Talk About Travel

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.

You may also browse an archive of previous live travel discussions.

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Steve Hendrix: So did travel just get easier? Or not? The TSA announced today it is relaxing the Great Lip Gloss Embargo. Starting tomorrow, your God-given right to carry shampoo, toothpaste, Evian and other essential emolients in you carry-on bags will be partially restored.

"Medicines, shampoo, hand lotion, baby foods and lip gloss will be allowed through airport security checkpoints if they are carried in small containers (three ounces or less) and sealed in clear, quart-sized zip-top bags," reports Bill Brubaker in his summary of the just-released regs.

Ziplock bags? I can see that it's easier for the screeners to have all our three-ounce bottles gathered together, but what if all I have is one tiny tube of toothpaste. Does THAT have to go in a bag? And why a quart bag? If I have lots of three-ounce bottles, should I use a gallon bag? Or two quarts?

Is this more confusing than necessary? What do you think?

Here to talk about this and other things travel is K.C. Summers, Anne McDonough, Gary Lee, Andrea Sachs, Carol Sottili and me, Steve Hendrix. Away we go

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Washington DC: So I see that we can now buy water at the airport and take it onto the plane - thank god! Does this apply to all flights or are flights to the UK still stricter? And do flights from the UK to the US have the same rules?

Steve Hendrix: The report today says that Canada will enact similar relaxed policies tomorrow, and that European countries are "contemplating" similar measures. They'll follow suit soon enough. For one thing, this was a massively flouted restriction to begin with.

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Washington, DC: Dear Flight Crew:

I head out for Bosnia next week. Aside from moseying around Sarajevo, I am not really sure what there is to see and the guide books are not very informative. I would appreciate any recommendations you or chatters may have. Thanks so much!

KC Summers: Well, we haven't written about Bosnia as a whole but we did have a nice piece about Sarajevo a few months ago -- link coming up. But are you sure about the lack of good guidebooks? Seems like there's been a surge of good Eastern European guides in the past year or so -- I know Lonely Planet has a good one. There's also a good Bradt guide.

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Pittsburgh, Pa: As a first-time visitor to Rome, what are your recommendations for which neighborhood/area to stay in? We are interested in seeing most of the main sights, visiting some markets, and of course, enjoying some good food...I've heard a lot about Trastevere, Campo d'Fiori, etc. Any advice Flight Crew? Thanks!

Gary Lee: The Spanish Steps area is lovely, tourist friendly and convenient to most things you'll want to go to. It's not easy finding an affordable place there, though. I like the hotel Mozart, where doubles are small but otherwise nice, is a choice I opt for often. The Campo d' Fiori area also a great choice. And the district around the Vatican would work fine, too. Because it tends to be quieter at night there are some decent hotel deals there. Trasevere is cool but not that convenient to public transport.

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Anne McDonough: This tip and question (at the end, which we're throwing out to you out there in chatland) come from a reader:

"While looking for info about Spain for a planned trip next summer, I came across a Live Chat transcript dated 8.21.06. A family wanted options for a 50th anniversary cruise around Europe with kids. As I recall, someone on your staff discouraged this itinerary because Europe is not generally a destination for kids.

I wanted to let you know that Disney is offering a Mediterranean cruise in the summer of 07 that sounds like it would be perfect for this family. The old folks can visit Barcelona, Florence, etc. while the kids stay aboard and do kid stuff with the Disney folks. Plus, Disney does a lot of family reunions and other group trips so they are already set up to handle this type of situation.

My family has cruised Disney twice (one 3 day Caribbean, and their Eastbound Panama Canal crossing) and we had a fantastic time. In fact, that is why we are going to Spain next summer. We will be taking the Magic's return voyage from Spain to Florida in August. We'd like to get there a 5-6 days early and explore Spain. We have a 7 year old boy. Any suggestions?"

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Kingstowne, Va: So now it is OK to buy liquor at the duty-free and carry it on (following delivery at the gate) if you are leaving the US.

What I don't have a firm handle on is what happens if you buy it abroad and then fly into the US. Say you buy a bottle of tequila at the duty-free inside the secure area in Cozumel. You carry it onto your flight, enter the US in Charlotte, and clear passport control and Customs. You then have to re-clear "security" (and I put that in quotation marks for a reason). I assume that at this juncture, the bottle of tequila becomes impermissible and must go in a checked bag or else be thrown away if you don't check bags? After all, if the US thinks other countries' airport security is so inadequate that we must be re-screened, then I assume other countries' airports' secure areas are not deemed secure for this purpose.

Do I have a correct read on this as far as you folks can determine? I'm headed to Cozumel next week (funny coincidence that I used it as an example) and want to know in advance what I can bring home.

Steve Hendrix: I've been abroad twice since the liquid ban kicked in, and in my experience, it's all over the map. I've seen Duty Free in Miami delivered to the plane door and I've seen liquor get through security on U.S. bound flights.

