Trip Coach: May 23, 2006

OFFICIAL RULES NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN A PRIZE. CONTEST OPEN TO LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES. 1. Promotion Period: "Budget Travel's "Real Reader" Contest" (the "Contest") commences on or about 9:00 a.m. (EST) on May 23, 2006 and ends at 11:59 p.m. (EST) on June 9, 2006. All entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. (EST) on June 9, 2006. 2. To Enter: Submit the following via email to RealReaders@BudgetTravelOnline.com: (a) Description(s): Each testimonial (of no more than 20 words each) should describe (i) your favorite section of BUDGET TRAVEL magazine (ii) the last great trip you took (iii) the next great trip you plan on taking and (iv) your greatest travel treasure (i.e., a souvenir) from a vacation you took in the last five years. (b) Personal Information: your name, address, phone number, and email address. (c) Photo: a digital photo of you, either alone or with your kids, spouse, partner, girlfriends and/or buddies, together with your travel treasure or a vacation photo taken within the last five years (color or black and white, jpeg format only, not to exceed a maximum file size of 400KB). You shouldn't include more than four people (total) in the photo; photos with more than four people in them will not be considered. Each entry (collectively, the "Entries") must contain the entrant's original ideas and language. Emailed Entries submitted in accordance with these Official Rules shall be hereinafter referred to as the "Eligible Entries." Entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. (EST) on June 9, 2006. If an Entry (including the photograph) is not the original work or property of the entrant, or if the information is incomplete on the registration form or any other information requested is not given, the Entry will not be accepted. No responsibility is assumed for incorrect or inaccurate Entry information whether caused by any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in this Contest or by any human error, which may occur in the processing of Entries to this Contest. Newsweek Budget Travel, Inc. ("NBT") shall not be responsible for any problems or technical malfunctions of any telephone network or lines, computer on-line systems, servers or providers, computer equipment, software, failure of email or players on account of technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet or at the Web Site or any web site or combination thereof, including injury or damage to participants or to any other person's computer related to or resulting from participating or downloading materials in this Contest. If, for any reason, the Contest is not capable of running as planned, including infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes beyond the control of NBT that corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of this Contest or for any reason NBT deems necessary, NBT reserves the right, in its sole and unequivocal discretion, to cancel, terminate, extend, modify, delay or suspend the Contest due to any reason of a technical, creative or other nature. Entries that have been tampered with or altered are void. In the event of a dispute over who submitted a winning Eligible Entry, the holder of the winning email account will be declared the winner. All Entries, including submitted photographs, become the property of NBT and will not be returned. 3. Winner Selection: During the week of June 12, 2006, representatives from NBT will screen all Eligible Entries, based on the judging criteria set forth below in Paragraph 6, to choose 5 Grand Prize Winners. The foregoing date is subject to change in NBT's sole discretion. The Grand Prize Winners will be announced on or about June 19 2006; however, NBT reserves the right to delay announcement of the Grand Prize Winners in its sole and unequivocal discretion. NBT will contact the Grand Prize Winners by telephone or e-mail on or around June 19, 2006. If a potential Grand Prize Winner is deemed by NBT to be unreachable, or if such potential Winner should fail to comply with these Official Rules, an alternate Grand Prize Winner may be selected from all remaining Eligible Entries. All prizes will be awarded. Odds of winning depend on the number and quality of Eligible Entries 4. Grand Prize (5): Winners will receive a 3-day/2-night trip to New York City for them and, if applicable, the (up to three) other people featured in the photo they submitted (roundtrip airfare and accommodations included). The approximate retail value of this trip (assuming three people featured in the submitted photograph accompany the Grand Prize Winner) is $3,000. While in New York City, each Grand Prize Winner, and his or her group, if applicable, will participate, and agrees to participate, in a photo shoot, arranged and paid for by NBT, that will seek to capture them with their travel treasure. Any photos taken at the shoot will become the sole property of NBT. 5. Eligibility: Contest is open to legal residents of the continental United States. VOID WHEREVER PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED BY LAW. Employees of NBT and each of their respective affiliated companies, sponsors, subsidiaries, advertising agencies (and the immediate families of each) are not eligible. By participating in this Contest, entrants agree to be bound by these official rules ("Official Rules") and by the decisions of NBT whose decisions are final in all matters relating to this Contest. 