TRAVEL Q & A

Warm-weather hotspot Q We want a winter getaway that will be warm and relatively easy to get to, but we're tapped out on Mexico. Any other suggestions?

A Costa Rica, with its intersection of rain forest and beach, comes to mind. So do Jamaica and Puerto Rico, where colonial architecture punctuates natural beauty. For enticing takes on the latter, read Jim Buchta's stories, "Wet and wild Puerto Rico" and "The Soul of San Juan." (Find them by going to startribune.com and searching for "buchta puerto rico.")

For other ideas, I flipped open my November Conde Nast Traveler, which features its "readers' choice awards." The editors there would second the Costa Rica idea: Of the top 14 resorts listed for Central and South America, seven are in that little country. And you might want to reconsider Mexico. San Miguel de Allende made the magazine's list of top 10 cities in the Americas, and the colonial gem is a far cry from the usual beach destinations. Mexico declared the mountain town a national monument in 1926, a move that neatly preserved its old-world ambience. (Read about the awards at www.concierge.com; click on "Travel Awards" under "Tools & Resources.")

I also checked in on Yahoo's "Top 10 Vacation Destinations for 2011," and Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica, is among them. And here's a surprise option: Atlanta also made the list.

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

KERRI WESTENBERG

Tourism goes nuclear Curious travelers will be able to dig deeper into the world's worst nuclear disaster next year when Ukraine opens the Chernobyl nuclear power plant for tours. Chernobyl's Reactor No. 4 melted down on April 26, 1986.

Car rental price challenge Hertz Car Rental is so convinced it has the best prices in the industry that it's willing to match its competitors' fees. Under the new Hertz Ultimate Experience Challenge, you can bring proof of a weekly or weekend reservation made with another rental company, and Hertz will match the deal -- plus give you a coupon for $50 on any future rental. But there's a catch or two: The rentals have to be made directly through competitors such as National, Budget and Avis, and not through a third-party booking site such as Priceline or Hotwire. The offer also is not available at locations in Florida, Hawaii and the metro New York area through December. It's available at other airport locations in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands through Jan. 31. (For details, go to www.hertz.com and click on "special offers.")

WASHINGTON POST

Walks to remember Check out "The World's 100 Best Walks" on Walkopedia.net, which lists the world's best walks, as chosen by passionate walker William Mackesy of Britain. It is a must-read, whether you love to hike or are just curious about treks in a country you're planning to visit. The site includes a great search tool to find a walk by continent, country or keyword.

LOS ANGELES TIMES

Fewer pieces of lost luggage The nation's airlines have been doing a better job of not losing luggage over the past three years, statistics released by the Transportation Department show. In October, the rate of lost, delayed or damaged bags for every 1,000 passengers on the nation's largest airlines was 2.91, compared with 3.51 in October 2009. Critics say the rate is down because people are flying with fewer bags -- to avoid fees.

Frolic outdoors in Pine City At Winter Frolic on Jan. 15 at the North West Company Fur Post in Pine City, Minn, visitors will be invited to try snowshoeing or curling and to learn what traveling in winter was like during the fur-trade era. They can also take a dogsled ride (weather permitting). Hours are noon to 4:30 p.m. Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and students, $5 for ages 6-17 (1-320-629-6356; www.mnhs.orgnwc furpost).