Your "Flight Crew," sitting from left: Christina Talcott, Andrea Sachs, Cindy Loose. Standing from left: Scott Vogel, K. C. Summers, John Deiner and Carol Sottili. (Julia Ewan -- TWP)

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.

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John Deiner: Welcome to this week's jaunt with the Travel section Flight Crew. Hope you're all enjoying this fantastic cool fall weather (about time, huh?) and planning all sorts of fun getaways.

We have most of the staff standing by awaiting your questions, which, of course, we'll answer to the best of our ability. Or dump it in your lap to help us out.

Before we continue, if you haven't checked out our blog today (http://blog.washingtonpost.com/travellog), do so. After the chat, of course. This week, we're taking turns writing about our favorite cities. KC gets the ball rolling today by talking about NYC.

And now, your task. I've just discovered that I left my favorite piece of clothing -- a gray Durham Bulls T-shirt --somewhere in Cancun. I think it fell on the floor of my hotel, but I just discovered it missing weeks later. This isn't the first time I've lost something on a trip, but I'm usually lucky in getting it returned. Not this time -- hotel has no idea where it is.

Soooo...this week I want you guys to share things you've lost/left on the road. Your favorite earrings on a plane? Your child's doll on a layover? Your cellphone in security? And let us know if you got it back, and how. As always, keep 'em short and simple.

Best response gets what may become YOUR favorite tee: an ultra-purple Barney-esque shirt touting the Main Street Festival in Madison, Va. Also, I'll throw in a faux leather crab thing from the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay.

Let's get going, shall we?

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Washington, DC : LOVIN' the new photo!

John Deiner: Why, thanks, DC. It's like herding cats to get us all together in one place, but we're happy to finally have it updated.

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Stuffing poster from last week, Va: I am the poster who asked, last week, about traveling to Portland with stuffing. Thanks to everyone for the comments! I never considered that if I did that I might be subjecting my friends to food poisoning, and I never had any intention of freezing the entire thing together, I would have kept the bread separate. But thanks to all the advice, I have decided to buy and make the stuffing there, mostly because it was special requested that I make the stuffing since it went over so well last year, when I drove. Thanks again for all the advice!!!

Carol Sottili: I think you've made the right choice. And, by the way, am I the only one who was surprised by the outpouring of ideas and concern on this topic?

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Rosslyn, VA: I notice a new photo of the flight crew. What happened to Gary Lee?

KC Summers: We're sad to report that Gary has moved on after 22 years here at The Post. We miss him more than we can say -- he brought so much to the section, from his Continental flair to his deep knowledge of the Caribbean to his hotel expertise. Not to mention his fashion sense. He had it all over the rest of us when it came to style. He's going to be focusing on writing books and other diversions -- one of which is his fabulous new restaurant, Las Canteras, in DC's Adams Morgan. Pay him a visit there -- the pisco sours are to die for.

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Arlington, VA: the person wishing to go to Montreal for the week between Christmas and New Year's in the Sunday travel Q&A might also want to visit St. Joseph's Oratory which is an enormous church up on Mont Royale. The church building itself is much more impressive on the outside than it is inside as the main sanctuary which is quite modern. The complex includes a very interesting tour however and they have a museum with a huge collection of creches from around the world. I think it is something like 300 in total and it is very interesting to see their local costumes and features. I used to be Catholic and am not very religious any more, but I thought it was worth the visit.

Scott Vogel: Great suggestion, Arlington, and it's true that the collection of creches is a Christmas must for many Montrealers. Another thing to consider: the many choral and classical music concerts the church holds.

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Johnson City, Tenn: Not a question but a tip for the person using ATM's in the U.K.; make sure you visit your bank and let them know when and where you will be using your card. If you try to use it without notifying them, they are liable to put a "stop" on it!

Oh, I would rent a car and drive to Skye - its easier to get around on Skye with a car.

KC Summers: Very true. But you don't have to visit the bank in person -- a phone call to the 800 number will do. One more tip: Don't use your bank debit card at ATMs abroad, since if someone steals your card they could clean out your account and checks you've written could bounce until you figure it out. Also, take more than one credit card, since sometimes they inexplicably won't work when you're abroad and at your most vulnerable.

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Washington DC:

Congrats on the interesting article on Cambodia. However, I was disturbed by the photo on the front page -- showing a couple wearing tank top shirts, basketball shorts, and too-casual footgear, photographing a highly sacred religious site (Angkor Wat). This photo only confirms the stereotype of ugly Americans abroad.

I cannot imagine that the Washington Post would publish a comparable photograph taken at the Sistine Chapel, the Wailing Wall, or Mecca, so why this disrespectful pose at Angkor Wat? You had a much more respectful photograph buried inside (the wedding party) that would have been far more suitable for the front page of the travel section.

Thank you for your consideration.

John Deiner: Hey, DC. Point taken. But I wouldn't go so fast in assuming those were American tourists on the steps -- they weren't ID'd as such, though they do fit the stereotype.

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Angkor Wat: Enjoyed the story about visiting Angkor during the rainy season. One observation I'd make: If you can choose a month, avoid August. Lots of Europeans take vacations during that month, so there were heavy crowds when we were there -- maybe not as heavy as during the dry season, but nonetheless, don't expect to have the temples to yourself.

I'd also put a plug in for a little boutique craft shop in Siem Reap called Rehab Craft, which employs people handicapped by landmines and rampant polio.

John Deiner: Hey, AW. Great stuff...thanks for filling in the blanks on what August is like there.

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Boston, Mass: I left my pocket knife at airport security in Tokyo. The sign reminding you to put such things in your check luggage came after I'd already checked my bag (sniff). I'd been traveling with it for about 15 years. And once checked my little carry on backpack just to get it home. But this time it was too late and the lines too long.

John Deiner: Thanks, Boston. I think we all know someone who's lost a beloved pocket knife at security -- even worse is when they get through!

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Burke Va: We want to take a cruise on Royal Caribbean in May 2008 sailing from Baltimore. I was told RC has a no discount policy which means all web sites and/or travel agency's will have the same price. True? Also, do you have any suggestions on getting a good price for a Royal Caribbean cruise.

Carol Sottili: The days of travel agencies offering deep discounts on mainstream cruise lines are basically over. Most cruise lines control their inventory very carefully, and most are now marketing directly to consumers in an effort to cut out travel agents. That said, travel agencies are fighting back, offering such incentives as free wine, shipboard credits, free shore excursions, and other extras. I'd price out the trip with Royal Caribbean and then go to a site such as www.cruisecompete.com, where you can post your requirements and travel agencies will respond with quotes.

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Lost items: Back in 1993 or so, my family and I went up to Salem MA for a few days and then met up with family in VT. My brother was 6 years old at the time and he left his beloved Sonic the hedgehog stuffed animal at the hotel we stayed at. We ended up driving back to Salem (after driving to Boston to drop off a friend) to pick up Sonic before heading back to MD. 14 years later and we still talk about that trip!

John Deiner: Ah, Sonic. I'm guessing he's sitting somewhere on a shelf now as a monument to things we've loved and nearly lost. Great stuff.

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Washington DC: I'm traveling to Europe next week for the first time. What is the best way to exchange currency? Should I use euros or just use credit cards?

