Travelers' Intercom
Alluring Alicante
I was delighted to read Martha Wiley’s article “Spending the Day in Alicante” (Sept. ’11, pg. 18). Alicante is a lovely city. One of its attractions is its moderate climate — never too hot or too cold.
Far West Ski Association trips + Romania guide
My partner, Carolyn, and I took a three-week trip to Switzerland, Bulgaria and Romania, Feb. 26-March 19, 2011, with Far West Ski Association (310/319-3757). This trip, like others organized by the FWSA about March every year, was part skiing and part touring.
Key to navigation
We’ve all been in a new city and obtained a map showing locations of various sites. On a trip my wife, Anne, and I made to Seville, Spain, in April-May ’11, we made sure to get a map, then note that on its table of hotels, ours was number 61.
Passport prerequisites
Sure, we know that US passports are good for 10 full years. Well, almost! In some cases, it’s 9½ years.
The Namib Desert
The Namib Desert, arguably the oldest desert on Earth, contains an enormous reserve of red-gold sand dunes, some of which (at Sossusvlei) reach 1,000 feet in height, among the world’s highest.
Panama City stay
I had never really thought much about Panama City beyond its canal, but my wife, Rose, and I ended up making plans to join a Friendship Force (Atlanta, GA; 404/522-9490) group from Olympia, Washington, for four days there in April ’11 before the group went on for a
Visceral leishmaniasis
My husband, Ed, and I traveled to Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia for a month in the fall of 2009. We had a wonderful trip and enjoyed every moment of our travels.
Secondhand rows
We don’t have garage sales in the UK (see “Favorite Flea Markets,” Sept. ’11, pg. 39), but most towns do have car boot sales, where people sell unwanted items from the boots (trunks) of their cars, usually displayed on tables by the vehicles.
‘Ideal place’ near Budapest
On a trip to Europe in May ’11, we wanted to take a break from our itinerary for a short stay in a quiet place with clean air and mountain views. We found the ideal place near Budapest, Hungary.
Tip? Nein!
I just read the readers’ letters in the article “How Much to Tip Airport Wheelchair Attendants” (Aug. ’11, pg. 40). During our travels, my wife does much the same as those travelers, though the amount she tips is about $5.
Heathrow snowed in; staying informed
My travel partner and I were scheduled to return from London’s Heathrow Airport to Cleveland, Ohio, by way of Chicago on Dec. 17, 2010. Upon our arrival at the airport, we were handed a notice that our United Airlines flight to Chicago had been canceled because of the nonarrival of an aircraft from the US.
Walkabout Tuscany tour
In Italy in July ’11, perhaps the best 80 euros (near $115) that my wife, Linnea, and I spent went for the 12-hour “Best of Tuscany Tour” with Walkabout (Via dei Neri, 30/32R, 50122 Firenze, Italy; phone +39 055 2645746 [9 a.m.-7 p.m.] or +39 328 0867738
Long-trip logistics plus Spain and Portugal
My husband, Jim, and I took a month-long road trip through northern Spain and Portugal, May 24-June 23, 2011.
Visiting Kulusuk
A feature article in the May ’11 issue made mention of Kulusuk, Greenland. I spent nine days there in August ’09 as the village celebrated the 100th anniversary of its founding.
Alsatian B&B
In the Alsatian wine region of France, we were fortunate to stay at Clos des Raisins (5, rue des Raisins, 68980, Beblenheim, France; phone 0033 03 89 79 45 11) in late April 2011.
Made Ethiopia easier
“There’s no denying it: traveling in Ethiopia is not easy.” So says my Lonely Planet “Guide to Ethiopia and Eritrea” in the chapter “Getting Started.”
Busan, Vladivostok and Petropavlovsk
Holland America Line’s 2011 repositioning cruise of MS Volendam from Singapore to Vancouver, BC, took 35 days, departing Singapore on April 14 and arriving in Vancouver on May 18.
India with Rothschild Safaris
In February ’11, eight people, including our guide, met for dinner at the majestic Taj Mahal hotel in the heart of Delhi.
Improving any medical treatment overseas
I read the subscriber’s advice regarding carrying medical records while traveling (Sept. ’11, pg. 35).
Midway and the tsunami
As a tour operator, I was on Midway Atoll in March ’11 escorting a group of 15. Part of the Hawaiian Archipelago, the atoll is an unincorporated US territory, but everyone needs a valid passport to visit, even US citizens.