The Post's Travel Section Flight Crew will take your comments, questions, suspicions, warnings, gripes, sad tales and happy endings springing from the world of ... the world. Of course, the Flight Crew will be happy to answer your travel questions -- but the best thing about this forum, we insist, is that it lets travelers exchange information with other travelers who've been there, done that or otherwise have insights, ideas and information to share. Different members of the Crew will rotate through the captain's chair every week, but the one constant is you, our valued passengers.
We know you have a choice in online travel forums, and speaking for the entire Flight Crew, we want to thank you for flying with us.
The Flight Crew, from left: John Deiner, Carol Sottili, Steve Hendrix, Anne McDonough, Gary Lee, K.C. Summers, Cindy Loose, Andrea Sachs.
(Melissa Cannarozzi - for The Post)
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You may also browse an archive of previous live travel discussions and a list of frequently asked questions.
The transcript follows.
Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.
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Cindy Loose: Welcome to our weekly travel chat. We are missing one crucial player--Gary Lee--but the rest of us are here, including K.C. Summers, John Deiner, Andrea Sachs, Carol Sottili, Ann McDonough, Steve Hendrix and me, your captain today, Cindy Loose.
We'll answer whatever questions we can and throw the rest to you, but also feel free to chime in even on those questions we've answered.
I learned today that the online travel company Site59 surveyed its past customers and found that while 89% are planning to take a summer vacation, but 95% hadn't booked anything yet. The most frequent reason given for procrastinating: "waiting to be inspired."
So help inspire us: what makes a a great summer vacation--share you thoughts either on the elements that make a great summer vacation, or specific places you've loved. We have to give away two picture books on the best hiking and the best walking trails in the world. If I say you've won them you have to send me your address at loosec@washpost.com so I can send. Let's go.
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Newton, Mass.:
We would like to visit Scotland, northern England and Ireland. What is holding us back is driving on the left side. We have toured several countries by car, recently northern Italy.
Can you recommend a tour group that would accomodate us. Or is this something we could do by train, ferry, etc.? Is it possible to hire a driver?
Cindy Loose: First off, once you have a car with the driver's seat on the left, driving on the left becomes quite natural. However, if you don't want to take that on, I'd say go by public transport. Train travel is quite convenient in Britain. Find fares and such at www.raileurope.com.
I'd guess that hiring a driver would be relatively expensive, especially since the driver would have to pay for hotels and meals away from home. You could also of course do a tour group, but that will be a quite different sort of trip. If you have the time to plan, I'd suggest going by train. In fact, how about doing a train for the long distances, and hire a car for short jaunts around town, on small roads.
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Rehoboth Beach, Del.:
Hi, We will be going to Philadelphia for a Sunday thru Tuesday morning 60th birthday celebration in May. Do you have any suggestions for a downtown hotel that is "modestly" priced? We want to hear some good jazz and check out the art museums, and maybe do the chefs' tour of the italian markets; any other suggestions?
John Deiner: Hey, Rehoboth. I'm assuming the Clicksters will have a lot more suggestions, but I stayed a few weeks ago at the downtown Marriott, across from Reading Terminal Market, and it rocked. Very nice property, and it had a weekend rate of $129 a night, which seemed more than reasonable.
Any more suggestions on hotels and things Rehoboth should check out?
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Takoma Park, Md:
I am interested in taking a biking trip through Vietnam but am a bit concerned about the avian flu. Have you heard anything about health warnings regarding vietnam and do you have advice on visiting there?
Cindy Loose: There is an avian flu problem in Vietnam--you can get the details at www.cdc.gov, and at the World Health Organization site--that one you'll have to do a google search since I don't remember by heart. I think you have to make your own studied judgement--it's still rare, but then again, usually fatal. As of last report I saw last month, 10 people got it in Vietnam, and eight died.
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Washington, D.C.:
Good afternoon! I went to Vancouver, BC about 3 years ago and loooved it!! I HIGHLY recommend it for a summer vacation. You have the ocean, mountains, wildlife and a beautiful city all at your disposal. There are great places to hike, mountainbike, see nature at it's best, shop...whatever you want to do... plus, the temperature is marvelous AND the exchange rate is in your favor.
Cindy Loose: Thanks--one of my favorite spots, too.
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Washington, D.C.:
Question- What are airlines' rules for getting people to their final destination? I ask because a few weeks ago i was flying back from phoenix and delta refused to consider putting me on another airline, either in phoenix or in atlanta, saying weather-related problems do not justify sending me to another airline. so, after missing my connection in atlanta that night, i was told the earliest i could get back to reagan was tuesday morning, and no, i couldn't fly back on another airline. so, at 3:00 AM monday morning, i rented a car and drove home from atlanta. what was one to do (the stand-by line for Reagan, Dulles and BWI were over 50 people each, and ranked by FF miles and ticket price)?
Andrea Sachs: Sadly (and we feel your pain, really), airlines are not required to place you on another airline if the delay is not their fault--meaning if Mother Nature is to blame, you are out luck (vs. mechanical or labor related). If, however, you paid for a higher priced ticket, they might try to find you an earlier flight. But those who pay least, leave last.
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Response to Rehoboth Beach, Del:
For the Rehoboth clickster going to Philadelphia, why don't you try using priceline to book a hotel at a decent rate? I used priceline and filtered my searches on 4+ star hotels for a rate of $60-70 when in Atlanta, GA and was given a hotel stay at the Westin.
John Deiner: You bagged a Westin? Nice. And a good idea, to boot. Priceline isn't for everyone, though, but if you do go that route, remember to head to www.biddingfortravel.com for some pointers.
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Shepherd Park, Washington, DC:
First, great articles on New Orleans yesterday; you hit some of my favorite restaurants there, but also gave me several new ones to try!
My question might be too basic for you, but here goes:
I'm taking my first multiweek (2 weeks) trip to Europe, and I'm not sure how to pack. Should I pack enough basics to have clean clothes the whole time, or should I plan on doing laundry (or having it done) while I'm there? We're going to Crete, if that matters.
Thanks!
KC Summers: Thanks! The trouble with New Orleans is there's no way to do justice to all the great restaurant options. But we can try, we can try...
