Welcome to the January 2006 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. INN AT EAST HILL FARM (paid advertisement)
III. SINGLE PARENT TOURS 2006 PROGRAM
IV. OUR NEW SITE
V. WINTER HIKING IN MONUMENT VALLEY, CANYONLANDS, AND CAPITAL REEF
VI. SINGLE PARENT FAMILY FRIENDLY SPECIALS
VII. MEETING OTHER SINGLE PARENTS
IV. SUBSCRIBERS SPEAK UP-REQUESTS, INQUIRIES, COMMENTS

I. GLOBALBRENDA'S MESSAGE

Dear Readers,

Happy New Year and best wishes to all of you and your families for a healthy and enjoyable 2006! We have an unusually long newsletter as we much to announce this month. We are finalizing our 2006 tour programs and dates are announced below in Part II with prices, or with prices soon to follow in a special announcement. We hope to see you on one of our tours! If you are interested in our June cruise to Canada, you need to book right away. The ship is now sold out and Single Parent Tours is currently holding the few remaining cabins. To book the cruise call 877-GOGO SPT and ask for Janet or Lynda.

Our Web site has a new look! Check it out at www.singleparenttravel.net. Besides the new format, we have blended in our tour web site so that it is "all in one". In case you have trouble finding some of your favorite sections, we have given you a "key" in Section III below. Our feature story of the month is about one of my favorite places on earth - the Red Rock country of Southern Utah. Lastly, I was a guest on Marcus Tilley's radio show last week. I hope some of our Florida readers were able to tune in.

Happy Trails! GlobalBrenda

II. THE INN AT EAST HILL FARM, Troy, NH (Paid Advertisement)

Open year round providing guests with a relaxing hands-on farm experience, including cow milking, collecting chicken eggs, churning butter, making cheese, and feeding the animals. There are children's recreation activities, indoor and outdoor pools, and outdoor seasonal activities including hiking, boating, horseback riding, ice skating, snowshoeing, and cross country skiing. Call -800-242-6495 or visit http://www.east-hill-farm.com/

III. SINGLE PARENT TOURS 2006 PROGRAM

ROCKING HORSE RANCH RESORT - APRIL 28-30, 2006 |
This perennial favorite has drawn interest from many families. Rocking Horse has promised to have 2006 rates for our group by next week. We will let you know in a special announcement as soon as we post the prices. http://www.singleparenttravel.net/tours/RockingHorse.htm

CARNIVAL CRUISE TO CANADA - JUNE 26 - JULY 1, 2006
The ship is now sold out! Single Parent Tours is currently holding the few remaining cabins. NOW is the time to book this exciting cruise from New York before the last few cabins are gone. For more information on the cruise click on http://www.singleparenttravel.net/tours/Cruise1.htm Or call 877-GOGO SPT and ask for Janet or Lynda.

BEACHES BOSCOBEL JAMAICA - AUGUST 19-26, 2006
BEACHES TURKS AND CAICOS - AUGUST 19-26, 2006
Yes, again this summer, we are offering both Beaches properties for a special single parent family week. The Jamaica property is traditionally held in late August. Last year we offered a Single Parent Family Week at Turks and Caicos in July and a few families participated in that inaugural trip. This year, by popular demand, in order to offer better rates at Turks and Caicos, we are presenting it in late August. We urge you to book soon to get the early bird discount.

TURKS & CAICOS: http://www.singleparenttravel.net/tours/BeachesTC.htm

BOSCOBEL: http://www.singleparenttravel.net/tours/Beaches.htm

GUATEMALA - JULY 22-29, 2006
We have an exciting trip planned for one of Latin America's most exciting destinations! Our week long trip will include a visit to the beautiful colonial city of Antigua, the incredibly scenic Lake Atitlan and a special guided visit to the Mayan site of Tikal National Park where you can climb temples accompanied by curious critters called coatimundis and a cacophony of jungle birds. We have even included a visit to the site of Yaxche where the TV series, "Survivor" was filmed. Rates and descriptive details will be posted to our site later this month. A special announcement will be emailed when we post Guatemala.

