Tourist traps you don't want to miss

(Photo: Courtesy davidspiel/myBudgetTravel)

Yes, they are mentioned in every travel guide. Yes, they're teeming with tourists. But not all "tourist traps" are created equal. Here are 10 places our audience couldn't resist. And neither should you.

The Great Wall

MORE AT BUDGET TRAVEL

• » 20 Places Every American Should See 
• » 5 Unusually Dangerous--and 5 Especially Safe--Places to Drive 
• » 10 Most Beautiful Churches 

Built between the 5th century B.C. and the 16th century A.D. to block outsiders, the 5,000-mile Great Wall has ironically become the very thing most visitors come toChina to see. From Beijing, skip the most popular section, Badaling, which can be an exercise in dodging crowds. Instead travel an extra 30 minutes to the well-preserved segment in the model village of Mutianyu, itself worth exploring. Make the 90-minute journey by taxi—independent cabbie John Ping charges $112 round trip. Book him a week in advance and factor in a customary 10 percent tip (beijingcardriver.com).

Why it's a must: It's an astonishing testament to human ambition, ingenuity, and xenophobia, not to mention the fact that its size is astounding—it drapes the mountains in sections for 1,500 miles, from the Yellow Sea to its curiously abrupt conclusion in the middle of the far-west Gobi Desert.

Eiffel Tower (Photo: Courtesy lavenderdays/myBudgetTravel)

Believe it or not, the Eiffel Tower wasn't appreciated when it was built as the entrance to the International Exposition of 1889. A "barbarous mass overwhelming and humiliating all our monuments," and "a truly tragic street lamp" are just two of the protests published before it was built. Gustave Eiffel's contract called for the tower to be dismantled in 1909, but—luckily for the rest of the world—by then it was being used as an important communications tower and was allowed to stay. Today, it's the most visited monument on the planet. Skipping the elevator and taking the stairs to the first or second floor (1er or 2ème étage) can easily save you an hour or more in wait time and leave you with a few extra euros in your pocket.

Why it's a must: Yes, Paris' appeal goes well beyond classic images, but there's also something to be said for paying your respects to the most visited landmark on the planet—and the quintessential symbol of Paris.

Pisa(Photo: Courtesy ibnelly/myBudgetTravel)

The ornate bell tower's dramatic flaw made it an engineering calamity, then a curiosity, and ultimately, an icon. The tower started leaning shortly after construction began in 1173, and the tilt got worse as work on the building continued over two centuries, with several delays and attempts to correct the problem. Blame the marshy soil of coastal Tuscany. An 11-year, $27 million restoration that removed soil beneath one side and shifted the top of the tower closer to vertical by 16 inches, or half a degree, was completed in 2001 (but don't worry, it's still leaning to one side). Most people make Pisa a day trip from Florence; it's an hour-long $10 train ride away. 

Why it's a must: Because there is nothing else like it in the world. Go in knowing that you're there for the obligatory picture of you pushing or leaning on the tower. 

Acropolis in Athens(Photo: Courtesy tsanta/myBudgetTravel)

Towering above Athens you'll find the architectural pinnacle of one of history's most advanced civilizations. The 2,500-year-old complex includes the Parthenon temple and Erectheion, the tomb of the mythical Athenian king, Erectheus. Come early in the morning—not only will you beat the crowds and the heat, but you'll get to watch the sunrise rise against the ancient pillars. Just down the hill from the Acropolis sits architect Bernard Tschumi's modern three-decades-in-the-making addition to the ancient site. The exterior of the glass-walled space, which holds 40,000 artifacts, reflects the Parthenon. One of the coolest features is the glass floor built over an excavation area dating back to 500 B.C. 

Why it's a must: Yes, you've seen countless images of the acropolis, but no photo can prepare you for the feeling you'll get when you're standing before this massive, ancient structure.

Chichen Itza(Photo: Courtesy Akwinelvr/myBudgetTravel)

The mysteries surrounding the ancient Maya seem only to heighten their appeal. Yet, there is one fact about this Mesoamerican civilization that we can all agree on—the architecture they left behind is some of the most elaborate of all of the Mesoamerican civilizations. The massive Maya site of Chichen Itza is a prime example of their structural prowess. The site was recently named one of the Seven Modern Wonders of the World. One of the most visited archeological sites in Mexico, visitors come from far and wide to see ruins such as the sacrificial altar, the stone temple of the warriors, the ball court with its incredible acoustics, and, of course, the pyramid itself. Chichen Itza can be reached by car or organized bus tours (typically about $35 per person) from nearby tourist hubs like Cancun or Cozumel.

Why it's a must: There's no better way to understand the scale and mystery of the ancient Maya.

