Q: We love to visit Asia and Europe, but hate the sardine-can seats in tourist class. We’re getting too old for that kind of torture. What do we have to pay to get flights that offer at least seats that go back flat so we can sleep during those eight to 12 hours in the air? HLL, Corpus Christi TX

A: The cheapest way is if you have enough frequent flyer points. You may be able to use them to get upgraded from tourist to more snooze-friendly seats.

If you really need comfort, and are willing to spend some of your kids’ inheritance, you’ll have to be willing to put out the extra dough for comfy snooze seats. Sometimes lots of extra dough. For instance, for a recent ticket from New York to London, the economy price was from $850 to $1,140.

Reasonable, if you don’t mind being stuffed shoulder to shoulder for ten hours. If you want more comfy seats, open your wallet. Business class on the same flight was $4,300, and first class with champagne, gourmet meals and semi-private comfy sleeping was $6,700.

Transportation’s future advances as new fast rail systems are developed by future-planning companies. Hyperloop Technologies will demonstrate its current train project this week in the desert near Las Vegas.

The system is called maglev, short for magnetic levitation, will use big vacuum tubes as train cars to whisk passengers at speeds up to 750 MPH. It’s the same speed as jet aircraft, but it will have many advantages over sky travel.  It doesn’t use petroleum products, won’t pollute the air and will pick up and deposit passengers conveniently at downtown terminals.

There are other US organizations, as well as in Asia and Europe, experimenting with similar projects. However, until practical technology evolves into actual reality, don’t expect to ride the first LA-SF magical magnetic train for at least another decade.

CBS News recently listed ten reasons to visit the formerly unfriendly island nation. Though some restrictions are still in place, new air and sea schedules are being touted almost daily. The not-too-friendly Communist government still lurks in the lives of the Cuban people. However, what we’ve heard from recent U.S. visitors is that they’ve been welcomed by cheerful, cooperative Cubans.

That positive feature was one of CBS News’ ten reasons to visit the island. Others include shopping bargains, uncrowded tourist facilities, great music, fantastic food, historic landmarks, moderately-priced hotels, clean beaches, economic flights and other advantages.

Q: My 81-year-old husband has been diagnosed with early stages of Alzheimer’s. He’s otherwise physically healthy, but when jogging recently he’s become confused several times. The other day, he lost his way and kindly neighbors escorted him home.

We’re invited to spend a week in Palm Springs, California, with friends who have a two-bedroom condo. We’d both love the warm desert climate and scenery. However, if he insists on jogging there, he may get lost again. I can’t leave him home without someone with him 24-7. What can you suggest? PLB, Minneapolis MN

A: First, we believe you’d be troubled with guilt if you left your husband at home. Tell his primary care doctor what you plan to do. If he gives you a definite no, take his advice and don’t travel with your husband.