KC Summers: Our general advice is to use ATMs to get currency (you get a better exchange rate than at a currency exchange place). Take out little bits (a couple hundred) at a time so that you're not carrying around huge wads of bills. I always charge everything I can. Also take note of the previous poster's tip to notify your credit card company ahead of time if you're going to be out of the country.

Also, you didn't ask, but we don't recommend using travelers' checks. A lot of places don't accept them.

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Washington, DC: I am planning to visit a friend in Raleigh, NC the week after Thanksgiving. What do you think I95 South will be like the Sunday after? I think of lots of traffic heading up I95, but have no idea what traffic will be like going the other way.

John Deiner: Hey, DC. The traffic south of DC is almost always bad around here, isn't it? Our thinking DC is that it's going to be just as bad if not way worse that day. Can you go that Monday instead?

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Luggage: this might be a weird question....but has anyone ever used a backpack that has luggage wheels? It seems like the perfect solution for an upcoming trip where regular suitcase isn't practical, but wheels would be nice for getting around the airports. The only one I've seen is pretty pricey ($200+ for 25inch pack) and I don't want to spend that kind of money if it's going to suck.

KC Summers: I confess I just don't get this phenomenon. Don't wheels just add weight and take up space in a backpack? And if you don't want to carry your backpack, why did you get a backpack? Why not just get a piece of rolling luggage? I dunno, maybe I'm missing something -- anyone want to enlighten me?

Sign me,

Confused.

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Harrisonburg, VA: I left my cell phone charger plugged in our bedroom at a rental house on the Outer Banks. After calling the rental company and housekeeping twice (once to find out that it hadn't been found but they'd look for it next time they cleaned and the second time to find out that they hadn't found it,) I gave up and had to find another one.

The cellphone company didn't have a replacement so after much googling, my husband found a replacement in Hong Kong and I got it about a week later.

The punchline is that a few months later it turned up -- I found it in the outside pocket of my suitcase. I must have unplugged it after all. Now I have two so I can lose one of them with no problem. But this is all too easy to do. Anybody have a good suggestion for remembering to unplug phone chargers?

John Deiner: Hey, HVa. Love this anecdote -- because now it's making us think as well. I always keep my phone plugged in on top of my luggage, so I'll remember everything when it's time to go. But I know there's a lot of packing and unpacking at OBX houses, so I can see how easily it would be to leave behind. Anyone have a suggestion?

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Rick Steves tours: Just fyi for the person who was inquiring about these tours: My sister took a Rick Steves tour to London this summer and LOVED it. She loved the tour guide and also the type of travelers it attracted.

KC Summers: Ah, thanks for chiming in. Do you remember what, specifically, she said about the types of travelers it attracted? Independent thinkers who happen to like the security of groups?

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New York to DC: Hi Crew! This is a similar question to one last week about Thanksgiving travel, that the many options brought up last week don't really pertain too. I'm coming back home to DC for Thanksgiving and I'll be taking the bus due to cost issues. I'm wondering what time Wednesday would be best so that I could avoid as much traffic as possible? I realize that there will probably be traffic all day, and I'm prepared for that but I'd really like the trip not to take 7 or 8 hours. Thanks!

Carol Sottili: Seven or eight hours? That sounds good to me. I've spent as many as nine hours during the Thanksgiving weekend getting from here to Long Island. There is a 1:15 a.m. Greyhound bus that will get you in at 5:35 a.m. That would work. If that's too extreme, you could try to time it around rush hours. But everyone else will be doing the same thing. Maybe leave very late on Wednesday?

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Falls Church, VA: My husband and I only have the opportunity to travel in November, December and January. In past years we've been to Las Vegas, San Francisco and all parts of Florida. This year we're pondering a trip to the Pacific Northwest. We'd like to visit Vancouver, Seattle and Portland. We know this isn't the best time of year to visit, but will it be awful? If you were taking a trip like this, how would you structure it? Should we fly to Vancouver and work our way south or the other way around? How long should we alot for the trip, 6 days, 10 days, more? If we need to scale it down, what should we leave off our itinerary?

Scott Vogel: Hmm, let's see, Falls Church. How does one define the term "awful"? To me, month after month of rain in the dark northern latitudes is indeed awful, but many milli -- er, thousands -- might reasonably disagree. There are tremendous compensations in each of these cities,however, especially gastronomically-speaking. Some of the best, most creative dining experiences in America are being served up in Portland right now, a fact that somewhat compensates for the city's relative lack of sights to see. My vote is for a 10-day trip that starts with Vancouver and works its way south, on the theory that weather gets worse -- again, it's all relative -- as winter goes on, and the weather tends to get better -- again, ditto -- as you go further south. I'd be open to dissenting positions, however....

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Lost passport: When I was sixteen, our Spanish class of about 12 took a trip to Spain. Two evenings before we were to return, I realized my passport was gone. Looked everywhere but to no avail. While the rest of the class went out to dinner and a nightclub, my teacher, her husband, a self-sacrificing friend and I traipsed over to the police station to fill out paperwork. Fortunately because my mom had read some Dear Abby piece or the such, I'd made a photocopy of my passport "just in case." If I hadn't had that, not sure when I would've gotten home. To a 16-year old, it was both really scary and well, okay, super exciting.

John Deiner: Oh, gosh. That IS a scary one. But super-exciting? That's a hoot! And come on..you're mom read US. I'm sure of it.

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Rockville, MD: What is usually the commission that you have to pay when booking with a travel agent?

I would love to plan everything by myself but even you Gurus, recommended me to look for a travel agent. The itinerary is between the Northern territory of Australia and New Zealand for 2 weeks, my budget is $4000 but I wonder if it that budget will be enough to cover the "package" and the travel agent commission any thoughts?

Carol Sottili: Unless you've hired a travel counselor, who is going to spend a great deal of time coming up with a wonderful trip just for you, and who tells you up front that there is a fee, you don't pay commission. The travel company pays that.

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Deep Valley, USA: I thought I left my beloved dark-purple cotton bra in New Orleans at the hotel. Hotel couldn't find it.

But when I opened the suitcase six months later for the next trip, there it was. The person who unpacked the suitcase missed it against the dark interior of the suitcase.

Gives me one permanent advantage point in the ongoing marital accounting, AND I am happy to have it back again.

John Deiner: Noooooooooooo! DV, that's high-larious. Don't you love finding lost objects in suitcases?

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For First-Time Europe: Make sure you have functioning ATM cards and the ability to get cash from a credit card, as a lot of places in Europe don't accept credit cards. I live in German-speaking Europe and lots of places, even upscale ones, such as hotels and restaurants where I couldn't fathom NOT paying with a credit card in the USA won't accept them!

KC Summers: Good advice, thanks.

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Wheeled backpack land: I had one, it was okay. You could drop off the wheeled part and use the backpack by itself. Some space sacrifice, and it wasn't great as either a backpack or a wheeled luggage thingy.

KC Summers: My point precisely -- it seemingly doesn't do a good job of either.

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Reston, Va: Just a comment on the Ankgor Wat photo of the back packers in yesterday's print edition. Both of them had a Canadian flag affixed to their backpacks. It is also stereotypical thinking to assume that all misbehaving tourists are from the US. That is not the case at all. Rowdy British stag parties in Eastern Europe come to mind as an example of boorish behavior by citizens of other countries, as does the dress of the (apparently) Canadian couple in the photo.

