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Talk About Travel; Japan, Peru, car rental tips…

Byline: The Flight Crew

The Post's Travel Section Flight Crew 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.

You may browse an archive of previous live travel discussions.

The transcript follows.

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KC Summers: Hey, travelistas, welcome to today's chat. Finally, it's warm enough around here that yesterday's beach issue made sense. Did you see our Ocean City (Md.) and Virginia Beach stories in yesterday's print edition? We listed our favorites in those two quintessential beach towns in many categories -- best place to have breakfast, best non-touristy restaurant, best mini-golf, best souvenir, best rainy-day activity, etc. etc. -- and we'd like to hear your thoughts. Carol Sottili, the author of the O.C. piece, is here and ready to defend her choices! Today's prize -- which goes to the clickster who submits the most useful and/or entertaining post -- is a copy of Microsoft Picture It!, a photo editing/organizing/sharing program. We also have in our possession a nifty leather tool belt packed with duct tape and other things, sent to us from the PR people in the Duct Tape Capital of the World. Yes, there is such a place, and the first person to correctly name it wins the toolbelt. We're dangerously close to exceeding our weight limit, with a full Flight Crew on board today: In addition to Sottili, there's John Deiner, Steve Hendrix, Gary Lee, Cindy Loose, Anne McDonough, Andrea Sachs and me, K.C. Summers. Let's go!

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Central California: Hi all. I would like to visit China next spring. Is it possible to hire guides for a day or two and how would you find a good one? Bejing and evirons mostly. Any suggestions on a day trip or more in close proximity?

Anne McDonough: For day trips, the Ming Tombs and the Wall are standard. A guide, who can most probably be arranged through your hotel, will probably take you to Mutianyu or Badaling, which are pretty touristed. A lot of hotels arrange bus tours, though if you're up for a more adventurous take on the Wall, get them to take you to Huanghua.

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Woodbury, NY: There are so many good (all inclusive) deals to Dominican Republic. Is it safe to travel there? Do the Dominicans like Americans?

Cindy Loose: The all inclusives are just that--they include everything, including security. They basically are compounds, and the only Dominicians you'll see are working there. So in that respect, it's very safe. I spent some time there and didn't sense ill feelings from staff; they were quite polite. It's not a place to soak up local culture, but a place to relax in peace, with a few outsiders bringing in a bit of art and music to give you a little sense of the culture.

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Arlington, Va.: Flight Crew, My wife and I will be in Japan for two weeks in the beginning of July - I was an exchange student there in the early 90s and know all the "typical" places to go but was wondering if you (or fellow chatters) had suggestions for some out of the way or lesser known places to visit. Thanks.

KC Summers: Let's throw this one out to the clicksters. Any Japanophiles out there with some good non-typical tips?

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Duct Tape Capital: Avon Ohio! Jen in Alexandria, Va.

KC Summers: Woo hoo! You got it. Send your contact info to me at summersk@washpost.com and we'll send it right out.

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Washington, DC: Does anyone know if Union Station in Chicago still has luggage lockers, or at least an attended luggage room, like at Union Station here?

Cindy Loose: They have luggage lockers for Amtrac passengers. If that doesn't solve your problem, the number for info is 312 322 6777

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Wasilla, Alaska: Wasilla, Alaska is the duct tape capitol of the world!

KC Summers: Well, that's not what they're saying in Avon.

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Reston, Va.: You Ocean City guide lists Crab Alley at the place to go for crabs. I always thought that Hooper's was the OC institution, known for their all-you-can-eat deals while watching the sun set over the water. How do you compare Hooper's to Crab Alley?

Carol Sottili: I must admit, I haven't had crabs at Hoopers, but it gets good reviews. Go to both!

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Washington, DC: Hello,

A couple of my friends and I (mid-20s women) are in the beginning stages of planning a trip to Peru this fall. At this point we are debating between going with a tour company like GAP tours or doing it on our own. We have traveled independently before but are somewhat worried about the new restrictions being placed on the Inca trail. Would you recommend that we take the tour? Does it tend to be cheaper to not take an organized tour? Also, do you think it's safer to take a tour?

Thanks!

Gary Lee: Based on our experiences traveling in Peru, if you have done independent travel and prefer it you can do it quite easily there. It may take a bit more time for you to organize things like airline or plane schedules but you can do it. The only part you can't do on your own is the Inka trail. There you're better off with a company anyway as they carry bags, make meals for you and so on.

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Annapolis, Md.: Wasilla, Alaska

KC Summers: Hmmm. Many Wasilla entries coming in -- but their PR folks are not sending us toolbelts! Is there a big Avon-Wasilla rivalry we didn't know about??

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Boca Raton, Fla.: I have a current US passport that is good through 2010. Two years ago I changed my haircolor and hairstyle and realized the picture on my passport does not completely match me. Do I need to get a new passport?

Cindy Loose: We all change. I'd say you're okay as long as you don't get a nose job and face lift. I'm assuming new friends who know only the new you could still recognize you in the passport photo. If not, then it might be a problem, but I'm betting you still pass for yourself.

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VaBeach: Since it wasn't listed, I'll throw a shout-out for Y-Not Pizza as the best in town. There are two braches, one fairly close to the beach (although not on the Strip).

Also, out-of-towners, be prepared for the beach to be Swamped on the weekends and with locals not always friendly to visitors.

-- A transplant from NE Maryland

KC Summers: Y-Not, got it. Thanks, Transplant, and sorry to hear about the unfriendliness. Can't say I've noticed that myself.

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Burke, Va.: In Sunday's travel section, I didn't see any mention of Sandbridge, which I understand to be a newly developed, but more secluded (and expensive), area of VA Beach. Can you tell us anything about it in terms of a vacation spot? thanks

Carol Sottili: Sandbridge is a quiet family community with nice houses. But I think it's about a half hour from the boardwalk in Virginia Beach.

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Washington, D.C.: Do hotels in Europe generally require that you surrender your passport during your stay? Can I say no if they ask me?

Gary Lee: The standard practice is for hotels to take your passport so they can take down information from it. They can do this right away and hand your passport right back. Sometimes they keep it and photocopy the information. In any case, they are required to take down the passport data but they are not required or expected to hold on to your passport for the duration of your stay.

