Thorn Tree travel forum

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posted
13-Mar-2003 19:38
by: romanb »

last reply
26-Nov-2009 19:03
by: mrpenney »

271 replies , 186,835 views

Pages 1 2 3 4 ... 19

USA branch FAQ

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... more »

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posted
13-Jan-2009 03:16
by: Yersinia »

last reply
25-Nov-2009 12:09
by: dmudgeau »

70 replies , 7,785 views

Pages 1 2 3 4 5

New Visa Waiver Requirements, effective January 12, 2009

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... more »

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posted
28-Nov-2009 07:06
by: jamface »

last reply
28-Nov-2009 07:06
by: jamface »

0 replies , 8 views

Yummy veggies and other delights of NYC

Hi!

I'm taking my boyfriend to the big apple for his 30th (ssssh its a surprise!) at new year and wondered if any of you luvverly people had any recommendations for nice veggie restaurants in NYC/brooklyn. We like all 'styles' of food that isn't made of animals/fish.

Any other 'must sees' or recommendations for fun stuff are much appreciated (we are new york virgins and like general sightseeing, history, architecture, people watching, nature, sports (him not me) and pecan pie).

Thanks
=^..^=

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posted
28-Nov-2009 00:55
by: travelwtkgal »

last reply
28-Nov-2009 06:30
by: yaralin »

2 replies , 33 views

Best places in New Orleans

I'm thinking about going to New Orleans with my family, which consists of 2 children and 2 adults. The New Orleans page on Lonely Planet features a great wealth of activities, but I am wondering which are the best for families? We want to include some architecture and history in our visit. Thanks in advance!

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posted
27-Nov-2009 18:12
by: RGUtena »

last reply
28-Nov-2009 06:48
by: RGUtena »

10 replies , 128 views

Alaskan cruises - Is it worth using an agent?

Hi, I'm planning to do a 7-9 day Alaskan cruise, and have come across this company called 'Alaska Cruises & Vacations' www.akcruises.com

They seem to operate like an agent, and the owner(?) Marjy seems pretty switched on and has been very responsive to my inquiries. Has anyone heard of this company? Is it worth going through them, or would it be better to book directly with the cruise liner?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

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posted
27-Nov-2009 12:37
by: cuddlesudz »

last reply
27-Nov-2009 22:11
by: qwovadis »

2 replies , 84 views

San Diego in December...

Hi there, I'm a female from Toronto and I'm planning on going to San Diego for about a week starting the second week of December. I'll be going alone and have found a hostel that I like the looks of the in the Gaslamp district. Will it be too cold to go to the beaches?? I don't care much about swimming, but would love to lie and get a tan and hang out on the boardwalk. I may rent a car, any suggestions for small cool towns nearby? I'll have about 3 weeks to travel. I enjoy ranches and horseback riding. I'm into the country and western scene as well. Was also thinking Mexico...

Thanks so much!

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posted
27-Nov-2009 02:20
by: richardfun »

last reply
28-Nov-2009 02:35
by: BubbaK »

17 replies , 304 views

Pages 1 2

Question on getting car insurance in USA as a foreigner/tourist

New user here. Me and a friend are planning to visit the US next year. Our plan right now is to either start in New York or Toronto. From there we want to buy a car, drive through the US, and finish in Los Angeles. However, you obviously can't drive around for two months without car insurance. I've been trying to get some answers from insurance companies both in the US and Canada, but they either don't answer me at all or tell me they aren't allowed to answer my question.

My question is: is it possible to get car insurance on a car for less than a year. We only plan on being there for two months, so forking over a year's worth of insurance is not something I plan on doing. The insurance companies that have responded, won't even tell me if it is even possible to get car insurance for anything shorter than one year.

Any help you guys (and girls of course) could give me would be g... more »

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posted
27-Nov-2009 01:22
by: itchyfeet71 »

last reply
27-Nov-2009 10:44
by: ralph_cramden »

7 replies , 142 views

Rail travel - Boston to Newark airport

Hi guys, can anyone give me advice on how easy it is to travel by rail to Newark airport from Boston, or whether it would be alot easier/cheaper by air. I am interested in journey times, if I would need to change trains anywhere, cost etc. I suspect a stop/change in NYC, but I wonder how easy it is. Or if you can recommend a good website for details, I would be grateful. Thanks in advance.

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posted
26-Nov-2009 18:56
by: anbe »

last reply
28-Nov-2009 06:39
by: yaralin »

6 replies , 134 views

west coast and parks en september

Hi,

We are from Belgium and have vague plans of taking at trip to the westcoast and the parcs from mid-september to the beginning of october. What is the weather like at that period. Is it ok to camp and live mainly outside (cook, eat, etc) or is it getting too wet or cold and that time of year ? What is the average price of a campingplace for a small campervan ? It doesn't have to be a very luxurious campingsite. Any suggestions for trustworthy rentingcompanies in L.A. or San Francisco for small campervans ?

Thanks a lot for any kind of advice.

Nicky

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posted
26-Nov-2009 10:33
by: lsemitnus »

last reply
28-Nov-2009 02:31
by: VinnyD »

9 replies , 235 views

Cheap Hotels

I've been staying at a hotel in chicago for $90 a week and I am headed for New York after Thanksgiving Day and I was wondering if anybody out there knows of a hotel in new york that is about the same price as the chicago one. I am willing to pay up to $165 dollars a week for a hotel in ny. And please don't tell me about hostels because I already know about them and I friggin hate them,......................YEEEEEAAAAACH!

