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Easter is a big consumer holiday that rakes in billions and gives Americans toothaches on an annual basis. In fact, 81% of Americans celebrated the holiday last year, and consumers are expected to spend $22 billion on it this year. Outside of this consumerism, though, Easter is an especially important day for Christians everywhere.
In order to determine the best cities for celebrating Easter, WalletHub compared the 100 most populated cities across four key dimensions: 1) Easter Observers, 2) Easter Traditions, 3) Kids’ Easter and 4) Easter Weather. They then evaluated those dimensions using 11 relevant metrics, such as the number of churches, the size of the Christian population, the number of chocolate shops and gift shops, and Easter weather forecasts. 
“The best cities for Easter cater to the religious nature of the holiday by offering plenty of opportunities for Christians to attend services, and they also provide the resources for people to have a great time with their family regardless of religious affiliation. That means lots of places to get some sweet treats or dine out, as well as good weather conditions and nice open spaces for Easter egg hunts," says Cassandra Happe, WalletHub analyst.
Don't want to travel far? Don't worry—there are cities all over the country with great activities and ways to celebrate. Take some notes from Dr. Kerri Camp, professor at the University of Texas at Tyler: "Travel costs during the Easter Holiday are impacted by supply and demand. Costs this year are expected to be slightly higher than last year due to rising fuel costs and increases in baggage fees for flights. If Easter travel plans include driving, consumers should consider carpooling with others to share the costs of travel or consider closer destinations. For those consumers wanting to travel by air, comparison shopping of airlines and the days of the week for travel could result in some savings. Additionally, because of recent increases in baggage fees for several airlines, consumers should try to travel lighter than normal and carry their luggage rather than checking bags at an extra cost."
Some of the top spots to celebrate this holiday are below—but for the full report on how each city fared, <a href="https://wallethub.com/edu/best-places-to-celebrate-easter/19774" target="_blank">head to WalletHub</a>. 
<h1>#7. Honolulu, Hawaii</h1>
Scoring 5th place in the "Easter traditions" category and 4th for kid-friendly activities, this Hawaiian city makes a festive destination for an Easter celebration. This tropical destination also tied in first place for most flower and gift shops per capita, making it easy to put together fun Easter baskets and gifts, or simply decorating for an enjoyable holiday weekend. Honolulu also tied for first place when it came to the most candy and chocolate stores per capita—but don't worry, parents; you can always counter all the sweet treats with healthier island cuisine featuring fresh fruit and seafood catches!
<h1>#6. Atlanta, Georgia</h1>
<figure><img src="https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/bt-prod-img/general/joey-kyber-45FJgZMXCK8-unsplash.jpg" data-image="230572"><figcaption>Atlanta, Georgia by Joey Kyber - Unsplash</figcaption></figure>
Atlanta took first place in the Easter traditions category; the city has a plethora of options for Easter meals and brunches at restaurants, as well as options for purchasing sweets and decor. Being located in the South, Atlanta also ranked 22nd in the "Easter observers" category, thanks to its churches and Christian population. Many places are throwing special holiday brunches, Easter egg hunts are plentiful, and other themed activities can be found all over the city <a href="https://discoveratlanta.com/events/seasonal/easter/" target="_blank">this holiday weekend</a>.
