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: And here we go again.

We're back from last week's Presidents' Day holiday and ready to take your questions (and, I'm sure, you're ready to help provide some answers).

Have a great team on board today, plus Peter Mandel, who wrote that great piece in our section this week on chillin' atop Mount Washington, N.H., which has some of the worst weather in the United States. Feel free to get some more info on him about his adventure.

And in case you didn't see it, we have a new online-only, reader-participation feature on the Travel Log, our blog. It's our Friday Photo, and we're soliciting entries now. Each Friday, we'll be posting a recent travel photo from one of you guys, plus a paragraph or two explaining what's going on. We'll be sending out Travel section treasures (totebags, etc.) to those whose photos we pick.

I've asked before on this chat what you guys consider your biggest, favorite splurge. Now let's reverse that a bit: Tell us about a time you traveled and WISHED you'd splurged a bit -- you know, first class through the Chunnel instead of coach, balcony room on an Alaskan cruise instead of bottom deck, etc. I'm still upset I didn't pay for the upgrade for a mid-size car on a long trip with three friends; instead, we were all wedged into something slightly smaller than a Volkswagen Bug.

The funniest, most illuminating response gets a Trifecta of Junque: a real-life flask from Vegas.com, a nice travel notebook from visitbritain.com and a picture frame from I forget where with a picture of an angry kid in it.

Finally, we bid Kim O'Donnel farewell today -- this is her last day as our producer. Thanks for the great 25 years, Kim!

And now, let's go. . .

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washingtonpost.com: How to submit a Friday Photo for our blog

John Deiner: And here's an actual living link for you guys to submit your photos for the blog. Have at it!

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Is there is a standard 24 hour rule?: Hello Travel Gurus,

After searching for the best deal for my India trip i finally zeroed in on NWA Flight connecting from Amsterdam.It was the perfect fare with perfect routing. I just needed a day to confirm the plans with my family in India - but when i got back to it the deal and the non-stop flights were gone. So late last night (past midnight) i booked the second best option for me which was on Continental. But now the NWA fare and routing is once again available online...Do you know if i can cancel the tickets within 24 hours without any penelty so i can book the NWA routing. Is there a 24 hour rule for most airlines?

Andrea Sachs: This is from Continental's Web site (hope are you are OnePass member):

OnePass members can request a full refund on any ticket, regardless of the type of fare purchased, within 24 hours of purchase on continental.com. If you wish to refund a ticket that was purchased within the past 24 hours, go to Manage Reservations. If you wish to change a ticket that was purchased within the past 24 hours, you must first refund it, then re-book it.

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Washington, D.C. : I have a group of 30-something friends (and a 3 year old) who would like a beach getaway later this spring. We are considering Duck in May but want to be sure to miss the "beach week" crowds of college students. Are there family friendly beaches free of the college crowds in May?

Thank you!

John Deiner: Hey, DC. You'll be fine in May...I'm going there in mid-May myself, and trust me: You'll have the place to yourself. Most realty companies won't rent the houses to large groups of college kids, so the worst you'll have to deal with is a rambunctious family.

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Washington, DC: Thanks for Wednesday's Escapes feature on yoga retreats.

Are there any yoga retreats in sunnier climes that you can recommend? I'm thinking Florida or the Caribbean as possible destinations.

Thanks!

The Flight Crew: Travelling yogini Kim O'Donnel here, who did a round up of yoga retreats in sunnier climes a few years back. I just returned from Pura Vida spa in Costa Rica, where yoga is on the menu twice a day. Five yoga halls total, one with the view of a valley 5,000 feet above sea level. Talk about getting your downward dog on! You can go with an instructor from the U.S. or you can do their 5 or 7-day Mind-Body-Spirit program, which means more flexibility with your day. Either way is bliss. I've also explored yoga spots on the Pacific side of Mexico, where they are sprouting up like crazy. Sayulita is a small town where there are many yogic flying carpets.

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Washington DC: We are grandparents taking our two granddaughters, ages 10 and 7, to Paris for a week in June. What type of documents do we need to carry with us in order to ensure we can authorize medical care, etc, while outside the country? One girl has the same last name as us, one does not. Do both parents need to sign any legal documents, etc, if married and living together? Thank you so much!

Scott Vogel: It may seem like a hassle, but yes, both parents need to sign the documents. There are two you should procure: 1) a notarized statement, signed by both parents, consenting the children to leave the country with you; 2) The parents should create a power of attorney document allowing you to authorize medical treatment abroad, if it becomes necessary.

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Washington, DC: Do you think airlines will ever reserve on airplane bathroom for women only? I am sick of entering the bathroom to find a urine puddle from men who could not aim straight. This is not an issue of turbulence, because it often happens on flights with no turbulence. I do not understand why if men cannot aim properly, they do not sit down to use the toilet. (Or at the very least, wipe the floor after themselves.) Why do they think other passengers want to walk through or have their feet in urine as they use the toilet. All the other passengers have to try to hold up our pants as we use the toilet so they do not fall into the urine. Surely, I am not the only passenger who has noticed (and been angry about) this problem. Misaiming men, explain yourselves!

Christina Talcott: Wow, out of all the times I've flown, I'd never noticed anything like that, but a quick survey here reveals that I'm definitely the exception to the rule. So now I, too, will be grossed out every time I use an airplane bathroom. Especially on long flights when a lot of people pad around in the their socks... Ick! Ok, so does anyone want to fess up to, um, making a mess in an airplane loo?

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Washington, DC: Hi Flight Crew-

I have a flight departing at 6:454am from BWI on Friday. My Super Shuttle is picking me up at 3:45am. Will the airport and ticket counters even be open and operating at 5am? I plan to check in the day before online, but have to check in my bags. Thanks.

Andrea Sachs: Most likely they will not be open at the godforsaken time. So, you will have some downtime.

On another note: Be sure to confirm your Super Shuttle reservation. We have heard stories of people's rides not arriving.

