Travel Tips from Le Travel Store

Le Travel Store is our favorite travel store, located in the historic Gaslight Quarter of San Diego. They have collected suggestions and other information on their low-tech Travelers' Info Exchange cork bulletin board. Here are some of the best:

CHINA
Dalian is a beautiful, rat-free sea coast city in NE China. Great local transportation and good food. Visit the Beijing botanical gardens -- fabulous. The Panda Research and Breeding Center in Chengdu is worth a day. Great views of red and giant pandas in a natural setting & only $2 with good museums.
-- Baja Bob 

VIETNAM -- Ho Chi Minh City
Looking for an exotic Asian destination that's affordable & easy to travel in? Vietnam is for you. The Kim Cafe in Pham Ngu Lao (the backpacker's ghetto) will help you set up your daytrips from Saigon & your transportation north.
-- Patty & Sue 

CHINA --Silk Road
Do not, I repeat, do not use combination locks on your luggage -- especially in Urumqi or Kashgar! It seems they love these locks & will cut off your zipper pulls to get them! They cut all mine off & upon arrival in Kashgar from Urumqui all that remained were the zippers! Our national guides said "Of course, they love these locks."
-- Nancy 

SOUTH KOREA
Another recommendation -- the DMZ tour of S. Korea. Across the bridge is N. Korea, but it's rarely crossed. The last was the release of the USS Pueblo crew. Seoul is pretty, thanks to the tree-covered hills. The South Korea Handbook is a good guide.
--Patty 

INDIA -- Ladakh
We are staying at a terrific guest house called Ti-Sei. We’re paying 200R, which is about $5, for a double. The upstairs corner rooms have lovely views of the mountains. There is a vegetable garden/patio to sit in, relax and have tea. The Ladakhi family that own and run it are warm and friendly. I recommend coming for the Hemis Festival (next June 23/24), a series of dances symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. Hemis is 45km S. of Leh. The only way into Leh in June is by plane. Snow still at the pass.
-- Cindy & Patty

HOLLAND -- Camper Vans
If you want a VW camper-van to travel in Europe and want it for more than 1 month, call:
Braitman & Woudenberg, Droogbak 4A, 1013GE Amsterdam. Tel 020-622-1168. Buy back. (We got 70% of our money back) Comes equipped, just bring sleeping bags.
-- John & Marcia 

JAPAN -- Furukawa
If you want to relax, you should go to Furukawa. This is an old town. There are many quiet street and old building. Food is very delicious. Fresh and unusual. It is a original taste. Very Good Town. You're sure to be satisfied. Let's go!!
-- Junichi 

MALAYSIA
When in Kuala Lumpur, don't miss the 100-years old Pudu Prison/Penjara Pudu. According to themselves, it's only the fourth prison in the world - and the first in Asia - to open its doors to the public. The great thing when you go to this jail is that you can leave as you please...after having "enjoyed" the Death Row and a light&sound show (!) at the execution chambers, where two Australians, among others, were hanged back in 1986 for trying to leave Penang Airport for Perth with a couple of hundred grams of heroin on them. Check the walls for the inmates' poems and other graffiti. See a video of the caning procedures and go to an exhibition (young Malaysian painters' expo in January, for instance)...! This is a must!
-- Jorg 

BOSNIA
1. Make sure your body armor is snug yet comfortable.
2. Do not drive near the edges of the roads or in potholes. That is where the landmines are.
3. Bring a license plate from the Federation and a license plate from Republika Srpska with you and change over when you cross the boundary line, you will fit in better.
4. Make sure to have enough ammunition for your rifle or machine gun. If you carry an M-16 or M249, I recommend the Ultimate Travel Strap for a comfortable yet ready stance.
5. Bring German Marks, they are welcomed everywhere, and insist on marks in change, not the Bosnian money they will try to dump on you.
6. Don't drink the water there, not even the bottled water, if you can avoid it. Get a purifier straw or buy Norda brand water before entry.
7. Write home a lot.
--Robert 

ITALY -- Matera
When in southern Italy go to Matera to see the fascinating cave-dwelling districts of town and the old churches. The abandoned dwellings have recently become a UNESCO World Culture Site and [are] being restored. The town is off the beaten track and hard to get to, but a great relief from the hordes of tourists.
--Dominic 