Angkor Wat, Cambodia(Photo: Courtesy Abdul Mirza/myBudgetTravel)

Just outside the city of Siem Reap, in northernCambodia, lies a vast complex of ancient temples so breathtaking they've become a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a national symbol. In the 1960s, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy ventured here despite the Vietnam War raging across the border just to see the site; more recently, portions of Angelina Jolie's first Tomb Raider movie was filmed in one of its tangled, tree-filled ruins. The main "city temple" is a 12th-century structure that began as an homage to the Hindu god Vishnu, then switched to a Buddhist sanctuary in the 16th century. An example of Cambodian Khmer architecture, the complex has three rectangular galleries, central towers, a moat, and elaborate bas-relief carvings illustrating scenes from Indian mythology.  

Why it's a must: When a country considers a place so iconic that they emblazon an image of it on their national flag, that's a sign that it's worth seeing. Join the visitors who flock here during sunrise and sunset for the best photos of the towers.

Uluru (Ayers Rock) in the Australian Outback(Photo: Courtesy loua71/myBudgetTravel)

Located in Australia's Red Centre, in the heart of the continent, this natural rock formation is one of the main attractions in the World Heritage Site Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Uluru is a flat-topped sandstone rock standing about 1,100 feet high and almost six miles around, with a soulful, deep-red hue that changes throughout the day. 

(The site is also known as Ayers Rock, so named by the colonial surveyor who "rediscovered" the place in 1873.) The site is sacred to the Anangu people of the Pitjantjatjara Aboriginal tribe, who believe the rocks were built during the ancient creation period and are still inhabited by ancestor spirits. Visitors can drive or join a bus tour to the park from Alice Springs (280 miles away), or fly to Ayers Rock Airport/Connellan (AYQ); Qantas and Virgin Australia offer direct flights from several major domestic cities.

Why it's a must: It's the world's largest monolith and one of Australia's most famous natural landmarks. If that's not enough, Archeologist work suggests there were humans in this area over 20,000 years ago.

The Pyramids of Egypt(Photo: Courtesy SusanHalay/myBudgetTravel)

The pharaohs built things to last. That's why the name of Cheops has survived for 4,500 years. After all, nothing says "Cheops was here" like a 450-foot-high pile of stones weighing 6 million tons and covering 13 acres. This Great Pyramidis the oldest, and last surviving, member of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It bakes under the desert sun in the western suburbs ofCairo, surrounded by nine smaller siblings and the inscrutable gaze of the Sphinx. An old Arab proverb holds that "Man fears Time, but Time fears the Pyramids." Summer delivers 90-plus-degree temperatures and winter brings tourist throngs, but the shoulder seasons (March to May; September to November) promise fewer, and less-sweaty, crowds.

Why it's a must: It's a scene that mankind has been marveling at for the past 5,000 years. 

Barcelona(Photo: Courtesy Olney20866/myBudgetTravel)

Whether you're a first-time visitor or a regular, Barcelona has a way of seducing all who pass through. You have the daring design of Antoni Gaudí, whose gorgeously macabre Gothic cathedral, La Sagrada Familia, is the city's most famous tourist site. You have loud and lively tapas bars, which range from rustic spots with sawdusty floors to clean-lined spaces starring globally trained chefs—the very embodiment of the mashed-up nature of Barcelona's culture. And then you have the beaches, where you can sunbathe, people watch, and swim to your heart's content. It's all so intoxicating, you'll find yourself thinking one thing: What should I try next? 

Why it's a must: Culture, cuisine, and coastline—what more do you want in a vacation? 

Venice(Photo: Courtesy Kaeli Conforti)

Venice teeters on the edge of cliché with its lacework of canals, its domes and gilded spires, its kiosks with straw gondolier hats and refrigerator magnets in the shape of the Piazza San Marco. Postcard fodder, and yet ... Venice is beautiful. It has been so for centuries. 

To be a tourist in Venice is to join a procession reaching back to the 14th century, when pilgrims stopped en route to the Holy Land. To capitalize on its geography as the departure point for voyages to the East, the canny Venetians created festivals to coincide with the influx, a hint of the commercialism to come. Irritating, that wallet-squeeze, but one you inevitably force yourself to stomach, particularly when catching sight of the Venice silhouette for the first time from the mainland shore of the lagoon. Yes, you have to take a boat or walk to get anywhere and then there are infinite detours, but that is all part of the charm. Embrace it, and make sure you see the city as it was intended to be experienced—on foot and by boat. 

Why it's a must: It's one of the most unique cities in the world, not only for its breathtaking architecture, but for its frailty. Visit now, while you still have the opportunity.

UFO OVER DENVER

Aliens from Planet Gootan were flying over Denver this past week.

There were strange objects caught on camera flying over Denver and nobody can explain it.