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St. Pete beach help: My husband and I are spending three nights in St. Pete (Treasure Island, actually) next week. I'm looking for any suggestions of non-fancy, fun places to eat. Does anyone have a recommendation for a boat tour or anything else we should do? We're really looking to spend a few days relaxing in a place that is warmer than upstate NY. Thanks!

John Deiner: Love that area! But it's been a while since I've been there, so let's throw this one out to the Clicksters, shall we?

Anyone know some good places to chow down around Treasure Island or St. Pete Beach?

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If only I'd "splurged"...: It's probably not as glamorous an answer as you'll receive, but I sure do wish I'd ponied up for the extra rental car insurance when my rental car window was smashed so that the thief could get to... um, nothing. Seriously, there wasn't even an ice scraper in the car - no pennies - no iPod - no nothing! Needless to say, the optional insurance would've been far less than the cost to replace the window repair and extra days of rental I needed in order to get the replacement done.

I do have a tip for chatters coming out of the experience, though - everyone at the rental car company recommended that I simply replace the window myself, vs. returning it with damage. They would've likely charged me for not just the window repair, but also depreciation to the vehicle and an undoubtedly exorbitant fee for the days that the car couldn't be rented. Hope that info comes in handy if anyone else is in my situation!

John Deiner: No, this is PERFECT. Ugly little story, plus a lesson you can share with the gang. Thanks for sharing.

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Kim - still around for food????: Kim, please say you're not leaving Mighty Appetite and your chats, too, are you????

The Flight Crew: I'm not leaving Mighty Appetite or What's Cooking. Really. See you tomorrow at noon!

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Fairfax, Va.: Hi, -- do you have any tips on getting a cheap fare to Copenhagen for a weekend in April? SAS/United is returning around $800 from IAD. I found a $450 fare to Heathrow from IAD on Air Canada, hoping that Ryan Air would fly to Copenhagen or Malmo but no such luck. Any ideas?

Carol Sottili: I just checked the Air Canada site and didn't find anything close to $450 for travel in April. If that fare does exist, try pairing it with an Easyjet flight from London to Amsterdam. But you'll have to get from Heathrow to one of the other London airports.

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Allentown, PA: My husband and I will be sending 10 days in the Orlando area - 3 nights at Universal and 6 nights at a Disney resort. Our only problem is which resort? We're torn as to which one to pick and how much to spend. Any thoughts or suggestions or resources available to help us make a decision? Thanks so much!

John Deiner: Hey, Allentown. We actually did a big takeout on this a few years ago; we found 25 resorts that were low priced and that we'd recommend. Problem is, that was a few years ago, and things change. If you stay on campus at either resort, you'll find the accommodations lovely -- and what you pay for. That is, the lower priced options at Disney are definitely budget accommodations.

I'd check out a site like hotels.com and see what sort of places are available, then check out tripadvisor.com to see how fellow travelers rate them. Just remember that the mega-cheap places are that price for a good reason.

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Bronx, NY: RE: Woulda-shoulda-coulda upgraded: the time a friend and I went overland from Amman to Cairo. Compounding our error, we took the slow ferry from Aqaba to Nuweiba. We were the only Westerners on the bus, boat, and intercity taxi involved (and we were women!), and the trip took 24 hours each way. We sooooo should have flown.

Also, learned from experience as a kid with the family: if you're planning on setting up tent at the KOA in Flatlands, Kansas, and there's weather closing in, spring for the Motel 6. When the tornado blows past, you'll be much, much happier.

John Deiner: Great stuff! Even it's a Motel 6, some shelter is better than no shelter, eh?

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No Country for Old Passports?: On a business trip to Mexico, my husband was recently told by an airline gate agent that his passport was "too old and worn" and that the airline was not required to accept it (although they did accept it, and he got through Customs both ways without a problem). The agent told my husband he was doing him a favor and that he should get a new passport post haste.

The passport in question is not quite six years old and (to our non-expert eyes) in pretty good shape. The binding is sound, and the pages are legible and untorn. The passport cover is slightly wrinkled (it does occasionally get damp) and the edges of the cover are a bit softer than they used to be, although there are no loose threads or other incontrovertible proof of fraying.

Does a passport really have to be in perfect, mint condition to be usable? We'd really rather not pay $65 to replace a passport with almost half its official lifetime left. If it were falling apart, that would be one thing -- but it isn't. What are the rules on this?

Andrea Sachs: The State Department is pretty vague on the definition of damaged. In fact, it doesn't really define it: It just says "mutilated, altered, or damaged passports." My gut says that if all of the crucial information is intact and the pages are pristine, keep on traveling with it. The cover has nothing to do with what's inside. (My passport's condition sounds very much like yours.) If you hear another comment about replacing it, though, you might want to reconsider.

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Fairfax Station, VA: My wife, teenage son, and I are headed for all all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana, DR next month. We've not done an all-inclusive before. My question is, what is the protocol for tipping the staff at the resort. Are there guidelines for tipping at these resorts as there usually are for cruise ships? There is no info on this issue at the resort's web site. Thanks for your help.

Carol Sottili: Tipping is not required in most all-inclusives, but most people do tip for extra service. For example, most bars serve rail drinks. But at the all-inclusives I've visited, each bar usually has a secret stash of better stuff. Tip well, tell the bartender you don't want to have a headache in an hour, and you'll get the Absolut (or at least he'll pour the cheap stuff out of an Absolut bottle).

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Re: Amtrack and Screening: Add facial toner to your list of things not to use before packing. I got stopped in the explosives screening area of an airport and after everything from my shoes to make-up kit testing positive, they figured out it was my toner. TSA also warned that some cleansers have the same property. I was told that next time I shouldn't use it before packing or coming and if I thought I touched it, to wash my hands VERY well before traveling.

John Deiner: Ah. Good to know...thanks for the warning.

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Dog Sledding: Hi Flight Crew! Thanks so much for your dog sledding article! Who knew you could do such things in Maryland. Appreciate your great reporting and I hope to try this out soon!

Andrea Sachs: Thanks so much for your note and definitely go try it! Even with my tumble, I would love to ride with the big dogs again.

