Travelers' Intercom
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.
The Discerning Traveler » Charming Madeira
by Philip Wagenaar, M.D., first of two parts “Money,” the young crook hissed, aiming the rock at my face. Scared out of my wits, I uttered, “I have no money.”
Scammed at Bucharest rail station
On Feb. 3, ’04, a friend and I were victims of a scam in Bucharest, Romania, inside the main entrance to the Gare de Nord and outside of Wasteels Ticket Agency.
Left ‘in the dark’ re train change
During a trip in Japan, I rode on Haruka train No. 7 from Kyoto to Osaka Kansai Airport on the rainy morning of Oct. 13, ’03. The train stopped at Hinero Station. I saw everyone get off the train and I got off too, however my intended destination was the airport.
A great restaurant for a 'splurge'
To celebrate an anniversary or a spouse’s birthday while traveling overseas, have you ever decided to hang the expense and really “splurge” on a meal? We asked those of you who did so — and found that it was worth every euro, pound or whatever — to write in about the experience.
Sour welcome to Rio
On Feb. 3, ’04, as a traveler with the “Tango and Samba” group of smarTours (800/337-7773), I entered Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, coming from Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Costa Rica & Panama with Cruise West
My husband and I enjoyed a tour of Costa Rica and Panama, Nov. 6-15, ’03, with Cruise West (2401 Fourth Ave., Ste. 700, Seattle, WA 98121; phone 800/426-7702 or visit www.cruisewest.com).
Trusts Adventure Center
I always have Adventure Center (1311 63rd St., Ste. 200, Emeryville, CA 94608; phone 800/228-8747) arrange my air tickets when I book air and land together; it may cost me a few bucks more, but it is well worth it!
Argentina and Uruguay
In January ’04 we took a self-directed trip to Buenos Aires, Argentina, and to Montevideo and Punta del Este, Uruguay. We experienced a delightful and safe adventure at a very reasonable price.
Rental car charges tacked on
For a trip to Kangaroo Island, Australia, in October ’03, I rented a car for three days from Hertz. Booked for pickup on Oct. 4 and dropped off on Oct. 6, it was part of a package deal with Emu Airways (General Aviation Terminal, Kel Barclay Ave., Adelaide Airport, S.A.
Tabulating opinions on England’s top sites
The ITN staff found the strategy described in the following letter clever and thought that, with the wealth of guidebooks available on so many destinations, some readers might be inspired to use this method in planning which sites to visit.
Budget cruiser
I read the reader’s letter “Wildly Varying Cruise Fares Irksome” in the January ’04 issue. I have been on 39 cruises with various lines. As Bill Bennett put it (page 27), “cruise lines vary their prices according to demand.” I agree that is true.
Zipping through the canopy
While in Tikal, Guatemala, in December ’03, several traveling companions and I enjoyed a “swing through the trees” courtesy of Total Adventure Tikal Canopy Tour (phone [011] 502-300-8316, [011] 502-499-3782 or [011] 502-615-4988). Their office is located just outside the gate to Tikal National Park.