Packages v pleasure
I’ve travelled all over the world in the past 30 years and I have never booked a package (Pick a Package in 2016, last week). Not because doing it myself is cheaper, but because I like browsing places, hotels, flights and cars. Dreaming about a new place and constructing your trip little by little give you emotions that you can’t experience by booking a package somebody else has assembled. I think your article played with negative emotions and fears. Travelling should be about pleasure and discovery.
Luisa Pagnotta, via thesundaytimes.co.uk
Scilly Wi-fi prices
I notice that some of the ships in your river-cruise special (last week) offer free wi-fi. This is a bonus, as the cost of using the internet on our cruise to the Scilly Isles and the River Seine with Cruise & Maritime Voyages was 60p a minute, plus a £4 activation free. Needless to say, the ship’s internet cafe was empty.
Kay Bagon, Hertfordshire
Toilet training
I see from your article The Shape of Cabins to Come (April 17) that Boeing is going to install self-cleaning loos. Dirty lavatories could be avoided if, before take-off, cabin crew asked that all male passengers sit down at all times when using them.
Paul Robinson, via email
Name calling
Stuart Hicks says it’s more practical for travellers to call it Köln, not Cologne (Letters, April 17). It also helps to know both local names. Driving in Flanders, looking for Ypres, we got totally lost. A local had to tell us we should look for “Ieper”.
Tony Firshman, via email