Ask MetaFilter questions in the travel & transportation category

Cheap replica alloys in Toronto?

Dasein — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:53:39 -0800

(Asking for a friend.) Where could one find cheap replica Mercedes/AMG alloy wheels in Toronto? This column leads me to believe that AMG replica alloys should be available for around $130. Does anyone know where I could find reasonably-priced replica alloys for a Mercedes (16-inch)?

Visiting Tokyo over the new year.

aladfar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 07:27:09 -0800

I'll be visiting Tokyo for the first time over the new year. I arrive on 12/30 and plan to return to the states on 1/06. Looking for suggestions on where to stay and what to do (I understand most shops and attractions will be closed on and around the new year).

Looking for information on PAYG cell phone (NY state), inflatable mattress, All-In-One scanner, fax, photocopier and printer

zaxour — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:22:56 -0800

Moved to NY (NOT NYC) from Sweden, need information on PAYG cell phone, inflatable mattress, All-in-One scanner, fax, photocopier and printer. I moved to NY state from Sweden and my job will involve moving from one place to the other every 3 months or so. Hence, would like to maintain as little belongings as possible.

Since I haven't got my SSN yet, I have to go with PAYG phone. I am checking all cellphone carriers I am aware of but feel like very little information is offered on the web. Going to the stores isn't helping either. I am curious which carrier has best coverage in NY state? Also, do I have to use carrier's phone to be able to use their SIM?
I considered delaying buying PAYG phone and use cellswapper later but I am not too sure how good is this idea.

I am looking for king/queen size inflatable mattress, which brand is good to go with? A previous thread on me-fi directs me to Aerobed. Any other recommendation? (or if you didn't like Aerobed, why?)

I am also interested in All-In-One Scanner, Photocopier, Fax and Printer. I checked cnet.com reviews but there is a conflict between editor's ratings and user's ratings so not too sure how much I should rely on them. I wonder if its a good idea to have such All-In-One equipment and if yes, any recommendation?

Can we store our van for a year?

saturn~jupiter — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:40:47 -0800

We want to store our van for a year in California while we go back to Australia. Can this be done? Specifics inside. My man and I bought a camper van in America, which we have lived in and traveled in for many months. We are going back to Australia (where we are from) in December, to live, but we want to come back in a year or so's time and do some more traveling for some more months.

We have been thinking of storing our van in a storage facility somewhere in southern California - because we fly out of L.A.

We've been told there are various problems with this plan - tyres going flat, wheels getting ruined, battery going flat, etc.

-Are there storage facilities for housing vans where they will take care of these things?
-Do you know of any in southern California?
-Any idea of how much money we are looking at paying?
-We don't really mind if it's outdoors, unless it's a security issue.

The van is the size of a small (class b) motorhome. its between 7-8 feet high, and maybe 20 feet long.

Don't know if it's a crazy idea - it seems more simple just to sell it, but we are rather attached to it...

Any advice appreciated.

Do I need to get a multiple entry visa for Spain/Andorra travel as a US citizen?

anarchivist — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:21:55 -0800

I'm going to Spain (Barcelona) for 10 days, and I'm a US citizen, which in my understanding grants me a de facto 90-day single entry Schengen visa. I've been thinking about going to Andorra, a non-Schengen country, which suggests to me that I would therefore require a multiple entry Visa. Preliminary research confirms this. Stupid question: do I need to do this before I leave? Can anyone else who has gone to Andorra from Spain attest to the strictness or laxity of the immigration controls?

Palenque Package? Cabins? Ayudame!

Admira — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 16:17:06 -0800

I am going on a trip to Mexico next year and I'd love to go to Palenque. Friends of mine from Mexico recommend getting a package tour. I generally dislike package tours but I'm not sure how to find the best flight price, accommodation in VillaHermosa, trip to Palenque, and accommodation there. Anyone have any tips for how to get there, how to book, how long to stay, where to stay etc? A friend recommended staying on a cabin in Palenque but googling shows every one having extreme reviews of either "Loved it, best place in MY LIFE" or "Never stay here, terrible!".

We've also heard varying advice for how long to stay in Palenque, from 2 days to 7 days.

So I thought I'd ask the hive mind for Palenque travel tips!

Where can we go for a Tuesday night getaway near Boston?

david1230 — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 13:03:45 -0800

Where can we go for a Tuesday night getaway near Boston? Veteran's day is Wednesday and I'd love to take my wife somewhere to escape Boston on Tuesday night. By the ocean, in the woods, in the mountains, or in a city in Western MA would all work. It doesn't need to be fancy (but we'd rather rustic charm than Days Inn). Within a 2 hr drive, and under $150 would be great (< $100 even better). Anyone know of such a place?

