Hope of gas tax holiday dies in Congress – KFSN
7/19/2008 WASHINGTON — The political vision of a summer gas tax holiday died a quick death in Congress, losing to a view that federal excise taxes on gasoline and diesel fuel will have to go up if they go anywhere. Despite calls from the

How to beat the rip-offs on holiday – Times Online
Holidaymakers will continue to be ripped off this summer in spite of calls by the European Commission to slash text and internet download rates by up to half or more. Viviane Reding, the EU telecoms commissioner said the cost of using the internet or

Tom Richmond: MPs all going on a summer holiday – barring a crisis – yorkshirepost
THERE was a forthright exchange in the corner shop the other day as I picked up my morning paper – and it was being reported that our illustrious MPs are about to embark upon a 75-day holiday from Westminster. “Thank goodness!” exclaimed one

Dream of gas tax holiday faltered over job losses across the U.S. – Canada East
WASHINGTON – The political vision of a summer gas tax holiday died a quick death in Congress, losing to a view that federal excise taxes on gasoline and diesel fuel will have to go up if they go anywhere. A gas price sign is shown in McKinney, Texas

Choose a time share for vacation options – Minneapolis Star Tribune

Choose a time share for vacation options Minneapolis Star Tribune, MN - Jul 3, 2008 One solution could be to buy a time share that you could trade for lodging at vacation destinations worldwide. The key is to buy one with high trade value. …

Fewer Southwest Floridians are traveling to Europe for vacation – Bonitanews (subscription)

Fewer Southwest Floridians are traveling to Europe for vacation Bonitanews (subscription), FL - 33 minutes ago By VICTORIA MACCHI (Contact) High air fares and a weak dollar are leading summer travelers to rethink their vacation destinations. …

“Staycation” program offers discounts to CT families for … – Stamford Plus Magazine

“Staycation” program offers discounts to CT families for … Stamford Plus Magazine, CT - Jul 3, 2008 The destinations and discounts will be featured on the state’s CTvisit.com Web site. The state is also exploring opportunities to expand the Staycation … Vacation here, state suggests New Haven Register (subscription) all 7 news articles

Wings or Wheels? Which is Cheaper for a Vacation? – WSFA

Wings or Wheels? Which is Cheaper for a Vacation? WSFA, AL - 9 hours ago But what about more distant destinations? Is it cheaper to fly or drive? WSFA 12 News answered that question in a recent special report called "Wings or …

BROWNFIELD – A Saturday afternoon blaze in Brownfield destroyed a vacation home bordering the Saco River that was owned by a Massachusetts couple.

Brownfield fire Chief Richard Perreault said the fire broke out about 1:30 p.m. Saturday at a ranch home on Riverbend Road owned by Kevin Merrill. When firefighters arrived, the structure was fully engulfed. Perreault said that the family had just left the residence. No one was injured in the blaze.

The fire’s cause has not been determined, but Perreault said the fire doesn’t appear suspicious. About 25 firefighters from Brownfield, Denmark and Hiram battled the blaze until 4:30 p.m.

-Staff report
.

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A poor economy and higher prices for fuel, food and lodging have travelers re-evaluating vacation plans, Tampa Bay tourism industry officials have learned. The key to success in this year’s tourism season will be how well the tourism industry can tap into travelers’ perceptions. Here is a sample of what some travelers are thinking these days from interviews at Clearwater Beach and Tampa.

Cyril Brown, Tampa

“I am a merchant seaman, and we call on ports like Houston, New Orleans and Vera Cruz. But when I get home, my wife and I still travel. The economy hasn’t bothered us, but we were glad to find a low-cost airline, Allegiant Air, to fly to visit relatives in Chattanooga. I just bought two round-trip Amtrak tickets to Hollywood, Fla., for $115. That beats driving, and it’s not tiring on the train.”

Stacia Wilkin and Jose Valdes Orlando

“My fiancee, Jose, and I make vacations a priority.

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AS THE air gets muggy and urban India sets off on its annual break, Vitthal Dhanage (40) sits idle in the backyard of his house. He’s enjoying a vacation too.

And it may not be much, but doing nothing is a novelty for the farmer and deputy sarpanch of tiny Hiware Bazar village in Ahmednagar, 250 km from Mumbai. “We are on mass leave,” smiles sarpanch Popat Pawar (48), who has been encouraging the 210 farmer families in the area to take the time off.

“Last year too we put away our tools for six weeks. With 12-hour power cuts every day, it’s hard to keep working in the summer.

The break helps us relax – and save water and electricity in peak season.” Many would say the men have earned the holiday.

Situated in a water shadow region, the village has never got much rainfall.

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