Hundreds of citizens, including  Dr. Jack Blanton,  captured the images on his digital camera from a hilltop in Federal Heights looking south toward downtown Denver.

He said, “The flying objects appear around noon or 1:00 p.m. at least a couple of times a week.” The strangest part is they are flying too fast to see with the naked eye, but when we slowed down the video, several UFOs appear.

WWN contacted Dr. Susan Begley, the Director of the U.N. Panel on Extraterrestrials.  She was in Denver to investigate the sightings.  ”The U.N. has concluded that the ships over Denver are from Planet Gootan.  They  passed over Denver and disappeared into the Rocky Mountains.”

Dr. Begley told WWN that the Gootans arrived on Earth in November of 2011 and are planning a widespread attack on humans in 2015.   There are other aliens from Planet Zeeba that are here to help humans defeat the Gootans.

“But the battle has become.  Alien warriors from both planets are setting up their operation bases.  The  U.N. is in working with the Zeebans to prepare for the massive Gootan invasion.”

Aviation experts and the U.S. government have denied that the UFOs over Denver were from Gootan, and they are even denying that they are UFOs.

“The U.S. government and world governments are covering up the alien invasion.  They do not want to alarm citizens of the world.  But the alien invasion is well underway and the ‘final battle’ is only years away,” said Dr. Begley.

Here’ s the local Denver report of the UFO:

Dental Tourism

DentalSea Clinic is situated in the heart of the beautiful resort island of Phuket.
You will notice the difference the moment you walk in. We aim to be different from any other dental clinic, and we are told we are.

Within a pleasant and relaxing atmosphere, you can find some of the most advanced dental facilities in Thailand - and some of the most committed surgeons and staff.
Enthusiastic and experienced at home and abroad, our general and specialist dentists are committed to offering you a wide range of high-quality and affordable dental services.


Fear not

We aim to offer you dental care without the tension one usually associates with dentists. Professional and caring dentists, friendly staff, state-of the-art technology and calming atmosphere all join to work for your dental health and mental piece of mind.
Learn
Do you know that you could avoid future visits to the dentist by following simple rules for dental health? Most dental conditions are caused by poor oral hygiene and are easily preventable. It is our commitment not only to cure you, but to teach you how to take better care of your teeth in the future. Our dentists will provide you with personalized advise and show you brushing techniques that make it much less likely that you will need to spend long hours at the dentists in the future, and ensure that you can smile with confidence - and pride

Relax

Even if the main reason for coming to Phuket is dental treatment, you will have much time remaining for enjoying the charms of Phuket and Thailand. Between visits to our practice you can relax at the beach, take a boat to one of the surrounding islands, admire the underwater world by snorkeling or scuba diving, enjoy bargain shopping, surrender to the mouth-watering Thai cuisine (be careful with the chilli), and, whatever you are doing, and wherever you go, indulge in the overwhelming hospitality of the Land of Smiles.


Virtually unknown until just a few years ago, the terms ‘medical tourism’ and ‘dental tourism’ are rapidly becoming familiar to most households in many first-world countries. The describe the increasingly popular practice of travelling to another country to obtain health care.

Some have said that medical tourism first emerged in ancient Greece, where people travelled from afar to seek treatment by the father of medicine, Herodotus. More recently, in the 20th century wealthy patients from developing countries would travel to first-world countries such as the USA or Germany for treatment.

However, nowadays the term ‘medical tourism’ is exclusively associated with patients travelling to “less developed” countries, such as Thailand, India, Hungary, Costa Rica, etc., which offer not just low-cost and high-quality treatment but also the opportunity of combining it with a holiday in a popular tourist destination.


Factors that have contributed to the growth of medical tourism include:

·        The development in recent years by less-developed countries of high-quality, cutting-edge health care service industries, with many doctors trained overseas;

·        Medical facilities have been built that match or even surpass in quality some “western” hospitals and health centres;

·        And all this comes at a cost often several times lower than the typical “western” cost of medical treatment;

·        On the demand side, patients from industrialized countries often face long waiting lists and high treatment costs. Aging population there needs increasingly more health care, and increased life expectation has added to the demand for health care;

·        The advance of the Internet has made acquiring information and making contacts with overseas hospitals easy, and competition in the airline industry has brought down the cost of travel.


The main point is that the quality of dental treatment in Thailand and other “less-developed” countries is not only comparable to, but in some case more advanced than, what is on offer in some industrialized countries. This is due to the fact that most facilities have been built only in recent years, and that governments and private sector have invested heavily in both hardware and health education and training.

Yet another point not to be ignored is the cost of treatment. Depending on the procedure, the cost in Thailand for most dental treatments can be 4-6 times lower than in West Europe, North America or Australia. These lower costs can be achieved mostly through lower cost of setting a practice, cheaper specialized education and training, lower cost of construction and real estate, and, crucially, our belief that doctors are there to serve patients and not to bankrupt them.

