Got a travel-related question, comment, suspicion, warning, gripe, sad tale or happy ending? The Post Travel Section Flight Crew is at your service.

On the itinerary this week: French castles fit for une princesse; spring break in Panama City, Fla.; and a long weekend in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

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.

A transcript follows.

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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Scott Vogel: Afternoon, all. Welcome to our weekly colloquy, where today we find ourselves with a desperate case of spring fever and a barely-contained desire for all things outdoors. So what's on YOUR mind? We've a bevy of crew members chomping at the bit to answer your questions, listen to your suggestions, endure the occasional tirade, whatever. And as if that weren't enough, we'll also be giving a nice little prize to the chatter who's willing to tell us their most embarrassing travel experience ever. (That is, the most embarrassing experience that's suitable for a family audience.) So, in the spirit of spring, throw caution to the winds and whisper some sweet awkwardness in our ears...

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Bethesda, Md.: Hi, Crew. I can't participate live, but would like to follow up on a couple of last week's topics.

First, for the person going to Stockholm, as you suggested, it's a wonderful walking town. The Old Town in particular (Gamla Stan), with its great Cathedral, definitely merits a visit. But 2 other stops definitely merit a visit, regardless of cost (which was reasonable when I was last there in 2002): The City Hall, where all Nobel prizes except the Peace Prize are awarded; and the Vasa Museum, where a ship that sank in the Stockholm harbor on its maiden voyage in 1628 has been gloriously reconstructed. I saw this for the first time as a child in the 1960's, then again in the 1980's when reconstruction was well under way, and again a few years ago in its final form. I don't know why this does not get more publicity because, to my way of thinking, it is truly one of the great sights on earth.

Then, for the person contemplating taking Icelandair: you should absolutely choose to transfer in Logan, rather than JFK. R/T prices are comparable, and the ride is a little longer, but Logan is so much easier to navigate that it's not a close call. I've been flying for many years, and I never transfer at JFK unless both planes utilize the same terminal. Even then, it can be a mess. Good luck!

Scott Vogel: First off, a bit of recap from last week. Thanks!

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Seattle: A few comments from last week's chat that I missed....

1. For the Grand Canyon Day trip I would suggest drive in from the East along the rim and stop at the various pulloffs and gradually make your way to the main village where you then can park and explore on your foot. Try to see a sunrise or sunset.

2. United changing schedules on flight coordination. What you need to do is have your and all your friends' confirmation numbers and call United and have the trips rebooked so you are all together on your flights. I would also look at United's schedule to see if there are flights scheduled through LA/SF and call United back and change your flight to a schedule you want rather than let a software program do it.

3. For the Huntsville traveler I wonder if they looked at flights out of Nashville where you are likely to have more direct flight options other than airport hubs. The distance from Huntsville to Nashville is around 100 miles.

Scott Vogel: And a few more items of note.

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Ocala, Fla.: I visited Mount Rushmore last May -- I highly recommend the bus tour from Rapid City -- it's 9-5 and well worth it -- the Black Hills are quite narrow plus lunch at Crazy Horse Monument is provided free -- Mount Rushmore is free to view but you have to pay to park -- also if you take the wooden path you can get a great pic at the bottom of Mount Rushmore between the trees -- thanks for this venue

Scott Vogel: One vote for a Mt. Rushmore bus tour. Thanks.

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Columbus, Ohio: In the May 7 2006 Travel section you presented your 15 great hotel deals in Manhattan, all under $200. Would you please post a link to that article.

Adore your chats!!!

washingtonpost.com: We'll Take Manhattan - for Less Than $200 a Night (Post Travel Section, May 7, 2006)

Scott Vogel: There you are...

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Bowie, Md.: Embarrassing? Heck... dangerous too... several years ago, checked into a hotel in McAllen Tx... low rise hotel, had to drive to my room ALL the way back of the property, insert key and couldn't open door since security chain was in place. Room was pitch black, but I heard a woman scream "Oh my God!!" and a man yell "Where's my gun!" Jumped into my car and high-tailed it back to the reception desk, heart pounding and more than a little upset. Supervisor came running out, escorted me to the bar and said to have a few drinks to calm down... on them. Needless to say, from then on, I always knock when entering a new hotel room w/my just-issued key...

Scott Vogel: LOL. Let those be words to the wise.

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Washington, D.C.: Quick question - are disposable razors (not razor blades, but something like a Gillette) allowed in carry-on luggage these days?

Scott Vogel: If I'm reading the information on the TSA web site correctly, disposable razors are indeed allowed (www.tsa.gov). Loose razor blades are not.

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Washington, D.C.: What is the cheapest airline to fly RT from DCA/BWI/RIC or CLT to St. Martin, leaving on June 27th or 28th and returning on July 5th?

Thanks, this is for a party of four broke, graduating college students.

Carol Sottili: So you're probably not asking this mother of broke college students to tell you that if you are truly broke, you should get in a car and head to Florida instead of flying to St. Martin. Oh mom, enough with the lectures.....

American has the cheapest fares, but it's still going to run you about $500 round trip, especially around the July 4 holiday. Best deals are out of National or Dulles. If that's too rich, and you are looking around for tropical alternatives, Cancun is cheaper.

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Washington, D.C.: OK, Flight Crew... I know most of you avoid checking a bag when you fly so I need some advice. I'm going to be on a 17 day trip to Turkey and while I'm confident I can fit my clothes into a carry on size bag, I'm not sure how to fit 17 days worth of toiletries into a 1 qt bag! Do you guys really make a 3 oz bottle of sunscreen or a mini-toothpaste last for more than two weeks? With some things like shampoo, and maybe toothpaste,I doubt would be a big deal to buy over there, but I've been told that things like sunscreen and facial moisturizer are pretty expensive! Or maybe I can buy stuff in the airport after I go through security? How do you do it?

