My husband and I shared many of the same adventures as the writer of the article “Intrepid Travelers Begin Their Overland Journey through West Africa in Mali” (Dec. ’07, pg. 46). However, we used an alternative travel mode, riding in a private, air-conditioned SUV with an English/French-speaking guide and driver and staying at the best available hotels.

We engaged Assou of Saga Tours (B.P. E-1884, Bamako, Mali, West Africa; phone/fax +223 220 2708, www.sagatours.com), to arrange our...

Germany’s Oktoberfest is one of the biggest parties in the world. Each year more than six million visitors arrive in Munich for the 3-week festival celebrating beer, schnitzel and song. With so many people descending at the same time, it’s important to work with a tour company with experience, which is just what I got with Ludus Tours (Ludus Group, P.O. Box 50251, Austin, TX 78763; 866/343-6133, www.ludustours.com, www.oktoberfesttours.com and www.trackandfieldtours.com).

I spent a...

Those planning to visit Croatia should note that there are several ways to get there.

In mid-May ’07 my wife, Inge, and I flew British Air from England’s Gatwick Airport to Split, Croatia, for a walking tour plus a few days on our own. We then flew to Germany, staying another week before flying back to England and on home.

One could also take a bus to Croatia from several cities in Germany, and, if one has the time, it’s possible to take a boat across the Adriatic from Italy to...