Health Products That Could Save Your Trip

1. Jet lag "It takes your body typically one day to adjust to each time zone traveled, so if you've gone through seven or eight time zones, it'll be about one week before your internal clock matches the actual time. The main factors in resetting your biological clock are light exposure and melatonin. If you've traveled eastward, you can fool your body's reactions to the time zone by getting light exposure early in the day. If you've gone westward, you're trying to extend your day, so you want light exposure in the evening. Melatonin (available over-the-counter in the U.S.) is a clock-resetting agent. Adults traveling eastward can take three milligrams before going to bed upon arriving at their destination." It's less useful for westward travel, though. —Dr. Robert Sack, professor of psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, with an expertise in sleep disorders 2. Economy-class syndrome (a.k.a. deep vein thrombosis) "Flights longer than eight hours increase your risk for DVT, a blood clot that forms in a vein, which can lead to fatal complications. Cases are rare, though. Out of every million travelers who fly, only about 27 are struck with DVT. The risk factor tends to be found in people who have had heart failure, a history of pulmonary embolism, a hip or knee replacement in the last six months, or any neurological weakness of the legs. Medications that put people at risk include oral contraceptives and estrogen replacement therapy. Pregnancy also puts you at risk. But that doesn't mean you should stop traveling. Prevent DVT by staying hydrated and exercising calf muscles by pumping your foot at the ankle and wiggling your toes and feet. When the flight allows it, get out of your seat and walk in the aisle. You want to have the blood flowing in your legs." —Dr. Daniel Becker, professor of internal medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine; coauthor of the medical journal article "Air Travel and Venous Thromboembolism: A Systemic Review" 3. Colds and flus "Cold and flu viruses can live on surfaces for anywhere from a few hours to a few days. Norovirus (a.k.a. stomach flu, with symptoms like diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting) can survive on surfaces for two to four weeks. You can reduce your risk of getting ill by 30 to 50 percent with frequent hand washing. Use alcohol gel hand sanitizers, if you can't always get to a sink with soap while traveling. When purchasing gels, look for bottles that say 'sanitizer'—because that label is FDA-approved—and that have at least a 70 percent alcohol content." —Dr. Charles P. Gerba, microbiologist, University of Arizona 4. Seasickness "Request a mid-ship cabin. Picture the ship like a child's seesaw: There's much less motion in the middle. If you feel queasy, situate yourself mid-ship on a low, outside deck, preferably standing up. Getting fresh air and staring at the horizon might help." —Dr. John Bradberry, medical director, Carnival Cruise Lines 5. Food-borne illnesses Follow the advice, 'Cook it, peel it, wash it, or forget it.' Thoroughly cooking food destroys bacteria. Fruits that you can peel, like oranges, are safe to eat. If you are going to wash the food, you have to wash it carefully. In some places, the water is a little risky." —Dr. Ewen Todd, professor, Dept. of Advertising, Public Relations, & Retailing, Michigan State University; former director, National Food Safety and Toxicology Center, Michigan State University 6. Sunburn (especially for kids) "Severe sunburns and excessive sun exposure increase the risk for skin cancer later in life. Liberally use sunblock with a sun protection factor (SPF) rating of 30 or higher and reapply every three or four hours. You don't need to spend more money on sunblock with higher SPF ratings (such as 45 or higher) because there's no evidence those levels are more effective. What counts is reapplying SPF 30 sunscreen frequently. Parents should also keep kids out of the sun during the hot hours between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Take a siesta!" —Dr. Rick Malley, associate professor of pediatrics, Harvard Medical School; senior associate physician in the Division of Infectious Diseases, Children's Hospital Boston; Travel and Geographic Medicine Clinic staff, Children's Hospital Boston 7. Avoid germs on airplanes "Jet cabins are unnaturally dry and suck moisture out of the mucos membranes in your mouth and eyes, whose immune cells and enzymes otherwise help break down invading pathogens. Staying hydrated keeps those membranes functioning well and protects your natural defenses against colds and the flu. You could also use the little overhead vent above your seat, turning it on to low or medium power and adjust the airflow so it falls right in front of your face. This current may push away germs floating your way and prevent them from entering your eyes, nose, and mouth." —Dr. Mark Gendreau, senior staff physician and vice chair of emergency medicine, Lahey Clinic, Burlington, Mass; coauthor of the medical journal article "Medical Issues Associated with Commercial Flights" RELATED ARTICLE >> Health Products That Could Save Your Trip

