Talk About Travel: Travel Staffers Help You Plan Great Escapes

Laos, Bolt Bus, travel to Mexico, the Grand Canyon, the Outer Banks and more

Have a travel-related question, comment, suspicion, warning, gripe, sad tale or happy ending? The Post Travel Section Flight Crew is at your service. They were online Monday, April 27 at 2 p.m. On the itinerary this week: Vancouver, Barcelona, Mexico's wine country and Miami's Little Havana, and everywhere else you are dreaming of going.

Browse an archive of previous live travel Q&As.

Andrea Sachs: Hello Travelers. Liking the heat? Well, that means it's time to plan a beach holiday, or head to the Southern Hemisphere for cooler temperatures. Always in need of a swim on a hot day, tell us about your favorite beach getaway. And, of course, ask away about travel destinations near and far.

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Laos, Laos!: I'm considering a trip to Laos in August. Have any of you been there? Do you have any suggestions of what there is to see? Thanks!

Christina Talcott: We ran a story last summer about Laos that had lots of good information about where to go and what to do: The Land of a Million Elephants" Any chatters out there have suggestions for Laos?

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Alexandria, Va.: A follow up to last week's chat and a trip I did not tell Mom about. Back in 2005, I had just started dating my now husband when I moved to California for the summer. I decided to fly back east and surprise him for his birthday. As a poor grad student (doing an unpaid internship) I knew my parents would disapprove of me spending money to fly home, so I didn't tell them anything. We kept it a secret until this past summer when the best man at our wedding spilled the beans. The look on my mom's face was priceless.

Christina Talcott: Ha-ha, sounds like the perfect time to spill the beans. Thanks for writing in!

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Washington, D.C.: I have a flight coming up in a couple of weeks (on Northwest from DCA to Minneapolis), which was apparently overbooked. I do not currently have a seat assignment, just a line on the printed itinerary that says "see gate agent for seat assignment," or something similar. The flight is for business, and the travel agent at work said that I do have a seat, it's just not assigned yet. She assures me that I will get a seat on that flight and will get on the plane -- which is important, since I'm connecting to another flight in Minneapolis. This happened last year on a different airline and ultimately worked out, but I'm still nervous. Any opinions on how likely it is that I will get a seat? Thanks!

Andrea Sachs: Worry not, same thing has happened to me without drama. Often, you can call the airline 24 hours before departure and reserve a seat. Or, if you check-in online, you can select your seat. If neither of those work, just be sure to arrive at the airport at least 60 minutes before take off. Good luck!

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NY/DC Buses: My husband and I took the Bolt Bus to N.Y. on Friday. We hadn't used it since almost a year ago. The new pick up spot is great. However our bus did not have the advertised wifi hook-up, foot rests or cup holders. But we left on time and the bus driver (Keith) was great.

On the way back Sunday morning, our 9:30 bus didn't show until 9:45. A gentleman in a wheelchair needed the lift to board the bus and it took about 15 minutes for the three Bolt Bus employees to figure out how to use the lift. Once he was safely on the bus, they started loading. We had "A" tickets so I went to the head of the line to show them to the woman who was boarding the bus. She let us get on but neither she nor the bus driver seemed to be aware of the different loading codes. We got on the road a little after 10.

I'm wondering if others have had similar experiences. Is Bolt Bus suffering from growing too quickly? I notice that Megabus has less routes and I'm wondering if this is a way to control quality? I'd be interested in hearing others' experiences with both services.

Thanks.

Christina Talcott: Oh, I'm sorry to hear about that. A colleague took Bolt to New York recently and the trip took much longer than promised, but otherwise I haven't heard anything, good or bad, about Bolt recently. Anyone out there have trouble with Bolt these days?

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Washington, D.C.: Hello! Just this weekend, my partner and her brothers and I were planning a trip to Playa Del Carmen for the last week of May. It's Monday morning when I am writing this, and I just read that the State Department will be issuing a travel advisory on Mexico later today because of the swine flu. We have not purchased any tickets for Mexico. Any thoughts on diverting to another location for our little family reunion? The bros are in their early 20's and we are 30ish, so we wanted a location that would accommodate both beach-lounging and bar-hopping. I'm thinking Puerto Rico? We only have 4 nights, are trying to avoid all-inclusive mega resorts, and need something relatively easy to get to. Thanks!

Carol Sottili: Here's what the federal Centers for Disease Control is saying today:

CDC has NOT recommended that people avoid travel to Mexico at this time. If you are planning travel to Mexico, follow these recommendations to reduce your risk of infection and help you stay healthy.

