Report Cards

From VERNAZZA, Italy, May 19, 2009…

My travel companion, Cindy, and I traveled to Italy, May 5-19, and discovered II Pirata delle Cinque Terre (Via G Guidoni, 36, Vernazza, Italy; phone 0187 812047). It’s located near the bus stop and parking area at the top of Vernazza, one of the Cinque Terre villages.

Sicilians Gianluca and Massimo (twins) run this unique Italian restaurant. In the off-season, they live on an island near Sicily and teach culinary classes, but from March to September they bring a touch of Sicily to this region.

Gianluca is a pastry chef artist and,...

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From BADEN-BADEN, Germany, July 15, 2009. . .

• Hotel Colmar (Lange Strasse 34, D-76530, Baden-Baden, Germany; phone 07221/93 89 0, fax 93 89 50, www.hotel-colmar.de) — located in central Baden, on the pedestrian zone.

This is a fine and friendly hotel, written about by Mr. Rick Steves, himself, as a good place to stay in Baden. However, the Colmar is the loudest hotel I have ever stayed at — period.

We last stayed here in 2000. We booked our room online, and the hotel once again offered us three nights’ stay (July 12-15) in a great central location, with a kind staff...

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From FRANKFURT, Germany, July 18, 2009…

• Albatros Airport Hotel (Nord­endstr. 12, Morfelden-Walldorf 64546, Germany; phone 011 49 6105 70100, fax 6105 75295 or e-mail info@albatroshotel.de) — a 15-minute ride from the Frankfurt airport.

In my opinion, this is a 2-star hotel, but I would rate it a “good bang for the buck.” Very clean but sparse on amenities. All they give you is liquid soap in the shower and at the bathroom sink.

The hotel is not air-conditioned, so try to stay away from the top floor in the summer. My room did have a fan and a refrigerator.

My...

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From ST. ANDREWS, Scotland, Sept. 6, 2009…

• The Kelvin (15 Buckingham Terrace, The Great Western Road, Glasgow, Scotland G12 8EB, U.K.; phone +44 141 339 7143, www.kelvinhotel.com) — located on the west end of Glasgow and about half a mile from the western side of the University of Glasgow.

This is the best, most well-kept “rowhouse” hotel I have ever visited. It sparkled! The staff all were very friendly and helpful.

Our bedroom was very spacious and well furnished, with an astonishing, huge window, beautifully draped. Most rooms have facilities en suite. During our...

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From VIENNA, Austria, Oct. 5, 2009…

• Situated directly across from the Vienna International Airport arrivals hall, the NH Vienna Airport Hotel (Hotelstrasse 1, 1300 Vienna; phone 43 1701510, e-mail nhviennaairport@nh-hotels.com) has the airport on its doorstep. The city center can be reached easily in 15 minutes.

In my opinion, this is a 4-star hotel. The facilities are first rate. It has 500 rooms with contemporary interior décor and design. There is a bar as well as a restaurant with a well-balanced menu. The fitness center is modern, and there is a business center with a...

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Report from Myanmar…

Myanmar’s magic has besotted us. My husband and I were there for 16 heavenly days, Dec. 15-31, 2010, with Asia Photo Travels & Tours (No. 9/A, Hospital St., Pyi Thar Yar, Baukhtaw, Yankin Township, Yangon, Myanmar; phone [95-9] 5010501).

The land cost of $4,000 each included five in-country flights, hotels, all meals, a car and driver in each location, the guide and tipping. The hotels were four-star and the food was wonderful.

We were lucky to have Win Kyaw Zan, owner of Asia Photo Travels, recommended to us by friends. A wonderful guide, Win...

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From GLASGOW, Scotland, Oct. 4, 2009…

• Two Fat Ladies at the Buttery (652-654 Argyle St., Glasgow; phone 0141 221 8188, www.twofatladiesrestaurant.com).

White tablecloths. Appetizers, mains and a bottle of Viognier for £62.50 (near $100) for two.

• Café Gandalfi (64 Albion St., Glasgow; phone 0141 552 6813, www.cafegandolfi.com) — in the Merchant City area and less formal than Two Fat Ladies.

£48.75 ($78) for a delicious tomato fennel soup and “Arbroath smokies” (smoked haddock) baked in cream with tomatoes for me and a saddle of rabbit for my wife, Kay. This...

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Report ON NEW ZEALAND

Just before the recent earthquake, my wife and I took a trip to New Zealand, Feb. 7-21, 2011. The arrangements were made by Brendan Vacations (Chatsworth, CA; 800/421-8446 or 818/428-6000).

Excluding airfare from Los Angeles, the total cost of the trip was $2,500 per person, which included first-class hotels, with breakfast; all transportation, and admission to various tours and events.

We prefer independent travel, but, although I have driven in England and Ireland, I did not want to drive in New Zealand. What Brendan arranged was just the right...

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