Trip Coach: October 17, 2006

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Los Angeles, California: I'd like to go to Washington DC. for 1 week. How could I go with air fare and Hotel, economically and safe? Kind of like a tour trip. I am 61 yrs, old.

BT Editors: Try booking your airfare and lodging together for the best possible price. Site59.com specializes in discounted last-minute weekend getaways. Or, check aggregator sites, such as Cheapflights.com, SideStep.com, or kayak.com.

Washington, D.C. is a relatively safe big city, and it's packed with stuff to see and do. For more, check out the travel section of the washingtonpost.com, our partner site, or its recently relaunched City Guide.

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Bend, OR: We would like to go to Puerto Rico, February 2007. Is there a good area to base ourselves out of, or do we need to move around to see the island? We will only have a week and would like to see Old San Juan, El Yunque, some of the south coast and a bioluminescent bay. Should we spend a couple of nights on Vieques? We don't need 5 star lodging. We'll give up a few stars to stay oceanfront. We favor smaller, local flavor places. Thank-you, Lori

BT Editors: If you've only got one week--and you're planning to do some exploring¿it's best to stay near San Juan where you're never more than a couple hours drive to almost anywhere on the island (including El Yunque Forest Reserve). Skip the high-rise hotels and opt for something more intimate, like The Gallery Inn in Old San Juan. The hotel was once an 18th century home and in addition to its hidden courtyards and abundant tropical foliage, it's got 22 uniquely decorated rooms, some with private balconies overlooking the Atlantic (thegalleryinn.com, from $145).

As for Vieques, get there before the big hotels do¿next year, Starwood will open a W there and will all but ruin it's low-key laid-back vibe. For a list of stylish and unpretentious guesthouses, check out our story on the island's secret hotels.

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Indian Hills CO: We are looking for a house to rent in Provence for a month in June and July - preferrably withing walking distance of a charming small town. Do you have any suggestions as to how to proceed?

BT Editors: Large realty companies like Barclay International Group (800/845-6636, barclayweb.com) and Rentvillas.com (800/726-6702) are good resources because they work with huge selections of rental homes, villas, and apartments around the world.

But you may want to go with a specialist that really knows the lay of the land. At Home In France rents 350 privately owned homes and apartments all over the country, including dozens in Provence (541/488-9467, athomeinfrance.com).