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Washington DC: Dear Flight Crew, what is a reasonable rate for a weekly car rental (economy or compact)? I think that we could get around $150 week, but rates from Glacier National Park airport (FCA in Kalispel) start at $275 with the AAA discount. Can you suggest any tactics on ways to get better rates?

John Deiner: Hey DC. I'm gonna go crazy and just sorta guess at this one (okay, I'm honest at least). My thinking is that airports that don't see a whole lot of traffic (Kalispell is a good example) will have higher car rental rates than other busier airports. For example, it's pretty easy to get a decent rate in Vegas, Orlando and even Hawaii for that matter since so many people hop off the plane and into a car -- in those spots I've gotten a $150 rate for the week. One suggestion is to keep on trying, and use as many sources as possible (have you considered Priceline?). Otherwise, to my eyes at least, $275 doesn't seem incredibly awful Has anyone out there had the same experience?

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Derwood, Md.: I am thinking about taking the family to China next year. I want to include Beijing to Shanghia, Xian and Hong Kong in the trip. How soon should I start planning and any suggestions as to using an agent here versus one located in Hong Kong for the China portion?

Anne McDonough: Beijing-Xian-Shanghai is a pretty failsafe itinerary; if you have a chance to add on Guilin/Yangshuo you'll have covered what seem to be the four top destinations for first-time China hands. We've not used any travel agents to arrange China trips, though, so I'm afraid we're throwing that out to the posters who may have. You didn't say what time of year next year you're thinking of going; September/October and April/June are pretty much optimal times weatherwise for those destinations; I've found that flights are generally cheaper November-April, with the exception of Lunar New Year. That by all means would be a good time NOT to plan to travel there; internal flights, hotels and trains get booked up fast. Adding something to that poster looking for day trips from Beijing, I haven't been, but what I've read about Shidu, about two hours from the city proper by train, sounds pretty neat--Lonely Planet calls it Beijing's answer to Guilin.

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Herndon, Va.: I read an article where CoGo's daughter had trouble obtaining cash from an ATM while abroad - can you please repeat this as I am about to go to Europe with my son for a month and want to make sure it doesn't happen to us! thanks, katherine richards

Carol Sottili: She was using something called Visa Buxx, not a regular ATM card. You should have no trouble using your bank card. Just let them know first that you're going to Europe, and make sure you have a pin that is four numbers (ATMs in some banks in Europe don't like longer pins).

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Arlington, VA re: Wasilla vs. Avon: If you google Duct Tape Capital of the World, Wasilla is the first hyperlink.

KC Summers: Hyperlink, shmyperlink. This is what you get when you put all your faith in Google. Does Wasilla have a big duct tape festival every year, huh, huh? I'm going through Avon's press material to see if their claim has any merit. Okay, it's the headquarters of the Duck [sic] brand duct tape company, but I don't see anything about the tape being invented there or anything. Can Wasilla top this? Maybe we need to come up with another prize...

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Washington, DC: Some friends and I are looking to spend a weekend chilling and tubing, but have no clue where to go for a night or two. As close as possible in VA is preferred, and a campfire to drink around is a necessity. We don't need luxury accomodations, but are something of outdoor neophytes. Any thoughts? Thanks!

Steve Hendrix: We ran a piece last summer about a promising campground on the Rappahanock where the offer tubing as well as kayaking. It's the Rappahannock River Campground, 800-784-7235, www.canoecamp.com. We'll try to post a link to that story. Also, tubing is popular on the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers in the Harper's Ferry area.

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washingtonpost..com: Paddle Me Back , (Aug. 4, 2004)

Steve Hendrix: Here's the Rappahanock link. Thanks, Kim.

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Harrisburg, Pa.: I was on an airline's website booking a flight for three months from now. I reached the point where I was to confirm my purchase, and the web page froze. I called the airline, and they said I needed to delete cookies in order to unfreeze the page. I did that while they were holding on the other end of the line. When the page unfroze, the price of the ticket had increased over $100. When I questioned that, they stated all the tickets had been sold out at the price I originally had quoted. Somehow, I have my doubts that all the tickets for a flight in three months could have vanished in the few minutes I was on the phone. Even so, shouldn't the website have been holding the ticket I was purchasing until it was confirmed? Is there anything to be done other than gripe about it to you, or am I really stuck with this overpriced ticket (which I did wind up buying)?

Cindy Loose: Until you confirm your purchase, nothing is saved, and I'd say you are stuck with the ticket you bought. What you experienced is pretty common. Many people suspect that airlines and travel websites are doing a bait and switch, but I don't think so. I've talked to all the major sites, and they insist that they try as hard as possible to have up to the minute info. The cheapest seats are quite limited. It's quite possible there was only one left at the time you were searching the web, and someone bought it seconds before or after you got on the site, or as you suspect, while you were waiting for the unfreeze. The operators of the sites know how crazy it makes customers to see a cheaper fare that they can't get, which makes me believe them when they say that they try to keep the available inventory as up to date as possible.

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Chesapeake Beach, Md.: I fly a great deal and one thing that always bugs me is the way the flight crew treats you differently depending on where you are seated in the plane. I've been in Business class on a long haul and passengers get up while on final approach to get their bags, raid the galley, etc. while back in coach the attendents seem to think you are peasant that must be controlled with firm discipline and a "command voice." Do you guys notice the difference as well? I like to fly business now not because of the bigger seat, but just because I don't like to be treated like cattle.

KC Summers: Well, sure. I've definitely been treated better on the rare occasions I've traveled in Business and First class. That's what you're paying for. Truth to tell, being treated like that makes me uncomfortable and I feel like an imposter up there. These are not my people....

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Fairfax, Va.: Thinking of going to Peru this summer. How safe is it? Are there better places to go in South America? Thanks.

Gary Lee: Peru is a wonderful destination and if you have an inking for it, you should go. Crime -- especially pickpocketing or mugging can be a problem, especially in Lima. Our experience is that if you travel cautiously it should not be a problem. You will face the possibility of pickpocketings etc in certain urban neighborhoods almost everywhere you go in South America.

