The Post's Flight Crew: (from left to right) John Deiner, Carol Sottili, Steve Hendrix, Anne McDonough, Gary Lee, K.C. Summers, Cindy Loose, Andrea Sachs.

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.

____________________

KC Summers: Greetings, everyone, and welcome to the Post Travel section's weekly chat. The big travel news today, of course, is the continuing wrath of Hurricane Dean. Cruisers and island hoppers are bracing themselves -- if they haven't already diverted course or been evacuated -- as the storm makes its way across the Caribbean. It's now a Category 4 with winds of up to 150 mph, and is expected to become a Category 5 by the time it makes landfall tomorrow, according to the National Hurricane Center. The good news: the Cayman Islands were spared. The bad: Jamaica was apparently hard hit, and Cancun and Belize are currently braced for the worst -- although the latest forecasts predict that Dean will hit more south of Cancun. It looks as if the U.S. Gulf Coast will be spared.

If you have questions about travel insurance, safety, trip refunds or anything else hurricane-related, ask away and we'll do our best to provide the answers. And of course, if anyone out there has first-hand knowledge of conditions in Jamaica, Mexico or elsewhere in the Caribbean, please chime in.

Also: Did you all see our 2007 Photo Contest issue yesterday, and especially that stunning first-place winner by reader Morgan Hill of Harwood, Md.? If you haven't seen it, check it out (link to follow) -- I doubt you've seen a sheperdhess with such great attitude before. (Although as one of our readers made haste to point out, she's clearly herding goats, not sheep, making her a ... goatherdess?) Anyway, that's just one of many wonderful images we received this year -- a record number of entries. Check the issue out for lots more prize winners, photo tips, and news of gear and gadgets.

Here's the Chat Question of the Week: Tell us about your own travel photo tips -- technical tips, favorite subjects, or anything at all photo-related. We have a Wordlock, TSA-approved suitcase lock to send out to the post we deem most helpful and/or amusing -- that's the one we reviewed a couple of weeks ago that you can lock with a password, not a number (easier to remember). Bonus prize: a dashboard hula doll.

Btw, it's a real skeleton flight crew on board today -- John Deiner, Carol Sottili and me -- so we're really counting on you guys to jump in if you can help your fellow chatters out with firsthand knowledge. And we're off...

_______________________

washingtonpost.com: Travel Photo Contest

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: Good afternoon,

I'm looking to go to Las Vegas and was wondering the best time to go.I was looking at the Flamingo since Toni Braxton, whose show I plan on seeing is headlining there.I'm not quite sure what a reasonable price would be.

Thanks

John Deiner: Hey, DC. As always, depends on what sort of big events are going on in the next few months. Fall is a pretty big season for Vegas, what with conventions and the nicer weather. I'd check the rate calendars at www.luxor.com to see what weeks look a little cheaper than others, then plan accordingly. I'd avoid going in December (it's just depressing at Christmastime) and the winter months can be chilly and damp.

As far as the Flamingo, I'm actually going there for the first time next week (I hear the pool is great). But it's not a real luxe spot, so I'd be wary of paying more than $150 or more a night for a room there, unless it's the weekend -- then all bets are off.

_______________________

Chicago: I know I've read this in your chats before but can't find the info: I'm going on a 14-hour flight to SE Asia. What's the best way to survive this (I'm not averse to drugs).

KC Summers: Ambien!

Actually, although I swear by the stuff on long-haul flights, I'm being too glib. It's really not such a hot idea to stay in one position for more than an hour, due to the danger of DVT, deep vein thrombosis, also known as economy seat syndrome. You're really supposed to get up and walk around at least once every hour, plus do special exercises in your seat to keep the blood from pooling in your legs. So it's hard to reconcile comfort and the need to sleep with that.

Whichever way you go, don't overdo the alcohol, and drink lots of water. iPods and portable DVD players can go a long way toward heading off boredome.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: I've been watching Dean's path with a lot of interest, as I've already bought tickets and put down a deposit for a Cancun vacation in early December. If the worst happens and it hits at a Category 5, how long do you think it will take before the area is up and running? All reports are that the buildings are relatively hurricane-proof, but I'm worried about the state of the beaches in particular.

KC Summers: This is where a crystal ball would come in handy, but from what I've seen and read, it doesn't look good. They've just barely recovered from Wilma, and if they get hit as hard as it looks they will, it's going to be a real blow.

