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: the African safari of your dreams; a weekend jaunt to Nashville; and learning to kite surf in the Florida Keys. Also: see this week's specials: a first-ever Monday Rave on the Travel Log blog - let us know if you plan to spend some of your tax rebate on travel. And, tomorrow there's a chat with the infamous travel guide author we wrote about in yesterday's paper

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.

Submit your questions and comments before or during today's discussion.

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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Cindy Loose: Welcome to the travel chat, with Cindy Loose as your chat host today. Among the others standing by on this side of the Web: K.C. Summers, John Deiner, Carol Sottili, Andrea Sachs, Scott Vogel and Christina Talcott.
First, this just in: American Airlines just announced it will begin charging travelers with domestic economy class tickets $25 each way to check a second bag. (Exceptions include very frequent flyers with gold or higher status, active duty military and those paying full-fare). JetBlue meanwhile slipped a notice of a similar fee into its quarterly report to shareholders. They presumably will tell travelers at some point. (I'm awaiting the details.)
American was the last holdout among the six so-called "legacy" carriers. Bottom line: You can still check a second bag free on Southwest so long as both bags don't weigh more than 50 pounds. Otherwise, either lighten up or be prepared to pay.
Today seems a good day to solicit your packing suggestions, with the goal of avoiding the $50 roundtrip fee for checking a second bag. I'll name a best suggestion and the person making it should email their address to loosec@washpost.com and I'll send a Moab Music Festival cap and CD.
Meanwhile, questions and comments of all sorts being taken. Let's roll....

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Hluhluwe Article: Christina, I loved your article on Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park. I did a lot of research before we went to South Africa last July and we chose H-I as one of our destinations because it was described in more than one guidebook as arguably the best public game reserve in the country (yes, even better than Kruger).

I'd just like to emphasize what you alluded to in the article and in the "Details" section--Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park is an excellent safari choice for those traveling on a budget. There's a wide range of accommodations and game viewing options. We stayed in the tented camps at Mpila and they were just as nice as the tented camp we had stayed in earlier at a private game reserve. Also, the game drives are a good value but you can also drive yourself through the entire park during the daylight hours and see game on your own. We had giraffes walking across the road in front of us and lots of other animals near the sides of the road as if they were waiting for their pictures to be taken!

Thanks again for bringing all these great memories back.

washingtonpost.com: In the Hluhluwe Reserve, the Game Was Afoot -- and So Were We (Post Travel Section, April 27)

Christina Talcott: Thanks so much! As you can imagine, writing the story let me relive my own adventure, and I'm glad you enjoyed H-I as much as I did. You're right about the budget and self-guided parts of the visit. Also, my trip to Hluhluwe, and then a half-day trip to another KZN park called Weenan a week later when I was staying in Ladysmith, felt oddly similar to American National Parks, at least in terms of amenities, ease of access and safety. Of course, there's no mistaking you're in Africa, from the young boys doing Zulu dances for money at the park gate to the kudu biltong in the gift shop, not to mention the huge animals wandering around. Just curious: Were you there with locals who had a car, or did you rent a car and drive yourself? Did you find it intimidating?

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Austin, Tex.: We are headed to Atlanta at the end of this week on a combination of Continental and Delta flights. With all the recent cancellations should we expect any problems?

Cindy Loose: I don't foresee another fiasco right now like the one that haunted American recently, but like Boy Scouts, always be prepared. In this case that would mean knowing what alternative flights there are if you do miss your connection. And take along the phone numbers for both airlines so that if you must stand in line to make alternative flight plans, you can also be trying to do the same thing by phone.

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Washington, D.C.: I like to travel to London for pleasure about once a year. In the past few years, I've pretty easily found round trip flights for $400-550 but I've been looking recently and flights are all well over $800! Am I missing something here? Thanks for your help.

Carol Sottili: There have been some good sales to London over the past month or two, with round-trip fares of about $550 round trip. I featured United's fare sale in What's the Deal? Sunday - $569 round trip for travel through May 15. But the sales are for spring travel. If you're getting a summer fare of $800, including taxes, that's great. Jet fuel is expensive. Airlines are trying to make money. And travel in summer has always been expensive.

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Silver Spring, Md.: Hi Crew -

we're off to NYC in late June and I'm hoping that you or a chatter might have a suggestion for a reasonably-priced family-friendly hotel - preferably a suite. We want to be in Manhattan, but any neighborhood is ok.

Thanks!!

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

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

Scott Vogel: By all means check the links above for some good ideas on mid-priced properties. I wanted to add that I recently had a good stay at the Hyatt Regency Jersey City, which sounds like far until you consider at the Path train to Manhattan is literally at the hotel's doorstep. You can often find great bargains for this place at Priceline and Hotwire; also the rooms are spacious and the hotel has a nice indoor pool. I found that traveling with a 7-year-old made me want to get away from the Manhattan rat race for a while. Also be sure and check www.nycvisit.com, which offers suggestions based on a quiz designed to discover "what kind of New Yorker you are."

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Alexandria, Va.: Good afternoon. Are there ever any bargains between here and Boise, Idaho? I need to be there on July 4th and still have not booked the flight. Should I just give up and click on "book the flight?"

Cindy Loose: Fares skyrocket on holidays. Unless you can play with the dates and go a littler earlier or later, you'll probably have to suck it up.

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Harrisburg, Pa.: I've never had to check a second bag going TO anywhere, but have had to do so coming BACK (too many souvenirs/gifts for friends and family).

On domestic business trips, when I collect tons of stuff from the convention exhibit hall, I pack it all into a FedEx or UPS shipping box and send it to myself at the cheapest rate possible (which usually takes 2-3 days and costs less than $25).

Unfortunately, this doesn't work on international trips, where I end up having to buy an extra (albeit cheap) suitcase for all the souvenirs/gifts.

Cindy Loose: Good idea; thanks. Let's see what the competition has to offer.

