This is the December 2016 issue

Boarding Pass

Features

Travelers' Intercom

Upgrade on Canada’s VIA Rail
By Martha Spring
Appears on Page 12
 
VPN-location reminder
By Jim Royle
Appears on Page 12
 
Iceland self-drive travails
By Joyce Bruck
Appears on Page 13
 
Hokkaido university tour
By Stanley Osur
Appears on Page 13
 
Mixed-seafood grill, including swordfish, tuna and lobster. Photo by Ging Steinberg
Sicily, ‘God’s kitchen’     
By Fred Steinberg
Appears on Page 14
 
Not given instructions for Stonehenge tour
By Judith C. Dyrhsen
Appears on Page 24
 
Impressed with MedjetAssist
By Judy Serie Nagy
Appears on Page 25
 
The North Pole with Quark
By Jo Rawlins Gilbert
Appears on Page 26
 
Church doorway in Gerace, Italy. Photo by Maria Ciancio
‘Making memories’ in Italy
By Maria C. Ciancio
Appears on Page 28
 
Ramifications of handing out gifts to kids
By MARILYN ADELMAN
Appears on Page 30
 
Mt. Fuji from Hotel New Century
By Jane B. Holt
Appears on Page 49
 
Bits on Venice
By George Mueden
Appears on Page 49
 
Venice sailing regatta
By Marilyn Hill
Appears on Page 50
 

Calling All Readers!

Columns

Carving of a guardian spirit on the wall of an ancient stupa in Inn Thein (Indein) village at Inle Lake in Myanmar. Photo: ©Steve Estvanik/123rf.com
Myanmar caveat. TripAdvisor and wild animals. Car rental reminder.
Boarding Pass

By David Tykol
Appears on Page 2
 
Chef Ning preparing for the cooking demonstration aboard the ship. Photos by Sandra Scott
What's Cooking in... Laos
What's Cooking in...

By Sandra Scott
Appears on Page 52
 
Italy emergency hospital visit — an update
The Discerning Traveler

By Philip Wagenaar
Appears on Page 53
 
The Geografile
The Geografile

Appears on Page 54
 
Whether it’s getting from the train station to your hotel or finding a taxi stand outside a subway station, in Europe you’ll probably walk with your bag much more than you think you will. Photo by Dominic Arizona Bonuccelli
Top tips for traveling light
Rick Steves' Europe

By Rick Steves
Appears on Page 55
 
On Reykjavik’s waterfront, the steel “Sólfar” (“Sun Voyager”) sculpture  is not a depiction of a Viking ship but, according to the sculptor, Jón Gunnar Árnason (1931-1989), a “sun ship [that] symbolizes the promise of new, undiscovered territory.” Photos by Randy Keck
Iceland
Far Horizons

By Randy Keck
Appears on Page 56
 

Funniest Thing

Language Barrier
By Jerry Boughton
Appears on Page 50
 

Where in the World? Correct Answers