My advice, Kingtowne, is to forget the rum. Heck, the most expensive bottle of Flor de Cana is still pretty cheap booze at a U.S. liquor store. You'll only save a few bucks, if that.

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Timonium, Md: Flight Crew: It is time to lay bare the bear facts; notwithstanding the letter from Bethesda to the contrary, grizzlies and brown bears are the same. It was easy to understand Susan Morse's fear during the hike. While statistics suggest that fatalities from bear attacks may be rare, no one wants to be the one. Keep up the good work,

Sam

KC Summers: Thanks Sam. And of course you're right about grizzlies and brown bears being the same. We really got a big response to Susan Morse's story about hiking in the Tetons, with a wide range of advice, some conflicting -- check our online Message Center for tips. Although as Susan said, you wouldn't want to be the one to have to see if they work.

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Washington, D.C.: I've been watching for months now for plane tickets from here to Minneapolis for Thanksgiving. I've always found in the past that leaving Thanksgiving morning and coming back Saturday is much cheaper. That doesn't seem to be the case this year though. Am I really going to have to pay around $400 for a ticket?

Carol Sottili: Northwest dominates this route from both Dulles and Reagan National, so there's not all that much competition. I did find a $255 round-trip fare out of Dulles, though. But there is the possibility of a strike at Northwest. I'd watch and wait for now. Try a new Web site - www.farecast.com - for predictions on whether fares are headed up or down.

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Alexandria, Va: You asked if you could use two bags if you have lots of three-ounce bottles. No go. Read the notice again, as it says you are limited to a single one-quart bag. They worded it as "ONE one-quart bag" (caps usage theirs), which was a stupid choice of words.

I like the part about your stuff fitting "comfortably" in the bag. "Excuse me, Mr. Deodorant, but you seem to be disturbing Ms. Toothpaste there. Please move over."

Steve Hendrix: Ah, you're right. Thanks.

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washingtonpost.com: Peace Signs in Sarajevo , (March 26, 2006)

KC Summers: For the Bosnia-bound.

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Rockville, Md: Last week I took a business trip and couldn't pack toothpaste since I was only going for 1 night and was only using 1 carry-on bag. Fortunately, the hotel gave me a small tube which, of course, I had to leave behind, since I couldn't carry it back either. I don't see anything in these new regs that would allow me to carry on toothpaste, unless I bought it inside the airport. Am I getting this right?

KC Summers: No, you CAN pack toothpaste. It just has to be 3 ounces and it has to fit into the one-quart ziplock bag.

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TSA Revision: It is now more difficult because it seems every TSA screener in every airport has different interpretation of regs. What one allows, another says toss. I hate that. The "price" of traveling keeps going higher.

Steve Hendrix: I think it's a combination of the regs being so confusing and each TSA bureau chief running things as a personal fiefdom (the shoe-removal "suggestion" is the best example). But hey, if we're baffled, so are the terrorists.

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New York: I'm planning on traveling to Rome solo in a few weeks(female, early 30's).

I've been to Paris, London and a few other European cities by myself with no problem. But for some reason traveling to Rome alone scares me a bit. I'm still going but I'm nervous, not of crime but more that I will stick out like a sore thumb every where I go.

Any advice? Nice central restaurants, hotels and activities for a woman traveling to Rome solo?

Gary Lee: Chill out.

There are so many visitors from the US and elsewhere in Rome all the time that I can't imagine you'd stick out more here than elsewhere. There are occasional pickpocketings, etc, but this is not a bigger problem in Rome than in other cities. It's true that street lighting is not great, meaning you should be particularly careful at night. I would for sure avoid the areas around the train station and coleseum in the evenings. But otherwise, my best advice is to use the same precautions that you would in New York or London.

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Bowie, Md: Hey crew: I just took a peek at the tsa website...and I am SO glad that I'm not set to fly anywhere the next few days. This is going to be another government inspired nightmare at our airports. JUST when everyone got used to the new rules, there's newer, more confusing rules. The ONE-quart baggie rule applies JUST to TOILETRIES. And to limit the carry-on beverages to those purchased to just those at the airport is nothing but a means of catering to pressure from airport concessions (and their HIGH prices.) There's going to be problems flying tomorrow, believe it.

Steve Hendrix: Well, at least this does give us our tiny toothpaste back. But I agree, it's a muddled way to loosten the bonds. And of course, the short-haul business travelers who most hate to check bags were widely ignoring the rules anyway.

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Washington,DC: In need of your expert advice. Going to NY end of October, 25-29th. Looking for place to stay in or near Theater District with a room with 2 dbl or queen beds (taking mom). Prices are outrageous. Any suggestions on where to look or where to stay. Thanks so much. It's a suprise !!

