There's Nothing Like the Big City

Low-cost carrier Spirit has invented a membership club that's unique for airlines. Here's the deal: Pay $30 a year, and Spirit offers you a chance to book "amazingly low" fares. The airline e-mails these sale fares at least once every six weeks. But only club members can book them. In other words, Spirit is replacing the common practice of e-mailing sale fares for free with a program of e-mailing sale fares to customers who pay for the privilege. Spirit is calling its program the "$9 Fare Club" because its sale fares will usually cost $9 or less, plus taxes. Now we love $9 plane tickets as much as anyone. But Spirit's program is yet another example of a trend that we recently bemoaned: Airlines are charging fees for services that used to be complimentary for everyone. ("Maybe We Should Charge Extra If You Read This Page.") In this case, Spirit is charging you for the opportunity to hear about its sale fares, not for a guarantee that you'll actually be able to book its sale fares. (According to Spirit's rules, "Membership in the Club does not guarantee availability of special fares.") The $9 Fare Club appears to be part of an industry-wide trend that disturbs us. As Budget Travel Editor Erik Torkells recently pointed out, "I'd never argue that companies shouldn't have tiers of service; paying more to get more is a fundamental principle of the service economy. But what has happened in recent years is that a company will introduce a special new level of service, then turn around and starting making the basic level--the one that doesn't cost extra--a little shabbier, then even a little shabbier than that. Treating someone better doesn't have to mean treating someone else worse, and yet that's what tends to happen." In fairness, Spirit is a discount carrier that has recently brought low fares to many markets, especially those served by its main hubs in Detroit and Fort Lauderdale. Spirit has also just pledged to cut its standard fares (available to any customer) even further on many of its routes, which include 33 airports in the U.S., Latin America, and the Caribbean. That's great news for budget-minded travelers. What still bothers us, though, is that Spirit's actions are part of a frenzy for fees in the airline industry. (See our story "If You Want That Pillow, You're Gonna Have to Pay.") We hope this industry trend peters out soon. In the meantime, do you want to know who is on your side? Our Extra Mile Awards are given to companies making travel easier, more affordable, or more enjoyable.

Montreal: Like Paris, but a Lot Closer Shops You Can't Find Everywhere Eva B.: Creaky floors and an eclectic collection of costume jewelry, vintage clothing, and retro footwear make this a rummager's paradise. The owner is friendly, but she drives a hard bargain. Lola & Emily: Designed to look like the apartment of a fashionable girl about town, the boutique stocks flirty Third Floor underwear, Joe's Jeans, and Velvet dresses. Parasuco: The sexy jeans may have infiltrated a mall near you, but the brand's flagship (in a former bank) is only in Montreal. The newly renovated three-level emporium has a two-story chandelier, custom mosaic floor, and full-service spa and salon. Boutique Reborn: This shop in Old Montreal is a treasure trove of highly covetable items from labels such as Preen, Acne Jeans, and Cheap Monday, as well as pieces by local designers. Mona Moore: A girly shop with shoes from the likes of Pierre Hardy, Balenciaga, and Miu Miu. We Love BrunchThe best thing at Eggspectation is the Brioche Beauty, a cinnamon brioche that's buttered, grilled, and topped with yogurt, roasted almonds, and honey, then served with mixed fruit. So yummy! Hot Ticket Canadian humor is showcased at two clubs: the Comedy Nest and Comedyworks. If you're in town over the summer, keep an eye out for the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival, which puts on lots of free shows. Sweet FixRockaberry bakes homemade pies in wonderful flavors like Toblerone Cheese, Chocolate Banana Split, and Rockabrownie. Home Base Hyatt Regency Montreal is east of rue Crescent's party bars and west of the hip restaurants on boulevard St.