TheTravelNook.com

My husband,son and I are planning a trip to Disneyland, Universal Studios, Sea World the first week in march of 2009. Is this a good time to go? are the crowds farely small? how is the weather? is it freezing? any info would be helpful!!!thanks
Nope, I mean Disneyland.

This is a great time to visit. we went to Disneyland in March not last year but the year befor and the average wait for the lines was 5 minutes , yeah it might rain but it didn’t and even if it does I don’t think it takes away from the magic. Spring break will be later in 2009 because unlike this year it being in March, 2009 it is in April. The only thing with it being a slower part of the year is that the park closes earlier then when busy except for the weekend and the other thing is that the fireworks and fantasmic are shown on friday, satuday and sunday so if you want to see them you will have to go one of those day I sugest Sunday because it is usually the least busiest and then monday is slow, of course mid week is the slowest of slow but you wont see fireworks. Also Costco has a pass that you purchase which is for Disneyland, Universal and Sea World not sure if you already knew that, just thought I would let you know. With Universal Studios I am not sure if they have fixed the backlot which caught on fire a month or so ago, I thought they were not going to open it back up until 2010 or so. But if you are going there for the rides and not the backlot tour then it should be no baring.

Planning a trip to New Orleans in the end of August. Never been there before and need advice on things to do (besides jazz clubs). I like to do the tourist thing on vacation but I also like to check out less familiar areas (to tourists). Also, where is the best place to get a hotel? Should I rent a car?

if you plan on venturing outside the French Quarter you might want a car. but the main thing is to find out if your hotel has parking, how much it costs and if they don’t where is the nearest lot. you might consider not getting a car for the first few days then if you use Enterprise rent a car they can deliver a car to your hotel.(make a reservation)

Harrah’s New Orleans Casino
www.harrahs.com
8 Canal St
New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 533-6000

http://www.patobriens.com/

Pat O’Brien’s Bar, Inc.
718 St. Peter Street
New Orleans, LA 70116

B & W Courtyards Bed & Breakfast
2425 Chartres St
New Orleans, LA 70117
(504) 945-9418
(800) 585-5731
bandwcourtyards.com

Cochon
930 Tchoupitoulas Street
(504) 588-2123
www.cochonrestaurant.com
the pickles are house-made.
get the oyster and bacon sandwich

Guy’s Po-Boys
5257 Magazine St.
(504) 891-5025

The Bomb
is a grilled catfish, shrimp and onion po-boy topped with melted cheddar and Swiss.

chicken parmesan.
"It’s not on the menu, but people who know about it, know it’s
about the best thing you’ll ever eat.

check this website

http://www.nola.com/

Riverwalk Marketplace
1 Poydras Street, Suite 101
New Orleans, Louisiana 70130-1694
(504) 522-1555

Mardi Gras World
233 Newton Street

http://www.mardigrasworld.com/

http://www.ddaymuseum.org/

World War Two Museum
945 Magazine Street

http://www.steamboatnatchez.com/

New Orleans Steamboat Company
#2 Canal Street, Suite 2500
(504) 586-8777
(800) 233-2628

Cafe Du Monde
1039 Decatur Street

http://www.cafedumonde.com/main.html

My bf and I are planing a trip to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks late May or early June.

We’re planning on staying for about 4-5 days. We want to stay in a hotel, lodge, cabin.

Any recommendations?

GET RESERVATIONS! I drove threw there last June and drove for 4 hours before I found a campsite or hotel that had vacancy. Stay in Jackson Hole if you like nice hotels and lodges, most of the places to stay near Yellowstone are Campsites. Even if you dont stay in Jackson Hole, GO VISIT, that place is one of the most beautiful spots in America!

I am planning a trip to Japan from the US and was wondering if there is anything I should know as far as what to do and what not to do? What about cell phones would US Cellular work there?

Woah there! I’m not sure if I agree with all of the comments in the 1st answer above (each to their own though..lol).

