Save on gas if you can, or go horseback in Wales

Everybody talks about the cost of gasoline, but what's anyone doing about it? According to a survey by AAA, travelers are reacting to the higher prices this Memorial Day weekend by taking shorter trips and looking for less expensive lodging and restaurants. Many travel providers, meanwhile, are giving gasoline rebates. Members of BedandBreakfast.com in 28 states have joined in a Tanks a Lot promotion , in which they offer free gas to guests. Some New England offers:

At the Inn at Ellis River in Jackson, N.H., gas is on the house when you stay at least two nights in a room with a fireplace. The innkeepers will calculate the distance from anywhere in New England and base your gas refund on New Hampshire's current price at the pump (regular grade, at 25 miles per gallon) to a maximum of $75.

Call 800-233-8309 or visit innatellisriver.com.

Stay at the Maples Inn in New Caanan , Conn., two or more nights Sunday-Thursday and receive $25 off the cost of the room each night to top off your tank. Mention "free gas promo" when booking.

Call 203-966-2927 or visit maplesinnct.com.

The Admiral Peary House in Fryeburg, Maine, has turned the calendar back to 2003 when the innkeepers drove across the United States to their new inn, and gas cost $1.50 a gallon. Stay two or more nights, Sunday-Thursday through September, show your gas receipt, and receive a credit on your room rate equal to the difference between what gas costs today and the 2003 price, up to $30.

Call 877-423-6779 or visit admiralpearyhouse.com.

At the Victorian Ladies Inn in Newport, R.I., stay two nights Sunday-Thursday through September at the regular rate and get a $50 credit toward travel expenses. Stay three or more midweek nights and receive a $100 credit.

Call 888-849-9960 or visit victorianladies.com.

All offers can be found at bedandbreakfast.com. Click on Free Gas Promotion under Specials. The offers should be booked directly with the inns; mention the Tanks a Lot offer.

ResortQuest, a vacation rental company, is offering up to $50 in gasoline credits with its Gas Up and Go promotion. Book a four-night stay at any combination of ResortQuest's properties in 11 mountain resorts and in addition to the gas credit get a road atlas and car cooler. Stay two nights and get a $25 credit plus the gifts.

Details are at resortquest/road trip.com or call 800-467-3529 (800-GO-RELAX).

Book two or more nights with Hotels.com by July 2 for stays through Sept. 9, and get $30 back in a promotion the website calls Summer Gas Rebate.

Visit hotels.com and click on Gas Rebate.

Meanwhile, Greyhound suggests that by taking the bus, you will cut down on both gasoline expenses and road rage. Its best fares are on the Internet, with a ride from Boston to New York , for instance, costing $30 round trip.

Visit greyhound.com and click on e-tickets.

Another idea is to drive only part way to your destination. Amtrak is handing out up to two free tickets on its Auto Train for children ages 2-15 with the purchase of one full adult rail fare. The train takes you and your vehicle from the Washington, D.C., area (Lorton, Va.) to Sanford, Fla., near Orlando. Prices vary by date and vehicle.

Visit amtrak.com or call 800-872-7245 (800-USA-RAIL). Use promotion code H717.

A recent Consumer Reports article concluded that travel insurance is seldom needed. Without specifically mentioning that article, the US Travel Insurance Association has responded in a news release. For those who think their credit card, home, and medical insurance will cover their travel problems, Brad Finkle , president of the association, says, "Consumers may be surprised to learn what is and isn't covered."

As for trip interruption, cancellation, or travel delay, he says, "Consumers will find there is very little protection, other than travel insurance, that will reimburse them in case they have to cancel or interrupt a trip if they or a close family member become ill."

Consumer Reports quoted the insurance director of the Consumer Federation of America as saying that even under circumstances such as war or natural disaster, travelers are likely to receive refunds on canceled trips. The association, however, notes that airlines, cruise lines, hotels, and tour operators are under no legal obligation to give refunds, and most put statements in their literature exempting or limiting refunds. A growing trend among hotels, the association says, has been to charge nonrefundable deposits ranging from one night to the entire stay, no matter the reason for cancellation.

United Airlines is discontinuing its Silver Wings Plus discount program for senior travelers. The program will no longer activate, renew, or extend memberships.

For details on getting a refund on unused portions of memberships, visit silverwingsplus.com.

A six-year initiative to name the new Seven Wonders of the World culminates July 7 with an elaborate ceremony in Lisbon. What do you suppose those wonders will be: The Acropolis? Machu Picchu? Stonehenge? The Sydney Opera House? The Alhambra? If you would like to attend the gala, Abreu Tours is offering three- and six-night packages starting at $431 per person, including admission to the New 7 Wonders extravaganza. Airfare and car rental are extra.

Call 800-223-1580 or visit abreu-tours.com, where you can vote for your favorite wonder.

E-mails from travel sites, or most businesses, can be a nuisance, but subscribing to them might sometime s yield an incredible bargain. Recently I was notified almost simultaneously by Hotwire.com and Travelzoo.com of ridiculously low fares from Spirit Airlines on a few selected dates. Only one such destination, Detroit, was available from Boston. I began the booking process and learned that indeed the fare was available for 2 cents round trip plus $20.80 taxes and fees. Oddly, a $12 travel insurance policy was available, as was a $9 membership in the airline's discount club. I declined both and, since I had recently been to Detroit, ended the experiment there. But I was impressed, and look forward to future offers.

The Brecon Beacons National Park in Wales , three hours from London, has introduced a horse-friendly bed-and-breakfast network, currently consisting of 18 B&Bs that cater to rider and horse. For example, The Wern B&B created a three-day circuit for riders who start at its farm and stay a night at two other farms on the way. Breakfast includes locally cured bacon, eggs from the farmyard, and home made jam and lemon curd -- if you're a human, that is. Guest horses dine on locally-grown grass. For dinner, riders have local lamb or beef and the horses get hay and, in the autumn, windfall apples The Wern charges about $50 for riders and $30 for horses plus $10 for unlimited grazing. The other B&Bs in the network charge similarly.

Call 800-462-2748 or go to visitwales.com .

The ever-popular SeaWorld San Diego has added a Wild Arctic Interaction experience, beginning with a behind-the-scenes tour on which visitors see and learn about Pacific walruses and polar bears. Guests -- who must be at least 13 but need not know how to swim -- then put on wetsuits for a feeding and touching session with beluga whales. The cost is $160; reservations are required .

Visit seaworldsandiego.com or call 800-257-4268 (800-25-SHA MU) .

This may seem an odd time to be thinking about December holidays, but for those who plan ahead, Gate 1 Travel is offering an average savings of $500 per person on selected Danube Christmas Market cruises booked by June 22. Prices begin at $899, cruise only, for six-night trips.

Call 800-682-3333 or visit gate1travel.com .

When not included, hotel taxes, airport fees, and port charges can add significantly to the price of a trip. Most prices quoted are for double occupancy; solo travelers will usually pay more. Offers are subject to availability and there may be blackout dates. Richard P. Carpenter can be reached at carpenter@globe.com.