The Philadelphia Inquirer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania • Page N02

THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER Sunday, March 28, 2010 Travel Deals N2 Delaware County www.philly.com 10 for the Road Spring tour of Colo, cliff dwellings By Carol Sotti li and K.C. Summers FOR THE INQUIRER Here are travel bargains around the globe, by land, sea, and air. Deals sell out quickly and are not guaranteed to be available. Restrictions such as day of travel, blackout dates, and advance-purchase requirements may apply. oral new itineraries, plus free round-trip air from Philadelphia.

For example, an ocean-view cabin on its 14-night Aug. 15 sailing from Barcelona to Istanbul starts at $5,028 per person double, including all fees and taxes, compared with the regular rate of $5,599. Purchased separately, airfare would be more than $1,100 per person. Book by Wednesday. Contact a travel agent or Oceania Cruises, 1-800-531-5658, tr-- 4110,,, ''t.

i I 44 lil' Are I Aoc I I 1 ik 1 1 il 5, VA 4. 'e '''ff McClatchy-Tribune News Service Cliff Palace is the largest cliff dwelling in Mesa Verde National Park. Land Aramark, a concessionaire of the National Park Service, is offering a spring deal at Mesa Verde National Park in southwestern Colorado. The Spring into Mesa Verde package is $139 per night double (plus about $14 in taxes and fees) and includes one night in the Far View Lodge and two seats on a ranger-guided tour of the park's cliff dwellings. Priced separately, rooms start at $116 (plus about $16 in taxes and fees) and the tour is $35 per person a savings of 25 percent.

Book by April 21 for stays from April 22 to June 10. Info: 1-866-292-8295, wwwvisitmesaverde.com; mention promo code "SPRING10." Packages Atlantis on Paradise Island in the Bahamas is offering several combinable promos. Get a free fourth night of lodging and one companion airfare, plus kids younger than 12 stay and play free. Pricing varies by dates and accommodations. For example, a family of four traveling in early May pays from $1,987 for a four-night stay (taxes included), a savings of $453.

For the lodging discount, book by Wednesday for travel through Sept. 30. For free companion air, book by May 10 for travel April 11-Dec. 22. Ongoing kids' promotion includes access to Aquaventure, a 141-acre water park.

Info: 1-888-877-7525, wwwatlands. cum. Rooms start at $227 a night, including taxes, down from $359 a night. The home of the PGA Tour's Honda Classic is also offering 40 percent off a round of golf at four of the resort's five courses. Cost is $130 per person, usually $210.

Book by Wednesday for travel through April. Info: 1-800-533-9386, You can plan now to attend these weekend events, occurring within a few weeks and within a day's drive of Philadelphia. 1. 12th Annual Pennsylvania Herb Festival. York, Pa.

April 16-17. Experts, workshops and vendors of plants, herbal crafts, and products for the gardener, cook, and crafter. 717-503-2305; www.pennsylvaniaherbfestival.com. 2. Revolutionary Times Weekend.

Morristown, N.J. April 16-18. American Revolution-related programs, including military encampments, cemetery and museum tours, and children's activities. 973-631-5151; www.nps.govirnorriindex.htm. 3.

Tribeca Film Festival. New York. April 21-May 2. More than 80 feature-length films with such stars as Kevin Spacey, Colin Farrell, Cameron Diaz, and Jessica Alba. Also, a family festival street fair.

212-941-2400; www.tribecatilm.cornifestival. 4. Historic Garden Week in Virginia. April 17-25. Major cities and rural areas.

More than 200 of the commonwealth's most beautiful private homes, gardens, and historic landmarks will open their doors and gates for public tours. 804-644-7776; wwwvagardenweek.org. 5. New Hampshire Jewish Film Festival. Concord, Nashua, Hanover and Manchester.

April 10-18. International and domestic feature films dedicated to highlighting culture and history. Some premieres. 603-627-7679; wwwjewishnh.org. 6.

Rhode Island Green Fest. Providence, R.I. April 17-18. Find green solutions for sustainable living. Renewable energy exhibits and organic vendors and products.

631-734-5894; www.rhodeislandgreentest.com. 7. Bel Sugar Maple Festival. Bellbrook, Ohio. April 15-18.

Bluegrass music, a bicycle race, dog show, and lots of family activities will celebrate the town's maple heritage and history. 937-862-9305; www.sugarmaplefestival.com. 8. Redbud Weekend. Berkeley Springs, W.Va.

April 16-18. Guided walks and family activities that show off trees brimming in pinkish-purple hues. 304-258-1022; wwwwvcommerce.orgitravelitravelplannerie ventiredbudweekend5224default.aspx. 9. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer Exhibit.

Hartford, Conn. March 31-July 5. Pop culture artifacts related to the literary character will be on display at the Mark Twain House and Museum. Guests can dress like characters from the book. 860-247-0998; www.marktwainhouse.org.

