In Amsterdam, 12 of us girlfriends stayed at Hotel Fita (Jan Luykenstraat 37, 1071 CL Amsterdam, Netherlands; phone +31 [0] 20 679 09 76, fax 664 39 69), Dec. 28-31, 2012.
This delightful, 15-room hotel is in an excellent location near the museums and a tram stop. The owner, Roel, and his staff made us feel so welcomed and were helpful with suggestions and maps.
REPORT ON ECUADOR…
9 days / 8 nights, Aug. 13-21, 2013. Highlights: In Istanbul, Güllüoğlu Baklava Factory, cooking class, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Spice Bazaar, Topkapi Palace, Grand Bazaar / explore Büyükada island by horse and carriage / Greco-Roman stadium in Perge / Roman theater, acropolis and aqueduct in Aspendos / day-long boat trip to Phaselis and Olympos / underground cities, fairy chimneys in Cappadocia. Land, $2,950. Single supp., $550. Eat Smart Guides (Madison, WI; 608 / 233-5488).
by Jack Ogg, Houston, TX
In his book “The Big Red Train Ride,” author Eric Newby summed up a Trans-Siberian rail trip when he stated, “There is no railway journey of equal length anywhere in the world. The Trans-Siberian is the big train ride. All the rest are peanuts.”
While Mr. Newby’s statement is bold, it’s true.
At David’s Fresh Noodle (No. 213 13th Street, Phnom Penh, Cambodia; phone 855 12 351 890 or e-mail som_bath@yahoo.com), I had the best restaurant food of my three weeks’ stay in Phnom Penh, Nov. 4-23, 2012.
This little place was clean, with maybe eight tables, and there were many choices, not just noodles. I had fried calamari and hand-cut French fries that weren’t at all greasy for $2.90 plus a Coke for $1.
by Marcia Brandes, Atlanta, GA
Penang was a British possession from 1786 until 1957, when it became part of the Federation of Malaya. Located in the Strait of Malacca west of the Malay Peninsula, today this Malaysian island is a popular beach resort destination.
7 days/6 nights, Oct. 11-17, 2013. Highlights: Cooking classes from cookbook author Joanne Weir/St. Remy market/chocolate tasting/olive oil, local rosé wine and sea salt tastings/visit Châteauneuf-du-Pape wineries/Academy of Wine & Taste dinner at Château de Clary/Les Baux/Uzès market. Land, $5,000. Single supp., $1,000. Joanne Weir’s Culinary Journeys (San Francisco, CA; 415/262-0260).
by Beth Habian, Features Editor
REPORT ON AUSTRALIA…