(Second of two parts, go to part one)

Last month, I described etiquette in various European countries. This month, I cover etiquette in a few more countries.

Italy

Italians are guided by first impressions, so it is essential to demonstrate good manners when greeting people.

Do not wrap gifts in black, as it is traditionally a mourning color. Also, don’t wrap them in purple, as that is a symbol of bad luck.

If invited to an Italian’s house...

Tulips, tulips and more tulips were the undisputed stars of The Butchart Gardens this day in mid-April 2013 on Vancouver Island, Canada. Tulips edged beds, outlined paths and admired their reflections in ponds, thanks to the importation of 300,000 bulbs from Holland each year.

Along with tulips galore, a bevy of other bulbs, plants, trees and shrubs were in full spring fling throughout The Gardens’ 55 acres. 

Hyacinths, narcissus, pansies and primulas, froths of...

Dear Globetrotter:

Welcome to the 456th issue of your monthly foreign-travel magazine. With this issue, we have been publishing ITN for a full 38 years!

ITN was the first public forum where international travelers could candidly share notes. Before this magazine came along, there were no travel publications that talked about anything other than rosy sunsets and smiling waiters. ITN continues to tell it like it is.

In the past few years, a few ITN subscribers have...