10. Patriot's Day. Boston. April 19. See a reenactment of battles and Paul Revere's famous ride, ceremonies, exhibitions, historic displays, and performances.

And the Boston Marathon. 617-536-4100; www.nps.govirnimaipatriots-day.htm. Erica Lamberg ings on European cruises this spring. An 11-night Mediterranean cruise departing April 24 aboard the Disney Magic, which sails round-trip from Barcelona and makes seven port calls in four other countries Tunisia, Malta, France, and Italy is now priced starting at $999 per person double plus $61 taxes for a Category 12 inside stateroom; brochure rate was $2,549. Similar savings are being offered on a 10-night Mediterranean cruise departing from Barcelona on May 5.

A 14-night transatlantic cruise from Port Canaveral, to Barcelona is now $699 a person plus $50 taxes. Info: 1-888-325-2500, www.disneycruise.com. Honua Kai Resort Spa on Maui's Kaanapali North Beach has discounted its rates by 35 percent through June 10. Rates, after discount, start at $285 per night plus $33 taxes for an Ohana suite with resort view (a saving of about $100); the suite includes a full kitchen and balcony. One-bedroom suites start at $318 plus taxes.

The newly opened resort is about 50 minutes from Maui's main airport at Kahului. Info: 1-888-718-5789, www.honuakaimaui.com. The Hyatt Regency Curacao Golf Resort, Spa and Marina, scheduled to open April 20, is offering introductory rates. Nightly rate for a resort-view room starts at $199, plus about $42 taxes and fees, for stays through Dec. 22.

The new 350-room resort is at Santa Barbara Plantation, a community on the southeastern side of Curacao. Info: 1-800-554-9288, www.curacao.hyatt.com. Jolly Beach Resort Spa, an all-inclusive property on the Caribbean island of Antigua, is taking 30 percent off stays through April 15. The Escape for Winter rates start at $218 a couple per night for a Supersaver room (typically $312) and $274 for a twin standard (usually $392). Price includes all meals, house-brand beverages, service charges, and taxes.

Book by Wednesday. Info: 1-866-905-6559, South African Airways is offering a six-night Cape Town Luxury package starting at 81,999 per person double plus 8170 taxes. The trip includes round-trip airfare on South African Airways from Washington Dulles; four nights at the 15 on Orange boutique hotel in Cape Town; two nights' lodging at Rijk's Country House, on Rijk's Wine Farm near Tulbagh; transfers; eight meals; hotel taxes; and a wine estate tour with wine tasting. Lowest prices apply for travel through May 31 and Aug. 15-Oct.

31. Book by calling 1-888-722-4872 (trip details at Forever Resorts is having a sale on June houseboat rentals at nine of its marinas in California, Nevada, Arizona and Missouri. With the Double Up special, get up to 35 percent off regular rates and a matching fuel credit. For example, a four-day rental of a 59-foot Deluxe houseboat at Antelope Point Marina on Lake Powell, ordinarily runs with the deal, you get $250 off plus $250 for fuel. Add $239 in taxes.

The boats sleep 10 to 12 passengers and have full kitchens, sun canopies, waterslides, and outdoor grills. Training is provided. Book by Wednesday for departures from June 11 to 18; there's a four-day minimum stay. Info: 1-800-255-5561, www.foreverhouseboats.com. Air Qantas is offering sale fares on flights to Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.

For example, a round-trip ticket from Newark to Sydney in mid-May would cost 81,088, including all fees and taxes. Purchase by Wednesday for travel through Sept. 21; blackout dates are June 9-July 23. Other airlines are matching, but Qantas allows two stopovers at 8150 each. Info: 1-800-227-4500, www.gantas.com.

Sea Disney Cruise Line is offering say On This Page Next Sunday: Senior Traveler April 11: Online Traveler April 18: Game Traveler With the Spring for Less deal, the PGA National Resort Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, is offering 50 percent off regular rates. Oceania Cruises is offering more than $1,000 off per couple on sev Cuddle with a canine at Osaka's Dog Mind Cafe RUSSIA HOKKAIDO I Sapporo 300 CHINA Ak MILES 0 NORTH KOREA a SOUTH KOREA of Sea Japan JAPAN Going to the Dogs The Dog Mind Cafe is in the IMP building, next to Osaka Castle Park. It is near the Kyobashi (JR) train and subway station. VVeb site (Japanese): www.kenkenbo.com The Cat Time Cafe is in the American Amerika-Mura district of Osaka. You can get there from the Shinsaibashi Station on the Midosuji line.

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SHIKOKU KYUSHU Pacific Ocean The Philadelphia Inquirer OM DARRON DAVIES For The Inquirer At the Cat Time Cafe in Osaka's ritzy Shinsaibashi shopping district, there are up to 18 cats, some common, some exotic, to play with. mess is replaced by a deeper understanding. These dogs are well-trained and well-groomed. It is lovely to simply interact with animals. During my 10-day vacation in Osaka, I have been cramped in an apartment called a weekly mansion jostled by crowds, and removed from nature by so much concrete.

