Smooth Travel for the Holidays

Ana Chavier Caamano: Hi! My name is Ana Chavier Caamano. I'm glad you joined me. I'm ready to answer your questions and I hope I can be helpful. _______________________ State College, PA: My family will be traveling to Dominican Republic in March 2007. We will be flying into Santiago but we will be staying in Puerto Plata. Is there a form of transportation we can take to get from Santiago to Puerto Plata? There will be 8 of us requiring transportation (5 adults and 3 children). We will be staying in Puerto Plata for 1 week and would like to take a mounatin bike tour. Can you recommend a tour or area near Puerto Plata that we could go moutain biking? Thank you. Ana Chavier Caamano: Thanks for writing! I have a few options for your transportation question: (1) If you are staying in one of the all-inclusive resorts in Puerto Plata, check to see if they have a transportation deal (those can be expensive but might be worth it for 8 people--less hassle). (2) If there is no such offer, for transportation from Santiago to Puerto Plata, you'll need to take a taxi from the Santiago airport to the Caribe Tours bus station in Santiago. One leaves every hour (on the half hour) and should cost about US$ 2.50-3.00 per person. Then you'll take a taxi from the Caribe Tours Puerto Plata station to your hotel. (3) Hire a shuttle taxi right outside the airport--like a minivan. You'll want to haggle for a fair price. They'll quote you a really high one (on purpose because they expect you to haggle), get them to go lower. Ask if it has air-conditioning (it sometimes costs extra to run it). I know that was a lot of info, but I hope that helped. Mountain Biking: My favorite tour company to recommend is Iguana Mama and they are located in Cabarete (only 20 minutes from the Puerto Plata airport). They have a few different biking packages to chose from and they'll even arrange for pick up from your hotel if you want (at an extra cost). They do more than biking too. You're going at a wonderful time of year, Have fun! _______________________ Yonkers, NY: My wife and I will be celebrating our 40 anniversay in D.R. on 2/3/07 to 2/10/07. We will be staying in Punta Cana and friends have warned us to beware of food poisoning which they say is rampant. How do we protect ourselves and still enjoy our anniversary? We have been looking forward so much to this special time! Ana Chavier Caamano: First, congratulations on your 40th anniversary! Lots of people have asked me about stomach problems in general. So I'll try to help everyone in this: To protect yourself from stomach problems ruining your otherwise fun vacation, drink lots and lots of bottled water! Don't drink the tap water. Many resorts and hotels have refrigerators that have bottled water. (Make sure first if you drink it, it is not an extra charge.) It's a very easy practice that many vacationers forget to do when they're on holiday surrounded by tropical fruity drinks (alcoholic or not), food plates brimming with delectable treats (familiar and new), all while toasting themselves in the sun for an unusual amount of time. It might not actually be food poisoning they're experiencing, but heat-stroke. Either way, water will help to flush out your system if it is a bug and hydrate you if alcohol and sun (sweating) have dried you out. Concerning actual food poisoning; most resorts have a small medical clinic on site with a doctor and/or nurse on staff. Some of the larger complexes even have a small pharmacy in them. If you want to really play it safe, then at the buffet lines choose cooked food items. This is the safest route. As far as drinking goes, coffee, tea, canned and bottled beverages, carbonated drinks, beer and wine are usually safe. A step further, don't drink beverages with ice. Not a bad idea to pack an anti-diarrhea medication to take with you. They can be quite expensive there. For more information on Traveler's Health go to cdc.gov/travel. _______________________ Payson, AZ: Dear Ana Chavier, I have always wanted to go to the DR, but can't get my husband to commit. We are divers and it seems that the dive reports from others show spotty conditions at best. We also like to hike and he golfs. Having so many choices - Punta