6. Judging Criteria: Eligible Entries will be judged based on the quality of writing, originality and persuasiveness of the submitted essay, as well as the originality and creative appeal of the photograph. All interpretations of these Official Rules and the decisions by NBT are final. NBT reserves the right, in its sole and unequivocal discretion, to disqualify any individual it finds or believes to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Contest or Web Site; to be acting in violation of the Official Rules; or to be acting in a disruptive manner, or with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other person. CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT BY A PARTICIPANT OR ANY OTHER INDIVIDUAL TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE ANY WEB SITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE CONTEST IS A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, NBT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES FROM ANY SUCH PARTICIPANT/ INDIVIDUAL TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. THE NEW YORK COURTS (STATE AND FEDERAL) SHALL HAVE SOLE JURISDICTION OF ANY CONTROVERSIES REGARDING THE CONTEST AND THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN THE CONTEST. EACH ENTRANT WAIVES ANY AND ALL OBJECTIONS TO JURISDICTION AND VENUE IN THESE COURTS AND HEREBY SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF THOSE COURTS. 7. Arrangements for the fulfillment of the Grand Prizes will be made by NBT. NBT reserves the right in its sole discretion to substitute the Grand Prize with a prize of equal or greater value for any reason that NBT deems necessary. The Grand Prize is non-transferable. Grand Prize Winners and his/her parent or legal guardian if such Winners are under the age of 18, must sign (i) an affidavit of eligibility and release NBT and any and all affiliated entities from any and all liability, claims, demands and causes of action for personal injury and/or damage, theft, loss, or any other harm suffered in connection with this Contest or the use or acceptance of the Grand Prize or any portion thereof to be eligible for the Grand Prize; (ii) except where prohibited, a promotional release granting the right to use his or her name and likeness, as well as the essay and photo they submitted, and any photos taken at the New York City photo shoot, for advertising and publicity purposes without additional compensation. Entry into this Contest constitutes each Grand Prize Winner's agreement to sign such releases, and to procure signed releases from anyone accompanying them to New York City and/or featured in the photo submitted with their Eligible Entry. The affidavit and releases must be signed and returned within 14 days of the date of notification. Failure to sign and return the affidavit or releases within 14 days may, at the sole discretion of NBT, result in the Grand Prize Winner's disqualification, the forfeiture of his or her interest in the Grand Prize, and the award of the Grand Prize to an alternate winner. MOREOVER, ANY VIOLATION OF THESE OFFICIAL RULES BY ANY GRAND PRIZE WINNER (AT NBT'S SOLE DISCRETION) WILL RESULT IN SUCH GRAND PRIZE WINNER'S DISQUALIFICATION AS A GRAND PRIZE WINNER OF BUDGET TRAVEL'S "REAL READER COMPETITION" AND ALL PRIVILEGES AS THE GRAND PRIZE WINNER WILL BE IMMEDIATELY TERMINTATED. Upon receipt of any part of the prize, prize recipients are required to comply with any and all applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations. All taxes are the responsibility of the Grand Prize Winner. 8. Contestants hereby agree to submit their Entries under the following terms and conditions: (i) that NBT may use any ideas, concepts, material, in whole or in part, contained in an Entry; (ii) that all materials submitted (including photographs) become the property of NBT and will not be returned; (iii) that all materials submitted (including photographs) are free from any lien or claim by anyone; (iv) entrants have obtained all rights, permissions and licenses necessary to make the Entries usable for any purpose; (v) that no Entry or any part thereof infringes any trademark or copyright or otherwise violates anyone's right of privacy or publicity; and (vi) entrants indemnify and hold harmless NBT, from any claims, suits, losses, damages and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) that arise from any breach of the foregoing. All entrants agree to the foregoing and in addition agree to obtain, upon request of NBT any documentation and releases necessary to prove their unrestricted ownership in all materials contained in their Entry and their right to use such materials without limitation for any purpose. They further agree, if chosen as Grand Prize Winners, to assign all rights, titles and interests in all material and agree to sign such documentation as is necessary to formalize this assignment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, entrants agree that their Entry may be used by NBT in whole or in part for any purpose whatsoever without compensation to non-prize winner entrants. 9. For a list of winners, which will be available by July 31, 2006, please send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to "Real Reader" Contest, c/o BUDGET TRAVEL magazine, 530 Seventh Avenue, 2nd Floor, NY, NY 10018. 10. This Contest is a promotion by Newsweek Budget Travel, Inc., 251 West 57th Street, NY, NY 10019.

Are you a dedicated Budget Travel reader? Then, here's your chance to represent the only travel magazine that provides vacations for real people. We're looking for real Budget Travel readers to come to New York City for a professional photo shoot to be used in our new marketing materials and possible advertising campaign (airfare and accommodations included). WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU What's your greatest travel treasure, souvenir or photo? What's your favorite section of the magazine? Where did you go on your last vacation and where do you plan on going next? These are just some of the things we want to find out. Just follow the directions under the "how to enter" section and don't forget to include a photo of yourself (or your group) with your travel treasure. WHO CAN WIN Solo travelers, family travelers, travel couples or just friends. TIMING Must be available to travel to New York during June or July 2006. DEADLINE Please enter by June 9, 2006. MORE INFORMATION Read the official rules.

