Best suggestions for saving money on summer vacations, St. Lucia, train travel, Tortola, Iceland and more
The Flight Crew
Washington Post Travel Section
Monday, May 12, 2008
2:00 PM
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: off-the-beaten-path sightseeing in Boston; tips on making those travel dollars stretch this summer; a luxurious weekend at the Keswick Hall resort in Virginia; and a journey to discover the true history of Mother's Day.
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
____________________
Scott Vogel: Hi everybody on this dreary Monday and welcome to our weekly roundtable discussion on all things sunny and travel-related. Joining me today are KC, Andrea, Cindy, Carol and Christina, each of whom is ready to field your queries and quandaries, rants and raves. Which brings me to this: As we reported yesterday, May is traditionally the time when thoughts turn to summer vacation and those wonderfully long days ahead. But as you may have noticed, things are different this May. Thanks to a perfect storm of high gas prices, high air fares, mortgage woes and fears of recession, Americans are searching for travel bargains like never before. If you've read yesterday's story, you've heard some of our ideas (see link below). Now it's time for us to hear some of yours. What's your best suggestion for how to save money on summer vacation this year? The chatter with the coolest advice will win a particularly cool prize this week, a Swiss army flash drive/keychain/writing instrument/pen light.
_______________________
washingtonpost.com: Summer Trip Planner (Post Travel Section, May 11)
Scott Vogel: Here you go.
_______________________
Kingstowne, Va.: A couple of follow-up pointers from last week:
-- One chatter noted that she was flying to Edinburgh on BA and Cindy Loose noted that this would likely involve flying into Terminal 5 at LHR and then connecting to T1. Flights from Dulles, BWI, Philadelphia, and Newark are continuing to operate to T4 until further notice; flights from JFK move to T5 on June 5. Just something to consider...I'm not sure it makes any practical difference in terms of the inept baggage handling at LHR!
-- There was some discussion of the European liquid rules. The rule for what you can bring through security in the EU (including the UK) is similar to the USA except that the plastic bag is a one-litre bag and the containers are 100-millilitre containers. Supposedly the TSA people have been instructed to allow these sizes, which are MINIMALLY bigger than the sizes in the weird measurements we use here, but the TSA doesn't publicize it. More importantly, as to duty-free, you can buy airside duty-free liquids at any airport in the EU and carry it through security onto your connecting flight provided you maintain it in the sealed bag from the duty-free shop and you carry your receipt proving that the purchase was made within the last 24 hours. (Thus, if you buy liquor in Copenhagen, you are supposed to be able to carry it through security at Flight Connections at Heathrow and onto your flight to the USA. I think it's easier just to go to the whisky shop in T3 or T4.....) HOWEVER, when you arrive in the USA, you'll be forced to check it if you have a connection because we obviously know so much more about security than the EU people do. If the airport to which you first fly in the USA is your final destination, you need not worry about this.
Cindy Loose: Great advice, thanks.
And you are right that BA has delayed sending flights from D.C. into the new terminal, as you describe. The difference last week was that the person flying already lives abroad and so was initially taking a flight within Europe, so she would e using the new terminal.
_______________________
Fairfax, Virginia: We will be going to Paris in several weeks -- could you please make some suggestions about how we travel from Charles DeGaulle airport to inner city Paris -- we will be staying near the Franklin Roosevelt metro station -- my husband has some back problems so the mode of transportation cannot be to difficult -- thanks.
Also any suggestions about clothing for early June?
Christina Talcott: There are a bunch of ways to get into Paris from Charles de Gaulle, among them the Airport Shuttle, which is about 30 euros per person. (See different options at www.paris.org/Airports.) The RER is the cheapest way to get into the city; take it from the airport to Chatelet, then transfer to line A or 1 to get to the FDR stop. I've only ever taken the RER or a taxi (which I'd recommend against because of the cost), so I'm curious to hear from people who've taken the airport shuttle, Air France bus or RoissyBus - anyone out there who can share?
As for clothes, I'd bring/wear lots of layers because it could be 80 and sunny or 50 and rainy - like DC in May, huh?
_______________________
Alexandria, Va.: I noted the following comment in Scott Vogel's story in yesterday's paper: "Let's not mince words. Only a chump would take a long driving vacation this summer unless there was a gas card waiting for him when he got to his destination. Really."
I find this statement to be somewhat offensive. I've got a driving vacation to Nova Scotia planned, and part of the reason for driving is that it winds up being more cost-effective than flying and renting a car, and it avoids the hassles of (a) dealing with the TSA, (b) connecting in Boston or Montreal, and (c) being limited in one's luggage (golf clubs will be part of what I take). The trip from Alexandria to Portland (where one catches the Cat Ferry to Nova Scotia) is about 560 miles; I drive a manual-shift Acura TL and at 30 mpg on the highway, that distance is not even a tank and a half of gas. Yes, I have to use 93 octane, but who cares? At $4.00 a gallon, the drive from here to Portland runs about $75 of gas plus some tolls. The drive around Nova Scotia uses a bit more gas because it's not Interstate-grade driving (and thus the mileage suffers a little), but the point is this:
Supposed I spend $400 on gas for the trip. For two people to fly to Halifax, I'd be looking at around $600 per person, plus bag-check fees (golf clubs would likely be overweight, too), plus car rental of around $1,000 for a midsize car for the two-week period we have planned. So as far as I'm concerned, even with the roundtrip $729 fare on the Cat Ferry (five-and-a-half hours from Portland to Yarmouth, versus driving at least ten hours via New Brunswick), I come out ahead on a driving vacation compared to flying.
It seems to me that the real "chump" is the person who automatically panics just because gas costs more than it did in prior years. You can't put your life on hold just because some things are more expensive.
Scott Vogel: Well, of course, I didn't mean to offend. In fact, the "chumps" I was referring to are not people who take driving trips, but those who do it UNLESS there is a gas card waiting for them at their destination (which is somewhat facetious, but you get the idea). Driving trips themselves are not only a good idea these days but may well be essential given the present economic climate.
_______________________
Baltimore, Md.: What do you do when you're on a road trip and your car breaks down? My 21-year-old son called me Friday night to tell his car broke down on the side of a highway in West Virginia. I told him to dial #77 to get the State Police and a tow truck to the nearest town. Fortunately, that worked. But not every state has #77. What should a traveler do?
Cindy Loose: This makes a good case for joining AAA or an alternative road service service, if I may be allowed to say that.
Besides that or calling police, I can't think of any alternative, can anyone else?
_______________________
College Park, Md.: I am planning a conference this fall for a small non-profit organization. Approximately 60 people will be traveling from every state in the country and from a couple of US territories.
I need a way to arrange flights from 45 different states and 2 US territories as cheaply as possible. The non-profit will pay for all flights, and since we are small, money IS an object.
Do you know of any web sites or companies that can help? Is there anyone who can give us a discounted rate?
Any thoughts will be greatly appreciated.
Christina Talcott: Boy, we're pretty stumped about that. Any chatters have suggestions for College Park?
_______________________
Cleveland, Ohio: To the person with the stress fracture who was looking for a drivable city to visit... how about Cleveland? We have tons of great restaurants (including 2 by the new American Iron Chef, Michael Symon), museums, a botanical garden, shopping, a wonderful theater district and a great baseball team if you are into sports. Unlike in larger cities, driving and parking are a breeze in Cleveland.
Scott Vogel: Here's a belated suggestion in response to a question submitted a few weeks back.
_______________________
Alexandria, Va: I have read recommendations from people who indicate travelers should bring healthy food with them on trips to avoid the food courts at airports. However, I thought that security restrictions prohibited food, even something like a packaged granola bar, in carry-on bags. Obviously I could put healthy snacks in my checked bags but I think that defeats the purpose if the idea is to have something when you are facing a 2 to 3-hour delay. Can you clarify what food stuffs can be brought through security?
KC Summers: No, the rules don't prohibit all food, just gels and liquids. So you're perfectly fine bringing granola bars, baggies of trail mix and nuts, carrots, sandwiches etc. And you can even bring gels (yogurt, Jell-O, etc) and liquids if they're in 3-ounce containers or smaller -- although remember they have to fit into your Zip-Loc bag. Go to the TSA Web site for a complete list of foods allowed: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm#10
_______________________
"Summer" Travel: I've found that great way to save a bit o' coin on travelling is, frankly, to travel just outside of the peak travel season. So yes, technically I'm not really talking about "summer" travel. But travelling just before Memorial Day, and travelling just after Labor Day, often yields pretty substantial savings even though the summer weather hasn't left us completely yet. For example, Rehoboth in the later weeks of September has some astonishing room rates, especially when compared to what they charge in the height of July.
Scott Vogel: Absolutely -- shoulder seasons, if you can get the time off, offer great bargains.
_______________________
Washington, D.C.: I'd like to take my mom on a hot air balloon ride for her birthday (its been a dream of hers forever). Any ideas? I found one place out of Charlottesville, looking for a little closer, if possible.
Cindy Loose: Funny you should ask, because I was looking for myself last week and also trying to put together a list. I haven't called them all yet, but when looking in Va. came up with Valey Ballooning in Woodstock Va. (540 975 0192) less two hours away, Virginia Balloon Adventures in Basye Va., just over two hours away, and Shenandoah Hot Air Balloons in Front Royal, which is the closest yet, 540-636 2150.
