here
VIEW THE FOLIAGE
BY WATER OR BY AIR
See the Vermont foliage from the seat of a motorboat or the basket of a hot air balloon during special packages offered by the Stoweflake Mountain Resort and Spa. The new Foliage Boat Tour Package includes a guided boat ride on the Waterbury Reservoir, run by Fly Rod Shop of Stowe, when you’ll learn about the wildlife and natural beauty of central Vermont, which has one of the country’s highest concentrations of sugar maple trees. Or soar above the Green Mountains on the Spirit of Stoweflake hot air balloon ride, a three-hour adventure that includes inflation of the balloon, a 45-minute ride, and a champagne toast with the pilot. Starting rates: $260 per night, boat package (two-night stay), and $376 per night (three-night stay) through Oct. 22. Packages vary, but both include accommodations, daily breakfast, use of the resort’s pools, golf course, and fitness facilities. 800-252-2232, www.stoweflake.com.
FAREWELL TO FENWAY’S
TOP SLUGGER
Salute Boston Red Sox hero David Ortiz and celebrate his retirement with special packages at Hotel Commonwealth, the official hotel of the ball team. The Fenway-area property will offer 34 percent off all stays, in honor of No. 34, from Nov. 18 through March 4, 2017. The fine print: All reservations must be made within 34 days of Big Papi’s last regular season game, meaning you have 20 days left to book. During your stay, check out the lobby’s new display case, which showcases Big Papi memorabilia, including a signed baseball, game-used bat, jersey, designated hitter plaque, and necklace. Discount rates start at $159; some blackout dates do apply. 617-933-5000, www.hotelcommonwealth.com.
there
COME SAIL AWAY
IN VEGAS WITH STYX
The classic 1970s rock band Styx teams up with former Eagles guitarist Don Felder for a five-night jam at The Venetian Theatre, Jan. 6-14. The show, called “Styx and Don Felder: Renegades in the Fast Lane,’’ includes Styx members Tommy Shaw, James “JY’’ Young, Lawrence Gowan, Todd Sucherman, and Ricky Phillips, and a possible surprise appearance by Chuck Panozzo. The band has created a special set list and new stage production for the show, which runs Jan. 6, 7, 11, 13, and 14. Tickets are on sale now, and start at $59.50. Can’t remember all the catchy songs and words? Pick up the new DVD release, “Styx: Live at the Orleans Arena Las Vegas,’’ which just came out last month, and features “Too Much Time on My Hands,’’ “Fooling Yourself,’’ and “Renegade,’’ among other classics. 866-641-7469, www.venetian.com/styxfelder.
SWISS MUSEUM HONORS
THE LITTLE TRAMP
Next time you visit the shores of Lake Geneva, make time to visit the new Charlie Chaplin museum, called Chaplin’s World, in the small town of Corsier-sur-Vevey 16 miles southeast of Lausanne. The museum, created with the help of Chaplin’s relatives, is located in the manor house where the father of silent films lived with his family for 25 years. Explore the actor’s private rooms, all decorated as they were when Chaplin lived here, see the Little Tramp’s classic films in an onsite Hollywood-style cinema, and wander around the sprawling parkland that surrounds the property, nestled in between the lake and mountains. Consider staying in Corsier-sur-Vevey’s new four-star Modern Times Hotel, which has 145 rooms, a fitness center, a restaurant, and original photos of the actor throughout. Museum admission: free for under 6 to $24. Room rates start at about $205 per night. www.chaplinsworld.com;www.moderntimeshotel.com.
everywhere
TRAVEL WITH YOUR OWN
PERSONAL CLOUD
The palm-sized Lima device lets you access your music, videos, photos, and other files from all of your gadgets, even if you’re using a mix of Apple and Android devices. Plug Lima into your router (using the included Ethernet cable) and into a wall jack, and then attach it to an empty external hard drive by USB. Download the Lima software to your computer, tablet, and smartphone, and you can transfer files to your Lima drive and easily access these files from any device. Any photo or video you take on your phone while traveling will also automatically upload to Lima, giving you extra backup for your media files and instant access to those images from any device. $99. Available at www.amazon.com or www.meetlima.com
GET SECURE WI-FI
WHILE TRAVELING
It’s tempting to log onto free Wi-Fi networks when traveling, but it’s also so easy to get hacked if you do. Protect your files, computer, and sensitive information by using a VPN, or virtual protected network. VPN services, like NordVPN, encrypt data that’s transferred between the Internet and your device, and hide your computer or device’s identity. To use NordVPN, download the company’s software onto your device, establish an account, and then to get online, you just log in and press the On button. The app or software will choose the fastest server to use in the country where you’re traveling, and it will hide your device’s IP address so you can safely surf the Internet, send emails, and make secure purchases.
NordVPN also enables you to access blocked sites or apps in other countries, like WhatsApp in Brazil, or Facebook in Vietnam, by making it appear as if you are in the United States, for instance. Cost: $5.95 per month for annual plan to $11.95 per month for month-by-month plan for up to six devices. www.nordvpn.com.
KARI BODNARCHUK
