Travelers' Intercom
Ireland & Scotland with McGuffin
Ireland and Scotland were on the list of places my husband, Ed, and I wanted to go.
Multiple-entry China visa
In January I picked up my new 10-year China visa, which has unlimited-entry privileges. It is my understanding that all 10-year visas allow multiple entries into China*.
Efficient use of British Air Avios
In the letter “Used BA Miles for Hotels” (Jan. ’15, pg. 15), a subscriber mentioned the high fees charged for an international flight on British Airways (800/247-9297, www.britishairways.com). I had the same experience on a round-trip flight from Chicago to Oslo, Norway.
Baltics with Gate 1
My husband and I took the “10-day Classic Baltics & Warsaw” tour with Gate 1 Travel (Fort Washington, PA; 800/682-3333, www.gate1travel.com), April 29-May 8, 2014.
Car rental security deposit not returned in full
To begin 10 weeks of travel in sub-Saharan Africa, my wife, Carolyn, and I wanted a place to stay near Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport. After seeing a subscriber’s recommendation in ITN (Aug. ’13, pg.
Ireland in a wheelchair with CIE
My wife, Jackie, and I, along with another couple, took a 10-day bus tour of Ireland in early September 2014 with CIE Tours (US office in Morristown, NJ; 800/243-8687, www.cietours.com). It was fantastic!
Tips on exchanging currency
I find that even quite experienced North American travelers are often very uncomfortable with and ignorant about foreign exchange. Europeans, on the other hand, are usually much better informed because they travel internationally more.
Armenia and Georgia
I have long been an admirer of James Tufenkian via articles published in design magazines. He has partially restored Armenia’s rug industry and is now building hotels in his homeland. In September ’13, my daughter, Amanda, and I vacationed in Armenia.
Expected twin beds in cabin
The following text is from a letter mailed to Gate 1 Travel. — Editor I am not a cruise person, but Gate 1’s itinerary for a 16-day “Danube River Cruise,” scheduled to depart from Nuremberg on Sept. 4, 2014, enticed me to book the trip on June 3, 2013.
‘Excellent guide’ in Venice
As part of a 5-week trip to Malta and Italy in May-June 2014, my husband, Leroy, and I hired a guide in Venice for one day.
Marnella Tours for South America
For trips to South America, I have used Marnella Tours (Raleigh, NC; 866/993-0033 or 919/782-1664, www.marnellatours.com) four times.
Aquis® towels help dry clothes
In his letter titled “Do-it-yourself Dryer,” Charles Severs asked for suggestions for a good towel to dry clothes with after washing them while on a trip (Oct. ’14, pg. 56).
Procuring Japan Rail Passes to follow the cherry blossoms
After visiting Japan 10 times, my husband, Clyde, and I gave up our annual trips in 2009 due to the continuing unfavorable rate of exchange.
McComb’s in Northern Ireland
For a 12-day cruise around the British Isles, in Southampton, England, we boarded the Ruby Princess of Princess Cruises (Santa Clarita, CA; 800/774-6237, www.princess.com) on Aug. 24, 2014. The cruise and ports of call all were very good.
Expected single bed in cabin
Years ago, I took a really outstanding Vantage Deluxe World Travel cruise from the Black Sea to Amsterdam with my wife, prior to losing her. On the strength of that experience, in late October 2013 I booked a spring 2014 tour and cruise in northern Portugal with Vantage.
Villa da Schio, near Vicenza
An hour outside of Venice and 10 minutes from Vicenza, four of us spent a week in June 2014 at a wonderful villa in Italy’s Veneto region: Villa da Schio (Piazza G. da Schio n.
Double-check your Pre√ number
The problem the subscriber described with TSA Pre√TM (Pre-check) in the letter “Issues with Global Entry” (Dec.’14, pg. 51) is not unique. My wife and I have been enrolled in Global Entry for several years, and for the last year or so we experienced the very same issue.