Travel Tidbits

July 2009 issue

On a tour of South Africa arranged by Graham Maskell of Africa 2000, my husband and I stopped near Lambert’s Bay to investigate plantations of rooibos tea. This area provides the correct climate and proper sandy soil for the shrubs to produce the fine needle-like leaves, which are harvested, mulched, dampened and fermented before being cleaned, sorted and packaged for sale. The no-caffeine product is a pleasant “pick-me-upper” and makes a good, lightweight souvenir. — JACKIE BLACK, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada

During a cruise in Antarctica, we spent the afternoon at Petermann Island....

August 2009 issue

Travel Tidbits

In Baku, Azerbaijan, the two caravanserais, dating from the 14th and 16th centuries, are the finest I’ve seen anywhere in the world. They have been meticulously restored and are used in a most becoming manner. In their courtyards, trees thrive beneath vaulted roofs. Each of the former lodging chambers have been turned into tea stalls, restaurants and shops selling a variety of goods — all of these displaying a pandemonium of color, with enticing scents emanating from the kitchens. — ARLENE GOODHEAD, La Jolla, CA

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, is like the city of one’s dreams —...

September 2009 issue

Travel Tidbits

With a BritRail Pass, I feel it is better to buy the adult/economy pass rather than splurge on a first- class Senior Pass. You have more room in first, but you don’t meet the local people as readily. — JEAN GOSSE, Shoreline, WA

A mildly disappointing part of our March visit to Vietnam was the three nights we spent in Hoi An. Hoi An is a UNESCO World Heritage Site; unfortunately, most of the buildings house flashy tourist shops now and there was little of the original Old Quarter. It is definitely worth a visit, but I wouldn’t stay there too long. Fortunately, there was a number of...

June 2008 issue

Travel Tidbits

We found Bali, Indonesia, a wonderful location to visit. The only caveat from our trip is that it was hot and humid in April, although we experienced no rain. We would recommend a Bali visit, particularly in combination with a trip to Australia or Asia. — MYRNA PLOST, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

In the harbor on São Jorge, Azores, they were celebrating the Feast of the Holy Spirit during our visit (in June). Large tents were erected to serve as restaurants, and our group ate traditional Azorean fare, including pork, linguica, blood sausage, octopus and taro root, not to...

March 2007 issue

Travel Tidbits

Although we found the weather in May very unpleasant, it did not deter us from enjoying our trip to Denmark. Daytime temperatures were 50°-55°F and it was windy, with rain showers, some of them heavy. Our daily attire consisted of heavy sweaters or sweatshirts with raincoats. Locals told us that April weather is very unpredictable: cold and rainy, then warm and sunny. — WALTER HUSE, Fort Meyers, FL

I would highly recommend visiting Mount Floyen in Bergen, Norway — if the weather is good. Don’t waste your money if visibility is poor. (In 2007, funicular tickets cost NOK70 [near $...

July 2008 issue

Travel Tidbits

In western Ukraine, the island-town of Kamyanets-Podilsky is a genuine geographic wonder. The old town is on an island with a river that loops almost completely around it. Cliffs rise on both sides of the river, thus the town itself is a natural fortress. It is full of old, decaying structures and only now is getting the attention it deserves. Across the Turkish Bridge, which spans the river ravine, is the town’s 14th-century fortress. — BERNARD BERICH, Philadelphia, PA

On our March visit to Rome, there was a line six or seven blocks long to get into the Vatican Museum as...

April 2007 issue

Travel Tidbits

When I went to the post office in Tbilisi, Georgia, to mail packages home in April ’05, each of my bags was measured, and then a lady sewed muslin covers for each one. These were then stitched up and sealed with hot wax. It was expensive, but my packages were waiting for me when I got home. — SAMANTHA SARTAIN, Colorado Spring, CO

If you are prone to having your luggage lost, pack half of your things in your spouse’s luggage, and he or she can do the same. That way, neither of you will be without clothing if a suitcase is lost. — CLAUDIA REED, Las Vegas, NV

On a December...

August 2008 issue

Travel Tidbits: the Mursi, JetRest, and Luang Prabang

We visited the Mursi people of Ethiopia. The women stretch their lower lips and insert wooden or terra-cotta discs. We found this, along with corncobs in their hair, quite unattractive, but to the Mursi, the larger the lip plate the more desirable the wearer.

The Mursi were quite aggressive in wanting their pictures taken, for which payment was required. A thoughtful gesture of our guide was to get us new, small-denomination birr notes, as that is what the tribal people wanted. — NELL Q. McCOMBS, Ventura, CA

I found a wonderful travel pillow called JetRest in the...