KC Summers: Wash, you're a traveler after my own heart. I never check bags, even on long trips ("pack black" is my mantra), but you're right, the one-quart toiletry bag is a bit of a challenge. The big problem for me has been fitting in enough sunscreen, but I solved that by buying 3-oz. plastic containers (from CVS and REI) and squirting the stuff into two of those. Six ounces should get you through 17 days, no? The other thing that saves me room in the baggie is packing shampoo and conditioner in flat little one-use packs instead of containers. I got those from my hair place, but maybe you can find them on sites like business travel sites like www.minimus.biz.

Anyone else got baggie tips for Wash?

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Disney World solo?: I'm in need of a quick getaway to someplace fun, and I'm seriously considering a 2-day trip to Disney World in early May (supposed to be small crowds then). I'm going alone (grown-up woman), as friends and I are unable to sync our schedules. I'm thinking a couple of days enjoying the Magic Kingdom (I'll save Epcot etc. for another time with company).

Are the luxury hotels near the Magic Kingdom worth the splurge and the convenience, or would I be just fine at one of the moderate resorts? I don't want to rent a car so would put myself at the mercy of the Disney transportation system. I'd appreciate any experience and advice from the crew and clicksters. Thanks.

John Deiner: Hey, DWS. Why NOT Disney World solo? And you are picking a good time to go: The weather in early May is fantastic there, and that's just the time to go to avoid the spring breakers and the summer vacationers. My gut, though, is that the Magic Kingdom is the most kid-centric park of all four, and you really won't need more than a day to see it. There are relatively few shows there, and more kiddie rides there than the other parks. I think you'd probably find Epcot a little more conducive to solo travel -- lots of exhibit-y things and rides that actually force you to learn something. (Though there are thrills, among them Mission: Space and Soarin'.)

As far as the resorts go, you'd be just fine in the mid-range/moderate resorts, which are quite lovely and plush enough. Lots of nice pools/restaurants, and all are on the Disney system. (Definitely stay away from the budget resorts, which are pretty nasty.) If you want to splurge, the Animal Kingdom Lodge sounds really cool, but I haven't stayed there myself.

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Columbia Heights: I just learned to drive stick shift yesterday - still a bit of lurching on hills and whatnot.

Would driving from D.C. to Brooklyn on my own this weekend be completely insane? Are there any good maps to alert me about construction or major hills? I'm planning to leave DC around 6 a.m. Saturday and come back around noon on Sunday.

Andrea Sachs: Are you good at shifting down, in case there is stop-and-go traffic? How about fifth gear? As long as you are beyond the Stalling Phase, you should be fine.

The drive to Brooklyn is pretty straightforward if you take the interstates. Google/Mapquest the route, or try Traffic.com, which maps out the quickest and most direct routes, plus highlights accidents, delays, etc. Also check the Federal Highway Administration's traffic and road closure Web site at www.fhwa.dot.gov/trafficinfo. AAA is also a great road-trip source.

Mainly, though, just avoid rush hour (in every city you pass through), and be prepared for a lot of shifting.

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Most embarrassing EVER: So I had just gotten off a really long flight from DC to Seattle for a business trip. A co-worker picked me up and drove me to the hotel downtown where I was to check-in and he would wait outside so we could go quickly to the work site. So I checked in, and hurried back outside, got in the car and began to buckle up when I turned to the driver and realized I'd gotten into the wrong car!!! I thought I was going to die. All the while my co-worker is sitting in his car in front of me laughing his head off. Fortunately the guy whose car I got in was a good sport and, while surprised, he didn't totally freak out on me!

Scott Vogel: The ultimate in embarrassment: having a coworker witness the episode.

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Central Cal:2-way embarrassed: On a cruise last year, first morning out of port, I heard a knock on the door at 5 am. Thinking of an emergency, I quickly opened the door, and ... a bikini-clad young beauty with small (oxygen, nitrous?) tank. She took one look at me, reached for the daily itinerary card and handed it to me. Without a word she left...and me thinking I still had it....

Scott Vogel: Okay, I find this one confusing/disturbing.

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Alexandria, Va.: Last week somebody asked about things to see in Stockholm. Even if you don't find shipwrecks interesting, the Vasa Museum is well worth the trip (and whatever it costs to get in). The Vasa is a Swedish warship that sank in Stockholm's harbor less than one nautical mile into its inaugural voyage in 1628; it lay underwater until 1961 and is now preserved in a museum. Really neat to see, and my girlfriend, who didn't think a shipwreck would be interesting, even noted how impressive it was.

Scott Vogel: More help for the Stockholm-bound. Thank you.

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Washington, D.C.: What are the reviews of Taca Airlines? I am taking a trip to Ecuador later this year and have seen them having the least expensive flights there and arriving there when I need to.

KC Summers: I've flown TACA fine without problems. According to the site AirSafe.com, the airline hasn't had a "fatal passenger event" since 1970.

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Alexandria, Va.: I want to pass along a travel tip from "Three Cups of Tea" - When taxi drivers are clamoring for your custom, choose the one who looks the least interested.

Scott Vogel: Well, okay, though I can see how this one might backfire.

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Arlington: I'm in the beginning stages of planning a trip to Europe in late summer. I'll be flying from DC, but where I start and end in Europe is largely up in the air. Is there a website that'll tell me the cheapest places to fly into and out of Europe, given the dates and starting/ending point (DC) as parameters?

Carol Sottili: Try Priceline's new application, called Inside Track (www.priceline.com). It'll give you lists of prices and whether the price is going up, down or staying stable. I can tell you that London, Madrid, Frankfurt and Amsterdam are generally cheaper than Rome or Paris.

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College Park, Md.: Posting early because I posted too late last week. I am going on a (first-time) cruise in late April to the Bahamas, stopping at Freeport and Nassau (Norwegian Cruise Lines if that matters). I am also mobility impaired and can't walk very far, so my sightseeing is going to be limited. What should I definitely not miss at either place? Any good excursions? I've seen mention of a semi-submarine at one (both?) places for underwater viewing, and I'd love to do that. Anything else?

