Travelers' Intercom
Singing indri
In the Perinet Reserve in Madagascar we saw our first lemur, the indri, which is the largest type and can weigh up to 15 pounds.
Engaging Mexicans
I lived in Mexico for six months in 1974-75, visited up to three times a year in the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s, taught English in a community college there earlier this decade and continue to give talks on cruise ships docking in Mexican ports, most recently in November ’09.
Danube cruise with Uniworld
My wife, JoAnn, and I have taken many cruises but never one on any of Europe’s rivers, so when we saw that Uniworld (Los Angeles, CA; 800/733-7820) had introduced the 160-passenger River Beatrice in March ’09, with 7-night cruises along the Danube, we decided to go.
Simply reachable
Thank you, thank you, John Putman, for your letter (Nov. ’09, pg. 52). I, too, cannot see the point of the endless e-mails, phone calls, etc., that leisure travelers feel it necessary to make.
Won’t leave home without GPS
Traveling in France, Spain and Portugal for over a month in September-October ’09, we found that using a GPS is a time/lifesaver. What an invention! No more having the wife trying to read a map or screaming at each other over missed turns.
Week in Nicaragua
After reading an article in the USA Today travel section in September ’07 about Nicaragua’s growth in tourism, we started making plans to travel there in mid-September ’08.
Carry-on a smidge too big
I went off on Sept. 22, 2009, with my new luggage, an Eagle Creek Tarmac 22, expecting the carry-on piece to stay with me throughout my trip to Edinburgh and England. I travel light and never check my bag.
Shipping goods home
My wife, Kathy, and I took an “Ancient Kingdoms” tour to Southeast Asia with Overseas Adventure Travel (Cambridge, MA; 800/493-6824), Jan. 29-Feb. 21, 2009.
What to expect on India tour
India offers an exotic kaleidoscope of sights, sounds and smells. The contrasts are amazing. People still use water from public wells to wash their storefronts and trucks, as cows pick through garbage along the curb. Women wear bright, colorful saris while going about their daily activities.
Restricted-driving zone tickets
The matter of my traffic fines in Florence and Siena, Italy, has come to a conclusion (“Beware of Limited-traffic Zones,” Jan. ’10, pg. 12). I lost the Siena appeal, but winning two out of three is not all bad. JOHN THORSON Darien, IL
Wine bars in Paris
Most visitors to Paris go with a list of recommended restaurants, but I thought ITN readers would like a list of wonderful wine bars, part of the true Parisian experience. I visited all of the wine bars listed below from January to September 2009, most several times.
Wine and dine in Chile
From a few days in Chile, including Easter Island, Oct. 29-Nov. 8, 2009, here are our recommendations.
Funniest Thing for Feb '10
Tell ITN about the funniest thing that ever happened to you while traveling in a foreign country. (ITN prints no info on destinations in the United States.) There are no restrictions on length. The ITN staff will choose each month’s winner, who will receive a free one-year subscription to ITN.
Princess pirate drill
I was on the last voyage of Princess Cruises’ Tahitian Princess from Cape Town to Singapore, Oct. 18-Nov. 19, 2009. The ship went into dry dock when it reached Singapore, and it will come out as the Ocean Princess.
Getting away
Hallelujah for John Putman’s letter “Cutting All Ties, Temporarily” (Nov. ’09, pg. 52)! Finally, someone agrees with me.
Shroud of Turin to be shown
Is it a fantastic forgery or a miraculous image? Either way, the Shroud of Turin is one of the most researched and most mysterious artifacts in the world. Thoroughly studied, yes, but rarely seen — in the past 300 years, the enigmatic piece of linen has been on public display only 17 times.
Traveling in Ethiopia
On my trip to Ethiopia in September-October ’09, I found that having a local travel agent is a godsend.
Seven Bridges in Amsterdam
Strolling through the flower-lined canal streets in Amsterdam is a great delight in summer, particularly if you’re staying in a hotel that makes casual sunrise and sunset walks convenient.
Online London dining guide
While in London in September ’09, we used the website www.restaurant-guide.com regularly to check out restaurants and to find special offers. We have been pleased with the recommendations and the “two entrée for one” offers.