Talk About Travel

January vacation memories, England, flights to France, Amtrak, the French Quarter in New Orleans and more.

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: Finding out how far you can go when you only have $2009 for 3 travelers.

All other travel topics are open as well. If you have insights, ideas or information to add to the discussion, just press the call button above your seat and we'll get to you as soon as we can. Different members of the Crew will rotate through the captain's chair every week, but the one constant is you, our valued passengers.

We know you have a choice in online travel forums, and speaking for the entire Flight Crew, we want to thank you for flying with us.

A transcript follows.

You may also browse an archive of previous live travel discussions. For daily dispatches, check out Travel Log, the Travel section's new blog.

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Scott Vogel: Chat time again, folks. Welcome to the unofficial home for all those who are happy, even excited, about the avalanche of visitors soon to arrive but can't help wishing they were somewhere else. We are, after all, travelers by nature, always in search of new vistas, a break from the routine, a change WE need.

Over the past few weeks, we in the Travel section have gotten a fair amount of questions from readers interested in departing the Washington area in the coming weeks. So in addition to today's usual grab bag of questions, answers and suggestions, we're having a simple contest. Where is the best place in the world you ever spent a January? The best January reminiscence wins -- you guessed it -- a handsome 2009 calendar sure to please the travelers in your household, plus our thanks for the temporary respite from all things inaugural. Ready, set, go....

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Reston, Va.: Hi,

Any lesser known areas of London you'd recommend for a several-timer? I'm finding, by looking through my many guidebooks, that I've really seen ALL of the main-tourist stuff (and several times each) and a significant number of the lesser-known items.

Is there anything in London that you'd really have to be a local to even know about?

thanks!

washingtonpost.com: A Londoner's London (Post Travel Section, June 15, 2008)

Christina Talcott: The attached story's got lots of off-the-beaten-path suggestions. Anyone else have suggestions?

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Washington, D.C.: I had a travel nightmare over Christmas -- long story short, due to bad weather Dec. 27, I missed a connection back to DC through Chicago and was stuck there for 36 hours. The airline (American) took no responsibility for lodging or food because it was "weather-related." Is there really no recourse for passengers in these horrible situations?

Carol Sottili: Sorry, but you're out of luck. Heres's American Airline's conditions of contract (legal language that is attached to every ticket) on the subject:

"AA may, in the event of a force majeure event, without notice, cancel, terminate, divert, postpone or delay any flight or the right of carriage or reservation of traffic accommodations without liability except to issue an involuntary refund."

It defines "meteorological conditions" as a force majeure event.

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Centreville, Va.: Hello Flight Crew! We're going on our honeymoon (and first international trip ever!) to Banff National Park in Canada for a week. We're getting a rental car so we can explore all of the park, can you suggest any activities or hotels that are a must visit? Thanks so much!

washingtonpost.com: Mountain Do (Post Travel Section, April 8, 2007)

Scott Vogel: Check out the above link for some good info.

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D.C. To London: Hi Crew, My husband and I will be heading to England at the end of May for his father's 60th. We are hoping to use FF miles for one of the tickets, but unfortunately, prices for this time of the year for one ticket are currently costing close to what it usually costs to purchase two tickets. The best I can find right now is close to $900. Should we give in and buy or are we likely to get a better deal in a few more weeks?

Carol Sottili: It's been a few years since you could get a $450 round trip ticket including all taxes for travel in late May, so not sure I agree that $900 is the price of what two tickets usually cost. That does seem high, but you can expect to pay $750 to $800 in late May, even with a sale. Track fares on British Airways, United and Virgin -- one will probably have a sale, and the rest will follow.

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Airfares -- holy cow: I'm planning two trips to France this spring/summer.

I was really hoping the economy would bring airfares down to something reasonable. They can't fill planes, right?

I'm seeing 1600 per person in late May, and 1700 per person late July. I'm not thrilled. When would I be able to expect these prices to come down somewhat? I don't want to miss out on a seat, but I really don't want to pay those prices either. At this point I'm thinking 1200 per person is going to be a bargain... thoughts?

thanks!

Carol Sottili: Hold out. There will be sales. But you may have to connect a couple of times or go out of New York or make some sort of concession in order to get a very good deal.

And planes to Europe are still going out pretty full.

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Marshall, Wisconsin: I want to take my great granddaughter on a Disney cruise. She is 6. Am I better off booking thru a discount cruise broker or directly thru Disney? I'm interested in a good price.

Carol Sottili: I like the www.cruisecompete.com Web site, where different agencies basically bid on your cruise package. Do that and compare price to what you'd get directly from Disney.

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Gaithersburg, Md.: My husband and I want to go to Hawaii this May for our anniversary. Flights have come down a little since late last year when we first started looking but they are still around $800/person. Is that the best we are going to get, or do you think we should wait it out a little while longer. What price would you say we should snap up immediately?

Carol Sottili: Prices to Hawaii are up and down. Last fall, some airlines were offering round-trip fares of about $450, but that was short-lived. Track the prices, and strike when a sale hits. $800 sounds about average. Also, look into sales from Los Angeles and San Francisco, and then compare the fare ticketed from Washington to Hawaii to the fare ticketed separately from here to West Coast and then West Coast to Hawaii.

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Kensington, Md.: Does Amtrak sell discounted tickets any more? Some years ago, Amtrak was selling tickets on eBay, but they gave that up after a few years. My son will never forget his ride to New York in the Acela, and I will never forget the $24 price!

Scott Vogel: Wow, you got a great deal. Amtrak's Web site does indeed advertise discounts, like a $49 one-way trip to NYC from DC (not on the Acela), but restrictions apply. No bargain, I realize...

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Alexandria, Va.: Kudos to Stephen for his great article on surfing in Barbados. As someone who visits the island about twice a year to visit my Dad who moved there two years ago (I know, my friends constantly remind me how lucky I am!), I have gotten to see some world class surfing in many of the areas highlighted in your article.

Some additional great places to eat if you head down there to surf, or just enjoy the island: - the Tides and the Cliff, which you mentioned in the sidebar, are great places for upscale dining. Also along those fine dining lines: Lone Star and Olives Bistro (both in Holetown). Lone Star is right on the beach and has fantastic steaks. Olives has great, authentic Italian. Ask for a table upstairs on the little balcony.

- for a great lunch while overlooking the Soup Bowl surfers, try Roundhouse Inn. But make a reservation - the place can book up months in advance during the busy season!

- for casual, traditional Bajan barfood, try Groots in Speightstown. Make sure you write a message or sign your name on the wall while you're there!

Thanks for all your do travel gurus!

washingtonpost.com: Surf's Up (Even for This Middle-Aged Adventurer) (Post Travel Section, Jan. 4)

Scott Vogel: Thanks for your great additional info!

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Bermuda: The best January getaway was to Paris for a weekend. I was in London on business and visited a friend who worked for UNESCO. It was unseasonably warm and because it was January there were very few crowds at the bigger tourist sites like le Notre Dame. My friend took me to le Sacre Coeur and I got to see mostly locals on picnics with their families on a Sunday afternoon, and one of the better views of Paris. Plus I caught one of the twice yearly Parisian sales and while they didn't have any sizes left for the typical French woman, they had plenty of clothes in my size -- 10, that is.