<h1>#5. El Paso, Texas</h1>
This border city ranked well in almost all categories, scoring a 7th place rank in "Easter observers," 11th in "Kid's Easter," and 17th in "Easter traditions." El Paso has the 3rd largest Christian population by percentage, and especially has a strong Catholic population in part due to its larger Latin American immigrant community.
<h1>#4. Orlando, Florida</h1>
<figure><img src="https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/bt-prod-img/general/sebastian-staines-NV4YaqJ2eZY-unsplash.jpg" data-image="230573"><figcaption>Easter decor by Sebastian Staines - Unsplash</figcaption></figure>
Okay, Orlando is always a good place to celebrate, holiday or not. It ranked 2nd in the Easter traditions category, and tied for first place for the most flower and gift shops per capita. With its typically warm weather and a local population that celebrates the holiday, it can be a uniquely fun time of year to visit this family-friendly destination.
<h1>#3. Buffalo, New York</h1>
Buffalo is the third-best city for celebrating Easter, boasting the second-highest number of churches per capita and the fifth-highest share of the population identifying as Christian, at over 55%. Buffalo residents also search Google for “Easter dinner” more than residents of many other cities, which shows that a lot of people are planning celebrations. The city has a lot of candy and chocolate shops per capita, too.
<h1>#2. Birmingham, Alabama</h1>
<figure><img src="https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/bt-prod-img/general/tucker-good-abVYsYAUNWo-unsplash.jpg" data-image="230574"><figcaption>A church decorated for Easter by Tucker Good - Unsplash</figcaption></figure>
Birmingham is the second-best city for Easter, largely due to the fact that it’s a very Christian city. It has the most churches per capita, and over 52% of the population is Christian, the sixth-highest rate in the country. There are lots of choices when it comes to Good Friday and Easter Sunday services as a result. On top of that, Birmingham has a lot of flower and gift shops per capita, allowing people to spruce up their celebrations. See where all the Easter bunny sightings, egg hunts, and more are happening <a href="https://birminghammomcollective.com/birmingham-guide/easter-egg-hunts-and-activities-birmingham/" target="_blank">here</a>.
<h1>#1. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania</h1>
Pittsburgh is the best city for celebrating Easter, in part because it has some of the most churches per capita and a very high share of the population identifying as Christian, so there’s a lot of people celebrating and plenty of places for them to worship. The Steel City also has some of the most candy shops per capita and a high number of chocolate shops per capita, so it’s easy to sweeten the celebration. Pittsburgh also has some of the most flower and gift shops per capita, so decorating is easy, and Easter is projected to have pretty good weather as well. Here's <a href="https://pittsburgh.kidsoutandabout.com/content/easter-events-and-egg-hunts-pittsburgh-area">a list</a> of family-friendly events happening in Pittsburgh this year.
—For the full rankings, visit <a href="https://wallethub.com/edu/best-places-to-celebrate-easter/19774" target="_blank">WalletHub</a>.

