Good News from Pakistan: IDPs Bring Out Our Pakistaniat

Tour of duties; A look at popular destinations and pointers for getting there

The Sun – Naperville (IL) June 6, 2002 | Donna DeFalco Killer whales at Sea World — Paris — H. M. Queen Elizabeth II at the Trooping the Colour — The Magic Kindgom — June 2001 — Priate show at Sea World Whether it’s long, lazy days on a white sand beach or visiting Europe, once school is out, the summer travel season is in full swing. Jan Cheek, manager of the AAA Chicago Motor Club store in Naperville, talked about this summer’s top five travel destinations.

THE MAN, THE MOUSE, THE MAGIC 1. Whether you get there by flying, driving or cruising, Walt Disney World in Orlando is No. 1. Disney World is celebrating the 100th birthday of its creator, Walt Disney, and AAA Chicago is celebrating its 100th anniversary of helping travelers.

There are discounts on Disney vacations with AAA so visitors can see the new parades at Disney World.

There is one caveat about Disney in the summer — it’s hot.

“July and August are very hot,” Cheek said.

“People need to be aware it’s warmer there than here.” She also suggests bringing plenty of patience when dealing with the heat and the long lines for some of the popular attractions.

The best days of the week to visit Disney are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays because they’re the least busy then, Cheek said.

“Plan to have meals early,” she said.

“Restaurants are packed at prime meal times.” Also, visit the popular rides during the parades and take advantage of the park-hopper pass that allows ticket holders to easily move among a combination of theme parks within Disney World.

Here’s another perk from AAA that is a boon for Disney visitors.

“If you book your package through AAA, there’s a lounge for AAA members at the Magic Kingdom,” Cheek said.

At the lounge, AAA employees offer assistance and complimentary beverages. website big island hawaii

There also are members-only bathrooms.

For travelers driving to Florida, Cheek offers this advice:

“Don’t drive as far as you think you’re going to, otherwise everyone is miserable.

If you drive to Disney, there are places to stop halfway.

There is a lot to see.” CRUISING 2. The second most popular vacation is cruising — not in a ’57 Chevy — but on a big cruise ship.

“Once you cruise, you’ll always cruise,” Cheek said.

The advantages to sailing on a cruise ship are packing and unpacking just once.

There are plenty of children’s activities so the youngsters are occupied throughout the day.

It’s also an economical way to travel, with meals, accommodations and selected entertainment included.

“It’s a way for everybody to experience pampering.

Everything you can possiblythink of has been taken care of,” she said.

Katy Roman, manager of Windmill City Travel in Batavia, said a lot of people are choosing to cruise, particularly to the Caribbean.

She also has booked several Disney World/Orlando cruises.

Couples to families are reserving spaces, she said.

But most people have been booking their own airfares because the rates charged by the cruise lines are higher than when travelers make their own flight arrangements.

Among the popular cruise lines are Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Princess and Carnival.

FIRE AND ICE 3. Hawaii and Alaska are popular vacation spots and the reason is that people can travel to a faraway destination, but still be in the United States, Cheek said.

Among the Hawaiian islands, Maui is the No. 1 destination.

“This year, people have also wanted to go to the big island (Hawaii),” she said.

“People used to think of Hawaii as expensive, but it’s been a lot more affordable to go this year.” Travelers to Alaska can visit the state on a cruise, a combination of cruise and land tours or rail excursions.

“A lot of people want to go to Denali National Park,” she said.

“It’s for people who really want to be involved in their vacation.” The wildlife and natural beauty of Alaska make it a natural choice for people of all ages.

ISLAND ADVENTURES 4. The fourth most popular place to visit is the Caribbean.

“In 3 1/2 hours, you can be on the beach in Jamaica,” Cheek said.

A new vacation spot that has become increasingly popular according to Cheek and Roman, is Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.

“It’s an up-and-coming destination,” Roman said.

The brand-new resort area boasts unspoiled beaches and not too much development.

And best of all, the resorts are kid-friendly, Cheek said.

“This is definitely for people who want to go and get away,” she said.

CONTINENTAL TOURING 5. Europe remains a popular destination.

Some people want an all-inclusive travel package complete with escorted tour, while others just want to fly there, book some hotels, rent a car and drive around the country, Cheek said.

If planning a European driving tour, pick up an International Driver’s License at AAA Chicago Motor Club before going.

Cheek said that recent events shouldn’t stop travelers from visiting Europe.

“I go to Europe alone without thinking twice about it,” she said.