Rather than undergo a prolonged treatment in your country for which you pay a small (and sometimes not so small) fortune, why not save some of the cost and still be able to pay not only for the treatment but also for a week or two of a tropical vacation for yourself and your family. Indeed, just coming to have one dental bridge made in Thailand will give you enough savings to pay for a 2-week vacation of a family of four (airfare and decent accommodation included).


Caring for your smile
Daily, from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and later

To make an appointment, call +66 (0) 7629 6682 or +66 (0) 872 775 014

AT&T Virtual PrePaid

AT&T Virtual PrePaid is a great way to stay connected to family and friends all over the world without having to carry a card.

So, whether you’re new to the U.S., traveling abroad, have family members in the military or just want to supplement your home or mobile phone calling plans, the weight has been lifted. AT&T Virtual PrePaid is for you!


When traveling internationally, it's not always clear what is the most cost-effective way to call back to the U.S. Here's a primer on what to use, when, and with which phone. Got that?

What's the best option when calling from a hotel, international residence or payphone?
To place a call from an international country to the U.S.
What about calling with an internationally-subscribed mobile phone?
How about my own U.S.-subscribed mobile phone?
What's the best option when calling from a hotel, international residence or payphone?
To place calls to the U.S. from a landline phone overseas, use AT&T PrePaid Minutes and/or an AT&T PrePaid Phone Card with AT&T USADirect and you'll likely save considerably.

AT&T USADirect access numbers are always toll free from fixed line phones. Using a local phone to access AT&T USADirect, then paying for the call with a prepaid card can be an optimal way to save on charges compared to calling with a US-subscribed cell phone, which will incur roaming rates/fees.

Prior to leaving the U.S., purchase minutes by clicking on the "buy now" link at the top of this page, then obtain the AT&T USADirect access number for the country you are going to, by visiting www.att.com/esupport/traveler.jsp
To place a call from an international country to the U.S.:
From a touch-tone phone, dial the AT&T USADirect®access number for the country you are in.
When asked to enter the number you wish to call, enter the toll-free Access Number (without a '1') found on your AT&T Virtual PrePaid Minute Verification email or AT&T PrePaid Phone Card. (View sample)
When prompted, press 1 to hear the instructions in English, 2 for Spanish.
When prompted, enter the PIN. (View sample)
After entering your PIN, dial 1 + Area Code and Number to complete your call.


Due to Government restrictions within some countries, using PrePaid Minutes to place a call may not be available from every country. Call Customer Service for international calling information before leaving the U.S.
Back to top
What about calling with an internationally-subscribed Mobile Phone?
Using AT&T PrePaid Minutes and/or an AT&T PrePaid Phone Card with AT&T USADirect to place calls back to the U.S. from an internationally subscribed cell phone.

If you have an internationally subscribed cell phone, you can save on calls back to the U.S. when traveling internationally on business or leisure by using AT&T USADirect in concert with AT&T PrePaid Minutes and/or an AT&T PrePaid Phone Card.
AT&T USADirect access numbers are usually toll free when called from a locally subscribed cell phone in a foreign country - using this service with AT&T PrePaid Minutes can help you save on calls back to the U.S.
Back to top
How about my own U.S.-subscribed mobile phone?
A U.S. subscribed cell phone used in a foreign country will always charge a roaming fee, even when calling a number that is toll free within the country you are calling from.

AT&T USADirect access numbers are not toll free when dialed from a U.S. cell phone used in a foreign country - therefore, it is not recommended to use your cell phone with AT&T PrePaid Minutes when traveling internationally and calling back to the
U.S. - you will be charged twice, once for the roaming access to AT&T's network (charged by the local network provider) and once for the use of the prepaid card.
Back to top

Those are the facts. As you can see, AT&T PrePaid Minutes can help you save while you travel the world. Buy yours today!

Best Calling Cards for Traveling

Stay connected to home and work no matter where you go in the world.
Why spend your trip looking for unreliable local calling cards, or wasting money on outrageous hotel phones or cell phone charges? Use our in-country local numbers worldwide and avoid hotel phone fees, roaming charges, and other potential complications. Have peace of mind on your trip!


Features:
Go Worldwide with One Card
Great Rates to Everywhere
Works from Hotels, and more
Accessible in 50+ Countries
Optional Auto-Recharge Feature
Card is Emailed Instantly


prepaid phone cards & calling cards!
 ABOUT OUR COMPANY
CallingCards.com is owned and operated by Universal Calling Inc. For more than 13 years, CallingCards.com has been delivering unparalleled quality and reliability within the prepaid telecommunications industry. With more than 15.4 million cards emailed, CallingCards.com is one of the largest online wholesalers and master distributors of prepaid calling cards.