-Laurent. Rooms at the SpringHill Suites feature two double beds, a pullout sofa, and a basic kitchen, all amid the stone buildings of Old Montreal. Boutique Hotel St. Paul tucks a luxurious, minimalist aesthetic inside a historic beaux arts structure: Double rooms have wood floors and oversize marble soaking tubs in the bathrooms. Where to Kick Up Your Heels Grown-up drinks: Inside the Hotel Place d'Armes, Suite 701 is a lounge with leather banquettes; it specializes in martinis (and cute banker types, if you're into that). Outdoor seating: For expertly prepared mojitos served in airy white cabanas, each of which features a sleek, pillow-covered bed alongside tables and chairs, head to Time Boutique Café. Till midnight: If Le Blanc's fusion menu isn't entertaining enough, the live music (jazz, swing, or pop, depending on the night) definitely will be. Till 3 A.M.: At Altitude 737, atop one of the tallest buildings in Montreal, fancy cocktails accompany dance music and amazing views. Till dawn: Stereo, fitted with one of the best you-know-what systems in the city, is the late-night destination of jet-setters, drag queens, and club kids for dancing into the morning. Something you'll regret: A Montreal institution, Le 281 features male exotic dancers--not Chippendale types, but more contemporary versions of hotness, such as the jock, the hipster, and the intellectual. If you need to work up courage, shots (including one named "The Orgasm") are mixed right at your table. What's for Dinner? Fab but not fussy, the delicious seven-course tasting menu at Toqué!--with native ingredients such as Nova Scotia princess scallops and Basses-Laurentides suckling pig--is a big draw for foodies. The Italian cuisine at Buonanotte, a hotspot for 15 years, is secondary to the scenester vibe and beautiful-people crowd: George Clooney and Gisele Bündchen are among the celebs who've been spotted here. Around midnight, a DJ spins club music. Pamper Yourself Rainspa's soothing waterfalls and softly lit rooms--plus the only real hammam (Turkish bath) in town--make the bustle of Old Montreal seem miles away. So Gloppy, but So Darn GoodPoutine is a disgusting (yet tasty!) combo of french fries, cheese curds, and gravy--it's most commonly enjoyed after a drink or five, but at La Banquise, a beloved hole-in-the-wall, you can order the dish 24 hours a day. Streets Made for ShoppingBoulevard St.-Laurent (bet. avenues Laurier and Bernard): up-and-coming designers like Denis Gagnon, Marie-M, and Renata Morales. Rue Ste.-Catherine (bet. rue de la Montagne and rue Aylmer): mainstream Canadian brands (Roots, Browns, Jacob) and classic department stores (Ogilvy, La Baie, Simons). Rue St.-Paul (bet. rues McGill and Bonsecours): sleek shops selling local clothes, furniture, and art, right in Old Montreal. You Gotta do at Least One . . . In Old Montreal and the Old Port, wander down rue St.-Jacques and rue Notre-Dame for fun encounters with hawkers, buskers, and gorgeous architecture. Visit the Montreal Botanical Garden for the rare-plant collections and the seasonal blooms. Bike along the picturesque Lachine Canal, and stop for fresh produce, artisanal cheeses, and maple syrup at the outdoor farmers market, Marché Atwater. Enjoy the panoramic view of Montreal, its islands, and the St. Lawrence River from atop Mount Royal Park. Try Something New in Montreal Take a ride through the bumpy St. Lawrence River rapids, located in front of the Old Port, with Lachine Rapids Jet Boat Tours. 514/284-9607, jetboatingmontreal.com, $51, equipment provided. Hyatt Regency Montreal 1255 rue Jeanne-Mance, 514/982-1234, montreal.hyatt.com, from $150 SpringHill Suites 445 rue St.-Jean-Baptiste, 514/875-4333, springhillmontreal.com, from $114 Hotel St. Paul 355 rue McGill, 514/380-2222, hotelstpaul.com, from $176 Toqué! 900 place Jean-Paul-Riopelle, 514/499-2084, tasting menu $77 Buonanotte 3518 blvd. St.-Laurent, 514/848-0644, entrées from $10 Eggspectation Four locations including 201 rue St.-Jacques Ouest, 514/282-0119 Rockaberry 4275 rue St.-Denis, 514/844-9479 Suite 701 55 rue St.-Jacques Ouest, 514/842-1887 Time Boutique Café 3509 blvd. St.-Laurent, 514/842-2626 Le Blanc 3435 blvd. St.-Laurent, 514/288-9909 Altitude 737 1 place Ville-Marie, 514/397-0737, Fri. and Sat. from $10 Stereo 858 rue Ste.