Scott Vogel: Hi there -- We tried to answer your question in Sunday's paper, since we couldn't get to it last week. At that time, we wrote "How about an easy excursion to the Perfume Factory in Freeport? This purveyor of fragrances both popular and obscure offers untaxing tours and the chance to concoct your own potion (www.perfumefactory.com, 242-352-9391). On the same island, Grand Bahama Nature Tours (www.grandbahamanaturetours.com, 866-440-4542) will take you to the flora and fauna, escorting passengers via Jeep to some of the area's most interesting spots. In Nassau, you can get your swashbuckler on at Pirates of Nassau (www.pirates-of-nassau.com), located near the cruise ship docks. It's a self-described "interactive museum of piracy," and really, how many of those can you name?"

Anyone been on the submarine and care to report to us on it?

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D.C.: We are going to have two days in Zurich and/or environs.

What would you recommend as must-do's?

washingtonpost.com: In Zurich, More Than Steeple Chasing (Post Travel Section, June 19, 2005) In Zurich, a Swiss Sensation (Post Travel Section, Jan. 2, 2005) Tom Sietsema's Postcard from Zurich (Post Travel Section, Dec. 5, 2004)

Scott Vogel: Please see the above.

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Curry, W. Va.: I'm planning a trip to France hopefully in November, around Thanksgiving time. I figured since only Americans celebrate Thanksgiving, tickets would be cheap. What do you think? I can go only in July or November...

Carol Sottili: Sorry, but lots of Americans take a vacation week over Thanksgiving, and some of them then use that week to go to Europe, so it's generally not cheaper. That said, it'll be much less expensive to fly to France in November than in July.

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Thanksgiving in N.Y.: Today's blog post reminded me of something we need to do now... we are hoping for a trip to NY this Thanksgiving to see the Macy's parade and would like to get a room on the parade route - no bargain I know, but any tips or suggestions for the best way to do this? Thanks!

washingtonpost.com: This piece doesn't cover hotels but has a lot of info on seeing the parade: March Madness: An insider's guide to seeing New York's Thanksgiving extravaganza -- the right way. (Post Travel Section, Nov. 8, 2006)

Scott Vogel: For hotel information on that subject, please see the NYC visitors site, at www.nycvisit.com.

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Arlington, Va.: We're beginning to consider honeymoon options for late November - while we don't need to lie tanning on a beach all day, we would like a destination where we can relax without wearing heavy coats - what parts of the world should we be considering?

John Deiner: Hey, Arl. I'd say you should be considering South America, Australia, New Zealand...really anyplace where the seasons are opposite of ours. One place I'd throw out there because I was there and loved it is Malta, where the climate is temperate, though late November is evidently the rainy season. And depending on your budget, don't forget about good ol' South Florida or Mexico.

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Rockville, Md.: I'm planning a family reunion for 15-25 people in San Juan, PR at the beginning of November. Can you suggest any resorts with access to the beach, great views, and maybe some stylish rooms? What about a great dinner location that serves Caribbean (yet vegetarian friendly) food and perhaps has some entertainment nearby? (I'm thinking learning to salsa dance would be lots of fun.) Is it worth renting a car in San Juan to get from the hotels to downtown, or should we rent a car for just one day to see El Yunque? I know it's a lot of PR questions; thanks so much for your help!

washingtonpost.com: Puerto Rico Punch (Post Travel Section, Feb. 26, 2006)

Scott Vogel: Here's a link to a story we did on the subject. It should answer some of your questions.

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Cayman Islands: Thanks for the chats.

Going to the Caymans for the first time (yay!) -- besides beaching it, any suggestions on things to do?

KC Summers: Dive it! The Caymans are packed with sites for all levels of divers and snorkelers, from shallow reefs to the famous North Wall off Grand Cayman, a sheer drop to the ocean bottom. At Stingray City, you can swim with the critters -- we'll link to Cindy Loose's story raving about that experience. There are also shipwreck sites to explore. And if you don't want to get wet, you can also take a submarine ride to the reefs.

Other suggestions for CI?

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Arlington, Va.: I flew Virgin America last week from Dulles to California and it was a nice flight in both directions. However, the day before each leg of the flight, I got an e-mail telling me of the imperative of being at the airport two hours before takeoff. So instead of taking a 5:30 am bus from Rosslyn to get to Dulles at 6:25, I took a 5 am cab and made it at 5:30. I zipped through both check-in and security and hung around for three hours. Coming back, the wait was only 2 1/2 hours before boarding. So the question is: are we going overboard in asking people to arrive at the airport so early?

Carol Sottili: Virgin America is probably being very cautious because if you miss the flight, there aren't many alternatives. Miss a flight on American or United, chances are there will another way to get you to your destination that day. But Virgin America is small, with a limited number of planes. Security at Dulles is very unpredictable. I nearly missed my Friday morning (10 a.m. or so) flight to St. Louis a while back because the security line was incredibly long. At other times, I've sailed through. But I think 2.5 hours is overly cautious.

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For the person going to Turkey: There are some alternatives to liquid products that can be helpful for someone taking a longer trip. Burt's Bees make a shampoo bar. It looks like a bar of soap but it's shampoo, and because it's a solid product it's not subject to the TSA liquid silliness. One caveat is that as a male with reasonably short hair I cannot comment on how well it would work for the ladies, but for me it's been a good thing to have available. Apparently there are also dry toothpastes that you can buy, like tooth powder.

I would imagine that any camping store (REI, Hudson Trail Outfitters, or the like) ought to have these kinds of products because when you head into heavily-forested country it's not only important to have compact stuff that fits in a backpack, but it's also important to have odorless stuff that doesn't attract animals.

Finally, I just checked my favorite packing advice site (OneBag.com) and found that there's a list of liquid alternatives there:

http://www.onebag.com/packing-liquids.html

That site is a great site overall, BTW.

KC Summers: Thanks for the good tips. I've tried dry shampoos and found them pretty awful, but that might just be me. Interested in seeing what else that site offers, though.

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washingtonpost.com: Grand Cayman: Come On Down, the Stingrays Are Fine (Post Travel Section, Nov. 21, 2004)

KC Summers: For the Cayman-bound. Thanks Elizabeth!

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Whoopsie: My awkward moment came courtesy of a hotel. It was an 'historic' property that hadn't upgraded rooms to key cards yet. Upon checking in, I got a key (like a house key) to my room.