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St. Pete dining: Tampa native here. I always tell everyone to go to the Columbia Restaurant for great Spanish/Cuban food. There are several locations, including St. Pete. Google the name, and you'll find the website.

I eat there every time I go home to visit my folks.

John Deiner: Good stuff. Any other suggestions out there?

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Anonymous: Priceline was the only site we found with one-way fares to an international destination we want to go to (long story why one-way). Route would be one airline to Miami and another onward. But the Priceline fare from Washington to the ultimate destination is much higher than a combination of Washington-Miami and Miami onward. Any reason we could not simply buy two one-way tickets, one to Miami and the second to our ultimate destination? We would, I gather, have to retrieve our bags and re-check them in Miami.

Cindy Loose: here's the diff---If you buy one ticket, even though that one ticket is on different airlines, each airline knows about you. If the first flight on airline A is delayed, then airline B is supposed to work with airline A to get you on the next flight. It might be very inconvenient and you might get help up for even a long time, but they are responsible for getting you where you paid to go.

If you buy one ticket to Miami and then another ticket to whereever, and you don't make the first flight in time to make the second flight, you my friend are just out of luck. The provider simply considers you a no show, and the fact your first flight was late is not their problem.

Even if the price difference is huge,I wouldn't risk it unless I were going to Miami the night before. Even then there is a risk--you can of course be delayed more than a day. But as long as that's unlikely, I'd take the risk. Otherwise, no. You want to be traveling on one single itinerary to avoid the "Sorry, you were late, you missed the flight, good luck to you" outcome.

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Silver Spring, MD: For the person who rented a car. I just rented a card and thankfully I read an article about the additional insurance. Check with your credit card company. You may have coverage for rental cars so you don't need to purchase the optional insurance. The rule for my credit card was the rental had to be paid for in full with that credit card.

John Deiner: Thanks, Silver. Excellent advice..never hurts to make a phone call, does it?

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Denver, Colo: I've submitted this question several times, and really hope you're able to respond this time! My best friend and I are headed to France in early May for a joint 30th birthday celebration. We'll be there 11 nights, flying into Paris and out of Nice. We're planning on five nights in Paris and the final four nights in Nice. That leaves two days in between for travel between the two cities. Where should we go? Lyon? Or should we just split our time between the two, as it's our first (and possibly only) trip to France? Thank you!

Andrea Sachs: Sorry, our French expert is out to dejeuner.

Any chatsters have some nice advice for Denver?

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Arlington, VA: re: St. Pete travellers My parents live in St. Pete so I end up spending a couple of weeks a year down there. There are lots of things to do depending on your interests. There are a couple of nice museums in downtown St Pete including a small but interesting fine arts museum. While you are down there it's worth a walk to the end of The Pier which has a small aquarium inside and an observation deck that looks out over the bay.

On my last trip I discovered a very nice county park called Sawgrass Lake Park (here's the link http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/16_Sawgrass.htm) They have nice boardwalk style trails. Lots of flora and fauna. Saw lots of turtles, tortoises, ducks, and even a couple of 'gators. It's very tranquil even though it is located right next to I 275. I took a ton of nice photos there.

There's always the Dali Museum if you are into that. I have never actually been there as I am not a big fan of that sort of art. There are lots of other parks in the county. Ft. DeSoto is actually a good bit closer to Treasure Island than Sawgrass Lake is.

John Deiner: Hey, Arl. Great suggestions. But you know what? The Dali Musuem is great! I didn't think I'd like it either, but I checked it out and glommed onto a tour and thought it was fascinating.

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U St, Washington, DC: Headed to Snowshoe WV this weekend and returning to the District Sunday evening. Anyone know of any particularly interesting place to stop for dinner on the way home? Looks like we will be taking US-250 to I-81 to 66.

Christina Talcott: Depending on your route, you might consider stopping in Staunton at German-themed Edelweiss Restaurant or local fave Mill Street Grill, both open Sunday night. Front Royal has some great places, but it looks like most are closed on Sundays. Can anyone recommend something along I-81 or I-66 for Snowshoe?

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Arlington, VA: Thinking about spending five days along the Maine coast at the end of May. Is this an appropriate amount of time? What spots should not be missed? Thank you.

Carol Sottili: Been to the coast of Maine twice. Favorite town was Boothbay Harbor. We also took the ferry out to Monhegan Island, a beautiful spot (don't do this if you get seasick). We stayed in a cabin in campgrounds in Damariscotta, also very nice, but inland. I've not been to Acadia National Park (it's farther north), but I hear that it is worth a trip.

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Airplane Bathrooms: Instead of dividing bathrooms by gender, I would perhaps divide them by "careful" and "careless". I've experienced many airplane bathrooms (recent roundtrips to Rabat, Morocco and Frankfurt) which are horribly messy regardless of the gender of previous user(s). I agree that a "pee puddle" is really disgusting, but it's also disgusting to go in and water (or other mystery liquid) splashed all over. I take care and wipe down surfaces with my towels before leaving. In addition, after trudging through who knows what in the aiport and whatever is living in airplane carpets, I might take a pee puddle over the alternative! Perhaps the pervious poster has had one to many 'errant' men in his or her life.

Signed,

Thoughtful Travel with a Y Chromosome!

Christina Talcott: Does anyone point out disgusting bathrooms to flight attendants? Or are they not responsible for cleaning?

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Silver Spring, Md.: What can I do with a 7 hour layover in Paris' Charles de Gaulle airport? If I fly business class on Air France, is there an Air France club in CDG that I can use? Thanks!

Scott Vogel: Call me crazy but I'd take the RER into Paris. If there aren't any delays, you can get to the Gare du Nord in 30 minutes, and have at least an hour or so to experience the city and still return to the airport, as long as you keep an eye on your watch. If you decide to stay at the airport, there is indeed an airport lounge at CDG that's available to business class passengers. It's in terminal 2.