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Washington, D.C.: In your safari guide, you said that "truly adventurous types can rent a car and drive through the national parks themselves." Perhaps self-guided visits to other parks in the area are more demanding, but our trip to Kruger Park in South Africa three years ago was no more complicated than a trip to Yosemite or Yellowstone. On our first foreign trip outside of Europe, we flew to Johannesburg, rented a car, drove an easy five hours to Kruger, and spent four days driving through the park, where we saw elephants, giraffes, water buffalo, hippos, monkeys, zebras, rhinos, and various types of deer and birds. Without a guide, we had to constantly scan the horizon, but it made it more satisfying when we spied an elephant in the distance. (We also cheated by stopping next to clusters of other cars and asking what they were looking at.) Just like in U.S. national parks, we stopped at the entrance, paid our fee, and got a map. The roads were as smooth and as well-marked as in U.S. parks. Just like in the U.S. parks, we stayed in comfortable, modern accommodations that we had reserved in advance by calling a central reservation number; they averaged about $70 a night. (On the outside, they looked like African huts, but on the inside, they were equivalent to a Motel 6.) Just like in the U.S., the camps had cafeterias (with mediocre but filling food) and gift shops (with overpriced knick-knacks). On the days we wanted to join one of the guided tours, whether on foot or in off-road vehicles that could go where our compact car couldn't, we just signed up the night before and paid the fee of around $20 per person. And because almost everyone spoke English, the trip was less difficult than going to Spain, for example. It wasn't luxurious, like the private camps, nor as close to the ground as camping, but for unadventuresome people who want a no-frills, inexpensive, and self-paced safari, Kruger is an easy place to start.

washingtonpost.com: African Safari Special (Post Travel Section, April 27)

Christina Talcott: That's funny you mention the U.S. National Parks - I, too, felt like I could almost be in Shenandoah or Yellowstone. I'd love to visit Kruger sometime when I'm not trying to see a whole country in 2.5 weeks, though I can't imagine going to South Africa and not spending time in Cape Town or Durban, and exploring Johannesburg some more. I hope that people might realize that going on safari doesn't have to be a sell-the-farm kind of expensive trip. As long as you can get to South Africa, the rest of it can be pretty reasonable.

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Silver Spring, Md.: Good Afternoon,

I'm trying to help out my sister and brother-in-law. They are going on their first kid-free vacation in 4 years. They are doing a long weekend in West Palm Beach, Fla. They get in Thursday afternoon and have full days there on Friday and Saturday and a half day Sunday. I suggested that they do the 2 hour drive to Miami and check out South Beach. But I didn't really know what else to tell them. I know they would also love to do an airboat tour or something like that. Any helpful hints?

washingtonpost.com: Palm Beach for the Rest of Us (Post Travel Section, Nov. 18, 2007)

John Deiner: Hey, Silver. The attached story gives lots of suggestions for a low-key, low-budget trip to the area, and South Beach is a good idea (is it really two hours? That seems long to me). I'd also consider Lauderdale, whose pulse has really picked up in recent years; don't forget the Riverwalk area as well. If they gamble, there's a Hard Rock casino off of I-95, and the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens on Biscayne Bay is fantastic -- a great thing to see on a kids-free weekend.
Any other ideas out there?

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Washington, D.C.: I would like to go to San Miguel de Allende this summer. I'm afraid I lost the article the Post ran a few months back and can't locate it on line. Can you help me? Also, any new thoughts? I'm thinking about a 5 day trip (not including travel time).

Thanks!

washingtonpost.com: Most recent San Miguel story I found was about 2 years ago - Mexico's True Colors (Post Travel Section, Jan 22, 2006)

Scott Vogel: Please see the above story from a few years back, and some more recent information in our Q&A column below.

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Burbank, Calif.: I discovered to my surprise that, after missing connection due to my US Air flight arriving late, that US Air only offered to pay for half the price of the overnight hotel. I know they are nickel and diming us, charging $5 for aisle and window seats, $7 for meals, $50 for overweight luggage, etc. But when it now costs $75 for an overnight hotel when it is their fault, when may we customers finally say: This is ridiculous. Time to switch airlines.

Carol Sottili: I'm guessing that your connection was late due to weather. Here's what US Airways' has to say about what they'll do for you. I don't think it is the only airline that has become stingier.
In the event of a delay or cancellation, overnight accommodations will be arranged by US Airways at their expense for customers at connecting points whose flights are delayed or canceled because of circumstances within US Airways' control for whom no alternate transportation is available. Overnight accommodations will not be provided for customers whose flights are delayed or canceled due to circumstances beyond US Airways' control such as Air Traffic Control or weather.

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washingtonpost.com: Finding a Muse in Mexico (Post Travel Section, Dec. 16, 2007)

Scott Vogel: here it is.

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S.W. D.C.: Any advice for someone thinking about going into the travel business (haven't decided in what capacity)? I've done a lot of international travel and I'm thinking about a mid-life career shift. Although I'm having second thoughts about travel writing after reading yesterday's Post article by Michael Shapiro...

Thanks!

washingtonpost.com: Can You Trust Your Travel Guidebook? (Post Travel Section, April 27) - and don't miss the chat tomorrow with Thomas Kohnstamm himself...

KC Summers: Hi SW. I'm all for mid-life career shifts. But your question's pretty broad. Before you do any research, you should narrow down which aspect of the industry you want to join -- do you want to be a travel agent? guide? journalist? PR person? If you decide you want to write, begin by studying the publications you admire and familiarize yourself with the kinds of stories they accept and the sorts of approaches they like to take. Then submit away.
As for the Thomas Kohnstamm flap, I think it's instructive on a lot of levels, but remember, you can set your own course. For those who didn't see our story about the rogue guidebook writer, here's a link. And as Elizabeth reminds, don't miss his chat right here tomorrow at noon. Get your questions ready!

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Silver Spring, Md.: I want to thank Cindy Loose for her story on Nashville. Like Cindy, I am not a fan of country music. But my parents, who live outside Chicago, are huge fans.

So, you've convinced me, to book some flights on Southwest -- my family from Midway Airport and myself from BWI -- and join my parents for a little reunion. We'll watch some country music together, and perhaps they'll join me for a nice meal or two, and perhaps a trip to a play or the art museum. My question for Cindy is how far in advance do you think I need to book thinks like tickets for the Grand Ole Opry and other spots. We're going to go to Nashville at the end of May. Again, thanks for the story. I laughed a lot but it also got me off my duff to arrange a trip that I'm sure my parents will love.

washingtonpost.com: A Nashville Mash-Up: Opry, Seabiscuit and Monet (Post Travel Section, April 27)

Cindy Loose: Thanks. I'd book tickets for what's in town asap. The Grand Ole Opry has tons of seats but popular acts do sell out. The Bluebird Cafe is extremely small and sells out quickly. Shows at the Ryman and the symphony--depends on whose playing. Those are the only attractions you have to really worry about sell outs.

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Washington, D.C.: Hi. Thank you for your expert advice - particularly Co-Go! I am hoping you can help me with this question.

I bought 2 plane tickets to San Francisco for Memorial Day weekend - one for me and one for my partner. Now that we are no longer together, I want to cancel the ticket completely or get the ticket transferred to my name for use at a different time. Is that possible?

Cindy Loose: Depends on the airline, but if you paid for the ticket with your credit card, you might be able to pay a change fee and get a voucher for whatever remains.

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Airline phone numbers: What should I say when I call the airlines to try to get re-routed? First ask to be put on another flight on the same airline, or start with other airlines? Does each airline have specific partner airlines that they work with, or can I just pick one?