Best Cities to Visit for Easter Weekend This Year

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Easter is typically a big consumer holiday that rakes in billions and gives Americans toothaches. In fact, 80% of Americans celebrated the holiday last year, and this year consumers are expected to spend $24 billion, according to the National Retail Federation. In the weeks leading up to the holiday, grocery stores will offer an abundance of seasonal foods like chocolate bunnies and marshmallow peeps, as well as extra eggs for people who want to dye them. For Christians, however, Easter is less of a commercial event than a holy experience. It not only marks the end of Lent — a 40-day period of fasting, reflection, prayer and repentance followed directly by Easter Sunday — but it also celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ and represents the “new covenant” between God and humanity. In observance of the holiday, many families will attend services.
Some Americans will feel the Easter spirit more than others, depending on where they live. In order to determine the best cities for celebrating Easter, <a href="https://wallethub.com/edu/best-places-to-celebrate-easter/19774" target="_blank">WalletHub</a> compared the 100 most populated cities across four key dimensions: 1) Easter Observers, 2) Easter Traditions, 3) Kids’ Easter and 4) Easter Weather. Metrics looked at things like the number of candy and chocolate stores, churches per capita, park space, and weather patterns. The best places to celebrate include great spring weather, a family-friendly atmosphere, and great places to celebrate the occasion. 
<h1>Desert destinations offer a sunny holiday </h1>
<figure><img src="https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/bt-prod-img/general/kenny-eliason-IF8B82QBCkM-unsplash.jpg" data-image="204813"><figcaption>The Easter bunny in Las Vegas - courtesy of Kenny Eliason</figcaption></figure>
In many southwestern cities, warm and dry weather can make the Easter holiday a great time to visit (just be careful—some higher altitude desert towns can see serious snow this time of year, too). Three desert climate towns make the top 10 for WalletHub's list: Albuquerque, New Mexico ranks 9th, Las Vegas, Nevada ranks eighth, and El Paso, Texas takes third place.
Las Vegas ties with New York City for the most candy and chocolate stores and ties in 3rd place (with North Las Vegas) for the best Easter season weather. However, it may not be the best place for those interested in a church setting or family-friendly Easter (Sin City ranks 39th and 48th in the Easter Observers and Kid's Easter categories, respectively).
El Paso, TX ranks third overall and third for the size of the Christian population, seventh in the Easter Observers category, and twelfth in the Kids' Easter category, so those seeking a traditional and family-friendly Easter will find this town fits the bill. There are plenty of <a href="https://elpaso.momcollective.com/in-around-el-paso/guide-to-easter-events-egg-hunts-in-the-el-paso-area/" target="_blank">egg hunts</a> planned for Easter weekend.
<h1>Florida cities take the top spot for traditions</h1>
<figure><img src="https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/bt-prod-img/general/aurora-kreativ-UN4cs4zNCYo-unsplash.jpg" data-image="204814"><figcaption>Miami, Florida - courtesy of aurora.kreativ</figcaption></figure>
Miami ranks seventh overall, and Orlando comes right ahead in sixth, for the best cities to celebrate Easter. In the Easter Traditions, category, they both come out on top—Miami is first, and Orlando is second. If you're looking for great Easter gifts and decorations, Florida has you covered: Miami comes in fourth for the most flower and gift shops per capita, while Orlando ties in first place for the most flower and gift shops. Orlando also comes in fifth for most churches per capita.
While both Florida towns got points off in the weather category—as an afternoon thunderstorm isn't unusual for the state—visitors can still expect wonderfully warm days, and many storms pass quickly. As such, there are plenty of fun outdoor events like egg hunts, farm and zoo events, Easter Bunny photo ops, and <a href="https://www.miamiandbeaches.com/events/easter-in-miami" target="_blank">more</a>. 
<h1>Southern towns full of the Easter spirit</h1>
<figure><img src="https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/bt-prod-img/general/jr-harris-ENdNahrz6MY-unsplash.jpg" data-image="204819"><figcaption>Church in New Orleans - courtesy of JR Harris</figcaption></figure>
It's no surprise that Southern towns come out on top when it comes to a holiday typically spent at church—after all, these places make up the Bible Belt. Birmingham, Alabama ranks fifth overall, thanks to its first place rank for the most churches per capita of any city. And while New Orleans is most often considered for its big parties the other side of Lent (Mardi Gras), plenty will be celebrating Easter—they have the second largest Christian population.
New Orleans ranked fourth overall for the best place to spend Easter. As a mostly Catholic town, there are many places to attend services on Sunday morning. Afterwards, visitors won't want to miss the <a href="https://www.neworleans.com/event/the-historic-french-quarter-easter-parade/3861/" target="_blank">Historic French Quarter Easter Parade</a>. 
<h1>Most festive Northern cities </h1>
<figure><img src="https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/bt-prod-img/general/yuhan-du-yLcPSvJkGrM-unsplash.jpg" data-image="204817"><figcaption>Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - courtesy of Yuhan Du</figcaption></figure>
While colder-climate towns may not spring to mind when it comes to enjoying April (at this point, most people are tired of the rain and snow), two northern cities made WalletHub's top spots. Buffalo, New York ranks second overall, thanks to a second place finish for most churches per capita and fifth place rank for percentage of the population that identifies as Christian. This year, Buffalo has several fun <a href="https://stepoutbuffalo.com/ultimate-guide-to-easter-events-in-wny/" target="_blank">events</a> for all ages happening around the city, including brunches, Easter Bunny sightings, and even a unique egg hunt/ghost hunt experience.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania came out as the number one best place to celebrate Easter. The town performed well in almost all categories and, impressively, has the fourth highest number of chocolate and candy stores (which may make up for an otherwise lackluster finish in the "Kids' Easter" category). Downtown Pittsburgh is also home to <a href="https://downtownpittsburgh.com/2022/04/08/easter-happenings-around-downtown/" target="_blank">several great restaurants</a> that make an ideal place to celebrate. 
— Visit <a href="https://wallethub.com/edu/best-places-to-celebrate-easter/19774" target="_blank">WalletHub</a> to view the full list of rankings.