But there are some reports that say a travel warning may be issued.

I would hold off on buying tickets, even though Playa del Carmen is not one of the areas with swine flu reports. As for other ideas, Puerto Rico sounds nice. Or maybe Aruba?

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Washington, D.C. -- Been there, done that: I will be traveling to Paris for a week next month. This will be my third time, so I am trying to figure out some unknown spots/sites/restaurants that may be off-the-beaten-path (or not) to see/sit/eat. Does anyone have any fabulous, not-so-touristy/not-in-the-guide book locations they can recommend?

Thanks. Love the chats.

Christina Talcott: The Style section's art critic, Blake Gopnik, wrote a story earlier this year about the cutting-edge art scene in Paris, and he recommends several hip spots to eat and drink in the 11th arrondissement. I recommend picking up a copy of Pariscope when you get there for listings of shows and events around town. Anyone have other suggestions?

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Should I be worried about traveling with Baby?: With all the hoopla with the swine flu that we may or may not have a health emergency with, I don't know what to think. I am traveling to Northern California on Thursday from BWI with my 11 week old baby. We are taking the early flight (as well as an early flight home next week), so bad air hopefully won't be an issue. Should we be worried? Thanks!

Carol Sottili: It's important not to panic. Very few in the United States have been infected. Of those, even fewer have become very ill. And no one in the United States has died.

I'd monitor the situation, but would still plan to go. Go to this site for the latest info: www.cdc.gov/swineflu/index.htm.

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Gaithersburg, Md.: I'll be going to the Grand Canyon in June for a week. What are the best restaurants to eat at and is the water from the tap safe to drink? I'm not sure what water system they have in place out there. Thanks!

Andrea Sachs: The tap water is safe to drink (see the NPS notice here), though if you are camping out, read signs to be sure the water is potable. However, tap water in hotels and restaurants is safe to guzzle. In any case, stock up on bottled water, as you don't want to be caught in the heat without fluids.

For restaurants, sometimes the views are more succulent than the food. Recommended spots included El Tovar Dining Room, Arizona Room at Bright Angel Lodge, Cruisers Cafe 66 and Sophie's Mexican Kitchen.

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Silver Spring, Md.: My family of four has been planning a trip to Mexico City and Zihuatanejo in June. We have the flights booked (through Orbitz) and paid for. Now, I'm getting very worried about the swine flu and our trip. We did not purchase trip insurance beforehand, but I know there are some policies one can purchase after buying the tickets but before the trip. Would trip insurance help us if the U.S. issues travel advisories to Mexico? Would it help us if the situation just looks too dangerous for us and our small children? Any information you can give us is appreciated. Thanks very much for your advice.

Carol Sottili: Most airlines have relaxed penalty rules on tickets, but not through June yet. American, for example, says that, for tickets to any destination in Mexico bought through April 24 and for travel April 25-May 6, you can change to later dates without penalty. I expect that will be extended if the swine flu outbreak gets worse.

Some types of trip insurance would have helped, but I believe it's too late now -- a spot check of travel insurance companies shows they will not cover swine flu claims on policies purchased after April 24.

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Washington, D.C.: Hi there! I'm planning a summer trip to Vieques, and I've come across several really intense warnings about crime, especially at the beach. "Leave car doors unlocked, windows down, no valuables whatsoever," "if you go swimming/snorkeling people WILL rifle through your things on the beach, so no phones, cameras, or cash," etc.

I certainly CAN follow the guidelines, and will exercise a lot of caution, but do you think these kinds of warnings are at all extremist? Or just realistic?

There's a big difference between "watch out for pickpockets at the Trevi Fountain" and "Only keep cash in a money belt under your clothes when traveling to D.C." You know?

Andrea Sachs: I have been to Vieques a few times and never felt that I -- or my belongings -- were being targeted. For many of these warnings, you need to look at the source of the complaints; is it an official source or a nervous travelers? Of course, you should never bring valuables to the beach or leave anything important in your car, and always keep an eye on your belongings. Just be aware of your surroundings, I say. But from experience, I have never had my belonging stolen in Puerto Rico. Now, if you want to talk about St. Martin...

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Reston: I have two trips to France scheduled for this summer. One starts in 4.5 weeks (not counting or anything) and the other is mid-July. Any reason to be concerned about having travel lockdown due to the swine flu?

What happened with SARS? Did countries turn people away from traveling?