FRANCE -- Paris Hotels
Good, inexpensive hotels, great locations: Hotel Levecque in 7th on Rue Cler - $65/night, 1/4 mile to Eiffel. Hotel De Nice in 4th on Rue de Rivoli - $85/night, 1/2 mile to Notre Dame.
--Damian and Donna 
You may recognize Hotel Levecque from PBS's Travels in Europe with Rick Steves. It's where Rick stays in Paris. Elisa, Le TRAVEL STORE Dec'97

EUROPE -- Skiing
For European skiing, forget the Alps and head for the Czech Republic or Slovakia. The scenery is breathtaking, the people are courteous (and most are multilingual), the political situation is stable and the slopes are great.
--Susan 

SPAIN -- Madrid/Toledo
Toledo is very interesting, worth a visit while in Madrid, but don't buy your souvenirs in Toledo. You can get the same things in downtown Madrid for much less. In Madrid, you'll enjoy Gran Via, Puerto del Sol and everything in between. Every Sunday from 10 am - 2:30 pm go to "El Rastro," a HUGE fleamarket. (Take the Metro, exit Tirso de Molina.)
--Maurice 

SWITZERLAND
Some great bars and clubs in Switzerland:
Leysin- Top Pub, Cesar's Disco
Verbier- Farm Club
Aigle- Red Ship Pub
Zurich- Rene's
Lausanne- Cactus Club
Interlaken- Mr. Pickwick's
Geneva- L'usine, Jungle Club
Vevey- Rolling Stone Pub
--Claire

FRANCE -- Brittany
Cycle or backpack through Brittany. Visit old Chateaux and the historic towns of Quimper and Concarneau in the south. Stay in a "gite" (old farmhouse). They are 1/4 the price of a hotel!
--Doss 

POLAND --Wroclaw
Going to Poland? A must-see is the city of Wroclaw (pronounced VRAH-TSWAHF), formerly know as Breslau, the capital of Lower Silesia. It's got a wonderful old town square, a large student population, an island crammed with picturesque brick cathedrals, and a gigantic panorama painting of the Battle of Raclawice.
--Winson

SPAIN -- Madrid
Spanish drivers + telephone.
Have you ever thought about this before? You know how Spaniards (including me) gesture wildly while we are talking on the phone well....... Observation made yesterday: Guy going along avenida in oldish car, holding phone with the left hand, jabbering away, gesturing emphatically with the right hand, no hands on the steering wheel.....
-- Tab 

GERMANY -- Cologne
Come to see Cologne! Stay at YMCA Theresienstr 64 (Phone: 4009203), and ask for Dan. It is $10 a night to stay, doubles available. Come to see the great castle and never forget to come to the catacombs. If you miss to see the great cathedral, the zoo or taking a trip around the river Rhein, you won't have seen Cologne.
-- Don 

ITALY -- Venice
By all means, see and feel Venice, but stay overnight elsewhere, unless you like paying a small fortune for dumps. Stay nearby in Abano Terme, a spa resort 40 minutes from Venice. Accommodations in Abano are clean, expansive, well-priced, and you can easily day-trip to Venice. After exploring Venice, relax back in Abano with their famous mud treatment spas and massages.
-- E.G. 

FRANCE -- World War I Sites
World War I trenches: well-preserved remainsof barbed wire and British and German trenches about 8 km north of Albert, France. Beumont-Hamel memorial to Newfoundland Regiment very interesting and also very sad, considering the devastation and death that happened there in 1916
-- Chris 

See page 337 of Lonely Planet's France . Take a taxi or walk from Albert. The station is not in service. Bill K. June'97

ITALY -- Bologna
Great restaurant: Trattoria da Gianni, on Via Clavature, near San Petronio, (Piazza Maggiore). 
-- Susan 

SPAIN -- Madrid & San Sebastian
Go for tapas. At dusk, wander the narrow streets around the Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol in Madrid. Plan on stopping at three to five different bars and sample the little plates of tapas. Try the tortilla espanola, patatas bravas and maybe some pulpo. Visit El Museo de Jamon, the ham museum. When you are ready, go to the beautiful Basque city, San Sebastian, on the north coast. The old town is Tapa Heaven.
-- Tab 