Please don't explode computer.

sepsis — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 07:38:49 -0800

US visiting UK, do I need an adapter or a converter for my laptop? I just want to double check because I'd really rather not have my laptop explode when I visit the UK next month. The AC adapter for my laptop gives the following specs:

65W, 20V
INPUT: 100-240V~1.5A 50/60Hz
OUTPUT: 20V . . . 3.25A

My understanding is that I would only need an adapter for the plug and not a power converter. Am I correct? Thanks for the help.

Home (not broke) for Xmas.

nicoleincanada — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 04:20:45 -0800

Please help me get from Europe to Canada for the Xmas holidays without having to live out of a cardboard box. This is my first time living abroad, and I've rather naively discovered that holy crap, airfare to North America is super expensive from mid-December to early January. I've managed to get a bit of wiggle room on my travel dates from my employers (I work at a school and the holidays are pre-scheduled), but the reasonable/cheap airfare is still a day or two out of reach and I don't want to push my luck much further.

This isn't a make or break thing - I've promised the family I'll go home either way - but if there's a way to get from Paris to Winnipeg without spending $1800 Cdn after tax, I'd be appreciative. Especially considering $1800 is the price I managed by wiggling the dates.

Is finding reasonable airfare at peak travel time in December a total pipe dream? Am I just booking too late, or too early? Are there any genuinely useful sites for this sort of thing? I've tried both Expedia and Travelocity and find them pretty useless when the destination isn't a major hub - they seem to miss a lot of cheap fares I can find by checking airlines myself.

My holidays are from Dec. 19 to Jan. 3 (like the rest of the Xmas-celebrating world). Employers are willing to let me leave the Wednesday before and return the Wednesday after, which is how I managed the price above. I'd like to be home for Xmas day but I'd be willing to leave pre-NY if that generally makes a difference. I'm also willing to fly to other European centres or take the train to get a better price.

FYI, I've checked other threads on this site and, oddly, can't find a similar question, but my AskMF skills might be lacking. So if you find the same question previously, by all means share.

Thanks much in advance.

Hotel and food recommendations for a solo traveller to NYC

une_heure_pleine — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 19:52:42 -0800

Visiting New York for the first time (from Australia) in a couple of weeks. Will be travelling solo, and am looking for hotel and food recommendations. (I did search, but the answers are a few years old now, or aimed at different budgets)

I'm perfectly happy with my own company most of the time, especially during the day. Even so, I'd like to meet a few people to go for a drink or dinner some nights, as I'll be there for two weeks. In the past when I've travelled solo, I've stayed in dorms. I'm a bit older now (late 20s) and have less tolerance for all-night boozing and general grottiness.

So, any suggestions for either a hostel with private rooms that's friendly but not party-central, or a budget hotel with a sociable common area where I might meet people? Budget is ideally no more than $80 per night but could stretch for the right place. Private bathroom is nice but not necessary.

Alternately, suggestions for other places to go/things to do where I might meet some people to hang out with for a night?

Also, I'm interested in checking out a couple of the better restaurants in town. I'm expecting to have to do this alone unless I randomly meet another foodie. Any ideas for restaurants in $30-for-a-main-course bracket where I'll be treated like a human being despite being there alone? My preference is for high quality, innovative food, rather than just wherever is hot right now.

What's going on in the Capitol City this Saturday?

HotPatatta — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:34:30 -0800

Are there any museum exhibits, art installations, or events going on in D.C. tomorrow (Saturday) that are worth checking out? I lived in DC back in 2004, so I don't need general sightseeing recommendations. Just looking to check out whatever's New! and Exciting! Thanks.

Rust just isn't my colour.

saradarlin — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:36:48 -0800

Rust Prevention? What do you do to prevent rust from forming on a 1-2 year old car? I am not a car person, live in a snow belt in Ontario, excessive road salt usage, cold weather etc, and I want to know what steps should I take to prevent rust from forming on the car. Black tar spray put on the bottom that apparently lasts for 10+ years, frequent car washes, oil sprays, some magic product called DuraShield? What should I do?

The car had half of a winter last year, sleeps in an insulated but unheated garage at night and is a medium sized SUV.

I tried google but I have no way to verify claims of performance and my bullshit-o-meter fails on all car related matters.

