Adapted from the Washingtonpost.com Flight Crew chat conducted weekly by the Travel staff of The Washington Post:
Q: I want to drive from Washington, D.C., to San Francisco this summer. What are my choices for vehicles if I don’t want to take my own? Nothing but rentals? Or do they still have drive-aways?
A: Drive-aways still exist, though they’re not as common as they were. Check out Auto Driveaway, which uses a combination of hired employees and regular folks to transport cars across the country. You have to be older than 23, with a clean driving record and references, and you put down a deposit. But it would certainly be cheaper than a one-way rental.
Q: I’d like to take a week-long winter vacation to someplace warm. I’m a woman in my early 40s traveling alone, so I don’t want it to be too spring-breaky, and it needs to be safe. I’d like a nonstop flight from Washington. I’m thinking Caribbean, but there are so many choices.
A: Most Caribbean islands require a connection. If you’re willing to transfer, I’d recommend Barbados, which has a good mix of beaches and culture. I’m also a big fan of Grenada; the island smells like a spice shop. For nonstops, you can fly to the Bahamas or Jamaica. Montego Bay has some lovely properties that aren’t spring-breaky. For both destinations, avoid mainstream all-inclusives and look for more exclusive guesthouses.