_______________________

Stafford, VA: Do you know of the possibility of any airline considering a direct non-stop flight to Stuttgart, Germany from Washington Dulles any time in the not too distant future. We fly there now usually twice a year via Frankfurt but sure would love a direct flight. Thanks much and All the Best.

Carol Sottili: Usually, if there is no nonstop from any of the New York airports, there's even a slimmer chance that there will be one out of Washington. Stuttgart is situated between Frankfurt and Munich, and there are nonstop flights to both cities. But I think you're going to have to put up with the drive (less than 2.5 hours to either city) for the time being. The only situation that I could see develop is a discount airline coming in and offering service to Stuttgart as a alternative city.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: When did it become acceptable to use a personal entertainment device in a public place without headphones? During the last week's travel, it happened TWICE that several rows of passengers were subjected to someone else's personal DVD player, with all its explosions and insipid dialog and other noise pollution. The flight attendants did nothing. Is this the next torture we have to endure on airlines?

Other than the few incredibly rude fellow passengers, I have to report that American Airlines did a fine job this time. They aren't lying about the extra leg room, either. Just remember to pack your own meal, as they no longer offer any complimentary snacks -- not even peanuts.

John Deiner: Hey, DC.

ACK. It's never become acceptable to use a personal entertainment device in a public space without headphones. I can't believe that no one complained to either the flight attendants or the passengers. Everyone just sat there? Okay, I probably would have fidgeted angrily for about 30 minutes before complaining to someone, anyone.

I know parents don't like it, understandably, when people on planes play racy flicks on their players as well (anything with explicit sex scenes in it should be avoided, no?). We should all be more conscious of the fact that we're not flying alone, particularly when someone's knee is bumping the seat behind you. (Of course, your American experience sounds pretty decent, even without the peanuts.)

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: There's a chance I will have to fly short-notice (maybe 2-3 days' notice) this week or next week for family reasons. What are the best places to look for good last-minute ticket prices?

Carol Sottili: Figure out which airlines fly to your destination, go to their sites and look for e-savers. They're usually posted during the week for weekend travel. It's not usually possible to get a cheap short-notice flight unless you can work your plans around weekend travel. To find out which airlines fly to your city, go to the airport sites (www.bwiairport.com or www.mwaa.com).

_______________________

Clarksville Tenn: We plan to take our grandson to London and Paris next June. Typically we buy our plane tickets as early as possible. We notice at present that the tickets seem to got very expensive - over $1200 per person into Manchester and out of Paris.

Should we wait until the winter to get the tickets or get them now?

Carol Sottili: That sounds high. Are you looking at Manchester as an alternative to London? It's not that close, and it's usually more expensive to fly there. If you're flying late in June after school gets out, it won't be cheap, but I'd keep checking and I'd buy when it goes under $1,000. That's still high, but if you're the type of person who likes to have everything squared away early, and if you need to travel on specific dates, may be worth it. You can sign up at www.orbitz.com and www.kayak.com for fare notifications. Also, I'd take out travel insurance.

_______________________

Virginia: Love your feedback!!!

Any good Atlantic City tips?

Also, what is your opinion of the Trump Taj Mahal?

John Deiner: Hey, Virginia.

I'm not a fan of anything with Donald Trump's name on it, but of his trio of AC casinos, the Taj is the least objectionable pick (big airy casino). I'd stay at the Borgata or Harrah's Marina if I had a choice, or maybe the newer towers in spots like the Showboat and Resorts. For the best choice of reasonably priced restaurants, the Tropicana is the easy pick.

As far as tips go, make sure you stroll the boardwalk a bit. It's coming back slowly but surely, and the fresh air is always a good thing. The outlet mall area is actually quite nice when you come into town. I'm a big fan of the Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge outside of town -- it's really beautiful.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: Travel photos. My favorite subject has always been sunsets. Not necessarily the kind seen over an ocean with the silhouette of a palm tree in the distance (although I have many of those), but cityscapes bathed in vibrant red/orange hues bring a mundane picture to life.

KC Summers: It's a real challenge to capture a sunset in a fresh way. That's a good idea to try it in an urban setting -- thanks for the reminder!

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: Here's my travel photo trip -- travel with a friend who is into taking pictures. I gave up taking many pictures when I realized I was focused more on getting the photo than enjoying the experience. Now, I buy a few postcards that give a sense of the area (professional photographers do a better job than I ever could), occasionally a whole picture book if there's a good one, bring a few disposable cameras in case there are shots I just don't want to miss, and get a few photos from travelling companions who enjoy photography (if they don't mind, of course). Changing my focus from the pictures to the experience has greatly improved my enjoyment of travel.