Don't worry, no question is too basic for us! We've talked a lot about packing in this forum and basically the advice boils down to: Pack light. Which further boils down to: Think layers. Pick one basic color (I usually go with black, but it could be any dark neutral like gray, navy, brown, etc) for pants and/or a skirt, then pack a few interchangeable tops and you're all set. YOu can dress outfits up or down with jewelry, shawls and scarves (sorry, just cancel that last statement if you're a guy). You'd be amazed how light you can pack if you think this way.
I'm not a big fan of doing laundry on the road but for two weeks, it makes sense. Just make sure you take clothes made of quick-drying material, i.e. NOT cotton. Some readers have told us they've successfully washed their clothes with shampoo.
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Trenton NJ:
For Rehobeth going to Philadelphia:
if you like jazz check out the Zanzibar Blue website...the jazz/supper club in the Bellevue Startford Hotel is like a step back in time and the food is better then you would expect..a favored anniversary spot of ours
John Deiner: Great stuff, Trenton. Thanks for the suggestion.
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Arlington, Va.:
Gurus - I'm traveling to Vietnam in July for around 4 weeks. I'm going the non-tour group route, and will go from Saigon to Hanoi. Googling for tips for travel to Vietnam leads to needle in a haystack scenarios (maybe I'm not using the right keywords).
I'd like your advice, as well as readers, on good sites to visit to learn more about tips, travel experiences, and whatever relates to Vietnam travel. Also, I went to the CDC website where recommendations for Hep A & B, japanese encephalitis, rabies, typhoid, and tetanus shots are made prior to travel. I understand the Hep A & B, tetanus, but are rabies, encephalitis and typhoid really needed?
Cindy Loose: I'll send you a couple things we've done--my story focused on traveling with a Vietnamese family so alot of it won't be relevant, but some of it could be helpful. I'd read the country report at www.travel.state.gov, check the websites mentioned in the stories I'll post, and then get a guidebook--some places you can visit on the fly, but Vietnam requires preplanning.
The CDC, like the State Department, is cautious, so the shots they're recommending are on the conservative side. But I would listen to them. Also, you might think about arranging for shots at a travel clinic, and ask them what they think.
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Gaithersburg, Md.:
My wife and I plan to travel to U.K., and we are taking our laptop computer. We will use it for internet in hotel rooms. We are wondering if the U.S. telephone plug will fit the British telephone socket.
Cindy Loose: Not sure, but someone out there must know first hand. Help?
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Bethesda, Md.:
I'm going to Ireland in May and someone told me about an article you wrote a while back about driving in Ireland, but I can't find it. Any chance of posting it? Thanks!
washingtonpost.com: Irish Road Trip, (July 13, 2003)
KC Summers: Here you go. Have fun. The best piece I got before my Irish road trip was to be prepared to have a flat tire. I was, and I did. And it was still great!
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Chevy Chase, Md.:
Crew:
I have a flight that leaves at 9 in the morning on Thursday. I live near Friendship Heights Metro. Should I take the train to West Falls Church and catch the Washington Flyer? Should I just drive and park (how long will it take to get there-- what time should I leave home?)
Your input is appreciated
thanks
Anne McDonough: So you want to be there by 7:45, assuming it's a domestic flight. From West Falls Church to Dulles you have to get, at the latest, the 7:15 shuttle, though the 6:45am one would be better since if you miss the 7:15 the next one's not until 7:45, and doesn't arrive at Dulles until 8:10. From Friendship Heights to West Falls Church it's about a 40 minute metro ride according to WMATA, so you'd want to be on the metro by 6 or 6:15. So, either head out the door by then, and pay a grand total of $10.35 for the metro/shuttle combo, or just pay for parking and get a little more sleep.
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Gaithersburg, Md.:
this is my third time posting this, so hopefully this time you guys will answer!!! my husband and i are going to St. Thomas next month and we're got reservations at the Marriott Morningstar. has anyone stayed there? Also, any suggestions on places to go while we're out there? day trips or activities other than lounging on the beach?
Andrea Sachs: Sorry, we have not been to St. Thomas in awhile, so besides quoting from tourism, we can't offer many first-person recommendations. That said, perhaps someone out there in Webland has some ideas. Anyone . . .
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Milwaukee, Wis.:
Hey- I've got 9 days to travel this summer and I want to go to South America. Where should I go?? I want to see some museums, experience a diff culture, eat good food, spend some time on the beach. Thx!
Cindy Loose: Many countries could fit that bill. I'd suggest you start by checking flights. I think you'll find you can narrow down the list pretty quickly once you see how long it takes to get to the various options.
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Washington DC:
Rule 1 of Summer Vacations: A great summer vacation must be outdoors. Corollary 1: The scenery must be worth the trip. A trip to the Gaspe penninsula in Quebec was fun, but the landscape wasn't sufficiently different from Shenandoah to be worth the flight and long drive. But when you're hiking through the parks of the southwest - such as Bryce and the Grand Canyon - you know you're nowhere near DC, but feel completely transported, in all senses.
Cindy Loose: Thanks.
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Pasadena, Calif.:
My best summer vacations have always involved
swimming in salt water, from the Jersey Shore and
Bar Harbor, Maine (brrr!;) as a kid to Hawaii and
Denmark (brrr!;) as an adult. Nothing says summer to
me like that breaded sandy feeling ...
A quick question for the Crew and clicksters: is there
a decent but cheap place to stay at Newark Airport
for one night? Priorities: Frequent/reliable shuttle to
the airport, clean and (ha ha) quiet. Thanks!;
Cindy Loose: We don't know a Newark hotel---help???
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Baltimore, Md.:
Great summer vacation: Take ferry boats in Washington State and British Columbia. Starting from Seattle, drive to north to Mukilteo and take the first ferry to Whidbey Island. Drive the length of Whidbey to Anacortes. It is a skinny island that sometimes gives you views of the Olympic Mountains on the west and sometimes gives views of the Cascade mountains on the east. Take the ferry from Anacortes to Sidney B.C. It travels slowly through the San Juan islands, tempting you to stop at Friday Harbour and Lopez Island. Sidney is quite close to the Butchardt Gardens which is well worth a stop. I'd then continue north on the little known but delightfully slow Brentwood Bay - Mill Bay ferry. You absolutely have to relax when you are on this ferry. From there the possibilities are endless.