Carol Sottili: SARS is probably the closest model we have. It infected more than 8,000 and killed 774, most in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. There were travel restrictions, although I'm not sure how stringent they were. People traveling between certain countries had to fill out health questionnaires and there were quarantines.

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Edison, N.J.: So I'm going to Italy next week. Is my vacay about to be derailed by this whole swine flu thing?

Carol Sottili: Travel to Italy should be fine.

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Boston: I'm headed to Boston early next month, and was wondering if the Crew or readers had any "must eat" recommendations? Anywhere I shouldn't miss? I like just about anything.

And since Boston is the home to so many presidents, I want to visit at least one birthplace site. Any favorites -- such as Kennedy over Adams? Thanks!

Andrea Sachs: There are so many great places to eat in the Boston area. A sampling: Dali, Elephant Walk, Salts, Union Oyster House, Davio's and Harvest. New England's culinary jewel is Blue Ginger, in Wellesley. For presidential sites, my favorite is the JFK library and museum. As a Massachusetts native, the Kennedys are our royals. Can't help it.

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Centreville, Va.: Hi travel crew,

I have a honeymoon coming up at the end of June. It was supposed to be in Mexico City (flights are booked as well as hotels) but that looks like it might not happen. Do you have any other suggestions for a Central American destination that would be safe for Americans to explore? We have no interest in resorts, and we do speak a little Spanish. My fiance's concern is that outside resorts or other tourist traps we would be targets for crime. Thank you!

Carol Sottili: I loved Costa Rica. People are lovely, and I always felt safe. You could do a beach vacation there, or the jungle thing: There are plenty of mom-and-pop hotels. Go to www.visitcostarica.com.

Anyone else have an idea?

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Silver Spring, Md.: We are headed on our first cruise (honeymoon!) to the southern Caribbean with Carnival Cruise Lines in a few weeks. Any suggestions on how to pack for a cruise? Any helpful websites regarding specific cruise ships and reviews? Thanks so much!

Carol Sottili: I'd pack light -- you don't need to get super dressed up on a Carnival cruise. Try www.cruisecritic.com.

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London, U.K.: This is perhaps an unusual question, but I'm moving back to the U.S. after 6 years in about a month. One of the things I've enjoyed doing over here has been going on trips -- by both train and coach -- and just sitting back and enjoying the scenery change. With that in mind, what are some train and bus rides people in the U.S. would recommend as ones where the journey is as interesting as the destination (or at least close to)? I know U.S. options for both are rather limited, especially compared to those here, but surely there have to be one or two that people enjoy...?

(I'm moving to the Philadelphia area, but since I'll have a car again -- which I'm almost shamefully excited about, especially considering what I'm asking -- I can easily start from other locations.)

Christina Talcott: There are so many breathtakingly beautiful drives here in the U.S., from the Blue Ridge Parkway in the East to Route 1 in California, that you might be tempted to hit the road in your new car. As for train rides, the stretch from New York to Providence is a lovely one, with great views of seaside towns along the Atlantic. From Philly, you could also ride the rails out to Pittsburgh for some Pennsylvania scenery. For a shorter ride, SEPTA has trains from Philly to the suburbs; I always found the R5 to be a lovely ride, passing impossibly small, quaint towns to the west of the city. Anyone have other suggestions for scenic train/bus rides?

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Seattle: Last week someone posted on suggestions for what to do between Portland and Seattle in May for 2-3 days. May is a transition month depending on winter weather. Early May is different from Memorial Day. Secondary mountain roads are closed in the winter, but are opened by Memorial Day.

What I would suggest are two choices:

1. Drive up the coast starting in Cannon Beach, Astoria, to Aberdeen, through the rain forest side of Olympic National Park up to Port Angeles. From there you can do a day trip to Victoria, go into Olympic park along the hurricane ridge (weather dependent). From there you can drive to Seattle by either going through Tacoma or by ferry from Port Townsend (or other ports).

NOTE: The direct road to Tacoma is closed in May for bridge repair -- the Hood Canal bridge -- so you either have to loop around through Olympia or take the ferries to the north of Seattle.

2. Drive through the Columbia Gorge to the Dalles and then drive up to Yakima area where there are wineries. Then up to Leavenworth and then either take US 2 or I-90 over the mountains to Seattle.

Either of these trips you can target certain locations in more detail and pass through/skip others.

Carol Sottili: Thanks!

