Talk About Travel; Favorite college towns, the Balkans, bargain-shopping in Paris, biking vacations, restaurants around Times Square and more
Byline: The Flight Crew
The Post's Travel Section Flight Crew will take your comments, questions, suspicions, warnings, gripes, sad tales and happy endings springing from the world of... the world. Of course, the Flight Crew will be happy to answer your travel questions -- but the best thing about this forum, we insist, is that it lets travelers exchange information with other travelers who've been there, done that or otherwise have insights, ideas and information to share. Different members of the Crew will rotate through the captain's chair every week, but the one constant is you, our valued passengers.
Joining the Flight Crew today is Bosnia-based freelance journalist Alex Crevar , author of this week's Sarajevo story, who will field questions and comments about travel in the Balkans.
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Andrea Sachs: Happy Monday, Chatsters. The gang is all (or almost all) here: K.C., Gary, Carol, Cindy, Anne (live from New York), me (just flew in from Detroit/Ann Arbor) and our special guest, Alex Crevar, a writer who knows the Balkans as well as we know the Beltway. In fact, he is being patched in from Sarajevo. So, if you want to know what life--or travel--is like in Bosnia and its environs, do send Alex some questions.
As for the question du jour (there's prize in it for the best answer): Name your favorite college town, whether you went there or not (hello Cambridge).
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Oakton, Va: Favorite college town? Cambridge of course , but not the one in Mass. I'll take the one 1 1/2 hours North of London. I always get a kick out of visiting there, and the history and architecture is fabulous.
Andrea Sachs: Ah, yes, our friends across the pond. And in Ivy-ish education to boot.
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Bowie, Md: "As for the question du jour (there's prize in it for the best answer): Name your favorite college town, whether you went there or not (hello Cambridge)."
Did you ever wonder where the students at Daytona Beach Community College go for spring break?
Andrea Sachs: Great question: Maybe Ohio (a Spring Break swap, perhaps)
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London UK: Hi Alex -- great article! I'm heading to Sarajevo in June to do some postgrad research -- can you recommend some more budget places to stay? Nothing fancy, just clean and centrally located would be great...
Also, I've heard that there are tour guides in Sarajevo who specialize in, well, 'war tours', describing the siege in detail -- which yes, seems a bit unsettling, but my research is on the war and so this sort of thing could be quite helpful -- any thoughts on this?
Thanks so much!
Alex Crevar: In the way of budget places, I'd first suggest going to www.bhtourism.ba website and looking under "places to stay". There are several there, including Guest house Bistrik, that are inexpensive.
For "war tour" info visit the Sarajevo tourism info center that's listed in the story.
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Bethesda, Md: I now live in New Delhi with my family. To travel "home" this summer we want to find the best round the world fares which will allow us to start in Delhi travel to China, Japan, Alaska, Seattle, Minneapolis, DC, Italy and back to Delhi. Please advise. We are a family of four -- Mom, Dad, teenage daughter and 8 year old son.
CLQB
Carol Sottili: You would probably be best served dealing with an air consolidator there. The United States Air Consolidators Association (www.usaca.com) is a good resource for North American consolidators, but I don't know how easy it would be for them to ticket you out of Delhi. Also, most of the better consolidators don't work directly with consumers - you have to go through a travel agent.
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Dupont Circle, D.C.: Given the recent events (WHOOT!) this may sound like heresy coming from a recent GMU grad, but I'd have to say Oxford (spent a semester there). Beautiful cobblestone streets, ancient libraries full of dusty texts and hushed voices, regular free symphonies at Sheldonian, Evensong at Christ Church, pubs slinging pints and all in the middle of beautiful English countryside (Don't forget high tea at The Rose, the humble but inviting Botanical Gardens and that beautiful little print shop that had old maps and illustrations of the colleges). You can't get any better than that.
Andrea Sachs: I think you can get smarter just by walking around Oxford's campus. It is in the air.
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Washington, D.C.: I read the piece on Croatia on Sunday, and I'm wondering
about hotels there. From the article (and I apologize, I
can't remember who wrote it), it seemed that rooms were
fairly easy to get for decent prices, but then the info box
seemed to imply that they weren't sure things, and if you
didn't get a private room then it was $150+ chain hotels.
Is that about right, especially in Dubrovnik?
I also wasn't sure how many people the writer was with--
are the private rooms a solo traveller thing only?
I've been wanting to go to Dubrovnik for a couple years
now, but if the only option for two friends is expensive,
soulless hotels, maybe not. Also, if you do end up
spending $$ on a hotel, how are the other expenses? Will
the rest of my money go far?
thanks!
KC Summers: Hi Wash, that was me. Or I. KC. Anyway, I definitely think private rooms are the way to go in Croatia. And they do seem to be a sure bet -- at least in my case, traveling in September. It was just a matter of showing up at the ferry dock and either negotiating with one of the room-renters who hang around there, or going to one of the travel agencies near the docks, like Atlas (which I used). I lucked into the most amazing rooms that way, as the cover photo attests...
I was with a friend and those were double rates I cited. The big hotels I mentioned aren't chains, but definitely soulless and to me, not worth the cost.
As for other expenses, it's like anywhere else, you can splurge at nice places or seek out budget joints. I did a little of both. Dubrovnik definitely has pricey eateries but that seaside joint that a local steered me to, Lokanda, was affordable and fun. And getting around on the ferries is really cheap, $20 for each leg of my trip. Go!!
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Salt Lake City, Utah: Pasadena (where my daughter attended Cal Tech)! Beautiful weather, lots of incredible shopping and food, opportunities for diverse cultural experiences, easy to reach, what's not to like......
Andrea Sachs: The anti-L.A. Very nice suggestion.
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Falls Church, Va: My husband and I are traveling to France on business (his). The company is picking up the tab for the high speed train from Paris to Bordeaux, but we will need to make our own arrangements for the return trp. Our flight leaves Paris (CDG) for IAD at 1:00 pm. Is the high speed train an option for us that morning, or should we book a plane flight back to CDG?
Also, any tips on shopping for bargains while in Paris?
Thanks.
Gary Lee: Although you could make your 1 o'clock flight out right connection, I'd recommend booking an early flight, one that has a back-up flight slightly later in case that one is delayed. These days you can never be too careful, especially if you have an international connection.
For directing you towards shopping bargains in this mega city, I'd have to know more what you're interested in.
Bon Voyage!
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Tucson, Ariz: I enjoyed the updated travel information on my former reporting beat in the Balkans. My pleasure was limited by the Washington Post.com travel staff which insisted on calling the page "the Hot Baltics" . Bosnia, Croatia and Montenegro may be hot but they are not located anywhere near the Baltic. Don't tell the geographically challenged Post.com travel staff but Slovakia and Slovenia are different too.
KC Summers: You say Balkans, we say Baltics... Sorry about that. Our colleagues over at the Web site just had a slip of the fingers -- it happens.
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Arlington, Va.: My favorite college town: Hands down Austin, Texas. (weep, weep it was hard watching UT lose this weekend). It has something for everyone, outdoor recreation, like hiking and canoeing, beautiful scenery, fun people, and what other city can you listen to great live music any day of the week? Now that I'm married with kids, I love going back with my family and showing them the city I love.
Andrea Sachs: I always wondered: How do those college students get any work done. I'd be listening to live bands all night and sleeping through my Econ class.