And Iran, Iran so far away

oinopaponton — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 07:17:17 -0800

I have a very generous offer for a place to stay and Farsi-speaking guides should I choose to visit Iran. Ergo, I have some questions about post-election Iran and the best way to organize this trip, if I go. I've looked through the history, but the latest question about visiting Iran was asked before this summer's election. Has anyone been since then, or is anyone there now? As a single American woman staying with a wealthy family in Tehran, what could I expect? I'm aware of dress/behavior expectations, but I'm more curious about what day-to-day life would be like, including but not limited to reasonably unmonitored internet access. I don't speak Farsi, but I do speak French-- am I right in thinking that this would be at least marginally useful?

Bonus: I'm really interested in Iranian archaeology, to the point where (assuming all my graduate school applications aren't rejected) I'll soon be working on a very closely related MA or PhD. Is there any way that I could visit an active archaeological site? I'd be comfortable contacting professors at American universities and asking to visit their sites; is this something that a professor at, say, University of Tehran would be okay with?

If I go, it won't be for at least six months, and probably more like nine. I know things are liable to change in that period of time, but I want to know what I can expect before I get my heart set on going. Thanks!

Living in or near Honfleur, France

whatzit — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:44:31 -0800

I'm moving to France (not to paint houses)! Two big questions: Where to live while working in Honfleur? What should I buy in Japan or the US before moving, to take advantage of better prices? LIVING in Honfleur should be different than being a tourist. It was great as a tourist! But will I be bored silly living there? Should I stay in Le Havre or even Rouen? For work I should be out of the office ~50% of the time anyway. I am in my 20s, single, prefer an international, urban environment, and like access to food, sports, universities, public transport. I reckon a car is unavoidable.

DESPITE your and my own advice to move with as little as possible, the employer will pay shipping, and I have an advantage on prices on some things in Japan and the US. Should I ship my bicycle (mountain bike)? Go on a clothes spree? Am I forgetting anything?? Electronics are not an option (110-220 issue).

(This is as sudden, but more definite and more exciting than the previous Qatar option...)

1999 Toyota Camry Check Engine Light Problems

Lacking Subtlety — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:29:30 -0800

Calling those w/ more knowledge of cars than I... 1999 Toyota Camry with a well-documented Check Engine light problem. How can I convince people/mechanics that the problem is a low-percentage systemic design flaw and not something that needs replacing if there's never been a recall issued? Okay. Qualifiers:

-I have a moderate knowledge of cars, but nothing special. I have enough of a working knowledge to know when a mechanic is telling me I need something I don't really need, but I wouldn't be confident doing labor myself.
-I certainly know the behavior/history of my own cars.
-I don't have a lot of money.
-I'm a point A point B kind of guy.
-My family has bought nothing but Camrys for over 20 years. They have been wonderful.

The only minor problem came when my mother bought new 1999 toyota camry and in the first year the check engine light came on. Naturally, she took it for service and it was an "EGR Flow Insufficiency" "EVAP vent control malfunction" and EVAP Ctrl Incorrect purge flow." Basically these are all things that indicate problems with a variety of parts that deal with emission control. She got many of the parts replaced and soon after the check engine light came on for the SAME exact problems. So my ma and her mechanic finally realized after much research, that the car has a significant history of being overly-sensitive to these specific emissions problems. There's absolutely nothing wrong with the parts of the system it is actually the system and design of the car itself. So he refunded her a lot of money and any time her check engine light came on he would check it out to be sure it was just those problems and turn it off, and pass her for any inspections, etc. Yeah, this mechanic was a genuine class act.

So two years ago I bought this car from her and now operate it in California. It's in great condition for a ten year old car, I do all regular maintenance. And it passed it's first smog test 2 years ago and all that (the check engine light was off at the time, like I said, it's temperamental).

So a few months into owning, I was getting maintenance done at a pep boys (they charge the lowest prices) and was convinced that this problem didn't exist and I was crazy and I need 900 dollars worth of repairs done to this system. I finally caved and low and behold the NEXT DAY the check engine light came on for the same set of problems. Needless to say I started a big thing with Pepboys to try and get some for of restitution which is neither here nor there (it didn't work. mechanic companies can't be held responsible for convincing you to get service you don't need).

So basically i went on with my life and got maintenance on my car and thankfully ignored nonsense EGR/EVAP issues and life has been fine.

Until I needed a recent smog test pass for my California registration renewal. I can't get passed because of my check engine light is on and registering the same nonsense 3 codes. The car checks out great in all other areas.

