You Ask, We Answer: Your Favorite Questions

Sunday, February 4, 2007

The things you ask. And ask again. And again.

Don't get us wrong. We love assisting our readers in any way we can during our weekly online chats, and we learn as much from you as you do from us. But since we last ran this list of the most commonly asked questions a few years ago . . . well, many of them remain high on your priority list. Sure, everyone now wants to know if they can carry Jell-O onboard a plane, but we still get a multitude of queries on local spas and budget Paris hotels.

We've dusted off the list and updated the answers, plus added a few new questions. If you don't see your own travel questions addressed below, join us (most) Mondays at 2 p.m. for our  live online and ask away.

Q. Can you suggest a local getaway, B&B or regional spa?

A. You bet. Once you've narrowed down your choices -- beach? mountains? city? country? -- here are some resources that will get you there.

First, check the Travel section's Escapes features, which run Wednesdays in the Style section. Go to http://www.washingtonpost.com/escapes for the archive of local getaways (organized by state) and other Post articles about regional attractions and bed-and-breakfasts. Also, our neighboring states have gotten their online tourism acts together; for a look at how their Web sites compare, see Page P4.

The mid-Atlantic region has many spa options, with all different types and price ranges. In Virginia, choices include Lansdowne Resort, a corporate conference center in Leesburg; Kingsmill (ditto) in Williamsburg; and the venerable Homestead resort in Hot Springs. In West Virginia, you can visit the upscale Greenbrier resort in White Sulphur Springs. In Pennsylvania, there's the Spa at Hotel Hershey in Hershey, the posh Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Spa in Farmington, and the rural spa retreat St. Joseph Institute in Port Matilda.

At such sites as Spa Finder ( http://www.spafinder.com/), Spa Addict ( http://www.spa-addicts.com/) and Spa Magazine ( http://www.spamagazine.com/), you can search by region and type of spa experience and use filters to identify those spas that provide slippers or include weight-loss programs.

What are some cheap hotels in Paris? In London? In New York?

The range of lodging options in these cities is as wide as the Sahara, and what one traveler considers "cheap" might be pricey for another. In general, however, to find lower-priced accommodations, start with online hotel discounters. For U.S. cities, go to Kayak ( http://www.kayak.com/), an aggregator that links to the sites with the most competitive rates. Also try Quikbook ( http://www.quikbook.com/) or Hotels.com ( http://www.hotels.com/). For hostels, check Hostels.net ( http://www.hostels.net/).

For Paris, London and other European cities, Expedia ( http://www.expedia.com/), EuropeHotelsOnline.com ( http://www.europehotelsonline.com/) and Venere ( http://www.venere.com/) are well worth a look. Frommer's Budget Travel magazine ( http://www.budgettravelonline.com/) and Lonely Planet guidebooks ( http://www.lonelyplanet.com/) often have good suggestions for low-cost guesthouses, B&Bs and hostels.

Other cost-cutting tips: Look for hotels outside the city center or in more residential areas, and consider booking an air-hotel package.

What can I do in Miami? In Montreal? In Barcelona?

Don't waste time huddled in your hotel room with guidebooks when you could be out exploring. Go to the library and check out travel books ahead of time. Log onto Trip Advisor ( http://www.tripadvisor.com/) for readers' recommendations and pans of hotels, restaurants, attractions and entertainment venues in cities worldwide. This popular site also allows you to post questions to folks who live in or have visited your destination.

For restaurant reviews , pore over the Zagat Survey ( http://www.zagat.com/) or Chowhound ( http://www.chowhound.com/), or buy a Zagat guidebook for the city you're visiting. Also peruse that region's newspapers, alternative newsweeklies and magazines, such as Montreal's Hour magazine ( http://www.hour.ca/) or any Time Out title ( http://www.timeout.com/). Finally, consult the city's tourism office for info or brochures on attractions, events and even the odd discount.

Can I take my eyedrops on airplanes?

