Travelers' Intercom
Inconsiderate behavior
Most of my travel is done with one travel partner or in a group of four, but I realize many travelers prefer the large-group experience and the camaraderie within the group.
Foldable hiking stick
Usually there are only a few times on a trip when I need my hiking pole, but when I need one I REALLY need it, i.e., when fording a rocky stream or climbing down steps of uneven heights.
Saving on calls overseas
While planning for a July ’07 trip to Norway (July ’08, pg. 32), I was given a tip for making long-distance telephone calls.
Incredible Real India Tours
My wife, Gina, and I took Holland America’s 114-day world cruise aboard the Amsterdam, Jan. 4-April 24, 2008, out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. While we booked many shore excursions with the ship, we felt their overland excursions were overpriced.
Urubamba’s ‘old-world charm’
My wife and I took a trip to Peru, Bolivia and Chile, Nov. 11-Dec. 22, 2007. I had traveled most of South America as a single young man more than 30 years earlier, and I wanted my wife, who had not been there, to experience the warmth of the people and their culture.
Rental damage-check ‘grace period’
My wife and I made plans to spend four weeks in the UK in September ’07 in order to attend college reunions at Cambridge University. Since our ports of call were widespread, we decided to rent a car.
All set in Santiago
Cecilia Parodi of Sol International Tours (Kodak, TN; 800/765-5657, http://solintl.com) provides excellent service. She arranged for our Feb. 6-7, 2008, stay in Santiago, Chile, and we found her to be efficient and professional, responding immediately to all our questions and concerns.
Alitalia’s financial woes
The reader’s report of an unpleasant flight on Alitalia (“Disappointed in Their Alitalia Experience,” June ’08, pg. 30) reminded me that, although ITN is the leading source of information on all things travel, sometimes you have to go to the business and financial pages.
Prices in Paris and London
After spending two weeks in Paris, May 9-22, 2008, including a day trip to London on the Eurostar, I thought, in view of the falling dollar, a few notes on prices might be of interest to ITN readers.
Bargain to Bali and HK
My husband, Fos, and I took a trip to Bali, Indonesia, and Hong Kong, China, April 3-23, 2008.
Repelling Insects
Harry Pearson of Cape Canaveral, Florida, wrote, “A reader suggested using Avon Skin So Soft bath oil mixed half and half with rubbing alcohol as a mosquito repellent (March ’08, pg. 4). Avon claims this product to be both a sunblock and an insect repellent.
Renewing a U.S. passport
My husband, Clyde, and I sent our passports to the National Passport Processing Center in Philadelphia for renewal on Friday, June 6, 2008. We used Express Mail and included an additional $14.85 for Express Mail for their return; we did not pay the additional $60 for expedited service.
Discovering Roots in Poland
For our trip to Poland and Romania in August ’07, Orbis Polish Travel Bureau, Inc. (347 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10016-5020; 800/867-6526, www.orbistravel.com) had assigned to my wife, Margi, and me a guide and driver in each of the cities we visited. This made sightseeing easier and more flexible.
Cusco restaurants
While vacationing in Cusco, Peru, April 23-May 17, 2008, and going to school there for Spanish lessons, I had opportunities to try many good restaurants. I am pretty convinced that it would be hard not to find a good meal in Cusco.
Catching up with the ship
My husband, Lynn, and I were to join my parents in Philadelphia where all four of us would continue on to England and begin our anticipated 2-week Baltic cruise aboard Celebrity Cruises’ Constellation, June 2-16, 2007.
Beautiful Uluru
Ayers Rock, or, as it is now designated, Uluru/Ayers Rock, is the world’s second-largest monolith.* This huge red rock is spectacular, especially at sunrise and sunset. It changes from red to orange and various shades of purple as the sun rises or sets.
Wheeled back-packs
Rick Steves in the June ’08 issue notes that he travels with a convertible suitcase/backpack, adding that he avoids soft-sided suitcases with wheels.
Paris bargain
I really liked Richard Berner’s story “Apartment in Paris” (May ’08, pg. 6). Ironically, when I read it we had just returned from a week in Paris, where we, too, had rented an apartment.