International Travel News

Travelers' Intercom

January 2005 issue | Appears on page 0

Wanted flight itinerary printout

We are using our frequent-flyer miles for the first time for a trip to Antarctica in January 2005. We had enough miles with both Delta and United. I started calling more than a year early to book our flights and learned that you can’t book more than 11 months out.

Delta would not allow us to use our miles to fly into Santiago, Chile. They kept wanting to sell us seats. I finally gave up on Delta.

United could get us to Santiago and home from Buenos Aires, so I booked with them...

January 2005 issue | Appears on page 0

Trip to Argentina

We took a trip to Argentina, March 23-April 4, ’04, booked through our travel agent, Keka’s Travel (9600 NW 25th St., Ste. 4-C, Miami, FL 33154; phone 800/593-5352 or visit www.kekastvl.com).

We flew Aerolineas Argentinas round trip from Miami to Buenos Aires for $2,182.50 per person in business class. It was a good flight but with poor service and mediocre food, I felt.

Our Argentina package, arranged by Keka’s with Tourmedal (c. Pellegrina 833-6° P. Depro. “C” C1009AB6,...

January 2005 issue | Appears on page 0

For Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet

My fiance and I took a wonderful 2-week trip to Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet in September ’04. The itinerary was designed by Nino Mohan of Worldview Tours (Box 11417, Newport Beach, CA 92658; phone 800/373-0388) to meet our particular needs regarding where we wanted to go and the amount of time we had available.

He did an excellent job, and everything went according to plan. Also, the representatives in each area were friendly, efficient and knowledgeable. Because of his professionalism...

January 2005 issue | Appears on page 0

Felt like ‘marks’ in Barcelona

We visited Barcelona for four nights in September ’04. We stayed at a delightful, newly renovated apartment near the end of Las Ramblas. We shared with two other guest rooms a self-service breakfast, a well-stocked kitchen, a large sunny dining room and two bathrooms. The cost was €60 ($77) per night for a double room. (I believe a single person paid Ä45.)

The location was ideal for sightseeing. The disadvantages were the three flights of steep stairs leading to the apartment and the...

January 2005 issue | Appears on page 0

Armenia visit

I went to Yerevan and Gyumri, Armenia, for three weeks in April-May ’04. In each city I stayed in a guest house. The one in Yerevan was owned by Kaikush Kambartsumyan (or it may be Haikush Hambartsumyar; the writing is hard to read) and cost $40, breakfast included. The guest house in Gyumri was owned by Tenoyan Achot and cost $25, breakfast included. The latter was one of the nicest guest houses I’ve ever stayed at; they made me feel like I was at home.

The visitor center and tourist...

January 2005 issue | Appears on page 0

Chichime Island

Ann Abeles going for a stroll on Chichime Island, part of the San Blas group, during a March ’01 Panama Canal cruise stop. We sailed on ACCL’s Grand Caribe, which can carry about 90 passengers. This was our third trip with ACCL (phone 800/556-7450; www.accl-smallships.com), a well-run cruise line. — ANN & FRED ABELES, Frederick, MD

January 2005 issue | Appears on page 0

Delightful Viterbo, Italy

The delightful town of Viterbo, Italy, was founded by the Etruscans and eventually taken over by Rome. Although heavily damaged in the Allied bombing of WWII, Viterbo’s Old Town is beautifully preserved. (A portion of this medieval quarter is shown here.) At its center, the Piazza San Pelegrino is said to contain the finest group of medieval buildings in Italy. — DOROTHY & WILLIAM DEVOTI, Sheffield, MA

January 2005 issue | Appears on page 0

Attended the Summer Olympics

My wife and I had no plans to go to the Olympics. Neither of us are big sports fans. In fact, I had never been drawn to any sport on TV until they started televising poker. That’s my kind of sport!

Our decision was made while watching the opening ceremonies of the Olympics in Greece on TV. What a moving, inspirational, historical and visual spectacle it was. By noon the next day we had reserved air tickets and hotel. We had to pay about twice what we usually do for the airfare to...