ALASKA FERRIES WON'T SAIL FROM PRINCE RUPERT, B.C. Alaska Governor Tony Knowles directed the Alaska Marine Highway System to drop the Canadian port from its 1998 summer schedule because Canadian fishermen blockaded one of its ferries last July. The fishermen were upset with Alaska's salmon allocation. More than 40,000 people arrived and left from the town in 1996 to reach Southeast Alaska. A 1998 schedule minus the Prince Rupert port of call is expected to be finalized by early October.

- BEST ROLLER COASTER. According to People magazine, the Alpengeist at Busch Gardens Williamsburg is the country's best roller coaster ride. The magazine says it is the world's tallest (195 feet), fastest (67 mph) and most twisted inverted steel coaster. The roller coaster is a simulated runaway ski lift.

- SPEND A WEEKEND IN SCOTLAND. Icelandair holiday packages for a weekend in Glasgow or Edinburgh begin at $398 per person, double occupancy, including airfare from New York (JFK), Baltimore-Maryland (BWI), Boston or Orlando. The flights are via Iceland where optional stopovers are available. Additional nights in Glasgow or Edinburgh are $51 and $55 a night respectively. The packages are good for travel between Nov. 1 and March 31.

- NEW BRUNSWICK IN AUTUMN. Some of the most scenic autumn drives are in New Brunswick, just north of tourist-filled New England. The 450-kilometer Fundy Coastal Drive takes in waterfalls, fishing villages and covered bridges. The strong U.S. dollar makes a vacation to Canada an affordable alternative to New England. 1-800-561-0213; (http://www.gov.nb.ca/tourism).

- THE 1998 UTAH SCENIC CALENDAR is hot off the press and available to the public. Like its predecessors, it is a showcase of the Beehive State's natural wonders. They make good Christmas gifts or tokens of appreciation to business associates. If you order 30 or more, you get a 40 percent discount. Contact the Utah Travel Council, 538-1030.

- HOTEL RESERVATIONS IN SAN DIEGO, PHOENIX AND SCOTTS-DALE. This hotel reservation specialist is one place to include on your list when you're shopping around for accommodations. The company says it "offers the best available rates on hotel, motel and condo reservations." It monitors more than 100 motels and hotels in the Phoenix area. 1-800-728-3227.

- CARMEL, CALIF., WELCOMES CANINES. This city is about as dog-friendly as it gets. A variety of hotels and restaurants open their doors to dogs. According to a bi-annual magazine called Buying the Best, a publication geared for people who love the Monterey Peninsula, the town has an annual master and dog summer solstice beach party on the town's white sand beach. And Galerie Blue Dog on 6th Avenue has doggie snacks. Among the hotels that welcome canines, according to the publication, are Carmel Country Inn ($10 per day per dog), Carmel Tradewinds ($15 per pet, two-pet limit), Cypress Inn ($17), The Lodge at Pebble Beach (no charge), Quail Lodge Resort & Golf Club (no charge, pet sitting is $7 per hour), and Wayside Inn (no charge).

Restaurants that welcome dogs include Casanova, Le Coq D'or, Portabella and Cafe Berlin.

View Comments

- LEARN TO COOK IN NEW ENGLAND. The New England Culinary Institute in Montpelier, Vt., will offer a Whisk Away Weekend Oct. 24-26 with a series of classes on bread baking. Celebrity chefs will include Susan Purdy, author of "Let Them Eat Cake," and "A Piece of Cake"; and Joe and Gayle Ortiz, authors of "The Village Baker and "The Village Baker's Wife." Rates are $325 per person, exclusive of hotel accommodations. The Inn at Essex offers a discounted rate of $79 per night.

In addition to the special weekend, the institute features 45-minute classes that are open to the public at NECI Commons at 25 Church St., Burlington. The price is $10 per class, $25 for three, $70 for all 10. Topics include soup making, basic knife skills, how to deglaze a pan, basic sauces, vegetarian cooking, food styling, salads and seafood. The classes are open to professionals and non-professionals. 802-223-9278.

- STICK AROUND SANTA MONICA. A booklet with reward stickers good for 15 to 20 percent discounts at attractions, retail shops and restaurants. The booklet also has walking maps and visitor information. Pop-up table tents and colorful blue and yellow window stickers indicate which establishments will honor the discount stickers. Deals include two-for-one bicycle rental at Perry's Cafe on the beach, half off a carousel ride, or a two-for-one spin on the ferris wheel at Pacific Park. Pick up a copy of the booklet at the Santa Monica Visitor Center, 1400 Ocean Ave.

- TOUR NANTUCKET CRANBERRY BOG. Northland Cranberries welcomes the public during the harvest, which usually runs from mid-September through October. (http://northlandcran.com).

Join the Conversation
Looking for comments?
Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.