Cindy Loose: They will want to put you on their own next available flight. If they can't do that, or the next available is a long time away, they might consider putting you on another carrier if you ask. However, whether they are partners or not they end up paying each other for taking each other's passengers, so I don't really think it matters which alternative carrier you suggest. The alternative carrier won't always work, but its worth a try is the carrier doesn't have a seat of its own to offer.

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question re: blog: I think I read in the blog that one of the authors of the African safaris is still paying it off... doesn't the Washington Post pay for your flights and accommodations? Albeit under the radar, so the management where you're staying doesn't know you're writing about them? I'm shocked if you have to pay for your travel yourself!

KC Summers: Don't be too shocked: It's a hard travel world out there. We pay expenses for our staff writers and a handful of valued, tested, trusted freelancers whom we give assignments to, but everyone else who pitches to us pays for their trips themselves. After we publish their articles they're then free to pitch them elsewhere so they can at least recoup some of their expenses that way.

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Bethesda, Md.: Hi Flight Crew,

I'm trying to plan a trip for the end of May (Wed-Sunday after Memorial Day Weekend) for two guys in their early thirties -- mostly looking to relax, don't need any special amenities like golf or spa. I am hoping to find an all-inclusive package. Right now we are thinking about Aruba, the Bahamas, or Puerto Rico. Do you have any recommendations about which area would be best? Thank you!

washingtonpost.com: Critters? Cuisine? Casinos? Pick Your Perfect Isle (Post Travel Section, March 4, 2007)

Andrea Sachs: The cheapest packages are usually for the Bahamas (check, for example, Apple Vacations or Fare Deals), and you will have no problem finding loads of activities -- or slothful beach time -- on any of the main Bahamian islands. Aruba might be more expensive and tougher to find a deal, though it is a beautiful island with stellar beaches. I, however, am very fond of Puerto Rico, because there is so much to see and do there, from rain forest hikes to evening kayaking adventures to the incredible beaches of Vieques. You can find some good air and land packages there.

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Md.: I can't imagine going ANYWHERE that requires 50 pounds of luggage. First of all, places outside the U.S DO have laundromats. Second, get over the idea that you can only wear each item once. And only pack things you KNOW you will wear. Don't pack a ballgown just on the offchance you'll get invited to some event where you might need it. If that happens, then thank the credit card gods and shell out for one on the spot. And think double duty. Normally I never wear my running shoes for anything except running, but when I'm on vacation, I use them for other activities. Offer to exchange your (now finished) reading material with another traveler at your resort. have nicer souvenirs (wool blankets from Scotland, etc). shipped home. Yes, you spend money. Pay now or pay later (baggage fees, chiropractor, etc.)

Cindy Loose: I agree that 50 pounds should be about enough to go just about anywhere.

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Anonymous: I fear the new charges for checked luggage will increase the existing practice of passengers to take larger and larger bags onto the aircraft as "carry-on" bags. I see little attempt to restrict what is carried on. I realize many people (including one person working on this chat at times) make a habit of carrying on all of their travel gear. Planes are not made with enough overhead bin space for all that is being carried on board now. Those who patiently wait for their rows to be called to board (many do not) may find the bins filled. This also helps explain why it can take so long to get everyone and their bags out of the plane. The U.S. carrier restrictions are not the strictest I have found, however. On TAM Brazilian Airlines, flights going to neighboring countries have a limit of 20kg TOTAL per person for checked luggage.

Cindy Loose: I too worry about more and more people bringing more and more on board. Not only does it make it hard to find space for those who aren't hogging the bin,but then it takes forever to get people on and off the plane.

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$25 for extra bag...: I really don't mind the extra fee at all. I don't! They'd just add it to the fares if what they really need is more revenue, so WHATEVER.

What I really DO mind is that this is just one more incentive for people to overwhelm the available carry-on space, which is already at a tragic level. Why not add the fees to CARRY-ON bags instead, and try to get more people to check and thus make the boarding/deplaning process much more efficient?

Cindy Loose: Hey, I like that idea, except there probably won't be a big problem if airlines simply enforced the rules they have.

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Kingstowne, Va.: A few packing suggestions:

(1) Use soft-sided luggage, preferably without wheels. While you lose the convenience of rolling the bag around, you gain the ability to cram more stuff in because the bag will be more flexible (and because you don't lose space for the wheels and handle mechanism). You can more easily squeeze a soft-sided bag into different shapes (and into the bag-size gauges used by some airlines).

(2) Do laundry when you travel and bring fewer clothes as a result. This especially applies if you're on a cruise ship, since you can have them pick it up and return it the next day.

(3) The "bundle method" for packing works great and avoids creasing clothes. Essentially, you start with a laundry bag and you put your underwear in there. Then you wrap your other clothes into a bundle around the laundry bag. It's a much more efficient use of space than stacking or rolling clothes.

(4) Don't bring products that can readily be bought at your destination for a small price (toothpaste, for example), unless you know you're unlikely to find the right type.

(5) Check out http://www.onebag.com, which is full of great advice on how to travel light (and has a diagram of "bundle packing").

(6) Finally, remember the old adage repeated by years of male college students who don't like to do laundry... you can wear your underwear four times (the normal way, backwards, inside-out, and inside-out and backwards).

KC Summers: All together now: Ewwwww. Folks, let's take a chat poll. Anyone else out there use this system??
PS -- As the queen of packing light, I thank you for the tips. Will check out that site.

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State College, Pa.: I'm heading down to Florida in September and will be spending 3 days at Universal. I'm looking for a place to stay that is nearby? Any recommendations? Are the onsite hotels worth the price - an extra $100+ a night? Love the chats!

John Deiner: Hey, SC. We did a big section on low-budget Florida hotel options a couple of years ago, and several of them were near Universal. But "a couple of years ago" and "budget" could mean things are vastly different now. In September, though, you should be able to get any number of big-name chain hotels for a reasonable amount of money (read: under $100), and if they come with breakfast, even better (most do these days).
The onsite hotels at Universal are beauts, though, and you can't beat the convenience factor (they're linked to the parks by a canal/boat system). If you want/need the splurge, I'd say they're worth it. Personally, I'd rather save the hundreds of bucks and stay off-campus.

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Washington, D.C.: Are flights around July 4 usually more expensive? Or is Independence Day more of a driving holiday?

Andrea Sachs: July 4 is a heavy driving holiday, but flights also skyrocket. Check for last-minute fares though, or be flexible with your travel dates (say, leave two days before or the morning of, and return the night of or two days later).

