New York: Tribeca & City Hall

Budget Travel Editors: Thanks for joining us! Let's get to your questions... _______________________ New York, New York: I am traveling to Belize on January 29, headed to Blancaneux Lodge for a week. I want to buy travel insurance which specifically covers any delays due to weather. Due to the price of the trip, missing one day (due to, for example, a snow delay) will result in my fiancee and I losing many hundreds of dollars. Can you recommend the best travel insurance for this purpose? Budget Travel Editors: Just about every travel insurance policy protects the purchaser against bad weather. Go to a site such as insuremytrip.com or quotetravelinsurance.com to compare policies. Look under "Trip Cancellation" and "Trip Interruption" for specifics on what exactly is covered before paying for anything. If bad weather causes your trip to be delayed or cancelled entirely, the insurance company pays up in full. Along with medical emergencies, bad weather is one of the prime reasons folks buy travel insurance. The weather usually has to be bad enough for the flight to be cancelled, however. If it's a snowy day and the planes are flying, you've got to get yourself to the airport if possible and get on the plane. On the other hand, if the weather is bad enough for flights to be cancelled, the airlines involved generally allow passengers to cancel or change plans without penalty (on a case by case basis). Hotels handle things a little differently, but usually if a customer's flight is cancelled, a hotel will likewise allow the customer to change or cancel with little or no penalty. _______________________ Robbinsdale, MN : I am planning a surprise trip to NYC for my wife immediately after Christmas. Knowing almost nothing about New York I was researching Gray Line tours...Is it worth $99 for three days transportation and entry to the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty observation deck? Or should we suck it up and learn to ride the subway like New York's other 8 million people? Budget Travel Editors: Don't fret about the $99. In a city as big--and as intimidating--as New York, $99 for three days of transportation including informative tour guides, hop-on hop-off access, and entrance into two of the city's top attractions is definitely worth the splurge. But do yourself a favor and give New York's public transportation a try. One of the most thrilling rides for first-timers is aboard the Staten Island Ferry. It's totally free and departs hourly from lower Manhattan's newly refurbished Staten Island Ferry terminal (ferrytime.com). Along the way you'll be treated to first-class views of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, as well photo-gobbling looks at the Manhattan skyline. As for the subway, have no fear. New Yorkers don't, so neither should you. In the meantime, be sure to download our New York Snap Guide on our homepage for more tips about the city. _______________________ Lake San Marcos, California: Which car rental companies offer one-way rentals between Madrid and Barcelona? I would like to pick up a car in downtown Barcelona and return it at the Madrid airport in June 2006. Any suggestions? Vivi Camacho Budget Travel Editors: Most major car rental agencies offer one-way rentals. Our best advice would be to rent your car BEFORE you depart on your trip either directly through one of the major car rental agencies, such as Avis, or through AutoEurope.com (autoeurope.com). As in the US, you should expect to pay more for a one-way drop-off. If you'll be traveling in Spain for longer than two weeks, then we suggest looking into a short-term lease-you can save quite a bit of money by going this route. Be forewarned that you'll also pay considerably more for an automatic car. We also suggest saving money and booking a manual, if you're comfortable with that. And diesel cars are cheaper to fill too. _______________________ New York City: How do I order theater tickets for March 24-25-26 on line??? Budget Travel Editors: Telecharge.com is the most well-known source for booking theater tickets online, however there are some smaller websites, such as TheaterMania.com (theatermania.com) and BroadwayBox.com (broadwaybox.com), that not only allow you to book, but they also offer discounts and promotional codes as well. _______________________ Vineyard Haven, MA: I am planning a vacation to Africa for my son and myself in March of 06 and am thinking about a safari type of vacation. I am in my sixties and Sean is 19 and in college. It may be the last vacation we have with just the two of us and I would like it to be memorable! We are scheduling it for Sean's vacation from 11 Mar to 19 Mar. I am thinking about Kenya or possibly the Sarageti in Tanzania. My budet is limited. We would like to see a lot of wild life and if possible I would like to have an opportunity to interact with some local people. We are not interested in luxurious accommodations - tenting may be fine except that I am concerned about the heat. Lodges would