This is the April 2017 issue

Features

View of Baku’s Flame Towers.
Mountains, monasteries and museums – a guided tour of the Caucasus
By Yvonne Horn
Appears on Page 6
 
Cuzco’s cathedral, built with blocks taken from the nearby site of Sacsayhuamán.
Celebrating with a long-awaited trip to Peru’s Machu Picchu
By Fritz Oelrich
Appears on Page 21
 
A view of Lake Geneva and the Jet d’Eau.
A self-designed study-abroad stay in Switzerland
By Claudia Dantoin
Appears on Page 34
 
Cindy and Ted Palmer on the path to Tiger’s Nest.
A soul-enriching visit to Bhutan
By Cindy Palmer
Appears on Page 46
 

Travelers' Intercom

Cash-back cards better than miles
By Merle Crow
Appears on Page 14
 
Denpō-in temple garden, Tokyo
By Jane B. & Clyde F. Holt
Appears on Page 14
 
Harpa + other Iceland highlights
By June Evans Goldberg
Appears on Page 15
 
Oporto Discovery Tours
By Ann Bolster
Appears on Page 16
 
RuMeID luggage tags
By Tony Leisner
Appears on Page 16
 
Acquiring Uzbekistan visas
By Betty Podol
Appears on Page 25
 
The gold-plated Reclining Buddha is 33 meters loåçng — Penang. Photo by Robert Siebert
Penang highlight of Princess cruise
By Robert A. Sierbert
Appears on Page 25
 
Small group of gorillas from the Kwitonda family. Photos by Esther Perica
Mountain gorillas in Rwanda
By Esther Perica
Appears on Page 27
 
‘Extraordinary’ guide in Costa Rica
By Gail Riba
Appears on Page 30
 
Costa Rica bird-watching
By Linda & Peter Beuret
Appears on Page 31
 
Tibet, China, with Ceylon Express
By Nili Olay
Appears on Page 32
 
Veneto agriturismo and trattoria
By Marilyn Hill
Appears on Page 33
 
Hotels versus B&Bs
By Keith D. Jackson
Appears on Page 50
 
No-fee Chase debit card
By May C. Targett
Appears on Page 50
 
Karelia with Nordic Travel
By Judy Yandoh
Appears on Page 51
 
Rabbie’s in Scotland
By Samantha Sartain
Appears on Page 51
 
New Zealand hospitality
By Ted Mullett
Appears on Page 52
 

Calling All Readers!

Mileage program comparisons
Appears on Page 38
 
Narrow-gauge and offbeat railways
Appears on Page 42
 

Columns

Airlines' “on time” and “lost bags” report. Ships sailing farthest south.
Boarding Pass

By David Tykol
Appears on Page 2
 
Chef Laxman with the ingredients for Jhinga Masala — Holiday Inn Resort Penang. Photos by Sandra Scott
What’s Cooking in… Malaysia
What's Cooking in...

By Sandra Scott
Appears on Page 54
 
With the burgeoning HafenCity district and its spectacular new Elbphilharmonie concert hall, Hamburg’s riverfront is being revitalized. Photo by Rick Steves
What’s new in Germany, Spain and Portugal
Rick Steves' Europe

By Rick Steves
Appears on Page 56
 
The Geografile
The Geografile

Appears on Page 57
 
Detail of a mosaic in the Corridor of the Great Hunt — Villa Romana del Casale, Sicily. Photos by Julie Skurdenis
Villa Romana del Casale in Sicily
Focus on Archaeology

By Julie Skurdenis
Appears on Page 58
 

Funniest Thing

Lost in Time
By Edward Pusateri
Appears on Page 52
 

Where in the World? Correct Answers