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March 2010 issue

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From PARIS, France, Jan. 6

We have a long list of favorite restaurants in Paris but try to find something new each trip. During our Dec. 26, 2009-Jan. 6, 2010, visit, we found two interesting small restaurants of special note. Both were well attended by locals — always a good sign!

• Chez Nathalie (45 rue Vandrezanne, 75013 Paris; phone 01 45 80 20 42). The fish in this very small establishment was excellent. Our lunch of two entrées (a whole dorade and scallops), house wine, bottled water and a digestif came to €74 ($106).

• JanTchi Restaurant Coréen (6 rue Thérèse,...

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January 2005 issue

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From Paris, FRANCE, Oct. 16, ’04. . . • Le Navigator (63 rue Galande, 75005 Paris; phone 01 43 54 35 86) — in the fifth arrondissement. Open for lunch and dinner seven days a week. Reservations advised. English spoken. First course, main dish, dessert and house wine, €20 (near $25.50); for example, moules mariniere, coq au vin and mousse au chocolat. Escargots and soles meuniere are on more expensive menus. — J.P. Williams, Brigadoon, U.K.

From Ulaan Baatar, MONGOLIA, Oct. 8, ’04. . . • Millie’s Espresso (330 Marco Polo Place; phone 330338) — in the center of Ulaan Baatar city not...

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April 2010 issue

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From BOLÍVAR, Colombia, Feb. 5, 2010

Casa Sweety (Calle del Guerrero 29b-119, Getsemani, Cartagena de Indias, D.T., Bolívar, Colombia; phone +57 [5] 664 1315 or, in the US, 415/746-6876) is a bed-and-breakfast located just outside the old walled city of Cartagena. We booked our room by phone for approximately $95 per night for Feb. 1-5, 2010.

Casa Sweety is a gem. For the price, the amenities are exceptional: terrific breakfasts; well-kept, immaculate rooms; a small swimming pool with Jacuzzi; free WiFi, and more.

But what makes this place stand out is the staff. The...

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February 2005 issue

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On GREECE, December ’04. . . • Hotel Sakellaridi (Trikalon Street, 422 00 Kalambaka, Greece; phone +30 2432 022716 or fax +30 2432 075910) — in the town nearest to Meteora. Very nice, clean, friendly hotel. Inexpensive at €45 (near $60) including breakfast. (The cost is for drop-in guests; our tour from Athens stayed here.) I do not recommend eating here except for breakfast. — Phyllis Jackson, Oro Valley, AZ

From Lima, PERU, Nov. 27, ’04… • Our 3-course dinner at India-Feliz (Calle Lloque Yupanqui, Lote 4M, Machu Picchu) included fresh grilled trout. It was outstanding. In 25 years...

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May 2010 issue

Report Cards for May '10

News from NETHERLANDS

• Tulips B&B (Sloterkade 65, Amsterdam; phone 31 [0] 20 679 2753, fax [0] 20 408-3028) — located at the south end of Vondelpark, close to two major tram lines and very quiet.

Our canal-view room was quiet, comfy and sparkling clean. We booked online for €85 (cash only) per room per night for March 25-28, 2010. For breakfast, there’s a small kitchen area in the hall with cereal, milk, tea and coffee.

The hosts, Paul and Karen, are terrific. Paul’s map of the neighborhood and Amsterdam is excellent. Extra touches include a cell phone for...

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March 2005 issue

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From Brugge, BELGIUM, Jan. 16, ’05. . .

• There is no cash machine or currency exchange at the Brugge train station. There’s an ATM at the post office on Market Square. Money exchange and other ATMs are on Steenstraat off the Markt.

• Hotel Ensor (Speelmansrei 10, Brugge; phone 050/342589 or visit www.ensorhotel.be) — in a charming location on a quiet street overlooking the canal. Just a 5-minute walk from Market Square or a 10-minute walk from the rail station. Large, clean rooms. €60 (near $81) for a double (€80 in high season), breakfast and tax included.

• At Het...

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June 2010 issue

Report Cards for June 2010

NEWS FROM FRANCE…

Bienvenue Hotel (110/112 avenue de Brachaud, 87280 Limoges, France; phone 05 55 37 14 33, www.bienvenue-hotel.com) — north of Limoges, just off the A20.

Opened in fall of 2007. Owners were employed by a European hotel chain for many years and designed this two-star hotel with the customer in mind. Elevator from entry level to all upper floors. Restaurant attached. Secure parking.

Small but extremely functional rooms. Window can be left open safely. Small but useful closet with room safe. Desk and chair. WiFi, TV and phone. €75 (near $99) per night for...

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April 2005 issue

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From Rome, ITALY, Feb. 5, ’05

• Daphne Inn (Via di San Basilio, 55 00187 Roma; phone 39 06 47823529, fax 1 702 995 4383 or visit www.daphne-rome.com) — very near Barberini Metro.

Clean, comfortable and quiet bed-and-breakfast. Very helpful English-speaking staff. We paid €120 (near $156) for three adults in one room, and that included a big breakfast. Guests are also offered use of a cell phone while in Rome and you only have to pay for calls you make.

• We enjoyed eating at Trattoria Otello Alla Cordia (Via del Corso, 81, Roma). Excellent food. Lots of locals eating...

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