be fine but I would like to avoid standard hotels. It would be nice to include some time for hiking. We would like to visit several parks but I would like to avoid unneccesary vehicle time. I have the impression a lot of the tours are done in "safari" vehicles. There appear to be a number of agencies that do safari trips with a wide range of prices. Should I look for a package that includes air fare from the US or am I better off being responsible for my own flight and looking for a package that includes only the time in Africa? Are there specifics that I should look to include or exclude? Do the packages generally fill up well in advance or can I wait until closer to the vacation time? Am I likely to save some by waiting on either the package in Africa or the air fare? Is there any association of tour operators that can tell me if the operator that I choose is likely to fullfill the promises of the tour as advertised? Ant suggestion would be helpful. Bill Budget Travel Editors: If you're planning to go on safari to Kenya and Tanzania in March, be forewarned that you'll be traveling during the rainy season. We've been assured that rains generally fall only at night, yet the fast-growing foliage means spotting animals can be more challenging. The good news is that March falls within the low season for airfares (Jan. 11--May 31). Your best bet is to book your land and air together in the same package--and book as soon as you possibly can. Africa, and in particular these areas of East Africa, have never been so popular. As a result, packages for the Fall 06 are already selling out. A quick way to find reliable operators is to browse the names listed in good guide books or look for those who are members of the American Society of Travel Agents or the U.S. Tour Operators Association. _______________________ Tuscaloosa,AL: : My fiance and I are planning a honeymoon to England for next May. We'd like to leave on May 21st or 22nd (the wedding is the 20th), and stay for a week. We'd prefer to stay in a Bed and Breakfast in or very near London, nothing too elaborate because we plan to make the most of our time sightseeing. The flight we've been eyeing to book leaves from ATL and lands at Gatwick. Are there any B&Bs that offer complementary or discounts on airport pickups? Our main goals are to see the big things :Natural History Museum, Madame Toussaud's, Big Ben, have English tea, walking tours, anything fun and not too expensive. We like anything historic and aren't into nightlife aside from dinner and maybe a glass of wine at a pub. Garden and house tours would be great. We'd like to get rail passes for the week so that we can explore the English countryside surrounding London, specifically day trips to Bath/Stonehenge, possibly Nottingham/Sherwood Forest, Cotswolds/Shakespeare's home and must see Suffolk (Woodbridge, Ipswich) because I spent three years there as a little girl. We're looking for advice on how to have a cozy, romantic honeymoon, making the most of our week without going broke! Budget Travel Editors: Congratulations! It sounds like you have a wonderful, jam-packed trip ahead of you. Here are some tips for getting started. The low-key Jenkins Hotel, a Georgian town house in Bloomsbury, is decked in floral patterns and owned by an affable and knowledgeable native. Vancouver Studios in Bayswater has a lovely secluded garden in back and houses guests in apartments with full kitchens and antiques. Near Hyde Park, the dainty Rhodes Hotel is decorated with murals, old photographs and botanical prints and serves a choice of continental or classic English breakfast, the latter for a small surcharge . The Garden Court Hotel, a 10-minute walk from Portobello Market, offers 34 uniquely decorated rooms, flower arrangements and comfy leather sofas in the lobby and, naturally, a small garden. It's unlikely that you'll be able to find complimentary transfers from Gatwick, but you can save some pounds by hopping the Gatwick Express to Victoria Station (12 pounds per person, one-way, or 23.50 pounds, round-trip, gatwickexpress.com). Anne Mark, a certified Blue Badge Guide and leader of Marksman Tours, will customize tours, including those of public and private gardens and of villas. In early May, check the latest itineraries from London Walks, a well-reputed and long-standing leader of historic city tours, and from Silver Cane Tours, which tends have a more offbeat selection (Bridget Jones and the Big Knickers, Oscar Wilde's West End). You can brush up on your teatime etiquette with our how-to guide. Consult BritRail for discounted train passes (a second class four-day adult pass is $209, railpass.com/new/). For more insider tips on how to making the most of your British honeymoon, download our free London Snap Guide and read about how to rent a country cottage. _______________________ Budget Travel Editors: Thanks for all your great questions. Next Tuesday, George Hobica will answer your airfare questions. George publishes a daily blog at airfarewatchdog.com and writes the weekly syndicated "Ask George" travel Q&A column for Copley News Service. and will answer your questions from noon to 1 p.m. _______________________

