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December 2007 issue

‘Quintessential’ travel vest

The reader’s letter titled “Safeguard Your Wallet” (Sept. ’07, pg. 89) prompts me to write a note I have put off for many years.

Tilley Endurables (3176 Abbott Rd., Building A, Orchard Park, NY 14127; 800/363-8737, www.tilley.com) makes, as far as I am concerned, the quintessential travel vest designed for storage and carrying convenience as well as safety.

I use the two top pockets, for example, for my dark glasses and reading glasses, eliminating the need to pack cases. Velcro® and zippers make the pockets totally safe.

A call to Tilley Endurables will get you lovely...

April 2008 issue

Turin Film Museum

The Museo Nazionale del Cinema (Via Montebello 20, Turin; phone +39 11 8138 560 or 561) was our favorite museum in Turin, Italy. We spent about half a day there.

It’s housed in the Mole Antonelliana, a building with a needle-like tower that is a city landmark. The admission price of €8 (near $12) includes a ride on the “panoramic lift,” an elevator to a viewing platform high above the city — spectacular views, with the Alps in the distance on a clear day.

The cinema exhibit is comprehensive and begins with the study of perspective during the Renaissance. It includes various...

May 2008 issue

Tour of lush Indonesia

We took a wonderful vacation to Sumatra and Java, Indonesia, Jan. 17-25, 2008, through Floressa Bali Tours (Jalan Gandapura III K / 16 Kesiman, Denpasar 80237, Bali, Indonesia; phone +62 361 467625, fax 467347 or visit www.floressa-bali.com).

I cannot say enough about the professionalism of their guides, the safe transport, the wonderful accommodations and our personalized itinerary, which included ecotourism and cultural tourism.

We started by visiting Medan on Sumatra, then went to Parapat, near Lake Toba, for three nights. It was a bit off the beaten path, but the scenery...

October 2007 issue

Legroom medical concerns

In the letter titled “Economy Class Syndrome” (July ’07, pg. 16), the reader’s recounting of her husband’s pulmonary embolism demonstrates the dangers of the airline’s present policy of cramming more and more people into less and less space on their flights. One of my coworkers died of a pulmonary embolism last November immediately following a flight to the Philippines.

Moving about and doing leg exercises are a must and may decrease the probability of developing a pulmonary embolism. However, as airlines diminish the space allowed each passenger, something which can contribute to...

June 2007 issue

Vaccination form incomplete

My husband, William, and I were to take a 12-day Amazon River cruise aboard the Princess Regal, Jan. 16-28, 2007. The cost of our trip was $6,653 including airfare.

The Walnut Creek Urgent Care Clinic gave us the vaccinations we needed for Brazil. The Brazilian Consulate accepted these records when we obtained our visas, and in San Juan, Puerto Rico, we were accepted on board ship after the Princess agent checked our passports, Brazilian visas and immunization records.

However, at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 19, we received a call from the purser curtly telling us that our...

November 2007 issue

The Hiram Bingham to Machu Picchu

My husband, Joe, and I traveled to Machu Picchu in Peru in January ’07.

I didn’t know if we would ever return to Machu Picchu, so I wanted to make the trip very special. I decided to book all Orient-Express Hotels properties for our Machu Picchu trip as well as their elegant train called the Hiram Bingham; we also used their travel agency Peru Experiences for our day tours. I did all my bookings through their website, www.machupicchu.orient-express.com.

I was extremely happy with the service we received. All staff we encountered were very professional and helpful....

September 2007 issue

Luggage lagged behind

My partner, Pamela, and I decided to support the work of Earthwatch (3 Clock Tower Place, Ste. 100, Box 75, Maynard, MA 01754; phone 800/776-0188 or 978/ 461-0081, www.earthwatch.org), a wonderful organization which allows laypeople to volunteer to work with scientists on expeditions all over the world. I had participated in prior expeditions in Nepal and South Africa, and we had decided to join a research project in Botswana.

We signed on with Earthwatch and booked our ﬂight on British Airways (B.A.). Our itinerary had us departing San Francisco for London (Heathrow) on Aug. 14,...

April 2008 issue

Accessing foreign currency

Plan to get local currency upon your arrival at the airport overseas before you have to tip anyone or hire a taxi.

I prefer an ATM direct to my debit card because it is cheapest. But if you have dollars or euros, it often is more cost effective to use airport money changers than search for an ATM later. Just verify what extra fees there might be.

Before leaving for home, I usually use most of my local currency to pay for part of my last hotel bill.

Also, I always carry ironed, unmarked one-dollar bills for quickie tips and have never had any refused.

KIT STEWART...