Travelers' Intercom
Accessing the right account with ATM-only card
My wife and I obtained a new Bank of America ATM card in early 2015. We had one before and traveled all over the world with it and never had any problems. Unfortunately, on our July 2015 trip to France we were unable to get any money from six different bank ATMs that we tried to use.
Australia despite drought
If your heart is set on seeing waterfalls in Western Australia, as was the case with the Reeds during their dry-season trip (“Australia’s Kimberley Coast,” June ’15, pg. 30), you should make careful inquiries before booking a visit.
Bering Sea cruise with Ponant
I had the pleasure of a 10-day, 9-night expedition-type sailing on L’Austral, one of four ships operated by Ponant Yacht Cruises & Expeditions (408 Avenue du Prado, 13008 Marseille, France; 888/400-1082, http://en.ponant.com), Aug. 20-30, 2015.
Impressions of Amman
While traveling through the Middle East in mid-June 2015, I had a chance to see the beautiful new Amman Queen Alia International Airport in Jordan. It is especially nice.
Bogotá, Cartagena & Medellín
In his letter “Advice for Visitors to Bogotá” (Nov. ’15, pg. 12), Stephen O. Addison, Jr., gave a great overview of Colombia’s capital city. I can only add that my wife, Patti, and I had no difficulty getting pesos from ATMs when we were in Colombia, Oct.
Citadines Sainte-Catherine Brussels
Stephen O. Addison, Jr., described frustrations of using the Metro in Brussels, Belgium (March ’15, pg. 12). My husband and I totally agree with him, based on our experience in September 2014.
Runner Bean in Barcelona
If you really want to have Barcelona’s Old City come alive, take one of the tours offered by Runner Bean Walking Tours (Carrer del Carme 44, pral 2ª 08001, Barcelona, Spain; phone +34 636 108 776, www.runnerbeantours.com).
Comparing business class, Qatar vs Delta
In August 2015, I flew to East Africa on a Qatar Airways Boeing 777 in business class. Here are a few comparisons of that flight with my flight to South Africa on Delta Air Lines in August 2014, also in business class on a Boeing 777.
National Trust’s ‘undiscovered gems’
Helen Harper’s letter “National Trust Sites, England” (Nov. ’15, pg. 27), about tours by the Royal Oak Foundation, motivated me to write with more info. Many travelers, even if they’re Anglophiles, might not know about England’s National Trust (P.O.
Dolphin Discovery in Punta Cana
While visiting Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, on a November 2015 Caribbean trip, three family members and I got to swim with dolphins at Dolphin Discovery (Carretera de Veron Bavaro, La Altagracia Province, Higuey Town, 23301, Dominican Republic; phone, in the US, 866/393-5158, w
Budget travel in the South Caucasus
I read the subscriber’s letter “South Caucasus Comparisons” (July ’15, pg. 15) with interest, as I visited Georgia and Armenia in 2009.
Ireland and Wales with David McGuffin
Nine months in advance, my husband, Gary, and I (ages 70-plus) and our daughter and her spouse began planning a trip to Ireland.
Searching websites for low fares
When you check airlines’ websites for airfares, most websites put a “cookie” on your computer. Each website uses the cookie to track your habits on subsequent visits.
‘Circling the Sun’ in Kenya
My husband, Alan, and I have traveled to Africa three times with Overseas Adventure Travel and have had extraordinary trips each time. The historical novel I just read, “Circling the Sun” by Paula McLain (2015, Ballantine Books), made me long for another trip to Africa.
Amazon with International Expeditions
An Amazon River cruise, Aug. 16-24, 2014, was the sixth trip my husband, Ed, and I took with International Expeditions (IE) (Helena, AL; 855/246-0405 or 205/428-1700, www.ietravel.com).