Open to professional travel writers who have published a minimum of two major magazine articles within the last 18 months. A list of publication credits must accompany the application, along with two qualifying clips. Travel Classics Contest Winners need not send qualifying clips.

Attendee and guest payments are due in full by March 1, 2006,
and are payable to:

The cost for three nights, refreshments, all scheduled meals, and Thursday night's gala dinner at the Castle is $450/single, $525/double, plus the following taxes: state and local occupancy taxes 10.5%; porterage $13. total per person (check in & check out); housekeeping $4. per room/day.

NOTE: The first 18 attendees to register will be guaranteed a room at the Castle. There are 32 rooms available, 14 of which will be reserved for guest editors. The remaining attendees will be offered accommodations at Tarrytown House Estate (only 5 minutes away), and will commute by shuttle to and from the Castle. Accommodations for attendees staying at Tarrytown House Estate are $400 and $500 respectively, plus prevailing taxes and gratuities.

Attendees who live in the area and prefer to commute from home will be charged an all-inclusive fee of $75 per day, payable to the Castle on the final day.

Availability at the Castle and/or Tarrytown House Estate is guaranteed upon receipt of conference fee to Travel Classics. A deposit of $200 per attendee is required by the Castle, on or before March 1, in order to hold your room reservation. Major credit cards are accepted. Once your registration is confirmed by Travel Classics, you will be sent a special web link to the Castle where you can make your room deposit online.

Payment to the resort is expected at time of departure; major credit cards are accepted.

A brochure and directions to the Castle will be mailed with your confirmation letter, along with a form to complete for your bio in the conference program.

Sign-up for workshops and one-on-ones will begin on-line, May 1.

Please enclose a copy of your completed application with your check payable to Travel Classics.

Please note that due to the selectivity of this conference, a nonrefundable $200 deposit is required at the time of registration for all accepted attendees. The deposit will be applied to the appropriate conference fee or returned immediately if the applicant is not accepted.

A charge of $525 for a non-participating spouse or friend will be applied to the attendee's conference fee to cover guest expenses, such as meals and activities, not picked up by the accommodations fee.

We are working with American Airlines on a media saver rate for flights into New York airports. These discounts, if available, will be posted shortly.

It is a 15-minute cab ride from the Westchester/White Plains Airport to the Castle. From New York's Laguardia Airport, the ride is 40 minutes. Travel Classics will make every effort possible to help attendees with carpool arrangements in order to reduce ground transportation fees.

Before Dec. 1, 2005: full refund, including $200 deposit
Before March 1, 2006: full refund, less the $200 deposit
After March 1, 2006: full refund, less the $200 deposit and $75 cancellation fee
After March 15, 2006: NO REFUNDS GIVEN

Travel Classics is not liable for nonrefundable airline tickets or any other related expense incurred by the participant.

It is the responsibility of the participant to be on time for scheduled tours, events and programs. No refunds or substitutes will be given for missing any scheduled meals.

Travel Classics is happy to negotiate special meal, accommodation, and transportation rates for conference attendees, speakers, and guests. Travel Classics is also pleased to work with tourism sponsors in providing complimentary pre- or post-conference trips for conference attendees and speakers. Travel Classics is not responsible for the acts or omissions of tourism hosts, change of flight times, delays, losses, injuries, inconveniences, cessation of operations, bankruptcies, acts of God and other events beyond our control. Travel Classics does not own, manage, control or operate any transportation vehicle, hotel, restaurant, or other supplier of services. Independent third parties provide transportation, accommodations, sightseeing, meetings and other services. All arrangements with such independent contractors are made solely for the convenience of Travel Classics conference participants. and are undertaken at the risk of the Travel Classics participant. All Travel Classics participants release Travel Classics and its operators from any claims for loss or damage to baggage or property, or for personal injuries or death, or for any loss from delay arising out of the acts, omissions or negligence of any independent contractors, including, but not limited to, air carriers, hotels, excursion providers, restaurateurs, transportation providers or medical providers.

Each Travel Classics participant agrees to indemnify Travel Classics and the operators for all penalties, charges, losses or expenses incurred by virtue of any act, omission, violation, or law by the participant. Participant will also indemnify Travel Classics for any reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses that Travel Classics may incur by reason thereof. Travel Classics does not assume and expressly disclaims responsibility for any claim, action, cause of action, injuries, losses or damages arising from the actions of third-party contractors supplying services.

Personal Property: Travel Classics is not responsible for any theft, loss, pilferage and/or damage to any participant's personal property. Suppliers such as hotels and airlines print and/or post the limit of their respective liability to passengers/guests.