Talk About Travel

Manmade marvels, passports, Atlantic City, China and more.

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. For daily dispatches, check out Travel Log, the Travel section's new blog.

____________________

John Deiner: Hey, gang. Welcome on this unseasonbably glorious day in Our Nation's Capital to this week's trip with the Flight Crew. (Why are we all inside, anyhow?)

We have a nearly full crew this week, so zing away: We're ready for you.

But here's your task, and feel free to contribute liberally. You guys probably know that the modern Seven Wonders of the World were recently announced (Taj Majal, Great Wall of China, etc.). Well, we're working on a special project to name this region's Seven Wonders, roughly from New York south to North Carolina and west into West Virginia and up to Pittsburgh (that way Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater is in the mix!). First, we need your help.

Nominate your picks for this area's Seven Wonders -- standout MANMADE marvels like the Capitol, Statue of Liberty, etc. Tell us briefly (oh so briefly!) why they should be included. We're going to be asking for nominations in various forums in the coming week (email, our blog, through our newsletter, etc.) and then open up voting via our Web site once we have a solid list of nominations. Then sometime in September we'll report back on the winners in a big way in the Sunday section.

I'll start: I nominate the Chesapeake Bay-Bridge Tunnel, since it's an amazing architectural achievement. I have a nice tote bag from Sony and a CD case to give out to . . . oh, I'll pick a few folks at random!

And let's get on with this, shall we?

_______________________

Clifton, VA: Things I learned in Vegas:

A 117 degrees(a all time record) in Vegass is bearable compared to 99degress and high dew point in DC.

Robert Donna's staff at Bebo could learn a thing or three about customer service from the Bebe, the women's clothing store at the Venetian.

You can go into the pool or jacuzzi with your room card/key and credit card and they still work. and your Va driver's license will survive too.

Women cant resist shoes live with it! But cant Vegas offer comps for shopping!

The Tao club in Vegas is nice but not one the top clubs in Vegas. A lot hype nothing more.

European sunbathing doesnt exist at Tao Beach or my girlfriend would have flaunted her stuff.

If you think you are too sophisticated for Veags your nut. Embrace tacky and enjoy. I have been to Venice and Venetian. The Venetian doesnt have pigeons and its canal doesnt stink!

John Deiner: Wow, Clifton. Good stuff...but you'd pick the Venetian over Venice? I haven't been to the latter, but even I'd pick something authentic and smelly over something fake and air-conditioned. But, heck, I love the city (as many of you know) -- and heading back there this week!

_______________________

Vienna, VA: Re: manmade wonders

I nominate Monticello. It's a beautiful building (and "antique" for this area -- hard to compare with the pyramids and such!) and Jefferson had so many ingenious inventions inside the house too.

John Deiner: Good stuff, Vienna. That's a natch, isn't it? And it's a great trip from DC as well. What else, guys?

_______________________

Bowie, MD: My nominee....the man-made statue dedicated to Temperance on 7th NW near Pennsylvania Ave. Long considered one of this city's ugliest statue (if not in the nation), it was one of a series of fountains designed and commissioned in a belief that easy access to cool drinking water would keep people from consuming alcoholic beverages. WHADDA CONCEPT!!!!

John Deiner: Great stuff, Bowie. That's one that no one brought up yet anywhere. Thanks. (My question: Anyone know if it's still working?)

_______________________

Library of Congress: Intellectual heir to the Great Library of Alexandria. Such a collection of knowledge deserves to be on the list.

John Deiner: There ya go -- definitely deserves a nod. (D.C., I imagine, will have a number of spots among the nominees)

_______________________

Vegas & 4-wheeling: Hi gang,

Hubby wants to either go 4-wheeling or take a driving course (not the racecar driving, but hands-on everyday driving) using a Hummer, Jeep or similiar vehilce when we go to Vegas in the Fall.

Any ideas? Nearby Vegas would be fine as well.

Thanks!

John Deiner: Good question, and we don't have a great answer. Anyone ever do this?

A good source of info, btw, is Vegas.com (www.vegas.com), which is always coming up with interesting things to do out there.

_______________________

Passport: Maybe I am just too pragmatic but I dont feel sorry for the people waiting for passports. Everyone who was interested in traveling for the first time to a location that requires a passport should have looked into the new rules and planned according. Yes, by that I mean that two years ago when you were thinking of going to the Caribbean in 2007--you should have looked into the issue. There was plenty of info then about the (confusing) new rules. If you are the kind of person that plans trips only 4 months out then you need to be the kind of person who has passport and knows about visas or just travel within the U.S. so that it is not an issue. I know nothing about visas but I guarantee if I was going to Vietnam or something--I would be checking into it long before I booked a flight.

These people are just like people that get mad at their credit card company or bank when fees are tack onto their account due to their behavior. We all make choices. Plan better.

I have only had my passport for a little over a year and am in my thirties. It is not like I am some 23 year old that got my first passport as a newborn and am some sort of passport snob. I just think that all of us need to use our heads and plan accordingly.

KC Summers: Well, you make some good points, and I believe in taking responsibility for your travel needs too. But I do think you're being a bit harsh. You have to allow some room for impulsiveness and last-minute fun in life.

For example, last winter I had about six months left before my passport expired, but didn't have any trips planned so hadn't gotten around to renewing it. But then I had a chance to take a last-minute trip to Europe, so bought the ticket, then sent my passport in and crossed my fingers. There were a few tense weeks there... luckily it arrived in time, but it made me particularly empathetic to the folks caught in passport hell now. I'm just saying, have a little sympathy for first-time travelers and others who don't know the ropes as well as you apparently do.

_______________________

Pentagon City, Va: Hello everyone! Tomorrow I'm going to be flying through Frankfurt, and I have an 8 hour lay over. Ick! Does anyone know if there's an airport gym, or something else to do there to pass the time? Thanks!

Gary Lee: If you're a shopper, there's a wide variety of duty free stores throughout the airport complex. There are also Internet stations and lots of places to eat and drink. If you're adventurous, in 8 hours you can also make a quick into the city (there's a train station in the basement of the airport and you can be downtown in less than 30 minutes.)

But be aware that security lines can be long there so you should be back two hours before your flight.

_______________________

Greensboro, NC: Your help and feedback has been great!

I am going to try Atlantic City? Any advice or comments? Tips? Is the Taj Mahal a good place to stay?

John Deiner: Hey, Greensboro.

AC is still a city in transition, and will probably be that way for, oh, forever. Assuming you're going there primarily to gamble, you'll have a fine time. Just remember that you have to pay to park there, so it's best to be centrally located so you don't keep getting hit with a $5 fee.

If you want some other things to do, consider driving up the coast to Ocean City or down to Wildwood and Cape May -- they're all great Jersey Shore towns.