-Catherine Est, 514/286-0325, cover from $17 Le 281 94 rue Ste.-Catherine Est, 514/871-2281 La Banquise 994 rue Rachel Est, 514/525-2415, $4 Eva B. 2013 blvd. St.-Laurent, 514/849-8246 Lola & Emily 3475 blvd. St.-Laurent, 514/288-7598 Parasuco 1414 rue Crescent, 514/284-2288 Boutique Reborn 231 rue St.-Paul Ouest, 514/499-8549 Mona Moore 1446 rue Sherbrooke Ouest, 514/842-0662 Montreal Botanical Garden 4101 rue Sherbrooke Est, 514/872-1400, from $9.75 Montreal on Wheels 27 rue de la Commune Est, 877/866-0633, caroulemontreal.com, bikes $7 per hour Comedy Nest 2313 rue Ste.-Catherine Ouest, 514/932-6378, $10 Ernie Butler's Comedyworks 1238 rue Bishop, 514/398-9661, from $3 Rainspa 55 rue St.-Jacques, 514/282-2727, one-hour massage $72 Lachine Rapids Jet Boat Tours 47 rue de la Commune Ouest, 514/284-9607, jetboatingmontreal.com

Chicago: The Chic Starts Right Here Where to Kick Up Your HeelsTwilight entertainment: Castaways Bar & Grill, on the North Avenue Boathouse's rooftop, serves electric lemonades and piña coladas from a bar decorated with fishing nets and fake lobsters--but the real lure is the view of the bathing-suit-clad crowds on Lake Michigan's North Avenue Beach. Grown-up drinks: At warm and mellow Clybar, couches surround a hand-carved cherrywood fireplace, and fiber-optic lights in the ceiling create a starry sky. The martinis come in interesting flavors like pomegranate-lemon and chocolate-cherry. Outdoor seating: Sheffield's is an open-air beer garden with picnic tables in an ivy-covered courtyard; it's regularly packed with a young professional crowd. Till midnight: Strange memorabilia, antiques, and found art line the walls of Old Town Ale House, a dive where the jukebox plays jazz, blues, and Sinatra. Till 3 A.M.: Serious partiers let loose on Friday nights with live-band karaoke at Wicker Park's Pontiac Café & Bar. It's a modest setup (black plastic chairs, lone disco ball), but the fun is world-class. Something you'll regret: Frat guys, bachelorettes, and bikers get down at Hogs & Honeys, a saloon with a mechanical bull and three stripper poles. Pamper Yourself Its Loop location targets professionals, but Spa Space's top-notch technicians draw clients from all corners of the city. The wine-and-roses manicure comes with an antioxidant-rich grape-seed scrub and rose-oil massage. Home BaseDowntown's Hotel Monaco serves fresh-baked cookies in the afternoon and wine every evening--and has plush animal-print robes hanging in every room. A block from the Magnificent Mile, The James specializes in high-tech minimalism: Double rooms have slate-tiled bathrooms, martini shakers, and iPod docking stations. Majestic Hotel, on a tree-lined street in Lakeview East, charms guests with antique-style beds and tapestries. Suites fit up to five and have kitchenettes with a wet bar, fridge, and microwave. We Love Brunch Ina's is wildly popular for its comfort food--and if it was a long night, you simply have to try the scrapple. Best of all, the restaurant (located in the West Loop) has a patio. Shops You Can't Find Everywhere Lori's Designer Shoes: This flagship of a five-location chain stocks Aerosoles along with more niche designs like Castañer espadrilles and 100% boots. Lili Boutique: Great service and a selection of upscale women's clothing. Highlights include Twinkle tops and dresses, edgy accessories like Dolce Vita shoes and Rebecca Minkoff bags, and designer denim by Earnest Sewn. Akira: Fun, funky clothes, from designer jeans to $20 blouses, with a wide range of prices and labels, including Hudson, Free People, and Frankie B. Vive la Femme: For the latest looks exclusively in sizes 12-24, including dresses, jackets, pants, tops, and skirts by Jessica Svoboda and Anna Scholz. Lenny & Me: An unpretentious consignment shop that's especially good for sexy retro dresses, screen-printed tees, and decades-old accessories. You Gotta Do at Least One . . . Gawk at 50 landmarks during the Chicago Architecture Foundation's 90-minute river cruise. Catch a show at Second City, the comedy club that launched the careers of Tina Fey, Mike Myers, and Amy Sedaris. Watch the Cubs from Wrigley Field's bleachers, where fans buy each other rounds of beers--making