Ferries can be iffy about food service, so it's best to pack a lunch and snacks. Ferry schedules are available online.
A caution: I don't advise taking the ferry from Sidney back to Anacortes. Crossing the border on a ferry is quite tedious. It is better to cross from Victoria or Nanaimo to Vancouver and then drive from Vancouver back to Seattle.
Cindy Loose: Another vote for the Far Northwest
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Northern Virginia:
For the clickster going to Philadelphia, I would recommend a visit to the Eastern State Penitentiary. I realize this isn't everyone's "cup of tea", but my family and I found the tour of this former prison fascinating. An audiotour is included in the price of admission and you hear from both inmates and guards.
John Deiner: Hey, NoVa, that sounds wayyy cool. Nothin' like an old prison to get the kids to behave. Thanks much for the suggestion.
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Washington, DC to Vegas, Baby:
I am going to Vegas next month for a bachelorette weekend. We are four 30 yo women who want to have a great time with out breaking the bank or being TOO cheesy (we've promised the bride no veils or embarrassing hats/t-shirts). We plan to stay at the Four Seasons - got a great rate and like the idea of being able to get away from the Vegas scene. What should we do other than stroll the strip, play a little craps and sit by the pool? I am especially looking for suggestions on fun shows to go to with an 'old Vegas' feel - isnt there some kind of 'rat pack' reunion show?
Thanks!
Steve Hendrix: Oh, that rat pack tribute is a lot of fun. It's produced (and features) Buddy Hacket's boy Sandy Hacket and plays Saturday through Thursday nights at the Greek Isles Casino. http://www.ratpackvegas.com. And if you're looking for old Vegas, check out the old-style feather and breast revue at the Tropicana. It's campy, slick and well, tastefull doesn't seem quite the right word but compared to the pornographic liter you see on the sidewalks in Vegas, this is downright classy. Yeah, a real classy show. We'll put up a link to a big Vegas story we did last year that included a lot not-so-cheesy options.
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washingtonpost.com: Deal Us In, (May 2, 2004)
Steve Hendrix: Here are four takes on Vegas.
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July 4th weekend:
want to get away from DC for a long weekend.
here's teh criteria - leave DC on Friday the 1st or saturday the 2nd come back on the 5th or 6th. family of four, with 2 toddlers.
don't mind flying, although i'm guessing we won't want a super-long flight for that short a period of time.
some place with a beach and kids activities would be good
thoughts?
Cindy Loose: I think you're right to drive rather than fly, given the time, the kids and the desires. I'd say anywhere along the coast from the tip of North Carolina to the Jersey Shore would work.
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Washington, D.C.:
hi! since your travel US destination Louisiana links to articles are broken, can you suggest any nice and affordable places to stay in in Baton Rouge? I am going there mid may. Thank you.
washingtonpost.com: Previous Louisiana Travel Stories: We just checked this page and its list of story links, which are working A-OK.
Anne McDonough: Thanks, Kim!
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Williamsburg, Va.:
We would like to travel in Eastern Europe in the Fall-- hoping to avoid the Euro problem -- any suggestions?
washingtonpost.com: Non-Euro Europe, (March 20, 2005)
Anne McDonough: Ask and ye...
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For Newton, Mass:
Try to talk yourself into driving on the left. We've done it on at least 4 trips, and you acclimate more quickly than you would think!; In the rural areas, the traffic is light enough that you don't feel the pressure of the crowds, and we found that in the crowded urban areas, the traffic was so slow and heavy that we had plenty of time to think!;
On planning our vacation, we are just beginning to plan because we will probably travel in the fall, when it cools off. Maybe Italy!;
Cindy Loose: I agree--although I do think it's hard to drive on the left when the car is made for the right-hand market, as sometimes happens in the Caribbean.
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Bethesda, Md:
Great reviews on NOLA. I do wish it had appeared in early
Dec before our trip there. Did you find any music clubs
that weren't smoky? Every one we tried was so bad I
couldn't stay...
U.K. question: We're headed there next month with
friends. I know we WON'T be able to "hear them now" via
our verizon cells. Can a "mobile" be rented for a couple of
weeks?
KC Summers: Thanks! Actually the clubs I went to weren't that smoky --maybe because it was nice weather so the doors were all open. Anyway, I'm sensitive to smoke too but it just didn't bother me this trip.
Yes, you can rent a mobile abroad for a short time. There are lots of options -- I'd post a link to a piece we did on this subject, but the technology changes so fast that I'm afraid it wouldn't be all that useful. Do a Google search and check companies like Cellular Abroad and Planetfone.com for details.
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New York, NY:
The key to doing a summer vacation right is to plan TWO. The first is the exotic getaway; the second is the inexpensive long weekend with friends. How many times do you get back from a great vacation thoroughly exhausted and wishing for a do-over?
My best summer memory: 2003. Costa Rica for one week, exploring the black sand beaches, volcano, wildlife, zipwire tours through the rainforest, suspension bridge tours in the cloudforest and everything else the country has to offer. Then a long weekend at my friend's mother's house in Cape Cod -- five women eating nothing but cookie dough while playing gin rummy for four days. We left completely refreshed and ready to rejoin the rat race.
(And my 61-year-old dad would LOVE a hiking trails book for his birthday next month!;)
Cindy Loose: Thanks. Send me your address and I'll send the book.
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Washington DC:
I'm not quite sure if this question even has an answer, but here it goes. In these times of airlines cutting meals, removing pillows from flights, and charging for earphone rentals, what is the difference between a "low-cost" carrier and a regular major airline? We recently flew JetBlue from Dulles to Oakland and had wonderful flights in both directions--on time, the snacks were good, nice entertainment, and a positive, pleasant flight staff. My most recent trips on United were not as on time, included pretzels and a can of soda, and grumpy attendants. Yet people pay more for that. Does this make sense?