Being at the forefront of the prepaid telecommunications industry, CallingCards.com has established itself as the innovative market leader and has nurtured relationships with tier one carriers helping to provide extraordinary quality and service. With communication facilities located all around the world, the company is able to provide exceptional long distance service at a fraction of the cost. With an unmatched portfolio of telecommunications products and services, CallingCards.com is continuing its legacy of leadership and innovation into the 21st century and beyond.
 OUR HISTORY
CallingCards.com has been in the business since the birth of the pre-paid calling card in the USA.  CallingCards.com has established itself as a leader in managing the domestic and International Calling Cards for the consumers. We sell the most reliable and dependable cards to their customers on tier one carriers, providing 100% Guarantee on all cards.   At CallingCards.com we provide calling cards to meet everyone's need, or your money back.
 OUR TECHNOLOGY
Experience clear calls and excellent quality on our secure network infrastructure. Our top priority is network performance and call quality. With communications located all around the world, we are able to provide quality long distance service at a fraction of the cost. We take the issue of security seriously. We use the industry-standard Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technology to prevent information from being intercepted through our network.
 CONTACT US
We have earned the reputation for providing high quality service to our customers and their needs. Our commitment to superior service is one of the highest priorities.


Contact Us by Phone

  Continental USA:
1-866-299-3937

Alaska & Hawaii:
1-800-799-2402

Argentina (Buenos Aires):
+541152465926

Australia (Sydney):
+61290372973

e pay day 2 go

Marketing Disclosure

This website www.epayday2go.com is a loan matching service. The owner has a material financial connection to the provider of the goods and services referred to on the site. The owner receives payment for each qualified lead or payment for each potential customer referral. The owner is advertising on behalf of a third party advertiser with whom the provider of the products or services also has a material financial connection in that both advertisers receive payment for each qualified sale or payment for each potential customer referral. All information regarding the products and services on this website is provided by the third party advertiser. Upon completion of your registration you will be redirected to the third party advertisers site or you will be contacted by the third party advertiser and you should review their terms and conditions and privacy policy as they may differ significantly from our own. The owner is not affiliate with the third party advertiser other than stated above. The owner does not recommend or endorse any product or service on this website.



How Much Can I Borrow?

www.epayday2go.com offers you access to up to $1000 online. You can apply directly via our website and request up to $1000. In some cases you may be funded this amount but this depends on the criteria you enter when completing an application. Underwriters score your criteria in order to fund you. However, first time loans are for typically $300 to $500.

How Long Will It Take?
The application process at www.epayday2go.com takes literally minutes to complete. The information is processed in realtime so you will receive an answer to your loan request automatically. You will also receive an email if you are approved.

When Can I Access Funds?
In some cases you may receive the cash you need today. If you are approved you can get cash in just a few clicks upon approval. It's important to be available at the phone number you provide to expedite the processing of your loan request.

Can I Apply With Bad Credit?
Bad Credit, poor credit or no credit does not affect the outcome of your application. Be sure to provide accurate information when applying.

Do You Charge For Applications?
Submitting your online application is absolutely free. We do not charge you to make a service request for a loan at www.epayday2go.com

What are the Rates?
Rate and repayment information is based on your personal eligibility for a loan and varies per customer. Rate and repayment information will be presented to you if you are approved by a lender. This information will include the identity of the creditor, the amount financed, the itemization of amount financed, the finance charge, the annual percentage rate (APR) your payment schedule, and your total number of payments.

No loan will be issued unless you accept the rate and repayment terms presented upon approval of your application. Please review the loan information carefully and make sure you understand how much money you will receive and how much you are agreeing to payback. If, once the terms are disclosed, they are not acceptable to you or you do not understand the terms as they have been presented to you, do not continue or agree to the terms and do not electronically sign the application. A representative annual percentage rate (APR) example is as follows, rates vary by state, applicant information and lenders: A paycheck loan of $100.00 for 14 days could cost $25.00 in fees. The total amount to payback could be $125.00 with an APR of 651.79%.

What's Required to Qualify?
In general, to qualify for a short-term loan, consumers must have regular income and an open bank checking account in good standing with an ability to accept direct deposits. Most lenders require that the borrower be at least 18 years old.

Do you Guarantee Loans?
We cannot guarantee that a lender will agree to provide you with a loan. Your ability to obtain a loan is based on your individual circumstances.

What happens if I pay late or not at all?
When you accept the terms and conditions of the loan presented to you by the lender, you are agreeing to pay the loan back in full and on time. Failure to comply fully, by either partial payment, late payment or non-payment of your loan may result in legal actions, additional fees as well as reporting of the non-payment to a consumer reporting agency. Many lenders are willing to work with you if you should need some help. If you have questions or need more information, please call your lender directly.