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Best College Town....: in the country has got to be Philadelphia! While being one of the cities with the most amount of Universities in one area, it obviously maintains the cosmopolitan air that only a well-developed city can have. I went to school here and loved every minute of it (still do, since I stayed here!). Going to college here was never like being locked up in a campus somewhere in the middle of nowhere (think Penn State). I could explore the city, enjoy the many things it has to offer and learn even more because I was exposed to so much more culture! Even there for a while, our then-mayor-now-Governor would have special events in the city for all Universities to promote a love-the-city-enjoy-the-city-state-of-mind, which would help you connect with students from all the other schools (without the rivalry of Big Five basketball game involved). If I could do it all over again, my college experience would definitely be in this great City of Brotherly Love!
Andrea Sachs: Wow, makes me wish I had gone (or rather gotten into) U-Penn.
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Washington, DC: I vote for Madison, WI as the best college town (yes, I went there). The campus is located by Lake Mendota. There isn't any better cuisine than a brat and a beer. Wonderful. Wonderful. Wonderful.
Andrea Sachs: And great arts and culture there too, as I recall.
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Best College Town= Madison!: Best college town = Madison, Wisconsin. The city is
located on an ithsmus between two beautiful lakes, and in
the summer there are festivals and events going on
almost every weekend along the Union Terrace or Monona
Terrace. The city is overwhelmingly liberal and has a
hippie feel. On any given day you can find a bunch of
students protesting something somewhere, which always
makes for good conversation. State Street is fun for
shopping during the day and going out at night... and it
gets a little crazy. Or, a lot crazy on Halloween when the
students have been known to cause trouble. Madison is
never boring, but has a community feeling about it. It's
personality and beauty would be hard to match...
especially in the Midwest.
Andrea Sachs: Two votes for Madison. Go Madison!
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Chinatown, Washington, D.C.: ANN ARBOR! No question. And as for a sub-neighborhood, the University of Michigan Law Quad.
Tons of smart, attractive people, great pizza & vegetarian food, beautiful places to jog and frolic........I still miss it!
Andrea Sachs: I just flew in from Ann Arbor and agree. What a quirky college town. Look for an upcoming short article on it.
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Oxford: and go to Bear - the oldest bar in England most likely. 1100s something.
I disagree re: flight to Paris - I'd take the train unless there is absolutely none. trains rarely break down. planes can.
Gary Lee: Agree about Oxford and the Bear. I still say the plane is a better bet. So we're two for three...Anyomne else with thoughts on this?
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Washington, DC: My husband and I are interested in taking, small, casual-style cruises. We love Windjammer but their destinations are pretty limited. Are there similar companies out there? We're also looking at Cruise West. Can you recommend them or anyone else? We'd love to go to Greece but almost anything on a tall ship with a fun, laid back atmosphere would be great and we're happy to explore new places! Thanks for the help.
Carol Sottili: A good resource is Small Ship Cruises (www.smallshipcruises.com), a travel agency that specializes in smaller, lesser known cruise lines. I've heard good things about Cruise West. In the U.S. and North America, American Cruise Lines (www.americancruiselines.com) and American Canadian Caribbean Line (www.accl-smallships.com) have good reps. As for Greece, try Peter Deilmann (www.deilmann-cruises.com) or Swan Hellenic (www.swan-hellenic.com). Or you could always do a yacht cruise - lots of private yachts for hire in Greece (try www.vikings.gr).
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Chevy Chase, Md: I read the story about Dubrovnik and Korcula in Sunday's paper and was concerned about the crowds. We're planning a family vacation in June and was wondering if it would be better to visit Dubrovnic and another island. Any suggestions?
KC Summers: I hope I don't put anybody off from visiting because of the crowds -- it wasn't I felt I could gloss over. Crowds are definitely going to be a factor in the summer, but June is better than JUly and August so you'll probably be okay. You could try Hvar or one of the islands closer to Dubrovnik like Mljet. But Korcula is so amazingly beautiful, I'd say go for it. Hvar sounds like it's getting really jet-setty.
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Missed the boat on Argentina?: First things first - Charlottesville is the best college town bar none. Second is Chapel Hill, NC. I'd love to live in either again.
Second - we were planning a trip to Argentina, having heard how wonderful yet inexpensive it is. Research, however, reveals no such price break. Am I looking in the worng places? Or had so many people acted on this tip already that we've missed our chance? Thanks!
Andrea Sachs: Two great choices!
As for Argentina: The conversion rate is still favorable (32 U.S. cents to their dollar or peso), but not like it was a couple years ago when they were stuggling with their economy. You should still be able to find bargains though.
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College Towns: My vote is for Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Great restaurants, a beautiful campus, and the Ackland Art Museum...incidentally, Mr. Ackland himself is interred inside one of the galleries.
Andrea Sachs: Really, as a mummy?
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Washington DC: Hi, I'm interested in taking a week-long biking tour vacation, but I know they tend to be pricey. Any suggestions a biking tour that would be affordable to a student like myself? I'm open to destinations from around the world, though my top choice is Ireland.
Steve Hendrix: There's a pretty wide range of prices on bicycle trips. You'll pay more for a full-service support (a van to carry your stuff) and dinner/breakfast provided, side trips and tours, etc. Pay less for independent trips where you "buy" an itenirary and peddle your own way from inn to inn, where a reservation awaits you. Cheapest of all is do it yourself, with just your paniers and a map. As a student, you should go by the guidance office on your campus (where they advertise exchange programs and work abroad ops) and take advantage of the student discount deals. You may even find one of those in Ireland that you spin into a biking trip. (Of course, you can look for student travel info on the Web, but be aware of the infinite number of sites that pose as student programs, but probably are not).
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Warm Springs, Va: We're thinking about adding many days in Croatia onto a trip to Vienna in November. I imagine that mid-November is a slow time for tourism. Is a place like Dubrovnik completely seasonal? Do you think that all of the restaurants, hotels, etc. will be open for business? Do you think that's a good time to be there? Thanks.
Alex Crevar: Croatia is not completely seasonal but from November to March the weather can be questionable with some places closed/closing down--especially on the islands. Having said that, there will be plenty open and if the weather holds out, it would be a wonderful time to be there ... cold swimming but great.
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Laurel, Md: Please please please stop telling everyone how wonderful the former Yugoslavia is to travel in! I want to keep it one big fat secret, although I fear it is way too late - I was there for the first time in 1989 when I spent a semester there and for years told everyone that it is more beautiful than they can imagine and now I regret it! I want to be able to go and get a hotel room or a private room withour reservations and not have to wait in restaurants for a table - it was so wonderful. I was there most recently in 2000 (way too long ago) and I am afraid of what I will find the next time - too many people period - regardless of where they come from. I am looking forward to the day when there is a new 'hot spot' so that tourists move on - and it makes me even more mad that you say that September is the best time to go because I definitely never told anyone that! Sometimes secrets are meant to be kept! If you are going to talk about travel in the Balkans, direct people to Bulgaria!
KC Summers: Laurel, our mission here is to find out about neat places, then write about them and ruin them. Just kidding. We hate to see these places overrun, too. But as our colleague Tom Sietsema says, we're not paid to keep secrets. We see something great, we've got to spread the word. And September is a great time to visit anywhere in Europe, wouldn't you say? Btw, we did direct folks to Bulgaria last year!
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Raleigh, NC: My mother, sister & I are going on our first ever girls trip to NYC to see a broadway show. My mother has health issues and cannot walk any significant distance and I can't imagine us duking it out for a cab with agressive New Yorkers. Do you have any recommendations on good restaurants & things to do in the 44th/47th/Times Square Area? Thank you in advance for your feedback!
