October 2011

On a trip to Europe in May ’11, we wanted to take a break from our itinerary for a short stay in a quiet place with clean air and mountain views. We found the ideal place near Budapest, Hungary.

In the Alsatian wine region of France, we were fortunate to stay at Clos des Raisins (5, rue des Raisins, 68980, Beblenheim, France; phone 0033 03 89 79 45 11) in late April 2011. Built as a winery in 1722 and lovingly renovated in 2008 by Thierry Kruger and his wife, Armelle, I highly recommend this truly charming bed-and-breakfast.

As a tour operator, I was on Midway Atoll in March ’11 escorting a group of 15. Part of the Hawaiian Archipelago, the atoll is an unincorporated US territory, but everyone needs a valid passport to visit, even US citizens. Midway is probably best known as the site of the Battle of Midway, during WWII the turning point of the war in the Pacific.

My travel partner and I were scheduled to return from London’s Heathrow Airport to Cleveland, Ohio, by way of Chicago on Dec. 17, 2010. Upon our arrival at the airport, we were handed a notice that our United Airlines flight to Chicago had been canceled because of the nonarrival of an aircraft from the US. The United desk rebooked us on another United flight (operated by Continental Airlines) to Newark the next day.

In Zambia’s remote South Luangwa Valley, you can take a “Return to the Wild” sleepout safari with Norman Carr Safaris (Mfuwe, Zambia; phone + 260 216 246025).

It costs $200 each (four guests, maximum, ages 12 and up) and is available during the dry season (May 25-Oct. 31) as part of a three-night or longer stay in one of their bush-camp sites ($480-$550 per person per night, double occupancy) or the Kapani Lagoon House ($455-$525 per person, double occupancy).

by Dorothy Aksamit; Sausalito, CA

The State Department continues to warn against all travel to Somalia, where assassinations, suicide bombings and indiscriminate armed attacks in populated areas are frequent.

The US Department of State warns of the risks of traveling to Chad and recommends avoiding eastern Chad and all border regions. The risk of clashes between Chadian government and armed opposition forces continues.

In rural Chad, outbreaks of robbery and carjacking at gunpoint plus kidnapping and murder follow periods of calm, without warning. Violence is often associated with car accidents and other events causing injury to Chadian nationals. The level of violence in each incident has increased significantly in recent months.

The US State Department warns that terrorists and their sympathizers regularly attack civilian, government and foreign targets throughout Pakistan, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Threat reporting indicates terrorist groups seek opportunities to attack locations where Westerners congregate or visit. Terrorists have disguised themselves as Pakistani security personnel to gain access to targeted areas.

In Nigeria, the group Bako Haram increased its terror campaign by bombing the United Nations headquarters in the capital, Abuja, on Aug. 26. Nineteen people were killed and more than 80 injured.