Trip Coach: July 25, 2006

Budget Travel Editors: Congratulations on your engagement! Now, the work begins...
Many of Mexico and the Caribbean's biggest resort groups--Breezes, Couples, Superclubs, Sandals --offer "free" weddings. In exchange for paying for room and board (and often a minimum-stay requirement), resorts will often throw in a wedding, which can be a huge money-saver.
If large resorts are not your style, then you'll want to look into individual properties that cater to destination weddings. For ideas on where to plan your destination wedding, check out The Most Romantic Resorts for Destination Weddings, Marriage Renewals & Honeymoons by Paulette Cooper and Paul Noble or The Destination Wedding Workbook by Paris Permenter & John Bigley.
We've written quite a bit about this topic: check out our article on destination weddings.
Also, on August 22, Paris Permenter and John Bigley, who wrote "The Destination Wedding Workbook" will be our Trip Coach guests. They'll answer destination wedding questions from noon to 1pm ET. So check back then!

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Sheboygan, WI: We would like to take a road trip through Nova Scotia. Can you give us some guidelines as to a good time of year to travel there and greatest things to see?

Budget Travel Editors: Nova Scotia's summer--and main tourist season--is from early July to early September, when the daytime temperatures are often in the upper 70s. Since the province is surrounded by water, expect showers no matter what time of year you're there. Nova Scotia has at least 10 scenic drives that are ideally suited for road trips; one of the most acclaimed routes is the 175-mile Cabot Trail loop within the Cape Breton Highlands National Park. The province's official tourism company (800/565-0000, novascotia.com) lists these scenic route, with maps and descriptions of the attractions and regions passed along the way. The same information is also available in booklet form that can be downloaded or mailed to you.

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Abington, PA: My wife and I are taking a cruise to Alaska from Vancouver and will disembark in L.A. The cruise company informed us that they charge $25 per person each was for the airport terminal transfers. Is this a good deal? It is my understanding that Canadian Customs can be bypassed if one is going to the cruise terminal. Does that apply to those who use local transportation? Or do you have to be picked up by the cruise company bus?

Budget Travel Editors: You can take a taxi from the Vancouver International Airport to the Canada Place cruise ship terminal for about $18-$22, which is significantly cheaper than the $50 per couple your cruise company charges. Taking a cab, however, means that you can't bypass Canadian customs--passengers who skip customs have to be transported directly to the terminal on a special "sealed" bus managed by the cruise line. Vancouver airport's expedited service only works with specific airlines and cruise companies; if you want to use the service, be sure check with your reservation agent to make sure you are eligible. When you dock at L.A.'s San Pedro pier, a taxi to the airport should put you back about $50-$54.

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Budget Travel Editors: Thanks for all your great questions. See you next week!

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