 The Flight Crew: Standing, from left:Andrea Sachs, Cindy Loose, Carol Sottili, Steve Hendrix. Seated in front: K.C. Summers, John Deiner. By Craig Cola/WPNI |
Hosted by the Flight Crew
Monday, May 7, 2001; 2 p.m. EDT
Every Monday at 2 p.m. EDT, The Post's Travel Section Flight Crew – pictured at right – will take your comments, questions, suspicions, warnings, gripes, sad tales and happy endings springing from the world of . . . the world. Of course, the Flight Crew will be happy to answer your travel questions – but the best thing about this forum, we insist, is that it lets travelers exchange information with other travelers who've been there, done that or otherwise have insights, ideas and information to share. Different members of the Crew will rotate through the captain's chair every week, but the one constant is you, our valued passengers.
We know you have a choice in online travel forums, and speaking for the entire Flight Crew, we want to thank you for flying with us.
As always, our courteous editors are on hand to consider any travel-related query. If you're looking for ideas, see this week's Travel section.
Submit questions in advance for the Flight Crew. You may also browse an archive of previous live travel discussions.
Today's transcript follows.
Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.
The Flight Crew:
Hello Travelistas. Welcome to our weekly flight of travel fact and fantasy. Right now we’re all thinking of going to the Gobi or the Sahara or the middle of the Dead Sea, anywhere where the air is free of pollen. It was the final straw when travel writer Gary Lee walked in this morning with so much yellow pollen on his usually shaved head that he looked like Harpo Marx. Gary is now dusted off and here to field your questions on hotels near and far (he’s currently writing about his recent trip to Mexico). Also in the cockpit today are Editor K.C. Summers (planning to take the PLANE to New York next week; didn’t she even READ our race-to-New York Escapes two weeks ago?) and travel writers Carolyn Spencer Brown (now back on the US mainland after her sojourn in the Caribbean), Carol Sottili (gearing up the Spring birding season) and Andrea Sachs (still recovering from her weekend as a time-share patsy in Williamsburg). I’m Steve Hendrix, your Captain for today, back from a weekend in Seattle. Cindy Loose finally succumbed utterly to the pollen count and is home with her Kleenex. Deputy Editor John Deiner is on vacation; he thought he’d found a bargain tour to the Russian Space Station, but due to a translation error he’s spending a week in a Russian gas station. Full report when he’s back and detoxified.
Obligatory Mother’s Day Tie In: We have food oriented prizes today—a shrink-wrapped stick of alligator jerky and a cookbook of recipes from Colorado inns—for the most creative and/or touching and/or savvy and/or disastrous account of a trip with dear old mom. It can be one you’ve done or one you’re planning.
Reston, VA: Hi travel gang. A family of four going to Rome for a week in late September and wondering: Just how bad is the pickpocket and general crime situation there? The guide books make it sound like we'll be beating back hordes of thieves when we're not arguing about the price of food, our hotel room and transportation. I'm getting depressed! Should we just bring those crummy disposable cameras? Buy hidden cash belts? Bulletproof vests? (And, of course, only black clothes...)
The Flight Crew: Hi Reston, KC here, and god, don't get us started on the how-to-dress-in-Europe issue again! (Although you all will be glad to hear that we're doing a male version of our popular Euro-Dressing 101 next week.) As for Rome, you can leave the flak jacket at home because I don't think the crime/pickpocket situation there is worse than any other large city in Western Europe. We actually hear more complaints about Madrid and other Spanish cities than Rome. You should be fine if you take the normal precautions you'd take in any large city -- don't go around reading maps and guidebooks in public; leave the flashy jewelry at home; don't wander around questionable streets after dark (ask your hotel); and yes, use a money belt.
Rockville, MD: I have a meeting in Juneau, AK in August, but I want to tour the coastline on the way up for a few days. Is the Alaska Marine Highway ferry the preferred way to see the best of Alaska? I only have 3-4 days to allow for this part of the journey.
The Flight Crew: Sottili here: Boat is the only way to tour the coastline of Alaska from Juneau (called the Inside Passage). There are no roads. I think the public ferry system is fine - the price is right and the boats leave fairly frequently. Here's the url for the ferry system sked - http://
www.dot.state.ak.us/external/amhs/schedres/index.html
lexington,kentucky: Has anyone stayed at the new Californian at Disneyland? What are the room rates? I wonder if there is a surcharge for energy, and what taxes are added.
The Flight Crew: When we went to California Adventure, we didn't stay at the resort, but we did hear rave reviews of its new hotel, the Grand Californian, with has a tunnel to the park. Rooms start at $225, but you can sometimes get better rates through packages or online deals. We haven't heard if they are dimming their lights as the big parks are supposedly exempt from the energy crackdown (somehow they fall in with the ilk of hospitals, firestations, etc.). But double check before you reserve a room. Also, we read that they are now offering deals that if you get a two or four-day pass, they will allow inter-park visits.
Alexandria, Va: Hello Travel Staff,
I am looking to take about 10 days off in September to hike/climb Kilimanjaro. Can you recommend a good guide service that is not too expensive (no more than $1100 or $1200) but has a good reputation? Thanks in advance for you answer. Also, what kind of deals are there for flights to Nairobi? Does it make more sense to fly to London and get a ticket from there?
The Flight Crew: Hi Alexandria. Hendrix here. I did Kili in January and found myself plugged into an odd food-chain of providers and outfitters. I booked with Iexplore.com, who sold me to to Journeys International of Ann Arbor, who passed my to a Swiss-owned but Tanzanian-based outfitter called Shades of Africa who contracted me to a local guide firm called African Walking Company. Phew. Such is life with the internet. I recommend you start with Journeys, or with one of the big providers like GORP or Mountain Sobek. And for air fare, I had good luck with one of the consolidators out of New York. Think my fare was about $900 via Amsterdam. Look in small display ads in the Sunday Travel section.
Washington, D.C.: I'm in my early 20s and I'm planning a four-night, three-day trip to Montreal this June. I already know that I want to avoid the Grand Prix weekend, and I'd like to spend as little as possible on accommodations, transport and food. Do you have any suggestions for how to do Montreal on the cheap? I'd like to spend my days visiting the old historic districts and also experience the gay nightlife.
The Flight Crew: DC, a couple of years back I stayed in a nice but cheap gay owned B&B in Montreal, says Gary Lee. It was called Le Chasseur and rates were about fifty US dollars a night, including a nifty breakfast served in bed! It's in the so-called gay village area, centered around St. catherine east, which has a number of pretty decent restaurants (where you can get decent meals for under $10 a pop) plus your usual run of clubs and bars. Bon Voyage!