Andrea Sachs: Though it's hard to tell the difference between the low-fare guys and the major carriers from inside of the plane--service, seating, snacks, etc.--the main differences are routes and pricing. Most low-fare carriers fly short routes with fast turnovers, and often to (or near) high-demand destinations (no JetBlue flights to Topeka). By comparison, the majors pretty much go everywhere, including international. Also the pricing structure for the big players is much more complex; low-fare airlines are simplified, and cheaper--but not always these days, due to tough competition.
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Mason Dixon Line:
Hello Travelers, We're considering a trip to Rehoboth Beach for a long weekend at the end of April, beginning of May. This would be our first trip back in 5 years, we stopped going when the prices spiraled up, up and away. Kind of lost the fun, small town ambiance that kept us coming back for years before.
Question is: What can we expect, are there new restaurants we shouldn't miss? Will it be so changed that we won't remember it?
Any info or opinions are appreciated!;
Cindy Loose: I don't think it will be so changed in 5 years that you won't recognize it. There are good restaurants, although the best tend to be pricey. There is one along the highway--the Big Fish or Grilled Fish--it's mentioned among the restaurants I checked out a year or so ago, and I'll ask for a copy and post it.
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Washington, D.C.:
Is it true that the Plaza hotel in NY is going to close by end of this month? Although rescheduled to reopen 2006, it will be a complex of condo, office, and hotel? Thanks.
KC Summers: Yes, sadly, this NY icon and home of Eloise is closing at the end of this month. This is progress?!?
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Washington DC:
Favorite summer travel destination: Maine. A few years ago my travel companions and I threw darts at a map of Maine, and spent two weeks driving around and camping out in that beautiful state. We hiked Cadillac Mountain in Arcadia National Park - apparently we were among the first to the sun rise in the Eastern U.S. We slept near lakes with Loons calling their distinctive quacks. We ate lobster rolls and lobster omelets when we ventured into civilization. They say a large proportion of people who live in Maine, vacation in Maine. I believe it - absolutely beautiful up there!;
Cindy Loose: That should inspire someone to get planning.
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Great Summer Vacations:
The Adirondacks. It's like stepping back in time. Many excellent restaurants; clean reasonably priced cabins; black bears wandering the nighttime roads and the most beautiful sunsets over the lakes. I usually go to Inlet which is the other side from Lake George. But you can travel to some of the wonderful old "camps" of the wealthy, see the Adirondack museum, hike a zillion trails either easy or more difficult. Warm days and cool nights with campfires. Can't wait to go back this year. As a child, we camped on Lake Durant for July 4th and had to leave as the snow kept collapsing the tent!;
Cindy Loose: I was just looking at some stuff on the Adirondacks and thinking it sounded cool. Thanks.
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Oakton, Va.:
For Gaithersburg,
Most London hotels I have stayed in will take the American (RJ-11) Jack in the phone. To be sure, you can order a conversio jack from www.stayonline.com for $6. One note, I always carry a three-prong to two-prong (grounded) converter with me becasue while most hotels have 110 power in the bathrooms, it is almost wlays a two-prong plug.
Cindy Loose: Thanks--I knew someone would have done the phone thing.
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Fairfax, Va.:
Happy Spring Day, Crew! Hopefully, you can help with this. I am moving to Texas and have two dogs, one is 45 lbs and one is 65 lbs. The move will require several nights in hotels. Most hotel sites say they take small pets. What do they consider small? Should I tell them there are two, or lie about it? Are there web sites that will help with this? Maybe your posters can help? Thanks.
Steve Hendrix: Have a look at letsgopets.com, Fairfax. We haven't tested this in the real world, but it lets you search for towns along your route for pet friendly hotels and motel. You can book through the site or build a list of candidate places to tape to your dashboard. Another one, equally untested by us, bestpetfriendlyhotels.com.
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Best vacation site--:
Despite visiting more than 30 countries, I'll have to say WV-- I met my husband there on a backpacking trip. We also got engaged there. And we biked the length and back of the Greenbrier trail. Close, affordable & lots to do. -And I swear that I don't work for WV tourism.]
Although Phuket, Thailand was a close second.
And Puerto Rico a close third.
And then there's the Wind River Mountains in Wyoming.
Cindy Loose: Wow, West Virginia tourism folks would be very happy to see Thailand come in second to them! Don't know if I'd agree, but it illustrates something I believe in strongly---the close by destinations, and the cheaper destinations, can be the best.
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re: avian flu:
Just got back from Vietnam. Avian flu is only a problem in Southern Vietnam, and even then I think it's more of a concern for people who are actually slaughtering birds. If you don't actually touch a live bird, you should be ok. We even ate the chicken (ga) in the south and were fine.
Cindy Loose: Thanks. Surely the odds are low; all depends how low you require.
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washingtonpost.com: Board at the Beach, (Aug. 11, 2004)
Cindy Loose: Rehobeth info
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Arlington prize-seeker:
I look to balance the natural with the cultural. My best trip ever, to Croatia, combined stunning scenery and amazing history. Capping off those hikes with dinners (and Adriatic views) was unforgettable.
One of the most important elements of any vacation is attitude. Be inspired--and be ready for anything that comes at you. Like getting dropped at Plitvice Lakes after the
private accomodations office had closed and hitchhiking to the hotel with the jolly croatian man and saying "molim" over and over...
Cindy Loose: Thanks. Never made it to Croatia, but love most everything I have seen in Eastern Europe
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Summer Vacation:
I have had wonderful summer vacations relaxing on a sun-drenched beach, hiking along mountain trails, or visiting history laden cities with museums, monuments etc. What has made any and all of these trips a successful vacation has been the planning and the mind set. If the family had a rough year, and was worn out we were more likely to choose a more relaxing destination, we would come together as a group and brainstorm. In the end, with every member of the family on board as to the nature of the trip, we all would be in the right frame of mind to enjoy it, and that mindset more than any one destination, or type of vacation has heralded the success of a summer getaway.
Cindy Loose: Great advice. Thanks.
