Messages: 151,826 - Threads: 14,698
posted
13-Mar-2003 19:38
by:
romanb »
last reply
15-Dec-2009 14:50
by:
mrpenney »
271
replies
,
191,930
views
This branch covers: Mainland USA, Hawaii & Alaska
So many posts request the impossible - that a bunch of people who have never met you magically intuit how much you have to spend and what will make you happy on vacation, generally planning out your route for three months and helping you get discount flight reservations.
So, what can you do to get great travel advice?
1. Do your homework
The web is filled with basic information like how far it is from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon, or how to get from JFK to Manhattan (all major US airports have websites with transit info). Google is your best friend. See the list of indispensable sites below. Get your basic info first, then you can ask intelligent questions on the TT and pick the brains of the many knowledgeable locals who frequent this site just hoping someone will ask about a romantic B&B in New Orleans or a baseball g...
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posted
13-Jan-2009 03:16
by:
Yersinia »
last reply
15-Dec-2009 12:58
by:
bzookaj »
75
replies
,
9,143
views
US Department of Homeland Security Reminds Visa Waiver Program Travelers of ESTA Requirements Effective Today
Release Date: January 12, 2009
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today reminded travelers from all Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries that they are now required to obtain approval through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to traveling to the United States. This requirement, effective today, applies to all eligible citizens or nationals traveling under the VWP.
“We have been collecting information from visa waiver travelers for decades, and establishing a program to get that same information in advance is one enhancement that allowed us to extend the valuable benefit of visa-free travel to eight new countries in 2008,” said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. “In...
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posted
19-Dec-2009 01:54
by:
jdsworld »
last reply
19-Dec-2009 03:09
by:
zeldasdad »
3
replies
,
26
views
Hey all,
I've searched the Thorn Tree forum for posts under this topic but couldn't find anything recent (last one was mid-2008), so looking for something more up-to-date. The older posts were a little off-putting!!
I'm flying to Auckland in Feb, and taking BA to LAX (provided there is no strike to replace the one cancelled for Christmas!), then switching to Qantas to get to Auckland. It works out about GBP 200 cheaper to go this way as opposed to via S'pore then SYD but now I'm beginning to get slightly worried about the connection. I have 6 hours but I do have to switch terminals (from Bradley to T4). I've been told I should have JUST enough time (and as it's a linked ticket Qantas I think will have to help if I miss the flight (provided I don't miss from being in the pub). I'm getting nervous now though so any advice would be helpful. Maybe I'm stating the obvious here but su...
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Hi everyone!
We are planning a road trip down the 95 from Maine to Orlando, leaving on the 3 of January and planning to be back within two weeks. 3 days will be spent at Diseny World.
We are actaully leaving from Nova Scotia, Canada but since this section is for the states...
Basically we want to stop and do a little thing or two in each state. Little things that you wouldn't normally make a whole trip out of. For example we want to stop in Salem for an hour or so, not somewhere we would normally plan to go but it's close to our trip route and well, why not.
Origanlly we had planned to drive the 30 hours straight through and spend about 10 days at Diseny (at their camp site) but we decided we would much rather make a bit of a road trip out of it, do 3 days at diseny and use the rest as road trip time.
I'd like to point out right away that I have made this trip twice drivi...
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posted
18-Dec-2009 21:32
by:
HongKongExpat »
last reply
18-Dec-2009 21:32
by:
HongKongExpat »
0
replies
,
13
views
I've got 18 days in Hawaii this coming February. One of my main priorities is to climb Mauna Loa on the Big Island, via the comparitively easy Observatory trail. I've climbed volcanoes all over Asia, I can manage 10 hours up and down
But there doesn't seem to be any easy way of getting to the start of the trail at the observatory. I don't mind hiring a car, but apparently, most car hire companies will not allow you to take a hire car along the Saddle Road and up to the observatory. Also, many tours go to Mauna Kea but there don't seem to be any organised climbs up Mauna Loa. Can anyone tell me the easiest way for me to arrange a climb?
One other question please? Am I right in thinking it will be below freezing in February and parts of the trail obscured by snow?
