Hi Alena,

I have 2 days to get to Las Vegas from Vail, Colorado. Bryce Canyon impressed me as something I would really like to see, but I need to choose a park to stay one more night in. Forget Zion and Moab because I’ve been to both. Canyonlands, Capitol Reef…. which did you prefer? Any other must see suggestions?

Derek in Colorado

It’s always tough for me to recommend one national park over another as each is special in its own way. Bryce Canyon is absolutely stunning and you could easily spend two days there. Watching sunrise and sunset over the hoodoos and hiking into the canyon among them really add to your experience. That said, if you have your heart set on visiting two parks, I’m going to suggest you visit Capitol Reef. This will be a more effective use of your time as Canyonlands is 6 1/2 hours from Bryce while Capitol Reef is only 3. I also think it will give you a more diverse combination of scenery and sights. As far as what to see along the way, the drive between Bryce and Capitol Reef takes you over scenic Highway 12 which passes through the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. This is one the most beautiful drives I’ve ever been on and I guarantee you’ll want to pull over and take it all in more than once.

Have a great trip!

Send your travel questions to alena@followalena.com

Dear Alena,

If I go to mainland Hawaii next month, I want to do some shopping there. What about canned goods? Should I mail them from my trip or is it safe for me to carry them back home?

Kelley in Hawaii

Sampling local food is a big part of travel and many people like bringing some home to enjoy later. Canned or jarred goods like jam or sauce fall into the liquid and gel category. As such, they are allowed in a checked bag without issue. If you want to carry them onto a flight, they must be 3 ounces or less and fit into one quart sized Ziploc bag with the rest of your liquids and gels.

The only exceptions to the liquid/gel rule would be items you bought in the airport after you had already passed through security. These items could be carried onto a plane without hassle but be advised that if you have a connecting flight and must go through security again, they may be confiscated at that point.

Mailing food home via postal service is a good option for canned or dry goods but might be trickier if you are mailing glass bottles or jars. If the package is going to be fragile, it’s best to ask the store you purchase the item at to ship it for you as they will have more experience packing it. In the U.S., another choice is a UPS Store (not to be confused with a regular UPS) or Mailboxes Etc. which offer packaging as well as shipping services. There is no legal way for an individual to mail alcohol so if you are buying wine or spirits, they will have to be shipped from the store directly.

Have a great trip!

Send your travel questions to alena@followalena.com

Dear Alena,

I’m terrified of heights! Any tips for folks afraid to fly?

Kelley in Hawaii

You are definitely not alone. Even seasoned travelers like myself have days when flying has us feeling stressed. The truth is that flying is much safer than many activities we do every day. Your chances of being involved in a plane crash are about 1 in 11 million while your chances of being killed in an automobile accident are 1 in 5000. It’s often said that the most dangerous part of air travel is your drive to the airport!

That said, if you are feeling anxious before a flight there are some things that might help. Travel with a friend or family member for support and try working off some of your energy pre-flight by exercising or stretching. A doctor can prescribe you a mild sedative to relax you or you can try drinking a glass of wine or cocktail. Just don’t get intoxicated or you may be denied boarding! Bring a comfortable pillow and some music. A magazine or book with pictures and information about your destination might help to focus you on why you are flying in the first place. If you are visiting a friend or relative, carrying a photo of them will remind you of your goal.

Last spring, I wrote a post about Flying Without Fear, a website dedicated to helping those with your affliction. You can check out that post here to read more about what they have to offer.

Remember, getting on a plane is only a means to an end. The world is an amazing place! You can do it!

Have a great trip!

Dear Alena,

I’m heading to Toronto, Canada in a couple of weeks. Can you suggest any MUST-DOs for the city?

Heather in California

Toronto is a fun place with no shortage of things to do.

Take the Roger’s Centre (Skydome) tour and go to the top of the CN Tower…touristy but unique to Toronto.

The Art Gallery of Ontario was recently renovated and it was always great so I would check that out also.

If you are looking for something different, the Bata Shoe Museum is a good option.

The “cool” people hang out on Bloor Street where all the designer shops and top restaurants are located. It’s a great place to people watch!

Have a great trip!

Dear Alena,

My wife and I are planning our first trip to Vegas for a weekend. Can you suggest a good hotel in Las Vegas which is also inexpensive and well located?

John in Brooklyn, New York

Anyone who has visited Las Vegas over a weekend knows that all hotel prices are at least double what they are midweek. I get asked a lot about hotels in Vegas and I always tell people first and foremost to stay on the strip. The atmosphere and convenience of the the strip are an integral part of the Las Vegas experience…especially if you are a first timer. Now to answer your question, there are two hotels I like and recommend that meet your requested criteria:

Luxor (be sure to request a pyramid room)

Treasure Island

Both of these properties are in great locations and offer rooms at under $300/night on weekends. They are also both connected by tram to other hotels on the strip making it easier to explore. The Luxor tram stops at the Excalibur and Mandalay Bay and the Treasure Island tram connects to the Mirage. Vegas hotels always offer promotions on their websites so booking online is a great option. I recommend revisiting the site regularly even after you’ve booked because new promotions with lower prices may be added as your trip date gets closer. If this happens, simply call the hotel and ask them to update your reservation with the new lower rate.

As a side note, the cheapest hotels on the strip are Excalibur and Circus, Circus. Many people avoid them because they are hotspots for families and there are often many children around. Having stayed at both, my personal take is that Circus, Circus is not centrally located enough for me to recommend it but I found Excalibur to be just fine if you don’t mind the kids.

Have a great trip!

Dear Alena,

I am visiting Phoenix, Arizona next week for a spa trip. I’ll be renting a car for one day to check out Sedona. Any advice on things to do in Phoenix?

Jen in Milford, Connecticut

Phoenix is known for its spas and Sedona is a perfect side trip so it sounds like you are on the right track with your vacation. I should point out that Phoenix is not really a walking city and you may want to consider extending your car rental to get around. That said, here are some places you might check out:

Soak in some Native American Culture – The Heard Museum is internationally known for its displays of Native American items as well as a unique collection of modern American Indian Art. You can also check out ruins of an ancient Indian village at the Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park.

Visit a garden in the desert – The Desert Botanical Garden has over 20,000 desert plants from around the world and an interactive area about how people have used various plants throughout the years.

Get your art fix – The Phoenix Art Museum has a great permanent collection and is currently showing an exhibition of French clothing designed for drivers to compliment automobiles in the early 1900s.

Play ball – Phoenix is a world class golfing destination. Legacy Golf Resort, Phantom Horse, Wildfire and Club West are some top course choices.

Sample the cuisine – Arizona has some of the best Southwestern and Mexican restaurants in the U.S. so be sure to visit one.

Take a scenic drive – If you do rent a car for more than a day, consider taking one of the many scenic drives out of Phoenix. The Apache Trail will take you around man made lakes, through a ghost town and canyon and offer you some of the best desert scenery you can see.

Sedona – On your drive to Sedona, stop at Montezuma’s Castle, an incredible five story cliff home inhabited between the 12th and 14th centuries. It is 70 feet up and carved into the side of a mountain. Once in Sedona, go on a Pink Jeep Tour which will offer you the best views of the beautiful red rocks. The jeeps drive straight up and down the mountains!

Have a great trip!