Go to google and search the site "Steve's Digicam", it is the best site for camera info

Peels4, since you've got the A70 just as me I can do that :) Turn on the A70 camera, make sure it's in photography mode, not viewing mode. Press menu and the first list of settings you get called the "Rec menu" the 3 third option down is digital zoom. Make sure it's at OFF (it only got 2 options, ON and OFF). That's the digital zoom
The optical zoom is controlled by the sliding switch (that goes left and right) which is situated around the taking-picture-button (my english is failing me :) Move the slider to one side and you zoom in the other side it zooms out. If it does zoom you can hear the lens moving as well as see the lens moving and the effect is immediate on the LCD display.

Hope that answers your question.

[ Technical answer, the digital zoom simply blows up parts of your picture so it looks zoomed, but the fact is that you get less actual pixels of data with the digital zoom turned on than without. ]

I think that for traveling you want the smallest camera you can get that gives you good image quality. That's why I agree with Travelermebe about the Konica Minolta Dimage XG. You might be interested in Walter Mossberg's comparison of tiny digitals:

http://ptech.wsj.com/archive/solution-20040915.html

He also rated the previous version of the Dimage X tops at:
http://ptech.wsj.com/archive/solution-20040218.html

I actually have the very first version of this camera, which I've been using for two years now, and love it. So if the new one is a bit rich for your budget, see if you can find one of the earlier discontinued models for sale at a discount.

THANKS everyone VERY MUCH! I am learning more all the time and I don't believe it is as complicated as thought.
We lived overseas for 5 years in the mid 70's...traveled a lot and still do...so have taken "most" of the pictures I will ever need, or rather have a lot of pictures. Still going new places however,,,but am cutting back on lots of pictures, and the digital seem a perfect way to "edit' them out, on the spot. (My trusty old Canon point and shoot lost the ring around the tip of the camera last week in Glacier Park, and I couldn't find it...which prompted me to "tackle" a new digital one.) It's just not necessary for us, at this stage to spend a huge ammount on a new digital camera....
You have all given me some GREAT ideas .Thanks again!