Talk About Travel: Flying AirAsia, checking out the Tripper Bus and much 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, July 6 at 2 p.m.

You may also browse an archive of previous live travel discussions.

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Joe Yonan: Greetings, and welcome to Travel Talk. Allow me to introduce myself: I'm Joe, and those of you who follow the Food section probably know me as I'm the editor there. I've added Travel to my duties, which is great as there are so many connections between the two. (Why do you travel? I travel to eat.) Also joining for the first time today is new Deputy Editor Zofia Smardz, who comes to the section from Outlook.

What's on your mind today? We're here to try to help you with any travel question you might have. (Thank goodness we have Carol Sottili, Scott Vogel, Andrea Sachs and Christina Talcott at the ready, because as Travel Talk neophytes Zofia and I are intimidated already by the sophistication of the queries that are rolling in!)

Here's today's question for the crowd: Name your favorite part of the Travel section, and tell us something you'd like to see added to it. It could be a one-off story idea, or a regular column/feature, or maybe just a particular type or area of focus or coverage that you'd like to see more of. Be nice, and make it entertaining, and you just might win a piece of travel gear that we got in the mail recently.

Let's get this train moving.

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Florida springs: Enjoyed your article on Florida springs, but just wanted to mention another attraction visitors should not miss: Itchetucknee River, near Gainesville. The article brought back memories. Camping near the river, getting up at 6 a.m. to get one of the limited slots to go tubing from the head springs of the river -- only something like 100 people a day are allowed. And you somehow spread out as you float along the crystal clear river so you feel as though you have the entire place to yourself, watching the otters play, the osprey and egrets fly by and even (gulp) the snakes. You can bring a divemask and just use your tube as a "base." It's a perfect summer pastime.

Down further, the river doesn't have a cap and it becomes too crowded, but the top of the river is utterly lovely.

Joe Yonan: Thanks for the idea!

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Arlington, Va.: So, I took the Tripper Bus to NYC over the weekend. It took 5 hours each way with very light traffic despite the advertised 4.5 hour travel time. So I think it is safe to assume that 5 hours from/to Arlington is about how long it really takes. Generally clean buses that are comfortable enough. The wifi is spotty but it is rather amazing to have wifi on a bus at all. For $50 round trip it was a good enough value and I would probably do it again. Both buses were 90+% full. I wonder how all of these bus services have effected Amtrak's loads. Can the train afford to keep charging 4 or 5 times as much to save 2 hours of travel time?

Christina Talcott: I'm glad you had a good experience on Tripper bus! I was worried when I took them their second or third week in operation and the bus was half-empty (or half-full...). As for Amtrak, I don't think they'll drop their regular fares, especially on weekdays since so many riders are business travelers. However, they do have sale-priced tickets on weekends, perhaps to draw those leisure travelers the buses are targeting.

Of course, I think there will always be those who will only take the train or fly, whether because of previous bad experiences on the bus or out of habit. Then again, I never thought my mom would choose the bus over Amtrak, but ever since her first Vamoose ride, she's been a fan. So you never can tell.

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NW D.C.: When flying to Europe, are there better days price-wise to leave/come back on? Monday is better vs. a Saturday? Thanks!

Scott Vogel: I've often found Wednesday to be the best day of the week price-wise (both departing and returning), although Tuesdays and Thursdays are often just as good.

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Washington, D.C.: After a weekend bachelorette party in Vegas, my friends and I are dying to go back. In fact, we'd like to set up an annual week-long trip starting next year.

With everything from transportation and lodging to shows and dinner reservations, would it be easier/cheaper to work through a travel agency or try to coordinate the trip ourselves? This would be for a group of six. Thanks!

Joe Yonan: As much as I think the right travel agent can help you plan the perfect trip, I think they're better used when the destination is particularly complicated or unknown and they specialize in it. Your trip to Vegas instead sounds like it'd be perfect for TripIt, an online travel itinerary organizer. Check it out: My friend Rachel used it for our recent trip to Paris, and loved it. You can forward confirmation emails to it, and it automatically populates your itinerary with address, confirmation codes and the like. Seems like that would help you keep track of this trip in one spot.

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Clinton, Md.: Flight Crew

HELP! I still have not figured out where to go for a short family vacation. The kids are 15 and 11, too old for Disney and too young for Las Vegas. Any suggestions on trips within a six to seven hour drive of D.C. Myrtle Beach? Anything in NC? Help before they drive me crazy.

Christina Talcott: What about the Great Outdoors? There are a bazillion (roughly) wonderful state, national and local parks within a few hours of D.C., with many levels of lodging comfort, from posh hotels (the Greenbrier in the West Virginia mountains, the Homestead in Virginia's Bath County) to traditional lodges (Shenandoah National Park in VA; Cacapon, Canaan Valley, Pipestem, Blackwater Falls and more West Virginia state parks) to cabins.

Other suggestions?

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Alexandria, Va.: I am heading to London for work and will be staying a hotel near Regent Park. I plan to spend a few days vacation and was wondering if I should stay at the hotel I pick out in Regent Park or is there a more central location?

Scott Vogel: Regent Park is actually not a bad location at all, particularly if money is an issue, as hotels there tend to be more reasonable. If you can afford it and haven't seen London before, though, I'd opt for something a bit more central (maybe Kensington? Knightsbridge?) But Regent is a lovely area, make no mistake.

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Alexandria, Va.: Hey Flight Crew, I'm kinda panicked about my upcoming flights home from LAX to DCA. I decided to book a 1-stop flight through Memphis on Delta/Northwest rather than a direct flight from LAX, because it was about $150 cheaper and the lay-over time was nearly 2 hours, which I decided was an ample window in the event of delays, having to change terminals, etc. I specifically avoided flights that had shorter connection times. When I received my email confirmation no more than 1 hour later, the email informed me that D/NW had changed the flight time from MEM to DCA, and I now only have a 30-min layover. I called to complain and asked to be rescheduled, but the agent told me that they consider 30 mins in MEM to be their "minimum acceptable connection time," and if I wanted to change my flight I had to pay the dreaded $150 change fee. Anyone who has ever flown out of LAX knows that planes routinely leave there 15-20 mins late, which gives me very little time in MEM to make my connection. I'm wondering if I should buck up and pay the change fee or if I should just chance it... what do you guys think?

