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When we decided to see the wildebeest migration in Tanzania, we researched different companies online and in ITN and decided on Africa Dream Safaris (4825 Torrance Blvd., Ste. l4, Torrance, CA 90503; phone 877/572-3274 or visit www.africadreamsafaris.com).
Since our retirement, every year we save for an international vacation. We always take out travel insurance. In November ’04 we went to Guatemala, and while at a friend’s country home in a remote area my wife slipped over some rocks. Where we were staying, there was no doctor, not even a telephone nearby. We considered the injury a bruise, but the pain increased.
As soon as we returned home, eight or nine days later, she went to see her doctor, who immediately recommended an examination by a specialist plus x-rays and an MRI. It turned out to be a broken rotator cuff.
Tell ITN about the funniest thing that ever happened to you while traveling in a foreign country. There are no restrictions on length. (ITN prints no info on destinations in the U.S., Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean.) The ITN staff will choose each month’s winner, who will receive a free one-year subscription to ITN. Entries not chosen cannot be acknowledged.
This month’s winner is GARY WEAVER of Upland, California:
One of the best bakeries we found in all of New Zealand’s South Island on our visit in April ’05 was Picton Village Bakery (46 Auckland St., Picton; phone 64 [0] 3 573 7082). It’s on the corner of Dublin and Auckland streets, about two blocks from the train station and the ferry landing.
On our trip to London in May ’05, we enjoyed the following restaurants.
South Africa is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful countries in the world. There is a rumor that every other house in South Africa is a B&B. We are sure this is an exaggeration but only a slight one. There are literally thousands of B&Bs, guest farms, lodges, game parks and other variations on the same theme. So how to sort them out?
In preparation for my trip to Japan, I wrote to the Japan National Tourist Organization offices in Los Angeles, Kumamoto and Kagoshima. Their responses were in the form of pamphlets, maps and a valuable Japan Rail timetable. The offices in Kagoshima and Kumamoto provided more details and gave us information of tours offered.
Next I bought a Frommer’s guidebook on Japan, which gave me hotel listings, points of interest and information on hotels and their locations. My wife, Nancy, was also a lot of help, as she speaks pretty good Japanese.
The Florence tourist office (Ufficio Informazioni Turistiche, Borgo Santa Croce 29r, 50122 Firenze, Italy; phone 055 2340444 or visit www.tours-italy.com/florence/tourist_offices.htm) was really helpful when I wrote in March for maps to help me with my trip to Italy in September ’05. The office sent me not only maps but lists of museums (also showing opening times and admission charges), hotel listings and other brochures.
The office in Florence was easy to find. It is a 2-minute walk from behind Santa Croce Cathedral and the Santa Croce Piazza.