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Annandale, Va.: San Diego for 4 days in July with 10 and 13 year old boys. Too old for Legoland, not into the Zoo. 1. Where should we go? 2. What area would have reasonable hotels convenient to attractions? 3. I heard Tijuana wasn't safe - is this true?

Carol Sottili: My kids loved the beach at that age, and whenever we went to San Diego, we spent lots of time at Mission Beach, riding bikes, going to the amusement park at Belmont Park (www.belmontpark.com), eating out and swimming. If you're looking for inexpensive hotels, Mission Valley is your best bet. And I never had any trouble in Tijuana - stick to the tourism area along Revolution Avenue and you should be fine.

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Arlington, Va.: Regarding car rentals, another option is to go ahead and reserve the best rate you can, but then negotiate with the gate agent once you get there. They often have room to negotiate and may just decide to be nice.

John Deiner: Really? I mean, ahem, of course they do! Seriously, that's news to me -- I'll definitely have to try that some time. Car rental folks are some of the most harried humans on earth, but they're often some of the most pleasant in the face of aggravation. Even if you can't lower your rate, maybe you could at least negotiate a bigger, better car.

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Tatra Travel?: Just wondering if anyone has had experience with Tatra Travel? I am interested in booking one of their packages to Vienna, but am a bit hesitant because of a few "red flags" that have come up in preliminary dealings with them. For example, my travel companion and I rec'd different answers to the question of add-on airfare from DC. Also, one time I called the phone rep said that the prices in the brochure and on the internet were incorrect and that the price was actually ~$100 higher than listed. Nearly three weeks later, the prices on the website have not been updated. Any feedback on this agency would be most appreciated.

KC Summers: We aren't familiar with them, but whenever using a tour operator or travel agency you're not familiar with, it's always a good idea to check them out with the Better Business Bureau of the state they do business in. And never, ever pay by check or cash. Always use a credit card, in case you end up contesting the charges.

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For Japan travelers: I loved Koya-San, which is a few hours from Osaka. It's a town at the top of a small mountain with monasteries that provide lodging and multi-course traditional vegetarian meals (shojin-ryori). There is a huge historic graveyard and a few shops/cafes, but it is a quiet and peaceful place. Staying at a monastery is a wonderful experience, as long as you don't expect western-style luxury. Accomodation and two meals a day at a mid-range monastery was about 80 dollars a day for each person.

KC Summers: Excellent. Thanks much!

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Jen from Alexandria (duct tape prize winner): I used Yahoo! for my search and Avon, Ohio came up on the first hyperlink. Now I know why I always use Yahoo!

Jen

KC Summers: And the controversy rages on...

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Washington, DC: Planning a trip to Israel and noticed how out of date most books and articles are. Any recommendations on where to go to find information on hotels, etc for people who aren't interested in an organized tour and like to plan it ourselves?

Andrea Sachs: For the most updated info, go straight to the source: Israel's Ministry of Tourism(www.tourism.gov.il/ tourism/default). They have info on upcoming festivals, sites to visit and tour associations for specific regions, so you can get info on tours and/or set them up before you arrive. Though unofficial, the Web travel site, inisrael.com, has some good info on hotels and nice overviews of local attractions. For guidebooks, Let's Go has a 2003 edition--not too-too dated. You could also check out other tour groups' offerings and use their itineraries as a guide. For example, CTO has some interesting trips there.

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Washington, DC: A hotel question--in general, how far in advance will hotels accept reservations? We will be in Barcelona next April, and have had little success in obtaining rate quotes through Expedia, Travelocity, Venere and the like. Are we just too impatient?

Gary Lee: Some hotels have been known to take reservations for a year or two in advance. The complication you are facing is that you are trying to book through discount agencies which have in all likelihood not finalized their agreements with hotels for April 2006 rates. If you're that impatient, why not try to contact the hotels you have in mind directly. If you offer to pay them this year's rates, they may well agree just to lock you in.

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Alexandria, Va.: Wasilla calls itself the Duct Tape Capital because it's Wal-Mart sold the most duct tape of any Wal-Mart in the world back in '02. I guess they went on a spree when Tom Ridge and Homeland Security told us all to go out and buy some!

KC Summers: That's hilarious. Okay, we'll send an additional prize out to the first responder of Wasilla, which would be... hang on...

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Atlanta, Ga.: "If you google Duct Tape Capital of the World, Wasilla is the first hyperlink." And when I google "best travel advice" the first link is NOT to this chat...

KC Summers: Further evidence of the fallibility of Google. What was the first link?

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New York, NY: Hey Crew! I'm going to San Diego next week for 4 days for a wedding, and am wondering what the not-to-miss spots are. (FYI, I'm a 25 year old guy and going with my Mom.) I've heard SD is a lovely place, but we won't have much time. Which are the best/nicest/least crowded beaches for relaxing/swimming? Is the zoo worth the quite exorbitant cost of admission? (Is it really any better than the zoo in DC?) Any good restaurants you can recommend? Is it worth crossing the border to Tijuana, just to see it? Thanks for your help!

Carol Sottili: Everyone is going to San Diego. I like Pacific Beach for swimming, although if you can get to the North County communities of Del Mar, Leucadia, Encinitas, etc., there are some great beaches up that way. Yes, the zoo is worth the price of admission - it is wonderful. Yes, going to Tijuana is a fun way to spend a day, but if I had only four days, I wouldn't go there. There are wonderful restaurants throughout the Gaslamp Quarter in downtown San Diego - just walk around and pick one. I like Croce's and Chives.

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Washington, D.C.: Hi, I have a business trip in Ankara in early July and will spend July 2-5 in Istanbul. A few questions... Anyone stayed at either the Kybele or Turkoman hotels in Istanbul? Which is nicer? Is Turkish Air as scary as it's safety record makes it seem? Any good reccomendations for must-dos or must eats for a solo traveler in Istanbul or Ankara?

Steve Hendrix: If you have a couple of days to spare in Ankara, you're within striking distance of Cappadocia, the surreal region of rock pillars and caves. This where you can still see cave dwellings and cave churces (included extant frescos) built by the Byantines in the earliest years of the Christian church. We'll try to link to a Turkey piece we ran recently that talks about Cappadocia, and Istanbul hotels.

