Question of today MT asks...

"Hi (FYI on Travel), I am planning a trip to NYC flying out on 5/31 and returning on 6/3. I need a hotel in Manhattan or New Jersey for well under $200.00 per night. I would like a suite or at least double beds non smoking.

Also, do you think it is good to book the flight and hotel through the same travel site?

Thanks for your help."

ANSWER:

HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! LOL!

Oh, I thought it was a joke. Anyway, yes there are hotels under $200 in Manhattan, but precious few. And of those precious few, at least three haven't had a murder in the last two years (just kidding).
Seriously, after talking with MT a bit more, they want to stay near Times Square/ Theater District. A few searches turned up ZERO 3 star + hotels in the are under $200.
So my advice...wait. You've got time to make a decision. I would be ready to make my decision at least 30 or 40 days out.

Here are some key rules to finding the best price on a hotel.

Number 1. Let your Travel Agent do it. Email them or call them and give it to them. As a Travel Agent myself, I couldn't think of an easier route.

However, here are some techniques to think about;

1. Break up your stay. Typically, if you use an Internet booking engine, they will charge you the highest daily rate for your stay for each day of your stay. For example, if the hotels price for day one and two are $100, but $150 for day three, you'll get a price quote for three days at $150.

If you can deal with the logistics of changing hotels, you could stay at hotel #1 for your first two days and move to another hotel on day three that has a lower daily rate.
With a hotel density greater than Mom's famous fruitcake, there are always options.

Just remember, MT, it is Manhattan. A bargain is relative to the average room rate.

A.L. asks,

"Bonjour Travelmeister!
Wonderful new site you have here – just going to love it, I know!
Now, does, say a brother, need a Passport as a Canadian citizen, residing in Canada, wanting to cross into the US, by land, to drive down to GA and visit his sister, also a Canadian citizen, but a legal, green carded, resident of the US?
Danke"

ANSWER:

Here is what should be a fairly easy question to answer from A.L.

But like all things that involve the "Gub-ment" as my grandfather would say, there is no concrete answer.

Citizens of Canada, or "Canadia" as it should be called, since the residents are called Canadians.

anyway, I digress. Canada participates in the "Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative", which governs what sort of documents citizens and residents of N. America and the Caribbean need to travel WITHIN the Western Hemisphere.

Crossing into the U.S. by land (or sea), a Canadian citizen will need to present one of the following, a Passport, a NEXUS card, which allows a pre-screened individual expedited access for entry at NEXUS border crossings, an Enhanced Driver's license or a FAST card.

You can check for information on all these approved identification documents at the Canadian Border Patrol's website.

Thanks for the question, A.L.
If you have a travel related question you'd like answered, email us at questions@travelbysignature.com.
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Stag in Orange Beach, Alabama

Here is a question from K.A.,

"Help me,"
"My wife is a makeup artist and she is working a wedding in Orange Beach Alabama, June 5-8 I know nothing about the area be we have a free house on the beach for three days I need ideas of things to do alone (while the wife is working) as well as some couples idea. Thanks for saving my work-ation!"
--
Best Regards,
KA

___

ANSWER:

This is a toughy. Without specifics as to what KA wants to do, where do I start. Here a re a few general recommendations and some place on the web to dig for more information.

As part of the more family-friendly Alabama gulf coast, Orange Beach and Gulf Shores visitors can enjoy it's popular zoo, beaches and a whole host of "family-friendly" activities.

As a guy going stag, I might try a few of these attractions;

The National Museum of Naval Aviation (www.navalaviationmuseum.org) in Pensacola boasts 300,00 sq. ft. of exhibits including 150 restored aircraft, flight simulators, and even an IMAX theater. The Museum is open 9-5 daily. The best part, admission is FREE.

Another Historic site to wile away an afternoon is the Ft. Morgan Historic Site,51 Highway 180 West, Gulf Shores, AL 36542 (http://www.preserveala.org/fortmorgan.aspx). Ft. Morgan was completed in 1834 and was active through WWII. Exhibits feature artillery, uniforms, letters, photos and personal effects of the soldiers who served at Ft. Morgan.
Admission $5 for adults and $3 for children 6-18. children under 6 are free. The best bet is a family pass that includes 2 adults and 2 children for $12.

If it's a little too hot to sulk around a fort, you could take a morning and stroll along the Wharf (www.thewharfal.com), 231010 Canal road, Orange Beach, Al. always good for people watching, shopping and if you feel like it, take a ride on the 140 ft. tall Ferris wheel for a great view of the Gulf Coast and the Gulf of Mexico.

Orange beach and Gulf Shores have lots of seaside and dockside bars and eateries, so I'm sure you will find other ways of passing the time.


Thanks for the question, KA.
If you have a travel related question you'd like answered, email us at questions@travelbysignature.com. If we use your question, you'll be entered into our monthly drawing for a $5 gift card.