Rudy's Favorite Travel Links

CellularAbroad: Cell Phones & Chips For Overseas - One of the most frequent questions I get asked is: Should I buy a cell phone to use overseas? Rent one? Rent a chip for my US phone? The answer depends on how much you need a cell phone while on the road. Do you go abroad for only a week or two a year? Or do you travel overseas more often? Do you expect to receive a lot of incoming calls when you're out of the US or do you just need to make a few calls a week? No matter your answer, the folks at Cellular Abroad can outfit you with the right phone or chip depending on your needs. know, because my public television crew and I use the company for all our cellular needsin Europe and Asia. Whether you need a country-specific chip (which makes all incoming calls free) or one of the new (as of the summer of '05) "Talk Abroad" chips that work all over Europe and other countries, talk to Cellular Abroad and get the right equipment for your needs at an attractive price. Use the code "MAXA" if you make a purchase at www.cellularabroad.com or tell them Rudy Maxa sent you if you order by phone at 800-287-3020 and receive $10 off a tri-band phone or a "Talk Abroad" chip.

MedjetAssist - Many travelers think a perk of "premium" credit cards is medical evacuation in the event of a serious injury or illness while traveling. They're right--up to a point. You're usually covered for evacuation to the nearest hospital. But what if you don't want to stay in the nearest hospital? Consider paying $195 for an annual membership (or $295 to cover a family) with MedjetAssist. The company will provide a medically equipped private jet to take you to the hospital of your choice if you require hospitalization while traveling more than 150 miles from home. If you only travel once or twice a year, the MedjetAssist also offers short-term memberships for seven, 14 or 21 days beginning at $69 for an individual. I always carry a MedjetAssist card when I travel, and I insist that the crew that travels with me when we're filming "Smart Travels: Europe with Rudy Maxa" do the same.

Dream of Italy, The Travel Newsletter - Kathy McCabe, a former USA Today travel writer, loves Italy. If you do, as well, consider subscribing to her 10-times-a-year, very personal newsletter, Dream of Italy--the Insider's Guide to Undiscovered Italy. For luxury travelers, the newsletter covers all things Italian. That means art, cooking schools, cultural events, destinations, hotels, museums, restaurants, shopping, and villa rentals. National Geographic Traveler and American Airines' magazine, American Way, both recommend the publication. And all subscribers receive on-line access to more than two years of back issues--a great resource for planning a trip. A mail subscription is $79 per year, while an e-mail subscription is $69 annually. Visit www.dreamofitaly.com or call 877-OF-ITALY to subscribe.

Europe By Car - When we shoot our Europe series for public television each summer, we often obtain our cars from europebycar.com. The reason is simple: great cars at a great price. Of particular use for anyone traveling in Europe 17 days or longer is the lease option that allows you to avoid paying the high Value Added Tax that normally applies to rental cars. Not only that, but when you opt for the lease option, you'll be driving brand new Peugeot and Renault cars that can be picked up and dropped off at hundreds of sites in Western Europe. Europe By Car calls the longer-term rentals the "purchase/re-purchase" or "buy-back" option, but it's no more complicated than a standard rental. The company also has very competitive prices for standard, short-term rentals. Details: wwww.europebycar.com or 800-223-1516.

French Culinary Adventures - Les Liaisons Délicieuses is a culinary tour company that offers extraordinary, in-depth, one-of-a-kind gastronomic adventures in France, Morocco, and Quebec Province. In addition to dining at Michelin-starred restaurants with deluxe accommodations, guests enjoy cooking alongside master chefs, accompanying the chefs to local markets and wineries, and meals arranged by the chefs in private homes. Intimate groups of eight to ten like-minded travelers experience the history, art, and culture in a way that is unavailable to the typical tourist. All levels of cooking ability are welcome, and custom trips are available.

www.gayot.com - When was the last time you read a guidebook that you really trusted, especially when it comes to the highly personal subject of restaurants?  Check out the Gayot guides for restaurant advice in Atlanta, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco and Washington, DC.  Or for general travel advice, as well, the company's "Best Of" series includes more cities, including London and Paris.  Andre Gayot is the paterfamilias of the series, as well as the inventor, along with his foodie friends Henri Gault and Christian Millau, of the term "nouvelle cuisine" in the 1970s.  Check this website for reviews and information on ordering books.

