We are a senior couple who love London. After reading how someone used one location as a hub for sightseeing rather than moving luggage from place to place, we decided to follow that strategy on a visit to London, Sept. 19-Oct. 7, ’03.
My husband and I spent three weeks in Spain in April ’03. We made all of our lodging and car reservations online or by phone. Although we usually prefer to be less restricted schedule-wise, we were there during Holy Week and Easter and rooms would have been hard to find in our price range without reservations.
My wife, Jackie, and I took an 11-day trip to Bhutan in October ’03. The trip was arranged by Ron at Starlink Tours (5250 W. Century Blvd., Ste. 617, Los Angeles, CA 90045; phone 866/337-0909 or visit www. starlinktours.com). The cost of the entire trip, including plane fare from Los Angeles, hotels, all meals (including mid-morning and afternoon tea or coffee), a private guide and driver and all sightseeing was $2,989.
A couple of readers who are going to the Summer Olympics asked for information on travel in Greece. I have been to Greece 20 times in the last 20 years, most recently in October ’03. I have traveled independently there and gotten to know many wonderful Greeks. In addition to discovering delightful places to stay, I have found the Greeks to be the most hospitable of people. Here are some of my suggestions on things to see and do there.
We were in Hong Kong in November ’03 and took a day trip on the ferry to the former Portuguese colony of Macau. The ferry ride took just under an hour. After several hours of sightseeing in this unusual area, we got hungry and our guide dropped us off at Henri’s Galley (4 Av. Da Republica, Macau; phone [853] 556251 or visit www.henrisgalley.com.mo). It is located on the old waterfront and has a nautical theme. Seafood is a specialty along with a wide variety of Portuguese and Asian dishes.
I received an invitation to celebrate the 60th birthday of Kwabenar LaVerte Mathis, an old and dear friend of almost 50 years. The celebration was held on Ischia, a resort island off the coast of Naples, Italy, that is known for its thermal pools, steam baths and therapeutic waters.
The trip, May 26-June 3, ’03, was booked and coordinated by Liz Morris of Omega Travel (phone 703/246-9259 or fax 888/380-9805). The airfare was $725 round trip, and my single room at the 4-star Hotel Hermitage & Park Terme cost $844.
by Vern Lewis, Atlanta, GA
ITN asked readers to name the three cities they most enjoyed visiting outside of North America. Responses were printed in the July ’ 03 issue, inspiring more letters, which are presented below. You can send in your Top 3 list to Favorite Cities Overseas, c/o ITN, 2116 28th St., Sacramento, CA 95818, or e-mail editor@intltravel news.com (please include your surface-mail address). Mention when you last visited each city, and include pictures, if possible.
Favorite cities overseas? Only three? That’s tough, but here goes.
ITN brought to our attention exactly the right barge trip for us. We were to be in France in April ’03 to attend a World War I history conference, and French Country Waterways (Box 2195, Duxbury, MA 02331-9977; phone 800/222-1236 or 781/934-2454 or visit www.fcwl.com) was offering an itinerary through the Champagne region from April 20 (Easter Sunday) through the 26th.
Thank heaven for Norwegian Cruise Line and its imitators who have initiated Freestyle Cruising (Aug. ’03, pg. 33). I enjoyed Freestyle Cruising on my 12-day cruise from Dover to St. Petersburg, June 3-15, ’03, aboard the Norwegian Dream, booked through Grand Circle Travel (800/221-2610).