Travelers' Intercom
Tuscany’s ‘Little Jerusalem’
My wife, Rosalie, and I were in Italy in June ’11 and visited the hilltop town of Pitigliano in southern Tuscany.
Jousting in Arezzo
My wife, Rosalie, and I were fortunate to be able to attend the Giostra del Saracino, the Jousting of the Saracen (tickets, phone 0575 3772 62 [or 60 or 63], fax 377464), in Arezzo, Italy, on June 18, 2011. This tournament takes place twice a year.
Woman driver in Bangkok
I had read about a taxi service in Bangkok, Thailand, owned by a woman, Rat Service (phone [66] 08 9108 2170, e-mail rat_bkk@yahoo.com), and decided to book her for my arrival transfer in November ’11. I contacted her a month ahead.
Princess’ pre-cruise London package
My wife and I decided to try the pre-cruise package offered by Princess Cruises (800/774-6237) before our “Top of the World” cruise from Dover, England, to Brooklyn, New York, July 20-Aug. 7, 2011.
BA police refused help
My husband, Stephen, and I had two days in Buenos Aires, Argentina, prior to boarding Oceania Cruises’ Insignia, so we hired a driver and also a guide, Monica Varela (phone 11/15 4407 0268 or e-mail monyliv@hotmail.com or varmonica@gmail.com), who was recommended in the guidebook “Frommer’s Buenos Aires” (thir
White Lodge, Richmond Park, London
The annual Open House London weekend provides an opportunity to see buildings in the city which have significant architectural value but which are not normally open to the public. Admission is usually free. The 2012 event will be held Sept. 22-23.
Autentica in Slovenia
Koper, Slovenia, was one of our last ports on a May-June ’11 cruise aboard the Nautica of Oceania Cruises (800/531-5619). Most of our shipmates who stayed in town or went on the ship’s tours were disappointed in this port of call, but our group of seven had a wonderful day.
Vintage cars in BA
I am writing to thank Jeremy Willinger of New York City for the great tip on visiting the vintage car museum at the Automóvil Club Argentino (1850 Avenida del Libertador) in Buenos Aires, Argentina (Aug. ’11, pg. 16).
On the tarmac with Qatar Airways
I was scheduled to fly Qatar Airways from Houston, Texas, through Doha, Qatar, to Delhi, India, on Oct. 27, 2011, and then return, Mumbai-Doha-Houston, on Nov. 13.
Charming San Marino
A tiny, picturesque country encircled by Italy, San Marino is the oldest surviving constitutional republic in the world, dating back to AD 301. It’s noted for its postage stamps and tax-free shopping.
Southern Africa with OAT
I took the “Ultimate Africa: Botswana, Zambia & Zimbabwe Safari,” April 28-May 17, 2011, with Overseas Adventure Travel, or OAT (Cambridge, MA; 800/493-6824), visiting Chobe National Park and the Okavango Delta in Botswana; Kafue National Park in Zambia, and Hwange
Sincere apologies
I have been in the hospitality business (hotels) for more than 30 years and would like to respond to the subscriber’s letter titled “Emirates Flight Failings” (Feb. ’12, pg. 26).
HK’s Octopus Card
After a Yangtze River trip in China in November ’11, my husband, Alan, and I spent three days on our own in Hong Kong. We found it very easy to sightsee there and it also was inexpensive, once we discovered the Mass Transit Railway (MTR) and the Octopus Card*.
Servimaster in La Paz
Servimaster Tours (St. Sagárnaga No. 271-A [St. Linares/St.Murillo], La Paz, Bolivia; phone 591 2 2313002, cell 725 32355) arranged an excellent two-day/one-night trip for me to Lake Titicaca, Dec. 29-30, 2011.
Awed in Iceland
During a tour of Iceland in September 2007, we visited the waterfall Gullfoss, which was spectacular. We could walk right up to the edge of it. In its form, it almost reminded me of a wedding cake.
Re port shuttles from Jewel of the Seas
A friend and I had single cabins on Royal Caribbean International’s Jewel of the Seas for the “12-Night Scandinavia and Russia Cruise” round trip from Harwich, England, to Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Russia and Estonia, May 18-30, 2011.
In and around Riva del Garda
It was chilly in early May 2010 when I first visited Riva del Garda, Italy. It also rained almost the entire time. In 2011 I chose to arrive a couple of weeks later, May 19-21, and what I found was sunshine!
Bulgaria and Romania with Original World
My wife and I had visited most Eastern European countries in the past and were intrigued about the culture and history of Bulgaria and Romania, so we decided to go.
Kudos to KAL
From New York City’s JFK Airport, my wife, Dorothy, and I headed for Phnom Penh, Cambodia, with Korean Airlines (KAL) on April 15, 2011. Our flight included a stop in Seoul with only one hour to make our connection. Unfortunately, we were delayed two hours taking off from JFK due to “technical problems.”