For other locations in nearby states, you're gonna have to wait until I finish my research and run the story June 8.
_______________________
Summer Vacation: My plan for a cheaper vacation is two-fold. First, I tend to take any trips during the spring, when there's less tourists anyway and so prices are lower. Second, I am planning for each of my (divorced) parents to visit me at different times. I'll take a few days off work to keep them company as they hit the sites and, inevitably, they'll pay for most of the food and any entry fees (eg Newseum, hopefully!) The only thing I usually pay for is Metro (which can add up, if they stay far outside the city). And while I use my Smartrip card, to make the "vacation" even more authentic, I stand on the left on the escalators and am in the first one in an arriving Metro car!
Scott Vogel: Well, clearly your plan is nothing if not meticulous. And as someone who just visited the Newseum courtesy my parents (thanks Dad!) I will vouch for the place as a great new destination for visitors. (If only those prices weren't so high...)
_______________________
Columbia, Md.: Hi all,
My honeymoon will take my fiance and me to St. Lucia in July. We are staying at a Sandals and know all of the pros and cons of all-inclusive resorts. That being said, I wanted an opinion on the off-resort activities in St. Lucia. Sandals offers many excursions, but would it be better to go for a separate company (cheaper, less crowded)? We are particularly interested in the Jungle Zip line and the volcano tour.
Also, I am a certified diver, and Sandals does offer diving. What have you heard about diving experiences through Sandals?
Andrea Sachs: There are definitely two sides to that coin.
If you go with the Sandals excursions, then, for the most part, you know you will be in safe hands. However, you likely will pay more booking through the resort. If you book off-site, be extra careful that the company is legit and responsible. Check with the St. Lucia Tourist Board or ask other guests for recommendations.
I personally have not heard about Sandals diving program, but most resorts have pretty standard programs, offering "certification" and dives to various sites. If your new wife takes a course, be sure you understand what kind of certification she is receiving. Most are just good for that resort stay and only in shallow water. For PADI or NAUI, you will have to take a more intensive course.
_______________________
Manchester, N.H.: Just wanted to throw out a tip for your Boston-bound readers. For great food and a beer list reminiscent of The Brickskeller's, head to the Publick House on Beacon St. in Brookline. (Accessible via the T on the Green Line C train to Washington Sq.)
washingtonpost.com: You've Done This, Now Try This ( Post Travel Section, May 11)
Andrea Sachs: Good choice. I have downed a pint or two there as well.
_______________________
Bowie, Md.: My suggestion for summer vacation this year might not be that original but definitely worthwhile - become a tourist in your own back yard. How many of us haven't done the things that tourists travel 1000's of miles to do in our own towns - Go to the top of the Washington Monument (or the Empire State building, etc.)? We have so much to appreciate in our own areas, we ignore the obvious. Spend a hot Saturday afternoon at an art gallery... or even your local pool. With things so expensive this year, you can transport your body someplace IF you transport your mind...
Scott Vogel: One word: staycation. I'm with ya -- sadly.
_______________________
Washington, D.C.: Are you aware of any web sites that give information on the in-flight entertainment capabilities of a specific flight? For instance, how can you tell if a specific flight has personal video monitors vs. a big screen in the front of the coach cabin vs. nothing at all?
I have flights overseas in the next month. I would like to know if my specific flights will have the personal video monitors, or if I should stock up on books and magazines before I get on the plane.
Thanks!
Carol Sottili: Before I answer your question, have to give you all a quick report from the field. I'm in Ocean City, right on the bay, and the weather here is WILD!! Sustained winds of 39 mph, with gusts to 58 mph, and driving rain. I had to strap down balcony furniture with dog leashes and bungee chords, and the table is still levitating from wind. Coastal marsh is completely covered and building is shaking. Kind of fun in a slightly scary way. Anyone else out there get a kick out of this sort of weather?
On to your question, most airlines post info on their flights' entertainment capabilities on their Web pages. For example, if you go to Virgin Atlantic, you'll find that there is seat-back entertainment on all international flights, although not all have on-demand movies. When you check your specific flight details, it will tell you what type of plane is scheduled to fly, and you can then figure out what is offered. But it's not fail-safe. Before I took my Virgin Atlantic flight, for example, I checked the plane type, and was happy to see that I was getting an on-demand type entertainment system. But they switched planes at last minute, and I got one of the older systems. Bring books!
_______________________
Tarpon Springs, Fla.: In "Summer Travel", you said to "take advantage of booking sites that allow travelers to see when airfares are the lowest in days". Can you please elaborate.
I recently searched AOL Travel for a flight from DC to SFO. My first search yielded a $181 fare. When I went back to the site a few hours later, that same flight was $237.
I know Tues and Wed is the best time to book, but what about times of day?
Thank you
Scott Vogel: I really like Hotwire's TripStarter.com, which gives you a good general idea of when prices are lowest in a specific area, but you can also try Farecast.com and FareCompare.com. As you might expect, flights tend to be earliest at the ungodly hour of 5-6 a.m., which typically necessitates pulling an all-nighter and arriving at the airport around 4.
_______________________
Austin, Tex.: Hi, can you post a link to the island guide that was up a while ago? It compared several islands and looked helpful in deciding where to go. thanks!
washingtonpost.com: The always popular Island Finder
Scott Vogel: Voila.
_______________________
Bay City, Michigan: My husband and I would like to take the train out to Salt Lake City, see the sites and then rent a car to drive to Colorado Springs to see our children and then fly back to Michigan. I wonder if anyone out there has advice on train travel and whether or not we should use a travel agent to arrange this trip. Thanks for your column--I enjoy reading it.
Cindy Loose: This doesn't seem to complicated to arrange on your own, assuming that the trains from where you are to Salt Lake City aren't terribly convoluted, and if they are, there's nothing a travel agent can do about that anyway.
Just go to www.amtrak.com. I'm guessing that you'll have to change trains in Chicago because that is a major transit point. Just make sure you can get one that is fairly direct and doesn't make you change trains with a long wait at some horrible hour. I know from D.C. to Chicago is a straight shot and inexpensive. But when I lived a time in Detroit and wanted my parents to visit, they had to go via Chicago and change at the most unbelievable times, and it ended up taking forever and then some. But from Chicago I'm guessing you'll do okay. You can find out for sure with a quick web search.
Most travel websites--the largest are www.travelocity.com, orbitz.com and expedia.com--also rent cars. Just be sure the cost you choose includes taxes and insurance.
Then again, if you'd rather not hassle with the planning, a travel agent is a good way to go. It's like any other service---they know things you don't and so the work they do will be faster than you can do it.
_______________________
Chevy Chase: I will be in London next week and am looking for suggestions on where to go for a day trip from London.
My options are:
a. Cambridge
b. Oxford
c. Elsewhere (suggest something)
I've already been to Bath.
Thanks, in advance, for any suggestions!
KC Summers: I vote for Oxford, the 15th-century town that revolves around the famous university, and it's such an easy day trip from London -- just over an hour by train. If you haven't been there, you really should make the time. Ditto for Stonehenge and Salisbury, as touristy as they are. Also, though it might sound far, Wales is just a couple of hours away and would give you a great scenery fix.
What say you, chatters?
_______________________
Washington, D.C. (formerly Boston, Mass.): Just curious how you arrived at the "insider" spots in Boston? I grew up in Boston and live in DC now, and while the places you mention are more off the beaten path, I'm not sure I would consider them local "favorites." For instance, I don't know any Bostonian that would choose to go to a Revolution game over a Sox game any day (going to a Rev game may be more affordable, but it certainly isn't more desirable). Oh, and no one calls the South End SoWa, sorry. I did like that you spotlighted Eastie, Santarpio's pizza is legendary.
washingtonpost.com: You've Done This, Now Try This ( Post Travel Section, May 11)
Andrea Sachs: Jane Black, the writer, was a long-time resident in Boston, so these were her picks from her pre-D.C. days. Of course, we'd love to hear your suggestions, too.
_______________________
Frugal Travel: A couple suggestions for cutting down travel costs - ASK FOR IT
Get what you want -- from a more relaxing day to more soda on the plane -- simply by asking for it. At hotels, I always request a ridiculously late check-out time of 4 or 5 p.m. That way, I can enjoy a day of exploring then come back to take a shower or simply catch a blast of A/C in bed. The front desk often compromises and offers 2 or 3 p.m. -- still much better than the way-too-early listed checkout times.
This goes double if you're staying at one of the increasingly popular all-inclusive resorts. To get your money's worth, arrive at the crack of dawn for breakfast, or at least before noon, and stick around on your last day for evening cocktails. Finally, request cans on the plane, not just that tiny portion they pour over ice. You just paid $400 for your ticket; they can afford to give you a full 12 ounces.
Scott Vogel: I like these. It seems that the era of the passive traveler is (rightly) coming to an end.
_______________________
Bethesda: I'm going to the Montreal Jazz Fest in July. Any suggestions on hotels or attractions? What's a better way to get to Montreal - flying or taking Amtrak?
Cindy Loose: I'm going to ask our readers to suggest Montreal hotels and attractions and just address getting there:
Amtrak is quite a nice way. Flights into Canada tend to be overpriced, but I'd check anyway. A third alternative if you don't mind driving part of the way: Get a cheap flight into Burlington Vt. or another city near the border and drive the remainder of the way.