B.A.'s most sophisticated and traditionally upper-class neighborhood. Apart from being the resting place of Evita Perón, Recoleta is also full of chic apartment buildings, boutiques, cafes and restaurants. SEE Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos AiresAvenida Presidente Figueroa Alcorta 3415, 011-54-11/4808-6500, malba.org.arIf you go to only one art museum in the city, MALBA should be the one. Opened in 2001, the state-of-the-art building houses 20th-century and contemporary art from all over Latin America. Exhibitions vary, but the permanent collection has more than 270 works, including masterpieces by Diego Rivera, Fernando Botero, and Antonio Berni. Open Thurs.-Mon., noon-8 p.m., $2.40. Free on Wed. from noon-9 p.m., students always free with ID. Closed Tues. SEE Plaza FranciaAvenida del Libertador and Avenida PueyrredónMore of a grassy slope than a traditional "plaza," indie rock and reggae musicians congregate here on Sat. and Sun., while vendors hawk regional crafts, such as knives with handmade leather handles and traditional maté cups. Locals like to vegetate on the lawn and sip maté, weather permitting. SEE Recoleta CemeteryCalle Junín 1760, 4803-1594Eva Peron's surprisingly discreet family tomb has made the graveyard one of the most famous landmarks in B.A. There's a lot more to investigate, from ostentatious mausoleums to unkempt and eerie underground tombs with exposed coffins. Open daily 7 a.m.-5:45 p.m. Free. EAT Los Porteños Avenida General Las Heras 2101, 4809-3548An old-school, wood-paneled B.A. bistro a block away from the Recoleta Cemetery serving everything from cuts of grilled meat to pizza. It's perfect for dropping in any time of day or night. A good place for a morning coffee and to read up on regional news in the Buenos Aires Herald. Window signs feature the classic porteño rounded script. Open Mon.-Thurs. until 1:30 a.m., Fri.-Sat. until 7 a.m. EAT R.M. Ortiz Opposite the main entrance to Recoleta Cemetery The good restaurants that line this short street all have private terrace patios (a rarity in the neighborhood). The area is touristy, but between the great outdoor seating and plentiful grilled Argentine steaks ($8-10), you won't be sorry you made the trip. SPLURGE Au Bec FinCalle Vicente López 1827, 011-54-11/4807-3765, aubecfin.com.ar A 1920s mansion restaurant that has an opulent, belle epoque dining room with crimson carpets and walls, and rounded settees. The crab-stuffed trout (trucha) or the chateaubriand beef with goat-cheese gratinée from the French-heavy menu are both superb. $16 for full lunch menu, around $40 for dinner. DRINK MiliónCalle Paraná 1048, 011-54-11/4815-9925, milion.com.ar Taking up three stories of a converted mansion, this posh bar has high ceilings, high-backed armchairs, and engraved wood finishing. There's a long list of cocktails, and beers are $2. Seats in the candlelit garden are hard to come by in warm weather. Note: Bring the address with you; there are no signs for Milión on the street. SHOP Buenos Aires DesignAvenida Pueyrredón 2501, 011-54-11/5777-6000, designrecoleta.com.ar Design aficionados love the mall at the northeast corner of Recoleta Cemetery. Visit and you could end up walking out with a leather folding chair or a tepee-like lamp made of metal rods. If you're not in the market to buy, it's worth going for its gorgeous balconies and cafés overlooking Plaza Francia. SHOP El Ateneo Grand SplendidAvenida Santa Fe 1860, corner Avenida Callao, 011-54-11/4813-6052Claims to be the largest bookstore in Latin America. For 80 years it was a majestic cinema/theater, aptly named the Grand Splendid. In 2000, it was renovated into a beautiful bookstore; its many titles and gold-gilt balconies make it a worthwhile visit for bookworms and cineastes alike. Most books are in Spanish, but there are some in English, French, and Portuguese. SHOP Patio BullrichAvenida del Libertador 750, 011-54-11/4814-7400An elegant, upscale mall with marble floors, tall pillars, and lots of greenery. In addition to international brands like Cacharel and Dolce & Gabbana, you'll also find the best Argentine designers, such as Rapsodia, known for its bohemian chic. PLAY Mint LoungeAvenida Costanera Rafael Obligado and Avenida Sarmiento (Punta Carrasco), 011-54-11/4807-1010 A spacious, sleek club where the best features are the grand windows and the terrace overlooking the Plata River. DJs favor house music and the latest releases. Opens at 1 a.m. on Fri. and Sat. only. Cover from $5.20. PLAY Punta Carrasco Avenida Costanera Rafael Obligado and Avenida Sarmiento, 011-54-11/4807-1010, puntacarrasco.com.ar Hit the upscale sports club for a dip if you can't take the South American heat. The river's-edge complex has three outdoor pools better suited for posing than swimming laps. Open daily 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Mon.-Fri. $4.50, Sat. and Sun. $7.65.