The Transportation Security Administration's rules, last updated in September, allow liquids and gels through airport security if they're packed in a three-ounce or smaller container, then placed in one quart-size, zip-top clear plastic bag. The only exceptions are baby formula and breast milk, prescription and over-the-counter medicines, essential liquids for disabled passengers and other medical-related gel or liquid items. (Eyedrops must follow the three-ounce bottle rule.)

If you're carrying any of these exempt products and they exceed the three-ounce limit, pack them in a separate plastic bag and declare them to TSA officials at the checkpoint for extra inspection. For medications, remember to keep them in their original packaging and include the prescription.

As long as makeup and food fit the size parameters, you can tote them in your carry-on in that zip-top bag. That includes snacks from home, such as yogurt and Jell-O. However, half-empty containers larger than three ounces are banned, even if they squish to three ounces -- so leave the rolled tube of toothpaste at home.

The rules apply mainly to pre-security items. Once you're in the secured area, you can buy toiletries, drinks and eats, and carry them onboard. For duty-free purchases, if you are making a connection and have to reenter airport security, make sure you understand the policies beforehand.

For more information on the TSA rules, go to http://www.tsa.gov/.

How do I find a travel agent?

Cast a broad net by asking friends, neighbors and colleagues if they've had a good experience with a particular agency or agent. If that doesn't work, check the Web site ( http://www.travelsense.org/) of the American Association of Travel Agents. You can search by Zip code or city for agents near you, but it might be more important to search by specialty -- say, Italy or skiing -- and not worry about location. Once you identify a company, ask questions to see if they really know the place you want to visit, either through personal experience or by sending numerous clients there.

As for knowing if an agency is reputable: ASTA membership is a first line of defense, since the trade group will remove agencies with egregious problems. Also check with the Better Business Bureau ( http://www.bbb.com/) to see if complaints have been reported.

A second source: Tourism bureaus of foreign countries often list travel agents with whom they do business. Links to most tourism bureaus can be found at http://www.towd.com/.

How about a tour operator?

Unless you can find someone you trust who took the tour you're considering, turn to one or both of the two major trade groups -- the U.S. Tour Operators Association (800-468-7862, http://www.ustoa.com/) or the National Tour Association (800-682-8886, http://www.nta.travel/). Their Web sites allow you to search by destination or specialty. Both require members to have insurance, to have been in business for at least three years and to abide by a code of ethics. Additionally, the USTOA requires members to post a $1 million bond in case they go belly up.

If you're set on going to a particular place at a particular time, ask the operator if there is a "guaranteed departure," because some will cancel the trip if a minimum number of people don't sign up.

The tourism bureaus of many countries, cities and states also list tour operators (see above), and consider checking for complaints with the BBB (also above).

Where should I go on my honeymoon?

According to a study last year by Modern Bride magazine, the top honeymoon spots include Hawaii, Italy, Tahiti, Anguilla and St. Lucia. But if you'd rather mountain-climb in the Pacific Northwest or look for gators in the Everglades, then do it.

This is one of those trips that calls out for a travel agent. Local agencies that specialize in honeymoons include MacNair Travel & Cruises/American Express in Alexandria (800-833-4382, http://www.macnairtravel.com/) and Perfect Honeymoons & Holidays Travel in Vienna (800-320-7373, http://www.perfecthoneymoons.com/).

Before heading to a travel agent, though, check out a honeymoon issue of Modern Bride or any of the other bridal magazines for ideas. Also peruse such Web sites as the Knot ( http://www.theknot.com/) and the Wedding Channel ( http://www.weddingchannel.com/) for a bounty of advice and trip ideas.

What can I do in Las Vegas besides gamble?

People-watching alone could keep you occupied for days, but if you want to get off the Strip (which is a good idea even if you do like the slots), there's no shortage of activities. Brave the crowds and visit Hoover Dam, hike at Red Rocks, boat on Lake Mead, take a day trip to Death Valley, ski Mount Charleston or relive history at the Atomic Testing Museum. Free spectacles include the dancing fountains at Bellagio and the Fremont Street Experience downtown.

