Tips & Trips

By Anthony Grant
May 6, 2005

AIR FRANCE

If you're already thinking ahead to fall travel, consider an unusual offer from Air France. Passengers who purchase tickets on the airline between May 5 and May 15 for travel between November 1 and March 31 can take advantage of rates as low as $299 round trip from East Coast gateways (including JFK and Newark) to Paris, plus, for an additional $5.05, add a round-trip ticket to Nice, Bordeaux, Lyon, Marseille, or Toulouse. For an extra $50.05, travelers can fly round trip to a selection of eight European cities outside France - and these tickets include a free stopover in Paris on the return segment. Fares do not include government fees and taxes, and some restrictions apply.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call 800-237-2747 or visit www.airfrance.com/us.

BELIZE

From its renowned Caribbean barrier reef to its canopied rain forests, the little country of Belize offers a wealth of vacation opportunities to the ecologically astute traveler. A new Web site called the Toucan Trail - a reference to the country's spectacularly hued national bird - can help you find accommodations at more than 160 small hotels that all offer rates of $60 or less a night. The site provides a detailed profile on each participating property, including photo galleries and maps.

For more information, visit www.toucantrail.com.

BOSTON

XV Beacon, widely considered to be one of the finest boutique hotels in Boston, is offering a unique package in conjunction with the Boston Museum of Fine Arts show "Speed, Style, and Beauty: Cars From the Ralph Lauren Collection." The "Speed, Style, and Beauty Getaway" package includes a onenight stay in a Classic room, two VIP tickets to the MFA show, a complimentary ride to the museum in one of the hotel's luxury Sseries Mercedes sedans, and a welcome food and beverage amenity. The cost is $325 a night/double occupancy. The deal is on through June 25. XV Beacon is strategically located on Beacon Hill near both Boston Common and Quincy Market, and service is exemplary.

For reservations call 877-982-3226, e-mail hotel@xvbeacon.com, or visit www.xvbeacon.com.

LOS ANGELES

The gleaming new Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles designed by Frank Gehry has received acclaim from all quarters. Seeing (and hearing) what all the fuss is about need not be expensive, thanks to a secret way to obtain $15 concert seats. The very well located Choral Bench seats are released for sale for selected L.A. Philharmonic Colburn Celebrity Recitals and Baroque variations concerts beginning at noon on the Tuesday of the second week prior to the concert.

For more information, call 323-850-2000 or visit www.disneyconcerthall.com.

TRAVEL-SIZE GOODS

Why struggle to make room in your luggage for a whole tube of toothpaste or bottle of shampoo when you're only going away for the weekend? And why overpay for a smaller version at the airport? The people behind Minimus.biz have heard your call - it's a one-stop Web shop for all things trial size. They not only offer the expected sundries, but also an impressive variety of snacks, coffee, tea, condiments, salad-dressing packets, detergents, pharmacy items, and topical medications, all individually sized. Plus, there is free domestic ground shipping for orders over $20.

Visit www.minimus.biz.