Travelers' Intercom
Australia Travel Planning
I would like to second David Sutcliffe’s praise (March ’07, pg. 81) for Gayle and Michael Hawker of Tasmania Travel Planning and Australia Travel Planning (4428 E. Willow Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85032; 800/830-8999, www.australian.com or www.tasmania.com).
Christmas markets unpleasant surprise on cruise-tour
Through a travel agent friend, in May ’06 two friends and I booked a Christmas markets cruise with Viking River Cruises. The Nov. 28, 2006, sailing of the Viking Danube Explorer from Nuremberg to Vienna was our first experience with river cruising, but it will not be our last. (We booked a cruise with Viking from St.
Local punished for good deed
In the letter “Car and Driver in Morocco” (July ’07, pg. 34), the writer mentioned that his driver was not a licensed guide and could not be seen behaving as one. That brought to mind a trip my husband, Steven, and I made to Morocco in April 2001.
Keep in mind when selecting a barge
This year we got stung with a barge trip in France and learned a couple of things that are important.
Assessing Botswana lodgings
My husband and I traveled throughout Botswana, then to Victoria Falls, in September and October 2006. We flew into Gaborone, Botswana, and stayed at the Gaborone Sun International Hotel (phone 09267-3951111 or visit www.sun-international.com). Bed and breakfast can be booked at $147 per night for two.
Safeguard your wallet
Dr. Wagenaar’s article on carry-on luggage (May ’07, pg. 87) was extremely informative and useful. I would only add the following helpful household hints.
Rossia cruise + spending cash in Russia
We took a cruise-tour in Russia, the 18-day “Tatars, Cossacks and the Golden Ring,” April 28-May 15, 2007, with Grand Circle Travel (Boston, MA; 800/221-2610, www.gct.com).
Fernando de Noronha, Brazil
Dive! Dive! Dive! No, not a line from a submarine movie but the call to Fernando de Noronha, Brazil, a great dive and snorkel venue which is not very well known to many people other than Brazilians.
Carry-on of choice
For at least 15 years, I’ve toted a black nylon LeSportsac carry-on, which weighs an ounce on a good day and is certainly within airline luggage limitations. With British Air, it’s all I get. With airlines that allow another personal item, for me it is a small LeSportsac backpack.
EZE’s queues cue ‘Q rating’
After arriving in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on an Oceania Cruises ship, departing from the nearby Ministro Pistarini International Airport (or EZE, in Ezeiza) for the U.S. in February ’07 was an eye-opener. The queues, darling, the queues! Let me count for you the ways you queue (line up) at EZE:
Int’l Expeditions’ quick save
We were flying home on Feb. 26, 2007, after a trip to the Antarctic with International Expeditions (One Environs Park, Helena, AL 35080; 800/633-4734, www.ietravel.com).
Most/Least Helpful National Tourist Offices
Most helpful — Switzerland Tourism (608 Fifth Ave, New York, NY 10020; 877/794-8037 or 212/757-5944) and the website www.myswitzerland.com.
Tackling CDG
After seeing the reader’s letter “CDG Airport Lag” (April ’07, pg. 28), regarding Charles de Gaulle airport and Air France, I had to write. I am a travel junkie who happens to work in retail in an airport.
Helsinki Card
On a visit to Helsinki, Finland, in 2006, at noon on July 26 I bought a 24-hour Helsinki Card* for €29 (near $39). I flashed the card as I took a train to the ferry dock, where I boarded the boat for a quick sail to the Helsinki Zoo (€8, or $11).
Carry-on essentials
Dr. Wagenaar wrote about traveling with carry-on luggage only. Clearly he does not include a number of items I never travel without:
Planning for northern Spain
My husband, daughter and I traveled to northern Spain for 16 days, April 23-May 9, 2007. We’d all been to Spain and Portugal quite a few times and always stayed in paradores or pousadas.
Taking the grandkids
In May ’07 my husband and I took our granddaughter Laura to Rome, Orvieto and Florence. Incidentally, some guidebooks recommend getting tickets to the Colosseum at some other location to gain entry faster.
Rented car online for Heathrow
I had to fly urgently to the U.K. on family business and so made arrangements over the Internet to rent a car from Dollar Rent A Car at London’s Heathrow Airport, Feb. 10-20, 2007. The total price I was quoted on Expedia was about £110 (near $219).
Chilean guide ‘excellent’
On a visit to Santiago, Chile, Jan. 20-22, 2007, I used the services of an excellent local guide, Alejandro Molina (Vicente Perez Rosales 1654-C, La Reina, Santiago, Chile; home phone 56-2-2730241, cell phone 56 9 2983434 or e-mail amolina@ecoventura.cl or alejandromolinamarin@yahoo.com).
How Much to tip on Tours?
Richard E. Smith of Long Beach, California, urged readers to comment about tipping on tours (April ’07, pg. 4).