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Andrea - St Martin: Okay, dish. I'm traveling to St. Martin for an ABA Young Lawyers Division Conference next May. What should I warn my fellow attorneys about? You created an obligation to warn me (jk)...

Andrea Sachs: So sorry, I am trying to get over what happened, but all of my belongings were stolen at Orient Beach on the French side last fall. I was stupid for leaving my bags in the car (the trunk, but still), however, that day there were five other break-ins, plus the gendarmes were sitting yards away having lunch. The area is known for theft; just be careful!

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Arlington, Va.: Laos in August will probably be HOT and possibly quite wet. That part of the world has had lots of rainy season flooding lately. I spent about a week in Laos last November. I LOVED Luang Prabang. Definitely see Kunag Sii waterfall if you can, but if it's been really rainy it can be a bit hard to get to. I liked the boat trip up the Mekong to Pak Ou caves as well. While you are in Luang Prabang drop in at Big Brother Mouse to help them with their terrific programs getting books in Lao and tribal languages to school kids in remote areas of the country. They have a good website explaining their program. I spent a couple of days in Vientiane and was not really impressed by it at all. I went there from LP so it was quite a let down. It is a lot like Phnom Penh. Lots of traffic and pollution. Quite a change from the peacefulness of LP. I wish I had made it to the Plain of Jars but didn't make a plan to get there. It's a pretty laid back country with nice people.

Christina Talcott: Thank you for the Laos suggestions!

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For Gaithersburg (Grand Canyon travel): We assume they are going to the South Rim. At the North Rim, options are more limited, though there are also a lot fewer people (and cooler temps, and more greenery). At that rim, I think there is one small cafe for quick eats and the dining room (with great views) in the main lodge. Next place is, I believe, Kaibab Lodge, outside the park boundary.

Andrea Sachs: Thanks for the GC tips!

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Columbia Heights: Hi all, I have a round-trip ticket D.C.-Vegas for early July. I now have the opportunity to go to Hawaii and am thinking of flying straight from Vegas to Hawaii and then back to D.C. I assume I would have to pay a penalty fee for not using my return trip already scheduled/paid for from Vegas-D.C. if I informed the airline about the change. That said, what would happen if I didn't inform the airline and just used the ticket for the D.C.-Vegas leg and not the return? Thanks!

Carol Sottili: Depending on the airline, you'd probably be breaking the contract of carriage, which is the legal agreement you enter into when you buy an air ticket. That said, I haven't heard of anyone being tracked down.

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Gaudi and Barcelona: Just wanted to say thanks for a GREAT article on Gaudi's Barcelona yesterday! My husband and I spent three days in Barcelona during our honeymoon and really fell in love with the city and its famed architect. The Park Guell was a particular favorite of ours.

The Gaudi "souvenir pushers" reminded me a lot of the gazillion carts that line the streets by the White House with Obama shirts on it, so I guess they didn't bother me that much.

washingtonpost.com: The Call of Gaudí (The Washington Post, April 26, 2009)

Andrea Sachs: So glad you enjoyed the piece. Gaudi is grinning in his grave, we hope.

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Bolt Bus seating: I've had the same experience with Bolt Bus and the seating process. I LOVED the idea of a logical seating system -- with other companies, I've definitely had to wait for another bus because the first one was full, despite having a reservation. Always reminds me of the Seinfeld episode: "You know how to TAKE a reservation, you just don't know how to HOLD the reservation. And that, really, is the most important part."

Anyway, I've taken Bolt a couple times and never had to wait for a second bus, but they also didn't follow the seating process. Still, I love the wi-fi -- when it works -- and overall find it a more soothing experience than the traditional Chinatown buses.

Christina Talcott: Hmm, interesting about the seating system (and I love a good Seinfeld quote!).

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Takoma Park, Md.: Dear Flight Crew,

My husband and I are flying to Rome this August for a cruise. Oddly, the lower-priced flights ($450) have $300 worth of taxes and fees; yet, the higher priced flights ($700) have only $150 worth of taxes and fees. Ultimately, the cost comes out the same, but I'm wondering how it is possible for the lower fare to have more taxes and fees, especially if the cost is less.

Also, do you think fares will be reduced as summer approaches?

Thanks,

Looking forward to cruising!!

Carol Sottili: Some airlines price with fuel surcharge included, others don't. That's the likely explanation.

If you're finding round-trip flights of $750 with taxes to Rome in August, take it.

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For Centerville Honeymoon: We definitely would second the Costa Rica honeymoon recommendation. Had a fantastic time at Manuel Antonio Park, things were very affordable, people warm and welcoming and it is a relatively easy trip from the East Coast.