Did You Send Me An Email?
If you have been sent an email confirmation this would indicate you have completed an online application in which was presented to us. We may send you messages in regards to your online application in order to get you to complete the loan process.

SAMUDRA DEVI SCHOOL BAND ON TV SHOW

solar eclipse in Australia November 13, 2012

TRADE NOW WITH A BONUS

When a Palm Reader Knows More Than Your Life Line

“PLEASE put your hand on the scanner,” a receptionist at a doctor’s office at New York University Langone Medical Center said to me recently, pointing to a small plastic device on the counter between us. “I need to take a palm scan for your file.”

Enlarge This Image

John Hersey

I balked.

As a reporter who has been covering the growing business of data collection, I know the potential drawbacks — like customer profiling — of giving out my personal details. But the idea of submitting to an infrared scan at a medical center that would take a copy of the unique vein patterns in my palm seemed fraught.

The receptionist said it was for my own good. The medical center, she said, had recently instituted a biometric patient identification system to protect against identity theft.

I reluctantly stuck my hand on the machine. If I demurred, I thought, perhaps I’d be denied medical care.

Next, the receptionist said she needed to take my photo. After the palm scan, that seemed like data-collection overkill. Then an office manager appeared and explained that the scans and pictures were optional. Alas, my palm was already in the system.

No longer the province of security services and science-fiction films, biometric technology is on the march. Facebook uses facial-recognition software so its members can automatically put name tags on friends when they upload their photos. Apple uses voice recognition to power Siri. Some theme parks take digital fingerprints to help recognize season pass holders. Now some hospitals and school districts are using palm vein pattern recognition to identify and efficiently manage their patients or students — in effect, turning your palm into an E-ZPass.

But consumer advocates say that enterprises are increasingly employing biometric data to improve convenience — and that members of the public are paying for that convenience with their privacy.

Fingerprints, facial dimensions and vein patterns are unique, consumer advocates say, and should be treated as carefully as genetic samples. So collecting such information for expediency, they say, could increase the risks of serious identity theft. Yet companies and institutions that compile such data often fail to adequately explain the risks to consumers, they say.

“Let’s say someone makes a fake ID and goes in and has their photo and their palm print taken as you. What are you going to do when you go in?” said Pam Dixon, the executive director of the World Privacy Forum, an advocacy group in San Diego. “Hospitals that are doing this are leaping over profound security issues that they are actually introducing into their systems.”

THE N.Y.U. medical center started researching biometric systems a few years ago in an effort to address several problems, said Kathryn McClellan, its vice president who is in charge of implementing its new electronic health records system. More than a million people in the New York area have the same or similar names, she said, creating a risk that medical personnel might pull up the wrong health record for a patient. Another issue, she said, was that some patients had multiple records from being treated at different affiliates; N.Y.U. wanted an efficient way to consolidate them.

Last year, the medical center adopted photography and palm-scan technology so that each patient would have two unique identifying features. Now, Ms. McClellan said, each arriving patient has his or her palm scanned, allowing the system to automatically pull up the correct file.

“It’s a patient safety initiative,” Ms. McClellan said. “We felt like the value to the patient was huge.”

N.Y.U.’s system, called PatientSecure and marketed by HT Systems of Tampa, has already scanned more than 250,000 patients. In the United States, over five million patients have had the scans, said Charles Yanak, a spokesman for Fujitsu Frontech North America, a division of Fujitsu, the Japanese company that developed the vein palm identification technology.

Yet, unless patients at N.Y.U. seem uncomfortable with the process, Ms. McClellan said, medical registration staff members don’t inform them that they can opt out of photos and scans.

“We don’t have formal consent,” Ms. McClellan said in a phone interview last Tuesday.

That raises red flags for privacy advocates. “If they are not informing patients it is optional,” said Joel Reidenberg, a professor at Fordham University Law School with an expertise in data privacy, “then effectively it is coerced consent.”

He noted that N.Y.U. medical center has had recent incidents in which computers or USB drives containing unencrypted patient data have been lost or stolen, suggesting that the center’s collection of biometric data might increase patients’ risk of identity theft.

Ms. McClellan responded that there was little chance of identity theft because the palm scan system turned the vein measurements into encrypted strings of binary numbers and stored them on an N.Y.U. server that is separate from the one with patients’ health records. Even if there were a breach, she added, the data would be useless to hackers because a unique key is needed to decode the number strings. As for patients’ photos, she said, they are attached to their medical records.

Still, Arthur Caplan, the director of the division of medical ethics at the N.Y.U. center, recommended that hospitals do a better job of explaining biometric ID systems to patients. He himself recently had an appointment at the N.Y.U. center, he recounted, and didn’t learn that the palm scan was optional until he hesitated and asked questions.

