Traveller Letters: If it’s empty, why can’t I use the business class loo?

To your reader, Michael McKenna (Traveller Letters, July 6), some passengers board through the front door of planes instead of the back as ticketed, so they can dump their onboard bags in the at-that-stage-vacant overhead lockers up front, before taking their seats in the rear. I saw it done on two recent flights (not Qantas), usually by younger solo male passengers.
Nina Berry, Campbelltown, NSW

Change agents

My partner and I recently had our Ilulissat, Greenland to Reykjavik, Iceland flight delayed by 24 hours due to bad weather (a not uncommon occurrence). We had a Reykjavik to London flight the next day, which we would have missed. Something travellers may not realise is that if they have an airline ticket issued by a travel agent, only the agent can amend it, should things go wrong. As a result, Icelandair refused to do anything because it was on a separate ticket, issued by Singapore Airlines. Singapore Airlines, in turn, refused to help because the ticket had been issued by a travel agent. Fortunately, I was able to contact my travel agent, and despite the 11-hour time difference, they could act swiftly and have the ticket altered.
James Proctor, Maiden Gully, Vic

Belgian magic

We loved Bruges (Traveller, June 29), spending four fabulous nights there late September 2023, after having arrived on a Friday. The ensuing weekend was certainly busy but not unbearable, but the weekdays and evenings were quieter. Take advantage of an evening canal cruise, a guided city walk, both day and evening, for a varied snapshot of a truly beautiful city. We booked online on arrival without any issues. Climb the Belfry, an experience in itself, for spectacular views. For authentic Belgian chocolates, look for the cacao bean symbol displayed on shop fronts. I highly recommend Dumon Chocolatier on Eiermarkt.
Maree Harrison, Nerrina, Vic

Easy does it

I loved Brian Johnson’s article about setting sail on a cruise (Traveller, July 13). It brought back memories of my voyage from Athens to Mumbai in 2022. Having done the backpacking thing in Europe and Scandinavia in my youth, now in my late 70s I’m more than happy to take the easy road to travel like the author. However, there was still a little excitement on my Athens to Mumbai journey when travelling through the Suez Canal while in the Red Sea we had razor wire on the sides of the ship and armed guards aboard until reaching Oman. A police guard accompanied us upon leaving Cairo until sailing out of Egyptian waters. I’m looking forward to my next journey – Athens to Istanbul – in April 2025 on yet another comfortable adventure on the high seas.
Christine Tiley, Albany Creek, Qld

Spires to inspire

I agree with Brian Johnston that the sail away is a usually special part of a cruise voyage. My favourite was at the stern of our Silversea ship after three fabulous days in St Petersburg watching the golden spires of that amazing city until they disappeared from view, it’s etched in my memory. So sad that it can’t be experienced by other travellers at the moment.
Pauline Walden, Brighton, Vic

Sexy Rexy

We are all too familiar with the big airlines poorly managing delayed or cancelled flights. However, my recent early morning fog-delayed Rex flight to Dubbo was a lesson on how to manage such circumstances. Rex offered meal and drink vouchers even before the length of the delay was known. They also rescheduled my same day return flight without cost. Three cheers Rex, an excellent regional airline.
Rhonda Seymour, Castle Hill, NSW

Frying high

Actually, Peter Brown (Traveller Letters, July 13), it sounds like things have improved on Air India. I flew from Britain to India in 1975 and the jumbo was full of pilgrims who were cooking their own deep-fry foods on portable gas stoves in the aisles.
John Swanton, Coogee, NSW

Take a leaf

As a mostly tea, but also coffee drinker, I find the coffee complainants (Rants + raves, June 29) really are an entitled bunch. To find a proper pot of loose leaf tea around the world is the real challenge to the modern traveller. A pallid single-cup bag dunked into a full sized teapot is the best most cafes can offer. Coffee addicts, take a break.
Nick Walker, Suffolk Park, NSW

Tip of the week: Pulling out all stops

In 2023 we travelled to Europe with Vietnam Airlines as it was the most cost-effective for premium economy. We had one stopover of 12 hours, but the airport at Ho Chi Minh City is not really favourable to that length of stay so we obtained a visa for Vietnam, booked a hotel near the airport, sat by the pool, enjoyed a beer and watched the planes take off and land during a tropical storm. The only way to approach a long layover if you can.
Kerry O’Leary, Belgrave, Vic

Duck! It’s a buck!

Watch out for leaping deer when driving the North Coast 500 scenic route in Scotland. Although there are frequent warning signs, you can still get a shock when two or three of these animals, which could be cousins of kangaroos, suddenly nearly jump across your bonnet from nowhere. However, this should not deter you from travelling this absolutely stunning route. An added highlight is that you will probably need to stay at assorted B&Bs where you can meet some interesting locals and get a feel for Scottish Highland life.
Kirsten Walla, Vaucluse, NSW

High seas, high costs

My wife and I have just returned from a 10-day cruise on Carnival Splendor. Overall, I would give it an eight out of 10 for value for money but only if you skip the extras and specialty meals (as examples, lamb chops cost $38, a steak more than $70, a beer $12, a cocktail $18 and the chef’s special $155 a person). Alcohol used to be wholesale/duty free once at sea, but not any more. Make sure you take your own tea and coffee like many do, as Carnival’s is terrible. Live music and bands have been downgraded to backing tapes. That said, it was an enjoyable experience with a fantastic crew. Enjoy the complimentary fare and you’ll save a fortune.
Ray Armstrong, Tweed Heads South, NSW

Bled time

Lake Bled, Slovenia, deserves every accolade. Famous for its exquisite blue-green waters, its island bound baroque church and its fairytale clifftop castle, the lake has earned its reputation as one of Europe’s most popular destinations. But it guards a secret. Less than 30 minutes away lies another lake with, some would argue, even more appeal. Fewer crowds, less postcard glamour, more bucolic charm and, in many ways, more authentic than the icon down the road. Embedded in Triglav National Park and flanked on three sides by alps, Lake Bohinj is a haven for hikers and cyclists. Kayakers ride the Sava rapids past quaint villages and through verdant farmland. Paragliding, canyoning and caving are available as well as a host of snow-related pursuits. Bohinj is a multi - faceted gem and, as a visitor to nearby Bled, you’re strongly encouraged to explore a little further on and take advantage of its relative “neglect”.
Michele Hill, Mudjimba, Qld

More is less

We recently arrived back in Melbourne following an excellent trip to Spain where we made extensive use, without incident, of the train network. We always stowed our large suitcase in the baggage area and not on the seats or in the aisle. Unfortunately, on our final train trip home in Melbourne, we were the victims of luggage theft. We were shocked to find our Commonwealth Bank CoverMore travel insurance refused our claim – the policy states that train luggage compartments are public places and therefore any luggage stored there is not covered. Trains are a wonderful way to travel, but don’t rely on CBA’s CoverMore insurance. It becomes “Cover Less” if you follow the conductor’s instructions to store your suitcase in the luggage compartment.
Gareth Lloyd, Mount Eliza, Vic

Basin instinct

With regard to Michael Nicholls’ letter (Traveller Letters, July 13) regarding hotel sinks, the area in the bathroom designed to wash your hands and face is a wash basin, not designed like a kitchen sink to fill your kettle. Might I suggest using a cup or glass to fill the kettle with the appropriate amount of water?
Andrew Young, Sale, Vic

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

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