Cana, Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata and La Romana, which one would you choose for these activities? Thank you! Alana Ana Chavier Caamano: Hi Alana, thanks for writing. You're absolutely right! There are a lot of choices both for what to do and where to go in the Dominican Republic. While the DR is not known as the world's leading diving hotspot, it is a great place to do all of the things you mentioned in one trip. It's small geographically and easy to get around in, which makes a variety-packed vacation possible. Here's a suggestion: fly into Santiago's International airport, hike near Jarabacoa in the Cordillera Central (there are many different hikes here), travel north toward Puerto Plata to stay and golf at one of the resorts, then go toward Sosúa (not far from Puerto Plata) to snorkel and dive. It totally depends on how much time you've got. Another option (and my choice but might require more time) fly in to Puerto Plata and make your way over to the Samaná Peninsula, take the hike to Salto El Limón where you'll be rewarded with a swim at the foot of the 52 meter waterfall and then dive Cabo Cabrón during the migration of the Humback whales. The Samaná Peninsula is one of my favorite areas. _______________________ Washington, DC: Hi, My husband and I are going to Puerto Plata on January 19-28 and my 21 year old daughter has decided to go with us. We will be staying at Allegro Playa Dorada. I want to know what we can expect to do while there, besides swimming, and if there is some special place we should visit. My daughter gets bored easily and I want to make sure we do things that will keep her interested. Josie Ana Chavier Caamano: Hi Josie. I've stayed in Occindental resorts before (and many other mega resorts). What they are good at is catering to the vacationer who is easily bored. If you check at the activities desk, they'll show you a calendar of events and offerings (some free, some extra cost) going on each day. Examples (aside from swimming) are: beach volleyball, salsa or merengue dance classes, tennis clinics or tournaments, horseback riding, SCUBA diving clinic, kayaking, windsurfing, nighttime entertainment, a disco, etc. The list is really long. Playa Dorada is a resort complex that is situated very near the town of Puerto Plata where you can spend a nice afternoon. There you will see a very charming town square lined with old Victorian homes and storefronts, you can go to the The Dominican Amber Museum (it's a good tour and the jewelry is first-rate here as well, a good gift to take home), you can see the Fuerte San Felipe (built in the latter half of the 1500's), and you can take a tram up the Isabel de Torres Mountainside to a botanical garden for a spectacular view of the Atlantic Ocean. If you desire something a little more amusement park-like, there is always Ocean World in Playa Cofresi. It is an aquarium located about 5 km west of Puerto Plata. You can swim with dolphins, feed sharks and stingrays and swim with tigers! For more information on Ocean World visit oceanworld.net/html_site/oce_home.html. _______________________ Arlington, VA: My fiancee and I would like to get away from the crowds, (we have already done a mega-resort in La Romana), the Samana peninsula looks intriquing, any suggestions, and what is the fastest way to get to the peninsula? Thanks, Irwin Ana Chavier Caamano: The Samana Peninsula is a wonderful place. A lot less tourist jammed and this is partially due to the fact that it is harder to get to. But it is SO worth it if you want to get away from all the crowds. Even though there is a brand new shiny international airport on the peninsula (elcatey.com) they have yet to offer US flights. Rumor has it they will begin offering those sometime in 2007. Meanwhile, if you fly in to Puerto Plata, the town of Santa Barbara de Samana (a.k.a. Samana) is about a 4-hour trip. It is probably the shortest route there. _______________________ Boulder, CO: I would like to know good resorts - All inclusive for couples in their 60s . We have been to many All inclusive resorts in the Riviera maya and want to experience a new place. We want a really nice beach - swimmable and good food and nice beds. Doesn't need to be "top of the line" but any ideas