KC Summers: I like this tip. I love taking pictures but it is an added pressure, and I can see how this would free you up.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: I have the opportunity to study in Beijing and London over the next two summers. The question is, in what order? The China program lasts from late May to late July, ending just before the Olympics. Would the upcoming Games make the summer of 2008 a better or worse time to visit Beijing? (I will not be able to attend the Olympics either way.)

John Deiner: Hey, DC. I'm a sucker for big events, or at least the excitement leading up to them. And everythng I've been reading in this paper and, uh, others suggests that Beijing is going to be the place to be in the next year. Me? I'd opt to be in Beijing as the Games approach, because it won't be a touristic nightmare (yet) and there'll probably be a real buzz in the air. And London is great any time you go. (What a great situation you're in -- two fascinating places)

_______________________

Passport update: Just thought I would share: I sent in my passport renewal around July 26th (at least, that's when my check was dated), figuring that the crunch was over and there were all these extra people working right now. I received my new passport (which is so much nicer than the old one) on August 13th, less than three weeks later, and my old passport back the next day. And this was less than a week after I received the confirmation in the mail from the State Dept. that they were processing it. What a relief.

John Deiner: Good for you! We've been hearing more successful stories by the day, and I'm glad it worked out for you.

_______________________

Travel Photo Hint: My hint -- take extra memory card(s) and batteries. In addition to just running out of memory or juice, I know too many people who have had problems and lost all their pictures because they had them all on one card and it got demagnetized or whatever. At least if you have two cards, you have at least half your photos.

KC Summers: I know!! This is so true. I packed three memory cards on my last trip and was so glad I did. They're well worth the extra expense. Also packed extra batteries, which I needed.

_______________________

Rockville, MD: A couple of Saturdays from now, I will have an 8-hour (10-6pm) layover in Ottawa before going on to Europe. Is this enough time to get into the city and do something? What would you recommend for visiting or dining?

John Deiner: Anyone out there with some help for Rockville?

_______________________

KC Summers: Folks, we're having some technical difficulties, so please bear with us. We'll run into overtime if we have to, to make up for the delays....

_______________________

Arlington, Va.: My boyfriend and I live in two different parts of the country and are looking to book a weekend getaway in the near future. Budgets are tight, and many getaway deals are contigent upon traveling together. We aren't particularly concerned with where we go. Where can we look to find good deals for a mutual destination?

John Deiner: Hey, Arl. You didn't say where your boyfriend is located, but if it's in a city served by Southwest, that's a good thing, as it may expand your opens. If I were you, I'd sign up for Southwest Ding! fares, which alert you to often dirt-cheap fares. Maybe you guys could work out something that way.

_______________________

Honeymoon in Jamaica...: Hi Travel Crew!

We are getting married 9/1 (yay!) and leaving for Jamaica 9/3. How much do we need to worry about the destruction from Dean and/or future hurricanes? (I feel selfish for asking as the locals are hardest hit!) We are staying at a resort on the beach in Negril. Thanks!

Carol Sottili: Negril was not hit as hart as Kingston. You should be fine by early September. But check with your hotel. And Mazeltov!

_______________________

Fairfax, Va.: I flew to IAD from Las Vegas last Thursday on UAL. Flight landed 15 minutes early (yea!) then had to wait 75 minutes for baggage (boo!). What is the problem!? I wrote United and they said essentially, "Gee, it shouldn't be like that". Thanks!

John Deiner: Hey, Fairfax. I think the same thing every time I go to BWI and have to wait forever and five minutes for my bag. I'm guessing that it's simply volume, volume, volume, and that they just didn't have the manpower or the conveyor belt space to get your bags to the terminal faster. Also, while coming in early is always good for you, it can often lead to some disastrous backups at the airport -- like securing a gate.

John Deiner: Anyone else have this problem recently?

_______________________

Montclair, NJ: Hi wonderful Travel Gurus! If an airline flight falls in price after you've bought it, can you call up and get a refund for that amount or are you out of luck?

This is the first time I am flying on Thanksgiving (flying on Turkey Day and returning that Sunday). I bought a ticket to fly from EWR to Tampa in mid-July, worried that if I waited any longer it would get really expensive. The flight came to $488, which is expensive enough! Over this past weekend I saw the same flights on the same airline at more than $100 less. Can I call up the airline or am I just going to waste my breath? Thanks!

