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: market-shopping in Ecuador, why Liverpool is hot this year, diner dining Jersey-style, a melodious road trip to the Martin guitar factory, and what to do if your flight gets canceled. All other travel topics are open as well. If you have insights, ideas or information to add to the discussion, just press the call button above your seat and we'll get to you as soon as we can. 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.

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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KC Summers: Greetings, fellow travelers, and welcome to the chat on this where-the-heck-is-spring afternoon. I swear, it was actually warmer in New York this past weekend. We all just got back from a fun staff field trip to Manhattan (thank you, $1 bus) and are bubbling over about our adventures -- we'll go into much more detail in our upcoming NYC issue May 4, but in the meantime, happy to chat about it today. Also, I'm here to answer any Ecuador questions you might have about Indian markets, haciendas, etc.
Which leads neatly to our question of the day: What, in your opinion, are the best market towns around the globe, and what were some of your favorite finds? Best/most helpful answer wins our prize: the black knit "Shoul" (combination shawl and sweater) that Christina wrote about in last week's section. If we pick a guy, don't worry, we'll find something more gender-appropriate for you.
And, we're off.

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Ellicott City, Md.: This is a comment regarding the American Airlines cancellations this week from my perspective.

I arrived at DFW airport at 6 am from a long flight from Buenos Aires. After going thru customs, luggage, and security for the domestic flight to BWI, I learned my flight was cancelled and the next 2 flights also to BWI. About 2 pm I checked with a customer service rep at DFW and was placed on a flight leaving the next day at 730 am to Oklahoma City then a United flight to Dulles arriving at 400 pm.

The customer service rep was very courteous and I received a hotel voucher at the Crown Plaza in north Dallas, vouchers for Super Shuttle to and from the airport, and vouchers of $5 and $10 for lunch and dinner at the hotel.

When I went to the airport the next day early, my flight to Oklahoma City was cancelled due to the terrible storms going thru Texas. I called AA's 800 number and the rep got me on a US Air flight to Charlotte and then on to BWI, arriving at 430 pm.

At all times, the customer service reps were professional and courteous, despite the pressure they were under. On such short notice, in a crisis, I have nothing but praise for the way AA handled the situation.

Carol Sottili: My American flights were also canceled this weekend. I had signed up for flight notifications, but never did get one. Did have a missed call from the AA 800 number on my cell phone, but no message. Anyway, I looked at the Web site Friday morning, the day before I was supposed to travel, and saw that the flight had been canceled and that the airline had rebooked me on a flight leaving the following day. Well, that wasn't going to work, as my trip was just an overnighter. I had no trouble getting through via phone, and they happily refunded my money (I hope - haven't checked my credit card yet). I was glad that the flight was canceled before I schlepped to the airport, but I think the airline could have done a better job of notifying me. My guess is that there will be wide range of experiences, both good and bad.

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Northampton, Pa.: Any suggestions for sleep and fly hotels for either Newark or Philly? And what is a good price to pay for this type of package?

Scott Vogel: For value, convenience and price, you can't beat the Doubletree Newark Airport or the two Hiltons. Always consider using an aggregator like Hotwire when booking these places. It's not unusual to get rooms at some of the best hotels near the airport for around $75 or less.

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Weirdest place to sleep, revisited: From your discussion last week, I later remembered that in 1992 on a cross-country trip from DC to Montana with 2 male friends (I am female), plus their 2 large dogs in a big Brady Bunch 1970's station wagon, I had to sleep with one of the dogs in the very back at some rest stop in Minnesota. It was either the front seat with the steering wheel, the back seat with the bigger (and not-too-bright) dog, or the very back with Fido (his real name). It was our only night of actually sleeping in the car. I chose the back and ol' Fido refused to move over no matter how much I shoved at him, so in exhaustion I gave up and threw an arm over him. Yes, I spooned with Fido at a truck stop. Dear sweet now-departed Fido, who also happened to pass gas all that night. Ahhh, youth... makes for a good story though!

John Deiner: Nice! Nothin' like that good ol' sleeping dog smell to get your day off to a good start.

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Jersey K, ID: Thanks so much for the diner story, reminding me of visits with my grandparents to the Americana and Mastoris! Another one you should add to the list, although it's off Rte. 130, is the Sage Diner in Mount Laurel. Nothing fancy, but good food, nice people, and it's right off the Turnpike.

washingtonpost.com: Spud Mountain or Bust (Post Travel Section, April 13)

John Deiner: Hey, Jersey K. My pleasure. I'm still burping up those meals. And thanks for the add to the list; a copy editor here, Tom Graham, suggested the same place. Any other Jersey diner faves out there? Anyone ever eat at the Reo in Perth Amboy?

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Wash. D.C.: Your thoughts: Delta + Northwest. Is it going to happen? What will it mean for me who is a frequent flyer on these airlines?

Cindy Loose: Delta and Northwest have been talking quite awhile, and of course the sticking point is how to convince the pilots. I talked to an expert last week who said historically, if you can't get your crews on board, you're in for trouble. Then again, mergers can be helpful in the long run for both airlines. Bottom line: I wouldn't bet my own money either way; If you were to give me your money to bet I'd probably go with the merger.
But either way I wouldn't worry either way about frequent flyer points. Any merger would almost certainly include a merger of frequent flyer programs---there is just too much at stake in terms of loyalty from both airlines' best customers to just drop the programs. In fact, mergers in the past have simply extended the number of destinations and options for frequent flyer point collectors.

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Flight Crew Fan: Hey Flight Crew! I'm an avid reader of the travel blog, and have seen a couple of recent posts on the Bolt Bus. Have any of you guys tried it since it first started? I have tickets for May, and want to know if I should look for alternative arrangements!

washingtonpost.com: The Follow-Up: Bolt Bus, Where Are You? (Travel Log Blog, April 11)

Andrea Sachs: I am a Bolt veteran these days, having ridden it three times already -- most recently on Friday. So far, I have not had any issues with it and have enjoyed the ride (clean and as quick as a bus can go during rush hour traffic). Some travelers, however, have had issues about pick-ups in NYC. The company recently sent out an e-mail better defining the points of departure.
So, just be aware of the locations, arrive at least 15 minutes early and bring along a lot of reading material and snacks. You should not need a back-up; though just in case, remember that the Chinatown and Washington Deluxe buses leave pretty frequently and from the same area as Bolt.

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St Louis, Mo.: Regarding plane inspections -- is there any indication that the FAA will be inspecting other types of planes besides MD-80s in the near future? We will be doing a lot of flying in May, for various family and business events, on regional jets, Airbus 330s and Boeing 737s. Should we be worried about these plans being disrupted due to inspections a la the recent problems on American Airlines? Thanks.

Carol Sottili: I think there's a very good chance that more planes will be grounded before this is all over. The FAA is conducting safety audits through June 30, so there will be further scrutiny of safety records. The audits are not restricted to a certain type of plane. But the older the fleet, the more likely there will be problems. Many of the larger airlines have older fleets, including United, American and Northwest.

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Silver Spring, Md.: Hello, thanks for the great article on Ecuador! My 18-year-old son will be there for 6 weeks this summer with a friend, staying with and traveling with the friend's extended family to Quito, Guayaquil, Baños, Galapagos, etc. I've been trying to get a balanced perspective on the personal safety issues related to crime and have visited official government sites (scary stuff from the State Dept. & OSAC), various travel sites, and individual travelers' postings. Also, the friend's family issued their own precautions (wear nothing new or flashy, no travel north of Quito, the boys cannot venture out on their own). In your article you never address safety concerns, although there's a short mention of petty crime in the sidebar. Was it ever an issue for you? Do you feel that warnings from official sites are overblown?

Beth (a mom trying not to worry too much!)

KC Summers: Hi Beth. I never once felt threatened or endangered in any way during my trip -- I think that advice not to travel north of Quito is a bit paranoid. My personal opinion is that the State Dept's warnings are a little too cautious, though I did heed their advice not to venture too close to the Colombian border. But I went north to Otavalo and felt perfectly safe. True, I hired cars and drivers to get around, so didn't have to deal with seedy bus stations, etc. But we walked around the cities day and night and never encountered any pickpockets or petty crime ourselves. (At one point at the Latacunga market, a policeman came up and told me to put my camera strap around my wrist -- he thought I was being a little too relaxed.)
Hope that helps. I'm sure if your son practices the usual tourist precautions, and hangs out with his host family, he'll do just fine. The Ecuadorans are lovely people.

