Travelers' Intercom
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).
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
On selfie sticks
I own a selfie stick and will never travel without it, and I have never taken a selfie.The selfie stick securely holds my iPhone 6 Plus, it has a wrist strap so I never drop the stick or phone, and it has one button on the handle that allows me to take photos with one hand.
Drifter Sister + Arrivederci Puglia Travel
My husband, Jim, and I found an ad in “The Mart” section of ITN’s December 2016 issue describing a combination trip of a week on a yacht sailing Croatia’s Dalmatian Islands for a maximum of 20 people plus a week’s bus tour of Montenegro for 10 people, all arrang
Your Business Flights
While searching for discounted business-class fares from Los Angeles to Zagreb, Croatia, I came across Your Business Flights (Las Vegas, NV; 800/359-3050, yourbusinessflights.com).
Depending on kindness
I was lucky with my trip to Italy this year in that I had no major mishaps or missed connections on either planes or trains. However, in the stations, I still depended totally on others to help with my 22-inch suitcase, and someone always came through.
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.
Notes on Chiang Rai
What a fabulous place Chiang Rai is! It’s located in the Golden Triangle area of Thailand, where three rivers come together creating boundaries for Laos, Myanmar and Thailand.
Smaller tips ‘Down Under’
While reading Mark Gallo’s article “Tipping Abroad” (July ’17, pg. 53), I recalled an incident in Australia in the ’80s.
Bulgaria & Romania with Balkan Trails
If your travels ever take you to Romania and/or Bulgaria, I’d like to recommend a tour company there whose owners developed a wonderful 3½-week journey for my companion and me, Oct. 13-Nov. 3, 2016.