In 1998 I had more than 153 carousels of slides, mostly showing travels in more than 150 countries and all 50 states, arranged in chronological order, about 100 slides per carousel. Each slide was identified by a number, with the year, country and what it showed. Since 1945, I have also always written a daily journal during international travel. My journals are in the computer.

Showing slides, setting up the projector and screen, is a bother. In 1998 I bought my first camcorder and...

Like most people, my wife, Joan, and I prefer to travel during good weather, so before we decide when to go on any trip I look up the weather for our destination(s) in “Fodor’s World Weather Guide” by E.A. Pearce & C.G. Smith (Helicon Publishing. $17.95) or on the Internet, then I make a table like the one (on the next page).

Seldom does the table need to show more than a few months because either 1) the tour is only offered during certain months or 2) it’...

Originally from Germany, I became involved in the tourism industry many years ago, working in a tour company as a group tour coordinator, tour manager and sales representative. I now have my own tour company. Since I am still traveling worldwide, I enjoy reading the comments, opinions and recommendations submitted by subscribers to ITN. At times, however, I am a little surprised at the attitudes of American travelers who travel to Europe or other foreign countries.

• I think the first...