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Copyright Elliott Publishing. All rights reserved. For more information, call (305) 453-4781 or send e-mail to us.

ELLIOTT'S E-MAIL
http://www.elliott.org

November 17, 2003

>> Inside <<

* Why Can't We Shoot Them?
* Worst Road Trips in America?
* Brand Survey - Your Input Needed
* See You at PhoCusWright
* Goodbye, Cowart
* Mobile Office Mistakes
* Stuffed Like a Turkey
* Overtaxed on US Airways

>> First Off <<

** Why Can't We Shoot Them?
It's tourist season again here in South Florida. As temperatures drop up north, you can bet the blood pressure of the average resident will rise in tandem. I can already feel it. Not that we really complain (even if you see an occasional pickup truck with a bumper-sticker that asks, "If it's Tourist Season, Why Can't We Shoot Them?" running a red light in the Keys). We want visitors. We just want them to behave. If you're reading this newsletter you're already on your way to becoming a better traveler - smarter, more informed, and hopefully far less likely to come down to the islands on vacation … and leave on probation.

>> Underwritten By <<

** DreamofItaly.com
Discriminating travelers with a passion for Italy finally have a timely resource for planning their next visit to the land of la dolce vita. Dream of Italy is a new, bi-monthly subscription travel newsletter available by mail or on the Internet. Each issue is packed with the latest news and insiders' advice on Italian travel and culture. For a free sample copy or to subscribe, visit the site or call 877-OF-ITALY (toll-free).

>> By The Way <<

** Worst Road Trips in America?
What major road trips - for example, the Turnpike between Miami and Orlando - do you consider to be the worst in the United States? Which stretches of asphalt have the most intolerable road conditions, traffic and other drivers? And, how do you get around these busy roadways (use an alternate route, fly, or don't travel at all?). Send us an e-mail and include your full name, city, and what you do for a living.

** Brand Survey - Your Input Needed
Innovation Analysis Group, a market research company, has asked readers of Elliott's E-Mail to help with a short survey. It's completely anonymous and takes only a few minutes. The issues being probed deal with airlines, banks and cell phones. If you have any questions about the poll or how the information will be used, please send an e-mail to the company. To take the survey, click here.

** See You at PhoCusWright
This transmission of Elliott's E-Mail is being sent early in order to accommodate my travel schedule. I'll be at the PhoCusWright online travel conference in Orlando on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday of this week. Will you be there too? If so, please flag me down and say "hello."

** Goodbye, Cowart
We regret to inform our readers that Cowart Fairley passed away on November 7. Many of you knew Cowart from his colorful quotes that appeared in my columns. He always had something interesting to say, or a story of his own to tell about life on the road. Cowart was also an underwriter and a member of this site's board of advisers. He was 47. We'll miss him.

>> Elliott's Commentary <<

** Mobile Office Mistakes
I recently found myself in Europe without a working cell phone or laptop computer. A nervous client back in the States needed information from me urgently. To make matters worse it was a Sunday, so there was little chance of finding a post office or a hotel with a business center. How did someone like me - a so-called mobile computing expert - get so hopelessly disconnected? The short answer is that my portable phone couldn't talk to the European cellular network, and I didn't have the right adapter for my PC. But in fact I had committed at least two of the five cardinal mobile-office sins - Nos. 2 and 3, to be exact. > Details in Power Trip.

> Why don't rental cars just sprout wings? Plus, find out where unscrupulous tour operators go when they've been nabbed. It's all on Elliott's Travel Notes.

> This week's blog entry can be found here.

>> Ticked.com Talk <<

** Stuffed Like a Turkey
The Thanksgiving holiday is rapidly approaching. What is normally the biggest travel weekend of the year will find many travelers returning home packing more than their underwear. They'll be packing a few extra pounds as well. Here are a few tips to avoid looking like a stuffed turkey come January. > Read more in Err Travel.

>> Triprights.com Ticker <<

** Overtaxed on US Airways
He upgrades to Envoy class using hard-earned frequent flier miles. But wait, what's this? A surprise fee for the privilege of sitting in the front of the cabin? US Airways insists it's not to blame for the extra charge. So why didn't it tell him about the tax? Find out. > In Fix My Trip.

>> Also Underwritten By <<

** EasyTravelAir
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** Journeyware.com
The new destination for exceptional luggage, business/tech cases and travel accessories from leading brands like Travelpro, Lewis N. Clark, RoadWired and more. Great prices, fast, FREE UPS GROUND SHIPPING on orders of just $50 or more! All with a level of uncompromising, personal service that you might not be used to getting these days (especially if you are a frequent traveler). Enter coupon code ELLIOTT and click "update" at checkout for an additional 10% off any order through November 30. Click here to order.

** All Cruise E-News
Now you too can be a well-informed cruiser by subscribing to this free monthly e-mail cruise newsletter. You'll get breaking news on all the new ships being inaugurated this year, what cruises will be sailing from U.S. ports near you, recent price trends in cruising, cruise ship health and safety inspection results, family-friendly cruise lines, and much more to ensure that your next cruise will be "just right for you." Also, cruise tip of the month, important travel industry news, more. Sign-up now.

>> Who's Reading Elliott's E-Mail? <<

* Demographics
* Average newsletter circulation - 15,876
* Last month's total unique visitors
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Total E3 Network visitors - 66,779

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