joesentme.com - For years, Joe Brancatelli has been one of the country's smartest travel columnists and observers. If you fly commercially or stay in hotels frequently, visit this site every week to learn the nuts and bolts of the travel business. In addition, Joe has several colleagues whose columns are worth a peek, as well. You'll find those on his home page. Tell him Rudy sent you.

asta.org - If you receive an offer for a travel deal that seems just too good to be true, check out the web site of the American Society of Travel Agents at asta.org. There you'll find information on how to reach ASTA -- you can then ask if the travel company soliciting you is a member.

johnnyjet.com - Want a link to just about every newspaper, magazine (and any other kind of) travel web site in North America? Click on our friend Johnny Jet's eclectic home page.

smartravels.tv - For information and to order tapes of Rudy's PBS-TV series, "Smart Travels in Europe with Rudy Maxa," this is the place to go. This series, rich in history, culture, and stunning photography, is 13, half-hour episodes: Paris, Provence, Tuscany & Umbria, London, Outside London, Rome, Venice, Amsterdam, Copenhagen & Denmark, Naples & the Amalfi Coast, Genoa & the Italian Riviera, Florence, Brussels.

transitionsabroad.com - If you're looking for something beyond mass tourism this is the place to find it. You can read past articles from their bimonthly Transitions Abroad magazine, order a copy of Work Abroad, The Complete Guide to Finding a Job Overseas, or follow links to a whole world of information on working, living and learning overseas.

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Airlines

Aer Lingus

Aeroflot

Aeromexico

Air Canada

Air China

Air France

Air India

AirTran

Alaska Airlines

Alitalia

America West Airlines

American Airlines

British Airways

Cathay Pacific

China Airlines

Continental Air Lines

Delta Airlines

Despegar

El Al Airlines

Excel Airways

Finnair

Frontier Airlines

Icelandair

Japan Airlines

KLM

Korean Air

LOT-Polish Airlines

Lufthansa

Mexicana Airlines

Northwest Airlines

Pakistan International Airlines

Philippine Airlines

Qantas Airways

Royal Jordanian

Sabena

SAS

Singapore Airlines

SwissAir

United Airlines

USAir

Virgin Atlantic

Car Rentals

Alamo Rent A Car - 800-327-9633

Auto Europe - 800-223-5555

Avis Rent A Car - 800-331-1212

Budget Rent A Car - 800-527-0700

Carey Int'l Limousine - 800-336-4646

Dollar Rent a Car - 800-800-4000

easyCar.com

Enterprise - 800-736-8222

Europcar - 0039-06-520811

EuropeByCar - 800-223-1516

Fox Rent a Car

Hertz Rent A Car - 800-654-3131

Kemwel Holiday Autos - 800-678-0678

National Car Rental - 800-327-7368

Thrifty Car Rental - 800-367-2277

Cruises

Carnival Cruise Lines

Celebrity Cruise Lines

Cunard Cruise Lines

Holland America Cruises

Norwegian Cruise Lines

Princess Cruise Lines

Radisson Seven Seas

Renaissance Cruises

Royal Caribbean

Star Clippers

Windjammer Cruise Lines

Windstar Cruises

Dining Discount Programs

Diner's Club International

iDine

In Good Taste

Hotel Directories / Reservations

Accor Hotels

Asia-Hotels.com

Corporate Rate Hotel Directory

Hotel Net

Hotel-UK Online Reservation Service

HotelGuide.com

Hotelopia.co.uk

Hotels.com

Italy Hotel Reservations

ITIS-Hotel - Czech Republic

Quikbook - Hotel reservations for selected U.S. cities

Hotels

Best Western

Choice Hotels International

Embassy Suites

Fairmont

Hampton Inn

Hilton Hotels

Holiday Inn

Holiday Inn Express

Hyatt Hotels

InterContinential

La Quinta Inns

Mandarin Oriental

Marriott Hotels

Novotel

Radisson Hotels

Ramada

Regent International Hotels

Relais & Châteaux

Trains

Amtrak

BritRail

European Rail Travel

Eurostar

UK Railways on the Net

Via Rail Canada

Travel Insurance

InsureMyTrip.com

Unclaimed Baggage

Unclaimed Baggage Center

Vacations

Continental Airlines Vacations

Vacation Outlet

Virgin Atlantic Vacations