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February 2011 issue

Apartment in Malta, lodge in Seychelles, restaurant in Uruguay

REPORT FROM MALTA…

For our trip to Malta, Nov. 29-Dec. 9, 2010, we rented an apartment in Valletta which I highly recommend. It is on the second floor of a fully renovated historic building. Best was the balcony overlooking Marsamxett Harbor, where we spent enjoyable hours watching the ships go past.

The one bedroom is relatively small, with a double bed which sleeps two comfortably. All linens are provided. The bathroom has a walk-in shower and the living room a TV. The kitchen is equipped with appliances and utensils and a clothes washer/dryer.

Internet access is...

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March 2011 issue

Tour in India, guesthouse in Seychelles, Bangkok to Golden Triangle tour

Report from India…

We used the guide Sanny Khan (phone +91 9335666195 or e-mail sanny_khan3169@yahoo.com) for a tour of Varanasi, India, Oct. 25-26, 2010. His English was great, which is less common in India than I had expected.

Not only did Sanny take us to all the tourist sites and arrange sunset/sunrise boat trips on the Ganges, he took us to all the local haunts for the best lassi, chai and spices, took us to local markets and outlying villages, arranged for porters to carry our luggage on their heads to the train (quite a sight!) and even invited and escorted us to his...

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February 2004 issue

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From Paris, FRANCE, Dec. 5-10, ’03. . .

At the restaurant Léon de Bruxelles (63 Ave. des Champs-Elysées, 8e, Paris) we had good mussels and beer. The price of €45.50 ($55) for two, including tax and service, was good, considering the location on the Champs-Elysées.

For reasonably priced light meals of cheese, meat plates and desserts on the Place des Vosges, we ate at Nectarine (16, Place des Vosges, 4e, Paris). Our dinner for two cost €43.60 (including tip). The plat du jour was €10.50, with small salads for €5 and large salads for €7. English spoken.

If you want a...

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March 2004 issue

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From London, ENGLAND, Jan. 2, ’04. . .

• I had a wonderful meal at Trattoria Mondello (36 Goodge St., London), near Tottenham Court Road; the neighborhood is Bloomsbury. It’s located only a 4-minute walk from Goodge Street tube stop or a 12- to 15-minute walk from Russell Square tube stop.

Excellent value. My dinner was £25 (near $42). Pastas and individual pizzas are all £5-£7 and meat dishes £9-£10. They have decaf espresso and cappuccino, if that appeals.

They are apparently open for lunch and dinner, but I’m not sure about Sundays.

— Elaine Lavine, New York...

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April 2004 issue

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From IRELAND, Jan. 19, ’04

• Flew Aer Lingus from New York’s JFK to Shannon airport in Ireland. Flight was on time, with friendly service. Cabin was clean but slightly cramped.

• Stayed at the Four Seasons B&B (phone 092-6474470) in Athlone, Ireland. This was a slightly removed, quiet and spotless B&B with a most accommodating host. Rate was approximately US$50 for a single.

• Ireland remains a friendly, welcoming nation. I followed my usual safety precautions.

Expect to pay approximately US$4 for a gallon of petrol, US$4 for a pint of lager, US$10-$20...

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May 2004 issue

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From Tegucigalpa, HONDURAS, Feb. 4, ’04. . .

• Hotel Istmania — at Calle Buenos Aires and Lempira Avenue, about five blocks from the center of Tegucigalpa.

This place has an English-speaking staff, an elevator and a full-service restaurant. Also air-conditioning and hot water. This is also one of the few hotels with the American version of CNN (most hotels’ CNN is the Spanish-language version with entirely different programming).

$26 single or $41 double. Visa and MasterCard accepted.

— Sharon Muir, Rochester Hills, MI

On LUXEMBOURG, January ’04. . ....

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