I'm guessing you can see where this is going...upon using my key to open the door, I was greeted by a large gentleman in his boxer shorts.

All I can say is thank god for those Joe Boxers!

Scott Vogel: Yes, it could have turned out a lot worse.

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McLean, Va.: My fiance just booked our honeymoon trip to Dominican at Paradisus Palma Real for this June-July 08 and he LOVES golf. There's golf included at the course onsite but I'd love to know about other courses in the area. Any close by? How is this course? Other things we MUST do/see!? Thank you!

Scott Vogel: Throwing this one out to our chatters. Anyone know of other golf courses in the Dominican Republic?

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Rockville, Md.: My family of four (kids are 12 & 15) will be at the Skyland Resort in Shenandoah National Park for a couple of nights this week. Besides hiking, does anyone else have suggestions for what we can do? We were planning on going to Luray Caverns, but they are not open until Apr. 1. Also, some of us are allergic to horsehair, so horseback riding is out. Suggestions?

John Deiner: Hey, Rock. One idea that leapt to mind was Shenandoah Caverns (www.shenandoahcaverns.com), which seems to be open year round and includes that American Celebration on Parade exhibit of old parade floats. Could be really fun (even for a 15 year old!).

Any other ideas out there?

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New York, N.Y.: What's the difference between Priceline's new Inside Track or whatever it's called, and FareCast? They seem pretty similar, yet twice now, you guys have touted the Priceline version. Is it better than FC or have more features? Thanks!

Carol Sottili: They're similar. Slightly different ways of displaying info, but both sift through the airfare results that their users are getting and then try to make sense out of the data. Priceline's is brand new, which is why we've mentioned it a couple of times recently. But Farecast's is very good.

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Tampa, Fla.: Most embarrassing travel experience:

It was the evening before my wedding in Potomac, MD, and I was staying at the Marriott in Tyson's Corner. I was running late and was frantically trying to get dressed to leave for my rehearsal dinner when I started hearing what sounded like the fire alarm go off in the hallway outside my room. It has been one of those days - running from place to place, making sure that everything was in place at the ceremony site - all the craziness of the bride-to-be before her wedding, so I was pretty tired and frazzled by the end of the day. When I heard the alarm, all I could think of was, "This can't be happening now" - so I quickly opened the door to be sure that the sound I was hearing was the fire alarm. When I opened the door, someone from hotel security was heading down the hall. I asked him if it was a false alarm or did we really have to evacuate the building. He said that he was pretty sure it was a false alarm, but hotel policy was that all guests had to leave the hotel regardless. I thanked him and closed the door. It was then that I had realized - in my frazzled state, I had been standing there in the hall talking to him - in my UNDERWEAR! He had never given any indication that he had noticed that I was half-naked (I guess working at a hotel you probably are used to seeing pretty much anything), but I was mortified!

Scott Vogel: I don't know about you, but I'm starting to see a theme.

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Alexandria, Va.: Hi Crew! We're headed to New Hampshire for a wedding in early August. We are thinking about extending our visit, but are sort of wondering if there is enough to do/see to keep us busy. It seems like an inexpensive vacation idea since the airfare is already a sunk cost. BTW, shopping does not count as a thing to do for us. The husband likes nature, especially critter watching, horseback riding, and hiking. I like all that, as long as there's a hot shower and some wine at the end of the day. Thanks!

washingtonpost.com: New Hampshire travel stories (washingtonpost.com Travel Section archives)

Scott Vogel: Here's a link to some of our stories on NH.

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Reston: So, I have a lot of FF miles to use and decided to go somewhere I haven't been yet. Morocco it is!

Some questions please:

Would early November be a good time to go? I plan to take United to Paris because it's been a few years since a visit, spend 3 days, and then pay for a ticket to Morocco (United doesn't fly there and I cannot use miles).

As a single blonde woman, anything special I should think about? I will most likely be alone.

Any health worries - specifically anything bug-borne? Having dealt with undiagnosed Lyme disease for years, I've no desire to go through anything similar again.

In 7 nights, what 3 places should I visit? (or only two with day trips?)

Any hotel recos? I prefer 3-4 stars or better.

Many thanks!

washingtonpost.com: Morocco Travel Stories (washingtonpost.com Travel Section archives)

Andrea Sachs: I loved Morocco and highly encourage you to spend your miles going there. (I flew nonstop from NYC -- a quick six-hour flight.)I recommend Rabat, Fes and Casablanca, the standard three that live up to the guidebook hype. I also suggest going over the Atlas Mountains to the Sahara for a desert adventure. I did not make it to Tangier, but have heard great things about this northern city.

November is pleasant, with temps in the 70s. (The mountains are cold and snowy, and the desert hot.) As a woman, just follow the standard guidelines: Stay in well-populated areas; don't go off with strangers; etc. Also check out Journeywoman.com, which caters to solo female travelers (it has a section on Morocco). As a blond female, I did not feel like I attracted special attention. The country is used to Western tourists, so I was just one of the crowd.

For accommodations, definitely stay in a riad, a traditional Moroccan house or palace with an interior garden. For options, see www.riadsmorocco.com/rtgus-riads-marrakesh-morocco.html.

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Duluth, Ga.: Given the Euro exchange rate, is going to France this year a bad idea?

KC Summers: Well, it depends how much you want to go to France. You could postpone your trip until the dollar gains strength... or you could go now and try to economize to make it work. Our philosophy here has always been to go for it if you really want to visit a place. In France, for example, you could stay in a hotel farther out from the city center... get around Paris by Metro or the new free-bike program instead of cabbing it... stay at a hotel with free breakfast and have a supermarket "picnic" for lunch, eating out only for dinner... buy museum and transit passes instead of paying piecemeal... you get the idea. Watch for our special Europe issue a week from this Sunday for lots more money-saving ideas for Europe.

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Ashburn, Va.: I've always been a phobic flyer and had to take a (rather small) regional jet from Tennessee to National. This was pre September 11th, and my sister was there waiting to pick me up at the gate since I was visiting home. I had already taken my "flying pills" before I left home that morning, but upon seeing the size of the plane decided to mix a little red wine with it as well. I don't remember what happened next, but my sister says I was quite a sight being carried off the plane by the pilot, flight attendant and my friend, all dragging me under their arms.