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Rockville, Md.: My husband and I recently (within the past 2 weeks) bought air tickets for a family wedding in Chicago in August. At that time, I will be 7 1/2 months pregnant. United allows travel at that stage of pregnancy without a doctor's note.

Do you know if there is any company that will provide us travel insurance should complications arise, and we are unable to travel? We would be looking to recoup the costs of the air tickets.

Christina Talcott: Hi Rockville! I did a quick search on quotewright.com, and I found a policy that seems to cover the cost of flights due to complications (through Travelex). You'll probably have to pay upwards of $50 for that kind of policy. Try insuremytrip.com and quotewright.com and read through all the fine print of the different options offered, especially under "medical" and "exemptions," being aware that pregnancy is more often than not considered a "pre-existing condition." All that said, here's hoping all goes smoothly, and congratulations!

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Arlington, Va.: Hello Flight Crew,

Quick questions, are there any deals to Hawaii (Maui)? Wanted to take my family this summer but at 950-1100 per ticket (need five) it will be unreasonable this year. Went in 2004 (different environment), was able to snag a rate of $475 a ticket... Looking between 650 and 750, feeling like the Nationals... No hits...

Carol Sottili: With ATA and Aloha out of business, there are far fewer flights from the mainland to Hawaii, so expect higher prices. Less competition means you'll pay more. Sign up at sites such as www.farecast.com, www.priceline.com, www.orbitz.com for sale notifications.

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Washington, D.C.: My favorite market town was actually in Italy. My mom and I went to Bellagio to get away from Milan for a day, and everyone on the island was so friendly. Not only were there open air markets with vendors selling little trinkets and other useful items made out of wood, but along side there were stores that catered to a more high-end crowd. There was something for everyone.

KC Summers: Bellagio -- sadly, I only know it as a Vegas hotel, albeit one with a hell of a chandelier. I must add it to my list. Thanks, Wash.

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Favorite Market: My vote is for the Izmailovsky Souvenir Market in Moscow. It has everything from the REALLY cheap to beautiful handcrafts and antiques. My favorite purchases have been sports team themed nesting dolls (hello '86 Mets) and band carved wood pieces. Not everything is a gem, but there is enough good quality there to be worth the walk around the huge grounds.

KC Summers: An unexpected recommendation. Thanks!

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Springfield, Va.: My relatives want to bring their 2 children (6 and 4) to D.C. this Thanksgiving. They are looking for a hotel with a great location and a large indoor pool. Any suggestions?

Scott Vogel: There's no shortage of indoor pools in DC, but I'd look first into the consider the Renaissance on 9th Street near the Convention Center, which has a nice-size pool. I've also liked the rooftop indoor pool at the Four Points Sheraton on K Street. You might be able to find deals at the Holiday Inn in Rosslyn as well, which has an indoor pool, although the location isn't quite as ideal. Anyone else have a favorite hotel indoor pool?

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Indianapolis, Ind.: Reading your Ecuador articles brought back some great memories! I was on a group trip, so everything was planned for us, making things very easy. We went into the Andes and to the Galapagos, and the Andes were definitely my favorite. The scenery is gorgeous and staying at a converted hacienda, with fireplaces in the rooms and communal eating, was a great experience.

KC Summers: So true. It was one of my favorite trips, hands down. The artistry at the haciendas and the sense of history was so evocative. Add in the natural beauty and the lovely crafts and we were in heaven.

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Philadelphia: No question, just a comment. I absolutely loved the article and related info on Ecuador. I've never even considered going there, but am now printing out the article and placing in my 'future trips' folder. Thank you for a wonderful read!

KC Summers: You're welcome! So glad you liked it. It's a terrific destination and I'm definitely going back -- three other ecosystems to explore, after all.

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Washington, D.C.: Hi Flight Crew,

Can any of the Crew members or other readers share their experience with the Hilton Honors program? I recently had a stay and they never credited my account. Now they are asking that I send them my actual hotel bill in order to receive my credit. I am about 99% sure that I no longer have that bill. But I find it ridiculous that they never credited the account in the first place. I have never had this problem with airlines or Amtrak. Are the program benefits worth the trouble? Thanks.

Cindy Loose: Yes, frequent stay programs are well worth it. Collecting enough points for a free room can be worth a lot, and you should save those points for a time when you're in an area with high priced hotels. More than that, if you reach a certain level you'll get upgraded without charge, often to a club floor, thus getting free drinks and free snacks and free breakfast.
I've heard plenty of times from frequent flyers who haven't been credited the points they earned, and the airlines ask for your boarding pass. If you don't have it, they won't credit the miles. So the problems are not unique to hotel stays. (On airlines, the complaints I get often involve someone flying one airline that should have credited the miles to a frequent flyer account of a partner airline. Especially in those circumstances hold on to your boarding pass until you know the miles have been credited.)
Have you tried contacting the individual Hilton where you stayed to ask if they could send you a bill? In the past I've sometimes lost the bill I needed to submit to my boss for reimbursement, and I've never had a problem getting an individual hotel in a chain to send along a receipt.

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For Scott: I wrote in last week about trying to find a website to book train travel between Budapest and Lviv, Ukraine ... well, the long and short of it is that our host is making the train reservations. There is one site that can book the train to Lviv, but not back to Budapest. Our host was able to secure us a 2-person sleeping unit. So we are looking forward to our adventure.

Scott Vogel: Thanks for the update and glad you were able to work things out. It sounds like you're going to have quite an adventure indeed.

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Takoma, D.C.: It's not the first place that comes to mind when you think bargain shopping, but Kyoto, Japan has amazing flea markets - I got the most beautiful antique obi (the long, long piece of fabric that wraps around the middle of a kimono like a belt). It has a pattern with cranes and is just lovely, and I paid some ludicrously low price for it ($20 or $30, I think, about 10 years ago). Now if only I could find a way to display it...

The same flea market had tons of other neat stuff - carvings, furniture, and assorted consumer junk.

KC Summers: Definitely adding Kyoto to my life list, Takoma. Thanks for the suggestion. As for displaying your find, I've seen photos in magazines of stunning kimono hung on fat curtain-like rods -- stunning.

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Alexandria, Va.: Thousands of flights grounded because the airlines don't want to do maintenance. Customers being asked to pay for their food and to have a bag travel with them on their flights...

It seems as if the airlines are trying to put themselves out of business. If I behaved like this at my job, someone would say that I was trying to get fired.

The only thing that the airlines seem to be able to do is keep their fares as low as the competition, which then puts them out of business.

What am I missing here, with millions of people flying every year, why can't airlines seem to be able to carve out a little profit?

washingtonpost.com: The Monday Rant: Air Wars, Part II (Travel Log blog, April 14)

Scott Vogel: We're as mystified as you are, Alexandria. In fact, we've been reduced to recommending primal scream therapy on our blog as a last resort. Log in and kvetch!

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washingtonpost.com: The Monday Rant: Air Wars, Part II (Travel Log blog, April 14)

KC Summers: By the way folks, if you haven't seen Scott's Monday Rant yet, here it is -- take a look and feel free to blow off some steam here yourself.

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Packing light: I have a problem with packing light. In theory, I know how much I should bring, but I always end up with too much. Does the Flight Crew have a rule of thumb or some handy equation to help with this? (My biggest problem seems to be with shoes.) We're hoping to go to Iceland later this year and I'd like to have a successful packing trip. Thanks much!

washingtonpost.com: The Packing Issue (Post Travel Section, Nov. 5, 2006)

Christina Talcott: This may sound corny, but the old adage, "Take half as many clothes and twice as much money" is spot-on. That said, the packing issue from a few years ago should come in handy, and it includes some unusual tips. Hope it helps!

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Falls Church, Va.: Is it possible, do you all think, for me to get a good deal (under $250 or $300) for a RT ticket to San Francisco (or environs) over the Labor Day weekend? Husband has a conference there (week before Labor Day), and I would LOVE to join him out there on that long weekend, but as of last week, I wasn't finding any deals.

Last year I got a great $250 RT, nonstop flight to SFO on United, but then again it was in February. Am I just dreaming that I will find an equally low fare?

Cindy Loose: Fares tend to go up significantly over holiday weekend, and I'm thinking under $300 is unlikely---the cheapest you ever see is a sale for $99 each way, and once you add the taxes you're looking at $250 or more.
Have you tried seeing what's available flying into Oakland, which is basically San Francisco just another nearby airport? Also check out San Jose, which is a bit out of the way but you can get to San Francisco from there fairly easily.

