Travelers' Intercom
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.
The Affordable Travel Club
We’ve been members of The Affordable Travel Club (6556 Snug Harbor Lane, Gig Harbor, WA 98335; 253/858-2172) for several years. With members in the US and abroad, it’s a hospitality exchange club for people over 40.
Tipping appropriately in China
FROM THE EDITOR — Several months ago, Kathy Wilhelm of Cary, North Carolina, wrote, “I was very surprised by the reader’s recommendation that others ‘be prepared to spend $300-$400 per person in tips, not including the tip to the tour director, on a smarTours trip to China (“
Rough it… safely
Here are a few tips for backpackers who like adventure travel and the unknown. If you can’t peel it, don’t eat it.
Post no bills
Regarding the payment of bills while traveling (Dec. ’10, pg. 12), my husband, Foster, and I have for 10 years been clients of Paytrust.
Harp & Shamrock Tours
My wife, Marilyn, and I enjoyed a truly wonderful tour of Ireland with Aidan Murray, owner of Harp & Shamrock Tours (Danielson, CT; 800/227-2577), whom we discovered in ITN’s The Mart section.
‘Special-occasion travel’ tip
For our 10-year wedding anniversary, in October ’09, we decided to go to French Polynesia.
Explore Orkney
On a two-week trip my husband and I took to Scotland in August 2010, the last five days were spent in Orkney.
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.