Travelers' Intercom | International Travel News

October 2005 issue

Concern from carabinieri

My wife and I booked a transatlantic cruise on Celebrity’s Galaxy, sailing from Galveston to Civitavecchia (for Rome) in May ’05. The crossing was uneventful, we found it even boring, during the five consecutive days at sea. Except for a complete breakdown in our dining arrangements and a final billing error, the food and service on board were very good, although not up to the standards we had experienced in two previous cruises aboard their sister ship Mercury.

One reason for booking this cruise was to return to Rome and once again visit the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel plus see...

December 2006 issue

Credit cards

I have been reading with great interest readers’ reports about credit card/debit card use while traveling. I travel a fair amount and have always used my debit cards (business and personal), for reasons like not having to pay monthly bills; getting money from ATMs; avoiding extra exchange fees (with a debit card I get the commercial exchange rate, not just the regular “bank” rate at an airport or hotel desk), etc. However, following a trip to Hong Kong in March ’06, I noticed a huge foreign transaction fee charge on my statements: three percent!

When I called my bank to complain,...

April 2006 issue

Grand Princess cruise

Here are our comments about our transatlantic voyage, Aug. 27-Sept. 12, ’04, aboard the Grand Princess of Princess Cruises (Santa Clarita, CA; phone 800/774-6237 or visit www.princesscruises.com).

On this trip, we flew from Detroit to Amsterdam, caught a flight to Copenhagen and boarded ship there. We stayed at the Radisson SAS, a wonderful hotel, near the center of Copenhagen. They have wonderful buffets featuring delicious seafood and luscious desserts. We had only a half day in Copenhagen, enough time to get a cab and visit the Black Diamond, their beautiful new library. There is...

May 2006 issue

Republic of Georgia

My visit to the Republic of Georgia, May 13-June 19, ’05, was the perfect trip. The temperature was around 50º-68ºF. I would suggest taking a light, waterproof jacket and an umbrella, as rain can occur (although on this trip it was not heavy enough to interfere with sightseeing).

The capital, Tbilisi, had major traffic and parking concerns, so I would recommend the reasonably priced taxis. Most places could be reached by taxi for $3-$5. (The exchange rate was $1 = 1.81 Georgia lari.)

There were two lines in the metro system. A trip across town cost about 10¢. A numbered...

June 2005 issue

Santiago de Compostela

I really enjoyed reading Rick Steves’ article on Santiago de Compostela in the August ’04 issue. It brought back memories of a voyage my wife and I made in May ’04.

While Rick is correct in saying that the Cathedral is Santiago’s one real sight, it would be a shame not to visit some of the other buildings, for example, Santa Maria la Real de Sar, founded as a monastery in the 12th century, with its impressive sloping piers and walks, its Romanesque cloister and its 13th-century tombs. Then there is San Benito del Campo, one of the town’s oldest churches, dating from the 10th century...

September 2005 issue

Science museums in Italy

We would like to add some ideas to the readers’ “less-well-known museum” suggestions printed back in the June ’04 issue.

We spent nine days in Tuscany in May ’05. In Florence, the plethora of art museums may obscure the existence of the small, stunning Museo di Storia della Scienza (Museum of the History of Science). It is located just behind the Uffizi in the Palazzo Castellani, a building that dates to the 12th century. The Renaissance was an awakening of the sciences as well as the arts, and this small museum brings it all together.

In 21 rooms of exhibits, the Museo di...

November 2005 issue

Money Matters Overseas

(Second of two parts, jump to part 1)

In late August and early September of 2001 (yes, we were over there when it happened), we traveled in Europe for four weeks, visiting Austria, Italy, France and Germany. We went by car and spent two of the weeks in a cottage outside Gordes in Provence, the only lodging we reserved in advance.

I informed my wife that we should need only a few hundred dollars in American currency since I intended to use ATM cards and credit cards to get the best exchange rate and to avoid carrying around a lot of money. Ever doubtful, she insisted on...

March 2006 issue

Hidden pocket

Protecting your money while traveling abroad has gotten more complicated over the years, but not for me.

Before I travel, I always hand-stitch a small pocket, about 4"x 3" or so, into the bottom section of my bra cup. I use it to hold folded-up twenties and one credit card. I take the bra off at night and place it under my pillow. Hence, I have never lost any of my money. Sounds silly, but it works for me.

WINNIE SCHALL BAFFA Leland, NC