NEW FERRY SERVICE FOR EASTERN CARIBBEAN Those seeking a new way to explore the eastern Caribbean islands might soon have another option. A ferry slated to serve Barbados, St. Lucia, Trinidad, Grenada and St. Vincent is expected to start operating daily by late October. Prices will range from $120 to $140, and some trips will last up to nearly four hours. One ferry will be based in St. Vincent and serve Barbados and St. Lucia, while another will operate out of Grenada and serve Trinidad and Barbados. Between 260 to 300 seats will be available on each ferry. Passengers will be allowed to carry two 60-pound suitcases without charge, and alcohol will be prohibited on board. HURRICANE BILL REACHES CATEGORY 4 STRENGTH Hurricane Bill strengthened into a powerful Category 4 storm early Wednesday as it churned far from land with maximum sustained winds near 135 mph. Hurricane Bill was about 380 miles east of the Leeward Islands at 11 a.m. ET Wednesday. At 11 a.m. ET, Bill was centered about 380 miles east-northeast of the Leeward Islands, and about 1,080 miles south-southeast of Bermuda, according to the National Hurricane Center. The National Hurricane Center doesn't expect Hurricane Bill to impact the southern United States. For the northeastern coastline, it's still too early to tell. Some forecasts bring the storm very close, but Bevin says, "Other models turn it more sharply out to sea and not have it affect anybody." No computer models showed Bill posing a major danger to the United States. However, the models show possible landfall in the Canadian Maritimes, north of Maine. Bill, the first hurricane of the 2009 Atlantic season, was heading west-northwest at near 18 mph Wednesday morning. At 11 a.m. ET, hurricane-force winds extended outward up to 80 miles from the center -- up from 45 miles at 5 a.m. -- and tropical storm-force winds extended outward up to 175 miles. HOW TO AVOID USELESS TRIP EXPENSES Car rentals Pre-paying for your rental car's tank of gas may seem like a good idea, especially when the rental company offers the street price for fuel. However, you should first ask yourself whether you'll actually need a full tank. On many day trips or overnights you may only need half a tank or less, in which case you'll have pre-paid for gas you didn't use. Compare your rental's miles per gallon against your projected round-trip driving distance before taking the option. Also be wary if an electronic toll collection gizmo like E-Z Pass is mounted on your rental car's windshield. The charge runs about $2.50 a day, usually capped at $10.00 for a weekly rental. Track your banking fees You know to avoid ATM surcharges at home, but be particularly careful while traveling overseas. Either take a large amount of cash out at once or call your bank and negotiate the fees. Surcharges can be avoided if transactions are limited to your home bank's overseas partner banks. Avoid the room service trap There's no reason in-room dining has to be provided by the hotel. Call the hotel restaurant, pick up the order yourself, and take it back to your room. And if you do succumb to room service and its fees, be mindful not just of the service surcharge, but also of any pre-added gratuity. Watch these other hotel fees Upon check-in, speak with the manager and try to eliminate or reduce resort fees that may include access to the tennis courts, fitness center, and even discounts at the on-site restaurants that you and your family may never use. And if you pay to use your hotel's Internet access or valet parking once or twice, review your bill upon check-out to ensure it doesn't include a recurring charge for those services for every day of your stay. Ask for a guest room in proximity to any area of the hotel that might host a free wireless network, as you might be able to connect to it, rather than the hotel's paid network, from the comfort of your room. Hotels are also getting more clever by positioning water and other snacks in odd parts of the room away from the mini-bar, so that guests don't immediately associate those treats with potential costs until it's too late. Don't fall for it. Guests make mistakes, too Hotels are also prone to introducing errors on your bill caused by other guests. All it takes is for a guest to transpose a couple of numbers on his restaurant receipt and you're the one who will be charged. LAWYERS' TRAVEL COLLECTING SECURE FLIGHT PASSENGER DATA The requirement to collect date of birth, gender and full name are federally mandated by the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) Secure Flight Program for air travel. While disclosure of this information is voluntary, if it is not provided, travelers may be denied boarding. TSA's privacy policy, as well as additional details, can be found at tsa.gov using the keywords Secure Flight. Although the Secure Flight ruling requires airlines to provide the Secure Flight Data to TSA, The Lawyers' Travel Service is collecting this information to better serve our customers and provide a smooth travel experience at check-in. To facilitate the collection of the Secure Flight Passenger Data, The Lawyers' Travel Service has created a secure, encrypted web form which travelers can use to input this information. When the information is submitted, your traveler profile will be updated. Please click on the URL directly below to complete the collection process. https://secureflight.ovationtravel.com For additional Secure Flight information go to: http://www.tsa.gov/what_we_do/layers/secureflight/index.shtm
THE LAWYERS' TRAVEL SERVICE PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
Style and personality starts with a spectacular entrance through the lobby, where traditional detailing pays tribute to European flavors of plaster walls, stone flooring and subdued colors. The Crowne Plaza Cabana Hotel-Palo Alto combines luxurious amenities of a vacation destination with high tech necessities of today's savvy business traveler. Complimentary fiber optic wired and wireless Internet services are available throughout all public areas and guest rooms, a 24 hour executive Center with PC and complimentary printing, and complimentary morning shuttle within 5 miles. Guests can dine alfresco in the hotel's courtyard or delight in 24 hour room service and favorable cuisine at 4290 Bistro & Bar which is open 7 days a week, with live entertainment Friday and Saturday evenings and an Extensive Sunday Brunch. Crowne Plaza Cabana Hotel-Palo Alto is one of few hotels in California powered by Solar Energy and accredited with the highest State and Regional Green Certification status providing a responsible commitment to the environment. Located minutes to Stanford University, HP, Goggle, SAP, Intuit, to name a few, the 194 room Crowne Plaza Cabana Hotel-Palo Alto meets social, business and group travel needs. The hotel even offers an onsite putting green. The Lawyers' Travel Service Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at the Crowne Plaza Cabana Hotel & Resort is $159 (compared to a corporate rate of $179).*