SPAIN -- Sevilla
On Saturday night, check out the McDonalds by the river -- hundreds of local teens and their motor bikes. Also, go up river two kilometers to the site of Expo '92. It's now a fabulous ghost town.
-- Bob 

NETHERLANDS:
Don't go to Amsterdam this time. ROTTERDAM is great, there's a lot of coffee shops & go to the center, the Binneniveg and go to a cafe cald Spot the Loony. Go see the Euromast. It's something like the spacenydel in Seattel.
-- Jeanette 

SPAIN: Cultural faux pas
Amazon.com sent me as a valued customer a thermal coffee mug complete with top with slit to not spill the coffee in the car. What is wrong
with this picture?
>>People in Europe:
a. don't drink coffee in the car.
b. don't drink coffee from plastic tumblers.
c. don't drink coffee or anything else for that matter through slits in lids.
d. have no cup holders in their cars.
e. make a breakfast ritual of drinking extra thick cafe con leche and snacking on cookies or toast.
f. all of the above.
*Actually it could be very funny to take the tumbler to one of my English classes and see what the students make of it.
-- Tab 

FRANCE -- Pyrennes:
A great route from France to Spain is through the mountains. Take the short train ride from Pau to Orlon St Marie. Then just outside the station you catch the SNCF bus (it's included on a railpass). The bus goes up the beautiful Aspe Valley, over the summit, into Spain and little town of Canfranc. There you catch an old diesel train down to Jaca, the original capital of Aragon.
-- Bill 

GERMANY -- Bavaria:
Forget Munich, it's too crowded. Visit Ingolstadt on the Danube -- Home of Frankenstein, the Bavarian Brewing Purity Laws and Audi. See their web site -- ingolstadt.de.
-- Max

GERMANY:
In Germany/Austria don't try to find "Einbahnstrasse" on a map if you're lost -- it means "one way street". Learned this the hard way.
-- Marc (embarrassed but smarter)

ITALY -- Agriento, Sicilia
Go during February to this small town on the west side of the island. They have an almond festival. All the almond trees are in full, bright bloom in a valley shadowed by temples built for the Gods. It's not too hot, not too cold. Have a picnic & hang around to find the magic of the evening surrounds you and consumes you.
-- Lisa 

NORTHERN IRELAND
Don't count this out, it's safe!
Belfast - ask for Catholic cab driver to take you to Mills Rd Cemetery, see in back where IRA volunteers buried by Sinn Fein office; have a Guinness at the Celtic Club (notice the video camera on outside). They Love Americans!
Derry (Londonderry) -- go to Dongiven on bus, a few miles away. Stay in Flax Mill Hostel -- No electricity, rural, quaint, very cheap. Hippy German couple.
-- no name 11/98

CROATIA
You know how you go somewhere and always hear "You should have been here 5/10/15 years ago". Well, the Dalmatian Coast is just the place to be now. "Hot" and getting "hotter" all the time. The island of Korcula, in particular. I should know - I live here. Plan on anytime between May and September (Mid-July to Sept. 1 is BUSY season, tho). If you want great weather, clear blue waters and beaches to yourself, come in September. When you arrive in the town of Korcula (amazing 12th century medieval town) look us up. Ask anybody about the two Americans (David and Scott) and I'm sure they can point you in the right direction of our art gallery or restaurant. Bok! Scott David Swank
-- Duh 

GERMANY
When looking for medieval towns, skip Heidelberg and Rothenburg. Instead, visit Marburg, about 1 hour north of Frankfurt. The old town is very well-preserved and much of it is still in disrepair which makes for some great views. The schloss on the hill is well worth the climb, but it closes at 18.00.
-- Molly 

SCOTLAND
Stay overnight in Inverness. Next morning, drive out A87 to the Isle of Skye -- the scenery is spectacular. August is tourist season, but even now, there were hardly any tourists. Wonderful. Alternatively, take the Jacobite train from Fort William to the coast. Words cannot describe how pretty this country is.
-- Molly 

ITALY -- Florence
Ask the price first! Gelato is Italian ice cream. I pointed to the flavor I wanted and he piled it on -- charging me 20000 lire ($12). When I said no and did not take it, he called the police who came andalmost arrested me. We compromised. I agreed to pay $6 for the gelato. Oh, well.
-- Gus 

