yucatan coast of Mexico, etc. You should do the following:

1) Pose your question to experienced divers that have children. Go to your local dive shop and ask them that question.

2) Go to your local newsstand and buy a bunch of Diving Magazines. Read all the ads that sound good to you and call those places on their toll free numbers.

3) Check out the tourist boards on www.towd.com. Call them for more information.

If you do not have the time or inclination to do the above then call a Travel professional and book with them and let them do the legwork for you. You Can call my booking agent for Single Parent Tours. Call 877-GOGO SPT. If you are located on the west coast and want a west coast agency, then buy a copy of my book, "The Single Parent Travel Handbook." It lists over 75 travel agencies across the country that specialize in single parent travel, some of them also are very familiar with diving.

GB Note: Readers can email in beginner dive site suggestions and we will post them in our next newsletter.

Matt writes: "Please post or announce this: I'm a single dad in Lakeland, FL, looking for other single parents to take day or weekend road trips in the state. My kids are almost 6 & 8. Also, depending on the timing, please count me and my kids in on the Rocking Horse Ranch trip in Spring 2005." GB note: Readers may contact Matt directly at Wingman71FL@aol.com

Chris, An American living in Kiev, writes: "Brenda -My daughter (age 1-1/2 years) and I live in Kiev, Ukraine. My husband is in Baghdad this year. It looks like he will *not* be able to join us for the New Year's holiday. So, I am trying to arrange a very "child-friendly" vacation for just myself and daughter (age 1-1/2 years.) I'm willing and able to go just about anywhere in Europe. However, I'm finding few resources here locally, for a couple reasons: a) I'm traveling with a child much younger than the norm for this part of the world, b) I'm effectively a single parent c) Tourist agencies here cater to a totally different set of expectations, and d) Agencies in more Western or neighboring countries are focused on package tours for their local nationals. e)

Below, I've tried to describe what it is that I'm looking for. As I said, I'm not picky about the country -- Austria, Switzerland, Norway, Poland, etc. What is important to me is that I manage to find a place where both my daughter and I will have some fun. I would really appreciate any suggestions you might have!

GB responds: I have been to all the countries you mentioned and many, many more throughout Europe. If your daughter is 1 and1/2 years old, she will have fun no matter where she is, if she is with her mommy, so I would concentrate on doing something you want to do in an area that is tourist oriented with clean abundant easy transportation.

Switzerland and Austria certainly fit that bill. With the possible exception of Portugal and parts of Spain, all of western Europe will be expensive and accommodations may be difficult to find in the heavily touristed areas.

Going back to my earlier statement, what do you like to do? Cities? Mountains? A combination of both? Why not consider an area like Innsbruck, Austria. The town offers all types of accommodations, you can take a ride up the mountains, explore the town or stay there a few days and perhaps visit quaint Salzburg. Or you could consider a more southern country such as Italy and enjoy Rome and the surrounding countryside.

Since your booking agencies are limited where you live, perhaps you can do your research on the Web. You obviously have some access to a computer. I would try www.towd.com for a list of tourist agencies around the world. Pick a spot you like and plan on emailing them with questions and plan to arrive during the day so you can go to their central tourist board and have them arrange accommodations for you on the spot in the event you are not able to do it in advance.

Without your being more specific, about your needs, wants and budget, I am unable to make more specific recommendations. Readers, any other ideas?

Single Parent Travel received a number of inquires from readers asking about single parent ski group tours, including one from Tami who writes: "Hi, I am new to your forum. Do you have any recommendation for ski vacations for single parents? Travel in Feb during Presidents' Day (1 week). We have skied all over as a family; but now it's just me and my son age 10 who is an avid skier. It would be nice to get your readers together somehow who ski and be able to book a group rate somewhere. Thanks."

GB responds: At the current time Single Parent Tours has no plans to do ski trips for our groups. There are 2 reasons: 1) Ski resorts have a limited time to sell their product and in most cases they expect to sell out. Consequently their group rates are minimal or non-existent. 2) We have yet to find a ski resort that will eliminate the single supplement, which is an integral part of our program. If you find one, let me know.

Tami responded again: "Thank you for your response. I understand what you mean about the group rate issue; but it would just be nice to travel with other single parents. You may post my email address. Tami GB: Readers may respond directly to Tami at tamipeavy@yahoo.com

Earlier this year, Single Parent Travel received an email from "C" (who shall remain anonymous), who was concerned about attending one of our single parent tours, "C" is married but often travels with her child, but without her husband. My daughter Monique addressed her concerns and below you will find excerpts of that email exchange. This may help other readers who are in a similar situation.

"C" writes: "One thing that I need to have clarified, please. I am married but do not have a marriage, but have a child. I would like to attend the trips, not with the intent of picking up a partner, but just to be with others who are single with children. I am in a different situation than most single people, I am married, do not date but live the life of a single....Should I come on an outing I would feel awkward if I was questioned, you are married, what are you doing here. I have a partner who works continuously, and is not available for much of anything."

