Travelers' Intercom
Getting the point across
At Ephesus, Turkey, this sign showing a man falling really gets the point across. — DOUG RITTENHOUSE, Port Angeles, WA
Miami airport woes
My husband, Al, and I arrived at Miami International Airport from Panama City on March 4, 2014, at 10:30 a.m., leaving plenty of time before our 1:30 p.m. flight aboard American Airlines to St. Louis, Missouri.
Traveling & Giving: Practical or playful
I enjoy traveling with groups that focus on textiles, so I take lots of reading glasses that can be distributed to villages where they are put to use by people doing intricate embroidery, weaving, etc. The glasses are very much appreciated.
Glob Metropoliten for Serbia
My wife and I decided, on short notice, to try to get to the Davis Cup tennis finals in Belgrade, Serbia, Nov. 15-17, 2013, and then spend another week or so seeing more of the country.
Chip-and-signature card in France
I wrote about traveling in France in February 2013 with a Visa Signature® card, a BankAmerica Cash Rewards™ credit card (March ’14, pg. 42). On a return, 2-week trip to France, Feb.
Found AmEx cheques nixed in Bodrum
While we were in Bodrum/Milas, Turkey, in March 2014, I visited bank after bank in an effort to find one that would exchange American Express Travelers’ Cheques. Nobody would change them. In the past, this was never a problem; even the hotels would cash them. But this time everyone said ‘No.’
Swissôtel Amsterdam
During my September 2013 stay at the Swissôtel Amsterdam (Damrak 96, 1012 LP, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; phone +31 20 522 3000, fax +31 20 522 3223), just off Dam Square, I found its location convenient for walking to the Centraal S
The five ’Stans on a budget
A travel buddy and I spent a full month in spring 2013 traveling from Bishkek to Tbilisi in the “five ’Stans” and the Caucasus, and we did it for a whole lot less than the “approximately $10,000 per person” plus international air for a 16-day trip that a traveler wrote about in the article
Adventures in Kenya and Tanzania
Two friends and I spent an exciting month in Africa, June 18-July 15, 2012.
Uniworld Paris-Rouen cruise
You unpack once, sleep as you sail between cities, and when you get up in the morning you find that you are in or near the center of town.
Alsatian wine route with LCA Toptour
Visits to France’s scenic Alsace region should always include sightseeing in some of the enchanting, medieval villages along Alsace’s wine road.
Two days in Taipei
Before joining a group for a tour of Taiwan in May 2013, my wife, Jane, and I traveled independently for two days in the capital, Taipei, a city of six million people.
Eye on true chip-and-PIN cards
I’m a Senior Moderator on Flyertalk.com, the website for frequent flyers. The site has, possibly, 80 Moderators and four Senior Moderators.
Neckargemünd dining
My husband and I were in Heidelberg in early December ’13 for the Christmas market and, for dinner, decided to go to Neckargemünd, which is a 10-minute S-bahn ride from the Heidelberg train station.
Volunteers for Israel
Annually for the past 12 years, most recently in February 2014, I have spent time serving as a civilian noncombatant volunteer on Israeli military bases. I offer my services through the nonprofit program Volunteers for Israel (866/514-1948, www.vfi-usa.org and www.sar-el.org).
Camera harness
I can’t say enough good things about my Bino/Cam Harness™ from OP/TECH USA (800/251-7815 or 406/388-1377). It’s available on Amazon.com for $21.
Africa 2000 Tours
A trip to Southern Africa for our group of 12 friends, April 29-May 22, 2013, was put together by Gill and Graham of Africa 2000 Tours (P.O. Box 1025, Knysna, 6570, South Africa; phone +27 44 384 1262), an ITN advertiser.
DiscoverWalks in Paris
My husband, Loren, and I had two days in Paris before setting off on a 7-night Seine River Christmas cruise with Grand Circle Cruise Line (800/221-2610), Nov. 22-30, 2013. We enjoyed the cruise, which, including air from Detroit, cost $1,800 per person.