I told my story to the Smog check guy, and he believed me and recommended me to a refugee station, where I could plead my case. I prepped for a week (printed out 100s of people with similar complaints) and had the entire history of my car documented and at hand. I went in this morning to talk to the guy about my problem, and he listened, realized I knew what I was talking about, and felt very sorry for me. Because it turns out, he can't do ANYTHING unless there's been a recall. He wasn't even sure why I got recommended to him. I responded that I thought it was a place for exactly this kind of gray area, but he said "yeah, but you need a recall."

Now I have friends who have worked for car companies. I know what it takes to get a car recalled. (And for those who've seen fight club, it's not far off). Basically there is no way that a car gets recalled for a maintenance problem that doesn't effect vehicle performance and accidents/people's health. No way a car gets a recall for my problem. No way.

So basically I was telling him this and that there is literally nothing I can for for my car, which again, has nothing actually wrong with it, but spend 900 dollars for repairs, and hope I can get a smog test before the light comes back on (which could happen instantly). And more over this is something I will have to deal with again at the very next smog inspection down the road.

But of course all the guy said was "my hands are tied."

And that's all that's happened. I've called every dealership (they all won't commit to any answers), toyota corporate office (they stonewall me), and mechanic I can think of and asked for solutions but all I get is "My hands are tied", illegal suggestions, or offers of things to do that charge me exorbitant amounts of money.

Side note: Tampering with a check engine light can get you jail time in California. But still... it's a last resort option and one I don't want to get to.

So tomorrow morning I'm going to walk into a Toyota dealership and try and I have to convince them I don't need any work done. And to just pass me for a smog test. But this likely will not happen. I can't just drop 450-900 dollars on nonsense, but I just know that's what I'm going to end up doing. I can apply for a test program in California that will pay up to 500 dollars of it, but that will take months. Months I don't have.

Is there anyone here who can help? I am completely at a loss of where to go from here. There has to be someone somewhere out there who can just look at this situation and say "your car is okay to drive and in fact safer to drive in California than every SUV in the road."

There's obviously some precedence for legal action, but honestly that is expensive and drawn out, and I NEED TO GET MY CAR ON THE ROAD. Any ideas?

Bourbon, Afghanistan, Death?

tmcw — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:44:21 -0800

Bringing alcohol to Afghanistan: worth it? Risks? Fines? So, lets say you are flying to Afghanistan tonight (via Dubai) - what are the risks of packing a bottle of bourbon?

(this is not hypothetical :)

Speeding

yoyo_nyc — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:40:24 -0800

How can I find out if I have a speeding ticket in California? I once may have been cough at night speeding in Silicon Valley (automated system, flashed).

* The car was not rented by me but by a company that interviewed me (yeah, I know, bad idea to speed in this car).

* I got the car with my EU drivers license that does not have an address on it.

I never heard anything. How could I find out if I got a ticket and am obligated to pay it? It has been a couple of years already.

Is there an application that will map all my friends?

yankeh — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:34:59 -0800

I'm looking for an online or freeware map application that allows me to chart where I know people across the globe. This would serve the same purpose as a paper map on the wall with pins in it but would have more flexibility (zoom-in, link to info about the place etc.) If, for example, I were planning a trip to Thailand, I could open the map app and see that I have a couple acquaintances there and where exactly they live. Even better if it will link up with my address book and/or facebook and do some of the data input work for me.

Day trips from Daegu?

pedstel — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:38:05 -0800

Daegu day trip suggestions? I'm visiting South Korea this month and will be staying with a friend in Daegu. We're spending a weekend in Seoul, but I'm looking for some fun day (or two day) trips to take while she's working. I'm into food, photography, general exploring, and any strange/fun eccentric sites or activities. I don't speak any Korean, but am fine with finding my way around on public transportation. Also, I'm on a grad student budget, so the cheaper the better...

What's it like to ride a Segway?

Sully — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:05:17 -0800

What's it like to ride a Segway? I've only ever seen them on TV and the movies, never in real life. If you've ever ridden one, what was the most surprising thing you discovered the first time you tried it?

Vacation Destination!

kbanas — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:56:50 -0800

Topical Resortfilter! We're planning a vacation for sometime in 2010, and I have in my mind's eye the image of a every particular kind of resort in a tropical paradise. You've probably seen it before.... There is a long dock that protrudes far out into a calm, clear sea... and there are, well, these bungalows, I guess, would be the best word - these wonderful thatch roof looking abodes that sit out in the water on stilts or something and there's even, I think, a place where the floor is open so you can look down into the water, and it's private and beautiful and awesome.

I have seen places like this before. In advertisements. In forwards from friends that say things like, "Wouldn't you rather be here than at your crappy job?" Ha!

