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CNN Live Saturday
Dollar Signs: Hot Travelling Tips
Aired June 26, 2004 - 16:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR, DOLLAR SIGNS: Welcome to DOLLAR SIGNS where we help you make the most of your money. July 4 is next weekend. And many people are planning summer trips already. Do you know the hot tips for traveling if you've got kids?
Take along nutritious snacks, but not salty ones. Keep kids hydrated by making them drink water or juice. But don't give them anything with caffeine. And let them snack on proteins like cheese or peanut butter. And if you haven't planned your getaway, there are some ideas in the July/August issue of Frommer's "Budget Travel" magazine.
Pauline Frommer of Frommer's "Budget Travel Online" is with us from New York. And Pamela Lanier is travel writer in Los Angeles. She is the author of "Family Travel & Resort." An everything you need to know guide for traveling with your kids. Good to see you both.
Let's begin with trying to plan these family trips. Do you guys say that parents don't need to bear the full brunt of the burden? That you really need to involve your kids. Pam?
PAMELA LANIER, AUTHOR, FAMILY TRAVEL & RESORT: I think that's so important. When you're making a family trip, it's a family decision. The most important part about family travel is the opportunity to bond with your family. So try to plan things everyone enjoys.
WHITFIELD: All right. And Pauline, Fred from Pennsylvania is on the telephone line. You can take his first question. He actually has a question, family vacation to Las Vegas. Fred?
CALLER: Yes, hi. I was planning on going to Las Vegas early to mid-August. I was wondering if you have any -- like flight and lodging?
PAULINE FROMMER, BUDGET TRAVEL MAGAZINE ONLINE: Well, it depends on where you're going from. Actually --
CALLER: From the east coast. TWI (ph).
FROMMER: From the East Cost? OK. Southwest Airlines vacations, and America West vacations, and Worry Free vacations, those are three package companies. They tend to have pretty good air/hotel packages to Las Vegas. Las Vegas is a city with hundreds of hotel rooms. And because of that, they need to sell them year-round.
So often these packagers can get better prices on hotels than one can on one's own. I would look at those three companies first. If you decide to do it on your own -- from your airport, does JetBlue fly out of Washington to Vegas yet? They've had pretty good prices to Las Vegas. You may want to look at them.
And then look on the Internet. Look at the usual suspects. There are also good sites such as sidestep.com, quickbook.com. Look at those sites first for a general lay of the land in terms of hotel prices. Then call the hotel directly. Don't use the 800 number. Call the hotel, and try to bargain. Last time I was in Las Vegas, I stayed at Harrahs for $39 a night, because I called the manager and bargained.
WHITFIELD: Wow. That's a deal. So then you had more money to gamble with. So, Pauline, how do you find a happy medium with your family? Everyone's got a different interest. Different ages, of course, lead to different interests.
LANIER: Sure.
WHITFIELD: How do you try to come about a happy conclusion, that everybody will be happy with?
FROMMER: Well, I have two kids. I don't let them choose the destination. But I do try to let the 5-year-old be queen for one day of the vacation. That way she knows that she gets to plan one full day. That makes everyone happy. I truly believe that kids can find things to do in every location in the world.
So parents shouldn't be afraid of going to the quote/unquote educational destinations, such as Washington, D.C., or Paris, or Rome. You don't have to only go to amusement parks with kid. They'll enjoy themselves wherever they are.
WHITFIELD: Pamela, do you feel like there's a real cutoff for ages in which to think about the educational destinations? That certainly there might be certain age groups where they just may be yawning the whole time. Or not wanting to pay attention. Not really appreciating the family vacation.
LANIER: Well, I think that's where you have to make a really wise choice about first where you have to stay. In answer to Fred's question, I'd also check hotels.com, for inexpensive lodgings. Once you get to your destination it's important to have things planned out.
Older children often really enjoy helping you plan the trip and coming up with ideas and museums they'd like to see. How about some heritage travel? Looking into your family's past, or into our nation's past. And visiting sites that are important to you? I think those could be good choices. My kids love to swim. So we always look for a hotel with a pool.
WHITFIELD: Yes. It seems all kids love to be around a pool. All right Pauline. Paul from Missouri is on the telephone line. He has an idea and a question that relates to Jamaica. Paul?