Best Cities to Celebrate Easter

Believe it or not, celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with parades didn’t originate in Ireland, but instead started and became popular in North American colonies <a rel="noopener" target="_blank" href="https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/first-st-patricks-day-parade">centuries ago</a>. What began as a Catholic feast day and gained more recognition with these colonial celebrations is today one of America’s biggest cultural holidays. More than 31 million people in the U.S. claim Irish ancestry—that’s more than six times the population of Ireland. As this lucky group of people expanded over the centuries, so too did American St. Paddy’s Day traditions. Chicago, for instance, gained fame for dyeing its river green, while other places are now known for their elaborate pageants, pub crawls or long processions of marching bagpipers. This year, Americans are projected to spend $6.85 billion on the holiday.
But not every city that celebrates St. Patrick’s Day is worth kissing the Irish for. <a href="https://wallethub.com/edu/best-worst-cities-for-st-patricks-day-celebrations/19603#expert=Joseph_Valente" target="_blank">WalletHub</a> compared 200 of the largest cities across 15 key metrics to find the best places to wear green and save some, too. The data set ranges from Irish pubs and restaurants per capita to the lowest price for a three-star hotel on St. Patrick’s Day to the weather forecast.
<h1>#5. New York, New York</h1>
<figure><img src="https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/bt-prod-img/general/2012-NYC-St.-Patricks-Day-Parade-Pride.jpg" data-image="199747"><figcaption>St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York City - courtesy of nycstpatricksparade.org</figcaption></figure>
The Big Apple tied for the most Irish bars and restaurants per capita, helping it land in fifth place overall. NYC, like most of the top cities in these rankings, was where many Irish families originally immigrated to and settled; so it's no surprise that these cities are some of the best places to celebrate this holiday. Professor Joseph Valente explains more: "St. Patrick’s day is an ethnic celebration of a group, the Irish, who are likely the most numerous and influential of the nationalities to come over during the Great Industrial Immigration of 1851-1900. The Irish came to America in great waves, and they did so early enough to have imprinted their traditions on American culture. The pattern of their immigration and residency contributed as well to the popularity of their national day. The Irish settled densely in the great American metroplexes—New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Boston—which have historically been the hubs of American culture, the centers of media communication, and the places where popular trends are initiated and arbitrated.
New York is also one of the safer places to celebrate the holiday and tied for the least DUI-related fatalities per capita; the city's access to public transportation and ride share services likely contributed to this statistic. <a href="https://www.nycstpatricksparade.org/about/" target="_blank">The city's parade</a> is held annually on March 17th at precisely 11:00 AM in honor of St. Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland and of the Archdiocese of New York. The parade route goes up Fifth Avenue beginning at East 44th Street and ending at East 79th Street. Approximately 150,000 people march in the parade which draws about 2 million spectators.
<h1>#4. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania</h1>
One of the two Pennsylvania cities in the top 5, Pittsburgh has the fourth largest Irish population by percentage. It's good scores in safety and accessibility, along with an eighth place ranking for St. Patrick's Day traditions—a metric that include number of parades, events, Irish history, and Irish bars and establishments—led it to fourth place overall.
The Pittsburgh St. Patrick’s Day parade has been a staple for the city of Pittsburgh dating back to the mid-1800s. Over the years, it has evolved in scope and planning until it formed what it is today; the third largest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the country. This year's <a href="https://pittsburghstpatricksdayparade.com/" target="_blank">parade </a>is scheduled for March 11, 2023.
<h1>#3. Chicago, Illinois</h1>
<figure><img src="https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/bt-prod-img/general/ChicagoRiverGreen.jpeg" data-image="199732"><figcaption>Chicago dyes the river green for St. Patrick's Day - courtesy of timeout.com</figcaption></figure>