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D.C.: Hey all, I've just booked my first ever grown-up-planned-by-me vacation to Easton over the Memorial Day week (Sunday to Wednesday). Definitely going to hit the restaurants you wrote about in your eat in Easton guide, and going to the fine art fair (strawberry shortcake! I'm in!). Is there anything else I shouldn't miss (especially of the stress relief variety)? And do you have any Memorial Day-weekend travel tips? Thanks!

Christina Talcott: Sounds like a great trip! I'd highly recommend driving a little farther down Route 50 to Cambridge and the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, which I went biking in a few weeks back and really liked. You can also go kayaking or canoeing there, either with a guide or without; bike and boat rentals are listed with the story (link below). If that doesn't sound stress-relieving to you, you could check out a spa in nearby St. Michael's (we had a story about the Inn at Perry Cabin in December) or at the Hyatt in Cambridge. If sports or spas don't float your boat, can you tell us what you would find most relaxing?

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washingtonpost.com: Birding in Blackwater from a Bike's-Eye View (Post Travel Section, April 20)

Christina Talcott: For the Easton-bound traveler.

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Baltimore, Md.: Hi Flight Crew! I was hoping you might be able to share your thoughts on travel to Lebanon right now. Friends of mine are getting married there in September and I really don't want to miss the wedding, but now that I'm the mother of a 2 year old, I'm not so sure I should (or want to) be taking a risk traveling to a country which may or may not be safe for Americans. I have looked at both the US and UK Travel Dept. warnings and they aren't too good but I'm not sure if they are "overcautious." What would you all do if faced with this dilemma? Thanks so much for your insight!

Cindy Loose: The U.S. and U.K. governments are somewhat cautious and tell everything bad that can happen, which can scare you about traveling to a place that's similar to D.C. or N.Y. However, they don't advise against travel to that many countries, as they do in the case of Lebanon.
Howls of protest will follow, I predict, and I understand. Odds are you could go to Lebanon and return safely, just as you could probably drive drunk and not crash the first time. However, it's not something I as a parent would do simply to see a wedding.

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Hluhluwe Article (Again): In answer to your question, Christina, we rented a car for the two weeks we were in South Africa and drove ourselves all over KwaZulu Natal. We are used to driving on the left, so that wasn't a problem. We found the roads to generally be in good condition (except for potholes, which were often marked with warning signs). We were very aware of animals and people on the sides of the roads and we never drove after dark. It was not the easiest place in the world to drive, but because we'd done a lot of research on driving conditions in South Africa before we left and had a good map, we weren't "intimidated" either.

Christina Talcott: Thanks for writing back, and kudos on doing all that research! Sometimes it can make a world of difference.

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Bethesda: No question, just a report. I just got back from a week in Puerto Rico and was very pleasantly surprised. I had been to a number of Caribbean islands before (plus many places around the world) and had nice but overall disappointing experiences mostly due to areas outside the resorts being rundown, poverty, lack of infrastructure, poor people etc. I am an independent traveler who enjoys discovering places on my own without being hoarded by "tourist chasers" and enjoy getting to know local people and culture. Puerto Rico fit the bill very nicely, with nice beaches, friendly people, lots of culture, paved and marked roads, diversity of the island, and overall easy to get-in and out. I really liked having the conveniences of the US (no immigration lines, US dollar, 800 numbers work etc.) yet feeling of being in another country (local foods, all signs in Spanish, great music, Spanish architecture, etc.) It felt like I went to Europe without flying long and paying through the nose (my flight was $215 round-trip thanks to USAir promotion). I also drove to a rain forest and some fishing villages, also found empty and pristine beaches on a Saturday, not to mention overall feeling safe walking/driving around as a woman. I highly recommend it and I can't wait to go back!

Andrea Sachs: Thanks for the report. And to the guys looking for a tropical vacation --- does this help with your decision (minus the single woman comment).

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Driving in Kruger: Note that the roads close at dusk. If you are not staying in the park, you need to leave by then. If you are staying at one of the enclosed park lodge areas, you still cannot drive on the roads on your own at night but need to take one of the guided tours. Still, seeing two lions stroll by as you sit on benches in the back of a large pick-up truck is something to remember.

Christina Talcott: You're right about the park closing unless you're staying in the park; thanks for pointing that out.

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New York, N.Y.: Have you seen Int'l Herald Tribune's 4-part series on environmental catastrophe in China? There are currently more deaths due to cancer caused by environmental pollution in China than from any other cause.

Shouldn't your travel section warn potential China travelers about this huge problem they face before they buy tix for the Olympics? Or are you trying to help the travel industry by ignoring dire health threats?

washingtonpost.com: China: Choking on Growth (International Herald Tribune)

Cindy Loose: I never thought of myself as a p.r. machine for the travel industry. Aside from that:
We haven't written much at all about the Olympics in China, except to warn that everything is incredibly expensive and beware of agents online selling fake tickets. The sports section is the section attending, and they'll also cover most of the pre-Olympics coverage. Moreover, the A section of the paper has covered China's pollution nightmares quite extensively---it would be impossible to be reading much and not know about pollution in China. However, that said, I'd doubt you'd contact cancer due to pollution in China during a weeklong visit.

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Africa: a group I used about 10 years ago for African travel is Guerba . . . lower end escorted tour (chores are divided among the group, for example), but a lot of fun. I was the only American on the trip (and I was living in England when I booked it), so it may not be as known here.

Christina Talcott: I'm not familiar with Guerba, but I'll throw this out there. Sounds like a good, low-cost way to go on a safari.

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Bethesda: I am not a frequent traveler. What is the cheapest time of year to travel to Spain? In particular, I'd like to take my husband to see an FC Barcelona Futbol match... but I have no clue where to even get started in planning.

Cindy Loose: The cheapest time is when all the children are in school. Once that summer break hits, forget decent airfares. That said, I don't know the futbol schedule, but for the best weather, I'd make my trip as close as possible to either end of summer, without actually going in summer.

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Getting around at JFK: Hi crew,

Flying into Terminal 8 from DCA on Wed. afternoon going to Terminal 4 for an 8:00 overseas flight.

Concerned more about the return, flying into Terminal 4 on a Mon. nite at 8:35, having to catch the last AA flight to DCA at 10:30 in Term. 8.

What is the quickest way to Terminal 8 from Term. 4 in JFK?

As for packing, I find rolling clothes, packing socks in shoes, and packing 2 tops for every 1 bottom works wonders!

Andrea Sachs: For JFK, the AirTrain Inter-Terminal Connection is the quickest way to travel. See http://www.panynj.gov/CommutingTravel/airports/html/ken_transportation.html for a map.

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Oviedo, Fla.: Re: Jersey City Hyatt - I agree this is the best choice for NYC but have some other ideas. BTW - the indoor pool is tiny and no big deal. The hotel restaurant with huge windows overlooking the water and Manhattan is great, esp. at nite. great crab cakes, as good as in Baltimore, my hometown. Eat after dark and face the view - sweet.