Monique responded: "These trips are not 'pick up' places, they are places for single parents who are traveling with their kids to feel comfortable and to find adult companionship during their trip. I attended our inaugural trip to Beaches where we had over two dozen families. Each had a different story to tell (or not tell). Some women had gone through horrible divorces, some (men and women) had spouses who recently died, some women had gone to a sperm bank because they really wanted children, some brought their moms and even one went without their teenager! So, it really is designed to get adults, who travel alone with their kids for any reason, together for friendship and fun. (And if something else happens, that is fine, too!)"

"C" responded: " Thank you Monique, for the warm reply and welcome. It is difficult, being in the awkward situation that I am in. I liked the rundown you gave, of the people with the different situations, even the mother who went without her teen. That may be me sometime. I have a teen, and I never know what he is going to like or participate in, as he begins to think of how he wants to spend his time, without mom, at times. I really appreciate your comments. I plan to order your book. Thanks again."

Michele writes: " The single specials links mentions specials that are years old. Could you please change it so that if a special is still current it reflects it in the date? Thanks"

GB responds: "Thanks for the heads up. We try to update the specials section several times a year by checking with suppliers if they are still valid. If you found something that was outdated, let us know. We may have missed it or we may have neglected to update the validity dates.

Rebecca writes: "I live in California. Due to rising costs, I don't travel outside of California often. If you plan a trip out here, please let me know."

GB responds: We sponsored two weekend trips to California in the winter/spring of 2003 - Monterrey Bay area and Solvang. In each case we only had 2 or 3 families sign up so we had to cancel due to low participation. We were quite surprised, as we had marketed these trips extensively on the local radio shows as well as the local leading newspapers.

Our national surveys have shown us that there is a very large population of traveling single parent families in California. Many, in fact, have joined us on our trips to Beaches Boscobel in Jamaica. We hope to sponsor some weekends to California in the future and we will keep you in mind. In the meantime please be certain to sign up for our free monthly online newsletter, as that will insure you receive the news promptly.

Note to our California readers: If any of you are familiar with an all inclusive family resort located in California, please let me know. We have had tremendous success with Rocking Horse Ranch Resort that benefits our Northeast U.S. residents. We would like to do the same for our West Coast readers.

Robin writes: "Since I signed up for your newsletter, I have been bombarded with junk mail. I am very disappointed!

Monique at SPT responds: Dear Robin, I am very sorry that you have gotten a bunch of spam. We have never sold or given away your email. My first guess is that you have a Yahoo email. Yahoo, AOL, Hotmail, and all the popular email web sites get more spam than anywhere else because spammers will just send blanket emails out to any combination of letters and numbers until they hit.

GB also responds to Robin: "I receive about 200-300 emails a week. In fact I just got over 70 tonight since the newsletter just went out. It used to be that 70% - 80% of the emails coming into my inbox were spam. I tried a number of anti-spam programs but many of them captured important messages that I wanted to receive.

A few months ago Yahoo came up with an anti spam program that has worked really well for me. It does not capture all the spam but it captures most of it and allows all the messages I want to receive to come into my inbox. About once every 2 weeks I go into the Yahoo site and empty out my bulk mail. By then I have accumulated well over 1000 spam messages. It only takes a few seconds to do and, in your case, if you use email only for personal use, you would probably only have to clean it out once every couple of months.

By the way, thanks for your feedback. There may be other readers who feel the way you do and think that all their spam was caused by our newsletter, so I will post this information in my next newsletter. It may help them as well.

Kim B writes: "My husband and are planning a trip for January with our then 4 month old baby girl. We are adventurous travelers but bringing our baby along will be new territory. We are not being overly ambitious about this trip and have something like renting a cabin on a beach in mind. Something really mellow but that will get us off the farm we live on in Massachusetts in the dead of winter. We acknowledge that it really is us not our daughter that will get the major benefit out of this trip. She is a very sweet easy baby who sleeps almost anywhere. When we first began to think about this trip we considered Belize (not totally out of the question still) but then I became concerned about malaria. I then began to look into Hawaii. I think Kauai would be the island for us as I have heard it is not quite as touristy. Do you have any recommendations for small, simple, cheap, beachy places to rent on that island? Or possibly you have another recommendation we have not even considered. I would be grateful for any advice you had to offer. Thank you so much!"

GB responds: Wow! Your email request runs over a big expanse, from Belize to Hawaii. In my book, "The Single Parent Travel Handbook," I tell you step by step how to research and plan such a trip AND stay within your budget. You may want to consider purchasing a copy. It applies to all family travel, not just single parent travel. Hawaii is one of my many featured destinations in the book. The book is extremely organized, full of information and quite entertaining.

Having said that here is a couple of hints, some from my book, to get you started:

* Go to www.towd.com. This is a worldwide and statewide listing of tourist bureaus and a great place to start. My book covers the tourist bureaus island by island along with what to see and do in each island.

*Check out my archived newsletters. I ran a series on traveling with tots and got informational feedback from doctors as well as my adventurous readers. In fact in my last newsletter, one of the contributing articles came from a single parent dad residing in New Zealand who gave lengthy advice to one of my readers on what to do when traveling the great distance from the U.S. to New Zealand. It would be most helpful for you since you may take your infant on a long flight to Hawaii. Click on: http://www.singleparenttravel.net/Newsletter/ Then go down to the archived newsletters and click on Sept '03 (go to the very bottom for the article on New Zealand); then click on the Nov '03 newsletter for Infant Travel.