would help. What area of the island is nicest beach wise. And is it safe to go out from the resort areas? thanks Ana Chavier Caamano: Hi. If you're looking for resorts that don't allow children, I can suggest the Allegro Playa Dorada in Playa Dorada (North shore). But if that is not the case, then Casa de Campo in La Romana on the Caribbean Coast (this one is considered top of the line by many), is a wonderful place for all ages and is very comfortable. There you're more likely to get that good food in my opinion. They have a built a new Marina back in 2005 that added many top of the line restaurants to their already restaurant-filled complex. _______________________ Washington, DC: I'm a 29 year old female. I grew up in St. Croix, USVI, and currently reside in Washington, DC. My father has dominican roots, although I haven't visited since I was a little girl. I'd love to visit our family in the Dominican Republic. They live in Santo Domingo. I speak SOME spanish...I can get by, but am hardly fluent. Any suggestions on where to stay, what to see, and the best time of the year to visit? Ana Chavier Caamano: Hola! You should go to Santo Domingo!! Feel the vibe of the city, speak to the locals, get to know your family again and get your language skills flowing. If you can't stay with family (ha ha), then stay in one of the hotels in the Ciudad Colonial (The old, Colonial City). It's near all the great history that you should see while you're there anyway, (i.e. The fort, museums, El Conde street, etc.). Go dancing at night! My favorite time of year to visit was always Christmas time because it was the best time in the city, lots of festivities. But weather-wise, I really like February - March. Take some day trips into the mountains. If you go during Carnaval (in February) go to the celebration in La Vega (in the central mountain range) for sure. Good Luck to you! _______________________ Plantation, FL: Have 4 and 12 year old boys. We live in Ft. Lauderdale. We're thinking of an inexpensive yet luxurious trip to DR. What's best place to stay with gourmet and local food plus activites for kids 9 years apart? Ana Chavier Caamano: Perhaps you should consider staying on the Caribbean coast. Think: Juan Dolio or Guayacanes. That way you can have the affordable luxury of a resort that offers plenty of activities for the kids but in a less trodden area (unlike the Punta Cana and Puerto Plata areas that can get overloaded with tourists and therefore driving prices way up). From here, you can easily do day trips to the capital city of Santo Domingo and get that gourmet and local food you want, plus sneak in some great historical tours! (maybe even some shopping for yourself). P.S. there is a wonderful restaurant in Juan Dolio called Aura Beach House that Santo Domingo locals will drive all the way from the capital to because of the ambience and the food. _______________________ Washington, DC: Right now, my friends and I (3 females, all over 50), plan to visit the Dominican Republic in July or August 2007. Since we don't speak Spanish, I was wondering will the language barrier be a problem for us if venture off the resort grounds? We generally like to get out and about to see the "real" island or place we're visiting. Thanks. Ana Chavier Caamano: Good for you three! You are going to see a beautiful country. Dominicans are very welcoming and hospitable people. If you make an effort to speak Spanish (take along a phrasebook) they will meet you the other half of the way gladly and work with you to figure out what you need. _______________________ Wellsville, KS: How safe is it traveling to the Dominican Republic? What is the best resort area to take kids? Ana Chavier Caamano: Family-centered resorts have made the Dominican Republic a prime family vacation destination in recent years and the country in general is quite safe. Try resorts like Casa de Campo in La Romana, The Barcelo complex in Punta Cana, or Iberostar in Playa Bavaro. The three I've mentioned are along the Caribbean and/or Southeastern coasts. These types of resorts are all-inclusive and do a good job at having multiple games and activities to keep the little ones busy and their parents relaxed. _______________________ Ana Chavier Caamano: I'm so sorry I couldn't get to every question. I hope you all decide to go to the Dominican Republic. You'll have a great time! Happy Travels and thank you for joining me! Ana _______________________