Anne McDonough: We're not all agressive! I promise! I'm here in NY right now and have only yelled at five tourists so far. Just kidding. And Times Square is actually one of the most crowded spots to walk around; if you headed to, say, the galleries in Chelsea you'd have more sidewalk space. But if you'd like to stay in the Times Square area, there is a ton of stuff to there. For restaurants, Marseille (630 Ninth Ave. at 44th Street) is wonderful and can handle pre- and post-theater dinner plans, and Mont Blanc around 8th and 48th is a good Swiss restaurant. Coming up should be a link to the New York issue from April 2005 that includes several pretheater restaurants; they're good all the time, though, not just for pretheater, and all in the general area you're headed to. For activities...The Times Square Visitors Center at 1560 Broadway at 46th and Seventh (212-768-1560, timessquarenyc.org) is the first place to go to check out what's new in the area. Chatters--what's your top Times Square attraction?
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Washington, DC: Does the Flight Crew have any experience with flying on ATA? They're offering very attractive fares from DC to Seattle (and other destinations), connecting thru Chicago-Midway. I'd like to know if they're reliable and comfortable. Thanks.
Andrea Sachs: ATA is a reliable airline. The Midway connection can sometimes be a little hairy, but all in all, for a good fare to Seattle, I'd take it.
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washingtonpost.com: 10 Appetizing Reasons to Visit Manhattan , (April 17, 2005)
Anne McDonough: For the girls headed to NYC with their mom...go to the Pretheater link from here to see some Times Square options. Thanks, Kim!
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Bethesda, Md: Are there any places off the (already unbeaten) beaten track in Bosnia that you would suggest visiting? We visited Jajce last year in addition to Sarajevo and loved it. Any other suggestions?
Alex Crevar: Sutjeska National Park--near Foca--is one of the last primeval forests in Europe. And, there's rafting on the Tara River near the park. Mostar and nearby Blagaj are good choices.
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Bethesda, Md: Dear flight crew: My husband and I were planning a trip to Yellowstone this summer; I recently learned that I'm pregnant, which is great but may require changing our plans. Obviously, we'll talk to our doctor, but the information on high altitudes suggests that we should choose another destination for our last childless fling. My dream trip is Italy, but I would hate to be there and not drink wine freely and eat unpasteurized cheese! That gives you some idea of the types of trips we like-light hiking, pretty scenery, museums and historic sites, good food. Where would you go for a week? Our budget is about $4,000 for the two of us. Bonus if it's a direct flight or easy drive from here. We'd be traveling in July or August, during my second trimester.
Carol Sottili: I'm no doctor, but I went on vacation to Colorado Springs when I was 7 1/2-months pregnant and had no trouble with altitude. Even went to the top of Pikes Peak. Lake Tahoe is a nice mountainous location that's located at a lower altitude than Yellowstone, although it's still higher than 6,000 feet. Across the pond, you may want to take a look at England's Lake District (www.lake-district.gov.uk), which is an a relatively low 2,000 feet.
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Honeymoon Planning: Hi, and thanks for taking my question. My fiance and I are getting married next April. We're looking into honeymooning on the Yucatan penninsula of Mexico. More specifically Puerto Aventuras. Do you know anything about the area and what else there is in that area in terms of Mayan ruins? Everything looks great in the pictures, but I'd love to hear from someone who has been to the area. Thanks!!
Cindy Loose: Happen to know that area well. First off, you're about a 30 minute drive, due south, from Tulum, a wonderful ruin along the sea. From there, it's about an other hour to Coba, a vast jungle ruin. Driving a car there yourself isn't really too demanding---Tulum is due south on a single highway, and you can't miss the ruin. I'd plan to spend a big part of the day there, going to lunch at one of the hotels in the so-called Hotel Zone--head to the town of Tulum and turn left at the stop sign and you'll hit small properties on the water with wonderful meals. (Don't drive after dark.) I'd make Coba a separate day. If you prefer, there are outfitters that will take you on a full day trip, including Coba and a real Mayan village. If you drive yourself to Coba, plan to lunch at a very small hotel just next to the entrance to the ruins that is actually a Club Med, but doesn't look like one. Another possible day trip--take the ferry to Cozumel--the best part is the ferry ride--or if you're more adventurous head towards Cancun and onward to Isle Mujer, which you reach by ferry. Have a great time.
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Fairfax, Va.: This Fall, my husband and I are spending the majority of our vacation in Southern Maine, we would like to stop about halfway on the drive home for two nights at a bed and breakfast. It will be my birthday, so we want it to a really nice place, but since we will have already spent most of our budget we need it to be affordable. Can you recommend a great, affordable, romantic location?
(We have already checked out bbonline.com and nothing really jumped out at us)
Carol Sottili: None come to mind, so we're throwing your request out to our readers. Anyone?
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Pittsburgh, Pa: I am traveling to Croatia the last week of June; I will be spending three days in Dubrovnik and four days is Zagreb. What would you suggest as your top three (or so) things not to miss while there? Thanks so much for the article!
KC Summers: In Zagreb, definitely check out the monuments and churches in the Upper Town (ride the funicular up -- amazing view), and don't forget to light a candle at the Stone Gate. Stop by the huge outdoor market and check out the cafe culture in the Lower Town.
In Dubrovnik, wow -- where to start. You could spend all three days just wandering around Stari Grad (Old Town) and alternating churches and museums with wine or cappuccinos in the many sidewalk cafes. But if I had to pick three specific places, it would be the Jewish Museum/Synagogue, the Dominican Monastery (incredibly beautiful inner courtyard) and of the course walking the city walls around he city for the most amazing view ever of the city and the Adriatic.
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Washington, DC: Taking Amtrak from D.C. down to South Carolina next week and trying to plan ways to pass the time. I figure a few hours sleeping, an hour with the day's Post, and maybe a few hours watching episodes of Lost on my laptop. Is watching dvds on laptops (with headphones, of course) frowned upon? Never taken the train before, so not sure of train-travel etiquette...
Steve Hendrix: No, portable DVD players etc. are welcome on trains, assuming you observe normal standards of consideration (earphones, please, and no video that you wouldn't want your mother or children to see). In fact, Amtrak is offering it's own single-passenger video units on the Auto-Train, and may extend it to other runs. I'll post that CoGo item here:
With spring break approaching, parents with some dough have a new way to keep kids busy on Amtrak's Autotrain between Lorton and Sanford, Fla.: digEplayers, which are digital players preloaded with entertainment.
The three-pound players, which have 7 1/2 -inch screens and can be propped up on a tray table, come with a hefty $19 each-way fee . Rent and return at either Autotrain terminal, and if the eight- to 10-hour charge runs out, get new batteries onboard for free.
Users can choose from movies (kid stuff like "Madagascar" and more adult-friendly material such as "North Country"), TV shows ("Scrubs," "Two and a Half Men"), music videos (Bon Jovi to R. Kelly), songs (Top 40, country, jazz, etc.) and Amtrak propaganda .
CoGo was impressed with the player's ease of use, the quality of the sound and image, and the variety of choices, but would caution parents to watch what the kids are plugged into . Movies are edited for profanity, but you can't avoid some of the adult material on a flick like "Old School" or a 50 Cent video.
Amtrak spokeswoman Tracy Connell said the service may eventually be extended to other lines , but that Amtrak is "still waiting to see how this is going."
Information: 866-digEplayer, http://www.railwaymedia.com.
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Fairfax, Va: So with George Mason (my alma mater) making the Final Four in Indianapolis, what kind of ways are there to get from DC to Indy without breaking the bank last-minute? A lot of flights seem to be of the $500-plus variety. Are train, bus or car options?
Andrea Sachs: Amtrak goes there (cheaper than to NYC; from $90), you can drive (600 miles) or bus (groan!).