it like the world's largest singles bar. What's for Dinner? Rick Bayless cooks authentic Mexican at his world-famous Frontera Grill. The innovative and mostly vegetarian menu at Green Zebra consists of small plates such as crispy sweet-potato dumplings with water chestnuts and dandelion miso broth. Japonais is a dimly lit French-Japanese restaurant and lounge. Good for sharing: Le Quack Japonais, a take on Peking duck. After a kitchen fire in 2006, Pequod's traded its neon signs and White Sox mural for hardwood floors, exposed brick walls, and plasma TVs. Luckily, its thin-crust and deep-dish pizzas stayed absolutely the same. They're served atop whale-shaped boards. Sweet Fix Alliance Bakery and Café has charm to burn, what with a tin ceiling painted gold and 1930s wooden moldings from Poland. Order a key lime bar and sit out front. Bean There, Done That Chicago's newest landmark is a shiny, legume-shaped sculpture in Millennium Park that reflects and distorts the city's skyline on its stainless-steel surface. Locals refer to it as The Bean, though British creator Anish Kapoor understandably prefers its real name, Cloud Gate. Must-See Museum Show The Art Institute of Chicago's Japonisme exhibit juxtaposes 19th-century European paintings by Degas, Toulouse-Lautrec, Gauguin, and Manet with works by the Japanese artists who influenced them. Try Something New in Chicago Learn to sail on Lake Michigan and get stunning skyline views. Chicago Sailing charters from $75 an hour, quad (two-hour minimum). 773/871-7245, chicagosailing.com. Hotel Monaco 225 N. Wabash Ave., 866/610-0081, monaco-chicago.com, from $229 The James 55 E. Ontario St., 877/526-3755, jameshotels.com, from $250 Majestic Hotel 528 W. Brompton Ave., 800/727-5108, cityinns.com/majestic, from $179 Frontera Grill 445 N. Clark St., 312/661-1434, pork loin $21 Green Zebra 1460 W. Chicago Ave., 312/243-7100, dumplings $11 Japonais 600 W. Chicago Ave., 312/822-9600, duck $38 Pequod's 2207 N. Clybourn Ave., 773/327-1512, pizza from $10 Ina's 1235 W. Randolph St., 312/226-8227 Alliance Bakery 1736 W. Division St., 773/278-0366, alliance-bakery.com Castaways Bar 1603 N. Lake Shore Dr., 773/281-1200 Clybar 2417 N. Clybourn Ave., 773/388-1877 Sheffield's 3258 N. Sheffield Ave., 773/281-4989 Old Town Ale House 219 W. North Ave., 312/944-7020 Pontiac Café 1531 N. Damen Ave., 773/252-7767 Hogs & Honeys 1551 N. Sheffield Ave., 312/377-1733, from $5 Lori's Designer Shoes 824 W. Armitage Ave., 773/281-5655, lorisshoes.com Lili Boutique 1543 N. Wells St., 312/654-8511, shoplili.com Akira 2357 N. Clark St., 773/404-5826; 1814 W. North Ave., 773/489-0818; akirachicago.com Vive la Femme 2048 N. Damen Ave., 773/772-7429, vivelafemme.com Lenny & Me 1463 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773/489-5576 Art Institute of Chicago 312/443-3600, artic.edu, $12 Chicago Architecture Foundation 224 S. Michigan Ave., 312/922-3432, architecture.org, from $26 Second City 1616 N. Wells St., 312/664-4032, secondcity.com, from $14 Wrigley Field 773/404-2827, chicago.cubs.mlb.com, from $8 Spa Space 161 N. Canal St., 312/466-9585, spaspace.com, $35 Chicago Sailing 2712 N. Campbell Ave., 773/871-7245, chicagosailing.com

David LaHuta: Hi there everyone. I'm here to take your questions about family camp so fire away! _______________________ New York City: Can you suggest a family resort with kosher food withint a 3 hour drive of New York CIty? David LaHuta: You're in luck! Try New Jersey "Y" Camps in Milford, Pa. It's under a two-hour drive from New York City, and it serves three Kosher meals a day (with vegetarian options available). The camp caters specifically to Jewish families so you can also expect optional Jewish services on Friday evening and weekend mornings as well. It's a wonderful program with lots of options--in addition to three weekend family camp sessions in June, August, and September, the camp also runs grandparent and single-parent weekends too. For more information, go to njycamps.org or call 973/575-3333. _______________________ Boulder, CO: I've got two adopted sons from China. I love them with all of my heart but I'm concerned they might not fit in with the other kids. Are there any camps for families like mine? Terri David