On Course: Amtrak's USA Rail Pass available

Amtrak offers rail pass Amtrak's USA Rail Pass is now available for purchase in the United States. Until recently, the pass could be bought only by travelers who lived outside the country. The passes are available for 15, 30 and 45 days of travel. The 15-day pass offers eight segments of travel for $389. The 30-day pass offers 12 segments of travel for $579. The 45-day pass offers 18 segments of travel for $749. Restrictions apply. Details at 1-800-872-7245 or tickets.amtrak.com/itd/amtrak/selectpass/.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Shrinking carry-ons Continental Airlines has reduced the size of allowed carry-on luggage; the total measurement (height plus length plus width) is decreasing from 51 inches to 45 inches, which is in line with most of the other legacy carriers (US Airways still allows 51 inches). What motivated the shrinkage? "The driving reason is to align our policies with [those] of our alliance partners," including Delta, Northwest, Air France and KLM, said Continental's Julie King. "You want it to be seamless for the traveler," so a Continental passenger won't have to check a 51-inch carry-on when connecting to, say, a Delta flight.

WASHINGTON POST

Packages for bowl games Fall and winter seasons mean a medley of bowl games, none bigger than Super Bowl XLIII on Feb. 1 in Tampa. Sports travel company Roadtrips makes attending the Super Bowl a snap with a package Jan. 29-Feb. 2 that covers four nights' lodging, game tickets and round-trip stadium transfers for rates starting at $4,985, excluding meals and airfare between home and Florida (1-800-465-1765; www.roadtrips.com/football). A week later, on Feb. 8, football takes a holiday when the NFL Pro Bowl kicks off at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu. Fans can follow their favorite stars with Feb. 5-9 "NFL Pro Bowl Vacation Packages" from Pleasant Holidays, each with four nights' accommodations, game tickets, Official Tailgate Party admission and round-trip airport and stadium transfers. Prices excluding airfare are $1,189 to $2,575, depending on the hotel and game seating selected (1-800-837-5999; www.pleasantholidays.com/probowl).

CHICAGO TRIBUNE

See 'em while you can The Dead Sea, where water levels have been dropping, is a unique place that might not last forever. It is among the list of threatened destinations you'll find in "Frommer's 500 Places to See Before They Disappear" ($19.99), published by New Jersey-based Wiley's. The book features natural and historic sites, from ancient places of worship, to disappearing landscapes, to one-of-a-kind cultural treasures such as Boston's Fenway Park, one of America's last original ballparks.

Stars shine on Vegas The 2009 Michelin guidebook for Las Vegas has given its top hotel rating to the Wynn Las Vegas and its top restaurant rating to Joel Robuchon at the MGM Grand hotel. The Wynn earned the guide's top honor of five red pavilions, which it shares with eight other hotels in North America. "Wynn's posh playground leaves little to be desired," the guide said. Joel Robuchon's rating of three stars means Michelin considers the restaurant to have "exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey." Visit Michelin Guide online at www.michelinguide.com/us/index.html.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Celebrating winter Winter enthusiasts can learn about winter activities and more during the Winterer's Gathering and Arctic Film Festival Nov. 20-23 at the North House Folk School in Grand Marias, Minn. The event begins on a Thursday with free winter skills demonstrations and continues Friday through Sunday with winter skills and travel classes (fees vary), speakers, a film festival, a winter tent camp, a gear and ski swap, a chili feed and tips for skijoring and cruising with dogs (1-888-387-9762; www.northhouse.org).