John Deiner: Agreed, Reston. I think dress codes, for better or worse, are disappearing all over the world. As for those flags, I'm told that sometimes U.S. citizens put them on their backpacks so they're not identified as such. But, yeah, they could still be Canadians.

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Heavy backpacks: I have a backpack I use for short trips and as my carry on. Once, I overloaded it so much I got a stress fracture in my foot (discovered it's called a March Fracture--mostly seen in the military as a result of heavy packs), so now, I am very careful about the weight of my pack...and try to keep the books out. (I'm surprised more kids don't have this problem with their school packs).

KC Summers: Yeah, I think they do have problems -- hence the wheels, I guess. But if kids have that big of a load, they shouldn't be using backpacks, period!

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Lexington, Ky.: When I was a little girl my family went on vacation to Lake

Chataqua, New York. I left my tiny sized violin in a dresser

drawer at the guesthouse where we stayed! I don't

remember the exact details, but I think my parents got

another guest there to drive the violin back to Pittsburgh

with them, and my Dad had to drive a fair ways to pick it up.

I've never left my violin behind again!

John Deiner: Good for you, Lex. It just takes one disaster like that to teach you a good lesson. Heck, I'M relieved you got it back as well.

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Arlington, VA: Let's say you're 20-something couple in the DC area who scrape by each month barely in the black, but REALLY want to get away with each other for a few days around the second week of December. It would be a mid-week getaway and outdoor activities are a plus. Any ideas? Thank you very much for your work- I'm piling up the places on my travel list and we're already saving for a big jaunt across the world a few years from now!

Christina Talcott: You might want to consider renting a cabin in the mountains to do some wintertime hiking. One winter I rented a place in Stanley right near Shenandoah National Park, and we took a wonderful hike to find Big Meadows covered in glittering ice. One place to look is virginiaisforlovers.com, or try the West Virginia and Maryland state parks, some of which have year-round cabins to rent. Otherwise, have you considered the beach or the Eastern Shore? You can usually find decent prices on hotels in Bethany or Rehoboth beaches, where you and your partner can take some cliche-but-nice long walks on the beach.

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Annandale, VA: Sort of a wide open question, but is there anyplace in the world where the dollar is strong or we can get a good vacation value?

We're two couples traveling together again next summer. This year we went to Italy, had a great time, but the dollar was really weak against the Euro, and is now even worse.

We're hoping to visit a country rich in historic or cultural sites, not just a beach.

Any places come to mind?

Christina Talcott: Hi there! If you're still interested in Europe, why not go somewhere that's not yet on the Euro, like the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland, whose major cities are all tourist-friendly. In Western Europe, Portugal's probably the most affordable of the Euro-using countries. Of course, airfare to Europe in the summertime can wipe out anyone's budget; why not consider Buenos Aires, Santiago or other Latin American cities? (Bear in mind that it'll be wintertime there.) Any more concrete non-European suggestions?

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Berkeley, Calif: Hi Crew: While on business in Colorado, I had to change from an afternoon to an early morning UNITED flight to Denver to accomodate a new meeting time. I paid for the ticket change but because of flight delays I missed my meeting. I asked at the gate about a refund/credit and was told to e-mail UNITED (which I did) but have yet (weeks later) to hear anything back. Do I have any recourse? Thanks.

Carol Sottili: Time for email is over. First, call 877-228-1327. If that doesn't work, send a certified letter to:

United Customer Relations

P.O. Box 66100

Chicago, IL 60666

And, if you paid by credit card, dispute the charge by notifying your card issuer now.

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Alexandria, VA: Ms. Summers said: "Don't use your bank debit card at ATMs abroad...." What other option do you recommend instead? Credit-card cash advance? (I'm just genuinely curious because, aside from my regular ATM cards, I don't know how I would get money from an ATM.)

KC Summers: Okay, I just polled the gang and they say they all use their bank (debit) cards at ATMs abroad. So maybe I'm just being paranoid, but yeah, I do use my credit cards for cash advances. I know it's not the most frugal way to get money but I must've read something about people getting their bank accounts emptied out, etc.

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Disagree with John Deiner: John Deiner wrote: "I think we all know someone who's lost a beloved pocket knife at security -- even worse is when they get through!"

I want to disagree. It's not worse. In fact, considering the armored doors on today's airliners and the change in attitude from the "do what the hijackers want" pre-9/11 paradigm I believe there's no need to forbid a small-bladed pocket knife and the fact that they're still disallowed is more security inertia or security theater than an actual carefully-considered security requirement.

I also remember a Continental Airlines captain (who was granted anonymity by your reporter for reasons which will soon become obvious) being quoted in a shortly-after-9/11 story in The Washington Post saying he wished every one of his passengers had knives -- that they handed out loaner knives at the gate for people who didn't bring their own. "If somebody tries to hijack my plane," that airline pilot told The Post, "I want them to have to deal with 200 passengers armed with knives."

John Deiner: The point I was making (albeit not clearly) was that if things aren't allowed on board, I'm not comfortable when they do get through -- whether I agree with the rule or not. I know all sorts of stuff gets past security. I'm not going to argue about whether knives, small or otherwise, should be permitted.

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Kingstowne, VA: For the person seeking advice on driving to Raleigh: I lived in Durham for three years in the mid-1990s while attending law school. The drive from Fairfax to Durham was 260 miles and usually took four hours, but on the Sunday after Thanksgiving it usually took six and a half to seven hours. I-95 South is HORRIBLE that day, and US-1 is not a very good alternative because it backs up too.

If the other poster MUST make the drive that day, I recommend avoiding the I-95 corridor entirely. Try the following route via Charlottesville (but do NOT do this on Saturday the 24th because the football traffic for the UVA-VPI game will be very heavy):

(1) I-66 west to US-29 at Gainesville

(2) US-29 south to Charlottesville

(3) Take the US-250/US-29 bypass around the west side of Charlottesville

(4) Take the ramp to eastbound I-64 towards Richmond

(5) Take Exit 121A for VA-20 south towards Scottsville

(6) Follow VA-20 south to Dillwyn, where the road ends at US-15

(7) Turn right to go south on US-15 towards Farmville

(8) At Farmville, follow the US-15 bypass. It merges onto US-460 via a loop-around ramp; you'll be going east.

(9) Take the next exit to continue south on US-15 towards Keysville.

(10) At Keysville, US-15 merges onto US-360. Continue south.

(11) US-15 splits back off in the general vicinity of Wylliesburg. You'll want to make a left turn here to stay on US-15.

(12) Follow US-15 south to Oxford, NC, and then continue on straight ahead down US-15 to Creedmoor. There you can take NC-50 across Falls Lake to approach Raleigh from the northwest; it will bring you out at Crabtree Valley Mall if you follow it the whole way.

I used to make the drive from Durham to Charlottesville all the time and regularly used a portion of this route; it usually took about three hours, and the trip from the DC area to Charlottesville runs about two, so with this route you're looking at a five-hour drive compared to seven hours on the Interstate. (I should note that my drive times are not based on obeying the speed limit, though, as I generally went about 70 mph on the rural roads on this route.)

