Travelers' Intercom
Heads up for Outback drivers
While on my independent tour of Australia in March ’06, I was waiting for the Adelaide-Alice Springs train to board and got into a conversation with Lois, a lady who had lived in Alice Springs for 20 years.
Argentine travel agency
In planning for a trip to Antarctica in January ’06, I decided to also visit Iguazú Falls on the Argentina/Brazil border. While searching the Web, I found the Buenos Aires travel agency Partir Viajes E.V.T. (Av. Córdoba 679, 1° C, Buenos Aires, Argentina, C.P. AAF1054C; tel.
American military cemeteries in Europe
The April ’06 issue carried a very well done, highly informative report (pages 65-68) by a La Jolla reader who enjoyed a 5-day “Flanders Fields” tour by a British company.
Airport check-in kiosks
We have been using self-service check-in kiosks for several years. Usually, we are flying Northwest Airlines out of Detroit Metro. Our last experience was on Dec. 27, ’05, out of Metro, with return on Jan. 20, ’06, from Tampa.
Our African safari
My husband, Jim, and I took the trip of a lifetime in August ’05. It was both an experience and an education.
Czech guide
We toured Prague for two days in August ’05 and on a third day took a trip to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Cesky Krumlov with a guide and an air-conditioned car.
Trouble converting US currency
My wife and I departed for Amsterdam on April 3, ’06. We were to be there for five days, departing on Sunday the 9th for London Heathrow, where our driver would meet us and take us to Bath to stay three nights, stopping by Blenheim Palace on the way.
Self-service check-in snag
Airport self-service check-in kiosks look great and sound great; unfortunately, they are of no value to someone like me because they cannot verify my age.
Escaping unwanted noise
Flents Ear Stopples, which have been my trusted companion during 50 years of travel, have come in handy whenever loud noise has kept me awake.
Night of tango
Tango shows are still alive and well in Buenos Aires (April ’06, pg 16 & June ’06, pg. 15). I saw a great one at El Viejo Almacen (Balcarce e Independencia [c1064AAO], San Telmo, Buenos Aires, Argentina; www.viejoalmacen.com) on Jan. 12, ’06.
Advice for Americans visiting Iran
Based on my April ’06 trip to Iran, I’d like to share three practical tips with ITN readers who are thinking of going there.
Viña del Mar, Chile
My wife and I spent four days in Viña del Mar, Chile, in March ’06 prior to embarking the Rotterdam in Valparaiso for a cruise. Having been to Santiago before, we decided to try the seaside resort of Viña. The weather was perfect and the crowds were gone, since the “summer” school holidays ended early in March.
Camel racing meets technology
I visited several countries in the Arabian Peninsula, including the United Arab Emirates, in early December ’05. One day in the northern emirate of Ras al Khaimah (locally known as RAK), I was traveling around in my hired car with driver when I spotted what looked like a racetrack near the community of Diqdaqa.
Britain & France ‘chip & PIN’ cards
My wife and I in April ’06 took a most enjoyable holiday touring Britain with Midway Motor Travel (Southerwicks, Corsham, Wiltshire, England, SN13 9NH; phone 800/214-8738 or e-mail admin@midwaymotortravel.
Grand Voyage demographic
There is nothing like the excitement and romance of a cruise. If it’s a long cruise, like a Grand Voyage (50-plus days) or a World Cruise (105 days), so much the better. But think twice. I wish I had known about the following before we spent $30K.
Airport self-service check-in
On Feb. 10, ’06, I traveled from Texas to New York. At the Dallas/Fort Worth airport I had an opportunity to check in using a kiosk. It was wonderful. In 30 seconds I had my boarding pass and a receipt.
Tips for Santiago visitors
Whether walking the road to Santiago de Compostela in northern Spain as a pilgrim or visiting the city as a day-tripper, you may want to add an additional day or two to experience some of Santiago de Compostela’s highlights.