Well, I'm not sure I could afford it, but I think they exist, and I just don't know the Google terminology to even try to search for them. So lend a hand! Do you know of a resort like this? Does it have a website?

People in Europa / Ciao ciao bella, Monaco

mippy — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:53:03 -0800

April. Europe. Our first proper holiday, and I haven't left the country in eight years. Where to go? On the shortlist are Amsterdam, Paris, Berlin, Barcelona, and, um, somewhere Scandinavian or Italian.

As the pound is worth little these days, and I have to pay £80 to renew my passport, we need to know cities and places to stay that aren't hugely expensive (hostels are fine as long as they're safe), and food too. We like museums, art and graveyards, interesting urban architecture and culture, shopping (ie. things that we can't get in the UK - we like crafts and boardgaming, and I like thriftshopping), pubs rather than clubs, nice cafes, things to see and do and photograph. Neither of us can drive, but I'm a beginner cyclist so we can get around that way.

What are my best options if I only need a car for a year or less?

frippsie — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:34:03 -0800

My car lease is ending soon. I thought I wouldn't need a car for any longer than my lease terms. But now I do. What are my best options if I only need a car for a year or less? I only got this car because I accepted a job and moved to a city where a car is necessary for reliable transportation. I didn't expect to be here for longer than two years because my job is very stressful, and I see it as a stepping stone to something better. (I don't want to get sidetracked as to why I'm still here, but rest assured it's not the situation I want to be in.) I'm leaving my current job in a year's--or less--time. I would most likely be relocating to a place where I don't need a car at all.

However, I do still require reliable transportation for the rest of the admittedly indefinite time I am here. So should I get a new lease, buy out my current lease, buy a different car, or what?

Complications: I don't have the cash to buy my leased car outright--I'd have to get a loan. I don't want to be stuck with trying to unload the car in the middle of a lease or before the loan is paid off. Unfortunately, public transportation and walking/bike riding aren't good options for me. I do carpool sometimes, but I don't want to be begging rides 100% of the time.

I know this sounds a bit all over the place...that's why I hope AskMe can help me think about this more clearly, and hopefully offer some good suggestions! Thanks in advance.

where can i leave my luggage for the day in boston?

gcat — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:24:53 -0800

please help me see boston for a day! (anyplace i can leave my luggage for a few hours?) i fly into boston this afternoon. i will be having dinner with an acquaintance and then spending the night at his home. the next morning, we will part company. he will go to work and drop me off somewhere in boston (apparently he lives 10 minutes north). then i am meeting another friend at 6pm and we are driving up to maine.

so, between 8-ish am thursday morning and 6 pm that evening, i will be free, so i would like to see at least one historic tourist attraction.

the problem: i will be carless and will have my luggage - a heavy suitcase and a carry-on bag. is there *anywhere* i could leave my luggage for the day?

i know, poor planning on my part, but is it a lost cause?

so my question is essentially this: can anyone help me think of anywhere i can leave my stuff that is both 1) safe (for my luggage) and 2) very close to public transport? i would be willing to pay if necessary.

it wont be at all practical to leave my stuff at my friends place for the day.

oh, and also, havent had a chance yet to research public transport. any tips? where should i have my friend drop me off thursday morning? (i.e., maybe somewhere close to something really cool that is not too far from public transport?)

im not really coming up with any ideas, so it may not be realistic, but if the hive mind could help me i would be very grateful.

thanks so much!!

Its a birthday trip not a honeymoon!

rachums — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:38:45 -0800

I'm turning 30, my mom is turning 60 and retiring. We want to do something or go somewhere to mark the occasion but we don't have any really solid ideas. I also don't want to go any where "honeymoony." All my searches turn up "romantic getaways" which are not appropriate. Where should we go for about a week of mother-daughter fun? Details: I live in Boulder CO and my mom lives in Columbus OH. We are both willing to travel any where. We have varied interests and are physically able to tackle outdoor adventures or walking for hours. We like trying new things and aren't intimidated by public transportation or language differences.

Places we have been: Italy (Rome, Florence, Siena, Venice, Naples) and pretty much everywhere in the US. Mom has not been to Hawaii. Neither of us has been to Alaska. We have seen "the sights" in the US (National Parks, major cities, historic sites, Disney). I'm not ruling out places we have already been if there is something really special about it.

Bonus: We went to John C Campbell Folk school several years ago and had a really good time. We are considering a return visit or going to a similar program elsewhere. Are there other art/craft schools where we could spend a week?

Imagine we have a week and unlimited money.