Informing the international traveler since 1976.
Archive for June, 2007
Swiss tracks
The Swiss Pass entitles you to a 50% fare reduction on the Brienzer Rothorn Bahn. The implication that I got from the caption on page 88 of the April ’07 issue was that it was free (“included”). We enjoyed it on a Swiss vacation in September ‘06. • Page 99 of the April issue mentions that [...]Insult result
I’m writing regarding the letter “An Altercation Escalated” (April ’07, pg. 66). Whether Ms. Weiss was interrogated for two hours or six hours is neither here nor there. It’s the behavior of the Schiphol Airport police over a “she said, he said” verbal altercation that is absolutely reprehensible. Taking Ms. Weiss off her flight because an airport [...]British Air bag fee
British Air and luggage (Regarding April ’07, pg. 21), the baggage allowance for economy-class passengers on flights commencing in the U.S. for worldwide destinations is TWO bags, and British Airways is no exception to this rule. This ruling came into effect at the instigation of the U.S. government in the 1970s, and individual airlines are not [...]Mobility in Russia
My wife, Patricia, has severe arthritis and walks with two canes. On a trip to Russia a few years ago, we encountered the following issues as regards accessibility. There were many stairs at the railroad stations. There was usually a ramp tucked away to one side. The steps to get on the train from the station deck [...]Naha’s monorail
Naha, Okinawa, Japan, has a marvelous, sophisticated monorail that offers travel in air-conditioned comfort. You use a machine to purchase the tickets; it takes a little time to figure out the location you want and then, based on icons with “1”, “2”, adult, adult with child, two adults or other combinations, you select your ticket. On [...]Otavalo and environs
Since my wife, Barbara, and I had previously planned to visit the famous Saturday market in Otavalo, Ecuador (90 kilometers north of Quito), we opted to use Hotel Ali Shungu (www.alishungu.com) for a 4-day January ’06 stay and do day trips from there. Located within town but on the edge of the business district toward the [...]Attractions and museums in Paris
I returned to Paris in October ’06 and visited several places of interest. • Because the Musée de l’Orangerie (Jardin des Tuileries, 75001, Paris, France; phone +33 01 44 77 80 07 or visit www.musee-orangerie.fr) had recently reopened after years of closure due to renovation, attendance was very strong and advance timed-ticketing was recommended. From the museum’s [...]Exploring Kazakhstan
by Aleutina Altenhof, Kassel, Germany Traveling to the corner of the world once trodden by Genghis Khan had always been my dream. In August ’06 my spouse and I toured Kazakhstan, and it was a trip that overcame all my expectations. Although Kazakhstan has neither palm-filled beaches nor luxurious hotels with views to the ocean, the vastness [...]Italy & France — Planning, executing and surviving an intergenerational vacation
by Betty Patterson, Largo, FL Not only do I enjoy planning vacations, I love the idea of sharing some of my favorite European spots with my family. Perhaps togetherness seemed more important after my husband died, but I also felt that the younger members of my family would indeed have fun together, and I with them. [...]Myanmar with Peregrine Travel
I traveled to Viet-Nam several years ago with an eco-friendly small-group tour company, Peregrine Travel (Melbourne, Australia; visit www.peregrineadventures.com. Book in the U.S. through Adventure Center, 1311 63rd St., Ste. 200, Emeryville, CA 94608; 800/227-8747, www. adventurecenter.com). In November ’06 I took their 12-day “Burma Unveiled” tour. The tour price was $1,375 plus $20 for [...]
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