Florida for Families

1. Getting in shape "Take yoga classes before you go: Yoga works the whole body, stretches muscles, and gets you used to balancing. You don't want to wake up after your first day and be too sore to ski." Troy Hawks, editor, National Ski Areas Association Journal 2. Packing "Most airlines let you travel with a ski bag as one of your checked bags. Just be aware of the weight allowance." Mike Douglas, Salomon International Ski Team 3. Car rentals "If you're renting a car, call ahead to reserve a four-wheel drive or snow tires. Don't settle for chains. There's no worse nightmare than dealing with chains." Phil McNichol, head men's coach, U.S. Ski Team 4. Acclimating "I never ski the first day. Your body is tired, so you're at greater risk of injury. Go for a walk or run instead. It'll help you adjust to the climate and altitude." Olympic gold medalist Julia Mancuso (giant slalom, 2006) 5. Selecting skis "Call a ski shop near the resort and reserve demos. They're high-end skis that won't make you look like a gaper, the way most rentals do." Jonny Moseley, Olympic gold medalist (moguls, 1998) and Ski Channel advisor 6. Socks "Ski socks are way better than standard cotton socks. They allow more blood flow, have cushioning where boots can accommodate it, and are warmer. And before you put them on, spray your feet with antiperspirant. Your feet will be drier and warmer." Dee Byrne, director, Vail Snowsports School 7. Helmets "For the sport of alpine ski racing, helmets are required at every level of competition, and that's trickling down. Skiers without helmets are in the minority." Andy LeRoy, head alpine coach, University of Denver 8. Scoping out the mountain "Most resorts offer tours at the beginning of the day. Take one that's geared to your level. It'll help you pick out the runs you'll really enjoy. Besides, tours are a great way to meet people." Tom West, president and CEO, U.S. National Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame and Museum 9. Safety "Don't end the day with a difficult run. Not only will you have already peaked, but the conditions change. In late afternoon, the light gets flat, the temperatures go down, and everyone else is tired. Statistics show that most accidents occur late in the day." Tim White, executive director, National Ski Patrol

Publicists are tempting bloggers with freebies, just as they've long wooed other travel writers. Will bloggers be nicer if they're not paying? It sure seems possible. Before trusting a blog, see if it's open about conflicts of interest. (Members of the Trusted Travel Blogs Network pledge to be honest; look for its logo.) And scan to see how often readers post comments. A group of watchful readers is a sign that a blogger will be held accountable for doing anything shady.

British anthropologist Philomena Keet recently stopped by our office to chat about the making of The Tokyo Look Book, a photo overview of Tokyo's dynamic street fashions, which comes out November 1 from Kodansha International ($30; barnesandnoble.com). Keet, dressed in a green brocade coat counterbalanced by her brilliantly red hair, pauses before trying to summarize the complex world of Japanese subculture styles. "Tokyo isn't like any other city; there is not such a one, dominant mainstream culture. Instead, there are mini-markets and micro-masses created and fed by niche magazines and boutiques. In Japan, fashion doesn't have any moral disapproval or negative associated with it." Keet's book, created by pounding Tokyo's pavement for five months with a photographer, is unique in its scope. Not only does she profile specific youth subcultures concentrated in a few celebrated districts, but she also turns a lens on the rest of Tokyo society. She finds that many Japanese, even conservative salarymen, are individualizing their looks in ever bolder ways. To see some examples, check out the slide show. Keet listed for us the must-see neighborhoods for travelers who want to see Tokyo's street styles for themselves. Here are the areas to head for and what to expect when you get there: Shibuyu and Harajuku are the main centers of Tokyo's youth fashion scenes. Weekends—when all the kids change from school uniforms to full subculture gear—are especially vibrant. Make sure to check out the groups standing on Jingubashi Bridge next to the Harajuku station, wander around the backstreets of Harajuku, and visit Shibuyu 109 mall, where many of the trendiest boutiques are located. As a little antidote to all the frills and youth of Harajuku, check out the nearby Aoyama area; you'll find avant garde high fashion boutiques, such as the Japanese label, Comme des Garçons. Keet also recommends the districts of Daikanyama and Naka-Meguro for great street style without the tourists and wannabes that now clog Harajuku's sidewalks. Marunouchi is where to find a lot of sophisticated, high-fashion, international boutiques (think Louis Vuitton) and salary, or business, men and women. Ginza is another upscale neighborhood to spot more high-end fashion. Akihabara is where the otaku, or geek subculture, like to hang out. It is also know for its high concentration of "maid cafés," a business phenomenon in which male customers are served obsequiously by women dressed as French maids. Another phenomenon, particularly popular in the Shinjuku and Raponggi neighborhoods, is the host club, a nightclub that's the inverse of a geisha house. Women pay extravagant cover fees and drink prices to exchange pleasantries with good-looking, well-dressed, entertaining young men. Keet warns travelers that an evening's bill might easily be over a thousand dollars. "Typically, the clientele for host clubs are women who are night workers themselves. They pay to be treated well, and are often the only ones who can afford it." Luckily, passing these hosts on the street, as one often does in these neighborhoods, is entertainment enough—and free. You can find a lot of vintage stores—often stocked with t-shirts imported from the United States—in Koenji and Shimokitazawa. Youth decked out as rockabillies hang out in Yoyogi Park, during its famous Sunday flea market.

