Thorn Tree travel forum
Messages: 155,945 - Threads: 15,148
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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This post edited January 29, 2010 to provide updated information and links. All statements below were taken from US Customs and Border Protection information.
Electronic System for Travel Authorization
ESTA is a free, automated system that determines the eligibility of visitors to travel to the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program [VWP].
As of January 12, 2009, all VWP travelers are required to obtain a travel authorization via ESTA prior to traveling to the United States under the VWP.
All nationals or citizens of VWP countries who plan to travel to the United States for temporary business or pleasure under the VWP are required to receive an authorization through ESTA prior to boarding a U.S.-bound airplane or vessel. Accompanied and unaccompanied children, regardless of age, are also required to obtain an independent E...
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10-Feb-2010 23:06
youmuren
last reply
10-Feb-2010 23:56
trekker502
1 replies
14 views
Hello all,
I would like to find out which would be an more advisable / interesting time to visit Alaska - March or May? In terms of weather, activities, scenery, etc. Would really appreciate advise on this. Thanks much in advance!
Alaska Air and Delta have booked my flight connections from Amsterdam to Minneapolis then on to Seattle in such a way that I arrive in MSP at 4:40 pm and am supposed to depart with Alaska Air at 6:35pm. This seems like an oversight to me - is it even possible to clear customs and get back through security and to a gate at Concourse E in less than two hours?
Fortunately, I intend to have only carry on luggage and will be one of the first to deplane, but it still seems an unlikely scenario. I've never cleared customs at MSP before though. Anyone done something similar there lately?
(I'll call the airline too - just hoping to get a traveler's take)
I will have a 8 hour stop in San Francisco on my way from New York to Auckland. I looked up some websites of San Francisco and think a visit to the city is doable within that time. But I will have 2 bags with me. Is there anywhere I can leave them or what is the best way to do a city trip with luggage?
Thanks for any advise.
Hey,
Going to Maui in June, looking to rent a jeep for a week. I have been quoted $380 for a week. Does anyone have any suggestions of local places to rent Jeeps from in Maui?
Cheers
Hi there,
We have been living in the bay area and have seen all the usual (most common) tourist places and would like to do a drive and plan a stay for a day or so within driving distance of San Jose/San Francisco. Can anyone suggest a not-so-common place that will be not too much of a drive from where we live and at the same time is beautiful and scenic. Hike -friendly locations are totally welcome.
Thanks!
Soumya
hi, we are going to New Orleans for Mardi Gras, arriving on Saturday. We have a restaurant reservation for Sunday night but I am a bit worried about getting into restaurants on Monday and Tuesday. We don't want anything expensive but would like to be able to sit down and eat in the evenings, probably after the parades. I expect everyone else will have the same idea! Any suggestions?
Hi, we are going to New Orleans for Mardi Gras, arriving on Saturday. We are taking costumes to dress up but do people dress up every day or just on Fat Tuesday? Thanks.
09-Feb-2010 20:48
swissheidi
last reply
10-Feb-2010 16:36
FlagStuff
22 replies
334 views
Hi all,
I am planning a trip to the US in August and would like to have your favorite one week hike feasible in this time of year. I am Swiss so it would be nice to have something very different from the Alps. It doesn't matter which part of the US you are suggesting as I am still quite flexible.
Thank you in advance!
Hi, I'm from the UK and planning a trip to the USA in late July. I'm flying into Chicago and planning to drive to Las Vegas. We have plan to have 5 or 6 days on the road (i know it's not long enough to see everything). We plan to drive through Monument Valley, but what other sites and towns/cities on the way would be good to stop off at. And what route would you advise?
Regards
09-Feb-2010 15:09
cjkelly1000
last reply
09-Feb-2010 22:07
aubo23
5 replies
98 views
Hi,
Does anyone know if you can get a bus or train from Niagara Falls to either JFK or Downtown New York? Greyhound won't let me do a search for this route - I have to contact them direct (which I will but thought I would ask here first).
I am looking at visiting some friends in Morriston, Ontario, which is about 30 minutes drive from Niagara Falls. They have offered to drive me to the falls, but I will then need to make my way to New York to either meet a friend at JFK (preferable) or Downtown (a satisfactory alternative).
Also, how does one make the border crossing at Niagara Falls if you need to get a bus/train? Would the bus depart from the Canadian or US side and if it's the US side, can I just walk across, without them having to drive me?
Thanks for all your help guys.
Anybody know how I can get a temporary insurance policy to cover driving in the USA. I'm from the UK.
Thanks, William
Hi,
Here we are again looking for some of your great ideas!
Have twelve days (23rdFeb 6th March) and would like to travel from Aspen CO. to San Francisco overland.
1) Is it possible?
2) If so, what is the best route, would love to take in some of the natural wonders and perhaps Las Vagas?
3) How, rent a self drive vehicle (any suggestions as to which company) or public transport, or other option?
look forward to your suggestion,
thanks heaps,
neelloc.
looking to rent a house in new orleans for jazz fest. please send info if you have it.
I'm thinking of taking a trip to Seattle in the autumn and can't decide how long to stay there for. I'm thinking of going for a week but is there enough in the city itself to keep me occupied or should I consider exploring slightly further afield too? I would be reliant on public transport to get about so wouldn't want to go too far. Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance :)
09-Feb-2010 05:55
mrhopkins007
last reply
10-Feb-2010 15:50
itzawonnder
14 replies
168 views
Hi all,
I have just booked my flights from London Gatwick to Las Vegas and just recieved confirmation. There is a connecting flight from Atlanta Giorgia but have just noticed that it lands at 1:35 and leaves for vegas again at 3:20. That seems like a really short amount of time to catch the connecting flight.
Is this normal? Do I need to check in once I have arrived in Atlanta - or do I quickly run and try and find my terminal?
Cheers,
Gaz
Posted By: VenessaP -- 28-Jan-2010 15:01
Posted By: VenessaP -- 09-Dec-2009 17:01
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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