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May 2007 issue

Shortchanged in Egypt

I’d like to mention some things that happened during a 17-day Egypt tour I took in Cairo, Sinai and along the Nile in December ’06-January ’07.

A woman in our group was shortchanged at the money-exchange bank, but she caught it in time.

At the restaurant in our hotel, the waiter shortchanged me 10 Egyptian pounds for a lunch costing E£16. I caught it and went to the desk to get the money back.

I was cheated at the grocery store on a purchase of soda and candy. This one they got away with.

I ordered coffee at a coffee shop in one of the temples, and on delivery...

February 2008 issue

Guide in Turkey

I would like to recommend a personal guide for travel in Turkey.

Our group of eight friends met in Istanbul on Sept. 13, 2007, the day before embarking on a Mediterranean cruise (Norwegian Jewel).

Prior to arriving in Istanbul, we had made arrangements with Lale (pronounced Lolly) Kosagen (e-mail kosagan@yahoo.com or visit www.tourguidesinturkey.com) to give us a walking tour in the Old Town area. She met us in our hotel lobby at 9 a.m. and we finished the day at 6 p.m.

Extremely knowledgeable in history and fluent in English, she was a delight.

Lale and her...

August 2008 issue

Urubamba’s ‘old-world charm’

My wife and I took a trip to Peru, Bolivia and Chile, Nov. 11-Dec. 22, 2007. I had traveled most of South America as a single young man more than 30 years earlier, and I wanted my wife, who had not been there, to experience the warmth of the people and their culture.

We went first to Cusco, Peru, primarily to experience nearby Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley. I immediately noticed how Cusco had changed, acquiring the veneer of most popular tourist spots throughout the world.

Hawkers were selling anything and everything tourists could possibly want, and the tourists were...

October 2007 issue

Australia coupon books

In response to the reader’s letter about using the Entertainment® Book for discounts in Australia (July ’07, pg. 14), I must caution travelers on my experience with Entertainment Publications.

In early spring 2006 I ordered coupon books for the cities of Sydney, Melbourne and Perth for a total of about $80. This price included a discount, since I had already bought the Sacramento coupon book.

My trip was planned for August ’06. Upon receipt of the books in late May, I took a good look at what discounts were contained within. On closer scrutiny, I found that all of the coupons...

March 2008 issue

Giant’s Causeway

In County Antrim, Northern Ireland, we visited the Giant’s Causeway. Ancient volcanic activity created this ruggedly dramatic coastline, which has been sculpted by wind and water. Huge columnar structures of black basalt appear to be stepping stones fit for a giant. Many of the hexagonal stones rise almost 40 feet, while others disappear into the ocean.

Fancifully, several of the stone formations sport names that describe their appearance, such as the Organ, the Giant’s Boot and Camel’s Hump.

The site is owned by the National Trust, and there is no fee to view this wonder,...

July 2008 issue

Out of sight, out of luck

The letter about crime problems in Barcelona (May ’08, pg. 58) brought back an interesting (and embarrassing) memory from when I was there in September ’07, traveling alone and independently.

I almost memorize Rick Steves’ guidebooks before going to any city, since they always give me the info I need. He writes that you are more likely to be targeted for theft on the Ramblas in Barcelona than anywhere else in Europe. If you see people doing distracting things, you should put your hands in your pockets before someone else does.

On my first morning in Barcelona, while waiting...

December 2007 issue

Tour Director U

I read Randy Keck’s article “Tour Director Training and Employment — 2007 Update” (April ’07, pg. 105). I am a tour director. I love traveling on my own and love traveling leading tours.

I received my tour director/manager training at the International Guide Academy/International Tour Manager Academy, Inc., or IGA/ITMA (Box 370190, Denver, CO 80237-0190; 877/442-4862, www.bepaidtotravel.com). I graduated in November of 1995.

This school is highly recognized and respected, and graduates have been employed by well-known travel companies throughout the United States and the...

November 2008 issue

Gobustan petroglyphs

About 70 kilometers south of Baku, Azerbaijan, the settlement of Gobustan and the Gobustan State Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are worthwhile places to visit.

12,000 years ago the Caspian Sea was some 80 meters higher than it is today, and hunter-gatherers lived on its shores in caves surrounded by lush vegetation. Today, in a most unusual setting of rocks and caves, there are an estimated 600,000 petroglyphs in this area.

We spent several hours looking at the etchings, which were rendered in three different modes: gouging, stippling and scraping. They range from...