The Edison, Los AngelesThe 1920s scene at legendary watering holes like the Cocoanut Grove and Ciro's of Hollywood inspired this cavernous lounge, where current industry players mingle in their best vintage cocktail dresses and blazers. The Edison is in the basement of a former power plant; leather furniture surrounds preserved industrial elements like furnaces and power generators. Silent movies play on brick walls, and a circus troupe performs weekly. On Soup Kitchen Fridays, drinks mixed from house-made Bath Tub Gin are 35¢ from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and come with free grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup. edisondowntown.com. The Violet Hour, ChicagoLuxurious floor-to-ceiling velvet curtains create intimate spaces inside the Violet Hour, discreetly hidden behind an unmarked, wood-paneled door. Circles of high-backed leather chairs and the warm glow from crystal chandeliers and working fireplaces encourage conversation. So does a strict no-cell-phones policy. Eight kinds of ice—shards, crushed, and cubes of varying shapes—are tailored to specific drinks, which gives an idea of how seriously this bar takes its cocktails. A favorite is the Juliet and Romeo, Beefeater gin with mint, cucumber, and rosewater ($12). theviolethour.com. APO Bar + Lounge, PhiladelphiaLook for the pharmacy cross marking the entrance to APO, short for apothecary—a place where ingredients like gin and bitters were put to medicinal use way before the cocktail was born. Inside the sleek, green-hued lounge, barkeeps sporting '30s-style suits serve cocktails spruced up with creative, unusual ingredients. The Booty Collins, for instance, is green-tea-infused gin with brandied cherries, passion fruit, and homemade seltzer, finished with agave nectar, cayenne pepper, and fresh valerian root ($10). The bar recently introduced a simpler recession-proof menu of $6 drinks that lose the exotic accents and just mix fine spirits with fresh fruit juices. apothecarylounge.com. Flatiron Lounge, New York CityIn a landmark 1900 building in Manhattan's Flatiron District, this lounge evokes jazz-age glamour with velvet bar stools, red circular booths, and an entire wall covered in blue vintage mirrored-glass tiles. The anchor is the 1927 mahogany bar salvaged from The Ballroom, where Frank Sinatra partied. Painstakingly crafted drinks range from fresh-fruit-infused cocktails ($13) to daily martini flights—three mini cocktails with a common theme, such as the Flight Back in Time, featuring a Sazerac, a Sidecar, and an Aviation martini ($22). flatironlounge.com. The Beehive, BostonNamed for a Paris café des artistes that once hosted artists Marc Chagall and Amadeo Modigliani, this Moulin Rouge-esque supper club presents jazz, cabaret, and burlesque performances on a shimmering stage draped with theatrical red-velvet curtains. At round stage-side tables, diners feast on stick-to-your-ribs comfort food like gravy-smothered poutine. Chandeliers hang among exposed pipes over the perpetually packed bar, known for champagne cocktails and Beehive juleps ($10.50). beehiveboston.com. Velvet Tango Room, ClevelandThis funky 1800s brick house was a speakeasy during the '20s, and it feels like not much has changed since then, as evidenced by the well-used jazz piano and the secret room hidden behind a two-way mirror. Bartenders measure ingredients on scales to ensure exact proportions go into cocktails ($15) made with throwback mixers like frothy egg whites, fresh-brewed bitters, and homemade ginger soda. velvettangoroom.com. Illusions Magic Bar, BaltimoreWith custom-made chandeliers above the cherry wood bar and jazz and swing played on the piano, Illusions gives the impression of being like any other roaring '20s-themed jazz club. Not so on Friday and Saturday evenings, when the stage—cut into the middle of the bar—hosts a one-hour vaudeville-style magic show ($5 cover). House magician Spencer Horsman escapes from a straitjacket while hanging upside down from the ceiling, a feat best appreciated while sipping a multilayered "magic" martini of Hpnotiq liqueur, Stoli raspberry vodka, pineapple juice, and Chambord ($12). The low-key second-floor lounge has leather sofas and retro magician posters that go nicely with Magic Hat beers ($3). illusionsmagicbar.com. Shanghai 1930, San FranciscoChina's largest metropolis was known as the Paris of the Orient during the pre-WWII era, when diplomats, artists, and expats mingled at over-the-top Chinese dining palaces. That decadent ambience is re-created at this supper club, which has dark wood booths, art deco red-velvet chairs, and ornate Chinese rugs. After feasting on opulent dishes like minced roast duck in lettuce petals ($13) guests retire to the backlit Blue Bar for live jazz and absinthe-spiked cocktails ($9–$14). shanghai1930.com. Sazerac Bar, New OrleansThe fabled bar that first popularized the Ramos Gin Fizz and its namesake Sazerac reopened on July 1 the revamped Roosevelt Hotel. Paul Nina's original art deco murals adorn the walls of the bar, which has been closed since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Also inside the hotel, the legendary Blue Room supper club—where Louis Armstrong and Jimmy Durante cut their chops—will once again host periodic evenings of Dixieland jazz and big band music. therooseveltneworleans.com.

