Travelers' Intercom
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.
Comparing Crystal, Viking and Silversea cruises
Comparing Crystal, Viking and Silversea cruises
Switched to smartphone
I enjoyed reading the letters from people who travel with a minimum of high-tech equipment (Sept. ’19, pg. 29). My husband and I have been using “dumb” flip phones.
Visiting Aix-en-Provence
Aix-en-Provence is not one of France’s more sought-after destinations by international travelers, but the city is pleasant, very walkable and affluent.
Biking the Danube on the cheap
I biked the Danube cycle path from Donaueschingen, Germany, to Budapest, Hungary, approximately 1,260 kilometers (793 miles), in June 2018. I did this because most older people do not give themselves physical challenges, and I wanted to give myself a challenge and a reward for staying in shape.
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.
Guide for the Balkans
My wife and I took a private tour of the Balkan countries with Bulgarian guide Martin Semerdjiev (martinert@yahoo.com). We selected him after seeing a reader’s report in ITN (Dec. ’18, pg. 36).
Advice on visiting Amsterdam
My wife, Thea, and I have visited Amsterdam in the Netherlands several times over the last few years, most recently in June 2019.