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washingtonpost..com: Two Turkeys , (July 7, 2002)

Steve Hendrix: Heeeeeeere's Turkey.

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New York, NY: Car rentals: I've recently had really good luck on Hotwire, possibly my new favorite travel site. $73 for two days from Hertz at EWR (cars are usually quite expensive in NYC, so this was great) and $100 for 5 days in San Diego with Budget.

John Deiner: Man, that is great for a car from Newark..good job! And thanks for the hint on Hotwire, often a good source of deals.

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Wilmington NC: My friend and I recently decided to cross a few more "things to do in life" off of our check list. Next summer we are planning to head to Germany to attend the World Cup then hop over to Pamaploma Spain to "run with the bulls." Any advice??

KC Summers: Hi Wilmington, we'll post a link to our recent piece on the World Cup, which should tell you everythign you need to know. Pamplona we haven't researched in a couple of years. Anyone run with the bulls recently who can help Wilmington out?

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washingtonpost..com: Kicking Around Plans for 2006? , (May 22, 2005)

KC Summers: For Wilmington, to cross off his life list. Thanks Kim!

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Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C.: Do you guys (or any of the 'nuts) know of area travel agencies who have experience with South American travel? We're heading to Uruguay later this year for a wedding, and it looks like the cheapest tickets are with South American carriers (TAM and Pluna), so we want to go through someone who has worked with these airlines before. We've called about a dozen agencies so far, but no luck - so we thought we should ask the experts! Thanks for any guidance.

Cindy Loose: The American Society of Travel Agents has a website for consumers www.travelsense.org, where you can type in a destination and get a list of travel agencies that are supposed to have an expert in that area. by the way, they don't have to be close to you, although you can specify you want that, too. if you're buying a package, there most likely won't be a fee. if you're buying only airfare, expect to pay $25 or $50, since most airlines don't pay commissions anymore, and the agent will be spending time for which she/he needs to be paid. By the way, packages to Buenos Aires including hotel are right now cheaper than airfare alone, and I'm guessing that might be true of Uraguay as well. And if the wedding happens to be in Montevideo or Colonia, Buenos Aires is very close.

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Duct Tape Capital of the World: is it Wasila Alaska?? I'd love the Toolbelt.

KC Summers: Here's the first Wasilla post. Send me your contact info and I'll dig something out of the Big Bag o' Promotional Junque for ya.

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New York, NY: Hi - I am planning a two week trip to SE Asia in August. My only definite destination is Singapore to visit a friend so I need help coming up with an itinerary! I've never been to SE Asia but there are so many options from Singapore I don't know where to begin. Any suggestions for two weeks? I am comfortable traveling alone (i'm a woman) and would like a good mix of culture and beach. Many thanks!

Anne McDonough: With two weeks, I'd suggest a few days with your friend in Singpore, and then picking one other country, or rather part of a country, and leaving it at that. If you're sick of plane travel after the long flight, I had a great time bussing and training it from Singapore to Malaysia a few years back--Tamen Negara, north of KL, was my absolute favorite place and well worth several days of rain forest relaxing. I was by myself and had a blast. One word of caution: Beware of man o'wars if swimming off Penang. Or I'd fly from Singapore to Hanoi and spend the 10 days or so exploring the city, Sapa, and Halong Bay. Or, fly to Bangkok, spend a few days in the area, head down to one of the islands and then make your way back to Singapore from there. My vote would be Hanoi and the north of Vietnam. Anyone else want to weigh in?

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St. Mary's City, Md: In an attempt to be useful: At airports where I don't need to catch a shuttle to get a rental car, I usually pick up the keys to the rental car before going to the baggage claim. Anyone who has waited in a rental line at Long Beach or Tallahassee can relate. Few flights = few counter staffers when the large jets arrive.

John Deiner: Hey St. Mary's. Don't sell yourself short...that's a a real good tip. And your bags are, most likely, not going anywhere without you. Plus, they enjoy that ride around the carousel. Thanks for chiming in.

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Peru: As a frequent Peru traveler, I'd be wary of do-it-yourself if it means anything other than pick up a group (or personal) tour when you get there. If all you want to do is go to Macchu Pichu by train, you can organize your own group tour from there at one of the multiple outlets (except for Inca trail which requires planning ahead). If you are real hikers, or really want to hike, there are alternatives to teh Inca trail. Consider the 4-day trek to Choquequirao or the 8-day to Choquequirao and on to Macchu Pichu. If you want to combine your Macchu Pichu thing with other stuff like river rafting or jungle tours, you need to book it ahead to have all the times worked out for you. You can organize a trip to see the Nazca lines or to Arequipa from Lima (which is actually full of interesting things if yo ugive it a chance, though most travelers skip right over it for Macchu Pichu).

Gary Lee: Thanks for your perspective. We have done a lot of getting around in Peru on our own, without a guide and think that others can do it, too. Again it will take time, will probably be helped along by knowledge of the Spanish language, and so on. Sometimes it may mean joining a group or hiring a guide, sometimes not. We know this can be done because we have done it. The one thing that we advise against is making Maccu Picchu plans one you get there. That is such a popular destination -- whether you hike the trail or take the train -- that it becomes to hard to do on short notice once you arrive. Do it in advance.

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Washington DC: Hello gurus, Do you have any suggestions on affordable hiking or road biking tours of the Canadian Rockies? Any must-see places or must-avoid tourist traps? Oh, and do I have good reason to be afraid of grizzly bears? I am but my boyfriend claims that we are highly unlikely to encounter any.

KC Summers: Another one that we'll throw out to the clicksters to opine on, since we haven't hiked in the Canadian Rockies lately. (Steve hopes to remedy this soon.) But re grizzlies, yes, you should be very alert. Make noise, sing, wear bells. The danger is real.

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another passport question: I have gotten married since I got my passport, which isn't due for renewal until late 2006. I am traveling in October and will need it. Do I travel with my marriage cert. or do I need to get a new passport?

ugg, thanks in advance!

Andrea Sachs: If you changed your name, then, well, don't consider this answer your wedding present (you'll want to return it): You will have to amend your passport with a DS-19 form, a certified copy of your marriage certificate and your current valid passport. See http://travel.state.gov/ passport/fri/amend/amend_851.html for info and documents. If you didn't change your name, then enjoy that old pre-wedding passport and congrats!

