Talk About Travel
Dream destinations realized, Oktoberfest, Cape May, N.J., liquid restrictions, renting cars in D.C., South Africa and more
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Monday, July 14, 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: Feasting in Naples and the Amalfi Coast; saving animals on the beaches of Tampa, Fla.; and tangoing the night away in Montevideo, Uruguay.
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.
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Andrea Sachs: Greetings, Travelers, to another escapist hour of travel plans, ideas, fantasies.
The question of the day: Who has visited their dream destination, and did it equal, exceed or fall below expectations?
(Mine was Bhutan, and it blew my mind.)
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Dupont Circle, D.C.: Howdy! A gal pal and I are thinking about about getting out of town for a long weekend. We looked at Cape May and were not too discouraged by the 4 hour trip - including ferry - but are not into the $240/nt accomodations. Looked at Cacapon in WV but they do not have any rooms available. Are there other places within 2-3 hours of Washington that have some sort of swimming, lake, town to hang out in for simple dining and shopping? Much appreciated!!!
Andrea Sachs: If you don't mind roughing it a bit, you can stay cheap in a yurt or lean-to (like a cabin but without beds)in Belleplain State Forest, about 30 minutes north of Cape May. Also, consider Eastern Shore towns like Easton, St. Michaels, Rock Hall, etc. If the inns are too pricey, you can stay in cheaper hotels on the outskirts. Deep Creek Lake in western Maryland also is a great summer destination.
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Pittsburgh: For the chatter last week who was wishing for a taste of Europe without having to travel so far:
New Bedford, Mass., has a large Portuguese community, Portuguese-food restaurants, and a major whaling museum. There are also thriving Portuguese communities in Fall River, Mass., and East Providence, R.I.
In California there are vibrant Portuguese communities in San Jose as well as in several towns in the San Joaquin Valley (including Tulare, Turlock and Hilmar).
Admittedly these aren't quite the Azores or Cape Verde, but they're a lot closer to home!
Christina Talcott: That's right - I remember being surprised by how many Portuguese restaurants and shops there were last time I was on Cape Cod. Thanks for the reminder!
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Arlington, Va.: I recently heard a rumor that the FBI was going to start giving tours again of their building this fall. Any truth to it?
Nancy McKeon:"Not in the near future" was the answer I just got from the press office. The tours stopped when the FBI lab, which used to be part of the tour, was transferred to Quantico (where there are no public tours), triggering a redesign of the whole public area. The FBI's HQ will reopen for tours, but there's no date yet, I'm afraid.
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Washington, D.C.: Hi, Have you guys written anything on Oktoberfest before, with tips on how to reserve space in the beer tents, how to do it cheaply, etc? I searched the archives but can't find anything. Thanks!
Nancy McKeon: I couldn't find anything either. What I've just found is the site of Extratours GmbH (www.oktoberfest-reservierung.de) offering its 2-day packages for Oktoberfest, which include one admission to the tents (2 liters of beer and half a grilled chicken (!), the chit for which can be exchanged for a preferred food). But beyond the packages, which range "from" 269 euros per person double occupancy, midweek at a 2-star hotel, to (still the dreaded "from") 339 euros per person double on a weekend, the site offers a lot of advice on dealing with the beer tents, the rules of the game (that the waiters charge to bring you your beer, and then get tipped, that by law only a small number of seats can be booked in advance, that the doors are often closed to individual tents by early afternoon because of overfilling, and the disheartening fact that for the 6 million visitors to Wiesn [which I now know is how locals refer to the event] there are only 100,000 seats, etc.). I also Googled "wiesn" and came up with www.octoberfest.de. There's tons of info on that site, with a map of the tents and who's in them and how to reserve, which has to be done with each individual tent. At that level of the site, the information is in German, but there are telephone numbers, and chances are there are English-speakers at the other end. The 175th Oktoberfest runs Sept. 20 through Oct. 5, 2008. Prosit!
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Gift for Friend's first trip to Italy: Hi, a very good friend is finally -- at 53 -- going to Italy in September, on a tour with her husband. She is sooo excited and I want to give her a nice travel-related gift. Any ideas? Someone else already gave her a terrific guide book and a journal. She isn't a person who likes 'stuff' and is very frugal too. So maybe get Euros in advance (where?)? Other creative thoughts? I'm really at a loss here. Thanks.
Nancy McKeon: How exciting, and what a nice friend you are! I like the idea of giving your friend some euros. If you don't want to spend too much, you can just say they're the euros she might need before she and her husband get to a bank; it's just psychological, getting rid of that potentially stranded feeling. I bought mine for a recent trip at Travelex on K Street NW in downtown Washington (and Travelex has branches all over), but you can also buy them online (for Travelex, you need to buy at least $200 worth to do it online). But that's not the only dealer in foreign currency; do a Google search to find others.
In addition to, or instead of, euros, what about a small phrase book, a general one or one that specializes in menu items? Bigger bookstores should have a full range of possibilities. And tell your friend Buon viaggio!
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Dream Destination: I don't know if I could pick just one dream destination - it seems like every trip I plan is another dream destination. Last year it was Egypt and Jordan (Petra DEFINITELY lived up to the hype) whereas this year it's Vietnam and Cambodia (and I'm hoping Angkor Wat lives up to the hype).
Nancy McKeon: I'm thrilled to hear that about Petra. It's on my shortlist and I was worried about being disappointed. I may do Egypt (again) next winter, plus Petra. Thanks!
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Will we always have Paris?: What options to you recommend for flying to Paris? Would flying to London and taking the Chunnel train save money?
Andrea Sachs: Since Paris and London are both big European hubs, the fares often in the same ballpark. So you will be adding at least $150 more by taking the Chunnel. The best way to save money is to fly off-peak (that means apres-summer, midweek). Also, sometimes flights into Orly airport are less than Charles de Gaulle, simply for the inconvenience.
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OCNJ-bound: Hi, my wife and I will be vacationing in OCNJ later this month. We're thinking of taking our bikes on the Lewes-May ferry to Cape May for a day of bicycling. Does anyone know how far it is from the NJ ferry terminal into the city of Cape May and is the route busy or "safe" for a couple of middle-aged bikers who are looking for a nice leisurely ride? Can any of the public transportation accommodate bicycles? (I'm thinking, for example, of public buses with bike racks.) Thanks!