Carol Sottili: Different airlines have different policies. Some will refund your money. Others give vouchers. Others say tough luck. It's worth a phone call.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: This is for last week's poster asking about Toronto hotels. I've used Priceline to book rooms for $60 a night. I think most bidders end up with the Sheraton, which is quite nice and in a good location.

I won't be around to see if this is posted, as I'm off to Africa, but I hope it's helpful!

John Deiner: Cool, DC. Thanks much.

_______________________

Kansas City, Mo: My parents are going to be in Italy for three months and need to rent a car. All they can find, though, is rentals that run about 5000 euros per month! They'll be flying into Rome. Does anyone (please!!!) have any ideas about long term rentals or short term leases or something?? Surely there is a better alternative than this! Thank you in advance for any ideas you might have!

Carol Sottili: Have you tried www.renaultusa.com? It does longer-term leases.

_______________________

Arlington, Va.: Hi Gurus! This is not an answer as much as another question, but I'm interested in your thoughts on asking strangers to take pictures of you. We usually travel just the two of us, and I like having pictures of us together (rather than the same shot twice, with each of us taking turns). Do you ever have any concerns about theft? What about etiquette in general? I hate to be a hassle. Thanks!

KC Summers: Please, God, let this answer get through... Really sorry about our technical problems today, everyone. Anyway: In all my years of traveling, I've never had a problem with camera theft, and my friends and I ask people to take our pictures a LOT. In my experience, both locals and fellow tourists love to help travelers out. As for etiquette, just ask politely -- I tend toward the obsequious -- and offer to do the same in return. If they don't have a camera, I've offered to take their photo with mine, and email them the results.

_______________________

Reston, Va.: Hi,

Typically, how is the weather in USVI and other Carribbean spots in late October?

KC Summers: Very nice, temperature-wise, in my experience. July and August can be beastly hot, but fall is pleasant -- although October is still hurricane season.

_______________________

Richmond, Va.: I guess this is a travel photo tip, if your travel involves seeing animals (in the wild or the zoo): focus on the eyes. Come to think of it, that should work for photos of people too! Also, a "GorillaPod" is a nice lightweight item to have in your bag at all times. It's a small tripod with flexible legs; just incredibly handy for getting a nice steady shot.

KC Summers: Great tip, Rich, thanks. Beats trying to balance the camera on a rock or a fencepost...

_______________________

Silver Spring, Md.: On my preferred vacation photo techniques, my girlfriend hates having her picture taken. So, I have started using guerrilla-style paparazzi shots when we're walking down the street together. I'll hold the camera out to the side and snap a few shots of her. She thinks it's funny (and kind of annoying), and I end up with some nice shots of her laughing with the streetscape in the background. The bonus is that, with digital photography, I just erase the bad shots.

KC Summers: I love this! Thanks, SS.

_______________________

Lorton, VA: I'm trying to find a weekend getaway, within a 3 to 4 hour drive that would be fun for my parents who are in their 70's and 80's, myself and husband in our 40's, and my two kids ages 3 and 5. I'm trying to find something for Columbus day weekend, for a Saturday, and Sunday night stay. Any suggestions?

John Deiner: Hey, Lorton. There's always the beach, which will be much cheaper at that time, with decent weather the farther south you go. Also a fan of anything with a cabin, and there are some lovely somewhat-rustic ones in Herrington Manor State Park in western Maryland; you could also opt for more modern cabins at Cacapon Resort State Park near Berkeley Springs.

_______________________

Richmond, Va.: If I am planning a trip to Paris in October 2008, when is the best time to look for airline tickets? Do you have a favorite airline for overseas travel? Love the chats!

Carol Sottili: You can't start looking until fares are loaded, about 332 days before flight. I'd look for a fare of about $750 or so for October travel. I fly any airline that goes nonstop, and that happens to be United and Air France. I'd probably go with United, given that choice.

_______________________

Baltimore, Md.: I am booking a flight to Paris at the end of October. I see the EXACT SAME Icelandair flights (same date, time, and flight numbers) for $784 on the Icelandair Web site and $595 on Priceline. What's the catch? I have used Travelocity many times but never Priceline.

Carol Sottili: Are you sure the Priceline fare has the taxes included? That usually explains that sort of difference.

