Calling All Readers
Chip-and-PIN debit and credit cards
In Europe, Canada, Latin America and parts of Pacific Asia, the Middle East and Africa, retailers use an “EMV” credit card verification system that requires a computer chip embedded in the card. The cardholder must enter a Personal Identification Number (PIN) to complete a purchase.
What Makes Madrid “Madrid”?
In a writing “contest,” ITN posed the question “What makes Madrid “Madrid”? The window for submissions is closed, and in last month’s issue we named prize winners and printed a few of the entries. Here are a few more. Other cities will be the subjects of future essay contests, with more prizes.
Cross that bridge
We gave you this assignment: name a bridge (outside of the USA) that, for whatever reasons, is exciting to cross. Tell where it is (and, if necessary, how to find it) and approximately when you were there. Did you cross it on foot? By car? By train? Include your impressions. You may write about more than one bridge.
What makes Madrid "Madrid"?
In the first of our writing “contests” about inspiring destinations, we posed the question “What makes Madrid “Madrid”? From the responses received, it is clear this city makes for vivid memories.
Cross that bridge
We got a terrific response to the assignment we gave you a few months ago.
Most useful guidebooks
ITN asked, “When planning for a trip outside of the US, which guidebook publisher do you look to for information and why?” Along with naming the guidebook and publisher, we requested that your response include approximately when you took the corresponding trip and where.
What to eat where
Ellen Jacobson of Centennial, Colorado, wrote, “I would like readers to write in about the good food experiences that others can expect to have in different countries.
Best walking shoes
We printed readers’ letters about their favorite walking shoes (May ’09, pg. 44), which prompted a few more responses. Have another recommendation? Write to Best Walking Shoes, c/o ITN, 2116 28th St., Sacramento, CA 95818, or e-mail editor@intltravelnews.com.
Best way to upgrade
Nancy Tan of Fresno, Cailfornia, wrote, “What is the best way to upgrade your cabin class on a flight? Buy the ticket and then use miles? Pay for the upgrade? Just buy an economy-plus or business-class ticket to start with? Can an upgrade be made before we get to the airport?”
Most useful guidebooks
ITN asked, “When you’re planning for a trip, which guidebook publisher do you look to for information and why?” Several responses were printed last month.
Most Useful Guidebooks
When you’re planning for a trip, which brand of guidebook do you look to for information and why? Which series has most successfully supplied the information you find most helpful for your type of travel?
Winging it finding a hotel
We asked independent travelers to tell how they go about finding nonreserved rooms when they arrive someplace they’ve never been to overseas. We printed responses in the January ’09 issue. Here are a few more.
Castles — best for a visit, best for a stay
A few months ago we asked you to share the following.
Boutique museums
Here is a note we printed from Hollie Stotter of Cambria, California, in our November and December 2008 issues on page 4: “I would like to see a list of boutique (small) museums in the world compiled. Each would be a small gem of a not-so-well-known museum that can be seen in less than an hour.
Winging it finding a hotel
Many travelers book hotel rooms in advance for the first and last nights of their trips but wing it for all the nights in between. Some just start out cold, blowing with the wind.
Flight arrangements for tours
Helene Schechter of Livingston, New Jersey, described having been unhappy with the flight arrangements that Overseas Adventure Travel had made for her and her husband for a tour; they ended up with a 7-hour layover in Frankfurt, Germany (May ’08, pg. 29).
Carrying meds overseas
At the suggestion of Kathy McIntosh of Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, ITN asked readers the following questions.
Why don’t we have that here?
An ITN reader suggested subscribers write in about great inventions, systems, time savers or conveniences that they have seen overseas. A number of responses were printed in the April ’07 issue. Here are a few more.
A novel approach to travel
What books or movies inspired you to travel to another country (outside of North America and the Caribbean)? ITN asked that question and received many responses, which were printed in the June through September 2005 issues. Here are a few more.