Palermo is the 'it' neighborhood. In recent years it transformed from a family-oriented barrio to the hive of bohemian and fashion activity in B.A. To the west lies the residential area of Chacarita. SEE Bosques de PalermoOne of the many parks in the northeast section of the neighborhood. In one swath of greenery you'll find botanical and Japanese gardens, a zoo, and a hippodrome. A terrific place to spend an afternoon. SEE Plaza ArmeniaA favorite weekend hangout that's unknowingly skipped by tourists but packed with young professionals who fill the artsy cafés and restaurants that border it. Sidewalk terraces are crammed with people and with vendors selling their wares (mainly cheap, trendy jewelry). EAT Lelé de TroyaCalle Costa Rica 4901, 011-54-11/4832-2726There's a room to suit your every mood in this fun, super-inexpensive Argentine/Mediterranean restaurant-red, green, yellow, and blue to be exact. Feeling amorous? Sit on couches in the boudoir-style red room and savor the house specialty, lomo croquante-crispy tenderloin wrapped in phyllo with mushroom mousse and spinach. EAT Pizza Que?Calle Charcas 4037, 011-54-11/4833-3165Rich, stone oven-baked pizzas. Rough wooden tables and candlelight add to the bohemian ambience. Perfect on a cold night; grab a beer with your pie and stay into the wee hours. SPLURGE CabernetCalle Jorge Luis Borges 1757, 011-54-11/4831-3071Sophisticated Argentine-Mediterranean food that's earned a local following. The chef's specialties are a rich lobster-asparagus risotto and an unusually delicious lomo cabernet, medallions of beef wrapped in cured ham with a mushroom and wine reduction. Sit on the stone-paved patio amid lush greenery in summer, or in wood-paneled elegance next to a fireplace in the colder months. A fine four-course meal with wine, coffee, and impeccable service runs $35 per person. DRINK CarnalCalle Niceto Vega 5511, 011-54-11/4772-7582Go early (10 p.m.) to get a table, otherwise you'll stand the whole night. There's a stellar rooftop patio, with rattan recliners. Afterward, head across the street to continue the party at Club 69 (see Niceto Vega, below). DRINK Plaza SerranoOfficially named Plaza Julio Cortazar, the square is lined with some of the city's best bars, cafés, and cocktail lounges. In good weather, the patio chairs come out and the party sprawls onto the street. SHOP Calle GurruchagaBetween Calle Costa Rica and Calle HondurasOver a dozen funky menswear boutiques line this strip, with everything from vintage garb to edgy designer suits. There are also some excellent women's stores along the way, as well as stores selling stylish Argentine brands like Airborn and Felix. SHOP Calle MurilloBetween Calle Malabia and Calle AcevedoA street outside of the city center that's the best place to get a leather jacket made to measure. The easiest way to get there is to take a cab. Just say "Calle Murillo," and they'll know what you mean. The best deals are at Murillo 666 (Calle Murillo 666, 011-54-11/4855-2024). PLAY Los CardonesCalle Jorge Luis Borges 2180, 011-54-11/4777-1112At this traditional open mic (peña), the clientele is likely to burst into song or dance as the night goes on. Listen to live folk music while you dine on regional treats like tamales or humitas (cornhusks filled with spicy ground beef or mashed corn). Good food, wine, and entertainment for around $7. The more the merrier! Reservations recommended. PLAY Niceto VegaCalle Niceto Vega 5510, 011-54-11/4779-9396Hip-hop dancers and a burlesque cabaret troupe (together called Club 69) get the party revved up at this hot club on Thursday nights. It oozes coolness and is loads of fun. Don't get there before 1 a.m., and plan to stay all night. $7-$9. MATÉ Maté refers to the cup in which an herbal brew called yerba is shared. The yerba leaves come from a shrub and when covered with hot water, they produce a bitter, earthy-tasting drink. In a group, the cebador is the person who serves the maté to everyone else. Drink it plain (amargo) or with sugar (dulce) any time of day.