Last night we went to an advance screening of Ron Howard's much-hyped movie and, having read the gripping best seller, it felt like a letdown. While they've successfully simplified the plot, it's not easy to keep the action chugging along when nearly every step has to be explained with expository dialogue and calls for shots of the overly earnest co-stars thinking intently--their lack of chemistry doesn't help either. (It's worth noting that the beginning is particularly gruesome; one of us found it too violent and left!) Apart from Ian McKellan's spirited turn as Leigh Teabing, one of the things the movie does get right is the scenery: dazzling shots of the Louvre and Paris by night; a birds-eye view of London and Tower Bridge; Sophie and Langdon whizzing through narrow European streets in a Smart Car (fun!); and the soaring stained-glass windows of Westminster Abbey. It makes you remember how marvelous these blockbuster sights are--with or without The Da Vinci Code--and introduces a few lesser-known gems like Scotland's Rosslyn Chapel. Related Articles:   A DIY Da Vinci Code Tour   Trivia, Games and Resources   Interactive, Printable Maps   Getting Around and Where to Stay

In April, we chose the 10 coolest small towns in the U.S.A. Expecting disagreements, we asked for your suggestions. Read the best response--and the runners-up. The Winner: Rockland, Maine I think you missed Rockland, Maine, in your list of America's 10 Coolest Small Towns. I live here so I'm probably biased, but Rockland really is pretty cool. Our downtown has undergone a huge transformation from being a smelly fish-processing waterfront to being a hip art community. The Farnsworth Art Museum is in the heart of downtown, with art shops and galleries popping up all around. Our downtown movie theater was closed for a few years and recently reopened after an extensive renovation. The Strand is once again alive and well and showing unique films and live stage performances at reasonable prices. You can even order wine or beer in the balcony seating area! The downtown building where our local paper used to be published is now our visitor information center and the Maine Lighthouse Museum, a wonderful new facility. The waterfront boardwalk is frequented by locals walking their dog or by visitors taking in the beauty of our large natural harbor gated by a mile-long breakwater with a distinctive lighthouse at the end--the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse, currently undergoing restoration and open for tours on summer weekends. There are lots of great shops, restaurants, and cozy B&Bs in town. My favorites? Planet Toys--where you can play for hours! Second Read--a great used book store with a funky wooden floor. Their café-style pastries and drinks are delightful. Waterworks--a local hangout serving pub-style fare and always-free popcorn! The Brass Compass--no place better for breakfast. The Brown Bag--no place better for lunch (okay, occasionally Wasses Hot Dogs). The Limerock Inn, The Old Granite Inn, Berry Manor Inn--all wonderful downtown B&Bs. Thorndike Creamery--great ice cream, as well as New York-style pizza by the slice. Yum! And there's so many more, too many to mention. In Rockland, you can find anything from clothing, toys, jewelry, and appliances to great food. (A sushi restaurant will open soon.) You're just as likely to be walking down Main Street next to a lobsterman as you are someone from New York. We are both the Lobster Capital of the World, and the Schooner Capital of the World; there's even a boat-building school. But what makes Rockland so cool is that there's all this change, but it's still a hotbed of commercial fishing, windjammer sailing, and traditional wooden boat-building. Somehow it all coexists. --Brenda Walker Fairfield, Iowa Fairfield, Iowa, nicknamed by some as Silicorn Valley, sits in the southeast corner of Iowa. It has a population of about 10,000, and one-third of the population is associated in some way with Maharishi University of Management, a bastion of the Transcendental Meditation organization. In Fairfield, creativity rules. It has nearly everything: the largest greenhouse operation in Iowa (organic too!); the highest per capita concentration of restaurants in the country; one of the most popular art events in the state, 1st Fridays; the newest city in Iowa, Maharishi Vedic City, just north of Fairfield; and a multitude of new businesses that have sprouted all around town. It is indeed a wellspring of creativity and energy in the midst of a typical midwestern farm town. You'll find dozens of companies and organizations oriented around natural health care, education, and a healthy environment, including a very active trails program with 33 miles of trails surrounding the entire town and the first eco-friendly pet shelter in the world, Noah's Ark. Also, check out The Raj, a premier Ayurvedic health spa attracting visitors from around the world. The town was recently awarded the Grassroots Entrepreneurship Award by the National Council of Small Cities. About 50 companies now make their headquarters in Fairfield. One of the most recent developments is the announcement by ReFuel Amercia that it plans to build a biodiesel plant in town that will have an estimated capacity of 60 million gallons. Unlike many small midwestern towns, the town square is filled with thriving businesses and restaurants. One could visit for a week, eating at a different restaurant every meal! And the summer concerts on the square rock. There are