Anne McDonough: Coming up should be a link to our suggestions for hotels we found for under $200, though fall in NY in the theater district is going to be tough to find for a decent price. I did find the Newton (one of the hotels we checked out, on the Upper West Side, right by the subway that will get you to the Theater District within four stops) for $170 with shared bath, on Expedia. Keep checking expedia, orbitz, travelocity, hotwire.

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West End, Washington, DC: What's your sense about travelling to Oaxaca, given the current civil unrest? How much credibiility do you give to the State Department advisories? This is such a magical place, but I'm having trouble getting a sense of how the current problems are impacting tourism and what will be left of the city's charms if/when the civil unrest ends.

KC Summers: I wouldn't go just now. We tend to take State Dept. advisories with a grain of salt, comparing them with other countries' public announcements and travel warnings to try to get a bigger picture of what's going on. But in this case, the advice seems warranted -- the protests have been violent, two people have died, there are roadblocks in the city, etc. As we said in our CoGo item, there's a sense of lawlessness.

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Fairfax, Va: For the past several years I have scheduled vacations around the low airfares that I find on sites like travelocity. Recently travelocity has stopped flexible searches for international flights. Do you know why? Are there other tools that I can use to search by available low fares?

Carol Sottili: Don't know why Travelocity gave up this option: My guess is that the money necessary to keep it up to date and working wasn't considered a good use of assets. Try www.farecompare.com.

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Spain at 12: I was 12 when my mom took me to Spain, and I still remember it as a really fun trip. For the seven year old, try to find him an easy version of the book about the Alahmbra. It was cool to me to walk around in places where all that had taken place. We enjoyed the Prado museum, bull fight arenas (but no actual live bull fights). And - one of our hotels had a pool, so it was nice to go swimming in the afternoon.

If he's not a great reader yet - I'd recommend books on tape - my 5 year old loves to listen to books that are rated for 8 year olds and over - things he'd never be able to read on his own. We've passed many enjoyable hours in car trips in this manner.

Anne McDonough: For the poster with the Disney cruise tip and Spain query...thanks, anon!

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Fairfax, Va: Sure is confusing. I flew out of SJD to DFW and then onto DCA on Sat. The SJD duty free shops had a sign explaining you could purchase liquor and they would deliver it at the gate and you couild carry it on. That was true but they did not explain that if you changed planes in DFW that you could not take it on your next flight. I saw some folks with duty free bags in DFW looking for boxes because they had already rechecked their luggage and could not carry on their liqour purchases. I don't think its worth the risk and hassle to save a couple of bucks on booze after shelling out thousands on a vacation.

Steve Hendrix: Duty Free is a very often a rip-off anyway. You can save money if stick to the sales and specials, but in general those prices are not low enough to justify the hassles. At least for booze. Don't know about those ubiquitous Hermes scarves.

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For the Bosnian bound (From a Balkanophile): Has the poster tried Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree Forum? You are expected to have done some homework, but can get some suprisingly helpful responses.

KC Summers: Yes, Thorn Tree can be really helpful -- just keep in mind that none of the advice has been vetted or checked out.

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Houston, Tex: Crew: I'm going to Berlin in November. What is EASIEST way to get from airport to hotel? I'm staying at Marriott (yeah, I know what you're thinking, but I'm using Rewards points). Also, sightseeing recommendations in addition to obvious Brandenburg, etc.? Thanks.

Gary Lee: The easiest way is to take a taxi. The central areas are not that far from the airport so it shouldn't be too expensive.

As for sightseeing, three thoughts: 1) drop into the Department Store KaDaWe, on K'damm. It's got a great eating hall upstairs and a broad selection of German wares throughout. 2) If you have a spare half day, take a sightseeing trip to the suburb of Potsdam. It has great architecture. 3) The Checkpoint Charlie Museum gives an authentic overview of what the city was like before the Wall came down.

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Los Angeles, Calif: We are looking to go to New Zealand between Dec. 12-Jan 16th for about 2-3 weeks. What do you think the best price is for this time of year? I am seeing about $1600 total if we fly on Dec. 24th, which is fine with us. Is that a good price? Also we would like to visit a lot of the vineyards and wineries; is there a good map or guide book for that information?

Steve Hendrix: That's high, L.A. Keep looking. We've been seeing a lot of sales on fare down there lately. And New Zealand's wine country is well mapped. Lonely Planet is good, but there are lots of them.

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Springfield, Va: I really want to see the northern lights. I have been looking at the packages from icelandair, and I see the dates the trip is availble (good thing I like cold). But do you all know if there is a particular time when they are bette and/or more likely to be seen? I know there are so many variables, but I'm looking to maximize my chance.

Andrea Sachs: Though it all depends on location and solar activity, if you are north or near the Arctic Circle, the best time to see the light show is October to March (often between 10 p.m. and midnight). For areas south of the circle, go April to September. And find a spot far from bright city lights. Try Siberia!