Joe Yonan: You certainly have reason to be worried, but I think I'd chance it given that $150 charge. I haven't connected through Memphis, just flown there directly and back. But if the gates are close (and the planes on time), you'll probably be fine. Even if the flight leaves late it could make up time in the air, of course. If it doesn't, or if the gates are too far apart, you could be in trouble. Wear your running shoes. I guess it boils down to how much it's worth it to have more peace of mind. If there are any chatters who connect regularly in Memphis, please weigh in!

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Washington, D.C.: Hi Flight Crew! I need your advice very badly. I'm going on my honeymoon next week to Europe, and I haven't been there in 10 years. What is the best way to deal with changing money for my trip? I will be there for two weeks, in Italy and the UK. Should I convert the money here and bring it with me all in cash? Is that even legal (to carry $5,000 converted to Euro)? Should I change some before I leave and then do the rest over there? Should I do a mix of ATM and cash? As you can see I'm pretty clueless and desperately need advice. Thanks so much!

Christina Talcott: Never fear: ATMs are everywhere, so you can easily take cash out when you get to your destination. I'd make a budget for Italy and for the UK, and take out that amount when you land in each country (or however many Euros or Pounds you're comfortable carrying around). You can also use your American credit card(s) in Europe, though watch out for the transaction fees while you're abroad.

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Washington, D.C.: How much should I expect to pay to fly from DC to Aruba in December or January? Any airline suggestions? Thanks in advance (and thanks for all of the helpful tips you provide).

Carol Sottili: About $400 is a good round-trip price. United is the best bet, as it offers nonstop service from Washington Dulles. Avoid the holiday period - it'll be more expensive.

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Tucson, Ariz.: What's the best way to find good, reasonably priced lodging for a few weeks in Berlin, Munich, or London? Is late August-early September a good time to go? What's your opinion of European river cruises?

Christina Talcott: Here's a story we ran last spring about cheap sleeps in Europe, with some very creative options. Late August to early September should be nice weather-wise, though you may want to go a little later if you can, since many European kids are still on vacation until mid-September, so you might still encounter some summer crowds and peak-season prices. Anyone have opinions about European river cruises?

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Baltimore, Md.: I just bought round-trip tickets to Bangor, Maine for a week in September. All the major travel websites had exactly the same airfare. I bought it on Priceline, and I was surprised to see the rental car price was more than $100 cheaper than the other web sites (about $250 per week instead of $350). That was a very nice surprise!

Joe Yonan: Nice indeed! What's on your agenda in Bangor?

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Arlington, Va.: For the person from the last chat driving to Chicago and looking for a diversion in Ohio on their way, consider stopping for a day or two at Maumee State Park Resort near Toledo on the edge of Lake Erie. It is a great resort with indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts, golf, boat rental, beach, nature center, hiking, a decent restaurant and more. Cedar Point is close by.

Christina Talcott: Thanks for chiming in with your recommendation! Sounds like an ideal stop on the way to Chicago.

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Anonymous: We are planning to go to Austria for about a week. We're staying in Vienna for a few days, but would like to get out of the city for 2-3 days. What are some recommended places to visit? We have a toddler with us and we love hiking and natural scenery. Thanks for your help!

Zofia Smardz: Be sure to head for Baden, a spa town about 15 miles south of Vienna that the Austrian imperial family made its summer home. It's beautiful and there are lots of sights to see, including the old Kurhaus, a lovely church and beautiful park promenades. But it's probably most famous for the villa just up the road apiece -- Mayerling, where the Crown Prince Rudolf and his inamorata died in 1889. Also nearby is the Heiligenkreuz Abbey. If you like hiking, you can head up the Hoher Lindkogel.

To the north of Vienna, try Klosterneuburg, only 5 or 6 miles away, which also boasts a famous monastery. Or to the west, a bit farther away at about 40 miles, there's Krems an der Donau. These places are in the Waldviertel, or Austria's forest quarter, so there are lots of hiking opportunities.

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Alexandria, Va.: Hi all!

I'm going to Italy for a few days in August and I'm wondering what the proper tipping situation is. Friends who have lived there say that the only people who tip are Americans and other tourists - Italians don't. Is this true? I don't want to NOT tip at restaurants and taxi's if you're supposed to, but I also don't want to be a "sucker." Thanks for your advice!

Christina Talcott: Lucky you: KC answered that question in ChatPlus this Sunday.

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Arlington, VA: Hi Crew,

Heading to San Francisco this week and will have an afternoon free to explore the city. Any suggestions on can't miss new attractions? I've visited several times before and have done (and loved!) the main attractions - Sausalito, Alcatraz, Fisherman's Wharf, Union Square etc. Is the Wharf Aquarium worth a visit?

Christina Talcott: I'd definitely visit the California Academy of Sciences, which just opened last winter. From the green roof and four-story rainforest to the live reef and penguin feedings, it's totally worth the $25 admission price. It's right in Golden Gate Park, too, which is a lot of fun. Anyone else have can't-miss suggestions for an afternoon in San Francisco?

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Last minute reservations at nearby beaches?: Do you have any suggestions for how to go about searching for last minute openings at houses/condos/hotels in Delaware or MD beach communities? We may be interested in a long weekend trip, but most places are booked well in advance and for longer minimum stays. I'm wondering what would be the most efficient way to search for last- minute cancellations or deals. Thanks.