“You just can’t stop doing things because of it (Sept. 11). Just go do what you want to do.” *** AIRLINE TIPS FROM THE EXPERTS If flying out of O’Hare International Airport, arrive at least two hours earlyand be prepared to sit, said Jan Cheek of AAA Chicago Motor Club, who has more than 15 years of travel agency experience.

She arrived at the airport recently at 3 a.m. for a 6 a.m. flight.

Katy Roman of Windmill City Travel in Batavia offered the same advice, but she warns travelers to abide by guidelines for carry-on luggage.

“Be careful what you pack,” she said.

Roman’s husband is diabetic, so after the couple were married and went on their honeymoon just a few days after the Sept. 11 attacks, they had a note from his doctor so he could carry the needles for his medication.

Since then, according to the Transportation Security Administration Web site, www.tsa.dot.gov, travelers are now allowed to carry diabetic supplies, nail clippers with nail files attached, nail files, tweezers, safety razors, disposable razors, eyelash curlers, walking canes and umbrellas after first being checked to ensure prohibited items are not concealed.

The TSA Web site also lists prohibited items; the consequences for violators include a civil penalty of up to $1,100 per violation in addition to criminal penalties.

A spokesperson from the Federal Aviation Administration warns travelers not to joke about having a bomb or a gun.

And, the TSA Web site states, “Don’t discuss terrorism, weapons, explosives or other threats while going through the security checkpoint. go to site big island hawaii

Don’t joke about having a bomb or firearm.

Ther mere mention of words, such as “gun,” “bomb,” etc., can compel security personnel to detain and question.

They are trained to consider these comments as real threats.” The items most commonly taken by security personnel at the checkpoints in the carry-on luggage include scissors of all types, pocketknives, corkscrews and mace.

These items should be left at home or placed in the check-in luggage.

In carry-on luggage, do not pack:

* Knives of any length, composition or description.

* Any cutting or puncturing instruments. This includes pocket knives, carpet knives and box cutters, ice picks, straight razors, metal scissors and metal nail files.

* Athletic equipment that could be used as a weapon, such as baseball/softball bats, golf clubs, pool cues, ski poles and hockey sticks.

* Weapons such as firearms, ammunition, gunpowder, Mace, tear gas or pepper spray.

* Aerosol spray cans, such as hair spray, deodorant, insect repellent or butane fuel, such as curling iron refills, scuba tanks, propane tanks, cartridges and self-inflating rafts.

* Explosives, such as fireworks, sparklers or signal flares.

* Flammable liquids or solids, fuel, paints, paint thinners or cleaners, lighter fluid and perfume (no more than 16 ounces).

* Other hazardous items, such as dry ice, gas-powered tools, wet-cell batteries, camping equipment with fuel, radioactive materials, poisons or infectious substances.

* Leave gifts unwrapped.

Airline security personnel will open gifts if the X-ray scan cannot determine the contents.

If in doubt, don’t pack it.

*** ADVICE FROM A REGULAR: DOING DISNEY SHOULDN’T MAKE YOU GOOFY Patti Moore, a teacher at Lincoln Junior High School in Naperville, has 11 Disney pins attached to the lanyard that holds her school photo identification card.

She’s been to Disney World 15 times since it opened in the mid-1980s.

“I’ve seen everything there is to do,” she said.

Now that her son is grown, she doesn’t go to Fantasyland anymore or fly on Dumbo, but she still goes to Tomorrowland, home of the roller coaster ride that’s out of this world — Space Mountain.

Her advice for doing Disney depends on whether you’re traveling with or without children.

When it gets hot, kids get tired, so plan rest times with children.

Take a break and watch the parade.

Cool off inside and watch a show such as “The Lion King” at the Animal Kingdom.

She also suggests taking advantage of the Fast Pass System that gives park visitors a ticket with a specific time frame on which to ride a popular attraction.

It’s a free, optional service that allows visitors to bypass a long line.

There’s a separate entrance for Fast Pass ticket holders, so the wait is less.

Unless of course it’s at Christmastime when the wait can be up to two hours for some of the attractions.

Moore says to get to the park when it opens and first head to the popular rides, such as Space Mountain, the Haunted House, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster or Test Track.

If you don’t have a lot of time, get a map and plan where you want to go.

“They’ve got everything in there for every taste,” she said.

Moore’s favorite park is the Animal Kingdom.

“I love animals.

It’s a great photo opportunity.

I like to see the animals in a situation that’s like real life even though it’s not.

So we’re the ones looking in and they’re not in cages,” she said.

Donna DeFalco