BT Editors: Welcome to this week's Trip Coach. Let's get to your questions!
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Alexandria, VA: I am taking my family to Rome for Thanksgiving and need a nice but relatively inexpensive hotel for 5. There will be three adults and two children. Would like to be fairly centrally located. Can you assist? Thank you!
BT Editors: Our Rome Snap Guide, the most recent addition to our collection of downloadable mini-guides, is packed with insider tips on the best places to sleep, eat, play and shop. Here are three of the recommended hotels, all right in Rome's centro storico: Hotel Mimosa with doubles from ¿75/$95 and triples from ¿90/$114; Albergo del Sole al Biscione, with doubles from ¿110/$140; and Hotel Navona, with doubles from ¿125/$158 and triples from ¿160/$203. For insights on the best ancient art gallery, cheap city tour, and gelateria, read Rome Sweet Rome, Stephen Heuser's account of a six-month stint when he called the city home.
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Hinesburg, VT: My three sisters and I live in four states: Vermont, Florida, Michigan and California. We get together the first week of April each year for "Sisters Week", In April, 2007, we'd like to spend Sisters Week someplace else in the U.S. suggestions?
BT Editors: What a fun tradition! You four are the perfect audience for our special Girlfriend Getaways magazine. We highlighted 10 U.S. cities for long weekends, full of shopping, spas, culture, and a night out with the girls: Asheville, Austin, Burlington, Memphis, Palm Springs, Portland, Reno, Santa Fe, Scottsdale, and West Palm Beach. Enjoy!
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San Jose, CA: I am going to Barbados in January. I am on a budget and want to stay in a clean safe villa or hotel on the beach. Can you please advise? I would also like to know if I could wait until I get there to get a hotel and pay with Barbados currency?
BT Editors: We'd recommend booking at least the first night in advance. Check out Shells Guesthouse (246/435-7253, barbados.org/gstname.htm) or Cleverdale Guesthouse in Worthing (vrbo.com/11696), where rooms start at around $25/night.For more information on where to stay, read 'Bewitching Barbados.' You can also check out the official tourism website for more lodging options.
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Canton, NY: My three sisters and myself are planning a sisters trip in July 2007. We are in our 50's and would like to find a place to go where we are able to walk to attractions, bars, coffee shops, etc. We prefer the small town atmosphere. Any suggestions?
BT Editors: A few suggestions: Check out our recent articles on the Coolest Small Towns and Four Walkable Cities
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Denver, CO: Hello! My best friend from college and I are planning a trip to London next fall. We are looking for some suggestions to do it on a budget, including B&B's that would cater to two single women traveling together and possible side trips. Although I have been to London twice, both times were when I was younger and all of the travel plans were made for me. Thank you for any suggestions you can give us!
BT Editors: You'll want to check out our London Snap Guide. It's full of recommendations on where to eat, sleep, shop, and play
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Vancover, British Columbia: We are traveling to Vancover in March 2007. We enjoy art theaters, musuems and dining out. What are your top picks? We are in our 60's.
BT Editors: You should definitely try to stop by Vancouver Island. You can get there from Vancouver by ferry (bcferries.com). If you like museums, be sure to check out the Royal BC Museum. Also check out the stunning Butchart Gardens. In Vancouver, check out the Vancouver Art Gallery and the Museum of Anthropology.
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BT Editors: Thanks for all your great questions. See you next week!
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