Trip Coach: August 22, 2006

Highlights from the September 2006 issue: Fairy Tales Do Come True In Germany, a number of genuine castles--turrets, hidden passages, the whole deal--are more than just romantic backdrops. They're hotels too Slide show: Castle Hotels of Germany Walk Like an Australian The Great Ocean Road has long been one of Australia's top attractions. But now there's an even better way to admire the southern shoreline: a 57-mile trail called the Great Ocean Walk 25 Best Places You've Never Heard Of Everyone wants to know about the "next great places." But rather than simply make up a list, we turned to the people who explore for a living. Get ready for a serious case of wanderlust (not to mention job envy) Plus: 25 Best interviews 20 Tips Find out how to protect a digital camera, and why you shouldn't take that camera to the Mint Trip Coach: Jamaica Two couples hope to scout wedding locations, pay tribute to a dear family member, and squeeze in time for jet skiing Read and download an excerpt from "The Destination Wedding Workbook" Sleep Tomorrow: Istanbul The Beyoglu neighborhood is coming alive with a bunch of engaging new nightspots The Sweet Little Guesthouses of Vieques The Puerto Rican island hasn't caught up to its Caribbean neighbors when it comes to lodging. All the more reason to visit right now This Just In! Find out what's happening around the globe, from Carnaval in Rio to outdoor performances in Colonial Williamsburg Off the Grid: Boondockers These RV enthusiasts park together in remote spots, forming temporary settlements Trendspotting: Haute Diners Creative chefs across the country are reinterpreting the greasy spoon. Say good-bye to grits and hello to quinoa Read an excerpt from "Two for the Road" (including recipes!) Hot Property: Hotel deLuxe Portland's new hotel takes its inspiration from the golden age of Hollywood A Guide to Flight Passes Flight passes sound like they should make planning a multileg trip easier, but that's not necessarily so Upsold Down the River Some companies are tempting travel agents into signing on for questionable sales programs Kid-Friendly Hotels and Resorts To make travel as easy as possible, some hotels and resorts are partnering with established non-travel brands How to Use Your Cell Phone Almost Anywhere Ways to use your cell phone abroad without getting ripped off at $5 per minute Plus: Download the Airline Directory walletcard (PDF) Hurricane Season Just Became a Safer Bet A few airlines and tour operators have taken steps to ease travelers' concerns Google Maps Fans have produced "mashup" maps of everything from great views in London to U.S. comic book stores Road Trip: Lake Champlain Fall-foliage season can make much of Vermont less idyllic than you'd hope. Head north, where you'll see more bikes than cars 40 Best Vacations The real deals right now True Stories Travel is stranger, funnier, and more heartwarming than fiction. Plus, a chance to win a trip to Ireland courtesy of Dooley Vacations What $100 Buys in...Addis Ababa A stroll through the market stalls of the Ethiopian capital reveals a mix of ancient ritual and contemporary style.

Has there ever been an animal loose on a Frontier flight? Beyond the occasional rowdy unaccompanied minor, no. However, we did recently ship a six-foot-long albino alligator to the Los Angeles Zoo, but he was in the cargo hold. There's also a story that's circulated that we once had a ferret that got loose in the cabin, and that we cornered him in the aft lavatory. However, we don't allow animals in the cabin (we used to, but not any longer because of allergies, etc,). So, the ferret was essentially "illegal," and as a result, to the best of our knowledge no one claimed him. The flight attendants actually took the ferret with them on the overnight (last flight of the night). They kept him in the bathroom all night with some water and veggies, brought him back to Denver the next day, and turned him in. What should someone do if he or she finds a snake in a cabin? First, to be clear, our FAA-approved manual says that "rodents, reptiles, amphibians, snakes, spiders, and insects are not accepted in the cabin for any reasons." However, since we know that passengers don't always follow the rules, the first suggestion would be to very calmly and quietly alert your flight attendant to your concerns. Second, do not open the door to usher the snake out while in flight. It might sound like a good idea, but trust us--it's not! Finally, depending on the size of the snake, you could capture him in a barf bag, or possibly remove your luggage from the overhead bin, remove all your items from your luggage, and capture him in a suitcase. What would you do if you saw a snake slither down the cabin aisle? First, lift my feet up. Second, request another cocktail from the flight attendant-- immediately! Are flight attendants trained to handle animal and reptile attacks? Not