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Alexandria, Va: I leave for Dubai on Thursday from IAD. It's my first international flight in a few years. Anything I need to know about that may have changed in terms of customs, security, etc. (my last trip was post 9-11 so I'm aware of those basic changes). Any advice on arriving/traveling in Dubai? I'll be with friends who live there. I have lived in the Middle East before, but again, it's been awhile. I am simply looking for an update on what might have changed.
Cindy Loose: You'll find your best update at the State Department site, www.travel.state.gov. Click on consular reports, then pull up Dubai.
Anyone else out there have recent personal expereince to share?
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Arlington, Va.: Enjoyed the Croatia article and I'm curious about your work process--did you get to travel around more than just to the three places you highlighted?
Some may be put off by the crowds you described. They should know there are so many places to stay outside the cities.
I love visiting Croatia for many reasons, one being that the coastline isn't marred by resorts and high rises, and people offer very nice apartments in their houses for rent. Sadly, it seems Montenegro isn't following that model. Would you agree?
KC Summers: I also went to Zagreb 'cause that's where the easiest plane connection was, and I'm so glad I did -- I really liked it. I'd heard that the capital was underrated and it sure is. Great cafes, architecture, a good buzz to the place. But they need more mid-price hotels!!
You're so right about the Croatian coast, they've done it right. Alex, want to weigh on in Montenegro's coast?
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Annandale, Va: Favorite college "town"? Adelaide Australia. Where else can you go to school to get degrees in wine making then go out to the wine region to take you test!
Cindy Loose: I love that town.
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Waldorf, Md.: Hi! My boyfriend and I are heading to Nashville next week for
a few days. Does anyone have any suggestions (besides the
Loveless Cafe) for Meat-And-Threes and/or BBQ restaurants?
How about any off the beaten path places we should see? I've
been there before, but he hasn't. We're up for almost
anything and are looking forward to the little mini-getaway
to the land of country music, even though we aren't big fans.
Thanks!
Anne McDonough: I'm going to need the chatters to weigh in on meat-and-threes but can heartily recommend heading out to the Grand Ole Opry, even if you're not a huge country fan. I'm not, and had a great time there, and got to see what the fuss was about (and got to see Alison Krauss before I realized how much I liked her music). You don't need to be into shopping to find the Opryland mall out there is a trip, too. The replica Parthenon and the Ryman I could have skipped, but the Frist Center for the Visual Arts and the Country Music Hall of Fame are just spectacular.
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Alexandria, Va: Greetings, Crew! I often take advantage of the extra legroom that an airplane exit row seat offers, especially when travelling with my tall husband. But, I also realize that choosing an exit row seat is a commitment to utilize the door in an emergency. Are there any programs or classes that offer training for properly opening and getting through the emergency exit doors of airplanes? Please advise. Thank you!
Carol Sottili: I don't know of any classes like this. It's really not all that tough to open the door. Just listen carefully to the flight attendant and read the instructions. And if you're very nervous about it, the extra room may not be worth it.
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former Nittany Lion: Clearly, the answer is State College. THe beauty, the nature, the football, the cheap cheap beer! I have also lived in Ann Arbor (the law quad even) and even if it wasn't a sucking pit of law school misery, State College would still beat Ann Arbor with one hand tied behind it's back. Probably because Ann Arbor would be stoned.
Cindy Loose: As a Penn State grad, I agree it beats Ann Arbor, but not quite sold on the number one thing.
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washingtonpost.com: Nashville, via Hotwire , (July 20, 2003)
Anne McDonough: For the Nashville-bound; this is from a few years ago but hits the highlights. Thanks, Kim!
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San Francisco, Calif: Favorite college town is Berkeley, CA! All sorts of interesting history on the campus, the birthplace of the Free Speech movement, a great community around the campus, and a very relaxed atmosphere. Added to that, there's fantastic food everywhere you go in the town.
Andrea Sachs: Great pick. Even in 2006 it is still like the '60s.
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Slippery Rock, Pa: Best College Town?! Hands down, Slippery Rock, or better known as "Slimey Pebble." Yes, there really is a place called Slippery Rock where the best place to go is the campus book store for all your SRU apparel. I miss the local Sheetz, the Rock House (bar), and the feeling of being so far from anything urban that your greatest memory is exploring the local state parks...I'm a nature nut!
Cindy Loose: Hey, you can drive just over the border, towards Breezewood, and hit a Sheetz. I'm guessing you go for the Tastycakes.
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St. Louis, Mo: This is just a comment. A week ago my husband and I were on a Southwest flight from Dallas to St. Louis. Due to technical problems, we had to change planes twice before ever leaving Dallas. This caused a two hour delay. On our third plane, free drinks were offered. Our luggage arrived without a problem. We thought that was the end of it. This past Saturday, we received a letter of apology and two free passes to anywhere Southwest flies, good for one year. We were stunned. This is customer service to the max. Do you know of any other airline that would do this?M. Miller
Carol Sottili: Maybe this helps explain why it's one of the few airlines that is making money.
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Bed and Breakfast: For the couple ddriving from Maine - stop in Cape May in NJ shore. I haven't stayed there but have visited and it is lovely/ Google search turns up lots of accomodations.
Carol Sottili: Interesting possibility. I stayed at a very nice B&B in Cape May called Angel of the Sea (www.angelofthesea.com).
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Remsen, NY: I'm planning on taking my Mom in Fairfax to Santa Fe N.M. in May. Any must see's on the way from ABQ airport to Santa Fe? We will be staying at La Posada in town but looking for interesting historical or religious landmarks.
Gary Lee: You should take time and take the Jemez Mountain Trail. There are some gorgeous historical sights here, including: Jemez State Monument, Bandlier monument (and the surrounding state park) A stop in the unspoiled village of San Ysidro is a must.
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Washington, D.C.: Best college town without a doubt, Williamsburg, Virginia. The students love being there, and have embraced that they may not live in the most activity filled town in the world. The students and the community ARE one, whether its Bread Ends and House from the Cheese Shop, or the senior tradition of jumping the Governor's Wall, or finishing the night off with a pint in one of the taverns. The college is a postcard, and turns out some of the best people I have ever met.
Andrea Sachs: A true college town that has stood the test of time!
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Bethesda, Md: Hi There-thanks for this great resource!
I am a 24 year old woman suffering from low vision that would like to live it up and travel just like everyone else. Do you know of any resources that cater to people like me? I'm tired of disabled meaning only wheelchair accessable! Also, would you recommend a Carribean cruise or an extended stay on an island as a best bet?
Cindy Loose: Wish I could help, but I don't know of such trips. I'm betting though that there might be clubs or orgainzations that plan occassional trips. Let me search around after the chat--contact me at loosec@washpost.com.
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Bethesda, Md: Ok, even though I did go to East Carolina University I still think Greenville, NC is a phenomenal college town. You can't beat being a short drive from the Outer Banks and Raleigh and the BBQ is ohhhh so good. Greenville was also named Sportstown USA by Sports Illustrated for the state of North Carolina too. Not to mention the friendly southern hospitality, golf courses, beautiful people, did I mention the BBQ... You must go experience a Pig Pickin before a Pirates home football game complete with cole slaw, potato wedges and an ice cold beer.
Andrea Sachs: Gotta love a place with a Pig Pickin. Bet New Haven does not have that.
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Reston, Va: Hi Flight Crew:
I'm submitting early in hopes that you can help me. I need the to know if there is anywhere that specializes in helping people get over a crippling fear of flying. I love to travel, but my boyfriend can't even think of a plane without breaking out into cold sweats. Everytime we go on vacation we have to drive, which is ok if you're going to someplace inland, but not if you want to go to saw, Hawaii.
