Travelers' Intercom
Alpha Flight Guru
I started flying business class on international flights around 2001 and have used several different companies for finding discount fares. While I haven’t used the company recommended by Deanna Palic´, Yourbusinessflights.com (Oct. ’17, pg.
Reimbursed after having to cancel
For a tour of England and France that was to take place May 26-June 21, 2017, my wife and I purchased travel insurance with Travel Guard (800/826-1300, www.travelguard.com). We paid $428 for Travel Guard’s Gold Policy.
Getting an accurate feel for a place
I read the subscriber’s article about a “180-day ’round-the-world cruise” (Aug. ’17, pg. 46).
Disappointed in Ireland arrangements
My husband, Robert Bierman, and I took an 11-day trip through Ireland, May 21-31, 2017, that was arranged for us by Journey Through Ireland (JTI). I booked the trip about six months in advance, and we paid $9,578, not including meals.
Off! Deep Woods repellent
In the September 2017 issue, the “Discerning Traveler” column had an article about avoiding the Zika virus, while the “Mindful Traveler” column mentioned insect repellents.
The Camino de Santiago more comfortably
For my 75th birthday, in September 2015, my sons Ken (age 54) and John (48) and I walked 110 kilometers (68 miles) on the Camino de Santiago in Spain. My 83-year-old husband, Ray, wanted to accompany us, so we rented a car and he became our “Sherpa.”
Online/offline chip-and-PIN debit cards
After discovering that my ATM cards would not work at automatic teller machines in Amsterdam, Netherlands, in 2013, I got a chip-and-PIN debit card from Andrews Federal Credit Union, or AFCU (www.andrewsfcu.org). It had been mentioned in ITN (March ’14, pg.
Had to buy rental agency’s insurance
My wife, Carole, and I found Ron Carlson’s letter “Tips on Driving in Europe” interesting (Sept. ’17, pg. 15).
Bumped by Avianca
While at the Lima, Peru, airport trying to check in for an Avianca flight to Cuzco on Dec. 23, 2016, my wife and I were told that we could not check in — even after we showed them our seat confirmations — because groups and continuing passengers were being given priority.
Outpatient visit in Vietnam
Thirteen days into our 15-day tour through Cambodia and Vietnam with Gate 1 Travel (Fort Washington, PA; 800/682-3333, www.gate1travel.com), March 5-19, 2017, my husband, Michael, experienced bladder retention due to an enlarged prostate that he’s had for 20 years but which had “acted u
Traveler’s power strip
Mark Gallo’s article on adapter plugs (Aug. ’17, pg. 52) is the sort of reminder we all need about staying connected when we travel the world.
Patagonia & Travel Vision Journeys
A few days after commenting to a friend, “We have no idea where we’re going to travel next year,” the October 2016 issue of ITN arrived, and on the “Tours” page a photography tour was mentioned called “The Best of Patagonia,” offered by Travel Vision Journeys (
La Petite École – worth a detour
Central France is an area frequently driven through and not visited. Restaurant la Petite École (Rilhac, Vergongheon, France; phone 04 71 76 97 43, www.restaurant-lapetiteecole.com) is a good reason to make a detour.
Thinking of Singapore
I read the article about Singapore by Marvin and Carole Feldman (July ’17, pg. 34). It took me back some years ago to when I visited Singapore on discounted transportation as a courier.
Private tour of northern Italy
My friend Sandra and I spent four glorious days in Italy with Maria Rizziello of Treasures of Italy (Via Prandone 24, 14100, Asti, Italia; call, collect, 011 39 0141 294 801, email treasuresofitaly@outlook.com or visit www.facebook.com/treasures ofitaly). Maria conducts tours all over Italy.
Bidding on seat upgrades
I read the piece in Travel Briefs about bidding for a seat upgrade on Etihad Airways (Sept. ’17. pg. 4). My wife and I have successfully done this twice, most recently in January 2017.
What it means to be an ‘ugly tourist’
Editor’s note: In last month’s issue, ITN printed letters from several subscribers who had strong reactions to the article about “ugly tourists” by Contributing Editor Rick Steves in his June 2017 column.
Seeing Venice at 100
At age 100, I returned to, saw and was conquered by Venice. My legs and eyes were not up to the tasks I had in mind, and if I go again, I will stay near an “all points” vaporetto (canal bus) stop. The small wheels on my walker were not suited to the rough pavement.
The ‘real’ Mexico near Puerto Vallarta
Among the top attractions for many visitors to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, are strolling along the colorful Malecón, exploring the town’s charming colonial center and basking in the beauty