Carol Sottili: Thanks!

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Getting fare reduced after a flight paid for: International tickets with Delta paid for weeks ago. Price now is about $150 less. Any chance Delta would refund the difference? I wouldn't normally ask but times are tough for the airlines and I've heard rumors of such things.

Carol Sottili: I've heard rumors too, but no verification. You can always call and ask. They may offer vouchers for a future trip.

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For the Paris poster...: The following two museums aren't as off-the-beaten path as the ones in the cutting edge art article, but they're not the main tourist museums either and they have a bit more of a wide appeal: Musee Marmottan Monet and L'Orangerie (at the edge of the Tuileries). Both are small and have beautiful art. I visited them both for the first time on my most recent (5th) trip to Paris.

Christina Talcott: Terrific suggestions. Thanks!

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New York, N.Y.: I hope you can help me! My boyfriend is going to Paris for a business trip at the end of May. I'd like to tag along (32 years old, never been to Paris!). Airfare is $1900. If I do flexible dates, it's still $700. That seems outrageous given the economy and all the airfare sales that are SUPPOSED to be happening. Any tips on getting a reduced fare, pleeease?!

And any ideas of off-the-beaten-path, can't-miss Paris destinations for me to explore solo are most appreciated.

Carol Sottili: $1,900? I just looked at lots of different dates in late May on www.airfrance.us and came up with fares of $561 round trip with all taxes included for nonstop flights out of Washington, D.C. Can't believe it's that different out of New York. Give it another try.

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Yes, talk about St. Martin!!: It's one of the places I'm considering for December/January. How does one get there direct from D.C., anyway? Can't find anything online.

Or, should we do Grand Cayman or Punta Cana instead? Is the Dominican Republic safe if we venture out on our own?

Thanks!

Andrea Sachs: To reach St. Martin, you have to make at least one connection. (Best to fly to the Dutch side; more air options.) Every time I have been to DR, I have been told to stay within the resort confines -- no way to see a country! If you really want a Caribbean island where you don't have to stay within the gates, I would recommend Barbados, St. John and, yes, Grand Cayman.

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Washington, D.C.: It's terrible; I've been in D.C. for years and have never made the drive over to Annapolis. Is traffic terrible in the spring/summer to get there?

Christina Talcott: Not particularly, though try to avoid going when the D.C. hordes are driving to and from the beach, and also avoid rush hour. Go anytime before Memorial Day and you should have an easy ride.

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re: bolt bus: The trip from D.C. to N.Y. left on time, but it took forever to get into the city via the Lincoln Tunnel, which I figured could happen. On the way back, the bus driver got lost between D.C. and Baltimore but we had been ahead of schedule and arrived on time.

Christina Talcott: Woah, the driver got lost between D.C. and Baltimore? I'm glad you made it anyway.

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Arlington, Va.: Hi Crew,

My boyfriend and I were interested in checking out the Outer Banks in a few weeks. Neither of us have either been there before and don't know where to start. We'd prefer that the drive doesn't exceed 5 1/2 hours. We would prefer a more intimate setting away from the family-oriented areas. Any tips would be appreciated.

Carol Sottili: Better time it right re: driving. Don't leave on Friday afternoon and expect an easy drive. And coming home on Sunday afternoon is also a no-no.

As for places to stay, I'd probably go to Duck. Nice restaurants, shopping. Fewer kids than Nags Head and other locales. Go to www.outerbanks.org for accommodation ideas.

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San Francisco, Calif.: My favorite finds in Paris recently have been in the outer arrondissements: the 11th, 13th and 20th. The neighborhoods outside the tourist core have all the hidden gems these days and the residents aren't nearly as jaded about foreigners. If you're a wanderer like me, you'll love the outer districts. In the Butte aux Cailles area, I was complimented twice in one day on my exotic (!) sounding French, and cooed over when I revealed the accent was an American one. Really!

Christina Talcott: Great suggestions, thanks!

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Fairfax, VA: Hi guys! I saw flights to San Jose, Costa Rica for about $300 round trip which I'm thinking of pouncing on. Any tips for a first trip to Costa Rica? What are some good resources for trip planning? Thanks!

Carol Sottili: That's a very good fare. I went on a nature trip there, so can't help with doing the usual beach thing. But the country has a very good Web site - www.visitcostarica.com.