Scott Vogel: The January sales in Paris -- definitely worth a look-see if you've never done it.

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St. Paul, Minn.: My daughter's preschool teacher is eloping in Thailand with her fiance in February. We'd like to give her a small wedding present but I know that she doesn't want a lot of "stuff" -- so we were thinking about something either Thai-related or that we can help them do in Thailand. Any ideas?

Christina Talcott: That's very sweet of you! You could buy her a pre-paid card, like Visa TravelMoney or MasterCard Prepaid Travel Card, which she can use in stores, hotels, anywhere that takes credit or debit cards. Just make sure it's valid for travel abroad. Other alternatives could be a pretty sarong, which she could use as a beach blanket, skirt or light blanket; a travel guide (the DK Eyewitness guides are beautiful) and a memory card for her digital camera; or maybe something for her home (to ease the pain of having to return!). Naturally, your daughter making the card would add a special touch. Anyone have other ideas for St. Paul?

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spring break: My husband and I are planning to drive with our 1 year old to NYC to visit grandparents in May. Either on the way there or the way back, we would like to take a more leisurely trip, stopping a couple of places along the way. Do you have suggestions along the I-95 corridor?

washingtonpost.com: Driving to New York? Give the Kids a Break. (The Washington Post, Dec. 10, 2008)

Scott Vogel: You ask, we deliver...

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Dupont Circle, D.C.: Last year in January we did Morocco. The weather was pleasant, if somewhat cool at night, and it wasn't overrun with European tourists escaping for warmer temperatures. You also couldn't beat the price of the flight either. It was almost like visiting Europe in terms of ease of travel to and from as well as getting around, but culturally unique and a more uncommon destination. You can't beat that for a January getaway on a budget.

Scott Vogel: Quite an interesting idea -- thanks.

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Annapolis, Md.: If you have a hotel in the French Quarter, can you enjoy New Orleans without a car? How walkable of a city is it?

Nancy McKeon: I walked my feet off the last time I was in New Orleans (pre-Katrina), checking out all the antiques shops (and now regretting what I didn't buy) and restaurants in the quarter, stretching all the way down Royal Street. One appointment I had was in the Garden District, and for that I took a cab (and it wasn't even all that far away). Another time I went, many years ago, we went poking around looking for remote levees, and for that we needed a car. And you know what? If you get there and suddenly decide to go places where a car is warranted? I'm sure you can easily rent one.

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Arlington, Va.: My best January experience was actually last year with my husband. We were wrapping up a 2 week tour of Southern Africa and spent some time in Zambia. My favorite part of that experience was in a helicopter overlooking Victoria Falls. All tours had been cancelled that day due to rain, but the clouds parted in time for our adventure. It was a breathtaking way to start 2008!

Scott Vogel: Very cool experience. Thanks.

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Italy in August?: Hi Flight Crew, I need the help of you and your experienced chatters. My husband and I are planning a trip to Italy (Rome, Venice and Naples) and we would like to go on our anniversary, which is in August. However, I have heard that things shut down in Europe that time of year. Our next-best travel option is mid-September. Is it worth changing our plans to this second option? Has anyone been to Italy in August and would know what it is like? Thank you!

Nancy McKeon: I haven't been in those cities in August in recent years, but my recollection is that while some things slow down, the things of interest to visitors are open and quite hopping, given that there are all those other tourists vying with you to get into the Vatican/Pompeii/Doge's Palace. Doing those cities in August, when half of Italy goes on holiday to Spain and half of France comes to Italy, might be less frantic than in mid-September, when people are back at their desks and traffic is back to its chaotic self. But September will have a little less heat, too. Choose depending on when you really want to travel (and airfares, which I don't think will drop seasonally as early as mid-September), not on worries that things won't be open. (If you gave me a choice between August and November, though, I'd easily take November; but I don't like heat and I love lower airfares.)

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Alexandria, Va.: I'm flying to NY-La Guardia in a few days, and I am looking for tips on getting into Manhattan from the airport. Is the bus dependable and reliable, or should I pay for a cab?

Nancy McKeon: The bus is reliable but you'll have to wait for it. There are a few lines (including a SuperShuttle), so that may (or may not) shorten the wait time. A couple of the lines just run regularly every half hour or so and make drops in several places in Manhattan. Expect to pay $10 to $15 each way, which is less than half of a taxi fare, depending on your final destination.

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Vienna, Va.: Free promotion request! For those of us wanting to use the MLK/Inaugural weekend for a quick getaway, where's the best place on www.washingtonpost.com to get ideas?

washingtonpost.com: A few good places to start: for something close to home check the Mid-Atlantic Travel Archives, and for bargains further afield look at recent What's the Deal? columns.

Scott Vogel: Here you go.

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Arlington, Va.: What features would you consider must-haves for travel insurance for a 2-week international trip? How much would you expect it to cost?

Carol Sottili: There are several good sites where you can compare the different policies, what they cover and how much they cost. Go to www.insuremytrip.com or www.squaremouth.com. Basics are medical insurance, trip interruption, trip cancellation. Look for the details. Examples: Will it pay for me to be transported back home in first class if I break my leg? Will it pay for me to fly back suddenly if an in-law dies, not just an immediate family member? Will it cover pre-existing medical conditions? Will it cover bankruptcy of my tour company?

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Rockville, Md.: I really liked your 3 trips for $2009 feature. It encouraged me to take an inexpensive weekend trip somewhere, but I'm having trouble figuring out how to find deals. I'm thinking of going to Las Vegas or Chicago Friday through Sunday, flying nonstop out of Baltimore. I'd like to keep the price around $600 for flight and hotel for 2 people. Is there a website that can alert me if there's a deal to these cities at my price and with a nonstop flight? Or do I just have to plug in every weekend until I hit a weekend that has my price?

Andrea Sachs: So glad you liked the piece. We had fun with that challenge (and I am hardly griping; I won fifty bucks!). For Vegas, check packages on TravelZoo, Kayak, Cheaptickets.com and others if its ilk. (You can also check hotels and air on these sites for Chicago.) On Kayak, the cheapest rates found will be highlighted for that month, so if you are flexible, you can go with the lowest. Some sites like Travelocity, Airfarewatchdog.com, Farealert.net and Hotwire also offer personalized alerts, in which they e-mail you sales that match your needs. Farecompare also plans to start a service in which it lets customers know when there has been a specific fare cut among airlines.

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Ashburn, Va.: It's a tad simple, and I do not tend to travel in January, but the best January Travel I have had was to Ocean City/Rehoboth Beach. It's so calm and serene in the winter. Quite beautiful.

Scott Vogel: We like simplicity. In fact, simplicity sounds REALLY good right now.

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SFO, Calif.: I'd like to follow my husband to Zurich for a conference in Sept. '09. As there is no direct flight from SFO to ZRH, I'm wondering what is the best strategy for the cheapest flights: looking for flights to East Coast and then Zurich, or getting to Europe first and then a connection? Which connecting airports are best for cheap fares?