CALLER: Yes?
WHITFIELD: What's your question?
CALLER: Do you have a deal on the TV this morning? About a trip to Jamaica?
FROMMER: Yes. It's from a little company called Atlas Vacations. It is actually a company run by Jamaican expats, so they know everything about Jamaica. They have found a little family owned motel right on the Grill (ph) seven-mile beach. From August 15 through September 15, they are charging $299 from a number of East Coast cities for seven nights at this little motel on the beach, and airfare, from the U.S. That's Atlas Vacations. You can find them on the web at atlasvacations.net.
WHITFIELD: Wow. Now Pamela, when do you make a decision on a family vacation that revolves around driving, or taking a train, or flying? Because all can be expensive, depending on the routes that you take.
LANIER: Well, think for a family with a limited period of time -- and I'm going to call that about a week -- sometimes a driving vacation within two to three hours, even four hours of home, can be the best choice. Actually, according to TIA, 79 percent of all vacations this summer will be by car.
I think car vacations can be a great choice, but don't try to go too far. I always say on any vacation, don't try to do too much. I think taking it slow and easy is more relaxing and more fun. Gives people more time to be together and enjoy, than rushing around.
WHITFIELD: All right. We have a call from New Orleans. What's your question?
CALLER: Yes, I'd like to find out -- I've been looking for a vacation from New Orleans to San Francisco. And I have teenage children. And I want to find out, what is the best vacation deal I can get for them?
WHITFIELD: Pauline?
FROMMER: Gosh. I don't know offhand. I would go to one of the major search engines. Try sidestep.com or mobesemo.com, looking for airfare. There don't tend to be that many great package deals. By package, I mean deals that bundle together air and hotel for San Francisco. So I would book those elements separately. And then do a search of the sites we discussed before, hotels.com, as Pamela said, quickbook.com, and try to find a decently priced hotel in San Francisco. Which can be rough. It's an expensive city.
WHITFIELD: All right, Pauline Frommer, Pamela Lanier, hold on a moment, we are going to take a short break. When we come back, more of your e-mails. Send them to cnn.com or -- you can dollarsigns@cnn.com, or phone in some of your questions or comments at 1-800-807-2620. We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Welcome back to "DOLLAR SIGNS." Summer travel for your family doesn't have to break the bank, especially if you know where to find the sweet deals. Travel expert Pauline Frommer and travel writer Pamela Lanier do, and they're sharing some of their tips.
All right ladies. This is for the adventuresome family. We have an e-mail coming from the Brosenberg family (ph) of Dallas, Texas. They say -- "Our family of four, plus two dogs are thinking of renting an RV to vacation in Yellowstone. It is set for next summer. We will be driving from Dallas, Texas. We want to take in all the sights on the way there. Is this a cheaper way of traveling versus hotel, meals, airfare, et cetera? Pauline?
FROMMER: It will all depend on the price of gas. An RV is darn expensive to fill up. With the price of gas as high as it is, it can get pricey. But it is a wonderful way to do it. I think it ultimately will save them money. Because they'll be able to cook their own meals. They won't be tied to restaurants.
It's a wonderful idea for Yellowstone. Most people don't realize Yellowstone is the size of Connecticut. So you don't want to just stay in one part of Yellowstone. In order to really see it, you want to stay at different campgrounds around the park. It's a wonderful, wonderful family destination.
WHITFIELD: So, Pauline -- I mean Pamela, I imagine they also need to pack their patience, too. Because that's a long drive.
LANIER: Yes, it is a long drive. I recommend a lot of board game in the back seat. And some fun car games and educational games like seeing the license plates of the different states. I also really recommend bed & breakfast travel to families who want to get on the road. Even, also with pets.
You can go to our site, travelguides.com, and see a whole list of bed & breakfasts that welcome families, and welcome pets. This can make for a very personalized vacation. Because you have someone who is like a local guide right there in your innkeeper to help you find the best things to do.
WHITFIELD: Actually, I'm surprised at how many more hotels, whether in big cities or rural places, vacation destinations who are accepting pets these days.
LANIER: It's a growing trend, for sure. It's a growing trend.
WHITFIELD: All right. Ali (ph) from Washington, D.C. is on the telephone line and has a question about family travel to Morocco. Ali (ph)?
