Welcome to the tenth edition of SINGLE PARENT TRAVEL e-zines - a continuing series of monthly newsletters created for the community of single parents and single adults who like to travel with their kids. Welcome also to all our new readers who subscribed to this newsletter during the past month. Please note that all nine previous newsletters are archived on my Web site www.SingleParentTravel.net and readily available for viewing. This month we will step away from the usual format of general advice and single parent travel storytelling to devote the entire newsletter to the fabulous travel bargains currently being offered now through the holidays. In my thirty years in the travel business I have never seen so many deep discounts as those currently offered. Below are some of the most outstanding bargains. Although not single parent specific the discounted rates can certainly be enjoyed by any single adult traveling with one or more children. I welcome reader feedback regarding any that I missed!

VETERAN'S DAY WEEKEND (November 11 and 12)
All throughout America special discounts and freebees will be offered. For state-by-state details check out the See America Web site: www.seeamerica.org. A few examples are:
* Free admission to all U.S. national parks
* Free river cruises in Pueblo, Colorado
* Free harbor cruises in New Hampshire
* Free admission to several mansions in Newport, Rhode Island.

KIDS STAY FREE AT ALLEGRO RESORTS UNTIL JANUARY 5 (and that includes Single Parent Families!)
All kids 12 and under staying in a room with an adult at these all-inclusive resort hotels pay absolutely nothing, nada - free meals, snacks, lodging, beverages, activities, entertainment, kids' clubs. . Even the taxes and tips are waived. Do I have your attention? Allegro Hotels include about twenty all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean, Mexico, and Costa Rica. For further details check out their Web site: www.allegroresorts.com. You can book directly through 800-858-2258 or through a supplier such as Apple Vacations. Please note that Apple Vacation packages must be booked through a travel agent.

GET GOING WITH CENDANT
Cendant Corporation owns most of the budget motel chains, such as Days Inn, Ramada, Travelodge, Howard Johnson, and so forth. From now through March 31, 2002 a special "Get Going" promotion has reduced rates to as little as $29.95 a night. Rates vary by location and date. The Web site, www.GetGoingRates.com has links to all the participating brands, however it might be easier to call for information - 800-337-4510.

"COME OUT AND PLAY" WITH MARRIOTT
Over 1500 of Marriott's North American properties are offering specials with prices ranging from $39 (Fairfield Inns) to $49 at participating Marriott hotels. Details are found on their Web site: www.marriott.com or by calling 800-627-7468. The promotion is valid November 15 through January 27.

FREE AIRFARE TO PUERTO RICO
In an attempt to stimulate tourism to their beautiful island, the Puerto Rican Tourist Bureau has purchased 9000 air tickets to be given away with the purchase of a five-night hotel package. The giveaway is good for travel from now until December 15. Limit is two tickets per room, perfect for a single parent with one child. Packages must be booked through the large tour operators such as GoGo Vacations, Apple Tours, and American Airlines Vacations. Your local travel agent should be aware of these specials. You can also book directly through Inter Island Tours - 800-245-3434 or visit their Web site: www.InterIslandtours.com.

WHEEL YOUR WAY THROUGH EUROPE
How about a fly/drive vacation to northern Europe for $299 per person including airfare from the U. S. east coast and six days rental car? Got a friend in the UK with a spare double bed? You're all set for one of the cheapest European vacations on record. For details check out www.go-today.com. Offer is good through March 31 with a blackout during the Christmas period.

BARGAIN AIRFARES TO EUROPE
Want to fly to Europe cheaply but do not want a rental car? No problem. Super low airfares are popping up all over the place but you have to catch them as soon as they are released. Last week British Airways had a one-day airfare sale to London, which was $49 round trip from Newark and $100 round trip from Philadelphia. To find out about these specials, sign up for one of the fare alerts offered on the major travel sites such as Travelocity.com. Don't worry; you won't be bombarded with daily emails. Northwest Airlines is having a Thanksgiving weekend special to Amsterdam. Some round trip sample fares:
$219 from NYC/Boston/Washington/Miami/Chicago
$319 from Detriot/Houston/Los Angeles/Memphis/Minneapolis
$349 from Seattle and San Francisco

To purchase tickets, go to www.nwa.com. You will need to input a special reference code "PE414" for the weekend fare.

HEAVENLY HAWAII FOR $359
Yep, that is the per person price for airfare from San Francisco AND a seven night stay in a two star property. (Hotel upgrades available at reasonable cost). For more details call 800-SUNTRIPS or click on www.suntrips.com. Suntrips uses charter flights with Ryan International so be prepared for odd hour flight departures. What a great getaway with a favorite little friend in tow! Specials available November through mid-December.

HOMEWOOD FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Homewood Suites if offering a holiday family special rate that includes an educational toy package for accompanying children, which is handed out when you check in. For details on this special promotion check out this Web page: http://www.homewood-suites.com/en/hw/promotions/holiday2001/

READER FEEDBACK
Melanie, a single Mom, or I should say, a single Mum, from the UK, wrote in to ask what do single parents do if they get invited out while traveling with their children? My experience has been an "all or nothing" deal. If we made new friends on our trip the understanding was that the three of us (my two kids and me) came as a package for dinner or whatever the social occasion was. I often faced the opposite problem. What to do if your teen-aged child was asked out for the evening? I addressed that issue in my August newsletter which is archived on my Web site: www.SingleParentTravel.net. So readers, what has been your experience and how did you handle it? Melanie and I and our other readers would like to know. Please email us with your comments to: SingleParentTravel@yahoogroups.com.

SINGLE PARENT SURVEY
If you have not done so already, PLEASE take a few minutes to fill out the Single Parent Travel Survey. THIS IS THE LAST CHANCE TO COMPLETE THE SURVEY. We will be tabulating the results over the Thanksgiving weekend. Remember you need not be a single parent to fill it out. You are qualified if you are single or married and have traveled or will travel alone with children. The results have been coming in steadily and we have been gathering information to take to the travel suppliers. EVERY SINGLE OPINION COUNTS, so please, click on the survey page and take five minutes to fill it out now. Tell your friends and associates about the survey as well. Thank you. http://www.singleparenttravel.net/Survey/survey1.htm "THE SINGLE PARENT TRAVEL HANDBOOK" The completion of my book, "The Single Parent Travel Handbook," has been re-targeted for December. Sorry folks, this is my first book and I underestimated the writing time but it will be completed by the year-end holidays.

SINGLE PARENT DAD STORIES
Given the postponement for completion of my book there is still time to gather additional travel stories for my chapter entitled "Single Parent Dads Tell Their Stories." The ones I have are informative and delightful but I welcome more. Please contact me if you, or anyone you know, could be a contributor. You do not need to be a professional writer or even a good writer. I will be happy to interview you by phone and write the story for you. It doesn't matter whether your trip is exotic or close to home, readers will enjoy reading about your experiences. Single Parent Dads from their 20's to their 60's have contributed stories. Single Grandparents are welcome to contribute as well. Please contact me at globalbrenda@yahoo.com. Publication of my book will be announced via the newsletter.

POSTING MESSAGES
Feel free to send me your comments, queries or feedback to me directly at: globalbrenda@yahoo.com or to the list directly at: SingleParentTravel@yahoogroups.com. Please note that comments sent to the list must pertain to single parent travel.