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Vegas fun: Hey Crew! I am hoping you can help me with a trip to Las Vegas that I have planned. I am going with a group of girls for a bachelorette party, there will be about 15 of us. Do you (or any chatters!) know of any companies out there that organize trips to the bars/clubs etc where you don't have to wait in line, or pay a cover fee or what have you? I know there are companies like this out there, I just am not quite sure where to look. Any Vegas help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

John Deiner: Sounds like a quiet little weekend in Vegas, huh?
Vegas.com is a good, particularly hip source of info on all things Sin City. If you go to www.vegas.com/nightlife, there's an excellent primer on clubs and such, including a way to book go-to-the-front-of-the-line passes and bachelorette party buses. The Vegas tourism site (www.visitlasvegas.com) has some info on bachelorette parties, but I couldn't find any links to places that actually book vans -- I checked very quickly though. You could always give 'em a call.
That's a good idea, by the way, to get someone to drive you around. Let us know how it turns out, will ya?

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Stafford, Va.: It seems they're kicking butt and not taking any names at the State Department. I realized last week that I had lost my passport. So, a week ago Friday, I submitted an application for a new passport along with the form I had to fill out stating that I had lost my current passport and my old expired passport as proof of citizenship. I was worried that this would delay the process. However, I am happy to report that my replacement passport arrived exactly a week to the day that I submitted my application. Also, I submitted my application at the Franconia Post Office where there was no line when I was there (about 4:00 pm) and they are open until 8:00 pm during the week.

KC Summers: Thanks for the ground-level report, Stafford. We've been hearing lots of comps about the Passport Office's efficiency this spring. Still, we recommend getting your app in before the summer crunch.

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Falls Church, Va.: Oh, Please pick me, pick me. Please tell me if you see any indicator as to lowering the prices for airline travel to Europe, Portugal specifically. Everything I'm seeing is $1k+. Thank you so much for answering.

Carol Sottili: Try Azores Express out of Providence or Boston (www.azores-express.com), but my guess is that it will be more than $1,000 for summer travel this year. Getting to Europe this summer is not cheap. Fares to London are the least expensive, but when you factor in the cost of getting from Heathrow to a London airport that offers discount flights, and the cost of the discount flight, that route rarely saves that much money. That said, try pricing it out that way. Go to www.flycheapo.com for lists of discount carriers and destinations.

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Mosque Etiquette: I know visiting mosques in Istanbul requires proper clothing and shoe removal, but is there anything else I need to know? Will it be okay to slip on socks so I don't have to walk around barefoot (as I do at airport security when wearing sandals)?

John Deiner: From what I remember of my visit to Istanbul's mosques, it's entirely permissible to slip on socks so you don't have to walk around barefoot. Anybody know for absolute certain?

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Washington, D.C.: Good Afternoon,

Thanks for taking my question. Before I begin the journey of law school this upcoming fall, I want to take a memorable, relaxing, adventurous vacation. Nonetheless, I will be traveling alone because no one I know wants to travel this summer (maybe because of the economy or of the craziness of airports). Do you have any suggestions on vacation packages for lone travelers to safe places? maybe even tour packages?

Scott Vogel: I have a couple of Web sites that might help you, whether you choose to pair up with other like-minded travelers, or prefer to go it alone. For the latter, consider www.travelaloneandloveit.com, whose focus is self-explanatory. There are also sites like www.travelchums.com, which will help set you up with singles in search of a pair or more.

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Central Calif.: There are markets and street fairs at home and abroad that have something special. It's a universal language, 'bargain speak', that everyone understands. Whether its Santa Maria BBQ and fresh produce on a shut down street in San Luis Obispo, CA or vanilla, honey and hammocks and cheap good mariscos in Puerto Vallarta, you've gotta shop, even us guys. I understand in Europe, there are markets for books, antiques, etc. I would love to hear a few personal stories from someone about them, as I haven't been to one yet. 'Look what I got in...' sometimes stay with you for a long time.

KC Summers: A plea for inspirational European market stories, hmm? I still treasure a little brass cachepot I bought in an Amsterdam street market in 1972, with Delft porcelain handles. And a bronze candlestick holder I found a couple of years ago at London's Camden Market, worn to a lovely patina. Anyone else?

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Native New Jerseyan: The River Edge Diner, (it's 4 times the size it was in the 60's) smack dab across from the Shop Rite is still there, still putting out great food, and mile high desserts. I used to work at the Heritage Diner in River Edge, (now a bank)on Kinderkamack Rd. That's where I first experienced deep fried hot dogs, but my all time favorite was Holly's Diner, right off Rt. 4 in Hackensack. We always celebrated first communions there with breakfast, a huge treat. The last time I went by there, it was razed and/or remodeled into a faux Arthurian type of place. Still haven't tried the Jersey Diner on Black Horse Pike on the way to AC/Cape May. Anyone eat there lately?

John Deiner: Oh, NNJ. The memories. Is there anything worse than a dead diner on the side of the road?! I saw a few myself on Route 130. I don't recall the Jersey Diner near AC, but I always stop at the Phily Diner (and yes, that's Phily with one L) on the road between the Turnpike and the AC Expressway. It's very uneven . . . sometimes the food and service rock, other times, not so much.
So, anybody been to the Jersey Diner?

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World-Markets: I think markets in the country-side of Perú are really good and affordable, and better if you get to find an expert in textile as your guide! I went there and met a guide and she explained how we can differentiate between real alpaca and vicuña materials versus regular cotton etc...Her instructions were very helpful at the time of finding a good genuine sweater at a reasonable price.

KC Summers: Yeah, a guide can really enhance the experience. Thanks for sharing.

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Indoor Pool: The Hyatt Regency in Bethesda next to the metro stop has a nice indoor pool. We have stayed there over Christmas to very reasonable rates - I assume because there are no business travelers. There may be the same type of rates at Thanksgiving and the metro is sooo convenient.

Scott Vogel: A good suggestion for a hotel pool that might not be so expensive. Thanks!

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Washington, D.C.: On Easter Sunday, I was returning from a weekend in Miami and was traveling on Delta. My itinerary was FLL-ATL-BWI. On the first leg I was to travel coach and the second leg was in first class. I actually paid for this ticket (not a mileage or medallion upgrade). Due to the weather in FLL my flight was delayed and so of course I missed the connection in ATL. I was rebooked for that Monday morning into DCA but in coach. My question is: should I have been booked in first class since that's what I purchased or when it's weather related does everything go out of the window? Should the fact that I purchased the first class seat be enough to override someone who had been upgraded based on their medallion status before the delays ensued? Is there any recourse after the fact (upgrade coupon for future travel, etc?) Thanks.

Cindy Loose: If you bought a business or first class, then bad weather should not have ended your contract the airline. If for any reason they simply couldn't provide the service for which you paid, they should have offered you some compensation---in other words, bad weather might create a situation in which they didn't have the kind of seat they sold, but they should have at least acknowledged that and offered you the option of flying the class you bought even if it were on a later plane--an option you might not have wanted, but that should have been up to you.
I'd say it's worth writing a letter to the airline noting that you paid for a higher class seat (was it really first class? I'm guessing it was more likely business) If you happen to know what the price difference would have been at the time you bought the ticket, point that out too. I can't guarantee the fair operation of any customer service department, but you have fairness on your side and I'd go to the trouble of writing a letter.

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Bethesda Mom: Please help! My son will be studying in Spain this summer, departing mid-August. He must meet his group in Madrid, and will travel with them for a week, ending up at Alicante on the Mediterranean coast where classes will be held. (Tough life, huh?). He wants to visit a family friend in Rome afterwards, possibly flying home from there.

We don't really collect frequent flyer miles, but have about 20,000 with American, plus about 54,000 points with American Express that can be traded in for miles. Is there a chance we can use these for prime summer travel? Is the British Airways "sale" a good deal? Would it be better to fly to and from London and then take euro-cheapo flights? What say the gurus?

Carol Sottili: I don't think those miles are going to work, but you need to check with American and AmEx to find out how many miles you need to qualify for either international flights, or flights within Europe. But even if you would have enough flights, prime time frequent flyer seats to Europe are booked far in advance. British Airways' sale is as good as I've seen so far, but it's still not cheap to get to Europe. Last time we went to Alicante, we flew into London Heathrow and then flew to Alicante from Gatwick on Monarch, returning to Stansted on easyJet, but we stayed with friends in London to break it up. I wouldn't recommend doing it that way without taking some time in London.

