Talk travel: Where to find accommodations for a crowd, what to see in Jakarta

The Washington Post's travel writers and editors recently discussed stories, questions, gripes and more. Here are edited excerpts: 

Q: I'm trying to find a place that can house eight adults and two teens in January somewhere in southern Florida. I've tried Airbnb and I'm not finding what I need, mostly because we need six bedrooms. The guest of honor, who is celebrating his 90th birthday, doesn't want to use a hotel; he wants a house so that we can stay together. Are there any other resources or site that you can suggest? Thanks.  

A: Try HomeAway.com, VRBO, or Vacasa. They have inventory you won't find on Airbnb.  

- Christopher Elliott  

Q: I will be going on my first international trip (London, Paris and Rome) next week. Do my prescription meds need to be in their original containers? Vitamins? I know I can take snacks (in checked baggage) but can I make my own snacks (ie, trailmix) or will it be tossed?  

A: I would keep your meds in their original containers. Same with vitamins. You will be fine, but in the off-chance that customs officials are curious about your pills, you will have the information at your fingertips.  

You should review the Customs info for what is permitted into the UK. Trailmix is fine, but not fresh fruits, for instance.  

Other advice: Turn off your phone if you don't have an international plan. Just use WiFi. If you want the local currency before leaving, exchange at AAA or through your local bank.  

- Andrea Sachs  

Q: All of my relatives are west-coast based, and are planning a family vacation to Hawaii. I know this is absolutely ridiculous to complain about, but I'm having trouble getting over the time and cost of the trip there from the east coast. Do you have tips on finding better fares, and minimizing travel time and misery as much as possible? I probably fly five or six round trip flights a year, and haven't been on a non-delayed flight in more than two years, so I'm very much not looking forward to something that has travel disaster potential written all over it for me.  

A: At just more than 10 hours, the flight from Washington, D.C., to Honolulu is long - but definitely worth it. United Airlines offers nonstop service. Catch that flight and you'll avoid most of the troublesome delays of a one- or two-stop itinerary (missed connections, lost luggage, weather delays). I see a $1,066 fare on Google Flights, which is a pretty reasonable fare. If you've never been to Hawaii, you'll thank me for talking you into it. My advice: take a little extra time and see a few of the islands. You'll never want to leave. (I didn't.)  

- C.E.  

Q: I will be in Jakarta, Indonesia, for a week in late September. It is a business trip but I will probably be free by 4 or 5 p.m. every day and hopefully a day off, most likely a Friday. I know that traffic is crazy and may not be the most glamorous city however, what would you recommend me to do? Any day trips from Jakarta? I will be traveling solo and I'm interested in food (any spices market?), temples and would like to see some nature but I know that will be difficult to achieve.  

A: You definitely have to go to Yogyakarta and visit the temples of Borobudur and Prambanan, preferably at sunrise. (You can take a train to avoid the maddening traffic.) Also check out the National Museum of Indonesia and, for art, the National Gallery and the Galeri Nasional Indonesia.  

You can find spices at the local market.  

If you like theme parks, consider Ancol Dreamland, a wonderland of rides (wet and dry), beaches, golfing and more.  

- A.S.  

Q: On Saturday, I woke to the dulcet tones of my phone at 5:38 a.m. My brother was calling to say he missed his 6:15 a.m. flight to Orlando, Florida. Apparently, Frontier's check-in process closes 45 minutes prior to departure! Fortunately, a fellow passenger helped him download their app and get an electronic boarding pass but the ticketing agent refused to print a boarding pass and told him he couldn't clear security in time. I'm taking the same flight in a couple weeks, so I'm glad he told me! Why would they close so early?  

A: Several airlines require passengers to check into their flight at least 45 minutes before departure. This is not a new rule nor one specific to Frontier. To be safe, check in the night before.  

- A.S.  

Q: I have a destination wedding and then a business trip, which will require me to switch airlines and tickets. Would travel insurance cover me if the first airline completely messes up and I miss the second part of the trip? Thanks for the advice.  

A: It depends on the reason and the type of insurance. If you have a named perils policy, the most common type of travel insurance, the reason for your cancellation would have to be covered. If it's a cancel for any reason policy, then you would receive a percentage of your trip costs back.  

- C.E.  

Q: I'm visiting several countries and have a pay-as-you go phone plan (which doesn't allow international service). What is the least expensive way to get a data sim card to work in multiple countries?  

A: I'm a big fan of Google Fi, which allows you to make calls and use its data plan internationally.  

- C.E.

Source: Talk travel: Where to find accommodations for a crowd, what to see in Jakarta