Many savvy travelers tunnel their way through Europe’s big cities by subway, popping up from below like gophers on a golf course. True, subways are a cheap and efficient way to get around, but by staying at street level on public buses and trams, you get amazing views and the chance to really cozy up to a city. And they still get you where you want to go, for cheap.

One of my favorite experiences in Paris is a ride on bus number 69. Running from the Eiffel Tower to Père...

Our current game (with prizes, as usual) is “Which Airline Did You Fly Overseas With In 2009?” Entries to: Airlines, c/o ITN, 2116 28th St., Sacramento, CA 95818-1910, or to ArmondNoble@yahoo.com. Don’t forget to include your ZIP code. And, remember, our current essay contest is “I Love London” in 300 words or less. Here’s your chance to let your creativity flow. Deadline for both of these is 21 November 2010.

To give some of you a head start on your favorite place, our future essay...

There are over 100 cruise lines, with more than 450 ships, listed in the bible of cruising, Kay Showker’s “The Unofficial Guide to Cruises,” 11th edition (2010. John Wiley & Sons. 690 pp., $23.99). And even Showker doesn’t list all the ships or lines, nor does she critically review some of the smaller ones of note.

To help you choose the right ocean or river cruise for your next vacation, I will give you my assessments and opinions of a few of the lines which may be of interest to...