I resolve to have a real adventure. I'm dying to go the Galapagos, but am also incredibly tempted by the volcanoes in Ecuador.... I've been to a lot of cities in the past two years, so I'm trying to do something different. Then again, I've been fascinated by Moscow.... I'd also like to start making more of an effort to be green. Budget Travel created a wallet card that tells housekeepers there's no need to change the sheets. I'm going to use it on my next trip! --Erik Torkells, Editor   Dream Trips: Galapagos   Moscow Made Easier   Wallet Card Another stamp in my passport (travel to a country I've never been). --Amy Helin, Art Director   25 Best Places You've Never Heard Of I'd like to make the most of my weekends next year by taking road trips closer to home--the Hudson Valley, the Catskills--and by visiting nearby cities that either I've never been to or haven't been to in a while. Providence, Philadelphia, and Richmond are high on my list. --Laurie Walsh Kuntz, Senior Editor   Road Trips: The Catskills   What $100 Buys in Philadelphia Return to Tuscany for the rolling hills, great food, "local" wine (and the nearby Prada outlet). --Suzanne McElfresh, Managing Editor, Online   Secret Hotels of Tuscany I'd like to take my mom someplace relaxing this year. --Suzy Walrath, Assistant Managing Editor   Four Mother-Daughter Destinations Run the Great Wall of China marathon. --Pam Abbott, Executive Producer   Dream Trips: The Great Wall of China Reconnect with as many of my far-away friends and family as possible -- that could mean heading off to Amsterdam, London, Heidelberg, Prague, Buenos Aires, Madrid, Melbourne, and/or Hanoi! --Naomi Lindt, Assistant Editor   London Snap Guide   Eat Like a Local: Prague   Buenos Aires, Then What? Three Side Trips On my next vacation, I will make sure I plan my schedule so that I can sleep late some of the days. Waking up at 7am for a full day of activities is not what I call a vacation! --Ruthie Kaposi, Associate Producer, Online   North America's Best Budget Spas   Splurges! 101 Ways to Spend $100 To finally cash in on all my carefully saved air miles and go to Europe! --Sarah Irick, Associate Art Director   Frequent Flier Miles: The New Rules Take my sister on our first getaway and introduce her to friends and favorite places in Florence, where I studied for a year. --Kate Appleton, Associate Editor, Online   Girlfriend Getaways Special Issue   Questions to Ask Before Studying Aboard Visit friends and travel in southern Africa. --Laura MacNeil, Associate Editor   Get the Most of Your African Safari My resolution is to finally travel to Chicago because it is one of the few big cities I've never been to! --Lindsey Ramsey, Assistant Editor   Secret Hotels of Chicago Take my husband to Europe. --Rebecca Simpson, Associate Picture Editor   Affordable Europe: Five Strategies To plan an affordable intergenerational family trip to Italy. --David LaHuta, Assistant Editor   Resources for Rentals, Home Swaps, and Lodgings Worldwide   How to Plan a Family Reunion Pick a destination that's equal parts relaxing on the beach and challenging my body and mind. --Lauren S. Feuer, Editorial Production Manager   A Guide to Volunteer Vacations   Five Trips That Can Change Your Life   Secret Hotels of Bali Hit the slopes in Austria! --Lauren Keenan, Associate Picture Editor   Storybook Ski Villages in Austria, Switzerland, and Italy

There's something about hotel rooms that generally makes them feel sexy by definition—maybe because it's a strange new place, or because the bed is usually the focal point of the room. But that doesn't mean they can't get even sexier. The editors of Budget Travel have come up with 10 relatively simple ways to give your hotel room—whether it's at a roadside motel, a fancy island resort, or somewhere in between—a suitably romantic makeover. Watch the slide show to find out the 10 tips: Our correspondent, seduction artist Bud Travel, will show you how it's done. (While all 10 are great ideas, you may want to implement only two or three. Overkill isn't sexy at all.)

