November 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, Sept. 16, ’06. . .

• The pub/restaurant The Windmill (6-8 Mill St., Mayfair, London), located off Conduit Street between New Bond and Regent streets, is dubbed “The Institute of Pie Excellence” and rightfully so, as it has been three times the National Steak & Kidney Pie champion, was Pub of the Year in 2002-2003 and also has received the National Sandwich of the Year award for their steak Mirabeau. The lamb-and-herb burger was commended by the Sandwich Association of Great Britain, and the chicken Siciliano was a finalist for Sandwich of the Year.

We were told the owners take pride in using all fresh ingredients for every dish they prepare (which is evident in the taste). We had the shepherd’s pie (they also make a vegetarian one) and traditional English fish & chips (with a classic English favorite: mushy peas) plus an Italian Pinot Grigio and a premium ale. The total was £24.65 (about $45).

Open for food 6-9:30 p.m. Monday-Friday (bar open 11 a.m.-
11:30 p.m.) and 12-3:30 p.m. Saturday (dining closes 4:30 p.m.).

— A.J. Goodhead, La Jolla, CA

From Regensburg, GERMANY, Sept. 8, ’06. . .

• Kleine Branschänke Dickermann (Krebsgasse 6, Haidplatz, 93047 Regensburg, Germany; phone [0941] 57370) is delightfully situated away from the noisy square.

The Dickermann (approximately 300 years old) is a charming stop for a repast. There are nicely appointed tables outside and in several small rooms inside. There is also a section of wooden tables and benches (Oktoberfest style) inside plus a rear garden. Candlelight atmosphere and good service.

Two dinners with one beer and one wine cost €29 (about $35).

— Arlene J. Goodhead, La Jolla, CA

From Montreux, SWITZERLAND, Sept. 8, ’06. . .

• The 3-star Splendid Hotel (Grand-Rue 52-1820; phone 41 [0] 21 966-7979 or e-mail mayfair@ bluewin.ch) has been newly renovated — very tastefully done. Staff very helpful and friendly. CHF196 (about $164) per night for a Lake Geneva full view. Includes breakfast.

Was noisy at night with young people on the street.

— Doug Barnett, Ann Arbor, MI

From Geneva, SWITZERLAND, July 19, ’06. . .

• Park Hotel Geneva (Avenue Louis-Casai 75-77, CH-1216 Cointrin-Geneva, Switzerland) — located close to the airport, with a free shuttle (except for the middle of the night).

Clean. Not really worth the money, but all the (slightly) cheaper hotels were booked (and overbooked). $210 single.

• Geneva is a beautiful, safe, clean city but outrageously expensive. I will wait for the prices to come down before I visit again.

— Jeff Banas, Terryville, CT

From Gdansk, POLAND, July 11, ’06. . .

• Hotel Le Regina (ul. Kosciena 12, 00-218 Warsaw, Poland; phone +48 0 22 531 6000) — near the Old Town section of Warsaw. A multitude of shops, restaurants and bars all within a short walk.

A beautiful, friendly, spotless hotel. The staff couldn’t have been nicer and the premises couldn’t have been cleaner. Not cheap at approximately $185 single but worth the splurge!

Poland is not as cheap as years ago, but it’s still less expensive than most of Europe.

• Villa Eva (ul. S. Batorego 28B, 80-251 Gdansk, Poland; phone 00 48 58 341 67 85) — near the Old Town section of Gdansk. The shopping mall is within a short walk, and it’s a short drive or tram ride from Old Town shopping.

A bed-and-breakfast type of villa. Kept very clean. Friendly, helpful staff. Only 12 rooms including one large suite. Approximately $145 single. Great in-house restaurant.

— Jeff Banas, Terryville, CT

From Bangkok, THAILAND, June 11, ’06. . .

• Stayed for five days at Bangkok City Suite (1 Petchaburi Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand; phone [66-2] 613-7277, fax 7633 or visit www.staybangkok.com) — only two blocks from an Airport Bus stop but otherwise a bit far from the Skytrain. Plenty of local buses, if you know how to navigate them, but taxi fares were cheap.

Large, quiet, comfortable room with A.C., mini-bar, breakfast buffet and 30 minutes of free Internet (plus always-free WiFi).

A great bargain at 650 baht single or 700 baht double (near $17.50 and $19) in low season and B750/B800 ($20/$21.50) high season.

On their website they show a similar place at even cheaper rates that is also close to a subway station, but I did not see it.

— Dr. Norbert Brockman, San Antonio, TX