Thorn Tree travel forum

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

LA to LV

Hi. What is the best way to get from LA to Vegas. Can you drive it in a day? Will the roads be open between the XMas New Year period

Don't forget to calculate in the luggage fees.....

... they can bite you in the ass. From Bing Travel News.

By Robin Dalmas, Bing Travel

Just in time for the holidays, new fees that airlines charge for your luggage have clocked consumers on the head like a giant nutcracker doll falling out of the overhead bin. If you’re not seeing stars yet, try making sense of each airline’s baggage-fees policy. You’ll need a complex decision tree, and perhaps a calculator.

Do you have one, two or three bags? Do they weigh less than 50 pounds, 51 to 70 pounds or 71 to 100 pounds? Did you buy your ticket this month or last July? Will you pay your baggage fees online or at the airport? Are you traveling domestically or heading abroad for the holidays? Are you flying coach or business class, and are you an elite frequent flier? Are you a civilian or a member of the military? And, if that weren’t dizzying enough, consider this: Are you flyi... more »

Zero entry pool - Marriot Ocean Pointe

Hi, does anyone know if the Marriot Ocean Pointe resort in Palm Beach has a zero entry pool? I've heard that it does but looking for more confirmation.

If anyone can recommend other family resorts with z/e pools in Florida it would be much appreciated.
Thanks & Cheers!!

Driving from Seattle to San Francisco in winter

We're driving from Seattle to San Francisco in mid December. We only have 2 days to get there (on the way back we have lots of time) so we're looking for the quickest route as well as one where there is little or no (hopefully) snow or ice.
Any advice ?

Chicago: Hancock Observatory v. Skydeck (fka Sears Tower)

We'll want to go to the Hancock Observatory or the Skydeck - are there any pros and cons to either over the other?

Looks to be pretty much price neutral.

(Another option we're considering is to simply go up to the Signature Lounge in the Hancock Building and enjoy a drink while enjoying the view. This option would also be about the same cost as doing the tour. But presumably no lines and no rush-rush while atop the building.)

Also: Is the only difference between the two buildings' express elevator ticket and the regular admission the faster access to the top? Or is there some other factor I'm not getting? The price for the express is significantly higher than the regular admission.

Thank you in advance for your thoughts.