CALLER: Hello, Ali (ph)?
WHITFIELD: Ali (ph), are you there? OK, it looks like we may have lost Ali (ph). When we talk about international travel, certainly, the prices go up. Airfare alone is exorbitant. But, you know, is there an economical way for a family to try to go overseas? Pauline?
FROMMER: Sure, absolutely. Go to the countries where the dollar goes the farthest. It could be as close as Canada, which can feel very foreign if you're in the French-speaking provinces. And where the dollar goes pretty darn far. Or go to Mexico. If you're a single parent going to either of those destinations, you need to know that you will have to get a special notarized letter from your former partner, the other parent of your children.
Because they no longer allow single parents to go to Canada or Mexico without that type of documentation. But there are wonderful places. For example, this summer, you could go to Malaga, Spain, for $560, airfare from the U.S., and six nights in a condo two nights from the beach, from a little company called Visit Spain Tours. So there are those deals out there that can make foreign travel affordable.
WHITFIELD: So, Pamela, I wonder if -- traveling abroad really needs to be age specific. Or at least there needs to be a minimum age that you need to consider if you really want your kids to appreciate where they're going. Since it is quite an investment to travel anywhere outside of the U.S.
Lanier: I consider seven or eight to be about the age when most children start waking up to their environment, enough to really get a lot out of foreign travel. That's when I started traveling with my children abroad. This summer, my daughter Clara (ph) and I are taking a trip to Amish Country in Indiana. Which is also looking into our roots. My mom's family is from there. We're going to spend our summer antiquing, and going to tag sales, and looking for design inspiration for my bed & breakfast collection. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Venture. So that's another...
FROMMER: I have to say though; you can travel into foreign destinations with children younger than seven. And it's not a waste of time. Children under the age of two fly free. That's a wonderful opportunity --
WHITFIELD: That's a perk.
FROMMER: So that's a wonderful opportunity for travelers to go wherever they want and just take along the child for free. My 5-year- old has been to Japan. She's been to Prague, Paris. All over Ireland. She remembers those trips. And I think they really enriched her life. I do believe they've made her a better little person because of that.
WHITFIELD: Wow. All right. Johansson (ph) wants to travel to Iceland, and is on the phone, and has a question. Johansson (ph)?
CALLER: Hello?
WHITFIELD: Hello. What's your question?
CALLER: Yes. I was just wondering, how am I supposed to get to Iceland, from New York to Iceland in July, like for a family of three?
WHITFIELD: Pauline?
FROMMER: It will be expensive this year. Travel to and from Europe has been very expensive simply because the euro is so powerful. And that is leading a lot of Europeans to come to the United States. Iceland Air every once in a while has good specials to Iceland. You may want to get on their e-mail mailing list. Other than that, I think it's going to be a pricey, pricey vacation.
WHITFIELD: Pauline Frommer, Pamela Lanier. We'll take a short break right now. We'll be right back with more of your questions and comments.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Welcome back to DOLLAR SIGNS. We're talking about getting the best bang for your buck on your summer vacations. We're hearing from the experts. Pauline Frommer and Pamela Lanier are taking some of your questions. Judy from Connecticut is on the telephone. And has a question about going on vacation with a 3-year- old, and maybe Disneyworld is not the only destination of choice. Judy?
CALLER: Well, it's just that we've gone to Disneyworld with our daughter for the first three years of her life, and we're sort of tapped out on Disney. We were wondering if you have any ideas of other places to go with a three-year-old, that are appropriate?
LANIER: Well if you're going to go to theme parks, I think sea world and other aquariums are a lot of fun. They're very interactive. They might even splash you. The kids love the animals. I think a lot of children really enjoy beginning to be in environments where there are many animals. A farm vacation might be a consideration. A lot of bed & breakfasts have farm vacations aspects that you might enjoy very much.
WHITFIELD: Pauline?
FROMMER: Another suggestion. I took my daughter camping in Yellowstone when she was 3. To this day, she talks about it.
WHITFIELD: You are kidding.
FROMMER: No. She loved it. They have wonderful -- not for three-year-olds. For slightly older kids, they have junior ranger programs, which are free. We took her on a campfire cookout. She thought the geysers were giants and dragons. It was a fascinating place for her. She loved being able to roast marshmallows over the campfire and do simple things like that that she can't as a city kid.