The holiday season in Rome is unlike any other time in the Eternal City--and not just because of the Vatican's Christmas celebrations. Roman weather in late December is so mild and sunny that it is common for people to enjoy lunch outdoors at piazza cafés. And the Romans--most of whom are not around during the height of the summer tourist season--reclaim their city in the winter, giving visitors a glimpse of everyday life. Rome takes on a festive feel and an air of debauchery recalling Saturnalia, the ancient pagan holiday still celebrated in some circles on December 17. Like some modern rituals, Saturnalia was marked by gift-giving and a relaxation of the rules. Even some of Rome's present holiday customs--from the Christmas fair at Piazza Navona to the practice of burning the old calendar to mark the New Year--bear the hallmarks of Rome's enduring pagan past. Five Can't-Miss Holiday Sights Piazza Navona Christmas MarketIn any other city, it would be sacrilegious to host such a kitschy fair in such an important square, but it wouldn't be Christmas in Rome without this annual event, which centers around la Befana, the Christmas witch who, until recently, was more popular than Santa Claus. The square, dominated by three famous fountains, is lined with stands selling everything from hot doughnuts (ciambelle) and cotton candy to Nativity scene figurines and Christmas tree decorations. But you're not here to buy stocking stuffers or tree trimmings. The real joy of this Christmas spectacle is scoping out the fascinating street performers and the impeccably dressed Romans out for a stroll (passeggiata). Piazza Navona, through January 6, 2008, 011-39/06-8205-9127, romaturismo.it, free. Zampognari and pifferai (Bagpipers and flutists)From early December through the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6, traditional bagpipers (zampognari) and flutists (pifferai) descend on Rome from the regions of Abruzzo and Calabria to play traditional Christmas music for the masses. You'll find the musicians, recognizable by their leather-laced shoes and sheepskin attire, wandering around Rome's historical center, especially near Piazza Navona, the Spanish Steps, and at the gates of St. Peter's Square. Don't confuse these genuine traditionalists, who play for free, with the countless buskers and impostor minstrels who also wander the city center playing for spare change--including the Blue Santas, whose jazz renditions of Christmas greats are actually worthy of a few euro cents. Piazza Navona, Piazza di Spagna, Piazza San Pietro, free. Natale all'Auditorium (Christmas at the Auditorium)Rome's newest entertainment venue, the Parco della Musica, designed by Renzo Piano, is getting in the holiday spirit with lots of fake snow and a festive lineup including dance recitals, chamber music concerts, and child-friendly puppet shows (tickets range from €2 to €20 ($3 to $38) depending on show). Add to that a 2,000-square foot ice-skating rink (€8 ($12) including skate rental, through Feb. 3, 2008) and a hands-on "Enchanted Forest" play area for the young nonskaters. Food and drink available, but the venue is closed Dec. 24 and 25. Auditorium Parco della Musica, Viale Pietro de Coubertin, through January 5, 2008, 011-39/06-8024-1281, full program at auditorium.com. 100 PresepiThe 100 Presepi exhibition (presepi means Nativity scene) has been a mainstay on any Roman Christmas itinerary for the past 31 years. Now the count is up to 160. A month before the exhibition opens, craftsmen painstakingly set up the expansive Nativity displays, which feature everything from running water and twinkling fires to hand-carved figurines and flying angels. The most famous of the traditional Neapolitan Nativity scenes--some dating to the 17th century--are on display, and this year the organizers have also invited modern artisans who use nontraditional materials such as plastics and other synthetics to go far beyond the usual renditions of Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus. Sale del Bramante, Via Gabriele D'Annunzio (Piazza del Popolo), 011-39/06-8535-7191, presepi.it, through January 6, 2008, 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. daily, €4.50 ($6.50) Mon.-Fri., €5 ($7.20) Sat.-Sun. Vatican Service at St. Peter's SquareWhile it's impossible to get a front-row seat unless you're a cardinal or high ranking official within the Holy See, attending either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day mass in this bastion of Catholicism is inarguably a powerful experience. It's not too late to reserve free tickets over the phone. They can be picked up at the bronze doors in St. Peter's Square on the 23rd, but don't delay if you hope to attend. 