Andrea Sachs: I rented a beach cottage last minute in Cape May, N.J., using a variety of means, including the online version of the local newspaper and local rental managing companies. I would start with the tourism offices of the beach communities, which frequently have updated listings of available accommodations. Some of these, such as Ocean City, N.J., post the vacancies online. If that does not suffice, call rental agencies or check Web sites that cater to this market, such as VRBO, HomeAway.com and VacationRentals.com. Also check Craig's List and even eBay.

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Volunteer travel: Hi Crew, I submitted this last week so am giving it another shot today. :) I am interested in traveling internationally for 1-2 weeks on a volunteer trip. Some sort of trip to work with children or help build/fix up buildings would be ideal, and the international location is not of too much importance. Are you or any chatters able to recommend some good, reputable companies or organizations that put together trips like this? Thank you so much for any suggestions!

Zofia Smardz: You might have a look at Global Volunteers. They work mostly in Romania.

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Fort Washington, Md.: Planning to take my sons 11 and 17 for a one week vacation in mid-august. Dates flexible, budget $1500 - They love amusement parks, roller coasters, thought about CA but flights expensive. Help!

Scott Vogel: This may seem like a bit of a cop-out, but what about Orlando? It's an especially good choice for those who like to be among the first to ride a coaster. There are two new ones open or about to open there this season -- Manta at Sea World and the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit at Universal (the former is open and the latter had been repeatedly postponed, although bloggers are reporting that it has opened or is about to.)

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Non-stop flights: I would like to see a weekly Travel Section feature that explores destinations that can be reached by a non-stop flight from the D.C. area (DCA, IAD, or BWI). Flying has turned into such a pain in the neck. Adding stops and connections to a flight seems to greatly increase the chance that you just don't get to your destination when you're supposed to. So, I would like to get trip ideas and information about places I can get to more easily.

Joe Yonan: Gotcha. Thanks for the idea.

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Hi Joe!: My favorite part of the travel section is Tom's post cards - but that's because I travel to eat, too! Keep up the good work, Tom (and travel, and food)!

Joe Yonan: Thanks -- I know Tom will be happy to hear it.

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Florida, Girl: Great article on a side of Florida that a lot of tourists don't get to see. But I thought it was misleading in that it made it seem that the sites you mentioned were in close proximity, when really it's a 4+ hour drive from Tallahassee down to Tampa.

Of course, I'd argue it's worth it to see the "live" mermaids ....

Joe Yonan: Thanks for the feedback. We did have a map with the story on the front of the section that showed the route following quite the chunk of the state...

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Costa Rica with my dad: This may not be relevant today, but I went to Costa Rica with my dad a few years ago after I graduated from college. It was supposed to be a bonding experience but it had its ups and downs. From San Jose we flew in an 8 seater plane to a tiny landing strip in Gulfito, which is on the Southern Pacific tip of CR, and as it seemed we were about to land in a bunch of trees a wheel blew out on the tiny landing strip we made it to. Then a one armed man helped unload our baggage. My dad and I were not speaking because we were angry with one another (great bonding experience). But it turns out we were flying with Gary Larsen and his wife. There was more turmoil but the loveliness of the people I met in Costa Rica makes up for everything. If anyone ever wants to go to a tiny town in Costa Rica I recommend Punta Banco. It's out of the way, but as lovely a place as you could ever find even if you are fighting with your dad.

Scott Vogel: Thanks -- and since you brought it up, let's not forget that Costa Rica was just named the happiest nation on earth for 2009, according to one of those studies, this one apparently relying on something called the Happy Planet Index

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Buses to NYC: Is it really that good a deal? Yeah, it's much cheaper but you have to deal with the whims of traffic. I think the earlier poster is very lucky for only being five hours on a holiday weekend. I'd much rather take the train: no traffic jams, more comfortable, bar car. Although Amtrak does need to get wifi, that would really rule.

Joe Yonan: I hear you. I've done Bolt Bus a few times, and while I do like that wi-fi, the traffic can indeed complicate things considerably. Amtrak says it's working on the wi-fi issue...

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Fairfax, Va.: Has anyone ever flown on AirAsia? I am flying from Singapore to Bali and AirAsia is offering tickets at USD 50 each way, which is hard to turn down when Singapore Air is charging more than four times that fare.

Carol Sottili: I haven't flown Air Asia, but I believe it has a good rep as a low-cost airline. Go to www.airlinequality.com for airline reviews by travelers, and its related ranking system. The site lists Air Asia as a three-star airline (five stars is tops).

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Colorado Bound: I'm going to Colorado July 21-24. I'm going mostly for photography but I would like to go to some out of the way places that aren't so touristy. Any tips would be appreciated!

Joe Yonan: Hmm. Good question. I've only done Denver and Aspen. Certainly touristy, of course. Chatters, I'm throwing this out to you. Help!

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How many days?: If planning for Rome, Florence, and Venice, how many nights would you plan to stay in each? What if you had to limit yourself to 11 days?

Joe Yonan: If I were limited to 11 days, I'd pick just two out of the three, because that's the way I like to travel. I'd say you could spend a week in Rome, easy, and then do a side trip to Florence for several days and then save Venice for another time. Or Florence and Venice. But not all three. That's just me.

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Seattle: My husband and I are flying to Hawaii over Thanksgiving week. I noticed when I went to book at rental car that they were very expensive (up to 400+ for the week). Than I found this website http://www.discounthawaiicarrental.com/index.htm I booked and received confirmation from Thrifty car rental for that week but as they say it seems to good to be true. I was wondering if anyone else has used this site and if so do they really charge your what it says or is there "Hidden Fees"? Mary Lou

Andrea Sachs: From what I have read about the Web site, it is legit and some former customers have good comments. When you booked, did you get the full price? If not, expect to pay taxes and regular rental fees. Best thing to do is call the company and ask for your total. Also, be sure you know what the late return policy is and if it is unlimited mileage (most likely).