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New York, NY: Not a question for the chat so much, but a request for a story - with the disputed death of a woman on an AA flight last week, perhaps a story on in-flight medical emergencies might be in order? I'd really like to know what the airlines are required to do and what their policies are when medical emergencies happen. For example, what must an emergency kit contain? How often are the emergency kits checked/updated/replaced? What are flight attendants trained to do - and what (if anything) are they prohibited from doing? When are pilots given discretion to divert a plane for a medical emergency?

I was on a plane a few months ago that had a medical emergency, where the ill passenger was in the row ahead of us - although the flight crew was very caring, and the woman survived, there were issues. First, there appeared to be significant problems with the equipment in the first aid kit, including the blood pressure monitor. Second, there appeared to be a supplemental, more technical first aid kit, but because there were only a paramedic and nurse on our flight (no doctors) the pilot apparently had to authorize use of the kit, and he refused to do so.

Cindy Loose: I just finished a quick look at that issue, and it was just posted to our blog.

Bottom line, after talking with the FAA and American this minutes ago, it's my best guess that the incident onboard was overplayed, and that the cousin who complained about the woman's treatment probably misunderstood at least part of what was going on. According to American, seven medical personnel were on board to help, and all the equipment worked. For more, check the blog at www.washingtonpost.com, on travel home page.

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St. Pete's Beach: We were just there in January! Really enjoyed Conch Republic, 16699 Gulf Blvd. (we had two meals there), and Skidders Restaurant, 5799 Gulf Blvd.

John Deiner: If you thought it was good enough to return, than how could our Clickster miss? Thanks!

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Philadelphia, PA: Hello there -- my dad and I are thinking of going to Lithuania this summer (it's going to be a bit like that Visa commercial of the son -- daughter in this case -- and dad visiting their roots in Norway). Do you have any advice on airlines, how much tickets should cost, good places to stay, etc? Many thanks!

Andrea Sachs: Whoa, Lithuania. We are awed and intrigued but, well, have no answer for you since we have never been--but are always willing to go!

Anyone been and care to share their insights?

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Rockville, MD: Help!

Im looking for a tour-trip to some place in September for 3,500 around 13 days. Not in America, Western Europe or China.

Im interested in Culture, archaeology and geology and Im considering a tour because I really want to have all the transportation and hotels arranged. I would like to avoid two things: big tours and the single supplement charge.

Anyone have a recommendation?

ThAnKs!!!

Carol Sottili: Take a look at an outfit called Peten Travel (www.petentour.com), which specializes in Turkey. Also, contact local universities: Many offer tours, although September may not be a good month because most profs, who often lead the trips, are working.

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re: splurging: In London, with my then-boyfriend, now-husband, we stayed one night in a really scary hotel complete with screaming guy in the courtyard downstairs and bathroom that would have fit on an airplane. The next day, I knew he was a keeper when he said "we're moving to the swanky hotel down the street." At least we salvaged the last night of our vacation, before we had to be up at 4 am to get to Heathrow.

John Deiner: My rule: Always save the best place for last, especially if there's a screaming guy in the courtyard at the bad place.

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Re: Is there a standard 24 hour rule: For the poster trying to lock down ticket prices - most airlines will allow you to put a ticket on hold for 72 hours for international flights and 24 hours for domestic flights. If you ever see a good deal, put it on hold while you try to figure out if it works with your schedules and your friends' schedules. There is no cost and no obligation to buy a ticket that was put on hold.

Andrea Sachs: Thanks for the reservation policy info. "Hold" is a great invention indeed.

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Smithsonian Journeys: Any of you ever gone on one of their trips? It seems like a great way to learn about a place (a Smithsonian historian as tour group leader!), but it also seems costly.

Cindy Loose: If the Smithsonian trips appeal, also check out National Geographic trips. Downside: both are expensive. So much so I've never taken one. My impression is they're top notch, and I'm guessing those along are thoughtful, interesting people.

But who out there has actual first hand experience?

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Women-only airline toilets: Silverjet have women-only toilets. See their ad here on YouTube:

Only problem is, they only fly between Newark, London-Luton, and Dubai.

Christina Talcott: Wow, is that ad for real? Have any chatters flown Silverjet?

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Cherry Hill, NJ: On a trip to see several spots in Scandinavia, my husband and I (both non smokers) booked a cheap room - with bunkbeds - on an overnight ferry from Helsinki to Stockholm. It was cheap for a reason. My tall (6'4) husband didn't fit on the bed, and the floor was a smoking floor! Apparently, lots of young college kids go back and forth from Helsinki to Stockholm and party - drink and smoke - all night. We had already purchased our return trip for a few days later in the same cabin class, but a gracious agent allowed us to upgrade to a room with a view, in a nonsmoking area. Oh, that was heaven!

John Deiner: Good for you, CH. Smoking rooms, if you don't smoke, are disgusting. Glad you changed.

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Splurge: My husband and I met in college and each did a semester abroad--mine in Manchester and his in Geneva. When I went to Geneva to visit, I decided to save some money by flying EasyJet out of Liverpool instead of straight from Manchester.

So instead of taking a reasonable cab ride to the Manchester airport, I ended up with the following public transport route:

1. Bus from my flat to one Manchester rail station;

2. Train from one Manchester rail station to another;

3. Train from the second Manchester station to Liverpool (complete with preteens playing the South Park Movie sountrack on an ancient boombox--sans headphones);

4. Bus from the Liverpool rail station to the Liverpool airport (where I received a plastic laminated boarding pass I had to return as I got on);

5. Plane from Liverpool to Geneva;

6. Train from Geneva airport to the city center;

7. Bus from the city center to my husband's dorm.

So to recap: to save a few quid, I took a bus and a train and a train and a bus and a plane and a train and a bus. And then did it in reverse three days later. And because I had so many connections to make, it took pretty much a full day each way. Would have made MUCH more sense to just buy the ticket from Manchester!

Carol Sottili: I'm with you, but some people will do just about anything to save money.

