Travelers' Intercom
Enjoyed in Kraków, Warsaw and St. Petersburg
My wife, Bea, and I traveled through Poland, the Baltics and Russia (St. Petersburg) with friends in September 2020, and I’d like to share a few recommendations.
Felt welcome in Egypt
My husband, Bill, and I took a 13-day tour of Egypt with Collette (Pawtucket, RI; 800/340-5158, www.gocollette.com) in March 2017 that cost around $5,000 for both of us. We used airline miles for the plane tickets.
‘I’ll never forget the kids’
I was alone, exploring the historic Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul, Korea, in 2006 when I was approached by a young woman. She was followed at a good distance by a group of young teens.
Advice for when you arrive
I have learned many things during my past travels, including never to arrive at a destination after dark. If there were no public transportation that late, I would have to take a cab, which I normally would only do as a last resort, as a taxi is not cost-effective and I have been ripped off by drivers several times.
Pre-trip COVID tests delayed
My wife and I planned a trip to Antigua for July 10-17, 2021. Antigua requires proof of a negative RT-PCR test for COVID taken, at most, seven days before entry. As such, my wife and I went to our local CVS Pharmacy on a Monday, five days before our Saturday morning departure, and had the nasal swabs administered.
Taxi pickup time mixup
On a birding trip to the Dominican Republic in March 2021 (Sept. ’21, pg. 14), the only problem I had was with a taxi ride that I had arranged from the airport to my hotel upon arriving in Santo Domingo.
Global Entry makes it easy
For years, I never considered myself a globetrotter, so I never enrolled in the Global Entry program (www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry), which allows expedited clearance through Customs for preapproved travelers upon arrival in the US.
Southern India with OAT
For the tour “Soul of India,”* March 1-21, 2020, to be followed by a 3-day post-trip to Dubai, I left the US on Feb. 29, flying to Dubai and then Chennai, India.
Global Entry renewal in advance
Our Global Entry status was going to expire in July 2020, so that April we went onto the Trusted Traveler website (www.ttp.dhs.gov) to renew. On the website, we answered a few questions and paid $100 each. (Our joint-account Capital One Venture credit card refunded one of our renewal payments.)
Stretching meals and hoofing it
I have a travel spreadsheet that shows me how to get from one place to another at a destination. If the distance is less than 2 miles, I walk (weather permitting) because I can see more things that way and get some exercise.
‘Majestic Slovenia’ with AHI International
There were 16 group members on the 8-day “Majestic Slovenia” tour that I returned from on July 24, 2021, and five of us were related (four cousins and a husband).