EPHRAIM, WIS. on LAKE MICHIGAN In a nod to the area's Scandinavian roots, the small town of Ephraim has many lakefront restaurants that still host nightly fish fries, a tradition brought here by immigrants from Norway. The combination of freshly caught lake fish, onions, and red potatoes is served up in style at the Old Post Office Restaurant, where cooks scoop the fish from cast-iron kettles heated over an open fire in the backyard. At dusk, take in one of the best sunset views from the deck of Scuppers, a red-sailed boat captained by Tom Schroeder of Bella Sailing Cruises, which operates out of South Shore Pier (920/854-2628, two-hour cruise $30). Captain Tom can ferry you across Eagle Harbor to see the squat Eagle Bluff Lighthouse at Peninsula State Park, celebrating its centennial this year. For more active pursuits on the water, Door County Kayak Tours leads six daily lake tours from Egg Harbor, which include a brief kayaking lesson and transportation to and from the point of embarkation (920/344-6641, doorcountykayaktours.com, $48 per person). If going it alone is more your style, rent a kayak from the Ephraim Kayak Center, on Eagle Harbor (920/854-4336, from $12 per hour). Rainy-day fun for the whole family can be had at the Hands On Art Studio; kids can make their own jewelry or paint ceramics. Visiting in June? Hit the Fyr Bal Festival, held each year near the summer solstice, with music, fish boils, and beachfront bonfires intended to rid the lake of the "winter witch." Where to refuel Since its founding Ephraim has prohibited the sale of alcohol, so the only microbrew you'll find is the homemade root beer at Wilson's Restaurant and Ice Cream Parlor. Have it blended into a "frosty" with vanilla ice cream (920/854-2041, wilsonsicecream.com, from $4.50). Where to stay In the historic district, the white clapboard Eagle Harbor Inn is the kind of place where guests relax in Adirondack chairs scattered on the lawn. (920/854-2121, eagleharborinn.com, from $98). Easy escape from Green Bay, Wis. (73 miles). WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. on SENECA LAKE The Finger Lakes region of New York State has developed a reputation for wine, especially crisp whites. Three wine trails wind around the long, narrow bodies of water that give the region its name, carved out millennia ago by retreating glaciers. A good place to start is the handsome town of Watkins Glen, at the extreme southern tip of Lake Seneca—within easy driving distance of 35 different wineries producing good Rieslings and Chardonnays. If that sounds too highfalutin, head to Watkins Glen International, a racetrack that hosts NASCAR every August; in September there's a classic-car grand prix featuring machines dating back to the 1930s. Exploring the lake is easy, as several companies offer cruises. You'll feel the wind in your hair on the deck of the sleek sailboat operated by Seneca Sailing Adventures. It holds just six passengers, and leaves twice a day for three-hour cruises (607/742-5100, senecasailingadventures.com, from $50 per person). If you're a hiker or mountain biker, try Finger Lakes National Forest, between Seneca and and Cayuga lakes, where 30 miles of trails pass through gorges, ravines, and woodlands. Keep an eye out for birds like the red-tailed American kestrel. Kids can get close to tamer animals—goats, sheep, turkeys, and other relatively mellow farm dwellers—at the 175-acre Farm Sanctuary (607/583-2225, farmsanctuary.org, $3, kids $1). Rent a canoe or kayak at Summit to Stream Adventures, which also leads guided tours through the Queen Catherine Marsh, an 882-acre wetland (607/535-2701, summittostream.com, kayak or canoe rental $25 per day). Where to refuel The Wildflower Café is a cute store in downtown Watkins Glen; you can sample microbrews from Rooster Fish Brewing. Locals say the pizzas, like the pepperoni-topped "rooster pie," are delicious (607/535-9797, roosterfishbrewing.com, pizzas from $7). Where to stay The Idlwilde Inn is a grand Victorian building with a turret and a wraparound porch (607/535-3081, idlwildeinn.com, from $95). Easy escape from Ithaca, N.Y. (38 miles), or Binghamton, N.Y. (80 miles). WOLFEBORO, N.H. on LAKE WINNIPESAUKEE Wolfeboro bills itself as "the oldest summer resort in America," and you'll believe it when you get a load of the gingerbread gracing many of the Victorian-era buildings. Lake Winnipesaukee's cabins and campsites made this area a popular summer getaway in the '50s and '60s, and a few decades later wealthy weekenders bought up the choicest bits of real estate. The result is an interesting blend of high and low culture. Jet Skis zip around slow-moving yachts on the lake, which is dotted with 253 islands. Mount Washington Cruises offers sightseeing excursions across the lake to Weirs Beach (603/366-5531, cruisenh.com, $25, kids $12). Stick around and you can indulge your child (or your inner child) on the bumper cars at Half Moon Amusement Arcades, an old-school penny arcade. A bit farther afield, in the town of Moultonborough, is Castle in the Clouds, a mountaintop mansion built in the arts and crafts style popular in the beginning of the last century (603/476-5900, castleintheclouds.org, $12). Rent a powerboat from the oldest marina on Lake Winnipesaukee, Goodhue & Hawkins (603/569-2371, goodhueandhawkins.com, from $240 per day). Or enjoy the scenery from a canoe—Dive Winnipesaukee specializes in lake-diving trips but also offers equipment rentals (603/569-8080, divewinnipesaukee.com, canoes from $35 per day). Where to refuel Wolfeboro's casual Wolfetrap Grill and Rawbar serves traditional clam boils, featuring a pound of steamers, corn bread, corn on the cob, and coleslaw (603/569-1047, wolfetrap.com, lobster entrées from $18). Where to stay For a taste of old-time Wolfeboro, Clearwater Lodges has knotty-pine family cottages just a stone's throw from the shore (603/569-2370, clearwaterlodgesnh.com, from $140, including a full kitchen). Just south of downtown Wolfeboro, the Lake Motel is an old standby, with expansive grounds that run down to the water. Guests can use kayaks, canoes, and rowboats for free (888/569-1110, thelakemotel.com, from $114). Easy escape from Manchester, N.H. (51 miles), or Portland, Maine (64 miles). JOSEPH, ORE. near WALLOWA LAKE The sky-blue waters of Wallowa Lake, hemmed in by the tall, rocky Wallowa Mountains, bear more than a passing resemblance to Lake Geneva—hence the nickname "the Switzerland of America." Recently, the town has become a mecca for artists working in bronze; the Valley Bronze Gallery opened here in 1982. Take a tour of the Valley Bronze Foundry, which specializes in casting sculptures in the metal (541/432-7445, valleybronze.com, $15). There's even a self-guided "bronze walk," a series of 15 bronze sculptures along both sides of Main Street. For a bird's-eye view of the area, take a ride up the Wallowa Lake Tramway, which bills itself as the steepest in North America (541/432-5331, wallowalaketramway.com, $24, kids $14). Horseback riding is a popular pastime in nearby Eagle Cap Wilderness, where summer visitors sometimes see black bears nibbling on huckleberries. There's no charge to ride the trails, but Wilderness Outfitters Network offers numerous guided horseback tours throughout the Eagle Cap Wilderness. Hikers gravitate toward Hell's Canyon National