As far as lodging goes, the Taj Mahal is just okay. You'll spend about as much and have nicer lodging in the newer towers at Showboat, Tropicana and Resorts. Or spend extra and stay at the Borgata, the best digs in town. Nearby Harrah's is really upgrading its property, and if you stay there it just opened a fantastic new glass-dome-enclosed pool complex.

_______________________

Duped by Hype?: My husband and I are going to out of the country in December. He went to submit his passport at a post office and the clerk automatically processed it as "regular". I made my huband go back and request expedited service. The clerk got mad and said he was wasting his money since the passport office is no longer backlogged. Should we have saved our money and processed his passport with regular service? After hearing many woes and stories on this chat, I didn't think it was prudent to risk it.

KC Summers: The clerk got mad? Seems a little extreme. Anyway, I have to say that positive passport stories are starting to trickle in to our office. Space permitting, we'll publish a couple of complimentary reports in our letters column this week. It looks like all those retires and summer interns the State Dept. hired are starting to pay off. It's the people who applied back in April and May who got caught in that terrible backlog. So I think you probably would've been safe submitting it as a regular application.

_______________________

7 wonders: This may be a little north, but how about the mansions on the water in Newport RI?

John Deiner: A little far off the beaten path for our survey, but cool nonetheless.

_______________________

Harrisburg. Pa.: How important is weight distribution in a commuter airplane? Recently, I was on a commuter plane when two heavyset people (i.e. they needed seatbelt extensions) were asked if they would move due to weight distribution. They both refused to move. I noticed the flight attendant did not put up a fuss and the plane took off alright. I presume the pilot makes some kind of adjustment, or what happens when the weight is unequal? How much potential danger were we in, and how important is weight distribution on small planes?

Carol Sottili: Weight issues have been the cause of several commuter plane crashes. I believe the crash of a US Airways Express flight in Charlotte in 2003 that killed 21 was caused by excess weight. After that crash, the FAA did a survey of passenger weights, and concluded that the average passenger weight, including carry-on bags, was 195.6 pounds, which was nearly 21 pounds heavier than what was being used at the time. So the actual weight coupled with weight distribution are factors. I'm not an aviation expert, but pilots can take some measures to compensate for weight. If someone out there is a pilot, let us know how that works. I wonder if anyone else on your flight could have stood up and said, "I'll move" in order to make sure all went well.

_______________________

Arlington, VA: If you could go anywhere in Europe in December, where would it be? I'm planning a trip with someone who's never left the states before, and we know we want to go to Europe, but it has to be in December. Based on the weather, are there places you'd rule out or suggest? Thanks!

Gary Lee: If mild weather is important, you should consider Spain or southern Italy. I have been to both in December and found the climate lovely. Scandanavia is probably a bit brisk that time of year.

But if your traveling companion hasn't been to Europe, I would let weather be the main determning factor in what should be the trip of a lifetime. The Christmas markets in Munich make it a good December destination. Paris and London are must-sees no matter what season.

Anybody else have suggestions for December in Europe?

_______________________

S. Rockville, MD: A local wonder: Dulles Airport. I think it's lost some of its awe as growth has happened all around it, but from an architectural standpoint, driving up to the Eero Saarinen designed airport always gave me a taste of the romance that flight travel was supposed to be in the late 50s and early 60s when it was designed and completed.

Plus, you go there and then you get on a plane and go somewhere fabulous!

John Deiner: Man, that's a great nomination, SRock. It really is pretty amazing. (Won't it be even greater when that train opens up?)

_______________________

S. Rockville, MD: This is for the woman whose guy wants to go four-wheeling: I think you need to be an owner, but Camp Jeep will be held just south of Charlottesville this upcoming weekend. In addition to all the mudding and rock-climbing that Jeeps can do, they'll have concerts by Tim McGraw and the B-52s. Must be a Jeep thing, so I'm not sure I understand.

John Deiner: Good stuff...and they got the B-52s to do THAT? Yeesh.

_______________________

7 Local Wonders:: Let's have an entry from WV - the bridge at New River Gorge

that gives us Bridge Day.

John Deiner: Good one, and they actually WANT people to jump off that thing.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: If I have an eight-hour layover in Amsterdam, is that enough time for a quick trip into the city or am I better off staying at Schipol to read Harry Potter?

Gary Lee: You can get into the city and back in eight hours. Be aware that for international flights it's always safe to at the airport two hours early.

_______________________

Alexandria, VA: I nominate the Chrysler Building. It still stands out among other buildings. My other favorite is Lucy the Margate Elephant, Margate, NJ. A hotel in an elephant.

John Deiner: The Chrysler Building? Almost a no-brainer, though we certainly had forgotten about it (I know, I know . ..).

Lucy? Brilliant! You gotta see that thing to believe it.

Lots of great nominations here, folks.

_______________________

not exactly travel: But I figured someone here would know anyway!

In the Great Gatsby, which island was West Egg? Was it off Long Island, was it one of the MA islands, etc.

KC Summers: Actually, West Egg was a town on Long Island -- the unfashionable side. East Egg was the town where Daisy lived, with the green light at the end of the pier.

_______________________

Richmond, VA: For a local modern wonder, I nominate the "mobile lounges" at Dulles, because I always wonder who ever thought they were a good idea.

John Deiner: I'm guessing it was the same person who thought it was a good idea to make the original Chesapeake Bay Bridge one lane in each direction.

_______________________

Boston Mass: My husband and I are planning to go to China in early May of next year. We are just starting the planning. We plan to head to Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong. His brother lives north of Hong Kong. I am just looking for any suggestions in terms of things not to miss (other than the obvious of course) and inexpensive yet nice hotel choices. Thanks as always.

Oh and I have often noticed that there are many questions about what islands in Hawaii to go to in these chats. My husband and I went to Kuai and the Big Island for our honeymoon and i must say that this was the perfect combination but if I could only chose one I would chose the Big Island for the mixture of sun, sand, hiking, horseback riding and scuba.

Thanks.

Anne McDonough: I've been in May several times, most recently this year, and it was in the 90s, so pack accordingly--and the first week of May is the national May Day holiday, which means lots of Chinese are traveling throughout the country, and hotels and trains, etc., can be harder to come by so if you can get flights in after, say, May 10 you'd be better off.

When in Beijing, go to Mutianyu, Simatai or Jinshanling (if you're a hiker, walk between the last two) sections of the Wall, and go early in the morning. It's just not nearly as impressive when the rest of the world is climbing along with you, and it gets really hot. Trips out to the Wall often include a side visit to the Ming Tombs and Spirit Way, both of which in my mind are skip-able but particularly the Ming Tombs (I know that's heresy for some folks, but hey).

Get lost in the hutongs; you can take pedicab tours of them but just wandering on your own is nice. Go out to Dashanzi for a taste of the contemporary Chinese art scene. Houhai is an area where you can take pedicabs, see traditional dancing by local seniors, and get a taste of local nightlife on Lotus Lane.