011-39/06-6988-3273, vatican.va Midnight Masses Along with St. Peter's, major basilicas throughout the city host midnight mass. On Christmas Eve, Rome dies down to an eerie silence from around 7 p.m. to just before midnight, when it comes to life with church bells and the opening of many coffee bars and street merchants to accommodate parishioners. One of the more beautiful midnight masses is at the Pantheon. You don't need tickets, but you should be there by 10 p.m. to get a seat and hear the Gregorian chants. Santa Sabina on the Aventine hill is also popular with Romans for its stunning service in one of the city's oldest churches. The church of Santa Maria in Aracoeli, which straddles the Campidoglio on Piazza Venezia, is also a worthy choice. The 124 steps up to the church are lit with candles, and the traditional zampognari and pifferai give a concert at the basilica doors. This church features a wooden carving of the baby Jesus believed to be made of the wood of an olive tree from the Garden of Gethsemene. Local Romans bring their children here on Christmas Eve for a ritual blessing in front of the carving. Dining on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and San Stefano Many Romans will be dining on traditional fish feasts with their families on Christmas Eve, but there are still plenty of options for the kitchenless. Instead of offering an à la carte menu, most restaurants put together special fixed menus for Christmas Eve, likely seafood-based and starting around €40 ($58) a head. Ask to see the menu di vigilia di Natale and book in advance, since seating is generally limited. Christmas Day is a different story. Rome is notoriously buckled up on Christmas Day, with the exception of the Jewish ghetto, where restaurants will be happy to serve you traditional Jewish-Roman cuisine. The Feast of San Stefano on December 26, a public holiday, is back to business for most restaurants, which treat the day like a typical Sunday--meaning lunch is the big meal of the day and should be enjoyed over several hours and courses. Notte di Capodanno or New Year's Eve New Year's Eve in Rome is nothing if not a barrage on the senses. Traditionally, Roman restaurants from the tiniest trattoria to the most elegant ristorante offer fabulously extravagant fixed menus that range from €50 ($72) to well over €250 ($361) a head. Meals start around 8:30 P.M. and finish around 11:30 p.m., just in time for everyone to head to the nearest piazza for the citywide countdown. At midnight the city lights up, with private fireworks displays from balconies and terraces rivaling the official shows put on by both the Vatican and the city government. In the piazzas, Romans burn their old calendars and chug spumante (sparkling wine) from the bottle. All of the major squares will be festive, but Romans will revel on either the Piazza San Giovanni or the Piazza del Popolo, one of which will host an all-night rock concert beginning after the countdown (the location will be announced a day or two ahead). The more subdued should head to Piazza del Quirinale, where the president of the republic hosts a classical music concert outside the official residence. New Year's Day is a popular day for dining out and walking through the city's picturesque squares. Most stores and all museums will be closed, but many of the churches are venues for chamber recitals, and you often don't need a ticket. Getting Around Many places that might normally be open on Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve may be closed this year because the holidays fall on Sunday, traditionally a non- or limited-commerce day in Rome. Likewise, traditional restaurants will tend to be open for lunch and not dinner on Sunday, as is the usual practice, except those offering special Christmas or New Year's Eve meals. In general, the stores in the historical center around Piazza di Spagna will be open, those in outlying districts like Prati, Parioli, Trastevere, and Testaccio will not, or will be limited to a few hours in the early afternoon. Museums in Rome are generally closed on Mondays; check out romaturismo.it for a complete list of museum hours and closure dates. December 26 is a mixed bag, when the Vatican museums are closed but most of the city museums are open. Rome's transportation system (atac.roma.it) is extending its hours through January 7, adding more buses and diverting some of its metro lines to better accommodate holiday shoppers and revelers. Still, Christmas Day and New Year's Day will be slow days for buses, so stick to the underground metro, or better yet, go on foot if you can. The three-day Roma Pass (romapass.it, sold at all participating museums, Termini station, and major subway stops, €20 ($29), is a great way to travel before the holiday weekend. The pass offers unlimited public transportation on buses and the metro, free admission to two museums or archaeological sites, and reduced admission to others. (Vatican museums are not included.) If your visit falls on the holiday weekends when museums will be closed, consider ATAC's three-day €11 ($16) or seven-day €16 ($23) unlimited transportation pass, compared to a regular fare of €1 ($1.44) for up to 75 minutes on a bus or a one-way metro ticket. Taxis, which are privately owned, are also scarce during the holidays, with the exception of New Year's Eve when drivers will be working normally. Some drivers will try to charge "creatively," so if you hail a taxi on the street, insist that the cabdriver use the meter, or tassametro. Fares are expensive (€8-€15 ($11.50-$22)) for a ride within the city center, and there's a higher rate 10 p.m.-7 a.m. and on Sun. and holidays; add about €1.04 ($1.50) extra for each large bag. If you've called ahead for a taxi, there will be an additional charge on the meter for pickup. Check the placard on the driver's seat for relevant holiday rates, and ask the driver for a receipt when you exit the taxi.