Downtown: Help! My honey is coming to town over Memorial Day weekend and wants to see Charlottesville. I tried the Clifton Inn B&B recommended on the Post's website, but all the rooms (except the really expensive ones) were booked. Does anyone have any ideas of other places (esp. B&Bs) that are historic/romantic but don't cost an arm and/or leg? Maybe in the $150-200 range? I was thinking Boars Head Inn might be an option, but I have only seen it from the outside. Does anyone know what the rooms are like? Thanks.
The Flight Crew: Downtown, Charlottesville is B&B Central so you shouldn't have any trouble coming up with a nice place. Try www.bbonline.com/va/williamsburg.html for ideas. Anybody out there stayed at the Boars Head and can opine?
washington d.c.: can you recommend any b&bs or small inns within about a 3 hour drive of D.C. -- and here's the catch -- where the decor is more elegant or upscale casual than the kind of lacy, heavily floral, or country-kitsch variety that seems prevalent in this part of the country. Thanks!
The Flight Crew: Hi, this is Carolyn Brown with a couple of suggestions as long as you understand that upscale casual costs a lot more than country-kitsch! But some of my favorites (I'm a big fan of upscale cas) include the Inn at Montchanin, near Wilmington (trust me it's gorgeous), the Ashby Inn in Paris, VA, and the Antrim 1844 in Taneytown, Md. near Gettysburg. In all cases the inns are so nice I have a hard time leaving the premises to go exploring.Another choice is The White Swan Inn in Chestertown and the Inn at Osprey (very Shakeresque) in Rock Hall).
Clicksters who hate country kitsch want to chime in here?
Reston: just a few things to point out how the internet helps in travel planning...
I found an $90 fare on UA to dallas and back (it was on UAL.com and expedia for about half a day last week)... next used priceline to get a hotel (the Wyndham Anatole) for $50 a night and got a convertible rent a car through hotwire for about $35/day.
Thanks for all the hints on where to look for info!
The Flight Crew: Thanks, Reston. We too are finding the web to be increasingly useful. But we spend more and more of our time sorting through the bad ones to find the jewells. Anyone else stumbled across a really good travel site lately?
Alexandria, VA: I am planning a week long trip to Thailand (Koh Samui) and wanted to try to figure out how much the whole trip might cost me. Any tips?
The Flight Crew: It all depends on your budget--and the steeliness of your stomach and the hardness of your head. In other words, if you are totally budget-conscious, you can stay in guesthouses/hostels for super-cheap (read: stone-hard pillow and mattress), eat from outdoor vendors and spend about $15 a day--or less. You can also go up a step, stay in two-star hotels, dine in noodle shops and get by on $50 a day. Or you can splurge and live like Anna at the king's palace. It is very hard to say, but for the most part, your biggest expense will be the flight.
Dallas, TX: I am interested in visiting France with my mother by barge. A few articles I've read seem to indicate that it is either an on-your-own-do-everything proposition or a cruise-deluxe. Is there something in between?
Thank you.
The Flight Crew: There's a woman in Chicago, Ellen Sack, who calls herself the "barge lady" and she reps all kinds of companies and can really put you in the right place. Trust me, (well you don't have to, this is Brown), there are a number of different kinds in all ranges of upscale-ness. And yes, most definitely, there are options in between...
Anybody done one and want to chime in? Oh, and I don't know Ellen's company's number but just search the web for "barge lady."
washington dc: My friends and I want to go to the beach for Memorial Day weekend. I've been to Dewey for the past two years and would like to avoid repeating that experience. I'd either like something relatively close to the DC area, or something that is about the same driving distance between DC and Birmingham AL. Also, I'd like some place with some sort of nightlife and water activities. Any suggestions?
The Flight Crew: Well, we're not the greatest experts on beaches between here and Birmingham but we'll throw this suggestion out: Seaside, Florida, in the Panhandle, near Destin, has the most gorgeous beaches, nice little faux-town (did you catch "The Truman Show?" It was filmed there) and the sun sets to the west, over the Gulf, just like you were in Calif. Hendrix says it's about an 11 hour drive....
Austin, Tx: I have two questions. The first one is about lodging in DC. Where can we find a relatively inexpensive, but nice place to stay (under or at $100) for the first week of June. We'd like to stay in DC and not the burbs.
Second, over the Christmas holidays we would like to plan a family vacation to the Alps. We would like to rent a house to stay in, but don't know how to find one and what part of the Alps to stay in!
Thanks so much for your help! You guys are great!
The Flight Crew: DC, I can give a bit of advice about lodging in DC, says Gary, but not the alps. You might try a b&b. There are a couple of pretty good ones in the popular and pretty centrally located Adams Morgan neighborhood. One is called Mintwood Bed and Breakfast, the other the Adams Bed and Breakfast. I've checked them out and the prices are right and the rooms nice. If you want a decent hotel at that rate, you might try making a bid on priceline.com. I've had good experience getting great rooms in four star hotels for well under $100 a night, particularly on weekends.
Bethesda, Md.: I'm a UAL Premier member and want to know if I can use UAL frequent flyer miles to upgrade from coach (paying whatever the minimum fare that allows me to upgrade) to Business class on United's Star Alliance partners -- especially Lufthansa -- as I plan to fly from D.C. to Cairo via Frankfurt this fall/winter.
The Flight Crew: Sottili here: Just made a quick call to 800-421-4655 (United Mileage Plus) and they say yes, as long as it's Lufthansa. Make your reservation and then call UAL to issue a certificate.
Arlington, VA: My wife and I are taking our moms on a trip to Italy this summer (yes, we are in fact saints). We're starting off in Venice, flying out of Rome. Since there are four of us, I was thinking of renting a car rather than taking the train. How crazy would that be? Good idea, bad idea? Please let me know.
The Flight Crew: Arl, you get a gold star and I hope my kids are reading this (this is KC). Except that if they took me to Italy, they'd probably charge everything to my credit card. Ooh, I'm starting to sound like Tony Kornheiser. Anyway, car vs. train is a matter of personal preference -- I'd die first rather than rent a car. But with four people, you will save money driving, it's true. Anyone out there got an opinion?
Bethesda, Maryland: I am going on a cruise in July to Scandinavia and will be in Copenhagen over night and would like to take advantage of eating dinner in the area. Do you have any suggestions for restaurants? If you have any additional tips that I should take advantage of for the 2 days, I would appreciate it.
The Flight Crew: Hi, Bethesda, it's a great cruise (Brown here). A couple of thoughts since I haven't been to Copenhagen. First, check one of the cruise content web sites (there are two excellent ones, cruisemates.com and cruisecritic.com) where they have reader "boards" where you can post a question and get a response from a "real" cruiser (or many). Or go to Google.com, a search engine, and plug in Copenhagen & restaurants. See what you find and good luck.
