Travelers' Intercom
Everest flight a highlight
I read the subscriber’s article about driving to Everest Base Camp, “To Mt. Everest and Beyond” (Dec. ’14, pg. 44). He and his wife went to the northern side of the mountain in Tibet, China.
Take pictures of rental car
I read the letter “Car Rental Security Deposit Not Returned in Full” (March ’15, pg. 23), in which a rental company later claimed there was damage to the vehicle.
Will get tickets at the source
My wife and I enjoy attending classical music concerts when traveling internationally. Purchasing tickets for these events can be problematic, however.
Accessible transport in London
I was very impressed by Kathryn Tisdale’s description of her Europe trip and her tips for the mobility impaired (Jan. ’15, pg. 18). However, I do have a couple of related suggestions for London, which I last visited in December 2014.
Guide in Constanța
While my husband and I were on a “Black Sea Treasures” cruise with Oceania Cruises in May 2014, a fellow passenger we met through Cruisecritic.com organized a day trip to Constant¸a, Romania.
SIM card from Telestial
Before leaving for a 5-week trip to Italy and Spain, Oct. 8-Nov. 10, 2014, I got an international SIM card to use in my unlocked Android smartphone. I ordered it from Telestial (Boston, MA; 800/707-0031, www.telestial.com).
Boutique hotel in Quito
I travel overseas about three times a year. I don’t usually write reviews, but when I do, it’s because it’s an exceptional hotel or place.
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.