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Pittsburgh: Please help me, Flight Crew (and chatters)! I've been trying to find a hotel room online in Boston (near Logan Airport) for the night I fly back from Europe in a few weeks, as my flight arrives so late that I must wait till the next day for a flight home to Pittsburgh. All I need in the way of a hotel room is a clean safe place to sleep and take a shower, but what I'm finding are exorbitant prices for more perks than I could possibly ever use, even if I wanted.

Can you post links to websites offering discount hotel stays that I could try, so I don't wind up paying close to $200 (which will work out to $20/hour)? Thanks!

Christina Talcott: Check out Scott's handy tip sheet on finding a cheap hotel, from our Way to Go section (link coming up). Hotels.com and quikbook.com can have great deals (search for the airport instead of just Boston, and find the hotels closest to Logan to save on cab fare). Priceline, Hotwire, Orbitz, Expedia, Travelocity are all good for finding deals, too. Need more specifics? Maybe the chatters can offer the name of a place or two. Also, another question, just out of curiosity: Has anyone slept at Logan itself instead of getting a hotel?

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Market city: London: I found London to be quite a market city. I often planned my day by scouting out a market then its neighborhood. Portobello Road was a disappointment, and I didn't even hit half the markets, but I highly recommend this strategy.

At Spitalfields I had the most amazing roti and then had tea in a surrounding shop on a bitterly cold day.

I just found this great guide to them:

http://www.streetsensation.co.uk/markets.htm

KC Summers: Oh thanks much. I agree about Portobello Road. Our former colleague Anne McDonough wrote about Spitalfields food last spring and loved it -- Elizabeth, can we dig that up?

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New England Wineries?: We are planning a fall vacation to New England. Are there wineries in the area that are open to visits? (Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, Maine are possibilities, depending on the part of the state.) We've enjoyed a couple winery tours during trips to other locales, and are wondering (a) if there are recommendations for the New England area and (b) if there is a resource on U.S. wineries that might be a "warehouse" of this sort of information.

Thanks.

Andrea Sachs: Every state seems to have wineries these days, including states better known for their brews. Since fall is high season in New England, thanks to fall foliage, most operations should be open. I would suggest wine hopping around Cape Cod/Nantucket/Martha's Vineyard or Rhode Island -- nothing like the sea air to add to your wine experience. Maine also has some interesting berry wines. For Connecticut, see www.ctwine.com for a vineyard route.
A good source for American vineyards is www.vintners.com.

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washingtonpost.com: Insider Lodging Tips (Post Travel Section, Feb. 3)

Christina Talcott: Here's the tip sheet on cheap sleeps.

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Displaying an Obi: Not travel related per se but my Japanese mother-in-law always brings out the obi she (and her mother) wore on her wedding day and puts it on the Thanksgiving table as a table runner. I have dreaded spilling something on it for four years now but thankfully no one ever has. And it is just so beautiful -- too beautiful to be kept out of sight.

KC Summers: Oh gosh, that's brave of her. I'd cover it with glass at least.

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Cleveland Park: Best market town (or best "souq" town) for me is Fez, Morocco - a UNESCO world heritage site, its ancient souq is a treasure trove of winding alleys where you can find the most beautiful things to buy, eat, and see. The crafts are wonderful - wood carving, jewelry, textiles, mosaics, and others.

KC Summers: I have GOT to get there. Sounds amazing.

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Arlington, Va.: What can you all tell me about Terminal A (the old, original building) at DCA? Flying out of there on Saturday (on AirTran) and haven't been in since the new terminal was built in '97. Has it not been redone since then? Is it worn-out? Are there suitable places to eat/buy stuff? Just curious.

John Deiner: Hey, Arl. Yes, it's been fixed up and is quite nice, if a little tight. Just remember that it may take you a little extra time to get to it from the subway stop if you're walking -- it's a bit of a haul.

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Capitol Hill: Hey guys, your article on Ecuador was wonderful and actually relates to my question. I came across a tour company called Friendly Planet that does trips all over the world. I haven't heard of them before and wanted to see if you guys or the chatters had any experience with them good or bad. Thanks.

Carol Sottili: Friendly Planet has a good rep. It's been in business since 1981 and has a satisfactory rating with Better Business Bureau. I haven't taken one of their trips. Anyone?

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Istanbul mosques: If you're a woman, be prepared to cover your head. Maybe not at the blue mosque during tourist time, but most other places. You'll get brownie points if you have your own scarf with you.

John Deiner: I remember the long rows of scarves available outside of the mosques for women, but that's an excellent point.

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Favorite Market: My favorite market is "Toy Market" in Nairobi, Kenya. If you didn't follow American sports you'd have an alternate sports history of the country, since they sell old Super Bowl and NBA championship t-shirts, hats, etc... of teams that lost. All the ones that were made in the States (for both sides of a championship) and then discarded!

KC Summers: That's hilarious. Who'da thunk it?

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Bethesda, Md.: After seeing your amazing cover story on Ecuador, I'm now planning a trip there this summer! One question:

We want to stay in Quito and then explore the surrounding areas. Cotopaxi National Park sounded incredibly interesting and like a great place to explore, but is it possible to do it in day trips from Quito? What is the best way to get there? Taxi? Guided tour?

washingtonpost.com: Upscale Markets. Way, Way Up (Post Travel Section, April 13)

KC Summers: I think that's a bit too far for a day trip, because you'll want at least a couple of days to explore. You'll definitely want to do some hiking (not only on the volcano but in the surrounding grasslands -- it's just beautiful). And once you're in the area you can't miss Quilatoa, the volcano lake -- and the little village of Tigua with the wonderful naive paintings on sheepskin. To get there, we hired a driver at our hacienda (La Cienega) and he ended up also serving as our guide -- he knew a lot about the flora and fauna.

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Washington, D.C.: John, I noticed there were no overnight costs listed with your diner article. Did you do it as a day trip from DC?

Not being all that familiar with the traffic involved, I'm just wondering how feasible it is to do a day trip from here to New Jersey.

John Deiner: Hey, DC. I actually did it on the way to my folks' house in New Brunswick, though there were a number of skeezy hotels (and some not so skeezy!)in the area. You could do it as a day trip, but it be a lot of driving. Best to save it for when you're heading somewhere else up north and want a dinner or lunch or breakfast break and can jump off of the Turnpike or I-295.

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Portland, Ore.: I'm planning a trip down to Bolivia this summer and am dealing with major sticker shock on the airfare. Currently about $1,400 roundtrip from Portland to La Paz on AA (not much cheaper on South American airlines). Wondering if you had any advice on how to get a cheaper fare? I've tried consolidators with no luck.

Also, any advice on whether to buy a ticket now or wait to see if the fare might come down?

Scott Vogel: I strongly recommend looking for Bolivia flights from another West Coast city, particularly Los Angeles. From there, you can often get flights in the $800-900 range or less. Of course, Portland is nowhere near Los Angeles, but a carrier could get you to LA from Portland at a reasonable price, and the total price should be less than $1400.
To answer your second question, I wouldn't wait much longer to book for summer (with the obvious caveat that no one knows what will happen to airfares between now and then).

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Bethesda, Md.: Are there any spas you would recommend around Quito? Do you think Termas de Papallacta would be worth the two hour trip back and forth from Quito?

KC Summers: We ended up not doing any spas, so distracted by the scenery were we -- we spent all our non-market time being outdoors. But I kept hearing about La Mirage, up near Otavalo, as being the country's best spa. Anyone else out there know of any spas around Quito?

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New York, N.Y.: What's the word on Spirit Airlines? My parents want to book a trip to Cancun this summer and the best times / fares are from National on Spirit and I don't know anything about them. Can you guys shed some light?

John Deiner: Hey, NY. I've flown Spirit a couple of times and have never had any problem with the airline (plus it's really handy having it at DCA). Anybody with a report they can share?

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Chantilly, Va.: I have a non-stop flight booked from IAD to SLC this summer with Delta. If the merger happens, what are the chances my flight will still remain and could there possibly be any price changes?

Cindy Loose: If you're flying early this summer I doubt any merger could be accomplished by then, even if they agreed tomorrow, which they won't likely do.
Flights are always subject to change, and of course the odds of a change rise at least a little when carriers merge. However, for the sake of fairness and community relations I'd say odds are extremely high the newly merged airlines would try to get you where you're going at the price you already paid; it's just that the exact flight you bought might not be available.
Also, it's worth knowing that by federal law, if an airline makes a "substantial" change in it's itinerary, it must offer you a refund. Of course a replacement ticket might end up costing a lot more, so you might not want to take such an option.
But I'd say at this point I wouldn't worry; so many things are so iffy and there is nothing you can do, so I'd put that energy elsewhere for the moment.

