Website Announces Cash Grants for Travel Writers

GoNOMAD.com, an alternative travel website based in South Deerfield, MA, has announced a new series of grants to help travel writers foster their craft.

Senior Travel Editor Kent E. St. John, of Cottekill, NY, a voracious traveler himself, has decided to fund a year's worth of grants to deserving writers who will use the funds to help pay for their trips.

"I've been a traveler all my life," said St. John, who writes monthly articles for the website on the many destinations he visits each year. "Travel is the best education you can get. We hope that with the introduction of these travel grants, we can stimulate writers to develop new themes and use the cash prizes to develop their talents as writers for GoNOMAD.com and other outlets."

Each quarter of 2005, the editorial team at GoNOMAD will review applications in the form of a one-page synopsis of where the author wants to go and what kind of a story they want to write. Writers should include a one-page list of published travel articles, or links to stories posted on the web. The most promising of these synopses will be culled down to one lucky winner every three months, with four recipients in 2005 receiving the $500 cash award.

"We hope to see many submissions from talented people who need this little bit of help to make their travel dreams come true," said St. John. GoNOMAD.com will have the first right to publish the destination guides, and submissions are not limited to traditional travel writing. "We are open to publishing photo or video galleries or guides done as podcasts," said GoNOMAD Editor/Owner Max Hartshorne, one of the four judges for the awards.

"We are hoping that this financial incentive will bring us lots of new talent and these new voices will bring fresh perspectives to the website. We are always looking for great new destinations to write about, and being able to offer cash awards will bring many writers out of the woodwork," said Hartshorne.

Submit your one-page proposal to GoNOMAD.com, P.O. Box 4, South Deerfield, MA 01373. Email: travelawards@gonomad.com, or fax 413-665-5006. No phone calls please.

Deadline for the first Travel award is April 15, 2005, the grant will be awarded on May 15, 2005.

Hiking with Dracula

A Tour That Won't Suck Your Wallet Dry: Transylvania for
$845 per Person!

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Feb. 24, 2005 -- Travelers sometimes simply have the itch for something new - far from the usual experience of big cities, plush hotels and overrated exhibitions. Pure Adventures, a boutique tour operator with a proven format to intimate, off-the-beaten-path tours is again offering hiking/walking tours to Transylvania, Romania.

A Dracula Tour to Stir the Blood

Quickly gaining a reputation as the most picturesque and diverse country in Eastern Europe, Romania has ample treasures to please nature lovers, history buffs and culture vultures alike. From its breathtaking Carpathian mountain range to its exquisitely preserved medieval towns, Romania is full of visual and sensual wonders. But while this country is seeing more travelers every year, it is a relatively undiscovered land. It has become an inviting destination for western visitors, and - thanks to Pure Adventures - Romanian hiking is now available at a tremendous value.

Transylvania, a focal point of any Romanian visit, is the largest province in the heart of Romania, comprising over one-third of the total Romanian land mass. Long a favorite among tourists and locals alike, it is a mountainous region populated with medieval castles, fortified churches, quaint villages and plenty of Dracula-related legends.
Transylvania preserves one of the world's largest - and best maintained - concentrations of medieval buildings.

Led by English-speaking local guides, the tours start in the capital city of Bucharest. From there, participants are driven to the mountain city of Sinaia, the 19th century summer residence of the royal family, where they can visit Peles Castle, the final resting place for several Romanian monarchs. The itinerary's highlights include visits to the 14th century town of Sighisoara and the birthplace of Vlad Tepes - notoriously known as Vlad the Impaler or Count Dracula, and a visit to the famous Castle Bran, inappropriately referred to as "Dracula's Castle." The itinerary includes scenic hikes, lasting anywhere from four to six hours. This trip requires a moderate level of ability with no packing involved. The tour includes seven nights'
accommodations in charming and deluxe inns, most meals, services of local English-speaking guides and all transfers listed in the tour material. Costs are from 650 euros or about $845 per person, based on a minimum of six hikers.
Private two-person tours can depart for $1260 per person.

Why Take a Tour When You Can Have a 'Pure Adventure?' Pure Adventures tours are modeled on the highly successful tours offered by sister company Discover France. Unlike the lineup at most large format tour companies, Pure Adventure's tours are available for as few as two people at surprisingly affordable rates with customizable features. Tours are professionally planned with local help and are comprehensive, always including luggage transfer and 24-hour emergency support.

Pure Adventures offers a great and affordable way to get to know a destination in a more personal way. For reservations or additional information, contact Pure Adventures, tel:
800-960-2221; Website: http://www.pure-adventures.com

Contact: Loren Siekman
Tel/Fax: 480-905-1235

Colorado Dude & Guest Ranch Assn. Releases 2005 Vacation Guide

Contact:
Charles Henry
Colorado Dude & Guest Ranch Assn.
970-887-3128
office@coloradoranch.com

February 24, 2005, Granby, CO - The Colorado Dude & Guest Ranch Association now has its 2005 full-color Vacation Guide available. The 2005 Vacation Guide has been completely updated into a new, larger format. The added size makes the Guide much easier and simpler to use. Individual ranches are featured in brightly colored boxes with easy-to- read contact information highlighted for each ranch. Color photos throughout the guide give readers a small taste of dude ranch life at our member ranches.