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Washington, D.C.: Good afternoon. I'm thinking of visiting friends in New Orleans in late August. I found non-stop airfare from National for $279 including taxes. Is that reasonable? Also, any suggestions on where to take them for dinner? It'll be my first trip down there. Thanks!

Scott Vogel: That's actually not a bad fare, believe it or not. There aren't that many non-stops to New Orleans from DC, and lack of competition keeps airfares up there. As for food, you've gotta have a special dinner, whether it's at Commander's Palace, K-Paul's or one of Emeril's places. But I'd love to hear reader recommendations on this one, as there are TONS of great dinner spots in NOLA.

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Capitol Hill: Is there anywhere in Europe where two travelers can get a good mix of beach time and sight-seeing? A few affordable suggestions would be appreciated - thanks!

Andrea Sachs: There are so many options, but Portugal comes to mind. France is another option, but prices in the South of France can be high.

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Connect in Miami or Atlanta?: I'm planning a trip for D.C. to Costa Rica (San Jose airport) and there are no direct flights from the DC area. One flight changes in Miami and another uses Atlanta. What would be your minimum connection time at each airport. Thanks

Andrea Sachs: I would shoot for 90 minutes, especially for Atlanta, the busiest airport in America. You could probably connect in an hour, but if your first leg is delayed, you might be chewing on your nails.

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Washington, D.C.: I'm heading to Barcelona for a weekend as part of a larger trip to Spain. Obviously that's not a lot of time, and I want to maximize my experience there. Already have a hotel near Las Ramblas. Right now, I only have plans to hang out in the Gothic Quarter and see some of the Gaudi buildings in L'Eixample. Any suggestions from the crew or fellow chatters as to what I should aim to do in Barcelona?

Scott Vogel: Here's a link to our recent article on that very subject.

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Wifi on Amtrak: They're definitely working on it--I was on a train from DC to CT in April that was testing it, and it worked quite well. No idea when/if they'll roll it out, but at the very least, it worked for one day in April!

Joe Yonan: Good to hear. Thanks!

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Bus v train: You will never get me on a bus, sorry. Acela, with a sale fare, got me to Phila and back for $150 last week (80 minutes each way), with no stop and go traffic, with comfortable seats, lovely scenery and the lulling sound of a train moving along. Nothing like it. (plus, a whole lot safer than 95 any day of the week)

Joe Yonan: I'm a train fan, too, but boy, do I wish those prices were better. Sounds like you got a good deal.

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Saginaw, Mich.: For Bethesda, MD re Cameroon (query from last week)

Although it was written more than 20 years ago by the Irish travel writer/explorer, Dervla Murphy, 'Cameroon with Egbert' might provide useful insight into the country and its people. Murphy traveled with her daughter Rachel and Egbert, their trusty stallion!

In addition, the BBC offers great coverage of things Africa. Here is their entry for Cameroon and keep an eye on the Africa page for up to date information:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/country_profiles/1042 937.stm

Joe Yonan: Many thanks for this.

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Traveling to Europe and cash tip: Check if your bank has a relationship with any European banks. I'm with Bank of America and they have a relationship with Barclays in the UK. There are literally no fees when I take money out of my BOA account at a Barclays cash machine.

Joe Yonan: Nice!

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Arlington, Va.: I think I know the unfortunate answer to this, but I'm asking anyway. I am attending a wedding in the San Francisco area on August 30, which I have known about for a while. I saw a fare of $250 round trip on American back in March, and jumped on it - but it's with connections. Now I'm seeing direct flights (no connections) for that same price. Is there any way I can change my itinerary to get direct flights without paying hefty change fees etc.? I'm guessing probably not, but thought I'd ask.

Andrea Sachs: Oh, how I wish I could make your day. But I can't, unless you booked on Southwest, which does not charge change fees.

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Pittsburgh: For the person from the last chat driving to Chicago and looking for a diversion en route: One of you suggested Pittsburgh's Cathedral of Learning. May I add that its "Nationality Rooms" (classrooms decorated in the styles of many of the ethnicities that make up the Pittsburgh region) are a popular attraction. The visitors' center is on the Main Floor of the Cathedral, just off the "commons room" (open area), and both guided and self-guided tours are available. Check the University website for additional details: www.pitt.edu

Scott Vogel: Thanks for the great extra info. We appreciate it.

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Zofia Smardz: For out-of-the way places in Colorado, our Food colleague Bonnie Benwick, who was recently out that way, recommends Leadville, an old gold-later-lead-mining town that was once the second-largest city in the state, till the mines went bust, I guess.

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Arlington, Va.: For the SF-Bound -- There is the King Tut exhibit at the new DeYoung museum. Tickets might still be available, but I'd try to get them online before leaving for the trip. Here's a Web site with a link that will take you to Ticketmaster. http://www.tutsanfrancisco.org/

Christina Talcott: Ooh, good call. Thanks!

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Budapest to Prague?: I'm flying into Prague in Oct. for a Danube cruise that ends in Budapest. Flying back to the US from Budapest is $300-$400 more expensive than a US/Prague/US round-trip; a one-way flight between Budapest and Prague would also cost $200-$300. Is there a train I could take from Budapest to Prague? And then how would I get from Prague train station to airport?

Christina Talcott: You can take the train from Budapest to Prague, which takes about 7 hours and will cost you a little over $100 (check out the schedule/prices here). From the Prague train station, you can either take the Metro to a bus to the airport or hop in a cab. You'll have to decide whether the all-day affair of getting from Budapest to the Prague airport is worth the $100-$200 savings. If anything, it'll be incentive to pack light, right?

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For the person going to New Orleans wanting dinner advice: Make sure all the men in your party have jackets (as in a blazer with those official-looking gold buttons). Many of the restaurants require them.

Joe Yonan: True, true.

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Harrisonburg, Va.: Help! I waited too long to purchase airline tickets to Paris, Brussels, Zurich... Anywhere in Europe, and now instead of $650, tickets are almost $1000. Will I see any last minute deals for the first week in August? If so, how do I find them?

