Finding Dr M! Need geo/direction help

[Megazoid]

I've been looking up information on flights from Glasgow/Edinburgh to the states (Monterey, CA) on www.cheapflights.co.uk. So far i have found a few but i am not sure if i am close to Dr M's office/place of work or not really...

I am going to phone Dr M tonight and find out more information regarding directions, etc.

I am clueless when it comes to travelling because i haven't done it much (a virgin traveller!) and have never been to the states either. I have a few questions...

I have a managed to get a holiday from work from the 20th of May for 1/2 weeks (depending on how much i need) so i would like to leave pretty soon (i.e. a weeks time). I am looking for some advice if possible:

1) What is the closest airport to Dr M's office?

2) Would it be best to San Franisco airport (i assume there is more than one?) and then get a "shuttle" or "bus" to Monterey/Dr M's place of work? How easy is this and which one would i get?

It seem's travelling direct to Monterey is possible but you have to change over about 3/4 times at least when coming from the UK. This is less than ideal considering that flying to san franisco is only 1 stop/change over from the UK.

I am going to visit the travel agent tomorrow but would like to know at least a little about where i am going and how to best get there.

[Recless]

Smart move going to see Dr. M. There is only one aiport in Monterey, CA and it's a 7 minute drive to Dr. M's office from it. You could simply take a cab if you wish. The second closest airport would be San Jose, but you would have a 1.5 hour drive to Monterey. There are few dircet flights into Monterey so you will likely fly into LA and take a connection from there. Flying direct into Monterey should only add one more connection. Make sure to work this into your schedule and leave yourself plenty of time (2 hours or so) for delays at airport security, ticketing, etc. His secretary is extremely helpful in working out these details with you. As I said in a prior thread, I flew out to see him recently from the east coast. You should be looking on Expedia or Travelocity for the best flight deals. They will give you the flight options via all possible airlines and group it by # of connections and price. You don't need a travel agent in my opinion. You can even book your hotel and rental car from these web sites. I found Enterprise to have the best deals at Monterey airport. You need to act now if you want to get there in May. It's unlikely he has any appointments open that close...The wait is usually at least a month out from what I saw.

[JackBauer]

What day is your appointment?

[cpeil2]

Originally Posted by Megazoid

I've been looking up information on flights from Glasgow/Edinburgh to the states (Monterey, CA) on www.cheapflights.co.uk. So far i have found a few but i am not sure if i am close to Dr M's office/place of work or not really...

I am going to phone Dr M tonight and find out more information regarding directions, etc.

I am clueless when it comes to travelling because i haven't done it much (a virgin traveller!) and have never been to the states either. I have a few questions...

I have a managed to get a holiday from work from the 20th of May for 1/2 weeks (depending on how much i need) so i would like to leave pretty soon (i.e. a weeks time). I am looking for some advice if possible:

1) What is the closest airport to Dr M's office?

2) Would it be best to San Franisco airport (i assume there is more than one?) and then get a "shuttle" or "bus" to Monterey/Dr M's place of work? How easy is this and which one would i get?

It seem's travelling direct to Monterey is possible but you have to change over about 3/4 times at least when coming from the UK. This is less than ideal considering that flying to san franisco is only 1 stop/change over from the UK.

I am going to visit the travel agent tomorrow but would like to know at least a little about where i am going and how to best get there.

If you drive and are planning on renting a car, the best airport would be San Jose.


If you do not want to drive, the best route would probably be to fly to LA and then to Monterey.

There are usually more direct flights from Europe to LA than there are for Europe to San Francisco.

If you travel to LA, you might be able to keep your changes down to one in LA to a flight to Monterey.


What about a travel visa? Does the US require them for UK citizens?

[JanSz]

One thing to consider.
Primary reason for visiting Dr Marianco or any other doctor is to fulfil doctors obligation to see you in person. It is legal requirement.
Most of your treatment will be long distance.
Most of your tests will be done in local laboratories.
Most of your prescription medicines will be supplied by local pharmacies.
You must find out if prescriptions written by Dr Marianco will be honored by your local laboratories and pharmacy. If not, you still will need local doctor willing to re-write Dr Marianco's prescriptions.

Most likely not a problem, but it is good to have answer to this questions before you made this trip.
------------------------------------
Wish you luck.

[Recless]

Good points JanSz...Although I don't disagree with your point on legal obligations I don't think that is the primary reason Dr. M requires seeing patients in person at least once annually. Dr. M conducts a very lengthy physical exam, from which he can usually gather a lot of info. In fact he diagnosed and began treating me after my initial consult without a single recent lab test value. Of course after my visit I had labwork done but I don't think the labs are his primary tools for diagnosis, but rather the symptoms and physical exam. He talks about the exam in this thread.

Dythymia

[bigjimcalhoun]

To be on the safe side, I would arrive a day or two early. Maybe you leave on a Sat morning for an appointment on Monday.

[Fit4Life05]

If u rent a car dont forget we drive on the right side of the road

[Sonny]

As cpeil2 stated, San Jose is the closest big airport. The cheapest route will probably be to fly into LA (Los Angeles) and then take a connecting flight to San Jose. You'll have to drive about an hour south once you reach San Jose.

I live about 3.5 hrs away from marianco and initially saw him in Sept of last year. That was the only "in office" visit. Since then, all of our appointments have been over the phone. It has worked out very well.

BTW-He is the best damn doctor I've ever seen!

Sonny

[Megazoid]

Special thanks for all the replies guys. I have complete trust and faith in Dr M, the man goes out his way to answer my questions when i am not even a patient of his right now.

Going to call him up again and arrange this appointment for ASAP.

I managed to track down a hotel + flight for just over £1400. The flight has 2 stop off's though but i am sure i will be ok with that. Might be worth it for the rest!

[role model]

Originally Posted by Megazoid

Special thanks for all the replies guys. I have complete trust and faith in Dr M, the man goes out his way to answer my questions when i am not even a patient of his right now.

Going to call him up again and arrange this appointment for ASAP.

I managed to track down a hotel + flight for just over £1400. The flight has 2 stop off's though but i am sure i will be ok with that. Might be worth it for the rest!

Layovers, transfers or stop offs are nice to have on a long trip. You get to get up and walk around for a while, instead of being stuck in your seat for long lengths of time.