THE LAWYERS' TRAVEL SERVICE PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
Hyatt Regency Washington is conveniently located in the political heart of Washington, DC, within walking distance of U.S., Supreme, D.C. Courts, U.S. Capital, National Mall and Union Station serviced by Amtrak. Experience the excitement of Hyatt Regency Washington's newly remodeled atrium lobby. The updated atrium lobby unveils a handsome, contemporary atmosphere including a new grand staircase, streamlined registration area, and a redesigned restaurant and lounge - Article One, American Grill. Named for the corresponding article of the U.S. Constitution establishing the structure of Congress, Article One serves upscale classic American grill cuisine in an open air, vibrant setting. The hotel features 834 upscale modern guestrooms, an 8,000 square foot fitness center with indoor heated pool available complimentary to hotel guests, 38,000 square feet of meeting and event space, a lobby gift shop with coffee and pastry service, and the convenience of FedEx Office business services. The restaurant offers a casual location for breakfast and lunch each day, while featuring upscale dining for dinner each evening. Breakfast features Hyatt's signature breakfast menu in addition to a daily breakfast buffet. For lunch, enjoy a selection of creative soups, salads, sandwiches and grilled entrees. Dinner provides an upscale grill menu, featuring Certified Angus Beef steaks, chops, and seafood. Generous side dishes and a selection of desserts pair nicely with the grill menu. Open daily from 6:30 AM – 11:00 PM. Article One Lounge is located amidst the bustling Atrium lobby and provides a prime location for mingling, catching up on the day's current events or simply watching for Capitol Hill notables. The lounge is centered by community tables, complete with nine 20" flat screen televisions, perfect for meeting friends and co-workers. The lounge offers a selection of appetizers, sandwiches and specialty cocktails. Open daily from 11:30 AM – 2:00 AM. The Lawyers' Travel Service Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at the Hyatt Regency Washington is $249 (compared to a corporate rate of $259).* THE LAWYERS' TRAVEL SERVICE PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM La Tremoille offers what is probably one the best possible locations in the heart of Paris, overlooking quiet streets but yet a few steps away from the famous avenues, George V, Montaigne and Champs-Elysees. Set in a traditional 19th-century building, the hotel has been entirely renovated but retains much of its original elegance and offers a subtle blend of traditional and contemporary styles, as well as a reputation for devoted service. La Tremoille offers the largest average size of rooms in the most prestigious and expensive area of Paris, not less than 31 sqm (341sqf) in the double standard room category and 36 sqm (385 sqf) in the double superior room category. The hotel is clearly dedicated to individual business travelers and has been re-designed to meet all their requirements, wifi internet access is for example included in the room rates and all room safes have a plug and can hold a laptop. The Lawyers' Travel Service Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at La Tremoille is €300 (compared to a corporate rate of €395).*
THE LAWYERS' TRAVEL SERVICE PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
An enchanting haven at The Langham, Huntington Hotel & Spa, Pasadena. Experience the timeless elegance of the landmark Huntington Hotel, now impeccably renewed as The Langham, Huntington Hotel & Spa, Pasadena. A Pasadena hotel legend since 1907, the Huntington Hotel has always been the favorite of stars and celebrities seeking a hideaway a short limousine ride from Los Angeles. Truly the finest of Pasadena hotels, The Langham Hotel Pasadena presents the perfect haven in the perfect climate. Indulge amid the legendary heritage of the Huntington Hotel, now The Langham, the most celebrated of grand Pasadena hotels. Spacious and sophisticated rooms project the aura of a bygone era with tasteful period furnishings. Framed by ornate drapes, the windows allow the room to fill with natural light. Italian marble bathrooms, Frette linens and Anichini throws complete the picture of opulence. This grand hotel's accommodations recall the timeless elegance of yesterday, blended with all the technological amenities of today. The Langham, Huntington Hotel & Spa is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Voltaggio as Chef de Cuisine of The Dining Room,the Michelin star-awarded restaurant at the famed Pasadena landmark hotel. Chef Voltaggio joined The Dining Room following a year as Executive Chef of The Bazaar by José Andrés at The SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. He is also a contestant on season six of Bravo's EMMY and James Beard Award-winning series, Top Chef. The Lawyers' Travel Service Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at the Langham Huntington is $229 (compared to a corporate rate of $269).* THE LAWYERS' TRAVEL SERVICE PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM The New York Palace is now part of the prestigious Dorchester Collection, a portfolio of some of the world's foremost luxury hotels in Europe and America. Known for its impeccable service and spacious accommodations, the hotel offers beautifully appointed rooms featuring spectacular views of iconic St. Patrick's Cathedral and Rockefeller Center, or the East River. Situated on Madison Avenue, the landmark hotel is within steps of Midtown Manhattan's prestigious business and shopping areas, and just a short walk from Central Park and Broadway's Theater District. The New York Palace is home to the highly acclaimed, Michelin two-star restaurant GILT, a full-service spa and fitness center, and Istana – an elegant brasserie. The Lawyers' Travel Service Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at The New York Palace is $280 (compared to a corporate rate of $330).* * All rates are subject to availability. _________________________________________________________________ The Lawyers' Travel Service |
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