Travelers' Intercom
Tanzania safari
When we decided to see the wildebeest migration in Tanzania, we researched different companies online and in ITN and decided on Africa Dream Safaris (4825 Torrance Blvd., Ste. l4, Torrance, CA 90503; phone 877/572-3274 or visit www.africadreamsafaris.com).
Guide in Cambodia
My sisters and I traveled to Siem Reap, Cambodia, independently in February ’05 and used Bun Pao Smith (e-mail bunpaosmith@yahoo.com) as a guide and driver.
Enjoyed Benasque
In the Aragon region of Spain, we spent three days in Benasque, Huesca Province, in July ’05. This lovely town, surrounded by the highest peaks in the Pyrenees, is accessible only by car and provides a very interesting experience.
Springing a young hawker
At the base of a pyramid near Cairo, Egypt, in January ’05, a young boy approached my wife, Mary, and me and asked if we would buy souvenirs. We smiled and said “No.” He thanked us for not ignoring him, gave Mary a small turquoise beetle and said, “You have a nice day. Smile at everyone you meet.
Where to stay in South Africa
South Africa is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful countries in the world. There is a rumor that every other house in South Africa is a B&B. We are sure this is an exaggeration but only a slight one. There are literally thousands of B&Bs, guest farms, lodges, game parks and other variations on the same theme.
Romania, Moldova & Bulgaria tour
Having read another traveler’s comments (April ’05, pg. 35), we engaged a tour operator in Romania who turned out to be exceptional. Her name is Costela Petcu of AKS Tours (phone +40 21 313 6338, cell +4 0744 294 373 or e-mail costelape04@yahoo.com)
A few packing suggestions
A few years ago, in the August-October ’02 issues, ITN printed “what to take along” lists. I would like to add my two cents’ worth about what to pack for a trip plus offer some trip suggestions. My wife and I can easily travel for 20 days on one carry-on and one small roll-along suitcase each.
Card limits
Before traveling to Italy in October ’05, I phoned my local bank, through whom I have a combination debit/credit Visa card, to let them know I’d be using my card in Italy for the next four weeks.
Kudos for Caravan-Serai Tours
In September ’05, my wife and I began a trip that was supposed to last six and a half weeks and cover Jordan, Egypt and Libya. The arrangements were made by Rita Zawaideh, president of Caravan-Serai Tours (3806 Whitman Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98103; phone 800/451-8097 or visit www.caravan-serai.com).
Felt markup was ‘excessive’
ITN was mailed on Aug. 13 a copy of the following letter, sent by a reader to Latin Tour Dimensions on June 21, 2005.
Czech Republic guide
We took a wonderful trip to the Czech Republic in July ’05. Since my husband’s hobby is genealogy, this theme has directed our last several trips.
Social icebreaker
Following on the “Thoughtful Gift” letter from ITN reader Charles Treadgold (Nov ’05, pg. 44), I offer this.
Can that pill hurt you?
Marilyn Chase, in her article “Buying the Wrong Medicine Overseas,” in the Aug. 16, 2005, edition of the Wall Street Journal, warns about buying brand-name prescriptions abroad.
Hotel’s costly phone, Internet access
Looking for a “reasonably” priced but quality hotel room in London in October ’04, I was offered a “superior double room” at the Thistle Euston (TH) near Euston Station for about $200 per night and it did not sound too bad. The room turned out to be just fine.
Money Matters Overseas — a follow-up
Having traveled abroad over 33 times in the past 13 years, I heartily concurred and empathized with the preponderance of opinions expressed in the October ’05 issue regarding money.
The King and I
After traveling in Laos and southern Thailand on a trip in 2001, I found myself in Bangkok on the first of December awaiting my flight home in a week. The city was decorated with yellow banners and pictures of the King for his birthday on Dec. 5th.
Car hire snag in Britain & Ireland
In an article about the hiring of vehicles (July ’05, pg.
London Canal Cruises
We spent a very enjoyable day cruising the canals around London in May ’05 aboard the narrowboat Helix through London Canal Cruises (63 Salisbury Rd., High Barnet, Hertfordshire EN5 4JL, U.K.; tel. +44 [0] 20 8440 8962 or visit www.londoncanalcruises.com).
Give Bhutan a break
I have been trying to get a reader’s letter, titled “Bhutan Arrangements ‘Challenging’” (Oct. ’05, pg. 31), out of my mind, but I can’t. Bhutan, the country complained about, is my favorite place in the world, and I feel it was unfairly maligned by the traveler.
Dramatic sunrise in Morocco
The guidebooks say that when visiting Morocco, you should spend a night in Marzouga so as to witness the sunrise the next day. You could do that via camel or Land Rover, and on a trip my daughter Heather and I took one July, we decided to use camels.