Features

February 2007 issue

A night on Lake Titicaca

by Andrea Granahan, Bodega, CA

Several times while in Peru, I felt as though I had reached the end of the world. Upon reaching the island of Amantani on Lake Titicaca, I felt that way again. Not only had we traveled far into the Andes to get to the lake, we had been riding for hours in a boat across the vast body of water.

Our day on the lake coincided with the first rainy day we had had in three weeks. Even though it was Peru’s spring, the rain was cold and the winds, sharp.

We all remember Lake Titicaca from school because of its funny name (which is the Aymara word...

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February 2006 issue

Minsk — exploring Belarus’ capital

—by Carol Coverly, South Yarmouth, MA

Mid-August seemed like a good time of year to visit friends in Minsk. The weather was perfect during our 5-day stay in 2005.

Lufthansa was the only commercial airline with a daily flight into Minsk International Airport. The terminal, a half hour’s drive from the capital city, was undergoing renovations, which hopefully will make Minsk a more welcoming international destination.

Entry requirements

My husband and I were met by three young women who had stayed in our home during the summers of 2002 and 2003. Since it is not...

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May 2006 issue

Candy and chocolate shops

We asked you to tell us about any terrific candy or chocolate treats you have discovered overseas (outside of North America and the Caribbean). Whether a brand-name product or something from a confectionery, we wanted to know specifically where you found it, how much it cost and when you were there. Responses appear below.

If you have something to add, write to Sweet Confections, c/o ITN, 2116 28th St., Sacramento, CA 95818, or e-mail editor@intltravelnews.com (please include the address at which you receive ITN).

The “best of the best” chocolate factory is in Tasmania and...

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August 2006 issue

Stunning Splendor of Iceland

I was aware of the buzz surrounding Iceland as a new travel “hot spot,” but the only in-depth coverage I had actually come across was filtered through the acerbic wit of Anthony Bourdain on an episode of the Travel Channel’s “No Reservations.” (There seemed to be a lot of late-night drinking and eating of odd foods….)

On the whole, I tend to avoid “it” destinations, as they usually boast nothing more than overpriced attractions and the latest in hip venues for the cool kids. But this time, someone got it right. While I didn’t...

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May 2005 issue

Cruising along the fjord-filled coast of Norway

by Patricia Arrigoni, Fairfax, CA

It was 4:30 in the morning and I had been up since 3 a.m. My natural time clock was completely confused by the bright sunshine pouring through my cabin window, for I was in the Land of the Midnight Sun in northern Norway.

It had taken me four days and four flights through nine time zones (with a stopover in Oslo) to arrive in Kirkenes from California. There I boarded the MS Nordnorge for a 6-day cruise over the top of the world and down to Bergen.

The ship

This was not a cruise ship we were on but a cargo vessel that also...

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November 2006 issue

A brief visit to Brugge

by Susan Fogwell, Princeton, NJ

The accessibility in reaching Brugge, Belgium, via train makes it a fun and delightful day-trip destination. I boarded a train with my husband, John, at Centraal Station in Amsterdam for the 3-hour journey. With a quick change of trains in Antwerp, we were on a comfortable train slicing through flat Belgian farmland. 

Light snow covered the landscape, dotted with horses with thick winter coats. As we got closer to our destination, villages of gabled buildings with cobbled, narrow streets passed by the window. 

It wasn’t long before the...

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August 2005 issue

Costa Rican timeshare — a unique overseas accomodation option

After purchasing a time-share in August ’03, I started reviewing the large catalog with listings of hundreds of time-share properties around the world, including information on availability, amenities, nearest airport and more. I have been traveling internationally for some 30 years and thought a time-share would give me greater selection for accommodations abroad.

International exchange

On a point system, my companion and I purchased a studio unit in Napa, California, near where we live, to use as an exchange property for an international location. After paying maintenance...

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November 2005 issue

Nicaragua revisited

by Jane B. Hanrahan, Alpharetta, GA

Travel in Nicaragua has changed considerably.

During a 1993 visit, I found that the country’s lack of tourist infrastructure made it difficult — and at times impossible — to enjoy its historical and natural attractions.

In April ’05, however, I found helpful tourist offices, organized tours, improved transportation, varied restaurants and a wide range of new hotels.

The capital

Managua, once a rather sad city with its earthquake-devastated center, has become a busy, modern metropolis with more than a million...

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