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Airplane toilets: As a male, I hate to say this, but aiming problems aren't unique to airline passengers. God forbid you ever have to "sit" at a sporting event...for some reason, all too many men think it's not necessary to raise the seat in a public restroom. I hope there is a special place in Hell reserved for them.

But to respond to the original poster, UK-based airline Silverjet have a ladies-only toilet. Their advertising for this service caused a bit of a stir, too--a lady emerges from the loo somewhat mussed. It's clear she just joined the "Mile High Club." A few minutes later, another lady emerges from the same loo.

Christina Talcott: More on airline bathrooms... and that Silverjet ad.

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Sarasota, Fla: For St. Pete Beach bound:

Don't miss the Hurricane in Pass-A-Grille at the southern end of the island St. Pete Beach is on. It's a classic beach seafood joint with a great open sun deck on the top floor. Another good place for seafood, with windows right ont the beach, is Captain (Somebody's)...Eddie's, Pete's. Whatever, you can't miss it; it's mid-island on the beach side with a gigantic sign.

Also, on Treasure Island, there are several good seafood places--all casual, as in shorts/sandals--right on the intercoastal waterway at the northern end of that island. Walt's is small but especially good. Another good place on TI is an excellent Cuban place just past the clock tower as you're headed toward the bridge to the mainland. Again, don't recall the name but you can't miss it...

John Deiner: Hey, I've been there! So happy to hear the Hurricane is still there.

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For Orlando: For your stay at Universal I would suggest staying at the univeral hotels when spending your time there. There are a bunch pf hotels just off the property that have a shuttle service. Some hotels share a shuttle bus. This would also be easier because with many disney places they have week packages.

John Deiner: The Universal hotels are beautiful, but very expensive. If they have an big budget to work with, I'm with you all the way.

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Snow: I really like the new weekend trips feature, and the sled dogs sound like a lot of fun. I was disappointed to read that there wasn't any snow there, though.

So my question: where's the closest I could go to frolic in the snow? Not homemade ski resort snow - the actual weather-induced kind. Is there any within a reasonable drive of DC?

Andrea Sachs: Well, Garrett County did have snow a few days before I arrived, but then a "warm" spell and rain storm hit. However, snow is forecasted for the Western Maryland region Wednesday through Saturday. Of course for larger fields of snow, you need to go higher in altitude and direction. Try West Virginia, for example, or northern Pennsylvania.

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Reston, VA: Hi Crew! Love your chat! Ok, so a bunch of girlfriends and I are turning 40 in a couple years, so have started talking about doing a (sorry to say it - I know it is a stupidcation!) girlfriends' getaway long weekend. Several of us (who still hold down day jobs) were envisioning kinda big blowouts - Napa, Caribbean, Las Vegas or the like. One of us is a stay at home mom who doesn't want to put a damper in our plans but told us likely she could not afford to do a big blowout, but still wanted us to go ahead and plan our dream trip and if she could somehow afford to join us, she would. Now, of course, how could we in good conscience plan a trip and not include her? So there presents our quandary. Where can 6 of gals go to celebrate (5 of us in the DC area, 1 in Florida) our big 4-0 - and have a fun time. Since it is so far in advance, time of year is not really nailed down, but I think in general any warm time of year is best. Any ideas/options for us (we like - in no particular order - spa, good food, drinking, RELAXING, beach, pool, etc.)? I would prefer not to have to drive more than 3 hours max, or would like somewhere we can get to with a reasonably cheap airfare! Thanks!

Cindy Loose: That is a very kind response, to not let her behind and try to plan around her. But before giving you a travel answer, I'd like to first use my Dear Abby hat: I think you should try to find the most graceful way possible to get an idea about what her budget might be. It would be a big bummer to give up Napa, Caribbean, Vegas and take second or third choice place only to find that that too was out of her league.

Meanwhile, I presume she is one of the D.C. area friends. So, while you await her answer: If you go in summer you could of course do nearby beaches. Cheap flights from her include to Florida, which would help your Florida friend but might bore her. You might nail down a cheap flight to the Bahamas, cause Spirit airlines has driven down prices there. Why don't you do this---go to your friend and say, we want to include you, but need some idea what might be within the realm of possiblity. It costs xx to fly to the Bahamas and room charges divided by six would be xx. Is that close to what you might be able to do? Then you'll know what you're working with before wasting alot of time investigating options that are out of her zone.

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Washington, D.C.: Former passport adjudicator here:

The reason the State Dept. is vague about what constitutes a damaged passport is that they aren't always the ones deciding. If you want to enter a foreign country, that country gets to decide whether or not to let you in. If they decide that your passport is too damaged to be used as identification, you're out of luck.

So make the decision based on your comfort with risk, I guess.

Andrea Sachs: Wow, a source that is much better than my gut. Thanks for the official information.

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BWI security: I don't know why it's hassle to learn this--but I finally did and wrote it down:

BWI security (sa in you and your ziplock get Xrayed) opens at 4:30 am. No need to go before. Ticket counters should be open at that time, too.

Andrea Sachs: Now everyone write this down and we will never have to ask and answer it again. Thanks!

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London: I may be traveling round-trip London (U.K.) to Las Vegas next fall - September or October. What sort of fares should I expect or, better yet, what should I jump on if I see it, please? (Answering in dollars is fine.)

And I loved the Mount Washington story. I spent my happy (summer) days as a kid hiking up it with my siblings. We always had to stop to read the signs noting fatalities as we went up, and marvel at the sled at the bottom of the trail that the workers used to (probably in the early 1900s) ride down the tracks, with nothing holding them in but the board they stuck their feet under and their hands gripping the sides. Yes, that sign also said how many people died doing it, if I remember correctly...

Peter Mandel: Thanks a lot on the Mt. Washington story. Did you say sled? Even lurching down the mountain in the snow cat felt kind of out of control.

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Empty oxygen tanks on flight?: Please tell me this didn't happen - I read an article about a woman on an American Airlines fight from Haiti to JFK who was denied oxygen by the flight attendant, then when he finally gave in, the doctors & nurse on board found the 2 tanks on board empty and the poor woman died on the plane.