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Harrisburg, Pa.: May I please make a minor suggestion for all flight attendants reading this? I know that the number of people who listen to the audio (such as the music) is declining, but there are a few old timers like me left. I have my headsets for several airlines, and I note that most don't put the audio on until I either ask for it or when the movie starts. Even if I don't watch the movie, I still like to listen to the movie. In the "good old days" the music was on automatically. I would think it would be good is flight attendants would please have the audio operating after take-off, as they used to, or at least when the see an old times like me with his headsets on trying to see if any stations are on.

Steve Hendrix: Seems reasonable, Harrisburg. Flight attendants? Until Harrisburg gives in and buys his Ipod, please turn on the radio.

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Gaithersburg, Md: To the CoGo NYC rube: I know the feeling!! I grew up in NYC and every single time I go back, I feel like I have the word "hick" stamped across my forehead, at least for the first few days. It takes me a while to get my bearings: cop an attitude when warranted, figure out the difference between the F and E trains, and to ask for a slice (not a piece)...GAH! Home sweet home, huh?

Anne McDonough: This born-and-bred New Yorker has always had trouble differentiating between the E/F, even before moving here to Washington ;) Seriously, though, the pace, the excitement, the skyline, the not having to put my metrocard in a turnstile in order to EXIT the subway, the I-can-get-tabouleh-and-passport-photos-at-2-a.m.-if-I-want-them feeling--it IS home sweet home.

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Berlin to Prague: I'm going to be taking the train from Berlin to Prague and was wondering if there are any places I should get off and explore on my way. Dresden? I'm not too interested in WWII stuff. Done it before (and I was in Berlin for the Wall coming down!).

Gary Lee: Dresden is a worthy stop. It's got a fanastic opera and very good art museums. Also, even if you're not too into "WWII stuff," the rebuilding of the city to its pre WWII grandeur is an amazing site to behold.

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Washington, DC: For NYC-goer - another handy travel website that will cull all the big sites is www.kayak.com. Very handy for hotels and flights!

Anne McDonough: True, true--thanks for the reminder!

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Washington, DC: Hi,

I'll be spending Jan.-Dec. 2007 in Paris, with my exact arrival and departure dates uncertain. What's the cheapest way to buy tickets? Two one-ways? Two round trips (abandoning the return trip portion)? A year-long open-ended ticket? Please tell!!!

Carol Sottili: Your best bet is probably two one-way tickets, although an open-ended ticket could work. Round trip isn't going to work unless you ticket within 332 days of your return. Plus, it's technically illegal to buy a round-trip ticket and toss out the second half. I'd contact a travel agent. If you're a student, try www.studentuniverse.com or www.statravel.com to see if they have any deals.

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Capitol Hill, Washington, DC: I liked that the liquids ban required people to check most of their luggage. It was so nice seeing people having just one small carry-on rather than people jamming their huge suitcases into the overhead bins. Boarding and unboarding became so much more civilized.

Steve Hendrix: Did you really notice a difference? I know the airlines reported an uptick in the number of bags being checked, but I can't say that I saw much of a change in the cabin. As long as the cram a passenger into every tiny seat, I think we'll see crowded bins.

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Duty-free: The prices might not be great, but the thing is that depending on where you travel, you can get stuff not available stateside. "World of Whiskies" in Terminal 4 at Heathrow near the hallway to the Concorde Room is a prime example. IMO, that's the real loss here--the opportunity to bring back stuff you can't get at home. Toothpaste, shampoo, etc., sure, they're all hassles to deal with, but that stuff is widely available around the world. Glenmorangie 15-year Sauternes wood finish Scotch whisky isn't.

Steve Hendrix: Fair enough. I did a story about whisky distilleries in Scotland a few years ago and the Duty Free market is HUGE for them. And every now and then I see a genuine savings on a good single malt. But only rarely, and MOST of those labels are available at a good whisky-oriented liquor store.

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Indianapolis, Ind: It seems that you never recommend to anyone going further into E. Europe than Bratislava. I just came back from Yalta on the Crimean peninsula of Ukraine. Since I haven't been everywhere in the world, I can't say it is the most beautiful place but if there was a contest I would nominate it. The coastline of Baliklava is just breathtaking. The water is warm and clear. For the history traveler (yes, we exist) there is Baliklava where the Crimean War battleground of "Charge of the Light Brigade" fame and the inspiration for the 1812 Overture(?). Also there is the beautiful and mouth dropping Livadia Palace near Yalta where the Conference of 1943 was held and Stalin, Roosevelt, and Churchill actually divided up the world. There are many street markets for the shoppers that want to pick up things real cheap. The people are friendly (except the tour guide that caught me sitting in Roosevelt's chair). The only things I was negative about was no internet connection, kind of a hassle to get to if you can't get a flight to Simferopol, and there is way too many squat toilets.

