Page 280 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Southwest USA & National Parks

278  SUR VIV AL GUIDE PR A C TIC AL INFORM A TION  279

Senior Travelers many hotels a child can share the blind are the only for alcohol to be brought onto Southwest follows the rest of Electricity
Although the age when you are the parent’s room at no extra animals allowed on reservations – even a bottle the US in restricting smoking Throughout the US the
considered a senior in the US cost. The more expensive public transportation. visible in a locked car will land in public places. The majority electrical current is 110 volts
is 65, a multitude of discounts hotels also provide babysitting Many national parks and you in trouble. Always ask before of hotels are non-smoking, and 60 Hertz. Visitors from
are also available to people services and children’s clubs major archaeological sights photographing anything, although a few have smoking abroad will need an adaptor
over the age of 50. Reduced offering supervised activities. have paved walkways suitable especially ceremonial dances rooms, or allow customers to plug for the two-prong sockets
rates of up to 50 percent Restaurants in the for wheelchairs. The National or Native homes, and take smoke in bar areas. However, and a voltage converter to
can apply to meals, South west are Park Service offers free Golden into consideration that a fee many restaurants have banned operate 220-volt electrical
accommodations, generally child­ Access passes, which grant free may be requested. Do not go smoking altogether. appliances, such as hairdryers
public transport­ friendly, providing entry to all national parks for wandering off marked trails, as Service is not included on and rechargers for cell phones
ation, and entrance reasonably priced one year to those who are this is forbidden. Try to dress restaurant checks, and you and laptop computers.
fees, and are often children’s menus and disabled or blind. respectfully – for example, the should leave 15–20 percent
better than those high chairs. Although It is still advisable, however, Hopi people request that of the total as a tip. Hotel
offered to students. discounted flight tickets to contact transportation people do not wear shorts. bellhops expect $1–2 per bag, Conversion Chart
There are several are available for children, providers, hotels, restaurants, Apart from casinos and and chamber maids around Bear in mind that one US pint
organizations in the these can often work historic properties, and tour bars in Las Vegas, most of the $1–2 for each day of your stay. (0.5 liter) is smaller than one UK
US through which National Park Service out more expensive providers ahead of time to pint (0.6 liter).
discounts can be sign than an adult Apex verify their ability to meet
obtained. The National fare (see p287). your specific requirements. US Standard to Metric
Park Service offers Golden Age Reduced fares for children on DisabledTravelers.com 1 inch = 2.54 centimeters
Passports that reduce the cost public transportation tend to and Accessible Journeys have 1 foot = 30 centimeters
of tours entry and services in vary from city to city, and, helpful websites. 1 mile = 1.6 kilometers
the parks. Road Scholar if you are renting a car, it is 1 ounce = 28 grams
arranges educational trips to possible to reserve car seats Student Travelers 1 pound = 454 grams
various locations for travelers for children in advance. 1 US quart = 0.946 liter
over the age of 55. These Students from outside the 1 US gallon = 3.8 liters
include inexpensive accom­ US need to have an identity
modations, activities, lectures, Travelers with Disabilities card, such as the International Metric to US Standard
and meals. For around $16 The US is famous for having Student Identity Card (ISIC), 1 centimeter = 0.4 inch
senior citizens can join the excellent facilities for travelers to prove their status. This 1 meter = 3 feet 3 inches
American Association of with physical disabilities. entitles the holder to 1 kilometer = 0.6 miles
Retired Persons (AARP), which Hotels, restaurants, galleries substantial discounts on 1 gram = 0.04 ounce
offers good travel discounts. and muse ums, and other public admission prices to museums, 1 kilogram = 2.2 pounds
buildings are legally galleries, and other Relaxing in the informal surroundings of a Southwestern restaurant 1 liter = 1.1 US quarts
required to be popular attractions. If
Traveling with Children
wheelchair­acces sible you are planning to stay
The Southwest offers a wide and to have suitably in officially recognized DIRECTORY
range of attractions, theme designed restrooms. youth hostels you may Travel Safety Senior Travelers Accessible Journeys
parks, and museums suitable Public transportation want to join Hostelling Advice Colorado ∑ accessiblejourneys.
for families traveling with young also comes under this Wheelchair International/American Tourism Office American Association com
1625 Broadway,
children. However, the age at law, and trains, buses, access Youth Hostel (HI/AYH). Department of Denver, CO 80202. of Retired Persons
which a child is eligible for dis­ and taxis are designed to Foreign Affairs and Tel (800) 265-6723. 16165 N. 83rd Ave., Peoria, Student Travelers
counts varies greatly from four accommodate wheelchairs. Trade (Australia) ∑ colorado.com AZ 85382.Tel (866) 389-
and under, to under 18 years. Road crossings in busy city Etiquette and Tipping ∑ dfat.gov.au 5649. ∑ aarp.org Hostelling
Most types of accommodations centers have dropped curbs to The Southwest is noted as one ∑ smartraveller.gov.au Navajo Tourism National Park Service International/
state whether or not they enable easier access. Service of the US’s most relaxed regions. Foreign and Department (see also under individual American Youth
welcome children, and in animals such as guide dogs for Dress tends to be informal, Commonwealth P. O. Box 663, Window sights). Hostel (HI/AYH)
practical, and dependent on the Office (UK) Rock, AZ 86515. Intermountain Region, 8401 Colesville Rd., Suite
climate. Jeans may be worn ∑ gov.uk/foreign- Tel (928) 810-8501. P.O. Box 25287, Denver, 600, Silver Spring, MD
even in upscale restaurants or travel-advice ∑ discovernavajo.com CO 80225. Tel (303) 987- 20910.Tel (240) 650-2100.
∑ hiusa.org
the theater. In general, people New Mexico 6690. ∑ nps.gov
are friendly and polite, and, as Department of Department US Embassies
this is a multicultural country, State (US) of Tourism Road Scholar
visitors are expected to be ∑ travel.state.gov 491 Old Santa Fe Trail, 11 Avenue de Lafayette, Canada
aware of and respect the Santa Fe, NM 87501. Boston, MA 02111. P. O. Box 866, Station B,
customs of different peoples. State Offices Tel (505) 827-7400. Tel (800) 454-5768. Ottawa, ON K1P 5T1.
Some of the region’s most Arizona Office ∑ newmexico.org ∑ roadscholar.org ∑ canada.usembassy.
famous sights, such as Canyon of Tourism Utah Office of Disabled gov
de Chelly (see pp172–75), and 118 N. 7th Ave, Suite 400, Tourism Travelers England
Monument Valley (see pp168–9), Phoenix, AZ 85007. Council Hall, Capitol Hill, 24/31 Grosvenor Square,
are located on reservation land. Tel (602) 364-3700; 300 N. State St, Salt Lake City, DisabledTravelers. London W1A 2LQ.
Visitors are welcome but (866) 275-5816. UT 84114. Tel (800) 200- com Tel 020-7499 9000.
should be sensitive as to what ∑ visitarizona.com 1160. ∑ visitutah.com ∑ disabledtravelers.com ∑ uk.usembassy.gov
Youngsters enjoying the child-friendly environment of the Southwest may cause offense. It is illegal

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