Travelers' Intercom
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.
London’s Paddington neighborhood
One rarely hears the phrase “affordable and convenient lodging” used in the same sentence with London.
Organize your photos now!
As a nonagenarian, here is my advice to photographers. Edit your collection while your eyes are still good and before your equipment and software go out of date. Put the photos on the most modern medium.
Road Scholar, Sri Lanka & India
“A Journey of Enlightenment in Sri Lanka & South India,” Dec. 2-18, 2015, was my second trip with Road Scholar (Boston, MA; 800/454-5768, www.roadscholar.org) and, again, it was a very successful one.
Prehistoric cave art with Andante
In southwestern France, I took the tour “Dordogne — Prehistoric Cave Art” with Andante Travels (The Clock Tower, Unit 4, Oakridge Office Park, Southampton Rd., Whaddon, Salisbury, England, SP5 3HT, U.K.; in US, 888/331-3476, c), Sept. 7-14, 2015.
Surprising the cook
In the article “Breakfast Musings” in his column “The Discerning Traveler,” Philip Wagenaar wrote about the Grand Prix de la Baguette in Paris (April ’16, pg. 50). The winning baker provides the French president with bread each day for a year.
Benefits of Using a Travel Agent : Louise at Ocala Travel
My husband and I traveled extensively until his death in February 2015. I now travel with grandchildren, as the travel urge is still strong.
Madagascar plans stymied
Based upon another ITN subscriber’s recommendation (Sept. ’14, pg. 46), in January 2015 I arranged for a private tour in Madagascar through Mr.
Tack on Taiwan
I read with interest David Patten’s piece on his visit to Taiwan with Adventures Abroad (April ’16, pg. 6). When I wanted to visit in 2010, I couldn’t find a Western tour company that went there, so I wound up traveling by myself.
A look at Lausanne
On my trip to Switzerland in June 2015, I flew from London to Geneva. From the lower level of the Geneva Airport, I took the train to Lausanne after purchasing my round-trip ticket in the airport lobby for about $85. The train, which was very well maintained, left exactly on time.
Paris bistro Mon Vieil Ami
On Paris’ Îsle de la Cité, the specialty is seasonal vegetables at the bistro Mon Vieil Ami (69 rue Saint-Louis en l’Ile, Paris, France; phone +33 1 40 46 01 35, http://en.mon-vieil-ami.com).
Lebanon ‘a wonderful experience’
For such a small country, Lebanon is packed with amazing sights. From Tyre to Baalbek there are ruins from the Phoenicians, the Romans and the Crusaders. The Jeita Grotto, filled with stalactites and stalagmites, is like a cathedral. The mighty cedars in the forest preserve are something to see.
Speaking up for Delta
In her letter “Comparing Business Class, Qatar vs Delta” (March ’16, pg.
AAnytime awards costlier than MileSAAver
As every frequent flyer knows, trips can be hard to book using your miles because the few seats on each flight that can be purchased with miles sell out quickly. Savvy frequent flyers book on the first date that the flight they want becomes available, which, in general practice, is 330 days before the flight.