DON’T ROMEO NEAR JULIET

Verona,as referred to in your “rebooting the bucket list” story (Traveller,April 29),can be as crowded and hectic around the Roman arena,as are so many other places. But a few streets back and closer to the river it is a delight (though do avoid “Juliet’s balcony”). As for Lyon,which was also highlighted,it has good food,wine,scenery and is easy to get around. The city was a real delight and is easily recommended,but I hope they get the train station renovations done soon!
Tony Sullivan,Adamstown Heights,NSW

PITCHER THIS

I agree that in 2023,travelbucket lists need a reboot. Thank you to your writer Chris Leadbeater for his useful tips. To continue the bucket analogy,I’d also like to see our aspirational bucket lists incorporate more bucket filling. That is,filling our own buckets by slowing down and enjoying the journey of travel more than the destination. And filling the buckets of others we meet along the way by treading lightly,spreading kindness,and giving back to communities and their environment when we travel.
Amy Hiller,Kew,Vic

ESSENTIAL READING

So the new Qantas bosswants to heal the “rift with the public” that has emerged over the years. A good start would be to buy a subscription to this very newspaper and take an interest in the litany of complaints aired by correspondents to theTraveller section every weekend.
Ross MacPherson,Seaforth,NSW

YOU KEEP ME HANGIN’ ON AND ON

My Qantas money card was scammed. What I would like from Qantas is for them to answer the phone. It took me eight calls over the weekend to deal with the situation,half of them cutting out after I had entered my details. I wonder how anyone manages to make a booking.
Vicky Marquis,Glebe,NSW

NO VEX WITH REX

Due to complications from surgery,I realised,on the day of travel,that no matter how much I wanted to get to my granddaughter’s third birthday,I wasn’t well enough to fly. I rang Rex to cancel that leg and rebook. Expecting a lot of associated costs and hassle,the service was outstanding once I had emailed a copy of my hospital discharge papers,with the airline rebooking me and my partner with minimum costs. When I had to ring back and delay it further all again,it was the same quick response (only minutes waiting on the call),Rex had the details and understood the situation. Every call showed how professional Rex is and how wonderful it is to be treated like a valuable customer.
Diana Dickens,Woonona,NSW

JAPAN UNMASKED

Ms Pope’s observations (Traveller Letters,April 29) on Japanese mask wearing are at odds with ours. We had an excellent 21 days in Japan recently. After 10 days exploring Fukushima prefecture we joined a tour group in Tokyo. Mask wearing on trains is the norm and in department stores about two-thirds of customers wear masks. Outdoors that proportion drops to maybe a third. Photos of Dotonbori,Osaka,crowds confirm that estimate,but I do concede that further north the proportion is higher. Entry is also a bit hit-and-miss. We completed all the paperwork before departure and it took two hours to clear customs at Narita. Others on the tour reported five hours to clear customs,despite having all the certificates.
Dan Dempsey,Oatley,NSW

TIP OF THE WEEK:YOU WOULDN’T CREDIT IT

I’ve just returned from a work trip to South India,and even though all of my banks knew that I was overseas,very few outlets in the state of Karnataka accepted foreign cards. Apparently they have to pay a surcharge and for them it’s simply not worth it. Five-star hotels and restaurants will do so as they have foreign travellers,but even really good restaurants in the capital,Bengaluru[formerly Bangalore],won’t. ATMs allow you to draw out cash,but if you’re expecting to pay by card everywhere that takes cards,beware.
Jeremy Hogarth,Langwarrin,Vic
EDITOR’S NOTE We’d be interested to hear from readers of their experiences in other parts of India,and for that matter other countries,with respect to cash versus card transactions.

OFF THE PLANET

I recently travelled to Europe and,noting that the Netherlands offered one of the highest rates of tax refund on export,I decided to spoil myself with a designer brand hand-bag. The salesperson was very helpful in explaining the procedures for getting the tax refund. Dutifully,I presented the handbag and my papers to the customs officers at Brussels railway station before departure to London,and they stamped the documents. As per the directions I mailed the documents the following day in the supplied Planet Payment tax-free pre-paid envelope. This all took place in January this year. I have received no refund from this company,even after sending three emails (all without response). Am I just unlucky or has this happened to other unsuspecting travellers?
Samantha Hogarth,Moonee Ponds,Vic

FULL DISCLOSURE

I was alerted to the issue of blocked views of Sydney Harbour (Traveller Letters,April 22). I booked lunch at Quay restaurant for ourselves and interstate guests. When making the booking,I was told of the possibility of a cruise ship blocking our view. As we are Sydneysiders and our guests are regular visitors to Sydney,I said that it would not be a problem. However,I was very appreciative of being informed. Perhaps hotels with harbour views could do the same.
Lillian Hornby,Sans Souci,NSW

HELPING HANDS

At Zurich Hauptbahnhof in Switzerland I was the victim of a theft with the thieves escaping with my passport and various small items including a Kindle. From first phone contact to the issuing of an emergency passport the Australian Consulate in Geneva was reassuring,helpful and efficient,turning what could have been a very distressing situation into a manageable inconvenience. Then on my return,1Cover Travel Insurance was equally as efficient and helpful,processing the claim for both the cost of the emergency passport and the full replacement passport obtained back in Australia.
Richard Kelleher,Hughesdale,Vic

GINZA’S GOT THE GOODS

We have just spent a few days in Tokyo – what a city. We stayed in Ginza which reminded me of Manhattan with its wide boulevards and loads of high-end shops. Next door to Ginza sits the Imperial Palace with none of the surrounding buildings allowed to have neon signs facing the palace so that the palace can exist in peace. Everywhere is so clean,despite there being no public rubbish bins.
Leonie Jarrett,Hawthorn East,Vic

SEASIDE SURPRISE

We recently spent a week staying in New Plymouth (newzealand.com), a seaside town on the western slope of the mountain (Taranaki,New Zealand’s own Mount Fuji). It may be a small town but it is packed with the most interesting sights. It is home to the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery,(govettbrewster.com) many kinetic and other interesting sculptures around town and particularly along the seafront walking track. There are interesting gardens and parks and the not-to-be-missed surprise - the spectacular gardens in the Te Henui Cemetery. Then there is the mountain itself in all its phases,with spectacular views and walking (tawhitimuseum.co.nz),another surprise and a place worth visiting. This North Island holiday was thoroughly enjoyed by three generations of the family.
Gail White,Ferntree Gully,Vic