Carol Sottili: Sales to Europe, which flooded the market several weeks ago, seem to have dried up. This indicates that planes are going out with most seats filled. That said, there may very well be a few sales in coming weeks, but they will most likely be of short duration and targeted to specific destinations. Most of the aggregator sites and third-party booking sites (Kayak.com, Priceline.com, Bing.com/travel) offer sale notification services. But I'd be more of a control freak and just check every day. And look at smaller airlines flying out of New York. Eurofly (www.euroflyusa.com), for example, is a discount carrier that offers flights to Italy from New York. Also, if you're going to pay that much anyway, look at a discount all-business-class carrier, such as OpenSkies, which flies out of New York and just announced a sale earlier today.

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Central Cal: I have enjoyed the writing in you travel section for years; always entertaining. But what I'd like to see is a few baseline airfares or rates tracked to common destinations, just to get a feel how prices are going. I know there are deals which may or may not be sponsored, but something to track general trends. I was in Cancun recently and was greatly amused to see the local paper tracking hotel occupancy rates. I'm sure it gives a general idea how the tourist trade is going. I hope this makes sense.

Joe Yonan: Gotcha, it does. I've seen airfare trackers in other newspapers -- we used to do it at the Boston Globe, but I remember it was pretty difficult to pull off and full of caveats because of press timing. But I'll look into it.

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Vamoose: my elderly parents LOVE Vamoose! They go to NYC several times a year and once they tried Vamoose three or four years ago, have never looked at Amtrak again. Because they're now regulars, the drivers recognize them and most look out for them (early on and off, help them to seats up front, etc.)

Two weeks ago was their only bad experience, coming back to Bethesda. Driver got off 95 somewhere north of Baltimore and wouldn't tell the passengers why. Yelled at someone to sit back down, it was his bus and his route. Late on a Sunday night and my parents were a little nervous but made it home ok.

The price is worth the occasional delay since they can't really use the subway in NY anymore because of mobility issues. So the money they save on transit goes into cabs.

Christina Talcott: Aww, it's so great to hear about how people overcome obstacles (like limited mobility) to keep traveling and doing what they love. Good for your parents for finding out how to keep visiting NYC! I hope that recent bad experience was just a one-time thing and won't happen again.

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Asheville N.C.: I am planning to visit China for 9-10 months and I want to learn Standard Mandarin (Putonghua). What cities have a population who speak a dialect closest to Standard Mandarin other than Beijing?

Zofia Smardz: To answer your question, I reached out to former Post Beijing bureau chief John Pomfret, our in-house expert on all things China, who replies:

All cities in china basically sport a local accent and actually the street language in Beijing is anything but "standard" mandarin. That said, for the best mandarin you probably want to stay away from southeastern China -- Guangdong province -- and from Shanghai -- because on the street they speak not just a dialect but a different language.

For your studies, I would head to either Kunming, in Yunnan, or Chengdu, in Sichuan, or Chongqing. All three cities have local dialects but most people speak decent Mandarin. Kunming is in China's mountains and near some amazing scenery. Chengdu is also the gateway to the Tibetan regions in the west. Chongqing is a massive industrial city and its people are famed for their hospitality.

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Re: Hotels in Berlin, etc.: In the spring, a German told me about hrs.com (short for hotel reservation system) for finding hotels in Europe. I used them to locate the place I stayed in Berlin a few months back.

Christina Talcott: Thanks for the tip! You could also try venere.com, ote.com or skoosh.com, which also have bargain prices for Europe hotels. Any other sites people recommend?

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Help! Please!: So, I know it's late in the game, but is there a chance prices to Ireland (in August) will come down, or should I belly up and pay the $950-ish that I'm finding? Thanks! You guys rock!

Scott Vogel: Hold on, now. Are you locked into certain dates? Does it have to be non-stop? I'm finding fares from Dulles to Dublin on KLM for $509 (for a week starting around, say, Aug. 18). Yes, you have to back-track and go to Amsterdam first, but the price is right. And even if that doesn't work, I'd do a bit more checking before settling on that 950 price. Good luck!

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Chicago traveler: Hey Joe! I'm traveling to Chicago in a few weeks....where in your opinion has the best deep dish pizza?? That is a "can't miss" for me while I'm out there! Thank you!

Joe Yonan: I haven't done an exhaustive search, because after I had Lou Malnati's pizza I didn't feel the need to look any further. But I haven't had it in years. Chatters, anyone with more recent experience to share?

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Richmond, Va.: Hi. I have a week off from work the last week of September/first week of October. I would like to take a vacation with my dog, she is small and is a good traveler. We typically go to the beach or do some daytrips, but I want to take a "real" vacation. Any ideas on dog friendly places- preferably places with dog friendly restaurants? Thanks!

Andrea Sachs: If you really want to take your best friend somewhere far, far away, you can fly to Paris, a very chien-friendly city with loads of outdoor cafes that allow dogs at the table. Stateside, San Diego, Colorado Springs and Austin get high marks, especially for outdoor activities catering to dogs and owners. Closer to home, New York City and Boston are good options. Some hotels, such as the Buckingham Hotel on West 57th Street, even have dog walking services and a dog spa.

For trip assistance, check out any of the dog-friendly travel sites, such as www.petswelcome.com, www.dogfriendly.com and www.tripswithpets.com. When booking a hotel, be sure to ask what the additional cost is for your four-legged pal.

Joe Yonan: For hotels, keep in mind that the entire Starwood chain is pet-friendly. In Boston and DC, the Kimpton hotels roll out the red carpet for pooches, too.

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San Francisco, Calif.: What travel tips do you have for people who are about to travel to Las Vegas after having been there a couple of years ago?

Joe Yonan: The first thing that comes to mind is: Enjoy the sale. From what I've heard, the recession has created deals galore. Chatters, what do you say?

