Informing the international traveler since 1976.
Archive for June, 2006
June Report Cards
FIRST, FAST & FURIOUS ? The following is a sampling of reports received from ITN readers around the globe. ITN invites you to join our corps of reporters ? just drop a card in the mail while the travel impressions are fresh in your mind. To obtain your ITN Report Cards, send a self-addressed, stamped, [...]Far Horizons » Small group travel — who’s in charge?
In this edition of “Under the Microscope,” I will examine an important aspect of the greatly increasing trend toward small-group travel. In terms of who is in charge of leading groups, including solving any problems encountered along the way, how are these groups operated on the ground by tour companies? Compare a recent issue of ITN [...]Mideast and Mediterranean » Pakistan’s earthquake-prone Shangri-la
My wife, Moreen, and I were not surprised, though we were dismayed, by the destruction and loss of life caused by the massive earthquake that struck northern Pakistan in October 2005. It’s difficult for anyone who has never visited this area of 25,000-foot mountains to fully comprehend what occurred. Granted, media reports and photographs help. Unfortunately, [...]Latin America » Cruising Latin America, European style
(First of three parts, jump to part 1, part 2, part 3) I never imagined that an episode of the “Larry King Live” show would be the springboard for a winter vacation. This particular evening, Larry’s guest was Sofia Loren. Rather than delving into her eminent film career, the discussion centered on her role as spokesperson [...]The Discerning Traveler » Turkish delight
(Third of three parts, jump to part 1, part 2, part 3) In this issue, I am continuing last month’s travelogue of the eastern Anatolia region of Turkey. A visit to the Greek-Orthodox Sumela monastery should be on everyone’s itinerary. To reach it, take the highway leading from Trab-zon toward Erzurum and turn left at Macka. Continue [...]Travel & Health » Personal protective measures against bugs
Getting bitten by insects is no fun. Bites itch, they hurt and they may transmit diseases, some of which may be deadly. Not all diseases are curable with medications, nor are they all preventable with vaccinations. You can have a healthier, more enjoyable trip by avoiding troublesome bites in the first place. Many of the most [...]Ask Steve » Basque Spain and France, the Ghan, air vs. rail in Europe
STEVE, I want to travel only in the Basque country in northern Spain and France. Cobblestone Travel in New Orleans suspended business because of Katrina, and they were Basque specialists. Can you name another way to see this Basque area without other Spain highlights? — Larry I. Epstine, Fremont, CA DEAR LARRY, I tried contacting Cobblestone [...]The Cruising World » Crystal Symphony in the Mediterranean
A great ship, a wonderful crew, fabulous food and historic ports of call — cruising doesn’t get any better than this. That was our reaction to a 10-day cruise from Lisbon to Rome aboard the lovely Crystal Symphony of Crystal Cruises (Los Angeles, CA; 866/446-6625 or www.crystalcruises.com). My wife, Susan, and I boarded the Crystal Symphony [...]Helping clothes dry
Erhart Demand wrote about traveling with carry-on luggage only, washing clothes by hand and using a salad spinner to extract water from his laundry so it would dry faster (March ’06, pg. 102). He’s a man after my own heart, and creative as well! I also travel with carry-on only. I usually do laundry after I’ve [...]Bills, tango, and shopping
I have some comments on letters in the April ’06 issue. Regarding bill paying (page 14), since I’m usually away six to eight weeks at a time, I write all the checks ahead, get them ready to mail, then rubberband and sticky-note each batch as to the appropriate date to drop it in the mail box. [...]
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