Travel briefs

Undiscovered travel sites make vacation lists

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. -- If you're looking for an exotic yet relatively undiscovered vacation spot this year, the founder of the travel club Hideaways International suggests Anguilla, Belize, Dubai, Grenada, Malta or Panama.

"These are places the savviest travelers have known about for years," says Mike Thiel, founder of Hideaways, in the Portsmouth, N.H.-based company's January forecast. "But visit them now, before the masses get to them."

The Caribbean island of Anguilla is recommended for its beautiful beaches and exotic resorts. Belize boasts Mayan ruins, a coral reef and casual lifestyle. Dubai is singled out for its blend of modern and ancient, city and desert. Grenada is noted for its mountains, picturesque towns and stunning beaches. Malta, three islands lying between Sicily and North Africa, is lauded for its rich history and dramatic cliffs. And Panama has rain forests, mountains, beaches -- and of course, the famous canal.

Weekend festival to mark Indian raid tricentennial

DEERFIELD, Mass. -- On a snowy night 300 years ago, the western Massachusetts colonial town of Deerfield was attacked by French and Indian raiders. Homes were burned, some townspeople were killed or taken captive. The prisoners were forced to walk 300 miles in the snow to Quebec.

Generations of readers learned about the story from an eyewitness narrative first published in 1707. Now a tricentennial event is being planned to help bring the story into the 21st century.

The "Weekend of Commemoration," is scheduled for Feb. 27 to 29, and will mark the anniversary of the Feb. 29, 1704, raid. Events will include an original opera, an exhibit, craft demonstrations, village walks, 18th-century games and music.

Vegas guide combines gambling, adventure

LAS VEGAS -- Sure, there's the Strip, the gambling and the glitz.

But if you're planning a trip to Las Vegas, consider setting aside a day or two -- or three -- for excursions to places like the Hoover Dam, the Grand Canyon and Death Valley.

A new book from Lagenscheidt Publishers' Insight Guides, "Las Vegas & The Desert," has everything you'll need to know to combine a gambling-and-nightlife vacation with excursions to these outdoor attractions. The paperback includes maps and information on hotels, restaurants, things to do and how to get there, as well as photographs and an extensive history of the region. Entries cover hikes and sports to gaming and discos, from the MGM Grand to Route 66, and from prehistoric American Indians to Liberace.

-- From wire reports