Scott Vogel: Un. Real.

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Washington, D.C.: Have any of you stayed at the Roosevelt Hotel in NYC? Tripadvisor reviews are mixed... Looking for some guidance. We have a reservation for this weekend, but can look for something else. Especially worried about some reviews that mention bedbugs....

KC Summers: Throwing this one out to the chatters since none of us has stayed there. Btw, everyone, check our blog today for more NYC hotel recommendations from readers. Elizabeth, could you please post a link to the Travel Log?

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Miami, Fla.: I was studying abroad in Mexico and living with a Mexican family - no one spoke English and my Spanish was very basic - to say the least. I was invited to a family party and was offered a tray of what looked like fudge. Dark chocolate color, smooth in appearance, thick, - it looked yummy. I grabbed a large spoonful and ate away. As it turns out, it was a plate of spicy, mashed black beans. I ran for the nearest water jug and everyone laughed... What could I do but laugh as well, as I guzzled gallons of water.

Scott Vogel: Food embarrassment: we haven't had THAT yet.

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Tel Aviv, Israel: I bought a ticket on American Airlines.com to visit my girlfriend in Washington DC on March 28. I called American and made inquiries if I could change the ticket to come early and surprise her. I was told there was a change of class fee so I told American to forget it.

I called to confirm my ticket and American said they changed my ticket to March 12. I am fighting now to get back my original ticket, which I never changed without paying any fees. How can I get my original ticket back, without paying fees when I never made a change in the first place? I never gave them a credit card to make any changes either.

Thanks.

Carol Sottili: If you didn't show up for that March 12 flight, and that's when they say you were scheduled to fly, forget fees - you basically lose the entire value of the ticket. This story sounds kind of crazy to me. They never emailed you with an itinerary change? They never charged your credit card for the fees? Where's the evidence that the ticket was changed? Call their ticket refund desk at 918-254-3777. And ask for a supervisor if you don't get a person who wants to listen.

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My Bad: On my first trip to California, I was connecting through Phoenix. When I got into the terminal I checked the monitor for the gate to catch my connection. I had some time to kill so without much further thought, I kind of zoned out until the boarding call.

I was surprised to see someone in my seat when I boarded but it wasn't a full flight so I took an open seat. It was only when the flight attendants started their announcements that I realized I was on the WRONG FLIGHT!

My gate had changed so I had to run from one end of the terminal to the other hoping to still make my connection. Note to self: always make sure I verify the flight shown on the board is the same one on my ticket.

Scott Vogel: I've always wondered if that ever happens. Answer: yes.

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WDW Reservation Center: Hey Crew!

I just moved to DC from Orlando where I used to work at Disney. For the solo traveler: Go! Stay at the Grand Floridian hotel and spa. Take advantage of the amazing spa, the great beach, and the water taxis to other resorts. Tired of the beach? Take a boat over to the Wilderness Lodge and go horse back riding, hiking, or to the petting zoo. Yes, the Magic Kingdom can be done in a day, but why not get a park hopper pass and visit EPCOT for dinner or the shows at Disney MGM.

As far as car rental, I'd strongly advise against it. On site rooms are fairly cheap and the Disney monorails, buses, and boats will get you everywhere. If you do rent a car you'll be paying $9 to park your car each day. And remember, Disney will pick you up from the airport and take you to the hotel for free.

Enjoy!

John Deiner: Hey, WDW. Man, they trained you well down there. It's all good stuff, but I always have in the back of my mind: What's this gonna cost? Disney tickets are ridiculously expensive, and adding Park Hopper to it bumps up the cost. And to do all you describe is really, really expensive. (And I believe parking is now $11 a day! So your argument against a rental car is even more valid.) But that's a really nice itinerary, as long as you have the cash to do it all.

One thing: I don't agree that onsite rooms are fairly cheap -- I think they're fairly expensive, especially since rates are properties outside the park can be so much lower. But for a lot of people, the convenience and all those nice Disney touches are worth it.

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Fairfax, Va.: Can you recommend any travel agents who specialize in Thailand?

KC Summers: For our "how to find a tour operator" story a couple of months ago, reporter Elise Ford interviewed specific countries' tourism and embassy officials for their recommendations. She came up with these two places for Southeast Asia:

* Artisans of Leisure, 800-214-8144, http://www.artisansofleisure.com. Specializes in luxury travel, private and tailor-made, emphasizing the region's arts, cuisine, people, landscape and traditions. One example: an 11-day "Vietnam for foodies" tour.

* Asian Passages, 800-419-4446, http://www.asianpassages.com. This Washington area firm was founded in 1992 to promote cultural exchange between Vietnam and the United States. These experts in Southeast Asia feature 35 itineraries in eight countries.

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November Honeymoon: What about Puerto Rico? Should be after hurricane season, warm, and has urban activities if you're not into lying on a beach all day.

John Deiner: Perfecto. That's a good one... there's so much to do, it's very easy to avoid the beach altogether.

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Md.: I have a flight on Delta going from BWI to SJU, Puerto Rico in 2 weeks. I have a layover in Atlanta on Wednesday morning, where I am meeting my travel companion. Is there anyway to convince Delta to make layover in Atlanta extended (come in the night before and leave on the same flight from ATL to SJU so I can spend some extra time in Atlanta and now wake up at the crack of dawn) without totally changing my flights for lots of $$$$? Thank you!

Carol Sottili: Short answer, no. You can fly on the same day, confirming a seat on a later flight for just $25. But you can't fly the next day.

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washingtonpost.com: The Monday Rant: New York Hotel Rates (Travel Log blog, March 24)

KC Summers: Here's a link to today's blog item on NYC hotel prices. Feel free to join in and add your own recommendations!

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Arlington, Va.: Does contact solution have to be in the quart size bag if it's carried on or can a regular size bottle be brought in carry on (but kept out during screening) as "medicine"?

