Telegraph Travel awards
When writing about Italy, your readers' favourite destination (Telegraph Travel awards, October 29), Lee Marshall complains he would expect the buses to run on time in paradise, rather than early. He should have used the trains.
We have just returned from a great holiday in the Sabine Hills near Rome. We caught the commuter trains into Rome, which were very frequent and on time. We were able to park all day for €1.50 in the station car park at Saxa Rubra where there was ample space. The journey took about half an hour and cost €1 one-way.
P Edge, by email
Graham Boynton says that New York City, which won the award for Telegraph readers' favourite city, is somewhere you must visit at least once in a lifetime. Aged 70, we have just returned from our first visit and are wondering what took us so long.
I knew New Yorkers were friendly, but we had not expected such positive helpfulness and courtesy: not once did I hear a formulaic "Have a nice day". Even the very high-profile police presence was kindly. We are already planning the next trip.
Chris Lilley, by email
Romania
I read with interest Sir John Ure's excellent article ("Transfixed by the three worlds of Transylvania", October 29). My husband and I drove independently from Britain to the Black Sea in September and found Romania a most warm and welcoming country. We travelled around the beautiful Maramures area in the north looking at the Orthodox wooden churches, then went onto the painted monasteries of Bucovina. We spent time in Transylvania touring the Saxon fortified churches and on the coast at the village of Vama Veche.
We never knew who we would meet or where we would stay each night. Accommodation doesn't always meet with Western standards, but this is a country trying hard to welcome foreign visitors after their many years of Communist dictatorship.
Mary Biswell, by email
I should like to add my own appreciation for the beauty and interest of Romania. It may not be known that one town, Brasov, is fabulous for skiing and is much less expensive than Alpine resorts. Wizz Air is a reliable budget airline that flies to Romania from Luton.
Fane Conant, by email
Holiday bookings
In response to Mark Cornwell's letter (Travel views, October 29) about paying cash on arrival at a rental property: from an honest villa owner's perspective, it would be impossible for me to take a booking without an initial deposit followed by the full amount two months before departure. Internet bookings involve an element of trust on both sides. If someone reserved our villa without paying the full amount, they could cancel up until the day of arrival, at which point it would be impossible to relet the villa, with subsequent financial loss to the owner and minimal loss to the renter.
The cautions outlined in the original article are sensible; in addition one can always ask for the address and landline number of the owner and ring if reassurance is needed.
Carole Barr, by email
Ski special
I read your Ski Special supplement (October 29) with interest as I have been skiing since 1958. This year, my husband and I visited Mösern in the Austrian Tyrol with a non-skiing relative. While we skied in the mornings, he enjoyed various walks and we joined him in the afternoons.
Your supplement gives useful guides to the type of skiing to be found, but as downhill skiing is only part of a winter snow holiday for all ages, it would be helpful in future to include footpaths, cross-country routes and langlauf circuits as well as the relevant information you provide on snow sureness, passes, restaurants and where to party.
