Travelers' Intercom
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.”
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
High and low points of Chile and Argentina tour
My wife, Lois, and I took a Grand Circle Travel tour of Chile and Argentina, Jan. 9-23, 2011. We live in the Northwest and did not know when we booked the tour what air routing we would be assigned.
Your preferred ATM card?
My companion and I are looking around to find an ATM card that we can use abroad without incurring exorbitant foreign-transaction fees. We welcome our fellow ITN readers’ advice and expertise on this matter. Help! — JOELLYN ROSS, Philadelphia, PA
Dumped in Dublin
I enjoyed reading of the variety of ways air travelers get all their liquids and gels into a one-quart bag (May ’11, pg. 40 & June ’11, pg. 42).
Seeks low-price barge cruise
My wife and I have traveled to almost all the countries in the world. We usually stay in hostels for $10 to $20 a night. In fact, if a Hilton or Sheraton were offered to us at that same rate, we would prefer to stay in a hostel, 15 persons to a room.
Traveling in Egypt during a revolution
At the end of January 2011, my daughter, LeAnn, 22, and I finalized our plans to visit Egypt. Our trip was not meant to be a traditional vacation but one arranged as we went along our way, using local guides and taking public transportation.
Switzerland for scenery
No matter when I take a trip, I always seem to travel one week too late. Upon arriving at a B&B or hotel, the host asks, “And how are you enjoying your visit to (wherever)?” When I answer, “Fine, but I wish it weren’t raining so hard,” the response is, “You should have been here last week. It was beautiful.”
Despite unanticipated walking, enjoyed tour
My wife and I took the eight-day tour “Munich, Salzburg & Vienna” with Globus (Littleton, CO; 866/755-8581), Sept. 4-11, 2011. The land price was $1,549 per person.
Bolzano delights
Once a year, I travel to my favorite country: Italy. During my 2011 trip, I visited Bolzano, May 15-18.
‘Paris, Paris’
The American Library in Paris (10 rue du Général Camou, 75007 Paris, France; phone +33 [0] 1 53 59 12 60) is a great institution. It has a wonderful collection of books (in English).
Recommendations in Wales
From a trip to Wales and southwest England that my husband, Jim, and I took, here are some recommendations of low-cost lodgings.
Tour guide in South Africa
My wife, Nenko, and I have taken 14 tours and traveled extensively independently, and we have never met a finer guide than Ron McGregor, our guide on the 14-day trip “South Africa — Highlights and Safari” with smarTours (New York, NY; 800/337-7773).