Travelers' Intercom

We took an 18-day sojourn to the Mediterranean. Before boarding the Regatta of Oceania Cruises (Miami, FL; 800/531-5658, www.oceaniacruises.com), we spent three nights in Barcelona. What a great city! We used the “bus touristic” for two days — a wonderful way to see the city. It went right by our hotel so was an easy way to get about. We got on and off all day for the one price (€22 for two days or €18 [near $24] for one day).

We arrived in Barcelona on Oct. 31, ’06, the day before the Day of the Dead. We were a little worried about the holiday, but no problemo. We spent three...

On an earlier, 2006, trip to the Netherlands with my friend Greg to see Vermeer’s “Girl With a Pearl Earring,” we based in Den Haag for our travels around part of Holland.

I’d gone online to book Hotel Sebel (Prins Hendrikplein 20, 2518 JC Den Haag, Netherlands; phone +31 70 3 459 200, fax 3 455 855, www.hotelsebel.nl). The 2-star hotel was clean, the breakfast was plentiful and the owner, Ms. Achou Zhang, was very pleasant. A single cost €65 (near $95), including breakfast.

We saw “the Girl” at the Maurits­huis museum, but driving and parking in Den Haag was not a picnic....

I am a 55-year-old woman who does a lot of international traveling alone. The issue of where to keep my money and passport is always a problem. Although I am somewhat hesitant about the in-house safes, in so many countries where pickpocketing is a regular job, we almost have to use the hotel safes. I do two other things.

I always put the “do not disturb” sign on my door when I leave. I don’t care if I get that extra towel or not. If I stay at a hotel for three days or more and I want my room cleaned and I’m suspect of individuals, I usually ask the person to do the cleaning and then...