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Market towns: Sydney has some good markets -- I love the Rocks market (always go back to the same vendor and buy a new piece of cool jewelry each time I'm there). You cannot beat the location and the view. And all the pubs nearby to stop in and grab a pint after. And there is also the Paddington market, which is big and cool as well.

KC Summers: Another market city to add to the life list. Thanks!

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washingtonpost.com: London Hotel Options, from Budget to Deluxe (Post Travel Section, April 1, 2007)

KC Summers: Anne's story on budget London, with lots of market info. Thanks Elizabeth.

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mosques: Right- at the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, you don't have to cover your head as a woman, as it's largely a tourist destination. Everywhere else, prepare to abide by proper dress rules. Socks are OK. And for Hagia Sophia, no rules apply, as it hasn't been a mosque in quite some time now.

John Deiner: Excellent stuff. . . I didn't realize the Blue Mosque was largely for tourists.

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washingtonpost.com: DETAILS: Budget London ( Post Travel Section, April 1, 2007)

KC Summers: Budget London logistics.

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What I didn't get at a market -- D.C.: I was in Normandy, France. I read about all the wonderful places to get the local cheeses and thought it might be like winery-hopping in Napa. So, we bypassed the wonderful market in Honfleur that had fabulous fruits, vegetables, breads and cheeses. My bright idea was to drive out to the country around Honfleur and visit the farms where they made the cheese. Bad idea. All the farmers were at the market. Duh! We ended up buying cheese at the "cheese museum" and eating it in our car with the great bread and wine we had bought at the market. A mistake I won't make again, but it was a story I won't forget -- or live down.

KC Summers: Funny! Thanks for sharing.

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Alexandria: So a couple of weeks ago I found what seemed to be a great deal for flights to Seattle this summer. Booked said AirTran tickets through Expedia. Then the news about the ATA bankruptcy broke and I was really upset and dreading the battle to get my money back. However, are AirTran and ATA one and the same? Seems like if AirTran is separate it could and should do a better job of establishing that fact.

Carol Sottili: These two companies are not related. AirTran has never used initials to describe itself. ATA formally changed its name from American Trans Air in 2002 to differentiate itself from AirTran.

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my Japanese mother-in-law always brings out the obi she (and her mother) wore on her wedding day and puts it on the Thanksgiving table as a table runner: OMG, I'd have dropped cranberry sauce on it by now! A testament to the subtlety and precision of the Japanese...

KC Summers: Seriously!

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23060: I've had some issues with HHonors -- they're all about the fine print. For example, you can't get points unless you've booked via the Hilton website, so technically I should have lost out on points on the New Orleans package deal I bought from Expedia. I whined enough about that to get a one time credit. They have a "lowest rate" guarantee, but all the onus is on the customer to do things in a very specific order and within such a limited time frame it really becomes a matter of "how much is my time worth?" I just get the impression that they're offering the program because they have to be competitive, but they really don't want to. Given the choice, I'll book at a Wyndham for the ByRequest program -- no points, but having a cold beverage and snack tray waiting, along with extra pillows and coffee . . . priceless.

Cindy Loose: Yes, you make a good point about not getting points if, in certain circumstances, you book through a third party. But I think that's true for many frequent stay programs---if you prepay you're likely getting a wholesale rate and points in such circumstances might not be included.
How valuable are frequent stay points generally--I recently needed a room in Rome, and while he had to pay a lot of points, my husband came up with a fabulous room in a fab hotel in the best part of town for free--a room with a rack rate of $1,400. No way I would have been able to stay in that room with anything except points.
Big warning---DO NOT BOOK A FREQUENT STAY ROOM UNLESS YOU ARE VERY SURE YOU'LL SHOW UP. Many programs will penalize you not by keeping your points anyway, but by charging you the published rack rate--meaning the highest price, as opposed to whatever price is actually being charged that night.

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Danville, Pa.: Any idea when Southwest will start booking for September? My husband and I have a trip planned to Disney and it seems like they've been booking until Aug. 22 since we started planning in February.

John Deiner: Hey, Danville. I always thought you could book six months in advance on SWA, so maybe April 22 it'll open a new month?

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Rockville, Md.: Happy Monday. First time posting. A friend of mine and I are trying to plan a trip to somewhere in the Caribbean toward the end of the year. Are Nov and Dec still good, and where oh where to go? We would like quiet, not crazy, on the beach and sightseeing if we want. Thanks so much !!

washingtonpost.com: Island Finder: Your Spot in the Caribbean Sun (washingtonpost.com's Travel Section)

KC Summers: Welcome, Rock. November and December are prime Caribbean time -- it's after the hurricane season and before the holiday crunch. Choosing an island is such an individual thing, but luckily, Elizabeth has dug up our "how to choose an island" piece from last year. Take a look, it should really help you focus. FYI, my own personal favorites are St. John and Virgin Gorda. Though Barbados runs a close third....

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Ellicott City, Md.: What do you think of planning a family trip to Aruba in August? Too risky for the season? Aruba a good place for picky teens? Thanks very much.

Andrea Sachs: Not a bad idea at all (and if you are looking to expand your family, I am free in August). Aruba is outside the hurricane belt, part of the ABC Islands (Bonaire and Curacao represent the other letters), so you should be safe. (Just in case, read up on the airline's and hotel's hurricane policies before you book.)
No matter how picky your teens are, they won't "whatever" the white sand beaches, water activities (snorkeling, parasailing, kite surfing), jumping town of Oranjestad, flea markets, etc. To help them feel less isolated, consider staying at a larger resort, such as Divi Aruba, where they will find planned activities and a more social, teen-friendly environment.

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Gaithersburg, Md.: What a pain in the rump I just had dealing with AirTran. When trying to use a 32 point rewards ticket that supposedly can be used anytime on any airline, I talked to 3 reps who gave 3 stories as to its use. First one told me they had actually confirmed my flight (on Southwest) the second, after not getting an email confirmation, told me they can't do it and to call their 3rd party travel agency. Finally, the travel agency told me they can't book it within 30 days (something the other two failed to mention). I was pretty disappointed, since one of the real uses of rewards tickets is getting last minute flights. Seems my very 'valuable' free flight still has many caveats in it.

Seems that rewards points are getting really hard to use and you need to check the fine print carefully.

I called their Customer Service to file a complaint, and the girl seemed pretty apathetic.

Venting complete.

Cindy Loose: Hi--I wasn't aware of those restrictions on AirTran or Southwest. If you're willing to have your name mentioned, email me the details at loosec@washpost.com and I'll contact them on your behalf and at least get an explanation and make sure you're being told the right info.

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Arlington, Va.: American Airlines cancelled many flights last week, and it appears that other flights may be affected also. What is the airline's liability to customers who learn of the cancellation before leaving home - - to those who are stranded in a connecting city - - to those whose return flight is cancelled? I should know this, but am woefully ignorant.

Carol Sottili: The airline gave hotel vouchers to those who were stranded away from home. Did it have to? Up for debate. Its contract-of-carriage (legal requirements) say that it does not have to provide anything but a refund to those whose flights are canceled by a "force majeure" event, which includes "any government regulation, demand or requirement." But the FAA did not demand that the airline ground its planes, so that's open to interpretation. As for those whose flights were canceled before they left home? Just a refund, or an offer to put you on the next plane.

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For the kids backpacking across Europe last week: I did a long trip across Europe and found that your Euro goes much further in Spain, especially Barcelona, Cordoba and Granada. Also Germany had the nicest hostels at the cheapest rates of all the countries we stayed at - one in Heidelberg that was especially nice for the price and there were many others there.

Also there is a campground in Florence at Plaza Michelangelo that looks out over the city has a beautiful view and is only like 10-12 Euros a night, has tents with cots, lots of warm water and very clean bathrooms and lots of washing machines - it was a favorite of ours.

We had a great time traveling all over. I would avoid Venice, it is hard to find any decent accommodations anywhere close. Naples was fun and you could get closer, nicer accommodations.

Cindy Loose: You're right about Naples--there are campgrounds all around that area.
From what I hear as far as Western Europe goes, Portugal your dollars go even further than in Spain.

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Bethlehem, Pa.: We're looking to fly to Florida in September. We'll either fly out of Newark, Philadelphia, or ABE, which is most convenient. Prices have gone up about $50 per ticket in the last week. What should we be paying for this route and should be book now or do you think fares will go back down? Thanks.