CLUB GETAWAY - AUGUST (Various Dates) and OCTOBER 6-8, 2006
Club Getaway is an all-inclusive family resort located on 300 acres in Kent, Connecticut, in the heart of the beautiful Berkshire Mountains. It is within easy reach of many metropolitan areas. The property is offering various Single Parent Family dates in August for weekends and mid-week. In addition they are sponsoring a Single Parent Family weekend October 6-8. We expect to post the rates and detailed descriptions next week and will send out a special announcement to you via email.

AND MOVING FORWARD: · We are working with a major cruise company to sponsor a weekend cruise out of Miami in the fall of 2006 that will tie in with a weekend school vacation. · In late November 2006, we will offer our annual fall weekend at Rocking Horse Ranch Resort. · In 2007 we plan to offer an African safari. Details will be announced in early spring of 2006. ·

III. OUR NEW SITE We have moved things around a bit with the redesign, so here are a few places to find stuff about traveling as a single parent. Our home page is HTTP://www.singleparenttravel.net

How to find other single parents:

http://www.singleparenttravel.net/Writing/SPgroups.htm

Teen travel:

http://www.singleparenttravel.net/Writing/TeenTravel.htm http://www.singleparenttravel.net/Writing/TeenTips.htm

Traveling with tots and infants:

http://www.singleparenttravel.net/Writing/TipsforTots.htm http://www.singleparenttravel.net/Writing/twoyearold.htm http://www.singleparenttravel.net/Writing/TryForDry.htm http://www.singleparenttravel.net/Writing/infranthealth.htm

Fun articlse about traveling as a single parent:

http://www.singleparenttravel.net/Writing/Articles.htm

Destination reviews:

http://www.singleparenttravel.net/Writing/Destinations.htm

Paperwork requirements for traveling abroad:

http://www.singleparenttravel.net/Writing/Documentation/index.htm

IV. WINTER HIKING IN MONUMENT VALLEY, CANYONLANDS AND CAPITAL REEF
Early in December I headed out to Denver to visit my daughter as well as my son, who recently moved out in August to join his sister. Greg will be attending the Colorado School of Mines this semester to obtain his degree in chemical engineering. During his spare time he tutors chemistry and landscapes the yard surrounding his sister' home. During a record cold spell, we all huddled together in front of Monique's cozy fireplace watching videos and eating s'mores. Greg had acquired a mountainous pile of broken tree branches around the neighborhood, so we had a roaring fire each night. Despite the cold, we bundled up one Saturday and snowshoed in the Rockies. It was great family fun, easy to learn, and a terrific workout. We even spotted a moose on our way through the woods. Fortunately it was at a safe distance.

Read the rest here: http://www.singleparenttravel.net/Writing/Utah2.htm

V. SINGLE PARENT FAMILY FRIENDLY SPECIALS

SPT Special #1 - The Gillum House B&B Shinnston, WV The Gillum House offers an 18th Century Christmas Package for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The package includes two nights lodging (Dec. 24 - 25, 2006 choose your 2 nights), full breakfast each morning, a period Christmas dinner complete with costumed hosts. Families can participate in making the dinner (crank the noodle maker or roll the cookie dough) if they so desire. There is really too much to include about this special in such a small space. For single parent families with one child or two children under the age of ten the package costs $375. For larger families needing two rooms, the package costs $425 (Harris & Rosi's Rooms). Kathleen was a single parent before she met her current partner through Parents Without Partners, hence her discount for single parent families. Call the Gillum House for more info: 888-592-0177 or 304-592-0177. See http://www.Gillumhouse.com

SPT Special #2 - Discovery Cruise, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Discovery Cruises is one of the few cruises we could find that offers a discount when there is ONE paying adult in the room. The line runs one-day sailings from Ft. Lauderdale to Grand Bahama Island. Age 6 and under sail free; also children stay free (with one adult) at a partner resort on Grand Bahama Island. Kids 7 to 11 pay only $49 for the sailing and stay free at the resort. Discovery has a Kids Club with an educational component about marine life. We couldn't get more detail than this as the site is currently undergoing maintenance, so click here to find out more (it should be up by now. http://www.discoverycruise.com

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/

VI. MEETING OTHER SINGLE PARENTS

It took us six months, but we finally built our own bulletin board with NO ANNOYING advertisements! Unfortunately, we weren't able to move the posts over. Instead we started from scratch. But there is already a discussion about the Single Parent Tours Cruise as well as other cruises. Here is one posting:

