Travelers' Intercom
Making the most of airport stopovers
After traveling around the world with occasional long airport stopovers, I have come to learn some of the secrets of making the most of the “dead” time.
A treasure from the Hermitage
Just one of the three million pieces of art in the 1,000-room Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg. GERALD RODRIGUEZ
Getting around in Venice
We spent two weeks just walking around in Venice, Italy, in September-October ’07, not entering a single church or museum but going to a lot of dead ends and making sure we didn’t miss anything. It was rewarding and I would like to do it again.
Highs and lows on Belfast trip
We flew on Continental in coach from Newark, New Jersey, to Belfast, Northern Ireland, departing at 9:30 p.m. on March 27, 2008.
Bali with Gede
My wife and I took our fifth trip to Bali, Indonesia, in October ’07, again guided by Gede (e-mail balihaiguide@hotmail.com or visit www.balihaiguide.com). It is impossible to recommend him highly enough.
Beware in Barcelona
My husband, my sister and I decided to spend the 2007 Christmas holidays in Europe, and to that end we booked a 14-day “Christmas Markets” riverboat trip with Vantage Deluxe World Travel (Boston, MA; 800/322-6677).
Reading headlamp
During a wakeful night, while wearing my climber’s headlamp to illuminate the March ’08 issue of ITN, I noted the reference (page 69) to carrying lightbulbs for sufficient reading light and was struck by the simplicity and effectiveness of our family’s solution to that problem.
Initial snag at Immigration
My name is J. William. On my passport, my first name has always read “JWilliam.” This has been on several passports over about 50 years without any problems.
Unhappy with long layover
My husband and I departed for Overseas Adventure Travel’s “Hidden Gems: the Dalmatian Coast and Greece” on Oct. 6, 2007.
Great meal in Brest
On the day after Christmas 2007 we were in Brest, France, and found many of the restaurants closed for vacation. After a little searching, we found Les Caudalies (1 rue Malakoff, 29200 Brest), a 36-seat neighborhood/family restaurant.
Lion excursion in Zimbabwe
During a month-long Africa trip, I wanted to get up close to lions. It wasn’t until I got to Zambia and the Waterfront Hotel & Campground aka The Zambezi Waterfront, Victoria Falls aka The Waterfront (P.O.
Keeping up with the TSA
Many travelers are caught by surprise when the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) changes the rules about what can be carried aboard aircraft and what constitutes a “prohibited item.” I suggest that before you finish your packing for each trip, you consult the TSA webpage www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohi
Tour of lush Indonesia
We took a wonderful vacation to Sumatra and Java, Indonesia, Jan. 17-25, 2008, through Floressa Bali Tours (Jalan Gandapura III K / 16 Kesiman, Denpasar 80237, Bali, Indonesia; phone +62 361 467625, fax 467347 or visit www.floressa-bali.com).
Disabled parking in Europe
A reader mentioned taking a disability pass to Europe in order to park in spaces for the handicapped (Dec. ’07, pg. 103). At the website www.globalaccessnews.com and after clicking on “Travel Archives,” under “Trips, Tips and Resources” I found the following item:
Found fault with guide in Mongolia
My husband and I took the tour “From Mystical Tibet to Nomadic Mongolia,” May 29-June 13, 2007, with Nomadic Expeditions.
Guide in Istanbul
On a 5-day trip to Istanbul, Turkey, in September ’07, we had the great pleasure of hiring Mr. Can (“John”) Gunay (www.cangunay.com), whom we found through a tour operator on the Rick Steves website www.ricksteves.com; the operator was booked that day but referred us to Can.
Giant’s Causeway bus
During a 14-day “Celtic Kingdoms” cruise on Holland America Line’s Prinsendam, on Aug. 31, 2007, I took a day-long shore excursion from Belfast to Giant’s Causeway.
Re Indian visa
I have another bit of information to add regarding using a 10-year visa in India (June ’07, pg. 14 & Sept. ’07, pg. 89).
Sky-high charge for scratch
On a trip my wife and I took to Europe in May ’07, we picked up a car at the Frankfurt airport that we had reserved over the Internet from National Car Rental. As always, I scrutinized the car carefully before signing the form that claimed it had no damage.