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April 2011 issue | Appears on page 4

Myanmar tour; Sicily tour, and Southeast Asia tour

Report from Myanmar…

Myanmar’s magic has besotted us. My husband and I were there for 16 heavenly days, Dec. 15-31, 2010, with Asia Photo Travels & Tours (No. 9/A, Hospital St., Pyi Thar Yar, Baukhtaw, Yankin Township, Yangon, Myanmar; phone [95-9] 5010501).

The land cost of $4,000 each included five in-country flights, hotels, all meals, a car and driver in each location, the guide and tipping. The hotels were four-star and the food was wonderful.

We were lucky to...

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March 2011 issue | Appears on page 4

Tour in India, guesthouse in Seychelles, Bangkok to Golden Triangle tour

Report from India…

We used the guide Sanny Khan (phone +91 9335666195 or e-mail [email protected]) for a tour of Varanasi, India, Oct. 25-26, 2010. His English was great, which is less common in India than I had expected.

Not only did Sanny take us to all the tourist sites and arrange sunset/sunrise boat trips on the Ganges, he took us to all the local haunts for the best lassi, chai and spices, took us to local markets and outlying villages, arranged for porters to...

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February 2011 issue | Appears on page 4

Apartment in Malta, lodge in Seychelles, restaurant in Uruguay

REPORT FROM MALTA…

For our trip to Malta, Nov. 29-Dec. 9, 2010, we rented an apartment in Valletta which I highly recommend. It is on the second floor of a fully renovated historic building. Best was the balcony overlooking Marsamxett Harbor, where we spent enjoyable hours watching the ships go past.

The one bedroom is relatively small, with a double bed which sleeps two comfortably. All linens are provided. The bathroom has a walk-in shower and the living room a TV. The...

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January 2011 issue | Appears on page 4

India B&B, Italy restaurant, Moroccan guest house; Czech hotel, and driver in Poland

REPORT FROM INDIA…

In the Civil Lines area of Delhi, we stayed at the bed-and-breakfast Sham Nath Villa (12, Sham Nath Marg, Civil Lines, Delhi, 110054, India; phone +91 11 23976660 or 23923925), Oct. 16-19, 2010.

Conveniently located near Delhi’s modern, easy-to-use metro and minutes from all the important sights, this is a glorious, historic, family property with a spacious garden and five big rooms with balconies. Booked online, our room cost INR4,500 (just over $100) per...

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December 2010 issue | Appears on page 4

Mexico posada, Italy B&B, Madagascar guest house, London hotel, Czech Republic restaurant

REPORT FROM MEXICO…

My wife and I stayed at lovely Posada Casa Candiles (65 Paseo de las Golondrinas, IXTAPA, Gro., C.P 40880, Mexico; phone, in US, 717/207-8471, www.casacandiles.com), a small inn with just three large and artistically decorated rooms, Oct. 10-15, 2010. In our many travel experiences, few places have come close to Casa Candiles.

The beautiful tropical garden was a spectacular “cinematic” setting for the house, swimming pool and our alfresco breakfasts. The...

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November 2010 issue | Appears on page 4

Italy hotel, restaurants; South Africa restaurant, and Austria apartments

REPORT FROM Italy…

• Located in Aosta, Hotel Ristorante Cecchin (Via Ponte Romano, 27, 11100 Aosta, Italy; phone 39 016545262, fax 39 016531736, www.hotelcecchin.com) is an easy walk from the pedestrian area and near the Arco d’Augusto.

Our room, booked through www.venere.com at €90 (about $115) for Sept. 2, 2010, was spotless and roomy and had a balcony. The proprietor spoke English and was very helpful.

A city with much art and history, Aosta has many churches, museums...

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October 2010 issue | Appears on page 4

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REPORT FROM BULGARIA…

We hired the guide Patrick Penev (www.bulgariaprivateguide.com) for a tour that started in Sofia, Bulgaria, and took us to Koprivshtitza, Shipka Pass, Valley of the Roses, Thracian tombs, Plovdiv, Orpheus’ tomb, Jeravna and Varna, July 22-27, 2010.

Four of us paid €775 (near $981) per couple, which included transportation (and petrol), accommodations (and breakfasts), two dinners and guide service. Other meals and museum admissions cost extra.

From...

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September 2010 issue | Appears on page 4

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NEWS FROM Florence…

• In Florence I recommend a stay at Hotel Accademia (Via Faenza 7; fax 055 219 771 or e-mail [email protected]). Located right near the Medici Chapel, San Lorenzo Church and the San Lorenzo market, it’s three blocks from the Duomo.

Do ask them the easy way to walk to the hotel by Santa Maria Novella. Since it is so close to the train station, a taxi driver doesn’t make much money and will be disgruntled.

This place offers an English-...

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