Trip Coach: July 18, 2006

Budget Travel Editors: Gate One Travel offers bottom-of-the-barrel packages for every corner of the world--including Australia and New Zealand. Here's a link to the complete list. A seven-night trip to Sydney and Melbourne with airfare, breakfast and optional tours starts at $1,599. At the other end of the spectrum, a 19-night trip to Auckland, Dunedin, Te Anau, Queenstown, Christchurch, Sydney, Cairns, and Melbourne, with airfare, local transportation, meals and sightseeing tours starts at $4,099. If you're willing to look beyond Gate One, you might consider Intrepid Travel. We're featuring their 14-night loop across New Zealand's South Island as today's Real Deal.

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Charlotte, NC: We have sent a deposit to Smartours for a trip to Israel on Nov 30, 2006. Due to the conditions in Israel now and in the Middle East we are concerned about the trip. We have not paid the insurance or paid the trip in full yet. I called and they said that the trips to Israel do not begin until September and by then everything may be back to normal. I do not see that happening. How do we get them to change our trip to another part of the world such as Thailand and put the deposit toward that?

Budget Travel Editors: My first bit of advice is to never purchase travel insurance from the same company you purchase your tour. BT highly recommends you go to a third party vendor to limit the possibility of disputes and to have a fallback should your tour company close its doors. There's plenty of information about travel insurance on BudgetTravelOnline.com.
 
Now, your trip. Cancellation and rescheduling policies vary from company to company, so we suggest you start by speaking directly to Smartours about changing your departure dates (maybe to a year from now), or your destination. We regularly cover Smartours and know them to be a fair and reputable company. Since there's usually more leeway with smaller travel and tour companies than there are with, say big airlines, we are optimistic that they will accommodate you. Smaller companies tend to work closely with their vendors on the ground, and therefore have good relationships. If they don't work with you to remedy the situation, we'd like to know about it. And yes, it's best that you steer clear of the Middle East right now!

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York Beach, ME: My wife and I are planning a trip to China and Tibet for next May. Which companies would you endorse for Quality, price and reliability? We are allowing 17-20 days. Thanks, Richard

Budget Travel Editors: Our top recommendation for a tour company that takes people to Tibet and China is Intrepid Travel. They offer great trips that vary in length, including some that are 3 weeks+ long. There are several reasons we love Intrepid: it promotes responsible tourism, they get you off the tourist path and meeting (and in some cases staying with) locals, it offers all kinds of tours (adventure, independent, etc.--something for every taste), and has a vast network of people on the ground in exotic, interesting places, including China and Tibet. The only drawback is that Intrepid prices, which are a terrific value, do not include airfare.

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Toms River, NJ: What type of adapter will I need for my electric curling brush and digital camera while in Italy? Barbara

Budget Travel Editors: Depending on your devices, you may need both an adapter, which lets you plug into the different-shaped wall socket, and a converter, which makes sure the voltages overseas can be used safely. To find out what you need, first check the voltage for each device. The info is usually displayed near where the cord is attached. Next, find the voltage used in your destination: 200-250 in Italy, according to magellans.com. If your device lists a range of acceptable voltages--100--250 V, for example--a style D adapter, available for $2.85 from Magellan's, is all you need (800/962-4943). Depending on how much you travel, you might consider spending a bit more on a sleek, versatile adapter from Tumi, which can be used in 150 countries (800/299-8861, tumi.com, $50). If your device lists a single voltage (not a range), or if the top end of the range is under 200, you'll also need a converter, which, in addition to having European-style prongs like an adapter, converts the wattage and/or voltage of your device. Magellan's, which walks clients through what they'll need online or over the phone, sells several kinds of converters, including a $22 model specifically for heating appliances like curling brushes, hair dryers, and irons.

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Indianapolis, IN: First timers to Napa Valley! Any great suggestions on which wineries to visit in just one day? My husband and I and another couple, all from Indianapolis, are staying in San Francisco and can travel up there. Rent a car? Take a tour? Hire a limo?...so many wineries so little time! Susan