_______________________
Cheap Travel - Georgetown: Cook your own food - or fill up at the bar.
While you'll generally pay more for a hotel room with a kitchen, it can end up saving you big bucks. How? Just prepare your own meals - or buy takeout and eat it in the room. (A bagel at Publix will cost you 50 cents - at your hotel coffee shop, it's two bucks.) Also, look for hotels that offer a free breakfast bar - and don't be shy about grabbing a couple of extra pieces of fruit or boxes of cereal for snacks later. And speaking of bars, always stop by the hospitality center at SeaWorld - it's where they serve free samples of beer to guests (limit two glasses per person).
Scott Vogel: Wait, Sea World has free beer?
Definitely like the kitchenette suggestion. Prices can be more reasonable than you think. I got a place in Orlando for 40-something a night recently, and the kitchen was a life-saver.
_______________________
Rockville, Md.: Please help me where Farecast won't! Wife and I are planning a getaway over Labor Day weekend to Chicago. We see airfare on Southwest for $187 roundtrip nonstop from BWI to Midway. Farecast, like Kayak and Sidestep, doesn't include Southwest in their projections. Flight Crew, I come to you to ask for your gut instinct? Pull the trigger now on the $187 fare? Or can I expect a drop? My hunch is to pull the trigger given the gloom and doom over fuel prices affecting the airline industry. Thanks!!
Carol Sottili: Normally, I 'd tell you to sign up for Southwest's Ding fares to see if it'll go lower, but this is a holiday weekend we're talking about. I'd be done with it. The cheapest fares I've seen to Chicago in recent months have been about $150 round trip, which isn't all that much cheaper. I'm guessing the fare you quote includes all taxes/fees. If not, you can do better - keep shopping.
_______________________
Sterling, Va.: A group of us are trying to plan a trip over Thanksgiving to some place beachy and warm. We were thinking of Costa Rica but the airfares are running around $700 and we were hoping for something under $500. Do you have any other destination suggestions? Thanks.
Cindy Loose: Don't know flight prices offhand for Thanksgiving--prices do tend to skyrocket over holidays. However, I can tell you some beachy destinations that tend to be cheaper from the D.C. area for you to check out: San Juan, Puerto Rico, Cancun, Mexico and sometimes Jamaica or the Dominican Republic. I'd also consider the Bahamas.
_______________________
Palm Bay, Fla.: Does anyone else find it difficult to shop for a hotel online if you're at all specific about where you want to stay? I was planning a family trip to visit friends in Leesburg, and every hotel search engine I looked at wanted to lump in all of D.C. - my top choices would come up Dulles (which makes some sense) and the D.C. proper (which doesn't, to me) I didn't find a single one that would only give me results for Leesburg, or within 10 miles of Leesburg, or anything like that. Was I missing something, or are all the search engines just assuming you're not picky?
I'd also like to send a virtual hug to Southwest Airlines, the Days Inn Leesburg, and Budget rent-a-car for letting our poor food-poisoned selves cancel a trip at the last moment with no penalty.
Andrea Sachs: Some of those hotel booking sites only deal with properties in big cities, overlooking the smaller towns. For more streamlined choices, check with the town's visitor center or tourism office. For Leesburg, see www.visitloudoun.org/accommodation/accommodation. Also, look at B&B sites, such as www.bnbfinder.com.
_______________________
Backyard vacation: Especially in the DC Metro area, there are a ton of places to go that are great escapes and won't break a bank. Personally, I've used the suggestions in the Post's own "Trips on a Tank" section and had some great mini-vacations -- Berkeley Springs, WV was a memorable and exceedingly affordable one. Harper's Ferry is also a great escape, as is Mt. Vernon, the Eastern Shore, Charlottesville... even hopping a regional rail and hitting Baltimore for the weekend would be a great vacation without a huge strain on the pocketbook.
Scott Vogel: As noted frugal traveler Tim Leffel, put it in our Sunday story, "this is a good time to discover what is in your home state and home region."
_______________________
Central Calif.: When times are tough, think backwards. There was a time most of us hand to take budget vacations. And I'll bet the memories are still with you.
It might not be the same, but revisiting places and methods from the past might get you over this bump in the travel trail.
I know I have discovered areas close to home that just weren't cool enough when I was younger.
But when the going gets tough, the tough go camping. If you don't have gear, borrow some. You can get outfitted very nicely for about the price of 2 nights in a motel. And tents, sleeping bags, etc. are much more user friendly. I still enjoy a great campsite at a national or state park, with guided trail walks and nature programs at night. It ain't the Caribbean, but it can be very memorable. But let's pray together. This too shall pass...
Scott Vogel: I agree that if ever there was a year to consider a camping vacation, this is it. And for you novices out there, I really like Henry Tom's Web site: www.beginnercampingtips.com.
_______________________
Pasadena: Sites like Farecast.com use past data to predict future prices. Given the wild fuel and airline price increases, do you think they are still accurate (and do their predictions somehow account for the fuel and other uncertainties)?
Cindy Loose: Sites like Farecast.com do take into account fuel and other contingencies. Basically, they study the industry and take into account the same kinds of things a good stockbroker considers when predicting prices, only I think the fare forecasters get it right more often.
I believe Farecast will let you buy some kind of policy where they'll pay you under certain circumstances, like if you buy a fare they say is going down and you buy and it goes up they'll pay the diff. Been awhile since I wrote about that, but that's my memory of it, and you'll find details at their site.
_______________________
Vicker Switch, Va.: Hello Team,
It's OK if you don't take my question today, I'll just keep posting until you do.
Our daughter and son-in-law are a poor librarian and graduate student, and trying to save for a baby or house (whichever comes first), but they do want to take a vacation in August. SO, she has reserved a week in a nice B and B in Cincinnati (they live in Lexington, Ky. and know that area pretty well now). Daughter thinks there will be plenty to do (there's a zoo and an amusement park, maybe a botanical garden?), but I'm wondering if you can think of places/things in Cinci or environs that might be fun, places to eat, etc. I realize it's a tad off the beaten track. Thank you!
Christina Talcott: That sounds like a nice trip, and I'm sure they'll find plenty to do there - not least relax at their nice B&B. A few years back I spent a long weekend staying in the Gaslight district, exploring the funky shops, inexpensive but nice ethnic restaurants, unique houses and green spaces. They could easily spend hours in the Underground Railroad Museum and stroll around the riverside area, visit Eden Park and the art museum, check out the city's microbrew scene. Any chatters have suggestions?
_______________________
My husband's idea of cutting costs when traveling: They call it a condiment bar. He calls it a salad bar.
At a handful of theme-park restaurants - most notably, the Backlot Express at Disney-MGM Studios - there's a condiment bar that allows you to top off your burger to your heart's content. One day, when dear husband was turning his grilled chopmeat into a Dagwood delight, he took stock of all the offerings - lettuce, tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, jalapenos, cheese sauce, etc. - and the thought suddenly occurred: "This isn't a condiment bar - it's a salad bar!"
Now, he orders a soda and asks for an extra plate with my burger, and soon he's chowing down with the rest of the crowd. Who says there's no such thing as a free lunch?
Scott Vogel: Oh, the humanity! Travel gods, do you see what we've been reduced to? Hear our plea!
_______________________
miles usage 101: I haven't used miles to upgrade before, do I just buy any ticket and then upgrade it? Does is have to be a certain class of ticket? We want to take United to Seattle, by husband is a high-mileage flier with them, if that helps. If there are four of us, are the odds too long that so many upgrades will be available? Thanks!
Carol Sottili: Yes, it does have to be a certain class of ticket, although I think that isn't always the case for certain high-level frequent fliers (perhaps your husband falls into one of these categories). United's Web site does a good job of describing how it works. Go to www.united.com and do a search for upgrades. It's pretty complex. You can also book upgradeable tickets on the Web site.
_______________________
IFE info: For the person seeking info on in-flight entertainment capability, try seatguru.com or seatexpert.com, which tend to mention this sort of thing. You'll need to know which type of aircraft you're scheduled to fly, or you can just check the possibilities (e.g., for BA to Heathrow from Dulles, check the 747 with 70 business class seats and the 777 with four classes of service).
Carol Sottili: Another way to go.
_______________________
San Francisco, Calif.: A person with back problems should not try to brave the RER and Metro to get from CDG to central Paris. There are a lot of stairs and, often, no escalators or elevators. For two people, just suck it up and get a taxi. It'll cost around 45 Euro, worth every centime in headache and time. Be sure to go to the official taxi stand, rather than hire a driver who approaches you.
Christina Talcott: Great advice about using the official taxi stand - thanks! So here's one vote for taxis from CDG...
_______________________
RoissyBus: I took the RoissyBus to and from CDG during my last trip to Paris and it worked like a charm! I was staying right near the Gare Saint Lazare, so I took the one to the Opera/Madeleine area. Super-cheap, and pretty quick too (I was worried about making my flight on to-airport leg, but was totally fine!)
Christina Talcott: Thanks for writing in. I'm glad it worked out well. Here's one vote for the RoissyBus.
_______________________
Washington, D.C.: We're thinking of St. Thomas and Tortola or Grand Cayman for our August honeymoon. How bad are the mosquitoes in Tortola? Also, is an all-inclusive package the way to go?