Recreation Area, home of the deepest gorge in North America. For a dose of serenity on the water, rent a kayak from Wallowa Lake Marina (541/432-9115, wallowalakemarina.com, $15 per hour). Where to refuel Run by a pair of big-hearted sisters, Old Town Café is the best place to start the day. Fill up on the classic old-town breakfast: layers of home-style potatoes, scrambled eggs, cheese, and bacon (541/432-9898, entrées from $8.50). Where to stay If you're looking for rustic charm, you can't beat the lodging at Flying Arrow Resort—these rustic log cabins are great for families. (541/432-2951, flyingarrowresort.com, from $125). Built in 1915, Belle Pepper's B&B is a lovingly restored country estate (541/432-0490, bellepeppersbnb.com, from $95, two-night minimum). Easy escape from Walla Walla, Wash. (110 miles). LAKE LURE, N.C. on LAKE LURE If Lake Lure looks familiar, it might be because the area stood in for the Catskill Mountains in the film Dirty Dancing. The scenery is spectacular—those are the Blue Ridge Mountains in the distance—and the more than 21 miles of shoreline along the lake make it easy to find an isolated spot for an impromptu picnic. Afterwards, paddle around the glass-smooth waters in kayaks—rent one at the Lake Lure Marina (877/386-4255, lakelure.com/rentals, from $10 per hour). Looking for more speed? Get a motorized pontoon boat to tool around in (from $80 per hour). Hikers head to Chimney Rock Park, which has craggy peaks and a trail that leads to Hickory Nut Falls. Climb to the centerpiece, a huge pillar of granite called the Chimney, with 75-mile views in all directions. Reward yourself afterward with some pampering at Allure, a spa inside the 1927 Lake Lure Inn. The town itself is home to mom-and-pop businesses like an old-fashioned general store called Dalton's where you can get anything from a fishing license to a fried baloney sandwich (828/625-9750). Where to refuel Overlooking the lake, the Point of View Restaurant has plenty of choices, including a tasty broiled fish sandwich and a mountain trout entrée (828/625-4380, thepointofview.com, from $9). Where to stay Chimney Rock Inn, on Lake Lure's Main Street, has country cottages decked out with antiques (800/625-2003, chimneyrockinn.net, from $90). Easy escape from Asheville, N.C. (28 miles), and Charlotte, N.C. (91 miles). CELINA, OHIO on GRAND LAKE Once a reservoir for the Miami-Erie Canal, Grand Lake was constructed between 1837 and 1845 by a crew of 1,700 men who were paid a daily wage of 30¢ and a jigger of whiskey (which was thought to prevent malaria). The lake is now just for recreation, but locals honor its past with the annual summertime Celina Lake Festival, held on the lakefront July 24 to 26, 2009. There are events like a beauty contest, fishing derby, classic-car show, and a boat race with vessels built entirely of cardboard and duct tape. Fishing is one of the most popular activities on the lake, and there are dozens of tournaments held every year; anglers covet largemouth bass, bluegills, and crappies. The lake, part of Grand Lake Saint Marys State Park, has tons of family-friendly activities, from tubing to swimming to bird-watching. Rent a canoe at the campground office and paddle around at your own speed, keeping an eye peeled for the lake's population of bald eagles (419/394-2774, $6 per hour, $3 after the first hour). Where to refuel For picture-perfect views of the lake, there's Pullman Bay. The home-baked pies (by the slice or the whole thing) are the main draw—try the sugar cream or the butterscotch. The fried chicken is tasty, too (419/586-1664, entrées from $9). Where to stay At the white clapboard West Bank Inn, all of the rooms