I read with interest the reader’s letter “Rented Car Online for Heathrow” (Aug. ’07, pg. 28), specifically the part regarding the auto rental company’s requirement that he show proof, from his credit card company, of CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) coverage.

I have often used the Internet to check on U.K. car rental prices and I have subsequently followed this with a telephone call directly to the U.K. company. This is helpful for two reasons: 1) the U.K. agent will make it quite clear...

While my husband and I were in Beijing for three days during a 2-week trip to China, April 15-29, 2007, I wanted to take a tour of the hutongs.

Hutongs are the alleys that are lined with multitudes of small homes. They covered the city for centuries, but since the founding of the People’s Republic of China and most particularly since the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), hutongs have been destroyed and replaced by other buildings, Tiananmen Square, etc. Many hutongs remain, in pockets...

I was part of a group of eight Americans scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia, Oct. 22-Nov. 2, 2006, under the auspices of Advantage Travel & Tours. I was the only member of our tour group whose visa was denied. I also was the only member of the group who was Jewish and so indicated on the visa application form question asking us to list our religion.

My travel agent had assured me that the “official policy” of the Saudi government is they do not discriminate on the basis of religion...