TRAVEL Q&AParasites of the Caribbean Q I just returned from the Caribbean and have bumps on the lower part of both legs that really itch. I don't remember seeing any mosquitoes or other insects, so am worried that I was attacked by bedbugs. Is it time to call the exterminator?

A It's possible that you shared your room with bedbugs, but don't rule out other possibilities. In the tropics many of the flying and jumping insects that feed on human blood are much smaller than the typical Minnesota mosquito, so it's likely that while you were hanging out on the beach, you fed the local wildlife. Possibilities include sand fleas (aka sand flies, beach fleas and no-see-ums), which are only about 1/8 inch long, but can jump more than a foot high -- which may explain why the bites are on your feet and lower legs. An over-the-counter antihistamine will help relieve the itching.

Answers to travelers' questions appear in Travel weekly and every Monday at startribune.com/escapeartists; send your question by e-mail to travel@startibune.com.

JIM BUCHTA

TRAVEL ALERT

Avoid travel to Haiti The State Department is urging U.S. citizens to avoid travel to Haiti. At press time, the travel warning was set to expire Feb. 13. Travelers with preexisting plans to visit Haiti should note flight cancellations and ticket-change policies. American Airlines has canceled its flights from Miami, Fort Lauderdale and New York to Port-au-Prince until further notice. Spokesman Tim Smith said that customers who had planned to travel to Haiti in January and booked their tickets by Jan. 12 can cancel or reschedule with no fee or penalty. The airline is offering its AAdvantage members 250 bonus miles if they contribute at least $50 to the American Red Cross or 500 bonus miles for donations of $100 or more through Feb. 28. Delta Airlines canceled its one daily flight from New York's JFK airport to Port-au-Prince through Saturday and is waiting to determine resumption of service. Customers can receive refunds. Royal Caribbean International said there was no damage to Labadee, its private resort on the north coast of Hispaniola, and that it resumed ports of call on Friday. "I am happy to say we are committed to continuing calls to Labadee with Independence of the Seas," John Weis, associate vice president of private destinations, wrote in a company blog. "There were a lot of discussions about this, but in the end, Labadee is critical to Haiti's recovery."

WASHINGTON POST

TRIP TIP

Track airfares for best deals Airlines can adjust airfares at virtually any moment, and the number of seats at the lowest fares can fluctuate minute by minute. So there's no best time of day or day of week to buy. That's why it's important to sign up for airfare alerts (to find services offering them, simply Google "airfare alerts" and sign up). Then pounce when the fare goes down. If you're looking for last-minute weekend fares, Delta typically releases these fares late on a Sunday, and other airlines release them Monday or Tuesday. The cheapest days to fly, as opposed to buying, are Tuesday and Wednesday, and also Saturday. The most expensive days are usually Friday and Sunday.

MCCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS

THIS JUST IN

Thailand loves you You've got a friend in ... Thailand, according to a recent study that gave the Land of Smiles the prize as the world's friendliest country. In the 2009 Expat Explorer study, HSBC Bank surveyed 3,100 expatriates to determine the nations most welcoming to foreigners. Besides Thailand, the top five included, in descending order, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Bahrain. On the opposite end of the nice-to-meet-you spectrum: Japan, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Belgium. Those seeking a love connection should follow cupid's bow to Thailand, Germany and Brazil, where the matchmaking rate is highest. The survey also determined the countries best for assimilation. The honor goes to our fraternal twin up north, Canada -- no big surprise, eh? -- followed by Australia and Thailand. If food determines your life's direction, pack your elastic-waist pants for France; 71 percent of participants said the food there is better than in their homeland.

WASHINGTON POST

SIDEROADS

Head west for winter fun Enjoy a weekend of family fun during the Funski Winter Carnival next weekend in Sioux Falls, S.D. The annual event on Friday and Saturday features 5K and 10K cross-country ski races, downhill ski races, ice sculptures, snowboard competitions, snow volleyball, frozen turkey bowling, frozen kickball, snow tube races and more at Great Bear Ski Recreation Park. Activity fees vary. (1-605-339-0000; www.funski.org).

COLLEEN A. COLES