International Travel News

Travelers' Intercom

October 2010 issue | Appears on page 33

Jordan beauty

The week-long independent tour of Jordan that my son, Eirik, and I took, July 1-7, 2010, was very enjoyable due to the kind cooperation of Ali Al-Hasanat, who runs Jordan Beauty Tours (Box 8, Petra 71810, Jordan; phone/fax +962 3 215 4 999, www.jordanbeauty.com).

I chose this company after doing a lot of research about companies that would do the independent stops I wanted: Jerash, shopping in Amman, Madaba, an overnight in Dana Nature Reserve, Petra, an extended stay in Wadi Rum,...

October 2010 issue | Appears on page 34

Holland by barge and bike

Combine picturesque Dutch cities, luxuriant waterlands, acres of bulb farms and the famed Keukenhof garden in full splendor with a witty guide, skilled barge pilot, master chef and 16 compatible travelers and you have yourself a fine vacation. That is what my friends Bernadette, Karen, Marian and I came away feeling about our May 2-9, 2010, bike tour aboard the canal barge Elodie.

You can book a trip aboard the Elodie direct at Bicycle Tour Europe (Box 1097, 1000 BB Amsterdam,...

October 2010 issue | Appears on page 34

Hotel Fita in Amsterdam

In Amsterdam, Hotel Fita (Jan Luykenstraat 37 1071 CL Amsterdam, Holland; phone [020] 679 09 76, www.hotelfita.com) may be the best value in Europe!

It’s only one block from the Van Gogh Museum, one block from the Steldelijk Modern Art Museum and three blocks from the Rijksmuseum and Concertgebouw. A parallel street, Pieter Cornelisz Hoofstraat, is lined on both sides with elegant clothiers for men and women, from Armani to Zegna, plus attractive cafés and restaurants.

Hosts...

October 2010 issue | Appears on page 36

Cairo stay

My wife, Paula, and I stayed at the Mövenpick Resort Cairo - Pyramids (Alexandria Road, Pyramids, P.O. Box 1, Giza, Egypt; phone +202 3377 2555, fax 3377 5006, www.moevenpick-hotels.com) for five days in April ’10 (Aug. ’10, pg. 12).

This is an excellent choice if your priorities are relaxation versus readily exploring Cairo on your own. This sprawling resort hotel is an oasis of calm among the noise and tumult of Cairo and Giza, and the hotel’s Rooftop Café provides good views of the...

October 2010 issue | Appears on page 36

B&B in Warsaw

At Boutique Bed & Breakfast (Ulica Smolna 14 m. 7, 00-375 Warsaw, POLAND; phone +48 22 829 48 00, fax +48 507 022 339, www.bbwarsaw.com), the owner was a quite pleasant and knowledgeable conversationalist and ate with my husband, Eugene, and me on several occasions, along with the other guests. He and the staff were helpful, giving hints on must-see sights, etc.

A comfortable walk from the railroad station, this charming B&B in an old apartment building is conveniently located...

October 2010 issue | Appears on page 50

Affordable, exotic Tunisia

My wife, Jeanne, and I took a 10-day tour of Tunisia with TunisUSA (Wayne, PA; 888/474-5502, www.tunisusa.com), Dec. 20-30, 2009. It cost $3,770 each (excluding air).

Tunisia is modern, clean, safe, inexpensive and exotic enough to interest even the most experienced traveler. The reasons to go there are to experience their culture and see ancient Roman ruins, Spanish forts and souks from the Middle Ages or… to lay on the beach. Since the winter temperatures rarely reach 70°F, our tour...

October 2010 issue | Appears on page 51

Traversing locks

Walt Huse’s story “Cruising Portugal’s Douro River” (Aug. ’10, pg. 6) brought to mind an observation I wish to share.

Being an Englishman, I was used to locks on the British canals, which date from the 19th century and are made of wood. For many of them, occupants of the passing barges do the work.

On Portuguese vessels this is not so at all, as I learned on a cruise I took in 2006. I was amazed at the modernity of the locks on the Douro River....

October 2010 issue | Appears on page 51

Opals in Australia

In the letter from Nanci Scheithauer titled “Opals vs. Triplets” (Aug. ’10, pg. 25), regarding her dissatisfaction with a purchase of opals in Australia, it appears there was a problem of language.

While not an expert, I have studied gemology and purchased precious and semiprecious stones all over the world for more than 40 years. I can’t say anything for certain without knowing the color and size of the stones that Nanci purchased, but I suspect she actually...