My husband, Earl, and I toured Myanmar with Odysseys Unlimited (Newton, MA; 888/370-6765), Nov. 27-Dec. 10, 2012. There were 24 members in our group.

The listed price for the tour, including round-trip air from San Francisco to Bangkok, was $4,800 per person. However, we paid $4,070 per person because we arranged our own air with China Airlines (Taipei, Taiwan; phone 886 2 412 9000 or, in the US, 800/227-5118).

We also turned down the suggested travel insurance, opting for the...

I took a tour of El Salvador, Honduras, Belize and (mostly) Guatemala called “Route of the Maya” with Overseas Adventure Travel (Cambridge, MA; 800/955-1925), Jan. 2-18, 2012.

Our in-country guide was Ivania Sibrian. She was extraordinary, the best guide I have experienced in my travels — knowledgeable and not shy to talk about the problems facing the countries we visited.

Every stop we made on the road was documented by the tour leader, and we each got a copy, so it saved our...

Before taking a cruise-tour in Europe, my wife, Gloria, and I wanted to see Switzerland. I searched the Internet for a Swiss travel consultant and found Magic Switzerland (Kansas City MO; 800/337-9477 or 816/753-5573). I recommend their services.

Magic Switzerland’s Pepe Stub was quick to respond to my e-mails and phone calls and make arrangements for my wife and me for five days and four nights. 

The cost of $1,782 included two first-class, 4-day Swiss Flexi Passes...