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Washington, DC:
Hi Crew!; My friend and I bought totally spur-of-the-moment tickets to Belize this morning. I'm so excited!; I read the 2 articles in the Post, and I am wondering if anyone has more recent experience or knowledge regarding Cay Caulker (article is 5 yrs old). Is it still largely "undiscovered?" The other article is much more recent, but I would still gladly take tips on any budget accommodations/restaurants, kayaking tours, etc. Thanks!;!;
KC Summers: Hi Wash. I didn't go to Cay Caulker on my trip but I heard from lots of people that it had changed a lot. Of course, everybody *always* says that -- have you noticed that wherever you go, if you tell someone it's great, invariably they'll say you should've seen it five years ago? Maddening. Anyway, Belize is just so laid back that I'm pretty sure Cay Caulker is still a sleepy little place. But, I'll give you a word of warning about Belize: It's not the cheap paradise people seem to think it is. It's wonderful, don't get me wrong, but it's not cheap.
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National Park Help:
Hi Crew!;
I am planning on a trip to the Northwest in a month or so, and I am checking into visiting Olympic National Park. Is it easy to get to from Seattle (I was probably going to rent a car, unless there are other ways to get there)? Have you or any of the chatters been there? Also, I've been trying to access the article about Michael Kinsey in Seattle, but it keeps on linking to a dead page, with no article. Thanks!;
Steve Hendrix: I think we'll have a working link to that piece, NPH. Stand by. And yes, Kinsley and I took an overnight trip out to the Olympic Peninsula and it was very fun. It rained (imagine that!) so we cancelled our plans to tent camp and found a room in a lovely lodge and had a fine supper of halibut.
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washingtonpost.com: Seattle's Wonk Concierge, (Nov. 4, 2001)
Steve Hendrix: Here's the Kinsley piece.
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Washington, DC:
A little prosaic, but here goes. I've recently fallen for someone who unfortuantely lives in Portland, OR. What are some of your suggestions for finding cheap flights?
John Deiner: Prosaic, shmosaic. It's darn nice you found someone who lives in such a great location.
Don't have too many suggestions other than to try to plan far in advance, look for sales (I see Southwest flies there, with--ugh--connections) or try Priceline or go to an aggregator web site like SideStep.com. Another suggestion: Sign up for as many airline e-newsletters that you can, to see if something Oregon-bound pops up for sale on a Wednesday morning. Also, may be worth checking out Site 59 (www.site59.com) to see if it offers any last-minute package deals.
Maybe not such a hot idea: Consider flying into Seattle or another large market and driving, which could be a big ol' pain.
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Re: South America:
Just a reminder for the lucky person with 9 vacation days
this summer- some countries will be in the midst of
winter, if I'm not mistaken!;
Cindy Loose: You're not mistaken--but winter is a relative term. As long as they weren't planning to a beach vacation, my bigger concern was how long it was going to take them to get where they're going. Given there won't be direct flights out of Milwaukee, I'm guessing, they should be trying to find out how to get there with just one more stop.
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Summer Vacations I've Loved:
For years, my family went to Nags Head in N.C. My grandparents would rent a house and there'd be about a dozen relatives from all over. I loved it because it was do what you want, no schedules. And every morning my grandfather and I would walk along the beach at sunrise.
Cindy Loose: Sounds like a trip worth repeating, often.
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Re: laundry in Europe:
Definitely do NOT take clothes for two weeks!; Assume you will wash your underwear by hand every day, and take perhaps four pairs, to account for drying time, esp if you wear cotton undies. Also, I took a couple of knit shirts that were not 100% cotton, which dried easily overnight. Some travel suppliers and also LL Bean sell clothes in fast-drying materials (including basic t shirts).
I have also stayed at apts in Europe which were equipped with a small washer/dryer (both in a single unit) which was great. I have also dropped my clothes off to be washed, dried, and folded -- worth the cost in order to save the time of going to a laundromat (which I have also done in Europe). Bottom line, there are better options than taking a lot of clothes!;
KC Summers: I've used laundry services in Asia but they're not so cheap in Europe. That's why I like to take just a few clothes and why it's smart to make a lot of them black -- hides the dirt. As for underwear, definitely don't take cotton if you're going to wash it out. Two other options:
1. Take disposable underwear. If you're not put off by the creepy material and style (like a showercap with leg holes) it can save lots of time.
2. Take old, hole-y underwear and throw it away after wearing it -- your suitcase gets lighter by the day.
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Washington DC:
Can you suggest a nearby campground (around an 1 hour drive from DC) that allows tent camping, or perhaps something with cheap cabins- that's not completely booked already for the spring?
We don't want to be pampered (no hot tubs) but we don't want to completely rough it (no blair witch type experience, thank you) and would like something with a good area for short hikes. Any suggestions?
Thanks!;
Steve Hendrix: You might try Westmoreland State Park, down on Virginia's Northern Neck, a pretty place on a high bluff overlooking the wide Potomac. They have simple cabins as well, which might be booked on weekends. Also, if you don't mind hiking in a mile or two, have a look at the rustic cabins maintained by the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club. patc.net.
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Oakton, Va.:
Hi,
We have our summer vacation planned - a cruise to Scandinavia - specifically Amsterdam, Oslo, Copenhagen and Helisborg. While our times in port won't be long, we will get a chance to explore each city and detrmine whether we want to come back for a longer visit in the fuure.
Now on to my question. Do places in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden take the Euro in addition to their local currency? I hate the idea of exchanging money each time we go to a new port. We found in Zurich that everyone would take the Euro in addition to the Swiss Franc, and I am hoping they do the same up North.
Cindy Loose: Anyone know off tops of heads? I THINK you'd find some large stores and restaurants would take, but most wouldn't--once you need even bus fare, a conversion will be required. If your chatters can't say for sure, I'm afraid you'll have to call the tourism bureau.
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washingtonpost.com: Return to Vietnam, (March 10, 2001), Innocence Abroad, (Nov. 21, 2004)
Cindy Loose: Vietnam resources
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Dali in Philadelphia:
The Philadelphia Museum of Art is hosting a great exhibit on Dali until about May 15.