Carol Sottili: It's only a few miles from the ferry terminal to Cape May. There is a shuttle bus that travels between the two, although I don't know whether it can take bikes. Go to www.cmlf.com/shuttlebus for details.
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Chantilly, Va.: I took French for several years in school, so when I was a teenager, Paris was my dream trip. I got to go for a long weekend while studying abroad in college, and it was just what I'd hoped: museums, bateaux-mouches, great food -- and highly romantic strolls with my boyfriend, whom I married a few years later.
Andrea Sachs: Wow, that is the true Paris experience: l'amour.
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Washington, D.C.: I'm getting ready to take a weekend trip, and while I've flown since the liquid restrictions, I've usually checked my bag or bought stuff when I get there. Do the 3 oz. containers have to be marked that size, or will just small bottles work? I seem to remember conflicting information -- thanks for the help!
Christina Talcott: Hey there, you've come to the right place! While the 3-1-1 rules can be arbitrarily enforced, sometimes to comic effect (see Andrea's blog posting today), generally you can take 3 oz or smaller containers that aren't clearly marked as such - they never actually take them out to measure them, but I'm imagining the screeners are getting pretty good at eyeballing containers, and they don't allow, say, toothpaste tubes that are squeezed down till there's only 1 oz in it. So the bottom line is: If you know it's 3 ounces, you'll be fine - you can even measure, say, an empty spice jar by pouring water into it and then into a measuring cup. Does that help?
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Richmond, Va.: Having grown up with fond memories of Christmas with my German grandparents, who emigrated to the US, I always wanted to visit Germany at Christmas. Last year I went to Nuremberg and it was everything I was hoping it would be. It wasn't commercial or tacky at all and I came away with a better understanding of what my grandparents' holidays must have been like. I plan to go back this year, too.
Andrea Sachs: How meaningful!
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Arlington, Va.: Yellowstone is a truly mind-blowing place. It is NATURE. Water, fire, wild animals, and vistas that go on forever. We went a few years ago, between Labor Day and Columbus Day, and we never had a problem with crowds at any of the major geyser beds.
Andrea Sachs: No crowds? That is beyond my expectations.
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Richmond, Va.: I don't think I've ever had a single dream destination. There have been, and always will be, dozens of places to go. I had always wanted to visit Australia, and back in 1999 I won a sweepstakes to spend a week in . . . New Zealand. So close! Of course NZ was fantastic, including jumping from two perfectly good bridges with nothing but an overgrown rubber band tied to my ankles. Other fulfilled dreams include Churchill Manitoba (for the polar bears, of course), and all sorts of places in Hawaii. Heck, even a weekend trip to Ithaca, NY just because it was the setting of a favorite book counts as a fulfilled dream to me.
Nancy McKeon: You're right! Attitude is everything, or close enough. (What was the book???)
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Alexandria, Va.: Good Morning -- My daughter was given a trip to Europe for her graduation from her grandparents. The $5000 is for her parents to go also and needs to cover most of the expenses. We would like to go to Italy for the week -- but unsure where to start. European Destinations travel agency has several options of air/hotel packages -- even including one to Prague and Rome that sound intriguing -- but I do not know anything about the company - and do not want to be stuck out on the street. Can you help? We would like to go ASAP.
thanks.
Carol Sottili: European Destinations is part of the Solar Tours family. They're local, out of D.C. They've been in business for a long time and are members of the Better Business Bureau. That said, they specialize in budget tours, so you won't be staying in posh accommodations. But for $5,000 for three people to Europe, including airfares in summer, you're looking at a budget trip.
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Baltimore: If your flight is going to be cancelled, how far in advance do you usually know? My sister is getting married in Colorado in August and I just bought plane tix last week spur of the moment on Priceline because they had them for really cheap (so of course they are nonrefundable). We'd been planning to drive (it's me, husband, and 2 year old), but I saw the low fare and figured if we flew it would be less spent on gas, and fewer days off work needed. But then my husband pointed out that flights are being cancelled left and right and if we don't find out till the day before, we aren't going to be able to drive to CO in time for the wedding, so now I'm wishing I'd never bought the tix in the first place. Help!
Andrea Sachs: It is hard to say, especially if it is cancelled due to weather or mechanical problems. But for the most part, the airline will put you on another flight to Colorado. About a week before your flight, call and check to be it was not cancelled for scheduling/budget cut reasons. Also, find out when the next flight is that day, so you can say you want to be on that one, if space allows. Hopefully, you left yourself enough time for error, but I feel pretty certain that you will make it for the "I dos."
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Dream Destination - Galapagos Islands: To celebrate finishing the bar exam, I cleaned out the bank account and headed to the Galapagos Islands for 3 weeks. I was blown away by how beautiful the islands were and how much fun! I did the traditional week-long island hoping cruise and also stayed on Puerto Ayora for 2 weeks of scuba diving. The sea life was AMAZING - schools of hundreds of hammerhead sharks, huge sea turtles, manta rays, sea lions. The best part was how close you get to the wildlife - penguins swim up to check you out while snorkeling, finches land on your beach blanket and marine iguanas take there time crossing your path.
Andrea Sachs: I think the Galapagos are on many people's dream lists. I might have to add it to mine (I have a thing for penguins.)
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Reston: I'd love to hear the stories of people who did "themed" trips.. as in, a trip devoted solely to following Hemingway's footsteps in Paris... Van Gogh's various locales for painting.. the Tour de France.. you get my drift. Have any of the Flight Crew done such a thing?
A friend of mine is doing the Vermeer tour with her sister - as in, visiting every single public painting. Eventually. They even made "Tour T-shirts" with the dates and cities/museums of the ones they have already seen, and, the ones they have yet to see (no dates, but, the cities and museum names).
Andrea Sachs: What a funtastic idea. Love it. I have never done such a trip, but would love to hear from chatsters.
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Central Cal: I still have many 'dream destinations' left. But your first is always the best, right? Yes and no. As a history guy, I was facinated by the ancient civilizations in Latin America. Chichen Itza was a place I always wanted to visit. Impressive enough, I was pretty sure that Bermuda grass was probably not the ground cover of the ancients, among other disappointments. And the public was no longer allowed to climb the Great Pyramid. Still I marked it off the list. On the same trip, by chance (lost if truth be told), I happened upon Coba. Not as developed, it is still being excavated. Pathways hacked out of the jungle to the various sites, it felt much closer to what it may have been like. So I got to a 'dream' spot and discovered one that lived up to expectation on the same trip.