Get foot massages. Everywhere, at least once a day. They're cheap and fabulous. For a really lovely massage in a nice, upscale setting, I've been to Dragonfly, which has multiple locations in Shanghai and three in Beijing (www.dragonfly.net.cn).

In Shanghai if you run out of books, the Garden Books store on Chang Le Rd., in the French Concession, has a really great selection of contemporary English-language books.

In both Beijing and Shanghai, one of my favorite restaurants is Yu Xin, which has several locations and offers fabulous Sichuan food to local crowds. And I do mean crowds. On a weekend especially there will be a wait, but it's totally worth it.

For a side trip from Shanghai, consider the water town of Xitang, which is where part of Mission Impossible 3 was filmed. It's a lovely little town, and while it's farther from Shanghai then, say, Suzhou or Hangzhou (other popular day trips) it's pretty neat. Not so much in the way of great food there, though.

In Shanghai, a glorious view of the Bund and the Pudong skyline can be had from M on the Bund, which is pretty famous and it can be hard to get reservations sometimes. Just next door, with the same view, is New Heights restaurant. I can't vouch for the food as I haven't eaten it, but the drinks are quite nice and on a clear day you can't beat the view.

As for hotels, I know expensive and I know cheap. Not so much about the in-between--so chatsters, we need you to chime in and help out Boston.

Coming up should be link to a few China stories that should get you started.

_______________________

washingtonpost.com: Postcard From Tom: Shanghai, (Feb. 11, 2007)

Anne McDonough: For Boston...

Thanks for the link, Kim!

_______________________

washingtonpost.com: Beijing's Moment, (May 13, 2007); Dish on Six Beijing Restaurants, (April 30, 2006)

Anne McDonough: And also for Boston...

_______________________

Munich, Germany: Dear Travel guys,

I'll fly into Dullus airport from MUC and

have to connect to a domestic flight that

departs from BWI. Can you please tell me

how to get direct from one airport to the other and how long it'll approx. take ?

Thank you.

Andrea Sachs: Hello Munich (isn't it dinnertime over there?). There are a number of shuttles you can take between airports, such as SuperShuttle ($75) and the Airport Shuttle (www.theairportshuttle.com/index.html), which charges $81 one way. Drive time varies depending on traffic jams, but set aside at least 90 minutes. You can also hire a private car, but that'll be more expensive.

_______________________

Wonder(ful) Nominations: Monticello - for historical value, beauty, and being ahead of its time

Empire State Building - Still a symbol of the city, an art deco marvel, and an audacious undertaking for its era

and, to be controversial, The National Museum of the American Indian on the Mall- New, yes, but a marvelous attempt to be culturally appropriate, environmentally aware, and beautiful amongst all the white marble.

John Deiner: All good, and none controversial (well, in my book at least!). That is one amazing building on the Mall, no question about it.

_______________________

Vienna, VA: I just got back from Vegas too! I recommed the Mix lounge. It's on the top of THEhotel, which is connected to Mandalay Bay. Before 10 pm, there is no cover and you can buy drinks by the glass (as opposed to bottle service after 10). We sat next to a glass wall and watched the strip light up as evening turned into night. The bathrooms are quite unique too.

Forget shoe shopping and bring comfy sneakers. All three of us wore "broken in" shoes and ended up with many bandaids on blisters.

If you stay at the Mandalay Bay, bring an innertube for the lazy river at the pool. Otherwise, you can buy or rent on site, but it's a lot more expensive. I got adult sized tubes at Eckard for $3.

John Deiner: Vienna, that is a brilliant idea on Mandalay Bay regarding inner tubes. But wasn't that pool/river horribly crowded? I just can't go that pool anymore -- you have to fight for a chair, towels and, yes, inner tubes. But Mixx sounds great.

_______________________

passport empathy: and also some people have life events occur that they couldn't plan ahead for. I had to be in the UK in March but my last name was officially changing in December and I had tickets for travel in December, therefore couldn't send in my passport until January. That meant I had to book tickets for March in my new name, send in my passport in January, and pray I got it in time.

Things happen.

KC Summers: Yep. But I do understand the previous poster's annoyance about peoples' lack of planning. I get the same feeling when people ahead of me in the supermarket line start laboriously writing out their checks after the checker tells them the total. As they stand their with their tongues sticking out in concentration, using their best Palmer Method to slowly write "S... A.... F.... E.... W.... " I just want to kill them.

There. Now I feel better.

_______________________

Kamuela, Hawaii: Hi -

I was scheduled to fly out of Philadelphia (via SLC to Honolulu) last Wed. and the flight was cancelled due to crew rest rules. When the agent handed me the new ticket for a different set of flights, he gave me an amenity booklet with food coupons and a $25 credit voucher. I thought I'd remembered that the reimbursement, if one is to be more than a certain number of hours late, (I was to arrive about 20 hours late), was either $200 or $400. I couldn't find anything about it in the NW rules of carriage. Can you give me any information? I did talk him into raising it to $100, but I missed a day of work, that cost me more.

Thanks.

Carol Sottili: I just did a quick read of the Northwest contract of carriage, and I don't think you're entitled to any more than you received (see page 109/110). At the time, you could have demanded that they put you on another carrier, but that ship has sailed.

_______________________

UVa Grad: Jefferson may be getting hefty representation, but why not the Rotunda in Charlottesville, VA? It's not only a beautiful building, but it's also of both architectural & historical note.

John Deiner: Hey, Grad. You can't discount Mr. J's contributions to this region. Ya just can't -- and you didn't. That's a great suggestion.

_______________________

Harrisburg commuter flight: They were asked to move and they didn't? They're lucky they did not get kicked off. And/or the rest of the passengers were lucky that the flight was not just held until they moved. Is Harrisburg sure that someone else on the flight was not asked to move and then did? Those distributions really do matter on those planes (I'm assuming some 50-seat regional); some of them are judgment calls but flight attendants are quite good at judging that.

Carol Sottili: I'm sure that if the pilot needed them to move, and they refused to do so, they would have been ordered to get off the plane. So either it wasn't deemed critical, or someone else moved.

_______________________

7 wonders: How about the new Springfield Interchange?

heh.

John Deiner: That thing still scares the heck out of me. Is it a wonder or a blunder?

_______________________

Fairfax, VA: Hello! I'm hoping to take a number of long weekend trips in the near future and I seem to remember a site where you can plug in your origination city and it will give you suggested ideas based on price? Can you help me out? Thanks!

Carol Sottili: Used to be www.site59.com, but that site was taken over by www.lastminute.com, which offers the same service. Let us know if you like it.

_______________________

Washington's Grist Mill: A wonder of 18th century technology and the only operating one of its type remaining.

John Deiner: More grist for the list. Thanks.

_______________________

December in Europe: I'll second the recommendation for Munich, but mention that Prague also does a nice Christmas, and will be cheaper.

Daylight may be as much of a consideration as weather. You'll generally get milder weather in Europe, but the very short days in the north really can put a damper on your trip. Night seems to fall pretty quickly in Central Europe, too. If you find yourself thrown off by time changes at home, keep that in mind when you're choosing a destination.