face the water (866/359-8624, westbankinn.com, from $100). Easy escape from Columbus, Ohio (108 miles), or Fort Wayne, Indiana (64 miles). MAMMOTH LAKES, CALIF. in MAMMOTH LAKE BASIN The town of Mammoth Lakes is famous as a winter destination, but those in the know head here in summer, when the crowds are small, the temperatures are mild, and the High Sierra terrain is in bloom. You have your pick of more than a dozen lakes, each with their own personality. Massive Mono Lake, for example, is best for birding, as the salty inland sea attracts throngs of eared grebes, Wilson's phalaropes, and California gulls. For a stunning aerial view of the landscape, try a sunrise hot air balloon excursion with Mammoth Balloon Adventures (760/937-8787, mammothballoonadventures.com, one-hour tour $165 per person), which includes a sparkling cider toast. Crowley Lake is popular with kayakers, and you can rent a kayak at the Crowley Lake Marina from Caldera Kayak (760/934-1691, calderakayak.com, from $30 for a half day). The five lakes in the Mammoth Lake Basin—Twin, Horseshoe, Mamie, George, and Mary—are where anglers go for rainbow, brook, and brown trout. There's plenty to do on dry land, too: Head west over the Tioga Pass and you're in Yosemite National Park, with its plunging waterfalls. Kids love exploring the real-life ghost town that's at the center of Bodie State Historic Park—a handful of spooky wooden storefronts are all that remain of the gold-rush town that once had 65 saloons. Getting to the town involves a bit of a drive: it's 60 miles north of Mammoth Lakes. Where to refuel Gourmet food at a gas station? That's what you'll get at the Whoa Nellie Deli, at the Tioga Gas Mart in the nearby town of Lee Vining. Try the lobster taquillos with tomatillo-pineapple salsa (760/647-1088, entrées from $15). Where to stay Cinnamon Bear Inn is a downtown B&B popular with outdoorsy travelers (800/845-2873, cinnamonbearinn.com, from $99). Easy escape from Carson City, Nev. (135 miles), and Fresno, Calif. (186 miles) LAKE PLACID, FLA. on LAKE PLACID When Melvil Dewey, creator of the Dewey Decimal System, settled in this area of south-central Florida to open a hotel, he found it so similar to his hometown of Lake Placid, N.Y., that he convinced residents to change the name. Shops sell crafts, clothes, and antiques in the small town, which has an outsize reputation for its caladiums: leafy red, pink, and white plants that peak in late summer. The lake is a convenient jumping-off point for exploring wildlife preserves and state parks. Twenty miles to the north, Highlands Hammock State Park is a dense jungle of cabbage palms, ferns, hardwood trees, and orchids and other air plants (park admission $6 per car). You may spot river otters, barred owls, white-tailed deer, and, if you're lucky, a panther or a bobcat. The elevated wooden Cypress Swamp Catwalk allows visitors to make their way through the swamp floodplain, which is crowded with alligators, turtles, and wading birds. Where to refuel Jaxson's Restaurant takes pride in its farm-to-table approach: fresh herbs from its own garden, ground beef from Hartzell's Meat Market, and even local gator tail, fried or grilled. There's a covered outdoor patio and a laid-back bar; Thursday is karaoke night. Where to stay Tully's Silver Sands Cottages' two-bedroom lakeside cottages sleep six to eight people. After making dinner on the charcoal grills, guests can unwind on private docks as the sun sets over the water (863/465-1354, tullyssilversands.com, from $150, with a two-night minimum). Easy escape from Orlando, Fla. (100 miles), or Miami, Fla. (160 miles). See last year's list of Summer Lake Towns here.

