Chat Extras

During our weekly online chat (most Mondays at 2 p.m.), you ask and we answer your travel questions -- mostly. Here are a few we couldn't answer fully last week.

From Dupont: I'm going to London over Thanksgiving. I haven't been in about 10 years; what should I see and where I should shop and eat?

Our free Travel archives offer London dining suggestions by Post restaurant critic Tom Sietsema, plus tips on how to score discount theater tickets. If you're a star-watcher, several movies will premiere at the Leicester Square Empire Cinema this month; it's free to line the red carpet to see which celebs show up (local insider site All In London lists details, and shopping tips, at http://www.allinlondon.co.uk/ ). Also, pick up a TimeOut London for the week's entertainment and events. Info: Visit London, http://www.visitlondon.com/ .

From Washington: I just booked a trip to Paris in late March. Any suggestions on day trips outside the city?

With France's vast and well-connected train routes, you can be far from the City of Light within an hour or two. The medieval town of Chartres, for example, is home to one of the great cathedrals, a model of Gothic design. Another popular day trip is to Reims, which has champagne houses, basilicas and Roman ruins. For an alternative to Versailles, head to the Chateau of Fontainebleau. And if you're a history buff, don't forget Normandy. Info: French Government Tourist Office, 514-288-1904, http://us.franceguide.com/ .

From Maryland: I'm going to Buenos Aires and Iguazu Falls (on the Brazilian side) for one night. Do I need a visa for the falls trip? How do I obtain a visa?

Even though you are just doing 24 hours in Brazil, you'll still need a tourist visa. The Brazilian Consulate says you can drop off your application between 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. at its consular services office (3009 Whitehaven St. NW, 202-238-2828) and pick up your visa the next day between 2 and 4 p.m. Applications by mail take about four working days (available only to residents of the District, Kentucky, Ohio, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia).

Applications require a passport (valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay), one passport-size photo, a copy of your itinerary or round-trip plane ticket, a visa application (downloadable at http://www.brasilemb.org/consulado/consular_forms.shtml ) and payment of $100 ($110 for mail submissions or if a proxy submits your forms). The embassy accepts only U.S. Postal Money Orders, payable to "Brazilian Embassy."

For mail-ins, include a self-addressed stamped envelope. The embassy advises sending the documents by U.S. Postal Service first-class, certified, priority or express mail.

-- Anne McDonough and Andrea Sachs