Travelers' Intercom
The Monet on the Adriatic
In late October ’04 I boarded the Monet, a small cruise ship carrying a maximum of 59 passengers, at the San Basilio pier in Venice, Italy. Our itinerary was a leisurely 7-day cruise down the Dalmatian coast (formerly Yugoslavia), terminating in Dubrovnik.
On Lufthansa seating
The reader’s letter “Flights Spoiled a Good Cruise” (Jan. ’05, pg. 26) regarding Edward DeCrappeo’s July 17 Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt to Washington, D.C., inspired me to write. My wife and I took that same flight in June ’04 and we concur completely with his comments on the discomfort of the airplane.
Fourth trip to China
For our fourth trip to China, in October ’03, we selected areas of the country that had UNESCO World Heritage Sites that we had either read or heard about for many years. Our new destinations would be Shanghai, Tunxi, Huang Shan, Chengdu, Leishan, Zigong, Dazu, Chongqing and Suzhou.
Florence repasts
I was in Florence, Italy, on a Christmas-in-Florence tour, Dec. 21-28, ’04, and found several good places to eat in the Centro Storico area. Both are on the street that is about one block from the famed Ponte Vecchio.
Hotel Toro transformation
A reader sent ITN a copy of a letter mailed to AMS Hotels (Parc Center, Bolling Ave. 8, 1119 Schiphol-Rizk, Netherlands) regarding a property in Amsterdam, as follows.
Pleased with global phone
A discovery! I purchased a GSM (Global System for Mobile communication) phone for a trip to Egypt/Jordan in November ’04. Although there was no need for lengthy conversations with my progeny, I did feel a need for a phone should a crisis of some kind occur.
Around the world in 8 days
I took an around-the-world trip in 7½ days flying first class on Qantas, American Airlines and Cathay Pacific, Nov. 6-14, ’04. I used One World’s ’round-the-world fare. The ticket cost $9,100. I paid full price — no breaks.
‘Waterways of the Czars’
I went on a 14-day cruise from Moscow to St. Petersburg in August ’04.
‘Guerrilla Travel Tactics’
In his review of “Guerrilla Travel Tactics” by Levinson and Brandt-Sarif (Nov. ’04, pg. 92), ITN Contributing Editor Chris Springer seems determined to criticize what may be the best book of its kind on the market right now.
Comparing two bicycle tour firms
A friend and I got together recently to compare notes and photos from our 2004 biking adventures in Europe.
Enjoyable dining, Europe
My wife and I would like to share some wonderful restaurants we experienced while traveling in Europe in May and June ’03.
Woodcarving classes in Austria
We attended “Austrian Woodcarving Weeks” in Elbigen-alp, Austria, Oct. 10-24, ’04. This was at the Geisler-Moroder Austrian Woodcarving School (A-6652 Elbigenalp 63, Austria; phone 43-5634-6215, e-mail geisler-moroder@aon.at or visit www.geisler-moroder.com. Geisler-Moroder’s U.S.
Extended travels in Latin America
My wife, Elaine, and I traveled in Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands at the end of January and beginning of February ’04 for two weeks. We then spent several weeks in Peru and finally a month in Panama. Here are a few comments that might be of interest to readers. ECUADOR & GALÁPAGOS —
Sights in Germany
My husband and I traveled by train to Berlin, Germany, in June ’04. We used public transportation there (U-Bahn and S-Bahn), seeing all of the exciting landmarks such as the Brandenburg Gate, once a dividing point between East and West Berlin and now a symbol of German unity.
River Navigator on the Danube and Black Sea
Friendly faces, lively music, colorful art and beautiful churches are what my husband and I found on our 12-day “Danube and Black Sea Sampler,” a river cruise from which we returned on Oct. 17, ’04.
Keeping wallet in sight at x-ray
ITN printed a letter of mine about my going through Frankfurt Airport in 2003 and having a security screener insist that my wallet and passport be x-rayed (Nov. ’04, pg. 18). I expressed concern that they could have been stolen while they were at the other end of the conveyor belt and out of my sight.
Making calls to the U.S.
In 2003 my wife was badly “burned” by telephone calls she made to the USA from overseas, so I researched the market and came up with an excellent service: Iscom, Inc. (IsCard.com Division, One Silicon Alley Plaza, 90 William St., Ste.
Guide in Turkey
After spending three months trying to put together a 3-week trip to Turkey, I was ready to throw in the towel. It seemed there was a choice of either packaged tours or backpacking but little in between.