Hotels and Lodging

In February ’11, eight people, including our guide, met for dinner at the majestic Taj Mahal hotel in the heart of Delhi. The members of our group had traveled to India from several different states but had one thing in common: we all had taken trips, which had been spectacular, with Rothschild Safaris (Denver, CO; 800/405-9463). Rothschild’s first venture into the wildlife safari experience in India, this trip was a departure from their usual African tour offerings.

On a trip to Europe in May ’11, we wanted to take a break from our itinerary for a short stay in a quiet place with clean air and mountain views. We found the ideal place near Budapest, Hungary.

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.

My travel partner and I were scheduled to return from London’s Heathrow Airport to Cleveland, Ohio, by way of Chicago on Dec. 17, 2010. Upon our arrival at the airport, we were handed a notice that our United Airlines flight to Chicago had been canceled because of the nonarrival of an aircraft from the US. The United desk rebooked us on another United flight (operated by Continental Airlines) to Newark the next day.

My husband, Jim, and I took a month-long road trip through northern Spain and Portugal, May 24-June 23, 2011. After picking up our car in Biarritz, France, we drove into Spain and visited Bilbao in the Basque country; La Rioja (famous for its red wines); spectacular, Yosemite-like Pico de Europa, and the region of Galicia, with its rugged coastline and the Christian pilgrimage city of Santiago de Compostela.

REPORT ON MALTA…

I am submitting some advice about visiting Mexico around the Day of the Dead. Celebrated throughout the country on Nov. 1 (All Saints’ Day), the holiday is held to honor and remember deceased friends and family. It starts the evening of Oct. 31, goes through the night and sometimes lasts until Nov. 2.

Typically, there are large processions plus offerings of food and flowers at graves.

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 and I enjoyed a wonderful trip through Ireland and Northern Ireland, Aug. 7-28, 2010, orchestrated by Conn O’Scannlain, owner of Journey Through Ireland (University Place, WA; 800/828-0826). Conn has 35 years of experience and is super-friendly and super-knowledgeable.

Along with being in specific locations on particular dates, we wanted to tour on our own or with a private guide and, if possible, to spend more than one day in each location, using it as a base to see surrounding areas.

My one-day trip to Lesotho in September ’10 started with a one-hour flight on South African Airways from Johannesburg, South Africa, to Maseru, Lesotho’s capital. No visa is required for US citizens, and there are several flights each day, which makes a short trip very easy.