Chicago and nearby Illinois towns Aurora and Naperville all tied for third place in the rankings for lowest average beer price. Chi-town also has some of the most traditions and celebrations, thanks to their local culture and history and numerous Irish residents. Naperville also has the largest percentage of Irish residents and ranks No. 8 and is the most budget-friendly, thanks to great hotel prices and low travel costs, so adding this nearby town makes the Chicago area an even better pick for St. Paddy's celebrations. 
Be sure to check out the <a href="https://www.chicagostpatricksdayparade.org/" target="_blank">Chicago St. Patrick's Day parade</a> on March 11th, and head to the Loop to see the Chicago Plumbers Union Local 130 <a href="https://www.timeout.com/chicago/things-to-do/how-they-dye-the-chicago-river-green" target="_blank">dye the river green</a>. The dye is vegetable-based, so the river typically reverts to its usual murky shade by the end of the weekend. The Chicago River dyeing takes place between Columbus Drive and State Street, so head to the Michigan Avenue bridge or snag a spot along the Riverwalk for the best views of the action. There's also the South Side Irish parade, Northwest Side Irish parade, an Irish film festival, and <a href="https://www.shamrockshuffle.com/register/8krun/" target="_blank">Shamrock Shuffle</a> 8k run.
<h1>#2. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania</h1>
The Irish in Philadelphia first celebrated St. Patrick's Day in 1771, five years before the Declaration of Independence was signed! The first documented St. Patrick's Day Celebration Parade in Philadelphia was held in 1771, marking over 250 continuous years of celebrations. The current parade, which is hosted by the St. Patrick's Day Observance Association, was incorporated as a non-profit corporation in 1952. This year's <a href="http://phillyparade.com/index.asp" target="_blank">parade</a> will be held on March 12th. The Commemorative Parade Mass is also held the morning of the parade, in Saint Patrick’s Church at 20th and Locust Streets in Center City. This year prior to the mass, the Procession of the Grand Marshal and the Board Members will be led by the Emerald Society Pipe Band. The National Anthem of Ireland will be sung by Karen Boyce McCollum, and the National Anthem of The United States will be sung by Frank Gallagher.
The city also hosts several different bar crawls, musical events and entertainment, and even a family-friendly <a href="https://www.narberthonline.com/leprechaunhunt.html" target="_blank">leprechaun hunt</a>. While fairly affordable and safe, the city also took second place in the St. Patrick's Day traditions category thanks to its many Irish residents and rich history.
<h1>#1. Boston, Massachusetts</h1>
<figure><img src="https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/bt-prod-img/general/BostonStPaddysDay.jpeg" data-image="199740"><figcaption>Boston's St. Patrick's Day Parade - courtesy of theculturetrip.com</figcaption></figure>
Boston comes out on top when it comes to St. Patrick's Day celebrations. Along with the fourth highest number of Irish pubs and bars per capita, Beantown also took top place in the St. Patrick's Day traditions category due to its large number of festivities and events, Irish population, history, and culture. While there's no need to venture outside of the city for festivities, tourists can also make a stop at nearby Worcester, MA which comes in at an impressive No. 12. Worcester also ranked third for highest share of Irish population. 
Bostonians were the first to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in North America. On March 17, 1737, as a gesture of solidarity among the city’s new Irish immigrants, Boston’s Irish community joined together in festivities of their homeland and to honor the memory of the below Patron Saint of Ireland. Banquets and parades to celebrate the occasion became common, with Boston’s early St. Patrick’s Day Parades occurring downtown by the Ancient Order of Hibernians. In 1901, the parade moved to South Boston, a neighborhood that was not only home to a robust Irish community, but was the site of Dorchester Heights, where the evacuation of British troops from Boston on March 17, 1776 was made possible and is commemorated. Given the significance of both the St. Patrick’s Day and Evacuation Day holidays, the parade came to honor both. <a href="https://southbostonparade.org/" target="_blank">This year's parade</a> in Southie will be on March 19th.
In addition to the parade, Boston’s very own Celtic punk rock group, the Dropkick Murphys will be playing four shows in town the week of Saint Patrick’s Day. Three shows at MGM Music Hall March 16-18, and one show at the House of Blues on March 19. Get your tickets <a href="https://dropkickmurphys.com/tour/" target="_blank">here.</a>