Or, don't worry too much about planning ahead and talk to crew members on board (if the ship overnights often in Copenhagen and you want a great restaurant go to the sommelier and ask).
ellicott city, md: anyone have opinions on tauck or maupintours.
i'm looking at the eastern canadian itineraries.
The Flight Crew: How about it, clicksters? Any yeas or nays?
Falls Church: I'm looking for a 2-3 "cruise to nowhere". Last year, a ship left Baltimore...any ideas on where I could find such a ship in Baltimore, Philadelphia, Newport News, or New York?
The Flight Crew: Falls Church, options are limited. Carnival goes out of Newport News maybe twice a year (in May and September), Regal Cruises does 'em, budget-style, out of Philly (but please buy insurance from one of the major third party insurers as several budget cruise lines have gone under in the past nine months).
New York, dunno if there are cruises to nowhere but Carnival does numerous three and four day trips to the Canadian maritimes....
DC: Did any of you catch last week's bit about the Hudson Hotel (NYC) on NPR's All Things Considered? The story was about the permanent residents of the Hudson. For years the Henry Hudson hotel was a residential hotel for middle class folks before it became its current swank self. Some of the residents still live there--they have their own entrance and elevators and are bullied out of the hotel part when they try to enter. Very odd. I stayed there last year, and I had no idea. Fascinating story.
The Flight Crew: Thanks for your comment from Gary Lee, who covers the hotel and lodging industry for the Post travel section. The NPR report was accurate. I should point out the process of New York-based boutique hotels nudging out perament residents is not unique to the Hudson. Several other new trendy boutique hotels are equally "guilty."
Tempe, AZ: My husband and relocated from the Washington area out West. We are thinking of taking a vaction, a 3 day cruise or trip to mexico. We really enjoy Cancun are there places on the western side of maexico that are similar? Are there cruises that leave from LA?
The Flight Crew: You have tons of choices. Just looking at Travelocity's cruise listings: Three or four nights in Baja, from L.A. to Ensenada and Catalina Island (Baja is supposed to be incredible!, and longer cruises along the Mexican Rivieria, again leaving from L.A. Just check with any of the major cruiselines (carnival, royal caribbean) or cruise sites and you will find options aplenty.
Usually savvy traveller, VA:: Hello! Can you tell me if the vacation packages offered by places like United Vacations and other airlines are bargains, or close to them? Having all your stuff done in one effort does have its appeal and the packages for New York City by Amtrak seem like good deals, so I was wondering about the airlines. I'm specifically thinking of locations in the west and southwest U.S. for the early fall. Thanks a bunch!
The Flight Crew: USTV, Hendrix here. No one on the staff has done an airline package in many years. I did a Delta Vacation to the Bahamas when I was in High School, and even then I found the bunker-like resort hotel to be sterile and bland. We did have a correspondant, Don Oldenburg, book just such a package for a reporting trip to Paradise Island for the new Jimmy Buffet show and he found it both cheap and reliable. Our sense is that the airlines are too big to rip you off on purpose.
Bowie: Any shoestring travellers can help with this?
Greyhound's companion fare isn't offered to NYC. Is there anyplace anywhere near NYC where a couple could travel on the companion fare and then use local transit to get to NY?
Greyhound does go to Trenton, but it's a slow trip with stopovers and transfers. Any others?
The Flight Crew: Bowie, you might check out either Newark or New Haven as options, says Gary Lee. Any other clicksters have experience with this?
WDC 20005: Trip with Mom story--Several years after my dad died, I took my Mom to England and Scotland for ten days. We (read "I") drove all over the country and wound up in Edinborough. I have many vivid memories (such as doing all the driving after Mom got behind the wheel for a nanosecond on a deserted road and freaked out; having our tire changed in the Lake Country by a nice old gent after I misjudged the left side of the car; and my Mom (not me!) getting hit on by a much younger man, which did wonders for her ego and not much for mine.) But my fondest memory is my widowed, still sometimes sad Mom on the moors in Yorkshire, twirling around and shouting "Oh Heathcliff, where are you?" at the top of her lungs.
The Flight Crew: WDC, we're sobbing in the newsroom. You definitely in the running for the aligator jerky.
stayed at boar's head: ...and was disappointed. The name makes it sound so quaint, but our room a year ago was in the new long row of rooms they've erected i think because of a growing convention business. Maybe the rooms in the main building are more interesting. The room was fine, but absolutely nothing special. The grounds are okay, but abut what appeared to be a new housing complex. We did have a lovely dinner in the restaurant.
The Flight Crew: Thanks for that first-hand report. It's good to remember, if you know a place has been renovated, to request rooms in the main inn if that's importnat to you. Anyone else?
RE: to Austin: I stayed at the Latham and the Melrose using priceline for about $70 night...
The Flight Crew: Gary says: Thanks for chiming in.
Off to Dublin!: I am off to Dublin in mid Fall and want to know some must sees... and, how crowded can I expect it in late Sept/early Oct?
I am considering seeing Belfast, too- would appreciate suggestions on pubs in that area too!
Thanks!
The Flight Crew: Great trip, Off-to-Dublin, Brown here. I went to Ireland and spent two weekends in Dublin sandwiched between a week in Northern Ireland and it was fabulous. Dublin's Temple Bar neighborhood is a blast during the day, great boutiquey shopping, hot restaurants, traditional pubs et al. On weekends at night it gets overrun by drunk kids so beware. St. Stephen's Green is great for people watching.
Re Belfast: fascinating, brooding city. I stayed near the University there in two different places. One was a really cheap guesthouse in a nice neighborhood, very fair, and one was a hip boutique hotel that was wonderful. Lots of chic new restaurants opening up with detente (or shall I say cease-fire).
If you want to see "scary Belfast," the western part of the city where much of the war there has taken place. Get a taxi driver to give you a tour. It's something you won't forget.
Downtown is also worth visiting...but it's really the University area that's got a lot to see...
Farragut Square: Dear Travel Crew:
One of my more memorable "travel with Mom" stories centers around a childhood trip where four of us flew to Quebec City and then drove out and around the Gaspe penninsula, returning home to NYC via Maine and the Atlantic Coast. My fastidious mother, who liked to be prepared for anything, had packed a large glass bottle of Caladryl in our suitcase (these were the bad old days before things came in plastic bottles), only to have it shatter in transit. My entire family spent the rest of the vacation in clothes that had a pinkish cast, and, no matter how many times washed in hotel sinks, smelled of that unmistakable smell. (Not to mention the fact that we had nothing to put on our itchy bug bites for the entire trip.)