WHITFIELD: And sometimes, there are families out there who really can't go far. They need or they want to stay within the state, get to know their block, so to speak, a little bit better. Pauline, how do you suggest folks go about learning a little bit more about some of the vacation spots that may be in their own state? Is there a Web site, or are there certain channels in which to search? FROMMER: Well there are state tourism boards, which can be very useful. You simply go to the Web site of whatever state you're in and find out information. And they're also rife with coupons. You can get terrific discounts on lodgings, on attractions. Simply by going to official sources of information.
LANIER: Great idea.
WHITFIELD: OK, and Pamela, you can take this one. Anne from Baltimore is on the line. And has a question about finding some good deals on luxury hotels. Anne?
CALLER: Yes, I just want to find out about how to get the best deal out of Ritz Carlton or Hays-Adams in D.C. You know places like that?
LANIER: If they have availability, indeed. In a political situation that might be a little trying to find availability in D.C. But, the best place I find to search for luxury hotels is on hotels.com. They have the best access in general to discounts on luxury properties.
FROMMER: Or give them a call directly. Don't call the 800 number. Call them directly. When a hotel is doing really well, it's at 80 percent occupancy. So there are almost always rooms available. Unless there's a convention or some other type of big event in town. Don't be afraid to bargain.
WHITFIELD: Pauline, you say that a lot of times -- exactly, the bargaining. A lot of these hotels are willing to negotiate a little bit. Are there like some key little secret trap door words that you need to use in order to get them to negotiate with you?
FROMMER: Yes. Don't call the 800 number because those people don't have the authority to bargain. Call the local number, and you ask to speak to the reservations manager. Those are the key. Back to Europe for one second, for the man in Iceland. He may want to look into hostel accommodations. Believe it or not, many youth hostels have family rooms that can be quite lovely, and will really cut his costs in Iceland.
WHITFIELD: All right. Pamela, you talked about D.C. being a tough town in which to try and get a bargain. But Fred who is in Florida, is a veteran, is hoping that when he visits Washington there may be some deals that are offered, or extended, to vets. Fred.
LANIER: He can certainly ask those, yes. Hey, Fred.
CALLER: Hi.
WHITFIELD: Did I get your question right or do you want to elaborate?
CALLER: Well, I'll turn the TV off so I can hear you better.
WHITFIELD: That's a good idea.
CALLER: OK.
LANIER: I want to add something about checking into hotel deals for you, Fred, and for others. Sometimes just speaking to the front desk and asking if they have any rooms that are being held. Perhaps they're less desirable rooms toward the back, can yield a bargain.
CALLER: The best deals, although I'd like to do it as economically as possible. I'd like to get a hotel that's close to the area where the mall is and where the new veterans memorial went up and everything like that. I'm not too familiar, haven't been there in ten years.
LANIER: OK.
CALLER: And I'd like to find out perhaps there's somebody or something, some way, I can get a map or a brochure or any information that would help me.
WHITFIELD: All right. Pauline, do you have advice?
FROMMER: The veterans of foreign wars, I believe, does tell veterans where they can find discounts. They're a terrific source. I suggest you contact them.
WHITFIELD: OK. Here's an e-mail question from Faye (UNINTELLIGIBLE), of Delmar, California. How do you know what travel company you can trust? How do I check them out to know what is reputable? Pauline?
FROMMER: Well, we know the big names, Expedia, Travelocity, Priceline and the like. Those are reputable. Basically, you can go to the Better Business Bureau. You should be wary if a travel company contacts you. That is the hallmark of a scam. Or if you get something by e-mail saying you've won. That's also a scam.
WHITFIELD: Pamela, quickly, you get the last word.
LANIER: Yes, I would agree with that. You want to check them out. And you want to make sure that if you are concerned, you get travel insurance.
WHITFIELD: OK. Pamela Lanier of www.travelguides.com, and Pauline Frommer, of "Frommer's Budget Travel Online." Thanks to both of you ladies. Appreciate it. Now we can all book our family vacations on a dime.
LANIER: It's great to be here Fredricka. Thanks.
