Travelers' Intercom
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
Passport pages tip
When I handed my passport to the Immigration officer at Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands in May 2014, I requested he put a stamp on a page that had already been used.
Gargantua in Valbrevenna
When my wife and I visited my sister in northwestern Italy in September 2014, we took a short trip to Savignone, near Casella, north of Genoa. From there, we set off to visit Senarega, a medieval town occupied only during the summers. The town is all very old houses, with narrow walkways for streets.
Snorkeling with Coral Triangle
We enjoyed immensely Brenda Milum’s letter “Finding Good Snorkel Sites” (May ’15, pg. 28). We also snorkel around the world and have been to many of the places she described.
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.
Bolivian visa fees
When my wife and I passed from Puno, Peru (on Lake Titicaca), to Bolivia in a tour bus on May 7, 2015, we learned that group members each could get a single-entry, 30-day visa at the border for $55 cash. (They accept only very new US currency with no wrinkles or tears.)
Hurtigruten’s dinner beverages policy
To view the northern lights, my wife, Carolyn, and I took a 12-day/12-night round-trip “Norwegian Coastal Voyage” out of Bergen aboard the MS Trollfjord of Hurtigruten (Bellevue, WA; 866/552-0371, www.hurtigruten.com), Nov. 20-Dec. 1, 2014.