Andrea Sachs: You get two checks for that one trip, I'd say.
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Talk to me about...: Abu Dhabi! I am planning a trip there and I'm thrilled, but I'd love to hear your or readers' first hand experiences in the UAE. It will be my first time to the Middle East, so any recommendations or advice on how/when to go, what to see, what to eat or anything else under the sun are appreciated.
Christina Talcott: Wish I could be of help, but I'm afraid I have to appeal to the chatters out there. Lend an Abu Dhabi-bound traveler a hand, will you?
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Washington, D.C.: My boyfriend and I are planning to spend a day at the Point Reyes Seashore next month. We've never been there, but understand it's a big place. Any particular activities you'd recommend?
Andrea Sachs: Lucky you! I have heard amazing thing about Point Reyes, usually in the context of whales watching. Have never been myself, so we are opening the floor to the experts out there.
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Falls Church, Va: I need some help planning my Honeymoon... We're planning on going to Rio and Buenos Aires in mid-October, but we'd like to go with a tour. The only reputable company I'm familiar with is Globus. Can you suggest any others?
Christina Talcott: Hey there, congratulations! In a second I'll post a link to the list we ran in Feb. of tour companies. Hopefully that'll be a help, and any chatters with experience with BA and Rio tours, please chime in!
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SW D.C.: Re: Dream Destination For years I dreamt of going to the Galapagos to dive with schooling hammerheads and whale sharks. I read all I could about diving there and I watched every cable tv special I could find. Two years ago I finally gathered the funds and nerve required to travel there by myself and took the plunge. Although the reality of the Galapagos was nothing like what I expected, I was absolutely blown away. I will never forget the way I felt the first time I saw a hammerhead. My buddy and I were just behind our divemaster on the third dive of the week. He rolled on his back, looking toward the surface and glanced back at us to point upward. Following his lead, we rolled over and saw a school of 30 hammerheads drifting above. What an awe-inspiring sight that was. I feel so lucky to have experienced such a rare and unforgettable encounter. Two years later, I still find myself giddy, excited, and terrified just writing about it! To anyone thinking about a trip to the Galapagos: Go - you won't regret it!
Andrea Sachs: I am now going to dream about swimming with the hammerheads.
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washingtonpost.com: Way To Go: Tour Operators (Post Travel Section, Feb 3)
Christina Talcott: Here's info on tour operators.
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Lake Monticello, Va.: I have a problem with motion sickness but have always wanted to take a cruise. This year we did a European River Cruise where we went from Amsterdam to Budapest on a 14 day long trip. Never once did I get ill ... we have decided that it is the only way to see Europe from now on ... no more land tours for us.
Andrea Sachs: Good lesson: Take the risk (and an extra plastic bag) and go! Glad it worked out so well.
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Washington, D.C.: Do you have any advice or recommendations for renting a car in DC? I just turned 25 and would like to finally rent a car without the extra insurance fees. It seems the main locations are Reagan Airport and Union Station. It also seems really expensive - where are the best deals? Also, what kind of extra costs would I need to be aware of? For example, from other people's experience, I've noticed that you need to leave the gas tank at the same level you started. Are there any other fees like that? Thanks!
Carol Sottili: Enterprise Rent-a-Car (www.enterprise.com) has neighborhood locations that often are cheaper than renting at airport locations. (Disclosure: My son is in its management trainee program). Hertz also has local offices, but I don't believe it has local offices in the District. If you're going to rent frequently, try Zip Cars (www.zipcars.com), a membership group. Yes, it's best to fill up the tank, or else you can get hit with a hefty fee - some rental agencies allow you to prepay for gas, but take a close look at the rates, and make sure it's not a rip-off. Same goes for insurance fees - figure out before you rent whether your charge card or other insurance that you hold will cover you.
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Dream vacation?: For as long as I can remember, I've wanted to go to Alaska (maybe it was because I'd read a lot of Jack London et al growing up?) I have yet to go there, but would like to in the next 5 years.
Andrea Sachs: Ok, on July 14, 2013, please come back and tell us how Alaska was. Deal?
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P.G. County: The chutney blog post cracked me up and reminded me of the SNL skit about TSA training. Includes a debate about whether a turkey sandwich is a liquid ("turkey can be wet" "mustard is a liquid" "if you put it in a blender it would be liquid"), and ending with the trainees suggesting that a bunch of people with 3 oz bottles could just get together on the plane and combine their liquids. Scary and funny -- I suggest a youtube viewing!
washingtonpost.com: The Monday Rant: Drop the Chutney (Travel Log blog, July 14)
Andrea Sachs: Hilarious. I wish I had seen it, because you are so right (as is Lorne Michaels): TSA security is a total comedic skit. What a joke (though not funny when your chutney is on the line)!
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Themed Trip: When my husband and I went to Italy, we didn't mean to do a themed trip, but ended up wandering around Rome in search for all the Caravaggios we could find. It was great! It was a wonderful way to see the city, to explore churches and art, and to feel like we were on a bit of a mission. Even if you don't do a "theme trip," I think it can be very gratifying to pursue a singular interest instead of just sightseeing more generally.
Andrea Sachs: I like the idea of a scavenger hunt of sorts. Adds an element of intrigue and adventure.
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Theme trips in Europe: Charles Rennie Mackintosh architecture in Scotland - the Mackintosh society (www.crmsociety.com) would be a great place to start.
You could easily do a Kafka day in Prague - see where he lived, his grave, etc.
On a more sober note, concentration camps and other aspects of WWII - Krakow is one good starting point for this (Auschwitz, ghettos).
There is the obvious culinary tours - beer tours in many countries (Czech Republic, Germany), Tuscany, Provence, etc.
Bike tours, hiking tours, castles, birdwatching; it's endless, really.
Andrea Sachs: Great advice. Thanks for the info.
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Richmond, Va.: The book was _Fool On The Hill_ by Matt Ruff, set on and around the campus of Cornell University.
Nancy McKeon: Thanks! I'll add it to my list (I don't know Ithaca, but why not?).
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Arlington, Va.: Thanks so much for the story about the Terra Cotta Warriors in last week's section. I was going to California last week, so it came at the perfect time! I was able to get there to see them, and they were phenomenal. Just a note of thanks!
washingtonpost.com: China's Terra Cotta Warriors: East Goes West (Post Travel Section, July 6)
Andrea Sachs: So glad you could get to the exhibit. Next up: China?
