Travelers' Intercom
Paris dining options
I would not go across town to eat there, but if you are in the neighborhood a good light dinner can be had in Paris at Plein Soleil (90 ave. Parmentier, Paris 11e, France).
Southern Africa trains
In July ’06 I made a deposit of $2,400 for trips on the following Shongololo Express trains in Southern Africa: Good Hope, March 6-21, 2007 ($3,680), Dune Express, March 27-April 11 ($3,905) and Southern Cross, April 11-26 ($4,350) — total cost, $11,935.
Czech Republic guide
Four of us visited the Czech countryside during the first week of May ’07. We had a guide who was passionate about his country and made sure his guests experienced the real Czech Republic. His name is Petr Zidek. We found him through Original World (131 Camino Alto, Ste.
Historic cemetery in Stavanger
As we were strolling through pleasant neighborhoods between tourist attractions in Stavanger, Norway, in May ’07, my wife and I wandered into the Eiganes Gravlund (cemetery).
Fitting in with Tours of Provence
What immediately follows are two letters from ITN readers who each took a 2-week tour in France with Tours of Provence.
TSA-approved locks
Most folks know that bags are inspected at airports and, if necessary, checked bags are opened. If a bag is locked, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) may chop the lock off, unless it is a special TSA-approved lock which they can open.
Australia coupon books
In response to the reader’s letter about using the Entertainment® Book for discounts in Australia (July ’07, pg. 14), I must caution travelers on my experience with Entertainment Publications.
Guatemala insights
My wife and I took a great 2-week tour, “Guatemala: Land of Eternal Spring,” April 17-30, 2007, led by an exceptional director, the best we have had in our many years of travel.
Southern Africa by rail
My husband, Jim, and I took a trip from Cape Town, South Africa, to Chobe National Park in Botswana by way of Victoria Falls, Feb. 19-March 5, 2007.
Driver in Dubrovnik
While on a Mediterranean cruise with Holland America in May ’07, one of our stops was Dubrovnik. We were fortunate to have hired, online, a wonderful driver, Tomislav Radulovic (e-mail tomislav@taxiservicedubrovnik.com).
Legroom medical concerns
In the letter titled “Economy Class Syndrome” (July ’07, pg. 16), the reader’s recounting of her husband’s pulmonary embolism demonstrates the dangers of the airline’s present policy of cramming more and more people into less and less space on their flights.
Pines for a past Princess
My traveling companion Arlene and I took a one-week cruise aboard the Star Princess, Jan. 20-27, 2006. Our cruise was in the western Caribbean, departing from Ft. Lauderdale, but the ship travels worldwide. We paid $1,069 each, double occupancy.
How much to tip on tours
Richard E. Smith of Long Beach, California, opened up the topic of tipping on tours (April ’07, pg. 4).
Early dining in Paris
Well off the usual tourist track in Paris is a very French restaurant that serves wonderful 4-course meals for €24 (about $32). It is À la Biche au Bois (45 avenue Ledru Rollin, Paris; phone 01 43 43 34 38), located in between Métro stops Gare de Lyon and Ledru Rollin.
Snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef
My husband, Peter, and I joined 12 other snorkelers on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef for two weeks, Nov. 7-25, 2006, on a tour led by Ann Fielding of Island Explorations (Box 1107, Makawao, HI 96768; 808/572-8437, www.maui.net/~annf).
Athens day tour
My wife, Margaret, and I, during a September ’05 trip to Greece, took a day tour of Athens with Dimitri from Spiros Taxi (Athens, Greece; phone 011 30 6944 285 686 or visit www.athenstaxi.net).
Tips on visiting northern India
We wish to commend Margo Wilson on an excellent report, “The South of India — a Good Choice for the First-time Visitor?” (June ’07, pg. 44). Also for the first-time traveler, our comments apply mainly to northern India.
Israel desert sights
Timna Park, in Israel, is huge; it reminded us of Big Bend National Park in Texas. It is the site of 6,000-year-old Egyptian copper mines. You can see the slag from the copper mines and the remains of the smelting ovens.