TRAVEL LOG

Vegas, baby, for New Year’s? It’s not too late

There’s still time to book Las Vegas for New Year’s Eve, and you may be pleasantly surprised by the rates.

Prices for shows and rooms are, on average, running the same as last year’s, when they were unusually low because of the post-Sept. 11 downturn, according to surveys by Anthony Curtis’ Las Vegas Advisor newsletter. It also reported that, as of late November, more hotels had rooms available for this New Year’s Eve than for last.

“It’s really been a slow comeback for Las Vegas in general,” Curtis said.

In some cases, the lowest available New Year’s Eve room rates were lower than last year’s, the surveys found: $375 versus $549 for one night at the Venetian, $514 versus $658 for two nights at the Hard Rock. (These prices may have since changed.)

In November, 77 of 86 hotels surveyed said they still had rooms available for New Year’s Eve.

Snow Summit, Bear Mountain offer dual ticket

The Snow Summit ski resort’s acquisition of rival Bear Mountain means changes for travelers to Big Bear Lake this season. The biggest one is a new lift ticket policy.

Skiers and snowboarders buy one lift ticket that provides access to both resorts, which are a couple of miles apart; there are free shuttles. The new policy applies to the entire 2002-2003 season except holiday periods and Saturdays in January and February, when dual tickets will be limited to avoid crowding.

Regular-season daylong lift tickets will be $14 for children 7 to 12, $35 for ages 13 to 19 and $43 for ages 20 and up. (Holiday period rates are higher.) Prices are up $1 to $4 from last season, depending on the ticket.

Bear Mountain has reconfigured its slopes, shops and dining to be more youth-oriented. With additions in jumps and rails, the emphasis is on freestyle skiing and snowboarding. Snow Summit, meanwhile, is being marketed as a family resort emphasizing traditional downhill skiing and boarding. The resorts, now known as the Big Bear Mountain Resorts (www.bigbearmountainresorts.com), opened for the season on Thanksgiving. Snow Summit information (909) 866-5766, Bear Mountain information (909) 585-2519.

-- Craig Nakano

Caution advised for Americans visiting Kenya

The State Department urged Americans visiting Kenya to “remain vigilant, particularly in public places frequented by foreigners,” after a car bomb Nov. 28 killed at least 16 people at a hotel frequented by Israeli tourists near Mombasa. It stopped short of warning against travel to the African nation.

Australia went further, advising its citizens Nov. 29 to “defer nonessential travel to Kenya” because of “the risk of terrorist attacks against Western interests.”

Traveler’s note

Windstar Cruises will move its Wind Star ship from the Caribbean to sail a Tahiti itinerary starting Jan. 24 after the Wind Song, which plied the route, was damaged in a fire near Bora-Bora. All 127 passengers, mostly Americans, were rescued last week without injury after a blaze ignited in the engine room.

DEAL OF THE WEEK

See three Asian cities in 11 days

You can visit three top tourist destinations in 11 days on the “Glistening Cities of Asia” package from San Francisco-based Natrabu Indo-America Travel Inc. For $1,499 per person, double occupancy, you get round-trip fare on Singapore Airlines from Los Angeles or San Francisco, plus intercity flights; three nights’ lodging each in Hong Kong, Singapore and Bangkok; half-day tours in Hong Kong and Bangkok; and admission to various attractions. Airport departure taxes (about $85 per person) and most meals are extra. (800) 628-7228, www.natrabu-usa.com.

FREE FOR THE ASKING

Monthly guide to London doings

Get a jump on your next London visit with the “London Planner,” a guide issued each month that lists shows, events and exhibitions and gives tips on getting around, shopping and other activities. Contact the British Tourist Authority, (877) 899-8391.