September 2011

by Ann Abeles; Frederick, MD. Photos by Fred Abeles

Richard Lowe of Pahrump, Nevada, wrote, “When traveling, I troll markets and flea markets looking for things I can’t find in the USA, mainly antiques, art (especially prints and posters), knicknacks and small, tasteful furniture. I am especially drawn to pottery and vases.

by Linda & Peter Beuret, Santa Barbara, CA

For our 44th anniversary, my husband, Peter, and I decided we would like to snorkel in some clear, warm waters. A beautiful view with lots of time to read wouldn’t be bad either!

Recently, I visited one of my doctors and was asked to update the list of all medications that I currently take. This information was entered into the PPO’s (preferred provider organization’s) databank of reports that each of my doctors consult in their management of my case. (All of my doctors belong to the same PPO.)

I asked for, and was given, a copy of the updated list, which shows the medications by prescription name, dosage instructions, etc., and the name of the medical provider. (My wife received a copy of her medications too.)

Here are two restaurants my wife, Judy, and I enjoyed in September ’10.

The 15-day “Paradores and Pousadas” tour with Odysseys Unlimited (Newton, MA; 888/370-6765), Oct. 18-Nov. 1, 2010, cost $4,095, including airfare from Miami, 10 dinners and two lunches, plus I paid a single supplement of $1,295.

For our trip to Bulgaria in May ’11, my partner, Mimi, and I employed the services of Patrick Peneff (mobile phone 359 887 364 711).

New Zealand’s South Island has it all: alps, glaciers, rainforests, sandy beaches and swinging bridges, just to mention a few. And an excellent way to see it all is with Jan King’s New Zealand Travellers (169 Cable Bay Road, RD1, Nelson 7071, N.Z.; phone [64] 3 545 2546), an advertiser in ITN.

When I went online and booked my air travel with Continental Airlines for a February ’11 trip to Belize and Guatemala, I impulsively added on the Access America trip insurance offered with my ticket, since the insurance cost only $25.

I then remembered that I also had trip insurance by virtue of having paid for both the trip and the plane ticket with my Continental OnePass Plus MasterCard (issued by the airline but administered through Chase Bank).

From the Editor — Suzanne M. Stein of Chesterfield, Missouri, was partway through an Adventures Abroad tour of Iran, Syria and Jordan, Sept. 30-Oct. 31, 2010, when a paperwork problem forced her to leave the group. What travelers can do so the same thing never happens on any tour they’re taking is part of what I’ll cover here.