John Deiner: We'll take your word on it Kingstowne, and you're a peach for helping out our Clickster so thoroughly.

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Baltimore, MD: I just spent a week in France, mostly in Normandy. We did a two-day D-Day tour, and it turns out this is a good time of year to do that. The tour company (Battlebus) is already getting booked up for next summer, but I was able to get a reservation on short notice. Plus, the tour guide told us if you visit the D-Day beaches in the summer, they are full of sunbathers, which is very distracting when he is describing the bloody battles fought there.

Scott Vogel: OK, Baltimore, you've conjured the image of the week, and it's not a pretty one. As it happens, I recently talked to the Battlebus people (www.battlebus.fr), whose tours are quite popular with Americans. The subject of time of year to visit never came up, however, but it sounds like that could be an important consideration. Perhaps it's worth trading cold weather for appropriate solemnity.

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Alexandria, VA: I used to travel with a photograph of my wife and myself, but I left it in a hotel (I think) and never got it back. At an airport security checkpoint, my wife had to give up antique sewing scissors that her grandmother had given her. I think hers was the greater loss.

John Deiner: Thanks, Al. I'm sorry to hear about both of your losses (and no copy of the photos, huh? That's a real bummer)

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Left behind: While I was in England, I bought a favorite author's new book. I enjoyed reading the British edition with -our spellings and different punctuation. But I left the book in a hotel room, and I was so disappointed to have to buy the boring American edition when I got home. (This was before the days of Amazon.co.uk.)

John Deiner: Argh. Nothing pleasant about having to pay twice for the (sort of) same thing. Thanks for sharing.

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Lost BEFORE the trip:: In the process of applying for his first passport, my husband (then boyfriend), lost his birth certificate right before the last-minute deadline for submission to get the passport back in time for our upcoming trip. He went all out, calling his home state and paying expediting fees, overnighting the certificate, pulling out all the stops at a significant cost. Then he found the original on top of the entertainment center in the living room. Whoops!

John Deiner: In plain sight, huh?

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Remembering to unplug phone chargers: Whenever my husband and I travel, after everything is "out", first one goes back in and search, looking everywhere for anything that may have strayed, including under the beds, in any closets, and along the walls. Then the other; its amazing how many times items are found by the second searcher!

We do the same for rental cars, tho' we have managed to get everything by the first search.

John Deiner: GREAT stuff. The two-pronged search-and-rescue team approach. Thanks for chiming in.

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Pac NW in winter: No, that's not a great time to go, because it cuts down on the natural beauty. You still can go to the top of the Space Needle, but on a really rainy day you can't see more than three blocks. You just have to adjust your expectations. Some people, for instance, think that high tea at the Empress in Victoria is all the more delightful if you've spent the day walking around in the rain, poking into museums and shops.

Scott Vogel: This kinda turns on your definition of "natural beauty," but I tend to agree. One of the Seattle area's most beautiful sights is Mt. Rainier, i.e., the way it appears to almost hover over the city during good weather. That sight is not a given during the winter months.

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Bethesda, MD: I am having a hard time finding a decent fare to visit my folks in Little Rock over Thanksgiving. By decent I mean something less than the 1200-1300 fares for my wife and I that I am finding. I have tried all different date and everything, still nothing.

Any ideas?

Carol Sottili: I feel you pain. Spent more than $500 to get my daughter home from St. Louis for Thanksgiving (fare is usually around $200). I'm guessing you mean $1,200 to $1,300 for two round-trip tickets. If you're willing to fly out of BWI, try Southwest. I found a $479 round-trip flight there for nonstop service, but you'd have to return either Saturday or Monday.

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Fortaleza: Enjoyed the articles about the Grand Canyon and Angkor Wat in yesterday¿s travel section. I believe my wife and I may have been driving from Zion Natl. Park towards the North Rim of the Grand Canyon just as the storm mentioned in the story hit. We saw lots of lightning. The North Rim is beautiful, but the story was hair-raising (and not just because of the lightning).

One question about the Angkor Wat: while going during the rainy season would help one avoid crowds, wouldn¿t one also encouter more mosquitoes at that time? Malaria is prevalent in the region. We visited in late October, not at the peak of tourists or skeeters, but encountered plenty of each. We still enjoyed the visit.

John Deiner: Thanks for the kind words (though are you talking about the Grand Canyon story from a few weeks ago?).

And here's the answer to your question, from Steve Brooks himself:

Yes, there is both malaria and dengue fever in Cambodia, so it's wise to bring mosquito repellent and avoid being in jungly areas at peak biting times. We saw far fewer mosquitos than we expected, though, and since the malaria outbreaks tend to happen in small villages, it

doesn't seem to be a big problem for most travellers. But still, bring repellent -- and follow any advice your doctor gives you about

preventing disease.

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Derwood, MD: My husband and I would like to go somewhere within driving distance (not more than 3 hours each way) over the New Year holiday. Since we'll be driving, we want to avoid mountains (higher chance of snow or ice). We enjoy inns and b&b's but would consider a nice hotel or resort with an indoor pool. A scenic area is preferred, in case it's warm enough to spend time outside, but it would be good to have something to do indoors (museum?). Good food also important. Any ideas?

KC Summers: Hmm. The Homestead or Greenbrier come to mind -- I've been to both in the wintertime and they're lovely places to hole up in during bad weather, with indoor pools, fantastic spas, movies, little shops on the premises, etc. But they're a little farther afield than you have in mind, and you want to avoid the mountains anyway. How about the Eastern Shore? I love the beach in winter, and the Inn at Perry Cabin in St. Michaels is a fantastic weekend getaway. There's a great restaurant on site as well as in town.

Closer to DC, for a real splurge, consider the Inn at Little Washington -- or at least, have dinner there and stay at a nearby B&B to save a few bucks. Nemacolin Resort in Pa. is another good nearby option.

Finally, what about a city? Philly or Richmond both have a nice assortment of small inns and B&Bs, and you've got all the pleasures of the city outside your door.

Other ideas for Derwood?

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Expedia - Customer Relations?: Along the lines of the United question, I spent an hour on the phone with Expedia and was promised a refund to my credit card, but never recieved it. I tried an email inquiry as a follow-up and got an automated response that I should call. Do you have any other contact info for them? I'd like my refund, but I don't know that I want to spend another hour on the phone!

Carol Sottili: All I've got is this:

Expedia, Inc.

3150 139th Avenue SE

Bellevue, WA 98005

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Alexandria, VA: When I was a kid, I left an outfit (a pale blue t-shirt and blue shorts) in a hotel in Knoxville, TN. That was about 25 years ago, and I still remember feeling so terrible that I had lost clothes. My mom was very nice about it and said that everyone loses things, and not to worry.

And then just a few years ago, I was staying in a hotel at Christmas-time with my parents, and both my mom and I left our down pillows at the hotel. Luckily, it is a small, family-owned place in a small town, and they held the pillows at the front desk, and my aunt picked them up and mailed them to us - it was a big, but light, box. I asked my mom if she remembered when I lost the t-shirt, and she had totally forgotten it - and it was such a trauma to me at the time!

Um, I collect crabs, so if I'm in the running, can I come in second?

