Travelers' Intercom
Comparing Africa trips offered by OAT
I read Wanda Bahde’s article “Ultimate Africa — Going Beyond the Simple Safari in Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe” (Oct. ’10, pg.
Highway hotels, France
My wife, Vera, and I stayed at the Etap Hotel Valence centre (65 Av. du Tricastin, 26000 Valence, France; phone +33 892680673), Oct. 7, 2010.
Switzerland dining
My wife, Judy, and I enjoyed the following restaurants in Switzerland in September ’10.
Cottages in Bali
While on “Oprah” in August, Julia Roberts said that Bali is “Heaven on Earth.” My husband, Carl, and I traveled to Bali in February-March 2010 and would agree with her!
Tivoli’s Villa d’Este
On our way to a week in Umbria in September ’09, my husband, two friends and I debated descriptions of the various villas along the tourist trail and decided on a visit to the Villa d’Este (Piazza Trento, 5) in Tivoli, ground central for villas.
Tokyo’s fish market
Traveling on a professional grant, I joined a group of five other educators for a June-July 2010 trip to Japan, where I experienced the warmth and beauty of Japanese culture in Tokyo, Oita, Hiroshima and Kyoto.
The Unitas in Prague
In Prague, the delightful Unitas Hotel (Bartolomejska 9, 11000 Praha 1, Czech Republic; phone 00420 224 230 533), built in 2008, is more than worth the price: €109 to €139 (near $148-$188) for a double, depending on the season.
Third Eye Travel in SE Asia
My husband, Norman, and I worked with Arun at Third Eye Travel (Fremont, CA; 800/456-3393) to set up a personalized, 15-day tour of Vietnam and Cambodia, Feb. 11-25, 2010.
thetrainline in UK
Having read of the purchase of a 240-dollar rail ticket from London to Glasgow with Virgin Trains (Sept. ’10, pg. 46), I thought readers would like to know how to purchase tickets at a more reasonable rate.
HAL & Viking River Cruises
I enjoyed Lew Toulmin’s October 2010 “The Cruising World” column, reviewing various cruise lines, but since he has not sailed with Holland America Line (HAL) and I have done at least five of their cruises (from 1997 to 2009, Alaska twice; Austra
Hostel vs hostal
The reader’s contribution titled “Madrid, Prague & Budapest hostels” (Dec. ’10, pg. 29) confuses “hostel” with “hostal.” Hostal Gonzalo in Madrid is not a hostel; it is a hostal.
Credit union card gaffs
When my wife, Diane, and I travel, we always advise our credit card and ATM card issuers of our travel plans, even when we leave California to visit other states. We belong to separate credit unions.
Driver/guide in Bali
Bali is a beautiful Indonesian island, and our guide and driver, Merta (e-mail mertagct@telkom.net*), made it a place my husband and I could feel at home, Feb. 24-March 20, 2010.
Save those documents
Upon returning from a September-October 2010 trip to Ethiopia, I had two occasions to use the papers that I had squirreled away relating to the trip.
Didn’t play it safe in India
I read the letter titled “India Travel Tips” (Dec. ’10, pg. 51) and strongly disagree with most of the advice given on what not to eat and drink.
The right way ’round
I agree with those who reassure travelers that driving here in the UK — on the left-hand side of the road — is not too difficult (“Embrace Left-side Driving,” March ’10, pg. 52).
Blissful barge trip
My wife and I and four of our friends booked a cruise on the eight-person barge Horizon II of French Country Waterways (Duxbury, MA; 800/222-1236).
Asia nuances
Kimberly Edwards’ letter “Tips for Communicating in Japan” (Nov. ’10, pg. 12) contains a lot of good advice, much of which is applicable throughout Asia.
Fine dining in Europe
As my wife, Judy, and I traveled for 37 days in Central Europe, late August through early October 2010, we found a number of restaurants we would recommend.
El Salvador surprise
As a “country counter” avidly trying to reach my personal goal of traveling to 100 countries, I added El Salvador (number 70) to my list in January 2010. To be truthful, it had not been at the top of my list of destinations to visit, not because I didn’t want to go there but because I had not thought about going.