By Andrea Sachs
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, December 17, 2006

Q. I plan to spend six months in Wales. Any suggestions on home rentals or swaps?

Chris Murray, Washington

A. To rent or house-swap in Wales, you'll have to make some tough decisions: coast or countryside, historic or contemporary, castle or cottage. "Wales is a great place for a home exchange because it's off the beaten track," says Ed Kushins, president of HomeExchange.com (800-877-8723, http://www.homeexchange.com/), an international house-swapping company. "If you do a home-exchange stay in someone's house, you invariably live like a local."

Before selecting a property, pick a location. For cliffs and beaches, Alexandra Marr, a spokesman for Visit Wales (800-462-2748, http://www.travelwales.org/), recommends the Pembrokeshire area on the southwestern coast. To escape to "the middle of nowhere," Marr suggests Lleyn Peninsula, a gathering spot for seals and National Trust trekkers. For a mix of country and civilization, Brecon is near the Brecon Beacons National Park, the urban attractions of Cardiff and the train depot at Abergavenny, a 2 1/2 -hour ride to London.

Visit Wales's Web site features self-catering companies vetted by the tourism office. In addition, Marr said the Wales office will spot-check the property for travelers who are uncertain about a particular rental.

For a home exchange, you'll need a pleasant pad to swap, plus you must make a match with a Welsh homeowner. Fortunately, Kushins says Washington is a "prime destination spot," and he recommends sending up to 10 inquiries to see if anyone bites. (To become a home swapper or swappee, you must create a profile of your home and pay a membership fee; HomeExchange charges $60 a year).

For Wales, the site currently has about 20 properties, including a two-bedroom near Snowdonia National Park whose owners are interested in visiting the States in 2007. Also check HomeLink International ( http://www.uk.homelinkint.org/), Green Theme International Home Exchange Travel (011-44-15-3956-8707, http://www.gti-home-exchange.com/) and Home Base Holidays (011-44-20-8886-8752, http://www.homebase-hols.com/).

We wish to travel to Germany with our 29-pound dog. Which airlines will transport him?

Gisela Matney, Orlando

Dogs owners can fly internationally with their pets, and such Germany-bound carriers as Lufthansa and United allow pets onboard -- with restrictions.

At 29 pounds, your dog is too large to fit in a carrier under your seat; the maximum weight on Lufthansa, for example, is 17.6 pounds (including carrier). Unfortunately, your dog will have to go in the cargo hold, which is air-conditioned and pressurized but is not always an ideal way for a pet to travel. "For something short-term like a vacation, we think pets should be left home," Kelly Connolly, issues specialist in companion animals at the Humane Society of the United States, said by e-mail. "In addition to the stress caused by traveling to a new place, and the potential problems with quarantine and entry into a different country, traveling in a cargo hold of an airplane in and of itself can be very dangerous to a pet."

The airline considers "checked" pets additional baggage, so you'll pay extra. Prices vary and may be calculated according to weight, size and/or destination. Also, be aware that some airlines do not allow short-nose dogs to fly during hot months.

For your pet's comfort and safety, Kim Salerno, founder of TripsWithPets.com ( http://www.tripswithpets.com/), says to buy a crate large enough for your dog to lie down, stand up and turn around. She says to affix an ID to the crate, including your final destination contact information, and to clip your pet's nails so they don't catch on the crate. Also, fly nonstop.

To enter Germany with your dog, you will need up-to-date vaccination and rabies records. According to European Union regulations, incoming pets must be "identified by a clearly visible tattoo or by a transponder and be accompanied by a document proving there is an effective vaccination protection against rabies." For rules, contact the Germany Embassy, 202-298-4000, http://www.germany.info/relaunch/index.html.

Is there an overnight ferry from the Amalfi Coast to Sicily, Italy?

David McAuley, McLean

Ferries ply the waters between Salerno, on the southern end of the Amalfi Coast, and Sicily, at the foot of Italy's boot, throughout the year -- though expect more departures during peak season. The trip takes at least nine hours, and on Grimaldi Ferries, visitors have a choice of accommodations, all of which include private shower and air conditioning. Prices start at $40 for a pullman seat, $86 for a double inside cabin and $132 for an outside suite.

Info: http://www.grimaldi-ferries.com/. For a list of companies cruising this route, plus other booking information, see Ferriesonline.com ( http://www.ferriesonline.com/).

Send queries by e-mail (travelqa@washpost.com) or U.S. mail (Travel Q&A, Washington Post Travel Section, 1150 15th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20071). Please include your name and town.