Travelers' Intercom
Winging it to Estonia + a German wedding + Iceland
My wife, Mary, and I traveled to Germany in September 2015, as we had been invited — as family — to attend the wedding of our former exchange student.
Files claims only for big medical bills
I read about the traveler who, while on a hiking tour in New Zealand, came down with a respiratory illness, left the tour and took a bus back to Queenstown but did not seek a physician because it was Saturday afternoon (Feb. ’16, pg. 16).
Citadines apart’ hotels
A subscriber recommended the apart’hotel Citadines Sainte-Catherine Brussels (www.citadines.com), in Belgium, noting “Citadines is a new chain of hotels” (March ’16, pg. 49).
AA lounge-access restrictions
My wife and I take frequent trips to foreign locations. We regularly travel business class because the additional room and services we receive are worth the extra cost. We also value the fact that, when taking an international flight in business class, we can use the business-class lounge before departure.
The preexisting-condition waiver
When I purchase travel insurance, I always get a policy that includes a “preexisting-condition waiver,” as my principal purpose in purchasing the policy is to have coverage if I need to cancel or interrupt a trip due to an accident or illness.
Eastern Canada and Panama HAL cruises
I took a sailing adventure, the “14-Day Historic Coasts/Canada & New England Discovery,” aboard the ms Veendam of Holland America Line, or HAL (Seattle, WA; 877/932-4259, www.hollandamerica.com), Aug. 29-Sept. 12, 2015.
The power of ‘Guernica’
I enjoyed reading Rick Steves’ article about Pablo Picasso (May ’16, pg. 55).
Turu Ba Ri park in Costa Rica
With some free time during my January 2016 visit to Costa Rica, I discovered the delightful Turu Ba Ri Nature & Adventure Park (San Juan de Mata de Turrubares, Costa Rica; phone +506 4052 0940, http://turubari.com/en). It’s an ideal place to visit.
For short tour in Russia with guide, no visa needed
I read with interest the article “Spending Time in St. Petersburg” (March ’16, pg. 18), as my husband and I are sailing with Viking Ocean Cruises (866/984-5464, www.vikingcruises.com/oceans) soon and will spend two days in St. Petersburg.
Netherlands’ Fiets-vakantiewinkel, for bicyclists
I enjoyed the Feature Article “Biking the Backroads” by Jim Johnson (June ’16, pg. 22). Flory, my late wife, and I biked independently quite a bit.
Know your cell phone plan
If you’re taking a cell phone on a trip to another country, be sure to notify your cell phone provider to see if you need to make a change to your calling plan.*
A stop in Cairo
While visiting the Middle East in June 2015, I used the wonderful Egyptian driver Tarek. He speaks English well, his taxi is decent, and he’ll drive visitors to the pyramids and local markets for around $50. If he’s busy, his brother Rahim may be available, and he’s a gem also.
Know state laws on importing alcohol
I read the “Funniest Thing” about the American lady in Mexico asking how much alcohol she could take into the US and then how much she could take into Texas (April ’16, pg. 48). She was actually asking two valid questions, since state laws can supersede US laws even for transiting passengers.