The hotel provided free shuttle van service to Statue of Liberty Park when I was there. a way cool way to see this - also to the jumping off point for Ellis Island. These perks were easy and fun and free and made our trip - perfect for the poster's kid.

Scott Vogel: Hmm, sorry I didn't get a chance to try the crab cakes, but the restaurant's view is equally fantastic in the morning, when the hotel offers an extensive brunch and where I found they aren't too fussy about kids paying.

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Clearwater Beach, Fla.: Thanks for these chats.

We went to Clearwater Beach couple of years back and really enjoyed the low waves, firm sand and real blue water, etc. Two questions - I can't seem to find any deals to go there and what other beaches on the East Coast are similar to Clearwater Beach - low/no waves for the first 20 feet, firm sand, etc. Thanks again.

John Deiner: Hmmm. As far as deals go, I'd suggest downloading Southwest's Ding fares to see if Tampa ever pops up. I've seen it there before. And check the fares to Fort Myers and Orlando as well . . . it's a longer drive but the savings can be considerable.
As far as that surf you're looking for, the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic are, for sure, totally different animals. Can't think of anything too similar on this side of the coast, but perhaps the Florida Keys? Bahia Honda State Park is on Big Pine Key and has the sort of beach/surf you describe. Anyone out there with a suggestion?

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NYC Bound Family: A reasonably priced suited in Manhattan in June is a fantasy. My sister lives in NYC and we visit quite a bit. Her apartment is small and our family of four often stays in a hotel. We have done the Jersey City hotels and yes they are honestly steps from the PATH trains. Also it is very easy to visit the Statue of Liberty from these hotels.

We have also stayed in the Weehawken area and taken the ferries over to Manhattan. Most of the hotels have shuttles to the ferries even if they are not walking distance. Even staying in Jersey suites are pricey but we have been able to get hotels with indoor pools.

Scott Vogel: I have to agree with you: this is not the year to be looking for cheap accommodations in Manhattan. It's not even the year to be looking for reasonable accommodations in Manhattan.

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Washington, D.C.: Regarding the West Palm Beach question, I am actually planning a trip there next month. I have been going there on vacation since I was little, so I have a good amount of experience.

I suggest trying to see the sea turtles nesting at night. They nest along the beaches in the summer months starting after dark. I usually try to go down to the beach around 10-11 pm, and in June have had great luck seeing as many as 3-4 turtles in one 30 minute span. There is a lot of nesting that goes on at McArthur Beach State Park. I am not sure if it is open to the public after dark, but there are other beach access options too.

For brunch, you might want to suggest checking out Charley's Crab in Palm Beach or Sailfish Marina on Singer Island. The former is fancier and the latter is more laid back.

I have heard great things about the Breakers Hotel complex. I plan to check it out soon.

If they like fishing, there is a fun fishing boat that leaves from Singer Island...Blue Heron fishing tours (or something like that). They are a lot of fun...even for people that don't regularly fish.

In general though, the beaches are so beautiful...so you can't go too wrong.

As far as South Beach goes, I am planning a 2 night trip there from Palm Beach. It usually does take me 2 hours to drive...but I go from the north side of Palm Beach. I find it best to get a hotel in South Beach and really experience the fun. Mangoes!!!

I hope this is helpful. Enjoy.

John Deiner: Hey, DC. The Breakers is ultra-snooty, but our reporter booked a spa treatment there and had a great time pretending to fit in. But, man, what great ideas here, and thanks for the clarification on the driving time.

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Re: Palm Beach: If you like farmer's markets, there is a great farmer's market in downtown Palm Beach on Saturday mornings, I recommend you rent bikes from where you re staying, bike to the market, and simply enjoy the local foods/breakfast and meeting locals. It is right next to the Ponce de Leon park, and is a great way to get tips on what to do next.

John Deiner: Oh, good stuff. And ya can't beat the biking in an area that's primarily flat. Thanks!

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Chapel Hill, N.C.: I was so sad to miss the "wet story" chat last week! As far as I know, part of mine ended up on national television in the Philippines... here it is, if there's still room for it this week:

My brother and I were traveling by boat to a remote tourist site. The seas were a bit rough, and as we climbed out I took a wrong step and ended up falling into the water. All but one shoulder were DRENCHED, leaving an obvious water line on my green shirt. We laughed about it with our boat guys and continued on our way... after we came out of the site, we met up with a TV crew which included a former Miss Universe contestant (apparently a household name, judging from our Filipino friend's stunned reaction). She was filming a segment for a nationally broadcast show on local monkey conservation and asked if she could interview us. So we perched with her on a low-lying tree branch (me in my visibly wet shirt and still squelching in my sandals) and tried to think up intelligent things to say about macaque conservation, a topic about which neither of us had ever THOUGHT until that moment. Apparently it aired a few days later on a show called "100% Pinoy" -- a very appropriate name, as such a story could only happen in the Philippines!

Andrea Sachs: Well, it is another soggy Monday, so your story is absolutely fitting. Thanks for posting it.

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Adams Morgan, D.C.: What are the five or so closest spa resorts to D.C.? I need a getaway for a few nights but would rather spend my money on facials, not fuel.

KC Summers: Hi AM. We're lucky in DC to have some world-class spas within a few hours' drive. Here are a few of the closest:
* Nemacolin Woodlands, in Farmington, Pa., 183 miles.
* The Greenbrier, in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va., about 250 miles (4 1/2 hours).
* The Homestead, Hot Springs, Va., 210 miles (about 4 hours).
* Keswick Hall, outside Charlottesville, Va., about 116 miles (about 2 hours).
* Lansdowne Resort, outside Leesburg, Va., about an hour.
Anyone else have faves to recommend?

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Silver Spring, Md.: Hello,

We are leaving next week for a wedding in Lima. We are going to take advantage of visiting Peru to see Machu Picchu (of course) and parts of the southern coast.

I'd welcome any other must-sees in that country, but want to ask an airline question.

We're going to fly from Lima to Cuzco, near Machu Picchu. Airfare on Lan, the main airline, is about $350 per person. Airfare on Star Peru, however, is $200 per person.

Have you heard of Star Peru? How do you check out a foreign airline you've never heard of? Also, are we taking a chance, since Star Peru only has one or two flights on that route per day, while Lan has about eight?