Is there anyone who is familiar with Mauna Loa and can advise me?
Thanks in advance!
more »
posted
18-Dec-2009 17:01
by:
bnatal »
last reply
19-Dec-2009 00:57
by:
Websterella »
4
replies
,
62
views
This hotel is now open again and it is TERRIBLE!
I was in NY in september 2009 and had a terrible experience at Candy Hostel, 315 West 94th Street (http://candynyc.com).
Terrible service, dirty rooms, no towels and we were even threatened by the manager when we decided to leave the next morning and asked for our money back.
Even though me and my wife had a reservation and was there in time for the check in (I got in at midnight, but called two times ealier to confirm I was coming at that the time was ok), when I got to the reception, they said we would have to move rooms in the morning.
Being late, we only asked if that meant we were going to either sleep one night on a worse room or the other way around. They said both rooms would be the same.
We paid in advance for the nights we would stay in, as demanded, and went to the room. Getting there it looked nothing like wha...
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posted
18-Dec-2009 14:11
by:
stopthebus »
last reply
19-Dec-2009 02:49
by:
sabrosa »
3
replies
,
36
views
I'm aiming to go check out the Rebirth Brass Band at the Maple Leaf Bar on Tuesday, Dec. 22. Three questions:
1. Can anyone confirm that they start playing at 10 pm?
2. Will it be crowded? Should we get there early to line up?
3. What's the cover?
Thanks!
posted
18-Dec-2009 06:55
by:
Krzr3000 »
last reply
18-Dec-2009 15:49
by:
Midwesterner »
5
replies
,
89
views
I'm looking to camp in dry tortugas for a few nights this winter, along with spending a few nights in key west. The only problem i am seeing is feasibility of acquiring and transporting supplies such as 5-6 gallons of water. I would be traveling from out of state and flying in from the northeast. I would like to spend the first part of the trip in dry tortugas. Any ideas or tips?
I was thinking of getting a hotel room for the first night i arrive, then checking back in a few days later after camping?
Thanks
posted
18-Dec-2009 05:35
by:
Petal77 »
last reply
19-Dec-2009 02:17
by:
bzookaj »
5
replies
,
69
views
Hi hope you can help
me and the hubby are going to washington and will be there christmas day, we want to find somewhere to eat on christmas day, I have looked through the internet even at a good website called about.com and asked the hotel to recommend somewhere .
The problem is, is that I'm vegetarian (no fish) and my hubby loves meat, and can't seem to find anywhere that caters for both.
can anyone recommend somewhere that we can both enjoy a decent meal on christmas day, not to far from the centre (monuments, smithsonian, white house) for under $70.
please help, thank you!!!
petal77
posted
18-Dec-2009 05:08
by:
lukashoffmann »
last reply
18-Dec-2009 05:16
by:
laketraveller »
1
replies
,
43
views
Hi guys,
right now I am doing an internship in new york city until end of january. My return flight to Austria is scheduled for february 28th and so I have time to travel the US for 4 weeks (the whole february).
Is anybody of you guys interested in joining a 23 year old male Austrian student on a US cross country trip?
I look forward hearing form you!!!
best, lukas
posted
18-Dec-2009 05:08
by:
montereyjack »
last reply
18-Dec-2009 07:58
by:
VinnyD »
1
replies
,
73
views
We all love SF.
It is on pretty much every tourist's top five places to visit.
I know NYC must have its underbelly and SF does as well.
I'm a liberal kinda guy, but the cost of being generous and permissive in SF
has been a bit of a disaster. Locals call the far less visited Berkeley across the Bay
"The Republic of Berkeley" for its only in Berkeley way of doing things, and SF is
just as bizarre on the street level.
Street dangers in Haight Ashbury
The Haight is the #2 spot for tourists. You may be disappointed to find
thugs with dogs on the streets there, harassing people.
