Report Cards

From Minori, ITALY, May 27, ’04. . .

• Hotel Villa Romana (Corso Vittorio Emanuele 90, Minori) — on the Amalfi Coast. We were traveling with another couple and stayed two nights here at approximately $165 per night with an EP food plan.

Our traveling partners had the sewer overflow and fill their bathroom upon taking a bath. Later that night we had bathrooms overflow and flood also. We were moved to another room where the air-conditioner did not work. We were moved twice more...

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From Ubud, Bali, INDONESIA, March 15, ’04. . .

• Pertiwi Bungalows (Monkey Forest Rd., Ubud) — gracious service, magnificent grounds and beautiful wood and marble in the rooms. We paid $64 for a double room (Internet rate), including breakfast.

• Lamak (Monkey Forest Rd.). This is a beautiful restaurant with wonderfully presented dishes, terrific food and impeccable service. Our dinner for two, including one drink, was $30.

• Singapore Airlines from San Francisco to...

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From Tegucigalpa, HONDURAS, Feb. 4, ’04. . .

• Hotel Istmania — at Calle Buenos Aires and Lempira Avenue, about five blocks from the center of Tegucigalpa.

This place has an English-speaking staff, an elevator and a full-service restaurant. Also air-conditioning and hot water. This is also one of the few hotels with the American version of CNN (most hotels’ CNN is the Spanish-language version with entirely different programming).

$26 single or $41 double. Visa and...

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From IRELAND, Jan. 19, ’04

• Flew Aer Lingus from New York’s JFK to Shannon airport in Ireland. Flight was on time, with friendly service. Cabin was clean but slightly cramped.

• Stayed at the Four Seasons B&B (phone 092-6474470) in Athlone, Ireland. This was a slightly removed, quiet and spotless B&B with a most accommodating host. Rate was approximately US$50 for a single.

• Ireland remains a friendly, welcoming nation. I followed my usual safety precautions....

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From London, ENGLAND, Jan. 2, ’04. . .

• I had a wonderful meal at Trattoria Mondello (36 Goodge St., London), near Tottenham Court Road; the neighborhood is Bloomsbury. It’s located only a 4-minute walk from Goodge Street tube stop or a 12- to 15-minute walk from Russell Square tube stop.

Excellent value. My dinner was £25 (near $42). Pastas and individual pizzas are all £5-£7 and meat dishes £9-£10. They have decaf espresso and cappuccino, if that appeals.

They are...

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From Paris, FRANCE, Dec. 5-10, ’03. . .

At the restaurant Léon de Bruxelles (63 Ave. des Champs-Elysées, 8e, Paris) we had good mussels and beer. The price of €45.50 ($55) for two, including tax and service, was good, considering the location on the Champs-Elysées.

For reasonably priced light meals of cheese, meat plates and desserts on the Place des Vosges, we ate at Nectarine (16, Place des Vosges, 4e, Paris). Our dinner for two cost €43.60 (including tip). The plat du jour...

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