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Rockville, Md.: Planning fall trip Prague, Vienna, Budapest, which tour group would you recommend -- Globus, Kompas, Trafalgar, Brendan,Gate1-- there are so many & not sure if there's much difference for a medium priced tour. Any suggestion, thanks!

Carol Sottili: Whenever you compare tours, you need to find out exactly what is included in the price, including meals, sightseeing admission fees, tips, local tours, transfers, taxes, etc. Also, look at the hotels the tour operator is using, and then go to a site such as www.tripadvisor.com to see how the hotels are ranked. Whenever I do a Deals column, I compare the various individual components of the trip to make sure it's a good value. In other words, if you can get the airfare for 1/2 the price that the tour operator is offering, you're not getting a good deal. Of the tour operators you mention, I'd say Globus is more upscale than the others. I'll post a story I wrote a while back re: tour operators - it may be dated, but there will still be some good info there.

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washingtonpost.com: If the Group Tour Fits ... (Post, April 3, 2005)

Joe Yonan: Here's a link to Carol's story on tour operators.

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Arlington, Va.: I submitted the last two weeks, but did not get a response. I am not sure if I am doing things correctly. But taking another try!

I love the 'Travel Deals section.' Honestly though, I really like the entire travel section, so it is hard to single out any particular section.

WP article on Greece was excellent. The right kind of information. Now we would like to make a trip to Greece. How early should we book airline tickets? Thanks.

Carol Sottili: You need to start checking the fares as soon as you have an idea of when you want to travel. I'd buy the airline tickets first and then line up hotels, etc., as price can vary considerably within short time periods. Best bet is to go to several trusted Web sites on a regular basis and when a sale hits, buy. If you read What's the Deal? this weekend, one of our airline deals was Air France's sale to Athens - $647 round trip including taxes for travel departing Aug. 31-Oct. 24, which is a very good price.

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Passport woes: Has anyone ever gone to the Passport Agency and gotten their passport in less than 2 days? I've been dealing with them for over a month and have an appointment tomorrow to get my passport for a trip overseas on Thursday....Kind of stressing out over here! Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Scott Vogel: I know it sounds impossible, but they can -- and do -- make it happen. You already got an appointment, which is more than half the battle. Make sure you have confirmation of your last-minute itinerary when you enter the passport office, and all the requisite fees, and remind the clerk of your need to get your passport ASAP. I've seen them turn the documents around in a matter of a day.

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re: Capital Hill: Besides Portugal I'd suggest southern Spain. Sevilla and Andalucia are wonderful and the Atlantic beaches are beautiful and uncrowded compared to the tourist traps found on the Mediterranean coast.

Joe Yonan: Thanks.

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For the Chicago tripper: Also in Ohio just off the Ohio Turnpike in Fremont is the Rutherford B Hayes Presidential Library and Museum (used to work there).

The museum is in his house where "Lemonade Lucy" used to serve lemonade on the veranda. Set in a glade of trees.

Joe Yonan: Good -- thanks for the tip.

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Beach in Europe: How about Italy for beach and sightseeing? San Vincenzo, on the coast of Tuscany, has pretty decent beaches, and it's not terribly far from Florence, Siena, or San Gimignano.

As for the "it's my bus and my route," if I were on that bus I would have dialed 911 on my cell phone in a hot second.

Andrea Sachs: Great suggestion. Thanks!

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Chicago: I'm headed to Montreal and Burlington VT for my first anniversary. I know Montreal is known for its bagels, but what bagel shop is best? Any other vegetarian-friendly options for either city would be great too. Thanks!

Joe Yonan: I love Montreal. I say St.-Viateur Bagel is the best. Wow. While you're there, head to one or more of the city's great public markets. Someone asked me recently about veg food in Montreal, and I was sad that one of my favorite places, Anise, which used to be veg focused, had moved down the street and changed focus and lost some of that aspect. Vegetarian travelers, any further ideas?

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Arlington, Va.: How about some kind of small recurring "Travel Nightmares" column where people can write in about vacations that went horribly, horribly wrong?

Joe Yonan: Interesting. You sound as if you speak from experience?

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Best of Travel: I always enjoy the articles on various travel-related items that you receive to test out. I have bought a number of travel accessories after reading about them in the Post, and decided not to buy some that I might have tried if you hadn't. Thanks!

Joe Yonan: Great -- glad you like that. Are you angling to win the Xubaz?

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Arlington, Va.: 1. Memphis has a very small airport - if your plane isn't late, you'll be fine. It's also worth alerting cabin crew - they may be able to help your cause.

2. K-Paul's is awesome - their sweet potato pie is remarkably creamy. Pearl Restaurant (in the French Quarter, but with many other locations) has great oysters and po-boys. And Central does have amazing muffalettas (it's a cliche, but it's great). For music, see if Tipitina's has anything going on.

Joe Yonan: Thanks much!

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New York, N.Y.: My husband and I will be celebrating our first anniversary in San Francisco in August. What are some fun (i.e. good food, shops, etc...) neighborhoods to stay in that don't require a car? Some B & B recs. would be great too!!

Christina Talcott: What a great anniversary idea! Luckily the public transport in SF is really good, so you should be fine in most neighborhoods, especially in the north and east parts of town. Search for B&Bs in San Francisco at www.bedandbreakfast.com, which shows some in the Mission, Castro and Union Square areas. There are some great boutiques, thrift shops and bookstores around the Mission, and if you stay near Mission St. or Church St. you can take the Bart or buses all around. I've stayed in the Mission, Nob Hill and Union Square, and all were very convenient locations. Any B&Bs recs out there?

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Arlington, Va.: Is CheapOair.com a good site to book airline tickets? Anyone has any bad/good experience to share? Thanks.

Carol Sottili: I've not used the site. I see that it is a member of various trade organizations, such as ASTA and IATAN. I went to the Better Business Bureau site and it says the company has had 321 complaints lodged against it in the past three years, but that all were resolved (except for one, which it listed as "unpursuable"). Anyone out there ever used them?

