Check your baggage
Picking the cheapest flight used to be simple, but it's been complicated by airlines deciding to charge for checking your bag(s) and, in some instances, charging for your carry-on. Airfarewatchdog helps you out with its new Guide to Baggage Fees. It lists expected baggage fees by carrier for flights from the U.S. and Canada. In addition to destinations in the U.S. and Canada it also has a separate listing for travel to Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean and one for the rest of the world. Southwest Airlines remains the only domestic airline covering the Lower 48 that has no baggage fees. The chart's at http://tinyurl.com/yap6pxp8.
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Seeing stars
If stargazing appeals, you might want to head to Washington, Maine, Aug. 11-17 for the Maine Astronomy Retreat at the Medomak Retreat Center. The location is one of the darkest in the Northeast, making it ideal for astronomy. Seasoned stargazers can bring their own telescopes or there will be telescopes available for newbies. J. Kelly Beatty, senior contributing editor for Sky & Telescope, and veteran stargazer and researcher Bruce Bergerwill lead the activities, with daytime programs and lectures followed by nighttime viewing. Among topics covered will be choosing a telescope and how to use it, how to photograph the night sky, best astronomy software and apps, and viewing meteors. The center is located on a lake, where canoes and kayaks are available. Cost is $1,350 per person, which includes the program, lodging and meals. Info: 301-854-9100, http://tinyurl.com/ya5aayp6
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Phil Marty is a freelance reporter.
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