• Message From Ina Rich - Chairman of Rich Worldwide Travel
  
  
• Business Values
• Bently Conference Center
  Makes San Francisco Debut
• Planned Leisure
  Take It Easy. Relax. Rest. And Play!
• Best Things In Life Are Three
  With USVI's Sizzlin' Summer/Fall
• American Airlines Sets Schedule Cuts
  Aimed At Reducing Its Outlay For Fuel
• Crystal's First 'Theatre at Sea' Cruise
  Headline Stars of Screen And Stage
• Summertime Packages Celebrate
  The Legacy Of America's Historic Hotels
• Some Advice To Shave Costs
  On Those Escalating Gas Prices
• It's A Shore Thing
  Top Beaches For 2008
• Rich Worldwide Travel Briefs
  Short Takes - To Take You There!

Coping With Fuel Costs
And Finding Answers

There's no denying it. The cost of those barrels of oil have many Americans thinking they're over a barrel. With nozzles feeding automobile gas tanks and prices inching to new heights; as hoses snake to hungry jets waiting on the nation's tarmacs; as today's cruise ships gulp fuel to match their enormous size. The cause and effect are impacting on things even as simple as filling the family lawn mower (sales of non-motorized mowers are on the upswing). What to do in continuing to get going? In travel there are many intelligent ways to deal with the situation. Tips for motorists are offered in a separate Rich Rewards item. Airlines, meanwhile, are currently making schedule changes to cut costs (see the item re American, as an example). Also on your side -- and even more valuable to you now is your travel agent. Rich Worldwide Travel is constantly intent in getting you the best possible deals...in cost and value. We do it each and every day. Talk to any of us, and check out our links for suggestions including a brand new one that will allow you, if you wish to book with considerable savings on line. Just click Rich Worldwide Easy Book Online. Also check out our adventure travel link (click here).

A high-tech, meeting and event facility has just opened its doors in downtown San Francisco: The Bently Conference Center, located in a plush setting of former legal offices. The facility features seven board rooms and about 11,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, and is located in the city's grand and historic Bently Reserve building. A nod to the unique nautical history of the San Francisco Bay, the Conference Center features multiple rooms named after - or inspired by - sunken ships in the Bay Area. The main, largest conference room - the Apollo - and an adjacent room - the Euphemia - are both named after ships that rest underneath the foundation of The Bently Reserve. Smaller rooms include the Port, the Starboard, the Cordoba, and the Niantic. Another unique feature to the Conference Center are the original multiple-pane windows from 1924, allowing a wealth of natural light and air into each and every room - a feature that uniquely differentiates the Conference Center from other venues in the city. For arrangements relating to business meetings or conventions, contact Nathan Devore, Rich Worldwide Travel's co-president, at 212-997-1600 or 800-333-RICH (7424) ext. 201. Devore's e-mail address is ndevore@richtravel.com or talk with any R.W.T. account executive.

The US Virgin Islands of St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John are offering vacationers a Sizzlin' Summer Sampler promotion with more than $450 in savings. The promotions include a fifth free night for arrivals through Aug. 15 or a fourth free night for arrivals between Aug. 16 and Oct. 31. Travelers also get a gift card ($50 for arrivals in the first timeframe; $100 in the second) when checking into the hotels. Coupons are also offered for activities and attractions or, depending upon the hotel a $50 or $100 room credit or rebate. Summer travel must be booked by July 31 while the fall stays must be booked now to Oct. 15 to qualify for the incentives. Contact your Rich Worldwide Travel account executive.

American Airlines has announced details of the first round of reductions to its flight schedule to reduce capacity in an effort to significantly reduce costs and create a more sustainable supply-and-demand balance in the market. The initial changes to the flight schedules include cutting service between New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport and London's Stansted Airport, effective July 2 (it will continue to offer its full schedule of flights between JFK and London's Heathrow Airport), discontinuing its Chicago-Buenos Aires service effective Sept. 3; scrubbing its Chicago-Honolulu service Jan. 5, 2009. (Between Sept. 3, 2008, and Jan. 5, 2009, American will operate Chicago-Honolulu service only on peak demand days.) And, AA will also discontinue its Boston-San Diego service effective Sept. 3 and will restructure American and American Eagle operations at San Juan, Puerto Rico in September as well. For your airline bookings (and accommodations) contact a R.W.T account executive.