I offer this for amusement only, I don't want to be too piggy after winning the lunch box of goodies several weeks ago (much to the delight of my own kids).
The Flight Crew: Farragut, maybe you can be the one to finally tell me...what's the difference between Caladryl and Calomine?
Thanks for the discloser. You're a prize candidate anyway.
Vienna, VA 22182: Hi travel crew! This one's for DC... for upscale B&B that's close to here, try L'Auberge Provencale. It's decorated Euro-style (a French/ Victorian combo), and specializes in extremely tasty gourmet fare, served at both breakfast and dinner. And it's not far at all-- only an hour's drive!
While we're on the subject of B&Bs though, I just want to point out that I had probably the best B&B experience of my life this past weekend at Brierley Hill in Lexington, VA. It was country decor, so it doesn't apply to this question, but it was the the most hospitable, relaxing and amazing place I'd been to in recent memory...
The Flight Crew: Thanks, Vienna, appreciate the response.
I'll second L'Auberge Provencale for the restaurant, it's absolutely fantastic (run by that neat thing, a real French chef who, with his wife, owns the inn and restaurant) but I gotta say the rooms were kinda country-kitsch. I didn't really love the decor...then again I'm not into Victorian. Ish.
But thanks for the input...
Arlington, VA: For DC looking for a B&B within a three-hour drive: Go to the Inn at Vaucluse Spring, in Stephens City, Virginia, just north of Front Royal. It is expensive, but very elegant, very comfortable, and the food is fabulous. Be sure to stay for their Saturday night dinner. We love upstairs at the Manor House, but it all is beautiful. However, they book out way in advance, so plan ahead.
www.vauclusespring.com
The Flight Crew: Yeah, we've heard it's good. Thanks Arlington.
Fort Wayne, Indiana: For the contest. Some years ago, my aunt entered a contest in the Netherlands where you were asked for your Mother's Day wish, which would be granted. She wished for a ticket for my gandparents to visit my family here in the USA "Once more before they die."
My aunt won, and my grandparents came to spend several months living with my parents, my sisters and me in a three bedroom ranch with one bath and about 800 square feet. It was an amazing amount of togetherness, as you may imagine. They lived many more years after that, and in fact returned to America for the last time when I married, and stayed with my parents again (in their larger house). But that contest winning trip has always held a special place in our family history.
The Flight Crew: Ft.Wayne, gosh. Was this a government program? Very sweet, thanks.
Washington, D.C.: What is the best site on the web for maps that one could use for automobile travel?
The Flight Crew: WDC, great question (Brown here) that I'm tackling just now cause I'm doing a coast-to-coast drive. I've long been a Mapquest gal (mapquest.com) but tried out a new one (new for me) yesterday called RandMcNally.com and found it to be better, easier to understand, quicker, just liked it a lot.
Anybody got anything on this one?
Alexandria, VA: Reposting from last week: I'm traveling solo to the Greek Islands at the end of the month. Any recommendations on islands to go to -- particularly ones that are less touristy, more off-the-beaten-path -- or things not to miss?
Thanks!
The Flight Crew: We only know the touristy ones, Alexandria, like Santorini (which is still a must-visit) but we'll throw it out...up to you, fellow clicksters, set this traveler on an unforgettable journey...
eastern market: Hi travel crew - any suggestions for a family of 4 adults who have about a week to explore areas north of boston? we are thinking about Maine, but will there be enough to do for a whole week? we'll have a car and plan to motel/inn it. Thanks!
The Flight Crew: As long as you can keep busy swimming, fishing, sailing, shopping at LL Bean, climbing lighthouses, eating locally caught lobster, hiking Baxter State Park--ugh, i am tired already--then you will be fine. Maine has an endless array of things to do (active and idle) and see (inside and out) and eat and drink, from Portland to Kennebunkport. You can also head to New Hampshire and climb Mount Washington. Or go northwest to the Berkshires for the arts and crafts and quaintness.
Foggy Bottom: Hello...I probably won't be around for the chat, but wanted to send in the question(s) early and hope someone can help!
My wife and I are traveling to the Caribbean on American Airlines in a few weeks, and we figure we should probably have travel insurance--but we've never bought travel insurance and don't really know where to begin. We don't have a travel agent (we bought the vacation online). We probably don't need medical coverage, although we're double-checking with our medical insurers, but want to make sure we're covered for cancellation since we've prepaid for the trip. Can anyone give a quick "Travel Insurance 101" primer on where to look, what to look for, tricks of the trade, etc.?
Also, how is American looking strike-wise in late May-early June?
Thanks!
The Flight Crew: Sottili here: Trip cancellation insurance and health insurance are often lumped together. The key is to read the fine print. Make sure you are getting the basics - reimbursement for lost luggage, medical treatment costs and the cost of trips canceled due to illness, natural disasters and missed connections. Some policies also offer a 24-hour hot line, medical repatriation to a facility near your home, coverage for preexisting conditions and reimbursement if a family member who is not with you becomes ill and you are forced to cut the trip short. Many do not offer coverage for airline strikes. Try these companies: Access America (www.accessamerica.com), Travel Assistance International (www.worldwideassistance.com) and Travel Guard International (www.travel-guard.com). Medex is good for traveler's health insurance (www.medexassist.com). Also, if you have a premium credit card, like American Express platinum, you may be covered.
Kensington, Md.: I will be traveling to Zimbabwe in June for the solar eclipse. Due to political instability, the State Department issued a public announcement stating that "U.S. citizens residing in or traveling to Zimbabwe should be aware of continuing conditions that could affect their safety. These conditions include ongoing incidents of political violence and intimidation in both urban and rural areas." Our group will be staying in Victoria Falls for a few days and then in Karibe for two to three days.
Should we still go? I've never been to any part of Africa and would love to see this beautiful country, but certainly don't want to take any chances.
The Flight Crew: Kensington, we've never been to Zimbabwe, says Gary Lee, but we have talked to several Americans who have been there in recent months. What they have reported is that the political instability is real but that they were able to avoid incident by sticking close to the hotels (they also stayed in Vic. Falls) and avoiding going out at night. We are not in a position to advise whether to go or not, but if we were in your shoes, we'd probably go ahead but take the usual travel precautions.
Kili person again: Your answer to my previous post (thanks, BTW) reminded me of another question. Is there a good "season" to tackle the mountain? Any time that is considered a shoulder season?
The Flight Crew: Kili person, shoot for the dry seasons: january/February and then July through September.
Arlington: For the person going to Montreal, a good comprehensive website is: www.tourism-montreal.org The have a huge list of accomodations and also a prominent section for gay and lesbian visitors.
