Travelers' Intercom
Memorable Morocco
At this time of unrest in several North African countries, I found no reason for concern at any time during my two weeks in Morocco, March 12-25, 2011. The weather was very comfortable and the fields were green with crops. The High Atlas Mountains were beautiful with snow and vistas of the country.
Montevideo visit
Stephen O. Addison, Jr., wrote about the Radisson Montevideo Victoria Plaza in Montevideo, Uruguay (Feb. ’11, pg. 74).
Sailing the Bering Sea
The lonely, obscure islands in the 878,000-square-mile Bering Sea — situated between Alaska and Russia — had always drawn me, but the difficulty and expense of visiting them had kept me from making the trip.
Moments in Patagonia
My husband, Earl, and I took the 18-day “Patagonia Frontiers” tour from Odysseys Unlimited (Newton, MA 888/370-6765), March 22-April 8, 2010. The price was $9,990 for the two of us (international air not included).
In and out of Buenos Aires
I agree 100% with the subscriber’s comment in the letter “Security Absurdity” (March ’11, pg. 29): EZE Airport in Buenos Aires, Argentina, is inconsistent with security.
Offbeat in Amsterdam
My companion, Judith Martin, and I aren’t drawn to charmless chain hotels, but for a stay in Amsterdam we were intrigued by the name misc eatdrinksleep (Kloveniersburgwal 20, 012 cv, Amsterdam, Netherlands; phone +31 0 20 330 62 41).
Panama City guide
My husband, Norman, and I knew we wanted to hire a tour guide to show us the major sights of Panama City in August 2010, and our trip’s best find was Alvamayita (Alva) Pinzón (cell phone 507 6676 4147 or e-mail alvamayita@yahoo.com).
Packing tips
When packing, always put shoes in shoe bags. I make my own shoe bags from soft fabric, such as a thin flannel, as the plastic ones do not pack as well. Wipe off shoes, when needed, with wet wads of toilet paper, then dry them with additional sheets of the paper.
Tour experience in Iberia
My wife and I took the tour “Highlights of Spain and Portugal,” Sept. 18-Oct. 1, 2010, with Trafalgar Tours, having booked it through our AAA agent. Including our round-trip airfare, Cleveland-Atlanta-Madrid, the 14-day/13-night tour cost $6,000 for two plus another $1,300 for the optional tours.
Back to London
My fiancée, Maxine, and I spent four great days in London in September ’10. I had been there for business many times during the ’70s and ’80s, but this time it was strictly to enjoy the sights as enthusiastic tourists. It was Maxine’s first visit.
Getting around in Germany
I have lived and worked in Germany for the last 28 years and have become a seasoned European traveler.
India with Vantage
My wife, Ione, and I highly recommend the 14-day “Crown Jewels of India” tour from Vantage Deluxe World Travel (Boston, MA; 800/322-6677). Land costs and internal air plus three optional tours, visa fee and optional travel insurance cost $5,760 per person.
Mérida, Mexico, hotels
My wife, Kathryn, and I stayed in two wonderful hotels in Mérida, Mexico, in June ’10.
Guide in Nicaragua
My wife and I were assigned Juan B. Padilla (mobile phone [505] 86641048 or e-mail juansinmiedo44@hotmail.com) as our guide on four days of our visit to Nicaragua, Dec. 27, 2010-Jan. 3, 2011.
Cut ’em off at the pass
My husband, Tom, and I are in our eighties and, while it’s true that people drive fast in Italy, we had no problems driving there in September 2010. My husband is 86 and did most of the driving in Italy, though I did some.
For HK, consider Sha Tin (suburb)
First-time visitors to Hong Kong usually stay on Hong Kong Island or just across the harbor in Tsim Sha Tsui, on the tip of the Kowloon Peninsula, and that’s as it should be.
Disappointments with Morocco tour
After reading “1,000 Places To See Before You Die,” our hearts were set on going to Morocco. Because Sarah Tours was so highly recommended by the author, in mid-August 2009 I called Hamid Mernissi, the owner, and our conversation about his tour certainly enticed our decision that Sarah Tours was the way to go.