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Ask
the Experts Q. We want to go to Middletown, Ohio for the weekend getaway. Can you recommend any accommodations in the area? A. The City of Middletown, Ohio is a vibrant, dynamic community of over 58,000 people, positioned near the major metropolitan areas of Cincinnati and Dayton in southwest Ohio. The Manchester Inn & Conference Center (800/523-9126; www.manchesterinn.com), is a historical full service conference center that was built in 1922 by several community business leaders who saw the need for a first class hotel to serve Middletown and the surrounding area. Some famous faces and Heads of State that have used their facilities include Franklin D. & Eleanor Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, Will Rogers and John Phillip Sosa. When the Inn was originally built, there were 200 small sleeping rooms. Today, the hotel has 79 newly renovated guest rooms, 16 of which are luxurious suites which include mini refrigerators, hair dryers, iron/ironing boards, in room coffee, color TV & an alarm clock. Their Mystery Dinner Theatre is a favorite among guests. A sampling of area attractions include La Comedia Dinner Theatre, Carillon Historical Park, Wright Cycle Company, Dayton's Centennial Celebration, Trader's World Flea Market, Barn 'N Bunk Farm Market, Jungle Jim's Market, and United States Air Force Museum. The hotel is centrally located between Cincinnati & Dayton just minutes off of I-75. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A. Miami's South Beach district is about as hot as it gets. With its beaches, clubs and bars, it's hopping with models, celebrities and wannabes. Ocean Drive is where you want to go for the sidewalk cafes, in-line skating and people-watching. If you're up early, you may catch a photo shoot on the Promenade between Ocean Drive and the beach. There are also several spas in Miami, where you and your friends can rest and rejuvenate during the day. Montreal is also a great place to party and is a far less expensive alternative, thanks to the strength of the U.S. dollar there. Culturally, it is a treasure trove of attractions from art to history to architecture. The food is outstanding. There is actually a debate about whether New York or Montreal makes the best bagel -- both having had their roots in eastern European immigration to those cities. The
city's night life is more active than Toronto's. The bars stay open until 3 a.m.
There are more jazz clubs, cafes, pubs, coffeehouses and discos than you'll be
able to visit in a month. Q. I recently read about McArthurGlen Serravalle, the designer discount mall outside Milan. A friend and I are planning a trip to celebrate our next milestone birthday. We would love to combine a few days shopping with a visit to an Italian spa. Can you recommend a place to stay? A. McArthurGlen is a chain of 12 ``designer outlet'' centers in Europe. The center in Serravale, Italy, (near Milan) is the newest McArthurGlen Designer Outlet, and another one will open near Rome in October. This may not be the best choice for Americans. Most of McArthurGlen's tenants are American labels such as Liz Claiborne, Polo Ralph Lauren, Nike, Gap and Levi's. (Check www.mcarthurglen.com.) You may want to travel to Florence instead, if you're interested in Italian bargains. The area around Florence, where Italian fashion designers such as Gucci, Armani and Prada have factories, is said to be where insiders go for the best outlet bargains. It also is home to a world-renowned spa, the Grotta Giusti Spa & Hotel (www.grottagiustispa.com) in Monsummano, about 30 miles outside of Florence. Here you will find spa services such as body wraps, facials, peeling treatments and massage. The 100 Best Spas of the World, (The Globe Pequot Press, $19.95), said, ``An antidote to la dolce vita, the grotto at the Grotta Giusti ranks among the best spa experiences. Robed and hooded, you join a monklike group on the stone ramps leading to subterranean caves and an underground lake. Handed towels, you recline on wooden chairs, meditate and sweat out toxins.'' Your
best bet would be to stay at the hotel and get the hotel concierge to hire a car
to take you to the outlets for the day. You also can set up the outlet tour and
other travel arrangements ahead of time through a travel agency that specializes
in Italy. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A.