Carol Sottili: Florida is a big state, and the cities with the most competition have the lowest prices. Sign up at www.farecast.com, www.priceline.com, www.orbitz.com for fare notifications.

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Harrisburg, Pa.: Several months ago when we planned our cruise to Italy, we booked a flight on Virgin Atlantic to London and then Al Italia to Rome. We booked then because we expected that rising gas prices would mean rising ticket prices which were OK at the time. Virgin just announced a sale and, naturally, our flight would be cheaper now. Any way to get the reduced cost? Thanks.

Carol Sottili: Have you tried contacting the airline? It may be willing to at least give you vouchers that you can use for a future trip. It probably won't reticket you unless you pay the penalty, which is steep for international flights.

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Columbia, Md.: Really enjoyed the Ecuador article! How would you suggest combining some of that Ecuador experience with a trip to the Galapagos? I'm thinking 7-9 days for Galapagos, and 7 after on the mainland -- what would you pick for a post Galapagos segment? Thanks!

KC Summers: Lucky you, Columbia. I wasn't able to combine the two trips since I only had a little more than a week, and that just wasn't enough time (the Galapagos take at least a week to do properly). But if you can do a week in each, cool. For post-Galapagos, it kinda depends if you want a city or a naturey experience. You'll probably spend a day or two in Quito to get acclimated, so that takes care of the capital. I loved, loved, loved the colonial city of Cuenca and would highly recommend that for its cathedrals, museums, market and overall gorgeousness. But you might prefer a hacienda in the countryside, and if so, I'd choose Cusin up near Otavalo. Hope this helpful, I realize it's all over the map!

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Toronto: I was in Toronto last week and had a fabulous time. What a great "international" city that is so easy to get to from DCA on Air Canada. I'm looking forward to exploring other Canadian cities. Any that should be at the top of my list?

Andrea Sachs: Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary and Halifax round out the top.

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Fairfax, Va.: Re: markets -- Definitely the aforementioned Spitalfields and Camden Market in London.

In Costa Rica, try Playa Coco in Guanacaste. Gorgeous, super-cheap wooden items such as bowls, carvings, wind chimes, etc. Some stalls are pretty touristy, but others have really beautiful things. I'm guessing this is because Guanacaste isn't as popular a tourist destination as the San Jose area (although this is changing with the massive developments going in there).

KC Summers: Sounds wonderful, Fx. Thanks!

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Half a day in Atlanta: Our flight is arriving at 8 am and then leaving again at 3 pm (7-hour layover in Atlanta). Will we have time to go from the airport to the city and do the CNN studios tour and the Coca-Cola company tour? Other highlights of the city? Thanks.

John Deiner: You can easily get downtown and back in the time frame you have thanks to MARTA, which goes right into the airport and can whisk you downtown. Those two things are within walking distance of one another, and there are plenty of places to grab a bite. You can also check out the Olympic park and wander around downtown a bit. The High Museum is a few subway stops away and is remarkable.

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Columbia, Md.: London, hands down, is best. The Portobello Road market in Notting Hill is awesome. Covent Garden is touristy and not so great.

KC Summers: A vote for Portobello. Thanks.

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Could you please re-post...: ...the link to the article(s) on selecting luggage to purchase for carry-on on flights. This weekend I had trouble linking to a back edition of the Flight Crew chat where it was posted a week or two ago. Thanks!

washingtonpost.com: This one? In the New Age of Luggage, Go Light, Bright and Add More Wheels (Post Travel Section, Nov. 5, 2006)

KC Summers: This work for you? Thanks Elizabeth.

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Four Corners, Md.: When is the best time to look for flights to Puerto Rico and/or the Virgin Islands for an April 2009 trip?

Carol Sottili: Schedules/fares are published about 332 days beforehand by most carriers. I'd also sign up now at the travel booking sites for fare notifications.

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Washington, DC: My favorite market was a huge flea market just outside Budapest (or just inside the city limits) that I visited in 1999. I was desperate for a statue of Lenin or Stalin to commemorate my time in Hungary. All I found, however, was a candle of Lenin and a Russian soldier's cap. I used to keep it on my bureau next to my bed, but people looked at me funny!

KC Summers: I don't know why, Wash!

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Blue Mosque: I was there in Spring of 2006, and all the women in our group definitely had to cover our heads. They also provided larger coverings for a few among us who were wearing short skirts so that their legs could be covered. There were many people praying inside-- I don't think it is "mostly for tourists!"

John Deiner: There ya have it...that was my memory of the spot as well.

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Anonymous: Hello Flight Crew. I made a reservation on Iberia Air and the e-ticket contained my passport number.

I then had my passport renewed and I provided the new passport number to Iberia Air for that reservation.

They sent me a new email confirmation, but the new one does NOT contain the new passport number. Should I be worried? Maybe I will bring a copy of my old passport just in case.

Andrea Sachs: I would make sure all of your information matches up. Can you call the airline or booking agent and ask for an updated e-ticket?

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Friendly Planet user: I used Friendly Planet for a tour of Thailand and they were fantastic and cheap. This was our first tour and they met every expectation. Most of those on the tour had used them in the past for other places and also raved about their other trips. I would definitely recommend them.

Carol Sottili: Thanks!

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20006: Just visited Istanbul last weekend-- everyone was wearing socks in the mosques and carrying their shoes in plastic bags. I brought a hoodie to cover up my hair instead of a scarf and no one said a word.

John Deiner: Thanks 20006....good to know about the socks. And you were just there last weekend? Sweet.

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BoltBus: I wonder if we were on the same bus! I took the Bolt Bus up to NYC on Thursday (I paid $1, but my friends each paid $4), and back on Friday night (for $10!) The bus was mostly empty on the way to NYC, but completely full on the way back. We arrived in NYC about 15 minutes late, and left NYC about 20 minutes late, causing us to get back to DC about an hour late (b/c traffic and a rest stop). I loved the power outlets on the seats! I would definitely take Bolt Bus again (especially because they communicate with their passengers - I got a great e-mail a few days before I left with information about specifically where the bus would stop, something the other bus companies should heed).

Andrea Sachs: Hey, that sounds like my bus ride -- I had my own seat on the ride up. Loved the power outlets and WiFi, too, until my computer crashed. Can't blame Bolt for that.

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Washington, D.C.: Hi Flight crew! My brother is getting married in Limerick over Labor Day weekend and I need to book my flights. I was planning on flying to Shannon and returning via Dublin. The lowest price is about $768. Having never been there, I'm not sure if the price is going to go lower or higher.

Also, anyone flown Virgin America? I may fly that to San Francisco over Memorial Day. Thanks!

Carol Sottili: Book it, especially if that includes taxes.
Haven't flown Virgin America, but it's supposedly quite upscale. Anyone?

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Market Town: New Delhi is a terrific market town, especially if you avoid the touristy Connaught Place and Janpath area (as well as the row of state-sponsored stores).

Go to Sarojini Market, where the locals shop, for great deals on stainless steel utensils and containers (like those wonderful spice containers in the large round tin with little round tins for spices, which you can now get at Williams Sonoma and such for mega-bucks), export seconds in piles on the ground (I've gotten sweaters made for J Crew, Ann Taylor, etc, for a dollar or two -- but you have to dig a little, and no dressing rooms!), and bone china (6 teacups for a few dollars, and you can get lovely sets of china dishes).

For the more posh stores frequented by wealthier Indians, go to Greater Kailash II. FabIndia has wonderful ethnic prints that are not too over the top. You can buy a rather shapeless kurta in a generic (s, m, l) size, and the shop will tailor it to fit your measurements -- assuming you're in Delhi long enough.

Even the newer malls have great deals from Western brands. Ansal Plaza, in South Extension, has a Lacoste store where you can buy Lacoste polo shirts (NOT knockoffs) for about $20 (compare to $75 or more here in the US).

KC Summers: You're making me break out in little beads of sweat, here, MT. Thanks.

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Arlington, VA: Did you guys take the Friday evening (5:30ish) Bolt bus to NYC? I thought I saw a few of you boarding.

KC Summers: Nope, try 7:30 A.M. Friday as in CRACK OF DAWN. Whose idea was that, anyway?

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Alexandria, Va.: Going to Montreal and Quebec City for our honeymoon the first week of July. Any ideas on what not to miss, and also, how to get back and forth between the two cities?