How much nature do these dogs experience, I wonder. How often are they walked outside? Do they exist for human entertainment a fad criticized by Japanese animal-welfare groups? I think of all the joys that dogs have brought me. And I look at the young girl again. She is checking the menu and carefully and thoughtfully playing with the dogs. What inner journey is she experiencing? I look at her monogrammed socks.

They spell: "Love. The change of the times." sweaters, and all manner of doggie sweets. Many of these items are for sale in the adjacent shop. Each dog, it turns out, is also for sale, with prices reaching into the thousands of dollars. What strikes me, however, is how pleasant this experience is.

Time slows down, I enjoy the license to interact with dogs. Some dogs come toward me, others jump and rest on my knee. It is fascinating to feel how my mood changes. Perhaps the study by Azabu University in Sagamihara, southwest of Tokyo, is right levels of oxytocin hormone, known as the cuddle hormone, can increase when you interact with dogs. My initial perception this is another example of Japanese quirk Don't fret, feline fanciers; cat cafes are numerous DOG CAFE from Ni mance.

From a Western perspective, it may all seem very strange, but it is curiously normal in Japan. In a country where so many people are crammed into high-rise apartment buildings, interaction with animals takes on a new significance. And dog ownership is on the rise. Japan has more than 9.6 million pet dogs, ranking fourth in the world behind the United States (77.5 million), Brazil (30 million) and China (22 million), according to the Humane Society of the United States and mapsofworld.com. The young girl moves on from the bull terrier to play with other dogs.

A couple chats while enjoying the dogs that approach them. A man dozes in a corner a sight quite common in Japan a tiredness born of long working hours. The girl consults a "menu" detailing the personality of each dog. The bull terrier, called Teng Teng, is said to be the most popular dog. Supposedly, he always looks the same, doesn't smile, is even-tempered yet you never quite know what he is thinking.

There's Furfa, a black poodle, said to have a funny face; Yuma, a light-brown poodle, said to be very popular, with big blue eyes and a charming personality; and Denim, one of the two shih tzus, said to be handsome and strong-willed. Customers hunt out the dogs an exercise that reminds me of anime trading cards, except the characters are real perhaps too real at times. It is interesting to see how quickly staffers react to a dog that barks, setting off others, or ones that do you know what. I can't tell whether this is a health-and-safety issue or a quirkiness that denies the reality of animals, pushing them toward cuteness, denying the fact that dogs will be dogs. Off to the side of the cafe, a couple enjoys a $10 coffee-and-cake service.

This is usually a brewed coffee, or latte or cappuccino, served in delicate china cups, with containers of sugar and cream. The cake is a rectangular slice of light sponge cake, such as green-tea cake, which is popular and tasty. In this sitting area, you can read Dog Fan magazine and page through photo books celebrating dog ownership in Japan from artistic monographs to quirky and eccentric books. You also can look over all sorts of accessories, such as jeweled harnesses, dog-carrying bags, cute dog the wood-paneled room. A staffer reprimands a mischievous cat for jumping on a table.

The only other man in the cafe teases a cat with a feathered wand he has rented for $2. Customers consult a wall chart detailing cat characteristics: Kiara, a Norwegian Forest cat, with beautiful, textured fur, is said to be kind. You can buy small packets of cat food for about $3, but there's a limit of 10 packs a day for each cat. 'IWo women lounging in beanbags say how relaxing it is, while others flip through photo books. One woman wears a fluorescent T-shirt with cat faces; another wears socks decorated with cat drawings.

I open the customer notebooks. There are cute drawings of cats, praises in Japanese, and one carefully written English comment: "My cat is an angel from heaven above with sandpaper kisses and a heart full of love." Yes, cat lovers, there are Cat Cafes in Japan about 100 (far outnumbering the dozen or so Dog Cafes), including the Cat Time Cafe in the ritzy shopping district of Shinsaibashi. The cafes are often busy, and the number of customers is limited. You remove your shoes, put on slippers and wash your hands. Then you can play with up to 18 cats, ranging from traditional breeds to the more exotic, such as the Russian Blue with its plush, blue-gray coat and usually green eyes, or the Cornish Rex with its slim neck, egg-shaped head, and wavy fur.

The customers mostly female during my visit pet cats, take photos with cell phones, relax in beanbags, sip drinks such as green tea cappuccino, and nibble cat-shaped biscuits. A coffeeand-cake set, with an hour's access, costs about 812. Cats are everywhere: dozing on benches, sitting in enclosures, perched on ledges, playing with scratch poles. Relaxing classical music sets the mood in -7-, 'L. 11 1 1 1 0 01 1 In A 1.I.11 PIM i.

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The bull terrier is said to be the most popular. Dogs sit on benches, waiting to play..