Andrea Sachs: Contact lens solution should be place in a three-ounce or smaller container and placed inside a quart-size bag. However, if you bring larger amounts, you will need to keep it separate and show it to TSA screeners at the security checkpoint. For info: www.tsa.gov.

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Washington, DC: Embarrassing? We were at OBX in a lovely home. I was the only one of 14 left. I looked out the upstairs window and almost died. There in the beautiful pool was a big black snake. I am deathly terrified of them. I screamed and started crying...my whole vacation was now ruined. I called the rental agency and was hyperventilating as I told them what was going on...the lady started laughing. I was not amused. Turns out there are no snakes there and someone had thrown a rubber one in the pool. I was embarrassed that I did not know that and the rest of the gang thought it was funny.

Scott Vogel: The only thing worse would be if someone in your party had planted the snake. Hopefully, it was a stranger.

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Va.: My family and I came back from Disney last Saturday after a week. We stayed at the Port Island Riverside resorts.

tips: don't wear flip-flops all day at parks; fastpass tickets really mean 5 or 6 hours later to enter; make reservations at restaurants early like 2-3 months for the dining plans; better wait till all kids are 5 years old and above.

John Deiner: Hey, Va. You went during spring break season, which is one of the worst times of the year to go. Did you like your resort at least? And in less busy times, Fastpass can be just a few hours. I've never used the dining plan but thanks for the heads up.

And flip flops all day in the parks? Ouch. Glad you made it home alive.

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Opera Lover in Arlington: This embarrassment happened to me; more correctly, I did it to myself and to one of the great composers of the 20th Century.

It was in the late 70s at one of the early Spoleto USA Festivals in Charleston, S.C.

I'm an opera buff and the big ticket at that year's festival was a production of "The Consul", an opera written by festival founder Gian Carlo Menotti. This "Consul" was being directed by Menotti himself and starred the great mezzo-soprano Brenda Boozer of the Met. Having grown up in Charleston I knew some people who knew some people and was able to get tickets. The trip and the tickets were a splurge for someone just a couple of years out of college, but well worth it.

So the next day my girlfriend and I are watching a "piccolo Spoleto" event (free outdoor performances in the city's parks) and discussing the previous evening's performance when a gentleman standing next to us who'd overheard our conversation asked what we thought about this production of the opera.

Now, I had seen a student production of "The Consul" at Indiana University a few years earlier (If you need an item for travel to Indiana, IU has an excellent music department and superb stagings of opera are frequent) so I started going into great detail about the plot and the symbolism and etc.

And it was nearly a minute into my monologue that my brain brought up the photographs I'd seen in Charleston's newspaper and I realized that I was busily explaining the basics of "The Consul" -- to Gian Carlo Menotti.

If the big light bulb coming on over my head wasn't enough to indicate I had suddenly realized with whom I was speaking, I interrupted myself in mid-sentence with an "oh, Maestro!" and probably would have prostrated myself before him to ask forgiveness but Menotti just chuckled kindly, said, "I'm glad you liked it," thanked me and Paula and stood there with us as the madrigal singers finished their performance before he walked away in the direction of the theater when his opera was being staged.

Scott Vogel: I like the Hollywood ending to this one.

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Washington, D.C.: I just got a job in Seoul -- very excited! Can any chatters recommend "good" (safe) areas of the city to live in? Any advice?

Andrea Sachs: We have never been to Seoul . . . so Chatsters, we need your expertise!

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Vienna, Va.: Loved the article about the Cathar Country. I was somewhat taken aback by the advice in the "Details" section. Under "what to bring" it was advised that you bring chains and locks to secure luggage in the rental car (!). I've traveled many times in France and all over Europe and I've never felt the need to "chain" my luggage. I DO take the precaution to keep luggage out of sight if I park. This advice seems way over the top to me. Don't scare people!

KC Summers: Thanks for the comment, Vienna. I understand your point and we certainly didn't mean to scare readers, but our writer heard from several sources during her trip-planning that car break-ins are common, even if luggage is out of sight in the trunk. We're not advocating paranoia, but it's always best to go into these situations with your eyes open.

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Pittsburgh: Re economizing in Europe with "picnic" for lunch, eating out only for dinner.

To save even more, switch 'em, so you "picnic" for dinner, eating out only for lunch. And instead of shopping in a supermarket, try the local outdoor market with a variety of vendors, as well as bakeries where the locals shop.

KC Summers: Excellent suggestions, thanks Pitts.

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Oviedo, Fla.: to: Single woman coming to Disney in May - the Grand Floridian, one of the area's nicest hotels, has chick retreat written all over it. there are rooms with turrets, a great spa and you are close to the monorail. Rent a boat of some kind on the beach or just float while the hordes stomp around.

Down the price chain the Yacht or Beach club has a sandy-shore water "park" with lazy river, shoals to soak in and chaise lounges for reading. You're a short walk to the back entrance to Epcot and can get "home" fast at nite after a light show. There's an adult only pool you will like that is even quieter if you really want to chill out.

Check out mousesavers.com for the latest deals; also, your AAA club can sell you advance tix at a discount or tell you where to get them here. This saves you time waiting in line and usually offers a small price break.

Don't lose your passes - they never expire. Cargo shorts or crops work best for keeping them intact.

Dining solo is a breeze on the porch at Bahama Breeze, a chain near Disney, if you have a car. Don't miss the comedy club at Pleasure Island - cleaner than most (it is Disney) but very funny and single-friendly. The huge Irish pub is also singly appealing and has better than average bar food.

Spend a day at the space center, take the tour and eat lunch with an astronaut. Include some beach time at Canaveral National Seashore and a quick lap of the wildlife trail. Florida is beautiful, in or out of the "world."

p.s. do the animal park and be sure to take the rapid river ride at least once - bring some baggies for your wallet and camera. You'll like the safari ride etc. much better than teacups etc. at Magic Kingdom.

John Deiner: Hey, Oveido.

Wonderful suggestions -- really great stuff. One thing: Park passes DO expire, unless you pay extra to make them, uh, un-expirable. I always figure that's worth it, particularly since the more days you buy on a pay, the cheaper the per diem.