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Random Question from Detroit: I think I want to visit Chile, but I don't know why. When is a good time to go? Is it expensive? I'm a grad student, so I generally go for less expensive trips. It just looks so beautiful. Thanks!!!

Gary Lee: Chile is as beautiful as it looks in pictures. However, if you like to travel on a student's budget, it may not be the best place for you to go. It's tough to get discount air fares to there. Once you get there, you can eat and lodge on the cheap but it's harder to do than in other South Amerucan countries.

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Chicago, Ill.: Dear Crew, Please help me. I have tickets to leave for Buenos Aires this Friday on United. The airline just called and said our non-stop flight had been cancelled, and we were put on a different flight that leaves earlier in the day and has a 3-hour layover at Dulles! Uggh. I feel as though that isn't fair bc I paid for a non-stop flight. Also, I have to take time off work to meet the new depature time. I still want to go on the trip but I want some money back. The airline said all Chicago to BA non-stops were suspended until winter. Do I have any recourse? Thx.

Carol Sottili: The answer should be in United's contract of carriage: http://www.united.com/ual/asset/Contract_of_Carriage_041505.pdf I did a quick scan of it, and it seems that if you can find another carrier with a better schedule, they may have to switch you. Give it a read.

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Arlington, Va.: San Diego info:

Yes, the Zoo is WAY better than the DC zoo. No comparison. My favorite beach is Coronado, and you can check out the historic Hotel del Coronado while you are there. Hillcrest is a fun neighborhood to walk around, with shops, restaurants, used bookstores, etc, and it is close to beautiful Balboa Park (which is where the zoo is).

El Cuervo is a great authentic Mexican restaurant on W. Washington Street. Gulf Coast Grill on Park Blvd. is a great Cajun place. And, before heading back to the airport, stop at the Fish Market for a Ducket's Bucket!

Ah, I miss it there!

Carol Sottili: Thanks!

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Fairfax, Va.: We're off to SW Florida in August with our two kids, who are both in carseats. I've noticed that all of the car rental sites mention carseat rental, but I'm worried about the quality. Does anyone have any experience with this? I'm not looking for a specific brand, just something that is in good shape, meets all safety requirements, and ideally will already be installed so we don't have to stand in the parking lot fighting with an unfamiliar LATCH hookup. Are we better off just lugging our own on the plane?

Steve Hendrix: I've done both, Fairfax, lugged my seat and rented them from Avis. The ones you rent are the standard models (are there a lot of substandard car seats out there?) that any parent ought to be able to install. And even if it came already in place, you'll want to make sure it's done correctly. As for bringing your own, the only time I regretted it was when I was traveling alone with two kids, schlepping from long term parking with no help, etc. THEN I would have gladly paid extra to rent one and lighten my load.

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Eastern Market, Washington, D.C.: Love your chat! It is the only good thing about Monday. I know I've lost my mind, but I've decided to take my family (husband and two toddlers) to Big Sky, Montana. I dread the flight with the kids (one can't/won't sit still longer than 5 minutes)--I almost want to make an announcement of apology for doing this to the other passengers. Plus, because we're flying on skymiles they wouldn't book us seats together--I'm sure once the booking agent sees us and my wild child that they'll change their mind about this policy. Any tips on flying with kids? Of course we're going to Yellowstone for a couple of days, but is going to the tetons a crazy thought? We will be there for about 5 days total. Any other can't miss places? Thank you!

Cindy Loose: For starters, you need to have distractions ready for the kids. (By the way, as long as he/she has a butt, I'd think it's won't sit still, as opposed to can't.) Forget about nutrition and offer beloved snacks as both a means of distracting them and as rewards for good behavior. Get some new toys they've never seen before, wrap them, and let them see them for the first time after a period of good behavior--or alternately, to distract them from a screaming fit. Have a few, but don't let them know you have more than one until you need to get out what I think of as ammunition. Check your flight to see if there is any video entertainment on flight, and if so, bring earphones you can use for free. If not, do you have a laptop that can be used for watching videos? Personally, I see no reason for not throwing in the Tetons too--but then I don't know how long the trip is between them. I do know that tiring the kids out too much is a surefire way to vacation hell. Also, I recommend each parent getting a little alone time, taking turns being grown ups. Sometimes my husband and I even take turns having dinner with a good book if the child is too tired or cranky to go out. Does wonders for the psyche.

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Stafford, Va.: What is the process airlines use to assign seats in the exit rows of their aircraft. I am asking because on Memorial Day weekend I traveled to Orlando FL on TED and was offered exit row seating when I checked in at the counter. On the way back from Orlando, I arrived at the airline counter about two hours ahead of the flight and asked about exit row seating. I was told that all exit row seats had been assigned already. When and where are these seats assigned? Thank you.

Andrea Sachs: Sometimes people will request the exit seats when they book via the airline or travel agents, or when they book online and have the options to plug in their seat requests. So, it's best to grab them as soon as you book, as they are the first to go (we do love our leg room).

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Washington, D.C.: Hey all! Considering a trip to Ireland this August with a couple friends. We found a round-trip ticket to Shannon for $583, inc. taxes and fees. Is this a good deal?? Or not? Thanks!

Cindy Loose: Very good, I'd say. Make sure it's a real deal, and grab it.

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Re: Person Who Has Changed Since Passport Pic: I am in the same boat; short (boy-short) red hair and 20 lbs heavier (very apparent in the face) in my passport pic. Now I have long (waist-length) blonde hair with a much leaner face. My passport pic doesn't look a thing like me, yet I was allowed to travel to the UK, Italy, and aboard 2 cruise ships with it. It shouldn't be a problem at all.

Cindy Loose: Thanks.

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Annapolis,Md. and Bedford,Va.: How do I find an English-speaking guide inRome and also How do I get to go in the Catacombs under the Vatican? I am taking my three 13 year old grandsons to Rome in the fall and I want to have plans in place when I get there. Thank you

Carol Sottili: Try www.enjoyrome.com. I've had good luck with this private tourist agency.