How on earth can this happen? Her poor family who was travelling with her must be devastated.

I am now terrified to let my mother, who needs oxygen, fly anywhere ever.

Please help me understand how this can happen!

Cindy Loose: The facts are not all in yet, but I think you shouldnt panic---I have very serious questions about whether their was any problem with oxygen, and I know that two doctors and a nurse worked on the woman for 45 minutes. You could make the argument that you're more likely to get stablizing care on a plane than at home. See our blog for the details we have so far.

And remember--the first report that got all the internet howling was in the NY Daily News.

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Silver Spring, Md.: My husband will be traveling to Frankfurt for a meeting this spring, and I am considering joining him there for a long weekend. We've not been there, so I'm sure we could we find enough to do in Frankfurt for a long weekend, but would it be more interesting to meet him somewhere else (Munich or even Amsterdam)? If we decide to stay in Frankfurt, any suggestions on a neighborhood or part of the city to stay in?

Scott Vogel: You mean that place Gunter Grass reportedly called "a lump of concrete"? Okay, I don't want to get in trouble with the Frankfurt people, who will tell you -- with some justification -- that theirs isn't merely a banking and finance city. But when I read the word Munich, I couldn't help thinking that you guys ought to meet there. Other opinions on Frankfurt and other suggestions cheerfully encouraged!

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Arlington, VA: Copenhagen. I just did a quick Kayak.com search WAS-CPH for a random weekend in April and the lowest looks to be $746 on a UA/Swiss combo. Might want to check Icelandair. But by the time you get from Fairfax to BWI it might not be worth the savings if there are any.

That does seem like a lot of money for that time of year.

Carol Sottili: Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Icelandair pulled out of BWI a while back. Sales to Europe for spring travel have popped up a couple of times this winter, but they typically have lasted only a few days and they have lots of restrictions. Keep checking at www.united.com and www.flysas.com for these type of sales. But also consider that airfares are just plain higher, especially to Europe, this year.

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Bowie, MD: My family (me, wife, 15 year old autistic son and 12 year old daughter) are taking a spring break semi guided trip to Slovenia and Croatia. The tour features 3 days in Bled, Slovenia, 1 night in Zagreb, and 3 nights in Rovinj, Croatia on the Adriatic Coast. There's a tour of the Bled Castle and a stop at the Plitvice Lakes included. We will have lots of time on our own. Any places that we just have to visit?

Andrea Sachs: Wish I grew up in your household! We are not so well-versed in those countries. Can anyone help out the Bowie Family?

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Rockville,MD: Help!

Im looking for a tour-trip to some place in September for 3,500 around 13 days. Not in America, Western Europe or China.

Im interested in Culture archaeology and geology and Im considering a tour because I really want to have all the transportation and hotels arranged. I would like to avoid two things: big tours and the single supplement charge.

Anyone have a recommendation?

Christina Talcott: We ran a long list of tour operators a few weeks ago in our Way to Go section, which you might find helpful. I'll throw in a recommendation for the fascinating South Africa, but you might want to consider the Middle East, North Africa, India, Southeast Asia, India... Anyone have recs for specific tour operators?

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washingtonpost.com: Tour Operators, (Feb. 3, 2008)

Christina Talcott: Here's that Way To Go story.

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Washington, DC: Hi, Crew! Do you have any recent info on the polluted (or not) state of the Grand Canyon these days? Does this vary day to day or is it generally pretty good, or pretty bad? I have a conference in Phoenix in mid-April and am wondering whether to commit $200 to a day trip there, i.e., what are the odds it will be possible to see much more than smog on the given day. Thanks!

John Deiner: Hey, DC. Oh gosh...GO! As far as I know, it's not ever completely obscured by pollution, only a little smoggy in the distance (and if there's a forest fire in the area). The visitors center shows pictures of what it was like when it was perfectly clear, but, really, you just can't beat the sight, even if it is a little hazy now.

Anyone out there ever been to the Grand Canyon when you couldn't see it?

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If only I'd splurged, : the time that we were tenting around a lake, sort of down towards the bottom of the grassy slope and it poured, in bucketfuls, in the middle of the night.

We finally fell asleep by bracing so we stayed on the high side, which meant our suitcases were on the low side. I literally poured the water out of my suitcase and hung my clothes out to dry the following morning. We also had to get the water out of the tent because there was a lip below the "door" (to prevent the tent from getting water in I guess).

If only I'd known, we could have spent the night in a motel.

Lesson learned: check the weather forecast before tenting!

John Deiner: There's another vote for avoiding the ol' tent when the weather is threatening. Thanks for chiming in...lesson learned here.

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Chicago, Ill: Thank you for doing these chats. The wife and I are looking to take a trip to the Caribbean. We're stuck deciding between staying at one of those large, all-inclusive resorts or staying at a local hotel and really experiencing the area. Our desired activities include getting 10+ hours of sleep a night, laying on the beach/by the pool, and trying to figure out where to have dinner. We're looking at either the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico or St. Martin (French side). What are your thoughts as to which route would be most fulfilling for our vacation priorities?

Cindy Loose: The thing about big all-inclusives is that you don't have to think much about where to eat--maybe the all inclusive will have a couple different restaurants, but that's as much thinking as you have to do. Some people like that.

If you stay at a very expensive all inclusive maybe the food will be gourmet quality. More likely, the emphasis will be on quantity, not quality. Not bad food mind you, and this may be my bias. Let me explain: In my opinion, a buffet dinner, even at a good restaurant, tends not to be as good as a plate individually ordered. If you agree with this statement, you probably won't be mesmerized by the food at an all inclusive. If you say, Cindy is wrong about that, then by all means, consider us as having a difference of opinion and forget what I say about the tendency of food at all inclusives.

Another upside of all inclusives---if you like to drink, and drinks are included, as they often are, then you will be happy. If you drink very little then you might end up feeling like you're buying a bunch of strangers free drinks.

