Welcome to the July 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. RESULTS OF THE SINGLE PARENT TRAVEL SURVEY
III. MEETING SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES
IV. UNCOVERED - SINGLE PARENT TRAVEL SPECIALS
V. DISABLED TRAVELERS
VI. WOODLAKE TRAVEL
VII. SUBSCRIBERS SPEAK UP-REQUESTS, INQUIRIES, COMMENTS

I. GLOBAL BRENDA'S MESSAGE

Dear Readers, Thank you all for your inspirational messages and condolences regarding the recent death of Marden Elwell, my ex-husband and father of my children. The comments were appreciated and passed onto my children.

There is still space on the Beaches Boscobel trip at the end of August. It is not too late to sign up. We hope to see you there! Call 877-GOGO-SPT or see http://www.SingleParentTours.com for the details.

On July 6th I spoke about Single Parent Travel at the international convention of Parents Without Partners in Las Vegas. I received a very warm reception from the attendees as well as the executive committee members and even got a special award for my support for their organization. We hope to enhance our relationship in the future as we find ways to work together.

More media news: This past week http://www.SingleParentTravel.net was featured on MSNBC.com and we received 200 new subscribers to our newsletter in just 24 hours. On Tuesday, July 22 at 4:10pm I will be a guest on the Matt and Ramona Show on WLNK Radio in Charlotte, NC. Lastly, the latest issue of Essence Magazine, currently on the newsstands, features our Web site in an article about travel documentation.

This month's newsletter is filled with new information - the results of our Single Parent Travel Survey, new single parent travel specials and more. I just returned from a wonderful one-week vacation to two of America's jewels - Yellowstone and Grand Tetons National Parks. I will write about those areas in our August newsletter. Happy Trails! GlobalBrenda

II. RESULTS OF THE SINGLE PARENT TRAVEL SURVEY

Wow! When the 2003 single parent travel survey was finished, we had almost 1,000 responses and FORTY pages of comments. We read EVERY SINGLE COMMENT several times and have taken all the wonderful advice to heart. Those comments are critical in convincing travel suppliers that single parents have needs, so we thank you very much for taking the time to write them and fill out the rest of the survey.

We would also like to thank Beaches for not only sponsoring the survey by offering a great free trip giveaway to one of the respondents on the survey (the winner will be announced later), but also for hosting SINGLE PARENT TOURS' inaugural trip this August for single parents. There is still plenty of time to sign up, check out http://www.SingleParentTours.com or call 877-GOGO-SPT for more info! From those forty pages of comments, we saw a few themes emerging.

The most frequently mentioned was COMPANIONSHIP. Single parent families just want to meet other single parent families. Continue this at http://www.singleparenttravel.net/Survey/Results03_1.htm

III. MEETING OTHER SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES

Brown7 Writes, "Any interesting places to travel with a two-year old?" http://pub15.ezboard.com/fsingleparenttravelfrm1.showMessage?topicID=23.topic

Other single parents are looking for travel buddies, one in Colorado, and several with toddlers. Just click here, http://www.singleparenttravel.net/BBoards/index.htm to reply.

IV. UNCOVERED - SINGLE PARENT TRAVEL SPECIALS

Single Parent Special #1 - A Cup of Joy, a Christian faith-based not-for-profit serving single parents, is hosting a Single Parents Day Celebration on March 19-20, 2004 at the Marriott North in Columbus OH. The cost is $250 per person before Sept. 15 and $300 after. See http://www.acupofjoy.org/spdc.htm for more detail.

