I noticed in the Travelers’ Intercom section a couple of rather negative reports of Russian riverboat experiences (March ’04, pg. 32 & April ’04, pg. 82). Having enjoyed three such trips over the past six or seven years, I would like to reassure other travelers that these trips can be exceedingly enjoyable and interesting.

Our travels to Russia were with GT Cruises (which now promotes these cruises under the name Peter the Great Cruises), and as to the ships and crews I can speak...

For Christmas 2003, my husband, Bernie, and I decided to give each other an extra-nice present: we would take a 9-day “Hot Air Balloon Flight Over the Alps” tour in January ’04. Two days of the tour would be spent at the International Balloon Festival in Château d’Oex, Switzerland.

This unique tour is organized and operated by the Buddy Bombard Society (333 Pershing Way, West Palm Beach, FL 33401; phone 800/862-8537, e-mail travel@bombardsociety.com). Buddy is a balloon pilot, himself...

(Part 2 of 3) We spent six weeks in England, July-August ’03, basically exploring the Cotswold area. We were based in Cirencester (May ’04, pg. 82) and, apart from a side trip to Wales to visit friends, we returned there every night. In Wales, incidentally, we visited Powis Castle. If you go there, make sure you visit the “Clive of India” collection.

On our way back from Wales we stopped at Hay-on-Wye, the book town I had long wanted to visit. There are so many bookstores, it is wise...