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A. Many dermatologists suggest transparent zinc oxide (also called Z-Cote), found in some sunscreens, moisturizers, and foundations. It does a good job of blocking ultraviolet A rays, which wrinkle skin, and UVB rays, which burn it. But as with any sunscreen, you need to lay it on thick before heading out. Until recently avobenzone (sometimes known as Parsol 1789) also got high makes as a UVA fighter. But recent studies show it can break down after only a half hour in the sun, and it may degrade other ingredients that absorb UVB. The experts' advice: Reapply avobenzone lotions after 30 minutes. Sunscreen
is best applied to dry not moist or wet skin. Rubbing sunscreen (even a waterproof
one) on damp skin can dilute it, making it less effective. And if you're swimming
or working up a sweat, you need to reapply it more frequently than the every two
hours recommended under normal conditions. To be safe, dermatologists say, follow
this advice even for waterproof products designed to fend off rays for up to eight
hours. A. A drive along mountain roads reveals a winter wonderland, one filled with evergreens marching up to snow-tipped peaks. Sometimes the scenery is so gorgeous; you can't help pulling off the road for a minute to get out to look, and even to take a few pictures. But those beautiful white-covered peaks in the high country you are photographing should also serve as a reminder to drive carefully. Here are a few suggestions. 1.
Drive at the appropriate speed for the conditions, and expect to slow down when
the weather is inclement. Keep a longer distance between your vehicle and the
one in front of you, because it takes additional time to stop on icy, snowy roads. Q. I received a hotel brochure and rate card, and one of the column indicted lower rates for "shoulder season." What does that mean? A. The hotel industry uses the phrase shoulder season to describe the window of time between peak season and low season. Typically, this is a period when the weather is not ideal and the hotel's services are not their best, so prices are a bit lower - although not at their absolute lowest. For example, a Caribbean resort might designate the weeks immediately before and after hurricane season as shoulder, while the storm months themselves would be low season. Shoulder season can be a real bargain if you do your homework and time your stay so that it falls very close to the high season: Find out precisely when the rates change, and book your trip right before peak season kicks in or after it ends. And
know which hotel services or activities will not be available so you won't be
disappointed. Case in point: Golfers wouldn't want to visit a resort before its
course opens for the season; non-golfers, on the other hand, would be content
to take advantage of other outdoor activities or the spa. Q. I am very busy and don't have time to work out. Is there one exercise I can do to prepare for my ski trip in mid February? A. If the fitness firing squad forced me to choose one, I'd go with Walking Lunges. Stand upright with your hands on your hips. Keep your torso perpendicular to the ground and your abs tight. Lunge forward with your right foot. Keeping your right knee aligned above the ankle, drop down until your right thigh is parallel to the ground. Hold for one to two seconds, then use both legs to pull your body straight up, bringing your left foot forward until it's next to the right foot. Repeat the exercise, alternating feet. Do three sets of 20 lunges (10 with each leg). Don't forget to warm
up before you hit the slopes. The best warm-up before skiing is five to 10 minutes
of cardio exercise. Try the rowing machine in the hotel gym or take a vigorous
walk through the parking lot. This boosts your heart rate and literally warms
you up by increasing blood flow to your muscles, which prepares them for activity.
This is increasingly important as you get older. Then, take five minutes to stretch
key muscles: calves, hamstrings, quads, back. It's key to stretch again at the
end of the ski day. But first do a short bout (five to 15 minutes) of cardio exercise
to flush out lactic acid. Q. I am planning a visit to Florida in March and love to hunt shells on the beach. Where can I find the best shelling beaches? A.
Sanibel and its neighboring islands are popular among collectors for the copious
seashells that wash up on the shore. The shells are trapped along Sanibel's southern
coast, which runs perpendicular to the mainland and prevailing currents in the
Gulf of Mexico. Q. My girlfriend and I are planning to drive from Chicago to Canada. Is it possible to get car insurance coverage for the whole trip? A.
Yes. According to the American Automobile Association, most U.S. car insurance
polices are good domestically and in Canada. Click
here for Discount
Car Rental at LAX! Q. I prefer vacation rentals and condos to hotels. How can I check out the quality of a rental or condo? A.
Ask to see current photos of the property and for proof that the rental agency
is bonded, and find out if the local tourist office is familiar with the company.
If the agency is in the United States, call the Better Business Bureau to see
if any complaints are on file. Be wary of companies that provide only a post office
box and a toll-free number for the contact information. Get in touch with previous
guests if at all possible. Q.What are the new restrictions on airline luggage? A.
