Welcome to the May 2005 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. CAMP COMMON GROUNDS
(Paid advertisement)
III. NEW PASSPORT RULES
IV. SINGLE PARENT FAMILY FRIENDLY SPECIALS
V. MEETING OTHER SINGLE PARENTS
VI. SUBSCRIBERS SPEAK UP-REQUESTS, INQUIRIES, COMMENTS

I. GLOBALBRENDA'S MESSAGE

Dear Readers,

As some of you are aware, Our Web site was down for several days last week but is now up and running. My apologies to everyone who was unable to access it during that time. We were upgrading our Web site and it crashed in the process. Our email was also affected. If you sent me an email and I did not respond, please resend the message and I will answer your request promptly.

The past two weekends I have been bussing back and forth to the Big Apple to enjoy several movies in the Tribeca Film Festival. Most people think of these festivals as only sophisticated adult films. Not so. There were numerous family films, some of them screened in high school auditoriums. Many of the foreign films are suitable for family viewing. One such film was "Days and Hours," a gentle family comedy, filmed in Sarajevo. It was all about family dynamics and the current-day Bosnian way of life. It is educational to see how people can live a simple, but happy life style, without all the material comforts and busy schedules that we Americans and Canadians expect in our daily lives. It is also exciting to meet the director or the producer of the movie and pose questions about the film. The one drawback is that these films are usually subtitled so your child should be old enough to read quickly in order to enjoy the movie. For further information on the festival, go to http://www.tribecafilmfestival.org. Maybe you'll get lucky and also see Robert De Niro!

This month's feature article is the skinny on the new passport rules. Read it carefully. It may pertain to you.

Lastly, don't forget to check out all our tours on http://www.singleparenttours.com. Space is still available on all our summer tours. We hope to see you on one of them!

Happy Trails!
GlobalBrenda

II. CAMP COMMON GROUND
(Paid Advertisement)

Camp Common Ground in Vermont offers week-long intergenerational summer programs for families of all shapes and sizes in a unique community setting. Come experience our inspirational programming and delicious vegetarian meals. Yoga, art, music, dance and more. In the mornings, explore your own creativity and get to know other adults while your kids enjoy our fabulous children's programming. Our afternoons are for multi-age community programs. For more information, visit http://www.cgcvt.org or call 1-800-430-2667

III. NEW U.S. PASSPORT RULES - HERE'S THE SKINNY:

Many of you may be aware that the requirements for U.S. passports are about to change. Given its importance, we decided to make this topic our feature article for the May newsletter. Here's what it means to you:

Effective December 31, 2005, all travelers, children and adults alike, will need to have a passport to re-enter the U.S.A., when returning from the Caribbean and Panama. So, if you are planning a Christmas time vacation to the Caribbean this winter, and I know some of you are, if you do not have a valid passport for yourself and for your children, you should get them NOW.

Effective December 31, 2006, the passport requirement will be extended to Americans traveling by air and by sea from Mexico and Canada. So if you go to Canada and Mexico during the Christmas holidays next year (2006/2007), and you are traveling by air or by sea, you will need to have a passport for you and your children.

How about if you are traveling to Mexico or Canada by car or bus? The passport requirement will take effect for those situations on January 1, 2008.

Read the rest here: http://www.singleparenttravel.net/Writing/Documentation/Passport% 20information.htm

IV. SINGLE PARENT FAMILY FRIENDLY SPECIALS

Special #1 - Chrysland Hotel & Gardens Club, Ayia Napa, Cyprus The Chrysland Hotel & Gardens Club is located on the outskirts of Ayia Napa, 600 meters from Nissi Bay in Cyprus. The hotel charges CYP29.00 per day for one adult and one child in a twin hotel room, including breakfast. A second or third child is an additional CYP5.00 per day for breakfast. Airport transfers can be arranged for CYP25.00 each way. These rates are good from June 1 2005 to September 30 2005. There is an additional charge of CYP2.00 per person per day for stays shorter than one week.

The hotel is surrounded by gardens and guests can use the gym and jacuzzi at no additional charge. Each room has 21" satellite TV, special films, a mini bar, air conditioning and dryer on request.

For more information, see http://www.chryslandhotel.com

Special #2 - The Single Parent Hamptons House, West Hampton, NY An innovative single mom, has a time share in the Hamptons that offers quality time with children by day and adult companionship at night. Additional childcare and a cook is available. The house has a tennis court, a pool, basketball courst, two jacuzzis and hottubs, game room, toy museum and is located next to a nature preserve.