The Flight Crew: Thanks Arlington from Gary Lee.
Washington, DC: My wife is headed to St. Lucia this weekend last minute to cover a jazz festival. What sort of ID does she need? Also, is American currency the norm?
Also, does anyone know anything about a region in Italy called Cinque Terre?
Many thanks. I look forward to these each week.
The Flight Crew: WDC, she needs her passport.
The official currency in St. Lucia is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar but American dollars are pretty readily accepted. Tell her to take an ATM card so can withdraw a little walking around cash. Don't know (Brown here) whether this will apply but when I was in Anguilla American dollars were so ubiquitous (even though ECDollars are the currency of the country) that the ATM actually gave you a choice!
Annapolis, MD: My 75-year-old Mom and I just returned from two weeks in Germany and Italy. Thanks to the Clicksters for recommending the Galleria Hotel in Venice. I had seen it in Rick Steves' book as well, and it was a two-star find. It was very convenient to the Accademia vaporetto stop.
We stayed at the Hotel Lombardi in Florence, which nobody recommended but I found on the Internet. BTW, it had a great site, www.hotel-lombardi.net. It was a block away from the train station, and I would rate it another two-star find.
Aside from two weeks being too long for Mom, the low point of the trip came with our overnight train from Florence to Munich to fly home. It sounded sooo simple to take the train overnight, and thus save a night's lodging. We had a paid reservation for a "couchette" sleeper with our Eurailpass. I didn't understand that meant a triple bunkbed arrangement on either side of the compartment. We got on the train at midnight in Florence and tried not to make too much noise to waken the lady already asleep in our compartment. Suffice to say that neither Mom nor I got much sleep that night. The next morning we arrived in Munich and made the transfer to the airport, but we were both groggy and crabby. The moral of the story, don't travel all night and expect to spend 8 hours on an airplane the next day, if you can avoid it. Be nice to your Mom.
The Flight Crew: Thanks for the report, Annapolis. We've heard the suprise shared couchette story from other travelers.
Arlington, VA: For the woman looking for a Greyhound companion fare--take Peter Pan to NYC. You get the bus right across the street from Greyhound, it's $50 a person roundtrip, there are less stops than with Greyhound, and it's more comfortable.
The Flight Crew: Arlington, I had a pretty good experience with Peter Pan to NYC a couple of weeks back, says Gary Lee. It was a clean nonstop ride. But I paid $40 each way.
Oakton, VA: Crew,
Where in the Caribbean would you recommmend for hiking, biking and other more strenuous type activities, in addition to the normal water activities (e.g. snorkeling)?? Would the time of year (mid-December) make a difference in the location? Thanks.
The Flight Crew: Great question, Oakton, Brown here to say that a couple of good choices would be Martinique, Guadeloupe, St. Lucia, Grenada. Martinique has rain forests and great beaches, Guadeloupe has a real live volcano you can hike up...and rain forests. St. Lucia has lots of eco-stuff. Grenada's a lovely all-around destinations.
Mid-December, great time of year but could be the beginning of high season so make reservations for lodging ahead of time...
Arlington, VA: Favorite Belfast pubs: The Crown (more for just one drink than a whole night); Morrisons, the Rotterdam (take a cab there); Lavery's Gin Palace (just for the experience); the Botanic (or Bot, only for those under 25!); Robinson's (next door to the Crown).
The Flight Crew: Great stuff, Arlington, thanks.
Fairfax, VA: Re the query about Grenada from a couple of weeks ago: my husband and I just got back on May 2 from our trip there. We stayed at the Calabash Hotel, which is a small, upscale but understated hotel comprised of a arc of 2 - 4 unit buildings facing the beach. We loved it, and spent 5 of our 6 days there lounging by the beach, looking out at the sailboats moored in the bay. The place is lovely, excellent food and service, very tranquil. It is British-owned, which reflects in the clientele and personality of the place. While there seemed to be a decent range of ages, some may find it a bit too sedate (we wanted mellow, and got it). The restaurant style is not Caribbean but rather Continental, using local ingredients - go elsewhere for more Grenadian flavors. You will also not get the sunrise or sunset, as the beach faces south. Not major issues for us. We did one afternoon's tour through the rainforest, spice plantations, and down the west coast, arranged by the front desk with one of the drivers based at hotel. We got a bit of a sense of the island that way. We also borrowed snorkels to check out the corals along one end of the beach, and kayaked around the bay (free at the hotel's consessionaire). Can't say too much about other island attractions, but would be happy to supply other details if your correspondent is interested.
Incidentally, we had written you for advice before our trip, which was much appreciated. Obviously, we did not go to Carriacou, but the advice on our layovers in San Juan was helpful. On our way down, we toured Old San Juan - not the most relaxing day on 4 hours sleep and in the heat - but an interesting visit. We more enjoyed our rental car tour of El Yunque on the other end. It was beautiful, peaceful, and we took a nice hike to La Mina Falls. We got lunch just inside the park at a stand wedged between road and precipice, just when we thought we would have to stay hungry, and it was cheap and tasty. A nice end to our vacation - thanks!
The Flight Crew: Great report, Fairfax, thanks so much for coming back and letting us know how it went.
NW DC: For the wife soing to St. Lucia, she can also travel w/ a driver's license and borth certificate(not a copy).
The Flight Crew: Thanks....
Arlington, Va.: Good morning!
My husband and I were gifted with a free stay in Hilton Margarita Island, Venezuela in mid-June. We're currently looking for cheap fares. The cheapest we've found is with Avensa Airlines at approximately $500 round trip. Are any of you familiar with the airline? If you could recommend any flights that go directly to Margarita Island (I think the airport is Parlomar), we would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks!
The Flight Crew: Sottili here: I'm not familiar with Avensa, but I do know the FAA and Venezuela have been at odds about aviation safety for a long time. Look at http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa/ for details.
Alexandria, VA: Where to stay in St. Michaels ('s??) for a romantic weekend? What should one expect to pay for a nice B&B?
The Flight Crew: Hi Alex, KC here. If you want to splurge, you can't go wrong with the Inn at Perry Cabin. I stayed there last summer and had to be dragged away kicking and screaming. It's a beautifully restored manor-house resort, filled with antiques, in a gorgeous setting on the water. You can loll around the grounds, swim, sail, read in an Adirondack chair by the water, bike around St. Michael's (free bikes for guests) or just bum around town. You will pay dearly (doubles start at $375, though there are occasional promotional rates of as low as $275), but you can't beat it for a romantic weekend. www.perrycabin.com.