I'm surprised with all the travel stories you do, I haven't seen anything that deals with what I've found is a fairly common fear. He's already tried therapy, hypnosis, even medication, and nothing seems to work. Please help!
Many thanks in advance.
Carol Sottili: Here's what I wrote a couple of years ago. Don't know if it's all current, but it's worth checking.
Q My wife has a terrible fear of flying. Do you know of any therapy courses?
Mark J. Ohrstrom
The Plains, Va.
A Years ago, when the airlines were financially healthy, many had programs devoted to overcoming a fear of flying. But now private companies have largely taken over.
MySky is a 2 1/2-day seminar conducted in Minneapolis and Detroit by the former leaders of Northwest Airline's now-defunct therapy program WINGS. MySky's seminar, which runs Friday through Sunday, also includes a hanger tour and a short commercial flight. Cost is $695; the next Detroit session is scheduled for May 14-16. Info: 612-871-3355, www.myskyprogram.com.
SOAR (800-FEAR-FLY, www.fearofflying.com), founded in 1982, is run by a retired United Airlines captain who is also a licensed therapist. The complete program, with videos and a two-hour phone counseling session, is $390; individual components are $95.
There are also many self-help books, CDs and videos, which may be worth a try before you invest in a more expensive program. "Flying With Confidence" (888-U-WILL-FLY, www.flyingwithconfidence.com) is a $19.95 video that "explains modern airline flight in a calming way." Books include "Wings of Discovery" by Stacey L. Chance (Lumina Press, $13.95) and "Flying Without Fear" by Duane Brown (New Harbinger Publications, $14.95). Audiotapes include "Overcome the Fear of Flying" by Glenn Harold (Diviniti Publishing, $17.95) and "Fly Without Fear: Guided Mediations for a Relaxing Flight" (Soft Stone Publishing, $16.95).
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Montague, Mass: We, 2 couples, will be traveling in Bosnia and Croatia during much of July and we expect to head down to the Croatian coast at some point during this stay. Are we foolish not to make reservations ahead of time? Are there certain places that this would be essential? We are intrepid travelers and spendthrifts; it is our first visit to the region.
Hvala vamti,Ray
KC Summers: You know, I'm a great fan of serendipity but in this case, since you're talking July, I would say to reserve ahead. This is definitely essential in Dubrovnik. The Hotel Stari Grad in Dubrovnik, for example, has only eight rooms and it's got such a prime location that it fills up fast. (If you're really a spendthrift, check out the Pucic Palace -- somehting like $500 a night.) Farther along the coast, you'll probably always be able to find a room but the standards might be questionable.
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Fortaleza: Timbuktu. It was a well known university town hundreds of years ago, when the city was at the end of the salt caravans. My father had always wanted to go there, and finally made it when he and my mother came to visit me when I worked at the U.S. Embassy in Abidjan. He never made it to his other dream destination, Angkor Wat, but this year I plan on going, and will toast him there.
Andrea Sachs: Does Timbuktu still have a university?
And Angkor Wat is incredible. I learned more there than I did in my Asian Art class.
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Arlington, Va: Alex,
Your online article mentions the internationally recognized full name of the country Bosnia-Herzegovina ("Bosna i Hercegovina" is the native spelling) only once, and not even in the headline. Plus the online photo caption of the rebuilt bridge in the city of Mostar does not mention that the city is in the Herzegovina part of Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Could you provide come insight on the distictions between the two regions?
Thanks.
Alex Crevar: Great point about the BiH distinction. Herzegovina is the southern region and is more Mediterranean. Actually the Ivan Tunnel you take to travel south to Mostar from Sarajevo marks the official line between Bosnia and Herzegovina ... locals jokingly refer to the tunnel as the "i" in BiH.
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Sarajevo Tours: Hi,
I'm an American living in Sarajevo - for "war tours" try a company called Sammy's Tours. Sammy (short for Samira) speaks English and does a "front line" tour, including a visit to the Tunnel Museum. Her prices are a little high, but she's the guide American embassy personnel use.
KC Summers: Thanks for the tip.
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Wandering through baggage claim at Dulles: Crew: I read a reader's comments on American Airlines and its baggage handling practices in yesterday's GoCo just a few short hours after a personal encounter with these 'practices.' My wife and I were returning from a ski vacation in Breckenridge, and flew from Denver to Chicago, where we were scheduled to fly American Eagle to Dulles. At the gate, an announcement was made that the plane had weight restrictions, and asked for two volunteers to take a later flight. Later, the airline changed its mind and secretly removed all skis from the plane to compensate for the weight. I say secretly because we were not informed of this until after we had wandered through the baggage claim area at Dulles for over an hour looking for our skis. The flight had been delayed for 1 1/2 hours, and we didn't arrive at Dulles until well after midnight. Our other bags were actually the first ones off the plane, and we could've gone straight home instead of walking around forlornly for the next hour. When we finally went to lost luggage, an employee told us that this is pretty routine on American Eagle flights. Fine, but don't be cowards -- tell us up front. Is this any way to build customer relations?
Cindy Loose: I'd think not. I think most people are more or less understanding when things go wrong, but the failure to simply share info, which costs nothing, is over the top infuriating.
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Best college town? : I beg to differ with the previous poster who suggested that State College/University Park, home to Penn State, is not a great college town. Sure, it's in the middle of nowhere, but that makes getting there much sweeter! Even if you're not a football fan, there's so much to do in town and on campus: museums, live theater, concerts, non-football sporting events, and more. There are also plenty of outdoor activities, including skiing, boating, and hiking within a short drive of campus. And let's not forget the number one reason it's the best college town: Penn State Creamery ice cream! After all, we are the people who taught Ben & Jerry a thing or two when they took the Ice Cream Short Course . . .
Cindy Loose: Having once written a travel piece on my alma mater, I can tell you hands down that Penn State alums love that place--at least judging from the many story responses.
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Washington, DC: My fave college town is New Brunswick, New Jersey!
In a few months my boyfriend and I are traveling to London, Brussels, Bruges, and Amsterdam for a 2 week trip. Does anyone have any must-do/see/eat suggestions that wouldn't be in the common guidebook? Thank you for taking my question!
Anne McDonough: Whatever you do, rent bikes everywhere (except maybe not London...). I did an amazing day trip loop starting in Amsterdam and going though Markem and Volendam and a bunch of other cities and got much more of a feel for the Netherlands than had I only stayed in Amsterdam. In Brugges, don't miss the cartoon museum. In London, get half price theater tickts and make sure to order your drinks when you walk in; even if you're totally budget the rest of the trip, there's something just so nice and civilized about having a glass of champagne waiting for you when you get up for intermission. Also in London, splurge for afternoon tea, perhaps at Brown's.
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Washington, D.C.: Best College Town? Ithaca NY of course! Because, as the slogan says, "Ithaca is Gorges" Plus, Moosewood restaurant.
Cindy Loose: And the cold, which compares well to that of nearby Syracuse.
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North Bethesda, Md: Can you recommend any companies in England (or elsewhere) that rent canalboats? I tried to get one through my mother's timeshare, but they are booked forever.
Also, loved an article you wrote long ago about plying the Lena River. Wrote to the Sokol and was told that the boat stopped running right after your article. However, today I got an email from them offering a cruise on the Lena for $2k-$3k. I know you have no control over it, but very dissapointing. I hope you can cover other unusual boat stories in the future.
Steve Hendrix: Start with the website for British Waterways, the public corporation that oversees a couple of thousand miles of canals. They are a wealth of information on Britain's water routes, and they maintain a site specifically on canal tourism at www.waterscape.com.
