Traveller Letters: We were refused extra legroom seats because we’re ‘too old’

It was encouraging to see Michael Gebicki’s good news environmental story, “Hiring a car in Europe? Best to go green” (Traveller, February 10). Many cities in the UK and Europe are going to use an emissions sticker system to prevent highly polluting vehicles from entering – a boost for real climate action and cleaner air in these cities. The best news in your article was the last sentence: “... last weekend Parisians voted in a referendum in favour of subjecting large SUVs to a threefold increase in parking charges”. Hopefully Australia will follow suit with similar measures regarding highly polluting vehicles.
Dennis O’Hara, Waniassa, ACT

Delaying tactics

Over the Christmas-New Year period we were fortunate enough to travel to London and New York to visit family. Our British Airways flight from London to New York ended up being cancelled after we had checked in and gone through security. After some confusion, BA staff eventually booked us a flight the next day. They took us back through security, and we went to a nearby hotel they had organised. Once in New York we emailed a claim to BA with relevant details. They responded shortly thereafter and followed up two weeks later with another email. I have just received reimbursement of expenses plus £500 ($965) a person into my account as per European aviation requirements. It’s beyond time we introduced a similar scheme for travel delays in Australia.
John Stefanatos, Mosman, NSW

Fairbnb v unfairbnb

While sympathising with Esther Viola’s expensive error (Traveller Letters, February 10) while booking accommodation in Lake Como, she missed a vital component in beginning her online search. Airbnb and other booking sites list “free cancellation” as one of the filters that can be applied from the start. This ensures that a change in travel plans or an error with dates can be rectified or even reimbursed. Be sure to check the specific time allowed as this can vary from only 48 hours after booking up until the day before moving in.
Janet Wilson, Mount Ousley, NSW

Putting the “oh” in CEO

Thank you, Michael Gebicki, for your advice to contact the chief executive directly when travel agencies or airlines refuse to communicate on issues relating to their poor performance. I have followed your advice, but sadly, there has been no response from Airnorth, despite nine emails, completing forms they require (twice), and two approaches to the CEO. When airlines refuse basic communication, you cannot even get a complaint reference number to use when contacting consumer support authorities.
Brian Collin, Kotara South, NSW

Floor in the system

How I envy the can-do attitude Mike Harris encountered in Tashkent and Urgench (Traveller Letters, February 10). When our American Airlines connecting flight arrived very late in Fort Worth, Texas, a year ago, we received no advice or assistance from the crew, finally discovering that we needed to catch a train to another terminal and arriving only to find the gate had just closed. Our Qantas flight had not left – and our was luggage was beside it on the tarmac – but the gate staff insisted that regulations precluded them from letting us board. It was late at night and there were no seats on flights to Sydney for about a week, so we ended up booking a flight to Los Angeles early the next day then spending the rest of the night on the floor. We had to wait two more days in LA before we finally got a flight home. Our luggage turned up almost a week later.
Merona Martin, Meroo Meadow, NSW

Village voices

EDITOR’S NOTE Following our February 15 story on the world’s most beautiful towns, Traveller readers have responded to our invitation to submit their own nominations for the title of their favourite town. Each letter writer below wins a copy of the Lonely Planet book Beautiful World, valued at $29.99.

Medieval marvel

My choice of favourite town is Ribe, the oldest town in Denmark, established by the Vikings in the eighth century. While not scenically beautiful in the conventional sense, I have wonderful memories of our visit there one sunny July day. We found ourselves in the North Sea port city of Esbjerg with a day to fill, so a 30-minute train trip took us to Ribe, Denmark’s best preserved medieval town, with the cathedral in its centre begun in the 12th century. We climbed to the top of the tower, built 200 years later, and, to quote my diary written that night, we had “a wonderful view over the marshland and flat farmland that now cuts Ribe off from the sea; looking to the cobbled streets and into the courtyards behind the house frontages; and on a platform on a nearby chimney top, a nest with a stork family in occupation.“
Alison Barr, Rowville, Vic

Town for all seasons

Your correspondents made a great selection of beautiful towns, especially Cesky Krumlov in the northern hemisphere. But as Dorothea Mackellar wrote, “My love is otherwise”. In the outer reaches of the southern hemisphere lies Queenstown, New Zealand. With snow-capped mountains reflecting in the clear water of the lake, sparkling blue rapids in the river, a botanic garden with mature trees and roses, heritage buildings and shady walks, Queenstown has something to delight the weary traveller in any season.
Sandra Torpey, Hawthorn, Vic

No tourist trap

Mousehole is a historic fishing village on the west coast of Cornwall, just three miles from Penzance, England. Its harbour and the surrounding village are so picturesque it feels like you’ve landed in a miniature Lilliput Lane village. Lichen-covered fisherman’s cottages huddle together on the narrow streets. There’s plenty to see and do, with art galleries, gift shops and places to eat tucked up the little lanes. Enjoy perhaps the best Cornish pasties in the world at Jessie’s Dairy and don’t forget the ice-cream, made with Cornish clotted cream, for dessert. Please just remember that its pronounced “Mowsul”, not “Mousehole”.
Adriaan Vanjaarsveldt, Cremorne, NSW

Grass act

Fontaine de Vaucluse is a small village in south-east France, between the foothills of the Alps and the Rhone, about one hour from Avignon. Yes, the town is pretty and picturesque, as many French villages are, but Fontaine has something special about it. The town itself surrounds a wide expanse of water from the Sorgue River but instead of being blue, it is a vibrant green; colour which comes from the grasses within it. Here you can do a short walk to the source of the river, passing by sellers offering their local wares. There are several eateries, with local fare on offer and if you are lucky enough to have the time, then stay in one of the hotels or pensiones.
Jennifer Astfalck, Seaholme, Vic

Road less travelled

The ancient Tea Horse Road traversed south-west China carrying, among other things, tea westwards and Tibetan ponies eastwards. It perhaps is not as famous as the Silk Road further north, but its remnants have enormous charm. One of these is the tiny market town of Shaxi in Yunnan, between Dali in the south and Lijiang in the north. Home to the delightful Bai people, this is a jewel: altogether gorgeous, vibrant and remarkably well preserved. Shaxi brings the everyday of the Qing Dynasty to life beautifully.
Steve James, Fairfield, Vic

Deeper south of France

“La petite ville” of Akaroa, south-east of Christchurch, New Zealand, is my pick for the world’s most beautiful town. Founded by the French, but nudged out by the British, this cute little town retains its French charm with street names like Rue Jolie and the quaint eatery Ma Maison overlooking the spectacular harbour. Whether it’s hiking the Crater Rim, wandering the streets (or rues) lined with pretty timber cottages or cruising the harbour for a chance to witness the rare and endangered Hector’s dolphins, you’ll be spoiled with activities to work off the tempting French delicacies on offer. And for that special souvenir, check out the stunning Blue Pearl Centre perfectly located on the wharf.
Roxanne Le Blanc, Croydon, 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