Gary Lee: Thanks for the very good point about daylight.

_______________________

Washington, DC: Hi,

I have to second the comments made by the person on passports. I got my first passport as an adult because I wanted to have it in case I ever did need to travel somewhere, not because I was taking a trip somewhere. I think everyone just needs to get a passport like having a driver's license or other photo id. It doesn't take that much effort to get one.

I can understand if people make last minute travel plans, but if you know you are that kind of person, why not have the passport ready to go just in case, especially when the new regulations were put in place?

KC Summers: You're right! Of course you're right! I'm just saying, allow for a little leeway for impulsive last-minute decisions, screw-ups due to stress, etc. And of course, the people who believed the Passport Office's six- to eight-week processing estimate earlier this spring were caught in passport hell through no fault of their own.

_______________________

Dayton, Ohio: Gettysburg. Though some of the tourist stuff is a bit schlocky, the battle of Gettysburg was a crucial event in U.S. history (and Eisenhower National Historic Site shouldn't be missed, either).

John Deiner: Thanks, Dayton.

_______________________

Washington, DC: We are headed to Italy in October via Heathrow on BA and your article this week on luggage problems has us scared. We already pack pretty well (I think) - s pltting all clothes between two small bags plus bringing on a change on clothes for each in the carry on. We'll be gone 15 days (and moving cities every 3-4 days) and are worried if the luggage is lost. Any suggestions - should be ship it ahead? Ship one and reconfigure our carry on (we are limited to one each since we are going via the UK)? Or are we too worried?

Andrea Sachs: Knock on wood, my bags have never been lost. So my personal philosophy is go with the flow, but pack an extra change of clothes in your carry-on (or wear a really nice, versatile outfit on the plane that can work well from day to night to bedtime). If the airplane does lose your bag, you are going to a very civilized area where you can easily buy new attire. In addition, most bags are found within a few days. If you are really worried, you can send them beforehand, but the cost might be more than a shopping spree at Harrods.

_______________________

Silver Spring, Md.: Hello,

The last Postcard from Tom for Salt Lake City is from January 2002. That's pretty old. Does anyone have any restaurant recommendations for a nice, but not too expensive, dinner in Salt Lake? Thanks.

Gary Lee: We dined nicely at the following three places a few months back:

1) The Market Street Grille (good seafood)

2) Bambera (in the hotel Monaco, stylish, very good food.)

3) Bohemian Brewery (casual)

Any other nominations from the floor?

_______________________

7Wonders: Great Falls Park (both sides), for sheer natural beauty

John Deiner: No nature this time around, but I believe the group that coughed up the 7 manmade wonders is turning to the 7 natural wonders next.

_______________________

St. Croix: Hi Crew - thanks for the informative chats. My boyfriend and I are headed to St. Croix to do some scuba diving in a few weeks. We plan on taking two days off to check out the island. Do you or the chatters have any "must not miss" sites in St. Croix? Thanks again!

Cindy Loose: Diving is a primary attraction. But St. Croix is a pretty island: Make sure you have a map if you're driving yourself cause unlike some small islands that have only one main road, St. Croix is large by Caribbean island standards and you can get lost. Also, confine your driving to daytime hours so you don't wander into a bad neighborhood at night.

There are several old planatation houses open to visitors--I'd say that if that appeals to you at all, go to the St. George Villa Botanical Gardens, which has a plantation house and gardens and is quite nice. The best hotel on the island, and one of the best in the Caribbean, is the Buccaneer. If you don't happen to be staying there, it's a nice place to stop by---have lunch and enjoy the grounds. In fact, you can buy a day pass and use the beach, pools etc. if the hotel where you're staying doesn't have first class amenities.

I happened upon a very nice beach shack restaurant, Water's Edge, that I'd revisit if I were revisiting.

Buck Island is a short hop by boat and is quite beautiful--a national park. I had remembered the underwater park as being spectacular, but alas, last time I was there learned it had been hit hard by a hurricane and lots of the coral was damaged. But it still has beautiful white beaches.

Anyone else have St. Croix ideas. I can say the main town isn't to write home about, but its worth a stop for a bit of duty free or crafts shopping.

_______________________

Alexandria, VA: we have to include the Pentagon, no?

How about the C&O canal?

John Deiner: We'll have to see what sort of other responses we get, but those are both worthy additions.

_______________________

Metro Center, Washington, DC: Sorry guys, the Cogswell Temperance Fountain has been broken for years.

John Deiner: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! There are broken fountains all over this city, aren't there?

_______________________

Silver Spring, MD: You didn't answer this last week but I'll try again: family trip (sons 17 and 14) to Rehoboth coming up. Outside of the usual beach activities, can you please recommend a day-trip?

Carol Sottili: Don't know what your kids like to do, but you could do a day fishing trip, or take them on the boat across to Cape May, or make the drive down to Assateauge Island to see the ponies/Sitka deer, or take them kayaking (www.c-kayak.com for bayside kayaking in Delaware, or www.atbeach.com/amuse/md/canoe/index.shtml for river canoeing or kayaking on the Pocomoke in Maryland).

_______________________

Comments from Last Weeks Chat: Person looking for the honeymoon at a $3500 budget in the mid summer. To go to some exotic place outside the continental US and Canada --good luck at that amount (other than some cruise deal). where to go really depends on where your interests lie. If you want to be in some remote place (rent a cabin in the middle of the mountains) or do you want to be in a City(San Fran) with day trips outside of town.

For traveling alone: A suggestion is to stay in small hotels or B & b where you will have the opportunity to talk to other people who are staying there as well so you dont feel so alone. another option is to go with a tour group. They do exist from younger people and not your grandma/grandpa.

Cindy Loose: I absolutely agree with the B&B advice, although I would extend that to include small hotels and inns. Even though you might not be having breakfast with other guests, as in a B&B, you're also less likely to encounter couples intent on just being together. Once you've seen someone a few times, it becomes quite natural to strike up a conversation.

Don't remember exactly what all I told the honeymoon couple last week, but think they should write back and be more specific about what they want, as you point out. The other issue: When you're on a limited budget, I think you should decide whether you want to spend more of your money on getting far away, or whether it would be better to keep transportation costs down and spluge or the staying somewhere part.

_______________________

Washington DC: Hi Crew,

Going to Kyoto in September. Other than taking the train to and from the airport in Osaka, I do not plan to travel by train. Is a Japan rail pass still a good buy, or should we skip it? (If I am not mistaken, you need to order them before you leave, which is why I ask).

Thank you!

Andrea Sachs: If don't plan to travel much by rail, I would not recommend the Japan Rail Pass, which is good for seven, 14 or 21 days. Depending on where you go, the individual train tickets aren't that expensive, especially if you are not going far. Howeverif you are hopping around Kyoto by bus or train, do buy a multi-trip pass so you can just whiz through the turnstile.

