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November 2008 issue

Opus sectile in Rome

On a free afternoon in Rome, I visited the Palazzo Massimo alle Terme (Largo di Villa Peretti 67; phone 06 3996 7700 — open 9-7:45 Tuesday-Sunday; admission, €7), part of the Museo Nazionale Romano. I knew it contained a fourth-century stone artwork of a type called opus sectile. Opus sectile is a technique similar to mosaic except that the stones are large sheets of various kinds of marble, ground thin and precisely cut.

Unfortunately, after an interesting but long cross-town walk to the palazzo, I found that the work I wanted to see was “out for repairs”; however, there were many...

August 2008 issue

Urubamba’s ‘old-world charm’

My wife and I took a trip to Peru, Bolivia and Chile, Nov. 11-Dec. 22, 2007. I had traveled most of South America as a single young man more than 30 years earlier, and I wanted my wife, who had not been there, to experience the warmth of the people and their culture.

We went first to Cusco, Peru, primarily to experience nearby Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley. I immediately noticed how Cusco had changed, acquiring the veneer of most popular tourist spots throughout the world.

Hawkers were selling anything and everything tourists could possibly want, and the tourists were...

March 2008 issue

Giant’s Causeway

In County Antrim, Northern Ireland, we visited the Giant’s Causeway. Ancient volcanic activity created this ruggedly dramatic coastline, which has been sculpted by wind and water. Huge columnar structures of black basalt appear to be stepping stones fit for a giant. Many of the hexagonal stones rise almost 40 feet, while others disappear into the ocean.

Fancifully, several of the stone formations sport names that describe their appearance, such as the Organ, the Giant’s Boot and Camel’s Hump.

The site is owned by the National Trust, and there is no fee to view this wonder,...

October 2008 issue

Bargains in Bali

I traveled to Bali, Indonesia, May 14-26, 2008, and the island of the gods remains one of the cheapest destinations on the planet, just the opposite of my trip to Iceland and Norway last October.

Getting around in Bali is simple and cheap. Taxis are a bargain, and every driver, trying to improve his lot, will inquire about your “program” for the following day. He wants your business.

It is very easy to strike a deal to have him take you anyplace on the island, with unlimited stops, during a period of eight to 10 hours for about $30-$40. Just be sure you get one with a...

July 2008 issue

Out of sight, out of luck

The letter about crime problems in Barcelona (May ’08, pg. 58) brought back an interesting (and embarrassing) memory from when I was there in September ’07, traveling alone and independently.

I almost memorize Rick Steves’ guidebooks before going to any city, since they always give me the info I need. He writes that you are more likely to be targeted for theft on the Ramblas in Barcelona than anywhere else in Europe. If you see people doing distracting things, you should put your hands in your pockets before someone else does.

On my first morning in Barcelona, while waiting...

December 2007 issue

Tour Director U

I read Randy Keck’s article “Tour Director Training and Employment — 2007 Update” (April ’07, pg. 105). I am a tour director. I love traveling on my own and love traveling leading tours.

I received my tour director/manager training at the International Guide Academy/International Tour Manager Academy, Inc., or IGA/ITMA (Box 370190, Denver, CO 80237-0190; 877/442-4862, www.bepaidtotravel.com). I graduated in November of 1995.

This school is highly recognized and respected, and graduates have been employed by well-known travel companies throughout the United States and the...

April 2008 issue

Don’t miss Wieliczka

The Wieliczka Salt Mine just outside of Kraków, Poland, is something not to be missed.

During our 11-week Europe vacation, Aug. 19-Nov. 2, 2007, I almost did miss it but got talked into going by the wonderful private guide we had for Kraków, Marta. I have breathing problems and walking problems and thought I wouldn’t be able to visit the mine, but I was.

The salt mine does not smell dusty or moldy. It was very easy to breathe, even at the bottom. There are more than 600 steps to go down and an elevator to take you back up, but for an additional cost we got to ride the...

May 2008 issue

Sky-high charge for scratch

On a trip my wife and I took to Europe in May ’07, we picked up a car at the Frankfurt airport that we had reserved over the Internet from National Car Rental. As always, I scrutinized the car carefully before signing the form that claimed it had no damage.

Three weeks later we returned the car, and at the sign-out station when the man scrutinized the car, he found a tiny scratch on the front bumper. He and I went down on our knees to examine it. He wiped away the road film and I, too, could see it: a very slight line that, I’d like to say, was minuscule, about 3/16 of an inch long...