Monopoly Wants Your Vote

Interesting conversation with a British tourism official the other night. We were bemoaning the fact that the U.S. doesn't have a cabinet-level tourism post, or even a tourism bureau (and it's hurting the number of foreign arrivals). The British official said he'd recently been at a big tourism industry confab, at which the head of U.S. tourism (someone in the Commerce Department) said that she is seven steps from the President; in the U.K., the head of tourism is two steps from the Prime Minister. One more thing the U.K. is doing right: London is expensive, but the city is trying to make it less painful. Most big museums are free, as is riding the Tube during off-peak hours for kids under 11; VisitBritain.com; VisitLondon.com Related Links:   Trip Coach: Girl Scouts' First Trip to London   London Snap Guide   Secret Hotels of Cornwall

The ocean has always held a powerful grip on travelers, perhaps because you're never quite sure what's lurking beneath the surface. There's no better place to catch a glimpse of the ocean's most magnificent creatures in action than an aquarium. A couple of the finest are Boston's New England Aquarium and the Monterey Bay Aquarium, south of San Francisco. Both are home to giant octopi--a species whose tentacles can stretch up to 30 feet. But one of the best spots to see huge sea creatures is in a surprising, land-locked location. The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta is the nation's newest and largest aquarium. It's the only place in the U.S. to see watch whale sharks: spotted fish that can grow up to 50 feet long. Two young whale sharks named Ralph and Norton are the most famous residents of the aquarium, which opened in the fall of 2005. If merely watching whale sharks isn't enough of a thrill, you might want to take a trip to Isla Holbox (pronounced eee-sla whole-bosh), a sleepy island off Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. Every summer whale sharks feed near the Yucatan Peninsula, and they don't mind divers swimming alongside them. Dozens of outfitters in the area will set you up with equipment and guide you on this amazing adventure. And don't worry: the 20-ton creatures aren't man-eaters. They feed primarily on plankton.

Depending on the deal, prices are either per person or per room and may be based on double or quadruple occupancy (look for Details: under "When"). Packages are subject to availability and may be blacked out on holidays. Unless otherwise noted, prices don't cover taxes or gratuities. Where airfare is included, rates are generally based on midweek travel. A single supplement is listed whenever possible in case odd-numbered groups want to book. Back to 40 Best

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