Travelers' Intercom
Germany’s night watchmen
Many German towns have night watchmen. In Dinkelsbühl in June ’05, we joined a group following the costumed Jakob Hamerslag as he made his evening rounds from one restaurant to the next. At each one he tooted his horn, sang his song and was offered a glass of white or red Franconian wine by a smiling waitress.
Tips on traveling for months at a time
In the January ’06 issue, page 50, Cecilia Morrissey shared extensive advice on arranging flights around the world. Here she offers advice on other things to consider when planning months-long travels.
On pins and needles
In traveling, I have found it useful to use a string of safety pins and diaper pins in my travel purse to keep track of small items like keys and nail clippers and for many emergency uses.
EgyptAir’s business class disappointed
On Feb. 21, 2006, a companion and I flew on EgyptAir from New York (JFK) to Cairo, Egypt, with Grand Circle Travel. We were on GCT’s “Ancient Egypt and the Nile” tour with a 5-day pretrip extension to Jordan. We upgraded to business class (which we do on long flights).
Important words and phrases
We asked you each to name, in English, the 25 core words and phrases that are the most helpful or important to know how to say in the local language before arriving at a new travel destination (outside of North America and the Caribbean).
Aix and Cézanne
In Aix, France, we followed the footsteps of Paul Cézanne, a native of that town, whose art was not much appreciated by its citizens during his lifetime. The Musée Granet has only a few small works by this renowned artist, though the rest of the collection is worth a visit.
Credit card surprise
There’s something else about which to ask your credit card company before you travel. Is a new card being issued for you while you are on the road?
Regatta to the Amazon
My wife, Esta Lee, and I took a Miami-Manaus (Brazil)-Miami sailing aboard the Regatta of Oceania Cruises (Miami, FL; 800/531-5658), Nov. 27-Dec. 22, ’05. For an ocean-view cabin, the cost was roughly $4,000 each. It was our second cruise on the Regatta.
South Island speed traps
I wish to echo the concern expressed by Fred Kerr about speed traps in the South Island of New Zealand (July ’06, pg. 18).
Gauguin to skip Cook’s Bay
Readers should know that Regent (formerly Radisson) Seven Seas Cruises is no longer planning to dock the Paul Gauguin regularly at Cook’s Bay, Moorea, French Polynesia.
’Round-world trips
Are you considering a trip around the world (Dec. ’05, pg. 53)? Our recommendation would be “Go for it!” In March-April ’05 we traveled around the world, spending five weeks in 10 countries, and it was truly the trip of a lifetime. Here are the particulars.
Ronciglione, Italy
Ronciglione, about an hour’s drive north from Rome’s Fiumicino Airport, is near Lake Vico, a summer playground for Italians from Rome. It was early November when we visited, and the town was bustling during the day and quiet at night. Some of the restaurants were closed for the season.
To London on MAXjet
In July ’06 I had the opportunity to try out a relatively new airline called MAXjet (888/435-9629, www.maxjet.com), which started up in November ’05 and currently operates from New York’s JFK Airport and Washington’s Dulles Airport to London’s Stansted Airport, though new destinations are planned.
Germany’s Christmas markets
No other place in the world celebrates the Christmas holiday season quite like Germany. In a tradition dating back to the Middle Ages, Germany’s colorful Christmas markets turn its towns and cities into festive centers of holiday tradition.
Speedy descent
I enjoyed the articles on China in the April ’06 issue and especially the pictures of the Great Wall on pages 10 and 121. Before tourists could visit on their own, I was in China in 1976 with a group from Wayne State University’s Medical School.
Computers abroad
Dean Ab-Hugh asked about carrying personal data in a flash/jump/thumb (take your pick; I use thumb) drive for reading in a foreign computer (July ’06, pg. 88). Good idea, but don’t rely on it.
Vladivostok
I was in Vladivostok, April 1-3, ’06. I booked my trip with Lucky Tours Co., Ltd. (1, Moskovskaya St., Vladivostok 690106, Russia; phone/fax +7 [4232] 44-99-44 or visit www.luckytour.com).
Demel desserts
The finest pastry shop in Europe, maybe in the world, is in Vienna, Austria: Demel (Kohlmarkt 14, Vienna, A-1010 Austria; phone +43 1 535 17 17 39).
Funniest Thing for September
Tell ITN about the funniest thing that ever happened to you while traveling in a foreign country. There are no restrictions on length.
Buenos Aires
My husband, Joe, and I were incredibly happy that we chose Buenos Aires (B.A.), Argentina, as our vacation destination this year. Aside from the U.S. dollar’s being strong there, one of the main reasons we decided to go was because we read W.E.B.