Hi all- just want to say how much I enjoy reading the posts- some just crack me up and I can't believe they made it through the censors! <BR><BR>I have another question- I am supposed to have a bottle of champage in my room when I arrive (part of the package).<BR>I am traveling by myself and have never actually opened a bottle champagne.<BR><BR>Do I call for the hotel to come open it? Or should I try to manage by myself?<BR><BR>SHOULD I bring a corkscrew in case I want o buy my own bottle of wine?<BR><BR>TIA

If a hotel is giving you champagne, yes, you can call them to open it. I certainly would. I guess if you think you will want to be buying bottles of wine for your room, you might bring one -- I don't ever carry one with me (and I think you have to be sure to check it if you do), as every hotel I've been in where I wanted one has had one. It's usually around the minibar.

I don't think you'll need a corkscrew to open a bottle of champagne, as its not that type of cork. The cork should have a bulbous top to it, and you'll need to pull and twist it in order to release it from the neck of the bottle. Just in case there's a lot of pressure in the bottle, I suggest that after you loosen the cork but before you pull it out of the neck of the bottle that you take a towel and cover the top of the bottle and pull the cork off from there. That way if there is a lot of pressure, you won't be spraying champagne all over yourself and everyone else. A well sealed bottle of champagne will give a &quot;pop&quot; sound once the cork is removed. By the way, the reason that the cork is usually wrapped in a heavy aluminum and wired is to keep the cork from coming out and the bottle of champagne exploding.

I don't think she wanted the corkscrew to open the Champagne bottle. <BR><BR>Most hotels, even small ones without minibars, have corkscrews. I always pack one in case we have a bottle of wine out on a picnic.

It's not clear to me where you are going, but if your hotel is in Paris and for some reason neither you or the hotel have a corkscrew, they are about as difficult to find as a disposable lighter or a book of matches there. (I often travel with only a carry-on and since I never know what is being confiscated by security screeners from trip to trip, I don't like to risk one of my nice corkscrews).

You've already gotten good advice regarding opening a champagne bottle - it's not that hard, really, just take it slowly, but with regard to bringing a corkscrew, I always travel with a Laguiole knife that has a corkscrew on it (kind of like a Swiss Army knife, but more elegant). I use it for picnics as well as for opening wine bottles, and it is indispendable. If you bring such an item, make sure you pack it in your checked luggage.

Just want to add a tip to Leslie's good advice about opening a bottle of champagne. If you hold the top of the cork and turn the bottle rather than turning the cork, I find it easlier.

I'm not trying to be negative but I didn't think you could carry a corkscrew on the flight? Have they lifted the restrictions?<BR><BR>Karen, hope you have a great time!

Mary:<BR><BR>It's fine to pack a knife/corkscrew/tweezers/scissors, etc. in you CHECKED luggage, but NOT in your carryons, where they will be confiscated.

Thanks Mimi! I am not the strongest person- I bet your method would work for me!<BR><BR>Thanks everyone for your input- I like to buy a bottle of wine usually to enjoy on vacation- and I don't want to<BR>take my good corkscrew either.<BR>I will just buy one when I get there- I don't know about security on planes either- might show up on xray and get bags opened or confiscated at the terminal. After 911 I have had fingernail clippers and a finger nail file confiscated! Hopefull they aren's that picky anymore...

Oooooh, thanks, St. Cirq. That's why I didn't know. I never do checked luggage.