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Arlington, Va.: re: dream destinations - for the person going to Angkor, it will not only live up to the hype, it will exceed it. Make sure you leave plenty of days in and around Siem Reap, don't just fly in and out in a day or two. Some of the interesting outlying sites take some time to drive to like Phnom Kulen and Beng Melea. Get a good guide and driver. The place totally blew me away. Be prepared though for the poverty. Cambodia is a very poor country. You will have lots of children at every stop trying to sell you all manner of trinkets or guidebooks. If you want to buy something do it as you are leaving otherwise you will be swarmed.
Andrea Sachs: Agree. I was amazed by Angkor and would love to return to Cambodia and see more of the country.
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Cambridge, Mass.: To take the "dream destination" thing literally, last year I had a dream I went to Iceland. I have no idea where the dream came from, but the more I thought about it, and the more I saw "signs" like large, flashing Icelandair ads at nytimes.com and read more about the country, I decided I wanted to go. I managed to convince a friend to come along with me (at first she thought I was nuts, after all, this was a trip inspired by a dream, but by the time we were ready to go she was more excited than I was), and we bought the tickets and went off to Iceland last June for a week. It's a ridiculously expensive country but it definitely lived up to my expectations--the pristine natural beauty of the geysers, waterfalls, lava fields, black sand beaches, glacial lagoons was something I'll never forget.
Andrea Sachs: Hey we should all do that, literally follow our dreams. Tonight, I am going to fall asleep thinking of Tahiti, Tahiti, Tahiti, Tahiti . . .zzzzz.
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3-1-1: Just a note about the 3-1-1 containers. I flew through BWI recently and was made to throw out my liquids in my 3 oz. containers purchased in a store in the airport and in a package purporting to comply with the FAA regulations. According to the baggage screener, the containers, which were tiny and not filled and which fit in my small, sandwich-sized ziplock bag, did not SAY that they were 3 onces. I showed the screener the "3" imprinted in the plastic of each bottle. The screener then said that the 3 could refer to anything, and that the label on the bottles needed to read "3 oz." I gave up at that point and threw out everything.
I travel at least once a month and had never before encountered a problem with the containers.
Christina Talcott: Holy cow, I've never heard of that! That's outrageous, especially since there's nothing in the TSA regulations that says the containers must be clearly marked "3 ounces." Sounds like someone's making his or her own interpretation of the rules. I wonder if it would help to print out the regs (link on the way) to show a screener. If you're in a rush and don't have, say, expensive moisturizer or something, I guess it's ok to toss your liquids if the screener tells you to, but if you have time, I'd ask to see a supervisor and point out that that's not actually in the regulations. Sheesh.
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washingtonpost.com: Permitted and Prohibited Items (tsa.gov)
Christina Talcott: Here's the link to the TSA rules.
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Tampa, Fla.: My dream trip was to visit San Francisco. I would see images of the city in books and on TV and even as a young kid, I just thought the place looked so cool.
I finally visited the summer after I graduated high school (it was a gift from my parents, and I stayed with a cousin who was living there at the time). I was not disappointed. I LOVE the place - the different neigborhoods, the steep streets, the bay, just everything about the place. I've been back about 4 times since then, the last visit about 3 years ago, and I still get a thrill every time I am there. Add the Napa/Sonoma area to the mix, and the place just can't be beat for places to go, things to see, great food - only bad part - the traffic.
Andrea Sachs: It was your own summer of love, San Francisco style.
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Point Reyes: There's a lot to Point Reyes. First off, there is a town called Point Reyes Station which is small, probably a couple streets worth of shops and restaurants, that might merit a look but you'd mainly be looking toward the seashore itself.
A stop at the visitors center on the way in is worthwhile to get a map of the surrounding area and, especially, the hiking trails. You'll have to drive to at least a couple of the better trails, as the visitor's center is a bit inland but it is worth it to go all the way out to the lighthouse, which has some amazing vistas (but can be a haul down and back up the long stairway to the house itself) and probably walk out to areas where elephant seals are known to sun themselves. There is also Drake's Bay, which has a little beach which is good for picnics, especially late in the day.
It's pretty much a day trip from SF, as I did it on New Year's Eve Day and seeing just those 3 spots was a good 6 hours or more from the time we left the city to the time we returned.
Andrea Sachs: Thanks for the PR tips. Much appreciated.
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McLean, Va.: Dream vacation: Getting to stroll the hills of Skye where my grandfather used to shepherd his sheep, and take tea with some "old-timers" who remembered fighting in the War with him.
Andrea Sachs: That is worthy of a book. What an amazing experience.
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Atlanta: I don't know why, but I always wanted to go to Ireland. Just thought it would be fun, I loved the accents, it looked beautiful.
I mentioned it casually to my then boyfriend, and he said: oh, me too! So we booked a trip and went (okay, well, we were supposed to go and he had to go to the hospital for gall bladder surgery - so we postponed the trip for a month or two - which worked out PERFECTLY since we were then there when it wasn't tourist season ... much fewer crowds).
While we were planning said trip, friend said: oh, he's going to propose there! how romantic! well, he proposed a few months before, so we were engaged when we got there.
And, we did a b and b thing, where we stayed in them all over the place... it was amazing and wonderful and so much fun.
Andrea Sachs: And we have the gall bladder to thank.
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Nancy McKeon: For the Dream Vacationer who's thinking about Alaska, we'll have a story on it in the next few weeks. Maybe that will inspire you to how doable things are.
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Philadelphia, Pa.: Hello Experts! I just came back from SFO yesterday and I ran into something interesting in the SFO airport. Departing from PHL we had to pay the standard $2 per bag for checking plus tip (because they always tell you tips aren't included). Fine. When we checked in at SFO yesterday I asked if they wanted the $2 per checked bag. The baggage handler at the curb told me that they can't collect for checking bags. He was very pleasant and nice. We then generously tipped him. Why the inconsistency? I thought the $2 per bag rule was a USAirways rule, not the airport. (I know this probably won't matter when the $15 bag rule goes into effect. Just curious)
Carol Sottili: US Airways is getting rid of the $2 charge because, effective July 9, it started charging $15 for the first piece of checked luggage. Also, the skycaps sued US Airways, saying that the $2 charge effectively eliminated tips. So now US Airways is getting rid of skycaps throughout its entire system and replacing them with reservationists, and eventually with kiosks. The airline says it's not retaliation, the skycaps say it is. But there will be no more US Airways skycaps effective July 31.