KC Summers: So, you know August is prime hurricane season in the Caribbean, right? Also, it's *really* hot down there in summer. So mosquitoes might be the least of your problems. They can be bad -- I really got eaten up in Virgin Gorda (right next to Tortola) in February -- as are no-see-ums and other tiny pests. But it was my own fault because I didn't use a a repellent with DEET. So just pack that and, if you're really worried, ask about mosquito netting for your bed (my St. Thomas hotel offered this).
Re all-inclusives, you can definitely save a lot of money using these -- check the deals offered at places like Liberty Travel and Apple Vacations. It's a good feeling not to be nickel and dimed to death, not to mention having unlimited drinks and buffets. Of course, if you're not into boozing it up all day you might resent subsidizing everyone else who is.
_______________________
For the Non-Profit conference coordinator: My boss does a lot of travel that is paid for by another (not-for-profit) entity, and they use a corporate travel agent called Travelport. It's all online, and they direct-bill the company paying for the travel. As an end user obviously I don't know all the ins and outs, but there are definitely companies out there that specialize in this sort of thing. Good luck with your conference!
Christina Talcott: I knew someone would have a suggestion. Thanks!
_______________________
Manassas, Va.: Young daughter is taking a trip in June to London, Paris, and Zermatt on a US passport with her paternal grandparents, who will be traveling on Canadian passports. Besides a notarized letter for her custody, medical care (heaven forbid), and overall well-being, what might we need to send to allow them to have a great and stress free adventure? The passport sites for the respective countries do not cover this situation from what I have been able to find. Thanks!
Andrea Sachs: For detailed information, you might want to contact each country's consular affairs office. But I think as long as her grandparents have a letter explaining that they are her guardians, as well as a rundown of medical info (for their own knowledge), your daughter should be ready to go. However, be sure you make a copy of her passport and tuck it elsewhere in her belongings (and give one to her chaperones as well). Also, if she has any other form of ID, throw that in too. And make sure she has all emergency information -- necessary phone numbers, where she is staying, etc. Finally, give her some extra spending money so she can treat grandma and pa to an ice cream cone in Paris.
_______________________
Greenbelt, Md.: Going to a family wedding in a rural part of Massachusetts (not near public transportation) on June 7. Fly or drive?
Obviously flying is faster, but then I'd have to rent a car, so I suspect the flying/rent-a-car option will actually cost me more than driving my 1996 Pontiac Sunfire at today's gas prices and tolls.
Thoughts on this 900-mile round trip?
Andrea Sachs: It all depends on where in rural Massachusetts the wedding is, but most likely you can fly into Boston or Hartford for not too much cash, then rent a car. The drive on I-95 can be brutal.
_______________________
Arlington, Va.: re: what kind of IFE on my plane? As you say there is really no fool-proof way to know for sure what plane will fly on any particular route on any particular day. As you note, Virgin can change from as A340-600 (good IFE) to an A340-300 (not so good IFE) without warning. There are websites out there like seatguru.com which have info on the types of seats and entertainment systems on many airlines. You can also check the forums on flyertalk.com There is also a dedicated site for Virgin Atlantic, the name of which escapes me at the moment, which will show you which aircraft flew on any particular Virgin route along with the types of aircraft that fly the route broken down by percentage. It is a wealth of info. But unfortunately there doesn't seem to be much rhyme or reason behind why they use a 346 some days and a 343 on others. And some airlines only use one type of plane on certain routes like ANA's new-ish B777-300s on all of the North American routes. Their system is pretty nice and those planes are quite comfortable with good service.
Carol Sottili: Very true.
_______________________
Alexandria, Va.: Hello. My husband and I are trying to figure out somewhere to take a long weekend (Thurs.-Sun.) this summer. Our parameters: We'd like to take our dog, so we have to drive. We are considering going as far as the Finger Lakes (but not further). A quaint beach town would be OK, but we also like mountains and hiking and wineries. We prefer something with pretty nature, somewhere we can just relax. We've done Deep Creek Lake several times before and like it, but are looking for someplace similar, but new.
Any ideas?
Cindy Loose:
I think you should start by narrowing the parameters, because so much might fit your needs. I guess I'd start by looking for attractive places to stay, within my budget, that will allow dogs. You'll find a state by state listing at a place like www.dogfriendly.com and pettravel.com. I'd search Pa., Va., Md., Del for starters.
Any travelers with dogs have something more specific for them to check?
_______________________
Info on in-flight entertainment: Visit flyertalk.com and find the forum for the particular airline's frequent-flyer program. Often the discussion goes well beyond the esoterica of wringing out every last mile; you'll find plenty of info on choosing the best seat, airport strategies, which meal selection is better, etc....and info on the IFE.
Carol Sottili: Another good tip for the entertainment involved.
_______________________
Washington, D.C.: Air France bus, good to Arc de Triomphe, also necessary between airports, but if you have a connection, and even if their website says it works, if you're on their bus trying to get to their connection, you'll have to talk fast to get them to rebook you without $200 surcharge.
Christina Talcott: I'll take that as a qualified vote for Air France Bus. So far we have one vote each for Air France Bus, one for RoissyBus, one for taxis, none for RER. Anyone have advice about how to book these? And how much are Air France and Roissy buses?
_______________________
Paris Airport Transportation: I highly recommend the airport shuttle, which is operated by Air France but you don't have to fly Air France to use it. It picks you up at the arrivals area and the Place de l'Etoile, across from the Arc de Triomphe. The Franklin Roosevelt metro station is very close by, so you can easily take a cab to your location from there. There is a cab stand next to the shuttle stop.
A taxi to that are from CDG will cost at least 50 euros, so the shuttle and taxi combination can be a bargain, especially if you get round trip shuttle tickets.
Christina Talcott: Good point - a cab from Place de l'Etoile would be vrey reasonable. Another vote for Air France bus.
_______________________
Arlington, Va. - Sandals information: There's actually more than one resort on St Lucia so I don't know which one to refer to. But your comments were right on. We stayed at the Grande and did several of their off-site trips. A couple of things. One, you will pay more but in my opinion you will feel good about it. The people are very professional, the transportation is reliable and the trips are very well planned out with many including a provided meal. We had a great time. And frankly the price difference was such it just was not worth the hassle or the worry. Two, they have a -terrific- selection of tours to choose from that are listed on their board each day. You can pick stuff to do not only that day but also for the rest of the week and three its easiest because its all done through Sandals. The information, reservations, payment - all at once - nothing else to worry about.
If you choose to do something else, not sponsored by the resort, you are really taking matters into your own hands. A lot of these companies know that people who come to Sandals have a decent amount of money to spend and they will try to work you for every last nickel. One couple we talked to who thought they were saving $40 by going with another company got, well, extorted at the end of their trip by being told they owed them another $100 for the return bus fare. I mean, what do you do at that point? You're alone with maybe 4 or 5 other people in the jungle of a third world country with basically an unknown tour company that you picked on your own. You're not exactly going to walk home. Certainly not every story ends like this but I just would not take the risk.
Going with an off-resort company in Virginia Beach or Miami is a lot different than doing it in some place like St Lucia.
Andrea Sachs: Thanks for the additional insights. Much appreciated.
_______________________
Arlington, Va.: How we're saving $ this summer:
We too are looking state-side for summer travel plans. (oh, and also because I started a new job, so don't have much vacation saved up yet!)
We're going for a long weekend at Lake Michigan, near Ludington, staying at a B and B and planning a couple of days in July eating cherry pies (Michigan is the sour cherry capital of the US I am told) and exploring the sand dunes along the lake. We were there last year, too briefly, and absolutely loved the turquoise water, the uncrowded beaches and cool lake breezes. You can fly into Grand Rapids (direct from DCA!) and rent a car, or fly into Detroit and drive from there.
Even with gas prices and domestic airfare, a few days at Lake Michigan is a lot less pricey than say, a Cape Cod rental or a European trip.
Scott Vogel: Great idea, and your description makes me long for a cherry pie.
_______________________
Washington, D.C.: I've done some diving with Sandals in Jamaica. I found it safe and respectable, but pretty low-key compared to the US. The equipment they provided was basic but functional. The instructors were laissez-faire generally, but willing to help out as needed, and certainly capable when it came to safety. They'll let you do up to two dives a day, I think. We went out on a small boat.
The fact that Sandals includes the diving was a huge selling point for us, although we ended up paying more so my husband could take a refresher course first. I didn't love Sandals generally (all-inclusives are not my scene), but I have no complaints with the diving experience.
Andrea Sachs: Thanks for sharing.
_______________________
Cheaper lodging: It's not just true of "summer" travel, but good for all travel -- consider eschewing hotels in favor of renting apartment style units. It's most helpful if you're not a solo traveler (but then, most travelling is more helpful if you're not a solo traveler), but you can rent an entire apartment suite, complete with several bedrooms/bathrooms and a kitchen, for less than it would cost to rent out an equivalent amount of space at a hotel chain. As mentioned earlier, too, those kitchens can also help you cut down on cost.
I've used VRBO.com for my European trips with much success.
Scott Vogel: I must say, I too have heard good things about VRBO.com, as well as Rentalo.com.