_______________________

Silver Spring, Md: Are there any low-cost parking alternatives to parking at

Dulles like there are at BWI?

Anne McDonough: Someone out there please correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that the Dulles area does not have a parking alternative the way BWI does, and parking at the Dulles economy lot is $9 a day.

_______________________

Re: Mandalay Bay Pool: My friends and I are early risers. We had quick breakfasts and then were at the pool by 8:30/9:00 am. By 11 it was quite crowded, but those first 90 minutes were calm. Sunday morning (just yesterday!) was the best. We had the river to ourselves for a while. After 11 it wasn't the crowd, it was the heat. Too hot! That was our time to visit other casinos, eat lunch, shop, etc.

John Deiner: That's a great plan. And you're so right -- it doesn't matter if there's water in those pools or not, it's just plain hot when it's 110 in the shade. I'll have to remember that 9 a.m. idea.

_______________________

Washington DC: Washington Wonder:

I.M. Pei's East Wing of the National Gallery. Perhaps it stands out because it's surrounded by so much traditional architecture, but the complex angles that change as you walk around or within the building, the light that suffuses it, the contrast between the sharp corners and the smooth surfaces, the way it looks as if it were fit together like a three-dimensional puzzzle - all of it just makes my smile, even after hundreds of visits.

(Something I just learned: Pei also designed the depressing L'Enfant Plaza, which shows that a single success guarantees nothing.)

John Deiner: Thanks, DC, and that's a cool tidbit about Pei and L'Enfant Plaza.

_______________________

Edgewater, MD: Hi, everyone. I recently took a tour that was poorly organized and poorly run, and I'm wondering if there were any steps I can take to avoid similar experiences in the future.

I'm not sure if it's OK to name names, but this was a Mount Rushmore tour that started in Omaha and ended in Rapid City, SD. On one day our time allocation was as follows:

Fish hatchery -- 90 minutes

SD Tractor Museum -- 90 minutes

Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center -- 45 mins

Corn Palace, Mitchell, SD -- 30 minutes

I don't know if you're familiar with the Corn Palace, but it's am amazing structure that deserves much longer than 30 minutes. In fact so many people protested that they took us back after lunch for another 30 minutes, but when you consider how long it takes to get off the bus that still wasn't very long.

And that's just one example. Another: 2 hours at Mt. Rushmore,or 30 minutes longer than the Tractor Museum.

Needless to say, when you talk to the company's representatives or read their pre-selected customer comments, you hear only good things. My sister and I rented a car and drove back to Omaha, which allowed us to spend more time at the sights that had been short-circuited. Also, it was decent value for the money and the scenery was spectacular. But we still came home feeling it could have been so much more.

Any thoughts on how to avoid this in the future? Thanks.

Cindy Loose: I'd say your best bet is to insist on an exact itinerary. Of course at that point you don't know how much a certain stop deserves and are depending on the tour company to know that better than you could know. Then again, if you call up some info online about each stop, you should be able to get idea of whether the tour is rushing you around too much.

On a personal preference note: Even without looking it up, I can say with confidence that by my reckoning, 90 minutes at a tractor museum would be about 89 minutes too long.

_______________________

Bethesda, Md: Just wanted to thank Gary for -finally- doing a piece on Riga! I think he captured the city pretty well, although it's my humble opinion that it has already lost some of its charm in the last few years. (This opinion comes from someone who's been there about a half dozen times since 1988.)

Gary Lee: You're welcome. I haven't had as much time as you to spend there but my own sense was that it's gained some in charm, too, leaving it about as charming as it was in '88.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: I have such a fear of flying that just -reading- the earlier question about the commuter plane with unbalanced weight made me anxious. I already take Xanax on planes, but that only helps a little. Do you know of any good programs that will help conquer a fear of flying? I'm able to pay up to about $200-300 (though of course, if there's something less expensive that will work, so much the better).

KC Summers: We reviewed a few downloadable fear-of-flying programs this spring. You get them off the Internet and download them onto your MP3 player. The costs are all over the map, though one was just $10. Of course you can't listen to them during takeoff and landing, when you probably need them most, but they may be helpful during the flight. Link coming up.

_______________________

Fairfax, Va: Our kids will be going to sleep away camp and we will have a little time for ourselves. We were thinking about going away for a weekend, specifically Asheville, NC but it seems to far to drive for a weekend. I checked out the Inn at Easton but seems a little too expensive. - Any thoughts or suggestions for a nice weekend getaway for August. Would prefer someplace within driving distance and not at the beach.

Thanks.

John Deiner: Hey, Fairfax. I'm a real sucker for the Virginia wine country. There are two main spots within a few hours of downtown DC -- around Charlottesville and in Loudoun County. Tons of B&Bs and hotels in the areas, and you can easily craft a nice weekend in both. Check www.virginiawines.org for more details.

And you can also consider the Harpers Ferry area -- lots of attractions in the area, including tubing and rafting, museums, cute little Harpers Ferry itself, battlefields and the Charles Town racetrack.

_______________________

washingtonpost.com: Download, Then Fly, (April 22, 2007)

KC Summers: For our fearful flier.

_______________________

Regional wonders: You're stopping firm at North Carolina? Because once you're there, you might as well go another 15 miles south and see the Great Peach of Gaffney South Carolina. It's so kitsch it's almost indescribable.

John Deiner: I love the great peach! Went to school at the University of South Carolina and always knew I was getting closer during the drive from Jersey when the peach reared its freakish head. Funny suggestion, but yeah...just a little far afield.

_______________________

Harrisburg, Pa.: I had a rude awakening traveling recently, which I guess is a warning to everyone to check the air tickets. I had reservations to fly to Pittsburgh for a second connecting airport. I never received an email or phone call telling me that my second connecting flight had been changed to Philadelphia. When I checked in, no one mentioned anything. I dutifully went to the boarding area for Pittsburgh when I suddenly realized that it actually was for Philadelphia, which was three terminals away. I quickly dashed and just made my flight. Yet, that was an awakening I pass along to others. Airlines may change your flight and not inform you.

Cindy Loose: That should never happen if in fact the change had been made in advance, especially if you have given the airline good ways to get in contact with you. But obviously it does happen. Of course checking your ticket wouldn't have helped if the flight was changed some time after your ticket was sent. I guess checking your boarding passes from whenever you checked in would be helpful. Glad you at least made it to Philly, but that's not exactly anywhere close to Pittsburgh, notes this fellow Pa. girl.

_______________________

Washington, DC: Does it really cost $600 to fly RT to Bangor, Maine? (Maybe I should go to Europe, instead!) Is there a less expensive way to do this?

Thanks.

Carol Sottili: Maybe not quite $600, depending on when you travel, but pretty close. Instead, fly into Portland, a two-hour drive from Bangor to save $200 to $250. And it doesn't take much more time because you can fly nonstop to Portland (about 90 minutes) compared to connecting to Bangor (about 3.5 hours).