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Chicago Ill.: One thing the new car renter in Washington needs to be aware of is that when you prepay for a tank of gas, you're buying an entire tank -regardless- of whether you use it or not. They'll advertise the price per gallon, making you think that if you only use 1/4 or 1/2 a tank, you'll only pay for that. Not so.
Carol Sottili: Yup, you have to read the fine print.
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Galapagos Poster Number 1: If you have a thing for penguins and wildlife in general the Galapagos is a great destination. Even just snorkeling you're bound to see sharks and rays a plenty. And sea lions - the sea lions LOVE to play with divers and snorkelers.
Andrea Sachs: I just want to be a mermaid and live with the penguins and sea lions. Or I guess I could work at SeaWorld.
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Arlington, Va.: It's zipcar.com, not zipcars.com
Carol Sottili: Danke.
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Washington, D.C.: Man am I with you on the crazy TSA liquid rule. I can probably fit a total of 24-ounces in my 3-ounce containers in my quart-size ziplock bags. How many ounces would I need to create something dangerous--26? 30? Then I could just work with a friend, couldn't I? (I hope the idiot head of TSA doesn't read this and decide to ban all liquids.) I once mistakenly took a 4-ounce container, half full with shampoo with me and it was confiscated, even though there were only 2 ounces of liquid. I realize the TSA gate people are only following the ridiculous rules, but I don't think this is about security. I think this is about the sense of security. Some screening is needed, but the terrorism threat is miniscule and these rules don't make it smaller. They just make travel more annoying.
Christina Talcott: I know - I'd like someone to reconsider that rule. There are a lot of actually dangerous items that people are getting through security - those publicized times people testing an airport's security who've gotten knives and guns through - but also times the TSA hasn't caught items that people inadventantly packed. A friend of mine a few weeks back accidentally left a huge, multi-head screwdriver in her bag when she flew from, of all places, JFK to O'Hare, and no one blinked an eye. I think she flew back with it, too. Ridiculous!
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rental cars: First you need a credit card and if you have insurance you don't need the car company's insurance.
Carol Sottili: But you need to make sure your credit card covers you. Don't assume anything.
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Dream trip, accomplished: I was fascinated with Machu Picchu ever since I first heard of it back in middle school or so. When I was a junior in college, I got to visit as part of my program. It was incredible, and no amount of obnoxious tourists could ruin it. It just made me reflect on how small I was in the grand scheme of things. The philosophical "buzz" lasted for a couple of days after I left (then again, it may have been the altitude).
Andrea Sachs: No, those deep thoughts were for real. It's the magic of Machu.
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Pt Reyes: I've been there a couple of times. The best thing to do is to hike a few of the trails out to the beaches and just enjoy the scenery. You should know that it's a bit of a drive from Pt Reyes Station (the nearest town) to the National Seashore, but it's a pretty route. Also, in Pt Reyes Station, you can visit the headquarters of Cowgirl Creamery, the cheese place that is based there which opened a shop in Penn Quarter about a year ago.
Andrea Sachs: Thanks for the tips!
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Lewes-Cape May: allows bicycles -- for a price.
Carol Sottili: Yes, but does the shuttle bus allow bikes?
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Baltimore, Md.: Last June I participated in the climbing of Mt. Kilimanjaro to raise money for breast cancer research. While on that climb I witnessed the strength, perseverance, and tenacity of 3 cancer survivors who despite long journey from base camp to summit and back (8 days) not once did they complain. This dream vacation radically blew my mind as to what determined humans are capable. Two of the survivor were less than one beyond treatment. The destination was phenomenal but my fellow climbers made the trip unforgettable.
Andrea Sachs: Oh my gosh, I would have been teary-eyed during the whole climb. What an amazing feat.
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Crowds at Yellowstone: The Wall St. Journal just did a piece saying that we (we Americans, that is) are visiting national parks a lot less than we used to. So now might be a good time to visit one.
Andrea Sachs: Hmm, that goes against another survey I read (think it was with Lonely Planet) that said more Americans will be traveling to NPs this year, due to the economy and the spike in domestic travel.
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Reston, Va.: Travel Crew: Last summer my mom and I went on a cruise on a replica tall ship to Greece, Croatia and Montenegro. The ship itself was a dream: a beautiful 200-foot, square-rigged sailboat that took as many crew to sail as there were guests aboard. I was most excited about the Greek islands, which turned out to be a dissapointment. There was too much tourist infrastructure and not enough authenticity for my taste. Montenegro and Croatia did not disappoint however. The Adriatic coast in the Balkans is just stunning with rocky mountains plunging directly into the dark blue sea. The towns are charming and well restored and the people amazingly friendly. If you ever get a chance to sail into the Bay of Kotor, jump on it! I've sailed all over the Atlantic, Caribbean and Med and I can say without reservation that Kotor is the most beautiful harbor I've ever seen.
Andrea Sachs: Okay, I will add Kotor to my now expanding Dream List.
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Reston: Photos on your blog - what kind of license do you want to them? I assume the photographer still has full rights to them (to sell, make postcards, etc.) and the only rights you want are to be able to publish them on your blog?
Yes, I'm a lawyer - but also a photographer. I'd love to send you photos but I don't want to stall my "second career" by giving away a National Geographic worthy shot. (hahaha, no really, hahaha).
Christina Talcott: Good question! I've checked with one of The Post's lawyers about that issue, and he said he was looking into it, but I haven't followed up with him to find out what the verdict is. E-mail me at talcottc@washpost.com and I'll give you an answer once I get an answer from him.
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Staycation, Va.: What can someone do at Smith Mountain Lake? We're staying on a houseboat and have two teenagers. I'm afraid that they will be bored stiff. We'll have stuff to do on the water (if they're interested), kayak and another boat but any suggestions for the teen girls?
Thanks!
Carol Sottili: Just got back last week from a couple of nights at a friend's house on Smith Mountain Lake. It's absolutely beautiful - hundreds of miles of shoreline, and really clean water. We just boated and lounged around, but there are marinas, hiking trails, golf, even an amusement park called Hot Shots. Go to www.visitsmithmountainlake.com for ideas.
