Travelers' Intercom
Water bottle Aquaclip®
My wife, Jo, and I took a trip to Borneo in February ’09 with smarTours, and there was a couple in our group with their water bottles on Aquaclips®.
Buying gas in Europe
My wife and I spent September ’09 driving in France and Italy.
Leases Europe autos with Kemwel
The subscriber’s letter about leasing a car for 30-plus days in Italy (Nov. ’09, pg. 51) led my husband, Klaus, and me to contact the agent at bonvoyagebycar@yahoo.com. The agent claimed he could get us a better price than we would with a lease/buyback via Peugeot or Renault.
Refunding made disadvantageous
After booking, on Air Berlin’s website (www.airberlin.com) on Feb. 9, 2009, a round-trip flight between New York and Düsseldorf in May, I unhappily discovered that reserving two economy seats would cost an additional €60, or $86, round trip. Nevertheless, on Feb.
Seeks tours for seniors
I’m an 84-year-old, healthy, active woman, and I would love to know about tours that cater to those about my age who are well traveled and always eager to learn more.
Ticket time bombs from Italy
My husband, Dick, and I received five traffic citations in the mail in October ’09, each involving a €116 (near $175) fine, for traffic violations on a trip to Florence, Italy, that took place two years before!
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.
Innovative Immersion Tours
I have taken several tours with Innovative Immersion Tours (11664 National Blvd., Ste. 277, Los Angeles, CA 90064; 916/709-3249, www.iitours.com), most recently to Bali, Indonesia, June 17-July 2, 2009.
Pleasant layover work-over
If you have a long layover, even when flying domestically, seek out the international terminal or check out another international terminal.
Highlights of Nicaragua
Just our luck! My husband, Frank, and I picked the rainiest week of the year when we visited Nicaragua in October ’08. Fortunately, almost every day had some sun, except the Sunday we watched an NFL game in our room during a sideways rainstorm.
Keep paperwork plus notes
In March ’09 I received a promotional e-mail from American Express stating that if I opened a credit card account (and met other requirements), I could get 25,000 air miles with Delta Air Lines plus two passes to Delta’s airport lounges.
Railpass insurance
I write regarding the letter “Staged Distraction” from the gentleman whose railpass was stolen from his jacket on the seat (Nov. ’09, pg. 51).
Japan tour’s ‘extras’
My husband, Ken, and I went on the 15-day tour “Japan’s Cultural Treasures” with Overseas Adventure Travel (Cambridge, MA; 800/493-6824, www.oattravel.com), April 25-May 15, 2009.
Allow extra time at CDG
Near Paris, it is fine to arrive at Charles de Gaulle International Airport (Roissy CDG), but we have found departing and making connections there to be very difficult.
Guide in Casablanca
In her article on Morocco (April ’09, pg. 24), I was pleased that Elaine Lavine wrote about Casablanca and Fés and included a photo of the Jewish Cemetery in Fés.