Sorry about the vanishing Lena boat. I we have any idea that the trips we write about are in any way tenuous, we don't run the story. But tour companies are like restaurants, things change fast.
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washingtonpost.com: Inline Skating in the Netherlands , (March 21, 2004)
Anne McDonough: For the folks heading the Amsterdam, etc.--if you're ambitious, forgo the bikes and use Andrea's -inline skating story as inspiration...
Thanks for the link, Kim!
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Anonymous: Hi FC!
We're renting an apartment in Dubrovnick for four weeks in May. Do you have any suggestions for romantic side trips/dining in the area in addition to the information in today's WP articles? Do you recommend going to Sarajevo, Medajourgie, or Mostar? How about ferrying to Italy? Are dollars readily accepted or must we convert to kuna?
V & C, New Jersey
Alex Crevar: Both Sarajevo and Mostar are wonderful that time of year (the weather has already gotten beautiful and spring-y in Sarajevo). Also, quite simple to drive up from the coast on a straight shot. Drive from Mostar to Sarejvo is spectacular ... through canyons and along the Neretva River.
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RE: ATA Connection: Hi Andrea, What do you mean by the ATA Midway connection being hairy? That the airline doesn't allow enough time for the connection, or the gates being far apart, or ...? I'd be traveling with children, so am especially leery of having to run to make a connecting flight. Thanks.
Andrea Sachs: When the weather is Chicago brutal, the smaller Midway can get backed up. But nothing that will ruin a vacation. And most likely you won't have to change flights; look for a direct flight.
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Free Southwest Voucher: I did not receive a free plane ticket, however last fall I flew British Airways and the seatback entertainment system was not working for the entire flight. Upon my return from the UK, I was delighted to find a letter delivered via Royal Mail with a gift certificate to BA worth 30 pounds. It came in quite handy last month when I was able to purchase a $60 bottle of Burberry Brit perfume for $3!
Carol Sottili: Very classy response from BA. My last international flight, my entertainment system was broken and my seat cushion was gone (believe it or not, I sat directly on the metal, with only a layer of fabric between me and it), and the flight attendant just shrugged her shoulders. This was the same flight where, when I went to the back of the plane to request water, the flight attendants, who were all chatting and eating, responded by pointing to the beverage cart. Very strange flight.
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favorite college town -- Boston: I went to undergrad outside of Boston and to grad school in Boston. Fenway Park is lots of fun when it's 1/3 Yankees fans (even for us Red Sox fans) in April, May and September when the students from NY, NJ and CT are around. College sports (the Beanpot hockey tournament, BC in the ACC for basketball and football, the Head of the Charles, etc.), the performing arts students at BU, New England Conservatory and Boston Conservatory, the Museum of Fine Arts, Quincy Market, the North End and colleges such as Harvard, MIT, Tufts, Brandeis and Northeastern all nearby in addition to the ones already mentioned...
Andrea Sachs: Finally, Boston. I was wondering when Boston would make it into our Final Fourteen.
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Boston, Mass: This question is for KC -how did you arrive in Croatia during your trip? I ask because I would like to include some combination of Split, Pula and the islands with a two-week trip my wife and I are taking to Italy this summer. Do you have any ferry line recommendations, points of departure, etc? Thanks!
KC Summers: Hi Boston. I flew into Zagreb on Lufthansa, spent the night there and caught a Croatian Airlines flight the next morning for Dubrovnik. After a couple days in Dubrovnik, I caught the ferry and headed north up the coast, stopping in Korcula, then Split. Flew back from Split to Zagreb. The schedules will depend on time of year etc., but it's all posted on that web site I mentioned in the piece -- it's very user-friendly.
Another option is to fly to Italy and take a ferry to Croatia from Bari.
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Washington, DC: Best college town is definitely Dublin, Ireland. I spent a year there, and it has everythign a college student could want: bars, restaurants, book stores, and of course, Trinity College. The people are so nice, it made me want to stay a junior in college forever! It's exactly the kind of small city I wish Washington could be.
Andrea Sachs: If only D.C. had a Guinness brewery in its backyard.
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American abroad: Favorite college town is Columbia, MO-- home of three institutions of higher learning including my alma mater University of Missouri.
Halfway between two major cities (St. Louis and Kansas City) with the charm of a midsize Midwest town, near the Missouri River. Shakespeare's Pizza, the Columns, Tiger Stripe-- and a road trip to the Elvis is Alive Museum.
Andrea Sachs: I have never heard of the Elvis Is Alive Museum. What a cool field trip!
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Re: last childless vacation: My last childless vacation, when I was 7 1/2 months pregnant was to the Grand Canyon. Obviously, we didn't hike down, but enjoyed the view from the rim. We also drove down to Sedona and spent a day there. We went in mid-September (which is a good time if you can take off work and aren't say eight months pregnant by then). Temp more mild and prices and crowds are going down by then.
Carol Sottili: Good idea.
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Davis, Calif: Great college town: Montreal. 4 major universities within one city. 2 languages. A little piece of Europe right here in North America. Wonderful food, great environment, tons to do. And you get to get your education there! I spent 3 years there and would go back in a heartbeat.
My current college town home pales in comparison.
Andrea Sachs: You needed to do the six-year college plan in Montreal.
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Washington, D.C.: The best college town is Austin, Texas. I went there for law school, but I would recommend it as a college town, a vacation spot, or simply as a place to settle down and live. I would happily live there for the rest of my life. In the meantime, I love going back to visit, especially this time of year when the weather is beautiful and the wildflowers are blooming.
Andrea Sachs: Okay, current score: Two for Austin, two for Madison, two for Chapel Hill (I think, I lost count). Tie-breaker anyone?
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Charleston, SC: I wish airlines had wedding discounts for the 9 weddings I have to fly to in the next 12 months.
Anne McDonough: I hear ya, Charleston. Oh boy do I hear ya. But once the deluge dries up, you'll find yourself missing being forced to travel. Well, maybe a little bit ;)
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College Town: it would have to be Savannah. My sister went to SCAD, and I was so jealous. The spring and fall are heaven, winter mild, and summer is--truly--better than this area. Plus, you have Tybee 20 mins away--woohoo beach! Funky coffeehouses, fine dining, greasy spoons, wonderful arts/culture, and that decrepit southern glory overlay. Just a lovely place.
Andrea Sachs: A four-season college town. Great!
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Croatia and Crowds: Hvar is an enormous island. Outside of Hvar town--which I found extremely pleasant in May but wouldn't visit in Summer--there are small villages and idyllic guest houses in isolated coves. It's this way all over the country.
And for our guest: I hope to get to Bosnia one day. Can you recommend some natural areas to research? (hiking, not too hard core mountainous)
Alex Crevar: Bosnia and Herzegovina is blessed with untouched wilderness and beautiful mountain rivers and streams. I've met the Green Visions www.greenvisions.ba crew in Sarajevo. They run great eco-tours throughout the country. The hikes are fantastic and they are bent on giving back to local communities and preserving the environment. Bjelasnica Mountain, the old Olympic site, is great for day hikes and old world village experiences. Sutjeska National Park is also super and not too extreme.
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Europe driving??: We're planning to drive from Nice to Barcelona over 4 days in September. How difficult is that drive...mountainous...winding??? (As a nervous passenger, I'm hoping this won't be a mistake.)
Any suggestions for "can't miss" spots along the way?
Love these chats.
Hope you can help.
