Travelers' Intercom
Refined dining in Nara Park
Less than an hour’s train ride from Kyoto, Nara’s huge wooded park’s complex of shrines and temples offers much to visitors. Unfortunately, its popularity means that the park can be crowded and chaotic. A quiet, relaxing lunch at Noh provides a welcome respite from the hordes of tourists and visiting school groups.
Keep in mind when on tour
Originally from Germany, I became involved in the tourism industry many years ago, working in a tour company as a group tour coordinator, tour manager and sales representative. I now have my own tour company.
Choosing a hotel
As a single, older woman who travels independently on a tight budget, here’s my travel tip: find a centrally located first-class hotel rated four stars (or higher) in your destination city.
Sizzling Singapore & vibrant Vietnam
A bustling port and the economic leader of Southeast Asia, Singapore is a city, state, capital and country all in one. My 4-day visit to Singapore, part of a 2-country group tour, began with an orientation tour at the top of Mt. Farber; the views were spectacular.
Knowledgeable South Africa guide
We and another couple enjoyed an amazing 5-day safari in Kruger National Park, South Africa, staying at four different park camps.
BA seat assignments
Directly from British Airways on their website, www.ba.com, I purchased a ticket for my sister, Ursula, to fly in economy class from Berlin, Germany, to Los Angeles via London on June 19.
Iran ‘welcoming’
I read the interesting article about Jordan in the November ’07 issue. Toward the end, the author wrote, “With discerning Americans figuring out that Jordan is not Iraq, Iran, Syria or Lebanon. . .”
Dingle Peninsula ‘superior’
For the first part of our trip to Ireland (Nov. ’07, pg. 65), Aug. 27-Sept. 1, 2007, we used the “Emerald Package” from Dooley Vacations (Lynbrook, NY; 877/331-9301, www.dooleyvacations.com).
When in Rome
In Rome, Italy, Ristorante del Pallaro (Largo del Pallaro 15; phone 06-68801488) is located between Campo de’ Fiori and Largo Argentine, but to find this traditional Roman restaurant I had to ask a lot of folks on the street, “Dové Largo Pallaro?” I finally, along with 20 college students, found Signor
Rejuvenating mid-trip
I usually travel with one other person, any of three friends who are not “tourists” who prefer to go on shopping sprees but “travelers” who want to meet with and live like the natives.
Rental cars and CDW
I read with interest the reader’s letter “Rented Car Online for Heathrow” (Aug. ’07, pg. 28), specifically the part regarding the auto rental company’s requirement that he show proof, from his credit card company, of CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) coverage.
Galápagos cruise on the Mary Anne
Following a visit to Peru in January-February ’07 (Nov. ’07, pg. 41), my husband, Joe, and I continued on to Quito, Ecuador, then flew TAME airlines to the Galápagos Islands. We boarded the S/S Mary Anne, a cruise ship run by Angermeyer Cruises.
Tour Director U
I read Randy Keck’s article “Tour Director Training and Employment — 2007 Update” (April ’07, pg. 105). I am a tour director. I love traveling on my own and love traveling leading tours.
Enjoyed meals on Continental
My husband and I flew on Continental Airlines July 15, 2007, from San Francisco to Newark to Copenhagen to board the Crystal Symphony for a cruise around the Baltic Sea.
Europe train tour + UK
We can highly recommend the tour “Great Trains of Europe,” which we took July 8-20, 2007. This was our fourth trip with Grand European Tours, or GET (6000 Meadows Rd., Ste. 520, Lake Oswego, OR 97035; 800/552-5545, www.getours.com), and we were more than satisfied.
Affordable Swiss eatery
Vegetables, salads and wholesome food in an almost fast-food environment? During our September ’07 visit to Switzerland, that’s what we found in Lausanne at a Manora Restaurant (Rue Saint-Laurent 7,1002 Lausanne, Switzerland; phone +41 [0] 21 321 36 99).