Carol Sottili: You need to price it out both ways. I don't know which cities in Europe one can fly nonstop to from San Francisco, but you can easily find that out by checking flight schedules on the airport's Web site (www.flysfo.com). Same advice for determining flights to Zurich from New York (www.panynj.com), which often offers cheaper fares to Europe because there is more competition. London is another good bet. Try www.euroflights.com for a list of which discount carriers within Europe serve Zurich.

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Potomac, Md.: Can you recommend a weekend getaway outside of New York City that would duplicate the Inn at Little Washington experience -- elegant accommodations, fabulous food -- for a young couple celebrating a special anniversary?

Nancy McKeon: Duplicate? Never! But the Inn is a Relais & Chateaux property, and there are a couple of analogous possibilities, both pricey. Up in the Litchfield Hills, in Morris, Conn., is Winvian, a rambling somewhat rustic resort centered on a big white country house, with almost two dozen "chalets" on the large property--a lodge, a lighthouse, a two-story treehouse, etc. The Sweetheart Escape package there, available trough the end of March, is $1,725 per person for two nights' lodging, dinner for two each night, and one activity (massage, cooking lesson, etc.). Regular rates start at $999 per night Sunday-Thursday only. (The Inn's looking pretty much like a bargain right now!)

Another Relais & Chateaux property outside NYC that suggests itself is the more modest Hotel Fauchere in the town of Milford, Pa., in the Poconos, which we wrote about a couple of weeks ago. Rates there start at $200 on weeknights, $275 on weekends.

A third is the Mayflower Inn & Spa, in the tony reaches of western Connecticut. Rooms there are $500-$800 a night; suites go up to $1600.

What recession?

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washingtonpost.com: Even in the Poconos, You Can Upgrade to First Class (Washington Post, Dec. 28)

Nancy McKeon: Here's the piece we did on the Hotel Fauchere.

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Washington, D.C.: Question: $707 for an open-jaw ticket from DCA to Manchester, England and back from London to DCA in late May/early June - a good price or can it be better?

Carol Sottili: If that includes all taxes/fees, that's a very good price.

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Washington, D.C.: Hi, Flight Crew! I'm going to Costa Rica! There's a currency exchange a block from my office here. Is it worth it to exchange my money to colones before I go? Thanks!

Carol Sottili: I found very few places that wouldn't take U.S. dollars. I exchanged $50 into colones at the hotel in Costa Rica and got a much better rate than what was being offered here.

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Hawaii traveler: I would take a look into booking flights separately. First book a flight on one carrier to a west coast city, then book a flight to Hawaii. You may save yourself some money.

I am not sure what your dates are but that is always an option too. It's possible you could save yourself $200-$400 per person.

Carol Sottili: Glad you agree with me.

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Bowie, Md.: Best January Trip.... 1980 -- Reagan Inaugural -- took a bus from DC to Atlantic City - Spent a day with my 68 yr old Dad who took a bus from Brooklyn. Nothing exciting, no big casino winning... but a day with my Dad, walking along the boardwalk, that I treasure in my memories every 4 years. I wish he was around this year 'cause I'd do it again.

Scott Vogel: A nostalgic January memory... thanks.

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Alexandria : I will be in Beijing in March and would love to do a helicopter trip around the city. I did not find anything on the web. Is it not permitted?

Andrea Sachs: From what I have read, the city does not allow helicopters to fly over the city center, with the exception of the Olympics. Will standing atop the Great Wall do?

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Silver Spring: Hi, I loved your article about the spa getaway. My girlfriends and I want to go away for a spa weekend. Do you have suggestions for other spas that aren't going to break the bank?

Thanks!

washingtonpost.com: Sisterly Bonding on a Budget (Post Travel Section, Jan. 4)

Christina Talcott: I'm so glad you liked the story! I feel like any small town with a spa can be a spa getaway, but there are certainly others like Berkeley Springs known for their spas.

One of my all-time favorite getaways is Warm Springs, Va., where for $17 apiece you can soak in the Jefferson Pools where - you guessed it - Thomas Jefferson soaked, and eat great food at the Waterwheel Restaurant and restaurants in the nearby town of Hot Springs. The Homestead resort is in Hot Springs; its services are a bit pricey, but if you stay in Warm Springs (my favorite is Inn at Gristmill Square - www.gristmillsquare.com) it's doable. Gristmill also has a spa; a massage and facial package is $170 apiece, and rooms start at $110.

In St. Michaels, on Maryland's Eastern Shore (www.stmichaelsmd.org), there are several hotels with spas. Five Gables Inn & Spa is more budget-friendly than the luxurious Inn at Perry Cabin; you could also stay at a local B&B and get spa services at either hotel or at a day spa.

Williamsburg, Va., also has a number of spa-and-hotel spots; go to www.colonialwilliamsburgresort.com for deals.

Of course, Berkeley Springs was my first real spa experience, so I'm sure chatters can offer more specific suggestions.

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Best January trip: A couple of years ago I went to San Juan PR for a long weekend in January. We were delayed several hours due to freezing weather, with our luggage apparently sitting outside next to the plane. On arrival we discovered a fist-sized hole in my hard-sided luggage! It had cracked due to the freezing temps. 6 months and several dozen phone calls/emails later, I received a new suitcase AND $250 from United for my trouble - which I promptly spent on another weekend trip to San Juan, as we had such a fabulous trip the first time.

Scott Vogel: Wow -- all's well that ends well, I guess.

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Arlington, Va.: re: London. If the traveler has already been to London many times and seen everything there is to see why go back? Why not go see somewhere else instead? Or at least do some day trips out of London. Take the train to Bath and spend a day there. Or any of the other interesting towns an hour or two outside the city.

Christina Talcott: Bath sounds beautiful, and I like the idea of getting out of London and exploring.

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Washington, D.C.: Since I hate crowds and am not a slave to the school year summer vacation schedule, I've always been a big fan of off-season travel. As such, I've often found myself in locations during times of the year when other vacationers are at a minimum. That is how I found myself in Prague one January. I'm sure it's a lovely city in the warmer months, but since it is so cold there for much of the year I think it's a city much better experienced in winter. Czech cuisine, laden with rich sauces and doughy dumplings, is best appreciated in cooler temps. When the chill sets in while strolling cobblestone streets, there are a multitude of Viennese-style cafes to stop at for a pastry and a hot coffee fortified with a shot of liqueur. If only a quick pick-me-up is needed, these same cafes have walk-up windows where you can purchase a cup of hot mulled wine to warm your hands and belly. And what better way to prepare for the walk back to your hotel after dinner than by sipping a glass of Becherovka? Walking across the Charles Bridge at dusk while the snow gently started to fall is something I will never forget.

Scott Vogel: Okay, Prague couldn't ask for a better January advocate, if I do say so myself.

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Washington, D.C.: I have a question related to the first one on London -- what would you recommend in London for a first time visit? I'm going over inauguration weekend and want to spend some time shopping and seeing shows but don't want to feel like I missed out on the sights. Maybe a better way to phrase it is are there any overrated sights that I should skip?

Christina Talcott: Ah, I like the rephrasing. Anyone?