By the way, Gary Lee's article on Arequipa five or six years ago put Peru on my mental map... and yet, we're not going to Arequipa. Perhaps that is a bad mistake...

washingtonpost.com: Peru travel stories (Travel Section archive on washingtonpost.com)

Cindy Loose: Being concerned about airlines in developing countries is a very wise concern. Airlines in Latin America have six times more fatal accidents than those in North America. The stats are even worse in Africa.
I don't have a perfect answer, but one place to start is with the association of international airlines. The association sets some safety standards and doesn't admit, or kicks out, airlines that don't meet those standards. They don't run "bad airlines" but list those that have met their standards at: http://www.iata.org/ps/certification/iosa/registry.htm
Secondly, the EU list isn't anywhere near complete but it lists foreign airlines that want to fly to Europe but are banned from doing so because of their safety problems. If you find an airline on the banned list at ec.europe.en/transport/air-ban/list-en.htm, don't take it. If it's not on the list, though, it might just mean it's never applied to fly to Europe.
The FAA doesn't investigate individual overseas airlines, but does study whether or not a country has adequate oversight of its air services. Peru gets a one, meaning they're okay. Among those getting a 2, which is not okay: Belize, Paraguay, Philippines, Uruguay, Honduras, Haiti, Serbia, and a number in Africa and Asia. Go to www.faa.gov/passengers/international-travel

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Washington, D.C.: I planned my wedding for November on Grand Bahama Island. The only problem is NO airline flies there directly. Do you know why this is? Is any airline planning this service? When do you think would be a good time for guests to purchase their airfare (coming from NY/DC)?

Thanks!

Carol Sottili: You're right - no nonstop flights from the Washington region to Freeport. And I don't know of any plans to start this service. United, US Airways and American have the most convenient connections, with flights taking four-six hours each way, including connecting times. From LaGuardia, US Airways has a nonstop returning from Freeport, but you connect going down.
As for fares, I think you should start scouring Web sites in search of sales and alert your guests when one hits. Some Web sites will send email alerts on sales, but most don't include foreign destinations. I think Orbitz's Deal Detector may include foreign cities. Keep an eye out on the airline Web sites, and on such sites as www.travelzoo.com and www.independenttraveler.com.

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Washington, D.C.: Can you recommend a good Vermont inn or b and b? Thanks.

washingtonpost.com: Vermont Travel Stories (Travel Section archive on washingtonpost.com)

Christina Talcott: Where are you going in Vermont? Last summer I went to Middlebury and stayed in a lovely place right in the middle of town called Inn on the Green (www.innonthegreen.com). The best part, IMO, was the tray of coffee, juice, fruit and fresh-baked pastries from Otter Creek Bakery that they'd deliver to your door. For places other than Middlebury, check out our collection of Vermont stories on the link below, or search bbonline.com and bnbfinder.com for more recommendations.

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D.C.: I just booked a ticket for next February from National to Ixtapa, Mexico. We leave DCA at 6:00 a.m. and have 32 minutes to catch our connecting flight in Houston. Should I be nervous at what little time we have to connect?

Andrea Sachs: Well, not to freak you out, but yes that is tight, especially if your DCA flight is delayed. Is it too late to change the connection? If it is, research later flight times to Ixtapa, so you can be prepared if you miss your original flight.

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Packing Light: Avoiding not only a second bag, but a first: When I went to Paris last spring for five days, I only took a backpack. And not one of those "backpacking-in-Europe" backpacks, but one a student would use in school. I brought disposable toiletries and ready to be thrown out underwear and socks so I didn't have to bring them back home; didn't bring books but rather magazines I could leave behind; and rewore my shirts and sweater. It was wonderful, although I don't think the airline staff believed that was all I had!

KC Summers: I'm with you! And here's a great magazine tip I learned from my colleague Andrea: If you take a few minutes to tear out all the pages that are only ads, you won't believe how much lighter the mags will be!

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Gaithersburg, Md.: State Dept Warnings: no protest here. Actually, I'll back you up on it. The people who do that analytical work are very focused and serious. They also totally "get" that they're overcautious on general warnings (the ones you find in "country-specific information"). If a country or region is on the actual "travel warning" list, really, take it seriously. As you say, people go to and come home safely from those places, but, you know, sometimes they don't (and not just for the random reasons one can experience even in downtown DC in broad daylight).

Cindy Loose: Thanks for the back up. It's one thing to get scared reading about the street crime in a given city, and the State Dept. lists all hazards. But it's quite another thing for a country to land on a do not travel list---there aren't that many of them.

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Airfares and Airlines: I once had a US Air flight from Phoenix to Charlotte that was delayed due to mechanical reasons. Just about all of us who had connections missed them. I was actually surprised when they had already arranged us with flights for the following morning as well as hotels.

This made the time to go through rather easier, but they didn't rebook passengers on other airlines if possible.

Many were upset because they had left their stuff in checked bags so they didn't have clothing or makeup.

For any traveler who is looking to book around the holiday weekend times... If you are traveling across country $400 will be a good deal unless Southwest flies there and they have one of those $99 web sales for the summer. The best time to look for these fares will be between Tuesday and Thursday with usually the best fares on Wednesday night.

Cindy Loose: Thanks.

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How to do Kruger National Park: The self-drive option in KNP is wonderful as your posters have said. But adjacent to KNP and connected to it, with no fences, are lots of private game reserves. They are luxurious and take their customers out at night, and they are in radio contact with their own and other reserves' drivers, so you get to see really wonderful things, like lions hunting, leopards in trees, and so on. I recommend two or three days of self-driving in KNP and one or 2 days at one of the private game reserves to get the best of all possible worlds. Yes, those private ones are pricey, but you've just paid more than $1,000 to get there and you're probably not going back soon, so do it.

Christina Talcott: Thanks for the advice. A colleague lent me a DVD from a park he visited outside Kruger where they were rehabilitating animals and people could pet the cheetahs and other critters. So incredible!

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Dupont Circle: Can you or any of the chatters help shed some light on train travel in Italy? Is it best to purchase a ticket online before I get to Italy, or is it better to buy the ticket there? I will have a few days in Milan before the train travel commences. Thanks for the help. Love these sessions.

Cindy Loose: I don't know of any advantage to waiting if you know for sure when you need to take the train. Does anyone else know an advantage about which I'm unaware? Trains do sell out, so buying in advance seems advisable unless your timing is uncertain.

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Gaithersburg, Md.: Greetings. My boyfriend and I, along w/one other friend, are going to Figuera Da Foz, Portugal Oct 11-25. We're trying to figure out whether to buy tix now (to Lisbon) ($800 out of BWI and $740 DCA), or if they will drop between now and then. We're also open to flying to Madrid if it's a great deal cheaper and taking the train. Any thoughts/advice?

Carol Sottili: That sounds about right for fall travel. You might save a couple of bucks by going through Madrid, but not enough to make that plan worth the time. Look at fares to Lisbon out of Boston on Azores Express (www.azores-express.com), and look on Iberia's Web site at fares to Madrid, just for comparison's sake.