_______________________

Burlington, Vt.: I know I'm planning way ahead, but I've got tickets to come to your town to watch the NCAA tournament next March. I'd like to stay downtown near the arena and not rent a car. What are my options for hotels and activites within walking distance on the day between games?

John Deiner: Hey, Vt. Tons of options, but I'm guessing you'll have to book way early. I love the Hotel Monaco, which is right across the street from the arena and easy to get to from Reagan National. You didn't say you were looking for budget lodging, and that would be my choice, for convenience sake. As far as activities, you are within a 15-minute walk of the Smithsonian, White House, parks, shopping, etc. And the subway station is right there as well.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: Hi, I'm submitting early because I hear your resident Croatia expert is in today and I don't want to miss him/her! My friend and I (23-year-old girls) are going to Dubrovnik for a few days in mid-September, and I was wondering if you have any suggestions for things to see during the day and places to go out at night. We'd also like to take a day trip to one of the nearby islands (by ferry) -- any tips for which one is the best for beaches/things to do? Thanks a lot!

KC Summers: Oh, you're going to one of my favorite cities! And mid-September is the perfect time to visit: fewer crowds and still-warm weather. Old Town Dubrovnik is one of the most beautiful cities on the planet, IMO, with the most amazing, surreal, glowing-from-within white marble streets. That's my favorite thing to do there: Stroll the main drag, stopping at sidewalk cafes and peeking into churches, shops and galleries. There's lots to see there, including centuries-old monasteries and churches, one of the oldest synagogues in Europe, and of course the ancient city walls, with the most amazing views of the city and its red clay roofs.

You're smart to ferry over to an island -- I went to Korcula, which was fantastic, but that's really more than a day trip. It's great, though -- like a mini-Dubrovnik. But there's also Hvar and Mljet. Really, you can't go wrong, and just the ferry ride itself is wonderful, with great views of the coast. I'll post a link to my story from last fall, with some restaurant tips and other info.

_______________________

Baltimore, Md.: Whenever I'm in a tourist area (like the Inner Harbor in Baltimore), people are always asking me to take their picture with their camera. I'm a 50+ woman so I guess I look safe. So, all you tourists, ask an old person who looks like she can't run fast!

KC Summers: LOL

_______________________

Re: Ottawa: Eigh hours should be plenty of time to go into the city for a bit of sightseeing. Parliament Hill is interesting, and there are usually tours available. The National Gallery of Canada has a solid collection, with good impressionist works as well as works by Canadians. Walk along the Rideau Canal (in winter, when frozen, it's used by skaters), have a Beaver Tail (a pastry). You probably won't have time to cross into Quebec, but if you do, there's an interesting Civilization Museum.

John Deiner: Great stuff -- sounds like a good place to kill a third of a day. Thanks for chiming in.

_______________________

Photo tip, D.C.: In following up from the reco to take memory cards and batteries, you can also buy a mini harddrive to download all of your photos (about the size of a VHS cassette and only a few pounds) while you're on the trip, so you never have to worry about filling up memory cards. It was a huge help for a recent two-week trip across the Pacific!

KC Summers: A friend of mine does that -- the technology seemed like too much for me to grasp, but it made him happy. Me, I'd rather pack more memory cards. Those I can handle.

_______________________

Falls Church, Va.: Yes, yes, yes! WHY does it take so long to get the bags off of the plane and back to the passengers? This summer we have traveled extensively for work and for vacation. We encourtered this problem in Miami (dreadful, dreadful international terminal!), Dulles and National with different airlines each time.

Last Tuesday we waited for more than 40 minutes at National. The flight was routine, just a simple 6:00 a.m. from Chicago that was on time. WHAT is the deal with that??

John Deiner: There's just too many of us flying this summer, and we're all flying at the same time, and we're all arriving at the same time, and there are fewer people doing the work once we arrive. It's an ugly scene out there, and at the same time, more people are checking bags because of the liquid/gel regulations -- which just adds to the crunch.

_______________________

Re: Baggage: Yes, BWI is always horrible when it comes to baggage claim. But I don't think that volume is a good enough excuse. Shouldn't the magic of computers tell them how many planes are arriving at a certain time, so that they can plan to have an appropriate number of baggage handlers? This goes for almost every aspect of the airports: check-in, security, etc. Why, in this day, is this sooooo hard?!

