Travelers' Intercom
Joys of finding souvenirs and gifts
My husband and I have been very blessed to travel to many places. One of the joys we have is bringing home treasures that remind us of our journeys and the people and places we’ve visited.
Tragedy on a scenic Arctic cruise
For our third trip to Svalbard, the Arctic archipelago northwest of mainland Norway, my wife, Gwen, and I chose to travel on Quark Expeditions’ (Waterbury, VT; 888/332-0008, www.quarkexpeditions.com) all-suite, 120-passenger Sea Spirit.
Issues with Global Entry
I read the letter “Global Entry Advantages” (Sept. ’14, pg. 54), regarding programs allowing approved travelers expedited security screening for selected departures in US airports.
Expo Milano 2015
I love fairs. Whether it’s a street fair in Paris, the Hong Kong Book Fair, the Seville Feria, the Bergen Food Festival in Norway or the Frampton Country Fair in Gloucester, I enjoy them all.
Agriturismo in Veneto
Following a Bolzano visit during my 14-day/13-night Italy trip in 2014 (Oct. ’14, pg. 16), I spent six days around and in Venice, in the Veneto region. Because I had a 6:45 a.m.
Joys of trip journals
I’ve been writing journals of my travels ever since my first trip to Italy in 1980 with my husband.
Yemen suicide bombings
In eastern Yemen and in the capital, Sana’a, a series of suicide bombings in October targeted ethnic Houthis.
Touring whisky distilleries in Scotland
Uisge Beatha, Gaelic for “water of life,” is known around the world as Scotch whisky. When my wife, Margaret, and I traveled in Scotland in June 2014 (Nov. ’14, pg. 20), we knew we had to learn more about the national beverage.
Praise for Airbnb
In his letter titled “Apartment Rental Scam” (Sept. ’14, pg. 25), in which a subscriber described trying to rent an apartment abroad for his wife and himself, he said he ended up going with Airbnb (www.airbnb.com).
Safeguarding photos
A subscriber suggested labeling memory cards so they can be returned to you if they’re lost (Nov. ’13, pg. 54). That’s a good idea, but I also download all my pictures onto my iPad each night when traveling.
Madagascar with Far Fung Places
Because of our interest in travel, nature and other culture
A Novel Approach: Michener book on Hungary
Fred H. DeVinney asked for suggestions of books to read before visiting foreign places (July ’14, pg. 46).
Pay credit card charges in local currency
When paying by credit card in a foreign country, especially in the UK and some other European countries, you may be asked if you would like to be charged directly in US dollars (or Canadian, as the case may be).
Cape Town restaurants
While in Cape Town, South Africa, Aug. 1-4, 2014, on a post-trip extension after our trip to Namibia with Overseas Adventure Travel (Cambridge, MA; 800/955-1925, www.oattravel.com), my husband, Alan, and I enjoyed dinner at two wonderful restaurants.
Seoul walking tours
While in Seoul, Korea, in August 2014, I went on 10 or so free walking tours, each led by an English-speaking volunteer guide. Each tour lasted two to three hours.
Friendly encounter in Split
There are beautiful moments during a trip that become tomorrow’s wonderful memories.
Inside a volcano in Iceland
During a visit to Iceland in August 2014, I took a tour out of Reykjavik called “Inside the Volcano.” This tour of a hollow, dormant volcano has been operating for only about three years. I had read about it in ITN (July ’14, pg.