Travelers' Intercom

My wife and I took a 3-week vacation in Indonesia and Cambodia, Jan. 11-Feb. 2, ’06. At a total price of $8,085 out of Birmingham, Alabama, all arrangements were made through Asia Connect Tours (10 Morning Watch Rd., Wayne, NJ 07470; 800/803-3656, www.asiaconnecttours.com).

The airlines used (Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Silk Air and Garuda Airlines) provided very good service. All their flights were on time, and none of our luggage was lost or damaged.

Upon our arrival...

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While on a 2-week independent trip to Italy in June ’06, my two girlfriends and I found a wonderful company providing day trips into the Tuscan countryside outside of Florence: Doors To Italy (27500 Pinyon St., Murrieta, CA 92562; 951/704-5729, e-mail doors2italy@verizon.net).

We were picked up in the morning by Roberto at our lodging in the city and in a very comfortable new Mercedes van with air-conditioning were driven around the Chianti Road (S222) to Siena and San Gimignano....

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Approximately 2,500 visitors visited the kingdom of Bhutan for the late September/early October festivals in 2006 — a record-high attendance. Despite full flights and hotels at capacity, the festival season was one of the most enjoyable I’ve ever experienced. Everyone was on their “best behavior,” following the new rules governing demeanor and dress for the festival season.

The Ministry of Home & Cultural Affairs had published this circular:

“Thimphu Tsechu — Tsechus, or...

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My wife, Mary Ellen, and I were in Switzerland for 10 days in September ’06. We stayed in Merligen, which is on Lake Thun and near Interlaken. We had been in this area before and basically were interested in hiking in the beautiful mountains of the area, which was marvelous.

The highlight of the trip was the Unspunnen Festival in Interlaken, starting on Sept. 1 and ending with a parade on Sept 3. Held every 12 years, this festival was scheduled for 2005, but the rains and floods...

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We took a 2-week tour of France, Oct. 7-20, 2006, with Trafalgar Tours (Long Island City, NY; 866/544-4434 or www. trafalgartours.com).

The flights both ways from Philadephia were with Air France. The aircraft were very clean, the crew was courteous and friendly, and the food was the best I’ve ever had in some 30 years of flying. Charles de Gaulle Airport was a little confusing, but the routes were well marked in English, and the security staff was also very professional.

We...

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Why go to Boulders Beach, south of Cape Town, South Africa? To see the African penguins, of course. Formerly called jackass penguins (for their donkey-like braying), they are native to South Africa, and this beach is one of their three breeding grounds.

After a not-so-short walk from the parking lot, we were able to walk down the raised paths to see them. And there were lots of them during our trip in late July ’05.

These penguins mate for life and we saw many pairs, some with...

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I am curious to find out if any other travelers feel the same way that I do regarding this subject.

Since when have the hosts of travelogues aired on television gotten it into their heads that we are more interested in them and their personalities than the places they are presenting to us?

I thought that the object of a travel program was to show us a beautiful country or a very interesting city so that we might think about visiting it or, if we have visited that place, bring...

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Here are some small towns that stand out in my mind for their beauty or other unique characteristics.

Jaisalmer, India, located in the far west, is one of this country’s most magical cities. Wandering the streets — seeing women repairing the walls of the fort, and the only transport, animals — one can believe it’s a hundred, even a thousand, years ago (visited in 2001).

Strahan, Tasmania, is located in southwestern Tasmania. Its harborside downtown features one of the most...

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