Viking is king I

I also took the Viking Homelands cruise from Bergen to Stockholm recently and couldn’t agree more with Anthony Dennis’ story (Traveller,August 19) on the same voyage. The ship was fabulous as were all the shore excursions. I would like to add that the excellent and entertaining onboard lectures were a real highlight. We had three academics on board,specialists in history,archaeology,art and astronomy. If you missed one,the lectures were uploaded later in the day to watch on your TV in your cabin. Although Scandinavia is famous for its amazing scenery,it also has a fascinating history which was brought to life in these lectures.
Christine Bentley,Goulburn,NSW

Viking is king II

I’ve cruised three times with Viking to Scandinavian,European and Middle Eastern ports and wouldn’t cruise with any other company. The Viking ships are spotless,friendly and a pleasure to sail on. The shore excursions are faultlessly organised (except for Haifa in Israel,but Israeli immigration stuffed that one up) and they transport you to exotic,off the beaten track locations. The food,even in the help yourself World Cafe,is excellent. Viking cruise line will always be my number one choice for shipboard adventures.
Christine Tiley,Albany Creek,Qld

Oceans versus rivers

In reference to Savvy Traveller (Traveller,August 12),Brian Johnston makes a few judgmental calls about ocean cruising. Doesn’t he know that you can get off an ocean cruise ship at every port stop? Even with river cruising,you can’t just jump off whenever you want. He also refers to getting “sent to the naughty corner if you don’t join the organised shore excursions” which again is patently untrue,as you have the option to book an independent tour or just do it yourself and walk around at your own leisure. True ocean cruisers enjoy the sea days as much as port days,where you get to sleep in,check out the various dining and drink venues or just relax on your part of the ship. River cruises rarely have the luxury of “sea days” and it’s just go and keep going daily,the truth be told.
Albert Sebastian,Ashburton,Vic

EDITOR’S NOTE Points taken but Brian Johnston,being a veteran and enthusiastic ocean cruiser,had adopted something of a devil’s advocate posture of sorts in his Savvy Traveller piece advocating river cruising.

No more,please

Simon Benedict (Traveller Letters,August 12) wants me to be outraged by the refusal to grant more flights to Qatar Airways. This is the same Qatar Airways whotreated Australian women so appallingly at Doha airport in 2020 that they were forced into intimate examinations and strip-searched,leading to a lawsuit? Frankly,any Aussie who supports this airline deserves our outrage,not the other way around.
Victoria Watts,Brighton,Vic

Short sighted

On three consecutive trips now,we’ve had to endure the complaints and hostility of taxi drivers at Melbourne Airport,disappointed that our destination is only 10 minutes away. It’s not a good look for Melbourne,which urgently needs a more efficient land transport system to get to and from the airport,including trains.
Matthew Doyle,Newport,Vic

Wrong,to be quite Franco

I am afraid that your correspondent (Traveller Letters,August 19) has been misinformed about the time in Spain. GMT only applies in Britain and Ireland,while GMT + 1 applies in Western Europe - from Madrid to Oslo,Germany and France etc.

So for once,Hitler had nothing to do with it,nor did Franco. However,beware,as Moscow is one hour ahead of Western Europe.
Herman Beyersdorf,Armidale,NSW

Move over

Further to the comment (Traveller Letters,August 19) on slow cars in the wrong lane. In all Australian jurisdictions since the start of this century,it has been an offence to be in the right lane where the speed limit is greater than 80 kilometres per hour,unless overtaking another vehicle or making a turn. Travellers on major interstate highways will know that this regulation is too often ignored by vehicles remaining in the right lane illegally.
Brian Kidd,Mt Waverley Vic

The other one

In the article on Greece,(Traveller,August 5),it was Hannibal Mago,rather than the more-famous Hannibal (born 247 BCE),who sacked Selinus (or Selinunte) in 409 BCE.
Kym Haines,Gordon,NSW

There’s really no point

Your correspondent (Traveller Letters,August 19),like many before,bemoans the use of Qantas points when attempting to book flights. I gave up many years ago attempting to co-ordinate my holiday flights around the meagre booking offerings provided using Qantas points. Now I use my points for accommodation and suggest others do likewise,thus allowing me to have a free selection of airline carriers.
Michael Webb,Cromer,NSW