Single Parent Travel Special #2 - On Inn Trips with Backroads when a child shares a room with one adult or when two children share a room, a 10% discount applies to children 16 and younger. The third and fourth youths in a room will receive the tiered discounts described below. 75% off for children 2 and under 40% off for ages 3-6 20% off for ages 7-10 10% off for ages 11-16 Call 800-462-2848 or http://www.Backroads.com

Single Parent Travel Special #3 - Go Single Travel Go Single Travel is a small travel company in South Africa specializing in single travelers as well as single parents. They do accommodation bookings as well as tours for small groups (max 5 people at a time) to the Kruger Park area with NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT. Check out their incredible pictures at http://www.singletravel.co.za or call +27-82-456-4783

V. DISABLED TRAVELERS

While not specific to single parent families, we have had a number of readers who are single parents AND are disabled or have a disabled child. I came across a mention in Frommers of a tour operator, The Wilderness Inquiry, who deals specifically with this. Please see.. http://www.frommers.com/book_a_trip/deal_north_america/deal.cfm?destid=NORTH_AMERICA&articleid=1080.

VI. WOODLAKE TRAVEL

We recently discovered another travel agent that specializes in single parents. Linda de Sosa, of Woodlake Travel in Houston, TX writes, "Regarding documentation on taking minor kids to Mexico and other countries - I am a travel agent and a single mom who travels with kids around the world a lot. You can ask anyone you want about what is needed - airlines, cruiselines, Mexican government and get different answers. The reality is it depends on who actually checks you in at the airport or whom you get at customs. You cannot count on them not asking for it and you do not want to ruin your trip. I've been asked for it driving into Canada even and it is not a function of whether you have custody. If you get through one time, people think they don't need it, but the next agent may be more of a stickler. Put aside pride and work together for the kids and just get the form signed. I've found people think it is going to be a much bigger deal than it ends up being. In addition, if your ex is too hostile to give it, then they may just file something for taking the kids out of the country and you need to protect yourself anyway."

Linda de Sosa, ACC, CTA, MBA
Woodlake Travel
1706 Post Oak Blvd. Houston TX 77056
713 840-8500
713 840-0954-fax
****A Virtuoso Agency****
SINGLE PARENT TRAVEL GODDESS.... I've been taking my 4 kids traveling since they were one week old. And when I became single, I wasn't about to stop! As a travel agent, I've traveled the world with kids. I'd love to help you plan the perfect vacation, whether you are looking for adventure, a cruise, a resort or history. I can also send you on a much needed singles vacation just for you. Email me at lindad@woodlaketravel.com . Woodlake Travel Singles Travel Network For other travel agents that specialize in single parent travel, please see the listing in "The Single Parent Travel Handbook", http://www.SingleParentTravel.net/Book.htm

VII. SUBSCRIBERS SPEAK UP-REQUESTS, INQUIRIES, COMMENTS

"Based on your heads up in spring 2002, I renewed my son's passport earlier than needed to meet the deadline before my trip to Paris with him in June 2000. This saved a lot of aggravation trying to get my ex to sign the passport forms. I have also used your tips on contacting embassies ahead of time and using the templates you provided for travel documents.

Like a few of your respondees, my situation includes a hostile ex husband who I'd rather not have to ask for signatures for my eight-year-old son.

My son and I are traveling to Ecuador for 2 weeks this August with other families that I have met thru him. Per your suggestions I contacted the Ecuadorian embassy, they do not need the info for my son to enter but signed and notarized documentation is needed for him to LEAVE Ecuador.

I asked his father to sign the blank form you provided from your website. As he is in arrears for payments due to me, he asked that in exchange for the arrears (over $3,000) he would sign the travel authorization. Such manipulation and extortion is not uncommon with abusive exes.

Is there anything you or your readers can share that would help me?

My passport has my maiden name; my son has his dad's name. Considering the problems this causes, I would recommend to mothers getting divorced (when they can) to keep their married name especially on passports after divorce." - M.

GLOBALBRENDA ANSWER: Have any of our readers dealt with this situation before?

Q: "I will be leaving soon to go to the Bahamas. My child who is 15 and has a passport will be traveling with me. We have made this trip twice before and I have had a notarized letter from his father (we are divorced) each of those two times. This year I have been unable to secure "the letter" as his dad is traveling and I cannot reach him. I do have my divorce papers that state that I have "sole and exclusive custody". Is this enough documentation in and of itself without the notarized letter from the father?" - S.