“It gave me pause,” Dr. Caplan said. “It would be useful to put up a sign saying ‘We are going to take biometric information which will help us track you through the system. If you don’t want to do this, please see’ ” an office manager.

Other institutions that use PatientSecure, however, have instituted opt-in programs for patients.

At the Duke University Health System, patients receive brochures explaining their options, said Eliana Owens, the health system’s director of patient revenue. The center also trains staff members at registration desks to read patients a script about the opt-in process for the palm scans, she said. (Duke does not take patients’ photos.)

“They say: ‘The enrollment is optional. If you choose not to participate, we will continue to ask you for your photo ID on subsequent visits,’ ” Ms. Owens said.

Consent or not, some leading identity experts see little value in palm scans for patients right now. If medical centers are going to use patients’ biometric data for their own institutional convenience, they argue, the centers should also enhance patient privacy — by, say, permitting lower-echelon medical personnel to look at a person’s medical record only if that patient is present and approves access by having a palm scanned.

Otherwise, “you are enabling another level of danger,” said Joseph Atick, a pioneer in biometric identity systems who consults for governments, “instead of using the technology to enable another level of privacy.”

One Low, Low Price for Sun and Sand

Seth Kugel for The New York TimesA view of the beach at the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach resort in Bayahibe, Dominican Republic.

Sometime this winter, many of you might wonder: What’s the least it would cost to skip town and head to a Caribbean resort, leaving behind scarves, snowbanks and sniffling co-workers?

The wily Internet will sense your desperation (or at least your recent search for “flu remedies”) and beckon you with cheap deals promising sand and sun for a pittance.

Those packages will sound mighty good, and really cheap, but are they actually either? I certainly never believed they could be as good as promised, but in service of the shivering souls of New York City and beyond, I decided to call the Web’s digital bluff, search for the absolute cheapest all-inclusive Caribbean package — and then actually go. Any beach on any island would do. Just show me the lack of money.

I started with three sites that offer affordable packages: Groupon Getaways,Liberty Travel and CheapCaribbean.com as well as another, Travelzoo, that compiles deals from those and others. After searching and re-searching, shaving down the price as far as I could go, I declared a winner: four days and three nights for $561.86 via CheapCaribbean.com. The site of my late-October escape? The Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach in Bayahibe, Dominican Republic. (It was not one of CheapCaribbean’s featured packages, by the way — I had to dig really deep, tailoring my own vacation and playing with dates.)

That price, I think you’ll agree, is suspiciously low, especially because it included airfare, airport transfers, a standard room, meals and whatever else “all-inclusive” includes. Surely Viva Wyndham would try to nickel and dime me once I arrived. I vowed to keep the total cost under $600, even if it involved suffering.

Seth Kugel for The New York TimesThe author’s room at the resort.

It did not. The beach was palm-saturated and fine-sanded; the water, pastel-colored and just cool enough to refresh. The food was tolerable and certainly plentiful. Alcohol — this was where I was sure they would get me — was free. My room, with a king-size bed and perfectly acceptable bathroom, was maybe about Holiday Inn-level, which is better than I’m used to. Including the $14.50 it cost me to and from Kennedy Airport by subway and AirTrain, $9 in four tips I handed out to drivers and luggage toters and a $5 bottle of Barceló Añejo rum, my total cost came to $590.36, door to door. (For a guide to more Caribbean deals, see Stephanie Rosenbloom’s Getaway column.)

It’s true that I did not go during high season, and prices go up during the winter months. But I went alone, so couples and groups sharing rooms can expect to make some of that difference back. (For added savings, get a ride to the airport and put up with well drinks.)

It was also all very, very easy. My trips are usually whole-grain adventures, in which I trade discomfort and cultural risk-taking for memorable adventures and personal growth. This was Wonder Bread travel: easy on the palate if not altogether healthy.

I was met at the Santo Domingo airport by a guy with a CheapCaribbean.com clipboard and a van. (First time that’s ever happened to me in this job.) He dropped off two couples at other resorts before dropping me off at Viva Wyndham, where we arrived in about 90 minutes, just before noon. (I had taken the earliest possible flight offered in the package.) At reception, they told me I would not be able to check in until 3 p.m., but I could leave my luggage, change in a public bathroom and get onto the beach.

Seth Kugel for The New York TimesUnlimited Presidente beer was on tap.

I made a brief stop at the poolside bar on the way, gawking at the crowd of all ages, some of whom seemed to be on their second or third bright pink Singapore Sling of the day. The sun was blazing, merengue music was pumping, children were frolicking, a man with a big belly was drinking a Presidente beer in the pool. I flip-flopped over to the beach, which was protected by palm trees of two distinct heights to create a solid (and particularly paradisiacal) backdrop.

