Travelers' Intercom
Thief in Rio
Rio and all Brazilian ports have problems with street crime. My friend Mary and I were in Rio, March 22-24, 2010, and while walking on the sidewalk close to Copacabana beach, Mary’s gold chain was ripped from her neck by a thief on a bicycle.
Tour’s cruise itinerary switched
My husband, Neal, and I booked a trip with Elderhostel that was to begin in Berlin. Following a few days of touring there, the group would be bused to Potsdam, then board the Peter Deilmann Cruises ship Katharina von Bora for a cruise through Saxony to Prague.
Heavenly hammam in Paris
One of the largest mosques in Europe is the Grand Mosquée in Paris (39, rue Saint-Hilaire; phone 01 43 31 38 20). It’s on the southeast corner of rue Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire and rue Daubenton, across from the Jardin des Plantes.
Delicious duck in Paris
In Paris, La Rôtisserie du Beaujolais (19 quai de la Tournelle, 75005 Paris, France; phone 01 43 54 17 47), open daily till 10:15, is the “younger sibling” of the world-famous La Tour d’Argent across the street.
Peru by Fertur
When my nephew, Jim, and I traveled to Peru in July ’10, I followed the advice I’d read in ITN (Aug. ’09. pg. 24) and purchased a new pair of glasses in Lima.
Booking a ‘mileage ticket’
I have read many times that “mileage tickets” are supposed to be the most difficult to get. However, I have been able to book tickets using frequent-flyer miles, for both business and economy class, several times. The way I did it was to book as far in advance as I could and to be flexible with my travel dates.
Assigned cabin too small
My wife, Shirley, and I have been vacationing in Norway for many years. We have friends in the Lofoten Islands and stay with them or in a rental owned by their son.
Mostar pension
When our group of 12 reached Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina, during ElderTreks “Adriatic Adventure” tour in September 2010, half of us had the pleasure of staying at Pension Botticelli (Muje Bjelavca br.
Rented a car in the UK
Many people believe that someone over 70 cannot rent a car in the UK, but having this policy or not is up to each car rental company. At the age of 82, in 2009, I rented a car there from a major car rental company; I believe it was Avis. (A friend in England found out for me which companies had no age limit.
Finding savings in London
Except for a stopover of a couple hours in 2008, a week-long visit to London, Sept. 14-21, 2010, was our first time there since 1997. My wife and I noticed a number of changes.
Thai guest house
Every year for the past six years my daughter, Alison, and I have taken a trip to Thailand. In Chiang Mai we stay at Sarah Guest House (20 Tapae Road, Soi 4, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand; phone [66 53] 208271, fax [66 53] 279423).
Hotels’ all-inclusive option
If you are going to mainland Europe and are concerned about the cost of extras, such as drinks and snacks during the day and wine with your meals, why not do as my wife, Vivien, and I did on our trips to Crete and Tenerife in late 2009, early 2010: choose the “all inclusive” option that is now offered by quite a few de
Paris hotel
After a tour of France in May ’10, my wife, Rose, and I stayed at the charming but small Hotel du Champ de Mars (7 rue du Champ de Mars, Paris 75007; phone +33 1 45 51 52 30) for three nights.
Tibet
To journey to Lhasa and continue on to Everest Base Camp to see the mighty Himalayan massif up close was a longtime dream of ours. For my husband, Larry, and me, this dream came true with our terrific guide in Tibet, Samdup Gyal (“Sam”), and our excellent, safe driver, Choeden.
‘Security absurdity’
After visiting Argentina in November ’10, my wife and I flew home to Charlotte out of Buenos Aires’ Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) on Continental Airlines.
Lucerne pleasures
After my two teenage sons and I took the wonderful “Rhine Getaway” cruise from Viking River Cruises in June ’10, we took the train in Switzerland from Basel to Lucerne for a two-night stay.
Driving in Europe
I just read S. Ryan Edgar’s article “Pulling Out All the Stops on a Self-Drive Tour of Europe” (Jan. ’11, pg. 35) and would like to add some comments on driving that his article didn’t include.
Panama City hotel
My husband, Norman, and I found a gem of a hotel in Panama City. We stayed at the three-star Hotel Bahía Suites (Calle 31 con Justo Arosemena; phone 011 507 225 8578), in the Calidonia area of Panama City, Aug. 24-Sept. 1, 2010.
West Papua with Okale
I first traveled to West Papua, New Guinea, Indonesia, 19 years ago when it was called Irian Jaya.