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Bowie, Md.: Hey Crew: We have a timeshare that we can trade into a place in Hawaii. I've noticed that package deals (air/hotel) are not that more expensive as just air alone. Question: If one books a package, can you say you don't want to return flight until a week later than the package states? And would this be best worked out with a travel agent?

Carol Sottili: You can sometimes get flexible returns on packages, although the cheapest ones are often more rigid. Work with a travel agent on this one.

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Winter trip: Thinking of a trip late December/early January.

Right now, we're looking at Grand Cayman and Punta Cana. We usually like to take in the local culture, so don't ordinarily do all-inclusives, but can be swayed, as long as we get to venture out.

Is one locale better than the other?

We'd like to do some water sports, beach time, see sights, etc.

Carol Sottili: I like Grand Cayman. It's easy to get around and it feels laid back and safe. I've not been to Punta Cana, but it's very big on all-inclusives. If that's what you want, and you're content staying put, it's probably cheaper to go to PC. But I'd opt for GC.

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Outer Banks: YES, go to Duck! I went there last summer and it is just wonderful. Even during August (when we were there), not a lot of kids. The shopping is wonderful and the Blue Point restaurant is fantastic!

Carol Sottili: Thanks!

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Arlington, Va.: I broke my knee and am in a brace and on crutches. I need to fly in two weeks and the doctor has okayed it, but does anyone have suggestions on how to fly with crutches? Can I carry them on or will I have to check them at the gate? I can get around fine but need to keep my leg straight. Any tips on how to get a better seat for that? Thanks!

Andrea Sachs: Ouch. TSA will ask you to send your crutches through the X-ray or will hand check them if they do not fit in the machine. The airline should allow you bring the crutches onboard, then will store them for you if they do not fit overhead. You might also want to request a wheelchair for ease between security and the gate. Call the airline as soon as possible and explain your medical condition. Ask for an exit seat or, at the very least, a bulkhead. Reinforce this need at check-in.

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Paris suggestion: I just went back to Paris for the first time since living there ten years ago in October and discovered a couple of new-ish fun things. If you're into design, check out the Musée des Arts Décoratifs by the Louvre. It was practically deserted when I went -- and fabulous. Also there are a couple of cool tea rooms (I usually think of coffee in Paris), such as Kusmi Tea.

Andrea Sachs: Merci for the Paris tips!

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Arlington, Va.: Thanks for these chats. I'm planning a trip to Belgium in October and I can't seem to make myself pull the trigger on booking a flight. The non-stops have already gone down from over $1000 to $897 in the few weeks I've been looking and the one-stops have gone down to about $650. Part of me wants to hold off and see if prices will go down more, but I'm worried because it already looks as if there aren't many seats left on these flights and we've booked our lodgings, so our departure and arrival dates are no longer flexible. The most promising options are the $897 nonstop (United) between Dulles and Brussels and the DCA (through Philly) to Brussels on USAir for $648 since we live really close to DCA. Any thoughts? Thanks!

Carol Sottili: I'd save my pennies and go for the nonstop flight. But when to buy is all yours. With this swine flu thing and its impact on airlines, no telling what will happen with fares. My crystal ball is very, very cloudy.

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I Hope you can take this questio!: Looking for airfare to Amsterdam for mid August -- found RT taxes included for $760 -- should I snatch it up?

Carol Sottili: Yes, buy it.

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Washington, D.C.: Someone can correct me, but commissioning week at USNA is May 15-22, so Annapolis could be overrun with people coming from out of town for the events.

Andrea Sachs: Thanks for the head's up.

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SS: Tresca in Boston's North End!

Andrea Sachs: Thanks for the tip!

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For Boston: In addition to Tresca, Check out Neptune Oyster Bar, also in the north end.

Andrea Sachs: Thanks for the added eats.

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Vancouver Island: This is in response to Cindy's article on Vancouver Island yesterday. I visited Wild Play Elements Park last month and found it to be disappointing. The tree course was too heavy on "challenge" and not enough on "fun". We had one guide for a group of eight, and leading the pack was a family with a girl who was frankly too small to reach the elements and held us all up. The cold rain got to us before we could even finish the course; after two hours at the pace the girl set for the group, we were only halfway done. The gap between the first and last people in the group was huge, and it was disconcerting that only one person was trying to watch all of us, when we were constantly unclipping and clipping carabineers and could easily have done something wrong while in the trees. I'm not for a nanny state at all, but there were times that I just didn't feel safe. They also did not provide nor require helmets, which didn't seem right. We did not go into Nanaimo as multiple people had told us not to bother, that it wasn't worth seeing, but we did stop to see the painted murals in Chemainus, which were interesting.

