Travelers' Intercom
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.
Insurance came through
Four of us were scheduled to depart Sydney, Australia, March 9, 2008, on a month-long cruise. However, on Jan. 9 one member of our party suddenly died.
Chile’s Rose City
Puerto Varas, or the City of Roses, in Chile, is just that, with rosebushes lining the streets, both in the median as well as along the curb. The setting with Osorno Volcano in the background is breathtaking.
Exploring Belize
My wife, Renate, and I traveled to Belize, Jan. 16-31, 2008. All arrangements for this trip were made through companies found on the Belize Tourism Board’s website (www.travelbelize.org; click on “Places to Stay”).
Kuala Lumpur with Alwaha
Should you happen to be anticipating spending a few days in Kuala Lumpur, we can recommend the services of Alwaha Tours (No.
Uncomfortable on board
Experienced river cruise travelers, we took the 12-day Ukraine trip “Footsteps of the Cossacks” on the Viking Lavrinenkov with Viking River Cruises, Sept. 24-Oct. 6, 2007.
Travel clocks, timers, and timepieces
Quentin Burke of Holtville, California, wrote the following to ITN readers: “Is it preferable to carry a timer or an alarm clock when traveling?
What’s in a name?
I read about the reader’s experience with U.S. Immigration’s computers not being able to read a passport of someone whose first name is an initial (May ’08, pg. 11).
Egypt 27 years later
After 27 years, in March ’08 my wife and I went back to Egypt; we went on the Grand Circle Travel trip “Ancient Egypt & the Nile River.” BIG difference 27 years later!
Planning for three weeks in Norway
My sister, Judy, and I agreed that July ’07 was the right time for us to tour the land of our paternal grandparents: Norway.
Guide in Bulgaria
My husband and I traveled in Bulgaria, May 12-16, 2007, with a guide I found on the Internet: Patrick Peneff (e-mail patrick@guide-bg.com or visit www.bulgariaprivateguide. com).
Audio guide advantages — London
My wife and I visited London in April ’07 for the 11th time. On our first trip, in 1984, we were with a hosted group. We learned that we prefer to have the freedom to explore in more detail, so we have been traveling independently ever since.
Abu Simbel with Select Egypt
An alternative to taking the expensive flight from Aswan, Egypt, to Abu Simbel is going by minivan with a driver and guide.
Surprise extra charge
I read the item “Venice’s 2-tier pricing” (Jan. ’08, pg. 24), regarding different prices for locals and tourists at restaurants and hotels and for water transport in Venice, Italy.
72-person ‘small-group’ tour
My husband, Steven, and I took the 10-day “Life in Japan” tour, May 13-22, 2007, with General Tours. The cost was $6,328 for both of us, including one extra day in Tokyo, another in Kyoto and the optional tour to Nikko. We purchased airfare separately.
Southern South America & Antarctica
A 45-day self-guided trip to southern South America and Antarctica that my wife, Shirley, and I took Dec. 31, 2007-Feb. 14, 2008, took a great deal of planning. I’d like to share some of the valuable lessons learned from this trip.
Out of sight, out of luck
The letter about crime problems in Barcelona (May ’08, pg. 58) brought back an interesting (and embarrassing) memory from when I was there in September ’07, traveling alone and independently.
Tips for Southern Africa
Best meal — This was in Cape Town at the Khaya-Nyama Game Restaurant (267 Long St., Cape Town, 8001, South Africa), which served everything possible, such as buffalo, ostrich, warthog, etc. The average price was $20. Small place; reservations almost a necessity.