

A Do see if you can get to the island Mont Saint-Michel, just off the country's northwestern coast. It's not much farther, and it's so worth a visit, especially if you spend a night on the island. It's positively haunting once most of the tourists leave and darkness descends. The abbey and church at the summit are lit up magnificently, and since there are no motor vehicles, you can almost feel yourself transported back to a distant time.


Converted windmills are a common sight in the northern part of France&#8217;s Brittany region. This mill lies between Mont St. Michel and Cancale.
Converted windmills are a common sight in the northern part of France's Brittany region. This mill lies between Mont St. Michel and Cancale. (Jane Wooldridge/Miami Herald/MCT)


Q My husband and I usually plan our vacations well in advance, but we then see all these great last-minute deals. So we're thinking of taking off a random week and then scouring the deals as they come in and grabbing a good one. Is there a time of year for particularly good deals?

A You can typically find the best deals during off-peak times and right after the holidays. You can often find deals in Florida and the Caribbean during the summer and hurricane season. Hawaii: late winter and early fall. Colorado is often cheaper in the spring and fall. Europe: after the summer rush and before the holiday slam. My advice: Pick a destination and then choose dates that don't overlap with holidays, school vacations or an activity such as skiing. Then check the Web and tourism offices for deals.

Q We've always bought insurance for cruises. But this year the cruise total is $1,855. Everyone is in good health and we don't feel like paying an extra $130 for insurance. Are we wrong?


Q We're heading to Williamsburg and looking for good activities for a 3-year-old. Any ideas?


Today's column comes from The Washington Post.