Travelers' Intercom
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.
Flaming Cliffs notes
I believe in some literary license, but the reader’s comparison of the Flaming Cliffs in Mongolia to the Grand Canyon (May ’06, pg. 64) goes way too far and creates unrealistic expectations for future travelers.
Heads up in Thailand
I go to Thailand once or twice a year. At present, I’m coordinating a tsunami relief project in Phi Phi and Phuket.
Galápagos and Celebrity Xpedition
My husband, Ed, and I took a trip to the Galápagos in April ’05 aboard the 96-passenger Celebrity Xpedition (Celebrity Cruises, Miami, FL; 866/973-8466 or www.celebrity xpeditions.com).
Good deals in Manchester
While visiting family in London in March ’06, my wife, Kay, and I took an excursion to Manchester.
Loves London theatre
Every year I spend a wonderful four days in London, seeing as many theatrical productions as I can squeeze in. This year’s visit, in April, was one of my best experiences so far.
Paperwork on flash drive. Good idea?
I plan on traveling to France for two weeks in the middle of October. I have scanned my passports, driver’s license, airline tickets and other papers and put them on a flash drive. I find that I need a 512mb drive to hold it all.
Long travel days on India tour
I took a month-long tour to both North and South India with Adventures Abroad in February ’06. The basic cost of the tour was $4,870, but my total of $6,203 included single accommodation and an extra night in New Delhi pre-tour.
Mongolia plus the Gobi
A customized, private tour to Mongolia was created for my wife, Darlene, and me for Aug 1-17, ’05.
Medical info online
I read Dr. Wagenaar’s excellent summary of medical websites in the February ’06 issue (pg. 93).
Tango in BA
I just finished reading Raymond Kisch’s letter regarding Buenos Aires tango shows (April ’06, pg. 16) and deeply regret that he did not go to La Ventana (Balcarce 431, San Telmo, Buenos Aires, Argentina; tel.