Travelers' Intercom
It seemed no shuttle was forthcoming
We travel frequently and always use the local SuperShuttle for travel to the airport. SuperShuttle always tries to get us to make a reservation for our return home.
A Christmas gift to remember
For Christmas 2003, my husband, Bernie, and I decided to give each other an extra-nice present: we would take a 9-day “Hot Air Balloon Flight Over the Alps” tour in January ’04. Two days of the tour would be spent at the International Balloon Festival in Château d’Oex, Switzerland.
The Bay of Naples
On a 2002 Mediterranean cruise aboard Holland America Line’s Noordam, Naples was the last stop of our 10-day journey.
Travels in the Dominican Republic
My husband, Joe, and I traveled to the Dominican Republic and Haiti, Feb. 2-11, ’04, to complete visits to all the nations of the Western Hemisphere.
Are you fully covered?
As I was making a reservation for a rental car in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, in January ’04, I asked the agent, “Will there be any hidden charges?”
Reciprocal tourism with Turtle Tours
I had already taken two tours with Turtle Tours (Box 1147, Carefree, AZ 85377; phone 888/299-1439 or 480/488-3688, fax 480/488-3406, e-mail turtletours@earthlink.net) when I received the brochure which read, “Join us as a volunteer.
Found Russia ‘fascinating’
I noticed in the Travelers’ Intercom section a couple of rather negative reports of Russian riverboat experiences (March ’04, pg. 32 & April ’04, pg. 82).
Get up and go
Since my retirement in 1999, I have taken 10 trips to Europe every year. My frequent trips to Italy have each been to different areas, but I return often to London, Paris, Rome, Prague, Vienna and Amsterdam and have been in those cities in various months.
Zegrahm makes it right
My husband and I took a trip to Mauritius, Madagascar and Seychelles, Feb. 23-March 9, ’04, with Zegrahm Expeditions (192 Nickerson St., Ste. 200, Seattle, WA 98109; phone 800/628-8747). In Madagascar, one of our carry-on bags was stolen.
A week for Prague and Budapest
Four of us, who were spending the week of Thanksgiving 2003 in Budapest and Prague, were annoyed that we couldn’t escape popular American music playing everywhere. Also, while we weren’t surprised to find McDonald’s, Burger King and KFC, in Prague we were caught off guard to see pizzerias on every block.
Online cruise agency recommendation
I would like to recommend an online cruise agency that I use, iCruise.com (127 W. 25th St., 12th Floor, New York, NY 10001; phone 888/909-6242). I have booked three cruises with them and find them very efficient and reliable.
Narrowboat in Wales
Along with another couple, my wife and I “narrowboated” the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal in southeast Wales at the end of July ’03. We hired our narrowboat through Beacon Park Boats and had a wonderful experience.
Hanoi’s transformation
A reader in the March ’04 issue, page 48, correctly places Hanoi on the “Favorite Cities” list, but to state, “Hanoi, on the other hand, has changed very little in the past 30 years,” is inaccurate.
Artwork in Thailand
For travelers who have extra time in Bangkok, Thailand, I’d like to pass along a wonderful shopping contact.
Apprehensions dispelled aboard Discovery
I’d like to commend Discovery World Cruises (1800 SE 10th Ave., Ste.
All Asia Travel Company
My two adult daughters and my wife and I returned from three magnificent weeks in Thailand (Bangkok and Chiang Mai), Vietnam (Hanoi, Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An, Nha Trang, Da Lat and Ho Chi Minh City) and Cambodia (Siem Reap and Angkor) on Jan. 19, ’04.
Avoiding x-ray damage to film
If your trip is going to cover three weeks or more, here is an option which guarantees no film damage by x-ray machines at airports.