Travel notes

By Times Staff Writer
Published May 20, 2007

Travel-booking Web sites are starting to offer information, assistance and even discounts and grants for volunteer vacations.

- Travelocity.com provides information about "voluntourism" through organizations like Earthwatch, Cross-Cultural Solutions, Globe Aware and Take Pride in America. The Web site is also awarding $5, 000 grants for volunteer vacations through its "Travel for Good" program. Two awards will be offered every three months. The application is due June 30. Details at www.travelocity.com/travelforgood.

- CheapTickets.com also has a volunteer vacations link at volunteer.cheaptickets.com in conjunction with the United Way of America. You can use the link to search and book volunteer vacations around the country. To qualify, you must need hotel rooms and flights for 10 people or more to pursue a volunteer project, and your group must be a qualified nonprofit.

- Hostelworld.com is highlighting hostels around the world that connect guests to volunteering opportunities. At the Backpack and Africa Travel Centre in Cape Town, South Africa (from $12.50 a night), visitors can volunteer at children's soccer camps. Details at www.hostelworld.com.

Spire to hit new heights

A 150-story lakefront tower in Chicago that would be the nation's tallest building is a step closer to reality.

The City Council has approved a zoning change that clears the way for construction on the 2,000-foot, twisting Chicago Spire.

The completed structure would unseat the city's 1,451-foot Sears Tower as the tallest building in the United States. The spire would also be taller than New York's 1,776-foot Freedom Tower, currently under construction at the former World Trade Center site.

The Chicago tower, which will be near the intersection of the Chicago River and Lake Michigan, will feature a four-story transparent glass lobby and 1, 200 residences.

Arty places to visit

The top mid-sized cities - population 100, 000 to 499, 999 - for art, from AmericanStyle magazine (2006 ranking in parentheses, + indicates cities not in the top 25 in 2006):

1. Pittsburgh (3)

2. Albuquerque, N.M. (2)

3. Las Vegas (18)

4. Scottsdale, Ariz. (4)

5. Atlanta (8)

6. New Orleans (5)

7. Honolulu (+)

8. Miami (11)

9. Tucson, Ariz. (+)

10. Savannah, Ga. (6)

Web site hunts low air fares

A fave Web site among travel writers is AirfareWatchdog.com, which keeps track of low air fares.

What's hot: Lots of stuff, including the top 50 low fares, e-mailed news alerts for your favorite departure city, a fare blog. You'll also find low-fare lists from smaller airports.

What's not: If you want to buy, you'll be linked to other sites.

Compiled from the Associated Press, Chicago Tribune and Los Angeles Times

[Last modified May 18, 2007, 14:50:53]