John Deiner: Of course! That's a great idea...we've heard lots of good things about that show. Thanks for the suggestion.
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Washington, DC:
Planning ahead for Xmas/New Year. Looking for a warm place to take a crowd (3 families -6 parents, 7 kids 11-20] and 2 grandparents and another couple).
We've done all-inclusives -- although not all recently -- in Jamaica (Montego Bay), Dominican Republic (Puerto Plata) and Mexico (Cancun). Looking for a similar, affordable, possibly adventurous place (we're not couch potatoes, although we do not want to be on the go evry day!;) that won't take forever to get to and/or break the bank. A cruise is a possibility, too.
Thoughts/suggestions?
Cindy Loose: Cruise does sound like a possiblity, but so do many, many Caribbean islands. How about Puerto Rico, to choose off the top of my head, since airfares there are reasonable.
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Washington, DC:
Sorry if this has been covered...any recommendations for great beaches either in the DelMarVa area, or NC that are off the beaten path and would have bungalow rentals?
It's okay if there is little to do but sit on the beach -- no nightlife required.
Thanks!;
Cindy Loose: There are quite a few. How about Okracoke, N.C. for starters?
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Arlington, Va.:
Are there any new travel websites that might offer better pricing than the big guys (Travelocity, Expedia, etc.)?
KC Summers: Yes, there are some new sites out there that we always recommend checking -- folks like Kayak.com, Qixo.com, Sidestep.com and Mobissimo.com. These guys are search engines -- they operate like Google except they're travel-themed. Sidestep is the granddaddy of these so-called aggregator sites. Better pricing not guaranteed, but as we always say, you gotta shop around. (also, don't forget to visit the specific airline or hotel's web site or call them, because sometimes they can be the cheapest of all.
I'll post a link to our recent piece on aggregators.
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washingtonpost.com: Aggregator Sites, (Nov. 14, 2004)
KC Summers: Here you go, all about travel aggregators.
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Denver, Colo.:
For the reader who has found love in Portland, I second John Diener's advice. I had a long distance relationship from Baltimore - Denver for 1.5 years (until I moved out here). I recommend you sign up for the last minute travel emails (they come out on tues and weds), esp for the airlines who fly into Portland. Many times they have sales. I'd also recommend signing up on sites like Orbitz, Travelzoo, etc. to be up to date on airfare sales. It's quite a haul but you rack up some pretty sweet FF miles and who knows, it could be worth it in the end.
John Deiner: Thanks, Denver. No use letting a little thing like pricey airfare get in the way of a burgeoning relationship. And you are soooo right about the e-newsletters from the big travel companies--my favorite are the Travelocity FareWatchers that are updated regularly when the flights you want go up or down in price.
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Washington, D.C.:
Submitting early -- hope you can post this question for the chatters.
I have made two separate car rental reservations recently, and in both cases the companies are charging $10/day for an additional driver, with NO EXCEPTION for spouses (and the spouse is over 25 and has own credit card). Is this a recent trend? Are there any rental companies that don't charge the fee for spouses? It seems exorbitant to charge $10/day for a rental that is only $20/day. Thank you.
Cindy Loose: I just did a Hertz rental and was not asked for extra money for my husband. Anyone else hit this problem?
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re UK mobile phone hire:
Most car hire places hire phones as well. We've been able to hire a mobile phone whether or not we were also renting a car. An alternative is to buy a cheap phone and a pay as you (:top up") card. We bought a cheap vodaphone and at the end of the trip handed it back in for donation to a women's shelter. It was as cheap as renting, what with the insurance costs. If you're planning on returning, keep the phone and get a new SIM (sp?) pay as you go card next time.
KC Summers: Excellent advice, thanks.
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Philadelphia, Pa. (relocated from DC):
One of the things I love about my new home is the neighborhood BYOBs that are some of the best restaurants in a very good restaurant city. Bring a special bottle of wine from home. My current faves:
Django - Conemporary American; Toughest reservation in town - Call 1 month to the day before you want to eat; 4th between Lombard and South
Dmitri's - Greek seafood - legendary octopus; No reservations, but the bar across the street (New Wave Cafe) makes for a good waiting area; 3rd & Catherine
Melograno - Tuscan; no reservations; 22nd & Spruce
Azafran - South American - known for ceviche of the day; 3rd between South and Bainbridge
John Deiner: Great list, Philly -- and what a great idea. Thanks for filling us in.
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Washington, D.C.: Baton Rouge question person here - this link still does not work - I get page not found....http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A35833-2003Sep19.html...anyway, do you hava any hotel suggestions?
washingtonpost.com:
It's just been republished, and now works. Promise.
KC Summers: Okay, then!
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New Orleans Clubs w/ No Smoke:
Well perhaps "no" is overstating it a bit but what I'd suggest is not going on a Fri/Sat night. I lived in NO for three years and the nights out during the week were the best, least crowded, more relaxed nights -- for many of the same reasons that you shouldn't go to NO for Mardis Gras and expect authentic you should try and aim for middle of the week when the locals are out versus the weekend tourists. Of course I was a student so I had the luxury of no work but it's a thought.
KC Summers: And a good one. Stands to reason... Thanks.
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washingtonpost.com: Please Belize Me, (March 28, 2004)
KC Summers: Here's a link to our recent piece on Belize (Ambergris Cay and the western interior).
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Arlington, Va.:
Hi Crew,
I'm flying with my 7 month-old to Arizona this weekend so I can see my brother between his finishing Marine boot camp and being shipped off to ???. I bought a seat for the baby, and would love any advice on schlepping the carseat through the airport (sadly, he's outgrown the infant carrier, which would have been so easy) and onto the plane. Do the flight attendants help/check to make sure the seat is installed properly?
Cindy Loose: I've schleped car seats through airports many a time, but never found any good way to do it, except for renting a cart to push all my stuff.
Also, I don't remember attendants volunteering to help make sure the seat was properly attached. Take the direction booklet, assuming it mentions putting the seat in an airplane seat.
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Scuba!;:
A friend and I would like to do a trip to get certified for scuba diving. Apart from the diving, we're more into hiking, and other active pursuits than beaches. Is there any particular places you'd recommend for this? Also, what sort of research would we want to do on foreign dive shops? Thanks in advance.
