Travelers' Intercom
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.
Guide in Bulgaria
For our trip to Bulgaria in May ’11, my partner, Mimi, and I employed the services of Patrick Peneff (mobile phone 359 887 364 711).
Weather the leather
The “Where in the World?” picture of the tannery in Fez, Morocco, and those dying vats reminded me of when I bought a leather handbag in the shop above the tannery in December ’09.
Fascinating Saxony
My husband, Bernie, and I visited eastern Germany, Sept. 16-26, 2010, to attend his class get-together. After the reunion, we went to Dresden.
Medical Needs Overseas: Carry meds record
Recently, I visited one of my doctors and was asked to update the list of all medications that I currently take. This information was entered into the PPO’s (preferred provider organization’s) databank of reports that each of my doctors consult in their management of my case.
Access America paid off
When I went online and booked my air travel with Continental Airlines for a February ’11 trip to Belize and Guatemala, I impulsively added on the Access America trip insurance offered with my ticket, since the insurance cost only $25.
Arrival in Venice
On the classical music tour “From the Alps to the Adriatic with KDFC” in May-June ’11, our tour bus, chartered by Earthbound Expeditions (Bainbridge Island, WA; 800/723-8454), traveled through several countries, but when it arrived at Venice we encoun
About Day of the Dead in Mexico
I am submitting some advice about visiting Mexico around the Day of the Dead. Celebrated throughout the country on Nov. 1 (All Saints’ Day), the holiday is held to honor and remember deceased friends and family. It starts the evening of Oct. 31, goes through the night and sometimes lasts until Nov. 2.
Visa glitch; Africa 2000 saves the day
By far, the company most recommended by those who responded to our “Person to Person” request for a good, reliable guide in Cape Town, South Africa, was Africa 2000 Tours (Knysna, South Africa; phone +27 44 3841262), owned and operated by Gill and Graham Maskel
Delicious in the Lake District
A friend and I spent two weeks motoring around southwestern Scotland and England’s Lake District in late June-early July ’11 eating a great variety of local fare, but NONE was better than our lunch at the charming Queen’s Head Hotel (Townhead, Troutbe
New Zealand Travellers
New Zealand’s South Island has it all: alps, glaciers, rainforests, sandy beaches and swinging bridges, just to mention a few.