Calling All Readers

August 2016 issue

What to do with old travel photos

Mark Varnau of Indianapolis, Indiana, wrote (April ’16, pg. 47), “What do others do with their old trip negatives and unused pictures? Are any groups interested in having them? Or should my wife and I just grit our teeth and toss them?” 

Several subscribers wrote to Mark and gave permission for ITN to share their advice. In addition to one letter sent in response to another subscriber’s related advice, the following are excerpts of what they wrote.

 

I’ve visited 108 independent countries and taken 40 cruises. When I return from...

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January 2017 issue

What you should know about using Airbnb (Part 3 of 3)
Nicely made bed with pillow from Airbnb experience

Karen Wells of Traverse City, Michigan, wrote about an apartment that she and her husband rented in Sydney, Australia, through Airbnb.com, saying, “What a nice experience! We shared a young professional’s apartment but had our own bedroom and bath…. And we paid only a little over $100 per night! So it turned out great for us, but we have talked to others who used Airbnb in various countries and encountered funky bathrooms, cleanliness issues, unexpected steps, etc. We would like to read advice from travelers who use Airbnb, especially anyone who likes to do an apartment...

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February 2017 issue

No-fee debit and credit cards
stack of credit cards

For people wanting to purchase something while traveling in another country, the option that will save them the most money is making the purchase with a credit card that charges no foreign transaction fee, or FTF. The second-best option, usually, is making a direct purchase with a debit or credit card that DOES charge an FTF or spending cash retrieved from an ATM by using a debit card that charges an FTF.

After reading that in our September 2016 issue (page 2), Jane Holt of Hinesburg, Vermont, informed us about her debit card that charges neither an FTF nor an ATM fee (Nov. ’...

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November 2015 issue

Cemeteries worth a visit (this month, France)

(Part 2 in a series)

Cemeteries worth a visit

Liz and Jack Kaufman of Lake Quivira, Kansas, wrote, “We have visited cemeteries all around the world. The best ones combine history with beautiful gardens and superb architecture… . We would like to read travelers’ recommendations for cemeteries to visit.”

So we asked subscribers, “Tell us about an interesting, special, elegant, historic or quirky cemetery that you visited outside of the US in the past few years. Tell us its name, where it is located, approximately when you were there and...

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October 2014 issue

The benefits of using a travel agent

A lot of you make all of your travel arrangements, yourselves, these days, using online booking engines to purchase flight tickets and reserving tours on tour companies’ websites, but we wanted to hear from any of our subscribers who prefer to let a travel agent do the work or who have had a positive experience using one recently. We asked you to include the following details.

For a trip to what place(s) outside of the US that took place approximately when, what have you had a travel agent do for you? What have you found to be some of the particular benefits of using an agent...

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November 2014 issue

The benefits of using a travel agent

(part 2)

A lot of you make all of your travel arrangements, yourselves, these days, using online booking engines to purchase flight tickets and reserving tours on tour companies’ websites, but we wanted to hear from any of our subscribers who prefer to let a travel agent do the work or who have had a positive experience using one recently. We asked you to include the following details.

For a trip to what place(s) outside of the US that took place approximately when, what have you had a travel agent do for you? What have you found to be some of the particular benefits of using...

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January 2015 issue

What To Do With a Pet While You're On a Long Trip (1 of 3)

As for suggestions on finding someone to care for your pet while you’re traveling, here’s what we can offer.

Check with your veterinarian. He or she may have other clients who do pet sitting or will know of reliable companies that will provide in-home care. (We happen to be lucky. Our vet has teenage daughters who, when we’re away, love earning money by coming to our house every day to feed, pamper and clean up after our cat.)

If you have a neighborhood watch group or actually know your neighbors, ask them for recommendations on pet sitters. We’ve...

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February 2015 issue

What to do with a pet while you’re on a long trip (2 of 3)

Here are suggestions for finding pet sitters.

Ask your veterinarian. (Check out the vet technicians.)

Check out pet trainers and dog-training schools to see if they have recommendations. Ask pet groomers and at pet stores.

Ask friends and friends of friends. Look for retirees. Ask family members or church members if they can recommend anyone.

My husband, Bob, and I have traveled for more than 30 years and have owned dogs all that time. Never once have we boarded or kenneled a dog. I cannot emphasize this strongly enough: people should not board or kennel their...

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