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June 2009 issue | Appears on page 52

Whale-watching in the Azores

In the article on the Azores in the April ’09 issue (“Far Horizons,” pg. 72), the writer states, “Today Pico is regarded as one of the best whale-watching venues in the world, with a viewing season running from April to October.”

I have no doubt the author was told this, as multiple people told me the same during a visit in September ’08. Of course, most of them had never been anywhere else but the Azores. One was a local guide, who then casually mentioned that I was lucky to have...

June 2009 issue | Appears on page 53

Comforters out of place

My wife, Verne, and I took a tour to Egypt and Jordan in November ’08, staying in a number of excellent hotels. In each hotel as well as on our Nile riverboat, the beds were fitted with thick comforters. We were not comforted. We found it difficult to maintain an adequate temperature during the night, being either too hot with it on or too cold with it off.

Comforters must be more difficult to maintain than sheets and blankets, yet they now seem to be widely used in Southeast Asia,...

June 2009 issue | Appears on page 53

Trieste’s castles

Bruce Hardy wrote of his memories of Trieste, Italy (April ’09, pg. 39), which he last visited in 2001, and it was asked if anyone had been to the city recently. We were there in August ’08, and it was everything Mr. Hardy wrote about and much more. Had we only known, we would have stayed more than two days.

There are two marvelous castles: Miramare and Duino. We had time to see only one, so we chose Miramare (€4 admission). An excellent audio guide was available.

Castello di...

June 2009 issue | Appears on page 79

Rathouse in Greifswald, Germany

By Arthur & Jean Thomas

The 16th-century Rathouse (City Hall) in Greifswald, northeastern Germany, is a prime example of Nordic Renaissance architecture.

Its deep scarlet color was obtained when ox blood was added to the stucco, not only giving it a distinctive hue but protecting the wood and stucco against weathering.

We visited this port city during a Baltic cruise aboard the Frederic Chopin with Peter Deilmann Cruises (Alexandria, VA; 800/906-0790)

— ARTHUR & JEAN THOMAS

...

May 2009 issue | Appears on page 15

Flyer miles for first class

My better half, Joan, and I both are United Mileage Plus members and use the United-branded Visa credit card from Chase. By concentrating our flying on Star Alliance members and using our United Visa card whenever possible, we have earned enough miles to be able to travel free to overseas destinations in business class as well as first class.

In February ’02 we flew to Australia in business class on free award tickets booked at a United ticket office in Berkeley about 11 months in...

May 2009 issue | Appears on page 16

(Not) taking food into Chile

Arriving at the Santiago International Airport, Dec. 18, 2008, I went through Immigration and then Customs. As a frequent traveler to less-traveled parts of South America, I am used to bringing snacks in case we miss meals. On this trip I had brought a new, unopened bag of dried peaches from Costco, an unopened bag of dried apricots from Fresh & Easy, trail mix in a baggie and unsalted almonds in another baggie.

All were confiscated. I was told that no dried fruit is allowed; all...

May 2009 issue | Appears on page 16

‘Mind the gap!’

ITN readers who have ridden the London Underground and trains are familiar with the unending “Mind the gap” announcements at each station and the weak jokes associated with them. I even have an English postcard with “Mind the gap” printed on it in big black letters.

While on a port stop during a cruise in April ’08, my companion and I were returning by SNCF train from Paris to the Le Havre, France, terminus. We waited until the crowd had left the train, and as I stepped onto the...

May 2009 issue | Appears on page 17

The Blue Train

The Blue Train is to Africa as the Oriental Express is to Europe. In February ’08 we boarded the train about 8 a.m. in Cape Town, South Africa, for the 27-hour ride to Johannesburg.

The cost for the 1,000-mile trip is not for the faint of heart. In 2008 it ran about $1,500 per person, depending on the accommodations. We had a suite that actually featured a bathtub, which I would not recommend. A shower is more than adequate on a train. Included in the cost were all meals, cocktails...