BT Top Pick * The star goes to the guidebook that the insider considers the most useful. OUR PANELISTS Marta Falconi Born in Rome 27 years ago, she's now a reporter in the Associated Press's bureau there. Christopher P. Winner The editor and publisher of The American magazine has lived in Rome since 1975. Sofia Celeste Based in Rome since 2004, she has written for The Wall Street Journal and The Boston Globe. THE BOOKS Rick Steves' Rome 2008 ($18) Marta Falconi: A friendly approach, with first-person reports, B&W photos, and hand-drawn maps. Restaurants get less play than attractions, and nightlife coverage is virtually nonexistent. Best for backpackers or families with little time in the city. Christopher Winner: A long, generally precise monologue. But basic needs like lodging and food aren't separated from tourism, and the religious coverage is nearly double that of entertainment and dining. What the guide lacks in maps--there are few--it makes up for in clear writing. Sofia Celeste: Written with the humor and street smarts of a local, and full of insider info. The restaurant guide will lead you to the best little-known spots as well as the nearest McDonald's. Anyone looking for the trendiest places, however, will want to hang out with someone other than Rick Steves. The Rough Guide to Rome, 2007 ($18) Marta Falconi: The best take of the three on the Vatican, with essential maps. No ratings, though, so you can't tell at a glance which attractions you can ignore. In general, descriptions are only a few lines, and some restaurant/bar entries are outdated. At least one closed long ago. Christopher Winner: * Time Out's gloss meets Steves's primitivism. Listings are approachable, and there are eight maps at the back of the book. Best of all, a Contexts section includes lovely excerpts about the city and astute book tips--it's just one more example of the book's attention to detail. Sofia Celeste: Seeking a tour that includes the setting of Tosca? This is the guidebook for you. It's thick with historical and cultural background, but lacks a simple breakdown of restaurants, hotels, and clubs. Definitely better for more-mature travelers. Time Out Rome, 2007 ($20) Marta Falconi: * A hip, entertaining guide packed with the latest on bars, restaurants, and trends--even most locals would find it useful. Quality photos and smooth graphics make for better reading. Nothing seems to be missing; the book even has a small glossary of pizza toppings. Christopher Winner: The attitude can be jarring: An essay on art is subtitled, "So many Virgins, so little time...." Please. The nightlife and entertainment sections are the best around, making the book a better bible for the 20-something crowd than for anyone else. Sofia Celeste: * Goes beyond a directory of boutique hotels and day spas (though that's here, too) with insightful articles on topics such as Pope Benedict XVI. Despite Time Out's fairly youthful reputation, bargain hunters should look elsewhere.