Travelers' Intercom

I had the pleasure of attending a one-week Tuscan cooking course, Sept. 29-Oct. 5, ’02, given by the Aolmaia Country School, based in beautiful San Miniato, Italy. It offers courses in cooking and other Tuscan/Ligurian arts and subjects such as stained glass, mosaics, wine, the Italian language and Etruscan history, to name a few, at reasonable prices!

Based on one’s choice of course, prices range from €390 (near $447) a week, without lodging or meals, to €2,688 ($3,082) for six nights’ lodging at a 3-star hotel with cooking lessons and all meals included.

One has a choice of...

A suggestion for those of you coming to London for a repeat visit — why not stay just outside of central London (viz., outside of the West End), where there is good train service into the city centre?

Staying outside of the shopping and entertainment areas (Westminster, Kensington, Chelsea, etc.), you are much more likely to meet local people if you head back there from central London for dinner or even spend some time in your chosen location. As locals, my wife, Vivien, and I always seem to be in the minority when we go “up west” within London, where it’s mostly visitors.

We...

I spent six weeks traveling in India in February-March ’10 (June ’10, pg. 27). Here are some tips based on that experience.

Take the time to greet people by joining your hands together upright in front of you, bowing your head slightly and saying, “Namaste.” Even people who speak some English will appreciate the courtesy. I often was rewarded by watching people’s expressions change from indifference or suspicion to broad smiles of welcome.

Do not even think about driving yourself. Many of the road signs between cities are in languages and alphabets you won’t understand, and...