John Deiner: Again, I'm not a baggage expert, nor do I play one on TV. But as has been reported over and over again, planes are later than ever, schedules are constantly getting rejiggered and passengers are the ones paying the price. If there's a big delay of incoming flights because of weather (in any part of the country), it's going to lead to even more delays on the ground. Don't get me wrong: I'm not making excuses for the airlines, which should be staffing things better and planning for these sorts of delays, but the best thing I can suggest is to pack lighter and carry on your stuff if possible.

_______________________

Las Vegas, Nev.: Hi, wondering if your Croatia expert is on board today. If so, would a river boat cruise between Zagreb and Dubrovnik be too cold during the beginning of March? Trip would cover Split, Brac, Hvar, Korcula and Place/Mostar. Any information would be appreciated.

KC Summers: Hi Vegas. I visited in September when the weather was perfect, and my fear is that March would be a bit nippy. I just checked the historical weather data for Zagreb and the avg temps in March are 38-48F. You might check w/ Croatia tourism or the embassy for any firsthand knowledge.

_______________________

Waldorf, Md.: My wife took at least 50 sunset pictures in Hawaii on our honeymoon. Some were from the top of Mauna Kia, some from the balcony of the hotel, and some from a restaurant was 100 percent outdoors. The sunsets in Hawaii are something you would never see in D.C., anytime of the year. The sun literary looks like it is hitting the water. The sun drops really quick, she was taking pictures every other minute it seemed. Even when the sun went down, the sky pictures while there was some daylight were a sight to be seen.

KC Summers: Thank god for digital cameras, no? Can you imagine burning through the film with tempting shots like that?

_______________________

Penn Quarter, Washington, D.C.: Hello Flight Crew! I'm scheduled to leave on a cruise to the Bahamas on Sunday from Port Canaveral. Do you think that there will be any adverse effects from Hurricane Dean that may cancel crusine? Thanks.

John Deiner: My guess? Heck no. The hurricane will be long gone by then, and it's been past the Bahamas for a while now. I think you will be fine. Have a great time...

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: Are bereavement fares a myth? A family member died recently and my brother ended up going an online cheap airfare locator since the major airlines were so useless.

KC Summers: Yes, as we've written, bereavement fares are often higher-priced than sale or low-budget airline fares. The one advantage is that bereavement fares to provide some flexibility if you aren't sure of your return dates, etc. Definitely do some comparison shopping before committing.

_______________________

Anonymous: When big storms like Dean arrive, to what extent do airlines change their normal routes from Point A to Point B if the storm is in between and not at one of the two points? Obviously travel over a hurricane, even high over, can get pretty uncomfortable, but would that make any difference, given necessities dictated by schedules, fuel, etc? I have flown on the edges of typhoons in the Asia/Pacific area, and my wife flew over a hurricane crossing the Caribbean going between the U.S. and Brazil. Travelers do not have the option to avoid bad weather flying once tickets are purchased. And now you would need to pay for liquor, even on international flights!

John Deiner: Good question, Anon. And I have no idea. As large as hurricanes can be, it would seem flight paths could be shifted a bit to fly around them, but maybe someone out there knows for certain?

_______________________

Kensington, Md.: Hey Crew!

I just found out (thanks to WashPost!) that the September flight I booked from DFW to BWI (AA #1188) on my way home from Puerto Vallarta is one of the worst on-time flights in the country.

Any suggestions? Should I try and change my flight? Or should I just thank the Buddha that the flights I booked for my trip are now $150 more for the exact same segments!

John Deiner: I would thank Buddha that you got the flights for a good price, and bring some reading material.

_______________________

Arlington, Va.: I'm looking to take a short (three days/two nights) local trip after my wedding in November. We'd like it to be somewhere within driving distance (don't want to mess with flights). We were thinking of something like the Homestead/Greenbrier/Nemacolin scenario, but we were wondering if there was something slightly less stuffy and over-the-top. Mind you, I'm still looking for spa and fitness facilities, but would like to hike and do other outdoor stuff as well. Any places come to mind? Thanks in advance!

KC Summers: You know, I'm not sure it makes sense to lump the Greenbrier and the Homestead together. To my mind, the Greenbrier is more elegant and eye-popping, while the Homestead is a bit more faded and down-home. Anyway, lower-key options might be Keswick or the Clifton Inn, both in Charlottesville, or the Inn at Perry Cabin on the Eastern Shore. Anyone out there (if anyone's still out there!) got other suggestions for Arl?