Andrea Sachs: Thank you so much for sharing your experience. Good to know what to expect.

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Menlo Park, Calif.: I'm traveling from SFO through Dulles en route to Italy in two weeks. I'll be traveling with my 80-year old mother. I have 1 1/2 hours between flights on United; can I trust them to transfer our bags so they arrive in Italy, or should we carry on and mess up our backs? Thanks!

Andrea Sachs: Send them through. That is a substantial amount of time between flights. Just remember to keep medications, a spare outfit and other essentials in your carry-on bags. And if the bags are delayed, you have every right to load up on those Italian fashions.

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Tampa, Fla.: Headed to NYC this July for about a week. Any recommendations for restaurants in Midtown? We will either be staying in Times Square, or at the 70Park, which is on the corner of 38th and Park Ave. I could check Fodors and other similar sites for ideas, but I would really like to find a "hidden gem" -- a place that natives love, and isn't a tourist haven.

Christina Talcott: Funny you should ask -- I'm working on a piece about NYC dining right now, and I've had lots of fun reading about the city's restaurants on sites like eater.com, nymag.com, newyork.timeout.com, etc. In the Murray Hill area, I'd recommend checking out Artisanal for cheese-centric delights, Sarge's or 2nd Avenue Deli for pastrami and more, Bar Breton for crepes, Tiffin Wallah for Indian. If you're in Times Square, consider popping up to Hells Kitchen's Xai Xai Wine Bar for some authentic South African cuisine.

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Washington, D.C.: Favorite Beach Vacation -- Last year for spring break during my study abroad semester, my friends and I decided to head for Dubrovnik, Croatia to experience a beach vacation that wasn't on the Euro (which was at an all time high at the time...) Because of the low cost airlines, it was cheaper for us to fly to Dublin first, and then Dubrovnik. We spent 2.5 extremely cold days in Dublin where we were definitely not adequately attired. Upon landing in Dubrovnik, we were greeted by blue skies (something we had not seen in weeks) and the smell of honeysuckle in the air. Instead of pinching pennies in the Euro zone, we were treated to relatively cheap seafood dinners on the water, boat excursions, and lazy afternoons on our balcony overlooking the Adriatic. It was quite the adventure for some poor study abroad kids!

Andrea Sachs: Sounds heavenly!

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Business Traveler: If you are a business traveler, the airlines will make every effort to get you on the plane. You need to make sure you do get there early though and not arrive at the last minute.

Andrea Sachs: Thanks for the advice, and encouragement.

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France me manque: When I was studying abroad in Aix-en-Provence, France, my host mom took me to this totally hidden, secluded beach on the Mediterranean about twenty minutes outside the town. To get there, you had to find this tiny path, then hike down this path, and the beach was actually huge, flat, smooth rocks that people would lay on, and you would just jump into the water (it was pretty deep) and bright blue with all of these fish. You could see all these colorful French cottages in the distance. You could just imagine Van Gogh or Cezanne sitting there painting these unbelievable colors. Felt like you were a world away.

Andrea Sachs: I feel like I could dip my toe in that gorgeous French water. Thanks!

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Arlington, Va.: Favorite beach getaway: Quite a few years ago, I spent Christmas Eve alone on the island of Koh Samui in Thailand. I had failed to meet a group of friends who had gone on to Vietnam, because my flight was delayed (a whole other story). But the beach was absolutely beautiful, and secluded, and it was a wonderful way, in retrospect, to spend Christmas Eve.

On Bolt Bus: I took it recently and it was also late and the Internet was not working. A friend took Megabus this weekend, and it was late and the Internet was not working. So maybe you just have to figure that it's a bargain trip anyway and hope for the best. One time I took a Chinatown bus that caught on fire and we were abandoned at a rest stop in Jersey. So Bolt and Megabus seem great in comparison!

Andrea Sachs: Thanks for the tips, times two.

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Washington, D.C.: No complaint for once, just a happy story! I just returned from a marathon trip in Asia. Checked my bags in in Medan, Indonesia on Saturday local time (Friday, D.C. time) and picked them up at Dulles Sunday with no problems. They went through four countries on three different airlines (Malaysia Air, Singapore Air, United) and arrived as scheduled! And all my flights were on time. A miracle.

And the Singapore airport is officially the coolest place ever.

Andrea Sachs: A smiley-face travel story. We love to hear it.