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Best Jan, a comment and a question: My best Jan was last year when I got to visit my friend in Rio for two weeks where he was teaching English. But that wasn't the best part. We took 5 days for a super long weekend and flew to Buenos Aires. It was the best trip ever. The food was fantastic, the wine was divine and so affordable! Buenos Aires is definitely one of my top 3 favorite international cities. I would go back in a heartbeat, especially b/c the day I left DC was when it was snowing and even the govt was shutting down. Nothing beats sitting on the beach while DC is cold and snowy.

My comment to the dad in Barbados: can I visit? I'm so jealous!

My question: some friends and I are going to South Padre Island March 7-14th. I checked Kayak.com and found a range of prices. The most convenient is showing a price of $450. Are there other websites that I should look at to see if there are better deals? Since it's two months away I don't want to wait much longer to get tickets.

Thanks!

Andrea Sachs: BA has a high inlfux of ex-pats, and now I know why!

I am a big believer in Kayak, but you can also check FareCompare and SideStep, though often the results are the same. Also, don't forget that Southwest has bowed out of these mass search engines, so go to its site for some additional research.

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Force Majeure events: Hi and Happy New Year!

On Sunday Dec. 21 I was to leave Philadelphia on US Airways, direct to Munich. Flight was due to leave at 6.30 pm and for various reasons, did not leave until 5 minutes of 6 a.m. on Monday Dec. 22. All we got was a $10 food voucher, after about 11 p.m., when only one restaurant was open! The problem: the toilet on the plane was broken on the flight in from Italy, it took them a while to determine the problem, realize they could not fix it, get another plane, cater the 2nd plane, get new crew (because by this time they had 'timed out'), fuel the 2nd plane, complete the paperwork for the 2nd plane, etc., etc. We boarded at about 3 a.m. and then actually departed at 5 of 6 a.m. Fortunately I did not have to make any connections, but still lost a day of my vacation. Any recourse?

Carol Sottili: You could try writing the airline a letter:

US Airways

Attention: Customer Relations

4000 E. Sky Harbor Blvd.

Phoenix, AZ 85034

But my guess is that all you'll get is a letter of apology.

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Chantilly, Va.: I went to college in New England, so January meant cold, grey skies, and road slush. My senior year though, I ended up doing an internship at NASA in Houston during January and February. Aside from a great intern experience (and getting to go into the giant vault full of moon rocks), I was very excited to be somewhere else during those two months. Probably the best time of the year to be in Houston (wouldn't want to be there in summer!), and also the best time of the year to not be in Massachusetts.

Scott Vogel: As a former Houstonian, I can vouch for this one. It's a great, often overlooked, destination at this time of year.

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D.C.: Looking for some Italy advice. I turn 40 this year and am thinking about going to Italy in April -- it is at the top of my overseas places that I want to go. I'll probably have two weeks but I don't want to cram too much into a trip. My top interests are scenery, architecture/art, people watching and food.

And everyone talks about how romantic Italy is, am I going to feel out of place as a single woman traveler?

Thanks!

Nancy McKeon: No, no, no! Italy isn't like one of those honeymoon resorts. It's a big (well, sorta) country bursting with people and museums and churches (same diff) and piazzas and restaurants and great shops. There's plenty of things to do and see, and you don't need someone else for those (though, of course, it's always nice to share reactions); the only times it might feel a little weird is at mealtimes, in restaurants--and then I just remembered how I would eat out when traveling on business and it felt more normal. I've traveled Italy with boyfriends, with family, with a few friends and on my own. Each experience was necessarily different but wonderful in its own way. Remember, on your own, you get to decide how much time to spend at the Uffizi.

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affordable vacay alert: My boyfriend and I went to Punta Cana in the DR on Black Friday and returned Dec. 2nd. We booked in April with our tax refund money, and per person was less than $800 for airfare ($535 alone!), 5 days/4 nights hotel stay, all inclusive food, alcohol AND tips. We still tipped, just $1 American per round of drinks and were treated extremely well all around the hotel for being tipping people. It's mostly euros and Canadians so its a nice casual getaway, the hotel (Barcelo) is like a resort with 3 pools, 7 distinct restaurants, 2 all day buffets, ocean right behind the property, a casino, disco/dance club, many bars, a spa and the list goes on and on. The only real money you need is tipping and souvenirs. great experience and very affordable. 3 hour flight from Phila. Just wanted to let people know this type of trip is possible and the Dominican Republic is such a hidden gem!

Scott Vogel: Thanks for the heads-up. Sounds like a definite keeper.

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Downtown D.C.: Hi Crew -

I am pricing airfares to Miami in late March. Is $225 a decent r/t fare or can I expect a drop before then? Thx and Happy New Year!

Carol Sottili: I think you can do better, especially if you go out of BWI. I just looked at www.kayak.com and came up with a round-trip fare of $172 on Airtran out of BWI for nonstop flights.

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Minneapolis, Minn.: My best January trip was to Montana a few years ago to visit family. My SIL was due with a baby and I got a last minute 'cyber saver' fare to visit. We arrived on Saturday and visited family. Sunday we went skiing during the day. Sunday night my first niece was born and we got to be at the hospital for the birth. We visited the new baby one more time the next morning then flew home. I couldn't have timed it better if I had tried!

Scott Vogel: A lucky break!

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Bus from LaGuardia: I live in NYC and always take the Airport Express bus to/from the city and LGA and JFK. It is SO easy and drops you off right at Grand Central. Plus it's only $12 o/w from LGA and $15 o/w from JFK. Depending on how many of you there are, though, a cab may be cheaper overall.

Nancy McKeon: Here's a vote for the NYC airport bus, with a good point about cabs being right depending on your number.

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LaGuardia to Manhattan: If you really want to save money you can take the M60 city bus to the 125th street subway station which will put you on the eastside subway lines (4,5,6). You can do your whole trip from airport to destination for $2. The MTA has a trip planner on their website but you have to search for it.

Nancy McKeon: Thanks. Call me lazy, but . . .

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Today's game: I was so hoping for holiday travel stories, as I had a really good one. Just for fun: my parents live in TN but came up here for Christmas and we usually spend the 4th of July with them in TN. On the lake. About 1/2 mile downstream of the fly ash dam break that was in the news around Christmas. So their holiday travel had the added stress of wondering what they would return home to, and our 4th of July holiday is now very questionable.

Best January travel? How about most memorable. I agreed to help a friend drive a U-Haul truck from Blacksburg to Denver, only I had a terrible cold during the drive so I only took one 4-hour shift in Kansas. We were a 20-foot truck towing a Caprice Classic due west when the prevailing winds were from the north. Talk about a sail. We took that northward job once 70 hits Colorado and were suddenly able to actually maintain a speed and lane. But the good news -- I recovered enough to enjoy Boulder, we had a blast at the Coors plant, and I got one evening of skiing in at Keystone. My only ski trip to Colorado. I was surprised how temperate Denver was compared to my image of Colorado (ski slopes) and was very surprised to be happy in just a sweatshirt.

Scott Vogel: Yikes! Double yikes!

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Getting around, NO: Don't forget the street cars in New Orleans. They have been mostly restored since Katrina - and you can easily get to the garden district and walk around. Buy a day pass (or multi-day pass) - check out the street car web site http://www.norta.com/StCharles/

We typically get a pass and explore. Get a Zagats and find some of those out of the way restaurants - make sure the guide is post-Katrina and as up to date as you can get!

