Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
one will do. But others want each hotel they sleep in to be just
one more interesting and enjoyable part of the entire experience.
In other words, where you stay during a stopover is very much a
matter of your own personal taste and budget.
You can always turn the matter over to a travel agent. Just
give him some idea of the type of hotel you want and a price
range. He will suggest a place to stay and take care of the booking.
If you want to make the arrangements yourself, the easiest
approach is to go on the Internet. I usually go to Expedia.com
or Hotels.com. Either of those Web sites will generate a list and
a reasonably good description of hotels in the city where I'll be
overnighting. At that point, you can either book through that
Web site or go directly to the specific hotel's Web site. With a little
surfing, you can also find Web sites listing bed-and-breakfast
places. Any number of guidebooks in the travel section of your
local bookstore can help you make your choice, be it deluxe
accommodations or a listing of quaint bed-and-breakfast spots.
If you're not using a travel agent and will book the hotel
yourself, the reservation will need to be “guaranteed” with your
credit card. But be sure to check on the hotel's cancellation policy.
Sometimes you may cancel with no penalty if you do so before
6:00 P.M. on the day you were to arrive. Some hotels will stick
you for the full amount unless you cancel at least 24 hours ahead
of your arrival. Often the lowest rate offered is nonrefundable,
no matter when you cancel.
The Plane-Train Option
Here's another idea to consider, especially if your time is limited:
Fly one way and take the train the other way. For instance, you
could fly from Los Angeles to Chicago, take the Empire Builder
from Chicago to Seattle, spend a couple of days in Seattle, and
then take the Coast Starlight back to L.A. (My personal prefer-
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