It’s great you’ve chosen to come to Japan. It really is a fantastic country and its people are incredibly kind, generous and gracious hosts. To a foreign mindset, Japan’s social customs and traditions can often seem alien to Westerners. Don’t worry! Do you best not to prejudge or mock the way things are here. Some countries just do things a little differently to the West. Here’s a few tips I found useful before I came out, and some I’ve learnt while I have been here:-

When sightseeing…
– don’t blow your nose in public, for some reason this is considered VERY rude…if you really have to, do it in a toilet cubicle – preferably where nobody can hear or see you
– don’t eat, drink or smoke while walking
– don’t point within Buddhist temples, it’s considered rude, there will be signs in English saying where you can and can’t take photographs too
– some areas of Japan are quite conservative when it comes to women’s clothing. If you’re going to somewhere outside a big city – especially in the summer – don’t expose your midriff or cleavage…some people also find tattoos offensive [see 'onsen' below]. It depends where you go though!

When eating…
– the hot towel given to you a the beginning of the meal is for your hands, not your face
– don’t stick your chopsticks in your rice (Japanese do this to honour the dead)
– don’t pass food from person to person with chopsticks
– don’t lick the ends of your chopsticks
– eating all of your meal is fine (!)
– believe it or not…DON’T TIP WAITING STAFF.(or taxi drivers, or anyone for that matter)..it is not the custom in Japan and some even think it’s rude!

When staying at a Ryokan/more traditional hostel or someones house…

– be aware of where to take your shoes off, a lot of traditional Japanese accommodation does not allow outdoor shoes to be worn indoors (bring some slippers!)
– don’t wear your house slippers when you go to the WC, change into the toilet slippers provided (change them back when you finish!!!)

Generally…

– the Japanese bowing custom is very complicated. For foreigners, a gentle bow or a simple nod of the head and a little smile works wonders
– if you are offered a gift, receive it with 2 hands, if you are giving gift, give with 2 hands
– be careful about calling people by their given names…it’s usually simple to ask them what they would like you to call them! Lots of people will say their name followed by ‘-san’ is ok
– if you are going to a traditional Japanese hot spring (or ‘onsen’) be prepared to be turned away if you have tattoos…it varies widely from place to place but many onsen do not permit ANY, no-matter how small and insignificant you may think your ink is
– public displays of affection aren’t the norm here, nor is being overly ‘huggy’ – many Japanese will shake hands to be polite but will often be taken aback if you try to hug them. This does not mean that Japanese people are cold – they are just not used to doing it!

Your phone will not work over here. You can hire them in most cities. Tourist information or whoever is providing your accommodation should be able to give you more information about this.

A lot of the social ‘rules’ in Japan are the same as anywhere else in the world, so it doesn’t hurt to apply a bit of common sense to every situation: be polite, considerate and friendly to people and respectful of customs. Even if you do make a social faux-pas, people will usually understand because you are a foreigner! Japanese put a high value on people trying their best, so my advice is to remember a few of the no-nos but stay relaxed and friendly..you will meet a LOT of wonderful people here.

I hope you have a fantastic time wherever you chose to go in Japan. I can’t tell you how awesome this country is.

Bob is planning to pack 6 shirts and 4 pants for the trip. He has 8 shirts and 8 pants. How many different ways can this be done?

[from 8 shirts, choose 6]*[from 8 pants, choose 4]

= 8C6*8C4 = 1960

I’m planning a week-long vacation to Hawaii during the summer with my girlfriend. I’ve never done this before, so I’m looking for tips and cautions on having a nice time and avoid getting ripped off. Should I book online or with a real travel agent? Do I need to rent a car while there? Weekday rates vs. weekend rates. Anything that you think will help me make good decisions about this trip would be great. Thanks a lot.

Do you want to stay on one island, like Oahu, or visit other islands? Prices are often cheaper on the other islands, but there is also less to do. Flights between the islands are inexpensive.

Do you like outdoor activities – deep sea fishing, sailing, scuba diving – or are you more interested in nightclubs and parties? Historical visits – nature walks – pineapple plantations – gorgeous golf courses and outdoor festivals. Hawaii has all this and more, but to use your time wisely, figure out what they have (read) and what you want to do and see. Check what local festivals or celebrations might be going on when you are there.