Carry-on
Luggage is limited to one personal item (purse, laptop, or briefcase) and
one bag, which must fit the measurements specified by the airline (typically 9
by 14 by 22 inches). While checked baggage restrictions may vary by airline and
destination, the usual free limit is two pieces per person, which can be checked
at the airport no more than four hours before departure for domestic flights and
six hours in advance for international flights. To help keep lines moving, minimize
your baggage and avoid packing sharp items (Swiss army knives, nail clippers,
etc.) or anything that might raise a red flag for security. Gift packages are
also subject to inspection, so leave them unwrapped. Besides X-ray checkpoints,
many airlines have instituted random searches at the gate. Finally, always make
sure your bags are labeled with some form of identification and contact information. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q. I am planning to go to Florida for the Thanksgivings holiday and Aspen for Christmas. Should I purchase my airline tickets now or wait closer to the date of departure? A. Now is a great time to make your reservations. This is because the airlines are currently offering great discounts on most destinations. In fact, I just booked a round trip ticket from Chicago to Miami for only $168 for the Thanksgiving holidays. It is the lowest price I have ever paid to fly to Miami from Chicago. Since
this low fares are not also available, it is best to book them immediately. You
can also get cheap airline tickets
if you purchase last minute tickets. But there is no guarantee that your destination
will be available. Q. I am still terrified of air travel since the Sept 11 tragedy. Is there another way to get to Washington D.C from Midtown Manhattan? A. Just like you, I was also terrified of air traveling after the tragic event. Fortunately, thanks to strict security measures, traveling by air is safer than ever. With
that said there is an alternative; Taking the train. Today's high-tech improvements
make faster trains more feasible. In fact, there is only a 10 minute time difference
if you travel by train from Midtown Manhattan to Washington D.C instead of by
plane. For more information, please contact Amtrak. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q. What exactly is Jet Lag and how can I get rid of it?
A.
Jet Lag is caused
by crossing time zones when flying, and can cause you to feel worn out, accompanied
by a lack of concentration and motivation, anywhere from hours to days (depending
on the length of your trip) after arriving at your destination. Although it can
happen anytime you make at least a 3 hour time change (i.e. PST to EST), usually
traveling east is worse than traveling west. There are many ways to combat Jet
Lag, such as making sure you are not over-tired, stressed, nervous, or hung over
before your flight. Even too much excitement can cause a little Jet Lag. Airplane
cabin pressure combined with the dry air can make you a little dehydrated, so
it's a good idea to drink plenty of water. In fact, many flyers always carry a
bottle. Although you may want to unwind with a drink or glass of wine, like you
would at home, it can add to your Jet Lag. The impact of alcohol on the body is
reportedly 2-3 times more potent when flying, so you might want to skip it until
you land. Exercise is another great way to stave off the effects of Jet Lag prior
to, during, and after your flight. While on the plane, rotate your ankles, stretch
your legs in front of you (if at all possible), walk up and down the aisle and/or
do stretching and bending exercises. This keeps your circulation going. There
are some "anti-Jet Lag" drugs available on the market, but it is always
advisable to consult with your physician prior to using these. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A.
If you see what you even think is a lapse, or someone acting suspiciously, the
FAA asks that you immediately report it to any official who may be close by. An
aviation safety expert adds that you should also takes notes, including exact
times, places, and names of security personnel, and send the details of the incident
to the airport, the airline, and the FAA. "Sending a report in writing, "the
expert says, "suggests that you are somebody to be dealt with and that if
they don't respond, you'll go over their head. You can also turn to elected officials
if your concerns are not properly addressed. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q.
I had planned on using the Delta Airlines frequent flyer miles I have accumulated
on my business trips to go to Hawaii. The problem is that I have only 20,000 miles
but need 30,000 miles. Do you have any suggestions on how I can earn 10,000 miles
in 3 months? Traveling is out of the question since my company has currently put
a freeze on all travel expenses. A.
I would like to commend you for planning ahead. Hawaii is one of the
most popular award destinations and since the airlines are cutting back on award
seats, it is highly advisable to plan as far in advance as possible. One
of the best ways to earn Delta Airlines frequent flyer miles is to apply for the
American Express Gold Delta SkyMiles Credit Card. You'll automatically earn 10,000
bonus SkyMiles after your first purchase. But there is an annual fee of $85 for
this card. For more information, Click
here.
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