TRAVEL

PRE-BOOK YOUR LODGING. The one-stop shop for hotel pricing and availability is offering major rewards on future travel. Hotels.com Rewards members who book at eligible properties by May 24, 2020, and stay between June 1, 2020, and Aug. 31, 2021, will collect double stamps. For every 10 stamps you collect, you receive a free night. This promotion will get you to that free night twice as fast, at the same cost. To participate, log in to your Hotels. com Rewards account and enter coupon code RWD2X2020 at checkout.

SEEK OUT MID-WEEK AIRFARES. Not only are you likely to find attractive airfares as America eases back into more extensive air travel, but you may find even less-expensive (and less-congested) flights on the slowest travel days of the week - Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

SPEND YOUR FOOD DOLLARS WISELY. Your dining plans (or lack thereof) can easily make or break your vacation budget. You may wish to make great food a major highlight of your trip, but if you'd rather use your money elsewhere you can use strategies like self-packed lunches, the free continental breakfasts at your hotel, restaurants where kids eat free and water instead of pricey drinks. When you do dine out, make lunch your biggest meal of the day and avoid higherpriced dinner menus.

OPTIMIZE CREDIT CARDS THAT OFFER TRAVEL REWARDS. Options include general purpose cards that pay rewards on all travel purchases or brand-specific cards that reward only for spending money on specific airlines or hotels. Look for cards that offer unlimited cash back on your greatest expenditures and seek generous expiration dates for redeeming rewards. Other available perks may include sign-up bonuses, waived baggage fees or foreign transaction fees, complimentary companion tickets or bonus rewards for booking with travel partners. Do expect annual fees and do pay monthly balances in full to avoid interest charges, forfeited rewards and/or negative impacts to your credit rating.

Your next vacation need not take a big bite out of your budget if you plan ahead. Wherever you choose to go, travel safely and travel wisely this season.  Courtesy of Brand Point

THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE

THE MOUNTAINS FOR THE HOLIDAYS.

Celebrate the holidays surrounded by great company and even better cuisine in the Pocono Mountains. From romantic dinners by candlelight to farm-to-table experiences, our local chefs are serving up something for every palate. Visit PoconoMountains.com to see all of our mouth-watering dining options and make your reservation.

How Much is that DOGGY IN THE WINDOW?

I was on a long drive through Iowa. All along the highway, I saw corn, corn, corn, tree, corn, corn, corn, corn, more corn and some corn. To break the monotony, I stopped at an oldfashioned pumping station to gas up and went inside to buy a cold refreshment. I noticed a sign on the front porch leaning against a rickety old rocking chair that said, “FOR SALE - TALKING DOG - $20.” I asked the old man behind the counter about the dog and he said, “She’s right around back if you want to see her.”

There she was stretched out lounging in the shade of a rusty red tractor. She raised an eyebrow and looked at me inquisitively. “You here to talk to me?”

I fell back against the building in a mixture of fear and astonishment. A ventriloquist had to be playing a joke on me.

By Roseanne Bottone

“Nope!” she said. “I know what you’re thinking. It’s me doing the talking.” She got up and moseyed on over to my side, sat next to me, looked out into the field, and continued to chat. There was no doubt. The dog was doing the talking.

And could she ever gab! “No one ever expects this from a dog.” She looked up at me for my reaction. “It’s the main reason I made a great spy. It was a big advantage.”

I remembered to breathe and sputtered, “Spy?”

“Yes, indeed. I worked for the CIA. I can’t tell you particulars otherwise I’ll have to shoot you.” The dog laughed. She laughed! “Pull up a chair and I’ll tell you some stories.” She regaled me with captivating tales of travel, people, missions and adventure. I knew I had to bring her home to PA with me.