John Deiner: You collect crabs? Hmmmm. Why don't you send me your name/address (deinerj@washpost.com) and I'll see if I can dig up another crab for you if this whole winning-the-contest thing doesn't work out?

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atm cards overseas: I always use my bank debit card overseas. Wouldn't someone have to also know your pin in order to clean out your account? And why would you be more worried about someone stealing that card overseas than in the U.S.? Very confused over here.

KC Summers: I think I'm having a confused kind of day. I've heard about ATM scams where you type in your PIN and the crooks somehow recover the number and clean your account out, so I'm paranoid about it. Am I alone in this fear? Jeez, maybe I need a nice long vacation.

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Lost and Recovered: With 3 small children we spent a year in Germany. After a few nights in Heidleberg we went to another town. That night we could not find the bag with the 3 blankeys for the kids (which we had given the 5 yr lod to carry downstairs)!!! If you have ever had a child with a "Blankey" you know how very difficult this was. The next day we called the hotel and yes, the bag was found in the room. The lady promised to send it to our base apartment. Weeks and many calls later still no blankeys. FInally a German colleague of my husband telephoned the lady and told her if she did not send the package overnight, he would report her to the hotel authorities and get her license revoked. Next day...the kids slept well with their beloved blankeys which were all handmade for them.

John Deiner: I know some adults who have blankeys they can't sleep without, so I feel your pain. Congrats on their return!

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Lost and Never Found, DC: When I was 7, I left my beloved baby blanket in a hotel room in Mexico. As the plane was taxiing down the runway, I suddenly realized it was gone and shouted out "BLANKEY!". My mother insists that she called the hotel to inquire about it but I think she was happy to be rid of it. 25 years later, I still miss that blanket. My niece and nephew have the same style of blanket and I am always trying to take theirs and rub it between my fingers-- as a little remembrance of what I lost!

John Deiner: Another blankey story. AND with the word "blankey" in it. But that's a really sweet tale, DC, and I thank you for sharing it.

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Alexandria, VA: I have a 7 1/2 hour layover in Paris coming up, and I've never been there. Any recommendations on what I can fit into this time period? And what's the best way from CDG into the city? No need to worry about bags--they're checked through.

Christina Talcott: I wouldn't get too ambitious if I were you, especially because you'll have to go back through security once you're back in the airport. If you're nimble, have Euros and can find your way there quickly, I'd recommend taking the RER B from the airport. It's about a 35 minute ride from CDG to the city. Otherwise, you might want to consider a more costly taxi ride, especially if there's a mob scene at the RER farecard machines (or a strike). Read up on the city to figure out if there's one particular neighborhood you'd like to see, then go explore! If you want to stretch your legs in a beautiful spot, get out at Luxembourg or Port Royal and stroll through Luxembourg Gardens. Snag a panini or crepe at one of the boulangeries nearby. If the Seine's more your scene, exit at St. Michel and walk along the river, then cross to Ile de la Cite and check out Notre Dame and maybe Saint Chapelle, across the street. If you're feeling ambitious, you could transfer onto the Metro Line 1 at Les Halles/Chatelet to visit the Louvre or the Champs Elysees, or go to the Eiffel Tower on the RER C line. But again, I'd caution you to think small (and don't get lost in the Louvre!) because you will only have about two hours in the city before you have to get back to the airport.

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Washington, DC: wanted to thank Gary Lee for his piece on Mobile, Alabama, as i used to go there every summer, that's where i discovered Baskin Robbins and beaches at Gulf Shores. I hope he goes back and tells some of those stories he says those old homes could tell.

John Deiner: Thanks, DC.

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Ashburn, VA: Are passports back to their regular turn-around time? I want to take a trip to Cancun in February and am hoping if I apply this week, I will have it in time.

KC Summers: From everything we hear, they're back on track. We got an email today from someone who reported getting his passport back in two weeks flat. Another reader who paid for expedited service said she not only got her passport back in a few weeks but that the State Dept. also returned her expediting fee. So your chances are very good.

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Knives on a plane: Just one observation about security on non-U.S. airlines. I just returned from a trip to Argentina, which was wonderful--highly recommend it for U.S. tourists! I flew intra-country on Aerolineas Argentinas, and at about 30 or so minutes into the flight, I looked around the plane from my aisle seat, and I noticed something strange. I could see out the window--the FRONT window! The door to the cockpit was open! It was so weird to actually be able to see the pilots, the instrument panels, the "windshield," just everything.

Carol Sottili: Our rules are different than those in other countries. But even with domestic U.S. flights, not all planes are equipped with pass-through doors, so they are opened from time to time.

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Arlington, VA: the value-seeking vacationer might also consider Asia. It may be a bit more expensive to get there (not always) than Europe, but once you are on the ground it is relatively cheap, or it can be unless you want to go all-out with 5 star hotels and such. Of course the dollar is falling everywhere so even places that were a huge bargain before are smaller bargains now. When I was in Thailand last year the exchange rate was about 40 baht to the dollar. Now it is around 33. The Cambodian riel is fairly steady at around 4000 to the dollar and US currency is accepted as another de facto currency there. Pay in greenbacks, get your change back in riels.

Christina Talcott: Thanks for the advice! It's getting harder and harder to find bargains in international travel, isn't it?

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Washington DC: Lost Passport: In addition to bringing a hard copy of your passport, i scan a copy and email it to myself just as a backup--can always print a fresh copy from some cafe somewhere. I also include credit card phone numbers in case i need to cancel a stolen or lost card.

John Deiner: Good stuff, DC.

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For the Royal Caribbean cruiser: There's a difference between "same prices everywhere" and "no discounts." Royal Caribbean is always offering early-booking discounts, flash fare promotions, etc. that are universally available. So, although one website or agency shouldn't have a lower price than another, the cruisers should also be able to find a lower price than what's in the brochure, depending on how early they book.

Carol Sottili: You should never pay full brochure fares, unless you want to go on a cruise that is almost sold out. There is always a deal, especially if you book far enough in advance or very close to departure.

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Washington, D.C.: Hello,

This year for Christmas we are treating ourselves to a romantic night in a hotel in the city. We're on a bit of a budget (want to keep the room cost under $200 for the night); where can we get a great experience for less?

Thanks!

Scott Vogel: By "the city," do you mean DC? If so, I've seen a few wonderful deals on 4-star hotels for that date (check priceline et al). Some are just $120-130 a night...

Or was it another city you had in mind?

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Arlington, Va: Re: Cell Phone use in NY state. Cogo stated yesterday that text messaging while driving a vehicle is legal in New York City. I just drove back from Western New York yesterday and I know from my monthly trips there that using a hand-held cell phone is illegal in New York State (hands-free models are ok). Isn't text messaging using a hand-held cell phone? How can New York City have a different law than New York state?

KC Summers: Hmm. I'll forward your comment to Susan Morse, the author of that item. Will report back during next week's chat, or possibly in the section next week.

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Left my Wubbie at a Hotel: Right after I graduated from US Army Officer Candidate School, I left my poncho liner (a wonderfully soft, warm, light blanket) at a hotel in Columbus, GA. Luckily, they mailed it back. I might not have survived.

John Deiner: Okay, everyone. If we've learned anything today, it's to PACK YOUR BLANKET.