"Hi there! Thanks for the reply! My kids and I went on a single parents cruise last year to Cozumel/Key West...we all had a great time. After the first day I didn't even see my kids when we were on the boat...they were busy with other kids, however, during the day we did shore excursions, i.e. swimming with the dolphins, etc...together as a family. Some of the families even met the night before the cruise and arranged to help one another with transportation to the pier. It was the perfect balance between kids and adult time. We met a lot of nice, interesting people and I would highly recommend it. This cruise to Nova Scotia sounds ideal as it is a cruise but different destinations...Where are you from? We are from upstate NY...This cruise seems reasonably priced, as well. Hope you are seriously considering it...write back soon! Regina and kids"

Join the discussion about cruises here: http://singleparenttravel.net/forums/index.php?PHPSESSID=91eb82754760e686bca01b7dcd279d73&action=recent

Brar writes: "Single dad here in Western Pa. my son (17) and I will be planning our summer vacation for the Jersey shore. We visit Wildwood/Stone Harbor etc. pretty much for a solid week. He wants to take a cruise so I am looking at options for cruises that leave Baltimore and then we can go over to New Jersey afterwards. I or shall I say we want to know if there are other single parents out there with teens who would be interested in joining up for some summer fun. We do other trips during the spring and summer months (a lot of camping) so I guess I should add that we are not limited to the above request. I like to hear from anyone interested. Reply to him here: http://singleparenttravel.net/forums/index.php?PHPSESSID=91eb82754760e686bca01b7dcd279d73&action=recent

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.

VII. SUBSCRIBERS SPEAK UP-REQUESTS, INQUIRIES, COMMENTS

Lynwaun writes: First let me say how much I love receiving your newsletter. It really lifts me up, particularly when many around me think it is strange that I travel so freely and comfortably with my delightful two-year-old son. To that end, I was reading the website, and I didn't notice any specific info on cruises. I have been debating on an October (my 30th birthday) 7-day Southern Caribbean Carnival cruise. Can you offer any information on cruises, Carnival, southern or eastern Caribbean? GlobalBrenda responds: Thank you for your kind comments. I am glad you have the courage to ignore the naysayers around you, as did I, when I used to take my little kids around the world. By the time your son is 5 he will be a veteran traveler. We are sponsoring a cruise in June to Canada, leaving from New York. It is posted on our Web site. We are also working with another cruise line for a weekend cruise out of Miami in the fall. IF you are interested in cruises other than that, I suggest you purchase a copy of my book, "The Single Parent Travel Handbook." The book lists 80 travel agencies across the USA and Canada who can help you plan your cruise. To view our tours or order the book, click on my Web site www.singleparenttravel.net.

Karen writes: Hi Brenda, Can you tell me if I need a letter from my ex-husband to take our 2 children to Jamaica. I will be traveling from the UK. GB responds: Please go to my Web site www.singleparenttravel.net and click on the documentation section. The answer should be there. If not, contact your local Jamaican consulate. I cannot speak for the rules of the UK and things do change. It is best to double-check the latest information.

Denise writes: I am a single mom looking for "hiking" partners (male or female) with similarly aged kids to join my nearly four-year old daughter and me on nature walks in the lower Hudson Valley (Yonkers to Poughkeepsie). Since my daughter is young, we tend to go on easy trails. Anyone interested person can contact Denise at Dcwoodin@ecoisp.com.

Hatti writes: I am seeking other single parents with similarly aged children (5 years)to travel on a sailboat for at least a year. I am also open to other types of adventure travel. I have done some of this but not with my daughter. I would love to start a dialogue about it. The important caveat is that it needs to be done cheaply as I am planning to try to live on the rental income from my house. This is the only way I can think of to not work and be a stay-at-home (boat) mom and be able to homeschool (boat school?) my daughter, plus it would be a great adventure and opportunity to see more of the world. If this interests you, or you have ideas about how I can contact potential travel partners, please contact me at hatti@hvi.net. I'd like to be ready to leave around June, 2006.

