Travel Blog Directory

Budget Travel Editors: Thanks for joining us. Let's get to your questions! _______________________ Layton, UT: Do you have suggestions for areas, cities in Spain to visit. I do not like beaches. This trip is for cultural, historical and family reasons. I have never been to Spain. I want to go there to see where my family came from. Is spring a good time to go? I would like to see the northeast, because I believe that is where my family came from (around Burgos). Budget Travel Editors: Burgos itself has a wealth of history, and especially if you're looking into the homeplace of your ancestors you'll want a full day to explore. Most likely you'll get started in Madrid, where you can get into the Spanish way of life with tapas in one of the older cave-like mesons around Plaza Mayor. You can visit the Palacio Real as well for a taste of royal life and luxury. Madrid has an absolute ton to explore, so if you'd like a bit more in depth knowledge about the different historical elements of the capital city, try a guided tour through the Tourism Office (descubremadrid.com). North of Madrid, on your way up to Burgos, Segovia is definitely worth a visit. Its most notable landmark, the Roman aqueduct, is largely believed to date back to the first century BC. The Alcázar in the old town is reputedly the inspiration for the castle at Disneyland (though it vies for this title against Neuschwanstein in Germany). The House Museum of Antonio Machado is also worth a visit if the early 20th century Spanish poet's life and work interests you. Moving further north you can also stop into Valladolid, a bustling university town now, it was at one point home to Cervantes, Spain's famed son who penned Don Quijote de la Mancha. On to Burgos, a city laid out around the Arlanzón River. It's easy to orient yourself in the city as the main cathedral is visible from most parts. I hope these suggestions get you started, but also look into spain.info for more in depth trip planning, and check out the podcasts on notesfromspain.com for historical and cultural insight into many different parts of the country. And as for your inquiry about spring travel, the capital city is mostly warm and sunny in April and May (temperatures in the 60s and not very rainy), but you can check temperatures in more detail on weather.com or wunderground.com. _______________________ Fairfax, Va: I am taking a cruise at the end of April 2006 out of San Diego. I have never been to San Diego and thought I may go early and spend 2 nights there before getting on the ship. Any suggestions for a nice hotel which would be close by the port but still convenient for seeing the city? Budget Travel Editors: A short walk from the Bay, the revitalized restaurant-heavy Gaslamp Quarter, and Little Italy, the W San Diego is a convenient jumping off point--if you're in the mood for an indulgent blow-out stay (with the $250+ nightly rates to match). The lobby doubles as a throbbing nightclub on weekend nights, there's an outdoor, tropical-themed bar dubbed the Beach for its sandy floor, plus a tiny pool with an open-air gym and a spa. For something more wallet-friendly, try the quaint Victorian Horton Grand Hotel, four-story European-style La Pensione, or the no-frills Comfort Inn, all reliable downtown options. _______________________ Glendale, CA: What is the time difference between Vietnam and California? Budget Travel Editors: There is a 15 hour time difference between California and Vietnam, (ie, when it is 8AM in California it is 11PM in Vietnam). The website timeanddate.com is a great, simple resource for figuring out time differences around the globe. Another great resource for making international phone calls across time zones is countrycallingcodes.com. _______________________ Weehawken, NJ: What is the best online website for discounts on Cruise vacations? Budget Travel Editors: By far one of the best websites for cruise deals is cruisecompete.com. Submit a ship name and sail date and travel agencies across the country will compete to offer you the best package for your vacation. You'll be contacted via email with a price quote for your trip, then simply contact the agency directly to book your cruise. There's no obligation to purchase a cruise once you're quoted a price, the service is totally free, and if you're flexible with your travel dates and itinerary, you'll get some of the best bargains around. _______________________ New York, NY: My boyfriend's job requirements mean we usually only have about a one week notice to plan a trip. We would love to get away to someplace warm that isn't only about sitting on a beach. I'd love to have some ideas in my back pocket for where to go and the best way to find last minute getawaways for the next time we have a week to plan an escape. Budget Travel Editors: The next time you're looking for ideas for a great last-minute vacation, be sure to check out Site 59 (site59.com). Named for the 59th minute, the website allows you to book up to three hours before takeoff and is packed with bargains. Search by destination (Europe, the Caribbean, South America), by lifestyle (sun & beach, food & wine, casino), or sign up for its Top Picks email where you'll receive notifications of its best deals right in your inbox. _______________________ Los Angeles, CA: Is there a resource to compare the pertinent measurements, ie leg room, # of rows? , etc , etc in the Coach cabins of different airlines?? In otherwords, does the consumer have a resource to see which airlines have the best legroom in Coach? Budget Travel Editors: Frequent Flyer's website has compiled seating charts for every airline: frequentflyer.oag.com/airlines_airports/seating.asp Leg room (or "seat pitch") can vary from plane to plane, but here's a chart from cheapflights.com cheapflights.com/travel-tips/legroom.html _______________________ San Miguel de Allende, Mexico: I remember reading something about searching for the best airfare on some sites (I think airline sites) and then not being able to find the lower fare later. But the recommendation was to do something...eliminate history?...go in to eliminate cookies? and then the lower fares would come up again. Can you please tell me something about this. It might have been a situation where a flight was already booked and someone was trying to find a better fare. Thanks. Budget Travel Editors: Your memory is correct. "Cookies" are small files that certain websites send to your computer while you are browsing their site. Each "cookie" is a record of your visit to that specific website, and includes information such as your login information, time of your visit, and any other information you give up willingly, like a password or e-mail address. The next time you visit that website, your computer "remembers" your preferences, password, and other information. It's similar to Caller ID for your telephone. Unfortunately, this saved information can also include the airfare prices you've previously searched on. Try eliminating cookies from your web browser if you get the same search results from a website. Here's how: If you're using Internet Explorer, go to "Tools" and then "Internet Options". Click on "Delete Cookies" and then click "OK". _______________________ Harwich, MA: Do I now need to have a passport to go to St. Maarten in Jan? Budget Travel Editors: Not yet. The U.S. government postponed the implementation dates of its plan to require all travelers (including U.S. citizens) within the Americas, Caribbean, and Bermuda, to have a passport to enter or re-enter the United States by one year. The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, as this plan is called, will now be put into effect December 31, 2006 for air and sea travel between Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. The requirement will be extended to all land-border crossings on December 31, 2007. For updates and more information, go to the U.S. State Department website travel.state.gov. _______________________ Charlotte, NC: How do I find out if there are any travel restrictions to Turkey from the USA? Also, If a person wanted to visit the USA from Turkey, what requirements would have to be met? Budget Travel Editors: The best place to find out information on both topics is on the US State Department's website: travel.state.gov. The short answer is that U.S. citizens traveling to Turkey need a valid passport and visa. Tourists can buy a 90-day sticker visa at a port of entry to Turkey for $20 cash. For more information, contact the Turkish embassy at 202/612-6700 or check their website turkey.org. In general, the State Department posts travel warnings about specific countries; currently there are no travel warnings concerning Turkey. For more detailed information about individual countries, read the site's consular information sheets. To travel to the United States, Turkish citizens will need a non-immigrant visa. For specific details about the procedure (including application forms, fees and a mandatory interview) travelers should contact the closest US embassy or consulate to them (links to U.S. embassies and consulates around the world are also on the travel.state.gov website). _______________________ Rye Brook, NY: I have booked tickets on Iberia Airlines and now I am concerned. Many people I have mentioned the airline to say that it has the poorest safety record. True? Untrue? What do I do? Budget Travel Editors: Your instinct to doublecheck an airline's safety ranking before getting on board is the right one, but unfortunately safety rankings don't mean quite as much as we might hope. According to a recent study prepared for the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration): "While there may be apparent differences in carrier safety records at any particular time, due largely to the infrequent but catastrophic nature of an air accident, there is no evidence that such distinctions persist nor that they are predictive of future safety performance. Rankings of airlines based on past accident records therefore provide no information to consumers seeking to make safety-enhancing comparisons for current or future