LaHuta: While I'm sure your concern is genuine, I can assure you that the vast majority of people who attend family camp are an accepting bunch. That said there are specialized camps for families like yours (and luckily, a handful pretty darn close to Boulder). They're called Colorado Heritage Camps--ten separate properties in the Rockies and Denver for families with multicultural and internationally adopted children. Each camp focuses on a specific culture from African/Caribbean to Vietnamese. And not only will your kids be surrounded by other adoptive families, but the teachers and counselors who lead daily activity sessions are also of the same ethnic background (you're even fed culture-specific lunches!). It's a great camp and one I'm sure your family will love. For more information, check it out at heritagecamps.org or call 303/320-4234. _______________________ Norwich, NY: Summer is a busy time for our family of 4 (sons aged 11 and 8). We own a business and find it difficult to get away for a full week. Are there family camps in the northeast that run for a long weekend? David LaHuta: Fortunately many camps recognize the time constraints put on a typical family and the northeast is not without its options for a fun long weekend. About a three-and-a-half drive from Norwich is a camp called Club Getaway, in Kent, Ct. It's a beautiful property in the foothills of the Berkshire Mountains and this summer it's offering two family camping sessions, both just two nights long: Aug. 20-23 and Aug. 24-26. The kids will love the camp's great waterfront activities (water trampoline, anyone?) and you and your significant other will enjoy wine tastings and more. For more information, check it out at clubgetaway.com or call 877/746-7529. Another option near you is YMCA Camp Hi-Rock in Mount Washington, Mass. From Norwich, it's just over three hours by car, and in addition to a family camp week in August, the camp offers family weekends year-round. For more, go to camphirock.com or call 413/528-1227. _______________________ New York, NY: What's an often overlooked question that parents should ask a family camp? David LaHuta: An important question to ask a family camp--heck, any camp for that matter--is whether or not it's accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA). Camps accredited by the ACA meet 26 health and safety standards and are usually handicapped accessible, so if that's a concern for your family, remember to ask. That said, there are some great camps out there that aren't ACA accredited so don't count out a specific camp just because the ACA hasn't given its stamp of approval. In those cases ask for referrals from other families, and if you're near by, a site visit doesn't hurt either. _______________________ NY, NY: What's the biggest mistake parents make with family camps? David LaHuta: Probably the biggest mistake parents make is not considering family camp at all. I've heard it from plenty of folks for lots of reasons, "But I don't want to sleep on a cot and drink bug juice!" What people should know is that you don't have to. There are many camps out there that have hotel-style accommodations and serve great (sometimes gourmet) food. About a two-and-a-half hour drive from New York City is Frost Valley camp in the Catskills, with tons of lodging options for the most finicky of families. There's a B&B-style castle that was once a private estate, lake-view hotel-style rooms, cabins, and more (for more info, check it out online at frostvalley.org). The point is there's a camp out there for every family! _______________________ NYC: Which of the family camps you visited was the coolest? David LaHuta: Last summer I spent a week at Camp Seagull/Seafarer in Arapahoe, N.C., and I was so surprised at the amount of families who flew in from out of state just to attend this camp. Is it cool? Absolutely, and everyone who got on a plane to attend knows it too. If you and your family enjoy water activities, there's no shortage of things to do: waterskiing, tubing, motorboating, and a fabulous sailing school. But what I liked most about it was its staff. They're an incredibly competent (and likeable) bunch and they all took great care to make the kids feel comfortable, safe, and