_______________________
Laurel, Md.: I am writing you on behalf of my brother. He was deployed in Iraq when he bought his airfare for his post-deployment leave. He used Orbitz to purchase a multi city itinerary to visit friends and family between where he is stationed, San Diego, and Albany, Georgia where he was previously stationed.
A major traffic jam and security delays caused him to miss his flight on Saturday morning from San Diego to El Paso, Texas. Assuming the blame for missing the flight, he bought a quick 1-way ticket for about $200 and expected to continue on with his itinerary from El Paso. When he got to the airport yesterday, he found out that since he missed his original flight on US Airways, all of the subsequent flights had been canceled as well. Orbitz has washed their hands of the matter saying that they are just the 3rd party ticket agency. The US Airways reps at El Paso basically told him you're out of luck, we don't do reservations, you have to call the reservation line, you agreed to the terms and conditions and didn't notify us of your missed flight. Apparently Orbitz transferred the "custody" of his itinerary to US Airways as they were the first leg of his flight. When he missed that flight, US Airways canceled his flights on all of the other airlines he was supposed to be on.
Can this happen? Can one airline cancel someone's reservations on another airline?
Bottom line - he ended up stranded in El Paso as none of the airlines would honor his other flights because US Airways canceled his itinerary. He was forced to buy another last minute ticket for $200 on Southwest to get back to San Diego. Now he has missed his trip totally.
Carol Sottili: That's awful. Did he tell the airline rep that he had just returned from Iraq? I can't believe they wouldn't cut him a break. Unfortunately, yes airlines cancel all your subsequent flights on one itinerary when you miss the first leg and don't let them know. That's in their so-called "contract of carriage." But in this case, you'd think they would help him out. He should write a letter to Orbitz and US Airways explaining the situation and hope they cut him some vouchers or do something to help him out. I don't know if he asked to talk to supervisors at the airport: That's very important.
_______________________
Bethesda, Md.: My husband and I will be travelling to Botswana in September. We love walking, general sightseeing, local crafts and wildlife; don't need luxury accommodations but I'm somewhat attached to plumbing (figuratively speaking). Any advice from you or the chatters re where to go, what to see, or travel agents to work with on our plans?
Scott Vogel: Okay, you've stumped the panel. Anyone out there have some Botswana advice they can offer to Bethesda?
_______________________
Herndon: I just re-read the story on visiting the Gocta waterfall in Peru I cut out a couple of years ago. What a tale! Any updates about how easy it is to visit this place? I would love to see it, but I don't have Steve Hendrix's taste for difficult travels. And what did you do with Hendrix? Did he get lost in some jungle?
KC Summers: Yeah, the jungle of Rockville. Steve abandoned us for the Metro section about a year ago and we're still in mourning. Luckily he is still available for consults though so I just checked with him about the Peru trip. He said he's heard that more and more people are going to see the waterfall but hasn't heard anything about the trip getting any easier. But: "Really, the trip's not as hard as all that. Unless you just can't stand the idea of a dicey mountain road, you should consider going. It's really worth it." Hope that helps.
_______________________
Cheap Summer Vacation: Stay in Upstate NY and go on a wine tour at the Finger Lakes - compared to DC, upstate NY is cheap! And the Finger Lakes region in the summer is very beautiful. Stay in Ithaca, or at one of the wineries. There are chauffeur companies that will take you around the lakes to the wineries. It's actually a lot of fun.
Scott Vogel: And Ithaca itself is gorgeous. Or gorges. Or however they say it.
_______________________
29212: Hello Flight Crew! Love you guys and hope you can help. I am planning on travelling to Iceland in September/October with a couple friends. I am worried that we being there at the beginning of the off season will hinder our ability to travel around the country. Do you or any of your chatters have any info about that? Or anything we shouldn't miss while we're out there? Thanks!
Cindy Loose: I think you're picking a perfect time to go---weather still fine and the crowds departed.
Don't miss the Blue Lagoon, which is between the airport and Reykjavik. (The colder it is outside, the better cause the water is so hot--a huge pool of thermal heated water.)
I really enjoyed riding Icelandic horses (make sure not to call them ponies, although they look like ponies.) I'd also check out the two waterfalls--forget the names but one is near the famous geyser (a bit disappointing actually) and the other is a bit further along and you'll see them referred to in guidebooks.
Of course Reykjavik if famed for its music and club scene, if you're into that. I'll post a story I did about Iceland which is a tad dated, but has the name of a fab B&B I really loved.
_______________________
Arlington, Va.: We're planning a fall trip to Italy. Are flight tickets to Europe cancelable in case something comes up to prevent us from going? Will we need flight insurance to cover this?
Carol Sottili: If you cancel your flights, you'll be dinged for a hefty fee ($200 or more per ticket), and you won't get your money back - you'll just get to use those tickets some other time, but you'll also have to pay any fare differential. I think there are some travel insurances that cover changing your mind, but they're really expensive. Go to www.insuremytrip.com or www.squaremouth.com to compare policies.
_______________________
Derwood, Md.: Re day trips from London, I agree that Oxford is nice but would also suggest York, which is a neat walled city with interesting architecture and history. We went a few years ago and don't remember how long it took from London, but probably not more than about an hour because we took a 1 pm train and still had time for B and B check-in, dinner, and 2-hour guided walk (free).
KC Summers: Yes, York is another great day trip option, thanks. Really, the country is so small there are almost limitless options, it just depends on what your interests are.
_______________________
Washington, D.C.: I'm considering a 3-4 day trip to San Diego for the second week in June. I will be alone for at least the first half (maybe the whole trip) and don't drive. Is San Diego doable without a car? I'm interested in beach (a must), some culture and general realization (nightlife is not important). Also, can you recommend hotels that are well located for someone without a car and reasonably priced? Any cannot misses in San Diego? Thanks!!
Andrea Sachs: Yes, San Diego is definitely doable without a car. The city's bus system is very good, and you can walk or bike to a lot of places. You might want to stay in the Gaslamp Quarter, which has a slew of hotels, restaurants, shops and clubs. The waterfront is also nearby, so you can stroll among the cruise ships and sailboats. Be sure to visit Balboa Park, which has great museums and the zoo. I also like Pacific Beach, a throwback to the beach bum age.
_______________________
Deep Valley, USA: The best way to save money on vacation is to be flexible about where you go. My plan for a much-needed short break over Memorial Day is to wait until the e-fares come out and go to the most interesting cheapish place based on that. Interesting isn't always popular, but I may have a good time in, say, Milwaukee or Indianapolis or Greensboro.
Almost any destination is interesting for a short break, I say.
Scott Vogel: I agree. The improvisational approach isn't for everyone, of course, but one that may well come in handy this summer.
_______________________
Washington, D.C.: For the poster asking about day trips outside of London, I second Oxford. Instead of taking the train however, I would take the bus, called the Oxford Tube. It leaves every 15 minutes, is really cheap, and is clean and reliable. I've caught it on Notting Hill Gate, and also at Marble Arch. I'm sure if you Google it you can get more information on exact pick-up spots. I would say it's much easier than the train, and only takes about 45 minutes or so as well.
KC Summers: Hmm, good idea. I do love train rides, though, so that's always part of the fun for me.
_______________________
Ballooning: There's some ballooning this week in Ellicott City for the Preakness:
http://www.preakness.com/PC2008.htm
Cindy Loose: Thanks---I don't yet know what to look for from a ballooning provider, and will try to research that for my piece. Until then, I'm wondering if taking a balloon ride from a one-time site could be like trusting a carnival ride. I guess I'd want to know something about who's running them and how long and how often they do it.
_______________________
Arlington, Va.: Trips from London -- don't miss a day trip to Stratford on Avon. It is lovely.
KC Summers: Another suggestion for our London day tripper. Thanks, Arl.
_______________________
Annandale, Va: Cheap vacation idea. do what I did and find a friend with a condo in a vacation spot. I have friends with a condo in Va Beach, and even though I'm not a big beach person, it's hard to turn down free lodging. So my major cost will be driving, since I hope to cook in a majority of nights.
Scott Vogel: This too is a growing trend. A recent survey says that a third of all vacationers this summer plan on staying with friends or family.
_______________________
Savings: My hubby and I save money during our trips at home and abroad by packing a picnic - it's a lot more fun, especially in Europe, to discover all the exciting meats and cheeses in grocery stores. We also skimp on nice hotels and stay at ones that are safe, but more on the hostel side. We also save by traveling off-season and staying with friends and family across Europe when we can. For our last trip to England, we saved a lot of money by buying bus tickets online - the national bus service had a 1 pound fare sale when we bought our tickets online! - and we also rented our car online with major savings. I don't think we will let high gas prices and general economic grumpiness deter us from living life the way it should be lived - on the move!
Scott Vogel: Yeah, arguably, there's no way to enjoy Europe other THAN visiting the wonderful markets. And your post reminds me that it's generally a good idea to book bus and train tickets before you leave home. There are often discounts available that one can only take advantage of stateside.
_______________________
Downtown D.C.: Less expensive vacation idea --- many school/church auctions have weekend stays at local hotels. They often go for less that the usual hotel price and the church or school gets the money. And as others have said, there's lots to do in D.C.
Scott Vogel: Yes, and if I'm not mistaken, it's school auction season. (Which reminds me, wonder what that Air France pair finally went for?)