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Arlington, Va.: how dirty do your clothes, including underwear, really get? Obviously if you are in a tropical climate things will get a bit wet, but you can hang them up to dry. I don't get why people think wearing the same underwear for a couple of days is such a gross idea. And if you are visiting a cool climate you can get away with rotating all your clothes without having to wash them. Most people stay in places where they can take a shower to get themselves clean. So how dirty do your undies get during the course of a day? Unless your hygiene is really awful I don't see why this is a big deal to people. Unless you are rolling around in mud every day it's just not necessary to take lots of clothing with you. Or you can always have your laundry done. Personally when I am traveling the last thing I want to do is waste my time sitting in a laundromat. But if your hotel has reasonable laundry service (usually they don't) or there is a full service, by the kilo laundry nearby to drop things off that also works well. I spent way more money on laundry in Siem Reap than I really wanted to because I just used to hotel laundry service, but I got a week or 10 days worth done for about $30 I think and ultimately I decided it was worth it to me not to have to hassle with it another way.

KC Summers: Okay, one vote for re-using dirty underwear. I have to say, aside from the grossness factor (and if I have to explain why, you're probably beyond hope), underwear just doesn't take up that much room in a suitcase! Especially if you follow our time-honored tip of packing old, hole-y underwear and then throwing it away as you go. It's the big stuff like jeans and shoes that you should be re-wearing.

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Washington, D.C.: Anyone been to Dia de los Muertos festivities in/around Oaxaca, Mexico? Thinking of going this year. Apparently it's about a week of festivities leading up to the big day/days. Just wondering how many days someone might want to dedicate to the holiday versus time spent seeing other towns/sights in the region... it's kind of neat to travel to big festivals but it's also nice to see things the way they are when there's not a massive festival underway.

Andrea Sachs: I have always wanted to go to Day of the Dead! I think that festival is an amazing way to be part of a culture and tradition, and you can travel to different towns and experience their celebrations as well. I say do it, then return if you want to see Mexico the more common way.

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NYC Hotels: For the person seeking family hotels...

I got a really good deal at the Radisson Martinique on Broadway (near Macys) around Christmas b/c I found a lower rate on hotels.com. Radisson not only matched it, but also gave a 25% discount. Wound up being $141/ night including all taxes/fees.

Scott Vogel: Maybe there's hope for Manhattan after all?

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On driving in South Africa: I was the writer who went to Kruger. We got a decent road atlas and, like the other safari-goer, didn't have any trouble driving (my wife's job was to say "stay left!" every time I made a turn). We went from the Johannesburg airport to Kruger and back, flew to Cape Town, and then drove around the countryside near Cape Town. We did avoid driving in cities and made sure to be off the roads by dark. In fact, the only car related difficulty was that I forgot which rental agency I had reserved with. Fortunately the Jo-burg airport only has five or six car rental companies, so that only cost us 10 minutes and a few strange looks.

Christina Talcott: Haha, I love that saying "stay left!" was your wife's job! Whenever I took the wheel, Abby did the same thing, all the while gripping the dashboard. Glad to hear you managed it well, despite forgetting where the rental place was.

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Arlington, Va.: I'm flying into Stockholm this summer and am horrified by the hotel prices. It seems that even a hostel would cost $100 for two adults - and that is without all the extras like bedding. We've been considering two options: 1. Waiting and going to a hotel placement agency once we arrive and seeing if we can get a place at a pension or a last minute cheap hotel price or - 2. Leaving Stockholm and spending the night in a cheaper city - Uppsala perhaps? Do you all have any advice about whether it is worth it to stay in Stockholm? And if so, how to do it cheaply. Thanks!

Cindy Loose: Sweden overall is a pricey place, which is why we don't cover it as often as we'd like. Any advice from you guys?

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Re: Mid-life crisis: Hi,

20 year travel industry veteran with hotel and tour operator background, now travel agent and industry consultant. I have seen many people who love to travel but do not really understand the way things work in the travel industry. There are a lot of unknowns to the public, and a lot of secrets on the way things work, pricing, rooms allocation, plane seats, tour arrangements etc. Plus, you always rely on other people to deliver on what they promised and it becomes extremely challenging to make up for it when someone drops the ball (and believe me it happens often, no matter how high end the hotel or operation may be). You really have to be passionate about this to make it happen and keep going without getting frustrated. Also, there are ton of people who make a big deal of small things and you have to make up for it as well. Don't get me wrong, I love what I do, but I have been in the industry long enough to see that people who "love to travel" are not always that fond of working it. I agree with the writer that you need to first get into it from one end and see if you like it. Even working at a hotel at a basic capacity can give you an idea of what it is like, and the nice thing is, once you understand how it works, you can jump to something else. You really really have to be passionate about it though, that is all I can say...

KC Summers: Great advice from an industry insider. Thanks much for sharing.

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Bermuda: Regarding 50 pounds being more than enough: Not everyone is traveling simply for leisure vacations. Many many many people visit family (and friends) abroad and bring gifts and clothes to their countries of origin or bring back items that are quite expensive outside of the States. In Bermuda where everything is imported, people find it cheaper to buy a whole range of items in the States and bring them back in their suitcases or check large items as luggage.

Cindy Loose: True, but I'm guessing that with the new charges, folks are going to find that it's cheaper to mail stuff than to check it.

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Re: Onsite hotels at Universal: One of the biggest things, in my opinion, that makes them worth it, is that you get unlimited FastPass privileges at the rides with your room key. If I remember correctly, the regular Universal FastPass that you can purchase at the park only allows you one "line-cut" per ride, while that's unlimited for Universal hotel guests. It's a great perk, especially since those parks close fairly early.

John Deiner: WHAT?!?? Okay, that's a good -- nay, great -- thing to know. Some of the lines in that place are ridiculously long. But the entire fam gets the privilege? Can four people use it to cut to the front? If so, it very well could be worth it.

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Takoma, D.C.: "I can't imagine going ANYWHERE that requires 50 pounds of luggage" - comments like this are so annoying. Really? You can't imagine being a person with a health problem that requires you to cart around equipment? Or traveling with camping gear? Or humanitarian supplies? Or any other kind of gear that takes up space and weight? Ok, so you personally don't take trips that require 50 pounds of luggage. How about sparing two or three seconds of brain power to consider that not everyone has the same circumstances or the same reasons for traveling?

Cindy Loose: Okay, we're listening.

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Packing: This has been mentioned dozens of times in previous chats, but it bears repeating: monochrome! I wear black, gray and white when I travel - that way I can take 2 pairs of shoes (dressy and casual/walking) and they match everything. And that way, too, you can mix and match to your heart's content: Shirts work with whatever pants/shorts/skirts/shoes I packed - easy!