Nancy McKeon: Here's some great added info about New Orleans.

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Silver Spring, Md.: Here's a good one: in October, I booked a flight to West Palm Beach for $72. I checked the Air Tran website last week and saw that the price was lowered to $49. I called and they said that they could give me the lower price but there was a $15 fee to do so -- which only gave me a net savings of $8. Is this the new norm?

Carol Sottili: Nothing new here. Been that way for many years. Airtran is one of the better airlines re: charging change fees. The legacy airlines often charge fees of $100 and up for for reticketing of domestic tickets (more for international travel). Southwest, BTW, does not charge change fees.

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Best January: In January 2005 I did a 4 week study abroad program in Europe. We hit Belgium (Brussels and Brugges), Paris, Amsterdam, Bratislava, Vienna, Hungary (Budapest and Eger), and Ireland (Galway and Limerick). It was a whirlwind but so much fun - it was definitely the best experience of my life so far :)

Scott Vogel: A whirlwind indeed, but no doubt easier to accomplish without the added tourist crunch.

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Italy in August: The last time we were in Rome was the first week of September, and some of the restaurants we were hoping to try had just opened or were due to open after we were leaving. Since this is for an anniversary, I would suggest that if you have restaurants in mind, contact them (or check their websites) to see if/when they will be closed. Speaking of restaurants, we really liked Antico Forno Roscioli, Enoteca del Frate, and Gusto.

Nancy McKeon: Ah, a word of caution. It's true that some restaurants do take a week or two off, though I never had special enough plans to find this disappointing. But the poster is right--if you're looking for a particular place, plan your trip around when it's open. Thanks for the help.

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Rockville, Md.: Hello,

I'm a college student. I've heard about Airtran's Airtran U standby program for students, but saw on their website that it ended December 15th. Are they planning on continuing the program in 2009? Thanks.

Christina Talcott: Fear not, Rockville! The Dec. 15 mention was simply a (confusing) reference to the last day in 2008 that students could use the program, since December 16-31 were blacked out. Here are the blackout dates for 2009: January 4; February 13, 16; April 3-5, 9-10, 19; May 22, 25; June 21, 26, 28; July 3, 5, 12; November 25, 28-30; December 18 - 31.

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Vienna, Va.: For the traveler to London: Not many people bother to go by the British National Library, but it is worth a stop. They have a small, but impressive (and free) collection of historical works like a Gutenberg Bible, a Magna Carta, and Beatles lyrics scrawled on cocktail napkins by John Lennon. There isn't anything to do for kids, but for a bibliophile it's a really nice stop that not many people know about.

Christina Talcott: Nice suggestion. Thanks!

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Falls Church Resident, New Orleans Native: If you want to explore the French Quarter and Uptown, you don't need a car. In fact, a car is a giant pain in the Quarter to park and the lots will add to your expense. Take the streetcar uptown and back to Canal Street and you will find plenty to do. If you want to do the swamp tours and stuff in outlying areas, you will want a car. I love my home town and know you will have a blast.

Nancy McKeon: Here, the word on NO from a native!

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Any Ideas?: Hi Travel Crew!

I'd like to take a trip with my wife somewhere in February or March for a few days. Overseas is fine (I have some United upgrades burning a hole in my pocket) but would like to keep airfares down. Any chance of fare sales on United to Brazil, Argentina, or Europe anytime soon?

Maybe somewhere else?

Andrea Sachs: United currently has sales to Europe, Asia, Australia and Canada, but you have to book by Jan. 7. The travel dates, though, fit your needs (Feb. and March). If you don't mind holding onto your miles for a little longer, Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic and American also have sales on European flights. My pick would be, however, Morocco on Iberia Airlines.

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Alexandria, Va: Having just suffered the indignity of flying over the holiday, I really must ask: Will the airlines ever rescind their fee for checking luggage? That, as I recall, was justified based on the price of fuel -- but lo and behold, fuel prices have fallen dramatically. I always thought that policy was asinine -- after years of training consumers to CHECK luggage to speed up boarding processes, you want to create an incentive to lug big bags ONTO the plane??? In any case, methinks it would take only one legacy carrier to drop the fee and the rest would follow. What do you think?

Carol Sottili: I don't think it will ever happen. Airlines are making money on these fees. In the third quarter of 2008, for example, Continental made $21.2 million from those fees, and Northwest made $32.7 million.

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Washington, D.C.: My best January trip was to Great Exuma, in the Bahamas, with my boyfriend. Tagged it onto a work trip to Miami, so the cost was minimal. The island wasn't too crowded as it's somewhat off the beaten path. We stayed with friends on their sailboat. The weather was absolutely perfect the entire time.

Oh yeah, and on the last day we got married on the beach!

Scott Vogel: There you go: a couple that owes its marriage to January.

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Arlington, Va.: Thanks for the Toronto story yesterday...one of my favorite towns. Why in the world are airfares so ridiculously high to there now though? I remember the days when I could fly the Air Canada non-stop for $150. More recently it had been in the $350 range. But now it is well over $700! For a flight that last about 50 minutes. Is Air Canada trying to get out of this route? I can't imagine anyone paying such a ridiculous fare. I can fly to Europe for that much.

washingtonpost.com: A Night in Toronto on Hockey's Hallowed Turf (Post Travel Section, Jan. 4)

Nancy McKeon: We spotted that $324 fare on Northwest that we mentioned, but a lot of the flights were way up there. Dunno why. Lack of competition?

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Ellicott City, Md.: While I'm sorry that Washington got stuck in Chicago, one of my travel rules is: it's fine to fly TO Chicago, but never THROUGH Chicago. Especially on a holiday!

Carol Sottili: My friends' sons were both on the American flight to DCA that slid off the runway in Chicago on Christmas Eve - no one was injured, but scared the stuffing out of them. I'm thinking that Chicago is best traveled through, into or out of during the better weather months.

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Washington, DC: My husband and I are going on a late honeymoon this spring to Costa Rica. The plane ticket has my married name which is a double name with my maiden name with my husband's name. My driver's license has the double name. My passport just has the one maiden name on it. Will I have to add the second name on my passport in order to travel?

Andrea Sachs: Yep, all names should match up, especially tickets and passports. Here is the info: http://travel.state.gov/passport/fri/ChangeName/ChangeName_851.html.

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Beijing -- View of the City: I was in Beijing at the end of April last year. An amazing trip. One issue even if you would be allowed to take a helicopter, is that you may not be able to see anything given the smog that day. There is a small park (the name escapes me) that is located North of the Forbidden City. There is a hill that you can hike up (a really easy hike). From the temple on this hill you have an amazing view of the city. It costs about 50 cents to get into the park. Really worth doing. We found this by accident before we met our tour company to hike the Great Wall. We hiked from one location to another. This included around 30 watch tours. Very demanding but extremely worth it. Hope that helps.

Andrea Sachs: Great advice, and sad reality (cough, cough). Thanks!