Best Cities for St. Patrick's Day Celebrations

St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner and at least $5.87 billion is expected to be spent for the holiday this year, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on <a href="https://wallethub.com/edu/best-worst-cities-for-st-patricks-day-celebrations/19603/" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://wallethub.com/edu/best-worst-cities-for-st-patricks-day-celebrations/19603/&source=gmail&ust=1647459749657000&usg=AOvVaw01q_7YNeO6q7j8YEGE5SYO">2022's Best Cities for St. Patrick's Day Celebrations</a>. To determine the best cities for celebrating Irish-American heritage, they compared 200 of the largest U.S. cities across 18 key metrics, ranging from Irish pubs and restaurants per capita to the lowest price for a three-star hotel on St. Patrick’s Day to the weather forecast. <table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2">Top 20 Cities for St. Patrick’s Day</td></tr><tr><td>1. Philadelphia, PA</td><td>11. New York, NY</td></tr><tr><td>2. Boston, MA</td><td>12. Worcester, MA</td></tr><tr><td>3. Pittsburgh, PA</td><td>13. Cleveland, OH</td></tr><tr><td>4. Chicago, IL</td><td>14. Henderson, NV</td></tr><tr><td>5. San Francisco, CA</td><td>15. Cedar Rapids, IA</td></tr><tr><td>6. Reno, NV</td><td>16. Cincinnati, OH</td></tr><tr><td>7. Naperville, IL</td><td>17. Milwaukee, WI</td></tr><tr><td>8. Tampa, FL</td><td>18. Boise, ID</td></tr><tr><td>9. Yonkers, NY</td><td>19. Orlando, FL</td></tr><tr><td>10. Buffalo, NY</td><td>20. Columbus, OH</td></tr></tbody></table>
 To view the full report and your city’s rank, visit: <a href="https://wallethub.com/edu/best-worst-cities-for-st-patricks-day-celebrations/19603/" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://wallethub.com/edu/best-worst-cities-for-st-patricks-day-celebrations/19603/&source=gmail&ust=1647459749657000&usg=AOvVaw01q_7YNeO6q7j8YEGE5SYO">https://wallethub.com/edu/best-worst-cities-for-st-patricks-day-celebrations/19603/</a><figure><img src="https://img.budgettravel.com/2022-st-patricks-day-infographic-v3.webp" data-image="193442"><figcaption>Courtesy of Wallet Hub</figcaption></figure>

2022’s Best Cities for St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations

Susan Stellin: Hi, this is Susan Stellin--thanks for joining me. I'll try to answer some of your questions about planning and booking travel!

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Syracuse, New York: We are looking for a flight from Syr-YVR May 26 with a return Anc-Syr June 8. Is this a good time to purchase tickets or do you foresee the price decreasing in the future?

Susan Stellin: Since your travel dates are pretty specific and include a holiday (Memorial Day weekend), I'd buy tickets now. It's unlikely that prices will drop on those routes for that time period, so the sooner you book, the more likely you'll get a discounted fare.

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Cape Vincent, NY: My husband and I are planning a trip to Seattle/Vancouver for our 25th anniversary. I am very excited about seeing this part of the country . The other day I was reading a novel that was set in the san juan islands and it spoke of 2 1/2 hour waits for the ferries . Is this common in Seattle in the end of June?

Susan Stellin: I think your best bet is to call the ferry company and ask what the typical wait is for the time you plan to travel -- I'm sure it varies between a Friday afternoon and a Wednesday morning. But 2 1/2 hours sounds like the exception rather than the rule.

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NYC, NY: We plan to visit San Fransisco area (including wine countries and Yosemite NP and Big Sur) in last week of March (1 week) to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. We want to rent a car for going to places but it seems difficult to get an economical hotel in downtown SF with parking facilities. Can you advise which hotels would combine economy, convenience and parking? We can spend only about $100 a night.

Also if you can advise on how to divide one week between SF, Yosemite, wine countries and Santa Cruz/Carmel areas we will be extremely grateful. Mahen

Susan Stellin: Very few hotels in San Francisco include free parking in their rates, so you should definitely ask about parking fees before you book. Another option is to park your car in one of the municipal lots in the city -- I think the parking lot at 5th and Mission St. has pretty reasonable rates. You might also consider waiting to rent a car until you're ready to leave the city. As for your itinerary, you may not have time to see all the places on your list in one week -- unless you don't mind spending your entire vacation on the highway! You can definitely visit the wine country as a day trip from San Francisco, but you really need at least a couple days to see Yosemite (including driving time from San Francisco). And it would be pushing it to visit both Santa Cruz and Carmel as a day trip, especially if you want to drive along the coast and take time to stop along the way. So I'd suggest picking fewer places to see if you only have a week.

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Mishawaka, Indiana: I will be taking my 15 yr. old granddaughter to Europe this summer. We want to fly into Rome (from Chicago) and fly home to U.S. from Paris (to Chicago). I am trying to arrange trip myself online, but I can't figure out how to use 2 airports. How would I do this, and is it just too prohibitative in cost to do it this way? Thank you in advance, Judy

Susan Stellin: You can definitely book a ticket from Chicago to Rome and then back to the U.S. from Paris. If you're looking up prices online, you may have to choose the &quot;advanced search&quot; option in order to enter this type of itinerary. And you may find you get better prices if you consider flying into Milan (and then taking the train to Rome), since some airlines have more flights to Milan.