specifically. They're more concerned with human attacks in this day and age. But I've seen some of our flight attendants handle some tough situations, and suffice it to say, the reptiles don't stand a chance against a Frontier flight attendant. What's the most unusual animal you've ever had to transport? Apparently we transported two serval cats on their way to Indonesia that flew part way on us. The mating pair was reported to be worth over $250,000. And of course, the recent transport of the albino alligator from Orlando to the L.A. Zoo. Would you ever make a snake one of your airplane-tail characters? Why or why not? While we certainly love all animals, the snake lacks that "Frontier look." When editors of Vogue choose the next cover model, they're in search of "the look," and for us, snakes just don't have what we're looking for. That said, if we found a furry, friendly snake, we might have to reconsider. But I'm not familiar with any that fit that mold. Related links: How to Handle 10 Travel Emergencies Outdoor Summer Survival Guide

WHAT TO BRING Walking around on hot pavement is tough on feet, so buy a cheap pair of water slippers that you can leave on (although a few parks, like Disney's, don't allow them on body slides) Some parks, like Noah's Ark, have mailbox-like slots for flip-flops at the entrance to each ride's queue, but most parks only provide lockers, and you must pay for each use Waterproof sunscreen is a must because while you're in line, you'll be exposed to the sun WHAT TO WEAR Newfangled body slides will have you zipping at up to 60 mph, so minimize clothing loss by wearing loose trunks (guys) and one-piece suits (girls) Suits with zippers and buttons scratch flumes, so many parks have banned them Some suits now come with built-in waterproof plastic pouches that you can use to seal your money (but don't put keys in there unless you want to bruise yourself) Use plastic swim diapers for toddlers ADVANCE CONSIDERATIONS The scariest rides have height minimums; 42" is common Every water slide park has a dedicated kiddie area Everyone gets the same idea on summer's hottest days, so on those busy days, arrive at opening to stake out a chair If there are thunderstorms in the forecast, delay your visit, because slides shut down at the hint of lightning Eat your Wheaties, because most rides require you to climb stairs to the top

Christine Brown: Greetings! My name is Christine Brown and I work for AAA here in Washington, DC. I'm excited to help you with some of your travel questions, so let's get started... _______________________ New York City, NY: Our daughter will drive a car from NYC to LA on Aug. 31, and she's wondering where to stop along the way so she doesn't get too tired. Christine Brown: One of the most important things to remember when you're on a long road trip: take lots of breaks! Driving while tired is almost as dangerous as driving while intoxicated, so don't take any chances. Take a break every couple of hours, even if you don't feel extremely tired. Just get out & walk around the car a few times, or go to the restroom... that'll get your blood moving & give your brain a break from the monotony of the road in front of you. Always be sure to choose someplace safe when you stop. Keep going if there's no one around, if there's poor lighting, or if you just don't have a good feeling about the place. Better safe than sorry! _______________________ St. Paul, MN: We are planning a road trip at the end of September from Minnesota to Pittsburgh, PA to visit family. We need to rent a vehicle. We'd like something economical, yet comfortable for the long drive with our 6 month old daughter. Any suggestions? Thanks. Laura Christine Brown: Safety is the number one factor here, especially since you'll be traveling with a small child. Try a Kia Sportage if you're looking for a true "economy" car (they tend to be pretty compact), or if you'd like something a little roomier, see if your rental company has a Ford Fusion. Both cars are reliable and great for families with kids. Speaking of child safety, always be sure to put your child in a car seat (or booster seat if they're over 40 lbs)! _______________________ Harbor City, CA: Our Mission: Visit all 48 contiguous states. Date of attempt: Summer 2007. Time Limit: 10 Days. Method of Transportation: Chevy Surburban. Our Request: We need help planning the shortest,fastest, most efficient route. P.S. We have already visited CA, WA, OR, ID, WY, NV, UT, AZ, NM, TX, and OK. Christine Brown: That's quite a mission, HC -- an average of over 3 states per day! And with the average price of regular unleaded gas at almost $3.00 per gallon, driving such a large SUV could also mean mega bucks at the pump. I'd suggest checking out an online mapping service that allows you to enter in where you'd like to stop. If you're a AAA member, check out aaamaps.com for an online TripTik®. _______________________ Chicago, IL: Hi, I am getting married in Toronto on Sept. 2nd, and then heading out on a honeymoon the next afternoon. We are on a tight budget, but friends of ours have generously offered to loan us their summer-home on Prince Edward Island (near Souris), and we are planning on driving from Toronto. Monday the 4th we will be staying in Quebec city, but are trying to figure out where to stay the next night before arriving in P.E.I. Do you have any suggestions for a good place to stopover (even a particularly cute hotel or bed and breakfast)? Or, perhaps you know of a particularly scenic or interesting route? All tips would be appreciated. Thanks, Amber Christine Brown: Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! Try the Carriage House Inn in Fredericton. It's a historic bed & breakfast built in 1875. Or The Colonel's In Bed and Breakfast (also in Fredericton) may be a good choice for you if you're into the B&B/Inn atmosphere. Be sure to call ahead to make reservations. There are lots of hotels, inns, and B&B's listed in AAA's TourBook® guides, which are free to AAA members, so check it out. Or contact the Nova Scotia or P.E.I. Bureau of Tourism for more suggestions - that's what they're there for. Enjoy your honeymoon! _______________________ Asheville, NC: What are the best routes from Asheville, NC to New Bedford, MA? Do you know the approximate time it will take to drive? Christine Brown: It will take you approximately 14 ½ hours to make the almost 900 mile trip from Asheville to New Bedford. There are lots of ways to go, but I'll give you the most direct route. Also, Internet TripTiks® give alternate routes through aaamaps.com if you're interested. Take US-70 W/ I-240 W to US-19 N/ US-23 N toward Weaverville. Merge onto US-26 W, then take Exit 46A onto I-81 N. Stay on I-81 N for about 315 miles, take Exit 300 to get on I-66 E towards Fort Royal/Washington. Take Exit 64B onto I-495 N / Baltimore, then take Exit 27 onto I-95 N / Baltimore. Take I-295 N, which will turn into US-40 E, which turns into the New Jersey Turnpike. Take a slight left at the fork towards I-95 N, then take Exit 20 to get on I-195 E towards US-6 E / East Providence /Cape Cod. Take Exit 15 to get on RT-18 S towards downtown. Take exit towards US-6 / Dartmouth/Fairhaven. Enjoy your trip! _______________________ Wappingers Falls, NY: We are planning an East Coast to West Coast road trip for summer 2007. Our family includes two adults and a set of boy/girl twins who will be approaching their 14th birthday as our road trip approaches. Our current plan is to rent a station wagon type car or a van, camp for two or three nights then stay in a hotel as we travel through the northern states, visiting National Parks and other sites to learn more of American history. We hope to include some adventure travel also. Once we get to the West Coast we plan to fly home. We have at least 14 days for this trip. We can not agree on an ending point. Should we aim for Washington, Oregon or Northern California? Christine Brown: Sounds like your family is up for quite an adventure! I love Northern California, and there are lots of options when you're trying to figure out which airport to fly out of. Enjoy the northern portion of our beautiful country! Be sure to stop and see the Redwood National Park -- the immense, petrified trees are breathtaking. _______________________ Potomac, MD: My husband and I are leaving for Milan, Italy Sept. 5 and returning the 19th. We are renting a car. The places we want to visit are the Lake District, Cinque Terre and Tuscany. What route would you take that would use time the most wisely, and so that we backtrack as little as possible? What places should we stop for the night? Christine Brown: That's something you need to talk to a travel agent about one-on-one. But be sure you have an International Driver Permit before you leave the States! And don't forget your regular Driver License as well -- the IDP doesn't take its place. _______________________ Tucson, AZ: Hi, Christine! My husband and I are taking a road trip into NB, and Nova Scotia in September-October. We will be taking the CAT ferry back into the states, from Nova Scotia. Will we have to worry about a long line for customs coming back into the states from the ferry? We aren't sure how the proceedings go at this point. Thanks a lot! Christine Brown: Here's a link to the Cat Ferry website. You should be able to get some pretty detailed information about what to expect there catferry.com. Enjoy your trip! _______________________ Christine Brown: That's all the time I have for today. Thanks for tuning in! If I didn't get to your question, my apologies. I'd recommend talking to a travel agent or the Bureau of Tourism for your destination. It's been fun! Be sure to check out aaa.com for member discounts, the fuel cost calculator, online mapping, trip planning, insurance and more. Safe Travels! Christine _______________________