KC Summers: You're so right. I always have a black base -- the only variable is my tops. That way I just don't have to think about it.

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Oviedo, Fla.: re: hotels near Universal - for a splurge try the Marriott Grande Lakes or next door Ritz, esp. if you seek golf or tennis or spa. They are very close to Universal. Almost as close as Hampton Inn Florida Mall. All would require a car to make best use of your time.

If you have a car take a morning at Bok Sanctuary bell tower and garden. A pretty spot about an hour south of the theme parks. A dreamlike world of historic plants, trees and carillon with a daily concert. Best photo backdrop in Fla.

John Deiner: Thanks, Oviedo . . . for that matter, they could try Disney World hotels as well, as the drive isn't that far between the two.

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Native New Jerseyan: I haven't stayed at the Hyatt Jersey City, but have stayed twice at the Doubletree Jersey City, which is about 2 blocks south of the Newport PATH station. (Not near the Doubletree). Great beds, great view, parking lot adjacent to building, but no experience with eating there, though. I've also stayed at the Marriott Courtyard adjacent to the Newport PATH -- I expected (and think I paid for) a room with separate LR/tv area and got a king room. No view, and at the overpriced buffet the dining room manager watched us like a hawk, since I paid $4 for a bowl of oatmeal, and he was afraid I'd eat a muffin, too. If you want to stay in the city, I've heard the Apple Core hotels (mentioned on one of the Post articles, I think) are convenient and a pretty good deal. But the view of the Manhattan skyline is spectacular -- and when it's time to leave on Sunday, you take the PATH to your car, drive about ½ a mile to the Turnpike connector and avoid the mosh pit that forms around the tunnels on the Manhattan side.

Scott Vogel: I can second this recommendation for the Doubletree. It too is a good value and often available at discounts through Priceline, Hotwire, etc., although as you point out, it's a bit more a walk, which is a consideration you'll want to keep in mind if you have very small children.

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Philadelphia: When it's not business travel, I pack everything in a carry-on - and it's a backpack that fits under the seat in front of me, too. My tricks are to wear my thickest clothes (the one pair of jeans I'll have along, the one sweater/fleece/sweatshirt I'll want over a tee-shirt that I'll use to sleep in the rest of the time, and a jacket with zip pockets that hold my wallet, phone, and camera), and then in the bag I'll have a thin pair of slightly nicer pants, a skirt, thin running socks instead of my usual thicker ones, underwear, and hiking/climbing shirts that are base layer shirts, so they're extra thin and can be crumpled into any sort of shape and not be very wrinkled. The backpack's a normal-sized one I got in the U.K. one time - 20 liters that expands to 30 - and is smaller than many of the laptop/briefcase combos I see being dragged on. None of the clothes were expensive, they can be mixed up, and even with them in the bag there's room for toiletries, my laptop, reading material, and a sandwich or two.

It just takes patience, practice, and being practical - even with the little I take I often end up not wearing everything once on a trip, even if I'm gone for a week. I realize not everyone can, or will want, to get down to just a backpack, but even if you don't, using thin clothes that are originally designed as some sort of athletic gear will really cut down on both weight and space. And they no longer scream "weekend warrior" - you can get stuff that looks completely "normal."

Cindy Loose: Travel gear places also sell some swell lightweight stuff, and clothing that doesn't wrinkle, and fast dry clothing.

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old adage repeated by years of male college students who don't like to do laundry... you can wear your underwear four times : Hmmmm. I've known many male college students who didn't smell very good. Perhaps this explains it.

KC Summers: Although I have to admit, it is rather ingenious of them.

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Md.: it isn't just the roads that close at dusk. Many of the camp sites/lodges close their gates and dusk and you had better make sure you're back in by then.

I've camped in Africa - while most times you are perfectly safe and will never have any trouble, it isn't like you can just call "AAA" if you have a flat or car trouble. And like it or not, there are many folks that get riled at simply seeing an American passport. I was once yelled at for 30 minutes by a customs agent in Botswana for no other reason than I put an American passport in front of him. South Africa is one thing, but there are many places on the continent where you reallyreallyreally should use guided tours or at the very least a local guide.

Christina Talcott: Thanks for your note. I'm sorry you had such trouble with your passport! I've heard lots of stories about shady/angry border guards in West Africa from former Peace Corps volunteers, but I don't know anything about traveling in Botswana. That said, I think it really pays to do research and talk to people before striking out on ANY trip, but especially a place without the kind of tourism history that, say, Europe has. And it does make a HUGH difference to visit a place with someone who knows the area.

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Houston, Tex.: My travel agent friend told me that it is cheaper to buy train tickets in person in Italy. Online there are a ton more fees.

Cindy Loose: Ah--can anyone out there confirm?

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Arlington, Va.: any idea if these second bag fees will be added to international flights any time soon?

Carol Sottili: Some airlines, including Delta and US Airways, are already assessing the fee on international flights. If it works for them, others will follow.

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Anonymous: Italy train tickets: buy a ticket AND what's called a seat reservation IN PERSON in Italy. Not online.

Cindy Loose: Thank you anonymous, who doesn't tell how he/she knows about buying train tickets in Italy, but seems very confident and sure, so I'd go with that.

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Favorite Spas: If you'd like a little chocolate thrown in with your spa treatments, I'd recommend the Hershey Hotel and Spa. I would not, however, recommend going in the summer because I hear that, even at the prices the Hershey Hotel charges, it's overrun with kids. We went mid-week in the late fall and it was wonderful!

KC Summers: Oh thanks, I meant to include them -- they have a very nice spa, up to and including chocolate baths!

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Washington, D.C.: Maybe I'm just a light packer, but I've never traveled anywhere that I needed to check a second bag. That includes going to NYC for a week on business and only taking my smaller sized bag and a purse. I pack clothes that coordinate well, and that I can wear more than once. By coordinate, I mean everything. I don't want to pack black shoes AND brown shoes, so I only pack outfits that will go with one or the other color. I do not take much of jewelry - I will wear one casual pair of earrings that go with everything, and pack one dressy pair only if I already know I'm going to need it. I tend to pack more shirts, but wear the same pants or skirts over and over. If I'm going to need to dress up one night, I take a dressy top, and pair it with pants or a skirt that can be dressed down as well. With shoes, I never take more than 2 pairs. If I can get away with a single pair, that's even better. Enough underwear for 3 days and I wash them overnight in the sink if it's a longer trip. I look over the list of what's in the hotel and don't pack anything that will be in the room - blowdryer, shampoo, soap, etc. If it's supposed to be in the room and it's not, I ask for it. And, I always wear the same outfit on the journey to and from, with my sneakers. But my best