Travelers' Intercom
Heading to Cuba by cruise ship
A local newspaper mentioned a cruise ship that travels between Montego Bay, Jamaica, and Cuba, making five landings in Cuba.
In Namibia and South Africa
In May 2015, I traveled with Overseas Adventure Travel, or OAT (Cambridge, MA; 800/955-1925, www.oattravel.com), to Namibia, with side trips to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and Chobe National Park in Botswana. It was an interesting itinerary, and Namibia is a worthwhile travel destination.
Aerial tram, Costa Rica
Taking the aerial tram with Rainforest Adventures Costa Rica Atlantic (phone, in the US/Canada, 866/759-8726, www.rainforestadventure.com) was a great way for my wife and me to spend a few hours during our February 2014 visit to Central America.
Ideal Edinburgh neighborhood
The many historic sites along Edinburgh’s Royal Mile are the focus of many visitors to Scotland’s capital. Waverley Railway Station, just to the north, provides convenient rail access, and nearby is Waverley Bridge, the nexus of various tour bus routes and the express Airlink buses to the airport.
Driving Europe? Ask about vignettes
While driving in Italy in 2005, I briefly crossed the border into the Lugano area of Switzerland. When leaving Switzerland, I was stopped at the border crossing by a Swiss policeman, who said I had been on the highway without a toll sticker.
Hôtel Saint-Louis en l’Isle in Paris
Sometimes it's “location, location, location.” Central to almost everything in Paris, including Notre-Dame on Île de la Cité, the Hôtel Saint-Louis en l’Isle (75 rue Saint-Louis en l'Île, 75004 Paris, France; phone +33 [0] 1 46 34 04 80
If canceling, mention the reason
Knowing we are looking forward to our journey, sometimes we read a tour company’s fine-print terms thoroughly, but sometimes we “scan” them.
Gianni Franzi in Vernazza
In mid-April 2015, two of us took the early train out of Nice, France, several hours to Monterosso, Italy, where we bought a local ticket to another Cinque Terre town, Vernazza, one of the most beautiful villages I’ve ever seen.
Visiting PNG as a single
For a couple of years, I contacted many agencies about traveling to Papua New Guinea (PNG) as a single in a group or on an independent tour. Each time, I met with negative vibes.
Used British Air Avios for AA flight
In the letter “Efficient Use of British Air Avios” (March ’15, pg. 14), Robert Tews pointed out that British Airways is a member of the airline alliance oneworld (www.oneworld.com), which has a fee structure based on zones.
Lessons learned renting cars
My wife, Lorna, and I travel to Spain every year, often renting a car from either an international or national firm or one local to our destination.
Sleepless flight
During an overnight flight on Air France from Houston to Paris on Dec. 14, 2014, my husband and I were in the economy-class section trying to sleep. However, the young ladies in the seats in front of us were talking all night.
Surf & Turf in Kirkenes
Kirkenes, a brrrrr-cold town in far-northeastern Norway just miles from the Russian border, is a starting point for many cruises. My son Scott and I were there toward the end of March 2015.
Visas for the Caucasus
Looking forward to going on the tour “Discover the Caucasus: Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan,” Aug. 29-Sept.
Oceania Cruises met special diet
My wife and I cruised from Shanghai, China, to Papeete, Tahiti, on the Insignia of Oceania Cruises (Miami, FL; 800/531-5619, www.oceania cruises.com), April 11-June 4, 2015.
Wednesday’s fares
I read the item about Sunday being the best day of the week on which to buy a domestic airline ticket most cheaply (June ’15, pg.
Punta Arenas restaurant
Prior to and following a fly/cruise trip to Antarctica in January 2014, my wife and I spent some time in Punta Arenas, Chile, where we enjoyed two meals at Restaurant Sabores (Mejicana 702, 2do.