The rest of Q&A

Q – Instead of going to Paris, we’ve been there five times, we’ve chosen, much to the consternation of our very local, she lives next door, travel agent, Quebec this coming August. We’ve asked about hotels and she recommended the Chateau Frontenac. But it seems huge and huge is not something we generally like unless we’re at some kind of buffet. We don’t mind spending up to $500 per night for something nice. Should we go with her recommendation?Love the site but I wonder if we’re the first dummies who ever considered a vacation in Quebec? None of my friends have been there.

A – We actually think that you are far ahead of the travel curve. Combining Montreal and Quebec is an ideal alternative to crossing the pond and you will find some of the best neighborhoods along with world class cuisine if you prepare adequately for the trip. (more…)

Q – Trying to pin down a hotel. My husband is a golfer, I love the sun. We’re headed to Guanacaste on Costa Rica’s west coast and have been looking at both the Hotel Punta Islita and the Four Seasons. Any bottom line opinions you might share?

A – See if you can get golf privileges through the Punta Islita. (more…)

Q – My husband and I decided, well more I decided and I let him know, that we will, in the next 36 months, be taking long weekend vacations instead of longer trips abroad. After that, we’ll return to our travel addiction but, for now, we want to cut the travel budget a bit. For a long weekend, are there certain days we should be traveling rather than others?

A – Actually we do have a rule of sorts for long weekends. Try to depart on Saturday instead of Thursday or Friday and try to return on a Tuesday or Wednesday instead of Monday. Days to avoid, in order of level of price difficulty, are Friday, Sunday, and Monday.

Q – Enjoy your site but you have to know that most of your visitors can’t afford to get around by taxi or private drivers. A lot of us use public transportation and your site is not very good at telling us how to get around on the cheap. Right now, we are getting ready for a trip to Italy and the Amalfi Coastal. My specific question is how do I get from Sorrento, where we’re staying, to Positano, which we hear is a cool village. Hope you will improve your site to include more stuff for folks like me.

A – We want to assure you that we won’t. But it is always nice to hear from an escapee from TripAdvisor.See here’s the thing. Some adults have enough money to travel well. There aren’t many places for them to go in cyberspace to get unbiased travel advice. (more…)

Q – We are thinking of going on a Crystal Cruise to Europe in 2012. But friends tell us that they read on the internet that Crystal is more expensive then some of the smaller ships. Price won;t be the main issue in our decision, but we were wondering if Crystal is generally more expensive then its competitors?

A – Actually, when you do cost-by-cost comparisons, Crystal is often less then many of the smaller luxury vessels. (more…)

Q – Really grateful for this site and your willingness to help. We are about to plunk down a fistful of cash to see Antarctica, the trip of our dreams. We don’t necessarily care about having the largest cabin etc., but we want to see as much as possible. Our agent is saying Le Boreal is the way to go. I know you have had some nice things to say about it and was wondering if I should pull the trigger? Anything I should bring with me?

A – Le Boreal is the newest yacht-like vessel built by a French company with a French crew. (more…)

Q – We are currently booked on a Greek Islands cruise on Seabourn this summer. We just read about the changes at the line on traveltruth and we’re concerned. Should we change our plans given that the ship is now going to be run by Carnival Cruises? We booked directly with Seabourn so they are not going to be very forthcoming with advice.

A – The Carnival Corporation owns many cruise lines. (more…)

Q – We are making a return trip to Venice before embarking on a cruise. We have one night to spend before the cruise and we are looking at Ca’ Segredo, the Hotel Cipriani, or the Hilton Stuckey. We like our comfort and appreciate hotels that have safety procedures in place and no bed bugs. Where should we stay?

A – In order to answer you properly we would need some particulars. (more…)

Q – We are going to be flying to Hong Kong in May to begin a lovely trip to China. How many nights should we stay in Hong Kong and should we do it before or after the trip? Also, I went online and it looks like I can fly American or Cathay. Which one has a better business class?

A – We think that Hong Kong is a three-night minimum city with an extra night for time zone change adaptation. We’d like to see you do one night on arrival before flying out to China and then three nights at the end of your trip before flying home. Hong Kong is an extremely rewarding city on many levels. There are great hotels, both Kowloon and Central to explore, shopping, world class dining, not to mention sunset cruises through a waterway that intersects one of the world’s most beautiful skylines.

The American flight you are looking at is a code share with Cathay. Cathay is one of the top-rated international airlines and their Business Class is highly recommended. Flight 883/884 are normally 777 equipment.

Q – Don’ know if you can answer this – wondering if I can win anything for stumping you. The wifey and I are off to Monte Carlo for a nine-night First Class cruise on one of the best lines out there. She is looking forward to dressing up and showing off her jewelry. She wants to put it in our luggage since “we’re insured” if the airlines lose her bag. If she looses the family jewels, will I actually be able to get replacement value when I file a claim?

A – Packing expensive jewelry in your luggage is a dumb idea. “Wifey” will just have to pack it in her carry on. You are bound by each airline’s “Contract of Carriage.” In the United States, airlines have a maximum total liability, seldom utilized, of $3,300. But the contract of carriage always states that the airline does not accept any liability for lost luggage. Here’s a wild idea – when visiting other countries and trying to fit in with their culture and customs, showing off one’s acquisitions is not the best way to be seen in a positive light.