During my 2011 trip to northern Italy, I stayed in Bologna the nights of May 6-7 at Nuovo Hotel del Porto (Via del Porto 6 [Piazza Maggiore], 40122 Bologna, Italy; phone +39 051 247926). I had to keep asking directions to find it, but it was within walking distance of both the train station and the Old Town.
José, the Spanish receptionist (who also spoke English and Italian), was kind enough to e-mail my husband for me to let him know I had arrived safely.
I had never really thought much about Panama City beyond its canal, but my wife, Rose, and I ended up making plans to join a Friendship Force (Atlanta, GA; 404/522-9490) group from Olympia, Washington, for four days there in April ’11 before the group went on for a week’s home hosting in Santiago, Chile, and then Alajuela, Costa Rica.
In the Alsatian wine region of France, we were fortunate to stay at Clos des Raisins (5, rue des Raisins, 68980, Beblenheim, France; phone 0033 03 89 79 45 11) in late April 2011. Built as a winery in 1722 and lovingly renovated in 2008 by Thierry Kruger and his wife, Armelle, I highly recommend this truly charming bed-and-breakfast.
by Sandra Scott
by Philip Wagenaar (First of two parts)
by Linda & Peter Beuret, Santa Barbara, CA
For our 44th anniversary, my husband, Peter, and I decided we would like to snorkel in some clear, warm waters. A beautiful view with lots of time to read wouldn’t be bad either!
Here are two restaurants my wife, Judy, and I enjoyed in September ’10.
The most memorable aspects of my journey with my husband through Kurdistan in the first two weeks of May ’11 are the speed-bump-filled roads and the incredible number of security stops. However, despite the annoyance of the constant braking and fishing for passports to show security guards before and after every city, town, village, hamlet and lemonade stand, it was well worth the effort in order to enjoy the wonderful scenery and culture presented by this rarely visited area of northern Iraq.
REPORT ON CROATIA…
My wife, Eileen, and I and another couple traveled independently in Croatia, May 27-June 7, 2011. Two hotels stood out on this trip.
My husband, Ed, and I stayed in Hotel Yigitalp Istanbul (Gencturk Cad. Cukur Cesme Sok. No. 38, Sehzadebasi, Istanbul, Turkey; phone +90 212 512 98 60) in October ’10.
This was an absolutely charming, old hotel with a 1930s feel to it. The front desk staff was wonderful, providing helpful suggestions and even giving us umbrellas to use on the day it rained.