Andrea Sachs: Check out PADI and NAUI's Web sites for accredited scuba centers worldwide. First, though, decide on whether you want to do the full cert training, which is intensive and leaves little playtime, or if you want to take classes locally and peform your open water tests in a more exotic locale. Another option is to take a resort certification course that lets you dive for the length of your stay--but not beyond.
For scuba spots with other active adventures, try Costa Rica, Belize, Jamaica and Honduras. Again, the scuba associations have a listing of places to go for certification, but some of the locations are great destinations even without the diving piece. As for foreign dive shops, make sure they are affiliated with a reputable scuba association, or ask the hotel or tourism office for suggestions. Also be sure that your instructor has a good handle on English and that the equipment looks shiny and new.
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Places loved...:
Hawaii, specifically The Big Island. And incredible place with all the climates (except permafrost and low desert, i think). I prefer the Hilo side as it is still close enough to beaches, but far from the crazy traffic on the Kona Side (and Vog - volcanic fog that sits in Kona). Make sure to drive up Hamakua Coast to Honakaa and the Waipio Valley. Lava has been entering the ocean lately which makes for a spectacular show. I stayed at a vacation rental on the water called Hale Huna Kai which was very nice, but very affordable - it was south of Hilo.
Cindy Loose: Thanks
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Washington, D.C.:
thanks for the new orleans article--it was great. I want to take my young children (2 and 3) to new orleans. My friends say it's child abuse. I say they are supposed to have a great zoo and aquarium and they would enjoy walking around. Do you have ideas about family friendly hotels/restaurants/sites?
Steve Hendrix: My kids LOVE New Orleans, the zoo is great, Mardi Gras World (where you can wander for hours among the off-duty floats) is a hoot and simply wandering the streets keeps them entertained for hours. (K.C. and I disagree about this, but we don't have a problem with the kids in the Quarter, at least during daylight hours. I didn't find it hard to avoid the most obnoxious or obscene scenes in those few tight packed blocks of Bourbon. Otherwise, it's just street muscians and whacky people.)
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RE: St Thomas:
Take the ferry over to St John's for a day--it's about $3, and there are miles and miles of great hiking trails. Also, you can get in on a daysail and hit some really excellent snorkelling spots!; Lastly, my honey and I enjoyed poking aroung Charlotte Amalie (when the cruises were not in port)--they have a couple decent museums and plenty o' shopping.
Have fun!;
Andrea Sachs: Thanks!
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For St Thomas:
My husband and I have had many happy (and fun) times on St Thomas: spend a day on Magan's Bay--there aren't many beaches prettier than this one, although it can get crowded if the cruiselines are in town. Pick up a copy of "This Week" when you get there--you'll know what's playing at local music spots, when the cruise ships are coming in, etc.
Also, there's a restaurant called Agave Terrace in the Point Pleasant resort. The view (over St John's and other neighboring islands) is magnificent--drinks at the bar and dinner makes for a really fine evening. Be sure to get to the bar for the sunset!;
Andrea Sachs: Great suggestions. Thanks!
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Toronto, Canada:
We will be making a 3-day visit to Boston and thought doing a guided tour just to get our bearings.
Is this a good idea? Do you have any suggestions?
KC Summers: I say if there's anyplace that's easy to get around in on your own, it's Boston. It's eminently walkable, the subway's easy to get around on, and there are gazillion good guidebooks out there with every theme imaginable. But John, over the partition, disagrees, saying that the Duck Tour is wonderful and a great way to get your bearings. So there you go. You can't go wrong either way.
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Reality of weather:
OK, if there are weather delays, presumably it's UNSAFE to fly. Why would you want to be on any plane. I like getting there in one piece.
That said, in a similar situation, I had a very nice ticket agent thank me for being the only person from the weather delayed flight not to yell at him and to in fact express sympathy that everyone in front of me was screaming at him. He made sure I was first in line for the next flight that was available, even though it was on another airline.
Andrea Sachs: Sometimes, though, the weather delay is on the opposite end of the country and has tied up the schedule nationwide because of the domino affect. So, I agree, don't jump on a plane in bad weather. But sometimes it is okay to curse the thunderstorms in Texas or the rains in Florida.
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Hello!;:
We need to fly to Barcelona for our cruise in late August (8/27 - 9/3). What kind of airfare should I expect to get? The cruise line offers $1100, but the people at expedia say I can do better, though I can add on the cruise line fare in the next month or so if it turns out that I can't do much better.
Also any hotel recs for Barcelona?
Cindy Loose: I'd be hoping to get airfare around $900, but not a whole lost less for that summer travel period. I would want, however, to plan to be there at least a full day before sailing, particularly if I weren't buying hte ticket through the cruise line. If you make your own way and your flight is late, I'm thinking the cruise line is going to take no responsbility if you were to be late at the dock.
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Washington, DC:
We are going to Amsterdam the first week of May and are interested in taking some day trips to other areas either within or outside of the Netherlands. What would you suggest? Thank you!;
Anne McDonough: I had a whole eloquent answer for you that got lost in cyberspace, so here's a quick list of daytrips before our time is up: the Keukenhof doesn't close until May 20, so definitely go there; even if you're not a flower person it's quite a sight. I took a public bus from Amsterdam to Volendam, and then rented a bike there and rode around all day to towns like Edam and Marken, and made a loop back to Volendam (where wonderful Tony Konig's, if I remember the name correctly, held the shop open when I returned the bike waay after they were supposed to close...reading the map correctly would have helped). The Hague has great museums (Maurithuis has Girl with a Pearl Earring) and Maduradam, all of the Netherlands in minature.
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Boston, part II:
I wrote in earlier asking about Montreal for my 30th birthday getaway. Since then, i found out that it's Formula One weekend or somesuch, and all rooms are $400+!;!;!;
Starting over, can you recommend somewhere for a great, somewhat indulgent without breaking the bank, special 30th birthday getaway?