ITALY -- Rome
When in Rome in Trastevere, watch out for a woman and children carrying pieces of cardboard. The cardboard is to distract you while the rest pick your pockets. Usually, if you shout "va via" will make them go away.
-- The Braces 4/98

FRANCE -- Paris
We looked for a hotel in the Marais district and found a gem -- Hotel Pratic, 9, rue d'Ormesson, Paris 75004. Tel: 48 87 80 47. Metro: St Paul. It's on a quiet street near Place des Voges, a short walk to almost everything. Our room was on the sixth floor (no elevator) -- about $70/night for a double with shower.
-- Bill 

SPAIN -- Madrid
Winter has been cold, wet, and grey...not normal in Madrid. Friday the sun came out all day. Saturday the tables came out on the sidewalks.
Today, Sunday, the sidewalk cafes were brimming with couples, families, folks of all ages. Everyone was smiling...and so happy to be basking in the sun again. Let's hope it lasts.
-- Tab 

SWEDEN -- Strangnas
When in Sweden, don't miss Strangnas and the Lake Malaren area. Just one hour from Stockholm (west). Wonderful nature, thousands of islands. Don't miss it.
--Thommy & Elisabeth 

INDONESIA -- Surfing in Nias
The island of Nias - sun, sea and surf! The second best surfspot of the world. (Yeah, Hawaii is it.) But what about big beers for $2, 2k of tuna for $5 and sleepin' for one US dollar a night? Can you believe it? It's in front of Sibolga, a little boring place in West Sumatra, and you will have a fun trip with a wooden boat on the Indian Ocean for about 10 wild hours! It's worth it! Have fun.
--Michelangelo 

MALAYSIA -- Penang
Visit Georgetown on the island of Penang off the coast of Malaysia in the straits of Malacca. Many sights to see and all accessible by taxi. Highlights include the botanical garden, where monkeys roam free with visitors, and the snake temple, where Buddhists and venomous serpents live together in mutualistic unity.
--Keith 

AUSTRALIA -- Ayers Rock
BRING A TENT! Camping is the cheapest way to go if you want to really see the outback, animals and all! In addition, check the exchange rate. Credit cards are the most inexpensive way. Always carry H2O with you, check the oil if you're driving, and smile.
--Elisa 
Not me, a different Elisa. E.W. Le TRAVEL STORE

AUSTRALIA -- Sydney
You have to stay at the Pink House, King's Cross - excellent hostel - such a laugh! Don't miss The Rocks, Manly and Oxford Street. Go to the drag shows at The Albany and The Imperial (where they filmed "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert"). Eat at Venice Beach Restaurant, King's Cross. Drink at The Rhino Bar, Paddington Inn, St Patrick's , Orient, Mercantile. Oh, by the way, the Opera House is actually beige!! The best 9 months of my traveling is owed to Sydney - don't miss out!
--Sandra 

MAURITANIA --Chenguetti
The most beautiful, magic, buried-in-the-dunes town is Chenguetti. Great local campsite/lodge. Sleep under a Tuareg tent! Nice food, cold drinks. Nearby is the oasis town of Tirzit - incredibly quiet - friendly people.
-- Lise 

COSTA RICA -- Tortuguero
The Pachira Lodge in Tortuguero is a must! Tortuguero is a must anyway, but Pachira Lodge makes it. They have knowledgable guides and incredible surroundings. Howler monkeys and Montezuma orioles inhabit the area. Amazing!
-- Anon. 

GUATEMALA -- Pacaya Volcano
Don't Go! It's Dangerous! We went with a tour group of 15 and two guides. Three robbers came up from behind about 1/2 hour into the four-hour hike.They were armed and fired at the lead guide. We later found out this is common on that volcano. Took all our belongings.
-- McKenna 

PANAMA
If you are planning to travel to Central America, be sure not to forget Panama. Be sure to venture to Bocas del Toro for scuba or snorkeling. Great coral reefs. Take the bus from Chiriqui Grande to David, beautiful mountains, pine trees and cool, refreshing air. A great break from the incredible heat and humidity found throughout Panama.
-- Bob 