Cindy Loose: You can have Michelin map you a route at www.viamichelin.com. I just did that and it looks like a lovely coastal drive. Given than you'll be paying 49 euros in tolls, I'm guessing these are pretty good roads. (They usually don't charge for bad roads. But if anyone knows this personally, get in touch now.) The mapping people also note that you'll burn up 40 euros in gas if you take a small car.
Two of the places you'll be passing: Cannes and Aux-en-Provence, and I'd stop.
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Buckeye State: Columbus on a game day in the fall. Beautiful weather, the smell of tailgating grills, old sycamore trees with rust- and gold-colored leaves, and the thrum of a hundred thousand plus people packed into the stadium grounds.
Andrea Sachs: What's Columbus without its football-and rivalries.
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Alexandria, Va: Favorite college town (though I haven't seen all that many) is College Park, MD! I went to the Univ. of Maryland starting in '81 (grew up in St. Louis) and fell in love with the red brick, white columns, and green space. Best summer I had while in school was the one where I rented a room in Delta Sigma Phi (it went coed over the summer). One of my favorite memories - walking home to Elkton Hall from the Vous one drunken winter night, my girlfriends and I found a small evergreen tree which someone had cut down by the chapel. We picked up the tree and carried it all the way back to Elkton, singing "Oh Christmas Tree" (same tune as "Maryland my Maryland" which the chapel bells chime every hour). Snuck it up the stairwell and decorated it with pulltabs, etc. It was a great tree...
Andrea Sachs: Rah-rah for the home team.
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Washington, DC: And ATA is allowed to fly planes???
Let me describe my husband's Friday night flight from Chicago to DCA on ATA. The plane is boarded. The pilot makes an announcement that they are over the weight limit for the National curfew, so they need to unload some bags. Half an hour later, the luggage truck arrives and they offload some bags. A little later the pilot comes on and says they actually need to offload some fuel, so they'll be putting the bags back on. Wait half an hour for the fuel truck and the luggage truck to come back so some fuel is offloaded and bags put back on board. They're still sitting on the plane at the gate. They come back with another announcement that they have decided they need to offload people and asked for volunteers. They offer that those being offloaded will be put on the next available flights, which is (wait for it...) Monday (yes, this was Friday). So you can imagine that they didn't get a lot of volunteers. SO after a while they come back on and say they will be offloading people and disembarking passengers in reverse order of check-in (those last to check-in were going to be taken off the flight). Now, since the next available flight that ATA would put people on was on Monday, this did not go over too well. They started calling passenger names, people were not getting off the plane (don't blame 'em!), and it ended up with Chicago PD coming on board to get people off the plane. The incompetence displayed by ATA truly boggles the mind. How on earth could they not have known they were over the weight limit, why didn't they know how to fix it, and could this have been handled any worse?
Cindy Loose: Wow--that is a whopping tale of awfulness. If you don't mind, can you email me your contact info---this might be worth writing about.
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Boston, Mass: Wow! Great stories on the Baltics! I want to go! My question for Alex or K.C. is about language. My feeling is that not knowing the local language will ever stop me from visiting somewhere. That being stated, how well do the locals know English?
Also, any EasyJet or RyanAir type flights to these areas from the European hubs? I'll be in London this fall and I'd love to find a cheap flight to Croatia.
KC Summers: Hi Boston and thanks and I know you meant the BalKANS. You should definitely not let the language barrier stop you. Many if not most of the Croatians I interacted with spoke English, and definitely most of the hotel/shops staffers -- I didn't have a problem at all. I did have a phrasebok and made a point of speaking Croatian when I could -- just like anywhere, the locals really appreciate it when you make an effort.
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Arlington, Va: We will be taking a vacation in June and are trying to decide betwen Amelia Island, FL and Kiawah Island, SC.
We've stayed in Kiawah once before. How does Amelia Island compare to Kiawah? It seems to be a little more developed (more condos, restaurants, etc). Good golf courses are a necessity. We have a 3 year old and 15 month old so kid friendly activities would be nice. We're looking at ocean front condos since carting the kids to the beach can be a challenge.
Which would you choose?
Steve Hendrix: Amelia is bit more like Hilton Head, pretty fully developed (but in that tasteful low country way). Kiawah is plenty developed, and getting more so, but it's overall commercial load is lower; not so many on-island shops and restaraunts. Don't know when you were last on Kiawah, but it now boasts a super fancy, very high-end resort, the Sanctuary. My brother stayed there last year and loved it, but he was on 10th anniversary trip, pointedly WITHOUT the kids. For the family, I'd probably opt for Amelia if you don't mind the extra drive (Actually, I'D opt for Tybee Island, Georgia, but I love tacky beach towns. And no golf there. How about Saint Simons?)
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Rockville, Md: favorite college town? University Park, PA, the home of Penn State. No question. It's a valley in the midst of seven mountains. I took Outdoor Living Skills for one of my PE credits--the final was solo camping for a weekend. Great football, world famous sticky-buns at the diner, a large Greek system, two main streets and a dozen allies, farmer's market on Friday afternoons (and PA is the largest grower of mushrooms in the country)...great ice cream at The Creamery....I could on and on....
Andrea Sachs: Can you gain the freshman 15 on sticky buns?
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For the visually impaired: My cousin is visually impaired (he can't drive his eyes are so bad) and his then girlfriend is blind (she's now his fiancee). She booked a cruise for the two of them last spring. They had a great time, too. She even booked them on a horseback riding excursion. I forget the cruiseline, however...
Cindy Loose: Thanks. I would think a cruise would be better than most means if you're traveling alone, especially if you can see well enough to learn your way around the ship.
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washingtonpost.com: Bridesmaid Revisited , (July 24, 2005)
Anne McDonough: For the perpetual wedding guest...
Thanks, Kim
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SW Washington, DC: College town - Bloomington, Ind., of course. Reminded of this recently, when I lost a good part of a Sunday afternoon when I was flipping the channels and landed on a broadcast of "Breaking Away".
Travel question - with all of the troubles with Delta and Northwest, I'm tempted to credit upcoming flights with them to Air France (one of their 'sky team' partners), where I already have some miles. Is this a good idea, or are there any downsides with not having miles with a domestic carrier?
Andrea Sachs: A wonderful Midwest pick.
As for miles: Carol says, cash or credit in those miles.
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Fairfax, Va: I am travelling on Northwest airlines is a little less than 3 weeks. Is there anything new on an upcoming strike or anything else that could ground my plane? (please say no, please say no, please say no)
Carol Sottili: I haven't heard anything new about it, and can't find any recent articles with a timetable. I believe they are still negotiating.
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Alexandria, Va: I've been thinking of driving down the coast from Trieste to Split or Dubrovnik and wonder how long the drive would take and what the roads are like. Is it possible to rent autos in one direction? or would I need to return the car in Trieste?
Alex Crevar: The drive from along the Dalmatian Highway: Jadranska Magistrala, or the E65, is a blast with great views, places to stop for super seafood, and swimming. The downside is that it is sometimes slow with traffic--especially in the summer. Make sure to give time for stops in Zadar, Trogir, and Peljesac Peninsula amongst the other more popular places.
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Washington, D.C.: What about DC? DC is a great college town. There are tons of free things to do, not to mention all concerts, the great internships people travel all over the country to get and the fun of living in the nation's capital.
Andrea Sachs: Okay, so it only took you guys 55 minutes!!! to come up with our home town. Thanks for the local shout out.
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Cherry blossom PSA : Just walked down to the Tidal Basin at lunch. Less than 10 perecent of trees are in bloom. If you want to see them at their best, wait a few days (Thursday?)
Seriously, the Park Service forecast of 70 percent today is just plain wrong...