RE: car rental in Italy: A car is nothing but a burden in the larger cities (parking and traffic are deadly), but on the road they offer you so many more options. I was able to see all the major sights in Umbria and Tuscany, often just sight navigating to castles and hill towns I could see off the road. Italian highways are excellent, gas prices scary.
The Flight Crew: Good points, RE, thanks.
washington, d.c.: We have done quite a bit of driving in Italy. Though rental cars are very expensive and you must take the insurance (American Express, for example, doesn't provide its usual car insurance in that country) it is cheaper even for two people. It is easy to pick up a car in Venice. Just be certain to book before you leave the United States to get much cheaper rates. Driving itself requires a good map (see Michelin maps for the various areas of Italy you might be driving through) and be certain that whoever is navigating is good at map reading. Italian roads aren't always marked well. Also, You might make arrangements to drop the car someplace before you get to Rome and take the train into Rome. Driving in Rome is not for the faint of heart.
The Flight Crew: Thanks, Wash, that's good advice.
Native New Jerseyan: For the person looking for a beach area between here and Birmingham: Being a former Atlantan, we used to drive to Charleston S.C. for weekends, which would make it 7-8 hour drive from Birmingham. I’ve driven from Silver Spring to Charleston in about 8 hours.
Charleston has a large variety of hotel/motel/b& b selections, LOTS of great restaurants, entertainment and a great beach on Kiawah Island, 20 miles from downtown. But to get into the public beach area (adjacent to the resort) you must get there early, by 9:30 or so – lot holds maybe 75 cars.
You are welcome to eat and shop at the resort, and the walk up the island is wonderful. The other public beaches, Folly and the one near Mt. Pleasant (forget name)which are much closer are fine, but Kiawah is THE one to relax on. Oooh, I’d love to be there right now!
The Flight Crew: Native Joisey: You're right, Charleston and the area (including Myrtle Beach) is ripe with beach opportunities. As is Savannah, three hours farther down.
Bethesda, MD: I will be going to Zurich over Memorial Weekend. Do you or any of the chatters have any recommendations for places to see or any good restaurants?
The Flight Crew: We'll throw this one out, Bethesda, and see what your fellow clicksters have to say....
DC 20016: to the Venice traveler...I've done trains and I've driven in Italy and let's just say that there are certain aspect to driving on the autostrada that are different than freeway driving here - the speeds will be faster, but at least you can count on lane discipline: (almost) everybody will pass on the left, and that is a little comforting given the haphazardness of the capitol beltway. If you drive in any lane but the far right, you will be looking in your rear-view mirror almost as much as the road ahead of you...a little intimidating at first, but you'll get used to it. Also, if you drive to Venice, be prepared to surrender not only the car, but your car keys to the parking attendant and parking there is not cheap. And I haven't even addressed driving in town. Don't want to discourage you (I haven't taken the train there in years and always drive), but the train would probably be less stressful, but only you can be the judge of that.
The Flight Crew: Thanks DC -- this is definitely a matter of preference.
Reston: Car rental question.... any ideas on getting a good deal in Europe? My internet-unsavy sister is going to Ireland, so I am helping out with some planning - my job is to find a good car rental in Shannon for 13 days...
The Flight Crew: Reston, Hendrix here. The conventional wisdom is rent your car over here before you go. Try kemwell.com. And there are others.
22202: For the traveler to Rome, when I was there in January I was told the J-buses (Jubilee buses that were so successful they left them in service) were especially safe against pickpockets. Apparently the government cracked down really hard to send a message that the buses were off limits to would-be thieves. They are also a super way to get around the city.
RE: United Miles Although United miles are only usable for United and Lufthansa upgrades now, there are rumblings that Star Alliance is going to create a system that gives the same upgrade possibilities on all the Star Alliance members. Stay tuned, I suppose.
The Flight Crew: Thanks, 22202.
re Roman thieves: My parents visisted last year, and Dad lost his wallet on the last day, while on the train. He had it in his front pocket and it was lifted... he said he never felt a thing, but that he thought it was some kids on the train... so, don't even think that carrying it in front helps, unless your pants are skintight jeans with zippers and locks on the pockets.
The Flight Crew: Ewwwww. We'd rather be pickpocketed.
Washington, D.C.: Re: The Boar's Head I stayed there for a conference several years ago. It's ok for a conference, Marriott-like. Don't recommend it for romance. LT
The Flight Crew: That's two nays.
Trip with Mom--Silver Spring: When I was about 13 my mother and I went to visit my older sister, who was living in Paris. Since my sister worked all day, we were on our own to see the city. (I should mention that the only French either of us knew was to ask if someone spoke English.) The first night we were there my sister made the horrible mistake of telling about two women who were kidnapped in part of Paris and sold into slavery. Being a mother, this worried my mom to no end and for some reason the worry manifested itself in forbidding us to use the Metro. So we spent a full day walking literally all over Paris--Eiffel Tour to Louvre to Champs-Elysses and more. By the time we finally called it a day my feet were covered in blisters--including one that overtook my little toe. We were so miserable that we decided to risk kidnapping and take the subway for the rest of the trip.
The Flight Crew: Ahh, the old overprotective mom story. How well we know that one. Thanks, Silver Spring.
Arlington, VA: could you describe the rights of the passenger if an aircraft seems to be pushing the bounds of safety? I recently walked off an airliner at JFK after it took two hours to fix the air speed indicator only to find out on the runway it didn't work. Coupled with someone in front of me playing with the emergency exit door was enough for me. do people have rights to disembark?
The Flight Crew: Sottili here: I don't think individuals passengers have the right to determine whether a flight is safe. In other words, I think you can leave the flight, but there's no rule that the airline has to give you your money back.
SS, MD: Anybody on the Travel Crew ever do a vacation exchange -- my family stays in your house in London, yours stays in my house in DC? I seem to remember a Post Magazine article from a few years back...
Thoughts? How to do it? Worthwhile keepers of such info?
The Flight Crew: Silver Spring, I've never house swapped but have done some research on agencies that broker swaps, says Gary Lee. I suggest you check out Homelink, at www.swapnow.com, Intervac at www.intervac.com or Trading Homes International at www.trading-homes.com.
Boca Raton, Fla.: My husband and I will be spending a few days sightseeing in Seattle at the end of June. We would like to stay in a hotel that is centrally located and inexpensive (under $100/night). Do you have any recommendations? We will be there for four days -- what are some of the places/activities that we shouldn't miss?
The Flight Crew: That's kind of a tough order, under $100. Doing a quick search on Quickbook, we found Wyndham Hotel by the airport for $76 and a Best Western near Seattle Center for $76. There are also cheaper options in Bellevue. But you might also want to check out a bed and breakfast, which aren't as city central but are less expensive and you get breakfast to boot. As for sights, go on the quirky sewer tour in Pioneer Square, get a fish thrown at your head at Pike's Market, climb Mount Ranier, check out the Pacific and Native American arts collection at the downtown museum, etc. Check the city's Web site for other attractions at www.ci.seattle.wa.us.
