March 2015

As ITN went to press, the State Department had travel warnings on 38 destinations: Afghanistan, Algeria, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, El Salvador, Eritrea, Haiti, Honduras, Iran, Iraq, Israel/West Bank/Gaza, Kenya, North Korea, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Mexico, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Republic of South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, Venezuela and Yemen.

 9 days, 8 nights. Highlights: Arrive in Casablanca/in Meknes, Bab Mansour Gate, Royal Stables, Jewish quarter/walking tour of Fes/in Middle Atlas Mountains, Berber village of Imouzzer du Kandar/in Marrakech, 12th-century Koutoubia Mosque, Saadien Tombs/in Tahanoute, share home-cooked meal on rooftop. Land, from $2,943 ppdo (based on group size and dates). Kensington Tours (Wilmington, DE; 888/903-2001, www.kensingtontours.com).

In Dubai, United Arab Emirates, the dhow-sail-shaped landmark hotel Burj al Arab Jumeirah (toll-free in the US, 877/854-8051, www.jumeirah.com/en/hotels-resorts/dubai/burj-al-arab) is offering a “Best of the Burj” package that includes a one-way transfer from the airport in a Rolls-Royce, a 2-story suite, daily breakfast en suite and a private butler. 

The package rates start at AED7,990 (near $2,175) per person, double occupancy, per night. Minimum, 2-night stay.

I read the letter “Car Rental Security Deposit Not Returned in Full” (March ’15, pg. 23), in which a rental company later claimed there was damage to the vehicle.

For those of you renting, when receiving your car, whip out your smartphone or camera and deliberately walk around the car, taking a picture of each side, the hood and the top of the car. If you’re short, like me, open the door and stand on the frame to take a picture of the top.

This interactive crossword puzzle is no longer available online.

The subject “I’ll Praise Prague” inspired travelers to try very different approaches in writing their essays, making judging difficult. This month’s top essay, as graded by ITN staff, was that of NILI OLAY of New York, NY, who will receive a 3-year extension to her ITN subscription. In second place was the submission of JOSIE GIBSON of Rio Rancho, NM, whose subscription will be extended two years. The third-place winner was DEE POUJADE of Portland, OR, winning an extra year’s delivery of ITN.

In May 1999, the structure pictured in the January 2015 issue suddenly became famous when that year's "Star Wars" movie hit the theaters, as several scenes had been filmed there. The mud-and-stone structure is a ksar, and it's located in Medenine in southeastern Tunisia.

The doorways of the ksar open into vaulted rooms known as ghorfas, once used by Berbers to store large amounts of grain. The multistory ksar also served as a fortification against attacks.

The Yamagata Shinkansen bullet train, which runs between Tokyo and Shinjo¯ in Japan, introduced a footbath car in July 2014. It features two ahsiyu, or warm-water footbaths, on either side of the train so riders can soak their feet while watching the scenery. 

Another car on the train offers traditional tatami mats to sit on beside low, cherrywood tables, with a bar serving locally brewed sake.