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Snark City:"KC Summers: I think I'm having a confused kind of day. I've heard about ATM scams where you type in your PIN and the crooks somehow recover the number and clean your account out, so I'm paranoid about it. Am I alone in this fear? Jeez, maybe I need a nice long vacation."

Just be careful when you use your ATM card. (grin)

KC Summers: That's not the first time I've gotten that advice!

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McLean, VA: Do any of you foresee plane travel getting any more reliable or bearable anytime soon? I've gotten to the point where I prefer to drive any trip that's under 650 miles one-way.

KC Summers: No.

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Lost items: My story is not about something I left somewere, but about something my then-boyfriend (now husband) accidentally TOOK from somewhere. We went home for my niece's christening and she wore the heirloom baby jewelry that has been passed down for generations. My Mom gave it to him at some point at the church to take care of and he ended up packing it. The trouble came when my Mom called and asked him to send it back. He swore he had checked everything and didn't have it. Several months later, he found it in a jewelry box inside his dress shoes. Luckily, it was a happy ending, although now I am in charge of unpacking!

John Deiner: LOL. I'm sure you're mom completely freaked out when she thought it had gone lost. Thank goodness there was a happy ending to that story!

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London, England: I'll enter the competition on behalf of my husband. When my husband leaves on business trips, our daughter frequently packs a surprise -- a drawing or some cookies, for example -- in his suitcase. But for a two-week trip she really outdid herself by packing a fluffy pink and red stuffed bear. Turns out my husband actually unpacked the thing and left it behind. Our daughter was heartbroken when she learned that the bear did not make the return trip. A phone call to the Marriott in Montreal and the bear was FedExed home.

John Deiner: Yeah! FedEx comes through again. I'm always amazed when hotels find stuff like that; I left two pillowcases behind in a Vegas hotel a few months ago, and I was staying nearby so I walked over . .. and they had them!

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Credit Card: I think its a really bad idea to get cash by using your credit card. Its very expensive for no good reason. Of course your ATM card could get stolen and your account wiped out. And your credit card could get stolen and charged up thousands of dollars. You are not liable either time. As long as you report it to the bank within a certain time frame you are not liable for any losses in your bank account due to fraud/theft. I just can't imagine you wouldn't know your ATM card was gone within a day or two while you were traveling, and that would give you enough time to report it. This actually happened to a friend of mine in Mexico. They have people hiding inside fake ATMs so people insert their card and number, but never get cash or the card back. They then took his card and emptied his account. He reported and of course got all of his money back.

KC Summers: It just seems to me that if your card and info is stolen, and they wipe you out, it's a whole lot easier to not pay your credit card bills than it is to explain to a lot of other creditors why your checks are suddenly bouncing.

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Alexandria, Va: I have $500 worth of Southwest Airlines Gift Cards, 10 cards worth $50 dollars each, - a very generous gift from a family member. I just tried to book tickets on their website only to find that I can only use 4 cards per reservation ($200), forcing me to make up the difference out of my pocket. This amounts to $80 per ticket out of pocket, even though I have the gift cards needed to cover most of the cost.

Has anyone run across this before? I've tried to contact Southwest Customer service - they said there is nothing they can do. Help??

Carol Sottili: If you read the fine print, the Southwest rules on gift cards says that up to four gift cards can be used on one itinerary. That said, have you tried booking the trip using two one-way tickets? Maybe you could use up to eight cards that way.

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Fairfax Va: A few years ago on one of the Chinatown buses to NYC, I left my favorite sweater-jacket in the overheard compartment above my seat. I didn't realize I had left it there till I got off the bus in mid-town NYC and the bus had left. (This bus was scheduled to make a drop-off in Chinatown NYC right after as well). I immediately called the DC office of the busline (the number was on my ticket stub) and got the phone number of the office in NYC. When I called them up there were completely unhelpful and hung up on me. I decided to take the subway downtown to Chinatown to see if I could get there while the bus was still there. Unfortunately, unfamiliarity with the local subway system there resulted in me wasting a lot of time. By the time I got there (missing a dinner date with friends in the process), the bus was not there. An employee of another Chinatown bus line said the bus must have gone to the 'garage' for the night, but couldn't tell me where that was. I never got my jacket back. And have been unable to find another one like it anywhere else since.

John Deiner: Jackets can be particularly tough, can't they? Ya get them all worked in, they fit perfectly, they look good with your favorite shoes...then, boom. Gone. But you can't say you didn't try your darnedest to get it back -- sorry you didn't succeed.

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Re: backpack: Hi, I have the perfect solution for the backpack: for many years I was under the same dilemma. First I took bakpacks as carry on, but as the walk paths at the airport got longer and the magazines I have in my backpack got heavier, it became difficult. So I got a backpack with wheels, and thought it was great, until I put it on my back during sightseeing. Most backpacks with wheels will kill your back bacause of the way they are designed and the way they hard part between the wheels touch your lower back. So, I started taking the carry on with wheels, and an additional smaller backpack in my luggage... until I found the best solution: I just bought a Hig Sierra bag from Macy's, the bottom is a carry on, and the top is a backpack that can be unzipped from the bag. Now I can roll on the luggage at the airport (sometimes you need to separate to go through security), and then separate on the plane to take the backpack to my seat, and then zip it on to get out and through the airport, and again zip it off for sightseeing etc. It is the best travel gear I had in years. With coupons etc. it cost me about $125, and was well worth it!!!

KC Summers: Hey, cool! You may have just solved the backpack dilemma for a lot of readers. Thanks!

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Arlington, VA: I will be visiting Vienna, Budapest, and Prague in late February. I'm thinking about taking the night train between Prague and Budapest to save daylight hours for sightseeing. However, as a woman traveling alone, I was wondering, if there are any safety concerns with night trains.

Scott Vogel: Hi Arlington -- Perhaps one of our very informed chat participants out there will have the specific information you need. In lieu of that, I suggest you pose your question at www.hermail.net. There's a wealth of information on that site as well as the Journeywoman site (www.journeywoman.com). At the former, you can pose your question to other female travelers.

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Left a library book on a plane...: No one turned it in to lost and found (or the airlines didn't care, of course). I've heard that if you find a library book, and you drop it in the mail (without postage), the USPS is supposed to deliver it to the library. That was sad.

I was in Chicago in Sept. and left my favorite cardigan (goes with everything) at a Blue's bar (we were partying with Jim Belushi--maybe that's why!)

John Deiner: You need to track down Belushi right now.

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London U.K.: Last week someone wrote in about attending a wedding in Edinburgh in December, I think. They should look into arriving in London and taking the train up - there often are deals on that trip, and at least last week the company that does the King's Cross/Edinburgh route was offering fares for as low as 5 pounds, one way. Of course I'm sure those fares were the most inconvenient ones possible, and are probably all taken up, but even so one can often - if it's enough in advance - get fares for about 14 pounds, one way. That may be more than one would like to pay, but it could be cheaper than flying in to Edinburgh, depending on the departure airport. Check www.nationalrail.co.uk, and after you figure out what fare you'd like go to the train company's site and get it from them. If you will be in London for more than a day before you take off you can pick up your tickets from a Fast Ticket machine (you need to get the tickets 24 hours in advance, so unfortunately you can't do it the day you arrive - if you have enough time you can do it that way, you can select which station you want to pick them up from; if you're not certain, do King's Cross, because that will give you a reason to go to the station a day early and figure out your way around it), but you might be able to have them mailed to you in the States. I don't know, since I've never had reason to test that, but if it doesn't look like that's possible you can always try calling the train company and see what provisions they can make. You might be able to reserve tickets and then pick them up from the desk at King's Cross the day you travel. If you can get your tickets in advance, do that, because it's cheaper.

