International Travel News

Travelers' Intercom

March 2005 issue | Appears on page 0

The Monet on the Adriatic

In late October ’04 I boarded the Monet, a small cruise ship carrying a maximum of 59 passengers, at the San Basilio pier in Venice, Italy. Our itinerary was a leisurely 7-day cruise down the Dalmatian coast (formerly Yugoslavia), terminating in Dubrovnik.

The yacht-sized ship allowed us to dock at the center of small towns such as Opatija, Pula, Hvar and Korcula, where we could walk at our leisure. Optional tours were available.

The Croatian crew was helpful, attentive and...

March 2005 issue | Appears on page 0

‘Waterways of the Czars’

I went on a 14-day cruise from Moscow to St. Petersburg in August ’04. This was my first trip with Uniworld (Encino, CA; phone 800/257-2264) and I was very impressed with not only Russia itself but the spotlessly clean ship, the wonderful food, the most gracious staff and the relatively modest price of the cruise.

We lived on board the ship for three days in Moscow and had several tours of the city and surrounding area with very knowledgeable local guides.

When we set sail for...

March 2005 issue | Appears on page 0

Düsseldorf and more

I was in Germany for several weeks in June ’04 and found a wonderful small hotel, Hotel Berlin Plaza, one-half block from the Ku’Damm in Berlin. I would recommend it. I think it’s too small to have “groups,” but the building did have two elevators. Almost all of the other people there were Germans. I had a single room with private bath for €86 (near $110) a day including a good big buffet breakfast. It was a special rate because I stayed 10 days.

I also was in Düsseldorf. I stayed at...

March 2005 issue | Appears on page 0

Fourth trip to China

For our fourth trip to China, in October ’03, we selected areas of the country that had UNESCO World Heritage Sites that we had either read or heard about for many years. Our new destinations would be Shanghai, Tunxi, Huang Shan, Chengdu, Leishan, Zigong, Dazu, Chongqing and Suzhou. How to journey to these destinations over three weeks was left to the five travel companies I sent my proposed itinerary to with the hope they would develop a memorable trip for us.

We ended up using Mark...

March 2005 issue | Appears on page 0

Companies came through

• A promotion run in 2003 by Grand Circle Travel (347 Congress St., Boston, MA 02210; phone 800/221-2610 or visit www.gct.com) promised two $250 travel certificates applicable to your next GCT trip if you completed an extensive questionnaire on your future travel plans. We dutifully completed it and sent it in and waited and waited and waited, but no certificates.

After six months or so, and past the expiration date of the travel certificates, we began a follow-up campaign by...

March 2005 issue | Appears on page 0

Visit to Transnistria

My wife, Arlene, and I spent a few hours in a little-visited part of the world that is well worth seeing because of its complex history and location.

Transnistria (Trans-Dniestria or Transdniester) is a self-proclaimed autonomous republic that is part of the Republic of Moldova. This pseudocountry consists of a narrow strip of land bordered on the east by Ukraine and on the west by the Dniester River, which separates it from the rest of Moldova.

Moldova is historically part of...

March 2005 issue | Appears on page 0

Pleased with global phone

A discovery! I purchased a GSM (Global System for Mobile communication) phone for a trip to Egypt/Jordan in November ’04. Although there was no need for lengthy conversations with my progeny, I did feel a need for a phone should a crisis of some kind occur.

This phone is a winner. It cost $49 (I believe $52 with tax) and works in 130 countries but not the U.S. There are no minimums, fees or service charges. You pay only for the calls you make.

In my view, this GSM is head and...

March 2005 issue | Appears on page 0

Calling on IsCard

This is a follow-up to my letter in the February ’05 issue, page 16, regarding making phone calls through Iscom, Inc.

While calls can be made with the IsCard FROM the U.S. to Austria (Country Code 43) at the rate of nine cents per minute from a regular phone and 49¢ on a mobile phone, Austria is not listed as a country from which to call TO the USA, although at least 50 such countries are listed. Per-minute rates may change and can be found at www.IsCard.com, or call 212/324-1100....