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Washington, DC: What should a flight attendant's response be when a passenger asks loudly to be moved "away from that -insert Old South phrase for African-Americans]"? This happened recently to a good friend on a flight from DC to Nashville. The FA moved the passenger to another row, leaving my friend with the row to herself. Do you think that was an appropriate response?

Gary Lee: We think you have answered your own question but for the record, it is by no means the response that we would have taken under those circumstances. Nor do we think that response reflects well on the airline in question. While the flight attendant may have thought they were doing their best to handle a difficult situation, the result is that one passenger was clearly disrespected and another was made to feel justified in exhibiting reprehensible behavior towards another passenger. I would be curious to know how the other passengers reacted.

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Northern Virginia: A month ago I visited Vienna and thoroughly enjoyed my brief stay, but one thing left a bit of a sour taste. The day I left, I sent eight post cards to the U.S. from the airport P.O, but none of them has arrived. As the postage was Euro 1.25 each, and since the clerk just held the cards in his hands until I left, I suspect he just scraped the stamps off and tossed the cards. Nothing like this has ever happened to me in the U.S. (and I would be shocked if it did), or any of the many Asian or European countries I've visited. I am wondering if it could be anti-Americanism, just plain petty theft, or a combination of the two? Have others had similar experiences lately?

Cindy Loose: News to us.

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Annapolis, Md.: Three of us are doing some well-in-advance planning for a possible trip to Costa Rica in 2006, and I hope you can give us some advice about when to go. The limiting factor is that one of us is a teacher - she can only go in June or August next year. Is it too rainy or too hot to even consider it? (we were going to do some "ecotouring" out in the countryside, rather than hang out at the beach.)

Steve Hendrix: You know, Annapolis, the whole rainy season thing in Central America is both really confusing, and not that big a deal. I know Guatemala much better than Costa Rica, but most of the principles apply. The main one is, don't be scared from going in the rainy season. It's very green, very pleasant, often much cooler and the rains are typically of the afternoon downpour variety. Now if you're planning to camp or backpack the whole time, I'd advise differently. But if you're in hotels, the rains are little but a nice time to retreat to your porch hammock for a little something cool. As for tempartures, that will depend much more on your altitude than the time of year. The lowlands are hot, the highlands less so.

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Detroit - again: What South American countries would you recommend for less expensive airfares? I was thinking about $500 - $700/ticket (for two travelers) and about a 5 day to a week trip. I like to wander around and do some outdoors-y stuff. Thanks!

Gary Lee: It's hard to get anywhere in South America for as low as $700 for two passengers. If you choose the right season and airline, you can get to Peru or Argentina for somewhere between $400 and $500 per person. As for "outdoorsy" stuff, Peru is, in our view, impossible to beat.

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Washington, DC: Hello Flight Crew, I will be heading to New Orleans for the first time leaving July 4th and returning the 7th. I got a great deal on Southwest for non-stop flights for less than $165. My question is about finding a good hotel deal. My friend and I wish to stay somewhere in the French Quarter so that everything is within easy walking distance. The best deal I have found is for the Ramada Inn on Bourbon for $89/night. Is this a good deal for its price and location? Or are there other hotels I am overlooking in the French Quarter? I know that technically this is an off-peak time for travel to New Orleans so I am hoping to get a bargain for the hotel. Thank you for any help you can give.

KC Summers: Hi Wash. Listen, you don't have to stay in the French Quarter to have a good time in New Orleans. In fact, it's noisy, crowded and overpriced. Try a less touristy area, like the Faubourg Marigny, just east of the Quarter -- it's full of life, with great clubs and restaurants and music, but just not quite so touristy, and it's a nice 15-to-20 minute walk to the Quarter. Many people say it's like the Quarter was 50 years ago. There are some great BandBs in the Marigny -- there's a good list on about.com. They may be a little more than $89 a night but they beat a Ramada anytime!

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Arlington, Va.: Thanks for taking my question - love the chat! My boyfriend and I were camping at Assateague State Park over Memorial Day weekend - we had a lovely experience, with the glaring exception of the campers next to us. Both the adults and the children were quite loud early in the morning and late at night, they walked directly through our campsite to get to the bathroom and showed a general lack of respect for others. I should add that neither of us are new to camping and know that quiet doesn't come with the territory when you're at a campground. But we were annoyed by this group and I was wondering if there was anything we could/should have done to stop this type of behavior? (We did ask them to stop walking through our campsite and then they loudly told their children that they couldn't walk through our site because "those people don't want us to.")

John Deiner: Hey, Arl. Man that gets the blood boiling, though my blood boils at a lower temperature than most. At least you told them to stop walkin' through your crib. Other than letting the air out of their tires (okay, that's wrong), I don't know what you could have done, except move. Or could you have brought them to the attention of the authorities at the park? Fortunately, 99.6 percent of travelers are pretty good-natured and respectful, but it's that .4 percent that drives the rest of us crazy.

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Seattle, Wash.: Responding to the post about day-trips from Beijing -- for something a bit off the more touristed path but incredibly worthwhile, I would recommend a visit to the Tanzhe temple and the Jietai temple in the Mentougou area in the hills to the west of the Beijing. These temples are 1700 and 1400 years old respectively (although they have been rebuilt several times), but are classic examples of serene Buddhist temples. The Jietai temple compound encloses several ancient trees, each of which having a unique characteristic, and they really have to be seen to be believed. There's also a guest house within the Jietai temple if anyone wants a real retreat from the hubbub of Beijing! You'll only find a few Chinese tourists here, and you'll think you've transported yourself 1000 years back in time too. There should be tour buses which arrange trips to these two nearby temples, so your poster should check with a hotel concierge for help making arrangments.

Anne McDonough: Thanks, Seattle! I'm putting these babies on my itinerary for the next trip. I also forgot to mention Badachu, another collection of temples on the city outskirts.

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Washington, DC: Just wanted to second the suggestion for priceline for rental cars. I used it over Memorial Day and got a weekly rate of $120 in San Francisco. Since they only charge your card if you get the rate, it's worth testing it to see if you can get something pretty cheap.

John Deiner: Excellent. Thanks for the report, D.C. The fact that they don't charge right away is a good thing, indeed.

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San Francisco, Calif.: Can either you or the chatter reccomend a good wine tour in Argentina? I'm hoping to go in September or October.

