Travelers' Intercom
Turkmenistan with MIR Corp.
I read the letter “Turkmenistan – Dangers & Annoyances” (March ’14, pg. 23) about a subscriber’s trip to that country while on a “five ’Stans” tour. We were in Turkmenistan during an Oct.
Taking trains in Spain
My sister-in-law, Maryann, and I purchased Eurail Spain passes for use in March-April 2014 — valid for six months and good for one month after the first day of travel.
Notes on France
I have just read my first issue of ITN, which I received unsolicited, and have just subscribed.
Balked at ‘release of liability’ form
My husband, Steve, and I took the “Ultimate Galápagos Exploration & Ecuador’s Amazon Wilds” tour, Jan. 11-25, 2014, with Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT).
Keeping a travelogue
I read Randy Keck’s article “Your Travel Legacy — Leaving a Trail to Follow” in his June 2014 “Far Horizons” column.
Do-it-yourself dryer
An assist to travel clothing is my cheap clothing dryer. You’ll need an over-the-door clothes hanger holder that will take about four hangers; three or four plastic clothes hangers; a plastic garment bag, and a hair dryer (sometimes supplied by the hotel/B&B).
Netherlands’ Day of Liberation
Every year in May, Holland celebrates two special days: Day of Remembrance on May 4 and Day of Liberation on May 5.
Getting refunds when prepaying
My husband and I used Schiphol Travel Taxi (Oosterlandenweg 15, 8271 ES IJsselmuiden, The Netherlands; phone +31 38 339 4768, www.schipholtraveltaxi.nl/en) in June 2014. I reserved transportation from Schiphol Amsterdam Airport to Rotterdam and back, prepaying with a credit card.
Historic sites in Scotland
Almost all of the historic sites in Scotland are owned by two organizations: Historic Scotland (Longmore House, Salisbury Place, Edinburgh, EH9 1SH, Scotland; phone + 44 [0] 131 668 8600, www.historic-scotland.gov.uk)
Recommended in Scotland
During our 6-day visit to Scotland, May 18-23, 2014, my husband and I stayed at Old Waverley Hotel (43 Princes St., Edinburgh, EH2 2BY, U.K.; phone 0044 [0] 131 556 4648, www.oldwaverley.co.uk), conveniently located across the street from the Waverley rail station.
Be aware of pickpockets
I read the item about the scourge of pickpockets abroad (Aug. ’14, pgs. 2, 67). When I was in London in July 2014, newspapers were rife with reports of well-organized gangs preying on people in all European cities.
Dom. Rep. cab fare row
My girlfriend and I decided to take a brief vacation to the Dominican Republic, Dec. 6-10, 2013. We chose the Dominican Republic because we had heard that the weather there in December was warmer than Cancun’s.
Compiled travel journals
I strongly endorse Randy Keck’s recommendation to leave a travel legacy (June ’14, pg. 62).
Took grandkids on safari
I’ve read with interest the articles in ITN about traveling with grandchildren. One appeared in the November 2013 issue.
Six days in Siem Reap
My husband, George, and I made a 3-week visit to Southeast Asia, including a 6-day side trip to Siem Reap, Cambodia, Jan. 21-26, 2014. Our goal was to really see and photograph Angkor Wat and its environs.
Paris audio guide app
A free app called Visitobus (www.visitobus.com) has just been released, offering an audio guide of Paris that can be used on smartphones.
From Vatican to Holy Land on Azamara Journey
My husband, Bob, and I took a cruise from Italy to Israel aboard the Azamara Journey of Azamara Cruises (Miami, FL; 877/999-9553).
Global Entry advantages
Why apply for the TSA Pre√TM (Pre-check) program, alone (May ’14, pg. 65)? For $15 more, you can also skip those long passport lines on reentry to the US.