Investigate – I found a GREAT hotel in Hono – not luxury but nice people, free continental breakfast each morning on the roof, well located and inexpensive (Waikiki Gateway) – it’s not the Hawaiian Village but you’ll end up with more money in your pocket to spend on other things.

Sometimes local car rentals can give you a better deal than the big names. Sometimes you can get a better deal if you book air tickets AND hotel AND car all at the same time. Again – investigate.

Check your address book and with your friends to see if anyone knows anyone who lives there. That can be a great help.

And of course – sun screen, LOTS of water, a hat – and leave room in your suitcase, you’ll want to bring things back.

My company is sending our department on a retreat for a week. My older married male co-worker who has a baby and I are are planning to extend our trip to another place alone. We are very friendly with each other, we are always IMing each other during and after work hours. Sometimes we flirt. I do have a boyfriend. So nothing is really going on. But can a male and female just be friends and go off on a trip alone? Thanks.

no, even if you just think it’s innocent flirting, let me tell you something.. it’s not (on his part, at least).

guys think they’re gonna get sex from girls even when the girl doesn’t flirt with him.. imagine now with you two texting back and forth and flirting?

if you go, you will both be tempted. it’s easy to get swept up in the moment, especially on vacation. do you really want to be the ‘homewrecker’ for some guy you’re not in love with? or have an awkward work relationship afterward?

i’m not saying you have bad intentions, but he is married and he should have the decency to respect his wife and child. and if he won’t.. then you should try putting yourself in his wife’s position. home everyday taking care of the baby while her husband is off with some pretty young thing.. it’s not fair. you wouldn’t want your dad doing that to your family or your husband doing that to you.

Well I am 16 and a sophomore. Me and a couple of friends planned to make a road trip after high school. Once we are 18 and we said we will go but the thing is when should i start really planning for this trip. I already figured out the places we all want to go but when should i start looking at the stop areas and money and hotels and all those things.

I do road trips with a good friend of mine two or three times a year. I like to start 3 to 6 months ahead of time, with a lot of the finer details filled in during the last month before we hit the road. Bigger stuff like if we need reservations for anything special is done the earliest. That could be tickets to something special we’d like to see, or reserving a spot at a super-popular campground we want to be at during the height of the busy season.

In the last month before we hit the road is when I check all the road and weather conditions. I also come up with back-up plans in case we are going to travel in bad weather (like knowing where cheap hotels are when you don’t feel like putting up a tent in mud).

The link below has good ideas for making sure everyone has a good time on the trip.

How should I go about planning a trip to California when I live in Pennsylvania? I want to spend the summer there after my graduation but i Have no idea where to stay or how to even plan this because of the distance thing.. ANY help would be greatly appreciated.
I’ll also be there for about a month and need somewhere to stay also

I drove cross country from NY to Oregon a couple of years ago. We pretty much went without a plan, stopping whenever we were too tired to drive anymore and finding a Super8. Our method worked, but there are other, cheaper ways to do it. Bring a tent and look up campgrounds in various states before you go, or try couch surfing… free places to stay!

My boyfriend and our daughter (10) are planning a trip to florida next year and don’t know how long we should go for. We want to do everything: All Disney Parks, All Universal Studios, and Sea world. We want to try to get everything in. Maybe have a little downtime to rest or hit up a park that we really liked again. Is two weeks enough time or should we plan more/less? Any suggestion/advice/things we should make sure to do/anything is much appreciated.

Thank you, Jenny

I would definitely plan on one whole day for EACH amusement park, but, then add on several other days for repeat visits to your favorites because you just won’t be able to cover the whole park in that one day. Add to that the number of days the downtime you think you’ll need and then go from there.

Cost is a HUGE factor in how many days of vacation you should plan…if you can afford that much time from work, and all those admission ticket costs, the cost of the expensive food [note: Disney food = delicious which justifies the incredible cost; Anheiser Busch food = boring and not worth the money], not to mention the hotel and all the souvenirs, then have fun and party on!