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Parkfield California: What is the smallest airport you have every flown into? What is your favorite small town?

Joe Yonan: 1. Les Saintes, Guadalupe.

2. Truro, Mass.

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LAX to DCA: For the guy flying LAX to DCA with a change in Memphis...it's been a few years for me (we usually fly non-stop these days), but I remember that if you had a flight from same carrier to same carrier and the first flight was delayed leaving, you could consult with the flight crew to see if they were holding connecting flights. Sometimes, airlines will hold connecting flights for 10 minutes or so to get people from one gate to the other. We had that at Chicago Midway of all places and they actually held a plane 10 minutes for us to RUN about a mile. Thank goodness for moving walkways.

Joe Yonan: Absolutely -- thanks for this reminder.

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Florida chick: "too old for Disney" - The kids who will travel are tween and teen? Are you kidding me? Universal and Disney have many sights for these kids, from killer coasters to test track and so on. teens throng these place, including mine on field trips and church trips. duh! And the wonderful springs are perfect for this age group, though I do NOT recommend the springs SCUBA. It's too dangerous... Swimming spring to spring underground? Nope...

Christina Talcott: Thanks for chiming in! Maybe you can never be "too old" for Disney...

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What we'd like from travel: Say - how about gifties from the travel chat ... like the food chat ;-).

Joe Yonan: Now I'm new to the Travel chat, but they do give gifties! Maybe you're just trying to get today's... Hmm.

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Bus to NY: I use DC2ny.com because it goes from Dupont Circle and I can walk to and from home. I've never had a bad experience with them. For me, money is more valuable than time.

Joe Yonan: You are not alone.

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Arlington, Va.: Are the buses to NYC really a good deal? Well, after that first trip I would say yes. $50 for the bus versus $200 plus for the train means I saved at least $150 for a couple of extra hours sitting and dozing. That's a night in the hotel. That's a trade I am happy to make.

Christina Talcott: Good point about using the savings on a hotel. Thanks!

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Montreal and food: I'm a vegetarian and had a wonderful time in Montreal. Food is extremely important. There's a very good vegetarian chain - Le Commensal. It's cafeteria style, very good and quite cheap. You won't have any trouble with restaurants and the markets are to die for!

While I was in Montreal I couldn't resist les frites with aioli!

I described Quebec as a place where my friend and I had a serious conversation with a sales assistant over -which- unsalted cheese to get.

Joe Yonan: Good -- thank you. I do think there are so many "market-based" restaurants in Montreal that vegetarians will be happy.

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Arlington, Va.: Montreal, known for its bagels? Surely you can't be serious.

As a native Noo Yawkuh, I give as much respect to Montreal bagels as a Montrealer or Parisien would give to New York croissants. Paf!

As an aside, the idea of a "travel nightmares" feature sounds great!

Joe Yonan: Seriously, don't knock them till you try them. They're amazing. And I love a good New York bagel. These are even a little chewier. Nice.

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Chicago: Please don't send people to Lou Malnati's looking for the best deep dish, there are a slew of better options.

If you're looking for stuffed pizza, the best is Bacino's (also known as Bella Bacino's on Wacker) and Art of Pizza.

For deep dish, try Gino's East or Burt's (if you have a car and care to leave the city).

Joe Yonan: I knew this would happen. Anthony Bourdain once told me that the best way to get good food recommendations is to go on a site like Chowhound and post not a question about where to get (blank), but a statement that says, "(Blank) has the best (blank), by far," and then just wait for all the other chatters to rush in for additions/corrections.

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Help Rockville, Md.: I want to travel to India in November with a $1500 budget (air + hotels + tours). There is a very good deal from Friendly Planet in which a week long package is priced around $1300 (flight included). Of course, all dates are booked. So, where else I can find a deal like that? Also I'm a solo traveler so I need a cheap single supplement or even better no single supplement!

Carol Sottili: Take a look at Sita World Tours. And you can also fill out the form here and tour operators will contact you.

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New Orleans, LA: Re restaurants:

Been here for more than a year and haven't been to any of the big name places. However, some favorites I keep hearing mentioned by locals include Bistro Daisy, Martinique, and Ralph's on the Park. But my favorite place in town is probably Jacques Imo's.

Joe Yonan: Thanks much.

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Vegetarian Montreal: We ate at Creperie Chez Suzette for a few meals, and although it's not vegetarian-only, there were a lot of vegetarian options. The excellent 6 course tasting menu at Restaurant Bonaparte also had vegetarian options for all courses. Both are in Vieux Montreal.

Joe Yonan: Gotcha. Thanks.

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Arlington, Va.: The person considering AirAsia should note the baggage fees. They have a relatively low baggage allowance IIRC.

Joe Yonan: Good to know.

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Falls Church, Va.: Where can I buy travel insurance for a trip to Asia?

Carol Sottili: Go to any of these three sites: www.insuremytrip.com, www.squaremouth.com or www.quotewright.com. They allow you to compare travel insurance policies, and you can purchase through them.

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New Orelans po boys: Go to Crabby Jacks for po boys

Joe Yonan: Mmm. Po boys.

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Washington, DC: Hi, Thanks for taking my question.

We're interested in beach camping with our very well-behaved (really) dog somewhere this summer. It seems some places allow leashed dogs in the park, but not on the beaches. Do you know of any campgrounds that allow dogs on the beach? Or do you perhaps know of a less-conspicuous place where we won't bother anyone...? Location isn't set in stone, but 5 hours from D.C. is the max we'd like to drive...

Andrea Sachs: Here are some options for camping with your pooch on or near a beach destination (check beforehand to be sure they still allow pets):

Big Oaks Family Campground in Rehoboth

Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes, Del.

Delaware Seashore State Park

Assateague Island National Seashore

Atlantic City North Family Campground (Tuckerton, NJ)

Sea Pirate CG (West Creek, NJ)

Holly Shores and Seashore Campsites (Cape May)

Ocean City CG (Md.).

