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Family Travel

Giving the gift of travel — readers weigh in

Once in a while, it’s appropriate for me to allow our readers to share their thoughts and experiences regarding topics I have explored in this column. Such is the case regarding the subject of my December 2012 column, “Giving the Gift of Travel.”

The responses of two readers seem particularly worthy of sharing. While these examples involve grandchildren, hopefully they will inspire others in giving the gift of travel both within and outside their own families.

Taking the grandkids

In May ’07 my husband and I took our granddaughter Laura to Rome, Orvieto and Florence. Incidentally, some guidebooks recommend getting tickets to the Colosseum at some other location to gain entry faster. This no longer helps, as the entry process involves a long security line and ticket holders are given no advantage.

Once we got through security, ticket purchasing was instantaneous. There was an elevator at the end of the corridor to the second and third levels; it helped a lot. Many places we went offered preference to mobility-impaired people.

Took grandkids to Ecuador and Peru

With our two grandsons, Louis and Victor, ages 14 and 12, my wife, Monica, and I took a trip to Ecuador, including the Galápagos Islands, and Peru, particularly the ancient Incan city of Machu Picchu, in March ’05.

We joined a tour arranged by Alki Tours (6417-A Fauntleroy Way SW, Seattle, WA 98136; 206/935-6848, www.alkitours.com) for $3,344 per person. This included all airfares, the cruise package, hotels (with breakfasts), most of the lunches and evening meals, and taxes.

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