 John Taylor "> | | | Good morning, it’s Saturday, April 25, and thanks so much for all of the kind birthday wishes last weekend. Are you going to see the new Michael Jackson movie? I’m intrigued, if a bit torn. Answering your questions The concern over fuel prices isn’t going away. Despite ceasefires, there is still fighting in the Middle East. Meanwhile, Iran maintains control of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane, and the United States is enforcing a blockade of Iranian ports. The Pentagon this week said it could take six months to clear mines from the strait — which means the impact of the conflict could extend into late this year. This has readers worried not just about filling their gas tank but also taking an affordable vacation. - With the increased cost of jet fuel, should I book my international travel now?
My colleague Andrea Sachs, a longtime Post travel writer, says don’t panic yet. She wrote this week about this very topic, and one big takeaway was to be flexible if you can. If you’re looking to travel sooner, in the first part of peak season, you should book as soon as possible. But yes, flights are already considerably more expensive than they would be under normal circumstances. There’s also a danger of airlines cutting routes — which would raise fares even more because there’s less availability and competition. Another option is traveling later in the season. According to Andrea’s research, domestic airfare is averaging hundreds of dollars less in August, compared with June. There’s also a chance to wait and see if deals or specials are offered. Speaking of deals, Andrea said: Open your mind to offseason beach destinations such as Florida, Mexico and the Caribbean. Fares to these traditionally winter and spring break spots are relative bargains in the summer, even during a fuel crisis. | | | | Other tips from Andrea: - Consider flying midweek (as opposed to weekends) and traveling domestically. Airlines in Europe and Asia rely on oil from the Middle East, and they have hiked fares or implemented surcharges because of fuel shortages.
- If you’re traveling to Europe or Asia, look into trains or cheaper airlines to get around once you’re there.
What else to know Thanks to Andrea for the timely story. She and the rest of The Post’s travel team are steadily dropping helpful tips and ideas — you can sign up for the By The Way newsletter here. And thanks to you for your questions — now, keep ’em coming. If you want to ask us about news you’ve seen in The 7, send them here. We’ll find the right person to answer them for another weekend edition. Keep reading Each weekend, The 7 team shares our favorite recent Post stories with you.  | Hannah Jewell | I was rooting for the 179 runners who completed the Boston Marathon long after it was officially over. They may have been slow, but at least they did it, and that’s a lot more than I can say for myself.  | Izin Akhabau | As caps on federal Parent Plus loans come into play, The Post’s personal finance columnist shared her tips for how families can pay for a college education.  | Jamie Ross | I avoid eating meat because I aim to emulate Paul McCartney in everything I do. But, beyond that, it’s also good for the environment. It’s one of these five ways to go green in the kitchen.  | John Taylor | If you enjoy D.C.-area history, or you’re searching for a fresh example of why little seems to get done in Congress … look no further than the Make DC Square Again Act. Or, as one Virginia congressman called it, “embarrassing” and “a stupid waste of time.” | 
