Calling All Readers

Jack and Elizabeth Kaufman of Lake Quivira, Kansas, wrote, “We would like ITN readers to share their experiences in chasing the northern lights (aurora borealis), which are elusive to see even in the places where this natural phenomenon occurs. Where did you go to see them? When did you go (month and year)? How lucky were you to glimpse this marvelous show of nature? How long was your wait and how long did they last? Did you travel on your own or take a tour? If the latter, which tour company was it?

Since our marriage 35 years ago, my husband and I have had two dogs. Early in our marriage we acquired a dog, and some good friends also acquired one from the same litter, and for the life of those two dogs we managed to coordinate long vacations so that the dogs always stayed with one family while the other family was away.

Here are suggestions for finding pet sitters.

Ask your veterinarian. (Check out the vet technicians.)

Check out pet trainers and dog-training schools to see if they have recommendations. Ask pet groomers and at pet stores.

Ask friends and friends of friends. Look for retirees. Ask family members or church members if they can recommend anyone.

As for suggestions on finding someone to care for your pet while you’re traveling, here’s what we can offer.

Check with your veterinarian. He or she may have other clients who do pet sitting or will know of reliable companies that will provide in-home care. (We happen to be lucky. Our vet has teenage daughters who, when we’re away, love earning money by coming to our house every day to feed, pamper and clean up after our cat.)

(Part 3)

A lot of you make all of your travel arrangements, yourselves, these days, using online booking engines to purchase flight tickets and reserving tours on tour companies’ websites, but we wanted to hear from any of our subscribers who prefer to let a travel agent do the work or who have had a positive experience using one recently. We asked you to include the following details.

Yvonne Richter of San Diego, California, wrote (Jan. ’14, pg. 29), “My husband, Juergen, and I like to take customized private tours, and we prefer to use tour companies and guides that are local to the destinations. I would like travelers to write in about foreign tour companies and guides they’ve used for private tours, including as many of the following details as possible:

(part 2)

A lot of you make all of your travel arrangements, yourselves, these days, using online booking engines to purchase flight tickets and reserving tours on tour companies’ websites, but we wanted to hear from any of our subscribers who prefer to let a travel agent do the work or who have had a positive experience using one recently. We asked you to include the following details.

A lot of you make all of your travel arrangements, yourselves, these days, using online booking engines to purchase flight tickets and reserving tours on tour companies’ websites, but we wanted to hear from any of our subscribers who prefer to let a travel agent do the work or who have had a positive experience using one recently. We asked you to include the following details.

Yvonne Richter of San Diego, California, wrote (Jan. ’14, pg. 29), “My husband, Juergen, and I like to take customized private tours, and we prefer to use tour companies and guides that are local to the destinations. I would like travelers to write in about foreign tour companies and guides they’ve used for private tours, including as many of the following details as possible:

(Part three in a series) — Someone who travels a lot develops a preference for clothing that has certain properties, so we asked you to tell us about the apparel you pack and where you bought it. We wanted to know brand names, so shoppers can inquire about them in the mall or look them up online. And we asked you to give us the name of the store or company from which you purchased each item, including, if possible, its contact information (location, phone number or website).