Short term stays: $155 per night per adult and $125 per night per child weekends and holidays and half price from Sunday through Thursday nights. Multiple weekends and groups get reduced price and discounts. Quarter and half shares are available. $1350 per adult, $1250 per child. For 4 weekends or (quarter share) or: $2600 per adult, $2400 per child for 8 weekends (half share).

For questions and or reservations call: 917-553-7296 or see http://www.SingleParentsHamptons.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/

IV. MEETING OTHER SINGLE PARENTS

Elderdad asks, "Am taking my 6 year old son and 10 year old daughter and Mom to Pipestem Resort state park in WV end of July. Has anybody out there been? I hear there is lots to do. We are planning white water rafting, horses, etc. Would be nice to meet similar aged family, too. Happy Summer! phern@vnet.net"

Reply to him at: http://tinyurl.com/bzjea

aidenmom16 from Queens, NY and lcook are both single parents who are looking to meet other single parents and take trips together, either set up by Single Parent Tours or other organizers. Join in their conversation here: http://tinyurl.com/8t4n8

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.

VI. SUBSCRIBERS SPEAK UP-REQUESTS, INQUIRIES, COMMENTS

Cynthia writes: I'm trying to plan a vacation with 2 boys (1 is a teenager). I would like to find a 2-bedroom condo so that I can cook something quickly for them instead of eating out the entire time. Or a 2-bedroom suite would be nice. I'm a single parent so you know my funds are limited. I don't want to spend an arm and leg on the suite/condo. Any ideas? Thanks, I just joined. (Readers with suggestions can contact Cynthia directly at: silverbrey@yahoo.com

Jill writes: I would like to go on a trip with my son this June after school ends to Spain or another European country. If we sign up for an escorted tour, I am afraid it will be all elderly. How does one go about finding the right group to travel for a week or 10 days with hotels planned out etc in Europe or does one just hope for the best? GlobalBrenda replies: I strongly recommend you purchase a copy of my book, "The Single Parent Travel Handbook." It is informative, entertaining and also lists about 80 travel agents across the USA that specialize in single parent travel. You should call a couple of them and book with the one you like.

Amy writes: I will be at Walt Disney World from June 2-10 and have one little boy age six. If there are any other single parents who might want to do some pool time and have someone to play with please have them contact me at ajm1107@yahoo.com. We are staying on property.

Amanda writes: Hi, My Mom is taking me and my 6-year-old son to Spain, France, and Italy this summer. I won't have a problem getting his father to give his consent. He's glad to sign what ever we need. However, my situation is odd. We were never married and we've never had a formal custody agreement. My son lives with me so technically I have full custody but I have no legal documents that state that. Is this going to be a huge problem? Can I just have him state on the notarized letter that my son lives with me? I can't be the only one who's had this come up. (GB: I referred Amanda to the Documentation Section of my Web site but she asked that I also post this question to readers in case someone else has experienced this situation. If so, please respond to Amanda directly at: AcmScully@aol.com and please copy me on the email at globalbrenda@yahoo.com

Chris writes: Thanks for your newsletter. As the father of a 7-year-old girl and an 11-year-old boy, I just thought that I should tell you about a great vacation we took last summer and are going to repeat this summer. We went rafting w/ ARTA river trips for 4 days down the Rogue River in Oregon. It was GREAT! And a nice vacation for me too. The kids blossomed, there was no TV and lots of other kids. ARTA and most other rafting companies run "family trips." They are not necessarily "single parent" trips, but there are lots of kids. If you are an environmentalist, or love wilderness, I would recommend their trips or check out your local rivers and guides. GB responds: Thank you for your information. I sponsored a 4-day rafting trip in summer of 2004 but to my great surprise, it was not very popular with my readers so I did not repeat it this year. Perhaps we will do it again in the future.

Debbie from Philadelphia writes: I enjoy the newsletter very much but most of these trips seem very expensive and not all of us single parents are rolling in money. How about some trips for those of us single parents that are on tighter budgets? I have one son at home who is 16. GB responds: I would be delighted to run a trip that is more budget oriented. Do you have a place in mind? If so, email me the contact information or Web site. All throughout the year I am researching properties or attending travel shows to acquaint myself with places that would be willing to adhere to a single parent travel program. *First the property needs to eliminate or reduce the single supplement. *Secondly they need to offer activities that are based on single parent families, i.e. some activities for families together, and some activities for adults and kids separately. * Third the property must be willing to offer a reduced or group rate for small groups. In addition most of my readers have told me they prefer a place that is all-inclusive. If you know of a place that meets, or is willing to meet these requirements, AND is also budget priced, please let me know and I will sell it. I am particularly interested in doing weekends at this place. (Readers, any suggestions?)

