Travelers' Intercom
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.
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.
Aroma Home Stay in India
As two senior females who travel extensively for six to seven months at a time around every winter, we look for our basic needs to be met: comfort, cleanliness, safety and a convenient location for either access to good public transportation or for walking.
Preparing for Iceland
Iceland is a beautiful country that is very affordable in the winter, but the weather can change quickly. When my parents and I traveled there independently, Feb.
Currency exchange in Greece
While traveling in Greece with smarTours (New York, NY; 800/337-7773, www.smartours.com) in November 2014, I found that I was always running out of small currency with which to tip the many local guides we had.
Care of a Tilley hat
A couple of ITN subscribers recommended the Tilley hat (May ’14, pg. 37 & Sept. ’14, pg. 47). About four years ago I purchased a hat from Tilley Endurables (800/363-8737 or 716/822-3052, www.tilley.com).
Parked in Italy, sped in Switzerland
On the subject “Traffic Ticket from Overseas” (April ’15, pg. 39), I have two experiences to share.
Israeli tour guide
My husband and I were privileged to have Jonathan Kohn as our guide through historical and biblical Israel, March 8-19, 2015.
Driving in Eastern Europe
In the article “Recommendations for a European Rental Car Journey” (Feb. ’15, pg. 43), the author provided tips and described some of the problems encountered while traveling with his wife by rental car in Western and Eastern Europe.