Gary Lee: Actually, we have written about Krackow and other spots in Poland, the Czech Republic, St. Petersburg, and elsewhere in eastern Europe.

But having spent some time in Yalta, Odessa and other spots around the Black Sea, I would agree that it's lovely, wonderfully off the beaten trek, and historically significant. I would recommend it to anyone, especially in the summer months.

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RE: Rome traveler: Really, don't worry about it -- the fact that there are so many students studying abroad in Rome who actually live there and are on their own on a daily basis should assuage any fears you have of sticking out.

Gary Lee: Agreed!

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washingtonpost.com: We'll Take Manhattan -- For Less Than $200 a Night

Anne McDonough: For the NYC-bound...

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To the solo female going to Rome...: I could have written your question a year ago. I'd been to many European cities but never to Rome and certainly not solo. I was worried about gypsies, language barriers, etc. but let me reassure you, I had ZERO problems whatsoever. Believe me, everyone who wants your business WILL speak English and I had no problems with pickpockets (of course, I always use a money belt anyway) or anything else except for trying to decide between the wonderful myriad sites to see (and going solo meant I never had to compromise!) Don't worry; you'll have a blast!

Gary Lee: Thanks for the feedback...

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Washington, DC: My parents have agreed to stay on after Thanksgiving to let

us get away just the two of us, (for the first time since our

toddler son was born). Is late November a crazy time to go

to Scotland or London? Tempted by the maxjet sale, we were

thinking 4 nights there. Which would you pick, and where

would you stay?

KC Summers: Nice parents! And you're definitely not crazy. I'd choose London, not only because it's my favorite city in the world, but because there are more indoor options there if the weather is dicey. You can hang out at museums by day, see plays every night, go shopping... I'm jealous already. In November the weather can go either way, so pack lots of layers and a raincoat.

As for where to stay, I love a small hotel in Sloane Square, the Willett. But there are lots of options, and that's one of the beauties of going in November. Try Londontown.com for more budget options.

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Arlington, Va: Farecast is currently a tool for domestic flights. Do you know if such a tool exists for international flights? I'd like to determine if the current fare of $600 from BWI to Montego Bay, Jamaica is likely to decrease.

Carol Sottili: None offer the same type of tool, but try Kayak Buzz and Farecompare.com for indications of fare trends.

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Chicago Ill: The ban on liquids can't come soon enough for me. Whatever benefit came from having an easier boarding process and more space in the overhead bins, was greatly outweighed by having to wait half an hour at Denver last week for my checked luggage to come out. At 12:45 in the morning. Anything that increased my waiting time, and increased the likelihood that something of mine would be lost or stolen (ahem, TSA, ahem) is bad. We all know that if you routinely check your luggage, you won't make it more than a few months before your travel plans get completely messed up because something you checked is never seen again.

Steve Hendrix: You mean can't END soon enough, right. You're not alone in that.

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Md: I fly every twice a week, and the bins have been FAR less crowded. Ask an flight attendent - they have been loving it. Most airlines have reported an uptick in on-time departures as well - though no one can defnitively say it is a result of faster boarding due to fewer carry-ons, likelihood is that it was a factor.

Steve Hendrix: Thanks for the report, Md. I must fly with particularly laden passengers.

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Arlington, Va: I'll be going to Paris, France this November. As a first-time visitor, can you recommend decent hotels to stay at and/or neighborhoods to stay in? Decent hotel is defined as clean and under $150 a night.

Gary Lee: I have had a home in the 14th arrondisement for over 20 years and so am partial to it as a neighborhood that is quiet and simultaneously within easy reach of the tourist areas. The 13th, 19th and 20th are a bit further afield. Other than that, the quarter you chose depends a lot on what you most want to see. The 1st and 2nd are great if you want to spend a lot of time in the museums. The 5th is near the Latin quarter, the 8th is where all the fancy stores are, the 3rd is very gay friendly, etc.

A couple of hotels I would recommend are the Grand Hotel Jean d'Arc, in the 4th, and the Istria in my very own 14th. Wheverever you stay you want to be within three blocks of a metro station. That is how you will do most of your getting around.

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Fairfax, Va.: Is Vegas a horrible idea for an anniversary trip? I've only ever been once, and that was for a bachelor party, so I don't know much about what romantic side exists of Vegas.

Andrea Sachs: No, Vegas is full of romance, and you can even renew your vows by Elvis. Sin City is getting more tasteful--really!--with Broadway-caliber shows, high-end restaurants and shopping, and chichi clubs and accommodations.

