Travelers' Intercom
Treasures of Travel in Turkey
After taking the 22-day “Eastern Turkey and the Black Sea” tour from Treasures of Travel (Edmonds, WA; 800/572-0526), we’re convinced that the region has it all: dramatic scenery, antiquities, archaeological sites dating back to perhaps 9,000 BC reflecting the various empires
Preemptive Pepto
Prior to traveling to Mongolia and China with Overseas Adventure Travel in July ’10, I was advised by friends who had taken the China portion of the trip the previous year that their doctor recommended taking a chewable Pepto-Bismol tablet with every meal when traveling.
Charged through France
I traveled in France, Sept. 15-Oct. 10, 2010, and visited Paris, Lyon, Dijon and several small towns and villages in Burgundy. I used my American-issued Visa credit card, American Express card and Visa debit card without any problems at all in ATM machines and at merchants’, restaurants and hotels.
Painting in Croatia
My companion, Judith Martin, and I traveled in September ’10 to Croatia, where she took a painting class. It was held on the lovely island of Korcula, an hour and a half by boat or van from Cavtat, a beautiful little port where we spent our first night.
Vacuum bags
You probably have seen ads for plastic bags that use a vacuum cleaner or other special gadget to compact clothes for efficient packing. The idea is good. The problem, however, is that when you’re away from home, where do you find a vacuum cleaner to use when packing for your return trip?
License requested
Rick Steves states that he has never been asked for an International Driving Permit (Jan. ’11, pg. 67). My wife, Judy, and I have traveled to Europe a modest 10 times and never had one before our trip in September ’10, but I was so glad I had it that time.
Using plastic in France
I stayed 3½ weeks in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France, in June ’10 with my children and grandchildren, ages 13 to 50, mostly visiting the smaller towns in Provence.
Ein prosit! at Oktoberfest
My wife and son and I attended the 200th anniversary of Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany, with BayernTrips (Ironwood, MI; 888/686-4240), which we found on the Internet. BayernTrips owners Scott and Vonia led our 12-day “Connoisseur’s Trip,” Sept. 11-22, 2010.
Carried a Travelex card
For an upcoming trip to Portugal, my travel partner and I (we leave our husbands at home) went to the Travelex office at Broadway and 47th Street in New York City on Dec. 6, 2010. I got a Cash Passport prepaid debit card on which I placed €1,000 at a cost of $1,530.69 (cash).
Hints for haggling
Bartering may be viewed as an unpleasant chore, but the exchange offers the opportunity to connect with local people. I have experience at bargaining in India, South America and numerous Southeast Asian countries, but traditions differ in other parts of the world.
Paris Métro tickets
On a visit to Paris, Sept. 21-29, 2010, several times my wife and I had problems getting Métro tickets at the smaller stations that had only one agent, who seemed only to supply information and did not dispense tickets anymore.
Focuses on ships’ informality, food
My cruises are portions of longer trips, up to two months in duration, and because this octogenarian doesn’t want to struggle with luggage or porters, he travels light — an old nylon garment bag with big zippered pockets slung on one shoulder and a carry-on nylon shoulder bag on the other.
India with Worldview Tours
I love India. I visited again at 83, traveling with my 60-year-old son on the 16-day “Ancient Heritage of South India” tour, March 6-23, 2010, with Worldview Tours (Newport Beach, CA; 800/373-0388). It was offered with no single supplement, making it affordable for us.
Touring tips from a world cruise
My husband, Bob, and I took the trip of a lifetime around the world, November 2010-January 2011, by combining two Oceania Cruises voyages. Here are a few helpful hints for others who’d like to circumnavigate the globe.
No chip-and-PIN needed
We read the letters about using American credit cards (not the chip-and-PIN type) in Europe (May ’10, pg. 36) and were a bit concerned about it before our trip to Germany and Switzerland in September ’10; we have a MasterCard and a Visa card.
‘Casual pub’ in Brussels
Among all the cafés, restaurants and other more elegant and expensive “refreshment stops” in the cosmopolitan city of Brussels, it’s not easy to find a casual pub, but Au Brasseur (rue des Chapeliers 9, 1000 Brussels, Belgium; phone 02 512 6868) is something special.
India arrangements
My wife, Lynda, and I took a wonderful, 14-day independent tour of the state of Rajasthan, India, plus the cities of Delhi, Agra and Varanasi beginning in late February 2010.
Finding Josephine
Having been many times to Paris, my wife and I have done all the must-see attractions. During a week’s visit, Sept. 21-29, 2010, we were determined to go to Château de Malmaison, the Empress Josephine’s country house, just outside of the city.
Hidden repellent
My wife and I, along with our daughter and son-in-law, stayed three nights in Kerala, India, at the Coconut Lagoon (Box 2, Kumarakom, Kottayam 686563, India; phone +91 481 252 5034), Dec. 21-23, 2010.
Vienna and Salzburg dining
While in Austria in September ’10, my wife, Judy, and I dined at three restaurants that we can recommend.