Christina Talcott: Congratulations! You'll be in Montreal during their giant musical block party, the International Jazz Festival of Montreal, which is going on from June 26 to July 6. Book your hotel now. Also, you might want to do what I did when I visited: My friends and I flew in and out of Montreal and picked up a rental car from the airport. We drove straight to Quebec City for a few days, spent another couple of days in the lovely Eastern Provinces (wineries, cideries, sugar shacks, mountains) and then drove to Montreal and dropped off the car at a rental office in Montreal. The Metro in Montreal's great, and a car would have been way too much of a hassle. If you'd rather take the train between the two cities, bear in mind that it's pretty expensive - around $150 per person one way, it looks like. Could be worth it if you'd rather be sans car, since Quebec City's very walkable (with public buses but no Metro) and Montreal's Metro's easy to use. Anyone have specific can't-misses?

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Alexandria, Va.: I am going to Anaheim in late June, any good ideas on Disneyland or surrounding areas?

Thanks

John Deiner: Hey, Al. I adore Disneyland . . . seems so old-fashioned compared with its big big big brother on the East Coast. And it's easy to do in a day. And Andrea has been to California Adventure and enjoyed it. You could also take in an Angels game if the baseball teams is home during your stay.

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Baltimore, Md.: Hello Crew! We are currently looking for flights to Poland, in September. The plan was to arrive in Krakow, travel out to Wroclaw, and drive back, making stops along the way, then drop the car and spend several days in Krakow. Two weeks ago we were finding tickets around $800-$900. Now almost everything is around $1200. What should we expect to pay for a September ticket to Krakow? What about an open jaw Krakow-Wroclaw or vice-versa? The train between the two cities is about $400. I really appreciate your help!

Carol Sottili: $1,200 sounds high for September travel, especially if you're traveling at the end of the month. But airfares have been going up faster than the price of jet fuel. I can't promise that there will be another sale between now and then. But if it were me, I'd watch fares like a hawk for the next couple of weeks before booking. Have you tried British Airways' sale? That ends tomorrow, and I'm not sure if Poland is included.

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Best Market!: Outdoor market in Baguio, in the Philippines. Growing up in Manila, our family used to make the trek to Baguio for vacation, and I learned how to bargain hunt and haggle at a young age there. Now, when we moved to SF when I was 10, and my mother started haggling at Macy's, I was mortified, of course. But, fast forward to a couple of years ago, when I visited the Philippines for the first time in about 20 years (YIKES), and my cousins and I abstained from the family van with driver, and took a jitney there. Quite an experience... I brought my now-7 year old daughter home a native yarn doll like I had when I was a kid. Figured she'd get a real kick out of it, and the photos of mom sitting next to a crate of chickens on the jitney. Uhh -- she asked this past weekend if she could please give that doll away instead of some mass produced Disney-creature, when we started our spring cleaning. SIGH. It now sits in my home office, proudly. Maybe when she's a bit older, I'll bring her there and embarrass the heck out of her, by haggling!

KC Summers: Sigh indeed! The trouble with kids is that, cute as they are, they really have terrible taste, don't they? I remember my daughter's obsession with Strawberry Shortcake, who not only looked bad, but reeked to high heaven. But now she (my daughter) is a lovely twenty-something with great taste, so there's hope.

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27 and NEVER TRAVELED: PLEASE, I need your help. I'm 27 years old and I have never been on a vacation. I signed up for a program at work which required a passport thinking that once I got one, it would light a fire under my (you know what) and get me moving. It hasn't. And I haven't been sent anywhere overseas. So, at 27 I have a blank passport, never been on vacation and very little US travel. I TRULY want to go to Buenos Aires. I've heard great things and that it's affordable (whereas Spain might push me overboard). I have enough hotel rewards for 6 nights at the Marriott. I need your help though for cheapest airfare. Which airline? When is the cheapest to go? I have 25,000 United miles and 30,000 Delta miles. Can I use them at all? Please help me make this dream come true.

washingtonpost.com: Buenos Aires, Always in Style (Post Travel Section, July 10, 2005)

Cindy Loose: Hi--Let me first give you a push--Do It! The Marriott points are a huge bonus and can save you a lot. However, once you've decided on a place you have to check to make sure it's really six nights you have---the number of points needed for a room vary. For example, a top Marriott resort in an expensive location requires more points than an out-of-the-way, run-of-the-mill Marriott.
As to your frequent flyer points--you don't have enough miles in either account to get a free ticket to Europe or South America. (If you're lucky you might get an award ticket to Europe for 50,000, otherwise it's 100,00)
You so have enough frequent flyer miles to travel domestically and probably to Canada. So, if you've really never had a vacation, have you considered using your miles and points for a fab trip in the U.S.?
About Buenos Aires: Often you'll find that a package that includes hotels and airfares is the same price as airfare alone, so check out that option before blowing your frequent stay points.
Cheapest time: Since you don't mention having kids I'm assuming you're not tied to someone's school schedule, so go whenever kids are in school. That's not only the cheapest time but the least crowded time. I'd shoot for September, just after Labor Day, whether you're still thinking South America or decide to pile up some more miles and do something closer to home.
Also, you mention Buenos Aires and Spain, indicating you're longing for a Spanish speaking country. Have you considered Mexico too?
To get an idea about airfares from your home town, go to a site like www.orbitz.com or www.expedia.com or www.travelocity.com to mention the big three.

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Herndon, VA: We loved the Queen Anne market in Melbourne, Australia. It's HUGE and has everyone under the sun from fruit to sports jerseys to art. We spent four hours there and didn't even make it half way through. It's definitely worth a stop when in the country.

KC Summers: Another reason to go to Australia.

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Voucher on lower tickets: Hi Flight Crew,

Any chance you can answer the earlier question about a $20 voucher from US Airways costing $100 in processing fees? I see you told the person asking about dropped costs on Virgin to ask for a voucher, but I'm wondering if its normal to be slammed with these fees... Had I known that, I probably wouldn't have bought the low fare at the time and would have waited a bit...

Thanks!

Carol Sottili: I'm not quite sure how you received the voucher, or what type of voucher it is. I guess you need to ask about fees now before accepting vouchers?

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Obi again: Well...I never said we served ourselves at the table. We serve the food in the kitchen on the Formica and only eat on the table. But I think I might buy some glass for her table for my own peace of mind. I can't be -that- daughter-in-law.

KC Summers: Ah, thanks for clarifying! We're all greatly relieved.

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Spirit Air - Boo: Regarding Spirit Air, I've flown to Fort Lauderdale several times with no problem. But, once we had to leave the U.S. there were some issues. On the way back from Costa Rica, we had a 2 hour layover to get through customs in Fort Lauderdale. Spirit Air is the only international carrier at it's concourse, so I figure they should be able to estimate what a long enough layover is. Not 2 hours, apparently. It took an hour for all of the luggage to come out, and by then my friend had been stranded in Fort Lauderdale. It then took her several more hours to get them to pay for a hotel room.

If Spirit Air shared this customs line with any other airline, I'd have more sympathy. But, they had full control over much of the situation - their baggage handlers and their schedule. Yet, there were many people stranded, and little help afterwards.

John Deiner: Ack. Hiss. Boo. Okay, some discouraging words for Spirit. I flew them to Florida once, Puerto Rico another time and was pretty pleased.

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Anonymous: I'm gonna be graduating this May and want one last summer to travel and have fun before I start work.

Is there any company or place that does like student or single travel to meet up with others that just want to travel around Europe?

Andrea Sachs: StudentUniverse.com has a forum where you can ask questions, and maybe also try to meet up with other travel-minded students. Also check Sta Travel (www.statravel.com), which might have some ideas on such a service.

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Cheap Transatlantic Airfare: A couple of weeks ago I booked my DCA to Frankfurt ticket for $550. It was $850 the day before and it's $910 today. The key is to be persistent, check out kayak.com every day (including its graph of historical prices) and be flexible. For example, I really need to be near Munich, but flying into Frankfurt was hundreds of dollars cheaper, so well worth it!

Carol Sottili: A person after my own heart.

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Ellicott City, Md.: I just returned from an 8-day, 6-flight, trip to Egypt. I packed light, with just a carry-on and tote. After agonizing over what to take in my 3-1-1 baggie, I was surprised to find that the TSA didn't seem to care. I forgot to take the baggie out at DCA for inspection, and the guy who should have been watching the screen as my bags went by was busy talking to a co-worker across the room. The Egyptians didn't screen my bags in Cairo or Aswan. On the return trip, at JFK, again the screener didn't watch the screen. What is the point of having all these rules, other than to annoy travelers? I certainly don't feel safe with the TSA watching my back.