Disembodied in NoVA: Can't think of a suitable Mother's Day story at the moment, so I'll just offer a couple of comments on previous questions.
Regarding the Alaska Marine Highway System: Definitely the way to go, and it will take every bit of 3 days to get to Juneau, maybe closer to 4...if the passenger stays on the boat straight through. As I recall, transit time from Bellingham to Ketchikan is just under 2 days. It's about one day from Ketchikan to Petersburg, and another day sail to Juneau. So figure 4 days. The big issue is whether there are any cubbys...err...staterooms avaialable in August, which is peak time. If someone is adventurous, they can pitch a tent on the back of the observation deck and roll out the sleeping bags. Howver, even this space becomes precious at peak season. If the person is serious about taking the boat up the inside passage, they should contact the Alaska Marine Highway System NOW. As an alternative, they can take a combination of trains, boat rides and bus rides from Seattle to Vancouver, across Georgia Straight to Nanaimo, up Vancouver Island to Port Hardy, and up to Prince Rupert using BC Ferries, and transfer onto the Alaska line at Prince Rupert.
Now for a real adventure: renting a car in Italy. One word of advice: DON'T. Italian drivers make NYC cabdrivers look like amateurs in the demolition derby. Take the train. However, LEAVE SLACK IN YOUR SCHEDULE. Italian unions may stage a one-day strike at any time. If your travel plans are tight, you may have to find alternate transportation between Venice and Rome. I could tell you about the memorable time we had with Bruno, our personable non-English-speaking driver, we hired to drive us from Rome and Venice, but that is a story I'll save for another time.
The Flight Crew: Thanks, Nova. The voice of experience from Nome to Rome.
Silver Spring: Hope you and your fellow clicksters can help! My husband and I are looking to get away this August and have budgeted around $2500 to do so. This needs to cover airfare and seven nights hotel in some type of tropical environment. So far we have been suggested to look at Bermuda, St. Johns and Aruba. Any specific resort advice? We are price flexible if it meant a luxury resort. Thank you.
The Flight Crew: If you don't mind a little heat (and the possibility of a hurricane), I'd head for the Caribbean (Brown here) cause the bargains are downright plentiful. You might even have some cash left over. Probably I'd aim for Aruba -- you don't say what you want, really, and the three islands you suggested all offer different atmosphere. The reason I pick Aruba, which is basically just a beachy/casino place (though you can do a day trip to Curacao or VeneZuela) is because it's below the hurricane belt and the safest bet. Both St. John (I'm assuming you mean the USVI and not St. Johns Antigua) and Bermuda are also terrific (the latter will be in high season so Caribbean discounts won't apply) but...they're in prime hurricane belt at the prime hurricane time of year.
Somewhere, USA: my sister and I being the great daughter we are, are planning to take my mom to Italy this September.
We start off renting a car in Rome and driving(yeah we've done this before and lived to tell the tale)to Tuscany where if our mom (who hates our driving already) is still breathing we will take to a great 16th century villa for a week of peace, quiet and as many vineyard tours as one can do without alcohol poisoning.
After Tuscany, we drive to the Amalfi Coast and Sorrento, where we stay at the beautiful Bellevue Syrene hotel, it's built into a cliff with stunning views of Mt. Vesuvius, (my mom hates heights by the way)
Then we go back to Rome, ditch the car and take the train to Venice, where we hope to see lots of outdoor opera and sit at cafe's drinking wearing ONLY black, ofcourse.
(mom doesn't really like Old things, but we think she'll dig Venice)
After that it's back to Rome for three days with St. Peter's, the Forum and of course the light of the city, Tresta Verre open air market -- must come back with at least three pair of shoes.. since we have lots of room in our bag with only two black shirts and skirts.
We're making our mom study Italian to prepare for the trip since the only Italian we know is Vino, Per Favore?
The Flight Crew: Sounds lovely, Somewhere. Have a great trip. Stand by for prize announcements...
Bethesda, Md: Any particular recommendations on travel with babies? We're heading to Sanibel Island in a few weeks with our 9 m.o. daughter, and welcome any advice we can get...thanks!
The Flight Crew: Bethesda, I'll (this is KC) repeat what I said a couple of weeks ago about baby beach vacations: They're no vacations! That's not to say they can't be fun -- just don't expect to relax. One good tip is to take a playpen right onto the sand so the kid can't crawl off into the sunset. Any other baby tips out there (quick, quick)?
Arlington: In C'ville: Consider the 200 South Street Inn. I haven't stayed there but I've heard it's nice, it's in a convenient location and the restaurant is supposed to be very good. Don't stay there, but maybe try the Boar's Head restaurant (although Clifton Inn would be better).
Also, check out http://www.charlottesvilletourism.org/Inns.html for more options.
The Flight Crew: Thanks, Arlington
Alexandria, VA: Can you take the train to a beach anywhere within 200 miles of D.C.?
The Flight Crew: Sottili here: I think you can take the train to the Jersey shore (first take Amtrak and then transfer - contact www.amtrak.com for more info). And you can take the LIRR (http://www.lirr.org/lirr/index.html) from Penn Station in New York to beaches on Long Island, including the Hamptons.
Farragut Square: Dear Travel crew:
If you really want to know, it's my understanding that Caladryl is the brand name of Calomine lotion--sort of like Tylenol is the brand name of acetominophen (or however it's spelled). Knowing my mother's thrift, as well as her "be preparedness", it was probably calomine lotion that 'colored' our trip.
The Flight Crew: Is that IT? Bummer.
Fairfax, VA: I hope you can give me some strategies to help here. I'm trying to use one FF (american) ticket and buy a second ordinary price ticket on the same flight. We'll be out of the country for a month and want to fly DC-San Diego on the way out and LAX-DC on the way back. Obviously, we'd rather use American, but when I called them, I was quoted $2,000!!!!! What are the good site to help us with an open jawed flight? And any tips on avoiding the over 30 day penalty which the AA agent explained (in a most unhelpful way!) was the reason for the outrageous price!
Thanks - $2000 is more than we're paying to travel to NZ!
The Flight Crew: Sottili here: Have you tried Southwest from BWI? They charge one-way fares, so you can buy tickets separately. They're still offering the $99 each way fare.