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Philadelphia, Pa: Where should I start to look for a last min. deal (within a month) from Phl to AZ (anywhere but PHX) w/air, car, hotel? I want to do this for my parents, they both had colds and need to dry out!

Susan Stellin: A few Web sites that specialize in last-minute packages are <a href="http://www.site59.com/" target="_blank">Site59.com</a>, <a href="http://www.go-today.com/" target="_blank">Go-Today.com</a>, <a href="http://www.11thhourvacations.com/" target="_blank">11thhourvacations.com</a> and <a href="http://www.lastminutetravel.com/" target="_blank">LastMinuteTravel.com</a>, though some of these sites only book trips for departure within the next few weeks. I'd also check what's available from Expedia, Orbitz and Travelocity, as well as some of the airlines that fly out of Philadelphia (like <a href="http://www.usairwaysvacations.com/" target="_blank">usairwaysvacations.com</a> and <a href="http://www.swavacations.com/" target="_blank">swavacations.com</a>).

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Philadelphia, PA: I plan on traveling around the world soon, but I don't have very much money. I haven't been able to find any &quot;poor man's travel guides.&quot; Where can I find information on how to travel the world on pennies?

Susan Stellin: Two guidebooks that cover traveling around the world are &quot;First-Time Around the World&quot; (published by Rough Guides) and &quot;The Practical Nomad: How To Travel Around the World&quot; (by Edward Hasbrouck, published by Avalon Travel). I'm not sure if either book can tell you how to travel the world on *pennies,* but they both address budget travel!

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Hoosick Falls, New York: I am traveling to Italy this summer. When I went to my credit union to inquire about opening up an ATM account specifically to have easy access to money while I was there they said that usage of ATM machines in Italy was almost non existant because of so much fraud. Do you know anything about this? Thank you

Susan Stellin: That's odd. I've never had a problem finding or using an ATM in Italy. I'd try calling your credit union again and see if you get the same response.

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Muskegon, Michigan: I'm taking my wife to Naples Italy for 6 days in early November. I already have flights and hotel scheduled with airmiles and hotel points. How can I best spend my time exploring the Amalfi Coast? Should I rent a car or take the train to places along the coast?

Susan Stellin: I'd recommend renting a car if you really want to see the Amalfi Coast, since you can't access the entire peninsula by train. It's not a very long drive from Naples, but if you want to take your time I'd plan to spend one night, maybe in Sorrento, which is a little easier to navigate by car than Positano (and it's closer to Naples). But make sure you have a good map!

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Quakertown, PA: Hi was just wondering if $550 a person is a good price for flying out of Philadelphia to St. Marteen in August. Everywhere I look, i get the same price. I'm not sure if i should wait to see if prices come down or book now. I thought maybe since August is hurricane season that prices could drop as time goes by but i don't want to wait and have prices rise.

Susan Stellin: That sounds like a pretty good fare to me. Unless you're the gambling type, I'd book it now. If the price drops later (for the same carrier/itinerary), you can always try calling the airline and asking them to refund the difference. No guarantees they'll do it, but it's worth asking.

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Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin: What is the best way to keep your passport safe in London? Do you need to carry it with you all the time? We are a family of four (two adults and two teenage daughters) who will be renting anapartment there.

Susan Stellin: I wouldn't recommend carrying your passports with you. Instead, carry a photocopy of the page with your photo and leave your passports in the apartment. They're much less likely to get lost or stolen if they're not in your bag on a busy street or subway!

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Pittsburg, California: I am married and my husband does not like to travel. I am the complete opposite and love to go anywhere - but I have one problem and that is how to feel safe as a solo traveler....basicly what I've been doing is calling a hotel and asking if it is enclosed....I really wish there was more stuff out there for solo travelers. Do you know of any? any motorcoach trips in california maybe? Also why do they almost double the prices if one travels alone....any help on solo travel would be much appreciated....

Susan Stellin: A good book that lists lots of resources for solo travelers is &quot;Traveling Solo,&quot; by Eleanor Berman. It will point you to lots of groups, travel agencies and Web sites that cater to people traveling on their own; another source you might want to check out is the Women's Travel Club (<a href="http://www.womenstravelclub.com/" target="_blank">womenstravelclub.com</a>). As for your other question, the reason many companies charge a &quot;single supplement&quot; is that cruises and group trips are generally priced based on two people traveling together (and sharing a room), so if you're on your own, you have to cover the entire cost of lodging.