I would stay at Bellagio (get a room overlooking the fountains) or the Venetian (spacious suites with great bathrooms). Maybe catch Celine Dion, Phantom or Cirque de Soleil. Watch the sunset while hiking around Red Rock, just outside the city. Eat at Sushi Roku, Spago or Little Buddha in The Palms. Drink champagne at its rooftop ghostbar. Then, say "I Do, Again," at the Little White Wedding Chapel.

For other ideas, see www.vegas.com or www.visitlasvegas.com.

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Washington, DC: There's a group of us, all in our early 30s, half of us live in DC area, the other half in NYC area, planning a weekend spa getaway trip. Is there a good town that's halfway between DC and NYC that has reasonable priced hotels, great restaurants, and spas? Also, a fun town to explore too. We're not sure where to go. Any suggestions that have probably been dropped off our radar? One idea was New Hope, PA. But, I know there has to be a few others that are worth the visit/drive.

Steve Hendrix: New Hope is good, a small town geared toward weekend visitors. Philly to big for you? My suggestion is Wilmington, Delaware and the many Brandywine Valley attractions (Winterthur, Longwood Gardens, Hagley, the Wyeth-oriented Brandywine Art Museum). The Inn at Montchanin is one of several excellent hotels.

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Gaithersburg, Md: Hi. I'm going to be passing through Florence, and want to go to the Prada outlet,and the Leaning Tower of Pisa, but also want to go to some museums. What would you suggest as 'must-sees' in 1.5 days? Thanks!

KC Summers: You can't go to Florence and not see the Uffizi (Leonardo! Michelangelo! Botticelli!) and the Accademia (David!). Don't even try it. I tend to get museumed out easily so those two might be plenty for 1.5 days. But if you want to add another, try the Bargello (the National Museum). You can't go wrong at any of these.

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Chantilly, Va: My siblings and I are hiking the Grand Canyon over Columbus Day weekend. Not all of us will be doing the day long rim-river-rim hike and are looking to take advantage of the "down" time.

Do any of you know of day-spas in that area so those of us not spending 12+ hours on our feet can do something other than look at one of the most spectacular holes in the ground you'll find on this planet?

Steve Hendrix: Tusyan, the gateway town for the South, is full of motels, most of which boast some kind of spa option. If you have all day, you'll find more lux possibilities in either Flagstaff or Williams.

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Washington, DC: I am leaving for Thailand and have a long layover in San Francisco. I was wondering the process of leaving the aiport. Can I check into my flight, so I won't have my bags or will I need to cart them around with me in San Francisco? The airline I will be using is China Air. Also, how is this airline? Thanks!

Carol Sottili: If you're flying on China Air the entire way out of JFK, no problem. If you're flying on a code-share partner and the tickets were booked from start to finish through China Air, no problem. If you booked your flight separately into San Francisco, you'll have to transport your bags. China Air has a good rep - go to www.airlinequality.com for passenger ratings.

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Bethesda, Md: Afternoon flight Crew, How do you pronounce Cannes, France?

Gary Lee: Kawn (rhymes with Shawn) is what I would recommend. Can any other French speakers do better?

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for the person considering going to the UK in November: My partner and I are going to Scotland for Thanksgiving and I think it's a great time of year to go there. The weather should be about the same as it is here in DC, so that's not a problem. There are plenty of things to do indoors in Edinburgh and Glasgow (only 45 min apart by train), so much that I doubt we'll fit everything in one week. Best of all, lodging in Scotland is REALLY inexpensive in November -- we are renting a really nice flat on the Royal Mile for about $600 for 7 nights. Try to get value like that in London!

We'll probably return in the warmer months someday to see the Scottish countryside, but I think a short November trip to Edinburgh and/or Glasgow is perfect.

KC Summers: Here you go, another country heard from. And good point about cheap accommodations. Bottom line: Keep it relatively urban.

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Suitland, Md: On my way to Almaty, Kazakhstan in November, I have an 11-hour layover in Amsterdam. I've never been to this city before. Do you think I have enough time to leave the airport? If so, any suggestions on what I should do?

Thanks!

Anne McDonough: Hey Suitland, I'd say absolutely go for it; it's about 20 minutes to downtown Amsterdam from the airport by train (you'll be aiming for Amsterdam Central Station). Check out the airport's site, www.schiphol.nl, for more info--specifically, go to www.schiphol.nl/transfer and see their suggestions. The Anne Frank House shouldn't be missed. You basically have all day; consider renting a bike to go around the city or taking one of the canal cruises to get a sense of the city's layout. Ahead of time, check out what shows are on at the various musuems on the day you'll be there and see if anything catches your eye. Amsterdam Tourism also has itinerary suggestions on their site: www.visitamsterdam.nl.

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Washington DC: I want to go to Oaxaca, but am holding off given the recent turmoil. Are other parts of Mexico safe for tourists? Me encanta mexico!

