Travel Tidbits: Visiting a Rock in a Box and a Smoke-free Italy

Bad news for all of you history buffs planning to travel to the spot where it’s believed the Pilgrims first stepped foot on American soil in 1620. Plymouth, Massachusetts tourist guides recently issued this warning to future visitors: If you are hoping to snap a picture of your family standing near legendary Plymouth Rock next spring you’ll be sorely disappointed. All you’ll see is a reinforced plywood box. State park officials say the famous symbol of America’s founding is going to be covered from March to May as workers begin a $680,000 overhaul of a granite and steel portico built … Continue reading

Disney Bans Smoking in Disney Hotels

If I ever needed another excuse to stop smoking, then Walt Disney World hotels have just announced one. Beginning June 1, all Disney owned hotels will be banning smoking in their rooms and on their balconies. Disney-owned time-shares will also be banning the smoking of cigars or cigarettes. The hotels and time-share properties will provide designated smoking areas away from the rooms and balconies. This ban will make Disney the single largest resort company to take such a step. According to Disney World Senior Vice President, Erin Wallace: We’ve just continued to see the demand for smoking decline, and in … Continue reading

Hotel Rooms—Smoking or Non-Smoking: The Choice Is No Longer Yours

When you make a hotel room reservation do you request a smoking or non-smoking room? Depending on where you book a room, that option may no longer exist. Two major hotel chains and hotels surrounding the “happiest place on Earth,” have recently extinguished the option of lighting up indoors. As of March 1, 2006, Disney’s three California hotels, Disneyland Hotel, Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel and the Grand Californian are 100% smoke-free establishments. The Grand Californian had already been a non-smoking property since its opening in 2001, but you can now breathe easier at the other two hotels as well. Disney … Continue reading