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Fayetteville, NC: Please advise the best way to see the most of Alaska in ten days; the best glaciers, parks, must see places, most cost effective way to max out on ten days of Alaska summer? Thank you, Barbara

Susan Stellin: I'd consider doing a 7-day cruise along Alaska's Inside Passage, which can be an affordable (and efficient!) way to see a lot of places along the coast. Then you might want to continue on to Denali National Park, either booking a group trip through the cruise line or on your own. <a href="http://www.cruisemates.com/" target="_blank">CruiseMates.com</a> and <a href="http://www.cruisecritic.com/" target="_blank">CruiseCritic.com</a> are both good resources to research cruise options and get advice about booking a trip.

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Kerrville, Texas: My husband and I are flying from Paris to Naples May 8. We would like to see Amalfi Coast, Pompeii and train to Venice for 2 days and then have at least 2 days in Rome before flying back home May 16. Are there high speed trains from Naples to Venice and Venice to Rome that will allow us the time to see all.

Susan Stellin: That itinerary sounds pretty feasible to me, but you can check train schedules online at <a href="http://www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html" target="">Trenitalia.com</a>. You can look up schedules for the route and dates you plan to travel. The Web site will indicate which options are high-speed trains. Just be sure to double-check times when you arrive in Italy to make sure the schedule hasn't changed!

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Dryden, MI: Three friends and I have travelled quite extensively throughout Europe on escorted, group trips. We want to go to Eastern Europe in the fall of 2007. However, we are thinking of making our own arrangements instead of travelling with another group. Air fare and hotels seem easy enough to arrange but ground transportation has us a bit stymied. Train travel between Vienna and Budapest is easy enough but other cities are only served by overnight trains. We did that in France and it was not a pleasant experience. We are considering renting a car. Is it worth the hassle? We are four women with four large suit cases and four carry-on bags. Is a European car even large enough for us to use? Are there companies that will transport luggage between cities for us thereby negating the need for a larger car? Thank you for taking the time to consider my question. Mary

Susan Stellin: A couple companies that specialize in car rentals in Europe are Auto Europe (<a href="http://www.autoeurope.com/" target="_blank">autoeurope.com</a>) and Europe By Car (<a href="http://www.europebycar.com/" target="_blank">europebycar.com</a>). They can probably give you advice on whether it makes sense to rent a car for the itinerary you're planning -- and help you find a car that can accommodate all of your luggage! Another option worth investigating is flying between the cities you want to visit. Since there are so many low-fare carriers operating in Europe, you may find air travel more economical. Try <a href="http://www.openjet.com/" target="_blank">Openjet.com</a>, <a href="http://www.applefares.com/" target="_blank">Applefares.com</a> or <a href="http://www.skyscanner.net/" target="_blank">Skyscanner.net</a> to find prices on European discount carriers.

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Prescott, AZ: My husband and I are traveling to Italy for 2 weeks in May for the first. Should we book all hotels accomodations ahead or just book a few nights - such as arrival in Rome, departure night in Rome, first night in Venice, Florence, etc then 'pot luck' the rest of the nights? We are the type of travelers that love flexibility and spontaneity but hear hotels can be difficult to secure that time of year. Any ideas would be appreciated! Thank you!

Susan Stellin: I'd try to book your hotels ahead of time. Not only is it a busy time of year, but you can waste a lot of your precious vacation time trying to find a place to stay if you wait until after you arrive!

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St Joseph, Mo: We have booked land travel on a Globus trip to Eastern Europe originating in Munich, Germany leaving 06/4/2006. Whats the best strategy for receiving the best air accommodations and price to Munich approx. June 1?

Susan Stellin: I'd book those tickets soon -- and if possible, try different dates around June 1 to see when you can get the best fare. A good source to check is <a href="http://www.itasoftware.com/" target="_blank">ITASoftware.com</a>. You can't buy tickets through this Web site, but it generally lists many more flight options than other travel Web sites. (The only catch is, you have to recreate the itinerary you find at another Web site in order to book your ticket, or call the airline or a travel agent.)

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Susan Stellin: Thanks for all your great questions.

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Trip Coach: Feb. 28, 2006

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