International Travel News

Travelers' Intercom

March 2005 issue | Appears on page 0

Travel to Sri Lanka post tsunami

After the initial shock of and reaction to the unprecedented tragedy that hit South Asia on Dec. 26, it is important to present the traveling public with an accurate account of the current situation on the ground in terms of tourism. I have such information to pass along regarding Sri Lanka.

The tsunami wave that hit Sri Lanka brought with it the most intense media coverage, with many of the major networks sending their anchor personnel to report from the worst-affected areas. CNN’s...

March 2005 issue | Appears on page 0

Around the world in 8 days

I took an around-the-world trip in 7½ days flying first class on Qantas, American Airlines and Cathay Pacific, Nov. 6-14, ’04. I used One World’s ’round-the-world fare. The ticket cost $9,100. I paid full price — no breaks. The fare was deeply discounted from the price I would have paid buying point-to-point first-class segments.

This was my fifth time using this type of ticket. Most of the major alliances join on these fares, which usually allow the traveler up to a year to complete...

March 2005 issue | Appears on page 0

Paid for exit row on Virgin

At Miami Airport I checked in for Virgin Atlantic flight No. 6 to London Heathrow and, putting on my nicest smile, asked if I could possibly have an exit row seat. . . for the stretch-out room. Imagine my surprise when I was told I could “upgrade” to an exit-row seat for the sum of $70. I did pay to get one of the 12 seats available on a 747, but there were some negatives.

Everything had to be stowed in the overhead for takeoffs and landings. The row was either parallel to the...

March 2005 issue | Appears on page 0

On Lufthansa seating

The reader’s letter “Flights Spoiled a Good Cruise” (Jan. ’05, pg. 26) regarding Edward DeCrappeo’s July 17 Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt to Washington, D.C., inspired me to write. My wife and I took that same flight in June ’04 and we concur completely with his comments on the discomfort of the airplane.

While we thought the service and food were good, the seat configuration in coach was the worst we have ever seen. I have traveled on charter flights that had more comfortable...

March 2005 issue | Appears on page 0

Dealing with flights to Europe

I read with interest the reader’s comments in the letter titled “Flights Spoiled a Good Cruise” (Jan. ’05, pg. 26), regarding the flights assigned by Grand Circle Travel (Boston, MA). We are also Grand Circle “Inner Circle” members.

On the five trips we have taken with Grand Circle and one with Insight Vacations (Long Island City, NY), we have been booked on Lufthansa flights from Los Angeles (LAX) to Frankfurt (FRA). The 10-across seating (3-4-3) can be a bit of a problem with the...

March 2005 issue | Appears on page 0

Missed tour due to communication snafus

ITN is breaking with tradition, in this case, in how it presents a reader’s complaint and the company’s rebuttal. In the interest of brevity and clarity, the following facts have been summarized from many, many pages of correspondence. — Editor

ITN subscriber Joyce Barnes of Los Angeles, California, was scheduled to join a tour of Burma led by Philip Hassrick of Lost Frontiers, Inc. (87 Park Rd., Fairfax, CA 94930). She had made her own flight arrangements to Burma.

On Jan. 9...

March 2005 issue | Appears on page 0

Hotel Toro transformation

A reader sent ITN a copy of a letter mailed to AMS Hotels (Parc Center, Bolling Ave. 8, 1119 Schiphol-Rizk, Netherlands) regarding a property in Amsterdam, as follows.

I write to express my deep disappointment in finding that the Toro Hotel — once on a par with the St. Simon in Paris — has been allowed in a few short years since you acquired it to decline into a “dive.” And this despite your continuing to advertise it as a 4-star hotel where the guest is “pampered” in every possible...

March 2005 issue | Appears on page 0

Marco Polo repeat passenger

I read with a lot of interest the October ’04 article by Lew Toulmin about the Marco Polo of Orient Lines (800/333-7300 or www.orientlines.com). Yes, he does a good job on the history of the Marco Polo, but we feel that the biggest reason the ship has so many, many repeat passengers is the staff — from the captain down to the busboys and room attendants.

We have sailed on the Marco Polo three times: in the Mediterranean from Istanbul to Barcelona in 1998, from Copenhagen to Rome in...