special visitor weekends for tours of the University and Maharishi Vedic City, and plans are underway to build a $6-million-dollar County Civic Center that will house a 520-seat auditorium and a 12,000-square-foot event pavilion. Is this town cool or what...? --Michael Moore Gunnison, Colorado At an elevation of 7,703 feet, Gunnison, Colo. rises above most small towns and epitomizes small-town Colorado. Gunnison, or Gunny, as the locals affectionately call it, offers adventurous visitors much delight. Located in the Gunnison Valley, it provides free-of-charge 360-degree mountain views that enrich the soul. Fishing Gunny's trout-filled rivers, lakes, and streams is a world-class experience. The waters are never crowded. But if you find locals, they will surely offer a quick smile, genuine greetings, and accurate advice about what fish are biting on. Hartman's Rocks is a mountain-biking, four-wheeling, bouldering, hiking paradise that covers more than 6,000 acres, and is merely a short bike ride from the coffee shop downtown (and an equally short trip back to the Gunnison Valley Hospital). Less than thirty miles up the main road from the undulating campus of Gunny's small liberal arts college Western State College is the famed ski resort Crested Butte, or in local-speak CB. It may be necessary to live in Gunny for a while if one wants to sample all it offers, but one trip is all it takes to appreciate this small town's land, people, and shooting-star-riddled sky. --Robert H. Scott III, Ph.D. Kingston, New York Visit Kingston, N.Y.--what a lovely place, nestled in the Catskill Mountains. The portico-covered uptown area, with many artists' studios, antique stores, and galleries, is gorgeous! All-natural meat and produce stands are there for the taking. Just two hours from Manhattan, with some of the most beautiful stone houses in the country. The only city in the United States with original stone houses built during the 1600s, on four adjoining corners. The Old Dutch Church, built in 1661, burned to the ground in 1663 during the Indian massacre; it was rebuilt in 1669 of stone, and still stands. Other stone beauties include: the Court House, c.1684; the Senate House, c.1676; The Hoffman House, c.1688; still a working restaurant with original fireplaces. Kingston was the first capitol of New York State, there's loads of history here, and it is charming. Sitting right on the Hudson River with mountain. views, there is ice skating, skiing and winter sports. For weekend visitors in late summer or fall, pick-your-own farms abound, particularly many apple orchards! The bistros, cafés and pumpkin patches lure you back into a forgotten time. Worth the trip for an old-fashioned homemade ice cream cone, or to visit one of the local wineries. Still a bargain to live there, it's certainly worth the trip from anywhere. --Lois Concra Peculiar, Missouri When I think of Peculiar, Mo., I don't think it is peculiar. I think it is anything but. We're a small town--with a diner where our whole family meets every Saturday morning for breakfast (usually at least 15 people, sometimes more); where the high school football team has won the state championship two years in a row; where our kids can breathe the fresh country air, have occasional snow days from school in the winter and catch frogs down by the pond on hot summer nights; where you can wake in the mornings and see wild turkeys strutting across your driveway, and squirrels and redbirds practically sharing the same fence post. Things change, but in Peculiar things change slowly. We have yet to get high-speed internet service, but we did recently get our first electric stop light. Peculiar does not have any museums, tourist attractions, or a neat historic shopping district. But what this small town does have is people who sincerely care, root for each other, and are passionate about living the small town life. And Peculiar is a place I am proud to call home. --Rebecca Lowery South Bend, Washington We live in the small town of South Bend, Wash. on the bend of the Willapa River. It is a town of 1800. We came here from Seattle in 1954, never dreaming we would spend the rest of our lives here. We raised four daughters who, unfortunately, migrated to bigger towns, went to college, did well, and are all happy--and looking forward to each visit back home. It is a fishing village with lots of fishing boats along the river during fishing season. It is also the home of many oyster beds, claiming to be the largest oyster-growing area in the United States. Oysters from South Bend are shipped all over the world. South Bend also has a shrimp and crab facility. Pacific County's Courthouse is here; it's  one of the few remaining original courthouses in the country. People here are friendly. In the stores, customers are called by their first name. I worked in real estate for 18 years, and during that time, I met many people who were just traveling through South Bend. Some of them stopped and eventually moved here. The prices for real estate are reasonable. There are no big traffic jams, no traffic lights, good water and environment conditions, clean air--what else would you want? One of our greatest achievers was Helen Davis, who wrote the state song "Washington, my Home." A Congressional Medal Winner, Bob Bush (now deceased) is also from South Bend. Actually, many other great people in Washington came from this small town. We are all very proud of our town and of our friendliness. Come visit us and find out why. --Sylvia Halldorson