secure. Not to mention they're incredibly encouraging, which is just what you need when you're eight-years-old and faced with a 60-foot climbing wall... _______________________ Winfield, IA: I would like to know if their are camps for seniors. I am on a budget. David LaHuta: There are plenty of programs for adult and senior campers, many with a slant toward academics, religious studies, and even sports and adventure for agile campers. A good place to start your search is website called Grownupcamps.com which lists camping opportunities for adult travelers. You also might try asking if a specific camp has a special senior weekend. Best of luck! _______________________ Chicago, IL: My wife and I have ten kids. Will we be able to stay in our own cabin together? Or will we have to split up--which we always have to do on vacation! Chuck David LaHuta: Have no fear. Lots of family camps operate as regular boys and girls camps during the summer, so they've got huge cabins that normally sleep 20 to 30 at once. During family camp however, most camps put one family in a cabin, so you and your family should have more than enough room to enjoy a fun weekend together. Just be sure to ask about the size of a camp's cabins before you book as many camps offer a wide variety of lodging options. _______________________ Ames, Iowa: What do you like most about family camp? David LaHuta: There are so many factors that make family camping a great option for your next vacation. Of course, it's affordable. A typical family of four can spend $1,000 or less for an entire week and that includes activities, accommodations, and food. Good luck finding that at Disney World. Another reason I love family camp is there are plenty of opportunities for families to spend time as a unit in addition to branching off and doing they're own thing. There are times when the kids get to run around with the other kids while the adults can sit on the porch, sip a cool glass of ice tea, and read a book--so it's the best of both worlds. Not to mention camping is fun! You're giving your kids the opportunity to try something new in an encouraging and safe environment. Trust me, they'll thank you when they get older. _______________________ Port St. Lucie, Florida: What are some good resources if I'm trying to find a camp for my family? David LaHuta: Fortunately there are lots of great resources to help find the right camp for you. One good place to start is kidscamps.com, a fairly comprehensive source for family camps and children's camps in the U.S. and abroad. If you're looking for a camp with "Christian values," then look no further than the YMCA. Its website, ymca.net, links to camps in all fifty states plus Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. For fun outdoorsy programs in the northeast, the Appalachian Mountain Club offers some great family camp programs on its website, outdoors.org. For camps accredited by the American Camping Association, visit acacamps.org. And of course, don't forget my annual story on the country's All-Star family camps at BudgetTravelOnline.com. _______________________ San Diego, California: My kids love learning. Are there any camps that have educational programs? David LaHuta: Two new camps made our All-Star list this year and I picked them for that very reason. Near your hometown is a fabulous camp on Catalina Island, aptly named Catalina Island Camps. It's hosted by famed oceanographer Jean-Michel Cousteau, who teaches evening presentations about his work with the Ocean Futures Society and leads nature walks, tide-pool exploration, and scientific snorkeling trips. For more information go to catalinaislandcamps.com or call 800/696-2267. Another option (although a little further from your home) is the family program at Crow Canyon Archaeological Center in Cortez, Colorado, where you can excavate Pueblo Indian artifacts alongside archaeologists and learn Native American history. It's a fabulous program and perfect for any kid (or adult) who likes getting their hands dirty. For more check out crowcanyon.org or call 800/422-8975. _______________________ David LaHuta: That's about all the time we have for today. Thanks to everyone who submitted a question and happy camping! DL