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (877-847-4858, http://www.visitlasvegas.com/) is full of good ideas. Also go to Vegas.com ( http://www.vegas.com/), which has the rundown on all things Sin City.

I want to drive to New York City but not park in Manhattan. What can I do?

Thank goodness for New Jersey. From the Beltway, the drive to northern Jersey is 3 1/2 to four hours; from there, park and take a ferry or a commuter train into the city. Two options:

* New Jersey Transit trains operate from numerous locations, but the Metropark station is convenient to the New Jersey Turnpike (take Exit 11 and go north on the Garden State Parkway to Exit 131A) and has ample parking. Parking is $5 a day. Info: 800-626-7433, http://www.njtransit.com/.

* NY Waterway operates ferries to midtown and lower Manhattan from several ports in Jersey, including Hoboken and Weehawken. Parking, schedules and rates vary by location. Info: 800-53-FERRY, http://www.nywaterway.com/.

I have a six-hour airport layover. How can I pass the time?

Many airport Web sites and information desks offer itinerary suggestions for inside the airport and around town, details on transportation info to the city and luggage storage options.

The Louis A. Turpen Aviation Museum at San Francisco International, for instance, is free and open Sunday through Friday. The airport's Web site ( http://www.flysfo.com/) provides links to activities accessible by public transportation and feasible with a layover of four hours or more. Amsterdam's Schiphol ( http://www.schiphol.nl/) offers suggestions for layovers of less than four hours (the airport's annex of Rijksmuseum Amsterdam or the on-site Holland Casino, perhaps) and more than four. For the latter, links are provided for trains to the city center as well as tour ideas. Singapore's Changi International ( http://www.changiairport.com/) can arrange free two-hour tours of the city-state for those with at least five hours between flights.

I'm going to Hawaii for a week. What island(s) should I go to?

Picking a Hawaiian island or two requires a bit of matchmaking: You'll have to fit your personality and interests with the island's. If you're looking for a good time, with nightlife, shopping and lots of history, head to Oahu. Eco-adventurers should venture to Kauai, whereas those needing pampering and no forwarding calls should stay on tiny Lanai. To figure out your type, peruse the state tourism office's online guide ( http://www.gohawaii.com/), which details each island's attributes. The isles also have their own tourism offices and Web sites.

Above all, don't overdo it. If you try to hit too many, you'll spread yourself too thin and come away not appreciating anything. Instead, pick one or two, then check the inter-island flights or the new Hawaii Superferry ( http://www.hawaiisuperferry.com/), which begins in July with service from Honolulu to Maui and Kauai. Or avoid airport-hopping and long ferry rides and go directly to Maui, a short boat ride from nearby Molokai.

Which Caribbean island should I visit, and where should I stay?

The Caribbean comprises hundreds of islands, including about 30 groupings that attract tourists. Island features vary wildly, and vacationers who don't do their homework often face disappointing surprises. Factors to consider include proximity, weather patterns, nightlife options, beach quality, watersports availability, local language and cost.

Vacationers with limited time may want to choose an island accessible by a nonstop flight, such as Jamaica, Puerto Rico or Nassau in the Bahamas. Beach lovers who like out-of-the-way destinations should investigate Anguilla or Antigua and Barbuda. Divers would enjoy Saba, Bonaire, the Cayman Islands, St. Eustatius and the British Virgin Islands. Naturalists would be happy in Dominica, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Barbados and Puerto Rico offer great golf courses. Budget-conscious travelers should try the Dominican Republic. Francophiles would like Guadeloupe and Martinique.

Myriad guidebooks and Web sites are devoted to the Caribbean, and they include lodging recommendations. The Caribbean Tourism Organization's Web site ( http://www.doitcaribbean.com/) has information on 31 destinations; other good sites include http://www.caribbean-on-line.com/ and http://www.igougo.com/. Valuable guidebooks include "The National Geographic Traveler Caribbean," "Fodor's Caribbean" and "Frommer's Caribbean." Magazines devoted to the Caribbean include Islands and Caribbean Travel & Life.