Travelers' Intercom
Would have appreciated a ‘ranked waiting list’
ITN was mailed a copy of the following letter, sent by a reader to Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT), a subsidiary of Grand Circle Travel (GCT).
Thoughtful gift
In the late ’90s, my wife and I took a Bolivia and Peru tour with Overseas Adventure Travel (Cambridge, MA), as I had always wanted to visit Machu Picchu. The group size was limited to just 16 people plus the tour guide.
About roundabouts
I have to quibble with the advice on roundabouts in the letter “Tips for Driving in Britain” (Aug. ’05, pg. 74).
Malta festival a highlight
We took a 2-week trip to Malta plus an add-on week in Sicily, April 16-May 6, ’05, with Grand Circle Travel (Boston, MA; 800/221-2610 or www.gct.com). For my wife and me, the cost was approximately $6,254 from Los Angeles. The experience became a once-in-a-lifetime highlight.
Biking, boating the Loire
My wife, Nel, and I took a bike and boat trip in the Loire Valley in May ’05.
El Salvador in depth
El Salvador is the smallest, most densely populated country in Central America, but it is bypassed by most group tour companies. In April ’05, I was lucky enough to find the “golden ticket” that got me not just into the country but entry into homes, social programs and even the American Embassy.
‘Fabulous’ guide in Turkey
Five of us took a personal tour of western Turkey with Mehmet Ozbalci in March ’04. A reader had recommended him in a short letter (May ’99, pg. 117). He truly is a guide “extraordinaire.”
CDG Airport woes
From a May-June ’05 trip to Europe, here are two caveats. 1. Beware of the short flight connection.
Re airport wheelchairs
In reply to my complaint about not having a wheelchair waiting when I got off the plane, printed in the August ’05 issue, page 14, Continental Airlines sent me a 2-page letter that said essentially that the treatment I received was not according to procedure and next time I should ask to speak to a CRO (Complaint Resol
Keep it hidden
I read in the January ’05 issue the letter about a reader’s unfortunate experience with a purse snatcher in Barcelona (page 32) as well as the very helpful letter on protecting valuables while going through airport security (page 78).
Budapest café
On a trip to Budapest in September ’04, I ate at the Fresco Fi Café Restaurant (1052 Bp. Vigado ter 3, Budapest, Hungary; tel. 266 2010 or visit www.fresco.hu). It’s located three blocks from the Budapest Marriott.
Europe gas prices
The following probably won’t make you enjoy filling your gas tank here in the States, but it may ease the pain a tiny bit.
Get rail ticket punched
In Paula Prindle’s article about Italy (July ’05, pg. 20), she said the conductor was not worried about their unpunched train ticket on the way from Rome to Venice. I suggest that travelers not rely on that as the standard for Italy.
Virgin Air’s ‘suites’
On a flight from Newark, New Jersey, to England on Virgin Airlines in late April ’05, we had an opportunity to try out the new upper-class suites.
‘Kudos’ to Horses North
I was scheduled to depart June 30, ’05, for a “Thorsmork Riding Tour,” which was to be five days of riding with a herd of Icelandic horses. I had made my flight and trip plans through Holly Nelson and Brad Vogel, owners of Horses North, LLC, aka Iceland Adventure, LLC (P.O.
Easter Island guide
We cruised to Easter Island on Discovery World Cruises’ Discovery in February ’05. Dissatisfied with the excursions being offered by the ship, I arranged in advance for two half-day tours of Easter Island for our party of six.
Right-side driving
In the letter “Tips for Driving in Britain” (Aug. ’05, pg. 73), the comment that more people drive on the left side of the road than on the right is incorrect. The latest figures I have seen (from 1996) estimate that about four billion people drive on the right versus two billion on the left.
Tips for rail travel in Germany
The German railway system offers a great way for travelers to get around while visiting that country. Many guidebooks and websites describe how to use the rail service but often omit facts that would be very useful to novice travelers.
Indochina — beautiful and affordable
In October ’04 my wife and I had a sensational journey through Indochina. We booked our tour through All Asia Travel Company (57-59 Do Quang Dau St., District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; tel. 848-9203493, fax 848-9203446, e-mail allasia@hcm.fptvn or visit www.allasiatravel.com).