Travelers' Intercom
Recommends Travelex
In January 2019, my husband and I booked a Baltic Sea cruise for August on Princess Cruises’ Regal Princess. At the time of booking, we purchased travel insurance from Travelex (www.travelexinsurance.com).
Hotel Wi-Fi security
In the letter “Protecting a Bank Account from Theft” (July ’19, pg. 38), a subscriber said that, while traveling, he checks his bank balances online, not by using an unprotected Wi-Fi but using one that requires a password, such as in a hotel.
Vermeer Center in Delft
Despite the fact that it houses not a single original painting by Johannes Vermeer, the Vermeer Centrum Delft (Voldersgracht 21, Voldersgracht 21, 2611 EV Delft, Netherlands; phone +31 15 2138588, www.vermeerdelft.nl/en), in Delft, offers a fine experience to visitors.
ToursByLocals and Withlocals
To find guides and drivers local to destinations outside the US, I have usually used Toursbylocals.com. While I have had some luck with this website, it can sometimes be overly expensive, so be careful.
Pitcairn Island visit
My wife, Betsy, and I participated in the initial voyage of the “passenger/freighter” M/V Aranui 5 from Tahiti to Pitcairn Island, Jan. 10-22, 2019.
Treasures of Italy with Maria
In 2012, as a way to celebrate my granddaughter’s Bat Mitzvah, my wife and I took our immediate family to Israel. Five years later, it was my grandson’s turn to celebrate, so as his Bar Mitzvah approached, my wife and I told him we would take him and the family anyplace he chose.
Iberia and Atlantic islands with Oceania
After flying from Miami, Florida, to Barcelona, Spain, I headed for the cruise terminal to board the SS Marina, which would be my home for the next two weeks, Nov. 16-28, 2018.
‘Highly recommend’ Armenian guide
For our trip to Armenia in May 2019, my wife and I hired Hayk Avagyan (phone +374 93 57 22 66, armeniantourguide.com) as our driver and guide. He turned out to be one of the best guides we’ve ever had.
Tips for a more enjoyable cruise
My wife, Bonnie, and I have taken a number of cruises, including going with Princess Cruises to Alaska in 1997 and to New England and Canada in 2008 and with Norwegian Cruise Line around Hawaii in 2005.
‘What makes Tauck trips so great’
My wife and I took a wonderful cruise-tour, “Amsterdam to Budapest by Riverboat,” and I want to share some of the things that made it such a great trip.
The Global Greeter Network
This is in response to the subscriber's request for websites that list private guides and drivers, either throughout the world or in specific areas (April '19, pg. 17).
Recommends St. Ola Hotel
In the article “Spectacular Scotland (June ’19, pg. 6), the author referred to the St. Ola Hotel in Kirkwall, Orkney, Scotland, and wrote, “I would not recommend this hotel,” but I would have to strongly disagree.