Travelers' Intercom
Car rental insurance glitch
I rented a car in Australia, Oct. 17-29, 2007, where I had a minor accident. The car was parked legally and I wasn’t in it when it was sideswiped.
No match, no miles
My wife and I took a Singapore Airlines flight, in business class, from Delhi, India, to Singapore on April 5, 2007.
Northern Spain’s Celtic roots
I took a trip to northern Spain, Aug. 8-28, 2007. Guitars, wine and arid plains, right? Yes, in other parts of Spain, but in the principality of Asturias, located on the coast between Galicia and Cantabria, bagpipes, apple cider and mountains are standard fare.
Visiting Greek islands independently
My wife, Dee, and I and another couple flew via military aircraft (I am retired military) from Florida to Crete in April ’07. Aside from our initial accommodations on the base, we had no previous reservations but relied on what we could book onsite. Dee’s Fodor’s guidebook gave us ideas about where we should go.
Morocco guide ‘outstanding’
My wife, Marie, and I took a 2-week Morocco holiday, Sept. 30-Oct. 12, 2007, and were introduced to an outstanding guide. I would like to share his name and our experience.
More productive questions
In deciding which few words and phrases to learn how to say in a foreign language, keep in mind that knowing simply how to ask “Where is...?” is risky. If you are truly at sea in the local language, then it’s my experience that you are very unlikely to understand the answer.
Credit card fraud
I spent three weeks in Italy, probably my favorite country in the world, in March-April ’07. One negative occurrence on my trip — I had my credit card number ripped off somehow. Fortunately, Visa’s computer caught and prevented over $8,000 in fraudulent charge attempts in Seoul, Korea.
Travel insurance communication mixup
We took our second Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT) trip, “Real Affordable Costa Rica,” Oct. 12-24, 2006.
Great visit to Syria
My husband, Kurt, and I took our third trip to Syria, March 19-23, 2007. It has certainly become one of our favorite places. The friendships we have developed over the years have been wonderful, and we’d love to extend these friendships to those of you interested in visiting such a beautiful place.
Savor lunch in Assisi
I had a lovely lunch in Assisi in May ’07 at Trattoria Pallotta (Vicolo della Volta Pinta, 06081 Assisi [PG], Italy; phone 075-812649, fax 812307, www.pallottaassisi.it).
Guide in Turkey
I would like to recommend a personal guide for travel in Turkey. Our group of eight friends met in Istanbul on Sept. 13, 2007, the day before embarking on a Mediterranean cruise (Norwegian Jewel).
Travel agent pluses
Some travelers seem reluctant to use travel agents, believing they can save money DIY or enjoying DIY. They should reconsider.
Nothing beats a flush in NZ
Perhaps we do have this in the States, but we’re not finding it in my local home improvement store.
Bills paid before travel
Before a trip, first I arrange for every bill possible — car insurance, phone, etc. — to be paid by my credit cards. I never, never enter anything in a computer. Then I arrange for my credit cards to be paid by my bank automatically every month. I make sure my checking account has enough in it to cover the bills.
Special places in Honduras and Guatemala
We were successful public television bidders on a 3-night stay in Honduras. And since we were going that far, we thought, ‘Why not add some time in Guatemala?’ We took our trip Aug. 14-25, 2007.