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posted
26-Nov-2009 09:43
by: nutraxfornerves »

last reply
26-Nov-2009 23:12
by: trekker502 »

6 replies , 148 views

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posted
26-Nov-2009 05:20
by: alexbfree »

last reply
27-Nov-2009 13:18
by: nutraxfornerves »

8 replies , 234 views

December Road Trip California & Beyond - does this seem like a good plan?

Hi there, my wife and I are planning a 2.5 week trip to California over Christmas and New Year, and we want to hire a car and explore some of the surrounding areas.

Having researched on these forums and elsewhere it seems the more desert-like areas are recommended at that time of year for climate.

We have planned our trip something like this:

Dec 17th: Arrive San Francisco, rent car, stay overnight San Francisco
Dec 18th: Drive to Lake Tahoe (3.5hrs) via stop in Napa Valley/wine region. Stay overnight at Lake Tahoe
Dec 19th: Drive to Death Valley (9.5hrs). Stay overnight at Stovepipe Wells Village.
Dec 20th: Drive to Antelope Canyon (9.5hrs). Stay overnight at Page.
Dec 21st: Morning tour of Antelope Canyon. Drive to Grand Canyon (4hrs). Stay near Grand Canyon.
Dec 22nd: Visit Grand Canyon in the morning. Drive to Twentynine Palms (7hrs). Stay overnight 29 Palms.
Dec 23... more »

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posted
26-Nov-2009 02:00
by: bobetpine »

last reply
26-Nov-2009 09:55
by: bobetpine »

3 replies , 96 views

Between Santa Barbara and San Diego : nice places to roller skate ?

Hi,

I’m considering bringing my roller skates on my Xmas trip to California. I thought that skating around Venice, Newport beach etc, could be a fun –and faster !- way to see those places.

1) Am I mistaking ?
2) Are they a lot of places to stroll with rollerskates ? Which strech do you recommand ?
3) Let’s say we’re on the bike lane and we see a nice shop across the street : is it ok to enter a shop with skates or we’ll look like two lunatics ?
4) Is renting a wiser option (airlines charge more and more for weight so if we’re going to use the skates twice in 2 weeks then maybe it doesn’t make sense to bring them.)
5) Is sand on the bike lanes a real problem for skaters ?

Thanks for your time.

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posted
26-Nov-2009 00:24
by: Ali3 »

last reply
27-Nov-2009 13:15
by: carracar »

7 replies , 146 views

Yellowstone + Canyonlands NP in February - is it possible??

Hello

Im enquiring into skiing at Breckonridge for 3 days, but also followed by a road trip to Canyonlands and Yellowstone for a further 4 days between February 12th and 21st 2010.

Firstly, is it possible to travel between the two NP's and see them in this space of time (Ive worked out its about 500 miles bewteen the two).

Secondly, are they accessible that time of year? Some websites have said they 'close down' during the winter months. Is it accessible by renting a car? Are there hotels/motels still open, and can I still see the granduer of the NP's? My thinking is, that this time of year would be beautiful, in a different season, but also not be crowded.

Has anybody got any tips/help/knowledge to help me out? Im a little worried about driving in snowy conditions - will it be bad on the main roads or roads leading to the NP's? Will I need chains? And are these eas... more »

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posted
25-Nov-2009 23:27
by: bobetpine »

last reply
25-Nov-2009 23:27
by: bobetpine »

0 replies , 43 views

Joshua Tree campgrounds: which one to choose?

We will spend New Year's eve and a few more days in JTNP.

We're traveling in a VW van (Westfalia). We could book at either Black Rock or Indian Cove campground or take a chance and just try to show up at one of the other campground that does not allow advance bookings.

Our preference goes to a smaller campground without hookups (so there are no big RVs next to us!) with a nice setting like White Tank, Belle or Ryan campgrounds. Based on that fact, do you think it's wise to hope to get a site at one of these or considering it's New Year we should book beforehand and go with the herd?

Any comment about the different campgrounds at JTNP is most welcome. If you've been there, please tell me what you liked or disliked.

Thanks!

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posted
25-Nov-2009 22:09
by: blubblytraveller »

last reply
26-Nov-2009 03:23
by: Kahua »

4 replies , 162 views

Califonia - TRIP OF DREAMS. CAN YOU HELP PLEASE?

Hello,

I wonder if you can help- me. MY friend and I have booked 17 nights in California night year during April; Thursday 1st April – Sunday 18th April. We fly in and out on San Francisco Airport. We'll be hiring a car as we'd like to be free to drive and explore California as much as possible. Together we would like to visit the following cities

San Francisco
• Golden Gate Bride Bike tour
• Alcatraz
• Napa Wine Valley day trip
• Yosemite National Park Day Trip
Las Vegas
• Enjoy the strip and the many hotels
• Grand Canyon
Los Angeles
• Visit Venice Beach
• Universal Studios
• Walk of Fame
• Amongst other activities
San Diego

Big Sur

I’m very keen to visit the cities above however at the same time conscious of the amount of driving that will be involved. I wonder if this is possible to achieve in 2 weeks? Could anyone give me advice on the best route to take ... more »

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posted
25-Nov-2009 21:15
by: tsukilina »

last reply
27-Nov-2009 05:39
by: tsukilina »

4 replies , 130 views

NY - GOSPEL SERVICE

Hi!

I’m going to NYC the second week of January and I was wondering if someone can recommend me a church to attend the service on Sunday morning. I was thinking in a Gospel service in Harlem, but any suggestion is welcomed!

Thanks!

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