_______________________
For the traveler with a dog: If you are looking to go up to the Finger Lakes and want a dog friendly place. Check out Watkins Glen State Park area. The camping just off Seneca lake might be a good idea if you have a dog and you are at the base of the lake and can visit any number of wineries in a given day.
Cindy Loose: Sounds great. Thanks.
I have such fond memories of Watkins Glen. I never went, but when I was a kid my sister did, and she bought me pencils that had arrowheads on top and came in a little plastic arrow holder. I traded it for some kid's coin collection, only it was actually his dad's and very valuable and I had to give it back. Still, I really liked the pencils.
_______________________
U Street: Dear Flight Crew, I'm heading to Orlando for a mid-week graduation early next month (Wednesday 9am...seriously!). I need to fly out of DCA and tickets are about $250. Do you think this price will go down as the date approaches? Thanks for the guidance
Andrea Sachs: That seems high for midweek summer. I did a quick search and found June flights for $129 on AirTran and $174 on JetBlue, though both leave from Dulles.
_______________________
Fairfax, Va.: Hi,
Do you know any good websites for planning a round-the-world trip? I'm having trouble figuring out how to book a plane ticket with multiple stopovers.
Thanks!
Cindy Loose: Check out Cathay Pacific to see if they still have their round the world tickets.
_______________________
Arlington, VA: re: late check out. This is usually one of the perks of joining hotels' frequent guest programs. You can put your request in at the time of booking or at check in. I have never had to press it much beyond 1 PM or so and have never had an issue. I think most allow late check out until 4 or 5. Unfortunately I have discovered that I will have to pay for my late check out when I leave Bangkok later this year on my trip there. The flight isn't until 11:45 PM so I will be paying for a whole extra night to get an 8 PM check out. Some hotels allow you to pay half a day rate depending how late you are leaving. For me it seems worth it to have my room until I need to leave for the airport. I can also take a shower to freshen up before heading to the airport and perhaps take a little nap after dinner.
Scott Vogel: Another vote -- and some great ideas -- for procuring late check-out.
_______________________
Free Beer: Sea World is owned by Anheuser-Busch, so yes, free beer is available, at least in Orlando. They also have Clydesdales and Dalmatians. Free beer at Busch Gardens in Tampa, too, but not here in VA. There is the two per person limit, but if you sign up for "Beer School", you can get another one.
Scott Vogel: Class is in session!
_______________________
Aloha Assured!: My sister and I are flying American Airlines to go to Hawaii at the end of this month. How are things looking at American now: are maintenance-related travel delays and cancellations done for the most part? Can you ever get insurance to guarantee a flight arrival or to get booked on an alternate flight?
We arrive in Honolulu at 4:00 on 5/31 and need to board a cruise ship by 7:00 pm. We absolutely need to arrive that day...are there any proactive steps I can take or back-up plans I should look into? Thanks for your advice!
Carol Sottili: You should have contacted us before you booked your flights. We would have told you to arrive a day earlier. Did you book your flights through the cruise line? They sometimes will cover you if you miss your flight, but only if you purchased tickets through them. I would familiarize myself with every flight on every airline that would get you there in time: This way, if your American flight is canceled, you can request that they put you on a carrier that will get you there. But since Aloha and ATA went out of business, there are far fewer fights to Hawaii, so they are going out full. I don't know of an insurance that would promise to get you there in time. They might reimburse you for cost of catching up with a cruise. Go to www.insuremytrip.com to check policies. And keep your fingers crossed - it's been pretty quiet at American re: canceled flights (other than weather stuff).
_______________________
washingtonpost.com: Earth to Iceland (Post Travel Section, June 30, 2002)
Cindy Loose: Iceland piece might have some ideas for Icelandic travelers
_______________________
Re. SWA: You can always get SWA credit if a sale comes up.
Carol Sottili: Just have to use ticket within a year. I forgot that one time, and ate the ticket.
_______________________
"There is also a dedicated site for Virgin Atlantic, the name of which escapes me at the moment, which will show you which aircraft flew on any particular Virgin route along with the types of aircraft that fly the route broken down by percentage": That's vflyer.com and it is a great site. Also has user ratings and comments on the different seats.
Carol Sottili: Yes, I really like that site.
_______________________
London, U.K.: First, a note re the comment about liquids (alcohol) bought at duty-free shops: "If the airport to which you first fly in the USA is your final destination, you need not worry about this." This isn't the case if you're flying into Atlanta, so be prepared to cram that liquid - plus any drinks, etc - into your carry-on and "check" that so that you can go through security to leave the building. The airlines all have desks right before the final line that's for absolutely everybody to go through, so you can get the tag from them there and they'll direct you to what bin to place your bag in, for you to pick up later in the luggage claim area. And everyone working security there will insist that that's the way it's done in ALL U.S. airports.
As for easy day trips from London, I must say, as an American living here just about everything's an easy day trip! What are you interested in seeing? Dover, Canterbury, Nottingham, Leeds, Battle/Hastings, Bristol, Brighton, Plymouth, Portsmouth - they're all pretty fast to reach. Cornwall isn't, but most of the rest of England can be reached quickly. (Actually, parts of Scotland, too, depending on what time you like to wake up...) If you really are open to anything, I'd suggest going to various Web sites and just seeing what has cheap fares on offer (if anything): megatrain (the U.K. site, not the U.S. one), National Express funfares (the coaches), and Trainline (only don't buy your tickets from Trainline, get them through the train companies - that site charges a processing fee, but it searches all the train companies). The Megatrain and National Express sites require you to print out your tickets, but otherwise you can pick up your train tickets - at least 24 hours in advance - at a variety of train stations in London. I like to pick the King's Cross Station option, because I go through it every day, but if that's inconvenient you can select other locations.
One thing to keep in mind is that May 26 is a bank holiday here, so depending on how close your day for exploring is to the weekend you might find fares harder to get.
KC Summers: Hi London. Not sure I understand what you're saying about Atlanta -- you have to cram everything into your carryon bag anyway to meet the airlines' two-carryon-bag rules, so what's the difference? You're still allowed to bring duty-free booze out of the airport if it's your first and final destination.
Re day trips from London, thanks much for the great suggestions.
_______________________
Car from SLC to Colo Springs?: I think the poster is going to run into more trouble trying to find a reasonable rate for a 1 way car rental for that distance vs the train travel.
Cindy Loose: That's a good point; drop off fees can be hefty. But it's worth checking, cause if the rental company happens to need more cars in Colorado Springs they could catch a break.
_______________________
Annapolis: This may be more for the tech chat, but I thought I'd ask here first - I'm going to be taking some very long flights and other trips in the next few months, and was grousing to a relative about the number of books I'll have to bring. She suggested getting a Kindle from Amazon, and loading it up, so I won't have to schlep a ton of reading material. But when I looked at the cost - $400! - I had second, third and fourth thoughts. Has any of you used them? Have any of the chatters? Any advice?
KC Summers: We haven't tried Kindling yet, Annapolis, but maybe some of the chatters have and can opine?
_______________________
Near London: Birmingham
Nottingham
Tamworth -- neat little castle there
KC Summers: More ideas for our London traveler.
_______________________
Thurmont, Md.: I wanted to let your readers know that my husband and I retired about five years ago. We bought a pop-up camper and traveled cross-country on trips extending to 6 months. We met new friends and were reunited with old friends.
Concerned about the upcoming baby boomer explosion, I wrote a book called "Popping Up Across America". It documents our successful travel and shows how one can travel cheaply while enjoying our great country. Please see www.poppingup.com.
Thank you - A
Cindy Loose: Thanks....campers take note.
_______________________
Food and TSA: Hi,
In addition to bringing food through security, you can also bring an EMPTY water bottle with your carry-on luggage. All airports have drinking fountains past security, so you can fill up near your gate. This saves quite a bit of money as compared to buying bottled water at an airport gift shop.
KC Summers: Good point, thanks.
_______________________
"Milwaukee or Indianapolis or Greensboro.": For what it's worth, don't ever expect to pull off a cheap trip to Indianapolis over Memorial Day Weekend. There's a small event in town that weekend called the Indy 500.
Regarding day trips from London, Bristol is an interesting place that's about two hours out the M4 (you could also take the train). The Clifton Suspension Bridge, the Floating Harbour, the SS Great Britain, and the last Concorde to fly are all to be found in the area.
Scott Vogel: Got that, Deep Valley?
_______________________
Transferring at CDG: Last week, a poster asked about transferring at CDG with about an hour between flights. In December, I transferred with about 50 minutes, but did due diligence prior to booking my IAD-CDG-RBA flights with this short amount of time by calling Air France directly. The gentleman said that since my flight from Dulles and my flight to Rabat would arrive/depart from Terminal 2E that 50 minutes would be fine for the transfer. I also asked about security, immigration and customs to which he responded no to them all. So, I booked.
Now, here's the key! Terminal 2E apparently consists of 3 sections. However, no terminal diagrams online reflect this. We unloaded outdoors onto busses, then were hauled (slowly I might add) to the main building of terminal 2E, where we then did have to go through security. Luckily the 2nd official to see my boarding pass noted my flight would be leaving in about 10 minutes, and ushered me to a quick security line. I then ran only to find out that my gate was on the other side of an automated tram in a 3rd portion of terminal 2E.
I arrived, out of breathe and wheezing (had a horrible cold at the time) and found about 15 other people on the A-320. We held at CDG for about 45 minutes because people were caught in security!
