Travelers

Connecting … Solo Travel Network, http://www.cstn.org , can connect travelers with possible partners. CouchSurfing, http://www.couchsurfing.org , connects travelers with hosts who lend their couches or beds. Hosts list profiles, dates available and the condition of their home. Travelers also have online profiles with their backgrounds, interests, hobbies and professions. Both hosts and travelers undergo a verification process. Nonprofit Earthwatch, http://www.

Just a note to tell you how much my husband and I enjoy the articles by Bob O'Sullivan. They are well written and humorous and give us a warm feeling--the way he writes about his wife, Joyce. When he isn't in the Sunday paper, it's a distinct disappointment to us. Please keep on putting his articles in. They're a real plus for travelers. We're off on a trip to England shortly, and I shall put some of his suggestions in previous articles on our itinerary. ANN JOHNSTON Canoga Park

After elderly passengers at JFK Airport complained about how they were treated by the Transportation Security Administration , the agency said Sunday it would establish an information line that travelers who are disabled or need assistance can call before flying. The TSA blog post written by blogger Bob Burns said in part: "[W]e're in the process of establishing an 800 number dedicated to travelers with disabilities, medical conditions, or those who may require assistance during screening.

College life without any tests or papers? Sweet, particularly when it means taking a week of classes at prestigious Oxford University in Oxford, England, on topics such as castles in Britain, the Brontes, King Arthur and the Dark Ages, the History of the BBC and more. The Oxford Experience invites "students" to stay in dormitories and attend classes at Christ Church college while touring the storied campus and the area around Oxford. Meals are served in the Hall, made famous by the "Harry Potter" films, and extra tours may be added on. Date: Study weeks run Sundays-Saturdays from July 1-Aug.

An L.A.-bound JetBlue flight from New York was forced to make an emergency landing in Denver this week when a Chicago man allegedly groped a pregnant woman, then refused to follow crew instructions. Authorities say the 32-year-old was intoxicated and groped the woman as he waited for the bathroom while on the flight . . . . The number of people taking trips of 50 miles or more over Labor Day weekend will increase to 33 million from 32.1 million last year, AAA says in its annual forecast.

Many Southern Californians are cutting back on unnecessary driving around town but most are going ahead with spring break travel plans even though gasoline prices are at record highs for this time of the year, according to a new survey of motorists. Two-thirds of Southern Californians surveyed by the Automobile Club of Southern California said higher gasoline prices have affected their household budget, but 57% plan to take a leisure trip this spring anyway, compared with 55% last spring.

If you check into a hotel in Charlotte, N.C., consider visiting the NASCAR Hall of Fame. After all, 2% of the taxes you pay for your hotel room support the facility. Across the country, taxes charged on hotel, car rental and restaurant bills go to a variety of causes besides filling the local government coffers, according to a review of travel-related taxes by the travel planning website Away.com . In Tampa, 0.5% of hotel taxes and 0.5% of car rental taxes are used to help the homeless.

A bit like Santa crashing through the roof, snow is expected to make a not-entirely-welcome appearance across the U.S. on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. More than 93 million people will travel an average of 760 miles during the holidays, according to AAA , the motorists' organization, and will encounter challenging weather across the country. Some parts of Oklahoma, northern Arkansas and southern Missouri could see up to 6 inches of snow on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, according to AccuWeather.

Travelers interested in participating in the TSA's expanded pre-check screening , which pre-approves some passengers to pass through checkpoints without removing shoes and belts - should click here  for information. The expanded program was announced Wednesday . . . . Hawaii hotel revenue rose 12.7% last year , according to a report by Hospitality Advisors LLC and Smith Travel Research. Occupancy was 73.4%, up from 70.7% in 2010. The average daily rate was about $189.62, up from $174.84 the previous year . . . . Nationwide, only New York City has higher room rates than Hawaii , Smith Travel Research says . . . . The 20th annual Zinfandel Festival takes place in Paso Robles March 16-18 , featuring wine from more than 50 vintners. For info or tickets, go to www.pasowine.com . . . . Northern California's Mendocino County hosts three Whale Festivals this March : Mendocino Village (March 3-4)

I read with interest the article on airline awards by Brian Kelly ["Going the Distance to Get Airline Awards," March 3]. I was amazed he didn't mention the outlandish additional fees that some airlines are charging. Recently, I tried to book two tickets to England on British Airlines for my daughter and myself. It took four phone calls before I could get anyone to come close to finding seats for us using miles from LAX to Newcastle, with a plane change at London's Heathrow. As I was completing the transaction, the agent told me that additional taxes and fees would cost almost $700 for each ticket.