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Reston: Two answers:

I stayed at the Roosevelt 6 years ago and thought it was just fine in a great location. Six years is a long time though.

Re: euro rate... I am traveling to Europe for 16 nights in May/June and the overall hotels total will be 500 bucks cheaper than my 15 night stay last May. All 4 star hotels - the difference is that I'm not in Venice or Florence this time around. Yes, you can still do Europe for "reasonable" (not cheap). Just avoid expensive cities.

Scott Vogel: A coupla good helpful footnotes here.

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Washington, D.C.: I'm headed to Guangzhou for a business trip and I'm looking for a tailor where I can get suits and other things made (I'm female if it makes any difference). Anyone have any recommendations of individuals or even markets and neighborhoods to check out?

Thank you!!

Scott Vogel: Anyone out there able to help this chatter?

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Arlington, Va.: I know I say this every time, but I will say it again anyway. AGAIN with the France articles! Do we really need another France article every month? Please report on other countries, even if it is other countries in Europe more. It's a big world out there, go see more of it! How about more Asia?

KC Summers: Hey Arl. I KNEW we'd hear from you today. I know you take these France articles personally and I actually thought of you when scheduling this story. We really are restraining ourselves as best we can, but you know, the country is just a popular destination and people want to read about it. (I hate to tell you, but we have a nice story on the Brittany coast coming up....)

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Midwest Floods: I put my mother on the train at Union Station on Saturday to go to Dallas, via Chicago. On Sunday she called from Chicago to say that the rails were washed out somewhere south of St. Louis, and they suggested a 7-hour bus from St. Louis to Little Rock, then a train from LR to Dallas. She said no thanks and opted to just come back to DC (she arrives today). The thing that is steaming me is that she checked the website and this information is NOWHERE there (I just now looked too). They said "oh, you should have called the 1-800 number, we just use the website for marketing purposes." Folks, if my 67-year old mother checks the website first then you should know that it's a new era and time to get on with it. They're not going to charge her for this trip, but really I'm thinking she's owed something for the lost two days.

The floods are in no way Amtrak's fault, but don't they have a responsibility to warn their passengers ahead of time? For a total outage like this, it seems like the 800 number AND the website should be updated, and even if something at Union Station had been posted she could have made alternate plans before she got on the train. What say you?

Carol Sottili: I went to the Web site and you're right, I couldn't find any kind of notification on the initial page. But when I went to "train status" and plugged in the route, it said, "Information Unavailable: Sorry, due to a service disruption, we are unable to provide estimated departure and arrival times. For additional assistance, please contact us at 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245)."

I'm with you - I think they should put a notification in big red letters right on the front page of the site. But there is some notification of the disruption when you request the information. You can complain by calling call 800-USA-RAIL, and asking to speak with the customer relations department.

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Luray Caverns: The caverns are open all year - one poster said it was not open until April 1??

John Deiner: Yeah, I should have checked that before I posted. Here's what I just cut from its Web site (www.luraycaverns.com):

Luray Caverns is open every day of the year. Guided tours depart approximately every twenty minutes. General-admission rates include the tour of Luray Caverns and the entrance into the Car and Carriage Caravan Museum.

So good catch...thank you!

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Alexandria, Va.: A Delta counter agent told me this morning that starting May 1, they'll start charging $25 for the second checked bag. As a frequent flyer (4 legs a week) just a momentary rant seconding the letter writer who complained that the airlines don't enforce the carryon limitations now. Ugh, now the fight for bin space will only get worse. But what's your insider prediction of the next fee hikes for us? fuel surcharges? blanket charges?

Carol Sottili: They're the third major airline to start these fees, and more are sure to follow. Fair to say these fees are here to stay. Next fee? Maybe seat assignments.

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Fairfax, Va.: Tell me about Turks and Caicos!!!!!

5 adults are planning on a trip in July.

We are NOT going for the nightlife!

We have passports in hand and own our scuba gear which we will take. (We are all fairly beginner divers.) Any suggestion where to go to scuba?

We are planning on staying at "The Sands at Grace Bay". We hear it is ok and centrally located.

Any other suggestions?

Any precautions and can you drink the water?

Any info. would be a great help.

Enjoy your Travel section!

Thanks.

KC Summers: Fairfax, sounds like a great trip. Unfortunately our T&C expert, Cindy Loose, is away this week, but I'll post a link to her story on the islands from a couple of years ago. She really loved the place. Meanwhile, perhaps some of the chatters could chime in with answers to your questions... chatters?

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Embarrassment in Vegas...: Yes, I know, I should be prepared for anything if I choose to get married in Vegas, right? Well, we got married there on Halloween, stayed at the Mandalay Bay. All nice and low key, we invited only very close ADULT family members -- until my sister decides she wants to make a family vacation of the whole thing and invite a neighbor family, too (we didn't know until they showed up).

They "popped over" -- two 10 year olds in tow -- late Halloween evening (wedding was that morning, nice reception at iHOP on the strip!), around 10 pm. Say they want to grab some dessert at our nicer hotel (they were at Circus Circus, of course), so we head down in the elevator... which proceeds to stop at every floor, treating us to the sight of nekkid (or mostly, not much difference in degrees there) Halloween revelers. Most painful elevator ride of my life.

Yup, my husband and I have never seen that neighbor family again. Seriously 10 year olds out on Halloween night in Vegas?

Scott Vogel:"they were at circus circus, of course" -- Poetry, that.

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Way embarrassed!!: Well, I was really embarrassed on a cruise to the Bahamas a few years ago. On the last night, there was a little seminar about packing up and putting your bag outside the door early in the morning. The staff was emphatic: "Remember to NOT pack your shoes!" So, when packing up that night, I was very careful about my shoes. But in the morning, I was horrified to realize I had left a top hanging in the closet to wear, but forgot to leave any slacks! I had to make do with a top and (thank goodness) my husband's PJ shorts! Fortunately they were plain navy blue, so I think we were the only two who knew!

Scott Vogel: ha -- there's something crazy about that final night packing stuff.