You should be able to find good meals at all three of the places you mention, but you'll find a wider variety of good restaurants in St. Martin or Puerto Rico. St. Martin of course will have more of a French influence, PR more a Spanish one, so consider that too.

I don't know which of the islands you mention have direct flights from Chicago, but that's always a very nice thing. And by the way, I don't mean to denigrate the U.S. Virgin Islands, and keep in mind all three are quite different.

In other words, I didn't answer your question, but hope insights get you started.

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Treasure Island/St. Pete Beach: Check out John's Pass for on-the-water dining, shopping, cruises and everything else fabulously Florida!

John Deiner: Man, you guys are making me wanting to get back there.

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Washington, DC: I am going to Costa Rica in a few months and plan to do some rainforest treks. Do people (non-Americans) wear Crocs for such activities there? If not, what type of footwear do you recommend? The consensus of the travel guides seems to be "get ready to get dirty" so looking fashionable isn't my goal in the rainforests and volcanoes. Just wondering what type of comfortable, outdoorsy, "get muddy" type of shoe I should buy for the trip.

Andrea Sachs: Crocs are best for gardening and children in pigtails, not hiking. If the hiking is advanced, invest in a pair of lightweight hiking boots (try Salomon, Montrail or Vasque, among other brands). For less strenuous treks, you can hike in old sneakers. Just be sure they have good traction, and don't forget socks.

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North Bethesda, MD: reporting back about my rebellious travel behavior...when I couldn't get a BWI-Lihue ticket, I booked two separate tickets on SW---and you wagged many fingers at me--wanted to let you know not only did it turn out fine, I would do it again in heartbeat!

I booked the red-eye from BWI to Oakland. Hopped the BART to Berkelely and ate at my favorite cafe, strolled, stopped in the half-price book store for a few buys. BART back to Oakland, plenty of time for next flight.

Yeah, SW eventually sort of had flights available through ATA...and it there would have been about an hour between flights. With only one Oakland--Lihue flight per day, that was too close for my comfort in case the first flight ran late.

Buyer beware. I was and I'm happy with my decision. Made me a lot more rested when I got to Lihue.

Scott Vogel: Congrats! Always happy to report a positive outcome. (For those of you who need catching up, the traveler had taken the chance of booking two separate tickets, one from BWI to Oakland, the other from Oakland to Lihue, after his airline would only put him on the closest connection for the second flight.)

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DC to London: I am taking 4 teenage girls to spend 3.5 days touring London in mid-March as they return from an exchange program.

I am trying to create a mix of museums and fun that will allow them to get a feel for London without going into a Museum Coma. However, I am trying to do it all on a budget that is fairly tight. As a result I am having a struggle with finding affordable evening activities besides one night at the theatre, particularly for Sunday evening as we are staying in the business district where everything is closed. I could find things for me, but I don't think they would be very appealing to 4 17 year old girls!

I am considering the Tate Modern for Friday evening since it is open late, has fabulous night views and is convenient to our hostel at St Paul's. Saturday will be a show from the TCKTS booth in Leicester Square; Sunday and Monday I am without plans for after dark. Help!

Carol Sottili: One thing that comes to mind is a walking tour. Lots of companies offer these at night, with various scary themes, from cemeteries to Jack the Ripper. Go to www.visitlondon.com and www.londontown.com for choices. The Tate Modern is a great idea - my daughter just finished a semester abroad in London, and at night when I visited, we'd walk along the Thames River from London Bridge to the Tate Modern, stopping for dinner along the way. A full evening out.

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Arlington, VA: the person looking for a tour with archeology might want to consider Mexico/Central America. I have always wanted to go visit the Mayan and other ruins down there. Seems like that should be doable for less than $3500.

Carol Sottili: Yup.

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Maine visitors: There are a lot of small towns along the Penobscot Bay coastline that haven't changed much in years. Deer Isle is charming to walk around and shop and Stonington has B and Bs, shops, etc.

Drive along Route 1 and look for signs for other interesting things.

Carol Sottili: Thanks!

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Washington, DC: I just got back last night from a trip through Europe that left me questioning differences in the airlines between countries. We flew United outbound, EasyJet within the continent, and Lufthansa on the way back. Can you explain why the airline industry in Europe is so different?

For instance, how can EasyJet provide an absurdly cheap ticket (even after accounting for taxes, charges for bag check, and charges for onboard refreshments) and have a nice plane and great service? And how can Lufthansa provide comfortable seats, decent food, alcohol, and an unending supply of extremely nice flight attendants for the same price as United with it¿;s unpadded seats, measly food, booze for a price, and a skeleton staff of harried flight attendants? I¿;m wondering if there are some easy answers such as government subsidizing, different regulations, or something like that.

Carol Sottili: No easy answers. Some foreign airlines are worse than some of our domestic ones. I flew an Alitalia flight a couple of years ago where the crew played cards in the back during most of the flight and told me to get my own water when I went back and asked. EasyJet is fine, but have you flown Monarch? Not very comfortable, plus you have to pay for water.

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domestic car rental insurance: former rental agent here. with the exception of diner's club, car rental insurance "benefits" offered by CCards are secondary to your own car insurance in all cases, and kicks in only after you policy is exhausted. You will stillg et charged your current insurance deductible and have to file a claim with your insurance company. now, if you HAVE no insurance, then you are onto something, but . . . be prepared for the ccard to charge the whole value of the car/repair to your card until they finish their investigations. Plus basically no one covers theft of the car regardless.

end result? just pony up the extra 20 bucks a day. Really. it is worth it.

John Deiner: Good to know, though I'm among those who aren't eager to spend an extra 20 bucks per day for rental insurance. But as our chatter showed, if you need it, you're not going to regret the extra outlay.

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SU: Im goiong to be studying abroad this summer in England. Its short and i don't want to come home to the usa that quickly. My brother is gonna be in India for the summer as well.

So how much will it cost me to go from England to India and what are key places to hit in between.

