This was published 5 years ago
Readers' travel tips: Beware the street donation charity scam
TIP OF THE WEEK: TALLINN TALES
Tallinn, the capital of Estonia on the Baltic Sea, offers a delightful stay for the traveller wanting a unique experience. This city is enveloped in ancient stone walls, radiating from the large city square. Each avenue holds surprises including culinary delights, exotic amber jewellery, beautiful historic buildings and medieval experiences. I found the city incredibly charming and loved ambling down its stone paths.
Tchaikovsky Restaurant offers an amazing dining experience for the discerning tourist as does the climb to the top of the towns tower for a dizzying view. Well worth the visit.
Katrina Groombridge, Witta, QLD
GRAB IT AND RUN
We were in the Jardin de Montjuic in Barcelona when two young women asked us to donate money for a deaf kids charity. All of their IDs and info looked genuine. We were then asked to complete an info sheet saying where we were from. Next we were asked for ID. My alarm bells rang though unfortunately my husbands didn't.
As he was getting ID from his wallet, a third woman, who appeared from nowhere, grabbed the money out of his wallet. This all happened really quickly with clipboards hiding the thief who was crouched down. It was quite an unnerving experience as we thought we had been so careful!
Annie Warn, Narara, NSW
GRAVE UNDERTAKINGS
If you are lucky enough, as we were, to find a cleric who will escort you down the narrow plain stairway to the basement of the Capuchin Church on Neuer Market Square, Vienna, you will get a big surprise. After seeing the magnificence of the Hapsburg's Palaces, this humble basement is the last place you would expect to find the sarcophagi of 143 members of the Hapsburg royal family.
Now sarcophagi may not be in everybody's bucket list, but the stone carving and metal work of the sarcophagi, particularly that of Empress Maria Teresa, are a rare treasure to be admired.
Graeme Muller, Labrador, QLD
HIRE PURPOSE
To those readers who feel they are being ripped off by the RACV and the NRMA (Tip-o-meter, June 24) in respect to international driving permits (IDPs), smile – you are not. What car rental and hire companies require from you is not the same as what the law of the country requires. The rental company wants to see your valid country of residence driver's licence.
I've too have never been asked to show an IDP by a car hire company in France. However the police want you to show, if asked, your IDP (I know as it's happened to me). As a non-EU resident, in France, you are required by law to hold a valid IDP. I would assume this would apply to many counties both EU and non-EU.
Judith Armstrong, Elwood, VIC
MUSCAT TEARS
Before I departed for Oman in April I was advised by the Royal Oman Police that my visa payment of OMR20 or about $US50 had been received and receipted. However, on arrival in Muscat, I was advised this was not sufficient, and that I had to pay this amount again, which I duly did.
When I queried this after I had departed the country, I was advised that my visa had been rejected after I had paid for the visa a second time, and entered and left the country without being challenged.
I asked again for a refund and why my visa had been rejected, but Oman's consular office in Melbourne advised me to e-mail the Royal Oman Police which I did. But I have never received a reply to my repeated queries. This might be avoided by purchasing your visa on arrival, although there is a possibility of it being refused (as mine was without explanation – after I departed Oman).
Kevin Judah White, Canberra, ACT
THE TRAINS IN SPAIN
Travellers 60 years or older in Spain can obtain a gold card (tarjeta dorada) that allows them to travel Spanish trains at 40 per cent discount on Mondays to Thursdays and 25 per cent discount on the other days of the week. The card which costs €6 must be paid for in cash. Rail tickets can be purchased in cash or with credit cards. Spain has an excellent rail system.
Cards are available after showing your passport at any rail station and at the RENFE office at Terminal 5, Barajas Airport Madrid. They are valid for one year.
Kyran L. Kheir, Alexandria, NSW
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