The more than 300 comments after the article from the usual zany readers will give you a
different perspective of our beautiful City by the Bay.
more »
posted
18-Dec-2009 00:51
by:
SaSa123 »
last reply
18-Dec-2009 14:00
by:
rxw67 »
2
replies
,
55
views
Hi all, what are good viewing spots for NYE fireworks in the financial/battery park area? Or is South St Seaport a good spot? Or is it only in Mid-town/times Square where NYE "stuff" occurs because I want to avoid Times Square? (I know about the central park firework/run event)
Thanks!
posted
17-Dec-2009 13:57
by:
benseeds »
last reply
19-Dec-2009 02:39
by:
Gardyloo »
12
replies
,
168
views
Hi All,
Apologies if this has been asked elsewhere, however I have just been using the search function and reading many posts however I couldn't find my answer.
Myself and two other friends are heading to the SXSW festival in Austin, and we were planning on hiring a car and driving there from Seattle.
During my research I have found that this can be very expensive due to the 'one way travel' costs associated with the hire as we have no intentions of returning the car in Seattle.
The companies that I have come across the 'one way' fee are Hertz and Budget etc.
There is many others which may be cheaper but I am not too sure how reputable they might be (e.g.. carrentals.co.uk)
Has anyone had any experience in renting from any of the companies above?
Or can anyone recommend a way we can do this journey without the exorbitant 'one way' fee?
I know we could fly but I would r...
more »
posted
17-Dec-2009 13:09
by:
AlanLoy »
last reply
17-Dec-2009 22:18
by:
BubbaK »
8
replies
,
114
views
Where is a good place to meet at SFO??
We have to meet our daughter at SFO on December 26. We fly in from Australia and she flys from Seattle. I am expecting the airport to be busy so am looking for a place to meet that's easy to get to and hard to miss.
Cheers
posted
17-Dec-2009 12:23
by:
kimeightyfour »
last reply
18-Dec-2009 09:57
by:
mars_traveler »
8
replies
,
139
views
Hi everyone,
I will be in LA in May for only 4 days (+1 extra whole day 3 weeks later en route home for things we missed) and want to know peoples recommendations for the best choice of theme parks? Obviously I don't want to spend the whole time in theme parks as we have other things planned, but I'd like to choose one or two or the best, taking into account line up times, travel times and thrill factor, as well as the 'must do'. I love thrill rides and cost is not an issue, but I am not a fan of excessive amounts of small children.
I was thinking Magic Mountain and Universal Studios, but I would feel ripped going to the US and not going to Disneyland (even taking into account the small children).
So, is Magic Mountain as good as it looks?
Is Universal Studios worth it? Can I do it in an afternoon or does it require a whole day?
Can Disney Adventure park be done in one day comfo...
more »
posted
17-Dec-2009 10:25
by:
gretski88 »
last reply
17-Dec-2009 20:26
by:
Usher73 »
2
replies
,
69
views
My brother recently moved to Seattle and my family has bought me tickets from Aus to visit him over christmas and New years. He has been useless in finding anything to do for New years eve and I havent really found anything good on the internet, can anyone suggest a bar or pub or club or anything really as long as it doesnt play top 40 music all night. I'm 21 and he is 24 so nothing too tame I really want an awesome NYE.
Thanks loads!
Edited by: gretski88
posted
17-Dec-2009 10:15
by:
hokie256 »
last reply
19-Dec-2009 03:04
by:
NuWon »
15
replies
,
234
views
I searched on this topic before posting this thread.
What I want to know is if anyone knows of a US citizen having issues with taking a second citizenship. Apparently you can legally lose your citizenship if you take a second one. I've known plenty of people with dual citizenships who never mentioned any trouble. And I know you can technically lose your US citizenship for a couple of different reasons, but I haven't heard of anyone actually losing their US citizenship. Anyone heard anything? Know of a good place to look? My sister is going to apply for Aussie citizenship but this fine print has stopped her for the moment. I think it's just so the US can disavow you if it turns out you're an undesirable like a cult leader or something. Otherwise, it's in US best interests to keep people at citizens so they can tax you if it applies and they can have better luck getting a person extr...
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The USA is home to several of the world's most exciting cities, some truly mind-blowing landscapes, a strong sense of regionalism, a trenchant mythology, more history than the country gives itself cre... more »
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