B.A.'s most old-fashioned and touristy neighborhoods. Artists, intellectuals and antique vendors still flock to San Telmo. Nestled by the city's southern port, La Boca was founded by Italian immigrants. SEE CaminitoDocks from Avenida Don Pedro de Mendoza to Calle Olavarría Evoking bygone days in La Boca, this alleyway lined with rickety primary-colored houses, artists selling canvases, and tango performers is the stuff of postcards. It's best to visit in the daytime only; the street's after-dark reputation is dicey. EAT El FederalCalle Carlos Calvo 599, 011-54-11/4300-4313Fabulous porteño bistro with loads of old-world features, such as a recessed floor behind the bar-the bartender peers up at you as he pours. A great place to sample a traditional B.A. grill menu, or to sip gancia con limón (a popular lemony Italian aperitif). Alcoholic drinks come with free munchies, like olives, and palitos-salty chip-like snacks made from wheat and corn. DRINK Calle ChileBlocks between Calle Defensa and Avenida Paseo ColónOn summer evenings especially, locals and tourists alike cram the many sidewalk patios along this street. Its simple cafés and restaurants are known for their generous pitchers of beer. Ignore the slow service and soak up the scene. DRINK GibraltarCalle Perú 895, 011-54-11/4362-5310A hip pub with excellent beers on tap, which are two for one 6 p.m.-10 p.m. And while you will always find a Brit somewhere on the premises, Argentines also enjoy this small slice of England. Great pub grub such as fish-and-chips, too. DRINK Plaza DorregoPrices at the cafés lining this historic square are marked up thanks to tourism. But as you sip your drink, watch tango, or listen to buskers, it's not hard to see why. European-style apartment buildings with wrought-iron balconies overlook the dramatic public space, and on summer nights the plaza erupts into one giant party. SHOP Paseo del 900 Calle Defensa 834An indoor market that's a clutter of antique and jewelry vendors. Old Argentine posters and photos of icons like Che Guevara and Brigitte Bardot fill this veritable museum of memorabilia. SHOP San Telmo Sunday FairThe antiques fair crowds Plaza Dorrego with nostalgia and romance. People come in search of old plates, costume jewelry, and knickknack collectibles. Strains of live tango provide the perfect soundtrack. Merchandise is almost always marked up at this tourist hub on Sundays; bartering recommended. PLAY Centro Cultural Torquato TassoCalle Defensa 1575, 011-54-11/4307-6506A good bet for cheaper, less touristy tango performances. The cultural center has a varied schedule of music and dance performances. It also hosts milongas, or social events open to the public where tangueros of all levels come to practice their moves. Closed Mon.-Wed. $1.75-$6.25. PLAY Club MuseumCalle Perú 535, 011-54-11/4618-1670A large, popular nightclub in a national historical monument. Finished in 1916, the former factory was constructed under the direction of Alexandre Gustave Eiffel, of Eiffel Tower fame. The metal beams and balconies will remind you of his most well-known work. $7 for women, $8.70 for men, dinner included for $10 more. SPLURGE Michelangelo Catedral del TangoCalle Balcarce 433, 011-54-11/4342-7007, michelangelotango.comFine Argentine cuisine and elaborate tango shows performed by top-notch dancers. The renovated stone warehouse evokes a pseudo-illicit theme. Step into the large cellar-like basement and you enter a romanticized version of tango's history in the bordellos, slums, and streets of B.A. Slightly touristy, but good fun. Thurs.-Sun., 8 p.m.-12 a.m. Dinner and show from $63/person. PUERTO MADERO This trendy walkway of restaurants in Buenos Aires's port is the place to be for porteños with thick wallets and fine palettes. The once rough-and-tumble dock has achieved full gentrification; it's now modernized, and brick buildings have been converted into restaurants and apartments. But there's still a budget find: Siga La VacaPuerto Madero, Alicia Moreau de Justo 1714, 011-54-11/4315-6801(Also in Recoleta: Avenida Costanera Rafael Obligado 6340, 011-54-11/4781-4704)This chainlet has become an institution in Buenos Aires, and it's no wonder, with such plentiful quantities of good food and drink for next to nothing. Stuff yourself silly on all the salad and grilled meat you can eat (beef, pork, chicken), plus get a dessert and your choice of a bottle of wine or a pitcher of soda or beer for $8.30.