Smart Travel: Travel can provide respite from stressful world

Linda and Dr. Don Overend are principals in The Travel Group, a full-service travel agency.

There is no question that now is a stressful time to consider travel. The war, the economy and severe acute respiratory syndrome all give pause to potential travelers, for business or leisure, to make travel plans.

There are, however, many areas of the world that offer normally safe environs for the traveler to enjoy.

First choice are our own domestic sites, our national parks like the Grand Canyon and Yosemite, then the countless resorts, spas, dude ranches and amusement parks scattered throughout the United States.

Next are our neighbors to the north and south.

Canada offers Vancouver and Quebec City, both cosmopolitan cities with sweeping attractions. Toronto is momentarily concerned with a small SARS outbreak.

Mexico, including Mexico City and a host of coastal cities, offers almost any diversion you could desire from golf and deep-sea fishing in Cabo San Lucas to scuba diving in Cozumel and to exploration of historical Mayan ruins in the Yucatan.

Our noncontiguous states Hawaii and Alaska are vacationer's dreams. Hawaii's islands offer beautiful beach resorts, water sports, golf and continuous perfect weather.

Summer lets Alaska show off its magnificent scenery with mountains, glaciers and unique cities as well as a wealth of wildlife. Alaska can be best explored from the comfort of a luxurious cruise ship sailing in the calm waters of the Inside Passage.

Cruises offer wide flexibility in destination, length and price for both couples and families. Right now there is considerable safety in Caribbean cruises, Panama Canal cruises, Alaskan cruises and short cruises to Bermuda and the Bahamas. These leave from and return to U.S. ports and cruise lines practice considerable security measures.

Because of the current travel cutback, cruise lines, tour companies and resorts are offering reduced prices and increased amenities making this the right time to travel.

It is also the right time to use a travel agent. An experienced agent will screen your travel for security and will be there for you if your flight is changed or canceled. The airlines or the Internet do not offer this safety net if problems should arise.

If business travel is a necessity or if your family needs the stress-relieving comfort of travel, you need not put it off. A few days away from television and newspaper war news will reconnect your family and refresh your view of yourselves, work and the restless world.