Travelers' Intercom
The North Pole with Quark
When Quark Expeditions sent me information about a North Pole trip aboard a Russian nuclear icebreaker, it was the Murmansk stop that sold me. I remembered that during World War II, merchant mariners took chances sailing to that Russian port in the Arctic to deliver supplies to our Soviet allies.
Iceland self-drive travails
My travel agent worked out the arrangements for me for a wonderful drive to the famous sites of Iceland, June 8-15, 2016. The morning after my arrival in Reykjavik, I was taken to Thrifty Car Rental (www.thrifty.is) to pick up the car I’d be driving ALONE for the entire trip.
Mt. Fuji from Hotel New Century
I don’t know what it is about Japan that keeps drawing us there, but, once there, my husband, Clyde, and I are also drawn to Mount Fuji. We often see Fujisan on the high-speed Shinkansen going to Kyoto.
Not given instructions for Stonehenge tour
I was a member of a group of five senior women who took Golden Tours’ “Simply Stonehenge Tour” on the morning of March 18, 2016. It cost $319 for all of us, or $63.80 per person. I booked the tour three months in advance on the company’s website.
Bits on Venice
From 1953 to 2014, I visited Venice, Italy, eight times. Here is a memory dump of a few things that I think are nice to know if you’re planning to go there. Hotel Danieli (Castello 4196, Venice, 30122, Italy; phone +39 041 5226480, www.danielihotel
Upgrade on Canada’s VIA Rail
Canada’s VIA Rail (888/842-7245, www.viarail.ca) offers upgraded service on selected train routes, including amenities like larger seats with adjustable footrests, frequent beverage service at your seat, hot meals, free Wi-Fi and access to the business-class lounge in the termin
‘Making memories’ in Italy
Visiting family in Italy is not just social; it involves going places and seeing new sites together while making memories. This I did in August 2015.
Hokkaido university tour
I took a tour of the Hokkaido University campus in Sapporo, Japan, Aug. 31, 2016. Participating with me on the guided tour were seven Japanese nationals and a man from Berlin, Germany. Flags were used to help us all stay together.
Venice sailing regatta
During my 2016 visit to Venice, Italy, on Sunday, May 15, I sat for two hours underneath the Ponte della Costituzione bridge, near a train station, watching longboats on the Grand Canal participate in the city’s 42nd annual Vogalonga Regatta (www.vogalonga.com/en).
Impressed with MedjetAssist
In September 2015, my husband, Dan, fell and broke his hip in a hotel in Paris. He was taken by ambulance to the public-assistance hospital. It was a very scary time, as I know little French.
VPN-location reminder
On my iPhone and iPad, I use a virtual personal network (VPN) for privacy when connected to a potentially insecure Wi-Fi network, especially when traveling.
Ramifications of handing out gifts to kids
I read the Feature Article “Rwanda — Finding More than Mountain Gorillas” (Aug. ’16, pg. 46) while I was planning a visit to Rwanda. The author’s vivid descriptions made me excited to hurry up and get there.
Covered by Allianz
On 12 of our trips abroad, my wife, Judy, and I had never filed a travel insurance claim due to illness, but in September 2015 I had to use a foreign doctor on two occasions.
Kabalebo rainforest resort
The Kabalebo Nature Resort (Paramaribo office, phone +597 426 532, http://kabalebo.com), located in the Amazon rainforest and accessible only by air, is where I spent three days and two nights as a member of the tour “Guyana, Suriname & Trinidad” in March 2015.
Repel Mosquito Wipes
While in Suriname and Guyana in August 2016, we used a really effective product, Repel Mosquito Wipes (www.repel.com/products/personal-repellents/other-repellents/wipes.aspx).
VRBO for private rentals
A subscriber asked for info on renting rooms through Airbnb.com (Aug. ’16, pg. 15).