Travelers' Intercom
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.
A gîte can’t be beat
Inspired by the article on renting “a home away from home” (Aug. ’04, pg. 38), I am sending some comments concerning renting gîtes in France.
Taking care while traveling
I use the following technique to prevent being separated from my essentials at airport security (Nov. ’04, pg.18).
Wanted flight itinerary printout
We are using our frequent-flyer miles for the first time for a trip to Antarctica in January 2005. We had enough miles with both Delta and United. I started calling more than a year early to book our flights and learned that you can’t book more than 11 months out.
Hitting the museums in Germany
We traveled to Germany, May 7-June 2, ’04. We had seen much of the country’s natural beauty, the Romantic Road and other attractions on a previous trip. This one was planned with art as the main objective.
Flower shows in Britain
I attended the Chelsea Flower Show in London on May 25, ’04, and found it a big disappointment. This was my second visit and the crowds were such that we could barely view the gardens and exhibits. The Royal Horticultural Society bragged that 160,000 persons attended during the week. That amounts to 32,000 daily!
Hell Fire Pass Museum, Thailand
My wife and I were very interested to read Dennis Cavagnaro’s article on the River Kwai (Nov. ’04, pg. 24), as we had made a similar trip in September-October ’03.
Felt like ‘marks’ in Barcelona
We visited Barcelona for four nights in September ’04. We stayed at a delightful, newly renovated apartment near the end of Las Ramblas. We shared with two other guest rooms a self-service breakfast, a well-stocked kitchen, a large sunny dining room and two bathrooms.
Protecting valuables
In response to William Hollifield’s letter “Valuables Put in Peril” (Nov. ’04, pg.18), the security procedures at the Frankfurt, Germany, airport are still a nightmare. I passed through there on Oct. 17, ’04, on my way home from Italy. Flights had to be held because the security line was so backed up.
Booked European hotels
For a recent trip to France and Italy, arranged on short notice, I decided to book all hotels ahead of time. I had considerable benefit from using a site called Venere.com.
Madeira driver-guides
I would like to add some information to the excellent articles on “Charming Madeira” by Philip Wagenaar in the May and June ’04 issues. I made a trip there a few years ago. I agree that Madeira is a beautiful and wonderful place to visit.
Hertz delivery in Outback
My husband and I were traveling independently in the Outback of Australia’s Northern Territory in July ’04.
Trip to Argentina
We took a trip to Argentina, March 23-April 4, ’04, booked through our travel agent, Keka’s Travel (9600 NW 25th St., Ste. 4-C, Miami, FL 33154; phone 800/593-5352 or visit www.kekastvl.com).
Smoking aboard airliners
I’m writing in response to a reader’s inquiry regarding flights that allow smoking (Oct. ’04, pg. 84).
Pipes in Paris
Each Sunday afternoon at the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, there is a free organ concert for about an hour. Starting between 4 and 5 p.m., depending on the time of year, each concert presents a guest organist from one of the cathedrals of Europe.
Wasn’t told new phone needed code
In March ’04 I purchased a new Motorola V-400 “World Class” phone and opened a new Cingular line to use it. (My existing Cingular phone would not work with the new GSM services.) The new phone was purchased for use on a trip to Sweden planned for early April.
Armenia visit
I went to Yerevan and Gyumri, Armenia, for three weeks in April-May ’04. In each city I stayed in a guest house. The one in Yerevan was owned by Kaikush Kambartsumyan (or it may be Haikush Hambartsumyar; the writing is hard to read) and cost $40, breakfast included.
Re valuables at x-ray
Re the letter “Valuables Put in Peril,” about losing sight of items going through the airport x-ray. . . Your passport, the majority of your money, all your credit cards, I.D., tickets, etc., should never ever be in a coat, pants pocket or purse.