travel choices." That said, I'd like to ease your mind a bit: I just returned (under a week ago) from a trip to Spain and Portugal. I took a total of four Iberia flights, and apart from the shaky television monitors (I'm not sure why they weren't more securely fastened) it was smooth sailing. And, they give you free socks. _______________________ Menlo Park, CA: Why are so many hotel/resort prices quoted "per person" based on double occupancy? I'm single & don't understand why room cost depends on 2 users, not 1. I use less water/electricity/linens than 2 people would in a room, yet I have to pay a supplement. Please suggest sources for single cabin cruises or where i can book a 4 star resort without the penalty. And no, I don't want to be "matched" with potential roommates. Budget Travel Editors: It's annoying, but the hotel and resort business is based on making the maximum amount per room. If they rent a room for two people at $200 and one person at $100, they're effectively losing out on $100 (minus whatever small amount of water, electricity, towels, etc. the second person would use up during the stay). It's not really a penalty if you look at it from their perspective. During shoulder seasons -- fall or late spring in the Caribbean for example -- some resorts are desperate for rooms and will charge singles half the price of a double room. But they offers are rare. Try the Real Deals on our website, as well as sites such as travelzoo.com and smartertravel.com, but don't get your hopes up. _______________________ Roslyn, PA: i am flying on a "embraer jet" on USAIR.Do they have room for carry on luggage or does it have to be checked? We leave Nov.5th and fly from Phila to BWI Budget Travel Editors: Every commercial plane allows passengers to bring carry-on luggage. For the specifics of what's allowed and what's not on a given airline, call them up (800-371-4771) or visit their website. Here's a link to US Airway's baggage policy. _______________________ Ferndale, MI: Any advice for parents travelling with two older teenagers to Prague. We are looking for activities that will stimulate them with culture, yet not be too overwhelming that they will be bored. We are travelling from November 20th through the 28th of this year. Budget Travel Editors: Prague seems a natural choice for teen and child travelers: picture-perfect spires, towers and castles, a rich and tumultuous history, and foreboding winter weather suited to hearty meals and hot chocolate. As we wrote in a similar Trip Coach reply a few weeks ago, its Old Town Square is outfitted with a beautiful astronomical clock whose shuttered windows open to reveal figures that animate on the hour from 8 AM to 8 PM. At Prague Castle, be sure to stroll down adjacent Golden Lane, marked by brightly colored 15th century houses, some of which now showcase period armor and textiles. You can even learn to shoot a crossbow--it's heavier than you think. Next to the Old Jewish Cemetery, Ceremonial Hall depicts poignant sketches made by children at the Terezin concentration camp during World War II. For a more recent dose of history, you can scout out the Lennon Wall, a symbol of youthful resistance to Communism. Board a funicular for a ride up to Petrin Hill, topped by a mini replica of the Eiffel Tower. The park contains the Labyrinth, a mirror maze, and the Stefanik Observatory with a telescope for stargazing. _______________________ Budget Travel Editors: Thanks for all of your great questions. See you next week! _______________________

Sydney is more than clear blue skies and sparkling seas; it's Australia's biggest, fastest, richest city and home to one of the world's most recognizable architectural structures--the winged Sydney Opera House. A truly global mix of people inhabit the sophisticated seaside metropolis, enjoying the near-perfect climate, round-the-clock culture, and the opportunity to play as hard as they work--whether it be surfing the waves at Bondi beach or competing in the world's biggest "fun-run". A giant garden ringed by some of the world's most spectactular mountains, Sydney's earthly delights are its greatest assets. Much of its shoreline is a protected national park (whale spottings are an every day occurance), and parrots and pelicans own the airspace. AIRPORTS   Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport TRANSPORTATION TO/FROM AIRPORTS   Airport Link   KST Airporter CITY LINKS   Sydney & New South Wales Tourism   Sydney Morning Herald   What's On In Sydney   CitySearch Sydney   YOU Current movie and restaurant listings   Ticketek Theater and sports tickets EVENTS   Sydney Festival January   The Chinese New Year festival January/February   Mardi Gras February/March   The Sydney Film Festival June   Good Food Month, various venues, including night noodle markets in Hyde Park, September