Oh, another note, I did research before leaving to ensure I had with my the schedules for later flights to Rabat and Casablanca just in case. Didn't end up needing that, but it made me feel a bit better as I was running through Terminal 2E.
The good news is that I made it and had a wonderful time in Rabat, Casa and Marrakech, and, unlike my friend, my bags weren't lost like thousands that were stuck at CDG over the holidays due to their new baggage system (not close to Terminal 5 catastrophe, though).
Good luck!
Scott Vogel: Here's some good info on the situation at Paris's Charles de Gaulle airport.
_______________________
Gaithersburg: Submitting early: Any suggestions of where I can park my car so I can take advantage of the cheap bus fares to N.Y.C.? I'd love to be able to leave it at Shady Grove Metro for the weekend, but that option isn't available.
Andrea Sachs: I think some stations allow overnight parking, though I cannot think of which ones at this moment (anyone out there know?). If that is the case, just drive to that station and Metro in. Or, Megabus is starting service to NYC on May 30, departing from Union Station -- so you can park there.
_______________________
Boston. MA: On the alterna-bars for a Boston trip (your Sunday article), I happen to think Matt Murphy's is still a bit kitschy. Good call on The Publick House from an earlier poster, but if you are looking for a true Irish experience I would head to Dorchester Ave., James's Gate in Jamaica Plain or JJ Foley's on Kingston St. downtown.
Also, for the earlier poster looking for deals for Memorial Day to Chicago, this is another suggestion: Site59.com, which is now "Last Second Deals" on lastminute.com. I used them last New Year's Eve and found two nights at the five-star Swisshotel on Wacker with nonstop United flights from Boston for $199 per person with two days' notice. I would guess you can do something similar for Memorial Day, and you can usually find discount codes through Google. Enjoy!
Andrea Sachs: Thanks for the double tips.
_______________________
Lewiston, ME: The poor Iraq guy's story makes me wonder--why are airlines allowed to get away with canceling parts of the ticket? Why is it legal and who do we have to contact to make it illegal? I paid for a service, if I'm not asking that you to refund my money if I only use part of the service I see no reason why you can deny me the parts of the service I want to use (and have already paid for). Further, airlines can make money on the part of the service I paid for and didn't use.
Carol Sottili: And that brings us back to a passenger bill of rights, which was looking good until the airlines all nearly went out of business after 9/11. There's some renewed interest in the movement, but it's an uphill battle. Everyone wants the cheapest fares possible, and airlines are not doing all that well financially, with the price of fuel, etc.
_______________________
Washington, D.C.: Hey gurus! My boyfriend and I would like to rent bikes for a few hours in an uncrowded area, ideally one where we would see some wildlife. Our idea was inspired a few weeks ago by Christina's piece on the Blackwater Wildlife Refuge, but with gas prices being so high, we're looking for something a bit nearer than 2 hours each way. Are there any closer alternatives you can recommend?
Christina Talcott: I'm glad you liked the Blackwater idea! I almost always see some kind of wildlife even on local trails - bunnies on the Capital Crescent, deer in Rock Creek - but you could check out trails along the Potomac and on the Western shore for more critters. For rentals in DC and in the close-in suburbs, check out this page for options, some as low as $12 a day: http://www.bikewashington.org/rentals/index.htm. You could also poke around Google and see about renting bikes in St. Mary's and Calvert counties in Southern Maryland. Point Lookout and Solomon's Island are great places to see birds and other shore creatures, and it's so flat there, you can bike for hours and not even realize it - until the next morning, anyway. Anyone with more concrete suggestions?
_______________________
London day trip: Actually, I would not advise that chatter to head up to York. Not only would it would be a hike from London, my experience there really turned me off. Markedly touristy, and I thought very expensive for a country with so many great free museums.
KC Summers: And a vote against York. Thanks for your feedback. It's hard, isn't it, to remember the original reason for going to a place when so many unsavory tourist trappings have sprung up around it.
_______________________
Washington D.C.: Taxis from Airport into Paris. Did both the taxi and the RER last year. Taxi was about 45 euros, RER for two of us was, I think, 25 Euros, but took almost two hours and several transfers. If you are in a group, the per person cost of a taxi isn't much higher, and its much easier, especially after a transatlantic flight.
Christina Talcott: Thanks! Looks like the old RER's the least popular option...
_______________________
Harrisburg, Pa: Living on the East Coast, I've done both Revolutionary War tourism and Civil War tourism. Now for the hard part: aside from Ft. McHenry, where can one do The War of 1812 tourism/sightseeing?
Cindy Loose: If you can hold out for the bicentennial there will be lots of special stuff, but that is a ways off. I honestly don't know specifics, but I'm guessing the Canadians have more going to remember that war than we do. I don't know specifics, but would start by contacting the Ontario tourism department, maybe even more specifically the Niagara Falls tourism dept, Canadian side. Maybe the Fingerlakes region? You can generally find tourism offices by googling "Ontario tourism," etc.
_______________________
Bus to Oxford: Beware, the return trip (leaving Oxford) can be painfully slow if the bus departs Oxford during the evening rush (approx. 4-6 pm). But, it's a good option if you can stay in Oxford until 6:30 pm or later - maybe attend evensong at Christ Church? Besides cost, another advantage of bus over train is that the bus drops you off in the center of town, instead of the train station which is a bit of a walk.
Although I love Oxford, many first-time visitors prefer Cambridge, as it's more scenic (no industrial bits) and its size is more manageable.
KC Summers: All these responses are really making me want to go to London and do a bunch of these day trips. Next time I think I will do the bus to Oxford.
_______________________
re: Car Breakdown Tips: If you have a GPS navigator, you can perform a search of auto repair shops/tow trucks near your position. The GPS navigator will provide you a list that includes the name of the shop, address, and phone number.
Cindy Loose: Cool. Good to know, specially as my 15 year old signs up for driving lessons and I plan to buy a GPS cause I know she pays no attention and probably couldn't even find her way to and from school.
_______________________
Washington, D.C.: Got a question about airline ticket prices to the UK. I'm traveling to London for a week at the end of October. Current ticket prices are around $800. I certainly expect prices to drop -- what do you think I should aim for? $500? $600? Thanks.
Carol Sottili: If you can get it for $500/$600 with taxes, that's a good deal. There have been some sales that have gone that low for spring travel, but fall is usually a bit more expensive. And if jet fuel keeps going up in price, all bets are off. I'd split the difference and shoot for $600-$700 all in.
_______________________
London: I meant in Atlanta you have to go through security again after you land even if it's your final destination (and not just Customs and Immigration, it's the actual TSA security lines with all the restrictions), so if you bought any alcohol in the airport duty-free shop, you can't just have it sealed in the duty-free bag, you have to put it in your carry-on bag (if you only fly with a carry-on, as I - and many other people - do) and then check that bag, even if you've flown directly from the airport in which you bought the alcohol to Atlanta as your final destination.
KC Summers: Ah. So you're saying if it doesn't fit in your carryon you're screwed?
_______________________
Washington, D.C.: My husband and I take a long weekend in early October every year for our anniversary. This year we have our choices narrowed down to New Orleans (we have been before, but not since Katrina) or Austin. We like galleries, food, nightlife, and hip lodgings. Which one sounds better for that time of year? Or is there another place we're just not thinking of?
I might be planning too early, but airfares just keep going up. (Staying within driving distance might be another option, but we go on a lot of road trips throughout the year.)
Scott Vogel: I love Austin in October but Christina says New Orleans, so what you've done, Washington, is started a fight between my pod mate and me. Thanks! I guess the answer is BOTH, he said, reluctantly.
_______________________
flying to a cruise: Person trying to arrive in Honolulu at 4 p.m. and be in the ship (obviously not at the airport) no later than 7 is asking for problems. Here is a case to do whatever is necessary to change the flight. I saw people miss a cruise's departure but they had another port to go to to board later. Not likely in Hawaii unless it is an inter-island cruise.
Carol Sottili: I agree.
_______________________
Gaithersburg, Md.: Hi Crew. Last week an Air France passenger wrote in asking how it easy/difficult it was to navigate through De Gaulle airport. I know from first hand experience that the gates are not as close together as one might think. For example, gates A and B are not directly next to each other. There's an A-1, A-2, A-3 etc. Also, you have to pass through a mini customs while there. After missing my connection, I went to discuss it with an Air France rep., and she said it happens all the time, but the reservationists keep scheduling people that way! If the gates are "next" to each other, I'd still leave an hour to maneuver through the maze.
Christina Talcott: Yikes! Thanks for the heads-up. Sounds like travelers going through Paris's CDG should give themselves plenty of time for transfers. Hear that, everyone?
_______________________
Deep Valley, USA: Kindles work better than you might expect, but remember they have batteries and the batteries can run down on a long flight.
They're still new and desirable enough that you can sell used ones for a decent price. Good luck.
KC Summers: A vote for Kindles. But pack extra batteries. Thanks, DV.
_______________________
Rockville, Md.: My husband and I need to get from Rockville to Dulles May 21 (and back home June 9) and are looking for alternatives to the airport shuttle services, since I've read so many horror stories about their service (or lack of service). We're willing to pay more for a cab, but our local cab service (Barwood) also gets terrible reviews. Can anyone recommend either another cab service that would serve Rockville or a private car or limo service that goes to the airport? I'm afraid to just pick one out of the phonebook or online without knowing anything about them, and I can't find online reviews.