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Washington, D.C.: I've got a five hour layover in Amsterdam coming home from Norway, enough time to go into the city? What to do with two young kids in that time?

Scott Vogel: It is technically possible, especially as trains to the city leave regularly and usually take 20-30 minutes, although make sure you give yourself plenty of time to return and go back through security. As for what to do, I was going to mention the Red Light District, before -- oops -- I reread your question and realized you were taking the little ones. Have you checked out the Amsterdam airport Web site? They supposedly have several play areas on-site for the kids. :-)

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Washington, D.C.: I submitted this at the end of last week's chat; perhaps you did not see it. How can I get the airlines and FAA to realize that bulkhead seats are horrible seats for most disabled passengers? They have limited leg room, so if you need to keep repositioning or stretching your legs, you are out of luck. Yet airlines tell me that bulkhead seats are mandated to be held as accessible seating and if the flight is full, they have no other seats to offer me. How would I go about changing the notion that these are "good" seats?

Joe Yonan: Sounds like a letter-writing campaign is in order.

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Volunteer travel suggestion: Habitat for Humanity's Global Village program offers precisely what you're seeking: 1-3 week trips all over the world to build houses for low-income families. I'll be heading off to my fifth Global Village build this fall (and second as a team leader). I can't recommend it highly enough.

Joe Yonan: Thanks!

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Arlington, Va.: re: beach and sightseeing in Europe

It's not all about Western Europe (Portugal, Spain, France and Italy)...

How about Dubrovnik, Split and the rest of the Croatian coast?

Or, if you're into island-hopping, how about the Greek Islands?

Joe Yonan: More ideas re Europe.

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San Francisco, Ca: In San Francisco, the aquarium at Pier 39 is -NOT- worth it. We are a city of neighborhoods. With a free afternoon, I'd pick a neighborhood I hadn't seen before and explore: Haight-Ashbury (close to the new Academy of Sciences), the Castro, the Mission, North Beach, Pacific Heights, Hayes Valley...

Christina Talcott: Thanks for the Aquarium opinion and neighborhoods suggestion.

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Potomac, Md.: We'll be London and Paris with 3 teens/pre-teens in early August ... looking for fun non-museum recommendations. And any reasonably priced hotel suggestions for a family of 5 would be great too. Thanks!

Christina Talcott: Here's a story we ran a few years back about Paris with kids. As for London, if your kids are Harry Potter fans, you might think about a HP-related tour of some kind (like this one). Hope that helps!

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Travel section idea: These are ideas from other papers of places I have lived besides DC....

1. The travel section would list various events going on a day trip or overnight trip away over the next few weekends. For example if there was an annual festival in Charlottesville or Hagerstown on a weekend you would list. Then there would be other events listed for 2-3 months out that were longer trips where you would have to plan for long weekends. This is something that was in the Oregonion (Portland)

2. Where I currently live in Seattle area has a weekend planning section in Thursday paper that talks about what's going on over the weekend and following weekend that's focused on daytrips, outdoor activities, and weekend events. The Friday paper has a pullout section for movies , concerts, and other events.

Joe Yonan: Got em. Thanks.

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Tampa: Planning to take my sons 11 and 17 for a one week vacation in mid-august. Dates flexible, budget $1500 - They love amusement parks, roller coasters, thought about CA but flights expensive. Help!

Scott Vogel: This may seem like a bit of a cop-out, but what about Orlando?

From someone who lives here - NO NO NO do not visit Orlando/Disney, etc in August! It is HOT HOT HOT HUMID HUMID and CROWDED! I always tell friends who want to come here in the summer with their kids - best to take them out of school for a few days and visit in late fall or winter. Must less crowded and the weather is wonderful.

Scott Vogel: All right, all right. Point well taken. But as someone who lives HERE, I feel duty-bound to tell you that summers in DC are no picnic either.

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Baltimore: My agenda in Bangor, Maine is this: I'm going hiking on the Appalachian Trail. No, really I am! (I don't have a secret lover :) Baxter State Park is the northern end of the trail.

Joe Yonan: Nice. Not as nice as Buenos Aires, but whaddayagonnado?

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Philly: How about some pieces on "do good" type tourism, and which are valid companies to go with and which are the ones that send a group of people to the same town every month to build the same school every month...? I'm sure the people doing the activity want to go with a legitimate group, but it can be difficult sometimes to sort through all the possibilities.

(A similar look at exchange programs would be useful, although it may be outside your remit.)

Joe Yonan: Interesting idea. Thanks.

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Braintree, Mass.: Any advice for tipping in China? I am on a tour (with a local Chinese agency) for most of my time. I don't mind tipping, but it is my understanding that it is not part of the culture. If guides and drivers are tips, I've seen $1-2 per day recommended, which is less than you would tip in other locations. Have you heard any guidelines? Are tips preferred in US dollars or yuans? I don't want to be cheap, but I do not want to carry a lot of money (yuan or dollars) if I don't need to. Thanks for any advice.

Andrea Sachs: It was a strange habit to break, but in China I did not tip at all, following the cultural practices. However, if you are on a private tour, especially one arranged by a Western outfitter, you might want to give them a tip (in yuan, so they don't have to deal with exchanging the currency) or a gift of appreciation. Amount varies so much, depending on the tour, number of guests, etc. But a few dollars a day would be suitable.

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Joe Yonan: That's all for today, folks -- thanks for the great questions. Hope we gave you some useful pointers. And thanks for the ideas for the section. Speaking of those, my favorite post was the non-stop-flight idea. Not saying we're going to start up such a feature exactly, but it's interesting to think about. So that chatter will get our prize today: It's a Xubaz, functional neckwear built for traveling. (Think part scarf, part, well, purse.)

Send your mailing information to travel@washpost.com, and we'll get you your prize.

Until next week, happy travels!

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