Welcome to the April 2003 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. In this issue:

I. GLOBAL BRENDA'S MESSAGE
II. WIN A FREE TRIP TO BEACHES JAMAICA
III. WEEKEND CITY IDEAS
IV. TIPS FOR TOTS
V. MEETING SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES
VI. UNCOVERED - SINGLE PARENT SPECIALS
VII. SUBSCRIBERS SPEAK UP-REQUESTS, INQUIRIES, COMMENTS

I. GLOBAL BRENDA'S MESSAGE

The weekend of April 5 & 6 was my kick-off weekend book tour. Thanks to everyone's excellent directions, I found my way around the MD/DC beltway without once getting lost. It was very heartwarming to meet in person some of my readers and listen to your feedback. I was delightfully surprised to meet Victor Katz, one of the authors of the Single Parent Dad stories in my book. Many thanks to the SPARK single parents group, Carlson Wagon-Lit Arnold, the JCC of Greater Washington and Barnes & Noble Annapolis for hosting the seminars.

As we noted in a special announcement last week, we are now accepting bookings for our first single parent tour to Beaches. Please see the details at http://www.SingleParentTours.com or call 877-GOGO-SPT. Quite a number of single parents have called about the trip. We hope you can join us. Due to the increasing size of the newsletter, we have eliminated the "Tooting the Horn" section and will post a shorter selection of subscriber comments and inquiries. Keep those emails coming! We want your feedback.

Happy Travels!

GlobalBrenda

II. WIN A FREE TRIP TO BEACHES - FILL OUT THE SURVEY

Beaches Resorts is offering a free trip to their Beaches Boscobel property to one of our survey respondents. The odds are far better than the lottery, so please take four minutes to fill out the survey. Your responses are critical in helping us convince the travel industry that they need to address the single parent travel market. Prompted by our impressive 2001 survey results, Beaches has offered the free trip as an incentive to potential respondents. Enter to win by clicking the link below: http://www.singleparenttravel.net/Survey/

III. WEEKEND CITY IDEAS

Many single parent families will be driving around the USA this summer. Here are a few day or weekend sightseeing suggestions for our Midwest friends: Continue this article at http://www.singleparenttravel.net/Writing/pittsburghmilwaukeedetroit.htm

IV. TIPS FOR TOTS

We have received several email requests for tips for traveling with tots. Here are some suggestions from two of our readers: http://www.singleparenttravel.net/Writing/TipsforTots.htm

V. MEETING SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES

PattiAnn1 has a dude ranch suggestion: "I took my daughter to the Tanque Verde Guest Ranch in Tucson, AZ a few years back. They had a terrific children's program- for experienced and non-experienced riders alike. Nature program, hikes, nice pool, campfire singalongs, etc. I highly recommend it. We are going back." See http://pub15.ezboard.com/fsingleparenttravelfrm10.showMessage?topicID=6.topic

Kittens12 is looking for a travel buddy. "Hi, I have a 10 yr. old son who I look to travel with. We live in central MN and have lots of time for summer travel within a modest budget. What trips are you taking this year? " Reply here: http://pub15.ezboard.com/fsingleparenttravelfrm1.showMessageRange?topicID=1.topic&start=21&stop=35

The boards can be found at http://www.singleparenttravel.net/BBoards/index.htm

VI. UNCOVERED - SINGLE PARENT SPECIALS

SP Special #1 - Single Parent Tours

Sick of the all-inclusive trips that take your kids away and leave you to play golf...by yourself? Fret no more, because we are hosting a single parent trip to Beaches Boscobel in Ocho Rios, Jamaica from Aug. 24 to 31. Prices start at $1,554.00 all-inclusive for one adult and one child (ages 2 - 15) and $1,911.00 for one adult and two children. For airfare pricing from your nearest airport or prices for other family groupings, call 877-GO-GO-SPT. Why this trip? 1) Beaches waived the single supplement. 2) Special activities for single parents families. 3) Other single parent families will be there. You won't be the 'odd man' out. For more information call 877-GO-GO-SPT or check out http://www.SingleParentTours.com. Special note about the coupon in the book. Beaches is unable to honor our $50-off coupon that was listed in "The Single Parent Travel Handbook". However they did eliminate the single supplement, which offers a savings far greater than the coupon, so the end result is good!