_______________________

Dulles mobile lounges: A lot of people don't realize that the mobile lounges used to take you from the terminal directly to the airplane, at least in the 1960's. Don't know when they stopped doing that and using the standard gate/hallway to the plane design.

I agree with the nomination of Dulles, by the way -- what a beautiful airport! Unfortunately, they've ruined it with the new terminal, but the original building is lovely, inside and out. Definitely exciting to go there as a kid, whether to travel yourself or even to pick up someone coming in from far away.

John Deiner: Great stuff -- and that is always an amazing sight when you first approach the airport from the highway, isn't it?

_______________________

Edgewater, MD: Thanks!

PS The tractor museum was a "replacement stop" for an attraction that as closed that day. I did buy a cool t-shirt there that has gotten lots of attention since I returned!

Cindy Loose: I should take back my earlier statement about my needing only one minute for a tractor musuem---I forgot about the gift shop! I have some close rural relatives who love anything related to John Deere, so if they had John Deere stuff, I probably would need 45 minutes in a tractor museum.

_______________________

Prague: I don't know how the weather would be in December but it is

on my list of cities worthy of more than one visit. It's just

beautiful and you can walk/metro to the sights. A long

weekend was way too short!

Gary Lee: Thanks for the thought. Prague, like London and Paris, is a perenniel beauty.

_______________________

Washington DC: What's involved in international travel docs for an infant? Does the baby need a passport? A mention in the parents' passports?

Thanks!

Anne McDonough: Yup, the baby needs his or her own passport, and here's the info you'll need: http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/minors/minors_834.html

_______________________

Washington DC: For the China-bound traveler, you absolutely need a Lonely Planet guidebook. We made the mistake of taking a Frommers on our trip last year. It wasn't bad, but didn't have the depth of information that Lonely Planet does. Fortunately, every other Western tourist had one, so we just borrowed a copy and took notes. (We didn't take the LP in part because we were worried we would end up with the tourist crowd, but in China there is no crowd to avoid; there are relatively few independent Western tourists.)

Also, M on the Bund has great view, and while it is pricey (even by DC standards) for dinner, it has a very reasonably priced lunch special ($10 or $15 for a set menu, if I remember correctly.)

Anne McDonough: That's what I always travel with, just make sure it's been updated recently. Also, LP does specialized, thin guides on Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong, and those are I believe updated more frequently and will cut down on guidebook-induced backstrain.

_______________________

Havre de Grace (re: Vegas Off Roading): On our first trip to Vegas, our hotwire rental car was upgraded to a Jeep Wrangler. We did some off-roading in Red Rocks Park. Nothing hard core, it wasn't Paragon or Rauche Creek, and we stuck to the marked jeep trails, but it was still pretty cool.

I don't think my "wonder" will make your list (its more like 8 hours away), but I'd nominate the Sunsphere in Knoxville, TN. Why? Its a weird, quirky gold ball in the middle of an industrial city made famous by either the 1982 World's Fair or the Simpsons episode, depending on your knowledge base. Bonus: they just reopened it for vistors. Bias: I grew up in east TN.

John Deiner: It's still there??? That was my first and only World's Fair. And thanks for the memories on that "Simpson's" episode. What a hoot.

_______________________

Martha's Vineyard in 2 hours: I went with a local pilot/friend to Martha's Vineyard Saturday for lunch, and back (in one day!). I wish we had more than an hour to wander.

If we do this again I'd like to be a little better prepared (and spend more than 2 hours, including lunch!)

What would your favorite things to do in a 2 day wkd to Martha's Vineyard be?

Andrea Sachs: Two days is better than two hours, though two weeks would be the best! My recommendations: Rent a bike and cycle from town to town (if you get tired, you can hop the bus, which has a bike rack). Shop, eat and visit the Old Whaling Museum in Edgartown. View the Chilmark Cliff. Eat seafood in Menemsha, a small fishing village. Check out the colorful gingerbread houses in Oak Bluffs and ride the flying horse carousel. Hike the Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary. Take a sunset tour of the Gay Head Lighthouse. Veg on the beach.

_______________________

Japan Rail pass: Just a thought about whether or not to buy a rail pass for Japan travel.....I had one, and was able to do some spontaneous day trips (including one to Tokyo from Nagoya--the bullet train is FAST) that I might not have done if I'd been buying per trip.

Andrea Sachs: So, true. It does allow lots of freedom!

_______________________

Mobile, Lounge: They use those mobile lounges in Churchill, Canada for the polar bear sightings. Apparently the little buggers think they are "People in a Can"(TM) so you gotta beware. I've seen photos of them climbing the lounges.

John Deiner: Maybe those mobile lounges should get an honorary wonder nod?

_______________________

Arlington, VA: My son made connections on BA through LHR and his bag was delayed 6 days. While waiting SIX days in the UK for his bag he wound up spending almost $200 on a shirt, one pair of jeans, a pair of shoes and some toiletries. We've filed a claim with BA - including reciepts and documentation; will they pay for any of his stuff?

Carol Sottili: My guess is that you'll get reimbursed. British Airways says in its baggage claims fine print that it limits its liability for baggage delays to 1,239 euros, which is considerably more than $200.

_______________________

Arlington, VA: I'm not sure if it's been nominated yet, but Frank Lloyd Wright's masterpiece Fallingwater is a scant three hours away in Pennsylvania.

John Deiner: That's definitely on the list, Arl. Thanks.

_______________________

Travelling by rail in Japan: A word of warning to the previous poster - Japan's rail cars to not allow for much luggage at all - no more than you can fit on an overhead rack. Travel light!

Andrea Sachs: Well, when I was there in March, we traveled with our oversize bags with no problems. But it is always wise to travel light, whether there is luggage space or not.

_______________________

Alexandria VA: My wife and I would like to visit Falling Water this fall. Are there any decent campgrounds (for tent camping, not RVs) near the Frank Lloyd Wright house?

Cindy Loose: I've been to that area several times and while I can't remember a specific tent camping grounds, it strikes me as the kind of place that should have them aplenty--it's quite rural around there. I just did a quick google search for "Laurel Highlands camping"--for tourism purposes they call that area the Laurel Highlands--and came up with quite a few state park options at www.dcnr.state.pa.us. I knew only one of the parks--Greenwood Furnace--and while it's nice it would be more than an hour away from Falling Water, so I caution you to check actual distances if you indeed see a state park you like. (There is one called Ohiopyle, and while i don't know the park, I do know it's close to Falling Water.) Anyway, you're best bet might be to contact the Pa. tourism bureau for that region.

_______________________

Annandale, VA: Man made wonders. What could top (literally and figuratively) the Washington Cathedral!

John Deiner: We may need to make a list of the 25 Wonders of this region.

_______________________

North Bethesda, MD: manmade wonder: Union Station. It's the only place I know of with anatomically correct statues (just peek under those skirts!)

