Travelers' Intercom
Florence pizzeria
In Florence, Italy, in October ’05 we came across a pizzeria/spaghetteria with a varied selection of dishes at reasonable prices. Gusto Leo (Via del Proconsolo, 8-10/r) is located diagonally across from the Cavour Hotel.
TravLtips didn’t blink
In late summer ’05 we booked with Cruise West, through TravLtips, a Central American cruise to take place during the Christmas holidays. At the time, we noted the ship’s departure on our calendar but forgot to note that we had to be in Costa Rica the day before.
Central Europe left impression
Arriving in Poland for the first time, on a 3-country tour with Elderhostel (Boston, MA; 877/426-8056 or www.elderhostel.org), Sept. 7-24, ’04, took me back to the morning of Sept. 1, 1939, when I heard Hitler’s speech on the radio as he sent his troops across the Polish border.
Sense of direction
I read with great interest the various letters regarding driving internationally (August and September ’05 issues). I have had similar experiences in my travels in 70-plus countries. There is one bit of advice I would like to add. It has saved me on numerous occasions.
Europe independently
My wife and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary with a trip to Tunisia and several countries in Europe, Aug. 5-31, ’05. We had a great time, combining air, rail and autos as basic transportation. Several thoughts come to mind which might aid others planning to travel in Europe.
HK and Beijing with a walker
I took an 8-day trip to Hong Kong and Beijing, China, Nov. 8-16, ’04, booking my trip through Asian Affair Holidays (800/742-3133 or www.asianaffairholidays.com), an arm of Singapore Airlines.
Guide in Turkey
Being loyal ITN subscribers, and packrats, we scanned several years of back issues as we researched our October-November ’05 trip to Turkey. We found a reader’s referral (May ’99, pg.
Galápagos cruise plus airline caveat
In 2005, my wife and I were two of the estimated 60,000 visitors to the Galápagos Islands.
Ancient Carthage secret
For me, the highlight of a visit to Tunisia was ancient Carthage. The city of Tunis has a number of suburbs. One is Carthage — modern and bustling — but located within it, on the coast, is ancient Carthage.
Strange craft
I enjoyed Roger Canfield’s story on Macau in the February ’06 issue, but I should point something out. On page 40, he mentions seeing in a museum a boat used by Vietnamese people escaping the Communists.
Buenos Aires ‘tango’ shows
My wife, Judy, and I and two friends took a trip to Buenos Aires, Argentina, in November ’05. We stayed at the Wilton Plaza, having arranged our reservations through a Peruvian online travel service (e-mail reservations@argentinas-hotels.com).
Maximizing Scotland
I took a 2-week trip to Scotland. The first week, Sept. 10-16, ’05, was spent walking in the Highlands with a small group on an escorted trip arranged by a company I found on the Internet, Wilderness Scotland, Ltd. (3A St.
St. Petersburg guide
In 2004 when we decided to take a Russian riverboat cruise in September ’05 with Linwood Rotary (from the state of Washington), we noticed a letter from ITN reader Helene Eckstein (Nov. ’04, pg. 82). She mentioned a terrific guide in St. Petersburg and really sang her praises.
Wish you were here
Bill Goss’s packing suggestion (Jan. ’06, pg. 37) to use your computer to print mailing labels to take along for the postcards you plan to send is a real time-saver once you’re on your journey.
Peru & Galápagos & Tropical Nature Travel
An article in the June ’05 issue of ITN, “Inca Ruins and Amazing Animals on a Private Tour of Peru and Ecuador” by Fred DeVinney, prompted us to contact Elizabeth Sanders of Tropical Nature Travel (Gainesville, FL; phone 877/827-8350 or visit www.tropicalnaturetravel.com).
Driver/guide in England
I had a great trip to England along with four friends, July 23-Aug. 6, ’05. It was arranged through Midway Motor Travel (Southerwicks, Corsham, Wiltshire, England, SN13 9NH; phone from U.S. 800/214-8738 or e-mail admin@midwaymotortravel.com), and our driver/guide was Anton Prole.
Grand Princess cruise
Here are our comments about our transatlantic voyage, Aug. 27-Sept. 12, ’04, aboard the Grand Princess of Princess Cruises (Santa Clarita, CA; phone 800/774-6237 or visit www.princesscruises.com).
Train travel ease in Japan
My wife and I find that the train system in Japan is really efficient. Their departures and arrivals are timed with precision; the cars are very clean, and the system gives wheelchair users very good service. Also, when you tell them your destination, the ticketing agent takes into account various station changes.
Bill paying while away
ITN reader Dorothy Morris wrote about not being able to mail her bills from New York’s JFK airport (Feb ’06, pg. 11). There is another solution to having your bills handled while you are gone and that is to use a bill-paying service.