Strategy #1: Start your search at Kayak.com We find that meta-search site Kayak is the all-time best place for scoring the cheapest plane tickets. Our biggest beef with Kayak's competitors is that, when you click to book a fare, you're typically directed to a new page. Sometimes it's only then that you find out your actual departure time. Or worse, you're forced to plug in your dates and departure cities all over again, only to discover more-expensive fares. Kayak stands apart. Once you've found a good flight, click on the price and you'll be sent directly to the airline's website, where the exact price for the exact flight you selected unfailingly appears. Strategy #2: Use fare-history charts to decide if you should delay your ticket purchase It's the classic dilemma: Should you buy the best fare you see today or wait because the price might go down? Here's how to come up with an educated guess. Use Kayak to fetch fares for your itinerary and then click on "Show chart of fare history," which is a link near the top left-hand corner of the search results. If the chart says that the average fare for your route is much higher than the fare you're seeing today, then you should probably book the ticket because it's cheap relative to historic prices. Strategy #3: Monitor fares and be ready to purchase when the price drops Plug in your dates and routes, as well as a price threshold, at a fare-tracking service, such as Yapta or Hotwire's TripWatcher. Each site will ask you to join (free), and then will do several price searches per day. You'll receive an e-mail alert as soon as the flight drops to your specified price. To name your "trigger" price, look at Kayak's fare-history chart to see the lowest fare recorded for this route, and use an amount close to that as your baseline. Yapta is the industry leader for tracking fares—even Google incorporates Yapta's data in its search results. Hotwire's TripWatcher is also excellent, allowing you to program automatic searches of your chosen route over a 60-day window (which is a nice perk and increases the chances you'll find a bargain fare as long as you can be flexible in your travel dates). There is a catch, though: While both sites cover popular routes, neither covers the entire world. Strategy #4: Run a flexible-date search You may save hundreds of dollars by moving your departure or arrival dates by a day or two, either earlier or later. To see how much you might save, we recommend you take Kayak's flexible-date search tool for a spin—it covers the broadest range of routes and airports of the competing tools we tested. In our trials, Expedia's flexible search came up with only the most popular routes, so your route may not qualify. Orbitz's flexible-date calendar gave a nice overview of fares on various days, but departure times were not initially shown. Travelocity provided a few different ways to search flexibly—either within a few days of a selected date, or over selected months—but like Orbitz it failed to show dates and departure times right away. Finally, relative newcomer Trax.com's flexible search tool lacked a "search nearby airports" feature, which meant it gave you fares from major airports, but missed cheaper fares departing nearby. In short, Kayak is your best bet for a flexible-date search. Strategy #5: Book two tickets instead of one You may save hundreds of dollars if you split your international journey into different legs and buy separate tickets for each leg. For example, rather than buy a single ticket for direct flights between Chicago and Barcelona for $1,000, you may be able to buy two tickets—one for a round-trip ticket between Chicago and New York City for $200 and another for a round-trip ticket between New York City and Barcelona for $600—and save about $200. The quickest way to figure out if you can save by booking two tickets is to figure out if there is a hub airport that funnels most American travelers to your overseas destination. Then, look into reserving separate tickets to and from that hub. For instance, Miami is the hub for flights to most destinations in South America and the Caribbean, meaning that a majority of Americans flying southward internationally pass through Miami's airport instead of, say, either Houston or Atlanta. Another hub airport is Los Angeles' LAX, which is the main funnel for people heading to Australia, the South Pacific, and Asia. New York City's airports are common layover spots for most of the planes crossing the Atlantic to Europe and points beyond. We recently tested this approach for a round-trip between Houston and Sydney. Our initial searches on a few travel websites didn't turn up any nonstop flights between the two cities, but we did find multi-stop tickets. Delta's best fare between Houston and Sydney in November was $1,012, with a stop in Los Angeles. That caught our eye. If there's a large number of flights to Australia passing through L.A., then the City of Angels might offer bargain direct flights to Down Under—because the greater volume of flights often prompts a greater number of fare sales. So we checked out fares between L.A. and Sydney. It turns out they started at $652. Next, we did a quick search for round-trip airfares on flights between Houston and Los Angeles. We found flights for $252, bringing our two-flight total to $904—for a savings of 11 percent over Delta's flight for $1,012. If you decide to book two tickets on two different airlines, be sure to allow extra time to make your connections, and consider buying good travel insurance to make sure you're covered in the event of a problem. You can save money on insurance policies by buying them directly from an insurer, such as industry giant TravelGuard (travelguard.com), rather than through a middleman, who will charge a marked-up price. Strategy #6: Shift your trip to another monthWhen all else fails and you just can't get the fare you want, think about off-season travel. In a guidebook, look up your destination's high (or peak) season, low season, and in-between (or "shoulder") season. Then travel at a time when your destination is less crowded—and travel costs are correspondingly lower. But don't get rained on: before you opt for a cheaper season, you'll want to know about the average weather, so search your guidebook (or a site like weather.com) for monthly trends. Web searches on sample itineraries will also reveal which months are cheaper to visit your destination. For instance, we recently discovered that fares from Houston to Australia were as much as $800 lower in November than in January.