Sandy writes: I just wanted to let you know so you can let others know on the East Coast how wonderful Cooperstown, New York, where the Baseball of Fame is. I recently went there with my 11 year old twin boys and I loved it. There are many places to stay and restaurants to go to. It was about 5 hours from Philadelphia. There were many men with their boys on that trip. Also, during the same trip, we went to Niagara Falls on the Canadian side. It was wonderful. It is so nice that you can go to these places and be a single parent and not feel like you need to be the traditional family. I would definitely go to these two places again. I would love to speak with others for next year 2006 for a vacation. Vacations are always better if you have another adult and the children have ones that they can hang with. GB responds: Thanks for the information on Niagara Falls and Cooperstown, NY. Niagara Falls and upstate NY is one of featured single parent destinations discussed in my book, "The Single Parent Travel Handbook." I will post your comments in a future newsletter. In the meantime you may wish to consider purchasing a copy of my book and getting some more great ideas of places to go as a single parent family. The book is informative, entertaining, and will save you money. It was written for people just like you. Here's how to order: http://www.singleparenttravel.net/book/index.htm (If readers wish to contact Sandy directly, they may do so at: blondeex46@yahoo.com

CPT Brian Simms and Jacob write: Great site! I too am a single parent and my son (age 10) and I have compiled a neat family activity website for Southern Arizona! (I am in the military and move a lot)... We are adding Texas this week and now working on a travel guide to Puget Sound! Our site is: http:// www.jacobguide.com

A reader writes in response to the article on poison control on our recent newsletter: Having the 800 # to poison control is a great idea! Thank you so much for posting that notice. We will definitely include this number in our travel kit. We did have a close call on one trip when my younger son, who was two at the time, got into my older son's allergy medicine. At home it was always out of his reach, but on our trip to Texas it was in my "Dop kit" on the motel sink. (The childproof cap was decidedly not childproof.) Luckily I had just refilled the prescription and knew how many pills there should be and how many were missing. I looked up poison control in the phone book and found that the three pills he'd eaten would not hurt him (of course was advised to give him lots of water and watch him carefully). Knowing the 800# would save valuable time and would also be helpful if we'd been out camping or somewhere without a handy phone book. I learned a lesson - no more meds left on the sink!

Susan in Dallas writes: Single mom with 13-year-old son is going on Caribbean cruise, June 11 on Holland America Line (St. Thomas, Tortola, etc.). If anyone else is scheduled to be on that trip, I would love to hear from you - (sbludworth@onebox.com)

John writes: I found your web site and newsletter this evening, and I am very appreciative of your fine efforts. There is definitely a need for this type of information and community. I am a newly separated, soon to be divorced father of a 5 year old girl, and happened to be at Disney World today (don't ask) and as I am walking around being sad, I thought, "you know, there's got to be something on the Internet about divorce and travel." Then I found your site. GB responds: Happy to hear from you John. We are always in need of single parent dads. And yes, I know how you feel. May I suggest you do several things if you have not already:
1) Sign up for my free online monthly newsletter. Go to http://www.singleparenttravel.net.
2) Purchase a copy of my book, "The Single Parent Travel Handbook." While you are on my site, click on the book cover and get the instructions how to order. There are some great single parent dad stories in the book.
3) Take a look at my tour site: Perhaps you can join us on one of our trips: http://www.singleparenttours.com Welcome aboard!

Chuck writes: My son will be 8 in May. We take a guy trip, each year, in summer and after Christmas. Beaches Boscobel didn't work with the schedule. Dad time is great AND other kids 7-10 would also be great. Do you think this is a match or do you have other suggestions? GB responds: Ah, a "single parent dad after my own heart." How nice. My ex used to take our son on a "guy" canoeing trip each summer in the Adirondacks. I think they started when my son was 8. To answer your question, we have two new trips this summer: Beaches Turks & Caicos in July and Rock Spring Ranch Resort in Oregon in June. Since both are new for Single Parent Tours, neither has a booking history. This will be our 3rd annual trip to Beaches Boscobel. Last year we had 65 in our group and most kids ranged in age from 5-12, with some older and some younger. Both Beaches Turks and Rock Springs have kids programs and activities for adults and kids together as well as apart so you should have a wonderful vacation in either place.

Maria writes: I am going to Beaches Turks and Caicos but the only time I could go is Aug. 25-31. I would love to know if any other single parents are planning a trip there during that time. If so, please send me an email at riaynia@yahoo.com Also, I am looking to meet other African American single parents in the NY area. I have a 5-year-old daughter and we travel often-especially during the summer. Anyone up for DC in July?