International Travel News

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June 2004 issue | Appears on page 0

Hanoi’s transformation

A reader in the March ’04 issue, page 48, correctly places Hanoi on the “Favorite Cities” list, but to state, “Hanoi, on the other hand, has changed very little in the past 30 years,” is inaccurate. The changes we noted between our trip in February ’93 (the year before the U.S. established diplomatic relations with Viet-Nam) and trips in October ’02 and March ’03 were monumental.

In 1993, traffic in Hanoi consisted of mostly bicycles, some motorbikes and few cars. Also, accommodations...

June 2004 issue | Appears on page 0

‘Christ the Redeemer’ statue

In the article on Rio de Janeiro in the May ’04 issue, there is an error on page 110 where the author is describing the trip to Corcovado Mountain.

She states that to reach the “Christ the Redeemer” statue viewing platform, one must walk up 225 steps. This was once the case, and it is still described so in most travel books, but about two years ago an elevator was installed making the ascent to the upper level much more accessible.

We almost did not go to the statue after...

June 2004 issue | Appears on page 0

Get up and go

Since my retirement in 1999, I have taken 10 trips to Europe every year. My frequent trips to Italy have each been to different areas, but I return often to London, Paris, Rome, Prague, Vienna and Amsterdam and have been in those cities in various months. Aside from June through August, I find them all full of delights and pleasures, the crowds notwithstanding (just get to the back streets).

In answer to the question “When is the best time to go?”, my answer has always been “Whenever...

June 2004 issue | Appears on page 0

Seville from Lisbon via Beja, Portugal

If you travel directly to Seville from Lisbon via Beja, Portugal, as we did in June 1998, you will take route 433, which winds pleasantly through the hills of the Parque Natural Sierra de Aracena. Spend a day or so at Hotel Galaroza Sierra (phone 959 12 32 37 or fax 959 12 32 36), which is 70 kilometers west of Seville at Galaroza, Spain. We liked the tranquility of this modern facility, with swimming pool, situated on a hill overlooking the forest. The cost was about $50. For info, visit...

June 2004 issue | Appears on page 0

The Bay of Naples

On a 2002 Mediterranean cruise aboard Holland America Line’s Noordam, Naples was the last stop of our 10-day journey.

We’d been to Naples many times but had not really visited the city. Rather, it was a jumping-off point for visits to Capri, Sorrento, the Amalfi coast, Pompeii and Herculaneum.

We fell in love with this picture-perfect city, with the gorgeous spectacle of the Bay of Naples (above) in azure Mediterranean splendor.

MINEKO McCLURE Fairmont, WV

May 2004 issue | Appears on page 0

Scammed at Bucharest rail station

On Feb. 3, ’04, a friend and I were victims of a scam in Bucharest, Romania, inside the main entrance to the Gare de Nord and outside of Wasteels Ticket Agency.

Persons entering the train station in Bucharest are required to have a rail ticket or to purchase a nominal ticket. As we entered at about 11 a.m., we were approached by two men who seemed to be officials because they showed I.D. cards (which, of course, we could not read).

They asked for our tickets, which we showed...

May 2004 issue | Appears on page 0

Zipping through the canopy

While in Tikal, Guatemala, in December ’03, several traveling companions and I enjoyed a “swing through the trees” courtesy of Total Adventure Tikal Canopy Tour (phone [011] 502-300-8316, [011] 502-499-3782 or [011] 502-615-4988). Their office is located just outside the gate to Tikal National Park.

This adventure, which cost about $25, included pickup from our lodgings in the park along with two guides and all equipment. With the support of safety harnesses, we rode between 10 trees...

May 2004 issue | Appears on page 0

Insider tips on Australia travel

Pardon my bias, but I think my native Australia is a great place for North Americans to visit. Similar culture and language (more or less) and a general affection for Americans (called “Yanks”) will make you feel welcome. Yet Australia is still different enough to emphasize that you are in another country.

Americans are sometimes unaware of things about Australia that could help them plan a better visit. From someone who goes back every year (I spend up to three months each year in...