Travelers' Intercom
Luggage locks cut
I obtained through the TravelSmith catalog (800/950-1600 or www.travelsmith.com) two TSA-approved luggage locks with the red TSA-approved logo plainly visible on them. On Nov. 20, ’04, at the end of a trip, I boarded LanChile flight No. 500 from Santiago to Miami.
Seeing Hungary by car
My husband, Norman, and I were lured into visiting Hungary by the idea that it was one of the bargains left in European travel. As we found on our trip in September ’04, this proved to be correct. It has joined the E.U. but, for now, is still using the old currency (forint).
Ethiopia recommendation
I was in northern and southern Ethiopia, Jan. 9-27, ’05, and I can heartily recommend our travel guide and agent. We have traveled overseas from one to four times a year since 1981, and all three of us on the Ethiopia tour agreed that this was the best guide we’d ever had on any such trip.
Poverty in Bhutan
I visited Bhutan Nov. 4-15, ’01, fly-fishing with a guide and driver. I saw beautiful streams, few fish, beautiful country and a unique, most interesting culture and delightful people, but Shangri-la it ain’t!
Cost of medications
Did you know that prescription drugs are sometimes less expensive than over-the-counter versions?
Bangkok observations
In Bangkok, the SkyTrain continues to be a godsend for getting passengers up and out of the awful fume-ridden traffic. The SkyTrain is quite crowded during rush hours, but it’s air-conditioned, so being packed in isn’t bad.
Colorful memories of Vietnam
It was with a sense of great anticipation and adventure that we started our 3-week tour of Vietnam in December ’03. We experienced a country where the people are a delight, the scenery is exceptional and history and religion resulted in other wonderful sightseeing opportunities.
Speaking of ‘hub and spoke’
I enjoyed the article on LHSDGT (Sept. ’04, pg. 106). My idea of a great time is one location for two to three weeks with day trips out from a single location. Commonly known as the “hub and spoke” concept, it is much easier on an older population and allows for choices.
Dealing with flights to Europe
I read with interest the reader’s comments in the letter titled “Flights Spoiled a Good Cruise” (Jan. ’05, pg. 26), regarding the flights assigned by Grand Circle Travel (Boston, MA). We are also Grand Circle “Inner Circle” members.
Companies came through
• A promotion run in 2003 by Grand Circle Travel (347 Congress St., Boston, MA 02210; phone 800/221-2610 or visit www.gct.com) promised two $250 travel certificates applicable to your next GCT trip if you completed an extensive questionnaire on your future travel plans.
Dining in Croatia
On a trip to Croatia in June ’04, we found three restaurants which were excellent.
Marco Polo repeat passenger
I read with a lot of interest the October ’04 article by Lew Toulmin about the Marco Polo of Orient Lines (800/333-7300 or www.orientlines.com).
Calling on IsCard
This is a follow-up to my letter in the February ’05 issue, page 16, regarding making phone calls through Iscom, Inc.
Paid for exit row on Virgin
At Miami Airport I checked in for Virgin Atlantic flight No. 6 to London Heathrow and, putting on my nicest smile, asked if I could possibly have an exit row seat. . . for the stretch-out room. Imagine my surprise when I was told I could “upgrade” to an exit-row seat for the sum of $70.
Düsseldorf and more
I was in Germany for several weeks in June ’04 and found a wonderful small hotel, Hotel Berlin Plaza, one-half block from the Ku’Damm in Berlin. I would recommend it. I think it’s too small to have “groups,” but the building did have two elevators. Almost all of the other people there were Germans.
Milan trattoria
Travelers to Italy looking for a trattoria near the Milan train station can go with confidence to Trattoria La Baita (phone 02-6694173), just around the corner from the station at Via Lepetit 27, corner of Via Vitruvio.
Missed tour due to communication snafus
ITN is breaking with tradition, in this case, in how it presents a reader’s complaint and the company’s rebuttal. In the interest of brevity and clarity, the following facts have been summarized from many, many pages of correspondence. — Editor
Visit to Transnistria
My wife, Arlene, and I spent a few hours in a little-visited part of the world that is well worth seeing because of its complex history and location.
Hired driver in Hungary
In need of a driver on our September ’04 trip that included Hungary, we were turned on to Gabor Stern (e-mail sabor.s@vivamail.hu, phone 0036-202238630) by the Hungarian National Tourist Office (e-mail info@gotohungary.com).
Travel to Sri Lanka post tsunami
After the initial shock of and reaction to the unprecedented tragedy that hit South Asia on Dec. 26, it is important to present the traveling public with an accurate account of the current situation on the ground in terms of tourism. I have such information to pass along regarding Sri Lanka.