SP Special #2 - Parents Without Partners Cruises

PWP is at is again. This time with two new cruises. 5 night Western Caribbean - Belize City and Key West November 10-15, 2003 One adult and one child starts at $816 7 night Caribbean - San Juan, St. Tomas and St. Maarten October 11 - 18, 2003 One adult one child starts at $1,108 Both cruises are from Miami and the rates do not include airfare. Contact Helen Lutz at Doneson Travel at 248-353-5811 Old and new specials are listed at http://www.singleparenttravel.net/Specials/index.htm We also have listed a new calendar to make your travel planning easier.

VII. SUBSCRIBERS SPEAK UP-REQUESTS, INQUIRIES, COMMENTS

Q: "What about any hot spots in Oklahoma; we really enjoyed hot springs, Arkansas and I'm looking for a similar place to visit with my boys; I am a single mom with two boys 10 and 15" - V.D.

GLOBALBRENDA'S ANSWER: "I have visited Oklahoma City and Norman. Oklahoma City has the Cowboy Museum and, of course, the impressive memorial to the bombing of the Federal Building." "As far as attractions similar to Hot Springs, I suggest you contact the Oklahoma Tourist Board. You can find their contact info at: http://www.towd.com Give them a call or email them. They are very responsive."

D. writes "I am a single Mom with a son who just turned 16. We love snow skiing ourselves but it is a very expensive sport. We live in NC and drive (6hrs) to Snowshoe, WV. which runs fantastic early and late ski specials with free lift tickets. Example: the two of us are going this weekend (Mar 28-30) for $248.00 total for 2 nites on the slope ski in/ski out with kitchenette and this includes lift tickets for 2 days. In early season we did this also back in Dec for even less than $200.00."

Q: "Would like to know if you have any material on what to do for a 10-year-old in San Francisco for a long weekend?"

GLOBALBRENDA'S ANSWER: "Two of the attractions (Fisherman's Wharf and the Cable Car Ride) are mentioned on my Web site. Here is the page: http://www.singleparenttravel.net/Writing/briefSF.htm In addition I recommend the following:

1) The tour of Alcatraz Island. This is an award winning self-guided audio tour and will take you several hours including the boat ride back and forth. If you arrive at high season (summer, vacation periods) the tickets will be sold out. Order thru their Web site www.blueandgoldfleet.com or call 415-705-5555. This is a must-see attraction along with Fisherman's Wharf and riding the cable car.

2) Walk down Lombard Street, the most crooked street in the world and setting for many,many movies and TV shows.

3) If you are in shape, climb up the steps thru the residential area leading to the Coit Tower.

4) Visit Chinatown and have lunch or dinner there. Great shopping.

5) Rent a car for a day and go to the Muir Woods just outside of San Francisco or sign up for a tour. There are beautiful easy walking hikes. Afterwards you can have a late lunch or dinner in Sausalito, the adjoining town with neat little shops and restaurants.

My new book, "The Single Parent Travel Handbook," discusses San Francisco. Here is the order page."

Q: "I am a single dad looking to take my son on a vacation to Disney in Florida next month, anything you can suggest would be of great help! We went to New York state last year and things went smoothly, mainly cause I was raised up there and knew where and what I was doing, this vacation will be new to me, I've been in Florida before but it was long before my son was thought of and he's 11 now!" - R.S.

GLOBALBRENDA ANSWSER: "This is such a common question, we set up a page of helpful hints on Disney on my Web site. Here is the page."

Q: "I would like to plan a trip that is on the beach with just my five year old son. I was considering Martha's Vineyard, but I am not tied down to the idea. These are needs/desires:
*Budget, Budget, Budget
*3-4 days
*On the beach (or pretty close to it) with activities that are relatively near by (no need for a car, preferably)
* Easy to get to (I live in New York City)
*During either July or August" - Q.M.

