After attempting to learn Spanish and Portuguese in many countries in Central and South America and taking a crack at Russian in Ukraine, I decided it was time to try Chinese, specifically, Mandarin. I knew that, at the age of 76, it would be a challenge, but what the heck?! You’re only young once.

Through the Omeida Language College (71-72 Longyue Rd., Yangshuo, Guilin, Guangxi, China; phone +86 0773 8827999, www.omeida.org), I got in touch with the coordinator Anya. In...

We enjoyed reading Steve Jones’ article with tips on driving in Europe (Feb. ’15, pg. 43). On the subject of needing a special vignette (sticker) to drive on Switzerland’s national highways, we would add that Austria also requires a vignette for any vehicle traveling on its motorways and highways. 

Unlike Switzerland, Austria offers vignettes for varied time periods: a 10-day pass for €8.70 (near $10), a 2-month pass for €25.30 and a 12-month pass for €84.40.

Like their Swiss...

I want to thank Elizabeth Pugh-Zaleski for her travel tips on drying clothes more quickly after washing them (Feb. ’15, pg. 47). I’ve found that the hardest things to dry are men’s socks, for which a hair dryer works very well. You can fit the nozzle inside a sock and dry it from the inside out.

Also, if your hotel room has a window that gets sunlight, you can hang or lay clothing on the windowsill. The sun will help dry clothes much more quickly.

MARCIA BRANDES

Atlanta...