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KC Summers: Hi everyone, from the humidity capital of the free world. If there were ever a week to get outta town, this would be it. But for those of us stuck here, we can dream...
Today's chat topic was posed by one of our readers. Steven Smith asks in an e-mail for "recommendations on things people can do to make ANY trip interesting. So many books are about specific sites and activities, but I'd like to have a list of fun activities that could almost become habits." He gives two examples: "When in a foreign country, visit a grocery store to see the different products and how they are presented; and try to draw (even if you completely lack talent) a view, as that will make you notice details you wouldn't see just by clicking the camera."
I think both of these are great ideas, and would add one of my own:
* Get lost. In other words, save a morning to abandon your plan for a few hours, leave the guidebook behind and walk around aimlessly. It's a great way to discover new neighborhoods and chat up the locals. (Of course, the obligatory disclaimer: Make sure the hoods you're exploring are safe, and don't wander around on your own after dark if the area is at all dicey.)
How about you guys? Got tips on how to make any trip special? The best suggestion wins today's prize, which is not our usual schlock, but a nicely framed series of black-and-white photographs of Block Island, R.I. Joining me on today's chat are Travel staffers Carol Sottili, Gary Lee, Anne McDonough, Andrea Sachs and Steve Hendrix. And we're off...
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Washington, D.C: Desperate Kiwis:
I read with interest Anne McDonough's article on low-frill chain accommodation in NYC.
My parents and sister are travelling from New Zealand to join my husband and I in NYC this October. We plan to stay about four days but even the no-frill chains Anne suggested all charge at least $200/night.
Help!; Is there any alternatives you can suggest? I really don't know what to do. We cannot afford more than $150/night/room.
Grateful for any advice,
Linda
Anne McDonough: In the chart that ran with the article, you'll notice that we were able to find several rooms significantly under $200-the Best Western at $124, the Super 8 at $119, for example. Those rates, of course, don't include taxes which in NY are considerable: my room at the Super 8 was listed as $179.99 but came to $207 with tax (if only I could have found that chart fare in time!). One person quoted in the story got the $89.99 rate at one of the Apple Core Hotels. The key is to get on-line often and early, and do a ton of searches--and if you see a good rate, jump on it because it may be gone in minutes. If you book now, I bet you'll be able to find a room that will fit your needs: Search www.quikbook.com, www.travelweb.com, www.applecorehotels.com, and any of the other Web sites listed at the end of the piece which are for the low-frills hotels. You also might want to look into an all-suites hotel, where the five of you could crash together. Good luck!!
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Question about Rome: Hi!; I'm very excited to be visiting Italy for the first time later this year. My husband and I snagged cheap tickets from London (where we will be spending the Christmas holidays with his family) to Rome, for four days over New Year's Eve. Do you have any specific hotel recommendations - or do you recommend a specific section of Rome? I enjoyed the article you did during the summer on hotels in room, but we would ideally like to spend about $100 a night. Kayak.com has listed a couple of different options for that price - but we don't know which part of the town to stay in. I know we should book sooner than later - any help will be much appreciated!; THANK YOU!;
Gary Lee: It's possible, though a bit tough to find a nice room at that rate in Rome. One area to look is around the Vatican. Another is near the Colossuem. I'd suggest the Spanish Steps but it tends to me more pricey. In addition to Kayak, would suggest that you check out the Rome-based agency venere.com
Anyone with tips about particularly good hotel deals in Rome?
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University Park, Md.: Prepaid hotel reservations--I have found very good rates for preferred hotels in Barcelona through Alpharooms and Hotelopia and am very tempted to book. However, the agencies want full payment up front. Are these agencies reliable? We are committed to the date and place, but reluctant to pay unless we know the agencies are trustworthy. Thanks.
Gary Lee: We have heard of and had luck with Hotelopia. We can recommend it, but suggest that you get confirmation, and call the hotel in advance of arrival to make sure that the deal is done.
We don't know Alpharooms. Is anyone out there familiar with them?
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Washington, D.C.: I was really interested in yesterday's QnA about the best snorkeling options in the continental US. Would your answers be the same for diving options? I assume not, since you say the Dry Tortugas average 20 feet, but where are the best spots for me to get my dive on? I'm fairly new at it and learned to dive abroad. Now I want to find some closer spots where I can take long weekends under water...
KC Summers: Hi Wash, and thanks. Actually the info in the column does apply to diving as well as snorkeling. The warmest spots would be the ones we mentioned -- off the coast of southern Florida (especially the Gold Coast) and the Keys. Dry Tortugas National Park says it does have scuba diving -- I think that 20-foot depth they mentioned must have just applied to the snorkeling spots. If water temp isn't that important to you, try off the Calif. coast and points north (Andrea says over the partition that Seattle is supposed to have great diving w/ seals, etc.) The PADI site mentioned in the column is a great source for dive shops that can point you in the right direction -- you can search by state.
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Rockville, Md: I need to cancel or actually postpone a ticket I have on British Airways due to a family emergency. I know it is non-refundable, but will BA just penalize me and allow me to use the ticket within the year?
Carol Sottili: I can't tell you what the cancellation fees will be because it depends on the ticket type. Contact:
British Airways Ticket Refunds USA
75-20 Astoria Blvd
Jackson Heights , NY 11370
347-418-4241 fax
or go to www.britishairways.com and look for refund request form.
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New York, NY: Planning a trip to Italy next month and Hotel Mozart is already booked. Has anyone stayed at either the Hotel San Carlo, the Grand Hotel Palazzo or the Kennedy Hotel? Or any affordable gems people can recommend?
Also, have an early flight going home. Do I want to sacrifice my last night in Rome to stay near the airport? Thanks.
Gary Lee: We know and can recommend the San Carlo. We'd also suggest that you try the Daphne Inn. They have two locations, both great. Skittish service has made us lukewarm on the Kennedy.
Anybody else have thoughts about these hotels.
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Richmond, Va.: We recently got back from South Dakota. As per your advice, we flew into Sioux Falls and drove to Rapid City. Thanks alot,You were right about South Dakota being a great place to visit. We saw the Corn Palace, Badlands, Custer National Park, Mount Rushmore, and Crazyhorse. Deadwood was very interesting and a must see. About the only thing you did not mention was the Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village. The $6 guided tour is awesome. Motels were inexpensive and the people of South Dakota are friendly and helpful. The scenery is breathtaking and you can always find free water and a 5 cent cup of coffee at Wall Drugs.
KC Summers: Ah, good old Wall Drug... Thanks, glad we could help. SD is one of my favorite unsung states.
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