Cindy Loose: Hi--Answer depends in part on exactly when you're going and exactly where, but you are definately part of the way there once you're in London, so it will cost much less than flying from the states. I just did an arbitrary search for London to Mumbai in late June and flights came up for $725 roundtrip. Given that way over $300 of that price is taxes, not sure how much cheaper you could find it.

Where to go along the way---If you're talking about as much as a month for traveling around, I'd say stick to Great Britain and India. Both have a lot of variety to offer, and I would focus in one them, rather than trying to ram the world into one trip, even a big one.

Have a great time; sounds wonderful.

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all inclusive recs?: My husband and I have never travelled to the Carribean/Mexico, etc. and I'd like to give it a try through an all-inclusive - one that's reputable but won't break the bank. We're in our 30s if it matters. So far any I've seen deals for and have researched further through things like Trip Advisor don't have the greatest reviews. thanks

Carol Sottili: I stayed at Iberostar. It was fine. Nothing fancy, but it was clean and the food was edible. Riu is much the same. Moderately priced all inclusives have their pluses - you know what you'll pay before you go, and most everyone will enjoy themselves. But if you don't like crowds, hate buffets and don't think that lying at the beach with a pina colada is the best part of a vacation, think again.

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Re: Smithsonian Journeys: I've not done one, but a good friend did a 2 week tour through SE Asia with National Geographic about 4 years ago. He said the trip was very well done, with excellent guides (one American who stayed with the group throughout the trip and local guides for each destination), good background information, top notch lodging, and good arrangements in general. Because it was expensive, and because of the length of the trip, it skewed older (he and his wife, in their mid-30s, were at least 20 years younger than the next oldest traveler). Also, because of the average age of the group, they bypassed a few more "rustic" sights. The meals also weren't quite as exotic as he was hoping. All that said, he go again in a heartbeat (assuming he could find the time and the money).

Cindy Loose: I assume Smithsonian is similar demographics. Thanks for the input. Others?

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Durham, NC: We are going to Asheville in early April with our two young kids (ages 2 and 5.) Any suggestions on where to stay? Not sure that the Grove Park Inn or the Inn at Biltmore House are worth the money when staying with two little kids so I am looking for kid-friendly hotels in or very close to Asheville.

Christina Talcott: There are plenty of chain hotels that are just fine - save the Biltmore and Grove Park for a couple-only weekend. My dad, who's spent a lot of time in Asheville, recommends the Mariott-owned Renaissance, which he says has nice rooms, an indoor pool, good prices and prime location. Also, the Early Girl Eatery is super kid-friendly. Have fun!!

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Re: Smithsonian Trips: I went on a Smithsonian Journey last summer to Italy, Greece, Croatia and Montenegro. The trip leaders were absolutely wonderful and the accommodations were perfect. It was a well-vetted trip. My only complaint was that the other travelers were pretty old. I'm 27 and was travelling with my mom. Most of the other travelers were probably her age (58-ish) but about 20% percent of the group was much older than that. This may not be representative of all Smithsonian trips though. When I asked my trip leader about it, she suggested I check out Nat'l Geographics trips too. She leads some of those and said they skewed younger.

Good luck and have fun!

Cindy Loose: Thanks for first hand insights.

National Geo recently announced trips for teens, and they sounded so great I wanted to go myself.

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Europe for the Disabled: Hi Flight Crew,

I have a co-worker who is headed to England next week with his family. Unfortunately, he needs a scooter to travel and cannot climb stairs at all. I know Europe in general is not the most disabled friendly place. Nor are airplanes very accommodating of people who need to carry a scooter with them. (Can you imagine if an airline lost your checked scooter instead of your bags?)

My question to you and the chatters is there any place in Europe that allows you to rent a scooter while you're over there (similar to a car rental)? If not, how do disabled visitors travel around England? Finally, are major attractions in England (and Europe generally) disabled friendly? How do they make accommodations to those who cannot climb steps, or walk long distances?

Thank you for your help.

Christina Talcott: We're about out of time, but I'd recommentd looking at the health/disability section of the Specialty Travel story we ran a few weeks ago.

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washingtonpost.com: For a Custom-Tailored Trip, Whatever Your Niche, (Feb. 3, 2008)

Christina Talcott: Specialty Travel link.

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Washington, DC: The Silverjet thing is real. See their press release from when they first started flying:

http://www.flysilverjet.com/press-release-2007-01-25.aspx

I don't see that single-sex lavatories on a plane are a realistic solution to passengers not being able to use the facilities properly. I mean, I've been to any number of rock concerts where there are more ladies in the men's room than there are men, simply because our lines are shorter.

Christina Talcott: Seems like there might be a story in all this.... Thanks, all!

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Help us plan our Memorial Day weekend: My wife said that we need to go on a vacation over Memorial Day weekend - no, ifs ands or buts. Background - for a variety of reasons from work to money to a newborn we haven't gone on a vacation away since our honeymoon in '03 - we went to Australia - but we have gone on a couple of long weekends or other trips

The big issue is that our 9 month old will be 1 year. We thought about San Fran - I have never been - but my wife will be going to a B-Party in Napa in late June so that nixes. We have been to Key West a bunch of times and my parents own a house on the Jersey shore so close 3-hour shore destiny we have done.

We are just looking for something relatively close, relatively cheap and fun (we would love to go diving but that seems a little to adventerous at this stage) to have our first "family" vacation. Any help?

Scott Vogel: Running out of time here so I apologize for the truncated answer. One thought I had was the Bahamas. Definitely diving opportunities there for you and your wife, and I just found airfares from Washington in the $300 or so range for Memorial Day weekend. (Take advantage of your baby's ability to fly free!)

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John Deiner: Well, that just about does it. Thanks, as always, for the good work.

Let's toss the Priceless Collection of Junque to the person who changed hotels in London to get away from the screaming guy in the courtyard and the tiny loo. Send your name and address to me at deinerj@washpost.com.

And for the rest of you, keep an eye on our blog, send us your photos and look out for next Sunday's Caribbean special section, which includes reports from Montserrat, BVI and the Grenadines. Happy travels . . .

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