Winter Park Ski Train Poised for Return

Train-only and train/lodging packages are options for this ski season

The Rio Grande Scenic Ski Train seems "this close" to finalizing operational agreements for the 2009-10 ski season. The newest incarnation of the inconic ski train between Denver and Winter Park is ready to roll on a three-month winter timetable from December 27 and March 28, according to a report in today's Denver Post. All that remains a sign-off from Amtrak, whose crews will run the train. The train will operate up to four days a week, making about 50 roundtrips this winter and using cars from its summer excrusion train in the San Luis Valley.

The new 17-car trains will have a capacity of 2,000 seats, more than double that of the former ski train. Ed Ellis, president of the San Luis Railroad that will operate the revived ski train, told the Post that the "typical run will have 17 cars — two dome cars that seat 140 each and a mix of club cars and standard coaches." Click here for images of the cars.

Advance tickets are available online and are being purchased, according to the Post. If for any reason that last signoff is not accomplished, full refunds are promised. Regular roundtrip fares will be $49 in a coach car seat, $99 for a premium upper-level seat in a dome car or $600 for a season pass (purchase before December 24). Other early-season values include a 10-ride pass forr $290 and a one-day $79 roundtrip train ticket/lift ticket package (use by February 7). For more information, call 800-726-RAIL.The Winter Park Resort is also packaging a roundtrip train ticket, overnight lodging at the resort base and a lift ticket starting at $139 a day per person. Book that one through the resort, 800-453-2525.

Early Returns Just Got Delayed

Frontier Airlines devalues its frequent flyer program

Beleaguered Frontier Airlines, currently in banktuptcy, used to boast that EarlyReturns, its loyalty program, was one of friendliest around with faster mileage accrual and easier redemption. No more. The Denver-based carrier sent an Email to Early Returns members saying that as of September 15, 2008:

"All award tickets will incur a $25 redemption fee

All tickets issued within 14 days of travel will incur a $75 expedite fee (waived for EarlyReturns PLUS+ and Weekend Web Fares)

Change itinerary: As long as another award seat is available on your desired flight, you can change the time, date, passenger name, or city pairs for $75 change fee (previously $35)

Cancelled itinerary: If you no longer want to fly on the original
ticket you booked, you may cancel your itinerary and redeposit the miles for $75 redeposit fee (previously $35); all fees are non-refundable and are
waived for Summit members

EarlyReturns New Redemption Levels (effective 9/15/08):

Travel within the contiguous U.S. or to/from Canada
15,000 miles one-way
20,000 miles round-trip
30,000 miles EarlyReturns PLUS+ one-way
40,000 miles EarlyReturns PLUS+ round-trip
Travel to/from Alaska or Mexico
20,000 miles one-way
30,000 miles round-trip
45,000 miles EarlyReturns PLUS+ one-way
55,000 miles EarlyReturns PLUS+ round-trip
Travel to/from Costa Rica
40,000 miles round-trip
65,000 miles EarlyReturns PLUS+ round-trip"

Frontier adds, "you can still redeem award tickets at the 'old' mileage rate until September 15, 2008. If you’re shy of the minimum mileage threshold, you can purchase miles to top off your account at a great discount! Visit the Buy Miles section of our website for details and directions on how to save up to 30% on the purchase of EarlyReturns miles."

Another airline demonstrating how "how important you are to the future of Frontier Airlines. Thank you for your understanding and encouragement through these hard times."

I'm Dreamin' of Santorini

Tempting fall bargains on fantasy Greek Island

I've long wanted to visit the Greek Islands, and I suppose someday I will. The desire to go there is usually tucked away in the back of my mind. But sometimes they force their way to forefront, like now, with the film version of Mamma Mia!, which was filmed on the islands of Santorini, Skiathos and Skopelos. Santorini, breached volcano, is arguably the most iconic and certainly stars in my Greek Island dreams.

I''m afraid that the era of small, Mamma Mia!-style inns is long gone, but a luxurious boutique property can make an escape to Santorini affordable with a first-ever discount package. Through October 31, Astra Apartments & Suites is offering a fourth night free with a three-night stay. The “Fall in Love at Astra” package starts at about $1,100 or $275 per night for two. Included are a traditional Greek breakfast every morning, champagne and chocolates served at sunset on the second evening.

The October weather on the beautiful Cycladic island of Santorini is mild, with average temperatures around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The property has just 16 domed-ceiling apartments and 12 luxurious suites decorated in traditional island style with works by local artists. Eight units have private plunge pools or outdoor Jacuzzis, and an infinity pool perches 1,000 feet above the turquoise Aegean Sea. A day spa offers a full range of massages and facials. Astra’s new restaurant serves fresh fish and Santorinian specialties under the stars. It sounds idyllic to me.

Astra has been written up in such persnickety publications as Travel & Leisure, National Geographic Traveler, Food & Wine and Bon Appetit, which is a good enough recommendation for me. Now, if I could only afford to fly to Santorini this fall......

For more information on Astra or reservations, visit one of the websites (http://www.astra-apartments.com/ or http://www.astra.gr/) or call 011-30-2286-2-47-65.