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January On Rotto: A few years ago I spent three January days 20 kilometers off the coast of Western Australia on Rottnest Island -- the Aussies call it "Rotto". Warm sunny weather, beautiful beaches and coral reefs for snorkling with water so clear you want to taste it to make certain it's really salty, some of the world's best sailing thanks to the wind pattern known as 'the Fremantle Doctor', bicycling around the island, freshly caught fish grilled at the local pub and enjoyed al fresco under a grape arbor as quokka hopped around our feet. Quokka? If I could attach a photo of a quokka it would peg the Flight Crew's cute-o-meter. Imagine a kangaroo the size of a house cat. Since Rotto's been a protected nature reserve for nearly a century, they have no fear of humans and it's estimated about 10,000 live on the island, which is maybe 10km by 3km. Every time the topic of beaches has come up, I've said that if Rottnest Island weren't so far from the U.S. the Caribbean would be out of business.

Scott Vogel: Fantastic stuff...

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D.C.: I've been very interested in traveling to Croatia. I've come across Gate1 Travel, and the packages they put together seem affordable. Do you have any information whether Gate1 is a reputable agency or if we should try to plan this on our own? Your story from a few years back has really piqued my interest. Thanks!!

Carol Sottili: Gate 1 Travel has been around for more than 25 years. It's a member of the United States Tour Operators Association and has a good rating with the Better Business Bureau. It offers good budget travel packages.

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Question About Flight Times: Hi, Crew,

Are airlines flying planes more slowly these days? It seems as though flight times are much longer than they used to be!

Thanks.

Nancy McKeon: In fact, they are. I can't find the news stories that ran on this, but as fuel prices began rising, the airlines cut the speed of their planes, saving tons of money. I don't know about "much" longer, but longer, yes.

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University Park, MD: Loved the $2009 articles! Now, can you please advise a fellow penny-pincher about airfares to Norway? We have found a round-trip fare to Bergen of $845 on Expedia in early September. That seems reasonable to me; I know Scandinavia is expensive. Jump or wait?

Thanks as always!

Scott Vogel: That's not a bad price, actually. The only thought I have is this. Fares roundtrip from London to Oslo are running about $75 for September for Ryanair. Watch for sales to London, where prices are often more competitive, and then pounce on both.

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20005: Just got the save the date for a wedding in Scotland in October. Two quick questions. Which city has the larger airport, Edinburgh or Glasgow, and what is an average fare for that time of year?

Andrea Sachs: Edinburgh is the largest. Barring major shake-ups in the airline world, expect to pay anywhere from $650 to $850.

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For First Time London: When I took my mother for her first (and only) trip to London, we took the boat from Parliament Steps to the Tower of London -- and didn't go to either Parliament or the Tower (and I'm an old London traveler and haven't been to either -- overrated unless you want to see the Crown Jewels in the Tower). Seeing the city from the Thames gives you a new viewpoint. I'd love to go to Tate Modern for the first time and Tate on Millbank again. The National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery are fun and on Trafalgar Square. Check St Martin in the Fields calendar for evening concerts. Movies use the view overlooking London from Hampstead Heath much as Hollywood uses Mulholland Drive for LA. Highgrove Cemetery has Marx's Grave... interesting for economists as well as politicos.

Christina Talcott: More helpful suggestions for the London-bound...

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Washington, D.C.: I'm a bad Democrat. I have no desire to be here for the inauguration. Too many people, chaos on the Metro and roadways, etc. It's like Rolling Thunder, the Marine Corps Marathon, Fourth of July and a 3 day presidential motorcade all rolled into one.

I need to get out. Ideally, like way far away, someplace exciting. London. Paris. South America. I can burn frequent flier miles. But at this point, I have no idea where I should go.

I like museums, beautiful architecture, having a beer in a pub and getting to know the locals, quaint neighborhoods, the excitement of a city, whatever. Just somewhere that doesn't have 3 million tourists all at once.

Help!

washingtonpost.com: Oaxaca, Mexico. - Elizabeth

Scott Vogel: In addition, don't miss some of your fellow chatters' suggestions today!

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Arlington, Va.: re: overrated sites in London and for the many-time visitor

I lived in London in the summer of 2001, and the one site that was not worth the money or the time was Madame Tussaud's.

Otherwise, for 3-4 days, concentrate on the Tower of London, the London Eye, Westminster Abbey, Parliament (if it's open for tours), the British Museum (great for a rainy day), Harrods' food halls, Speakers Corner (on Sunday morning/afternoon), St. Paul's Cathedral, the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery, and, depending on your interests, the Tate (main and/or Tate Modern), V&A or Transport Museum.

For the many-time visitor to London, how about day trips to Windsor Castle, Hampton Court, Oxford and Blenheim Palace, Bath (another vote for Bath), Brighton, Cambridge, Stratford-on-Avon, etc.? Or going on some of the London Walks such as the Beatles and Jack the Ripper ones?

Christina Talcott: There's your itinerary, first-time London-goer! Thanks, Arl!

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Arlington, Va.: I split my Pres. Day and MLK holidays between my sisters, one in Cincinnati, the other in Boston. Boston in January is great, but then I don't mind the cold and snow, better than cold and rain. Never any lines for tourist spots and usually a seat at the bar at Pizzeria Regina in the North End. Add in the Harpoon Brewery beer tastings (every afternoon for free), lodging in the guest room and fare sales on most airlines and it's a great long weekend away.

Scott Vogel: "Boston in January is great" -- There's an intrepid quality to a statement like that.

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Rockville, Md.: Hi Flight Crew,

My husband and I try to do a large vacation every year before we settle down and have kids and this year we are thinking about Thailand. We would like to go in April for Sangkron (Thai New Year). I have been looking around at ticket prices from DC to Bangkok and the cheapest I can find is $1300 for April. There are cheaper prices for March. Should I wait or book now?

Thanks for taking my question.

Andrea Sachs: Sadly, that sounds about right. However, you might find a lower fare if you travel during non-holiday times.

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Vegas, baby!: My best January trip was January 1999. I was 18 at the time, and my dad lived in CA while mom and I lived in SC. Since I didn't get to see him that often, he arranged for us to spend New Years together in Vegas -- we saw Cirque Du Soleil, the Dam, and I even snuck onto the casino floor and won some cash. What really made it special, though, was my mom calling to tell me that my early acceptance letter to college had come, and getting to celebrate that with Dad. It meant a lot to us, since he didn't get to be right there with me for many "milestones." It was great :)

Scott Vogel: Thanks. Januarys are for dads, it seems.

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Alexandria, Va.: Were some of you drinking or smoking funny things when you decided to allocate the $2,008 3 ways for "budget" travel? Spending $700 for 2 days in West Virginia seems almost decadent, while $700 for 2 days in Orlando, including transportation, is just ludicrous. Is Scott's son still speaking to him? I hope this will eventually be remembered as a father/son bonding experience, but somehow I sort of doubt it.

Nancy McKeon: I devised the challenge, but each reporter got to decide what to do with the money. So you could argue that the W.Va. spa-goer took the opportunity to be truly indulgent, while the Orlando-trekker decided to push the envelope a bit. Their call. For the record, the son got into the spirit of the challenge and both father and son emerged unscathed, though dad was a bit drained from all that driving. And remember, at one point they bought provisions at a supermarket, so it wasn't all string cheese on the way home! Anyway, it was just an attempt to have fun with a dollar-conscious travel story.