WHITFIELD: That's all we have time for right now. But stay with CNN. Headlines when we come back.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired June 26, 2004 - 16:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR, DOLLAR SIGNS: Welcome to DOLLAR SIGNS where we help you make the most of your money. July 4 is next weekend. And many people are planning summer trips already. Do you know the hot tips for traveling if you've got kids?
Take along nutritious snacks, but not salty ones. Keep kids hydrated by making them drink water or juice. But don't give them anything with caffeine. And let them snack on proteins like cheese or peanut butter. And if you haven't planned your getaway, there are some ideas in the July/August issue of Frommer's "Budget Travel" magazine.
Pauline Frommer of Frommer's "Budget Travel Online" is with us from New York. And Pamela Lanier is travel writer in Los Angeles. She is the author of "Family Travel & Resort." An everything you need to know guide for traveling with your kids. Good to see you both.
Let's begin with trying to plan these family trips. Do you guys say that parents don't need to bear the full brunt of the burden? That you really need to involve your kids. Pam?
PAMELA LANIER, AUTHOR, FAMILY TRAVEL & RESORT: I think that's so important. When you're making a family trip, it's a family decision. The most important part about family travel is the opportunity to bond with your family. So try to plan things everyone enjoys.
WHITFIELD: All right. And Pauline, Fred from Pennsylvania is on the telephone line. You can take his first question. He actually has a question, family vacation to Las Vegas. Fred?
CALLER: Yes, hi. I was planning on going to Las Vegas early to mid-August. I was wondering if you have any -- like flight and lodging?
PAULINE FROMMER, BUDGET TRAVEL MAGAZINE ONLINE: Well, it depends on where you're going from. Actually --
CALLER: From the east coast. TWI (ph).
FROMMER: From the East Cost? OK. Southwest Airlines vacations, and America West vacations, and Worry Free vacations, those are three package companies. They tend to have pretty good air/hotel packages to Las Vegas. Las Vegas is a city with hundreds of hotel rooms. And because of that, they need to sell them year-round.
So often these packagers can get better prices on hotels than one can on one's own. I would look at those three companies first. If you decide to do it on your own -- from your airport, does JetBlue fly out of Washington to Vegas yet? They've had pretty good prices to Las Vegas. You may want to look at them.
And then look on the Internet. Look at the usual suspects. There are also good sites such as sidestep.com, quickbook.com. Look at those sites first for a general lay of the land in terms of hotel prices. Then call the hotel directly. Don't use the 800 number. Call the hotel, and try to bargain. Last time I was in Las Vegas, I stayed at Harrahs for $39 a night, because I called the manager and bargained.
WHITFIELD: Wow. That's a deal. So then you had more money to gamble with. So, Pauline, how do you find a happy medium with your family? Everyone's got a different interest. Different ages, of course, lead to different interests.
LANIER: Sure.
WHITFIELD: How do you try to come about a happy conclusion, that everybody will be happy with?
FROMMER: Well, I have two kids. I don't let them choose the destination. But I do try to let the 5-year-old be queen for one day of the vacation. That way she knows that she gets to plan one full day. That makes everyone happy. I truly believe that kids can find things to do in every location in the world.
So parents shouldn't be afraid of going to the quote/unquote educational destinations, such as Washington, D.C., or Paris, or Rome. You don't have to only go to amusement parks with kid. They'll enjoy themselves wherever they are.
WHITFIELD: Pamela, do you feel like there's a real cutoff for ages in which to think about the educational destinations? That certainly there might be certain age groups where they just may be yawning the whole time. Or not wanting to pay attention. Not really appreciating the family vacation.
LANIER: Well, I think that's where you have to make a really wise choice about first where you have to stay. In answer to Fred's question, I'd also check hotels.com, for inexpensive lodgings. Once you get to your destination it's important to have things planned out.
Older children often really enjoy helping you plan the trip and coming up with ideas and museums they'd like to see. How about some heritage travel? Looking into your family's past, or into our nation's past. And visiting sites that are important to you? I think those could be good choices. My kids love to swim. So we always look for a hotel with a pool.
WHITFIELD: Yes. It seems all kids love to be around a pool. All right Pauline. Paul from Missouri is on the telephone line. He has an idea and a question that relates to Jamaica. Paul?
CALLER: Yes?
