I spent two weeks in Portugal, May 12-27, ’04, staying only at pousadas. These are government-owned hotels, usually converted castles, palaces or monasteries. While there, I found a brochure titled “Special Programs.” It stated that if you are over 60 years old you can get a discount of 35%, or if your stay is for three nights you can get it for the price of two nights, or if you are under 30 you can get 20% off, etc.

Adding up all the discounts I would have been eligible for, I think...

On a trip to the Balkans my husband and I took in May ’04, we had wanted to travel by bus and find accommodations as we went. As soon as we arrived in Tirana, Albania, we realized that language problems would require us to have a car and driver.

In three hours, Sadik Malaj of Sondor Travel & Tours (sondor2002@hotmail.com) made all the arrangements. Our driver was his son, Dorien Malaj, who spoke English very well and was an excellent driver. The car and driver for eight days cost...

We traveled to Italy, April 27-May 1, ’04.

• In Milan, try the centrally located Hotel Sanpi (Via Lazzaro Palazzi 18). Our room was large and very clean, with two beds and a remodeled bathroom with (on request) shower. The online rate was $135. A European breakfast was included. We found the staff very accommodating.

• Across the street from the hotel is the excellent restaurant New Transatlantico Re del Mare. They served a pasta with mushrooms that was one of the best I’ve...