Regarding travel regulations...I recently had yogurt confiscated from my bag. And they almost took chocolate covered cherries I had bought as a hostess gift. Does all of the confiscated food go in the trash?

KC Summers: Yes, other parts are safe, including Mexico City -- we'll post a link to our recent Travel Q&A column on the subject.

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washingtonpost.com: Travel Q &A , (Sept. 10, 2006)

KC Summers: Advice on safety/security in Mexico City.

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Hotel near Atlanta Airport (Hartsfield Jackson): Hi Travel Crew--

Please help!!! I know this question is not very exciting but I would love to get a recommendation!! I need to spend one nite at a hotel near subject airport. I want to stay in a safe (husband wont be with me) place that is under 100 or so a nite. Obviously, the hotel needs to have shuttle service to the airport. Any suggestions???

Steve Hendrix: Lots of hotels near Hartsfield, but not so many at your price. (I would expect the really close ones to be $150 or more).

Readers?

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Washington, DC: Hi FC,

I'd love to have this question answered - I promise you my collection of Delta peanuts if you do. I guess that probably didn't win me any points . . .

I'm a 32-year-old solo female traveler who would like to make it Europe next year (likely Italy) with a tour group of like-minded folks passionate for travel. I'm going for the culture, the people, the food, the wine. (Full disclosure: comfort is great! camping, not so much! hiking, climbing, never!)

Any ideas for budget-to-moderate tour groups I might check out? Was thinking Contiki but didn't know if I would be too old for the pack.

Thanks!

Andrea Sachs: I am not sure Contiki is the company for you. Though you fall within their age parameters, their trips usually lean toward the younger college-age-y set. Or at least mindset. When I went on a Contiki tour to Europe, I definitely experienced the culture, and shared it with others (museums, Eiffel Tower, jazz clubs on the Left Bank, etc.). But I also had a roommate who passed out on our bed, and not just from jet lag. However, they were fun a group.

For other ideas on young/budget travel, see www.statravel.com.

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Florence/Pisa: If the poster only has 1.5 days, I can't see how he/she is going to get to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. It's not exactly next door to Florence. Frankly, I'd skip it and save it for the next trip. Or skip it and spend the time in Assisi or Lucca or any of the amazing villages in Tuscany.

KC Summers: Good point. Some people just like to cram in as many "sights" as possible.

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Silver Spring, Md: Has anyone ever flown on Bahamas Air? I am going to the Bahamas in Feb and am finding out that it is expensive to fly from DC/MD directly to the Bahamas. I could go to Fort Lauderdale and then hop over on Bahamas Air for about $100.

Carol Sottili: Haven't flown Bahamas Air, but if you're going to connect anyway, I think you'll be able to find a cheaper fare than one you could cobble together. I'm seeing about $307 nonstop out of DCA on US Airways to Nassau.

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washingtonpost.com: The Renewlywed Game , (June 12, 2005)

Andrea Sachs: For the Vegas-bound couple, here's more info.

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Washington, DC: Costa Rica or Florence, Italy for a week in mid-March?

We found a flight & lodging package for Florence that was a little less expensive than an equally desirable trip around Costa Rica. (We would have to pay for all meals for both locations.) Enjoy museums & sightseeing as well as adventure and some downtime. Sidetrips would be planned for both (Pisa/Siena, ziplining/canopy tour).

Any advice would be great!

Steve Hendrix: Gosh, that's really a question of personal preference, WDC. Both are ususally lovely in March (Florence a little chillier, Costa Rica doesnt' usally see much rain before May). You'll spend less money overall in Costa Rica.

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Northern Virginia: For the person wanting sightseeing tips in Berlin--when I lived there a few years ago, they had walking tours conducted in English. A friend of mine who was visited did one of these tours and thought it was great! They departed from the Zoo Bahnhof station which is easy to get to. It was very reasonably priced, but unfortunately, I don't have any more details.

Gary Lee: I have done several of these walking tours, conducted by the company Original Berlin Walks. They're very well done, usually by native English speakers. Most of them start at the train station near the Zoo at 10 am, take around three hours and cost around 10 euros.

Gary Lee: Actually, the tours cost 12 euros per adult (9 with a Berin welcome card.) Check the website www.berlinwalks.de

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Laurel, Md: BTW, I was glad to see your "silver lining" mini-column last week. The chat immediately after black Thursday, I posted here that I wish more people would just check their bags, instead of holding up the deplaning process retrieving their mega-suitcases from the overhead bin four rows back.

KC Summers: Yeah, yeah, I know. But as an inveterate carry-oner (and a considerate one! I swear!), I was freaking out at the thought of checking my bag. So I'm thrilled with the new rules.

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re: hotel near Atlanta: I'd use priceline to find a 3 or 4 star hotel in your price range. I used priceline to get a four star hotel in downtown Atlanta, and I ended up paying $60/night at the Westin.