Heathrow: Just came from having luggage delayed several days...anyone PASSING THROUGH should be aware that they are allowed ONE piece of luggage--including your handbag or laptop, not in addition to. You'll have the joy of going through security even though you are passing from one flight to another without leaving the terminal....Also, beware that things like contact lens solution, which comes in a bottle bigger than 3 oz and is allowed in the US, is NOT ALLOWED to pass through UK security. It took me two days to find solution for my gas perm lenses in Paris.

KC Summers: Thanks for that nomination. And here's a fun fact about those Roman centurion statues -- for any fans of the Betsy-Tacy books by Maud Hart Lovelace, did you know that two of the author's friends actually posed for those statues, allegedly in the buff? (Though I suspect it's an urban myth that the statues are anatomically correct -- those swords are very strategically placed.)

And thanks for those Heathrow tips, especially the contact solution -- we haven't heard that one, though we have written several times about the one-bag rule.

_______________________

Great Falls, VA: Hi all! This is a broad question, I know - but we are flying to Barcelona in October for 14 days. It was suggested to us that we drive around Spain, hit the southern part, Madrid, Toledo, Costa del sol, etc. Does anyone have any tips for this trip? Are the roads good, safe? Specific places to visit? Any tips from anyone would be great. I saw the Post Travel section article on Barcelona a few months ago. Thanks so much.

Gary Lee: Driving is a good way to go. In the experience the roads in most parts of Spain are quite good. There are lots of little towns and villages dotted through the country that make for great stops along the way.

But to save on time and stress you might consider flying or taking the train from Barcelona and Madrid, renting a car in Madrid and driving around to Toledo and other spots dotting the capital city.

Similarly, you can take a fast train to Seville, rent a car there and hit Corduba and Granada as well as Seville itself.

Anyone else have Spain touring ideas?

_______________________

luggage through London: I'd be more worried about making sure to pack your carryon well enough to make it through Heathrow's one carryon policy. And that includes laptops, briefcases, and even small purses. One means one.

Andrea Sachs: Yes, one is not one, plus a shopping bag and a duty free box and a purse and . . .

_______________________

Springfield, VA: I'm almost embarrassed to report that I got my passport 17

days after I mailed the application, with a "How to Track Your

Passport" notice in the same mail. A friend who applied in

March has yet to get hers.

And, hey, the Springfield Interchange is truly a wonder

(unless you're going south to 95 which seems always

clogged). You get a great flying view of an enormous sky.

KC Summers: Another positive passport report...

_______________________

Annapolis (and native NYer) : My nomination - the NYC subway system. Yes, it's dirty, noisy and crowded, but it connects almost all parts of the city and runs all the time, making it possible to live car-free.

John Deiner: That is a marvel, Annapolis, and it's dependable as well.

_______________________

Wonders: The Capitol Building; Botanical Gardens: I am always in amazement by the quality of the tile work and such....Unfortunately, since 9-11, it is not easy to go there and wander around...

The botanical gardens are great in the winter and summer...

John Deiner: Well put, and the botanical gardens building is just a gorgeous structure.

_______________________

Washington, DC: Hi, guys! I'm counting on you and your vast store of experience to help me. I'm going to Interlaken for ten days and don't want to check any bags. I wear contacts, and the smallest bottle in the brand I need is four ounces. The TSA website appears to say that I might be allowed to declare the 4-oz bottle of contacts solution I want to carry aboard, but I'm really not sure if it's considered an over the counter medication such as the "saline solution for medical purpose" listed on the TSA site. Do any of you travelers have experience with this? This is from the TSA website:

To ensure the health and welfare of certain air travelers, in the absence of suspicious activity or items, greater than 3 ounces of the following liquids, gels and aerosols are permitted through the security checkpoint in reasonable quantities for the duration of your itinerary (all exceptions must be presented to the security officer in front of the checkpoint):

All prescription and over-the-counter medications (liquids, gels, and aerosols) including KY jelly, eye drops, and saline solution for medical purposes;

Carol Sottili: You'll be fine with the four ounce bottle. Just put it in a plastic zip-loc bag and declare it.

_______________________

Harrisburg, Pa: East Coast Man-Made Wonders: How about Philadelphia's City Hall? It's really an enormous structure, with an open courtyard in the middle, and the clock tower topped by a statue of William Penn. Plus, I can't remember the style of architecture, but it's one of the few remaining displays of it left in the world.

John Deiner: Pant, pant, pant . . . so many good suggestions. You guys are awesome.

_______________________

weight on a plane: Over the past year with flights I have seen an increase in pilots making comment about wieght issues because of more people needing to check bags rather than carry them. It is also possible its a combo of people, luggage, and fuel.

With smaller commuter planes, just because you have a heavier side, generally that can be accomodated by the pilots by taking more fuel from that sides gas tank.

Carol Sottili: Thanks.

_______________________

Richmond, VA: I've been to Churchill to see the polar bears. I even stayed in the Tundra Buggy Lodge. Believe me, a buggy is more exciting than a mobile lounge, albeit a tad colder. (Also, I have a photo of a cub leaning against the buggy directl below me as I was leaning out the window.)

John Deiner: Too cute, Richmond. And I can speak for us all: We're jealous. What an adventure.

_______________________

Falls Church, Va.: I am planning a trip to New Zealand for me and my crochety father, who is in his late 60s. Last year we went to Japan and survived without killing each other, so we figured we'd go on another trip together. We are planning on going in April or May 2008; right now I am finding r/t airfares from LA omn Air New Zealand at about $1000, which seems very good, as long as we can connect to LAX cheaply. We plan on renting a car and driving around for a week or two. Should we confine ourselves to one of the two main islands, or try to see both? He is in pretty good shape for an old guy, but he's not the bungee-jumping sort.

Andrea Sachs: Since you will want to actually spend some time out of the car, I'd recommend just doing the South Island and spending two or three nights per place. Then end the trip in Auckland, where neither you nor dad will need to get behind the wheel (unless it is the wheel of a sailboat).

_______________________

Arlington, VA:7 Wonders...

How about the WWII Memorial? Many of us wonder whose bright idea it was to steal a page from the Albert Speer school of design. Looks like the Fascists and Nazis won, by the looks of it.

On a more worthy note, how about Grand Central Station? The ceiling and main concourse alone are awe-inspiring (and made a for a great scene in "The Fisher King.") And, Jackie Kennedy Onassis kick-started the historic preservation movement with Grand Central.

John Deiner: Excellent suggestion, Arl. (I'm talking about Grand Central Station -- what a glorious space.)

_______________________

Re: Heathrow: I will do anything to avoid Heathrow. Flew to Madrid via Heathrow two years ago. We had a two-hour layover at Heathrow. We were sure that that would be enough time to walk from one gate to another. WRONG!