GLOBALBRENDA ANSWER: "It would seem that your sole custody papers should suffice. As a double check I would call the airlines you are flying and your local Bahamian Consulate office. Take down names, dates and times when you call. " D. W. wrote, "I called [the Mexican Consulate and] found out that due to the fact that the father's name was not on the birth certificate, they did not require a notarized letter from him." - D.W. More information on documentation needs can be found at http://www.SingleParentTravel.net/Writing/Documentation/

Q: "My 7 y.o. son and I am interested in a trip August 16. He was excited about Boscobel Beaches and I also love the beach. The problem is the potential for hurricanes and tropical storms at the time which makes me hesitant due to safety.Could you either alleviate my weather concerns or make some other suggestions?" - D.

GLOBALBRENDA ANSWER: "First of all, let me say that if you and your son want to go to Jamaica in August then you should go. Yes, it is hurricane season, which can begin as early as July and can extend as late as November. What is the worst that can happen?

1) A hurricane could hit Jamaica. If the threat were serious, given the excellent weather forecasts we have today, you would be well on your way home before it hit. Chances are you can negotiate a return stay with the hotel next year and when you get home you can use your remaining vacation days to do something else, perhaps a drive to Canada, or some local attraction.

2) A hurricane passes thru the Caribbean and near Jamaica. For a day or two you will have high winds and rain. For a 7 yr old kid that is pretty exciting stuff. Your child will talk about that for years to come. The weather following a hurricane is always clear and bright so your vacation is not lost and you have some great stories to tell. Personally I never let the "threat" of something stop me from going somewhere with my kids. But that's me.

If you still feel uncomfortable about it, then consider California or Hawaii or possibly the Maya Riviera (although that area does occasionally get hurricanes). I wrote about these areas extensively in my book and did some blurbs on my Web site. Here is the page: http://www.singleparenttravel.net/Writing/Destinations.htm

You can also call our travel agency 877-GOGO-SPT and get a third opinion. They have been sending people to Beaches for years. Have a great trip!" Q: "Any recommendations for accommodation in San Diego, preferably not too far from the beach (I don't drive). For myself and daughter (aged 2). When is a good time to stay?" - J.

GLOBALBRENDA ANSWER: "San Diego does not have an off season. January and February are a bit cooler and you might need a light jacket but mostly San Diego is glorious weather year round. That city is one of America's best-kept secrets. There is so much to do for families, Sea World, the fabulous zoo, the animal park, the Mexican area. I first took my daughter there for a week when she was 3 and she loved it. My former in-laws live there. Regarding a place to stay, I recommend you contact your local travel agent or you can purchase my book which has a listing of travel agents across the US and Canada that specialize in single parent travel. See http://www.singleparenttravel.net/book/index.htm on how to order. Or you can contact the San Diego tourist board for help. Here's the contact info:

San Diego North Convention and Visitors Bureau
360 North Escondido Blvd. Escondido, California 92025
Telephone: +1 (760) 745-4741
Telephone: 1-800-848-3336
toll-free in USA

Q: "Interested in visiting Barcelona, Allicante and maybe Portugal with my 10 year old son in early August. Looking for good prices, and memorable trip. Any ideas?" - D.V.

GLOBALBRENDA ANSWER: "I have been to Spain several times but not the two places you mentioned. Barcelona is reputed to be one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Portugal offers accommodations in pousadas , similar to the paradores of Spain, a neat experience for the two of you. It would be best if you had a car as often these places are former monasteries or castles slightly outside of town. May I suggest the Algarve region for swimming and great beaches. Along the Atlantic coast you will find fishing villages and quaint towns and Lisbon itself is built on 7 hills, similar to Rome so riding the elevators are fun for your child. I discuss this briefly here: http://www.geocities.com/GlobalBrenda/Writing/SpanishMonasteries.htm