Messages: 150,645 - Threads: 14,587
posted
13-Mar-2003 19:38
by:
romanb »
last reply
29-Nov-2009 20:06
by:
mrpenney »
271
replies
,
187,714
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
25-Nov-2009 12:09
by:
dmudgeau »
70
replies
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8,028
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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
01-Dec-2009 17:26
by:
hawaiiroger »
last reply
01-Dec-2009 17:26
by:
hawaiiroger »
0
replies
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9
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We are a gay couple who are planning our honeymoon trip to Hawaii in the end of February. A small not to busy gay hotel/B&B/condo near the seaside would be perfect. Nice beaches and nature is more important than nightlife.
posted
01-Dec-2009 14:04
by:
carroxsmc »
last reply
01-Dec-2009 14:04
by:
carroxsmc »
0
replies
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10
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I am beginning to make plans now to attend a summit that my Church is holding in the city of Atlanta, GA for a week to ten (10) days at the end of June, 2010. This will bring together representatives from all around the world; it's going to be big! I'd like to travel from NYC with my family. The idea came to me of renting an unoccupied but furnished house in the Atlanta area for that period. Don't know how realistic that is. It's not that I've ever done that before. This is exploratory; readers of this post who might have useful information or ideas, or Atlanta connections even, please chime in. That would be very helpful. Thank you!
posted
01-Dec-2009 13:51
by:
bobberwyn »
last reply
01-Dec-2009 13:51
by:
bobberwyn »
0
replies
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15
views
Skiing and snowboarding can be expensive, no question. But once you've decided to commit to a winter vacation, you might as well get your money's worth. Many of Colorado's ski areas offer a some little-known freebies, like riding a snow cat to the top of a powder stash at Copper Mountain, or being able to catch an early morning chairlift with the ski patrol in Aspen. Check out this list of some fringe benefits and see if there's something for you: http://1worldimages.com/colorado-skiing/.
posted
01-Dec-2009 13:37
by:
lineman09 »
last reply
01-Dec-2009 13:37
by:
lineman09 »
0
replies
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18
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I am trying to find some places around the United States to see christmas displays.
Does anyone know of any good cities or places that put up real nice displays to go and check out? I'm from New Jersey so the closer the better but I am interested in knowing places in the entire country.
Thanks alot.
posted
01-Dec-2009 07:51
by:
olsonj112 »
last reply
01-Dec-2009 09:17
by:
cocotheslug »
1
replies
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47
views
I'm looking for relatively inexpensive lodging in Park City for 6/7 days in February between sundance and presidents weekend. In the past I've found decent cheap places in Vail and Steamboat that were not easily found using the general lodging websites. Does anybody have a recommendation, we're hoping to spend ~$200/night max for 2 bedrooms. I may be there solo for a couple days also, if you know an inexpensive studio. We plan to hit a few resorts in the area so we don't necessarily need to be closer to one resort.
Thanks in advance.
posted
01-Dec-2009 06:49
by:
texastraveler123 »
last reply
01-Dec-2009 08:12
by:
AprilFooln »
2
replies
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73
views
Does anybody have advice about which of the many NYC hostels (and similar places) would be best for somebody who's a little older (say, in their 40s)? I've stayed in hostels when I was younger, so I know what they're like. And I don't expect lots of privacy or peace and quiet. But in my experience, some hostels are more welcoming to people outside the typical backpacker demographic than others. For example, I stayed at Jazz in the Park (or something like that) about ten years ago and felt sort of old and out of place even then.
Any suggestions?
posted
01-Dec-2009 06:45
by:
sweltwoman »
last reply
01-Dec-2009 09:38
by:
zeldasdad »
3
replies
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64
views
My husband and I are planning a week in Grand Tetons; maybe we'll be joined by our kids (three couples, one with a 2 year old.) We're all coming from NYC. Given time constraints, what's the best place to fly into? With the complications of flying these days, it may be easier to drive from a large airport, rather than changing planes. Do we rent a house for a week? Get rooms in a lodge (this is a big ocassion so we're ready to spend more money than usual.) Do we stay in Jackson Hole? Are there alternative to staying in Jackson. And, if we want to spend another week driving around, where should we go. We are big hikers; the rest of the group will want to do a little hiking but also be interested in riding, and other activites. Thanks.
posted
01-Dec-2009 03:46
by:
wardenrobbe »
last reply
01-Dec-2009 06:13
by:
BubbaK »
3
replies
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57
views
We are planning to rent a convertible for our stay in Miami and Key West januari 2010. Just want to know if it's worth to pay extra for a convertible weather and safty wise? Any suggestions for cheap deals?
posted
01-Dec-2009 01:57
by:
Shefgab »
last reply
01-Dec-2009 05:59
by:
trekker502 »
6
replies
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113
views
Hi Everyone!
