Travel Tidbits

Travel Tidbits

  A “must visit” in Lithuania is Trakai, a restored 12th-century castle 28 kilometers east of Vilnius on an island in Lake Galve. In the mid-June we were there, a ballet and opera performance were held in the courtyard; these are, however, summertime events. (The sun rises at 3 a.m. and sets at 10 p.m. here in June and July.) From May 2 to Sept. 30 there’s a 2½-hour English-speaking tour that leaves Vilnius at 10 and 3 daily (€19 in 2007); visit www.vilniuscitytour.com. — TERRY LOEF, Pacific Palisades, CA

If you find yourself in Quito, Ecuador, on a weekend, there is a very good artisanal market across the Av. 6 de Deciembre from the Casa de la Cultura in Parque El Ejido. — SAM KAMILOS, Carmichael, CA
 

Driving south along the Namibian coast, with a calm Atlantic on one side and towering sand dunes on the other, we reached the German town of Swakopmund: a small piece of Bavaria moved to the wrong place. The buildings are ornate and charming; a dozen or so are national monuments. The town has a charming promenade lined with palm trees that wends its way through flowering public gardens. Discreetly placed benches entice you to stop and enjoy this peaceful scene. There are first-class hotels available; excellent restaurants specializing in seafood; a museum, and good campsites. — ROBERT G. JUHRE, Kettle Falls, WA
 

On a June-July safari adventure with Overseas Adventure Travel (Cambridge, MA), my husband, Simon, and I started in Namibia, staying at Lianshulu Lodge. Lianshulu is run by a couple who treated us as if we were guests in their own private home. In Botswana’s Okavango Delta, the variety of animals in Chobe National Park was absolutely incredible — leopards, lions, zebras, hippos, elephants, giraffes and a variety of antelope. We came across a pride of lions that had recently killed a buffalo. I must have gone through an entire roll of film during that sighting! — ARLENE KLEIN, Sugarloaf Key, FL
 

The lake crossing from Argentina to Chile was one of the highlights of an August trip we took with smarTours (NYC). I stayed out on deck despite the cold weather. This scenery has to be experienced outdoors! — KEVIN O’BRIEN, Tybee Island, GA

One Sunday morning during our March ’04 tour of Thailand with Overseas Adventure Travel (Cambridge, MA; 800/955-1925), we watched Buddhist monks receiving alms. We visited a temple for an hour-long chat with a monk. His English was very good, and he graciously answered our questions. We could all benefit from their belief: think good, speak good, do good. — PAULA HEBARD & NANCY FRY, Roseburg, OR

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