Good for What Ails You
As a result of government efforts to market Malaysia as a health-full place to visit, the Puteri Pan Pacific Johor Bahru has joined the list of upmarket hotels offering amenities for the traveler who wants a check-up with check-in. The Check-In for a Check-Up Package includes one night’s stay at the hotel (for approximately US$ 43) and medical screening at just US$ 95. This offer, valid until Dec. 31, includes a room upgrade, fruit platter, entry to a fitness center and transfer to the Johor Specialist Hospital where a battery of tests will be conducted. For more information, call 800-327-8585 or go to www.panpacific.com.

Taking Fido to Italy
For those travelers who take their dog with them, an increasing number of hotels are making said pets welcome as a way of enticing their human owners. At least four Concerto Hotels in Italy are offering amenities ― including a pet-sitter ― for guests who want to stay at a participating hotel and still see the town. The program includes bedding and food bowls as well as a special brochure that includes a map of public gardens with areas where dogs can be let off their leashes, as well as a list of pet shops, sitters, vets and the like. The hotels include the Hotel Londra, the Grand Hotel Minerva and the Villa la Vedetta, all in Florence, and the Ambra Palace Hotel in Rome. For more information, go to www.concertohotels.com.

Artwave 2004
The city of La Jolla, California, is offering a two-month-long ARTWAVE 2004 during October and November that will celebrate the visual and performing arts as well as top culinary experiences. There will be stage and symphonic performances, art exhibitions and even a world premiere of “The Scottish Play” at the La Jolla Playhouse. There are weekend packages that include hotel, restaurant and admission with priority seating and gift bags worth US$ 150. Package prices range from US$ 330 to US$ 1,105. For more information, go to www.Artwavelajolla.com.

Kid-Free Travelin’
The subject that few people are willing to talk about in public — traveling without children. We’re not talking just those adults-only resorts. In a survey by Hideaways.com, 77 percent of travelers queried said they would prefer vacationing at a property that’s just for grownups; and 18 percent said it’s okay to have children present but only under a certain age. Hideaways.com offers a number of resources for travelers looking for kids-free destinations that range from no kids to kids - only at certain times to only kids of a certain age range. Go to www.hideaways.com for more information.

West Coast Amenities
The San Francisco Bay Area Adventures in Travel Expo, which will be held at the San Mateo Expo Center Oct. 8-10, is the world’s largest adventure travel show, according to promoters. While targeted to travel industry professionals, the last two days — Oct. 9 & 10 — are open to the public. For more information, call 650-574-3247 or go to www.adventureexpo.com. Also, San Francisco’s newest access guide, “Access San Francisco 2004,” is now available from the city’s convention and visitors’ bureau. It features — for free — access details on over 100 San Francisco-area attractions, restaurants and hotels. The directory is free by call 415-391-2000.

Cruisin’ the Leaves
For leaf-peepers who want to see the Fall foliage from the luxury of a cruise ship, Royal Caribbean has launched a new Boston-based series of sailings aboard the “Jewel of the Seas.” The ship will offer one 7-night and four 10-night cruises from Boston to ports that include Bar Harbor, Portland, Saint John and Halifax. For viewing the changing colors, the ship boasts approximately three acres of glass. For more information, call 800-327-7800 or go to www.royalcaribbean.com.

Non-Stop to Oz
Qantas Airways now offers non-stop flights between Los Angeles and Brisbane, Australia, the first such non-stop service for this route. The flights are on a Boeing 747-400 and depart from L.A. on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. The Brisbane- Los Angeles leg leaves at 11:40 a.m. and arrives in L.A. at 7:30 a.m. the same day — a 14-hour flight. The return trip takes just under 12 hours. For more information, go to www.QantasUSA.com.

A Choice of Luxury
A Georgian hotel and an Irish castle have paired up to offer guests a five-night package that highlights the cultural attractions of Dublin, Ireland, along with golf in the Irish countryside. Offered from mid-October through April 2005, the package includes either five nights at the Merrion Hotel, or two or three nights at the Ashford Castle, a 13th-century castle on 350 acres in County Mayo. In addition to room and full breakfast, the package includes all exhibitions at Dublin’s National Art Gallery, limo transfer from the Merrion to Ashford with a picnic lunch along the way ― and, of course, golf. Price is €999 (US$ 1,223) per person double occupancy. For more information, go to www.merrionhotel.com