The center of the guide contains a useful chart that makes comparing individual ranch activity offerings, rates, lodging, and children's programs quick and easy. And a new pricing format enables potential guests to compare ranches within each price level so they can find the right ranch for their budget.

* Of course horseback riding (for all skill levels) is at the center of a dude and guest ranch stay, but horses are only the beginning.

* Our members are "real" western ranches offering authentic ranch activities in rustic yet elegant and modern cabins and lodges.

* Extensive children's activities, rafting, hiking, fishing, biking, spa services, and overnight pack trips are all part of a dude and guest ranch stay.

* Of course campfires, scenic jeep rides, Cowboy poets, Western entertainment, and more are also included.

There is no better time to take a dude ranch vacation. To obtain our free directory www.duderanching.info

VIETNAM - Charm and atmosphere of Hanoi in the prospering 1920's relive with the PRESS CLUB

Contact:
Brenda Ho
Press Club Hanoi
+84 (4) 934 0888
brendaho@hanoi-pressclub.com

Patronized widely by both local residents and visitors, The Press Club of Hanoi radically turned a somewhat quiet town into an ultra hip item on consumer must-do and must-see list.

The Hanoi Press Club is an impressive six storey property with interiors reminiscent of Hanoi of the prospering 1920's. A bold Indochine modern design, inspired wide ranging western menu and a stunning central location facing to the Hanoi Opera House and the Metropole Hotel are the draw cards for this unique place.

Press Club has three food & beverage outlets, Les Comptoirs & the Deli downstairs and the Restaurant upstairs. Les Comptoirs & the Deli exudes coziness & warmth yet casual enough for everyday dining while the Restaurant is more of a fine dining experience.

Press Club also offers MICE facilities with various elegant function rooms giving the flexibility to configure the space to suit all banqueting needs from simple buffet to black tie glorious banquet.

Awards and accolades
- Gold medal for fine food of the MLA Black Box 2004 Culinary Competition
- "Dishes at The Restaurant in Press Club rival any to be found on the menu in New York or London" ~ Financial Times, Sarah Murray
- Wine Spectator - Award of Excellence 2003
- The most popular dining experiences ~ Footprints Vietnam
- Best Business & International Culinary Venue 2002 ~ VET
- Best International Restaurant 2003 ~ VET
- Vietnam's premier continental dining venue ~ Lonely Planet


Media Contact:
Brenda Ho
brendaho@hanoi-pressclub.com

Website:
http://www.hanoi-pressclub.com

quotetravelinsurance.com Changes Its Name

Reports 300% Second Year Growth and Releases More Industry First Features

ST. PETE BEACH, Fla., Feb. 16, 2005 --
quotetravelinsurance.com
(http://www.quotetravelinsurance.com) today becomes squaremouth.com (http://www.squaremouth.com) and launches the latest in a long line of industry first feature additions to the site that allows travelers to compare every travel insurance product instantly, research insurance plans and purchase - all from one simple interface.

"We have taken great care to create a comparative quote engine that is unique, simple, fast and much more than just a list of products" said Chris Harvey, President of squaremouth.com. "No other site out there matches squaremouth.com's comparative tools, ease of use, depth of information or unique rating tools."

squaremouth.com visitors can obtain and compare quotes from over 60 plans by answering just eight questions. Visitors can then compare plans side-by-side, show any individual coverage benefit for all plans, check rating for each benefit and purchase plans directly with instant PDF policy documentation.

Travelers who require in-depth information before making a purchase can view a rating for every single benefit within every single policy, choose to research from 18 different lines of coverage, ranging from bankruptcy protection to medical insurance. Those wanting even more information before purchasing policies can research insurance carriers and view full policy certificates online. All carriers are hand-picked based on our own rating system and also ratings from insurance industry watchdog AM Best.

"squaremouth.com is an independent travel insurance agency that has just completed its second full year in operation posting a 300% increase in premium over year one. Each member of our team has over 15 years experience in the insurance marketplace," Matt Outten, CTO of squaremouth.com explained. "We provide quotations only for products and companies that meet our standards of excellence. If a company has made it to our list, travelers can rest assured we will stand behind our recommendations. If we ever find the service our customers receive does not meet our expectations, we will remove the offending carrier from our site and no longer sell its products."

Kevin Herlihy, National Account Manager for Travel Insured International, which is one of the top travel insurance carriers in the USA, stated, "This is one of the best travel insurance quote engines I have seen. We are excited to be a part of it."

For more information contact Chris Harvey at 727-363-3731 or charvey@squaremouth.com, or visit http://www.squaremouth.com.

CONTACT:
Chris Harvey
squaremouth.com
866-874-7226
charvey@squaremouth.com
http://www.squaremouth.com