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D.C.: I'll be traveling to South Korea this spring, and am totally nervous! It could be because Hangeul is terribly intimidating and the fact that the guidebooks say Koreans don't use street addresses. Or because I'm a vegetarian and quite worried about that! Any tips on things to do or how to navigate Korea? Thanks!

Andrea Sachs: I wish I could help you on the directions (anyone out there been to Seoul and not gotten lost? I read that they use landmarks for directions), but for veg dining, definitely check out Happy Cow (www.happycow.net/asia/south_korea/seoul/index.html), VegDining (www.vegdining.com/GetRestList.cfm?rgk=AS-SKO-SEO) and Expat's suggestions at www.expat-advisory.com/south-korea/seoul/going-out-vegetarian-seoul.php). With so many rice and veggie dishes, you should eat well.

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Winchester, Va.: Thinking of flying from Dulles to Orlando in Feb. Must admit I am fat and am worried about seat size (fees, etc.). Obviously not likely to lose lots of weight before the trip. What is a standard size seat, and are there extra fees? thanks

Scott Vogel: Standard size seats for economy range from 16.5 to 18.1 inches (obviously business and first class seats are larger). Carol Sottili, our Travel airline expert, suggests you look into AirTran, which not only has wider economy seats than some other airlines but also nonstop service from Dulles to Orlando. (For more info on seat dimensions, visit www.seatguru.com.)

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Arlington, Va.: Re: Chicago. Last year, I went to watch Georgetown play at Memphis in late December. The Hoyas lost, I got the flu, the city was depressing and lifeless - but my flight via ORD on Christmas Eve morning got me home with no delay. Best part of my trip.

Scott Vogel: There's a happy ending there. I guess.

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Alexandria, Va.: I would like to spend two weeks in Paris next January (2010) to celebrate my 50th birthday. Ideally, I would like to rent an apartment and really feel like I'm living in Paris. Is this an option any time during the year or only during the high tourist season?

Nancy McKeon: Having rented an apartment in Paris in December 2007, I can state that flats are available year-round. As you skim through the sites that offer them, just be sure you know which floor it's on since there's often no elevator. Some rental sites are www.rentapart.com, www.escapade-paris.com, and there are others. Just search paris apartment.

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Fairfax, Va.: My folks just bought a house in Beech Mtn., N.C. and we visited them for a few days last week. Since we're not big skiers (and it was in the mid-40s), we didn't really know what else to do with ourselves and our 2 kids (4 and 5). Since I know we'll be headed back again at least once more in the next 6 months, can anyone help me come up with something other than gazing out the window to keep us busy?

Christina Talcott: If you're there between May and September, you'll have a lot more luck finding kid-friendly activities than in the wintertime. (That said, the chamber of commerce's Web site says the sledding hill next to the Town Hall is top-notch). In the summertime, drive out of town a bit to visit farms like Altapass (www.altapassorchard.com), attractions like theme park Tweetie Railroad and nearby towns like Blowing Rock. In Abingdon, Barter Theatre has plays for children; check the schedule at www.bartertheatre.com.

Of course, there's always the great outdoors, where hiking or playing outside in 40-degree weather can be fun if you're bundled up. Hunt for animal tracks in the snow, listen for birds, build a snow fort, make snow angels, then go inside for hot cocoa and time with the grandparents. Anyone else have suggestions for that part of NC?

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Arlingtonian With Cajun Roots: Please tell Annapolis that if they're staying in the French Quarter they don't WANT to have a car -- it would be more trouble and expense than it's worth. The area is very walkable, the streetcars are running again, cabs are cheap, and if you decide to go somewhere outside of the area where a car is needed, there are rental offices right across the street from the Convention Center, which is right on the edge of the Quarter.

Nancy McKeon: Okay, from Cajun Roots, a vote against a car in New Orleans, but directions on where to rent one if you want to. What could be better!?

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Arlington, Va. (again): re: the Tower of London

How could anyone say that the Tower of London is overrated? It's on nearly everyone's Top 10 list of must-sees in London.

As for places to eat in London over MLK/Inauguration weekend... Wagamama (Japanese noodle soup), Yo! Sushi (conveyor-belt sushi), an Indian restaurant (they're all great) and, for a quick lunch, Pret-A-Manger sandwich shop (there's one opening in DC at 18th & I at the Farragut West entrance).

For theatre, you can get half-price tickets at the TKTS booth in Leicester Square, but don't forget about the National Theatre, Royal Opera House or the 50-plus years running Agatha Christie play "The Mousetrap."

Christina Talcott: More on London. Thanks!

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Beijing: A friend of mine is a foreign service officer in Beijing and my gf and I are planning on going to visit her. Obviously we are dependent on her schedule but what should we be looking for in terms of airfare and what are some of the best times of the year to go? Thanks.

Andrea Sachs: Fall and spring are the best times to go. Besides the heat, summer is also peak season, so if you go during March-May or September-October, you can avoid the crowds. Fares change depending on the season, but expect to pay anywhere from $800 to over a grand.

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Going to Italy solo: To the poster who is going to Italy solo, I just went last fall (single female) and had an amazing time. There is so much to do + see you don't realize you are alone. If you crave company do a day tour (you'll meet people that way) and I talked to a lot of folks at restaurants etc + made new friends. Go, and enjoy!

Nancy McKeon: Encouraging words from a fellow Italy traveler.

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Arlington, Va.: DC to BKK. You are right, if the people going to Bangkok want to go during the holidays they will have to pay. Lots of people traveling to Thailand at that time to celebrate with family. Songkran can also be a little crazy with the water wars, traffic accidents, and so forth. Unless there's a really compelling reason why they need to be there for Songkran they are probably better off going in Feb or March. Fares are lower as they note and Thailand is hurting a bit for tourists now after the airport unpleasantness back in November/December so getting deals should be possible.

Andrea Sachs: Thanks for the suggestions, Arl. Much appreciated.

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Lexington Park, Md.: My most memorable January experience? Here's two, for the enjoyment of the snow-phobic of the area.

January of 2007 found me home from college, in Alaska. A visit from my boyfriend prompted my first excursion to the Alyeska Ski Resort, for downhill skiing. A perfect day: crisp and clear, with views across the inlet to the glaciers beyond, and not enough moisture to make the snow too sticky. Six hours of intensive skiing later (Me, the rank beginner: "Bunny hills? Nah... I want to try the real hills"), we were just starting our last run of the day before hunger forced us from the softly-lit slopes. I went aerial on a bump just downhill from the lift drop-off point, did a 180-barrel roll, and bounced off the back of my head before coming to a stop. 1 minor concussion and 1 major case of whiplash later....

A much more pleasant January highlight was scarcely a year ago, when my husband (the afore-mentioned boyfriend) and I moved from Alaska to Maryland. We drove the entire way, and the last few days of January found us blissfully happy that the temperature was "only" 40 degrees below zero, as opposed to the -63 it had been when we crossed the Alaska-Canada border! But nothing can substitute for seeing herds of bison resting, huddled masses of fur and snow on the side of the road, or of seeing steam rising from ice-bound rivers to indicate hot-springs beneath!