Budget Travel Editors: Welcome to this week's Trip Coach. Let's get started... _______________________ Detroit, MI: Which hotels would you suggest in Seattle during the first of April and why? Budget Travel Editors: I'd recommend The Inn at the Market (doubles from $155), a small luxury hotel with stunning views overlooking the Pike Place Market. It's also near some terrific restaurants, including the adjoining Campagne restaurant and the more affordable Cafe Campagne bistro. More info: innatthemarket.com. I also like Hotel Monaco, also located downtown and near the Seattle Art Museum and Seattle Symphony. Doubles from $145. More info: monaco-seattle.com (click on "hot dates, great rates"). You can find these, and many other great rates when you book your rooms through Seattle Super Saver, a program produced by Seattle's Convention and Visitors Bureau: seattlesupersaver.com. Have fun--and don't forget your umbrella! _______________________ Shelbyville, KY: A group (6) of senior citizens (Mid-60s) will be visiting Buenos Aries, Argentina from Jan 7 to Jan 15. What are some not miss sights we should plan on visiting? Budget Travel Editors: Argentina's capital, famed for its European flair, remains cheap for Americans and is currently a hot destination for shopping, dining, nightlife and just about everything else. Among its tried-and-true attractions are the Sunday antiques fair at San Telmo, where you'll find knickknacks, vintage glass soda bottles and chandeliers, local artwork, plus performers tangoing in the street, and Recoleta Cemetery, an elite city of the dead lined with ornate, several foot-high mausoleums and tombs, including that of tango singer Carlos Gardel and of Eva Peron and her family. Guided tours (in English) of world-class opera house Teatro Colon will take you behind the scenes for a glimpse at rehearsal spaces and storage for costumes and sets and treat you to a brief violin performance in the lavish presidential box. The sprawling parks in Palermo are home to lovely rose and Japanese gardens, with horse drawn carriages rides available; the Galerias Pacifico, an upscale mall with frescoed ceilings, carries both luxury brands and inexpensive homegrown ones. Don't leave without catching a tango show (try Bar Sur for the intimate variety or El Viejo Almacen for a more flashy, Broadway-style) or strolling in Puerto Madero, the refurbished waterfront now boasting a stunning, pedestrian-only bridge by Santiago Calatrava. For more tips, download our free Buenos Aires Snap Guide _______________________ St Louis Mo: When is the best time to visit Vancouver Canada? I would like it warm and rain free as possible. Budget Travel Editors: Warm and as rain-free as possible? Then August and September are the best times to visit. Expect mild, sunny weather during the daytime (mid-70s). Nights are cooler (50s-60s), especially near the water, so bring a sweater. _______________________ Opelika, Alabama: Hello, I need some assistance in planning a trip. I am a single woman, and would like to take a relaxing vacation, but don't know where to begin looking. I am not gay, a bar hopper, nudist, or promiscuous- thus I often feel that specialty travel agencies don't have much to offer. I am obviously not a world traveler, but would be thrilled to visit in or outside of the USA. Any suggestions? Budget Travel Editors: First of all there's no reason why you should feel compelled to take a vacation with a tour operator that doesn't meet your needs. It's like you say, if you're not a nudist, then don't take a nudist vacation. That said, there are a number of tour operators that exist just for singles, thus eliminating the hefty single supplement charges that most tour operators charge and providing you with an enjoyable solo traveling experience. However in order to do so, most pair you up with a traveler of the same sex that you would potentially share a room or cabin with. If you like to travel alone and still meet new friends along the way, it's a great way keep costs down on your next vacation. Here are the most popular single travel operators: O Solo Mio Single Tours, 800/959-8568, osolomio.com Travel Chums, 212/787-2621, travelchums.com Travel Buddies Worldwide, 800/998-9099, travebuddiesworldwide.com _______________________ Sonoma, CA: Tahiti Islands: Best way to see them at a reasonable price. Thanks! Budget Travel Editors: Getting to Tahiti and her islands is much, much cheaper than most people think. And fortunately Air Tahiti Nui (airtahitinui-usa.com) is having a huge sale on direct roundtrip flights from Los Angles International Airport to Papeete, Tahiti. You'll have to book by November 15 for select fall and winter departures, but the airline is selling roundtrip flights for $495. Visit its website for more information because you won't find a better deal out there. _______________________ Los Angeles, CA: I have booked airline tickets to Cancun Mexico departing Thanksgiving day. Considering Hurricane Wilma's destruction, do you think it's still wise to go? Budget Travel Editors: As you know, most of Cancun is still underwater right now, and it will take a while for the city--and neighboring resort towns along the Yucatan--to dry out and rebuild. The President, Vincente Fox, predicts that Cancun could reopen before the Christmas holidays, but the