Travelers' Intercom
Brazil tax on cruisers
We decided that Latin America would be our 2017 travel destination, sailing on a 22-day “Amazon Exploration” cruise aboard the 684-passenger Regatta of Oceania Cruises (Miami, FL; 855/335-2723, www.oceania cruises.com).
Driving in Bulgaria
The May 2017 issue contained an article on self-driving in Bulgaria (page 6).
Family R&R on Lake Stoney, Ontario
Following a whirlwind tour of the city of Toronto in July 2016, my family headed for the calming shores of Ontario’s Kawartha Lakes.
Praise for Gorilla Trek Africa
I loved reading Esther Perica’s letter about visiting the mountain gorillas in Rwanda (April ’17, pg. 27).
Carry-on carried off
I have a cautionary tale for those folks who stow their carry-ons in the first overhead space they come to when boarding a plane, even if it is far forward of where they’re seated.
Enjoyed Grand Circle tour of Italy & France
My husband and I, along with another couple, enjoyed a wonderful 3-week trip to Italy.
Warnings about ATMs
In countries where there are no ATMs, cash is king. In about half the countries in Africa, there are no ATMs or establishments that accept credit cards outside of the capital or main financial city. This is also true in many Pacific island nations.
Smartertravel.com
For years I have been subscribing to Smartertravel.com. (A subscription is free).
Insólitours in Mexico
My husband and I decided to spend Easter 2017 in Mexico City as our part to advance positive relations with our friends south of the border.
Johannesburg guide + caution
My husband, Gerald Liedl, and I had a one-day layover in Johannesburg, South Africa, on March 19, 2017, and ended up arranging a private 4-hour tour of the city with The KFP Tours (P.O.
The Momiji Tunnel and Mt. Fuji
We’d like to say a bit more about the Momiji Tunnel in Kawaguchiko in Japan, mentioned in our letter “Mt. Fuji from Hotel New Century” (Dec.
Critique of ’Stans & South Caucasus tours
My husband, Greg Fearon, and I visited five of the ’Stans plus the South Caucasus, April 12-May 25, 2016, on back-to-back tours led by JMG Tibet Tours (www.jmgtibettours.com).
Bird’s-eye views of Santiago
I read the Travel Brief item “Santiago Aerial Tram” (May ’17, pg.
Yellowknife in NWT, Canada
I have a goal of visiting all the provincial capitals in Canada, and in October 2015 my son, Grant, and I traveled to Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories.
Rome circa 312, in Germany
I went to an exhibit in Pforzheim, Germany, called Rome 312 (Hohweisenweg 6, Pforzheim; phone +49 7231 7760 997, www.gasometer-pforzheim.de/en) in March 2017.
Challenges & rewards of Bangladesh travel
Most Americans know nothing about Bangladesh, although some may remember the 1971 Concert for Bangladesh (organized by Ravi Shankar and George Harrison) that provided aid to that country, wh
Gelato in Venice and Bolzano
In the Santa Lucia train station in Venice, Italy, be sure to visit the gelato counter GROM (www.grom.it). It’s dead ahead of you when you walk up the ramp on the left and through the station door.
Victoria Falls guide
My wife, Marcia, and I finally made it to Victoria Falls in March 2017, and we weren’t disappointed. In fact, our visit there was downright spectacular. A major contributor to our enjoyment was the Zimbabwean guide Moses Ndhlovu (phone +263 777 835 960 or email mosndhlovu@yahoo.com).