Scott Vogel: For the snow lover indeed. Thanks!

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Baltimore, Md.: shrinkingfootprint here. Where does the notion originate that the experience of crossing oceans and continents should be cheap? The expectation that the goal of travel is to save money leads to the destruction of many once-beautiful destinations. What is the true value of a visit to Florence or a peek at mountain gorillas?

Nancy McKeon: Hey, we're Americans and we don't like to pay for ANYTHING!

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Herndon, Va.: A friend and I spent a week in Jackson, Wyo. in the later part of January last year. We used miles for the airfares and got reasonable hotels and car rental as January is not considered "peak" season (That would be the holidays and February).

No crowds, no lift lines, plenty of snow (they got over 600 inches last year), no problems getting reservations at restaurants, etc.

Great time... if you're into that sort of thing.

Scott Vogel: That's one I wouldn't have thought of.

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La Guardia to Manhattan: Take a cab! It is well worth the extra $10 which is the equivalent of one martini in Manhattan(maybe). You will save an hour of your life.

Nancy McKeon: I'll confess that I vote with this poster (esp. from LaGuardia, which is so much closer than JFK).

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Arlington, Va.: It's hard to pick a "best" January trip, but one of the most memorable was January 2005, when I flew to Brussels, spent a couple of days in Bruges enjoying the amazing Flemish architecture, then took the Eurostar to London, marking my first trip through the Chunnel. I was only scheduled to be in London for 3 days, but my stay in was extended to 5 due to snow on the east coast of the US that caused massive flight cancellations. Suddenly, I had two unscheduled days, which I filled with several London Walks tours, a couple of shows, and some meandering. Granted, it was an expensive 2 days, but definitely worth it.

Scott Vogel: Thanks. Running out of time here..

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January trip: Years ago, my husband and I decided to accept the invitation of a weekend in Delaware (I believe that it was Fenwick, but I'm not sure) that included a time share spiel and a dinner and overnight at the place. It was in January but the thought of a free night and dinner was worth the two hours listening to someone try to sell us a time share week. The hotel was almost empty and we had a nice dinner at the restaurant with a nice view of the beach and waves breaking on the beach. But the best part was walking along the beach, well wrapped up of course, amidst the frozen foam of the waves that had come onshore that morning. I love walking on the beach, especially when it is not crowded. Growing up in New England, I'm used to cold breezes blowing off the water!

The frozen foam was something that I had never experienced before; sometimes I could walk on top of the "waves" and sometimes I would break through, it was so foamy. It was like meringue on top of a lemon meringue pie.

Scott Vogel: Cool experience here, thanks.

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Vegas: Thanks for the great article on affordable Vegas! I'm heading here next month ($320 RT on a SWA sale) and am totally looking forward to it. I loved the tip on tix4tonight.com -- I've never actually seen a Vegas show before and would totally consider doing so affordably.

On that same site is a feature called tix4dinner. I'm not sure, but I think you used that offer. Do you know how that works? Do you pay them money to get a discount (thus making cost effectiveness a function of the price of the meal vis-a-vis the cost of purchasing the discount)? Is it worth it?

Andrea Sachs: Yes, they were shilling that dinner deal while I was hungry and waiting in line. I think it works out in your favor: You pay them about $2 for a reservation, then get the discounts. The employee said the all-you-can-eat sushi was a great bargain. While you're in line, they hand out a list of offers you can mull and then book when it's your turn. By the way, they will also encourage you to buy the $25 VIP pass, so you can get ahead of the line. I recommend skipping that. If you are trying to save money, that is not worth it.

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For the Democrat: Run and get a ticket to Buenos Aires. It'll be warm, the city will be amazing and you'll have the best meals in your life. If I were in your shoes I would do that in a heartbeat, or go to Rome. My absolute favorite city. If I didn't have plans I'd say I'd go with you if you had enough miles. :-)

Scott Vogel: Wouldn't we all!

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London eats: I second the Wagamama suggestion. Also would recommend Chinatown. Very authentic and much better than DC's.

What to avoid: American "steakhouses!" These are found everywhere, and in really busy areas (Leicester Square, Covent Garden) can be found on almost every block. Terrible, overpriced food.

Christina Talcott: More on London...

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For Beech Mtn. Writer: I went to school in Boone, NC which is near Blowing Rock and is a reasonably short drive from Beech Mtn. There are a lot of nice places nearby and Blowing Rock itself is a nice place. Twigs and Canyons restaurants are nice and hiking around places like Grandfather mountain are always fun. Boone is more of like a hillbilly town with a lot of college students, but it's near the Blue Ridge parkway. There's also this miniature railroad attraction for kids nearby (I can't remember the name - it's kind of hokey) that I'm sure you can find by googling

Christina Talcott: Thanks!

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For Croatia-bound: Definitely GO GO GO to Croatia! I went in September of 06 or maybe 07, either way it was such an amazing trip. You can go with a tour if that makes you comfortable but it is a VERY easy country to navigate on your own. I went with a friend (two females) and we rented a car and drove all around. We flew into Zagreb, spent a few days, then drove to Split. We stayed there for a few days, using it as a base to see Hvar and Brac. We then drove to Dubrovnik for a few days. While there, we did a day trip with a tour to see Montenegro. Then we drove up to Plitvice Lakes Park before heading back to Zagreb for our flight. The only hotel we booked ahead of time was in Zagreb for our first night, the rest we got in each city from the tourist office and we had some cute apartments/rooms! My only regret is that I didn't have enough time to see more!

Scott Vogel: Regarding the early response....

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Frequent Banff visitor from Arlington, Va.: The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel is a must see. In addition, one should drive the Icefields Parkway from Lake Louise to Jasper.

Andrea Sachs: Thanks!

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Reston: Probably too late, but my favorite January trip was my senior year in high school when my Model UN group was invited to a conference in the Hague. It was my first time out of the country (well, except for a few day trips to Canada, but I wasn't counting those), so it was exciting just for that reason. But it was also my first big trip anywhere without my family, my first trip requiring a passport, my first trip to a place other than parts of New York City in which I didn't speak the language. And I got to speak French on the plane to some Belgian students--and they understood me!

Scott Vogel: Nope, just in under the wire, thanks.

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Washington, D.C.: I liked yesterday's article about 3 travelers visiting places by splitting $2009 among them and their destinations. Question. Did the LV traveler really snag a good deal even though he or she went there as a single person? I ask because hotel operators almost always discriminate against single occupants by charging 2x the rack rate for a room. The LV traveler also didn't mention anything about using the monorails, of which there were 4, and 3 of them were free.

Andrea Sachs: Yes, I did snag a good deal, even though I was solo. Unlike cruises and some tours, there was no single supplement. The hotel did not care how many people were in the room (I priced it out for two and the same rate came up, divided by two). I did not use the monorail because I like to walk the Strip. You get in more trouble that way!

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Scott Vogel: Thanks to everyone today. You guys never disappoint when it comes to providing an escape from the January doldrums. The chatter who spent a glorious January in Prague is our winner today. Please e-mail your contact to vogelsi@washpost.com. Thanks for playing and see you all again next week!

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