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credit card and car insurance: I think my Visa covers me for a rental car...but how do I find out? Call the bank (actually a teeny credit union) that issued? Call Visa? Guess? Hope?
Carol Sottili: Call your card issuer (in your case, credit union) and ask. And ask where you can see that in writing.
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Univ. Park, Md.: Hi there. I will be spending a couple of weeks in Princeton, NJ, and it looks like it isn't too far for some day trips to the Jersey Shore. I was wondering if you had any beaches in that area that you would recommend. I remember going to Asbury Park as a kid, but that was more than 30 years ago! I prefer something on the quiet side, as much as that is possible in the summer!
washingtonpost.com: Jersey Shore Guide (Post Travel Section, June 24, 2007)
Andrea Sachs: I am a big fan of Long Beach Island, which has a beach for every taste (each town has a different vibe and scene). Cape May State Park is also lovely (though it may be crowded) as is Corsons Inlet State Park in Ocean City.
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Serengheti - WOW: Hi,
The Serengheti is a place I dreamed of but never imagined I would visit. I did with the payoff from a layoff and it beat all expectations. Sleeping in a tent and hearing the roar of lions will live in my memories. Tanzania is exceptionally beautiful and is still tops after visiting some 40 odd other countries.
Andrea Sachs: Falling asleep to the roar of lions-- love it!
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Nancy McKeon: For "themers," there's a wonderful itinerary of the paintings by Piero della Francesca around Arezzo, in Italy (you can view the map pdf at www.turismo.provincia.arezzo.it/ING_Piero.pdf).
I like the idea of the Vermeer itinerary. Decades ago, the late Mary Cantwell wrote about traveling to see Vermeers, even making appointments with private owners to see the ones in private collections. And I like the Caravaggio "collecting" in Rome. Maybe we should all have life lists of our favorite painters, the way birders do!
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3-1-1 Rule: As someone who worked on explosive materials for the Army the 311 rule is not arbitrary. Several chemical concoctions in quantities smaller than most shampoo bottles is sufficient enough to bring down a 777. (I'm being vague on purpose.) However the quantities dictated by the FAA WILL NOT be sufficient, regardless of concentration, to bring any planes down.
Andrea Sachs: Thank you so much for adding some expertise to this conversation. I am all for security measures, but thoughtful ones!
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Rosslyn, Va.: Last minute question. Going to Honduras next week (leaving one week from today). We'll be there 9 days and staying with a friend who works there for at least some of the time. Because we have the fallback place to stay and probably because we're using miles to fly down and back, we've been very lax on organizing a side trip or two outside of the capital.
Any suggestions as to a 2-3 day trip that would be easy to do from Teguc even at this last minute? Price isn't a huge concern given the little we've spent in travel and some accommodations.
We've thought about Tula or Roatan but it doesn't necessarily have to be in Honduras, say, if it's easy to get to Belize, or other nearby countries.
We're talking about 2 people that are pretty adventurous, one of whom speaks Spanish.
Andrea Sachs: We have never been to Honduras, so can anyone help out Rosslyn?
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Fairfax, Va.: Why is it so much cheaper to fly from BWI than from DCA or IAD? I can understand why DCA might be a bit pricier, since it's so close to the capital (and I would expect to pay for that convenience) -- but it's certainly not an issue of paying for convenience at Dulles. Why the disparity? The prices at BWI can often be 50% - 75% lower than the prices at Dulles - and it always seems to be that way, no matter where I'm going or when.
Carol Sottili: In a word, Southwest. The discount carrier is the main player at BWI, and other airlines have to match its fares. While both DCA and IAD offer some discount carrier service (Southwest operates a few flights out of Dulles, for example), neither airport is dominated by a discount carrier.
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Dupont Circle: So my fiance and I have this crazy idea that we'll go to South Africa for our honeymoon in March, using my dad's vast collection of frequent flier miles. We like the idea of Cape Town for a couple of days (with a winery visit) and a few days out in Kruger. But how do you get from one to the other if you don't want to drive yourself? There was the deal in yesterday's paper through SAA Vacations, but that includes a flight...Any other suggestions on how to do it?
And anything else we should be considering when planning? We'd love suggestions for hotels and lodges and tour operators 'cause we're utterly clueless. And any idea on how soon we should book? Thanks!
Christina Talcott: Congratulations on your wedding, and kudos on picking South Africa for your honeymoon! When I went a few months back, I set up my safari lodging through a tour company called go2africa.com. They're based in SA (in Cape Town, I think), and they were extremely helpful, offering good prices and terrific advice. They can help you arrange transport to and from Kruger and help you in general with getting ready for your trip. You can also check out tour companies in the link we posted earlier.
It's definitely quickest and easiest to fly from Cape Town to Johannesburg, then arrange for a tour company to drive you to Kruger.
In general, I found the Lonely Planet South Africa book to be extrememly helpful and up-to-date, and it has good background info and a wildlife viewing guide.
As for Cape Town lodging, the only recommendation I have is a place called Daddy Long Legs, which has a hostel but also apartments in the center of town, for reasonable price. In the winelands, Franschoek is fabulous, but Stellenbosch might be more convenient to public transport. Chatters, any other advice for Dupont?
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Falls Church, Va.: Hey Flight Crew!
My boyfriend and I would like to take a short-ish vacation before school starts (early August). Where is the best destination for hot weather and great beaches (heck, it could be a cruise) but no (or little chance of) hurricanes?
Andrea Sachs: To really avoid hurricanes, you need to stay away from the belt. Any of these destinations--Trinidad and Tobago, Bonaire, Curacao, Aruba, Panama and the islands off of Venezuela -- should be safe. You can also try California, say San Diego or L.A.
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re TSA: My sister actually flew three round-trips with a keychain container of mace without thinking about it. It wasn't until the return leg of a fourth round-trip flight that anyone spotted it. I don't know who was more surprised: she, for having forgotten it all those times, or the screener, who was horrified that at least 7 previous agents had missed it. (At the time, my sister had to commute through a bad area, and such items were legal there.)
Christina Talcott: OMG, that's crazy! And a little scary...
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NJ Shore: For the P-ton beach seeker, try Lavalette Island, which is a very lovely, quiet beach. I grew up going there and have very fond memories of walking along the boardwalk (which is not lined with shops, but rather with dunes, homes and gazebos) and lying in the sun.
Andrea Sachs: I have never heard of Lavalette. I might have to try it, too.
