Travelers' Intercom
Duty-free shops
We asked readers to tell us what they buy at duty-free shops and why. Are there true bargains? Do the prices and selection vary in different countries? With the new airport security regulations, how do you handle your purchases? What advice can you offer? Below are replies received.
Calming a crying infant
In The Wall Street Journal this April, a piece headed “Just a Spoonful of Sugar” by Yuliya Chernova described the medical use of sugar as a pain-management method for infants, e.g., during injections.
Notable in Argentina and Uruguay
Thanks to Stephen O. Addison, Jr. (Sept. ’06, pg. 86), we found WOW! Argentina (Av.
Attempts at Air India miles credit
My wife, Betty, and I flew Air India from Los Angeles to New Delhi on Jan. 25, 2006, and returned on Feb. 15, 2006. Wanting to apply to their frequent-flyer program so we could get credit for air-miles with Air India and/or their partners, I asked on the plane for an application.
Luggage wrap not free
I recently encountered an airport scam that other ITN readers might watch out for.
Day tour from Amsterdam
During a 4-day stay in Amsterdam in July ’05, we took a day tour to Marken and Vol
Insult result
I’m writing regarding the letter “An Altercation Escalated” (April ’07, pg. 66).
Missed cruise due to visa snafu
We flew out of San Francisco on Oct. 11, 2006, destined to board the Pacific Princess in Cape Town, South Africa, for a 29-day voyage across the Indian Ocean ending in Australia.
Attractions and museums in Paris
I returned to Paris in October ’06 and visited several places of interest.
A museum of wars remembered
“Saving Private Ryan” and “The Thin Red Line” are about as realistic as war movies get, but I saw a couple of battle films that they couldn’t hold a rifle to. In one, British Tommies in World War I clambered over the top of their muddy trench to face withering German fire that cut many down.
Senior renting car in Ireland
When feasible, my husband (age 75) and I prefer to drive about a country. Planning for a trip in May ’07, we discovered that many Irish rental agencies do not rent cars to anyone over 75, while with some the limit is 74 and some, 70.
Group travel on a big bus
Many of us prefer traveling with a group, since it is cost effective. This often means, especially during busy travel seasons, being tightly packed in a big bus. In the last six months of 2006 my wife, Marlene, and I took three such tours, which I compare below.
Mobility in Russia
My wife, Patricia, has severe arthritis and walks with two canes. On a trip to Russia a few years ago, we encountered the following issues as regards accessibility.
Watch for tag mixups
At baggage check-in for a flight on United from Newark airport in November ’06, the agent was being “efficient” by printing out two or three sets of baggage tags at once, then summoning the travelers one by one. She asked for picture I.D. of the person next to us, looked at the I.D.
Great beer & food in Dublin, Edinburgh & Amsterdam
My husband, John, and I and another couple visited Ireland and Scotland, finishing up with a few days in Amsterdam, Sept. 2-16, 2006. Since John is a home brewer, we are always on the lookout for good beer when we travel, and we found plenty of it in all three cities in which we stayed.
Swiss tracks
The Swiss Pass entitles you to a 50% fare reduction on the Brienzer Rothorn Bahn. The implication that I got from the caption on page 88 of the April ’07 issue was that it was free (“included”). We enjoyed it on a Swiss vacation in September ‘06.
Scouting out a flight Georgetown-Paramaribo
My wife and I have traveled to much of the world, but what stumped us was how to go by air from Georgetown, Guyana, to Paramaribo, Suriname. When we plugged the flight into the usual search engines, no answers appeared.
‘Superb’ guide in BA
The owner/operator of a taxi in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pablo Menendez (phone 15 5613 4386 or e-mail pablo336menendez @hotmail.com), was superb in transporting my husband, Dave, and me from the international airport to the domestic airport and, on our return, to our hotel in March ’06.