Kevin writes: Enjoyed your book and enjoy your newsletter. I am single dad of a 9 yr old who lives out of state. I recently purchased a travel trailer so my daughter and I camp in Texas and the Midwest. I found this to be a great way for her and I to meet new friends. I was wondering if you could post my email in the next newsletter. I would like to invite other single people to camp with us. My email is: kevinbtierney@yahoo.com Many thanks and enjoy the holidays. Kevin

Dave writes: Hi Brenda, I guess I'm mostly interested in knowing if there are any nice, even upscale, resorts that cater particularly to the single parent, so the trip can be a great one for the child and a kind of singles experience for the parent. My daughter and I have Feb 17-25 off and would like to go to an island resort somewhere. Cost is no object. Thanks for any info. GB responds: I have 2 suggestions: 1) Go to my Web site - www.singleparenttravel.net and check out the section with Single Parent Specials. You may find a resort that suits your needs. 2) While you are on the site, click on the section that describes my book, "The Single Parent Travel Handbook." Order a copy for yourself. It is entertaining and helpful. At the end of the book is a list of about 80 travel agencies across the country, all of whom specialize in single parent travel. I am sure you will find one that can help you find the best resort for you and you child.

Tammy writes: Your Beaches trips are way too expensive for me. I was hoping maybe you would try the Breezes trip since it also offers the same all-inclusive and is far less expensive. Beaches and Breezes are both owned by the same company (Superclubs) so I'm sure if Beaches caters to your group Breezes would too. GB responds: Breezes and Beaches are not owned by the same company. Sandals owns Beaches. It does not own Breezes. Breezes is owned by Superclubs. Whether or not Sandals owns both these properties, I would be competing against myself by offering two properties to the same destination within a similar time frame. For purposes of marketing, discount, and profit, I need to focus on only one property when it is for the same destination. Naturally, if I were a great big tour operator sending thousands of people down to the Caribbean each month, instead of dozens once a year, then that would be a different story. Single Parent Tours, by comparison, is still a small, but growing tour operator. We need to marshal our resources and focus on what sells best and what suppliers support us best. Sandals (the Beaches properties) has supported us from the beginning and we will continue to support them. Hope that explains the situation better. Have a Happy New Year!

Note to readers: The reason we do not offer Breezes is because 4 yrs ago Sandals Resorts approached me, asking me to consult with them and develop a "first-ever" all-inclusive program for single parent families. I advised them what to do and they did it all - eliminated the single supplement. developed a program that offered activities for parents and kids together as well as parents and kids separately. In addition, as promised, they delivered year after year a national and international marketing campaign that is an adjunct to my marketing efforts.

It works and works well - every year there are 50 families in the program and everyone has a good time. In return for concessions such as elimination of single supplement, the hotel fills up during a period that is normally very slow. It is win-win for everyone. In the travel business, when you develop a program with a supplier and it is working, it is poor business practice to drop the ball and go to another program or property, unless there is a compelling reason to do so. I regret that the Beaches program is too expensive for some readers. Most of my readers think it is a fabulous deal and I agree. I wish Single Parent Tours could be all things to all people, but no company can. We must aim for a product that satisfies the majority of our readers.

Kawira writes: I have been receiving your newsletter for a while now and thanks to you -I am finally going on my first "single parent" travel since my husband passed away 3 years ago. I have been hanging on to friends and relatives-not always so pleasant. I live in Europe, Vienna and I was wondering if you are able to organize occasional European packages - Lapland in Finland, Skiing in the Austrian Alps - could possibly generate some interest. The Lapland for X-mas break would be a sure win for parents with kids. May be you can check it out??? I will be the first to sign up for next X-mas GB responds: I am happy to hear you are at last breaking out on your own. Your suggested trips sound exciting and I would love to sponsor them. It takes a great deal of time and effort, not to mention money, to sponsor a trip. Without the back up statistical information to support the trips you mentioned, I am hesitant to sponsor a trip. However, I invite you to talk it up, get a small group started. If you can get a solid commitment from 5 families, we will promote this trip and try to get another 5 families.

Maria writes: Thanks Brenda! Your tips are great; I love getting recommendations from people who have "been there, done that'! I'm really looking forward to receiving your book and will definitely be in touch if I have additional questions.

Change Subscription: http://ezinedirector.com/subscriber/member_profile/?skid=41949994

Cancel Subscription: http://sub.ezinedirector.net/?fa=r&id=41949994&c=964710478