Travelers' Intercom
Galápagos Travel & Ecuador guide
Following a fantastic 11-day trip in May ’09 with ITN advertiser Galapagos Travel (783 Rio del Mar Blvd., Ste.
Bag-retriever tags
The June ’09 “Departure Lounge” mentioned Magellan’s Retriever Tags. My husband and I have used them on our luggage for years. Fortunately, we have never had to put them to the test. On the other hand, we have taken advantage of the excellent service of Magellan’s (800/962-4943, www.magellans.com).
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.
On flight arrangements
Adding to readers’ comments about making flight arrangements for tours (Dec. ’08, pg. 41 & June ’09, pg.
Taura’a on Easter Island
On Easter Island, Hotel Taura’a (Atamu Tekena s/n, Hanga Roa, Easter Island, Chile; phone [56] [32] 210 0463, fax [32] 255 1310, www.tauraahotel.cl) has 10 delightful rooms and serves delicious breakfasts. The surroundings are beautiful.
Travel agents can help
I would like to commend Kent Shamblin for his letter “Relies on Travel Agent” in the September ’09 issue. His recommendation to travelers to find a good professional travel agent is excellent.
No help in reaching ship
The following lists a series of events that occurred when my two friends and I were scheduled to leave Sacramento, California, on Jan. 15, 2009, and go to Buenos Aires one day prior to boarding the Star Princess for a cruise to Antarctica.
The castles of Parma
My wife, Rosalie, and I spent our 45th wedding anniversary in Italy, May 21-June 10, 2009. One of the places we visited was the municipality of Parma in the province of Emilia-Romagna.
Venezuela arrangements
Two friends and I took a 10-day trip to Venezuela in December ’08. While our itinerary, which included visits to Caracas, Mérida and Canaima National Park, didn’t exhaust what Venezuela has to offer, we enjoyed our visit and some fine food and unique sights, especially at Canaima.
One crooked cabbie
I spent three weeks with a group in Hanoi, Vietnam, starting Nov. 3, 2008. Some of us frequently took a cab between our hotel and the Old Town shopping center. Usually the cab cost around 45,000 dong (near $2.50).
On buying an extra seat
I’m writing in response to the news item “Passengers of Size Pay Double” (July ’09, pg. 23), on United Airlines.
Sunsets in the Dordogne
My husband and I read with great interest the article on the Dordogne region of France (Sept. ’09, pg. 6). During October ’08 we spent a week there as part of a 3-week trip to France and it was, in many ways, the most special part of our trip.
Cutting all ties, temporarily
I just finished reading Rick Steves’ “Techie Tips for Travelers” (Sept. ’09, pg. 58). It’s all good information, I’m sure. Call me old-fashioned or “out of the loop,” if you will, but doesn’t anyone travel to get away from it all anymore?
Trying out large-group tours
My husband, Rodney, and I took the “Imperial Russian Waterways” tour with Vantage Deluxe World Travel, Aug. 5-26, 2008, which included a 3-night Kiev pretrip and a 3-night Stockholm post-trip extension for a total of 22 days.
Need a car for more than 30 days?
I am responding to the request for information on renting a car for more than 30 days (July ’09, pg. 31).