fairmont scottsdale It s hard nowadays to find a city that doesn t have a few cybercafes. Although there s no definitive

It s hard nowadays to find a city that doesn t have a few cybercafes. Although there s no definitive directory for them, three places to start looking are at www.cybercaptive.com, www.net cafeguide.com, and www.cybercafe. com.

San Diego Zoo, 2920 Zoo Dr. (& 619/234-3153; www.sandiego zoo.org), the $28-million Heart of the Zoo project will be completed in 2005, offering bioclimatically correct (and multispecies) exhibits. And at the zoo s sibling, the Wild Animal Park, San Pasqual Valley Rd. in Escondido (& 760/747-8702), a crew of seven young African elephants were imported from Swaziland, rescuing them from probable culling.

Each winter, pods of California gray whales making their annual migration to breeding lagoons at the southern fairmont scottsdale tip of Baja pass close by California shores. If you ve ever been lucky enough to spot one of these graceful behemoths, you ll understand why whale-watching is such an eagerly anticipated activity. From December to March you can view this great parade from land or sea. Recommended spots include Point Reyes National Seashore (& 415/669-1534), where a historic lighthouse offers whale- and elephant-seal viewing; Monterey fairmont scottsdale Peninsula, where January s WhaleFest (& 831/644-7588) celebrates these mammals from the Monterey Aquarium down through Big Sur; and San Diego s Cabrillo National Monument (& 619/557-5450; www.nps. gov/cabr), which offers a glassed-in observatory and educational whale exhibits.

Ask about special rates or other discounts. Always ask whether a room less expensive than the first one quoted is available, or whether any special rates apply to you. You may qualify for corporate, student, military, senior, or other discounts. Mention membership in AAA, AARP, frequent-flier programs, or trade unions, which may entitle you to special deals as well. Find out the hotel policy on children do kids stay free in the room or is there a special rate? Dial direct. When booking a room in a chain hotel, you ll often get a better deal by calling the individual hotel s reservation desk than at the chain s main number. Book online. Many hotels offer Internet-only discounts, or supply rooms to Priceline, Hotwire, or Expedia at rates much lower than the ones you can get through the hotel itself. Remember the law of supply and demand. Resort hotels are most crowded fairmont scottsdale and most expensive on weekends, so discounts are usually available for midweek stays. Business hotels are busiest during the week, so you can expect discounts on the weekends. Many hotels fairmont scottsdale have high- and low-season prices, and booking the day after high season ends can mean big discounts. Look into group or long-stay fairmont scottsdale discounts. If you come as part of a large group, you should be able to negotiate a bargain rate, since the hotel can then guarantee occupancy in a number fairmont scottsdale of rooms. Likewise, if you re planning a long stay (at least 5 days), you might qualify for a discount. As a general rule, expect fairmont scottsdale 1 night free after a 7-night stay.