Travelers' Intercom | International Travel News

January 2008 issue

Normandy cemetery

I was at the Normandy American Military Cemetery in France, June 6, 2007, for the dedication of the new $30 million visitors’ center. The exhibits are every bit as interesting as those at the D-Day Museum in New Orleans, plus there’s an impressive view of the English Channel.

Also, while it’s not exactly an optical illusion, there’s a long pool between the center and the sea that creates the impression one is looking directly into the horizon. Views of it and more are available on the website of the American Battle Monuments Commission (Courthouse Plaza II, Ste. 500, 2300 Clarendon...

March 2007 issue

Getting a hotel’s best rate

In the following, I haven’t identified the hotel or hotel chain because it’s not my purpose to single them out for criticism (the hotel staff was very accommodating).

In May ’06, I needed to reserve a hotel room in Buenos Aires for mid-December. I chose a hotel that is part of an international chain, then located that hotel’s website, where I found a nightly rate of $130.

I was unsure whether I had made the online reservation successfully, however, so I sent an e-mail message to the hotel, which responded saying the nightly rate was $145.

Then a friend recommended that...

July 2007 issue

Keep valuables close by

In response to Mr. Halbert’s unfortunate loss of money from his hotel safe in Siem Reap, Cambodia, I’d suggest in the future he wear, tucked inside his clothing, a money belt and/or neck pouch and carry his valuables with him. My husband and I have never lost a thing by each wearing one of these.

To paraphrase Rick Steves, how many people have reached inside your underwear?

NORINE MATTESON

Vacaville, CA

April 2007 issue

Interbus in Costa Rica

Over a year ago my daughter, Lisa, and I planned a 2-week trip to Costa Rica after I read of such an adventure in ITN (Aug. ’05, pg. 80).

In the original plan, we were going to do our own driving and thought this would be a fun way to experience the country with its wide variety of offerings. As time passed and we read of some of the weather conditions, crime, poor quality of roads and lack of direction markers, we asked for input from readers and then decided to seek an alternative to our driving. We took our trip Nov. 11-15, 2006, and here are our experiences with Interbus in...

May 2007 issue

Jungle adventures in Belize

I traveled to Belize in December of 2006 for an exciting 8-night “Jungle Safari Package” booked through Belize Jungle Dome (Mile 47, Western Highway, Banana Bank, Belmopan, Cayo District, Belize; phone +501 822-2124, fax +501 822-2155 or visit www.belizejungledome.com).

When making inquiries several months earlier, I received immediate e-mail responses from Karen Turner, the manager, whereas most other jungle lodges did not bother ever e-mailing me back.

The total cost of this package was $2,279 plus 30% single supplement and $700 in airfare from Tampa (I made my own flight...

February 2008 issue

Travel agent pluses

Some travelers seem reluctant to use travel agents, believing they can save money DIY or enjoying DIY. They should reconsider.

I do all of my travel planning, using the Internet, but then turn to my excellent travel agent to execute my plans. I’ve found that she can secure the best airfares (without the risk of problems that some ITN subscribers have experienced with online discounters) and also secure the lowest prices on cruises and lodging.

Most importantly, she helps us if we run into problems on our international travel, as has happened a couple of times.

KENT...

August 2008 issue

Rental damage-check ‘grace period’

My wife and I made plans to spend four weeks in the UK in September ’07 in order to attend college reunions at Cambridge University. Since our ports of call were widespread, we decided to rent a car. My online research showed that our best deal was with Europcar, especially since they offered a discount for prepaying the total cost.

We arrived at Manchester airport about an inevitable hour late to find that the Europcar office in Terminal 2 was closed. Phone calls finally produced a vehicle to shuttle us 45 minutes later to Terminal 1, where we were dropped at the door, not at the...

November 2007 issue

Need a multi-entry visa?

I was on a trip to the North Pole, July 5-28, 2007, with Quark Expeditions (Darien, CT; 800/356-5699, www.quark expeditions.com). The group met in Helsinki and flew to Murmansk, at which time a couple from South America was refused entry into Russia. They had made a short, pre-North Pole trip to St. Petersburg each with a single-entry visa.

Once the rest of us were settled on the ship, a number of us looked at our visas and obviously were unable to determine if they stipulated single entry or multiple entries. Upon return to the U.S., my travel agent assured me there was a place on...