Another option is the coach, which takes longer but can be cheaper - as low as 1 pound, actually, on the overnight routes. That one you can do from the States, because you just need to print out (and remmeber) your tickets. The coach is National Express, and I'm pretty certain that that Web site is www.nationalexpress.com (if that doesn't work, try co.uk instead of .com).

Also, there's the traveline site - maybe it's a double 'l' - that you can use to figure out how to get around almost anywhere over here using a variety of transportation options.

Carol Sottili: Options for last week's poster.

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Bethesda, MD: One thing that makes it hard for me to fit everything in a carry-on bag is my athletic shoes. I've looked around, but haven't found any lightweight, packable women's shoes. Does anyone know where I might find some? (I'm sure someone will suggest that I wear them on the plane, but I really don't like wearing athletic shoes with my regular clothes.)

Christina Talcott: Good for you for not breaking your workout routine on vacation! Have you looked at Title Nine? They usually have a good selection of packable athletic shoes. Travelsmith carries some comfy, lighweight shoes, though if you're a runner or otherwise require special shoes, make sure you're buying something suitably supportive. I know it seems gross, but as a last resort, you could always pack stuff, like socks or jewelry or undies, inside your shoes to maximize their usefulness. Or you could lash them to the outside of your bag with pack straps, available at LLBean and other outdoors outfitters.

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Capitol Hill, Washington, DC: Your article on Angor Wat in yesterday's travel could hardly have been better timed for my partner and me. We leave on December 31 for three weeks: several days in Bangkok, the rest of the trip in Cambodia. Visiting Angor Wat is the main reason for the trip.

Any advice for those of us visiting the site outside of monsoon season? We understand that two major temple complexes are the goals of almost all the tourists and that other complexes are much less visited. (We're studying guide books. But other advice would be a great help.)

Thanks!

John Deiner: From Steve Brookes:

A lot of it is in the timing! The tour buses flock to Angkor Wat for the sunset, and to the Bayon for sunrise, so by doing the opposite you may be able to avoid the worst of the crowds. And we found that it was easy to get off the beaten track even in the main complexes,

since most of the tour groups tend to stick to the main circuit. A good guide will be able to take you to fascinating, little-visited ruins within a few hundred yards of the Bayon. If you have enough time, many travelers recommend going up to newly-opened ruins like

Beng Melea, about 4 hours from Siem Reap. The road there in the rainy season is unreliable, so we didn't try it. But the temples are said to be extremely atmospheric -- even more than those at Angkor!

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Paris CDG layover: For the person with the 7.5 hour layover: make sure you know which terminal your airline is in! I flew home from CDG on Saturday. The RER B actually has two separate subway stops at CDG (which has three terminals). If you pick the wrong one (like I did), you could waste a lot of time.

Christina Talcott: So sorry for your hassle, and thanks for the tip. I didn't know about the two stops - maybe the editors should send me back to Paris for a refresher.

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NYC hotels?: Just confirmed a business trip to NYC end of Nov. and will stay the weekend. Can you post a llink to the really good you did on 'reasonable' hotels there several months ago--can't find it by searching.

KC Summers: Yep, in a sec we'll post a link to our blog item on NYC this morning, which has the link to the hotels-under-$200 piece as well as other lodging tips.

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Washington, D.C.: Items left on a plane and returned: Several new Yellowstone and Grand Teton guide books, discovered after landing and deplaning in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Ran back into the airport and the plane was being cleaned. Counter staff radio'ed to crew, and they walked it right over! A nice personal touch. Also, left a government issued ID on a plane and, per instructions on the ID, it was mailed back to the issuer. We also have received items that were not even ours: after returning home from a disney hotel, we received in the mail a large pair of Mickey Mouse boxers, which were not ours! (At least they had laundered them first-I am sure the rightful owners were wondering where their underwear had gone to!)

John Deiner: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! You got someone else's boxers in the mail? Please tell me you, uh, threw them away.

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More on ATMs: My college-student son is in Paris for a semester abroad. He has a checking account with Susquehanna Bank in Maryland, which offers no-fee, unlimited ATM withdrawals all over the world, with a $2500 minimum balance. I track his bank balance on the internet and make sure we meet the minimum. Other banks may offer this perk, and it's worthwhile if you're going on extended travel.

Christina Talcott: That's a great tip, and what a lucky son!

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Luggage damage: Hi crew,

I have a Delsey hardside piece of luggage that survived a round-trip to Paris, but was damaged to Vegas (the only 2 times the suitcase was used!).

I went to United's office in Vegas, but was told they are too small an office to handle claims. They did take all the info and handed me a form to take back to the claim office in Dulles. Who wants to go to the baggage claim office at 9:30pm after travelling all day?

So, I didn't go & it's now a month. Is there anything I can do other than stew about it?

I live in MD, and am not about to make a trip back to Dulles so they can tell me to take a hike.

Thanks

!

Carol Sottili: I think you are out of luck. According to the fine print on United's Web site, they need to make a visual inspection in person to determine damage claims.

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washingtonpost.com: Staff Favorites: NYC, (Travel Log)

KC Summers: For the NYC business-tripper. Thanks Kim.

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lost on the road: Wallet in an Orlando cab. Passenger found it (a week later!, don't they ever clean out their cabs?), gave it to cabbie, who called my bank -got the number from my atm card- who called me. He FedExed it to me with everything inside including cash money still there. I sent him back a thank you note and a gift certificate.

yay honest thoughtful people.

John Deiner: I'm with you. Know a surprising number of people who've lost their wallets and have gotten them back, completely intact. Really restores your faith in humanity.

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ATM scams: KC, you're not paranoid. There are scams designed to steal both your card and your PIN, described here:

www.csmonitor.com/2003/0721/p15s01-wmcn.html

I don't, however, use my CCs for cash advances while travelling. What I do is to use debit cards for accounts that are not my primary bank accounts (i.e., not the ones I use to pay the bills). For example, I keep a credit-union account and a Capital One money market account, fund them only up to $500-1000 (or whatever cash I anticipate needing on the trip), so the thieves, even if they steal my info, get only limited access to my funds, and there's no danger that my checks will bounce. Note: eventually, you do get the stolen money back from your bank after they investigate, but it takes a while.

KC Summers: That's a great system. Thanks for sharing!

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Re: luggage/backpack question: I have one of those hybrid backpack/rolling suitcases that I like just fine. I bought it a couple of years ago for a trip to India, where I assumed, correctly, that there would be places (train stations, busy streets, places with lots of stairs) where a rolling bag would not be practical. I liked the flexibility of being able to carry my bag on my back in those situations. However, being considerably older than your average 22 year old backpacker, I wanted to roll the bag whenever practicable. The traveler should ask him/herself whether the bag will primarily be used for rolling or carrying. If you don't mind schlepping a heavy backpack and are used to doing so, the wheel frame and apparatus will likely annoy you and cancel out any utility it offers. But if you are primarily a roller, these bags offer good flexibility.

