Plotting a Path to Peoria

By Elissa Leibowitz Poma
Special to The Washington Post
Sunday, November 26, 2006

Q Do you have any suggestions for books or other sources to help my wife and me plan a two- to three-month driving trip around the United States?

John Funkhouser

Burke

A Load up the Family Truckster and look out, Clark Griswold: You're in for a long, entertaining, enlightening, gas-guzzling adventure.

"The great thing about road trip travel is that you get to do what you want," says Jamie Jensen, author of "Road Trip USA: Cross-Country Adventures on America's Two-Lane Highways" (Avalon Travel Publishing, $29.95). "After all, retirement is all about doing what you want to do for a change, isn't it?"

Jensen once spent three straight years hitchhiking his way across the United States, picking up odd jobs like painting Boston houses and harvesting hay in Kansas. He advises that you determine your goals, pick out your must-see spots and chart a route. Do you intend to see the country's most famous sites, such as Mount Rushmore and the Grand Canyon? Do you want to focus on small towns? Are you into kitschy Americana?

Budget and logistics play a huge role, too. Are you renting a car or taking your own? Are you going to stick to an exact route or wing it? What will you pack, and where will you stay?

To help you answer these questions, consult Jensen's book and a few others. For suggested routes, pick up "Roadtripping USA: The Complete Coast-to-Coast Guide to America" by the staff of Let's Go Travel Guides (St. Martin's Press, $24.99). Another source of information is "Rough Guide to the USA" by Samantha Cook, Greg Ward and Tim Perry (Rough Guides, $26.99); at 1,400 pages, it couldn't be more comprehensive.

For picturesque drives, check out the "National Geographic Guide to Scenic Highways and Byways" (National Geographic Society, $25). Additional online sources include Jensen's Web site ( http://www.roadtripusa.com), RoadTrip America ( http://www.roadtripamerica.com) and the site of mapmaker Rand McNally ( http://www.randmcnally.com).

Are there any land-based tours to the Galapa- gos that don't involve staying on a ship?

S. Friedman Bethesda

Although most travelers visiting the Ecuadorean archipelago in the Pacific Ocean take cruises to and among the islands, it is possible to fly there and be a day-tripping landlubber. Many people are surprised to know that hotels and innlike lodging exists in the Galapagos.

Most land tours are for active travelers and involve short boat trips between islands. But accommodations are on terra firma.

Seattle-based Southern Explorations (877-784-5400, http://www.southernexplorations.com) offers a nine-day trip to San Cristobal, Santa Cruz and Isabela islands, with easy hikes along lava trails and outings to see giant tortoises, iguanas and other island inhabitants. Cost is $2,125 per person double occupancy, including hotel stays, most meals and gear, bilingual guides and transportation once you land in the Galapagos.

ROW International (800-451-6034, http://www.rowinternational.com) of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, has an 11-day kayaking and hiking trip to five islands from $3,190 per person double. Participants camp on the beach and stay in pensions. Transport among the islands is by boat and short plane rides. The tour outlet also has a less-intensive walking tour with all-hotel lodging.

If you travel independently, choose your lodging from five dozen hotels, pensions and hotels on four islands (San Cristobal, Isabela, Floreana and Santa Cruz) suggested by the Galapagos Chamber of Tourism (011-593-5-2526-206, http://www.galapagostour.org).

The Santa Cruz town of Puerto Ayora is a good base. Options include the 10-room Red Mangrove Adventure Inn (011-593-5-2526-564, http://www.redmangrove.com; from $145 double) with private bathrooms, and the 22-room Hotel Silberstein (011-593-5-2526-277, http://www.hotelsilberstein.com; $109 double), which has an outdoor cafe and arranges tours.

Information: International Galapagos Tour Operators Association, http://www.igtoa.org.

When is the best time of year to take an Alaskan cruise?

Alyssa Berilla Harrisonburg

Ships generally cruise Alaska May through September, with the warm midsummer months being the most popular -- and most expensive. June is appealing because the sun stays bright nearly the entire day.

If you're in search of a bargain, fares are usually lower in early May and late September, says Princess Cruises spokeswoman Susanne Ferrull. But be prepared for chillier and sometimes unpredictable weather. The Alaskan tourist season generally starts Memorial Day and ends Labor Day, so some shops and attractions may be closed, too.

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