WHITFIELD: What's your question?
CALLER: Do you have a deal on the TV this morning? About a trip to Jamaica?
FROMMER: Yes. It's from a little company called Atlas Vacations. It is actually a company run by Jamaican expats, so they know everything about Jamaica. They have found a little family owned motel right on the Grill (ph) seven-mile beach. From August 15 through September 15, they are charging $299 from a number of East Coast cities for seven nights at this little motel on the beach, and airfare, from the U.S. That's Atlas Vacations. You can find them on the web at atlasvacations.net.
WHITFIELD: Wow. Now Pamela, when do you make a decision on a family vacation that revolves around driving, or taking a train, or flying? Because all can be expensive, depending on the routes that you take.
LANIER: Well, think for a family with a limited period of time -- and I'm going to call that about a week -- sometimes a driving vacation within two to three hours, even four hours of home, can be the best choice. Actually, according to TIA, 79 percent of all vacations this summer will be by car.
I think car vacations can be a great choice, but don't try to go too far. I always say on any vacation, don't try to do too much. I think taking it slow and easy is more relaxing and more fun. Gives people more time to be together and enjoy, than rushing around.
WHITFIELD: All right. We have a call from New Orleans. What's your question?
CALLER: Yes, I'd like to find out -- I've been looking for a vacation from New Orleans to San Francisco. And I have teenage children. And I want to find out, what is the best vacation deal I can get for them?
WHITFIELD: Pauline?
FROMMER: Gosh. I don't know offhand. I would go to one of the major search engines. Try sidestep.com or mobesemo.com, looking for airfare. There don't tend to be that many great package deals. By package, I mean deals that bundle together air and hotel for San Francisco. So I would book those elements separately. And then do a search of the sites we discussed before, hotels.com, as Pamela said, quickbook.com, and try to find a decently priced hotel in San Francisco. Which can be rough. It's an expensive city.
WHITFIELD: All right, Pauline Frommer, Pamela Lanier, hold on a moment, we are going to take a short break. When we come back, more of your e-mails. Send them to cnn.com or -- you can dollarsigns@cnn.com, or phone in some of your questions or comments at 1-800-807-2620. We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Welcome back to "DOLLAR SIGNS." Summer travel for your family doesn't have to break the bank, especially if you know where to find the sweet deals. Travel expert Pauline Frommer and travel writer Pamela Lanier do, and they're sharing some of their tips.
All right ladies. This is for the adventuresome family. We have an e-mail coming from the Brosenberg family (ph) of Dallas, Texas. They say -- "Our family of four, plus two dogs are thinking of renting an RV to vacation in Yellowstone. It is set for next summer. We will be driving from Dallas, Texas. We want to take in all the sights on the way there. Is this a cheaper way of traveling versus hotel, meals, airfare, et cetera? Pauline?
FROMMER: It will all depend on the price of gas. An RV is darn expensive to fill up. With the price of gas as high as it is, it can get pricey. But it is a wonderful way to do it. I think it ultimately will save them money. Because they'll be able to cook their own meals. They won't be tied to restaurants.
It's a wonderful idea for Yellowstone. Most people don't realize Yellowstone is the size of Connecticut. So you don't want to just stay in one part of Yellowstone. In order to really see it, you want to stay at different campgrounds around the park. It's a wonderful, wonderful family destination.
WHITFIELD: So, Pauline -- I mean Pamela, I imagine they also need to pack their patience, too. Because that's a long drive.
LANIER: Yes, it is a long drive. I recommend a lot of board game in the back seat. And some fun car games and educational games like seeing the license plates of the different states. I also really recommend bed & breakfast travel to families who want to get on the road. Even, also with pets.
You can go to our site, travelguides.com, and see a whole list of bed & breakfasts that welcome families, and welcome pets. This can make for a very personalized vacation. Because you have someone who is like a local guide right there in your innkeeper to help you find the best things to do.
WHITFIELD: Actually, I'm surprised at how many more hotels, whether in big cities or rural places, vacation destinations who are accepting pets these days.
LANIER: It's a growing trend, for sure. It's a growing trend.
WHITFIELD: All right. Ali (ph) from Washington, D.C. is on the telephone line and has a question about family travel to Morocco. Ali (ph)?
