Web Site Aims To Save Your Summer Vacation

From The Blogs

What's The Deal?

Stay close to home. : The visitor's bureau in Annapolis and Anne Arundel County is launching "Chesapeake Adventures," a summer promotion introducing a self-guided walking map that highlights 33 Annapolis and Eastport attractions. There's also an online trivia contest with winners receiving an overnight trip. Details at VisitAnnapolis.org.

Fly instead of drive? : Southwest Airlines has a continuing summer sale with flights from Baltimore starting at $49 each way to Albany, Boston, Buffalo and Cleveland. All of these are fun summer destinations with nearby events like Taste of Buffalo, a huge two-day food festival in July, or quick side trips like taking the ferry from Boston to the beaches of Cape Cod. The fares are valid only for Tuesday and Wednesday travel. Make your reservations by Thursday. And keep watch for airfare sales - last week, AirTran had flights to Boston and Charlotte for $39 each way.

Or take a bus. : Megabus.com, which offers online fares as low as a $1 each way, has expanded service from Baltimore to New York. The carrier says it has served more than a million passengers in 30 cities over the past six months.

Or maybe a train. : Amtrak is offering 25 percent discount on Northeast Regional service. Coach fares from Baltimore to New York start at $48 each way with 14-day advance purchase.

If you'd prefer a scenic trip, try the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad in Cumberland. The train goes over bridges, through a tunnel and around a horseshoe curve as it travels 16 miles to Frostburg, where it has a layover of about 90 minutes. Altogether, the entire journey takes about 3 1/2 hours. Summer savings include Father's Day specials, senior discounts and half-price tickets for children on "Family Day." For details, call 800-872-4650 or go to wmsr.com.