Thanks!;
Cindy Loose: Toronto's not that much further, is it? New York wouldn't be sufficiently special? I guess maybe I'm not very sentimental, cause if I wanted to go to Montreal for my birthday and that weekend wasn't handy, I would celebrate early or late.
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RE: rebooking on other airlines:
Yeah, they don't have to, but when they don't, I think customers swear to never fly them again. It happened to us 8 years ago; American refused to rebook us (at the end of an absolutely star-crossed trip full of poor customer service from them), but we talked them into printing out paper tickets. We then pleaded our case first with Continental (helpful, but had nothing), and then United (spent 20 minutes with us and got us out of there). That was 8 years ago. Last time we added it up, we've flown over 300,000 miles in that time on United. We only fly American only if we're essentially ordered to by the office, and between us, that's added up to about 28,000. So, yeah, they don't rebook, but I think they only screw themselves over.
Andrea Sachs: In their defense, when you have a plane full of people all wanting to get on another airline, it's a bit overwhelming. Let one person do it . . . In addition, most likely the other airlines are just as delayed as yours, since weather really shakes up the whole system.
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Laundry:
I just have to say it--yuck!;!; eeewwww!;!; when I hear the advice to take very few clothes and to make them black "to hide the dirt". For those of us who actually prefer to be clean (i.e., wash our clothes), my advice is to find a local laundry. Yes, it may cost a few euros, but it would be a kindness to others who have to be around you in public places!; Since the original poster was going to Crete, I'll just say that I've used laundromats in Crete and other places in Greece. You can drop off a large load of laundry and the staff will do it for you, for about 4 euros. It's money well-spent; much better than stinking up a storm in clothes that "hide the dirt"!;
KC Summers: Well aren't we fastidious. Okay, I'm not talking about underwear! Sheesh! I'm just saying black pants are more practical than, say, khakis.
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Silver Spring, Md.:
Growing up, my family vacationed in Wisconsin on Lake Michigan. We camped and enjoyed the beach and water. But our best vacation was in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. What made it great? For one, it was longer than usual--two weeks and out west. We had seen the Appalachian Mountains, but the Rockies were real mountains! Also, my parents encouraged us to do thing they normally would not--horseback riding, fishing, all day hikes to alpine lakes, and the Jr. Ranger program. We camped in the park at two different sites, but with amazing views just outside the tent. The last thing that made it great? I don't remember my sisters and I arguing once.
Cindy Loose: Thanks. Given it takes most of us days to calm down from our crazy lives, I'm all for the two weeks at a time thing.
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Washington, D.C.:
Do I need an International Driving Permit to rent a car in France? or will my DC license work? Thanks.
Cindy Loose: Should be okay. But sometimes car rental agencies require the international license even though the country doesnt. Make sure you ask when booking from here.
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Vietnam - avian flu:
Almost every human case of avian flu in the Vietnam outbreak has come from close contact with chickens, so unless you plan on hanging out on a chicken farm or sucking mucus from the mouths of cock-fighting contestants, your chances of getting the disease are extremely low. I believe the only confirmed person-to-person case was in a mother who took close care of her daughter who was ill with the flu - lots of hugging and kissing during the daughter's illness.
Which is not to say that the flu can't mutate into a form that is passed more easily from people to people, but when that happens, it won't just be people in Vietnam who have to worry - it'll make it here in no time flat.
(I'm a health journalist, which doesn't mean you should necessarily believe me, but I have been following reports on avian flu.)
Cindy Loose: Thanks.
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Arlington, Va.:
Hello Crew,
Submitting early in hopes of getting an answer during today's chat. Thank you very much in advance!
My husband and I found an incredible deal to Paris (R/T ticket + 6 nights hotel). What's your opinion on those types of deals? They look legit, but it would be nice to hear from the experts. The hotel is only about 3 miles from the Eiffel Tower. While in Paris, is it rather painless to hop on a train to explore the country side (one day trips)?
We have also found a similar deal to Prague. Which city would you recommend? My husband has been to Paris as a child, and I'm from Eastern Europe.
KC Summers: There are some amazing package deals out there and many of them are perfectly legit. The secret is to go with an established agency or tour operator and pay by credit card. I'll post a link to a piece we did last summer on just this topic.
As to Paris vs. Prague, it just depends what you're looking for. Both are wonderful, of course. Both extremely touristed. Both worth it.
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For Washington DC:
Am I missing something? If Delta can't fly you to DC for weather reasons, how could sending you to another airline help?
Andrea Sachs: Well, if an airline does not fly routes that are affected by bad weather then you can still get out DC (that is, if the weather in DC is okay). Say, for example, that your plane is coming from Miami, which is swamped by rain. DELAY. If, however, another airline has a plane coming from dry Chicago, then ON TIME.
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Arlington, Va.:
To Friendship Heights and others who take Metro to the airport: No, you do not belong on the Metro with your luggage during rush hour. Metro is cramped enough as it is, without you being so inconsiderate as to bang around others with your oversized bags. Be considerate for once in your life and take Metro during off-peak hours, or spring for a cab.
Anne McDonough: My my how anonymous forums unleash the beast in us!
Not everyone who flies carries oversized bags...your point is well taken, but come on, when calling for others to be considerate it's nice to not be so agressive yourself. Okay, lecture over.
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washingtonpost.com: London Calling, But at What Price?, (Aug. 15, 2004)
KC Summers: For the European package deal person. Thanks, Kim.
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Cindy Loose: Sorry we couldn't get to all the questions this week. Thanks so much for joining, and helping.
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Rockville, Md.:
Submitting early as I"ll be in a meeting--So, I ended up with that round-the-world ticket I wrote you guys about a few weeks back! I'm going to Auckland, Sydney, Ho Chi Minh, and Cairo--over the course of two and a half weeks. Problem: That's a LOT of time on planes. And I read very very quickly. So I'm looking for some way to entertain myself that will take up less space than a library's worth of books (though I'm sure I'll have a few). Suggestions? (Heck, any other suggestions for this trip would also be welcomed, too!)
Steve Hendrix: You'll be watching a lot of movies. This might be the time to invest in the portable DVD player (unless you're on a quality Asian airline that provides a super lineup itself).
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