History

by Julie Skurdenis

To the uninitiated, the Welsh language presents a pronunciation nightmare. Simply asking for directions to Aberystwyth or Llwyndafydd can turn into a daunting if not hilarious experience.

What books or movies inspired you to travel to another country (outside of North America and the Caribbean)? ITN asked that question and received many responses, which were printed in the June through September 2005 and February 2006 issues. Here are a few more.

If you have suggestions to share, write to A Novel Approach to Travel, c/o ITN, 2116 28th St., Sacramento, CA 95818, or e-mail editor@intltravelnews.com (please include the address at which you receive ITN).

Arriving in Poland for the first time, on a 3-country tour with Elderhostel (Boston, MA; 877/426-8056 or www.elderhostel.org), Sept. 7-24, ’04, took me back to the morning of Sept. 1, 1939, when I heard Hitler’s speech on the radio as he sent his troops across the Polish border. Of course, I couldn’t understand a word he said, but I realized that this meant war in Europe. I had no idea how devastating it was to be nor how it would affect my nation and my life.

“In Flanders fields the poppies blow/Between the crosses, row on row,/That mark our place;…

— from “In Flanders Fields,” John McCrae, 1915

As a single woman who prefers to travel independently and alone, when possible, I had the good fortune to tour Morocco with Heritage Tours (121 West 27th St., Ste. 1201, New York, NY 10001; 800/378-4555 or www.heritagetoursonline.com).

Historical ruins, awe-inspiring cathedrals, great museums and spectacular scenery. A civilization that dates back 7,000 years. Because of its strategic location, Malta has been occupied by many different countries, and its culture, cuisine and architecture reflect this diversity.

On our Nov. 8-22, ’04, tour of Malta with Grand Circle Travel (347 Congress St., Boston, MA 02210; 800/221-2610 or www.gct.com), we learned about the island’s complicated history through lectures, a home-hosted lunch, a movie and, of course, local tours.

Most travelers in France are familiar with the châteaux at Chenonceau and Chambord, but the Château de Veauce? Not likely. So Carole and I didn’t have high expectations when in July ’05 we spied Veauce on the IGN 1:100,000 map we were using to explore the Allier area north of Clermont-Ferrand and west of the auto route that snakes north toward Paris.

by Marisue Pickering, Orono, ME