Cindy Loose: Beyond knowing that they have great winery tours, and very good cheap wine, I don't know of a specific tour. Travel agents would be helpful in this circumstance--has anyone used an agency or tour operator for this they can recommend?

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Baltimore, Md.: Hello travel gurus, Any of you have advice on what to see/do or where to stay/eat in southern Spain? A friend and I are making our way from Nerja to Granada to Seville to Madrid and finally, to Barcelona over 12 days in late July. We'll have a couple days each in the first three cities -- and that's where we need the most help. Everyone has recommendations for Madrid and Barcelona! Where to stay that's affordable but maybe has air conditioning (our one vice in 100-degree heat!)? Any must-visit restaurants? Little shops? We know about the Alahambra in Granada and flamenco in Seville. Thanks!

Gary Lee: We can recommend a must see place to eat in Seville: Taberna del Alabardero. We can also heartily recommend the hotel Los Seises there. Anybody else have tips for Southern Spain?

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Park and Fly, Va.: Per a recommendation from the Flight Crew, I recently used http://www.parksleepfly.com/ to book a room and parking prior to a flight out of Dulles. I cannot recommend this enough. We stayed at the Sheraton Reston/Dulles and the staff and room were both great. It ended up costing less than parking for 10 days at the lowest priced lot at Dulles. While this is a recycled tip, I hope it helps others. (One note, the website can be really slow. Just be patient.)

KC Summers: Glad that worked out for you! Thanks for the feedback.

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Washington DC: Thanks for everyone's great tips on car rental. I plan to give them a try. Two interesting observations: the federal govt. "discounted" rate was $100 more than the AAA rate. And many of the reservations agents I spoke with were in India.

John Deiner: The feds didn't charge the least? Get outta town! Oh, wait, you are. Have a good trip--hit us up with a report on your eventual rate when you get back, will ya?

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Fairfax, Va.: Re Vienna, don't hold your breath, but your cards may still be in the mail. I went to Vienna some years ago and mailed postcards from a post office stall at a Christmas market. It took forever to get here. Hmmm, maybe one of the times when Vienese don't display Germanic efficiency. I never experienced them being dishonest, so just hold on.

Cindy Loose: Thanks. Perhaps the writer can skip sending Christmas or Hannakah cards this year,and let the postcards do the duty.

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Seven Corners, Va.: Inspired by the Post article last August, "Travels with My Neighbors," my partner and I are renting a house in Provence with two other couples in our neighborhood in September. Some of us have frequent flier miles but the rest are searching for that elusive bargain airfare. Cheaptickets.com directs me to AirfarePlanet.com, which has had some very good fares -- $528 RT to Paris non-stop instead of the $1000 I'm seeing elsewhere. But I hesitated to book tickets because the site looks amateurish (some of the graphics appear to have been taken from the Expedia website), many of the results are for an unspecified "major US airline," and I haven't been able to find any reviews of the site. Have you heard anything, good or bad, about AirfarePlanet.com?

KC Summers: We've not heard of them. Anyone? (quickly)

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Anonymous: A friend's fiancee is about to fly from Manila to New York, via Tokyo, on Northwest. She is two promised meals, I believe. But since NWA (and others, I assume) are no longer even giving free peanuts, what can she expect for free? Tang and a granola bar? I was surprised enough to have to pay for alcoholic drinks on a 10 hour flight from Washington to Sao Paulo, on United, but at least we were fed (I learned that low fat meals aren't worth the health benefits) They told us that drinks were free only on trans- Pacific flights (10 hours just wasn't long enough, I guess).

Carol Sottili: I went to a site called Airline Meals - take a look at this link and you'll see pictures of Northwest meals on various trips. Looks like breakfast and dinner on flights over Pacific. Or you could just call Northwest and ask - reservation agents have list of menus.

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Gaithersburg, Md.: I am wondering now, after the Aruba abduction, how I can find crime statistics for other Caribbean islands? Thanks!

Gary Lee: Your best bet is to start with the state department country reports at www.state.gov. While they don't have statistics, they give a good sense of what crime problems exist on which islands, which sections to avoid, and so on. Another good resource is to look up the local newspapers from the island in question. Very often you can find out what the most prominent papers or magazines are through guidebooks. Many of the island-based publications are now available on line.

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former Japan resident: Don't know where you're flying in and out of, but here are some of my favorite places in Japan, some well-known, some not--

Nikko--world heritage site, but also close to Tokyo and quiet

Tateyama--historic thatched village in the middle of Honshu

Kanazawa--called "little Kyoto" because it was never bombed in the war, has beautiful gardens, and for the kids, a tour of Ninja-dera, a temple with secret rooms

Inari-jinja in Kyoto, not as famous as some of the other Kyoto temples, but beautiful

Hiking in the Japanese alps or Hokkaido--avoid Fuji and hike up one of the lesser known mountains, like Haku-san or around Nagano, or Asahidake in Hokkaido. You can usually stay at the top in a communal cabin (some even have Japanese baths) and see the sunrise and go down the next day. Another great mountain is Mt. Aso in Kyushu--so volcanic and active, they've actually built concrete bunkers at the crater so you can shelter in case of a sudden eruption. Mmm...smell that sulfur.

I could go on...but one more tip--check out the Japan Inn Group online, since there are inexpensive ryokans (Japanese style hotels) which you can reserve online. Makes things easier, and I've found clean, central Japanese style rooms in Tokyo for 40-50 dollars.

KC Summers: You're great. Thanks for taking the time. Great tip about reserving ryokans online, too.

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re: Costa Rica: I was in Costa Rica last August during the rainy season and had a great time. The rain can be intense, but it doesn't last long. The temperatures are pleasant, and even quite cool, in the central mountains but very hot on the coasts.

My recommendation is to take along the lightest weight rain poncho you can find (because with the humidity you'll feel like you're in saran wrap)and a pair of those Teva style water/hiking shoe/sandal things that have some traction. You don't want to be in wet socks and shoes all day after a downpour.

Make sure you go to the Arenal/La Fortuna area: spectacular vistas, an active volcano, hot springs, and jungle canopies--what more could you want?

Steve Hendrix: In every rainy season, a little rain must fall, as my Swami always said.