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San Francisco, Calif.: One of many dream trips I've taken was to Alaska. I saw a picture of the Chilkoot Trail somewhere, miserable-looking 1898 gold rushers trudging through the snow looking, well, miserable, as they carried all their possessions in the very slim hope of striking it rich. "I want to do that hike!" I thought, and I built a two-week trip around it: hiking, kayaking, marvelling. The scale of Alaska has to be seen to be believed, everything is astoundingly beautiful. Being a (then) 20-something woman surrounded by guys sure didn't hurt the experience any either.
Andrea Sachs: Good for you: Glad you followed your dreams.
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Atlanta: oh, the rules are ridiculous (re: TSA). It reminds me of when I flew on El Al. Well, EVERY employee is TRAINED on what to do, how to spot terrorists, etc.
A few years later I flew on Pan AM (okay this is a while ago) and they asked the same questions, but clearly had NO IDEA what they were doing. I guess everyone thought: these are the questions El Al asks, and they've never been hijacked... but the people asking weren't TRAINED how to spot stuff, so they didn't have a clue what was going on.
Same for the TSA stuff. They are given these rules to follow, they don't hardly know why, and they don't understand what's going on. So they are busy harassing people for not following the all important RULES - and then they're distracted by stupid stuff, so the 'bad guys' have an easier time at it.
Christina Talcott: Interesting. I wonder if TSA officials have put their heads together with El Al officials. Might be a good idea.
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Alexandria, Va.: For those Paris lovers... Quebec City in Canada isn't Paris, but it is a heck of a lot cheaper, closer to the U.S., and is incredibly romantic and full of charm. While the dollar is really down against the Euro, the exchange rate in Canada, while not great, is certainly better than against the Euro.
Andrea Sachs: Great idea. And you will have more money to spend on wine, cheese, I Love Quebec shirts.
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"I wonder if it would help to print out the regs (link on the way) to show a screener. ": I tried that once in Denver and was told "the rules have changed". Really? In the three hours since I'd printed them out from tsa.gov before leaving my hotel?
Sometimes when dealing with certain TSA screeners I'm reminded of the Cartman "Respect my Authority!!" character from the TV show South Park.
Which is not a good thing.
Christina Talcott:"The rules have changed"? Sounds like you're dead-on with the Cartman comparison!
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Alexandria: We're headed to Alaska in August. My husband's dream vacation, including float plane trips to kayak on a glacial lake and to see bears. Like your dream about swimming with hammerheads, I've been dreaming about those bears, but not really in a good way.
Andrea Sachs: Oh the bears will be fine, as long as you don't bring a picnic basket.
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taking pets through security: I'm going to be flying with my cat soon; he's going as checked baggage. It sounds like I have to take him through security and then check him planeside into the hold. If I have to take him through security, do you know if TSA will hand search his carrier or allow me a private screening? There's no way I could take him out of the crate to carry him through the metal detector; he'd escape. Am really concerned about losing him in the security screening area.
Nancy McKeon: Don't think this is going to quash your fears, but from the TSA Web site:
You will need to present the animal to the Security Officers at the checkpoint. You may walk your animal through the metal detector with you. If this is not possible, your animal will have to undergo a secondary screening, including a visual and physical inspection by our Security Officers.
Your animal will NEVER be placed through an X-ray machine. However, you may be asked to remove your animal from its carrier so that the carrier can be placed on the X-Ray machine.
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re: Hmm, that goes against another survey I read (think it was with Lonely Planet) that said more Americans will be traveling to NPs this year, due to the economy and the spike in domestic travel. : Yeah, but Lonely Planet just makes stuff up, from what we've heard.
washingtonpost.com: Can You Trust Your Travel Guidebook? (Post Travel Section, April 27)
Andrea Sachs: Um, no comment.
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Dreaming of French Polynesia: My now-husband and I wanted a dreamy honeymoon, so we splurged on a trip to French Polynesia. We adored Moorea, with its verdant peaks and luscious valleys, jagged coastline and gorgeous reefs. I have NEVER seen blue that color. From catamaran trips around the island, accompanied by dolphins, to wave runners into small inlets where they filmed "The Bounty," to lovely sunsets across the waters, it was perfect. It was romantic, relaxing and beautiful. We recommend it to everyone we know.
Nancy McKeon: Sigh . . .
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D.C.: I just got back a month ago from BA and Rio. My immediate question to the previous poster is why do you want a tour group in BA? It's like NYC, very accessible and walkable and taxis are like $3.00. I really think that is one you want do on your own, it's a town meant for strolling not touring. As for Rio... different in that it is much more difficult to walk and get your bearings, more crime etc. Maybe a hired driver? Plus, on a sunny day you want to hit the beach!! Just my two cents but I also personally go nuts on some kind of group van tour.
Andrea Sachs: Thanks for your cents. Makes sense. (ha ha, groan)
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Bowie: In early June, there had been some discussions on this board to the effect that the close-by beaches seemed to be quieter than in past years, probably due to fuel prices.
The opinion was also expressed that June is usually day- and weekend-trip business that would be hurt by transportation costs; but once July come around the business switches to full-week lodgers, of which there will be MORE because people will take their vacations in-state.
Now that it's July; does anyone know if the beaches are doing better or worse than normal?
Carol Sottili: I'm in Ocean City, Md., right now, and it seems pretty busy here. I tried to get chamber on the phone, but no one is available right now, so I have only anecdotal info. Last week I talked with a guy whose family owns a bunch of hotels. He said that the high-end places and low-end places are booked - middle-of-the-road still has availability. I think the same may be true for condos. For example, Sunset Island, which offers high-end condos, is pretty much sold out for the summer, but when I go to www.cbvacations.com or www.shorepro.com, there's still plenty of availability in other developments.
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Themed Trip: We did one over twenty years ago using the book "A Guide to the Impressionist Landscape." It guided us to sites in France where the Impressionists painted. It was great to compare how things looked back then with how they look now.
Andrea Sachs: Thanks for the theme tip.
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Timonium, Md.: Your health writer Sandra Boodman wrote about her family's Alaska vacation a number of years ago and inspired us to do the same. The brown bears at Katmai did not disappoint.
Sam
washingtonpost.com: In Alaska, Make Way for Grizzlies (Post Travel Section, Feb. 29, 2004)
Andrea Sachs: Glad you went, and now the other couple going to Alaska can be reassured that the brown bears are warm and fuzzy.