At Heathrow we had to deplane, await a shuttle, go through security (yes, I thought that we had landed inside a secure zone), waited and waited and waited in line, went downstairs to take a shuttle back to the terminal where we had landed, waited for the shuttle, ran like crazy through the terminal, got to the gate just before the door was closed. Arrived in Madrid to learn that our bags were still at Heathrow, because workers wouldn't put them on the plane if we weren't on it. (The clerk at the desk at Madrid airport was absolutely marvelous!) Had bags delivered to our hotel next afternoon. (Wondered why workers wouldn't put the bags on the plane we were supposed to be on but agreed to put them on the next day's flight--which we certainly were not on.)

Moral of the story: do NOT fly through Heathrow, not if making a connection is important to you. If you have to fly through Heathrow, give yourself lots of time to tour the airport on the shuttles.

KC Summers: Thanks. Heathrow definitely sounds like a place to avoid if possible.

_______________________

Anonymous: Have any of you been to the Albuquerque Ballon Fiesta in October? Is it a total mob scene in the balloon park area (assuming one must be there to get the best views)? The main ascents seem to be in the early morning. Getting from a hotel to one of the park and ride areas and then to the park by dawn seems like a lot of trouble, but the pictures are great . . .

Andrea Sachs: We have never been to the fiesta, but can anyone out there breathe some hot air into this Anon's question?

_______________________

Must see wonders: Longwood Gardens : Pennsylvania/Delaware border.

The Dupont familiy gives a new meaning to filthy rich when you view these opulent gardens and hot houses. You think you couldn't spend a day there but before you know it the sun is going down and the light show over the fountains is well worth the drive.

John Deiner: And it's always different, isn't it? No matter when you go, Longwood has something to marvel at. Thanks for the suggestion.

_______________________

Contact lens solution: Just so flyers know, a few brands of contact lens solution now make 2 oz. containers--opti-free and aquify are the ones i've seen, but i'm sure more of them make it now with these travel restriction...

Carol Sottili: Thanks!

_______________________

Wonder of Our World: The Smithsonian Dulles facility. It's amazingly huge, holds complete airplanes. It may not be beautiful, but the engineering is spectacular!

John Deiner: So many wonders, so little time.

_______________________

Baltimore, Md.: I just returned from a week in Portugal and can only wonder why more Americans don't vacation there. I have been in most of Europe's best-visited cities and can now say that Lisbon easily ranks among them, for physical beauty, friendly people, excellent food and drink, and great sights, both historical and modern. (Not, however, great fashion. Shop elsewhere.) We also spent time in the Algarve -- the southern coast -- and found both beaches mobbed by Europeans and some completely gorgeous and deserted. The euro ain't great, but for Europe, the prices were good. I just wanted to put a plug in.

Cindy Loose: I couldn't agree with you more.

We did a story recently on Lisbon and one on the Azores off shore, but haven't focused on the Algarve region since I had a piece in 2002. I loved it. Hope you had time to venture outside of Lisbon to visit Evora, a beautiful university town, and site of some of the Inquisition trials.

I like to hear readers promoting Portugal---it might help me convince my boss I really need to return.

_______________________

Arlington, VA: Wow. Just read the comment about how it is my fault that my passport is taking too long to be returned to me. It would be great if I had a 2 year notice on trips (as the original poster mentioned) but when you travel for business things have a tendency to pop up. I received a hefty (at least in my industry) notice of an overseas trip 3 months in advance and I'm still scrambling to get my passport renewed. This slowdown is impacting a lot more people than just normal tourist and pleasure travelers.

KC Summers: So true, although as I said, things do seem to be easing up. What a nightmare spring/summer, though.

_______________________

Baby passport: Thanks for the link.

So I'm seriously supposed to submit photos of my newborn for a passport? The kid will look totally different by the time the passport is processed! Is there some special circumstance for little babies?

Anne McDonough: Indeed, the newborn photo is what they want. Photos have to have been taken within six months of applying for a passport. On this link (http://travel.state.gov/passport/guide/faq/faq_881.html) you'll note that the parent can not be visible in the picture of the newborn.

_______________________

weight and balance: It's worse to be aft-heavy than forward heavy. That's what killed those folks in Charlotte.

If I were a passenger on a plane and some not-so-tiny folks refused to move I'd be pretty ticked off. (I'm a pilot).

I can't believe the FA let them go, too. The pilot's word is the last word.

KC Summers: That's what we thought, too. You've got the power!

_______________________

For Arlington, looking to go anywhere in Europe in December,: How about the Azores? Thanks to the Gulf Stream it's warmer than continental Europe -- doesn't get below freezing! -- and the Christmas traditions aren't corrupted nearly as commercially as in more populous areas. Midnight "Missa do Galo" (crowing rooster mass) is a special tradition.

KC Summers: Nice suggestion. Thanks!

_______________________

Capitol Hill, Washington, DC: My partner has his heart set on Ankor Wat next January. I always thought that it would be a neat destination, but never got serious about it until he did. So, we're off to Ankor Wat next winter. (I'm still working on getting myself excited about the trip.)

Question 1: Phnom Penh doesn't sound very interesting . . . beyond being a place to start getting over jetlag. Am I wrong? Should we book serious time in Phnom Pehn? (We plan to avoid the museum of the school turned museum, the killing fields museum and the landmine museum. We've read about that part of Cambodian history and don't need to experience it.)

Question 2: We've never visited Asia before. Should we plan a two- or three-day stop-over somewhere on the way home? Thailand? Korea? Tapei? We have only three weeks total. Usually we go to one country and stay there for the full time. This time we're wondering if we should add another exploration. Yes? No? And if yes, where? (And with the U.S. dollar weak against almost every other currency in the world, we can't afford Japan.)

Thanks.

Cindy Loose: I haven't been to Phnom Penh, so other readers correct me if I'm wrong, but it is my impression that the main reaons to spend time there are the museums you mentioned you don't want to see. Ankor Wat is the major attraction by far.

Anyone know first hand whether I and Capitol Hill have the correct impression about Phnom Penh.

Also, so much was so devastated in Cambodia, and old landmines still remain a problem. Personally I wouldn't spend all three weeks in Cambodia. Thailand would be a great choice--you can do city, beach, jungle, museums, temples etc. etc. I also highly recommend Hanoi.

_______________________

Local Wonder: The new Air Force memorial. It takes my breath away every time I see its soaring spires.

John Deiner: Will wonders ever cease? Yes. On this one, which, again, is another worthy nomination.

I wish I could send each and every one of you some valuable junque, but alas, I can't. So for absolutely no reason other than the fact that they stood out in the transcript when I just looked at it, let's toss out the prizes to Bowie, Md., who nominated the Temperance fountain, and S. Rockville, Md., who nominated Dulles. Send your name/address/letter of undying gratitude to me at deinerj@washpost.com.

And the rest of you? Tune back next week, and watch our section and Web site for the list of nominations. We got off to a great start . . . thanks much.

Happy travels.

_______________________

Editor's Note: washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions. washingtonpost.com is not responsible for any content posted by third parties.