Travelers' Intercom
’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.
Mediterranean ports handicapped accessible?
I realized last year that I am becoming limited in what I can physically do, so I took a Mediterranean cruise primarily to places I had already been, just to see if cruising was easier. I carry a cane chair ($30-$34 from www.sportseat.com) and avoid all stairs and exertion.
Globotours flexibility
My husband, Foster, and I returned on May 6, ’06, from a 5-night trip with Globotours’ (18725 East Gale Ave., Ste.
Using credit cards in France
Just prior to our leaving for a trip in France in late June ’06, ITN carried two items about the difficulty Americans were encountering in France and the U.K. when using credit cards (May ’06, pg. 20 & July ’06, pg. 15). The problem was attributed to new cards in use there that require entering a PIN number.
Expected better in BA business class
British Airways had an ad in the Oct. 24, 2005, copy of the New York Times heralding its “business class like no other.” Prior to that, on July 22, 2005, I flew business class from Rome to London (Heathrow). My plane was a 767 that was entirely coach configured.
Clothes Shopping: Tussock Creek moleskins, Casablanca dresses
Tussock Creek moleskins
Recommended in Brittany
Following a wonderful Norway coastal cruise in May ’06, my wife, Dorothy, and I flew to Brittany, France, to visit our daughter. While there, we had an opportunity to visit Port-Aven, an artists’ colony, one especially popular in the early 1900s. Paul Gauguin worked there before moving to Arles.
Japan’s Good-will Guides
Japan’s Good-will Guide program made for two rich and delightful experiences during my May ’06 visit.
Lauds Vantage for alternative tour
My husband, Stanley, and I traveled with Vantage Deluxe World Travel (90 Canal St., Boston, MA 02114; 888/982-6824) in April and May 2006.
Sights in Quito
My wife, Barbara, and I traveled from Sacramento, California, to Quito for two weeks in January ’06. Our trip in the Ecuadorean highlands started with a 4-hour flight to Houston followed by a 5-hour flight to Quito, landing at midnight.
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.