Trip Coach: September 26, 2006

BT Editors: Welcome to this week's Trip Coach. Let's get to your questions!

_______________________

Alexandria, VA: I am taking my family to Rome for Thanksgiving and need a nice but relatively inexpensive hotel for 5. There will be three adults and two children. Would like to be fairly centrally located. Can you assist? Thank you!

BT Editors: Our Rome Snap Guide, the most recent addition to our collection of downloadable mini-guides, is packed with insider tips on the best places to sleep, eat, play and shop. Here are three of the recommended hotels, all right in Rome's centro storico: Hotel Mimosa with doubles from ¿75/$95 and triples from ¿90/$114; Albergo del Sole al Biscione, with doubles from ¿110/$140; and Hotel Navona, with doubles from ¿125/$158 and triples from ¿160/$203. For insights on the best ancient art gallery, cheap city tour, and gelateria, read Rome Sweet Rome, Stephen Heuser's account of a six-month stint when he called the city home.

_______________________

Hinesburg, VT: My three sisters and I live in four states: Vermont, Florida, Michigan and California. We get together the first week of April each year for "Sisters Week", In April, 2007, we'd like to spend Sisters Week someplace else in the U.S. suggestions?

BT Editors: What a fun tradition! You four are the perfect audience for our special Girlfriend Getaways magazine. We highlighted 10 U.S. cities for long weekends, full of shopping, spas, culture, and a night out with the girls: Asheville, Austin, Burlington, Memphis, Palm Springs, Portland, Reno, Santa Fe, Scottsdale, and West Palm Beach. Enjoy!

_______________________

San Jose, CA: I am going to Barbados in January. I am on a budget and want to stay in a clean safe villa or hotel on the beach. Can you please advise? I would also like to know if I could wait until I get there to get a hotel and pay with Barbados currency?

BT Editors: We'd recommend booking at least the first night in advance. Check out Shells Guesthouse (246/435-7253, barbados.org/gstname.htm) or Cleverdale Guesthouse in Worthing (vrbo.com/11696), where rooms start at around $25/night.
For more information on where to stay, read 'Bewitching Barbados.' You can also check out the official tourism website for more lodging options.

_______________________

Canton, NY: My three sisters and myself are planning a sisters trip in July 2007. We are in our 50's and would like to find a place to go where we are able to walk to attractions, bars, coffee shops, etc. We prefer the small town atmosphere. Any suggestions?