Rome-Venice car vs. train: I would definitely suggest train if all they want to do is get to Venice from Rome and then back again to catch their flight(obviously no use for the car in Venice). However, if Venice is only part of the trip, then go for the car! My husband and I did that twice, once by ourselves and once with our two young kids (6 and 2 at the time) and had a great time in the Italian countryside exploring at our own pace. (My husband does speak some Italian, so that made it easier.) Once we flew in and out of Venice (great little airport by the way) and rented the car when we were ready to leave the city. The other time Venice was in the middle of the trip but we had a great weekly rate on the car so we left it in a parking garage outside Venice.
The Flight Crew: Thanks, R-V!
Chevy Chase, Maryland: I've heard about many people visiting Antarctica, and I have seen a few National Geographic tours advertising for group travels/expeditions. Is this something worth doing, or is it way overblown and really just a lot of ice??
The Flight Crew: I was down in Patagonia and saw many people packing up and saying goodbye to warm, unfrozen earth before heading to Antartica--and all I can say was, I was so jealous! Sure, you spend more time on the boat than off, but the wildlife and glaciar sights are supposed to be indescribable. From what I heard and hear, Antartica is not just a walk-in freezer and is worth the price, all five thousand of it.
College Park, MD: I had a chance to park at the new BWI Gold lot last week. When I got there Thursday afternoon, there were people at the stop who had been waiting for 30 minutes with no bus in sight. I was there for 20 more minutes before TWO busses arrived. Luckily I had planned in extra time to get to thew terminal. On my return Friday night, I waited again for 30 minutes before a bus arrived at the terminal (I counted 6 green, 2 blue and 2 Amtrak/MARC shuttles). I think I'll wait a few months before I try it again. $4 per day is not the chance of missing a plane due to bad shuttle service!
The Flight Crew: Very interesting, CP, thanks for that firsthand report. BWI travelers, you've been warned.
For the Charlottesville Visitor: I've had a pleasant stay at the English Inn in Charlottesville. It's more of a hotel (despite the name), with pseudo-English decor, comfortable rooms, free breakfast, and an indoor pool. Doubles in the $80 range, http://www.wytestone.com/eic/main.html.
The Flight Crew: Thanks for that recommendation.
Burke, VA: I'm sure you've answered this before, so feel free to point me in the right direction. Is there a guide to hotels, etc. that accept pets?
The Flight Crew: Triple A has one, Burke (Brown here, who is investigating this very topic for an upcoming Travel Section story). Fodors just wrote to me today to tell me they're coming out with pet travel guides in June. I'm having a heck of a time, myself, cause I'm going to be traveling with a feline, and am trying to find a place that's not Motel 6 (which incidentally is quite pet-friendly) in Orlando. I haven't really dipped into the web yet but here that petfriendly.com is a good resource. Let us know what you find.
My biggest fear is that the best way to travel with pets is simply to either smuggle 'em in or just ask at individual hotels.
By the way, reader response to a request we ran some weeks ago for traveling with pets advice has been fantastic...and we thank y'all (if any of y'all are with us). We're just going thruogh them now. One thing that seems new and rip-offy is some motels now charge hefty non-refundable deposits and I say let the dollar speak on this one and go to motels that don't.
Like the Hawthorn Suites, which I called, and they charge a $150 deposit, $100 is refundable. What's the $50 for, I asked. Cleaning, they said. And I'm like, what, for a cat you need to do an extra special vacuum? So I hung up and booked elsewhere.
Arlington, VA: Hey Steve -- Since you just got back from Seattle, I thought I would direct my question to you. We (me, husband and son, who will be 1 year old) are flying to Seattle in July. We will spend four nights in Victoria and three in Seattle, although given our itinerary, that means the first evening in Seattle, the next four in Victoria, then an afternoon and full day in Seattle. We fly out early the next day.
What hotel downtown would you recommend in Seattle, and what (other than the Space Needle) is a "must-see" in Seattle?
The Flight Crew: Hi Arlington, my recent trip was kid-free, so I spent time at the symphony, Wild Ginger for neauveu Asian and Eta's for seafood and a night on the Olympic Peninsula. But I've been with kids: Space Needle (and the kids park nearby) Pike's Market, perhaps an Argosy tour of Lakes Washington and Union, Pioneer Square.
Montgomery Village, MD: Thanks for taking my question. Do you know if the Washington Post Weekend Section will run a guide to the Beach this year? I am taking my 15 month old, my husband, my mother and sister to rehoboth for a week in August and I want to plan as much as possible since this will be our first vacation with our toddler. Any other tips?
The Flight Crew: Yes, Weekend's beach issue is May 25, and even more important, ours is next Sunday, May 13! They're doing local, we're doing regional (N.J. to Cape Hatteras). Watch for our guide to Beach B&Bs!
B&B in Charlottesville:: Prospect Hill is very nice. Keswick hall is great too, but more expensive and much larger.
The Flight Crew: Thanks, Charlottesville, been to Prospect Hill, charming but kinda kitschy. Keswick is a perfect choice but pricey.
Capitol View Park, MD: I am trying to book a hotel room in midtown Manhattan for two nights in November, but am not finding anything less than $200/night. Any suggestions? Is it possible that I am trying too early and that more deals might become available as it gets closer to the date?
The Flight Crew: Gary Lee, who writes about hotels, says that you should be able to lock in something for less than that. I would suggest that you check out www.quikbook.com or www.hoteldiscounts.com. They are both brokers for hotels who say they have slashed rates for this year in NYC (and other cities) due to the sluggish economy.
Arlington: I've submitted this question before, but to no avail. I have an opportunity to go to Madeira, Portugal. Considering how far in the ocean it is, is it worth going? Is it possible to visit mainland Portugal at the same time?
The Flight Crew: We're at the end of the chat and no time to check flights from Madeira to mainland Portugal but my god...I'd go in a heartbeat (Brown here) just for the Madeira experience alone. And absolutely if you can get to Lisbon for a couple of days (with reasonable airfare) go for it. It's a great town...
Springfield, VA: Antartica is well worth the trip. We went two years ago. Just be sure to pack sea sickneess meds for Drake Passage, or go via New Zealand to avoid the Drake Passage. It took one day down via Drake and two days back. The one down was not bad, but the two coming back was. However it was well worth the animals and scenery.
The Flight Crew: Thanks, Springfield, we're packing, we're packing.
The Flight Crew:
Well, that’s our chat for this week. Thanks for the questions and, as always, the great answers. Our winners for travels with mom stories are WDC 20005 for mom on the Heath, and somewhere USA for the great upcoming itinerary in Italy. Write to travel@washpost.com to claim your goodies. And we’ll see you next week!
washingtonpost.com: That was our last question today. Thanks to everyone who joined the discussion.
© Copyright 2001 The Washington Post Company
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