Travelers' Intercom
In and around Bolzano
On May 3, 2014, for the fifth time, I returned to Bolzano, Italy, for a week at the Parkhotel Laurin (Via Laurin Strasse 4, 39100 Bolzano/Bozen; phone +39 0471 311 000,
A Massage to Die For: Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Who would expect there would be massage, let alone excellent massage, in Papua New Guinea?
Hotel bathrooms, Europe
While reading Rick Steves’ article “Conquering European Bathrooms” (July ’14, pg. 59), I enjoyed reminiscing about similar not-like-in-the-USA bathroom experiences my husband and I have had in our nearly 40 years of world travel.
Texel: Europe’s last WWII battlefield
I traveled to the Dutch Island of Texel (pronounced “Tessel”) in September 2012 to do research for a book I was writing.
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.
Apartment rental scam
Editor’s note: In the following letter, ITN is withholding the identities of certain individuals.
How to pay a traffic ticket from overseas?
While traveling in Spain with my husband and son in May 2014, we received a speeding ticket, but we didn’t even know we had been cited until at least two weeks later when the rental car company forwarded the ticket to us by email (charging us over €30 for this “service”).
Returning to dreamlike Japan
What is it about certain cities or countries that makes them so magical that they seem to call you to return? After my first trip to Japan in March 2010, I couldn’t shake the dreamlike visions from my mind.
American Airlines repaired zipper
Pam Zent shared her problem regarding luggage-zipper repairs not being covered by Delta Air Lines (March ’14, pg. 26) and queried if there are airlines that accept the responsibility of repairing zippers they’ve damaged.
Jo’burg airport taxi scam
It seems like all “roads” in Africa go through O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa, and on a trip to Namibia and Zimbabwe, my husband, George, and I passed through several times.
US operator’s vantage
I saw the collection of letters under the heading “Rating Foreign Tour Companies That Customize Tours” (Aug. ’14, pg. 42).
Ascension Day in Brugge
My husband, Ernest, and I were in Brugge, Belgium, on May 29, 2014, which was Ascension Day in the city.
Wanted more direct air routing to ship
Editor’s note: ITN was emailed a copy of the following letter, sent by a subscriber to Oceania Cruises.
Around the world annually
Many people say they’ve been around the world, but it may have taken them 30 years to do it. I’ve been making a ’round-the-world (RTW) trip almost yearly for decades.
Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam
My wife and I discovered a new beach paradise during our trip to Vietnam in January and February 2014. The temperature was 87°F every day, with a low of 70°F at night. Long Beach is a great beach, and during our visit it had hardly any waves.
Briggs & Riley repairs luggage
I don’t know of any airlines that reimburse passengers for damage to luggage tags or zippers (March ’14, pg.
Returning to France after just a few years
Here are some reflections on a return visit to France, Oct. 26-Nov. 7, 2013, after four years away.
Reminders of Arezzo
I thoroughly enjoyed reading the article “Impressed with the Quaint Italian Town of Arezzo” (July ’14, pg. 16), Margo Wilson’s recollection of her visit to Arezzo with her husband.