July 2004

Journey to ancient and historic Egypt on the Alumni Association's "Wings over the Nile" trip. Your adventure will begin in Cairo, Africa's largest city, where you'll see the Giza Pyramids, the last remaining of the original Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. After three days in Cairo, you'll board the Oberoi Philae for a four-night cruise along the Nile River. Special air excursions to remote sites such as Abu Simbel and St. Catherine's Monastery will make this an adventure you will never forget. For details, including dates and prices, on this trip and the rest of our 2004 itinerary, visit True Blue Travel online.

Visitors to New York City will be able to tour Lady Liberty herself next month. The Statue of Liberty, including its observation deck, will reopen to visitors Tuesday, August 3. Visitors will be able to choose from two tours which both include a visit to the original torch and a guided tour of the Statue of Liberty Museum. The monument was closed to visitors after the September 11 attacks. For more information on how to make reservations, visit the National Park Service's Statue of Liberty Web site.

The Transportation Security Administration is testing a registered traveler program this summer with frequent fliers in a few airports around the country. Volunteers for the program must pass a government background check and submit fingerprints and an iris scan. Those who pass the security check are issued high-tech identification that allows them to go through an express security lane at the airport. The TSA has introduced the program in Minneapolis in conjunction with Northwest Airlines. It hopes to add tests in Los Angeles, Houston, Boston and Washington, DC's Reagan National Airport. If the program is successful, it could eliminate last-minute airport uncertainties for many travelers.

With millions of people on summer vacation, airports are crowded at this time of year. The New York Times offers some hints on how to beat the summer rush:

• If you are booking a last-minute trip, try flying in the middle of the day to avoid overbooking and delays.
• Consider purchasing some high-tech earplugs to drown out the noise of jet engines or crying babies on your flight.
• Pad your layover time to avoid missed connections. For example, a 40-minute connection time might be enticing, but two hours could save you the hassle of trying to get on another flight if your plane was delayed.
• Take advantage of advanced check-in. Many airlines offer the ability to check in on the Web for domestic flights.
• Try to make plans for recreation activities ahead of time—tee times, dinner reservations or spa appointments can be hard to snag at the last minute.

No matter where you're headed with True Blue Travel, it is important that you complete the Passenger Information Form found in your confirmation packet and return it quickly. This form gives you the opportunity to inform us of your individual needs so we can make your trip more enjoyable. Be sure to include any allergies, diet restrictions or specific requests. You'll help us make your vacation worry-free!

Travelers will love the EZ-Swany Stick Chair Cart—a rolling case that has wheels which turn in all directions, so you can either push or pull it wherever you go. But best of all, it has a built-in chair you can pull out and sit in if you're stuck in a long line or just need to catch your breath in a crowded airport. The seat can support up to 400 pounds. Visit www.ezswany.com for the full selection.

To find a quick weekend getaway without paying top prices, check Site 59 on the Alumni Association's Travel Web site. Site 59 assembles inexpensive packages—saving you up to 60 percent—by locating unsold airline tickets, hotel rooms and rental cars. You can plan your trip anywhere from 15 days out up to three hours before departure.

Boston is going to be teeming with visitors this month as the Democratic National Convention takes place in the city July 26 to 29. So it's a good thing that the Big Dig, Boston's behemoth highway project, is almost completed. The Central Artery/Tunnel Project, nicknamed the Big Dig, is “the largest, most complex and technologically challenging highway project ever attempted in American history.” The project will improve mobility and reduce traffic congestion. New tunnels already in place will make it easy for visitors to get to and from the airport in one of America's oldest cities.