KC Summers: It does seem like a farce most of the time, doesn't it? But since we only have one minute left, don't get us started.

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Got the Spirit: Moved to Ft. Lauderdale for 2 years and commuted weekly on Spirit to DC...wasn't about to give up a CSRS Govt. job w/35 years in. They were excellent. Here's a secret: I never DIDN'T get a 1st class seat. Just show up real early and upgrades go for next to nothing. Jet Blue was fine and had a freq. flyer pgr., but you couldn't beat the convenience of DCA/metro. Moved back to DC...but not 'cause of the commute (bought a FLA car and kept it in long-term parking down there -- cheaper then the $40 cab rides). Hey, took me less time getting to work then the girls that come in from Charlestown, WV! LOL Spirit was great.

John Deiner: Wow! You never didn't get a first-class seat? Once I understood what that meant my head started swivelin'. Great job, and thanks for the tip!

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Hotel points programs: I can't vouch for them all, but Marriott's program is wonderful. Plus, you can cancel even a points reservation up until 6 pm local time day of and not be penalized (very very few exceptions to this).

But I will quarrel with one point you just made - that hotel room your husband procured with points wasn't "free" - it only didn't cost you any cash at the time. You "paid" for it in the charges incurred in the accumulation of points in the first place. Given that I can get a week in a Caribbean resort for 200,000 points (or so), I certainly believe those points have a value in lieu of cash.

Cindy Loose: You're right; it's free only in the sense that no cash was required. But that seems pretty free to me. I know lots of people who don't bother to sign up for frequent stay programs, not realizing how easy it is and the payoff.

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Iberia!!!: They don't answer emails and half the time do not answer the phone--just cross your fingers and hope for the best.

Andrea Sachs: Yikes! Thanks for the warning.

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To the Toronto visitor: Don't forget Victoria BC (on Vancouver Island).

I also liked Saint John, New Brunswick, although that was a long time ago. The reversing water falls (due to heavy tidal bore off the Bay of Fundy) is not to be missed.

Andrea Sachs: Thanks for adding to the Canada city list.

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Bethesda, Md.: Best market find: When I was studying abroad in London, a bunch of friends and I went to Barcelona for the weekend. Mid-December in Barcelona is an explosion of markets around the Sagrada Familia cathedral with Christmas-themed wreaths and Santa sculptures and nativity scenes, with food and treats and incense, etc. Unbelievable aromas and noise! We looked at a few of the nativity scenes closer, and realized that one of the figures they sold was a man with his pants around his ankles... doing his business. We were shocked. At the fourth or fifth booth with a variation on this theme, we asked the lady there what is was. "It's for celebration!" So we asked, go on. "You know, when you celebrate, you eat, you drink.... (simple hand gesture worth a thousand words)." That was the best market find ever! A few of us actually bought one home to our hosting family and tried to get them to place it next to the wise men. I wonder why they never did?

KC Summers: Hoot! Thanks for sharing.

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Bronx, NY: Favorite market: Tentmakers' Bazaar, Cairo. It's soooo much cooler than Khan al-Khalili! Smaller, way less pushy, and Egyptians shop there too. Obviously it's not really tent-makers any more, but lots of textiles and other homewares. Also in a part of town most tourists don't see, despite being two blocks from Khan al-Khalili. Just go the opposite direction from the Khan and keep walking ~ 5 minutes.

KC Summers: My list keeps growing....

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mosque again: If you go to the Blue Mosque around a prayer time, you WILL have to cover your head. It is an active mosque. But they also realize that it really is a tourist destination, and you generally are not made to cover your head at non-prayer times. But it is respectful to do so.

John Deiner: Oh boy. So what have we learned here? Do what you're told or see what others or doing or ask somebody what you need to do once you get to the Blue Mosque. But more than anything: Go to the Blue Mosque.

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Arlington, Va.: For our honeymoon in November/December, we're considering Thailand or South Africa - we realize it's like comparing apples and oranges, but if you can provide any recommendations that would help us make our decision, we'd greatly appreciate it!

Also, we've never used a travel agent before - is this the type of trip you recommend using one, and where do we find a good one? Thanks.

Christina Talcott: I haven't been to Thailand yet, and I'm sure it would be a great place for a honeymoon, but so would South Africa. I was there in Dec. and Jan. and it was stunningly beautiful, with great weather and lots to see and do. Cape Town, the Cape Peninsula and the winelands outside of Cape Town, in particular, would be fabulous honeymoon destinations. As for tour operators, Carol found some resources for her honeymoon story on 5/21/06. Here's an excerpt:
"Honeymoon Specialists
While most travel agents are familiar with the well-known honeymoon venues, here are two local agents who exclusively plan honeymoon travel.
· Harvey McGarry
(703-836-1100, http://www.macnairtravel.com), romantic destinations consultant for MacNair Travel & Cruises/Am- erican Express in the Alexandria office.
· Jim Augerinos(800-320-7373, http://www.perfecthoneymoons.com), honeymoon travel consultant and destination wedding coordinator, Perfect Honeymoons & Holidays Travel in Vienna.
Web Sites
· The Knot(http://www.theknot.com), devoted to putting on the perfect wedding, has a section on honeymoons. Has good descriptions of popular destinations and helpful features such as "Honeymoon Planning: Best Weather by Wedding Month."
· The Wedding Channel(http://www.weddingchannel.com), which is not a TV channel but a Web site, has honeymoon articles and ideas, a good photo library of top honeymoon destinations and message boards.
· TheBigDay Travel(http://www.thebigday.com) is an online travel agency that specializes in honeymoons. Offers searches by destination or interests, such as diving, golf or fishing. Also has a honeymoon gift registry.
· The Honeymoon(http://www.thehoneymoon.com) focuses on its honeymoon registry, but also links to travel agents who will book your honeymoon. Also contains basic info on top honeymoon destinations."

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Open-air markets: My favorite one is the bookseller's stalls in Paris along the Left Bank. I first visited it as a moody teenager and bought a French copy of L'Etranger by Albert Camus. Just the thing for a teenager. And yes, I was wearing a beret. I felt so very French!

I've returned there many times over the years; my last purchase was a print of a bird being transformed into the Notre Dame Cathedral (imagine the wings as the towers of the church). It's an amazing picture. I always get a kick out of strolling through that market--you can almost hear Edith Piaf in the background.

KC Summers: Oh, me too. Doesn't everyone make that identical stroll their first time in Paris, and buy the identical paperback? Or print. In my case, the print was a copy of that great stylized black cat poster -- you'd know it if you saw it.

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Silver Spring, Md.: Husband and I want to take a week in June for a road-trip with our 2 dogs. Both dogs are very well behaved - one weighs 30 lbs, the other 60. They are both very social, excellent house manners etc.

We are interested in destinations where we get to sleep inside (not interested in tents/camping), have some dog-friendly activities to do (not problem keeping dogs on leash but enclosed off-leash good too), cool attractions (open for anything), places to eat and maybe some moderate night-time activities (husband likes modest gambling, music would be good).

Don't really care which direction we head from Silver Spring - want to leave Saturday morning and return the following Saturday.

Any suggestions of where to even start looking?

Cindy Loose: I'd start by checking out one of the books or websites for lodgings that allow dogs. Sorry, I have to run now, but if gambling is a priority there aren't that many places within driving distance, so you could also start to narrow down options that way. First thing that comes to mind, with only a minute to think about it---something around the new casino in Connecticut.

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Arlington, VA: Favorite market: the Christmas markets in Koln, Germany. I went there with my parents when I was 10 and I remember them being completely magical. It was snowing and smelled like candy apples. I can't wait to take my kids there.

KC Summers: Snow and candy apples... nice. Thanks, Arl.

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Hong Kong markets are awesome: Hong Kong has markets of great variety - the Ladies Market, the Jade Market, the Goldfish Market selling, yes, goldfish, plus any number of small markets tucked away in alleys. True, a number of these markets sell the same goods, but you can't beat the Night Market, where you can spend any leftover HK dollars not worth converting back to USD - it is open until at least 11 PM every night, and offers a fabulous venue to people-watch.

KC Summers: Night markets are the BEST. Have you been to Chiang Mai's? That's my all time favorite.

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KC Summers: We're out of time, folks -- sorry if we didn't get to your question, but please come back next week and hit us again. Our prize today goes to the chatter who passed up all the great market food at Honfleur. Chatter, send your contact info to me at summersk@washpost.com and we'll get the Shoul right out to you. Unless you're a guy that is. Let me know.
Till next week, happy trails, everyone.

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