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Rockville, Md.: Hi Crew. What is the best way to get to Martha's Vineyard via plane from BWI? I've noticed a couple airports I could fly into such as Providence, and Boston...Also, I plan on renting a house there next summer. What is the best way to get a nice place and not get ripped off? Do I have to travel up there and look at is first? Thanks!

Andrea Sachs: Do you have to fly out of BWI? If you can fly out of National, US Airways goes right to the Vineyard nonstop, or offers connecting service (it's cheaper) with Cape Air servicing the Providence to MV portion. Otherwise, you will have to fly into Boston or Providence and deal with horrific summer traffic to reach the ferry, or hop the train to the ferry. See www.mvol.com for transport options. The island's Web site also lists rental agencies that are upstanding, and many show pictures of the properties with the descriptions. Just ask lots and lots of questions before signing on the dotted line, including who are the next door neighbors, how far is the beach and town, and if you can switch houses if unhappy. You might also ask for the name(s) of a former renter(s) to get the real scoop. And if they don't give you a name, consider that a red flag.

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For the Southern Spain person: I just got back from a similar trip. A GREAT trip from Granada is to drive west through Grazalema and then stop in Zahara (I think both are in Cadiz state)

Zahara is an amazing small town above a lake with great inns and food (eat at La Meson). And best of all, right outside of town is a farm that makes traditional olive oil the way it's been done for hundreds of years. You can get a tour with the owner (who is amazing) and taste the oil, the sherry, etc. One of the best things from my last trip, and I lived in Spain for 2 years, so I have seen a lot there! The olive oil place is El Vinculo and they also have a small inn.

PS. Thanks for taking my Turkey Question!

Gary Lee: Great tips, thanks.

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Re: Istanbul: if you have coupel of days: go to Topkapi Palace and Grand Bazaar, and take a day trip on the Bosphorus by the public boat - it is about $1 and is well worth it especially in the heat of the summer.

Steve Hendrix: Nice idea, Re. thanks.

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Washington, D.C.: I have fallen in love with the North Fork of Long Island. It's like the anti-Hamptons! Nice beaches, beautiful homes, farmland and wineries, and it's not pretentious like the South Fork. The tourist scene is vineyard-driven and completely non-kitschy. Have you spent any time there? I'm wondering if I should stay in a BandB or if there are any nice hotels. Any good ideas for a BandB?

Carol Sottili: I like it, but don't diss the Hamptons - they're fun, too! I like Shelter Island, which is a small island between the north and south forks. Ram's Head Inn is really nice. I'll also post links to two stories.

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washingtonpost..com: Last Exit to Riverhead (Nov. 30, 2003), The End is Here , (Sept. 29, 2002)

Carol Sottili: Here are those links.

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re: Israel info: Someone posted a trip report on Frommers Travel Talk section about their recent trip to Israel, think it included hotel info. It would be just from the posters point of view, but it was recent.

Andrea Sachs: Good to know, thanks!

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Catacombs in Rome: For your poster who wanted to know about the Catacombs under the Vatican...

I was just in Rome a few weeks ago, and there was a huge line to see John Paul II's tomb, which, presumably is in the catacombs.

Carol Sottili: I was thinking they should visit the catacombs along the Appian Way instead - Catacombs of Saint Callistus I think they are called.

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Washington, D.C.: Hi Crew, Generally speaking, is it possible to use miles to upgrade a ticket bought through a consolidator? Thanks!

Carol Sottili: Generally, it's not possible. Call the consolidator.

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Proper response for moving airline seats: Tell the complaining person he/she is absoutely right and then move the African American to first class.

Gary Lee: That would seem to be a better solution than the one that was taken.

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Lost: Can any of you tell me why nowhere between Atlanta and New York has a non-stop flight to Vancouver, BC? Not Philly, not Newark, not Baltimore, not the nation's capital. These are MAJOR cities, as is Vancouver. I can't even find a direct flight let alone non-stop.

Carol Sottili: There are fewer and fewer nonstop flights. Airlines are trying to save money by using more connecting flights. My guess is that Vancouver, while a major city, isn't a major draw for East Coast residents - not enough passengers to fill a big jet every day.

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Arlington, Va.: I'm starting to plan my vacation, probably for late August or early September, and am sort of stuck between two different ideas. One idea I have is to go to Thailand. I think for that I'd prefer to go with a group, since I'm a single woman, and not sure if traveling someplace where the culture is completely foreign is the best way for me to go. Lacking a group of friends to travel with, I'd be looking for something fun. I'm a little too old for Contiki, though. My other idea is do a vacation in Moab. Again, I think I'd want to hook into a group of some sort, since hiking a national park alone doesn't sound as fun as going with a group. Do you have any ideas for companies that specialize in anything like these? I'm mid-30's, and don't really want to travel with all couples, or all people over the age of sixty-five. Mixed gender or all women would be fine, though. Thanks very much!

Andrea Sachs: There are a number of travel companies that offer trips or certain dates that cater to solo travelers (not singlets, as in hook up in the hotel room), such as Backroads, O Solo Mia and even Sierra Club has volunteer vacations for single travelers. You can also try a singles travel connection service that will match you up with a like-minded companion. Or, if you find the trip you like, ask the agency if any non-pair travelers have signed up, so then you will know that you will be in good company.

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KC Summers: Wow, out of time already. Thanks for all the great questions, everyone, and sorry if we didn't get to yours -- we were overwhelmed. The duct tape winners know who you are -- Rebecca, don't forget to send in your address -- and the photo software goes to the Japan tipster who wrote about reserving ryokans online. Send your contact info to summersk@washpost.com and we'll get the prize out to you. Thanks for reading, everyone, and keep an eye out for this Sunday's edition, when we take a look at renewing wedding vows in Las Vegas, baby.

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Fairfax, Va.: We had a wonderful English-speaking tour guide in Rome -- Suzanne Bono-Lucidi. She spent the day with us, spent time crafing a one-of-a-kind tour based on the Carravaggios we wanted to see. She can be contacted at bellasuzi-hotmail.com. We've recommended her to others and they had a similar positive experience.

KC Summers: And Fairfax gets the last word. Thanks, Fx.

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