KC Summers: Okay, I get it. That makes sense, if you're mostly rolling it. Thanks.

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Vienna, Va: My husband lost all of his favorite neckties (including the one he wore at our wedding) during luggage security screening, most likely in Orlando Airport.

I know he packed them-- he put them together in one plastic bag and placed the bag in his checked luggage (I watched him place the plastic bag in the suitcase) that went to screening. When we got the suitcase at the luggage carousel at our home airport, the bag with the ties was missing.

It's not like we can't buy new neckties but when we pack something into our suitcases, we expect it to be there when we get the bags again. And it's why I wish they'd screen the bags where the owner can watch-- to see that all things end back up in the luggage!

John Deiner: Yike, Vienna. That's an ugly little tale -- sorry your ties went missing (and sometimes, they're not easy to replace!).

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Arthur Dent for Ford Prefect:"John Deiner: Okay, everyone. If we've learned anything today, it's to PACK YOUR BLANKET."

Is this related to the important suggestion found in "The Hitchiker's Guide To The Galaxy" to always know where your towel is?

John Deiner: Thanks for all the fish, man.

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Arlington, VA: Thanks for the Angkor article. Couldn't be more timely for me, as I leave for SE Asia on Wednesday. But now I am a little worried Angkor will be overrun with other tourists like me. But I will be solo with my own guide so hopefully we can manage to avoid some of the crowds and the plan is to visit some of the temples that are off the regular tour group track so hopefully that will work out.

Now for my question, are small cans of shaving creme allowed by TSA in checked baggage? I know the can says contents under pressure and I think it might be flammable. But I will need to shave while I am away.

Christina Talcott: Glad you likes the Angkor story, and have a great time! For the shave cream question, you should have no problem getting them through security, as long as you have cans smaller than 3 ounces.

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Gate C2: A rant/question about travel on United Airlines if you are a mere mortal, either having lost (or never having had) Premier+ status. What is the deal with them marking the entire cabin on many flights (particularly IAD-LAX, I've noticed) as having no seats available until time of arrival at the airport (even on flights at 60% capacity) and then not even offering economy plus as a paid upgrade option.

Once upon a time you could at least pay for the economy plus legroom on a flight-by-flight basis; lately it seems thay want you to be Premier+, fork over $300 a year for their economy plus membership program, or sit in the back with your knees to your chin. Am I wrong in thinking their level of service for all but their most loyal fliers has absolutely gone out the window?

Carol Sottili: I also like the idea that I can pay for premium + seats without being a regular customer. That's why I fly Virgin Atlantic when I go to London, for example - it allows me to pay for the upgraded seats. As for United, like many airlines, it is trying to reward its loyal customers: If you're in that group, you probably love the idea, and if you're not, you hate it.

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Chantilly, VA: I think my story may qualify - but in a reverse sense kind of way.

Bunch of years ago, I went back to my college for a football game and literally ran into my brother. We lived about 500 miles apart and I hadn't seen him in almost a year.

Anyways, he was there for the weekend and I spent some time with him and his friends. At the end of the weekend, I was the proud new owner of a sweatshirt. I tried finding it's owner but to no avail. It quickly turned into my favorite sweatshirt.

Fast forward several years later and I visit my brother. I walked into my brother's apartment in my long worn-out favorite sweatshirt and my brother's room mate said, "That looks like my favorite sweatshirt that I lost several years ago." I offered to give it back, but, I guess since it was worn out...

John Deiner: Love it!

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Credit Card 2: I'm still confused by your logic. Assuming you caught the loss of the ATM card within a day or two which, the money would immediately be back in your account. I suppose its possible that in that time that a set charge would still go through, but the fact is most people have overdraft that would cover it. Also, a place might charge you a fee for bouncing a check but it will not be automatically reported to creditors. And you wouldn't write any more checks until the money was back, obviously. You probably wouldn't want your entire life savings in the account you were using but thats just common sense. An overdraft fee is usually $35 or less, but its a $35 charge and immediately accruing high interest rate when I take from my credit card. Using an ATM card from an account with a set amount of money - $2000 or however much you need and then checking every day to make sure its not stolen makes a lot more sense to me. If not, I'd really like to know why.

KC Summers: See previous post -- it can take a while to get your money back. Arrgh, this whole thing is making my head hurt! Just take wads of cash! (Kidding.)

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Re: Ugly Americans:"But I wouldn't go so fast in assuming those were American tourists on the steps --they weren't ID'd as such..."

Actually the Canadian flag on her backpack in the photo gave it away - all to many Americans try to appear as if they are from Canada while travelling overseas, thinking this will give then some added layer of security.

John Deiner: Yep, that's what I'm told. Thanks for verifying.

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Lost and Returned: I bought two great bullfighting posters in Spain and with a groggy head and two kids, I left them on a BA plane. When I discovered the next day, I was amazed that they were holding them at the ticket counter.

John Deiner: They were? At the ticket counter? Fantastic!

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Herndon, Va: Early in our marriage (1979 to be exact), my wife and I were driving to New England, and she left her purse at lunch-time at fast-food place on the Garden State Parkway, and didn't realize it until that night - north of Boston. We called the place, and they were holding the purse - blessed be the soul of whomever turned it in. We drove back the next day, and I earned points forever by not complaining about it. P.S. last-minute trip for us to Paris tomorrow - anything new we should check out?

KC Summers: Wow, that restores our faith in humanity (just a little). Re Paris, don't miss the reopened and refurbished Musee de L'Orangerie -- it's the home of Monet's water lilies and absolutely gorgeous. Also, check this coming week's section for a review of the city's new archicture and heritage museum.

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Wheaton, MD: Lost on the road...

My young son's dental appliance... he was a pretty responsible kid but:

When the children were small and we didnot have much disposible income, we go to the Cheasapeake Bay (this side, we douldn't afford to go over the bridge) and look for town beaches where we could get down to the water. It was not long before we started hunting for shark's teeth. It was on one of these trips when we stopped at a restaurant (one of those with tables with tablecloths). My son needed to remove the appliance when he ate and he usually wrapped it in a napkin rather that just let it sit on the table. the thing looked something like a pale pink crab with four wire legs. Well, this time we all forgot to check to make sure that he had it back in his mouth before leaving the restaurant. It had been a long day.

It turned out to be a longer day. Someone realized that it had been left behind, we were almost back to Route 50. So, back to the restaurant; it cost $100 to replace. After an explanation and searching through the dirty linen, we headed home, without the appliance. We just could not find it. Monday morning it was a trip to the orthodontist to get measured for a new crab!

John Deiner: Okay, Wheaton.

You win -- and in no small part because what you lost was a crab-like contraption that belonged in your kid's mouth. Please send your name and address to me at deinerj@washpost.com.

As for the rest of you, amazing stuff. We've lost just about everything, haven't we?

Before we part, a word on this weekend: Cindy Loose takes apart one reader's disastrous trip and tells what could have been done to avoid it. Also, we take you driving to author's homes in Georgia, compare noise-cancellation devices and page through this month's travel publications.

Till next week . . .

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