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Dream Destination, NM: I did a Four Corners Ancestral Puebloan (Anasazi) ruins tour last year, hitting, among other places, Mesa Verde National Park and my dream destination of Chaco Canyon, NM. Amazing architecture in such a desolate area. Loved it so much, I'm going back again this year!
Andrea Sachs: Keep the dream alive.
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L.A., Calif.: Hi - Have the results of the last 2 Extreme Travel Trivia questions been published?
washingtonpost.com: Our Final Winners (Post Travel Section, June 29)
Christina Talcott: Here they are!
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Roseland, N.J.: As someone who vacationed last year in Italy and visited Amalfi, let me second your recommendation: the villages along the coast are stunning. We stayed in Sorrento which is charming. My biggest tip is to SEE CAPRIS. Take a day trip; it is gorgeous. Rick Steves calls it a "tourist trap", but if Capris is a trap, we should all be imprisoned.
Andrea Sachs: Thanks for the second opinion.
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Anonymous: Roanoke, Va. Just spent 3 days at Pipesteam Resort State Park. What a bit of heaven that was. As close to God as you can get. So inexpensive, too. F Y I
Christina Talcott: Yeah, I love that place! Thanks for writing!
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Washington, DC: Why doesn't the person whose friend is going to Italy get her a travel care package? Maybe some fancy travel-size toiletries (within FAA guidelines), some good magazines for the plane that she can throw away... Little luxuries that the friend maybe wouldn't get for herself but that don't cost too much and will make the trip over more pleasant.
Andrea Sachs: Good gift ideas. Thanks!
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Silver Spring MD: Dream trip to Norway five years ago. Met relatives I did not existed until a year or so before. Saw the house my great-grandfather grew up in and the stavekirke where my great grandmother had been baptized. Also saw the baptismal font from the 1200s where great grandfather was baptized (church was gone, but font had been moved to new church). Visited the 'family farm' that has been in the family since 1450. Realized why southern Wisconsin/Northern Illinois was where they settled - looks similar to the area of Norway they came from. It was fantastic!!
Andrea Sachs: Thanks for sharing your dream.
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Arlington, Va.: My dream vacation was to go and watch Georgetown win an NCAA tournament game in person, so I was happy when I was in New Jersey two years ago when they beat North Carolina in overtime to make the Final Four.
Andrea Sachs: Nice. Glad you could smile all the way home.
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Washington, DC: One of my dream trips was Siem Reap, Cambodia to see the temples. I could not find any friends who had the interest and money to go with me so I went alone. The trip was awesome. I stayed in a lovely pension with a French feel, hired a tour guide and tuk-tuk with driver for my three days. Angkor Wat was exceptional, but I also visited many other temples that were impressive. The Cambodian people were terrific (though it's not a true visit to Cambodia because the Siem Reap area is really dedicated to serving tourists visiting the temples). The only disappointment is the mix of abject poverty next to ridiculously high-priced hotels for tourists. I took some comfort that my funds were helping the locals (my pension was owned by Cambodians and my guide and driver were Cambodian).
Andrea Sachs: Thanks for sharing.
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Oviedo, Florida: Update from the turning-50 odyssey to raft the Colorado Rive in Utah: great trip. There are some things you can't see on your own and the inner red rock canyons of the river (permit required) and class 4 and 5 rapids are among them. Loved every minute. Airlines, hotel folks, the expedition packager and even Expedia bent over backwards to fill our requests. Folks, your travel dollar is valued out there. Park City Marriott let us swap one (prepaid) night for another in a flash. Delta crew was nice and comped my teen on a movie after a minor snafu with seatback screen. Rafting expedition company made sure we got a female guide as requested and packed in fresh salmon for b-day dinner, filling another request. Even TSA was polite and efficient in both Orlando and Salt Lake. I've never felt like such a "valued customer" and the gas price/ticket price hikes this year clearly have vendors on alert to keep and humor the travelers who do venture out. p.s. The Olympic Park at Park City is a must for teens - zip line, aerial ski demo (into deep pool) and other extreme sports make it a must-see for those with daredevil teens. One-day camps a good way to let your teen carve air - or at least try to.
Andrea Sachs: Thanks so much for the "postcard."
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Brooklyn, N.Y.: For the friend going to Italy: My favorite travel-themed gift is a combination of things that give you the flavor of being someplace and can also give texture to the experience. So for example, I might give your friend the book Heat, which is about Italian cooking in Italy and in New York, along with some delicious Italian pancetta and a recipe for a perfect spaghetti carbonara. Or I would give a friend a novel set in Italy (Room with a View, perhaps? Enchanted April? Even the new John Grisham book?) and a bottle of Italian wine. Movies set in Italy can also be terrific -- it's fun to "recognize" places that you've seen onscreen.
Good luck!
Andrea Sachs: Thanks for the gift ideas.
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Reston, Va.: For the poster who'd like to give euros to her friend (what a nice gift!): you should be able to order foreign currency from your bank. I just did that (through Wachovia, FWIW) to get some sterling before a recent trip to London. My bank charged a flat fee rather than a percentage, so depending on how much you get, it might be worth it. The currency arrived at my local branch two days later.
Andrea Sachs: Good idea. thanks.
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Harrisburg, Pa.: RE: Gift for friend traveling to Italy
If you're a AAA member, you can order foreign currency through them.
I'd recommend novels or movies on DVD set in Italy to help her get in the mood for her trip.
Andrea Sachs: Thanks for the ideas.
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Burke, Va.: Ever since first having tried Western Australian red wines, I dreamed of going there. I finally went a few years ago, and it didn't disappoint. It was like Napa 25 years ago, before it got all trendy and crowded and expensive. Beautiful tasting rooms, knowledgeable servers, and fabulous wines. As an added bonus, I arrived during wildflower season. I didn't even know they HAD a wildflower season. They have so many varieties unseen in any other part of the world, many of which can be found on your average roadside. Speaking of roadside, you know the lovely (and expensive) calla lily? It's considered an invasive weed in W.A. and has taken over many fields.
Andrea Sachs: I will drink to that. I love Australia.
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Andrea Sachs: Oh no, the hour is up, but we loved reading about your dream trips, and that so many (most!) filled your expectations. With that in mind, keep on dreamin' of those destinations, and make them come true (I sound like Tinkerbell, no?). Then come back next Monday and tell us all about them. Or ask us how to plan them.
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