Steve Hendrix: Well, at least you walked over from your office building and didn't fly in from Tokyo. Thanks for the advice.
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Anonymous: If I don't get a new stamp on my passport this year I'll scream. Ideally it'll be someplace safe enough that I can go by myself (backpacking & hostels) but also a place that I'd enjoy with friends should they decide to tag along. Most importantly I don't want to pay more than $500 for airfare and it'll be cheap to sleep & eat once I land. I know many sites have fare sales and last minute deals, but what about a site that offers great internetaional deals but in the far off future? I'm thinking just after the high season ends, October or November. I sort of want people to tell me where to go! My dates are flexible at this point, I'm more interested in the cheapest price rather than the days I go. Any ideas?
Cindy Loose: I would think Mexico, Canada or the Caribbean would be your most obvious foreign countries. If you want to get all the way to say Europe, you might find airfares at least a ocuple months in advance at the $500 mark. Asia is out of the question. You might also look at package deals that include airfare, and you might end up with beter rooms than you'd otherwise expect. Also check out Iceland, or some of the stop in Iceland for a couple days then on to say Great Britain--you might find something for $500 or so in the off peak, meaning say November or Dec.
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Clifton, Va: My wife and I loved the Croatia article from this weekend's travel section. We were wondering, though, why you didn't name the B+Bs that you raved so much about, and instead just listed a few overpriced hotels in the "Where to Stay" section...can we get the names of those B+Bs, please? Thanks!
KC Summers: Hey there. They're not B&Bs -- they're not even guesthouss, really. They were just rooms rented out by private individuals who either show up at the ferry dock or rent them out through travel agencies. There are little travel agencies near all the ferry docks and that's the best way to guarantee a little security when renting from locals. Even though you pay a little more, the rooms meet some minimum standard and it's a place to go if things don't work out. I used Atlas, which had offices in Split and Dubrovnik. For Korcula, I used whatever agency is in the public square.
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Favorite College town: My brother went to Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Va. During graduation on a beautiful, hot, spring day, the train went right through the town and the ceremony had to stop because of the noise. And yet it was somehow charming and funny.
Andrea Sachs: That's a great college memory. Better than Sigma Nu's kegfest.
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Baltimore, Md: Favorite college town: Seattle
There is no more beautiful campus and campus setting anywhere than the University of Washington.
Andrea Sachs: I completely agree; what an amazing setting!
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Fav college town: Loved Columbia SC - back in the day (won't say when that was) if you didn't finish your drink in a bar they had a stack of to-gocups at the door. Doesn't get much better than that (not to mention the weather was awesome to a yankee).
Anne McDonough: Doggie bags for da beer. Nice call.
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Reston, Va: Hi Flight Crew!
Since Alex Crevar is available I want to ask a Balkans related question. I am planning a trip into Croatia via Venice this September or October. What are the "must see" sites along the coast in Croatia besides Dubrovnik for beaches, food, and architecture?
Thanks!
KC Summers: Reston, don't miss the town of Split. Even if you think you're not into Roman ruins, Diocletian's Palace will bowl you over. It's my top pick for the coast, after Dubrovnik. And then, of course, an island. Korcula had great food and old city walls -- like a mini-Dubrovnik.
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Washington, DC: I will be traveling from Bulgaria to Croatia this summer. The most direct land route is through Serbia and Bosnia. Would this route be 100% safe? Or is it a better option to fly? If we do take the land route, is there an especially good route?
Alex Crevar: Driving is completely safe. Have the proper car rental insurance for every country. It is likely that you will be stopped multiple times by border patrol and police--often for no great reason--make sure you have your documents, and car documents, in order.
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El Paso, Texas: For K.C. Summers' "Ferrily She Rolled Along(:) In 3 Dalmatian Coast Ports, a Sea Of Red Roofs and Fish Every Night."
You wrote:
" The rooftops of Dubrovnik tell the tale. Walking around the impeccably preserved Old Town, you'd never know it had been heavily bombarded just over a decade ago, so thorough have restoration efforts been. But walk the ramparts of the mile-long city wall, gaze down at the city, and there's the evidence: the vivid orange roofs that dominate the skyline. The bright new tiles -- 70 percent of the town's roofs -- are jarring, in sharp contrast to the few faded prewar tiles that remain.
"'The Serbians shelled from the top,'" said Stefica Curic, 25, a college student who moonlights giving tours of her home town. "They bombed from above because the walls of the houses would have been much harder to penetrate."
Your tour guide was self-admittedly 11-years-old at the time of the supposed "siege" which was instigated primarily by Croat artillery that was the only force "above" the city and was shelling from the heights and, minimally, by Serb naval vessels provoked to return fire only after being fired upon. Also, the illusion of the "heavily bombarded" Old City was provided by a backdrop of burning tires behind the Old City that were set by Croat "defenders."
This ruse is well-documented by UNESCO, UNPROFOR, the ICRC and a chorus of scoffing journalists by the end fo the Bosnian war in 1995. The city was NOT continually under fire although it was continually being "rebuilt." Finally, with widespread official concessions that it was remarkably unscathed with only slight damage in the Old City, came the joke that made the rounds by early 1995: "They just keep rebuilding Dubrovnik more beautiful and more older than ever."
Continuing, " Only minutes into our walk through the Old Town, the conversation had turned to the war. The subject is never far from the surface in Dubrovnik, where more than 200 defenders died during the Serbian siege of the city in 1991-92. An annotated map posted near Pile Gate shows the damage to houses and landmarks all too graphically."
Again, U.N. and other reports pertaining to trajectories and sources of mortar and other artillery fire point unequivocally to Croat positions above and behind the city.
And, here is the most flagrantly implausible statement of all:
"No one believed they would bomb Dubrovnik," Curic said as we made our way past the shops and monuments of Stradun, the main pedestrian thoroughfare. A delicate-featured woman with cropped brown hair, she spoke of the prewar days when she and her classmates were force-fed the hated Cyrillic alphabet, and her parents hid books advocating Croatian nationalism behind the front rows of their shelves. "You couldn't say you were a Croat," she said.
It only needs be said that the 1991 population of Dubrovnik showed slightly less than 50,000 with over 88 percent being Croatian! The statements about the Cyrillic alphabet and not being permitted to "say you were a Croat" are grossly false.
Please offer some enlightenment on any or all of the above.
Thank you.
KC Summers: Well, El Paso, all I can tell you is that I was quoting my guide. Those were her words and her recollections -- she lived it. But that's why we quote people, so it's clear these are their words, not ours. I will say that I heard many, many such statements from Croatians about Serbs and Montenegrins.
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Dia de Los Muertos, Mexico: Hi!
I am in the planning stages of visiting Oaxaca, Mexico, the last week of Oct-to first week in Nov. Any great day trips that you would recommend and Day of the Dead crafts classes going on during that time? I'd love to hear what other chatters may have discovered off the beaten path if they have been out that way. Thanks!
Cindy Loose: Hi, We wrote about that not so long ago. Unfortunately I don't have time left to look up the article, but go to our archives---washingtonpost.com, click on arts and living, call up travel, then destinations, click on Mexico and the Oaxaca article shouldn't be too far down. The town is great, but sorry, I don't know the towns around it, but hear they are fascinating.
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Andrea Sachs: Well, there goes another Monday chat. Thanks everyone for all of your great college town essays and for working Alex hard during his guest appearance.
As for the winner: I have to pick Columbia, Mo., because--well, no education is complete without a trip to the Elvis Is Alive Museum. Please email me (sachsa@washpost.com) your address and I will send you a prize--a silver pen and essay notepad so you can jot down all of your travel adventures and dreams.
See ya next Monday!
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