CALLER: Hello, Ali (ph)?
WHITFIELD: Ali (ph), are you there? OK, it looks like we may have lost Ali (ph). When we talk about international travel, certainly, the prices go up. Airfare alone is exorbitant. But, you know, is there an economical way for a family to try to go overseas? Pauline?
FROMMER: Sure, absolutely. Go to the countries where the dollar goes the farthest. It could be as close as Canada, which can feel very foreign if you're in the French-speaking provinces. And where the dollar goes pretty darn far. Or go to Mexico. If you're a single parent going to either of those destinations, you need to know that you will have to get a special notarized letter from your former partner, the other parent of your children.
Because they no longer allow single parents to go to Canada or Mexico without that type of documentation. But there are wonderful places. For example, this summer, you could go to Malaga, Spain, for $560, airfare from the U.S., and six nights in a condo two nights from the beach, from a little company called Visit Spain Tours. So there are those deals out there that can make foreign travel affordable.
WHITFIELD: So, Pamela, I wonder if -- traveling abroad really needs to be age specific. Or at least there needs to be a minimum age that you need to consider if you really want your kids to appreciate where they're going. Since it is quite an investment to travel anywhere outside of the U.S.
Lanier: I consider seven or eight to be about the age when most children start waking up to their environment, enough to really get a lot out of foreign travel. That's when I started traveling with my children abroad. This summer, my daughter Clara (ph) and I are taking a trip to Amish Country in Indiana. Which is also looking into our roots. My mom's family is from there. We're going to spend our summer antiquing, and going to tag sales, and looking for design inspiration for my bed & breakfast collection. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Venture. So that's another...
FROMMER: I have to say though; you can travel into foreign destinations with children younger than seven. And it's not a waste of time. Children under the age of two fly free. That's a wonderful opportunity --
WHITFIELD: That's a perk.
FROMMER: So that's a wonderful opportunity for travelers to go wherever they want and just take along the child for free. My 5-year- old has been to Japan. She's been to Prague, Paris. All over Ireland. She remembers those trips. And I think they really enriched her life. I do believe they've made her a better little person because of that.
WHITFIELD: Wow. All right. Johansson (ph) wants to travel to Iceland, and is on the phone, and has a question. Johansson (ph)?
CALLER: Hello?
WHITFIELD: Hello. What's your question?
CALLER: Yes. I was just wondering, how am I supposed to get to Iceland, from New York to Iceland in July, like for a family of three?
WHITFIELD: Pauline?
FROMMER: It will be expensive this year. Travel to and from Europe has been very expensive simply because the euro is so powerful. And that is leading a lot of Europeans to come to the United States. Iceland Air every once in a while has good specials to Iceland. You may want to get on their e-mail mailing list. Other than that, I think it's going to be a pricey, pricey vacation.
WHITFIELD: Pauline Frommer, Pamela Lanier. We'll take a short break right now. We'll be right back with more of your questions and comments.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Welcome back to DOLLAR SIGNS. We're talking about getting the best bang for your buck on your summer vacations. We're hearing from the experts. Pauline Frommer and Pamela Lanier are taking some of your questions. Judy from Connecticut is on the telephone. And has a question about going on vacation with a 3-year- old, and maybe Disneyworld is not the only destination of choice. Judy?
CALLER: Well, it's just that we've gone to Disneyworld with our daughter for the first three years of her life, and we're sort of tapped out on Disney. We were wondering if you have any ideas of other places to go with a three-year-old, that are appropriate?
LANIER: Well if you're going to go to theme parks, I think sea world and other aquariums are a lot of fun. They're very interactive. They might even splash you. The kids love the animals. I think a lot of children really enjoy beginning to be in environments where there are many animals. A farm vacation might be a consideration. A lot of bed & breakfasts have farm vacations aspects that you might enjoy very much.
WHITFIELD: Pauline?
FROMMER: Another suggestion. I took my daughter camping in Yellowstone when she was 3. To this day, she talks about it.
WHITFIELD: You are kidding.
FROMMER: No. She loved it. They have wonderful -- not for three-year-olds. For slightly older kids, they have junior ranger programs, which are free. We took her on a campfire cookout. She thought the geysers were giants and dragons. It was a fascinating place for her. She loved being able to roast marshmallows over the campfire and do simple things like that that she can't as a city kid.
