International Travel News

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February 2010 issue | Appears on page 35

Traveling in Ethiopia

On my trip to Ethiopia in September-October ’09, I found that having a local travel agent is a godsend.

Through a friend serving as a Peace Corps volunteer, Nancy Ross, I lucked into Abeba Tours Ethiopia (PO Box 17447, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; phone +251 115 15 95 30/31, www.abebatoursethiopia.com), located in the lobby of the Ras Hotel. This company is run by an Ethiopian man and his American wife and managed by a creative, entertaining, capable young go-getter, Shimels Taye, who was a...

February 2010 issue | Appears on page 36

Week in Nicaragua

After reading an article in the USA Today travel section in September ’07 about Nicaragua’s growth in tourism, we started making plans to travel there in mid-September ’08.

Following the violent revolution in the ’70s, many people simply forgot about Nicaragua as a travel destination. Slowly, that is changing. Our seven-day trip proved to be worth every second.

Due to a late arrival and early return departure, we elected to stay our first and last nights at the Camino Real...

February 2010 issue | Appears on page 48

Restricted-driving zone tickets

The matter of my traffic fines in Florence and Siena, Italy, has come to a conclusion (“Beware of Limited-traffic Zones,” Jan. ’10, pg. 12). I lost the Siena appeal, but winning two out of three is not all bad.

JOHN THORSON

Darien, IL

February 2010 issue | Appears on page 56

Wine and dine in Chile

From a few days in Chile, including Easter Island, Oct. 29-Nov. 8, 2009, here are our recommendations.

In Santiago, Plaza el Bosque Suites (2800 San Sebastian, Las Condes, Santiago; www.plazaelbosque.cl) is two blocks from the metro and surrounded by good restaurants. It’s an excellent 3-star hotel offering suites with a separate living room and kitchen for under $200 per night, double, including breakfast.

We especially liked Coco Loco (215 El Bosque Norte, Santiago), around...

February 2010 issue | Appears on page 57

Engaging Mexicans

I lived in Mexico for six months in 1974-75, visited up to three times a year in the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s, taught English in a community college there earlier this decade and continue to give talks on cruise ships docking in Mexican ports, most recently in November ’09.

There are some things Norteamericanos don’t seem to “get” when traveling in Mexico and which, to put it bluntly, lead to some stress.

For example, Mexicans shake hands upon greeting and parting, but the...

February 2010 issue | Appears on page 57

Shipping goods home

My wife, Kathy, and I took an “Ancient Kingdoms” tour to Southeast Asia with Overseas Adventure Travel (Cambridge, MA; 800/493-6824), Jan. 29-Feb. 21, 2009. This was an excellent trip on which to experience the four countries of Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, but I am writing about another matter that may be of interest to travelers.

During a stop in Vietnam, we purchased a decorative stone lantern and paid to have it shipped to our home in the States ($200 lantern plus $80...

February 2010 issue | Appears on page 58

Getting away

Hallelujah for John Putman’s letter “Cutting All Ties, Temporarily” (Nov. ’09, pg. 52)! Finally, someone agrees with me.

I read all the articles and letters telling us how to stay “connected” when traveling abroad and I shake my head in disbelief. I’ve never felt the need to contact anyone at home, though I do leave my itinerary in case of an emergency.

I’m traveling for new adventures and experiences and, as Mr. Putman wrote, “I’m going to be too busy enjoying my trip. Don’t...

February 2010 issue | Appears on page 58

Simply reachable

Thank you, thank you, John Putman, for your letter (Nov. ’09, pg. 52). I, too, cannot see the point of the endless e-mails, phone calls, etc., that leisure travelers feel it necessary to make. It’s annoying when time is wasted on a tour so that people can find an Internet cafe to “keep in touch.”

I leave an itinerary behind for emergencies and make the occasional cell phone call if I’m unavailable for any length of time, but that’s it other than a few postcards. I’m so glad someone...