Travel Tidbits

With a BritRail Pass, I feel it is better to buy the adult/economy pass rather than splurge on a first- class Senior Pass. You have more room in first, but you don’t meet the local people as readily.
— JEAN GOSSE, Shoreline, WA

A mildly disappointing part of our March visit to Vietnam was the three nights we spent in Hoi An. Hoi An is a UNESCO World Heritage Site; unfortunately, most of the buildings house flashy tourist shops now and there was little of the original Old Quarter. It is definitely worth a visit, but I wouldn’t stay there too long. Fortunately, there was a number of excellent restaurants. Also, apparently, young backpackers find things to do there.
— MORTON & SHIRLEY SCHAGRIN, Watertown, MA

On a November tour of South Africa with Africa 2000 (P.O. Box 1204, Hilton 3245, South Africa; phone +27 33 3433911), most stunning was the dramatic eroded gorge of the Blyde River. Rushing water has carved extraordinary shapes through layers of orange, brown and cream sandstone resulting in gigantic “Potholes.” A photographer’s paradise!
— JACKIE BLACK, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada