by Lynn Remly, Arlington, VA
Since The Wall came tumbling down, visitors to Berlin have flocked to the east side to see what was hidden or forbidden for 40 years. Unfortunately, few people travel beyond the city center and its monuments to see what Berlin is all about.
by Beth Habian, Features Editor
by Randy Keck, part 2 of 3 on Thailand
Europe My husband and I, along with another couple, took the 16-day river cruise “Castles Along the Rhine and Danube” aboard the ms River Odyssey, Sept. 26-Oct. 11, 2007, with Vantage Deluxe World Travel (90 Canal St., Boston, MA 02114-2031; 800/322-6677)
Including airfare, fuel surcharge, fees and taxes but excluding insurance, the cost per person was $5,310 per person for an “A” category room; add-on airfare from Cincinnati was another $100.
by Roger Canfield, Contributing Editor
Before my late October ’07 trip to the Philippines, I was aware that the Philippines and America share certain historical commonalities, including Christianity, colonialism, war, independence and democracy. While, on my trip, I found friendly people and fine food, the country also has its share of poverty-stricken areas.
During a very pleasant cruise through Ukraine with smarTours, Sept. 25-Oct. 7, 2007, at Sevastopol I took an optional overland excursion to the famous Swallow’s Nest.
by Marilyn Lutzker, Sunnyside, NY
Vienna is an urban delight. It is a majestic and opulent city for lovers of art, architecture, music, coffee and pastry.
I took my 16-year-old nephew, Xan, on a trip to Southeast Asia, his first to the area, in June ’07.
One of the most beautiful parts of Italy, the Ligurian coast, was the setting for the 10-night “The Gulf of Poets and the Cinque Terre” program of Elderhostel (11 Ave. de Lafayette, Boston, MA 02111; 800/454-5768, www.elderhostel.org). The land price for the tour, April 24-May 2, 2007, was $2,568 plus a single supplement of $330.
Lerici is a small resort town situated at the entrance to the Gulf of La Spezia. It has several beaches and many outdoor shopping opportunities along the palm-tree-lined walkway to the north.
by Julie Skurdenis