CHEAPER EUROPEAN TRAVELS

Dear Peter, I am a great fan of yours and watch you constantly. My husband and I have booked free award business-class tickets to Paris March 29 through April 7, 2008. At this time we have not reserved any hotels.

Actually, we were going to rent a car and travel around to small towns to keep the price down as not to spend so much time in Paris only. With the euro so high would you even recommend going?

Is there any way to make this trip realistically reasonably priced? Both my husband and I feel if we go to Europe (we both have been often, however only I have been to Paris twice) we would like only to stay in four-ish star hotels. Is there anything you can recommend?

Thank you kindly,
Rhonda

We feel that it’s always a good time to go to France! It’s true, the U.S. dollar isn’t doing so well against the euro, but the fact is, it doesn’t look like this situation is going to get better anytime soon.

With free airline tickets, you’ve already won half your battle. You’re also traveling at a very good time of year—late March/early April is the shoulder season, so while Paris is somewhat of a year-round destination, your instincts of visiting smaller towns is right on (that said, Paris does have some deals available in shoulder season).

The trick may be negotiating rates with smaller hotels and B&Bs. If you don’t speak French, you may want to consider enlisting a travel agent to help you with some of you accommodations so you’re not left stranded. In the meantime, we came up with a few sample suggestions for you:

Amboise in Loire Valley is only about two hours away from Paris. It is an interesting town, with one of the region’s most well-known castles. Amboise is a good home base for exploring the towns and castles of the Loire Valley. Le Manoir les Minimes, a four (-ish) star hotel, has rates starting at about $165 per night.

If you don’t mind driving further, and seeing more along the way, the town on Annecy is about five hours southeast of Paris, near the France-Switzerland border. It has a lake, mountains, historic shops and buildings. To break up the drive you could stop in Beaune or Dijon for a night, and get a taste of the Burgundy region as well. In Annecy, there are only a few four-star hotels to choose from, but Abbaye de Talloires, a former monastery, right outside of Annecy, starts at about $250 per night for a standard room.

La Demeure de Chavoire is also a less expensive choice, with most rooms at about $200 per night. If you stop in Beaune, consider staying at Hotel de la Poste or Hotel de Luxe le Cep, both with standard rooms costing around $260 per night. Near Dijon, L’Hotel des Grand Crus is only a three-star hotel, but has plenty of charm and amenities starting at just about $100 per night.

GAS & DRIVING IN THE USA

Do you know, or is there a Web site that can tell me what gas stations are available on a driving trip from Texas to Minnesota? I want to get a gas card from one company that has stations all along the route, if possible.

Thank you,
Peggy S.

Shell has about 13,000 stations throughout the United States, a route planner, and a credit card available. Visit www.localshell.com to find stations along you road trip route.

Exxon Mobil also has a “Plan a route” option and you can select where you want to stop throughout your trip. The company also has a large number of stations throughout the United States. For more, visit ExxonStations.com.

Also, check out the handy sites GasBuddy.com or FuelEconomy.gov to get an idea of gas prices in the cities and states you’ll be passing through to get the best prices throughout your drive.

ALASKAN CRUISES WITH KIDS

Hi Peter,

My husband and I are planning an Alaskan cruise for next summer. Is it a good idea to take our kids age eight and 10 on an Alaskan cruise? If so, can you recommend a cruise line that may be best or better than the others for kids?

Yolanda G.

Alaska is such a unique destination that yes, it is a great choice for adventurous families. Your kids will probably never forget the experience of walking on a glacier or whale watching from the ship’s deck. Keep in mind, however, that Alaskan shore excursions can be expensive, so consult your kids on what activities are important to them before booking.

As for which cruise line to choose, find out what kind of children’s programming is available on each ship. These activities will give them the freedom to spend time on their own or with other kids, and you can rest assured that they’ll have adult supervision.

Princess Cruises, for example, offers “Fun Zone Activities” such as pajama parties, arts and crafts, a shipboard Olympics, scavenger hunts, and talent shows. Something called “Edutainment” involves kids learning about the glaciers, animals, and other Alaska-related information. Holland America offers its Club HAL program for kids of all ages, and on Alaskan cruises they offer an award-winning National Park Jr. Ranger Program. Regardless of what cruise line you choose, call ahead and make sure that the specific ship on the Alaskan itinerary offers these types of kid-friendly activities—and what they cost.

MULTI-GENERATIONAL TRAVEL IN ARIZONA

My son and daughter-in-law live in Tokyo, and we would like to celebrate his 50th birthday in Arizona sometime in March or April. They love hiking and biking! We are in our late 70s and would prefer a resort type place with a pool, and tennis courts but don’t want to spend a fortune. We are planning to spend five to seven days there.
Hoping you can suggest a few places for us to look into.

We enjoy your advice on the radio and TV. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Sandy and Burt B.

Flagstaff and Sedona in Northern Arizona are both great for hiking and biking, and tend to be a little more “woodsy” than southern Arizona. The Volcanic Highlands/Peaks District area of Coconino National Forest is near Flagstaff and has plenty of trails, ranging from easy to strenuous. In Sedona, hiking among the red rocks is a must (visit www.sedonahikes.net for more details), and the Grand Canyon National Park a beautiful 90-minute drive away.

If you’re looking for a resort experience, Sedona is probably your best bet to find options within your price range. The Hilton Sedona Resort has tennis courts, a pool, driving range, putting green, golf course, and a fitness room. It’s on the higher end, price wise (around $300 per night). The Radisson Poco Diablo Resort, which offers four tennis courts and a nine-hole golf course, is pricing just under $200 a night during your dates.

Another option is to stay at a hotel, such as the Southwest Inn at Sedona (most rooms are under $200). That way you’ll get the pool, and if you get the urge to play tennis, just head over to the nearby Sedona Racquet Club where you can get a day membership for $20.

Looking for more answers to your travel questions? Check out the rest of the Ask Peter section.

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