A Gift from the Cyber-Magi: Free Airport WiF

Google enables free WiFi at 47 new airports for the holidays

We frequent Denver International Airport users have long been spoiled with free WiFi in the main terminal and on all three concourses. E-mail addicts and chronic web surfers like me are shocked and/or disappointed when we are waiting for flights or delayed elsewhere and have toactually pay for WiFi access. From November 16 through January 15, 47 other airports across the country will have free WiFi -- some for the first time. The peak holiday travel season (and peak travel-delay season) is wrapped into this two-month offer, which I think of as a gift, so boot up that laptop and enjoy.

Austin (AUS)
Baltimore (BWI)
Billings (BIL)
Boston Logan (BOS)
Bozeman (BZN)
Buffalo, NY (BUF)
Burbank (BUR)
Central Wisconsin (CWA)
Charlotte, NC (CLT)
Des Moines (DSM)
El Paso (ELP)
Fort Lauderdale (FLL)
Fort Myers (RSW)
Greensboro (GSO)
Houston Hobby (HOU)
Houston International (IAH)
Indianapolis (IND)
Jacksonville (JAX)
Kalamazoo (AZO)
Las Vegas (LAS)
Louisville (SDF)
Madison (MSN)
Memphis (MEM)
Miami (MIA)
Milwaukee (MKE)
Monterey (MRY)
Nashville (BNA)
Newport News (PHF)
Norfolk (ORF)
Oklahoma City (OKC)
Omaha (OMA)
Orlando (MCO)
Panama City, FL (PFN)
Pittsburgh (PIT)
Portland, ME (PWM)
Sacramento (SMF)
San Antonio (SAT)
San Diego (SAN)
San Jose (SJC)
Seattle (SEA)
South Bend (SBN)
Spokane (GEG)
St. Louis (STL)
State College, PA (SCE)
Toledo (TOL)
Traverse City (TVC)
West Palm Beach (PBI)

Google is supporting this program. An additional bonus is that, if you donute to any of the participating non-profits via Google CheckOut vi participating WiF networks, Google will match the gifts up to a maximum of $250,000.

The Broadmoor: Five Stars for the Fiftieth Time

Colorado's top-of-the-heap Broadmoor offers off-season values; book now!

It is no surprise at all that The Broadmoor, a pink palace on the southwest edge of Colorado Springs, has been awarded the top Five Star rating from the Mobil / Forbes Travel Guide (formerly Mobil Five-Star Award by Mobil Travel Guide). The Broadmoor always wins the highest honor. What is noteworthy that the resort has achieved this honor for a record 50th consecutive year -- the only property to do so. It also has the distinction in 2010 of becoming a triple Five Star winner, with the Penrose Room receiving the highest restaurant designation and The Spa at Broadmoor similarly recognized. It is the only Colorado property to be so honored so often and for so long.

The Mobil Travel Guide originated the prestigious star rating system in the U.S. Think of it as the equivalent of Michelin's stars in Europe. Michelin wanted to sell tires, and similarly, Mobil wanted to sell gasoline. The original Mobil guide is now the Forbes Travel Guide, but its awards are as prestigious as ever. Since 1958, the Mobil Travel Guide’s rigorous ratings process has been based on more than 750 standardized criteria for hotels that begins with a facility inspection considering every aspect of the property, including its overall cleanliness, condition, and location. To achieve Four and Five Star Status, hotels and resort properties must meet or exceed bar-setting service standards as determined byt an unannounced, undercover service evaluation conducted by the Travel Guide’s expert inspectors.

The Broadmoor, which opened in 1918, is quite a spread. It has 744 rooms and suites including 44 cottage bedrooms; 185,000 square feet of flexible event space; a world-class spa; three championship golf courses; a tennis club; 25 retail shops; 18 on property eateries, restaurants and lounges; a full children's program, and more. The Penrose Room, a classic fine-dining restaurant since 1961, is Colorado’s only Forbes Travel Guide Five Star/AAA Five-Diamond Restaurant, making it the most celebrated restaurant in Colorado history in the most celebrated hotel. The Spa at Broadmoor provides 43,000 square feet of sybaritic luxury: spa, salon and fitness center using cutting-edge products and treatments in a setting old-world charm and European elegance. It's hard not to rave about the The Broadmoor, which is simply the best.

The Best for Less

The Broadmoor opened at the end of World War I but rode out the Great Depression, World War II and changes in the way people travel without ever losing its edge. In light of the current economic downturn, the resort is offering Five Star luxury at affordable prices, starting at $80 per person, per night in a standard hotel room between November 15 and February 28. It includes complimentary access to the resort's own movie theater, a complimentary Serenity shower or tub soak with any spa service, 15% discount on select retail shops and a 10% discount at Charles Court, the award-winning Penrose Room or Tavern. During the holidays, The Broadmoor is decked out in an over-the-top (but exceedingly tasteful) display of lights and decorations.

The Broadmoor is at One Lake Avenue, Colorado Springs; 866-837-9520 or 719-577-5775.