Steve Hendrix: Well, not near the airport, but the price is right.

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Re; Florence: Make sure you make reservations at the museums!! I went this spring with my Mom and we weren't prepared. Instead of enjoying our short stay, we were rushing around trying to figure out how to get into both! We ended up missing out on a chance to see the David, which was terribly disappointing considering the same thing happend to my mom the first time she went to Florence. It was still our favorite place we visited in Italy!

KC Summers: That's great advice. The lines to get into both the Uffizi and the Accademia are just horrible, so definitely plan ahead.

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Cannes: There's no "aw"

It's "Can". Attack the C hard, and then draw out the N.

Gary Lee: That drawing out of the nnn and hard K were what I as grappling to describe; you did it well. Thanks.

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Reston Va: Thank heavens they've relaxed the ban on liquids and gels because this applied not only to passengers but to all airport workers (except uniformed flight crew ) - no puddings, fruit cups or salad dressing in lunchboxes. Antibacterial creams had to be removed from a first aid kit kept past security. Drinks still have to be bought at airport prices, but it's a step forward. I was concerned about drinks, because I doubt the flight attendants were going to start serving drinks any earlier just because everyone is thirsty!

Steve Hendrix: You're right but...people were just ignoring those rules like crazy! LOTS of toothpaste has been filling U.S. airspace for the last two months.

Pudding, no so much.

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Britain in November: The couple thinking about Britain in late November should definitely lean toward London.

I've travelled a lot in Britain, and know a number of "outdoorsy" people there. They are pretty unanimous that November is the very worst month, weather-wise.

You also forgot to mention that in late November in Scotland, there are only a few hours of daylight. So opportunities to see the great scenery would be very limited. Indoor stuff is the way to go for a trip that time of year.

KC Summers: Really, the very worst month? Worse than Jan. or Feb.? Anyway, glad to see another vote for London. And good point about the daylight.

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Bethesda, Md: Are airlines permitting Ipods and MP3 players on flights?

Carol Sottili: Some airlines don't allow them to be turned on while in flight. Check before you plan on listening to your tunes during that long flight.

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Oaxaca Dreaming: I had a trip planned for Oaxaca for the Day of the Dead Festival and postponed buying plane tickets due to the civil unrest. What is a good alternative for an equally great experience in the spring, perhaps? Am looking for nontouristy areas, indigenous culture to explore, exceptional food, eco-tourism/hiking and affordability.

Andrea Sachs: I just wanted to address the first part of your question, since I too have always wanted to experience Day of the Dead in Mexico. Other Mexican cities and areas also have DOD festivities, such as Guadalajara and Lake Chapala, so maybe you can still go and party with the dead. You can also find celebrations in California and other regions with a strong Mexican connection.

For your spring vacation: Peru, Ecuador, Guatemala.

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Arlington, Va: I just returned on Saturday after three weeks in Thailand. I wanted to echo your CoGo item that tourism is still operating normally. I would agree that keeping on top of the news is important. The Bangkok Post and The Nation are the two English language newspapers in Bangkok and they have very comprehensive information. I was not near the PMs office or Grand Palace so I did not see any tanks. If I hadn't seen the reports on the TV news I never would have known that the coup had taken place. I happened to be attending a concert at the time of the coup and the show was shut down after half a song because I think the venue's management was worried that all bars and clubs were being required to close. We were able to get a taxi back to the city fairly easily. I had a great time in Thailand and met some of the nicest people in the world. Anyone planning to go should do so. I also encourage people who are going primarily for the beach or the nightlife to get out and really see the country. My week in the north in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai was a great change of pace and a look at a very different Thailand from the beach resorts and the controlled chaos of Bangkok.

KC Summers: Thanks so much for that ground-level report, Arl. And I second your advice on getting out of Bangkok. Chiang Mai is wonderful, and I also recommend Lampang, which has lots of temples and is also near to the very fun and wonderful elephant sanctuary.

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Bangkok, Thailand: Hi Crew. I'm living in Bangkok for the next 12 months and I am looking forward to traveling within the region. Do you know of any reliable airline consolidators that include and/or specialize in Southeast Asian airlines? There seems to be a myriad of low-cost carriers out of Bangkok but I could not find a single site that compares their flight options and prices. Thanks for your help!

Anne McDonough: Hey there, our colleagues over at Budget Travel did a piece on low cost airlines in Asia a few months ago, and at the end said that there doesn't seem to be an openjet.com equivilant as of yet. But they do point out this site: http://www.attitudetravel.com. Go to http://www.attitudetravel.com/lowcostairlines/asia/bycountry.html#bycountry and check out the ones that serve Thailand.

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Steve Hendrix: Okay, thanks for all the good questions and comments (or as Diane Rehm says, "questionscomments.")

C'mon America, let's pack our one quart ziplock bags and hit the road!

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