On course: Travel briefs

Family fun close to home Q To celebrate my husband's birthday we're looking for a day trip that's not more than an hour from the Twin Cities. Here's the catch: We have two toddlers. Any suggestions for a destination that will please the whole family?

A How about a small town with shopping for the adults and a playground for the kids? Stillwater comes to mind. It's a historic river town with lots of shops and restaurants, but it also has a fine bluff-top park, Pioneer Park, with plenty of equipment (tunnels, slides, etc.) for the kids and panoramic valley views for mom and dad. It's a perfect spot for a family picnic.

Further down river, Red Wing offers the same kind of small-town charm and spots to enjoy the river. For the kids there's Colvill Aquatic Center, which has an outdoor aquatics center with slides and other fun stuff (opening June 12), along with two playgrounds, one brand new. Next to the new playground there's Discovery Garden, where young ones are encouraged to touch and feel the plants in nine theme gardens, including one for ladybugs and another for fairies.

Answers to travelers' questions appear in Travel weekly and at startribune.com/escapeartists; send your question by e-mail to travel@startribune.com.

JIM BUCHTA

Name change for airline The Midwest Airlines name is going away. Republic Airways Holdings Inc., which owns both Midwest and Frontier Airlines, said last week that it will use the Frontier name for both airlines. The name may be gone, but what won't go away are the warm chocolate chip cookies served onboard Midwest. The famous cookies will now be served on all Frontier planes, too.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Timing is everything Journalist Mark Di Vincenzo gets into the nitty-gritty of why timing really is everything with his book "Buy Ketchup in May and Fly Before Noon." The collection is about 170 pages of tips on when it's best to do just about anything. Though there are scads of other helpful bits, such as the best time to brush your teeth (an hour after you eat), here are some of his travel tips:

Best time of day to fly: noon. According to airline pilots, you will avoid the rush hours and minimize foul-weather delays.

Best day of the week to fly: Saturday. Airlines have fewer flights on Saturdays, meaning shorter lines, fewer delays.

Best month to fly for summer vacation: August. There are fewer flight delays than in June or July.

Best day of the week to shop for airline tickets: Monday or Tuesday, when airlines roll out the best deals.

Best day of the week for a hotel upgrade: Sunday or Monday, the slowest days of the week.

CHICAGO TRIBUNE

This bottle uses little space TheVapur-16 Anti-Bottle is a collapsible BPA-free "fold and go" plastic water bottle. It comes with a sport-bottle spout and a carabiner clip and is available in five colors: blue, pink, green, smoke and purple, though green is currently out of stock. It's designed for maximum flexibility and can stand when full or roll up or lie flat when empty. The Vapur makes it easy to be a more eco-friendly traveler wherever the tap water is good to drink. It takes the hassle out of wanting water on the plane or in the airport. I carry my empty Vapur either rolled up in a pocket or attached by its carabiner clip to my suitcase. Once I clear the security checkpoint, I fill it up at the nearest water fountain. For road trips, you can fill it, then freeze it, so you have cold water to drink while traveling. Be warned: The top of the sports cap is easy to lose. Cost: $8.95 or a Family 4-pack for $29.95. Available from: www.vapur.us and www.amazon.com.

CHICAGO TRIBUNE

Discounts on B&Bs BedandBreakfast.com is offering 15 percent off the room rates of about 2,000 properties. Discount applies to stays of at least two nights booked April 15-May 31. Search for B&Bs on the home page; qualifying inns feature a Book It label. Travel by Aug. 31. Use promo code BBCELEBRATE15.

WASHINGTON POST

Going Dutch in Iowa Tulip gardens, Dutch dancers and craft demonstrations are some of the highlights at the 75th annual Pella Tulip Time May 6 through 8 in Pella, Iowa. Visitors can tour the Pella Historic village, a 21-building site founded by Dutch settlers, and check out parades, Dutch architecture, ethnic food, tulip planting tips and other activities. The festival is free; some events require tickets. (1-641-628-4311; www.pellatuliptime.com).

COLLEEN A. COLES