GLOBALBRENDA'S ANSWER: "Anywhere on the Cape is wonderful. There is a huge selection of places to stay to fit any budget. Martha's Vineyard is great as is the Cape area itself. You can find the contact info for the Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce here. Call the toll free number and ask them to give you the contact info for the Cape Cod tourism bureau. http://www.towd.com

Another place to consider is Ocean City, NJ which bills itself as America's Greatest Family Resort". The title is well deserved. I have been going there since childhood and my kids will agree it is their favorite beach resort. It has everything for families in a safe environment. There are no liquor stores on the island, which further adds to the safe family environment. Here is the vacation Web site: http://www.oceancityvacation.com/

Q: " I have 4 children ranging in ages from 16-8 and I'm interested in going to Puerto Rico." - D

GLOBALBRENDA'S ANSWER: " What particular interests and activities do you have in mind? Besides all the lovely beach areas around San Juan there is Old San Juan with great restaurants and shops, and of course the San Juan Fortress which your kids and you will enjoy. That is a must-see. A lovely one-day excursion from the city is the El Yunque Rain Forest. There is a beautiful and easy hike of about one hour or so inside the rain forest. If you are planning to stay for more than a few days you might consider renting a car and exploring other parts of the island, which offer many varied attractions. A terrific guidebook for Puerto Rico, which I highly recommend, is "Explore Puerto Rico" by Harry S. Pariser. It is available in local bookstores or you can call 800- 729-6423."

Q: "I am a single mother who lives in Jacksonville, Fl and need to plan a vacation for my 4 yr old girl and myself. I am on a budget ($700) as many other single parents. Last year I took my child to Disney World and we stayed at their All Star Hotels for 4 nights ($79 a night) and the tickets were $99 for 4 days, she would love to go back there, however I learned that the tickets have gone up a lot this year and I don't know if is worth it anymore or not. I would love to do something different (I enjoy cold weather) but have no ideas. My child is hyperactive so I need something that would keep her entertained." - L.S.

GLOBALBRENDA'S ANSWER: "Thank you for writing and giving me some general basic information. Given your budget ($700), we have to assume it will be a driving trip. Given your child's age (4 yrs), you don't want a long ride (more than half a day) to get to your destination. Florida has so many wonderful attractions outside of Disney World that offer smaller or no admission charges. Some suggestions:

- The Florida Keys

- Key West is 4 hrs from Miami by car but you can enjoy many attractions along the way especially in Key Largo. There are many moderately priced motels along the way and in Key West. Mallory Dock at sunset is a phenomenal entertainment spectacle. There is the cookie lady, the cat man, and all sorts of street entertainment with no admission fee.

- Miami has the monkey jungle and the parrot jungle, each a fun 2 hr visit. I haven't been there in yrs but I believe both those attractions are still open.

- Less than an hour from Orlando was an Alligator Farm, a taste of old Florida with a train ride around the park. It was great for little kids and parents as well.

- Cypress Gardens is still a favorite attraction.

- Then there is the Kennedy Space Center but I think that would appeal more to your daughter when she is a few years older. I suggest you plan an itinerary that allows you a leisurely drive south to the Keys with stops along the way. You can stay a couple of nights in Key West and then head back north seeing different attractions on the way back.

To do this I suggest two things: 1) Go to your nearest bookstore or search the Web (amazon.com, etc) and find a tour book about Florida. Use that to plan your trip. Find one that focuses on detailed descriptions of activities and attractions. Frommers is a good one.

2) Buy a copy of my book, "The Single Parent Travel Handbook." It will tell you in detail how to plan such a trip - researching, bargain hunting, preparing an itinerary (yes, you will need an itinerary!) and how to get your child involved in the trip planning, (even as young as 4 yrs old), so that it is a fulfilling experience for both of you. I know about hyperactivity. My son has ADD and both my kids were hyperactive so I had to plan trips accordingly. Here's the order page for my book: "

Q: "I am a single mother by choice and I am planning to travel to Europe with my 4 year old son. What documents do I need to get a passport given that I conceived him through an anonymous donor and of course there is no father listed on the birth certificate?" - L.R.

GLOBALBRENDA'S ANSWER: "Contact the consulate of the country to where you are traveling and ask them what type of documentation they will require. When we called the UK's consulate, they told us a notarized letter is not required. However, other European countries may be different. If they require a notarized letter from the other parent, typically as a substitute they will accept some form of documentation backing up the fact that you cannot obtain the other parent's permission. I don't know what type of documents that you might have in this situation, but a paper trail would be helpful."

Q: "Some of the terminology I'm not used to, such as what you mean by single supplement"

GLOBALBRENDA'S ANSWER: "Please read how to avoid the single supplement"

Please read my F.A.Q. section before emailing me with questions. I have already answered many questions there already.