Then I noticed something odd — most people were speaking Italian. I’d find out later that the resort’s president is Italian, and that Italian tourists tend to dominate year round. This made making friends — and avoiding secondhand smoke — a bit more challenging. An informal survey suggested that Chileans made up the second largest subset, with Americans and French tied for a distant third.

I wandered the resort, investigating what was included and what was not. Massages started at $35, snorkeling trips at $50. Both were out. Agents from outside travel companies staffed desks selling excursions, also not for me. A mini-mall, and not all that mini, had shops full of beachwear and touristy knickknacks. No need for any of that. The beach was my goal, and when sand and surf and a Kindle full of books got dull, I took out a free kayak or joined a pickup volleyball game.

Seth Kugel for The New York TimesFresh doughnuts were a breakfast highlight.

Or ate and drank. That first day, when lunch started at 12:30, I was prepared for the worst. I had checked the resort’s Web site, and without booking a package my room would have cost just $80 a night. That money had to cover the pools, the beach, the landscaping, the staff. How it could also include three decent meals a day was beyond my mathematical capabilities.

Unless it had something to do with those “irrational numbers” we learned about in high school, because quite irrationally, the food was just fine. If you’re used to surviving on burned toast at hostel breakfasts and free appetizers at happy hours, this was a smorgasbord: salad bar, cold cuts, fresh bread, rice and beans, baked fish, sliced ham, a pizza bar, a pasta bar, an antipasto bar (yay, Italians!), even a “diet corner.” Coffee and fresh fruit juice for breakfast; soda and beer and wine on self-serve taps for lunch and dinner.

Sure, there were weaknesses: I’ve had better cakes from Hostess, and the broccoli covered in cheese sauce was nauseating. But the watercress at the salad bar had some real bite, the warm sugar-dusted doughnuts at breakfast were irresistible, and the pasta served up fresh by a friendly cook was surprisingly al dente. Anyone who expected more for the price, please direct complaints to the nearest mirror.

(At dinner, you could also make reservations at several other restaurants; two were free and others cost $10 extra.)

All-inclusive places usually try to make a nod or two to the local culture, allaying visitors’ guilt that they are in a foreign country whose cultural attractions they are ignoring. So painters were out hawking their bright, tropical canvases, and a store sold Dominican rum and cigars. (I actually bought my bottle at a slight discount from a grocery store in town.) The snack bar featured the spiced-up ground-beef patties and shredded cabbage that connoisseurs of Dominican street food in New York will recognize as the basis of the chimi, or Dominican-style burger. The bars served mamajuana, a Dominican drink of roots and herbs steeped in rum and wine.

Seth Kugel for The New York TimesOutdoor merengue lessons.

Dominicans are all about music — they are largely responsible for the popular tropical rhythms of merengue and bachata — so there were goofy, fun dance lessons in both genres, as well as salsa. There were also nods to the Italians: one side of the main poolside bar was set up for espresso drinks. “As good as at home,” said one Italian man I chatted with. That was delusional, but they were tolerable, especially for the bargain price of $0. The rest of the bar served sugary tropical drinks made with cheapo liquor and cloying, artificial-tasting fruit juices. But no one complained, especially when cocktails were served with fist bumps from the hard-working bartenders. (And I solved the problem with that bottle of rum, which I used to spike the self-serve Coke.)

There was also a variety show of sorts every night, the same sort of thing you might see at Club Meds or other resort chains, or so I’ve been told. I had assiduously avoided this silliness until rain on the final day drove me to seek distraction.

Seth Kugel for The New York TimesA show at the resort.

I perked up a bit at the opening announcement, which was delivered in Italian, French and then finally tortured English: “We just remember you that the show is just for adults.” Five couples were called up and seated on cushions, and then, in game show format, asked to perform tasks involving balloon-popping, sticking broomsticks through toilet paper tubes and the like, in ways I will describe simply as highly suggestive. My initial reaction was, “This is the beginning of the end of civilization as we know it.” And then I couldn’t stop laughing. For a vacationing crowd with no language in common, it was lowest-common-denominator hilarious.

I had scheduled my return flight for 7:45 p.m., hoping for a full last day in the sun, but instead we got socked with the torrential rains that would become Hurricane Sandy. Aside from guest rooms, no place was safe from the rain — even the dining room flooded. In fact, just as the staff moved merengue lessons to the indoor stage, the ceiling cracked and water poured (amusingly) on the dancers’ heads.

The resort was awash and the day was a wash. But oddly enough, I couldn’t have been happier. What had I lost? Elsewhere in the Caribbean, I imagined, disappointed travelers had paid $600 a night for some high-end room that maybe included breakfast. I had paid less for the entire trip.

Since I had kept expectations as low as the cost, they were met long before the rain started falling.