Some of the finest names in the theater and film worlds are joining forces to star in Crystal Cruises' brand new Theatre at Sea itinerary. Individual artists will perform throughout the 12-day "Italian Treasures" itinerary from Venice to Monte Carlo, departing Sept. 12, 2008, aboard the Crystal Serenity departing from Venice and calling on Dubrovnik, Croatia; Taormina, Sorrento, Rome, Florence and Elba, Italy, before ending with an overnight stay in Monte Carlo. Cruise fares start at $4,835 per person, double occupancy. The performing roster of venerable actors, singers and musicians include Golden Globe-winning actress Lynn Redgrave, Emmy-winning actress Gena Rowlands, Academy Award winner Patricia Neal, Lucy Arnaz and Laurence Luckinbill, Brady Bunch star Florence Henderson, Academy Award nominee Susannah York, and Producers star Lee Roy Reams. For more information about the cruise schedules, and prices, contact R.W.T.'s Aimee Presto at 914-835-7600, ext. 145. Her e-mail address is apresto@richtravel.com. Or chat with any Rich Worldwide Travel account executive.

More than 50 participating Historic Hotels of America properties offer special packages this summer showcasing their link with a fascinating past. Here are just two examples: The Hotel del Coronado, Southern California’s Victorian landmark, celebrates its 120th anniversary and in honor of this special occasion, guests can take advantage of a package, which includes accommodations, daily oceanfront breakfast buffet for two people at Sheerwater, $120 shopping/dining/spa credit and a copy of the Del’s newly published book – Building the Dream: The Design & Construction of the Hotel del Coronado. $430 per night for standard accommodations, $640 per night in the Beach Village. Rates per night, based on double occupancy. And at The Hotel Hershey in Hershey, PA the sweet Breakfast In The Park deal includes deluxe accommodations, Hersheypark admission, breakfast with the Hershey’s product characters, early access to select rides at Founder’s Circle and Comet Hollow with Hersheypark Sweet Start and admission to Hershey Gardens and Hershey Museum. $518 per night, double occupancy. Packages are based on availability and some restrictions apply.HHA is a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. For details and booking arrangements speak to Rich Worldwide Travel leisure agent Ange Murphy at 203-743-6222 (800-862-8747, toll free), e-mail Ange at amurphy@richtravel.com or contact any R.W.T. account executive.

As if you didn't know, gas prices have been skyrocketing. And -- they don't look to be headed south anytime soon. As we did when gas prices soared last time, R.W.T. offers these tips on helping you cut fuel consumption. First, keep tires inflated properly. Under inflated tires waste fuel and wear out the tire tread. Get regular tuneups and follow through with routine maintenance. The right parts and fresh oil keeps your engine happy and less thirsty for gas. Take time to remove junk from the trunk. A weighed-down car uses more fuel. Pay cash at stations that charge extra for credit cards. Drive intelligently; don't make fast starts or sudden stops. The faster you drive, the more gas you use. And lastly be smart with the air conditioning. On the highway, closed windows decrease air resistance, so run the air conditioner. But in stop-and-go traffic, shutting off the air conditioning and opening the windows can lighten your fuel use. For your travel needs contact any R.W.T. account exec.

As he has since 1991, researcher Dr. Stephen Leatherman (labeled "Mr. Beach") has just released his list of top 10 beaches in the America for 2008. The very best in his estimation (he ranks them in some 50 qualities) is at the Caladesi Island State Park in Clearwater/Dunendin, FL.. Leatherman says Caladesi is a well-kept secret, with crystal white sand, and crystal-clear water. Others in the listing (in descending order) Hanalei Beach in Kauai, HI; Siesta Beach in Sarasota, FL; Coopers Beach in Southhampton, NY; Coronado Beach in San Diego; Main Beach in East Hampton, NY; Hamoa Beach on the Hawaiian island of Maui; Cape Hatteras on the Outer Banks of NC; and Beachwalker Park in Kiawah Island, SC. Contact any R.W.T. account exec for your plans.