Travelers' Intercom | International Travel News

January 2006 issue

Guide in Cambodia

My sisters and I traveled to Siem Reap, Cambodia, independently in February ’05 and used Bun Pao Smith (e-mail bunpaosmith@yahoo.com) as a guide and driver.

He charged $25 a day for van transportation around Siem Reap and Angkor Wat. (We paid a little more to go to Beng Melea, which is a couple of hours away.) It was very nice to travel in his air-conditioned van, which was stocked with cold towels and bottled water.

Bun Pao took us wherever we wanted and also suggested interesting out-of-the-way temples and sites which we might have missed. He made dinner theater...

September 2006 issue

Iguazu Falls day trip from B.A.

Iguazu Falls, located on the Argentine–Brazilian border 650 miles north of Buenos Aires, are the widest waterfalls in the world and are widely recognized as one of the 10 most spectacular. In April ’06, a month before my wife, Paula, and I were scheduled to leave for a one-week visit to Buenos Aires, we decided not to miss the opportunity to see these remote waterfalls.

Itineraries for trips that include both Argentina and Brazil often include an overnight stay (usually at an expensive but conveniently located hotel) near the waterfalls for those traveling between the two countries...

July 2006 issue

Galápagos aboard Polaris

My wife, Elizabeth, and I took a cruise in the Galápagos Islands, Dec. 9-18, ’05, visiting on average one new (volcanic) island a day. The ship, Polaris, and all its personnel were provided by Lindblad Expeditions. Arrangements for the trip, however, were beautifully made by Carol Larsen of Betchart Expeditions (Cupertino, CA; 800/252-4910). She is simply a joy to deal with and totally effective as a tour director/expedition manager.

At a cost of $4,180 each, the tour included overnight stays at modern Hiltons both before and after the cruise, and a Category 2 cabin on Polaris. An...

December 2005 issue

CDG Airport auto return

I read about the reader’s frustration in trying to find the rental car return location at Paris’ Charles de Gaulle International (Sept. ’05, pg. 46). I picked up a car and returned it there in late September ’05, and I found that if you watch the signs, it is not at all difficult.

I arrived and departed from Terminal 2, Hall F. It was very easy leaving, and on returning I just followed the signs for “Terminal 2” and “F.” You actually reach a circle where, should you miss the turn down, you can keep on the circle until you see the proper exit. There are many places to pull off and...

May 2005 issue

Insured for medical evacuation

I was deeply moved when I read the letter titled “Coping With the Red Tape of an Overseas Death.” It was incredible to read about the obstacles Mrs. Patterson had to overcome after her husband’s sudden demise. I offer my sincerest condolence.

I would like to add the following to Mrs. Patterson’s recommendations.

Be sure you know the appropriate country’s emergency phone numbers for medical emergencies and police. Having an operational telephone card is a sine qua non, although usually you can access emergency numbers from any phone without a telephone card.

To summon...

February 2006 issue

Drove in Greece

Renting a car in Greece seems the best way to travel, as public transportation is limited. For our trip, our car rental was from Budget through Auto Europe (888-223-5555 or visit www.autoeurope.com). Driving was very easy and we never encountered traffic congestion except in leaving Athens and at the ferry crossings.

From the town of Rio, we took the ferry to Andiro across the Gulf of Corinth. After waiting in line for the ferry, we drove toward the boat and then all of the cars started swerving in all directions and we didn’t know what was going on.

It then dawned on us that...

August 2006 issue

Antarctica ‘beyond expectations’

I departed Ushuaia, Argentina, on Dec. 20, ’05, for a 10-day expedition cruise on the MV Polar Star. I had always wanted to experience Antarctica, and in August ’05 I received a 70th birthday gift from my wife and mother-in-law in the form of a check to cover the cost of the trip.

The real challenge started when I discovered that there were dozens of websites offering expedition cruises to Antarctica. The website www.polarcruises.com, of Expeditions, Inc. (20525 Dorchester West, Bend, OR 97702; 888/484-2244), listed almost every ship offering expedition cruises and then some. Based...

January 2007 issue

Karneval in Germany

In the November ’06 “All Aboard!” column, Jay Brunhouse mentions Karneval in Cologne, Germany. However, in 2007 Ash Wednesday occurs on Feb. 21, not April 4. Good Friday is April 6.

We have been in Cologne for Karneval six times in the past eight years. The last five times we went, we were there from the Wednesday before until at least the Tuesday afterward.

The big parades are on Rosenmontag (which will be Monday, Feb. 19, this year) in Cologne, Düsseldorf and Mainz. Cologne has the best parade and Karneval festivities. Many of the major hotels are actually cheaper during...