Rating Emirates

I,too,received a quick refund (Traveller Letters,August 19) when I contacted Emirates to cancel a credit voucher which I’d held since 2020. A young man took my details and an email appeared the same day acknowledging my request. Within a week the full refund appeared in my bank account which surprised me,especially after reading so many reports of delays from other airlines. I’d definitely consider travelling with Emirates again.
Denise Wood,Pennant Hills,NSW

Tip of the week:Easy riders

We are a couple in our 60s who have just returned from a nine-day motorcycling trip of the magical,mystical kingdom of Bhutan with Bhutan Tusk Motorcycle Tours. What a memorable experience. No traffic lights in the entire country,scenery and wilderness that is awe-inspiring and the friendliest,most welcoming hosts.

Our tour combined riding and cultural activities and everything was exceptionally well-organised. The accommodation was delightful,food delicious and our guides and support crew were fantastic. We highly recommend travellers consider a visit to this incredible country.
Jenny Brown,Terrigal,NSW

Breaking point

We recently returned from a remarkable tour to the Northern Territory. We enjoyed the tour tremendously and the amazing outback scenery. Unfortunately our trip was spoiled when our hotel room was broken in to during the night while we slept at our hotel in Katherine. The thieves came in through the back glass door which was closed but not locked. We didn’t even notice that there was a back door as it was covered with a heavy curtain and we had arrived quite late to the hotel. On the next night in Jabiru,the first thing we did at the hotel there was to check the back door and,in doing so,saw that the lock of the back door was broken. We then moved rooms to avoid another break-in. Be vigilant as the crime rate in the Northern Territory is quite alarming,as we were told.
Judy Davies,Rose Bay,NSW

You must be kidding

The promotion for the Fijian hotel on the Qantas website read:“When you stay at Tambua Sands Beach Resort - Adults Only in Korolevu,you’ll be next to a golf course…” Excellent. I booked,paid the non-refundable tariff. So,heading there in a taxi we travelled through Korolevu and I wondered whether the taxi driver had missed Tambua Sands. He didn’t because it was,I estimate,some 35-40 kilometres from Korolevu. As I checked in,a couple with a crying baby were dining together (no kids,really?).

No worries,I thought,kids are not going to bother me on the adjoining golf course,so I asked where I could access it. The lady at check-in laughed. “There is no golf course here.” I asked:“Is it close by then?” to which she replied:“No,no golf course nearby. ” I was stuck by myself with no village or shops nearby,no golf course within cooee and no car. Calls and correspondence with Qantas have seen them simply wipe their hands of the issue and refer it to the hotel who responded that it was not false advertising because there was a golf course 10 to 20 minutes away by car.
Jan Macpherson,Barwon Heads,Vic

Blue heaven

In need of a quick escape from Sydney winter chills,we just spent a warm,magical week in paradise on Moso Island,Vanuatu. Just a 10-minute boat ride from the main island of Efate,Moso is an island sanctuary surrounded by crystal-clear,blue waters teeming with colourful tropical fish,amazing coral and shaded by rustling coconut trees.

Postcard perfect with great food,well-appointed villas,deserted white sandy beaches and the best snorkelling straight of the beach. A thoroughly relaxing week being pampered by the friendliest staff. Tip:Explore Port Vila before,rather than after,to prolong that Moso magic.
Michelle Stankiewicz,Pymble,NSW

Go for it

I am now 74 and realise the joy of travelling but also its pitfalls. I usually do group travel as I am not great at organisation. While waiting longer to head off on travel after you retire can mean travel insurance is higher and comes with clauses,it is a must. While 47 days of travel in one trip proved to be too long my advice is don’t wait,just do it. While my experience of Britain was not so exciting due to it being in recovery from Brexit and the pandemic,the Military Tattoo in Edinburgh was awesome. Europe has a wow factor,especially the Greek Islands,while Japan is my bucket list favourite. Closer to home,Norfolk Islanders are so friendly and generous with Tasmania is an experience to behold. And don’t forget New Zealand is right on our doorstep. People,the world is our oyster.
Shirley Clark,Abermain,NSW

The Letter of the Week writer wins three Hardie Grant travel books. Seehardiegrant.com

The Tip of the Week writer wins a set of three Lonely Planet travel books. Seeshop.lonelyplanet.com