Travelers' Intercom
The story behind the scenes
There has been much discussion of tour-group travel versus independent travel in ITN, as there should be.
‘Magic of Nicaragua’
My husband, Jim, and I visited Nicaragua to experience the beauty of the land, lakes, volcanoes, art and history. Our 12-day custom trip, Jan.
Indian elephant festival
The majestic elephant wields a special significance in India, having transported royalty over the centuries, entertained princes, led fabled charges by Rajput warriors and paraded in gold and velvet at religious celebrations.
Mixed review for hotel in Phnom Penh
While visiting our son in Phnom Penh, my husband, Bill, and I stayed near the airport at the Cambodian Country Club & Hotel (Street 2004, Group 6 Toeuk Thla, Russey Keao district, Phnom Penh, Cambodia; phone 023 885 591 or 592 — club membership is not necessary to sta
Avoiding MSG overseas
I am very sensitive to MSG. I also am diabetic and need protein. When I first went to China, in the 1990s, I took those little packages of peanut butter crackers with me. Other than that, I ate lots of boiled rice.
A gîte in Brittany
We have visited France 30-some times but until recently had stayed only in hotels, mainly family-run places in small towns. We had noticed attractive vacation cottages for rent but learned that they generally go for a week at a time and almost always Saturday p.m. to Saturday a.m.
Switzerland
Getting off the train from Interlaken, Switzerland, to Montreux in June ’12, just 11 days into our 3-week Swiss trip, my husband, Jerry, and I were gathering our things together when I said, “Where’s my Kindle?” We searched everywhere, and I determined that I had left it on my seat when we changed trains.
Ecuador and Galápagos tour
With 22 other people, I took a “Landlubber’s Galápagos” tour of Ecuador and the Galápagos with Adult Customized Tours (Palm Springs, CA; 888/605-8280), June 20-27, 2012.
Albanian oppression
In the article “Enjoying Albania without the Cost and Crowds” (Dec. ’12, pg. 36), there was no mention of Enver Hoxha, the dictator who ruled Albania from 1941 to 1985 using brutal Stalinist methods. He became more Communist than Stalin.
Enticing eats in Phnom Penh
At David’s Fresh Noodle (No. 213 13th Street, Phnom Penh, Cambodia; phone 855 12 351 890 or e-mail som_bath@yahoo.com), I had the best restaurant food of my three weeks’ stay in Phnom Penh, Nov. 4-23, 2012.
Bruges delights
During a trip to Europe’s Low Countries in spring 2012, my husband, Ed, and I spent May 2-4 in Bruges.
Namaste in India
My wife, Jane, and I had a memorable tour of southern India with Namaste Tours (O-130, DLF Shopping Mall, Arjun Marg, Phase 1, Gurgaon Haryana-122002, India; phone +91 [124] 4040636 or 637), Dec. 16, 2011-Jan. 3, 2012.
Oyster Card in London
For my trip to London, Nov. 15-20, 2012, I used an Oyster Card purchased by my daughter on a trip earlier in the year to get discounts on public transit.
Iceland with Stein
I took a van tour called “Natural Wonders of Iceland” that went around the entire coast of Iceland, July 7-15, 2012.
Independent Albania
I was pleased to see Carol Probst’s piece “Albania — Enjoying Europe without the Costs and Crowds” (Dec. ’12, pg. 36). I visited Albania in the fall of 2011 and found it an interesting destination, although one not ready for mainstream tourism.
WWI museum near Paris
The impetus for our trip to Paris in May-June, 2012, was to visit the new World War One museum, the Musée de la Grande Guerre du Pays de Meaux (rue Lazare Ponticelli, 77100 Meaux, France; phone +33[1] 60 32 14 18).
Loyalty transferred
The editor’s piece on frequent-flyer-mile programs raised some thoughts (Jan. ’13, pg. 2).
’Stans tour
My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of our private tour of Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan arranged by Aba Sayyoh Tour, Ltd. (M.