June Report Cards

FIRST, FAST & FURIOUS ? The following is a sampling of reports received from ITN readers around the globe. ITN invites you to join our corps of reporters ? just drop a card in the mail while the travel impressions are fresh in your mind. To obtain your ITN Report Cards, send a self-addressed, stamped, business-size envelope to ITN Report Cards, 2116 28th St., Sacramento, CA 95818. You will receive eight cards.

Readers who are computer savvy can click here to access access the online form. Pass along your hot travel tips!

From London, ENGLAND, March 29, ’06. . .

• On this trip to London I found a jewel of a budget hotel, the Grange Strathmore Hotel (41 Queens Gate Gardens, London SW7 5NB, U.K.; phone 020 7584 0512 or visit www.grangehotels.com).

My single room, with facilities en suite, is small, as expected, but clean and cozy. The price of £55 per night includes a delicious breakfast in the lovely dining room. The staff is very professional and friendly.

The location is perfect; it’s just a quick trip on the tube to the theater district.

— Lori Gauthier, Grants Pass, OR

On Tanzania, March ’06. . .

• The 14-day trip “Safari Serengeti: The Essence of Africa,” which my husband, Frank, and I took with Overseas Adventure Travel (Cambridge, MA; 800/955-1925), was outstanding in every way.

We went to see the behaviors of exotic animals in their natural habitat and we did that beyond our dreams. The unexpected blessings of the trip were the opportunities to meet the Tanzanian people, especially the Maasai on several occasions. We came home feeling connected to that land and its people.

The cost, including airfare from St. Louis and $224 in various government fees/taxes but excluding the costs for travel insurance and a pre-tour day in Amsterdam, was $4,278 per person.

• Tip — After we were issued identical green safari bags, I rubber-stamped (one could stencil) designs on each bag using acrylic paint and put one coat of clear acrylic over the paint. Our bags were easy to spot on the baggage carousels and when lined up with all of the other tour members’ bags.

The designs look as good after travel and washing as when I put them on. I plan to do it to all our baggage.

— Anita Hockett, St. Charles, MO

On TURKEY, March-April, ’06

• We took a tour of Turkey, March 25-April 17, with Grand Circle Travel (Boston, MA; 800/221-2610 or www.gct.com). It cost $4,286, with economy air on United and Lufthansa.

This was our second trip with GCT and, again, in all instances it was the best value for the money. Everything was taken care of.

Accommodations were very good. Two hotels lacked Internet, but the Point Hotel Istanbul had free Internet access (with a Turkish keyboard).

Be sure to check the schedule of timing to sites. In our case, we did not have enough time for our own exploring. The best weather is in May and September-October.

— Robert K. Cuerden, White Bear Lake, MN

On EASTER ISLAND, March ’06. . .

• Our tour of Easter Island was arranged by Scott Jones of Chilean Special Journeys (28 Morrill Rd., Montville, ME 04941; phone/fax 888/345-6077 or visit www.chileanspecialjourneys.com), using the island’s Haumaka Tours. The price of $1,850 per person included airfare from Santiago, Chile, and three days on the island.

Our guide, Josefina Mulloy, was the best we have ever had. She is an archaeologist who has her roots on the island. We were thrilled with everything we saw and did. It was a very unique experience.

Nothing starts very early there. If you need early morning coffee, bring you own pot or a thermos.

— Louise Sherman, Dickinson, ND

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