WHITFIELD: And sometimes, there are families out there who really can't go far. They need or they want to stay within the state, get to know their block, so to speak, a little bit better. Pauline, how do you suggest folks go about learning a little bit more about some of the vacation spots that may be in their own state? Is there a Web site, or are there certain channels in which to search? FROMMER: Well there are state tourism boards, which can be very useful. You simply go to the Web site of whatever state you're in and find out information. And they're also rife with coupons. You can get terrific discounts on lodgings, on attractions. Simply by going to official sources of information.
LANIER: Great idea.
WHITFIELD: OK, and Pamela, you can take this one. Anne from Baltimore is on the line. And has a question about finding some good deals on luxury hotels. Anne?
CALLER: Yes, I just want to find out about how to get the best deal out of Ritz Carlton or Hays-Adams in D.C. You know places like that?
LANIER: If they have availability, indeed. In a political situation that might be a little trying to find availability in D.C. But, the best place I find to search for luxury hotels is on hotels.com. They have the best access in general to discounts on luxury properties.
FROMMER: Or give them a call directly. Don't call the 800 number. Call them directly. When a hotel is doing really well, it's at 80 percent occupancy. So there are almost always rooms available. Unless there's a convention or some other type of big event in town. Don't be afraid to bargain.
WHITFIELD: Pauline, you say that a lot of times -- exactly, the bargaining. A lot of these hotels are willing to negotiate a little bit. Are there like some key little secret trap door words that you need to use in order to get them to negotiate with you?
FROMMER: Yes. Don't call the 800 number because those people don't have the authority to bargain. Call the local number, and you ask to speak to the reservations manager. Those are the key. Back to Europe for one second, for the man in Iceland. He may want to look into hostel accommodations. Believe it or not, many youth hostels have family rooms that can be quite lovely, and will really cut his costs in Iceland.
WHITFIELD: All right. Pamela, you talked about D.C. being a tough town in which to try and get a bargain. But Fred who is in Florida, is a veteran, is hoping that when he visits Washington there may be some deals that are offered, or extended, to vets. Fred.
LANIER: He can certainly ask those, yes. Hey, Fred.
CALLER: Hi.
WHITFIELD: Did I get your question right or do you want to elaborate?
CALLER: Well, I'll turn the TV off so I can hear you better.
WHITFIELD: That's a good idea.
CALLER: OK.
LANIER: I want to add something about checking into hotel deals for you, Fred, and for others. Sometimes just speaking to the front desk and asking if they have any rooms that are being held. Perhaps they're less desirable rooms toward the back, can yield a bargain.
CALLER: The best deals, although I'd like to do it as economically as possible. I'd like to get a hotel that's close to the area where the mall is and where the new veterans memorial went up and everything like that. I'm not too familiar, haven't been there in ten years.
LANIER: OK.
CALLER: And I'd like to find out perhaps there's somebody or something, some way, I can get a map or a brochure or any information that would help me.
WHITFIELD: All right. Pauline, do you have advice?
FROMMER: The veterans of foreign wars, I believe, does tell veterans where they can find discounts. They're a terrific source. I suggest you contact them.
WHITFIELD: OK. Here's an e-mail question from Faye (UNINTELLIGIBLE), of Delmar, California. How do you know what travel company you can trust? How do I check them out to know what is reputable? Pauline?
FROMMER: Well, we know the big names, Expedia, Travelocity, Priceline and the like. Those are reputable. Basically, you can go to the Better Business Bureau. You should be wary if a travel company contacts you. That is the hallmark of a scam. Or if you get something by e-mail saying you've won. That's also a scam.
WHITFIELD: Pamela, quickly, you get the last word.
LANIER: Yes, I would agree with that. You want to check them out. And you want to make sure that if you are concerned, you get travel insurance.
WHITFIELD: OK. Pamela Lanier of www.travelguides.com, and Pauline Frommer, of "Frommer's Budget Travel Online." Thanks to both of you ladies. Appreciate it. Now we can all book our family vacations on a dime.
LANIER: It's great to be here Fredricka. Thanks.
WHITFIELD: That's all we have time for right now. But stay with CNN. Headlines when we come back.
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