Cancun mayor has been less optimistic. The city is still evacuating tourists who had been in shelters to ride out the storm. That said, it's extremely unlikely that Cancun will be up and running again as soon as Thanksgiving. Before you do anything about your trip, call the hotel you were planning on staying at, and the Cancun Convention and Visitors' Bureau to get the official status of the city. _______________________ Athens, AL: My wife and I celebrate our 10th year anniversary in 2006. We celebrated our 5th by going to London with Go-today.com. I would like to celebrate our 10th by taking her and our child to New York for the Macy Thanksgiving day parade. Where would I go about getting tickets, are there hotel on the route, or are there any package deals. Thanks for the help. Budget Travel Editors: Congratulations on your 10th! Here's some advice for tackling the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. There are no tickets to purchase; it's free and spaces go on a first-come basis. The parade kicks off at 9 A.M. on Thursday the 24th, but for a chance at a sidewalk spot with a clear view, you'll need to show up two or three hours in advance, bundled in heavy layers and with comfy shoes. (No folding chairs allowed.) The route stretches from Central Park West and 77th St. down to Columbus Circle; swings onto Broadway; heads to Macy's doorstep at 34th St., Herald Square; and veers west to finish on Seventh Ave. Live entertainment accompanies the floats and giant balloons swaying in the often gusty wind. Hotel rooms overlooking this route are often booked up to a year in advance at spiked rates of several hundred dollars nightly. A few to try: Comfort Inn Central Park West, Crowne Plaza Manhattan, Doubletree Guest Suites Times Square,Ameritania. You can also catch the balloons being blown up with helium the night before the parade, Wednesday, 3-10 P.M., along 77th - 81st Sts., between Central Park West and Columbus Ave. _______________________ Currituck, NC: My credit card company just announced that it was charging 3% for international use. I appreciate the convenience of using a credit card for trips. Do you have suggestions about the least expensive way to pay for hotels, meals, and entertainment? Many thanks. Budget Travel Editors: The quick answer is that using a credit card, even with the 3% transaction fee, is still the easiest and cheapest way to pay for things when traveling. That three percent surcharge for international transactions is the result of a one percent charge that your credit card adds to the bill before handing it over to the bank that services your card, and a two percent fee your bank charges you on top of that. The only bank that (so far) doesn't charge additional fees on overseas purchases is Capital One (800/955-7070, capitalone.com). _______________________ Homewood, IL: I will be traveling with my four year old daughter to Montpellier, France over Thanksgiving 2005. I thought it might be fun to see a real "princess castle". Are there any close to the city? Are there any other day trips that would be worthwhile from the city? I have another daughter studying in Montpellier, and will probably visit again in the spring. Budget Travel Editors: You are in luck; while there might not be exact "princess castles" near Montpellier, there is Carcassonne, a medieval fortified city complete with towers, turrets, crenellated walls, and ramparts from the 1st century only an hour and a half away by train (voyages-sncf.com, trains leave about every hour in both directions, round trip adults $48, kids 4-11 $24). The fortified section of town is about a 30-minute walk from the train station, or a quick $8 taxi ride away. For more information, contact the Carcassonne tourism office, carcassonne-tourisme.com, 011-33-4/68-10-24-30. _______________________ New York City: What are the best ethnic restaurants in Montreal? I am leaving October 26th through 30th from NY - meetng my husband who is flying from Virginia - meeting at the airport Montreal. Budget Travel Editors: Montreal has a well-deserved reputation for great ethnic restaurants, and great restaurants in general. The most difficult part may be in choosing between them. Here are a few suggestions: St-Viateur Bagel Shop (263 St. Viateur West, 514/276-8044) for Montreal bagels, which are denser and sweeter than NY-style bagles; Schwartz's Montreal Hebrew Delicatessen (3895 St. Laurent 514/842-4813) for smoked meat; Rumi Restaurant (5198 Hutchinson, 514/490-1999) for Middle Eastern and Turkish cuisine; ChuChai (4088 St. Denis, 514/843-4194) for vegetarian Thai food; Le Nil Bleu (3706 St. Denis, 514/285-4628) for Ethiopian; and Cuisine Caraïbe Delite (4816 Parc, 514/274-4509), for, well, you can guess. You could also take a chance, wander through some typically ethnic neighborhoods such as Villeray, Park Extension, Côte-Vertu, or Jean-Talon, and follow your nose. _______________________ Budget Travel Editors: Thanks for all your great questions, we're sorry we weren't able to answer all of them. See you next week! _______________________