Susan Stellin - How to Travel Practically Anywhere

HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY
BOSTON NEW YORK
2006

Copyright 2006 by Susan Stellin
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

For information about permission to reproduce selections
from this book, write to Permissions, Houghton Mifflin Company,
215 Park Avenue South, New York, New York 10003.

Visit our Web site: www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Stellin, Susan.
How to travel practically anywhere / Susan Stellin.
p. cm.
ISBN -13: 978-0-618-60753-2
ISBN -10: 0-618-60753-6
1. TravelGuidebooks. I. Title.
G 153.4. S 736 2006
910'.2'02dc22 2005022728

Book design by Robert Overholtzer

PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

QUM 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

THIS BOOK IS INTENDED TO PRESENT THE RESEARCH AND IDEAS OF
ITS AUTHOR, WHO HAS DONE HER BEST TO ENSURE THE ACCURACY
OF THE INFORMATION AT THE TIME OF PUBLICATION. BUT TRAVEL
POLICIES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE, SO READERS SHOULD CONFIRM
THIS INFORMATION WITH THE TRAVEL COMPANY IN QUESTION, OR
SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PROFESSIONAL FOR GUIDANCE ON A SPECIFIC
SITUATION. THE AUTHOR AND PUBLISHER DO NOT ACCEPT RESPON-
SIBILITY FOR ANY ADVERSE EFFECTS RESULTING DIRECTLY OR INDI-
RECTLY FROM INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS BOOK.

To my parents, for staying put ... and for letting
me go when I first got the urge to wander.

Introduction

Part I
PLANNING

1. RESEARCHING YOUR DESTINATION

SOURCES OF INSPIRATION
A week off and no idea where to go

CHOOSING A GUIDEBOOK
Which series fits your styleand budget

ON-LINE TRAVEL FORUMS
Advice from fellow travelers

VISITOR AND TOURIST OFFICES
On the Web, a .com for every destination

THE LOCAL PERSPECTIVE
When going to Rome, ask a Roman

WHEN TO GO
Avoiding hurricanes, honeymooners, and holidaysor not

GOVERNMENT TRAVEL ADVISORIES
Reading between the lines

2. ORGANIZED TRIPS

GOING WITH A GROUP
Tours aren't necessarily just for tourists

GET OUTDOORS
Hiking, biking, and other active travels

RELAX, ALREADY
Spa vacations and yoga retreats

CULINARY ADVENTURES
When food is the focus

VOLUNTEER VACATIONS
Trips that make a difference

OPTIONS FOR SOLO TRAVELERS
Resources, trips, and travel companions

Part II
BOOKING

3. GENERAL ADVICE

THE TRAVEL MARKETPLACE
Everybody wants your business, but where should you buy?

EVALUATING VACATION PACKAGES
When they're a bargain and when they're not

MEMBER BENEFITS
When a discount isn't a deal

TRAVEL INSURANCE
What it does and doesn't cover

BIDDING AND BOOKING BLIND
How you can save with Priceline or Hotwire

HELP FOR LAST-MINUTE PLANNERS
Options at the eleventh hour

USING A TRAVEL AGENT
What an agent can do for youand where to find one

4. PLANE TICKETS

WHERE TO RESEARCH FARES
No one Web site displays them all

SEARCH TIPS FOR PLANE TICKETS
It's not just where you look, but how

CHOOSING A FLIGHT
Why price shouldn't be your only concern

WHERE TO BUY
Agencies versus airlines; the Web versus the phone

UNDERSTANDING TICKET RULES
Change fees, cancellation policies, and refunds

INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS
Where to shop for fares when traveling abroad

ONE-WAY OR MULTICITY TICKETS
Tricks to keep costs down

FREQUENT FLIER AWARDS
What it takes to get the flights you want

UNRAVELING AIRLINE ALLIANCES
What's in it for you when airlines partner up

FOREIGN CARRIER AIR PASSES
One pass, several flights, sometimes a bargain

5. LODGING

FINDING A PLACE TO STAY
Where to research your options

HOW TO GET THE BEST RATE
On-line agencies, hotel Web sites, the phone

HOTEL CANCELLATION POLICIES
Rules vary, depending on where you book

UNDERSTANDING HOTEL RATINGS
One rater says three stars; another says four

FINDING A B&B OR INN
Places for travelers who like to feel at home

RENTING A HOUSE OR CONDO
Finding and evaluating rental options

DOING A HOME EXCHANGE
With the Web, house swaps catch on

BROWSER BEWARE
Photos and descriptions may be much nicer than reality

CRUISE LINES 101
An overview of your options

NARROWING THE FLEET
Choosing an itinerary, ship, and sailing date

SELECTING A CABIN
Inside, outside, high deck, or low

HOW CRUISE PRICING WORKS
When and where to get the best deals

AIRFARE, SHORE EXCURSIONS, AND LAND TOURS
Buying from the cruise line or going it alone

DEPOSITS, CANCELLATION POLICIES, AND REFUNDS
What to know before you book

WHERE TO FIND CRUISING ADVICE
Ship reviews, itineraries, and message boards

7. RENTAL CARS, TRAINS, AND BUSES

RESERVING A RENTAL CAR
How to get the best rate

RENTING A CAR ABROAD
Where to book, potential potholes

SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE
When you need it, when you don't

EXPRESS PICK-UP PROGRAMS
Skip the line, at least some of the time

RIDING THE RAILS
Timetables, reservations, and tickets

TRAINS, PLANES, CARS, AND BUSES
How to decide which way to travel

Part III
NAVIGATING

8. PRETRIP PREPARATIONS

PASSPORTS AND VISAS
New rulesand feeswhen you're crossing borders

IMMUNIZATIONS AND HEALTH
Does your insurance cover travel abroad?

MAPS AND DRIVING DIRECTIONS
When not to trust a computer for help

MONEY MATTERS
Why your bank should know your itinerary

MAKING RESERVATIONS
What to book before you arrive

TECHNOLOGY AND TRAVEL
Getting your gadgets ready to go

GETTING TO AND FROM THE AIRPORT
Know your options, avoid being overcharged

PREFLIGHT CHECKLIST
Checking in, flight-status alerts, security lines

9. AT THE AIRPORT

CHECKING BAGS
Avoiding extra feesand theft from your luggage

NAVIGATING AIRPORT SECURITY
Keeping up with the rules

UPGRADING YOUR TICKET
What it takes to move up front

FLYING STANDBY
When it's free, when it's not, and when it's worth a try

GETTING BUMPED
What to know about those "free ticket" coupons

SURVIVING FLIGHT DELAYS AND CANCELLATIONS
Know the rulesand your rights

YOU NEED A DOCTOR
How to find medical help far from home

THE AIRLINE LOSES YOUR LUGGAGE
How to track your bagand file a claim

YOUR TRAVEL COMPANY GOES OUT OF BUSINESS
What happens when a company folds

YOU LOSE YOUR PASSPORT OR WALLET
Coping with no ID and no money

THERE'S A PROBLEM WITH YOUR RENTAL CAR
What to do, who's responsible

YOU HAVE A COMPLAINT
Dealing with problemson the road and once you're home

Acknowledgments

Index

AT FIRST , it seemed like such a revolution when we all began using the Internet to make our own travel plans. No more waiting on hold while a travel agent clicked a keyboard in the background, finally announcing "the best you can do": $469 to fly from New York to Los Angeles. Sure, you could try calling a few airlines yourself, to see whether you could find a better deal. But that meant more time on the phonenot even cordless back then.