History

After checking into our group’s London hotel in March ’03, my roommate and I caught the underground (the ticket seller advised us to buy a day pass instead of a round-trip ticket) to go to the Imperial War Museum to see the many World War II tanks, planes, guns, V-1 and V-2 rockets, Enigma secret code machine, etc.

At El Alamein in Egypt and Normandy in France, I saw NO German tanks. This museum had a German tank buster on a Panzer chassis with an 88mm gun in the turret. A BIG BABY!

Many Americans will visit Normandy on June 6, ’04, for events surrounding the 60th anniversary of D-Day.

by Deanna Palic (Second of two parts. Go to part one)

My wife and I took an extended business trip to Cairo in October ’03. During our stay at the historic, downtown Windsor Hotel (al-Alfy Street, Cairo, Egypt — $54 for a double), which was the British Officers’ Quarters prior to the ’52 revolution, we met Samir Fayek (cell phone 011-20-12-399-5147 or e-mail samirfayek@hotmail.com).

Samir is an experienced guide who runs tours for small groups of four to six people on a half-day or full-day basis. He is extremely knowledgeable, speaks fluent English and knows how to navigate Cairo traffic expertly.

by Deanna Palic (Part one of two)

We learned about the archaeology of the Trypillian Bronze Age during our 11-day trip to Ukraine, June 27-July 7, ’02, but we also saw many interesting medieval and later sites and met many interesting people in this newly independent state.

Our tour with Kolos Corporation (5841 Colfax Ave., Alexandria, VA 22311-1013; phone 703/593-8522, e-mal kolos@kolos.com or visit www.kolos.com) cost $1,100, land. (The 2004 “Tryptillian Tour,” taking place June 28-July 8, will cost $1,650 land only.) A few non-included meals and extras added up to less than $100.

by Richard and Elizabeth Welch, Annandale, VA

by Kaye Olson, DeWitt, MI

by Beverly Shaver, El Cerrito, CA

When we planned a romantic visit to the Italian lakes area, we expected lake views, islands, gardens, great food and lots of wine. We did not expect to see a beautiful, modern monument honoring the victims of September 11.

On our visit in the first two weeks of September ’03, there were just 11 of us assorted Americans plus Patti, our guide and mentor. We all met in Milan and soon were transported by our driver, Matteo, to Lake Como, followed by Lake Maggiore and then the resort town of Stresa.