PANAMA -- Panama City
How can a city this size exist in this heat? a stunning city with skyscrapers taller than anything in San Diego, juxtaposed to neighborhoods reeking with poverty. Lock your backpack and head to Casco Viejo and get a feel for what it must have been like 200 years ago. DO NOT GO TO THE DARIEN. Two large and well-equiped Colombian rebel groups are taking hostages. Not to mention Chloroquinine-resistant, malaria-carrying mosquitos.
-- Bob 

GUAM
Be sure to attend a village fiesta. Try all the Chamoru fiesta dishes. Look for "TRADES." Drinks and Jazz Music. Drop by the Superior Court Marshal's Office to check out all the handsome and buff Deputies! Guam is a tropical island with beautiful beaches, friendly people whom treats you with courteous and welcome. Visit Guam!
-- Tina 

EGYPT -- Sinai Peninsula
Greatly regarded as a desert wasteland by many, this place is a treasure! First, head to the High Mountain region for great desert hiking in peaks and valleys inhabited by the friendly Beduins. Fresh springwater and beautiful views from 3000'. You must pay the Sheikh a "fee" before entering this area. Next, head down to Sharm El Sheikh at the tip of the peninsula for world class diving with the largest, most colorful fish ever!
-- Alan 

JAPAN
If you happen to find yourself on the Izu Pennisula (south-west of Tokyo) around May, the "must-see" is the Shimoda Black Ship Festival (going on it 60th this year). Originally created to celebrate Admiral Perry's Free-Trade Treaty with Japan in the 1850's, it's become THE party for the other-wise sleepy fishing town. Check out "Jiro's Jazz Joint", where the owner has ton's of musical instruments, plays all of them , and loves it when his guests pick up a horn or drum stick and go to town! Happy Stomping!
-- T.S.B.

ENGLAND:
Go to Birmingham City Centre. It is not as bad as they say. Go to Brood Street and see the National Indoor Arena. Go to New Street, High Street and Corporation Street. -->> Ace Shopping. There is life outside London.
-- Shirley

SCOTLAND -- Edinburgh:
Plan to visit the birthplace of Andrew Carnegie - Dunfermline, Fife, only 20 mins drive north across the Forth Road Bridge. King Robert the Bruce buried in the abbey there. Take a stroll through Pittencrieff Park.
-- Janet

IRELAND:
When in Ireland, when camping, don't leave the gates open. The cows will escape.
-- Anonymous tipster. 

FRANCE --- Toulouse:
Go to TOULOUSE, a kind of small Paris. With about 650,000 ha, this town is one of the oldest one. The Romans and the Gothics came there so you will be able to visit the most beautiful cathedrals of France. Don't forget to visit the Airbus plane factory and the Rocket Center. Last but not least go to watch a rugby game with Toulouse, the French Champion.
-- Francoise

Thanks, Francoise. I followed your tip and went to Toulouse in October. The Airbus factory was great. It's out in the suburb of Colomier, about a half hour by bus. It's huge (second only to Boeing). Visits are strictly by guided tour (mine was in French) and it's important to call for a reservation before you go. I went on a Monday afternoon. The next tour was the following Friday. Bill K. 

SWITZERLAND:
Waedenswil -- the lake, the mountains... go to the "Alte Fabrik", the best beer brewery in the down. Don't miss!
-- Daniel T

IRELAND:
Don't stop at Galway, SLIGO is north of there, about 1.5 hours drive. The surfing is outstanding, just out of town. (Ask the locals!) Catch a bar called SHOOT THE CROWS on Tuesday or Thursday for great free traditional Irish jam session & the White House Hostel is excellent.
-- Bryan

CZECH REP. -- Prague:
If you're going by Eurail and you see lots of vendors for hostels and hotels, don't be scared. Many are honest and friendly and offer great accomodations for about $10-$30 a night! My bro and I stayed in an apartmant w/ a kitchen for $20 a night !! Coolness.
-- Leslie 

ITALY:
Don't miss Orvieto!! Hill town northwest of Rome. Sit in front of cathedral and watch golden mosaics change in the sunset! Unforgettable! Also, San Gimigniano and Verona! Padua cathedral most beautiful in Italy!
-- Alma 

09/10/2002