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Best Beach: I just returned from an area south of Playa Del Carmen, Mexico (and no, I do not have the swine flu). The beach was lovely but more so because I was staying in a bungalow less than 60 seconds to the water.

Another great beach is Cape May, N.J. And once I went horseback riding in the early spring on North Myrtle Beach with a total stranger who was riding by as I sat reading. It was glorious!

Andrea Sachs: Great beaches all around. Thanks!

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Central Cal: Favorite Beach: I have been to a lot of those beautiful beaches people talk about; the Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii. But on a hot day, it's hard for me not to think about the Central Coast here in California. The water may be a little cooler, but the area is not as urbanized or crowded most of the time, and there's this stuff called SURF that's a lot of fun.

It harkens back to my youth. Throw the Beach Boys in the CD player, lather up the sun tan lotion, dig in the sand... And if you squint your eyes just enough, you might see 196_... Well, you get the idea.

Andrea Sachs: Is that Gidget out there in the waves?

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Alexandria, Va.: My favorite beach place is a real getaway. Herm (1-1/2 miles long by 1/2 mile wide) can only be reach by ferry from Guernsey. There is one pub, a nicer restaurant, a beach shop and ice cream stand and a small hotel. No motorized vehicles are allowed. Since the Channel Islands are in the Gulf Stream this small island has tropical plants and warm (for the U.K.) beach and water.

Great, like I'm going to get any work done the rest of the day.

Andrea Sachs: I can't believe you shared this secret with the world! You are a true do-gooder!

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Family birthday in NYC: Hi! I hope you can help us out -- we're planning a family trip to NYC in August (yep, August) to celebrate one adult's birthday. We'll have four kids along (7 to 13 years), five adults, two grandparents. Any great ideas for family events? I think Ellis Island and Empire State Building are on our list, and a picnic in Central Park. We have five days. Any advice appreciated! Thanks, thanks, thanks.

Christina Talcott: Scott had some suggestions in his Day in New York story from last year. One more thing: Be prepared for crazy lines and long waits if you go to the Statue of Liberty, since its crown is reopening to the public in July. Read all about it here.

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Calgary, Alberta: Nice report on Vancouver island. We have a vacation home in Victoria and it is just as great as described. A few other hints: Last week we found an even better breakfast place than Willy's, called the Blue Fox. There are many vegan/vegetarian options in Victoria including my favorite: Rebar. I love going for a long walk by the ocean then stopping there for breakfast or lunch. My carnivore husband sings "I'm not going to Rebar, no, no, no" a la Amy Winehouse. But he goes anyway and usually doesn't hate it. Their salads are so healthy if you had a disease you'd be cured.

Andrea Sachs: So glad you liked the story and for supplementing the piece with your experiences. Much appreciated.

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Native New Jerseyan: Favorite beach getaway: Close by: Cape May. Nine-hour drive: Kiawah Island.

Does anyone know of a bus service similar to Megabus or BoltBus between L.A. and San Diego? Family reunion has people coming in at various times during the week, and I'm trying to get some to meet me in L.A. for a day or so; having bus service would be so much better than schlepping up and down the 405.

Andrea Sachs: Love your beach choices!

For West Coast buses, check out GotoBus.com.

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Re: Crutches: Sorry, but major pet peeve: Please do not tell the person with crutches to try and sit in the exit row. I'm all for wanting to be able to accommodate people and have them be as comfortable as they can despite their injury, but the whole point of an exit row is that those are the people that are going to need to help open emergency doors should something happen.

Andrea Sachs: Oh my gosh, you are SO right. I was completely not thinking about that announcement before take off, that exit row passengers need to be able to help others. I amend my note: bulkhead!

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Africa-Bound: Oh great and wonderful Flight Crew! I found out I'm going to Kenya next week. I've never been, but I only have a weekend to myself (more like three days with a flight at 10 at night). Do you have any suggestions about what to do or tour companies that specialize in excursions to-from Nairobi? Cost is a factor, but I would be willing to splurge.

Christina Talcott: Here are some stories on Kenya to get you started. The Kenya Association of Tour Operators might be worth checking out, too.

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Andrea Sachs: Thanks, Chatsters, for another illuminating session. In particular, thanks for the beach suggestions. For the Alexandria beach-goer who shared that special U.K. island, you have won a prize that, sadly, is not a beach vacation, but may entertain you on the sand this summer. Please email your contact info to me at sachsa@washpost.com.

See everyone next Monday.

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