Passenger's Tale of Personal Tragedy and Airline's Callousness

A father's fatal fall. A canceled flight. An airline's brutal heartlessness. Shakespearean tragedy.

Just yesterday, I vowed to find renewed joy in travel. This morning, I received an Email with the following Email from a reader in southern California that is causing me to defer my quest for good travel news. I do not know her but did look her up on the Internet, and it turns out that she is in public relations specialist (hence the logical, well-written missive) and one of her specialties is social justice. There was nothing that even hinted of justice about the way US Airways treated her last year in the wake of a family tragedy -- and that was before the huge run-up of air fares and the plague of surcharges:

"The story:

"A husband and wife booked a flight on US Airways for October 2007 to join
the husband's parents on a vacation at a cost of $1,008. Then, the wife's
father suffered an out-of-town fall and broke his neck. He went into
intensive care, was med flighted home, and eventually died on October 15.
During this ordeal, the wife cancelled her and her husband's flight, and asked
US Airways for a refund.

"She was denied, but the agent advised her to write to the refunds
department. She did so, including with her letter a copy of her father's
death certificate and also sharing that she had missed a great deal of work
during the 2 months of her dad's hospitalization, her family had expended
$10,000 on the medvac flight to get her father home, and she and her husband
were not going to be able to reuse their tickets anytime in the next year; the
vacation opportunity was over, and the lost income plus the $10,000 hit her
family had suffered precluded any travel plans for quite awhile.

"US Airways denied the refund, merely repeating boilerplate stating that
the husband and wife had a year from the date of booking (not the travel date,
mind you) to reuse the tickets, after of course paying a $100 per-ticket change
fee. The wife then wrote directly to Doug Parker, CEO of US Airways
and cc'd president Scott Kirby to plead her case. The result was the same
answer, again from a customer relations rep. The wife then filed a
complaint with the Better Business Bureau, but the file was closed after
BBB contacted US Airways and was unable to receive a reply from
them.

"To add insult to injury, last week US Airways emailed the wife saying 'Our
records indicate that 14,954 miles [in your Dividends Miles account] were
forfeited because your last activity date was more than 18 months ago.'
Apparently, buying $1,000 worth of tickets and then being denied a refund when
the tickets couldn't be used, doesn't qualify as activity worthy of keeping
one's status as a dividend miles member.

"Here's a great quote from US Airways Passenger Refunds Representative
Samantha Gartung's letter to the wife: 'US Airways embraces an optimistic
outlook regarding passengers who are unable to travel due to unfortunate
circumstances. We remain confident that you will be able to utilize
the ticket for your travel enjoyment.'

"Isn't it comforting to have an airline express confidence that you can
spend money with them?

"Oh, and yes, the wife is me."

The writer asked me (and probably other travel writers and bloggers as well) to help get the word out. I don't know her, and I haven't checked on what US Airways' side of the story might be -- if, indeed, they even have a valid side, under the circumstances. I hope that her efforts to cast a wide net will result in the kind of publicity that will indeed persuade or pressure the airline to restore those frequent flyer miles and perhaps even refund the $1,008 for the flights she and her husband did not take.

Travel Insurance

Like most of us, the couple probably did not have travel insurance -- and if they did, it might not have included compensation for trip cancellation due to a serious accident/illness of an immediate family member. We never know what coverage we might need until an incident has occurred. But in addition to wishing her success in her battle against US Airways, I'll take this as a cue at least to explore buying travel insurance. I'll bet the with 20/20 hindsight, she wishes she had some. SquareMouth, a website comparing travel insurance, has been recommended by a number of respected travel publications.

Berlin Wall Sections: A Fragment Here, A Fragment There

November 9, 2009, marks the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Wall

With so much strife on the planet, the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall gives hope and celebration. After all, not long before the Wall came down in 1989, it seemed as if it would be there forever. I passed through Checkpoint Charlie on a one-day visit to East Berlin on my first trip to Europe a lifetime ago, and it was one East German guard's later opening of one checkpoint that opened the floodgate and changed modern German history.

As passed through the checkpoint into East Berlin, knowing that I could leave in a few hours, I realized that I had taken the freedom of movement for granted. It was eerie to walk down East Berlin's empty streets, past rubble and weed-choked vacant lots still left from World War II. I have not been to Berlin since, though I hope to visit next year during a planned trip to Germany, and I know that the gleaming, modern creative city bears only the slightest resemblance to the one I wandered around.

Berlin has a lot to celebrate, and celebrate it will. The Festival of Freedom starts this evening at 5:00 p.m., local time at the Brandenburg Gate, and an open air exhibition called "Peaceful Revolution" continues through October 2010.

I have seen segments of the Wall in Rapid City, South Dakota (above), and Portland, Maine (and probably elsewhere as well), but I didn't realize how many portions of the Wall have been erected as memorials. Click here for the list. Interestingly, there are 36 in the Americas (four in New York City alone) but only 13 in Europe -- just two in Germany itself. In Berlin, a line of cobblestones follows the original footprint of the Wall. News footage of the fall of the Wall was telecast over the weekend, and I think Berlin is commemorating the event, but I wonder how many other places with segments have organized something. Do you know?