Columns

Dear Globetrotter:

Welcome to the 458th issue of your monthly foreign-travel magazine. For those of you reading this publication for the first time and wondering what’s in store, here’s what ITN is all about.

Covering destinations outside of the United States, ITN presents letters and articles written by its subscribers, who range from independent travelers to people who enjoy group tours and from those who travel on a tight budget to those who prefer luxury accommodations.

(Second of three parts)

Tulips, tulips and more tulips were the undisputed stars of The Butchart Gardens this day in mid-April 2013 on Vancouver Island, Canada. Tulips edged beds, outlined paths and admired their reflections in ponds, thanks to the importation of 300,000 bulbs from Holland each year.

Along with tulips galore, a bevy of other bulbs, plants, trees and shrubs were in full spring fling throughout The Gardens’ 55 acres. 

For travelers to Great Britain, Italy or France, here are a few important changes to be aware of in 2014.

GREAT BRITAIN

• London continues to grow and thrive, post Olympics. Free WiFi is everywhere, bus transportation is more efficient than ever, and the city’s freshly scrubbed monuments have never looked so good. 

(Second of two parts, go to part one)

Last month, I described etiquette in various European countries. This month, I cover etiquette in a few more countries.

Italy

Italians are guided by first impressions, so it is essential to demonstrate good manners when greeting people.

Do not wrap gifts in black, as it is traditionally a mourning color. Also, don’t wrap them in purple, as that is a symbol of bad luck.

If invited to an Italian’s house…

Dear Globetrotter:

Welcome to the 457th issue of your monthly foreign-travel magazine. We’re now into our 38th year of publishing ITN, the first travel publication based on articles and letters written by its subscribers, travelers like you, people who pay their own way on trips and wish to share their discoveries.

(First of three parts)

(Second of two parts)

These days, “budget European travel” includes point-to-point flights within Europe. When I started traveling, no one spending their own money bought one-way air tickets within Europe. It was prohibitively expensive. Nowadays, before buying any long-distance train or bus ticket, I look into flying, and, routinely, it’s cheaper to fly than to make the trip on the ground, especially when you consider all the advantages of flying.

(2 of 2 on Paris)