Here’s a travelers’ tip: Look up foreign relatives. On the trip my husband, David, and I took to Europe in September ’12, we met up with distant cousins in Denmark for the second time.

These were relatives discovered when, several years ago, a mutual American cousin looking to enlarge his family tree contacted my immediate family. When I told him we were heading for Belgium, he asked if we would mind looking up the grave of a family member who died in World War I...

During a tour of Mexico City in November 2012, our group was treated to lunch at La Chilanguita Centro (Calle de Mesones 87; phone 5709 7266). Dishes average $7 to $15. We were greeted by an outrageously colorful scene. On one wall, a 3-dimensional snake framed the entire wall, and a mariachi band waited in the wings. But what I will never forget is the bathroom, where colorful tiles covered walls, washbasins and floors. Even the toilet bowl was decorated! — DOROTHY AKSAMIT, Sausalito...

I would like to commend Marcia Brandes for the well-written article “Ten Cities in 20 Days — a Delightful Custom Tour of China” (Feb. ’14, pg. 18) and on the extensive research she and her husband, Steve, did in designing their tour. Their itinerary could serve as an excellent model for travelers on a limited time budget.

As someone who has had the good fortune to travel extensively in every country in the world, China remains a favorite destination of mine and for my wife, Cathy (who...