_______________________

Alexandria, Va.: We are flying out of Dulles on Christmas day, and I am concerned about parking. Do the lots fill up? It's a short trip, so a cab from our house to the airport would cost us approx. 3x what parking would. Are there off-airport parking vendors where you can make a reservation? Any help would be great.

John Deiner: Hey, Al. Historically, the airports are not nearly as packed on Christmas as they are on Thanksgiving, and our local airports have done a good job on increasing the number of spots available. And Dulles doesn't have the same sort of private off-campus parking that BWI has.

_______________________

Reston, Va.: Someone more technologically talented than I am should verify this, but if you have access to a computer while traveling, you could move your photos from your digital camera to a memory stick. You can get those easily without spending a lot of money -- the ones with the least storage can be obtained for about $25 -- and they're extremely portable.

KC Summers: Good suggestion. I wish I could travel with an IT support person, though, because even this sounds daunting to me. Pathetic, I know.

_______________________

For Croatia bound: In the afternoon, before sunset, head up to a bar pretty much set into the walls/cliffs and watch the sun set over the water. I'm pretty sure it's called Buza and it's kind of hard to find -- there are random signs tacked up along the walk up there -- but so worth it!

KC Summers: Yes, I've heard of Buza, good suggestion. Thanks.

_______________________

Bethesda, Md.: Hi Crew-

Could you please help with a hotel recommendation for Paris? My husband and I will be spending 2 nights there at the end of a trip to the Dordogne region. I'm overwhelmed by the number of hotels and neighborhoods from which to choose. We'd like to spend less than 200 euros a night and plan to hit the major highlights like the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and Notre Dame, but would also just like to roam around the city. Thanks so much!

KC Summers: I love the Hotel Verneuil on the Left Bank. Also the D'Angleterre. Fantastic location, much charm.

_______________________

Chicago, Ill.: To answer Anonymous' question about hurricanes: Yes, the airlines will fly around the storms whenever possible. I once took a flight from Chicago down to Miami that had to skirt around Hurricane Floyd (?) that was then over the Carolinas. I've never seen a 300-mile long storm before, and it was a fabulous sight to fly alongside (and underneath it).

John Deiner: Thanks, Chicago. Good to know!

_______________________

My Dad is Turning 60: We want to surprise him with a trip that occurs near his birthday in February. The options are:

Florida Keys

California wine country

Greenbrier in White Sulfur Springs, WV

Which would you choose and why?

KC Summers: You can't go wrong with any of these choices. I'd pick the Fla Keys just because I'm craving a laid-back vacation right now, and I love the funky charm of the place. But if your dad loves wine, that's also a great time to head to California.

Time for us to get out of here -- sorry again for the technical glitches today. Please try again next week if we didn't get to your question, or look for our Chat Plus item on Sunday, when we answer one last chat question each week.

The travel lock goes to the chatter who recommended traveling with a Gorilla Pod tripod, and the hula dancer goes to the paparazzi photographer who makes his girlfriend laugh. Send your contact info to me at summersk@washpost.com and we'll get the prizes right out to you. Thanks to all for joining us today, and we'll see you next week -- or on our daily blog, at http://blog/washingtonpost.com/travellog. Happy trails!

_______________________

For honeymooner wanting a local spa/resort: There is always the new spa at the Williamsburg Inn (I checked in on it last month--it looked VERY nice.) Williamsburg has lots to do--history, golf, shopping, wandering the historic areas,

Also, what about the new Bedford Springs? We keep driving by the signs on the PA Turnpike and are curious...the area is definitely lovely (that Rt. 222 or whatever it is, on the road south to Cumberland from Bedford, is simply gorgeous and so quiet...)

KC Summers: And here's one last tip for the honeymooners. Two more great suggestions.

_______________________

Charlottesville, Va.: For Arlington who wants the short trip and you recommended a couple of inns down here, remember that we're in football season, and places book early for the weekends of home games. If it's not a football weekend, look at the Boars Head Inn as well. They have a nice sports club and balloon rides over the Virginia countryside.

KC Summers: Okay, one more tip. Thanks, C'ville.

_______________________

Minneapolis, Minn.: Another gadget that is easy even for the non-tech friendly is the iPod Camera Connector (about $30), which allows you to download digital photos from your camera to your iPod. You can delete the memory card view the photos on the iPod. When you get home, it's easy to transfer the photos form the iPod to your computer.

KC Summers: Can't resist publishing this very helpful tip. Thanks, Minn. Want a Wordlock? Send me your contact info.

_______________________

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.