Travelers' Intercom
Chile & Uruguay meals
During our month-long travel in several South American countries in March ’05, we enjoyed a lot of good food, but two meals we had in Chile and Uruguay were a pleasant change from meat-loaded meals such as parrillada in Argentina and churrascaria in Brazil.
Dual citizenship
I read Dr. Wagenaar’s article about having a second passport (April ’05, pg. 102). I have two passports: American and British. I got mine through birth and parentage; I don’t think it’s worth the cost to actively seek out a second one.
Surcharge for rising fuel cost
In August of 2004 we booked the trip “Athens, the Greek Islands and Beyond” for June 4-26, ’05, with Grand Circle Travel. The total cost for two was $7,596.80.
Water hole watch
In July ’03 we took a group of 10 friends to East Africa, i.e., Kenya and Tanzania. For my husband, Mark, and me, it has become a nearly annual sojourn to a very favorite place; a trip there in July ’05 was our 12th. After Africa, every place else seems to pale.
Guide in Tuscany
Six of us had several delightful days in May ’05 doing excursions from Florence in a 6-passenger Mercedes minivan with tour guide Dr. Marcello Grandini (Frazione Padule 109/A, 50039 Vicchio-Firenze, Italy; phone/fax 011-39-055-8407830 or e-mail marcello.tourguide@tiscali.it).
Don’t be caught short
Airlines and guidebooks often fail to warn travelers about the (sometimes substantial) entry and exit fees and taxes that some countries charge. These fees vary widely from country to country, over time and according to the nationality of the traveler.
Lightkeepers on Kangaroo Island
Out of 66 people with correct answers for the January ’05 “Where in the World?” photo quiz — re The Remarkable Rocks on Kangaroo Island off South Australia — I was fortunate to have my name drawn.
Driving in Italy
For a November ’04 trip in Italy (July ’05, pg. 55), we short-leased (this is different from a rental) a brand-new Peugeot 407 from Auto France (Wood-Ridge, NJ; 800/572-9655 or www.autofrance.net) for a total cost of $1,329 for 18 days, and that cost was comparable to a straight rental.
Flights via São Paulo
In the fall of 2004 we decided to make a spring trip to Brazil. In mid-November, after looking at different options, we called Gate 1 Travel and booked a 10-day trip for March 10, ’05, called “Kaleidoscope of Brazil,” which was sponsored by Varig Brazilian Airlines.
A novel approach to travel
In 1998 I became interested in the Silk Road, so a friend lent me a book, “The Silk Road — A Novel of Eighth Century CHINA” by Jeanne Larsen. It was interesting for the places, the place of women and a bit of magical realism.
Check your passport
We have a trip to Russia planned in a few months and I just found out that to visit Russia a visa is needed and there must be two blank pages in the visa section of one’s passport.
Looked after by Andes Adventures
I would like to tell you about a company that really came through when things went awry. The company is Andes Adventures (1323 12th St., Ste. F, Santa Monica, CA 90401; phone 800/289-9470 or 310/395-5265 or visit www.andesadventures.com).
Eugenie le Bain
One of the delights of the area in which I live, the Laree region of southwest France, is Michel Guérard’s famous restaurant, Eugenie le Bain. My wife and I last ate there at the end of May ’05.
Sydney Smartvisit Card
After reading an item about the Discover Adelaide Card (March ’05, pg. 75), I set out to see if such a card for Sydney exists. It does. Here are my impressions and comments.
Laid-back in Belize
During the middle of July ’04, my wife, Ione, and I spent two weeks in Belize City and San Pedro (on Ambergris Caye), Belize. Our American Airlines flights from Miami were comfortable and on time.
Allow cell phone use on planes?
Knowing that lawmakers are considering allowing cell phones to be used on planes, in the July ’05 issue (page 122) Rich Harvey of Athens, Ohio, asked if anyone else was opposed to the idea. Several readers replied, as follows.
Little things tainted great river cruise
After deliberately leaving some time to pass for reflection, I have a few comments about our Eastern Europe river cruise in August ’04. Grand Circle Travel (GCT) was the operator, and our flights were arranged on Lufthansa by GCT.
Tanzania, land of splendor and grace
We took a trip to Tanzania arranged by Roy Safaris (P.O. Box 50, Arusha, Tanzania; phone 255 27 250 8010, fax 255 27 254 8892, e-mail roysafaris@intafrica.com or visit www.roysafaris.com).
Seniors at the wheel
I read the article on seniors and car rentals in the July ’05 “Discerning Traveler” column. Another car rental agency on the European continent is Sixt GmbH & Co. (Zugspitzstr. 1, 82049 Pullach, Germany; phone 888/749-8227, 877/474-2566 or +49 [0] 89 7 44 44 0 or visit www.e-sixt.com).