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Gallery Place: Delta (among others) recently added a charge of $25 for a 2nd checked bag. For two of us on a roundtrip, that's an extra $100. I called Delta and they said "hey, no changes -- that's our policy". I checked Delta's policy and it basically says they can change the terms of the "contract" (i.e., ticket) at will.

How is this legal? They can change the price of a ticket that you've already paid for as often as they like (in this case, an extra charge for services that were originally included). This doesn't seem right.

Carol Sottili: Nope, it doesn't seem right, but the airlines have always reserved this right in the fine print. It would have to be overturned in a court of law.

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Reston again: Hi!

Re: Morocco, thanks!

I forgot to ask - would you say it's cheaper than Italy/France?

Andrea Sachs: Definitely! The euro is deadly; one dirham equals thirteen U.S. cents. Just be careful of the tipping culture. My dad said he thinks we spent more on tips than we did on souvenirs.

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Springfield, Va.: I'm posting my girlfriend's embarrassing scenario... he he he... this is from back when we first met...

She was flying to Kauai to visit friends with a connection at O'Hare and again in Honolulu. She told her travel agent to book her from "Washington" (this is the word she used) to Lihue. She was on United and I asked her if she had made sure she's going to the right airport, because I know United have a much larger presence at Dulles than at Reagan, and she told me of course she knows it's Reagan. You can see where this is going... sure enough, she never checked her confirmation page and never saw the letters "IAD" until she got to Reagan and went to the counter asking why the check-in kiosk wouldn't work.

Lucky her, though, they put her on a flight to O'Hare (probably all laughing at her the whole time) and she still made her connection... So always double-check the three letters on your e-ticket receipt!

Scott Vogel: Wow -- hard to believe that one doesn't happen more often. Or does it?

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Washington DC: I was thinking of a long weekend getaway in early May. I have credits with United, and was thinking of something relatively close flying-wise, such as Florida. I'm looking at the Keys, but not sure about where to stay. My boyfriend is not interested in staying in Key West but would instead consider a day trip there. Any suggestions?

John Deiner: Hey, DC. Again, it's a great time to be in Florida, and the Florida have tons of different hotels/bnbs/campgrounds. We did a big project on the Keys a few years back and looked at as many lodging options as we could stand. I'd guess you'd want to be in the middle. One place I really liked was the Hammocks of Marathon (305-743-9009, www.bluegreenrentals.com), where the rooms were large (many have kitchens) and the pool great. It's been a while since I was there, but the central location was pretty good and the price reasonable. You could easily drive from there to Key West in a day, and I'll post a link to our special section as soon as I post this.

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washingtonpost.com: All Keyed Up (Post Travel Section, Jan. 15, 2006)

John Deiner: And here ya go...

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Fairfax, VA: Embarrassing travel story:

I was thrilled to get an upgrade to first class on a flight home from a semester in the UK. I had the window seat, and eventually the aisle seat was taken by a little old lady. No problem, right? Uh, not so much.

She drank the plane's stock of Johnnie Walker, then fell asleep. Then she proceeded to snore and fart her way across the Atlantic. I was so afraid that everyone around us thought it was me. Highly unpleasant.

Scott Vogel: Oh man. I feel for ya with that one.

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Oviedo, Fla.: part 2 - to single woman headed to Disney - she said she didn't want a car and that limits her. With a cheap car she could stay at the perfectly nice Fairfield Inn in the Marriott Village off I-4; there's a Fairfield, Springhill Suites and Courtyard all together in a gated property. Fairfield has great rates. If cash is tight I would rent the car and stay there. the car gives her the option of Space Center also, or tony Winter Park which is nice in May, outdoor cafes and a Tiffany collection at the Morse to die for.

John Deiner: I agree...I almost always stay off-campus these days since it's cheaper and the money goes further. And the Space Center is fantastic; thanks, Oveido.

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Philadelphia, Pa.: I learned to my dismay that, if you miss a connection and even if it is the airline's fault, the US Air now only pays for half the cost of a hotel overnight stay if they can't rebook you until the next day. When did this go into effect? This makes me less desirous of flying, especially if this could happen again.

Carol Sottili: Never heard of this, and it's not in the airline's contract of carriage - the legal document that you enter into by buying a ticket. Anyone else have this happen?

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Houston, Tex.: We're going to honeymoon in Rome and Florence in late October. Any advice on the things that we Simply Must See, aside from the usual?

KC Summers: For Rome, I really loved taking a side trip to Tivoli, about 20 miles east of Rome, to the Villa d'Este. It's a gorgeously restored 16th-century residence of an exiled cardinal, with literally hundreds of fountains, ancient cypresses, magnificent views -- a great place to catch your breath from urban craziness. Also, Hadrian's Villa is nearby and I found that truly inspirational -- another experience entirely.

Florence: Siena, San Gamignano (sp?), Monteriggioni...

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washingtonpost.com: Turks & Caicos: Don't Hurry, Be Happy (Post Travel Section, Oct. 19, 2003)

KC Summers: Tips herein for the islands-bound. Thanks Eliz!

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Arlington: Flight Crew,

I know I am getting this in late, hope to catch you before the end of the hour. As always thanks for all the knowledge and help you give us weekly.

I have been looking to book a trip for the Fall to Europe, I want to do a few days in Amsterdam and a few in Berlin. my question, when I go online to various airlines, the multi-city fare is like twice the fare it would be for a round trip to just Berlin. Is there anyway to book a regular roundtrip that would allow for two layover days in Amsterdam?

Andrea Sachs: What about flying round trip to Berlin, then catching a low-fare carrier for your Amsterdam portion? For a list, see http://whichbudget.com.

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Philadelphia: I'm curious - do that many people really check second bags? What do people bring that they need two? I can't think of anyone in my circle who travel with two - many people even manage just a normal-sized carryon, with space to spare - even for international, one to two-week long trips. Are we leaving something behind?

KC Summers: I agree completely!! Pack black, people.

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Scott Vogel: Looks like another hour has come to a close. This week's winner is the man in Bowie who had a near-fatal experience in the wrong hotel room in McAllen, TX. Please send an e-mail to me at vogelsi@washpost.com to claim your prize. And for the rest of you, happy travels and we'll see you next week.

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