Andrea Sachs: We don't know of any taxi services to recommend in that region. Can anyone help?
For shuttles, I have never had a problem with the Washington Flyer, which leaves from West Falls Church Station. Nor have I been late taking the Metro bus.
_______________________
Alexandria: For a London day trip - I agree, Oxford is a good bet. Maybe Canterbury? Wells is also a gorgeous cathedral town.
KC Summers: Mmm, yes, Canterbury. Thanks Alex.
_______________________
Deep Valley, USA: Parking rate at Union Station is so high you might as well take a taxi if you're staying for a week.
Andrea Sachs: Good point!
_______________________
San Diego: I traveled to San Diego on business and you can easily get around without a car. From the airport a cab is about $15. They also have a train line that goes around downtown but not near some of the tourist places but you can get there via buses.
The Gaslamp district is pricy. You can find other hotels in downtown that are a little cheaper.
Andrea Sachs: Thanks for helping out our carless traveler.
_______________________
washingtonpost.com: After the Falls ( Post Travel Section, Oct. 15, 2006)
KC Summers: Here's a link to Steve Hendrix's Peru waterfall story, a great yarn even if you're not an adventurous traveler. Thanks, Elizabeth.
_______________________
Arlington, Va.: For the last 8 summers my family has visited the Outer Banks. We always spend a couple of days in the Williamsburg area first to break up the trip. We have done Great Wolf, Busch Gardens and various time share-like places and are looking for something new. There are about 15 of us ranging from 5 to 80. Anything to recommend in the Williamsburg/VA Beach/Norfolk area?
Thanks so much!
Christina Talcott: Have you been to Jamestown yet? Totally worth it, so I hear.
_______________________
Anonymous: EEEk! Just under the wire, I hope.
For the person looking for day trips from London, I recommend using Eurostar (the train that goes through the Chunnel). I've taken day trips to Brussels and Paris this way. Rates are inexpensive (enough) when you go extremely early in the morning (like 6:30 or 7), travel time is 2-3 hours each way, and you generally have from 10 AM through 7 PM to take in the city.
Since it was only a day in Paris, I chose to pick ONE thing (the Louvre) and not scatter myself around, but that's just me.
Enjoy!
Scott Vogel: Great ideas, thanks.
_______________________
Salt Lake City, UT: To the possible train travelers to SLC, I took a round trip from here to Baltimore a few years ago. It's very easy to use amtrak.com to sign up for the trip. I recommend that you drop the rental car off in Denver and catch the return trip from there. Remember, there is a several hour layover in Chicago. And the cost for a sleeping berth will effectively double the cost of the train trip. Also, delays of up to 12 hours can occur, depending on track usage.
Scott Vogel: here's a bit more advice on Amtrak/Salt Lake City.
_______________________
Amtrak to Salt Lake City: Having done this route in the reverse (and coming from slightly further west), my only piece of advice is not to be in a hurry. While Amtrak runs pretty efficiently on this coast, the cross-country trains are ALWAYS late. Just hope that you aren't off by 12 hours, which puts you going through cornfields during the day and the Rocky Mountains at night. They schedule it to be the other way around for a reason.
Scott Vogel: Oh, and this.
_______________________
Help!: Hi Crew-
I am booked on a flight to Paraguay that is leaving June 6th. It flies through Santiago, Chile on the way to Paraguay, and on the way back, I am flying back through Santiago and staying there for a couple of days before continuing on to D.C.. The problem? Expedia just informed me that LAN canceled the flights from Santiago-Asuncion and Asuncion-Santiago.
I was hoping you could tell me what Expedia's responsibilities are as far as getting me re-routed, so that I can be ready for battle when I call them later. A million thanks!
Carol Sottili: I'd arm myself with information. Are there other flights on other airlines that travel between the two places at the times you need? If so, I'd ask Expedia to book me on those flights. My guess is that Expedia will offer to give you your money back if there are no flights that work.
_______________________
usually I just watch...: But, perhaps these two things will help:
for College Park, we usually check Sidestep.com first. Then I try itasoftware.com to peek at airfares.
Itasoftware.com is helpful because it had the booking codes. I used this to find great fares for me and the kids on an airlines new service to Seattle last year. Since I wasn't able to book those particular child-discount fares online, they didn't charge me a booking fee.
For those folks who were looking for varying Hawaii accommodations and wanted to explore the island(s): we have had amazing times using the Hawaii, Maui (or insert other island name) Revealed series. We were able to to make our last 2 week trip for 2 grown-ups, and 2 kids for less than $4K, using frequent flyer miles, and car points over spring break. (Got a great condo in Wailea also for the last 1/2 of the trip! - I wish I could find the site quickly enough to give the owner a great plug.)
Using the Hawaii Revealed series, we've found great accommodations in a wide range of prices and different amenities, as well as things that are off the beaten path, and the "junk" to avoid unless you want the "cheese-factor".
Scott Vogel: And more helpful advice on a few prior questions.
_______________________
Washington, D.C.: Given the cost of air travel and the sinking dollar you guys should do a story on alternative ideas for honeymoons. I'm getting married next year and our dream trip to Europe (we've both been before but wanted to go to Italy and France) looks like it won't happen. Are there any good alternative places to go on this end of the globe, such as Canada or Latin America? We're not looking for beach, but culture and good cities. Thanks! (p.s., loved the piece this weekend on the "Italian" villa in Virginia, very cool!)
washingtonpost.com: That's Italian in Virginia? Almost. ( Post Travel Section, May 11)
KC Summers: Thanks Wash, glad you liked the story. You could do a lot worse than a honeymoon at Keswick! But if you want to get out of the country, how about this for an exotic and more affordable 'moon idea: Stay at a hacienda (or several) in Ecuador. There are some absolutely stunning, high-end properties from colonial days that are now inns with centuries-old architecture, luxury spas, stables, shopping nearby, etc etc. It's such a gorgeous country. Will see if we can post a link to my recent story.
Another thought: An eco-resort in Belize. There are some luxury ones that are relatively affordable (Google Francis Ford Coppola, for one) and there's tons to do and see there.
_______________________
Alexandria, Va.: I know it's early, but I'm thinking about heading to Prague for the Christmas markets this year. Do you think it's best to connect somewhere or fly into Munich or Vienna and take a train? I like the idea of having some time in another city rather than waiting for a connecting flight. But if it's too much of a hassle or cost prohibitive, I'll fly. Any and all tips appreciated.
Thanks
Christina Talcott: It's very easy to fly right into Prague via Heathrow (well, as long as you're not checking bags), but the train from Vienna's pretty easy, too. I guess it depends on long your trip is. If it's just a few days, I'd go directly to Prague, but if you have some time, definitely hit up other towns and their markets while you're there!
_______________________
Vero Beach, Fla.: York is very, very far for a day trip from London. Cambridge and Ely are much closer, with good train service. I don't know whether Lincoln's cathedral is a big tourist draw, but it's certainly awesome. I've only seen Canterbury in December, when it was full of well-behaved French school children on field trips. The town must be stuffed with tourists in the summer.
And finally, it's not hard to get to the country garden belonging to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Wakehurst Place near Haywards Heath. It's now home to the Millennium Seed Bank. Their website has travel instructions.
KC Summers: More great ideas for London day trips. This would make a great special section, no?
_______________________
1812: Head up to Lake Champlain! There were several naval battles fought on the lake, and while there's not much in the way of forts, etc., there is a monument in Plattsburgh, NY (hometown - it's the only reason I know this!). It's also absolutely gorgeous country, and pretty cheap to boot!
Scott Vogel: More ideas for an 1812 war tour.
_______________________
washingtonpost.com: Upscale Markets. Way, Way Up (Post Travel Section, April 13)
KC Summers: Here's a link to my recent story on Ecuador haciendas -- a possible idea for the honeymooners. Thanks Elizabeth.
_______________________
Kindle....: My friend finally got hers (it was on backorder until this month) and she's learning how to use it. So far, she said it's OK but not great. She hates not knowing how long the book is--and it's confusing for her to toggle between books. Also, not every book she wants is available on kindle--and you always have to pay full price as opposed to buying books from second hand places or whatnot. Overall, if it wasn't a gift, she would have passed.
KC Summers: Ah, thanks for that firsthand report. Much appreciated.
_______________________
London: Yep - if you can't fit in the carry-on, I guess the TSA people get it. Fortunately, I was able to cram mine in (although I walked through the security line carrying a bunch of loose items - including a lotion the plane had given us, which the TSA agents didn't notice). And people transferring to other flights and people ending their trips in Atlanta are all crammed into the same disorganised line. Makes flying directly into Dulles a wonderful breeze...
KC Summers: Whoever thought we'd be saying *that*!
_______________________
Scott Vogel: Thanks all, as always, for a lively hour. I can't help it. The woman whose husband treats the condiment bar as a salad bar is my pick for this week's most interesting (not to mention audacious) savings tip. Please e-mail me at vogelsi@washpost.com to claim your prize.
_______________________
Editor's Note: washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions. washingtonpost.com is not responsible for any content posted by third parties.
View all comments that have been posted about this article.