Travelers' Intercom
Arranging travel around home exchanges
After our 3-week home exchange in Nimes, France, in June 2019, Joan Anderson, my companion of many years, and I were reminiscing about how we got into this wonderful way of traveling.
Narrowing Google searches
In his January 2020 “Boarding Pass” column, ITN’s editor described how a subscriber’s Google search had led him to unofficial websites where he would have spent more money than necessary for a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority pass, or ETA (pgs.
Georgia hotel’s mountain view
On a wonderful group tour that my wife, Sandy, and I took through the South Caucasus mountains with MIR Corp. (Seattle, WA; 800/424-7289, www.mircorp.com), Sept. 16-30, 2019, the hotels were superior.
Disinfecting where possible
Among the readers’ letters on the subject “Staying Healthy Abroad” (Dec. ’19, pg. 36), none mentioned disinfecting airplane seat areas as the first step to staying healthy while traveling.
Guide in Kolkata
My wife, Susan, and I had a 22-hour overnight layover in Kolkata (Calcutta), India, in April 2019. Through the former Viator Private Tours website,* we found Deepjyoti (Deep) Biswas (www.deepjyotibiswas.com), the best guide we have ever had in the world.
Visit to North Sumatra
My mother and I booked a trip to Bangkok, Thailand, that included a 5-day hotel stay, after which we intended to take a couple of weeks to fly around visiting “new” countries.
Restricted websites in China
Prior to embarking on a 7-country cruise in late October 2019, my wife, Patti, and I spent four days in China, and while in Shanghai, Patti discovered that she was blocked from accessing her Gmail account.
Azerbaijan guide follow-up
Editor’s note: In the letter “Couple’s Experience with Azerbaijan Guide” (Dec. ’19, pg.
Private small-group tour with TripUSAFrance
My husband, Bob, and I and nine friends enjoyed 12 fabulous days and 13 nights seeing France like locals, not tourists, with Julia and her father, Stephane, of TripUSAFrance (Arlington, VA; 703/485-6894, tripusafrance.com).
Quick visit to Reykjavík
I had the opportunity to make a brief visit to Reykjavík, Iceland, in July 2019.
Recommended carry-on bags
My wife, Sue, and I travel often, and we only use carry-ons. We each own a Briggs & Riley (www.briggs-riley.com) International Carry-On Expandable [$569 for 2-wheeled or $599 for 4-wheeled] and one backpack or laptop-size roller bag.
Regent Seven Seas Explorer transatlantic
On a transatlantic cruise aboard the Seven Seas Explorer, I sailed from Miami to Lisbon, Portugal, stopping at a few islands along the way, March 25-April 8, 2019.
Credit cards declined in Baku
My wife, Susan, and I took a group tour through the Caucasus in September 2019 and wanted to share a problem we had in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Volunteer guides in Japan
I am so grateful for all the information I receive by reading International Travel News and would like to share something with my fellow readers.
Praise for Pietro in Puglia
During a 7-week solo trip all over Italy, I met up with a friend to take a private 4-day tour in southern Italy arranged through Puglialy (Via Abate Angelo Tamborrino, 28, 72017 Ostuni [BR], Italy; phone +39 377 3802459, puglialy.com), which I found on TripAdvisor.com.