Next week I'm going to the States (Washinton, Minneapolis and New York). I was thinking about doing some shopping whilst I was there specifially for:
- Shoes (trainers)
- Tops (T-shirts/jumpers)
- Luggage (big travelling bags, not Louis Vuitton, but durable. Preferably a middle of the range brand)
Based on current exchange rates and your experience of shopping in the two countries, is it worth shopping for these sorts of things or not? Is anyoine having a big sale between 5-13 Dec? I've for 45kg luggage allowance, so have the weight to shop (but will I have a bag!?) If I went into the North Face shop in the Mall of America, would a t-shirt cost more or less than in the London store? Is there much difference in sales tax between the places? I got really confused the last time I was in the States with the tax being added at the end so you don't know how much ...
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posted
30-Nov-2009 21:14
by:
mreggi »
last reply
01-Dec-2009 05:21
by:
trekker502 »
5
replies
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106
views
Anything interesting to do/see in Anchorage/Alaska in mid-january. My dream is to see the brown bears fishing salmons but I think january is not a good time:-)
posted
30-Nov-2009 17:12
by:
cazelar »
last reply
01-Dec-2009 12:10
by:
cazelar »
10
replies
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197
views
Hi guys,
My boyfriend and I are applying for our B1/B2 visas in a week's time and I'm nervous as hell as to how it's going to go.
My main concern is how we can prove we intend on returning home to NZ after our travels? We don't have any assets (e.g. house) and we are both quitting our jobs before we go. We'll both have close to $20K each NZD before we go so I'm confident that money wont' be the issue, it's just proving that we intend on having a short holiday in USA then returning to NZ.
Our loose itinerary is as follows:
June 2010 - Depart for Chile
Holiday in South/Central america for a few months, not sure how long, possibly 4-6 months.
Enter USA and stay for as long as we can (I think they grant up to 6 months at a time?).
Enter Canada on Working Holiday visa. We haven't applied for these yet, but intend to once our passports are returned to us after the US i...
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posted
30-Nov-2009 15:38
by:
chrisheadrick »
last reply
01-Dec-2009 01:08
by:
Websterella »
1
replies
,
80
views
Will be renting a loft in New York for three weeks.
1. If I wanted to stroll art galleries, what's the best street or best cluster of galleries? Where's the art shopping area?
2. I will be at 37th between 9th and 10th, by the GEM Hotel Midtown West/Javits Center/Hudson Yards. Anybody got any good grocer/farmer's market, local eateries and delis or bar recommendations in the area?
Thanks very much!
posted
30-Nov-2009 14:30
by:
jacarandadrive »
last reply
01-Dec-2009 03:13
by:
CascadeBob »
2
replies
,
56
views
Hi, first post so be gentle.
I've been out to Joshua Tree before but never left the paved road much, just short hikes to the view points and such. Any ideas for off the beaten path things to do there? Early feb to early march time of year. Not up for a overnight hike yet but day hikes or dirt road trips would be great.
thanks in advance!!
posted
30-Nov-2009 10:10
by:
gwahicks »
last reply
30-Nov-2009 10:10
by:
gwahicks »
0
replies
,
35
views
Thanks to helpful advice on this forum and some further research on my own, I'm going to parking here (Secaucus Junction) during a weekend trip to NYC (from DC) this coming weekend. Seems like a good deal -- much cheaper than parking in Manhattan for the weekend, 15 minutes on the train to Penn Station, and no need to deal with the Lincoln Tunnel.
However, we are planning on departing from this parking lot back to DC around 7-8 pm on Sunday evening. The New York Giants have a 4 pm game at the Meadowlands earlier that day, which means it will be letting out just around then, if not a little earlier. Is I-95 southbound/NJ Turnpike going to be an absolute nightmare at this time? I suppose we can get there a little earlier, before the game ends, in order to beat the traffic. But we'd like to get as much time as...
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posted
30-Nov-2009 08:24
by:
SpeedBackpacking »
last reply
01-Dec-2009 13:45
by:
travelmaven »
5
replies
,
145
views
I recently spent a few days in Hana, Maui and absolutely fell in love with the place. Spectacular beautify, totally relaxing environment, cooking out at night, just pure peace and quiet. Can any other big Hawaii fans out there shed some light on what spots on the other islands offer a similar chilled out environment where relaxing over the bay with the beer is heaven?
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 »
Follow the heartbeat of America through towering forests, undulating fields, pulsating metropolises and offbeat oases.... buy it »
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